Data: New (physical) book chronicles the virtual

NEW YORK (AP) — We question. We research. We catalog. We quantify. We aggregate, calculate, communicate, analyze, extrapolate and conclude. And eventually, if we're fortunate and thoughtful, we understand. These are the contours of the society that has taken shape in the past generation with the rise of an unstoppable, invisible force that changes human lives in ways from the microscopic to the gargantuan:...

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Pope gets more than half million Twitter followers

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Even though he hasn't sent a single tweet yet, Pope Benedict had more than half a million Twitter followers in eight languages on Tuesday, the day after the Vatican unveiled his handle: @Pontifex. They included people ranging from the simple Roman Catholic faithful to a Jewish head of state. "Your holiness, welcome to Twitter. Our relations with the Vatican are at their...

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Nokia Siemens to close German services unit: sources

FRANKFURT/HELSINKI (Reuters) - Nokia Siemens Networks' (NSN) German services unit faces closure and 1,000 jobs are at risk as Nokia and Siemens shake up the joint venture, two sources said. One of the people familiar with the situation said the closure would be effective by the end of 2013 and will be announced on Wednesday during a meeting at which workers will be told a crucial contract with Deutsche...

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Android projected to own the smartphone market for the next four years

Despite the increased adoption rate of smartphones, the overall worldwide mobile phone market is expected to see minimal growth this year. The International Data Corporation predicts that the market will see a year-over-year increase of only 1.4% in 2012, the lowest annual growth rate in three years. Going forward, however, the market is expected to see increased growth. Mobile phone vendors are...

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New net rules would hit digital economy: diplomat

DUBAI (Reuters) - Inter-governmental regulation of the Internet could deter investment, raise costs for consumers and hinder online access, a U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday. The United States has been leading efforts to stop a United Nations body from extending its authority into cyberspace. U.S. Ambassador Terry Kramer reiterated his country's "hands off" message at a summit hosted by the International...

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5 dead as heavy snow hits Balkans

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall have killed at least five people and caused travel chaos across the Balkans, with rescue teams struggling to reach passengers stranded in buses and cars in Serbia on Sunday. Officials said four people have died in Croatia and one in Serbia as a result of blizzards in the region of southwestern Europe over the weekend, closing airports...

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British police contact Australian police over hoax

LONDON (AP) — British police say they have contacted Australian authorities about a possible investigation into an Australian radio station's hoax call to a U.K. hospital. The callers impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles and received confidential details about the former Kate Middleton's medical information. The call was recorded and broadcast. The prank took an ugly twist Friday with...

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French min: 'Kind of racism' behind Corsica bombs

PARIS (AP) — France's interior minister said Sunday that there was a "kind of racism" behind the bombings of dozens of vacation homes on the French island of Corsica but stopped short of saying nationalist groups were responsible. No one has claimed responsibility for the Friday night attacks and officials have not overtly pointed the finger. But several signs indicate there might have been a political...

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French official: 'Kind of racism' in Corsica bombs

PARIS (AP) — France's interior minister said Sunday that there was a "kind of racism" behind the bombings of dozens of vacation homes on the French island of Corsica but stopped short of saying nationalist groups were responsible. No one has claimed responsibility for the Friday night attacks and officials have not overtly pointed the finger. But several signs indicate there might have been a political...

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Romanian gov't expected to win bitter elections

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians braved snow and heavy rain on Sunday to vote in a parliamentary election expected to return the government to power, a result that could inflame the personal rivalry between the nation's top two officials and bring yet more political upheaval. Authorities were asking the army and the defense ministry to help clear roads closed by blizzards, and some 250 polling...

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