| Hard News
Suicide attack on Syria goverment offices kills 53: -
A suicide car bombing at a Syrian military intelligence headquarters in Damascus province killed 53 people, a watchdog said on Friday.
Syria troops launch wide-scale attacks on rebels near Damascus:
A pro-Syrian government source told dpa that Friday's attacks came as a result of information that rebels in hideouts in the targeted areas were preparing "a terrorist attack which will target government institutions inside the capital."
Syrian rebels slam Assad inaction on Israeli attack:
Syrian opposition leaders and rebels on Friday slammed President Bashar Assad for not responding to an Israeli airstrike near Damascus, calling it proof of his weakness and acquiescence to the Jewish State.
Egypt strongly condemns Israeli raid on Syria:
In a statement to the state-run news agency MENA on Thursday, January 31, Amr called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for attacks on Arab land, describing the airstrike as a danger to regional security and Middle Eastern sovereignty.
Russia Denies Rumors of Planned Talks with Syrian Opposition:
The Russian Foreign Ministry denied on Friday reports claiming that a four-party meeting between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, senior US and UN officials and a Syrian opposition leader is being set up on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, APA reports.
Jordan Islamist sees clash with secular Syrian rebels:
A Jordanian Muslim preacher who encourages a flow of militants to Syria predicts an eventual showdown between Islamists and secular rebel groups should President Bashar al-Assad fall.
Lebanese Troops Clash With Gunmen; 3 Killed:
At least three Lebanese soldiers were killed and five others were wounded in clashes Friday between the army and gunmen in the northeast near the Syrian border, a police official and the state-run news agency said.
Yemen clashes between Al Qaida, militiamen kill 14:
A ministry statement on Thursday says the fighting lasted for the past two days and left eight militants dead. It's part of a military offensive that local militiamen have joined to push Al Qaida out of the mountainous stronghold of Al Maraksha in Abyan province.
Iraq Sunnis rally against Shia-led government:
Large rallies were held in the provincial capital of Ramadi and in Fallujah on Friday. Protesters also marched in the capital Baghdad, in the northern city of Mosul and in the central city of Samarra. Protesters complain of official discrimination, saying anti-terrorism laws and other policies largely target minority Sunnis.
Israel kills 7 Palestinians, arrest 300 others during January:
A Palestinian human rights report confirmed that the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) killed 7 Palestinians, and arrested more than 300 others during the month of January 2013.
Rubio Warns Hagel Confirmation Could Lead to War:
The Religious Right is mobilizing against Chuck Hagel's nomination for Defense Secretary, and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is saying exactly what they want to hear.Rubio suggested that if Hagel is successfully confirmed then countries like Iran and Syria may consider going to war against Israel."
Suspected Suicide Bombing Kills Two at US Embassy in Turkey:
"It was a huge explosion. I was sitting in my shop when it happened. I saw what looked like a body part on the ground," said travel agent Kamiyar Barnos, whose shop window was shattered about 100 metres from the blast.
Pakistan: At least 27 people killed as explosion hits Shia worshippers:
The explosion in Hangu town happened as worshippers were leaving the mosque after Friday prayers. The bomber staged his attack at one of the mosque's exits leading to a bazaar, said Hangu police chief Mian Mohammad Saeed.
Roadside bomb kills five Malian troops:
Until now the French have not had to face roadside bombs as a significant threat, something they have become painfully accustomed to in Afghanistan. In the last two days, however, there had been a rising number of operations to retrieve caches of explosives the Islamists are believed to have secreted for the next phase of their campaign.
Roadside bomb kills five Malian troops:
Until now the French have not had to face roadside bombs as a significant threat, something they have become painfully accustomed to in Afghanistan. In the last two days, however, there had been a rising number of operations to retrieve caches of explosives the Islamists are believed to have secreted for the next phase of their campaign.
Mali leader won't talk peace to Islamists:
Interim President Dioncounda Traore said he was ready for talks with the secular Tuaregs of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, who want an independent homeland for their people, but he would not meet any of the three al-Qa'ida-linked groups that seized northern Mali last year, including the home-grown group Ansar Dine
Mali: UN genocide adviser warns of reprisals against Tuareg and Arab populations:
A senior United Nations official today warned of the risk of reprisal attacks against Tuareg and Arab civilians in various regions of northern Mali and urged the country's military to protect all citizens regardless of their ethnic affiliation.
Torture and murder linked to Mali's Army;
Mali's army has committed serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law while fighting armed groups in the country, Amnesty International said today.
Protester killed in Egypt clashes:
Egypt's Health Ministry says one person has been shot to death in clashes between police and protesters in Cairo.
Libya: Police Captain in Benghazi Is Abducted:
Police officials said Thursday that they were searching for the chief of Benghazi's criminal investigations unit, who was seized by armed men the night before.
Christians being 'driven' out of Libya:
Christians are being driven out of eastern Libya by Muslim fundamentalists, the Catholic Church's main clergyman in the country told the Vatican missionary news agency Fides.
North Korea imposes martial law, orders troops to 'be ready for war' - report:
The North Korean leader issued a series of orders to his top defense and security officials on Saturday to conclude preparations for a new nuclear test, the Seoul based Korea JoongAng Daily alleges citing an unnamed source.
At least 9 killed as soldiers and Farc rebels clash ahead of talks:
Five rebels are said to have died in a government offensive in the north. Four government soldiers were reportedly killed and another two wounded in southern Colombia.
Pemex headquarters blast leaves at least 32 dead in Mexico City:
Cause of explosion at Mexico's state-owned oil company - which has left dozens more injured - remains a mystery
Ex-CIA Rome chief gets jail term in "rendition" trial:
An Italian appeals court on Friday sentenced a former CIA station chief to seven years in jail for the kidnap of an Egyptian Muslim. The Milan court also handed down two six-year sentences to two American officials for the same crime, the first of so-called "extraordinary rendition" operations organized by the United States.
FBI Banned from Iceland:
FBI agents landed in Reykjavík without prior notification in an attempt to investigate WikiLeaks operations in the country, but Home Secretary Ögmundur Jónasson found out about the visit and forced them to leave the country, with the Icelandic government then issuing a formal protest to US authorities, according to Islandsbloggen.
Hagel and U.S. as 'world's bully' -- :
Ex-Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) got into a back and forth with freshman Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) over remarks Hagel made during an appearance on a call-in talk show on Al Jazeera.
Guantanamo 9/11 trial judge orders hidden censors unplugged:
The judge erupted in anger, and appeared surprised that "some external body" had the power to prevent the public from listening to the proceedings - which are broadcast in the spectator's gallery on a 40-second delay.
Immigration Reform Could Lead To Biometric ID Cards:
Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Thursday that their Senate framework for immigration reform, recently endorsed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), could require biometric information to check employment status.
2014: Too Late to Leave The United States?:
"A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that persons renouncing citizenship for a substantial tax avoidance purpose shall be subject to tax and withholding on capital gains, to provide that such persons shall not be admissible to the United States, and for other purposes."
Ed Koch's Message to Mario Cuomo from Beyond the Grave: 'You Prick!':
In an interview with the New York Times that was "not to be made public until Mr. Koch's death," former NYC mayor Ed Koch-who died earlier this morning-finally said what he really wanted to about his former mayoral opponent Mario Cuomo-he's "a prick."
Fracking America: Video -
David Letterman gives us his take in fracking.
Small surgeries, huge markups:
A Southern California surgery center charged teacher Lynne Nielsen $87,500 for a routine, 20-minute knee operation that normally costs about $3,000.
US unemployment ra
te rises to 7.9% in Jan:In the first month of 2013, employment rose notably in retail trade, construction and health care, while jobs in government, transportation and warehousing slipped.
1.6 million US children live on streets or in homeless shelters:
42% are under age six
Greek doctors, public transport workers on strike:
Greek doctors, port workers and public transport staff in the country's capital walked off the job Thursday in strikes against deeply unpopular austerity measures that have seen incomes slashed as the country struggles to emerge from a deep financial crisis.
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"Let us be peace and joy"
Tom Feeley
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