In Loving Memory
April 29, 1947 - September 5, 2020
Update: On Saturday, September 5th, 2020, the founder, administrator, and head moderator of this forum, Valerie S., went Home to be with the Lord. Her obituary can be found on https://memorials.demarcofuneralhomes.com/valerie-skrzyniak/4321619/index.php.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing .
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Rickards: Double-Dip Recession Likely and so Is Depression
Despite improving economic indicators, the U.S. economy remains at risk for a double-dip recession, which would indicate the country is likely mired in depression, says James Rickards, a hedge fund manager
'Naked Archaeologist' finds signs Jerusalem cave was used to bury Jesus' disciples
In the early Christian burials in the Catacombs of Rome are 108 depictions of Jonah, Jacobovici told Haaretz last week. Jonah's power as a Christian symbol comes from a verse in the Book of Matthew comparing Jonah's emergence after three days in the belly of the whale to Jesus' resurrection after three days.
Irish EU treaty vote threatens chaos
Ireland has shocked Europe with plans for a referendum on the EU's fiscal treaty, a move that risks an unprecedented fragmentation of the eurozone and a major clash with Germany.
Numerous Tea Party chapters claim IRS attempts to sabotage nonprofit status
Tea Party chapters around the nation are blasting the Internal Revenue Service after the federal agency sent them letters demanding information about their politics, contributors and even family members. In letters sent from IRS offices in Cincinnati earlier this month, chapters including the Waco (Texas) Tea Party and the Ohio Liberty Council were asked to provide a list of donors, identify volunteers, financial support for and relationships with political candidates and parties, and even printed copies of their Facebook pages.
U.S. close to making a super-powerful gun for warships
The weapon is known as an electromagnetic railgun. It consists of parallel rails and uses a magnetic field and electric current, instead of chemicals, to generate energy to fire the rounds. The Navy said Tuesday an industry-built prototype of the gun is being tested at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division in northern Virginia
Israel chides UN over its silence on rocket fire
Israel's Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor sent a stern letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressing outrage over the UN's failure to condemn the firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip at Israel.
Judges pull out of Americans’ trial
All three judges pulled out of Egypt’s trial of 43 pro-democracy workers, including 16 Americans, according to a court official Tuesday, throwing into question the case that has ripped U.S.-Egypt relations. The defendants are charged with using illegal foreign funds to foment unrest that has roiled Egypt in the past year.
Modern day zealots envision new Jewish Temple in Jerusalem
for Jews, who revere the site as the former location of the First and Second Temples, it is a bitter reminder of a harsh reality -- they are not allowed to worship at Judaism's holiest site. Known to Jews as the Temple Mount...
WikiLeaks: Russia gave Israel Iranian system's codes
According to the leaked document, Israel gave Russia the "data link codes" for unmanned aerial vehicles that the Jewish state sold to Georgia, and in return, Russia gave Israel the codes for Tor-M1 missile defense systems that Russia sold Iran.
‘We Will Strive to Ensure a New World Order’: Vladimir Putin Outlines Plans for the EU
In an article published just before Russia’s upcoming election, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin calls on eurozone leaders to consider the idea of creating what he calls a “Union of Europe.” “That’s right,” writes Business Insider’s Adam Taylor, “a Union of Europe, not a European Union — a free trade zone (and perhaps more) stretching from ‘Lisbon to Vladivostok.’”
‘I Will Be in the Resistance’: Meet the Pint-Sized Terrorist Darling of Lebanese TV
Islamic TV in Lebanon has a new darling for its daytime TV audience. His name is Imad, and not unlike many other child stars, he’s a close relative of a famous, popular celebrity. Unfortunately, that celebrity is none other than bloodthirsty Hezbollah mastermind Imad Mugniyah, the younger Imad’s namesake and grandfather
‘Journal of Medical Ethics’ Stands by Publication of ‘After-Birth Abortions’ Article
Yesterday, The Blaze reported the logic of two ethicists who suggested that termination of a newborn — a practice they called “after-birth abortion” — should be allowable on the basis of newborns having the same status of that of fetuses. The article by Alberto Giubilini with Monash University in Melbourne and Francesca Minerva at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at the University of Melbourne was published in the Journal of Medical Ethics.
Interpol swoop nets 25 suspected 'Anonymous' hackers
Interpol has arrested 25 suspected members of the 'Anonymous' hackers group in a swoop on over a dozen cities in Europe and Latin America, the global police body said Tuesday. "Operation Unmask was launched in mid-February following a series of coordinated cyber-attacks originating from Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Spain," said the world police body based in the French city of Lyon.
Gas hits $3.72 per gallon, up 30 cents in month
The price of gasoline rose for the 21st straight day on Tuesday. Drivers are now paying an average of $3.72 a gallon nationwide, about 24 cents more than before the streak began. The winter surge is being driven primarily by the rising price of oil, which has been above $100 a barrel since Feb. 10 as tensions mount between the West and Iran over its nuclear ambitions.
Israel chides UN over its silence on rocket fire
Israel's Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor sent a stern letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressing outrage over the UN's failure to condemn the firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip at Israel. In the brief letter, Prosor wrote: "Since I last wrote to you ten days ago, ten more rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli communities.
U.S. forced Dubai bank to cut off cash flow to Iran, sources say
The United States has forced the Dubai-based Noor Islamic Bank to cut off its banking business with Iran as part of wider U.S. efforts to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program, officials in the United Arab Emirates said Wednesday. A government official in the UAE. and a source at the bank said Noor Islamic Bank had halted dealings with Iran, confirming a report in the Wall Street Journal.
UK presses for European human rights convention changes
The government is calling for the European Convention on Human Rights to be substantially rewritten so national courts have a greater say. Ministers have long promised to use the six-month presidency of the Council of Europe for reform in Strasbourg. They have now circulated a detailed position paper with plans for the human rights court.
Al-Qaeda commander Saif al-Adel 'held at Cairo airport'
Senior al-Qaeda leader, Saif al-Adel, has been arrested at Cairo airport, Egyptian security officials say. He had arrived in the Egyptian capital on a flight from Pakistan, which had stopped in Dubai, an airport official told the AFP news agency. The Egyptian, whose real name is Muhammad Ibrahim Makkawi, was once Osama Bin Laden's security chief and oversaw its military operations.
Chardon shooting: Third student dies after Ohio rampage
A third student has died in the aftermath of a shooting at a high school in the US town of Chardon, Ohio. Demetrius Hewlin died hours after Russell King Jr, 17, was declared brain dead. Daniel Parmertor, 16, died shortly after Monday's shooting. Gunfire broke out at Chardon High School at 07:30 (12:30 GMT) on Monday.
Palestine's UN upgrade coming back on EU agenda
The EU should get ready for Palestine's renewed push to upgrade its UN status and stop calling for "illusory" peace talks with Israel, a senior Palestinian politician has said. Palestine grabbed world attention in New York last September when it asked the UN for full membership and in November when the UN's cultural agency, Unesco, let it join.
ECB boosts loans to €1 trillion to stop credit crunch
The European Central Bank (ECB) will issue a second round of cheap three-year loans on Wednesday (29 February) in order to help cash-strapped eurozone banks. In total, the bank is lending almost €1 trillion after it already injected some €500 billion into the system in December because euro-area banks became wary of lending to each other.
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Russia upgrades Syria-based electronic station to warn Iran of US/Israeli attack
The Russians have upgraded their Jabal Al Harrah electronic and surveillance station south of Damascus opposite Israel’s Sea of Galilee, adding resources especially tailored to give Tehran early warning of an oncoming US or Israeli attack...
China welcomes North Korea's moratorium on nuclear tests
China has welcomed North Korea's agreement to freeze nuclear activities in return for US food aid, a deal that raised cautious hopes of an easing of tensions under Pyongyang's new young leader. South Korea and Japan also hailed the North's commitment to suspend its uranium enrichment programme along with nuclear and long-range missile tests, and to let UN nuclear inspectors monitor the deal.
Media finally paying attention to eligibility?
...media organizations from all political persuasions are seeking admittance to a news conference to be held by Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz. The event is tomorrow at 1 p.m. Mountain Standard Time in Phoenix, 3 p.m. Eastern, and will be live-streamed by WND. The topic of discussion will be an investigation by Arpaio’s Cold Case Posse into concerns about Obama’s eligibility.
One-in-eight chance of solar megaflare causing trillions of dollars of damage in next ten years, scientists warn
Earth has a 12 per cent chance of being struck by a solar megaflare of such violent proportions over the next decade it could cause trillions of dollars of damage, scientists warned today. The event would rival the last giant sunstorm, known as the Carrington Event, more than 150 years ago when telegraph stations caught fire and their networks suffered massive black-outs.
Senators: U.S. Forces at Risk Due to Syrian Chemical Weapons
Several senators are raising concerns that unrest in Syria could allow that nation's chemical and other weapons to be used against U.S. forces and allies in the region. ...The senators want the Obama administration to spell out the planning it has done to prepare for and "address" the potential that the Assad regime's stockpiles of chemical weapons might go missing.
Doctors 'should have the right to KILL unwanted or disabled babies at birth as they are not a real person' claims former Oxford academic
Francesca Minerva, a philosopher and medical ethicist, argues a young baby is not a real person and so killing it in the first days after birth is little different to aborting it in the womb. Even a healthy baby could have its life snuffed out if the mother decides she can’t afford to look after it...
Foreign Secretary William Hague has withdrawn all diplomatic staff from the British Embassy in Syria and suspended its services. Mr Hague said the em
Russia has upgraded a surveillance station it maintains in Syrian territory in order to provide Iran early warning of an Israeli attack, according to the Israeli security-related blog Debkafile. The surveillance station, located south of Damascus, had been able to monitor air traffic in Israel as far south as Tel Aviv, as well as northern Jordan and western Iraq.
Secret Codes Ready to Take Quantum Leap in Space
Plans to launch quantum communication satellites have already begun to take shape in Canada, Japan and the European Union. The satellites could securely transmit digital keys through light particles by using physics tricks such as quantum entanglement — the phenomenon that allows two entangled particles to affect one another other even across the distance of a galaxy.
Russian Mogul’s Plan: Plant Our Brains in Robots, Keep Them Alive Forever
...according to Dmitry Itskov, a 31-year-old Russian media mogul, the U.S. military’s Avatar initiative doesn’t go nearly far enough. He’s got a massive, sci-fi-esque venture of his own that he hopes will put the Pentagon’s project to shame. Itskov’s plan: Construct robots that’ll (within 10 years, he hopes) actually store a human’s mind and keep that consciousness working. Forever.
Rick Warren builds bridge to Muslims
The effort by a prominent Christian leader to bridge what polls show is a deep rift between Muslims and evangelical Christians culminated in December at a dinner at Saddleback attended by 300 Muslims and members of Saddleback's congregation.
US Midwest storm leaves 12 dead and dozens injured
At least 12 people have been killed by a storm system in the US Midwest that brought devastation to parts of Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. Three people died in Tennessee hours after reports of deaths in Illinois and in Missouri. More than 100 were hurt and buildings badly damaged across multiple states, with at least 16 tornado sightings.
Mosques spread across country despite hostility since Sept. 11
The number of American mosques has increased dramatically in the last decade despite protests aimed at Muslim houses of worship in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to a new study. Researchers conducting the national count found a total of 2,106 Islamic centers, compared to 1,209 in 2000 and 962 in 1994,
'Cairo airport told US NGO workers can leave'
Egypt's airport authorities have been advised that a travel ban on American pro-democracy activists has been lifted, airport sources said on Thursday, opening the way for defusing a row that has threatened $1.3 billion of US military aid to Egypt. ...US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday she had no confirmation that the ban was lifted but said she expected the NGO row to be resolved "in the very near future."
'US must assure Israel it'll use might to stop Iran'
The United States must assure Israel that if it delays any military moves against Iran's nuclear program, Washington will use its own might to stop Tehran from weaponizing its nuclear program, former IDF intelligence chief Amos Yadlin wrote Thursday. ..."What is needed is an ironclad American assurance that if Israel refrains from acting in its own window of opportunity" to stop Iran's nuclear program, it will act itself to stop it.
UN condemns Syria, Kuwaiti parliament supports rebels
The United Nations Human Rights Council condemned Syria on Thursday for widespread violations that may amount to crimes against humanity and called for a halt to attacks against civilians, the same day as the United Kingdom pulled its diplomats from the country. The 47-member forum, holding an urgent debate, voted by 37 states in favor, three against including China and Russia, and three abstentions, to adopt a resolution brought by Gulf countries with Western backing.
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Tornadoes touch down in Kentucky, Indiana
...a meteorologist with the National Storm Center, said tornadoes were reported north of Louisville, Kentucky, and in Clark County in southern Indiana. CNN reported that there were injuries and heavy damage near Louisville...
Chinese hackers took over NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, Inspector General reveals
Chinese hackers gained control over NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in November, which could have allowed them delete sensitive files, add user accounts to mission-critical systems, upload hacking tools, and more -- all at a central repository of U.S. space technology, according to a report released Wednesday afternoon by the Office of the Inspector General.
Michael Savage: Was Breitbart assassinated?
Noting that the cause of Andrew Breitbart’s unexpected death yesterday was being examined by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office, talk-radio host Michael Savage raised the question of whether the conservative media powerhouse – who recently announced he had videos that could politically damage President Obama – was murdered. On his top-rated show today, Savage played an audio clip of Breitbart telling an audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington last month that he had obtained videos that shed light on Obama’s ties to radicals in the early 1980s who helped propel him to the presidency.
EU nations sign fiscal pact
All but two European Union countries signed a fiscal pact to tighten budget discipline on Friday, marking a coup for Germany that pushed for the accord to prevent a repeat of the loose spending that led to economic crisis.
NASA Laptop Stolen With Command Codes That Control Space Station
An unencrypted NASA laptop computer complete with command codes to control the International Space Station was stolen last year, according to congressional testimony by NASA’s inspector general. In a statement given to a House committee on the security challenges facing NASA, Paul K. Martin said the computer was actually not an isolated incident but was in fact one of 48 taken between April 2009 and April 2011.
For over a day, the Solar Dynamics Observatory captured material on the Sun caught within the magnetic fields, resembling a tornado.
For over a day, the Solar Dynamics Observatory captured material on the Sun caught within the magnetic fields, resembling a tornado. TheWeatherSpace.com Senior Meteorologist Kevin Martin is stunned by the video captured by the satellite, which shoots high definition videos of the solar surface. Everyone that sees the video is stunned.
Hundreds evacuated as flood waters hit New South Wales
Sydney has experienced one of its wettest summers in decades and the rain has continued to fall at the start of autumn, leaving the city's biggest dam Warragamba set to overflow and vast areas of the state drenched. Among the worst affected areas is the town of Goulburn, close to the national capital Canberra, which despite being at risk of having no drinking water just six years ago, is now experiencing flooding.
Tornado Risk Analysis Model has gone the highest value for Friday Tornado Outbreak
Friday's severe weather setup could contain long tracking violent tornadoes across the Ohio and Tennessee River Valley zones, into the Southern Gulf States.
Iran TV calls voters to go to polls 'for the sake of their country'
Iran's state-run television network IRIB said there has been a huge turnout Friday in the first three hours of parliamentary elections. But witnesses in several parts of the capital Tehran said they could not confirm such high attendance figures - and said that people were busier with preparations for the Persian New Year on March 21.
Russian bank shuts down accounts of Iran embassy staff
A state-controlled Russian bank is closing down the accounts of Iranian embassy staff in Moscow in a step criticized by Ambassador Seyed Mahmoud-Reza Sajjadi as surrendering to U.S.-led financial sanctions against Tehran. Sajjadi said on Friday that the shutdown had been ordered at short notice by VTB24, the retail banking arm of Russia's second-largest bank VTB, and that his own credit card had been blocked.
UN to propose planetary regulations of water, food
An environmental report issued by an agency of the United Nations last month has some critics sounding the alarm, saying it is a clarion call for "global governance" over how the Earth is managed.
Energy Secretary Chu Admits Administration OK with High Gas Prices
President Barack Obama's Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu uttered the kind of Washington gaffe that consists of telling the truth when inconvenient. According to Politico, Chu admitted to a House committee that the administration is not interested in lowering gas prices. Chu, along with the Obama administration, regards the spike in gas prices as a feature rather than a bug.
Israel told U.S. Iran must halt enrichment ahead of nuclear talks, sources say
Israel wants the United States and Western countries to make halting uranium enrichment a condition for renewing talks with Iran, a senior Foreign Ministry official says. The official said Israel had raised the subject in talks over the past two weeks with the United States, Britain, France, Germany and other countries.
Arizona sheriff Arpaio unveils findings of Obama birth certificate probe
At a news conference, Arpaio said the probe revealed that there was probable cause to believe Obama's long-form birth certificate released by the White House in April is a computer-generated forgery. He also said the selective service card completed by Obama in 1980 in Hawaii also was most likely a forgery
Israel to Begin Investing Reserves in U.S Equities Today
The Bank of Israel will begin today a pilot program to invest a portion of its foreign currency reserves in U.S. equities.
Foreign NGO workers reach Cyprus after leaving Egypt
Seventeen foreign democracy activists, including Americans, at the centre of a row between Egypt and the US, have left Cairo after a travel ban was lifted. A US military plane flew them from Cairo to Cyprus on Thursday. They were expected to fly home on Friday. The activists - who worked at non-governmental organisations - were on trial for allegedly receiving illegal foreign funding and stirring up unrest.
EU leaders grant Serbia candidate status
European Union leaders have granted Serbia "candidate status", at a summit in Brussels. Belgrade has made a series of democratic reforms and captured war crimes suspects to satisfy EU demands. It applied for EU membership in 2009. The summit came two days after foreign ministers from the 27-member bloc recommended accepting Serbia.
Pentagon commander says US special forces in India
US special forces are present in five South Asian countries, including India, a top Pentagon commander has revealed. US Pacific Commander Admiral Robert Willard said the teams were deployed to help India with their counter-terrorism co-operation. The US and India were working together to contain Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, he said.
Twenty five EU leaders sign German-model fiscal treaty
Germany's vision of an EU of fiscally prudent states held in check by tight budgetary laws and the threat of legal action came a step closer on Friday (2 March) when 25 leaders signed a new treaty on fiscal discipline. ..."Its effects will be deep and long-lasting." said EU council president Herman Van Rompuy ahead of the signing, adding that it will help prevent a "repetition of the debt crisis."
Cameron says Syria will face 'day of reckoning'
British Prime Minister David Cameron called on Friday for a "day of reckoning" when the Syrian regime would be judged and held responsible for the violence during the year-long uprising against President Bashar Assad. "We need to start collecting the evidence now so that one day, no matter how long it takes, there will be a day of reckoning for this dreadful regime," Cameron told reporters as he arrived for the second day of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.
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Arab Spring could come to Russia without reforms warns Putin rival
"Russia today is like the Concordia liner," he said in an interview at his offices, "steaming on to the reefs while the captain tells those aboard, 'don't worry, everything is calm and normal.' But it's not normal and we need to set the ship on a new course." Mironov added: "Whoever wins the presidency, if he does not immediately begin deep political and social reforms including a clearer articulation of our foreign policy objectives, my prediction is that Russia will shaken by a kind of Arab Spring within two years."
Netanyahu faces a tough decision should Obama not give him a green light on Iran
The prevailing view is that at the summit meeting in Washington on Monday, the cards will be put on the table. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will beseech U.S. President Barack Obama to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, or at least make a credible threat to strike them. If Obama turns him down, Netanyahu - who waxes effusively in interviews about his loneliness as a leader - will leave the White House as the loneliest person in the world.
GM temporarily halts production of Volt
General Motors has temporarily suspended production of its Volt electric car, the company announced Friday. GM, which is based in Detroit, announced to employees at one of its facilities that it was halting production of the beleaguered electric car for five weeks and temporarily laying off 1,300 employees.
Moody's warns of Greece default despite debt deal
Moody's has cut Greece's credit rating again, citing a risk of default despite a recent debt write-off deal. Moody's cut Greece's rating to "C" from "Ca", the lowest level on its scale. The firm said on Friday: "Today's rating decision was prompted by the recently announced debt exchange proposals for Greece, which imply expected losses to investors in excess of 70%."
UK needs bold government, Cameron tells Tory spring conference
The government needs to take "tough and bold action" to make Britain "stronger and fairer", David Cameron has told the Conservative Party spring conference. He told the gathering in London that compassion meant taking long-term decisions "that will really change our country for the better".
At least 28 dead as tornadoes sweep across US states
A series of powerful storms and tornadoes have killed at least 28 people in the US states of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, officials say. Local police confirmed that at least 13 people died as tornadoes swept across three counties in Indiana. Twelve more died in Kentucky, with two fatalities in Ohio. Earlier, tornadoes hit Alabama, killing one person.
Egypt parliament angered over activists' release
An Egyptian parliament speaker on Saturday decried what he said was "flagrant interference" behind a decision to release pro-democracy American activists accused of receiving illegal funds. The comments by Saad al-Katatni, the speaker of the lower house of parliament, signaled growing anger over a sudden judicial decision on Wednesday to lift the travel ban of 43 non-governmental organization workers, including 16 Americans.
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UN: Up to 2,000 flee Syria violence into Lebanon
Up to 2,000 refugees fleeing violence in Syria are crossing the border into northern Lebanon, a spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency told Reuters on Sunday.
DO YOU BELIEVE HIM?‘ NEW FILM ATTACKS OBAMA’S RECORD ON ISRAEL
Just before the AIPAC conference begins in Washington, a pro-Israel, anti-Obama group called Emergency Committee for Israel is releasing a 30-minute movie called “Daylight: The Story of Obama and Israel.”
China military budget tops $100bn
China's official defence spending will rise by 11.2% in 2012, pushing it above $100bn (£65bn) for the first time, the government has announced. Beijing's defence budget has risen each year for two decades to become the world's second-biggest, behind the US.
Yemen suicide attack kills 7 soldiers: officials
Suicide bombers linked to al Qaeda killed at least seven soldiers in coordinated attacks on military outposts in southern Yemen Sunday, officials and residents said, part of an escalation of violence since a presidential vote two weeks ago.
Complaints in Russian Election Mount
Opposition leaders and Russian observers said Sunday they are seeing widespread violations in elections that are expected to return Vladimir Putin to the Kremlin. Putin, who was president in 2000-2008, is expected to easily win the Sunday election against four challengers. But if credible evidence of vote manipulation emerges, it would bolster the determination of opposition forces to continue the unprecedented wave of protests that arose in December.
Nasrallah calls on Muslims Christians to 'liberate' Jerusalem
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said on Monday that Israeli-Palestinian negotiations were doomed to fail, and called on Muslims and Christians to take Jerusalem from Israel.
North Korea's Kim Jong Un orders military to be on high alert during visit to Demilitarized Zone
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered troops along the heavily armed border with rival South Korea to be on high alert during a visit to the Demilitarized Zone, state media reported Sunday.
Photo by: Reuters Khamenei allies rout Ahmadinejad in Iran election
Loyalists of Iran's paramount clerical leader have won over 75 percent of seats in parliamentary elections, a near-complete count showed, largely reducing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to a lame duck in a contest between conservative hardline factions.
Assad's air force pounds population centers in Syria's Rastan
The Syrian military launched an aggressive counter-offensive on Sunday, bombing the city of Rastan from the air as "clean-up operations" continued in the city of Homs, particularly in the restive Baba Amr quarter.
Saint's ancient heart stolen from Dublin cathedral
Somewhere in Ireland, a burglar has the heart of a saint. Officials at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin said Sunday they're distraught and perplexed over the theft of the church's most precious relic: the preserved heart of St. Laurence O'Toole, patron saint of Dublin.
Complaints in Russian election mount
Opposition leaders and Russian observers said Sunday they are seeing widespread violations in elections that are expected to return Vladimir Putin to the Kremlin.
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Earthquakes: San Francisco Earthquake Measures 4.3, Argentina Earthquake Measures 6.1 on Richter Scale
For those who believe in this Mayan apocalypse, they’re getting an awful lot of fodder lately. From volcanoes erupting in Europe to cruise ships (half-)sinking to earthquake upon earthquake in the Pacific, doomsday-ers must be in their glory.
San Francisco Bay Area Earthquake 2012: Minor Tremor Shakes Region
A magnitude 4.0 earthquake shook the San Francisco Bay Area early Monday morning, according to information from the United States Geological Survey. According to the Associated Press, no damage has been reported, although Twitter users in the region reported being woken up by the tremor.
Geir Haarde, Iceland's Ex-PM, The First World Leader To Face Criminal Charges Over Financial Crisis
"I reject all accusations, and believe there is no basis for them," Geir Haarde said as he took the stand on Monday. He said it was the first chance he had to answer questions in the case. Haarde became a symbol of the bubble economy for Icelanders who lost their jobs and homes after the country's main commercial banks collapsed in 2008, sending its currency into a nosedive and inflation soaring.
IAEA: Iran tripled higher-grade enriched uranium production
Iran has tripled its monthly production of higher-grade enriched uranium and the UN nuclear watchdog has "serious concerns" about possible military dimensions to Tehran's atomic activities, the agency's chief said on Monday.
Tungurahua Volcano: explosions, ash fall and possible pyroclastic flow
4 explosions have been reported of moderate to large size. An explosion at 07:31 local time today produced an ash columnreaching about 4 km in height and drifting to the west - northwest.
Putin For Life?
Putin’s victory has come at a huge cost. It is sure to energize the growing opposition to his rule that has seen tens of thousands of Russians turn out for demonstrations in the dead of winter. There will also be a price to pay with regards to the steadily deteriorating relations with the United States. The US has strongly criticized the Russian government for its intransigence at the UN regarding the Syrian revolt, as well as openly siding with the protestors who are bitter over what is widely seen as a stolen parliamentary election last year.
US to offer legal backing for 'targeted killings' of Americans overseas
Official says Attorney General Holder is expected to give legal framework for use of lethal force in targeted killings of Americans overseas in speech, a practice that has been widely discussed since the killing of Al Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.
Iran elections weaken Ahmadinejad, bolster Supreme Leader Khamenei
Preliminary results from Iran's parliamentary elections indicate that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's has as expected lost a significant amount of support. Many of his allies were replaced by other conservatives who belong to rival camps.
Mailmen Refuse to Deliver 'New Testament'
Dozens of mail deliverers who were supposed to deliver copies of the Christian "New Testament" Bible to homes in Ramat Gan refused to do so, arguing that the deliveries constituted "missionary material." The mail deliverers said that distributing missionary material is forbidden by Jewish law (Halakha
Mayan light beam photo: Message from the gods, or iPhone glitch?
A thunderstorm was brewing near the temple, and Siliezar was trying to capture lightning crackling dramatically over the ruins. In the first two images, dark clouds loom above the pyramid, but nothing is amiss. However, in the third photo, a powerful beam of light appears to shoot up from the pyramid toward the heavens, and a thunderbolt flashes in the background.
Cities blacked out for up to a year, $2 TRILLION of damage - with a 1 in 8 chance of solar 'megastorm' by 2014, experts explore the worst...
There is a one in eight chance of a solar 'megastorm' before 2014, according to a Californian scientist - and other space weather experts agree that Earth is facing a burst of violent activity that will peak within two years. It's unknown what effects this could have on our planet - but scientists have analysed the worst recorded solar event in history, 1859's Carrington Event, and worked out what effects a similar event would have now.
Obama makes case against striking Iran now
President Barack Obama says he doesn't want war but insists he would attack Iran if that was the only option left to stop that nation from getting a nuclear weapon. "Loose talk of war" only plays into Iran's hands, Obama said Sunday. On Monday, he will try to persuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to slow quickening pressure among many in his hawkish government to attack Iran's disputed nuclear development sites.
Iran elections weaken Ahmadinejad, bolster Supreme Leader Khamenei
Preliminary results from Iran's parliamentary elections indicate that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's has as expected lost a significant amount of support. Many of his allies were replaced by other conservatives who belong to rival camps. On Saturday, the Iranian media praised the high voter turnout, despite calls by the reformist camps to boycott the elections.
Blast it or paint it: Asteroid to threaten Earth in 2013
To avert a possible catastrophe – this time set for February 2013 – scientists suggest confronting asteroid 2012 DA14 with either paint or big guns. The stickler is that time has long run out to build a spaceship to carry out the operation. NASA's data shows the 60-meter asteroid, spotted by Spanish stargazers in February, will whistle by Earth in 11 months. Its trajectory will bring it within a hair’s breadth of our planet, raising fears of a possible collision.
Police called as large meteor appears over UK
Some questioned whether aliens were about to land, with one woman tweeting: “UFO invasion?! Ball of fire flew past my window!†Others called the Police. The most likely explanation, though, was an unusually bright shooting star, or meteor. Thousands of people spotted the chunk – or possibly chunks - of roughly fist-sized space rock burning up while coming through the earth’s atmosphere at an altitude of 60 or 70 miles or so at about 10pm.
Putin 'Wins Election' Amid Fraud Claims
Vladimir Putin has claimed victory in Russia's presidential election, amid allegations from his rivals that voting was marred by fraud. Speaking at a rally attended by tens of thousands of supporters outside the Kremlin walls in Moscow, the prime minister insisted it had been an "open and honest" contest. He added: "I promised you we would win. We have won. Glory to Russia".
Earthquake shakes Indian capital Delhi
An earthquake has shaken buildings in the Indian capital, Delhi, sending people running into the streets. India's earthquake centre said it measured magnitude 4.9 and was centred in Bahadurgarh in Haryana state, about 50km (30 miles) west of Delhi. The US Geological Survey said the quake measured 5.2 and was at a depth of 19km (12 miles).
Obama warns of force against Iran, but urges diplomacy
President Barack Obama says the US "will not hesitate" to use force to stop Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, but says diplomacy could still succeed. Addressing an influential pro-Israel lobby group, Mr Obama also warned against "loose talk" of war in the dispute with Tehran. Earlier, Israeli President Shimon Peres said Iran was "a danger to the world".
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Germany Slams Lukashenko Over Slur
In response to criticism of his country's human rights record, Alexander Lukashenko said it is "better to be a dictator than gay." Westerwelle said the remark "speaks for itself."
What's causing the mysterious sounds coming from the sky that are so loud they set off car alarms?
Mysterious sounds have been heard booming from the sky all around the world – in some cases they were so loud they set off car alarms. The unsettling noises were heard recently from Europe to Canada, sounding like groans and powerful horns. In Germany noises coming from the sky were recorded on a video camera and uploaded to YouTube, with car alarms clearly heard going off in the background.
Churches adopt new Ten Commandments
...the new vows include “manage your anger”, “know God” and “catch your breath” and are understood to be used in more than 600 churches in Britain. The original “thou shalt not steal” has become “prosper with a clear conscience”, and the lengthy “thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” becomes “take God seriously”. The commandments, designed by popular evangelical preacher J John, have been praised by religious leaders for bringing practical advice to modern congregations.
Radiation Blast from Big Solar Flare May Threaten Satellites
A radiation wave kicked up by the eruption of a powerful solar flare late Sunday (March 4) will likely miss the Earth, but could catch several NASA satellites in its crosshairs, scientists say.
Huge asteroid hurtling towards Earth will fly past our planet so close it will go UNDER many man-made satellites
A 150-foot asteroid orbiting Earth called 2012 DA14 will pass so close to Earth it will fly UNDER man-made satellites orbiting our planet. Nasa's Impact Risk report said that the odds of the space rock actually hitting our planet are very low indeed - but on February 15 next year it will pass just 17,000 miles from Earth, closer than 'geostationary' satellites.
Scientists see rise in tornado-creating conditions
When at least 80 tornadoes rampaged across the United States, from the Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico, last Friday, it was more than is typically observed during the entire month of March, tracking firm AccuWeather.com reported on Monday.
Here’s Why the Government Thinks It Can Kill You Overseas
Eric Holder explained the administration’s reasoning for killing American citizens overseas — and only overseas — with drone strikes and other means during a Monday speech at Northwestern University. Holder claimed that the government can kill “a U.S. citizen who is a senior operational leader of al-Qaida or associated forces” provided the government — unilaterally — determines that citizen poses “an imminent threat of violent attack”; he can’t be captured; and “law of war principles,” like the use of proportional force and the minimization of collateral damage, apply.
Obama Moves G-8 from Chicago to Camp David
It's an unusual late location change for such a large international summit. The White House gave no immediate reason for the shift, saying only in a statement that Obama is inviting his fellow G-8 leaders to Camp David to "facilitate a free-flowing discussion."
Exclusive Audio: Harvard Anti-Israel Conference: The Jewish People Does Not Exist
Anti-Israel activists who have gathered this weekend at Harvard University's "One State Conference" were told yesterday that the Jewish people do not exist. Prof. Susan M. Akram of Boston University's School of Law told the gathering that there is no legal basis for Jewish self-determination--at all:
North Korea threatens to turn Seoul into a 'sea of flames'
North Korea threatened "sacred war" against the South, just days after it agreed with the US to suspend major parts of its nuclear programme and allow back international nuclear inspectors. North Korean television KRT showed what appeared to be artillery pointing towards South Korea's Paekryong Island, as well as live-firing exercises.
U.S. Senator McCain calls for airstrike on Syria
A leading Republican senator on Monday urged the United States to launch airstrikes against Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime to force him out of power - a call for dramatic military intervention against the growing violence that was not supported by the Obama administration or its European or Arab partners.
Canada bans all dealings with Syrian central bank, closes Syria embassy
Canada imposed fresh sanctions on Syria on Tuesday, banning all dealings with the central bank and seven cabinet ministers as part of a campaign to stop President Bashar Assad's crackdown against rebels. The measures also prohibit the provision or acquisition of financial or other related services to or from anyone in Syria or those acting on Syria's behalf.
Report: Syria forces bomb bridge used by refugees fleeing to Lebanon
Syria government forces on Tuesday bombed a bridge used by refugees to flee to Lebanon from the central province of Homs, AFP reported. The bombing of the bridge by Assad forces effectively blocked a key escape route used to evacuate wounded Syrians from the embattled city of Homs.
Terrorists attack Egypt gas pipeline to Israel for 12th time
Police officials said terrorists attacked the pipeline just outside the north Sinai city of el-Arish Monday evening. There were no details on the extent of damage. Previous explosions have shut down gas flow for days or weeks.
Israel’s Channel 2: U.S. Officials Believe Netanyahu Has Already Decided to Strike Iran
hannel 2 in Israel, sourcing a “senior American official”, says that the decision has already been made by the Israeli government to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Israel allows first Gaza-West Bank exports in five years
Israel says it has allowed the export of goods from Gaza to the West Bank for the first time in five years. The military has authorised the transfer of at least 13 lorry loads of date bars in the next few days. However it stressed this was a "one-off pilot project" and did not mean an end to the ban on exports from Gaza to markets in Israel and the West Bank, which was imposed in June 2007.
Iran crisis: IAEA offered conditional access to Parchin
Iran says it is prepared to give the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to a key military site. IAEA inspectors wanted to visit Parchin last month to clarify the "possible military dimensions" of Iran's nuclear programme, but they were denied entry. But on Tuesday, Iran's mission to the IAEA said it had asked the agency to "combine all related issues" and then "once more, access would be granted".
Twin blasts on Egypt gas pipeline
The main gas pipeline sending supplies from Egypt to Jordan and Israel has been attacked, causing two large explosions, Egyptian officials say. The blasts happened near the town of al-Arish in the north of the Sinai desert, sending flames high into the air, witnesses and local media say. There have been frequent attacks on gas pipelines in the Sinai since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak.
Netanyahu talks tough in Obama Iran meeting
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told US President Barack Obama that Israel must always remain "master of its fate". Meeting the Israeli leader at the White House, Mr Obama said a nuclear Iran would be an "unacceptable" development. On Sunday, Mr Obama told a pro-Israel conference in Washington there had been too much "loose talk" of war with Iran.
PM to AIPAC: Israel can't wait much longer on Iran
Intoning the mantra “never again,” Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Monday night in an impassioned speech to AIPAC that “as prime minister of Israel, I will never let my people live in the shadow of annihilation.” ...While expressing appreciation for Obama’s efforts to impose tougher sanctions, he said that Tehran’s “nuclear march goes on.”
Russia: Iran has proved it is ready for nuclear talks
Russia urged global powers on Tuesday to hold new talks with Iran on its nuclear program as soon as possible, saying Tehran had proved it was ready for serious negotiations. The remarks suggest Russia is more eager than Western nations to agree to an Iranian offer to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China which have been frozen for over a year.
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Bin Laden WAS NOT buried at sea, but flown to the U.S. for cremation at secret location
Stratfor’s vice-president for intelligence, Fred Burton, says the body was 'bound for Dover, [Delaware] on 
CIA plane' and 'onward to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Bethesda [Maryland]'.
Obama administration moves to aid Syrian opposition
Last week, a group of senior Obama administration officials met to finalize a package of options for aiding both the internal and external Syrian opposition, to include providing direct humanitarian and communications assistance to the Syrian opposition, two administration officials confirmed to The Cable.
Sun unleashes the most powerful eruption yet, an X5-Class
A sunspot nearly the size of Jupiter; AR1429, has unleashed a powerful X5-Class eruption from the Sun. The eruption happened on March 7th, 2012 at 00:28 UT. It is the largest eruption in this solar cycle and they can and do get larger than that. As AR1429 rotates more over the coming days it will be squarely directly at our planet. As it does so, AR1429 will harbor the energy for the most powerful X-Class events that could square up with our planet with a direct impact.
US military seeks 'spidey sense' training
The U.S. Office of Naval Research pointed to sixth sense research about how "humans can detect and act on unique patterns without consciously and intentionally analyzing them," according to a special notice posted on Feb. 29. It hopes to encourage such intuition in the brains of new soldiers, Marines and other troops with little or no battlefield experience.
I'll never let Israel live under shadow of annihilation
Netanyahu tells AIPAC Israel has waited for sanctions and diplomacy to stop Iran's nuclear program, but they have not worked, warns Israel cannot wait much longer.
'One-state solution' campaign promoted in West Bank
A recently launched campaign in the West Bank calls on Palestinians and Israelis to desert the two-state solution and form one democratic state in its place. This coordinated effort comes in wake of the negotiation freeze between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. A group by the name of Takamul ("Integration") seems to be the campaign's chief sponsor.
Minor earthquake felt in northern Israel
A 3.7 magnitude earthquake was felt in northern Israel on Wednesday morning. The Geological Survey of Israel told Ynet that the quake's epicenter was in south Lebanon and that it was primarily felt north of Metula. Israelis reported feeling the quake in Kiryat Shmona, Shlomi and Safed as well. No injuries or damage were reported.
Netanyahu asked Panetta to approve sale of bunker-busting bombs, U.S. official says
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested the United States approve the sale of advanced refueling aircraft as well as GBU-28 bunker-piercing bombs to Israel during a recent meeting with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, a top U.S. official said on Tuesday. The American official said that U.S. President Barack Obama instructed Panetta to work directly with Defense Minister Ehud Barak on the matter...
World powers agree to restart talks with Iran over nuclear program
Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States have agreed to restart talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear program, the European Union's foreign policy chief said Tuesday. "Time and venue of these talks will now be agreed," Catherine Ashton said in a statement.
Uganda government squabbles, while children die of mysterious disease
The Ugandan government has come under fire for its handling of a mysterious disease that has killed hundreds of children in the northern part of this impoverished East African nation. The illness, called nodding disease and characterized by symptoms similar to epilepsy, has afflicted more than 1,000 children since June.
Obama mulls giving Moscow data on missile defense
The Obama administration disclosed on Tuesday that it is considering sharing some classified U.S. data as part of an effort to allay Russian concerns about a controversial antimissile shield. The administration is continuing negotiations begun under former President George W. Bush on a defense technical cooperation agreement with Moscow that could include limited classified data...
Higgs boson hints multiply in US Tevatron facility data
Scientists from the US Tevatron accelerator say they have spotted possible hints of the Higgs boson at a mass similar to that seen at the LHC. The findings add weight to the idea that the Higgs - purported to give all other particles their mass - exists near a mass of 125 gigaelectronvolts. However, the new data are not themselves sufficiently statistically assured to rate the find a "discovery".
'We must bring to Israel's attention danger of Iran strike'
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Wednesday that it was important to ensure that Israel is fully aware of the potential consequences of a military strike on Iran. "There is still a debate in Israel (about a military strike) and it's our responsibility to bring to Israel's attention the unforeseeable consequences it would have," he said, signaling that France was wary of resorting to a military strike.
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Scientists close in on God particle, studies confirm
While the scientists using the two accelerators have not found the elusive subatomic particle, they both have narrowed the area where it can be found, if it exists. And they know where it isn't.
ICE guidelines call for taxpayer-funded transgender hormone treatments for some detainees
Transgender illegal immigrants would ... receive taxpayer-funded hormone therapy while in federal custody, under new guidelines put out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Khamenei hails Obama's remarks against Iran strike
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has welcomed comments by U.S. President Barack Obama pushing forward diplomacy and not war as a solution to Tehran's nuclear ambition, Iran's state TV reported on Thursday.
Muslims announce plans to 'eradicate' Christianity
“The reports indicate that members of Boko Haram recently declared a war on Christians in northern Nigeria. The group vowed to eradicate Christians from certain areas in Nigeria,” Racho said. “The spokesman for the group (Boko Haram) say the group will launch a number of attacks targeting Christians,” Racho said. “So there are alarming developments even as we speak.”
Sun fires off 2 huge solar flares, could impact weather on Earth
A giant blast of plasma spat from the sun at as much as 4 million miles per hour Tuesday -- by some measures the largest solar event since late 2006 -- and it could lead to serious issues on Earth, forcing some planes to reroute, knocking out power grids, and blacking out radios. Both of the huge flares ranked as X-class storms, the strongest type of solar flares the sun can have. They followed several weaker, but still powerful, sun storms on Tuesday and came just days after another major solar flare on Sunday night.
Twister on Mars Captured in Amazing NASA Photo
A dust devil on Mars has been caught in the act of tearing across the Red Planet in a spectacular new photo by a NASA spacecraft.
UK lawmakers: Prepare for loss of global influence
British legislators say the government is wrong to claim the country's influence on the world won't shrink and have urged ministers to prepare for looser ties with the United States.
Pot Meets Kettle in Wisconsin
Mike Tate, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, has his own history of involvement with political organizations guilty of campaign finance violations,...Tate served as deputy state director of the liberal, tax-exempt 527 political organization America Coming Together (ACT). In 2007, the FEC fined ACT $775,000 for using unregulated soft money to support John Kerry and other Democratic candidates during the 2004 election cycle.
Chi-Com Influence Op Revealed
China’s intelligence agencies are conducting a major covert influence campaign aimed at derailing the Obama administration’s military shift to Asia, according to U.S. intelligence officials. The Chinese intelligence and influence targeting of the Air Sea Battle Concept is being led by Beijing’s military intelligence service, known as the Second Department of the People’s Liberation Army, or 2PLA.
'Dr Doom' sees Iran-Israel clash, says buy precious metals
"Political risk was high six months ago and is higher now. I think sooner or later, the US or Israel will strike Iran - it's almost inevitable," Faber, who publishes the widely read Gloom Boom and Doom Report, told Reuters on the sidelines of an investment conference.
Euro-Zone Central Bank System Massively Imbalanced
More than a year ago, German economist Hans-Werner Sinn discovered a gigantic risk on the balance sheets of Germany's central bank. Were the euro zone to collapse, Bundesbank losses could be half a trillion euros -- more than one-and-a-half times the size of the country's annual budget.
Israeli official: Satellite images back our claims Iran is developing nuclear weapon
An Israeli official claims satellite images that raised suspicions Iran is trying to conceal a key nuclear test back Israel's concerns that Tehran is developing an atomic bomb. The official said the pictures "reinforce what Israel has been saying all along ... the Iranian nuclear program is not benign." He spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal government response.
Hamas denies it will attack Israel in any war with Iran
Leaders of the Palestinian Islamist movement, Hamas, say they will not help Iran militarily in any conflict between Israel and the Islamic Republic. There is speculation in Israel that if it attacked Iran's nuclear facilities, it could face rocket fire from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both are long-time allies of Iran.
Syria deputy oil minister resigns to join opposition
Syria's deputy oil minister says he is resigning to join the revolt against the government. Abdo Hussameddin announced his defection in a video posted on YouTube. He is the highest level political figure to abandon the government of President Bashar al-Assad since the uprising erupted a year ago.
'Mossad warns Turks of Iranian plan to hit Israelis'
The Mossad has warned Turkey that Israel's diplomatic missions in the country could be in danger of Iranian "bomb attacks," Turkish daily Hurriyet reported on Wednesday, citing a story aired on the NTV news channel. According to the report, the Israeli intelligence agency sent a letter to its Turkish counterpart warning of a plot by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force to attack Israeli targets on Turkish soil.
China tells Syria to stop violence, help UN send aid
China's envoy to Syria told President Bashar Assad's government to stop the violence and help the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross send aid to strife-hit areas, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said the envoy also promoted mediation between the Syrian government and opposition groups.
Netanyahu: I don't think war with Iran is inevitable
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said he does not think war with Iran is inevitable, in an interview with FOX News aired Wednesday. Advocating a credible military threat as the only way Iran can be prevented from continuing its drive for nuclear weapons, Netanyahu repeated a point he has made a number of times in the United States. "The only time they backed away was in 2003," when the regime in Tehran thought such a threat existed.
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Thousands of protesters flood major highway in Bahrain
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters flooded a major highway in Bahrain on Friday in one of the largest opposition rallies in months against the Gulf nation's rulers. The march was called as a show of resolve by a Shiite-led rebellion against Bahrain's Sunni monarchy more than a year after the Arab Spring-inspired protests began. -The unrest in Bahrain has put the U.S. in a difficult position. Washington has called for dialogue to try to ease the tensions, but it fears that pressing too hard on Bahrain's leaders might jeopardize its important military relationships. The 5th Fleet is one of the Pentagon's main Gulf forces on Iran's doorstep.
IDF Kills Gaza Terrorists, Including Senior Terror Leader
The IDF hit and killed on Friday several Gaza-based terrorist gangs, including a senior leader of the Popular Resistance Committees terror group. Shortly before 5:00 p.m. (Israel time) on Friday afternoon, IAF aircraft struck and killed the head of the Popular Resistance Committees, Zuhir Musa Ahmed Qaisi and his deputy, Mahmoud Ahmed Mahmoud Hanani.
Füle stresses EU commitment to Union for the Mediterranean as key catalyst for projects on the ground
Europe has a duty and an interest to support the democratic transitions in the Arab world, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle said in speech in Barcelona today, in which he stressed the EU’s commitment to the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) as a catalyst for concrete projects. Speaking at a working breakfast organised by the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), in the presence of new UfM Secretary General Fatlallah Sijilmassi, Commissioner Füle said Europe - more than any other international actor - must support and engage with these transitions to ensure their success, “not only because it is important and the right thing to do; but also because it is in our own self interest”.
Media Comment: The watchdogs
'If Israel is bashed, if anti-Zionism rages, if anti-Semitism is allowed to run rampant without response, we have only ourselves to blame.-'The anti-Israel biases of the BBC are today well documented. The pioneer of BBC review is Trevor Asserson and his BBC Watch reports, which first appeared in the year 2000. His work led in part to the BBC’s commissioning the “Balen report” to investigate accusations of bias in its Middle East reporting. The BBC to this day has refused to make the 2004 report public.--'Should the government be doing more to defend Israel’s name? Certainly. But a gov't cannot do it all. Its responses will always be considered propaganda. Private, non-political organizations such as the few of many mentioned in this article are at least as effective'
Netanyahu Hints Iran Attack Just Months Away
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu set a general timetable for a possible strike on Iran Thursday evening, for the first time. "I am not standing with a stopwatch in my hand," he told Channels 2 and 10 in a joint interview, upon his return from a five day visit to Canada and the United States. Israel will be "glad" if Iran halts its nuclear program on its own. "I, too, will be happy," he said. "I will be happy if the sanctions work – all the better. But we cannot know, and we will not accept a situation in which Iran has nuclear weapons."
LulzSec-linked hacker mocked 9/11, threatened to burn down White House
A top hacker who worked closely with LulzSec leader Sabu is a committed anarchist who mocked the 9/11 attacks, spoke of burning down the White House and ridiculed pacifist protesters for not using violence to achieve their means, FoxNews.com has learned.
South Pacific nation of Vanuatu hit by large quake
The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 7.1 earthquake has hit the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. There are no immediate reports of damage or injuries and no tsunami warning has been issued.
Air Force's mysterious X-37B space plane survives first year in orbit
The U.S. Air Force's robotic X-37B space plane has celebrated a silent anniversary, surpassing an entire year in Earth orbit on a mystery mission for American military. Meanwhile, a third X-37B space plane mission is being readied, and could even launch later this year, SPACE.com has learned.
School Threatens to Remove Student From Honors Society Over Church Work
A Virginia high school is threatening to remove a student from the National Honor Society because she completed her community service work at a local church. ...she was targeted and discriminated against solely because of the religious nature of her community service work,”
Blast shakes restless volcano in remote Aleutian Islands
Cleveland Volcano, 940 miles southwest of Anchorage, probably burped up a small amount of ash -- a potential hazard to trans-oceanic air travel -- but the ash did not appear to reach above 20,000 feet, said Steve McNutt, a researcher with the Alaska Volcano Observatory. Because of its remoteness, harsh weather in the area and budget constraints, Cleveland Volcano does not have instruments on its flanks. As a result, scientists cannot listen to its inner rumblings.
Spy bloggers not ‘friending’ U.S. targets, Centcom says
the Web buzzed with a report that the software was designed to “manage ‘fake people’ on social media sites and create the illusion of consensus on controversial issues,” implying that the Defense Department was targeting critics of the war in Afghanistan and other conflicts. Further compounding a sinister view of the software was the discovery of e-mails from the head of a company implicated in “dirty tricks” against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and a pro-labor organization, which discussed how such technology could be used.
U.S. magazine forms Iran war 'doomsday clock,' sets it to 10 minutes to midnight
Presently the Iran War Clock is set to 10 minutes to midnight, with a current 48 percent probability of war erupting with Iran.
Huge solar flare to hit Earth as the Sun erupts
A massive solar flare will hit Earth on Thursday and Friday, bringing with it the threat of power and GPS blackouts but also improving the chance of seeing the northern lights. The burst of charged particles which has been released by the Sun and is rushing towards Earth is the biggest since August and comes as the Sun begins the most active stage of its 11-year cycle.
US 'offers to supply Israel with military means to destroy Iran's nuclear plants'
Under the terms of the deal, Israel would be provided with "the latest bunker busting bombs developed by the US army" and air-to-air refuelling planes, the Maariv newspaper quoted diplomatic sources and Western intelligence officials as saying.
Arpaio investigation: Obama might be Kenyan
Among the records missing for Barack Obama that would be available for an ordinary president are passport records, school records such as those from Punahou, Occidental, Columbia and Harvard, Harvard Law Review writings, scholarly articles for the University of Chicago, state bar association records from Illinois, Illinois state senate records, the marriage and divorce documents for his mother, his adoption records and others. Now it has been revealed that the Cold Case Posse assembled by Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Maricopa County, Ariz., cannot confirm yet that Obama was not born in Kenya and brought to the United States as a days-old infant for his birth to be registered in Hawaii. The reason? Missing records.
IDF upgrades notification system in face of growing missile threat
The Israel Defense Forces has acquired a new system that will let it see exactly where every missile strike has landed if the home front is under attack. The new system is a modification of an existing command-and-control system called Castle Lake, which gives details on the location of Israeli forces and, as far as they are known, of enemy targets - anything from rocket launchers to enemy commanders.
Israel asks U.S. for arms that could aid Iran strike
Israel has asked the United States for advanced "bunker-buster" bombs and refueling planes that could improve its ability to attack Iran's underground nuclear sites, an Israeli official said on Thursday. "Such a request was made" around the time of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington this week, the official said, confirming media reports.
Syria crisis: Kofi Annan calls for dialogue spark anger
Syrian opposition activists have angrily rejected calls by Kofi Annan, the UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, for dialogue with the government. The leader of the main opposition, Burhan Ghalioun, said the comments were "disappointing" when Syrians were being "massacred every day".
Greece to go ahead with crucial debt swap
Greece has said it has received enough backing to push through the largest restructuring of government debt in history. Holders of 85.8% of debt subject to Greek law and 69% of its international debt holders agreed a debt swap, according to the Ministry of Finance. Take-up was high enough for the government to force unwilling investors to consent to the deal.
Senate rejects plan to hasten decision on Keystone XL
Democrats in the US Senate have voted down a Republican plan to hasten approval of an oil pipeline project. Earlier, the White House put the plan on hold, saying it needed more time to assess the environmental impact of the $7bn (£4.4bn) Keystone XL project. Supporters say the pipeline, which would run from Canadian oil sands to refineries in Texas, would create jobs and reduce US reliance on foreign oil.
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Siren and Explosions in Ashdod Following Gaza Rocket Bombing
Friday evening in Ashdod. More than 500,000 Israelis are forced to stay in bomb shelters as Sirens wail during Gaza Rocket Bombing. Video taken by an Israeli resident of Ashdod City.
Israel Air Force targets a weapons factory in Gaza
Earlier today, an IAF aircraft targeted two terror activity sites, at two separate locations in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. Direct hits were confirmed. The targeting of these sites is in response to the rockets fired at Israel. Over 90 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip and struck major population centers in southern Israel in the last 24 hours. More than 500,000 Israelis are forced to stay in bomb shelters. Terrorists are firing Qassam rockets, Grad missiles and mortar shells into the cities of Ashdod, Be'ersheba, Yavne, Netivot and Ashkelon; as well as into the Eshkol Regional Council.
Christians angry over ‘anti-Semitic’ parley
Several Christian groups have expressed opposition to the Christ at the Checkpoint conference that has been taking place in Bethlehem during the past week, accusing it of promoting doctrines that have inspired anti-Semitism.-According to a conference program, the assembly seeks to “expose the injustices of occupation and create awareness of the obstacles to reconciliation and peace,” and “present a coherent Biblical challenge to Christian Zionism and offer an alternative perspective.”
Alert level raised for Alaska volcano
Increased earthquake activity has prompted scientists to raise the alert level for an Alaska volcano. The Alaska Volcano Observatory on Friday elevated the alert status for Iliamna (ill-ee-AHM'-nuh) Volcano, located on the west side of Cook Inlet, about 135 miles southwest of Anchorage.
Iraqi teenagers stoned to death for "emo" haircuts
At least 90 Iraqi teenagers with "emo" appearances have been stoned to death by religious extremists in Baghdad in the past month after an inflammatory interior ministry statement dubbed it "devil worshiping", activists said. ...Iraq's moral police was granted approval by the Ministry of Education to enter Baghdad schools and pinpoint students with such appearances, according to the interior ministry's statement.
Germany wants new debate on EU constitution: minister
Germany wants to reignite a debate over creating an EU constitution to strengthen the bloc's ability to fight off financial troubles and counter-balance the rising influence of emerging economies, Germany's foreign minister said on Friday. Guido Westerwelle said the bloc's Lisbon treaty, drafted after Dutch and French voters rejected a proposed constitution in 2005, was not enough to keep European decision-making structures effective.
Syria crisis: Kofi Annan meets Assad on peace mission
UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan is holding talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in a fresh diplomatic bid to end the violence. UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Mr Annan would call for an immediate ceasefire by the army and the opposition. But as Mr Annan arrived, there were reports of fresh army shelling of the north-western city of Idlib.
Fresh Russia protests under way against Putin victory
Fresh protests are under way in Moscow and other Russian cities following Vladimir Putin's victory in last weekend's presidential election. Several thousand people are lining one of central Moscow's main avenues, with correspondents saying turnout could be the key to future opposition strategy.
Somalia Islamists al-Shabab ambush Ethiopia troops
An attack on Ethiopian troops in Somalia by the Islamist militant group al-Shabab has led to dozens of casualties, reports say. Ethiopian soldiers, and some Somali troops, were ambushed by the militants in Yurkut village in the central region of Geddo early on Saturday. Clashes continued for four hours.
Pope Benedict warns against gay marriage
Pope Benedict XVI has denounced gay marriage in a speech to US bishops visiting Vatican City. The Pope warned of "powerful political and cultural currents seeking to alter the legal definition of marriage". He also urged the bishops to emphasise to their Church that premarital sex and cohabitation was "gravely sinful" and "damaging to the stability of society".
80 rockets fired at Israel since Friday
The IDF estimates that over 80 rockets have been fired at Israel since Friday, 65 exploded in the south. A Home Front Command official said: "The Command's instructions have proven to save lives and they should be followed. When an alarm is sounded or if there is an explosion – enter a safety area." Israelis are also instructed to avoid large gatherings of more than 500.
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Israel to delay strike on Iran until after US elections?
White House tells Sunday Times Obama pressed Netanyahu to postpone Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities until after November, adding president 'might visit Israel in summer'
Scandal: UNESCO vote keeps Assad regime on human rights committee
“For UNESCO to keep President Bashar al-Assad on a human rights committee while his regime mercilessly murders its own people is immoral, indefensible and an insult to Syria’s victims,” said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, the Geneva human rights group that heads a campaign of 55 parliamentarians, human rights and religious groups demanding Syria’s expulsion. “The world squandered a golden opportunity to expose the Assad regime’s lack of legitimacy. Politics trumped human rights, with too many UNESCO diplomats fearful that if Syria were removed for gross violations, their own regimes would be next.”
Beneath the radar, a Russia-Pakistan entente takes shape
One of the early calls that Vladimir Putin took following his expected victory in the Russian presidential election last weekend was from Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani. He congratulated Putin on his success and invited him to visit Islamabad in September which the Russian leader accepted, according to newspaper reports citing an official statement.
Gantz: IDF will continue to retaliate to rocket fire
Several people suffered anxiety attacks on Sunday after parts of a rocket intercepted by the Iron Dome system hit a car and a water pipe in Beersheba. Some 25 rockets were fired at Israel on Sunday. "The IDF has retaliated and will continue to retaliate with force and sensitivity against any firing directed at Israel. Hamas and other terror groups continue to gain strength at an alarming rate. We do not seek escalation but Hamas controls Gaza. "
Robert Schuller leaves Crystal Cathedral board
Dr. Robert Schuller and his wife Arvella announced "with great sadness" Saturday that they resigned from the board of directors of the Crystal Cathedral, the televangelist ministry he founded four decades ago and made famous through his "Hour of Power" television program.
Op-Ed: Is Israel Abandoning the Mount of Olives?
Under pressure from UNESCO, which is trying to “de-Judaize” and “Islamicize” the most holy Jewish sites, the State of Israel seems top be giving up its sovereignity on graves and sacred sites. -A few weeks ago, Israel gave the Vatican sovereignity over David’s tomb, where some believe Jewish kings of Judea are buried. But the most unknown story is about the Mount of Olives cemetery, which has just been discussed at an emergency hearing of the Knesset.
Ahmadinejad dismisses Western threats against Iran
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday expressed contempt for threats from the world's major powers over Iran's nuclear program. "They say all options are on the table. Alright, let them be on the table until these options and you (the world powers) rot," Ahmadinejad said in a speech delivered in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran.
Netanyahu: Israel has dealt strong blow to Gaza terrorist groups
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel has struck a strong blow against terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip over the past several days. "We have collected a high price from them and we are still collecting," Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting. "We will continue to operate as long as it is necessary."
Prosor: Arab Countries Support an Attack on Iran
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, said on Friday that he is concerned about the slowness of the international community regarding Iran's nuclear program but is encouraged by the fact that Arab countries are speaking out against Iran. ...“An interesting thing is happening here,” he said. “We saw here the Saudi ambassador speaking out against Iran, you see the Gulf states speaking out against Syria.
Yemen air raids 'target al-Qaeda militants in south'
Suspected al-Qaeda fighters in southern Yemen have been targeted in air strikes, reports say. Between 18 and 45 militants are said to have been killed in raids late on Friday and on Saturday. The strikes hit positions west of Bayda and near the rebel-controlled town of Jaar, officials said.
Ceasefire efforts hampered by terror groups’ demand for immunity
Egyptian efforts to broker an Israel-Gaza ceasefire after three days of violence are being hampered because terror groups in Gaza want a guarantee of immunity from attack by Israel, which Israel is not prepared to give, Egyptian sources said on Sunday afternoon. The Popular Resistance Committees, whose leader Zuhair al-Qaissi was killed in an Israeli strike on Friday, and Islamic Jihad... both want assurances that Israel won’t target their groups, an Egyptian official said, but that is something Egypt cannot deliver.
Nigeria attack targets Catholic church in Jos
A suspected suicide car bombing at a Roman Catholic church in the restive central Nigerian city of Jos has caused a number of casualties, officials say. The car was apparently stopped before it could enter the church compound, one report said. No group has said it carried out the attack.
Gay marriage: Roman Catholic archbishops step up fight
The Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales is intensifying its campaign against the government's plan to legalise same-sex marriage. In a letter being read in 2,500 parish churches, the Church's two most senior archbishops say the change would reduce the significance of marriage. The letter says Roman Catholics have a duty to make sure it does not happen.
US soldier kills Afghan civilians in Kandahar
A US soldier in Afghanistan has killed at least 16 civilians and wounded five after entering their homes in Kandahar province, senior local officials say. He left his military base in the early hours of the morning and opened fire in at least two homes; women and children were among the dead. Nato said it was investigating the "deeply regrettable incident".
Israeli strikes kill 3 Palestinians in Gaza
Israeli aircraft on Sunday killed three Palestinians, including a 12-year-old boy, medical sources in Gaza said, as militants fired rockets into Israel for a third day. The violence followed a familiar pattern that has seen the two sides engage in numerous attacks along Israel's border with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip
Annan holds 2nd round of talks with Syria's Assad
Former United Nations chief Kofi Annan, on a difficult peace mission to Syria, held a second day of talks with President Bashar Assad on Sunday as Syrian forces pursued a drive to crush rebel bastions in the northwest. A UN spokesman said the two men had resumed talks at the presidential palace. He gave no details, but said Annan was expected to leave Syria for Qatar when the meeting concluded.
Turkey Condemns Israel but Not Gaza Terrorists
Turkey strongly condemned Israel over its air strikes in Gaza over the weekend, but conveniently forgot to condemn the Gaza terrorists for continuously hitting southern Israel with rockets and mortars. A report in the Turkish Today’s Zaman newspaper said Turkey is concerned over new and dangerous escalation of violence in Gaza. “We ask Israel once again to end its inhumane and unacceptable policies toward Gaza,” the statement said.
Egypt working to halt escalation of Gaza violence
Egypt was making efforts Sunday to halt a further escalation of violence in southern Israel and the Gaza Strip which has seen more than 130 rockets fired towards the Jewish State and 17 Palestinians killed in Israel Air Force strikes since Friday. "Egypt is in a race against time in order to halt hostilities as soon as possible to avoid further escalations," Egyptian ambassador to the Palestinian territories Yasser Othman told the Palestinian Ma'an News Agency on Sunday.
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Iran-Russia strategic partnership will ensure regional stability: official
The deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has said that the strategic partnership between Iran and Russia will guarantee regional stability. 'the strategic partnership between Tehran and Moscow is a win-win game for the two sides and the people of the region, which will guarantee the security and stability of the region,” Ali Baqeri said during a meeting with the visiting deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Yevgeny Lukyanov, in Tehran on Monday.
Israel to UN: Condemn the Rocket Attacks
Israel's deputy ambassador to the UN, Haim Waxman, (on Sunday) sent a formal complaint letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council, demanding that the Council condemn the constant firing of rockets and act in every possible way against it.
Juppe calls for action against Syria; U.N.’s Ban urges Assad to act ‘within days’
French FM Alain Juppe on Monday called for action to stop the killing of civilians in Syria and demanded that Syrian leaders face international court charges. Speaking at the U.N. Security Council Juppe also appealed for Russia and China to hear the “world conscience” and agree on a U.N. resolution condemning the Syria violence. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to act within the “next few days” on U.N.-Arab League proposals.
Over 200 killed in ethnic clash in South Sudan
More than 200 have been killed and several others are missing in a fresh fighting between two rival ethnicities in the troubled Jonglei state in South Sudan, officials said Sunday, raising stakes ahead of a disarmament exercise slated for mid this month. The fighting erupted on Friday morning in cattle camps in Akobo County when armed men from Pibor in the same state crossed in from the Ethiopia borders and attacked the area. -More than 3,000 people are reported dead in such waves of violence in Jonglei state since January.
Israel a 'dead' regime, Iran says
Western supporters of Israel are losing credibility in the eyes of the international community, the Iranian president said. "You have made investments and are losing face for the sake of a bunch of criminals and are not aware that the Zionist regime is like a rotten tree that you have invested in, but you will lose face," he was quoted by the semiofficial Mehr News Agency as saying.
Rockets Continue to Hit Israel: Ashdod Under Attack Like Never Before
Over the past three days, Gaza terrorists have launched over 150 attacks on southern Israel. The city of Ashdod has been targeted more often than it was even at the height of the Cast Lead campaign, residents say. As the situation in southern Israel escalated and dozens of rockets were fired from Gaza, Arutz Sheva visited the city of Ashdod, one of many cities in the area hit by a barrage of rockets. The citizens expressed their frustration at the ongoing situation and called on the government to do more for them.
PRC Spokesman Admits that Hamas Allows Attacks Against Israel
Since Friday, March 9, 2012, more than 190 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip, striking major population centers in southern Israel. More than 1,000,000 Israelis are living under the threat of rocket fire. The following video shows an interview with Abu Mujahid, spokesman of the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza. It aired on March 10, 2012 on Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV. In the video, Abu Majahid admits that Hamas allows his group complete freedom of action in the Gaza Strip.
APPRISING MINISTRIES EXCLUSIVE ON RICK WARREN, JIM HINCH, AND ISLAM
“The Rev. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest and one of America’s most influential Christian leaders, has embarked on an effort to heal divisions between evangelical Christians and Muslims by partnering with Southern California mosques and proposing a set of theological principles that includes acknowledging that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.”
Genetic Manipulation Boosts Growth of Brain Cells Linked to Learning, Enhances Effects of Antidepressants
The research finds that deleting the Nf1 gene in mice results in long-lasting improvements in neurogenesis, which in turn makes those in the test group more sensitive to the effects of antidepressants.
'Impeach Obama' Bill: Use of military without Congress approval 'high crime'
Republican Representative Walter B. Jones Jr. has come up with the resolution demanding Obama’s impeachment in case his administration starts another military action without the approval of Congress.
5.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Northwestern Kashmir
An earthquake is being reported from North Western Kashmir. The tremors measured about 5.8 on the Richter scale, according to early reports. The epicenter was Gilgit, about 150 km from Srinagar. No casualties or damage has been reported so far. People were seen evacuating their homes.
'Many dead' in fresh Homs attacks
Activists believe as many as 47 people have been killed in an attack by pro-government militia in the embattled Syrian city of Homs. Women and children are said to among those who were reportedly tortured and killed on Sunday night in the neighbourhood of Karm el-Zeytoun.
Hosepipe ban for millions: Third of homes in the country will face restrictions within weeks
Water companies in the South and East of England, where rainfall has been too low for nearly two years, will announce restrictions affecting one in three homes in the UK. Other areas could soon follow.
Greece and Spain top agenda at Eurogroup meeting
Finance ministers from eurozone nations are to meet on Monday to discuss giving Greece's second bailout final approval. The Eurogroup, which includes eurozone finance ministers, the president of the European Central Bank and European Commission chiefs, meets in Brussels. Spain's financial status is also likely to be on the agenda.
Nigeria attack targets Catholic church in Jos
At least 10 people were killed after a Catholic church was targeted by suicide car bombers in the restive central Nigerian city of Jos, officials say. The bomber detonated explosives after being stopped at the church gates. No group has said it carried out the bombing, although Islamist militant group Boko Haram said it was behind a similar attack on a church last month.
US fears reprisals after Afghan massacre in Kandahar
US troops in Afghanistan have been placed on alert following the killings of 16 Afghan civilians by a US soldier. US officials warned of reprisals after the soldier went on a rampage in villages near a base in Kandahar. Nine children were among those killed. President Barack Obama phoned his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai to express condolences. But Mr Karzai has said the massacre is "unforgivable".
Ex-Israeli spymaster: Iran response to Israeli attack would be devastating
Former Mossad chief Meir Dagan said that an Israeli strike on Iran would lead to a missile attack on Israel that would have a "devastating impact" on the country, in an interview that aired Sunday...
Sarkozy threatens to end EU passport-free travel
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has threatened to pull France out of the EU's borderless Schengen agreement unless action is taken to reduce the number of illegal immigrants. Speaking at an election rally on Sunday (11 March), Sarkozy said some EU member states are too lax with their borders, enabling unwanted migrants to enter France and causing a heavy burden on its social welfare system.
Bell, via Kagan, on Critical Race Theory: The Constitution Is the Problem
The article makes clear that Critical Race Theory sees the U.S. Constitution as a form of "original sin"--a view later embraced by Obama as a state legislator, and reflected in his actions and appointments.
Taliban vows revenge after US soldier allegedly kills 16 Afghan civilians
In a statement on their website, the militant group promised to "take revenge from the invaders and the savage murderers for every single martyr."
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Israel Strikes Oil Off Tel Aviv Coast
Israel has struck oil again, this time off the Tel Aviv coast. Developers maintain the find includes 100 million barrels of oil, worth $10 billion. Modiin Energy and Adira Energy discovered an estimated 128 million barrels of oil and 1.8 trillion cubic feet of gas in shallow water less than 15 miles northwest of Tel Aviv.
Syria calls for world to stop Israel’s strikes at Gaza
Assad government, under attack for Homs massacre, points finger at Israeli aggression - Syria’s foreign ministry condemned Israel for its military offensive against the Gaza Strip, calling for urgent international intervention against Israel. “Gaza, which is drowning in its blood for days, knows for certain that Damascus will continue to support it despite the Arab preoccupation with the conspiracy against Syria”
Egypt Calls for Expulsion of Israeli Ambassador
Egypt’s Islamist-dominated parliament on Monday called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from Cairo and the recall of Egypt’s envoy to the Jewish state. According to the text approved on Monday, MPs also called for a halt to gas exports to Israel. “Egypt will never be the friend, partner or ally of the Zionist entity which we consider as the first enemy of Egypt and the Arab nation,” read the text. It also called on the Egyptian government “to revise all its relations and agreements with that enemy.”
Russian official: No missile deal at NATO summit
Russia and the United States have failed to narrow their differences over a planned U.S. missile shield and stand practically no chance of reaching a compromise at the NATO summit in Chicago in May, a top Russian official said Tuesday. Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Washington is going ahead with its plans for a missile shield in Europe without considering Russian concerns.
Syria’s Assad sets May 7 as parliamentary elections day
Syria's embattled President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree on Tuesday, March 13 setting May 7 as the date for parliamentary elections that were delayed last year, AFP reported citing the state news agency SANA. The vote is part of a raft of reforms announced by Assad in a bid to calm a year-long uprising against his regime that began with democracy protests.
Russia, Iran want to lay IP gas pipeline
Russia and Iran have shown interest in laying the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline and the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has formed a Federal Cabinet body to take stock of the offer, Geo News reported Tuesday. The meeting was informed that Iran had also offered an amount of 250 million dollars as an initial financing for the project.
Chinese military spending a concern
As Americans ponder ways to cut defense spending, the Chinese government is ramping up it military budget dramatically. Spending on China's armed forces is being increased by 11 percent this year, on track to pass the $100 billion level for the first time in history.-What is of particular concern is China's strategy of building up its force projection capability. For decades, Chinese strategy was to maintain a massive homeland defense force, coupled with a relatively modest arsenal of strategic nuclear weaponry. Now, leaders in Beijing want the force projection ability to use conventional forces regionally and, perhaps, throughout the globe.
Afghan Taliban threaten to behead U.S. soldiers
Suspected insurgents fired on an Afghan government delegation on Tuesday investigating the massacre of 16 civilians by a U.S. soldier, officials said, hours after the Taliban threatened to behead American troops to avenge the killings.
Dead Birds in Hong Kong Test Positive for Avian Influenza
The city's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department reported on Monday that two dead birds found in early March tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
EU, U.S., Japan launch rare earth WTO case against China
The European Union, United States and Japan formally asked the World Trade Organization on Tuesday to settle a dispute with China over Beijing's restriction on exports of raw materials, including rare earth elements critical to major industries.
Mild Sun Storm May Amp Up Northern Lights This Week
Geomagnetic storming reaching the G2 (Moderate) level is underway," officials at the Space Weather Center said in a statement. "Continued geomagnetic activity reaching the G3 (Strong) level is likely between now and the end of March 13 as the parade of recent coronal mass ejections affect Earth."
Scientists warn EPA on Monsanto corn rootworm
plant scientists have recently found evidence that the genetic modification is losing its effectiveness, making the plants vulnerable to rootworm damage and potentially significant production losses.
Obama Says He‘s ’Proud Generally’ of Our Troops
In an interview Monday with Denver station KCNC-TV, President Obama spoke about support for U.S. troops, saying that “we‘ve got to make sure that we’re caring for our soldiers,” but followed the seemingly compassionate pledge up with a disparaging remark that appeared to dismiss and diminish America’s service men and women outright. In speaking about our troops, the president said: “You can’t help but be proud of them generally.”
New Discovery Shines Light On the Three Faces of Neutrinos
A new discovery provides a crucial key to understanding how neutrinos -- ghostly particles with multiple personalities -- change identity and may help shed light on why matter exists in the universe.
Blair takes on the Pope by backing gay marriage
Tony Blair has defied the Pope by making clear he "strongly supports" plans for gay marriage, The Independent on Sunday has learnt. The former prime minister, a Catholic since 2007, backs proposals by David Cameron for a new law allowing homosexuals to marry.
Global liquidity peak spells trouble for late 2012
The global liquidity cycle has already rolled over. Assuming that no fresh action is taken, world economic growth will peak within a couple of months and then fade in the second half of the year - with grim implications for Europe’s Latin bloc.
Western U.S. Will Face Tsunami. But When?
Geophysicists from seven research institutions across the country are probing that question like never before, through a five-year, $4.6-million project just getting underway. Combining 1,000-times-faster computing speeds with improved methodologies, the team is creating the first unified simulation of earthquakes all along western North America.
Some 200 rockets hit Israel since start of latest Gaza escalation
Nearly 200 rockets have exploded in Israeli territory since the latest round of violence between Israel and Gaza broke out on Friday. Responding to rocket fire, the Israel Air Force carried out 37 airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, 19 strikes targeted rocket-launchers and 18 targeted weapons warehouses in response to rocket attacks.
Israel to delay strike on Iran until after US elections?
Israel will only strike Iranian nuclear facilities in September or after the United States presidential elections in November, a White House official told the British Sunday Times newspaper after a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama last week.
Syria laying landmines along border: Human Rights Watch
Syria is laying landmines near its borders with Lebanon and Turkey, along routes used by refugees to escape the violence, Human Rights Watch reports. The New-York based group said it had accounts from witnesses and deminers, amid reported casualties. UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan has met the Syrian opposition in Turkey on the latest leg of his peace mission.
UK nuclear plans 'put energy in French hands'
Government plans for nuclear power risk handing control of the UK's climate and energy policies to France, according to four senior environmentalists. Energy giant EDF and reactor builder Areva, big players in the UK's plans, are largely French government-owned.
US set to challenge China rare earth export restriction
The US is set to file a case against China at the World Trade Organization challenging its restrictions on rare earth exports. The European Union and Japan are expected to support the US in its case. Beijing has set quotas for rare earth exports, many of which are critical to the manufacture of high-tech products.
'Cease-fire comes into effect,' more rockets fired
Palestinian terrorists fired three projectiles at southern Israel early Tuesday morning hours after a reported Egyptian-brokered cease-fire between terrorist factions in the Gaza Strip and Israel came into effect. A Egyptian security official told Reuters on Tuesday that both sides had "agreed to end the current operations", with Israel giving an unusual undertaking to "stop assassinations", and an overall agreement "to begin a comprehensive and mutual calm."
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US Mum 'killed daughter with scissors'
*Perilous Times US Mum 'killed daughter with scissors'* From correspondents in Las Vegas AP March 14, 2012 1:25PM A US woman accused of stabbing her six-year-old daughter to death with scissors has told police she had been taking a weight-loss product, had trouble sleeping for several days and felt an "evil" presence before the... more »
By -Pastor-Dale-Morgan- - Mar 13 - 1 new of 1 message
Missouri man and woman fatally shot in car in front of three children
*Perilous Times Missouri man and woman fatally shot in car in front of three children * From correspondents in Kansas NewsCore March 14, 2012 11:33AM A MAN and a woman were fatally shot in front of three young children inside a car in Missouri today. Police have not confirmed whether they are investigating the deaths as a... more »
By -Pastor-Dale-Morgan- - Mar 13 - 1 new of 1 message
Hawaii: Six fingers of a young child found in US garbage
*Perilous Times Hawaii: Six fingers of a young child found in US garbage* From correspondents in Honolulu AP March 14, 2012 9:41AM US police say six fingers found in a garbage bin in Hawaii are likely from a girl who's between two and four years old. Authorities have yet to receive a single phone call a day after making a... more »
By -Pastor-Dale-Morgan- - Mar 13 - 1 new of 1 message
Russia to finally send man to the Moon
*Perilous Times Russia to finally send man to the Moon* Russia will send a team of cosmonauts to the Moon, 60 years after Neil Armstrong's Apollo mission effectively ended the US-Soviet space race. By Tom Parfitt, Moscow 6:00PM GMT 13 Mar 2012 The Telegraph UK A spacecraft will "conduct a demonstrative manned circumlunar test... more »
By -Pastor-Dale-Morgan- - Mar 13 - 1 new of 1 message
Syrian forces 'kill more than 40 outside mosque
*Perilous Times Syrian forces 'kill more than 40 outside mosque * Syrian forces were accused of killing more than 40 people outside a mosque in the northern city of Idlib as the Assad regime widened an offensive aimed at inflicting a decisive blow against a faltering rebel campaign. In what appeared to be a deliberate ambush against civilians, pro-regime... more »
By -Pastor-Dale-Morgan- - Mar 13 - 1 new of 1 message
Scientists plan to clone woolly mammoth
*Perilous Times Scientists plan to clone woolly mammoth * NewsCore March 14, 2012 7:03AM A SOUTH Korean research laboratory led by a controversial scientist said today it planned to work with a Russian university to clone a woolly mammoth. The Sooam Biotech Research Foundation (Sooam BRF) signed a research pact... more »
By -Pastor-Dale-Morgan- - Mar 13 - 1 new of 1 message
Record flood waters inundated parts of southern Louisiana early Tuesday after intense rains caused perilous flash flooding
*Perilous Times and Climate Change Record flood waters inundated parts of southern Louisiana early Tuesday after intense rains caused perilous flash flooding* By the CNN Wire Staff updated 5:17 AM EDT, Tue March 13, 2012 Rains flood Cajun country STORY HIGHLIGHTS More than 20 inches of rain possibly falls in some areas, the... more »
By -Pastor-Dale-Morgan- - Mar 13 - 1 new of 1 message
Climate change will cause mass migration
*Perilous Times and Climate Change Climate change will cause mass migration* From correspondents in Manila AP March 13, 2012 7:26PM THE Asian Development Bank is warning countries to prepare for influxes of people fleeing natural disasters as climate change exacerbates rising sea levels, soil degradation and seasonal flooding.... more »
By -Pastor-Dale-Morgan- - Mar 13 - 1 new of 1 message
More than 8,000 killed in Syria unrest - UN official
*Perilous Times* 13 March 2012 Last updated at 01:07 ET *More than 8,000 killed in Syria unrest - UN official* Majority of the victims have been civilians, Syrian activists say BBC - More than 8,000 people have died since anti-government protests erupted in Syria a year ago, a UN official says. UN General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser said many women... more »
By -Pastor-Dale-Morgan- - Mar 13 - 1 new of 1 message
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Santorum wins Alabama and Mississippi
A resurgent Rick Santorum swept primaries in Alabama and Mississippi Tuesday night, upending the race for the Republican presidential nomination as he sought to push Newt Gingrich toward the sidelines.
Four years later, justice for pro-lifers harassed by state
Nearly four years ago, local and state police arrested 18 pro-life demonstrators, including two 14-year-old girls, near Bel Air, Maryland, as they held signs along a roadway. Jack Ames of Defend Life was one of those arrested and says police did "dastardly things" like the sexually invasive searching of females.
CBS Buries Poll Finding 57% Against ObamaCare Mandate on Website
Almost a month after touting on-air their poll finding that 61% of Catholics supposedly backed President Obama's controversial birth control mandate, CBS failed to mention their most recent poll that found that 57% are now against the regulation. The network devoted an article to the new poll statistic on their website, but failed to cover it on their morning and evening newscasts Monday into Tuesday.
NYU Bioethicist Makes Case for ‘Human Engineering’ to Curb Manmade Global Warming
...two Oxford co-authors (Anders Sandberg and Rebecca Roache)... explicitly describe the idea as “human engineering,“ or the ”biomedical modification of humans so that they can mitigate and/or adapt to climate change.” It should be noted, that the authors are not stating that this sort of engineering should be adopted, but they merely want to make the case for it “alongside other solutions in the debate about how to solve the problem of climate change.”
'Yahweh' domain name gets thumbs up
The committee in charge of approving domain names which might be offensive, has voted this week to okay a new domain: "Yahweh.co.il." The decision was first reported by Tomer Persico on his blog "Minim." However, according to some halacha views, typing and even deleting "Yahweh" on the computer is only allowed when absolutely necessary and not for humorous purposes.
Jeremiah Wright Endorses Anti-Semitic 'March to Jerusalem'
President Barack Obama’s longtime pastor at Trinity United Church, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, has announced his support for the anti-Semitic “March to Jerusalem” at the end of March. The White House has refused comment. The “March to Jerusalem” is a massive campaign designed to send anti-Israel partisans across Israel’s borders and into Jerusalem.
Government issues travel advisory to Turkey; 'Iran seeking out Israelis'
The Counter Terrorism Bureau issued a travel advisory advising Israelis to avoid visiting Turkey on Tuesday. The bureau said that terrorists are planning to carry out attacks against Israelis or Jews in the country in the coming days. Last week, a Turkish TV report said that Israel warned Ankara that Iran had sent terrorists to Turkey in order to target Israelis.
Supercell thunderstorms with three inch hail and tornadic signatures hit Hawaii
An event so rare is happening in Hawaii now that it has to be documented. A true Supercell thunderstorm bringing three inch hail to Eastern Oahu Island in Hawaii formed on Friday morning. Usually when you think of supercells you think of the Great Plains of the United States, where cold / dry Canadian air meets with warm / moist air off the Gulf of Mexico. This setup produces supercells; with violent tornadoes, if ingredients are right.
Democrats pressure Obama to endorse gay marriage
More Americans are embracing gay marriage, adding to calls from Democrats for President Barack Obama -- who has said he is not sure where he stands -- to publicly express his support before the November elections.
CBO: Obamacare to cost $1.76 trillion over 10 yrs
...Today, the CBO released new projections from 2013 extending through 2022, and the results are as critics expected: the ten-year cost of the law's core provisions to expand health insurance coverage has now ballooned to $1.76 trillion. That's because we now have estimates for Obamacare's first nine years of full implementation, rather than the mere six when it was signed into law.
Russia: we're happy to sell arms to Assad
Russia insisted yesterday that it would not halt arms shipments to Syria even as evidence mounts that the regime is committing crimes against humanity, with a rights group today releasing a sickening dossier of the torture inflicted on those who oppose President Bashar al-Assad.
6.8 magnitude earthquake shakes Japan, regional tsunami advisories issued
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the tremor was 6.8 magnitude and forecast a tsunami of up to half-meter could hit Hokkaido island's central and eastern Pacific coast, and Aomori and Iwate prefectures in the north of Japan's main island.
Iran parliament questions President Ahmadinejad
The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has appeared in parliament to answer questions from MPs. Mr Ahmadinejad took an hour to respond to a long list of questions about his foreign and domestic policy decisions. He insisted they had been in accordance with the law, and denied that he had challenged the authority of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israel has prepared for possible Iranian nuclear strike for years
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threats to strike Iran, voiced last week during a high-profile visit to the White House, were not empty bluster. Although a unilateral Israeli attack would probably not destroy Iran's nuclear program, it appears capable, at least for now, of inflicting a serious blow.
Four US banks fail Federal Reserve stress test
Four US financial institutions, including Citigroup, have failed stress tests designed to show they could withstand a financial shock. The Federal Reserve said Citi, SunTrust, Ally Financial and MetLife failed to show they have enough capital to survive another serious downturn. Citigroup is the third-largest US bank. The majority of the 19 tested passed.
China central banker: EU is our biggest uncertainty
In a sign of growing confidence on the global stage, China on Monday (12 March) singled out Europe as the "biggest uncertainty" for the future of its economy. The governor of China's central bank, Zhou Xiaochuan, said that a slow world recovery process and the unstable economic and financial situation in Europe will be the big unknowns for China's economy this year.
Heckles on 'double standards' as EU freezes Hungary's money
EU finance ministers on Tuesday (13 March) approved a controversial funding freeze on Hungary under the bloc's new deficit rules, but some countries, led by Austria, say it was a bit harsh after Spain obtained concessions. "We had a quite long discussion on Spain yesterday and on Hungary today, but it was worth it.
'US warns Iran: Accede or be attacked'
The United States asked Russia to send Iran a message that the upcoming round of nuclear talks is its last chance to avoid a military confrontation this year, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported Wednesday according to a diplomatic source. The unusually stark warning by the US was passed on by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, after the two met in New York on Monday, the diplomatic source told the
Russian newspaper.
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15 Mar 12
UK woman arrested over suspected terror offenses
Her arrest is in connection with the alleged posting of extremist material on the Internet, the statement said.
Netanyahu on Iran: We've Never Left Our Fate to Others
In one of his most fierce speeches on the Iranian nuclear threat, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to Israel’s security, hinting that he would launch an attack on Iran even without American approval. He compared the decisions he will need to make to those made by former Prime Minister Menachem Begin, who decided to attack Iraq's nuclear reactor in 1981. “[Begin] was led by his duty when he was well aware of the international criticism, including from the United States, our friend,” said Netanyahu.
Al-Assad supporters rally in Damascus
Thousands of Syrians loyal to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad gathered Thursday in the capital Damascus, dpa reported. Official television showed footage of thousands thronging Damascus' main square as they carried pictures of al-Assad and waved the national flag. According to the broadcaster, around one million people are expected to take part in the rally that coincides with the first anniversary of a popular revolt against al-Assad's rule.
Hezbollah, Hamas meet to coordinate positions on Gaza, Syria
According to a Lebanese newspaper, Hezbollah's Nasrallah and Hamas' Moussa Abu Marzouk hold discussion about Gaza, Syria and relations with Iran • Parties agree to cooperate to face unfolding situation in Syria, as well as in broader war against Israel.
Ya'alon: 'Tough response' needed for rocket attacks
Vice Prime Minister Moshe Ya'alon said a "tough response" was needed in order to stop terrorists in Gaza from launching rockets at southern Israeli communities. Speaking with southern local authority heads, Ya'alon said the ongoing rocket fire is "intolerable." "Southern communities don't need to be under threat," Channel 10 news quoted Ya'alon as saying. "I am sure that we are ready to end this constant provocation by utilizing a tough response."
German chancellor candidate calls Israel 'apartheid regime'
Sigmar Gabriel, the head of the German Social Democratic Party and a possible candidate for the Chancellorship of Germany, described on Wednesday Israel as an “Apartheid-Regime” on his Facebook site. After a wave of protest notes on his Facebook page, Gabriel, who is currently visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories, continued to defend his terminology of Israel’s policies as racist. “I was just in Hebron. That is a lawless territory there for Palestinians. This is an apartheid regime, for which there is no justification,” wrote Gabriel.
Ethiopia launches missile attack against Eritrea
Ethiopia's government spokesman says that Ethiopia launched a military attack inside its archrival Eritrea. Shimeles Kemal said the attack happened Thursday. He said Ethiopia launched the attack because Eritrea was training "subversive groups" that carried out attacks inside Ethiopia.
Stormy Times Ahead: Impact of Solar Coronal Mass Ejection on Geomagnetic Field Detected by USArray
When a large CME impacts the Earth’s magnetic fields, ground based observatories can detect the time of impact, and the changes in electric and magnetic fields that result on the Earth’s surface.
Sakurajima volcano (Kyushu, Japan): unusually strong eruptions said to be the largest eruption in 2 years
Moderately large eruptions have occurred at Mt. Sakurajima volcano in southern Kyushu, Japan. During the past few days, several vulcanian-type explosions took place that ejected large amounts of bombs, with some of 50 cm diameter landing in up to 2 km distance. Ash plumes produced reached a modest altitude of 8000 ft (ca. 2.5 km) (VAAC Tokyo).
Busy Sunspot Unleashes Another Strong Solar Flare
The sun unleashed a new solar flare Tuesday (March 13) from the same region that has been actively brewing for the past week. The flare was categorized as an M7.9-class eruption and peaked at 1:41 p.m. EDT (1741 GMT) on Tuesday. While the outburst hurled a wave of plasma and energetic particles, called a coronal mass ejection (CME), into space, it is not heading in Earth's direction,
Comet Takes 'Swan' Dive Into Sun
Just three months after one comet made a seemingly death-defying plunge through the sun, another icy wanderer is set to try its own luck in a solar rendezvous. The newly discovered comet Swan is on a collision course with our star, and it should plummet through the solar atmosphere sometime late today (March 14), researchers say. Swan's dive follows shortly after that of comet Lovejoy, which shocked astronomers by emerging from behind the sun on Dec. 15,
Star Trek becomes reality as Microsoft 'Universal Translator' turns spoken English into any of 26 different languages
Frank Soong and Rick Rashid have created software which converts English language speech into any of 26 foreign languages - and which 'speaks' in the user's own voice. All the user has to do is speak English into the the machine and it will convert it into anything from Spanish to Mandarin.
Major US Airport To Evict TSA Screeners
One of America’s busiest airports, Orlando Sanford International, has announced it will opt out of using TSA workers to screen passengers, a move which threatens the highly unpopular federal agency’s role in other airports across the nation. “The president of the airport said Tuesday that he would apply again to use private operators to screen passengers, using federal standards and oversight,” reports the Miami Herald.
Exclusive: Obama, Cameron discussed tapping oil reserves
President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron discussed the possibility of releasing emergency oil reserves during a meeting on Wednesday, two sources familiar with the talks said, the first sign that Obama is starting to test global support for an effort to knock back near-record fuel prices.
Surveyors checking whether cracked Washington Monument sank or tilted in wake of earthquake
Several large cracks and dozens of smaller ones formed in the top portion of the monument during the earthquake on Aug. 23, and chunks of stone were shaken loose on the exterior and interior of the structure. Although it remains structurally sound, repairs are expected to cost at least $15 million, and the monument could remain closed until August 2013
Swiss couple escape from Pakistan Taliban captivity
A Swiss couple kidnapped by the Pakistani Taliban last July say they escaped, a Pakistani army spokesman said, after the two showed up at a military checkpoint on a main road in the northwest of the country on Thursday.
Soldiers asked to disarm during Leon Panetta speech
Less than a week after a US staff sergeant allegedly massacred 16 civilians in Kandahar, American soldiers were banned from bringing guns into a talk by Mr Panetta at a base in Helmand province. Around 200 troops who had gathered in a tent at Camp Leatherneck were told "something had come to light" and asked abruptly to file outside and lay down their automatic rifles and 9mm pistols.
Afghan shootings: US soldier suspect flown to Kuwait
The US soldier accused of killing 16 civilians, including women and children, in Afghanistan on Sunday has been flown to Kuwait, US officials say. They say legal proceedings will now be conducted in another country. Afghan MPs have demanded that the man be tried in Afghanistan. Correspondents say that scenario is very unlikely.
Rocket attacks continue after IAF strike
School remained closed in the South as rocket attacks by terrorists in Gaza continued on Thursday, after the Israel Air Force struck a rocket launching site in northern Gaza and a smuggling tunnel in the southern Strip overnight Wednesday. Red-alert sirens echoed through Beersheba as a Grad rocket launched in Gaza was intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system.
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17 Mar 12
Israelis laugh off Iranian nuclear threats
The threat of Iranian nuclear weapons and a possible Israeli military strike are not the usual ingredients of comedy. But Israelis are responding to the heated rhetoric and dire warnings with comic skits and Daffy Duck -- gallows humor in the face of what their leaders say is a real danger.
North Korea ignores deal with US, announces satellite launch
North Korea announced Friday that it is preparing to launch a satellite in April to mark the 100th anniversary of founder Kim Il-Sung's birth, evoking strong reactions from its southern neighbour as well as the US. Pyongyang has said the launch of the long-range rocket mounted with a satellite is for peaceful purposes.
Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia: It Is ‘Necessary to Destroy All the Churches of the Region’
The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia has made some statements that have religious freedom critics bouncing between scratching their heads and curling up in horror. Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh recently announced that it is “necessary to destroy all the churches of the region.“ The ”region” he was referring to, of course, is the Arabian Peninsula (including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman).
New Details on NSA‘s ’Spy Center‘ and Secrets From Domestic Eavesdropping Operation ’Stellar Wind’
In the heart of Utah’s desert, the National Security Agency is well underway on a project that has been called the nation’s largest, most expensive cyber-security project. ...Flowing through its servers and routers and stored in near-bottomless databases will be all forms of communication, including the complete contents of private emails, cell phone calls, and Google searches, as well as all sorts of personal data trails—parking receipts, travel itineraries, bookstore purchases, and other digital “pocket litter.”
Islamic Jihad seeks 'balance of terror' with Israel
Gaza militant group Islamic Jihad seeks to create a "balance of terror" with Israel, a senior member of its military wing has told AFP in an exclusive interview. Speaking shortly after a truce ended a four-day flare-up in violence between Gaza terror groups and Israel, a senior leader of Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigade hailed the fact that it forced "a million Israelis to hide in shelters."
Hamas chief meets with Turkey PM on Palestinian reconciliation
Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal visited Turkey on Friday for talks on Palestinian reconciliation and other developments in the Middle East, the Turkish newspaper Today's Zaman reported. Meshal met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Friday afternoon. The meeting reportedly focused on Palestinian reconciliation.
The CIA wants to spy on you through your TV: Agency director says it will 'transform' surveillance
When people download a film from Netflix to a flatscreen, or turn on web radio, they could be alerting unwanted watchers to exactly what they are doing and where they are. Spies will no longer have to plant bugs in your home - the rise of 'connected' gadgets controlled by apps will mean that people 'bug' their own homes, says CIA director David Petraeus.
CBO says Obama's latest budget would add $3.5 trillion in deficits through 2022
President Obama’s 2013 budget would add $3.5 trillion to annual deficits through 2022, according to a new estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). It also would raise the deficit next year by $365 billion, according to the nonpartisan office.
Libya rally on Cyrenaica autonomy plan ends in violence
Clashes at a rally calling for a semi-autonomous territory to be created in eastern Libya have left one person dead in the city of Benghazi, reports say. Witnesses said a crowd demanding a semi-autonomous region of Cyrenaica was attacked by armed men. The plan calls for a regional parliament with control over the police but stops short of dividing Libya.
Iran claims to have domestically produced drone
Less than four months after confiscating a US drone that went down in its territory, Iran has domestically produced a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) called the Shaparak (Butterfly), semi-official Iranian news agency Press TV reported on Saturday. The drone has an operational radius of 50 kilometers and a flight ceiling of 4,572 meters, Press TV quoted Reza Danandeh Hakamabad, the aeronautics engineer in charge of the project, as saying on Friday.
Cyclone Lua nears north-west Australia coast
A tropical cyclone is intensifying as it bears down on Western Australia's north-west coast, forecasters warn. Severe tropical cyclone Lua - upgraded to a category four storm - is threatening communities with torrential rain and winds up to 160km/h (100mph).
Afghanistan massacre suspect named as Sgt Robert Bales
he US soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians in a massacre that has undermined relations with Kabul has been named as Staff Sgt Robert Bales. Senior US officials told the BBC the name of the suspect as he was heading back to the US to face charges.
China exerts rare public pressure on North Korea over missile plan
China put rare public pressure on ally North Korea over the reclusive state's plan to launch a long-range rocket which is raising tension in the region and could scupper a recent aid deal with the United States.
Syrian security compounds hit by car bombs: TV
Two explosions hit security complexes in the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday, killing several civilians and security force personnel, state television reported. Damascus residents said smoke could be seen rising from the areas where the blasts struck.
Euro zone may up bailout fund capacity to near 700 billion euros: officials
The euro zone may raise the combined lending power of its bailout funds to close to 700 billion euros from 500 billion in a trade-off between German opposition to committing more money and calming markets, euro zone officials said.
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18 Mar 12
Offended by religious group's highway blessing, atheists 'scrub' it away
Atheists in Polk County symbolically scrubbed away at a major highway leading into the county Saturday. The were removing a blessing placed there a year ago by a group of religious leaders. Brooms, mops and water hoses in hand, the atheists gathered at the roadside.
Rep. Smith slams administration over 'abortion surcharge' rule
A leading anti-abortion lawmaker slammed the Obama administration this week after it issued regulations that provide for a so-called "abortion surcharge" in health care plans.
Weird weather: heat, twisters, 250K tons of snow
Nearly 11 feet of snow has fallen on Anchorage, Alaska, this winter. That's almost a record, and it's forcing the city to haul away at least 250,000 tons of snow. Yet not much snow has dropped on the Lower 48 this year. The first three months of 2012 have seen twice the normal number of tornadoes. And 36 states set daily high temperature records Thursday. So far this month, the U.S. has set 1,757 daily high temperature records.
Obama to Congress: Kill oil industry's tax breaks
Pump prices on his mind, President Barack Obama says Congress should kill tax breaks for the oil and gas industry and help develop alternative sources of energy. Obama said Saturday in his weekly radio and Internet address that he expected Congress to consider in the next few weeks ending $4 billion in tax subsidies, a move he has failed to persuade lawmakers to make during his term.
Syria training Hezbollah to use antiaircraft guns
Syria has been arming and training Hezbollah fighters in the use of advanced antiaircraft weapons in recent months, Israel Defense Forces sources have told Haaretz. A senior officer in the Northern Command says hundreds of fighters were taught to use surface-to-air missiles in Syria and Iran. IDF officers are worried by two developments involving Syria and Hezbollah that could change the balance of power in the region.
'Mossad, CIA agree Iran has yet to decide to build nuclear weapon'
srael’s intelligence services agree with American intelligence assessments that there is not enough proof to determine whether Iran is building a nuclear bomb, according to a report published Sunday in the New York Times. The newspaper said that senior American officials believe there is little disagreement between the Mossad and U.S. intelligence agencies over Iran’s nuclear program...
Saudi sends military gear to Syria rebels: diplomat
Saudi Arabia is delivering military equipment to Syrian rebels in an effort to stop bloodshed by President Bashar al-Assad's regime, a top Arab diplomat said on Saturday. "Saudi military equipment is on its way to Jordan to arm the Free Syrian Army," the diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.
'Deadly car bomb' explodes in Syrian city of Aleppo
A car bomb has exploded in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, reports say. Opposition sources said there were deaths and injuries but gave no estimate of numbers. The blast came a day after officials said two vehicles packed with explosives blew up near security buildings in Damascus, killing 27.
Egypt's Coptic Christian Pope Shenouda III dies
Egypt's Coptic Christian Pope Shenouda III has died at the age of 88, state television has announced. The leader of the Middle East's largest Christian minority was reported to suffer from cancer that had spread to several organs. Coptic Christians make up 10% of Egypt's population of 80 million.
Brazil to charge Chevron executives over fresh oil leak
Brazilian prosecutors say they will bring criminal charges against 17 executives from the US oil company Chevron and drilling contractor Transocean after a new leak of crude. The executives have been barred from leaving the country until the investigation concludes. Chevron halted production in Brazil after the new oil leak was found on the seabed off Brazil earlier this week.
Steinitz: SWIFT sanctions could topple Iranian economy
Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said Sunday that SWIFT's decision to halt Iran's ability to use its electronic fund transfer system to make international transfers constitutes a tremendous blow that could potentially lead to the collapse of the Iranian economy. SWIFT is the world's largest electronic payment system and on Saturday implemented its decision to cut off 30 Iranian banks blacklisted by EU supported economic sanctions.
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Waiting for the Messiah: Netanyahu addresses Evangelical Christian gathering in Jerusalem
"There's a saying in Judaism about the Messiah - I know that even if he tarries, he'll come," Hagee told hundreds of members of Christians United for Israel. "I know that the prime minister will come, and even if he tarries, he'll come."
Study: State governments at high risk for corruption
"It's telling that no state received an overall grade of A," said Caitlin Ginley, a staff writer for the Center for Public Integrity and a project manager on the study. "In every state, there's room to improve the ethics laws, the level of transparency on government proceedings, the disclosure of information, and — most importantly — the oversight of these laws.
Texas ‘One State Under God’ cross license plates available
Texas’ newest specialty license plate features the Crosses at Calvary and the words “One State Under God.” Made to benefit a Christian ministry in East Texas, plate will be available for Texas drivers to order starting Monday, March 19.
172 Zambian miners gassed
Up to 172 miners at a mine owned by Swiss commodity trader, Glencore Resources AG, situated in Zambia's Mufulira town on the Copperbelt province have been gassed underground in an accident that has left about 30 of them in a critical condition, the Post of Zambia reported on Monday.
12,000 relate to Osteen's pep talk
Backed by a rock band and a heavily produced show that was more Broadway than tent revival, his message traded fire and brimstone for the equivalent of a corporate motivational speech. He was all praise and no ****ation.
FBI poised to step up investigation into News Corp
The FBI has told Scotland Yard it is "prepared to step in" if the Metropolitan Police fails to investigate the full extent of impropriety in the Murdoch empire. The warning came at a meeting between the transatlantic law enforcement groups at the Ministry of Justice in London.
NASA's latest launch aims to form glowing clouds along East Coast
"This rocket experiment is designed to gain a better understanding of the high-altitude winds and help scientists better model the electromagnetic regions of space that can damage man-made satellites and disrupt communications systems," according to NASA. The unmanned rockets will release chemical tracers which will track high-altitude winds. The tracers will form glowing, milky-white clouds that will allow scientists and the public to visualize the winds in space.
Organizers of March to Jerusalem vow 'no violence'
A Global March to Jerusalem on the occasion of Land Day will take place on March 30. Convoys from Jordan, Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority are scheduled to arrive at Israel's borders at 11am at the end of Friday prayers. Organizers are claiming that more than 700 institutions from 64 countries support the initiative, directly or indirectly.
Executive-order panic: Martial law in U.S.?
the White House released an executive order on “National Defense Resources Preparedness.” Filled with language about “government-owned equipment” and a “defense executive reserve,” among other vague statements, rumors began to spread that the executive order expanded the president’s power to do everything from seizing whole industries to drafting private armies. A Canada Free Press article titled “Obama Executive Order: Peacetime Martial Law!”
South Korea condemns North's plans to launch rocket as 'grave provocation'
North Korea in Friday announced that it will put an Earth-observation satellite into orbit in April as part of celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the founder of the nation. State media have angrily dismissed suggestions that the launch of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite on a Unha-3 rocket is a disguised missile test. "The peaceful development and use of space is a universally recognized legitimate right of a sovereign state," North Korea's KCNA news agency said.
Waiting for the Messiah: Netanyahu addresses Evangelical Christian gathering in Jerusalem
American Evangelical pastor John Hagee - who heads the largest pro-Israel lobby group in the United States - half jokingly compared Benjamin Netanyahu to the Messiah on Sunday night, as he waited for the delayed prime minister to arrive at a Jerusalem hotel to address the crowd. "There's a saying in Judaism about the Messiah - I know that even if he tarries, he'll come," Hagee told hundreds of members of Christians United for Israel. "I know that the prime minister will come, and even if he tarries, he'll come."
Israeli official: Iranian military experts operating in Gaza, Sinai
Iranian military experts are active in the Gaza Strip and in Sinai, according to a high-ranking official in Jerusalem. The official said the Iranians entered the areas via Sudan and Egypt, and added that some of the rocket-launching systems in Gaza were manufactured under Iranian supervision. The senior source also claimed that Islamic Jihad continued to fire rockets at Israel even after the recent cease-fire was announced because the Iranians pressured that organization, and the popular resistance groups, to continue acting against Israel.
Syria unrest: Fierce firefight erupts in Damascus
A firefight has erupted in Damascus, in one of the fiercest clashes in the Syrian capital since the year-long uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's rule began. Witnesses say machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades were heard from the heavily guarded district of al-Mezze, which hosts several security buildings.
France shooting: Four die in Toulouse Jewish school attack
A gunman on a scooter has opened fire on a Jewish school in the French city of Toulouse, killing three children and an adult, police say. At least two people were also injured in the attack outside the Ozar Hatorah school in the north-east of the city. Police say there are similarities with the killings of three soldiers in two separate incidents the same part of France last week.
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"Fair Use for Information & Discussion Purposes"Russian Anti-Terror Troops Arrive in Syria
Russia, one of President Bashar al-Assad's strongest allies despite international condemnation of the government's violent crackdown on the country's uprising, has repeatedly blocked the United Nations Security Council's attempts to halt the violence, accusing the U.S. and its allies of trying to start another war.
Clashes hit Syrian capital; West wants united front
Rebels fought gun battles with government forces in Damascus, in the most violent clashes Syria's capital has seen since the start of the year-old revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.
Now facts erased from schoolbooks
Who perpetrated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 – a group of men merely fighting “for a cause,” or a band of radical Muslims bent on violent jihad? According to a new, comprehensive study of 6th-12th grade textbooks used by schools across the country, America’s children are being taught a very different answer to that question than many alive to witness 9/11 remember.
U.S. War Game Sees Perils of Israeli Strike Against Iran
A classified war simulation held this month to assess the repercussions of an Israeli attack on Iran forecasts that the strike would lead to a wider regional war, which could draw in the United States and leave hundreds of Americans dead, according to American officials. ...In the end, the war game reinforced to military officials the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of a strike by Israel, and a counterstrike by Iran, the officials said.
In rebuff to Obama, Abbas says he will send ultimatum to Israel
U.S. President Barack Obama telephoned Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday to try to persuade him to withdraw or soften the ultimatum he intends to send to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This was the first conversation between the two since their relations soured half a year ago.
Russia joins Red Cross call for daily truce in Syria
Russia has joined the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in calling for a daily two-hour humanitarian ceasefire in Syria. In a statement, the foreign ministry called on the government "and all armed groups who oppose it" to agree to ceasefires "without delay". Russia has twice vetoed Western-backed draft resolutions on Syria at the UN Security Council.
Deadly explosions in series of attacks on Iraqi cities
At least 38 people have been killed in a series of co-ordinated attacks across Iraq, officials say. Two car bombs in the predominantly Shia city of Kerbala are reported to have killed at least 13 people. Another car bomb near police headquarters in the northern city of Kirkuk killed seven people, according to hospital sources.
In Sweden, cash is king no more
In most Swedish cities, public buses don't accept cash; tickets are prepaid or purchased with a cell phone text message. A small but growing number of businesses only take cards, and some bank offices — which make money on electronic transactions — have stopped handling cash altogether.
China claims 'increase' in cyber attacks from overseas
A report from a government-run online security group in China claims that there has been a "massive increase" in cyber attacks from "foreign hackers". It was released by China's National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team and Coordination Centre, state-run media said on Monday.
UN nuclear watchdog invited to visit North Korea
North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator has confirmed UN nuclear inspectors have been invited to the country for the first time in three years. Ri Yong-ho said the aim of the move was to implement a deal with the US. The North last month agreed to suspend nuclear and long-range missile tests in return for food aid. It also agreed to allow UN inspectors in, the US said.
Destroy all churches
Obama silent while Saudi grand mufti targets Christianity. If the pope called for the destruction of all the mosques in Europe, the uproar would be cataclysmic.
Obama calls Abbas to discuss Middle East peace
US President Barack Obama spoke to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for the first time in six months on Monday to discuss the long-stalled Middle East peace process, the White House said. White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement that Obama called Abbas and told him the United States was committed to Middle East peace.
HRW: Syria opposition tortures, executes captives
Armed opposition groups in Syria have kidnapped, tortured and executed members of the security forces and supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad, the New York-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday. The rights group condemned the tactics by opposition fighters, who have long accused government troops and loyalists of carrying out similar abuses.
President Obama signs Executive Order allowing for control over all US resources
On March 16th, President Obama signed a new Executive Order which expands upon a prior order issued in 1950 for Disaster Preparedness, and gives the office of the President complete control over all the resources in the United States in times of war or emergency. The National Defense Resources Preparedness order gives the Executive Branch the power to control and allocate energy, production, transportation, food, and even water resources by decree under the auspices of national defense and national security.
Obama's Muslim Adviser: Assad Too Soft on Israel
A Muslim adviser to U.S. President Barack Obama warned in a post on the Twitter social networking site last week that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad can't deliver 'resistance to Israel.' The adviser, Egyptian-born Dalia Mohaded, is employed in the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, at the White House.
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University: Classes No Longer Cancelled For Christian, Jewish Holidays
New York’s Stony Brook University has decided to no longer cancel classes for major Christian and Jewish holidays in an effort to ensure that some religions aren’t given special treatment and to “afford equal support and equal respect to students and faculty from all faiths.”
Strong earthquake hits Japan
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake shook northeastern Japan on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a brief tsunami advisory, warning of a half-meter wave.
6.2-magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Papua, Indonesia, on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Drought spreads to Brazil, crop yields hit
Drought has spread from Argentina and Paraguay to Brazil and is hitting soy yields at a time of concerns that regional economic growth may suffer as pressures mount on commodity prices.
Hundreds of homes damaged in Mexico quake
Guerrero state Gov. Angel Aguirre said at least 500 homes in the state were damaged, though there were no immediate reports of serious injuries or deaths. There were unconfirmed reports of many more homes destroyed, the U.S. news network said.
IRS forms 'SWAT team' for tax dodger crackdown
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service is staffing up with high-powered talent to crack down on companies shifting profits from country to country to lower their tax bills, a strategy the agency has targeted before with only limited success. The IRS showed its elevated concern on the issue, known as "transfer pricing," last May by hiring Samuel Maruca to fill the newly created post of transfer pricing director.
State Department exempts 11 countries from Iran sanctions
The State Department announced on Tuesday that it would exempt 10 European countries and Japan from penalties for doing business with Iran's central bank, because those countries are making significant progress toward weaning themselves off of Iranian oil.
Egypt Designates Israel Its Top Enemy — Obama Restores Military Aid
Egypt, the parliamentarians declared, would “never” be Israel’s ally. In fact, Israel was Egypt’s “number one enemy.” And how did Barack Obama respond to this egregious trampling upon the agreement that has kept an uneasy peace between Israel and Egypt for thirty years? By announcing a resumption of military aid to Egypt.
Syria's leadership making mistakes, says Russia
Syria's leadership is making "a lot of mistakes", Russia's foreign minister has said, in a further sign Moscow may be hardening its stance on Damascus. Sergei Lavrov said President Bashar al-Assad's regime had "responded incorrectly" from the start, when the protests were peaceful. He also said Moscow was prepared to support a UN resolution backing its envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan.
Obama to visit demilitarised zone on Koreas' border
President Barack Obama is due to visit the demilitarised zone (DMZ) on South Korea's border with the North on Sunday before a nuclear summit in Seoul. The United States president's trip to the area separating the north and south on the Korean peninsula comes amidst increased tension over Pyongyang's plan to launch a rocket next month. His visit will be a show of support for South Korea, said the White House.
Ashton faces wrath of Israel over Toulouse-Gaza remark
Just about every top politician in Israel has in the past 24 hours attacked EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton for her remarks about killing of Jewish and Palestinian children. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu: "I was especially upset about the comparison between the intentional slaughter of children and the IDF's [Israeli army's] surgical defensive strikes."
Gun-tracking operation caught top suspect, then let him go
Federal agents stopped the main target of the ill-fated Operation Fast and Furious in May 2010. After they questioned him, he disappeared back into Mexico, and the program went on to spiral out of control.
Muni defaults another blow for insurers
So far, the bond defaults are not roiling the $3.7 trillion municipal market because insurance companies are stepping in to make payments to bond holders in some cases. But defaults on insured bonds are putting pressure on these insurers, which never fully recovered from the last decade's financial crisis. The California cities of Stockton and Hercules, as well as Pennsylvania's capital, Harrisburg, have opted to default on some of their insured debt in recent months.
Turkey will seek US waiver on Iran sanctions
Turkey could still get a waiver over sanctions which the United States plans to implement on countries buying oil from Iran despite not being named on a list of exempted nations released by Washington, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said on Wednesday. "Turkey's absence from the United States waiver list regarding the Iran issue doesn't mean it will not be included," Yildiz told reporters at an energy conference in Ankara.
Moody's downgrades Detroit's debt
Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday issued two downgrades to the city's tax debt that illustrate Detroit's weakening fiscal condition as it fights to stave off a stake takeover, The Detroit News has learned. The city received a downgrade to B2 from Ba3 for its $553.1 million in outstanding general obligation unlimited tax debt and also a downgrade to B3 from B1 for the $486.4 million in outstanding general obligation limited tax debt. Both ratings fell two points.
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A first look at world's future battleground
Unmanned boats, cars and tanks and small remote-control operated aircraft are just some of the new developments presented at this week's AUVSI conference hosted by Israel's Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv.
Egypt's Brotherhood mulling run for president
The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's most powerful political group, said Wednesday it is considering running its own candidate in upcoming presidential elections, dropping its previous decision to avoid direct participation in the race. ...If a Brotherhood fields a candidate and wins the presidency, the group would control the two main branches of power.
Poll: 'Anti-Semitic notions' on rise among French, other Europeans
The French have grown more likely to believe that Jews hold too much power in business or world finance, as well as other "classical anti-Semitic notions," according to a new survey from the Anti-Defamation League that compares attitudes in 2009 and 2012. The poll, released Tuesday, found nearly half of the French people surveyed said they think it is "probably true" that Jews there are more loyal to Israel than France, an increase from years past.
U.S. top court backs landowners, limits power of EPA
The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that landowners can sue to challenge a federal government compliance order under the clean water law, a decision that sides with corporate groups and puts new limits on a key Environmental Protection Agency power. The justices unanimously rejected the government's position that individuals or companies must first fail to comply with an EPA order and face potentially costly enforcement action before a court can review the case.
NYPD says Iran has conducted surveillance in NYC
Authorities have interviewed at least 13 people since 2005 with ties to Iran's government who were seen taking pictures of New York City landmarks, a senior New York Police Department official said Wednesday. Police consider these instances to be pre-operational surveillance, bolstering their concerns that Iran or its proxy terrorist group could be prepared to strike inside the United States, if provoked by escalating tensions between the two countries.
Inside the Ring: Beijing coup rumors
U.S. intelligence agencies monitoring China’s Internet say that from March 14 to Wednesday bloggers circulated alarming reports of tanks entering Beijing and shots being fired in the city as part of what is said to have been a high-level political battle among party leaders - and even a possible military coup.
U.S. battles Obama's 'tremendous evil'
At the “Stand Up For Religious Freedom – Stop the HHS Mandate” rallies across the nation, the crowds will protest the recent contraceptives mandate and publicly voice their demand that the government protect religious liberty and stop forcing religious groups to cover drug-induced abortions.
Opposition reports Syrian army tanks are shelling Hama
Opposition groups in Syria say a district of Hama is being "heavily shelled" by government tanks. They say there is heavy fighting in the Arbaeen quarter of the city, which is one of the main centres of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad. It follows clashes between the Free Syrian Army and the security forces in the area on Wednesday.
Lawyers in China to swear allegiance to Communist Party
The Justice Ministry in China says lawyers are now required to swear allegiance to the ruling Communist Party for the first time. All lawyers obtaining or renewing their professional licence will have to pledge their loyalty to the country and the leadership of the party. Critics see the move as lacking legal basis and ''inappropriate''.
EU to restrict foreign firms' access to public tenders
Chinese, Russian or Brazilian companies bidding for public contracts in Europe may face restrictions if their governments do not open up their own state-run projects to European firms, the EU commission said Wednesday (21 March). ...the US, Japan and emerging countries where we have no secure access to tenders for highways, urban buses, construction projects - all is closed," internal market commissioner Michel Barnier said during a press conference.
Wisconsin town plagued by mysterious booming noises
The strange disturbance sounds like distant thunder, fireworks or someone slamming a heavy door. At first, many people were amused. But after a third restless night Tuesday into Wednesday, exasperation is mounting. And some folks are considering leaving town until investigators determine the source of the racket.
Sheriff Joe: 'Tons' more shocking Obama info
“I’m not going after the president to keep him off a ballot or anything else, but that could happen,” Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. “I’m going at it strictly as a law-enforcement guy investigating a possible forgery and fraud. I’m sticking with that, but I’ll tell you one thing. We got tons of other information that could be very shocking, too, but I’m sticking now with just the [forgery] investigation and possible criminal violations.”
Vibrating tattoo patent would let you 'feel' incoming calls
One cell phone company is taking steps to make sure you never miss another call. Nokia has filed a patent for a tattoo that would vibrate whenever someone calls your cell phone.
Army examining mental health programs
The Army inspector general is conducting a system-wide review of mental health facilities to determine whether psychiatrists overturned diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder to save money, a move that comes as the case of a U.S. soldier suspected of killing 16 Afghan civilians has brought fresh attention to the strains of war.
Controversial 'One State Under God' license plate goes on sale in Texas
A license plate that declares Texas "One State Under God" went on sale this week, despite an outcry from critics who say government tags shouldn't be endorsing religion.
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Russian troops arrive in Syria, Arabs fear invasion
In public, Russia has joined the chorus of nations condemning the Syrian regime's brutal crackdown on its people and rebel forces. But behind the scenes, Moscow remains one of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad's closest allies, and the reported arrival of Russian troops in Syria this week may have been orchestrated to drive home that point.
City of LA Joins Attacks on Free Speech, Talk Radio
The City Of Los Angeles has passed a resolution on talk radio, putting themselves on supposed moral high ground after comments from syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh on Sandra Fluke and LA juggernauts John and Ken on Whitney Houston. In both cases, the hosts apologized. John and Ken were suspended for a week. But apologies mean nothing to the Progressive Left, who are only interested in finding opportunities to shut down conservative talk radio.
Mexican earthquake might have triggered seismic swarm at San Salvador volcano, El Salvador
The Mexican 7.4 magnitude earthquake near Acapulco on Tuesday might have affected the currently dormant San Salvador volcano in 1000 km distance and triggered an earthquake swarm under the volcano. San Salvador volcano is an active stratovolcano immediately northwest of the capital San Salvador City and last erupted in 1917.
Saudi Arabia to fill in for any Iran disruption: IEA
Saudi Arabia will be able to pump enough oil to compensate for any loss of Iranian output caused by Western sanctions, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Friday. "There is no fear of disruption of supplies and you know Saudi Arabia is going to bring more oil to the market," Maria van der Hoeven, the executive director of the agency that advises developed nations, said while attending an Asia Gas Partnership conference in New Delhi.
U.S. Congress supports additional funding for Israel's Iron Dome systems
The Iron Dome missile defense system has proven its effectiveness, as it successfully intercepted nearly 60 rockets fired from within the Gaza Strip last week. U.S. Congressmen were also impressed by the performance, and Rep. Howard L. Berman, (D-Valley Village) - the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee - introduced the Iron Dome Support Act (IDSA) authorizing the President to provide assistance if requested by the Israeli government to procure additional Iron Dome anti-missile defense systems.
US Intelligence to keep tabs on Americans with no ties to terror
Until now, the National Counterterrorism Center had to destroy immediately information about Americans that already was stored in other government databases when there were no clear ties to terrorism. Giving the NCTC expanded record-retention authority had been urged by members of Congress, who said the intelligence community did not connect strands of intelligence held by multiple agencies leading up to a failed bombing attempt on a U.S.-bound airliner on Christmas 2009.
Nearly 1,000 Pakistani women ‘killed for honor’
At least 943 Pakistani women and girls were murdered last year for allegedly defaming their family’s honor, the country’s leading human rights group said Thursday. The statistics highlight the growing scale of violence suffered by many women in conservative Muslim Pakistan, where they are frequently treated as second-class citizens and there is no law against domestic violence.
Immigration records missing for week of Obama's birth
Remarkably, all INS records for the week of Obama’s birth, Aug. 1 through Aug. 7, 1961, were missing from the end of Reel 184 and were not discovered anywhere on Reel 185 or any other microfilm reel in the record group. Exhibit C is a Photostat printout of what the end of Reel 184 looks like.
Egypt helps ease Gaza oil crisis
Egypt has agreed to start supplying fuel to the Gaza Strip, to help ease a lengthy fuel crisis. Cairo agreed to send diesel to be used at a power station, which shut down in mid-February. This caused big reductions in Gaza's ambulance service, medical operations and taxi services, and power cuts of up to eighteen hours a day.
India swine flu outbreak kills 12
Twelve people have died of swine flu in India since the beginning of March, the country's health ministry says. Half of the deaths have been reported from the western state of Maharashtra. Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have also reported deaths. Nearly 130 others have been infected with the virus, and many of them admitted to hospitals.
Japan readies anti-missile defence for N Korea rocket
Japan has ordered missile defence systems to be prepared in response to the planned launch of a North Korean long-range rocket next month, Japanese Defence Minister Naoki Tanaka has said. Reports said the defence systems would be deployed near the island of Okinawa to shoot down the rocket should it threaten Japanese territory.
Mali coup: World condemns mutineers
There has been widespread condemnation of Mali's troops, after they ousted President Amadou Toumani Toure. The UN Security Council called for the "immediate restoration of constitutional rule and the democratically elected government". The World Bank and African Development Bank said they were suspending all aid until the crisis is resolved.
World Bank candidates due as deadline approaches
Candidates to be the next president of the World Bank are being announced as the deadline for nominees approaches. Three African countries have endorsed the nomination of Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The US is yet to name its candidate, but former White House adviser Larry Summers has been mentioned.
EU countries to reduce dependence on US military
European defence ministers endorsed plans on Thursday (22 March) to develop air-to-air refuelling capabilities and field hospitals in a bid to reduce military costs. "Pooling demand, as lessons learned from former joint off-the-shelf procurements, indicates savings ranging as from 20 percent," said French official Claude-France Arnould, the head of the European Defence Agency (EDA), the research wing of the EU diplomatic service.
Israel, EU sign 'open skies' agreement
Cheaper flights and better service should be on the way for Israeli travelers, following an agreement reached between the European Union and Israel in Tel Aviv on Thursday that will see the development of a common aviation area between the Israel and the EU. The so-called "Open Skies" agreement is the result of eight rounds of negotiations held between the two sides since December 2008.
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Somalia pirates: EU approves attacks on land bases
The European Union has agreed to expand its mission against Somali pirates by allowing military forces to attack land targets as well as those at sea. In a two-year extension of its mission, EU defence ministers agreed warships could target boats and fuel dumps.
Mexico crowds welcome Pope Benedict on historic visit
Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Mexico, at the start of his first visit to Spanish-speaking Latin-America. The Pope was greeted by thousands in central city of Guanajuato, and welcomed by President Felipe Calderon. Mr Calderon said the visit had enormous importance as Mexico was suffering greatly from drug-related violence.
US lawmakers release some aid to Palestinians
US lawmakers on Friday released $88.6 million in development aid for the Palestinians that they had held up since last summer, a move that should help ease a fiscal crisis in the aid-dependent Palestinian economy. Representative Kay Granger announced she was ready for the entire $147 million in US assistance that had been frozen since August to go to the Palestinians.
Iran helping Assad to put down protests, officials say
Iran is providing a broad array of assistance to Syrian President Bashar Assad to help him suppress anti-government protests, from high-tech surveillance technology to guns and ammunition, US and European security officials say. Tehran's technical assistance to Assad's security forces includes electronic surveillance systems, technology designed to disrupt efforts by protesters to communicate via social media, and Iranian-made drone aircraft for overhead surveillance, the officials said.
Euro zone seeks middle ground on rescue fund size
Euro zone finance ministers are moving closer to agreeing a combined rescue fund of around 700 billion euros ($924 billion) in Copenhagen next week and anything higher would probably be too ambitious, euro zone diplomats said on Friday.
On world stage, Obama confronts nuclear threats
Far from home if not away from election-year politics, President Barack Obama is returning to the threat to American security that he calls the gravest of all: terrorists getting material for a nuclear bomb.
Pope's trip sparks hopes for change in Cuba
For years at Havana's historic Cristobal Colon cemetery, Communist Party members refused to enter the Roman Catholic chapel there for funeral services. They stayed outside while others honored the dead because religious believers were banned from the party and being seen in a church, particularly a Catholic one, could bring trouble even for someone in mourning.
N.Korea's rocket plan 'provocative': UN chief
UN chief Ban Ki-moon and South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak vowed Saturday to together tackle any threats arising from North Korea's "gravely provocative" rocket launch planned for next month.
Annan takes Syria peace plan to Russia
Syrian peace envoy Kofi Annan heads to Moscow on Saturday to gauge how far Russia is willing to push its key Arab ally after it finally joined a UN call on regime forces to pull back from protest cities.
Confederate flag back at Georgia fort after 148 year
As Fort McAllister fell to the Union Army of Gen. William T. Sherman days before Christmas in 1864, one of his artillery officers seized the Confederate flag of a vanquished company of Georgia riflemen.
Obama taps public health expert for World Bank
President Barack Obama on Friday nominated a Korean-American known for his work in fighting disease in impoverished countries to lead the World Bank, a job emerging economies are contesting for the first time.
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25 Mar 12
How nine Supreme Court justices hold health care and Barack Omaba's future in their hands
They are six men and three women, aged between 51 and 79, and two of them have been in the same job since Ronald Reagan was in the White House. ...Now President Barack Obama's political legacy is in the hands of the nine justices sitting on the US Supreme Court as it begins to consider, tomorrow, the legality of his health care reforms.
Report: Iran planned to bomb Israeli ship in Suez Canal
Iran had planned to bomb an Israeli ship while it crossed the Suez Canal, the prosecution in Egypt's state security court said, the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram reported on Saturday. According to the report, two Egyptians were recently arrested and investigated for allegedly planning an attack on an Israeli ship in the Suez Canal.
Afghan massacre: Kandahar families given compensation
Afghan families who lost relatives in the Kandahar massacre have been paid compensation by the US military. They received $46,000 (£29,000) for each person killed and $10,000 (£6,300) for each person injured, Afghan officials and tribal elders said. US staff sergeant Robert Bales was charged on Friday with 17 counts of premeditated murder.
'Still time for diplomacy with Iran but window closing'
US President Barack Obama said on Sunday there was still time to resolve the Iranian nuclear standoff through diplomacy but that the window for such a solution was closing. He has pressed Israel to hold off on any attack on Iran's nuclear sites to give sanctions and diplomacy time to work. But he has said military action remains an option if all else fails.
Military defectors unite under Free Syrian Army
A top defector from the Syrian military said Saturday that armed rebel groups have aligned under the leadership of the Free Syrian Army. Uniting all efforts will bolster the anti-regime movement and safeguard the nation, Brig. Gen. Mustafa Sheikh said in a video posted on YouTube.
Germans can't escape their Lutheran past
I was walking across a bridge over the River Spree in the heart of Berlin, hoping for a rare meeting with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, when it occurred to me that there was a strange coincidence about Germany and great European projects. Exactly 500 years ago, one of Europe's greatest thinkers was getting increasingly worried that good German money was being wasted. Cash was heading to the Mediterranean, subsidising a bunch of badly behaved foreigners.
Japan tsunami 'ghost ship' drifting to Canada
A Japanese fishing vessel swept away by the March 2011 tsunami has been spotted adrift off the west coast of Canada. An aircraft patrolling the seas off British Columbia saw the 15m (50ft) vessel floating 275km (170 miles) from the Haida Gwaii islands on Friday. It is believed to be the first large item from the millions of tonnes of tsunami debris to cross the Pacific.
Australia hit by biggest quake in 15 years
Australia has been hit by its biggest earthquake in 15 years, seismologists said, rattling a remote part of the desert with local Aboriginals reporting strong shaking but no major damage. The 6.1-magnitude earthquake had its epicentre near Ernabella, in the middle of Australia, at a shallow depth of three kilometres (1.8 miles), Geoscience Australia said on Saturday.
Santorum beats Romney in Louisiana
Rick Santorum won the Louisiana Republican presidential primary Saturday, beating front-runner Mitt Romney in yet another conservative Southern state.
Blasts shake Homs as Syria rebels hit back
Powerful blasts rocked the flashpoint city of Homs on Sunday as Syria's regime pressed its assault on protest hubs, while rebels attacked a military base near the capital, activists and monitors said.
SKorea: NKorea moves rocket to launch site
North Korea has moved a long-range rocket to its northwestern launch site in preparation for a launch next month, South Korean officials said Sunday, as Pyongyang pushes ahead with plans that Washington says are a cover for testing long-range missile systems.
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Putin says U.S. behind his opposition
Vladimir Putin, slated to become the next president of Russia as a result of recent elections, believes that the Obama administration is behind the opposition that seeks to remove him...
No chance for peace
Some of you still think that peace is possible for Israel in the Middle East. Some of you still believe that if Israel would only engage with or negotiate with its Arab enemies, there is a chance for peace. Some of you argue that the roots of the conflict and the Anti-Israeli and Anti-Jewish terrorism and hatred are the so-called occupation, the settlements, the zealot settlers, the road blocks, poverty, and a sense of humiliation and hopelessness among the Arabs, especially the Palestinians.
UFO in Russia? Huge 'UFO fragment' discovered in Siberia
A metal object the size of a Volkswagen Beetle has been discovered near a remote village in Siberia. Local residents presumed it recently fell to Earth from space, but officials from Russia's space agency examined the object and said it "is not related to space technology."
Syrian Air Force intelligence chief killed, opposition websites report
Syrian Air Force intelligence chief Iyad Mando was killed on Monday, opposition websites reported. There was no immediate confirmation of the report. The intelligence branch of the Syrian air force is considered one of the strongest bodies in the state.
First round of Supreme Court health care hearings not about health care
For all the anticipation leading up to this week's historic arguments, Monday morning's opener at the Supreme Court isn't about the law itself. It's about the rules of the game.
Syria unrest: Divided opposition seeks 'national pact'
Syria's divided opposition groups are meeting in Istanbul to try to achieve a more united front in their efforts to oust President Bashar al-Assad. The main opposition coalition, the Syrian National Council (SNC), has said it wants to draw up a "national pact" of common objectives. The Arab League and Turkey want the opposition to unite before next week's "Friends of Syria" summit in the city.
Obama and China's Hu to co-ordinate over N Korea missile launch
China and the US have agreed to co-ordinate their response to any "potential provocation" if North Korea goes ahead with a planned rocket launch, the White House says. North Korea says the long-range rocket will carry a satellite. The US says any launch would violate UN resolutions and be a missile test. US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao met on the margins of a nuclear summit in South Korea.
'Israel to cut off contacts with UN Human Rights Council'
The Foreign Ministry decided Monday to cut off all contacts with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), a senior diplomatic official said. The move came following the decision by the council last Thursday to send a fact-finding mission to the West Bank to probe the impact of the settlements on Palestinian human rights.
Merkel: Eurozone must avoid Greek exit
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told the BBC it would be a huge political mistake if debt-stricken Greece was allowed to leave the euro. In an exclusive interview, she said Germany would do everything it could to keep the eurozone together.
Turkey says temporarily shuts embassy in Syria
Turkey suspended all activities at its embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said, as the security situation in Syria deteriorated further. Last year Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told Syrian President Bashar al-Assad he should quit, having lost patience with his former friend's refusal to end a violent crackdown on popular unrest over the past year.
Pope heads to Cuba, seeking change and faith revival
Pope Benedict arrives in Cuba on Monday on a three-day visit that has fueled aspirations for deeper economic and political change on the communist-run island and which the Roman Catholic Church hopes will spark a faith revival.
Japan down to one nuclear reactor after shutdown
Japan was Monday left with only one working nuclear reactor after Tokyo Electric Power Co. shuttered its final generator for scheduled safety checks. The vast utility's entire stock of 17 reactors are now idle, including three units that suffered a meltdown when the tsunami hit ********** as Japan warily eyes a spike in electricity demand over the hot and humid summer.
7.2 magnitude quake strikes central Chile: USGS
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck central Chile Sunday, in an area hit by an 8.8 earthquake in 2010, the US Geological Survey said. The USGS said the latest quake occurred at 2237 GMT 32 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Talca, Chile, at a depth of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles).
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Media Continue Anti-Religious Attacks on Tebow
Wherever devout Christian quarterback Tim Tebow goes, he is dogged by the hatred of those who cannot stand him or his faith. Tebow was traded from the Denver Broncos to the New York Jets amid much media fanfare, and some sportswriters naturally used the occasion to engage in personal attacks on Tebow, his religion, and his fans.
Syrian govt accepts Annan's 6-point peace plan
Damascus has accepted Kofi Annan's six-point plan to stop bloodshed in the country, a spokesman for the UN envoy to Syria announced. Kofi Annan praises Damascus’s acceptance of the plan as a positive step towards ending violence in the country.
Internal memo shows ATF rank and file don't trust the brass
Top leaders at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, already under fire from lawmakers in the wake of the “Fast and Furious” debacle, also get harsh marks from the men and women who serve under them, according to an internal survey.
Israel says sabotage may stretch Iran atom timeline
Israel on Tuesday played down the prospect of an imminent attack on Iran, saying its arch-foe's controversial nuclear program could still be set back by sanctions and sabotage. Six world powers are expected to renew efforts next month to talk Tehran into curbing its uranium enrichment, which can yield fuel for atomic warheads as well as for civilian projects. Iran denies having any hostile designs.
2 Small Asteroids Give Earth a Close Shave
The two space rocks flew by Earth in rapid fire; one zoomed by early in the day while the second buzzed the planet at 1:09 p.m. EDT (1709 GMT), according to astronomers with NASA's Asteroid Watch program. "Both are very small (under 10 meters) and pose no risk," the scientists wrote in a Twitter update.
US firm finds new 'Stuxnet-related' worm
Now, Symantec said, part of a new version of Duqu has been found. Researchers at the firm said they came to possess a part of the worm which causes it to load on a computer after it restarts. “The compile date on the Duqu component is February 23, 2012, so this new version has not been in the wild for very long,” a post on Symantec’s blog said. “We can see the authors have changed just enough of the threat to evade some security product detection.”
Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin to visit Israel in June
Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin wants to visit Israel in June, and has expressed interest in unveiling a monument in Netanya honoring Jewish Red Army soldiers who fought in World War II, a senior Israeli official told Haaretz on Monday. There have been no talks about specific arrangements because Putin has yet to be inaugurated, the source said.
Barghouti calls on Palestinians to launch popular resistance against Israel
Former Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, who is jailed in Israel, published an unusual message on Monday in which he called on the Palestinian public to launch a widespread resistance against Israel. Barghouti made the remarks ahead of Land Day on Friday, when thousands of people are expected to protest along Israel's borders to mark the deaths of six Israeli Arabs in March 1976 and protest the Israeli government's land policies.
China unveils new legislation on police powers of detention
China has unveiled legislation enshrining police powers to hold people at unknown locations, but has removed a controversial secrecy clause after an outcry. Experts had warned that the original draft would have legalised disappearances by allowing police to hold some suspects for up to six months without informing their families.
Astronauts scramble for escape pods as space junk threat gets serious
The six earthlings – three Russians, two Americans, and a Dutchman – aboard the International Space Station were stirred from their slumber Saturday morning to jump into emergency escape pods, once again drawing into focus the growing dangers of hurtling space junk. ...NASA spotted the latest threat too late for the crew to move the ISS safely out of the way. It was the third time in 12 years that astronauts were ordered to scramble for safety. Last June, a piece of debris came within 1,100 feet of the craft.
Obama to Putin: I'll Surrender America After Re-election
ABC News reports that an open microphone caught President Barack Obama telling outgoing Russian President Dmitri Medvedev that he would be prepared to yield to Russian demands on missile defense after his re-election, but needed more "space" until then. The two leaders were meeting in Seoul, South Korea, and Medvedev immediately promised to relay Obama's message to incoming Russian President Vladimir Putin:
Turner to Obama: What Flexibility?
A senior House Republican on Monday accused President Obama of going back on promises he would not weaken U.S. missile defenses through negotiations with Russia after the president was overheard promising more concessions after his reelection. ...Obama told the outgoing Russian president that “this is my last election and after my election I’ll have more flexibility” regarding contentious missile defense talks with Moscow that have been underway for the past three years.
English planning shake-up to be unveiled
Ministers say changes to England's planning system, being unveiled later, will mean local people are more involved in the process. They are publishing a revised national planning policy framework, following a row with conservation groups over last year's draft plans. Ministers said it would simplify a complex system and help boost growth.
World leaders: Nuclear terrorism a 'grave threat'
World leaders have called for closer co-operation to tackle the threat of nuclear terrorism at a summit on nuclear security in Seoul. A communique at the end of the summit reiterated a joint call to secure "vulnerable nuclear material". South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said nuclear terrorism remained a "grave threat", while US President Barack Obama said action was key.
'Syrian troops enter Lebanon, clash with rebels'
Syrian troops advanced into north Lebanon on Tuesday, destroying farm buildings and clashing with Syrian rebels who had taken refuge there, residents said. "More than 35 Syrian soldiers came across the border and started to destroy houses," said Abu Ahmed, 63, a resident of the rural mountain area of al-Qaa.
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Syrian Army Seizes City Despite 'Peace Plan'
Syrian Army troops have taken control of the central city of Kalat el-Mudik after a 17-day assault, despite the government having allegedly accepted a peace plan advanced by United Nations envoy Kofi Annan. The force also invaded several villages in the area as well, including a number across the border in Lebanon where Syrian rebels and civilians had taken refuge.
International pro-Palestinian activists descend on Lebanon ahead of Land Day protest
Lebanese activists say dozens of delegations begin arriving at Beirut, Tripoli airports; organizers of planned march Israeli border fear foreign activists may cause protests to turn violent.
US sets national standards on carbon emissions from power plants
THE United States has set the first national standards on carbon emissions from power plants, taking aim at the burning of coal, which is considered a top culprit in climate change. After more than a year of deliberations on the politically charged proposal, President Barack Obama's administration said it would only apply the rules to future sites and paved the way for more coal-fired plants if they are upgraded.
Tungurahua Volcano (Ecuador): constant ash emissions and ash fall
Throughout the morning of March 26, a constant column of steam and ash was rising from the summit crater, reaching up to 3 km height and drifting towards the northeast, where ash fall occurred. Ash fall was significant in the San Francisco and Black River areas, and mild in Baños, the Ventanas en Runtún, Juive, Pondoa, Puntzán and Cusúa sectors. Occasional roaring explosion sounds were heard from small to moderate explosive events.
Abbas to Pitch New UN Bid at Arab League Summit
Abbas will make his case for a repeat attempt to win full UN membership for Palestine at the Arab League summit in Baghdad,...
International pro-Palestinian activists descend on Lebanon ahead of Land Day protest
Dozens of international delegations comprising hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists began arriving in Lebanon on Wednesday, ahead of massive protests planned for Land Day, which commemorates the 1976 deaths of six Israeli Arabs protesting Israeli government land policies.
Home prices hit a 10-year low
The housing market started off the new year with a thud. Home prices dropped for the fifth consecutive month in January, reaching their lowest point since the end of 2002. The average home sold in that month lost 0.8% of its value, compared with a month earlier, and prices were down 3.8% from 12 months earlier, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index of 20 major markets.
Magnitude 6.3 earthquake hits northeast Japan, no damage
The quake, which shook buildings in the capital, Tokyo, struck off the northeast coast of the main island of Honshu at a depth of 20.5 miles (32 km), the USGS said.
Christian Workers in Gulf Countries Warned About Saudi Cleric’s Call to ‘Destroy Churches’
On March 12, the Saudi grand mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, told a visiting Kuwaiti delegation that all churches in the Arabian Peninsula should be destroyed. He cited Mohammed as having said on his deathbed – according to a hadith – “There are not to be two religions in the [Arabian] Peninsula.”
Issa on Obama's Remarks to Medvedev: 'He's Going to Sell Out Our National Defense After the Election'
House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) said Tuesday that “the American people should be very afraid” after hearing President Barack Obama’s accidentally recorded remarks to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday that after the election he would have more “flexibility” in dealing with the Russians. "I judge that in fact he’s going to sell out our national defense after the election," said Issa.
Exchange of fire along Israel-Egypt border: army
Israeli troops opened fire at a group of suspects along the Egyptian border on Tuesday, two of whom had crossed from Egypt, a military spokesman said, indicating that several of them were wounded. ..."During a routine patrol along the Israel-Egypt border, the force identified two suspects driving ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) from Israeli territory towards Egypt," the spokesman said.
Judge acquits 7 Hutaree militia members accused of terrorist overthrow plot
"The message emanating from this case is it is not only protected speech to criticize the government, it is downright patriotic to question authority," said attorney Todd Shanker, who represented David Stone Jr. Stone's adopted son.
Health care law endures tough questioning from swing justice at Supreme Court showdown
...On this most important day of arguments for the landmark case, most of the high court bench was thoroughly engaged for a two-hour debate over the constitutional merits of President Obama's health care law. Based on the tenor of Tuesday's arguments, the justices appeared to be closely divided and this case, as do so many other close ones at the high court, may ultimately come down to Kennedy's vote.
Egypt constitutional assembly begins work
An assembly of 100 Egyptians given the task of writing their country's new constitution has begun its work. More than a dozen secular and liberal members of the panel have withdrawn, saying it does not reflect the diversity of Egyptian society. They believe women, young people and Christians are under-represented.
Vigilance call after French Jews hit by new attacks
There has been a call for vigilance in France after an assault on a Jewish boy, the latest anti-Semitic incident reported since the Toulouse massacre. Teenagers punched the boy, 12, in the back of the head and beat him, calling him a "dirty Jew" in the attack near a Jewish school in south-eastern Paris. Jean-Paul Amoyelle, head of the Ozar Hatorah network of Jewish schools in France, said he feared further attacks.
'Iran says nuclear talks to be finalized in days'
Renewed nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of nuclear negotiators are expected to take place on April 13, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Wednesday, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported. A venue for the talks will be finalized in the coming days, Salehi said at a ceremony welcoming Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tehran, adding that Istanbul has expressed readiness to host the talks.
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Fed Buying 61 Percent of US Debt
The Federal Reserve is propping up the entire U.S. economy by buying 61 percent of the government debt issued by the Treasury Department, a trend that cannot last, Lawrence Goodman, a former Treasury official and current president of the Center for Financial Stability, writes in a Wall Street Journal opinion article published Wednesday. "Last year the Fed purchased a stunning 61 percent of the total net Treasury issuance, up from negligible amounts prior to the 2008 financial crisis," Goodman writes. Goodman also warns that U.S. economy and markets are “at risk for a sharp correction” if conditions aren’t “normalized.”
Turkey offers help with Iranian nuke talks, refutes ‘imposition'
'Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan won Iranian praises by rejecting outside pressure to prevent countries from acquiring nuclear energy for peaceful purposes during a visit to Tehran. -Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said Iran firmly supported İstanbul hosting the upcoming talks and praised Turkey for its insistent support for countries' rights to acquire nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The Iranian official said Wednesday's talks with Erdoğan further advanced the “brotherhood” between Iran and Turkey.
Army chief cancels IDF-wide Passover vacation
Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has ordered all IDF units to cancel their traditional Passover breaks so that they can operate in full capacity over the upcoming holdiay, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Wednesday. The implication of the decision is that for the first time in many years, all IDF units will maintain their regular operations and remain on full alert throughout the holiday.
Union for the Mediterranean: Parliamentary Assembly calls for political solution in Syria, resumption of Middle East talks
The resolution passed on Sunday also calls on Israel to recognise the Arab peace initiative whilst reiterating the importance and urgency of arriving a fair and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Amr Moussa: Egypt committed to peace, but treaty needs review
Former Egyptian foreign minister and leading presidential candidate Amr Moussa said Tuesday that Egypt is committed to its peace agreement with Israel, but important clause of the 1979 accord should be reexamined. Moussa told a gathering of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo that Egypt’s relations with Israel are governed by the Arab Peace Initiative formulated in Beirut in 2002.
Martin Schulz calls on the Union for the Mediterranean to support democratic process in Arab Spring countries
Strengthening the democratic parliaments created in the wake of the Arab Spring should be a priority for the parliamentary assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), said EP President Martin Schulz . He made the statement in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday, during a UfM meeting bringing together for the first time MEPs and the newly elected parliamentarians from countries that underwent major political change as a result of the Arab Spring.
Union for the Mediterranean: Revives to meet the challenges of a New Middle East
'"The most important prophetic development of the 20th Century was the regathering of the Jewish people to their historic homeland in the Middle East, resulting in the creation of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948. The second most important development was the formation of a European confederation known as The European Union.'
How Deep is the Christian-Jewish Abyss?
Denying Christian anti-Judaism will never bring peace between Jews and Christians. It is incumbent upon Pope Benedict and Protestant leaders to atone for what Christianity has done to the Jewish people through the centuries by recognizing the unique role and place of the Jews and Israel in this world.
Two million set for ‘March on Jerusalem’ Friday, organizer claims
Two million Arab and international protesters will march toward the borders of Israel and take part in activities designed to highlight Jerusalem’s Arab character on Friday, the event organizer claims. Ribhi Haloum, general coordinator of the “Global March to Jerusalem,” said in a press statement that volunteers from 80 countries will take part in the march.
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Analysis: US thwarting Israeli strike on Iran
Obama betraying Israel? US making deliberate effort to hinder Iran strike by leaking classified info, intelligence assessments, says Ron Ben-Yishai in special Ynet report
Prominent Pakistani acid victim commits suicide
Pakistani acid attack victim Fakhra Younus had endured more than three dozen surgeries over more than a decade to repair her severely damaged face and body when she finally decided life was no longer worth living.
Entire Mosques Coming to Christ in Sub-Saharan Africa, Says Former Church Planter
Trousdale writes that "unprecedented" events are happening among the Muslim populations that his ministry and its affiliates are working among, including: • Multiple cases of entire mosques coming to faith • Thousands of ordinary men and women being used by God to achieve seemingly impossible outcomes
Saudi Arabia And China Team Up To Build A Gigantic New Oil Refinery - Is This The Beginning Of The End For The Petrodollar?
The largest oil exporter in the Middle East has teamed up with the second largest consumer of oil in the world (China) to build a gigantic new oil refinery and the mainstream media in the United States has barely even noticed it. This mammoth new refinery is scheduled to be fully operational in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu by 2014.
Israel's plan to attack Iran put on hold until next year at the earliest
At 8:58 P.M. on Tuesday, Israel's 2012 war against Iran came to a quiet end. ...According to a war simulation conducted by the U.S. Central Command, the Iranians could kill 200 Americans with a single missile response to an Israeli attack. An investigative committee would not spare any admiral or general, minister or president. The meaning of this U.S. scenario is that the blood of these 200 would be on Israel's head.
'Azerbaijan granted Israel access to air bases on Iran border'
Israel has been granted access to air bases in Azerbaijan on Iran's northern border, Foreign Policy reported Wednesday, quoting senior U.S. diplomats and military intelligence officials. "The Israelis have bought an airfield," a senior U.S. administration official told Foreign Policy's Mark Perry, "and the airfield is called Azerbaijan."
Exclusive: Brazil to rally BRICS against rich countries
Brazil will push for its large emerging-market peers including China to denounce what it sees as unfair monetary policies by Europe and the United States, raising the stakes in a global confrontation over economic imbalances. Brazilian Trade and Industry Minister Fernando Pimentel told Reuters on Wednesday his country would seek such language in a communique at this week's BRICS summit, which brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
IRS seeks 4,000 agents, $303 million for Obamacare
The Internal Revenue Service wants to add about 4,000 agents to hunt down tax cheats and still plans to spend $303 million building a system to oversee Obamacare even though its future looks bleak in the U.S. Supreme Court. ...The IRS, however, argues that past budget cuts have forced the agency to cut jobs and set a hiring freeze.
Lava Dome Growing inside Summit Crater of Indonesia's Krakatau Vlocano
Tour expedition leader reported that the dome has grown to about 100 meters wide and has two active vents that spew jets of incandescent gas. The glow from the dome is clearly visible at night, especially from the Rakata and Sertung islands. In addition, a continuous solfatara plume is rising approximately 500 meters above the summit. The expedition group also noted that more and larger fumarole fields have developed on the southern section of the cone.
Gigantic Solar Tornado Is 5 Times the Size of Earth
Discovered using NASA’s Solar Dynamic Observatory satellite, this colossal twisting mass is made up of superheated gas at a temperature of between 90,000 and 3.6 million degrees Fahrenheit. Over the course of three hours, this behemoth reached up from the sun’s surface to a height of 125,000 miles, or roughly half the distance between the Earth and the moon. The hot gases were whipped up to nearly 186,000 miles per hour. These tornadoes often precede events known as coronal mass ejections...
Spanish workers hold general strike over labour reforms
Spanish unions are holding a general strike to protest against labour reforms which the new government hopes will help cut unemployment. Road, rail and air transport were all affected with domestic and European flights cut to a fraction. Unions claimed strong support at car factories and other industrial sites but Mariano Rajoy's conservative government played down the action.
Pope Benedict criticises US trade embargo on Cuba
Pope Benedict XVI has criticised the 50-year-old US trade embargo imposed on Cuba, as he ends a visit to the island. The Pope called for greater rights in Cuba, saying he wanted a society in which no-one was denied basic freedoms. This aim was not helped by economic measures which "unfairly burden" Cuba's people, he said.
Lawmakers push to interview ex-White House aide in 'Fast and Furious'
"To date, the White House has not complied with multiple congressional requests to interview O'Reilly," the lawmakers wrote to White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler. "Our staffers have had extensive discussions with lawyers in your office, who have represented that the White House does not perceive any need for us to interview O'Reilly and consequently will not make arrangements for him to speak to us."
Pro-Palestinian activists to hold second 'fly-in'
Pro-Palestinian activists plan to hold their second fly-in to Ben-Gurion International Airport just after Passover at staggered times on April 15 and 16. According to one of the organizers, Mazin Qumsiyeh of Bethlehem, anywhere from 1,500 to 2,500 participants, ages 9 to 90, from 15 countries are expected to land in Israel on that day.
US Debt Ceiling D-Day: September 14, 2012
The answer is that at the current rate of debt issuance, which incidentally is going to accelerate sharply due to the recent extension of the payroll tax cuts which will require an incremental $100-150 billion total debt to be funded, and extrapolating future issuance solely on historical patterns, the US debt ceiling D-Day will be September 14, 2012.
UN's Ban pushes Annan Syria plan at Arab summit
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met Arab leaders in Baghdad on Thursday to discuss a UN-backed peace plan for Syria as President Bashar Assad's forces continued their offensive against cities and towns across Syria. ...Syria has accepted Annan's proposal, but rejects any initiatives taken by the summit and said it would deal only with individual Arab states, complicating efforts to implement the UN-backed peace plan on the ground.
BRICS to eye joint bank, stock exchange tie-up at summit
The BRICS group of emerging world powerhouses - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - is set to outline plans at a summit this week for a joint development bank, while the five countries' stock exchanges will also move closer together. Officials say details of the initiatives still need to be agreed, but they herald a new level of ambition for a bloc that brings together about half the world's people but which has been criticised as an empty acronym.
State Dept. Spokesman Refuses to Say Whether Jerusalem Is the Capital of Israel
There was an amazing exchange today at the State Department press briefing when the press secretary refused to say that Jerusalem is the capital of the state of Israel. “We are not going to prejudge the outcome of those negotiations, including the final status of Jerusalem,” State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland said in response the question.
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Iranian Deputy FM: Iran supports Hezbollah, Palestinians
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abed Lahyan toured southern Lebanon near the border with Israel, and expressed the Iranian people's support for the Lebanese people. He said that Iran will continue to honor its promise to aid the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance, "until the entire land is liberated." A Hezbollah delegation attended the reception held for the Iranian official.
Analysis: US thwarting Israeli strike on Iran
The United States is leaking information to the media in order to avert an Israeli strike in Iran: The US Administration recently shifted into high gear in its efforts to avert an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities by the end of the year. The flood of reports in the American media in recent weeks attests not only to the genuine US fear that Israel intends to realize its threats; moreover, it indicates that the Obama Administration has decided to take its gloves off.
Alaska Volcano Observatory Upgrade's Mount Cleveland's Status to Orange
The Alaska Volcano Observatory upgraded Mount Cleveland's alert level to "Orange" on Wednesday, which means the volcano is exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest and could erupt at any time. Mount Cleveland is an active volcano located in Alaska's Aleutian island chain.
Clintonville booms: Residents say recent shaking worst yet
Geological officials said Wednesday they are considering putting a seismometer in a Wisconsin city where a small earthquake was recorded last week after strong booms and rumblings shook residents once again. Jordan Pfeiler, 21, said the booms had been getting weaker so Tuesday night's big boom — followed by smaller ones into Wednesday morning — really scared her. "People started living their lives again because they were getting little," she said. "After last night I don't know what people are doing."
Divine intervention is needed to save the euro, EU officials joke
The best hope for saving the euro is for the Pope to pray for divine intervention, according to an email written in the office of Herman Van Rompuy, the man charged with preserving the European Union's single currency.
Bolton accuses administration of leaking story on Israeli planning along Iran border
Former U.S. diplomat John Bolton alleged Thursday that the Obama administration leaked a story about covert Israeli activity in order to foil potential plans by the country to attack Iran's nuclear program.
Justices meet Friday to vote on health care case
While the rest of us have to wait until June, the justices of the Supreme Court will know the likely outcome of the historic health care case by the time they go home this weekend. After months of anticipation, thousands of pages of briefs and more than six hours of arguments, the justices will vote on the fate of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul in under an hour Friday morning.
Obama: End tax breaks for big oil
President Barack Obama's plea to Congress to end $4 billion in tax subsidies to oil companies was rebuffed Thursday as the Senate turned back a Democratic bill to repeal the tax breaks. Moments after Obama made his election-year appeal in the White House Rose Garden, the Senate failed to reach the threshold of votes needed to proceed to a measure that would have ended the subsidies.
Canada ups retirement age in bid to balance budget
Canada's center-right government called for the retirement age to be raised and for major public service cuts Thursday, in an austerity budget that aims to balance the books by 2016. Tackling unpopular measures that many industrialized countries are being forced to consider as their populations age, the Canadian government said its budget would help the country move a step ahead.
Annan demands Syrian government begins ceasefire 'now'
The UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, expects the government to implement his peace plan immediately. Mr Annan's spokesman, Ahmed Fawzi, told reporters: "The deadline is now." The peace plan, which the government accepted on Tuesday, calls for a UN-supervised cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties.
Spanish government to unveil 'very austere' budget
The Spanish government is due to unveil what is expected to be one of the toughest budgets in its recent history. Newly-elected Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has already warned the budget will be "very austere". On Thursday, Spanish police clashed with protesters after a general strike was held to protest against labour reforms designed to cut unemployment.
Japan will intercept N Korean rocket if necessary
Japan says it will shoot down a North Korean rocket if necessary, as new satellite images appeared to show preparations for the launch next month. Defence Minister Naoki Tanaka issued the order to intercept the rocket if it threatened Japan's territory. Pyongyang says it will launch a satellite on a rocket between 12-16 April.
US scores victory on EU air passenger screening
Earlier this week on Tuesday (27 March), MEPs in the civil liberties committee voted to recommend the European Parliament endorse the controversial passenger-screening (PNR) treaty in plenary in Strasbourg on 20 April. For the US, and now for most members of the civil liberties committee, PNR is a vital tool in the fight against terrorism and international crime.
'Iran helps Syria ship oil to China'
Iran is helping its ally Syria defy Western sanctions by providing a vessel to ship Syrian oil to a state-run company in China, potentially giving the government of President Bashar Assad a financial boost worth an estimated $80 million. ...The source named the Chinese buyer as Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp, a state-run company hit by US sanctions in January.
Clashes break out at Kalandiya in Land Day protests
The IDF and Israel Police went on high alert Friday, imposing a full closure on the West Bank, limiting access to the Temple Mount and setting up checkpoints on roads near the Lebanese border ahead of expected protests marking Land Day and the Global March to Jerusalem. Palestinian protesters were clashing with Israeli forces at the Kalandiya checkpoint, throwing rocks, firebombs and burning tires.
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