Topic: France

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FISA 101: 10 key dates in the evolution of NSA surveillance

When news of the PRISM data collection and surveillance program broke in early June 2013, it shook up the cyber security debate, and called into question just how much information the US government is authorized to collect. But government data collection isn’t something that just sprang up out of nowhere – it just sprang into national attention after former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden leaked government documents about the secret government agency. Here’s a brief list of post-9/11 legislation and surveillance programs to add a historical perspective to the current government surveillance debate.

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Gay marriage: Britain, France in surprise contrast

Queen Elizabeth II signed into law a bill legalizing same-sex marriages in England and Wales on Wednesday. France has also legalized gay marriages, but after massive public protests.
FISA 101: 10 key dates in the evolution of NSA surveillance

When news of the PRISM data collection and surveillance program broke in early June 2013, it shook up the cyber security debate, and called into question just how much information the US government is authorized to collect. But government data collection isn’t something that just sprang up out of nowhere – it just sprang into national attention after former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden leaked government documents about the secret government agency. Here’s a brief list of post-9/11 legislation and surveillance programs to add a historical perspective to the current government surveillance debate.
Africa Monitor Study: West facilitates African corruption

When the son of Equatorial Guinea's president wanted to steal money from state coffers, he hid it in European banks. And he's hardly the only one.
Mechanical error likely to have caused French train derailment

Ruling out human error, French transportation officials have focused on the switching system, which they believe caused Friday's derailment, killing six and injuring nearly 200 on a train south of Paris.
Paris train derailment: At least six dead in platform crash

Paris train derailment: A passenger train traveling south of the French capital suddenly derailed Friday and slammed into a station platform. A dozen people are seriously injured from the Paris train derailment.
Royal baby photos: Modern monarchs

History is boring and old and royal babies are new and exciting. Lets combine the two — royal babies through history. In the following list, you'll find photos and paintings of some memorable modern monarchs – predecessors of today's expected royal baby.
Terrorism & Security Russian report says sarin used in Syria – by rebels

The Russian report alleges that the rebels fired a rocket laced with homemade sarin into Aleppo in March.
The Eleven

This slim, delightful novel – the story of the rise of a painter amid the French Revolution and the Terror that followed – was the 2009 winner of the French Academy's Grand Prix du Roman.
How do galaxies fuel up? Hungry infant galaxy offers clues.

Astronomers have spotted a very young distant galaxy feeding on a halo of gas surrounding it, offering new insight into how galaxies evolve.
The Monitor's View Why EU-US trade talks should be about more than trade

As the European Union and the United States start talks for a transatlantic free-trade zone, they must see the opportunity to expand their common humanity as well.
Will US-EU trade talks spur growth - or show globalization's limits?

Negotiations over what would be the world's largest free trade deal begin today in Washington.
Immigration and assimilation: After dislocation, a Hmong refugee finds a fit

Kouei Siong, who has returned to his family's California farm with dreams of upgrading the business, sees himself as not just Hmong, but Hmong-American.
After slapping US, France finds itself in spotlight for spying

Reports says that several EU nations are engaged in surveillance programs similar to PRISM.
France: another snooping state, says Le Monde

A report from Le Monde alleges that France's external intelligence services have been operating extensive surveillance programs similar to those conducted by the NSA in the US.
Terrorism & Security Faulty lead linked Snowden to Bolivian jet, European officials say

On Friday Spain became the first European government to admit it believed Edward Snowden was aboard a flight carrying Bolivia's president that was grounded in Austria Tuesday.
Snowden search on Bolivian plane sparks Latin American criticism

Leaders across Latin America shared concerns about the significance of the diversion of Bolivian President Evo Morales' plane. Bolivian officials suggested the United States encouraged the diversion because Morales previously suggested he would consider granting asylum to former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
Franz Kafka: Should we have never known him?

Franz Kafka told his friend to burn his work. His friend did not follow Kafka's instructions, but should he have?
Global News Blog Latin America outraged over Morales' European pat down

The Bolivian leader's flight was diverted to Austria on suspicion that Edward Snowden was aboard.
Serena Williams: No real ladies test left at Wimbledon, so how about Andy Murray? (+video)

Serena Williams seems to have an easy path to yet another Wimbledon ladies title this year. So would Serena Williams entertain the idea of taking on the men's No. 2 player in the world?
Chapter & Verse Spy vs. Spy: 16th-Century Style

Thanks to human nature, the essence of espionage hasn't changed much in 500 years. Historian Stephen Budiansky compares spying in the 16th-century with modern-day tactics.
Chapter & Verse Will France ban some of Amazon's discounts?

According to France's minister of culture and communications, the French government is looking to ban Amazon's current combination of free delivery and a five percent discount.
What makes a restaurant 'a restaurant' in France?

Concerned that restaurants are increasingly using prepared foods, a French union is urging that the term 'restaurant' should legally only apply to those who cook from scratch.
Global News Blog Parisian etiquette, for shorts-wearing tourists and waiters alike

On tourism and snobbery in the French capital.
Google pressured to increase privacy in Europe

French and Spanish watchdog groups are pressuring Google to change the company's data privacy policy.
Tale of the snail tells us about Ireland's ancient origins

New research suggests that snails in Ireland and the Pyrenees share almost identical genetic material not found in British snails, suggesting the snails arrived in Ireland with southern European migrants.