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by Dvx
The US government is seemingly hell-bent on a confrontation course with Iran. At the same time, gas prices are rising precipitously around the world.
That is by no means a coincidence: W's warmongering is robbing your pocket. Read more... (1 comment, 373 words in story) by Dvx
(via BoingBoing and spoid)
On its web page for Katrina relief donations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency lists only three charities under the heading "Donate Cash": the Red Cross, America's Second Harvest, and ... Operation Blessing International, the relief agency founded by a certain M. G. ("Pat") Robinson and "retired COO Robert W. Fanning" (whoever he is). A WTF moment below the fold. Read more... (1 comment, 343 words in story) by Dvx
X-posted at ETG
A couple of months ago I wrote a diary about the US-VISIT program, which requires visitors from abroad to submit to biometric identification. I also described the technical problems involved.
The Department of Homeland Security now wants to raise the ante and is about to start a pilot program in which foreigners will be issued an RFID ID card readable from 10 to 15 meters away. More below the fold. Read more... (9 comments, 347 words in story) by Dvx
The US Justice department is considering a proposal to require ISP's to retain records of customers' internet activites.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament goes head to head with the Council of the European Union on this very same issue - and gets blown off. (X-posted at ET) Read more... (1 comment, 863 words in story) by Dvx
Germany's Federal High Court of Justice (BGH) yesterday affirmed the acquittal of Abdelghani Mzoudi on charges of aiding and abetting the 9/11 hijackers.
Meanwhile, the retrial of fellow student Mounir el Motassadeq on like charges is nearing its end, and defense attorneys see grounds for optimism. The system worked. Details below: Read more... (4 comments, 950 words in story) by Dvx
By now, must of us have probably read about the danger of a global avian flu pandemic, and the likelihood that the outbreak would occur before a vaccine was ready to roll out.
World health professionals are currently putting together their "Plan B", which revolves around antiviral drugs. Their plan may well fail to prevent or entirely contain an outbreak. But it's all we've got. Read more below the jump. Read more... (16 comments, 964 words in story) by Dvx
You can run but you can't hide nothin': starting this year, the TSA will start testing so-called backscatter body scanners that can quite literally see through your clothes.
See below for details on another invasive privacy-threatening technology. Update [2005-5-24 5:44:16 by Dvx]: Now with image, plus: test deployment at Heathrow. Read more... (24 comments, 802 words in story) by Dvx
A few days back I wrote a diary about how the US is requiring every foreign visitor from a visa waiver country to provide two electronic fingerprints on entering the country.
Well folks, it's not just foreigners - or even ports of entry any more. It's coming home to your (or someone's) local library. Details below the fold. Read more... (14 comments, 548 words in story) by Dvx
From the diaries by susanhbu. As most of you are US citizens, you may or may not be aware of the chilling welcome the United States extends to its guests: Arriving air passengers are required to submit to electronic fingerprinting of both index fingers, and to a scan of the right retina.
Way over the top by international standards, the stated justification for this $10 billion program is (you guessed it) "international terrorism". Now, a scientist from Stanford University has identified a significant hole in the fingerprint component of the system. More below the jump, PLUS HOW TO make your own fake fingerprints! Read more... (23 comments, 812 words in story) by Dvx
Kölner Stadtanzeiger (translation my own): "The Bundestag (German Federal Parliament) approved the EU constitution with an overwhelming majority of 95.8 percent (significantly more than the necessary 2/3 majority -Ed.). In a role-call vote, ... 569 members voted in favor of the ratification bill, with 23 opposed..."
The vote was proceeded by very little public debate. One opposing group submitted a petition containing some 21,000 signatures; on the other side, both organized labor and business organizations voiced support for approval. The matter now goes to the Federal Council (which is made up of the state governments), which is expected to grant its consent on 27 May, thereby formally ratifying the constitution. (A referendum as in e.g. France was never an option as this is not an instrument recognized in Germany's Basic Law). Comments >> (3 comments) by Dvx
First, the good news:
Congress Adopts Restriction on Treatment of Detainees:
Congress barred the government on Tuesday from using any money in a newly passed emergency spending bill to subject anyone in American custody to torture or "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment" that is forbidden by the Constitution. On the other hand, as Declan McCullagh reports on CNET, Senate approves electronic ID card bill:
Last-minute attempts by online activists to halt an electronic ID card failed Tuesday when the U.S. Senate unanimously voted to impose a sweeping set of identification requirements on Americans. Upsides and downsides below the fold. Read more... (10 comments, 792 words in story) by Dvx
Yesterday I wrote about the RealID Act, which will give the DHS the ability to acquire tons of sensitive personal data. But how can all this data be analyzed?
Here are some sophisticated (and scary!) tools that analysts have or soon will have at their disposal. Read more... (9 comments, 916 words in story) |
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