Federal authorities Thursday indicted two firms and shut down one of the Web’s most popular sites for sharing illegally pirated material, triggering a quick response from hackers who claimed credit for taking down the Web sites of the Justice Department, Recording Industry Association of America and other media companies in retaliation. Read full article > >

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Federal indictment claims popular Web site Megaupload.com shared pirated material

SAN FRANCISCO — Facebook is nearing a settlement with federal regulators that would require the world’s most popular online hangout to obtain approval from its users before making changes that expose their profiles and activities to a wider audience, according to a report published Thursday. Citing people familiar with the situation that it did not name, The Wall Street Journal said Facebook has agreed to make the changes to resolve a nearly 2-year-old investigation by the Federal Trade Commission. Read full article > >

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Report: Facebook will give users more say over their privacy to settle FTC investigation

Britain’s most popular seaside resort isn’t being marketed to foreign visitors. Are the tourist authorities a little bit ashamed?

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Why does Britain seem ashamed of Blackpool?

Famous people don’t come much more trustworthy than Betty White . At least that’s the perception of the American public, based on a new Reuters/Ipsos poll on the most popular and trustworthy celebrities. White ranked first on the lists of most popular and trusted celebrities, with a favorability rating of 86 percent; the results of the survey also indicate people are likely to consider buying a product endorsed by the former “Golden Girl.” Read full article > >

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Betty White: The most trusted celebrity in America

Much of the speculation about Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s political future has focused on whether the Republican who has made a name for himself suing the federal government would run for re-election, or for governor in 2013. But in an interview with The Washington Post, Cuccinelli said he may run for U.S. Senate in 2014 — possibly setting him up to take on one of Virginia’s most popular politicians, Democrat Mark R. Warner. And Cuccinelli didn’t hold back on his criticism of the former governor, who many assume has grown a bit restless with the great deliberative body that is the U.S. Senate. Read full article > >

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Cuccinelli says he may challenge Warner for U.S. Senate in 2014

The very first note of Gustav Mahler’s First Symphony signals that you’re in for something on a whole new scale. It’s a single note, an A, in the strings, quiet and sustained, evoking the humid tang of sulfur in the air and the pregnant hush before rain. But that single note extends over seven octaves — that is, it’s being played from the lowest to the highest ranges in the orchestra. It’s at once tiny and huge and intensely personal. This is why Mahler, who died 100 years ago this week, remains one of today’s most popular symphonists: It’s this personal quality to his music, the sense that, at bottom, it’s really about you. Read full article > >

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On anniversary of Mahler’s death, composer is remembered as one for all time

On Saturday night, when D.C. United is scheduled to play its 313th soccer match in 16 seasons at RFK Stadium, Major League Soccer teams based in and around Toronto, Dallas, Salt Lake City and Southern California will be taking the field at recently built facilities boasting postcard views, perfect sightlines and bountiful luxury suites. In all, 10 teams in MLS, the nation’s top professional soccer league, perform in stadiums erected since 1999, and more new arenas are on the way. And then there is United. Despite unparalleled success on the field — a record four MLS Cup titles and the distinction as the only Washington team from the five most popular pro leagues to win a championship in the past 20 years — United has repeatedly failed in efforts to build a new stadium. Read full article > >

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Struggling with crumbling RFK Stadium, D.C. United is desperate for a new home

One of the 1980s most popular computers is going on sale again, but with modern technology under the bonnet.

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Classic Commodore 64 lives again

One of the 1980s most popular computers is going on sale again, but with modern technology under the bonnet.

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80s revival – Commodore 64 makes a comeback

A new report released Thursday by Nielsen, a market research firm, said that the Google Android platform had become the most popular operating system among United States smartphone users.

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Bits: Android Pulls Ahead in Smartphone Race

Facebook says it has raised $1.5bn from investors, valuing the world’s most popular social networking site at $50bn.

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Facebook offering raises $1.5bn

Has the polar bear Knut been dethroned as Germany’s most popular zoo animal? A cross-eyed possum named Heidi is building up a huge online following ahead of her debut in July as part of a tropical wildlife exhibit at the Leipzig Zoo. She has 80,000…

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Cross-Eyed Possum is the New Knut

Sufism, Pakistan’s most popular branch of Islam, has seen a rise of attacks against its worshipers at shrines.

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At War: The Islam That Hard-Liners Hate

Dilma’s task as she succeeds Brazil’s most popular leader

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Tough act to follow

Jack and Sophie are the most popular names for babies registered in Scotland for the third year in a row

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Jack and Sophie remain top names