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January 21, 2016

 

 

Putin "Probably" Approved Litvinenko Killing: UK Inquiry
By AFP and RT
The findings of the 300-page report pile pressure on Britain to act against Russia in response.  Continue

 

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Litvinenko – Worth More Dead Than Alive
By Finian Cunningham
So now Russian President is a cold-blooded assassin, as well as Europe’s “new Hitler”  Continue

 

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Who Is Putin Talking To?
By Mikhail Khazin
This is why Russia with its current political elite is doomed to isolation.  Continue

 

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“Staggering” Violence in Iraq: The Legacy of US War and Occupation
By Bill Van Auken
Two United Nations agencies released a report Tuesday that recorded at least 55,047 civilian casualties between January 1, 2014 and October 31, 2015.  Continue

 

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Why the US Anti-terror Coalition is Failing
By Finian Cunningham
The US, its Western allies and regional client regimes are in the front ranks of the terror problem.  Continue

 

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China Wades Into The Iran-Saudi Swamp
By Pepe Escobar
Iran is back with a bang. And what a bang.  Continue

 

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Does a Hegemon Ever Meaningfully Apologize?
By Kim Petersen
Right-wingers will portray apologizing as a sign of weakness.  Continue

 

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Modernizing the Opportunities for Nuclear War
By Lawrence Wittner
The findings of the 300-page report pile pressure on Britain to act against Russia.  Continue

 

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Your Choice: Thirteen-Billion-Dollar Aircraft Carrier vs. Cure for Cancer
By Joe Clifford
How many Americans have been killed by “terrorists” vs. how many Americans have died from cancer?  Continue

 

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A Drone Protestor Heads to Jail
By Bill Moyers
She will serve six months for photographing a protest of an airfield in upstate New York where missions are carried out.  Continue

 

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Syria: The army kills many terrorists, including leaders, destroys several centers in various areas: The terrorist organizations are losing more of their members, weapons and equipment, including vehicles with machine guns mounted on them, in the course of the army’s continued operations in different areas across the country.

Al-Qaeda ‘Emir’ killed in Syria’s Idlib/ Photos: Al-Qaeda branch in Syria, Nusra Front, announced on Wednesday the death of its “Emir” in the town of Ariha in Idlib province in an attack by gunmen. Abu Ateeq al-Adel was killed along with one of his escorts when their car was attacked by a group of gunmen in Ariha town.

500 families returning home as ISIS & Nusra jihadists withdraw from Damascus suburbs: Some 500 families are set to return to the devastated southern suburbs of Damascus, after ISIS and Al-Nusra fighters were allowed to withdraw from the area unharmed, as part of a “national reconciliation” deal with the Syrian government.

Russian Strikes in Syria Have Stabilized Assad, Top U.S. General Says: Because of the Russian airstrikes, General Dunford said, Mr. Assad has “regained some small amounts of ground” and has managed to consolidate control in some areas where his forces had previously been under siege from opposition groups, including some backed by the United States.

Islamist militants in Aleppo, Syria, got reinforcements from Turkey - Russian Foreign Ministry : Russia is concerned over Ankara’s increased military incursions into Syria, adding that “it cannot be ruled out that… fortifications [built by Turkey] along the Syrian-Turkish border may be used by militant groups as strongholds.

Turkey Invades Syria: Eyewitnesses to the incursion reported that the Turkish forces have not encountered any resistance from ISIS fighters, which raises the question of possible collaboration between ISIS and Turkey.

No evidence Turkey wants to fight ISIS: Iraq PM: "The Turks are telling us otherwise, (that) they're eager to fight Daesh. But I'm telling them frankly, I'm not seeing evidence of that. I hope to see more evidence of that," Al-Abadi said.

25 ISIS elements killed in coalition aerial bombardment in central Mosul: On Thursday, Kurdistan Democratic Party announced, that 25 elements of the so-called ISIS were either killed or wounded in an aerial bombardment carried out by the international coalition aviation on ISIS headquarters in the center of Mosul (405 km north of Baghdad).

US-led coalition airstrikes kills Iraqi civilians: “Yes, we were prepared to accept civilian casualties in conjunction with this cash strike, it’s tragic and it’s not something that we want to do,” said Army Colonel Steve Warren, spokesman for the US Command in Iraq.

9 ISIS elements killed in artillery shelling north of Mosul: On Thursday, Kurdistan Democratic Party announced, that nine elements of the so-called ISIS were killed in an artillery shelling carried out by the Peshmerga forces north of Mosul , while indicated to the destruction of two vehicles belonging to ISIS in the shelling.

ISIS prepares to attack Haditha District from two axes: “ISIS mobilized its elements and equipped them with a number of car bombs to attack the earth mounds and defensive barriers of the security forces in the district.”

Pentagon to increase number of US troops in Iraq : “As territory is retaken from IS, as moving up and ultimately including Mosul, there are going to need to be not just ground forces that can seize territory, but police forces that can keep security,” the Defense Secretary said.

US to sell Iraq huge arsenal of attack jet munitions: The United States has approved the sale of almost $2 billion worth of bombs and missiles to equip Iraq's squadron of F-16 attack jets in their battle against extremist rebels

Amnesty accuses Turkey of ‘collective punishment’ in Kurdish southeast: Turkey security forces are subjecting residents of Kurdish-dominated southeastern Turkey to “collective punishment” with military operations backed by curfews, Amnesty International said on Thursday, accusing the army of “recklessly” using excessive force.

Yemen : Saudi-led air strike kills at least 9: An air strike by a Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen killed at least nine people on Thursday at an oil facility on the Red Sea operated by its Houthi opponents, oil workers and medics said.

Israel confirms plans to seize West Bank land: Israel confirmed on Thursday it was planning to appropriate a large tract of fertile land in the occupied West Bank, close to Jordan, a move likely to exacerbate tensions with Western allies and already drawing international condemnation.

HRW urges businesses to obey human rights laws, cut ties with Israeli settlements: Human Rights Watch has issued a damning report on Israel’s illegal settlement activity in the occupied territories, urging businesses to comply with the international humanitarian law and stop any activity that violates Palestinians’ rights.

Gunmen kill five Egyptian police in Sinai “Unidentified gunmen opened fire on security forces at El-Etlawi square in the centre of El-Arish,” the ministry said in a statement, referring to the North Sinai provincial capital.

Kenya police kill 4 terror suspects in tourist town shoot-out: Four terrorism suspects have been shot dead by police in the Kenyan coastal town of Malindi while two others escaped, police said. Police said the dead from yesterday's raid included Suleiman Mohamed Awadh, who features on a "most wanted criminals" list

Tunisian Police Officer Killed as Unrest Over Joblessness Spreads: A Tunisian police officer died in clashes with young protesters who had overturned his car during one of a series of demonstrations against mass unemployment, as unrest triggered by the death of an unsuccessful job-seeker spread to at least 11 cities around the country.

ISIS attacks oil infrastructure near Ras Lanuf port in Libya, threatens sequel: Militants affiliated with Islamic State reportedly attacked oil installations and set fire to several crude storage tanks near the port of Ras Lanuf, Libya. "Today Es Sider port and Ras Lanuf and tomorrow the port of Brega and after the ports of Tobruk

Rocket fire from Afghanistan leaves 3 dead in NW Pakistan: At least three people have been killed when a rocket fired from Afghanistan hit an area in a volatile Pakistani tribal region near the Afghan border.

German defence minister announces military intervention in Libya: The German government is planning a new military mission in Libya, Defence Minister Ursula Von der Leyen (Christian Democrats, CDU) announced in an interview published by the tabloid Bild on Monday.

Blast at Somali capital restaurant, heavy gunfire: police: The Lido beach area in Mogadishu is busy with restaurants, including upmarket establishments popular with business people and diaspora Somalis who have returned home to the city.

Litvinenko 'probably murdered on personal orders of Putin': Sir Robert Owen, the inquiry chair, said that taken as a whole the open evidence that had been heard in court amounted to a “strong circumstantial case” that the Russian state was behind the assassination.

UK report points to ‘probable involvement’ of Putin, Russian officials in Litvinenko death : The report stresses that its conclusions are based on many witness opinions that “would not be admissible as evidence” and that in his report Sir Robert was not bound by strict procedural rules that apply to court hearings.

"Probably" propaganda: Opinion: Don't let Vladimir Putin get away with murder on British soil: The Russian government had effectively carried out a mini nuclear attack on Britain, without consequence.

UK to summon Russian ambassador over 'failure to cooperate' in Litvinenko case: "The conclusion that the murder was authorized at the highest levels of the Russian state is extremely disturbing," a spokeswoman for the PM told reporters. "It is not the way for any state, let alone a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, to behave."

Bank Of Russia Calls "Emergency" Meeting To Address Ruble Rout: “Some investors are selling at any price,” Bernd Berg, an emerging-markets strategist in London at Societe Generale told Bloomberg

At least 12 refugees killed in new tragedy off Turkey: Reports: At least 12 refugees were killed and several more went missing on Thursday when their boat sank while trying to cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey to EU member Greece, Turkish media reports said.

Female refugees face abuse on migrant trail through Europe: Female asylum seekers face physical assault and sexual harassment on their journeys through Europe, Amnesty International warned in a report on Monday, calling on governments to offer more protection.

New US visa rules on some travellers with Mideast ties: The Department of Homeland Security said would-be U.S. visitors who have been to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria since March 2011 will now always have to apply for a visa.

Jobless claims jump to 7-month high: Meanwhile, some 2.21 million people collected weekly unemployment checks in the seven days ended Jan 9.

America’s Best Days May Be Behind It: The labor force will continue to decline, as aging baby boomers leave the work force and women’s labor supply plateaus. And gains in education, an important driver of productivity that expanded sharply in the 20th century, will contribute little.

Hillary Clinton Email Said to Include Material Exceeding ‘Top Secret’: Intelligence officials reviewing emails on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private computer server have found information they consider to be of a higher level of classification than “top secret,”

 January 20, 2016

  
Syria - Some Preliminary Positioning For An Endgame
By Moon Of Alabama
The Arab Reform Initiative is a bastard child of the U.S./Middle East Project, Inc. and various Middle East dictatorships.  Continue

 

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US a Shining Example unto ISIS
By Robert Barsocchini
The US illustrates to ISIS, and the world, that the path to the seat of regional and then global power is genocide, land-theft, mass enslavement, never paying reparations.  Continue

 

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Who is Luring the Middle Eastern Refugees Into Germany
By Andrey Fomin
The great exodus to continental Europe was artificially arranged by non-European actor.  Continue

 

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Eritrean Man Lynched By Israelis In Uniform, New Video Shows
By Rania Khalek
Warning: This post includes video of extreme violence.  Continue

 

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Netanyahu Aide Calls US Ambassador ‘Little Jew Boy’ in Escalating Controversy
By Peter Beaumont
Ambassador Daniel Shapiro’s unusually critical comments drew harsh criticism from ministers in Israel’s rightwing government .  Continue

 

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Barf Alert
Quote, Unquote: Palin's Speech Examined
By MEE Staff
"Just last week, we're watching our sailors suffer and be humiliated on a world stage at the hands of Iranian captors in violation of international law." Continue

 

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World Faces Wave of Epic Debt Defaults, Fears Central Bank Veteran
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, in Davos
"The situation is worse than it was in 2007."  Continue

 

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A Bleak Unemployment Report And Even Bleaker Projections
By Peter Koenig
This crisis is not ‘just happening’ – it is directed, fabricated and maintained by a globalized elite.  Continue

 

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Can the Davos Rich Do More than Talk?
By Sam Pizzigati
Since 2010, 3.6 billion folks have together lost just over $1 trillion — 41 percent — of their household wealth. The richest 62 of our global billionaire class, meanwhile, have gained $542 billion over that same time.  Continue

 

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Forgotten Youth: Inside America's Prisons
Must Watch - Video
An estimated 200,000 children under the age of 18 are tried, sentenced or incarcerated as adults in the US each year.  Continue

 

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34 ISIS elements killed in airstrikes north of Ramadi: The Commander of Anbar Operations Major General Ismail al-Mahalawi announced on Wednesday, that 34 elements of the ISIS organization were killed and four headquarters were destroyed in an aerial bombardment north of Ramadi.

Iraqi Kurdish forces deliberately destroying Arab villages: Amnesty International: Kurdish forces have bulldozed, blown up and burned down thousands of homes in Arab villages recaptured from the Islamic State group (Isis), the report said.

ISIS razes oldest Christian monastery in Iraq: Satellite photos obtained exclusively by The Associated Press confirm the worst fears of church authorities and preservationists - St. Elijah's Monastery of Mosul has been completely wiped out.

‘We’ll fight ISIS until its complete annihilation’ – Russian FM Lavrov after Kerry talks : Islamic State and the Nusra Front won’t be part of the proposed Syrian ceasefire as the fight against the jihadists will go on until their complete annihilation

US 'takes control' of Rmeilan airfield in Syria: Under a deal with Kurdish group, activists say US will use airfield to support fighters against ISIL in northern Syria.

Syria's Deir Ezzor residents fear IS group 'massacre': A deadly Islamic State group assault on Deir Ezzor has seen the jihadists tighten their siege on the eastern Syrian city and left residents terrified and fearing the worst.

Russia flies over 40 tonnes of aid to blocked Syrian areas - agencies: Food and other cargo was parachuted to the besieged city of Deir ez-Zor and other localities blocked by Islamic State, Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov was quoted as saying.

Turkish woman jailed for year over 'offensive gesture' at Erdogan: A Turkish woman has been sentenced to almost a year in jail for making an offensive hand gesture at Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an anti-government protest in 2014.

Yemen: Death Toll Exceeds 8,000: This figure did not include any gunmen on either side, but did highlight the primary cause of death for the civilian population. According to the numerical figures released: 4,625 adult males, 1,519 adult females, and 1,996 children (male and female) were reportedly killed since March of 2015.

Partners in crime: UK sold Saudi Arabia more than £1bn of bombs in 3 months: Human rights groups claim the UK is breaking international law by selling arms to Saudi Arabia that may be used in Yemen

In choice between Iran and ISIS, I prefer ISIS: Israeli Defense Minister: He argued that if Syria were to fall to one of the two powers, he would prefer it were the Islamic State rather than Iran or Iran-backed groups.

Israeli minister secretly visits UAE amid ‘shared concerns’ on Iran: Report: Israel’s Channel 2 reported that the regime’s Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz returned Monday from a visit to Abu Dhabi, where he met several Emirati officials to discuss “shared concerns.”

Israel bans Palestinian from work in settlements : Palestinians say preventing workers from reaching illegal West Bank settlements for jobs amounts to collective punishment.

Israel builds 30km 'security fence' on border with Jordan: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in June that the new fence would be a continuation of a 240km barrier built in 2013 along the Egyptian border, which "blocked the entry of illegal migrants into Israel and the various terrorist movements".

Kenyan police kill 'four terror suspects' in Malindi: Four terror suspects in Kenya have been killed during a dawn raid on a safe house in the coastal town of Malindi, police in the East African nation say. Suleiman Awadh, on Kenya's most-wanted list, was among those killed, he said.

Three gendarmes killed in armed raid in central Mali : Gunmen killed three gendarmes in an overnight ambush near a town in central Mali, the defence ministry said on Wednesday, confirming the latest in a growing wave of attacks that risk spilling over into Mali's West African neighbours.

Islamic State leader Baghdadi sends Iraqi commander to tighten grip on new Libya stronghold: Misrata's senior military intelligence commander tells Telegraph a new bespectacled Iraqi commader known only as "Abu Omar" had taken charge in Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte

Libyan lawmaker says unity government likely to be rejected: An influential Libyan lawmaker says the internationally-backed parliament is unlikely to approve a U.N.-brokered unity government aimed at bridging the country's political rift.

Wave of protests rocks Tunisia after death of unemployed graduate: A man has burned himself alive after officials confiscated goods he was selling, during unrest reminiscent of 2011 uprising

Suspected Taliban gunmen kill 20 people and injure 51 after storming Pakistan university : Militants stormed the university and opened fire on Wednesday morning. Security forces then entered the campus to try to bring the situation under control. Four gunmen were killed by security officials.

Pakistan not to join any anti-Iran alliance: Minister: Pakistani Defencse Minister Khawaja Asif says Islamabad would under no circumstances join a military alliance against Iran.

Afghanistan: Suicide attack in Kabul kills staff of TV station: At least seven dead and many wounded as explosion hits vehicle carrying employees of Tolo TV in Afghan capital.

Russia's ruble hits all-time low against dollar: The ruble hit a historic low on Wednesday as the dollar climbed past the 80.1 rubles level for the first time, exceeding the levels seen during the shock plunge of the Russian currency in December 2014.

BBC journalist stopped from flying to US over UK-Iranian nationality: Rana Rahimpour caught by new legislation that means dual citizens of some countries, including Iran, can no longer use visa waiver programme

EU chief gives migrant plan 2 months to work: "We have no more than two months to get things under control," European Council President Donald Tusk told EU lawmakers, warning that a summit of EU leaders in Brussels on March 17-18 "will be the last moment to see if our strategy works."

Police Say A Viral Story Of A 13-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped And Raped By Migrants Is False: Berlin police were forced to publicly deny a media report that claimed a 13-year-old girl was kidnapped and raped by migrants after a video of the report went viral on Facebook.

Climate experts agree 2015 was hottest year on record : Global temperatures in 2015 were officially the hottest ever recorded, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Nasa and Met Office have said. In addition, temperatures last year for the first time rose 1C above pre-industrial levels

Big chill savages global markets: Dow Jones sheds almost 300 points and FTSE 100 crashes into bear market - live

Dow falls to new low Dow Jones industrial average plunged nearly 400 points (2.6 percent) Wednesday morning, piling on even more woe to the worst beginning of a year : stock market history. Similarly, the S&P 500 lost 51 points (2.7 percent) and Nasdaq Composite lost 3 percent before a minor rebound.

Oil rout deepens as glut pushes U.S. crude to new lows: Oil futures extended their decline on Wednesday, with U.S. crude touching its lowest since 2003, as a global supply glut bumped up against bearish financial news that sparked deeper worries over demand.

A Glimpse Of Things To Come: Bankrupt Shale Producers "Can't Give Their Assets Away": As Bloomberg reports, Wall Street is about to have a serious bout of “indigestion” because recent auctions suggest that “some bankrupt oil and gas drillers can’t give their assets away.”

Goldman Sends Out Chart Showing U.S. In Recession, Promptly Retracts It: Disturbing, because it showed that according to Goldman's Current Activity Indicator, the US was effectively in recession; certainly disturbing enough for us to immediately tweet it with just one comment: "Oops":

U.S. Growth and Employment Data Tell Different Stories: The divergence in the data is not just a puzzle for Wall Street. With the 2016 presidential candidates about to face their first test with voters, the split is also shaping the campaign debate of Democrats and Republicans alike.

‘Fast & Furious’ rifle capable of taking down helicopter found in 'El Chapo' cache: A .50-caliber rifle found at Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman’s hideout in Mexico was funneled through the gun-smuggling investigation known as Fast and Furious, sources confirmed Tuesday to Fox News.

Teacher sickouts close nearly all DPS schools: Teacher absences have forced 88 Detroit schools to close today, the largest in a string of recent sickouts meant to call attention to high class sizes, dilapidated buildings and other problems in Michigan's largest school district.

Sarah Palin officially endorses Donald Trump’s 2016 bid in rambling speech: Just when you thought it was safe to take politics seriously again, gaffe-prone Sarah Palin stepped back on the presidential stage Tuesday to endorse her spotlight-loving, soulmate — Donald Trump.

Trump Says Removing Qaddafi Was Mistake, But Pushed For Libya Intervention In 2011: “Now we should go in, we should stop this guy, which would be very easy and very quick.” The comments leave an opening for rivals like Ted Cruz, who has panned the intervention.

What Kind of Man Spends Millions to Elect Ted Cruz?: Robert Mercer is one of the wealthiest, most secretive, influential, and reactionary Republicans in the country.

January 19, 2016

 

Russian Red Scare No Longer Works
By Finian Cunningham
The American and British governments are launching yet another media campaign to demonize Russia.  Continue

 

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Planet of Fear
By Pepe Escobar
The Masters of the Universe – just like the Russians – have realized their oil manipulation cannot last.  Continue

 

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European Civilization Stands at the Precipice
By Alexander Prokhanov
Flooded by foreigners and having disowned its roots, are we witnessing the end of Europe?  Continue

 

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Is Iran Taking the China Road?
By Patrick J. Buchanan
Is the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, a RINO – a revolutionary in name only?  Continue

 

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No, The Nuclear Sanctions On Iran Did Not Work
By Moon Of Alabama
Sanctions did not work in the case of the nuclear issue with Iran. Sanctions will also not work one Iran's ballistic missile program.  Continue

 

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Meet Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s First-Ever Primary Challenger
By Glenn Greenwald
Wasserman Schultz is the living, breathing embodiment of everything rotted and corrupt about the Democratic Party.  Continue

 

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The 21st Century: An Era Of Fraud
By Paul Craig Roberts
In America today there are no free financial markets.  All the markets are rigged by the Federal Reserve and the Treasury.  Continue

 

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The Fed’s Role in the Stock Market Slide
By Mike Whitney
It certainly appears that Wall Street and the Fed are edging ever closer to their inevitable day of reckoning.  Continue

 

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Sailing Through a Meltwater Pulse
By Dmitry Orlov
There are all those who, whenever I publish something that mentions climate change, crawl out of the woodwork and gnash their exoskeletal mandibles at me.  Continue

 

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'Staggering' 18,800 Iraqi civilians killed since 2014: In figures it calls "staggering", the United Nations says that almost 19,000 civilians have been killed and more than 36,000 wounded in violence in Iraq since the start of 2014.

ISIS holding more than 3,500 slaves in Iraq, mostly women & children – UN report: “Those being held are predominantly women and children and come primarily from the Yazidi community, but a number are also from other ethnic and religious minority communities," the report says.

Russia kills 60 militants in Deir ez-Zor: “The Russian Su-34 bombers have struck terrorist strongholds near the village of Bagilya in the Deir ez-Zor province where Islamic State [IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) have recently executed 300 civilian from the local population for the sake of intimidation,” the Defense Ministry said.

Daesh kills 57 Syrian regime troops in Deir Ez-Zor: Fifty-seven Syrian government troops were killed Monday in a Daesh attack on the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor, sources told Anadolu Agency. The sources said that Daesh captured scores of Assad regime forces and seized a missile unit, three tanks and four armored vehicles.

IS confirms executioner Jihadi John killed in Syria: In the latest issue of the IS official newspaper, Dabiq, the terror group confirmed that Jihadi John, who made the headlines around the world media, was killed in a drone strike in Syria's northern al-Raqqa province, the de facto capital of the IS group.

ISIS halves its fighters' monthly salaries: activists: "Because of the exceptional circumstances that ISIS is passing through, a decision was taken to cut the salaries of the mujahedeen in half," the Arabic statement said. The distribution of food assistance will continue twice a month as usual," it said.

Syrian Army’s Secret Weapon That Helped Liberate Salma: The tactic was inspired by the very militant groups that the Syrian government is fighting, but it’s proven so effective that motorbikes may become a permanent fixture of the Syrian Army.

Saudi airstrikes kill 14 Yemeni civilians: Yemen’s al-Masira television channel said in a news flash that the fatalities were caused on Monday night when Saudi warplanes bombarded the Maran district in Yemen’s Sa’ada Province.

Nine Yemeni students, woman killed in Saudi airstrikes: Yemen’s al-Masira television channel reported that the Tuesday airstrike left nine students and a women dead in an area in Ta’izz Province. Nearly ten others were also injured.

Two killed in suspected Yemen drone strike, coalition orders ships out: Two people were killed in eastern Yemen on Tuesday in what local residents said was probably an attack by a U.S. drone on al Qaeda members, and Saudi-led coalition warships appeared to be preparing to move against a port held by militants.

Iran's Khamenei warns against US 'deceit': In his first comments since the atomic agreement was implemented at the weekend, Khamenei told President Hassan Rouhani in a letter to "guard against deceit and violations of arrogant states particularly the United States."

Israel to destroy home of teen accused of killing Jewish woman: Netanyahu: Israeli forces have arrested a Palestinian teenager for the killing, which led to outrage among Israelis. His uncle told AFP he was 15, while Israeli media reported his age as 16.

HRW calls on businesses to withdraw from illegal Israeli settlements: The international rights group said in a statement that Israel's violations of Palestinian rights -- as well as international humanitarian law -- were "intrinsic to abusive, harmful, and longstanding policies in the West Bank."

Three killed in Burundi grenade attack: Three people were killed in a grenade attack on a bar in the Burundian capital Bujumbura late on Monday, police said, as the impoverished nation faces the prospect of a return to civil war.

Tunisian city under curfew after unemployment rally: Police fire tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters in Kasserine, two days after unemployed man committed suicide.

Libya announces members of new unity government: Libyan prime minister-designate un: A Tunis-based Presidential Council formed under the plan named a total of 32 ministers. The council had pushed back the deadline for naming the government by 48 hours, amid reports of disputes over the distribution of ministerial posts.

Desertions deplete Afghan forces, adding to security worries: For Amanullah, everything changed late last year when, fighting on an empty stomach and without being paid for months, militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns attacked his base from all directions in a three-day battle.

Suicide bomber kills at least 10 in northwest Pakistan: The bomber rammed his motorcycle into a police vehicle next to the roadside checkpoint in the Jamrud area on the edge of Pakistan's volatile Federally Administered Tribal Areas, local government official Munir Khan told Reuters.

China economic growth slowest in 25 years: Some observers say its growth is actually much weaker than official data suggests, though Beijing denies numbers are being inflated.

Vietnam warns China against rig activity in disputed waters: Vietnam closely tracks the movement of the oil rig which in mid-2014 caused the pair's worst diplomatic breakdown in decades when China parked it for 10 weeks in waters Vietnam considers its own.

Ukrainian forces reportedly shelled settlements in DPR’s south : Commander of 9th regiment of the DPR defense ministry says that Kiev forces opened fire from mortars of 82mm caliber, infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers and small arms

Russia to respond to NATO Black Sea force by deploying new weapons - report: The Russian Army and Navy will deploy additional forces and modern weapons to its southwest in reply to NATO’s plans to boost its presence in the Black Sea region, a Russian newspaper reported quoting Defense Ministry sources.

Netherlands: Violence erupts at mass anti-immigration demo over refugee centre: Video - Anti-immigration protesters hurled fireworks and missiles at riot police during a far-right rally against the planned opening of a refugee centre in the Dutch town of Heesch, Monday.

Danish nightspots bar migrants by introducing ‘language controls’; Several Danish nightclubs have imposed strict admission rules requiring guests to prove their ability to speak Danish, German or English, following multiple complaints of harassment from female visitors.

Switzerland seizing assets from refugees to cover costs: Information sheet given to Syrian refugee shows seizure of assets of over 1,000 Swiss francs, says TV news programme.

Schengen to fail in months if migration crisis not 'under control,' says Tusk: A top EU official has warned that the outcome of the migration crisis could lead to the EU failing "as a political project." The statement comes as Germany's FM said closing the country's borders is not a solution.

UK: Terrorism Act incompatible with human rights, court rules in David Miranda case : The decision came in the case of David Miranda, who was detained at Heathrow airport in 2013 for carrying files related to information obtained by the US whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Canada excluded from anti-ISIS coalition meeting in Paris: The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, but a spokesperson for Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan confirmed Canada is not invited. The Liberal government has promised to pull Canada's CF-18 fighter jets from the coalition bombing mission against ISIS.

Canada Set To Unleash Negative Rates As Oil Patch Dies, Depression Deepens: Canada’s oil “dream” is dying thanks to the inexorable slide in crude prices and as the IEA made clear earlier today, the pain is set to persist for the foreseeable future as the world “drowns in oversupply.”

Oil sucks stocks down as global recession fears bubble up: The recovery in the United States is looking drawn out, and U.S. corporates could have entered an earnings recession in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Navy SEAL Turns Over Picture of Bin Laden’s Body, Faces Investigation of Business Ties: A FORMER NAVY SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden is now the subject of a widening federal criminal investigation into whether he used his position as an elite commando for personal profit while on active duty

Ex-CIA Director Petraeus Faces Possible Demotion for Classified Leak: The possible demotion carries a $50,000 pension cut from $220,000 a year paid to four-star generals.

Navy Schedules War Games in Washington State With No Public Disclosure: Dahr Jamail reveals his investigation into how Navy Seals will be practicing combat exercises in Washington state on public and private lands and why state government officials and the public are left in the dark

9 schools in New Jersey receive bomb and mass shooting threats: Nine New Jersey high schools have been evacuated or placed on lockdown, after receiving threats of mass shootings. A caller also said he set bombs at the schools.

Apple, Samsung and Sony failing to act on child labour in mines, Amnesty claims; According to the report into the use of cobalt “This is what we die for: by Amnesty International and Afrewatch children as young as seven work in dangerous conditions in cobalt mines.

Trump Says He Will Force Apple to Manufacture in the US Even Though That Makes Absolutely No Sense: I’ll give Trump this: He’s great at shouting impossible nonsense.

How Donald Trump defeats Hillary Clinton: If Donald Trump becomes the next president of the United States, there will be plenty of surprises along the way. One of the biggest will be the help he gets from black voters.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis Ted Cruz sticking to religion: “We should not be ashamed of Christ. We should be willing to speak the truth with a smile.”

Inspector General: Clinton emails had intel from most secretive, classified program: Hillary Clinton's emails on her unsecured, homebrew server contained intelligence from the U.S. government's most secretive and highly classified programs, according to an unclassified letter from a top inspector general to senior lawmakers.

Hillary Blames Bernie for an Old Clintonite Hustle, and That’s a Rotten Shame: The Clintons have no shame, that much you can count on. That stupefying arrogance was on full display in the most recent presidential campaign debate

What America Thinks: Voters Vote on Voting: Voters are more confident in the fairness of U.S. elections than they have been in over two years.

 

January 18, 2016

 

You Won't Like It, But Here's the Answer to ISIS
By Peter Van Buren
Get out. Land the planes, ground the drones, and withdraw.  Continue

 

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Parallel Standards Offer Way Out Of Violence
By Kristin Christman
Can we prove to ISIS followers they can achieve just goals without violence?  Continue

 

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Britain and Saudi Arabia Shoulder to Shoulder in Atrocities in Yemen
By Felicity Arbuthnot
The human cost, as ever, defies imagination.  Continue

 

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Will Congress Stop the Iran Deal?
By Philip Giraldi
Congress has still more up its sleeve.  Continue

 

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“The Day After”
The US Has Never Sought Peace

By Soraya Sepahpourulrich
Peace and expansion/domination are incompatible.  Continue

 

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An Open Letter to President Obama
By Miko Peled
As President, for the last seven years you have given Israel your full support to kill, maim, arrest and torture men, women and children.  Continue

 

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The Mirage of Justice
By Chris Hedges
Of the 2.2 million people we have incarcerated at the moment - 25 percent of the world’s prison population—2 million never had a trial.  Continue

 

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An Oligarchy Has Broken Our Democracy. It Must Be Dislodged
By Mike Lofgren
A tell-tale sign of the Deep State’s involvement in policy is the use of fear to make Congress compliant.  Continue

 

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Super-rich: 62 People Own As Much As Half The World
By Al Jazeera
"In a world where one in nine people goes to bed hungry every night, we cannot afford to carry on giving the richest an ever-bigger slice of the cake"  Continue

 

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The Official Donald Trump Jam
2 Minute Video
Barf Alert! You're going to need a strong stomach to watch this.  Continue

 

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Syria: Over 140 Terrorists Killed in Syria-Russia Coalition Attack in Idlib: The al-Nusra Front members have released the names of those killed in the attacks on their social media pages. Also, 20 more al-Nusra terrorists were killed in the Syrian army's artillery fire on militants' positions in Kafar Sanjah village in Ma'rat al-Na'man region.

Five starve, dozens more at risk, in Syria's besieged Madaya: UN: Five people have starved to death in the last week in the Syrian town of Madaya, where a single biscuit sells for $15 and baby milk costs $313 per kilo, despite two emergency United Nations aid deliveries to the besieged town, a U.N. report said.

Red Cross disputes Bild claims starving Madaya residents are ‘pro-govt actors’: German tabloid Bild has accused starving residents of the Syrian town of Madaya of being “actors.” But RT's correspondent believes some media simply dislike what people suffering from malnutrition had to say about rebels selling off government aid.

Security forces in Iraq kill 35 Islamic State militants in clashes: In Anbar province, the security forces and allied Sunni tribal fighters fought fierce battles with IS terrorists and managed to extend their grip in Sajjariyah and Juwiba districts in the eastern part of the provincial capital city Ramadi, some 110 km west of Baghdad.

Iraq civilians killed fleeing ISIL clashes in Ramadi: At least 13 civilians have been killed by a roadside bomb while attempting to flee from ongoing fighting between Iraqi government forces and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Ramadi.

Official: Americans kidnapped from Iraq interpreter's home: The Americans were invited into the home of their interpreter in the southern Baghdad neighborhood of Dora. The individuals were then taken to Sadr city, the official said, "after (the kidnapping) all communications and contact stopped in Sadr city."

Saudi-led airstrikes kill 25 in Yemen: A hospital official said 25 policemen were confirmed dead, while the others, including civilians, were receiving treatment.

Gunmen kill judge in Yemen’s Aden: The attackers opened fire at Abdulhadi Mohammed near his house in the Mansura district, killing the judge, a police official said, adding they managed to flee.

Seven killed in violence across Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast: Seven people, including two civilians, were killed in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast, security sources said on Monday, as the death toll from operations launched by security forces last month climbs into the hundreds.

Rockets strike Turkish school near Syria border: One woman killed and several others injured in Kilis in explosion blamed by government officials on ISIL.

US Ambassador to Israel Slams Government Settlements Policy: A rare public rebuke from Israel's top ally that drew an angry response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Daniel Shapiro said that Washington was "concerned and perplexed" over Israel's strategy of building illegal West Bank settlements.

Iran says new US sanctions illegitimate, points to Washington's arms sales: "The Islamic Republic will respond to these aggravating and propagandistic measures by pursuing its legal missile program stronger than before and developing its defensive capabilities," a foreign ministry statement said.

Europeans line up to do business with Iran while Americans wait: American companies are still barred by a range of U.S. sanctions that remain in place despite the lifting of those that were related to the nuclear program

Iran agrees to buy 114 aircraft from Airbus : "We have taken the first step in agreeing with Airbus to buy 114 planes," Abbas Akhoondi was quoted as saying by the Tasnim news agency.

Dozens killed in attack on Africa Union base in Somalia: Chinese news agency Xinhua reported earlier that at least 50 Kenyan soldiers were killed in the attack while the militants claimed a toll of 63. “Al-Shabab captured the camp and many Kenyan soldiers”, Mohamud said.

Nigerian separatists claim police kill 8 in Biafra protest: Nigerian separatists claim police killed eight people during violent protests demanding an independent Biafran state in southeastern Nigeria and the release of a detained leader. Police deny the allegation

Six Niger soldiers killed by mine near Nigerian border: reports: "An army vehicle ran over a mine causing deaths and injuries but we do not have the exact figures," Abari El Hadj Daouda, the mayor of the town of Kabalewa where the incident happened on Saturday, told AFP.

13 killed as suicide bomber targets Afghan clan: - A suicide bomber targeting a gathering in a volatile eastern province of Afghanistan killed 13 people, including seven members of a prominent pro-government clan, Afghan officials said.

Nine Afghan police killed in insider attack, officials say: Afghan police are looking for rogue policemen who are accused of shooting dead nine colleagues in a so-called insider attack and then stealing their weapons before fleeing to join the Taliban, local officials said on Monday.

Bomb kills five soldiers in western Pakistan: Five Pakistani soldiers were killed on Monday when a bomb exploded next to their vehicle in Baluchistan province, officials said, the latest attack in a region that will be home to the planned route of the $46 billion China-Pakistan economic corridor.

Pakistan's Musharraf acquitted over Baloch rebel killing: Mr Musharraf still faces charges in other cases, including over Benazir Bhutto's 2007 assassination, and treason charges for imposing emergency rule in 2007.

Morocco, Algeria 'must take back rejected refugees’ – German economy minister: "Germany is willing to economically help these countries, but only if their governments act fairly and let citizens who have no right to [be granted] asylum in our country enter their territories," Gabriel said

Refugees seeking asylum in Norway go on hunger strike against deportation to Russia : The Russian side said it would not accept the refugees back as Russia was only a transit country for them

French president declares economic emergency: French President Francois Hollande pledged Monday to redefine France's business model and declared what he called "a state of economic and social emergency," unveiling a 2-billion-euro ($2.2 billion) plan to revive hiring and catch up with a fast-moving world economy.

The world's inequality countdown: The rich can no longer pretend that their wealth benefits the rest of us - the only thing trickling down is inequality.

In case you missed it: Revealed – the capitalist network that runs the world: The top 50 of the 147 superconnected companies.

Foreign Central Banks Furiously Dump US Treasuries: Record $47 Billion Sold In First Two Weeks Of 2016

Rise of the Robots Will Eliminate More Than 5 Million Jobs: Over five million jobs will be lost by 2020 as a result of developments in genetics, artificial intelligence, robotics and other technological change, according to World Economic Forum research.

Michael Moore: 10 people in Flint have been killed by the premeditated actions of the Governor of Michigan: Dear President Obama, Please consider this personal appeal from me and the 102,000 citizens of the city of Flint who have been poisoned -- not by a mistake, not by a natural disaster, but by a governor and his administration

Marco Rubio Encourages People To Buy Guns, Because ISIS: When asked by CBS's "Face the Nation" host John Dickerson why he had purchased a handgun on Christmas Eve, Rubio said that personal firearms are "the last line of defense against ISIS."

British MPs debate banning Trump from UK after petition: Parliament discusses banning controversial Republican presidential candidate after petition gathers 574,000 signatures.

 

January 17, 2015

 

On the Left and Violence in Syria
By Kim Petersen and B. J. Sabri
Can we, the people, stop the violence in Syria and give hope to its people?  Continue

 

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Why Russian Intervened In Syria?
By Joe Contrarian
IS ideologues are in complete agreement with delusional Washington neocons - turning the area into gory imperial medieval kingdom run by Saudis’ thugs.  Continue

 

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Russian Defense Ministry Learns Who Is Behind Syrian Observatory For Human Rights
By Igor Konashenkov
The organization’s head and sole employee was the man called Ossama Suleiman, who moved to the UK in 2000 after having served three prison terms in Syria  Continue

 

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U.S. Record On Accepting Refugees
By Somini Sengupta
The US has taken in only 2,500 Syrian refugees since 2012. Canada took in more than that in the last two months of 2015 alone.  Continue

 

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Punishing El Chapo and Preserving US Hegemony
By William C. Anderson
The Western world's use of high-profile scapegoats - whether they are drug lords like El Chapo or terrorist leaders like Osama bin Laden - is almost always a detour on the road to the truth.  Continue

 

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This Land Is Our Land: American Democracy, At A Theater Near You
By Finian Cunningham
The story is germane to how American politics, generally, has become something of surreal parody.  Continue

 

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The FBI’s Two-Pronged Investigation of Hillary Clinton
By Paul Craig Roberts
The FBI has no alternative to recommending that Hillary be indicted.  Continue

 

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Face It: A Vote for Hillary Clinton Is a Vote for War
By Nick Gillespie
Can we please stop kidding ourselves that the likely Democratic candidate is different from most of her would-be Republican rivals?  Continue

 

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The Citadel Is Breached: Congress Taps the Fed for Infrastructure Funding
By Ellen Brown
Countries with less in the way of assets have overtaken the US in innovation and efficiency.  Continue

 

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ISIS massacres 280 civilians for ‘cooperation with the Syrian army’ - reports: Islamic State jihadists have reportedly slaughtered up to 280 people in the Deir ez-Zor province, killing “whole families” for alleged cooperation with the Syrian troops. The massacre happened in al-Bagilya settlement, an area which received Russian airlifted aid earlier.

Airstrikes on Syria's Raqa killed 40 civilians Saturday: Pro-rebel actvist: The Britain-based group said it was unclear if the strikes were carried out by regime or Russian planes, adding that eight children were among those killed.

New villages and mountains in Lattakia under the army’s control, a Jabhat al-Nusra leader killed in Idleb: More areas across the country are coming under the control of the army, aided by the popular defense groups, with many terrorists getting killed and others fleeing clashes, while their weapons and equipment are getting destroyed.

Foreign Ministry: Turkey should stop violations, we maintain the right to respond: Turkish army and intelligence officers frequently visit training camps they have set up on Syrian soil, particularly in Aazaz area, to train terrorists in handling all types of weapons and carrying out assassination operations.

13 Iraq civilians killed fleeing ISIL clashes in Ramadi: Children among those killed. At least 13 civilians have been killed by a roadside bomb while attempting to flee from ongoing fighting between Iraqi government forces and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Ramadi.

Iraq: US confirms Americans kidnapped in Baghdad: The US embassy in Baghdad has confirmed that "several" Americans have been kidnapped there. Unconfirmed reports from Iraqi security circles said three Americans and an Iraqi translator were seized on the southern side of Baghdad.

Yemen: 10 killed in suicide car bombing in Aden: A suicide car bombing killed at least 10 people, mostly civilians, on Sunday in an attack on the residence of the police chief of Yemen’s southern city of Aden, security officials said.

Airstrike in Yemen Kills Freelance Journalist Working for VOA: Freelance Yemeni journalist Almigdad Mojalli was killed Sunday morning in an air raid by the Saudi-led coalition on rebel-held Sana'a while on assignment for Voice of America.

Four killed in violence in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast: A Turkish police officer and a soldier were killed by sniper fire and two Kurdish militants were shot dead in separate incidents in the mainly Kurdish southeast's biggest city, security sources said on Sunday.

Scholars for Peace: We will not be a party to this crime: The Turkish state has effectively condemned its citizens in Sur, Silvan, Nusaybin, Cizre, Silopi and many other towns and neighborhoods in the Kurdish provinces to hunger through its use of curfews that have been ongoing for weeks

Palestinian stabs, kills Israeli settler near Hebron: An Israeli army spokesperson said a "terrorist" broke into the home of a woman in the illegal Israeli settlement of Otniel, south of Hebron city, and stabbed her, before fleeing the scene.

Palestinian shot dead near Nablus after alleged attempted attack: - Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man on Sunday following an alleged attempted stabbing attack in the northern occupied West Bank district of Nablus, an Israeli army spokesperson said.

Aide to top Palestinian negotiator arrested for spying for Israel: An aide to Palestine’s chief negotiator has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Israel, the official’s office said on Sunday.

Christian monastery in Jerusalem vandalized by alleged Jewish extremists: A Christian monastery in Jerusalem has been vandalized after extremist graffiti was daubed on its walls. Messages such as “Christians Go to Hell” were written.

Iran rejoins world economy as sanctions are lifted: Economic isolation ends after UN certifies Iran's compliance with 2015 accord, even as US unveils separate sanctions.

US Treasury imposes new ballistic missile sanctions on Iran: “Iran’s ballistic missile program poses a significant threat to regional and global security, and it will continue to be subject to international sanctions,” Adam J. Szubin, acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in a press release.

Propaganda: Netanyahu: We will warn of any Iranian violations of deal: "Even after signing the nuclear deal, Iran has not relinquished its ambition to obtain nuclear weapons, and continues to act to destabilize the Middle East and spread terror throughout the world while violating its international commitments," Netanyahu's office said.

Clinton calls for new sanctions on Iran: Hours after the U.S. dropped sanctions on Iran as part of the nuclear deal, Democratic primary front-runner Hillary Clinton called for new sanctions on the nation for its ballistic missile program.

Iran sanctions: Middle East stock crash wipes £27bn off markets as Tehran enters oil war: Prospect of the Islamic Republic pumping an additional 500,000 barrels a day sends stock markets in Dubai and Saudi Arabia into tailspin

US to pay Iran $1.7 bn in debt and interest: Kerry: The United States is to repay Iran a $400 million debt and $1.3 billion in interest dating to the Islamic revolution, Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday.

Saudi university ‘paid $2m bribe to boost ranking’: A Saudi university paid over $2 million to an institute in Australia as bribe to improve its classification and ranking among global universities, Nazaha, the anti-corruption organization, has found.

Somalia received Saudi aid the day it cut ties with Iran: document: Somalia received a pledge of aid for $50 million from Saudi Arabia this month on the same day it announced it was cutting ties with Saudi rival Iran, a document seen by Reuters showed.

Ethiopia drought 'as bad for children as Syria's war': International charity says 400,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and 10 million more need food aid.

Ebola virus: New case emerges in Sierra Leone: The country was declared free of the virus on 7 November, and the region as a whole was cleared when Liberia was pronounced Ebola-free on Thursday. Tests on a person who died in northern Sierra Leone proved positive, an Ebola test centre spokesman told the BBC.

13 killed as suicide blast strikes Afghan compound: A suicide bomber detonated explosives inside the house of an influential family in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least 13 people, officials said.

Australian dollar tumbles to lowest since 2009, global stocks plunge: The Australian dollar has plunged 1.7 per cent and local shares are poised to plummet 1.8 per cent when trading opens on Monday. Oil dropped as much as 6.2 per cent and global equities from China to Europe to Wall Street fell.

Canadian dollar sees the loonie falling to 59 cents by the end of the year: Our loonie is heading for a record low with the central bank poised to cut interest rates again as commodity prices collapse to the lowest since 1991, manufacturing stalls and consumers remain buried in debt, according to the currency’s top forecaster.

The Deflation Monster Has Arrived: Just in the two weeks since the start of 2016, the US equity markets are down almost 10%. Their worst start to the year in history. Many other markets across the world are suffering worse.

Tata Steel To Axe 1,050 Jobs In UK: The Indian-owned firm is to cut 750 jobs in Port Talbot and another 300 jobs at other sites across the UK

NHS privatisation: The Greatest Betrayal of Public Interest: “The NHS is being transformed into an American style, private insurance dominated system”. Profit extraction is dismantling cost effective healthcare.

Obama declares emergency in Michigan over lead-contaminated water: FEMA has been authorized to provide water, filters, cartridges and other items for 90 days. Flint can get up to $5 million US in direct funding, though the state must match 25 per cent and more money can come through an act of Congress.

Rubio: Law-abiding undocumented immigrants could stay: Sen. Marco Rubio says people who immigrated to the U.S. illegally but haven’t committed any major crimes could be allowed to stay.

 
January 16, 2016

 

Watch - Refugees Rescued As Three Children Drown
Video

Distressing Video Of Migrants Rescue Continue

 

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A Russian White Knight or an Interventionist Power?
By Kim Petersen and B. J. Sabri
Russia's intervention has exposed the cruel geopolitical game the United States has been playing in Iraq and Syria. Continue

 

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After Me, the Jihad
Gaddafi’s Unheeded Warning to the West

By Dan Sanchez
After Gaddafi’s overthrow, some of the now-rampant jihadis helped the CIA run guns from Benghazi to fellow jihadis in Syria.  Continue

 

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ISIS: US-Saudi Plague Reaches Indonesia?
By Tony Cartalucci
Wherever the US wants to put its military, ISIS shows up and conveniently justifies it. Continue

 

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Watch Israeli Occupation Forces Shooting Palestinian Demonstrators
Video
As this video demonstrates, live fire amounts to an enjoyable blood sport for the Israelis charged with enforcing the occupation.  Continue

 

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Western Powers Protect Arms Markets Ignoring Civilian Killings
By Thalif Deen
“The majority of the Obama administration’s major arms sales have gone to the Middle East and Persian Gulf, with Saudi Arabia topping the list with over $49 billion in new agreements.”  Continue

 

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'China To Spark Global Financial ICE AGE With Depression Sending Markets Crashing By 75%'
By Lana Clements


Global deflation is going to wipe around 75 per cent in value off the American S&P stock market. 
Continue

 

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The Warmongers’ Brawl
How The GOP Is Deserting Free Markets, Sound Money And Fiscal Rectitude

By David Stockman
In their lust for war, the GOP candidates to a man forgot why the Republican party even exists.  Continue

 

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What Happens to a Dream Deferred? Ask Martin Luther King Jr.
By John W. Whitehead
A monied, oligarchic elite calls the shots in Washington, while militarized police and the surveillance sector keep the masses under control.  Continue

 

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"Beyond Vietnam"
A Time to Break Silence

By Rev. Martin Luther King - Audio and Transcript
"I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a "thing-oriented" society to a "person-oriented" society."  Continue

 

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Islamic State kills 250 in Syria's Deir al-Zor city: A source close to the Syrian government side said the Islamic State fighters killed at least 250 people, including pro-government fighters and their families when they attacked the neighborhoods of Begayliya and Ayash in the city.

Attacks kill 7 civilians in Aleppo, Hasaka, and al-Fou’a: Four civilians were killed in terrorist attacks with rocket shells on residential neighborhoods in Aleppo on Saturday.

Syrians starving in Daesh-blockaded Deir Ezzor: The United Nations (UN) says about 20 Syrians died of starvation last year in the city of Deir Ezzor, where Daesh terrorists have imposed a siege.

Syrian army launches massive operation to liberate Aqrab town in Homs: The Syrian army, backed by fighters from allied popular forces, has launched a massive operation to retake the strategic town of Aqrab in the central province of Homs from Takfiri militants.

French Foreign Minister Irresponsibly Accuses Russia of Killing Civilians in Syria: French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius showed his government’s opposition to Russia’s war on ISIS - calling on it to cease its military operations, outrageously accusing it of killing civilians.

Russia denies killing civilians in Syrian air strikes while threatening to reveal alleged US 'collateral damage': The Sputnik report quoted Maj-Gen Konashenkov claiming that the Pentagon approves air strikes expected to kill civilians as long as the number is under 50.

Iraq: ISIS executes 19 citizens for trying to escape in southern Mosul: A local source in Nineveh announced, that ISIS has executed 19 citizens from the people of Qayyarah south of Mosul (405 km north of Baghdad) for trying to “escape” from the region.

Security forces kill 4 ISIS elements, free 2 civilian hostages north of Baqubah: The security committee in Diyali Provincial Council announced on Saturday, that Iraqi security forces had managed to kill four ISIS militants and free two civilian hostages during a tactical operation north of Baqubah.

2 civilians killed, wound in militant attacks in Baghdad: A source within the police force said on Saturday, that a man had been killed in a militant attack in eastern Baghdad, while a woman was wounded by another attack in western Baghdad.

U.S. Says It's Slowing Flow, But Foreign Fighters Still Flock to ISIS: A new estimate by U.S. intelligence agencies shows that the total number of foreign fighters on the battlefield has increased by 6,000 since last fall, to 36,500, the officials say. A year ago, the number was 20,000.

Saudi airstrikes kill 30 civilians in Yemen; At least 30 people have been killed ?in a Saudi airstrike in northwestern Yemen, a day after six troops were killed at a military base of the kingdom near the border.

US Kills Three people in Yemen : A drone attack believed to have been carried out by U.S. forces killed three suspected Al-Qaeda members travelling in a car in southeast Yemen, security and tribal sources said Saturday.

US-made cluster bombs kill civilians in Yemen - but who answers for it?: Human Rights Watch recently reported that further evidence on the use of cluster bombs had been uncovered on Al Zira’a Street in the Yemeni capital Sanaa.

British military advisers do assist Saudis in Yemen aistrikes – newspaper: UK military experts are “in control rooms” of the Saudi coalition bombing Houthi rebels in Yemen, a campaign that has killed thousands of people including civilians, British media has learnt. The MoD insists that Brits are not choosing airstrike targets.

EU, US lift Iran sanctions as UN watchdog says Tehran ‘has kept nuclear promises’: Western sanctions against Tehran have been officially lifted after the UN nuclear watchdog – the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – released a statement saying Iran has fulfilled all of the measures required under its deal with six world powers.

Iran frees Washington Post reporter in US swap deal: Jason Rezaian and three other Iranian-Americans to be freed in prisoner swap deal which sees US release seven Iranians.

Iran, US reach settlement on prisoners exchange: Justice department: The settlement included a clause according to which the US will no longer pursue extradition of 14 Iranians for alleged involvement in purchasing arms from the US to Iran.

U.S. Radically Changes Its Story of the Boats in Iranian Waters: No matter how many times the U.S. government issues patently false statements about its military actions, those statements are entitled to unquestioning, uncritical treatment as Truth the next time a similar incident occurs.

At least 27 Killed in Islamist Militant Attack on Burkina Faso Hotel: Security forces from France and Burkina Faso ended a siege on a luxury hotel in Burkina Faso’s capital on Saturday morning. At least 27 people from 18 different nationalities were killed in the attack,

Afghan soldiers kill 37 militants: "The Taliban militants attacked joint Afghan army and police security checkpoints in Adam Khan and Rahim Kala localities of Nahri Sarraj district Friday morning.

China opens AIIB, sends chills to US: China on Saturday officially launched the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) which is seen as an emerging rival to powerful Western-led financial institutions such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

China’s Capital Flight: Money is pouring out of China as rapidly as it once poured in. That’s a dilemma for Xi Jinping.

N. Korea to US: Stop drills, sign peace treaty if you want end to nuclear tests: North Korea has set out a series of demands to end nuclear testing. Pyongyang wants a peace treaty to be signed with the US, but also wants Washington to stop conducting military drills with neighbor South Korea.

Portuguese Court Rules to Extradite Ex-CIA Agent to Italy: A Portuguese court has ruled that a former CIA operative convicted of kidnapping an Egyptian cleric as part of an extraordinary renditions program should be turned over to Italy to serve her six-year sentence there, a court official said Friday.

Austria deploys army to halt migrants intending to transit through Germany: Austria is set to use its army to stop refugees intending to transit through Germany and not apply for asylum there, as hundreds are being rejected at the German border. More than 1,000 migrants with forged IDs are being turned around at the Austrian border each week.

Protest in German city over attacks on refugees: Thousands demonstrate in Stuttgart to condemn racism and violence against refugees and regular attacks on their housing.

Venezuela government declares 'economic emergency': Move gives government 60 days of wider powers to intervene in economy as inflation reaches mammoth 141.5 percent.

Anger in Belle Glade, Florida, after cop shoots ‘black 19yo’ to death: A crowd of angry people has gathered in a street in the town of Belle Glade, Florida, where a white sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a young black man earlier the same day, local media and Twitter users report.

Oil Bust Could End Dollar Domination: The US dollar survived the collapse of Bretton Woods in the ‘70s because its use in crude oil transactions made it the king of reserve currencies, but can it survive a collapse of petro dollars? Can the world survive the catastrophic geopolitical consequences that would follow?

Retail Sales in U.S. Decrease to End Weakest Year Since 2009: Sales at U.S. retailers declined in December to wrap the weakest year since 2009, raising concern about the momentum in consumer spending heading into 2016.

Would YOU drink this? People of Flint share horrifying pictures of the water they were told was safe as they turn on the governor

Sanders: Michigan Governor Must Resign over Flint Lead-Poisoning Crisis: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday called on Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to resign for his administration’s failure to deal with a lead-poisoning crisis that has sickened thousands of children in Flint, Michigan.

UK MPs to debate banning Trump: After petition called for presidential hopeful to be rejected on account of hate speech, politicians will hold debate.

 

January 15, 2015

 

Does China Hold Key To The Afghan Puzzle?
By Pepe Escobar
It’s all about the involvement of the CIA in the heroin trade in Afghanistan; “The Americans simply can’t let it go.”  Continue

 

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Indonesia Snubs Saudi ‘Anti-terror’ Coalition... Then Its Capital Gets Hit
By Finian Cunningham
Saudi sponsors of terrorism were looking for a quick counter to Indonesia undermining their anti-terror charade last month.  Continue

 

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What Accounts for the Saudi Regime’s Hysterical Belligerence? The Agony of Death
By Ismael Hossein-Zadeh
The Saudi rulers find themselves in a losing race against time, or history.  Continue

 

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U.S. Media Condemns Iran’s “Aggression” in Intercepting U.S. Naval Ships — in Iranian Waters
By Glenn Greenwald
The U.S. does not officially have state TV; it has something much better.  Continue

 

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IS: Just a Murderous Death Cult?
By Ian Sinclair
“Far from being an army of irrational, bloodthirsty fanatics, ISIS is a deeply calculating political organisation." Continue

 

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Whose Violence and Why?
By Kim Petersen and B. J. Sabri
The United States and the West manufacturing events in the Arab world to serve cumulative objectives.  Continue

 

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Israel’s Imperial Need to Build Walls and Ban Books
By David Palumbo-Liu
For the Netanyahu government, restricting ideas is as important as seizing territory.  Continue

 

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Here’s the Thing About Terrorism Obama Won’t Tell You
By Peter Certo
Our wildly inflated fear of terrorism is a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Continue

 

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Two Smoking Guns: FBI on Hillary’s Case
By Andrew P. Napolitano
It is the consensus of many of us who monitor government behavior that the FBI will recommend indictment. Continue

 

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Money for Nothing… Except Winning!!
By Philip Farruggio
It is time for the good working stiffs of America to walk away from the 2 Party ‘One Party’ con job.  Continue

 

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Republican Presidential Debate
Video
The GOP frontrunner is master of the one liner and the angry rhetoric.  Continue

 

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The Chart That Explains Everything
By Mike Whitney
Did you know that more government workers lost their jobs under Obama than any other president in history?  Continue

 

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60 killed as Al-Shabab seizes African Union base in Somalia: Residents told the BBC that al-Shabab had raised its flag at a camp for Kenyan troops and said insurgents had paraded bodies through the town.

Iraqi forces kill 25 ISIS elements, destroy ISIS shelter in Salahuddin: “The forces of the Third Brigade had managed to kill 25 ISIS elements and destroy eight vehicles west of Samarra Island,” pointing out that, “The rockets battalion completely destructed an ISIS shelter in Makshifiyah.”

Two civilians killed by militant attack in northern Baghdad: “Today, unidentified militants opened fire against two civilians in the area of al-Fahama in northern Baghdad, resulting in the immediate death of both of them.”

Many killed as ISIS captures road connecting Tikrit and Kirkuk -: “The ISIS militants had carried out an attack, at dawn today, on Tel Ksaiba area using seven car bombs,” adding that, “A large number of the security forces were either killed or wounded during the attack.”

Iraqi Elite Troops Still Engaged in Street Fighting in Ramadi: Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Colonel Steve Warren told a Pentagon teleconference that elite Iraqi Counter-Terror Service forces are still bogged down in street-fighting to clear the city of Ramadi.

Iraqi force enters southern oil city to disarm tribal fighters: Iraq has sent an armored army division and a police strike force into the southern oil city of Basra to disarm residents amid intensified feuding among rival Shi'ite Muslim tribes, local officials and security sources said on Friday.

Al-Qaeda top commander found dead in Syria’s Daraa: Top commander of al-Qaeda branch in Syria, the Nusra Front, was found dead after gunmen raided his office in Syria’s southern city of Daraa on Thursday.

Syrian forces prepare for assault to seize Aleppo: Pro-government fighters are preparing to launch a major assault to recapture Syria's second city Aleppo, a security source in the northern province told AFP.

Russian Defense Ministry: 217 populated areas in Syria restored since Sep. 30: The Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out 5,662 sorties since the beginning of its military air operations against the terrorists’ sites in Syria, supporting the Syrian Arab Army’s efforts to establish control over 217 villages and towns.

Security Council calls emergency meeting on Syrian sieges: The Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Friday at the request of Western countries trying to press Syria’s warring parties to lift sieges on towns where hundreds of thousands have been cut off from aid and many are starving.

From Sarajevo to Madaya: Starvation as propaganda: The sudden interest of Western media and diplomats in the Syrian city of Madaya has very little to do with the thousands of purportedly starving civilians – and everything to do with propaganda in a war that is not going the way Western capitals wanted.

Russia has new objective to deliver humanitarian aid in Syria - defence ministry: Russian air force planes have delivered 22 tonnes of aid in the region around the eastern Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, a ministry official said in a televised briefing.

Russia: Damascus, Moscow Agreed on ’Open-Ended’ Military Presence in Syria: The deal was made to defend the "sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the Russian Federation and the Syrian Arab Republic," according to the document.

The US is considering a new plan for Syria -- and the Kurds 'will not be happy about it': A newly empowered, US-backed Arab rebel brigade aimed at enabling larger groups of Arab forces fighting in Syria would presumably serve as a counterweight to Kurdish territorial ambitions in the north.

Turkey’s revenge strikes kill 200 people in Iraq and Syria: Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said 200 extremists had been killed since Tuesday in Turkey’s offensive along the Syria-Turkish border and near a Turkish camp in northern Iraq.

Turkish artillery hit IS positions in Iraq, Syria: Turkish tanks and artillery attacked the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the suicide bombing in Istanbul that killed 10 tourists, Turkey's prime minister said Thursday — the country's first significant strike against the Islamic extremists in months.

Turkey detains 12 academics for criticizing military campaign against Kurds: Turkey has arrested 12 academics for signing a declaration denouncing Ankara’s military operations against Kurdish militants. The move comes after more than 1,200 scholars were being investigated for criticizing the Turkish State.

Chomsky hits back at Erdogan, accusing him of double standards on terrorism: US academic says Turkish president – who has condemned leftwing critics for ignorance – has been aiding Isis, which he blamed for bomb attack on Istanbul

This is a sick joke: US military discloses some civilians it killed in Iraq, Syria: Five separate U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria likely resulted in the death of eight civilians and the injury of three others, the U.S. military command in the Middle East announced Friday. The five strikes occurred between April 12 and July 4, said U.S. Central Command.

How Many Bombs Did the United States Drop in 2015?: Remarkably, they also claim that alongside the 25,000 fighters killed, only 6 civilians have “likely” been killed in the seventeen-month air campaign. At the same time, officials admit that the size of the group has remained wholly unchanged.

Putin invites Qatari leader to Moscow as MidEast diplomacy intensifies: The Emir of Qatar is set to arrive in the Russian capital early next week to hold talks on the current situation in the Middle East and North Africa. The high-level negotiations will also focus on energy issues at a time of falling global oil and gas prices.

Saudi air raids kill 15 civilians near Yemeni capital: A new Saudi airstrike against Yemen has killed at least 15 Yemeni civilians and injured 25 others in an area outside the capital, Sana’a.

VIDEO: Dozens Killed in Saudi Arabia Air Raids to Yemen’s Amran, Sanaa, Taiz: In the new round of attacks Saudi Warplanes have pounded new areas in Amran, Sanaa, and Taiz Killing Dozens civilians and destroying facilities .

Yemeni forces kill senior Emirati commander, 3 Saudi mercenaries in Ta’izz: A senior military commander from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and three other Saudi-backed foreign mercenaries have been killed in an attack by Yemeni forces in the southwestern province of Ta’izz, reports say.

Al-Qaeda Leader Calls for Attacks on Saudi Arabia: In a video message, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri called on his followers to retaliate for Saudi Arabia’s mass execution of dozens of alleged extremists.-month air campaign. At the same time, officials admit that the size of the group has remained wholly unchanged.

Israeli forces shoot dead 2 Palestinians in Gaza clashes: Israeli forces on Friday afternoon shot dead two Palestinians during clashes near al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, medical sources said. Medics added that at least 10 other Palestinian youths had been shot and wounded by live fire during the clashes.

Netanyahu to Brazil: Settler leader only ambassador we’ll offer: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said if Brazil won’t approve former settler leader Dani Dayan as its ambassador, Israel won’t offer another diplomat.

Russia to Supply Small Arms to Afghanistan: Amid increasing concerns about instability in Afghanistan pouring over into the former Soviet republics and Russia, the Russian foreign ministry says it plans to supply small arms to Kabul though it will refrain from sending other weapons.

Key IS leader, 10 militantss killed in E. Afghanistan: A key Islamic State (IS) local leader along with 10 more fighters of the extremist group have been killed during drone strike in eastern Afghanistan, a local TV reported on Friday.

7 killed as Islamic State claims Jakarta attack, targets Indonesia for first time: Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the heart of Indonesia's capital on Thursday and the assault was claimed by Islamic state, the first time the radical group has targeted the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Jakarta attacks: Gunman from widely circulated photo identified: He was among five attackers killed by police. Two civilians were killed and dozens injured, including foreigners.

Four Indian Maoist rebels killed in shoot-out: police: Police said the shoot-out happened early Friday morning in Bijapur, around 470 kilometres (290 miles) from state capital Raipur.

Russia's Buildup Of S-400 Missile Batteries In Kaliningrad Is Freaking Out NATO: The same air defense system that has seemingly kept coalition fighters out of western Syria is now being installed in the heart of Europe, at Russia’s Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad.

Switzerland Plans to Seize Money from Refugees: Following harsh European policies against migrants and refugees, the Swiss government announced Friday it may implement new legislation that would force refugees to hand over cash and valuables to authorities to help pay for their upkeep.

Charlie Hebdo cartoon featuring drowned Syrian boy causes outcry: A drawing in French satirical weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo suggesting Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian boy found dead on a Turkish beach last year, would have grown up to be a sex attacker caused outrage online on Thursday.

Ecuador Gives Sweden Green Light for Assange Interrogation: Thanks to Ecuadorean diplomatic work, the founder of WikiLeaks could potentially be cleared of any future criminal charges in Sweden

Venezuela decrees 60-day economic emergency: President Nicolas Maduro will rule by edict for two months. The decree includes tax increases and puts emergency measures in place to pay for welfare services and food imports.

Canada court grants extension of time for assisted suicide law: The Supreme Court of Canada on Friday granted the federal government a qualified extension of time to come up with a law on doctor-assisted suicide in response to the court's earlier decision overturning a ban on the practice.

Oil prices tumble to new 12-year lows: Oil prices slumped to fresh 12-year low points Friday, as dealers prepared for increased Iranian exports to the market against a backdrop of a global supply glut. Brent meanwhile dropped to $29.45 -- the lowest level since February 2004.

Wall Street in panic: Dow Jones, S&P 500 plunge 3 percent as oil prices fall: : Fear gripped markets on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Index falling more than 500 points. Global stocks suffered in the wake of oil prices dropping below $30 a barrel and sell-offs occurring in the Chinese stock markets.

Wal-Mart to Shutter 269 Stores, 154 of Them in the US: More than 95 percent of the stores set to be closed in the U.S. are within 10 miles of another Wal-Mart. The Bentonville, Arkansas, company said it is working to ensure that workers are placed in nearby locations.

A recession worse than 2008 is coming: The unscrupulous individuals that dominate financial institutions and governments seldom predict a down-tick on Wall Street, so don't expect them to warn of the impending global recession and market mayhem.

Video of Chicago police killing released: A lawyer for the family of a 17-year-old black carjacking suspect fatally shot by a white Chicago police officer in 2013 hopes video of the shooting just released by the city will prompt a new look at the case and possibly even lead to the reopening of a criminal investigation.

Flint restarts water shutoff notices after brief holiday reprieve; Residents have expressed outrage over the fact they are being billed for water they cannot drink without filtration due to elevated lead levels found in water in some Flint homes.

Are Gates and Rockefeller using their influence to set agenda in poor states?: Study identifies Bill and Melinda Gates and Rockefeller foundations among rich donors that are close to government and may be skewing priorities

The Nation Magazine Endorses Bernie Sanders for President: Numbers released this week give Sanders a five-point lead over Clinton in Iowa and a four-point lead in New Hampshire. Sanders has also narrowed Clinton’s once commanding lead nationwide, pulling within seven points.

Quarter of Republicans think Cruz's birthplace disqualifies him for president: poll: A quarter of Republicans think White House hopeful Ted Cruz is disqualified to serve as U.S. president because he was born in Canada to an American mother, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

NYC slams Cruz over debate : Ted Cruz is in hot water after he attempted to disqualify Donald Trump during the GOP presidential debate by criticizing his “New York values.” Outraged residents of Big Apple are having none of it

 

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