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Bomb blast kills 1, injures 11 at German restaurant
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Britain
al-Guardian has a >$200M Loss for 2015 with more for 2016
[FinancialTimes] Guardian Media Group (GMG)'s total pre-tax loss will hit £173m as the group belatedly writes down about £80m in the value of its stake in Ascential, the publicly quoted magazine and events company, and takes a £20m restructuring charge over severance payments....

About 270 employees in the UK have agreed voluntary redundancy and GMG is also closing 60 unfilled vacancies. This equates to 20 per cent of the UK workforce...
The poor, sanctimonious darlings.
Posted by: lord garth || 07/25/2016 11:34 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  But remember, there seems to be an unlimited source of funds to flush down these liberal fishwrap operations at the same time we are told schools have no desks or chairs, orphans are starving and old people are freezing in their garrets. Funny how that works...
Posted by: M. Murcek || 07/25/2016 13:21 Comments || Top||

#2  So, the Guardian's application for non-profit status was approved by the IRS?
Posted by: Raj || 07/25/2016 15:00 Comments || Top||

#3  Well once their liberal masters run out of other people's dough, then the magazine will fold like a cheap kite in a gale.
Posted by: DarthVader || 07/25/2016 18:04 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
Cambodia blocks ASEAN statement on South China Sea
Southeast Asian nations failed to agree on maritime disputes in the South China Sea on Sunday after Cambodia blocked any mention to an international court ruling against Beijing in their statement, diplomats said.

Foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met for the first time since the U.N.-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration handed an emphatic legal victory to the Philippines in the dispute this month. The ruling by the court in The Hague denied China's sweeping claims in the strategic seaway, through which more than $5 trillion in global trade passes each year.

China claims most of the sea, but ASEAN members the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei all have rival claims. Beijing says the ruling has no bearing on its rights in the sea, and described the case as a farce.

The Philippines and Vietnam both wanted the communique issued by ASEAN foreign ministers after their meeting to refer to the ruling and the need to respect international law, ASEAN diplomats said. Their foreign ministers both discussed the ruling with ASEAN counterparts in the Laotian capital.

But before the meeting, China's closest ASEAN ally Cambodia opposed the proposed wording, throwing the group into disarray. Phnom Penh supports Beijing's opposition to any ASEAN stand on the South China Sea, and its preference for dealing with the disputed claims on a bilateral basis.

"We are still working on it," Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told Reuters after the meeting on Sunday, adding that she hoped the ASEAN members would reach an agreement.

Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon declined to comment on his country's position on Sunday.

Even after a late-night meeting of foreign ministers called to thrash out the issue late on Saturday, the region's top diplomats were unable to find a compromise. The group has given itself until Tuesday to come to issue a statement, said one ASEAN diplomat.

ASEAN is facing the prospect of being unable to issue a statement after a meeting for only the second time in its 49-year history. The first time, in 2012, was also due to Cambodia's resistance to language about the South China Sea.

Over the next two days, Southeast Asian nations will meet with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Kerry and Wang are also expected to meet and discuss the maritime issues.

Wang, who started bilateral meetings with ASEAN members on Sunday, said he thought the media focus on the South China Sea issue was "very strange". It was "not a China-ASEAN issue," he said, adding that disputes should be resolved among the parties involved.

Japan's Foreign Minister Fumiko Kishida will also be in Laos for the ASEAN regional forum meeting. It is unclear if he will meet Wang, but China reacted angrily to Kishida saying he would discuss the sea issue if they do meet.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, in a statement posted on the ministry's website, said the sea is not Japan's concern.

"We urge Japan not to hype up and meddle in the South China Sea issue," he said. "Japan is not a concerned party in the South China Sea, and because of its disgraceful history is in no place to make irresponsible comments about China."

The United States, allied with the Philippines and cultivating closer relations with Vietnam, has called on China to respect the court's ruling. It has criticised China's building of artificial islands and facilities in the sea and has sailed warships close to the disputed territory to assert freedom of navigation rights.

But Kerry will urge ASEAN nations to explore diplomatic ways to ease tension over Asia's biggest potential military flashpoint, a senior U.S. official said ahead of his trip.
Diplomacy will fail, of course, because none of the ASEAN members have a way to threaten China in any meaningful way.
Chinese state media called for "damage control" at the meetings. A commentary published by the official Xinhua news agency on Sunday said the court ruling was a "blow to peace and stability in the region ... and only serves to increase the likelihood of confrontation and turbulence."
Posted by: Steve White || 07/25/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon declined to comment on his country's position on Sunday.

(A) Cambodia is still mad about their little war with Vietnam; and
(B) the PRC pays bigger bribes.
Posted by: magpie || 07/25/2016 12:48 Comments || Top||

#2  I guess they're still owned by the major foreign sponsors of the Khmer Rouge.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 07/25/2016 13:52 Comments || Top||


The Grand Turk
Turkish newspaper names US general as ‘leader' of failed coup attempt
[news.com.au] TURKEY's former anti-terrorism chief has warned that an article accusing a US general of orchestrating the failed coup represents a serious threat to US citizens. Turkey, which has declared a three-month state of emergency after a failed coup attempt on July 15, admits to having detained more than 13,000 people in the military, judiciary and other institutions.

The wave of arrests, possibly much higher than the official figure, has alarmed NATO allies and European leaders with fears the moves represent an attempt by Turkey's controversial President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to cement his hold on power and remove all forms of opposition.

Turkish officials insist that the purge of all levels of society is necessary to protect its democracy from threats both within and without.

And it seems it believes the United States is one such threat.

Professor Ahmet Yayla, Former Chief of Counter-terrorism for the Turkish National Police and a member of the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism, has pointed to today’s front page of a pro-Erdogan newspaper as a major and dangerous escalation in rhetoric.

The Yeni Safak newspaper appeared on news stands today with the headline "This man led the coup", accusing United States Army General J.F. Campbell of commanding the uprising a little more than a week ago.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/25/2016 06:20 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Just for the record - General Campbell retired in April 2016.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/25/2016 6:33 Comments || Top||

#2  Why is Erdogan so butt hurt over Gülen, scholars, academicians?

Gülen is an Erdogan rival who leads a popular movement called Hizmet (The Service). Hizmet includes hundreds of secular co-ed schools, free tutoring centres, hospitals and relief agencies credited with addressing Turkey’s social problems.

Gülen is an Islamic scholar, preacher and social advocate, whose decades‐long commitment to interfaith tolerance and altruism has inspired millions in Turkey and around the world. Gülen is the honorary chairman of the Rumi Forum, Washington, DC; the Intercultural Dialogue Platform, Brussels, Belgium; and the Foundation of Journalists and Writers, Istanbul, Turkey.

Everyone knows these are tasks which should be handled by big government. Unfortunately, Erdogan believes it should be his big government and not ours.

Posted by: Besoeker || 07/25/2016 8:49 Comments || Top||

#3  Why is an Islamic dictator a member of NATO?
Posted by: Jack Salami || 07/25/2016 9:36 Comments || Top||

#4  NATO prides itself on being apolitical. When the colonels took over Greece, it did nothing. When coup ousted governments in Turkey it did nothing. When nations fall behind on annual obligations it does nothing.
Posted by: Whavise Wheque2596 || 07/25/2016 9:57 Comments || Top||

#5  Why is an Islamic dictator a member of NATO?

Because Romney would not stand up for himself?
Posted by: swksvolFF || 07/25/2016 10:34 Comments || Top||

#6  I'm hoping this leads to Turkey being suspended from NATO. Then we won't get dragged in when they start a war with Russia.
Posted by: phil_b || 07/25/2016 16:27 Comments || Top||

#7  A big f-u to you Turkey. America and Europe have sort of cared about your future for the last century. You let that go at your peril...
Posted by: rammer || 07/25/2016 23:40 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
#DemExit: Bernie Supporters React to #DNCLeaks
[LI] Kemberlee reported that leaked emails put out by Wikileaks suggested that DNC scuttled the Bernie Sanders campaign and were targeting his religion as part of their plans.

Hillary probably wishes these email were the ones deleted, as they clearly show that instead of treating Sanders as serious candidate for the Democratic ticket, the DNC worked against him and his campaign to ensure Clinton received the nomination.

One email from DNC Deputy Communications Director Eric Walker to several DNC staffers cites two news articles showing Sanders leading in Rhode Island and the limited number of polling locations in the state: "If she outperforms this polling, the Bernie camp will go nuts and allege misconduct. They’ll probably complain regardless, actually."

Instead of treating Sanders with impartiality, the DNC exhibits resentful disdain toward him and the thousands of disenfranchised voters he could have brought into the party.

...The release provides further evidence the DNC broke its own charter violations by favoring Clinton as the Democratic presidential nominee, long before any votes were cast.

Posted by: Besoeker || 07/25/2016 03:13 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Here's a wikileaks link where Hillary says to remove classified markings
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 07/25/2016 5:51 Comments || Top||

#2  Given the reaction from the GOPe I bet the 'pub e-mails about Trump are similar, though it may be that they were open about there seething hatred the whole time.
Posted by: AlanC || 07/25/2016 8:51 Comments || Top||

#3  I think she did delete the originals: I believe these were snatched off her server before the FBI got onto her trail, which means all the other classified e-mails were leaked also.
Posted by: ptah || 07/25/2016 10:39 Comments || Top||

#4  Yes ptah, any credible damage assessment team would reach the same conclusion. To do otherwise would be totally unacceptable.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/25/2016 11:10 Comments || Top||


Democratic convention draws thousands of protesters to Philadelphia
[Guardian] Thousands of demonstrators took to the sweltering streets of Philadelphia on Sunday, chanting and beating drums in the first major protests ahead of the Democratic national convention.

Throngs of clean energy activists jammed a major thoroughfare in a mile-long march from city hall to Independence Mall, near the Liberty Bell. They held anti-fracking and anti-pipeline signs, some with illustrations such as a train surrounded by a fireball and the words "No Exploding Trains". Others held "Bernie or Bust" signs.

Sam Miller, 82, had traveled from Erie, Pennsylvania, to join the march that stretched several blocks and across a wide street as temperatures in the city soared into the mid-90s. He said he was inspired because "fracking is invading Mother Earth".

As in Cleveland around the Republican convention this week, police were using bicycles as barricades and volunteers were handing out water to marchers. Shoppers came out of stores to watch the march.

Chants of "Bernie! Bernie!" were met by counter echoes of "Hillary! Hillary!"
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/25/2016 03:09 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  They could burn half the city down, but the Ministry of Truth Donk MSM will never let you know or see.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 07/25/2016 7:41 Comments || Top||

#2  And by the way.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 07/25/2016 9:57 Comments || Top||

#3  Thanks P2k, far too rich. I hope Paul Manafort and his team pick up on that one.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/25/2016 9:59 Comments || Top||

#4  About that Fence
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 07/25/2016 10:25 Comments || Top||

#5  Looking at the pix, the fence appears to be made of irony.
Posted by: SteveS || 07/25/2016 10:40 Comments || Top||

#6  Turn off the water
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 07/25/2016 10:50 Comments || Top||

#7  I hope the heat wave makes the crowds miserable, agitated and reactive.
Posted by: Skidmark || 07/25/2016 12:10 Comments || Top||

#8  If I were Mr. Trump, I'd quietly arrange to ship in a few semi-truckloads of bottled water. Then let it be known after the convention.
Posted by: Pappy || 07/25/2016 12:58 Comments || Top||

#9  The delegates were chanting for Bernie during the Gaveling in of the convention. I really can't wait to see if Bernie gets booed again for endorsing Clinton, and if Clintons acceptance speech gets booed. Someone gimme popcorn!
Posted by: Charles || 07/25/2016 17:30 Comments || Top||

#10  "If I were Mr. Trump, I'd quietly arrange to ship in a few semi-truckloads of bottled water."

Only if he labels them "Courtesy of Donald Trump," Pappy. :-D
Posted by: Barbara || 07/25/2016 19:41 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Loopholes persist in 'honour killing' bill
[DAWN] The proposed legislation on honour killings has introduced strict punishment for the convicts making it tougher than the ordinary murder cases.

However,
denial ain't just a river in Egypt...
legal experts are of the view that after killing a relative in the name of honour, a person may declare it a simple murder to avoid the punishment.

Under the existing law, a murderer can be released after the legal heirs pardon him. But the proposed legislation on honour killings recommends 25 years’ imprisonment even if the heirs of the victim pardon the convict. Under Section 302 of the Pakistain Penal Code (PPC), the convict in a simple murder case may get the life imprisonment of 14 years or a maximum of the death penalty.

Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, a criminal law expert and the president of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, said the legislation on honour killings would not achieve the desired results as the accused may claim that he had committed the murder for other reasons such as a dispute over property etc. Hence, he may be charged with Section 302 of the PPC and the family members may pardon him under Section 309 of the PPC.

Posted by: Fred || 07/25/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  Who could have seen that one coming?
Posted by: gorb || 07/25/2016 20:38 Comments || Top||


Nawaz's open-heart surgery a lie, claims PTI spokesman
[DAWN] Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
(PTI) front man, Naeemul Haq, on Sunday alleged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
lied about his recent open-heart surgery.

In an interview with DawnNews, Naeemul Haq said, "Nawaz Sharif lied about his illness and released a false statement from there [London]. There was no doctor's name and no open-heart surgery."

"We have received lots of information from doctors in London," he claimed.

When asked whether this was the PTI's official stance, Naeemul Haq said, "This is the case according to my knowledge."

The PTI front man was of the opinion that the premier "wants to hide wrongdoings that were exposed by the Panama leaks" and that "Nawaz Sharif is the only danger to democracy."

"For three months, he has fooled the people on the Panama issue," he added.

The PTI front man said the party along with other opposition parties had, after a number of discussions, agreed on two points: that the Panama leaks should be investigated and that corruption must end.

A PM House spokesperson said they were not aware of Naeemul Haq's allegations and did not offer a comment on the matter.

Nawaz Sharif underwent open-heart surgery at a London hospital on May 31. The need for the surgery arose after the premier went through a cardiac procedure called Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in 2011, during which certain complications occurred resulting in perforation of heart, Maryam Nawaz earlier told the media.

Posted by: Fred || 07/25/2016 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
I'm Only One Call Away (Video)
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/25/2016 08:28 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Well made, good.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 07/25/2016 11:22 Comments || Top||

#2  Even managed to help out in the U.S.!
Posted by: gorb || 07/25/2016 19:38 Comments || Top||

#3  Thank you, Mr. B.

Thank you, Israel.
Posted by: Barbara || 07/25/2016 19:47 Comments || Top||


Science & Technology
How to get to Mars (video)
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/25/2016 14:29 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Neat.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 07/25/2016 15:07 Comments || Top||

#2  I've always wondered why the bouncing ball. Wouldn't it be better to use a bit more fuel and control the descent to an exact spot? Or have an airbag that deflates immediately instead of bouncing, again so you land at an exact spot?
Posted by: rjschwarz || 07/25/2016 15:17 Comments || Top||

#3  Or does the exact spot not matter because it's a rover.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 07/25/2016 15:17 Comments || Top||

#4  Where's Marvin?
Posted by: gorb || 07/25/2016 15:19 Comments || Top||

#5  Wouldn't it be better to use a bit more fuel and control the descent to an exact spot?

That's fuel you've to carry with you for 100,000,000 km, rjschwarz.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 07/25/2016 15:29 Comments || Top||

#6  I would think the bouncy ball was because they could not predict where the craft would land with any accuracy - unlike with the moon lander mars is a lot bigger and has an atmosphere which injects all sorts of variables. Also a 'controlled' landing is a lot more riskier than simply bouncing it. There isn't any ground control there and the link to earth is fragile - and includes a lag (6 or 7 minutes??)...

Also..Marvin the Martian still hasn't built that damn runway.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 07/25/2016 15:35 Comments || Top||

#7  You can carry a massive amount of canvas and gas to inflate it with? Exchange that for an equal weight of fuel, that's what I'm saying.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 07/25/2016 15:54 Comments || Top||


#9  This conference speech coming up, should tell you how SpaceX will go to Mars. Schedule for conference soon to happen in Mexico
Posted by: 3dc || 07/25/2016 17:13 Comments || Top||

#10  https://www.iac2016.org/
Posted by: 3dc || 07/25/2016 17:25 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
30[untagged]
8Islamic State
7Govt of Pakistan
5Arab Spring
4Sublime Porte
3Taliban
2Govt of Syria
2Govt of Iraq
2Commies
1al-Qaeda in North Africa
1Human Trafficking
1Govt of Iran

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Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.

Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
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In no particular order...
Steve White
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trailing wife
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Two weeks of WOT
Mon 2016-07-25
  Bomb blast kills 1, injures 11 at German restaurant
Sun 2016-07-24
  80 dead, 231 wounded as twin blasts strike Hazara demonstration in Kabul
Sat 2016-07-23
  Russian Warplanes Targeted U.S., British Outpost in Syria
Fri 2016-07-22
  Terror attack in Munich
Thu 2016-07-21
  Breaking: Brazil arrests 10 suspected of Olympic terror plot
Wed 2016-07-20
  Syrian rebels capture ISIS command center in Manbij
Tue 2016-07-19
  Indonesia's ISIS-linked, most wanted terrorist dead
Mon 2016-07-18
  German train 'axe attack': Many reported hurt
Sun 2016-07-17
  3 officers dead after shooting near Baton Rouge PD HQ
Sat 2016-07-16
  Situation largely under control after coup attempt: Turkish PM
Fri 2016-07-15
  BREAKING in Turkey: MILITARY COUP UNDERWAY
Thu 2016-07-14
  Truck Plows Through Bastille Day Crowd, Kills 30
Wed 2016-07-13
  Trial begins for Virginia, Washington women accused of fundraising for Al Qaeda affiliate
Tue 2016-07-12
  Nigerian Islamists Hack Female Pastor to Death – Place Her Head on Bible
Mon 2016-07-11
  Pakistan condemns India's killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander

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