21 October 2013 — Information Clearing House
Engineering Consent For More Wars
U.S. Military Investing Heavily in Africa
By Shashank Bengali
The Pentagon has begun a burst of spending in Africa, investing in air facilities, flight services, telecommunications and electrical upgrades as the U.S. military deepens its footprint in a region with a rising threat of “Islamist terrorism”.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36604.htm
Remember ‘Kony’?
By Daniel McAdams
Remember the bizarre “Kony 2012” video last year that was supposed to mobilize us all to fight the really bad guys in Uganda?
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36612.htm
The Business of America Is War
Disaster Capitalism on the Battlefield and in the Boardroom
By William J. Astore
In the halls of Congress and the Pentagon, it’s business as usual, if your definition of “business” is the power and profits you get from constantly preparing for and prosecuting wars around the world. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36606.htm
In Case You Missed It
Why It’s “Legal” When the U.S. Does It
By Noam Chomsky
The United States is in favor of stability. But you have to remember what stability means. Stability means conformity to US orders.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33828.htm
Carrots Or Sticks For Iran?
By Eric Margolis
Israel’s constant alarms about Iran’s so far non-existent nuclear weapons serves to distract attention from its rapid absorption of the West Bank and Golan, and generate potent political and financial support from its North American partisans.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36608.htm
What Comes Next:
A Secular Democratic State in Historic Palestine – A Promising Land
By Omar Barghouti
Israel has adopted a strategy of “territorial seizure and apartheid,” as the publisher of the Israeli daily Haaretz put it, that obviates the practical possibility of implementing a two-state solution.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36602.htm
France, Mexico Seek Answers on ‘Shocking’ US Spy Claims
By AFP
The spy agency taped 70.3 million phone calls in France over a 30-day period between December 10 and January 8 this year, Le Monde reported in its online version, citing documents from Snowden.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36600.htm
Glenn Greenwald and the $250 Million “Angel Investor”
By Jonathan Franklin
Omidyar, who was considering buying The Washington Post this year, decided that for the same price – $250 million – he could build his own investigative journalism outfit.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36601.htm
US Torture On A Daily Basis
Video
Do you have the stomach to watch?
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36609.htm
Race is Central to the Fear and Angst of the US Right
By Gary Younge
The shrinking white base of the Republican party cannot accept the country in which it now lives – so it shut it down.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36607.htm
Al Qaeda and the American Police State with Chris Hedges
Video
Chris Hedges speaks about the conspiracy to use Al Qaeda to strip civil liberties and make a police state, the death of Osama Bin Laden, attack on journalists and more in this Buzzsaw interview hosted by Sean Stone.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36611.htm
The Militarization of the Police
Are We Living in a Police State?
By Top Criminal Justice Degrees
There has been a 4000% increase in “no knock,” militarily-armed swat team raids over the past thirty years.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36610.htm
Let’s Get This Class War Started
By Chris Hedges
We have been blinded to the depravity of our ruling elite by the relentless propaganda of public relations firms that work on behalf of corporations and the rich.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36603.htm
36 militants killed in Afghan raids:
36 “armed Taliban” were killed, 18 wounded and 15 others were arrested by the ANSF,” the ministry said in a statement providing daily operational updates.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2013-10/21/content_17049083.htm
Two police killed in Afghan roadside bombing:
Two Afghan policemen were killed and four others wounded Monday in roadside bombing in the northern province of Baghlan, sources said.
http://english.eastday.com/e/131021/u1a7726365.html
Fourteen Million AFG Stolen From New Kabul Bank:
Roughly 250,000 USD, was stolen from a branch of New Kabul Bank in the Baraki area of Kabul city on Sunday night. Preliminary investigations were said to indicate three staff-members of the bank branch were behind the robbery.
http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/12335-fourteen-million-afg-stolen-from-new-kabul-bank
At Least Five Killed In Pakistan Train Bombing:
Provincial government official Asad Gillani said the explosives had apparently been planted on the railway tracks as the blast caused a crater several feet deep.
Blast kills 6 bus passengers in Russia:
Interfax, a Russian news agency, reported that Russian intelligence officials believe the blast was caused by a female suicide bomber.
http://rt.com/news/volgograd-bus-explosion-dead-486/
Bush- Blair Legacy Continues As
16 killed in Iraq terror attacks:
The attacks occurred at noon when two suicide bombers attacked the city council and a nearby police station in Rawa, about 100 km west of Baghdad, the source told Xinhua.
http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-16-killed-in-iraq-terror-attacks-1906158
Senior Syria rebel chief killed in clashes with army:
Lieutenant Colonel Yasser Abbud, “leader of the Fallujah-Houran brigade… was killed fighting against regime troops in Tafas”, a spokesman for the rebel Military Council in the southern province of Daraa told AFP.
Besieged Syrian town sends SOS to world:
Mouadamiya, on the southwest outskirts of the capital Damascus, was occupied by rebels last year and the government has been trying to win it back since then. “For nearly one year, the city of Mouadamiya has been under siege with no access to food, electricity, medicine, communications, and fuel,” said the letter
Syria’s Assad says willing to run for presidency :
” I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t run in the next election.”
Kerry warns against Assad’s re-election:
US Secretary of State tells reporters in Paris that any attempt by Syrian leader at re-election may extend civil war.
Pressure on Syria rebels to join talks:
Opposition group has postponed internal meetings to early November, a member said today. “Our political committee and general assembly meetings in Istanbul have been postponed till the start of November,” said National Coalition member Samir Nashar.
http://www.thestatesman.net/news/20975-pressure-on-syria-rebels-to-join-talks.html
Kerry voices doubts on Iran role in Geneva talks on Syria:
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday it was hard to see how Iran could play a constructive role in planned peace talks in Geneva without backing plans for a transitional government in Syria.
http://www.courant.com/news/nation-world/sns-rt-us-syria-crisis-usa-iran-20131021,0,2304090.story
Report: US canceled delivery of Predators to Turkey:
The United States Congress canceled the delivery to Turkey of 10 Predators — unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are proving crucial in combating terrorism — following Turkish intelligence chief Hakan Fidan’s disclosure of the identity of 10 Iranians who had been working for Mossad with the Iranian intelligence service, according to the Taraf daily.
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-329391-report-us-canceled-delivery-of-predators-to-turkey.html
The BBC spreads untruths about Iran’s nuclear activities:
Misrepresentation is all over the BBC website as well. A Q&A on what is termed the “Iran nuclear crisis” begins by posing the question “Why is there a crisis?” and responds:
Iran gives Russia copy of US ScanEagle drone as proof of mass production:
US spy drone given to prove Iran’s forces have mass produced the drone they claim to have captured a year ago
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/21/iran-russia-us-scaneagle-spy-drone-production-capture
Gulf states, Egypt back Saudi rejection of UN seat:
Expressions of support from Saudi Arabia’s Gulf Arab friends contained no overt criticism of U.S. policy, but echoed the kingdom’s complaints about the Security Council’s failure to end the war in Syria and resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/10/21/saudi-un-gulf-idINDEE99K0AP20131021
U.S. tries to calm Saudi anger over Syria, Iran:
Secretary of State John Kerry sought on Monday to calm rising tensions with Saudi Arabia, which has spurned a U.N. Security Council seat in fury at inaction over the crisis in Syria.
Saudi Arabia ‘failing to address human rights concerns’:
Saudi Arabia has failed to act on recommendations by a UN body to improve human rights and instead “ratcheted up” repression, Amnesty International says.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24607253
Saudi Arabia: Videos Challenge a Ban on Women Driving and Gather Support for Change: Video –
Ms. Azwah is defiantly resisting the restriction on women’s rights for one of the most basic and essential tasks of life-getting around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74VqCRR9x1E&feature=share&list=PLXhuzKSXJ9OS-84Vj5rkFj-HYAUVkWpll
Qatar court upholds poet Mohammed al-Ajami’s sentence:
A court in Qatar has upheld a 15-year prison sentence given to a poet found guilty of inciting people to overthrow the government and insulting the emir.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24612650
Israel must end settlements: EU head Lithuania:
Grybauskaite called on Israel “to end the expansion of settlements in the occupied territories,” insisting that “the European Union does not recognise settlements as part of Israel.”
Israel’s Livni to block effort to bar talks about Jerusalem: –
Israel’s chief “peace” negotiator will seek to block a proposal introduced by members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet to make it tougher to negotiate with the Palestinians over Jerusalem, one of her aides said on Sunday.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/10/20/uk-israel-palestinians-jerusalem-idUKBRE99J07120131020
40 people killed in rebel attack in South Sudan:
At least 40 people were killed, including soldiers belonging to Sudan People’s Liberation Army ( SPLA) of South Sudan, in an attack by rebels in Jonglei State on Sunday, local media reported Monday.
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=174784
Ten killed as gunmen open fire on Borno residents:
Barely 24 hours after gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect attacked a boarder communities of Logomani villages between Dikwa – Gamboru Ngala and Cameroon Republic killing over 20 civilians, another set of gunmen invaded villages of Local Government Area of Borno state, killing 10 residents including three vigilante youth suspected to be civilian JTF.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/ten-killed-gunmen-invade-brono-village/
3 killed as gunmen open fire on Coptic Christian wedding in Cairo:
Three people, including a girl aged eight, died when gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on a wedding party outside a Coptic Christian church in Cairo. At least nine others were wounded in the attack in Giza, officials said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24605130
5 killed in armed clashes over residential allocations in Libya:
Five people were killed and four others wounded in armed clashes following an allocation dispute in a residential complex in Libya, security sources said Monday.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/819161.shtml
Libyan PM Says Controlling Militias ‘Beyond the Capability of Anyone’:
Ali Zeidan blames the deteriorating security situation on ‘various parties’ in and outside the government
Libyan PM Says Controlling Militias ‘Beyond the Capability of Anyone’
Libya ‘awash with weapons’ – PM:
Libya’s prime minister said he is “swimming against the current” in a country awash with militias and weapons as Libyans mark the second anniversary of the killing of dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/libya-awash-with-weapons-pm-29675334.html
NATO sets up small defense adviser group to strengthen Libya’s security apparatus:
Carmen Romero, a spokeswoman for the defense alliance, said ambassadors from NATO’s 28 member countries on Monday granted the request first made by Libyan authorities in May.
http://www.startribune.com/world/228613551.html
Libya Is a Failed State: Op-Ed:
Last week gunmen seized Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan from a hotel in central Tripoli, releasing him shortly afterwards, but making it clear that post-Gaddafi Libya is a failed state and that the government is incapable of taking full control over its oilfields and export terminals.
http://worldpress.org/Mideast/3986.cfm
Gaddafi’s wife demands return of his body: –
The widow Muammar Gaddafi has urged the United Nations and the European Union to help her recover the remains of her husband and their son Mutassim.
http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Gaddafis-wife-demands-return-of-his-body-20131021-3
UK Student pleads guilty to murder/attacks on Midlands mosques:
A gifted student has pleaded guilty to a campaign of terrorist attacks in the Midlands in which he stabbed to death a Muslim grandfather and staged bomb attacks against mosques in an attempt to murder and maim worshippers.
Pope Francis describes ‘ideological Christians’ as a ‘serious illness’ within the Church:
“And when a Christian becomes a disciple of the ideology, he has lost the faith: he is no longer a disciple of Jesus, he is a disciple of this attitude of thought… “
France summons U.S. ambassador over NSA spying claims:
“When a telephone number is used in France, it activates a signal which automatically triggers the recording of the call. Apparently this surveillance system also picks up SMS messages and their content using key words,” the French newspaper reported
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/10/21/nsa-spying-france-le-monde/3142121/
Espionnage de la NSA : tous les documents publiés par “Le Monde”:
Retrouvez ci-dessous l’ensemble des documents publiés par Le Monde, en collaboration avec le journaliste Glenn Greenwald.
EU’s first step towards data protection in wake of Snowden leaks : Video –
The measure would make America’s secret court orders powerless, forcing companies to comply with European laws. And MI5 agent Annie Machon thinks there’s still a lot of room for improvement in protecting privacy.
The NSA files: how they affect you – video animation, explaining how the NSA collects the information:
This really isn’t just a story for geeks. Here’s why
http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2013/oct/21/nsa-files-how-they-affect-you-video-animation
The World’s Policeman Is Looking Mighty Guilty:
NSA snooping exposed by Snowden breaches international law, experts say.
‘Guardian’ scoops up two online journalism awards for NSA coverage:
The Guardian’s exposure of the electronic surveillance by the US spy agency was honored in the categories of innovative investigative journalism and watchdog journalism at the annual awards banquet here of the Online News Association (ONA).
The US government’s secrecy problem just got worse: Commentary:
Judge endorses dangerous claim that officials can classify documents usable as ‘??propaganda’??
China shuts down city amid smog crisis:
Schools suspend classes and authorities closed the airport as smog engulfs a city of 11 million
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/10/21/china-shuts-downcityamidsmogemergency.html
Interview With George Soros: ‘Greece Can Never Pay Back Its Debt’:
Should Greece have a large part of its debt waived? Absolutely, says George Soros, otherwise the country will never recover. The billionaire investor also warns about the rise of extremist parties if Germany does not change its policies towards Europe.
For JPMorgan, Ending Criminal Probe Proves Impossible for Now:
Dimon has negotiated a tentative $13 billion deal to settle many of the U.S. investigations into mortgage bonds that JPMorgan – and the banks it bought during the financial crisis – sold to investors.
U.S. housing regulators seek over $6 billion from BofA: FT: –
U.S. housing regulators are looking to fine Bank of America more than $6 billion for its role in misleading mortgage agencies during the housing boom, compared with the $4 billion to be paid by JPMorgan Chase & Co, the Financial Times reported on its website, citing people familiar with the matter.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/20/us-bofa-settlement-idUSBRE99J0AW20131020
Fed could up QE to $1 trillion a month: Marc Faber: Video – Faber:
Fed is ‘boxed in’ with no exit strategy “The question is not tapering. The question is at what point will they increase the asset purchases to say $150 [billion] , $200 [billion], a trillion dollars a month,” Faber said in a “Squawk Box” interview.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101127962
Treasuries Lose Cachet on Lowest Foreign Demand Since ’01:
America’s borrowing costs are on the cusp of exceeding the rest of the world for the first time since 2010
Sales of Existing U.S. Homes Fall as Affordability Drops:
Sales (ETSLTOTL) of existing U.S. homes fell in September for the first time in three months as higher prices and mortgage rates curbed demand in an industry that helped boost the expansion last year.
5,057 janitors in the U.S. have Ph.D.’s:
Over 317,000 waiters and waitresses have college degrees (over 8,000 of them have doctoral or professional degrees), along with over 80,000 bartenders, and over 18,000 parking lot attendants.
http://chronicle.com/blogs/innovations/why-did-17-million-students-go-to-college
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 : 3,393
Cost of War in Iraq & Afghanistan
Total Cost of Wars Since 2001
$1,482,433,148,863
The New Dark Age 
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