American Journalist expelled from China

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Monday May 07, 2012 · 7:35 PM PDT

2012/05/07 · 19:35

In a very rare instance the Chinese Foreign Ministry has cancelled the press credentials thereby expelling Al-Jazeera English sole correspondent Melissa Chan forcing them to close their Beijing bureau. She has certainly been one of the most insightful and thorough investigative journalists operating in China over the last few years. Her work on secret detentions, food quality issues, the machinery of the communist party and other "sensitive issues" clearly has upset China's authorities.

A great example of her recent work.

Over the last 18 months China has become one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a foreign journalist. As overseas reporters are not technically subject to the same harsh censorship and control as Chinese journalists the authorities will look to other ways to influencing their reporting. From refusing visas for replacement staff, hauling them in for interrogations after critical reports, hacking emails, forcing landlords to evict journalists from their apartments and even many documented physical assaults often by plainclothed security agents against reporters.

For a country which aspires to be a leading nation and a world power, they certainly are very shy about what is going on inside their country.

BREAKING, Murdoch withdraws bid for BskyB

bobbylad

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Wednesday July 13, 2011 · 6:38 AM PDT

2011/07/13 · 06:38

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has announced that it is dropping its planned bid to take full ownership of BSkyB.
The announcement came as the House of Commons was preparing to vote for a motion calling on Mr Murdoch to do so.

All three major party leaders had said they supported the motion, which would not be legally binding on News Corp.

It is almost unbelievable to have imagined this just a week ago though there is still hope that OFCOM the UK media regulator may rule that News Corp is not a "fit and proper" person to own a UK broadcaster which could force them to sell their existing 39% stake in the company. With nothing left in the UK but 3 unprofitable newspapers it could spell the end of Rupert Murdoch's presence in Britain.

On a related note the Labour MP who has been pursuing this issue for months raisedthe issue of 9/11 victims being hacked in the Commons at Prime Minister's Questions today.

bobbylad

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Monday November 01, 2010 · 4:42 PM PDT

2010/11/01 · 16:42

OK so I know online gambling is a bit of an issue in free countries like America but here in China ive placed a few bets online over the mid term elections and despite all the hype and talk of the Dems coming through the middle in Alaska the bookies are still offering 18/1 odds on that happening, incredible really.

This particular Irish bookmaker offers shorter odds on John McCain losing than it does Joe Miller losing! Also I got a got a good 2/1 on Harry Reid holding on.

Ill be watching the mid terms on Wed morning (China Time) hoping the Dems win for more than one reason!!

Spain to legalize abortion

bobbylad

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Saturday September 26, 2009 · 7:37 PM PDT

2009/09/26 · 19:37

The centre-left Government in Spain which came to power in the aftermath of the 2004 Madrid bombings has upset social conservatives in the largely Catholic country by changing their conservative abortion laws.

Girls as young as 16 would be allowed to terminate a pregnancy without parental consent.
...
The government's proposal is that abortion should be made available on demand during the first 14 weeks of a pregnancy.

OK so 14 weeks isn't exactly Roe vs Wade but in reality over 90% of all terminations in the US are carried out before 14 weeks.

This is the latest ideological clash between Spain's Catholic right and a left-wing government, which has already legalised gay marriage and made it easier to get divorced.

Good to see a Government with some balls! Of course once healthcare is out of the way the next big fight is going to be on civil rights in the US, can't wait.

Cheney incompetence almost destroyed terror investigation

bobbylad

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Tuesday September 08, 2009 · 5:06 AM PDT

2009/09/08 · 05:06

With the convictions on Monday of three men for plotting to blow up trans Atlantic flights with drink bombs which has led to the banning of liquids on planes virtually all over the world new details have been released of the case.

The Times has reported how former US Vice President Dick Cheney ordered the arrest of a key figure of the plot in Pakistan which could have alerted the remaining members of the cell. British Police were then forced to move in before evidence had been fully gathered against all members; one key missing piece was the airline tickets. If the group had been given time to purchase the tickets the convictions would have been simple rather than the case where 4 men were set free today.

Again another blow to those Republicans who claim that President Obama's administration and methods are harming the fight against terrorists. The liquid bomb plot would have brought down 7 planes within the space of 2 hours with a death toll rivalling 9/11. There are people walking free today because of the in competencies of the former Vice President.

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American Journalist expelled from China

BREAKING, Murdoch withdraws bid for BskyB

Scott McAdams victory could make a few people rich

Spain to legalize abortion

Cheney incompetence almost destroyed terror investigation