Frugal Google raised 1Q lobbying tally to $880K

WASHINGTON — Google Inc. has been getting more frugal with its employees and other expenses as the recession crimps its growth, but the Internet search leader isn't skimping on political lobbying, according to a recent disclosure form. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company spent $880,000 on lobbying during the first quarter, a 42 percent increase from $620,000 at the same time last year. Google spent a total of $2.8 million on lobbying last year.

Full article (393 words) »

Novel effort in Minnesota seeks ISP gambling block

Minnesota officials are trying a novel tactic to block online gambling sites — using a federal law that enables restrictions on phone calls used for wagering. The state's Department of Public Safety said Wednesday it had asked 11 Internet service providers to block access to 200 online gambling sites.

Full article (428 words) »

Facebook to adopt new rules despite vote shortfall

NEW YORK — Facebook will adopt new rules governing the social network even though a vote fell well short of a minimum threshold. The new documents specify, among other things, that users own their information, not Facebook. An earlier attempt to push changes led to user confusion and protests over who controls the personal information people share on the site.

Full article (248 words) »

WASHINGTON - With the hiring of foreign talent facing heightened scrutiny and the threat of greater restrictions in the US, Microsoft Corp has filed substantially fewer applications for H-1B visas coveted by Indian techies for next year.

Full article (435 words) »

HYDERABAD - Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) will interrogate Satyam Computer's former chief financial officer Vadlamani Srinivas in Chanchalguda central jail here Friday and two former auditors of Pricewaterhouse a day earlier.

Full article (243 words) »

HYDERABAD - B. Suryanarayana Raju, brother of Satyam Computers' disgraced founder B. Ramalinga Raju, Friday failed to get anticipatory bail to avoid his arrest in the Rs.70-billion (Rs.7,000 crore/$1.43 billion) financial fraud in the IT major.

Full article (430 words) »

HYDERABAD - From having to share their cell and toilet with other prisoners like bootleggers and sleeping on the ground, disgraced Satyam founder B. Ramalinga Raju and his brother B. Rama Raju are now entitled to benefits like a special room, cots, pillows, a separate toilet and kitchen,

Full article (328 words) »

HYDERABAD - India's market regulator Wednesday grilled Satyam Computer Services founder B. Ramalinga Raju and his brother B. Rama Raju in Chanchalguda Central Jail here over the Rs.70-billion (Rs.7,000-crore/$1.43-billion) accounting fraud in the company.

Full article (476 words) »

HYDERABAD - The Andhra Pradesh police will Wednesday and Thursday grill two suspended PriceWaterhouse employees allegedly involved in the Satyam Computer Services fraud.

Full article (512 words) »

HYDERABAD - Satyam Computer's disgraced founder B. Ramalinga Raju, his brother B. Rama Raju and former chief financial officer Vadlamani Srinivas will remain in jail as a court here Wednesday dismissed their bail plea in the Rs.70-billion (Rs.7,000-crore) accounting fraud case.

Full article (394 words) »