The government is to change the tax rules that have allowed retailers to avoid paying VAT by sending goods from the Channel Islands.

BBC: Treasury to close loophole that allows VAT-free DVDs

Obama also gave his first formal interview as president to Al-Arabiya, an Arab news channel, sending a message to the region that he wants a dialogue.

CNN: In first week, Obama takes initial steps on ambitious agenda

The project directed by the National Geographic Channel and Arecibo Observatory is sending a response to the " Wow signal" some 35 years after the event.

ENGADGET: Alt-week 8.18.12: Graphene sponges, zero-g athletics and tweets in space

They certainly used to have something rare: that whole distribution channel of people getting DVDs in the mail and sending them back.

FORBES: So, Is Netflix Toast Then?

The world is barely getting to grips with the notion of 4K, which already solves pixelation at regular viewing distances, so why did the BBC and Japanese broadcaster NHK go to the expense of sending a dedicated SHV video truck, a SHV audio truck rigged for 22.2 channel sound, and the world's only three 8K Ultra HDTV cameras to London?

ENGADGET: BBC shows off 33-megapixel Super Hi-Vision Olympic footage, we ask: why?