contributed by tutlex
Over 350 people attended the hacker convention held in Israel last Wednesday and Thursday. Local officials tried to shut the conference down but eventually relented and allowed the convention. Participants played 'Spot the Fed' (I thought that was a Defcon thing?) and participated in a conference call with Kevin Mitnick.

Associated Press - via Yahoo
USA Today
Y2Hack

contributed by ps
The Internet Crime Sector of the Sao Paulo Police in Brazil has questioned JxLxMx in connection with attacks on various web sites. Both JxLxMx and JZ, who was identified last week, will most likely be prosecuted for damages, crime against the honor of various authorities and fraudulent use of telecommunication systems, under article 10 of the law 926/96.

IDG News Brazil - Portuguese

contributed by Evil Wench
In an effort to test security problems related to hardware, database systems, application software systems and network equipment and related systems, The National Information Security Testing Evaluation and Certification Center has established a new branch, the Computer Testing Evaluation Center, in Beijing.

AsiaBizTech

contributed by acopalyse
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where the word hacker was coined, is a physical maze of underground steam tunnels and hidden passageways. Hackers traverse these passageways almost on a nightly basis looking for new challenges.

The Boston Globe

contributed by Brad
It was only a matter of time. After all the bruhaha over DeCSS someone has finally created a legal DVD player for the Linux platform. LinDVD has been created and will be marketed by Intervideo for $29.95 and will be available this spring.

Wired
Intervideo

contributed by Evil Wench
Fearing the end of the world, nuclear holocaust, and other terrible calamities a Japanese man traveled to extremely remote parts of Australia. He believed the world would be plunged into chaos as it entered the new millennium. The man traveled to the Willare Bridge roadhouse 2334km north of Perth. He arrived carrying a SAS basic remote survival book, a gas mask, dehydrated food items, a canteen, water purifying tablets and camping gear. He had tried to enter the country with a flak jacket and a blow gun but those where confiscated by customs officials.

Fairfax IT