| Hard News
Syria: Dozens killed in Damascus airstrike while rebels target airbases: Activists say:
At least 30 civilians were killed when Syrian warplanes hit a gas station in Damascus, activists reported on Wednesday.
RAF poised for air strikes in Syria:
NATO fighters flying from Incirlik air base in Turkey and off a US carrier in the Mediterranean would be more than capable of enforcing a 120km deep no-fly zone along the Turkish-Syrian border.
Undercover IDF raid ignites mass clashes, injuries in West Bank (PHOTOS):
Witnesses report that IDF troops were disguised as Arab vegetable vendors to apprehend a number of wanted militants. The mission, by the Mistaarvim ("Arabized") Unit, an elite counter-terrorism force, was then tactically changed from a covert operation to an overt one.
Palestinians will outnumber Israeli Jews by 2020:
The Palestinian statistics bureau estimates that Arabs will outnumber Jews in the Holy Land by the end of the decade, a scenario that could have grave implications for Israel.
How The New York Times erases Israel's crimes: Op-Ed:
According to The New York Times, there is no siege of Gaza, no occupation of the West Bank, and never was there a Nakba (the 1948 ethnic cleansing of Palestine). Three recent articles erase these key Israeli crimes from the historical record.
Yemen reportedly interrogates alleged Israeli spy:
Authorities in Yemen are investigating an alleged Israeli spy arrested in the country weeks ago, local media reported on Wednesday. The few details released on the case resemble Yemeni reports on the arrest of an Israeli agent from September.
Yemen: Al Qaeda Offers $160,000 In Gold To Anyone Who Kills U.S. Ambassador:
The group has also offered $23,000 to anyone who kills an American soldier.
Nigerian army says 14 killed in gun battle with Boko Haram: -
Nigeria's military killed 13 members of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram and lost one soldier on Tuesday in a gun battle in Maiduguri, the group's northeastern stronghold, the army said.
2 dead following church bombing in Libya:
A bomb explosion at a Coptic church near Misrata, Libya's third-largest city, killed two church workers and wounded two others on December 30.
Libyan Parliament besieged by 300 armed militiamen:
The militiamen surrounded the building with armored vehicles and attacked a few members of parliament.
Central African Republic Rebels Halt Advance, Agree To Peace Talks:
The Seleka rebels had pushed within striking distance of Bangui after a three-week onslaught and threatened to oust President Francois Bozize, accusing him of reneging on a previous peace deal and cracking down on dissidents.
Egypt cracks down on satirists and media:
Morsi's government pursues charges against a satirist and a newspaper for "insulting" comments and "false" reporting.
Pakistan: Motorcycle bomb kills 6 in Karachi:
Tuesday's blast apparently targeted buses transporting activists after a joint rally organised by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the city's dominant political party, and Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran - the movement to follow the path of the Quran - led by Muslim scholar Tahir-ul Qadri.
Obama regime kills 2 in Afghanistan:
The killed people were a 16-year-old boy and a 25-year-old man who had been engaged in hunting birds along the nearby hillside in the district, the eyewitness said.
Prince Harry is a 'jackal' killing innocents, says Afghanistan warlord:
Labelling the prince a 'jackal' who was 'drunk' while hunting innocent Afghans.
Taliban Calls U.S. Troops Withdrawal From Afghanistan a "Declare Victory and Run" Strategy:
"They want to flee from Afghanistan just as they turned tail and ran from Vietnam," the Taliban statement said. "When America faced utter destruction in Vietnam, they came up with the formula `declare victory and run' and want to utilize the formula of `transfer security and run' here in Afghanistan."
Thirteen killed in Colombian air strike: :
The air force bombarded a rebel camp in north-western Antioquia province on Monday and has since found 13 bodies
Venezuela VP says Chavez 'conscious':
Nicolas Maduro dispels rumours that cancer-stricken president is in coma and says he has "the same strength as always".
Net worth of world's richest rose by $241B in 2012:
The richest people on the planet got richer in 2012, adding $241 billion to their collective net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world's 100 wealthiest individuals.
Pope calls for new economic model, more ethical markets:
Pope Benedict on Friday called for a new economic model and ethical regulations for markets, saying the global financial crisis was proof that capitalism does not protect the weakest members of society.
Taxes to go up in 2013 regardless of 'fiscal cliff' deal:
President Barack Obama wasn't lying when he said he'd raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans if reelected - but it won't be just the top wage-earners who will be handing over more to Uncle Sam in 2013.
Chicago murder rate sets new record:
A Thursday evening shooting in the west side of Chicago marked a milestone for the Windy City: for the first time since 2008, the city can likely claim 500 homicides in a single year.
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"Let us be peace and joy"
Tom Feeley
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