| Hard News
Iraq: Car Bombs Kill At Least 54 People:
A series of car bombs in mostly Shiite neighborhoods of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, have claimed over 50 lives, leaving over 100 people injured. Officials are blaming Al-Qaeda for the string of attacks, but no group has claimed responsibility yet.
Syria govt 'ready to go to Geneva for dialogue, not to hand over power to anyone' - FM:
The Syrian government is ready for peace talks with the opposition, but the legitimacy of President Assad "isn't up for discussion," Syrian FM Walid Muallem said. It comes as the Syrian opposition remains undecided on who will represent them at Geneva.
Chemical weapons officials say coordination with Syrian government has been 'efficient':
Syria's government has been "businesslike and efficient" ahead of meetings this week to lay the groundwork for the destruction of the country's chemical weapons, officials charged with overseeing the effort.
Iran behind anti-WMD rider in chemical watchdog's decision on Syria - Lavrov:
A small but far reaching clause in the chemical watchdog's decision on Syria that urges all non-signatories of the Chemical Weapons Convention to join the treaty was actually proposed by Iran - and supported by the US - Russian FM Sergey Lavrov revealed.
Iran open to talks with US on nuclear program, foreign minister says:
Iran's foreign minister says his country is open to negotiating about its top-secret nuclear program, including possible inspections, but that the United States must "dismantle its illegal sanctions."
Rouhani Orders Study of Possible Iran-US Flights:
Iran's president is asking aviation authorities to study the possibility of resuming direct flights between Iran and the United States for the first time in more than three decades.
Transcript of remarks made by Obama and Netanyahu after bilateral meeting:
After their hour-long meeting, Obama and Netanyahu spoke with the press; here is the full transcript of their remarks.
2 killed as 'Qaeda' gunmen seize army HQ in Yemen port city:
Suspected Qaeda militants, dressed in army fatigue, stormed army headquarters in Mukalla, south Yemen, killing two soldiers and taking others hostage
Bahrain jails another 37 activists for up to 15 years:
The ruling comes one day after the court sentenced 50 other activist and protest leaders, most of whom gave confessions under torture according to a human rights group.
Pakistan explosion: Peshawar market blast toll rises to 42:
It was the third deadly blast to hit the city in a week. Last weekend suicide blasts killed at least 81 at a church in Peshawar and on Friday, 19 people died when a bus carrying civil servants was attacked.
US kills another 4 people in Pakistan:
It was the second strike in less than 24 hours in a violent area with a long history of U.S. drone strikes and militant activity. At least three alleged militants were killed Sunday in a drone attack on the Dargamandi area in North Waziristan, also known as a bastion of Taliban and al-Qaeda linked militants.
In public relations exercise:
Pakistan condemns latest drone strike in North Waziristan:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement denouncing the US strike and called for the US to bring a halt to the program. "These unilateral strikes are a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity." a statement released on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website said.
Afghanistan: 25 Rebels Killed in Afghanistan's Helmand Gun-Battle:
Twenty-five militants were killed after they stormed security posts of public order police in Southern Helmand province, an official claimed on Monday.
11 killed in check-post attack in W. Afghanistan:
Eleven people were killed early Monday morning when the militants raided a security check-post in western Afghanistan's Herat province, said a district police source.
Occupation to continue as Chuck Hagel seeks deal to keep 10,000 troops in Afghanistan:
A new security agreement is needed to allow for the post-2014 presence, including provisions allowing the United States access to various bases.
Nigeria attack: 50 Students shot dead as they slept:
Suspected Islamist gunmen have attacked a college in north-eastern Nigeria, killing up to 50 students.
Egypt court upholds jail term for Morsi's PM:
A Cairo appeals court has upheld a one-year sentence handed to former Egyptian prime minister Hisham Qandil, in the latest blow to ousted president Mohamed Morsi's inner circle.
Lawless Libya: Armed men shut down Libya gas facility in Berber region:
Armed men have shut down a gas facility in the mountainous western region of the country, predominantly inhabited by members of Libya's Berber minority - also called Amazigh. The ministry of electricity has warned that the latest closure will lead to severe power cuts.
Russia: Drop Piracy Charges against Greenpeace: HRW -
Russian authorities should immediately release from custody all 30 people arrested in connection with a Greenpeace protest in the Barents Sea.
Narcoland: Journalist Braves Death Threats to Reveal Ties Between Mexican Government & Drug Cartels: Video -
Anabel Hernández has been described as one of the most courageous journalists in Mexico. In 2010, she published a groundbreaking book linking top Mexican governmental officials to the world's most powerful drug cartels.
NSA stores metadata of millions of web users for up to a year, secret files show:
Vast amounts of data kept in repository codenamed Marina - Data retained regardless of whether person is NSA target - Material used to build 'pattern-of-life' profiles of individuals
Email surveillance could reveal journalists' sources, expert claims:
Phil Zimmermann, inventor of PGP encryption, urges shift away from consumer email
Vice Admiral Is Suspended in Gambling Investigation:
A vice admiral who is second in command at the United States Strategic Command, which oversees nuclear war-fighting forces for the military, has been suspended amid an investigation into his possible involvement in illegal gambling, officials said on Saturday.
Senate set to reject Obamacare delay as government shutdown looms:
The move tosses a political hot potato back to Republican House Speaker John Boehner, leaving him a choice of whether to accept it and keep government agencies funded or try another move to rein in President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law.
If Republicans Want To Shut Down Washington, They'll Have To Ask China's Permission First:
In their never-say-die efforts to defeat Obamacare, Tea Party Republicans brought the federal government a giant step closer to shutdown last night. What they seem not to have considered is how America's foreign creditors will react.
China Looking To Reposition Renminbi As Global Currency:
China has already made its aim to establish the renminbi as a global currency, possibly even replacing the American dollar as the world's reserve currency.
House Republicans Target Contraception In Last-Minute Spending Bill:
Planned Parenthood Federation of America Executive Vice President Dawn Laguens called the move "desperate, misguided, and extreme" in a statement. "The country wants Congress to focus on jobs and the economy, not on pushing an extreme agenda against birth control," said Laguens.
Cancer-Stricken Angola 3 Prisoner Herman Wallace Given Just Days to Live After 42 Years in Solitary:
Wallace's supporters say he has just days to live, but his requests for compassionate release has so far gone unanswered.
Freed by DNA, Angola Prisoner Henry James on His 30 Years Behind Bars for Crime He Didn't Commit:
Louisiana, the heart of the world's prison capital, where more people are behind bars any other state per capita - an incarceration rate 13 times that of China.
NYC cost per inmate almost equals Ivy League education; Have you seen a whole lot of outcry on this?
Why doesn't anything happen?" Horn said of the $167,731 annual figure. "Because nobody cares."
Security footage shows six police kicking and beating a man before setting a dog on him: Video -
A man was left needing hospital treatment after police punched and kneed him, struck him with batons - and set a police dog on him that bit his neck and head.
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"Let us be peace and joy"
Tom Feeley
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