LONDON (Reuters) – Boy wizard Harry Potter is back in cinemas later this month with the sixth installment of the movie franchise, and another box office bonanza looks assured for the Warner Bros. studio.
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” hits screens on July 15, promising high-speed action, dark and dangerous battles with the forces of evil, budding romance at Hogwarts school for wizards and the expected death of a prominent character.
The wait has been a long one for Potter fans around the world who have followed the fate of Harry and his friends through the seven best-selling books by British author J.K. Rowling.
Warner Bros. pushed the release date of Half-Blood Prince back from 2008, leaving a two-year gap since the fifth movie “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and the final novel “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”.
The release of Potter books and films are major events for the entertainment industry, both because of the passion fans share for the stories, dubbed “Pottermania” in the media, and the amount of money they generate.
The seven Harry Potter books, which began in 1997, have sold more than 400 million copies worldwide and turned Rowling into a multi-millionaire publishing phenomenon… [so says Reuters]
New Free Website Uptime Monitoring Service
Website Monitoring Alerts
If you have a website or blog running under ANY publishing platform it’s always a good idea to be alerted if your site is down for any reason! Rockbridge Services LLC has introduced a new website monitoring system that can provide you that notification. We have added some links where you can go directly to their site and test it out. You can also sign up your website for free and then try out their notification service in real time before subscribing. They offer both a free version as well as a professional premium upgrade – It’s YOUR choice which is fine with us…
This new service is worth checking out if you don’t have any method of monitoring your website’s uptime and want to be alerted to your cell phone or Blackberry if your site goes down…
|
| Don’t Let Downtime Ruin Your Business!
1. Know problems earlier
2. Fix problems earlier
3. Improve your uptime dramatically
Sign Up FREE · Learn More · Demo |
|
Here is some additional information taken from their website…
Rockbridge Services provides: Website monitoring, web server monitoring & server monitoring from worldwide locations. Receive downtime alerts via SMS & Email directed right to your cell phone or any of your key email account(s).
President Obama and Washington’s Western allies have condemned the ongoing crackdown, further straining relations between Tehran and the West as the U.S. prepares to open diplomatic talks with Iran over its nuclear program.
Ahmadinejad, unusually silent since June 14, when his description of his opponents as “dirt” triggered a massive rally in central Tehran that drew hundreds of thousands, today warned Obama to avoid the path of his predecessor, George W. Bush.
“We do not expect anything from the British and the European countries’ governments, which are not honorable, and their history is known to the world,” Ahmadienjad said in comments broadcast on state television. “But why has Mr. Obama been caught up in this trap while he has the slogan of change?”
An adviser to Khamenei today lashed out at Britain’s decision to freeze $1.6 billion in Iranian assets as a gesture of support for human rights in Iran.
“In their media, they repeatedly claim to be advocates of human rights in Iran,” said Ali-Akbar Velayati, the leader’s foreign affairs adviser. “They say they are defending the Iranian people, but such a move is obviously against the Iranian nation because the assets belong to the people, not to particular individuals.”
But though the U.S. and others have condemned the Iranian government’s crackdown, Russian leaders say Tehran has acted within the law.
“We are convinced that all the issues that arise in connection with the recent election should be resolved in accordance with Iranian laws, with procedures set out in these laws. And, as we understand, this is exactly what is happening,” Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said at a news conference in Berne, Switzerland, according to Interfax news agency. More…
Seems like the 70’s in the U.S. doesn’t it? For any of you that remember the 70’s there is a startling resemblance. The world is watching thousands of Iranians that are making a statement. We have had enough!!
Now 7 more dead within 24 hours. While the so called President of Iran is off in Russia for who knows what purpose. Perhaps to convince Moscow that the Holocaust never happened and Stalingrad was never burned to the ground by the Nazi Germany.
Power to the People!
Iranian state television is reporting that at least seven people were killed Monday when they allegedly tried to attack a military post in Tehran, near the site of a massive pro-opposition rally.
The Press TV report Tuesday says several others were injured when unidentified gunmen fired into the crowd around sundown after a peaceful rally.
There had been earlier reports from eyewitnesses saying armed members of a pro-government militia opened fire at one point, killing at least one demonstrator and wounding several others Monday. Some of the protesters had set the militia headquarters on fire.
Another Rally Planned
Iranian protesters are planning to hold another demonstration Tuesday against the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad — defying government warnings, and in spite of the violence at Monday’s rally.
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians flooded the streets of the capital Monday to see and hear defeated reformist presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, a former prime minister.
Mr. Mousavi told the crowd through a loudspeaker that people want to defend their votes and their rights. He has accused the government of voter fraud. More…
So why is the President and the Secretary of State so silent on this issue?? Where is Washington’s support for the brave Iranians who have dared to defy the current Islamic fundamentalist regime? Just a soft toned voice saying they are “disturbed”. Now we are hearing reports of the silencing of the opposition voices that are questioning the outcome of this shame of an “election”? Where is the outrage from the left in America who should be recalling images of Kent State back in the ’70’s where protesters were gunned down for doing the very same thing? Where is the American support for the Iranian people to challenge what THEY see as corrupt authority and incumbent power? How soon we forget our history! Obama… do you still plan to sit down with Ahmadinejad without pre-conditions after these still unfolding events? Please tell us!
Iranian Demonstrations
Iran’s pro-reform leader Mir Hossein Mousavi addressed tens of thousands of supporters in the Iranian capital Tehran Mondduring a huge rally to protest the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. There were reports by eyewitnesses that a demonstrator was killed by gunfire from a building used by a pro-government militia.
The protest defied a government ban on demonstrations, but security forces watched quietly.
Mousavi addressed the cheering crowd, waving green flags and banners and shouting slogans against the government.
He says our people are seeking respect and and seeking to defend their votes and their rights.
Mr. Ahmadinejad has faced demonstrations and riots since Saturday, after officials announced his landslide victory. (See slideshow of eyewitness accounts of Tehran protests)
Many in the crowd chanted slogans to decry President Ahmedinejad.
One Mousavi supporter at Monday’s rally complained that the election was ’stolen’ and the vote was rigged.
He says that he and others are demonstrating to say “no” to Mr. Ahmedinejad. He says we have already said “yes” to Mir Hossein Mousavi, Friday night, but because of corruption, they corrupted our election.
Mr. Ahmadinejad has dismissed the protesters’ claims, saying the election was free and fair. Defeated candidate Mousavi has continued to urge calm in a message on his Internet Web site.
But an Associated Press photographer reported as the rally was ending he saw one person shot and killed and several others who appeared to be seriously wounded in Enghelab Square. Eyewitnesses say the gunfire came from a compound for the Basij religious militia, which is linked to Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard
The country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered an examination into Mousavi’s claims of vote rigging.
Despite restrictions placed on journalists and the blocking of internet web sites and cell phone text messaging in Iran, thousands of Mousavi supporters continue to find ways post hundreds of messages to a support group on the Facebook website.
Dozens of pictures of police brutality were posted, including a young man drenched in blood, and a black-clad riot policeman pounding demonstrators who had fallen to the ground.”
“This is the start of a brand new revolution,” wrote one young man who identified himself as Reza on the Mousavi Web site. “It is not going to stop.” — AP
It would be great to see some support, even if it is only verbal, coming from not only the U.S. but all countries that aspire to a civilized society to get behind the NEW revolution that is taking hold in Iran. Perhaps it might inspire other parts of the Middle East to reject overly radicalized factions like Hamas, Hezboulah and the far right fanatics in the Israeli Lukud party as well. Where is the courage in Washington to help move this along??
Bling for ‘ Bing ‘: Microsoft to spend $100m branding new search engine !! — National Business Review
Microsoft is in the final stages of deciding between two names for its search engine – Bing being the front runner. The winner will be backed by a $US100 million brand campaign. From leaked memos and employee blog posts, it seems Microsoft is now trialling a new-and-improved version of its search engine, Live. While little known in these parts, or anywhere, Live is central to Microsoft’s plan to chase down Google’s huge lead in search, and search ads. The company’s ex-pat CFO, Chris Liddell is one who agrees that “Live” isn’t working, telling the Seattle Tech Report: “We have to think about things like a new brand, and marketing that.” Now, Advertising Age says Microsoft will spend $US80 million to $100 million advertising its re-launched search engine… — NBR
Tech Jackal explains the sometimes muddled and confused Microsoft search engine strategy. gOOgle has really turned on the advertising push and is full throttle on leveraging the latest social networking and Web2.0 technologies in case you haven’t noticed. Perhaps it’s the new opportunities in the on-line advertising market that has giant Mr. Softee stirring once again awakening from its sleep…
OUR FAVORITE gOOgle ad…
It’s no secret that Google has a 64% market share in the search engine market. Yahoo has captured a little over 20% and Microsoft is bouncing along at under 9% market share. Microsoft is planning to change those statistics by pouring 80 to 100 million dollars into a new advertising campaign, which will promote a new improved search engine model. This model will provide groupings of search results that are better organized, so the user can find the information needed in less time. Microsoft is also creating a Yahoo partnership, which would focus on selling ads for each other and that could eat into some of Google’s action.
Online advertising as Google has repeatedly demonstrated can produce results. The company reported a 6% increase in revenues over last year, thanks to a focused online advertising campaign. Microsoft is on the verge of introducing their new advertising rich search engine business model, as well as the brand name of the service any day. The outcome of this heavyweight advertising match will not be apparent for quite some time, but Microsoft is dedicated to improving search results as well as improving their bottom line, so they have a mission.
Google has created a search engine that is an automatic response for some casual users and their loyalty will continue to keep the company on top, but there are other users who want to get information quickly because of business needs. The Microsoft name can have an impact on that group, if the advertising dollars are spent to attract those users. — [Hat Tip: Tech Jackal]
You have to give the marketing folks at gOOgle some credit for having eyes that are bigger than their … well…. you know…
Happy Memorial Day… let’s not forget what it is that we are celebrating…!!
[+2 rating, 2 votes]
Loading ...
Loading ...
