News Corp’s legal advisers to be replaced by Olswang, who will now advise on civil claims in relation to phone hacking News Corporation has parted company with the law firm used to defend the News of the World in lawsuits taken out by more than 60 alleged victims of phone-hacking. Farrer & Co and News Corporation’s management and standards committee said they had “mutually agreed” the move, according to a statement issued on Friday afternoon. The committee was established by Rupert Murdoch as an internal clean-up and investigations unit in July in the wake of revelations that the phone-hacking activities allegedly ordered by the defunct Sunday tabloid had affected more than 4,000 people, including the families of murder victim Milly Dowler. The move comes just days before Farrer partner Julian Pike is due to give evidence before the parliamentary committee that quizzed Murdoch and his son James over phone-hacking. Last month Pike revealed that one of the phone-hacking victims, Gordon Taylor, reportedly “wanted to be vindicated or made rich” when he was negotiating with the News of the World for compensation. This emerged in written evidence to the committee in relation to advice he gave News International ahead of a controversial £700,000 pay out to Taylor, the head of the Professional Footballers Association. Farrer & Co will be replaced by Olswang which have been asked to “advise News Group Newspapers on the appropriate resolution of civil claims in relation to phone-hacking”. The firm has also been asked to implement the £20m compensation fund that was set up earlier this year. News Group, publishers of the defunct Sunday tabloid, is facing six test cases in January to establish precedent for a total of 64 lawsuits brought against the paper. The management and standards committee comprises Will Lewis, Simon Greenberg and Jeff Palker, and reports to Joel Klein, who is also News Corp’s executive committee member responsible for News Corp’s educational initiatives. Separately, Klein was appearing alongside Rupert Murdoch on Friday at an Excellence in Education conference in San Francisco organised by Jeb Bush. A journalist asking about how Klein would develop News Corp’s educational business was ejected from the event, Olswang has been working for the committee since it was established in July. The law firm is also used by Guardian News and Media, as its external editorial legal adviser. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly “for publication”. • To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook News Corporation News of the World Phone hacking Media business Newspapers & magazines National newspapers News International Newspapers Lisa O’Carroll guardian.co.uk
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Ten people have died in the latest clashes as protesters urge more people to defect from the Syrian security forces Large rallies urging further defections from the Syrian security forces have been attacked by government gunmen, as a senior United Nations official warned that the country was sliding towards a full-blown civil war. At least 10 people were killed across Syria, taking the death toll in the six-month uprising to more than 3,000, not including loyalist members of the security forces who continue to target demonstrators. Deir Azour in the Kurdish north was a scene of violent clashes between security forces and defectors who had been urged to swap sides by thousands of chanting activists. In recent weeks a largely passive rights movement inside Syria has taken on a more militant tone, with activists openly seeking weapons and soldiers who have fled the army battling with their former colleagues. The Syrian government says around 1,100 security officers have been killed. On Thursday, at least 36 people were killed nationwide, 25 of them either former or serving security force members. Friday’s demonstrations were called in support of the defectors, who Syrian activists say hold the key to the future of an uprising that has become a grinding struggle. “We know the world is not coming to help us,” said one man speaking by phone from Homs. “We will do what we have to do. Our brothers in the security forces are increasingly waking up. And soon we will fight alongside them in large numbers.” The UN human rights commissioner, Navi Pillay, called for more to be done to stop the violence. “The onus is on all members of the international community to take protective action in a collective manner, before the continual ruthless repression and killings drive the country into a full-blown civil war,” she said in a statement. “As more members of the military refuse to attack civilians and change sides, the crisis is already showing worrying signs of descending into an armed struggle.” The UN and the international community have been accused of being flat-footed in their response to the crisis, in stark contrast to the enthusiastic intervention in Libya that led to Muammar Gaddafi’s ousting in August. The US and Europe have ruled out military intervention and Washington’s push for more aggressive sanctions against Damascus was stymied last week by the UN security council after Russian and Chinese vetoes. The US and Britain this week demanded that the Syrian regime stop intimidating activists abroad. US officials announced the arrest of a Syrian national who they claimed had filmed and threatened activists in Washington and then flown to Damascus to discuss opposition activities inside the US with the president, Bashar al-Assad, and his inner sanctum. Britain called in the Syrian ambassador to warn against using embassy officials to threaten UK-based activists. Amnesty International recently claimed regime monitoring of activists was taking place in around 30 capitals. In Lebanon, the Syrian ambassador Ali Abdul Karim Ali denied claims that Syrian officials had been responsible for the abduction of three opposition activists near Beirut. The Lebanese security force chief, Major General Ashraf Rifi, said the alleged evidence against the embassy was “conclusive”. Sources close to him said they had video evidence, written testimonies and intelligence evidence that proved the embassy was active in the abductions. Ali called on him to publicly reveal what he had. Assad this week claimed that the “most difficult phase” of the uprising had passed. His supporters staged a mass rally inside Damascus, which was cast almost as a victory parade. However, Friday’s protests erupted in areas that the regime was considered to have controlled in recent months. The city of Homs remains out of its control, with armed demonstrators protecting neighbourhoods and the Syrian military stationed on the city’s perimeter. The former Lebanese president Amin Gemayyel said Assad had little option but to continue with the lethal crackdown if he intends to try to cling to power. “Such a regime needs a minimum of brutal repression. Without it he won’t be able to lead the country,” he said. “His regime has been built on fear and repression and if you take that away he has no legitimacy. If the people start to lose their fear he is finished. But they are not there yet.” A protester from Homs said the city feared no one. “Tell Bashar he is finished and we will prevail,” he said. He would not give his name. Syria Middle East Martin Chulov guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Latest Ad Fodder for Romney Opponents: Mitt Praises Ted Kennedy for Securing Federal Support for Mass. Health Law
October 14, 2011 No Comment
**Written by Doug Powers This flashback could be coming to the campaign ads of many GOP hopefuls, not to mention Obama, fairly soon: ***** Reason.com points this out: One other thing to note is that Romney praises Kennedy for helping make the case that federal support was necessary to fund the state-based coverage expansion. Romney Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Michelle Malkin Discovery Date : 09/04/2010 23:00 Number of articles : 6
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As revolutionary forces continue fighting to capture Moammar Gadhafi’s hometown in Libya, NATO’s top official is calling a seven month bombing campaign a “positive story”. (Oct. 14)
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Actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is sharing some of the secrets of the prequel ‘The Thing’ opening in theaters Friday and says the special effects even scared him and some of his cast mates. (Oct. 14)
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The still photo that Google posted earlier wasn’t enough? How about an unboxing of the Ice Cream Sandwich statue right off of the back of the truck? Can you smell that in the air? It’s that “new Android OS” smell. We’re right around the corner. Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Android Phone Fans Discovery Date : 14/10/2011 00:03 Number of articles : 4
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• Defence secretary steps down over links to controversial unofficial adviser Adam Werrity • How the Guardian broke the story 4.32pm: Here is the full text of David Cameron’s letter to Liam Fox. Like Fox, Cameron (left) focuses on his work as defence secretary, especially in Libya and in reforming the finances of the Ministry of Defence. Dear Liam, Thank you for your letter. I understand your reasons for deciding to resign as defence secretary, although I am very sorry to see you go. We have worked closely for these last six years, and you have been a key member of my team throughout that time. You have done a superb job in the 17 months since the election, and as shadow defence secretary before that. You have overseen fundamental changes in the Ministry of Defence and in our armed forces, which will ensure that they are fully equipped to meet the challenges of the modern era. On Libya, you played a key role in the campaign to stop people being massacred by the Gaddafi regime and instead win their freedom. You can be proud of the difference you have made in your time in office, and in helping our party to return to government. I appreciate your commitment to the work of this government, particularly highlighting the need to tackle the deficit, and the relationship between Britain’s economic strength and our national security. You and Jesme have always been good friends, and I have truly valued your support over the years. I will continue to do so in the future. Yours ever, David. Jesme is Fox’s wife, Jesme Baird. 4.23pm: The resignation letter goes into very little detail about his links with Adam Werrity or the allegation that he was in effect running a shadow foreign policy regarding Sri Lanka . He says only that he “mistakenly” allowed the distinction between “my personal interest and my government activities” to become blurred, and that the “consequences” of this have become clearer. David Cameron has said he is very sorry Fox has resigned but “I understand your reasons”. Fox’s was a tricky case to handle for Cameron. The prime minister will not have wanted to alienate his own right wing by being seen to abandon one of their most high-profile standard bearers. Fox was a leadership rival of Cameron’s in 2005 and may have seen himself as a replacement for Cameron one day. In that sense he may be more dangerous for Cameron on the backbenches, where he may become a focus for internal Tory opposition to the prime minister. My colleague Allegra Stratton has written about Fox’s resignation here . She points out that Fox is the first Tory to be forced out of the coalition, and the resignation will trigger the prime minister’s first reshuffle, “an operation he had wanted to hold out doing until half way through the parliament”. It is expected Cameron will perform a limited reshuffle, Allegra writes, merely replacing Fox without going reorganising his entire government line-up. Fox is said to have crumpled under the weight of this week’s revelations and the prospect of another weekend of speculation He could not hold out until the inquiry into his behaviour wound up officially – expected to be at some point next week. The prime minister had always held out the right to exercise his own judgment and keep Fox in his post even if O’Donnell’s report had been critical, but the defence secretary decided to short-circuit the process and limit the personal and political damage. It is understood that Werritty’s appearance before Sir Gus O’Donnell – the man performing the inquiry to establish the propriety of his work – did not impress the cabinet secretary. 4.21pm: Here is Liam Fox’s letter of resignation to the prime minister in full: Dear David, As you know, I have always placed a great deal of importance on accountability and responsibility. As I said in the House of Commons on Monday, I mistakenly allowed the distinction between my personal interest and my government activities to become blurred. The consequences of this have become clearer in recent days. I am very sorry for this. I have also repeatedly said that the national interest must always come before personal interest. I now have to hold myself to my own standard. I have therefore decided, with great sadness, to resign from my post as secretary of state for defence — a position which I have been immensely proud and honoured to have held. I am particularly proud to have overseen the long overdue reforms to the Ministry of Defence and to our armed forces, which will shape them to meet the challenges of the future and keep this country safe. I am proud also to have played a part in helping to liberate the people of Libya, and I regret that I will not see through to its conclusion Britain’s role in Afghanistan, where so much progress has been made. Above all, I am honoured and humbled to have worked with the superb men and women in our armed forces. Their bravery, dedication and professionalism are second to none. I appreciate all the support you have given me – and will continue to support the vital work of this government, above all in controlling the enormous budget deficit we inherited, which is a threat not just to this country’s economic prosperity but also to its national security. I look forward to continuing to represent my constituents in North Somerset. Yours ever, Liam 4.19pm: Tory MP Peter Bone says “it’s typical of Liam to put the country first” in resigning. “I think it was largely a media-driven [story]. I didn’t see the hanging offence, I’m afraid,” says Bone. Here is a bit more detail from Fox’s statement: I mistakenly allowed the distinction between my personal interest and my government activities to become blurred. The consequences of this have become clearer in recent days and I’m sorry for this. 4.14pm: This is the second forced resignation since the coalition was formed. The first was the Lib Dem David Laws, who stepped down soon after becoming chief secretary to the Treasury over his expenses. You can see all of the Guardian’s coverage of the Liam Fox story since June here . 4.12pm: The defence secretary, Liam Fox, has resigned after increasing pressure over his links to his unofficial adviser and best man, Adam Werrity. His office has just confirmed the news. In his resignation statement, Fox said he “mistakenly allowed the distinction between my personal interest and my government activities to become blurred”. 4.10pm: The defence secretary, Liam Fox, has resigned. More details soon … How the Guardian broke the story The Guardian’s Rupert Neate broke this story in June and has led the way in uncovering new developments. Here’s how the story unfolded: 27 June 2011 Government weighs into ‘blackmail’ row over 3M and MRSA test 13 July 2011 US firm 3M could summon Liam Fox to give evidence in blackmail case 7 August 2011 Liam Fox forced into U-turn over legal spat with US multinational 3M 18 August 2011 Liam Fox’s friend set up crucial legal meeting 29 August 2011 Liam Fox under fresh pressure over adviser 4 October 2011 Liam Fox faces questions for allowing former flatmate access to MoD 5 October 2011 Charity created by Liam Fox axed after watchdog issues criticism 7 October 2011 Liam Fox was joined by former flatmate on official visit to Sri Lanka Liam Fox had already been warned over Adam Werritty links Liam Fox, his adviser, and an irregular meeting in Dubai ‘Adviser’ Adam Werritty ran charity from Liam Fox’s office 8 October 2011 Businessman met Fox’s friend two months before ‘chance’ Dubai meeting Emails and video footage pile pressure on beleaguered Liam Fox 10 October 2011 Revealed: how lobbyists were paid to facilitate meeting with Liam Fox Werritty remains silent as spotlight falls on his earning and business dealings 11 October 2011 Liam Fox battles to save career as PM gives only conditional support Liam Fox row: Adam Werritty to be quizzed over sources of income 12 October 2011 Liam Fox furious as friends brief against Werritty 13 October 2011 Liam Fox took five MPs to Washington with donor’s money Labour questions £170,000 cost of Liam Fox’s official advisers Liam Fox faces fresh questions on Sri Lanka links Fox and Werritty joined stag party during taxpayer-funded trip to Dubai 14 October 2011 Rightwing Tories rally to Liam Fox’s side Liam Fox and Adam Werritty links Liam Fox Paul Owen guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …The media despised the Tea Party in its infancy, but now that they're trying to boost the “Occupy Wall Street” (OWS) movement, they're describing the latter as a liberal version of the former, without actually reporting on the hard-left Marxist underpinnings of the protests. NewsBusters publisher Brent Bozell and Fox News's Sean Hannity discussed the media's coverage of OWS plus the media's bias against rising GOP candidate Herman Cain during an October 13 “Media Mash” segment on FNC's “Hannity.” You can watch the full segment in an embedded video below the page break .
Continue reading …$3.6 Million from Soros Backs ‘Occupy Wall Street’, Media Ignore or Downplay Connection
October 14, 2011 No CommentLeft-wing financier George Soros is at it again. While he may claim he’s not behind the Occupy Wall Street protests, funding from his foundations says otherwise. Soros threw his support behind the movement at a United Nations panel on Oct. 3 , “I can sympathize with their grievances.” But he does more than just sympathize, his foundations funded groups that back the protests and steer their “progressive” message. Reuters even posed the question “Who’s behind the Wall St. protests?” on Oct. 13, but downplayed Soros’s actual financial involvement. Even though “Soros and the protesters share some ideological ground,” the story added. But Reuters undersold the connection significantly. The protesters stand by their claim that theirs is purely a grassroots movement. But it is hard to ignore the concerted effort by liberal groups, unions, and other Soros-funded entities that prop-up and fuel the Occupy movement. An echo-chamber of left-wing blogs and news sites that receive Soros cash continues to push the anti-capitalist protest story. Articles repeatedly praise labor and climate activists for their support while denigrating police for their efforts to keep the peace. Organizations that joined the protesters were granted more than $3.6 million from Soros’s Open Society Foundations. On Oct. 5 there was a “march in solidarity with #occupywallstreet” that listed seven such groups out of the 16 overall supporting the protest. Those seven organizations received $3,614,690 from Soros’ Open Society Foundations since the year 2000, with more than $2 million going to Common Cause Education Fund, part of Common Cause, and another $1.1 million to MoveOn.org. Even the protesters admit the hypocrisy of having billionaire Soros and MoveOn.org “joining forces to voice their ‘support’ for an anti-Wall Street movement” and that it ‘should set alarm bells ringing.” Additional funding went to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Community Voices Heard, Coalition for the Homeless, Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP), and 350.org. Those left-wing organizations were joined by their friends in the progressive media. A publication for the protesters, the “ Occupy Wall Street Journal ,” is supported by the Independent Media Center which received more than $70,000 from two parts of the Tides organization. This group donates millions of dollars to liberal causes and is partially funded by Soros. Since 2000, Tides received $25,991,845 from his Open Society Foundations. Reuters only noted the $3.5 million from 2007-2009 but failed to mention the long history of funding and the other $20 million. Tides is made up of the Tides Center, which received $7,537,482, and the Tides Foundation, which got an additional nearly $18,454,363. Adbusters , which Reuters called “an anti-capitalist group in Candada which started the protests,” received $184,721 in Tides money.
Continue reading …A high-flying California sex stunt has caught the attention of FAA officials. They’re investigating two skydivers filmed having sex in a plane before jumping into the wild blue yonder—still in “tandem.” Sky-diving instructor Alex Torres, who also works as a porn actor, made the video in a bid to…
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