The second-largest American social network, MySpace, has admitted that it shares data with third-party advertisers that could be used to identify profile pages, but it doesn’t consider this to be an issue.
On Friday, a Wall Street Journal investigation found that MySpace transmits users’ information when they click on advertisements, which it had previously promised to stop doing in May. The social network later released a statement indicating that it didn’t believe this was a problem, as it doesn’t require users to publish any personal information on their profile pages, reports MSNBC.

The Wall Street Journal also found that some third-party applications on the social network shared user IDs, which is against MySpace’s terms of service. The social network suspended the reported application developers, though they were reinstated hours later after they adjusted their programs to comply with MySpace regulations.

With MySpace struggling to retain its existing user base, the privacy breaches are likely to turn even more consumers away from the social site. Earlier this year, Nielsen reported that while MySpace was still the second most popular social network in the U.S., other sites, such as Twitter, are poised to overtake it.

In August, it was commonly reported that Steven Slater, a JetBlue flight attendant, engaged a passenger in a verbal altercation. After being told off with profanity, Slater used the plane’s intercom system to cuss out passengers. He then pulled the emergency slide, stole two beers and quit his job.

Earlier today, the ramifications of Slater’s rage-induced departure have been made clear: He pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal mischief. CNN reports that, under the terms of the plea, he must enter a yearlong mental health program. If he does not comply, he will receive up to three years in prison.

“The public interest in this was surprising, unexpected and encouraging,” CNN quotes Slater as saying. “At the end of the day, I am a grown adult and must accept responsibility for my actions. Therefore, I am looking forward to moving forward with my life and I’m very grateful to the court for making these arrangements which allow me to do so.”

Slater’s dramatic departure from JetBlue garnered sympathy from the public, and he has since appeared on numerous talk shows. He is scheduled to appear on CNN’s Larry King Live later tonight.

On Tuesday, May 4, 2010, Yemen’s Defense Ministry informed the public, through their website, that a band of Somali pirates have hijacked a Yemeni cargo ship. The pirates are believed to be holding the nine crew members captive.

The cargo vessel was on its way to the port of Aden and was seized after sailing off from the Yemeni port of Mukalla. The Defense Ministry’s report, however, did not say when the ship was captured and what it was carrying.

According to reports, Yemen’s coast guard is now taking appropriate actions to get the ship released. The coast guard also said that it has information as to the location of the vessel – a northern Somali port.

Somali pirates heavily loaded with guns have increased their attacks in recent months. With all their hijackings combined, they have earned tens of millions of dollars from seizing ships sailing in the Indian Ocean, as well as in the Gulf of Aden, a place where 7% of the world’s oil cargo vessels pass. In fact, scores of attacks in 2008 and 2009 have caused countries to give millions of dollars for ransom payments and shipping insurance and other charges.

While there are foreign warships present around the location, these pirates operate in a wide area, which makes it difficult for them to be taken into custody.

Officials of the justice department announced that federal authorities and the local police arrested a Pakistani man believed to be the driver of the SUV used during a failed bomb attack on Times Square last May 1, 2010.

The Pakistani was identified as Faisal Shahzad, a 30-year old naturalized American citizen. He was taken into custody late on Monday, May 3, at the John F. Kennedy Airport while he was trying to fly to Dubai. It was also revealed that Shahzad recently got back from a trip to Pakistan.

According to reports, the 1993 Nissan Pathfinder used in the failed bombing attempt was purchased by the Pakistani from a woman in Connecticut. It was found in the middle of Times Square, and was loaded with propane, gasoline, fertilizer and fireworks.

U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr said in a statement that investigations are ongoing, but they found strong evidence, enough to make the arrest. Holder added that the attempted terrorist attack was meant to kill Americans.

The previous owner of the SUV told authorities that the buyer looked Middle Eastern or Hispanic but could not remember his name. Agents disclosed only a few details about the suspect, Monday’s arrest and those involved in the failed bombing.

According to a joint statement released by the FBI, the NY Police Department, and the Manhattan United States Attorney’s Office, Shahzad is set to appear in a federal courtroom in Manhattan Tuesday to face charges.

The international aid group Red Cross announced on Tuesday, April 13, that an armed group kidnapped eight of their staff members in the eastern region of Congo.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the kidnap victims – one Swiss national and seven Congolese – were captured by the Mai Mai Yakutumba rebels near the town of Fizi in the province of South Kivu.

“The ICRC has been able to get in touch with some of our colleagues after the incident,” said spokesperson Marcal Izard, who refused to say if they have made contact with the kidnappers.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry stated that it has full knowledge of the situation and that it is working with the Red Cross, as well as with the Congolese authorities.

South Kivu is home to several Red Cross offices. This region, as with much of eastern Congo, is a place that has been ravaged by violence ever since the genocide incident in 1994 that happened in neighboring Rwanda.

The leader of ICRC’s mission in Congo, Franz Rauchenstein, said that their activities are carried out as a means of protection and assistance for the victims of armed conflict.

He further added that they will continue to impart their strictly neutral and humanitarian work, and hope that the kidnap victims will be able to return to their homes soon.

Many Red Cross staff members have become kidnap targets in other conflict areas in the past.

Military psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, shot and killed 13 people on Nov. 5 News at Fort Hood, Texas and injured 31 others.

After being first reported dead as a result of gunfire with an officer, Hasan is unconscious and hospitalized, NPR is reporting.

It was first believed that at least three people were involved in the shooting, but police now say there was only one, Hasan.

Hasan, a U.S.-born Muslim, was a psychiatrist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for six years before being sent to Texas in July. Reports say he was upset about an upcoming deployment overseas.

Fort Hood, located near Killeen, Texas with about 40,000 troops, is home to the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division and elements of the 4th Infantry Division, as well as the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 13th Corps Support Command.