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Daily Archives: May 18, 2012

Superheroes do battle for Israeli secret staff

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image from http://www.ynetnews.com by Moti Kimchi

 

Spidermen, Batmen, Supermen and other superheroes have gathered outside Israel’s Defense Ministry to protest worsening terms of employment for secret unit staff. The employees themselves couldn’t do it in person due to the high secrecy of their jobs.

Recent legislative changes regarding pension funds and working conditions forced dozens of secret unit employees to hire actors to address their employers and voice anger in Tel Aviv. 

"Sadly, they have signed an agreement that obligates them to keep their personal information secret, which has led them to rally wearing masks, and now, to hire actors." Attorney Ofer Bartal who represents the employees said to Israeli news website Ynetnews. 

He added that the employees behind the protest are responsible for one of the most “sensitive and classified projects in the State of Israel, and report directly to the defense minister”. 

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Police arrest 400 “Blockupy” activists as tensions rise in Frankfurt

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Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach

 

Frankfurt police have detained 400 anti-capitalist protesters ahead of a key conference on monetary policy scheduled for the weekend. With thousands more heading into the city in the coming hours, new clashes are expected. Authorities say anti-capitalists were erecting barricades, vandalizing road signs and blocking traffic at various locations across the city.

Frankfurt – Germany’s financial capital – is home to the European Central Bank (ECB). As the eurozone faces a deepening of the economic crisis following fears that Greece can no longer remain part of the currency bloc, policymakers from EU member states have arrived in the city for two days of intense talks. Meanwhile, up to 30,000 protesters are expected to make their way into the Frankfurt over the weekend.

 

 

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Congress opens door for US war with Iran

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Two U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth jet fighters (Reuters / Handout)

 

The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution on Iran that moves the United States much closer to a war footing against Iran as many experts and diplomats warn America is ready for attack.

The vote undermines the 5+1 Iranian nuclear talks scheduled for next week, in which the US will participate and which many in the pro-war camp want to sabotage. Ahead of the vote Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), a tough critic of the resolution and one of the few who voted against it, warned that the US is “getting ready for war against Iran” with Thursday’s vote.

The non-binding resolution H.Res.568 that overwhelmingly passed 401-11, effectively calls for a military attack on Iran when it obtains “nuclear weapons capability.” The vague interpretation, critics say, already applies to Iran, not to mention Brazil, Japan, the Netherlands, and actually any other country with a civilian nuclear program.

 

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Merkel meddle: Germany pushes for Greek referendum?

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel makes a statement at the Chancellery in Berlin, May 16, 2012 (Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch)Germany denies reports that Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested Greece holds a referendum on the country’s membership in the “euro club”. However, major political parties have slammed the proposal.

"The Greek people don't need a referendum to prove they're pro-euro," said New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras in a statement. "Her idea is unfortunate, to say the least, and can't be accepted," he added.

The far-left anti-bailout SYRIZA party is also against the proposal. "Ms. Merkel is used to addressing Greece's political leaders as if the country was a protectorate," said Alexis Tsipras, the leader of the party. The Communist Party of Greece, which supports the country’s exit from the eurozone and EU, also criticized Merkel.  

 

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