Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Op-Ed Is There a US-Russia Grand Bargain in Syria?   By Pepe Escobar It's spy thriller stuff; no one is talking.  - http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44478.htm   ========= The Syria Gambit - Geneva 'Peace Talks' and Russia's "Pullout"   By Peter Koenig How must it feel in Obamas skin, knowing that he is one of the most hated men in the world, that he is a criminal, a spineless stooge of the western oligarchs.  - http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44474.htm   ========= DPRK: Isolated, Demonized, and Dehumanized by the West   By Andre Vltchek We are living in a twisted, truly perverse world, where mass murderers act as judges, and actually get away with it.  -  http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44473.htm   ========= The Islamic State Is Pretext To Again Mug Libya   By Moon Of Alabama This looks like another coup in the making this time by introducing a third government that will be completely controlled by foreigners. -http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44467.htm   ========= The Wrong Kind Of Victory   By Dmitry Orlov The US defense establishment can be considered victorious in one sense only: it has conquered and subdued the people of the United States.  - http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44475.htm     ========= Israel Helped Plan Overthrow Of Mohamed Morsi   By Seif al-Din Abdel-Fattah Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon admitted, that the overthrow of Mohamed Morsi and the installation of Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi was planned, in cooperation with generals in the Egyptian and Gulf armies and intelligence agencies. .  - http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44476.htm   ========= 9/11: The FBI Report and the Dancing Israelis Standing Truth on its Ear   By Mark Gaffney The FBI placed the five Israelis in a federal detention center, isolated them from one other, and began to interrogate them closely.  -  http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44477.htm   ========= In Case You Missed It  Israel Is Spying In And On The U.S.?   Fox News The FBI placed the five Israelis in a federal detention center, isolated them from one other, and began to interrogate them closely.  -  http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article7545.htm   ========= Hillary Clinton And The Syrian Shoah   By Gilad Atzmon Thanks to the newly leaked Clinton email archive we may have a document that provides confirmation that the Yinon Plan was, de facto, an Israeli strategy to create sectarian chaos in the Middle East.  - http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44472.htm   ========= Ted Cruz's Team of Islamophobes   By Derek Davison Cruz has assembled a collection of some of the most prominent Islamophobes in American right-wing circles. -http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44468.htm   ========= Sheldon Adelson's Israeli Newspaper Has a Crush on Donald Trump   By Robert Mackey Cruz has assembled a collection of some of the most prominent Islamophobes in American right-wing circles. - http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44469.htm   ========= Valentino's Ghost   Powerful Documentary How US Foreign Policy in the Middle East Drives Islamophobia at Home. - http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44471.htm   ========= 'Chilling Effect' of Mass Surveillance Is Silencing Dissent Online, Study Says   By Nafeez Ahmed The study concluded, being aware of government surveillance "significantly reduced the likelihood of speaking out in hostile opinion climates." -  http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44470.htm   =========

Hard News         Dozens killed or wounded in airstrikes on Syria's Raqqa: Pro-rebel Observatory: The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that at least 39 people had been killed and dozens more wounded in the raids on Raqqa. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-raqqa-idUSKCN0WL0IW Syrian troops push toward Palmyra, with Russian support:  Backed by Russian aircraft, Syrian troops pushed Friday toward the historic central town of Palmyray. Syria's state news agency SANA reported that scores of IS fighters have been killed or wounded in Syrian artillery fire near the town. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/19/world/syrian-troops-push-toward-palmyra-russian-support/#.Vu12zzHELm5  Iraqi forces kill 15 ISIS fighters during clashes west of Ramadi:  "The security forces and tribal fighters of Albu Nimir and Albu Mihl clans conducted a tactical military operation," pointing out that, "Confrontations and violent clashes erupted between the clan fighters and ISIS elements in the area of Jabba, resulting in the killing of 15 http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraqi-forces-kill-15-isis-fighters-clashes-west-ramadi/  IS jihadists kill US marine in Iraq:  "Earlier today a US Marine providing force protection fire support at a recently established coalition fire base near Makhmur in northern Iraq was killed after coming under ISIL (IS) rocket fire," a statement said. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3500239/US-service-member-killed-northern-Iraq-Pentagon.html  At least six civilians killed as Yemen rebels shell Taez city:  "Hospitals received six bodies, including two children, and 16 injured, including women, by the Houthi shelling," Hasan Izzi, director of the health office in Taez, http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/at-least-six-civilians-killed-as-yemen-rebels-shell-taez-city  UN Investigating Saudi 'Crimes Against Humanity' in Yemen:  The top U.N. human rights official said his organization will investigate possible Saudi-led coalition war crimes and crimes against humanity in Yemen. http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/UN-Investigating-Saudi-Crimes-Against-Humanity-in-Yemen-20160319-0003.html  Istanbul shopping area hit by suicide bomber:  A suicide bomb attack at a busy shopping area in the Turkish city of Istanbul has killed at least four people, officials say. Another 36 were injured - 12 foreign nationals - as the bomb went off near a government building on Istiklal Street. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35850625  Palestinian teenager is shot dead after stabbing an Israeli border guard in the West Bank:  The guard received minor injuries in the incident, which occurred today near a disputed place of worship, before another guard killed the assailant. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3499980/Palestinian-stabs-Israeli-soldier-West-Bank-shot-dead.html  Appointment of Israeli spokesman viewed as snub to US:  US-born David Keyes replaces Mark Regev, who became familiar to English-language audiences as the voice of the Netanyahu government during Israel's repeated attacks on Gaza. Regev will be Israel's new ambassador to the UK. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/appointment-israeli-spokesman-viewed-snub-160317123103952.html  Trump and Clinton headline pro-Israel lobby conference:  Parts of the Jewish Republican establishment may be warming to Trump. Sheldon Adelson, a Las Vegas casino magnate and pro-Israel political financier, said he may be willing to back his fellow businessman. "Why not?" he reportedly said. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/03/trump-clinton-headline-pro-israel-lobby-conference-160318151342488.html  Bernie Sanders turns down invitation to address AIPAC confab:  Citing his campaign schedule, Bernie Sanders said he would not address AIPAC's conference next week, making him the only presidential candidate that will not attend the large annual pro-Israel gathering this year. http://www.jta.org/2016/03/18/news-opinion/politics/bernie-sanders-declines-invitation-to-attend-aipac-conference#.VuxoZCdkGG8.twitter  Nigeria: Army kill 35 bandits, arrest 39 in North West:  The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigeria Army, Major Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, on Friday said no fewer than 35 armed bandits have been killed in the last two months in the North West.Oyebade said 38 of the bandits were arrested by soldiers and handed over to the police for prosecution. http://en.starafrica.com/news/nigeria-army-kill-35-bandits-arrest-39-in-north-west.html  At least 13 Egyptian policemen killed in Sinai attack:  At least 13 Egyptian policemen were killed in the Sinai Peninsula when Islamist militants fired a mortar round at a security checkpoint in the city of Arish, security and medical sources said on Saturday. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/at-least-13-egyptian-poli/2619280.html  Tunisian forces kill 2 'terrorists' near border attack town: Tunisian authorities said two "terrorists" were killed Saturday close to the southern town of Ben Guerdane near the border with Libya where jihadists mounted a deadly assault earlier this month. http://reliefweb.int/report/tunisia/tunisian-forces-kill-2-terrorists-near-border-attack-town  Heavy gunfire in Libya capital as rivals clash:  Heavy gunfire broke out in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Saturday after two rival armed groups clashed in the city over the killing of one of their fighters, a local security source and witnesses said. http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-libya-security-idUKKCN0WL0CL  Pakistan: Four terrorists among 6 suspects killed in encounters:  Police on Saturday claimed to have shot dead six suspects including four terrorists of outlawed organisations during separate encounters in different areas. Ammunition, suicide jackets and explosive material were recovered from their possession. http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/03/20/city/karachi/four-terrorists-among-6-suspects-killed-in-encounters/  Risk of nuclear war in Europe growing, warns Russian ex-minister: "The risk of confrontation with the use of nuclear weapons in Europe is higher than in the 1980s," said Igor Ivanov, Russia's foreign minister from 1998 to 2004 and now head of a Moscow-based think-tank founded by the Russian government. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-idUSKCN0WL0EV  How Russia Ruined American Plans in Crimea: All the financing of Maidan in Ukraine was driven by one particular goal, for which the U.S. State Department spared neither suitcases with dollars, nor cookies from Mrs. Nuland - Crimea http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/03/how-russia-ruined-american-plans-in.html  Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam appears before Belgian judge:  Europe's most wanted man, Salah Abdeslam, has been released from hospital and taken under heavy guard to appear before a Belgian judge. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/19/france-seeks-rapid-handover-of-paris-attacks-suspect-salah-abdeslam  EU, Turkey seal deal to return migrants, but is it legal? Or doable?:  "I have no illusions that what we agreed today will be accompanied by further setbacks. There are big legal challenges that we must now overcome," Merkel said after the 28 EU leaders concluded the deal with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-turkey-davutoglu-idUSKCN0WK0QQ  Italy rescues 910 refugees, finds one body:  On Saturday, the Italian coast guard said it had rescued 378 migrants in two separate operations and found one body. Another 112 migrants were picked up by a vessel operated for the European Union border agency Frontex and another 420 people by a ship under the EU's EUNAVFOR mission in the Mediterranean. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-italy-rescues-idUSKCN0WL0TQ  UK PM David Cameron delays release of Iraq report as EU referendum looms:  British Prime Minister David Cameron will postpone publication of the Iraq war inquiry report until after the European Union referendum, leading to accusations that he is deliberately delaying controversial announcements. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/uk-pm-david-cameron-delays-release-of-iraq-report-as-eu-referendum-looms-20160318-gnm8bi.html  The Government announces decision to privatise all state schools in England:  The Conservatives are set to force every mainstream school in England to become an academy, reports the BBC. When schools become academies the property deeds are handed over at no cost to unaccountable academy chains. http://www.thecanary.co/2016/03/16/government-announces-decision-privatise-state-schools-england/  Iain Duncan Smith resigns: The Grim Reaper is gone:  In a career as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that has spanned six years, he has had a long and illustrious reign of disapproval, disdain, disgust, disparagement and disregard for the most vulnerable people in society http://www.consented.co.uk/read/iain-duncan-smith-resigns-the-grim-reaper-is-gone/  Next Financial Crisis Could Overwhelm World's Defenses, IMF Says:  A system-wide shock could overwhelm the world's crisis resources, which include nations' foreign-exchange reserves, central-bank swap lines, regional funds such as the euro area's European Stability Mechanism, and the IMF itself, the lender said. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-17/next-financial-crisis-could-overwhelm-world-s-defenses-imf-says  Brazil judge halts Lula's appointment to cabinet post:  A Supreme Court justice suspends swearing-in of ex-president Lula amid political crisis over corruption allegations. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/brazil-judge-halts-lula-appointment-cabinet-post-160319033625422.html  Governor Blocks $2.85 Minimum Wage Increase After Giving Staffers $73,405 Raises:  Republican Gov. Robert Bentley signed a bill banning Alabama cities from raising their minimum wages. News has emerged that Bentley recently gave four of his cabinet members $73,405 raises - an 80 percent increase from the $91,000 salaries they were making previously. http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/03/17/3761458/robert-bentley-alabama-raises-minimum-wage/? Merrick Garland Often Deferred to Government in Guantánamo Cases:  The judge's vote was part of a pattern: As one wartime detention case after another has pitted state security powers against individual rights, he has often - though not always - deferred to the government. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/us/merrick-garland-often-deferred-to-government-in-guantanamo-cases.html?_r=0  Arizona: Trump protesters block streets in Fountain Hills:  Maricopa County sheriff's deputies were seen directing tow trucks to start hauling the violators away. Earlier in the morning, protesters were lining up in Phoenix in advance of Donald Trump's appearance at a campaign event at the Phoenix Convention Center. http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/31516829/trump-protesters-block-streets-in-fountain-hills  Protesters clash with SLC police outside Trump rally:  Video clips captured outside the Donald Trump rally in Salt Lake City Friday night shows protesters in a shoving match with officers in riot gear. In the video, the protesters can be heard shouting "Trump Stinks!" http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/31516829/trump-protesters-block-streets-in-fountain-hills  No, Donald Trump, we are not giving Iran $150 billion for 'nothing':  Trump's statement makes it sound like we're cutting Iran a $150 billion check. In reality, the money is already Iran's to begin with, just frozen under the many economic sanctions levied against the country. http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/mar/17/donald-trump/no-donald-trump-we-are-not-giving-iran-150-billion/  Meet The People Behind Ted Cruz's Terrifying Foreign Policy Plan: Frank Gaffney, who served in the Department of Defense under President Reagan, was named as a foreign policy adviser for Cruz, has been described as "one of America's most notorious Islamophobes" by the Southern Poverty Law Center. http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/03/17/3761344/cruz-foreign-policy-advisers/  Who Is The Real Ted Cruz?:  Cruz has been gorging at the table of the ultimate insider of all insiders - Goldman Sachs and Citibank . http://dailycaller.com/2016/01/26/who-is-the-real-ted-cruz/#ixzz43JPI3eEi  Kasich's Contradictory Foreign Policy: "[I]t's time that we punched the Russians in the nose," Kasich told radio host Hugh Hewitt during a December presidential debate. "They've gotten away with too much in this world, and we need to stand up against them . . . in Eastern Europe where they threaten some of our most precious allies." http://nationalinterest.org/blog/kasichs-contradictory-foreign-policy-15531  How 'ghost corporations' are funding the 2016 election: Corporations are on track to far exceed the $86 million they gave to super PACs in the entire 2012 presidential cycle, when such donations totaled 10 percent of the money raised by such groups, according to data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. http://tinyurl.com/zfhxqr6