China to unify telecom, TV and internet

China is expected to make substantial progress in integrating telecom, radio and TV, and Internet networks this year. The aim is to promote the development of all three sectors and domestic consumption in related industries.

At this year's China Content Broadcasting Network, or CCBN, integration of the three networks is the main topic for almost every exhibitor. They say the Chinese government's message to develop this sector has been clearer than ever. There is no reason not to tap into this market.

Content protection solution provider Irdeto says the cable networks are ready to launch the next generation of services.


In the next two years, China will carry out pilot programs to connect telecom, Internet, and TV and Radio networks. After that, the three networks will be comprehensively connected by 2015.

China Digital Video, a local visual network solution developer, says much of the technology and infrastructure is already in place.

Zhang Dayong, Dept. Director, China Digital Video, said,“During the past few years, players in the three sectors have done a great deal of work in preparation for the integration of the network, especially infrastructure. That includes 3G mobile technology, digital TV and wireless broadband. It's like the highways have been built by large. And we expect cars to run on the highways very soon, because demand from consumers is real and tangible.”

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Google in hot water

Google has recently been warned by several foreign authorities over its controversial services including Google news, Google street view, as well as the latest social network service Google buzz.

Last month, the European Union Commission said it had received various requests for anti-monopoly investigations regarding the Internet search giant.

Last month, the European Union Commission said it had received various requests for anti-monopoly investigations regarding the Internet search giant. They claim Google has been filtering out its competitors on purpose in order to keep more advertisement profits.

Related How could lawsuit and criticism-distressed Google still boast of "doing no evil"? Google leaves unsolved copyright disputes

In France, the government has formed a special team to investigate lawsuits filed by local media companies against Google. They accuse the company of profiting from their products without reimbursement. Another lawsuit was filed by Louis Vutton. The luxury bagmaker said it has found links on Google's website to pirated products. Italian authorities have also launched an anti-trust investigation against Google filed by the country's print media.

Meanwhile, Google street view, which was introduced in 2007, has challenged privacy laws in Britain and Germany. Though the company has begun to obscure search results for human faces and car license plates, it is still frequently taken to court for violating privacy rights. Its latest social web service, Google Buzz, has also been accused of a privacy breach. The company was ordered by the Canadian government to explain privacy bugs, which have already triggered widespread complaints.

Google's trouble seems to be everywhere. Recently Spanish telecom operator Telofonica accused the company of using free bandwidth for its own benefit. The company said it is considering charging Google for network use.

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'Good fat' cuts heart risk by a fifth, study shows

Red meat is a source of animal fats

Replacing saturated fats with healthier options can cut the risk of heart disease by a fifth, a US study says.

The Harvard Medical School reports adds weight to the growing evidence about polyunsaturated fats, found in some fish and vegetable oils.

The team analysed the findings from eight previous studies, covering more than 13,000 people, in their research.
Experts said cutting down on saturated fats, found in butter and meat, was just one part of a healthy diet.

It is recommended that adults get no more than 11% of their energy from saturated fats.

Our findings suggest that polyunsaturated fats would be a preferred replacement for saturated fats for better heart health Dariush Mozaffarian, lead researcher

This is because the fats raise the levels of bad cholesterol that block the arteries to the heart.

In comparison, polyunsaturated fats have the opposite effect by increasing the levels of good cholesterol.

The Harvard analysis suggested that for every 5% increase in polyunsaturated fat consumption there was a 10% fall in heart disease.

The average rise in uptake of such fats was 10% giving the overall figure of a fifth lower risk over a period of just over four years.

Replacement

Lead researcher Dariush Mozaffarian said there was always a risk cutting down on saturated fats meant they were replaced with other bad options such as trans-fats which are found in processed foods such as biscuits and cakes.

He added: "Our findings suggest that polyunsaturated fats would be a preferred replacement for saturated fats for better heart health."

Victoria Taylor, from the British Heart Foundation, said the research reinforced existing recommendations to reduce saturated fats.

But she added: "What this study doesn't consider is whether substitution with monounsaturated fats, such as olive and rapeseed oils, would have similar benefits so more research is needed to understand this area fully.


"While the fat content and profile of your diet is clearly important, it must also be seen as just one part of a heart healthy diet where a low saturated fat and salt intake is combined with the consumption of oily fish and at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day."