 |
|
Homepage | Features | News Sources | Zimbabwe Special | Science Links | Venezuela |
| World News |
 |
Africa Links |  |
 |
|
Forums | |
|
|
Science Today | |
|
|
Crusade News | |
|
|
Caribbean | |
|
|
BOOKS | |
June 2013Jordanians 'suspicious' about US military deploymentPosted: Friday, June 28, 2013 Jordanians 'suspicious' about US military deployment Microsoft wants to reveal US data queries MICROSOFT has joined Google in a legal push for permission to disclose more information about secret government requests for data, according to a US court filing. Senators accuse US of using 'secret law' to collect data Bipartisan group seeks answers from intelligence chief James Clapper over scale of and justification for NSA surveillance How the NSA is still harvesting your online data Files show vast scale of current NSA metadata programs, with one stream alone celebrating 'one trillion records processed' Restricted web access to The Guardian is Armywide, officials say Security concerns cited in blocking Guardian news Ecuador to US: We Won't Be 'Blackmailed' over Snowden Vowing not to be bullied, nation cancels trade pact preemptively and offers US human rights training Edward Snowden Isn't on the Run... We Are The lessons of the US whistleblower in Anne Applebaum's Russia Edward Snowden: in defence of whistleblowers Daniel Ellsberg, the leaker of the Pentagon Papers 40 years ago, was smeared and denounced at the time Ecuador snubs US trade 'blackmail' over Snowden, offers human rights training Ecuador cools on Edward Snowden asylum as Assange frustration grows WikiLeaks Volunteer Was a Paid Informant for the FBI On Paula Deen, the Big House Kitchen and Where Them Hoecakes Really Came From Paula Deen's upcoming book nixed by publisher Paula Deen's upcoming cookbook, currently the No. 1 seller on Amazon.com, has been dropped by its publisher. Now Paula Deen's new book will never see the light of day: Publisher DROPS race-row TV chef despite her pre-order sales making latest publication number one title on Amazon Paula Deen fallout: QVC to "take a pause," Sears cuts ties Paula Deen's empire continues to crumble, as more of her partnerships fall apart. The latest? QVC and Sears Holdings Corp., which runs retailers Sears and Kmart. Carter: Paula Deen should be forgiven Former President Jimmy Carter said embattled celebrity chef Paula Deen should be forgiven, arguing that while there's no condoning the racial slurs she uttered, the well-known personality has been candid and apologetic. Mich. ban on domestic partner benefits blocked A federal judge on Friday blocked Michigan's ban on domestic partner benefits for employees who work for public schools or local governments, saying state lawmakers simply wanted to punish gays and lesbians. Ex-Pentagon general target of leak investigation, sources say Legal sources tell NBC News that the former second ranking officer in the U.S. military is now the target of a Justice Department investigation into a politically sensitive leak of classified information about a covert U.S. cyber attack on Iran's nuclear program. US to Have Arms in Syrian Rebel Hands Within a Month Weapons Already En Route to Jordan Warehouses With multiple missions, U.S. military steps up Africa focus U.S. judge throws out Abu Ghraib detainees' torture case Report: Netanyahu Willing to Withdraw From 90 Percent of West Bank Top Minister Warns Likud Will Split Over Deal China and South Korea Urge North Korea to Resume Nuclear Talks Alleged Boston Marathon bomber hit with 30-count indictment including weapon of mass destruction charge The Executive Branch of the U.S. Government: World's Most Evil and Lawless Institution? Arnold August: Left Forum Presentation Senate on verge of historic immigration vote Posted: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 Senate on verge of historic immigration vote License-plate readers let police collect millions of records on drivers The paperback-size device, installed on the outside of police cars, can log thousands of license plates in an eight-hour patrol shift. Katz-Lacabe said it had photographed his two cars on 112 occasions, including one image from 2009 that shows him and his daughters stepping out of his Toyota Prius in their driveway. Defense of Marriage Act Provision Struck Down A divided U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal law that defines marriage as a heterosexual union, saying it violates the rights of married gay couples by denying them government benefits. Supreme court strikes down Doma on historic day for gay rights in America Justices rule Defense of Marriage Act to be unconstitutional and clear way for same-sex marriage to be restored in California Gay couples can immigrate under DOMA ruling The Supreme Court's ruling that the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional should immediately open up immigration benefits to same-sex partners in states where their unions are recognized as marriages. MSNBC Captures President Obama's Call To Prop 8 Winners: Video Asylum for Edward Snowden would jeopardize millions in trade, Ecuador warned Obama Hasn't Called Russians, Chinese About Snowden "I'm Not Going to Be Scrambling Jets to Get a 29-Year-Old Hacker" U.S. officials: China, Russia gained access to Snowden's secrets Intelligence agencies in China and Russia gained access to highly classified U.S. intelligence and military information contained on electronic media held by renegade former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden, according to U.S. officials. Steve Wozniak: Snowden 'Is a Hero Because This Came From His Heart' The Apple cofounder tells Lloyd Grove why he supports the NSA leaker, how the agency hasn't 'done one thing valuable for us'—and why the Internet wasn't supposed to be this way. 'I is what I is and I'm not changing': Disgraced chef Paula Deen sobs on the Today show in last ditch attempt to save her career after racism row A lawsuit last week revealed Paula Deen used racial slurs and wanted to throw a 'plantation-style' wedding for her brother. Deen admitted to using 'N-word' and wanting black men dressed as slaves. The Food Network announced Deen's contract will not be renewed at the end of the month and she was dropped by meat producer Smithfield. Girl, 10, dies in hospital days after being gang raped by four teenagers in India A New Beginning Without Washington's Sanctimonious Mask Posted: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 In 3 weeks, Snowden's revelations have roiled the globe Edward Snowden, the former defense-contractor-turned-classified-document-leaker, has received most attention in the United States for revealing wide-ranging government snooping into phone and Internet records. But the activities Snowden has exposed are not limited to inside the United States. His leaks also have made waves in Hong Kong, China and Great Britain. A New Beginning Without Washington's Sanctimonious Mask It is hard to understand the fuss that Washington and its media whores are making over Edward Snowden. We have known for a long time that the National Security Agency (NSA) has been spying for years without warrants on the communications of Americans and people throughout the world. Photographs of the massive NSA building in Utah built for the purpose of storing the intercepted communications of the world have been published many times. Russia and China reject US criticism on leaker Snowden's escape China's state newspaper praises Edward Snowden for 'tearing off Washington's sanctimonious mask' State-run People's Daily says whistleblower has exposed US hypocrisy after Washington blamed Beijing for his escape Greenwald: Snowden's Files Are Out There if 'Anything Happens' to Him Snowden has shared encoded copies of all the documents he took so that they won't disappear if he does, Glenn Greenwald tells Eli Lake. Snowden may be stuck in Russia: WikiLeaks THE WikiLeaks organisation says intelligence leaker Edward Snowden may be forced to stay in Russia permanently because the United States is "bullying" possible intermediary countries. Edward Snowden never crossed border into Russia, says foreign minister Sergei Lavrov's comments about fugitive US whistleblower deepen mystery surrounding his whereabouts Putin says Snowden at Russian airport, signals no extradition Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden was still in the transit area of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, was free to leave and should do so as soon as possible. Russia rejects US demand for Snowden's extradition Kerry: US wants no confrontation with Russia Kerry: 'People May Die' Because of Snowden Kerry: Snowden case has 'nothing to do with illegality' MSNBC's Reid raises 'questions' about Guardian's Glenn Greenwald U.S. officials don't know how much secret material Snowden took Officials: How Edward Snowden Could Hurt the U.S. As the U.S. intelligence community struggles to complete a damage assessment over the secret information allegedly stolen by NSA leaker Edward Snowden, sources told ABC News there is a growing consensus within the top circles of the U.S. government that the 30-year-old contractor could deal a potentially devastating blow to U.S. national security. Liberal icon Frank Church on the NSA Almost 40 years ago, the Idaho Senator warned of the dangers of allowing the NSA to turn inward Demonizing Edward Snowden: Which Side Are You On? Latin America is ready to defy the US over Snowden and other issues Latin America has long lived in the US shadow, but the fact that some countries might take Snowden shows how that's changed Chilling Effects: US Government's War on the Media Is Frighteningly Effective Presidential Rule by Deception: Obama, the Master Con-man Google does not have to delete sensitive information, says European court European court of justice adviser says Google is not obliged to delete content even when it damages an individual's reputation Divided Supreme Court strikes down key voting rights provision In a decision that marks the end of a major civil rights-era reform, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the federal government can no longer force states and jurisdictions with a long-past history of voting discrimination to have to get federal approval for all of their voting laws. Ku Klux Kourt kills King's Dream Law Replaces Voting Rights Act with Katherine Harris Acts Supreme court's voting rights decision 'deeply disappointing', Obama says Justices say discrimination in US no longer sufficient to justify 'extraordinary measures' as they strike down part of landmark act Supreme Court Puts 'Dagger in the Heart' of Voting Rights Act In 'major step backwards,' high court guts important provision protecting against discriminatory voter suppression schemes Rev. Jackson: Voting Rights Act Ruling 'Devastating Blow' Democratic lawmaker hits justice as 'Uncle Thomas' A Democratic lawmaker from Minnesota criticized Tuesday's Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act by calling Justice Clarence Thomas "Uncle Thomas," then saying he didn't know "Uncle Tom" was a racist epithet. Weiner Leads Democrats in Race for NYC Mayor: Poll Analysis - Al Qaeda's Syria rift may lead to open conflict among jihadis 400 US Troops Will Be Deployed to Egypt Troops Will Be Part of Anti-Riot Force in Sinai Abbas Scraps Demands as US Threatens to Blame Him for Peace Talks Failure Will Now Settle for US Lip-Service on 1967 Borders The Palestinians' last option: A struggle for equal rights Palestinians must shed the illusion of the current peace process and at least push for equitable rights. UN gives go-ahead to deployment of Mali peacekeepers The United Nations Security Council has agreed that a UN peacekeeping force of 12,600 troops should be deployed in Mali from 1 July. French police arrest six 'radical Islamists' near Paris Why South Africa Destroyed Its Nuclear Weapons Posted: Monday, June 24, 2013 Asians and Africans Will Have to Pay £3,000 'Cash Bond' to Enter UK Visitors from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and other "high risk" Asian and African nations will have to pay a £3,000 "cash bond" to enter Britain under a pilot scheme to be introduced by Theresa May, the home secretary. The Dark Truth About Why South Africa Destroyed Its Nuclear Weapons in 1990 Obama Backs First-Strike Nuclear War as U.S. Policy Berlusconi convicted in sex-for-hire trial IRS chief: Inappropriate screening was broad Libya, Syria, Lies, Perfidies and Tony Blair Any time bombs are used to target innocent civilians it is an act of terrorism. — President Barack Obama 15th February 2013 (re Boston bombings) Foreign Backers Agree to Send Weapons to Syria’s Rebels Deal Will Send 'All the Necessary' Arms for Civil War Israeli Official: Syria Regime Change Needed to Harm Iran Just Do Whatever Harms Iran, Adviser Urges Edward Snowden gives countries a chance to thumb nose at US The US has long emphasized the importance it gives to the human rights of the citizens of the nations it is dealing with. Now, countries aiding Edward Snowden as he tries to evade US justice can turn the tables on the US. Edward Snowden, a step ahead of the U.S. government, eludes arrest The 30-year-old NSA leaker manages to make Washington seem stumped as he slips out of Hong Kong and lands in Russia, apparently planning to end up in Ecuador. Edward Snowden 'Healthy and Safe' But Location Unknown As whistleblower attempts journey towards asylum, US officials up ante for his capture Offering Snowden Aid, WikiLeaks Gets Back in the Game Edward Snowden booked on plane from Moscow to Havana ormer CIA analyst whose leaks to Guardian have caused global controversy expected to seek asylum in Ecuador after stopping off in Cuba Russia defiant as U.S. raises pressure over Snowden Kerry warns Russia on Snowden: "Respect the relationship" U.S. Government ‘Disappointed’ Hong Kong Let Snowden Leave, Asks Russia to Extradite Him American officials struggle to explain how Snowden got away China labels US as world's biggest spying 'villain' as Edward Snowden raises new snooping claims Snowden, U.S. engaged in intercontinental game of cat-and-mouse As Snowden tries to hop from country to country, with help from the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, the United States has resorted to issuing stern words calling for his return. The Pursuit of Edward Snowden: Washington in a Rage, Striving to Run the World Rarely has any American provoked such fury in Washington’s high places. So far, Edward Snowden has outsmarted the smartest guys in the echo chamber–and he has proceeded with the kind of moral clarity that U.S. officials seem to find unfathomable. class="Snowden sought Booz Allen job to gather evidence on NSA surveillance" Fugitive whistle-blower reveals for first time he took job at US government contractor with the sole aim of collecting proof of spying activities The NSA's metastasised intelligence-industrial complex is ripe for abuse Where oversight and accountability have failed, Snowden's leaks have opened up a vital public debate on our rights and privacy NSA Spying: So They Are Listening in, After All Cheney: Lawmakers favored secrecy on surveillance Scotland Yard 'tried to smear Stephen Lawrence family': David Cameron calls for investigation over effort to 'find dirt' Prime Minister 'deeply concerned' by claims made by Peter Francis that he was told to find 'dirt' that could be used against members of the Lawrence family Taliban Office In Qatar Explanation Sought By Afghanistan Afghanistan's government reaffirmed support Sunday for possible talks with its Taliban foes, but demanded full explanations on how the group was allowed to raise its flag in Qatar and display other symbols that have stalled the U.S.-led effort. 60 killed, some 100 injured in multiple blast in Baghdad Iraq: 43 Killed, including Saddam Executioner Israeli air force attacks Gaza Strip Nelson Mandela in Critical Condition Posted: Sunday, June 23, 2013 Nelson Mandela in Critical Condition Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, took a turn for the worse and was in critical condition today in his battle with a lung infection, according to a statement from the South African president's office. Snowden has ticket to Cuba, may go to Venezuela: Russian reports Whistleblower Snowden escapes arrest in Hong Kong thanks to US errors Edward Snowden heads for Ecuador after flight to Russia leaves authorities in various countries amazed and infuriated Ed Snowden hunts for a safe haven in Russia: Now NSA leaker requests asylum in Ecuador after fleeing Hong Kong and series of meetings in Moscow U.S. warns countries against Snowden travel Fugitive Snowden seeks asylum in Ecuador: foreign minister Sen. Feinstein on Edward Snowden: "The chase is on" WikiLeaks cements its role as thorn in the side of US and UK governments WikiLeaks' intervention in Edward Snowden case is consistent with organisation's stance on protecting whistleblowers AP Source: NSA leaker Snowden's passport revoked Hong Kong says Snowden has left for third country NSA director: Edward Snowden has caused irreversible damage to US Keith Alexander defends agency's broad surveillance as being in line with Americans' expectations for preventing another 9/11 MI5 feared GCHQ went 'too far' over phone and internet monitoring Amid leaks from NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, senior intelligence source reveals worries were voiced in 2008 This Really is Big Brother: The Leak Nobody's Noticed Even before a former U.S. intelligence contractor exposed the secret collection of Americans’ phone records, the Obama administration was pressing a government-wide crackdown on security threats that requires federal employees to keep closer tabs on their co-workers and exhorts managers to punish those who fail to report their suspicions. 5 Fun Facts From the Latest NSA Leak Colorado Was Just the Beginning In 2012 I supported Amendment 64 in Colorado -- the "regulate marijuana like alcohol act." Amendment 64 is a common sense step toward ending the archaic prohibition mindset that has resulted in the U.S. leading the world in the incarceration of our people -- a prison system packed with non-violent drug offenders. U.S. gives Syrian rebels caught in bloody civil war against President Assad missile training in secret camps Pakistanis kill 10 tourists, including American 57 Killed across Iraq as Suicide Bombers Strike in the North Is Obama worse than Bush? Posted: Saturday, June 22, 2013 Is Obama worse than Bush? That's beside the point Obama's transformation from national security dove to hawk is the norm: any president is captive to America's imperial power US steps up efforts to break Guantánamo hunger strike Shaker Aamer, last British resident held in camp, tells of harsh regime to break strikers' resistance Obama's SA visit triggers demonstrations As US President Barrack Obama's visit to South Africa is drawing near, some political groups on Thursday voiced opposition to his trip in protest against US policies towards Africa and elsewhere. Report: Skype Developed Program to Abet Gov't Spying; Ex-Facebook Exec at NSA The New York Times reports the online communications giant Skype created a secret program to explore ways of providing the government with easy access to customers' information. Dubbed "Project Chess," the program was established to navigate the legal and technical obstacles to enabling government monitoring of Skype calls and chats. U.S. seeks Snowden's extradition, urges Hong Kong to act quickly Snowden spy row grows as US is accused of hacking China Whistleblower charged with espionage reportedly claims US authorities accessed millions of private text messages in China On the Espionage Act charges against Edward Snowden Who is actually bringing 'injury to America': those who are secretly building a massive surveillance system or those who inform citizens that it's being done? US push to extradite NSA leaker Edward Snowden from Hong Kong could take YEARS as mainland China officials wade in Julian Assange: On 1 Year, Snowden, Manning and More It has now been a year since I entered this embassy and sought refuge from persecution. As a result of that decision, I have been able to work in relative safety from a US espionage investigation. But today, Edward Snowden's ordeal is just beginning. Nelson Mandela 'unresponsive' Posted: Friday, June 21, 2013 Nelson Mandela 'unresponsive and has not opened his eyes for days' as family is said to be discussing whether to withdraw medical treatment U.S. charges Edward Snowden with espionage in leaks about NSA surveillance programs Federal prosecutors have filed a sealed criminal complaint against Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who leaked a trove of documents about top-secret surveillance programs, and the United States has asked Hong Kong to detain him on a provisional arrest warrant, according to U.S. officials. Iceland-Bound Jet for Edward Snowden 'Could Take Off Tomorrow' Businessman says he has a Chinese jet on standby in case Icelandic government green-lights asylum Is Edward Snowden a Hero? A Follow-Up Clearly, there are two sides to this issue. But, in light of the questions that have been raised about Snowden's conduct–and not just by Jeffrey but by other liberal writers who might have been expected to be supportive, such as Josh Marshall, of T.P.M., and Kevin Drum, of Mother Jones–it's worth expanding upon a few points. Skype's secret Project Chess reportedly helped NSA access customers' data Scheme – set up before firm was purchased by Microsoft – allegedly eased access for US law enforcement agencies Indefinite Surveillance: Say Hello to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 Passed in 1978, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) set the groundwork for surveillance, collection, and analysis of intelligence gathered from foreign powers and agents of foreign powers, up to and including any individual residing within the U.S., who were suspected of involvement in potential terrorist activity. Insider Threat: Obama Administration to Crack Down Further on Leakers Govt Will Punish People Who Suspect Leaks But Don't Turn Them In Iceland: 'informal talks' about Snowden asylum Obama meets with privacy watchdog panel ... in private Claire McCaskill: 'Guardian has an agenda' Sen. Claire McCaskill on Thursday called out The Guardian's reporting on the NSA leaks and Edward Snowden, saying there's "context that's been missing" from the coverage. WikiLeaks: Hastings Said He Was Being Investigated By FBI Questions persist following the death of Michael Hastings Tuesday, after reports that the award-winning journalist told WikiLeaks the government was watching him. Understanding the Prism leaks is understanding the rise of a new fascism It is in popular culture that the fraudulent "ideal" of America as morally superior, a "leader of the free world", has been most effective. How the British set out to spy on the world wide web Project Tempora – the evolution of a secret programme to capture vast amounts of web and phone data GCHQ taps fibre-optic cables for secret access to world's communications Exclusive: British spy agency collects and stores vast quantities of global email messages, Facebook posts, internet histories and calls, and shares them with NSA, latest documents from Edward Snowden reveal U.S. training Syrian rebels; White House 'stepped up assistance' CIA and U.S. military operatives have been secretly teaching Syrian rebels how to use anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns, the Los Angeles Times has learned. The White House refuses to confirm but says 'substantial assistance' is being provided. US military presence in Jordan expands to 1,000 troops Rebels demand arms, no-fly zone from 'Friends of Syria' Rebel fighters appealed on Thursday to the "Friends of Syria" group which is to meet this weekend to provide them with heavy weapons so they can protect civilians and prevent a humanitarian disaster. In Syrian chemical weapons claim, criticism about lack of transparency Despite months of laboratory testing and scrutiny by top U.S. scientists, the Obama administration's case for arming Syria's rebels rests on unverifiable claims that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against its own people, according to diplomats and experts. Poll: Support for Intervening in Syria Falls From Really Low to Mind-Bogglingly Low U.S. officials: Rowhani election shows Iran sanctions are working U.S. officials hail election of moderate Hasan Rowhani to president as first tangible evidence American strategy is influencing Iran's nuclear policy. (Notice: Cancel print to read article) New Iran leader a 'change in style, not of substance,' Netanyahu says Prime minister says Hasan Rowhani won't change course on nukes; also calls for Israeli ports to be reformed, defends gas export decision Palestinian Children Tortured, Used As Shields By Israel, UN Says A United Nations human rights body accused Israeli forces on Thursday of mistreating Palestinian children, including by torturing those in custody and using others as human shields. The Harrowing Impact of America's Deadly Drone War in Pakistan A drone strike that killed 42 people is the focus of filmmaker Robert Greenwald's new video on the American war in Pakistan. Study: 70 Percent Of Americans On Prescription Drugs Posted: Thursday, June 20, 2013 Militants storm UN compound in Somalia; 20 killed Study: 70 Percent Of Americans On Prescription Drugs Atheist seeking US citizenship told to join church or be denied A 65-year-old British atheist who has lived in the US for 30 years has been denied US citizenship, unless she joins a church by Friday. Margaret Doughty, British Atheist, 'Will Be Denied US Citizenship Unless She Joins A Church' Google: 'We're not in cahoots' with NSA David Drummond, Google's chief legal officer, on Wednesday pushed back against allegations that the search company is "in cahoots with the NSA" and has allowed the spy agency to tap into its servers for user data. Google Privacy Comes Under Fire From European Watchdogs Privacy officials from 6 countries request details on Google Glass Officials ask Google how it intends to use the information collected by the high-tech specs, which could seemingly videotape or photograph others without their knowledge. DuckDuckGo Search Engine Gets Boost After PRISM Scandal Condoms Approved for Schools in Massachusetts Revealed: the top secret rules that allow NSA to use US data without a warrant Fisa court submissions show broad scope of procedures governing NSA's surveillance of Americans' communication Government could use metadata to map your every move If you tweet a picture from your living room using your smartphone, you're sharing far more than your new hairdo or the color of the wallpaper. You're potentially revealing the exact coordinates of your house to anyone on the Internet. Lawyers eye NSA data as treasure trove for evidence in murder, divorce cases Understanding the Prism leaks is understanding the rise of a new fascism It is in popular culture that the fraudulent "ideal" of America as morally superior, a "leader of the free world", has been most effective. Bush-Era NSA Whistleblower Makes Most Explosive Allegations Yet About True Extent of Gov't Surveillance AP CEO Says Government Sources Won't Talk After Justice Department Probe "The government may love this," says the AP CEO. "I suspect that they do." Firefox Web browser to move ahead plan to block tracking Taliban offer to return US soldier in exchange for Guantánamo prisoners Senior spokesman says offer is designed to 'build bridges of confidence' as Hamid Karzai says he is willing to join peace talks Scrapping equipment key to Afghan drawdown Facing a tight withdrawal deadline and tough terrain, the U.S. military has destroyed more than 170 million pounds worth of vehicles and other military equipment as it rushes to wind down its role in the Afghanistan war by the end of 2014. US scraps military equipment worth billions before leaving Afghanistan Rand Paul One of Four Senators To Introduce Bill To Block Military Funds to Syria Obama: United States not ready to go to war In Syrian chemical weapons claim, criticism about lack of transparency West debates arms shipment risk to Syrian rebels Syria's opposition insists that it needs arms from the international community. Some countries in the West are indeed considering arms shipments while critics warn they could easily end up in the wrong hands. Fast-Tracking Toward War on Syria America's run by sociopaths. They're out-of-control criminals. They're traitors. They menace humanity. They violate their sacred oaths of office. Iran's president-elect may shift country's policies toward Persian Gulf, Israel To understand the changes likely to occur under Iran's new president, Hasan Rowhani, consider this summation of the outgoing regime by a veteran foreign policy analyst. Top UK court overturns sanctions on Iranian bank Britain's Supreme Court quashed sanctions against an Iranian bank penalized over its alleged links to Iran's nuclear weapons program, saying Wednesday that Bank Mellat had been arbitrarily singled out. UK Supreme Court says some families of soldiers killed in Iraq can sue government US taxpayers pay for apartheid Israel regime As US Secretary of State John Kerry attempts to put his particular spin on resolving the generations-old crisis of Israeli oppression of the Palestinians, he has travelled to the World Economic Forum. UN: Palestinian children tortured, used as human shields by Israel New UN human rights agency report claims Israeli forces arbitrarily arrest Palestinian children in Gaza and West Bank, subject them to degrading treatment, exploit them to scope out potentially dangerous buildings and use them as shields to deter stone throwers. Putin torpedoes G8 efforts to oust Assad Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 Challenge to elite South African schools that segregate by language Courts will decide whether Fochville High can offer instruction only in Africaans, which blacks mostly do not speak. Brazilian politicians struggle with how to respond to another night of protests Politicians warned of being 'on wrong side of history' as anger swells about state of nation and World Cup extravagance Brazil kicks off: World Cup excess draws hundreds of thousands to street protests What began as a backlash against bus price rises has ignited thanks to the cost of staging next year's event Fisa court oversight: a look inside a secret and empty process Obama and other NSA defenders insist there are robust limitations on surveillance but the documents show otherwise Rand Paul accuses James Clapper of lying to Congress over NSA suveillance GOP senator cites Clapper's testimony in March that US does 'not wittingly' collect data on American's communications 'Standing Man' Silent Protest Sweeps Turkey Show of Resistance defies government crackdown on uprisings At last it's time for America to talk to men from the Taliban Discussions over an Afghan peace deal look set to begin as Qatar office opens Taliban peace talks: 'Peace and reconciliation' negotiations to take place in Qatar 'Peace and reconciliation' milestone comes after US drops request for formal rejection of al-Qaida as precondition to talks Afghan President Karzai to boycott talks with Taliban The Afghan government will not take part in peace talks with the Taliban unless the process is "Afghan-led", President Hamid Karzai has said. Revealed: The 44 Guantanamo Bay inmates too dangerous to release Freedom of Information request forces authorities to name terror suspects held for the last 12 years Putin torpedoes G8 efforts to oust Assad Russia’s Vladimir Putin derailed Barack Obama’s efforts to win backing for the downfall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad at a G8 summit on Tuesday, warning the West that arms supplied to rebels could be used for attacks on European soil. Syria Is Becoming Obama's Iraq In perfect Bush-like fashion, President Obama has invented a bogus pretense for military intervention in yet another Middle East country. Netanyahu: Israel won't accept less than total halt of Iran's nuclear enrichment Israeli PM warns against new Iranian President Hasan Rowhani, saying his strategy is to calm the international community while quietly advancing the nuclear program. Washington Is Insane Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 Putin backs Assad and berates west over proposal to arm Syrian rebels Russian president says backing 'those who kill their enemies and eat their organs' flouts Europe's humanitarian values Russia says it will not allow Syria no-fly zones Fighting Terrorism by Arming Terrorists The Syrian intervention John McCain and the Clintons want would be a war for Islamism, not democracy. Isn't the G8 supposed to alleviate global tensions? Obama and Putin put on deeply awkward show of unity after disastrous meeting at summit Russian and U.S. presidents held bilateral meeting at G8 Summit in Northern Ireland on Monday. Putin told Obama that their positions on Syria do not 'coincide' Saudi Arabia wants missiles for Syrian rebels: report NSA targeted Dmitry Medvedev at London G20 summit Leaked documents reveal Russian president was spied on during visit, as questions are raised over use of US base in Britain GCHQ intercepted foreign politicians' communications at G20 summits Exclusive: phones were monitored and fake internet cafes set up to gather information from allies in London in 2009 US Labour Department announces $2.5m grant to Bangladesh Bangladesh disaster crushes owner's ideal of clothes with a conscience Hundreds Of Bangladesh Factory Workers Fall Sick Building America's secret surveillance state "God we trust," goes an old National Security Agency joke. "All others we monitor." Given the revelations last week about the NSA's domestic spying activities, the saying seems more prophecy than humor. NSA spying flap extends to contents of U.S. phone calls National Security Agency discloses in secret Capitol Hill briefing that thousands of analysts can listen to domestic phone calls. That authorization appears to extend to e-mail and text messages too. G20 summits: Russia and Turkey react with fury to spying revelations Ankara summons UK ambassador and says GCHQ allegations are 'scandalous' if confirmed NSA spying flap extends to contents of U.S. phone calls National Security Agency discloses in secret Capitol Hill briefing that thousands of analysts can listen to domestic phone calls. That authorization appears to extend to e-mail and text messages too. Facebook got 10,000 requests for data from NSA in just six months (and Microsoft received 7,000 orders) Obama does not feel Americans' privacy violated: chief of staff President Barack Obama does not believe the recently disclosed top-secret National Security Agency surveillance of phone records and Internet data has violated Americans' privacy rights, his chief of staff said on Sunday. Edward Snowden Q and A: NSA whistleblower answers your questions The whistleblower behind the biggest intelligence leak in NSA history answered your questions about the NSA surveillance revelations Hong Kong's pro-democracy activists rally around Snowden NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden is reminding Hong Kongers of their devotion to the rule of law and resistance to interference from mainland China. Britain Meets Turkey Over G20 Snooping Claims Whistleblower Edward Snowden claims the UK spied on G20 politicians in 2009 including Turkey's finance minister. UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) surveillance Read extracts from the leaked documents describing the agency's 'recent successes' The Making of a Global Security State The five uncontrollable urges of a secrecy-surveillance world. State photo-ID databases become troves for police The faces of more than 120 million people are in searchable photo databases that state officials assembled to prevent driver's-license fraud but that increasingly are used by police to identify suspects, accomplices and even innocent bystanders in a wide range of criminal investigations. 'Dozens dead' in Aleppo car bomb attack At least 60 Syrian regime soldiers reported killed in a town near northern city's international airport. Putin: Lets Not Arm Those Organ-Eating Syrian Rebels As US Moves Toward Intervention, Russian Leader Offers a Reminder U.S. Seems Eager for Nuclear Talks With Iran's New Leader Iran's moderate new leader vows to make nuclear process more transparent but says he WON'T give up enrichment Senior Libyan judge assassinated in eastern Libya as security woes deepen Honduras party led by ousted leader Zelaya picks his wife to be its presidential candidate President of International War Crimes Tribunal May Have Worked to Shield Israelis From Prosecution Washington Is Insane Maliki accuses foreign countries of being behind Sunday bombings in Iraq Baghdad: The Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki accused foreign countries of being behind the bombings that hit Iraq on last Sunday. Guantanamo hunger strikers face off with US military For more than three months, the US military has faced off with defiant prisoners on hunger strike at Guantanamo Bay, strapping down as many as 44 each day to feed them a liquid nutrient mix through a nasal tube. Hassan Rouhani wins Iran presidential election Posted: Saturday, June 15, 2013 Hassan Rouhani wins Iran presidential election Reformist-backed cleric Hassan Rouhani has won Iran's presidential election, securing just over 50% of the vote and so avoiding the need for a run-off. Reformist Hassan Rouhani wins Iran presidential election But even with Glasgow-educated former nuclear negotiator in post, the clerics will rule Russia Says Evidence of Syrian Chemical Weapons Is 'Not Convincing' Sarin Gas Use Doubted -- Experts Don't See Evidence U.N. Chief Opposes U.S. Military Support For Syrian Rebels Britain holds off arming Syrian rebels despite U.S. decision Berlin 'respects' US pledge of military aid to Syria rebels Germany said Friday it had noted "with respect" the United States' promise of military aid to the Syrian opposition but restated it would not deliver weapons to the conflict-ridden country itself. HK rally backs Snowden, denounces allegations of U.S. spying France says UN decision on Syria no-fly zone "unlikely" Vetting Syria's Rebels for US Arms Transfers a Daunting Task US Arms Won't Make Syria's Rebels Any More Organized Syrian opposition representative: "We need tanks, air jets..." CIA preparing to deliver rebels arms through Turkey and Jordan Iran will send 4,000 troops to aid Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria US urges Britain and France to join in supplying arms to Syrian rebels as MPs fear that UK will be drawn into growing Sunni-Shia conflict NBC/WSJ poll: Americans oppose intervention in Syria Syrian Rebels' al-Qaeda Ties Run Deep Even Groups Not Directly Affiliated With Them See Common Cause Syria: Assad troops launch heavy assault on Aleppo Syrian troops triggered the heaviest fighting seen in months in Aleppo, launching an assault with tanks and heavy artillery on a key eastern district that has been in rebel hands for almost a year. Report from Yemen: 'I thought the United States was all about democracy and the rule of law. Instead, what you're teaching us is the law of the jungle.' Gore: NSA program 'violates' Constitution White House: Obama will defend Internet spying to Europeans The White House said Friday that President Obama will stress the importance of a secret NSA program that collects foreign Internet data to the nation's European allies during trips to Ireland and Germany next week. U.S. Agencies Said to Swap Data With Thousands of Firms Thousands of technology, finance and manufacturing companies are working closely with U.S. national security agencies, providing sensitive information and in return receiving benefits that include access to classified intelligence, four people familiar with the process said. Senators Ron Wyden and Mark Udall: We Have Seen No Evidence NSA Surveillance Has Prevented 'Dozens Of Terrorist Events' U.S. officials fear NSA leaker has more classified documents US intelligence outlines checks it says validate surveillance Intelligence chiefs confirm programmes, but say they protect against terrorism and minimise infringements on privacy Edward Snowden's worst fear has not been realised – thankfully The NSA whistleblower's only concern was that his disclosures would be met with apathy. Instead, they're leading to real reform Bills would clip NSA's wings on phone data Senators critical of the National Security Agency's surveillance programs are rushing to introduce legislation to limit the feds' snooping ability. 57% Fear Government Will Use NSA Data to Harass Political Opponents Biden in 2006 schools Obama in 2013 over NSA spying program NSA-proof encryption exists. Why doesn't anyone use it? Snowden Supporters Rally in Hong Kong 'Arrest Obama, free Snowden' protesters chant Congratulations! You're Being Watched With revelations (yet again) that we are all essentially being watched virtually all the time, we might expect a popular backlash against such a massive and unprecedented intrusion on privacy. Americans may differ on a plethora of political issues, but there's a common wisdom suggesting broad agreement on core principles such as individual liberty. Indefinite Detention Of Americans Survives House Vote The U.S. House of Representatives voted again Thursday to allow the indefinite military detention of Americans, blocking an amendment that would have barred the possibility. IMF criticises US spending cuts Fund warns country still faces downside risks to its recovery and urges Congress to severe 'sequester' budget cuts. What Bradley Manning showed the world Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 What Bradley Manning showed the world about Israel/Palestine The trial of military whistleblower Bradley Manning has refocused attention on the revelations about U.S. foreign policy his actions produced. Much ink has been spilled on the headline-making news related to Iraq and Afghanistan that WikiLeaks, the organization Manning leaked to, shed light on. But WikiLeaks' and Manning's actions also exposed many important details about Israel/Palestine. U.S.: Syria used chemical weapons, crossing "red line" The Obama administration has concluded that Syrian President Bashar Assad's government used chemical weapons against the rebels seeking to overthrow him and, in a major policy shift, President Obama has decided to supply military support to the rebels, the White House announced Thursday. We can't just say 'arm Syrian rebels' – we must be clear what this means The past decade suggests we're not very good at understanding the dangers of taking the liberal intervention path U.S. Military Proposal to Arm Rebels Includes No-Fly Zone in Syria Syrian rebels pledge loyalty to al-Qaeda A Syrian rebel group's pledge of allegiance to al-Qaeda's replacement for Osama bin Laden suggests that the terrorist group's influence is not waning and that it may take a greater role in the Western-backed fight to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad. Hatlah Massacre Terrorists Video Bragging - English Subtitles The Secret War INFILTRATION. SABOTAGE. MAYHEM. FOR YEARS FOUR-STAR GENERAL KEITH ALEXANDER HAS BEEN BUILDING A SECRET ARMY CAPABLE OF LAUNCHING DEVASTATING CYBERATTACKS. NOW IT’S READY TO UNLEASH HELL. Clarity from Edward Snowden and Murky Response from Progressive Leaders in Congress Ron Paul warns US government may assassinate NSA leaker Snowden The NSA's Word Games Explained: How the Government Deceived Congress in the Debate over Surveillance Powers Inside the NSA's Ultra-Secret China Hacking Group Deep within the National Security Agency, an elite, rarely discussed team of hackers and spies is targeting America's enemies abroad. Bank Robbery Suspect Wants NSA Surveillance Records for Defense Terrance Brown, 40, is on trial in South Florida for allegedly conspiring with four other men to hijack armored trucks delivering cash to banks in 2010. Hong Kong wants answers on Snowden's hacking claims Politicians were asking for answers from the Obama administration on Thursday about allegations from an American computer analyst that a U.S. secret surveillance program hacked into Hong Kong computer systems. FBI Director Testifies He Doesn't Know Who's Leading Investigation in IRS Case Justices rule human genes cannot be patented Supreme Court decision is a win for women with genetic risk of breast and ovarian cancers, as well as geneticists and researchers who had criticized a Utah company's exclusive patent. Colorado wildfires: Black Forest Fire, Royal Gorge Fire, Big Meadows fires Wildfires in Black Forest near Colorado Springs, Royal Gorge Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are all burning as temperatures verging on triple digits and high winds hit Colorado. Why Is Everyone Okay With The US Govt Spying On 'Foreigners?' Posted: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Snowden revelations on NSA strain US-China relations, says Beijing State-run China Daily points to countries' 'soured relationship' on cybersecurity and suggests huge surveillance net is unjustified Just Curious ... Why Is Everyone Totally Okay With The Government Spying On 'Foreigners?' 'I'm neither a traitor nor a hero... I'm an American': NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden finally breaks cover - and vows to expose MORE secrets Edward Snowden vows not to 'hide from justice' amid new hacking claims NSA whistleblower says he is not in Hong Kong to 'hide from justice' and alleges US hacked hundreds of targets in China NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden says U.S. government has been hacking Chinese universities, businesses and politicians for FOUR YEARS as he finally breaks cover Edward Snowden, the former CIA analyst behind the NSA leaks, has claimed that the U.S. government has been hacking Hong Kong and Chinese networks for at least four years. NSA leaker Edward Snowden: U.S. targets China with hackers Edward Snowden, the self-confessed leaker of secret surveillance documents, claimed Wednesday that the United States has mounted massive hacking operations against hundreds of Chinese targets since 2009. Guantánamo doctors must refuse to force-feed hunger strikers - physicians Senior professors at Boston University use piece in influential journal to label prison camp 'a medical ethics free zone' Erdogan's chilling warning: 'these protests will be over in 24 hours' 'We have not responded to punches with punches. From now on security forces will respond differently,' Turkish PM says Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif declares end to secret approval of U.S. drone strikes In office for less than a week, Pakistan's new prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, vented his anger Monday at two recent U.S. drone strikes, all but accusing his country's overbearing military of lying to Pakistanis about its cooperation with the CIA to eliminate terrorism suspects in northwest tribal regions bordering Afghanistan. Putin Warns Against Syria Intervention Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that foreign intervention in the Syrian civil war is unacceptable because it would result in a new source of terror in the region. Reports of 'massacre' in eastern Syria British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says at least 60 Shia Muslims killed by rebels near Deir al-Zour. Greece's Only Public TV Station Shuttered Spawning Widespread Anger 'The Greek people are just about to lose their voice' 2 out of 3 people face hunger as Haiti woes mount The hardship of hunger abounds amid the stone homes and teepee-like huts in the mountains along Haiti's southern coast. Major Loss to Organic Farmers as Court Rules in Favor of Monsanto Court throws out "pre-emptive strike" suit opting to trust promises of "world's most famous patent bully" Meet the contractors analyzing your private data Private companies are getting rich probing your personal information for the government. Call it Digital Blackwater Could Bradley Manning help Edward Snowden win political asylum? Ron Paul: 'Thankful' for Edward Snowden Former Rep. Ron Paul of Texas praised NSA leaker Edward Snowden for his part in exposing how much information the government has been collecting from private citizens. Feds prepping charges against Edward Snowden: Sources Admits leaking documents revealing top secret U.S. surveillance programs; flees to Hong Kong, where he's dropped from sight Historic Challenge to Support the Moral Actions of Edward Snowden Edward Snowden: Russia offers to consider asylum request Vladimir Putin's spokesman says any appeal for asylum from whistleblower who fled US will be looked at 'according to facts' Whistleblower Edward Snowden talks to South China Morning Post Ex-CIA contractor speaks to reporter from secret location in Hong Kong, revealing fresh details of US surveillance, pressure on Hong Kong, snooping and cyber attacks on China. What Is The U.S. Government's Agenda? It has been public information for a decade that the US government secretly, illegally, and unconstitutionally spies on its citizens. Congress and the federal courts have done nothing about this extreme violation of the US Constitution and statutory law, and the insouciant US public seems unperturbed. NSA surveillance: anger mounts in Congress at 'spying on Americans' After a closed-door briefing of the House of Representatives, lawmakers call for a review of the Patriot Act House Speaker John Boehner: NSA Leaker a 'Traitor' Hundreds Rally to Declare "I Stand with Snowden" Mass demonstration in New York City seeks to elevate 4th Amendment cause of NSA whistleblower US: No plans to end broad surveillance program The Obama administration considered whether to charge a government contractor with leaking classified surveillance secrets while it defended the broad U.S. spy program that it says keeps America safe from terrorists. Journalist in US surveillance case: More to come The journalist who exposed classified U.S. surveillance programs leaked by an American defense contractor said Tuesday that there will be more 'significant revelations' to come from the documents. Majority Views NSA Phone Tracking as Acceptable Anti-terror Tactic Public Says Investigate Terrorism, Even If It Intrudes on Privacy Poll: Americans oppose intervention in Syria NSA director: Programs disrupted dozens of attacks The director of the National Security Agency said Wednesday that once-secret surveillance programs disrupted dozens of terrorist attacks, explicitly describing for Congress how the programs worked in collecting Americans' phone records and tapping into their Internet activity. Is Edward Snowden's story unravelling? Why the Guardian's scoop is looking a bit dodgy The Judicial Lynching of Bradley Manning Posted: Monday, June 10, 2013 'No shot, no ticket': Ethiopians decry Israeli birth control policies Ethiopian women have told RT that Israeli medics forced them to take the controversial Depo-Provera birth control vaccination without explaining the severe side effects of the drug, which can leave a woman unable to become pregnant for up to two years. The Judicial Lynching of Bradley Manning The military trial of Bradley Manning is a judicial lynching. The government has effectively muzzled the defense team. The Army private first class is not permitted to argue that he had a moral and legal obligation under international law to make public the war crimes he uncovered. Audit by Venezuela Electoral Council confirms presidential win for Chavez heir Nicolas Maduro CARACAS, Venezuela– Venezuela's Electoral Council has completed an audit of results from April's bitterly contested presidential election, and as expected it confirmed Nicolas Maduro's 1.5 percentage-point victory. Zero Errors Found in Presidential Election Audit Rewriting History: Iraq and the BBC Glove Puppets I watched the first part of the BBC's 'History of the Iraq War' series, and I have no intention of watching any more, because it won't do my blood pressure any good. Cloud computing is a trap, warns GNU founder Richard Stallman Web-based programs like Google's Gmail will force people to buy into locked, proprietary systems that will cost more and more over time, according to the free software campaigner Internet's big names in battle to salvage reputations after NSA revelations Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, PalTalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube and Apple have been floundering for a response US lawmakers call for review of Patriot Act after NSA surveillance revelations White House insists it welcomes 'appropriate debate' after Republican leadership questions implementation of security act World leaders seek answers on US collection of communication data Data protection chiefs and analysts in EU, Pakistan, South Africa and Canada express concerns at revelations in leaks US surveillance has 'expanded' under Obama, says Bush's NSA director Obama pressured over NSA snooping as US senator denounces 'act of treason' Information chiefs worldwide sound alarm while US senator Dianne Feinstein orders congressional review of NSA program Edward Snowden: the whistleblower behind the NSA surveillance revelations The 29-year-old source behind the biggest intelligence leak in the NSA's history explains his motives, his uncertain future and why he never intended on hiding in the shadows Obama Should Have Given Americans a Choice Snooping Concerns Emerge Over Congressional Blackberries Serviced By Verizon Congress is concerned that the NSA's actions may have also captured phone calls of lawmakers and their staffers. It should be noted that Verizon is one of the main service providers to government issued Blackberries members and their staff use to communicate with one another. All The Infrastructure A Tyrant Would Need, Courtesy Of Bush And Obama Contractor who leaked NSA files drops out of sight, faces legal battle A contractor at the National Security Agency who leaked details of top-secret U.S. surveillance programs dropped out of sight in Hong Kong on Monday ahead of a likely push by the U.S. government to have him sent back to the United States to face charges. Historic Challenge to Support the Moral Actions of Edward Snowden In Washington, where the state of war and the surveillance state are one and the same, top officials have begun to call for Edward Snowden's head. His moral action of whistleblowing -- a clarion call for democracy -- now awaits our responses. US in damage control mode after Edward Snowden's explosive NSA leaks White House refers Snowden's case to Justice Department while Republicans in Congress call for whistleblower's extradition Edward Snowden: Saving Us from the United Stasi of America Snowden's whistleblowing gives us a chance to roll back what is tantamount to an 'executive coup' against the US constitution. Edward Snowden: Profile in Courage Edward Snowden may go down in history as one of this nation's most important whistleblowers. He is certainly one of the bravest. The 29-year-old former technical assistant to the CIA and employee of a defense intelligence contractor has admitted to disclosing top secret documents about the National Security Agency's massive violation of the privacy of law-abiding citizens. Rand Paul Tells Fox Viewers To Join Lawsuit Against NSA: 'I'm Going To Challenge This At The Supreme Court' Alleged US security officials said NSA leaker, journalist should be 'disappeared' – report Report: Iran, Jordan, Pakistan and Egypt most subject to US surveillance US agency collected second-highest amount of digital data from Pakistan Pakistan is the second-highest country on the list of nations spied on by the United States' National Security Agency (NSA), an exclusive report in The Guardian revealed. What's Really on Trial in George Zimmerman's Case? Bombs and battles hit northern Iraq, more than 70 dead Insurgents attacked cities across Iraq on Monday with car bombs, suicide blasts and gun battles that killed more than 70 people in unrest that has deepened fears of a return to civil war. Edward Snowden: NSA surveillance whistleblower Posted: Sunday, June 9, 2013 Edward Snowden: the whistleblower behind the NSA surveillance revelations The 29-year-old source behind the biggest intelligence leak in the NSA's history explains his motives, his uncertain future and why he never intended on hiding in the shadows NSA contractor Edward Snowden braces for backlash after turning whistleblower on US data-mining operation 'I am not afraid,' says high-school dropout Edward Snowden, as he reveals his identity from a Hong Kong hotel room Bush-Era Spying 'Made Legal' Under Obama Security officials defend legality of government's top-secret surveillance system Obama Should Have Given Americans a Choice President Obama defended the government's massive surveillance programs Friday, saying they "help us prevent terrorist attacks." Boundless Informant: the NSA's secret tool to track global surveillance data Revealed: The NSA's powerful tool for cataloguing data - including figures on US collection PRISM: What's behind this NSA surveillance tool lurking about your Facebook page? The PRISM program has been sucking up what most people would think of as personal information on Google, Facebook, Skype, and other Internet providers. What's up with the NSA's secret surveillance effort? Obama Orders US to Draw up Overseas Target List for Cyber-Attacks Exclusive: Top-secret directive steps up offensive cyber capabilities to 'advance US objectives around the world' Boundless Informant: the NSA's secret tool to track global surveillance data Revealed: The NSA's powerful tool for cataloguing data – including figures on US collection Tech Companies Concede to Surveillance Program When government officials came to Silicon Valley to demand easier ways for the world's largest Internet companies to turn over user data as part of a secret surveillance program, the companies bristled. In the end, though, many cooperated at least a bit. Obama Administration Declassifies Details On "PRISM," Blasts "Reckless" Media And Leakers Facing a firestorm from liberals and conservatives over controversial counterterrorism surveillance programs, the Obama administration moved Saturday to declassify some details about a program to monitor foreign Internet traffic. Michael Savage: ACLU turns on Obama Liberal ally warns of 'grave threat to democratic freedoms' Assange: US rule of law suffering 'calamitous collapse' WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Friday that the US justice system was suffering from a "calamitous collapse in the rule of law", as Washington reeled from the sensational exposure of vast spy agency surveillance programmes. Leno: 'We Wanted a President That Listens to All Americans - Now We Have One' U.S. surveillance revelations deepen European fears Government likely to open criminal probe into NSA leaks: officials President Barack Obama's administration is likely to open a criminal investigation into the leaking of highly classified documents that revealed the secret surveillance of Americans' telephone and email traffic, U.S. officials said on Friday. UK says eavesdropping is legal, defends U.S. spy links Britain said eavesdropping by its GCHQ security agency was legal and no threat to privacy but would not confirm or deny reports it received data from a secret U.S. intelligence program. Pakistan Lodges Formal Protest Following Latest Drone Strike Government calls for an "immediate end" to the strikes after reports that nine more individuals were killed in Friday Ricin Suspect Was Tracked Via Mail Scanners Feds: Postal Service photographs every piece of mail it How Grassroots Advocates Beat the Biotech and Food Lobbies This week, Connecticut won the honor of becoming the first state to pass a law requiring genetically engineered foods to be labeled. Rising Red tide: China encircles U.S. by sailing warships in American waters, arming neighbors China has been quietly taking steps to encircle the United States by arming western hemisphere states, seeking closer military, economic, and diplomatic ties to U.S. neighbors, and sailing warships into U.S. maritime zones. Swiss lawyers blast secretive US bank deal A secretive deal between Bern and Washington over Swiss banks' alleged complicity in tax evasion by Americans is "deeply worrying," according to the new head of the Swiss Bar Association. Karzai demands return of all Afghans held prisoner by the UK in Helmand President wants inmates transferred to Afghan justice system, though two-week deadline is legally impossible for UK to meet Rethinking American Exceptionalism "American exceptionalism" is perhaps the most misunderstood phrase in politics. If, like the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, we define "exceptionalism" as "the condition of being different from the norm"–then it's certainly true that America is exceptional. But we rarely stop to ask: Should we always want to be exceptional? 'Idiot' Bilderberg conspiracy theorist Alex Jones disrupts BBC politics show Bilderberg conspiracy theorist Alex Jones flew into an uncontrollable tirade live on the BBC's flagship politics programme after host Andrew Neil described him as an "idiot". Alex Jones Storms BBC, Confronts Bilderberg Member Saudi prince sues Forbes over his rank on billionaires list The magazine pegged his net worth at $20 billion. The prince claims it is closer to $30 billion. The difference? About $9.6 billion, the Guardian reported. UK gathering secret intelligence via covert NSA operation Posted: Saturday, June 8, 2013 UK gathering secret intelligence via covert NSA operation Exclusive: UK security agency GCHQ gaining information from world's biggest internet firms through US-run Prism programme Glenn Greenwald: U.S. wants to destroy privacy worldwide The journalist who broke the news that the government is monitoring vast quantities of American phone records is claiming the U.S. is building a "massive" snooping apparatus committed to destroying privacy worldwide. Facebook denies aiding spy program Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg on Friday denied that his company gave the government direct access to its servers. Officials: NSA mistakenly intercepted emails, phone calls of innocent Americans 'No Such Agency' spies on the communications of the world The National Security Agency, nicknamed "No Such Agency" because of its ultra-secrecy, is the government's eavesdropper-in-chief. Charged primarily with electronic spying around the globe, the NSA collects billions of pieces of intelligence from foreign phone calls, e-mail and other communications. But in the past two days, the focus has shifted to its role in compiling massive amounts of the same information on millions of ordinary Americans. The Unknown Patriot Who Exposed the Government's Verizon Spy Program In praise of whistle-blowers whose risky disclosures of official wrongdoing make the nation stronger rather than weaker Whistleblower Was 'Horrified' That Government Could 'Literally Watch Your Ideas Form As You Type Them' "A Massive Surveillance State": Glenn Greenwald Exposes Covert NSA Program Collecting Calls, Emails US Spy Chief Slams 'Reprehensible' Leak of NSA Surveillance Scheme Obama: Spying on Everybody Protects Your Civil Liberties NSA Taps in to Systems of Google, Facebook, Apple and others, Secret Files Reveal Top secret PRISM program claims direct access to servers of firms including Google, Facebook and Apple "Obama Is BIG BROTHER And He's A LIAR!" 'You can't have 100% security and 100% privacy': Obama defends NSA's secret 'data-mining' and tries to dismiss it as 'a modest encroachment' Obama: 'Nobody Is Listening to Your Telephone Calls' Verizon court order: telephone call metadata and what it can show The US insists call data is not private information, but critics say it allows government to build detailed picture of individuals' lives Congressional leaders: NSA data gathering is routine What the NSA can and can't learn about your calls from its Verizon court order 'Prism' a vital program used to collect personal Web data, Clapper insists The National Security Agency is gathering Internet users' personal data from the computer servers of at least nine large Web service providers under a top secret program called "Prism," the director of national intelligence said Friday. The National Security Agency: Surveillance Giant with Eyes on America The NSA is the best hidden of all the US intelligence services – and its secrecy has deepened as its reach has expanded Thanks Silicon Valley spies: First Verizon, now leaked secret documents reveal U.S. agencies are tapping directly into servers of Facebook, Apple and Google to snoop on users Is this where your personal information will be stored? The one-million square-foot Utah data mining facility being built by NSA Drone strike kill or injure 9 civilians in eastern Afghanistan Afghan fury as US 'massacre' soldier escapes death Survivors and victims' relatives on Thursday voiced fury that the US soldier who massacred 16 Afghan villagers last year would escape the death penalty after pleading guilty. Guantanamo's asymmetric war as hunger strike continues A hunger strike at at the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, which started with a handful of prisoners, has now become a mass protest with 103 out of the 166 detainees still held here taking part. US threatens Iran, Hezbollah for backing Syria The White House issued its most threatening statement yet yesterday, denouncing Iran and the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah as "partners in tyranny" for their support of the Assad regime in Syria. Putin Endorses Permanent Russian Navy Presence in Mediterranean President Vladimir Putin endorsed a plan by the Russian navy to keep a permanent presence in the Mediterranean Sea, where the Syrian crisis is adding to the region's instability. Baghdad Bombings Resume; 20 Killed, 68 Wounded Across Iraq Gunman kills four in Santa Monica, shot dead by police A gunman dressed in black killed four people in a string of shootings through the seaside California town of Santa Monica on Friday before he was shot dead by police in a community college library, law enforcement officials said. The U.S. Base on Diego Garcia: An Overlooked Atrocity Posted: Friday, June 7, 2013 The U.S. Base on Diego Garcia: An Overlooked Atrocity The largest criminal organizations in the world are governments. The bigger they are, the more capable of perpetrating atrocities. Not only do they obtain great wealth through compulsion (taxation), they also have an ideological mystique that permits them uniquely to get away with murder, torture, and theft. Flashback: Paradise cleansed Our deportation of the people of Diego Garcia is a crime that cannot stand Welcome to the Bush-Obama White House: They're Spying on Us The "Bush-Obama era" will be long remembered for curbing the Constitution. NSA taps in to internet giants' systems to mine user data, secret files reveal Top secret PRISM program claims direct access to servers of firms including Google, Facebook and Apple. Companies deny any knowledge of program in operation since 2007. NSA's Verizon Spying Order Specifically Targeted Americans, Not Foreigners Outrage as White House admits NSA collects phone records for MILLIONS of Verizon customers daily in 'Orwellian' breach of civil liberties Documents: U.S. mining data from 9 leading Internet firms; companies deny knowledge Anger swells after NSA phone records court order revelations Senior politicians reveal that US counter-terrorism efforts have swept up personal data from American citizens for years How Outraged Should You Be About the NSA Grabbing Your Phone Logs? And six other questions arising from the latest White House scandal. Report: Gov't scooping up Verizon phone records Phone Sex, Banks & Google for Emails: The NSA Spying Is Bigger Than Verizon CIA Chief: We'll Spy on You Through Your Dishwasher President Obama's Dragnet Within hours of the disclosure that federal authorities routinely collect data on phone calls Americans make, regardless of whether they have any bearing on a counterterrorism investigation, the Obama administration issued the same platitude it has offered every time President Obama has been caught overreaching in the use of his powers: Terrorists are a real menace and you should just trust us to deal with them because we have internal mechanisms (that we are not going to tell you about) to make sure we do not violate your rights. Obama Shakeup Puts Syria Action on Front Burner Capture of key Syrian town boosts Assad's momentum, dims hopes for peace talks Syria: UN Report Reveals Opposition Crimes as Imperialist Powers Push For Intervention Beheadings by Syrian Rebels Add to Atrocities, UN Says Turkey protests continue despite apology Protesters meet with deputy PM to demand cancellation of Gezi park demolition and release of dozens arrested in Izmir. End drone strikes, newly elected PM tells US Newly elected Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif urged United States to end its campaign of drone attacks in the country's tribal northwest in his first address since taking office. 'I watch him bleed out:' Drone operator who helped kill 1,626 targets reveals trauma of watching them die on a computer screen Brandon Bryant, 27, served as a drone operator from 2006 to 2011 at bases in Nevada, New Mexico and Iraq. It was a desk job of sorts, but unlike any other, it involved ordering unmanned aircraft to kill faraway targets while he watched from behind a computer screen. US ‘Deeply Troubled' by Iran's Latest Civilian Nuclear Reactor US Anger at Uranium Enrichment Extends to Plant Using Unenriched Uranium US Calls Iran's Nuclear Reactor Plans 'Deeply Troubling' The United States said on Wednesday it was "deeply troubled" by Iran's plans to start a reactor in 2014 that could yield nuclear bomb material while failing to give U.N. inspectors necessary design information about the plant. The Bradley Manning Enemy List Manning said to be "very political" but effective in Iraq Bradley Manning: Prisoner of Conscience Guantanamo Detainees Undergoing 'Genital Searches' Ahead Of Offsite Meetings, Lawyers Say Mugabe hero of African liberation Posted: Wednesday, June 5, 2013 Honduras: When will the US stop funding death squads? It is time for the US to stop aid to Honduras as there is credible evidence of human rights abuses. Mugabe hero of African liberation PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe is the greatest black statesman alive today in Africa. Greatness here must be evaluated on the criteria of whether the person who claims the position of leadership of his or her people against colonialism, apartheid and white rule has been able to guide the nation to greater liberation, dignity and independence. If we judged only on these criteria, not on the whims of popularity gained from affability and praise by Europe and the US, then Mugabe stands head and shoulders above the rest. Bradley Manning Is Guilty of "Aiding the Enemy"–If the Enemy Is Democracy Seven Myths About Bradley Manning Bradley Manning's Legal Duty to Expose War Crimes Hallmark of Democracy: Press Scrambles to Get Access to Manning Trial Victory for Press Freedom: Public Gains Manning Trial Transcripts Despite Gov't best efforts Manning trial transcripts will be published Bradley Manning trial begins with clash of interpretations over soldier's actions Court hears new allegations about soldier's relationship with WikiLeaks' Julian Assange in trial's intense opening Prosecutor: Manning Dumped Info Into Enemy Hands Pfc. Bradley Manning went on trial Monday for leaking hundreds of thousands of classified documents to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks, including sensitive information prosecutors said fell into enemy hands. Redacted Statement by Bradley Manning The shooting of Ibragim Todashev: is the lawlessness of Obama's drone policy coming home? Once a state gets used to abusing the rights of foreigners in distant lands, it's almost inevitable it will import the habit Taliban assures Iran of accommodating all sides in any post-NATO set-up in Afghanistan Senior Afghan Taliban officials, who wrapped up their three-day visit to Iran, have assured Iranian authorities that they would accommodate all sides in any post-NATO set-up in Afghanistan, according to sources. Obama Sanctions Iran's Auto Industry Officials Say Goal Is to Make Iran's Currency 'Unusable' Israel now has 80 nuclear warheads, report says Think tank: Total number of atomic weapons dropping worldwide, but possession is ‘still a marker of international status' NATO data: Assad winning the war for Syrians' hearts and minds Syria rebel leader says revolution will fail without weapons from Britain The commander of Syria's rebel army has warned that the "revolution" against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad will fail if Britain and other western governments do not supply his fighters with heavy weapons. Did John McCain Provide Material Support for Syrian Terrorists? One of the more far-reaching federal rules targets people who provide "material support" for terrorists. In principle, it's hard to disagree with such an approach: terrorism is bad, so no one should support terrorists. Musharraf to leave for Dubai as part of deal with Nawaz: Shujaat ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has claimed that former dictator Pervez Musharraf will soon leave for Dubai or Saudi Arabia as a secret deal has been finalised between the former president and incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Kerry's New "Peace" Plan Sets The Palestinians Up To Fail Under heavy pressure from the US, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has paid grudging lip service over the past four years to the goal of Palestinian statehood. But his real agenda was always transparent: not statehood, but what he termed "economic peace". Monsanto Still Testing Genetically Modified Wheat in Two States While last week's announcement of rogue GM wheat in Oregon was framed as an anomoly, Monsanto has current field testing of GM wheat in two states The Unfolding Monsanto Saga: Europe Rejects GMO Crops; America Seeks Labeling Billions of Dollars Wasted on Racially Biased Marijuana Arrests Marijuana has become the drug of choice for police departments nationwide. According to The War on Marijuana in Black and White, released today, police made over 8 million marijuana arrests between 2001 and 2010, and marijuana arrests now account for half of all drug arrests in America. Almost 90% of these are for possession – which means that thousands of people have been unnecessarily ensnared in our criminal justice system just for having marijuana. 'Cheese is from plants' – study reveals child confusion Almost a third of UK primary pupils think cheese is made from plants and a quarter think fish fingers come from chicken or pigs, suggests a survey. Bradley Manning Trial Begins Posted: Monday, June 3, 2013 Venezuela launches drones built with Iran's technical assistance Venezuela has launched drones produced with Iran’s technical assistance in an effort to step up the fight against drug trafficking in the Latin American country. Thousands march for rights in rare Ethiopia protest About 10,000 Ethiopians staged an anti-government procession on Sunday in the first large-scale protest since a disputed 2005 election ended in street violence that killed 200 people. Civilians among dead in Nigeria offensive Al Jazeera obtains exclusive footage of army's battle against Boko Haram, with women and children shown among the dead. Bradley Manning Trial Begins: A 'Danger Zone' for Civil Liberties The trial of 25-year-old Pfc. Bradley Manning began Monday morning, a case that could "set an ominous precedent that will chill freedom of speech and turn the internet into a danger zone," as Ed Pilkington from the Guardian reports. The United States should be in the dock, not Bradley Manning The whistleblower has allowed us to scrutinise the hidden realities of US power Hypocrisy Lies at the Heart of the Trial of Bradley Manning It is an outrage that soldiers who killed innocents remain free but the man who exposed them is accused of 'aiding the enemy' Perpetual War and Obama's Perpetual Con Game President Obama's perpetual scam machine is in high gear – which signals another expansion of war and war-powers accumulation. The president played the reluctant warrior who doesn't really want the limitless powers he has arrogated to himself. But, what he's seeking is formal authorization to escalate the U.S. offensive against world order and civil liberties. The Banality of 'Don't Be Evil' If the Syrian Dictator Must Go... Why Not the Dictators in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain? If We're "Fighting for Democracy", than Why Are We Arming and Financially Supporting Dictatorships throughout the Middle East? Syrian opposition fighters arrested with chemical weapons In a series of raids in the capital of Istanbul and in the southern provinces of Mersin, Adana and Hatay near the Syrian border, Turkish police rounded up 12 members of Syria's Al Qaeda-affiliated Al Nusra Front along with chemical weapons materials. Mass graves from 1948 uncovered in Jaffa Six graves hold remains of over 200 Arabs killed in Israel's 1948 War of Independence; exposed by builders doing renovation work on site UN: Iraq saw deadliest month in years More than 1,000 civilians and security personnel were killed in sectarian conflict in May, UN casualty figures show. Iraq Collapse Shows Bankruptcy of Interventionism May was Iraq's deadliest month in nearly five years, with more than 1,000 dead – both civilians and security personnel — in a rash of bombings, shootings and other violence. As we read each day of new horrors in Iraq, it becomes more obvious that the US invasion delivered none of the promised peace or stability that proponents of the attack promised. Iraq suffers deadliest month in five years UN chief's representative urges end to "bloodshed" as toll of civilians and security personnel crosses 1,000 mark. Iraq warns Israel on using airspace in Iran strike Russia to send nuclear submarines to southern seas Russia plans to resume nuclear submarine patrols in the southern seas after a hiatus of more than 20 years following the break-up of the Soviet Union, Itar-Tass news agency reported on Saturday, in another example of efforts to revive Moscow's military. Suicide bomber kills 10 Afghan students, 2 US soldiers A suicide bomber killed 10 Afghan students, two US soldiers, and an Afghan Local policeman in an attack today outside a school in Paktia province, a haven for the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani Network. No group has claimed the attack. Afghan forces kill 72 Taliban fighters in 24 hours Three NATO soldiers, civilian killed in attacks in Afghanistan Feds suggest anti-Muslim speech can be punished A U.S. attorney in Tennessee is reportedly vowing to use federal civil rights statutes to clamp down on offensive and inflammatory speech about Islam. Group sets meeting to increase tolerance of Muslims, culture A special meeting has been scheduled for the stated purpose of increasing awareness and understanding that American Muslims are not the terrorists some have made them out to be in social media and other circles. New Al Qaeda Video Urges Boston-Like Homeland Attacks Al Qaeda's most dangerous franchise is threatening the U.S. with renewed attempts at homeland terror attacks, while urging radicalized Americans to launch strikes like the Boston bombings and poison mail cases on their own. Turkey Protests Continue to Surge: Over 1,700 Arrested 235 Separate Rallies Reported Nationwide Turkish protest takes root in Istanbul square after security forces withdraw Demonstrators claim victory following weekend of violent clashes with police, but Erdogan warns of retaliatory measures Turkey PM: Twitter a 'Danger to Society' Complains Social Media Allows Political Opponents to Undermine Him Oprah must face lawsuit over 'Own Your Power': appeals court Oprah Winfrey will have to defend in court her use of the phrase "Own Your Power" in her magazine and on her website, a U.S. appeals court said on Friday. Court: Police can take DNA swabs from arrestees A sharply divided Supreme Court on Monday said police can routinely take DNA from people they arrest, equating a DNA cheek swab to other common jailhouse procedures like fingerprinting. Swedish Riots: "The Underclass Has Reacted" Contrary to what many believe Sweden to be, while the country's borders may indeed be open, certain 'cultural borders' within it are another matter, assorted reports documenting the prejudice minorities and immigrants daily live with. Chuck Hagel rebuked by Chinese general over US buildup in Asia Confrontation over increased US presence in region comes days ahead of Obama's meeting with Chinese premier in California Nuclear states developing new weapons in defiance of treaty, report claims All five legally recognised nuclear states 'appear determined to retain nuclear arsenals indefinitely', says Stockholm institute Venezuela's defense minister says coup never contemplated, welcomes Cuban military advice |
|
Back to Top |
