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

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.

INTERNET: Piracy: Justice delivered a first cut Internet

 

It took four years after the introduction of Hadopi (High Authority for the dissemination of works and protection of rights on the Internet). The district court of the Seine-Saint-Denis has just made the first cut internet for 15 days for a person convicted of illegally downloaded copyrighted works copyright. The judgment was made in late May, according to the PC Inpact who first revealed Wednesday, June 12 site is subject to a fine of 600 euros.

This ruling comes after three customary warnings required by law. The user affected by this procedure is believed to have hacked "two works." He would always post Inpact PC, especially not responded to warnings in the form of messages and emails. He would not even attend the hearing of the court to decide his fate. Still, it was another 10 days to appeal.

So far, the device fight against illegal downloading under Hadopi had given rise to a money judgment in September 2012. The user was then fined 150 euros for Rihanna songs illegally downloaded by his wife.

Technical difficulties

Internet disconnection is the sanction of last resort under the law. The conviction in late May by the district court arrived at this title at a pivotal moment in the troubled life of the Hadopi law, which was set up under the chairmanship , Presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy. The reason for this high authority, indeed, about to be gutted. The government intends to soon repeal the right to suspend, by court order, the Internet connection. "The decree is in the loop, it must obtain the opinion of the State Council," confirmed to PC Inpact, the French Minister of Culture Aurélie Filippetti.

The recent court decision could also bring grist to the mill of those who argue that the possibility of imposing an Internet disconnection is not effective. The suspension of the connection is, in fact, far from being effective. The implementation of sanctions not obvious. This is, indeed, not full access to the network can be cut, but only the "public" web.

In other words, the ISP (Internet Service Provider) must implement a selective cut. The user is condemned to continue to have access to his mailbox, instant messaging and all that belongs to the private email correspondence. In addition, digital TV and telephone – often involving the same networks as the Internet in three bunches in one – must be maintained. "All the operators do not have the technical capacity to carry out such a selective suspension," admitted Alex Türk, President of the CNIL (National Commission for Informatics and Liberties ) about this judiciaro engineering puzzle.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Exhibited in Paris, the pictures of "martyrs" are controversial Palestinian

 

"Martyrs" for some, "terrorists" for others. It is not uncommon to find in the streets and homes of Palestinian Territories pictures of men who carried out attacks against Israel, and who died in a suicide or were killed by the Israeli army. The iconography of a warrior type is explored by Palestinian photographer Ahlam Shibli, who exhibited his work at the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris until September 1. An exhibition that debate.

More than the photographs, it is their legends that are unacceptable to the CRIF [Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France], which protested against a "glorification of terrorism" and notes that "these People are mostly members of the al-Aqsa Brigades, ISSAL-Cardinal-Qassam Brigades and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), considered a terrorist organization by the Council of the Union European ". CRIF is an example of a photograph representing Osama Buchkar, which, according to legend in the exhibition, "engaged in a martyrdom operation in Netanya." "Actually," said CRIF in a statement, "three people were killed and 59 others injured in Netanya" by this individual.

Confrontation scheduled next Sunday

The Israeli Embassy in France, which sent its services to the museum to see the exhibition, explains in turn have "raised disturbing elements" and in the exhibition and "decided to take the authorities to ask for explanations," according to information obtained by FRANCE 24. For its part, the French Ministry of Culture does not want to react at the moment.

The case is amplified by the Israeli press and relayed over the internet, where circulating petitions and appeals gatherings. An appointment is even set next Sunday, June 16 by pro-Israeli movements to express their discontent. In response, pro-Palestinian groups have called for a "get massively on Sunday preferably to see and judge […] in the interest of this achievement, "wrote the Europalestine site last Saturday. The muséea provided a security strengthened. The scenario looks the same as in 2010, when an exhibition at Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris had created great controversy and turned sour. Again, it was a reflection on the representation of Palestinians, this time via the work of German photographer Kai Wiedenhöfer. The museum had to close its doors for two hours and call the police. The next day the incident was closed and exposure could reopen.

Refusal to explain the conflict

For its part, the Jeu de Paume museum wishes to remain quiet about the subject, not to further fuel the controversy. However, it specifies that the legends were written entirely by Ahlam Shibli, at the request of the artist, and they are an integral part of œ PIECE. The museum recalls that blurb, written by the curators of the exhibition, presents these photographs and descriptions in context. Photograph of Ahlam "suspends the autonomy of the image and flips it into a system that is no longer used for informational purposes only" and believe the commissioners. The work of photographer "avoids own this medium historical obsession, that provide evidence at all costs. His images refuse to explain the conflict. "

The exhibition is not only focused on the Palestinians and their "martyrs". Ahlam Shibli strength to step back by expanding its theme to very remote countries and situations. It explores more generally uprooting, loss of home. For example, within the gay, lesbian and transgender immigrant from the Middle East, among orphans community in Poland, or the registration of memorials in France, celebrating in the same block the French resistance to the Nazis and the French colonial wars fighters. Tension between the subject and its environment, between a buried near death of his enemy. Contradictions in the same place.

The photographer saw itself in Haifa, Israel. And his work, says the blog "red glasses" on the website of Le Monde, is in line with the Israeli photographer Miki Kratsman, who emerged from anonymity and several Palestinian fighters gave a face. It has drawn the portrait (the cons) of Zakaria Zubeidi, leader of the Martyrs Brigades al-Aqsa in Jenin, weapons in hand and staring into the camera. The photograph was published in the Israeli daily Haaretz and then exposed at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

FRANCE: deadly collapse of a building in Reims

 

The toll could still rise. The collapse of a portion of a residential building in Reims Sunday left at least two dead and 10 injured after an explosion likely caused by gas, according to several sources.

"There are two dead and 10 wounded," including one in serious condition told AFP firefighters. The prefect of the Marne Michel Bernard, meanwhile, said on BFM-TV antenna that there was "significant debris clearing" implying the number of victims could be revised upwards.

The cause of the accident remains uncertain for now. "The investigation will determine the (…) the assumption is gas, but this is only a hypothesis," insisted the sub-prefect.

The building, which dates from 1960, has a forty apartments, ten have suffered significant damage.

With news

The U.S. Senate vote to open debate on firearms

 

It is a small victory against Lobbie pro-gun. On Thursday, the U.S. Democrats have received the support of several Republican senators to win the vote for the opening of a historic debate on strengthening the legislation firearms. At a polling procedure with 60 votes out of 100 were required, 68 senators voted for the opening of discussions, 31 against

.

First win, therefore, both the Republican senators, fiercely opposed to any reform concerning firearms have increased this week procedural devices to prevent even holding a debate

.

Check psychiatric history buyers

The White House welcomed the vote, while stressing that it was only a "first step". Vote because it only gives the opportunity for senators to debate the issue. Now remains to convince them to vote on the bottom. More specifically, to vote in favor of one of the measures of the bill, led by Democrat Joe Manchin and Republican Pat Toomey, a history of verifying the , teeth judicial and psychiatric buyers of firearms in specialized fairs or online. For now, only stores are subject to mandatory control.

"We have an agreement […] to prevent criminals, the mentally ill and unbalanced to obtain weapons," said Joe Manchin. "If you visit frequently, you will be treated the same way as in a store, subject to audit," he added.

This measure, supported by nine out of ten Americans, however, denounced by lobbies such as the National Rifle Association (NRA), who see a risk of undermining the Second Amendment and the opportunity for the government to establish a national database of gun owners. The path to legislation could still be marked obstacles and fears Barack Obama to see most of his proposals rendered meaningless by a series of amendments.

"Their death must have meaning"

U.S. President relies on the trauma of the school massacre Sandy Hook, Newtown, in December 2012, the senators to convince of the merits of a stricter legislation on the control of firearms.

Thursday's election was also held under the gaze of several relatives of victims of the shooting. Earlier, during a press conference in an atmosphere heavy with emotion, they had testified before the cameras to call the Senate to take measures against arms violence.

"Their death deserves to have a meaning," he told Jillian Soto, the sister of a teacher killed in Newtown. "We are here to protect their heritage, to honor them and demand that something be done."

With despatches

CYPRUS: London airlifting one million euros for its staff in Cyprus

 

This is the story of the British aircraft that was worth a million. "An aircraft of the Royal Air Force took off for Cyprus this afternoon (…) in the context of exceptional measures to provide emergency loans to military personnel and their families" , said Tuesday, March 19, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

This decision was taken by surprise fear Cypriot banks running out of money. Nicosia, on the edge of bankruptcy, forceps negotiates the terms of its financial bailout with the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Cyprus does not digest the tax on bank deposits required in the famous rescue plan. Pending a final agreement and prevent stampedes at the counters, island banks are closed and will not reopen until Thursday, March 21.

The UK Department also contacted members of his staff to ask if they wanted their salary for the month of March and the following months will be paid into bank accounts in the UK, rather on bank accounts in Cyprus.

"We are determined to do everything possible to minimize the impact of the banking crisis in Cyprus on our citizens," added the spokesman.

Approximately 3,000 British troops are based in Cyprus, former colony and strategic point in the Mediterranean.

FRANCE: French alleged jihadist arrested in Mali, another deported to France

 

They are now number two. French jihadist was recently captured in northern Mali, while another man with dual nationality, arrested in November in the center of the country was expelled on 5 March to France and placed in custody on Thursday.

The arrest is the latest result of taking a "half-dozen" jihadists after fierce fighting that pitted these days the French forces and Chadian Islamists in the massif of Adra Ifoghas in northern Mali, officials said Thursday night a source close to the case, confirming a report given by the French daily Liberation. 

The other jihadist alleged Franco-Malian nationality, was arrested on November 3 at Sévaré in the center of the country, the authorities in Bamako. Aziz Ibrahim Ouattara, 25, is suspected of trying to join jihadist groups operating in the region. At the time of his arrest, he traveled with the identification of a certain Dramé Khalifa. This has also been placed in custody Tuesday in the premises of the Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI) in Levallois (Hauts-de-Seine), according to the ME I source.

The French Minister of Defence, who makes a surprise visit Thursday from Mali, confirmed Tuesday the expulsion of the latter to France. "We made a French prisoner who will be extradited to France in times to come," said Defence Minister on Europe 1. "This shows that there was the creation of a kind of chain terrorist war that could accommodate some young people in search of a destiny radical as some have to go before Afghanistan or Syria, "said Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Already indicted in 2010

The man was already known to the French police. In November 2010, he was indicted under suspicion of planned attack against the rector of the Paris Mosque, Boubakeur. During this investigation, nine people have been indicted.

The case of Aziz Ibrahim Ouattara was particularly interested investigators, because of stays abroad, particularly in Yemen and Pakistan, where apprentice terrorist sought to rally combat zones. Arrested in Egypt in the fall of 2010, he was sent to France and then remanded in custody before being released in July 2012 and placed under controlled and the judiciary.

Forbidden to leave the country, however, man is able to obtain a false identity and join the Mali through Portugal.

With despatches

FOOTBALL: Ligue 1: Lyon turns head, Montpellier finally wins

 

AFP – Lyon, with goals in Vercoutre, temporarily took the lead of the Championship of France by ending the unbeaten Valenciennes (3-2), while Montpellier was given a little air with his first win at Sochaux (3-1), Saturday, for the account of the fourth day.

OL, with 10 points, going so temporarily to Marseille (9 points), which may go up to his throne on success Sunday against Rennes.

After the setback in Valenciennes Gerland, Marseille is now the only team not to have conceded a goal this season in Ligue 1.

A Gerland, it was a special game. Lloris, who signed for Tottenham, came to do a lap of honor and farewell before the game. And his successor, Vercoutre, lived a very emotional evening. The former understudy, playing only his 63rd match of L1 in 32 years, committed an error of judgment on the first goal northerner, but had nothing to reproach himself on the second, showing even strong late in the game.

"It was a bit complicated these days, told Vercoutre, star of the day. I have not slept too well. I did not know, personally, what sauce I would be eaten. "

The first two goals were scored by Lyon Bastos and Gomis, two players who have had to leave the summer transfer window, according to the wishes of President Jean-Michel Aulas, in full austerity. The third goal of the OL, superb, was the work of Grenier, promising young Lyon, who also could go through an exchange of players with Nice. But coach Remi Garde was opposed and had to say Saturday that he had done.

Giuly first goal

Not to mention that aborted departures to Lyon, note the very good match Malbranque, a ghost, who despite his 32 years, has made a full match, in real boss.

The other event of the evening was the first victory of the season champion title in France, Montpellier, who occupied a position unworthy of his rank before that day: 18th with one small point. Montpellier is now 12th.

The inspiration called Belhanda, which led to a penalty and is responsible for sending the goals in Sochaux, rust machine. And Herrera, rookie offensive instructed to forget Giroud scored his second goal in L1. Cabella finished the work late in the game, after a score reduction Privat (3-1).

"We missed our start to the season, we still lacked something, we need to power up," said the micro BeInSport the side Montpellier Bedimo.

The situation is catastrophic for Sochaux, red lantern without any point. Martin's departure to Lille was not digested.

The beautiful story of Saturday's third place Lorient, who won 3-0 against Nancy, with, notably, the first goal of the season Giuly.  

Saint-Etienne, who had sprayed Brest (4-0) last weekend, went for a walk in Bastia (3-0) with a gem of a goal to toe Aubameyang, who smuggler was also decisive.

In other matches, Ajaccio beat Evian (2-0) defeated Brest Troyes on the wire (2-1) while Toulouse and Reims are neutralized (1-1).

Sunday is the game that everyone expects, Lille-Paris SG. With this question: PSG will he finally win this season after three draws, two non-profit?

Carlo Ancelotti can count on Ibrahimovic but not Thiago Silva, still injured.

SOUTH AFRICA: sum Lonmin employees strikers to resume work on Monday

 

The mining company Lonmin summoned Sunday Marikana strikers back to work Monday morning, under penalty of "possible layoffs," three days after the shooting that killed 34 people on this site extraction of platinum from northern South Africa.

"The final ultimatum was postponed to Monday 20 following the events of Thursday," said Gillian Findlay, Lonmin spokesperson in an email to AFP, "final ultimatum gives employees a last chance to return to work or face a possible firing."

"The employees could be fired if they did not comply with the ultimatum," insists spokesman. 

Interviewed in the morning by AFP, striking miners said they would refuse to return to work out of respect for their 34 comrades killed by the police and if management re , was laying not their wage demands.

"Expect us to return to work, this is an insult. Many of our friends and colleagues are dead and we expect that return to work, ever, "said a worker, Zachariah Mbewu, ensuring that none of his friends would not be present at his post Monday .

"There are people in prison and the hospital. Tomorrow, we return to the mountain but does not descend into the mine unless the owners give us what we demanded, "he added.

The hill was held Thursday repression remained deserted Sunday.

The police were discreet about housing miners going about their daily lives but the anger remained high.

"We expect that management expressed. Tomorrow we will not work if they do not listen to our demands for wage increases, "said Fezile Magxaba a foreman Marikana.

"People are dead. We are angry. If they resumed work, it would be like if they had died for nothing, "he said while her laundry at a communal tap.

The police response was 34 dead and 78 wounded by the police also arrested 259 people. An investigation must determine the exact circumstances of the outbreak of the shooting. Police said they acted in self-defense against miners armed with knives who loaded.