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Technology
A Norwegian teenager who was accused of illegally copying
DVDs by the Motion Picture Association of America has
been acquitted.
The Norwegian court cleared Jon Johansen of all charges,
stating that he had not broken any law when he created
a software programme, which allowed him to break the
copy protection placed onto DVDs.
The court cited a lack of evidence in the case, particularly
in regard to Mr Johansen's intention to assist others
in breaking copyright laws. The teenager claimed he
created the programme for his personal use only.
The ruling will be seen as a damaging setback for the
entertainment industry, particularly in the US, as it
battles to gain more control over what consumers can
do with the films, music and software they purchase.
Human Rights
Pope John Paul II gave his traditional New Year message
of peace and goodwill and used it to appeal for an end
to the "fratricidal and senseless" conflict
in the Middle East and called upon both Arabs and Israelis
to stop their continual cycle of violence toward each
other.
Whilst not actually referring directly to the situation
brewing over Iraq, he also asked the leaders of the
world to solve issues and problems facing the international
community through peaceful means rather than through
the use of any force.
Science
A commission inquiry into the explosion of Europe's
new super rocket, the Ariane 5-ESCA, on its maiden flight
has blamed a fault in the main rocket motor.
The commission's report found that a leakage in the
cooling system affected the rocket's thrust and therefore
caused it to lose control, leading to its self-destruction
shortly after it had taken off in December.
Two satellites worth 600 million euros were plunged
into the Atlantic Ocean as a result of the malfunction.
The new rocket was designed as the next step up in
Arianespace's Ariane 5 satellite launcher technology
- with the new variant able to lift 10 tonnes towards
geostationary orbit. Success of this new development
is key to maintaining Europe's competitiveness in the
commercial space transport sector.
As a result of the commission's findings, Arianespace's
next launch, the Rosetta Mission, has been postponed.
The Rosetta launch, which will land a probe onto the
Comet Wirtanen, will be one of the most daring missions
ever carried out in space.
Business
General Motors has unveiled a direct competitor to the
Phantom, the latest super luxury model to come out of
the Rolls-Royce factory.
Its new model comes complete with a Cadillac badge,
houses a whopping V16 engine and is so exclusive that
it will only go into production if there is enough interest
shown on the market by prospective buyers with the wallets
and appetite for speed large enough to tame such a beast.
The Cadillac Sixteen is a rear-wheel drive with 7,000-rpm
capability, 1,000 horsepower and its "Displacement
on Demand" technology allows the engine to run
on four, eight or sixteen cylinders depending on driving
conditions.
The last V16 Cadillac to be unleashed upon the world
car market was during the 1920s.
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