Chinese Hackers Used Fake Gmail Site To Steal Activist Data
Google announced on Tuesday that they’d been they target of a phishing scam originating in Jinan, China, aimed at the accounts of Chinese activists and senior officials in the U.S. Victims were sent fake emails with links to a fake Gmail site, which harvested the usernames and passwords of anyone trying to log in.
“Virginity Checks” Forced On Female Protesters By Military In Egypt
Multiple news sources reported today that a senior Egyptian general has come forward to confirm that forced “virginity checks” had been performed on women arrested during demonstrations. This had previously been denied by military authorities, but general Amr Imam has not only confirmed but defended the practice as a protective measure for the women’s own good.
The Economist Punts Trevor Manuel As IMF Successor
What with IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn jailed on sex assault charges, there’s speculation about who’ll be replacing him. Calls from non-European countries to instate a non-European head have become increasingly vocal, especially after French Strauss-Kahn’s shenanigans – so it’s interesting that The Economist looked to Trevor Manuel, among others, as a potential succcessor.
Donald Trump Not Running For President Anymore – Instead Focusing On His TV Career [VIDEO]
In an incredibly patriotic move, Donald Trump yesterday announced that he no longer plans to run for the American presidency. Instead he will rather selflessly become part of the 12th season of The Apprentice once again because “it is for charity and for a great cause.” See the video statement inside. I love the applauding when he announces his decision not to run anymore. Awkward.
ANC And City Of Cape Town Arguing About Posters
This is a little like me not being allowed to have posters up in my bedroom, but less serious: the ANC has lodged a complaint with the Electoral Commission after Cape Town city workers were found removing COSATU posters campaigning for Tony Ehrenreich. Because they want their posters back, apparently.
Texas Trying To Ban TSA Searches
Since 9/11, flying has sucked. For all of the wrong reasons, flight security has become paranoid and despotic, and nowhere worse than the USA – where TSA agents have manhandled infants and the infirm in ‘the war on terror.’ So it’s nice to see that the Texas House of Representatives just banned TSA searches without probable cause.
80 Killed In Bombing Of Pakistan Military Base
Around 65 military recruits and 15 civilians were killed in the twin bombing of the military training centre in Shabqadar, Charsadda – the first attack in Pakistan since the announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death. The Pakistani Taliban claims to have carried out the attack to avenge bin Laden’s killing.
Brazil Legalizes Same-Sex Civil Unions
Brazil’s Supreme Court last night ruled unanimously that civil unions between same-sex couples were to be allowed – which is a big deal, what with Brazil being home to the world’s largest Roman Catholic population and all. The vote stopped short, however, of legalizing gay marriage.
Canada Elects Unprecedented Neoconservative Government
In what’s been the most radical political shift in about a century, Canadians yesterday voted the Conservative Party into a 100-seat majority – meaning first time in history, the New Democratic Party will form the Official Opposition. Former Prime Minister Harper’s government was forced into an election after a no-confidence vote in parliament.
RIP Photojournalist Tim Hetherington
British filmmaker and photojournalist, Tim Hetherington, who co-directed the Oscar-nominated documentary on the Afghanistan War, Restrepo, was killed yesterday in Misrata, Libya, following the firing of an RPG at a group of journalists. He was 41 years old. Three other journalists were injured in the attack.
US Politician Caught Forwarding Photo Of Obama As An Ape
A prominent US politician, Marilyn Davenport, is in trouble for sending out an email with a photo of chimpanzee parents and their infant. Barack Obama’s face is superimposed on the chimpanzee infant, and the caption reads: “Now you know why no birth certificate.” Her response to the whole matter, however, is even spicier.
South Africa Ranks 121st On ‘Global Peace Index’
Which puts us behind Iran. The Global Peace Index, put together by the Institute for Economics & Peace, is apparently made up of a couple of factors – including levels of democracy and transparency, education and national wellbeing. Top three are New Zealand, Iceland and Japan, with Iraq coming in last (149th place).
Gbagbo Unseated, Arrested In Ivory Coast
Following a military assault on his residence in Abidjan, Ivory Coast politician Laurent Gbagbo has surrendered and been placed under UN guard, thus ceding power to his UN-recognised successor, Alassane Ouattara; this after Gbagbo’s refusal to accept defeat in November’s presidential poll.
Bafana Bafana Need New Nickname
Government has decided that we need a new nickname for our national soccer team. The affectionate monicker Bafana Bafana was a nice idea at the time, says Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, but now we need ‘lions that will roar’.
Castro Resigns Cuban Communist Party Leadership, Everybody Realizes He’s Still Alive
Fidel Castro has popped up in public to remind us that he isn’t dead yet, and to let us know that he isn’t in charge of the Cuban Communist Party. And hasn’t been since 2006, when he let his brother take over. Fidel didn’t realize that it might be cool to let people know that it was permanent.
Donald Trump Says He Screwed Muammar Gaddafi…Over
Donald Trump running for the American presidency might sound like a bad idea to some – just like his haircut. Say what you will about his political ambitions, but I actually think Trump embodies the American ideal, which is perfectly encapsulated in this reminiscence of how he screwed one Muammar Gaddafi over in a property deal.
Pop Quiz: Politician Who Called For Bill Clinton’s Head Gets Caught Out Doing What?
Politicians cheat on occasion, and I don’t just mean at cards. Sometimes they sleep with people that they’re not married to. Sometimes politicians condemn their peers for adultery, only to be caught in the very same act some time later.
Anonymous’ Hack Scandal Forces Head of HBGary’s Resignation
Anonymous, the online sort-of-anarchic sort-of-activist group, forced Aaron Barr, head of HBGary Federal, the massive American tech security company, to resign. Which is sort of a huge deal in the way that Charlie Sheen isn’t. Even though I love everything that Charlie Sheen touches.
Map Middle-East Protests With Google Maps and Twitter
It’s sort of hard to be on the internet right now without hearing about protests from whichever North African/Middle Eastern country is falling under the ‘freedom’ bandwagon, but this Google Maps/Twitter mashup contextualizes the online protest movement nicely – and in real time.
When Unpolished Politicians Use Facebook
Here is a tip for becoming a successful politician: When you write newspaper columns criticising your own political party, they will be upset and invite you to a disciplinary. Logging onto Facebook and calling them “dickheads” will only make the situation worse.
Lingerie, Wrestling, And Politics
It’s Thursday. Look at this video. It’s partially a rant on nanny-state politics, so you can watch it and act like you’re smart and politically engaged, and it also has footage of ladies in lingerie playing American football, which is relevant to the debate at hand, but also good for its own sake. SFW
American Teabaggers Teaparty Brand Curbside Recycling Program “A Leap Toward Socialism”
Much has been reported recently about the American political landscape. Sure, they don’t have “politicians” like Julius Malema to dominate the headlines with nonsense but the likes of Christine O’Donnell and the Teaparty are making a damn fine effort.
Gareth Cliff’s Letter To The Government
5fm’s Gareth Cliff’s letter to the government has attracted quite a bit of attention over the past few days, with only an excerpt published here and there. We have managed to get hold of the entire letter and thought you would like to see it in its entirety – especially those of you who struggle with searching on the internet. Bless you. Gareth’s letter after the jump.
‘Niqabitches’ protest Burka Ban
Two French students, calling themselves the ‘Niqabitches,’ have posted a video of themselves strolling through Paris wearing the niqab with hot pants and high heels, in protest of France’s recent burka ban. They seem like very nice young ladies.