Thousands of people from around the world converged on Buñol, a town in eastern Spain, on Wednesday for the world famous “Tomatina” tomato battle despite rain, lightning and thunder.
A total of 15,000 people from 60 countries, including Australia, the United States and Japan, joined Spaniards in the famous food fight, with organizers charging visitors an entry fee of 10 euros ($13) for the first time.
Buñol’s 5,000 residents did not have to pay the fee to take part in the huge food fight.
An entry fee is being charged this year to keep the number of participants, who often exceeded 50,000 in past years, to a more manageable 20,000, organizers said.
The combatants hurled 130,000 kilos (more than 143 tons) of tomatoes at each other, literally painting the town red.
The weather forecast called for heavy rain, thunder and lightning, but visitors flocked to the Tomatina anyway, with many wearing old clothes and swim goggles to protect their eyes.
The tomato fight ended at 11:45 a.m., when clean-up crews moved into the streets closed off for the festival.
The Tomatina, declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest in 2002, drew hundreds of members of the media to Buñol, putting the town in Valencia province in the spotlight for a day.
Imitators have popped up in other parts of the world, including the “Tomato Royale,” an event held last Saturday in Petersburg, Virginia, that drew about 5,000 people.
The Spanish festival started in 1945 as a prank orchestrated by several friends who threw tomatoes during a parade.
Buñol’s government took over the festival in 1980, making it an official event.
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MEAN STREETS MEDIA
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Iran News ( The world watches Blogger or Mother and Son " Both On 18 day hunger strike " slowly die ) Sad
Hossein Ronaghi Maleki in dire physical condition
فارسى
Keywords : Political Prisoners
فارسى
Committee of Human Rights Reporters – The health of jailed blogger Hossein Ronaghi has been rapidly plunging to dangerous levels as he enters his 18th day of hunger strike today and blocked from going to the hospital. His mother Zoleikha Mousavi also embarked on a hunger strike one week ago in support of her ailing son.
According to CHRR, Hossein Ronaghi who was inflicted with kidney disease when he went on hunger strike was taken to the hospital and back to prison two days ago on August 24th with bleeding in his kidneys and gallbladder. Based on the conducted tests at that time, Ronaghi’s kidneys are inflamed and inflicted with hydronephrosis; distention of his ureter on both sides and obstruction in his uterine tract leading to intense pains in his flank area. The bleeding in his kidneys and loss of protein has caused the dangerous plummeting of his health.
There has also been concern for the physical state of Hossein Ronaghi’s mother Zoleikha Mousavi who is on her 7th day of hunger strike. Zoleikha Mousavi who went on hunger strike in the past, suffers from a serious heart condition and high blood pressure.
Hossein Ronaghi, blogger and Internet activist who is one of the founding members of Iran Proxy – a group that bypassed Internet censorship with proxy servers - was violently arrested on December 13, 2009 at his parental home in the city of Melikan and was transferred to Ward 2A in Evin Prison [under control of IRGC]. Hasan Ronaghi Maleki, Hossein’s brother was also detained at that time, was tortured and used as a tool in an attempt to intimidate his brother.
In protest of his mistreatment, Hossein Ronaghi went on hunger strike in May 2010 and when the efforts to follow-up on the part of his family were ignored, his mother also went on hunger strike for 2 weeks demanding to get some answers. In July 2010 Hossein Ronaghi went on hunger strike again lasting 10 days in protest of the extensive pressure and mistreatment by his interrogators. He was subjected to intense psychological abuse and physical torture in efforts to coerce him into making a false televised confession, which he refused.
Hossein Ronaghi was held in solitary confinement in Evin’s Ward 2A which is under the jurisdiction of the IRGC for over 10 months before his trial took place. On December 1, 2010 Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court presided by Judge Pir Abassi handed Hossein Ronaghi Maleki a 15-year prison sentence. Among his charges were “membership in Iran Proxy,” “insulting the leadership, and “insulting the Islamic Republic.”
On August 22, 2012 Hossein Ronaghi who had been on medical leave from prison was detained along with his father and brother, Ahmad and Hasan Ronaghi Maleki, and 33 other volunteers and social activists who had gone to the aid of earthquake victims in the province of Azerbaijan. He later received another 2.6 years in prison stemming from charges related to his volunteer work, bringing his total prison term to 17.6 years.
On May 21, 2013 Hossein Ronaghi who had undergone surgery a few weeks prior turned himself in at Evin prison per a summons to return behind bars despite doctor’s orders for recovery in a suitable environment with access to his medical needs.
On Friday August 9, Hossein Ronaghi embarked on a hunger strike in protest of the prisoners’ treatment behind bars and the denial of medical leave for sick prisoners. His visit to Hasheminejad Hospital on August 24 has raised serious concerns about his health. Physicians warned that with his impaired kidney function, hypotension and the recent sharp increase in his heart rate, his health is at great risk and his situation is very dangerous. There is grave concern for the possibility of a heart attack, which with his young age and illnesses could have catastrophic consequences. Despite the dangerous risk to his health his legal right to medical furlough has so far been ignored.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Iran ( Police starting to arrest women for dress code violations ) See photo's
Friday, 30 August 2013
Tehran's Morality Police have become more active in confronting citizens for violating codes of appropriate dress.
Mohabat News -- ISNA reports that a larger number of Morality Police personnel have been seen across the city, especially in the recreation centres such as Farahzad, Darband, Darekeh, Lavasan and Tochal.
ISNA reports that on the evening of Thursday August 29, a large number of police officers arrived at Milad Tower to monitor concertgoers and arrested a number of attendees for dress code violations.
At the concert by Salar Aghili, a popular singer of classical Iranian music, morality police prevented several women from attending on the grounds that they were not properly covered.
Japan ( Two youths were busted posing on roof of police car - then they tweeted the photo's )
Crime ( 56 )
Photo taken from Twitter
KUSHIRO —
Two youths in Kushiro, Hokkaido, have been arrested for taking photos of themselves sitting on the roof of a patrol car outside a police koban.According to police, the 19-year-olds climbed on the police car at around 10:30 p.m. Sunday to flash peace signs, stick out their tongues and pose for photos. Although there were five officers in the police box at the time, none of them noticed the incident taking place, TBS reported.
A member of the public later saw the photograph on Twitter and reported it to police, at which point the youths were arrested. During police questioning, the suspects said they got overexcited.
Police say some scratches were found on the bonnet of the car, resulting in a charge of property damage.
Spain ( 15,000 From Around the World - Show up for Tomato battle ) Food fight
Published at 9:13 am EST, August 29, 2013
Mexico ( U.S operation in mexico code name " Operation Lowrider " ) Lol
Covert Operation Targets Mexican Drug Traffickers
Published at 3:50 pm EST, August 29, 2013
The U.S. government is using manned aircraft to assist Mexican police in identifying, capturing and killing some of Mexico’s most-wanted criminals, Fox News reported Thursday.
“Operation Lowrider,” which is being run by the Pentagon’s Northern Command, started in 2011 after the murder of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jaime Zapata in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Fox said.
More than 70,000 people have been killed and thousands of others have disappeared in Mexico’s drug war, which started in late 2006.
“It’s been successful in identifying, eliminating and bringing to justice those who brought tons and tons of drugs into the United States,” Phil Jordan a former DEA special agent and director of the agency’s El Paso Intelligence Center, told Fox.
The two propeller planes being used in “Operation Lowrider” are manned by personnel from a subcontractor to Sierra Nevada, a U.S. defense contractor, and have greater capabilities than the unmanned drones used by the Department of Homeland Security to monitor the border.
“Using advanced eavesdropping equipment, ‘pattern of life’ reconnaissance missions expose the schedules and routines of high level traffickers,” Fox said.
Information obtained by the planes is transmitted to U.S. officials, who contact Mexican police or military units so they can capture the target.
“The contract with Sierra Nevada expires in September. It is unknown whether Northern Command will renew it, or if newly elected President Enrique Pena Neito will continue to give the American surveillance flights permission to enter Mexican airspace,” Fox said.
“Operation Lowrider,” which is being run by the Pentagon’s Northern Command, started in 2011 after the murder of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jaime Zapata in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Fox said.
More than 70,000 people have been killed and thousands of others have disappeared in Mexico’s drug war, which started in late 2006.
“It’s been successful in identifying, eliminating and bringing to justice those who brought tons and tons of drugs into the United States,” Phil Jordan a former DEA special agent and director of the agency’s El Paso Intelligence Center, told Fox.
The two propeller planes being used in “Operation Lowrider” are manned by personnel from a subcontractor to Sierra Nevada, a U.S. defense contractor, and have greater capabilities than the unmanned drones used by the Department of Homeland Security to monitor the border.
“Using advanced eavesdropping equipment, ‘pattern of life’ reconnaissance missions expose the schedules and routines of high level traffickers,” Fox said.
Information obtained by the planes is transmitted to U.S. officials, who contact Mexican police or military units so they can capture the target.
“The contract with Sierra Nevada expires in September. It is unknown whether Northern Command will renew it, or if newly elected President Enrique Pena Neito will continue to give the American surveillance flights permission to enter Mexican airspace,” Fox said.
CUBA News ( Thousands Flock to Public “Cyber Points,” Cuba Says )
HAVANA – Cuba’s “cyber points,” which offer public Internet access, have attracted more than 100,000 paying customers in the last three months, government daily Juventud Rebelde said Thursday.About 60 percent of clients accessed the World Wide Web, while the rest spent their time on Cuba’s domestic intranet or e-mailing, the newspaper said, citing data from state telecommunications monopoly Etecsa.
Very few Cubans have internet access at home, due to a combination of politically motivated restrictions and technical constraints.
Etecsa now operates 121 cyber points where customers pay anywhere from 60 cents to $4.50 to connect to the internet, fees that many Cubans regard as prohibit in a country where the average wage is less than $20 a month.
Cuba, a nation of 11.2 million people, had only 2.87 million internet users in 2012.
The Cuban government says its immediate priority is to expand access to the internet from public places and that widespread residential internet service is years away. EFE
Mexico ( Judges get in fight with each other - see video )
MEXICO CITY – A judge in the central Mexican state of Morelos hit a colleague during an argument over alleged irregularities in the appointment of acting judges, media reports said.Justice Miguel Angel Falcon Vega struck the smaller Justice Ruben Jasso Diaz during a session of the Morelos Supreme Court, with the assault captured on a video that was posted on YouTube.
Other justices stepped in and stopped the attack, and Chief Justice Nadia Luz Maria Lara Chavez suspended the session.
The fight highlighted the split in the state’s high court between supporters of Falcon Vega and Lara Chavez’s backers over how justices are promoted and removed from their posts.
The Judiciary Council will investigate the incident and Jasso Diaz has the option to take legal action on his own, Lara Chavez said. EFE
Thursday, August 29, 2013
North Korea ( ex-girlfriend of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un -Executed in public for porn tapes )
The ex-girlfriend of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Hyon Song-wol was executed by firing squad for breaking North Korea’s law against pornography.
According to South Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo, she was one of famous performers who had sex on camera and later sold those tapes. Since some of other victims accused of the same crime, are said to have had Bibles, this fact, according to the newspaper, puts them in the position of the political dissidents.
Hyon and several other victims were arrested on August 17, the arrest followed by a public execution three days later.
All of them worked for Unhasu Orchestra and also performed as singers, musicians and dancers with the Wangjaesan Light Music Band.
Hyon met Kim ten years ago, when he was still single, and so was she, but the relationship was broken up by his father, Kim Jong-il
Interestingly enough, Kim's current wife, Ri Sol-ju, was also a member of the Unhasu Orchestra before becoming dictator’s wife.
0They were executed with machine guns while the key members of the Unhasu Orchestra, Wangjaesan Light Band and Moranbong Band as well as the families of the victims looked on," - The Chosun Ilbo reported with a reference to an informed source. According to another report, the family member of the executed performers were sent to prison camps, since, under the North Korea's law, they were guilty by association.
The Voice of Russia, mirror.co.uk
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Iran ( Children arrested and told to confess for fathers crimes ) What ?
Published on Tuesday, 27 August
NCRI - The two children of political prisoner Hassan Saremi have been arrested and placed in solitary confinement by the Iranian regime in a bid to force their father into making a false confession on live TV.
Hamed Saremi, 32, and Shahla Saremi, 28, were arrested by intelligence ministry agents who raided their home on June 5 and transferred to ward 209 of Tehran's Evin prison.
For almost three months, their family have been denied all visits and received no news of the fate of Hamed, a graduate in Industrial Management and Shahla, a public relations student at the University of Applied Science.
Their father Hassan, 54, is a children's rights activist jailed for his beliefs in the 1980s. His brother Ali Saremi was also a political prisoner and supporter of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) who was executed in Evin prison in 2010.
The chief interrogator of the Saremis is a mullah and intelligence ministry official named as Alavi, known to have personally hanged Ali Saremi three years ago and committed repeated crimes against humanity in Evin prison since the 1980s.
NCRI - The two children of political prisoner Hassan Saremi have been arrested and placed in solitary confinement by the Iranian regime in a bid to force their father into making a false confession on live TV.Hamed Saremi, 32, and Shahla Saremi, 28, were arrested by intelligence ministry agents who raided their home on June 5 and transferred to ward 209 of Tehran's Evin prison.
For almost three months, their family have been denied all visits and received no news of the fate of Hamed, a graduate in Industrial Management and Shahla, a public relations student at the University of Applied Science.
Their father Hassan, 54, is a children's rights activist jailed for his beliefs in the 1980s. His brother Ali Saremi was also a political prisoner and supporter of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) who was executed in Evin prison in 2010.
The chief interrogator of the Saremis is a mullah and intelligence ministry official named as Alavi, known to have personally hanged Ali Saremi three years ago and committed repeated crimes against humanity in Evin prison since the 1980s.
Iran ( Christian pastor gets 8 yrs in Evin prison for opening Christian Churches ) Wife mad at Obama
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
The wife of an Iranian-American pastor imprisoned in Iran said Monday she was "extremely disappointed" that US President Barack Obama had remained silent on the case.
Mohabat News - The statement by Naghmeh Abedini followed reports from Tehran that an Iranian appeals court had upheld her husband Saeed Abedini's conviction and eight-year prison term.
"The news out of Iran is devastating to our family," she said in a statement released by the American Center for Law and Justice, which is representing the family.
Abedini, a naturalized US citizen who converted from Islam to Christianity, was sentenced to prison in January for his role in establishing underground Christian churches in Iran.
His Iran-based lawyer Nasser Sarbazi said the Tehran appeals court confirmed the verdict.
"As a consequence, the sentence of eight years in prison is definitive from now on," Sarbazi said.
Naghmeh Abedini, who lives in Idaho with the couple's two children, said the family would be consulting with lawyers to determine whether to appeal to Iran's Supreme Court or Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's supreme leader.
She called in the meantime for stepped up international pressure in the case, and sharply criticized Obama for not speaking out on her husband's behalf.
"My husband is serving eight years in the notorious Evin prison and facing daily threats and abuse by radicals because he refuses to deny his Christian faith," she said.
"And yet, my president, President Obama, has not spoken a word about him," she said.
"I am extremely disappointed that President Obama has chosen to remain silent on this critical human and religious rights case of an American imprisoned in Iran," she said. / WASHINGTON (AFP)
Fishing News ( Massive Marlin Jumps into Boat Near Dominican Republic (VIDEO)
Published at 2:13 pm EST, August 27, 2013
A group of fisherman out near the Dominican Republic managed to get an interesting “catch” on video.
On Thursday, Florida’s Bobby Jacobsen was out on his 62-foot boat, the Marlin Darlin, and was filming friends fishing.
With the camera rolling, Jacobsen captured his friend struggling to reel in a catch. The fish was a 350-lb blue marlin, and as the man struggled, the massive fish jumped into the boat.
The men said they had planned to return the fish to the water, but it died as a result of “self-sustained” injuries it received from the jump.
The marlin was instead given to local fishermen.
Check out the incredible video below.
On Thursday, Florida’s Bobby Jacobsen was out on his 62-foot boat, the Marlin Darlin, and was filming friends fishing.
With the camera rolling, Jacobsen captured his friend struggling to reel in a catch. The fish was a 350-lb blue marlin, and as the man struggled, the massive fish jumped into the boat.
The men said they had planned to return the fish to the water, but it died as a result of “self-sustained” injuries it received from the jump.
The marlin was instead given to local fishermen.
Check out the incredible video below.
Mexico ( Border drug to look out for " Grass Mary " the new High ) Salvia Divinorum
Thomas sat at a table where he placed a small bag containing the drug. He pulled the product, a fine powder of dark green and divided it into three parts, took one of them and put it on the pipe, then lit it.
In less than 40 seconds after smoking the drug, its effects begin to take effect. The feeling being described as between psychosis and a release of adrenaline.
Sweat began to sprout from his forehead and neck, his voice became serious and his hands touched the texture of the board and trying to calm himself.
This plant, known as “Salvia divinorum” is also called “Grass Mary” or “herb of the gods” which causes hallucinations and euphoria, with its active substance “salvinorin A” acting on the nervous system.
Health Authorities in Mexico state that so far do not have any record of addiction or consequences such as death by consuming this substance.
Similarly, Jocelyn Talamantes, coordinator of Care for Addiction states that there is no record of salvia users in her knowledge.
“From 2011 to 2013 we continue with the same conditions. The greatest social impact drug is heroin. The 20 to 30 percent of patients who are admitted using two or more drugs, and start with Alcohol and marijuana, “he says.
The official adds that although she knows about the existence of sage, though, it is generally used for medicinal purposes.
Although this substance is still regarded as “underground” it can be purchased ranging from $20 to $ 35 in El Paso, while in Ciudad Juarez is sold in packages of 250 to 300 pesos .
Consumption of this herb has became popular among young people, mostly college age ranging from 20 to 30 years and has been seen in El Paso.
“We are the first smart shop in Mexico dedicated to the sale and distribution of botanical products of the highest quality, both in Mexico and around the world. Being our specialty Salvia Divinorum “. Buyers have the option of paying with cards such as MasterCard , Visa and American Express or, make cash deposits, as the consumption of salvia is legal so far in Mexico. “
In less than 40 seconds after smoking the drug, its effects begin to take effect. The feeling being described as between psychosis and a release of adrenaline.
Sweat began to sprout from his forehead and neck, his voice became serious and his hands touched the texture of the board and trying to calm himself.
This plant, known as “Salvia divinorum” is also called “Grass Mary” or “herb of the gods” which causes hallucinations and euphoria, with its active substance “salvinorin A” acting on the nervous system.
Health Authorities in Mexico state that so far do not have any record of addiction or consequences such as death by consuming this substance.
Similarly, Jocelyn Talamantes, coordinator of Care for Addiction states that there is no record of salvia users in her knowledge.
“From 2011 to 2013 we continue with the same conditions. The greatest social impact drug is heroin. The 20 to 30 percent of patients who are admitted using two or more drugs, and start with Alcohol and marijuana, “he says.
The official adds that although she knows about the existence of sage, though, it is generally used for medicinal purposes.
Although this substance is still regarded as “underground” it can be purchased ranging from $20 to $ 35 in El Paso, while in Ciudad Juarez is sold in packages of 250 to 300 pesos .
Consumption of this herb has became popular among young people, mostly college age ranging from 20 to 30 years and has been seen in El Paso.
“We are the first smart shop in Mexico dedicated to the sale and distribution of botanical products of the highest quality, both in Mexico and around the world. Being our specialty Salvia Divinorum “. Buyers have the option of paying with cards such as MasterCard , Visa and American Express or, make cash deposits, as the consumption of salvia is legal so far in Mexico. “
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
TUCSON Az ( Murder charges dropped, victim's family outraged - Suspect On probation for dumping dead body ) Wtf ?
Posted: Aug 27, 2013 6:09 PM by Lupita Murillo
Updated: Aug 27, 2013 6:24 PM
Even though the charges were dropped, Mazitis remains in the Pima County Jail on a probation violation involving another homicide with similar circumstances.
"Its very devastating to realize someone could get away with murder twice," says Crystal Wainwright . She's the victim's sister.
On July 9, 2011, Tucson police found the body of Rodrigo Gonzales dumped in the middle of the road near Ft. Lowell and Campbell. Investigators say it was a drug deal gone bad and Mazitis acted in self defense when he shot and killed Rodriguez. He pleaded guilty to abandoning a dead body and was given three years probation.
Fast forward to November 2012 and Andrew Liska. His sister Crystal Wainwright tells News 4, "It was a drug deal gone bad. But my brother didn't deserve to die over it. He used excessive force, it was overkill he shot six times he pulled my brother out and left him in the middle road to die."
The County Attorney's office says, they dismissed the charges without prejudice which means they can be refiled at a later date. Wainwright says, "So there is hope, it's still very scary to know that this case may be closed forever and that Mazitas is allowed to go out there and do whatever while my brother is in the ground."
Andrew Liska's family says they can't imagine how Zechary Mazitis can look at himself in the mirror. "Knowing that he's done that to people and families , that he's destroyed lives. It's just heartbreaking, to know that the police and the laws we have here in Arizona are not able to put him away for anything. "
News 4 Tucson requested an interview with Mazitis. He told the corrections officer he needed to clear it with his attorney first. No one has called back
Argentina ( Drug Dealers use pigeons to distribute marijuana across Argentina )
Drug dealers who used carrier pigeons to distribute marijuana across Argentina have been arrested.
Prosecutors say the dealers made up to 20 deliveries a day to a distributor in Lomas de Zamora, who would collect the drug from pouches on the birds’ legs.
Police began to investigate after finding one of the pigeons lost and disorientated with drugs strapped to its leg.
A spokesman said: ‘It was released and we were able to follow it. Then it was a question of waiting and following again.’
Three men were arrested at a makeshift cannabis farm.
In 2011, Colombian drugs gangs reportedly strapped a package containing 1.6 ounces of the drug to a pigeon and pointed it in the direction of the jail in Bucaramanga.
But the excess baggage proved too much for it. The bird crash-landed and was captured by two policemen who found it flapping helplessly near the prison.
Prosecutors say the dealers made up to 20 deliveries a day to a distributor in Lomas de Zamora, who would collect the drug from pouches on the birds’ legs.
Police began to investigate after finding one of the pigeons lost and disorientated with drugs strapped to its leg.
Drug dealers who used carrier pigeons to distribute marijuana across Argentina have been arrested
A spokesman said: ‘It was released and we were able to follow it. Then it was a question of waiting and following again.’
Three men were arrested at a makeshift cannabis farm.
In 2011, Colombian drugs gangs reportedly strapped a package containing 1.6 ounces of the drug to a pigeon and pointed it in the direction of the jail in Bucaramanga.
But the excess baggage proved too much for it. The bird crash-landed and was captured by two policemen who found it flapping helplessly near the prison.
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