Tuesday 29 November 2011

The Folly of Sanctions

By Ron Paul

We should be clear about this: sanctions against Iran are definite steps toward a US attack. Continue

Target Iran: Washington's Countdown to War

By Tom Burghardt

The Iranian people know what it means to earn the enmity of the global godfather. Continue

Obama Fulfilling the Neocon Dream
Mass Regime Change in Muslim World?


Glenn Greenwald

It seems pretty clear to me that although we may not be doing it with as much of an overt war as the neocons would like, it’s just a slightly more subtle and different means of achieving the same end. Continue

UN Report on Syria:
Based on Witness Accounts..... OUTSIDE of Syria


By Tony Cartalucci

Humanitarian concerns "dressing up" the military conquest of Syria. Continue

Republicans and Israel: Too Much Love Can Kill You

By Chemi Shalev

It is Obama who would stand a far better chance than any Republican of mustering international support, of enlisting coalition partners and of minimizing Arab rage in case America goes to war against Iran. Continue

Unknown Snipers and Western Backed Regime Change
Death Squads in the Service of Western Intelligenc


By Gearóid Ó Colmáin

The Western powers are the masters of discourse, who own the means of communication. The Arab Spring has been the most horrifying example of the wanton abuse of this power.
Continue

U.S. Intervention in the Middle East

By ICH

This partial chronology of U.S. intervention in the Middle East illustrates the lengths to which the U.S. power structure has gone to gain and maintain U.S. domination of the Middle East--a region considered key to the U.S.'s standing as an imperialist world power.
Continue

Iran Contra at 25
Reagan and Bush 'Criminal Liability' Evaluations

By The National Security Archive


Reagan Briefed In Advance on Each Group of Missiles Sold to Iran - Bush Chaired Secret Committee that Recommended Mining Harbors of Nicaragua.
Continue

Dead Afghan Kids Still Not Newsworthy

By Peter Hart

Back in March, we wondered when U.S. corporate news outlets would find U.S./NATO killing of Afghan kids newsworthy. Back then, it was nine children killed in a March 1 airstrike. This resulted in two network news stories on the evening or morning newscasts, and two brief references on the PBS NewsHour.
Continue

Darwinian Stupidity

By Richard Schwartzman

Only a warmongering nation that makes enemies needs military bases all over the globe.
Continue

The New Authoritarianism
From Decaying Democracies to Technocratic Dictatorships and Beyond

By James Petras

We delineate a two-stage process of political regression. The first stage involves the transition from a decaying democracy to an oligarchical democracy; the second stage currently unfolding in Europe involves the transition from oligarchical democracy to colonial-technocratic dictatorship.
Continue

No to Co-Option
MoveOn is the Opposite of the Occupy Movement

By Kevin Zeese

MoveOn’s History of Undermining Progressive Causes in Support of the Corporate-Dominated Democratic Party. Continue

Secret Fed Loans Helped Banks Net $13 Billion

By Bob Ivry, Bradley Keoun and Phil Kuntz

The Federal Reserve and the big banks fought for more than two years to keep details of the largest bailout in U.S. history a secret. Now, the rest of the world can see what it was missing. Continue
Fitch Drops U.S. Debt Outlook To Negative

By Kevin Carmichael

Fitch said a negative outlook indicates there is a “slightly greater” than 50-per-cent chance that the U.S. credit rating will be downgraded over the next two years. Continue

"How Could This Happen in America?"
Why Police Are Treating Americans Like Military Threats


By William Hogeland

"Disconnect: liberals see a suddenly 'militarized,' possibly federalized police force. Black people see 'the usual.'"
Continue

"I'll Occupy"
The 99% is Pissed and We Will Not Be Dismissed!

Song and Video

Lyrics courtesy of Freaked out Nation: Continue

American Deceptionalism

By Paul Rosenberg

Under the growing influence of the 1 per cent, American exceptionalism has become American deceptionalism.
Continue

The End of Poverty?

Documentary

Filmmaker Philippe Diaz examines the history and impact of economic inequality in the third world, and makes the compelling argument that it's not an accident or simple bad luck that has created a growing underclass around the world. Continue

US kills 18 people in Somalia: According to a Transitional Federal Government (TFG) officer, the incident occurred in an al-Shabab training camp in the town of Badade.
 
17 killed, MP wounded in Iraq attacks: At least 17 people were killed and more than 50 wounded, among them an Iraqi member of parliament, on Monday in a wave of bloody attacks mainly in and around Baghdad, security officials and an MP said.
US refuses to apologise for Pakistan air strike that killed 24 soldiers: Closing the border crossings will halt almost half of supplies for the Nato-led force, including British troops.
Pakistan: CIA ‘Black Night’ out to fuel sectarian strife in Muharram: The intelligence agencies have raised fears of terrorism across the country as a CIA-backed squad has been tasked to carry out terrorists activities to stoke sectarian strife during Muharram.
Violation of Pak sovereignty not acceptable: China, Russia: China expressed deep shock and strong concern over the incident and extended condolences to the aggrieved families. He said that Pakistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected
'Bugsplat': The ugly US drone war in Pakistan: It's time for the US to re-examine the consequences of its dehumanising, deadly attacks in Pakistan.
Pakistan says Supply line permanently stopped: Malik: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Sunday said the Nato supply line had not been suspended but permanently stopped, making it clear that containers that had been stopped would not be allowed to cross the Pak-Afghan border.
Russia Considers Blocking NATO Supply Routes: —Russia said it may not let NATO use its territory to supply troops in Afghanistan if the alliance doesn't seriously consider its objections to a U.S.-led missile shield for Europe, Russia's ambassador to NATO said Monday.
NATO Kills 3 Afghan Women: Three rockets were fired into civilian homes in Zhari district of Kandahar province on Monday, the dpa news agency cited provincial governor spokesman Zalmai Ayoubi as saying.
US general orders troops retrained after 7 Afghan civilians killed : The top commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan has ordered retraining of coalition forces after seven civilians were killed in a military operation last week in the southern part of the country, coalition officials said Tuesday.
If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail: US faces more threats than decade ago, warns head of its military: General Martin Dempsey says transformation in military thinking needed during maiden speech as chair of US joint chiefs of staff
Syrian "rebel" ambush kill 3 soldiers: "Rebel" forces ambushed an army vehicle in northern Syria on Tuesday, killing three soldiers and capturing two others, Syrian human rights observers said.
Presstitute alert: ... West demands Security Council action on Syria: The United States and Germany on Monday led Western calls for the divided UN Security Council to act on Syria's deadly assault against protests after UN investigators said crimes against humanity had been committed.
Presstitute alert: ... Syria calls Arab sanctions 'economic war': Foreign minister slams Arab League's decision to impose sanctions as thousands rally against move in several cities.
Dark clouds of war shrouding Syria: As a latest sign of Western intervention, the nuclear aircraft-carrier USS George HW Bush has reportedly anchored off Syria. The ship is capable of carrying up to 70 aircraft, including 48 attack jets. The aircraft-carrier is escorted by a group of vessels which contains a destroyer.
Russian warships head for Syria: The Russian battle group will consist of three vessels led by the heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser, Admiral Kuznetsov.
Russia rejects arms embargo on Syria: FM: Russia rejects any arms embargo imposed on Syria and Moscow would try to avoid a repeat of the Libyan scenario in the country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
Russia’s NATO envoy to visit China, Iran over missile defense: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev outlined on Wednesday a series of possible “appropriate measures” if missile defense talks between Moscow and Washington result in failure, including the deployment of “advanced offensive weapon systems” targeting the European component of the missile defense network.
Iran inks payback law to expel British ambassador: A bill to downgrade Iran's ties with Britain got final approval on Monday a day after parliament approved the measure compelling the government to expel the British ambassador
Iran regrets some protesters' actions: Iran's Foreign Ministry has expressed regret over the “unacceptable actions” of a number of protesters during Iranian students' gathering in front of Britain's embassy in Tehran.
Gingrich calls for bombing Iran refineries: The former House speaker opined that the US could break Iran within a year with "cutting off the gasoline supply to Iran and then, frankly, sabotaging the only refinery they have."
Evangelicals Flocking Toward Newt Gingrich: How the religious right is learning to love the adulterous, thrice-married former speaker.
Pregnant New York Times Journalist, Strip Searched By Israeli Soldiers : Israel's Defense Ministry apologized Monday for the treatment of a pregnant American news photographer who said she was strip searched and humiliated by Israeli soldiers during a security check.
Saudi regime increases troops in Qatif: Over the past several days, Saudi security forces have killed five protesters and injured many others in the Eastern Province. The funerals for the victims have usually turned to demonstrations with protesters chanting slogans against the Al Saud regime.
Kuwait cabinet resigns amid political crisis: Prime minister and cabinet submit resignations to emir following accusations of corruption, state television reports.
Libya leaders acknowledge abuse of prisoners: The acknowledgment comes a day after the U.N. released report a detailing alleged torture and ill treatment in lockups controlled by the forces that overthrew dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
Thousands of prisoners in Libya denied legal process - UN: Libyan "revolutionaries" are holding an estimated 7000 prisoners who have no access to legal process because police and the courts are not functioning, according to a United Nations report.
Libya says ex-deputy PM suspect in general's killing: - Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) said on Monday a former NTC deputy prime minister was suspected of involvement in the killing of one of the rebel movement's most senior military commanders.
NATO troops shot, wounded in brutal Kosovo clashes (VIDEO): At least two Kosovan Serbs and two NATO peacekeepers were injured in a fresh wave of violence in northern Kosovo, casting doubts on whether the conflict could be resolved in the near future.
Bradley Manning treatment in custody concerns MEPs: Open letter to US authorities raises human rights fears and urges access for UN special rapporteur on torture to whistleblower
Feds Withholding Evidence Favorable to Bradley Manning, Lawyer Charges: The civilian lawyer for Bradley Manning, the Army private who allegedly leaked tens of thousands of classified U.S. government documents to WikiLeaks, is seeking to question the severity of the leak by requesting the government’s own internal damage assessments that reportedly contradict statements that Manning irreparably damaged national security.
Internet has become 'surveillance machine': Julian Assange: The former hacker criticised journalists and the mainstream media for becoming too cosy with the powerful and secretive organisations they were supposed to be holding to account.
Herman Cain Reassessing Campaign Amid Allegations: An adviser to Cain said the former businessman told staff he will spend the next two days assessing his candidacy, and that he would base his decision on two factors. One, whether or not he still has enough support to go on, and two, the toll it is taking on his family.
Venezuela brings home gold reserves: Cheering crowds line streets as first batch of bullion, previously held in UK, is deposited in central bank in Caracas.
IMF drawing up £500bn package to save Italy, Spain and the euro: Any IMF involvement in European rescue packages would be partly underwritten by British taxpayers, which could leave this country liable if Italy and Spain did not repay any international loan.
Death of a currency as eurogeddon approaches: It's time to think what hitherto markets have regarded as unthinkable – that the euro really is on its last legs.
Democrat calls for hearing on 'secret' bank loans from Federal Reserve: A top House Democrat is calling for a hearing with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke following a report that the central bank secretly committed more than $7 trillion to save banks during the financial crisis.
Citigroup-SEC settlement rejected by New York judge: Jed Rakoff blocks $285m CDO settlement, arguing that the deal obscured an 'overriding public interest in knowing the truth'
Who Owns Your Home?: If the house you bought has ever been in foreclosure, there's a strong chance you have a problem.
U.S. to restart construction of nuclear reactors: After 34 years, the United States is expected to resume construction of nuclear reactors by the end of the year, and Toshiba will export turbine equipment for the reactors to the U.S. early next month, it was learned Saturday.

Monday 28 November 2011

Pakistan Has Had Enough

By Simon Tisdall

The belief that weak, impoverished, divided Pakistan has no alternative but to slavishly obey its master's voice could turn out to be one of the seminal strategic miscalculations of the 21st century. Continue

Libya’s New Rulers Offer Weapons to Syrian Rebels
Syrian rebels held secret talks with Libya's new authorities on Friday

By Ruth Sherlock, in Misurata

"There is something being planned to send weapons and even Libyan fighters to Syria," - "There is a military intervention on the way. Within a few weeks you will see." Continue


Prepare for Riots in Euro Collapse, Foreign Office Warns

By James Kirkup, Deputy Political Editor

British embassies in the eurozone have been told to draw up plans to help British expats through the collapse of the single currency, amid new fears for Italy and Spain. Continue

Unelected Puppets of a German-dominated EU

Video

Neil Cavuto talks to Nigel Farage MEP, UKIP, Co-President of the EFD Group in the European Parliament. Continue
Bankers Have Seized Europe
Goldman Sachs Has Taken Over


By Paul Craig Roberts

The European Union, just like everything else, is merely another scheme to concentrate wealth in a few hands at the expense of European citizens, who are destined, like Americans, to be the serfs of the 21st century. Continue

Satire
Goldman Sachs Announces Presidential Run

By K.M. Breay

The conglomerate will forgo donations altogether and instead finance the campaign with a portion of the $10 billion in taxpayer-funded bailout money the investment bank received in 2009. Continue

Thought Crime in Washington

By Peter Van Buren

In twenty-first-century America, “rights” are increasingly meant for those who behave themselves and don’t exercise them. Continue

Senators Demand the Military Lock Up American Citizens
By ACLU

The Senate is gearing up for a vote on Monday or Tuesday that goes to the very heart of who we are as Americans. Continue

Stranger Than Fiction
5-Year-Old Handcuffed, Charged With Battery On Officer

By Dave Manoucheri/KCRA

A Stockton student was handcuffed with zip ties on his hands and feet, forced to go to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation and was charged with battery on a police officer. That student was 5 years old. Continue

Syria: 47 soldiers killed over weekend: Syrian army suffers major blow as deserters mount deadly attacks against Assad's combatants. Arab League discusses further sanctions on Damascus
15 civilians killed in Syria: Syrian forces killed at least 15 civilians on Sunday, six of them in the flashpoint region of Homs that has been under siege for several weeks in an operation to crush dissent, a rights group said.
Engineering Consent For Attack On Syria: Arab League approved “Unprecedented” Sanctions on Syria: Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim said 19 of the League's 22 member nations approved the sanctions, which include cutting off transactions with the Syrian central bank and halting Arab government funding for projects in Syria. Iraq and Lebanon abstained.
Engineering Consent For Attack On Syria: Arab states cut commercial ties with Syria: "The indications are not positive ... the sanctions are still economic but if there is no movement on the part of Syria then we have a responsibility as human beings to stop the killings," Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister, told reporters.
French forces said to be training Syria rebels: According to Milliyet, France has sent its military training forces to Turkey and Lebanon to coach the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) — a group of defectors operating out of Turkey and Lebanon — in an effort to wage war against Syria's military.
Leading Libyan Islamist met Free Syrian Army opposition group: Libyan authorities this week dispatched the country's most renowned Islamist militia leader to meet senior figures of the Free Syrian Army. The Daily Telegraph on Saturday revealed that the new Libyan authorities had offered money and weapons to the growing insurgency against Bashar al-Assad.
Angry Libyans stage ‘plane protest’ at Tripoli airport: A passsenger aircraft was surrounded and its take-off delayed for hours in the latest sign of lawlessness threatening Libya’s stability.
At least 21 killed, dozens hurt in Yemen fighting Monday,: At least 21 people have been killed and dozens wounded in northern Yemen, where Shia rebels are attacking positions held by Sunni Islamist Salafi fighters with bursts of shelling, a spokesman for the Salafis said yesterday.
Yemen's Saleh decrees 'general amnesty': The announcement on Sunday immediately angered groups who say Saleh can no longer take such decisions, having transferred his presidential powers to his deputy under a Gulf Co-operation Council deal to step down in return for immunity from prosecution.
Pakistan says NATO ignored pleas during raids that killed 24: The NATO air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers went on for almost two hours and continued even after Pakistani commanders had pleaded with coalition forces to stop, the army claimed on Monday in charges that could further inflame anger in Pakistan.
Rage grips Pakistan over NATO attack: Fury spread in Pakistan on Sunday over a NATO cross-border air attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers and could undermine the US effort to wind up the war in Afghanistan. Sunday night in Pakistan, more than 40 hours after the incident, many questions remained.
NATO chief ‘regrets’ killing Pakistani soldiers: NATO expressed regret on Sunday over air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers as the United States sought to repair relations with Islamabad that plunged into crisis over the lethal attack.
Pakistanis protest state corruption: Tens of thousands of Pakistanis have staged a massive rally in Peshawar to protest government corruption and its alliance with the United States. The rally was organized at the request of the opposition politician and Chief of Tehreek-e-Insaf Political Party, Imran Khan.
Former Pakistan FM joins up with Imran Khan: Pakistan's ex-foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi joined forces with cricketer-politician Imran Khan Sunday, becoming the most high-profile defector to his growing campaign to win the next general election.
NATO says 2 service members killed in eastern and southern Afghanistan: NATO says two of its service members have been killed in Afghanistan, one in combat operations in the east and the other by a roadside bomb in the south.
150,000 Iran missiles awaiting Israel: Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, advised the US and its allies to realize Iran's incredible might and know that in the event of a war the Islamic Republic will teach the Americans what war really is and what soldiers are supposed to be like.
Iran's parliament votes to expel British ambassador: MPs pass bill to downgrade diplomatic ties in response to economic sanctions imposed over Iran's nuclear programme
US mulls harboring anti-Iran terrorists: The United States is mulling over removing the anti-Iranian Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) from its terrorist watch list and giving refuge to its members, a move which indicates Washington's support for terrorism.
Four killed, nine wounded in Iraq attacks: Bomb and gun attacks killed four people and wounded nine others across Iraq on Sunday, security officials said.
Army issues warning as Egyptians go to polls: Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, who heads a council of generals who took power after Mubarak’s fall, called on voters to turn out and said he would not buckle in the face of demands for the army to hand control to civilian leaders.
MK: Prepare for War If Egypt Deploys in Sinai: MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) warned Sunday that Israel must prepare for the possibility that Egypt will deploy its military in the Sinai peninsula – and respond to that act as a declaration of war.
Palestinians to skip interim government: The Hamas statements suggested that a solution was being finessed to get around the disagreement over keeping Salam Fayyad, prime minister of the West Bank government, who is popular with Western donors but strongly opposed by Hamas. By retaining the separate governments until the elections and perhaps enabling them to work closer together, both sides could save face.
Seriously? Senate Considering Repeal of Anti-Torture Measures: Yesterday, the ACLU and over 30 other organizations sent a letter to the Senate asking them to oppose an effort in Congress that threatens to revive the use of torture and other inhumane interrogation techniques.
International banks have aided Mexican drug gangs: Banking powerhouse Wachovia Corp. last year agreed to pay $160 million in forfeitures and fines after U.S. federal prosecutors accused it of "willfully" overlooking the suspicious character of more than $420 billion in transactions between the bank and Mexican currency-exchange houses — much of it probably drug money, investigators say.

November 26, 2011
NATO Kills 28 Pakistani Troops, Outrage in Islamabad

By PTI

NATO helicopters and combat jets fired on two border posts in the country's northwest, prompting army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to direct his troops to prepare for ''an effective response'' even as authorities cut off all supplies for US forces in Afghanistan. Continue

Pakistan: US Must Vacate Suspected Drone Base
Pakistan stops NATO supplies after deadly raid


By SEBASTIAN ABBOT

The government issued the demand Saturday after NATO helicopters and jet fighters attacked two Pakistan army posts. Continue

Unelected Puppets of a German-dominated EU

Video Interview

Neil Cavuto talks to Nigel Farage MEP, UKIP, Co-President of the EFD Group in the European Parliament. Continue

Bankers Have Seized Europe

By Paul Craig Roberts

The European Union, just like everything else, is merely another scheme to concentrate wealth in a few hands at the expense of European citizens, who are destined, like Americans, to be the serfs of the 21st century. Continue

Ask the Candidates Real Questions – Like These

By Ray McGovern

Pity the pundits. It must be hard to pretend to be a journalist and live in constant fear of being one question or comment away from joining the jobless. Continue

The Shocking Truth About the Crackdown on Occupy

By Naomi Wolf

The violent police assaults across the US are no coincidence. Occupy has touched the third rail of our political class's venality. Continue

Bush, Blair Found Guilty of War Crimes

By Press TV

A War Crimes Tribunal in Malaysia has found former US President George W. Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair guilty of war crimes for their roles in the Iraq war. Continue

U.S. And French Air Strikes Raise Human Toll in Somalia

By Abayomi Azikiwe

United States and French military involvement in Africa is taking a deadly toll in Somalia. Despite Washington's denials, the people of this nation are suffering under the impact of yet another imperialist-driven war. Continue

Libya Leaders Supported by "Money, Arms, PR"- Ex-premier
By Reuters

One of the most senior figures in Libya's outgoing government has denounced its leaders as an unelected elite, supported by "money, arms and PR," and warned that 90 percent of Libya is politically voiceless. Continue

This Was Always a Civil War, and the Victors are not Merciful

By Patrick Cockburn

The National Transitional Council, whose control is largely theoretical, is not in a position to stop this purge because many of its members are themselves frightened of being accused of links with the old regime. Continue

It’s Not About Freedom, It’s All About Iran

By Marwan Al Kabalan

Syria's foes have seized the opportunity provided by the crisis to try to change regional balance of power in their favour. Continue

Is Britain Plotting With Israel to Attack Iran?
Ex-ambassador exposes government cover-up


By Jonathan Cook in Nazareth

Last February Britain’s then defense minister Liam Fox attended a dinner in Tel Aviv with a group described as senior Israelis. Alongside him sat Adam Werritty, a lobbyist whose “improper relations” with the minister would lead eight months later to Fox’s hurried resignation. Continue
Bachmann Endangers the World with Her Lies

By Naji Al Ali

It’s way past time for Michele Bachmann to be ridiculed into the obscurity she so richly deserves. Continue

Today in history: The Iran-Contra affair erupted
Coverup: Behind the Iran Contra Affair (1988)

Video Documentary

Coverup exposes a tale of politics, drugs, hostages, weapons, assassinations, covert operations and the ultimate plan to suspend the US Constitution. Continue

The Roads To War And Economic Collapse

By Paul Craig Roberts

The day before the Thanksgiving holiday brought three extraordinary news items. Continue

An Open Letter to the Winter Patriot

By Mitch Green

As the occupy movement continues to grow in defiance of the heavy-handed police action determined to squelch it, a natural question emerges: What point will the military be summoned to contain the cascade of popular dissent?  Continue

The First Amendment Upside Down.
Why We Must Occupy Democracy

By Robert Reich

Millionaires and billionaires on Wall Street and in executive suites aren’t contributing all this money out of sheer love of country. Continue

Budget cuts may hit needy Americans

By Al Jazeera

Advocates for the poor and often hungry in the US say that problems for the nation's needy could intensify if the agriculture department bows to pressure from congress to reduce food-assistance schemes. Continue

Pakistan: Thirty-nine "insurgents" killed: Four soldiers were also killed in the firefight, which lasted several hours. Militant sources confirmed the clashes and casualties but disputed the government’s death toll, reported the Express Tribune daily.
10 Afghans die in Taliban ambush on Nato convoy: - At least 10 Afghan security guards were killed Thursday when Taliban militants ambushed a logistics convoy destined for US-led Nato forces in western Afghanistan, a local official said.
Karzai says NATO strike killed seven Afghan civilians: Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Thursday accused NATO-led international forces of killing up to seven civilians, most of them children, in an air strike in the south.
At least 23 Syrian security forces killed in latest clashes: - At least 23 members of Syria's security forces and 15 deserters have been killed in clashes, mainly in the flashpoint province of Homs, where 13 civilians also died, activists said.“Most importantly, we believe that the full transfer of power to a civilian government must take place in a just and inclusive manner that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people, as soon as possible.”
'10 Syrian army members killed in attack on base': "An armed terrorist group undertook an evil assassination plot that martyred six pilots, a technical officer and three other personnel on an air force base between Homs and Palmyra," a military spokesman said on state television.
Arab League extends Syria deadline: President Bashar al-Assad had been given until 1pm Cairo time today to agree to admit a team of 500 monitors. By this time, no reply from Syria had been received. But the Arab League is understood to be prepared to wait for the rest of Friday.
Pressure grows on Syria but foreign powers divided: - Turkey and Arab powers kept up pressure on Syria's President Bashar al-Assad to end the crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators on Friday but longtime ally Russia warned against any foreign intervention.
Pro-Assad rallies in Syria denouncing the Arab League: - Demonstrations were taking place Friday across Syria to denounce the Arab League's deadline to Damascus and expressed rejection to any foreign interference in Syria's affairs.
Embedded with Syrian army deserters: : BBC Video - The Free Syrian Army is made up of "pro-democracy protesters" and soldiers who have deserted from the Syrian Army.
BRICS countries against external interference into Syria’s affairs: BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have also stressed that additional and unilateral sanctions against Iran would be counterproductive and would lead only to aggravation of the situation.
Turkey says ready to act with Arab League to stop Syria violence: Davutoglu said Syria "must open its doors to observers," and that the patience of Turkey and Arab countries is "running out over the bloodshed in Syria."
19 killed in Basra blasts: A roadside bomb and a motorcycle exploded in quick succession in a busy commercial district that includes shops and restaurants, the officials said.
U.S. Blocks Iranian Gas Exports To The East, Russian To The West: “The Pak-Iran gas pipeline is not a good idea, as Iran is unreliable,” said US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter on Friday, according to Pakistani news sources.
Iran 'Arrests 12 CIA Agents': Influential politician says US spies had been gathering intelligence on military units and nuclear activities
'Iran CIA agent arrests linked to missile testing': Senior Iran analyst tells 'Post' that Tehran moving missiles "that would form first response" to Israeli strike on nuclear sites.
Mysterious explosions pose dilemma for Iranian leaders: Despite the official denial of foreign involvement in the latest blast, suspicions have been raised in Iran by what industry experts say is a fivefold increase in explosions at refineries and gas pipelines since 2010.
Protester killed near Cairo's Tahrir Square: Activist killed in front of government buildings, as death toll rises to 42 following eight days of clashes in Egypt.
Egypt new PM claims more powers than predecessor: Egypt's military rulers picked a prime minister from ousted leader Hosni Mubarak's era to head the next government, according to state television, a choice that will almost certainly intensify criticism by tens of thousands of protesters accusing the generals of trying to extend the old guard and demanding they step down immediately.
Egyptians Angry Over Military's Choice of Prime Minister: Kamal el-Ganzouri, who was Egypt's prime minister from 1996-1999 and deputy prime minister and planning minister before that, was picked by the country's military leaders to govern the country, according to state television. He served as prime minister under President Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted in February.
Health Ministry - 30 Killed in Local Unrest: A total of 30 people have been killed in three days of deadly clashes in several Egyptian cities.
Egypt's Tahrir filling for anti-military protest: Tens of thousands of protesters chanting, "Leave, leave!" are rapidly filling up Cairo's Tahrir Square in what promises to be a massive demonstration to force Egypt's ruling military council to yield power.
Egypt protesters killed by live ammunition during Tahrir clashes: Egypt's ruling generals have been accused by a human rights organisation of having blood on their hands after medical workers confirmed that live ammunition had been used against anti-junta demonstrators in Tahrir Square.
EU calls for civilian government in Egypt: The European Union condemned "excessive violence" in Egypt's handling of protesters seeking an end to military rule and urged Cairo to move quickly towards a civilian government.
Saudi officials: 4 killed in Shiite protests: Saudi Arabia's minority Shiite Muslims have staged protests in an eastern city, and four were shot dead, the Interior Ministry said today.
4 Killed as blast follows Kenyan air raid in Somalia: Two grenade attacks in the eastern Kenyan town of Garissa, close to the border to Somalia, have killed three people and injured 27, police said.
U.S. intensifies its proxy fight against al-Shabab in Somalia: The Obama administration is intensifying its campaign against an al-Qaeda affiliate in Somalia by boosting the number of proxy forces in the war-torn country, expanding drone operations and strengthening military partnerships throughout the region.
US Senator asks US and NATO to support Kenya's Somalia incursion: Addressing his colleagues in the Senate in Washington, DC, Senator Mark Kirk (IL) thanked the Government of Kenya and President Mwai Kibaki in particular for the difficult and bold decision made to invade Somalia to get rid of Al Shabaab.
Yemen's vice-president calls snap elections: Ballot will be held on February 21, a year ahead of schedule, to comply with power-sharing deal signed this week.
2 dead as military, defectors clash in Yemen: Yemeni officials say heavy fighting has broken out in the capital Sanaa between security forces and an army unit that joined the popular uprising against autocratic President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Protesters Reject Yemen Power Transfer: - A U.S.-backed deal for Yemen's authoritarian president to step down fell far short of the demands of protesters who fought regime supporters on the streets of Sanaa Thursday in clashes that left five dead.
Fighting erupts in Yemen amid protests: Security forces and army defectors clash in Sanaa after protesters reject deal signed by Saleh to transfer power.
Clashes with police follow Bahrain funeral: Police use tear gas against protesters after the funeral for a man allegedly killed by police on Wednesday.
Binyamin Netanyahu attacks Arab spring uprisings: Israeli PM claims 'Islamic, anti-western, anti-liberal, anti-Israeli, undemocratic wave' vindicates tough stance with Palestinians
Fayyad: Palestinian Authority will soon become completely incapacitated by Israel: Palestinian PM meets with Norway FM, who says Israel's withholding of tax funds from PA amounts to 'waterboarding an economy'; Fayyad: This is our money.
Congressmen seek probe into PA use of US funds: Florida Democratic Congressman Ted Deutsch and New York Democratic Congressman Steve Israel have asked US Comptroller-General Gene Dodaro to investigate the Palestinian Authority’s use of American funding.
21 Nato soldiers hurt in clashes with Serbs: Twenty-one Nato soldiers were wounded overnight, one seriously, when Serbs in Kosovo fought with peacekeepers trying to remove barricades erected against the country`s ethnic Albanian authorities, the alliance said on Thursday.
More questions than answers about NATO's Libya role: The reasons and the consequences behind NATO's bombing on the Libyan town of Majer still remain unclear three months on. Deutsche Welle visited the scene of one of the darkest episodes in Libya's war.
Indian forces claim Maoist leader killed: Koteshwar Rao, known as Kishenji, had fought 30-year resistance war against state governments in eastern India.
Mexico police find 26 dead in gang killing: Bodies found in abandoned cars in Guadalajara, one day after 16 burned bodies found in Culiacan.
Mexico: Activists Want President and Drug Lords Tried for War Crimes: - Activists are hoping that the International Criminal Court (ICC) will take up a case against Mexican President Felipe Calderón, government officials and drug traffickers and indict those responsible for the violence wracking the country. But this is likely to be a complex and lengthy process.
Confirmed – Los Zetas Use ‘Straw Purchasers’ to Buy South Texas Ranches: Last year, several reports surfaced about how Los Zetas were driving South Texas farmers out of their properties in order to purchase them for their drug running operations. But none of these reports were actually confirmed. The property owners were afraid to speak because they had been threatened by Los Zetas.
Bush, Blair found guilty of war crimes: A War Crimes Tribunal in Malaysia has found former US President George W. Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair guilty of war crimes for their roles in the Iraq war, Press TV reports.
Feelings of guilt may be a top factor in PTSD: Marine Corps study: A leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder is guilt that troops experience because of moral dilemmas faced in combat, according to preliminary findings of a study of active-duty Marines.
Drones to patrol the skies above Olympic Stadium: Unmanned drones equipped with surveillance cameras will be flown across the skies of London during next year's Olympic Games,
GPS tracking: Supreme Court must protect Americans from Orwellian control: This term the Supreme Court will decide whether the warrantless GPS monitoring of an individual’s car violates the Fourth Amendment. The court’s answer must be a resounding yes.
Budget cuts may hit needy Americans: Problems for poor to intensify if food-stamps programme that assists 45 million people gets reduced.