TECH CRUNCH: Twitter To Get Googled?
Reports on TechCrunch claim that Google is in advanced negotiations to acquire micro-blogging site Twitter. Citing two separate sources, TechCrunch said that the asking price is more than the $250m (£170m) valuation that Twitter’s recent round of funding would suggest. A third source, however, recently added to the TechCrunch report, suggests that talks are only in the early stages. Twitter has recently reworked its search feature, prompting many to think that this makes the firm more appealing to potential suitors. Search facilities have been added to the ‘tweet’ pages, and users can search tweets from this view. Twitter claims that the new additions were planned from the start. Such features would have obvious benefits for marketing and advertising purposes. [via VNUNET]
RAY OF NIGHT: African Adoption Court Tells Madonna ‘No F*ckin’ Way’
Madonna’s petition to adopt a second Malawian child was rejected by a local judge Friday, an official said. “The decision came down to residency requirement and the fact that the judge believes she was being well taken care of in the orphanage,” said Zione Ntaba, a spokeswoman for the Malawi Justice Department. “For the Malawians, the fact that the child is at an orphanage, is being taken care of and is going through the school education system, that does qualify as the best interests of a child,” Ntaba added. The 50-year-old pop star had filed a petition to adopt a girl, Chifundo James, 4, whose first name translates to mercy in Chichewa, the country’s national language. She has three other children, including a son she adopted from the southern African nation in 2006. The rejection follows weeks of criticism by human rights activists, who said Madonna was using her fame to circumvent a residency requirement for foreigners adopting in the country. A coalition of local nonprofits from across the country accused Madonna on Thursday of taking advantage of a weakness in the country’s child protection system. [via CNN]
INDICTED: Blago Facing 16 Counts Of Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Even before he took office six years ago, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, his brother and a circle of associates conspired to use the governor’s office to enrich themselves at the expense of taxpayers and “honest government,” a federal grand jury indictment charged Thursday. The 75-page, 19-count indictment charged Mr. Blagojevich, 52 years old, Robert Blagojevich, 53, two of the ex-governor’s former aides and two business associates with a variety of felonies, including allegations the former governor schemed to auction off the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat, was charged with 16 felony counts, among them: racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy and lying to federal agents. He has denied any wrongdoing. [via WALL STREET JOURNAL]