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Syria's Assad will go, says US, as UN vote nears
The White House said President Bashar al-Assad had lost control of Syria, adding "he will go". Russia has said it will block a UN resolution calling for Mr Assad to hand power to a deputy who would then form a government of national unity. Moscow said the text - proposed by the Arab League and backed by the US, the UK and France - was "not balanced" and would "leave open the possibility of intervention" in Syria's affairs.

Demands for Syria's Assad to step down is path to war, Russia says
Western and Arab diplomats launched a major offensive at the UN on Tuesday in hopes of overcoming Russia's opposition to a draft resolution demanding that Syrian President Bashar Assad relinquish power.-Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member of the council, has objected to the draft, which is backed by Western and some Arab powers. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Tuesday on Twitter that the resolution is a “path to civil war.”

Saudi Arabia can meet Turkey’s possible oil shortage
Saudi Arabia signaled it can meet a possible shortfall in oil import in the countries, including in Turkey, due to U.S. and EU sanctions on Iran, Financial Times reports. "What Saudi Arabia wants to see is a balanced market in oil," Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said at a meeting between Turkey and the six countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council in Istanbul. Turkey is one of the countries dependent on Iranian oil.

Turkey will not block Iran oil imports, official says
Turkey will not bar Iran oil imports unless sanctions are imposed by the United Nations, an Energy Ministry spokesman told dpa Monday. "We are not bound by EU or US decisions, so we will only block Iranian oil imports if the UN decides to impose such sanctions on Iran," he said. Iran is a significant exporter of oil to Turkey, supplying the country's sole oil refiner Tupras, which operates four refineries.

NBC, AP Avoid 'M-word' in Report About 'Honor Killings'
It is the religion that dare not speak its name...at least on NBC News and at the Associated Press among other politically correct circles. Both media outlets reported on a verdict in an "honor killings" case in Canada while managing to avoid mentioning a certain religion whose name starts with "M." To watch or read both reports, you would think that "honor killings" was some sort of bizarre ritual limited to the family in question or perhaps a few other members of an unidentified "patriarchal culture."

America Will Be at War with Iran Within One Year
Of course, we all hope for a diplomatic solution, but I don't see either side backing down -- neither the Iranian nor American government. So whether anyone of us common folks agree or not, whether we like it or not, it's soon time for us all to prepare our minds and hearts for war.

Euro Set for Long-Term Decline - Kudrin
"From my point of view, the euro will begin declining over the next year and a half amid volatility," Kudrin wrote on his Twitter. Kudrin said that the currency crisis in Europe had already started and was 90 percent sure that one to three states would leave the eurozone. Greece, Ireland and Portugal have the largest debt problems, while Spain and Italy may enter the high-risk zone in the near future.

Scores injured as 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Lima
The epicentre of the magnitude 6.3 quake, which struck 11 minutes after midnight on Sunday (0511 GMT Monday), was 15 miles southeast of the city of Ica, the US Geological Survey said. Memories are still fresh of the powerful 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the Ica region on August 15, 2007, killing more than 500 people and injured about 200,000.

Volcanoes May Have Sparked Little Ice Age
A mysterious, centuries-long cool spell, dubbed the Little Ice Age, appears to have been caused by a series of volcanic eruptions and sustained by sea ice, a new study indicates.

Santorini volcano (Greece) strong seismic swarm continues, scientist speak out, finally
Michelle Parks, a geologist from Oxford, mentioned that the evidence points to something important, there is volcanic activity and the volcano is now potentially active at depth. Consensus is that the volcano has woken up in early 2011, but opinions differ mainly on the lines of nationality of the scientists.

Why Are the Chinese Buying Record Quantities of Gold?
This month, the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department reported that China imported 102,779 kilograms of gold from Hong Kong in November, an increase from October’s 86,299 kilograms. Beijing does not release gold trade figures, so for this and other reasons the Hong Kong numbers are considered the best indication of China’s gold imports.

Turkey may replace Iran as Hamas' financier
Israeli daily Haaretz quoted Turkish sources on Saturday that stated Gazan Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh conveyed his party's financial difficulties to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan during his first visit to Turkey and that Turkey is seriously considering funding Hamas, a party Israel and the US list as a terrorist organization.

Officials investigating Illinois reactor shutdown
Officials are investigating the events surrounding a power failure at a nuclear reactor in northern Illinois, where steam was vented to reduce pressure after it shut down. After the shut down Monday morning at Exelon Nuclear's Byron Generating Station, operators began releasing steam to cool the reactor from the part of the plant where turbines are producing electricity, not from within the nuclear reactor itself, officials said.

Brotherhood would cancel Camp David Agreement, says Hezbollah official
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood will eventually cancel the Camp David Agreement, despite the group’s announcement that it respects international agreements Egypt has signed, said Amin al-Sayed Ibrahim, head of Hezbollah’s political council. Speaking to the “International Conference on Islamic Awakening and the Youths,” Ibrahim said that the Egyptian military, so as not to lose its clout, would never allow the Brotherhood to write the constitution or even form a constituent assembly to write the constitution.

Scientists warn of huge quake east of Japan Trench
The research group installed 20 seismometers on the seabed east of the Japan Trench to analyze aftershocks that occurred between late April and early July last year. The data showed that the March quake apparently changed the dynamic force deep inside the Pacific Plate.

Deaths in Ukraine and Poland in freezing Europe weather
At least 30 people have died in Ukraine and 10 in Poland after heavy snow fall and a drop in temperatures across much of central and eastern Europe. Three deaths were also reported in Serbia and one in Bulgaria. Ukrainian health officials said more than 600 people had sought treatment for frostbite and hypothermia in just three days.

UN resolution could spur Syria civil war, Russia warns
The Western-Arab drive to adopt a UN resolution on Syria is a "path to civil war", Russian deputy foreign minister Gennady Gatilov has warned. He told Interfax news agency it would "not lead to a search for compromise". The resolution is set to be discussed at a UN Security Council meeting on the deepening Syrian crisis.

Ethiopian Christians to be deported from Saudi Arabia
Some 35 Ethiopian Christians face deportation from Saudi Arabia for "illicit mingling", the global rights body Human Rights Watch (HRW) says. Police arrested the group - including 29 women - after raiding a prayer meeting in the second city of Jeddah. The women were subjected to strip searches and the men beaten and called "unbelievers", according to HRW.

Occupy DC defies Monday noon eviction deadline
Occupy protesters have defied a noon police deadline to remove their camps or face arrest in Washington DC. They have erected a "tent of dreams" around a statue in McPherson Square as part of their protest against eviction. The camps at McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza have been Occupy's most visible sites since the one in New York was cleared out in November.

Greece seeks bail-out deal 'this week' to avert catastrophe
Greece is seeking a deal with private lenders and the EU "by the end of the week" its prime minister said Tuesday (31 January), as Athens races to avoid a financial meltdown ahead of debt repayments due in March. ...Prime Minister Lucas Papademos said he had "more detailed discussion" with his "European friends" about the talks with private bankers and the outstanding reforms needed to secure a €130 billion bail-out Greece needs to refinance its debt in March.

US Embassy houses citizens as Egypt eyes NGOs
Several American citizens have taken refuge in the US Embassy in Cairo amid a sharpening dispute between Washington and Egypt's military-led authorities over US-funded pro-democracy groups in the country, the State Department said on Monday. "We can confirm that a handful of US citizens have opted to stay in the embassy compound in Cairo while waiting for permission to depart Egypt," State Department spokeswoman Kate Starr said.

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Gallup state numbers predict huge Obama loss
Gallup released their annual state-by-state presidential approval numbers yesterday, and the results should have 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue very worried. If President Obama carries only those states where he had a net positive approval rating in 2011 (e.g. Michigan where he is up 48 percent to 44 percent), Obama would lose the 2012 election to the Republican nominee 323 electoral votes to 215.

Taliban "poised to retake Afghanistan" after NATO pullout
The U.S. military said in a secret report that the Taliban, backed by Pakistan, are set to retake control of Afghanistan after NATO-led forces withdraw, raising the prospect of a major failure of Western policy after a costly war.

Catholics hear protests of Obama health ruling at Mass
U.S. Catholic bishops and priests across the country read out letters at Mass on Sunday protesting plans by President Barack Obama's administration to force religiously-affiliated nonprofit groups to offer birth-control coverage to women employees.

World lacks enough food, fuel as population soars: U.N.
As the world's population looks set to grow to nearly 9 billion by 2040 from 7 billion now, and the number of middle-class consumers increases by 3 billion over the next 20 years, the demand for resources will rise exponentially.

Iran, perceiving threat from West, willing to attack on U.S. soil, U.S. intelligence report finds
An assessment by U.S. spy agencies concludes that Iran is prepared to launch terrorist attacks inside the United States, highlighting new risks as the Obama administration escalates pressure on Tehran to halt its alleged pursuit of an atomic bomb. In congressional testimony Tuesday, U.S. intelligence officials indicated that Iran has crossed a threshold in its adversarial relationship with the United States.

UN Security Council Discusses Syrian "Killing Machine"
The resolution is based on the Arab League’s plan for Syria which instructs Assad to delegate powers to his vice president following the formation of a national unity government.

S&P Warns of Cuts; Another US Downgrade Coming?
Concerns over the size of United States debt reared their head once again as ratings agency Standard & Poor’s warned that health care costs for a number of highly-rated Group of 20 countries, including the U.S., could hurt growth prospects and harm their sovereign creditworthiness from the middle of this decade.

Winter Storm Turns Israel into Ski Resort
Several feet of snow have blanketed the Hermon ski resort on the Golan Heights – but it was closed Wednesday due to a heavy storm. Nearly six feet of the white stuff has piled up on the upper slopes and up to three feet on the slower slopes, where rain fell Wednesday morning before turning to snow. Thousands of Israelis have been fleeing the rainy center of the country to be in the snow, which is rarely seen in most other areas in Israel.

Science decodes 'internal voices'
Researchers have demonstrated a striking method to reconstruct words, based on the brain waves of patients thinking of those words. The technique reported in PLoS Biology relies on gathering electrical signals directly from patients' brains. Based on signals from listening patients, a computer model was used to reconstruct the sounds of words that patients were thinking of.

Issa threatens contempt proceeding against Holder if Justice fails to comply with Fast and Furious subpoenas
In a four-page letter to Holder, Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., claims the Department of Justice has "misrepresented facts and misled Congress," which began its investigation of Operation Fast and Furious one year ago.

Mossad chief makes secret visit to US
As the debate over a possible military strike against Iran continues to grow, Mossad Chief Tamir Pardo met last Thursday in Washington with CIA Director David Petraeus, comments made during a Senate intelligence committee hearing revealed on Tuesday.

Four men admit London Stock Exchange bomb plot
Four men inspired by al-Qaeda have admitted planning to detonate a bomb at the London Stock Exchange. Mohammed Chowdhury, Shah Rahman, Gurukanth Desai and Abdul Miah pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism.

Dutch minister: Border cameras do not break EU law
The Dutch interior minister has told Brussels his new border cameras will catch illegal immigrants without breaking EU rules. Gerd Leers defended the project - which has already seen military-grade surveillance technology installed on main roads from Belgium and Germany - in a letter sent to the European Commission on Friday (27 January) and seen by EUobserver.

EU unemployment hits record high
The number of unemployed people in Europe is reaching record highs as the economic crisis unfolds into one with significant social consequences. In eight member states alone, over 30 percent of young people under 25 are out of jobs. The worst affected continues to be Spain where half its young are jobless.

Europe May Be Planning 1.5 Trillion Euro Backstop Fund
Europe could have a 'super' €1,500 billion ($1,969 billion) debt firewall by the summer under plans to combine three funds of €500 billion each. The Financial Times Deutschland reported on Tuesday that the plan was discussed at a meeting on the sidelines of the recent World Economic Forum in Davos attended by US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and his French counterpart Francois Baroin.

IAEA inspectors to return to Iran after 'good' trip
The UN nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday it had held "good" talks in Iran about suspicions Tehran was seeking atomic weapons but more discussions were needed. The senior United Nations nuclear inspectors went to Tehran on Saturday for talks with Iranian officials on the Islamic state's suspected atomic weapons program, and to try to advance efforts to resolve the nuclear row. Tehran say its nuclear activities are for peaceful electricity generation.

US diplomat says US open to North Korea diplomacy
In a message aimed at both Koreas, a senior U.S. diplomat said Wednesday that Washington is open to settling the North Korean nuclear standoff through diplomacy, but only if Pyongyang improves ties with archrival South Korea.

Alaska volcano lava dome forms, alert level raised
The warning level for a remote Alaska volcano has been raised after a new lava dome began forming, indicating the mountain could explode and send up an ash cloud that could threaten aircraft. The Alaska Volcano Observatory on Tuesday elevated the alert status for Cleveland Volcano.

Komen Foundation ends partnership with Planned Parenthood
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, a leading charity for breast cancer, announced Tuesday that it is ceasing its partnership with Planned Parenthood in prevention screenings and education at the health centers across the nation.

Forest Service says it won't evict Jesus statue
The U.S. Forest Service says it will re-authorize a permit for a 57-year-old statue of Jesus that had been facing eviction from a northwestern Montana ski resort.

Mexico health sec: Swine flu way up after low year
Swine flu is back in Mexico, the epicenter of a world pandemic three years ago that panicked people around the globe. The country registered more cases of all types of flu and more incidents of the H1N1 strain, originally called swine flu, in January than in all of 2011, federal health officials said Tuesday.

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Risk of 'Accidental' Gulf War on the Rise
The Persian Gulf hasn't seen this kind of display of naval power since the final campaign against Saddam Hussein. Indeed, its size has prompted many to wonder whether it is merely posturing and bluffing or, rather, a sign of an upcoming fourth war in the Gulf.

US foresees May as tentative date for clash with Iran. Floating SEALs base for Gulf
A hurried decision not to de-commission the USS Ponce helicopter marine carrier after duty in Libya - but to refit it for deployment by May in the Persian Gulf as a floating base for commando teams - was confirmed by the US Pentagon and Navy Sunday, Dec. 29. This transportable floating base will expand the commandos' range in coastal areas and support counter-measure against mines which Iran has threatened to plant in the Strait of Hormuz in reprisal for the US-EU oil embargo. The SEALs will also take on Iran's menacing fleet of military speedboats.

What's erupting? Map of currently active volcanoes
Latest volcano news: Erta Ale volcano (Danakil desert, Ethiopia) security update - volcano reopened for tour groups, Ethiopian government sends military to secure Thursday, Feb 02, 2012 Ert Ale volcano, the site of the deadly terrorist attack 4 weeks ago, in which 5 people were killed, several wounded and 4 abducted, is now open for t... [more] Cleveland volcano (Aleutian Islands): new activity of lava dome growth observed, AVO raises alert level Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012 Cleveland Volcano (Aleutian Islands) is showing renewed activity, which was observed in satellite data, and AVO is raising the Aviation Color Code to ... [more] Seismic activity in the Aegean Sea, Greece: earthquake swarm 50 km SW of Santorini Island decreases Tuesday, Jan 31, 2012 [more] VolcanoDiscovery Blog: Excursion to Santorini in February? [more] When will the next eruption from Santorini volcano occur? [more] El Hierro volcano (Canary Islands) eruption update: steaming lava balloons at surface, new insights from recent bathymetric studies Monday, Jan 30, 2012 [more] Santorini volcano: seismic swarm 50 km to the SW continues, scientist admit it is no normal event, but claim it has nothing to do with the volcano [more]

Alaska volcano lava dome forms, alert level raised
The warning level for a remote Alaska volcano has been raised after a new lava dome began forming, indicating the mountain could explode and send up an ash cloud that could threaten aircraft.

Israel Vice PM: Military strike can hit all of Iran's nuclear facilities
All of Iran's nuclear faculties are vulnerable to a military strike, Vice Prime Minister and Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya’alon said on Thursday, calling the potential of a nuclear Iran a "nightmare to the free world." ..."The Iranians believe that a determination isn’t still there, both in regards to military action and in regards to sanctions," Ya'alon said, adding that "any facility protected by humans can be infiltrated by humans. It's possible to strike all Iran's facilities, and I say that out of my experience as IDF chief of staff."

What is it? Man captures video of spinning blue UFO 'cruising slow' over Utah
He watched the object floating in the sky for a few minutes, observing how it was 'just cruising slow' in the sky. But as with any UFO sighting, there are skeptics, who have their own ideas about what the flying object really was.

U.S. Intel: Iran could strike U.S. if threatened
Top U.S. intelligence officials on Tuesday asserted that Iran has the means to build a nuclear weapon but has not yet decided to follow through, in contrast to Israel's insistence that time is running out to stop Iran from developing such a weapon.

Sandia Labs' bullet doesn't miss
Engineers at Sandia National Laboratories have invented a bullet that guides itself to the target. Sandia has wide expertise at miniature technology, and the bullet works like a tiny guided missile. The patented design doesn't shoot straight. Instead of a spiral rotation, the bullet twists and turns to guide itself towards a laser directed point. It can make up to thirty corrections per second while in the air.

Flesh-eating bug spread by coughs and sneezes spreading across the UK
A flesh-eating form of pneumonia that is easily passed between healthy people on public transport is spreading across the UK, experts have warned. The deadly strain of MRSA called USA300 passes easily through skin-to-skin contact. It can also survive on surfaces and so has the potential to be picked up on crowded buses and tubes.

San Onofre Nuclear Plant Closed After Radiation Leak
A small quantity of radioactive gas leaked inside one of the buildings at San Onofre nuclear power plant north of San Diego, according to a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The spokesman said the radiation levels were “barely measurable,” but the plant was shut down as a precaution.

Egypt football riot: Tension in Cairo as protests loom
Crowds are gathering in central Cairo as tension rises after riots in the city of Port Said on Wednesday which left at least 74 people dead. Angry fans closed off Tahrir Square and state TV ahead of a protest against police handling of the clashes. ...Parliament opened with a minute's silence. Speaker Mohamed Saad al-Katatni said the riots were the "work of the devil" and that Egypt's revolution was "in danger".

Afghanistan: Leon Panetta signals end to US combat role
The US will seek to wind down combat operations in Afghanistan during 2013, more than a year before a deadline for withdrawal, the defence secretary says. Speaking while travelling to a Nato summit, Leon Panetta said the US hoped to switch to a role training and supporting Afghan forces. It is the most detailed public indication of when US troops might pull back from America's longest war.

Bank survey highlights EU economic gloom
Euro-area banks are becoming less happy to lend and consumers are more reluctant to borrow, according to an authoritative new survey out Wednesday (1 February). The European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt in the past six weeks polled senior loan officers in 124 banks of various sizes across the 17-country single-currency zone.

Kochavi: Iran has uranium for 4 nuclear bombs
Iran has created a stockpile of enriched uranium that could be used to manufacture four nuclear weapons, head of the IDF's Military Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi said on Thursday. ..."Iran's motivations are: to create hegemony in the region; deterrence; and to become an international player," Kochavi said.

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Iranian Supreme Leader: U.S. will be overthrown, just like Soviet Union in due time
Khamenei stressed that "U.S., who threatens Iran with war, will eventually harm itself". "If a war comes after all the threats, the U.S. will suffer ten times more," Khamenei said. "The U.S. is weak, both politically and economically," Khamenei said. "Their political failures in Middle East, Palestine and Iraq prove it". "The West threats Iran, while we have some threats of our own, and if necessary, we will reveal them, when the time is right," Khamenei said. "The U.S. will be overthrown, just like Soviet Union in due time".

Christians 'face deportation' in Saudi Arabia
Dozens of Ethiopian Christians are facing deportation from Saudi Arabia after authorities raided a private prayer service in Jeddah, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).Saudi Arabia officially bans the public practice of any religion other than Islam. The kingdom said in 2006 that it would allow non-Muslims to practice their religions in private, but the kingdom's notorious religious police continue to periodically crack down on private services.

Magnitude 7.1 Vanuatu
A major earthquake struck near Vanuatu in the southwest Pacific Ocean early Friday morning local time 24 km (77 miles) west of Port-Vila, Efate, Vanuatu.

Cross-border methamphetamine trade booms amid Mexico's 'war on drugs'
The number of methamphetamine “super labs” seized by Mexican authorities has rocketed in the last five years but shipments of the drug across the border have also continued to grow, according to government statistics.

A white weekend in store! Four inches of snow to fall across Britain as mercury plummets to -10c
Snow will sweep the country this weekend as the Arctic freeze tightens its grip. Forecasters issued a nationwide cold weather alert, with temperatures expected to plunge as low as -10c (14f) from tonight.

Obama: Jesus would back my tax-the-rich policy
Obama offered a new line of reasoning for hiking taxes on the rich on Thursday, saying at the National Prayer Breakfast that his policy proposals are shaped by his religious beliefs.

Old Jewish scrolls found in Afghanistan
A cache of ancient Jewish scrolls from northern Afghanistan that has only recently come to light is creating a storm among scholars who say the landmark find could reveal an undiscovered side of medieval Jewry.

Khamenei: Zionist regime is a cancer
"The Zionist regime is a cancerous tumor and it will be removed," Teheran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday.

Cold weather death toll passes 100 in Ukraine
More than 100 people have now died as a result of freezing weather in Ukraine since last Friday, the government has announced in Kiev. Most of the 101 who died were homeless people and 64 of them were found dead on the streets, the emergencies ministry said.

Germany's Power 'Is Causing Fear' in Europe
The EU summit on Monday was overshadowed by a new upsurge in fears of German domination following reports over the weekend that Berlin was proposing dispatching an EU commissioner to Athens to seize control of the Greek budget.

China plants bitter seeds in South American farmland
Few were surprised when Venezuela announced a deal with China last week to restore 1.4 million acres of unproductive farmland across the oil-rich but impoverished South American nation. China increasingly is buying farmland and agricultural companies in South America to feed its ever-growing population, currently estimated to be 1.34 billion.

Syria: Russia warns against crossing 'red line'
Russia warned Arab leaders against crossing a “red line” in trying to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and said it wasn’t the job of the United Nations to dictate who stays in power and who goes.

Palestinian Authority likely to welcome back Hamas
A Palestinian government that incorporates Hamas is likely to be formed this month, senior Palestinian officials told The Washington Times. Nabil Shaath, Fatah’s commissioner of foreign relations, said late Wednesday that the agreement would be implemented “most likely by mid-February.”

Bankrupt American Airlines announces 13,000 job cuts
The parent company of bankrupt American Airlines has said it would slash 13,000 jobs around 15 per cent of its workforce - as part of a cost-cutting strategy necessary to compete with rivals. AMR, which filed for bankruptcy protection in November, said Wednesday the lay off would reduce spending by $2 billion and raise revenue by $1 billion a year.

‘The Year of the Bible?’: Atheists Angry That PA Politician Thinks So
During a time when atheist groups are vehemently targeting any and all instances of faith and government intermingling, politicians in Pennsylvania have made a bold proclamation. Last week, the state’s House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution (H.R. 535) declaring 2012 the “Year of the Bible.” This specific, Christian declaration is more symbolic than it is binding, but the official nature of the announcement is attracting attention.

Serbia: 11,000 trapped in remote villages by snow
At least 11,000 villagers have been trapped by heavy snow and blizzards in Serbia's mountains, authorities said Thursday, as the death toll from Eastern Europe's weeklong deep freeze rose to 123, many of them homeless people. ...The stranded in Serbia are stuck in some 6,500 homes in remote areas that cannot be reached due to icy, snow-clogged roads with banks reaching up to 5 meters (16 feet).

Contraception mandate outrages religious groups
The Obama administration's decision requiring church-affiliated employers to cover birth control was bound to cause an uproar among Roman Catholics and members of other faiths, no matter their beliefs on contraception. The regulation, finalized a week ago, raises a complex and sensitive legal question: Which institutions qualify as religious and can be exempt from the mandate?

Jordan withdraws from Syria monitoring mission
Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said on Thursday that his country had withdrawn its monitors from the Arab League mission to Syria, saying the decision had been taken several days ago when the work of all monitors was suspended. "There is no mission and we withdrew in conformity with the Arab League decision," Judeh told Reuters.

Report: Iran launches new satellite into orbit
Iran successfully launched a new small satellite into orbit early Friday, state media reported, the latest in the country's ambitious space program that has raised concerns because if its possible military applications. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called in to the launch site, saying he was hopeful this act will send a signal of more friendship among all human beings," the state IRNA news agency reported.

Shin Bet chief: Iran trying to hit Israeli targets in response to attacks on nuclear scientists
Iran is trying to strike Israeli targets around the world in a bid to stop the assassinations of its nuclear scientists, the head of the Shin Bet security service, Yoram Cohen, said Thursday. Lecturing at a closed forum in Tel Aviv, Cohen said that Iran believes Israel is behind the attacks on its nuclear experts, which have killed four scientists since November 2010.

Concerns grow over volcanic eruptions
...Two recent papers highlight the shift. One looked at a Death Valley volcano thought to be 10,000 years old and found it last erupted just 800 years ago, and is still an eruption danger. The other found that large caldera volcanoes, such as the one under Crater Lake in Oregon, can recharge in a matter of decades, rather than the thousands of years previously thought.

Ahmadinejad calls for new world order ‎
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for a new world order of justice-seeking nations, to replace the existing Western-dominated liberal status quo. President Ahmadinejad made the remarks at the inauguration ceremony of the 2nd International Conference on Hollywoodism and Cinema in Tehran on Thursday.

Cold weather death toll passes 100 in Ukraine
More than 100 people have now died as a result of freezing weather in Ukraine since last Friday, the government has announced in Kiev. Most of the 101 who died were homeless people and 64 of them were found dead on the streets, the emergencies ministry said. Hundreds of others have been treated in hospital for frostbite, hypothermia and other cold-related conditions.

Deja vu as Russia gas cuts hit eight more EU countries
Eight EU countries have joined Italy in noting a sharp drop in Russian gas supplies, in events recalling the massive 2009 crunch. Gazprom deliveries to Austria and Slovakia reportedly fell by 30 percent on Thursday (2 February). Shipments to Poland fell 7 percent and Czech distributor RWE Transgaz said deliveries are "several" percent lower than normal.

Khamenei warns over military strike, oil embargo threat
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday the Islamic Republic would not yield to international pressure to abandon its nuclear course, threatening retaliation for sanctions aimed at Iran's oil exports. "Threatening Iran and attacking Iran will harm America ... Sanctions will not have any impact on our determination to continue our nuclear course ...

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NEW BIBLE TRANSLATION INTRODUCED/NOT TO OFFEND MUSLIMS
Wycliffe Bible Translators, the Summer Institute of Linguistics and Frontiers, all of which are producing Bible translations that remove or modify terms which they have deemed offensive to Muslims. That's right: Muslim-friendly Bibles. Included in the controversial development is the removal of any references to God as "Father," to Jesus as the "Son" or "the Son of God."

Syrian activists: 200 dead in government assault
Syrian forces unleashed a barrage of mortars and artillery on the battered city of Homs for hours before dawn on Saturday, sending terrified residents fleeing into basements and killing more than 200 people in what appeared to be the bloodiest episode in the nearly 11-month-old uprising, activists said.

Jobless rate at 3-year low as payrolls surge
The United States created jobs at the fastest pace in nine months in January and the unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to a near three-year low, giving a boost to President Barack Obama. Nonfarm payrolls jumped 243,000, the Labor Department said on Friday, as factory jobs grew by the most in a year. The jobless rate fell to 8.3 percent - the lowest since February 2009 - from 8.5 percent in December.

Congress Calls for Accelerated Use of Drones in U.S.
A House-Senate conference report this week called on the Administration to accelerate the use of civilian unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or “drones,” in U.S. airspace. The pending authorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration directs the Secretary of Transporation to develop within nine months “a comprehensive plan to safely accelerate the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system.”

Iran warns world of coming great event
Amid crippling sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, Iran is continuing to prepare itself for war against the West, and now is warning of a coming great event. “In light of the realization of the divine promise by almighty God, the Zionists and the Great Satan (America) will soon be defeated,” Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, is warning.

Israel, U.S. Divided Over Timing of Potential Military Strike Against Iran
The U.S. and Israel are publicly disagreeing over timing for a potential attack on Iran’s disputed nuclear facilities, as that nation’s leader said it won’t back down. The U.S. and Israel have a “significant analytic difference” over estimates of how close Iran is to shielding its nuclear program from attack, Aaron David Miller, a former Mideast peace negotiator in the Clinton administration, said today.

French air workers to hold strike next week
Unions representing French pilots, cabin crew and ground staff have announced a four-day strike next week. Workers plan to strike from Monday to Thursday to protest against a bill currently going through parliament. The bill, put forward by President Nicolas Sarkozy's party, would require aviation workers to give more notice of industrial action.

Moscow: Thousands join pro- and anti-Putin protests
Tens of thousands of people are marching in Russia's capital Moscow in protest at Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's grip on power. It is the third rally since December's parliamentary election was marred by allegations of vote-rigging. But supporters of Mr Putin, who will stand in next month's presidential election, are holding their own rally at a different location.

'Iran threat against Jewish targets in US rising'
The threat against Israeli and Jewish targets in North America by Iran is on the rise, ABC news reported Friday, after the Iranian regime vocalized again its intention to aid in the fight against the "Zionist regime" in the face of Western sanctions. Guarded and "soft sites," such as synagogues, community centers and schools, are the primary targets by Iran, a letter circulated by the Consul General for Mid-Atlantic States and obtained by ABC news claimed.

Russia warns of 'scandal' in UN Syria vote
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned of a "scandal" if a Western-Arab drafted resolution comes to a vote on Saturday in the UN Security Council, the Itar-Tass news agency reported. The remarks, which Itar-Tass said Lavrov made in an interview to be aired later on state-run Rossiya-1 television, suggest Russia would likely veto the resolution if its latest proposed amendments were not taken into account.

Iran says Europe oil ban will not halt nuclear work
Iran's oil minister said the Islamic state would not retreat from its nuclear program even if its crude oil exports grind to a halt, the official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday. But he also called on the European Union, which accounted for a quarter of Iranian crude oil sales in the third quarter of 2011, to review its decision last week to bank Iranian oil imports from July 1.

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Missing scientists mystery deepens in frozen Antarctica
The team’s last contact with colleagues in the unfrozen world was six long days ago, and scientists from around the globe are unsure of the fate of the mission -- and the scientists themselves -- as Antarctica’s killing winter draws near.

'Hezbollah will attack Israel if West intervenes in Syria'
Hezbollah is prepared to attack Israel if Western powers interfere in Syria against the regime in Damascus, a Lebanese Hezbollah official said Sunday according to the Palestinian News Network. The unnamed official said Hezbollah was prepared if Western powers intervened in Syria in order to stop Syrian President Bashar Assad's crackdown on anti-government protesters, even if the "price for it" is to engage the IDF in battle in order to divert attention away from the Syrian arena.

NEW BIBLE TRANSLATION INTRODUCED/NOT TO OFFEND MUSLIMS
Included in the controversial development is the removal of any references to God as "Father," to Jesus as the "Son" or "the Son of God." One example of such a change can be seen in an Arabic version of the Gospel of Matthew produced and promoted by Frontiers and SIL. It changes Matthew 28:19 from this: "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" to this: "cleanse them by water in the name of Allah, his Messiah and his Holy Spirit."

NATO: Missile shield plans proceed despite Russia
NATO leaders on Saturday downplayed Moscow's fears that a new Europe-based missile defense system represents a threat to Russia, while vowing to move ahead with it, even if those concerns cannot be fully addressed. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told The Associated Press that the alliance expects to have first elements of the defense system up and running by its summit in Chicago in May...

Europe 'at risk of early grave' warns Kevin Rudd
Europe is so preoccupied with its own financial problems it is missing out on the debate about Asia's rise, Australia's foreign minister says. Kevin Rudd warned that Europe "runs the risk of talking itself into an early economic and therefore globally political grave". Mr Rudd was speaking on the issue of "America, Europe and the rise of Asia" at the Munich Security Conference.

Egypt 'to put on trial foreign NGO workers'
Egypt says it is to put on trial 40 people - including Americans and other foreigners - over the funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Egypt's ruling military council has accused foreign groups of funding street protests against them. It has raided the offices of several NGOs and banned a number of foreign staff from leaving the country.

Syria crisis: Hillary Clinton calls UN veto travesty'
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described as a "travesty" Russia and China's veto of a UN resolution condemning Syria's crackdown against anti-government protesters. Speaking in Bulgaria, Mrs Clinton said efforts outside the world body to help Syria's people should be redoubled. The US, she said, would work with "friends of a democratic Syria" to support opponents of Syria's president.

Explosion hits Egyptian gas pipeline to Israel
An explosion hit a gas pipeline running from Egypt to Israel on Sunday, witnesses and state television reported. The pipeline, which also supplies gas to Jordan, has come under attack at least 11 times since Egyptian resident Hosni Mubarak was toppled in 2011.

J’lem and Berlin sign contract for sixth submarine
Israel and Germany signed a contract a few weeks ago finalizing the sale of a sixth Dolphinclass submarine to the Israel Navy, The Jerusalem Post has learned. The Defense Ministry initiated talks with Germany last year about buying a sixth submarine but Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government initially balked when Israel asked that it underwrite part of the cost.

Iran warns neighbors not to facilitate strike against it
Iran will attack any country whose territory is used by "enemies" of the Islamic state to launch a military strike against its soil, the deputy head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards told the semi-official Fars news agency on Sunday. "Any spot used by the enemy for hostile operations against Iran, will be subjected to retaliatory aggression by our armed forces," Hossein Salami said, during military maneuvers.

Iran accused of intimidating BBC Persian staff
The BBC's director general has accused the Iranian authorities of intimidating those working for its Persian service. Mark Thompson wrote in a blog that the BBC had seen "disturbing new tactics", including the targeting of family members of those working outside Iran.

Romney wins Nevada, Gingrich vows to stay in the race
Mitt Romney won Nevada's Republican caucuses on Saturday night, grabbing the largest chunk of the state's 28 delegates in the race for the Republican presidential nomination and racking up his second consecutive victory, after winning Florida in the same week.

Kuwait PM resigns after opposition election surge
Kuwait's caretaker prime minister has stepped down to clear the way for a new government after parliamentary elections dominated by hard-line Islamists and other opposition groups.

Euro zone loses patience with Greece
Euro zone finance ministers told Greece on Saturday it could not go ahead with an agreed deal to restructure privately-held debt until it guaranteed it would implement reforms needed to secure a second financing package from the euro zone and the IMF.

Syrian UN Veto Was Assad ‘License to Kill,’ Qatar Says
The decision by Russia and China to veto a United Nations resolution seeking to end bloodshed in Syria instead gave President Bashar al-Assad a “license to kill,” Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khalid Al- Attiyah said.

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Self-Guided Bullet Hits Target a Mile Away
Sandia researchers have invented a dart-like, self-guided bullet for small-caliber, smooth-bore firearms that could hit laser-designated targets at distances of more than a mile (about 2,000 meters). The four-inch-long bullet has actuators that steer tiny fins that guide it to its target.

U.S. Calls for International Syria Coalition
U.S. officials were quoted by AP as having said an alliance would work to further squeeze the Assad regime by stepping up sanctions against it, bringing disparate Syrian opposition groups inside and outside the country together, providing humanitarian relief for embattled Syrian communities and working to prevent an escalation of violence by monitoring arms sales.

Fatah, Hamas agree: Abbas will interim Palestinian PM
Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas agreed at a meeting in Qatar on Monday to form a unified Palestinian government for the West Bank and Gaza headed by Palestinian Authority President and Fatah chief Mahmoud Abbas.

*****hammer: Leak indicates Israeli attack on Iran ‘certain’
“I think it’s fairly certain the Israelis are going to attack or you would not have had this leak, deliberately coming this week from secretary of Defense through David Ignatius of The [Washington] Post saying that he thinks there is a high likelihood Israel is going to attack, and then he went ahead and specified when. He said three months, April, May or June. And you don’t say that unless there is obviously indications from the Israelis that they are going to do this even if they get and they are getting a signal from the United States not to do it.”

Semeru volcano (East Java, Indonesia): alert level raised to 3 due to an increase of activity
its alert level was raised to 3 (out of 4, "watch") on 3 February 2012, after it had been on level 2 since 16 July 2009. Only small to moderate eruptions had been occurring over most of the past year. Between 29 December and 15 January, 8 explosions were counted which produced ash clouds up to 600 m high. One explosion threw incandescent bombs to a distance of 300 m from the Jonggring Seloko crater.

Magnitude 6.7 - NEGROS - CEBU REGION, PHILIPPINES
At least 43 people killed, 40 missing and 100 injured, many buildings damaged or destroyed.

Magnitude 5 Earthquake Strikes Near Iran’s Bushehr Nuke Plant
The earthquake struck at 9:40 a.m. local time (06:10 GMT) on Sunday some 70 km (45 miles) southwest of Bushehr, with its epicenter registered at a depth of 10 km.

New Birth ceremony with Torah disrespectful, Jewish leaders say
"He's a king. God has blessed him," said Rabbi Ralph Messer before covering Long in a scroll "[that] may still have the dust of Auschwitz and Birkenau." Messer referred to the Nazi extermination camps in Poland where millions of Jews were murdered during the Holocaust. A Torah's use in a ceremony ordaining Long as "a king" is offensive to many Jews, said Bill Nigut, Southeast Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League.

'Eshel will prepare perfect attack plan'
Referring to the possibility that Eshel would be the one overseeing an IAF military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, the officer said: "He'll know how to prepare the forces in the most meticulous and perfect manner, and lay out all the possible scenarios and chances of success."

Britain in deep freeze
Britain is under the spell of snow, ice and freezing temperatures and the prevailing condition may last through February. On Tuesday, people in parts of Britain woke up to lying snow of up to five inches while the coldest temperature of -8.6C was recorded overnight in north Yorkshire, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Alarming number of US kids abused, hospitalised
An "alarming" 4,500-plus children subjected to abuse in the US ended up in hospitals and 300 of them died of injuries in a single year, a study reveals. Researchers from the Yale School of Medicine, led by John M. Leventhal, professor of paediatrics, used the 2006 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) to estimate the incidence of hospitalizations due to serious physical abuse among children younger than 18 years.

Netanyahu to travel to US in March
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the United States early next month to address the annual convention of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC in Washington, his bureau announced on Sunday. The Prime Minister's bureau did not give further detail on whether Netanyahu will meet American officials during his visit.

Russia hits back at 'hysterical' Western response to Syria veto
Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said Western states should have delayed the vote at UN headquarters in New York until his trip to Syria on Tuesday. "Some comments from the West on the UN Security Council vote, I would say, are indecent and bordering on hysteria," said Mr Lavrov in Moscow.

Romania PM quits as financial crisis topples government
The 43-year-old lawyer was Boc's justice minister. Mr Boc resigned on Monday after days of street protests against his government, saying he wanted to "defuse political and social tension". "I have decided to tender the resignation of my government", Mr Boc told a cabinet meeting that was broadcast live. His government has been the target of protests over drastic austerity measures.

Egypt to try 43 NGO workers, including 19 Americans, over funds
Ignoring a stern U.S. threat, Egypt on Sunday referred 43 NGO workers, including 19 Americans, to trial before a criminal court for allegedly using illegal foreign funds to foment unrest. The decision marked a sharp escalation of the dispute between Cairo and Washington over Egypt‘s crackdown on U.S.-funded groups promoting democracy and human rights.

Iran mass producing anti-ship cruise missile: TV
Iran has begun mass production of an anti-ship cruise missile, state television's website said on Saturday. The Zafar missile, as it is dubbed in the report, "is a short-range, anti-ship cruise missile capable of destroying small- and medium-sized targets with high precision." It can be mounted on speed boats and other light vessels, can withstand electronic warfare, and is able to fly in low altitudes to avoid detection, the report said.

Iranian warships dock at Saudi port
Iranian naval ships docked on Saturday in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on a mission to project the Islamic republic's "power on the open seas," the Fars news agency reported. The supply ship Kharg and Shaid Qandi, a destroyer, docked in the Red Sea port in line with orders from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it quoted navy commander Admiral Habibollah Sayari as saying.

Ayatollah: Kill all Jews, annihilate Israel
The Iranian government, through a website proxy, has laid out the legal and religious justification for the destruction of Israel and the slaughter of its people. ...Calling Israel a danger to Islam, the conservative website Alef, with ties to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the opportunity must not be lost to remove “this corrupting material. It is a ‘jurisprudential justification” to kill all the Jews and annihilate Israel, and in that, the Islamic government of Iran must take the helm.”

Central Philippines earthquake 'kills' at least seven
At least seven people have died after a 6.7 magnitude quake struck the central Philippines, official reports say. The death toll includes two children, according to the government's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Dozens of people have also been reported as still missing.

China confronts EU on aviation tax
China has banned its airlines from taking part in Europe's Emissions Trading System (ETS), which forces all airlines flying in and out of Europe from 1 January this year to buy pollution permits. On Monday (6 February) Beijing flat-out refused to pay and warned that the CO2-reduction scheme could lead to a "trade war."

Fatah, Hamas agree: Abbas will be interim prime minister
Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas agreed at a meeting in Qatar on Monday to form a unified Palestinian government for the West Bank and Gaza headed by Palestinian Authority President and Fatah chief Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas would assume the role of prime minister, replacing Western-backed Salam Fayyad, a senior official said.

Islamists register big gains in Kuwaiti parliamentary elections
Sunni Islamists have won a majority of Kuwait’s parliament. Authorities said Islamic opposition candidates won 34 out of 50 seats in the parliament. They said Sunni Islamists, bolstered by tribal support, won 23 seats, compared to nine in the previous parliament. No women were elected.

Military aircraft dispatched in Australia floods
Authorities were using military helicopters and a C-130 cargo plane Sunday to evacuate thousands of residents stranded by rising floodwaters in the eastern Australian state of Queensland, the government said. Heavy rains in recent weeks have swollen rivers beyond their banks, threatening a number of communities in Queensland and New South Wales.

Situation 'tragic' as winter weather blankets Europe
- Heavy snow left several Italian villages paralyzed and without power as winter weather and cold temperatures spread across Europe, the mayor of one village said. Many of the 32 villages in the Aniene Valley, near Rome, lost electricity on Friday when an electric pylon fell because of the snow, said Piero Moscardini, mayor of Vallinfreda.

Syria crisis: Army steps up shelling in Homs
Heavy artillery fire has been rocking Homs, as Syrian troops step up an assault on the restive city. A BBC correspondent there says attacks resumed early on Monday with almost constant explosions.

Greek official says no bailout deadline Monday
The Greek government and party leaders must agree on the terms of a second bailout with IMF and EU inspectors before euro zone finance ministers next meet, a government official said on Monday. However, he denied that the three coalition parties had to respond on Monday to the EU on whether they accept the deal in principle or not.

Obama says risky to attack Iran, wants diplomatic fix
President Barack Obama said on Sunday there were important risks to consider before any military strike against Iran and made clear he does not want to see more conflict in the oil-producing Gulf region.

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The unraveling of Barry Soetoro, a/k/a Barack Hussein Obama II
It has been only after Donald Trump began to ask the same questions others have been asking for the last three years that the matter appears to have morphed from a fringe topic into legitimacy.

Palestinians urge int'l community to join Global March to Jerusalem
'The recent Arab uprisings throughout the Middle East and North Africa have proven that the Arab people are no longer willing to tolerate oppression and tyranny. They send a strong message to Western hegemonic powers and their oppressive regional allies that a new wave of nonviolent civil resistance will ultimately prevail over injustice and occupation.'

Pope 'exorcised two men in the Vatican', claims new book
Pope Benedict unwittingly performed an exorcism of two men possessed by the Devil in the very heart of the Vatican, according to the Catholic Church's best-known exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth.

South Korea to rehabilitate coal-powered plant in Turkey
South Korea is willing to undertake the construction of the nuclear power plant which is planned to be built in Turkey's northern province of Sinop. We can begin talks for the nuclear power plant within this month, said South Korea's Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Sukwoo, who signed an agreement between Turkey and South Korea on the rehabilitation of a coal-powered plant in Turkey, together with Turkish Energy & Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz.

Greece cuts 15,000 public sector jobs
GREECE has agreed to lay off 15,000 public sector workers by the end of 2012, a government minister said overnight, as international pressure mounts on Athens to agree on austerity measures needed to secure major new debt agreements. The cuts will come either by abolishing or downsizing a number of public sector bodies, Administrative Reform Minister Dimitris Reppas said in a statement.

Catholic outcry over Obama administration's birth control decision could be factor in presidential race
“There can be no doubt that religious liberty in our country is in jeopardy,” Monsignor W. Ronald Jameson warned on Saturday from inside Washington’s historic Cathedral of St. Matthew. “This is the time to speak up. This is the time for all voices to be heard.”

U.S. House Republicans try again to move Keystone pipeline
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives will try to force quick approval of the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL oil pipeline using a highway funding bill, but the plan's author said on Monday there may be more than one avenue for advancing the project. President Barack Obama's administration blocked TransCanada's $7 billion project last month.

Shipping Costs Have Plunged So Hard, Companies Are Now PAYING Customers To Use Their Boats
In particular, the report cites Glencore International Plc, which shipped grains to Europe using a ship operated by Global Maritime Investments Ltd according to Bloomberg. Global Maritime Investments not only offered the trip for free but actually paid $2,000 per day in fuel costs

Benjamin Netanyahu condemns Palestinian unity plan
Mahmoud Abbas, presidnet of the Palestinian Authority, has agreed to lead a transitional national government that would include the militant faction that runs Gaza until elections are held, possibly later this year. But the breakthrough provoked a strong reaction from Israel, which deplores Hamas as a terrorist group. Mr Netanyahu told his Likud party ministers that if Mr Abbas implements the agreement, "he chooses to abandon the path of peace and join himself to Hamas".

U.S. closes embassy in Damascus as Obama vows to increase pressure on Syria
The United States closed its embassy in Damascus on Monday and President Barack Obama vowed to ratchet up pressure on Syrian leader Bashar Assad to step down, even as world powers remained divided over how to end the crisis. ...Nuland, State Department spokeswoman, said in a statement. "We, along with several other diplomatic missions, conveyed our security concerns to the Syrian government but the regime failed to respond adequately.

Egyptians cancel meetings with U.S. lawmakers after aid warnings
An Egyptian military delegation abruptly cancelled its meetings with U.S. lawmakers to return to Cairo on Monday after warnings from both Congress and the White House that Egypt's crackdown on non-governmental groups could threaten its $1.3 billion in annual U.S. military aid. A spokesman for the Egyptian Embassy confirmed that the delegation had cancelled its meetings this week with U.S. lawmakers, but gave no reason.

Catholic League Poised To Go To War With Obama Over Mandatory Birth Control Payments
Catholic leaders upped the ante Monday, threatening to challenge the Obama administration over a provision of the new health care law that would require all employers, including religious institutions, to pay for birth control. As CBS 2’s Marcia Kramer reports, it could affect the presidential elections.

Syria crisis: Russia's Sergei Lavrov meets Assad
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in Syria for talks with President Bashar al-Assad amid a renewed government assault on rebel forces. Mr Lavrov was greeted by pro-Assad crowds as he arrived in Damascus. The visit comes after Russia and China vetoed a Western-backed UN resolution criticising the crackdown in Syria. Turkey has said it will start a new international initiative on Syria.

Teams search for Philippine earthquake survivors
Rescue efforts are continuing after Monday's powerful earthquake in the central Philippines that left dozens of people dead or missing. Army teams were carrying out search operations, said Ver Neil Balaba, operations officer at the regional Office of Civil Defence, and police had been deployed to prevent looting. ''The most urgent needs now are water, tents and food,'' he said.

Obama tightens US sanctions on Iran
US President Barack Obama has placed stricter sanctions on Iran's government, including its central bank. In an executive order, Mr Obama said he was freezing all Iranian government assets held or traded in the US. On Sunday, Mr Obama said the US and Israel were "in lockstep" in their policy towards Iran.

EU to keep paying new Hamas-linked government
The EU has said it will keep on giving money to the Palestinian authorities despite their new deal with Hamas, an EU-designated terrorist group. Foreign relations spokesman Michael Mann said on Monday (6 February) that it's business as usual after the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Hamas in Qatar earlier the same day agreed to form a unity government.

Tehran 'ready to impose oil ban' on Europeans
Iran's parliament said on Tuesday it was ready to impose a ban on oil exports to some European states, the country's English-language Press TV reported. "In retaliation to the Zionist (Israel)-backed measure of the European countries to ban Iran oil, we are ready to impose a ban on oil exports to some European countries," lawmaker Mohammad Javad Karimi-Qoddusi said.

Turkey plans new int'l Syria initiative after UN 'fiasco'
Turkey is preparing a new initiative with those countries who oppose the Syrian government, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, describing China's and Russia's veto of a UN resolution on Syria a "fiasco." "We are going to start a new initiative with those countries that stand by the people, not the Syrian government. We are preparing this," Erdogan told a meeting of his ruling AK Party in Ankara, giving no further details on the initiative.

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Iran warns world of coming great event
“In light of the realization of the divine promise by almighty God, the Zionists and the Great Satan (America) will soon be defeated,” Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, is warning. They truly believe the end of time is here. As revealed last year, the Iranian secret documentary “The Coming is Upon Us” clearly indicates that the radicals ruling Iran believe the destruction of Israel will trigger the coming of last Islamic Messiah.

Exclusive: Israel Warns US Jews: Iran Could Strike Here
Israeli facilities in North America -- and around the world -- are on high alert, according to an internal security document obtained by ABC News that predicted the threat from Iran against Jewish targets will increase.

Egyptian delegation snubs US Senators amid NGO scandal
Nineteen Americans are due to stand trial in Egypt as the country’s military rulers accuse US-backed organizations of funding protests. They are among the 43 accused in this case. A date has yet to be set for the start of the trial.

Santorum shakes up GOP race with three-for-three finish
Rick Santorum proved that the 2012 primary election still has a few surprises left, after he went three for three in Tuesday’s contests and once again shook up the GOP nomination battle. Santorum, in perhaps the biggest upset of the night, was declared the winner of the Colorado caucuses -- a contest Mitt Romney had been leading in recent polls and won in the 2008 race. The former Pennsylvania senator also won the Minnesota caucuses and the non-binding Missouri GOP primary.

Fast-Spreading Animal Virus Leaps Europe, UK Borders
A newly identified disease is moving rapidly through livestock in Europe and has authorities both worried and puzzled. The disease, dubbed Schmallenberg virus for a town in west-central Germany where one of the first outbreaks occurred, makes adult animals only mildly ill, but causes lambs, kids and calves to be born dead or deformed.

'Hezbollah will choose response to strike on Iran'
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Tuesday stated that in the event of an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, Hezbollah would decide itself how to react, rather than taking orders from Tehran.

Government 'may sanction nerve-agent use on rioters', scientists fear
A high-level group of experts has asked the Government to clarify its position on whether it intends to develop "incapacitating chemical agents" for a range of domestic uses that go beyond the limited use of chemical irritants such as CS gas for riot control.

No way of stopping leak of deadly new flu, says terror chief
Professor Paul Keim, chairman of the US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, controversially recommended that researchers be stopped from publishing the precise mutations needed to transform the H5N1 strain of birdflu virus into a human-transmissible version. “And even if we did spot it early on, I don’t think we have sufficient vaccines. The vaccines aren’t good enough, and the drugs are not good enough to stop this emerging and being a pandemic.”

Army defends chaplain intervention over letter criticizing contraceptive mandate
"The Chief of Chaplains was concerned that one line in the 456-word letter could be misinterpreted as a call to civil disobedience within our nation's military ranks," the statement said. A senior Army official separately confirmed that the offending line stated: "We cannot -- we will not -- comply with this unjust law." The official confirmed that "there was a worry that would be a call for civil obedience."

Israel embassies preparing for Iran strike?
Diplomats stationed in Israel request gas masks, prepare contingency plans in case of missile attacks; envoys fear that thousands of dual-citizenship Israelis will seek evacuation

Hopes fade for dozens buried in Philippines quake
Philippine rescue officials say they are losing hope of finding anyone alive among 71 people still buried in landslides set off by a powerful earthquake. So far, 26 bodies have been recovered and identified.

Dozens dead as Syria regime pounds Homs: activists
Syrian forces pressed a relentless assault on the protest city of Homs Wednesday, with dozens of civilians reported killed, hours after President Bashar al-Assad told Russia he was committed to ending the bloodshed.

Santorum hat-trick in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri
US presidential hopeful Rick Santorum has won the contests for the Republican Party nomination in Minnesota, Missouri, and Colorado. Correspondents say Tuesday's hat-trick is a big upset for front-runner Mitt Romney, who has struggled to connect with the party's conservative base. Mr Santorum told supporters it was a victory for all those "building the conservative movement in this country".

Iran parliament summons President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Iran's parliament has summoned the president for questioning for the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces a long list of questions about the state of the economy, as well as his foreign and domestic policy decisions.

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NYT's Nocera: Obama Rejected Keystone Pipeline 'Because He Had to Politically'
a revelation which shouldn't but did surprise him, learned that far-left environmentalists want to stop all tar sands development and not just the pipeline. Imagine that.

Wash Post Journalist: 'Maybe the Founders Were Wrong' to Guarantee Free Exercise of Religion
Discussing the battle between the left and those who see it as a threat to the First Amendment, she declared, " Maybe the Founders were wrong to guarantee free exercise of religion in the First Amendment...

Israel National Library uploads trove of Newton's theological tracts
The end of the world will be coming in just another 48 years, in 2060, according to the father of modern physics, Isaac Newton, who died in 1727. His calculations were not based on mathematical principles or the laws of physics, but instead on the Christian Bible and the Book of Daniel from the Hebrew Bible. Anyone interested in delving further into Newton's calculations will now be able to find it on the website of the National Library of Israel...

Long range pattern supports Mississippi and Tennessee Valley Tornado Outbreak
Tornado Season starts in March and toward the start we will see another Tennessee and Mississippi Valley tornado outbreak within the next 30 days.

Rick Santorum emphasizes his Christian roots
Rather than following up his Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado wins with a trip to the next set of primary states — Arizona and Michigan — Santorum spoke before a group of Dallas-area pastors, casting himself firmly as the one reliable culture warrior in the 2012 field. He heads to Oklahoma tomorrow.

Russian Army Must ‘Instill Fear in Enemies’ – Rogozin
“We need a very compact, mobile, armed to the teeth army and fleet that instill fear in our enemies, and strategic nuclear forces that would ensure our [national] security,” he said.

Report: U.S. believes Israel sees Iran nuclear problem 'too narrowly'
Differences between Israel and the U.S. over Iran are currently focused on what Defense Minister Ehud Barak has coined the “zone of immunity” of Iran’s nuclear program, the New York Times reported on Thursday. The White House and the U.S. administration in general do not agree with Barak’s use of the term, and even see it as “too narrow,” the New York Times said.

The Himalayas and nearby peaks have lost no ice in past 10 years, study shows
The world's greatest snow-capped peaks, which run in a chain from the Himalayas to Tian Shan on the border of China and Kyrgyzstan, have lost no ice over the last decade, new research shows. The discovery has stunned scientists, who had believed that around 50bn tonnes of meltwater were being shed each year and not being replaced by new snowfall.

International 'militarisation' in Syria growing closer, warns US official
The official from the State Department told The Daily Telegraph that while the White House wants to exhaust all its diplomatic options, the debate in Washington has shifted away from diplomacy and towards more robust action since Russia and China blocked a United Nations resolution condemning Syria.

US to cut Baghdad embassy staff
The United States is looking to cut the size of its embassy in Iraq - the largest and most expensive US diplomatic mission, officials say. A state department spokeswoman said the objective was to reduce the cost of the embassy, which employs about 2,000 diplomats and 14,000 contractors. The New York Times quoted officials as saying that the US was preparing to cut the number of staff by up to a half.

Israeli union federation launches nationwide strike
Israel's main trade union federation has launched a national strike intended to shut down government offices, banks, airports, ports and rail services. Histadrut said it was in protest at the government's use of contract workers, who often earn less and receive fewer benefits than permanent employees. Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said the strike was unnecessary and would harm the country's economy.

Egypt PM dismisses US aid threat over activists' trial
Egypt has said it will not be persuaded by the potential loss of US aid to end an ongoing investigation into foreign-funded non-governmental organisations. Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri said his government would "apply the law" in the case of the NGOs and "not back down".

US senators warn Egypt of 'disastrous' rupture in ties
Three leading US senators have warned Egypt that the risk of a "disastrous" break in ties has rarely been greater. John McCain, Kelly Ayotte and Joe Lieberman said the government in Cairo was exacerbating tensions in order to "advance a narrow political agenda".

Boehner calls for law to stop US contraception rule
The top US Republican in Congress has called for action against a White House contraception rule that has angered Catholic leaders. Speaker John Boehner said legislation was needed against the rule, which means Church-linked institutions must buy health insurance that covers birth control costs.

EU concerned about potential instability in Jordan
With all eyes on violence in Syria, some EU countries are becoming increasingly concerned about the risk of instability in Jordan. A senior EU diplomatic contact told this website on Wednesday (8 February) that the Arab Spring is taking a nasty turn inside one of the West's main allies in the region. "The problem now is if things get worse and spill into Jordan," the source said.

Greek talks break off despite looming bankruptcy
Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has failed to secure political backing for further austerity measures despite days of talks and a seven-hour-long meeting on Wednesday (8 February). Referring to an ongoing dispute on pensions reform, his office said in a statement that "there was broad agreement on all the programme issues with the exception of one, which requires further elaboration and discussion with the troika.

‘Heaviest shelling yet’ kills up to 100 in Homs
Syrian forces thrust into the rebellious city of Homs on Wednesday, killing as many as 100 civilians by the accounts of opposition activists, and Turkey appeared to be preparing a new diplomatic push against President Bashar Assad. ...The Kremlin said Medvedev told Erdogan the search for a solution should continue, including in the Security Council, but foreign interference was not an option.

'Iran must attack Israel by 2014'
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's strategist provided the legal and religious justification for the annihilation of Israel and the Jewish people, in a document published on conservative Farsi website Alef. Reports of the document began to circulate the internet this week. The document, written by strategy specialist Alireza Forghani, outlined the reasons why, "In the name of Allah, Iran must attack Israel by 2014."

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EXCLUSIVE: UN chief, aides plot 'green economy' agenda at upcoming summit
At a closed-door retreat in a Long Island mansion late last October, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his topmost aides brainstormed about how the global organization could benefit from a "unique opportunity" to reshape the world, starting with the Rio + 20 Summit on Sustainable Development, which takes place in Brazil in June.

US working around United Nations to organize 'friends of Syria' meeting
The Obama administration is working to help organize a so-called "friends of Syria" meeting as part of what the State Department says is a push to work "outside the U.N. system," after the Security Council shot down a resolution against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Russia Set to Build World’s Most Powerful Laser Station
“The Russian leadership made a decision to build the world’s largest laser station… The United States has already constructed a similar station and France is about to complete the construction of their own station. We are behind them because it costs a lot, but it will be the best one in the world,” Ilkayev said. The mooted station, he said, will be both used for military and scientific purposes,

Israel Debates Possible Fallout From Attack on Iran
In recent months, Israeli leaders have stepped up their rhetoric about Iran’s nuclear capabilities and increasingly are warning that Israel might attack Iranian nuclear installations to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. Lately they are warning that such an attack could come this year.

German Parliament set to vote on Greece Feb. 27
Once ministers sign off on the plan, "we will probably have a special meeting of the Bundestag on Feb. 27 to make decisions," Klaus Ernst, co-leader of Germany's opposition Left Party, told reporters after the meeting with Merkel. Germany, the 17-nation eurozone's biggest economy and the biggest contributor to its rescue funds, has championed painful cuts and reforms to tackle the debt crisis.

Vatican Fears Assassins May Target Pope in 2012 - Paper
The letter, written in German, cites Cardinal Paolo Romeo, the Archbishop of Palermo, who said during his visit to China in November 2011 that “the Pope will die” in the next 12 months, Il Fatto Quotidiano said. It is not known who stands behind the letter, the daily said.

Indonesia's Mt. Lokon Erupts, Hurling Ash Cloud into the Sky
Mt. Lokon in northern Indonesia erupted on Friday, hurling clouds of ash as high as two kilometers into the sky. According to Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the disaster management agency, local authorities warned residents to stay away from the 2.5 kilometer exclusion zone that was set up around the volcano, which had been showing signs of activity in recent days

New SE crater paroxysm on 8-9 February
Another spectacular paroxysmal eruption occurred from Etna's New SE crater during the night of 8-9 February, marking the 20th such episode since 2011 or the second in 2012. The eruption followed an approximate 10 day period of intermittend strombolian activity...

Bomb blasts bring death to Syria's Aleppo
Twin bomb blasts hit Syrian military and security buildings in the northern city of Aleppo on Friday, killing 25 people in the worst violence to hit the country's commercial hub in the 11-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.

Arrow missile system notes successful test
The Defense Ministry said Friday that a recent test of key components in the Hetz ("Arrow") missile system was successful. The Arrow is an anti-ballistic surface-to-air missile system. The test took place in an IAF base in central Israel. According to the Defense Ministry, it did not include a missile test-fire, but rather tested the upgraded abilities of the system's radar.

Libya Struggles to Curb Militias as Chaos Grows
As the militiamen saw it, they had the best of intentions. They assaulted another militia at a seaside base here this week to rescue a woman who had been abducted. When the guns fell silent, briefly, the scene that unfolded felt as chaotic as Libya’s revolution these days — a government whose authority extends no further than its offices, militias whose swagger comes from guns far too plentiful and residents whose patience fades with every volley of gunfire that cracks at night.

Group Forces Congressional Hearing On Big Sis’ Twitter, Drudge Spying
A privacy advocacy group has swayed Congress to hold a hearing next week into the Department of Homeland Security’s practice of monitoring social networks such as Twitter and Facebook, as well as media reports and organizations, including The Drudge Report.

Alzheimer's brain plaques 'rapidly cleared' in mice
Destructive plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients have been rapidly cleared by researchers testing a cancer drug on mice. The US study, published in the journal Science, reported the plaques were broken down at "unprecedented" speed. Tests also showed an improvement in some brain function.

Somalia's al-Shabab join al-Qaeda
Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which controls much of Somalia, has released a joint video with al-Qaeda, announcing the two groups have merged. Al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, known as Mukhtar Abu Zubair, said he "pledged obedience" to al-Qaeda head Ayman al-Zawahiri.

US banks agree $25bn mortgage settlement
Five of the biggest US banks have agreed to provide $25bn (£16bn) to homeowners to settle claims over improper foreclosure practices. The deal, struck with the US government and most US states, follows allegations of abusive practices by lenders during the country's housing collapse.

US military to ease curbs on women in combat roles
The US military has announced plans to ease restrictions on women serving in combat roles. While women will still be barred from infantry, armour and special operations positions, the most dangerous posts, they will be closer to the front lines. But an advocacy group for women in the military said the policy did not go far enough. Women make up about 14% of the US armed forces.

Six days for Greece to secure bail-out
Eurozone finance ministers have given Greece six days to cough up another €325 million in spending cuts, pass the austerity program through parliament and give "strong" political guarantees it will stick after elections. ...EUobserver understands the gap still refers to supplementary pensions - Greek political parties were unable to agree on further cuts in this area earlier in the week.


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Russia to lash Israel for War Rhetoric against Iran
Mikhail Ulyanov, the head of Security and Disarmament Department at Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, denounced Tel Aviv government’s hawkish rhetoric on Iran over its nuclear program and lashed out at Israel for inventing allegations that are raising the tension in the already tense Middle East. Russia warned such fabrications could encourage military solutions and could end up with catastrophic consequences.

Syria uprising: live
Live coverage of developments in Syria, as the violence escalates in the Syrian flashpoint city of Homs with soldiers loyal to Bashar al-Assad's regime attempting to crush opponents. 'All eyes are on Homs and the battle for Damascus'

India rejects EU call to boycott Iranian oil
Van Rompuy travelled to India with a delegation of EU representatives. At a press conference in India, Rompuy maintained that he did not support military intervention in Iran as a solution to the nuclear disputes. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said in an earlier news conference that the international dispute with Iran needs to be resolved through diplomacy, and he refuses to join in the EU embargo on Iranian oil.

NRA official: Obama wants to outlaw guns in 2nd term
A top official with the National Rifle Association said Friday that President Obama will move to "destroy" gun rights and "erase" the Second Amendment if he is re-elected in November. ...Mr. LaPierre said the president's two Supreme Court appointees — Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan— are "two of the most rabid anti-gun justices in history." He also accused Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of being a foe of gun rights.

Iran to unveil 'great nuclear achievements'
Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, says "great" nuclear achievements will be announced in the next few days. He did not give any details, but insisted that Iran would never halt its programme to enrich uranium, which can be used to make a nuclear warhead.

Anonymous says attack put CIA website offline
Hackers have claimed responsibility for making the CIA website inaccessible on Friday - the latest attack on a US federal agency. A Twitter post on a feed used by hackers' collective Anonymous said "CIA Tango down", a phrase used by the US Special Forces after killing an enemy.

Man gets life term for shooting that killed 2 U.S. airmen in Germany
A German court has sentenced an Islamic extremist responsible for the deaths of two U.S. airmen at a Frankfurt, Germany, airport to life in prison. Arid Uka, a 22-year-old ethnic Albanian from Kosovo who went on a shooting rampage in March of last year, was charged with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder and serious bodily harm.

New clashes in Saudi Arabia leave 'protester' dead
A man has been shot dead by security forces at a demonstration in eastern Saudi Arabia, activists have said. Zuhair al-Said was killed on Friday when police opened fire to disperse protesters in the town of al-Awamiya, in the Qatif region, they added.

Greece bailout: Cabinet approves draft bill on cuts
Greece's cabinet has approved fresh austerity measures demanded by the eurozone and IMF in return for a 130bn-euro ($170bn; £110bn) bailout. The draft bill must now be passed by the Greek parliament and approved by European finance ministers.

Gunmen assassinate army general in Damascus
Gunmen assassinated an army general in Damascus on Saturday in the first killing of a high ranking military officer in the Syrian capital since the uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime began in March, the state-run news agency said.

Greek police union wants to arrest EU/IMF officials
Greece's largest police union has threatened to issue arrest warrants for officials from the country's European Union and International Monetary Fund lenders for demanding deeply unpopular austerity measures.

Two Westerners kidnapped in Pakistan held by Taliban
Two Western aid workers kidnapped in Pakistan in January are being held by the Pakistan Taliban near the border with Afghanistan, a senior militant commander told Reuters on Saturday.

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Muslims Claim Israel Planning to Build on Temple Mount
Israel is planning to build a new structure on the Temple Mount, adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Bethlehem-based Ma’an news agency reported on Saturday. The report cited the Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage, which claimed that a committee within the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem has submitted plans for the new structure.

Abbas will have to choose
Hamas and Fatah, the ruling faction in the Palestinian Authority, signed an agreement in Doha, Qatar on 6 February 2012 to form an interim unity government. According to the agreement, PA President and leader of Fatah Mahmoud Abbas will head the government, replacing the current Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, who is supported by the West.

Iran urges Hamas to continue fight against Israel
Iran's supreme leader has urged the Hamas prime minister of Gaza to continue the Islamist militant group's resistance against Israel. Iranian state TV quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as telling Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday that people expect Hamas to continue its fight against Israel.

IDF suspends Iron Dome deals
The IDF has suspended its Iron Dome purchase deals, citing "budget cuts," Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday. According to the report, Defense Ministry Director-General Udi Shani has informed Rafael Advanced Defense Systems – which manufactures the rocket defense system – that at this time, the IDF will not be buying any more Iron Dome batteries.

Clashes in Tripoli, Lebanon, over Syria unrest
At least two people have been killed in the Lebanese city of Tripoli in clashes between supporters and opponents of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, security officials say. At least 12 people were injured, as the two sides fired guns and rocket-propelled grenades at each other. The violence erupted after Friday prayers and continued overnight.

Syria unrest: Arab League observer mission head quits
The head of the suspended Arab League observer mission to Syria has resigned as League foreign ministers meet to decide their next move in the crisis. League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi told its members they had to move quickly to end the "vicious cycle of violence" in Syria. The League is expected to approve Jordan ex-Foreign Minister Abdul-Illah al-Khatib as special envoy to Syria.

UK sent nuclear sub near Falklands, says Argentina
Argentina's foreign minister has accused the UK of sending a nuclear-armed submarine to the South Atlantic, after making an official complaint to the UN over the Falklands dispute. Hector Timerman demanded that the British confirm the location of nuclear submarines in the region. But UK officials said the accusations of militarisation were "absurd".

Iran vows to crack down on election protests
Iranian authorities will crack down this week on any public protest against the year-long house arrest of opposition leaders, Mirhossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi, an official was quoted as saying on Sunday. Iran, at odds with the West over its disputed nuclear program, holds a parliamentary election on March 2, its first national poll since Mousavi and Karoubi were beaten by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a 2009 vote they said was rigged.

Iran Won’t Yield to Pressure, Foreign Minister Says; Nuclear News Awaited
Iranian Foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi said the country will never cede to international pressure, the same day President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad promised to announce a milestone in the country’s nuclear field.

Samuel L. Jackson: ‘I Voted for Barack Because He Was Black’
Samuel L. Jackson only voted for President Barack Obama because of the color of his skin, the Hollywood actor revealed in a profanity-laced interview in the March issue of Ebony magazine. “I voted for Barack because he was black. ’Cuz that’s why other folks vote for other people — because they look like them,” Jackson said.

Mitt Romney narrowly wins Maine Republican caucuses
Officials in Maine say Mitt Romney has won the state's primary caucuses in the race for the Republican presidential nomination with 39% of the vote. With most of the votes counted, libertarian outsider Ron Paul is in second place with 36%.

Syria unrest: Arab League to meet in Cairo for talks
Arab foreign ministers are meeting in Cairo on Sunday to decide their next move after a resolution on Syria failed in the UN Security Council last week. Officials say the ministers could discuss a joint observer mission with the UN and recognition of the main opposition group.

Afghans fret flight of hard cash a sign of things to come
In the crush of people in Kabul's Shahzada money market, conspiracy theories are a currency as hard as the bundles of cash in the hands of bearded traders trying to divine their future.

Al Qaeda leader backs Syrian revolt against Assad
Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri, in a video recording posted on the Internet on Sunday, urged Syrians not to rely on the West or Arab governments in their uprising to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

Greece warns bailout rebels of disaster
Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos told lawmakers to back a deeply unpopular EU/IMF rescue in a vote on Sunday or condemn the country to a "vortex" of recession. He spoke in a televised address to the nation, ahead of Sunday's vote on 3.3 billion euros ($4.35 billions) in wage, pension and job cuts as the price of a 130-billion-euro bailout from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

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MK Dichter: America Must Act Against Iran, Not Israel
“I think that Israel is not a superpower,” he said. “We cannot lead the world offensive against Iran. We have to participate, we have to give all kinds of information and intelligence that we have. We need to prepare, just in case nobody plans to do anything, but to lead it will be a total mistake by the State of Israel.”

Iran may inaugurate Fordo enrichment plant
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in his speech during a ceremony on the Iranian Islamic Republic revolution on Saturday that an inauguration of several new achievements in the nuclear sphere will be held in a few days, and the whole world will witness them. As Fars News agency reported on Sunday, inauguration of the Fordo uranium enrichment plant and unveiling the 20-percent enriched uranium fuel bar for Tehran Nuclear Research Center (TNRC) may be held in a few days.

Riots leave Athens smouldering
A LANDMARK Athens cinema lay in ruins yesterday as stunned Greeks surveyed the damage of widespread riots. Officials say 45 buildings were wholly or partly destroyed by fire as violence erupted during demonstrations while parliament voted on Sunday for tough new austerity measures aimed at averting national bankruptcy. "It's culture that has gone up in smoke," filmmaker Nikos Kavoukidis lamented as he shot footage of the crowd gathered at the ruins of the Attikon cinema. "What do we have left? Television and football?"

'Strike on Iran legally justified'
Jurist Alan Dershowitz, who is considered one of the world's foremost Legal experts, believes that an Israeli strike against Iran's nuclear facilities is legally justified, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday. Speaking before a Miami conference, Dershowitz said that Iran has taken enough actions to justify an attack, and that military strike by Israel is "proactive self defense."

Try Ahmadinejad for crimes against humanity, Israeli broadcaster urges
Middle Eastern culture demands a unique balance of strength and respect in interactions between peoples and nations, Fleisher told the Jewish Tribune in an interview. “Israel’s got to take a greater role and it’s got to become more active in ensuring its own security.. The Middle East is a place [where], if you don’t assert yourself, somebody else is going to insinuate their will and trample on your rights..

Obama's budget headed to Congress
President Barack Obama is sending Congress a new budget that seeks to achieve $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade through cuts in government spending and higher taxes on the wealthy. At the same time, he wants to boost spending in key areas such as transportation and education.

Russia says Syria ceasefire needed before peacekeeping mission
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia was studying a new Arab League initiative for the body to form a joint peacekeeping force with the United Nations, adding that Moscow had questions about certain points. "We are studying this initiative and expect our friends from the Arab states to provide us with a clarification of certain points," Lavrov said after talks with his United Arab Emirates counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan.

Arabs Ask Government: Save Us from Our Violence
Violence has become so widespread within the Arab sector that even MKs like Tibi, who make a career out of publicly humiliating the institutions of the state of Israel, have been forced to ask the state to help them deal with it.

Hamas' Haniyeh: Armed resistance is the only way to fight Israel
The only path in the Palestinian struggle against Israel is the path of armed resistance, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said during a visit to Iran on Monday, adding that the "gun is our only response to Zionist regime." ...Speaking on the issue in an interview late last year, the Islamic group's leader, Khaled Meshal, said that Hamas would focus on popular protests to unify Palestinians.

Iran preparing 'suicide boats' in case of Strait of Hormuz conflict, U.S. official says
Iran has built up its naval forces in the Gulf and prepared boats that could be used in suicide attacks, but the U.S. Navy can prevent it from blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the commander of U.S. naval forces in the region said on Sunday. Iran has made a series of threats in recent weeks to disrupt shipping in the Gulf or strike U.S. forces in retaliation if its oil trade is shut down by sanctions, or if its disputed nuclear program comes under attack.

Vatican in turmoil after letter 'reveals plot to assassinate Pope'
Sensational claims of a plot to assassinate Pope Benedict XVI have whipped Italy into a frenzy and focused the world's attention on the poisonous atmosphere seeping through the corridors of the Holy See.

Syria rejects new Arab League peace mission proposal
Syria has "categorically rejected" an Arab League resolution calling for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping mission to end the country's 11-month conflict. Yusuf Ahmed, Syria's envoy in Cairo, said the plan "reflected the hysteria of these governments". The EU on Monday backed the Arab League's "bold" plan but Russia said violence must end before any peacekeepers could be sent.

Massive sunspot that has DOUBLED in size in recent days could send solar storms careering toward Earth
Though the severity of the disruption is yet unknown, some scientists are predicting the spot could send off medium-scale solar flares. These could cause radio blackouts and disruptions in the Earth’s polar regions.

Slump in shipping freight sparks fears for world trade
The debate has been whether the slump in freight rates sounds a warning signal on world trade and, by extension, the global economy, or whether it better reflects the crisis in shipping.

Delhi blast hits Israeli diplomat's car
Israeli officials say an explosion has hit a diplomat's car outside the country's embassy in Delhi, India, injuring one diplomat. Police in Delhi told the BBC they were investigating "an incident" but could not confirm an attack had taken place. Israeli officials said there had also been an attempted attack on a diplomat in Tbilisi, Georgia, but an explosive device had not gone off.

Greek MPs back crucial austerity deal
The Greek parliament late Sunday night (12 February) voted in favour of the austerity package required by eurozone countries in return for a bail-out needed to avoid bankruptcy, but the vote was marked by violent street clashes. "Of 278 deputies present, 199 voted for, and 74 against," Parliament speaker Philippos Petsalnikos said, with the vote coming after nine hours of heated debate.

US admiral says Navy forces are prepared to confront Iran
Vice Adm. Mark Fox, commander of the 5th Fleet, told reporters at the naval force's Bahrain headquarters that the Navy has "built a wide range of potential options to give the president" and is "ready today" to confront any hostile

'Pardo probed US reaction to unilateral Iran strike'
In his recent meetings in Washington, DC Mossad chief Tamir Pardo aimed to discover how the US would react were Israel to unilaterally attack Iran's nuclear facilities, Newsweek reported Monday. According to an unnamed source in the report, Pardo asked if the US was ready to bomb, and if not, "What does it mean if does it anyway?"

Hague calls for 'urgent' talks on new Syria mission
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague on Monday said discussions on sending a joint United Nations-Arab League peacekeeping mission to Syria must take place "urgently," the Press Association (PA) reported. But no such mission can take place, Hague added, until Syrian President Bashar Assad ends the violence being perpetrated by his military, PA reported.

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The President & The Prophet: Obama’s Unusual Encounter with Eric Metaxas
Obama came to the prayer breakfast with a tidy speech that was clearly designed to lay those doubts to rest. He spoke of his daily habit of prayer and Bible reading, his regular conversations with preachers like T. D. Jakes and Joel Hunter, and even told a story of the time he prayed over Billy Graham. But before the president could utter a word, it was Metaxas who delivered a devastating, albeit apparently unintentional critique of such God-talk, recounting his own religious upbringing which he described as culturally Christian yet simultaneously full of “phony religiosity.”

Group Forces Congressional Hearing On Big Sis’ Twitter, Drudge Spying
A privacy advocacy group has swayed Congress to hold a hearing next week into the Department of Homeland Security’s practice of monitoring social networks such as Twitter and Facebook, as well as media reports and organizations, including The Drudge Report.

Muslim Brotherhood Warns U.S. Aid Cut May Affect Egypt’s Peace Treaty With Israel
A top Muslim Brotherhood official has warned that any cuts in U.S. aid to Egypt could affect Cairo’s peace treaty with Israel – the latest sign that Egypt’s emerging political forces intend to call Washington’s bluff over the diplomatic dispute triggered by a crackdown on non-governmental organizations.

Iranian boats shadow US aircraft carrier in Gulf
Iranian patrol boats and aircraft shadowed a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group as it transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. The passage ended a Gulf mission that displayed Western naval power amid heightened tensions with Tehran, which has threatened to choke off vital oil shipping lanes.

Mr. Obama, we don't have a tax problem, we have a spending problem
...the president and his leftist cabal believe we are all stupid. They believe if you tell enough lies, the lies become fact. They spend all day, every day, trying to convince Americans that taxes on the rich are too low.

Russian Army Chief: Iran Crisis to Enter New Phase
The situation surrounding Iran's controversial nuclear program is likely to come to a head by the summer, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Nikolai Makarov said.

Galunggung volcano (West Java, Indonesia): alert status raised due to changes in crater lake
The alert status of Galunggung volcano in West Java, Indonesia, was raised today (Mon 13 Feb 2012) due to an increase of its water temperature and a change in color.

'Perfect' and PC-Approved: Google Includes Gay on Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is a big day that gay-left advocates expect their love to be honored as just the same. The Washington Post's Valentine story today made sure to include gay couples, and so does today's Google doodle...

Syrian troops launch 'brutal shelling' attack on Homs
Activists said at least six civilians had been killed in the shelling on Tuesday morning, with fears that the death toll would rise. Troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have been shelling Homs for more than a week to retake parts of the city captured by rebel forces. Hundreds are believed to have been killed since last Saturday, and the humanitarian conditions in the city were worsening.

U.S. to cut support for Israeli missile defense program by $6 million
The U.S. budget proposed by the Obama administration for 2013 would cut the funding for Israeli missile defense programs by $6 million, U.S. officials said on Monday. The cut would affect the development of Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense program and Arrow System Improvement Program.

Polls show Rick Santorum virtually tied with Mitt Romney nationally
Santorum’s apparent surge comes after a string of victories last week in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado, and it reflects the dissatisfaction and unease that grass-roots conservatives continue to feel about Romney, who has the support of most of the GOP establishment and far superior financial and organizational resources.

White House Economic Adviser: 'We Need a Global Minimum Tax'
“He supports corporate tax reform that would reduce expenditures and loopholes, lower rates for people investing and creating jobs in the U.S., due so further for manufacturing, and that we need to, as we have the Buffett Rule and the individual tax reform, we need a global minimum tax so that people have the assurance that nobody is escaping doing their fair share...

CDC Warns Untreatable Gonorrhea is On the Way
Gonorrhea, one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States, is increasingly showing resistance to one of the last known effective antibiotic treatments, leading researchers from the Centers for Disease Control to "sound the alarm" about potentially untreatable forms of the disease.

Social Security reserves forecast to run dry in 2022
Social Security’s bank account will go bust in 2022 — the first time the program’s combined trust funds will run a deficit, according to President Obama’s budget released Monday

Bumpy Ride Ahead: Gas Prices May Soon Hit $4 a Gallon
Gasoline prices could soon hit $4 a gallon, a threshold they haven't flirted with since last spring. The average price paid by U.S. drivers for a gallon of regular now stands at $3.52, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which released its latest figures this afternoon. That price represents an increase of 0.04 percent from a week ago and 0.38 percent from a year ago.

Israel keeping U.S. in the dark on Iran attack
A senior American official quoted in the story said that Pardo had come to Washington to "check the pulse" of the Obama administration and to ascertain the degree to which Washington opposes an Israeli strike.

China Premier Wen Jiabao vows to help on eurozone debt
China has promised to help resolve the eurozone's debt crisis, after talks with EU leaders in Beijing. Premier Wen Jiabao offered co-operation to help stabilise debt-ridden EU nations, but made no specific promise to invest in a European bailout fund. EU leaders have been seeking Chinese money to help bolster a planned fund of about 500bn euros ($665bn; £420bn).

Militant secularisation threat to religion, says Warsi
Britain is under threat from a rising tide of "militant secularisation", a cabinet minister has warned. Religion is being "sidelined, marginalised and downgraded in the public sphere", Conservative co-chairwoman Baroness Warsi wrote in an article for the Daily Telegraph. The Muslim peer said Europe needed to become "more confident and more comfortable in its Christianity".

'Iran, Hezbollah intent on harming Israelis globally'
Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday accused Iran and Hezbollah of carrying out Monday's terror attacks in India and Georgia saying they were "intent on sabotaging the Israeli way of life and operating against Israelis all over the world." Speaking during a state visit to Singapore, Barak added that Israel must be at the forefront of fighting terror and continue to prepare for the challenges it faces as Iran and Hezbollah seek Israeli victims.

Madagascar hit by cyclone Giovanna
A tropical cyclone has hit the island of Madagascar, with winds of up to 194km (120mph) ripping up trees and electricity pylons. Cyclone Giovanna made landfall overnight near the eastern port city of Toamasina.

Washington gov signs gay marriage bill into law
Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law a measure that makes Washington state the seventh to legalize same-sex marriage, but opponents almost immediately filed a referendum to challenge the new law, meaning voters likely will have the final say.

Moody's warns may cut AAA-rating for UK and France
Rating agency Moody's warned it may cut the triple-A ratings of France, Britain and Austria and it downgraded six other European nations including Italy, Spain and Portugal, citing growing risks from Europe's debt crisis.

China's next leader Xi Jinping visits White House
Washington is getting its first hard look at Xi Jinping, the man destined to lead China in the coming decade, during which the global powers probably will see their economic ties grow even as they are viewed increasingly as military rivals.

Israel blames Iran after attacks on embassy staff
Israel accused arch-enemies Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of being behind twin bomb attacks that targeted Israeli embassy staff in India and Georgia on Monday, wounding four people.

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Experts say Iran has "neutralized" Stuxnet virus
The malicious code, whose precise origin and authorship remain unconfirmed, made its way as early as 2009 into equipment controlling centrifuges Iran is using to enrich uranium, dealing a significant but perhaps temporary setback to Iran's suspected nuclear weapons work.

Preschooler's homemade lunch replaced with nuggets
The West Hoke Elementary School student was in her More at Four classroom when a state agent who was inspecting lunch boxes decided that her packed lunch — which consisted of a turkey and cheese sandwich, a banana, apple juice and potato chips — “did not meet U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines,” the Journal reports.

In an election about the economy, the culture wars make a comeback
...recent circumstances have re-ignited the culture wars and help to explain the sudden and unlikely rise of Rick Santorum, a Republican social conservative who was all but written off.

Super Cyclone Giovanna is a Category Four and targets Madagascar
This dangerous storm is located just off the east coast of Madagascar. The storm contains sustained winds at 145 mph, or 125 knots. Giovanna may produce widespread damage, according to officials on the island.

Powerful storm ready to slam Southern California starting Wednesday
A powerful storm system over Washington State today is moving due south, directly at the Southern California area. This system will arrive and impact hard from the north later on Wednesday, lasting into Wednesday night.

Nuclear Event - Asia - Japan
Thermometer readings at the bottom of the No. 2 reactor at the damaged ********* Daiichi nuclear plant rose further to exceed 90' C for the first time since it attained a cold shutdown in December2011. The readings had reached a new high of 93.7 C., Kyodo quoted a Tokyo Electric Power Co. statement, as saying.

‘Hooking Kids on Sex’: Graphic New Vid Report Shows How Planned Parenthood Is Creating ‘Future Customers’
On the heels of the fracas that resulted from the Susan G. Komen Foundation pulling Planned Parenthood funding, and then reinstating it, comes a new report that might make the breast cancer research giant a little uncomfortable. The American Life League has released a graphic new video report that it says shows how Planned Parenthood “exposes children to sexual material in order to seed a generation of sex addicts, who will become future customers for the abortion giant.”

Virginia House vote states life starts at conception
The Virginia House of Delegates approved legislation Tuesday that would define life as beginning at conception, setting up a potential clash in the state Senate and another high-stakes battle over a measure that has been beaten back elsewhere in the country in recent years.

Strong 6.0 earthquake strikes off Oregon coast
The quake struck at 7:31 p.m. Pacific time at a depth of 6.2 miles in the Pacific Ocean 159 miles west of Coos Bay, Oregon. It was felt as far away as San Francisco, California, according to the USGS.

Thailand finds Iran link between Bangkok and Delhi attacks
Iran, whose leaders had threatened to retaliate for Israel's alleged car-bomb assassination of several of its nuclear scientists, denied involvement in the attacks on Monday and Tuesday, including a bomb that failed to explode in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. Asked whether the explosives used in India and Thailand were the same, a senior Thai security official said they both had the same "magnetic sheets".

Online surveillance bill ‘will put an electronic prisoner’s bracelet on every Canadian’
The Conservative government has called its controversial new electronic surveillance bill the Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act as it attempts to win support for the planned laws that would give authorities unprecedented new powers to monitor the online and phone habits of Canadians. The so-called “lawful access” legislation, tabled in the House of Commons Tuesday, will require Internet service providers and cellphone companies to hand over basic customer information — including name, address, phone number, email address, and ISP addresses — to authorities when requested, without the need for a warrant.

Egypt state media accuses US of spreading anarchy
State-run newspapers splashed accusations of a U.S. plan to spread "anarchy" in Egypt across their front pages on Tuesday, escalating a dispute Washington says must be resolved to ensure their continued military cooperation. ..."America is behind the anarchy," declared the front page of Al Gomhuria newspaper. "American funding aims to spread anarchy in Egypt," read the front page of Al Ahram newspaper.

U.S. carrier crosses Hormuz amid rising Gulf tensions
A U.S. aircraft carrier strike group sailed through the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday more than a month after Iran warned a different carrier -- USS John C. Stennis -- not to return to the Gulf as Iranian navy boats sailed by. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, used for a third of the world's seaborne oil trade, if Western moves to ban Iranian crude exports cripple its energy sector.

EU report: 12 countries at risk of new economic crises
A first report by the EU commission looking at macro-economic data across the bloc up until 2010 warns that 12 countries, including Italy and Spain are at risk of new crises due to their public debt and lack of competitiveness. ...Based on ten indicators such as housing prices, private loans, public deficit and export performance, the report initially singled out Italy, Spain, Hungary and Cyprus as "pressing cases"

Assad schedules referendum on new constitution
Syrian President Bashar Assad, fighting an 11-month uprising against his rule, has ordered a referendum on a new constitution on February 26, state television reported on Wednesday. The president, under pressure from protests against four decades of Assad family rule and facing a growing armed insurgency, promised reforms last year but has also sent in troops to bombard areas in revolt.

PM: World must set red lines on Iranian nuclear program
The world must set red lines on the Iranian nuclear program, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Wednesday, urging the world to unequivocally condemn Iran for its attacks on Israeli diplomats abroad. "The world must denounce Iran's terrorist activity and mark red lines on the Iranian nuclear program," Netanyahu told a Knesset meeting in honor of visiting Croatian president Ivo Josipović.

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Colorado student quits high school choir over Islamic song praising 'Allah'
"I don’t want to come across as a bigot or a racist, but I really don’t feel it is appropriate for students in a public high school to be singing an Islamic worship song,” Harper told KREX-TV. "This is worshipping another God, and even worshipping another prophet ... I think there would be a lot of outrage if we made a Muslim choir say Jesus Christ is the only truth."

Southern California storm track spells deadly weather across the country
A large trough in Canada will bring the storm track through California, Arizona, and eject into the Southern Plains, toward the Midwest and Great Lake regions over this month.

Greek finance minister says EU bailout disputes solved
We clarified all issues for reaching our 2012 fiscal goal,” Venizelos told reporters after a teleconference between Greece and seventeen eurozone finance chiefs on Wednesday. “The large, 325 million-euro sum has been finalized, so we are okay on this aspect.”

Obama helping Iran obtain nuclear weapons
Santorum drew connections between the administration's opposition to the Keystone pipeline project, which would bring oil from Canada to U.S. refineries, and American dependency on foreign oil and U.S.-Israel relations.

Etna volcano (Italy), activity update: new ash emissions from the New Southeast Crater
New ash eruptions have started from Etna's New SE crater. Etna-walk.com informs weak ash emissions were first seen this morning on the webcam and were occurring at a frequency of a few minutes of each other, originating from the summit crater of the cone.

Report: Attempt on Barak's life foiled in Singapore
Kuwait's Al-Jarida newspaper claims Israel was able to prevent assassination attempt on defense minister during his recent visit to Singapore

World's experts to hold emergency summit on fears over man-made lethal mutant bird flu
Bird flu experts meet at the World Health Organisation this week to decide how to continue with genetic research that risks creating a catastrophic pandemic.

Greece spiralling into catastrophic depression
Greece is expecting to agree the terms of European leaders for a rescue package this evening as the country seeks to avoid a default on its international debts. But Greeks fear that the cuts, imposed on them in return for a €130bn bailout, is sending the country spiralling into a catastrophic depression.

The next World Bank president: Bill Clinton?
The World Bank desperately needs to revive its fortunes after years of lacklustre leadership and shrinking role – which is precisely why former US president Bill Clinton is among the names being touted as its next head to replace Robert Zoellick.

Heightened Security in U.S. Over Iran Threat
With Iran allegedly striking out at Israeli citizens and Jewish targets around the world, Israeli and American security officials in the U.S. are on high alert. ..."The recent attack on a Saudi official in Washington shows a willingness to attack in the United States," said Cilluffo. "This could be an indicator of a much broader campaign and it is right to take precautionary measures."

China Reduces Holdings of U.S. Treasuries to Lowest Level Since June 2010
China, the largest foreign lender to the U.S., reduced its holdings of Treasuries in December to the least since June 2010 amid efforts to assist Europe in addressing its debt crisis. The world’s second-largest economy decreased its U.S. debt securities by $31.9 billion from November, or 2.8 percent, to $1.11 trillion, according to Treasury Department data released yesterday.

Spain's economy contracts as recession fears grow
The Spanish economy has shrunk for the first time in two years, increasing fears the country could be heading for a recession. The country's economy shrank by 0.3% in the three months to December, after stagnating in the previous quarter. Household spending fell by 1.1% from the previous quarter, while spending by public bodies dropped by 3.6%.

Libya militias threatening stability, says Amnesty
Armed militias are threatening the security and stability of Libya, Amnesty International has warned. The human rights group says at least 12 detainees held by militias have died after being tortured since September.

Payroll tax cut: US Congress reaches deal
A US congressional panel has reached a tentative deal on extending a payroll tax cut, ending weeks of uncertainty. The $150bn (£95.69bn) deal extends the tax cut until the end of 2012. Both houses of congress are expected to approve the extension - which will affect 160m workers - by the end of the week.

Bail-out delay prompts fear of Greek euro exit
Greece fears it is being pushed out of the euro after eurozone ministers delayed a decision on its second bail-out for another five days. "We are continually faced with new terms ... In the euro area, there are plenty who don't want us anymore. There are some playing with fire, domestically and abroad.

'Singapore assassination plot against Barak foiled'
A plot to assassinate Defense Minister Ehud Barak was foiled by Singaporean authorities in cooperation with the Mossad, during his visit to the island country earlier this week, according to a Kuwaiti newspaper report. The report in Al Jarida, claimed that three members of a Hezbollah-Iranian terror cell were arrested by Singapore’s security agencies.

Okla. Senate gives 'personhood' to embryos
The Oklahoma Senate has overwhelmingly approved an anti-abortion "personhood" bill that declares life begins at conception. The vote Wednesday upset doctors who fear the proposed law will jeopardize reproductive medicine.

Taliban taunt US on anniversary of Soviet pull-out
Afghanistan's Taliban insurgents seized on the anniversary Wednesday of the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989 to mock US-led NATO forces, saying they faced the same fate.

US missile strike kills 6 people in NW Pakistan
A suspected U.S. drone fired two missiles at a house in Pakistan's northwest tribal region near the Afghan border Thursday, killing six people, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

Moody's warns may downgrade 17 global banks, securities firms
Moody's warned on Thursday it may cut the credit ratings of 17 global and 114 European financial institutions in another sign the impact of the euro zone government debt crisis is spreading throughout the global financial system.

Oil Trades Near 5-Week High on Report Iran Cutting Crude Exports
Oil traded near a five-week high in New York after reports that Iran halted shipments to Europe and U.S. crude inventories fell for the first time in four weeks. Futures were little changed after climbing 1.1 percent yesterday.

Iranians arrested in Thai explosions were planning on attacking Israeli diplomats, police
The Iranians arrested after accidentally setting off an explosives cache in Bangkok were planning to attack Israeli diplomats, Thailand's police chief said Thursday, the first confirmation by local officials that the group was plotting terror attacks in the Southeast Asian country.

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2 Iranian warships on their way to Syria
Two Iranian warships, a destroyer and a supply ship, are on their way to the Syrian coast. The two ships sailed through the Suez Canal, following permission from the Egyptian armed forces which control the waters between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. The move is a new show of support for the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and was called "a provocation" by Israel. Iran and Syria signed an agreement to carry out joint naval training operations last year.

Germany warns Israel not to strike Iran
Israel should avoid taking unilateral military action against Iran in response to growing nuclear weapons concerns, the German defense minister said. German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere said alongside his U.S. counterpart Leon Panetta that Israel should get in line with the rest of the international community. "I hope Israel will join the efforts of the international community and will not resort to unilateral action,"

Pakistan vows support to Iran in case of U.S. attack
Pakistan will not provide any support to U.S. forces if the United States attacks Iran, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said in Islamabad at a press conference with the presidents of Afghanistan and Iran following a trilateral summit on Friday, February 17, according to RIA Novosti. Pakistan and Iran “need each other and no foreign pressure should hinder their ties,” Zardari said.

Saving Lives in Judea and Samaria – The Untold Story
Medical treatment by Israeli medical officials is provided even during periods of increased security tensions.“In any case when emergency medical care is required, it is to be provided regardless of gender, race, nationality or religion, whether he’s a friend or foe. Thus, the IDF and MDA must offer medical care if it is needed immediately, eligibility for medical insurance not withstanding. Every doctor and medic in the army takes an oath to conduct themselves in this fashion. The world at large knows little about these occurrences; “the world” is more interested in incidents of harm brought to Arabs rather then cases of treating them. There is no doubt the world should know more about these activities”.

British lesson on hypocrisy
Op-ed: Shameless Britain clings to faraway Falklands while reprimanding Israel over ‘occupation’

IDF: Syria could attack Israel soon
The Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday that there is growing concern in the Israeli army that Syrian dictator Bashar Assad could attack the Jewish state as pressure mounts for him to step down. What has made this prospect all the more worrying is that recent reports suggest Assad has been using chemical weapons against the Syrian opposition, including civilians. If he attacks Israel, it is believed Assad would have no problem using those same weapons against the Jewish state. Syria reportedly has the most extensive chemical weapons arsenal in the world.

Exclusive: Iran buys more wheat, firms talk to Russia
Iran bought almost half a million tonnes of wheat this week, traders said on Thursday, with private buyers also in talks to import further tonnage from Russia using roubles as payment, as the Islamic republic works around Western sanctions. Tehran has dramatically widened its footprint on international grain markets, having bought a total 1.1 million tonnes in the past two weeks, deploying non-dollar currencies with dealers also reporting talk of barter deals involving oil and gold.

Haaretz: Israel’s Anti-Semitic Rag
Haaretz, Israel’s left-wing daily, used to be Israel’s newspaper of record and comparable to the New York Times, read also by those who differed from its line. Today Haaretz is read by less than 6 percent of Israelis, overwhelmingly composed of the country’s left-wing “elite.”

Parents won't quit fight over CAIR indoctrination
Parents in a Florida school district say their fight is not ending over district officials’ decision to openly promote a representative from the local Council on American-Islamic Relations group, whose national organization has ties to terrorism, to speak to their students and then refuse to listen to parental concerns.

General Assembly passes Syria resolution
The U.N. General Assembly, dealing a major blow to the Syrian government, passed a resolution by a 137-12 vote calling for President Bashar Assad to step down.

Russia Would Use Nukes to Stave Off Threats - General Staff
“We are certainly not planning to fight against the whole of NATO,” Makarov said in an interview with the Ekho Moskvy radio, “but if there is a threat to the integrity of the Russian Federation, we have the right to use nuclear weapons, and we will.”

Iran and al Qaeda’s Shadowy Relationship Could Firm Up This Spring
...reports of a secret al Qaeda alliance with Iran to stage a spectacular attack in Europe this summer, perhaps at the London Olympics. Al Qaeda’s new leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, is said to be orchestrating the plot with Tehran to avenge his predecessor Osama bin Laden’s death.

The Big Squeeze: Pythons and Mammals in Everglades National Park
These pythons, large constricting snakes native to Asia that can reach more than 20 feet in length and upwards of 200 pounds, are now found throughout much of southern Florida, including all of Everglades National Park. Since the recognition 11 years ago that these invasive, exotic snakes were breeding in the park, formerly common mammals there have declined dramatically.

US-Taliban peace talks myth: negotiation or capitulation?
Preparing to pull the plug on a decade-long skirmish in Afghanistan, the US has made claims that it is scheduling peace talks with the Taliban to expedite the end of the war. Overseas, however, others say that’s just smoke and mirrors. Despite US insistence that they are planning peace talks with the Taliban, the Afghan ambassador to Pakistan is shutting down the notion that these negotiations are occurring. Instead, Umar Daudzai is saying the efforts thus far are only “exploratory.”

Bye, bye, privacy. Canada introduces online-spying bill
Lawmakers in the Great White North are debating a bill that will pulverize what’s left of online privacy for Canucks. The Investigative Powers for the 21st Century Act (Bill C-51) is legislation that isn’t new to Canadian Parliament, but after a series of additions and other changes, lawmakers there are expected to begin discussion on it this week. If passed, law enforcement there will be able to monitor all Internet and telephone activity from anyone, anywhere in the country, without having to obtain a warrant.

More US government websites hacked by Anonymous
The hacking group known as Anonymous has claimed a new series of hacks against the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and consumer rights websites. The loosely organized collection of cyber rebels said it attacked the FTC's consumer protection business center and the National Consumer Protection Week websites. Both sites were replaced with a violent German-language video satirizing the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, or ACTA.

Greeks rage at erosion of sovereignty while leaders haggle over deal
Greek leaders express frustration and anger at the rapid erosion of their country's sovereignty by German and eurozone leaders, but see no alternative but to accept quasi-colonial control in return for the €130bn (£110bn) rescue package. ...Greeks are now about to be hit by the sixth austerity package in five years.

Rio faces dengue epidemic: Brazil health minister
Brazilian Health Minister Alexandre Padilla on Thursday warned that Rio de Janeiro faced a major dengue epidemic, although he said the virus strain prevalent was not fatal. "I believe that Rio could this year face one of the worst dengue epidemics in its history, in terms of number of cases," he said in a television interview. Padilla said the dengue virus strain prevalent in Rio was not the most serious and was not fatal.

CBO: Longest Period of High Unemployment Since Great Depression
After three years with unemployment topping 8 percent, the U.S. has seen the longest period of high unemployment since the Great Depression, the Congressional Budget Office noted in a report issued today. And, despite some recent good news on the economic front, the CBO is still predicting that unemployment will remain above 8 percent until 2014.

Drug-releasing microchip passes first test in humans
It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie: A patient visits a doctor's office and, after a brief surgical procedure, walks away with a microchip under her skin that delivers medication in precisely timed and measured doses. That scenario doesn't seem so futuristic anymore. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced today that they have successfully completed the first trial of a drug-releasing microchip in humans.

Exclusive: Venezuela ships fuel to war-torn Syria
The government of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez is emerging as a rare supplier of diesel to Syria, potentially undermining Western sanctions and helping the Syrian government fuel its military in the middle of a bloody crackdown on civilian protests. A cargo of diesel, which can be used to fuel army tanks or as heating fuel, was expected to arrive at Syria's Mediterranean port of Banias this week, according to two traders and shipping data. The cargo could be worth up to $50 million.

Sales tax increase approved by Japan's cabinet
The Japanese cabinet has passed a plan to double sales taxes in an attempt to control the soaring costs of public debts. The plan, which needs parliament's approval, will see taxes raised from the current 5% to 8% in April 2014, and then up to 10% by October 2015. Japan has revealed its social security costs will rise by 1tn yen ($12.6bn; £8bn) a year as its population ages.

Syria crisis: UN assembly adopts Arab-backed resolution
The UN General Assembly has voted in favour of a resolution condemning human rights violations in Syria and calling for an end to the violence. The Arab-backed initiative, which also calls on President Bashar al-Assad to resign, is the latest of several attempts to bring an end to the crisis. Syria said the move would only worsen the crisis and encourage "terrorists".

UK and France sign nuclear energy agreement
The UK is signing a deal with France to strengthen co-operation in the development of civil nuclear energy. The government says it reiterates the UK's commitment to nuclear energy "as part of a diversified energy mix". The coalition says the agreement will create a number of commercial deals in the nuclear energy field, worth more than £500m and creating 1,500 UK jobs.

'Iran, Hezbollah trying to attack Israelis, Jews abroad'
It appears as though Iran and Hezbollah are currently trying to carry out attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets abroad, Israel's Counter-terrorism Bureau warned Friday. The Bureau said it drew these conclusions, "in light of the findings emerging from the questioning of detainees," arrested in relation to the recent attacks.

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'Iranian warships dock in Syria via Suez Canal'
Two Iranian warships that passed through the Suez Canal earlier this week docked in Syria on Saturday, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported. The ships from Iran's 18th fleet - which is comprised of a Khark supplier and Shahid Naqdi destroyers - had stopped in Jedda, Saudi Arabia earlier this month, according to Iran's state Press TV.

Top US aide heads to Israel for talks on Iran, Syria
US National Security Advisor Tom Donilon will travel to Israel on Saturday for talks with senior Israeli officials on a range of issues, including Iran and Syria, the White House announced. The announcement came as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton voiced cautious optimism about the prospect for Iran to return to nuclear talks with six world powers.

U.S. drones reportedly monitoring Syria; China wants Syrian sovereignty respected
“A good number” of unmanned U.S. military drones are operating in the skies over Syria, monitoring the President Basir al-Assad’s military’s crackdown against the opposition, U.S. defense officials tell NBC News. According to the unnamed officials, the drone surveillance is not in preparations for a future military operation in Syria. Rather, the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama is hoping to use the visual evidence and intercepts of Syrian government and military communications in an effort to “make the case for a widespread international response.”

In Russia, Putin allies sharpen anti-American attacks ahead of elections
A nasty spate of anti-Americanism set off by Vladimir V. Putin has grown into waves of attacks aimed at the new American ambassador and Russian opposition leaders, raising questions about the future of U.S.-Russian relations. The attacks started just before the December parliamentary elections and have intensified as the March 4 presidential vote approaches.

Iran warships enter Mediterranean via Suez Canal
Iranian warships have entered the Mediterranean Sea for only the second time since the 1979 revolution. The destroyer Shahid Qandi and its supply vessel Kharg have passed through the Suez Canal but their destination remains unclear. Navy chief Admiral Habibollah Sayari told the Irna agency the mission was a show of might and a "message of peace".

'Egypt to deliver fuel to Gaza after energy crisis'
Egypt's parliamentary industry and energy committee announced Saturday that Cairo has agreed to provide fuel for the Gaza Strip's lone power plant, after fuel shortages and a dispute with smugglers forced the plant's shutdown and caused rolling blackouts. According to Palestinian Ma'an news agency, the quantities of fuel include 500 thousand liters of fuel for the power plant, and an additional 100 liters of fuel for vehicles.

Ukraine's death toll from cold spell reaches 151
Health officials say 151 people have died in the Ukraine during Eastern Europe's record-breaking cold spell, with alcohol regularly a contributing factor. The health ministry said Thursday that nearly 4,000 others have been hospitalized with hypothermia and frostbite.

Terror suspect arrested near Capitol in FBI sting
The Moroccan man accused of trying to blow up the U.S. Capitol told acquaintances that America's war on terrorism actually was a war on Muslims and they needed to be ready for battle. Then the 29-year-old unemployed man started preparations of his own — and he thought everything was going according to plan. A man brought him an automatic weapon. He got a suicide vest, scouted out targets and practiced setting off explosives.

Hague fears Iran could start 'new Cold War'
Iran's nuclear ambitions could plunge the Middle East into "a new Cold War", the UK foreign secretary has warned. Interviewed by the Daily Telegraph, William Hague said if Iran developed nuclear weapons then "other nations across the Middle East will want to".

China urges all sides to end Syria violence
China's visiting envoy to Syria has called on all sides in the country to end violence, amid talks with President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. Syrian TV quoted Zhai Jun as saying he backed the Syrian government's plan for a referendum on the constitution and subsequent elections.

Gay marriage advances in Maryland, vetoed in New Jersey
Maryland's House of Delegates approved by a razor-thin margin a measure on Friday that would allow same-sex couples to marry, putting it on the road to joining six other states where gay and lesbian nuptials are legal.

Italian police seize $6 trillion of fake U.S. bonds
Italian police said on Friday they had seized about $6 trillion worth of fake U.S. Treasury bonds and other securities in Switzerland, and arrested eight Italians accused of international fraud and other financial crimes.

‘We Are Stronger’: Atheists To Hold Massive Rally On National Mall Next Month
Thousands of atheists are expected to attend the Reason Rally next month in Washington, D.C., an event that organizers hope will unify a large part of the secular community. On March 24, the National Mall will be populated by those who sympathize with atheist perspectives, generally defined by an absence in belief of deities or other religious icons.


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FBI might shutdown the Internet on March 8
Millions of computer users across the world could be blocked off from the Internet as early as March 8 if the FBI follows through with plans to yank a series of servers originally installed to combat corruption. Last year, authorities in Estonia apprehended six men believed responsible for creating a malicious computer script called the DNSChanger Trojan. Once set loose on the Web, the worm corrupted computers in upwards of 100 countries, including an estimated 500,000 in America alone. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation later stepped up by replacing the rogue Trojan with servers of their own in an attempt to remediate the damage, but the fix was only temporary. Now the FBI is expected to end use of those replacement servers as early as next month and, at that point, the Internet for millions could essentially be over.

Jordan prepares camp for Syrian refugees
Jordan is setting up a refugee camp near its northern border with Syria, in preparation for what many fear may be a mass exodus of Syrians fleeing violence in their homeland, an official said Sunday.

Egypt recalls its ambassador to Syria amid persisting violence
Egypt recalled its ambassador to Damascus, state television said on Sunday, in what appeared to be the latest step in a series of Arab diplomatic moves to intensify pressure on President Bashar al-Assad, who is trying to crush a popular uprising in Syria. Egypt's decision follows moves by Tunisia, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab nations to reduce ties with Damascus.

Egypt trial on U.S. democracy activists set for February 26
An Egyptian court will start the trial on February 26 of activists from mostly American civil society groups accused of working illegally in Egypt, in a case which has strained U.S.-Egyptian ties. A judicial source told Reuters that the 43 accused, including around 20 Americans, would go on trial next Sunday, charged with working in the country without proper legal registration.

Gas prices are highest ever for this time of year
Gasoline prices have never been higher this time of the year. At $3.53 a gallon, prices are already up 25 cents since Jan. 1. And experts say they could reach a record $4.25 a gallon by late April. "You're going to see a lot more staycations this year," says Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research.

Iran FM: We are ready to face 'worst-case scenario' in defense of nuclear program
Iran is determined to pursue the advancement of its nuclear program, Iranian Foreign Ministry Ali Akbar Salehi said on Sunday, adding that Tehran was prepared for any "worse-case scenario" in attempt to defend its nuclear aspirations. Salehi's comments came after U.S. National Adviser Tom Donilon arrived in Israel to discuss Iran's nuclear standoff with the West with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran cuts sales of crude to British, French companies
Iran has stopped selling crude to British and French companies, the oil ministry said on Sunday, in a retaliatory measure against fresh EU sanctions on the Islamic state's lifeblood, oil. "Exporting crude to British and French companies has been stopped ... we will sell our oil to new customers," spokesman Alireza Nikzad was quoted as saying by the ministry of petroleum website.

Iran 'may boost nuclear programme', diplomat warns
Iran may be poised to expand its nuclear programme at an underground site near the city of Qom, a Vienna-based diplomat has told the BBC. It appears to be ready to install thousands of new-generation centrifuges at the fortified underground plant, the diplomat said.

Iraq gun and bomb attacks hit Baghdad and Baquba
t least 15 people have been killed in a suicide attack in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. A bomber wearing a suicide vest blew himself up near the entrance to the Iraqi Police Academy in the east of the city. 21 were injured in the attack.

Syria 'disintegrating under crippling sanctions'
One of Syria's leading businessmen says its economy is being crippled by foreign sanctions and that the government is slowly disintegrating. Faisal al-Qudsi, the son of a former Syrian president, told the BBC the military action could only last six months and then there would be "millions of people on the streets".

Santorum says Obama agenda not "based on Bible"
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum challenged President Barack Obama's Christian beliefs on Saturday, saying White House policies were motivated by a "different theology."

Greek cabinet backs extra austerity measures
Greece's cabinet on Saturday approved a final set of austerity measures sought by the EU and IMF as a condition for a 130-billion euro ($171 billion) rescue package, raising the chances of a deal next week to avert a chaotic default on its debt.

Thousands rally for Putin before Russian election
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in cities across Russia in support of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Saturday in a show of force two weeks before a March 4 presidential election that is expected to return him to the Kremlin

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Anti-Semitism is an Integral Part of British Culture
Prof. Robert Wistrich, Director of Int'l Center for the Study of Anti-Semitism at Hebrew Univ.: "Anti-Semitism is embedded in British culture for a thousand years. Britain was the first to expel the Jews in 1290." “Another pioneering role of the UK, especially in the area of anti-Israelism, is the longstanding bias in BBC reporting and commentary about the Jewish world and Israel in particular. Double standards have long been a defining characteristic of its Middle East coverage. This has had debilitating consequences. The BBC plays a special role, owing to its long-established prestige as a news source widely considered to be 'objective.'

Earliest Gospel of Mark found?
A New Testament professor is setting the world of Bible scholarship on fire with his claim that newly discovered fragments of early Christian writings could include a first-century version of the Gospel of Mark, from the same century in which Jesus and the apostles lived.

Ancient Biblical Gardens 'Bloom' Again
The garden relied on an advanced irrigation system, which collected rainwater and distributed it using artsy water installations, including pools, underground channels, tunnels and gutters.

Incurable Virus Killing Thousands Of Lambs
The Schmallenberg virus, which is not thought to cause risk to humans, was first identified in Germany in November. There have also been cases in Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Vet Toby Kemble has already seen deformed lambs at eight out of 10 sheep farms he has been to in north Norfolk this year.

North Korea Tells South Korean Islanders to Evacuate
North Korea's military has warned South Koreans living on islands near disputed Yellow Sea waters to evacuate the area to avoid possibly being shelled. Pyongyang is threatening retaliation if shells fired during the South's planned naval exercises Monday cross into the North's territorial waters.

Turkey and China 'helping Iran evade UN sanctions
In an attempt to escape the effects of the wide-ranging sanctions imposed over Iran's illegal nuclear programme, Iran's central bank is using a number of financial institutions in China and Turkey to fund the purchase of vital goods to keep the Iranian economy afloat.

Turkey and China 'helping Iran evade UN sanctions'
In an attempt to escape the effects of the wide-ranging sanctions imposed over Iran's illegal nuclear programme, Iran's central bank is using a number of financial institutions in China and Turkey to fund the purchase of vital goods to keep the Iranian economy afloat. According to Western security officials China, which is Iran's largest oil trading partner, is playing a major role in helping Iran to avoid the sanctions.

South Korea holds live-fire exercises despite threats from the North
Military officials said the "routine" drill, their second this year, involved self-propelled howitzers, Vulcan cannon, mortars and Cobra attack helicopters. The defence ministry said the exercise began at about 10am local time and ended before noon.

Netanyahu's border proposal: Israel to annex settlement blocs, but not Jordan Valley
The proposal that came up during the Israeli-Palestinian talks in Amman effectively means a withdrawal from 90% of the West Bank, and is very similar to the one proposed by Tzipi Livni during the 2008 Annapolis Conference. ...The five rounds of talks in Amman were the result of international pressure placed on Abbas immediately after his speech to the UN General Assembly in September 23 2011.

Experts fear diseases 'impossible to treat'
Britain is facing a "massive" rise in antibiotic-resistant blood poisoning caused by the bacterium E.coli – bringing closer the spectre of diseases that are impossible to treat. Experts say the growth of antibiotic resistance now poses as great a threat to global health as the emergence of new diseases such as Aids and pandemic flu.

Tel Aviv to get missile interceptor system: army
The Israeli military will on Monday deploy a battery of rocket interceptors from its "Iron Dome" system in the Tel Aviv region, a military spokesman said on Sunday. "Iron Dome is being incorporated into the heart of the Israeli military. As part of this process, the system is deployed in different sites and will be in the Gush Dan region (of Tel Aviv) in the coming days," he said in a statement that clarified the deployment would begin on Monday.

US, Britain urge Israel not to attack Iran
The U.S. and Britain on Sunday urged Israel not to attack Iran's nuclear program as the White House's national security adviser arrived in the region, reflecting growing international jitters that the Israelis are poised to strike. ...Dempsey said an Israeli attack is "not prudent," and Hague said it would not be "a wise thing." It was not known whether their messages were coordinated.

Saudi Arabia Cuts Oil Output, Export: Industry Report
The world’s top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, appears to have cut both its oil production and export in December, according to the latest update by the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI), an official source of oil production, consumption and export data. The OPEC heavyweight saw production decline by 237,000 barrels per day (bpd) from three-decade highs of 10.047 million bpd in November, the JODI data showed on Sunday.

Lab-grown meat is first step to artificial hamburger
Dutch scientists have used stem cells to create strips of muscle tissue with the aim of producing the first lab-grown hamburger later this year. The aim of the research is to develop a more efficient way of producing meat than rearing animals. At a major science meeting in Canada, Prof Mark Post said synthetic meat could reduce the environmental footprint of meat by up to 60%.

Egypt presidential election: Decision on date delayed
Egyptian election officials have failed to confirm the date of the first presidential election since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. An election commission briefing only expressed hope the process could be over by the end of May. The commission chairman told local TV the problem lay in organising the expatriate vote.

Iran nuclear crisis: UN inspectors arrive in Iran
UN nuclear inspectors have arrived in Tehran for the second time in a month to discuss Iran's nuclear programme. Chief inspector Herman Nackaerts said his team's "highest priority" was to clarify the "possible military dimensions" of the nuclear programme. But he cautioned that progress "may take a while".

Putin: Russia needs stronger military
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has backed the modernisation of his country's military, less than a fortnight before the presidential vote. "We must not tempt anyone with our weakness," he wrote in a newspaper. Mr Putin is widely expected to win the 4 March election and demonstrations have taken place both against and in support of his likely return to power.

Greek bailout elements in place, says France's Baroin
All the elements are in place for agreement on a new bailout loan for Greece, the French finance minister has said, ahead of a meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels. Athens needs the 130bn euros (£110bn; $170bn) in order to avoid bankruptcy in mid-March, when a huge repayment on its governmental debt must be made.

Drought summit as rivers in England dry up
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman is hosting a drought summit as parts of England struggle with groundwater levels lower than in 1976. She has invited water companies, farmers and wildlife groups to discuss the situation in south-east England, East Anglia and the East Midlands. Ms Spelman said she wants the meeting to work out "preventative measures" that could be taken now.

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Israel to US: Challenge Iran to end nuclear program at once
Israel delivers strongly worded message to U.S., following comments advising Israel not to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities • Defense Minister Ehud Barak: We are responsible for our own decisions concerning our future. Israel on Monday demanded that the U.S. challenge Iran to immediately put an end to its nuclear program while the U.S., for its part, urged Israel to allow sanctions against Iran to do the job and cease planning for a military strike.

IDF Says Ground Invasion in Gaza ‘Matter of Time’
It is only a “matter of time” before the IDF has to re-enter Gaza to control terror, IDF Chief of Benny Gantz warns, three years after the three-week Operation Cast Lead counterterrorist campaign. The IDF has carried out a consistent policy since several months after Cast Lead to retaliate after almost every terrorist attack on Israelis. Hamas and other terrorist groups, both allies and rivals, have carried out hundreds of rockets, missiles, mortar shells and sniping attacks since the end of Cast Lead in January 2009.

De Borchgrave: New Mideast War Coming Soon
This clear good-vs.-bad-guys script suddenly blurred as al-Qaida’s sympathizers showed up in the ranks of pro-western rebels fighting for the overthrow of Assad. A new player: The Al-Baraa Ibn Malik Martyrdom Brigade began fielding suicide bombers. Read more on Newsmax.com: De Borchgrave: New Mideast War Coming Soon Important: Do You Support Pres. Obama's Re-Election? Vote Here Now!

NASA Spacecraft Reveals Recent Geological Activity On the Moon
"We think the moon is in a general state of global contraction because of cooling of a still hot interior," said Thomas Watters of the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, and lead author of a paper on this research appearing in the March issue of the journal Nature Geoscience.

Iran to unleash 'God’s vengeance' against potential air strike
Iran has commenced a massive training exercise to protect its “nuclear centers” from potential air strikes. The deputy military chief says pre-emptive strikes will be launched if Iran feels its national interests are under threat, Reuters reports.

Russian Scientists Revive Plants Frozen For 30,000 Years
A team of Russian biophysicists have successfully grown ancient plants from tissue material that stayed frozen in the Siberian permafrost for about 30,000 years. This is the oldest plant material to have been brought to life so far.

Iran says UN nuke inspectors will not visit sites
The remarks by Ramin Mehmanparast cast doubt on how much the U.N. inspectors would be able to gauge whether Iran is moving ahead with its suspected pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Experts evaluate earthquake potential off Washington coast
In the eleven months since the the massive quake and tsunami hit Japan, the world's leading earthquake scientists learned that a mega quake in the Northwest could be a lot worse than experts have predicted.

Afghanistan erupts over Koran 'burning'
The enraged crowd shouted "Death to Americans" and "Death to infidels" at guards at Bagram airbase, north of Kabul. The guards responded by firing rubber bullets on the crowd, said an AFP photographer, who was hit in the neck. US helicopters fired flares to try to break up as many as 2,000 demonstrators who massed outside several gates to the base.

Iran to take pre-emptive action if endangered, warns top general
Iran would take pre-emptive action against its enemies if it felt its national interests were endangered, the deputy head of the Islamic Republic's armed forces was quoted by a semi-official news agency as saying on Tuesday. "Our strategy now is that if we feel our enemies want to endanger Iran's national interests, and want to decide to do that, we will act without waiting for their actions," Mohammad Hejazi told Fars news agency.

Ayalon: ‘No crisis between Israel and US’
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said ties between the US and Israeli administrations were solid and denied the two were in crisis mode, in an interview aired on Israel Radio Tuesday morning. The interview was given following Monday’s announcement that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would meet with US President Barack Obama in early March, with the Iranian question still in the air.

Syria unrest: West stirring civil war, says China paper
The official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party has accused the West of provoking a civil war in Syria. In a front page commentary, the People's Daily said that Western support of Syria's opposition would lead to "large-scale civil war". In that case armed intervention would become unavoidable, it added.

Iran to hold military drills 'to protect nuclear sites'
Iran has announced it will hold military exercises to boost protection of its nuclear sites. A military statement said drills would be held in southern Iran to counter "all possible threats, especially to public, important and nuclear centres". Speculation has been increasing that Israel may launch a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

US and Mexico agree Gulf of Mexico oil cooperation
The US and Mexico have agreed to work together to develop deep-water oil and gas fields that straddle their maritime border in the Gulf of Mexico. The deal was signed at a meeting of the G20 group of industrial and developing countries in Los Cabos, Mexico. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said it would ensure responsible energy exploration in the Gulf.

Eurozone agrees to Greek bail-out, but doubts remain
After a 14-hour meeting eurozone finance ministers and bankers have agreed on a second bail-out package for Greece with extra supervision and an "absolute priority" on paying back its debts. But doubts remain on whether the country will avoid default. "We have reached a far-reaching agreement on the new Greek programme with a very significant debt reduction.


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Former Carter Adviser Brzezinski: US Global Supremacy ‘Is Over’
“The world is now much more diversified. There is now the new East in Asia. There is now a globally, politically awakened population.”

Facebook shuts down pro-life message
Prominent pro-life advocate Bryan Kemper is questioning Facebook after it removed his pro-life message, a move that followed on the heels of the company’s decision to allow the posting of directions on how to perform an abortion at home. There is an image in the lower part of this story that may be a concern for some viewers.

Russia resuming nuclear-armed missions
The concern is that it raises the potential for a civil war in Syria. All of this boils down to the Russian challenge of U.S. supremacy in the Middle East, say regional analysts.

Sheriff Joe briefs Santorum on Obama probe
Joe Arpaio, the sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, briefed GOP contender Rick Santorum on his investigation into President Barack Obama’s birth certificate, the controversial law enforcement official told reporters Tuesday.

Tensions run high in Jerusalem, West Bank; rioters arrested
Police forces increased deployment in the Temple Mount and around Jerusalem's Old City on Tuesday following information received on planned riots. The riots are a response to calls by right-wing activists to expand access to the Temple Mount. Earlier on Tuesday, the Rachel's Tomb compound was closed to visitors following the hurling of stones. Border Guard officers evacuated Jewish visitors. No injuries were reported.

Evangelist Franklin Graham questions Christianity of Obama and Romney
"But the question is: What is a Christian? And a Christian is a person that believes Jesus Christ is God's son who died on a cross for our sins who God raised to life. And that if we put our faith and trust in him, then God will forgive us of our sins. Now, that's the definition of a Christian. I was 22 years old when I asked Christ to come into my heart. You cannot be born a Christian; you can only be converted. And that is by putting your faith and trust in Christ," Graham said.

Anonymous Hacks Greek Ministry Website, Demands IMF Withdrawal, Threatens It Will Wipe Away All Citizen Debts
While the pretext for the hacking appears to have been an arrest of the wrong people, is seems to have angered Anonymous to the point where they have left an extended message of demands on the Greek website, warning that unless the IMF withdraws from the country and the government resigns, all debts of Greek citizens will be wiped clean.

World’s First Lab-Engineered Burger Just Months Away
A team of privately funded Dutch researchers have reached a benchmark in the science of bioengineering. Using only stem cells, they’ve managed to grow a strip of muscle tissue in a Petri dish with the aim of eventually developing techniques for the mass production of eco-friendly lab-engineered meat.

President Eisenhower had three secret meetings with aliens, former Pentagon consultant claims
The two parties finally met up on three separate occasions at the Holloman Air Force base and there were 'many witnesses'. Conspiracy theorists have circulated increased rumours in recent months that the meeting between the Commander-in-Chief and people from another planet took place.

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Firestorm Forecast: 'Syria can set region ablaze'
The UN is seeking to send its humanitarian chief to Syria to secure aid delivery to civilians caught-up in the fighting. The international body is also preparing to investigate the country's officials over allegations they've committed crimes against humanity. RT's correspondent in Damascus, Maria Finoshina, has been keeping across developments on the ground.

Sanctions Against Iran are Not an Option
The terms “effective sanctions” against Iran on the one hand and global political reality on the other hand constitute an oxymoron playing into the hands of Tehran.Effective sanctions require the full cooperation of Russia and China, two strategic rivals of the U.S., as demonstrated by their U.N. Security Council double veto of the October 2011 and February 2012 anti-Assad resolutions.

Syrian death toll mounts as Russia and China reject foreign intervention
Russia and China on Thursday rejected pressure to change their position on Syria after vetoing a United Nations resolution condemning the Damascus regime for its bloody crackdown on the opposition as Syrian tanks pushed into a rebel stronghold in the battered city of Homs.

World leaders meet on Syria
On the eve of an international meeting in Tunisia, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton agreed with top European and Arab allies that their most urgent priority is developing a “unified position that sends a strong message to the Syrian regime” of international impatience, a senior State Department official said. The conference on Friday will “challenge Assad to respond ...within days” to demands that he allow humanitarian aid to enter the country, the official said.

Assad government will not fall, says Iran
Syrian President Bashar Al Assad's regime will not fall and Iran stands beside it, the top foreign policy adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Thursday. "The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the Syrian government and will oppose those who act against Syria," Ali Akbar Velayati said in remarks reported by the Fars news agency. "The attempt to topple the Syrian government will not become reality and the front line of confrontation with the Zionist regime (Israel) will not disappear," he said.

Vladimir Putin issues 'victory' battle-cry ahead of Russia polls
Russian strongman Vladimir Putin on Thursday issued a battle-cry to tens of thousands of supporters packing Moscow's largest sports stadium as he predicted victory in next month's presidential election. Putin declared in a fiery and nationalist-tinged speech to 130,000 people in the Luzhniki stadium that Russians had victory written into their "genetic code" and would not allow foreigners to meddle in their country's affairs.

Iran seeks to boost nuclear work in bunker: diplomats
Iran is believed to be carrying out preparations to expand nuclear activity deep inside a mountain, diplomats say, in a further sign of defiance in the face of intensifying Western pressure to curb its sensitive uranium enrichment drive.-"I think we will see a jump in the potential state of readiness of the facility," one Vienna-based envoy said. Fordow is of particular concern for the West and Israel as Iran is shifting the most controversial aspect of its nuclear work, refining uranium to a level that takes it significantly closer to potential bomb material, to the site.

‘Iranian nuclear scientist's ultimate goal was annihilation of Israel'
In what seems to belie Iran's oft-repeated assertion that its nuclear program is designed for peaceful purposes, the wife of a nuclear scientist who was assassinated last month in Tehran said that the goal of her husband's life's work was the “annihilation of Israel,” the scientist’s wife told the Iranian Fars News Agency (FNA) on Tuesday.

For Zion's Sake I Will Not Keep Silent
'At present, the civilized war is standing on the brink of a third world war against extremist Islam. Many claim that the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, marks its onset. This time, Mr. President, it is the most dangerous time in human history, it is crucial and can not be under estimated. If Iran gets its hands on nuclear weapons, things will not be any different from the situation prior to World War II had Adolf Hitler been in possession of such weapons. This time the USA does not have the luxury of time to wait and look on from the sidelines. The USA must intervene right now, and right away!

Nasty, contagious norovirus is 'everywhere' now
The microbial culprit, norovirus, affects one in 15 Americans every year, causing sudden vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps that continue for a very unpleasant 24 to 48 hours, usually requiring no medical intervention. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta says about half of cases of food poisoning are caused by norovirus, which has gained infamy as the cause of outbreaks on cruise ships, college campuses, nursing homes and other gathering places.

Wife Admits: Slain Iranian Nuke Scientist‘s ’Ultimate Goal Was the Annihilation of Israel’
Iran continues to insist its work is for peaceful purposes only. That claim will likely suffer a setback by an interview published Tuesday in the semi-official Fars News Agency. The wife of slain nuclear scientist Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan tells Fars her husband wholeheartedly sought Israel’s destruction.

UN nuke expert: no 'way forward' with Iran
Herman Nackaerts of the International Atomic Energy Agency says the talks in Tehran were inconclusive, although his mission approached the talks "in a constructive spirit." Nackaerts spoke to reporters at Vienna airport Wednesday shortly after returning from the Iranian capital. An IAEA statement published overnight already acknowledged the talks had failed.

Secular sell-out: Islamist lobby directs US policy in Egypt
Walid Phares, an anti-terrorism advisor to the US government, believes that Egypt’s revolt, which started as a protest by the masses, was hijacked by organized groups.

Earthquake "swarm" hits the Big Island
The earthquakes are located along the Ka'oiki Pali, a southeast-dipping normal fault near the boundary between Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes. This area has experienced episodic seismic activity since the 6.6 Ka'oiki earthquake in 1983. Previous earthquake swarms have occurred along the Ka'oiki seismic zone in 1990, 1993, 1997, and, most recently, in February-March 2006. These swarms lasted anywhere from 1 day to several weeks, rarely exceeding magnitude-4.

Franklin Graham questions Obama’s Christian beliefs, calls Santorum ‘a man of faith’
“All I know is that under Obama, President Obama, the Muslims of the world he seems to be more concerned about them than the Christians that are being murdered.”

Iran court convicts Christian pastor convert to death
A trial court in Iran has issued its final verdict, ordering a Christian pastor to be put to death for leaving Islam and converting to Christianity, according to sources close to the pastor and his legal team. Supporters fear Youcef Nadarkhani, a 34-year-old father of two who was arrested over two years ago on charges of apostasy, may now be executed at any time without prior warning, as death sentences in Iran may be carried out immediately or dragged out for years.

Navy's new super-sub revealed
Israel's "doomsday weapon" revealed? The Navy will soon begin its test-deployment of Israel's new super-submarine, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Wednesday. The report quoted various foreign newspapers as saying that the new Dolphin-Class submarine's systems will enable it to spends prolonged periods of time at sea and fire nuclear missiles.

'Israel should annex 60% of Area C'
Naftali Bennett, former Yesha Council director, presented a new initiative meant to conquer the prolonged stalemate plaguing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Bennett explained Thursday that he met with dozens of military, political and defense experts prior to formulating what has been dubbed as the "mollification plan," adding that it is meant to be a "band-aid" – a way for Israel to maintain peace in the West Bank, while Israel both deals with international pressure as well as protects its "critical principles."

Germ warfare: The creation of a lethal virus sparks a debate pitting science against security
Late last year, researchers in the United States and the Netherlands announced they'd manipulated the H5N1 virus so it could be spread between mammals and through the air. It’s a global first for a virulent virus. And if the dangerous, transmissible mutation were unleashed – by accident or through malice – it could have pandemic consequences.

TV hosts sent letters warning of bio terror attacks as congress members find ‘suspicious powder’
Three members of the U.S. Congress have received threatening mail containing a suspicious powder later found to be harmless and law enforcement officials on Wednesday warned that more may be coming. Another U.S. law enforcement official said letters sent to television personalities Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert threatened biological attacks on U.S. senators.

New Afghanistan Koran protests leave eight dead
At least another eight people have been killed, including two Nato soldiers, in violence across Afghanistan, after the burning of the Koran at a US base. Many others were injured in the protests, while armed men also attacked at least two military installations. Crowds shouting "death to Obama" have been throwing stones and setting fire to the US flag.

EU to freeze millions for Hungary over deficit
Hungary on Wednesday (22 February) was given less than a year to lower its public deficit or have a third of its EU subsidies slashed, amounting to €495 million. It is the first time the EU commission takes such an action. "This unprecedented step follows the commission's repeated warnings to Hungary urging it to step up its efforts to end the country's excessive government deficit, and its subsequent failure to take appropriate action," the EU executive said in a statement.

'Hamas will demand key positions in unity gov't'
Hamas will demand that members of its organization fill key roles in the unity government with Fatah if it is to agree to allow Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to serve as the interim government's prime minister, Egyptian daily Al-Ahram reported on Thursday. According to the report, Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Mahsaal will present his conditions to Abbas at a meeting between the two leaders in Cairo on Thursday.

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Valerie Jarrett: Unemployment Stimulates the Economy
White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett has adopted a stance on unemployment that is sure to infuriate many, arguing that it stimulates the economy because people who receive unemployment checks are going out and spending them, reports The Weekly Standard.

Moderate earthquake rattles Kilauea as swarm continues
The latest quake, which hit at 9:11 p.m., was the strongest of the swarm so far and was centered 5 miles west of Volcano at a depth of 3.2 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Afghan protesters storm US embassy, 2 killed
At least two people have been killed as protesters stormed the US embassy in Kabul, outraged by a Koran-burning incident at a NATO base in Afghanistan. The four days of violent anti-American protests have already left 13 dead and dozens injured.

Muslim worshippers, Israeli police clash at Jerusalem's Temple Mount
Hundreds of Muslim worshippers clashed with police on Friday at Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Following Friday prayers, hundreds of worshippers began hurling rocks at the Mughrabi Bridge at the entrance to the Temple Mount, which prompted Israeli police forces to enter the plaza and attempt t to scatter the protest.

DIA director: China preparing for space warfare
Army Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Burgess, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, disclosed new details of China’s space weapons programs last week, including information regarding China’s anti-satellite missiles and cyber warfare capabilities. Burgess stated in little-noticed written testimony prepared for an appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee that Beijing is developing missiles, electronic jammers, and lasers for use against satellites.

Chart: 'America’s Per Capita Government Debt Worse Than Greece'
The office of Senator Jeff Sessions, ranking member on the Senate Budget Committee, sends along this chart, showing that 'America’s Per Capita Government Debt Worse Than Greece,' as well as Ireland, Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain...

Israel can rely only on America and (sigh) the countries of Western Europe
The search for alternative allies, such as Russia, India or China, is ultimately futile.

'Friends of Syria' set to deliver ultimatum to Assad
Western and Arab nations will demand on Friday that Syria allow aid to be delivered to desperate civilians in the absence of any international resolve to intervene to end a crackdown on a near year-old revolt against President Bashar Assad.

Sources: Obama has not requested review of military options for Syria
Though the White House said all options remain on the table for Syria, President Obama has not requested to see any military options for invading Syria prepared by Pentagon, two senior military officials told Fox News.

Japanese quake an ominous sign for B.C. 'megaquake'
"The ground motions that we have from Tohoku may actually be an indication that there could be much stronger shaking in the coastal areas of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon," Anderson said.

Maryland state senate passes gay marriage bill
A bill that would legalise gay marriage in the US state of Maryland has been approved in the state Senate, less than a week after it passed the state House. The bill, which will become law when signed by Governor Martin O'Malley, who sponsored it, will make Maryland the eighth US state to permit gay marriage.

Bank of America Breaks With Fannie Mae
Bank of America said Thursday that it would no longer sell new mortgages to Fannie Mae, underscoring tensions in a fight between giants of the home loan market over billions in losses in the housing bubble.

Southern euro-countries worst hit by recession
The EU economy is expected to grind to a halt in the 27 member states and to contract by an average of 0.3 percent of the eurozone's gross domestic product (GDP), with recession hitting Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain worst, fresh EU forecasts for this year show. ...The revision in just three months' time from growth of 0.8 percent of GDP in the eurozone to recession of 0.3 percent of GDP was mainly due to a drop in global trade, weak consumption and "fragile" financial markets.

North America could be hit with decades-long 'megadrought': scientist
"What we're seeing in the climate records is these megadroughts, and they don't last a decade — they last 20 years, 30 years, maybe 60 years, and they'll be semi-continental in expanse," she told the Regina Leader-Post by phone from Vancouver.

Iran calls for further nuclear talks with UN watchdog
Iran wants more talks with the UN nuclear watchdog, its ambassador to the body said, despite what one Western envoy called "very long and fruitless" negotiations this week on addressing growing suspicions about Tehran's atomic activities. The relatively upbeat comments by Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were in stark contrast to a terse statement issued by the UN agency on Wednesday after the two days of discussions in Tehran.

Afghan Koran protests rage for fourth day
Afghan protesters have taken to the streets for a fourth consecutive day over the burning of Korans by American troops at a US air base. Crowds in Kabul are heading towards the city centre and protests have also been reported in northern Afghanistan.

Syria: Tunis conference seeks diplomatic breakthrough
A major conference is being held in Tunisia to seek a breakthrough in the increasingly bitter Syrian unrest. The US, Europe and Arab countries plan to challenge President Bashar al-Assad to provide humanitarian access within days to the worst-affected areas.

EU prepares to evict Iran's banks from banking hub
The European Union is preparing regulations that will shut out Iran's banks from a major financial clearinghouse used by virtually every country in the world, a senior official said Thursday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of European Union rules, said the regulations are currently being worked on, but should be adopted "rather quickly."

4 Killed in Renewed Shelling of Syrian City
Government troops shelled rebel-held areas in central Syria on Friday, killing at least four people, activists said, as the United States, Europe and Arab nations met in Tunisia to seek ways to ease the crisis

Renowned climate scientist comes under fire
The prestigious California-based Pacific Institute climate research group has launched an investigation of its president and founder, Peter Gleick, after he admitted fraudulently obtaining documents from global warming skeptics challenging his work.


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Amos Gilad: Hezbollahstan has 45,000 missiles
Hezbollah has accumulated 45,000 missiles that pose a threat to Israel, a senior Defense Ministry official told the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai Saturday. According to Defense Ministry Director of Policy and Political-Military Affairs Amos Gilad, Iran and Syria supplied the missiles to the group using ships, planes and trains.

Greece launches long-awaited debt offer
Greece formally launched a bond swap offer to private holders of its bonds on Friday, setting in motion the largest-ever sovereign debt restructuring in the hope of getting its messy finances back on track.

'US to announce aerial blockade on Syria'
US readies for possibility of intervention without UN resolution, Asharq Al-Awsat reports, citing US military official; plan to include humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees on Turkey's border

More drivers than ever may pay $5 per gallon
More drivers than ever could soon be paying $5 for a gallon of gasoline. But the national average, up sharply in recent weeks, is still expected to top out at about $4.

North Korea Threatens 'Sacred War' Over U.S.-South Drills
orth Korea threatened on Saturday to wage a "sacred war" over joint U.S.-South Korean military drills next week. North Korea threatened on Saturday to wage a "sacred war" over joint U.S.-South Korean military drills next week, Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK reported.

11 officers, 15 Palestinians hurt in Temple Mount riot
Friday prayers at Jerusalem's Temple Mount turned into a scene of violent riots as protesters hurled stones at security forces who in turn broke into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Police dispersed the protesters using stun grenades. Eleven officers were lightly wounded by stones and treated at the scene. Ten rioters were arrested. Left-wing activists said that about 15 Palestinians were lightly hurt by the crowd-control measures used by security forces.

China: U.S., Europe have hegemonistic goals in Syria
The United States and Europe are "harboring hegemonistic ambitions" in Syria, China's state news agency said Saturday, a day after Beijing was condemned at an international conference held to find a way to halt the Syrian regime's nearly year-old suppression of an anti-government uprising.

Green company gets $390M subsidies, lays off 125
A123 Systems, an electric car battery company once touted as a stimulus "success story" by former Gov. Jennifer Granhom, D-Mich., has laid off 125 employees since receiving $390 million in government subsidies -- but is still handing out big pay raises to company executives. ..."It looks like they are trying to pad their top people’s wallets in case something really bad happens," Paul Chesser, associate fellow for the National Legal & Policy Center, suggested.

Debt doomsday may come sooner than expected
The federal government could hit the debt ceiling sooner than expected — and possibly around the November election — according to a report out Friday. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill had hoped that last summer’s deal to end the nasty fight over lifting the debt ceiling would ensure the issue wouldn’t resurface until at least 2013.

U.N. sees spike in Iran’s uranium production
Iran dramatically boosted its production of a purer form of nuclear fuel in recent months, with much of the increased output coming from a newly opened plant built inside a mountain bunker, U.N. officials said Friday, further exacerbating worries about Iran’s march toward nuclear-weapons capability. The finding, in a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, showed a nearly 50 percent jump since the fall in Iran’s stockpile of a kind of highly enriched uranium that is closer to weapons-grade than the type normally used in nuclear power plants.

Afghanistan Koran protests: UN compound in Kunduz set alight
Part of a UN compound in the Afghan city of Kunduz has been set alight amid fresh protests against the burning of the Koran by US soldiers. Four people were killed and dozens injured in clashes in the city, according to local doctors. Three more people were killed in the southern province of Logar. More than 20 have died since the protests began on Tuesday.

Iran: Military strike will lead to 'collapse' of Israel
An Israeli military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities will result in "the collapse" of the Jewish state, Iranian state-run Press TV quoted Iranian Defense Minister Brig.-Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as saying on Saturday. “The Zionist regime is on the verge of dissolution… a military attack by the Zionist regime will undoubtedly lead to the collapse of this regime,” the Press TV website quoted Vahidi as saying.

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Syrian regime threatens Christians, clamps down on churches
As part of its campaign against all pro-democracy activists, the Syrian regime has been persecuting Christian citizens and clergy who take part in the revolution or help the revolutionaries. The Syrian regime issued instructions to all banks across the country to stop transactions with the Greek Orthodox Mariamite Church on charges of money laundry, said a Christian activist from the southwestern governorate of Rif Dimashq.

Iran’s nuclear plant at full capacity ‘in weeks’
Iran’s first nuclear power plant will be connected to the national grid at full capacity in the coming weeks, the head of the country’s Atomic Energy Organization was quoted as saying by Iranian media on Sunday. The Russian-built Bushehr plant is part of Iran’s nuclear program which Western countries believe is an attempt to develop the technology needed to build nuclear weapons.

Iran declares strategic policy to strengthen Lebanese army
Iran's defense minister says it is Tehran's strategic policy to strengthen the Lebanese army. The comments by Gen. Ahmad Vahidi to his visiting Lebanese counterpart, Fayez Ghosn, were posted on the Iranian defense ministry's website Sunday. Iran is a key supporter of the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Tehran denies arming the Shiite militant movement, but is believed to funnel it weapons and millions of dollars in funding.

Egypt puts foreign pro-democracy activists on trial
The trial of 43 pro-democracy activists, including at least 16 Americans, has begun in Egypt. The defendants are accused of receiving illegal funding from foreign governments, including the US. The arrests have severely strained relations between Egypt and the United States, with threats that US aid could be cut.

'US officers should be hung over Koran incident'
A top Iranian military commander said Saturday that nothing but burning the White House and hanging US commanders could remedy the pain caused to Muslims by the burning of Korans at a US military base in Afghanistan, pan-Arab Al Arabiya news channel reported Sunday. ...Afghanistan's interior ministry said on Sunday it suspects one of its employees may have killed the two US officers inside the ministry a day earlier.

Car bomber attacks major church in Nigeria
A suicide car bomber detonated his explosives Sunday morning outside of the major church in the heart of a restive central Nigerian city that has seen hundreds die in religious and ethnic violence, an official said, killing three people and injuring others.

Netanyahu: Upcoming meeting with Obama will center on Iran
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday that his upcoming meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington scheduled for March 5 will largely center around Iran's continued development of its nuclear program. Speaking at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said, "Our region is volatile and quickly changing in the North, South and East, including the atrocious massacre we are seeing in Syria against innocent civilians.

Afghan police officer sought over Kabul Nato killings
Afghanistan's interior ministry has said one of its own employees is suspected of the killing of two senior US Nato officers inside the ministry. Officials earlier named police intelligence officer Abdul Saboor from Parwan province as the main suspect behind Saturday's attack.

Seven Americans wounded in attack on NATO base in Afghanistan
Seven U.S. military trainers were wounded on Sunday when protesters in Kunduz in northern Afghanistan threw a grenade at their base, provincial police chief Samihullah Qatra told reporters.

Pakistan begins demolishing bin Laden house: police
Pakistani security forces on Saturday began demolishing the house where al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. special forces in Abbottabad last May, a senior police official in the town said.

Anti-Putin protesters form human chain in Moscow
Thousands of Russians joined hands to form a human chain around Moscow city centre on Sunday in protest against Vladimir Putin's likely return as president in an election next week.

G20 moves to line up huge rescue deal for April
The world's leading economies worked on Sunday to line up a deal in April on a second global rescue package worth nearly $2 trillion to stop the euro-zone sovereign debt crisis from spreading and putting at risk the tentative recovery.


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Peace can't be based on ignoring the truth about J'lem'
"I hope the current generation of Palestinian leadership will not make the same mistake Arafat made," the official said. "If the Palestinian side continues with a position that denies reality, that totally negates Jewish rights, then there can be no basis for peace and co-existence."

Schmallenberg livestock virus hits 74 farms in England
The Schmallenberg infection has been diagnosed five times in cattle and 69 times in sheep, Defra officials said. But the National Farmers' Union warned cases of the virus, which first emerged in the Netherlands and Germany last year, were being "under-reported". Humans are thought to be unaffected by the virus, which is thought to be spread by midges, mosquitoes and ticks.

Oil Price Rise Raises Spectre of Global Recession
A jump in energy prices is jamming the slow-turning cogs of an economic recovery in the West, but that may be nothing compared to the economic shock an Israeli attack on Iran would cause. Oil rose to a 10-month high above $125 a barrel on Friday, prompting responses from policymakers around the world including U.S. President Barack Obama, watching U.S. gasoline prices follow crude to push towards $4 a gallon in an election year.

G20 to Europe: Show us the money
Leading economies told Europe it must put up extra money to fight its debt crisis if it wants more help from the rest of the world, piling pressure on Germany to drop its opposition to a bigger European bailout.

Iran strike would be ‘catastrophic’: Putin
“If this happens, the consequences will be truly catastrophic, their real scope impossible to imagine,” Putin wrote. Such a military strike is increasingly reported as being an option under consideration by Israeli and US military planners as Iran moves ahead with its uranium enrichment program.

Iran prepares for kamikaze attacks
Even as it continued to talk with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Iran continued to prepare for war over its nuclear weapons program, training for kamikaze attacks in the Persian Gulf with both planes and speedboats, sources within the Iranian armed forces report.

9 More Die as Taliban Continue Deadly Attacks Over U.S. Troops’ Koran Burning in Afghanistan
A suicide car bomber rammed his vehicle into the gates of a NATO base and airport in eastern Afghanistan on Monday, triggering a blast that killed nine Afghans, officials said. The Taliban claimed the attack was revenge for U.S. troops burning copies of the Koran.

Assassination bid on Putin foiled, Ukraine says
Russian and Ukrainian security services have foiled a plot to assassinate Vladimir Putin after next week's presidential election, Ukraine's SBU counter-intelligence agency said on Monday. Russian pro-government Channel One television said Ukrainian special services in the Black Sea port of Odessa had held two men linked to a group seeking an Islamist state in Russia's North Caucasus.

PM: Abbas' speech – irresponsible incitement
The Prime Minister's Office on Sunday blasted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for his declaration that Jerusalem has always been and will remain an Arab city. Abbas made the remark earlier Sunday in a speech at the International Conference for the Defense of Jerusalem in Doha, Qatar. The Palestinian leader promised to "encourage Arabs and Muslims to visit Jerusalem in order to strengthen our hold on the city, and to establish the Palestinian culture and heritage sites."

Negotiations on Migron evacuation break down
Negotiations between settlers and the government's representative Minister Benny Begin on the evacuation of the Migron outpost have broken down, Ynet learned. The settlers said that Begin withdrew the understandings the two sides had agreed on. Begin is scheduled to hold a press briefing at the Prime Minister's Office later on Monday where he will announce his resignation as mediator in the negotiations.

'US to announce aerial blockade on Syria'
The Pentagon is readying for the possibility of intervention in Syria, aiming to halt Syrian President Bashsar Assad's violent crackdown on protesters, the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported Saturday, citing a US military offical. According to the official, the intervention scenario calls for the establishment of a buffer zone on the Turkish border, in order to receive Syrian refugees. The Red Cross would then provide the civilians humanitarian aid, before NATO crews would arrive from Turkey and join the efforts.

George Osborne: UK has run out of money
In a stark warning ahead of next month’s Budget, the Chancellor said there was little the Coalition could do to stimulate the economy. ...“The British Government has run out of money because all the money was spent in the good years,” the Chancellor said. “The money and the investment and the jobs need to come from the private sector.”

Syrian military shells northern towns
A Syrian military offensive is continuing in opposition-held areas of the north-western province of Idlib. A BBC correspondent says troops have been firing artillery, mortars and anti-aircraft guns at civilian areas in Binnish, west of the city of Idlib. The city of Homs also continued to be hit, activists reported, as France's president said a solution was in sight to rescue wounded Western journalists.

China reforms needed to sustain growth, says World Bank
China needs to embrace fundamental free-market reforms if its economy is to continue to grow at the "impressive" pace of the past three decades, the World Bank has said. The country had reached a "turning point" and needed to reform a growth model that was "unsustainable". The role of government and state enterprises needed redefining, it said.

North Korea warning as US and S Korea begin joint drill
US and South Korean forces have begun military exercises on the Korean peninsula amid warnings from Pyongyang that the drills should not go ahead. The annual exercises, known as Key Resolve, have brought hundreds of extra US troops into South Korea. They will be followed later in the week by another set of joint military exercises called Foal Eagle.

Wikileaks publishes confidential emails from Stratfor
Whistleblowing website Wikileaks has begun publishing the first of more than five million confidential emails from US-based security think tank Stratfor. The group said the documents would reveal Stratfor's "web of informers, pay-off structure, payment-laundering techniques and psychological methods". Stratfor's computers were hacked by the activist group Anonymous in December.

Third Greek bail-out not ruled out
Eurozone chief Jean-Claude Juncker and German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble have said they do not rule out the need for a third Greek bail-out. Their words come ahead of a key vote in the German parliament, the Bundestag on Monday (27 February) to approve the just-agreed second aid programme.

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Quantum Microphone Captures Extremely Weak Sound
Scientists from Chalmers University of Technology have demonstrated a new kind of detector for sound at the level of quietness of quantum mechanics. The result offers prospects of a new class of quantum hybrid circuits that mix acoustic elements with electrical ones, and may help illuminate new phenomena of quantum physics.

Has Israel already destroyed Iran nuclear program?
One of the five million intelligence emails published by whistleblower website WikiLeaks on Monday suggested that Israel has already eliminated, at least temporarily, Iran's ability to produce a nuclear weapon. The emails were sent and received by analysts and agents working for the Texas-based private intelligence organization Statfor. In one email, an analyst cites a "confirmed Israeli intelligence agent" as saying:

'Unprecedented coalition arrayed against Israel'
An “International Conference on Jerusalem” is being held 26-27 February in Doha, Qatar. The conference was scheduled by the Arab League during its meeting in Sirte, Libya in 2010. Its purpose is to combat the “Judaization of Jerusalem.” In the words of the Global Muslim Brotherhood Report, which tracks Muslim Brotherhood activities, this month’s conference “represents an unprecedented coalition arrayed against Israel.”

How Europeans WERE the first to discover America - but it was 20,000 years before Christopher Columbus
Across six locations on the U.S. east coast, several dozen stone tools have been found. After close analysis it was discovered that they were between 19,000 and 26,000 years old and were a European-style of tool. The discovery suggests that the owners of the tools arrived 10,000 years before the ancestors of the American Indians set foot in the New World, reported The Independent.

Threatening letters with powder turn up on Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill has received letters containing threats and a suspicious powder similar to those sent last week to some lawmakers' district offices, The Hill reports. The Senate's off-site mail facility intercepted the letters Monday morning, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Terry Gainer wrote in e-mail. Initial tests indicate the powder was not hazardous, Gainer said, declining to say which lawmakers or how many were targeted.

Obama to cut healthcare benefits for active duty and retired US military
The Obama administration’s proposed defense budget calls for military families and retirees to pay sharply more for their healthcare, while leaving unionized civilian defense workers’ benefits untouched. The proposal is causing a major rift within the Pentagon, according to U.S. officials. Several congressional aides suggested the move is designed to increase the enrollment in Obamacare’s state-run insurance exchanges.

More bad news: U.S. water bills to triple
First high gas prices, now water. A shocking new report about the nation's crumbling drinking water system says that Americans should expect their bills to double or triple to cover repairs just to keep their faucets pouring. That means adding up to $900 a year more for water, nearly equal the amount of the newly extended payroll tax cut.

3 doomsaying experts who foresee economic devastation ahead
...a trend forecaster at the Trends Research Institute, says Americans should brace themselves for an "economic 9/11" due to policymakers' inability to solve the world's financial and economic woes. The coming meltdown, he predicts, will lead to growing social unrest and anti-government sentiment, a U.S. dollar with far less purchasing power and more people out of work.

Credit Card Debt Nears Toxic Levels
More American households are falling back into the debt hole, this time without the safety net of home values to help bail them out, the New York Post reported Sunday. Last year, total US consumer debt reached its highest point in a decade, according to a credit card industry observer.

Colleen Owens Is the IRS Attempting to Intimidate Local Tea Parties?
In January and February of this year, the Internal Revenue Service began sending out letters to various local Tea Parties across the country. Mailed from the same Cincinnati, Ohio IRS office, these letters have reached Tea Parties in Virginia, Hawaii, Ohio, and Texas (we are hearing of more daily). There are several common threads to these letters: all are requesting more information from these independent Tea Parties in regard to their nonprofit 501(c)(4) applications (for this type of nonprofit, donations are not deductible).

White House, NSA weigh cybersecurity, personal privacy
The most contentious issue was a legislative proposal last year that would have required hundreds of companies that provide such critical services as electricity generation to allow their Internet traffic to be continuously scanned using computer threat data provided by the spy agency. The companies would have been expected to turn over evidence of potential cyberattacks to the government.

UN agency seeks to quell fears over its plans for the Internet
A gathering of United Nations diplomats overseas has some in the U.S. worried about a potential takeover of the Internet by foreign powers – with others claiming such fears are wildly overhyped.

Sun Unleashes 5 Solar Eruptions in 2 Days
Things on the sun have certainly been heating up. Our closest star unleashed five solar eruptions in only two days last week, producing extraordinary northern lights displays for lucky skywatchers over the weekend.

Janet Napolitano insists Mexico drug war not a failure
US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has defended Washington's policy in the war against drugs. Ms Napolitano said the US would continue to give assistance to Latin American countries combating the producers and traffickers of narcotics.

Israel Probably Won't Tell the U.S. If It's Going to Attack Iran
Israeli officials have reportedly let it be known that they won't give their United States counterparts a heads up if the country decides to launch an airstrike against Iran. According to the Associated Press, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told this fact to every American official coming to Israeli hoping to talk them out of a pre-emptive strike of Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iran says it seeks engagement on its nuclear policy
Iran said on Tuesday there were two says of dealing with its "peaceful nuclear program", either engagement or confrontation, but that it preferred cooperation. In a speech to the UN-sponsored Conference on Disarmament, Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi accused the West of double standards for supporting Israel, the only Middle East state that is outside the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

UN rights chief: Situation in Syria deteriorating
The U.N.'s human rights chief called Tuesday for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Syria, saying the situation in the country has deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks as authorities reinforce their onslaught against the opposition.

US man arrested for 'scamming nuns': FBI
A US fugitive charged with swindling several nuns has been arrested in Las Vegas after more than three months on the run, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation said.

Euro leaders delay decision on bigger bailout fund
The leaders of the 17 countries that use the euro have delayed a decision on whether to give their bailout funds more firepower until later in March, European officials said Tuesday.

George Osborne: UK has run out of money
“The British Government has run out of money because all the money was spent in the good years,” the Chancellor said. “The money and the investment and the jobs need to come from the private sector.”

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