Hamas and Fatah Agree to Unity Government in Historic Deal

By Maan News

Fatah leader Azzam al-Ahmad said that neither side will accept the resumption of negotiations with Israel without clear guidelines, and that negotiations had stalled as a result of "Israel intransigence" and "American bias." Continue

War Criminal
Tony Blair's 'Why the Middle East Matters' Speech

By Tony Blair

The threat of this radical Islam is not abating. It is growing. It is spreading across the world. Continue

Blair’s Trick

By Craig Murry

The greatest boost ever received by Islamic fundamentalism was the invasion of Iraq. Continue

Ten Things You Need To Know About The 'Extremism' Of Tony Blair

By Lindsey German & Robin Beste

Tony Blair's lack of self awareness and remorse makes him a highly dangerous individual and totally unsuited to his role as envoy for peace in the Middle East. Continue

US Military “Commemorates” Its Iraq Massacre

By Felicity Arbuthnot

“Tell Them It’s the Sound of Freedom.” Continue

Lavrov: If We're Attacked, We'll Certainly Respond

By RT

‘‘Russian citizens being attacked is an attack against the Russian Federation,’’ Continue

Prepping for a Ukrainian Massacre

By Robert Parry

Official Washington is readying the American people to view the slaughter of eastern Ukrainians as justified because they are “terrorists” and linked to the hated Russians. Continue

Putin’s Dilemma

By Mike Whitney

The trouble with Washington’s Ukraine policy, is that it leaves Putin with few options. Continue

Time is Running Out for the US Dollar

By Valentin Mândrasescu

The US is trying to preemptively hurt the regional currencies and their associated economies before the US dollar loses its status as the main global currency: Continue

John Kerry, Clueless Buffoon

By Justin Raimondo

In a candid moment, the US Secretary of State reveals the secret of American foreign policy. Continue

This Is How Empires Collapse

By Charles Hugh-Smith

Self-serving institutions reward con-artists in leadership roles because only con-artists can mask the internal rot with happy-story PR and get away with it. Continue

They Are Watching You
The National Security State and the U.S.-Mexican Border

By Todd Miller

It is in the U.S. borderlands that the U.S. government’s modern expertise in creating and tracking "a marked population” was first developed and practiced. Continue

Tolstoy’s Remarkable Manifesto on Christian Anarchy and Pacifism

By Robert Higgs

Tolstoy's views on Christianity were anything but typical. He regarded the various Christian churches as totally corrupt and as the propagators of false and spurious doctrines that only helped the dominant elites to retain their hold on political, social. Continue

19 Taliban, one Afghan soldier killed in Afghanistan: Militants killed in military operations during last 24 hours.

Officials: Taliban kill 5 Afghan police officers: Officials in Afghanistan say five police officers have been killed in a Taliban attack on a checkpoint in the country's volatile south.

Anti-U.S. protest violence ahead of Obama visit highlights concern over military pact in Philippines: Riot policemen blocked the flag-waving activists near the heavily fortified embassy compound but the protesters slipped past them, sparking a brief scuffle in view of motorists stuck in traffic.

Obama: Senkakus ‘within scope’ of U.S.-Japan treaty: Article 5 stipulates U.S. defense obligations to Japan, which apply to territories under the administration of Japan. Obama’s comment therefore means the United States will defend Japan in the event of a Chinese incursion on the islets, over which China also claims sovereignty.

At least nine killed in car bomb attack near Iraq's Mosul: Police officials said the explosion Wednesday night was in Bay Boukh, a village inhabited by families from the Shabak ethnic group. The village is near the city of Mosul, 360 kilometers (225 miles) northwest of Baghdad.

Bomb targets Iraq minister's convoy as attacks kill 3: A bomb exploded near the education minister's convoy in north Iraq Wednesday and other attacks killed three people as the country struggles with daily violence ahead of elections next week.

US Special Force Ambush And Kill Alledged Bomb Maker In Yemen: The special forces were dropped in by helicopter to lie in wait for al-Asiri's 4x4 vehicle before opening fire on the convoy. The assailants were able to fire back but the ambush killed all inside.

US personnel sifting through rubble on ground in Yemen after drone strikes, source says: U.S. military personnel has been on the ground in Yemen sifting through the aftermath of recent drone strikes, helping to retrieve bodies and data from the scene of a handful of weekend drone strikes carried out by the CIA

In Yemen, Drones Don't Kill Innocents: : Op-Ed: When US military strikes kill civilians, it seems there's always someone ready to claim that US weaponry doesn't kill anyone who doesn't deserve it.

Yemeni government pays out $55k to civilian victims of Easter drone strikes: The Yemeni government has already made condolence payments to the victims of at least one of several US drone strikes on the country over the Easter weekend, it has emerged. It is unclear whether the money ultimately derives from US sources

Turkey Sends 300 Troops into Syria: Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan confirms reports of military intervention to protect the tomb of a prominent Turkish figure.

Turkey denies sending troops to confront ISIL in Syria: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Wednesday that Turkey has sent aid to the Tomb of Süleyman Sah in Syria, the burial place of the grandfather of Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire, but has not sent troops to confront the al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria.

Syrian activists accuse Assad of new gas attacks: The reports were denied by Syria and have yet to be confirmed by any foreign country or international organization.

Syria accuses UN of obstructing peace talks: "The UN and its envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, who has taken sides and is no longer an honest mediator, are responsible for obstructing the Geneva II talks," a ministry official said, quoted by state television.

E.U. condemns Syria for scheduling June election amid ongoing conflict: EU diplomatic chief Catherine Ashton “deeply regrets the official declaration by the Syrian authorities that presidential elections will be held in Syria on June 3?, her spokesman said in a statement.

‘Saudi Arabia, France plan to disrupt Syria presidential election’: Saudi and French intelligence authorities are reportedly working on a plan to disrupt forthcoming presidential election in Syria, which may award President Bashar al-Assad a new term in office.

7 injured in Israeli airstrike on northern Gaza Strip: The airstrike hit Gaza as Hamas and the PLO announced a unity deal during a press conference in Gaza City.

Fatah-Hamas deal would end "peace" process, Liberman warns: Reported unity agreement between rival Palestinian factions slammed in Israel; Bennett says pact would create ‘unity government of terror’

Israel cancels peace talks meeting after unity deal announced: Israeli officials lambasted the deal, with economy minister and chairman of the "Jewish Home" party Naftali Bennett saying: "The Palestinian Authority has become the world's largest terror organization; we have entered a new political era in the Mideast," according to Israeli newspaper the Jerusalem Post.

Bomb, shooting in Egypt kills 2 police officers: A senior Egyptian police officer was killed by a bomb placed under his car in a western Cairo suburb Wednesday, the latest in a series of targeted attacks on police and the military as Islamic militant groups keep up a campaign of violence since last summer's ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.

US clears Egypt to receive Apache helicopters: The United States pledged 10 Apache helicopters to Egypt on Tuesday, easing back for the first time on sanctions placed against the country last year following the ousting of President Mohamed Morsi.

Jihadists Now Control Secretive U.S. Base in Libya: A key jihadist leader and longtime member of al Qaeda has taken control of a secretive training facility set up by U.S. special operations forces on the Libyan coastline

Benghazi attack could have been prevented if US hadn't 'switched sides in the War on Terror': damning report: Citizens Committee on Benghazi claims the US government allowed arms to flow to al-Qaeda-linked militants who opposed Muammar Gaddafi. Their rise to power, the group says, led to the Benghazi attack in 2012

War Criminal: Tony Blair warns on ‘titanic’ radical Islam threat: TONY Blair has urged a deal with Bashar Assad in Syria and further Nato involvement in Libya as part of a “titanic” struggle against radical Islam.

Ukraine re-launches crackdown, says it has U.S. backing: It was unclear what steps, in reality, Kiev could take to restore its authority in the mainly Russian-speaking east, without wrecking an international deal, signed last week in Geneva, designed to defuse the stand-off.

U.S. sending troops to Eastern Europe: The U.S. is sending about 600 ground troops to Eastern Europe this week to “reassure” allies there as Washington resumes its campaign of pressure on Russia over the Ukraine standoff.

NATO Minesweepers Set off on Baltic Deployment: Five NATO mine-hunting ships set off Tuesday on a deployment in the Baltic Sea, part of the alliance's efforts to strengthen its presence in Europe's ex-communist east as members there worry about Russia's intentions in Ukraine.

Moscow warns Kiev to pull back troops: Russia insists that Kiev pull back its troops from eastern Ukraine, as it accuses Washington of distorting Geneva pact.

Russia warns of response if pro-Federalist rebels attacked in Ukraine: Russia issued a blunt warning Wednesday it would respond if its interests are attacked in Ukraine, as pro-Kremlin rebels in the restive east of the country braced for a new military offensive by Kiev.

Reports of US-made weapons used by Ukraine have to be investigated, says Lavrov: Storehouses with ammunition and weapons, produced in the U.S. and found in Ukraine, were shown on television several days ago and Moscow would like this to be investigated, Lavrov said in an interview with the RT TV channel.

US State Dept publishes 'evidence' of Russian 'involvement' in Ukraine : Video -

NYT Retracts Russian-Photo Scoop: Two days after the New York Times led its editions with a one-sided article about photos supposedly proving that Russian special forces were behind the popular uprisings in eastern Ukraine, the Times published what you might call a modified, limited retraction.

Dutch scramble jets after Russian bombers approach: The Dutch ministry identified the planes as two Russian TU-95 Bears, and said it had launched two F-16s from Volkel air force base to intercept them. The Russian jets were escorted by aircraft from the Netherlands, Britain and Denmark until they departed.

Moscow to meet Ukraine for energy talks as European Union frees gas for Kiev: European and Russian officials will meet this week and next for emergency talks to try to prevent Moscow cutting off gas supply to Ukraine, as Europe explores how to pump more gas to the struggling country.

IMF Agrees $17bn Loan To Ukraine: International Monetary Fund staff endorsed a $17 billion loan to Ukraine to help the government pay its bills amid a projected economic contraction of 5 percent this year, according to government officials who have seen the recommendations.

Debris Washed Ashore in Australia Could Be From Missing Flight 370: According to reports, Australian police have collected "material that has washed ashore" on the southwest coast of Australia. Officials in Australia and Malaysia are looking closely at images of the wreckage to determine whether it is related to the missing jetliner.

Rio security ramped up after deadly unrest: The security operation comes after protests late Tuesday by residents over the death of a dancer who residents say was the victim of police brutality. A 27-year-old man was fatally shot in the head during the protests.

Brazilian Congress passes Internet bill of rights: - Brazil's Senate unanimously approved groundbreaking legislation on Tuesday that guarantees equal access to the Internet and protects the privacy of Brazilian users in the wake of U.S. spying revelations.

FBI ‘intentionally and unlawfully’ used No Fly List to recruit Muslims as informers: The FBI used a no-fly list to recruit four US Muslims as informants, violating their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, association and religion. That’s the claim being made by four US Muslims in a New York federal court Tuesday.

Sheriff ran air surveillance over Compton without telling residents: Under the nine-day trial program in January 2012, a video camera was mounted on a small plane that was deployed for six-hour periods during the day, the department said.

Spy device Tweets private conversations: McDonald told Wired that Conversnitch is just a taste of the real privacy threats facing Americans in an age of the sweeping NSA surveillance revealed by Edward Snowden.

Lawsuit: Audio depicts another police conspiracy to plant drug evidence: A police car dash cam captured Santa Clara deputies plotting to plant drugs in a woman’s home after their first illegal search turned up nothing, the woman claims in court.

Sickened family awarded $3 million in landmark fracking case: "The first fracking verdict in U.S. history” holds the industry responsible for health and property damage

Former Mobil Oil exec urges brakes on gas fracking: "Making fracking safe is simply not possible, not with the current technology, or with the inadequate regulations being proposed," said Allstadt, retired executive vice president of Mobil.

Study: Antibiotic-Resistant MRSA ‘Superbug’ Found In US Homes: An anti-biotic resistant “superbug” that has long affected hospitals and other health care locations around the world has now found a new “reservoir” location: inside U.S. homes.

====

April 22, 2014

We Cannot Still Ignore The Perils Of Intervention

By Patrick Cockburn

Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and now Ukraine. Catastrophe follows where US and EU meddle. Continue

Amateur Hour in Ukraine

By Eric Margolis

Recently, Sen. John McCain, the voice of America’s ignorant right, sneered that Russia was merely “a gas station masquerading as a country.” Continue

The New York Times Finds Russian Spies in Eastern Ukraine

By Alex Lantier

The New York Times has run a relentless campaign of lies and distortions backing US policy in Ukraine. Continue

Don't Let the Torturer Play Censor

By Noa Yachot

The agency charged with brutally torturing prisoners and lying about it to every oversight mechanism, – that same agency is getting to decide which information about its illegal conduct will be released to the public? Continue

"Was He Blackmailed?"
NSA Targeted Barack Obama Before He Became A Senator

Video

Luke Rudkowski speaks with NSA Whistleblower Russ Tice. Continue

The American Middle Class Is No Longer the World’s Richest

By David Leonhardt and Kevin Quealy

The American middle class, long the most affluent in the world, has lost that honor, and many Americans are dissatisfied with the state of the country. Continue

Government = Protection Racket for the 1 Percent

By Bill Moyers and Michael Winship

Inequality is what has turned Washington into a protection racket for the one percent. It buys all those goodies from government: Continue

Meltdown America

Video

Is The US Military Preparing For The Collapse Of The Dollar? Continue

A Key Test for International Law

By Craig Murray

The ethnic cleansing by the British of an entire small population and culture – the Chagos Islanders – is probably the most despicable act by Britain of my lifetime. Continue

Attacks in Syria kill 85, opposition says: London-based Syrian Network for Human Rights said 54 were killed in Aleppo, 17 in Homs, seven in the suburbs of Damascus, two each in Hama, Daraa and Idlib, and one in Rakka.

Armed opposition kills 57 Syrian soldiers: In Hama and Damascus 57 Syrian soldiers were killed Tuesday in conflicts with the armed opposition, Free Syrian Army, Syrian opposition sources said.

Anti-Assad forces make last stand for Homs: Weakened Syrian rebels are making their last desperate stand in Homs, as forces loyal to President Bashar Assad launch their harshest assault yet to expel them from the central city, once known as the capital of the revolution.

Syrian MP: Saudi Failure in Syria to Backfire Soon: Saudi Arabia never expected such a heavy defeat in Syria, and the ouster of its notorious Intelligence Chief Bandar Bin Sultan was just one of the many outcomes of this defeat and Saudi King Abdullah should wait for many more boomerang effects, a senior Syrian lawmaker said.

55 alledged al-Qaida militants killed in Yemen after US-backed air offensive: The reported deaths of 55 militants on Sunday alone would make it the biggest strike against al-Qaida militants in years.

How to Translate a News Story About A Drone Strike: Reports of airstrikes against AQAP targets in Yemen typically do not identify the nationality of the aircraft that launched the strike. The United States will not confirm or deny that its aircraft carried out the strike. The Yemeni Air Force is virtually incapable of conducting airstrikes. Reliably, these strikes prove to have been conducted by the United States.

Court Orders DOJ To Make Public Justification For Killing American Citizens With Drone Strikes : Video -

4 Yemeni soldiers killed in clashes in southeastern Yemen: - Four Yemeni soldiers were killed on Monday and three others wounded during clashes with gunmen in southeastern province of Hadramout, military sources said.

2 Yemeni army officers killed by gunmen in Sanaa: Suspected al-Qaida gunmen killed two army officers in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa on Tuesday, while chief of Sanaa security escaped an overnight assassination attempt, an interior ministry official said.

20 killed in separate attacks across Iraq: 20 people were killed and 38 others wounded in separate violent attacks across Iraq, including an attack on polling center, police and medical sources said on Tuesday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Al-Maliki accuses Saudi Arabia of supporting terrorism in the region: The Saudi Arabia lives the dream of toppling Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, but it will not succeed, al-Maliki said in an interview with al-Manar TV broadcast Monday, calling Saudi Arabia to stop interfering in the Iraqi affairs and to respect the interests of Iraq.

US to Abbas: Shuttering PA 'would have grave implications': State Department spokeswoman warns 'dissolving the PA is not in interest of Palestinians' as Abbas proposal would have implications for US relations, aid.

Rival Palestinian parties to meet in Gaza: A delegation sent by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is set to arrive in the Gaza Strip for a new round of Palestinian reconciliation talks with rival political party Hamas.

Israel to send call-up papers to Christian Arabs: army radio: Israel is to start sending call-up papers to all Christian Arabs of military service age, army radio reported Tuesday, angering Arab lawmakers who accused the government of seeking to divide Christians from Muslims.

25 killed in ethnic fighting in Nigeria's Taraba: At least 25 people were killed in a new bout of ethnic violence in Nigeria's northeastern Taraba state, according to local authorities. "The latest crisis painfully led to new 25 deaths," acting Governor Garba Umar told reporters on Tuesday.

South Sudan rebels in ‘multiple attacks’: There is ongoing fighting in the north-east of Upper Nile State and the east of Jonglei State, Philip Aguer said.

Libya to cut budget by a third to offset loss: More than half of the budget goes to subsidies and salaries for overstaffed and public service. Cuts in infrastructure projects risk fuelling social tensions. Libya needs to replace and repair roads, universities and schools damaged during the 2011 uprising.

12 Taliban militants killed, 9 others injured in Afghan operations: Interior ministry also added that Afghan security forces detained 3 militants during the operations and various types of weapons, ammunition and explosives were seized.

At least 8 people killed as Pakistan attacks target two police patrols: Pakistani police said the attacks took place on Tuesday morning on the outskirts of Peshawar city and in the neighbouring district of Charsadda.

U.S. occupation force in Afghanistan may be cut to less than 10,000 troops: There are now about 33,000 U.S. occupation troops in Afghanistan, down from 100,000 in 2011, when troop numbers peaked

Ukraine To Relaunch Military Operations Against Pro-Federalists After Politician Killed: - Ukraine's acting president called for an anti-terrorist operation to be relaunched in the east of the country on Tuesday after the body of a local politician from his own party was found showing signs of torture.

Ukrainian thugs beat up a young pro-Russian man and throw him into a river: Video - There have apparently been growing reports of masked thugs from the pro-government side trawling the streets, claiming to be acting as agents of the Ukrainian nationalist political party.

Biden: Washington will never recognize Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea: Video - Vice President Joe Biden demanded action from Russia to back up their commitment to ease tensions in eastern Ukraine, telling Vladimir Putin to ”stop supporting men hiding behind masks.”

Russia Hits Back at Biden: We Are Ready for 'Unfriendly Steps': "We will not allow our citizens to become hostages of political games."

U.S.: Russia has 'days, not weeks' to follow accord on Ukraine crisis: The U.S. has warned that it will quickly order new economic sanctions on Russian officials and entities if Moscow doesn't follow through on the provisions in last week's accord.

US troops head to exercises in Eastern Europe: U.S. Army paratroopers are arriving in Poland to begin a series of military exercises in four countries across Eastern Europe to bolster allies in the wake of Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula last month.

What the 'Russian soldier' photos say: Three photos provided by Ukrainian government appear to show the same soldier in operations in Georgia in 2008 and in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in Ukraine in 2014 These photos purport to show the same bearded Russian soldier (circled) in operations in Georgia in 2008 and Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in Ukraine in 2014

Sounds Like Congressman Peter King Is Calling For "Regime Change" IN RUSSIA! : Video -

The Business of America Is Giving Countries Like Ukraine the Business: Everybody’s got an opinion about the “showdown” with Russia. But the most-revealing voice in the chorus is Condi Rice.

Ukraine crisis: Witnesses to Mariupol violence: "I want Russia to help us because at the moment it's not like we are living in eastern Ukraine," says Larissa, "We only have hope in Russia. Do you understand in the West? You don't understand us. There are fascists in Kiev. How can the West not see that?"

Russia expels Canadian diplomat: report: Russia expelled a first secretary at the Canadian embassy in Moscow on Tuesday in what it said was a response to Canada's earlier expulsion of a Russian assistant military attache, Russian news agencies quoted a foreign ministry source as saying.

Russia to create united naval base system for ships, subs in Arctic - Putin: A united system of naval bases for ships and next-generation submarines will be created in the Arctic to defend Russia’s interests in the region, President Vladimir Putin said.

David Cameron's constituency office calls police on food bank campaigners Bishop of Oxford and Reverend Keith Hebden: David Cameron’s constituency office has come under fire for calling the police on the Bishop of Oxford and Reverend Hebden as they attempted to present him with an open letter on food poverty.

Austerity in Greece caused more than 500 male suicides, say researchers: Study finds clear link between spending cuts and rise in number of men who killed themselves between 2009 and 2010

Bolivia raises minimum wage by 20%: Bolivia will raise the minimum wage by 20%, President Evo Morales announced on Monday. The increase is well above inflation, which was 6.5% in 2013.

Clapper bans US intelligence employees from 'unauthorised' media contact: “No substantive information should be provided to the media regarding covered matters in the case of unplanned or unintentional contacts,” reads the directive, which defines “covered matters” as “intelligence-related information, including intelligence sources, methods, activities, and judgments.”

Oklahoma militia members join fight against feds: Shaw says Oklahoma Militia members are ready to take up arms against the federal government if needed.

White House asks American parents to monitor their children for signs of terrorism: In a speech earlier this week, Lisa O. Monaco, President Barack Obama’s assistant for homeland security and counterterrorism, insisted that American parents must be vigilant because their “confrontational” children could be on the verge of becoming terrorists.

In a world gone crazy: TSA pat down 2 & 6 year old : Video

The mentality of J Edgar Hoover’s FBI undergirds today’s surveillance state: People forget that the FBI is the NSA's primary partner in domestic spying, which allows them to work in secret

Man calls to report a burglary, deputy arrives and shoots his dog in the head: "Serve and Protect? More like Invade and Attack," said the homeowner.

April 21, 2014

Ukraine and the Grand Chessboard

By Pepe Escobar

Welcome to the Two Stooges doctrine of post-modern warfare. Continue

Ukraine: Poland Trained Putchists Two Months in Advance

By Thierry Meyssan

New revelations belie Western discourse and demonstrate that the current interim government of Oleksandr Tourtchynov was imposed by NATO in violation of international law. Continue

Harper on Russia: America's Useful Idiot?

By Murray Dobbin

It is difficult to know what is going on in the fevered imagination of the prime minister but this time one has to really wonder if he has become genuinely unhinged -- always a possibility with someone both paranoid and narcissistic. Continue

In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin

By PETER BAKER

Mr. Obama is focused on isolating President Vladimir V. Putin’s Russia by cutting off its economic and political ties to the outside world, limiting its expansionist ambitions in its own neighborhood and effectively making it a pariah state. Continue

US-NATO Build-up to Cold War 2.0

By Peter Koenig

As the credibility gap is widening and people in Europe and even in the US are increasingly seeking alternative news media  to find out the truth, the lies are becoming progressively more brazen. Continue

“Crimes Against Peace”: Historic Class Action Law Suit Against George W. Bush

By Inder Comar

An Iraqi single mother and refugee now living in Jordan, filed a class action lawsuit against George W. Bush, Richard Cheney, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld and Paul Wolfowitz in a federal court in California. Continue

White-Washing White Terrorism
The Jewish Community Center Shootings

By Ajamu Baraka

Frazier Glenn Cross, aka Frazier Glenn Miller, brought terror to Overland Park. With the intention to “kill him some Jews,” Continue

Too Big to Jail?

By Tom Engelhardt

Why Kidnapping, Torture, Assassination, and Perjury Are No Longer Crimes in Washington. Continue

The Rhetoric of Violence

By Chris Hedges

Chauvinism, violent retribution, a perverted Christianity and the celebration of a mythic Anglo-Saxon history will sever sections of the population from reality, enticing them into an American fascism. Continue

Can Democracy Tame Plutocracy?

By Robert Borosag

Hopefully, we won’t need to experience another calamity or world war to rouse Americans to take their democracy back. Continue

Singing the Praises of Power

By Chris Floyd

Greenwald- now works for an oligarch, Pierre Omidyar, whose profit-driven philanthropy and government connections make him the very model of a modern oligarch. Continue

The Real Money-Making Methods of the Super-Rich Are Far From Praiseworthy

By Paul Buchheit

"In the race to get ahead, the effects of inheritance come first and merit second, not the other way around." Continue

Postcard from the End of America: Bensalem

By Linh Dinh

As tiny men of a vast yet dying empire, we’re no historical actors like a Joseph Galloway, yet our reading of events will also determine whether we, too, will lose everything. Continue

Why Everything You Think You Know about Jesus is Wrong

By Reza Aslan

Jesus was a revolutionary political leader rather than the peaceful prophet characterized by mainstream culture. Continue

Middle East

Yemen: US kills more than 40 people in two days: - Air strikes in southern Yemen killed about 30 suspected al Qaeda members on Sunday, local tribal sources said, in the second day of strikes against militant targets in the country.

US kills 3 civilians in Yemen: A civilian survivor claimed explosions continued for 30 minutes until another drone struck near their car, killing one of his companions and wounding him. The strike killed three civilians and wounded three others, according to medical officials.

Third suspected US drone strike kills 'several' alledged al-Qaida militants: The Monday morning attack was the third in three days. On Saturday, 10 suspected militants and three civilians died in the al-Bayda province; on Sunday around 30 were killed in the mountainous south of the country.

Bush- Blair Legacy Continues As 33 People killed in attacks across Iraq: Monday: The deadliest attack occurred in Iraq's Wasit province when a suicide bomber drove his explosives-laden car into a police checkpoint and blew it up near Suwairah city, some 50 km southeast of Baghdad, leaving 10 dead and up to 17 others wounded, Xinhua quoted a police source as saying.

Mortar shells kills 5 people near Syrian parliament: SANA news agency says the mortars struck some 320 feet from the parliament in the Salihiya area of the Syrian capital on Monday morning (local time).

More WMD propaganda? Assad 'Launching Chemical Attacks With Chlorine': The French government says there are "indications" Syrian President Bashar al Assad is still using chemical weapons against his own people.

U.S. says has indications toxic chemical used in Syria this month: "We have indications of the use of a toxic industrial chemical" in the town of Kfar Zeita, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, referring to a rebel-held area.

Peddler of Iraq War Lies Now Pushes Lies On Urkaine to Drum Up Confrontation with Russia: Intelligence regarding Syria is arguably being manipulated even more blatantly than intelligence on Saddam and Iraq.

Syria presidential date fixed for June 3: Assad, whose term ends on July 17, expected to run and win another seven-year term in office despite the conflict.

President Bashar Al-Assad visits christian town of maloula on easter.: Video - President al-Assad in Maaloula on the easter, and his tour of the place and the monasteries destroyed and meeting on the way back a number of residents and soilders who liberated the town from islamists.

Mock executions, beatings: Journalists describe Syria ordeal: Details are starting to trickle through of the ordeal experienced by the four French journalists who returned home Sunday after being held hostage for 10 months at the hands of the most radical of Syria's jihadist groups, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Palestinians issue list of demands for extension of "peace" talks: Keeping peace process alive would require settlement freeze, prisoner release, drawing of future border, senior Fatah official says

Palestinians mull handing territory 'keys' back to Israel: The official said the Palestinians told US peace envoy Martin Indyk on Friday that, unless Israel releases Palestinian prisoners as agreed and freezes settlement building, they could dismantle the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) of President Mahmoud Abbas.

Hamas to release 6 Fatah prisoners: The Interior Ministry in the Gaza Strip announced on Monday that it would release six Fatah prisoners later in the day as a goodwill gesture to pave the road for reconciliation with the rival Palestinian movement.

UN peace envoy denied entry to Church of the Holy Sepulchre by Israeli police: While Palestinian Christians and Muslims from the West Bank and Gaza have to apply for permits to enter Jerusalem for their religious celebrations, Israeli Jews (and effectively, any Jew regardless of their nationality) participate in their religious celebrations in occupied East Jerusalem without any restriction.

Israel Uses Refugees as "Currency" in Arms Trade with Africa: Rwanda and Uganda agree to take African refugees as part of arms deal after Israel denied their asylum claims and imprisoned them.

The New York Times agrees to be gagged by Israel: The New York Times’ public editor, has written a thoughtful and important piece criticizing the way the newspaper complied with an Israeli-imposed gag order on the case of Majd Kayyal.

Israeli, Palestinian teen offenders face different fates: There is a vast disparity in Israel's justice system in the West Bank, while Jewish settlers fall mostly under civilian rule, Palestinians are subject to Israeli military law.

Asia

29 militants killed in Afghan forces operations: As many as twenty nine armed rebels were killed and 11 others injured during a series of military operations, the ministry of interior said had been launched in some provinces of the country.

Taliban negotiator released in UAE, returns to Kabul-peace body: A top Afghan peace negotiator held under house arrest in the United Arab Emirates has been released and returned to Kabul, an Afghan peace council official said on Monday, seemingly closing the door on a peace track favoured by President Hamid Karzai.

Afghanistan presidential vote – Abdullah widens lead with 44%: Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah’s lead in the Afghan presidential race has widened, the latest official tally of votes released yesterday showed, although half of the votes have yet to be counted.

335 NATO bases transferred to Afghan security forces: The transfer of the military bases and facilities are part of the NATO forces withdrawal from Afghanistan as coalition forces are winding down over a decade old combat mission in Afghanistan by the end of this year.

Africa

Algeria: AQIM militants kill 14 soldiers in mountains: 'Islamist" militants have killed 14 Algerian soldiers in an ambush on a convoy in mountains east of the capital Algiers, security officials say. It is believed the attack was carried out by fighters from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqim).

Somali MP killed in car bomb attack: Isak Mohamed killed and another politician injured by a bomb attached to vehicle in Mogadishu.

South Sudan conflict: Bentiu 'ethnic slaughter' condemned: Hundreds of people were killed because of their ethnic group after South Sudan rebels seized the oil hub of Bentiu last week, the UN has said. They were targeted at a mosque, a church and a hospital, the UN Mission in South Sudan said in a statement.

Kidnapped diplomat begs for his life – Jihadist group releases video of sobbing hostage: A Tunisian diplomat kidnapped in Libya pleaded with his government to negotiate with his Islamist captors, according to a video released by an Islamist group on Sunday evening.

Egypt election: Hamdeen Sabahi to run against Sisi: Mr Sabahi, a left-winger who came third in the previous poll in 2012, is so far the only challenger to former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi - who last month announced that he was standing.

Europe

‘Easter truce’ broken: Five deaths in checkpoint raid in E. Ukraine: Five people have been killed in a gunfight in Slavyansk, a city in eastern Ukraine held by anti-government protesters. The fatalities include three protesters and two attackers, who are believed to be from the Right Sector paramilitary.

Russian outrage at fatal Sloviansk shooting: Russia's foreign ministry has expressed outrage at a fatal shooting incident in eastern Ukraine which it blamed on Ukrainian nationalists.

Lavrov: Kiev crudely violating Geneva deal: Russian foreign minister says Ukraine is doing nothing to control "extremists" in east after deadly exchange of fire.

Military intervention in Ukraine risks spiralling into 'all-out war' with Russia: Head of MI6 is understood to have told David Cameron that Vladimir Putin will not “stand idly by” if the West sends troops to support the Ukrainian government

Lavrov: US should face responsibility for powers it installed in Kiev: The Russian Foreign Minister says the US should take responsibility for those whom they put in power instead issuing ultimatums to Moscow.

Biden heads to Kiev to meet Ukraine leaders: Biden is set to meet with Ukraine's interim prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, He is also scheduled to meet with the staff and family of U.S. diplomats stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Kiev as well with a group of civil society leaders at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine.

Ukraine rabbi seeks end to hoax, anti-Semitism row - in vain: A Ukrainian rabbi whose congregation was the target of an anti-Semitic leaflet that drew global media interest and condemnation from the U.S. government believes it was a hoax and wants to put the matter to rest.

Americas

Riot police, protesters clash in Venezuela: Fresh clashes erupted in Venezuela's capital, with hooded anti-government protesters hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails at riot police who returned fire with rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon.

Mexico: A Global Call For Freedom From Attacks On Speech: Enrique Peña Nieto seeks an end to community media in Mexico along with the indigenous radio stations and also wants to create “quiet zones” which would force telecoms to cut any signal; telephone, internet and radio during demonstrations, rallies and during situations considered threatening to national security.

The Downfall of Jean-Bertrand Aristide: Audio - President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti was forced out of power by a countrywide uprising in February 2004. He had lost the support of both domestic and international backers. Hear from his lawyer Ira Kurzban who lived through that time.

Manning Determined to Fight Back After Army Upholds 35- Year Sentence: Attorneys for Wikileaks source Chelsea Manning begin working on the appeals process after the military finds her guilty under the Espionage Act, a statute the Obama administration has invoked more than all previous presidencies

Beale AFB drone protest results in 11 arrests: Eleven anti-drone protesters were arrested Friday and cited as trespassers on Beale Air Force Base, the most people detained at one time since arrests of the demonstrators began 18 months ago.

Homeland Security Adviser Warns Parents That Their Mouthy Kids May Grow Up To Be Terrorists: Here's a short (but by no means all-inclusive) list of activities that are supposedly indicators of terrorism-in-progress.

U.S. Tribe Looks to International Court for Justice: An indigenous community in the United States has filed a petition against the federal government, alleging that officials have repeatedly broken treaties and that the court system has failed to offer remedy.

Never Mind Cliven Bundy: Here’s the Real David vs. Goliath Story Between Ranchers and Feds: Nevada is home to another epic battle between ranchers and the feds. As in Bundy's case, it involves ranchers Mary and Carrie Dann, whose ancestors lived on the land long before the federal government staked a claim to it.

DARPA producing sea-floor pods that can release attack drones on command: The Pentagon’s research arm, DARPA, is developing robot pods that can sit at the bottom of the ocean for long stretches of time, waiting to release airborne and water-based drones to the surface upon an attack command.

Police beat up entire wedding party, ruin pro baseball player’s career: More than a dozen wedding guests were brutalized by police officers during a raid on a wedding party at a hotel. Cops fired tasers, used batons, and generously applied pepper spray to the guests of a bride and groom hours after their wedding.

Warrantless bag searches become ubiquitous for Boston subway, bus travelers: Warrantless bag searches at have become commonplace at travel checkpoints in Boston as concerns for Homeland Security have overridden citizens’ right to be free of unreasonable searches. Travelers are forced to “security inspections” of their handbags, briefcases, and other personal possessions.

There are no human rights on a dead planet: 2012 was the worst year so far to be an environmental defender, with 147 killings – nearly three times more than in 2002.

Study: Fuels from corn waste not better than gas: - Biofuels made from the leftovers of harvested corn plants are worse than gasoline for global warming in the short term, a study shows, challenging the Obama administration's conclusions that they are a much cleaner oil alternative and will help combat climate change.

Composing Only 5% of the World Population, Americans Take 50% of All Pharmaceutical Drugs: These drugs are meant to keep us imprisoned in poor health, not heal us. It’s time to kick the drug habit America.

USDA tries to contain virus killing millions of pigs: Farms stricken with a deadly pig virus must report outbreaks as part of a new program to help monitor and possibly control the spread of the disease, the federal government announced Friday.

April 19, 2014

Don’t Shoot in Eastern Ukraine!

By Dr. Dieter Duhm

Help the friends in eastern Ukraine now! Help that they will persevere with peaceful power, that they will allow neither the West nor Russia to occupy them. Continue

Antisemitic Flyer 'by Donetsk People's Republic' in Ukraine a Hoax

By Alec Luhn in Donetsk

City's chief rabbi states pamphlet is fake, claiming it is meant to discredit pro-Russian protesters or Jewish community. Continue

The Obscenity of War in a World of Need and Suffering

By Adnan Al-Daini

The suffering to millions of fellow human beings is kept from us by mainstream media too ready to play its role. Continue

Why is the US Honoring a Racist Rabbi?

By Alison Weir

"The difference in the inner quality between Jews and non-Jews is “so great that the bodies should be considered as completely different species.” Continue

How Egypt’s Rebel Movement Helped Pave The Way For A Sisi Presidency

By Sheera Frenkel and Maged Atef

For the first time, one of the five founders of the Tamarod, the movement that led the protests that ousted the Muslim Brotherhood last year, admits his movement was taking orders from the army. Continue

Seeking Atonement For Torture

By Eric T. Fair

Late in the summer of 2005, I returned from Iraq for the second time. My conscience was poisoned, my moral code shattered. Continue

The Next Shoe Just Dropped
Court Denies Attorney-Client Privilege

By Simon Black

In the Land of the Free, people grow up hearing a lot of things about their freedom. You’re told that you live in the freest country on the planet. You’re told that other nations ‘hate you’ for your freedom. Continue

Wall Street Deregulation Pushed by Clinton Advisers, Documents Reveal

By Dan Roberts

Previously restricted papers reveal attempts to rush president to support act, later blamed for deepening banking crisis. Continue

Monied Interests Almost Always Win

By Philip Giraldi

Las Vegas billionaire Sheldon Adelson epitomizes the corruption that money brings. Continue

What the 1% Don't Want You to Know

By Bill Moyers

Economist Paul Krugman explains how the United States is becoming an oligarchy - the very system our founders revolted against. Continue

Capitalism Is The Crisis

Video
The 2008 "financial crisis" in the United States was a systemic fraud in which the wealthy finance capitalists stole trillions of public dollars. Continue

Violence kills 29 as Iraqi forces hit militants: Violence in Iraq killed 29 people on Saturday, most of them militants who died in a security forces assault that pushed them out of an area west of Baghdad, officials said.

U.S. murders 21 people in Yemen: A U.S. drone raid on early Saturday killed 16 alledged al-Qaida militants and five civilians in Yemen' s southeastern province of al-Bayda, a Yemeni army officer said.

Over 60 militants killed after clashes between rivalry factions in Syria: According to reports, terrorists from the al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) killed 65 fellow militants belonging to the so-called al-Nusra and Islamic Fronts in a new instance of infighting that erupted in the suburbs of Syria’s eastern city of Deir ez-Zor.

Car bombs kill at least 10 in central Syria: Two rebel car bombs targeted two central Syrian areas controlled by government forces on Saturday, killing at least ten people as opposition forces fought fiercely to hold onto territory, officials and activists reported.

French journalist tells of release from captivity in Syria: French journalist Nicolas Hénin, who was released on Saturday after a 10-month detention in Syria, told FRANCE 24 that his release was "clearly coordinated" with Turkish military personnel across the border.

Two killed in Bahrain car explosion: It is not clear whether the victims were deliberately targeted or whether they were planning to carry out an attack themselves.

Official: PLO members consider disbanding PA: "The future of the PA has become unclear because when it was established, it was meant as a temporary stage leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state," Amira said. "Thus, if the PA doesn't lead to statehood, things should be reviewed."

Al-Qaeda leader: Abbas is a traitor who is selling out Palestine: Ayman al-Zawahiri accuses PA president of 'giving up on the right of return to please the US'; Fatah officials call Zawahiri 'hypocrite.'

New message from al Qaeda leader: Two videos and one audio link have come to light in recent days that suggest that the world's most recognizable terrorist group is still active, at least in online postings.

20 C. Africans killed in Grimari sectarian clashes: At least 20 people were killed in three days of sectarian clashes between Christian anti-balaka militias and mainly Muslim seleka fighters in Grimari, 300km northeast of capital Bangui, Antoine Mbao Bogo, president of the local chapter of the Red Cross, said.

Egypt police officer killed in new Cairo bomb blast: An Egyptian police officer was killed on Friday evening when a bomb targeting a traffic police kiosk in Cairo exploded, security officials said,

44 abducted girls freed in Nigeria: Education official confirms release of 44 of the 129 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram fighters in Borno state.

Afghanistan: Taliban leader among 5 rebels killed in Ghazni mosque explosion : A local Taliban commander was among five militants killed following an explosion inside a mosque in eastern Ghazni province of Afghanistan.

4 Taliban Insurgents Killed in Afghan Army Operation: The Ministry of Defense stated on Saturday that at least four Taliban insurgents were killed and six others were injured in an Afghan army operation early Friday.

U.S. ground troops going to Poland, defense minister says: Poland and the United States will announce next week the deployment of U.S. ground forces to Poland as part of an expansion of NATO presence in Central and Eastern Europe in response to events in Ukraine. That was the word from Poland’s defense minister, Tomasz Siemoniak,

Nato belligerence endangers us all: Op-Ed: It is the US drive to expand eastwards which lies at the root of the crisis in the former Soviet republic

Ukraine: Federalist refuse to end occupation despite Geneva agreement: Pro-Federalist groups occupying a string of public buildings across eastern Ukraine have insisted that they would not end their occupation until a referendum to decide the status of the region had taken place.

Ukraine may hold presidential elections under state of emergency: Ukraine may hold early presidential elections slated for late May even if a state of emergency is declared in some regions, Central Electoral Commission Deputy Chair Andrei Magera said on Saturday, April 19.

Russian EU envoy says Kiev misinterpreted Geneva agreement: "In particularly that it only applies to the eastern and southern provinces and those who are demanding federalism, but it not to Kiev, where (it thinks) everything is legal including the ongoing occupation of Maidan (Independence Square)" (Reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel)

Putin makes overture to incoming NATO chief: President Vladimir Putin on Saturday lauded incoming NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in sharp contrast to his recent comments on the bloc's outgoing chief. "We (Putin and Stoltenberg) have very warm relations, including personal relations," he said in a local television interview, adding Stoltenberg "is a very serious and responsible man."

Russia says reinforced troops on Ukraine border as precaution: "We ... have forces in the region of the Ukrainian border. Some of these forces are based there permanently, others are there to reinforce, against the backdrop of what is happening in Ukraine itself," Dmitry Peskov, spokesman to Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the Rossiya 1 television station.

Inside the 'Donetsk People's Republic': In east Ukraine, a pro-Russian group has declared an independent republic from within an occupied building in Donetsk. "All of Europe should help us against fascism," said 73-year-old supporter Vladimir Khachaturian, who says he has very early memories of the Second World War. "And we don't want more oligarchs who help Kyiv."

Rice: Obama disgusted by anti-Semitic leaflets: President Barack Obama's national security adviser says anti-Semitic leaflets distributed in Ukraine were "utterly sickening" and that Obama has bluntly expressed his disgust.

Debunking flyer saying Jews in Ukraine must ‘register’ or face expulsion: The ADL believes it's a hoax.

Ukraine Jew registration hoax traced: Email intercepts that included the original copies of anti-Semitic leaflets distributed in Eastern Ukraine have now been shown to be part of an elaborate false flag hoax to sabotage recent US-Russian talks.

That flyer about Jews needing to 'register' in Ukraine is fake: A flyer demanding that Jews in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk register with its pro-Russian government is “fake,” a Jewish advocacy group with direct contacts in the region tells the Daily Dot.

Documentary reveals US Air Force unit recruits gamers to kill with drones in Pakistan: "The US military has been doing this for a long time with games like America’s Army. And in the film, we visit several Scandinavian gaming conferences, where the militaries very actively recruit gamers as our new warriors for the modern warfare not just drone war, but also cyber warfare"

US drone pilots are 'stressed' and 'demoralized' – official report: ?The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has produced a scathing report detailing the Air Force’s mismanagement of its active-duty drone pilots, who are responsible for the most demanding and deadly missions in the entire US military.

Guantánamo judge to CIA: Disclose ‘black site’ details to USS Cole defense lawyers: The military judge in the USS Cole bombing case has ordered the CIA to give defense lawyers details — names, dates and places — of its secret overseas detention and interrogation of the man accused of planning the bombing, two people who have read the still-secret order said Thursday.

CIA torture architect breaks silence to defend 'enhanced interrogation': The psychologist regarded as the architect of the CIA's “enhanced interrogation” program has broken a seven-year silence to defend the use of torture techniques against al-Qaida terror suspects in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

Cubans Celebrate Anniversary of Bay Of Pigs Victory : Cubans on Saturday celebrated the 53rd anniversary of their victory over a 1,500-strong mercenary invading force, the so-called Brigade 2506, equipped, trained and financed by the U.S. government, at Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs).

UK: HMRC to sell taxpayers' financial data - Guardian: The personal financial data of millions of taxpayers could be sold to private firms under laws being drawn up by HM Revenue & Customs in a move branded "dangerous" by tax professionals and "borderline insane" by a senior Conservative MP.

UK: 73% of today's students will still be paying off their tuition fees in their 50s: Three out of four of today’s students will reach their 50s still owing debts from university of around £30,000, according to a major study published today.

Inmates to strike in Alabama, declare prison is “running a slave empire”: Inmates at an Alabama prison plan to stage a work stoppage this weekend and hope to spur an escalating strike wave, a leader of the effort told Salon in a Thursday phone call from his jail cell.

Western lawmakers gather in Utah to talk federal land takeover: It’s time for Western states to take control of federal lands within their borders, lawmakers and county commissioners from Western states said at Utah’s Capitol on Friday.