New network to jam GPS

A new, ultra-fast wireless Internet network is threatening to overpower GPS signals across the US and interfere with everything from airplanes to police cars to consumer navigation devices, reports the Associated Press.

The problem stems from a recent government decision to let a Virginia company, LightSquared, build a nationwide broadband network using airwaves next to those used for GPS.

Manufacturers of GPS equipment warn that strong signals from the planned network could jam existing navigation systems.

The US broadcasting agency said yesterday it saw the Internet as the future for reaching the Chinese public as it came under fire from lawmakers for slashing short-wave radio service, writes AFP.

Under a budget proposal for next year, Voice of America would close its long-time radio and television broadcasts in Mandarin and eliminate its Cantonese service entirely, cutting 45 jobs and saving $8 million.

The belt-tightening comes as China ramps up global distribution of its own state-run radio and television, an effort symbolised by the official Xinhua news agency's efforts to secure a spot in New York's Times Square.

Google and Facebook are among a group of Internet heavyweights taking the French government to court this week, notes the BBC.

The legal challenge has been brought by the French Association of Internet Community Services and relates to government plans to keep Web users' personal data for a year.

The case will be heard by the State Council, France's highest judicial body. More than 20 firms are involved, including eBay and Dailymotion.

Twitter may not yet have found a way to make money for itself but it is doing a good job of generating cash for its users, reports the BBC.

A study conducted by a PhD student at the Technical University of Munich found that investors following stock market tweets could have achieved an average return rate of 15%.

Student Timm Sprenger analysed 250 000 tweets sent over a six-month period. He predicts Twitter will increasingly offer specialised information to users.