Syrian forces renew strike on restive city

 Beirut, Aug. 1: Syrian security forces bombed the central city of Hama for a second day today as the government pressed its campaign to crush a four-month-old popular uprising against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Yesterday, at least 80 people were killed when the military and security forces assaulted Hama and other restive cities before dawn, in the broadest and fiercest crackdown yet.

The shelling resumed today in the early hours of the morning as people were returning home from mosques where they had performed dawn prayers, according to residents and protesters. At least three persons were killed, according to activists.

iPhone 5 launch in October, says report

Aug. 1: Apple will launch its new iPhone in October, not September, according to a new report.

The Apple iPhone 5 rumour-mill continues to grind with All Things D reporting today that the new iPhone will be released in October this year. That contradicts earlier rumours which suggested September as the likely time of release, specifically September 5.

All Things D, citing “sources with knowledge of the situation” said that rumours that the iPhone 5 would launch in September were misinformed. The blog said its sources expected a launch late in October.

UK teen in court over cyber raids on firms

Jake Davis outside a London court. (Reuters)

London, Aug. 1 (Reuters): A teenager believed to be a leading member of the Anonymous and LulzSec online activist groups appeared in a London court today charged with hacking offences including an attack on Britain’s Serious Organised Crime Agency.       

Eighteen-year-old Jake Davis, who goes by the online nickname of “Topiary”, was charged with five offences under the Computer Misuse Act and other acts, including unauthorised use of a computer system.

David who? Cam plays waiter to SamCam

 Montevarchi (Italy), Aug. 1: In David Cameron’s Big Society, everyone is encouraged to do things for themselves.

But even the Prime Minister must have been surprised when — on the first full day of his summer holiday — an Italian waitress he had asked for coffee told him to get it himself.

Cameron, 44, had to act as waiter to his wife, Samantha, 40, yesterday when they went unrecognised in a cafe during a public walkabout at the start of their two-week Tuscan break.

The Prime Minister had placed his order for two cappuccinos and another coffee inside at the Dolcenero cafe in the town of Montevarchi.

Obama, leaders stitch together debt deal

Obama at the White House. (AFP)

Washington, Aug. 1: President Obama and Congressional leaders of both parties said late yesterday that they had agreed to a framework for a budget deal that would cut trillions of dollars in federal spending over the next decade and clear the way for an increase in the government’s borrowing limit.

With the health of the fragile economy hanging in the balance and financial markets watching closely, the leaders said they would present the compromise to their caucuses today in hopes of enacting it before a Tuesday deadline to avert default.