Network Archives

Iran’s Rouhani urges end to meddling in private lives

"President-elect Hassan Rouhani called on Wednesday for the government and powerful clergy to end interference in the private lives of the Iranian people, free up Internet access and allow state media to be more open about Iran's problems. Rouhani's comments began to flesh out his message of moderation at home and better relations abroad that contributed to his surprise election victory last month. His election prompted a huge outpouring of support from Iranians hungry for change after eight years of domestic security crackdowns and international confrontation under hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran’s Rouhani urges end to meddling in private lives

New dynamic in Iran’s European ties

"No other Western country has been harmed as a result of Iran sanctions as much as France, which a decade ago was Iran's fifth-largest trade partner. Between 2005 and today, French exports to Iran have shrunk 60% from 2 billion euros (US$2.6 billion) to 800 million euros. US exports to Iran - of computers, cellphones, soft drinks for example - have increased by 50% during the past two years. The French oil giant Total last month was forced to pay a US$400 million fine to the US to end a prosecution in connection with oil contracts in Iran. In 2012, French car maker Peugeot folded business in Iran after 35 years, thus losing the company's largest foreign market." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew dynamic in Iran’s European ties

France and Germany eat their words on US trade talks

"France and Germany have backed down on threats to suspend US trade talks, after the US offered to set up more 'working groups' on data protection. EU leaders meeting in Berlin on Wednesday (3 July) for a summit on youth unemployment said the US trade negotiations will start next week as planned. French President Francois Hollande's spokesman had said on Wednesday morning the talks should be put on hold until the US fully clarifies if it is snooping on EU citizens and bugging EU offices in Brussels, New York and Washington. But on Wednesday evening Hollande said the US offer on extra working groups is good enough." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFrance and Germany eat their words on US trade talks

Diversion of Bolivian president’s plane enrages Latin American leaders

"Latin American leaders slammed European governments on Wednesday for diverting Bolivian President Evo Morales’ plane on rumors it was carrying a wanted former U.S. spy agency contractor, and announced an emergency summit in a new diplomatic twist to the Edward Snowden saga. Heads of state in the 12-nation South American bloc Unasur denounced the 'unfriendly and unjustifiable acts.' 'Latin America demands an explanation,' tweeted Ecuadorean leader Rafael Correa. 'If what happened to Evo does not merit a Unasur summit, I don’t know what does.' The Bolivian government said it had filed a formal complaint with the United Nations." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDiversion of Bolivian president’s plane enrages Latin American leaders

Egyptian army detains ousted president Mohamed Morsi, rounds up Brotherhood leaders

"Morsi’s defence minister, armed forces chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, announced Morsi’s overthrow on state television on Wednesday, even as police began rounding up key Morsi aides and leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of a total of 300 Brotherhood officials, state media reported. US President Barack Obama said he was 'deeply concerned' over Morsi’s ouster and urged the army to refrain to 'arbitrary arrests' of Morsi and his supporters. In May, Washington approved $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt. That was now under review, said Obama, as he called for a swift return to democratic rule." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgyptian army detains ousted president Mohamed Morsi, rounds up Brotherhood leaders

Senator Patrick Leahy: ‘Our law is clear,’ U.S. must cut off aid to Egypt

"'Our law is clear: U.S. aid is cut off when a democratically elected government is deposed by military coup or decree,' Leahy added. 'As we work on the new budget, my committee also will review future aid to the Egyptian government as we wait for a clearer picture. As the world’s oldest democracy, this is a time to reaffirm our commitment to the principle that transfers of power should be by the ballot, not by force of arms.' He cited the Fiscal Year 2012 State Department And Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, which prohibits the U.S. from sending funds to the government of a country whose democratically-elected leader has been deposed by the military." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSenator Patrick Leahy: ‘Our law is clear,’ U.S. must cut off aid to Egypt

Ouster of Egypt’s Morsi creates headache for the U.S.

"Time and again in recent months, Washington has failed to articulate a strong response to controversial moves by Morsi to consolidate power and his reluctance to introduce much-needed economic reforms, content to observe that democracy takes time. After days of unrest and only hours before Morsi was ousted, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Wednesday finally spoke out to criticize Morsi, saying he needed to do more to address the Egyptian people’s concerns. In a telling sign, she also refused to take issue with the military, or to say whether an army takeover would amount to a coup, repeatedly stressing that 'we don’t take sides, as you know.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOuster of Egypt’s Morsi creates headache for the U.S.

Chief Justice Roberts Is Awesome Power Behind FISA Court

"Chief justice of the U.S. is a pretty big job. You lead the Supreme Court conferences where cases are discussed and voted on. You preside over oral arguments. When in the majority, you decide who writes the opinion. You get a cool robe that you can decorate with gold stripes. Oh, and one more thing: You have exclusive, unaccountable, lifetime power to shape the surveillance state. The 11 FISA judges, chosen from throughout the federal bench for seven-year terms, are all appointed by the chief justice. In fact, every FISA judge currently serving was appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts, who will continue making such appointments until he retires or dies." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChief Justice Roberts Is Awesome Power Behind FISA Court

Mentally Ill Prisoner Left To Die On Prison Floor In Oklahoma

"Prison workers refused to treat Williams, saying he was faking paralysis. He remained immobile as workers picked up his body and placed him in a shower cell. He was left there by workers for two hours. Throughout the next three days, Williams remained immobile on his cell floor. He could not reach food or water placed in his cell by prison officials, who still believed he was faking his paralysis. Vomit, saliva, and feces surrounded Williams after days on his cell floor. Prison medical staff checked on Williams and found him almost entirely unresponsive. They returned three hours later to give him CPR. Williams' was pronounced dead shortly after." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMentally Ill Prisoner Left To Die On Prison Floor In Oklahoma

Homicide convictions upheld for faith-healer parents whose daughter died

"Wisconsin and more than a dozen other states have protections in place to keep parents who choose prayer over medical attention from being charged with child abuse. The Neumanns’ attorneys maintain that the law protects parents up through the creation of a potentially lethal situation, making the line where faith-healer parents cross over into criminal liability a blurry one. An Neumann family attorney told the AP that the couple is 'devastated' by the decision. 'They’re still mourning the loss of this child,' said Dale Neumann’s defense lawyer Steven L. Miller. 'From their perspective they felt they were acting in a legal manner.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHomicide convictions upheld for faith-healer parents whose daughter died