Amazon merchant caught bribing customers for five-star reviews (Digital Trends)
Digital Trends - As reported by the New York Times earlier today, an Amazon merchant known as VIP Deals issued a letter to all customers that purchased the Vipertek black leather, case folio cover designed for the newly released Kindle Fire. As detailed in the correspondence here, the merchant offered a full refund of the $10 case in exchange for a review on Amazon. While the letter didnât specifically ask for a positive review, it stated âPlease share your experience to help others learn more about the specific features and qualities of the product, what you liked about it and the benefits to owning the product.â Later in the document, the seller went on to state âPlease also rate your 5-star experience, we strive to earn 100% perfect perfect âFIVE-STARâ scores from you!â The letter was dated December 16, 2011.
Abbott breezes to big lead at skating nationals (AP)
AP - Jeremy Abbott was still savoring his monster score when one fan yelled out, "You're awesome!"
Despair, crackdowns breed more violence in Tibet (AP)
AP - A young man posts his photo with a leaflet demanding freedom for Tibet and telling Chinese police, come and get me. Protesters rise up to defend him, and demonstrations break out in two other Tibetan areas of western China to support the same cause.
Thunder top Warriors 120-109 to start road trip (AP)
AP - Kevin Durant had 37 points and 14 rebounds, Russell Westbrook dazzled with 28 points and 11 assists and the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder started a critical road stretch with a 120-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.
Japan, Russia to boost economic, security ties (AP)
AP - The foreign ministers of Japan and Russia have agreed to strengthen economic and security cooperation but made no progress on resolving a long-standing territorial dispute over islands off northeastern Japan.
Does the new 3G/WiFi PS Vita bundle make 3G worth it? (Digital Trends)
Digital Trends - With the North American PS Vita launch coming to a February 22 near you, Sony has unveiled two Vita bundles, hoping to drum up interest in the 3G version.
A fatherâs anguish: Military killed my son with prescription pad (Daily Caller)
Daily Caller - A father who has lost two sons to war told The Daily Caller that the U.S. Central Command’s policy of allowing troops to deploy with a 180-day supply of the antipsychotic Seroquel has contributed to the deaths of troops and veterans. Seroquel, he said, has tragic side effects that military leaders have ignored in their quest to combat insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among fighting men and women.
Browns hire Brad Childress as OC (AP)
AP - Pat Shurmur brought in a close friend to help him fix Cleveland's broken offense.
Kevin White, ex-Boston mayor, dies (Politico)
Politico - White, who led the city for 16 years, is credited with putting it on a path to prosperity.
Children among 74 dead in 2 days of Syrian turmoil (AP)
AP - Two days of bloody turmoil in Syria killed at least 74 people, including small children, as forces loyal to President Bashar Assad shelled residential buildings and fired on crowds in a dramatic escalation of violence, activists said Friday.
Apple-fan cop uses app to catch iPhone thief (Digital Trends)
Digital Trends - A quick-thinking cop used his knowledge of Apple products to lead him to an iPhone thief within 30 minutes of the device being stolen.
Clemson women lose 15th straight to No. 5 Duke (AP)
AP - Clemson coach Itoro Coleman doesn't expect to endure many more blowouts from No. 5 Duke.
Nuggets win 6th straight, 96-81 over Toronto (AP)
AP - Rudy Fernandez scored a season-high 23 in his return from a sore Achilles as the Denver Nuggets beat the short-handed Toronto Raptors 96-81 on Friday night.
Ky. to review how to restore bridge struck by boat (AP)
AP - Kentucky's governor said Friday there will be an immediate review of ways to restore an aging traffic bridge in the western part of the state after a five-story-high cargo boat carrying space rocket parts for NASA and the Air Force slammed into it, leaving a 300-foot-wide gap in the structure.
Screen Actors Guild votes to approve merger plan (AP)
AP - The Screen Actors Guild national board of directors has voted to approve a plan to merge with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.