México y Estados Unidos acuerdan estrategia por seguridad y migración

Una comitiva de funcionarios de alto nivel estadounidenses y mexicanos se reunieron en la Ciudad de México, encabezados por Hillary Clinton, secretaria de Estado y Patricia Espinosa, canciller de México. Un comunicado conjunto anunció que los acuerdos principales versaron sobre seguridad regional y migración, centrada en la ampliación y consecución de la estrategia conjunta denominada Plan Mérida.

Bajo un fuerte dispositivo de seguridad, que abarcó el oriente y el Centro Histórico de la capital mexicana, los funcionarios de ambas naciones acordaron combatir a los criminales mediante estrategias no centradas totalmente en el despliegue bélico, a ambos lados de la frontera. México confió en que los recursos pactados por ambas naciones en el Plan Mérida, firmada por Felipe Calderón y George Bush en 2006, fluyan adecuadamente hacia México para completar planes. Estados Unidos, por primera vez, aceptó responsabilidad en la violencia desatada en la frontera sur por el crimen organizado, ya que existe demanda de drogas en Estados Unidos, así como tráfico de armas hacia México.

También se acordó el intercambio de información entre viajeros de ambas naciones, con el fin de reducir el transito de criminales con datos falsos, además de datos sobre inmigrantes deportados.

Por Estados Unidos, además de Clinton, asistieron Robert Gates, secretario de Defensa, Michael Mullen, jefe del Estado Mayor Conjunto, Janet Napolitano, secretaria de Seguridad Interna, Dennis Blair, director nacional de Inteligencia y Michele Leonhart, de la Administración de Cumplimiento de Leyes sobre las Drogas (DEA).

Por el gobierno de México asistieron Gullermo Galván y Francisco Saynez Mendoza, secretarios de Defensa y Marina, respectivamente, Arturo Chávez Chávez, fiscal federal, y Genaro García Luna secretario de Seguridad Pública federal.


US and Russia announce spy swap

The United States and Russia yesterday agreed to the swap of prisoners held by both nations after eleven Russian spies were arrested late last month.

The swap will include the ten Russian spies arrested on US soil (the eleventh was arrested in Cyprus and subsequently escaped) and four spies being held in Russia on charges of espionage.  The spies arrested by the US all pled guilty to charges of "conspiracy to act as an unregistered agent of a foreign country." Below are the Russian spies who were convicted (cover names are in quotes, while real names are unquoted):

The swap reportedly began late yesterday, with Russia beginning the process of releasing at least one of the prisoners they held, Igor Sutyagin, almost immediately.  Russian media reported that he had already arrived in Vienna, Austria, although his father said that it was so far unconfirmed.

Russia has so far not confirmed the identities of other prisoners to be released, although several names have been speculated, including Alexander Zaporozhsky, Sergei Skripal, and Alexander Sypachev, all accused of transferring information to foreign governments.

The US arrested the ten spies that are to be returned to Russia as part of its breakup of a long-term spy ring that had operated for years, and involved the spies living as American civilians, some as couples.  Prosecutors say that they had been commanded by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, with the mission of collecting information about American policy.


Spojené státy americké se dohodly s Ruskou federací na výměně vězňů

V návaznosti na zatčení jedenácti ruských špionů minulý měsíc se Spojené státy americké dohodly s Ruskou federací na výměně zajatců.

Z Ameriky odletělo deset špionů zatčených na americké půdě (ten jedenáctý byl totiž zatčen na Kypru a podařilo se mu utéct), naopak Ruská federace měla uvolnit čtyři ze svých vězňů obviněných ze špionáže ve prospěch Spojených států amerických.

Deset ruských špionů byli (krycí jména v uvozovkách, pravá bez uvozovek):

Rusové naopak propustí Igora Suťagina, Alexandra Zaporožského, Sergeje Skripala a Gennadije Vasilenka, všechny obviněné z výzvědné služby pro cizí stát.

Špioni propuštění Spojenými státy americkými jsou členy nedávno rozbité dlouhodobě působící skupiny, která byla podle obvinění řízena ruskou Službou vnější rozvědky.

Tato zpráva byla založena zčásti nebo zcela překladem zprávy US and Russia announce spy swap na anglických Wikizprávách.


அமெரிக்காவும் உருசியாவும் உளவாளிகளைப் பரிமாறின

ஐக்கிய அமெரிக்காவும் உருசியாவும் தாம் கைது செய்து வைத்துள்ள உளவாளிகளைப் தமக்கிடையே பரிமாறிக் கொள்ள வியாழக்கிழமையன்று உடன்பட்டன. சென்ற மாத இறுதியில் 11 உருசிய உளவாளிகளை அமெரிக்கா கைது செய்ததை அடுத்தே இரு நாடுகளுக்கும் இடையே இந்த உடன்பாடு எட்டப்பட்டது.

இந்த உடன்பாட்டின் படி அமெரிக்க மண்ணில் கைது செய்யப்பட்ட 10 உருசியர்களும், உருசியா கைது செய்த 4 அமெரிக்க உளவாளிகளும் விடுவிக்கப்பட்டனர். இவ் உளவு நடவடிக்கையுடன் தொடர்புடைய 11 ஆவது சந்தேக நபர் சைப்பிரசில் கைது செய்யப்பட்டு பிணையில் விடுதலை செய்யப்பட்ட பின்னர் காணாமல் போயுள்ளதாகத் தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

அமெரிக்க நீதிமன்ற விசாரணையின் போது "வெளிநாடொன்றுக்காக உளவு பார்த்த" குற்றத்தை இந்த 10 இரசியர்களும் ஒப்புக்கொண்டதைத் தொடர்ந்து இவர்களை நாட்டை விட்டு வெளியேற்றுவதற்கான உத்தரவை நீதிபதி பிறப்பித்தார்.

உருசியாவில் கைதான நால்வரும், சிறப்பு விமானம் ஒன்றில் ஆஸ்திரியத் தலைநகர் வியென்னா நகருக்குக் கொண்டு செல்லப்பட்டதாக உருசிய செய்திகள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன. இவர்களில் ஒருவர் இயற்பியல் நிபுணர் ஈகர் சுத்யாகின் என்பவர் ஆவார். விடுவிக்கப்பட்ட நால்வரில் இருவர் பின்னர் ஐக்கிய இராச்சியத்துக்கும் இருவர் வாசிங்டனுக்கும் கொண்டு செல்லப்பட்டனர்.

இதே வேளையில், அமெரிக்காவில் கைது செய்யப்பட்ட 5 ஆண்களும் 5 பெண்களும் நியூயோர்க்கிலிருந்து புறப்பட்ட விமானமொன்றில் அனுப்பிவைக்கப்பட்டு, வியன்னாவில் வைத்து உருசிய அதிகாரிகளிடம் கையளிக்கப்பட்டார்கள். இவர்கள் பின்னர் மாஸ்கோவுக்கு கொண்டுவரப்பட்டுள்ளதாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இக் கைதிகள் பரிமாற்ற உடன்படிக்கை இரு நாடுகளுக்குமிடையிலான உறவில் குறிப்பிடத்தக்க முன்னேற்றம் ஏற்பட்டிருப்பதை வெளிப்படுத்துவதாக அவதானிகள் தெரிவிக்கின்றனர்.


US and UK diplomats detained in Zimbabwe

United States and United Kingdom diplomatic staff were detained in Zimbabwe, according to US ambassador James D. McGee. They have now been released, say spokespeople from both the British and American embassies.

Ambassador McGee spoke in an interview on CNN: "Police put up a roadblock, stopped the vehicles, slashed the tires, reached in and grabbed telephones from my personnel, and the war veterans threatened to burn the vehicles with my people inside unless they got out and accompanied police to a station nearby."

The ambassador said that the incident was a serious breach of diplomatic protocols. "We do believe this is coming directly from the top," he added.

A driver working for the US embassy was beaten up by the veterans, who are often used by the ZANU-PF (the ruling political party) to intimidate political opponents. They were also used as shock troops in the government's ouster of white farm owners.

Zimbabwe's Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga told the press that the diplomats were detained because they had tried to flee a roadblock and had refused to comply with police. He also refuted the claims that an embassy employee was beaten and that tires were slashed.

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown's official spokesman has said the Zimbabwean ambassador in London has been asked by the Foreign Office to explain what happened.

US Deputy Press Secretary Gordon Johndroe told reporters in Washington: "We are contacting the Zimbabwean authorities about the matter. It's completely unacceptable." He labeled the incident "outrageous."

Just yesterday, police temporarily detained opposistion leader Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC), who is running against President Robert Mugabe in a run-off election on June 27.

Tsvangirai resumed his campaign today. "Our resolve for a new beginning, and a new Zimbabwe remains unshaken," he said. "We are convinced of the justness of our cause, and we will not waver until we restore the dignity of all the people of Zimbabwe."


Diplomatici inglesi e americani sequestrati in Zimbabwe

Alcuni membri del personale diplomatico di Stati Uniti e Regno Unito sono stati sequestrati in Zimbabwe, secondo l'ambasciatore statunitense James D. McGee. I portavoce delle ambasciate britannica e americana affermano che a presente sono stati liberati.

L'ambasciatore McGee ha parlato in un'intervista sulla CNN: "La Polizia ha posto un blocco stradale, ha fermato i veicoli, ha preso i cellulari del mio personale, e i veterani di guerra hanno minacciato di bruciare i veicoli con le persone all'interno, se avessero rifiutato di scendere e di seguirli fino al posto di polizia più vicino."

L'ambasciatore ha detto che l'incidente è stato una frattura seria nel protocollo diplomatico. "Crediamo che venga direttamente dall'alto della gerarchia" ha aggiunto.

Un autista che lavora per l'ambasciata statunitense è stato pichiato dai veterani, che sono spesso usati dal ZANU-PF (il partito politico al potere) per intimidire gli esponenti politici dell'opposizione. Sono stati usati anche come truppe d'assalto nella cacciata governativa dei proprietari bianchi di fattorie.
Il ministro dell'informazione dei deputati dello Zimbabwe, Bright Matonga, ha detto alla stampa che i diplomatici sono stati arrestati perché hanno cercato di forzare un posto di blocco ed hanno rifiutato di collaborare con la polizia. Ha anche negato che l'impiegato dell'ambasciata sia stato picchiato.

Proprio ieri, la polizia ha temporaneamente arrestato il leader d'opposizione Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC), che sfiderà il presidente Robert Mugabe in un'elezione di fine mandato il 27 giugno.

Tsvangirai ha oggi riassunto la sua campagna. "Siamo convinti della giustezza della causa, e non lasceremo finché non restaureremo la dignità di tutte le persone dello Zimbabwe."


US Army sergeant sentenced for sodomy of a minor and child porn

Staff Sgt. Christopher Barberi, a U.S. Army Europe non-commissioned officer, was sentenced Friday for sodomy of a minor and possession of pornographic photos of the girl following conviction on 2 July. He was sentenced to two years in prison.

Barberi allegedly committed statutory rape of the young girl from the time she was 11 until she was 15, but could not be charged for his rape of the girl when she was 11 due to a statute of limitations. If the statute had not applied then Barberi would have faced a life sentence. Prior to the sentence, he was given a bad-conduct discharge from the United States Army.

The young girl said she tried to end the relationship several times, but was pressured to resume it until her 15th birthday. The girl said that Barberi told her "That's what little girls do."

The girl reported the sexual abuse in late 2006; at first to her mother; then later to law enforcement. She said it was because "It got too much for me to handle."

During this case the defense brought forward a 30-year-old woman as a witness, who testified that the young girl was lying. Prosecutor Maj. Jacqueline Tubbs cross examined the woman, and got her to admit she had lied a to CID investigator. That statement regarded the young girl's comments to the woman: "What she said was, 'You know he did this to you, too'", Tubbs said. The witness was also a relative of the alleged victim.


פורנוגרפיה ומעשי סדום גרמו להרשעת סמל אמריקאי

סמל כריסטופר ברברי, נגד בצבא ארצות הברית באירופה, שמע את גזר דינו ביום שישי האחרון בגין מעשי סדום בקטינה והחזקת תצלומי פורנוגרפיה של ילדה, לאחר שהורשע ב-2 ביולי במסגרת התיק שהתנהל נגדו. הוא נידון לשתי שנות מחבוש בבית הסוהר.

מפסק הדין עולה כי ברברי ביצע לכאורה אונס סטאטוטורי (מין בהסכמה מתחת לגיל ההסכמה) בנערה צעירה, מעת שמלאו לה 11 שנים ועד לגיל 15, אך לא ניתן היה להעמידו לדין בגין אינוס הילדה בגיל 11 מחמת חוק ההתיישנות. אלמלא חוק ההתיישנות, ברברי צפוי היה להידון למאסר עולם. בטרם מתן גזר הדין, הוא שוחרר עם קלון מצבא ארצות הברית.

הנערה אמרה כי ניסתה לסיים את מערכת היחסים עם ברברי מספר פעמים, אך בשל לחציו לא עשתה זאת עד ליום הולדתה ה-15. היא מסרה כי ברברי אמר לה, "זה מה שילדות קטנות עושות."

הנערה חשפה את דבר הניצול המיני לראשונה בשלהי שנת 2006; תחילה בפני אימה; אחר כן בפני נציגי מערכת אכיפת החוק. היא אמרה שעשתה זאת משום ש"זה נהיה יותר ממה שיכולתי להתמודד עמו."

במהלך שמיעת התיק הביאה ההגנה אישה כבת 30 כעדה, שסיפרה כי הנערה משקרת. התובעת, סרן ג'קלין טבס תקפה את העדה בחקירה הנגדית בשל סתירות בין עדותה לבין דבריה בחקירתה המוקדמת בידי המשטרה הצבאית. על-פי דברי התובעת, תחילה אמרה האישה בחקירת המשטרה הצבאית כי הילדה אמרה לה "את יודעת שהוא עשה זאת גם לך". העדה הינה קרובת משפחה של הנאשם.


US Army to court martial soldier over three Afghan murders

The United States Army has announced that Corporal Jeremy Morlock is to face a court martial on three charges of premeditated murder. Morlock is accused of killing Afghan civilians for sport; at least eleven other soldiers are caught up in the allegations.

The prosecution case is that Morlock colluded with Sergeant Calvin Gibbs to plot the deaths of Afghans. Gibbs is said to have planned the attacks which Morlock helped arrange by recruiting other soldiers to carry them out. The pair, as well as three others charged with murder, deny this. Gibbs's lawyer said his client's defence is that the Afghans were killed legitimately, while Morlock's said his client was present but did not cause any deaths. Preliminary hearings in the case were heard last month.

The five are accused of unprovoked grenade and gun attacks. Seven other soldiers are accused of conspiring to cover up the crimes by dismemberment of the corpses and collecting body parts. No other cases have yet been committed for trial, including that of Gibbs. All the soldiers are from the 5th Stryker brigade, which went to Afghanistan last year and has seen combat in Kandahar, where the alleged attacks occurred between January and May this year.

Morlock is also going to stand trial for assault, use of a controlled substance (hashish), attempting to block an investigation, conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to assault and "wrongfully photographing and possessing visual images of human casualties". The soldiers are accused of photographing their victims and keeping body parts as trophies, though the military has not yet commented on if bones they say the men took were in fact from civilian murder victims. Al Jazeera English reports that much media attention has focused on this detail.

The seven not charged with murder are also charged with assault and using hashish. The assault charge relates to the beating of a whistleblower. Morlock could have faced the death penalty on the premeditated murder charges, but the army has decided not to seek this sentence upon a conviction and instead the maximum sentence available is life without parole.

Officials have commented about concerns the case could have a negative impact on relations with the Afghan public, especially with regards to efforts to undermine Taliban support in Kandahar.


محاکمه سرباز ایالات متحده در دادگاه نظامی به دلیل قتل غیرنظامیان افغان

ارتش ایالات متحده آمریکا اعلام کرد که سرجوخه (کورپورال) جرمی مورلاک به زودی در یک دادگاه نظامی برای به قتل رساندن عمدی سه افغان محاکمه خواهد شد. مورلاک به دلیل کشتن اشخاص غیرنظامی برای تفریح متهم شده است؛ حداقل ۱۱ سرباز دیگر نیز در این ادعا گرفتار شده‌اند.

اولین سرباز از مجموع دوازده سرباز آمریکایی که به آزار و اذیت غیرنظامیان افغانستان متهم‌اند، قرار است به اتهام قتل و چند جرم دیگر، در یک دادگاه نظامی در ایالت واشنگتن محاکمه شود.

این پرونده توجه گسترده رسانه‌ها را به همراه داشته زیرا سرجوخه جرمی مورلاک و هم‌قطاران او عکس‌های وحشتناکی از اجساد گرفته بودند و قطعات بدن کشته‌شدگان را به عنوان نشان پیروزی در جنگ، از اجساد جدا کرده بودند. وکیل آقای مورلاک گفته که غیرنظامیان افغان، قربانی اقدامات اعضای یک گروه نظامی خودسر بودند که مردم را می‌کشتند و موکل او اگرچه در محل حاضر بود، باعث مرگ هیچ‌کس نشده است.

سرجوخه جرمی مورلاک یکی از پنج سربازی است که به قتل برنامه‌ریزی‌شده سه غیرنظامی افغان در آغاز سال جاری میلادی متهم شده است. هر پنج نفر این اتهام را رد کرده‌اند. هفت سرباز دیگر همین واحد نظامی نیز به همدستی در پنهان نگه داشتن قتل‌ها متهم هستند.

ارتش آمریکا می‌گوید که اگر سرجوخه مورلاک مقصر شناخته شود، ممکن است حداکثر به حبس ابد محکوم شود اگرچه سرگرد کاتلین ترنر، از سخنگویان ارتش آمریکا گفت که اتهام قتل برنامه ریزی شده می تواند احتمال محکومیت اعدام را در پی داشته باشد اما ارتش تصمیم گرفته که چنین محکومیتی را دنبال نکند.

بر اساس گزارش‌های دریافتی، پنج سربازی که به ارتکاب قتل متهم هستند، بدون آن که به آن‌ها حمله شده باشد، به سوی غیرنظامیان نارنجک پرتاب کرده و آنان را هدف آتش گلوله قرار دادند. هفت نفر دیگر نیز به مثله کردن اجساد قربانیان و جمع آوری قطعات بدن آنها متهم هستند.


US congressmen sue Obama for military action in Libya

Several US congressmen have filed a bipartisan suit against the administration of US president Barack Obama, claiming its military operations in Libya are illegal because they did not have legislative approval.

Wednesday's lawsuit comes one day after House Speaker John Boehner expressed his concerns in a letter to the president that his administration has violated the War Powers Resolution. US federal law requires that, if Congress does not approve military action, the president must withdraw forces within 60 days from the beginning of the conflict, and that the withdrawal must be completed by the 90th day. The latter deadline will pass this Sunday.

The White House is sending Congress a report to answer questions presented in a House resolution passed on June 3, which set a two-week deadline. The deadline to respond was this Friday, and Boehner claims that the failure to do so would also have been a violation of the War Powers Resolution.

It is common for the president and the legislature to argue over war powers. The US Constitution establishes the president as the commander-in-chief of the military, but it also gives Congress the power to declare war. The White House believes that it is complying with the War Powers Resolution by frequently briefing Congress on the Libya mission, having testified at ten congressional hearings and participated in more than 30 staff briefings. Boehner argues, however, that the administration should have sought explicit congressional approval for the action.

The lawsuit, filed by Dennis Kucinich (Democratic representative from Ohio) and Walter B. Jones (Republican representative from North Carolina), along with eight other congressmen, will cite the legislature's "power of the purse" in addition to the War Powers Resolution. It will "challenge the executive branch's circumvention of Congress," and its use of UN and NATO mandates rather than Congress to justify its own actions, according to Kucinich.


شکایت ده نماینده کنگره آمریکا از اوباما به خاطر جنگ لیبی

کاخ سفید اعلام کرده‌است که برای ادامه جنگ نیاز به اجازه کنگره آمریکا ندارد. کاخ سفید در سندی ۳۲ صفحه‌ای اعلام کرده که رئیس جمهور از اختیارات قانونی برای حمله به لیبی برخوردار بوده‌است و عملیات حاضر در لیبی نیز با قانون اختیارات جنگی مطابق است.

در همین حال ده نفر از نمایندگان کنگره آمریکا از باراک اوباما به جرم نقض قوانین آمریکا در یک دادگاه فدرال شکایت کرده‌اند. بر اساس قانون اختیارات جنگی آمریکا در صورتی که رئیس جمهوری بدون کسب اجازه کنگره وارد جنگ شود تا ۶۰ روز باید اجازه کنگره را دریافت کند یا به درگیری پایان دهد. مهلت ۶۰ روزه باراک اوباما ۲۶ مه به اتمام رسیده‌است.

این در حالی است که در بیانیهٔ کاخ سفید اعلام شده که دولت آمریکا نقش درگیرانه نداشته و عهده دار یک نقش پشتیبان است. کاخ سفید می‌گوید که سربازان آمریکا درگیر نبرد مستمر و تبادل آتش فعال نیستند.


Конгресмени туже Обаму због Либије

16. јун 2011.Вашингтон/ САД (Beta-AFP) - Десет чланова Представничког дома америчког Конгреса из обе партије поднело је савезном суду тужбу против председника Барака Обаме због предузимања војне акције у Либији без одобрења Конгреса.

У тужби се наводи да је председник САД прекршио устав заобилазећи Конгрес. Тужба је уследила пошто су већ неколико недеља чланови Конгреса из обе странке све више инстистирали на томе да Обама објасни своје акције у Либији.

Бела кућа је у четвртак предала Конгресу правну анализу у којој се показује да је председник деловао с пуним овлашћењем у складу са уставом и са законом, када је почео војну операцију у Либији, и да има правна овлашћења да настави америчко учествовање у НАТО операцији у Либији и без одобрења законодаваца.


US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot at Arizona supermarket

US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot at a public event in Tucson, Arizona today. At least five were killed and several others were wounded in the shooting, including at least one of Giffords' staff. The shooting occurred at a Safeway supermarket where Giffords, a Democratic Party member who represented Arizona's 8th congressional district, had scheduled a public "Congress on Your Corner" event.

Giffords was widely reported as having died after the attack, but her public relations personnel later said she was undergoing surgery.  Giffords was shot in the head at close range, and according to the Pima County sheriff, Giffords, aged 40, died from the attack. National Public Radio, however, reported that there were conflicting reports about her death.

Giffords was airlifted to a nearby hospital and underwent emergency surgery. A spokesperson for University Medical Center said, "She is currently in surgery. She's alive," adding that nine other shooting victims had been taken to the hospital. After the surgery, the hospital announced Giffords was alive with a single gunshot wound to the head and that she was responsive.

The hospital also said that a nine-year-old was among those killed in the shooting. David Gonzales, a US Marshal, said that federal judge John Roll also died from his wounds. President Barack Obama said the shooter killed a total of five people.

Peter Michaels, of Arizona Public Media, said Giffords had been speaking to several people when someone began firing randomly from around 4 feet (1.2 metres) away. The gunman attempted to flee but was tackled by an onlooker and taken into police custody. Described as in his late teens to early twenties, he was later identified as 22-year-old Jared Loughner, who used a handgun in the attack.


Mehrere Tote bei Attentat auf US-Kongressabgeordnete Gabrielle Giffords

Tucson (Vereinigte Staaten), 10.01.2011 – Bei einem Attentat auf die demokratische Kongressabgeordnete Gabrielle Giffords starben sechs Personen, darunter ein neunjähriges Mädchen und der Bundesrichter John Roll. Giffords erlitt einen Kopfschuss. Nach Angaben einer der behandelnden Ärzte habe Giffords jedoch gute Chancen auf eine Genesung. Außerdem wurden bei der Schießerei noch dreizehn weitere Personen verletzt. Der Zustand von insgesamt fünf Verletzten ist kritisch. Umstehende konnten den Schützen niederringen. Er befindet sich im Gewahrsam der Polizei.

Das Attentat ereignete sich am 8. Januar kurz nach zehn Uhr morgens Ortszeit bei einem Bürgertreff in einem Einkaufszentrum in Casas Adobes nördlich der Stadt Tucson im US-Bundesstaat Arizona. Der Täter, der von den US-Bundesbehörden als der zweiundzwanzigjährige Jared Lee Loughner identifiziert wurde, hatte nach Angaben von Augenzeugen zunächst aus nächster Nähe die Kongressabgeordnete in den Kopf geschossen und feuerte dann ungezielt um sich. Als er eine Pause zum Nachladen machte, konnte er überwältigt werden.

Loughner hat möglicherweise nicht alleine gehandelt. Wie der Sheriff des Pima Countys, Clarence Dupnik, mitteilte, fahnde man nach einem Mann im Alter von 50 bis 60 Jahren, der gemeinsam mit dem Täter zum Tatort gekommen sei. Über das Tatmotiv gebe es noch keine Erkenntnisse. Doch konstatierte Sheriff Dupnik ein Klima des Hasses in Arizona, sprach von „einer Bösartigkeit, die die politische Szene durchdrungen hat und gewählte Beamte ständigen Drohungen aussetzt.“ Der Sheriff kritisierte, dass nach seiner Meinung „Arizona unglücklicherweise … zu einer Art der Hauptstadt davon wurde.“ „Wir wurden zum Mekka für Vorurteile und Bigotterie“, fügte Dupnik hinzu.

Das Verbrechen wurde mit einer halbautomatischen Pistole ausgeführt, teilte Sheriff Dupnik der Presse mit.


Η Γκάμπριελ Γκίφορντς πυροβολήθηκε σε σούπερμαρκετ στην Αριζόνα

Η Γκάμπριελ Γκίφορντς, Γερουσιαστής των ΗΠΑ, πυροβολήθηκε σε δημόσια εκδήλωση στην Τουσόν, της  Αριζόνας το Σάββατο. Τουλάχιστον  πέντε (5) άνθρωποι σκοτώθηκαν και αρκετοί τραυματίστηκαν μετά από πυροβολισμούς, συμπεριλαμβανομένου και ενός  ατόμου (1) από το επιτελείο της Γκίφορντς. Οι πυροβολισμοί έγιναν στο σούπερμαρκετ Safeway όπου βρισκόταν η Γκίφορντς, μέλος του Δημοκρατικού Κόμματος και αντιπρόσωπος της  όγδοης περιφέρειας για το Κονγκρέσσο στην Αριζόνα, ενώ συμμετείχε σε μια εκδήλωση με τον τίτλο "Congress on Your Corner".

Ευρέως αναφέρθηκε ότι η Γκίφορντς σκοτώθηκε μετά την επίθεση, αλλά το προσωπικό της επιτελείο  δημοσίων σχέσεων είπε  αργότερα  ότι υποβάλλεται σε χειρουργική επέμβαση. Η Γκίφορντς πυροβολήθηκε στο κεφάλι από κοντινή απόσταση, και σύμφωνα με τον σερίφη της Πρίμα Κάουντρι, η Γκίφορντς, ετών 40, πέθανε μετά την επίθεση. Το National Public Radio, ωστόσο, αναφέρει ότι υπάρχουν αντικρουόμενες αναφορές σχετικά με τον θάνατο της.

Η Γκίφορντς μεταφέρθηκε σε κοντινό νοσοκομείο και υποβλήθηκε σε χειρουργική επέμβαση. Ένας εκπρόσωπος του Ιατρικού Κέντρου του Πανεπιστημίου της Αριζόνας είπε, "Τώρα είναι στο χειρουργείο. Είναι ζωντανή," προσθέτοντας ότι εννέα (9) άλλα θύματα βρίσκονται στο νοσοκομείο. Μετά την εγχείρηση, το νοσοκομείο ανακοίνωσε ότι η Γκίφορντς ήταν ζωντανή με μόνο μια πληγή από πυροβολισμό στο κεφάλι και ότι επικοινωνούσε.

Το νοσοκομείο επίσης είπε ότι ένα παιδί εννέα ετών σκοτώθηκε μετά την επίθεση. Ο Νταβίντ Γκονζάλες, Στρατάρχης των ΗΠΑ, είπε ότι ο ομοσπονδιακός δικαστής Τζόν Ρόλλ επίσης σκοτώθηκε από τους πυροβολισμούς. Ο Πρόεδρος Μπαράκ Ομπάμα είπε ότι ο δράστης σκότωσε συνολικά πέντε άτομα.

Ο Πέτερ Μίκαελς, από τα ΜΜΕ της Αριζόνας, είπε ότι η Γκίφορντς μιλούσε σε αρκετούς ανθρώπους όταν κάποιος άρχισε να πυροβολεί από απόσταση 4 ποδιών (1.2 μέτρα). Ο δράστης προσπάθησε να διαφύγει αλλά πιάστηκε από την αστυνομία και τέθηκε υπό κράτηση. Ο δράστης ήταν ο Τζάρεντ Λούγνερ, 22 ετών, ο οποίος χρησιμοποιήσε πιστόλι κατά την επίθεση.

10 Ιανουαρίου 2011


Congresista estadounidense Gabrielle Giffords recibe un disparo en un supermercado de Arizona

8 de enero de 2011Tucson, Arizona —

La congresista demócrata Gabrielle Giffords estaría herida gravemente tras un tiroteo en un evento público este sábado. Por lo menos 4 personas fallecieron y varias resultaron heridas. El tiroteo ocurrió en un supermercado de la firma Safeway, donde la congresista, representante demócrata del 8º distrito de Arizona, participaba de un evento denominado "Congress on Your Corner" (en español: El Congreso en Tu Esquina).

Gran cantidad de medios reportaron que había muerto después del ataque, sin embargo, el entorno de relaciones públicas de Giffords luego declaró que fue sometida a cirugía.
Giffords sufrió un disparo en la cabeza a corta distancia, y de acuerdo al sheriff del Condado de Pima, Giffords, de 40 años, había muerto por el ataque. Sin embargo, la National Public Radio informó que existirían informes contradictorios acerca del suceso.

Giffords había sido trasladada a un hospital cercano y fue sometida a una cirugía de emergencia. Después de la cirugía, desde el hospital anunciaron que Giffords estaba viva con una sola herida de bala en la cabeza. Darci Slaten, portavoz del Centro Médico Universitario de Tucson, había dicho, "Ella se encuentra actualmente en cirugía. Ella está viva", y añadió que nueve de las víctimas del tiroteo habían sido trasladadas al hospital.

Peter Michaels, de Arizona Public Media, declaró que Giffords había estado hablando con varias personas cuando alguien empezó a disparar al azar desde aproximadamente un metro de distancia. El atacante intentó huir pero fue derribado por una persona y puesto bajo custodia policial. Sería un joven adolescente o de unos veinte años.


Arizona, USA: deputata democratica raggiunta da colpi d'arma da fuoco, in fin di vita

La deputata democratica dell'Arizona Gabrielle Giffords è stata coinvolta in una sparatoria durante un evento politico nella città di Tucson, in Arizona: stando alle ultime notizie, la donna è in condizioni critiche, ma l'intervento chirurgico cui è stata sottoposta sarebbe riuscito e il chirurgo che l'ha operata ha dichiarato alla CNN di essere moderatamente ottimista circa il suo recupero. La donna è stata colpita alla testa da un colpo sparato a bruciapelo. Attualmente è ricoverata in terapia intensiva all'University Medical Center di Tucson.

Almeno sei persone sono morte, fra di esse vi sarebbero un giudice federale, John McCarthy Roll, e una bambina di nove anni, mentre altre undici sono rimaste ferite, alcune in condizioni giudicate gravi. Un sospetto è stato fermato, ma non sono ancora note le motivazioni che lo hanno portato a compiere la strage: si tratterebbe di un maschio bianco di 22 anni, Jared Laughner, ed avrebbe usato una pistola.

La sparatoria è avvenuta poco dopo le 10 del mattino ora locale (le 18 ora italiana). La autorità federali hanno immediatamente preso il comando delle indagini per comprendere dinamica e movente della strage.

Si sono diffuse notizie contrastanti circa la sorte della deputata: la notizia della morte è stata più volte smentita, e, secondo un portavoce dell'ospedale nel quale è stata ricoverata, la Giffords è ancora in vita, ma in condizioni critiche e sottoposta ad un delicato intervento chirurgico.

Giffords è stata eletta al Congresso degli Stati Uniti nel 2006 in uno Stato decisamente conservatore come l'Arizona nonostante le sue forti posizioni a favore dell'aborto: terza donna eletta nello Stato e prima di religione ebraica, è stata rieletta nel 2008 e nel 2010, sconfiggendo in quest'ultimo caso una delle stelle emergenti del Tea Party, Jesse Kelly. È sposata con l'astronauta Mark Kelly, che, sino ad oggi, dovrebbe guidare la penultima missione dello Space Shuttle.

Il presidente degli Stati Uniti, Barack Obama, ha dichiarato che l'attentato di Tucson è stata «un'indicibile tragedia che non può trovare posto in una libera società», mentre il nuovo speaker della Camera John Boehner ha condannato l'attentato, affermando che «ogni attacco a un servitore dello Stato è un attacco a tutti i servitori dello Stato»


В Аризоне осуществлено покушение на члена Конгресса

Член Конгресса США от штата Аризона, демократ Габриэль Гиффордс получила сквозное огнестрельное ранение в голову во время встречи с избирателями в штате Аризона на юго-западе страны. Преступник выстрелил из пистолета в Гиффордс в упор, после чего открыл беспорядочную стрельбу по собравшимся.

40-летняя Гиффордс стала одной из 18 человек, попавших под огонь. 6 человек погибли, среди них федеральный судья Джон Ролл и 9-летняя девочка. В больницы отправлены 12 раненых, некоторые в крайне тяжелом состоянии.

Заведующий отделением хирургии в больнице Университета Аризона Питер Ри заявил, что Габриэль Гиффордс перенесла операцию. Сейчас она находится в критическом состоянии, однако доктор Ри сказал, что «с оптимизмом» смотрит на переспективу ее выздоровления.

Всего в больницу Университета Аризоны поступили 10 человек, получивших самые тяжелые ранения. По поступившим сообщениям, ранены также сотрудники аппарата Гиффордс, находившиеся вместе с ней в магазине.

Американские СМИ сообщают, что человеком, устроившим стрельбу, оказался 22-летний Джаред Ли Лафнер. Его обезвредили свидетели бойни. Лафнер задержан полицией. Американские СМИ, со ссылкой на Управление шерифа округа Пима, сообщают, что Джаред Лафнер страдает психическим заболеванием. Следствие рассматривает версию и о том, что у преступника мог быть сообщник, с которым Лафнер появился на встрече Гиффордс с избирателями.

Президент Обама сделал короткое заявление через несколько часов после того, как вооруженный пистолетом преступник тяжело ранил Габриэль Гиффордс и еще 17 человек. Президент отдал дань памяти тем, кто погиб в результате нападения, включая окружного судью.

«Среди погибших федеральный судья Джон Ролл, отдавший американской судебной системе 40 лет, и маленькая девочка, которой только исполнилось девять лет», — сказал президент.

40-летняя Гиффордс представляла демократов в преимущественно республиканском штате. Лишь несколько дней назад начался ее третий срок в Конгрессе. Обама назвал ее другом: «Она не только блестящий политический деятель, но и теплый, заботливый человек. Ее любят и коллеги, и избиратели».

О жестокой расправе в Аризоне президенту сообщили представители его команды, занимающиеся национальной безопасностью, и ряд других высших руководителей страны. «Сейчас идет всестороннее расследование. И по моему распоряжению, директор ФБР Боб Мюллер сейчас на пути в Аризону, где он поможет координировать усилия. Я также побеседовал с лидерами демократов и республиканцев в Конгрессе», — подчеркнул Обама.

Президент попытался, но не смог дозвониться до мужа Гиффорд, астронавта Марка Келли, который тоже направлялся в Аризону.

Обама стал первым из политических лидеров, выразивших возмущение в связи с инцидентом и призвавших объединиться в молитве и поддержке: «В моменты трагедий американцы сплачиваются и поддерживают друг друга. И сейчас я прошу всех американцев присоединиться к нам с Мишель в молитвах за всех пострадавших, включая Гэбби, и их родных».

Барак Обама пообещал американцам, что все подробности инцидента будут выяснены, а Америка пройдет это испытание.

Нынешний губернатор штата Джейн Брюер также назвала Габриэль Гиффордс своим другом и распорядилась приспустить флаги штата в знак траура по погибшим.

Спикер Палаты представителей республиканец Джон Бейнер сказал, что был «в ужасе», когда узнал про атаку на Гиффордс. «В нашем обществе не должно быть места актам и угрозам насилия против государственных должностных лиц», — заявил Бейнер.

Представитель демократического меньшинства Палаты представителей Ненси Пелоси также возмущена насилием. «Мы встретили эту новость с глубочайшей печалью», — сказала Пелоси.

Министр национальной безопасности США Джанет Наполитано сказала, что такие бессмысленные акты насилия недопустимы.

Бывший кандидат в президенты сенатор-республиканец от штата Аризона Джон Маккейн сказал, что нападение на Гиффордс — ужасающая трагедия, которая шокировала его и всю страну.

9 января 2011 года


Могући мотиви напада на америчку политичарку

Вашингтон / САД, (Beta-AP) - Агенција АП у недељу се бави могућим мотивима напада на чланицу Представничког дома америчког Конгреса Габријел Гифордс (Gabrielle Giffords), подсећајући на контроверзну реформу здравствене заштите у САД и претње које је тим поводом добијала.

Габријел Гифордс (40) из Демократске странке тешко је рањена пуцњем у главу у суботу док је држала говор на једном скупу у граду Тусону у Аризони, а још пет особа је убијено, међу којима и једно дете.

Како напомиње агенција АП, многи чланови Конгреса, посебно из Демократске странке, осећали су да је расправа о закону о реформи здравствене заштите, усвојеном у марту 2010. године, измакла контроли. Габријел Гифордс је била међу члановима Конгреса који су у прва три месеца 2010. године пријавили 42 претње или вандалска чина, што је драстично повећање у односу на 2009, навела је полиција.

Скоро све претње су биле у вези са законом о здравственој заштити коју су демократе, међу којима и Габријел Гифордс усвојиле упркос оштром противљењу републиканаца.


அமெரிக்கக் கீழவை உறுப்பினர் துப்பாக்கிச் சூட்டில் படுகாயமடைந்தார்

ஐக்கிய அமெரிக்காவின் காங்கிரஸ் உறுப்பினர் காபிரியேல் கிபர்ட்ஸ் நேற்று சனிக்கிழமை அரிசோனா மாநிலத்தில் டக்சன் என்ற இடத்தில் பொதுக் கூட்டம் ஒன்றில் கலந்து கொண்டபோது சுடப்பட்டுப் படுகாயமடைந்தார். துப்பாக்கிச் சூட்டின் போது ஒன்பது வயதுச் சிறுமி உட்பட ஆறு பேர் கொல்லப்பட்டுப் பலர் காயமடைந்தனர்.

சேஃப்வே பல்பொருள் அங்காடித் தொகுதி ஒன்றில் இடம்பெற்ற [[w:மக்களாட்சிக் கட்சி (ஐக்கிய அமெரிக்கா)|சனநாயகக் கட்சி ஒழுங்கு செய்த கூட்டம் ஒன்றில் கலந்து கொண்ட போதே இனந்தெரியாத நபர் காபிரியேல் மீது தானியங்கித் துப்பாக்கியால் கண்மூடித்தனமாகச் சுட்டார். இதில் காபிரியெலின் தலையில் குண்டு பாய்ந்தது. அவருடன் அருகிலிருந்த அமெரிக்கத் தலைமை நீதிபதி, மற்றும் ஒரு சிறுமி ஆகியோர் அவ்விடத்திலேயே உயிரிழந்தனர்.

இந்நிகழ்வில் 40 அகவையுடைய காபிரியெலும் இறந்துவிட்டதாக அமெரிக்க ஊடகங்கள் முன்னர் தகவல் வெளியிட்டிருந்த போதும் அவரது பொது விவகாரங்களுக்கான செயலாளர் இச்செய்தியை மறுத்துள்ளார். காபிரியேல் மருத்துவமனையில் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டு சத்திர சிகிச்சை மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டதாக அவர் தெரிவித்தார். ஆபத்தான கட்டத்தில் காபிரியேல் உயிருக்கு போராடி வருவதாக செய்திகள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

அருகில் உள்ள மருத்துவமனைக்கு எடுத்துச் செல்லப்பட்ட காபிரியேல் உயிருடன் இருப்பதாக அரிசோனா பல்கலைக்கழக மருத்துவமனைப் பேச்சாளர் தெரிவித்துள்ளார். ஒரே ஒரு குண்டு மட்டுமே காபிரியேலைத் தாக்கியுள்ளதாகவும், ஒன்பது பேர் மருத்துவமனையில் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டதாகவும் அவர் மேலும் தெரிவித்தார்.

இத்தாக்குதலை மேற்கொண்ட நபர் 22 வயதான ஜாரெட் லோஃப்னர் என்ற இளைஞர் என்றும் சம்பவ இடத்திலேயே காவல்துறையினரால் மடக்கிப் பிடிக்கப்பட்டதாகவும் தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது.

காபிரியேல் கிஃபர்ட்ஸ் ஒரு "அசாதாரணப் பொது ஊழியர்" என அரசுத்தலைவர் பராக் ஒபாமா புகழாரம் சூட்டினார்.

அரிசோனாவிலிருந்து செனட் சபைக்கு தெரிவான மிக இளம்வயது பெண்மணியாகவும், அரிசோனாவின் முதல் யூத இனப் பெண்மணியாகவும், வாசிங்டனுக்கான மூன்றாவது செனெட் பிரதிநிதியாகவும் உள்ள காபிரியல், அரசுத்தலைவர் பராக் ஒபாமாவின் மருத்துவத் திட்டத்துக்கு ஆதரவு அளித்து வந்தவர் என்பதும் குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

ஞாயிறு, சனவரி 9, 2011


US Court of Appeals upholds free licenses

Wednesday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed a lower court ruling and held that licenses such as Creative Commons (CC) licenses set conditions on the use of copyrighted work as opposed to covenants. This means that if a creative work is being used outside the terms of the license, the person modifying or republishing the work is guilty of copyright infringement for failing to attribute the original work.

Academic and political activist Lawrence Lessig stated it was "a very important victory" for free licensing, and expressed his gratitude for the part Stanford Center for Internet and Society, a project he founded, played in achieving the finding.

A previous court ruling had denied relief to the plaintiff stating that its Artistic License only demanded contractual promises; that a violation thereof would not be, in fact a copyright infringement.


Tribunal de Apelações dos Estados Unidos defende licenças livres

Estados Unidos • 25 de agosto de 2008

O Tribunal de Recurso Federal Circuito dos Estados Unidos inverteu no dia 13, uma decisão do tribunal inferior e declarar que licenças, como Creative Commons (CC), tem que estabelecer condições relativas à utilização do trabalho original, por oposição a convênios. Isto significa que se um trabalho criativo está sendo utilizado fora dos termos da licença, a pessoa modifica ou republica o trabalho é culpado de violação de direitos autorais para não atribuir o trabalho original.

O acadêmico e ativista político Lawrence Lessig declarou que era "uma vitória muito importante" para o licenciamento livre e expressou sua gratidão por parte da Stanford Center for Internet and Society (Centro de Internet e Sociedade Stanford, na tradução livre), um projeto que ele fundou, jogado na realização do encontro.

Uma decisão judicial anterior havia negado socorro ao queixoso afirmando que a sua Artistic License (Licença Artística) exigia apenas promessas contratuais; que uma violação desse fato não seria, de fato, uma violação de direitos autorais.


US crew retakes ship hijacked by pirates; captain held hostage

The crew of a United States-flagged ship managed to retake the craft from four Somali pirates on Wednesday, but the boat's captain is reported to be held hostage in a lifeboat. According to the authorities, a US destroyer and six other vessels were dispatched to the scene.

The ship involved in the incident was the 17,000-tonne Maersk Alabama, which was headed to Mombasa, Kenya. It was attacked by Somali pirates about five hundred kilometers from Somalia's coast, according to the CEO and president of Maersk, John Reinhart.

Ken Quinn, the ship's second mate, said that the four pirates were in the vessel's lifeboat with the captain, having sunk their boat after seizing the Alabama.

The ship's crew had taken one of the pirates hostage in an attempt to swap him for the captain, but the ploy failed.

"We had a pirate we took and kept him for 12 hours," Quinn said to CNN. "We tied him up and he was our prisoner." The crew returned the pirate, but the pirates did not release the captain. "So now we're just trying to offer them whatever we can, food, but it's not working too good," Quinn said.

The Maersk Alabama was carrying food aid to the Kenyan port of Mombassa when it was attacked by the pirates. Twenty US crew members were aboard. According to Quinn, the crew did not have any weapons, but pirates were armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles. The crew locked themselves in the steering gear compartment of the ship, and remained there for twelve hours. Quinn says that the pirates "got frustrated because they couldn't find us."

Piracy in the waters off the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden is rife: this is the sixth ship to be seized by Somali pirates in the area in a week. The last time an American ship was attacked by African pirates was in 1804.


Somalie : le capitaine d'un navire battant pavillon américain aux mains des pirates

Publié le 8 avril 2009   L'équipage du navire battant pavillon américain détourné ce matin au large des côtes est-africaines a repris le contrôle du navire ; c'est qu'ont indiqué des responsables du ministère américain de la Défense. Toutefois, le capitaine du bateau est aux mains des pirates, à bord d'une petite embarcation, et des négociations ont été engagées pour sa libération, précisent les mêmes sources. Selon Jane Campbell, porte-parole de la US Navy, le « Maersk Alabama », qui appartient à une compagnie danoise, a été détourné tôt, ce matin, à 450 km au sud-est de Eyl, une ville de la région septentrionale somalienne du Puntland.

D’une capacité de 17 000 tonnes, le « Maersk Alabama » a un équipage de 20 Américains à bord et transporte de l’aide alimentaire d’urgence à destination du port de Mombassa, au Kenya. Cette cargaison comprend 990 tonnes d’huiles végétales et 4 000 t d’un mélange de farine de maïs et de soja, a précisé Peter Smerdon, porte-parole de la FAO à Nairobi.

C’est la première fois qu’un navire battant pavillon américain est détourné par des otages au large des côtes est-africaines. Les États-Unis et d’autres pays ont déployé des navires de guerre au large de la Somalie l’année dernière dans une tentative de neutraliser les pirates. Toutefois, ces derniers opèrent de plus en plus loin des côtes pour éviter les patrouilles navales. Le « Maersk Alabama » est le sixième navire saisi cette semaine, dans la région, par les pirates somaliens. Ceux-ci ont saisi plus de 50 navires au cours des derniers 18 mois, exigeant et obtenant des rançons allant jusqu'à plusieurs millions de dollars. Ils détiennent actuellement une dizaine de bateaux et leurs équipages.


US diplomat shot and killed in Sudan

An American Foreign Service diplomat for USAID, the United States Agency for International Development and former Peace corps voluteer has been shot and killed in Sudan.

John Granville, aged 33 from Buffalo, New York was traveling home from a New Years Eve party in Khartoum when his car was ambushed in a residential area of the city. His driver, Abdel Rahman Abbas aged 40 who was an employee for the U.S. embassy in Sudan was also shot and killed in what the embassy described as a 'hail of gunfire'.

"This afternoon, the American officer succumbed to his injuries and passed away. We are working closely with local authorities to investigate the incident," said the embassy in a statement.

Granville was shot five times and taken to a hospital where he later died. Abbas was killed instantly. It is not yet known whether the attack was a random act of violence, or if Granville was exclusively targeted.

"At this point we're not ruling anything out, but we don't know," said spokesman for the U.S. embassy, Walter Braunohler.

Despite the embassy's statement, the Sudanese government claims that a fight between people in two other cars, one with "foreigners," near Granville turned deadly and the individuals began to open fire on the car carrying the foreigners.


Sudan: ucciso un diplomatico degli Stati Uniti

Un diplomatico americano dell'organizzazione per lo Sviluppo internazionale (United States Agency for International Development) è stato colpito a morte in Sudan.

John Granville, 33 anni di Buffallo, nello stato del New York, era di ritorno dai festeggiamenti per il Capodanno, a Khartoum, quando la sua automobile è stata fermata nei pressi di un centro residenziale della città. L'autista, Abdel Rahman Abbas, 40 anni, impiegato presso l'ambasciata statunitense USA è stato costretto a bloccare l'automobile, per poi essere ucciso come Granville.

Un comunicato dell'ambasciata riferisce: Quest'oggi, un diplomatico americano è stato ferito mortalmente, ed è deceduto. Stiamo lavorando insieme alle autorità locali per investigare sull'accaduto.

Mentre l'autista è morto sul colpo, a causa delle ferite riportate, Granville è stato ferito da cinque proiettili: trasportato in ospedale, è morto dopo alcune ore. Non si capisce ancora se l'uccisione del diplomatico sia stato un caso isolato di violenza oppure Grainville fosse un obiettivo già prefissato.

A questo punto non possiamo escludere nulla, ma non sappiamo nulla, ha detto il portavoce dell'ambasciata, Walter Braunohler.


Diplomata Americano é morto no Sudão

Um voluntário Americano diplomata do Peace Corps. foi morto a tiros no Sudão.

John Granville, com idade entre 33 ,origináreio de Buffalo, Nova York estava visitando o New Years Eve partido político que fica em Cartum quando seu carro foi cercado em uma área residencial da cidade. Seu motorista, Abdel Rahman Abbas com idades compreendidas entre os 40 que era um funcionário da embaixada americana no Sudão foi também foi morto com um tiro.

"Esta tarde, o funcionário americano sucumbiu aos seus ferimentos e faleceu. Estamos a trabalhar em estreita colaboração com as autoridades locais para investigar o incidente", disse a embaixada em uma declaração.

Granville foi baleado cinco vezes e levado para um hospital, onde morreu mais tarde. Abbas foi morto instantaneamente. É ainda não se sabe se o ataque foi um ato de violência aleatória, ou se Granville foi exclusivamente direcionados.

"Neste momento não estamos a decidir qualquer coisa, mas não sabemos", disse voz para a embaixada Americana, Walter Braunohler.

Apesar da declaração da embaixada, o governo sudanês alega que uma luta entre as pessoas em outros dois carros, um com "estrangeiros", perto Granville virou mortal e as pessoas começaram a abrir fogo sobre o carro transportando os estrangeiros.


US drone strike kills eight in Pakistan's tribal region

A suspected United States military air strike launched by a remote-controlled and unmanned CIA aircraft on Monday morning killed at least 8 militants. Media reports claim that in two separate attacks, three missiles were fired by US drones at South Waziristan's Karikot and Shin Warsak villages, a tribal area in northwest Pakistan, well-known as center of Taliban and Al-Qaeda activity. The site of the attack is about nine miles (15 km) from the town of Wana in South Waziristan, an ungoverned tribal region.

South Waziristan is the southern part of Waziristan, a mountainous region of northwest Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering some 11,585 km² (4,473 mi²). It comprises the area west and southwest of Peshawar between the Tochi River to the North and the Gomal river to the south, forming part of Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The North-West Frontier Province lies immediately to the east. The region was an independent tribal territory from 1893, remaining outside of British-ruled empire and Afghanistan. Tribal raiding into British-ruled territory was a constant problem for the British, requiring frequent punitive expeditions between 1860 and 1945. The region became part of Pakistan in 1947.

A senior security official said that "two vehicles fitted with guns were destroyed," adding that "the eight people killed were all inside the vehicles." Pakistani intelligence said they believed the extremists killed were members of local Pakistani Taliban groups. The reports also said that the missiles "targeted vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns, and one missile missed its intended target and landed near a house." A local official said nine other extremists were wounded in the drone strike.

Agence France-Presse has reported that "a missile attack late last month by a US jet killed Rashid Rauf, the alleged Al-Qaeda mastermind of a 2006 transatlantic airplane bombing plot, as well as an Egyptian Al-Qaeda operative, security officials have said." US unmanned drones have launched not less than 20 missile attacks in Pakistan Afghan border or tribal areas since August. The strikes have raised tensions between Washington and Islamabad.

In November, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani viewed these missile strikes as flagrant violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He announced his government was considering "a number of options to counter attacks". BBC has reported, however, that Pakistan "has been reluctant to move either diplomatically or militarily to stop these strikes." "This has fuelled speculation that the attacks may be part of a secret pact between Pakistan and the US," it added. Meanwhile, President George W. Bush, last week, said that "you know very well that when it comes to certain matters, the U.S. government doesn't discuss operations." He ruled out consultations with other governments, including Pakistan, prior to drone strikes operations.


Пакистан: Званичници претпостављају да су САД извршиле два ракетна напада

Исламабад / Пакистан (Глас Америке) Званичници пакистанске обавештајне службе су саопштили да је у два, како се претпоставља, америчка ракетна напада на племенском подручју у близини авганистанске границе, погинуло најмање 18 људи.

Надлежни кажу да је по свему судећи америчка беспилотна летелица испалила три ракете на кућу у селу у близини Мир Алија у покрајини северни Вазиристан, у којој је погинуло најмање 10 људи. Локални званичници кажу да је међу њима било најмање пет екстремиста из иностранства. Неколико сати касније, ракета је погодила насеље у оближњем Јужном Вазиристану и убила најмање 8 људи. Наводи се да су то први такви напади откако је на дужност ступила администрација новог америчког председника. Администрација председника Буша је одбијала да прихвати или демантује одговорност за сличне нападе, којих је од средине прошле године било тридесетак - упркос јавним протестима Пакистанске владе.


US General invokes right against self-incrimination in Abu Ghraib case

Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller, a top US commander who supervised the detention and interrogation of detainees at Guantanomo Bay and Abu Ghraib facilities declined to testify in a court-martial proceeding, by invoking his right to not implicate himself, the Washington Post reports. This is believed to be the first time that the role of senior officers in the prisoner abuse scandal has formally surfaced.

Gen. Miller declined to testify during the court-martial trial involving two dog-handlers who are accused of detainee abuse. An attorney for one of the accused is seeking to question Miller on whether he ordered the use of dogs to frighten detainees during interrogations.

Gen. Miller's lawyer has stated that the decision to decline testifying was taken as Miller has been repeatedly interviewed over the last several years, and that he stands by his previous statements made to Congress, Army Investigators and lawyers.

Josh White. "General Asserts Right On Self-Incrimination In Iraq Abuse Cases" — Washington Post, January 12, 2006


General estadounidense invoca el derecho a la no autoincriminación en caso de Abu Ghraib

El Mayor General Geofrey Miller, un comandante de alto rango que supervisó la detención y el interrogatorio de los detenidos en el Campo X de Guantánamo, Cuba y en la cárcel de Abu Ghraib en Iraq declinó testificar en una corte marcial, invocando el derecho a no autoimplicarse, según un artículo de The Washington Post. Esta es la primera vez que el papel de un alto oficial en el escándalo de tortura de prisioneros se hace oficialmente público.

El General Miller declinó ser testigo en la corte marcial de dos entrenadores de perros que fueron acusados del abuso de prisioneros. Uno de los abogados defensores está tratando de investigar si Miller dio la orden de usar perros para atemorizar prisioneros con el fin de interrogarlos.

Miller declaró que declina a atestiguar porque ya ha sido entrevistado varias veces y se ratifica en sus declaraciones frente al Congreso. A diferencia de las declaraciones frente al Legislativo nacional, las declaraciones de un testigo ante una corte marcial se hacen bajo juramento.


General dos EUA exige direito de não se auto-incriminar em caso de Abu Ghraib

O General  Geoffrey D.  Miller,  comandante de alta patente dos EUA que supervisionou a detenção e o interrogatório dos detentos em Guantánamo,  Cuba, e no cárcere de Abu Ghraib no Iraque declinou testemunhar numa corte marcial, invocando o direito a não auto incriminar-se,  segundo artigo do jornal  The Washington Post.

O General Miller recusou ser testemunha no julgamento de dois treinadores de cachorros,  acusados de terem praticado  abuso contra prisioneiros. Um dos advogados de defesa investiga  se Miller foi responsável pela ordem de usar cachorros para atemorizar prisioneiros em Abu Ghraib com o fim de interrogá-los.

O advogado do General Miller disse que a decisão de recusar-se a testemunhar foi tomada porque Miller já testemunhou várias vezes nos últimos anos, e que ele mantém suas declarações prévias feitas para o Congresso, Investigadores do Exército e advogados.


US hikers freed after two years of custody in Iran

Two US hikers, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, have been freed from Tehran's Evin prison in Iran after $1 million bail was paid.

Accused of spying, the men were arrested when they apparently strayed along the unmarked Iran–Iraq border in July 2009, and were recently sentenced to eight years in prison. Arrested with them was a third US hiker, Sarah Shourd, released in 2010 on medical grounds. All three have denied the charges.

The two hikers were bailed and their sentences commuted. Their Iranian attorney, Masoud Shafiei, stated Oman provided the bail.

The two arrived in Muscat, Oman late Wednesday, where they were met by waiting family members as well as fellow hiker Sarah Shourd.


آزادی دو کوهنورد آمریکایی

دو کوهنورد آمریکایی وارد شهر مسقط پایتخت کشور عمان شدند و از عمان نیز رهسپار آمریکا خواهند شد. این دو کوه‌نورد با قرار وثیقه ۵ میلیارد ریالی برای هر کدام، عصر چهارشنبه ۳۰ شهریور امسال آزاد شده‌اند.

موسی قربانی نماینده مردم قائنات در مجلس شورای اسلامی نیز اعلام کرد:

باراک اوباما نیز در این باره اعلام کرد:

همچینین باراک اوباما از سلطان قابوس بن سعید، سلطان عمان، جلال طالبانی، رئیس‌جمهوری عراق و مقامات دولت سوئیس  که در آزادی این دو زندانی نقش داشته‌اند تشکر کرد.


US House of Representatives impeaches President Trump

On Wednesday, the United States House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump over complaints arising from an alleged abuse of power. Trump, the third President to be impeached by the House, is to face trial in the Senate.

The House passed two different articles of impeachment. The first charged Trump with abuse of power, and the second accused him of obstruction of Congress. The abuse of power charge stemmed from allegations Trump tried to pressure the Ukrainian government to launch an investigation of Joe Biden's son, in order to help Trump's chances in the 2020 United States presidential election in which Biden is also running. The articles passed by votes of 230-to-197 and 229-to-198 respectively.

The impeachment occurred largely along partisan lines, with Democratic members of the House voting in favor of the impeachment, and Republican members opposing. Two Democratic Representatives, Collin Peterson and Jeff Van Drew, opposed both articles of impeachment, and a third, Jared Golden, voted for the first article but against the second. In the immediate aftermath of the vote, CNN reported Jeff Van Drew was expected to leave the Democratic party.

Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate Majority Leader, reportedly previously committed to proceeding with an impeachment trial, anticipated to begin in January. He publicly stated the trial would not be impartial, saying he anticipated having "a largely partisan outcome" in the Senate. Republicans hold a majority in the Senate, and for a trial to result in removal from office a two-thirds majority is needed. If Trump were removed, the Senate constitutionally could disqualify him from serving as President again.

The House has only impeached two other Presidents. Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998, and Andrew Johnson in 1868. The Senate acquitted both of them.


Impeachment-procedure tegen Trump goedgekeurd door Huis van Afgevaardigden

Het Amerikaanse Huis van Afgevaardigden heeft afgelopen nacht, na meer dan elf uur debatteren, ingestemd met de impeachmentprocedure tegen president Donald Trump die in september door de Democratische Partij in gang werd gezet. Hoewel men binnen het Huis van Afgevaardigden sterk verdeeld is over de kwestie, was toch een meerderheid van mening dat er voldoende grond is om twee aanklachten tegen de president in te dienen. Het is de derde keer in de Amerikaanse geschiedenis dat er een afzettingsprocedure tegen een zittend president plaatsvindt.

De eerste aanklacht tegen Trump betreft machtsmisbruik. In juli van dit jaar zou Trump persoonlijk opdracht hebben gegeven om de militaire steun aan Oekraïne te bevriezen. Het gaat hierbij om een bedrag ter waarde van 360 miljoen euro. In een telefoongesprek dat Trump een week later voerde met de Oekraïense president Volodimir Zelenski eiste hij dat die een corruptie-onderzoek zou starten tegen voormalig vicepresident Joe Biden, die zich kandidaat heeft gesteld voor de presidentsverkiezingen van volgend jaar, en tegen Bidens zoon Hunter. Het lijkt er dus sterk op Trump Zelenski op deze manier onder druk heeft willen zetten. Enkele belangrijke functionarissen binnen het Witte Huis hebben voor Trump belastende verklaringen afgelegd. Volgens de Democraten heeft Trump hiermee niet alleen zijn presidentiële macht misbruikt, maar ook de nationale veiligheid op het spel gezet. De tweede aanklacht betreft het tegenwerken door Trump van het Congres in diens onderzoek, waarmee de president het goede verloop van de rechtsgang heeft gehinderd.

Vooralsnog is de kans klein dat Trump daadwerkelijk wordt afgezet. De zaak moet eerst nog ter goedkeuring door de Senaat, alwaar een tweederdemeerderheid voor moet zijn. Omdat in de Senaat de Republikeinse Partij momenteel in de meerderheid is, is de kans groot dat de zaak daar alsnog sneuvelt.

Trump heeft gereageerd op het in gang zetten van de procedure tijdens een verkiezingsbijeenkomst in Michigan. Hij wrijft de Democraten aan dat ze "diepe haat en minachting jegens de Amerikaanse kiezer"  vertonen, en zegt dat de Democratische Partij door het starten van de impeachment-procedure "politieke zelfmoord" pleegt. Ook viel hij meerdere mensen persoonlijk aan omdat zij de procedure steunen, onder wie congreslid Debbie Dingell (en).


Палата представителей США проголосовала за импичмент президента Трампа

Вечером в среду, 18 декабря 2019 года, в Палате представителей США завершилось голосование по статьям импичмента в отношении президента Дональда Трампа. Депутаты поддержали оба обвинения. Итоги голосования отразили глубокий раскол, сложившийся в Палате представителей по партийному признаку.

По первой статье обвинения — «злоупотребление властью» — «за» проголосовали — 230 законодателей, «против» — 197.

По второй статье обвинения — «воспрепятствование работе Конгресса» — «за» проголосовали — 229 законодателей, «против» — 198.

Демократы Петерсон, Ван Дрю и Голден проголосовали против обеих статей импичмента. Демократ Тулси Габбард, претендующая на участие в президентских выборах в 2020 году, воздержалась от голосования по обеим статьям.

Сразу после подсчета голосов в Палате представителей, конгрессвумен Тулси Габбард опубликовала заявление, объяснив свою позицию в отношении импичмента.

«Внимательно ознакомившись с 658-страничным отчетом об импичменте, я пришла к выводу, что я не могу с чистой совестью проголосовать ни „за“, ни „против“… Я решила воздержаться от голосования. Я не могу с чистой совестью проголосовать против импичмента, потому что я думаю, что президент Трамп совершил правонарушение. Я также не могу с чистой совестью поддержать импичмент, потому что отстранение действующего президента не должно быть результатом однопартийного процесса, разжигаемого племенной враждой, которая так глубоко разделила нашу страну. Когда три месяца назад я проголосовала за начало расследования об импичменте, я сказала, что это не должно стать однопартийным проектом… К сожалению, именно это и произошло», — говорится в заявлении Габбард.

В целом, голосование, как и предполагалось, еще раз подтвердило жесткое разделение позиций законодателей по партийному принципу.

Для утверждения вопрос об импичменте было необходимо набрать 216 голосов законодателей.

Пресс-служба Белого дома уже прокомментировала итоги голосования в Палате представителей, назвав объявление импичмента президента Дональда Трампа «кульминацией… одного из самых постыдных политических эпизодов в истории нашей страны». Об этом говорится в заявлении пресс-секретаря Белого дома Стефани Гришэм.

Ранее только два президента были подвергнуты импичменту: Билл Клинтон в 1998 году и Эндрю Джонсон в 1868 году, однако они сохранили свои посты. В 1974 году Ричард Никсон ушел в отставку, не дожидаясь объявления импичмента.

После объявления импичмента Палатой представителей Конгресса США Дональд Трамп продолжит управление государством.

Судьбу президента решит Сенат: в нем будут рассмотрены утвержденные Палатой представителей обвинения (статьи импичмента) в адрес Дональда Трампа и доказательства его невиновности.

Процессом будет руководить глава Верховного суда США Джон Робертс.

За импичмент должны проголосовать две трети сенаторов (не менее 67).

Процедура рассмотрения должна быть определена лидерами Сената.

Вероятнее всего, Сенат начнет слушания в январе. Продолжительность процесса не регламентирована.

Если сторонники импичмента в Сенате не получат необходимого большинства голосов, Дональд Трамп сохранит свой пост.

Если Сенат поддержит импичмент, главой государства станет нынешний вице-президент Майк Пенс.

Пресс-секретарь президента назвала результаты голосования об импичменте «кульминацией одного из самых постыдных политических эпизодов» в истории США.

Пресс-служба Белого дома прокомментировала итоги голосования в Палате представителей, назвав объявление импичмента президента Дональда Трампа «кульминацией… одного из самых постыдных политических эпизодов в истории нашей страны». Об этом говорится в заявлении пресс-секретаря Белого дома Стефани Гришэм.

«Не получив ни одного голоса от республиканцев, не предоставив ни одного доказательства правонарушений, демократы утвердили незаконные статьи импичмента против президента в Палате представителей», — говорится в заявлении Белого дома.

По словам Гришэм, на протяжении всего «фарса с импичментом» демократы отказывали президенту в надлежащих правах, которые ему предоставляет закон. Конгрессмены «провели расследование в полной тайне за закрытыми дверями, так что председатель Адам Шифф и его политические соратники могли выборочно сливать информацию своим партнерам в СМИ для продвижения лживой информационной кампании».

Гришэм считает, что «демократы не видят, что нужно стране, в которой Конгресс работает в интересах народа. Безграничная враждебность к президенту Трампу разжигает их желание аннулировать результаты выборов 2016 года, и ненадлежащим образом повлиять на выборы в 2020 году», говорится в заявлении.

Президент Трамп «уверен, что Сенат восстановит порядок, справедливость и надлежащие правовые процедуры, которые были проигнорированы Палатой представителей», добавила Стефани Гришэм. Глава государства, по ее словам, готов к следующим шагам и «уверен в том, что он будет полностью оправдан».

19 декабря 2019 года


US House of Representatives passes universal health care bill

The United States House of Representatives has passed The Affordable Health Care for America Act or HR 3962, a bill which would ensure that 95–96% of US citizens receive affordable health care.

HR 3962 was passed with 220 yeas and 215 nays. Democrats in the house needed at least 218 votes to pass the bill.  39 Democrats voted against the bill, which contained the Stupak amendment.  This amendment curtailed women's abortion rights.  One Republican, Representative Joseph Cao of Louisiana, voted for the bill.

The US Senate has drafted their own health care bill, S. 1679. It is not yet known when the Senate will vote on their version of the bill, but in the end both versions must be merged into one with both the House and Senate voting again.

The health care program associated with HR 3962 is estimated to cost over US$1 trillion over ten years, according to the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who states that it will result in "[...] not one dime added to the deficit."

US President Barack Obama says that he is "confident" that the Senate will be able to come to an agreement and pass a completed bill. Obama added that he hopes to sign a "comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year."


Победа на демократите: Камарата на Представителите отваря път за промяна на здравната система в САЩ

Дата: 8 ноември

Администрацията на демократите извоюва една от най-значителните си победи от избирането на Барак Обама за президент на САЩ: промяната на досега съществуващата здравно-осигуртелна система. В Сената, след бурни спорове за реформата гласуват 220 срещу 215. С тази реформа ще бъдат покрити здравните осигуровки на 36 милиона американци, които нямат никаква осигуровка. Само един републиканец гласува в полза на здравната промяна – представител на Нови Орлеан, щат с много социални проблеми и е претърпял големи щети от Урагана Катрина.

Законът ще създаде публичен фонд за осигуряване на тези, които изгубят работата си и не разполагат със средства за лечение. Ще бъде сложен край на практиката тежко болни да бъдат оставени на произвола на съдбата, когато най-много се нуждаят от медицинска помощ.

Медицината и фармацевтичната индустрия в САЩ са водещи по иновации в света, но струват твърде скъпо на пациентите. Секторът е изграден на приниципите на конкуретността и е динамичен, но инфлационен. Човешкото здраве е подчинено на пазарните механизми. Разходите за здраве поскъпват с всяка година и съставят 16% от вътрешния брутен продукт.  Системата не е равноправна за всички и 15% въобще не са осигурени, а това са 46 милиона американци. Освен това САЩ, както Турция и  Мексико  са едни от малкото страни, в които няма минимална всеобща здравна осигуровка. "В Европа държавата е закрилник, в САЩ тя е агресор за гражданите", пише на страниците си френският вестник Les Échos [1].

В миналото Рузвелт и Клинтън правят опити за реформиране на здравната система, но те претърпяват крах. Причината вероятно е във фармацевтичното лоби, което  едно от най-рентабилните в света. От друга страна американецът пренебрегва универсалните ценности и предпочита през тях ценностите на индивидуализма.


Victoria demócrata: La Cámara de Representantes dio media sanción a la reforma del sistema de salud

La administración demócrata celebra una de sus victorias parlamentarias más importantes desde que Barack Obama llegó a la presidencia de los EE.UU. La Cámara de Representantes dio media sanción a la reforma sanitaria impulsada por el oficialismo con 220 votos a favor frente a 215 votos en contra, en una reñida votación que culminó en la noche del sábado.

El Presidente se manifestó complacido por la victoria y animó al Senado a completar pronto el trabajo para llevar acceso universal a la salud a la ciudadanía norteamericana. Esta reforma permitirá ofrecer cobertura médica a 36 millones de ciudadanos de los EE.UU que no tenían ningún tipo de seguro de salud y dará por cerrada la política de privatización completa del sistema, donde las aseguradoras privadas tenían el privilegio de aceptar o no a las personas según condiciones preexistentes e incluso suspenderles el servicio en caso de enfermedades graves.

Si bien Obama celebró la victoria, vale destacar que no fue sencilla. La diferencia de sólo 5 votos muestra una puja reñida donde 39 representantes demócratas votaron en contra mientras que sólo un republicano votó a favor. Se trata del representante de Nueva Orleans, un distrito con severos problemas sociales y seriamente afectado por el Huracán Katrina. Aún teniendo en cuenta la dificultad de la votación, este es un paso esencial hacia el gran cambio que Barack Obama prometió a sus votantes.

Gracias a esta ley, se estima que a partir del año próximo, un 96% de la población estadounidense contará con seguro de salud. El demócrata John Dingell, introductor de la ley en la cámara de representantes dijo que "esta ley ofrece a todos los estadounidenses, independientemente de su salud o de sus ingresos, la paz de espíritu que se disfruta cuando se sabe que puedes contar con un acceso asequible a un servicio sanitario cuando lo necesites".

Esta ley creará un seguro público de salud al que podrán sumarse todos los que pierdan su empleo o no tengan recursos para pagar un seguro privado, obligará a las empresas a asegurar a sus empleados y acabará con las prácticas restrictivas de las aseguradoras privadas de rechazar pacientes por condiciones preexistentes o la práctica para nada excepcional actualmente de expulsar enfermos graves cuando más necesitan su seguro de salud.


US marines may face death penalty for "massacre" of civilians in Iraq

According to the New York Times "Congressional, military and Pentagon officials" said Thursday that it is expected an investigation will find that the deaths of more than 20 civilians in Iraq were a war crime. According to NYT source a group of US Marines "carried out extensive, unprovoked killings of civilians" and the killings were "methodical in nature."

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is expected to call for criminal charges, including murder, negligent homicide, dereliction of duty and filing a false report. Lawyers involved in discussion thought it could lead to charges of murder, an offense carrying the death penalty.

The incident happened in the Iraqi town of Haditha on November 19, 2005, after an attack on a convoy when one US marine was killed. According to NYT source evidence indicates sustained operation by marines that lasted three to five hours. Civilians, including women and children were killed inside two or more homes, as well as five men standing near a taxi at a checkpoint. Military Officials initially indicated that 15 Iraqi civilians had died when gunmen attacked a convoy with a roadside bomb and small arms fire, prompting the Marines to return fire.

On Thursday, General Hagee, the commandant of the Marine Corps, said without referring to any specific incident "Recent serious allegations concerning actions of marines in combat have caused me concern" in a speech emphasizing the rules of lawful combat.

John Kline, a Representative from Minnesota (R) and retired Marine colonel said about the allegations "this was not an accident. This was direct fire by marines at civilians". He continued "This was not an immediate response to an attack. This would be an atrocity".

John Sifton of Human Rights Watch said "If the accounts as they have been alleged are true, the Haditha incident is likely the most serious war crime that has been reported in Iraq since the beginning of the war". He continued "Here we have two dozen civilians being killed — apparently intentionally. This isn't a gray area. This is a massacre".

The US Marines are from Camp Pendleton, located in southern California. Three Marine officers, the battalion commander and two company commanders who were stationed in Haditha at the time, have been relieved of duty, although statements by military officials have not linked the action to the incident.


US-Soldaten begehen Kriegsverbrechen an irakischen Zivilisten

Washington D.C. (Vereinigte Staaten), 28.05.2006 – Nach übereinstimmenden Angaben der New York Times und der Los Angeles Times, die sich auf die Angaben von Kongress-, Militär-, und  Pentagon-Sprechern stützen, kommt eine Untersuchung des US-Militärs zu dem Ergebnis, dass der Tod von 24 irakischen Zivilisten in der irakischen Stadt Haditha ein Kriegsverbrechen war. Laut der New York Times hat eine Gruppe von US-Marines massiv und grundlos Zivilisten erschossen, die Erschießungen seien systematisch gewesen.

Der Kongressabgeordnete John Murtha erhob schwere Vorwürfe gegen das US-Militär. Die „unter Druck stehenden Soldaten“ hätten „unschuldige Zivilisten kaltblütig getötet“, so Murtha.

Es wird angenommen, dass der Naval Criminal Investigative Service, eine Militärstrafverfolgungsbehörde der USA, Anklage wegen Mordes, fahrlässiger Tötung, Pflichtversäumnis und Erstellung eines falschen Berichts erheben wird. Die Untersuchungen konzentrieren sich auf ein Dutzend Marinesoldaten des 3. Bataillons, des 1. Marineregiments und der 1. Marinedivision.

Der Vorfall ereignete sich in der irakischen Stadt Haditha am 19. November 2005 nach einem Angriff auf einen amerikanischen Konvoy, bei dem ein US-Soldat getötet worden war. Nach Angaben der New York Times dauerte der Einsatz der Marines drei bis fünf Stunden. Zivilisten, unter ihnen mehrere Frauen und sechs Kinder, wurden in zwei oder mehr Häusern getötet sowie fünf Männer, die neben einem Taxistand warteten. Einigen von ihnen wurde in den Kopf und in den Rücken geschossen, so Kongress- und Verteidigungskreise. Aus Militärkreisen verlautete ursprünglich, dass 15 irakische Zivilisten starben, als bewaffnete Räuber einen Konvoi mit einer Bombe am Straßenrand und Gewehrschüssen angriffen, so dass die Marines das Feuer erwiderten.

Am Donnerstag sagte General Michael Hagee, Kommandant des US-Marine-Corps, ohne auf einen spezifischen Vorfall zu verweisen, dass ihn die kürzlich erhobenen, ernsten Anschuldigungen, die das Vorgehen von US-Marines im Kampfeinsatz betreffen, zutiefst besorgt hätten. In seiner Rede unterstrich General Hageed die Regeln des rechtmäßigen Kampfes.

John Kline, ein Repräsentant aus Minnesota und Marineoberst außer Dienst, sagte zu den Anschuldigungen, dass der Vorfall kein Unfall gewesen sei. „Das war direktes Feuer von Marinesoldaten auf Zivilisten.“ Er fuhr fort: „Das war keine direkte Reaktion auf einen Angriff. Das ist wirklich eine Gräueltat.“

John Sifton von Human Rights Watch sagte, dass, „wenn sich herausstellen sollte, dass die Anschuldigungen wahr sind, der Zwischenfall in Haditha wahrscheinlich das schlimmste Kriegsverbrechen ist, das im Irak seit Kriegsbeginn gemeldet wurde.“ Sifton sagte weiter: „Wir haben hier zwei dutzend tote Zivilisten – offensichtlich vorsätzlich umgebracht. Dies ist keine Grauzone. Das ist ein Massaker.“

Die US-Soldaten kommen vom Camp Pendleton, das sich im Süden Californiens befindet. Drei Marine-Offiziere, der Bataillonsführer und zwei Kompanieführer, die zu diesem Zeitpunkt in Haditha stationiert waren, sind aus dem Dienst entlassen worden. Offiziell wurden diese Entlassungen jedoch nicht mit dem Vorfall in Haditha verbunden.


US military investigation clears soldiers in shooting of Nicola Calipari

An ongoing US military investigation into the death of the Italian intelligence agent Nicola Calipari cleared the US soldiers charged. A US official speaking anonymously stated, "The soldiers were all complying with the standard operating procedures for those checkpoints and therefore were not culpable of dereliction of duty in following their procedures," according to the Australian Special Broadcasting Service.

The Italian government has rejected the investigation's findings. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi later apologised for "an unfortunate leak" that suggested the investigation was completed, and assured paliament that the investigation was not yet over.

Giuliana Sgrena, the journalist of Italian newspaper il Manifesto who was injured in the shooting, replied, "Unbelievable. They say soldiers followed only their rules of engagement. But if shooting on a machine that is moving, while USA were informed about it, is following rules of engagement, we must ask ourself what kind of rules they are." For Sgrena now "it's important that Italian Magistracy goes on. But all may suppose that its job will not be so easy".

The report was delayed so that disputes might be solved between the two governments. These disputes included disagreements on how fast the car was going as it approached the checkpoint and if US soldiers knew that the car and passengers would be passing through on that day. Italian officials who participated in the investigation are said to have disagreed with its findings.

US soldiers insisted that the car carrying Sgrena and Calipari to the Baghdad airport was traveling at a high speed and failed to heed warnings to stop. The Italian driver of the car denies he was speeding or that soldiers gave a warning. "It's enough to see the car," Sgrena wrote in il Manifesto. "The front windshield is intact, while the side windows and the one behind are shattered."


USA, soldati americani assolti per l'uccisione di Nicola Calipari

Stati Uniti d'America,  26 aprile 2005

Un’indagine interna svolta dai militari degli Stati Uniti, riguardante la morte dell'agente dei servizi segreti italiani Nicola Calipari, ha assolto i soldati americani accusati del fatto.

Un ufficiale americano, che ha voluto restare anonimo, ha dichiarato che "tutti i soldati si erano attenuti  alle procedure operative standard per quei posti di blocco e perciò non erano incolpabili di violazione delle consegne nel seguire le loro procedure".

Il Governo italiano ha rigettato le conclusioni della Corte. Conclusioni "incredibili" per Giuliana Sgrena: "uno schiaffo inaccettabile per l'Italia - ha dichiarato la giornalista de il Manifesto - Dicono che sono state solo seguite le regole d'ingaggio. Ma se sparare su una macchina che passa e che aveva dato preavviso è seguire le regole d'ingaggio, bisogna chiedersi come siano davvero queste regole". Per la Sgrena ora "è importante che la magistratura vada avanti. Ma tutto lascia supporre che il suo lavoro non sarà facilitato".

Il rapporto aveva subito ritardi affinché le dispute fra i due governi potessero essere risolte, ma secondo la fonte anonima la pubblicazione sarebbe imminente. Queste dispute riguardavano, fra le altre cose, il disaccordo sulla velocità della macchina nel suo avvicinarsi al posto di blocco, e se i soldati americani fossero stati avvertiti o meno che la macchina e i suoi passeggeri sarebbero passati durante quel giorno.


US Navy ship damages Tubbataha Reef National Park

The USS Guardian, a United States Navy vessel used for destroying mines, ran aground in the Philippines' Tubbataha Reef National Park in the Sulu Sea on Thursday, according to the US Navy.

The US Navy said the incident occurred at 2:25 a.m. local time about 130 km east-southeast of the province of Palawan in the Philippines and about 98 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa, the capital of the province. There were no reports of injuries nor signs of fuel leakage. The ship has a crew of 80 and had previously completed a port call at Subic Bay earlier in the week.

The US Navy also said they were investigating the incident. They also said in a statement, "The crew is currently working to determine the best method of safely extracting the ship". An Avenger class mine countermeasures ship, the ship was on its way to Puerto Princesa in Palawan. It is assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet and based in Sasebo, Nagasaki in Japan.

The US Embassy in Manila stated, "The Government of the Philippines was promptly informed of the incident and offered to assist the U.S. Navy, and we greatly appreciate their offers of assistance [...] The safety of the Guardian’s crew and preventing harm to the environment are the U.S. Navy's top priorities". An official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines based in Palawan told reporters they have deployed a force offering to assist the Guardian.

Under sections 19 and 26 of the Tubbataha Reefs National Park Act of 2009, Republic Act 10067, the US Navy can be charged with unauthorized entry and could pay 12,000PHP for each square meter of reef destroyed.

A similar incident occurred in 2005 when the Rainbow Warrior ran aground in the same vicinity. Greenpeace, an environmental advocacy group and owners of the Rainbow Warrior, were fined 384,000PHP (US$6,857) for damaging a reef area of 32 by 3 meters (105 by 10 feet).

Tubbataha Reef has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 and covers 97,030 hectares. A diverse variety of coral reef and marine life currently take refuge within the park including sharks and turtles. The reef is also known as a popular recreational diving site.


Амерички војни брод оштетио драгоцен корални гребен

(Beta) - Евакуисана је већина чланова посаде једног малог брода Ратне морнарице САД који се насукао на коралном гребену код Филипина, саопштиле су власти.

Миноловац је јуче прамцем насео на корални гребен у Националном парку Тубатаха у мору Сулу, 640 километара југозападно од Маниле.

Нико није повређен и није исцурела нафта из резервоара брода, а филипинске власти процењују оштећење коралног гребена који је УНЕСЦО прогласио за светску баштину. Америчка Ратна морнарица је саопштила да су евакусиана 72 од 79 морнара, а остали су на броду који покушавају да ослободе маневрисањем.

Амерички брод је пловио до једне филипинске луке ради снабдевања и одмора посаде пред маневре у азијско-пацифичком региону.

Викиновостима руководи Задужбина Викимедија, непрофитна организација која руководи и низом других пројеката:

19. јануар 2013.Филипини -


US passes 1000 executions in 30 years

Double murderer Kenneth Lee Boyd became the 1,000th prisoner executed in the United States since 1976. Another man was put to death on Friday for the 1994 murder of a store clerk, becoming the 1,001st person executed in the United States since capital punishment was reinstated 28 years ago.

The milestone drew a wave of protesters to the Central Prison in Raleigh, N.C., who opposed capital punishment.

Kenneth Lee Boyd, 57, of Rockingham, N.C., died by lethal injection for the 1988 shootings of his estranged wife, Julie Curry Boyd, who was 36, and her father, Thomas Dillard Curry, 57.  Members of both families had asked to be present for the execution.

Boyd told Associated Press in a prison interview that he wanted no part of the infamous numerical distinction of being the 1000th prisoner executed.  "I'd hate to be remembered as that," Boyd said on Wednesday. "I don't like the idea of being picked as a number."

Some argued that Boyd, who had an I.Q. of 77, should not have been executed.  The cutoff for mental retardation in some states, a mitigating factor in some capital cases, is an I.Q. of 75.  Boyd never denied his guilt, but said he couldn't remember killing anyone and didn't know why he did it.

Boyd's son, Kenneth Smith, 35, who visited his dad every day for the last two weeks, said in an interview on Thursday that he felt the attention paid to the milestone had hurt his father's chances for clemency. Smith also said his dad was deeply troubled that he might only be remembered as a grim hash mark in the history books.  "He didn't want to be 999, and he didn't want to be 1001 if you know what I mean," said Smith. "He wanted to live."

Belinda J. Foster, District Attorney for Rockingham, N.C., who prosecuted Boyd, said she felt confident that the death penalty was warranted in this case. "There are cases that are so horrendous and the evidence so strong it just warrants a death sentence," Ms. Foster said.  Michael Paranzino, president of the pro-death penalty group Throw Away the Key, agreed.  "You'll never stop crimes of passion, but I do believe the death penalty is a general deterrent, and it expresses society's outrage," Paranzino said.

"We believe this occasion is the perfect time to reconsider the whole issue of execution," said William F. Schulz, executive director of Amnesty International, a human rights group that has sought to end the practice of using executions as a punishment for crime around the world.  "Since 1976, about one in eight prisoners on death row in the U.S. has been exonerated. That should raise serious questions about ending a person's life," Schulz said.

According to  the non-governmental organization Amnesty International, the countries People's Republic of China, Iran and Vietnam are the only nations with more executions in 2004 than the United States.  Thirty-eight of the 50 US states and the federal government permit capital punishment.  An October 2005 Gallup poll found that 64 percent of all Americans support capital punishment in murder cases.

North Carolina executed two prisoners last month, as well as two others earlier in the year.

Debate over capital punishment

The grim milestone has prompted global outcry from human rights advocates.  In a media statement the European Union also condemned the execution, calling for the end of the death penalty worldwide.  "We consider this punishment cruel and inhuman. It does not act as a deterrent and any miscarriage of justice - which is inevitable in any legal system - is irreversible."  "It is a scandal that the death penalty still exists in a civilised country like the United States of America," said Petra Herrmann, chairwoman of the German group Alive e V.

Boyd's death rallied death penalty opponents, and about 150 protesters gathered outside the prison. After watching Boyd die, Rockingham County (N.C.) Sheriff Sam Page said the victims should be remembered.  "Tonight, justice has been served for Mr. Kenneth Boyd. What I would ask you to do is not forget the victims of this crime," Page said. "Pray for them. Pray for them and their healing."

"This is one small step for humankind - backwards," said veteran American campaigner Clive Stafford Smith in an interview with Reuters. "The death penalty makes us all far more barbaric. I have watched a lot of people die, and when you come out from watching someone being executed it certainly isn't a better world."

According to Kenyan National Human Rights Commission Chairman Maina Kiai, "[It is] a great pity that the US can keep on executing people [when much of the developed world had already ended the death penalty]."  "Also, the fact that in the US a lot of death sentences that are carried out invariably affect people of colour and poor people, it's an issue of great concern," Kiai said.

In Singapore, where a 25-year-old Australian was hanged just hours before Boyd's execution, Sinapan Samydorai, president of the think-tank Think Centre, said there was no justice without life.  "The US is supposed to be a champion of human rights and democracy, yet they do not recognise the right to life," he said. Singapore has a mandatory death sentence for crimes such as murder, firearms offences and drug trafficking, and has hanged 420 people since 1991, mainly for drug trafficking.  Singapore's death penalty is often believed to enjoy wide public support; although details remain obscure for political reasons.

In Japan, where the death penalty is also widely supported, Akiko Takada of anti-capital punishment group Forum 90 said despite frequent use of the death penalty in the United States, "crime there shows no signs of diminishing, so ultimately the death of these people has no effect."


USA: Tausendste Hinrichtung seit Wiedereinführung der Todesstrafe

Raleigh (Vereinigte Staaten), 02.12.2005 – Um 07:15 Uhr GMT (02:15 Uhr Ortszeit) starb Kenneth Lee Boyd durch eine Giftspritze im Zentralgefängnis in Raleigh, der Hauptstadt North Carolinas. Sein Tod markiert die tausendste Hinrichtung in den USA seit dem Jahre 1976, dem Jahr der Wiedereinführung der Todesstrafe in den Vereinigten Staaten.

Boyd, ein Vietnam-Kriegsveteran, war 57 Jahre alt und hatte eine lange Alkoholkarriere hinter sich. Er war für die Ermordung seiner Frau und seines Schwiegervaters im Jahre 1988 zum Tode verurteilt worden. Boyds Anwalt, Thomas Maher, bezeichnete die tausendste Hinrichtung als „einen Meilenstein, dessen wir uns alle schämen sollten“.

Ungefähr 100 Gegner der Todesstrafe hatten sich außerhalb des Gefängnisses zum Protest versammelt, wo sie Kerzen in den Händen hielten und die Namen der anderen 999 Verurteilten, die durch die Todesstrafe ums Leben gekommen sind, verlasen.

Zwischen 16 und 18 der Demonstranten wurden kurz vor Mitternacht wegen Hausfriedensbruch verhaftet, weil sie sich bei ihren Protesten auf das Gefängnisgrundstück begeben hatten.

In 38 der 50 US-Bundesstaaten wird die Todesstrafe praktiziert. Nur in China, Iran und Vietnam werden mehr Menschen durch die Todesstrafe hingerichtet. Die Mehrheit der US-Amerikaner befürwortet die Todesstrafe nach wie vor. Trotzdem war in den letzten Jahren ein Rückgang der Zahl von Hinrichtungen festzustellen. Im letzten Jahr waren es noch 59 Hinrichtungen.


Tusende avrättningen genomförd i USA

USA – Den tusende personen som avrättas i USA sedan dödstraffet återinfördes 1976 blev Kenneth Lee Boyd i North Carolina. Han dömdes för mordet på sin tidigare hustru och hennes far 1988, och har suttit fängslad sedan dess.

Enligt TT var Boyd en "vit fyrabarnsfar och Vietnamveteran". Utanför fängelset demonstrerade omkring 200 personer varav 16 greps av polis.

Svenska Amnesty beklagade att Boyd inte benådades och uppger att han klassats som "lätt utvecklingsstörd, med ett IQ på 77". Organisationen har genomfört manifestationer på flera platser. I Stockholm tände man tusen gravljus på torsdagskvällen och ordföranden Carl Söderbergh sa i sitt tal att han hoppats att det tusende ljuset aldrig skulle behövas tändas och lade till: "Dessa gravljus är 1 000 ljus för många. Dödsstraffet är inte lösningen på problemen med kriminalitet, det har ingen bevisad avskräckande effekt och leder inte till ett humanare samhälle."

I South Carolina kommer nästa person i USA avrättas redan nu i natt.

2004 genomfördes omkring 3 800 dödsdomar i världen, varav Kina stod för 3 400 och USA för 59. 122 länder har avskaffat dödsstraffet. I USA tillämpar 38 delstater dödstraff. I Sverige genomfördes den sista avrättningen 1910 på Långholmen i Stockholm.


US President Barack Obama speaks at memorial for Arizona shooting victims

United States President Barack Obama spoke at a memorial in Tucson, Arizona Wednesday night, in the wake of last Saturday's mass shooting. Earlier in the day, Obama visited five people injured in the attack, including Gabrielle Giffords, a Democratic Congresswoman from Arizona.

Obama spoke to almost 14,000 people in the University of Arizona's McKale Center, as well as 13,000 others outside. During a 33-minute-long speech, he attempted to begin the "healing process," urging the nation "to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds." He recognized the victims of the incident as well as those who helped the wounded immediately after the shooting.

Jared Lee Loughner, aged 22, is accused of opening fire on a "Congress on Your Corner" event on January 8, killing six people and injuring thirteen others. The incident has sparked a fiery political debate on whether intense political campaigns could incite violence.

During his speech, Obama said of Giffords' condition, "Gabby opened her eyes so I can tell you know she knows we are here, she knows that we love her and she knows that we are rooting for her through what will undoubtedly be a difficult journey." Peter Rhee, a trauma surgeon at Tuscon's University Medical Center, said Giffords is making progress and is able to move more.


Ο Πρόεδρος των ΗΠΑ Μπαράκ Ομπάμα μίλησε στο μνημόσυνο για τα θύματα των πυροβολισμών στην Αριζόνα

Ο Πρόεδρος των ΗΠΑ Μπαράκ Ομπάμα μίλησε σε μνημόσυνο στο Τούκσον της  Αριζόνας, για τα θύματα των πυροβολισμών του Σαββάτου. Νωρίτερα την ίδια  μέρα, ο Ομπάμα επισκέφθηκε πέντε (5) τραυματίες  από την επίθεση, συμπεριλαμβανομένου και της Γκάμπριελ Γκίφορντς, Γερουσιαστή του Δημοκρατικού Κόμματος από την Αριζόνα.

Ο Ομπάμπα μίλησε μπροστά σε 14.000 ανθρώπους στο Κέντρο ΜακΚάιλ του Πανεπιστημίου της Αριζόνας, καθώς και σε άλλους 13.000 έξω από το κέντρο. Κατά τη διάρκεια της ομιλίας του, η οποία διήρκησε 33 λεπτά, προσπάθησε να αρχίσει τη "διαδικασία επούλωσης," στην οποία καλεί το έθνος "να σταματήσει για μια στιγμή και να σιγουρευτεί ότι μιλάμε μεταξύ μας με τον άλλο με τρόπο που θεραπεύει, όχι με τρόπου που πληγώνει." Αναγνώρισε τα θύματα του περιστατικού καθώς και εκείνους που βοήθησαν τους τραυματίες αμέσως μετά το περιστατικό.

Ο Τζάρεντ Λι Λούγνερ, 22 ετών, κατηγορείται για πυροβολισμό στο "Congress on Your Corner" (Το Κονγκρέσσο στη γειτονιά σου), στις 8 Ιανουαρίου, σκοτώνοντας έξι (6) ανθρώπους και τραυματίζοντας άλλους 13. Το περιστατικό  προκάλεσε ένα καυτό πολιτικό διάλογο σχετικά για  το αν οι πολιτικές εκστρατείες μπορούν να προκαλέσουν βία.

Κατά τη διάρκεια της ομιλίας του, ο Ομπάμα είπε για τη κατάσταση της Γκίφορντς, "Η Γκάμπριελ άνοιξε τα μάτια της κι έτσι μπορώ να σας πω για να ξέρετε ότι γνωρίζει ότι βρισκόμαστε δίπλα της, ξέρει ότι την αγαπάμε και ξέρει ότι ελπίζουμε για τη βελτίωση της υγείας της." Ο Πέτερ Ρι, τραυματιοχειρούργος στο Ιατρικό Κέντρο του Πανεπιστημίου του Τούκσον, είπε ότι η Γκίφορντς προοδεύει και είναι ικανή να κινείται περισσότερο.

14 Ιανουαρίου 2011


Obama pronuncia discurso en Arizona en homenaje a las víctimas del atentado

13 de enero de 2011Tucson, Arizona —

El presidente de Estados Unidos, Barack Obama, pidió al país honrar a las víctimas de la masacre del sábado pasado en Tucson siendo mejores ciudadanos y tratándose los unos a los otros "de una forma que cure, no que hiera".

En un emotivo discurso en tributo a las seis personas muertas y las 14 heridas en el atentado contra la congresista demócrata Gabrielle Giffords, el presidente dijo que las víctimas de la matanza "representan lo mejor del país".

Durante la ceremonia efectuada en la Universidad de Arizona, Obama también realzó al valor demostrado por muchos de quienes se hallaban en el sitio del atentado a la congresista, que permanece hospitalizada en estado grave.

Las palabras del presidente subrayaron la importancia de que en momentos como éste prevalezca la unidad nacional. "A pesar de nuestras imperfecciones, estamos llenos de decencia, bondad, y eso es lo que nos une", señaló.

"No podremos parar toda la maldad que hay en el mundo, pero sé que la forma en que nos tratemos entre sí depende enteramente de nosotros", agregó.

En uno de los instantes más dramáticos de su discurso, Obama dijo a miles de personas que se congregaron en la universidad para escucharlo que poco después de haber visitado a Giffords en el hospital, la congresista abrió los ojos por primera vez.

El presidente también visitó a otras víctimas de la masacre y se reunió con médicos y enfermeras del hospital.

Obama viajó a Tucson acompañado de su esposa Michelle, del secretario de Justicia, Eric Holder, y de la secretaria de Seguridad Interior y ex gobernadora de Arizona, Janet Napolitano.

También lo acompañaron el juez de la Suprema Corte de Justicia Anthony Kennedy, y la líder de la minoría demócrata en la Cámara de Representantes, Nancy Pelosi.

La Cámara de Representantes aprobó una resolución en la que rinde homenaje a las víctimas del tiroteo en Tucson.

El texto, aprobado por unanimidad y aclamación por los legisladores republicanos y demócratas, condena "en los términos más fuertes, el horrible atentado" del que fue víctima la congresista Giffords.

"Esta tragedia nos empuja a renovar nuestro compromiso de cumplir fielmente nuestra función. No dejemos que este acto inhumano nos asuste", declaró el presidente de la Cámara, el republicano John Boehner.


US President Biden signs US$1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package

On Thursday, United States President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act, a USD 1.9 trillion stimulus relief package that provides a maximum of $1400 in direct payments to individuals making no more than $75 thousand annually.  The bill was passed in the United States House of Representatives with a 220–211 vote on Wednesday and in the United States Senate with a 50–49 vote along party lines through budget reconciliation.

The bill includes $300 billion in unemployment benefits through September and expands the tax credit per child to $3600.  The bill also supplies $350 billion to state as well as local governments and $14 billion for distributing vaccines.  The bill offers a funding of $130 billion in schools, which would help them reopen safely.  Small businesses will get $50 billion, and the Paycheck Protection Program will get $7 billion.  Small and mid-sized restaurants, which have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, will be given $25 billion in relief.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said US citizens will begin receiving a first round of direct deposits in their bank accounts by the weekend.  Additionally, Biden gave a primetime address to discuss how the country will continue fighting COVID-19 after it was proclaimed as a pandemic by the World Health Organization the previous year.  Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are to travel Atlanta, Georgia and promote the legislation across the country on Friday.