LOS ANGELES ? Andre Braugher says he's glad to back in the TV legal arena with a guest appearance on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
Braugher played a police detective on the 1990s series "Homicide: Life on the Street" and recently starred as a car lot manager on TNT's "Men of a Certain Age." On Wednesday night's episode of the NBC drama, Braugher plays a powerful defense attorney whose client is accused of raping a music student.
The actor said Wednesday that he enjoyed his lighter role on "Men of a Certain Age," but he relishes "meaty" dramatic parts. On "Special Victims Unit," Braugher said, his character gives prosecutors and New York police "a run for their money" as he defends his impoverished client.
Christopher Chaney, 35, of Jacksonville, Fla., left, arrives at federal court in Los Angeles Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011. Chaney was indicted last month on 26 counts, including unauthorized access to a computer and wiretapping, including allegedly hacking into the email accounts of celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson, whose nude photos appeared on the Internet. Chaney was arrested as part of a yearlong investigation of celebrity hacking that authorities dubbed "Operation Hackerazzi." (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Christopher Chaney, 35, of Jacksonville, Fla., left, arrives at federal court in Los Angeles Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011. Chaney was indicted last month on 26 counts, including unauthorized access to a computer and wiretapping, including allegedly hacking into the email accounts of celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson, whose nude photos appeared on the Internet. Chaney was arrested as part of a yearlong investigation of celebrity hacking that authorities dubbed "Operation Hackerazzi." (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
LOS ANGELES (AP) ? A Florida man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to hacking into the email accounts of celebrities such as Christina Aguilera, Mila Kunis and Scarlett Johansson, whose nude photos eventually landed on the Internet.
Christopher Chaney, 35, of Jacksonville, Fla., made his first court appearance in California, where he's been indicted on 26 counts, including unauthorized access to a computer and wiretapping. If convicted, he faces up to 121 years in prison.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Walsh denied federal prosecutors' request to remand Chaney to custody but modified his bond to $110,000, and he will wear an electronic monitoring device upon his return to Florida.
A trial has been scheduled for Dec. 27.
Chaney was arrested as part of a yearlong investigation of celebrity hacking that authorities dubbed "Operation Hackerazzi."
There were more than 50 victims in the case. Some nude photos taken by Johansson herself were posted on the Internet. Chaney offered some material to celebrity blog sites but there wasn't any evidence that he profited from his scheme, authorities said.
Chaney is accused of mining through publicly available data to figure out password and security questions for celebrity accounts. He hijacked a forwarding feature so that a copy of every email a celebrity received was sent to an account he controlled, according to court documents.
A search warrant unsealed and obtained by The Associated Press said Chaney's computer hard drive contained numerous private celebrity photos as well as a document that compiled their extensive personal data.
In arguing for a higher bond and time behind bars, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Feldman said that even after FBI agents seized the defendant's computer in February, he continued his hacking scheme against an actress for six months. She declined to reveal the celebrity's name.
"We have great concern that he can't stop himself," Feldman said. "We think detention would."
Chaney said he managed to hack into Johansson's email account to send one of her acquaintances an email containing a nude photo of her in exchange for a photo, authorities said.
Johansson told Vanity Fair for its December issue that the photos were meant for Ryan Reynolds, who is now her ex-husband.
"There's nothing wrong with that. It's not like I was shooting a porno," the actress told the magazine.
The pair had their divorce finalized by a judge in July.
Chaney has apologized for his actions. His attorney, Christopher Chestnut, told AP that his client doesn't want the case to drag on, but the resolution has to be within reason.
"I think he has a crystal clear view of what is at stake," Chestnut said during Tuesday's hearing.
The warrant also said Chaney may have stalked a Connecticut woman online for the past 12 years. The document contends there is probable cause that Chaney violated federal charges of stalking and unauthorized access to a computer.
Federal prosecutors also said a second woman has stepped forward and made similar accusations that Chaney stalked her online. They declined to comment further.
Chaney told the AP the new allegations are completely false.
"I can't accept responsibility for things I didn't do," Chaney said.
Chestnut said the new allegations amount to nothing more than a publicity stunt designed to damage his client's reputation.
"The amount of time, money and energy the authorities have spent pursuing a man who didn't sell anything or profit in any way from this alleged activity is truly remarkable, given everything we are going through in this country," Chestnut said.
No other charges have been filed against Chaney, who has a 1998 mail fraud conviction in Florida. He was sentenced to four years' probation.
Ooma's disruptive VoIP service is hitting Canada per an announcement Wednesday morning. Starting today, Canadian consumers can order the VoIP-in-a-box and place and receive phone calls to anyone within the wide expanse that is the great white north. That is, of course, if that person has plenty of room under their Internet cap.
Rethinking equilibrium: In nature, large energy fluctuations may rile even 'relaxed' systemsPublic release date: 31-Oct-2011 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Charlotte Hsu chsu22@buffalo.edu 716-645-4655 University at Buffalo
Study detects a landscape of hot and cold spots in a 'tranquil' system, raising questions about how energy travels through structures ranging from the ocean to DNA
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- An international research team led by the University at Buffalo has shown that large energy fluctuations can rile even a "relaxed" system, raising questions about how energy might travel through structures ranging from the ocean to DNA.
The research appeared online Oct. 21 in Physical Review E.
In their study, the scientists used computer simulations to model the behavior of a closed, granular system comprising a chain of equal-sized spheres that touch one another and are sandwiched between two walls. Energy travels through this system as solitary waves, also known as non-dispersive energy bundles.
When the system was disturbed by multiple energy perturbations -- imagine someone tapping on each of the walls -- the energy spread unevenly through the system.
Distinct hot and cold spots with an energy much higher and lower than the average energy per sphere persisted over short periods of time, and some regions remained cold over extended times. This held true even in simulations that lasted for several days, demonstrating that the system's eventual state was something very different from what is traditionally thought of as equilibrium.
Like many systems in nature, the system the scientists simulated is subject to strong, nonlinear forces, which vary sharply as a system evolves.
"This work shows that the concept of equilibrium should be broadened," said Surajit Sen, PhD, the UB physics professor who led the study. "When you have strongly nonlinear forces in finite systems, as you do in the granular system, the energy may not be equitably distributed.
"Nature may be capable of showing far greater energy fluctuations even in the equilibrium/tranquil state than we might ordinarily expect," Sen continued. "We know that in the open ocean, there are large, rogue waves that can cause ships to go down. Where do these enormous, rogue waves come from? Another question is whether external stimulations that lead to these kinds of large fluctuations can arise in confined, biological systems, such as DNA, and subsequently affect their properties."
Sen's collaborators on the project included Edgar Avalos of Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan; Diankang Sun, a postdoctoral fellow at New Mexico Resonance; and Robert L. Doney, a physical scientist at the U.S. Army Research Labs at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Avalos is a former UB Fulbright Fellow. Sun and Doney studied at UB as PhD candidates working with Sen.
In their simulations, the researchers modeled a granular system that was lossless, meaning that the system continuously retained all of the energy added to it through perturbations. While all real-world mechanical systems inevitably lose energy over time, an effectively lossless system may be realized as a nonlinear circuit.
In addition to identifying persistent hot and cold spots in the granular system, Sen and his colleagues confirmed the findings of a group of researchers who described how solitary waves can grow their energy content when passing through each other in such a system.
###
Funding from the U.S. Army Research Office supported the research.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.
Related Stories:
In Granular System, Tiniest Grains Absorb Shocks "Like a Sponge": http://www.buffalo.edu/news/8307
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Rethinking equilibrium: In nature, large energy fluctuations may rile even 'relaxed' systemsPublic release date: 31-Oct-2011 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Charlotte Hsu chsu22@buffalo.edu 716-645-4655 University at Buffalo
Study detects a landscape of hot and cold spots in a 'tranquil' system, raising questions about how energy travels through structures ranging from the ocean to DNA
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- An international research team led by the University at Buffalo has shown that large energy fluctuations can rile even a "relaxed" system, raising questions about how energy might travel through structures ranging from the ocean to DNA.
The research appeared online Oct. 21 in Physical Review E.
In their study, the scientists used computer simulations to model the behavior of a closed, granular system comprising a chain of equal-sized spheres that touch one another and are sandwiched between two walls. Energy travels through this system as solitary waves, also known as non-dispersive energy bundles.
When the system was disturbed by multiple energy perturbations -- imagine someone tapping on each of the walls -- the energy spread unevenly through the system.
Distinct hot and cold spots with an energy much higher and lower than the average energy per sphere persisted over short periods of time, and some regions remained cold over extended times. This held true even in simulations that lasted for several days, demonstrating that the system's eventual state was something very different from what is traditionally thought of as equilibrium.
Like many systems in nature, the system the scientists simulated is subject to strong, nonlinear forces, which vary sharply as a system evolves.
"This work shows that the concept of equilibrium should be broadened," said Surajit Sen, PhD, the UB physics professor who led the study. "When you have strongly nonlinear forces in finite systems, as you do in the granular system, the energy may not be equitably distributed.
"Nature may be capable of showing far greater energy fluctuations even in the equilibrium/tranquil state than we might ordinarily expect," Sen continued. "We know that in the open ocean, there are large, rogue waves that can cause ships to go down. Where do these enormous, rogue waves come from? Another question is whether external stimulations that lead to these kinds of large fluctuations can arise in confined, biological systems, such as DNA, and subsequently affect their properties."
Sen's collaborators on the project included Edgar Avalos of Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan; Diankang Sun, a postdoctoral fellow at New Mexico Resonance; and Robert L. Doney, a physical scientist at the U.S. Army Research Labs at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Avalos is a former UB Fulbright Fellow. Sun and Doney studied at UB as PhD candidates working with Sen.
In their simulations, the researchers modeled a granular system that was lossless, meaning that the system continuously retained all of the energy added to it through perturbations. While all real-world mechanical systems inevitably lose energy over time, an effectively lossless system may be realized as a nonlinear circuit.
In addition to identifying persistent hot and cold spots in the granular system, Sen and his colleagues confirmed the findings of a group of researchers who described how solitary waves can grow their energy content when passing through each other in such a system.
###
Funding from the U.S. Army Research Office supported the research.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.
Related Stories:
In Granular System, Tiniest Grains Absorb Shocks "Like a Sponge": http://www.buffalo.edu/news/8307
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
'Hoping they both can find love again in this crazy world,' one MTV reader says of Kim and Kris Humphries. By James Dinh
Kim Kardashian Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images
Fans are used to "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" on a weekly basis, so it's only natural that they're sharing their two cents on Kim Kardashian's divorce from basketball player Kris Humphries on Monday (October 31).
Team Kardashian has flooded the comments section of MTV.com, as well as our Facebook and Twitter pages, to dish their thoughts on the 72-day marriage. And with Kim filing for divorce (citing "irreconcilable differences") so soon after their August nuptials, many have been quick to pass judgment on the pair.
However, some fans, like MTV.com user Baby_Girl_2004, have remained hopeful that the Hollywood socialite will one day find her happily ever after. "I'm not one bit surprised about this. I knew it wasn't going to last at all," the reader wrote. "Don't get me wrong she is a beautiful woman but they didn't have that spunk like Khloé and Lamar do. But anyways hope it works out for the best.... good luck Kim."
Facebook user Susan Araujo expressed her disappointment in the sudden news, writing, "Nooooo!!! They made such a great couple. Hoping they both can find love again in this crazy world."
Nakia626 stuck up for the TV darling on Twitter, commending her for keeping a positive attitude."He never seemed like a REAL fit for Kim. Good luck to her, glad she's got her chin up!!" she wrote.
In a statement, Humphries said he is "willing to do whatever it takes to make it work," but there's not too many optimists among the Kardashian spectators. "Not surprised at all," MTV.com reader Phoebe said. "Kim was way too high maintenance for Kris, and Kris was happy living an ordinary life away from celebrity, which clearly Kim doesn't want. This is why it's a good idea to date someone for at least 2 years before getting engaged. Most everything'll come out of the woodwork by then."
Amvanillabean took to the MTV.com comments section, writing, "Not surprised at all. I saw this coming a mile away. I believe that they only got married for content on the show. What else would the show be about? Publicity stunt for sure!"
Bamachic425 wasn't too shocked to learn of the news either, speculating that the Kardashian starlet is "looking so hard to find fast love" to compete with sisters Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian. "She needs to take a step back and see what's best for her."
MTV user Rich offered some humor amid the sad news. "Well, at least she got to return him during the 90-day warranty period," he joked.
It's not just fans who are speaking out on the news, but also Kim's sisters, who took to Twitter to defend their sibling. "Reading some these comments r so hurtful," Khloé tweeted. "Im grateful 4our fans who understand & r being respectful. Hate is disgusting. Love is everything. Thank God for family. We are strong and we will only become closer! I love YOU."
Kourtney also took to Twitter to show support for Kim, writing, "Our sister is going through a difficult time but we're a close family and are sticking together like always. We appreciate everyone's kindness and support. @KimKardashian, we love you."
WASHINGTON (AP) ? GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry says President Barack Obama hasn't listened to his commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that's cost him credibility as commander in chief.
Obama has announced that U.S troops would leave Iraq by the end of the year, effectively ending the war that began under the administration of President George W. Bush.
Perry tells "Fox News Sunday" that making those plans public endangers troops still in Iraq. The Texas governor says Obama has "lost his standing" as a commander in chief.
The president has said the death of Libya's Moammar Gadhafi and the end of the Iraq war are reminders of America's renewed leadership in the world.
FRANKFURT (Reuters) ? Markets have over-interpreted comments by incoming European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi on the bank's readiness to go on buying the bonds of troubled euro zone states, outgoing ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet said.
In a wide-ranging interview at the end of his eight-year term, Trichet welcomed what he saw as a commitment by euro zone governments at a summit last week to intervene in bond markets via the EFSF rescue fund to fight the bloc's debt crisis.
The ECB embarked on its own bond-buying program in May of last year but the plan has proven controversial, leading to the resignation of two leading German policymakers at the bank, and Trichet has appeared keen to withdraw from the policy.
Draghi seemed to take a different stance last week, appearing to signal that the ECB stood ready to go on buying bonds, intervening in debt markets to lower the borrowing costs of countries snared by the crisis.
Trichet said too much had been read into Draghi's comments.
"I don't think that Mr Draghi said that," he said of the message understood by financial markets that the ECB would go on buying bonds.
"I think there has been an over-interpretation," he added, looking out from the 32nd floor of the ECB's Frankfurt headquarters.
The confusion over Draghi's message highlights the importance of communicating ECB policy -- an area where Trichet has largely succeeded, delivering a clean, consistent message that has endeared him to financial markets.
A Reuters poll of euro money market dealers conducted after Draghi's comments showed a majority expect the ECB to carry on buying sovereign debt in secondary markets once the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) is empowered to do the same.
Speaking in Rome on Wednesday, as EU leaders were heading to Brussels for their summit, Draghi said: "The Eurosystem (of euro zone central banks) is determined, with its non-conventional measures, to prevent malfunctioning in the money and financial markets creating an obstacle to monetary transmission."
Draghi used language similar to that employed by the ECB to explain the reactivation of the bond-buy program in August, when it said the plan was aimed at restoring a better transmission of our monetary policy decisions taking account of dysfunctional market segments."
Trichet declined to say what advice he would give Draghi, who takes over as ECB president on Tuesday, but stressed the collegiate nature of the bank's policymaking Governing Council.
"This is a team ... it's a position of team leader," he said. What counts is he is inside -- it's not like a change of government. He was a member of the government he will preside over, if you take the metaphor."
NO SUBSTITUTION
Trichet believed governments had shown at last week's summit that they, rather than the ECB, were ready to lead the policy response to the euro zone's debt crisis.
"We cannot substitute for governments, we will not substitute for governments," he said in an interview conducted on Friday for release on Monday.
In a bid to convince markets that they can prevent larger economies like Italy and Spain from being swept up by the crisis, euro zone leaders agreed at their summit to leverage up the EFSF to around 1.0 trillion euros ($1.4 trillion) from 440 billion.
The EFSF will be leveraged in two ways, either by offering insurance, or first-loss guarantees, to purchasers of euro zone debt in the primary market, or via a special purpose investment vehicle that will be set up in the coming weeks and which is aimed at attracting investment from countries such as China and Brazil. Both forms of leverage may be used.
"What I draw from what has been decided at the last meeting is precisely that the governments have confirmed they are serious when they say they will step in themselves, that the EFSF will be leveraged and that they will embark in secondary market (bond) purchases and primary market purchases," Trichet said. "That is something which is very important."
He said the ECB was looking at whether the prospect of private banks and insurers accepting 50 percent losses on their Greek debt holdings -- much more than previously agreed -- meant governments would have to offer increased collateral enhancements so that Greek banks can still borrow from the ECB.
Trichet leaves the bank at a time when the debt crisis risks tipping the world's leading economies into recession, and he said that central banks should not lean back and expect the crisis to subside.
"There is very unfortunately ... some kind of confusion between the (euro) currency itself and financial stability in the euro area. The currency kept its value over time ... It's a very, very solid and credible currency."
Asked whether a beginning to the end of the crisis was approaching, he said: It is a global crisis and I would say that it is an ongoing process of structural adjustment at a global level. It calls for permanent attention, for credible alertness."
($1 = 0.705 Euros)
(Reporting by Paul Carrel and Axel Threlfall; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
Ooma's disruptive VoIP service is hitting Canada per an announcement Wednesday morning. Starting today, Canadian consumers can order the ![[ Back to EurekAlert! ]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v7vuMEk9SCPNlA3WkbCTnIAWGXCDj6dbWP2lGDK6wi0TvQl234k3qSzX2j8FE_E5rdxWwS7ZbS2-Lf9sHfFCbVjNQH4zOre0Ry6m8UTq4=s0-d){kind=small}
Public release date: 31-Oct-2011
Share ] 