RIAA stamps its feet again, demands Google improve anti-piracy efforts

Shocking as it may seem, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) still isn’t happy with Google’s efforts to stamp out piracy. On its official blog this week, the RIAA once again bemoaned Google’s supposed lack of enthusiasm for removing links to alleged pirated content from its search results. In particular, the RIAA complained that online piracy is still thriving despite the fact that Google has removed 20 million links to alleged piracy sites from its search results. “Every day produces more results and there is no end in sight,” the RIAA argued. “Importantly, the targets of our notices don’t even pretend to be innovators constructing new and better ways to legally enjoy music — they have simply created business models

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Cannes auction of space trip with DiCaprio raises 1.2 million euros for charity

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio attends the 'The Great Gatsby' world premiere at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New YorkBy Belinda Goldsmith CANNES (Reuters) – A trip to space with Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio raised 1.2 million euros ($1.5 million) for charity at a glitzy fundraiser at the Cannes film festival on Thursday. At the 20th annual event organized by amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, DiCaprio emerged as the mystery guest to accompany the winner on a Virgin Galactic flight into space. Actress Sharon Stone said the winner would spend three days in training with DiCaprio in Mexico before blast-off. …

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Obama renews push to close Guantánamo military prison

President Obama is renewing his stalled effort to close the military detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. It was a promise he made when he first ran for president, but one he couldn’t keep when Congress began blocking funds for releasing or transferring hundreds of prisoners captured as part of the war on terror.

Read more here: Obama renews push to close Guantánamo military prison