Instagram Reveals 15-Second Video Feature

Instagram has branched out from photographs and is now letting people record and share short videos.

The photo-sharing app limits the duration to 15 seconds, and users can add effects similar to those already available for still pictures, such as improving contrast or changing colours.

"This is the same Instagram we all know and love but it moves," said Instagram's co-founder Kevin Systrom speaking at Facebook's California HQ.

The move follows the growth of video-sharing Vine. Launched in January it has already notched up 13 million users who can share bite-sized  six-second clips.

The extra length of Instagram's videos appears to be a move to trump its rival and offer users more room to be creative.

Instagram's user base has grown massively since Facebook bought the service more than a year ago, growing from 22 million to more than 130 million.

Fans who have downloaded the latest version - available now on iOS and Android - will see a video camera icon and can record footage as long as they hold down the record button.

Mr Systrom said 13 filters are available and iPhone users also have a stabilisation feature to try to improve shaky phone clips.

Social networking giant Facebook bought Instagram, which specialises in adding "vintage" photo effects, for $715m (£461m) in August 2012.

It still has not said how it will be able to make money from Instagram, as it has not introduced ads on the service.

Video-sharing rival Vine is also set to reveal updates to its own service in the coming days.

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Watchdog Urges Faster Energy Tariff Reform

The energy watchdog's proposals for a "simpler and fairer" energy market have drawn a mixed response from consumer groups, as the regulator called on suppliers to adopt them "as quickly as possible".

Regulator Ofgem has told suppliers to limit themselves to four "core" tariffs each for electricity and gas and for each type of payment, while all information suppliers send to consumers must be "simplified, more engaging and personalised".

Suppliers will use a new Tariff Comparison Rate (TCR), which the regulator claims will help to simplify the selection process for consumers.

And new enforceable standards of conduct will enable Ofgem to take action against suppliers where they have failed to treat customers fairly.

Today Ofgem launched the last statutory consultation before it decides whether to implement "the most radical reforms to the retail market since competition began".

The reforms are expected to come into effect from the summer, but Ofgem said there was nothing to stop suppliers moving to deliver them now.

Ofgem senior partner for markets, Andrew Wright, said: "Our reforms today are the blueprint for the simpler, clearer and fairer energy market that consumers deserve.

"This will provide them with the choices they want alongside the simplicity they need.

Both electricity and gas companies have used complex tariff systems

"They have been delivered following two years of engagement with consumers and industry in the most comprehensive ever review of the retail market.

However consumer watchdog Which? said it was "hugely disappointing" that Ofgem had pressed ahead with the TCR format.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: "While these new rules will help make the market simpler and fairer it's hugely disappointing to see the regulator sticking to its fundamentally flawed idea of how energy prices should be presented.

"This will fail to help people find the best deal easily and could even mislead millions into paying over the odds for their energy."

Trade association Energy UK defended the firms and said: "Energy suppliers have already pressed ahead with providing customers with simpler, clearer tariffs.

"Our members have dramatically reduced the number of tariffs, simplified structures and pledged to help all customers move to the deal that suits them best."

But Energy Secretary Ed Davey has continued to push for faster reform and said: "I welcome the continued progress of Ofgem's reform of the retail energy market.

"It's simply scandalous that over eight in 10 of households, including the most vulnerable, are put off switching or engaging in the energy market.

"That's why I'm backing Ofgem's reforms to make it easier to compare tariffs and switch suppliers. These reforms are the fastest way to speed up delivery of simpler bills and a fairer system."

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Diesel Drivers 'Get Worse Deal' In Fuel War

The cost of filling up at the pumps has edged up over the last month, with diesel drivers getting a worse deal than those using petrol, according to new figures from the AA.

The average price of petrol in the UK has risen from 133.35p a litre in mid-May to 134.61p in mid-June, while diesel has gone up from 138.17p a litre to 139.16p.

Northern Ireland has the most expensive petrol, at an average of 135.8p a litre, with London having the cheapest, at 134.61p.

Northern Ireland also has the dearest diesel (139.8p a litre) with London and south west England having the least expensive (139.1p).

The AA said the slight rise in average petrol prices nationally represented "something of a lull" after the 8-10p swings in prices over the last 12 months.

But it warned that this year retailers have on average been "creaming up to £1 a tank extra off diesel car drivers and up to £1.40 a tank extra off diesel van owners".

The AA went on: "At present, the 1p-a-litre premium that fuel stations are generally adding to the cost of diesel adds 5,500 miles to the break-even point for a new car buyer who chooses diesel instead of petrol.

"Diesel cars typically cost £1,500 more but the saving from better fuel efficiency should eventually recoup that."

AA President Edmund King said: "To be fair, there is often much greater variation in the price of diesel among retailers in a town than with petrol.

"However, on average, the profit margin on diesel is consistently at least a penny higher than with petrol.

"The clear message to diesel drivers is to take advantage of the greater range of prices locally. Some forecourts are more diesel-friendly than others."

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Google Threatened With Criminal Proceedings

Internet giant Google has been threatened with criminal proceedings if it does not destroy personal data collected from wifi networks.

The internet giant has been handed an enforcement notice by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) after further personal data unlawfully collected by its Street View cars was discovered last year.

The watchdog has demanded that it destroy four discs containing information it took from unsecured wifi networks.

It discovered the extra information on four disks in July 2012 and told Google not to take action until it had carried out an investigation.

Google had previously pledged to destroy all data collected in this manner - but admitted last year that it had "accidentally" retained the additional discs.

The ICO carried out its investigation and on reaching its conclusion, on Friday morning issued its enforcement notice.

The ICO has warned Google that failure to comply with the legal order will be considered as contempt of court, which is a criminal offence.

A statement from the ICO said an investigation found that the collection of payload data by the company was the result of procedural failings and a serious lack of management oversight, including checks on the code behind the software.

But, it added, the investigation also found there was insufficient evidence to show that Google intended, on a corporate level, to collect personal data.

Stephen Eckersley, ICO Head of Enforcement, said: "Today's enforcement notice strengthens the action already taken by our office, placing a legal requirement on Google to delete the remaining payload data identified last year within the next 35 days and immediately inform the ICO if any further disks are found.

"Failure to abide by the notice will be considered as contempt of court, which is a criminal offence." 

"The early days of Google Street View should be seen as an example of what can go wrong if technology companies fail to understand how their products are using personal information.

"The punishment for this breach would have been far worse, if this payload data had not been contained."

The ICO's decision followed the reopening of its investigation into the Google Street View project in April last year.

The decision followed the publication of a report by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which raised concerns around the actions of the engineer who developed the software previously used by the cars, and his managers.

The ICO added that its investigation into whether Google's privacy policy complies with the Data Protection Act is on-going.

This investigation is part of coordinated action by data protection regulators across Europe, to assess whether Google's latest privacy policy clearly explains how individuals' personal information is being used across the company's products and services.

The ICO said it would shortly be writing to Google to confirm its preliminary findings.

Google says it has every intention of complying with the order to destroy the disks.

A Google spokesman said: "We work hard to get privacy right at Google. But in this case we didn't, which is why we quickly tightened up our systems to address the issue.

"The project leaders never wanted this data, and didn't use it or even look at it.

"We cooperated fully with the ICO throughout its investigation, and having received its order this morning we are proceeding with our plan to delete the data."

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Sun Editor Dominic Mohan Leaves For News Corp

The editor of The Sun, Dominic Mohan, is leaving the paper after four years at the helm.

He has been replaced by David Dinsmore, who is currently director of operations at News International (NI), the UK newspaper publishing arm of News Corp.

A statement said Mr Mohan will advise the chief executive of the new News Corp, which is being formed after Rupert Murdoch decided to split its newspaper and entertainment operations.

He will be tasked with exploring opportunities for the company across Europe from a base in London, the statement added.

Mr Mohan, who joined the paper 17 years ago, said it had been a "real privilege" to have edited The Sun since 2009.

"I would like to thank my peerless staff for the creativity and spark they have brought to the paper day after day," he said.

"I am confident The Sun will go from strength to strength, and now look forward to a new challenge of helping a brand new company find its feet and build a strong future for its journalism across the globe."

David Dinsmore

Mr Mohan oversaw the move to a seven-day operation for the paper with the launch of The Sun On Sunday in February 2012. It followed the closure of the News Of The World - another NI title - in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.

During his time in charge, he has seen several Sun journalists arrested under Operation Elveden, Scotland Yard's investigation into alleged inappropriate payments to public officials.

The announcement of his departure came on the day two Sun journalists - Jamie Pyatt, 49, and John Edwards, 49 - were charged with buying information, including details about Broadmoor patients and the work of a member of the Royal family.

The alleged offences involved unknown public officials between 2002 and 2011, Scotland Yard said.

Mr Dinsmore, 44, from Glasgow, worked his first shift on The Sun at the age of 22 and became editor of the Scottish edition in 2006.

He said: "There is no better job in journalism than editing Britain's most popular paper."

News Corp holds a 39% stake in BSkyB, parent firm of Sky News.

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Brazil Protests: Cabinet Meets After March

Brazilian government ministers were called to an emergency meeting after a million people took to the streets to protest against alleged corruption and high prices.

City centres around the country were still smouldering the morning after police responded to pockets of violence on Thursday night with tear gas and rubber bullets.

The demonstrations, which have spread to more than 80 cities look set to continue into a second week, prompting President Dilma Rousseff to assemble her top cabinet members on Friday and forcing her to cancel an overseas trip.

Riot police in Rio were faced with the largest demonstrations

In Sao Paulo state, a protester was killed when a driver - apparently enraged about being unable to drive along a street - rammed his car into a crowd of demonstrators.

In Rio de Janeiro, 300,000 people staged a demonstration near City Hall, while in the capital Brasilia, hundreds of protesters tried to storm the foreign ministry building, leaving authorities "frightened", according to local newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo.

Clashes have also taken place in the Amazon jungle city of Belem, in Porto Alegre in the south, in the university town of Campinas north of Sao Paulo and in the northeastern city of Salvador.

More than 300,000 people joined protests in Rio de Janeiro

Sky Correspondent Jason Farrell, in Rio de Janeiro, said protests there began with a "carnival atmosphere", as demonstrators arrived "draped in flags or with stripes of Brazil's national green, yellow and blue painted onto their faces".

However, peaceful protesters were caught up in clashes between rioters and police, who fired tear gas and pepper spray into the crowds.

Law student Wallace Tarenta told Sky News: "I have come here because we need more money for hospitals and teachers and security - not more stadiums for the World Cup."

Riot police in Belem were confronted by stone-throwing demonstrators

Protester Jorge Vieira added: "Brazil is a strong country, we have good natural resources and a strong government - but nothing goes to the people."

The protests in Brazil were sparked by public anger about the rising cost of public transport.

Several city leaders have already revoked planned increases to bus and subway fares.

Celebrations in Sao Paulo, where planned fare hikes have been dropped

However, Sky's Jason Farrell said anger has now turned to a perceived lack of investment in public services, as well as the $15 billion cost of hosting next year's football World Cup.

"On the face of it, Brazil has it all: a growing economy, a World Cup and the 2016 Olympics to look forward to," he said.

"But protesters say a corrupt government is damaging the lives of working people while squandering money on showcase stadiums.

"With riots breaking out in cities across the country, the world is now watching Brazil and wondering how it will cope with the pressures of hosting two of the world's biggest sporting events."

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Viagra 'Price Drop' As Drug Patent Expires

The cost of Viagra could drop dramatically from today as the UK patent for the drug expires.

The male erectile dysfunction drug, manufactured by American firm Pfizer in Ireland, must now compete against dozens of generic competitors.

There are some 120 alternative versions made worldwide, with some costing as little as 85p per pill.

Sky News understands that Pfizer will release its cheaper, generic 'white diamond' version on June 22. It will also continue to sell the original version.

The drug prompted many jokes - including these 'Viagra-infused' oyster cans

In the UK it has been available as prescription-only medicine since 1999, and nicknamed by company employees as the 'Pfizer Riser'.

Unwittingly, it has also spurred billions of unsolicited spam emails, as online entrepreneurs tried to cash in on perceived embarrassment surrounding asking the doctor for the little blue pill.

The new price drop has the potential to save the NHS millions in prescription costs.

A generic competitor to Viagra, marketed as 'Happigra'

The Health & Social Care Information Centre told Sky News that in 2011-12 there were 1.28 million Viagra prescriptions dispensed across the country.

The 'net ingredient cost' was £39.8m, which includes the cost of the drug before any discounts. It also excludes any dispensing costs or fees.

Pfizer promoted the drug and targeted men interested in sports

According to Pfizer sources, Viagra has been a bigger name in the public's consciousness than in the company's rota of top drugs.

Sildenafil citrate, the pharmaceutical name for Viagra, has been produced by the firm in twice-annual production runs at facilities at Ringaskiddy in Cork.

It is then sent to warehousing facilities in Belgium, prior to regional despatch.

Pfizer is expected to continue producing the drug while simultaneously developing a second generation medicine that can be packaged in a smaller pill.

The company previously took bold advertising steps to market the drug, including sponsorship of racing cars and using veteran Brazilian football player Pele as a spokesman.

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Boss Ousted At Luxury Mobile Group Vertu

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

The boss of Vertu, the luxury mobile phone-maker, has been forced out a year after Nokia sold the company to one of Europe's leading buyout firms.

Sky News understands that Perry Oosting, who had been president of Vertu during its ownership by the Finnish telecoms group, was let go by EQT Partners.

Mr Oosting has been replaced by Max Pogliani, who was previously Vertu's chief marketing officer.

The management shake-up came a year to the day since EQT bought the luxury mobile group, which makes handsets containing platinum, diamonds, gold and other expensive materials.

Vertu phones are usually priced at more than £10,000 each, and are handmade at its headquarters in Hampshire.

It was established in an attempt to capitalise on growing demand from wealthy Asian and Arab customers for premium consumer products.

The reasons for Mr Oosting's ousting are unclear although Vertu's sales during the last year are understood to have been disappointing.

Nokia offloaded a 90% stake in the business, which was founded in 1998, as part of efforts to transform its fortunes amid waning handset sales and intense competition from Apple and Google.

Vertu has hundreds of retail outlets around the world, including several in London. In 2011, it generated sales of about £225m.

In addition to its range of phones, Vertu offers a portfolio of services and accessories, including a round-the-clock concierge service. It has around 1,000 employees and its products are sold in more than 50 countries through own retail and trade partners' stores.

EQT, which is based in Sweden, is one of Europe's biggest private equity groups and owns companies including SSP, the British operator of food and drink concessions.

At the time of the Vertu acquisition, which is understood to have cost EQT around £170m, Jan Stahlberg, a partner at the buyout firm, said: "With its strong brand, undisputed category leadership and attractive growth outlook, Vertu fits well with EQT's investment strategy.

"EQT is excited about the opportunity to develop Vertu as a standalone company and drive the development of the luxury mobile phone category through significant investments in retail expansion, marketing and product development."

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Billboard Rejects Jay-Z'S Samsung Downloads

The Billboard music chart has refused to include Samsung's purchase of one million Jay-Z album downloads for smartphone customers, it has been confirmed.

Billboard said it will not include the platinum-ranking downloads sold by hip hop star Jay-Z to the South Korean tech giant.

Samsung's Galaxy mobile phone users had been given the chance to get a free copy of the album, provided they had downloaded an app.

The Samsung tie-up with Jay-Z, who was born Shawn Carter, had been announced days earlier.

His new album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, will be released on July 7, but it will also go out to one million Samsung users on July 4.

In a letter posted on Billboard's website, editorial director Bill Werde said it would not count the downloads because Samsung ultimately isn't selling the album on its phones.

Mr Werde added that it was not easy turning down Jay-Z's request to include the downloads on the Billboard chart.

Mr Werde said in his statement: "The passionate and articulate argument by Jay's team that something was for sale and Samsung bought it ... doesn't mesh with precedent."

According to the Wall Street Journal, Samsung paid Jay-Z $5m (£3.2m) for the one million copies for the giveaway.

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Football Streaming Website Faces Legal Action

Internet service providers in the UK could be forced to block a Swedish-based website which streams live football matches.

The Premier League is in the process of requesting a court order that would make ISPs effectively ban their customers from accessing www.FirstRow1.eu.

The planned legal action by the football governing body follows moves made by the music and film industries.

They have successfully blocked websites which offer the opportunity to download copyrighted material, such as Pirate Bay, under Section 97 of the 1988 Copyright, Design and Patent Act.

The Premier League has agreed a new worldwide television deal worth around £5.5bn over three years, starting with the new season.

BT has paid £246m to the Premier League for three years and BSkyB, the parent company of Sky News, has invested £760m in its football coverage for the next three seasons.

The Premier League has written to the major UK ISPs, which also include Virgin Media and TalkTalk, to outline its plans to apply for a court order to block www.FirstRow1.eu.

The proposals are expected to be put forward by the end of the month.

Should the court order be granted, the ISPs would then have to contest the application, or comply and restrict access.

It is understood that indications are the ISPs have no plans to go against any such application.

The Premier League has for many years monitored various websites during live matches and enforced the removal of any streaming content which breaches copyright.

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