Amnesty International describes security move as biggest threat to human rights since January revolution Egyptians have returned to Tahrir Square to rally against the military junta’s reactivation of Mubarak-era emergency laws, and Amnesty International has described the move as the biggest threat to human rights in the country since the revolution of 25 January. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which has ruled Egypt since the fall of Hosni Mubarak earlier this year and has promised to hand over to an elected civilian government in November, announced that it was broadening the application of emergency law following clashes at the Israeli embassy in Cairo last Friday. The suspension of normal civilian rights and the existence of special “security courts” were a hallmark of the Mubarak regime, which maintained a permanent emergency law throughout the former dictator’s reign. Mubarak said last year that emergency laws would only be applied to those suspected of drug-related or terrorism offences, as public opposition to the virtually unlimited powers granted to the security forces began to grow. Following the ousting of Mubarak in February, SCAF promised to end emergency law as soon “as soon as current circumstances end”, but the military council has now chosen instead to widen the laws in order to combat what it says are acts of terrorism and anarchy. “These changes are a major threat to the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, and the right to strike,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s deputy director for the Middle East and north Africa. “We are looking at the most serious erosion of human rights in Egypt since Mubarak stepped down. The military authorities have essentially taken Egypt’s laws back to the bad old days. ” Activists fear the legal clampdown will be used to further stifle popular dissent against military rule. The new military decree extends emergency law to cover a glut of vaguely defined transgressions that could easily be applied to legitimate protest, including “infringing on others’ right to work”, “impeding the flow of traffic”, and “spreading false information in the media”. In the seven months since SCAF assumed power, several peaceful demonstrations have been violently broken up by soldiers, while media outlets and bloggers seen as critical of the junta have been taken off air or arrested. Meanwhile, an Egyptian steel magnate who rose to become one of the country’s most influential men under the old regime has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of corruption. For many Egyptians, Ahmed Ezz, the owner of Ezz Steel and Egypt’s most important political power broker under Mubarak, came to symbolise everything that was wrong with the former president’s Egypt – a bastion of crony capitalism where the lines dividing the political and business elite became increasingly blurred. Calls to bring Ezz to justice have been one of the central demands of the revolution. Two other Mubarak-era figures were also handed jail sentences in the same court: Rachid Mohamed Rachid, the country’s former trade and industry minister, was given 15 years in absentia; and Amr Assal, an ex industrial chief, received 10 years. The three defendants were also ordered to pay fines totalling $335m (£212m) between them. Egypt Arab and Middle East unrest Hosni Mubarak Middle East Africa Amnesty International Jack Shenker guardian.co.uk
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Sorrell warns of dangers of ‘over-monetising’ social networks Sir Martin Sorrell has cast doubt on the ability of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to turn their huge user numbers into big profits. The chief executive of marketing services giant WPP was speaking after reports this week that Facebook has delayed its flotation until the end of next year , and an analyst’s claim that Mark Zuckerberg’s company had missed its revenue targets. “I have some fundamental doubts about the ability to monetise social platforms,” Sorrell told the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention on Friday. “If you attempt to monetise it, it’s risky, there are question marks,” he said. “Facebook, Google+, Twitter … is a social interaction. We used to write letters to each other and now we correspond through Facebook and Twitter and other forms of communication. If you interrupt that with a message you may run into trouble. “Mark Zuckerberg tried two failed experiments – Beacon and one other – which were withdrawn in 24 hours after a revolution on Facebook.” Sorrell said influencing social networks was an “extremely powerful way of building brands, building trust and building reputation”, such as by users recommending products to each other. “But it is a dangerous territory if you try to over-monetise it,” he added. “I’m not sceptical about social media, I’m concerned about when you monetise it because by it’s nature it’s me talking to you electronically, digitally. If I’m talking to you and I send you a commercial message how do you feel about that? If i say ‘buy this’ or ‘do that’, it’s not the right context.” Sorrell said: “Somebody asked me whether I thought Facebook was worth $15bn and I said no. It just shows how stupid I am because it’s now being talked about at $100bn so what do I know?” The WPP chief executive also repeated his belief, first expressed in an interview last year, that governments may have to subsidise newspapers if they are to survive. “We have to try and think about how we preserve journalism other than people like [New York Times investor] Carlos Slim, like the Barclays, like Warren Buffett … subsidising it by buying them as trophy properties,” said Sorrell. “You have to find some way of ensuring that professional journalism particularly in newspapers is preserved,” he added. “There has to be some form of subsidy. You can’t rely on Warren Buffet or the Barclay brothers or the Scott Trust [the sole shareholder in Guardian parent company, Guardian Media Group] to preserve these institutions.” •
Continue reading …Fox’s Megyn Kelly: Disapprove of Chaz Bono? You’re Pushing for Violence
September 16, 2011 No Comment
Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly is going to earn an award from LGBT activists for getting vein-popping angry on The O’Reilly Factor Thursday that psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow would dare to suggest parents may want to flip the remote away from “transgender” activist Chaz Bono on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars on Monday. Who said Fox News was the right-wing channel? There was Kelly, insisting to O’Reilly that Dr. Ablow’s warning on Foxnews.com against Bono's show was going to lead to violence from American wackos at the McDonald’s.
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PC Simon Harwood’s manslaughter trial set for next October, three and a half years after newspaper vendor’s death The trial of the police officer accused over the death of Ian Tomlinson at the G20 protests in April 2009, has been set for October 2012. The date was set on Friday morning at Southwark crown court and means the trial will not take place until three-and-a-half years after Tomlinson died. PC Simon Harwood is charged with manslaughter over the death and was caught on video striking Tomlinson with his baton.Tomlinson, a 47-year-old newspaper seller, collapsed and died at the demonstration over the G20 summit, near the Bank of England on 1 April 2009, moments after being struck with a baton and pushed to the ground. Harwood was on duty as clashes broke out between demonstrators and police. He is currently suspended from duty. Tomlinson collapsed and later died. The criminal trial next year is scheduled to take place at the Old Bailey in central London. Crime Vikram Dodd guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …An Undercurrent of Extremism Runs Through the NRA’s Board of Directors
September 16, 2011 No Comment
Click here to view this media [Note: This is the first in a series of posts I'll be doing this fall in conjunction with the fine folks at Media Matters -- where this will be cross-posted -- exploring issues related to right-wing extremism and gun-rights advocacy. See the note at the end. -- DN] Those of us who grew up around the NRA are all too familiar with one of the more striking facets of the organization’s relentless fearmongering, its paranoid style: namely, it not only traffics in wild and groundless conspiracy theories about “gun grabbers” and Bircherite “New World Order” takeover schemes, but it forms deep associations with the very extremists whose far-right worldview fosters such paranoia. The most recent example of this has been the way the NRA’s fearmongering about President Obama has fostered real violence from right-wing extremists. The reason for this kind of extremism is in fact a top-down phenomenon: increasingly, the people running the NRA are themselves deeply extremist. The folks at the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence have put together a directory of the NRA’s board titled Meet the NRA Directors . It’s a fascinating site, one that well rewards scrolling through and reading. In addition to what you’d expect — a lot of ties to the arms manufacturers who funnel much of the money that is the NRA’s lifeblood — there is also, predictably, a deep undercurrent of right-wing extremism. The most striking example of this is Robert K. Brown, the longtime publisher of Soldier of Fortune magazine. As David Holthouse has explored in some detail already, Brown’s magazine was for years the monthly Bible of the “militia” movement in the 1990s, one of the movement’s more prominent promoters. The magazine not only promoted the concept of militias but offered advice on how to form them and urged participants to prepare for persecution from the New World Order. The ties to violent extremists run deeper, in fact: Soldier of Fortune distributed copies of a newsletter called The Resister during the 1990s. The Resister was published by Steven Barry, then a member of the Army’s Special Forces and leader of the unsanctioned Special Forces Underground organization. The newsletter initially drew inspiration from the controversial siege at Ruby Ridge. The content of the newsletter evidenced a “white Christian militia mentality,” according to Michael Reynolds from the Southern Poverty Law Center, containing racist and anti-Semitic content while also exploring “New World Order” conspiracy theories. When Timothy McVeigh was arrested for the Oklahoma City Bombing, in his possession was a Soldier of Fortune -distributed copy of The Resister . Also on Brown’s record: an array of crimes (largely would-be contract killers) associated with the magazine, as well Brown’s associations with right-wing death squads operating in Central America in the 1980s. As it happens, one of the writers for Brown’s magazine — indeed, he penned one of the first Soldier of Fortune pieces promoting militias in 1994, titled “Join A Militia — Break The Law?”
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Insects and arachnids are being hailed as an solution to the problem of a growing population. Fraser Lewry tucked in to some segmented delicacies Fraser Lewry Felix Clay
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Najib Razak’s pre-election pledge to reform draconian media and security laws greeted cautiously by campaigners The Malaysian prime minister has announced he is scrapping the country’s draconian security laws and relaxing media controls, in what he billed as a daringly bold package of reforms. But campaigners and experts greeted Najib Razak’s announcement cautiously, warning that while the measures were a step forward the scope of changes and the impact of the new laws remain to be seen. The move is widely regarded as an attempt to boost support before the elections, with Najib under pressure from within as well as outside the ruling National Front coalition. The move comes two months after police detained hundreds and fired teargas as a 20,000-strong crowd demonstrated for electoral reform in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, in the country’s biggest political rally for years. The colonial-era Internal Security Act (ISA), under which 37 people are held, and the emergency ordinance, under which 6,000 are held, allow indefinite detention without trial. Najib said they would be replaced with anti-terrorism laws affording suspects greater protection. He pledged: “No Malaysian will ever be arrested or detained because of their political affiliations or ideas.” In a televised address on Thursday night, he said: “Many will question whether I am moving too far, too fast …There may be short-term pain for me politically, but in the long term the changes I am announcing tonight will ensure a brighter, more prosperous future for all Malaysians.” Najib also said media outlets would have to be approved only once, rather than applying for licences to be renewed annually – a system that critics say has been used to keep them in line. He promised to review police laws on controlling assembly and other legislation restricting civil liberties. Amnesty International called the announcement a “significant step forward for human rights in Malaysia”. But the group’s Asia-Pacific director, Sam Zarifi, said the government must ensure new security laws comply with international human rights standards and urged it to remove barriers to free speech and peaceful assembly. Dr Bridget Welsh, an expert on Malaysian politics at the Singapore Management University, said: “I think everyone recognises this is a product of political expediency – he is facing pressure from the opposition and civil society and opposition in his own ranks. But good things can come out of political expediency.” She said the detail of new legislation, and its implementation, would be crucial, but added: “From their perspective this is a historic break. I want to give him credit because from the perspective of his personal history, the party’s history, the fact he has been part of the system for a good 40 years – he’s stepping away from some of the things of the past and particularly out of Mahathir’s [Mohamad, the former prime minister] shadow.” Dr Graham Brown, director of the centre for development studies at Bath University, was more sceptical. “I think at the moment most people in Malaysia will probably be taking this with a pinch of salt … He has not flinched from using the draconian powers these laws allow him,” said Brown, a Malaysia specialist. He said while the ISA was the “headline” repressive law, others had more impact in restricting people’s day-to-day lives and freedoms, adding: “It’s not clear how far he’s willing or promising to go in reforming the broader set of laws.” Tony Pua, an opposition MP, warned: “We have yet to see the fine print. We’ve seen sufficient U-turns when Najib comes under pressure from rightwing groups, and we won’t be surprised if the same happens again.” The next election is due in 2013, but Najib, who became prime minister two years ago, is widely expected to call one within months. The National Front, which has been in power for the half-century since Malaysia won independence from Britain, suffered its worst performance in the 2008 elections. The opposition alliance led by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, which won more than a third of the parliamentary seats in 2008, has struggled since then due to infighting and Anwar’s second trial. He denies charges of sodomy , which he described in court last month as “a vile and desperate attempt at character assassination” and a bid to consign him to political oblivion. The government denies the case is politically motivated. Anwar was imprisoned on similar charges in 1998 and freed six years later on appeal. Malaysia Human rights Amnesty International Tania Branigan guardian.co.uk
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Stun gun used on 16-year-old Manchester boy after police responded to emergency call from teenager’s mother An inquiry is under way after a Taser gun was used by police on a 16-year-old schoolboy. The weapon was deployed as officers responded to an emergency call from the teenager’s mother. She had dialled 999 after her son locked her out of the family home in Wythenshawe, Manchester, following an argument. The woman reportedly told the officers the age and name of her son. When he came out of the property with his hands out there was a scuffle before the stun gun was used. He was then arrested on suspicion of assaulting two police officers but was later told he would face no charges. His family, who do not wish to be named, want an apology and are considering taking legal action. A spokesman for Greater Manchester police confirmed that after being called to a domestic dispute in Manchester, officers had deployed a Taser while arresting a 16-year-old boy. “He was arrested on suspicion of assaulting two police officers,” the spokesman said. “The Crown Prosecution Service later decided that no further action would be taken. A GMP professional standards branch (PSB) investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the use of a Taser during the arrest. In line with protocol, it was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the PSB investigation is being supervised by them.” Speaking about the incident, which took place on the afternoon of 30 June, the boy told the Manchester Evening News: “I came out, held my hands up and said: ‘I want to negotiate with my mum’. The next moment they all jumped on me. There was a scuffle and they tried to throw me to the ground but I wouldn’t go down so they tasered me. I didn’t know what was happening.” His mother said to the newspaper: “I thought they would just get him out of the house and take him to his sister’s or something to calm down. I was shocked at the response.” Police Manchester Tasers guardian.co.uk
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UBS is expected to scale back its investment banking business as it races to protect its reputation following the arrest of one-time star trader Kweku Adoboli Thousands of jobs could be on the line at UBS as the Swiss bank is expected to scale back its investment banking business in response to the alleged rogue trading incident that it fears could cost it as much €2bn (£1.3bn). Kweku Adoboli, the 31-year-old one-time star trader, is still in custody at Bishopsgate police station on the edge of the financial district, while executives from the Swiss bank are continuing their analysis of what went wrong. More information is expected later on Friday as pressure mounts on chief executive Oswald Grübel to explain the latest crisis. British-educated Adoboli, who is of Ghanaian descent, is understood to have hired Kingsley Napley, the firm of lawyers that represented Nick Leeson when his £800m rogue trading caused the collapse of Barings in 1995. While the allegations surrounding Adoboli are not expected to sink UBS financially, they are expected to cause an overhaul of the business as the bank races to protect its reputation in Switzerland and around the world. Insiders also fear their bonuses for 2011 will be scaled back as result of the losses, which are being incurred during a difficult time on the financial markets. The bank last month announced plans to cut 3,500 jobs to save £1.5bn – a similar amount to the losses the bank now fears it faces from the alleged “unauthorised trading”. Analysts believe more cuts are likely. “We are making further cuts in our 2012 profit estimates, as we believe that UBS is set to announce a more streamlined investment banking business strategy in November, with certain business units being closed and additional jobs being lost. This is part of the bank’s efforts to address the long-term structural issues within the financial services industry,” said Christopher Wheeler, an analyst at Mediobanca. Ratings agencies warned that the admission of the potential loss could lead to a downgrade of the bank’s credit rating. Standard & Poor’s placed the bank on its Creditwatch list citing a number of factors including the “setback to UBS’s efforts to rebuild its reputation and demonstrate strengthened risk management following its weak performance in 2007-2009″ when it almost collapsed during the credit crunch. Adoboli worked on the Delta One trading desk on the heart of the third floor of UBS’s headquarters in London near Liverpool Street. But his registration with the Financial Services Authority was switched to “inactive” on Friday at the request of the firm – indicating that he is no longer performing that role. He was thought to trade exchange traded funds (ETFs), new financial instruments that mimic market movements and which have been a cause of anxiety for regulators in recent months. In June, the Financial Policy Committee, the new regulator responsible for financial stability inside the Bank of England, warned about the “opacity and complexity” of the products . The market has grown rapidly to a size of around $300bn (£190bn) and after the first FPC meeting, Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King, described ETFs as a “contributory factor” to the “tangled web” that interconnects risks in the financial system. By hiring lawyers at Kingsley Napley, Adoboli has found experts in the world of fraud. Michael Caplan is one of the lawyers thought to be among those advising him. He is best known for successfully defending Henry Sweetbaum, former chairman and chief executive of DIY chain Wickes, in a £40m case brought by the Serious Fraud Office. After a 10-month trial he was acquitted in 2002 after claiming he had not known about a £20m accounting fraud conducted by those beneath him at the company. Caplan persuaded the jury there was no evidence on which to convict him. Kweku Adoboli UBS Banking European banks Jill Treanor Simon Bowers guardian.co.uk
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Wall divides Alexandra Park in two to prevent Catholics and Protestants clashing On the morning of 1 September 1994, with the IRA ceasefire just 24 hours old, workers started laying the foundations for a so-called peace wall that would divide one of Belfast’s public parks into Catholic and Protestant zones. The 3m-high fence in Alexandra Park between the mainly Catholic Antrim Road and the loyalist Shore Road became a symbol of growing sectarian divisions despite the end of the IRA and later the loyalist paramilitaries’ armed campaigns. There are now dozens of these walls keeping apart Protestants and Catholics, and many them have been up longer than the Berlin Wall. But now, for the first time since any of the barriers throughout the city were built over the past four decades, a breach will made be in one. As part of a three-month trial a gate in the fence will open between 9am and 3pm on weekdays. Welcoming the first opening of any of the walls that were built to curb sectarian street fighting and intimidation, local justice minister David Ford said it was an “important day for Northern Ireland”. Ford said: “On this occasion, the people of the Alexandra Park area have shown great courage to take the first step and open up an interface barrier that has been a symbol of division and segregation for so long. “Building a new shared future for Northern Ireland includes dealing with sensitive and difficult issues like the removal of interface barriers. “Traditionally it is a debate that polarises opinion but we must find some way of removing these structures over time and with agreement from the community if we are serious about building a shared future,” he said. A second barrier on the Limestone Road, running parallel to the park, will also be opened during the day as long as traffic-calming measures are installed, which residents have asked for. The process for installing the road safety features and opening the barrier is expected to take two to three months. The barrier will then be opened on weekdays. The peace walls have become a must-see stop on tours for foreign holidaymakers coming to Belfast. Tour buses regularly park at some of the most infamous walls including the largest at Cupar Street separating part of the republican Falls and loyalist Shankill Road. This barrier is the closest to resemble the western side of the old wall in West Berlin with visitors painting their names and carving messages denouncing the barriers and calling for peace between the two communities. The peace walls originated as make-shift barbed wire barricades which the British Army constructed in 1969 along the stretch between the Shankill and the Falls at the outbreak of the Troubles. On 10 September 1969 Army chief Lt General Sir Ian Freeland made a prediction: “The peace line will be a very, very temporary affair,” he told the world’s media gathered in Belfast. “We will not have a Berlin Wall or anything like that in this city,” he added. The Berlin Wall was taken down 22 years ago. There are still around 48 walls cutting through areas of Belfast. Northern Ireland Henry McDonald guardian.co.uk
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