Blackmail

Article - MEPs call for action against abuse of spyware (interview)

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, June 18, 2023
People, Democracy, European Parliament, Crime, Civil service commission, Blackmail, Commission, Member of the European Parliament, Lawyer, Privacy, Government, Parliament, Non-governmental organization, European Commission, Drug, EU, Pegasus

MEPs have raised concerns about the abuse of Pegasus and other spyware and called for action.

Key Points: 
  • MEPs have raised concerns about the abuse of Pegasus and other spyware and called for action.
  • In June 2023, Parliament adopted recommendations for future action against the abuse of spyware.
  • MEPs want EU rules allowing the use of spyware only when strict conditions are fulfilled, thorough investigations into suspected abuse and help for people who have been targeted.
  • Sophie in 't Veld (Renew, Netherlands), who guided the report through the Parliament, explains more about the dangers of spyware in the video.

Moldova is trying to join the EU, but it will have a hard time breaking away from Russia's orbit

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 2, 2023
People, Food, United Nations, Justice, Supreme Court of Justice of Moldova, Blackmail, Electricity, Kremlin, Commonwealth of Independent States, European Commission, Government, Milk, Population, United, Refugee, Natural gas, Supreme court, Arms industry, Drug, Food industry, Whaling, Tourism, EU, European, Moldovan

But Moldova, a former Soviet republic, is increasingly signaling that it is aligning itself with the European Union.

Key Points: 
  • But Moldova, a former Soviet republic, is increasingly signaling that it is aligning itself with the European Union.
  • Moldova’s Western-leaning government has accused Russia of trying to block its entry into the European Union.
  • As a researcher on Eastern Europe, I think it is important to understand the reasons Moldova might have a hard time breaking away from Russia’s orbit.

Moldova’s population is split

    • But the country’s population of roughly 3.4 million people is split on this move, according to the Moldovan polling company Magenta Consulting.
    • Approximately 48% of the population said in March 2023 that Moldova should join the European Union, while 34% expressed their support for maintaining ties with Russia.
    • Despite the citizens’ split sentiment, Moldova is already moving away from Russia.

Resistance to corruption reform

    • The European Commission has spelled out nine reforms it wants Moldova to make – six of them are focused on fighting corruption in the justice sector.
    • The Moldovan government is now undertaking a comprehensive reform of its justice system, in advance of entering formal negotiations to join the EU by the end of 2023.

Lack of border control

    • The Transnistrian government has de facto independence, but other countries and the United Nations simply recognize it as as part of Moldova.
    • Russia also provides Transnistria with free natural gas and has supported older people in the region with pension money.
    • One condition for EU membership is border and territorial control.

Cost-of-living crisis

    • The country’s inflation rate has since eased, but still stands at 18%.
    • Ukraine cut its electricity exports to Moldova after Russian missile strikes targeted the country’s energy infrastructure in 2022.
    • Over 800,000 Ukrainian refugees crossed the country’s eastern border – and 100,000 Ukrainians are now living in Moldova.
    • But some of Moldova’s problems, like lack of full territorial control and deep-rooted corruption, are unlikely to fade quickly.

Mass protests in Kenya have a long and rich history – but have been hijacked by the elites

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Pressure, Conversation, Democracy, Violence, Public opinion, Blackmail, Politics, Turkish coup d'état, Power (social and political), Countrywide, Research, History, Government, Mother, Law of the United Kingdom, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Police, Logic, Colonialism, Personality, Corruption, Hunger, Agitation, Dispute resolution, Synovial joint, Food delivery, Drug, African

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga and his coalition party, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya, recently called for mass protests across the country.

Key Points: 
  • Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga and his coalition party, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya, recently called for mass protests across the country.
  • The Conversation Africa’s Kagure Gacheche spoke with Westen K Shilaho, a senior researcher on African politics, who explores the evolution of political protests in Kenya.

What does the law say about political protest?

    • It states that:
      Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities.
    • Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities.
    • These include the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

What led to the latest wave of protests in Kenya?

    • The opposition contested the election results and filed a petition before the supreme court, which unanimously dismissed the petition for lack of evidence.
    • Raila Odinga, the losing presidential contestant, rejected this ruling and has refused to recognise Ruto’s win.
    • Read more:
      The body choosing Kenya's election commission is being overhauled – how this could strengthen democracy

      After a six-month lull, these protests recently spilled over onto the streets.

    • The opposition called for demonstrations twice a week from 20 March until the government accedes to its demands.
    • Ruto and his supporters have been scornful of the opposition’s demands, saying they have no basis in law, morality or logic.
    • If not checked, power-sharing arrangements – or “handshake” in Kenya’s political parlance – could become the country’s default arrangement after elections.

What is the history of political protests in Kenya?

    • Kenya’s political history is marked by mass protests that date back to the colonial period and continued into independence.
    • In 1992, mothers of political prisoners held an 11-month hunger strike in Nairobi to demand the release of their sons.
    • As I discuss in my book, Political Power and Tribalism in Kenya, political protests in the country have become insular, sectarian, tribal, unashamedly personality driven and elitist.
    • Read more:
      Kenya’s history of political violence: colonialism, vigilantes and militias

      My research found that the political elite have used protests for self-preservation and to pursue their interests.

BestApp.com Survey Finds More Than 60 Percent of Online Daters Have Encountered Scammers Who Solicit Money or Catfish

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 4, 2022
Man, Blackmail, Boredom, Hatred, Woman, LOS, Online shopping

LOS ANGELES, April 4, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- BestApp.com, an in-depth guide for the latest mobile app reviews and technology trends, has published a recent survey report that examines dating app users and their experiences with online matchmaking services. The study also provides insight into how many singles have been involved in a scam, either as the perpetrator or the victim.

Key Points: 
  • According to the survey, 26 percent of respondents say a dating app match asked them for money or financial assistance.
  • Conversely, 13 percent of singles admit to sending money to someone they met online.
  • While men and women report being targeted at almost equal rates, older adults are more likely to fulfill the requests.
  • The study also indicates that 36 percent of online daters were catfished or deceived by users with fake identities.