| Hard News
35 people killed in Pakistan attack:
The Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility, saying the attack was in response to a US drone strike in neighbouring North Waziristan last month in which two commanders were killed.
Propaganda:
US will not scale back drone warfare - Panetta:
"The whole purpose of our operations were aimed at those who attacked this country and killed 3,000 innocent people in New York [on 9/11] as well as 200 people here at the Pentagon," he said.
Six Pakistanis killed in shelling from Afghanistan:
At least six people were killed Friday when mortar shells fired from Afghanistan hit Pakistan's northwest border region of South Waziristan, Xinhua reported.
Afghan family killed by roadside bomb: -
A family of five, including at least two children, died when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Helmand province, Afghanistan, officials said.
33 people killed in Iraq attack:
A suicide bomber driving a car and gunmen disguised as police killed at least 33 people in Iraq's Kirkuk today when they tried to storm a city police headquarters, police sources said.
Al-Maliki: Direct Foreign Interference in Syria Using Weapons, Funds and Planning Has Become Blatant:
He pointed out that the whole world is currently complaining from the Turkish-Qatari axis, and that meetings held in Ankara, Doha and other capitals for planning and collecting funds were eyeing Iraq after Syria.
Iraq protesters win first demand: Release of 3,000 prisoners:
A top Iraqi minister said on Sunday that the authorities had released 3,000 prisoners over the past month in a bid to appease weeks of angry demonstrations in Sunni-majority areas of the country.
Yemen troops kill 21 suspected Qaeda militants:
Yemeni government forces have driven a group of Islamist insurgents linked to Al Qaeda from their mountain retreat in the country's south after killing 21 militants during two days of fighting, a military source said on Saturday.
Syria - Execution of POWs by Jihadists/FSA/Al Quaeda:
Video - Warning -
Syrian rebels fire on airliner:
Video -
Iran pledges full support to Damascus: Jalili:
"We will give all our support so that Syria remains firm and able to face all the arrogant (Western powers') conspiracies," said Saeed Jalili, who heads the Supreme National Security Council and who is visiting Damascus.
Syrian opposition head to meet Iran Foreign Minister: source:
The head of the Syrian opposition Moaz Alkhatib will meet Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Saturday on the sidelines of a security conference in Munich, a diplomatic source told Reuters.
Syria opposition chief meets Russian foreign minister:
Before their meeting, Mr Lavrov told the conference Mr Biden's insistence that the Syrian leader step down was counterproductive.
The US Is Supplying The Syrian Opposition With Major Funding And Wants Assad Gone:
"President Obama and I, and nearly all of our partners and allies, are convinced that President Assad, a tyrant, hell bent on clinging to power, is no longer fit to lead the Syrian people and he must go," Biden said.
Assad lashes out as Israel admits Syria attack:
The raid "unmasked the true role Israel is playing, in collaboration with foreign enemy forces and their agents on Syrian soil," he told Saeed Jalili, who heads Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Syrian State TV Provides Evidence Of Anti-Aircraft Vehicles Destroyed In The Israeli Airstrike:
These appear to be the remains of at least three 9K33 Osa/SA-8 Gecko surface-to-air missile systems, with three distinct wheel arches, and the distinct radar area visible in the second picture. Here's a picture of an undamaged system for comparison
American official says White House gave Israel 'green light' to carry out more attacks in the future.:
The U.S. was "poised to carry out similar airstrikes around Aleppo if rebels threaten to take sites associated with weapons of mass destruction in that region," an American intelligence official told Time.
Turkish FM Accuses Syria and Israel of 'Secret Deal':
Turkish FM claims that the Syrians' failure to respond to Israeli airstrike means there is a secret deal between the two countries.
Iran: Response will send Israel into coma:
Deputy chairman of Iranian armed forces' chief of staff says 'criminals should know that behind every blow lies a massive retaliatory blow'
Pure Unadulterated Propaganda:
Biden: US would hold direct talks if Iran serious :
The United States is prepared to hold direct talks with Iran in the standoff over its nuclear ambitions, Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday _ but he insisted that Tehran must show it is serious and Washington won't engage in such talks "just for the exercise."
In case you missed it:
Why the US doesn't talk to Iran:
The unrelenting geopolitical standoff between Iran and the United States is often blamed on the Iranian government for its "unwillingness" to enter into dialogue with the United States. Little known, however, is that during the past decade or so, Iran has offered a number of times to negotiate with the US without ever getting a positive response.
Iran announces nuclear talks, open to 'authentic' US meet:
Iranian Foreign Minister said that Iran took comments by Vice President Joe Biden who said here Saturday Washington was ready to hold talks with Iran on its nuclear programme, "with positive consideration". "Yes we are ready for negotiation but we have to make sure... that the other side this time comes with authentic intention with a fair and real intention to resolve the issue,"
Supervisor of Intelligence Estimate Hailed for Preventing War with Iran : Video -
Professor Thomas Fingar wins the Sam Adams award for integrity in intelligence, while others warn of an unprecedented crackdown on intelligence agency whistleblowers
Iran rial hits 'all-time dollar low':
Iran's currency plummeted to an all-time low on Saturday, registering a more than 21-percent drop in a span of two weeks against the US dollar, currency tracking websites and money changers said.
Iran oil exports rise in December:
Much of Iran's success has been due to its ability to maintain shipments to two of its largest Asian customers, namely China and India. Western sanctions are costing Iran about $ 3.4 billion a month, based on the loss of about 1 million bpd of exports and a Brent price around $ 115 a barrel, seemingly enough to cause economic harm
Ahmadinejad to make first Egypt visit by Iran head in decades:
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visit Cairo next week, becoming the first Iranian president to travel to Egypt since Iran's 1979 revolution ruptured diplomatic ties between the two most populous countries in the Middle East.
Egypt on edge after riot police strip and beat naked protester: Video --
Images of an Egyptian protester who was stripped naked, dragged through the street and beaten with batons by helmeted riot police have inflamed passions in a country already at the boiling point.
Egypt opposition backs Morsi exit call:
"The Salvation Front completely sides with the people and its active forces' calls to topple the authoritarian regime and the Muslim Brotherhood's control," it said, urging Egyptians to stage peaceful protests.
18 Killed in Northeast Nigeria Military Raid:
Nigerian soldiers attacked training camps for suspected members of the radical Islamic sect Boko Haram deep in a game reserve in the nation's restive northeast, a raid that left at least 18 people dead
French planes pound Islamist camps in northern Mali desert:
The bombing raids took place around the settlement of Tessalit, close to the Algerian border, one of the main gateways into the Adrar des Ifoghas mountains where the rebels are believed to be hiding after fleeing major towns.
Qatar funding Islamist rebels in Mali:
A French military intelligence source has divulged that Al Qaeda-linked rebels in Mali have received financing from Qatar. This disturbing but predictable news comes as France attempts to pacify the Malian countryside while receiving logistical and political backing from the U.S.
Battle of Stalingrad: Russia marks 70th anniversary of key WWII fight :
The bloodiest and longest standoff of WWII - the Battle of Stalingrad - lasted 200 days and claimed 2 million lives. Russia is marking the 70th anniversary of this epic struggle, which became the turning point leading to overthrow of Nazi Germany.
Spaniards outraged by prime minister's corruption denial :
Following the revelation, police forces flooded the streets to prevent protesters from getting close to Rajoy's Popular Party headquarters. Carrying banners reading "The shame of Spain" and "You will pay for corruption with prison" crowds poured onto the streets
UK arms chief caught in secret deal with Saudis:
The Former head of Britain's biggest arms manufacturer BAE Systems is found to have secretly acquired two luxury penthouses from companies linked to Saudi royals brokering a multibillion-pound defence deal with his firm.
Colombian forces kill rebel FARC commander:
Country's defence minister confirms local commander among six rebels killed in latest violence, as ceasefire ends.
Here's What Your $97 Million Drug War in Central America Actually Bought:
The U.S. isn't just shoveling cash to stem the tide of narcotics in Mexico and Colombia. Quietly, it's built up its drug war in Central America, too - spending nearly $100 million over four years on advanced gear for local forces. Not that Washington has any idea what it's gotten for its money.
22 US Military Veterans Commit Suicide Every Day:
Every day about 22 veterans in the United States kill themselves, a rate that is about 20 percent higher than the Department of Veterans Affairs' 2007 estimate, according to a two-year study by a VA researcher.
Marc Faber: I'm buying gold because I'm fearful of a systemic crisis:
"For the first time in four years, since the lows in March 2009, I love this market because the higher it goes the more likely we will have a nice crash, a big time crash," he added.
Are recent school closings a civil rights issue?:
The Department of Education is responsible for "discriminatory closings of public schools," targeting schools in low-income areas that teach children of color.
Third of Americans believe divine power decides Super Bowl results:
The majority of Americans, 53 percent, believe that God rewards athletes who have faith with good health and success; 42 percent who disagree. A considerable minority of 27 percent said that the Lord takes an even more direct role in sporting events, and has a hand in determining their outcomes.
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"Let us be peace and joy"
Tom Feeley
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