Displaying 721 To 750 Of 18,974 Comments Morning Blog 6th Anniverary Edition Thank you, Nirek, and I hope it is. » Posted By Kalima On January 15, 2016 @ 2:25 am Good Morning Everyone! Finally I have recovered enough from the 5 day Japanese New Year’s celebrations to get out the first update of the year. With half of my brain working again, I hold up great hope that the other half will wake up before the next summer. Have a good day wherever you may be. Take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy. Sayonara from my evening corner of Tokyo. Mata ne. A few stories amd opinions from around the globe. Night ski bus flips in Karuizawa; 14 killed, 27 injured —- Number of reported crimes in Japan fell to postwar low in 2015 —- Nuclear evacuees surveyed about living in public housing later became non-eligible —- New Age funerals: Celebration prevails over mourning —- PICTURE OF THE DAY Middle of winter? http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/middle-of-winter INTERNATIONAL NEWS That’s a relief. One miserable lying arsehole is enough. 2 charts that show George Osborne is losing the race to be PM George Osborne would be a less popular Tory Party leader than both Boris Johnson and Theresa May, new polling finds —- Cameron’s ‘ideas’ for council estates are as ill-formed as they are patronizing This was a speech of transparent tokenism. 100 un-named estates? A not clearly ear-marked £140 million? Even ten times that amount would not be enough —- At least 16m young people worse off under new state pension The biggest losers are currently in their twenties, thirties and early forties —- MPs will debate whether to ban Donald Trump from the UK for three hours —- Elderly patients are refusing to leave hospital because of care costs, NHS bosses fear A bed-blocking crisis is gripping NHS hospitals because pensioners do not want to pay for care, senior NHS bosses have warned, as figures show all-time high —- Who can prevent British women joining Isis? Those who have returned http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/14/prevent-british-women-isis-syria-met-police —- After the Cologne attacks, refugees must be housed within the wider community —- Very scary. France clinical trial: 90 given drug, one man brain-dead http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35320895 —- France identifies suicide bomber in Paris attacks via mother’s DNA France identifies eighth Isil terrorist from the Paris attacks that killed 130, naming suspect as Chakib Akrouh after DNA tests —- Switzerland joins Denmark in seizing assets from refugees to cover costs Information sheet given to Syrian refugee shows seizure of assets over a limit of 1,000 Swiss francs, says Swiss news program me —- Migrant crisis: Denmark MPs consider seizing valuables http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35300262 —- Norway tells refugees who used cycling loophole to enter to return to Russia Immigration minister clamps down on the 5,500 – mostly Syrians – who entered on bicycles through the Storskog border post —- EU launches probe into new Polish laws http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35303912 —- Disgraceful! Putin’s anti-Obama propaganda is ugly and desperate —- In his final State of the Union, Obama pushes back against bigotry and fear-mongering —- Obama’s legacy will be much greater than it now appears —- The Other Obama Legacy For many young people, the first president they consciously registered was a black man. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/14/opinion/the-other-obama-legacy.html —- Bernie Sanders says Hillary Clinton’s campaign is in ‘serious trouble’ —- Clinton attacks produce windfall of campaign cash for Sanders —- New Bernie Sanders Ad, on Wall Street, Fires Back at Hillary Clinton The new ad for Senator Bernie Sanders claims that Mrs. Clinton’s plan to regulate Wall Street is disingenuous. —- Clinton says she’s ‘not nervous at all’ about Bernie Sanders. She should be —- Trump rally in my hijab. His supporters aren’t just racist caricatures —- Jeb Bush Makes The Perfect Case For Obama’s Executive Action On Guns http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/01/14/3739921/jeb-guns-debate/ —- Marco Rubio Pushes Conspiracy Theory On Obama And Guns http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/01/14/3739914/rubio-obama-guns-conspiracy/ —- Fact Checks of the Sixth Republican Debate —- The dismal, dark, traitor-filled world Republican candidates inhabit —- Parenthood Is Suing Undercover Video Anti-Abortion Group http://www.buzzfeed.com/danvergano/planned-parenthood-is-suing-undercover-video-anti-abortion-g —- Judge promises $70k per day bill to Bundy, supporter tossed from county meeting, sex toys arrive —- Al Jazeera America to shut down cable news channel http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35299367 —- Explosion unleashes toxic gas in Santos, Brazil http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35320083 —- More than a million Syrians under siege ‘at risk of starvation’ 52 areas blockaded, almost all by regime troops, new figures suggest, as UN warns using food as a weapon is a ‘war crime’ —- The Guardian view on the relief of Madaya: at last, they can eat. Thousands more still starve —- UN chief warns Syrian starvation a war crime http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/chief-decries-syrian-starvation-war-crime-160114195754144.html —- The death of Naji Jerf and the battle facing Syria’s citizen journalists http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35295206 —- Istanbul suicide bomber ‘registered as a refugee a week before attack’ The bomber, identified as Nabil Fadli, gave his fingerprints at an immigration centre in Istanbul on January 5 and was allowed to move freely in Turkey —- Chibok girls kidnap: Nigerian president orders new investigation http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35317293 —- Half of South Sudan’s children ‘not in school’ because of war’ More than 1.8 million kids aged between 6 and 15 are not in school in the world’s newest state, Unicef says —- A revolution, maybe not. Further proof that Opbana’s Iran deal is working? Hell yes! Four US prisoners freed in Iran http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35333656 —- US thanks Iran for swift release of 10 Navy sailors http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35300019 —- They claim responsibility for everything under the sun. Jakarta attacks: Islamic State says it was responsible http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35312794 —- Jakarta attacks: Indonesia ‘hunting terror cells’ linked to bombers http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35320352 TRIVIA QUIZ What popular flavouring is derived from an orchid? HINT: The only ice cream flavour I find boring. —- A tale of two Tyras Tyra Patterson says she was an innocent teenage bystander who ran away from a murder. Prosecutors say she was party to a killing. In the first chapter of a Guardian special report, explore how a young woman from poverty-stricken Ohio fell victim to America’s addiction to incarceration – and what might still set her free —- Tales from Uganda’s female former child soldiers —- No wonder that the country is in such a mess. Breaking The Bullingdon Club Omertà: Secret Lives Of The Men Who Run Britain —- Has Belgium created ‘a system of apartheid’? http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35311422 —- Indian acid attack survivor is new face of fashion brand http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35289545 —- The Phony Debate About Political Correctness —- African slavery in Qajar Iran – in pictures Anthropologist Pedram Khosronejad has embarked on a new and controversial topic in Iranian studies, developing a narrative on African slavery in Persia through archival photography, interviews and scattered text. Here he curates from his burgeoning collection http://www.theguardian.com/world/iran-blog/2016/jan/14/african-slavery-in-qajar-iran-in-photos —- The ‘single brides’ of South Korea http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35311422 —- When wedding photographs go wrong – in pictures —- Pictures of the day: 15 January 2016 —- The Guardian’s picture editors bring you a selection of the best photographs from around the world, including a lucky catch and rescued ducklings » Posted By Kalima On January 15, 2016 @ 1:26 am Good Morning Everyone! Plenty of news but not enough time today to get together my updates. Will post them tomorrow morning. Until then, take care and hope to see you soon. » Posted By Kalima On January 14, 2016 @ 12:50 am N Korea nuclear: US, Japan, S Korea pledge united response http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35249220 » Posted By Kalima On January 6, 2016 @ 11:55 pm Kim, like his father before him, is a pathological liar and a monster. Any time he is out of the news he has to create something to make the people believe he is still powerful. He isn’t of course and that is what bugs him. Causing international outrage by claiming to have successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, brings him the audience he needs. The WH said that there is no evidence of this test. The people are brainwashed and their knowledge of the outside world is severely restricted. They therefore fear what is out there, but they fear their own government even more. I feel for them, they have very few choices. Those who escape to China are sent back to a life that is not worth living or imprisonment. Those who successfully make it out to other countries are living under the threat of harm to the loved ones they left behind. It is a tragic situation. » Posted By Kalima On January 6, 2016 @ 5:02 pm Crazy buggers! Last time there were high levels of radiation in and around the Sea of Japan. They don’t know what they are doing and that’s even more dangerous. —- Signs of possible nuclear test in North Korea —- North Korea nuclear test: regime confirms fourth atomic detonation – live —- MPs to debate calls to ban Donald Trump http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-35238349 » Posted By Kalima On January 5, 2016 @ 6:59 pm Happy New Year, kes. Just had to post it again because it still makes me laugh, and what is this world without laughter? Take care and see you soon. » Posted By Kalima On January 4, 2016 @ 5:30 pm Hello Nirek. I draw the line with Iraq, the Palestinians and innocent Syrians. Iraq for obvious reasons. The minute Bush invaded it became America’s problem for decades. You can’t destroy a country and expect to walk away. A separate state for the Palestinians and Israel defunded until it’s accomplished. The Syrians because it’s the right thing to do when so many have died, so many more are now homeless refugees, and Assad is a monster. The Saudis are hypocrites living in the past. Their disrespect for women appals me. Did their fathers give birth to them and nurture them? Disgustingly weak men. Bush taking revenge on Saudi Arabia after 9/11 would have been the logical thing to do, but using Bush and logical in the same sentence is impotent. Take care and see you next week. Peace. » Posted By Kalima On January 4, 2016 @ 4:40 am This certainly doesn’t help the coalition fight against ISIS or the explosive ME situation. Some countries just don’t want a lasting peace. The Saudis have escalated their executions over the last few months. For every step forward, it’s two steps back. Worrying. All that knowledge the world has gained with its birthday in the Middle East and yet you have to wonder if these people were ever civilised at all. The West is accused of materialism and yet, look at the oil rich Saudis, the Saddam Husseins, the Gaddafis and the rest of those dictators who stole from their people, hoarded billions in assets in secret storage and bank accounts abroad. It’s time for many in the ME to take a long, hard look at themelves, and stop blaming the West for all of their woes. They need to learn how to solve their own problems with very few exceptions. Nepotism and hereditary leadership of a country is no longer acceptable. —- Saudi Arabia breaks off ties with Iran after al-Nimr execution http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35217328 » Posted By Kalima On January 3, 2016 @ 5:10 pm HAPPY NEW YEAR to our Planet members and readers! May it be a new year filled with joy, love, peace, hope and faith. Wishing you many new memories, good health and a completion of some of the goals set. I wish you and your loved ones everything you may wish for yourselves and each other. Take care and hope to see you next year. I’m posting early because it will be the first time since we came to Japan that hubby and I have spent New Year’s Day alone. He promised to treat me like a queen, which is fine with me being as for the rest of the year I treat him like a king. 🙂 Thinking of you! I’ll leave you with this. Proving once again that animals are people too. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R6R-Hm0enGg Kalima & Morning Blog. » Posted By Kalima On December 30, 2015 @ 11:25 pm Thank you for coming to read, Nirek. If I should miss you, have a nice slide into the New Year, and may it bring joy, good/ better health and peace to you and your loved ones. Thanks for making this year such a pleasure to be here on MB and The Planet. Take care. » Posted By Kalima On December 28, 2015 @ 7:09 pm Never mind, kes. My tired bad eyes read “Critical Selection” so it seemed just perfect to me. 😳 Now it also seems that I can’t read bloody English either. Time to rest. Take care. Rest up, and see you soon. » Posted By Kalima On December 27, 2015 @ 7:11 pm Thanks AdLib! My brakes are not working so I might crash one of these days. I was Santa for 8 of our staff this morning, they left happy and even washed up their cups and plates. Nice when you can get it. Hope you and your wonderful family have a great holiday season. You deserve it. Merry Christmas and see you later. Thanks for everything! » Posted By Kalima On December 25, 2015 @ 2:59 am Hello kes. That is a great graphic. Problem is, I think that most of them can’t read English if their behaviour is anything to go by. I imagine there is not much English taught in China, former Eastern Bloc countries and a few of the “stans”. They are the internet’s terrorists and should be arrested. Freeloading scumbags. Know that you are busy with family but hope you find the time to relax now and then. Merry Christmas to you and yours. See you when things start getting back to normal. Take care. » Posted By Kalima On December 25, 2015 @ 2:53 am Thank you, ppo, hope you had a great Christmas Day. Thank you also for your concern about my health, it has been a bit off and on again this year but I seem to bounce back enough to do what needs to be done. On the top of my list is getting out the MB updates, and I hope you find something of interest today. Now excuse while I sleep until New Year’s Day. 😉 Take care and enjoy the rest of the holidays. » Posted By Kalima On December 25, 2015 @ 2:49 am Merry Christmas, Nirek! Thank you for your kind wishes. There are plenty of interesting pictures today. Have a wonderful day with your family. Peace always. » Posted By Kalima On December 25, 2015 @ 2:43 am Good Morning Everyone! Hope that everyone is having a great holiday no matter how you choose to celebrate it. Our Christmas Day is almost over and I can’t say that I will be sorry. Holidays are not what they used to be, and when thousands of miles separate you from family and friends, or some are no longer with us, it get’s that much harder with each passing year. If you have family and friends close by, remember to tell them how much you love them. Tell them often. Have a good day wherever you may be. Take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy. Sayonara from my evening corner of Tokyo. Mata ne. A few stories and opinions from around the globe. Answers sought on Japanese reporter said held in Syria —- Top Japan news stories of 2015 DEC 24, 2015 The editorial staff of The Japan Times selected these domestic stories as the most important of 2015. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/12/24/national/top-japan-news-stories-2015/ —- Fukui court lifts injunction on Takahama reactor restarts —- Ritz-Carlton Tokyo receives bomb threat http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/ritz-carlton-tokyo-receives-bomb-threat —- Rescue dog, hero of 2004 Niigata earthquake, dies http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20151205/p2a/00m/0na/008000c —- PICTURE OF THE DAY Merry Christmas http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/merry-christmas-8 INTERNATIONAL NEWS David Cameron’s Britain is profoundly un-Christian http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/david-camerons-britain-is-profoundly-un-christian-a6785596.html —- Why people are mocking Cameron’s Christmas message with ‘You ain’t no Christian bruv’ —- Jeremy Corbyn ‘to announce reshuffle within weeks’ after planning demotions over Christmas holidays Labour leader and his team to spend festive break deciding how to reorganise the shadow cabinet and tighten grip on party —- Revealed: 20 British Muslim families ‘stopped’ from entering US amid fears ‘Trump ban is already in place’ Revelation comes as family of 11, from Walthamstow in north east London, barred from travelling to Disneyland in California without explanation —- THR WORLD IN 2015 —- Germany grants extended residency to teenager who cried in front of Merkel Fourteen-year-old Reem Sahwil and her family will be allowed to remain in Germany until at least October 2017 —- Ninth person charged in Belgium over Paris attacks Statement identifies man as Abdoullah C, a Belgian national, arrested in connection with 13 November terrorist attacks in French capital http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/24/ninth-person-arrested-belgium-paris-attacks —- Migrant crisis: Trauma takes toll on mental health —- Pope Francis attacks consumerist society in midnight mass at Vatican http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/25/pope-francis-midnight-mass-vatican-catholic —- Had his company stolen by Putin. Treated like a dog in prison and deneid medical treatment. Finally released and now Putin wants to arrest him again on trumped up charges because Khordokovsky doesn’t like him??? Russia seeks ‘international arrest warrant’ for Mikhail Khodorkovsky —- Russia hits Ukraine with trade sanctions over EU deal http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35150755 —- Bernie Sanders Criticizes Hillary Clinton on Health Care and Campaign Finance —- Hillary Clinton Is ‘Not My Abuela,’ Critics Say http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/24/us/politics/hillary-clinton-is-not-my-abuela-critics-say.html —- If you preach religious peace and tolerance, then practice them —- The G.O.P.’s Problem with Threat Inflation http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-g-o-p-s-problem-with-threat-inflation —- Things to Celebrate, Like Dreams of Flying Cars Technology is finally back to advancing our ability to produce and deliver things. By Paul Krugman http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/25/opinion/things-to-celebrate-like-dreams-of-flying-cars.html —- Can Marco Rubio Even Win A Primary? by Michael Tomasky http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/04/can-marco-rubio-even-win-a-primary.html —- Ted Cruz Vows Not To Honor Global Climate Deal As President http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/12/23/3734887/ted-cruz-paris-climate-deal/ —- The Donald Trump Days of Christmas For starters, say your “Happy holidays” while they’re still allowed. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/24/opinion/the-donald-trump-days-of-christmas.html —- EXCLUSIVE: The Story Sheldon Adelson Didn’t Want You To Read —- Americans held hostage at US Embassy in Iran win compensation – 36 years after they were seized The crisis was featured in the 2012 film ‘Argo’ —- Bad Cops, Good Cops, by Margaret Talbot. http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/12/21/bad-cops-good-cops —- Newly Elected Governor Strips 140,000 Of Voting Rights, Lowers The Minimum Wage —- Why is one county handing down one in six US death sentences? http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35161800 —- Syrian regime ‘bombs UNESCO world heritage site’ Government helicoptor was reportedly targeting rebels in Busra Sham, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic citadel, ruins and well-preserved Roman theatre —- Syria conflict: Rebels ‘to leave Yarmouk refugee camp’ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35175479 —- Isil “sanctioned harvesting of body parts” Seized document shows that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant said taking body parts from a living donor to save a Muslim’s life was permissible —- Minority killings by IS ‘should be recognised as genocide’ http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35147645 —- Yarmouk’s Palestinians: ‘Waiting for death to knock’ After years-long siege by the Syrian regime and an invasion by ISIL, Palestinians say they have been abandoned. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/04/yarmouk-palestinians-waiting-death-knock-150426073555865.html —- International system has failed Syria http://www.bbc.com/news/world-35150037 —- Eighteen migrants drown as boat capsizes off Turkey http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35174442 —- Haven’t more than enough Palestinians died already? Four Palestinians killed in West Bank clashes Three men shot dead during attempted attacks and fourth killed by Israeli soldiers http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/24/three-palestinians-killed-during-attacks-in-west-bank —- Letter from Nazareth: The forgotten Palestinians The city’s Christians and Muslims continue to struggle against Israel’s divide-and-rule policies. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/letter-nazareth-forgotten-palestinians-151213114942701.html —- It would be believable if he were sincere. Israeli PM condemns video of Jewish extremists celebrating toddler’s death Video shows teenagers dancing with guns at wedding and stabbing a picture of Palestinian child killed in arson attack —- Jewish extremist teenagers mock death of Palestinian baby – video —- The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, today —- Being raped is now adultery in Saudi Arabia. Truly sickening! Saudi Arabia reduces maid’s death sentence to jail term for adultery, Sri Lanka says —- Talk about misplaced religious paranoia. Somalia joins Brunei by banning Christmas celebrations ‘to protect Islam’ Somali government argues Christmas festivities ‘have nothing to do with Islam’ —- Nigeria gas plant explosion ‘kills dozens’ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35178194 —- Roadside bombs slow Iraqi forces’ advance on Ramadi Improvised explosive devices kill troops in city’s south, as combined forces push to liberate key Iraqi city from ISIL. —- Afghanistan: ‘Dozens of Taliban killed’ in battle for Sangin http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35174126 —- Sangin: 5 reasons an Afghan town of just 14,000 people is so important Afghan government forces have been trying to recapture the area from the Taliban, who say they are in control of the district — Beijing security alert: Australia, Britain and US warn citizens to be vigilant Christmas warning centres on Sanlitun diplomatic and entertainment district, with Chinese authorities saying steps taken to ensure ‘good public order’ —- Thailand murders: Burmese migrant workers sentenced to death for murders of British backpackers —- Indonesia ferry accident: Death toll rises to 63 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35177455 We are giving a Syrian refugee a home this Christmas —- ‘I’ve seen these children grow up’: the stories behind photographs of refugees Associated Press photographer Muhammed Muheisen, who has been taking pictures of refugees for a decade, discusses eight of his most striking images As a Muslim, I love Jesus too – here’s why http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/as-a-muslim-i-love-jesus-too-heres-why-a6785456.html —- The Christians of the Middle East http://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2015/christians-of-middle-east/index.html —- The runaway children Malaysia failed to save http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35161791 —- Who will take care of China’s elderly people? http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35155548 —- Three generations united by the hell of war http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34860666 —- The American Papers That Praised Hitler Kim Jong-un in pictures: The bizarre photoshoots of North Korea’s leader —- Weird, funny and bizarre photos of the year: Part 2 —- The Telegraph’s photographers choose their favourite pictures of 2015 —- Pictures of the day: 24 December 2015 —- The Year In Pictures 2015 —- Best photographs of the day 24 December 2015 Each day the picture editor of the Guardian brings you a selection of photo highlights http://www.theguardian.com/news/series/ten-best-photographs-of-the-day » Posted By Kalima On December 25, 2015 @ 1:39 am Good Morning Everyone! To all of our members at The Planet and our readers, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. I hope to post the latest updates on your Friday morning. To the mentally unstable hackers and spambots; “Kindly bugger off”. We have zero tolerance for spam and spammers. For our international readers. Afrikaans: Geseënde Kersfees Happy Holidays French: Joyeuses Fêtes! Spanish: Felices Fiestas! Vietnamese: Hạnh phúc ngày lễ » Posted By Kalima On December 24, 2015 @ 12:23 am Sorry I’m so late, Nirek, December is always such a crazy time over here. Thank you for always being here with your kind and much appreciated words of comfort and support. Take care and hope to see you soon. Peace. » Posted By Kalima On December 10, 2015 @ 4:10 pm Hello Kes and thank you as always for taking the time to read. I agree wholeheartedly about those who took advantage of funds for the victims of our 2011 disasters should be made to pay back what they stole. The problem is that the government did the same, and what can be done about money diverted to whaling “research” instead of support for rebuilding in Tohoku? Japan is a mess with Abe and his crew working like leeches to drain us all dry financially. They now have the power to check every bank account you may have and figure out if they can suck any more money out of you. No special permission needed. Time to stuff the mattress again. Cameron and Osborne feel no shame in having created more poor people. I’m sure they cold heartedly think it’s just collateral damage to their plan of selling off the country to damaging outside interests. Looks like China is well on its way to owning quite a fair share of it soon. First Hungary saying they refuse to take in any Muslim refugees, and now Poland’s welcome committee of beaters is heartbreaking to read about and just as scary as some lean much further right than is good for Europe. It is painfully tragic that mass shootings are being viewed as normal in America. I just can’t imagine ever feeling that way. I feel elation that Putin’s ship is sinking so fast. He has crossed the line and vetoed far too many Security Council’s decisions that have hindered action and progress. As for Iraq….Yes, thank you George for creating this mess that has led to so many innocents losing their lives and continues unabated as you contemplate your navel fluff in the comfort of your ranchero. It would be great to forget the damage he has caused but the falling domino consequences are too great. Now we have the threat of ISIS to contend with. Thanks again for your constant support, and hope to see you again soon. » Posted By Kalima On December 10, 2015 @ 4:04 pm Good Morning Everyone! It looks as if no one got the correct answer to the photo quiz this year. What a shame. I enjoyed kes’s suggestions though. 🙂 The answer was, a humidifier that runs for about 3 hours at a time, and can be used in both or just one direction. I am considering something now, and will let you know what I decide soon. Have a good day wherever you may be. Take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy. Sayonara from my already dark, afternoon corner of Tokyo. Mata ne. A few stories and opinions from around the globe. Two mayors in Fukushima OK final disposal of ‘low-level’ nuclear waste —- Japan considers introduction of new U.S. system for defense against North Korean missiles —- President nabbed for swindling 290 million yen in subsidies for quake-hit firms http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20151203p2a00m0na010000c.html —- Estimate shows child poverty in Japan could cost economy Y2.9 tril —- The ‘North Korea ghost boats’ washing up on Japan http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34981195 —- PICTURE OF THE DAY Famous faces http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/famous-faces-2 INTERNATIONAL NEWS Syria air strikes: RAF Tornado jets carry out bombing http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34992032 —- British air strikes in Syria could last three years as RAF focus bomb attacks on Isil’s oil fields – live —- Debunking the righteous Syria memes that fill up your thread Sure, let Doctor Who and Shrek be our guides to this conflict http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/a6759396.html —- After a decade of David Cameron, we still don’t know who he is On his 10-year anniversary as Conservative leader, Cameron still escapes definition. Is this the secret of his staying power? —- Paris attacks suspect was at Budapest railway station, Hungarian government claims Chief of staff says secret services confirmed Salah Abdeslam was at Keleti before mid-September —- Sweden considers emergency closure of bridge to Denmark Swedish government prepares proposal to halt traffic across the Oresund bridge to Denmark in bid to stop influx of asylum-seekers —- Migrant crisis: Hungary challenges EU quota plan in court http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34998615 —- A ‘witch-hunt’ for Poland’s barely visible refugees —- The Guardian view on Vladimir Putin’s state of the nation address: things are not going well —- Obama: US gun violence has ‘no parallel’ in the world http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/gun-culture-fuelling-mass-shootings-151203203054399.html —- San Bernardino shooting: Syed Farook ‘used social media to contact extremists watched by the FBI’ – live —- San Bernardino shootings bring American fears of gun violence and terrorism into sharp focus Speculation is rife about the motives of a couple who opened fire at a party in California, in an incident that left 14 people dead. But fears of Islamist extremism should not distract from an equally chilling reality: that such mass killings are almost an everyday feature of US life —- Shut Up About San Bernardino, Because There’s Nothing Left To Say —- After a mass shooting, politicians ‘shamed’ for offering prayers http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-34992061 —- California shooting, misinformation and ‘Bin Ardogan’ —- Anti-Muslim Rhetoric Has Gone From Fringe To Mainstream, Report Says http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/12/03/3727988/fringe-mainstream-anti-muslim/ —- US mosque threatened as fears of shooting backlash rise —- The Escalating Slurs of Donald Trump http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/donald-trump-escalating-slurs —- On climate change, Republicans are truly exceptional —- Texas Gets The Law All Wrong In Lawsuit To Keep Syrian Refugees Out Of State —- Syria humanitarian crisis ‘deteriorating as winter sets in’ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34994817 —- Putin accuses Turkey of something that we already knew, and now Turkey accuses Russia. It’s like a political Kindergarten. Turkish president now claims Russia is buying oil from Isis —- Egypt’s new masters are wrecking its long tradition of religious freedom Through the revolution, many Egyptians sought to remake the state. Now Sisi is trying to remake the people’s identity by exploiting division http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/03/egypt-patriarchy-revolution-egyptians-sisi —- Israel arrests youths over fatal West Bank arson attack http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34994812 —- Saudi Arabia carrying out ‘unprecedented wave’ of executions http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34982154 —- Inside Sinjar: Suspicion and anger thrive in the city broken by Islamic State —- Flood waters recede as Chennai rain eases http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35003353 —- Kargil war: Pakistan planned to drop nuclear bomb on India during conflict, says former CIA officer A former CIA analyst revealed the information in an obituary for Sandy Berger, a former national security advisor to President Clinton —- Afghan returnees from Pakistan endure dire conditions Conditions of Afghan refugees continue to worsen a year after the deadly attack on a school in Peshawar. —- Australia enacts law to strip citizenship over terror offences http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-34980945 —- MH370 search narrowed to ‘hot-spot’ as analysis finds plane did not conduct controlled landing Australia has released new analysis of the missing MH370 flight, identifying a top-priority search in the southern Indian Ocean and indicating the Boeing 777 did not conduct a controlled landing —- Nuts! Kim Jong-un invests in mortar-proof armoured limousine North Korean leader steps up personal defences due to concerns over a possible new coup attempt http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/12032537/Kim-Jong-un-invests-in-mortar-proof-armoured-limousine.html Syrian refugee father who used to sell pens on the streets of Beirut now owns 3 businesses Abdul Halim al-Attar used to sell pens on the streets of Beirut to feed his family, but thanks to a crowdfunding campaign he owns three businesses and employs 16 other Syrian refugees —- Domestic Terrorism and America’s Gun Dilemma http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/domestic-terrorism-and-americas-gun-dilemma —- Lest we forget: the growing numbers of our outcast dead, destroyed by poverty Giles Fraser —- The Town Of Women A place where wives don’t see their husbands for years http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-b186fe91-ffb3-4418-a29a-a981b8b1faf4 — What Woodrow Wilson Cost My Grandfather My grandfather lost his prestigious job after President Wilson segregated the government. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/24/opinion/what-woodrow-wilson-cost-my-grandfather.html —- Father Christmas letter from the 1930s found up Powys chimney http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-34996901 —- Walker Evans: images from the father of American documentary photography Best known for capturing the Great Depression in the 1930s, Walker Evans —- Pictures of the day: 3 December 2015 —- Best pictures of the day 3 December 2015 Each day the picture editor of the Guardian brings you a selection of photo highlights http://www.theguardian.com/news/series/ten-best-photographs-of-the-day » Posted By Kalima On December 4, 2015 @ 12:50 am Good Morning Everyone. It’s a busy time of the year for me keeping appointments and year end shopping before the actually year end shopping to make sure that I don’t forget anything. Today it was a morning to lunchtime thing that left me feeling quite tired, and with my updates only half completed. I will be posting the new updates on your Friday morning, and hope to see you there. Take care and see you soon. Peace. » Posted By Kalima On December 3, 2015 @ 12:58 am HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Hope that you all have a wonderful day with your families and loved ones. My thanks to our Planeteers and readers. Take care and hope to see you here next week. Peace. » Posted By Kalima On November 26, 2015 @ 12:21 am Hopefully to the elimination of the ISIS threat, Nirek. Still, it seems very confused at the moment and a case of “too many cooks spoil the broth”. Countries need to work together in unison and freely share information to defeat this group of cold blooded killers. Who really knows if Russia can be a team player when they have been supporting the Syrian regime with most of their air strikes. I wouldn’t trust them as far as I could throw them. One country has to know what the other is doing otherwise it will never work. ISIS is a threat to the world, it’s about time to defuse them for real. This is not a time for “Rambo” nations. I forgot to post this article that I found very interesting. —- On foreign policy, Obama shoots at the right target » Posted By Kalima On November 24, 2015 @ 3:58 am Russia says jet shot down near Turkey-Syria border Military official says fighter jets destroyed plane after it violated the Turkey’s airspace http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/24/turkey-shoots-down-jet-near-border-with-syria » Posted By Kalima On November 24, 2015 @ 1:27 am That’s a lot of trucks and a lot of lost revenue. Well done! US air strike ‘hits 238 IS oil trucks’ in Syria http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34906011 » Posted By Kalima On November 23, 2015 @ 7:01 pm Nothing “nutty” about you Kes, in fact you are one of the sanest people here. Can I add Ben Carson and his “rabid dogs” comment, the GOP governors and the lunatic from Tennessee who wants to round up Syrian refugees using the National Guard? Every circus needs circus acts, and there are so many to choose from. Let them eat cake as long as it’s not mine. » Posted By Kalima On November 20, 2015 @ 5:37 pm Thanks so much, Monicaangela. Your encouraging words are manna for my soul. Have a safe and enjoyable trip and stay in CA, and see you after you return. Bon Voyage! » Posted By Kalima On November 20, 2015 @ 5:26 pm Wow, monicaangela! Believe it or not, I could actually smell those roses. 🙂 Thank you for the kind words and for taking an interest in MB. Always good to find you here. Take care and see you again soon. » Posted By Kalima On November 20, 2015 @ 3:16 pm My dear friend Kes. Can’t tell you how much your interest, support and in depth comments have meant to me over the years. You have been here from the very beginning. We have laughed together, we have cried together. We have shared the very best and the very worst of events in our world and have tried to understand the thoughts and motives behind them together, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are the nuts and bolts that keep me together so I’m so very grateful to you. The cake looks wonderful! Let me know when you want to slice it and I’ll bring the knife (have plenty of knives) and the plates. Take care and see you soon. » Posted By Kalima On November 20, 2015 @ 2:58 pmComments Posted By Kalima
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http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/2-charts-that-show-george-osborne-is-losing-the-race-to-be-pm-a6810766.html
Debate will take place on Monday 18 January at 4.30pm
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It is in US foreign policy where President Obama will come to be recognised as a game-changer
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/obama-s-legacy-will-be-much-greater-than-it-now-appears-a6810601.html
by Kaddie Abdul
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/elections/fact-check.html
Planned Parenthood is suing the anti-abortion group that secretly filmed its doctors and released videos claiming abortion clinics sold fetal tissues illegally.
Ban Ki-moon’s comments come after the second international convoy reaches famine-hit Madaya to deliver humanitarian aid.
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How do women who were abducted as children, raped and forced to kill, reintegrate into their communities?
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http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/01/14/3737907/the-phony-debate-about-political-correctness/
Photobombs, animals and unexpected backdrops provide some of the funniest images released by the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers. Joe Milton, the society’s executive director, estimates that last year alone 20,000 entries were submitted for its quarterly competitions to find the best images from couples’ big days across the world
Photo highlights of the day: rescued ducklings and a catch of the day
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Three simple traits that need to change for Britain to be a more Christ-like nation
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35102320
Pontiff tells Catholic faithful to reject hedonism but makes no mention of refugee crisis in homily at St Peter’s Basilica
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The Kremlin continues its campaign against one of Vladimir Putin’s foremost critics, accusing Khodorkovsky of two murders, as he says he would like to apply for asylum in the UK
“What is stopping us from guaranteeing free, quality health care as a basic fundamental right for all Americans? I believe the answer ties into campaign finance reform,” Senator Bernie Sanders said, suggesting that he is stronger on such issues than Hillary Clinton.
She may be a grandmother, but an effort to appeal to young Hispanic voters seemed to backfire this week.
by E.J. Dionne Jr.
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http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/dec/24/jewish-extremist-teenagers-mock-death-of-palestinian-baby-video
Mary and Joseph would have to pass through Israeli checkpoints, occupied land, illegal settlements and separation wall.
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The maid was originally given the sentence of being stoned to death after she was convicted in August of adultery with a fellow Sri Lankan migrant worker
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Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun convicted of murdering David Miller and Hannah Witheridge in Koh Tao in 2014. Miller’s brother says “justice has been delivered”.
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We share food, photos and a love of kilts – Hamza is a welcome addition to our Scottish festivities
As a child, I didn’t really get Christmas, but as I grew older, I began to realise that baby Jesus wasn’t so far away from the religion I grew up with
From Syria to Iran, Palestine to Egypt, stories from the region’s Christian minority.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/20/when-america-s-media-cozied-up-to-hitler.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/10521123/Kim-Jong-un-in-pictures-The-bizarre-photoshoots-of-North-Koreas-leader.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/telegraph-pictures-of-the-year/12064530/The-Telegraphs-photographers-choose-their-favourite-pictures-of-2015.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/picturesoftheday/12067750/Pictures-of-the-day-24-December-2015.html
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/12/27/sunday-review/2015-year-in-pictures.html?_r=0
Merry Christmas!
Afrikander: Een Plesierige Kerfees
African/ Eritrean/ Tigrinja: Rehus-Beal-Ledeats
Albanian:Gezur Krislinjden
Arabic: Milad Majid
Argentine: Feliz Navidad
Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri: Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Bahasa Malaysia: Selamat Hari Natal
Basque: Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Bengali: Shuvo Naba Barsha
Bohemian: Vesele Vanoce
Bosnian: (BOSANSKI) Cestit Bozic i Sretna Nova godina
Brazilian: Feliz Natal
Breton: Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
Bulgarian: Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Catalan: Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou!
Chile: Feliz Navidad
Chinese: (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan’Gung Haw Sun
Chinese: (Mandarin) Sheng Dan Kuai Le
Choctaw: Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Columbia: Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Cornish: Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Corsian: Pace e salute
Crazanian: Rot Yikji Dol La Roo
Cree: Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian: Sretan Bozic
Czech: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish: Glædelig Jul
Duri: Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak
Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast
English: Merry Christmas
Eskimo: (inupik) Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!
Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian: Rõõmsaid Jõulupühi
Ethiopian: (Amharic) Melkin Yelidet Beaal
Faeroese: Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar!
Farsi: Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
Flemish: Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
French: Joyeux Noel
Frisian: Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Galician: Bo Nada
Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr!
German: Fröhliche Weihnachten
Greek: Kala Christouyenna!
Haiti: (Creole) Jwaye Nowel or to Jesus Edo Bri’cho o Rish D’Shato Brichto
Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew: Mo’adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi: Shub Naya Baras (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Hungarian: Boldog Karácsonyt
Icelandic: Gledileg Jol
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
Iroquois: Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay.
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Jiberish: Mithag Crithagsigathmithags
Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Kurdish: Serî sallî nwê pîroz
Lao: souksan van Christmas
Latin: Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!
Latvian: Prieci’gus Ziemsve’tkus un Laimi’gu Jauno Gadu!
Lausitzian:Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto
Lettish: Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Lithuanian: Linksmu Kaledu
Low Saxon: Heughliche Winachten un ‘n moi Nijaar
Luxembourgish: Schèine Chreschtdaag an e gudde Rutsch
Macedonian: Sreken Bozhik
Maltese: IL-Milied It-tajjeb
Manx: Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori: Meri Kirihimete
Marathi: Shub Naya Varsh (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Navajo: Merry Keshmish
Norwegian: God Jul, or Gledelig Jul
Occitan: Pulit nadal e bona annado
Papiamento: Bon Pasco
Papua New Guinea: Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu
Pennsylvania German: En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
Peru: Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo
Philippines: Maligayang Pasko!
Polish: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie
Portuguese:Feliz Natal
Pushto: Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha
Rapa-Nui (Easter Island): Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Rhetian: Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn
Romanche: (sursilvan dialect): Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!
Rumanian: Sarbatori vesele or Craciun fericit
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Sami: Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Sardinian: Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Scots Gaelic: Nollaig Chridheil dhuibh
Serbian: Hristos se rodi.
Singhalese: Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slovak: Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene: Vesele Bozicne Praznike Srecno Novo Leto or Vesel Bozic in srecno Novo leto
Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Swedish: God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År
Switzerland (Swiss-German): Schöni Wienachte
Tagalog: Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Tamil: (Tamizh) Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Trukeese: (Micronesian) Neekiriisimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai or souksan wan Christmas
Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian: Z Rizdvom Khrystovym or S rozhdestvom Kristovym
Urdu: Naya Saal Mubarak Ho (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Vietnamese: Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
Welsh: Nadolig Llawen
Yoruba: E ku odun, e ku iye’dun!
Chinese: 節日快樂
Filipino: Masaya pista opisyal
Irish: Laethanta saoire sona
Swedish: Trevlig Helg!
Portuguese: Boas Festas!
Turkish: Mutlu Bayramlar!
Romanian: Sarbatori Fericite!
Korean: 행복 휴일
Slovenian: Vesele Praznike Indonesian: Selamat Hari Raya!
Croatian: Sretni praznici!
Hungarian: Boldog Ünnepeket
Greek: Καλές δικακοπές! (kales diakopes)
Danish: Glade feriedage
Albanian: Gëzuar Festat
Mandarin: Jie Ri Yu Kuai
Catalan: Bones Festes!
Latin: Felix feriarum
Swahili: Furaha likizo
Japanese: 幸せな休日
Hebrew: חג שמח
Italian: Buone Feste!
South African (Xhose): Ii holide eximnandi
German: Frohe Feiertage
Dutch: Prettige feestdagen
Hawaiian: Hau’oli Lanui
Gaelic: Beannachtaí na Féile
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James Graham
Xenophobia and aggression against refugees is on the rise, with some suggesting it is fuelled by political rhetoric.
Editorial
More than 460 people have been gunned down in 2015 in the United States after latest rampage in California kills 14.
Rumours about the motives of the attackers and misidentifications abound after mass shooting in San Bernardino.
Advocacy group denounces California shooting while saying it has been a target of anti-Islam hate calls and threats.
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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: ‘We have the proof in our hands. We will reveal it to the world’
Jack Shenker
Sinjar may be liberated but community where Yazidis lived alongside Sunnis is now at war with itself
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BY JOHN CASSIDY
The number of so-called paupers’ funerals has risen by 11% in the past four years, with their overall cost rising about 30%
photographed American life for nearly 70 years. Depth of Field published by Prestel is the most comprehensive study of his work ever published, covering his early shots of New York and his lesser-known Polaroids
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