Google lets users see stored account data

SAN FRANCISCO — Google on Thursday opened a window for users to see what records the Internet giant keeps regarding their activities at YouTube, Gmail, Reader and other accounts.

Dashboard summarizes data kept about use of more than 20 of the California-based firm's services, according to a blog post by Google engineer Alma Whitten, product manager Yariv Adan, and vice president Marissa Mayer.

"The Dashboard summarizes data for each product that you use and provides you direct links to control your personal settings," the message said.

"The scale and level of detail of the Dashboard is unprecedented, and we're delighted to be the first Internet company to offer this and we hope it will become the standard."

Only information shared with Google while logged into accounts at its Web properties is included in Dashboard summaries.

People can change settings or delete data, which is viewable by account owners online at google.com/dashboard/.

"We are very aware of the trust that you have placed in us, and our responsibility to protect your privacy and data," Adan, Mayer, and Whitten said.

Dashboard does not include information Google records without identifying accounts of users. Data kept independent of accounts includes "server logs" with details of searches, Web browser types and computer IP addresses.

Also separated from accounts is information from snippets of code called "cookies" and search activity data used to target advertising, according to Google.

Talisman bumps up activity in Marcellus, Montney shale natural gas plays

CALGARY — Talisman Energy Inc. (TSX:TLM) is spending $570 million to bulk up its land holdings in two of the continent's most promising shale gas plays, a move that sharpens the Calgary-based company's focus on unconventional natural gas.

Talisman said Tuesday it has amassed 170,000 additional net acres in northeastern British Columbia's Montney and Pennsylvania's Marcellus plays and is looking to intensify its drilling activities in both places in the coming months.

"We're now confident that we have sufficient running room for Talisman in the highest quality acreage for an extended drilling campaign to drive sustainable growth over multiple years," chief executive officer John Manzoni told analysts on a conference call Tuesday.

Talisman also said its North American operations will be reorganized into two businesses - shale and conventional - each with its own business model and strategic roles.

The company will also open an office in Pittsburgh to handle its increased presence in Pennsylvania. Talisman said it plans to double the number of drilling rigs in the state to six by year end, and possibly ramp that up to 10 next year.

Talisman has added 90,000 acres of what it calls "Tier 1" properties in the Marcellus, doubling its holdings there.

Tier 1 means the gas can be produced at a cost of US$4 per 1,000 cubic feet.

With today's commodity prices trading around US$4.90 per 1,000 cubic feet, the company is able to turn a profit by drilling on those lands.

Its Tier 1 acreage in the Montney has increased by 80,000 to 166,000 net acres. Talisman expects to drill 20 pilot wells in the region this year, moving to a commercial development in the beginning of 2010.

Technological advancements have allowed producers to unlock huge natural gas volumes from shale rock formations that had once been too difficult and costly to tap into.

Tuesday's announcement came after the company reported a 98 per cent drop in third-quarter profits, as falling commodity prices and lower production output took their toll on earnings and revenue.

Net income was $30 million or three cents per share, in the quarter ended Sept. 30. That compared to profit of $1.4 billion or $1.40 per share for the same quarter last year.

Revenue was $1.5 billion, down from $2.7 billion in the same period last year.

"The results this quarter reflect a lower price environment from a year ago and a relatively low production level," Manzoni told investors Tuesday.

The results fell short of analysts estimates compiled by Thomson Reuters. The estimates, which don't adjust for currency fluctuations and exclude one-time items, had been for $1.87 billion in revenue and 10 cents per share profit.

Crude oil prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange were 42 per cent lower than a year ago and natural gas slumped 62 per cent. Talisman's production felt both decreases due to its near even split between oil and gas.

The company's overall production averaged 401,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day, down nine per cent from the third quarter last year.

Cash flow, which provides a glimpse into the company's ability to fund drilling and major projects, was $838 million for the quarter, down 50 per cent from $1.68 billion a year ago.

In May of 2008, Talisman unveiled a new strategy centred around unconventional natural gas, southeast Asia and the North Sea, with the possibility of expanding into North Africa, South America and Iraq.

Since the strategy kicked off, the company has sold about $2.8 billion worth of assets by shedding 31,000 barrels per day of production.

"Proceeds received allow us to accelerate the implementation of our strategy in a fashion that maintains balance sheet strength," said chief financial officer Scott Thomson.

"We will continue to evaluate opportunities to focus the portfolio, particularly on North America, and will proceed with additional disposition if the value received and the strategic rationale make sense for Talisman."

Talisman shares fell 19 cents to $18.14 on the Toronto Stock Exchange Tuesday.

Republicans in upheaval over US Congress race

NEW YORK — Republicans were in upheaval Sunday after their party's candidate in an early congressional election in New York abandoned the race and said she was backing the Democrat.

Dede Scozzafava withdrew from the race on Saturday when polls predicted her coming a distant third in the November 3 vote, behind both the Democrat and a rightwing candidate from the tiny Conservative Party.

On Sunday, she made a surprise statement throwing her support behind the Democrat, Bill Owens, and not her Conservative rival Doug Hoffman.

The race for the 23rd Congressional District in upstate New York has little bearing on the power balance in Washington, where President Barack Obama's Democrats control Congress.

But a decision by some senior rightwing Republicans -- including former vice presidential contender Sarah Palin -- to back Hoffman over the more moderate Scozzafava had laid bare ideological turmoil inside the party.

Scozzafava deepened that feud by announcing that she was "supporting Bill Owens for Congress and urge you to do the same."

She described her former Democratic opponent as the best successor to the Republican congressman whose departure to a post in the Obama administration triggered the early election.

"It's not in the cards for me to be your representative, but I strongly believe Bill is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh's lasting legacy in the US Congress," she said in the message published by the local newspaper, the Watertown Daily Times.

Owens issued a statement saying he was "honored" and that "more than ever we need bipartisan solutions to help bring jobs to upstate New York to get our economy back on track."

But a spokesman for Hoffman, Rob Ryan, said Scozzafava had "betrayed" the Republican Party by snubbing her Conservative rival.

In addition to the New York congressional contest, there are elections for governor in New Jersey and Virginia on Tuesday. Analysts describe the day as a preview of major congressional elections next year.

Latest polls showed Owens and Hoffman neck-and-neck, with Scozzafava far behind.

Seamark, GrowthWorks to form new investment firm

HALIFAX, N.S. — Seamark Asset Management Ltd. (TSX:SM) and GrowthWorks Ltd. announced Thursday they will form a new national investment company with $3 billion worth of client assets under management.

Representatives of both companies, including the chief executives of Seamark and GrowthWorks, will have seats on a new board of directors for the company, to be called Matrix Asset Management Inc.

Assuming the proposed combination is approved at shareholders meetings and meets other conditions, Seamark and GrowthWorks will become subsidiaries of Matrix.

Seamark, which is Atlantic Canada's biggest publicly traded asset-management firm, will continue to have its headquarters in Halifax and offer portfolio management services to institutional clients and wealthy individuals.

GrowthWorks, which has seven offices across Canada in major centres including Vancouver where its head office is located, manages a variety of venture capital funds that primarily invest in private or early-stage businesses.

GrowthWorks also offers specialty retail investments, such as tax-advantaged limited partnerships, through Mavrix Fund Management.

2 Toronto police officers face assault charges in alleged altercation with man

TORONTO — Two Toronto police officers have been charged with assaulting a man after an investigation was launched by the province's Special Investigations Unit.

The SIU says Richard Moore, 58, was walking home on April 24 when he passed two police officers who were dealing with another person.

The unit alleges words were exchanged between the officers and Moore and, a short time later, there was a physical altercation.

The man was taken to St. Michael's Hospital for treatment.

Const. Edward Ing and Const. John Cruz are each facing one charge of assault causing bodily harm and the SIU says a summons will be served on the officers Tuesday.

The SIU says the officers are to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on Nov. 16.

The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates cases of serious injuries and deaths involving the police.

Harper plays nice with Bernier

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had kind words for Maxime Bernier on Friday, during his first visit to the MP's riding since the Julie Couillard affair brought the former cabinet minister down.

Harper visited the Beauce riding, where he told supporters that his former foreign affairs minister is much appreciated by the Conservative government, as Bernier looked on, remaining silent throughout the prime minister's speech.

"I must say that Maxime is carrying out some outstanding work," Harper said at a junior college. "He has attracted important investments to your region.

"The list is quite lengthy, my friends, and apparently he still finds time to go door to door. So Maxime, for all the work you've carried out for the people of your region, please accept our warm applause."

After his speech, Harper wouldn't say whether he was willing to forgive Bernier, but indicated he is grateful for his work as a member of Parliament.

"We all know that Maxime made some mistakes, some years ago. He recognized them, and he resigned. All his colleagues, and myself too, hold him in high esteem, and it's great to have him on our team."

Bernier was forced to resign his cabinet position in 2008 after he forgot a stack of confidential documents at his ex-girlfriend Couillard's house. His relationship with Couillard came under heavy public scrutiny because of her past marriage to a Hells Angels member.

PM doesn't rule out Bernier cabinet return

The scandal didn't seem to affect Bernier's popularity in the Beauce riding, where he was re-elected with a large majority in the last federal election.

Harper wouldn't exclude the possibility of Bernier returning to cabinet at some point.

"They told me it was possible that this question would be asked," he answered in French. "With these kinds of questions, I always say that I never speculate about my future actions."

The prime minister was in the northeastern Quebec region to announce the second phase of an infrastructure investment plan targeting post-secondary education institutions.

McChrystal to brief NATO defense ministers

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan will make an unexpected appearance Friday at a meeting of NATO defense ministers focused on making Afghan security forces responsible for fighting the war there.

Officials said Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal would brief NATO officials in a series of meetings on his ground-level view of the war in Afghanistan.

A document provided to The Associated Press outlines formal NATO approval of plans to eventually give Afghan army and police officials control over leading a war that is in its ninth year.

McChrystal is commander of a combined 104,000 U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Officials said he has asked the Obama administration for up to 80,000 more U.S. troops.

Chretien receives Order of Merit from the Queen at Buckingham Palace

LONDON — Former prime minister Jean Chretien has been awarded the Order of Merit by the Queen in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Seventy-five-year-old Chretien is only the fourth Canadian to be presented with the order.

The others were neurosurgeon Wilder Penfield and former prime ministers William Lyon Mackenzie King and Lester B. Pearson.

The award, called a "gift from the sovereign," is given to those who show "exceptional distinction" in the arts, learning, sciences and public service.

Only 24 living members can hold the order. It places Chretien's name alongside figures like Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela.

Chretien was Canada's 20th prime minister, leading three majority governments between November 1993 and December 2003.

When he first heard he was to be awarded the order, Chretien had said he was surprised, honoured and grateful.

"I did my job as best I could and Her Majesty was gracious enough to recognize that," he said.

The order is considered a special honour as it is given by the Queen herself and not on ministerial advice.

Entry into the order was marked by the Queen presenting him Tuesday with an eight-pointed cross, finished in red-and-blue enamel. The imperial crown is in the centre and the words "For Merit" are etched in gold surrounded by a laurel wreath.

First elected to Parliament in 1963, Chretien became Liberal leader in 1990. As prime minister, he was responsible for ending federal deficit financing which had reached $42 billion annually by the time he took office.

Chretien spent much of his time and effort in office fighting Quebec separatists and the Parti Quebecois. The federal side narrowly defeated a proposal on Quebec sovereignty in a bitterly contested 1995 referendum.

Also significant was Chretien's commitment to the war in Afghanistan after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Later, he refused to join the invasion of Iraq without the UN's backing.

His exit from office was marked by a divisive feud with his successor and longtime finance minister, Paul Martin, and by the Quebec sponsorship scandal - over which Martin struck a federal inquiry.

The scandal, involving hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds to Quebec ad agencies, contributed to the Liberal government's defeat in 2006.

Last year, a federal judge dismissed the inquiry's conclusion that Chretien and his top aide bore responsibility for the scandal, ruling that public comments by the commissioner, Justice John Gomery, showed bias and that he prejudged the issues.

Hurricane Rick weakens in Pacific, still dangerous

MIAMI — Forecasters say Hurricane Rick has weakened in the eastern North Pacific but is still a dangerous storm and could veer into resorts at the tip of the Baja California Peninsula by midweek.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., says as of Sunday night, winds were down to 145 mph (230 kph). It makes it a Category 4 storm. The peak winds as a Category 5 were 180 mph (285 kph).

Forecasters say a hurricane watch may be required for parts of southern Baja California on Monday.

The eye was centered about 410 miles (660 kilometers) south of Cabo San Lucas as of 11 p.m. EDT Sunday.

More weakening is expected over the next couple of days.

Large swells will cause potentially dangerous surf along the southern Baja California coast and west-central coast of Mexico.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Rick, the strongest eastern North Pacific storm in more than a decade, weakened slightly over open seas Sunday as forecasters said it could veer into resorts at the tip of the Baja California Peninsula by midweek.

The track of the Category 5 hurricane threatened to disrupt a major sport fishing tournament scheduled to start Wednesday in Los Cabos, where hundreds of fishermen — mainly Americans — were gathering.

The hurricane's winds were still a howling 160 mph (260 kph) Sunday, down slightly from a peak of 180 mph (285 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida.

It was projected to move over cooler waters and weaken to between 109 and 86 mph (175 to 138 kph) before hitting land, but "Rick is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane for the next couple of days," the center said.

The eye was centered about 450 miles (725 kilometers) south of Cabo San Lucas as of 5 p.m. EDT Sunday (2100 GMT).

Los Cabos's civil defense director, Francisco Cota, said authorities were already weighing plans to open storm shelters and start police patrols urging residents of low-lying neighborhoods to evacuate. "We foresee opening a lot of shelters," Cota said, while noting the weather at the resort was still warm and mostly sunny Sunday.

The first inhabited land in Rick's path is Socorro Island, about 300 miles (500 kilometers) southwest of Cabo San Lucas, where about 103 personnel from the Mexican Navy and other government agencies are based.

The mainland base that commands the detachment said Navy personnel on the island reported some wind and rain and lowered communications antennas to prevent them from being blown away when the hurricane passes near the island Monday. Isla Socorro is a nature reserve that hosts the Navy detachment as well as scuba-diving expeditions.

Rick was moving toward the northwest at about 14 mph (22 kph) and was expected to begin turning toward the northwest over the coming 48 hours before curving toward the northeast, the center said.

It's still far from clear where the storm will hit land, but the early forecast path would take it almost directly into Cabo San Lucas, where as many as 800 sports fishermen were expected to take part in the Bisbee's Los Cabos tournament, with about 130 boats scheduled to set off into the Pacific on Wednesday — the day Rick is projected to hit.

Teams from Russia and Japan had already shown up, and tournament organizer Clicerio Mercado said the three-day event would not be postponed, though fishing in the first two days might be canceled because of Rick, possibly leaving it as a one-day event Friday.

"In past years, we have had to cancel the first day of fishing two or three times," Mercado said. "But postponing it (the entire tournament) isn't a possibility."

Mercado said that in the past, "very big" 700 to 800 pound fish had been caught in the wake of storms because the churned-up waters draw in hungry fish.

Forecasters said Rick could carry enough force to continue past the peninsula and slam into Mexico's mainland as a hurricane somewhere near the resort city of Mazatlan on Thursday.

Rick was the second-strongest hurricane in the eastern North Pacific since 1966, when experts began keeping reliable records, Hurricane Center meteorologist Hugh Cobb said.

The strongest was Hurricane Linda, which generated maximum winds of 185 mph (296 kph) in September 1997.

"Rick is probably going to go into the record books as one of the most rapidly intensifying hurricanes," Cobb said.

The storm was generating some waves up to 50 feet (15 meters) near its core, Cobb said, adding there were ship reports of 16-foot (5-meter) seas elsewhere off the Mexican coast. Rick was expected to send large sea swells against the coast.

The Hurricane Center also reported Sunday that a tropical depression has formed far south of the Hawaiian Islands and is expected to strengthen over the next two days.

The depression's center was about 905 miles (1,450 kilometers) southeast of Honolulu. It was moving toward the northwest at about 15 mph (24 kph). Winds were about 30 mph (48 kph) with higher gusts.

Zimbabwe PM cancels meet amid new doubts over unity deal

HARARE — Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai suspended a cabinet meeting Thursday amid fresh doubts over the country's unity government following the detention of one of his top aides on terrorism charges.

Roy Bennett's detention ahead of his trial next week also prompted sharp criticism from Western powers, which called for an end to what they said was harassment of Tsvangirai's supporters.

There had already been deep concern over whether longtime arch-rivals Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe could work together in the unity government, and Bennett's detention seemed to pose another serious threat.

"The prime minister has suspended the council of ministers' meeting and any government appointments until the Bennett issue is resolved," an official in Tsvangirai's office told AFP.

Bennett, Tsvangirai's pick as deputy agriculture minister, was sent back to jail Wednesday before his trial on Monday in a ruling his party said was a serious attack on the credibility of the inclusive government.

The Movement for Democratic Change party treasurer, accused of possessing arms for the purposes of banditry, terrorism and inciting acts of insurgency, had been free on bail since March.

He was arrested February 13, the day the unity government was sworn in.

Washington on Thursday demanded that Mugabe "end the harassment" of the former opposition, including Bennett.

The European Union presidency, currently held by Sweden, called the court's decision an act of "politically motivated abuse".

It "indicates a lack of commitment to the letter and spirit of the Global Political Agreement (GPA)," which allowed for the formation of the unity government.

British Ambassador Mark Canning said it showed "limited" political progress by the government, despite advances in the economy.

"The progress, of course, on the political front as we see from the current developments relating to Mr Bennett has been far more limited," he told journalists.

Bennett, a feisty white former coffee farmer whose land was expropriated under Mugabe's land reforms, was arrested on his return from South Africa where he fled after being implicated in an alleged plot to kill the veteran leader.

The MDC has accused Mugabe's ZANU-PF of being behind Wednesday's court order, saying it was an attack on the credibility of the unity government

"The banditry charges are trumped-up and they poison the letter and spirit of the inclusive government" and the unity deal, it said.

Minister of State in Tsvangirai's office Gorden Moyo told AFP Thursday's cancellation of the meeting was linked to the unity pact but did not give details.

"The council of ministers meeting which was supposed to be held today has been cancelled because the chairman, who is also the PM, had other pressing issues which relate to the global political agreement which he had to personally attend to and address," he said.

The two former rivals formed the unity government in February nearly a year after disputed polls plunged Zimbabwe into deeper economic and political chaos.

Botswana President Ian Khama, a rare critic of Mugabe in southern Africa, warned Thursday that the pact was in danger of collapsing if the parties failed to agree on key issues.

"It is limping along and there is a real danger that the whole thing could collapse," he told AFP in Gaborone.