| Hard News
16 people killed in Damascus shelling, say Syria activists:
The
Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the mortar and
artillery fire on the Moldokhiya agricultural area south of Damascus
killed 14 rebels. Two civilians, including a child, also died in the
shelling, it added.
Pentagon Is Ordered to Expand Potential Targets in Syria With a Focus on Forces:
For
the first time, the administration is talking about using American and
French aircraft to conduct strikes on specific targets, in addition to
ship-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles. There is a renewed push to get
other NATO forces involved.
US Eyes Broader Syrian Strike to Include Bombers:
A
senior national security official told ABC News that a U.S. military
strike on Syria will do more damage to the forces of Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad in 48 hours than Syrian rebels have done in two years
Engineering Consent ForAttack On Syria? CNN Exclusive:
Videos show glimpse into evidence for Syria intervention:
These
are some of the hard-to-stomach images that the Obama administration
has shown a select group of senators in closed-door briefings to make
the case that a limited military attack on Syria is justified.
Russia warns US against targeting Syria chemical arsenal:
"In
this respect we warn US authorities and their allies against striking
any chemical facilities and adjacent territories," the statement said.
"Such actions would represent a dangerous new turn in the tragic
development of the Syria crisis," the ministry said.
Here's Why John Kerry's Vow Against 'War' In Syria Means Nothing (GRAPHIC IMAGES)
11
photos from prior U.S. military engagements. Can you tell which ones
are from actual "wars," which ones are from "not-wars,"
Russia gave UN 100-page report in July blaming Syrian rebels for Aleppo sarin attack:
Russia
says a deadly March sarin attack in an Aleppo suburb was carried out
by Syrian rebels, not forces loyal to President Bashar Assad, and it
has delivered a 100-page report laying out its evidence to the United
Nations.
Russia forced to cancel Syria lobbying mission to D.C.;
Sergei
Naryshkin, speaker of the State Duma, said the delegation would no
longer travel to the U.S. and called the decisions by House Speaker
John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to refuse to meet
their Russian counterparts deplorable.
Rafsanjani denies comments on Syria chemical arms use:
Former
Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani rejected Saturday remarks
attributed to him in which he allegedly criticised Tehran's chief
regional ally, Syria, for using chemical weapons against civilians.
The Senate's Syria Resolution Has a Huge Secret Giveaway to the President:
The draft authorization could actually give him and future presidents sweeping new powers to intervene overseas.
US Congress Finds 'Overwhelming' Public Opposition to Force in Syria:
After
three days of non-stop phone calls from hundreds of Colorado
constituents opposed to a US military strike on Syria, Rep. Doug
Lamborn announced Friday he was "leaning against" a resolution giving
US President Barack Obama the authority to take limited action.
American Israeli Political Activity Committee (AIPAC) to lobby Congress for Syria strike: -
Though
US Congress is pressured by the American public to vote against a US
military intervention in Syria, Israel's most ardent supporters in
AIPAC urge Congress representatives to vote in favor of an
intervention.
Kerry urges EU to delay ban on Israeli firms in occupied West Bank:
The
EU imposed restrictions in July citing its frustration over the
continued expansion of illegal Jewish settlements in territory occupied
by Israeli forces in 1967.
Israel regains staunch ally as opposition wins Australia election:
Following
election of Liberal Party leader Tony Abbott, all three Jewish
lawmakers in federal parliament are expected to return, with Joshua
Frydenberg becoming the first Liberal Jewish member of government since
the early 1990s.
'Jews Aren't Our Enemies,' Says Iran Foreign Minister:"
Zarif
explained his country's differentiation between Zionism and Judaism
with, "Judaism is a divine religion that we respect in accordance with
the teachings of our religion and our country's constitution."
"Zionists are a minority with the Jews," he said. "They are exploiting
the suffering of the Jews to justify their crimes against the
Palestinians.
4 killed in attacks north of Baghdad:
Attacks
north of Baghdad, including a suicide bombing at a government building
and the detonation of a booby-trapped corpse, killed four people
Saturday, part of a months-long surge in violence.
Iraq orders Iran exiles to leave camp 'without delay':
The
UN's mission to Baghdad said in a statement that it believed the Iraqi
government "will move to enforce this order without delay".
Blasts at Somalia restaurant kill 15, police say:
Somali
militants attacked a restaurant near Mogadishu's seat of government
for the second time in less than a year on Saturday, detonating two
large blasts that killed at least 15 people and wounded nearly two
dozen, police said.
9 "Militants" Are Reported Killed in Egyptian Military Operations in Sinai:
A
military spokesman said that the Egyptian Army had killed nine
Islamist extremists in an operation on Saturday, part of a campaign
lasting weeks to quell militant activity in the lawless Sinai region.
President Morsi detained for four days for "insulting judiciary"
President
Mohamed Morsi was detained for four days pending interrogation on
charges of insulting the judiciary. The detention decision was taken by
the investigative body assigned to interrogate Morsi on Saturday
morning, state-owned news agency MENA reports.
Libya's oil exports plunge, production 10 percent of pre-war levels as government's woes grow:
Adding
to the government's woes, the capital, Tripoli, has been hit with
water cuts for three days and electricity outages for the past few
months that last around four hours daily.
Seven Taliban fighters, two children killed in Afghan violence:
Six
Taliban insurgents, part of a bomb-making squad, were killed while
setting up a roadside bomb in Arghistaan district of Kandahar, the
Governor's office said in a statement. A lone Taliban member was also
killed when roadside bomb he was planting in neighbouring Panjwai
district exploded, the statement said.
At least 1 killed, 4 wounded in protest at Iran consulate in Afghanistan: Police:
At
least one person was killed and four wounded on Saturday when angry
demonstrators tried to storm the Iranian consulate in western
Afghanistan during a protest over visas, officials said.
With an eye toward peace, Pakistan releases 7 Afghan Taliban insurgents:
In
an attempt to improve relations with Afghanistan, Pakistan released
seven members of the Taliban Saturday, allowing them to walk out of
their cells. Afghanistan called the move a 'small step.'
Latest Snowden revelation: NSA sabotaged electronic locks:
The
latest Edward Snowden-powered exposé published by the New York Times,
ProPublica and the Guardian is, to me, the most frightening. It reveals
that the National Security Agency has moved beyond its historic role
as a code-breaker to become a saboteur of the encryption systems
In Its Zeal to Spy, the NSA May Be Leaving Americans Less Secure :
U.S.
Rep. Rush Holt: According to news reports, the NSA has covertly
weakened the computer security protocols that American citizens and
businesses rely on. The NSA has surreptitiously obtained the encryption
keys used by major corporations to protect online data.
Putin: U.S. has refused extradition deal for Snowden:"
The
United States has refused to make an "extradition deal" to trade
fugitive Edward Snowden for Russian criminals, President Vladimir Putin
said Friday.
The Department of Homeland Security close to perfecting facial recognition system : Video -
Facial
recognition technology matches the 3-D pictures captured and compares
them to images stored in the system's database, like driver's license
photos.
JPMorgan subject of obstruction probe in energy case:
U.S.
authorities are conducting a criminal investigation into whether
several employees of JPMorgan Chase & Co tried to impede a
regulatory investigation into alleged manipulation of power markets,
according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Unemployment at 7.3 percent, but only 63% of Americans are in labor force:
Americans
are participating in the workforce at the lowest level in 35 years,
according to government data released Friday, as lackluster job growth
fails to offset the droves of people who have given up looking for
work.
Nearly 100 workers arrested across US in Walmart protests:
Hundreds of employees walked off their jobs in 15 cities including Los Angeles, Boston, New York, Orlando and Washington D.C.
One-Sixth of U.S. on Food Stamps?:
Food-stamp use grew 2.3% in June from a year earlier, with nearly one-sixth of the U.S. population receiving benefits.
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"Let us be peace and joy"
Tom Feeley
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