Myanmar: Young Burmese confront dashed dreams in exile
Young Burmese who once hoped for a freer country have now fled their homes in fear.
2023-06-19 06:30
Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events, quiet reflection on end of slavery after Civil War
Americans across the country are observing the relatively new Juneteenth federal holiday with festivals, parades, cookouts and other gatherings
2023-06-19 06:29
Ghana Anticipates ‘Very Hard’ Talks on Eurobond Revamp
Ghana is anticipating “very hard” talks with eurobond holders in the coming months as it plans to reach
2023-06-19 06:26
Spain snatch Nations League glory on penalties against Croatia
Dani Carvajal chipped home a Panenka penalty to win Spain the Nations League on Sunday, with a 5-4 shoot-out victory over Croatia, after a tense...
2023-06-19 06:23
Ancient Amazon Charcoal Seen as Next Big Thing in Carbon Markets
A type of charcoal first used by Amazonian tribes thousands of years ago is becoming a key component
2023-06-19 05:51
Hackers strike Iranian government, releasing presidential documents
A group of hackers working against the Iranian government have struck again, this time with a second trove of documents obtained from the highest levels of the authoritarian regime. Credit for the attack was claimed by the group calling itself “Ghiam ta Sarnegoun”, or “Rise to Overthrow”. The attack follows a similar episode in early May, when the group defaced the website of Iran’s foreign ministry with messages in support of Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran — a politician-in-exile with backing from many in the west, including in Washington. Among the documents posted in the second attack, which were posted online on 29 May, were directives from the office of Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi. In one, addressed to a top security chief by Mr Raisi’s chief of staff, the president raises clear concerns about ongoing protests in the country that began last year in response to the killing of a young woman in police custody over her supposedly improper headcovering. “In these incidents, in addition to the initial intelligence surprise of the September 1st, in particular the events of October 26, as well as the strikes and riots on November 15, 16 and 17 no prediction and prevention [options] were [presented], and the analysis were based only on general and imprecise estimates and calls in the social media,” reads one letter in part. “To correct this process and prevent repetition of these surprises in the future what has been done? As the failure and end point of the enemy's project were not included on 7 and 8 of December reports of analyzes and predictions,” that letter continues, adding later: “Unfortunately, in recent months, the reports have mostly [been] describing the events of the streets and waiting to discover the surprising devices of the enemies.” Other documents were equally unflattering. A second letter to an intelligence minister again signed by Mr Raisi’s chief of staff laid out known issues with Iran’s intelligence community including “incompetent and dependent managers”, “infiltration”, as well as “marginalisation and demoralisation of revolutionary forces”. The Independent has not verified the documents in-house, although experts with the Computer Emergency Response Team in Farsi (CERTFA) have called the documents posted on 29 May from the latest hack legitimate. Altogether, the document presents a revealing look at a beleaguered government that found itself largely unable to effectively stamp out demonstrations that swept across the nation in response to a major societal episode — in this case, the killing of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, by so-called “morality police” in the country. The assessment could bode poorly for the Raisi government should similar protests emerge in the near future. The NCRI agreed in a statement to The Independent, arguing that the documents showed “the fragile state” of Iran’s security apparatus and “the fear and vulnerability of the regime”. At the same time, other passages betray the Iranian regime’s continued confidence in its ability to evade or otherwise bear the cost of US sanctions, which were snapped back into place under the Trump administration and remain under the presidency of Joe Biden. If more than bluster, it’s a spark of good news for Iran’s government given the State Department and White House’s lack of success in reaching an agreement to reignite the 2015 nuclear agreement and the resulting low chance of those sanctions being dropped. Mr Biden was heard telling a voter on a ropeline late last year that his administration views the accord signed under the presidency of Barack Obama (and his own vice presidency) to be dead. “It is dead, but we are not gonna announce it,” he said at the time, quipping: “Long story.” Read More Voters think Trump is a criminal, Biden is too old and DeSantis is a fascist, new poll finds Leaving Afghan heroes out in the cold is beyond callous – it shames us all Nikki Haley's husband begins Africa deployment as she campaigns for 2024 GOP nomination Blinken seeks to warm up frosty US-China relations in high-stakes Beijing trip Attorney General Garland keeps poker face as firestorm erupts after Trump charges US, China remain at odds on numerous issues as Blinken finishes first day of meetings in Beijing
2023-06-19 05:46
Biden to highlight climate commitments during West Coast swing
President Joe Biden will highlight climate commitments made by his administration and announce new federal funding for climate resilience projects as part of a three-day trip to the Bay Area in Northern California that begins Monday, according to a White House official.
2023-06-19 05:20
Stalled contract jeopardizes relations between new Disney governing body and firefighters
After appointees of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took over Walt Disney World’s governing district earlier this year, its firefighters were among the few employees who publicly welcomed them with open arms
2023-06-19 05:20
Two survivors of a deadly shipwreck describe their ordeal to Greek authorities
A Greek news web site has published excerpts from the depositions of two survivors of Wednesday's deadly shipwreck off southwestern Greece
2023-06-19 04:56
Stickers adorn Rickie Fowler's ever-present water bottle at US Open
Leave it to Rickie Fowler to find that brilliant combination of hydration, product placement and doing what the kids like
2023-06-19 04:52
Analysis-Mali faces spectre of anarchy after demanding UN's departure
By Edward McAllister and David Lewis DAKAR/NAIROBI Mali's unexpected demand for the departure of U.N. peacekeepers may herald
2023-06-19 04:48
Verstappen wins Canadian Grand Prix and gives Red Bull 100th victory
World champion Max Verstappen dominated the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday to deliver his Red Bull team's 100th...
2023-06-19 04:48
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