| Hard News
Syria explosion death toll climbs to 55: Two booby-trapped cars were detonated within minutes of each other outside the main headquarters of the General Intelligence Agency and a branch of the military intelligence. Most of the victims are reported to be civilians. http://www.presstv.ir/detail/217340.html
Hezbollah says U.S. behind Syria attacks: "These bombings which resulted in the deaths and wounding of tens of people, mostly women and children, is the specialty of the United States, the mother of all terrorism," Hezbollah's press office said.
Hariri: Damascus blast 'engineered' by Syrian regime: Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on Friday that the twin suicide bombings that targeted security service buildings in Damascus earlier in the day were "engineered" by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Lebanon warned Syria of al-Qaeda infiltration: Lebanon warned Damascus two days ago that al-Qaeda had infiltrated into Syria from its territory, Syria's Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday
Russian push to investigate Libyan civilian deaths "cheap stunt" - United States:
As Russia submits a draft resolution on Syria to the UN Security Council, Washington's response to a call by Moscow for an investigation into civilian deaths in Libya raises some eyebrows over the question of human rights.
Qaeda leader's brother among 11 dead in Yemen: The brother of an Al-Qaeda chief was among six militants killed in the restive southern Yemeni province of Abyan, where five soldiers also died in overnight clashes, local officials said on Thursday.
US attack may have killed al Qaeda leader's relative: Residents in the town of Zinjibar in the southern province of Abyan said a drone had attacked a district of the town controlled by militants on Thursday evening. A security source said the man was a relative of Nasser al-Wuhayshi, a Yemeni who leads al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the joint Saudi-Yemeni branch of al-Qaeda.
Yemenis march to 'bring down regime': March from Taiz to capital calls for trial of president and rejects power transfer deal that grants him immunity.
UK Occupation Force Soldier Killed By Afghan Explosion: A soldier believed to have been serving with the special forces has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan.
Pakistan army wants Zardari out but not a coup: - Pakistan's powerful army is fed up with unpopular President Asif Ali Zardari and wants him out of office, but through legal means and without a repeat of the coups that are a hallmark of the country's 64 years of independence, military sources said.
Pakistan rejects US probe into border deaths: Pakistani army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said Pakistan does not agree with the US findings because they are 'short on facts.'
U.S. CentCom briefing to Pakistan on NATO attack cancelled: News that General James N. Mattis' visit to Pakistan has been cancelled came a day after the United States announced that its investigation into the attack found both American and Pakistani forces were to blame for the border incident.
700m cut, but US still owes $6bn to Pakistan: It's very unfortunate that the US never treated Pakistan as an ally, friend or partner. We were always considered or treated like subservient state which is working only for dollars. But the fact is that no country on earth has suffered more than Pakistan from its own ally in last 60 years.
Girl, four, left with horrific burns after U.S. drone attack in Pakistan is brought to America to receive surgery: A girl who was burned beyond recognition by a U.S. drone and left for dead in a trashcan is about to undergo reconstructive surgery.
Bunker Bombs Requested, Stockpiled for Potential Iran Strike: The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on November 30 of a possible foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates of 4,900 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) GPS/inertial navigation kits to convert unguided bombs into precision-guided "smart" weapons.
Iran's spies score 'stunning achievements': "The dramatic spike in CIA activity inside Iran in 2011 has reinforced the Iranian leadership's conviction that the Western powers are set on a confrontation and a possible military showdown with the Islamic Republic," Abedin observed in an Asian Times Online analysis Thursday.
NY judge: Iran, Taliban, al-Qaida (and Elvis) liable for 9/11: The signed ruling, which he promised last week, came in a $100 billion lawsuit brought by family members of victims of the attacks. He directed a magistrate judge to preside over remaining issues, including fixing compensatory and punitive damages.
Iraq's vice president accuses Iran of being involved in his arrest warrant: Iraq's vice president says that Iran is "definitely" behind Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's move to jail him on terror charges, saying it is "not a coincidence" that his arrest warrant was announced the day after the last U.S. troops left Iraq
I am sorry for the role I played in Fallujah: As a US marine who lost close friends in the siege of Fallujah in Iraq seven years ago, I understand that we were the aggressors
U.S. Doubles Aid to Israel's Defense Systems: House and Senate Appropriations Committees approve $237 million in aid in 2012 to Israel's anti-missile systems.
Britain's RAF to hit insurgents in Somalia: The British Government is considering providing direct military assistance to international troops fighting Islamist insurgents in Somalia.
Egyptians stage mass rally against army: Thousands gather in Tahrir Square to protest against the ruling military, days after clashes left 17 people dead.
Saudis begin nationwide mosque sit-in: Saudi police have surrounded several mosques across the country, including in the capital Riyadh, as activists begin a nationwide mosque sit-in.
Defense says Manning victim of military overreach: Defense attorney David Coombs spoke for about 20 minutes and never denied his client had leaked the documents.
Iowa Conservative Leader Mired in Controversy After Rick Santorum Endorsement:
An Iowa Christian conservative leader who bestowed his highly sought-after endorsement on presidential candidate Rick Santorum this week is now at the center of a controversy over whether he asked for cash in exchange for his public support.
Perry: I don't have problem with drug-testing welfare recipients: Texas Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday he wouldn't be opposed to welfare recipients also being drug tested, joining fellow candidate Newt Gingrich in suggesting that federal aid should be tied to substance use.
House signs off on Senate plan for tax-cut extension:
In a very public retreat, House Republican leaders late Thursday agreed to a two-month extension of payroll-tax cuts, a move that will prevent Social Security taxes from rising on millions of workers Jan. 1.
Venezuela helps US poor's with energy: Venezuela has launched its energy assistance program for the seventh consecutive year, which helps poor Americans to pay for their home heating oil during the winter
Christmas of crisis in America: Some 25 million workers are either unemployed or underemployed, 50 million live without health insurance, one out of every seven Americans receives food stamps. The number of self-employed Americans has fallen by two million over the past five years. Nearly six million of the jobless have been out of work for more than six months.
"Let us be peace and joy"
Tom Feeley
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