Where Do Major Tech Companies Stand on Encryption? EFF.org Updates by Amul Kalia Comparing the Public Encryption Policies from 21 of the Biggest Tech Companies There’s a major battle brewing over encryption right now. Law enforcement agencies are trying to demand “backdoors” to our sensitive data and communications, while civil liberties groups are fighting back through … Read more
MAIN FOCUS: Row over Syria policy | 30/09/2015 euro|topic The presidents of Russia and the United States met to discuss a policy on Syria at the start of the week. Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad remains the main bone of contention between the two leaders. According to some commentators Putin has pushed through his strategy of including … Read more
Edward Snowden joins Twitter and immediately throws shade at the NSA The Next Web by Amanda Connolly Whistleblower Edward Snowden has officially come out of the shadows and joined Twitter using the handle @Snowden, which was verified within two hours of joining. Facing Sweeping Surveillance Bill, French Public Falls Between Alarm and Indifference Global Voices Online by … Read more
Sultans’ dreams: The Ottomans’ unfulfilled Istanbul projects In the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire launched extensive modernization projects to transform Istanbul into a European metropolis. Many projects were left on paper, but what if the sultans’ dreams had come true? Istanbul’s Kristallnacht Turns 60 FrontPage Magazine On September 6-7, 1955, Istanbul’s Greek Christians underwent the “most … Read more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC4qykk-NpQ This is one a few other protest that occurred recently…. ************* Pro-gov’t businessman censors own remarks on ‘Erdoğan love’ A pro-AKP media tycoon has succeeded in his unusual lawsuit, with a court ruling to block reports on 50 news websites quoting his reflections on the ‘divine love’ between himself and President Erdoğan The long and arduous journey … Read more
Germany’s top prosecutor fired for bringing “treason” charge against Netzpolitik Boing Boing by Cory Doctorow Harald Range was due to retire this year, but he was fired first when he refused to end his ridiculous treason witch hunt against Netzpolitik, who published revelations from the Snowden docs. Journalists around the world voice support for Netzpolitik after … Read more
MAIN FOCUS: EU at odds over refugee quotas | 12/05/2015 euro|topics The European Commission will present plans for a quota system that distributes refugees among the 28 member states on Wednesday. Several countries oppose the initiative. This is the right response to the refugee crisis, some commentators note approvingly. Others argue that Brussels is overstepping its … Read more
New rules governing drone journalism are on the way — and there’s reason to be optimistic Nieman Journalism Lab by Matt Waite Today we got our first real look into what the FAA intends to do about regulating drones in U.S. airspace — and frankly, it’s surprisingly flexible and permissive given what the agency has required … Read more
Relief, but ‘incredible angst’ for Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste Mashable! by Megan Specia Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste said he feels relief after his release from an Egyptian jail but is concerned for those still imprisoned Robots Writing Over 1,000 Stories Per Month for the Associated Press Writerswrite.com’s Writer’s Blog Over 1,000 stories per month are … Read more
Pirate Bay Responds to Cloudflare and Moderation Concerns TorrentFreak On Saturday The Pirate Bay made its long-awaited comeback. While most users were happy to see the site back online, others were suspicious about the new setup. Report: Games Grow in Traffic and Revenue in 2014 All Facebook by Brandy Shaul The Silk Road Trial … Read more
VIDEO: Greek campaigning ends ahead of vote BBC News | Europe | World Edition The BBC’s Chris Morris reports from a Syriza rally in Crete as campaigning in Greece’s general election comes to an end. Syriza ‘to end Greece‘s humiliation’ BBC News | Europe | World Edition The leader of Greek anti-austerity party Syriza says an end … Read more
Turkish PM Davutoğlu decides to attend Davos six years after Erdoğan drama Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu will attend the upcoming World Economic Forum summit in Davos Activists protest razing of 800-year-old cedar trees for Antalya marble quarry Environmental activists protested over the weekend against the felling of 800-year-old cedar trees for a marble quarry near … Read more
People react to mosque attacks in Sweden joyously independent.co.uk – Jan 2 – A Muslim community in Sweden that faced a series of Islamaphobic attacks recently has been taken aback after residents ‘love-bombed’ the local mosque in an outpouring of support. After anti-Muslim rhetoric was scrawled into an Uppsala mosque… One in 8 Germans would join … Read more
New US Ambassador to Turkey arrives in Ankara Hurriyet Daily News Ambassador John Bass has described Turkey and the U.S. as ‘long-time friends and strategic partners’ In other news: Turkey downplays Armenian rug exhibition in White House Ankara does not see the decision to exhibit a historic rug as amounting to ‘taking sides with Armenian arguments’ New respect … Read more
Scotland votes ‘No’ to independence BBC News | Europe | World Edition Alex Salmond calls for the pledge of more devolved powers to be carried out and David Cameron says the commitments will be honoured in full, as Scotland votes to stay in the UK. Scottish referendum explained for non-Brits – video theguardian.com – Alex Purcell … Read more