Hard News
Wave of deadly attacks rocks Iraq:
At least 32 people killed: Militants strike nine cities and towns in Iraq with bombings and shootings, killing at least 32 people, wounding 104.: Militants struck nine cities and towns in Iraq with bombings and shootings on Sunday, killing at least 32 people and wounding 104, in the latest wave of deadly attacks to hit the country.
Iraq's monthly death toll doubles, bloodiest for two years:
The death toll from militant attacks across Iraq doubled in September to 365, the highest toll for more than two years, with most of them killed in bomb attacks, according to government figures released on Monday.
Three US occupation force soldiers among at least 14 killed by Afghan suicide bomber:
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The U.S. soldiers and Afghan police were on a dismounted partner patrol near the center of the Khost region in eastern Afghanistan. The attacker approached and detonated as they were preparing to get back in their vehicles.
Military's Own Report Card Gives Afghan Surge an F:
The U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan ended last week. Conditions in Afghanistan are mostly worse than before it began.
Morale among US troops in Afghanistan is disintegrating, writes Jonathan Neale:
Last week Ryan Crocker, former US ambassador to Afghanistan, was a guest on a US public radio programme. He said the occupation had to stay to help the Afghan security forces grow strong enough to stop Al Qaida coming back.
German intelligence pessimistic on Afghanistan:
German intelligence is pessimistic about the prospects for stability in Afghanistan after almost 11 years of war, according to an internal analysis published on Sunday by Der Spiegel.
US kills 3 people in Pakistan: :
U.S. drone strike is the 31st of its kind in Pakistan since 2012. So far this year, at least 222 people have reportedly been killed in such strikes.
235 rebels killed in Syria's Aleppo: media:
A total of 235 activists were killed Sunday in fighting between the Syrian government troops and rebels in the northern city of Aleppo, according to the website of a pro-government al-Watan newspaper.
Syrian troops killed in ambush: Activists: :
At least 18 Syrian soldiers were killed Monday in an ambush by rebels on the Homs-Palmyra road in central Syria, reported the "Syrian Observatory of Human Rights"
US increases support for Syrian opposition as Aleppo burns:
According to the US State Department, the latest supplies will include "more than 1,100 sets of communications equipment, including satellite-linked computers, telephones, and cameras, as well as training for more than 1,000 activists." Such equipment allows the US-backed militias on the ground to coordinate operations with their CIA and Turkish army handlers.
Syrian rebels' backers block arms cache until bickering factions unite:
In high-level discussions, Qatari and Turkish suppliers told opposition representatives that heavy weapons would not be made available until the various factions agreed to form a coherent command structure.
Qatar's Plan B for Syria: Op-Ed:
Although Saudi forces are largely untested in war it is doubtful Assad's forces could withstand a full scale Saudi offensive launched from Jordan.
Aljazeera Pushes Arab Intervention in Syria:
Is it time for Arab intervention in Syria?:
Qatar's ruler says the UN's failure to bring peace to Syria forced the Arab world to play a role in ending the conflict
Al-Jazeera's political independence questioned amid Qatar intervention:
Al-Jazeera English journalists protest after being ordered to re-edit UN report to focus on Qatar emir's comments on Syria
'West wants end of Syria as a functioning independent state': Analysis:
The West is determined to keep this war going, to destabilize Syria, to make sure that they cannot any longer play the role that it has been playing in supporting the Palestinians and preventing a successful Israeli attack on the Palestinians
Sources: Azerbaijan mulls helping Israel with Iran attack:
Reuters quotes local sources with knowledge of Azerbaijan's military policy that say Azeri authorities explored with Israel how their air bases, spy drones could help Israel in Iran strike.
Iran's rial hits an all-time-low against the US dollar:
Iran's currency, the rial, fell as much as 18% on Monday to a record low against the US dollar, according to media reports.The currency has reportedly lost 80% of its value since the end of 2011.
Unconfirmed report: US Kills 13 al-Shabab fighters in Somalia:
At least 13 people have been killed in an attack by a US assassination drone in southern Somalia, Press TV reports.
Russia must close NED, other US fronts for money laundering (Op-Ed) -
Russia's decision to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Moscow, starting October 1st, was immediately followed by Washington's "pledge to maneuver around the Kremlin," according to a New York Times report.
Romney: Obama's lack of resolve on Middle East, Israel and Iran puts U.S. security at risk:
In Wall Street Journal op-ed, Republican leader accuses president of failing to maintain the United States' international influence, and of distancing the country's relations with its allies.
Soros pledges $1 million to Obama Super PAC:
The New York Times reports that Jewish Billionaire financier George Soros also set to donate $500,000 to two Super PACs backing Congressional Democrats.
Glenn Greenwald: Sweden detains Pirate Bay founder in oppressive conditions without charges:
The case underscores the prime fear long expressed by Assange supporters about the Swedish justice system
Ecuador will care for Julian Assange in embassy if WikiLeaks founder falls ill:
Ecuador prepared to set up operating theatre in London embassy if necessary, says foreign minister
US use of truth drug revealed:
Recently declassified US documents revealing medical procedures have shown that scopolamine was administered to all detainees taken to the Cuban detention centre.
Sopolamine:
A hazardous drug that eliminates free will and can wipe the memory of its victims is currently being dealt on the streets of Colombia.
Univision Special Exposes Fast & Furious' Connection To Massacre Of Mexican Teens:
Video of Univision's special investigation on the connection between Fast & Furious and the massacre of nearly 60 Mexican teenagers.
Euro-zone jobless rate hit record highs:
Eurostat, the European Union's official statistics agency, said Monday that 18.196 million people were without jobs in August, an increase of 34,000 from the previous month and the highest total since records for the 17 nations that use the euro were first compiled in January 1995.
The Banker Who'd Cut Social Security and Medicare - and May Become Treasury Secretary:
Why is the Administration talking about replacing Treasury Secretary Geither with a wealthy banker who wants to cut Social Security and Medicare, would lower taxes on his fellow rich people, and is trying to impose European-style job-destroying austerity on this country?
Where did the mammoth US budget deficits come from?:
Let's go back about a decade, when budget surpluses were predicted for the foreseeable future. Somehow, the math went terribly wrong, by trillions of dollars. Here's an accounting of what happened.
Real Unemployment Reaches 20% In 7 Colorado Counties:
In seven counties in Colorado unemployed individuals are close to or exceeding 20% of the population, a letter from the Chief Economist of CDLE to the U.S. Department of Agriculture says.
Free Medical Care For L.A.'s Uninsured Gets Largest Turnout :
The four-day event welcomed anyone in need of medical help, especially the uninsured. Patients camped outside last Monday to secure one of the coveted 4,800 wristbands distributed-the highest number Care Harbor has ever given in its four years of hosting the clinic.
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"Let us be peace and joy"
Tom Feeley
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