Prism scandal: the NSA had intercepted 56,000 private emails per year

 

The National Security Agency (NSA) may have "inadvertently" and illegally intercepted private emails to 56,000 per year between 2008 and 2011 as part of a program that a secret court found that may have violated the laws and the Constitution of the United States, show documents published Wednesday, August 21.

These previously classified secret documents were declassified by the White House, trying to fall the scandal caused by revelations of Edward Snowden computer on the extent monitoring programs for U.S. intelligence agencies. 

According to U.S. officials, the documents show that programs to collect information that led the NSA to intrude "inadvertently" on the private lives of Americans were identified , s and corrected.

The interception of emails between U.S. citizens should normally be authorized by a warrant.

But this was not the case, which led to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), a secret court that oversees intelligence activities in question in 2011 on the legality , shares of the NSA. 

The extrajudicial collection of tens of thousands of emails seemed "in certain respects, lacking legal and constitutional basis," has found John Bates, a magistrate of the FISC, in October 2011, we read in one of declassified documents Wednesday.

According to U.S. officials and a court document declassified by the White House, the NSA has decided to "destroy" these collected "inadvertently" and strengthen its procedures.

"When there is a complex operation in terms of technology, in which thousands of people are involved, there are bound to be mistakes," pleaded one American intelligence official. 

NSA happen annually screened some 250 million emails in the world and millions of telephone conversations.

Reuters

PRESIDENTIAL MALI: Mali: IBK named the winner of the presidential election by his rival Soumaila Cisse

 

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, known as IBK, should soon be officially proclaimed president of Mali after being congratulated by his opponent, Soumaila Cisse, who recognized Monday, August 12 defeat after the second round of the presidential election. "My family and I went to Mr. Keita, future president of Mali, congratulate him on his victory. God bless Mali ", wrote Monday unsuccessful candidate on his Twitter account.

Soumaila Cisse made the announcement even before the publication of the results of the second round. The former Minister of Finance decided to concede defeat when it became clear qu'IBK was head Gao even the most largest city in the north of Mali. Estimates for two-thirds of the ballots gave, indeed, a very large advance IBK.

After the first round of 28 July, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita had obtained 39.79% of the vote against 19.70% for his rival, and went heavily favored in the second round. He had obtained the rallying 22 25 candidates eliminated.

A daunting task for the winner

Despite some marginal irregularities, Malian and international observers praised the conduct of the election. "This election, in terms of democratic norms, is a follow one another s ", told Louis Michel, head of the observation mission of the European Union. "This is an election that now allows Mali to start the conclusion of an ongoing process: the return to a normal democracy," he added.

"This was an important step in the transition to Mali to peace and reconciliation, said the Special Representative of the UN, Bert Koenders. There were small imperfections […] but no violence was impressive in a country emerging from conflict only. "

After the victory of IBK will be officially confirmed, the cacique of the Malian political life of 68 years will prioritize to open negotiations with the Tuareg in the north, whose uprising in early 2012 led Mali to the brink of collapse.

The lack of protest from Soumaila Cisse should give the former prime minister the authority to also engage in discussions on the preservation of the unity of Mali, to reform the army and to tackle endemic corruption found in the circles of power. 

This presidential election is expected to close open in March 2012 by a coup of junior officers unhappy with the failure of the then President parenthesis Amadou Toumani Toure, to quell a rebellion Touareg.

The Movement for the uniqueness and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), one of three major Islamic groups at work in 2012 in the north of Mali, had threatened to disrupt the dice , bearing the presidential election, but it has not happened while the UN is currently deploying a peacekeeping of 12,600 peacekeepers, known Minusma.

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DR CONGO: Fighting murderers around Goma, the UN ready to use "military force"

 

These are the heaviest fighting for nine months. At least 130 people died in 24 hours in clashes between the Congolese army and rebels of the Movement of 23 March (M23) around Goma. According to the UN mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), the M23 has strengthened its positions around the city using the "heavy artillery" and shielded. Given the intensity of the violence, the UN said they were ready to use Monday, July 15th "armed force" to halt a rebel advance.

Monday noon, shots were heard from the northern districts of Goma, the regional capital of North Kivu. Several Congolese army tanks fired at the positions of the M23, found a photographer from AFP. This reporter has also crossed a thousand refugees crowded into Goma.  

By late morning in Kinshasa, the government spokesman, Lambert Mende, had assured the press that the army had "inflicted heavy losses" to the rebels. According to him, 120 rebels M23 and 10 soldiers were killed. But no record could be obtained from the M23 or from independent sources.

Rebels and government reject the initiative of fighting

The M23 is made up of former Congolese soldiers mutinied and found, according to the DRC and the UN support – in men and ammunition – from Ugandan and Rwandan governments. But these two neighboring countries deny any assistance M23.

The new fighting began early Sunday afternoon at a dozen kilometers from Goma, in the villages and Mutaho Kibati. But since rebels and Congolese government rejected the initiative of new fighting.

Lambert Mende assured that the Congolese rebels, "backed by Rwandan regular troops" had "attacked" the positions of the armed forces. For its part, the M23 said he condemned "in the strongest terms the resumption of war initiated by the Congolese government," in a statement released at night .

Finally, Rwanda accused Monday night the DRC army and MONUSCO have "deliberately" bombed two villages Rwandan border. According to General Joseph Nzabamwita, spokesperson of the Rwandan army, two shells landed in villages and Kageshi Gasiza, no injuries, and it was of "a deliberate act of provocation. " UN troops in a state of "alert" In November 2012, the M23 Goma had occupied for ten days after the army quickly defeated yet supported by UN peacekeepers . The rebels withdrew from the town under pressure from countries in the region in exchange for the opening of negotiations with the government of Laurent-Désiré Kabila.

But these discussions started in December in Kampala have not advanced much since they are denying the government expanded the political and social level.

The UN, which maintains 17,000 peacekeepers in the DRC, had been taken to the end of 2012 for its failure to protect the people of North Kivu. The United Nations has since imposed a framework agreement signed in Addis Ababa on 24 February: all countries of the region committed themselves not to support rebel movements operating in the eastern DRC.

Monday, spokesman Martin Nesirky UN issued a warning from New York: MONUSCO has "placed its troops on alert. (She) is ready to take all necessary measures and this includes the use of military force to protect civilians, "he said. "Any attempt by the M23 heading towards Goma will be considered a direct threat against civilians," he added.

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Crash in San Francisco: a third victim has died

 

A third person, injured July 6 in the crash of Asiana flight 214 to San Francisco, succumbed to his injuries, said Friday the San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH).

The victim, a "minor" whose condition was "critical" for a week, died Friday morning, said in a statement setting .

His death adds to those of two Chinese girls, declared dead the day of the crash.

"A minor who was injured in the crash of Asiana Airlines died this morning. This is a girl who was in critical condition and died of his injuries, "said the hospital.

"Parents have asked us not to give additional information (on the victim) for the moment," added the facility.

Two injured treated SFGH, which hosted the largest number of injuries after the accident, are still in critical condition.

The first results of the investigation into the cause of the crash, led by the U.S. Agency Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), indicate that the aircraft was much too slow and too low in its approach to the runway.

The tail section broke off after hitting a dike separating the trail of a body of water. The plane then crashed into the stomach, before catching fire.

The pilot of the plane, which was being qualified on the Boeing 777 co-pilot and his instructor, which was the first flight as a trainer, have started talking among themselves low speed of the aircraft at the last minute, less than ten seconds before the crash, according to conversations recorded by the black boxes.

The Asiana Airlines flight 214, the second South Korean company, was carrying 307 people, 123 of which are from the accident unscathed.

AFP

CINEMA: "Hijacking" Somali piracy seen by the Danish Film

 

To make a force of international news, attacks of Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean would one day be brought to the big screen. This fall, the United States, is expected "Captain Phillips", a film by Paul Greengrass with Tom Hanks and Catherine Keener in the title roles, which returns to the recent hijacking of a cargo U.S..

Outside Hollywood, Danish cinema has also discussed the issue with "Hijacking", panting and effective thriller Tobias Lindholm who, after receiving a warm welcome at the last Festival Venice, out Wednesday, July 10 in French theaters. 

Far from Hollywood guns

"Hijacking" back on two recently held hostage by Somali pirates on Danish oil and the film could have been lost in the water, sometimes disorders of the film "inspired by facts re , LIVE "in which more than a filmmaker could not avoid the wreck. But control and dexterity with which Tobias Lindholm directs his story – and plans held camera – allow him to avoid the many pitfalls of such .

The main highlight of this deeply human drama is in two characters: on one side, the ragged and bon vivant Mikkel (Pilou Asbaek), chef of the crew forced to play intermediate between pirates and employers, on the other, the austere Peter (Soren Malling), CEO of the Danish owner of the cargo company, which insists on not wanting to negotiate that & rsquo , with the attackers present on the ship. More than a meticulous reconstruction of a news story, "Hijacking" portrays two men brought, despite themselves, to manage an extreme emergency.

In fact, Tobias Lindholm is far from Hollywood guns. Here, no martial music, finely chopped editing, slow motion sequences heroic or breast tears with families of the hostages desperately waiting for news. The storming of the ship, which could ensure a great time sensational, is not even shown on the screen

.

Claustrophobia and intimate violence

The action scenes vitamin content, the Danish filmmaker rather claustrophobic anxiety of the hostages, cloistered in tiny cabins for months and Calvary subdued violence cold negotiations sanitized offices of Danish oil company.

Along the way, the film leaves its protagonists gradually shed their stereotypical traits to be in the public eye. Peter, for example, is not an uncompromising and ruthless boss with fine glasses. It is measured as a man whose sense of responsibility willingly push to pay any ransom to ensure the safe life for its employees.

Similarly, Omar (Abdihakin Asgar), the English spokesman for pirates, is more affable than actually threatening. In fact, Tobias Lindholm is careful to portray the attackers as bloodthirsty villains, and no hesitation to show in one of the few scenes of the film hope , trying to sing "Happy Birthday" with their hostages.

What good, after all?

But taking and well-crafted as it is, "Hijacking" ultimately not escape the question "why bother?" Neither pure entertainment or documentary – despite his relentless accuracy when it comes to restoring the facts – the film was not even the ambition to scrutinize, as brilliantly done Kathryn Bigelow "Zero Dark Thirty" the mecha , mechanisms leading to violence and moral sacrifice. 

In the press release of the film, Tobias Lindholm says "Somalis certainly will not agree with that, but the giant fridges sail off their country and I can understand why starving kids want to take it. Why the international community does it do anything? This is a terribly complicated problem. "

Essentially told the Danish point of view, the movie bears no little interest to the geopolitical issues that can lead to acts of piracy in this region. Film captivating and cleverly staged, "Hijacking" remains in the background, too to the surface to create an entire membership.

"Bloody Sunday" and "United 93", made, them, by Paul Greengrass, also followed this path of realistic reproduction of facts which, in spite of many qualities, let viewers a taste of too little. "Bloody Sunday" came back on the events of 30 January 1972 in Northern Ireland, when 14 protesters were killed by gunfire in the British army while "United 93" told the dice , tournement, September 11, the plane that crashed near Pittsburgh.

Hopefully his "Captain Phillips" fits into the no Kathryn Bigelow, which can not cease to admire the ability to overcome the constraints of strict reconstruction to better probe the complexity of the world.

FOOTBALL: Jose Mourinho returns to Chelsea for four years

 

Portuguese Jose Mourinho, who had led the club between 2004 and 2007, will be the next coach of Chelsea for the next four seasons, announced Monday the English club to win the Europa League.

"I am delighted to wish a return to Chelsea Jose. His ambition, his continued success and will make a perfect candidate, "said Ron Gourlay in a statement posted on the club website, the last third of England Championship.

"Our goal is to always move forward to achieve greater success in the future and José is our No.1 choice because we believe he is the right manager to do this work, "said Ron Gourlay.

Jose Mourinho, 50, was at the head of Real Madrid until Saturday. During his first visit, he had won two championships (2005, 06), one FA Cup (2007) and two English League Cups.

With the Real, in the last three seasons, Jose Mourinho has taken a particular Spanish League and King's Cup.

AFP

Cleveland: Ariel Castro himself as a "sexual predator" according to U.S. media

 

Handcuffed, staring at the ground, the bus driver unemployed 52 years, suspected of having kidnapped and raped three young Americans in his Cleveland home, n has not uttered a word during his court appearance of the city. The judge, who informed him of his charges, four to three for rape and kidnapping, has set a bond of two million dollars for each case, eight million in total, s' ensuring the maintenance of the suspect in custody.

According to Kathleen Demetz, appointed lawyer Ariel Castro, he should be placed under special supervision to prevent suicide attempt.

In addition, some media have revealed the existence of notes that would have been produced by the accused, but the police confirmed the allegations

"Sexual predator"

According to local media, the man called himself the "sexual predator" who need help in a note dated 2004. According to the tweet stream journalist Scott Taylor, local television WOIO, a note was discovered, among dozens of other evidence gathered by the police searching his home on that reads, "I am a sexual predator. I need help, "says the journalist.

In an apparent reference to the victims, the note says: "They are here against their will because they made the mistake of getting in the car with a total stranger." "I do not know why I am looking for another, I've got two."

According to Scott Taylor, the suspect wrote that he wanted to commit suicide and "give all [its] savings [its] victims." The Police Chief Ed Tomba Cleveland seemed to confirm the existence of this note at a press conference Wednesday. "I can not talk about the discovery of evidence, there more than 200 who were gathered in the house of Seymour Avenue, all will be investigated, "said the head of the local police.

The veil is lifted gradually on the conditions of detention

The conditions of detention of the victims continue to be disclosed to the dropper.  

According to the deputy chief of police in Cleveland, Ed Tomba, the three women would be out of the house where they were trapped only two brief occasions, only to go into the garage silver medal win , s have had to "disguise".

The police chief Michael McGrath confirmed that "they were tied" after finding "the chains and ropes in the hallway." "They were not in the same room, but they knew each other and knew that the others were there," said Ed Tomba, without confirming press reports why young women are repeatedly fell pregnant.  

A neighbor, Roberto Diaz, quoted by the Washington Post, says Ariel Castro participated in marches in honor of the missing girls or leafleting.

Uncle Ariel Castro, Julio, however, says that his nephew was isolated from the family after his father's death in 2004, the disappearance of Gina, a year after that Amanda and two years after that of Michelle.

In 2005, the former wife of Castro Grimilda Figueroa, who died last year, had filed a complaint against him, accusing him of having "often removed" two daughters and having "prevented from being with [their] mother." 

The court documents indicate, moreover, that Grimilda Figueroa had twice broken nose, broken ribs, dislocated shoulders, and she had asked the judge "to prevent , cher [Castro] to threaten to kill. "

"A happy and sad day"

The side of the victims, the day Wednesday was full of emotion for Amanda Berry, 27, and Gina DeJesus, 23, who reunited with their families while Michelle Knight, 32 years, remained hospitalized in Cleveland. "This is a happy and sad day for Amanda also because his mother is no longer there," he told a cousin Amanda. Louwana Miller died in March 2006 "sorrow" according to his family.

Concealing her face under a hoodie, Gina DeJesus, who was abducted in 2004, returned to the family home whose facade was decorated with a multitude of balloons. "I always clamp to believe," said his mother, Nancy Ruiz, "This is my greatest gift of Mother's Day" (Sunday in the U.S. ).

The impact of the case is such that the first lady told Wednesday morning that his heart was "full of relief." "Imagine losing a child first, and then do not know s' it is alive, dead or wounded, keep hope for ten years and finally have his prayers answered is surely the most beautiful Mother's Day gift, "he told Michelle Obama.

The brothers cleared the brothers Ariel Castro, who were arrested along with him but against whom no charge has been retained in this case were released. "Ariel took everyone away," said the deputy chief of police in Cleveland.

With news

SYRIA: New resignation Moaz al-Khatib, head of the Syrian opposition

 

The head of the opposition Syrian Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib was again presented his resignation Saturday, citing the "inaction" of the international community in the conflict, when the armed e Bashar al-Assad progressed in Homs border of Lebanon.

New macabre discoveries reflected once again the horror of war that knows no respite for two years, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (OSDH) identifying at least 80 people killed in five days in a town near Damascus. 

While his army scores against the rebels in the south of the country, the official SANA news agency reported that Assad felt that "the situation was better in Syria through resistance of the Syrian people and their support for his brave army. "

Reiterating recent remarks, he re-emphasized his intransigence, saying he would "not compromise with extremist and terrorist groups," which he likens the rebels.

Addressing a Lebanese delegation, he also said that Syria and Lebanon will "abort all foreign conspiracies to implement a new Sykes-Picot" re doing , preferably in a Franco-British agreement in 1916 for the partition of the Ottoman Empire. 

Given the stalemate in the conflict that has claimed more than 70,000 deaths, according to the UN, Mr. Khatib submitted for the second time in his resignation, "to protest the lack of action international community to help the Syrian "people, according to a member of the Coalition opposition.

The resignation comes after the meeting Saturday of the "Friends of Syria" in Istanbul during which Washington announced the doubling of its direct assistance and delivery of defensive military equipment but still no heavy weapons that the opposition claims emphatically.

Known for his outspokenness, Mr. Khatib has always criticized the inaction of the international community to the bloodshed in Syria.

A member of the Coalition told AFP that the opposition would meet on May 10 and 11 to elect a new leader, the Charter of the Coalition requiring that the mandate of its pre President is voted on every six months.

The army scores

On the ground, the army marked points on two strategic fronts, near Damascus and in Homs, bordering Lebanon, which connects the capital to the coast.

So she took Sunday "full control" of the village of al-Fadl Jdeidit where OSDH has identified at least 80 dead, many rebels killed in bombings, battles and execu summary executions. 

The organization released videos of the body or face brutally tortured horribly mutilated.

Troops seeking to prevent the entry of rebels in Damascus bombing intensely insurgent pockets on the outskirts.

In the region of Homs (center), the army was moving towards the rebel stronghold of Qousseir after taking several surrounding villages, according to the OSDH and Damascus.

According to the Observatory, the troops are supported by Hezbollah fighters.

Hezbollah fighters "inch on the ground, while the army gives them air cover," he told AFP Hadi al-Abdallah, an activist in antirégime Qousseir. 

This situation is reflected in Lebanon, where three new shells fired from Syria are slaughtered in the Hermel region, a stronghold of Hezbollah, causing no casualties, according to the Lebanese news agency.

For a week, the rebels draw towards this region, claiming respond to the participation of Hezbollah fighting.

The Syrian opposition has also ordered Hezbollah "immediately withdraw its forces from Syrian territory," arguing that the involvement of the Shiite party "could result in Lebanon and the region in conflict open to destructive consequences. "

AFP

VATICAN: Pope Meeting between François unique and Benedict XVI in an atmosphere of "family"

 

Ten days after his election, Pope François met Saturday at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, Benedict XVI's predecessor, became "Pope emetic rite "in the wake of the waiver to the papal throne in late February.

The pontiff Argentina, aged 76, arrived shortly before 11:30 (10:30 GMT) by helicopter to the papal summer residence, near the lake of Albano, where he was greeted at the descent of the aircraft by Benedict XVI.  

The two men in white were hugged and then went to pray together in the chapel of the papal palace of the seventeenth century, before a private meeting of three quarters of an hour followed by lunch in pre presence of the two secretaries.

The atmosphere was "family," said the Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi.

When the pope and his predecessor went to the chapel to pray, Benedict XVI presented to Pope Francis kneelers at the altar, the place of honor reserved e to the pontiff, but he declined the offer, said Father Lombardi.

"We are brothers, we pray together," said Francis, faithful to its image of simplicity and humility. 

During their private meeting, the two men have probably talked about the challenges facing the Catholic Church, especially in the wake of the scandal "VatiLeaks" and whose acuity has led Benoy , t XVI, 85, to resign, saying that the state of his forces was no longer compatible with the exercise of its functions.

The last day of his pontificate, February 28, Benedict XVI is committed to evidence of "unconditional submission" to his successor.

He lived in Castel Gandolfo until April, the time to complete the repairs to the Mater Ecclesiae convent, located in the enclave Vatican, where he settled with books and orange. 

The waiver of a previous pontiff, a rare thing, was in December 1294, when Celestine V had decided to abandon the head of the Catholic Church, their silver medal win five months , s he took office, to find his life as a hermit. He died a year and a half later.

But nothing indicates that Celestin had then met his successor, Boniface VIII, which made this meeting in Castel Gandolfo a "first" in the history of the Church.

In 1415, Gregory XII had also resigned under pressure from the Council of Pisa, in order to end the Great Schism, but forced forced departure was more akin to a evidence that a voluntary surrender.

Reuters

KOREAN PENINSULA: North Korea identifies the first target in the South

 

The leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un named the small South Korean island of Baengnyeong near the maritime border between North and South Yellow Sea, as ITS INTERNATIONAL re target in case of conflict with Seoul, the official press reported Tuesday North Korea. This small island with 5000 inhabitants is also home to many military units.

"Kim Jong-un visited the disputed border between north and south [Pyongyang disputes the maritime boundary between the two Koreas, drawn by the UN silver medal win , s the Korean War (1950-1953), ed]. He now leads a new challenge in this area where several islands are claimed by North Korea, "said Sébastien Falletti, FRANCE 24 correspondent in Seoul.

"Thermonuclear War" Pyongyang has also openly threatened the United States while Seoul and Washington Monday began joint military exercises. North Korea has raised the specter of a "thermonuclear war" and warned the United States that they would face a "preventive nuclear strike."

"The world will (…) how our army and people shatter manigancées collective punishment by the United States war and unrest and defend their dignity , and their nuclear status thrower satellites. These are not empty words, "warned a North Korean newspaper quoted by the weekly" Courrier International ".

But beyond the rhetoric of war, Pyongyang may be put out his threats? "Kim Jong-un turned up the pressure, at least in speech, and threatens the United States of catastrophic consequences. But if he takes action, there will be a direct replica of Washington. A replica that would be catastrophic for North Korea, the United States has a superior technology indisputable ", explains the FRANCE 24 correspondent.

"Breaking the back of your enemies"

Originally this explosive litigation, the successful launch of a rocket in December considered by Seoul and its allies as a ballistic missile, followed by a third I nuclear test in February, new sanctions passed Friday, March 8 by the Security Council of the UN.

In November 2010, Pyongyang had already bombed an island, that of Yeonpyeong, also close to the maritime border, killing four South Koreans. "Once the order given, you will break the back of demented enemies, cut their throats and thus show clearly what a real war," said Kim Jong-un, according to comments reported by the official news agency KCNA North Korea.

An official of the island under Kim Young-Gu, said shelters for civilians were ready to welcome the people and all villages were on alert. "There is not really a mass exodus of people panicked to the continent, but to be quite frank, it was a little scared," he told AFP.

With despatches