WebProNews

Video Of Angry French President Is Online Hit

French public television channel, France 3 has launched an investigation into how an off air video of irritated French President Nicolas Sarkozy found its way online.The video shows a France 3 technician attaching a microphone to Sarkozy's tie, and ignoring the presidents greeting. "It's a question of manners," Sarkozy is heard saying on the video. "When you're invited, you're entitled to have people say 'hello' to you."

Rock the Vote, MySpace Launch Band Contest

Rock the Vote and MySpace have partnered on an initiative to encourage potential voters to register to vote for the 2008 presidential election.The "DemROCKracy Band Competition" invites any artists with a MySpace page to install a widget that allows users to register to vote. The goal is to register as many voters as possible.

Washington Online Sales Tax Now Law

Online shoppers who are residents of the state of Washington will now have to start paying sales tax on purchases made on the Internet.Starting today Washington joins 18 other states that require some online retailers to collect sales tax. About 1,100 ecommerce retailers have agreed to collect taxes in exchange for the state not going after them for back taxes.

EU Calls On Mobile Carriers To Reduce Fees

The European Commission has introduced a proposal to reduce the cost of mobile phone calls by lowering the fees carriers charge for using each others networks."Disparate termination rates across the EU and large gaps between fixed and mobile termination rates are serious barriers to achieving a Single European Telecoms market that benefits competition and consumers. The consumer pays the price for these gaps between national regulatory policies," said Viviane Reding, EU Telecoms Commissioner.

Scotland May Jail Indecent Emailers

While it's strangely comforting to know daft, prudish politicians aren't restricted to petering along on American marble, join me in echoing any middle-fingered dissent arising in Scotland (and you know their kilts are flying up over this one) around lawmakers' plan to criminalize people who "communicate indecently" via email, text message or other media.

Senators Oppose Laptop Border Searches

The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) have the power to search, copy contents or seize laptops or mobile devices when travelers re-enter the U.S.U.S. Senators Russell Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat, and Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, are calling on the CBP to amend its policy that allows frequent searches of laptops, digital cameras and mobile devices at the borders.

MySpace, NBC Partner On Decision '08 Convention Contest

The importance of social networks in modern politics has been proven numerous times as the presidential race has progressed.  Now, perhaps as a sort of reward, two MySpace users will be sent to report on the Democratic and Republican national conventions.

Internet For Everyone Sounds Good To Google

The search advertising company threw its backing behind a broadband penetration advocacy group, citing a need to promote better Internet access policies to the next US political administration.

New Initiative To Push Internet For Everyone

Some pretty big names will be in one place tomorrow to unveil a new initiative called InternetforEveryone.org, which aims to make access to a fast, open and affordable Internet a basic right for all Americans.