NorthernIreland
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Irish government seeks emergency power to cut mobile services during G8 summit
The Irish Defence Minister, Alan Shatter, has put forward a law that would give his government the right to cut off mobile services "in a limited area" to prevent a bombing. In particular, he fears that militant groups may attack next month's G8 summit in Northern Ireland to "garner publicity," and that they may try to detonate explosives remotely using phone signals. Ireland already has a voluntary system for requesting operators to suspend services if there's a threat, but the new legislation would make this compulsory, in case the authorities should face any "difficulty in getting a telecom company in an emergency to cooperate." The idea of deliberate blackouts may sound strange, at least outside of oppressed nations like Egypt and Syria, but Shatter says the Boston Marathon bombing, which possibly also involved cellphones as detonators, proves that such measures are necessary.
Dark Water Studios open for business
Let's all give a warm welcome to Dark Water Studios, which has just officially opened its doors. The Northern Ireland developer is headed by industry vet Mike Brown, with former Acclaim man Paul Houbart named as technology manager, and Rory Fellowes, another vet, on board as lead animator. Dark Water currently totals 10 employees, with a goal to reach 25 by the end of the year.The studio is developing a multiplayer PC title, partially funded by DETI, the economic development branch of Northern Ireland's government. Dark Water is also working on a prototype project for PC and consoles.
