Common Dreams
US Iran Hawks in Congress in Some Disarray
WASHINGTON - Hopes by Iran hawks here to get the U.S. Congress to wield the threat of a U.S. military attack on the Islamic Republic on the eve of next week's critical negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program appear to have fallen unexpectedly short.
Congress, Standing Against Public Majority, Votes for More War in Afghanistan
By a vote of 303-113, the US House of Representatives rejected an amendment by California's Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) on Thursday that would have swiftly ended combat operations in Afghanistan by limiting funds only to the "safe and orderly withdrawal of U.S. troops and military contractors from Afghanistan."
The amendment was among dozens debated during passage of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
House Bill Reinstates 'Global Gag Rule,' Cuts All Funds for United Nations Population Fund
A House panel has approved today a 2013 State Department funding bill that reinstates the Mexico City Policy, also known as the "global gag rule," and eliminates all funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).(photo: Women's eNews)
Updated: Under Pressure, TED Releases 'Income Inequality' Talk
UPDATE: After a spirited twenty-four hour online campaign aimed at TED, which urged the group to make available a talk given in March by venture capitalist, Nick Hanauer, on the negative impacts of income inequality on the economy, the non-profit group released a statement addressing what they termed "a non story," offered their side, and posted the video.
Here it is:
Massive Student Protest Fills Streets of Montreal after Proposed 'Emergency' Law
Thousands of student protesters flooded the streets in Montreal last night after Quebec Premier Jean Charest announced a proposal for a new 'emergency law' in a bid to end the ongoing 14 week old student uprising and strike.
The proposed legislation would halt the spring semester, push up the summer holidays, and restart classes in August. The move would maneuver around the current student strike and walkouts, moving classes to later in the year, in an effort to 'restore calm'.
Hoax: CBS Reports Predator Drone Spotted Near Chicago Days Before NATO Summit
UPDATE: New video below shows that the drone video is a hoax.
* * *
CBS News in Chicago is running the following news item. Many viewers in discussion accompanying the YouTube video think the video is faked. What do you think?
* * *
CBS News Chicago reports:
International Civil Society Ramps Up Campaign Against US Drones
PESHAWAR - Growing numbers of activists are beginning to counter U.S. Drone attacks into Pakistani territory. The activists are confronting the U.S., but increasingly now the Pakistani government for allowing such attacks to continue.
The Tehreek Insaf party led by former Pakistani cricket captain Imran Khan first stepped up the political heat against the Drones. Civil society groups, including Pakistani lawyers, and now also groups from the U.S. and Britain have joined the campaign.
NDAA's 'Indefinite Detention' Provisions Unconstitutional, says Judge
A federal judge in New York on Wednesday ruled in favor of a group of civilian activists and journalists and struck down highly controversial 'indefinite detention' and 'material support' provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act, enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Obama last December.
NDAA's 'Indefinite Detention' Provisions Unconstitutional, says Judge
A federal judge in New York on Wednesday ruled in favor of a group of civilian activists and journalists and struck down highly controversial 'indefinite detention' and 'material support' provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act, enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Obama last December.
J Street President: Senators, Congressmen 'Live in Fear' of Pro-Israel Groups
J Street founder and President Jeremy Ben-Ami stated that many congressmen and senators refuse to criticize Israel because they "live in fear" of retribution from pro-Israel groups, Haaretz reports.
Ben-Ami made the comments on Tuesday evening during a tepid debate between Ben-Ami and Bill Kristol, editor of Weekly Standard and a director of the pro-Israel Emergency Committee for Israel, on what it means to be pro-Israel in America in 2012
* * *
Despite Fukushima, US Reduces Nuclear Plant Drills, Test Evacuations
Despite the widespread contamination from last year's Fukushima nuclear accident, the Obama administration's nuclear regulators have quietly weakened planning for emergency response to a major US nuclear power plant accident.
The Associated Press reports that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which run the program together, are now requiring fewer exercises for major accidents and recommending that fewer people be evacuated.
Cesium from Fukushima Spikes in Tokyo Bay
Radioactive cesium measured in samples of silt taken from Tokyo Bay has increased to 1.5-13 times the amount detected in similar samples last August, according to a survey conducted by Kinki University.
The cesium is believed to have entered the bay via rivers after its release from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant following last year's accidents there.
* * *
The Japan Times reports:
Greek Voters to Face Month of Eurozone 'Fear-Mongering' to Swallow Austerity
Greek voters are in for several tumultuous weeks ahead of next month's parliamentary elections as the country's "troika" of creditors – the European Union, the European Central Bank and the IMF – are sure to ratchet up pressure in hopes they can dissuade Greece from further rejecting austerity policies.
'Blockupy Frankfurt' Protesters Cleared From Camp During Anti-Austerity Demonstration
Hundreds of protesters under the banner of Blockupy Frankfurt have been removed by German police today after staging a demonstration against austerity in front of the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters in Frankfurt.
The group has called for four days of action including an occupation of financial districts and a blockade of the ECB and other banks, and for democracy everywhere.
Policy cleared the camp, carrying some of the protesters off, after the occupiers refused to leave the site.
Associated Press Calls Out Romney's Lies in 'Prairie Fire' Speech
In a speech in Iowa on Tuesday, Mitt Romney came out swinging as he vigorously blamed the 'prairie fire' of U.S. debt on President Obama, whom he painted as the leading cause of the hurting economy.
Romney, calling for extreme spending and tax cuts and long-term budget discipline, framed an ultra-conservative fiscal plan.
New Research Suggests Tasers Can Be Lethal
Questions about the safety of taser stun guns used by police forces across the globe have been raging ever since the supposedly non-lethal weapons first came into use over a decade ago.
New Research Suggests Tasers Can Be Lethal
Questions about the safety of taser stun guns used by police forces across the globe have been raging ever since the supposedly non-lethal weapons first came into use over a decade ago.
Unrest Is Growing in the Run-Up to Egypt's Presidential Election
Egypt’s ever-turbulent political transition has been particularly volatile in the past few weeks, as the country approaches a highly anticipated presidential election scheduled to begin later this month. A series of deadly street clashes in the run-up to the poll have left at least a dozen people dead, hundreds wounded and hundreds more in detention facing military trials.
Unrest Is Growing in the Run-Up to Egypt's Presidential Election
Egypt’s ever-turbulent political transition has been particularly volatile in the past few weeks, as the country approaches a highly anticipated presidential election scheduled to begin later this month. A series of deadly street clashes in the run-up to the poll have left at least a dozen people dead, hundreds wounded and hundreds more in detention facing military trials.