Jordan named “Most Dangerous Cyberspace Celebrity ” in UK

August 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug 25 (ANI): Katie Price, who recently split from hubby Peter Andre, has been named Britain’s “Most Dangerous Celebrity In Cyberspace’ by Internet researchers.

Computer protection company McAfee looked at popular search engines such as Google and Yahoo! in assessing the risk by clicking on celebrity-related website links.

The company has said that cybercriminals are using A-listers’ names and images to lure Internet users who surf the Web for the latest gossip, screen savers and ringtones to “fake” Web sites that look legitimate.

Such sites could be loaded with spyware collecting information about users without their knowledge, and viruses that can infiltrate computers, with the goal of making money and committing ID theft.

McAfee found that fans searching the web for the latest gossip on Katie, aka Jordan, and her newfound relationship with cage fighter Alex Reid have a one in six chance of clicking on a “risky” website.

Jude Law had the second highest percentage of related websites targeted by cybercrooks.

Victoria Beckham’s new role on American Idol made her the third most risky celebrities online in the UK.

Kate Moss came fourth in the list, while David Beckham’s fall out with LA Galaxy fans ensured that he secured the fifth position.

“Cybercrooks capitalising on the public obsession with celebrities and current events is nothing new…” the Telegraph quoted Greg Day, McAfee’s principal security analyst, as saying.

He added: “A quick flick across the front pages of the latest popular newspapers and magazines offers a fairly reliable snapshot of where the criminals will focus their efforts next.”

Here are the top 10 ‘risky’ British celebrities and the percentage of websites related to them, which were found to be potentially harmful:

1. Katie Price – 16.3 per cent

2. Jude Law – 15.4

3. Victoria Beckham – 13.6

4. Kate Moss – 12.6

5. David Beckham – 12.1

6. Daniel Radcliffe – 12

7. Kerry Katona – 9

8. Amy Winehouse – 8.6

9. Cheryl Cole – 8.5

10. Leona Lewis – 8.3 (ANI)

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Bollywood, British celebs ditch pants for chemical campaign

July 7, 2009 By 1 Comment

London, July 7 (ANI): Bollywood stars as well as British celebrities are ditching their pants to protest against the use of harmful pesticide in underwear production.

British TV presenter Dermot O’Leary and Coco de Mer founder Sam Roddick have joined the ‘Pants To Poverty’ protests, which are taking place in 16 countries around the world.

The celebrities are calling for ban on the use the harmful pesticide endosulfan, used in cotton production, which can cause cancer, birth defects, respiratory problems, and sterility among cotton farmers and their families.

Pants To Poverty, a Fairtrade underwear company, said that cotton pants containing traces of the chemical are being sold on the UK high street.

Its use has also been banned in 62 countries due to its high toxicity, but is still permitted in India and other developing nations.

“Using pants as our metaphor, this campaign explains both the good and the bad about the cotton industry and points towards a brighter future,” Sky News quoted Ben Ramsden, the founder of Pants To Poverty, as saying.

“The proof against endosulfan is comprehensive. With this new research, we can finally prove that replacing it not only dramatically improves people’s health, but also enables farmers to earn more money and support their communities,” said Dr. Mohan Kumar, the campaign’s doctor.

“The Indian government must stop producing and exporting this dangerous pesticide. It can still make a profit, but this time also for our people and our environment,” he added. (ANI)

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British celebrities’ assets seized under draconian California law

April 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Los Angeles (US), Apr. 3 (ANI): California has used a draconian law to seize millions of pounds worth of assets belonging to Britons, including some of the biggest names in show business. ame Helen Mirren has fallen victim to legislation that allows the Californian Government to take possession of bank accounts, stocks and the contents of security deposit boxes if they are dormant for longer than three years. part from Mirren, the others who have fallen victim to the law are Kate Winslett, Clive Owen, Sir Michael Caine and the Irish actor Colin Farrell.

The law has affected thousands of British citizens. More than 1,300 individuals from London alone believed to have assets claimed by the “Golden state”, an investigation by ITV1′s Tonight programme has revealed.

State records seen by The Daily Telegraph reveal a number of high-profile names whose property is now in the hands of the state.

While the sums lost are not likely to dent the fortunes of their celebrity owners, they have been seized without any notification. If they were property held in deposit boxes, rather than cash, they may have been sold by the state and their value cannot be reclaimed once they discover it is missing.

Clive Owen has had five unclaimed amounts seized, with a total value of 4,658.84 dollars, while Colin Farrell has lost 1,113.93 dollars. The British actress Thandie Newton and Americans Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon have also fallen victim to the law.

Bill Palmer, an American lawyer leading a class-action lawsuit against California – which has major financial problems – is representing six million people from around the world who have allegedly had money or stocks seized under the Unclaimed Property Law.

Palmer claims that California has failed in its obligation to make “reasonable” attempts to contact the owners of assets before state appropriation takes place. (ANI)

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