Virginia Tech shooter identified, witness reports emerge

The shooter in the Virginia Tech university shootings has been identified as Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year old South Korean national. He was studying English and lived on the university campus. Meanwhile, a list of confirmed deceased has been released.

The President of Virginia Tech, Charles Steger said in an interview that the "possibility exists" that more than one gunman was involved. "It appears that the second shooter was a resident in our dormitory... it appears he was an on-campus resident," Steger said. Ballistic reports confirm that the same gun was used in both instances of the campus shootings, but police could not confirm if the shooter was the same.

The shootings on Monday were in two separate locations, and occurred two hours apart. The first took place at 07:15 (12:15 UTC), at West Ambler Johnston Hall dormitory. Then, at about 09:15 (14:15 UTC), 30 people were killed in the second shooting, about half a mile (800 metres) from the first at the Norris Hall classroom building, on the same campus. Bodies were found in four classrooms and a stairwell, according to Virginia state police superintendent Col. Steve Flaherty.

Some students complained that they had received no warning from the university until an e-mail alert sent more than two hours after the first incident. The university has suspended classroom courses for one week, and Norris Hall will remain closed for the rest of the semester. University officials have expressed an interest in developing a text messaging alert system where persons can add their phone number to a list for notification in the event that incidents may warrant the use of caution or extra attention.

In a reaction to the school massacre, the gun control group Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence asks for "common-sense actions to prevent tragedies like this from continuing to occur". The New York Times ran an editorial with a similar message for gun control.

A Virginia Tech student, Chen Chia-hao, told the Taiwanese station CTI TV that he believed the shooter in the West Ambler Johnston Hall was a Chinese student.  The first victim was, according to Chen, his girlfriend. Chen said: "They had a big quarrel in the West Ambler Johnston Hall and he shot her. Then the RA (dormitory supervisor) came, and he shot the RA."

According to Chen, the gunman locked up 25 students who were taking a German class in the Norris Hall building. The man then shot himself in the head, making it difficult for him to be identified, Chen told CTI TV.

First-year student Erin Sheehan was one of the only 4 students coming out of the shooting in the German class unharmed. Erin explained how "(The gunman) peeked in twice, earlier in the lesson, like he was looking for someone, somebody, before he started shooting."

The gunman first shot German lecturer Christopher James Bishop in the head. Then, he fired some 30 shots in the class and went on. Trey Perkins and two other students decided to hold the heavy wooden classroom door shut with their feet.

Erin Sheehan explain how they heard "something like drilling in the walls", and how they closed the doors to prevent anyone from entering the classroom. Three times the gunman returned and fired in the door, while the students tried to keep him out. Erin describes how "He seemed very thorough about it, getting almost everyone down. I was trying to act dead. He left for about 30 seconds, came back in, did almost exactly the same thing." Trey Perkins explained how "Fortunately, we were lying down and weren't in front of the door."

In a nearby classroom, students decided to jump from the second floor through the window, and ran for safety to a nearby window.


Poznat identitet ubice na Univerzitetu u Virdžiniji

Blacksburg (SAD), 17. april 2007. –

Dvadesettrogodišnji Južnokoreanac Cho Seung-Hui je čovjek odgovoran za ubistva 32 ljudi na Univerzitetu Viriginia Tech, a njegov identitet je potvrdila i policija

Ovaj 23-godišnji mladić je i sam bio student završne godine na katedri za engleski jezik. Agencije izvještavaju da je ostavio pismo na nekoliko stranica u kojem između ostalog stoji: „Vi ste me natjerali da ovo učinim“.

„Dokazi nas nisu doveli do toga da sa sigurnošću kažemo da je ista osoba uključena u obe pucnjave“, rekao je predstavnik policije države Virdžinija Steven Flaherty, ali je dodao da je za policiju „razumno da zaključi kako je Cho pucao na oba mjesta“.

Prema informacijama iz Ambasade BiH u Washingtonu, niko od 11 studenata iz BiH na Virginia Tech univerzitetu nije među ozlijeđenim ili mrtvim.


維吉尼亞理工學院校園喋血兇手確認

弗吉尼亚理工学院暨州立大学校園喋血案，美國警方已確認兇嫌屬二十三歲南韓裔留學生趙承熙，他主修英语文學，就讀大學四年級，在行兇後自殺。警方也幾乎確定，趙承熙在十六日七點十五分及九點三十分的兩次槍擊案都有參與，雖尚無證據顯示有共犯，但仍不能排除其可能。

這起慘案包括兇手在內共三十三人死亡（兩名教授及一名移民美國之中國籍華裔學生李培興）、至少十五人受傷，引起美國各界極大震撼，由於傷亡人數位居歷年校園喋血案之最，各媒體普遍以「美國史上最血腥的校園屠殺案」來形容。


Visa of Brazilian killed in London reportedly expired two-years ago

The student visa of Jean Charles de Menezes, 27, had expired two-years ago, according to the British Home Office.

Government officials state that he arrived in the UK on 13 March 2002 and was granted a six-month tourist visa and later applied for a student visa which was granted, allowing him to stay in the country until 30 June 2003.

It is also suggested in the Home Office statement that the visa had a forged "indefinite leave to remain" stamp on it, saying that the style of the stamp was not in use at the time it was apparently meant to have been issued.

This has led to speculation that this may be a reason why de Menezes — who was mistakenly believed to have terrorist connections — fled after being confronted by police (not in uniform) at Stockwell tube station. He was shot eight times by the police — seven times in the head and once in the shoulder.

His family had said that they believed that de Menezes' visa had been renewed for an additional five-years.

In the statement made by the Home Office spokeswoman, it was denied that the information released would influence the investigation, saying: "This information is not intended in any way to prejudice or influence the independent investigation into the circumstances of Mr De Menezes' death, or any possible future proceedings."

The killing of de Menezes is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), standard procedure for fatal shootings.

The body of Mr de Menezes was returned to Brazil on 27 July.

He is to be buried today in his home town of Gonzaga in the state of Minas Gerais.


La visa del brasileño abatido en Londres habría expirado dos años atrás

El Ministerio del Interior británico afirmó este jueves que la visa de estudiante de Jean Charles de Menezes, había expirado dos años atrás. A comienzos de esta semana, los cancilleres británico y brasileño habían desmentido la caducidad de la visa de de Menezes.

De Menezes llegó al Reino Unido el 13 de marzo de 2002 y se le concedió una vista de turista por seis meses. Después solicitó una visa estudiantil que le fue otorgada, permitiéndole la estadía en el país hasta el 30 de junio de 2003.

El comunicado del Ministerio de Interior sugiere también que la visa tenía un sello que en apariencia le concedía estadía indefinida. Aunque el sello sí es utilizado por las autoridades de inmigración británica, el mismo no estaba siendo utilizado en la fecha en que supuestamente fue colocado.

Por ello, ya se ha especulado que este es uno de los motivos por los que de Menezes — de quien se creyó erróneamente que tenía conexiones con terroristas — huyó luego de ser confrontado por la policía en la estación de Stockwell. De Menezes recibió ocho disparos, siete en la cabeza y uno en el hombro.

Su familia había declarado que creían que la vista de de Menezes había sido renovada por cinco años más.

El comunicado, no obstante, niega que la información publicada deba influenciar la investigación: "Esta información no tiene intención alguna de perjudicar o influir en la investigación independiente de las circunstancias de la muerte del señor de Menezes, o de cualquier posible procedimiento futuro".

El cuerpo de Jean Charles de Menezes regresó a Brasil la madrugada del 28 de julio, y su funeral está programado para este viernes en la localidad de Gonzaga, Minas Gerais, su tierra natal.

Nick Hardwick, director de la Comisión Independiente de Quejas Policiales (IPCC, por sus siglas en inglés), criticó duramente al Ministerio del Interior. "Me sorprende bastante que el Ministerio del Interior haya emitido esa información. Nosotros no publicaremos información parcial hasta establecer los hechos de manera independiente. Creo que mucha gente haría mejor si cerrara la boca por ahora hasta que nuestra investigación independiente haya establecido los hechos. No especularé y no publicaré información parcial y sería mejor si otras personas hicieran lo mismo". Harwick calificó de "irrelevante" la información del comunicado del Ministerio del Interior.


Londyn: Wiza zabitego przez policję Brazylijczyka była nieważna

Wiza 27-letniego brazylijskiego studenta, Jeana Charlesa de Menezesa, wygasła dwa lata temu - podało brytyjskie ministerstwo spraw wewnętrznych.

Brazylijczyk przyjechał do Wielkiej Brytanii 13 marca 2002 roku po otrzymaniu 6-miesięcznej wizy turystycznej. Później złożył też formularz o wizę studencką, która przedłużyła jego legalny pobyt do 30 czerwca 2003 roku.

Ministerstwo spraw wewnętrznych sugeruje także, że po analizie wygląda na to, że pieczątka wizowa w paszporcie de Menezesa może być fałszywa.

Zdaniem ministerstwa to mogłoby tłumaczyć, dlaczego wzięty za terrorystę Brazylijczyk nie chciał zatrzymać się na wezwanie londyńskiej policji. Podczas zatrzymania na stacji metra funkcjonariusze strzelili ośmiokrotnie w kierunku mężczyzny, 7 razy w głowę i raz w ramię.

Rodzina de Menezesa sądziła, że 27-latek otrzymał przedłużenie wizy na okres 5 lat.

W oświadczeniu ministerstwa spraw wewnętrznych Wielkiej Brytanii rzeczniczka zaprzeczyła jakoby ta informacja miała wpłynąć w jakiś sposób na przebieg trwającego śledztwa. "Ta informacja nie została podana, by w jakikolwiek sposób wpłynąć na niezależność śledztwa w sprawie okoliczności śmierci pana de Menezesa" - powiedziała.

Zabójstwo de Menezesa jest badane przez specjalizujący się w tego typu sprawach wydział kontroli policji.

Ciało de Menezesa zostało przewiezione do Brazylii 27 lipca 2005 roku. Dzisiaj zostanie prawdopodobnie pochowane w rodzinnej miejscowości 27-latka, Gonzaga w prowincji Minas Gerais.


Visto de brasileiro morto por engano em Londres estava vencido, segundo governo britânico

O Ministério do Interior britânico afirmou na quinta-feira (28) que o visto do estudante e eletricista  Jean Charles de Menezes, tinha expirado dois anos atrás.

Jean Charles de Menezes chegou ao Reino Unido no dia 13 de março de 2002 e  foi-lhe concedido um visto de turista válido por seis meses. Ele depois solicitou um visto estudantil, o qual lhe foi outorgado, o que lhe permitiria a estada no país até  30 de junho de 2003.

O comunicado do Ministério de Interior sugere também que o visto tinha um selo que parecia conceder uma estada por tempo indefinido. Ainda que o selo seja de fato  utilizado pelas autoridades de imigração britânica, o mesmo não estava a ser usado na data em que foi colocado.

Uma das hipóteses para explicar o acidente que vitimou o brasileiro é que ele correu depois de receber as ordens das autoridades para parar, supostamente por estar de forma irregular no país, e temer ser mandado de volta ao Brasil. Na ocasião Menezes usava um agasalho e os policiais disseram que atiraram porque suspeitaram  equivocadamente que o brasileiro estaria a carregar explosivos na roupa.


Volkswagen engulfed by diesel emissions scandal

Chief Executive of Volkswagen Martin Winterkorn issued on Sunday a public apology and announced an outside inquiry would be carried out, after the company became engulfed in a scandal about diesel emissions tests.

Over the weekend there were damaging revelations that the car manufacturer has been using illegal software to enable diesel cars to cheat on mandatory emissions tests.

An investigation into alleged breaches of environmental law was originally initiated on the advice of the International Council on Clean Transportation, a European NGO. The United States Environmental Protection Agency requested tests be carried out by West Virginia University, where the secret software was discovered.

Volkswagen has suffered a significant drop of almost a fifth in the value of its shares. There have been knock-on effects for other car manufacturers who have also seen their share values fall after suggestions that the scandal could extend much further than just Volkswagen.

The company will have to foot the bill for the recall of close to 500,000 VW and Audi cars. There is also the possibility of paying federal fines of up to US$18 billion dollars because the US Clean Air Act sets a maximum fine of US$37,500 for each vehicle that contravenes the requirements of the Act.

The software, known as a "defeat device", enabled cars to identify when they were being tested and to switch on the emission control system. The devices may have been adding urea to the car exhaust because that would reduce the amount of nitrogen dioxide. The car would release a fraction of the nitrogen oxide compared to when they were being driven normally. Emissions of nitrogen oxide contribute to smog and are thought to have caused a rise in respiratory illnesses like asthma.


Volkswagen engolit per l'escàndol de les emissions de dièsel

L'executiu en cap de Volkswagen, Martin Winterkorn, va emetre el diumenge una disculpa pública i va anunciar que una investigació externa es portaria a terme, després que la companyia es va embolicar en un escàndol sobre les proves d'emissions de dièsel.

El cap de setmana hi va haver revelacions perjudicials que el fabricant d'automòbils ha estat usant programari il·legal per a permetre que els cotxes dièsel puguessin fer trampa en els exàmens obligatoris d'emissions.

Una investigació sobre les presumptes violacions del dret ambiental es va iniciar originalment amb l'assessorament del Consell Internacional de Tecnologia Neta (International Council on Clean Technology), una ONG europea. L'Agència de Protecció Ambiental dels Estats Units va sol·licitar proves, que es duran a terme per l'Universitat de West Virginia, on es va descobrir el programari secret.

Volkswagen ha patit una caiguda significativa de gairebé una cinquena part del valor de les seves accions. Hi ha hagut efectes en cadena per a altres fabricants d'automòbils que també han vist com el valor de les seves accions cauen després dels suggeriments que l'escàndol es podria estendre molt més enllà de Volkswagen.

La companyia haurà de pagar la factura de la retirada de prop de 500 000 cotxes de VW i Audi. També hi ha la possibilitat de pagar multes federals de fins a 18 mil milions de dòlars a causa de que la Llei d'Aire Net dels Estats Units estableix una multa màxima de US$ 37 500 per cada vehicle.

El programari, conegut com a "dispositiu de desactivació", va permetre als cotxes identificar quan estaven sent provats per encendre el sistema de control d'emissions. Els dispositius poden haver anat afegint urea als gasos d'escapament dels cotxes perquè això faria reduir la quantitat de diòxid de nitrogen. Els cotxes alliberarien una fracció d'òxid de nitrogen en comparació a quan fossin arrossegats normalment. Les emissions d'òxid de nitrogen contribueixen a la contaminació i es creu que han causat un augment en les malalties respiratòries com l'asma.


W. Axl Rose arrested near Stockholm

Singer W. Axl Rose, of the band Guns 'N Roses, was arrested early Tuesday morning for assaulting and biting a security guard on the leg outside the Stockholm, Sweden hotel where he was staying.

Rose, who performed in Stockholm on Monday, was held by the Swedish police on the suspicion of threatening and attacking the guard, as well as causing damage to the hotel. According to a police spokeswoman, Rose was intoxicated and threatening to the arresting police officers, necessitating the use of handcuffs. He was later jailed due to the potential flight risk he posed.

At approximately 7 p.m. CEST (1700 UTC), Rose was released, having admitted his guilt in the crimes. The likely punishment will be a fine, most likely to the sum of 40 thousand Swedish crowns, as well as an additional 10-thousand-crown restitution for the bitten security guard. The incident followed Rose's concert at the Globe Arena in Stockholm.


Axl Rose é preso em Estocolmo

O cantor da banda Guns 'N Roses, W. Axl Rose ,foi detido na manhã de terça-feira (27)  por ter supostamente agredido na perna um segurança na saída do hotel onde estava hospedado, em  Estocolmo, Suécia.

Rose, que na segunda-feira (26) deu um show no Globen Arena, foi detido pela polícia sueca acusado de agressão e de ter causado danos ao hotel. De acordo com a porta-voz da polícia,  Rose  estava drogado e ameaçou os policiais que efetuaram a sua prisão obrigando-os a colocarem algemas no cantor. Rose foi ainda colocado numa cela devido ao seu potencial risco de fuga.

Por volta das 7 horas da noite (17:00 UTC) Axl  Rose foi liberado após ter assumido a culpa pelas acusações.

Provavelmente o cantor deverá pagar uma multa de 40 mil coroas suecas e indenizar o segurança agredido em 10 mil coroas suecas.


Wales widens smoking ban, includes at hospitals, schools and playgrounds

Today, Wales extended the prohibition on smoking at hospitals, schools, and playgrounds, with violators to face a £100 fine.  Wales is the first of the UK nations to introduce this ban.

This is in addition to various restrictions on the practice, including a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces in place since 2007 and a ban on smoking in cars with children in place since 2015.

The Welsh government, governed by left-wing party Welsh Labour, said the measure was to discourage adults and children alike from smoking by making it appear less normal, and encourage the already partaking to quit.

Two hospitals in the country's south have installed a button-activated speaker system to remind people hospitals are smoke-free.  In 2016, a similar mechanism was tried at hospitals across Wales, where an announcement recorded by local school children would play upon pressing a button.

Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing, and the Welsh Language Eluned Morgan said she was "immensely proud to have brought into force this law", and "[t]his legislation will benefit the health of future generations in Wales, as fewer children will be exposed to smoking".  She concluded, "[w]e need to do everything we can to combat the harmful effects of smoking."

The government was criticised by many smokers rights groups.  Simon Clark, Director of the Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco compared the law to "taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut", saying: "There is no evidence that smoking in the open air poses a risk to anyone else's health, including children."  The director further explained, "Banning smoking on hospital grounds is particularly unjust because it targets smokers who may be stressed and in need of a comforting cigarette.  Most smokers use their common sense and don't smoke around small children. They don't need politicians telling them how to behave."

Wikinews contacted Eluned Morgan's office to know more about this ban.

What is the core objective of this law?  If everything works out as you had intended, regarding this law, how would the future of Wales (in terms of smoking) look like?

((Eluned Morgan's office))  We are bringing in this legislation to protect people from being exposed to harmful second-hand smoke, help those trying to quit and reduce the chances of children starting smoking.

We are committed to our longer-term goal of making more of Wales' public spaces smoke-free and helping people to make positive changes to their health and wellbeing.  We intend to progress work to extend the smoking ban to outdoor areas of cafes and restaurants and city and town centres.

((WN))  How do you respond to the criticism the government is trying to "micro-manage people's lives"?

((EMO))  The law is being introduced to protect the public's health, both from harmful second-hand smoke and to support those trying to quit.  We hope to denormalise smoking among children and young people so they are less likely to start in the first place.

((WN))  Do you think it is an individual informed adult's right to smoke?  Why, or why not?

((EMO))  Smoking is the biggest cause of early preventable death in Wales.  We have brought in this legislation as we need to do everything we can to combat the harmful effects of smoking and to support people to make positive choices for their health.  We hope that by increasing the number of smoke-free areas it will improve the health of people in Wales, but there will still be places where adults can smoke.

((WN))  Where should someone smoke, if they so choose?

((EMO))  The smoke-free law only applies in areas set out in the legislation.

((WN))  Does the current ban on smoking in playgrounds only apply when there are kids present, or should it be during all times?  Can you please elaborate?

((EMO))  All public playgrounds in Wales will be required to be smoke-free all of the time.  Even if there are no children in the public playground, the playground must be smoke-free at all times.  We know that reducing the number of young people taking up smoking saves lives. Therefore, restricting smoking in areas where children and young people go regularly, like public playgrounds and school grounds, will help to make smoking behaviour appear less normal and reduce the chances of children and young people taking up smoking.


Kimrujo plivastigis malpermeson je fumado por inkluzivi hospitalojn, lernejojn kaj ludejojn

La 1-an de marto, Kimrujo plivastigis sian jaman malpermeson je fumado en publikaj ejoj, por inkluzivi hospitalojn, lernejojn, kaj ludejojn. Kimro estas la unua el la nacioj de la Unuiĝinta Reĝlando, kiu enkondukis tian malpermeson. Al malobeantoj minacas monpuno je 100 britaj pundoj.

Ĉi tio estas aldono al jamaj limigoj al fumado, inkluzive de malpermeso je fumado en kovritaj publikaj lokoj ekde 2007 kaj malpermeso je fumado ene de aŭtoj kun infanoj ekde 2015.

La kimra registaro, estrata de la maldekstrisma Kimra Laborista Partio, diris ke la rimedo celas malkuraĝigi kaj adoltojn kaj junulojn de fumado, igante ĝin aspekti malpli normale, kaj ankaŭ celas kuraĝigi jamajn fumantojn ĉesi.

Du hospitaloj en la suda parto de la lando instalis aŭdilajn sistemojn por memorigi al pacientoj ke hospitaloj estu senfumaj per simpla puŝo al butono. En 2016, oni eksperimentis en diversaj kimraj hospitaloj kun simila meĥanismo, kiu sonigis anoncon surbendigitan de lokaj lernejanoj.

La minstro pri mensosano, bonfarto, kaj kimra lingvo Eluned Morgan komentis ke ŝi estas «tre fiera enigi ĉi tiun leĝon en forton», aldonante ke «ĉi tiu leĝo utilos al la sano de venontaj generacioj en Kimrujo, ĉar malpli multe da geknaboj estos submetitaj al fumado.» Ŝi konkludis: «Ni devas fari ĉion eblan por kontraŭlukti la lezajn efikojn de fumado.»

La registaron kritikis multaj grupoj subtenantaj la rajtojn de fumantoj. La direktoro de la Libereca organizaĵo por la rajto ĝui tamabkfumadon Simon Clark opiniis ke la leĝo estas «kvazaŭ toporego uzata por disigi nukson.» Li diris: «Ne estas evidentaĵoj, ke fumado en aperta aero konsistigas riskon al ies sano, inkluzive la sanon de geknaboj.» La direktoro plue eksplikis: «Malpermesi fumadon ĉe la teritorio de hospitaloj estas aparte maljuste, ĉar tio apartigas fumantojn kiuj eble havas streson kaj bezonas komfortigan cigaredon. La plimulto de fumantoj posedas la komunan saĝon kaj ne fumas apud infanoj. Ili ne bezonas politikistojn diktantajn al ili kiel konduti.»

Vikinovaĵoj kontaktis la oficejon de Eluned Morgan por ekscii plu pri ĉi tiu malpermeso.

Vikinovaĵoj: Kio estas la ĉefa celo de ĉi tiu leĝo? Supozante, ke ĉio kunmetiĝos tiel, kiel vi intencas, kiel aspektus la estonteco de Kimrujo rilate al fumado?

VN: Kiel vi respondus al la kritiko, ke la registaro penas «dikti mikronivele» la vivojn de la popolo?

VN: Ĉu vi pensas ke informita adolto havas la rajton fumi?

VN: Kien oni iru, se oni deziras fumi?

VN: Ĉu la nuna malpermeso je fumado en ludejoj estas aplikebla nur kiam ĉeestas geknaboj, aŭ ĉu la permeso estas tuttempa? Ĉu vi povus klarigi?


Gales amplía la prohibición de fumar

VN: Kien oni iru, se oni deziras fumi?


País de Gales amplia proibição de fumar

Ontem, o País de Gales estendeu a proibição de fumar em hospitais, escolas e parquinhos com os infratores enfrentando uma multa de £ 100. Wales é o primeiro dos britânicos há introduzir esta proibição.

Isso se soma a várias restrições à prática, incluindo a proibição de fumar em espaços públicos fechados em vigor desde 2007 e a proibição de fumar em carros com crianças desde 2015.

O governo galês, governado pelo partido de esquerda Welsh Labour, disse que a medida visa desencorajar adultos e jovens de fumar e encorajar os que já fumam a parar.

Dois hospitais no sul do país instalaram um sistema de alto-falante ativado por botão para lembrar às pessoas que os hospitais são proibidos de fumar. Em 2016, um mecanismo semelhante foi tentado em hospitais em todo o País de Gales, onde ao pressionar um botão um anúncio gravado por crianças tocava.

A ministra da saúde, Eluned Morgan, disse estar "imensamente orgulhosa de ter colocado em vigor esta lei" e "sua legislação beneficiará a saúde das gerações futuras no País de Gales, pois menos crianças estarão expostas ao fumo". Ela concluiu: "[precisamos] fazer tudo o que estiver ao nosso alcance para combater os efeitos nocivos do fumo".

O governo foi criticado por muitos grupos de defesa dos direitos dos fumantes. Simon Clark afirmou que "não há evidências de que fumar ao ar livre represente um risco para a saúde de outra pessoa, incluindo crianças." Explicou ainda: "Proibir fumar em hospitais é particularmente injusto porque visa fumantes que podem estar estressados e precisam de um cigarro reconfortante. A maioria dos fumantes usa o bom senso e não fuma perto de crianças pequenas. Eles não precisam políticos dizendo a eles como se comportar."

O Wikinotícias contatou o escritório de Eluned Morgan para saber mais sobre esta proibição.

Qual é o objetivo central desta lei? Se tudo correr como você pretendia, em relação a essa lei, como seria o futuro do País de Gales (em termos de tabagismo)?

Como você responde às críticas de que o governo está tentando "microgerenciar a vida das pessoas"?

Você acha que um indivíduo adulto não tem o direito de fumar? Por que ou por que não?

Onde alguém deve fumar, se assim escolher?

A proibição atual de fumar em áreas infantis se aplica apenas quando há crianças presentes ou deveria ser durante todo o tempo? Você pode explicar?


Washington, D.C. sniper John Allen Muhammad executed by lethal injection

John Allen Muhammad, the Washington, D.C. sniper spree killer, has been executed in Virginia. Muhammad was convicted for one of ten murders occurring between Oct. 9 and 22, 2002 in and around Washington, DC. Dean Harold Meyers was shot on the Oct. 9 by Muhammad. Lawyers for Muhammad appealed for a not plea on the reasons of him being mentality ill but the appeal was rejected. Muhammad was 48 at the time of execution.

He was executed at 02:11 GMT and the execution took 5 minutes. According to Larry Traylor of the Department of Corrections Muhammad remained quiet before and during the execution. His last meal was chicken in red sauce and strawberry cakes.

Both his lawyers and the state attorney appointed to represent Muhammad pleaded for the death penalty to be dropped. They reported that Muhammad was suffering from Gulf War syndrome.

Muhammad and his accomplice Lee Boyd Malvo killed ten people in Washington D.C and Virginia. The pair had also been accused of murders in the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Arizona. Malvo is currently serving life imprisonment. Muhammad's execution was watched by several members of the victims' families.


வாசிங்டனில் சினைப்பர் தாக்குதலை நடத்திய நபருக்கு மரணதண்டனை நிறைவேற்றம்

அமெரிக்காவின் வாஷிங்டன் டி.சி.யின் பல பகுதிகளிலும் 2002 ஆம் ஆண்டில் சினைப்பர் தாக்குதல்களை மேற்கொண்ட நபருக்கு மரணதண்டனை நிறைவேற்றப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஜோன் அலென் முகமது என்னும் இந்நபர் மனநலம் குன்றியவரென அவரது வழக்கறிஞர்கள் வாதிட்ட போதும் வேர்ஜினியா ஆளுநர் ரிம்கைன் அவரது கருணை மனுவை நிராகரித்துள்ளார்.

மரணதண்டனையை நிறுத்துவதற்கான கோரிக்கையை கடந்த திங்கட்கிழமை உயர்நீதிமன்றம் நிராகரித்திருந்தது. முன்னாள் இராணுவ வீரரான 48 வயதான முகமது மரணத்தை தோற்றுவிக்கும் ஊசி மருந்தின் மூலம் கொல்லப்பட்டதாக தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது. இந்நிகழ்வு மொத்தம் 5 நிமிடங்கள் வர நீடித்ததாகவும், முகமது உள்ளுர் நேரப்படி 21:11 மணிக்கு இறந்ததாகவும் தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது.

இதேவேளை தாக்குதலின் போது முகமதுவுக்கு உடந்தையாகவிருந்த லீ போய்ட் மல்வோ (24) வுக்கு ஆயுட்தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. மெரிலாந்து, வாஷிங்டன் மற்றும் வேர்ஜினியாவில் மூன்று கிழமைகளாக இவர்கள் நடத்திய தாக்குதல்களில் 10 பேர் வரையில் கொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

மரணதண்டனை நிறைவேற்றப்படுவதற்கு முன்னர் அவர் எதுவுமே பேசாமல் அமைதியாக இருந்ததாகவும் இறுதியாக ஏதாவது கூற விரும்புகிறாரா என அவரிடம் கேட்கப்பட்டபோதும் அதற்கு அவர் இணங்கவில்லையெனவும் மரணதண்டனை நிறைவேற்றப்பட்ட இடத்தில் இருந்தவர்கள் கூறுகின்றனர்.

முன்னாள் படைவீரரான முகமது வளைகுடா போர் சூழ்நிலைகளால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டிருந்ததாக அவரது வழக்கறிஞர்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றனர். கடைகள், பாடசாலைகளின் வெளிப்புறம் உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு இடங்களிலும் துப்பாக்கிச் சூட்டை நடத்திய முகமதுவுக்கு மரணதண்டனை நிறைவேற்றப்படுவதைப் பார்ப்பதற்கு இவரது தாக்குதல்களினால் உயிரிழந்தவர்களின் குடும்பங்களைச் சேர்ந்த பலருக்கு அனுமதி வழங்கப்பட்டிருந்தது.

வியாழன், நவம்பர் 12, 2009


West Wing of White House evacuated

The United States Secret Service has evacuated the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C. after finding a suspicious package. Reports say the package was found on the grounds of the White House just outside the West Wing.

One person has been arrested after the Secret Service says he made a "verbal threat against the President" of the U.S. George W. Bush through the fence near the West Wing. He also left the package on the White House grounds.

"We had an individual arrested for making a threat against the president on the fence line. He left behind a suspicious package," said a spokesman for the Secret Service, Malcolm Wiley. No name has been released, and it is not known what he will be charged with. Reports say the man was somewhere in his 40's. He was bald and wore a brown leather jacket.

Officials for the bomb squad are investigating the package, but say that nothing inside it was harmful.

The area was briefly closed to any members of the public.


Evacuan el Ala Oeste de la Casa Blanca

El Servicio Secreto de los Estados Unidos ha evacuado el Ala Oeste de la Casa Blanca en Washington D.C. tras encontrar un paquete sospechoso justo en las afueras de los terrenos.

Una persona ha sido arrestada después que "amenazó verbalmente al Presidente" George W. Bush a través de una verja cerca del Ala Oeste, dijo Malcolm Wiley, un representante de prensa del Servicio Secreto. También dejó un paquete en los territorios de la Casa Blanca.

No se ha revelado el nombre del sospechoso. Tampoco se ha reportado si se le presentarán cargos. Se reporta que el hombre tiene alrededor de 40 años, que es calvo y que tenía un abrigo marrón en piel.

Oficiales del escuadrón de bombas dijeron que estaban investigando el paquete, pero que no tenía nada peligroso adentro.

El área fue cerrada temporalmente al público.


Vestfløyen av det kvite huset evakuert

Målform: Nynorsk - Dato: 28. januar 2008 - Oppdater siden - Rediger artikkelen - Flere nyheter

USA: Secret Service i USA har evakuert vestfløyen av det kvite huset i Washington, DC etter å ha funne ein mistenkeleg pakke. Meldingane seier at pakken vart funnen i hagen til det kvite huset, rett utanfor vestfløyen.

Ein person er arrestert etter at Secret Service seier han kom med ein «verbal trussel mot presidenten», George W. Bush gjennom eit gjerde ved vestfløyen. Han etterlét også pakken i hagen til det kvite huset.

«Ein enkeltperson vart arrestert for å ha kome med truslar mot presidenten ved eit gjerde. Han etterlét ein mistenkeleg pakke,» seier talsmann for Secret Service, Malcolm Wiley. Namnet på personen har ikkje kome fram, og det er ikkje kjent kva han vil siktast for.

Medlemmmer av bombepatruljen er på veg for å undersøke pakken. Området er avstengt for offentlegheita.


White House considering auto rescue plan

After a plan to bail out three large American auto companies failed to pass the Senate this week, the White House has said that it is considering using some of the US$700 billion earmarked to rescue the banking industry to bail out the automakers.

The White House says that the collapse of the automakers would be a terrible setback that could destroy the economy.

"Under normal economic conditions we would prefer that markets determine the ultimate fate of private firms. However, given the current weakened state of the US economy, we will consider other options if necessary - including use of the TARP [Troubled Assets Relief Program] programme - to prevent a collapse of troubled automakers," said Dana Perino, the White House Press Secretary. "A precipitous collapse of this industry would have a severe impact on our economy, and it would be irresponsible to further weaken and destabilize our economy at this time."

Earlier this week, the "Big Three" automakers - Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors - had pleaded before Congress to be given $14 billion in funds so as to prevent collapse. Although the House approved the measures, the Senate voted the proposition down with a vote of 52-35. Part of the failure of the bill to pass was due to disagreements over labour cuts, which the Republicans insisted reach parity by next year with those of Japanese carmakers.

General Motors  stated that the company would stop 30% of its North American production "in response to rapidly deteriorating market conditions".


Estados Unidos podría usar parte del rescate financiero para las automotrices

El presidente de los Estados Unidos, George W. Bush, dijo que podría ayudar a la industria automotriz con el dinero del rescate financiero de US$ 700 mil millones. El anuncio se hizo luego de que el proyecto de auxilio al sector fracasó en el Senado. El Departamento del Tesoro también podría brindar asistencia a los fabricantes de vehículos.

La portavoz de Bush, Dana Perino, declaró antes de la apertura de los mercados en Nueva York: "Bajo condiciones económicas normales, preferiríamos que los mercados determinen el destino final de las empresas privadas".

Sin embargo, agregó que, debido a la frágil situación de la economía estadounidense, tomarán las medidas necesarias para evitar que General Motors (GM), Ford y Chrysler se declaren en bancarrota. Las tres empresas están en una situación crítica por la crisis mundial.

Asimismo, una vocera del Tesoro, Brookly McLaughlin, declaró que aquel departamento es capaz de brindar ayuda a corto plazo a las automotrices. "Debido a que el Congreso no actuó, estamos preparados para evitar un desastre hasta que el Congreso se rectifique y apunte a una viabilidad a largo plazo para la industria", manifestó.

En un principio, el gobierno no estaba de acuerdo con destinar el dinero del rescate financiero –también conocido como Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP)– para empresas fuera del sector bancario. Por esta razón, esperaban que el Congreso ratificara el plan de salvataje automotor, pero esto no ocurrió debido a la resistencia de la bancada republicana en la Cámara. Bush insistía en que el TARP no reunía las condiciones necesarias para poder aplicarse a la industria automovilística.

Según varios analistas, la quiebra de las tres mayores fabricantes de automóviles norteamericanos provocaría una reacción en cadena y agravaría la recesión. "Nadie compra un coche de una empresa en bancarrota, porque no le pueden asegurar que le darán servicio durante los próximos tres o cinco años", señaló un experto a la cadena televisiva CNBC.

Por su parte, el presidente electo, Barack Obama, dijo que estaba decepcionado por el rechazo del proyecto en el Senado y añadió que "millones de trabajos se apoyan directa o indirectamente" en la industria de vehículos.


White House refuses to release climate policy documents

Executive Office of the President of the United States

The United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing today on the accusation that the Bush Administration had interfered with data regarding climate change in order "to mislead the public by injecting doubt into the science of global warming."  On January 23, 2007, Chairman Henry Waxman (D) and Tom Davis (R) had requested documents from the Council on Environmental Quality but were denied access.

Waxman said that, "The committee isn't trying to obtain state secrets or documents that could affect our immediate national security.  We are simply seeking answers to whether the White House's political staff is inappropriately censoring impartial government scientists.  We know that the White House possesses documents that contain evidence of an attempt by senior administration officials to mislead the public by injecting doubt into the science of global warming and minimize the potential danger."

During the hearing, two private advocacy groups, one of which was the Union of Concerned Scientists, also presented a survey to the panel that revealed that 279 scientists working for the government had been pressured into minimizing the threat of global warming in their reports.  Almost half of the 279 said that they were told to delete any references to "global warming" or "climate change" in their reports.  The scientists in the survey all worked for a wide array of government agencies: NASA, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and the Department of Interior.


États-Unis : la Maison Blanche refuse de communiquer des documents concernant sa politique sur le climat

Le Comité de la Chambre des Représentants des États-Unis pour la surveillance et la réforme du Gouvernement[1] a tenu hier[2] une audition sur l'accusation portée à l'égard de l'administration Bush qui aurait manipulé les données concernant le changement climatique dans le but d'« égarer le public en introduisant des doutes quant à la science du réchauffement global. » Le 23 janvier 2007, le président (de ce comité), le démocrate Henry_Waxman, et le républicain Thomas M. Davis avaient demandé des documents provenant du Conseil de la qualité environnementale[3] mais s'en étaient vus refuser l'accès.

Durant cette audition, Waxman a affirmé que : « le comité n'est pas en train d'essayer d'obtenir des secrets d'état ou des documents qui pourraient affecter notre sécurité nationale immédiate. Nous cherchons simplement des réponses à pourquoi l'équipe politique de la Maison Blanche a censuré de manière inappropriée des scientifiques gouvernementaux impartiaux. Nous savons que la Maison Blanche est en possession de documents qui prouvent la tentative menée par des hauts fonctionnaires d'égarer le public en introduisant des doutes quant à la science du réchauffement global et minimiser ainsi la dangerosité potentielle. »

Deux groupes de conseil privés, l'un d'entre eux étant l'association Union of Concerned Scientists[4], ont aussi présenté un aperçu d'un panel qui révèle que 279 scientifiques travaillant pour le gouvernement ont été soumis à pression afin de minimiser la menace due au réchauffement climatique dans leurs rapports. Au moins la moitié des ces 279 scientifiques indiquent avoir reçu l'ordre d'effacer toute référence au réchauffement global ou changement climatique dans leurs rapports. Les scientifiques cités travaillent tous pour une grande variété d'agences gouvernementales : NASA, Agence de protection de l'environnement des États-Unis, Département de l'Agriculture des États-Unis, Département de l'Énergie des États-Unis, Département du Commerce des États-Unis, Département de la Défense des États-Unis et Ministère de l'Intérieur.


White House, Capitol Building evacuated as small plane enters no-fly zone

Two men were taken into custody for violating the no-fly zone surrounding the U.S. national capital in Washington D.C.

The Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, the Department of the Treasury and the White House were evacuated around noon Wednesday. People in the vicinity were told to head to a rail station approximately a half mile south of the White House.  Reporters in the White House itself were told to move into the basement.

President Bush was not in the White House at the time.  CNN and Bloomberg have reported that the President was on a bicycle ride; CTV has reported that he was at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland.

Wire sources report the cause of the evacuation as being a small plane that wandered into the no-fly zone.  The craft was reportedly a Cessna 150, which flew into restricted space, left the area, and then returned.  It was then escorted out of the zone by two F-16s that fired warning flares at it.

MSNBC reported that a 'lure motorcade' drove away from the White House.

Authorities gave the "all-clear" signal a few minutes after the evacuation.  Other government agencies outside of the immediate area were largely unaffected.

At the time of the police-ordered evacuation, Senator Richard Shelby, R-AL, was on the Senate floor. "They said get out of here, so I ran. There's no joking about this kind of stuff," Shelby said.

The two men who were flying the aircraft were on their way to an air show when they slipped into Washington D.C.'s Restricted Airspace (image at right).  Their plane was escorted to a Maryland airport where they were taken into custody and interviewed by authorities.  Once it became clear the incident had been a mistake, the two men were released.

In Washington, D.C., a 25 km radius from the Washington Monument is restricted air space.

F-16 escorting Cessna


Una avioneta provoca el desalojo de la Casa Blanca

11 de mayo de 2005Washington, Estados Unidos —

La Casa Blanca y el Capitolio fueron desalojados después de que una avioneta entrara en el espacio aéreo restringido, desatando los temores a un nuevo ataque como el sucedido el 11 de septiembre de 2001. El aparato llegó a estar a pocos kilómetros de la residencia de George W. Bush, que en ese momento se encontraba dando un paseo en bicicleta en las afueras de la ciudad. Quienes sí tuvieron que ser desalojados por encontrarse en el edificio fueron la primera dama Laura Bush y el vicepresidente Dick Cheney. También fueron evacuados el Congreso, el Tribunal Supremo y el Departamento del Tesoro.

Tras intentos de contactar con el piloto, dos cazas F-16 obligaron a la avioneta a cambiar de rumbo y finalmente a aterrizar en un aeropuerto cercano, siendo detenido después el protagonista del incidente.


Allarme aereo a Washington: evacuata la Casa Bianca

Un'intrusione nello spazio aereo sopra Washington D.C., verso mezzogiorno ora locale, ha fatto scattare le procedure d'emergenza contro gli attentati.

A differenza quanto accaduto con l'allarme del 27 aprile scorso, in questo caso un piccolo aereo era effettivamente entrato nello spazio aereo proibito.

L'allarme ha fatto partire le procedure di evacuazione e oltre alla Casa Bianca molti altri edifici federali, tra cui la sede del Parlamento sono stati fatti evacuare.

Secondo quanto riferiscono le prime fonti d'informazione l'aereo era un piccolo Cessna 150 con a bordo due persone. Al momento l'ipotesi più probabile è che l'intrusione nello spazio aereo interdetto al volo sia stato dovuto ad un errore di rotta. Alcuni aerei dell'aeronautica militare si sono subito diretti verso la zona interessata ed hanno costretto l'aereo intruso ad atterrare in un aeroporto del Maryland.

Da quanto sembra di capire il presidente degli Stati Uniti, George W. Bush, non era alla Casa Bianca al momento dell'allarme, mentre sembrerebbe che il vice-presidente Dick Cheney fosse presente e sia stato fatto evacuare.


Niespodziewana ewakuacja Białego Domu i Kapitolu w Stanach Zjednoczonych

Budynek Kapitolu, Sąd Najwyższy i Biały Dom oraz tereny go otaczające zostały ewakuowane w środę około południa czasu lokalnego, po tym jak mały samolot Cessna 150 wleciał na teren strefy chronionej nad Waszyngtonem.

Agenci federalni i policja zebrała się na miejscu, aby pomóc ludziom przy ewakuacji. Kierowali ich na stację kolejową na południu od Białego Domu, a reporterzy znajdujący się wewnątrz mieli udać się do podziemi.

W czasie alarmu prezydent George W. Bush nie znajdował się na terenie Białego Domu. Prezydent odbywał wtedy akurat przejażdżkę rowerową.

Po kilku minutach dwa samoloty F-16 eskortowały niezidentyfikowany samolot na zewnątrz strefy, a władze Waszyngtonu odwołały alarm.


Avião causa pânico na Casa Branca

A Casa Branca e o Capitólio foram desalojados depois de que uma aeronave  entrou  no espaço aéreo reservado desatando os temores a um novo ataque como o sucedido em 11 de setembro de 2001. O aparelho chegou a estar a poucos quilômetros da residência de George W. Bush, que nesse momento se encontrava a dar um passeio de  bicicleta pelas ruas da cidade. Aqueles que precisaram  ser desalojados por encontrar-se no edifício foram a primeira dama Laura Bush e o vice-presidente  Dick  Cheney. Também foram evacuados o Congresso, o Tribunal Supremo e o Departamento do Tesouro.

Depois de tentativas de contatar com o piloto, dois caças F-16 obrigaram o pequeno avião  a mudar de rumo e finalmente a aterrizar num aeroporto próximo, sendo detidos  depois os protagonistas do incidentes.

As autoridades americanas liberaram mais tarde as pessoas detidas e afirmaram que tudo não passou de um acidente.


Wikileaks founder Julian Assange granted bail, set free

The founder of the whistle blowing website Wikileaks, Julian Assange, has been granted bail and was set free, pending an extradition hearing. Justice Duncan Ouseley granted Assange "conditional bail," upholding the previous ruling which was made earlier in the week. He ruled against a Swedish appeal filed just two days ago. Assange is wanted for questioning in Sweden for alleged molestation and rape.

On Tuesday, Assange was granted bail with the help of former British army officer and journalist Vaughan Smith, who told the court that Assange could stay at his mansion in Suffolk. Defense barrister Geoffrey Robertson said that Smith would keep Assange "if not under house arrest, at least under mansion arrest." Assange's lawyers say that Assange is only wanted for questioning, and has not been charged with any crimes. However the lawyers representing Sweden countered by saying "The court has already found that Mr. Assange is a flight risk. Nothing has changed in this regard. [If the alleged offences took place in Britain] it undoubtedly would have been a charge of rape in this jurisdiction." Robertson did not agree.

Bail was set at £200,000, with two additional guarantees of £20,000. Assange would also have to surrender his passport and submit to electronic monitoring. Pending further court hearings, Assange will be residing in a manor owned by Smith, which is located near the Norfolk–Suffolk border in England. Assange would also have to spend at least four hours at Smith's mansion in the day and four at night. He will also have to check in with police every day between 6–8 pm local time. After the magistrate outlined the conditions Assange said, emotionlessly, on Tuesday, "I understand." Bail conditions remained the same, with small changes that included where he is allowed to travel, changes to his curfew and times in which he must report to authorities. Assange has yet to be formally charged with any crime.

Assange believes the sex offense accusation against him are politically motivated to take attention away from material that Wikileaks is publishing, including the release of over 250,000 United States diplomatic cables.


London: WikiLeaks-Gründer Assange gegen Kaution freigelassen

London (Vereinigtes Königreich), 16.12.2010 – Julian Assange, Gallionsfigur der Internetplattform WikiLeaks, kam am Donnerstag gegen eine Kaution von 200.000 Pfund frei. Das entschied ein Londoner Gericht. Weitere Bedingungen für die Entlassung aus dem Gefängnis sind die Hinterlegung einer Sicherheitszahlung von weiteren 40.000 Pfund sowie eine elektronische Fussfessel, die Assange tragen muss. Assange darf das Land nicht verlassen und muss sich auf dem Landsitz eines Medienclubs im Osten Englands, der WikiLeaks offenbar nahe steht, aufhalten. Nach anderen Quellen handelt es sich um den Landsitz eines befreundeten Journalisten in Ellingham Hall (Grafschaft Suffolk). Assange wurde außerdem auferlegt, sich regelmäßig bei der Polizei zu melden.

Über eine mögliche Auslieferung an die schwedische Justiz wurde noch nicht entschieden. Einen Termin für die Verhandlung über den Auslieferungsantrag einer schwedischen Strafverfolgungsbehörde werden die britischen Justizbehörden erst am 11. Januar festlegen. Assange wird von Schweden wegen Vergewaltigungsvorwürfen beziehungsweise sexuellem Missbrauch per EU-Haftbefehl gesucht. Assanges Anwälte halten die Vorwürfe wegen sexueller Nötigung für vorgeschoben. In Wirklichkeit sei die Verfolgung Assanges politisch motiviert. Durch die Veröffentlichung von Geheimdepeschen aus dem US-Außenministerium hatte sich Assange bei US-Regierungskreisen nicht sonderlich beliebt gemacht. Assanges Anwälte befürchten, die schwedische Justiz könnte ihn nach einer Überstellung nach Schweden in die USA ausliefern. Nach Angaben der New York Times prüft die US-Staatsanwaltschaft, ob ausreichend Gründe vorliegen, um Assange wegen Verschwörung anzuklagen. Im Rechtsausschuss des US-Repräsentantenhauses finden am Donnerstag Beratungen statt, Assange im Falle seiner Auslieferung in die USA möglicherweise wegen Spionage anzuklagen.

Ursprünglich sollte Assange bereits am Dienstag freikommen. Vertreter der Staatsanwaltschaft hatten jedoch Einspruch gegen diese Entscheidung eingelegt, den das Gericht in der heutigen Verhandlung zurückwies.

Während seiner Haft hatte sich Assange trotz Verbots über seine Mutter an die Öffentlichkeit gewandt. Diese hatte eine schriftliche Botschaft Assanges bei dem australischen Fernsehsender Channel 7 verlesen, in der Assange in einer Mischung aus Sarkasmus und Selbstkritik erklärte, man habe zu wenig bedacht, dass „Visa, Mastercard und PayPal Instrumente der US-Außenpolitik sind“.


El fundador de WikiLeaks sale en libertad condicional y promete continuar su trabajo


Libération sous caution de Julian Assange

La Haute Cour de Londres vient de libérer sous caution de 200 000 £ le créateur de WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, qui est accusé d'agression sexuelle en Suède. Ce dernier veut éviter une extradition vers ce pays. Selon le magistrat ayant rendu sa décision, « il souhaite manifestement laver son honneur parce que sinon ces accusations resteront suspendues au-dessus de sa tête ».

Une fois libéré, il restera assigné à résidence chez un de ses partisans et portera, à cet effet, un bracelet électronique. Le paiement de la caution a été rendu possible grâce à une collecte de dons. L'audience d'extradition a été fixée en février. En revanche, les États-Unis pourraient l'inculper d'espionnage et demander son extradition vers ce pays. En outre, l'administration Obama étudie les possibilités de poursuites contre WikiLeaks par le biais d'une loi de 1907 réprimant l'espionnage.


Джулиана Ассанжа освободили под залог

Магистратский суд лондонского района Вестминстер принял решение об освобождении под залог Джулиана Ассанжа до следующего заседания. Однако судья Говард Риддли выдвинул ряд жёстких условий. Ассанж до следующего заседания будет обязан сдать свой паспорт, носить электронный чип и ежедневно докладывать о своём местонахождении в полицию.

Сумма, которую за него должны внести поручители, определена в размере 240 тыс. фунтов стерлингов (почти 380 тыс. долларов). Однако пока точно неизвестно, когда Ассанж покинет камеру, — шведская прокуратура, добивающаяся экстрадиции Ассанжа по обвинению в изнасиловании, подаёт апелляцию. Кроме того, адвокат основателя WikiLeaks Марк Стивенс сообщил, что юристы должны собрать сумму залога наличными, поскольку чеки суд не принимает. Таким образом, Ассанж останется под стражей ещё как минимум 48 часов.

Напомним, Ассанж находится в заключении с того момента, как был задержан в британской столице 7 декабря, и в тот же день предстал перед Вестминстерским магистратским судом, где традиционно слушаются все дела об экстрадиции. Тогда он был поставлен в известность о содержании направленного шведскими властями запроса.

Вокруг здания суда до сих пор остаются сотни человек — журналистов и митингующих в поддержку Ассанжа. При этом на само заседание суда смог попасть только представитель газеты Daily Express.

Швеция добивается выдачи 39-летнего австралийца, подозревая его в изнасиловании. Ассанж своей вины не признаёт и обжалует экстрадицию, заявляя, что обвинения имеют политическую подоплёку. Сторонники Ассанжа также считают, что дело против него сфабриковано для того, чтобы остановить разоблачения WikiLeaks.

15 декабря 2010 года


Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to be extradited to Sweden

Today, a British court ordered Julian Assange, founder of the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, to be extradited to Sweden. Assange, a 39 year old Australian, has been accused by two Swedish women of sexual assaults against them.

Assange's lawyers have the option of appealing against this decision, and have decided to do so. Assange has denied the claims of sexual abuse, claiming the allegations to be politically motivated because his website recently published secret US diplomatic cables. Earlier, during the hearing, Assange claimed that rape cases in Sweden were "tried in secret behind closed doors in a flagrant denial of justice", and termed the country "the Saudi Arabia of feminism."

Judge Howard Riddle, in his verdict, declared the allegations made by the two Swedish women a valid reason for extradition and also attested the validity of Sweden's demand to send Assange to the country for further questioning.

Geoffrey Robertson QC, lawyer for Assange, suggested the latter could be extradited to the United States, on charges concerning the release of 250,000 US diplomatic cables by Wikileaks, where he could be sentenced to death penalty. His Swedish counterpart, Clare Montgomery QC, stated that while Assange's trial would be held in private, the arguments raised in the trial would be released to the public. She also assured that Sweden was going to provide "protection" against the alleged risk of Assange's extradition to the US, terming it as a "threat and violation." The European Court of Human Rights has also agreed to intervene if Assange was subjected to an "inhuman or degrading treatment or an unfair trial" in the US, she added.

Assange had been granted bail in December, but has been electronically monitored ever since.

Assange has been accused of raping a sleeping woman, during his visit to Stockholm last year. Another woman has alleged that the Wikileaks founder sexual assaulted her thrice. If the Swedish court declares him guilty, he could be sentenced to up to four years in prison.

Paul Stephens, the Australian ambassador to Sweden, had earlier written to the country's Justice Minister, appealing that if Assange was extradited, his hearing "would proceed in accordance with due process and the provisions prescribed under Swedish law, as well as applicable European and international laws, including relevant human rights norms."

Assange is likely to remain in custody, since bail is not granted in Sweden before a trial or the accused being released.

"Wikileaks founder Julian Assange granted bail, set free" — Wikinews, December 17, 2010


Se aprueba la extraditación de Julian Assange a Suecia


Wikileaks publishes files on CIA hacking abilities

Yesterday, WikiLeaks, the organisation behind the Edward Snowden leaks, released files going into detail about the CIA's hacking capabilities.

The collection, which WikiLeaks dubbed "vault 7", contains 8761 files including claims the CIA can bypass the encryption of many popular encrypted messaging apps including WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Weibo, Confide, and Cloackman, and hack all major phone and computer operating systems, including 24 individual Android exploits, and Samsung smart TVs. It is claimed the CIA can use the Samsung F8000 TV to spy while seemingly turned off, a technique WikiLeaks claimed was a collaborative development of the CIA with MI5. It also alleges the US consulate in Frankfurt is used as a "sensitive compartmentalised information facility", a secret base from which US spies hack Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

WikiLeaks compared the surveillance technology with George Orwell's novel 1984, in which the TVs watch the citizens. The CIA said, "We do not comment on the authenticity or content of purported intelligence documents", though no spokesperson from the home office was available to comment. However, Edward Snowden, ex-CIA hacker and whistleblower who previously leaked CIA documents, said he thought they looked authentic, claiming the documents contained inside information.


Wikileaks legt Hackerfähigkeiten des CIA offen

Langley (Virginia) (Vereinigte Staaten), 14.03.2017 – WikiLeaks, die Organisation mit der Edward Snowden zusammenarbeitet, veröffentlichte vor einigen Tagen Dateien, die im Detail die Hacker-Fähigkeiten des US-Nachrichtendienstes CIA zeigen. Die Datensammlung, die von WikiLeaks „Vault 7“ genannt wird, enthält 8761 Dateien, einschließlich der Forderungen, dass die CIA die Verschlüsselung vieler populärer verschlüsselter Messaging-Apps wie WhatsApp, Signal, Telegramm, Wiebo, Confide und Cloackman umgehen kann und alle wichtigen Telefon- und Computerbetreiber hacken kann, darunter Systeme wie 24 einzelne Android-Exploits und Samsung Smart-TVs. Es wird behauptet, dass die CIA das Samsung F8000 TV nutzen kann, um damit zu spionieren, während es scheinbar ausgeschaltet wurde. Eine Technik war, wie WikiLeaks behauptet, eine gemeinsame Entwicklung der CIA mit dem britischen Geheimdienst MI5. Es wird auch behauptet, dass das US-Konsulat in Frankfurt als „sensible, kompartimentierte Informationseinrichtung“ genutzt wird, eine geheime Basis, aus der die USA in Europa, im Mittleren Osten und in Afrika Informationen hacken.

WikiLeaks vergleicht die Überwachungstechnologie mit George Orwells Roman 1984, in dem die Fernsehapparate die Bürger beobachten. Die CIA sagte dazu: „Wir kommentieren nicht die Echtheit oder den Inhalt der angeblichen Spionagedokumente“, obwohl kein Sprecher aus dem Zentralbüro zur Stellungnahme zur Verfügung stand. Edward Snowden, Ex-CIA Hacker und Whistleblower, der zuvor schon CIA Dokumente veröffentlicht hatte, erklärte allerdings, er halte die Dokumente für authentisch und sie würden Insider-Informationen enthalten.

Portal:Computer


WikiLeaks bericht over digitale spionagepraktijken door CIA

Klokkenluiderssite WikiLeaks is begonnen met een groot aantal documenten online te zetten waaruit zou blijken dat de Amerikaanse inlichtingendienst CIA zich op zeer grote schaal schuldig maakt aan hacken en digitale spionage. De dienst zou, met behulp van speciale software en malware, iPhones en Android-smartphones, Windows-computers en zelfs Samsung-televisies (waarop software is geïnstalleerd) aanvallen. Beveiligingsproblemen in Android en iOS zouden door CIA speciaal zijn benut om chats af te luisteren. Het zou tevens mogelijk zijn voor de CIA om met behulp van een speciaal soort virus smart-tv's en telefoons, terwijl ze ogenschijnlijk uitstaan, in te zetten als afluisterapparaat, waarna de via de microfoon opgenomen gesprekken via internet worden doorgestuurd.

Het aantal door de hackers van CIA verzamelde codes zou zeer groot zijn volgens WikiLeaks, nog groter dan het totale aantal broncodes van Facebook.


Wikimedia Foundation announces departure of general counsel Mike Godwin

The Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization which administers online collaborative websites including Wikipedia and Wikinews, announced yesterday that its general counsel Mike Godwin will leave his position this Friday. The author of Cyber Rights: Defending Free speech in the Digital Age, Godwin is a former fellow at the Yale Center for Internet Studies and staff counsel for the Electronic Frontier Foundation who has served as chief lawyer for the Wikimedia Foundation since July 2007.

Executive Director of the Wikimedia Foundation Sue Gardner announced the news in a public email. She wrote, "Hi folks, I want to let you know that as of this Friday, October 22, 2010, Mike Godwin will be leaving his role as General Counsel for the Wikimedia Foundation. Mike’s transition out of the role will be a fairly lengthy one: he will continue to be available to the Wikimedia Foundation to provide information and advice for several months to come."

Gardner stated in a "Q and A" below the text of her email that Godwin was leaving the organization due to "a confidential personnel issue", and explained that the foundation would not elaborate upon this due to privacy concerns. Gardner noted, "The Wikimedia Foundation believes Mike has always acted in what he believes to be the Wikimedia Foundation’s best interests."

Godwin has focused his legal career in the areas of free speech and Internet law. In an article regarding his 1999 selection as a fellow at the Yale Center for Internet Studies, The Hartford Courant characterized Godwin as "a noted cyberspace lawyer and civil libertarian".

He is noted for writing "Godwin's Law", an Internet maxim which states, "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one."

Godwin became the first attorney to join the Electronic Frontier Foundation after its formation in 1990. In a 2007 interview with The New York Times, Godwin commented on the issue of defamation online, "The fear of defamation on the Internet is very strong. We’re going to be riding that social panic for a little bit." He described his role at the Wikimedia Foundation, "Part of my job is to prevent restrictive rules from being put in place that prevent people from participating in massively democratic participatory media. And then let the new norms settle." He acknowledged he empathized with others that had been criticized on the Internet, "Look, I have been smeared online. I know how bad it feels. It hurts. If democracy were comfortable, everybody would have it."


Mike Godwin opouští nadaci Wikimedia

Nadace Wikimedia, nezisková organizace spravující kromě jiných projektů také Wikipedii a Wikizprávy, v úterý oznámila, že ze své pozice v pátek odejde její hlavní právník Mike Godwin. Zprávu oznámila ve veřejném emailu výkonná ředitelka nadace Sue Gardnerová, která napsala: „Ahoj lidi, chci abyste věděli, že k tomuto pátku, 22. října 2010, odchází Mike Godwin ze své pozice hlavního právníka nadace Wikimedia. Mikeův odchod bude celkem protáhlý: bude dále nadaci Wikimedia k dispozici pro radu a pomoc ještě během několika následujících měsíců.'“

V dodatku k emailu Gardnerová ještě zmínila, že Godwin opouští organizaci z „důvěrných osobních důvodů“ a že nadace nehodlá záležitost dále pitvat z důvodu ochrany soukromí.

Mike Godwin je známý také jako autor Godwinova zákona, který říká, že s délkou internetové diskuse se pravděpodobnost, že někdo zmíní nacisty nebo Hitlera, blíží jedné. V minulosti pracoval například jako první právník Electronic Frontier Foundation a pro nadaci Wikimedia dělal hlavního právníka od července 2007.

Tato zpráva byla založena zčásti nebo zcela překladem zprávy Wikimedia Foundation announces departure of general counsel Mike Godwin na anglických Wikizprávách.


Wikimedia, IWF respond to block of Wikipedia over child pornography allegations

On December 7, Wikinews first reported that some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the United Kingdom, were filtering access to an image and an article on the popular, free online encyclopedia Wikipedia, amid allegations that they contain child pornography. The filter was brought into play by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which issued a statement regarding the filtering shortly after Wikinews published the article. Wikimedia, the host of Wikinews and Wikipedia oppose the IWF's actions, also issuing a statement.

"A Wikipedia web page, was reported through the IWF’s online reporting mechanism in December 2008. As with all child sexual abuse reports received by our Hotline analysts, the image was assessed according to the UK Sentencing Guidelines Council (page 109). The content was considered to be a potentially illegal indecent image of a child under the age of 18, but hosted outside the UK," said the IWF in a statement posted on their website.

The image and article in question is that of the 1976 album Virgin Killer, a studio album by the Scorpions, a German rock band.  The controversy began after the image of the album's original cover, which depicted a naked prepubescent girl, was reported to the IWF in early December. Wikinews first discovered the controversial image in May 2008 after there were several attempts to delete it on Wikipedia. The image had been blocked because the IWF considered it to be "potentially illegal". As a result, the IWF have contacted authorities in the United States and in the UK.

The measures applied redirect Wikipedia-bound traffic from a significant portion of the UK's Internet population through a small number of servers which can log and filter the content that is available to the end user. A serious side-effect of this is the inability of administrators on Wikimedia sites to block vandals and other troublemakers without potentially impacting hundreds of thousands of innocent contributors who are working on the sites in good faith.

Contributors or individuals attempting to view an affected image or file, depending on their ISP, may get a warning saying, "we have blocked this page because, according to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), it contains indecent images of children or pointers to them; you could be breaking UK law if you viewed the page." Other ISPs provide blank pages, 404 errors, or other means of blocking the content.

Wikimedia was not informed that the image would be blacklisted because the IWF "does not issue takedown notices to ISPs or hosting companies outside the UK". The servers for Wikimedia projects are located in Florida in the U.S., and according to Jay Walsh, the head of communications for Wikimedia, the Foundation "opposes" the action taken by the IWF.

"The IWF has confirmed to the Wikimedia Foundation that it has added Wikipedia to its
blacklist, which also had the unintended consequence of rendering UK-based internet users
unable to edit the encyclopedia," said Walsh.

"We did advise one of our partner Hotlines abroad and our law enforcement partner agency of our assessment. The specific URL (individual webpage) was then added to the list provided to ISPs and other companies in the online sector to protect their customers from inadvertent exposure to a potentially illegal indecent image of a child," added the statement by the IWF.

"We have no reason to believe the article, or the image contained in the article, has been
held to be illegal in any jurisdiction anywhere in the world. We believe it's worth noting that the image is currently visible on Amazon, where the album can be freely purchased by UK residents. It
is available on thousands of websites that are accessible to the UK public," said Mike Godwin, legal counsel for Wikimedia. The cover has since been removed from Amazon.com.

Wikimedia projects such as Wikinews state in their policies that they are "not censored". Wikimedia will continue discussions with the IWF in hopes of resolving the issue.


Jimmy Wales befürwortet Klage gegen Internet Watch Foundation

San Francisco (Vereinigte Staaten) / Vereinigtes Königreich, 09.12.2008 – In einem Interview mit Channel 4 News sprach sich Wikipedia-Gründer Jimmy Wales für eine Klage gegen die Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)  aus. Hintergrund ist ein Konflikt um ein Albencover.

Die Internet Watch Foundation will im Bild des Covers des Scorpions-Albums Virgin Killer angebliche Kinderpornografie ausgemacht haben. Dies führte dazu, dass zahlreiche Internetprovider mittels eines Zwangsproxys den Zugriff auf den Artikel in der englischsprachigen Wikipedia sperrten, das Bild selbst ist jedoch noch direkt aufrufbar.

In dem Interview sagte Wales, dass die IWF ihre Kompetenzen mit der Sperrung des Artikels klar überschritten habe. Er opponierte auch die Sperrung des Bildes, da der Gedanke hinter der Sperrung verfehlt sei, zumal nur Wikipedia von der Sperre betroffen sei, nicht aber andere das Bild bereitstellende Websites. Wales forderte eine klare Abgrenzung, die sowohl Meinungsfreiheit als auch den Kampf gegen Kinderpornografie schütze und sprach sich für eine Klage gegen die IWF aus.


Wikinews international report: "Anonymous" holds anti-Scientology protests worldwide

The Internet group Project Chanology today held protests critical of the Church of Scientology. The protests marked what would have been the 49th birthday of Lisa McPherson, who is claimed to be a victim of the Church of Scientology's practices. Lisa died in 1995 during a running of what Scientologists refer to as an Introspection Rundown, a procedure intended to help Church members deal with a psychotic or deeply traumatic event.

Protests were planned throughout the day in 14 countries and over 50 different cities. The estimation of total protesters world wide for Feb. 10, 2008 is 9,250 people.

Wikinews had correspondents at a number of protest locations to report on the events. This article was updated throughout the day with reports from around the globe.

About 150 anonymous protesters turned out in Adelaide to protest the Church of Scientology. Most wore masks, many also wearing suits or wigs.
A on-the-spot-word was created centered around a Scientologist present at the start of the protests. 'Infiltrator', AdelRAID also had an Anon attacked by a Scientologist trying to remove an Anon's mask to take a photo of his face, who had his picture taken before and after the attack by many anons.

200+ members of Anonymous gathered in Atlanta.  While riot police were called to the scene as well as the local media, only one incident occurred.  A person from the Anonymous crowd tried to enter the church to talk to them but police temporarily detained him.  He was later released without charges.

Correspondent: Craig Russell

Correspondent: TUFKAAP

Protesters in Boston covered all four corners of the block surrounding the Church with 30-45 people on each side of the streets and corners. Most protesters ranged from 18 to 25 years old. Crowds soon swelled to numbers of about 250. The weather was of typical New England weather, where it quickly jumped from sunny weather at the start to slight drizzling rain then to a downpour and eventually a flurry that lasted about 15–20 minutes before dissipating. However, even that did not drive the protesters away.

The protesters' meet up spot was Trinity Church in Boston's famed Copley Square right under the gaze of the John Hancock Building. After congregating protesters proceeded down to the local Scientology church and began their picket. An ex-Scientology member know as Larry Brennan showed up and said he applauded what "Anonymous" was doing. Meanwhile, a camera watched the protest from the top floor of the Scientology church looking at the protesters gathered below.

Throughout the protest, each corner took turns shouting this chant "Religion! Should! Be! Free!" At the same time, cars honked in support for the protesters, including firemen of the Boston Fire Department and the Boston Public Works Department road sanding crew, along with various taxis. Drivers were often encouraged to honk by the protesters. Protesters gave pamphlets and leaflets to cars, pedestrians, and police officers.

According to the free daily BostonNOW, Rev. Gerard Renna of the Boston church referred to Anonymous as "a group of cyber-terrorists ... perpetrating religious hate crimes."

It is estimated that 200-250 people attended in total.

Correspondent: Brian McNeil

The Brussels protest organisers decided to take things one step further than the "mask" dress code - and introduce a formal dress code of "Black, and Red Tie".

Saturday saw the start of press coverage for the event with Dutch-language national paper De Morgen devoting four columns in their reporter section to the protest and events that led up to it. Lisa McPherson, Tom Cruise, and John Sweeney were all covered along with images of the "Anonymous" advertising poster and the European Church of Scientology HQ in the Brussels city centre.

The protesters met up at Parc Royal metro station about 1 km away from the European H.Q. of the Church of Scientology and spent approximately an hour putting finishing touches to placards and cutting up leaflets, all under the watchful eye of a number of suspected Scientology "spies" equipped with cameras and cellphones. Following closely the advice from police the group of approximately 30 marched to 91 Wetstraat where the Church H.Q. is in a subdued manner with banners and placards turned down. As the group marched to their point where a static protest was permitted three film crews from Belgian TV ran round filming the group and walking backwards to interview those who were prepared to speak to the press. Protesters came from as far afield as Luxembourg.

The police presence for the protest was fairly light, upon arrival at the protest site, 91 Wetstraat (Rue De La Loi) one van and three officers were parked outside the Scientology HQ, approximately 15 minutes later two other police cars had turned up - delivering the Brussels Central chief of police and another four officers to monitor the protest. Instructions were given to protesters that they could not, under Belgian law, conceal their faces with masks, scarves or veils.

The signs in use by the protesters included a large "HONK!" which whenever a passing motorist hit the horn roused a large cheer from the crowd. Others read "Scientology kills", "Religion is free, Scientology is not", "XENU.NET", "All your Thetans are belong to us", "Hello Scientology, We are Anonymous", and "Alien souls inhabit you". Some were crudely done handwriting, others had been made at the pre-protest meeting with stencils and spray paint.

A chant was started early on, and repeated a few times throughout the day, "Brainwash! Brainwash! Brainwash!", this could likely be heard by people within the Church H.Q. as a number of upper floor windows were open.

Leaflets were handed out to passers by and motorists as they stopped at the nearest set of traffic lights. While highlighting that Christianity, Judaism, and Islam will freely give you details about their religion Scientology was starkly contrasted as "Ask a Scientologist about their texts, You will be answered. After your check clears".

The protest went off with no problems, although concern was expressed by some participants that they were not better allowed to conceal their identities. This was made extra concerning with the belief that some of those taking photos from a distance were members of the Church cataloguing the protesters.

Correspondent: DragonFire1024

As many as 50 people turned up to protest the Church in cold weather and wind driven snow. With temperatures ranging from 10 to just 15 degrees Fahrenheit and winds at nearly 45 miles an hour, protesters held signs and braved Mother Nature. Some lost their signs in the wind a few times, but managed to swipe them back up before they got lost in the weather.

Among the protesters attending was Chuck Beatty, a former Scientologist of 27 years from the Sea Org in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Several passing cars showed their support by honking, including a big red semi-truck tow truck.

The police were on scene to make sure protesters followed laws, but they were off duty officers hired by the Church because they "needed protection from Anonymous," said O. Casillas of the Buffalo police Department. Casillas also stated that protesters, "according to New York state law", had to be at least 100 feet from the Church, but because of a fence, protesters were allowed to picket across the street from the Church.

Casillas also took a flier with the rules and regulations for protesters stating, "I cannot take sides here, but the Church privately hired us."

At least three members of the Church were seen photographing, videotaping, and counting anyone who was gathered outside the Church. The protesters were not approached by any members of the Church.

Wikinews attempted to get a statement from the church, but Casillas stated that "the Church knew what organization [I] was from" and that "Wikinews was not welcome there [at the Church]."

Wikinews recently published several stories and interviews that do not favor the Church and the officer's quotes suggest the Church is aware of those articles.

See a gallery of images below, and or click on the 'Buffalo Photo Gallery' to see all the images.

The Chicago protest against the Church began slightly before 11:00 a.m. (central time) and concluded at roughly 4:30 p.m.. Upwards of 70 protesters gathered in support of the protest.

Though temperatures remained in the sub-zero range throughout the day (0 degrees Fahrenheit, -22 wind chill), spirits remained high.

Participants handed out literature and held signs at the intersection of Lincoln, Wellington and Southport until roughly 2:00 p.m.. During that time, a nearby Catholic church dismissed, and numerous Church-goers welcomed the fliers.

Protesters garnered a multitude of honks from supportive motorists. After 2:00 p.m., the large group splintered into multiple travelling squads which navigated the Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighbourhoods until 4:30 p.m..

Protesters had to follow legal restrictions and the Church conducted the Centre's counter-protest measures, such as blocking their windows and holding service from 11:00 a.m. straight through 6:00 p.m..

Approximately 200 people protested Scientology along Cleveland Street in Clearwater.  They were photographed by 20-year-old Scientologist David Pendery, who seemed to believe that it was "unlawful to wear a mask and I wanted to document it."  The Church also hired ten police officers to monitor the protest.

The protest was delayed by 30 minutes so the protesters would not interrupt a Presbyterian Church service. [4]

More than 100 people picketed on a street corner in front of the Dallas Church of Scientology. Protestors held up signs with pictures of Lisa McPherson, who was a Dallas native. "We want people to know we are raising awareness, and that is one of our main tools to fight Scientology," said one masked protestor. A few signs read "Honk if you hate Scientology", and some cars could be heard honking their horns as they passed by. Police were on the scene to ensure that the demonstration was peaceful. The Dallas Church of Scientology released a statement regarding the group Anonymous, which read, "Using Scientology's prominence, Anonymous hopes to garner more attention ... Religious bigotry of any nature is deplorable and profoundly affects the entire community."

Video from the event

Around 50 to 140 people turned up at the Church of Scientology centre in Edinburgh to protest. As protesters were not allowed directly opposite the centre a small police presence was visible in order to control the crowd.

Banners with "Scientology Kills" were placed at the front of the protesters and chants gradually began to start as the day progressed. Leaflets were handed out to members of the public passing by while people within the Church of Scientology were seen to be taking photographs from inside the church.

Access to the church was restricted during the protest, but several protesters made comment to a reporter from the Scotsman newspaper.

The Houston protest hosted an estimated 81 people.  Between 8 and 12 Houston police officers and staff were on site though, but stood and watched the protesters. There were no reports of significant confrontation, though scientologists and protesters took photographs of each other. A CW 39 cameraman was on site taking footage and conducting interviews.  Broadcast television reports of the protest were carried on KHOU CBS 11 and KHCW CW 39 later in the evening.

Correspondents: Skenmy and Adambro

The first London protest took place outside the Church of Scientology HQ in Queen Victoria Street. Upon arrival at 10:30, approximately 50 people were in attendance. This was complemented by a small team of police officers. Members of the Church of Scientology were handing out flyers outside the HQ, with the protesters on the other side of the road. Numerous members of the media, as well as tens of amateur photographers and videographers were in attendance.

By 11:00, the number of protesters had grown to between 300 and 500. A variety of signs were on display, bearing such slogans as "Ron is Gone but the Con goes On" (referring to L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology) and "$cientology Kills" (referring to the claims that the Church of Scientology extorts money from its members). The police responded to this growth in numbers with riot vans, a large number of Community Support officers, and Police Horses, as well as a dog unit.

The protest at Queen Victoria Street was peaceful. Members of Anonymous were respectful of Police orders. Inside the building, security officers could be seen. Members were seen videoing and photographing the protests from the upper windows of the HQ building, prompting responses from the crowd. Signs were held saying "Honk if you hate Scientology" - causing a cheer from the crowd every time a car used the horn.

The infamous bright yellow "/b/" van was seen driving past early in the protest. At around 1:00 the protesters moved on towards Tottenham Court Road's "Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Centre", where the police presence was even higher, and crowd barriers were set up. Half of Tottenham Court Road was closed for the demonstration, so a single-file line of traffic was all that flowed between the protesters (of which a significant majority of the original number turned up) and the Church of Scientology building.

Members of the Church of Scientology were handing out flyers, much like at Queen Victoria Street. However, the crowd this time shouted for passers-by to "tear it up" - some of whom did. Police reacted to those tearing up the material and throwing it down with the issue of a littering ticket. This road was much busier than the previous one, and a large crowd gathered to look. The crowd could be heard shouting "It's a trap!" when members of the public were offered free Stress Tests by the members of the Church of Scientology. There were a number of minor incidents involving protesters (who were quickly distanced by the majority crowd), but no major violations took place.

Estimates by Anonymous for the total numbers at the event range from 300 to 800 people, however the BBC and City of London Police report 200 people at the event.

Correspondent: IlyaHaykinson

At least 250 people attended the anti-Scientology protest in Los Angeles, California.  The protesters gathered in the morning at a central location and proceeded by subway to the site of the first protest, the Church of Scientology - Los Angeles.  For nearly two hours the protesters chanted "We are Anonymous" and other slogans, and responded with yells and upheaval to honking cars that were passing by.  The protest spread over two city blocks, and at one point the entire group of protesters circled the city block containing various Scientology buildings.

The protest then proceeded via subway to the Church of Scientology International building in Hollywood.  There the protesters continued chanting, and marched up and down the street.  A group of protesters unfurled a banner in sympathy with the death of Lisa McPherson, and the crowd sang the happy birthday song for her.

The protest continued for an additional couple of hours as the crowd moved to a former Scientology recruiting building and then to the street level of a major mall and tourist attraction, Hollywood & Highland.

After losing quite a few members the protest moved on to the front of the CNN building in hope of getting on news.

Security was high at all Scientology installations, with security officers blocking all entrances to Church buildings, patrolling on foot and bicycle, and most taking pictures or videos of protesters (or even the Wikinews reporter).  No police intervention was observed, though at least one or two officers were present at most times.

Correspondent: Fallen-Griever

A protest in Manchester took place outside the Church of Scientology centre located on Deansgate, with around 100 people protesting at its peak. The protest was peaceful, with the protesters mainly sticking to waving banners and handing out flyers to passers-by.

Protesters respected a request from the police that they should leave the area by 3pm in order to avoid blocking the area for patrons leaving the multiple bars along Deansgate at the end of the Manchester Derby (a football match between Manchester United and Manchester City).

There was a minimal police presence at the event and the Church of Scientology centre was closed by the end of the protest.

In a video posted on YouTube, at least 75 to 100 protesters can be heard chanting "Xenu, Xenu, Xenu" as they protest across the street from the Church. Cars driving by honk their horns in support of the protesters. Police can be seen parked in front of the Church.

Correspondent(s): Observer

Updates as of 11:54 AM
Anonymous members arrived at about 11:00 A.M. About 50 members were counted with more arriving, despite temperatures with wind chill as low as -40F.

Correspondent(s): Observer

In temperatures ranging from 0F to -4F, without windchill, several members of Anonymous showed up. The group ranged from 10 to 25+, with public response mostly positive.

The Scientology protest in New Orleans took place at 11:00am CST. There were 19 members of Anonymous that showed up to protest. Everything went smoothly. One police officer stopped by just to make sure that the crowd was demonstrating peacefully. Many pictures and video was taken by the assembled group as well as pictures being taken by the few Scientologists that showed up. One large woman drove incredibly fast to park behind the Scientology building at one point (the church was closed before some protesters arrived) and nearly hit two protesters. She was later spotted snapping countless pictures from the second floor. Over the course of the protests, about 5 cars ended up parked behind the building. One bald man came out to attempt to harass some protesters and was labeled a "Level 12 Paladin". He left soon after.

Eventually the two most interesting subjects of the Church of Scientology appeared, and were initially perceived as standard passerby's. When offered fliers the couple spat "What have you done?" and "What are your crimes?" at the protesters. One donned a Scientology vest and stood in front of the building, while his minion walked around taking pictures 5 inches from their faces.

There was some sparse foot traffic in the area and handouts were given to people passing by. A woman stopped by to talk to some Anonymous and stated that she had a family member who was trying to leave the CoS and was glad for the protests. A man in a truck parked and got some fliers, promising to return. About an hour later he arrived, wearing sunglasses and armed with a homemade sign, and joined the group.

An employee of the local newspaper, The Times Picayune, stopped to speak with Anonymous for a little while. He stated that he was in the area on another story but was interested in finding out information about the protest. The Anonymous answered his questions, gave him handouts, but refused to share any personal contact information with him.

Near the end of the protest the two Scientologists decided to walk off.

Correspondent(s): David Shankbone

An estimated 150 people separated into two primary groups protested the Church of Scientology in Philadelphia. Protests began in the area surrounding City Hall, eventually culminating around the Church located on Race Street.

Pedestrian foot traffic was high due to a major event at the Convention Center.

A police officer on the scene described the gathering as "the friendliest [protesters] I've ever seen."

Correspondent: Bjweeks

Approximately 60 people showed up to protest in front of the Scientology church in Phoenix, many wearing purple latex gloves and dressed in black suits. Three Phoenix Police Department officers were present to keep control. CBS 5, Fox 10, NBC 12, The Arizona Republic and The East Valley Tribune came to interview the protesters and  The Church of Scientology held a press conference where the official press release was read and no comments were made about the Phoenix protest. The protesters read high level Scientology teaching that had been made public to Scientologists during the press conference and later in the day, with little visible success.

Correspondent: Dar-Ape

Several dozen protesters arrived across the street from the Scientology bookstore in South Side to protest, carrying signs and handing out flyers.  Protesters included many students, mostly hailing from Pitt and CMU.  Cars honked in support, though pedestrian traffic was a bit more sparse.  Two or three police officers kept an eye on protesters from inside the bookstore, but everything went smoothly.

As the high for the day was twenty degrees and with wind chill making it feel as though the temperatures were in the sub zeros; the anons cut their protest to only about four hours.

One Pittsburgh Anon's Photos

Images were emailed to Wikinews.

The protest in Portland seemed to have had a leader (or leader-like figure) or two, and was lawful and very well organized.

There was always yelling, sometimes intense, whenever someone entered the church. Some who entered did so smiling defiantly, some were hesitant and looked noticeably distressed.

Loud cheering erupted every time a passing by car honked (estimated 1 out of 5), this included even a Trimet bus.

8 people showed up and picketed in front of City Hall on the 2/10/2008. The reason why City Hall and not the traditional Church of Scientology is because San Antonio does not have a Scientology chapter. This being the reason many of the protesters of San Antonio went to Austin to support their cause. The protesters handed out fliers and held up informational posters and a "honk if you hate Scientology" poster. Many of the cars honked including but not limited to the Via bus system, SAPD, SAFD, and churchgoers.

San Antonio Videos: [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

San Diego drew about 80 protesters, starting an hour later than most of the other worldwide protests. The group started at the Horton Plaza shopping mall, and then moved on to the Church of Scientology building. After demonstrating there, the group moved back to the shopping mall, positioning itself on eight street corners, handing out information, flyers, and speaking with concerned bystanders. Not one, but two protesters dressed up as Xenu.

When 10 News showed up to cover the event, they refused to do an interview unless they could speak with a protester face to face. When none of the protesters agreed to this condition, a compromise was reached. A protester gave an audio interview for the station to use when putting together information about the protest.

After several protesters left, the protest moved back to the Church. Police presence was constant, but at the time of dispersal at the end of the protest several members reported being followed by Scientologists.

San Diego Videos:

More pics

A worldwide day of protests against the Church of Scientology has begun in Sydney after an agglomeration of protesters at 11am in Hyde Park. A crowd of about 200 turned out to protest against the Church and its alleged violations of human rights. The group Anonymous, who organized the rally, were handing out fliers to passers-by, and led various anti-Scientology chants by the crowd. The principal allegations made at the rally towards Scientology were the lack of freedom within the Church, and the excessive cost of their courses, which they believe doesn't warrant tax-exempt status. The Protest lasted until 1pm at the Church of Scientology Office in Town Hall and from there partially disbanded. The remaining protesters proceeded to the Scientology office in Broadway and started a lesser secondary protest lasting about 25 minutes.
The Church of Scientology was approached by the author for a response to the claims after the rally, but the church refused to comment.

The Toronto protest kicked off at 11:30 a.m. (EST). At least 300 attended the protest for the afternoon. Despite the wind chill of -22 at 11:00 and declining temperatures throughout the day, the protest was still robust at 2:00. The crowd later tapered down to fewer than 10 by 6:00 p.m..

One protester possessed a cap gun, however other protesters in his vicinity quickly pointed him out to the police, who confiscated it without charge.

A Church member was seen throwing rock salt at some protesters for a short period of time, but later went back into the Church.

Generally, the protest was peaceful and picketers were well behaved overall. Police allowed protesters to stand right outside the Scientology building. There were many people attempting to record the event with cameras, video cameras, and/or microphones, and several picketers were interviewed.

The chants sometimes included "Xenu!", which left some passersby confused about whether the protest was for or against Scientology. However, the public was generally receptive to the protesters' message, particularly earlier in the day. Many cars passing by, especially taxis, honked in support, as did a fire truck and an ambulance. Most people offered flyers during the first couple of hours took them, though later on people seemed to grow tired of them. It was an enthusiastic, successful protest.

Over 200 people showed up and passed out pamphlets, chanted slogans, and covered the entire block at one point. Scientologists tried to counter-protest by unfurling a "Scientology For Peace" banner at one point, but protesters with signs blocked the banner from view. After 30 minutes, the Church took down their banner.

People from all over the area came to support the protest. Vancouver Police sent a single cruiser on scene to monitor the situation, but after an hour it left without incident.

Another moment that should be noted is how after the crowd of protesters swelled from 20-200 participants within an hour, A van pulled up in the rear of the building where no protester was then present. Some people took notice and went down to investigate. What they saw was a number of church members piling boxes of documents and entire filing cabinets into the van. They then soon drove off with it. There were pictures taken of the van. It was as if they anticipated a break-in to their office where demonstrators could've seize documentation.

Church members, some in plain clothes and some wearing Church uniforms, videotaped protesters, tried to mingle with the protesters to disrupt the protest from within, and followed protesters away from the protest when they left.

About 20 people protested in front of the Scientology Center in Capistrangasse in Vienna's 6th district. At 12:30, half an hour after the demonstration started, individuals claiming to be
acting on government authority ordered the protest to disperse. Owing to an issue concerning
documentation the protestors decided to abandon the protest and dispersed peacefully.

At least 30 people showed up to protest the Church in Winnipeg. The temperature in Winnipeg on February 10 was -50 C with the wind chill.

Project Chanology states that people held signs stating, "Scientology destroys families, Why is [Lisa McPherson] dead?" and even "Honk if you think Scientology is a cult."

Although there was no official protest on the internet, thousands of people supported Anonymous by subscribing to the channel on the online video sharing site YouTube, where the numbers for the channel have doubled in 24 hours, making it the most subscribed channel on YouTube this month. However, there have also been a few comments against the protests and "Anonymous" in the comments section of the channel.

The protests were not confined to the above locations, however. Below is a selection of stories from other protests around the world.


Skientologeja vastaan protestoitiin maailmanlaajuisesti

Englanninkielinen Wikinews raportoi sunnuntaina anonyymeinä tunnetun internet-ryhmittymän maailmanlaajuisesta skientologian vastaisesta protestista. Protesti oli osa anonyymien tammikuun puolivälissä alkanutta kampanjaa ja se oli ajoitettu vuonna 1995 skientologien Introspection Rundown -uskomuslääkintähoidon yhteydessä kuolleen Lisa McPhersonin syntymäpäiväksi.

Protesteja pidettiin päivän aikana ympäri maailmaa 14 eri maassa ja yli 50 kaupungissa ja niihin osallistui 9000-10000 ihmistä, joista 6000 oli yhdysvalloista. Myös Vantaalla oltiin järjestämässä mielenosoitus, mutta se ei toteutunut.

Nyt pidetyn protestin lisäksi anonyymit ovat hyökänneet skientologeja vastaan propagandalla, palvelunestohyökkäyksillä, vuotamalla lahkon sisäisiä tietoja sekä salaisia opetuksia. Skientologit puolestaan ovat vastanneet tekijänoikeusrikossyytteilla ja omalla propagandallaan. Lisäksi anonyymien verkkopalvelimia on kräkkeröity, mutta ei ole tiedossa onko teon motiivina skientologien tukeminen vai ainoastaan anonyymien toiminnan vastustaminen. Anonyymit kertovat oman hyökkäyksensä skientologeja vastaan syyksi seuraavaa:

Over the years we have been watching you, your campaigns of misinformation, your suppression of dissent and your litigious nature. All of these things have caught our eye. With the leakage of your latest propaganda video into mainstream circulation the extent of your malign influence over those who have come to trust you as leaders has been made clear to us. Anonymous has therefore decided that your organisation should be destroyed.