29 May 2013 — Information Clearing House
Syrian Rebel Alliance Openly Threatens Ethnic Cleansing
By Alex Newman
The rebel FSA spokesperson said in a TV interview that minority communities would be “wiped off the map” if the regime’s forces managed to capture the city of Al-Qusair.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35128.htm
Lifting the Fake EU Arms Embargo
By Stephen Lendman
EU nations agreed to end what never existed.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35123.htm
Syria Escalation Poses Growing Risk of Regional War
By Bill Van Auken
The crisis of the so-called rebels and the reversals the Islamist militias have suffered recently in combat with the Syrian army have only served to escalate the US and Western European preparations for direct intervention.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35125.htm
Let’s Be Clear: Establishing a ‘No-Fly Zone’ Is an Act of War
By Conor Friedersdorf
The term is a euphemism that obscures the gravity of what its advocates are suggesting — a U.S. air attack on Syria.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35127.htm
What A Load Of Dishonest And Contemptible Bull:
Why US must stop Russian missiles for Syria:
By The Christian Science Monitor Editorial Board
Putin’s decision to send sophisticated S-300 antiaircraft missiles to Syria’s embattled regime shows a moral indifference to human suffering and popular demands for democracy.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35122.htm
Syria and the Middle East:
Our Greatest Miscalculation Since the Rise of Fascism
By Simon Jenkins
There could no more dreadful idea than to pour more armaments into the sectarian war now consuming Syria.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35119.htm
Time for Russia to Make a Stand
By Prof. Rodney Shakespeare
So is Russia still asleep? It had better not be. The West (always serving Zionist desires to eliminate any independent Islamic state capable of resisting Israel’s expansion into the lands of others) is pushing hard to dismantle Syria.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35121.htm
Our Twisted Politics of Grief
By Norman Solomon
A drone’s victim never hears the missile that kills him.”) Overhead are drones named Reaper, shooting missiles named Hellfire. Have the heavens been grabbed by people who think their instruments of death are godly?
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35129.htm
Doubting Obama’s Resolve to Do Right
By Ray McGovern
Those of us who care about the Constitution and rule of law now need to be guided by experience and to stop cutting him still more slack.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35116.htm
Media Gets Targeted by Obama
Discovers No One Cares Except the Media
By Bethania Palma Markus
After years of either promoting or ignoring George W. Bush’s, then Obama’s constant infringements on the civil liberties of average Americans, the media suddenly think it’s a scandal now that they’re the butt of it.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35120.htm
Henry Kissinger Confronted While Receiving The Freedom Award
Video
” How does it feel winning a freedom award when you are wanted as a mass murder?”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35117.htm
The ‘Cult of Capitalism’
America Is Being Led Astray By Narcissists
By Paul B. Farrell
Capitalism is now a cult, and Jamie Dimon is the self-appointed leader of the “cult of capitalism.”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35118.htm
The Monsanto Revolution
By Timothy V. Gatto
The government has acted against the welfare of its own people for the personal gain of a corporation.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35126.htm
Food Justice: Monsanto, Factory Farming, and Beyond
By Mickey Z.
“The earth is not dying. It is being killed, and the people killing it have names and addresses.”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35124.htm
30 killed in Baghdad blasts, extending wave of violence-:
Bomb blasts tore through two Baghdad neighborhoods Wednesday evening, killing at least 30 people including several members of a wedding party, and extending a relentless wave of bloodshed roiling Iraq.
Syrian army seizes strategic air base near Qusair: state media:
Syrian troops and Hezbollah fighters already surround the border town of Qusair from three sides. Taking control of Dabaa, on the northern side of Qusair, would put the strategic town under siege from four sides.
Services collapsing in Syrian rebel-controlled areas:
Ravaged Aleppo sees food, fuel prices skyrocket, staples like medicine, baby formula non-existent; ‘We’ve nothing to feed babies,’ says resident
Rockets from Syria hit north-east Lebanon:
Three Syrian rockets hit the Bekaa valley city of Hermel Wednesday, wounding one person, a security source told The Daily Star.
UN rights council passes resolution demanding civilian protection:
The U.N. High Commissioner told the 47-nation U.N. Human Rights Council. “The message from all of us should be the same: we will not support this conflict with arms, ammunition, politics or religion.”
US-backed UN resolution on Syria is ‘odious’, says Russian foreign minister:
Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, has criticised as “odious” a US-backed draft resolution condemning the Syrian government before a debate at the UN human rights council on Wednesday. Lavrov said the “extremely unwholesome initiative” would damage attempts to end the Syrian civil war and convene a planned peace conference.
Obama asked Pentagon to prepare Syria no-fly zone plans – report:
If enacted, the no-fly zone would be enforced by the US military with help from France, Great Britain and other allies.
Pentagon pushes back against Syria no-fly zone report:
Pentagon press secretary George Little said in a statement there “is no new military planning effort underway with regard to Syria.”
White House says no-fly zone for Syria remains on table:
“Every option available to the president remains on the table when it comes to our policy towards Syria. That of course includes the possibility of a no-fly zone,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told a news briefing.
Russian Missile Plan Chills Chances for Syrian No-Fly Zone:
“The S-300 has the capacity to knock down cruise missiles as well as high-altitude planes,” he said. “So the possession of the S-300 certainly does pose greater difficulties to a no-fly zone.”
Israel warns of action over Russian plan to give missiles to Syria’s Assad;
A senior Israeli defense official warned on Tuesday that Russia’s plan to send sophisticated anti-aircraft weapons systems to Syria’s President Bashar Assad was a “threat” and signaled Israel could take some form of unspecified action in response.
Syria promises ‘immediate retaliation’ if Israel strikes again;
Syria’s foreign minister warned on Wednesday that Syria “will retaliate immediately” if Israel strikes Syrian soil again. – “Americans have no business in deciding who will run Syria,” adding that this “would be a precedent in international relations that we must not allow.”
Canada opposes arming Syria opposition:
Canada’s top diplomat Tuesday warned of “more violence, more deaths and more destruction” in Syria that risks spilling over into neighboring countries if the EU arms Syrian rebels.
Syrian “rebels” condemn opposition coalition:
Rebels on the ground in Syria have launched a blistering attack on the Syrian opposition coalition outside the country. A statement issued by the Revolutionary Movement in Syria said the coalition had failed to represent the Syrian revolution.
The Syrian opposition is in crisis, and it’s all on video;
A video has emerged from a crucial meeting of the main opposition group, the Syrian National Council, that gives an insight into just how divided the movement is.
Top diplomats in last-ditch meet with Syria opposition:
Dissidents say the chaotic meeting has been deadlocked by internal bickering as well as conflicting pressures from key backers of the revolt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, Turkey and the United States.
Russia blasts US double standards over Syrian peace progress:
The US-Russian initiative for a comprehensive peace conference to resolve the Syrian crisis needs honest effort of those involved. But some nations apparently try to undermine the effort to call the meeting, says the Russia’s foreign minister.
Iran ‘invited’ to Syria peace conference: State media:
Iran has received “an oral invitation” to attend a planned Syria peace conference in Geneva next month, the official IRNA news agency quoted a deputy foreign minister as saying on May 29.
Iran condemns McCain visit to Syria:
“The US senator’s illegal entry into Syria and his meeting with the commanders of the armed groups fighting the government of Syria is against American claims of seeking a political solution to the Syria crisis,” the Iranian diplomat said on Wednesday.
Send John McCain to Guantanamo Bay:
Given the fact that numerous individuals have been sent to the Guantanamo Bay detention facility for “associating with terrorists,” Senator John McCain has now opened himself up to the same fate after he met with FSA rebels in Syria who are admittedly led by and who have pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda terrorists.
Anti-Zionist Rabbis Seeking Support for Ambulance for Gaza:
Anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews have been outraged at the continuing atrocities involved in the ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip
29 “militants” killed in Afghan raids within 24 hours: gov’t:
Afghan army and police supported by the NATO-led coalition forces have eliminated 29 armed Taliban militants and detained 45 others during different operations started on Tuesday, the country’s Interior Ministry said Wednesday.
‘Attack on Red Cross office’ in Afghan city of Jalalabad:
There had been an explosion at the office, with two attackers holed up inside the building, officials say. – The Red Cross confirmed on its Twitter feed that “an incident” had occurred, but provided no further information.
Afghans ‘unlawfully held’ by UK forces at Camp Bastion:
UK lawyers acting for eight of the men said their clients had been held for up to 14 months without charge.
UK set to return up to 90 Afghans held without charge at ‘secret’ facility in Camp Bastion:
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond denies claims of unlawful detention in facility compared to Guantanamo Bay
US Kills 6 People In Pakistan: :
At least six suspected militants have been killed and three injured in a drone strike in north-western Pakistan, security officials have told the BBC.
In public relations exercise:
Pakistan denounces U.S. drone strike that killed Taliban leader:
“The government of Pakistan has expressed serious concerns over the U.S. drone attack that occurred in North Waziristan,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
One person killed as Buddhist mobs attack Muslim homes for second day in Myanmar:
Buddhist mobs armed with sticks and machetes burned Muslim homes on Wednesday for a second day in the northern Myanmar city of Lashio, contradicting claims in state media that soldiers and police had restored calm.
3 Libyan soldiers killed in Benghazi attack:
“An explosive device that was concealed in a rubbish bin blew up near a patrol of the Al-Khandak Brigades,” killing one soldier on the spot while the other two later died of their injuries, said Abdullah Al-Shaafi.
http://arabnews.com/news/453306
Libya: 2 killed in an attack on police patrol in Benghazi:
Libya’s official news agency says unidentified attackers hurled an explosive device at a security patrol in the eastern city of Benghazi, killing two and injuring several others.
U.S. military officers shot outside Venezuela strip club:
The two men are enlisted military officers who work at the U.S. Embassy and the State Department says their injuries are not life-threatening. Venezuelan authorities say that they have identified their attackers, but no arrests have been made.
Rival Honduras gangs declare truce:
Two of the most violent gangs in Honduras have announced a truce under a church-brokered drive to stem a tide of violence that has turned Honduras into the world’s most murderous country. Masked members of the “Calle 18” and “Mara Salvatrucha” gangs made separate announcements on Tuesday from within San Pedro Sula prison in northern Honduras
‘Force-feeding of hunger strikers at Gitmo is torture’:
Sara Flounders, co-director of the International Action Center slams the force-feeding of inmates at the notorious U.S.-run prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as a “form of torture”
GOP Congressman Downplays Gitmo Hunger Strike Crisis:
Detainees Have Actually ‘Put On Weight’: “The last thing to say about these folks who are supposedly hunger strikers is that they look to me like a lot of them had put on weight.” Pompeo, however, could not back that claim up:
Liberty Reserve payments system accused over $6bn money laundering:
The prosecution is one of the largest-ever brought in the US – although global bank HSBC was accused of greater money laundering, but settled by paying a fine.
HSBC faces court threat as deal on money laundering charges stalls:
HSBC’s controversial $1.9bn (£1.6bn) settlement deal with the US authorities over money laundering charges has stalled after a row between the justice department and the judge overseeing the case.
HSBC Faces Fresh Allegations Of Facilitating Money Laundering In Argentina: –
Argentina’s tax agency said on Monday it has uncovered 392 million pesos ($77 million) in fraudulent transactions by HSBC Holdings Plc and said it has asked the judicial system to probe the European bank for alleged tax evasion and money laundering.
U.K. Retail Sales Fall At Fastest Pace Since January 2012:
U.K. retail sales declined at the fastest rate in more than a year in May, signaling that growth in the retail sector weakened persistently in 2013, survey data released by the Confederation of British Industry revealed Wednesday.
U.K. Banks Cut 189,000 With Employment at Nine-Year Low:
Britain’s four biggest banks will have eliminated about 189,000 jobs by the end of this year from their peak staffing levels, bringing employment to a nine-year low amid a dearth of revenue. More cuts may follow.
Bleak Future? UK youth lost to austerity fears never finding jobs: Video report:
Skyrocketing youth unemployment is becoming the greatest concern for the UK, as well as other European nations. The EU leaders are sounding the alert over the entire generation which they fear will never find jobs
U.K. Names UBS and Goldman Sachs to Lead Royal Mail Sale:
No final decision has been taken about how or when to sell Royal Mail, according to the statement. The government has said its preferred option is an initial public offering by the end of the current financial year next March.
Senator Dianne Feinstein’s husband chairs a company that brokers sales of USPS facilities.:
The United States has entered into a contract with one firm to sell 56 buildings that currently house U.S. Post Offices. The sale of these properties will bring in billions of dollars and, with that, millions of dollars in commissions for the one Company that is in charge of handling the sale
Wal-Mart Will Pay $81.6 Million in Pollutant Dumping Case:
Under a plea agreement, Wal-Mart will pay $60 million in fines and community service payments in California, $14 million in fines and community service payments in Missouri and a $7.6 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fine, according to a Justice Department statement.
How the Rich Got Richer, Global Comparisons :
Dylan Matthews highlights a fascinating little chart today. Roughly speaking, it plots two things for 18 different countries: (a) how much the rich have gotten richer over the past 50 years, and (b) how much tax rates on the rich have gone down during the same period.
Home of the brave?
Tiny Lego Gun Wielded by Kindergartner Panics Grown-Ups:
A 6-year-old with a 2-inch-long plastic assault rifle walks onto a school bus. Anyone want to guess the punchline?
Cost Of War
Number Of Iraqis Slaughtered In US War And Occupation Of Iraq “1,455,590“
Number of U.S. Military Personnel Sacrificed (Officially acknowledged) In America’s War On Iraq: 4,883
Number Of International Occupation Force Troops Slaughtered In Afghanistan : 3,316
Cost of War in Iraq & Afghanistan
Total Cost of Wars Since 2001
$1,443,212,845,736
The New Dark Age 