Israel Used Turkish Military Base to Airstrike Syria Arms Depot - RT Source

For the first time since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict, Israel has used Turkish military bases for its strikes against Syria. That according to RT's sources. Let's head over live to our Middle East correspondent Paula Slier for more on this.

David Cameron Warned Arming Syrian Rebels Could Embroil Britain in All-out War

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron abandoned plans to arm the Syrian rebels after being warned by military chiefs that it could embroil British forces in an all-out war.

Senior military figures have warned the Prime Minister that with the momentum on the side of President Assad's regime, sending small arms and missiles is unlikely to make a difference.

There are also growing concerns that arms sent to Syria could end up in the hands of extremists rather than moderate rebels, potentially presenting a long-term threat to British security.

More significant military intervention, such as introducing a no-fly zone over Syria, could mire Britain in a conflict for months because of the strength of the regime's air defences.

The move represents a significant climb-down by Mr Cameron. He and his Foreign Secretary, William Hague, have been keen to act. In May he demanded an end to the EU arms embargo to give him more options.

His wife, Samantha, was reportedly pushing for him to take a more robust response after being moved by the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Syria. » | Steven Swinford, Senior Political Correspondent | Monday, July 15, 2013

Snowden Has Enough Information to Cause US Government Worst Damage in History, Journalist Says

FOX NEWS: National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden possesses enough information to cause more damage to the United States government than “anyone else has ever had in the history” of the country, according to the journalist who first reported the former contractor’s leaked documents.

Glenn Greenwald, a columnist for The Guardian newspaper who first reported on the intelligence leaks, told Argentinian newspaper La Nacion that the U.S. government should exercise extreme care with Snowden because he has the potential to do further damage to the country.

“But that's not his goal,” Greenwald told the newspaper. “His objective is to expose software that people around the world use without knowing what they are exposing themselves to, without consciously agreeing to surrender their rights to privacy. He has a huge number of documents that would be very harmful to the U.S. government if they were made public.” » | FoxNews.com with contributions from The Associated Press | Monday, July 15, 2013

Ron Paul: NSA Whistleblower Snowden Is a 'Hero'

Former GOP Presidential candidate Ron Paul says the Obama administration's program to collect data from Americans' phone calls is 'crazy' and that the president's claim that the administration isn't listening to your phone calls is untrue.

Fault Lines: Fast Food, Fat Profits: Obesity in America (2010)

Obesity in America has reached a crisis point. Two out of every three Americans are overweight, one out of every three is obese. One in three are expected to have diabetes by 2050.

Minorities have been even more profoundly affected. African-Americans have a 50 per cent higher prevalence of obesity and Hispanics 25 per cent higher when compared with whites.

How did the situation get so out of hand?

Nouvelles manifestations à Istanbul

LE POINT: Des centaines de personnes se dirigeant vers le parc Gezi, symbole de la lutte contre le gouvernement Erdogan, ont été dispersées par les forces de l'ordre.

La police turque est intervenue ce samedi à Istanbul pour disperser des centaines de manifestants qui se rassemblaient pour marcher jusqu'au parc Gezi, dont le projet de réaménagement a déclenché en juin une vaste fronde antigouvernementale. Les forces de l'ordre ont eu recours à des gaz lacrymogènes et des canons à eau contre les protestataires. Le parc a été rouvert dans le calme mardi dernier après une nuit d'échauffourées entre manifestants et policiers. » | Source Reuters | samedi 13 juillet 2013

CrossTalk: Democracy Dystopia

What is the future of the Arab Spring? Is democracy alone enough? Should Egypt be a role model for the Arab-Muslim world? And what is the future of Islamic parties in the region? CrossTalking with Gareth Porter, Steven Bucci and Naim Salem.

Saudi Arabia Re-emerges as Powerful Middle East Player

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Saudi Arabia has re-emerged as the Middle East's most powerful influence-peddler, with its presence being felt in both Egypt and Syria, says Richard Spencer.

It may be the least revolutionary country in the world, but this week Saudi Arabia won the full support of the world's greatest insurrectionists.

Sayed Sami Hassan has been in Cairo's Tahrir Square since January 25, 2011, and in that time has seen off an American-backed dictator, a military junta, and an elected Muslim Brotherhood president. He is the sort of street rebel whom, at home, Saudi Arabia's autocracy most fears.

But this week he gave the absolute monarchs from across the Red Sea his absolute backing. "The Saudis are our brothers," he said, from his tent in Tahrir's continuous encampment.

"They are Muslims, they believe in God. President Morsi, now he was an agent of America and Qatar, but the Saudis are helping us."

The shifts of allegiance in the Middle East in the last three years have been as startling as the convulsions of the Arab Spring itself. But the latest has caught diplomats, analysts and, to the extent they notice the relationships their masters quietly foster, Egypt's ordinary people by surprise. » | Richard Spencer, Cairo | Saturday, July 13, 2013

US Slams Russia for Giving 'Propaganda Platform' to Snowden

The White House says that Russia granting political asylum to Edward Snowden will be on par with providing the National Security Agency leaker with a "propaganda platform" to further harm the United States.

Turkey Parliament Curtails Army Powers

BBC: Turkey's parliament has amended the code governing the armed forces, curtailing their political influence.

The original rules gave the military responsibility of preserving the Republic of Turkey, a clause previously used as a justification for coups.

It now says the army's main duty is to protect the nation from foreign threat.

The military has long regarded itself as the protector of Turkey's secular tradition and has staged three coups between 1960 and 1980.

But it has a history of tension with the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. » | Saturday, July 13, 2013

Hajj Pilgrims to Wear Masks to Prevent Spread of Mers Virus

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Saudi Arabia has issued a series of rules to pilgrims travelling to Mecca for the Hajj that will ban the elderly and force others to wear respiratory masks to prevent the Mers coronavirus turning into an epidemic.

Health ministry regulations for the piligrimage are the strictest in history as the government seeks to contain the spread of the new SARS-like condition which has affected 85 and killed 41.

Almost all those who have contracted Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) have been in Saudi Arabia or had contact with people who contracted it there. The first recorded Mers death was in June last year in Saudi Arabia.

Tens of millions of Muslims from around the world are expected to take part in the Hajj this October. The emergence of the mysterious virus ahead of the pilgrimage has been described as the single biggest worldwide public health since the deadly Sars pandemic. Read on and comment » | Damien McElroy | Saturday, July 13, 2013

Turban und Hakenkreuz: Der Großmufti und die Nazis

Die schönste Seite von Griechenland

Sie können nicht nur streiken, Steuern verschwitzen oder Merkel-Puppen anzünden. Nein, Griechen sind viel besser als ihr Ruf. Glauben Sie nicht? Dann trinken Sie mal deren Wein! Eine Entdeckungsreise.

NSA Leaker Snowden Requests Political Asylum in Russia

After speculation that NSA leaker Edward Snowden had escaped Moscow's airport earlier this week, it turns out that Snowden is still stuck there. On Friday, the whistleblower met with human rights groups to say he wants Russia to give him temporary asylum until he figures out a way to reach Latin American where he has already been granted asylum. So what's next for the American? Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern joins us to discuss the possible outcome.

Diplomats Outraged by Obama "Selling" Ambassadorships to Political Donors

It seems the more money your campaign can raise, the more likely you will make it to the White House. During each presidential election millions of dollars are raised to support a candidate's campaign to Washington, DC, but what's in it for those that contribute large sums of money to a politician's promotion? Former Assistant Secretary of US Treasury, Paul Craig Roberts, joins us to discuss the practice.

Snowden Announces He Will Seek Asylum in Russia - Audio

Former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden announces he will seek asylum in Russia before attempting to travel to Latin America. Speaking on Friday at a press conference in Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, Snowden says he can only at this time legally accept asylum in Russia, because of his limitations on travel. Snowden has been on the run since disclosing details of US surveillance programmes

Snowden’s statement here

Ron Paul: Obama Should Send Snowden A Thank You Note - We're Getting Transparency He Promised

'Snowden Saga Test of Leadership for Putin & Obama'

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden says he wants temporary political asylum in Russia, and has promised to stop releasing leaks that harm Washington. The White House said Friday that Russia granting political asylum to Edward Snowden would be on par with providing the National Security Agency leaker with a "propaganda platform" to further harm the United States. For more analysis Stephen Cohen, Professor of Russian and Slavic studies at New York University and a former advisor of President George Bush senior, joins RT.

La France se convertit à l'Islam

White House: Snowden Must Be Returned to US & Face Charges

Whistleblowing website Wikileaks has released Edward Snowden's statement to human rights groups in Moscow. In it the former NSA contractor asks for assistance in getting asylum in Russia until he can legally travel to Latin America. The White House said Friday that Russia granting political asylum to Edward Snowden would be on par with providing the National Security Agency leaker with a "propaganda platform" to further harm the United States.

More Rigid Islam in Indonesia

THE AUSTRALIAN: IN the country that is home to the largest number of Muslims on the planet, Islamic political parties have never managed to command a majority in national elections. And there have been Muslim leaders more willing than mainstream politicians to jump to the defence of religious minorities under attack.

Yet intolerant Islam is on the march. The last synagogue on the crowded island of Java, sealed off by Islamic radicals since 2009, was torn down in May. On Lombok, not far from the Australian playground of Bali, there are families of the Ahmadiyah Muslim sect still living in camps after they were driven from their homes as heretics seven years ago.

This is Indonesia, where home-grown and imported variants of Islam jostle with a new democracy and rapid economic development. Also in play are other great faiths, Christianity and Hinduism included, and less well-known traditions, such as Javanese spiritualism. The results are by turns paradoxical, reassuring and worrying. » | Bernard Lane | Saturday, July 13, 2013

The Middle East Problem: Prager University

Why is the Middle East Problem so intractable? Dennis Prager, nationally syndicated talk show host and best-selling author, answers that question in this thought-provoking video course.

HT: IQ al Rassooli »

No, I Will Not Keep Silent about Islam

This started life as a reply to a Muslim who demanded that I study more and learn more about Islam. Pay no attention to this line of argument, you could never know enough about Islam for Muslims to allow you to criticize it!

HT: IQ al Rassooli »

Brasilien: Rio de Janeiro erlebt neue Ausschreitungen

Wieder haben Zehntausende Menschen in Brasilien gegen Korruption und politisches Versagen demonstriert. Nach einem Polizeieinsatz geriet die Lage in Rio de Janeiro außer Kontrolle.

Maajid Nawaz: A Global Culture to Fight Extremism

Comment on this talk »

Snowden Asks Russia for Asylum

NSA leaker & former CIA employee Edward Snowden has asked for political asylum in Russia, saying he could not fly to Latin America, according to Human Rights Watch representative who met the whistleblower. Thirteen Russian and international human rights advocates and lawyers have gathered at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport for a meeting with Snowden.

Related »

Edward Snowden Meets Rights Groups at Moscow Airport

BBC: Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has met leading human rights groups and lawyers at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow.

He spoke to around 10 activists in the airport transit zone.

Mr Snowden told activists he was seeking political asylum in Russia. He had earlier dropped his application when Moscow said he could stay only if he stopped leaking US secrets.

The Kremlin reiterated its condition on Friday.

"Mr Snowden could hypothetically stay in Russia if he first, completely stops the activities harming our American partners and US-Russian relations and, second, if he asks for this himself," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. » | Friday, July 12, 2013

Stakelbeck on Terror Show: First Amendment Under Fire

ACT! for America »

Freedom of Speech Day, September 25th »

U.S. Muslims Warn about Brotherhood in America

Read the article here | Stakelbeck on Terror | Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Snowden Requests Asylum in Russia

THE HINDU: The U.S. whistleblower meets Russian rights activists and lawyers at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport.

U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden has requested political asylum in Russia, the RIA Novosti state news agency reported Friday.

The development comes after Mr. Snowden met Russian rights activists and lawyers at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport.

The meeting took place in a room in the transit zone of the airport’s terminal F, the Itar-Tass news agency reported. » | Moscow | Friday, July 12, 2013

Stasi 2.0? US Fed Workers to Spy & Snitch on Each Other

The 'Insider Threat Program' - President Obama's initiative that mandates federal employees to start spying on each other - is coming under increasing scrutiny. Now under that program, millions of government workers must watch their colleagues for whistleblower tendencies - and report any suspicions to their superiors. But, as our Washington correspondent Gayane Chichakyan reports, the government's own experts have grave doubts.

Lee Rigby: Military Funeral for Killed Soldier

BBC: The prime minister and thousands of mourners have attended the military funeral of Fusilier Lee Rigby at Bury Parish Church in Greater Manchester.

The 25-year-old soldier, from Middleton, was killed in Woolwich, south-east London, in May.

His commanding officer Lt Col Jim Taylor said in a eulogy that he had been "a true regimental character".

After the service, his body was taken for a private burial at Middleton Cemetery along roads lined by mourners.

The soldier's family, who were greeted by applause as they arrived with his son wearing a T-shirt showing the words 'My Daddy My Hero', have thanked people "across the world" for their "overwhelming support".

Fusilier Rigby's wife Rebecca said: "There are so many kind and generous people out there.

"It's just horrible that it takes something such as this to make you see how many good people there are." (+ video) » | Friday, July 12, 2013

Cuba-bound Jet Detour Sparks Speculation Snowden On Board

Reports that a Cuba-bound plane from Moscow has changed its course, have stirred up speculation that the fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden could be on board. Aeroflot flight SU-150 is reportedly avoiding US airspace. And Havana is believed to be Snowden's most likely transit point, when and if he decides to fly to Latin America - where three countries have offered him political asylum.

Saudi Arabia Throws Down a Gauntlet by Targeting Missiles at Iran and Israel

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The disengagement of President Barack Obama’s America from the Middle East has forced the kingdom to square up to Iran and Israel

There was a time, not so long ago, when any missiles directed at Iran from Saudi Arabian soil would most likely have carried the insignia of the United States. But that was before al-Qaeda’s murderous campaign against American influence in the kingdom resulted in Washington relocating its military operations in the Gulf.

So we should not be surprised that the latest images of Saudi ballistic missiles directed at Iran and Israel bear the Saudis’ distinctive green emblem of two swords beneath a palm tree. These days, rather than looking to Uncle Sam to protect their interests, the Saudis realise they are very much on their own. As the Obama administration’s inept handling of last week’s removal of Egypt’s first democratically elected government has demonstrated, not even a military coup in one of its most important regional allies will evoke much of a response from the White House.

Indeed, with President Barack Obama determined not to allow the US to be drawn into any of the region’s poisonous disputes, whether Syria’s brutal civil war or the continuing controversy over Iran’s nuclear programme, former staunch American allies such as the Saudis have come to the reluctant conclusion that, so far as their own security is concerned, they must be more self-sufficient in protecting their interests.

This certainly explains the revelations by IHS Jane’s Intelligence Review that recent satellite intelligence photographs show the Saudis have built a new missile base deep in the desert, stocked with powerful Chinese-made DF3 surface-to-surface missiles with a range of 1,500 to 2,000 miles, which are targeted at Israel and Iran.

The fact that the Saudis find it necessary to point missiles at Israel is itself an alarming indictment of the Obama administration’s decision to turn its back on an erstwhile ally. If America were fully engaged in taking care of its allies, then there would be no need for the Saudis to target Israel. After all, as the recent WikiLeaks disclosures revealed, the Saudis share the same strategic objective as Israel: persuading the US to launch military action to destroy Iran’s nuclear programme – or, as one Saudi diplomat elegantly put it, to “cut off the head of the snake”. But with the Obama administration absent, the Saudis believe they have no option but to defend themselves against potential Israeli aggression. » | Con Coughlin | Thursday, July 11, 2013

Head to Head - What Is Wrong with Islam Today?

Is there really a problem with Islam today? Critics see Muslim women as downtrodden and sectarian conflict dominates the headlines, but for many Muslims this is a gross misrepresentation. In this episode of Head to Head at the Oxford Union, Mehdi Hasan challenges controversial Canadian author Irshad Manji, writer of The Trouble with Islam Today and also Allah, Liberty and Love on the need to reform Islam, the notion of Ijtihad, the problem of Islamophobia and what Muslims need to own-up to.

WIKI: Ijtihad »

Egypt Crisis: Crossroads Becomes 'Islamic Republic'

BBC: Supporters of Mohammed Morsi are camping out at a major crossroads in Cairo in protest at his overthrow by the army.

Makeshift tents have been set up in the street and in some cases entire families are living in the area.

Jim Muir in Cairo says the area has become a kind of "Islamic Republic" with those protesting insisting they will not move until the president is reinstated. (+ video) » | Thursday, July 11, 2013

Lee Rigby Funeral: Drum Parade for Murdered Soldier

BBC: The body of Fusilier Lee Rigby has arrived at his regiment's garrison church for a vigil on the eve of his funeral.

The soldier, from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was killed in Woolwich, south-east London in May.

Drummers escorted the cortege to Bury Parish Church, with onlookers applauding as it passed.

A service will take place for the family ahead of a full military funeral and private committal on Friday.

The father of one had served in Afghanistan and was a drummer for the regiment. (+ video) » | Thursday, July 11, 2013

Anne-Marie Waters | Islam Is Not A Peaceful Religion | Oxford Union

Anne-Marie Waters, council member of the National Secular Society, begins the case for the opposition by denying that she and her fellow opposition speakers cause fear of Islam and blames instead "the actions of Islam itself".

Muslim Brotherhood Leader's Arrest Ordered for 'Inciting Violence'

The Egyptian Prosecutor's Office has ordered the arrest of the Muslim Brotherhood's leader. Mohammed Badi, along with 9 other senior officials, accused of inciting violence at a rally on Monday in support of the ousted President, Mohamed Morsi. Over 50 people were killed in the clashes that followed that rally. RT's Paula Slier joins us live now.

Most Children Will Be Born Out Of Wedlock By 2016

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Most children will be born out of wedlock within three years because of the decline in marriage, according to official figures.

The proportion of children born to unmarried mothers hit a record 47.5 per cent last year, according to the Office for National Statistics. The figure has risen from 25 per cent in 1988 and just 11 per cent in 1979.

If the trend continues at the current rate, the majority of children will be born to parents who are not married by 2016. » | Steven Swinford, Senior Political Correspondent | Wednesday, July 10, 2013

My comment:

Sharia law will sort it all out. The West has lost its moral anchors. Eastern moral anchors will soon supplant Western ones. A culture which doesn't revere and respect itself will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history. This is what is happening right now in the United Kingdom. And we have nobody to blame but ourselves. British, nay Western, civilisation is in the process of being sent to the knackers' yard. – © Mark

This comment also appears here

'Saudi Money to Egypt Will Go to New Pharaoh, Not People'

Egypt will receive up to 8 billion dollars in loans and aid from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as part of an aid package to help Egypt's devastated economy. For more RT is joined by contributor Afshin Rattansi, in London.

Litany of Lies: NSA Leaks, Iran, Syria True Facts Shatter Voters' Faith in Obama

Edward Snowden's leaks appear to be eating into support for Obama whose approval rating has plummeted almost 10 percentage points in recent weeks. Bad news for him but worse for the government with a recent poll saying only one in six Americans now trust Washington to do the right thing. RT's Marina Portnaya reports.

Exclusive: Ecuador’s Foreign Minister on Snowden, Assange & Latin American Resistance to U.S. Spying

Snowden Asylum: Ecuador FM Slams Morales’ Jet Fiasco, Urges More Nations to Aid Leaker

Edward Snowden reportedly leans toward Venezuela for asylum, while RT speaks to Ecuador's foreign minister on the reasons behind Latin America's backing for whistleblowers on the run. Three Latin American states have offered asylum but Edward Snowden is has yet to pick which one he'll accept. Reports say he's leaning towards Venezuela, whose offer came in early on a wave of South American support. Speaking exclusively to RT, Ecuador's foreign minister explained the continent-wide backing for whistleblowers and why he believes it's necessary. RT's Marina Portnaya reports.

Venezuela Is Edward Snowden's Best Option, Says Guardian's Glenn Greenwald

The Guardian's Glenn Greenwald, who first reported Edward Snowden's leaks on surveillance by the US National Security Agency, says Venezuela is the whistleblower's best option for asylum. Snowden, who is wanted by the United States, is believed to be in Moscow. Venezuela is thought to be one of three countries to accept his application for asylum

Homo Sapiens: The Birth of Humanity

Hat er oder hat er nicht? Abermals Verwirrung um Edward Snowden

Edward Snowden hat einen Asylantrag in Venezuela gestellt. Das bestätigte Präsident Maduro. Und betonte, Snowden müsse jetzt «entscheiden, ob er herkommen will». Das hat Snowden offenbar noch nicht getan. Eine anders lautende Meldung auf Twitter wurde am Abend dementiert – ebenfalls auf Twitter.

Den Artikel hier lesen | SRF4 News 02.00 Uhr; sda/eglc/fasc;basn | Dienstag, 09. Juli 2013