Wednesday 2 December 2009

News For December 02, 2009

Obama's "Empire"

By Real News

Obama says US is not an empire as he sends 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. Continue


Here We Go Again

By Robert Scheer

President Barack Obama’s own top national security adviser has stated that there are fewer than 100 al-Qaida members in Afghanistan and that they are not capable of launching attacks. What superheroes they must be, then, to require 100,000 U.S. troops to contain them. Continue


Obama's War

By Jim Hightower

Obama has been taken over by the military industrial hawks and national security theorists who play war games with other people's lives and money. Continue


Why Obama’s Surge in Afghanistan?

By Shamus Cooke

Obama is compelled to tell the really big lie because the truth is too damning. If he remotely approached the real motives behind the war, the public would be pushed into total defiance — Obama’s new $660 billion military budget for 2010 would have caused mass demonstrations. Continue


Some Simple Questions After Obama's Afghanistan War Speech

By David Sirota

Would you be OK sending yourself or a loved one over to face combat and potentially death for the mission Obama articulated in Afghanistan? If not, how could you support sending other people? Continue


Bigotry Wins in Switzerland

By Juan Cole

Among the nearly 60 Muslim-majority states in the world, only one, Saudi Arabia, forbids the building of churches. Does Switzerland really want to be like Saudi Arabia? Continue


7 militants killed, over 60 arrested in NW Pakistan: At least five militants were killed in security forces' operation against the militants in Malakand and as many as 50 suspected militants were nabbed during the search operation.

Suicide bombing kills 2 at Pakistani Navy headquarters: A navy official was killed as a suicide blast took place outside the Navy headquarters in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Wednesday, police said.

Taliban vow to step up resistance in Afghanistan: The Taliban vowed on Wednesday to step up resistance and fight against the extra 30,000 American troops US President Barack Obama has ordered to Afghanistan, a spokesman said. "Obama will witness lots of coffins heading to America from Afghanistan,"

Full text: Obama's Afghan policy speech at West Point: Following is the transcript of President Obama's speech Tuesday at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

Afghanistan war tax met with skepticism on Capitol Hill: Lawmakers from both parties reacted with skepticism Tuesday to the idea of a war surtax to pay for the Afghanistan troop surge, a sign that the White House may have to look elsewhere to fund the effort.

NATO chief: Allies will provide 5,000 more occupation force troops: NATO allies promised Wednesday to back up President Obama's revamped Afghan war strategy with thousands of fresh troops from Europe. But the reinforcements will arrive in piecemeal fashion, and their contribution may end up being less than meets the eye.

Afghans Skeptical of Obama Troop Vow as Taliban Gain in North: “America has increased its troops in Afghanistan many times in the past eight years, but it hasn’t improved security,” said Sayed Mahmoud Saikal, an independent political consultant in Kabul

Obama quietly authorises expansion of war in Pakistan: CIA has submitted its plan to widen its campaign in Pakistan to the White House and has asked for commitment to jack up the agency's budget for operations inside the country.

Iraq: U.S. occupation force troops kill gunman in fighting in Diyala: Iraqi police: - U.S. troops killed a gunman and wounded three others in clashes early on Wednesday in a predominantly Kurdish town in the volatile Diyala province northeast of Baghdad, a provincial police source said.

UN: Iraqi elections not before the end of February: United Nations has asserted that the legislative elections can not be held before the end of February and if vice-president Tareq Hashemi vetos the second version of the electoral law again, then it will be difficult holding the elections before next March.

A Humanitarian Disaster in the Making Along the Chad-Cameroon Oil Pipeline -- Who's Watching?: The discovery of oil in Chad was supposed to allieviate poverty and human suffering, but it's only enriched Western Oil companies and the local dictators.

Iran to enrich uranium to 20 percent for needed fuel: "We asked for 20 percent enriched uranium fuel which according to the regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) they can provide us with. However, they refused to do so," President Ahmadinejad said. "God willing, Iran will produce [nuclear] fuel enriched to a level of 20 percent," the Iranian president announced.

Iran nuclear program: Can it produce its own fuel?: Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that the Iran nuclear program could produce its own higher enriched nuclear fuel. But some analysts cast doubt on Iran's capacity to do so.

Ahmadinejad: Israel can't do 'damn thing' to stop Iran nuclear program: "The Zionist regime (Israel) and its (western) backers cannot do a damn thing to stop Iran's nuclear work," Ahmadinejad said in a televised speech in the central city of Isfahan.

Iran says IAEA resolution 'illegal': "Under pressure of a few superficially powerful countries ... the International Atomic Energy Agency passed an illegal resolution against the Iranian nation," Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday in a televised speech in the central city of Isfahan.

Imposing idiot sanctions on Iran is a direct route to war: The very trap that led to Iraq and Afghanistan looms again

Saudi warplanes continue bombing northern Yemen: The Houthi fighters said on Wednesday that the intensified-airstrikes same a day after Saudi troops suffered defeat during a Tuesday ground incursion.

Separatists claim train attack: "These acts of sabotage will continue for as long as those occupying the Caucasus do not stop their policy of killing ordinary Muslims," the letter, posted on Wednesday, added.

Honduran senate vote on Zelaya fate: The Honduran Congress is set to discuss whether Manuel Zelaya, the deposed president, should be restored to office to serve out his term which ends in January.

Guantanamo Detainee Seeks Dismissal of Charges, Cites Torture: Lawyers for the first detainee from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to face prosecution in the U.S. asked a federal judge on Tuesday to dismiss the criminal charges against him, saying his lengthy detention overseas and the use of interrogation techniques "amounting to torture" violated his constitutional rights.

UK: High court makes "historic" terrorism evidence ruling: London's High Court ruled against the British government on Tuesday over the use of secret evidence to deny terrorism suspects bail in what campaigners called an "historic" judgement.

UK: Criminal checks for all sixth formers: Every teenager is likely to face a criminal record check under plans for all young people to take part in compulsory community service.

Gold strikes record high above $1,217 an ounce: Gold struck a record price above 1,217 dollars on Wednesday as the US currency weakened, cementing the precious metal's surge over the past year as nervy investors seek safe-haven investments.

US food charities overwhelmed by demand: Between summer 2008 and summer 2009, demand for food assistance increased by over 30 percent nationally. Ninety-nine percent of participating charities reported an increase in demand and 92 percent witnessed an increase of newly unemployed workers seeking assistance.

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