| 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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