tagged w/ International News
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His critics said the move turns the country into a near-dictatorship. It comes just two weeks before a new national assembly is sworn in with a larger opposition bloc that could have frustrated some of his plans to create a socialist state.
The firebrand leader had only asked his allies for the right to govern without referring to congress for a year. Instead, they handed him the powers for 18 months as proof of their "revolutionary commitment", said Cilia Flores, the national assembly president.
The official reason for the move was to allow Mr Chavez to deal with the devastating aftermath of weeks of floods by fast-tracking tax increases and funding for construction of new homes.
But amid a fresh wave of nationalisations of farms and businesses, he has already outlined a long list of new laws that extend far beyond relief and reconstruction.
He taunted the incoming opposition congressmen in a television address.
"You won't be able to make a single law, little Yankees," he said, deploying one of his favourite insults, which depicts his opponents as American stooges.
"We're going to see how you make laws now."
The 18-month period means the opposition will be blocked from any significant role in Venezuelan politics until just months before the 2012 presidential election.
The lame-duck parliament dominated by Chavez allies is also planning a revised "Social Responsibility Law" which would impose tough regulations on the internet and ban online messages "that could incite or promote hatred," create "anxiety" in the population or "disrespect public authorities". The country's broadcast media already faces similar controls.
The law granting presidential decree powers – for the fourth time in his nearly 12-year presidency – also will allow him to enact measures involving telecommunications, the banking system, information technology, the military, rural and urban land use and the country's "socio-economic system."
His foes accused him of taking advantage of the floods to stage a crude power grab by violating the constitution as he tried to impose a Cuban-style system.
Julio Borges, a recently-elected congressman, said the opposition will keep fighting and that "the Cuban project is going to fail."
The new congress takes office on Jan 5 with 67 of the 165 seats controlled by the opposition – which would have been enough to remove the two-thirds majority needed to approve some types of major legislation and to confirm Supreme Court justices.
Anticipating that shift, pro-Chavez lawmakers earlier this month appointed nine new Supreme Court justices, reinforcing the dominance of judges widely seen as friendly to his government.
Lawmakers on Friday also approved a separate law that describes banking as a "public service" and clears the way for increased state intervention in the sector. Venezuela's private banks make up about 70 per cent of the industry, while the government controls the rest.
The moves seem aimed at intimidating opponents and neutralising potential obstacles ahead of the presidential race. In September's parliamentary elections, the pro- and anti-Chavez camps emerged with a nearly even split of the popular vote.His critics said the move turns the country into a near-dictatorship. It comes just... more
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Health Library: Aortic dissection
Washington (CNN) -- U.S. diplomat Richard Holbrooke has died, a senior administration official told CNN Monday evening.
Holbrooke had undergone surgery in the past three days to repair a tear in his aorta, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday.
"He had a very serious medical emergency on Friday," Clinton said at a news conference in Quebec, Canada, with foreign ministers from Canada and Mexico. "He has received excellent care including many hours of surgery in the last three days. He is stable but still in very critical condition."
Earlier, a State Department official said Holbrooke was "absolutely fighting in an unbelievable way." Holbrooke remains unconscious after an additional procedure to aid circulation following the initial surgery on his aorta, the main artery of the body, the State Department said.
At a holiday reception for U.S. diplomats later Monday, President Barack Obama praised Holbrooke as "simply one of the giants of American foreign policy" who has served the nation "with distinction for nearly 50 years," including his work in negotiating the 1995 Dayton Accords that ended the Bosnian war in the former Yugoslavia.
"As anyone who has ever worked with him knows -- or had the clear disadvantage of negotiating across the table from him -- Richard is relentless," Obama said. "He never stops. He never quits. Because he's always believed that if we stay focused, if we act on our mutual interests, that progress is possible. Wars can end. Peace can be forged."Health Library: Aortic dissection
Washington (CNN) -- U.S. diplomat Richard... more
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Ok so the media are focusing on so called hackers now, and all the bad things they have done, ( and to be fair they do like to have a lil fun here and there causing pranks, but mostly they harrass scientolgy and that is highly commendable.)
In reality mastercard, paypal, and visa have stepped in, where they should not have crossed the line, they have taken steps to damage the infastructure of wikileaks, which has not had any genuine charges put against it.
They continue to allow the kkk to trade (amoung other highly dubious oragainisations) but whislte blowers, no, no money for them, they might tell the masses something true!
We all know that rape charges have nothing to do with it, it's insanley obvious we all know it's to do with the information he is giving us.
Those who are worried about the new information causing more death or encoraging attacks. the plain fact is we cannot let our govt, lie to us, worse than that let them activly hunt down those willing to tell us.politicians have always been exploitable and the less we know about what they get up to in our name the more room there is for them , they can get away with more when we know less.
information is everything in our society and far too often people are fed false truths and their fears played on to exploit them and moneaveur them so they are willing to vote for wars and attacks and man hunts out of a fear induced delrium,
and it's is quite plain that the stances taken by our western govt. have casued alot more deaths not only to our people, but we have complelty devestated the middle east for along time, we need to keep our govts and significant private organiastions in check and knowledge is key, therfore the principle behind organisations like wiki leaks is key. letting this happen to assange sets a very damaging precedent for how those who report the truth will be treated in future
this is anonops is most recent statment, try to spead it far and wide as the media will certainltly won't
http://i51.tinypic.com/2cyfcow.jpg
panda secuirity keeps a good blog on this, ( they have also been under attack from unknown sources but it clear that it coming from the mans side not he masses) they have kept a detailed report on this "battle"
http://pandalabs.pandasecurity.com/tis-the-season-of-ddos-wikileaks-editio/
ps spelling is bad, but u all know what is written, sorry guys
http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/1/10/Low_Orbit_Ion_Cannon.pngOk so the media are focusing on so called hackers now, and all the bad things they... more
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Wikileaks reveals scary security stories
By Nick Farrell
Tue Dec 07 2010, 09:42
THE WIKILEAKS LEAKS have shown that Chinese security firms with ties to the Chinese military hired the hacker group responsible for the original Blaster worm.
According to the Guardian US diplomats have also discovered that the security firms have access to the source code of Microsoft Windows to assist them breaking it.
In a US State Department daily security briefing of June 29, 2009, Topsec of Beijing had employed Lin Yong, aka "Lion," the hacker served as a senior security service engineer to "manage security service and training".
Topsec, China's largest security vendor, provides training and support service for the People's Liberation Army.
Apparently all this information was not that secret as it had been sourced to an interview in state-run media with the firm's founder and chairman, He Weidong.
Another company, Venustech employed a hacking group called Xfocus, which reportedly was responsible for crafting the original Blaster worm in mid-2003.
The US thinks that ties between government-backed companies and hackers is part of China's nationally-funded "network attack scientific research project".
What is strange is that both outfits have links to Microsoft and have signed agreements with the Vole to give them access to Windows' source code. µ
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1930414/chinese-hired-blaster-worm-hackersWikileaks reveals scary security stories
By Nick Farrell
Tue Dec 07 2010, 09:42
THE... more
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On December 4, PayPal announced that it had permanently restricted the account of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. At the time, the reason the company gave was that Assange had violated the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy, which prohibits using a PayPal account to promote or facilitate illegal activity.On December 4, PayPal announced that it had permanently restricted the account of... more
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International firefighting teams were on Friday helping Israel battle a huge forest fire close to the port city of Haifa that has killed at least 42 people and forced mass evacuations.
European planes and helicopters repeatedly swooped over the Israeli woodland, dumping tones of sea water onto the flames, but officials conceded that the blaze was still out of control more than 24 hours after it started.
The largest fire in Israel's history scorched more than 7,000 acres of drought-afflicted land, destroyed houses and revealed dramatic shortcomings in the country's ability to tackle such an emergency.
The blaze took hold on Thursday morning and Israel launched an international appeal for help just hours later when it became apparent its own ill-equipped fire service could not cope.
At least 16 countries swiftly heeded the call, including Turkey, which set aside recent diplomatic rows to send two firefighting planes.
"I think this symbolizes an unprecedented response to our request for international help," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after chairing an emergency meeting of his cabinet in Tel Aviv.
The prime minister took time out of the rescue operation to thank his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan for sending help. It was believed to be the first time the pair had spoken in person since Netanyahu took office 18 months ago.
Once-solid relations with Turkey have turned sour in recent months, hitting a low point in May when 9 Turkish activists died after Israeli commandos stormed their boat that had been seeking to beat an Israeli no-go zone and enter the Gaza Strip.
"I told Erdogan that we appreciate the major efforts during this time and I am sure that this will be a gateway to improving relations between the two countries," Netanyahu said.
FUNERALS
Fire service spokesman Shahar Perry said fire crews were operating on five fronts, with 20 planes operating and bigger aircraft on the way. "We cannot estimate yet how long the firefighting efforts will continue," he said.
The blaze was visible from the Mediterranean shore during the day and authorities told Haifa residents to shut their doors and windows to keep out the thick smoke.
Police also ordered the evacuation of 17,000 people from the Carmel Ridge, where the fire was focused, forcibly removing some locals who refused to leave their property.
Most of the victims were prison service officer trainees, who died on Thursday when their bus was engulfed in flames as they headed toward a prison to help evacuate 500 inmates.
The first of the dead, many of them young men and women, were buried on Friday, Israeli flags draped over their coffins........International firefighting teams were on Friday helping Israel battle a huge forest... more
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A diamond and onyx bracelet, owned by Wallis Simpson, the American socialite for whom King Edward VIII gave up the thrown of England, has been auctioned for a record-breaking USD 7 million and rumours is that the secret buyer is none other than'Queen of Pop'Madonna.
Read more:
http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/952194/Entertainment/11/20/11A diamond and onyx bracelet, owned by Wallis Simpson, the American socialite for whom... more
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Widows facing financial deprivation and ostracism in their villages continue to gravitate to the temple town of Vrindavan, in the largest state of Uttar Pradesh, to literally sing for their supper, finds a Nov. 29 study.
The study of 500 widows between the ages of 24 and 75 finds that while the women face numerous hardships in Vrindavan, many say they are happier there than in their villages, even if it means living on the streets. Ninety-one percent of the widows live off alms and charity doled out by nongovernmental organizations and individuals donors, found that study, which was conducted by the New Delhi-based Guild for Service with support from UNIFEM.
While the munificence of the city and its spirituality are major attractions for living in Vrindavan, the widows also enjoy freedom from domestic responsibilities, social constraints and the persecution they face in their villages after becoming widows.
Read the full story: http://www.womensenews.org/story/equalitywomen’s-rights/101130/indian-widows-swell-temple-filled-townWidows facing financial deprivation and ostracism in their villages continue to... more
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Then-US Ambassador William Brownfield wrote that Cuban spies had "direct access" to President Hugo Chavez.
Another cable sent in 2010 said Cuban agents controlled spying operations against the US embassy in Caracas.
The left-wing governments of Cuba and Venezuela are close allies and outspoken opponents of the US.
The secret diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks were published by the Spanish newspaper, El Pais.
Similar allegations of Cuban intelligence influence in Venezuela have been made by Venezuelan opposition groups, but US officials have not publicly expressed such concerns.
The leaked cable from Ambassador Brownfield says the ties between Cuban and Venezuelan intelligence are so close that the two countries agencies "appear to be competing with each other for the Venezuelan government's attention".
Indoctrination
The ambassador wrote that Cuban spies were so close to President Chavez that they provided him with intelligence unvetted by Venezuelan officers.
"Cuban agents train Venezuelans on both Cuba and Venezuela, providing both political indoctrination and operational instruction".
The ambassador concludes that the Cuban involvement could impact US interests directly.
"Venezuelan intelligence services are among the most hostile towards the United States in the hemisphere, but they lack the expertise that Cuban services can provide".
The level of Cuban involvement in other agencies of the Venezuelan government was harder to confirm, he wrote.
The embassy "had received no credible reports of extensive Cuban involvement in the Venezuelan military", but there were reports that Cubans were training Mr Chavez's bodyguard.
But Cubans were likely to be involved "to a great extent" in agricultural policy, as well as in an identity card scheme.
The ambassador added that it was impossible to tell how many Cubans were working in Venezuela.
Cuba's biggest and most public involvement in Venezuela is in the provision of tens of thousands of doctors and nurses who provide basic health services in poor areas.
In return, Venezuela provides Cuba with subsidized oil.Then-US Ambassador William Brownfield wrote that Cuban spies had "direct... more
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Cleaning Up After Leaks
WASHINGTON – Bristling over the unauthorized release of more than a quarter million classified State Department documents, the Obama White House on Monday ordered a government-wide review of how agencies safeguard sensitive information.
The weekend release of documents reflecting, in some cases, unflattering assessments of world leaders has caused embarrassment to the administration. The director of the White House's Office of Management and Budget, Jacob Lew, said in ordering the agency-wide assessment Monday that the disclosures are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The U.S. cables contained raw comments normally muffled by diplomatic politesse: Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah pressing the U.S. to "cut off the head of the snake" by taking action against Iran's nuclear program. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi described as "feckless" and "vain." German Chancellor Angela Merkel dismissed as "risk averse and rarely creative."
Publication of the secret memos and documents made public by the online whistle-blower Wikileaks Sunday amplified widespread global alarm about Iran's nuclear ambitions. It also unveiled occasional U.S. pressure tactics aimed at hot spots in Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Korea. The leaks disclosed bluntly candid impressions from both diplomats and other world leaders about America's allies and foes.
It was, said Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, the "Sept. 11 of world diplomacy."
In the wake of the massive document dump by online whistleblower WikiLeaks and numerous media reports detailing their contents, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was expected to address the diplomatic repercussions later Monday. Clinton may have to confront the fallout first hand after she leaves Washington on a four-nation tour of Central Asia and the Middle East — a region that figures prominently in the leaked documents.
Most of the disclosures focused on familiar diplomatic issues that have long stymied U.S. officials and their foreign counterparts — the nuclear ambitions of Iran, North Korea and Pakistan, China's growth as a superpower, the frustrations of combating terrorism.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101129/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/wikileaks
Graphic
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dSyIizN3UI4/TFNGefE2WGI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/g7_M6iyCDvo/s1600/news.jpgCleaning Up After Leaks
WASHINGTON – Bristling over the unauthorized release of... more
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YEONPYEONG ISLAND, South Korea – China tried Sunday to defuse tension over a recent North Korean attack on the South by proposing an emergency meeting in Beijing, hours after the U.S. and South Korea launched naval war games in a united show of force.
Beijing's top nuclear envoy called for an emergency meeting among the six nations involved in the stalled North Korean nuclear disarmament talks to calm tempers over North Korea's artillery barrage Tuesday that killed four people on South Korea's front-line island of Yeonpyeong.
Nuclear envoy Wu Dawei said in a statement issued in Beijing that the international community, particularly members of the six-party talks — the two Koreas, Japan, the U.S., China and Russia — were deeply concerned about recent developments. He called for a meeting of chief nuclear negotiations in China in early December.
However, it was unclear whether the proposal would be accepted. Seoul and Washington have resisted restarting the disarmament-for-aid talks until Pyongyang shows a concrete commitment to denuclearization.
More at LINK- - -YEONPYEONG ISLAND, South Korea – China tried Sunday to defuse tension over a... more
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North and South Korea caused global alarm on Tuesday — with markets worldwide tanking and US President Barack Obama being woken up at 4 am for an emergency briefing — after they exchanged artillery fire.
Read more: http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/toi/International/48571North and South Korea caused global alarm on Tuesday — with markets worldwide... more
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Thousands of people stampeded during a festival in the Cambodian capital, leaving at least 349 dead and hundreds injured in what the prime minister called the country's biggest tragedy since the 1970s reign of terror by the Khmer Rouge.
Read More:
http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/ap/International/47838Thousands of people stampeded during a festival in the Cambodian capital, leaving at... more
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Children are probably safer growing up in Afghanistan's major cities, including the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar, than in London, New York, or Glasgow, NATO's top civilian envoy to Afghanistan has said..
Read More:
ttp://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/reuters/National/47796Children are probably safer growing up in Afghanistan's major cities, including... more
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A rural Wisconsin man apparently enraged by Bristol Palins 'Dancing with the Stars' routine blasted his television with a shotgun, leading to an all-night standoff with a SWAT team, investigators said....
http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/ap/mbd/47296A rural Wisconsin man apparently enraged by Bristol Palins 'Dancing with the... more
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Lincoln police said a woman tried to slice a tattoo of her name off her boyfriends neck. Capt. Anthony Butler told the Lincoln Journal Star that the 19-year-old woman and her 30-year-old boyfriend had gotten into a dispute around 6:40 p.m. on Friday. Thats when she tried to cut off the tattoo...
http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/ap/mbd/47293Lincoln police said a woman tried to slice a tattoo of her name off her boyfriends... more
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