Tuesday 14 August 2012

Julian Assange will be granted political asylum in Ecuador


Officials close to the Ecuadorian President in Quito have advised that WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, will reportedly be granted asylum in Ecuador. Final confirmation is awaited from Correa.
Digital Journal reported earlier today that a decision on Assange's asylum would be released soon after a meeting between President Correa and his Foreign MInister, Ricardo PatiƱo, on Wednesday.
However, Irene Caselli, reporter for The Guardian who is based in Quito, is reporting that an official, who is familiar with the government discussions, was quoted as saying, "Ecuador will grant asylum to Julian Assange." '... read more.
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UPDATE: The official apparently spoke out of turn - President Correa tweeted that the report is false and that a decision is still to be reached.

Video: Fireworks explosion during Spain festival injures 28


A rogue firework set off thousands of others in a church bell tower in Elche, Spain during a town festival on Monday, injuring 28 people.
The firework accidentally set off many others in the church bell tower of the eastern Spanish town of Elche, raining down streams of sparks and burning material on to people gathered to watch the spectacle... read more and watch video.

Video: Apple co-founder Steve Wosniak on Internet freedom


In this interview Apple co-founder Steve Wosniak gives his opinions on everything from the start of the Internet, to censorship and freedom, to WikiLeaks and Anonymous.
Wosniak says when Apple first started out, it was never envisioned that computers would eventually become such an integral part of most people's homes... read more and watch interview.

Ecuador President Correa to make decision on Assange shortly


Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa will make an "informed decision" on Assange's asylum request, after a meeting on Wednesday with Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino and diplomats in London.
Regarding WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange and his request for political asylum, President Correa said in a televised address on Monday:
­“We expect to have a meeting on Wednesday [with Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino and diplomats in London] and I hope to make an announcement before the end of the week." ... read more.

Prop 37 opponents have 'deep pockets' to fight GMO labeling



Latest campaign finance reports show that pesticide and processed food companies have contributed almost $10 million to oppose Proposition 37.
Digital Journal reported recently that top food makers and agrichemical companies are opposing the labeling of GMO products.
Proposition 37 would require the labeling of genetically modified or engineered foods and comes up for vote in the November 2012 elections... read more.

Video: TrapWire working with surveillance cameras and online


WikiLeaks revealed that the U.S. government is using surveillance cameras all over the U.S. to track people. An anti-censorship campaigner explains that not only do they use cameras, they are also tracking people on the Internet.
Digital Journal reported yesterday on the WikiLeaks release of more Stratfor files, relating to the TrapWire project.
Since this release, the WikiLeaks website and its mirror sites have been constantly hammered by a sustained DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack, making it almost impossible for people to access and download the files... read more and watch video.