News Topic - Yemen
Articles 1 - 10 of most recent articles
Remes Resigns From Covington & Burling
David Remes, among the most visible advocates for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, is leaving Covington & Burling at the end of the month, and says he plans to devote himself exclusively to human rights litigation. Remes, who represents 15 Yemeni detainees, announced his resignation less than a week after he made headlines for removing his pants during a news conference in Yemen while demonstrating how detainees are body-searched at the naval base. The firm declined to comment on Remes' departure.
Law.com – 1 hour, 29 minutes ago ¦ comment?
found in Business: Law and Taxation
David Remes, among the most visible advocates for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, is leaving Covington & Burling at the end of the month, and says he plans to devote himself exclusively to human rights litigation. Remes, who represents 15 Yemeni detainees, announced his resignation less than a week after he made headlines for removing his pants during a news conference in Yemen while demonstrating how detainees are body-searched at the naval base. The firm declined to comment on Remes' departure.
Law.com – 1 hour, 29 minutes ago ¦ comment?
found in Business: Law and Taxation
Harvey Rishikof: New Fisa law increases accountability for government surveillance
After months of negotiations and wrangling, the blogosphere is exploding with commentary pro and con over the recent passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 2008 (Fisa). Critics of the act have focused on several issues: the retroactive civil and criminal immunity granted to telecommunications corporations for compliance with executive requests that arrived without court orders; the more restricted certification process for the reviewing Fisa court; the broader "dragnet" broadband authorisation for information; and the expanded reporting time granted the government. Defenders of the legislation emphasise the clear statement that Fisa is the "exclusive means" for intercepting electronic communications; increased congressional oversight; the enhanced protections for Americans living overseas; and the new enhanced role of the inspector general to review the government's actions. As expected, each side contends that the other's justifications are flawed and miss the mark. This debate becomes highly technical, in which the trees obscure the forest. The controversy is further fuelled by the fact that the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama, reversed his original position in opposition to the act and voted for it, while Hillary Clinton, the defeated Democratic hopeful, continued to oppose the act. The Republican candidate, John McCain, was a strong supporter of the act. Hence the evocative language of the blog postings - "shameless capitulation", "false compromise" and "betrayal". Regardless of where one breaks on the issues, there appears to be a consensus that Fisa needed to be modernised to account for the new technologies and developments in the communications arena. The "old" Fisa of 1978 was written for a world of phones, routers and telegraphs with limited traffic capacities and specific locations whereby one could clearly delineate foreign and domestic. The brave new world of web-based communications has revolutionised technical mechanisms, delivery modes, locations, storage banks and volume. The lapsing stop-gap Protect America Act, the limited fix to Fisa, recognised that something new was needed. Knowable individualised surveillance versus general broadband collection is an essential part of the debate - who will authorise the broadband collection, by what standards, and who will review the authorisation and monitor the collection? This is often referred to as the "minimisation" issue - in short how and who will keep the executive accountable. As David Kris, a former associate deputy attorney general who has written extensively on national security issues and surveillance, has pointed out: "Fisa has three essential substantive requirements: first, a target that is a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power; second, a facility being used by that target; and third, minimisation. To satisfy these requirements without sacrificing speed and agility, it is necessary to identify the broadest possible target and facility, which will yield the broadest possible authorisation order, which will require the fewest possible court orders for the most surveillance." These facilities or international gateway switches have enormous amounts of data and traffic. But the status of the origin of the communication, the nationality of the communicator and storage location of the data challenged the old Fisa categories of target and facility. What are domestic-to-domestic versus international-to-domestic versus international-to-international communications? Imagine an American traveller who lends his iPhone to a French friend to make a call from Germany to his friend in Yemen. (This call would now require a Fisa warrant if the American was a target.) The Bush administration, confronted with the problem of identifying the nationality of the communicator, the location of the communicator, the place of the "facility" and volume of the data, chose to ignore the old Fisa. It asserted executive presidential prerogative to use the foreign power/foreign origin of the communication to assert that it did not need a Fisa warrant to secure the data from the owners of the international gateway switches and stored data banks. The potential threat, the administration reasoned, warranted swift action. The next step was to use "filters" or "data searches" to find the communication network needle in the haystack. Under the minimisation doctrine and the new act, the government is to "minimise the acquisition and retention, and prohibit the dissemination, of non-publicly available information concerning unconsenting United States persons." But if the data is "foreign intelligence information" or is "evidence of a crime which has been, is being, or is about to be committed," it can be retained and acted upon. This has raised concerns in the civil liberty community. How much information will these sweeps gather up? The new Fisa is an attempt to bring back accountability and review of governmental action in this complex technical area of electronic surveillance in the digital age. But as this brief review has highlighted it is the technology that has made obsolete so many of the categories of the old Fisa. The concept of US citizen is harder to determine in this interconnected world of mobile communications and storage capacities. The modern world is creating enormous data banks of information controlled by the private sector. The government is only a warrant or a subpoena away from this vast ocean of information on its citizens and visitors. All governments are wrestling with the problem of how, under the rule of law, information should be obtained, searched, protected and not be the subject of governmental abuse. The new Fisa statue is the most recent attempt to resolve these problems but many questions remain to be answered as the intelligence community begins to "operationalise" the new rules. The data is there in the private sector. Technology allows for more extensive and detailed searches. The goal is to prevent the threats, and the government is being held accountable for failures. As one can see, the Fisa debate is about technology, modern surveillance, executive accountability, the erosion of citizenship as a shield to government intrusion and what privacy means in the new age. Congress has entered the fray again with more review, the IGs are part of the process and the Fisa court has its authority reinstated. The hope is that more judicial review will provide enough accountability. But a new president will have to see if the framework is adequate.Related StoriesDownloading music: what does the government's announcement mean for you?ABCe: Guardian.co.uk breaks 20m user barrierTwo wheelsBilly Bragg: Letters to music downloaders are a waste of timeDeerhoof leak new single in sheet-music form
The Guardian – 14 hours, 51 minutes ago ¦ comment?
found in Technology
After months of negotiations and wrangling, the blogosphere is exploding with commentary pro and con over the recent passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 2008 (Fisa). Critics of the act have focused on several issues: the retroactive civil and criminal immunity granted to telecommunications corporations for compliance with executive requests that arrived without court orders; the more restricted certification process for the reviewing Fisa court; the broader "dragnet" broadband authorisation for information; and the expanded reporting time granted the government. Defenders of the legislation emphasise the clear statement that Fisa is the "exclusive means" for intercepting electronic communications; increased congressional oversight; the enhanced protections for Americans living overseas; and the new enhanced role of the inspector general to review the government's actions. As expected, each side contends that the other's justifications are flawed and miss the mark. This debate becomes highly technical, in which the trees obscure the forest. The controversy is further fuelled by the fact that the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama, reversed his original position in opposition to the act and voted for it, while Hillary Clinton, the defeated Democratic hopeful, continued to oppose the act. The Republican candidate, John McCain, was a strong supporter of the act. Hence the evocative language of the blog postings - "shameless capitulation", "false compromise" and "betrayal". Regardless of where one breaks on the issues, there appears to be a consensus that Fisa needed to be modernised to account for the new technologies and developments in the communications arena. The "old" Fisa of 1978 was written for a world of phones, routers and telegraphs with limited traffic capacities and specific locations whereby one could clearly delineate foreign and domestic. The brave new world of web-based communications has revolutionised technical mechanisms, delivery modes, locations, storage banks and volume. The lapsing stop-gap Protect America Act, the limited fix to Fisa, recognised that something new was needed. Knowable individualised surveillance versus general broadband collection is an essential part of the debate - who will authorise the broadband collection, by what standards, and who will review the authorisation and monitor the collection? This is often referred to as the "minimisation" issue - in short how and who will keep the executive accountable. As David Kris, a former associate deputy attorney general who has written extensively on national security issues and surveillance, has pointed out: "Fisa has three essential substantive requirements: first, a target that is a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power; second, a facility being used by that target; and third, minimisation. To satisfy these requirements without sacrificing speed and agility, it is necessary to identify the broadest possible target and facility, which will yield the broadest possible authorisation order, which will require the fewest possible court orders for the most surveillance." These facilities or international gateway switches have enormous amounts of data and traffic. But the status of the origin of the communication, the nationality of the communicator and storage location of the data challenged the old Fisa categories of target and facility. What are domestic-to-domestic versus international-to-domestic versus international-to-international communications? Imagine an American traveller who lends his iPhone to a French friend to make a call from Germany to his friend in Yemen. (This call would now require a Fisa warrant if the American was a target.) The Bush administration, confronted with the problem of identifying the nationality of the communicator, the location of the communicator, the place of the "facility" and volume of the data, chose to ignore the old Fisa. It asserted executive presidential prerogative to use the foreign power/foreign origin of the communication to assert that it did not need a Fisa warrant to secure the data from the owners of the international gateway switches and stored data banks. The potential threat, the administration reasoned, warranted swift action. The next step was to use "filters" or "data searches" to find the communication network needle in the haystack. Under the minimisation doctrine and the new act, the government is to "minimise the acquisition and retention, and prohibit the dissemination, of non-publicly available information concerning unconsenting United States persons." But if the data is "foreign intelligence information" or is "evidence of a crime which has been, is being, or is about to be committed," it can be retained and acted upon. This has raised concerns in the civil liberty community. How much information will these sweeps gather up? The new Fisa is an attempt to bring back accountability and review of governmental action in this complex technical area of electronic surveillance in the digital age. But as this brief review has highlighted it is the technology that has made obsolete so many of the categories of the old Fisa. The concept of US citizen is harder to determine in this interconnected world of mobile communications and storage capacities. The modern world is creating enormous data banks of information controlled by the private sector. The government is only a warrant or a subpoena away from this vast ocean of information on its citizens and visitors. All governments are wrestling with the problem of how, under the rule of law, information should be obtained, searched, protected and not be the subject of governmental abuse. The new Fisa statue is the most recent attempt to resolve these problems but many questions remain to be answered as the intelligence community begins to "operationalise" the new rules. The data is there in the private sector. Technology allows for more extensive and detailed searches. The goal is to prevent the threats, and the government is being held accountable for failures. As one can see, the Fisa debate is about technology, modern surveillance, executive accountability, the erosion of citizenship as a shield to government intrusion and what privacy means in the new age. Congress has entered the fray again with more review, the IGs are part of the process and the Fisa court has its authority reinstated. The hope is that more judicial review will provide enough accountability. But a new president will have to see if the framework is adequate.Related StoriesDownloading music: what does the government's announcement mean for you?ABCe: Guardian.co.uk breaks 20m user barrierTwo wheelsBilly Bragg: Letters to music downloaders are a waste of timeDeerhoof leak new single in sheet-music form
The Guardian – 14 hours, 51 minutes ago ¦ comment?
found in Technology
Covington Partner Reveals Resignation After Revealing Press Conference
A partner at Covington & Burling who appeared at a press conference in his underwear has resigned from the law firm. David Remes took off his pants at a news conference in Yemen to illustrate the humiliating strip searches endured by his Guantanamo Bay clients.…
ABA Journal – Jul 21, 2008 3:21 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Business: Law and Taxation
A partner at Covington & Burling who appeared at a press conference in his underwear has resigned from the law firm. David Remes took off his pants at a news conference in Yemen to illustrate the humiliating strip searches endured by his Guantanamo Bay clients.…
ABA Journal – Jul 21, 2008 3:21 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Business: Law and Taxation
Archaeologists Trace Early Irrigation Farming In Ancient Yemen
In the remote desert highlands of southern Yemen, a team of archaeologists have discovered new evidence of ancient transitions from hunting and herding to irrigation agriculture 5,200 years ago.
Science Daily – Jul 21, 2008 03:22 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Health: AIDS - HIV
In the remote desert highlands of southern Yemen, a team of archaeologists have discovered new evidence of ancient transitions from hunting and herding to irrigation agriculture 5,200 years ago.
Science Daily – Jul 21, 2008 03:22 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Health: AIDS - HIV
Yemen seeks to roll up Shi'ite network
July 3, 2008 - Yemen seeks to roll up Shi'ite network
World Tribune – Jul 18, 2008 11:23 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in World
July 3, 2008 - Yemen seeks to roll up Shi'ite network
World Tribune – Jul 18, 2008 11:23 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in World
Covington Partner Strips to Underwear to Illustrate Guantanamo Searches
A partner at Covington & Burling who represents 15 Guantanamo detainees took off his pants at a news conference in Yemen on Monday to illustrate the humiliating strip searches that his clients have to endure several times a day, the Wall Street Journal Law…
ABA Journal – Jul 16, 2008 3:21 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Business: Law and Taxation
A partner at Covington & Burling who represents 15 Guantanamo detainees took off his pants at a news conference in Yemen on Monday to illustrate the humiliating strip searches that his clients have to endure several times a day, the Wall Street Journal Law…
ABA Journal – Jul 16, 2008 3:21 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Business: Law and Taxation
CNN - Girl, 10, Says Husband Raped, Abused HerNujood Ali Is 10 Years Old, But She Already Has Been Married And Divorced. Chastised In Yemen For Challenging Convention, She Recently Spoke To CNN About Allegations Of Rape And Abuse By Her Husband. "I Didn't Want To Sleep With Him, But He Forced Me To,"she Said, Between Playing Marbles With Her Siblings.
Local10.com – Jul 16, 2008 3:01 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Local: Florida: Miami
Girl, 10, says husband raped, abused her
Nujood Ali is 10 years old, but she already has been married and divorced. Chastised in Yemen for challenging convention, she recently told CNN she was raped and abused by her husband. "I didn't want to sleep with him, but he forced me to," she said, between playing marbles with her siblings.
CNN.com – Jul 16, 2008 2:32 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Top Stories
Nujood Ali is 10 years old, but she already has been married and divorced. Chastised in Yemen for challenging convention, she recently told CNN she was raped and abused by her husband. "I didn't want to sleep with him, but he forced me to," she said, between playing marbles with her siblings.
CNN.com – Jul 16, 2008 2:32 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Top Stories
Yemen Airways Selects Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners for Fleet Maintenance
Read full story for latest details.
PR Newswire – Jul 16, 2008 1:10 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Top Stories: Press Releases
Read full story for latest details.
PR Newswire – Jul 16, 2008 1:10 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Top Stories: Press Releases
Top 10 Wired.com Reader Food Photos, Decided by You
: After two weeks of being either tantalized or disgusted by the submissions in our food photo contest, Wired.com readers have selected 10 winners. Eirikso takes home the gold with his photo of eggs on the back of a motorcycle (left). Eirikso will receive a subscription to Wired magazine and a digital picture frame for his desk.Since there were so many great photos that we thought should've received more votes, we've also compiled a gallery of the Top 10 Wired.com Food Photos, Decided by Us.Our next twice-monthly photo contest is blue. We want you to exploit this color of introspection. Check out the contest page for more information.Left: One mistake and this turns into scrambled eggs.Submitted by eiriksoPhotographer's comment:"With the current fuel prices it's too expensive to drive twice.”: BannanannaanaSubmitted by alexPhotographer's comment:"A banana treat at the infamous Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo.”: Late-night ramenSubmitted by JannePhotographer's comment:"Late-night ramen stand in Namba, Osaka," Japan.: Watching the potSubmitted by anonymousPhotographer's comment:"Street food in the walled city of Xian, China.": How to put gyoza in the panSubmitted by Elena Chesta SchwarzPhotographer's comment:"My Japanese friend Sumi taught me how to place gyoza as a flower in an extremely hot greased pan. This photo shows how to make the first round in the middle of the pan, then you need to make the second and maybe the third round in the same way, going 'round and filling the holes.": Spice is nice!Submitted by Andrew WilsonPhotographer's comment:"Shot from a European farmer's market. Colorful, to say the least.": Yum!Submitted by Rob WebsterPhotographer's comment:"International favorite!": Spice souqSubmitted by John A. B.Photographer's comment:"Daydreaming in the spice souq. Taken in the old city of Sana'a," Yemen.: Infused vodkaSubmitted by Bald MonkPhotographer's comment:"Lime, chocolate and olive vodka splash.": Mercat de la BoqueriaSubmitted by OlimaxPhotographer's comment:"Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona," Spain.
Wired News – Jul 14, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Technology
: After two weeks of being either tantalized or disgusted by the submissions in our food photo contest, Wired.com readers have selected 10 winners. Eirikso takes home the gold with his photo of eggs on the back of a motorcycle (left). Eirikso will receive a subscription to Wired magazine and a digital picture frame for his desk.Since there were so many great photos that we thought should've received more votes, we've also compiled a gallery of the Top 10 Wired.com Food Photos, Decided by Us.Our next twice-monthly photo contest is blue. We want you to exploit this color of introspection. Check out the contest page for more information.Left: One mistake and this turns into scrambled eggs.Submitted by eiriksoPhotographer's comment:"With the current fuel prices it's too expensive to drive twice.”: BannanannaanaSubmitted by alexPhotographer's comment:"A banana treat at the infamous Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo.”: Late-night ramenSubmitted by JannePhotographer's comment:"Late-night ramen stand in Namba, Osaka," Japan.: Watching the potSubmitted by anonymousPhotographer's comment:"Street food in the walled city of Xian, China.": How to put gyoza in the panSubmitted by Elena Chesta SchwarzPhotographer's comment:"My Japanese friend Sumi taught me how to place gyoza as a flower in an extremely hot greased pan. This photo shows how to make the first round in the middle of the pan, then you need to make the second and maybe the third round in the same way, going 'round and filling the holes.": Spice is nice!Submitted by Andrew WilsonPhotographer's comment:"Shot from a European farmer's market. Colorful, to say the least.": Yum!Submitted by Rob WebsterPhotographer's comment:"International favorite!": Spice souqSubmitted by John A. B.Photographer's comment:"Daydreaming in the spice souq. Taken in the old city of Sana'a," Yemen.: Infused vodkaSubmitted by Bald MonkPhotographer's comment:"Lime, chocolate and olive vodka splash.": Mercat de la BoqueriaSubmitted by OlimaxPhotographer's comment:"Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona," Spain.
Wired News – Jul 14, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Technology