#1
Remember that urban areas usually do not generate their own modern sources of power or energy. NIMBY has a price to pay. Be nice to the people who do.
#2
Much adoo over nothing, go solar, each house a generator.
(And before you say it,Interconnected, so a failure, only mans there's a backup, people have been screaming about this for years. They don't realize the power companies are NOT interconnected.)
Problem solved.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/13/2014 17:05
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A cyber espionage operation by China seven years ago produced sensitive technology and aircraft secrets that were incorporated into the latest version of Chinas new J-20 stealth fighter jet, according to U.S. officials and private defense analysts.
The Chinese cyber spying against the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II took place in 2007 under what U.S. intelligence agencies codenamed Operation Byzantine Hades, a large-scale, multi-year cyber program that targeted governments and industry.
Defense officials said the stolen data was obtained by a Chinese military unit called a Technical Reconnaissance Bureau in the Chengdu province. The data was then passed to the state-run Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC).
An AVIC subsidiary, the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, used the stolen data in building the J-20, said defense and intelligence officials familiar with reports of the illicit tech transfer.
Pentagon technology security officials in 2011 opposed a joint venture between General Electric and AVIC over concerns that U.S. fighter jet technology would be diverted to AVICs military aircraft programs. The Obama administration ignored the concerns and instead has since promoted the systematic loosening of technology controls on transfers to China.
The Office of Director of National Intelligence is known to have details of AVICs past involvement in illicit arms transfers and its role in obtaining sensitive F-35 technology through cyber espionage, the officials said.
#1
Sounds good to me, let the Chinese bankrupt themselves, I recall a Comic where the Chinese stole a laptop with "The latest Managment Practices" And ruined themselves.
So, let them steal all they want, (Obama's) Best Practices, and fail accordingly.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/13/2014 16:40
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#2
It's not stolen. They paid for it with illegal campaign contributions fair and square!
I think Joe has called it. The Russians will be happy as long as they have access to Crimea. If they can get this without exchanging pieces, so much the better.
Over time, Ukraine partitions and the eastern portion becomes a friendly buffer next door to the Rodina.
#1
The five-year scheme retires all of the roughly 340 A-10 Warthog attack jets in the active Air Force, Air Force Reserve and state-controlled Air National Guard. The Warthogs account for the majority of the planned warplane cuts.
I think I've seen this movie.
Posted by: Bobby ||
03/13/2014 12:46
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#2
a smaller and more capable force.
More capable of what?
I saw this movie too, Bobby. IIRC those A-10s turned out to be needed after all.
#5
The Air Force Plays the politics well. They have career political officers in DC. They know well that the term ground support is where the dollars flow. So the F35 was a ground support aircraft marketed to congress as easily modded for both ground and air superiority. Reality is something different. The F16 was initially sold to support ground troops. Turns out not really the truth also, that is unless your idea is in 500 pound bombs and slow response with no real station time. They tried to rid themselves of the ground support mission in the late 80's and give the A10 to the Army. Transition planning was mid stride when desert storm kicked off and the A10 was a hero of the war, meaning lots of kudos for generals and money for pet programs. With the loser in chief as president, dingy and the cry baby running the houses I think they will finally, through slight of hand, rid themselves of that nasty support role to ground troops and stick to air superiority only.
And remember its only another $10 million per F35 to upgrade for ground support.... What a deal.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
03/13/2014 14:16
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#6
My last point, Darth, TF Smith is alive and well. The Air Force will say the Army outstretched is security capability. Not their fault....
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
03/13/2014 14:18
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#7
Wish I could buy one of the surplus A-10's.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
03/13/2014 16:15
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#11
Believe the A-10s were all moved to the Guard and Reserve Units many years ago. They were considered career wreckers, for active duty pilots. When I was stationed in the UK, saw one auger in at an airshow. The problem with close ground support, is the ground. Sadly the pilot didn't survive.
Bye the way, that is an terrible random name assignment.
#12
See also FREEREPUBLIC > [The Hill] OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: US ARMY CUTTING COMBAT BRIGADES.
FYI ditto wid the Brits ...
* VOICE OF RUSSIA > UK ARMY CUTS MAY LEAVE ARMY UNABLE TO HANDLE [major or any] THREATS - LAWMAKERS.
Unless something changes, post-9-11/GWOT OWG Amerika W-I-L-L, NOT M-I-G-H-T, IN FUTURE TIME HAVE TO DE FACTO RELY ON OWG CO-SUPERPOWERS RISING IRAN + RISING CHINA, ...@ETAL, FOR ITS GEOPOL + NUCLEAR SECURITY.
Again, Rising Iran + Rising China, etal. cannot be same unless the Sole Superpower USA + Other Great Powers unilaterally give up saidsame Power-n-Influence, + maybe a few or number of overseas Territories + Regions, so that Iran + China, etal. can "rise" to "parity" in OWG Globalist goodness.
Yep. It's not an air superiority fighter (unless we're fighting Zimbabwe), and it's no better attack plane than the F-18, F-16 and A-10.
If I were president (or, better, Fred were president and I was national security advisor), my advise would be this:
1) kill the F-35. Kill it dead, dead, dead, today
2) restart the F-22 production line, get up to about 600 aircraft total
3) retire the F-15 as F-22s become available
4) upgrade the F-16 for the Air Force
5) upgrade the F-18 for the Navy and Air Force
6) develop an A-10 successor specifically to do what it does
7) more and better drones, especially for the Navy
#1
Did they ever come up with a replacemtent refueling tanker? I thought the old ones were about worn out, and none of those fast-movers are worth a dime without go-juice.
#2
Once upon a time it had a clear purpose. Then the Clinton kids kept adding requirements on it till it looked like a Christmas tree. Then, to get costs down they started removing features until it couldn't fight a bumble bee. It still cost a lot though.
For the record, I was in favor of canceling the f-35 back when it was the Next Big Thing. I caught considerable heat on the 'Burg for suggesting the Superfighter had no clothes. Where are those great defenders of the F-35 now?
Al
Posted by: Florida Al ||
03/13/2014 13:41
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#3
It was supposed to be a do all plane. Then the truth about modification costs for each role came up. The reality about a strike fighter being converted to a ground support aircraft went away with the breeze. The fighter community wants to fight planes not ground enemies. It is beneath them, pardon the pun.
Turn the A10 into a drone.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
03/13/2014 14:22
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#4
It's like a Super Hornet with More Super! and a super-sized price tag. The idea of a do-it-all plane is appealing, especially to bean counters, but more the roles you add, the worse it is at any of them.
It's like trying to take apart an engine with a crescent wrench instead of a set of sockets. Sure, it *should* work...
My advice to the Army: Unionize. Your President will support you. Then go on strike until they let you keep the A-10. Or bring back the Sandys.
The old Douglas A-1 Skyraider. Called Sandy when used in a search & rescue / helicopter escort role in Viet Nam. Good at flying low and slow, and blowing stuff up. Things the A-10 does *very* well.
A terror group from Malaysia plotted in the weeks after 9/11 to attack an airplane using explosives hidden in their shoes, according to a former terrorist who claimed to have supplied the bomb.
Saajid Badat, a British national and terrorist-turned-government witness, told a New York court Tuesday that he met the group of Malaysians, which included a pilot, in late 2001 and claimed they planned to blow open a planes cockpit door in order to carry out a 9/11-style hijacking.
Badat said he had two shoe bombs for his own terror plot before he gave one to the Malaysians for their operation. Badat wore the other as he flew from Karachi, Pakistan to Holland and from there to England in December 2001. He did not detonate the device on those flights, he said, because he wanted to save it for an attack on an American airline an operation he was planning with now-convicted shoe bomber Richard Reid.
Once in the U.K., however, Badat said he backed out of his operation after speaking with his parents, leaving Reid to go it alone. Reid was arrested after he failed to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes while aboard American Airlines Flight 63 on Dec. 22, 2001.
Badat was arrested in England in 2005 and pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy with others to destroy a passenger airliner whilst in flight by igniting a high-explosive device, according to British authorities.
For whatever reason, it appears the Malaysia plot never went ahead. Badat did not name the group in question in his testimony and the National Counterterrorism Center does not list any major terrorist groups being based in Malaysia. Department of Justice prosecutors declined to elaborate on Badats testimony and the CIA declined to comment. A senior intelligence official would only say American intelligence was aware of the Malaysia 2001 plot.
In 2006, then-President George W. Bush said that in October 2001, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, the so-called mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, had "set in motion" another plan to hijack planes, this time using terrorist recruits from Southeast Asia. Bush said the operation was foiled when one of the plotters was arrested in Asia. At the time, however, several counter-terrorism officials said the plot was not "definitive" and never got past the "thought" stage.
James Keith, former U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, told ABC News Tuesday that Malaysia is not known as a harbor for terrorists and that countrys biggest threat when it comes to extremism comes in the form of spillover from its neighbors. For instance, Indonesia, to Malaysias south, is home to Jemaah Islamiya, the terrorist network blamed for a string of attacks in the 2000s including the 2002 Bali bombings, which claimed 202 lives. In recent years that organization has been overshadowed by splinter groups, according to the NCTCs profile of the group.
h/t Instapundit
This week marks the 40th anniversary of an event close to the hearts of gender activists everywhere. On March 11, 1974, ABC aired Marlo Thomas' "Free to Be...You and Me" -- a musical program celebrating gender-free children. Thomas and her fellow co-neutralists envisioned a world where the sex distinction would melt away. Instead of "males" and "females," there would be mutually respectful, non-gendered human persons. The project resulted in a platinum LP, a best-selling book, and an Emmy. More than that, the idea of gender liberation entered the national zeitgeist. Parents everywhere began giving their daughters trucks and sons baby dolls. Like so many dream boats floating on the utopian sea, this one crashed and sank when it hit the rocks of reality.
...In 2009, David Geary, a University of Missouri psychologist, published the second edition of Male, Female: The Evolution of Human Sex Differences. This thorough, fair-minded, and comprehensive survey of the literature includes more than 50 pages of footnotes citing studies by neuroscientists, endocrinologists, geneticists, anthropologists, and psychologists showing a strong biological basis for many gender differences. And, as Geary recently told me, "One of the largest and most persistent differences between the sexes is children's play preferences." The female preference for nurturing play and the male propensity for rough-and-tumble hold cross-culturally and even cross-species. Researchers have found, for example, that female vervet monkeys play with dolls much more than their brothers, who prefer balls and toy cars. Nor can human reality be tossed aside. In all known societies, women tend to be the nurturers and men the warriors. Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker points to the absurdity of ascribing these universal differences to socialization: "It would be an amazing coincidence that in every society the coin flip that assigns each sex to one set of roles would land the same way." The 70es have a lot to answer for. In particular if, like me, you have a kid subject to the will of psychotic bitches highly credentialed education professionals raised on the 70es theories.
#2
Arlington and scores of other veteran cemeteries remain largely gender segregated. Where's the affirmative action to 'level' those playing fields? The old republic was built upon the bodies, bones, trauma, desolation and last full measure of devotion by legions filled by those who's posterity are demonized for making a simple hand gesture of a gun on a school playing field.
Privilege and prerogative are not equality when they lack responsibility and consequence.
#3
You're saying Girls WILL NOT "Play" with guns, what are the actual shooting deaths, By Gender.
Don' know?
Then you're part of the Gender Separation, My Daughter Carries a weapon, Hasn't had to use it,(Not yet) But ready.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/13/2014 9:18
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#4
The gender wars *were* successful in destroying traditional roles - which was the goal all along. The stated goals of "equality," rainbows and unicorn farts were always a smoke screen.
#5
Yes, I'm expected to do a certain amount of the house work and child caring now. My wife, however, has never been expected to change the brakes on the cars or run the chain saw after a big wind storm, or go investigate when we hear something go bump in the night. She doesn't know how a table saw works, but she likes the bookshelves it built. She would never attempt to fix the burnt out wire behind the duplex outlet or climb under the house and put a wrench on that leaking pipe fitting. There is nothing critical that she does that cannot be delegated to me, inversely, 85% of what I do cannot be done by her or baby.
There is no "equality" in my house, just updated expectations. Not complaining, but let's call it what it is.
#6
And that's the problem, bigjim. Too many (most?) women want men to share their traditional tasks, but don't even consider sharing men's traditional tasks.
Though I know how to change the oil in a car, use a chainsaw (having been a firefighter earlier in my life pays off a lot), chop wood, cut the grass, shovel snow, put up shelves, etc., I'd really rather not.
But in return I don't expect a man to do the shopping, sewing, or cleaning (though I do expect everyone to pick up after themselves), or other house-type stuff, and don't care who cooks. That's more like actual equality in my mind.
Posted by: Barbara ||
03/13/2014 21:23
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#7
In our household she kills it, I grills it. Works well.
#1
So what airfield big enough to land a triple 7 is within four hours of the transponder that was turned off an hour out of Kuala Lampur? Knowing the cargo is key--smuggling into NK or WMD's out to the west? Is there radar coverage over international waters?
Aviation investigators and national security officials believe the plane flew for a total of five hours based on data automatically downloaded and sent to the ground from the Boeing Co 777's engines as part of a standard monitoring program, the Journal said.
What other standard monitoring programs were being used that have not yet been disclosed? What is the point of sending ships, plans & men to search open ocean, if the engines continued to run for 4 hours from that point -- does a 777 fly underwater?
#3
This is getting very odd. They should have picked up the salt water activated locating beacon by now as well. If its a hijacking, they did it perfectly.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
03/13/2014 12:28
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#5
Engine data will go to the EPBH provider in real time as well. Over to Rolls for an answer...
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
03/13/2014 16:08
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#6
Just wondering, did terrorists botch a landing?
Or not land properly,
That would account for all the confusion, And silence?
Oh, Oh, Look we hijacked the Plan---OOPs , never mind.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/13/2014 16:28
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#7
Halliburton cloaking device?
Posted by: Bill Big Foot1337 ||
03/13/2014 16:36
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#8
One conjecture is that the maintenance data was still being emitted by the aircraft over VHF outside the range of civilian ground stations but picked up by "national technical assets". Another conjecture is that a satellite transceiver of some kind (e.g. Iridium or Inmarsat) was periodically pinging its network in the manner that a mobile phone pings for network availability. The conjectures are not mutually exclusive.
[Ynet] The IDF responded with force to a barrage of at least 60 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip at the Israeli south on Wednesday, striking dozens of terror targets from the air and with artillery fire.
Thirty-one Islamic Jihad and Hamas targets have been hit all across the Gaza Strip - two in an IDF artillery strike and 29 more in an Israel Air Force strike later on in the evening. Palestinian sources said IAF planes hit two Islamic Jihad bases, one of them in Rafah.
Residents in the Beit Hanoun area of Gaza said they saw an Israeli artillery strike hit a rocket launcher squad. Voluntary BDA reporting is greatly appreciated.
Palestinian sources said the IAF hit Islamic Jihad targets in Rafah, the Khan Yunis area, Deir al-Balah and in the Beit Lahia area, as well as a base of the Hamas' military wing. The sources said IAF jets keep returning to targets that have been attacked. So far, there were no reports of Palestinian casualties.
Following the IAF strike, a power outage was reported in large parts of Rafah.
"Israel will bear responsibility for the current escalation in Gaza. It continues its aggressiveness and the resistance will use its right to defend the Palestinian people," a Hamas spokesman said.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a statement via his spokesman urging an end to what he called "Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip."
Earlier, Palestinian terrorists fired dozens of rockets at southern Israel. Failing once again to make the rather obvious cognitive link between Paleo rockets and IDF counter-battery fire.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from the rocket fire, but a 57-year-old woman from Sderot was lightly injured while running to take cover. The Iron Dome missile-defense system intercepted at least three rockets over Sderot.
This was the heaviest barrage of rockets fired from the Strip since the 2012 Operation Pillar of Defense. Perhaps it is now time for Pillar of Defense-II.
The rockets were fired from both the north of the Strip and its south. Most of the rockets fell in open fields, at least eight fell inside southern communities. The Eshkol Regional Council reported on at least 15 rockets that fell in its area, including one that fell inside one of the towns but did not explode. Open fields and restricted areas by design, provide an effective buffer against direct/indirect fire, suicide bombers, and the like.
#1
I really, REALLY wish the US would "lend" Israel about a dozen B-52s for one mission, and one mission only -- a 12-ship ARCLIGHT strike on Gaza, followed promptly with Israeli "humanitarian" response and occupation. I doubt Hamas will complain about it afterwards, but I'm sure the rest of the world would be immediate in launching their condemnation of Israel for the "wanton murder and destruction". At least it would put an end to the constant bickering back and forth -- probably forever.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
03/13/2014 15:32
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#2
Back in the day, the Paleos would establish street cred as Brave Lions of Islam(tm) by launching what were essentially big-ass bottle rockets into the desert. Being lucky to hit the ground, this was mainly an annoyance for the Hated Juices(tm) (but not always...) and could be ignored.
Lately, however, the Paleos got their hands on some upgraded kit - better range, better accuracy. Hurray, now we can strike the Hated Juices! But the possibility of serious damage cannot be ignored. Hence, the Israeli strikes, both counter and preemptive. Expect a whole bunch more until the threat goes away. You don't win by playing defense.
[Libya Herald] The country's new caretaker Prime Minister, Abdullah Al-Thinni, was quickly sworn-in late in the day at yesterday's dramatic General National Congress (GNC) session.
Thinni, who will be Prime Minister for all of two weeks while the opposing blocs in the GNC agree on a more permanent replacement for Ali Zeidan, lived in the Busleem district of Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... and hails from the southern town of Ghadames.
He graduated from military college in 1976 and then fought in the Libyan-Egyptian war while stationed in Tobruk.
Thinni was also a professor at the military college for seven years. However, a clean conscience makes a soft pillow... after his brother -- an Air Force pilot -- absconded to Egypt in a military plane in opposition to the Qadaffy regime, things became more difficult for Thinni, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
He served time in prison because of his brother's escape and faced other difficulties, until 1997 when he took early retirement.
Thinni had taken over the position of Defence Minister in August 2013 which had been vacant after previous Defence Minister Mohammed Barghathi was sacked towards the end of June, following widespread dissatisfaction with his responses to increased violence and killings in the country.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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[SUNNEWSONLINE] Indications have emerged that the federal government has concluded plans to go after the sponsors and perceived sympathizers of the Boko-Haram bully boyz group in the country.
Yes, a very, very brilliant idea. Will this include Muslim Nigerian politicians and naming Gulf Arab donors, perchance?
The decision Daily Sun authoritatively gathered was heightened by the recent killing of innocent school children at the Federal Government College (FGC), Buni Yadi, in Yobe State. The children were slaughtered, shot and burnt to death in their sleep by the bully boyz group.
This is coming just it was learnt that the Army Headquarters in Abuja has concluded plans to induct the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Reserve Battalion into the theatre of war in the north east.
The Chief of Army Staff Special Reserve Battalion also known as '101 Battalion' is on standby with very high morale to move to the north east.
The military source also informed Daily Sun that another impetus and advantage the forces of Evil enjoy is the pecuniary interest of most northern oil dealers who smuggle their petroleum allocation across the Nigerian boarders in Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Yobe and Borno. This oil supply, we gathered has remained a boost to the mobility of the turbans, also lubricated their income and assisted them in other ways to continue to the assault on Nigeria.
The military said that for the war to be over soon, the federal government needs to foster a better manning of the borders through a joint operation of the Immigration, Customs and the joint military forces to make sure this leakage and passage of oil supply that runs into hundreds of tankers in a week doesn't continue. The COAS special reserve troops is the last crack alternative that is left as back-up for military emergencies, and for the COAS to throw this trump card entails the most decisive step to face Boko Haram ... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality... headlong.
A reliable military source told Daily Sun that the movement which will commence any moment from now means that the whole army is going into the north east to engage the forces of Evil in a fierce battle to conquer them in the shortest possible time.
The source said there has been massive movement of soldiers to the North East with the latest being the deployment of 81 Battalion and 213 Battalion told Daily Sun that "as I speak to you now, 81, Battalion and 213 Battalion have already been inducted into the theatre while arrangement have reached an advanced stage to induct 101 Battalion any moment from now."
According to the source, 101 Battalion is the Chief of Army Staff Special Reserve Battalion meaning that if the troop goes to the North East, a good percentage of the Nigeria Army would have been involved, and I don't need to tell you what the result will be like as soon as they are inducted into the theatre".
To underscore the seriousness of the operation, the Guards Brigade, which is a presidential guard was asked to contribute troops for the operation.
The source further stated that the essence "is to saturate the entire north east with adequate manpower, more artillery pieces and armoured carriers from all parts of the country to that area and the overall effect is that the three months notice by the Chef of Defence Staff is achievable."
Two military sources also pointed out that the seriousness of the army that has been challenged severally by the incessant comments by boko haram commanders of their ability to defeat the Nigerian military, is a clear indication that the pronouncement by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh to end insurgency by April, was feasible.
Daily Sun also gathered that the battle against the forces of Evil has taken a new dimension as the army has deployed its full arsenal of war with the deployment of high calibre of equipment fit for the purpose.
Unlike before when they operated on internal security strategy using light weapons and applied minimum force, the story has changed since the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah.
In the past few days, military sources admitted that the forces of Evil have been terribly routed, with many of them fleeing the zone into neighbouring countries from which they come.
Few of them that still stuck to their guns have found abode in Adamawa, where they have been sneaking in and attacking innocent Nigerians in the past few days.
Similarly, several armoury used by the forces of Evil have equally been located by troops and destroyed just as those captured by solders alive are said display shocking cowardice pleading with the soldiers not to kill them as they are ready to confess.
"Some of them behave exactly like little children if you understand what I mean, they don't behave like men, they cry, beg and ask for forgiveness, it is a very shameful sight."
So far, Daily Sun was informed that the soldiers are now taking the war to the doorsteps of the Boko Haram group who are now on the retreat.
The forces of Evil are said to have abandoned their camps as the soldiers have made their abode too uncomfortable.
According to intelligence report obtain by the military about three hundred truck load of petroleum product leaves the country every week through Sokoto, Katsina and the other borders.
The terrorist group with the help of their supporters in government use the proceeds from the sale of the oil to unleash terror on Nigerians.
The source while noting that the operation to mop up the bully boyz is not a difficult one as such, however, said "there is a bigger dimension to our discovery in fighting the turbans.
"The oil trade route is like the revival of the Trans-Sahara trade route during the slave trade years we were taught in primary school.
"The bully boyz depend highly on petroleum product because it us very cheap compared to that of other countries and coupled with the removal of fuel subsidy."
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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#3
While Dr. Carson has some valid points I wish he didn't go to the Nazi analogy. That's the way to shut down any rational conversation and only inflames the extremes on both sides.
He could easily have made similar comparisons to Mao's China or Stalin's USSR and not been wrong, AND he would have pushed back on the left. Nazis, incorrectly IMO, are seen as right wing and as such not an effective stone to throw.
#4
Let's remember - it's the National Socialist Workers Party (not just a bunch of Hollyweird portrayed black uniform thugs). Given the acts and behaviors of apparatchik bureaucrats in the Beltway, it's getting closer and closer every day.
And they're seen as 'right wing' because of a lot of academic socialist apologists who pushed the Big Lie since the 60s.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/13/2014 9:20
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#6
Carson's not that far off the mark, only depends upon the extent of influence a muslim education had upon dear leader in his youth.
Relations between Nazi Germany and the Arab World refers to political and military links between Germany and Arab nationalists during the era of Nazi Germany (19331945). The relationship between the Nazi movement and leadership and the Arab world encompassed contempt, propaganda, collaboration and in some instances emulation. Cooperative relationships were founded on shared hostilities toward common enemies, such as British and French imperialism, colonialism, and Zionism.
[An Nahar] The United Arab Emirates summoned Iraq's ambassador on Wednesday to protest accusations by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ... Prime Minister of Iraq and the secretary-general of the Islamic Dawa Party.... that Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... was supporting terrorism, state media reported.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash handed ambassador Mowafak Mahdi Abboud a memorandum protesting Maliki's "claims that Saudi Arabia supports terrorism," the official WAM news agency said.
"Such remarks are false and not based on a proper assessment of the situation in the region concerning terrorism, especially as Saudi Arabia plays a significant role in combating all forms of terrorism," said Gargash.
In an interview aired on Saturday, Maliki charged that Saudi Arabia and neighboring Qatar were supporting Death Eater groups in Iraq and across the Middle East as well as terrorism worldwide.
Saudi Arabia on Monday slammed Maliki's accusations as "aggressive and irresponsible," saying they were aimed at "blaming others for the domestic failures of the Iraqi prime minister."
Riyadh accused Maliki's Shiite-led government of implementing "sectarian and exclusionary policies," in an apparent reference to the disgruntled Sunni Arab minority.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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[CNN] A Chinese satellite looking into the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 "observed a suspected crash area at sea," a Chinese government agency said -- a potentially pivotal lead into what has been a frustrating search for the aircraft.
China's State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense announced the discovery, including images of what it said were "three suspected floating objects and their sizes."
The objects aren't small: 13 by 18 meters (43 by 59 feet), 14 by 19 meters (46 by 62 feet) and 24 by 22 meters (79 feet by 72 feet). For reference, the wingspan of an intact Boeing 777-200ER like the one that disappeared is about 61 meters (200 feet) and its overall length is about 64 meters (210 feet).
The images were captured on March 9 -- which was the day after the plane went missing -- but weren't released until Wednesday.
The Chinese agency gave coordinates of 105.63 east longitude, 6.7 north latitude, which would put it in waters northeast of where it took off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and south of Vietnam, near where the South China Sea meets the Gulf of Thailand.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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#1
The images were captured on March 9 -- which was the day after the plane went missing -- but weren't released until Wednesday.
A firing squad fired live ammunitions at Mohamed Omar Adow, Yahye Sheikh Abdullahi Ahmed, and Hussein Ali Ahmed at Mogadishu Police Academy in the presence of court and Police officials.
Adow was convicted of killing journalist Mustafe Hussein on the main road between the market town of Afgoye and Mogadishu while Yahye and Ahmed deliberately shot dead two police officers in Mogadishu's Wardhigley district, military court chairman Col. Liban Ali Yarow Said.
"Every killer soldier will be brought to justice, he or she will face execution and nobody can break the law with impunity," added Col. Yarow.
Federal Government of Somalia previously executed many soldiers for the murder of other soldiers and civilians. Somali National Army (SNA) commander-in-chief disclosed at media briefings in Mogadishu the sacking of 700 soldiers from the army on February 14.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/13/2014
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#1
Kinda makes me wonder how much training, discipline and supervision these boys receive before being turned loose upon the world with AK-47s in their hands.
[USATODAY] A university student, a National Guard captain and a third man were shot to death in separate incidents Wednesday as anti-government protests roiled the central Venezuelan city of Valencia. Three National Guardsmen and several protesters were maimed.
Two of the deaths came in the opposition-dominated Isabelica neighborhood, where residents unhappy with the scarcity of basic items and rising unemployment from the closure of some businesses in the area have protested for weeks by blocking streets and throwing rocks at police.
Valencia Mayor Miguel Cocchiola said a man was killed and six people maimed in Isabelica. The newspaper Notitarde de Valencia said the dead man's cousin, Luis Acosta, identified him as 20-year-old student Jesus Enrique Acosta and said he was killed near his home by men on cycle of violences, but it was unclear if the victim was participating in a protest.
The opposition has accused the government of supporting armed civilian thugs who attack protests.
The mayor later said through his Twitter account that another man, 42-year-old Guillermo Sanchez, also died from a gunshot wound in Isabelica. He said Sanchez was painting the front of his house when he was shot.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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#1
when they start killing the Cuban thugs I'll be more optimistic. Zero won't assist the overthrow of a Bolivarian slackjaw loser
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/13/2014 22:24
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[Libya Herald] Caretaker Prime Minister Abdullah Thinni said that security was his priority during his brief two week tenure.
Asked what were his priorities in his new job at his first presser today, former Defence Minister Thinni said that security was his main priority "especially in Benghazi and Derna" where everyday there are liquidations.
However, the way to a man's heart remains through his stomach... Thinni refused to blame his former boss Ali Zeidan for the poor security situation in Libya. The new caretaker Prime Minister preferred to blame Libya's post revolutionary situation and weak state, including the widespread dispersion of weapons.
Thinni admitted that the security issue was "a big challenge".
It will be recalled that Abdullah Thinni was not credited with having made any change on the security front in his previous role as Defence Minister.
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[DAWN] RAWALPINDI: An activist of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat ...which is the false nose and plastic mustache of the murderous banned extremist group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain, whatcha might call the political wing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi... (ASWJ) was killed in an ambush in Muhammadi Colony, Pirwadhai on Tuesday night, police said.
This was the second attack on an ASWJ worker in less than 24 hours as on Monday night a local leader of the organization was killed and two others were maimed near Islamabad Expressway.
Abu Bakar Habib, 19, a student activist of ASWJ and president of Khyban-e-Sir Syed unit, was driving his car when two cycle of violence riders opened fire on him near Cheema Plaza, Pirwadhai.
Police said some passers-by spotted him lying injured in the driving seat of the car. Later they shifted him to the Holy Family Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead He's dead, Jim! .
According to a doctor, the victim, who suffered four bullets fired from close range, claimed his life on the spot.
When contacted the city police officer Umar Akhtar Hayat Laleka confirmed that a local worker of ASWJ was rubbed out.
He said the police had launched a search for the attackers as extra police had been deployed at exit and entry points in the city.
Mohammad Sohail Moavia, information secretary of the Rawalpindi chapter of the ASWJ, was killed and two activists were maimed in an ambush near Islamabad expressway on Monday night.
After the killing of Abu Bakar, a large number of ASWJ activists gathered at the Holy Family Hospital and staged a protest against the killing. As the protest started, police were called to avert any untoward situation.
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03/13/2014
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Three unidentified bodies were found in a northern Nuevo Leon municipality Wednesday, and one individual was detained for investigation into the deaths, according to Mexican news reports.
A dispatch published in the online edition of Milenio news daily said that the three dead were found in a grave in Salinas Victoria municipality on the road that links Monterrey with Colombia.
Nuevo Leon Procuraduria General de Justicia del Estado (PGJE), or attorney general Adrian de la Garza Santos was quoted saying that the most recent victim was killed about a month ago, but failed to say how far back the murders went.
Mexican press have characterized the find as executed, so it is probable the three were shot to death and dumped at the location they were found. Press reports also hint that the location was a dumping ground for kidnap victims.
One man, identified as Carlos Perez Gonzalez, 28, was detained in connection with the find. He is said to be linked to Los Zetas drug cartel.
Reports also say that Nuevo Leon state security forces are still searching for more bodies in the area.
Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com and BorderlandBeat.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com
[DAWN] Taliban committee will visit North Wazoo on Thursday to pave the way for timing and venue of direct dialogue between the new government committee and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP), Radio Pakistain reported on Wednesday.
This was decided during a meeting of the Taliban committee's members Maulana Samiul Haq ...the Godfather of the Taliban, leader of his own faction of the JUI. Known as Mullah Sandwich for his habit of having two young boys at a time... Prof Muhammad Ibrahim and Maulana Yousaf with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan here.
The meeting reviewed the progress made so far in dialogue with the Taliban and the future line of action.
The interior minister said the dialogue process was being pursued with all seriousness and in this connection a new government committee has been formed.
Following an all important meeting of 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... with 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) chief Imran earlier today, in which the latter assured complete support in the government-led peace initiative, the two parties also agreed on members for a new committee to represent the government in the dialogue process with the TTP.
The new committee will be headed by Federal Secretary Habibullah Khattak, and will include Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad and Additional Secretary FATA Arbab Arif, sources told Dawn.com.
Former member of the peace talks committee Rustam Shah Mohmand will retain his place on the negotiating team, the sources added.
There was, however, no formal announcement by either the federal government or the PTI leadership regarding the formation of the new committee.
Chaudhry Nisar said the government would welcome those who tread the path of peace and action would be taken against those who want to sabotage the dialogue process.
Maulana Samiul Haq welcomed resolve of the government and said there should be no delay in talks to foil designs of 'anti-dialogue elements'.
The meeting decided that the new government committee would reach North Waziristan for formal talks as soon as time and venue of the meeting is fixed.
The ongoing peace talks between the government and Taliban struck an impasse last month after the Taliban-linked Death Eaters murdered 23 kidnapped Pak paramilitary soldiers.
The killings resulted in multiple targeted Arclight airstrikes by the military against suspected hideouts in the tribal northwest bordering with Afghanistan.
The Taliban then announced a one-month ceasefire which was reciprocated by the government which halted its Arclight airstrikes targeting Death Eaters and their hideouts.
The dialogue process has entered its decisive stage now with the government announcing the formation of a new committee to mediate with the Taliban leadership.
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03/13/2014
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[NIGERIANEYE] Investigations on Tuesday revealed that the Special Forces, comprising ground troops and the Air Force fighters, had demobilized one of the strongest fortresses of the Boko Haram ... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality... sect.
Well done, gentlemen!
It was learnt that the soldiers, who carried out the operation, were shocked by the volume of arms and ammunition and hundreds of operational vehicles that they captured at the camp.
A source put the number of vehicles captured from the Death Eaters at 700 while several members of the sect were enjugged Drop the rod and step away witcher hands up!
The front man of the 7th Division, Col. Mohammed Dole, referred our correspondent to the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade, for comments on the issue.
Olukolade, who confirmed the capture of the Boko Haram camp, said that several turbans who were maimed in the military raids were arrested and had made useful confessions.
The Director of Defence Information said in an electronic mail on Tuesday that some of the maimedturbans who were captured near Lake Chad were pleading for mercy and were cooperating with interrogators from the Multi-National Joint Task Force.
Olukolade said that some of the Death Eaters were captured by troops around Dikwa, Cross Kauwa, Kukawa and Alargarmo.
He said that the captives revealed during interrogation that some of the camps were disbanded as the sect could no longer sustain the operation.
"In their confessions, it was revealed that some of the camps have been disbanded following the directive of their holy mans who declared that the operation of the sect had come to an end as the mission could no longer be sustained.
"The captured terrorists, who are giving useful information as to the locations of their remnant forces, are full of apologies and pleas for their lives to be spared promising to cooperate," the statement reads in part.
Olukolade said that the captured Death Eaters complained of starvation and the frequency of bombardments as some of the major problems which affected them.
The Defence front man warned members of the public to stay away from the area, saying troops were still continuing with the operation in the three states.
"They confirmed that starvation was a major problem in addition to ceaseless bombardments on the camp locations even when they kept relocating. They also confirm that several members of the group have been maimed and no treatment was forthcoming. Troops have continued their assault on other locations across the states covered by the state of emergency.
"Meanwhile, ...back at the revival hall, the pastor had finally been wrestled from the pulpit. Y'got the wrong guy! he yelled just before Sergeant Malone's billy club landed... members of the public who have started visiting to engage in sight-seeing in some dislodged camps and fringes of forests such as Sambisa and others have been warned to desist from doing so as the tendency will no more be condoned where operations are still ongoing.
"The general area still remains a theatre and movement remains restricted as the environment has to be cleared for safety of citizens. The public will be informed when the locations are safe enough."
It was learnt that the seized vehicles included those that the Death Eaters used for attacks and other vehicles they snatched from people.
Military sources said that the camp was well planned with boreholes, dispensary and other facilities to aid the operations of the bully boys.
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03/13/2014
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[HEARTLANDCONNECTION] Vedic City, Iowa - There was somewhat of a community uprising outside Fairfield Tuesday morning. Law enforcement officers from surrounding agencies were called to help with the disturbance.
It broke out in what may seem like an unlikely place: among a group know as Pandits, who live near Fairfield.
The confrontation happened at the Pandit campus near Vedic City. Pandits are young men brought over from India, and they are housed in a fenced campus. They are paid $200 a month to chant and meditate, $150 of which is sent back to their families in India.
"They were actually brought over for very high goals," said Hauth. "So it's kind of too bad if they are rioting right now."
Around 6 a.m. Tuesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office received a call to help back up security personnel on campus.
A Pandit leader was being escorted from the property in a van for internal disciplinary reasons. A large group of this Pandit's friends were apparently upset at this decision by the Pandit administration and attempted to block his transport.
Sixty to 70 Pandits surrounded the sheriff's office patrol car and shook it. Police say they also threw rocks at the car, breaking its back window.
The angry Pandits also kicked out one of the cruiser's back lights and tried to pull its mirrors off.
With additional assistance, sheriff's deputies were eventually able to stop the group from traveling away from the property and escorted them back to campus.
KTVO spoke to several Fairfield residents to gauge their opinion on the Pandits and the incident that took place.
Madison, who wanted to remain anonymous, told us she thinks the riots started out of the pandits fear of being sent back to India after the two-year paid program is over.
Pandits have made headlines frequently for disappearing after their two years are up. It is likely they disappear because they do not want to return to India but cannot stay on campus.
"The movement will probably say, 'they want to stay here', that's not the truth," said Madison. "If you're staying in a better country, working for your family that can't eat and lives in squalor, then you're not going to want to leave. That's what happens and that's what I think this is coming from."
Cat Grayson said she thinks the program mistreats the pandits.
"I wouldn't be surprised to learn that they were holding people against their will because they have a history of violating human rights When they're defined by the state or an NGO they don't mean much... ," said Grayson. "They just don't treat their people very well."
While Michael Hauth said it's unfortunate the incident occurred.
"They were actually brought over for very high goals," said Hauth. "So it's kind of too bad if they are rioting right now."
Pandits have made headlines frequently for disappearing after their two years are up. They receive visas as part of the program. It is likely they disappear because they do not want to return to India but cannot stay on campus.
The pandits were also recently in the national spotlight when Oprah Winfrey featured the program on her show.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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#1
Pandits, paid chanters for world peace, disturbing the peace in Vedic City and assaulting officers sent to enforce the peace?
[CNN] Eight rockets fired from Gazoo landed Wednesday in populated areas of southern Israel, marking "the most substantial attack" in two years against the country, a military spokeswoman said.
The military wing of the Paleostinian Islamic Jihad ...created after many members of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood decided the organization was becoming too moderate. Operations were conducted out of Egypt until 1981 when the group was exiled after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. They worked out of Gaza until they were exiled to Lebanon in 1987, where they clove tightly to Hezbollah. In 1989 they moved to Damascus, where they remain a subsidiary of Hezbollah... , called the Al-Quds Brigade, grabbed credit for firing dozens of missiles on what it called "Israeli settlements."
In response, Israel launched Arclight airstrikes on three areas in Gazoo -- Rafah, Khan Younis and Jabalia -- which are believed to belong to Islamic Jihad, according to security sources in Gazoo.
In all, the Israeli military targeted "29 terror sites" in Gazoo, the military said on its Twitter page.
"Direct hits were confirmed," the military tweeted.
Islamic Jihad and Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason,, which is the Paleostinian movement running Gazoo, evacuated their military and civilian institutions on expectation of Israeli reprisals, the sources said.
In the wake of the attack, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman told Israeli army radio that "the position of my party Israel Beitanyu is that we support the full occupation of the whole of Gazoo in any possible future action."
Liberman opposed a response short of full occupation. "I am against a limited operation," he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was later asked for his reaction to Liberman's comments at a joint news conference with Britannia's Prime Minister David Cameron ... has stated that he is certainly a big Thatcher fan, but I don't know whether that makes me a Thatcherite, which means he's not. Since he is not deeply ideological he lacks core principles and is easily led. He has been described as certainly not a Pitt, Elder or Younger, but he does wear a nice suit so maybe he's Beau Brummel ... Wednesday evening in Jerusalem.
"If it is not quiet in southern Israel, it will be very noisy in Gazoo," Netanyahu said in Hebrew.
Paleostinian Authority President the ineffectual Mahmoud Abbas ... a graduate of the prestigious unaccredited Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow with a doctorate in Holocaust Denial... has called upon Israel to stop the "military escalation on the besieged Gazoo Strip, considering that this escalation will put the isolated residents in the danger of the war and destruction," presidential front man Nabil Abu Rudeineh said through the official Wafa news agency.
"The Gazoo Strip is constantly being targeted by Israeli Arclight airstrikes that targeted many areas," Rudeineh said.
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ordered a halt to the shipment of goods to Gazoo through a crossing on the Gazoo-Israel-Egypt border until security assessments are made, the military said in statement.
However, some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them... another crossing will be open for humanitarian movements, the military said.
U.N. Secretary-General the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon ... of whom it can be said to his credit that he is not Kofi Annan... condemned the multiple rocket attacks from Gazoo on Israel and urged maximum restraint by all parties to prevent an escalation of violence and destabilization to the region, a front man said.
Israeli Apache helicopters flew over Gazoo City on Wednesday after several rockets were reportedly fired from the Paleostinian territory at the Israeli town of Sderot, officials said.
The Al-Quds Brigade grabbed credit on its website for firing a total of 34 rockets and 14 mortar rounds at "Zionist targets."
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At least 32 militants were killed and 10 others injured when Kenyan warplanes hit a camp of Al-Shabaab rebels in southwestern Somalia, a local official said on Wednesday.
Kenyan fighter jets bombarded on Tuesday a camp of Al-Shabaab in Bardera, Gedo region, killing 32 and injuring 10, Ali Matan, Gedo deputy governor, told a local radio station on Wednesday. The airstrike also destroyed several military vehicles belonging to the group, he noted.
Bardera is considered a main stronghold for the Al-Qaeda-linked group in the southwest.
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[APNEWS.MYWAY] Republican David Jolly defeated Democrat Alex Sink on Tuesday in a Tampa-area House district where President Barack Obama If you have a small business, you didn't build that... 's health care overhaul got its first test ahead of November's midterm elections and both sides spent millions auditioning national strategies.
With almost 100 percent of the vote counted, Jolly had 48.5 percent of the vote to Sink's 46.7 percent. Libertarian Lucas Overby had 4.8 percent. The election was to replace 42-year Republican Rep. CW Bill Young, who died in October of cancer, and the evenly divided district had been considered a toss-up.
No, it was considered Democratic-leaning by most pollsters and political snipes who said that Rep. Young held the district in the R category by his long service. At the end of 2013 the Dems were rubbing their hands in glee thinking that they'd have a pick-up...
The implications of the dueling messages for the midterm elections inspired both parties to call in star advocates like former President Bill Clinton and former vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan ...U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district, serving since 1999. He is a member of the Republican Party. He proposed an alternative to President Obama's 2011 budget and made himself the target of both Democrat and Republican verbal pies... , in addition to blanketing the district with ads, calls and mailings. More than $11 million has been spent on the race, according to the Sunlight Foundation, a nonprofit group that tracks government information.
Jolly's election night headquarters in Clearwater Beach erupted into loud cheers as it became clear he was the winner. In his victory speech, Jolly simultaneously struck a conciliatory tone and expressed gratitude for his mentor, Young, and Young's family. Jolly was introduced by former "Price is Right" game show host Bob Barker, via video. Young's two adult sons were also onstage with Jolly, and he embraced them at the end of his speech.
Jolly didn't mention the issue that dominated much of the campaign - the president's health care package - and instead said that Pinellas County must work together.
"This race is not about defending a broken agenda in Washington or advancing a broken agenda in Washington. This race is about serving the people in our own community," he said. "Let's dispense with the rancor and vitriol of the last five months."
Jolly thanked Sink and Overby and said it was "OK" that tens of thousands of others voted for his opponents.
"While this campaign at times seemed to be partisan, your next congressman is not partisan," he said.
In St. Petersburg, Sink's party was subdued. Backed by her adult children, Sink began her concession speech by thanking her campaign team and the thousands of volunteers who helped her congressional bid. She spoke to a couple hundred stoic supporters in a half-empty ballroom at a lakeside Hilton in St. Petersburg.
"We know that life brings many challenges. It brings many opportunities. My values have always been to do good for my family and for my community," she said.
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03/13/2014
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#1
She spoke to a couple hundred stoic supporters in a half-empty ballroom
Neat slam.
Makes the Republicans look like half-ass wanna be's.
You could have said A half full Ballroom, but no.
Or, a number of people say a thousand.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/13/2014 8:59
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#2
Debbie Waserman/Schultx said this is proof people like Obamacare. If they didn't the margin of victory would have been bigger. Whatta Maroon.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
03/13/2014 12:22
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#3
This district went for Obama in '08 and '12. Sink had huge name recognition statewide and no lack of funds. Libertarian siphoned off nearly 5% of the vote. Republican ran against ObamaCare and won. Gee, wish someone would have though of that in the 2012 presidential election....
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysian authorities defended their handling of the hunt for the missing Boeing 777 on Wednesday even as they acknowledged they were unsure which direction the plane was headed when it disappeared, highlighting the massive task facing an international search mission now in its fifth day.
Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein described the multinational search for the missing plane as an unprecedented and complicated effort and defended his country's efforts. Some 43 ships and 39 aircraft from at least eight nations were scouring an area of 35,800 square miles.
"It's not something that is easy. We are looking at so many vessels and aircraft, so many countries to coordinate, and a vast area for us to search," he said. "But we will never give up. This we owe to the families" of those on board.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 took off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing early Saturday morning and fell off civilian radar screens at 1:30 a.m. about 35,000 feet above the Gulf of Thailand between Malaysia and southern Vietnam. It sent no distress signals or any indication it was experiencing any problems.
Malaysian authorities have since said that air defense radar picked up traces of what might have been the plane turning back and flying until it reached the Strait of Malacca, a busy shipping lane west of the narrow nation some 250 miles from the plane's last known coordinates. Military and government officials on Wednesday said American experts, and the manufacturer of the radar systems, were examining that data to confirm it showed the Boeing 777. Until then, they said the search would continue on both sides of the country, with an equal focus.
Dozens of ships and planes searching waters have failed to turn up anything, prompting officials to expand the hunt. Malaysia asked India to join the search for the missing jet in waters near the Andaman Sea -- far to the northwest of its last reported position.
"As of today, we have not found anything, but we are extending (the search) further," Hishammuddin said.
The U.S. government has offered wide-ranging assistance, including investigators from the FBI, FAA and National Transportation Safety Board. On Wednesday, the NTSB said in a statement that its investigators, who have expertise in air-traffic control and radar, were providing technical assistance to Malaysian authorities. The investigators traveled to Kuala Lumpur during the weekend.
Air force chief Gen. Rodzali Daud said air defense radar showed an unidentified object at 2:15 a.m. about 200 miles northwest of Penang.
"I am not saying it's flight MH370. We are still corroborating this. It was an unidentifiable plot," he said.
It's unlikely the plane would have flown across Malaysia without being detected by civilian radar unless its electrical systems, including transponders allowing it to be identified by radar, were either knocked out or turned off.
If it did in fact change direction so dramatically to the southwest, the jet might have flown hundreds of miles off course without maintaining radio or data contact with controllers. For that to be possible, experts say the plane must have either suffered an electrical failure that disabled the transponder which reports location, altitude, and speed, or somebody in the cockpit deliberately turned it off.
That's the problem with relying on transponders. Turn it off and nobody on the civilian side knows where the heck the plane is.
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[SEATTLEPI] Federal prosecutors suggest they plan to seek another indictment against an Indian diplomat who was arrested and strip-searched but had charges against her dismissed by a judge.
The judge's ruling says Devyani Khobragade had diplomatic immunity when she was indicted on charges of fraudulently obtaining a work visa for her housekeeper and lying about the maid's pay.
But the ruling left open the possibility prosecutors could bring a new indictment against her. The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan said Wednesday it intends "to proceed accordingly."
Khobragade's attorney, Daniel Arshack, says she feels the rule of law prevailed.
After being indicted, she complied with a Department of State order to leave the U.S. The Indian government then asked Washington to withdraw a diplomat from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. The U.S. complied.
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[SUNNEWSONLINE] The Defence Headquarters yesterday said scores of maimedDeath Eaters captured by soldiers in the ongoing military operations against insurgency in the north east have been pleading with soldiers to spare their lives.
Mercy -- that's a Judeo-Christian concept, isn't it?
There is the annual grand gesture of clemency by the local/regional/national head honcho during Ramadan, but that seems to be fairly random, and not aimed at the just arrested... Anyway, it isn't anywhere close to Ramadan, so that's no good.
The Death Eaters according to the Director, Defence Information(DDI), Major-General Chris Olukolade, were captured from their various camps in the fringes of Lake Chad by the Multi-National Joint Task Force and other locations around Dikwa, Cross Kauwa, Kukawa and Alargarmo.
He said, the captured terrorists, some of whom are fatally maimed, were already making useful statements regarding the locations of their remnant forces and that "they are full of apologies and pleas for their lives to be spared promising to cooperate".
"In their confessions, it was revealed that some of the camps have been disbanded following the directive of their holy mans, who declared that the operation of the sect had come to an end as the mission could no longer be sustained. The Death Eaters who are giving useful information as to the locations of their remnant forces, are full of apologies and pleas for their lives to be spared promising to cooperate.
"They confirmed that starvation was a major problem in addition to ceaseless bombardments on the camp locations even when they kept relocating. They also confirmed that several members of the group have been maimed and no treatment was not forth coming. Troops have continued their assault on other locations across the states covered by the state of emergency" Olukolade said in a statement.
Meanwhile, ...back at the pond, the radioactive tadpoles grown into frogs. Really big frogs, in fact... the DHQ has warned members of the public, who have suddenly embarked on sight-seeing on some dislodged camps and fringes of forest at Sambisa and other locations to desist from doing so as the tendency would no more be condoned while operations are still ongoing.
He said "The general area still remains a theatre and movement remains restricted as the environment has to be cleared for safety of citizens.
The public will be informed when the locations are safe enough."
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Top|| File under: Boko Haram
#1
"NO"
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/13/2014 21:37
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[MAGHAREBIA] Al-Qaeda gunnies from Libya, Algeria and Mauritania died during multiple military raids in Mali over the past fortnight.
"We located a dozen jihadists handling some rockets near an arms cache in the Adrar," the French defence minister announced on Thursday (March 6th).
Reaper drones, along with Chad-based Mirage 2000 fighters and Tiger helicopters from Mali "made it possible to neutralise" the turbans in the March 4th operation, Jean-Yves Le Drian told Le Figaro.
La Belle France recently acquired the two American-made drones. They are based in Niamey, Niger.
The optical resolution of the new unmanned aerial vehicles is superior to the earlier Harfand model, allowing military forces to hone in on their targets.
But the job is far from over.
"Since the launch of Operation Serval, gangs have become weaker, but they are still active in the region," terrorism expert Sidati Ould Cheikh said. And these groups are being populated by turbans from the Sahel-Saharan region.
"Islamists, notably from Libya... set up two bases in the north-east," a Malian army source told AFP.
Days before the drone strike on the dozen turbans in the Adrar, an Algerian AQIM leader in Timbuktu and Kidal was eliminated by French troops, jihadist sources reported.
Redouan Abou el Achbal (aka Aboubakr Benabdellah) was the top al-Qaeda figure in Timbuktu and Kidal.
The same week, Mauritanian AQIM figures Oumar Ould Mohammed Ghoulam (known as Al Ghallawi) and Mohammedou Khoubeib were killed in Timbuktu, Mauritanian website Sahara Media reported.
"The new approach taken by the French forces in the region, which is backed up by the use of drones, should be more effective against the terrorists," security expert Jidou Ould Sidi said.
Experts and government officials agree that the effort must be relentless. The new drones will reportedly do more that target and neutralise terrorists. They will also gather intelligence.
According to the French foreign minister, there is "still a real risk that jihadist groups in the region would re-establish themselves and this makes it necessary to maintain a high level of vigilance".
Northern Mali "may not be a hotbed of terrorism any longer, but it is still far from being pacified", terrorism expert Sidati Ould Cheikh told Magharebia.
"Attacks and harassment occur regularly and are often deadly," he said, noting that in late February near Tessalit, "a French reconnaissance helicopter was hit by terrorists, which proves their capacity to cause harm."
"Ansar al-Din and MUJAO ...Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, another offshoot of Qaeda in North Africa. Currently active in Mali and southern Algeria, the idea is to do as much good in West Africa as AQIM has done in North Africa... fighters have now returned and are actively spreading propaganda among local communities. In some localities, we are seeing money being handed out to people to win their support," he added.
Ongoing insecurity in northern Mali also troubles the African Union (AU). ...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful... The AU representative to Mali called on March 4th for "Sahel nations to step up their security co-operation". The goal, according to Pierre Buyoya, is "to suppress the terrorist threat and contain any risks that it may spread".
"The problems of the Sahel are not restricted to Africa, but concern the whole world," La Belle France's defence and national security chief Francis Delon said. Mauritanian analyst Abu Bakr noted, however, that it was difficult for Sahel countries "to cope with security risks individually".
One solution is through enhanced security partnerships, he suggested.
"Because they are sponsored by the armies of the biggest countries in the world," joint military exercises such as Flintlock "enhance the capabilities of Sahel defence forces and support them against any potential terrorist threat", he added.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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#1
Drones, jets and helicopters - a "suspenders and a belt" approach...
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
03/13/2014 8:05
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[DAWN] YET another gruesome killing related to the Lyari ...one of the eighteen constituent towns of the city of Karachi. It is the smallest town by area in the city but also the most densely populated. Lyari has few schools, substandard hospitals, a poor water system, limited infrastructure, and broken roads. It is a stronghold of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party. Ubiquitous gang activity and a thriving narcotics industry make Lyari one of the most disturbed places in Karachi, which is really saying a lot.... gang war in Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... has underscored the inability of the law enforcement agencies to halt bloody rivalries that are spreading to other predominantly Baloch localities in the city. Monday's killing of five people in Mowachh Goth some distance away from Lyari, highlights the determination of criminal elements in localised pie fights to extend their reach to wherever their quarry may be. Deplorable as the incident is, it is not for the first time that elements associated with gang wars have struck outside their areas of influence. Already in the throes of a multifaceted violence, Karachi is ill-prepared to meet the challenge of local gangs operating outside their traditional turf. At the same time, it would be unfair to argue for such violence to be contained in a certain quarter of the city. The problem must be eliminated altogether, and Lyari, one of the most congested and dangerous localities of Karachi, must be given a chance to experience peace.
As indicated, security operations have not yielded much, and criminal gangs, undeterred by a weak judicial system, continue to operate with impunity. But it is also a colossal failure on the part of Karachi's politicians, especially those representing Lyari, to ensure communal harmony in the area. Scores of Lyari residents have periodically left their homes to escape the daily mayhem and take shelter in other parts of the city, even outside. And yet no remedial action has been taken by the authorities who have adopted a discriminatory approach when it comes to cracking down on violence. Tackling crime in an impoverished area has to go hand in hand with efforts to develop it. Lyari is no exception. The effort to uproot criminals from the locality must be twinned with earnest development work that caters to the health and education needs of the people, while giving the latter the infrastructure that can spur economic activities.
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03/13/2014
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[An Nahar] The lower house of Jordan's parliament, incensed over the shooting death of a Jordanian judge by Israeli soldiers, demanded Wednesday that the government free a soldier who murdered Israeli schoolgirls in 1997.
In a non-binding resolution, all 150 members of the lower house said "we demand that the government release Jordanian soldier Ahmad Dakamseh from jail."
Dakamseh had opened fire on a group of Israeli schoolgirls as they visited Baqura, a scenic peninsula on the Jordan River near the Israeli border.
He killed seven of the girls and maimed five more, as well as a teacher, and was sentenced to life in prison.
"We also demand that the government expel the Israeli ambassador in Amman and recall the Jordanian ambassador in Israel in response to the killing of Jordanian judge Raed Zeiter," the resolution said.
It gave the government until Tuesday to meet its demands, failing which it threatened a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Abdullah Nsur.
The shooting Monday set off a diplomatic row between Israel and Amman, with Nsur saying Israel is "completely responsible" and demanding an apology for the "hideous" shooting.
Israel has expressed regret for the killing, but stopped short of apologizing to Jordan, which is the only Arab country besides Egypt to have made peace with the Jewish state.
The lower house said that "what happened proved that Israel is a racist country that does not want peace."
The Israeli army said Zeiter, 38 had charged at the soldiers with a metal pole while shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest), prompting them to fire at his legs.
"The suspect then began to strangle a soldier and the force resorted to using live fire once again," killing the man, the army said.
Jordan's opposition Islamists, youth groups and others have said they plan to hold a demonstration in central Amman to protest Zeiter's killing.
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03/13/2014
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#1
In a non-binding resolution, all 150 members of the lower house said "we demand that the government release Jordanian soldier Ahmad Dakamseh from jail."
Non Binding hunh, cowards.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/13/2014 9:34
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#2
Inject him with something that turns you purple, see who shows up purple, arrest them.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/13/2014 16:55
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[MAGHAREBIA] Algerian troops on Wednesday (March 12th) killed a terrorist east of blood-stained Tizi Ouzou, Tout sur l'Algérie quoted a security source as saying.
ANP forces launched the operation Tuesday evening after receiving information about the presence of a terrorist group in the Adrar region.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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#1
Tizi Ouzou demoted to Titz Up
Posted by: Bob Omalet6364 ||
03/13/2014 14:54
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[WASHINGTONEXAMINER] President B.O. is threatening to veto a law that would allow Congress to sue him in federal courts for arbitrarily changing or refusing to enforce federal laws because it "violates the separation of powers" by encroaching on his presidential authority.
"[T]he power the bill purports to assign to Congress to sue the President over whether he has properly discharged his constitutional obligation to take care that the laws be faithfully executed exceeds constitutional limitations," the White House Office of Management and Budget said Wednesday in a statement of administration policy. "Congress may not assign such power to itself, nor may it assign to the courts the task of resolving such generalized political disputes."
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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#1
"The Rule of Law" shaping up to be a national campaign issue? Let us hope so. Kenyan, half-black lame ducks aside, imagine the negative campaign value of a senator or congressman who might vote against such a proposed law.
#2
Did not think of that Besoeker... Brilliant move, he veto's it and they go for an over ride. Both votes are the kiss of death for supporting Obama's unlawful actions.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
03/13/2014 1:23
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#3
Actually, he's not even half black. His Father was part Arab.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
03/13/2014 7:34
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Those who smell a victory for Turkey's governing Justice and Development Party in local elections this month are working to trigger street protests, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reported.
During an election rally for his party, known in Turkey by the initials AK, in the southeastern province of Mardin, Erdogan warned listeners about possible street protests prior to the elections, which are scheduled for March 30. He called on the people and his political rivals to act in a patient and responsible way.
"Whatever issue you do have, solve them in election polls on March 30," Erdogan said.
Turkish streets have been tense since Tuesday, when a teenager injured during last summer's Gezi Park protests, succumbed to his injuries and died. He had been in a coma for 269 days.
The Gezi Park protests began as a small environmental demonstration and mushroomed into nationwide anti-government protests.
During his speech, Erdogan also referred to an anti-corruption operation, launched December 17, calling it a "conspiracy" orchestrated by followers of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen. "Unfortunately, the opposition parties have danced to the conspirators' tunes throughout this process," the prime minister said.
The operation and subsequent probes into the activities of a number of high-ranking figures considered to be allies of the government have had a significant effect on Turkey's political atmosphere.
The Erdogan administration has decried the operation as a "dirty plot" targeting Turkey's stability and development.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/13/2014
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[An Nahar] One person was maimed on Wednesday as unknown gunniesshot up Arab Democratic Party media official Abdul Latif Saleh in the northern city of Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
Saleh, who escaped unharmed, told LBCI TV that the shots were fired towards him in Tripoli's al-Omari Street.
A man identified as Ali Saadallah Youssef was lightly injured in the incident, according to Saleh.
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03/13/2014
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[DAWN] IT was a pronouncement that left many stunned. The Council of Islamic Ideology reportedly declared on Tuesday that laws barring child marriage in Pakistain were 'un-Islamic'. This shocking statement overtook the declaration made on Monday by the Council's chairman, Maulana Mohammad Khan Sheerani, that the current law requiring a man to seek written permission from his wife before contracting a second marriage should be amended. These statements speak volumes for the kind of issues that are on the Learned Elders of Islam's list of priorities, and the medieval mindset that dominates religious discourse in this country. Let us be clear: child marriage is a curse that robs children -- especially the girl child -- of their innocence and childhood. Such statements from holy mans, even if they are made in an advisory, non-binding capacity, only work to reverse the human rights ...which are often intentionally defined so widely as to be meaningless... gains that have been made in Pakistain, and to alienate Pakistain in the comity of nations.
As it is, Pakistain is a highly unfriendly place for children. This is a society that tolerates child labour and violence against children, where youngsters are traded like chattel to settle disputes as part of tradition. In such a backdrop, the CII's pronouncement sends all the wrong signals. In fact, the Council's priorities are extremely muddled. Instead of working to promote enlightenment, it has only solidified the role of the regressive mindset. Why do the members of the CII, in fact most Learned Elders of Islam, shy away from what should be focused on? Many of Pakistain's current problems are rooted in society's drift towards extremism, which has been aided by ultra-conservative clergymen. Yet the Learned Elders of Islam seem less concerned about existential issues that confront Pakistain and problems that threaten to tear apart the social fabric. For example, the menace of terrorism is condemned only passively. Efforts have been made to address the scourge of sectarianism, including by the CII, but little has been done to carry the message of sectarian harmony to the mosque and madressah, and to rein in communal rabble-rousers. And while they are quick to weigh in on issues such as child marriage and multiple wives, holy mans seldom forcefully condemn the dreadful treatment meted out to women and kiddies in Pakistain, often in the name of 'religion' and 'culture'.
The 'advice' offered by the CII to the government is best left ignored. As we have argued before, with an elected parliament in place, containing numerous shades of political thought including religious parties, to legislate and civil society to vet the legislation, the Council has little utility. If this is the level of its 'advice', it is best that the CII is disbanded. Meanwhile, ...back at the wreckage, Captain Poindexter awoke groggily, his hand still stuck in the Ming vase... as those who stand for human rights face off against the defenders of regression, the politicians must stand up and openly side with the forces in society working to promote progressive thought.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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Oman signed an initial agreement with Iran Wednesday to build a $1 billion submarine pipeline to import gas from the Islamic republic, Oman's oil and gas minister said, AFP reported.
Oman can't get NG from the UAE and Qatar?
The agreement was reached on the first day of a visit by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, aimed at boosting ties between Tehran and its Gulf ally, and easing tension with other Gulf states. It follows a memorandum of understanding signed in 2009 to build a 200-kilometre (124-mile) undersea pipeline.
"We have signed an initial agreement to build a pipeline under the Gulf of Oman to transport gas from Iran to Oman," Mohammad al-Ramahi told AFP. The project should be completed by the end of 2017 and will cost around $1 billion (721 million euros), he said.
Ramahi said the two sides will begin technical and feasibility studies of the project, including deciding on the path of the pipeline, indicating that it might connect to Sohar industrial port in northern Oman.
Oman and Iran are seeking to expand trade, which reached $1 billion last year, as well as bilateral investments which they expect will top $10 billion by the end of this year, Iranian Ambassador Ali Akbar Sibeveih said Monday.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/13/2014
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#1
I guess Oman's so much closer to the natural gas markets of Yemen.
#2
Accidents have happened before, to things resting on the sea floor... I mean, how would such a thing be guarded against a stray dragging anchor, or a dolphin with a laser on its head and a mischievous attitude?
A lawyer representing four Somalis charged with helping terrorists attack Nairobi's Westgate Mall last year will, once again, petition the court to release the defendants on bail pending an April 15 court hearing.
"I don't want to anticipate the results of my application one way or the other," lawyer Mbugua Mureithi told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday. "Better wait for the final word from the court."
Oh, the suspense. Will the court order bail for four people responsible in part for the murder of dozens in a terrorist attack in a shopping mall?
"But I expect the rights of the accused persons to be released on bail to be respected by the court," Mureithi said.
The four defendants -- Hassan Abdi Mohamed, Mohamed Osman Ali, Ilyas Yusuf Warsame and Gerald Hassan Fer -- are charged with helping terrorists carry out a deadly attack on Nairobi's Westgate Shopping Mall last September that left 67 people dead.
The four men had been granted bail by a Nairobi magistrate on February 12. But Director of Public Prosecutors Keriako Tobiko immediately appealed the lower court's decision before the High Court, demanding a stay. The court subsequently ruled that the suspects should remain in custody.
Nevertheless, Mureithi asserted that his clients' trial was proceeding well.
"It's half-way. So far, so good," he said.
"Twenty of the 40 witnesses expected to be called by the prosecution have already testified," the lawyer added. "And none of them has pointed a finger at the suspects."
"We're saying -- and we shall say so before the judge --that the suspects are totally unconnected to the charges against them," he said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/13/2014
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[NAIJAHOTTESTGIST] The Agile soldiers of the Nigerian army killed 215 members of the islamic terror group, Boko Haram ... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality... in their latest offensive in their camps near Chad Republic border.
The attacked backed by strong air assault has flattened the Sambisa Forest Camps on second attempt and five other hidden camps.
In the last two weeks about 987 Islamic terrorist operating in the North east of Nigeria has been killed, as the re-energized soldiers are pushing for all out battle
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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Top|| File under: Boko Haram
[DAWN] No Pak non-combatants were killed by US drones last year as Washington slashed its controversial use of the pilotless planes in the country, a UN expert said Wednesday.
"I am pleased to be able to report a very significant de-escalation in the use of armed drones by the United States in... Pakistain," Ben Emmerson told news hounds in Geneva.
The total number of recorded strikes in 2013 was down to 27 from a peak of 128 in 2010, said Emmerson, who monitors respect for human rights ...which are usually entirely different from personal liberty... in counter-terrorism operations.
"But perhaps most significantly, for the first time in nine years there were no reports of civilian casualties during 2013 in the FATA area of Pakistain," he added.
The FATA, or Federally Administered Tribal Areas, is a region bordering Afghanistan where Pakistain's military is battling the Taliban and the United States has used drones to strike at al Qaeda krazed killers.
Drones, which beam footage to operators at distant US bases who then launch the strikes, are meant to allow precision hits.
But they have caused uproar in Pakistain over civilian casualties in botched strikes, as well as concerns that their use has hampered efforts to hold peace talks with the Taliban and breached national illusory sovereignty.
Last May, US President Barack Obama Republicans can come along for the ride, but they've got to sit in the back... raised the bar for launching attacks.
But despite the change of tack in Pakistain, Emmerson said that the picture in Afghanistan and Yemen was "much bleaker."
Citing a report by the UN Mission in Afghanistan, he said that there was a threefold increase in drone-related civilian casualties between 2012 and 2013.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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[DAWN] OUR interior minister epitomises all that is going wrong with the country's internal security. His histrionics defy rational thinking. Trust him to come up with the most outrageous defence of the Taliban even when they stand completely exposed. However, some people cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go... Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan's statement before the National Assembly last week on the Islamabad court carnage borders on insanity.
There is nothing to worry about the Taliban, the majority of whom are not anti-state, the minister assured a nation still reeling from the latest killing spree in the heart of the capital. He even sought the TTP's help to track down the attackers who may well have come from the banned group's own ranks. What an excellent example of bonhomie even though the newfound 'patriots' never falter when it comes to blowing up soldiers on the frontline and killing innocent civilians in the country's heartland.
Continued on Page 49
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03/13/2014
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[DAWN] Top leadership of all three armed forces of Pakistain Wednesday reaffirmed their resolve to fight the menace of terrorism under a comprehensive strategy within the policy parameters set by the politicianship.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee meeting (JCSC) was held at the Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi with General Rashad Mahmood in the chair, said a blurb issued by ISPR.
The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Secretary Defence, Secretary Defence Production and other senior military officers from the three services.
The meeting took place the same day when central front man of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP), Shahidullah Shahid accused the government of violating the month-long ceasefire by continuing with raids, arrests and torture of Taliban prisoners.
The top military officials assessed and evaluated the operational preparedness of the armed forces, said the blurb.
The meeting also took into consideration the issues related to national security and emerging regional environment along with progress on the agenda points of the last meeting.
Participants expressed their satisfaction over the standard of preparedness of armed forces to take on the challenges being faced by the country.
The gathering was briefed about internal and external security threats including the situation in the tribal areas and talks with the TTP.
The ongoing peace talks between the government and Taliban struck an impasse last month after the Taliban-linked bully boyz murdered 23 kidnapped Pak paramilitary soldiers.
The killings resulted in multiple targeted Arclight airstrikes by the military against suspected hideouts in the tribal northwest bordering with Afghanistan.
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03/13/2014
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[DAWN] Gunmen rubbed out four people, including three turbans, in a restive Pak tribal district near the Afghan border on Wednesday, officials said. The attack took place in Miranshah ... headquarters of al-Qaeda in Pakistain and likely location of Ayman al-Zawahiri. The Haqqani network has established a ministate in centered on the town with courts, tax offices and lots of madrassas... , the main town in the troubled North Wazoo district, also known as a stronghold of Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked turbans.
"Several gunnies opened fire on a vehicle in Miranshah Bazaar, killing four people," a security bigshot told AFP.
He said the gunnies also fired rockets at the vehicle, adding "those killed in the attack included three turbans and a passer by".
Another local security official confirmed the incident and casualties.
"We are trying to ascertain to which group the three turbans belonged to," he said.
No one has so far grabbed credit for the killings.
Officials said the attack may have been triggered by rivalry between different turban groups.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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[Libya Herald] An armed attack on a disused pharmaceutical plant in Ghariyan has left two dead and three injured.
Two of the nine people who attacked the Arrabita pharmaceutical factory on Monday were killed during an ensuing firefight. Two Libyan Army soldiers and one of the perpetrators were also injured in the incident and the other six attackers were enjugged Drop the heater, Studs, or you're hist'try!
The factory was not currently used, Commander of the Nafusa Mountain Guard Mohammed Shnaiba said. He added that armed forces had been guarding the premises to prevent factory equipment and machinery being stolen.
Shnaiba expressed surprise over the incident as the factory contained nothing that could be easily stolen. He added that the perpetrators had not admitted why they staged the attack.
The factory gained notoriety in the 1980s when it was suspected of being used to manufacture chemical weapons and the US apparently threatened to target the plant.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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Top|| File under: Arab Spring
#1
He added that the perpetrators had not admitted why they staged the attack.
#3
Nah, they're trying to duplicate Detroit, the houses are gutted by thieves almost Immediately, plumbing and pipes ripped out and left with nothing, I think the Police need to arrest anyone who BUYS this stuff, Yes Junkyards too.
If they can't account for it, Make them replace it, at a heavy cost, plus a fine.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/13/2014 17:16
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#4
Pappy wins the thread!
Posted by: Barbara ||
03/13/2014 21:24
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[ONLINE.WSJ] Turkish police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in several cities on Wednesday after the funeral of a teenager whose death kicked off the largest antigovernment demonstrations since unrest swept the nation last year.
The festivities are feeding fears the country could plunge into unrest ahead of crucial elections later this month and underscore the polarization between supporters and opponents of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ... Turkey's version of Mohammed Morsi only they haven't dumped him yet... . He remained defiant, insisting at a rally that the people taking to the streets were subverting democracy.
One policeman died in festivities with protesters in the Eastern city of Tunceli, Turkey's state news agency reported. Several Turkish news channels said the policeman, identified as 30-year-old Ahmet Kucuktag, died from a heart attack triggered by tear gas. There were no official reports of fatalities or injuries among protesters, though television broadcasts showed images of demonstrators maimed in the melee.
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Istanbul to mark the funeral of 15-year-old Berkin Elvan, who died on Tuesday, nine months after he was hit in the head with a tear-gas canister during June demonstrations against Mr. Erdogan's government. Many chanted demands that the prime minister, who has become entangled in a massive corruption scandal, resign.
Marchers headed toward Istanbul's Taksim Square--the epicenter of last summer's demonstrations--but were stopped by security forces, prompting festivities between police and protesters.
Authorities also broke up smaller gatherings in the capital, Ankara, and the western cities of Izmir and Bursa.
Turkish news organizations estimated that hundreds of thousands of people joined the demonstrations. Their scale reflects the challenge Mr. Erdogan faces before the March 30 local elections
One of Turkey's biggest trade unions, DISK, halted work to join Mr. Elvan's funeral procession. Some markets stopped selling bread, and university students across the country staged boycotts. Boyner Buyuk Magazacilik AS, one of Turkey's leading retailers, stopped music broadcasts at its shops.
Turkish news organizations estimated that hundreds of thousands of people joined the demonstrations. Their scale reflects the challenge Mr. Erdogan faces before the March 30 local elections, widely seen as a referendum on his government after a decade in power.
His backers and opponents have become increasingly entrenched, analysts said. "This polarization is dangerous and it's deepening," said Sinan Ulgen, chairman of the Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies, an Istanbul-based think tank. "Initially, we hoped the trend would be diminished with the March elections, but the political volatility has added a new layer of complication and difficulty, which in all likelihood will not allow it to be a pressure valve."
Some analysts forecast that the local elections, which would be the first poll since the protests in June, would help ease tensions by giving both sides the chance to air their views. But the corruption scandal and the government's response--which includes reassigning thousands of coppers and judges, and passing sweeping laws to tighten executive control of the Internet and the judiciary--have magnified perceptions of Turkish politics as a zero-sum game.
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03/13/2014
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[DAWN] After months of disagreement, the federal government has finally managed to get the 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) leadership on board with its strategy of tackling the bloody seven year-old Pak Taliban insurgency.
In a meeting on Wednesday, 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... took the PTI chief Imran Khan ... aka Taliban Khan, who who convinced himself that playing cricket qualified him to lead a nuclear-armed nation with severe personality problems... into confidence on national security issues including peace talks with Pak Talibs.
According to sources, the formation of a new committee of government negotiators and a strategy in case of failure of peace talks was discussed at the key meeting which lasted almost two hours.
Speaking to media representatives after the meeting at his Islamabad residence, Khan said that the government was moving in the right direction with regards to negotiations with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP), which has waged a bloody seven-year war against the Pak state.
"I understand that the government, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar have been working in the right direction under great pressure," he told news hounds.
Khan assured complete support from his party and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ... formerly NWFP, still Terrorism Central... government in the peace initiatives taken by the Sharif's government.
"If peace talks fail, then we always have the option of a military operation," said Khan.
The PTI chief commended the federal government and said that recent initiatives had successfully divided snuffies in favour of peace talks and those against it. He said it was for the first time that the federal government had made serious efforts for peace through dialogue and was achieving good results.
Khan said: "I congratulate the government on creating divisions among snuffies through dialogue process which is a major achievement. Now there are snuffies willing to talk and small groups opposed to the grinding of the peace processor."
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03/13/2014
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[MAGHAREBIA] Some twenty people were injured and several cars were destroyed Tuesday (March 11th) when ethnic clashes resumed in Ghardaia, Tout sur l'Algérie reported. The tension subsided after the intervention of security services.
One day earlier, Algerian police chief General Abdelghani Hamel announced he had sacked three policemen for using violence against rioters in January, AFP reported.
The city of 90,000 inhabitants has been rocked by ethnic clashes between the Ibadite and Malikite communities. The fighting has left at least four people dead and hundreds injured since December.
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03/13/2014
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[DAWN] KARACHI: Three suspected gangsters, including one allegedly involved in the murder of five men in Mowachh Goth early Monday morning, were rubbed out in alleged encounters in the Mowachh and Lyari ...one of the eighteen constituent towns of the city of Karachi. It is the smallest town by area in the city but also the most densely populated. Lyari has few schools, substandard hospitals, a poor water system, limited infrastructure, and broken roads. It is a stronghold of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party. Ubiquitous gang activity and a thriving narcotics industry make Lyari one of the most disturbed places in Karachi, which is really saying a lot.... areas, officials said on Tuesday.
Acting on a tip-off, a police party raided an alleged hideout of suspected gangsters in Ali Mohammed Mohallah of Mowachh Goth at around 11am and in an ensuing shootout, Nazeer Ahmed was killed, said City-SSP Faisal Bashir Memon.
He said Nazeer was nominated in the murder of five men -- two brothers and their three relatives -- in the goth. A suspected gangster, Zaheer Khan, was placed in durance vile Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please! during the encounter. The dead was shifted to the Civil Hospital Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... (CHK) for a post-mortem examination.
'Policemen's killer' rubbed out in Lyari
A suspected gangster allegedly involved in the murder of two coppers was rubbed out in an alleged encounter in the Kalakot area late Monday night.
Police said that acting on a tip-off they raided a hideout belonging to the gang led by Noor Mohammed alias Baba Ladla near Dhobi Ghat and during an exchange of fire suspect Saddam Hussain Niazi was killed but his accomplices escaped. The body was shifted to the CHK for a post-mortem examination.
The police alleged that Saddam had killed his relative Inspector Asfar Niazi in the SITE area some three to four years back over a domestic dispute. At that time, Saddam lived in Machhar Colony and later shifted to Lyari, where he joined the gangsters. He had also allegedly killed inspector Mohabbat Khan Niazi in Machhar Colony who was investigating the murder case of Asfar Niazi.
In another incident, a suspect was bumped off in Kalri late Monday night.
Police and Rangers were conducting joint patrolling in Daryabad, Street-4, when they were attacked and they returned fire, killing one of the attackers. He was identified as Faisal Hussain, 25. The police claimed that the dead was a member of the gang led by Uzair Baloch.
Banker killed in 'sectarian attack'
A banker and close relative of a leader of the Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Mohammedaneen (MWM) was rubbed out in a suspected targeted attack in Federal B' Industrial Area on Tuesday evening, according to police and the party sources.
They added that Syed Fazal Abbas, 39, was on his way home on a cycle of violence from a bank in U.P. Mor when gunnies attacked him near Sohrab Goth bridge at Fazal Mills. He was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead He's dead, Jim! on arrival.
"It appeared to be an act of sectarian killing," said F.B Industrial Area SHO Nizamuddin.
The victim, who worked as operation manager at Habib Metropolitan Bank Ltd, was a cousin of MWM spokesperson Ahmer Naqvi.
He was father of three children.
MWM chief Allama Nasir Abbas Jafrey said that along with Syed Fazal Abbas, three Shias were killed on Tuesday in Karachi that reflected on the performance of the government and law-enforcement agencies.
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[An Nahar] Islamic Jihad ...created after many members of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood decided the organization was becoming too moderate. Operations were conducted out of Egypt until 1981 when the group was exiled after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. They worked out of Gaza until they were exiled to Lebanon in 1987, where they clove tightly to Hezbollah. In 1989 they moved to Damascus, where they remain a subsidiary of Hezbollah... hard boyz in Gazoo fired scores of rockets at southern Israel on Wednesday, causing no casualties but prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn of a tough response.
The escalation came just hours after British Prime Minister David Cameron ... has stated that he is certainly a big Thatcher fan, but I don't know whether that makes me a Thatcherite, which means he's not. Since he is not deeply ideological he lacks core principles and is easily led. He has been described as certainly not a Pitt, Elder or Younger, but he does wear a nice suit so maybe he's Beau Brummel ... arrived on his first official visit to the region since taking office in 2010.
It was the heaviest barrage of cross-border rocket fire since a major eight-day November 2012 confrontation between Israel and hard boyz from Gazoo's ruling Islamist movement Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason,.
The attacks were claimed by the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, which said it had fired 130 rockets at Israel in response to an air strike on Tuesday that killed three of its hard boyz in southern Gazoo.
As tens of thousands of people living in southern Israel rushed to seek shelter from the bombardment an Israeli security source told Agence La Belle France Presse hard boyz had fired more than 60 rockets and mortar rounds at areas all over the south.
The army put the number at "more than 30 rockets," saying eight of them had struck urban areas, and another three were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system.
Police raised the level of alert in the south, saying the rockets struck along the length of Israel's border with Gazoo.
One hit near a public library in the town of Sderot, and another near a petrol station.
With heavy rain hampering the Israeli air force's ability to conduct air strikes, the military said it had hit "two terror locations" in northern and southern Gazoo with artillery fire, but there were no Paleostinian reports of injuries.
"We have attacked two sites with artillery, with our tanks on the border with Gazoo," Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, the chief military front man, told journalists.
The attack began shortly after Netanyahu and Cameron addressed the parliament, and prompted a stern warning from the Israeli leader who pledged to act "with great force" against those seeking to harm Israel, a statement from his office said.
"We will continue to strike those who want to harm us; we'll act against them very forcefully," he was quoted as saying in a separate statement communicated by his front man Ofir Gendelman.
"This is the biggest attack on Israel since the 2012 Operation Pillar of Defense," the military said on Twitter, referring to the 2012 confrontation that claimed the lives of 177 Paleostinians, mostly civilians, and six Israelis.
Later on Wednesday, Israeli warplanes hit a number of targets in the Gazoo Strip in response to the rocket attack, Paleostinian eyewitnesses said.
Aircraft hit bases of the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, which had grabbed credit for the shelling.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel would have no choice but to reoccupy Gazoo, from which it withdrew all troops and settlers in summer 2005.
"Following an attack like this -- a barrage of more than 50 rockets -- there is no alternative to a full reoccupation of the entire Gazoo Strip," he told private Channel 2 television.
In Gazoo, Islamic Jihad's armed wing the al-Quds Brigades issued a statement claiming to have fired "130 rockets" at Israel.
It said its bombardment would continue in response to Israel's "aggression" in Tuesday's air strike.
Hamas warned Israel against escalating the confrontation.
"We hold the occupation responsible, we warn of the consequences of any escalation and we reiterate that resistance is the right of the Paleostinian people to defend itself," said Ihab al-Ghassin, a front man for the Islamist movement Hamas, which governs Gazoo.
Later on Wednesday, the United States denounced the Paleostinian rocket attack as "reprehensible" and "terrorist."
"The United States condemns in the strongest terms today's rocket attacks into Israel by hard boyz from the Gazoo Strip," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.
"It is reprehensible that dozens of rockets have been fired today alone. There is no justification for such attacks," she said.
"We call for these terrorist attacks to cease immediately. Israel, like any nation, has a right to defend itself," Psaki added.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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#1
Again, EGYPT claims Gaza as its sovereign territory despite the PA, as does JORDAN vee the West Bank.
Given the fragile state of Israel's relations wid post-Mubarak Egypt, IMO the best thing Israel's IDF should do at the moment is temporarily enter Gaza, search and arrest the Bad Boyz responsible, improve pro-Israel local measures security, then return to base.
egypt renounced claims to gaza in about 1979
jordan renounced claims to w bank in about 1988
Posted by: lord garth ||
03/13/2014 5:59
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#3
Poor Gazooks - even Egypt doesn't want them. So I guess instead of lining up bulldozers across the north end & scraping everything south they'll need a lot more bulldozers and have to scrape everything west. But I bet Poseiden doesn't want them either.
[An Nahar] Egypt's military said Wednesday it has destroyed 1,370 smuggling tunnels under its border with the Gazoo Strip, as Cairo's ties remain sour with the Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, movement that rules the Paleostinian enclave.
Just looking at the map, you wouldn't think the terrain on which Gaza sits could support that many tunnels...
Ties took a turn for the worse after the military's July ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi ...the former president of Egypt. A proponent of the One Man, One Vote, One Time principle, Morsi won election after the deposal of Hosni Mubarak and jumped to the conclusion it was his turn to be dictator... , who belongs to the Moslem Brüderbund, with which Hamas is affiliated.
The statement did not say when the tunnels were destroyed, but the military has poured troops into the adjacent Sinai Peninsula to counter militancy that has grown since July.
The tunnels, under the town of Rafah, are used to transfer food, fuel and consumer products into the densely populated Paleostinian enclave.
But Hamas and other krazed killer groups reportedly use their own more secret tunnels to bring in arms and money.
Gazoo has been under blockade since 2006, after gunnies captured an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid.
Egypt accuses Hamas of having colluded with the Brotherhood in carrying out "terror attacks" on its territory in the past few years.
Dozens of alleged Hamas gunnies have been named among scores of defendants, including Morsi, in trials for organizing jailbreaks and attacking cop shoppes during the 2011 revolt that toppled strongman Hosni Mubarak ...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011...
In a separate espionage trial, Morsi and 35 other defendants are accused of conspiring with foreign powers, including Sunni Mohammedan Hamas and Shiite Iran, to destabilize Egypt.
Hamas has denied Egyptian accusations that it is involved in fighting in the restive Sinai Peninsula.
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#1
The border with Egypt looks to be less than 10 miles long per Google maps. If they destroyed 1,370 tunnels in less than 10 miles, then they destroyed more than 137 tunnels per mile. You'd think the border would collapse.
[Libya Herald] Former Prime Minister Ali Zeidan ... served as a diplomat for Libya during the 1970s, serving in India under Ambassador Mohammed Magariaf. Both men defected in 1980 and went on to form the National Front for the Salvation of Libya. Zeidan spent nearly three decades in exile in Geneva after the defection. During the revolution Zeidan served as the National Transitional Council's Europe envoy, and is credited as having played a key role in persuading French President Nicolas Sarkozy to support the anti-Qadaffy forces... left Libya last night and headed for Europe, after the General National Congress (GNC) passed a vote of no-confidence against him.
Zeidan flew first to Malta, where he spent two hours waiting for his plane to refuel, according to the Maltese press.
Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that he had briefly spoken to Zeidan who, he said, was en route to another European country.
By leaving Libya, Zeidan flouted a travel ban imposed by Attorney General Abdel Qadar Radwan. The ban, directed to the head of the Passports Agency, was issued last night. It said Zeidan was to be prevented from leaving the country until ongoing investigations into financial irregularities had been completed.
Apparently he had more financial resources than they had irregularities...
An airport source told the Libya Herald that Zeidan left from Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... International Airport last night at 9pm. He said that authorities at the airport had been tricked into allowing the private jet to both land and depart.
"The private plane put in a call to Tripoli Air Traffic Control requesting permission to land to pick up some diplomatic persons, whose names were not given," a source said. The plane was given permission to land in a special area of the airport set aside for VIP flights, and a member of the airport's immigration staff was sent to check the passports of the diplomatic person or persons leaving, he said.
When the official arrived at the plane, however, he was apparently grabbed and held until the plane had safely taken off, the source said.
The investigations cited by the Attorney General as prompting the travel ban appear to relate to allegations that money was offered to gangs controlling three oil export terminals in the east of the country to end their blockades. Ibrahim Jadhran, the self-styled leader of the federalists occupying the ports, accused GNC Energy Committee head Naji Mukhtar and the government of trying to bribe him with LD 30 million to end the blockade in September last year.
Zeidan denied any involvement but Mukhtar admitted giving a number of cheques to one of Jadhran's brothers Salem. He said that these could not be considered bribery because the accounts held insufficient funds for them to be honoured. One cheque for LD2.5 million was, however, reportedly cashed.
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[CBS/AP] A former Ohio poll worker sentenced to five years in prison for voting illegally on behalf of other people has been released from prison after less than a year behind bars.
Melowese Richardson of Madisonville was released Tuesday after her attorney says she gave him permission to reveal that she has bipolar disorder.
Her attorney, David Singleton, shared Richardson's medical records with Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters. After reviewing the case, Deters asked Judge Robert Ruehlman to allow Richardson to be released.
"In the interest of justice, it is time for her to go home," Deters said, according to WCPO-TV.
What about the rest of those also convicted in Cincinnati of voting illegally? I mean, one of them was a nun!
Ruehlman agreed and placed Richardson on five years of probation.
Singleton said justice was served with Richardson's early release.
"Justice was done in this case today,"Singleton told WXIX-TV. "We are grateful to Prosecuting Attorney Joe Deters for stepping up to ask the judge to release Melowese in light of the new information. We are thankful to Judge Ruehlman for revisiting his sentence and placing Ms. Richardson on probation."
The 59-year-old Richardson previously told a TV station that she had voted multiple times for President Barack Obama on behalf of herself and family members. She had said she had no intent to commit voter fraud. Melowese, on displacing a roller,
Discovered bats in her cupola:
"Since I voted in droves
For the fishes and loaves,
I'm relieved that I'm only bipolar!"
[Libya Herald] Derna Local Council has said it fears the remaining expatriates in the town will now leave following the murder of an Indian doctor employed at the town's hospital.
A source close to the Derna Local Council told the Libya Herald, speaking on condition of anonymity ... for fear of being murdered... , that the council was deeply concerned by the killing. "We are fearful that all foreigners in Derna will leave because of the security situation," he said. "This is a big problem and a bad sign."
He said that Derna University and Derna Local Hospital in particular were reliant on foreign staff and would struggle without them. He added that many foreigners, particularly Iraqis, had fled Derna following the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi university lecturer Hamid Khalf in November. A video of Khalf's alleged execution was circulated on social media but then widely discredited as fake. The source said his whereabouts were still unknown.
The Indian doctor, named as Irfan Ali Amin, disappeared on Sunday evening and was found dead on Monday morning. He had been shot several times.
The Indian Ambassador to Libya, Anil Tringunayat, told this paper he was alarmed by the killing of the young man who, he said, was representative of the 1,600 Indian doctors that had come to Libya to help its people during and after the revolution.
Tringunayat said Amin was one of six Indian doctors working at Derna hospital and that as far as he was concerned he had been held, with his colleagues, in high esteem.
He added that while he had been in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior that there had been very little information offered concerning the circumstances of the killing and that he had little hope the perpetrators would be found.
Amin's body is currently at Derna hospital and will be taken to Benghazi before it is returned to his home in Kashmire.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2014
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[MAGHAREBIA] Tunisian security forces tossed in the calaboose Drop the rod and step away witcher hands up! terror suspects in the Jendouba mountains, the interior ministry announced on Tuesday (March 11th).
The three men are accused of financing and providing logistical support to a terrorist group involved in the killing of civilians and coppers in the region.
In other security news, US soldiers arrived at a military base in southern Tunisia to participate in a joint training programme, Tunisie Numérique reported.
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[DAWN] Security forces continue operations, arrests and torture of Taliban members despite the announcement of a ceasefire, Shahidullah Shahid, the spokespersons of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain, claimed in a statement issued to the press, DawnNews reported.
The statement added that raids, arrests and torture of prisoners was a violation of the ceasefire.
Giving details of the claims, the statement said that search operations and mortar shelling continued in Mohmand tribal region whereas several members of the banned outfit were tossed in the calaboose Drop the heater, Studs, or you're hist'try! in Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... , Swabi, Charsadda and Beautiful Downtown Peshawar ...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province), administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistan's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire.
The spokesperson further said that the TTP had no link with the Ahrarul Hind and Jundullah bully boy organizations.
He added that there were several elements withing the government ranks which were affecting dialogue process.
The TTP, an umbrella group of several bully boy factions, has waged a bloody seven-year war against the Pak state, leaving thousands dead in the violence.
Prime Minister had announced the initiative of holding peace talks with the Taliban earlier in January this year.
Peace talks between the government and Taliban struck an impasse last month after the Taliban-linked gunnies murdered 23 kidnapped Pak soldiers.
The killings resulted in multiple targeted Arclight airstrikes by the military against suspected hideouts in the tribal northwest.
The Taliban then announced a one-month ceasefire which was reciprocated by the government which halted its Arclight airstrikes targeting gunnies and their hideouts.
The talks process has entered its decisive stage now with the government announcing the formation of a new committee to mediate with the Taliban's negotiating committee.
Posted by: Fred ||
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Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee ...U.S. Representative-for-life for Texas's 18th congressional district, serving since 1995. The district includes most of inner-city Houston. She noted for her lack of tact and intellect. She is a member of the Democratic Party, and almost its epitome... (D., Texas) declared the U.S. Constitution to be 400 years old Wednesday on the House floor, which would mean it was signed in 1614.
"Maybe I should offer a good thanks to the distinguished members of the majority, the Republicans, my chairman and others, for giving us an opportunity to have a deliberative constitutional discussion that reinforces the sanctity of this nation and how well it is that we have lasted some 400 years, operating under a constitution that clearly defines what is constitutional and what is not," she said.
That would be seven years after Jamestown, Virginia became America's first permanent English settlement.
Lee is off by only 173 years. It was adopted on Sep. 17, 1787.
#21
"'Mind of Sheila Jackson Lee' - oxymoron alert!"
With the emphasis on the MORON.
Posted by: Barbara ||
03/13/2014 21:39
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#22
Good lord, I miss Houston.
So you've spotted the shy Sheilamander,
She who puts the "me" into "meander."
The stupid, it burns us,
But in the House furnace,
Flames just make her outfits look grander!
[An Nahar] A U.S. drone strike has killed a local Al-Qaeda chief and his bodyguard in northeastern Yemen, a tribal source said Wednesday.
The unmanned plane fired a missile at a vehicle transporting snuffies in the Jebel Jame area, in Jawf province, the source said.
The dead were identified as Moajab bin Aziz and his guard, Ali Hasan Hadhban.
Overnight Monday, four suspected Al-Qaeda snuffies were killed in a similar attack in Jawf.
The U.S. military operates all drones flying over Yemen in support of Sanaa's campaign against Al-Qaeda and has killed dozens of snuffies in a sharply intensified campaign in the past year.
Posted by: Fred ||
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Russia has signed a preliminary agreement to build at least two more nuclear power plants in the Iranian port city of Bushehr, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday.
Smart diplomacy...
The deal was reached during a visit to Tehran on Tuesday by a senior official of Russia's state atomic energy agency Rosatom, IRNA said.
"Iran and Russia reached a preliminary agreement to build at least two new nuclear power plants," Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi told the news agency.
The two new 1,000 megawatt plants will be built alongside the existing power station in Bushehr, which was also built by Russia, Kamalvandi said.
The current reactor might be end-of-life by the time the Russians build the new ones...
Further talks will be held on technical and financial aspects of the project but a final agreement is expected to be signed "very soon," he added. Thing from Snowy Mountain notes: The article goes on to mention fears from the nations on the other side of the Persian Gulf about accidents and earthquakes and the like. Because apparently that's the main problem with Bushehr. BTW, they'll be paying for it with barter:
Iran is expected to fund the project on a barter basis. Iran's ambassador to Russia, Mehdi Sanaei, said last month that the close trading partners have been negotiating Iran's delivery of hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil per day in return for Russian goods and services, including the planned new nuclear plants.
Russian officials have neither confirmed nor denied the discussions, while stressing that they would not break U.N. sanctions.
But the White House has raised "serious concern" about the potential of the mooted deal to undermine EU and U.S. sanctions which it credits with bringing Iran to the nuclear negotiating table.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/13/2014
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What's interesting in this article is the reference to the amount of oil Iran currently exports...
Four new oil storage facilities with a total capacity of four million barrels is passing its final stages, the Shana News agency quoted Managing Director of the Iranian Oil Terminal Company Pirouz Mousavi as saying on March 11. The four facilities will be inaugurated at Iran's Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf.
The oil storage capacity of Kharg Island is currently about 28 million barrels, Mousavi added. The Kharg terminals have the capacity to export five million barrels of oil per day, he noted.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration released its latest Short Term Energy Outlook on Jan. 7. The report has presented some statistics about Iran's oil output in the previous year.
Based on the report, it is estimated that Iran produced 2.8 million barrels of oil per day excluding gas condensates in 2013 which is 170,000 barrels less than the preceding year. The report also puts Iran's estimated unplanned crude oil production outages in the second half of 2012 at 800,000 barrels per day.
In other words, Iran cut the aforementioned amount from its regular production by shutting down the wells in some oilfields. So the country produced 2,970 million barrels of oil per day in 2012, while it had the capacity to produce 3,770 million barrels.
EIA's report also shows that Iran produced 2.8 million barrels of oil per day in 2013, while the amount of estimated unplanned crude oil production outages was 600,000 barrels per day.
So the country's total production capacity at the end of 2013 was around 3.4 million barrels per day which is 370,000 barrels per day less than 2012.
And everyone talked about how well the sanctions were working...
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/13/2014
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
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.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Nouri al-Maliki
A firing squad fired live ammunitions at Mohamed Omar Adow, Yahye Sheikh Abdullahi Ahmed, and Hussein Ali Ahmed at Mogadishu Police Academy in the presence of court and Police officials.
Three unidentified bodies were found in a northern Nuevo Leon municipality Wednesday, and one individual was detained for investigation into the deaths, according to Mexican news reports.
Wazoo
Nawaz Sharif
[NIGERIANEYE] Investigations on Tuesday revealed that the Special Forces, comprising ground troops and the Air Force fighters, had demobilized one of the strongest fortresses of the 
David Cameron
the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon
At least 32 militants were killed and 10 others injured when Kenyan warplanes hit a camp of Al-Shabaab rebels in southwestern Somalia, a local official said on Wednesday.
[APNEWS.MYWAY] Republican David Jolly defeated Democrat Alex Sink on Tuesday in a Tampa-area House district where President 
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysian authorities defended their handling of the hunt for the missing Boeing 777 on Wednesday even as they acknowledged they were unsure which direction the plane was headed when it disappeared, highlighting the massive task facing an international search mission now in its fifth day.
[SEATTLEPI] Federal prosecutors suggest they plan to seek another indictment against an Indian diplomat who was arrested and strip-searched but had charges against her dismissed by a judge.
[MAGHAREBIA] Al-
[DAWN] YET another gruesome killing related to the 
[An Nahar] The lower house of Jordan's parliament, incensed over the shooting death of a Jordanian judge by Israeli soldiers, demanded Wednesday that the government free a soldier who murdered Israeli schoolgirls in 1997.
[WASHINGTONEXAMINER] 
[DAWN] IT was a pronouncement that left many stunned. The Council of Islamic Ideology reportedly declared on Tuesday that laws barring child marriage in Pakistain were 'un-Islamic'. This shocking statement overtook the declaration made on Monday by the Council's chairman, Maulana Mohammad Khan Sheerani, that the current law requiring a man to seek written permission from his wife before contracting a second marriage should be amended. These statements speak volumes for the kind of issues that are on the 
A lawyer representing four Somalis charged with helping terrorists attack Nairobi's Westgate Mall last year will, once again, petition the court to release the defendants on bail pending an April 15 court hearing.
[NAIJAHOTTESTGIST] The Agile soldiers of the Nigerian army killed 215 members of the islamic terror group, 
[DAWN] OUR interior minister epitomises all that is going wrong with the country's internal security. His histrionics defy rational thinking. Trust him to come up with the most outrageous defence of the Taliban even when they stand completely exposed. 
[DAWN] Top leadership of all three armed forces of Pakistain Wednesday reaffirmed their resolve to fight the menace of terrorism under a comprehensive strategy within the policy parameters set by the 
[Libya Herald] An armed attack on a disused pharmaceutical plant in Ghariyan has left two dead and three injured.
[ONLINE.WSJ] Turkish police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in several cities on Wednesday after the funeral of a teenager whose death kicked off the largest antigovernment demonstrations since unrest swept the nation last year.
[DAWN] KARACHI: Three suspected gangsters, including one allegedly involved in the murder of five men in Mowachh Goth early Monday morning, were 
[An Nahar] Egypt's military said Wednesday it has destroyed 1,370 smuggling tunnels under its border with the 
[Libya Herald] Derna Local Council has said it fears the remaining expatriates in the town will now leave following the murder of an Indian doctor employed at the town's hospital.
Rep. 
Georgia Rep. Hank Johnson's 'capsizing Guam' sill holds a comfortable lead. 
[An Nahar] A U.S. drone strike has killed a local Al-Qaeda chief and his bodyguard in northeastern Yemen, a tribal source said Wednesday.
