Black sites we can believe in: US Secret Prison Still Operating On Bagram Air Base --While two of the prisoners were captured before the Obama administration took office, one was captured in June of this year. 29 Nov 2009 An American military detention camp in Afghanistan is still secretly holding inmates for sometimes weeks at a time and without access to the International Committee of the Red Cross, according to human rights researchers and former detainees held at the site on the Bagram Air Base. The site, known to detainees prisoners as the black jail, consists of individual windowless concrete cells, each illuminated by a single light bulb glowing 24 hours a day. In interviews, former prisoners said that their only human contact was at twice-daily interrogation sessions... While Mr. Obama signed an order to eliminate so-called black sites run by the Central Intelligence Agency in January, that order did not apply to this jail, which is run by military Special Operations forces. Military officials said as recently as this summer that the Afghanistan jail and another like it at the Balad Air Base in Iraq were being used to interrogate high-value detainees. And officials said recently that there were no plans to close the jails.
Canada bill clears way to sue foreign torturers 26 Nov 2009 An opposition lawmaker unveiled Thursday proposed legislation that would allow victims of torture to sue the perpetrators, including foreign states and officials, in Canadian courts. "Our present legislation criminalizes torture, war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide -- the most heinous acts known to humankind," said opposition Liberal MP and former justice minister Irwin Cotler. "But Canadian law does not allow a civil remedy for the victims of such horrific acts. This legislation will: address the evil of such international crimes; target the impunity of those states and officials that perpetrate these crimes; remove the state immunity that operates to shield the perpetrators of such crimes; and finally allow Canadian victims to secure justice."
'Gatherings that may disturb the public order must not take place.' Denmark approves new police powers ahead of Copenhagen --Controversial legislation gives police sweeping powers of 'pre-emptive' arrest and extends custodial sentences for acts of civil disobedience 27 Nov 2009 The Danish parliament today passed legislation which will give police sweeping powers of "pre-emptive" arrest and extend custodial sentences for acts of civil disobedience. The "deeply worrying" law comes ahead of the UN climate talks which start on 7 December and are expected to attract thousands of activists from next week. Under the new powers, Danish police will be able to detain people for up to 12 hours whom they suspect might break the law in the near future. Protesters could also be jailed for 40 days under the hurriedly drafted legislation dubbed by activists as the "turmoil and riot" law. The Danish ministry of justice said that the new powers of "pre-emptive" detention would increase from 6 to 12 hours and apply to international activists... The Danish police also separately issued a statement in August applying new rules and regulations for protests at the climate conference, warning that "gatherings that may disturb the public order must not take place".
Wisconsin health officers can order guards be put on infectious people --Douglas County joins others in state with isolation and quarantine policy 27 Nov 2009 Wisconsin counties have a little-known policy that allows forced isolation or quarantine of people using armed law enforcement and deputized civilians. This is to help health officials in a worst-case scenario to contain outbreaks... The policy includes isolating people infected or even suspected of being infected with a contagious disease such as tuberculosis or in a flu pandemic. Douglas County Health Officer Deb Clasen says every county health officer in the state can now order that guards be put on infectious people. Washburn County Sheriff Terry Dryden says this is a tool that may be needed at flu vaccination clinics as well.
'U.S. Forces--Iraq' 'Multi-National' to drop from U.S. unit names in Iraq 28 Nov 2009 One of the last vestiges of the "coalition of the willing" [bribed] in Iraq will soon be retired. As part of a consolidation of its command structure ahead of next year’s planned troop reductions, the U.S. military will drop the "Multi-National" name from its unit designations starting in January. Under the plan, the top two levels of the U.S. command, known as Multi-National Forces--Iraq and Multi-National Corps--Iraq, will be merged and renamed U.S. Forces--Iraq. The U.S. command that oversees training of Iraqi forces will also fall into the new command.
Iraq War was legal but not 'legitimate' 28 Nov 2009 The Iraq War was legal but not "legitimate" for a democratic country, Britain's former UN ambassador said yesterday. Sir Jeremy Greenstock told the Iraq inquiry that the 2003 invasion did not have the backing of the UN or the majority of British people, "so there was a failure to establish legitimacy". He said he believed the US and the UK could establish legality under UN resolutions if Iraq was shown to have breached disarmament rules. But a "final" verdict was never likely to be made. [Right, just as the 9/11 terror attacks were carried out by Bush, to establish the legitimacy of his p_Residency. --LRP]
US lamestream media *finally* reports Chilcot inquiry: UK diplomat: US was 'hell bent' on Iraq invasion 27 Nov 2009 The United States was "hell bent" on a 2003 military invasion of Iraq and actively undermined efforts by Britain to win international authorization for the war, a former British diplomat told an inquiry Friday. Jeremy Greenstock, British ambassador to the United Nations from 1998 to 2003, said that President [sic] George W. Bush had no real interest in attempts to agree on a U.N. resolution to provide explicit backing for the conflict. The ex-diplomat, who served as Britain's envoy in Iraq after the invasion, said serious preparations for the war had begun in early 2002 and took on an unstoppable momentum.
Gordon Brown announces timetable for Helmand handover to Afghan control 28 Nov 2009 The countdown to handing back Helmand province to Afghan control began yesterday when Gordon Brown announced a detailed exit timetable. In a surprise move, the Prime Minister said two key districts of Helmand, where more than 200 British troops have been killed, could be handed back by the end of next year. Mr Brown will also formally commit to sending 500 more troops this week taking Britain's military presence in the country to 9,500.
Governor of Afghanistan's Kandahar survives bomb 27 Nov 2009 The governor of Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province survived a bomb strike on his motorcade while heading to prayers for the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday on Friday, a spokesman said. The bomb shattered a window of the car that Governor Tooryalai Wesa was travelling in, but he was unhurt, spokesman Zalmai Ayoubi said.
Three bodies recovered from Afghan helicopter crash 27 Nov 2009 A US Air Force rescue team Friday recovered the bodies of three crew from the wreck of a helicopter that crashed in remote mountains in eastern Afghanistan. The three were believed to be Ukrainians reported missing after their helicopter disappeared in bad weather late Monday, US Air Force rescue team members said. The missing aircraft was operated by Supreme Global Services Solutions, according to NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Israeli agents operating at international airports 28 Nov 2009 Israeli spies have been found to be posing as airport security guards at international terminals, subjecting unsuspecting travellers to illegal interrogations and strip searches. A television network covering southern Africa recently aired a report, after an extensive undercover investigation, that revealed an elaborate Israeli secret service operation being carried out at Johannesburg International Airport.
Germany, UK warn Iran to accept West offer 28 Nov 2009 In what appears to be a last-ditch effort to force Tehran into accepting an IAEA draft proposal on fuel supply, Germany and Britain warn that world patience is running out with Iran. One day after World powers threw their weight behind a draft resolution condemning Iran's nuclear program, German Foreign Minister Guido Wersterwelle said that although time is pressing, the West "still has its hand extended" for the Tehran government.
US, Israel welcome IAEA resolution against Iran 27 Nov 2009 The US and Israel welcome a decision by the UN nuclear watchdog to censure Iran over the construction of its Fordo enrichment plant. "Our patience and that of the international community is limited, and time is running out," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a stern warning to Tehran.
Bomb suspected as Russian train crash kills 39 28 Nov 2009 At least 39 people were killed and nearly 100 injured when a Russian express train came off the rails late last night in what the head of the national railway company said could have been a bomb attack. The Nevsky Express, carrying 661 passengers from Moscow to St Petersburg, was derailed at 9:34 p.m. (1834 GMT) near the village of Uglovka about 200 miles north of Moscow.
Homeland Suckyourity: Cuban migrants went undetected for hours at Turkey Point --More than 30 Cubans were dropped off close to the 'heavily guarded' [Yup, in quotes] Turkey Point nuclear power plant and remained undetected until they called for help hours later. 28 Nov 2009 More than 30 Cubans, dropped off by a smugglers' speedboat, spent up to eight hours on the off-limits grounds of the Turkey Point nuclear power plant on Thanksgiving Day, then called the plant's nuclear control room to say they were by the cooling canals. The utility, which boasts of tight security in the area, did not address why its security personnel apparently did not become aware of the Cubans' presence on Turkey Point for up to eight hours.
White House gatecrashers got all the way to the president 29 Nov 2009 Michelle and Barack Obama’s first state dinner at the White House will be remembered for its gatecrashers. The White House has been forced to admit that Michaele and Tareq Salahi, the Virginian couple auditioning for a television reality show, not only brazenly walked through layers of security to attend the event but actually met the president. A photograph released by the White House showed Michaele shaking hands with a beaming Obama as her husband looked on. It prompted an abject apology from the secret service.
Secret Service apologizes for ticketless couple's access --Questions linger over checkpoint breakdowns at White House dinner 28 Nov 2009 The White House said late Friday that Michaele and Tareq Salahi, the Virginia couple auditioning for a Bravo reality show, not only got past layers of experienced, executive-branch security but also shook the president's hand in the Blue Room of the White House during the Obamas' first state dinner... The security breach has caused hand-wringing inside the White House, bewilderment among Tuesday night's guests -- and late on Friday, prompted an apology from the Secret Service.
Anti-WTO protesters smash windows, burn cars in Geneva 28 Nov 2009 Anti-capitalism protesters smashed the windows of banks, shops and cafes in central Geneva and set cars on fire on Saturday during a demonstration against the World Trade Organisation. A Reuters reporter at the scene said some demonstrators were breaking the windows of every building they passed and setting off fireworks in the main shopping street.
Computer hacker Gary McKinnon to be extradited to US --Alan Johnson quashes last-ditch attempt to halt extradition 26 Nov 2009 Computer hacker Gary McKinnon, who has Asperger's syndrome, is at serious risk of suicide, relatives said today, after the home secretary rejected a last-ditch attempt to prevent his extradition to the US. In a letter today Alan Johnson ordered McKinnon's removal to the US on charges of breaching US military and Nasa computers, despite claims by his lawyers that extradition would make the 43-year-old's death "virtually certain".
U.S. journalist grilled at Canada border crossing --Officials demanded to know what she would say publicly about 2010 Olympics 26 Nov 2009 U.S. journalist Amy Goodman said she was stopped at a Canadian border crossing south of Vancouver on Wednesday and questioned for 90 minutes by authorities concerned she was coming to Canada to speak against the Olympics. Goodman says Canadian Border Services Agency officials ultimately allowed her to enter Canada but returned her passport with a document demanding she leave the country within 48 hours.
Police accused of preventing suspects accessing lawyers 27 Nov 2009 Defendants are being denied a fair trial because police pressure deters them from being represented by a lawyer after their arrest, a survey reveals today. Solicitors questioned by the National Audit Office (NAO) say they believe that the reason half of all suspects do not use their free services is a direct result of the action - or inaction - of the police.
FDA OKs Novartis Vaccine Against Seasonal Flu In Fast Review 27 Nov 2009 The Food and Drug Administration approved a new Novartis AG flu vaccine, Agriflu, in an accelerated process Friday. The vaccine to prevent disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B is for people age 18 and older. It does not prevent the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. The Swiss drug maker... on Tuesday opened a vaccine-manufacturing plant in North Carolina designed to make [deadly] flu vaccines without relying on decades-old technology that employs millions of chicken eggs to grow viruses. [See: New US vaccine production techniques: Genetically modified insect cells, E. coli, caterpillar ovaries 24 Nov 2009 Spurred by $487 million in federal funding, a sprawling new vaccine factory is opening in North Carolina Tuesday that will produce shots using dog cells instead of chicken eggs.]
Bacterial Disease Linked to H1N1 Flu Worries CDC 25 Nov 2009 The CDC is warning about a "worrisome" rise in the incidence of pneumococcal disease associated with the [lab-generated] pandemic H1N1 flu. "We're seeing increases in serious pneumococcal infections around the country," Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said at a briefing today.
The right reform for the Fed By Ben Bernanke 29 Nov 2009 Our [The Fed] financial statements are public and audited by an outside accounting firm; we publish our balance sheet weekly; and we provide monthly reports with extensive information on all the temporary lending facilities developed during the crisis. Congress, through the Government Accountability Office, can and does audit all parts of our operations except for the monetary policy deliberations and actions covered by the 1978 exemption. The general repeal of that exemption would serve only to increase the perceived influence of Congress on monetary policy decisions, which would undermine the confidence the public and the markets have in the Fed to act in the long-term economic interest of the nation. [Resign *now.*]
Bloomberg Spent $102 Million to Win 3rd Term 28 Nov 2009 To eke out an election victory over the city’s low-key comptroller, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg spent $102 million of his own fortune -- or about $174 per vote -- according to data released Friday, making his bid for a third term the most expensive campaign in the city’s history. Mr. Bloomberg, the wealthiest man in New York City, shattered his own records: He poured $85 million into his campaign in 2005 (or $112 per vote) and $74 million into his first bid for office in 2001 ($99 per vote).
Canadian researcher says arctic ice is thinning 27 Nov 2009 The permanent Arctic sea ice that is home to the world's polar bears and usually survives the summer has all but disappeared, a Canadian researcher said Friday. University of Manitoba Arctic researcher David Barber said experts around the world believed the ice was recovering because satellite images showed it expanding, but the thick, multiyear frozen sheets have been replaced by thin ice that cannot support the weight of a polar bear.
Previous lead stories: Signed In Blood: 2002 Blair-Bush Texas meeting sealed Iraq fate 27 Nov 2009 Saddam Hussein's fate as Iraqi leader was sealed at a secret meeting between Tony Blair and George Bush in 2002, it was claimed yesterday. The former Prime Minister allegedly "signed in blood" Britain's support for an attack on Baghdad when he got together with the US president [sic] at his Texas ranch. And Mr Blair deliberately linked Saddam to al-Qaeda in a bid to strengthen the case to topple Saddam, despite there being no evidence, the Iraq War inquiry heard. Former British Ambassador to the US Sir Christopher Meyer told the hearing the PM suddenly appeared to agree to the case for a regime change in Iraq after his Bush meeting. Talking about the meeting with Mr Bush, Sir Christopher said: "To this day I am not entirely clear what degree of convergence was, if you like, signed in blood at the Crawford ranch."
Former top official 'can't say' if Afghans tortured 26 Nov 2009 There is "no evidence" Canadian detainees transferred to Afghan jails were tortured, but Canada didn’t monitor them during 2006 and part of 2007 and reports of prison abuse were common, a senior diplomat told a committee of MPs Thursday. Under intense questioning by opposition MPs, David Mulroney said he couldn’t guarantee that no detainee transferred by Canadians had been mistreated. Nor could he say with complete certainty that an Afghan prisoner who described to Canadian diplomats how he had been tortured, whipped with cables and shocked with electricity, had not been handed over by Canadians to Afghan authorities. "I can’t say whether he was or wasn’t," Mulroney said.
Because China did *such* a terrific job with the drywall, powdered milk and pet food: China State Construction nets $100m US subway deal 24 Nov 2009 China State Construction Engineering Corp, the largest contractor in China, has bagged a subway ventilation project worth about $100 million in New York's Manhattan area, marking the construction giant's third order in the United States' infrastructure space this year. The contract was given to China Construction American Co, a subsidiary, the Wall Street Journal quoted a source as saying. "The new project, along with the $410-million Hamilton Bridge project and a $1.7-billion entertainment project it won earlier this year, signals China State Construction's ambition to tap the American construction market," said Li Zhirui, an industry analyst at First Capital Securities.
