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Eleven of the 50 bodies recovered from the crash of Air France Flight 447 this month over the Atlantic Ocean have been identified, Brazilian authorities said.
They were five Brazilian men, five Brazilian women and a foreigner, according to a statement Sunday from the federal police and secretary of defense of Pernambuco. They did not release the foreigner's nationality.
The June 1 crash killed 228 people. At the request of family members, none of the names of the bodies recovered have been released.
On Friday Air France said it would pay families about €17,500 ($24,500) in initial compensation for each victim of the crash, the company's chief executive said.
So far, Air France has been in touch with about 1,800 relatives of the people who died when the Airbus A330 crashed, chief executive Pierre-Henri Gourgeon told France's RTL radio.Eleven of the 50 bodies recovered from the crash of Air France Flight 447 this month... more
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It is the life blood for tens of millions of people -- but the mighty Mekong River in southeast Asia is now facing a "devastating" threat from not one, but 11 proposed dams.
A group of NGOs has come together to issue the stark warning, claiming if the plans go ahead for hydroelectric projects in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, that people, animals and the environment will all suffer irreparably.
Under the banner "Save the Mekong" campaigners are hoping to pressure regional governments to shelve the plans, which are being put forward by private companies from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Russia.
Carl Middleton, from the environmental group International Rivers, told CNN: "These dams, if built, would block the major fish migrations that feed the entire region" adding "the Mekong fisheries feed the Mekong people they provide between half and four fifths of the animal protein that people eat here and up to 90 percent of rural communities are involved in fishing activity."It is the life blood for tens of millions of people -- but the mighty Mekong River in... more
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Hundreds of demonstrators angry over recent presidential election results gathered in a public square Monday in Iran's capital city, despite a stern warning by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
Riot police and Basij militia dispersed large crowds from congregating in Haft-e Tir and arrested at least eight people, eyewitnesses said. Helicopters were seen overhead.
Several people said they were sprayed with what they believed was pepper spray.
This comes as the guard warned that it would meet protesters who "disturb the peace and stand up to security forces" with a strong response.
Internet postings on Twitter, Facebook, and an Iranian opposition leader's Web site mentioned a 4 p.m. (7:30 a.m. ET) vigil for Neda -- the young female protester who became a rallying cry and a symbol for the opposition after her death was caught on camera.Hundreds of demonstrators angry over recent presidential election results gathered in... more
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The video was a highlight of the WiwavShell.org website run by ERI & CCR to educate the public about the trial but it was recently removed. Investigation of public legal documents reveal that the video was removed under order from the trial judge after legal motions by Shell.
Check out the Huffington Post Story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/han-shan/the-video-shell-doesnt-wa_b_207782.htmlThe video was a highlight of the WiwavShell.org website run by ERI & CCR to... more
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Along with holding Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Gonzalez, Addington, Yoo, and their cronies accountable, We the People need to:
Demand that President Obama reverse all of President Bush's signing statements that altered laws, and demand that Congress ban the use of funds for any activities created in violation of the law by presidential signing statements.
Support a bill to limit abuse of signing statements: (S.875).
Amend the Constitution to clearly ban the use of presidential pardons to pardon crimes authorized by the president.
Amend the War Powers Act and the Constition to include the requirement that Congressional authorizations of war include time limits of no more than 12 months, after which Congress must vote again to extend the war or end it, to disallow the unconstitutional initiation of wars without Congressional approval, and to make the law enforceable.
Make war profiteering by any war maker a major felony. This would apply to any employee of the federal government or anyone who had within the past decade been an employee of the federal government.
Legislate a requirement that, in any war, the military aged children and grandchildren of the president, the vice president, all cabinet officials, and all Congress members serve on the front lines in the most dangerous combat positions -- no exceptions, no exemptions.
Prohibit the use of mercenaries or any armed contractors, as well as the use of any military force on American soil except when directly engaged in defensive war against a foreign nation.
Repeal the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005, the Military Commissions Act of 2006, the 2008 FISA "modernization" act and the Protect America Act, the original Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and the PATRIOT Act.
Support a bill to permit civil suits for illegal spying to be brought against the government and not be blocked by claims of "sovereign immunity" (S.876).
Support a bill to require that the Supreme Court review cases of illegal spying (S.877).
Ban secret budgets, secret laws, and secret agencies.
Change the Senate rules to eliminate the filibuster.
Amend the Constitution to eliminate the Senate.
End all rendition.
Amend the Constitution to make the ban on ex-post-facto laws include any laws that would retroactively grant immunity for crimes.
Amend the Constitution to bar the vice president from exercising executive power.
Amend the Constitution to clarify the Congressional power of inherent contempt.
Amend the Constitution to include the right to vote and to have one's vote counted publicly at the polling place.
Give Washington, D.C., voting representation in Congress.
Amend the Constitution to ban private financing of campaigns, create public financing, and provide free air time to candidates.
Sign and ratify the Rome treaty to join the International Criminal Court.Along with holding Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Gonzalez, Addington, Yoo, and their cronies... more
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The DOJ's Office of Professional Responsibility has been rather solicitous of the Bush administration lawyers who provided legal cover for the CIA’s “enhanced interrogation” program. They got to see the draft, comment on it, and then the office took their perspectives into account. That’s in keeping with standard practice to permit OPR targets a right of due response, the department explained. “In the past,” wrote Assistant Attorney General Ronald Welch to Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) on May 4, “former Department officials who were subjects of OPR investigations typically have been permitted to appeal adverse OPR rulings to the Deputy Attorney General’s Office.” In keeping with that spirit, Welch continued, former Attorney General Michael Mukasey, his deputy and the OPR chief agreed to “afford the subjects the chance to respond to the report prior to any release.” Such a move, they reasoned, was “fair and reasonably correlates with the process usually applicable to OPR investigations relating to former employees.”
Tell it to Jesselyn Radack...... http://washingtonindependent.com/42088/doj-doesnt-let-war-on-terror-whistleblowers-comment-on-professionalism-reports#comment-10317567
I'm personally sick of these career politicians granting themselves legal loopholes to evade just, much deserved, and overdue prosecution, sentencing, and subsequent imprisonment. There are consequences to the commission of war crimes that the current DOJ is allowing the Bush Administration to circumvent because we the People, the real American government aren't demanding it.
Demand justice!The DOJ's Office of Professional Responsibility has been rather solicitous of... more
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The death of a temporary employee who was crushed in a stampede of post-Thanksgiving shoppers at a Wal-Mart store could have been prevented, federal officials said Tuesday as they proposed fining the world's largest retailer $7,000 — as much money as it makes in about 18 seconds.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced it was citing Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for inadequate crowd management following the Nov. 28, 2008, death of Jdimytai Damour at a Long Island store.
Sign a petition to demand Walmart improve safety and security for more than its own $23000 a minute bottom line. Employees and 'valued' customers matter and demand protection too!
http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/feature/store_safety/index.htmlThe death of a temporary employee who was crushed in a stampede of post-Thanksgiving... more
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.....wouldn't have anything to do with the General's reiteration of his support to CLOSE GITMO, do you think?.....wouldn't have anything to do with the General's reiteration of his... more
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An Indonesian military transport plane crashed into a residential area in East Java early Wednesday, killing 98 people, military officials said.
Soldiers search for victims at the plane's crash site in East Java Wednesday.
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The death toll might rise, because the Air Force said 112 people were thought to be aboard when the Hercules transport plane crashed about 6:30 a.m.
The crash destroyed four homes and killed two people who lived in at least one of the homes, said Suwardi, the village leader of Karas in East Java.
The plane had a crew of 14 people and was carrying an additional 98 passengers, Major Gen. Suwarno said.
At least 15 people from the flight had been rescued, according to Bambang Sulistyo, an Indonesian air force spokesman.An Indonesian military transport plane crashed into a residential area in East Java... more
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Californians overwhelmingly panned a handful of ballot measures Tuesday designed to pull the state from the edge of what lawmakers have called "financial armageddon."
Polling centers in California were relatively sparse for Tuesday's special election.
Californians in Tuesday's special election voted down five of six propositions aimed at closing the state's budget deficit, according to partial returns. State leaders conceded defeat based on those returns.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had said that, if the propositions failed, he would have to make drastic cuts to education and health care, and would probably free many inmates from the state prison system.
With all six measures defeated, the deficit would surge to $21.3 billion, Schwarzenegger's office said last week. Even if all the measures passed, the deficit would hit $15.4 billion at the start of the new fiscal year in July.
read on...Californians overwhelmingly panned a handful of ballot measures Tuesday designed to... more
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In sweltering temperatures and woolen uniforms, local students and members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War honored Private james C. Averill, a Civil War veteran from Newburyport. He was a private in Company L, 1st Heavy Artillery in Maine. He joined the Union Army in 1864 and fought in the battle of Cold Harbor. Following his death on Labor day 1901, Averill was interred at the New Highland Cemetery in Newburyport on 3 September 1901. This production honors Private Averill and other American war dead and veterans while addressing the question of why it is important to remember them. Through short interviews with organizers and participants of the event, a famous quote of General Robert E. Lee is also explored. Civil War era photographs and accurate American casualty counts serve as a reminder of past American conflicts and the many brave men and women who fought them.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO REMEMBER ON MEMORIAL DAY.
EXCUSE THE SHODDY QUALITY; THIS LOOKS MUCH BETTER ON A TV
THANKS FOR WATCHING!In sweltering temperatures and woolen uniforms, local students and members of the... more
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NASA's sense of humor is being put to the test. The US space agency is facing a serious dilemma after a popular television comedian, Stephen Colbert, hijacked an online contest sponsored by NASA to pick a name for a new module on the International Space Station.
Colbert's suggestion for a name? His own.
His victory may have had something to do with his repeated appeals to fans of his show, "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central, to vote for him.
With the help of his fans -- called the "Colbert Nation" -- the comedian's name easily won the "Help Name Node 3" online poll at nasa.gov, rocketing past NASA suggestions "Earthrise," "Legacy," "Serenity" and "Venture."
NASA announced on Friday that astronaut Sunita Williams will unveil the name on Tuesday on "The Colbert Report."
The space agency declined to reveal the name until the show and is not obliged to bow to popular demand.NASA's sense of humor is being put to the test. The US space agency is facing a... more
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The Obama administration said Friday that it is abandoning one of President George W. Bush's key phrases in the war on terrorism: enemy combatant. But that won't change much for the detainees at the U.S. naval base in Cuba — Obama still asserts the military's authority to hold them. Human rights attorneys said they were disappointed that Obama didn't take a new stance.
The Justice Department said in legal filings that it will no longer use the term "enemy combatants' to justify holding prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.The Obama administration said Friday that it is abandoning one of President George W.... more
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We are now entering the “Anthropocene” era, one in which there's no separation between human activities and what we used to call nature. NAM contributor Walt Anderson is the author of, most recently, "The Next Enlightenment: Integrating East and West in a New Vision of Human Evolution."
If you’re feeling a bit unsettled these days, troubled by a suspicion that things aren’t what they used to be, you may be more right than you know. According to a growing number of the world’s leading scientists, we are seeing the end of an old epoch in Earth’s evolution and the birth of a new one – a momentous change, larger than anything humans have ever known.
The emerging name for the new epoch is “anthropocene,” coined by Paul Crutzen, a Dutch scientist who shared the 1995 Nobel Prize for his work on atmospheric ozone. What the word means – to put it simply – is that there’s really no separation any more between human activities and what we used to call nature.
There was a time when life on Earth evolved according to the Darwinian rules, climate changed over long cycles regulated by astronomical forces, and homo-sapiens were just another species running around in the woods.
Now we are discovering that the rules have changed. Every ecosystem, every species, everything that happens in the air or the water or on the land is affected by what people do. It is no longer possible to find a place on Earth – certainly not on an Earth whose climate has been altered by industry, agriculture and millions of cars – that is truly untouched by human hands. Wherever you go, there we are.
But the old epoch is not leaving quietly, and the new one is making its entrance amid a storm of conflict and confusion.
More intellectual stimulation at the link.We are now entering the “Anthropocene” era, one in which there's no... more
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An operation the American military at first described as a "precision strike" instead killed 13 Afghan civilians and only three militants, the U.S. said Saturday, three days after sending a general to the site to investigate.
Civilian casualties have been a huge source of friction between the U.S. and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has stepped up demands that U.S. and NATO operations kill no civilians and that Afghan soldiers take part in missions to help prevent unwanted deaths.
A U.S. military statement said the decision to dispatch a general to the western province of Herat to investigate shows how seriously the U.S. takes civilian casualties. The U.S. rarely releases the findings of civilian casualty investigations, and the disclosure this time could show the effect of Karzai's criticisms.An operation the American military at first described as a "precision... more
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The traditionalist bishop whose denials of the Holocaust embarrassed the Vatican was ordered Thursday to leave Argentina within 10 days.
The Interior Ministry said it had ordered Richard Williamson out of Argentina because he had failed to declare his true job as director of a seminary on immigration forms and because his comments on the Holocaust "profoundly insult Argentine society, the Jewish community and all of humanity by denying a historic truth."
Williamson's views created an uproar last month when Pope Benedict XVI lifted his excommunication and that of three other bishops consecrated by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre as part of a process meant to heal a rift with ultraconservatives.The traditionalist bishop whose denials of the Holocaust embarrassed the Vatican was... more
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This is the text of an email I sent to feedback@current.com. Read and discuss. What do you think of the new website?
"To my friends at Current:
I have been watching, enjoying, and contributing to your channel and website for well over a year. I have told many people about it and what a great community it is, and the great things it promotes. I was always impressed witht the way it shed light on issues that the mainstream media fails to cover accurately, thoroughly, or at all. The website was very user friendly and easy to navigate, and the channel was amazing.
I am not sure I can say the same now. Current news is gone (temporarily I am told), infomania is inconveniently scheduled, I don't remember the last time I saw an Iraq death count, viewpoints is gone, feedback is no longer read on TV, quotes are displayed less frequently, and the new website layout is TERRIBLE. I mean no disrespect; allow me to elaborate.
Rather than a convenient list of rising news, there are obnoxiously placed boxes that don't even show the pictures from all of the articles. For an avid user this is very annoying. I can't even expand the articles without having to open a new tab. Aesthetically the new layout is very much lacking in many things, and it is not user friendly or easy on the eyes. I don't know what was intended by doing it, but it just doesn't work. The categorical arrangement allows for the same story to take up multiple spaces. For example, I have Current open right now, and I can see "Radio" under movies AND art and style AND virals. That bothers me a bit, and you? Finally, the unchanging viral videos box is awkwardly placed and frankly perverted. I realize that that is a huge part of American media, but it should not be in the middle of a page that's supposed to display stories about things that matter, which, by the way, I've seen less of. It may also ward off mentally mature viewers who would otherwise have intelligent conversation and news to contribute.
The only change I can speak positively about is the Current Stories section. But that is overshadowed by the many ridiculous adjustments.
I would say also that Current should look into advertising on other channels and into more merchandise like t-shirts and silicone bracelets, but the website makes me unsure of that.
I mean to convey frustration and feedback, not disrespect. Please consider these things and let me know what's going on. I know I am not the only one who feels this way. Here are a couple of places where I know the discussion is raging.
http://current.com/items/89816965/current_s_new_homepage_punching_bag.htm
http://current.com/items/89810146/current_com_release_a_brand_new_homepage.htm
Please consider these opinions, and absolutely consider changing it back.
Why was it changed, again?
Thank you, and peace."This is the text of an email I sent to feedback@current.com. Read and discuss. What do... more
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Israel's last troops left the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, although the cease-fire was frayed when its navy opened fire toward beaches in northern Gaza, and smugglers' tunnels that were targeted in the 23-day campaign against Hamas were active again at the Egyptian border. The Israeli military said it would investigate allegations by the United Nations and human rights groups that it wrongly used white phosphorous — an ingredient in weapons that inflicts horrific burns.Israel's last troops left the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, although the cease-fire... more
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In a first-day flurry of activity, President Barack Obama set up shop in the Oval Office, summoned advisers to begin dealing with war and recession and ordered new ethics rules for "a clean break from business as usual." He also froze salaries for top White House staff members, placed phone calls to Mideast leaders and had aides circulate a draft executive order that would close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay within a year.
"The way to make government responsible is to hold it accountable," Obama said as he unveiled ethics rules that he portrayed as the fulfillment of a major campaign promise. He said the action was necessary "to help restore that faith in government without which we cannot deliver the changes we were sent here to make."In a first-day flurry of activity, President Barack Obama set up shop in the Oval... more
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This is the full speech. Watch, listen, enjoy, think, act. His dream is still not fully realized but we have made great progress. Never forget what Dr. King did for us, our country, and the world.
I have a dream that we will keep working to make his dream come true. NOW is the Time.This is the full speech. Watch, listen, enjoy, think, act. His dream is still not... more
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