Syria's Assad to 'End' One-Party Rule Posted: Thursday, February 16, 2012
Honduras in Flames Tuesday night, February 14, at least 357 prisoners died in a fire at La Granja penitentiary in Comayagua, Honduras, in one of the worst prison fires in the past century. The fire, though, is only the latest deadly outcome of the larger politically-driven firestorm that is Honduras today. The Comayagua fire must be understood in the context of the near-total breakdown of the Honduran state since the June 28, 2009 military coup that overthrew democratically-elected President José Manuel Zelaya.
Hundreds killed in fire at prison in Honduras Trapped inmates screamed from their cells as a fire swept through a Honduran prison, killing at least 300 inmates, authorities said Wednesday.
US officials tie terror group to Syrian bombings Top U.S. intelligence officials pointed to al-Qaida in Iraq on Thursday as the likely culprit behind recent bombings in Syria, the deadliest attacks against the Syrian government in the 11-month uprising.
U.S. officials: Al Qaida behind Syria bombings WASHINGTON — The Iraqi branch of al Qaida, seeking to exploit the bloody turmoil in Syria to reassert its potency, carried out two recent bombings in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and likely was behind suicide bombings Friday that killed at least 28 people in the largest city, Aleppo, U.S. officials told McClatchy.
Amid violence, Syria's Assad sets date for vote on new constitution Syria's new constitution would enshrine freedom of speech and worship, along with other basic liberties, and end the current monopoly on power held by President Bashar Assad's Baath party, which has ruled for four decades.
France presses for Syria aid corridors at U.N. France said Wednesday it wanted the U.N. Security Council to set up humanitarian corridors in Syria to alleviate civilian suffering and that it was negotiating with Russia on a new U.N. resolution on the conflict.
Muslim group boss: No Syria military intervention The international community must rule out military intervention as a solution to the Syrian crisis, the leader of a global Islamic group said Wednesday.
US closely watching Syrian chemical weapons The U.S. and its allies are closely monitoring Syria's large stockpiles of chemical arms and portable anti-aircraft missiles, a State Department official said Wednesday, amid concerns that the country's unconventional weapons could fall into the hands of terrorist or militant groups while the 11-month-old uprising continues.
Iran activates 3,000 new centrifuges Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Tehran has added 3,000 new generation centrifuges to its Natanz facility, increasing the production of 3.5 percent enriched uranium by 50 percent.
U.S. Public Takes Strong Stance Against Iran's Nuclear Program The public supports tough measures – including the possible use of military force – to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Nearly six-in-ten (58%) say it is more important to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it means taking military action.
Somali president asks for lifting of arms embargo Somalia's president asked the United Nations on Wednesday to lift the arms embargo against his country, saying the recent merger between al-Qaida and al-Shabab has made the dropping of the arms ban necessary.
Washington's Insouciance Has No Rival Is Obama a hypocrite or merely insouciant? Or is he an idiot? According to news reports Obama's White House meeting on Valentine's day with China's Vice President, Xi Jinping, provided an opportunity for Obama to raise "a sensitive human rights issue with the Chinese leader-in-waiting."
Taliban says U.S. to repeat Soviet defeat in Afghanistan The Taliban used the 23rd anniversary of the humiliating Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan on Wednesday to taunt the United States that it would suffer the same fate as preparations to hand over security to a shaky government are underway.
Pakistan climb down over NATO routes NATO is being allowed to use Pakistani airspace and land routes to move food supplies to troops in Afghanistan though border crossings were closed after a cross-border air strike last year, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said on Tuesday (February 14).
US increases Israeli military aid to $3.15 billion The budget proposal increases regular military aid to $3.15 billion from $3 billion this year, in line with the 2007 aid formula reached between the two countries.
Flashback:Galloway discusses Israel and Iran George talks to a caller about the rumours that Israel, as a proxy of the USA, are planning on attacking Iran's nuclear factories with low-yeild, nuclear, "bunker-buster" missiles, and the consequences of such an attack.