Archives for October 2015

CISA Data-Sharing Bill Passes Senate With No Privacy Protections

There was unanimous opposition to the bill across the tech industry.

The senator votes on one of the most controversial draft laws in the 115th Congress (Image: C-SPAN live stream)

A controversial draft law, which one senator called a "surveillance bill by another name," has passed the Senate. CISA, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (S. 754), will allow private companies to share cyber-threat data with the federal government, including personal user data, in an effort to prevent cyberattacks, such as those on the

Star Witness Admits Lying To Protect Chevron From $9.5B Judgement

‘Chevron has taken the people of Ecuador and the U.S. court system on a ride, full of lies, deliberate delay, and obstruction of justice,’ says Amazon Watch.

Chevron in the Amazon

In what is being called "a dramatic turn" in a protracted legal battle, documents publicized Monday reveal that the star witness in a case pitting rainforest villagers against a multinational oil giant has admitted to lying under oath in an effort to help Chevron avoid paying a $9.5 billion judgment for deliberate pollution of the Ecuadorian

EU Nominates Violent US-Backed Venezuelan Opposition For Human Rights Prize

The EU nominated Mesa de la Humanidad Democrática for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, despite the opposition coalition’s role in anti-government protests that grew increasingly violent before culminating in a coup attempt against the Venezuelan president.

An opposition demonstrator prepares to throw a molotov cocktail at police after clashes broke out at a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015.

CARACAS, Venezuela --- As Venezuela continues to combat various forms of interference within its borders, the European Union has unveiled its nominees for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The prize, which was established in 1988, is awarded to individuals or groups dedicated to improving human rights. This year’s nominees include

Rise Of A US Corporate Empire And The Global Resistance Bringing It To Its Knees

The U.S. empire gives all its predecessors a run for their money, especially in terms of human and resource exploitation. But is resistance building that could bring the U.S. empire to its knees, MintPress Editor-in-Chief Mnar Muhawesh asks Abby Martin, host of “The Empire Files.”

U.S. Soldiers at Forward Operating Base in Baylough, Afghanistan, June 16, 2010.

MINNEAPOLIS --- Throughout history, some of the world’s most influential empires have also been the most brutal. In turn, their legacy has turned “empire” into a very dirty word, indeed. The Roman, British, Ottoman, Spanish and Soviet empires come to mind readily. And in school, we learn about the glories of these civilizations, their cultural

Russia’s Success In Battling ISIS Has The US Scrambling To Play Catch-up

Washington tries to impress Iraq to prevent Baghdad from turning to Moscow.

A Russian Su-30 fighter jet takes off on a combat mission with a Su-30 bomber in the foreground, at Hemeimeem airbase, Syria, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. Since early morning, Russian combat jets have been taking off from this base in western Syria, heading for missions. (AP Photo/Vladimir Isachenkov)

The Russian-led counterterrorism operation in Syria is so successful that it is "unnerving" Washington, CCTV reported. As a result, last week US leadership decided to act so as to prevent Iraq from fostering ties with Moscow. The Chinese media outlet believes that the operation to free hostages in Northern Iraq followed this new logic. Last

Netanyahu: “We Will Forever Live By The Sword”, Indefinitely Control All Palestinian Territory

The prime minister also spoke about possible plans to revoke Israeli citizenship or residency from the Arab residents of east Jerusalem.

Benjamin Netanyahu (Debbie Hill/Pool Photo via AP)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his plan to control “all of the territory” and “live forever by the sword.” The remarks were reported in Haa’retz newspaper, according to PNN, in an article by journalist Barak Ravid. Mr Ravid wrote: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that although he doesn’t want a