News Bytes

Nashville announces "Walk of Fame"
In the country music mecca Nashville, Tennessee, famous musicians may soon have their very own star. Similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles that features the names of more than 2,000 show stars, Nashville will have a Music City Walk of Fame. According to the Nashville Business Journal, the first name for the first star will be chosen by a jury of seven people in November. The occasion is the 40th country music award. The stars with the guitar symbol can be awarded to singers, musicians, songwriters and producers of different musical genres. The famous Walk in Hollywood honors especially actors, but also directors, musicians and televisions stars. Nashville has been the heartland of country music for decades. It is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Many record labels are located in the Southern metropolis. Johnny Cash and his wife, country musician June Carter Cash, have been buried near the city. Australian country star Keith Urban chose Nashville as is home. His wife Nicole Kidman moved there as well just recently.

US Homeland Security advises: update your Windows
US Homeland Security felt the need to give some rather unusual advice. Windows users should as quickly as possible apply the security patch MS06-04 offered by Microsoft. The security gap closed by the update was vulnerable to server service attacks. This service is especially responsible for printers and network access. They were afraid of a similar attack wave as that caused by the worm Sasser. Homeland Security aims its warning at individuals as well as industry and government offices.

More self-defense in the US
Because of the arms lobby's massive influence, the rights for self-defense have already been expanded in 15 US states. Anyone who sees his possessions threatened may protect them with the use of weapons. Like that, a man who, completely unarmed, showed up at his neighbors doorstep was "fended off" with two shots in the chest and stomach. Under the new laws, the shooter will probably be completely exempt from punishment. More and more murders are legitimized, by now a civilian has more right to use a gun than a policeman. Tourists, however, have no reason to worry as long as they don't break in anywhere or attack anybody.

First obligatory health insurance in the US
Massachusetts is the first US state to introduce obligatory health insurance. Every resident of Massachusetts must have health insurance until July 1, 2007 or pay a fine, according to a decision by the Massachusetts Senate. To make insurance possible for everyone, the state had first of all provided a number of different options. Residents may choose between several state-subsidized private insurances. Monthly fees are said to be up to $295 (€200) a month. Depending on the desired services, however, there are also lower premiums. So far, according to the reports approx. 555,000 of the 6.4 million residents of Massachusetts do not have health insurance. Their treatment does sometimes have to be paid for out of public funds, says Governor Mitt Romney. The new law had been preceded by a two-year negotiation in the state's parliament. The government in Washington has been debating for several years about the costs for the health system and how to handle it in the future. Experts estimate that approx. 45 million nationwide do not have health insurance.