Our weekly round-up of must-read stories you might have missed: Web monitoring devices made by U.S. firm Blue Coat detected in Iran, Sudan; Greenpeace activists scale London’s Shard tower; Kofi Annan announces two new Elders: Hina Jilani and Ernesto Zedillo.
Report: Web monitoring devices made by U.S. firm Blue Coat detected in Iran, Sudan – July 8, 2013
merican-made devices used for Internet monitoring have been detected on government and commercial computer networks in Iran and Sudan, in apparent violation of U.S. sanctions that ban the sale of goods, services or technology to the autocratic states, according to new research. Several of the devices, manufactured by California-based Blue Coat Systems, were also discovered in Syria. Although Blue Coat tools have been identified in Syria in the past, the new research indicates that the government of President Bashar al-Assad has more of the monitoring devices than previously known. Experts say that in Syria, Blue Coat’s tools have been used to censor Web sites and monitor the communications of dissidents, activists and journalists. In Iran and Sudan, it remains unclear exactly how the technologies are being used, but experts say the tools could empower repressive governments to spy on opponents…
Greenpeace activists scale London’s Shard tower – July 11, 2013
Six women from the environmental group Greenpeace were arrested Thursday evening after climbing the tallest building in western Europe to protest oil drilling in the Arctic. The activists, from Britain, Canada, Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium., took 15 hours to reach the top of the 1,017-foot Shard tower on the south bank of the River Thames. Hundreds of onlookers watched from the street. Greenpeace said the Renzo Piano-designed, 72-story glass skyscraper was chosen because it looms over the London offices of Royal Dutch Shell, which is planning major oil-and-gas drilling in the Arctic. The Qatari-owned tower, a pyramid resembling jagged glass or ice at its peak, opened in February. Scotland Yard said the six were arrested for suspicion of aggravated trespass after they reached the roof about 7 p.m. (2 p.m. ET)…
Kofi Annan announces two new Elders: Hina Jilani and Ernesto Zedillo – July 11, 2013
The Elders have appointed two new members: Hina Jilani, a renowned human rights defender, and Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico. Hina Jilani, internationally known human rights defender from Pakistan, and Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico, have joined The Elders, a group of independent leaders working for peace, justice and human rights. Their appointment was announced today by Kofi Annan, Chair of the group first convened by Nelson Mandela in 2007. Ernesto Zedillo, an economist, was President of Mexico from 1994 to 2000. He is currently the Director of the Center for the Study of Globalization at Yale University in the United States. During his presidency, Mexico achieved profound democratic reforms, paving the way for a robust multi-party system. The country, after defeating a severe financial crisis, experienced strong economic growth and saw a great increase in social programmes to tackle poverty…
