Amsterdam: The busy thumbs of Dutch politicians were silenced on Tuesday after advisors overseeing cabinet formation talks called for a ban on Twitter use during difficult negotiations.
Twitter has been a particular favourite of Dutch government officials, mostly notably leaders of the formerly in power christian Democrats. At one point earlier this year, finance minister Jan kees de Jager earned a rebuke from parliament for tweeting too much, and the leader of parliament last year chastised members for using Twitter during debates.
In that spirit, cabinet advisor Uri Rosenthal told a press conference that the parties would maintain silence during the ongoing negotiations. "For now we will hold radio silence, TV silence and camera silence - and we coin the word 'de-twitter' (as well)," Rosenthal said.
The June 9 parliamentary elections failed to produce a decisive result. The Liberals, who narrowly won the election, are in tense talks with the Labour party, social liberals D66 and the Green Left about forming a cabinet.
Blackberry for Queen Elizabeth
London: Britain's Queen Elizabeth wrapped up her visit to Canada on Monday by snagging her own tech gadget. The octogenarian was given a Blackberry smartpone on her visit to the Research in Motion factory in Waterloo, Canada.
Following disclosures the she owns an iPod, and has her own email account, it seems the 81 - year-old monarch is keen to widen her embrace of modern technology.
She and husband Prince Philip have been in Canada since last week to mark its national holiday July I and are to travel to New York, where she will address the UN and visit the site of the world trade Centre destroyed in the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks It will be her third visit to New York. She last addressed the UN general assembly in 1967.
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