Google planning Netflix-like YouTube service? No, says YouTube

By Hayley Tsukayama

The New York Post reported Friday that Google has its sites set on Netflix and Amazon and is prepping a streaming-video service for Britain. But a YouTube UK spokesperson has said the company has no plans to do so.

A spokesperson from YouTube's United Kingdom offices told paidcontentUK, "Today, YouTube is focused on building out and improving its current U.S.-based rental offering. While we aim to always push all of our products out globally to our community, we have no plans to launch a European rentals service in the near future."

The New York Post story said that Google was eyeing a launch across the pond where it may see less competition. Though Amazon recently started its acquisition of streaming site LoveFilm and Netflix is looking to put down global stakes, it's a good market for the taking. (The piece did point out that Google would need to make nice with studios and strengthen its stance on piracy before it could make any strides forward.)

While the subscription service may be a myth, Google and YouTube do seem to be moving in the direction of live-streaming overall. On Thursday, Bloomberg reported Google executives in Asia said the company was in talks with major sports leagues such as the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and some European soccer leagues to stream live games over YouTube by the second half of the year.

Kerdau By-Election: Only BN, PAS Bought Nomination Forms - EC

TEMERLOH, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- With less that 24 hours to go before nomination for the Kerdau by-election, only the Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS have bought nomination forms, according to the Election Commission.

EC deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said based on the development, the EC expected a straight fight between the two parties in the by-election.

He told this to reporters after checking on final preparations at the nomination centre, which is Dewan Tun Razak here Friday.

Polling is on March 6.

-- BERNAMA

WTF Maryland Moves to Approve Gay Marriage

Lawmakers in Maryland have approved legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage.

Maryland state senators voted 25 to 21 in favor of the legislation Thursday, after hours of debate and intense arguments on both sides of the issue.

The bill now moves to the more liberal House of Delegates. If it passes — and if Governor Martin O'Malley signs it as he has promised — Maryland will join five other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing same-sex marriage.

Some Maryland lawmakers opposed to the move argue that marriage should only be for people who can biologically have children, in other words, a man and a woman. Maryland Catholics have also lobbied against the legislation citing religious tradition.

The bill includes a provision exempting churches and other religious institutions from performing same-sex weddings if it is against their beliefs.

Supporters of the bill argue that marriage is a civil right. The one openly gay member of the Maryland Senate, Richard Madaleno, said without the law, his partner of 10 years is still a “legal stranger” to him.

Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia have all approved same-sex marriages.

Wednesday, the U.S. government announced it will stop defending a federal law that defines marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman. The Justice Department announced the decision after President Barack Obama determined the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional.