| MySpace developing security software
NEW YORK (AP) -- The popular online hangout MySpace.com has been quietly developing software designed to give parents the bare-bones of what their kids are doing on the site. The tool, which will alert parents of the username, age and location a child lists on personal MySpace pages known as profiles, is designed to spark conversations about Internet safety. But it is also meant to give kids enough room to maneuver lest they flee to rival social-networking sites such as Facebook or Xanga. Unlike third-party monitoring software available for sale, the free MySpace tool will not let parents see their kids' password-protected profiles or any communications they have with friends. MySpace, which announced the initiative Wednesday after The Wall Street Journal reported on its existence, expects the software now known as "Zephyr" will be available this summer.
Excise Rules amended
ISLAMABAD (January 11 2007): The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has empowered the collectors of sales tax to compulsorily register manufacturers of excisable commodities and persons/companies providing excisable services. The CBR has amended the Federal Excise Rules, 2005 through SRO 27(I)/2007 issued on Wednesday to bring maximum service providers in the tax net.
Official sources told Business Recorder that there is no concept of turnover threshold for the manufacturers of excisable commodities for registration. Therefore, every person dealing in excisable commodities or providing excisable services would be required to obtain registration. In the last budget, a number of excisable services were brought in the tax net.
The service providers liable to registration include Pakistani/foreign airlines, commercial banks/financial institutions, foreign exchange dealers, exchange companies, moneychangers, cable operators and service providers of vehicle tracker/burglar alarm systems.
Pool safety in winter still critical
It may be too cold for most people to consider taking a swim in their backyard pool, but winter is no time to let down your guard when it comes to pool safety and children, fire officials warn.
Ten children drowned in Maricopa County in 2006, with the most recent incidents occurring in December. Although that number may be considerably less than the 103 drownings or near drownings in the Valley in 1989, even one is too many for area firefighters.
In light of a near drowning incident in Ahwatukee last week, firefighters urge residents to be alert year-round. .
Precautions deter burglars
Before you leave town for the holidays, police urge you to check another kind of Christmas list - the one that can protect your home from burglars while you're away. Authorities are hoping to minimize the number of holiday break-ins this year by encouraging steps against burglars who target empty houses. Good locks, lights and an alarm system are just the beginning. .
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