Displaying 1,111 To 1,140 Of 18,974 Comments The latest, Nirek. —- No clear winner in Israeli vote Neither Israel’s governing Likud party nor the opposition Zionist Union has a clear lead in Israel’s general election, exit polls suggest. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31933326 » Posted By Kalima On March 17, 2015 @ 1:42 pm Someone needs to toss him over the fence into Gaza. The man is a danger to his own country. —- Middle East » Posted By Kalima On March 16, 2015 @ 6:15 pm Test » Posted By Kalima On March 10, 2015 @ 10:08 pm Today is International Women”s Day and I raise my glass to all of us, especially in countries where equality for women is such a hard struggle. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Have a good day wherever you may be. Take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy. Sayonara from my dull and rainy corner of Tokyo. Mata ne. Our Moment of Zen. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fHT1nAX46dM Sunday’s Bits & Bobs If only those lessons were remembered by the Abe government, but alas, reactor are on the fast track heading for restarts. Japan set to share lessons of 2011 disasters at U.N. forum in Sendai —- Court battles could further delay nuclear reactor restarts —- Electricity and gas deregulation —- The problems and pleasure of publishing the horrors of the 3/11 tsunami —- Labor of love left to wither and die in Fukushima —- Japanese workers get smaller share of corporate earnings despite record profits —- ‘Flesh-eating bacteria’ blamed for rise in deaths, loss of limbs http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20150308p2a00m0na005000c.html —- PICTURE OF THE DAY Shrine visit http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/shrine-visit More women and children put in danger as safety net for those fleeing domestic abuse is ‘dismantled piece by piece’ —- If the Tories hate ‘hate preachers’ why do they keep preaching hate? David Mitchell http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/08/tories-hate-preachers-david-mitchell —- Thought this was priceless. 😆 COMMENTARY / WORLD Cameron’s disappearing act —- Politics was once about beliefs and society. Now it’s a worship of money —- Mohammed Emwazi: Tanzanian officer recalls airport arrest http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31785820 —- Boris Nemtsov murder: two held “may be hired hitmen” Two men from the Caucasus named by state security as suspects in killing of Russian opposition leader —- Alexei Navalny: Russian opposition is not deterred by Boris Nemtsov murder Released from prison on Friday after 15 days’ detention for handing out leaflets to a rally he was to lead with Nemstov, the politician vows he is not intimidated —- President Obama pays tribute at Selma, 50 years on America’s first black president says nation’s racial history still casts a long shadow during powerful speech to mark anniversary of civil rights era clashes —- Republican Leaders Send a Message to Minorities by Skipping Selma Event http://bluenationreview.com/republican-leaders-send-message-minorities-skipping-selma-event/ —- Fifty years after Selma’s ‘Bloody Sunday’, the battle for equality rages on Much has changed since white police charged black activists on the Edmund W. Pettus bridge – but much has stayed the same, writes Peter Foster in Selma —- The unsung American heroes of Selma Pastor recalls a tragedy in Alabama that helped spark pivotal African- American rights movement. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/03/unsung-american-heroes-selma-150306184704634.html —- The fight for civil rights in the US, then and now Two generations of activists explain how the African-American struggle has changed and evolved http://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/americas/2015/03/civil-rights-150306213856634.html —- ‘A Call From Selma’ This short documentary explores how the murder of a white minister in Selma, Ala., helped galvanize support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/opinion/a-call-from-selma.html —- US police officer shoots dead unarmed black youth Police officer responding to report of domestic disturbance shot dead the 19-year-old unarmed in the city of Madison. —- Ferguson Mayor Rejects Department Of Justice Report, Says There’s ‘No Proof’ City Has A Race Problem http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/03/07/3631113/ferguson-mayor-refutes-doj-report/ —- Bill Clinton Defends Foreign Donations to Family Foundation The former president said that the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation has received money from around the globe, even from countries whose policies he disagrees with, but said donations supported the foundation’s work. —- Obama Says He Didn’t Know Hillary Clinton Was Using Private Email Address The president said he did not know until last week that Hillary Rodham Clinton was using private email while secretary of state, but said he was pleased that she was releasing the emails to be archived. —- Pelosi shows Democrats how to wield power despite House GOP majority —- Loony Tunes!! If this is a “top” republican, I’m scared to think what lurks at the bottom. 😯 Top Republican Warns Obama Might Make Black People Immune From Prosecution ‘Regardless Of The Crime’ http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/03/05/3630291/kris-kobach-black-criminals/ —- Lawyer Telling The Supreme Court To Gut Obamacare Explained Why He Should Lose In 2012 —- Netanyahu enters never-never land —- Mastermind Of The World’s Most Despicable PR Campaigns Has A New Job —- Lebanon’s Isis prison: A rare glimpse inside the jail from which terror attacks have been directed —- First execution of supporter of Egypt’s ousted President Mohammed Morsi Mahmoud Ramadan accused of throwing young man from top of Alexandria building in violence caught on video —- Israel election: New women’s group demands candidates address the issue of peace —- Anti-Netanyahu rally draws huge crowd in Israeli city —- On the streets of Tel Aviv, it’s the price of falafel, not Iran’s bombs, that matters As Binyamin Netanyahu travels the world raising fears about Tehran’s nuclear plans, the election back home in Israel is about more basic issues —- Boko Haram pledges allegiance to Isis in video message —- How a US-Iran nuclear deal might transform the balance of power in the Middle East Israel and the Arab powers could respond by escalating their proxy wars against Iran, writes David Blair —- Iran condemned for ‘unspeakably cruel’ blinding of prisoner Iran punishment of man for acid attack by gouging out his eye condemned as “unspeakably cruel” by Amnesty —- Iraqi forces advance towards ISIL-held Tikrit Tal Ksaiba, on edge of Tikrit, retaken as biggest offensive against ISIL continues since group seized northern areas. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/03/iraqi-forces-advance-isil-held-tikrit-150308054623411.html —- Isil terrorists vandalise another ancient city in northern Iraq Having bulldozed areas of Nimrud, the terrorists turned on the ancient Parthian capital of Hatra —- Iraq’s Nimrud before it was destroyed by Isis – video http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/mar/06/iraq-nimrud-destroyed-by-isis-video —- Afghan women demand greater say in politics Despite coming a long way from the inequity under the Taliban, discrimination against women remains widespread. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2015/03/afghan-women-demand-greater-politics-150306232210801.html —- Australia protests against Indonesia’s treatment of death row men Australia formally complains to Indonesia about a photograph showing a policeman posing next to an Australian prisoner being flown to the site of his execution —- China takes Under the Dome anti-pollution film offline http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31778115 —- MH370 search zone will have been covered by end of May, says Australia On the one year anniversary of the disappearance, the search agency says the priority area will have been searched in the next three months http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/08/mh370-search-zone-will-have-been-covered-by-end-of-may-says-australia ‘Slowly, change is coming’: life for women in the post-Soviet world From bride kidnapping to the gender pay gap, women in the 15 countries that emerged from the ashes of the USSR describe the challenges they face today http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/08/women-post-soviet-world-profiles —- India is in denial about its rape culture – but then so are we The banning of a documentary about a horrific attack on a young woman in Delhi has terrible echoes elsewhere —- ‘If I am alive, I must have an education’: the refugee girl who crossed a border to go to school When Grace fled South Sudan, she refused to give up on her dream to be a doctor. But with refugee numbers soaring and camps at breaking point around the world, millions of children like her simply don’t have a school to attend. So why won’t aid donors invest in their futures? —- Afghan men wear burqas for women’s rights march in Kabul – video report —- Broken dreams for woman forced to flee IS-held Syria The BBC’s Lina Sinjab speaks to a female doctor and civil society activist who fled the Islamic State-controlled northern Syria, fearing for her life. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31733167 —- Ukraine’s elderly flee conflict A photo gallery telling the story of Ukraine’s elderly, who have struggled to flee the fighting and are disproportionately affected by the conflict. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31707444 —- Why fresh water shortages will cause the next great global crisis http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/08/how-water-shortages-lead-food-crises-conflicts —- The man who posted himself to Australia http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31700049 —- The lavish lifestyle of India’s royalty India’s royalty may have no official powers but they are still wealthy and influential – what’s more, they haven’t forgotten how to throw a lavish fairytale wedding party. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31709924 —- 20 best chicken recipes: part 1 From Britain to the Middle East and Vietnam, great dishes from top chefs chosen by Observer Food Monthly —- 10 things we didn’t know last week People unwittingly sniff hands after handshakes, and more nuggets. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-31762873 —- Viewfinder: 60 inspiring photographs —- Animal photos of the week: 6 March 2015 —- The week in pictures: 6 March 2015 —- Week in pictures: 28 February – 6 March 2015 Our selection of some of the best news photographs taken around the world this week. http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-31763295 —- The 20 photographs of the week http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/mar/07/the-20-photographs-of-the-week » Posted By Kalima On March 8, 2015 @ 1:50 am Good Morning, Nirek. Hope the snow removal was completed safely and you are back in the warm? Many opinions on the Netanyahu fiasco this morning with all of them sharing the same opinion as we have here. Love my cats. Love everyone else’s too. Have always had them to share my life with since I was three years old. Can’t imagine a life without them, and have one very tired little boy on my lap asking me when we can sleep. He curls up behind my knees every night. The others are in their room upstairs, and my outside tribe are in their houses already sleeping. The reason I like them is precisely what you said. They do what they want to do when they want to do it. They rarely do what I want them to do and it always makes me laugh out loud. Take care. Good luck with your taxes, and peace as always. » Posted By Kalima On March 5, 2015 @ 5:07 am Good Morning Everyone! It’s not spring here yet but today was a sunny day. Tonight it feels like mid winter again. 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. QUOTE OF THE DAY Anna Sewell There is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man and beast, it is all a sham. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A few stories and opinion from around the globe. Cosmic rays employed to spot melted fuel in crippled Fukushima No. 1 reactors —- Workers still scarce at factories in village near Fukushima No. 1 ‘We want to buy Japanese nuclear reactors’: Iran atomic energy official http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20150303p2a00m0na013000c.html —- Sunken WWII battleship Musashi found in Philippines —- Is she sticking out her tongue for the camera? Misao Okawa, world’s oldest woman, turns 117 http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/03/05/national/miaso-okawa-worlds-oldest-woman-turns-117/ —- Felines rule on Ehime’s Cat Island http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/03/05/national/felines-rule-on-ehimes-cat-island/ —- PICTURE OF THE DAY Feline friends http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/feline-friends INTERNATIONAL NEWS A truer word has never been spoken. Out-of-touch MPs ‘don’t get it’, says ex-Civil Service chief —- He’s such a wimpy coward. David Cameron issues ‘final offer’ over TV debates The Prime Minister will only take part in one debate, held more than a month before the election, featuring at least seven political leaders and attacks the “chaos” caused by the broadcasters. —- Huh? Nigel Farage: Ukip would ban terminally-ill migrants from Britain The Ukip leader said the UK wanted a better ‘quality’ of immigrant —- Ukip is nothing new: the British Brothers’ League was exploiting immigration fears in 1901 Nigel Farage would envy the power and influence the BBL wielded. But its crude rhetoric about immigrants flooding the nation is all too familiar http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/04/ukip-nigel-farage-immigrants-british-brothers-league —- Was Mohammed Emwazi really ‘radicalised’? Or is he just a sick loser? Bitter and socially awkward virgins are often drawn to ideologies which seek to police women’s chastity and reap violent revenge on society —- Mohammed Emwazi audio: does it match the Isis executioner? – video http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2015/mar/03/mohammed-emwazi-audio-isis-executioner-video —- Russian bombers disrupted planes in Irish airspace —- French judge issues warrant for suspects linked to 1982 bombing of Jewish restaurant in Paris Three suspects, currently living in Jordan, Norway and the West Bank, were finally identified – but unnamed by a Paris prosecutor – following fresh testimony concerning the attack —- Italy rescues 1000 refugees from Mediterranean over two days Ministers call for more help from the EU as number of migrants is said to outpace last year’s rate, which totalled 170,000 —- Kremlin spin and the killing of Boris Nemtsov Pumping out ‘hatred’ and seeking out ‘traitors’, Russia’s media accused of targeting government critics. —- Dozens feared dead after Donetsk mine explosion About 50 workers believed to be trapped underground at Zasyadko mine as relatives clamour for news about survivors http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/04/explosion-coal-mine-donetsk-killed —- Ukraine mourns miners killed in Zasyadko gas blast http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31744733 —- Obama says Netanyahu’s Iran speech contains ‘nothing new’ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31722493 —- Democrats in Congress Give Obama Breathing Room on Nuclear Talks With Iran Democrats who support giving Congress the authority to review any nuclear deal with Iran pledged to wait to press their case until after the March 24 negotiating deadline. —- Plum Line Why Netanyahu’s speech didn’t do his American allies any favors —- Mr. Netanyahu’s Unconvincing Speech to Congress The prime minister of Israel offered no new reasons to reject the agreement being negotiated by the United States to constrain Iran’s nuclear program. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/04/opinion/netanyahu-israel-unconvincing-iran-speech-to-congress.html —- This Isn’t The Reaction Netanyahu Hoped For After His Dramatic Speech To Congress —- Netanyahu’s Nuclear Deceptions The world should see through the Israeli prime minister’s alarmist rhetoric about Iran. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/04/opinion/benjamin-netanyahus-nuclear-deceptions-on-iran.html —- EMPTY GESTURE HEY NETANYAHU: ‘SECURITY’ MEANS PALESTINE, TOO! BY DEAN OBEIDALLAH03.03.15 http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/03/hey-netanyahu-security-means-palestine-too.html —- Opinions —- Obamacare supporters take to the streets as supreme court deliberates Supreme court justices are hearing arguments in a major test of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act which could halt healthcare premium subsidies in states where the federal government runs the insurance marketplaces —- Obamacare Will Probably Survive Its Second Trip To The Supreme Court —- Discrimination in Ferguson: full extent of police bias laid bare in damning report Police department and court system ‘reflect and exacerbate existing racial bias’ http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/04/ferguson-police-racial-persecution-federal-report —- 9 Egregious Examples Of Racism In Ferguson Uncovered By The Department Of Justice —- Police killed more than twice as many people as reported by US government As Obama calls for better data and Justice Department exposes Ferguson, trusted FBI count of ‘justifiable homicides’ omits 545 people per year in study http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/04/police-killed-people-fbi-data-justifiable-homicides —- Hillary Clinton urges email release, amid growing controversy http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31744010 —- Senate Fails to Override Obama’s Keystone Pipeline Veto Some Republican lawmakers vowed to find other ways to get a bill approving construction of the pipeline back to the president’s desk. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/05/us/senate-fails-to-override-obamas-keystone-pipeline-veto.html —- Unplanned pregnancies cost taxpayers $21 billion each year —- Oh pleeeeeaze, what is he smoking? 🙄 Marijuana could be to blame for rise in New York City murders, says NYPD commissioner —- Syrian rebels launch deadly attack on regime’s Aleppo intelligence HQ More than 30 left dead after insurgents attack a Syrian government security building, setting off a bomb and then launching a ground assault —- How Yarmouk refugee camp became the worst place in Syria Yarmouk, near the centre of Damascus, prospered as a safe haven for Palestinians. Under siege, it is now a prison for its remaining residents, who survive on little food and water, with no hope of escape http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/mar/05/how-yarmouk-refugee-camp-became-worst-place-syria —- Will #SisiLeaks be Egypt’s Watergate for Abdel Fatah al-Sisi? Recordings allegedly implicate Egypt’s president in judicial interference, secret bank transfers from other countries and a conspiracy against Mohamed Morsi http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/05/sisileaks-egypt-watergate-abdel-fatah-al-sisi —- What has Netanyahu’s speech before Congress done for his election prospects? Israel will hold a general election on March 17 and the polls suggest that Mr Netanyahu could lose —- Israel reacts to Netanyahu speech with shrugs and cynicism, Iran with anger Warning to US Congress is more about his re-election than about arms control, say some commentators —- Rouhani: people are too clever to listen to ‘war-mongering’ Netanyahu Politicians in Iran, including the president, express their disgust at the Israeli prime minister’s address to the US Congress —- Arrest of three Israelis prompts renewed scrutiny of smuggling into Gaza Shin Bet security agency claims operation involved sale of materials worth $30m, including scrap metal allegedly used by Hamas in manufacturing arms http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/04/arrest-israelis-scrutiny-gaza-smuggling-scrap-metal —- PLO ends Israel security assistance The Palestinian Liberation Organisation ends security co-operation with Israel which dates back to the 1993 Oslo Accords. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31753946 —- Saudi Arabia executions now at ‘unprecedented rate’ after kingdom kills four more in two days —- University feeds 270,000 taking refuge from Boko Haram A university in Nigeria is trying to help a rising tide of people displaced by Boko Haram violence. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31663910 —- How Iran is involved in battle for Tikrit As Iraqi and Shia militias try to recapture the city of Tikrit from Islamic State (IS), the key role of Iran in the campaign is becoming clearer, reports the BBC’s Nafiseh Kohnavard. —- War with Isis: Iraq’s government fights to win back Tikrit from militants – but then what? —- Truly sickening. ‘A girl is more responsible for rape than a boy’: The statement that shocked the world… except India —- India minister vows rape film probe India’s home minister promises an inquiry into how a TV crew was allowed to interview a death-row prisoner convicted over the Delhi 2012 gang rape and murder. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-31724516 —- Australia offers Indonesia prisoner swap to stop executions Country makes desperate 11th hour bid to save lives of two Australian drug smugglers – but media reports Indonesia has rejected the offer —- China’s Premier Li Keqiang sets out economic goals http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-31743598 —- US ambassador’s attacker identified as pro-North Korea activist Kim Ki-jong is known to authorities having previously thrown a brick at Japanese ambassador and set fire to himself in protest before attack on US envoy Mark Lippert —- Indonesia rejects Australia Bali Nine prisoner swap offer http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-31741558 Viewpoint: Why I loved Nemtsov http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31692409 —- The spy who came in from al-Qaeda http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31700894 —- The child soldiers of Yemen Lured by money and a sense of purpose, a growing number of young boys are being recruited by Yemen’s warring factions. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/03/child-soldiers-yemen-150302081855823.html —- This Is Where We Draw The Line https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mCIHq_46E9E —- From India and Turkey to Oxford, we live in a perpetual state of war against women Suzanne Moore Equality of the most basic kind cannot exist when a woman’s life and her words are always worth less than a man’s —- Private police carry guns and make arrests, and their ranks are swelling —- Ancient ‘lost city’ home to a vanished civilisation found deep in jungles of Honduras —- African jawbone discovery pushes birth of humanity back by 400,000 years —- Pictures of the day: 4 March 2015 —- Day in pictures: 4 March 2015 Our selection of some of the best news photographs taken around the world during the past 24 hours. http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-31727597 —- Best photographs of the day Wednesday 4 March 2015 Each day the picture editor of the Guardian brings you a selection of photo highlights http://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2015/mar/04/photo-highlights-of-the-day » Posted By Kalima On March 5, 2015 @ 2:00 am The aftermath is that he spoke to a group of people who hate your President, and they applauded on cue like a bunch of performing seals. He impressed no one outside of the circle of his base and the mindless and frantically bizarre repubs still looking for payback when Obama beat them twice. They are still a pathetic group of losers. » Posted By Kalima On March 4, 2015 @ 5:21 pm Hello kes. Hope that your rain has melted some of your snow drifts, and if there isn’t enough of it, I could always send you some of ours. Didn’t watch the speech as I was sleeping, and decided not to watch it after I woke up. Gastritis can be quite painful, and my stomach is too fragile to put it though the anger I know I would have felt. The reviews of it were all pretty unanimous from people who are not brainwashed and therefore think for themselves. There was nothing new. It was a political campaign move, and he wants a war with Iran so that he can destabilise the region even further and make more enemies abroad. Of course if he did that he would lose worldwide support and become almost totally isolated. They don’t follow international laws there anyway so why should anyone support them? I haven’t liked him from day one of his first term, and when he started the crap about criticism of Israel’s policy being anti-Semitic, that was enough for me. Jim Webb had never struck me as a Democrat. I don’t know how the Repubs can explain any of the things they are behind, especially cutting benefits and food stamps for the poor, trying to ban abortion when wanting to reach more women voters. Wanting to reach out to Hispanic voter while denying immigration reform. Wanted to take away healthcare from 30 million people, stop minorities from voting. When you look at the big picture nothing makes any sense with one thing contradicting the other like someone on crack or steroids. If a sane person thinks about it too much, they might need Prozac too. Yes good for Amnesty International for pinpointing the huge obstacles in the UNSC, namely Russia and China, but I can’t see either country giving up that vestige of a power vote, can you? The D of Justice has forcefully reported on the racism in the Ferguson police department, so the question is, what are they going to do about it? Kim Dung un appears to be emulating the bad queen in the original “Snow White” too. I suppose that people around him are too afraid to tell him that the “punk” look he is going for is so very passé. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by and hope to see you soon. Take care and stay warm. » Posted By Kalima On March 4, 2015 @ 5:13 pm Hello kes. Well can you imagine the accusations in other countries if so many critics and members of the opposition were murdered or thrown in jail while one man was in power? Like I’ve always said, Putin has the mind of a cheap thug, and he runs his power base like the don of a mafia organisation, but now more and more people inside Russia are beginning to understand what is going on, and he can’t kill or imprison them all. » Posted By Kalima On March 3, 2015 @ 8:46 pm Netanyahu’s address to Congress will be most important speech of his life —- Leaked cables show Netanyahu’s Iran bomb claim contradicted by Mossad Gulf between Israeli secret service and PM revealed in documents shared with the Guardian along with other secrets including CIA bids to contact Hamas http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/23/leaked-spy-cables-netanyahu-iran-bomb-mossad —- THE CATASTROPHE BIBI IS COURTING BY MICHAEL TOMASKY http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/02/the-catastrophe-bibi-is-courting.html » Posted By Kalima On March 1, 2015 @ 10:49 pm Hello kes. I posted this article from 2011 when Putin attacked the Ukraine, and it does a good job of explaining him, especially his dark side. In September 1999, two apartment buildings in Moscow were bombed on separate days resulting in the death of 224 people. Though the Russian government failed to find the perpetrator, Chechen rebels were quickly blamed, allowing Putin to justify his harsh and aggressive stance in Chechnya while also gaining popularity. Ten years later, GQ published a magazine article, banned in Russia, suggesting more strongly than ever that Putin, or at least the Russian government had been involved in the attack on their own citizens. Prior to this, Putin had been criticized by a former KGB agent named Alexander Litvinenko who had maintained the President was to blame for the attacks in 1999. Litvinenko was murdered, poisoned with the radioactive substance polonium, in 2006. Before his death he signed a document blaming Putin for the crime. VLADIMIR’S EMPIRE: A Look At Back At Putin’s Rise To Power http://www.businessinsider.com/vladimir-putin-russia-president-2011-9 —- From yesterday”s BBC article below. The list speaks for itself. Violent deaths of Putin opponents April 2003 – Liberal politician Sergey Yushenkov assassinated near his Moscow home July 2003 – Investigative journalist Yuri Shchekochikhin died after 16-day mysterious illness July 2004 – Forbes magazine Russian editor Paul Klebnikov shot from moving car on Moscow street, died later in hospital October 2006 – Investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya shot dead outside her Moscow apartment November 2006 – Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko died nearly three weeks after drinking tea laced with polonium in London hotel March 2013 – Boris Berezovsky, former Kremlin power broker turned Putin critic, found dead in his UK home http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31669061 » Posted By Kalima On March 1, 2015 @ 8:35 pm Hello Nirek. Well he has to say it’s outrageous, this man is all about image, but the majority of people marching there think that it was the Kremlin and Putin just as I do. Yes many follow like sheep, and many are waking up to his corruption too. In the first link below, it lists people who were murdered for criticising Putin, so this time was no different as Nemtsov was very outspoken about Putin’s actions in the Ukraine. Putin is a thug who surrounds himself with thugs. He has never strayed far from his KGB roots. » Posted By Kalima On March 1, 2015 @ 3:02 pm Power to them. —- Mass rally for Nemtsov in Moscow Tens of thousands of people march in Moscow to honour Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, who was shot dead on Friday. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31677506 » Posted By Kalima On March 1, 2015 @ 1:07 pm You can also find him under “megalomaniac, “narcissist” and “pint-sized arseholes”. » Posted By Kalima On February 27, 2015 @ 3:48 pm He has a history of eliminating those who disagree with him, especially journalists, and if they live in other countries, he sends his mafia over to poison them with radioactive material. He has even shut down websites that criticise him. No different from any other brutal dictator around the world. Either have them killed, or throw them in jail on ridiculous and false charges. » Posted By Kalima On February 27, 2015 @ 3:24 pm BREAKING Looks like Putin is getting desperate again. —- Russian politician Nemtsov shot dead A leading Russian opposition politician, former deputy PM Boris Nemtsov, has been shot dead in Moscow, Russian officials say. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31669061 » Posted By Kalima On February 27, 2015 @ 2:35 pm Thank you, Nirek. The world is a big place and there is always something of interest going on, but I always include U.S. news and opinions. Yes there are a lot of stories as I only post twice a week and there is never a rush to read them. Netanyahu has many screws loose, and in today’s updates there is a story about leaks that show even Mossad say he is wrong about Iran. When your own spy agency contradicts you, you are in big trouble. He’s a lying drama queen hoping for another war and interferring in America’s politics and policy to gain support back home. My hope is that he’s crushed in the upcoming election. Take care. Thanks for reading, and peace. » Posted By Kalima On February 26, 2015 @ 6:19 pm Good Morning Everyone! A dark and rainy day here today, just ripe for hibernating, which is just what we did. Well I did and the tribe do little else but sleep the day away. Have a good day wherever you may be. Take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy. Sayonara from my still rainy corner of Tokyo. Mata ne. Our Moment of Zen 3 Year Old White Belt Reciting the Student Creed https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RzFmWjavzYM A few stories and opinions from around the globe. Fisheries ‘shocked’ at silence over water leak at wrecked Fukushima No. 1 plant —- That a leader has to be told this is shameful. LDP vice president urges Abe to uphold past WWII apologies —- 60% of Tokyo subway sarin attack victims suffered eye disorders: survey http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20150225p2a00m0na004000c.html —- 2 school girls hyperventilate while being shown IS documentary —- Rwandan genocide survivor living in Fukushima bonds with evacuees —- PICTURE OF THE DAY Afternoon break http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/afternoon-break-4 INTERNATIONAL NEWS ‘Jihadi John’ named as London man The Islamic State militant known as “Jihadi John”, who has been pictured in videos of the beheadings of Western hostages, is named as Mohammed Emwazi from London. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31637090 —- Jihadi John: From ordinary schoolboy to world’s most wanted man the Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/26/isis-murderer-is-londoner-on-m15s-radar-since-2009 —- Charity begins at home in your own pockets it seems. 32 charity bosses paid over £200,000 last year Senior pay has risen despite efforts to curb pay levels in the voluntary sector, new research has found http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11435754/32-charity-bosses-paid-over-200000-last-year.html —- Why the survey of British Muslim attitudes is so profoundly disconcerting Disintegration from British society creates a breeding ground for religious hatred —- Why are we questioning the loyalty of British Muslims? We never ask anyone else I hate the union flag and I would scrap the royal family. But no one asks me to prove my Britishness —- After the recent terror attacks in Paris, this was a really dumb thing to do. Al-Jazeera reporters arrested as drone mystery baffles Paris Three journalists from the Qatar-owned TV news station have been detained for flying a drone over a Paris park, after two nights of unexplained flights across the city http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/11435658/Paris-drones-flights-Charlie-Hebdo-Al-Jazeera-arrests.html —- The Far Right’s influence in Austria is hardly surprising. Austria passes controversial reforms to Islam law banning foreign funding Austria’s parliament has pushed through controversial reforms to the country’s law on Islam, banning foreign sources of funding and requiring imams to speak German —- Greece to stop privatisations as Syriza faces backlash on deal The Syriza leadership risks falling between two stools as it tries chip away at the austerity regime without triggering Greece’s ejection from the euro —- Russia’s roadmap for annexing eastern Ukraine ‘leaked from Vladimir Putin’s office’ —- Why Moscow’s anti-Maidan protesters are putting on an elaborate pretense Analysis: if enough B-list celebrities gather in one place and shout ‘fire!’ ordinary Russians will start to believe they are at risk, says Allison Quinn http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/26/russia-anti-maidan-protest-moscow —- Barack Obama vows to ‘aggressively’ resist effort to block immigration plan President addresses Florida town hall meeting amid battle with Congress —- Obama’s Keystone veto is only his third in six years. It won’t be his last. —- Netanyahu ‘not correct’ on Iran nuclear talks – Kerry http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31636213 — – Susan Rice: Netanyahu’s speech ‘destructive’ —- Tim Kaine the latest Hill Democrat to announce plans to skip Netanyahu’s speech —- So by turning down the invitation he is NOT being partisan? Huh? Binyamin Netanyahu turns down invitation to meet Democrats on US trip Israeli prime minister says meeting ‘could compound the misperception of partisanship’ surrounding his trip —- Obama Just Vetoed the GOP’s Keystone Bill, and This Democratic Presidential Hopeful Is Pissed http://motherjones.com/mojo/2015/02/jim-webb-keystone-climate-change —- Foreign governments gave millions to foundation while Clinton was at State Dept. —- After hearing about a “secret” meeting between Elizabeth Warren and Hillary at the Clinton’s house last December, I can’t help but wonder if Hillary was using Ms. Warren to legitimise herself in the eyes of some doubtful voters and of course pick her brain about her policy views that are so popular with a large section of possible voters. Being an honest woman, her cheerleading for Hillary would seem flat and hollow because she can’t be bought. Elizabeth Warren’s answer on Hillary Clinton’s liberal credentials wasn’t convincing at all —- [img]https://planetpov.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/IMG_1553-e1424940507933.jpg[/img] the Other 98% This Is How Republicans Plan To Destroy Liz Warren’s Greatest Achievement —- Deranged by Obama, Republicans are spouting nonsense —- What 7 States Discovered After Spending More Than $1 Million Drug Testing Welfare Recipients http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/02/26/3624447/tanf-drug-testing-states/ —- The Supreme Court Just Explained Why The Case Against Obamacare Should Lose —- Dissent in Venezuela: Maduro regime looks on borrowed time as rising public anger meets political repression —- Syria barrel bombings ‘flout UN ban’ The Syrian government dropped barrel bombs on hundreds of sites last year, violating a UN Security Council resolution, Human Rights Watch says. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31620388 —- Fears grow for Christians held by IS There is growing concern over the fate of dozens of Christians abducted by Islamic State militants, amid continuing fighting in north-east Syria. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31622883 —- Well done! Surrender the UN veto, says Amnesty Amnesty International urges the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to give up their power of veto in cases of mass atrocities. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-31617141 —- Ancestral homelands under attack? Abductions and killings by ISIL fighters in Syria and Iraq threaten ancient minorities. —- Nothing has changed. Egyptian minister ‘urged use of automatic weapons against protesters’ Al-Jazeera recording is said to reveal Mohamed Ibrahim discussing use of machine guns to deal with planned mass demonstrations —- First there is this bs. Netanyahu accuses America of ‘giving up’ struggle to stop Iran getting nuclear weapon Israeli prime minister launches a new pre-emptive attack on a possible nuclear deal between Iran and the US —- Then there is this. The truth. Leaked cables show Netanyahu’s Iran bomb claim contradicted by Mossad Gulf between Israeli secret service and PM revealed in documents shared with the Guardian along with other secrets including CIA bids to contact Hamas http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/23/leaked-spy-cables-netanyahu-iran-bomb-mossad —- Lost limbs and shattered lives: the British doctors on the frontline in Gaza Ever since the ceasefire, UK doctors have been travelling to Palestine to treat people who have been hurt in bomb attacks. The things they see every day shock them, but the work they do is too important for them to stop —- Yemen ex-leader Saleh ‘amassed up to $60bn’ – UN probe http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31632502 —- ‘Tide turned’ against Boko Haram Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan says the tide has “definitely turned” against Boko Haram militants, after regional forces recapture territory. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-31620989 —- Another good reason to despise this awful man. Game farm owner confirms elephants will be barbecued for Robert Mugabe’s birthday Tendai Musasa says he may even throw in a crocodile to show his gratitude for Mr Mugabe, whose regime helped him take control of a previously white-owned Victoria Falls game conservancy —- Isis burns thousands of rare books and manuscripts from Mosul’s libraries —- Swine flu fears cause Indian city of Ahmedabad to ban public gatherings City of 3.5m will ot allow more than four people to meet in public in an attempt to stop spread of potentially deadly virus —- Afghan capital rocked by suicide attack on Turkish embassy car It is the first known attack on a Turkish target in the Afghan capital —- Again? Deadly avalanches hit Afghanistan A series of avalanches in Afghanistan’s mountainous Panjshir province kills 29, officials say, with a number of people still trapped. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-31619534 —- Fear of the Islamic State spawns a renegade Afghan militia —- South Korea plans cash-for-prisoners exchange with North More than 1,000 South Koreans – including soldiers from the 1950-53 war – still being held in North Korea —- Indonesia confirms 10 inmates will face firing squad in next round of executions Attorney general says the group, which could include Bali Nine prisoners Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, will be executed as soon as preparations are completed —- United Nations warns on Myanmar reform ‘set back’ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31635566 AMERICA’S FREELANCE ISIS KILLERS —- The disappeared: Chicago police detain Americans at abuse-laden ‘black site’ Exclusive: Secret interrogation facility reveals aspects of war on terror in US http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/24/chicago-police-detain-americans-black-site —- Palestinian farmers endure ‘constant war’ in Gaza —- This Is The Most Economically Segregated City In America http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/02/24/3626221/economic-segregation-high-and-rising/ —- How unemployment warps your personality over time —- Diagnosed depression linked to violent crime, says Oxford University study Researchers find that while vast majority of patients are not violent, doctors’ focus tends to be on self-harm or suicide rather than violence —- How I rescued my brain: Psychologist David Roland rewired his thoughts following a stroke vhttp://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/how-i-rescued-my-brain-psychologist-david-roland-rewired-his-thoughts-following-a-stroke-10070542.html —- The girl who gets gifts from birds http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31604026 —- The invisible downside of cheating in life http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150225-unexpected-downside-for-cheaters —- Do blind people really experience complete darkness? It’s often assumed that blind people experience complete darkness, but Damon Rose explains why this is not the case for him. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-31487662 —- Climate change threatens to put Alaska village under the sea —- Kim Up-do: Whose hairdo is North Korean leader Kim Jong-un copying? In pics —- Pictures of the day: 25 February 2015 —- Day in pictures: 25 February 2015 Our selection of some of the best news photographs taken around the world during the past 24 hours. http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-31621395 —- Best photographs of the day Each day the picture editor of the Guardian brings you a selection of photo highlights 25 February 2015 http://www.theguardian.com/news/series/ten-best-photographs-of-the-day25 February 2015 » Posted By Kalima On February 26, 2015 @ 2:00 am Hello kes. All I can think of when I see your continuing temps is, I hope that she is warm, safe and indoors. Soon you will be able to change your address to OS instead of OH as I’m sure that you are secretly living in Outer Siberia. You poor girl!! There is of course no logic in burdening Fukushima with more radioactive waste. To pressure them to do so shows a lack of respect for what they have been through in the last four years, and amplifies the cold and callous way this government feels about the continuing suffering there. Unforgivable. I found the story about Goto very enlightening, but still have to question his going to Syria alone and not part of a larger humanitarian group when ISIS was such an overwhelming presence there. Most male workers in Japan, get very little time together with their families. Some even have to live apart when the husband is moved to another city or prefecture to work. Stress and overworking are the cause of far too many deaths here. Yes I was pleased to read the article about the vile attack ads, and really don’t think that the average Brit will react favourably to them. Rudy is a first class arsehole, he can’t help himself. People like Walker have to be wound up like a clock to get their brains to function. All of those criticising the President at this time because they want a shot at the WH, are certifiably nuts. President Obama is not running for anything in 2016, but they just can’t let go of the fact that he was overwhelmingly elected twice. I agree, the last thing they need in Iraq is for these groups to be fighting each other when they have a common enemy in ISIS trying to take over their country. The situation in Gaza is dire, and in another six months many have been living in bombed out shells of their previous homes for one year. We saw what Israel did to mostly residential areas, the whole world saw it, so it’s diabolical that the promises of aid for reconstruction have not been kept. However these countries have no problems with feeding their rich people’s coffers, and wasting money in government. Stay warm and take care. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment. Very much appreciated. » Posted By Kalima On February 24, 2015 @ 5:03 pm Good Morning, Nirek. Yes those British teenagers are most likely already in Syria and walking with eyes and ears closed into Hell. The last few years has seen a lot of freezing weather in the ME with the Syrian refugees dying from the cold in their makeshift tents. Now because the aid promised by world leaders to help to rebuild Gaza not being honoured, children are freezing to death in the ruins of their bombed out houses. It’s shameful. There is a story about it in today’s updates, and I have previously linked to many individual stories. Glad you are enjoying your MB mug. Have a good Sunday and peace to you and yours. » Posted By Kalima On February 22, 2015 @ 5:17 am Good Morning Everyone, and welcome to your Sunday. Have a good day wherever you may be. Take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy. Sayonara from my dark, rainy corner of Tokyo. Mata ne. QUOTE OF THE DAY Leo Tolstoy Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sunday’s Bits & Bobs As if they don’t already have enough of their own. Fukushima Pref. to accept delivery of radioactively contaminated waste http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20150221p2g00m0dm043000c.html —- Japan nuclear regulator advisers fear loss of its independence —- The spin for profits. Japan’s adherence to nuclear power critical at home and overseas: MIT luminary —- Goto’s stories put Japan woes in perspective —- Apologizing in Japan: Sorry seems to be the hardest word The way in which an individual or company responds to a crisis is critical to the ultimate impact such incidents have on business —- PICTURE OF THE DAY And they’re off http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/and-theyre-off-5 The Tories’ ‘attack ads’ are cruel, flippant and unfunny These YouTube campaign videos that ridicule Ed Miliband and Ed Balls smack of crass, elitist bullying, writes Janet Daley —- General Election 2015: Farage praises his activists as BBC airs racist slurs —- Racist rant that got Ukip councillor sacked to be broadcast live on television Rozanne Duncan’s admittance that she had a ‘problem’ with ‘Negroes’ to be broadcast in full on BBC Two’s Meet the Ukippers documentary on Sunday —- German anti-Islam group Pegida marches in Britain Tension on Tyneside as divisive organisation plans high-profile protest http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/11426868/German-anti-Islam-group-Pegida-marches-in-Britain.html —- ‘Schoolgirls have already crossed Syrian border’, say sources Turkish intelligence sources fear three British teenage runaway “jihadi brides” have already been smuggled into Isil territory despite a desperate search for them —- Muslims form ‘ring of peace’ to protect Oslo synagogue More than 1,000 gathered to protect Jews after a series of anti-Semitic attacks in Europe —- BEHIND THE COPENHAGEN KILLINGS, THE ISIS VISION OF APOCALYPSE —- Syriza’s honeymoon over as Greece strikes debt deal with EU Alexis Tsipras says long struggle lies ahead while finance minister describes deadlines as ‘inhuman’ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/21/syriza-greece-debt-deal-eu-alexis-tsipras —- Exodus from Kosovo: Why thousands have left the Balkans Kosovo has lost an estimated 50,000 people in the past two months – most of them on buses bound eventually for Germany. What is going on in this tiny corner of the Balkans? —- Ukraine crisis: John Kerry claims Russia is ‘brazenly’ violating ceasefire —- Hours After Anti-Obamacare Lawyers File Brief, An Ally Reveals That The Brief’s Key Claim Is False —- A stunning reckoning with Mississippi’s past, from a black judge sentencing 3 white men for a lynching —- Clinton foundation’s global network overlaps with family’s political base —- Enough already! Yes he is, but you certainly are not, Scott Walker. Gov. Scott Walker: ‘I don’t know’ whether Obama is a Christian —- How a powerful rightwing lobby is plotting to stop minimum wage hikes American Legislative Exchange Council combines litigation and legislation in two-pronged attack on ‘new battleground’ of workers’ rights, documents reveal http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/20/alec-rightwing-lobby-group-minimum-wage —- Giuliani: Obama Had a White Mother, So I’m Not a Racist —- Rudy Giuliani and the ‘love it or leave it’ view of America —- Plum Line How rich conservatives bilk the rank and file into making them richer —- Police Arrest Two Men Under Anti-Sodomy Law Declared Unconstitutional In 2003 —- Deadly car bombing hits Assad’s ancestral hometown Activists say four killed in Qardaha, just days after troops executed members of six families in northern village. —- UN may name Syria ‘war criminals’ UN investigators say they are considering revealing the names of an estimated 200 individuals suspected of committing war crimes in Syria. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31557395 —- I survived a local cease-fire in Syria —- Inside the Islamic State ‘capital’: no end in sight to its grim rule US air strikes have damaged morale in Raqqa, Syria, but a local anti-Isis activist says no one is expecting the group to be driven out http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/21/islamic-state-capital-raqqa-syria-isis —- Turkey enters Syria to evacuate Suleyman Shah tomb http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31572257 —- Meet the underdog Israeli candidate who might dethrone ‘King Bibi’ —- The world has broken its promises about rebuilding Gaza – and the children will suffer —- A decade of anti-wall struggle Palestinians and solidarity groups mark ten years of protest against Israel’s separation wall. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2015/02/decade-anti-wall-struggle-150216104252849.html —- Migrants tell of deepening chaos in Libya: ‘Everyone is armed now’ Migrants attempting to get to Europe are arriving with stories of brutality inside Libya, writes Nick Squires in Lampedusa —- TWO-FACED AN AMERICAN ALLY’S GRAND MOSQUE OF HATE —- Nigerian army retakes Baga town from Boko Haram http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31568055 —- Gunmen seize 89 boys from South Sudan camp http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31567130 —- Up to 25,000 Iraqi troops preparing for attack on Islamic State in Mosul Assault to retake Iraq’s second largest city expected to begin in April or May according to US official —- THE EPICENTER OF IRAQ’S NEXT CIVIL WAR —- India struggles with deadly swine flu outbreak http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-31547455 —- Sydney siege: Security hotline had 18 calls before attack, says report http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-31572949 —- Clashes kill 17 in China’s restive west Police shoot dead nine “suspects” and four civilians following axe and knife attack in the violence-hit region of Xinjiang —- Thailand’s crackdown on ‘wombs for rent’ After a series of surrogacy scandals, the Thai parliament has passed a law which it hopes will shut down the “wombs-for-rent” business for good, writes Jonathan Head. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-31556597 —- Myanmar seeks China aid on ‘terror’ Myanmar asks Beijing for co-operation in helping prevent “terrorists” from using Chinese territory to launch cross-border attacks. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-31542976 Islam The long read Stop calling for a Muslim Enlightenment http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/19/stop-calling-for-a-muslim-enlightenment —- THE WIDOW OF A PARIS TERRORIST AND OTHER REAL WIVES OF ISLAMIC STATE —- The limits of the ‘Islamic’ label —- What The Atlantic Gets Dangerously wrong About ISIS http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/02/18/3624121/atlantic-gets-dangerously-wrong-isis-islam/ —- What The Atlantic Left Out About ISIS According To Their Own Expert http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/02/20/3625446/atlantic-left-isis-conversation-bernard-haykel/ —- NOT ROCKET SCIENCE WHY CALLING ISIS ISLAMIC ONLY PLAYS INTO ITS HANDS by Dean Obeidallah —- What’s the definition of a hate crime? The FBI is investigating whether the fatal shootings of three Muslim students in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, were hate crimes. What is the definition of one and how do you prove it? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31513523 —- THE WORLD’S CRAZIEST ANTI-WOMEN LAWS http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/16/the-world-s-craziest-anti-women-laws.html —- If church leaders can’t complain about poverty who on Earth can? David Mitchell Critics of the bishops’ letter calling for a fresh moral vision for Britain aren’t merely opposed to its contents, but the fact that it was written at all —- Screaming from the only studio with a bidet A vintage report from BBC foreign correspondent Ian McDougall, whose funeral took place this week. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31554798 —- Cauli gosh: Yotam Ottolenghi’s cauliflower recipes http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/20/cauliflower-recipes-yotam-ottolenghi —- In pictures: Snow blankets the Middle East A rare cold front swept through the middle east on Thursday and Friday, blanketing parts of Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon with snow. Roads in and out of Jerusalem were closed and streets deserted in the Jordanian capital of Amman. The snow covered large swathes of desert, and Jerusalem’s famous western wall and Bethlehem’s nativity church were sprinkled with white. The Syrian capital Damascus and surrounding mountains also got snow, while a snowstorm in neighbouring Lebanon closed most mountain roads, isolating villages. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31550536 —- Animal photos of the week: 20 February 2015 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/earth/11425377/Animal-photos-of-the-week.html —- The week in wildlife – in pictures http://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2015/feb/20/the-week-in-wildlife-in-pictures —- The week in pictures: 20 February 2015 —- Week in pictures: 14-20 February 2015 A selection of the best news photographs from around the world, taken over the past week. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-31549360 —- The 20 photographs of the week The ongoing crisis in Ukraine, festivals in Spain, India and Brazil, fashion in New York and London and inclement weather everywhere – the best photography in news, culture and sport from around the world this week http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/feb/21/the-20-photographs-of-the-week » Posted By Kalima On February 22, 2015 @ 1:50 am The whole problem being that Hunt isn’t qualified for the job, and was rewarded instead of being investigated after the emails to the Murdoch drones about the Sky takeover bid. Cameron gave his crony the job of destroying the NHS which is exactly what he’s trying to do after alienating far too many doctors and nursing staff almost from day one. There are similarities because right wing organisations from the U.S. like the rabid anti-abortion nuts, are in touch with, and try to influence British politics and legislation. Often being invited as guests of far RW fringe groups in the U.K. I thought that this was illegal but then again, Israel does it all the time in America. I agree, that was an extremely good article and he didn’t mince words. Hope you are home and safe in the warm? » Posted By Kalima On February 17, 2015 @ 5:08 pm Thank you, Nirek. Yes that is a reason for including the pictures, the human interest stories and the trivia quiz which I will include again soon. Stay safe. Peace. » Posted By Kalima On February 17, 2015 @ 12:31 am Hello kes. Thank you! Didn’t feel a thing here in Tokyo and so far have not heard of any damage in the quake. I had to laugh at this group of 10 men marching through Shibuya, our ward, protesting Valentine’s Day in front of so many young shoppers just because no one gives them any chocolate. If they were serious it’s not a very bright way to advertise rejection and they came off as a bunch of sour grapes whiners. Knowing Shibuya as I do, I imagine many didn’t even notice them as it gets very crowded on most days. After that display I doubt that they will get any chocolate next year or maybe for many years to come. Losers! From this, “Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport” 2010 to 2012 to Health Secretary? Remember Andrew Lansley before Hunt and the talk about the American consulting firms being used to advise healthcare in the U.K. because we all know how well that system worked in the U.S.? An article from 2013 which sums up how many people felt about the Hunt promotion after his fiasco with the Murdoch takeover bid. —- http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jun/24/jeremy-hunt-health-secretary-how —- When I first read the article about the lynching of a black man in Mississippi, I thought it had happened decades ago. Reading it again, my heart skipped a beat on finding that it was recent. Last year I posted a story of a teenager found hanging from a belt in a park that was reported as a suicide. After the mother and civil rights groups pressured the police, the case has been reopened due to many suspicious details overlooked in the initial investigation. It’s a hard and painful thing to try to get your head around, and yes, the South needs a major shake up starting from the top. What happened in Gaza is a war crime. You can’t boast about precision targeting when so many civilians, the most vulnerable, died in their own homes, and we see the photos of so much destruction of houses from the air. Whenever I hear that Israel is conducting their own internal investigation, I cringe because it always favours their military and those who give the orders. This needs to be put in the hands of the U.N. who can then take it to the ICC when they have all the evidence of an indiscriminate massacre that happened every day in Gaza last summer. The promise of financial aid to rebuild not being honoured is a shameful disgrace for every country involved. Well Nigeria did say recently that they wanted no international help to fight off Boko Haram and I hope it’s because they finally saw the light and it’s not a one time victory. It is creepy that the Kochs are involved in anything to do with education. They give money to schools and universities but there is a catch. We donate and you obey. History is history, and facts are facts, so all of the deliberate misleading and misinformation only has limited power for those who live in seclusion in Kochland. Sooner or later the truth survives. Yes it was heartwarming to read about the resilience of the Iraqi people who have been fighting so long now to lead a normal life. Take care and be warm and safe in your version of Siberia. I’ll be sending warm thoughts your way and wishing for Spring. See you soon and thanks for stopping by. » Posted By Kalima On February 17, 2015 @ 12:18 am Good Morning, Nirek. I wish that I could heal the world and bring only happy stories to these pages, but I can’t because there is too much bloodshed and greed for power out there. I believe that to fully understand what people are going through, we have to take an interest, and care enough to read about why they are suffering. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and the video. Feeling better now and will be especially careful from now on. Take care. Have a good Sunday, and see you soon. Peace. » Posted By Kalima On February 15, 2015 @ 5:26 am Good Morning Everyone! To all of you battling winter snow storms, stay warm and safe. Have a good Sunday wherever you may be. Take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy, or cool and dry for our Planeteers in Australia. Sayonara from my cold corner of Tokyo. Mata ne. Our Sunday Moment of Zen COPY CAT https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a_MqiGb0Qzk Sunday’s Bits & Bobs Negative savings rates loom http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2015/02/13/editorials/negative-savings-rates-loom/#.VN6AcuTXfCQ —- Shocking! AN ADVISOR TO PM ABE PRAISES APARTHEID, SAYS IT MIGHT HELP JAPAN —- NPO demands rescinding of Sankei Shimbun column advocating apartheid-type system http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20150214p2a00m0na014000c.html —- Media total up the targets for terrorist attacks —- Japan considering ending currency swap pact with South Korea —- 😆 Revolutionary Alliance of Men that Women find Unattractive storms Shibuya to protest ‘blood-soaked conspiracy of Valentine’s Day’ —- PICTURE OF THE DAY My Neighbor http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/my-neighbor This after endless experts have predicted it won’t work and Iain Duncan Smith carries on with the farce that it will. Predicted £2.2bn savings from universal credit cut by three-quarters —- There’s one tax system for the rich, and one for the rest of us I once worked in a tax office. It was chaos —- Tax avoiders and hedge funds. The Tories invited them to the party … Last week the Conservatives’ gala for donors came the same day as revelations about secret Swiss accounts at HSBC – overseen by a Tory peer http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/feb/15/tory-conservative-party-donor-funding —- NHS private health provider accused of US hospice fraud Optum, one of 12 firms favoured by NHS, accused of admitting patients who were not terminally ill in order to boost profits http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/14/nhs-private-contractor-optum-hospice-fraud —- Jewish graves vandalised in France Hundreds of Jewish graves are desecrated at a cemetery in eastern France, an act condemned by French officials. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31482176 —- Copenhagen shooting during debate on Islam: live Two people have been killed and five injured in twin shootings in the Danish capital, with one attack targeting a cultural centre hosting a debate on Islam and free speech and the other a synagogue. Latest here —- Copenhagen shootings: Hunt for gunmen after two deadly attacks on a cafe and synagogue —- Ukraine crisis: Guns fall silent in Donetsk as ceasefire begins —- States Consider Increasing Taxes for the Poor and Cutting Them for the Affluent Some G.O.P.-led states may raise consumption taxes, which hit the poor harder, and cut income taxes, which hit the affluent harder. —- Netanyahu trip to Congress provokes harsh reaction from US Jewish leaders Israeli prime minister’s decision to instigate a high-level confrontation with the White House is not winning favor in the Jewish community http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/14/netanyahu-congress-reaction-jewish-leaders-boehner —- The Brutal, Jim Crow-Style Lynching That Recently Took A Black Man’s Life In Mississippi —- Inside The Koch-Backed History Lessons North Carolina Wants To Teach High School Students http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/12/14/3602343/koch-fueled-history-lessons/ —- Here’s How the Koch Brothers Rake In Money From Your Valentine’s Day Card http://bluenationreview.com/koch-brothers-rake-money-unexpected-source/ —- Canadian police foil Valentine’s Day massacre plot Nova Scotia police arrest three people in an alleged plot to open fire in a public place —- Argentina prosecutor goes ahead with Fernandez cover-up case http://reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0LH20020150213?irpc=932 —- What does Assad really think about Syria’s civil war? http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31438916 —- Rafik Hariri: Lebanon marks 10th anniversary of death http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31468492 —- Turkey rallies over murder of woman who ‘resisted rape’ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31476978 —- War punishes Gaza Half a year after devastating hostilities, life in the region seems worse than ever. Thousands remain displaced, internal violence is increasing – and Hamas is preparing for battle http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/world/2015/02/13/gaza-misery/?wpisrc=nl_wemost&wpmm=1 —- AP EXCLUSIVE: HIGH CIVILIAN DEATH TOLL IN GAZA HOUSE STRIKES —– Nigeria troops repel Boko Haram attack on city of Gombe http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31469073 —- Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei sent Barack Obama secret letter Cleric replied to letter sent by Obama in which he suggested two countries unite in face of Isil threat —- Baghdad shrugs off violence to celebrate St Valentine’s Day Iraqis show their love with Botox, ice cream, red roses and giant teddy bears —- Pakistan cracks down on extremism post-Peshawar Authorities say thousands arrested and hundreds killed, but banned groups continue to operate freely in major cities. —- Hong Kong 2012 ferry disaster: Captain convicted http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-31468706 El Salvador’s Las 17: the women jailed for 30 years for losing their babies by miscarriage In El Salvador, home to the some of the world’s strictest abortion laws, women are jailed for murder after losing their babies in medical emergencies. But a historic pardon has given them hope amid growing international condemnation —- Uncomfortable fact: hipster racism is often well-intentioned We need to update the way we talk about race by separating racist acts from racist people http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/13/hipster-racism-well-intentioned —- After Chapel Hill, the conversation American Muslims need to have —- When letting your kids out of your sight becomes a crime —- Decoding North Korea’s fish and mushroom slogans Alison Gee studies North Korea’s new batch of political slogans, quite a few of which mention food. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-31446387 —- Friday 13th: The accidental superstition? http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30912415 —- What Your Online Comments Say About You Comments sections may seem to bring out the worst in us. But, researchers say, it’s more complicated than that. http://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/14/what-your-online-comments-say-about-you/ —- Australia’s Oldest Man Is 109 & Spends his Days Knitting Sweaters for Penguins http://bluenationreview.com/australias-oldest-man-109-spends-days-knitting-sweaters-penguins/ —– 10 things we didn’t know last week Police horses in one English force can’t be called Brian, and more news nuggets http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-31452764 —- Animal photos of the week: 14 February 2015 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/earth/11411492/Animal-photos-of-the-week.html —- The week in pictures: 13 February 2015 —- Week in pictures: 7-13 February 2015 http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-31293565 —- The 20 photographs of the week The ceasefire in Ukraine, Ivory Coast winning the Africa Cup of Nations, drought in Brazil – the best photography in news, culture and sport from around the world this week http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/feb/14/twenty-photographs-of-the-week » Posted By Kalima On February 15, 2015 @ 1:45 am Hey stranger! I was practicing for the Winter Olympics, my “shocking pink” balaclava slipped over my eyes, and I lost control of my skis. I’m not doing too much, I’m just doing enough. Glad you finally found some time to relax, and it will be good to see you here again. Hugs to all. Take care. » Posted By Kalima On February 14, 2015 @ 6:29 pm Aquarius 1027, a pleasure to find you here and to know that you are reading. From one tough landing to another, we studied at the Sorbum for week or so but learned an important lesson. Don’t fly before you can walk. Yes we forget history all the time, or at least most leaders do. If we can get it, why can’t they? Because there is no profit or power in admitting they are wrong. In too many countries the wrong people are in power and the only way to change that is to get out and vote for the right ones. The suffering I read about every day haunts me, and I wish that I had more good news to share, but our world is in turmoil, and we need to speak up. Lovely to find you here and hoping you will drop in again. Maru is not my cat, he’s famous on YouTube, but I have four inside, and four that I take care of outside. They live in houses just off our porch and are always hungry. Take care and have a peaceful day. Thank you. » Posted By Kalima On February 14, 2015 @ 7:12 am Thank you, Nirek. Hoping to be mended by the weekend. I think that TEPCO has bribed many people to not release the actual data with the blessing of the Abe government to speed up the start of idled reactors. It’s not only shameful, it puts us all in danger again. Take care and see you soon. Peace. » Posted By Kalima On February 13, 2015 @ 12:58 am Oops! 😆 Thank you, Fergie, I most certainly did mean “closet”. After hours of checking through stories to post here, the letters tend to become blurred. Thanks again!! Hope you are getting some sleep. Monday morning I decided to put some stuff into storage boxes because I could never find what I’m looking for, so I was taking clothes out of plastic covers and throwing the covers on the floor behind me. Forgetting about them I loaded up my arms to eye level, turned around and was heading to the boxes in the corridor when I slipped on the plastic and ended up crashing on to the vacuum cleaner. I sat there with clothes covering my head for a few minutes and then slid on my behind to the top of the stairs so that I could use the hand rail to pull myself up. Instead of taking a break, I continued to fill up the box before I went downstairs to examine the damage. Let’s just say “Blue Moon” and four days of sitting on the right cheek. Entirely my own fault, I should have known better, and as a friend said, I’ve been worried about falling on the porch steps when it rains or snows, but manage to ice skate in my own closet instead. Haven’t been up there since. 😯 Tokyo is cold and miserable too with an icy wind. Take care and thanks a bunch for your kind solicitude. I’m going to be fine as soon as the bruises are gone. Just feeling a bit “cheeky” right now. 😉 » Posted By Kalima On February 12, 2015 @ 11:59 pmComments Posted By Kalima
Netanyahu says no Palestinian state if he wins
Good Morning Everyone!
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Armando Iannucci
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Israeli media says about 30,000 people gather in Tel Aviv calling for PM to be replaced in March 17 national elections.
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‘We want a voice’: women fight for their rights in the former USSR
Last week drought in São Paulo was so bad, residents tried drilling through basement floors for groundwater. As reservoirs dry up across the world, a billion people have no access to safe drinking water. Rationing and a battle to control supplies will follow
• Part two of this series will be launched on Tuesday
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/photography/10895123/Viewfinder-beautiful-inspiring-photographs.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/theweekinpictures/11454147/The-week-in-pictures-6-March-2015.html
Nigerians fleeing from Boko Haram, Harrison Ford’s plane crash, devastation in Ukraine, fashion week in Paris, Los Angeles skid row shooting – the best photography in news, culture and sport from around the world this week
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The wound Netanyahu left
By E.J. Dionne
Investigators outline 26 recommendations to reform Ferguson’s policing
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31705600
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Obama asks Republicans: ‘Are you really going to deport 11 million people?’
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http://motherjones.com/politics/2015/01/cfpb-house-financial-services-subpoena-power
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‘They disappeared us’: protester details 17-hour shackling without basic rights
Accounts describe police brutality, missing 15-year-old and one man’s death
A high rate of food insecurity and a deteriorating agricultural sector are the result of Israeli policies.
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http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/21/chris-gunness-gaza-aid-broken-promises-children-suffer
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After every terror attack the call rings out for the Muslim world to become modern. But as Christopher de Bellaigue writes, Muslims have strenuously engaged with all that is new for hundreds of years
Well I guess that included seminars on how to defraud people. Sick people. A disgrace!
“When Jeremy Hunt can become health secretary, it’s a sign Britain is sick”
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