| Hard News
Death toll rises to 86 in Baghdad bombings;
The
number of casualties in a series of bomb blasts in the Iraqi capital,
Baghdad, has reportedly reached 86. A total of over 263 people were
also injured. Iraqi officials say the bombings were coordinated
attacks.
23 killed in Iraq car bomb blasts:
Police
said 18 people were killed and 32 others injured when a pick-up truck
carrying vegetables exploded in a market in Samarrah, 60 miles (95km)
north of the capital, Baghdad.
Nine soliders killed in Damascus car bomb:
Nine
soliders were killed when a car bomb exploded in southeast Damascus on
Thursday, triggering clashes between government forces and rebel
fighters, a watchdog reported.
AP sources: Intelligence on weapons no 'slam dunk':
Multiple
U.S. officials used the phrase "not a slam dunk" to describe the
intelligence picture - a reference to then-CIA Director George Tenet's
insistence in 2002 that U.S. intelligence showing Iraq had weapons of
mass destruction was a "slam dunk" - intelligence that turned out to be
wrong.
US willing to go it alone against Syria if needed:
The
Obama administration said Wednesday it would take action against the
Syrian government even without the backing of allies or the United
Nations. The U.S. has not publicly presented proof that Assad's
government used deadly chemical weapons near Damascus last week. Even
so, U.S. officials, including Vice President Joe Biden, have pointed a
finger squarely at Assad
Arab Allies Withhold Public Support for U.S. Strike on Syria:
The
U.S. is moving toward possible military strikes against Syria without
the public support of any major Arab ally, reflecting broad unease in
the region about another Western military intervention.
US Lapdog says:
UN green light not needed for Syria strike, UK :
The
British Government issued a statement Thursday stating that if
military action against Syria were blocked at the UN Security Council,
the United Kingdom would still have legal license to "take exceptional
measures" against the Assad regime to alleviate the humanitarian
catastrophe.
Cameron Struggles for Lawmaker Assent:
Britain
released an assessment showing it "highly likely" the Syrian
government was behind the mass killing of civilians with chemical
weapons on Aug. 21 near Damascus. Still, Cameron bowed to opposition
demands to await a judgment by on-site United Nations inspectors.
State Dept Admits It Doesn't Know Who Ordered Syria's Chemical Strike:
U.S.
officials are basing their assessment that the Assad regime bears
responsibility for the strike largely on an intercepted phone call
between a panicked Ministry of Defense official and a commander of a
Syrian chemical weapons unit.
US: Assad responsible even if didn't order gas attack:
"We
ultimately of course hold President Assad responsible for the use of
chemical weapons by his regime against his own people, regardless of
where the command and control lies," State Department deputy spokesman
Marie Harf told a press briefing.
US, UK should show Syria chemical weapons intel to Russia - ex-British navy chief;
As
the western powers call for a military strike, Baron Alan West of
Spithead, a former First Sea Lord and senior security adviser to the
British government, warned that the conflict could spiral out of
control and play into the hands of al-Qaeda-linked rebel groups
operating in Syria.
Russia evacuating Tartus staff:
Russia
is moving to evacuate its staff from its naval facility in Syria's
Tartus amid signs the West will soon conduct military strikes on the
Bashar al-Assad regime, Reuters cited the Interfax news agency as
saying Wednesday.
How Syria action risks unsettling fragile Middle East balance of power: Op-Ed:
The violence has already affected neighbouring states and strengthened the hand of jihadists
Military action against Syria will burn Israel, Iranian commander says:
"In
case of a military action by the anti-Syria front, the Syrian nation
will resist and the result of their resistance will be victory," said
Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri on Wednesday, the Fars News Agency
reported.
US sends fifth destroyer to eastern Med: official:
The
USS Stout, a guided missile destroyer, is "in the Mediterranean,
heading and moving east" to relieve the Mahan, said the official, who
said both ships might remain in place for the time being.
Russia sending anti-submarine ship, missile carrying cruiser to Mediterranean Sea:
"The
known situation that is currently observed in the eastern part of the
Mediterranean Sea requires us to make certain adjustments to our naval
group. A large anti-submarine ship of the Northern Fleet is expected to
join it within the next few days."
Strike on Syria Would Lead to Retaliation on Israel, Iran Warns:
"Any
military measure against Syria will draw the Zionists deep in the fire
[as well]," said Major General Hassan Firouzabadi in an address on the
recent American military threats against the Syrian nation and
government on Thursday.
Obama hits pause on U.S. action in face of crippling cyber strikes from Syria, Iran:
Syria
and its ally Iran have been building cyberattack capabilities for
years and soon might have a chance to use their skills in a hot war for
the first time.
Strike on Syria Would Lead to Retaliation on Israel, Iran Warns:
Iranian
lawmakers and commanders issued stark warnings to the United States
and its allies on Tuesday, saying any military strike on Syria would
lead to a retaliatory attack on Israel fanned by "the flames of
outrage."
Thousands crowd gas mask centers in Haifa, Tel Aviv:
Jerusalem
branch closed after mob took protective kits by force; civilians
worried by Syria threat overwhelm distribution points
Israeli Lobby Looks to 2008 Law to Justify Request for More U.S. Aid:
Israel
cut its defence budget in 2013, and the reduction of over 820 million
dollars, which is more than 25 percent of the annual aid it currently
receives, might raise the question of how Israel can request increased
aid while reducing its own budget.
Militants kill Yemen intelligence official, son:
The
officials said Col. Ali el-Hadi was shot to death in his car Wednesday
in the southern Yemeni city of Aden. The officials said el-Hadi's son,
who was shot with him in the car, died of his wounds at a hospital.
Here are 3 other places the US military bombed in the past month:
Not every bombing campaign is as well publicized as the one probably coming soon to Syria.
Afghan Taliban kill 15 police in Farah province:
The
Taliban have ambushed a police patrol in the western Afghan province
of Farah, killing 15 policemen and injuring 10 others, officials say.
Head of Eastern Libya's military police killed:
Alsifer
was in a car driving along a street in the Al Lizi district in
Cyrenaica's capital together with his brother who also died.
Muslim Brotherhood leader Beltagi arrested:
Egyptian
police on Thursday arrested Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed
al-Beltagi, the secretary-general of the Brotherhood's Freedom and
Justice Party.
Saudi Arabia studies report on Egypt's financial needs:
Saudi Arabia pledged $5 billion in aid soon after the army, prompted by mass protests, ousted Muhammad Mursi on July 3.
US fast-food workers on strike over pay:
Fast-food
workers in dozens of US cities are on strike, union leaders say, in
what could be one of the industry's biggest walkouts. Workers want to
be paid $15 (£10) an hour, double the rate for many employees at
fast-food chains.
Raising kids on McDonald's wages: 'Some days I've been up for 48 hours':
Jemes
is one of the fast-food workers in a projected 50 cities who will be
striking Thursday, in what fast-food worker organizers are billing as
the largest fast food strike in American history
How the Restaurant Lobby Makes Sure Fast-Food Workers Get Poverty Wages and Have to Work While Sick:
Fast-food workers feed their families on a pittance while the big corporations resist fair pay and sick leave.
5 big Native American health issues you don't know about:
Young Native Americans are more likely to kill themselves than any other group.
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"Let us be peace and joy"
Tom Feeley
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