Academy partners with Everyone Counts to exclusively develop an electronic voting system for the 85th Academy Awards in 2013

TrendPK.com: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has entered into an agreement with Everyone Counts Inc. to exclusively develop an electronic voting system for the 85th Academy Awards®, to be held in 2013.

Everyone Counts will work with PwC, the Academy’s accounting firm of record, whose role in tabulating Academy members’ votes will remain unchanged. Over the next year, the Academy will undertake a rigorous security and user-acceptance testing process.

“This is the first of many steps that we’ll be taking toward developing a secure and convenient electronic voting system, beginning with next year’s ballot,” said Academy Chief Operating Officer Ric Robertson. “We’re excited to have found great partners in the people who do this best.”

The selection of Everyone Counts is the result of an 18-month search conducted by the Academy. The company is internationally recognized for its expertise in election administration and computer security and its voting platform is a global leader in the election industry. Built into its technology and processes are multiple layers of security that include military-grade encryption techniques. The company’s other clients include the United States Department of Defense; the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Justice; the state of New South Wales, Australia; and the states of Oregon, Florida, and Washington.

“We are honored to have earned the trust of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in bringing online voting to the Oscars starting next year,” said Lori Steele, Chairman and CEO of Everyone Counts Inc. “Our company was founded to set a new standard of security, accessibility, and transparency in elections. We’re proud to be working with the Academy, an organization that also represents the highest standards in its field.”

“We look forward to working with Everyone Counts for next year’s 85th Academy Awards and beyond,” said Brad Oltmanns, balloting leader, PwC. “We are excited about the new electronic voting system, which will enable us to conduct the tabulation process with the same high level of precision, trust and integrity that we have for the past 78 years.”

# # #

ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards—in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners —the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY
www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
www.twitter.com/TheAcademy

ABOUT EVERYONE COUNTS INC.
Everyone Counts, the world’s leading provider of state-of-the-art election administration and voting systems, uniquely combines world-class expertise in technology, computer security, usability and election administration. Through this experience and expertise, Everyone Counts has modernized best-election-practices worldwide since 1997. Unique in the industry, Everyone Counts’ continually innovates to meet customer needs. Its patent pending innovations are quickly becoming the industry standard globally and are transforming the $32 billion election industry. Everyone Counts’ SaaS-based election administration tools and voting platform are helping governments and private membership organizations to improve their existing processes, systems and services. Ease of adoption is core to the Everyone Counts voting platform. The firm’s ability to integrate its modern election systems with existing processes is unmatched worldwide.

Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information.

Hollywood News, Hollywood Awards, Awards, Movies, News, Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News

Prince William, Kate Middleton’s palace open for Halloween tours

TrendPK.com: Prince William and Kate Middleton will apparently be celebrating Halloween all out this year as the palace they are living in will be open for ghost tours.

It is reported that Kensington Palace will be open from October 28th to October 31st for ghost tours, states UsMagazine.com. It is rumored that the palace is haunted by Queen Mary, William’s great-grandmother.

The event, the Eerie Evening Tours of the Enchanted Place, will reportedly be an hour and a half long and cost about $33.

Prince William, Kate Middleton survive first official event

TrendPK.com: Prince William and Kate Middleton stepped out last night for their first official event, the ARK 10th Anniversary gala, and seemed to get through it just fine.

While the two weren’t sitting next to each other, the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge did reportedly steal glances and smiles throughout the evening, states UsMagazine.com.

Prince William later spoke at the event where he discussed a “new joint initiative between ARK and The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry” that is intended to help young people in need.

Apple: White iPhone 4 to go on sale today

The white iPhone 4 will be available in the United States, United Kingdom and 26 other countries for US $199 to US $299 depending on the model.

Apple Inc. said that the prices are for phones purchased with a two-year contract from AT&T Inc. or Verizon Wireless in the United States. The black iPhone 4 went on sale last June.

Initially Apple had hoped to make the white phones available in July. After a delay, Apple announced the availability in late 2010 but later admitted that the production of the gadget was more challenging than expected. In October 2010, Apple said that the white iPhone would be available in the spring.

UK: Heathrow Airport reopens southern runway

United Kingdom News: The southern runway at Heathrow Airport has been reopened after four days.

Thousands of passengers have been stranded at the airport since heavy snowfall on Saturday grounded planes, with 700 flights cancelled on Tuesday.Eurostar said it hopes to run a near normal service on Wednesday. Hundreds of people queued at St Pancras station overnight as services remain disrupted. There are also delays on several train routes serving London.A limited service is now operating on the East Coast route between Peterborough and London King’s Cross, after it was suspended following severe damage to overhead power lines at Huntingdon. Heathrow Airport has seen cancellations with backlogs piling up as the weather conditions forced thousands of passengers to camp at the west London airport. A third of flights took off from the airport on Tuesday, and passengers have been advised only to travel to the airport if their flight has been confirmed to reduce congestion. Although the airport has been able to clear snow from the docking bays for aircrafts, BAA’s chief executive Colin Matthews warned it could be some time before normal operations resume.

Worldwide demos called to release Assange

Supporters of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange planned to hold protests in the capitals of Spain, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and the Netherlands to demand Assanges release, the re-establishment of Wikileaks domain and restoration of Visa and Mastercard services to the website.

A statement on the Spanish website Free Wikileaks said: We seek the liberation of Julian Assange in United Kingdom territory. It called on protesters to gather in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and other Spanish cities. The rally in Amsterdam was sponsored by the Dutch Pirates Party to call for protection of freedom of the press and to express displeasure with the attempt to silence sites such as WikiLeaks.

The 39-year old Australian hacker is jailed at the Wandsworth isolation unit in London after he was arrested for charges of rape and sexual molestation of two women Sarah and Jessica, early this month.

The publishing website WikiLeaks insists that the allegations against Assange are politically motivated attempts in retaliation for the release of more than 250,000 confidential cables, believed to have been passed to WikiLeaks by a US Army private. A spokesman for Wikileaks spokesman said the arrest and detention of Assange was an attack on media freedom. They pledged to continue publishing the controversial US cables.

In the US, President Barack Obama expressed his regrets for Wikileaks deplorable documents dump as he assured Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that it will not influence the diplomatic relations between US and Turkey. Obama offered similar statements to Mexican president Felipe Calderon. The latest comments were Obamas strongest condemnation so far against the website. Assange is due to appear in court for the second time on Tuesday. He was denied by a London court to post bail due to risk of fleeing.

This week, hacktivists and supporters of Wikileaks, Assange launched Operation Payback and Operation Leakspin, the start of the so-called first global cyber war.

Amir Khan victorious in fight of the year

Khan successfully defended his WBA light welterweight title for the third time. Tonight in Las Vegas Khan was fighting on the soil of West coast of the United States after making his stateside debut at Madison Square Garden, New York on the East coast last May when he outclassed Paulie Malignaggi.

The 24-year-olds Argentinean opponent had a fearsome record with 27 of his 29 wins coming inside the distance, 20 within three rounds, 10 in the opening round. Marcos Rene Maidana was regarded by most as being one of the top four fighters in the 140 pound division boxing rankings.

From the opening bell Khan offered his hand for the customary touch em up; Maidana ignored the gesture and swung a haymaker that missed. Khans tactics were evident from the opening bell, jab and move. Maidana landed two flush shots to silence the critics regarding the Bolton fighters chin. Khan regrouped and re-established the jab before targeting the body of Maidana, a left to the body nearing the end of the round sent Maidana to the canvas and doubled over in pain. In the second Khan was accurate with combinations he unloaded with blistering speed. Maidana found success in the third were he clipped Khan with several shots to the chin. The Argentinean challenger had a good forth after landing several uppercuts through the high held guard of the champion. Khan was clearly winning the fight when he opted to move and utilise his speed and movement, but like a man with something to prove Khan continued taking risks in a display of machismo. Referee Joe Cortez deducted a point from Maidana in the fifth after he led with the elbow.

Khan survived a mini crisis in the sixth after Maidana drove him toward the ropes and penetrated the guard with several crisp uppercuts. Maidana bossed Khan in the seventh as both traded savage exchanges in a fast paced encounter that was beginning to take its toll. Khan took the eighth in a round where Marcos Rene appeared flat footed as a result of his efforts in the previous round.

Just when Maidanas punches looked like pushing shots with no snap; he detonated a shot on Khans chin that rocked him to the core, Khan looked out on his feet but survived almost two minutes badly hurt. As he went back to his corner at the end of the tenth his legs where jellied .Khan remained on his feet throughout the tenth where he absorbed punishment to silence any doubters on his metal and chin.

The bombs landed would have floored a horse. Khan certainly won over the crowd in Vegas who were on their feet with a fight that has to be up there for fight of the year. Khan won a unanimous decision but Maidana must also be praised for giving the fans a great fight that had fans on the edge of their seat for the entire fight.

Khan has expressed his desire to showcase a fight on home soil for his many British fans. 2011 will most likely witness Khan make a voluntary defence back in the United Kingdom before he embarks upon a fight with the winner of other titleholders in the division; Devon Alexander (WBC/IBF) and Timothy Bradley (WBO), both meet on January 29 in a bizarre bout with politics dictating that only Alexanders WBC title will be on the line, and if Bradley wins the WBC gold will not be strapped around his waist but will become vacant; consequence of a previous dispute with the world boxing council. Im sure team Khan will be rooting for Alexander and an opportunity to secure the four major titles, a feat no one has managed since the formation of the historical division in 1926.

Increasing External Intervention in Pakistan

US Ambassador has recently emphasized on ‘urgently needed’ reforms like Reformed GST, and is strongly lobbing to ensure its proper legislation. The United Kingdom has also declared RGST as indispensable for the survival and growth of the Pakistan’s economy and has declared that the donors could never come forward to extend financial assistance unless the well-off segment in Pakistan is made to pay taxes.

United States wants a direct and all-time presence at our political, financial, and defense scene on permanent basis. This is the most outrageous demand any country in the world has ever made but it is very painful for the citizens of Pakistan that our foreign office gives very lame and soft responses to these highly vital issues, obviously on the advice of sitting Government. Recent statement of the US ambassador regarding Reformed GST is also an open interference in the internal affairs of our country. Pakistan needs to deal with US with stern and tough hands over such interferences. US interference has been allowed in the change of command and promotions in the Pakistan armed forces and the structure and role of security forces of Pakistan and conditionality have been attached, which impinged hard on the defense of Pakistan. In the meantime, Zardari-led government continues to facilitate the US-Nato agenda of so-called “war on terror” for its personal gains by further pushing Pakistan into worst position. This is in spite of a rising public resentment against the US-Nato; nearly 90% of Pakistanis consider America quite negatively due to its wrong policies. Disappointing and disturbing as it is, the so-called “war on terror” has been so far worked in favor of Zardari. The Zardari regime never minds spilling Pakistani blood. It is in that background that in spite of an absolutely abysmal political management performance, loss of public support and credibility, Zardari led regime is still enjoying full support of UK and Nato and continues to receive the full support of its masters in Washington also.

Backed by USA, IMF is dictating the government to introducing reforms in GST and enhancing tariff rates of electricity and gas as well as price of petroleum products. The tax system overhaul, under the terms agreed with the IMF, entails taking away tax exemptions and slapping 15 per cent tax on services, further fueling the hardships already being faced by common people. The conditionalities imposed by the IMF have broken the backbone of a common man. Poor man in Pakistan is paying a hell a lot of tax indirectly and is being further burdened by IMF’s policies. Obviously tax base should be broadened but it should be the direct taxation and should be collected from ultimate thieves, feudal and land mafias who have been eating country like termites since its creation.

Pakistan’s “economic curse” is that the ruling elite, bureaucrats, politicians and the military establishment have worked absolutely in their own interest, and not that of the people at large. Pakistani leadership has been living beyond its means for decades. Its government expenditure, where in the world would you see a country in dire straits giving scores of Prado’s (12.5 million), Land Cruisers (16.5 millions), fleets of Toyota Hilux, Sedan’s & even Range Rovers (b/t 12.5 – 15 million) to its ministers & provincial & federal officers. The personal weaknesses of our top leadership are weakening the defense of Pakistan and endangering the sovereignty and integrity of the country but their greed seems to have no end. The cat is now out of bag. The latest Wikileaks revelations have disclosed the crooked interactions that took place behind the smokescreen of American diplomacy. The US government has not denied the authenticity of the released cables and none of the Pakistani leaders quoted in the leaks has denied having said what was reported. For us also, there is no valid point to dismiss WikiLeaks as rubbish, nothing new or even a conspiracy.

The United States has denied any involvement in the Pakistani political system as it reaffirmed its support for the so called civilian rule, saying the return of democracy has strengthened the key regional country. We have an effective relationship with President Zardari and that will continue, they say. No doubt, Pakistan and USA have very close relations since 1947 on the basis of “needs”. One, on the military side, there is extensive cooperation between the Pakistani military and the United States military, and the people of Pakistan would welcome that to continue. Though USA has always helped Pakistan both militarily and financially as well as in natural disasters and both the countries do understand the need of long lasting relationship, but in the present regime USA is controlling Pakistan like a puppet. The only reason is that the actions of our top leadership in the present regime constantly remained below dignity that encouraged the US authorities to dictate it in every sphere otherwise in normal course they keep very decent relations with other nations. Take the example of India; it is considered far superior and economically respected nation in the world and US as well as other nations interact with them with dignity and respect only due to its credible leadership.

USA should realize that their explicit involvement in the affairs of Pakistan is counterproductive. Rather than reconfiguring them as friends and saviors, the Pakistani beneficiaries of US aid rather become subsumed. Zardari is supported by the US despite political repression of Pakistan’s citizens. Will the association with Zardari, having a most corrupt history, being at the lowest of his popularity, and having no loyalty even to his own country and his countrymen can prove trustworthy for US in the long run? Generally, political relationships with such like people do not work on long term basis. The people of Pakistan consider Zardari as oppressor who, instead of stopping corruption, is inflicting more and more taxes on the poor. Due to unconditional support of US Authorities to such an unpopular leader ultimately create resentment against USA and its all activities are seen by the people of Pakistan very negatively. If USA wants long term relations with Pakistan it should work for the people to win their hearts instead of underhand dealing with the ruling elite, as the people of Pakistan are frustrated by the vulgar nature of political system prevailing in Pakistan.

Pakistan is blessed with excellent human capital with majority of the youth, second to none, the people are very, very talented. Face of the people that is presented by our ruling elite for its own objectives is not real. There are few people involved in extremism and most of the people I would say above 95% are very simple, loving, peaceful, and moderate. People to people frequent contact would bring positive results for USA. I urge US government to be soft in immigration visa policy for most young Pakistanis professional, journalist, student and labor class men and women to work in USA, and to invest maximum of its aid in the education sector in Pakistan. Every well meaning Pakistani should be grateful and appreciate those having the commitment to help establish strong institutions. It should result in greater public trust in the entities including US helping them achievement of long-term prosperity, sustainability and social well-being.

Snow causes chaos in UK, Poland, Austria

LONDON: Heavy snow continued to cause disruption across Europe, including the United Kingdom and Poland, causing traffic chaos and flight delays.

In Austria, the animal kingdom was also getting used to the early snow.

The penguins and wolves at Vienna’s Schoenbrunn Zoo were in their element as the cold snap closed in.

But the African elephants were not so used to a cold climate, and although they appeared to enjoy the snow, they cannot stay out all day or they will get too cold, according to elephant keeper Mathias Otto.

For one young African elephant, it was a real novelty.

It was the first snow of his life for four month old Tuluba, and he slipped slightly while following his mother along a frozen, snowy path.

Tuluba spends three hours a day outside the warm and cosy elephants’ house, which even has heated walls.

The zoo

Buckingham palace confirms wedding of Prince William with Kate Middleton

Prince William of the United Kingdom would marry his beloved Kate Middleton next year. The elder son of late Princess of Wales Lady Diana and Prince Charles, Prince William got engaged with his beloved Kate Middleton in Kenya during the last month. Now the couple has decided to marry eachother by next year. The Royal British family has also confirmed the news of their marriage. The marriage ceremony would take place in London in which thousands of people are expected to participate.

Next Page »