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WikiLeaks begins disclosing intelligence firm's e-mails By the CNN Wire Staff February 27, 2012 -- Updated 0552 GMT (1352 HKT) Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gather in southeast London in February 2011. STORY HIGHLIGHTS WikiLeaks begins releasing what it says is a cache of documents from Stratfor The private intelligence company has been targeted by hackers in recent months The authenticity of the documents could not be immediately confirmed (CNN) -- The website WikiLeaks has begun releasing what it says are 5 million e-mails from the private intelligence company Stratfor, starting with a company "glossary" that features unflattering descriptions of U.S. government agencies. In a statement released early Monday in Europe (Sunday evening ET), the website promises a raft of juicy disclosures about Stratfor, a Texas-based firm that promotes itself to corporate and government clients as a source of intelligence on international affairs. The company has been targeted by hackers who have released private data about subscribers in recent months, prompting the company to offer its clients a year of paid identity-protection coverage. There was no immediate comment on the disclosures from Stratfor, and the authenticity of the documents could not be independently confirmed Sunday night.

Oscars go to The Artist, German tech rewarded

Published: 27 Feb 12 08:21 CET

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Major German hopefuls including Wim Wenders left the Oscars empty-handed on Sunday night as the silent favourite “The Artist” cleaned up with five of the big prizes. But Frankfurt techies won the special effects prize.

• Meryl Streep wins Golden Bear for life work - Lifestyle (15 Feb 12)
• Germany's best actors - Lifestyle (10 Feb 12)
• 'Pina' gets second Oscar nomination - Society (19 Nov 11)

Wenders’ 3D film “Pina” about the choreographer Pina Bausch and her dance company, was nominated for best foreign-language film as well as the documentary prize.

But it lost out in the documentary section to an American contender “Undefeated”, which told the story of a struggling high school football team.

And the star of last year’s Berlin film festival, the Iranian film “A Separation” won the best foreign language Oscar.

Max Zähle, whose short film “Raju” was nominated also failed to collect a prize, while costume designer Lisy Christl, whose work on the film “Anonymous” was also in the game, also left without an Academy statuette.

All eyes were on Michel Hazanavicius’ “The Artist” which took best film, best director and best male actor as well as costumes and music. Martin Scorcese’s 3D film “Hugo Cabret” also took five Oscars, but in less headline-grabbing categories such as cinematography and art direction.

Frankfurt firm Pixomondo took an Oscar for Hugo's special effects. "We are delighted and proud to hold an Oscar in our hands after our work for Hugo Cabret," said Christian Vogt, head of Pixomondo Germany, according to Monday's Frankfurter Rundschau.

Meryl Streep collected her third Oscar for her role as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady”, just after having been honoured with the Berlin film festival's Golden Bear for her life's work.

Woody Allen took his fourth for the script of his film “Midnight in Paris”, although he was not there to collect it in person.

Best co-stars were Octavia Spencer for her work in “The Help” and British veteran Christopher Plummer for his in “Beginners”.

DPA/The Local/hc