The Saudi-Hosted “Opposition Talks” Fiasco By Mike Whitney
	Does anyone really think the Russians and Iranians are going to be fooled by this “opposition conference” charade? Continue

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Bashar al-Assad Has More Support Than The Western-backed Opposition By Stephen Gowans
	Bashar al Assad, and his ally, Iran, have more support than do the forces arrayed against him, according to a public opinion poll taken by a research firm that is working with the US and British governments. Continue

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A Special Relationship The United States Is Teaming Up With Al Qaeda, Again By Andrew Cockburn
	By December 2012, the CIA was arranging for large quantities of weapons, paid for by the Saudis, to move from Croatia to Jordan to Syria. Continue

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Turkey Smuggled Sarin Gas to Terrorists in Syria By Stephen Lendman
	Western sources know very well who carried out the sarin gas attack in Syria.” Continue

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Erdogan’s Strikes in the Dark and Russia’s Thousand Stings By Prof. Anthony F. Shaker
	This is the same addle-brained balkanization scheme that Bush and his Neocon gang (re: Israel lobby) revived on the pretext of 9-11. Continue

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The Illusion of Western News By Finian Cunningham
	As far as Yemen is concerned, the "journalistic commitment" is determined not by truth and much more by advertising money flowing from states complicit in war crimes. Continue

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World Leaders Signed a 'Death Warrant for the Planet' at COP21 By Marion Deschamps and Cyril Mychalejko
	“The Paris Agreement will be known as the Polluters' Great Escape since it weakens rules on the rich countries". Continue

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Capitalism’s Cult of Human Sacrifice By Chris Hedges
	Those who worship before the idols of profit will use every tool at their disposal, including violence, to crush us. Continue

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A Holiday Note to Congress: Half of Your Country is In or Near Poverty By Paul Buchheit
	Over half of Americans make less than $30,000 per year. Continue

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National Health Singers - 'YOURS' Video
	We believe that every person has the right to NHS healthcare free at point of access and that right should never, ever be threatened. Continue

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45 Civilians Killed in Syria Strikes: Pro-rebel Monitor: At least 45 civilians —including 10 children and four women— were killed during airstrikes in a Syrian rebel stronghold east of Damascus. It was unclear if the strikes were carried out by Syrian or Russian warplane

Syria troops seize air base in rebel-held suburb: The Marj al-Sultan air base lies in the mostly opposition-held eastern suburb of Damascus known as Eastern Ghouta. It has been held by rebels for three years.

Homs Liberated: Video - Thousands of Syrians, pour out to greet and cheer for the SAA who is parading through Homs after finaly liberating it, with the help of Russian air support.

Russia delivers up to 40 airstrikes daily to help Free Syrian Army fight terrorists - General Staff : Warplanes of the Russian task force in Syria deliver 30 to 40 airstrikes daily in support of the Free Syrian Army, the General Staff reports. Some 5,000 FSA troops together with the Syrian Army are on the offensive in Hama, Homs, Aleppo and Raqqa provinces.

Free Syrian Army rebel group denies it's receiving military support from Russia: The Free Syrian Army opposition group has denied it is receiving military support from Russia to fight the Islamic State, despite comments to the contrary from the Kremlin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday the Russian government is assisting the rebel group with airstrikes.

Russia says Kerry, Lavrov agree on preconditions for next international Syria meeting: The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that the two men had agreed that the make-up of an opposition delegation that could conduct talks with the Syrian government had to be prepared before another meeting along with an agreed list of Islamist terrorist groups to be jointly fought against.

Faster progress needed against Islamic State - Obama: Obama said he was sending Defence Secretary Ash Carter to the Middle East to secure more military help from partner nations in the fight against the group. "This continues to be a difficult fight," Obama said. "We recognise that progress needs to keep coming faster."

Turkish troops withdraw from camp near Iraq's Mosul: It was not immediately clear how many soldiers were removed from the camp, where Ankara sent troops and tanks on a deployment last week it said was routine and necessary to protect Turkish trainers working with Iraqi forces battling the Islamic State jihadist group.

Iraqi state oil firm official shot dead in Kirkuk city: Gunmen shot dead a senior employee of Iraq’s state-run North Oil Company (NOC) on Monday, the third company official to be killed in the past four months, police and sources within the company said.

Seven people killed in Turkey amid protests against curfews: Two people die as demonstrators clash with police in Diyarbakir while five Kurdish militants are killed in Mardin

Sarin materials brought via Turkey & mixed in Syrian ISIS camps – Turkish MP : Islamic State terrorists in Syria received all necessary materials to produce deadly sarin gas via Turkey, Turkish MP Eren Erdem has told RT, insisting there are grounds to believe a cover up has taken place.

‘Pilot’s mistake’ mustn’t hurt Russia-Turkey ties: Erdogan: Relations between Ankara and Moscow must not be affected by a “mistake of a pilot,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, in another bid to smooth tensions following the Nov. 24 downing of a Russian warplane by Turkish jets.

Turkey, US failed to notify UN Security Council of ISIS oil smuggling - Russian UN envoy Churkin: Ankara and Washington contravened the UN resolution on financing terrorism by failing to inform the Security Council about Islamic State illegally trafficking stolen oil, Russia’s UN envoy has said.

80 Saudi troops, including 42 Blackwater, killed in Yemen : Houthi media:The Yemeni army, backed by popular committees loyal to the Houthi rebel movement, targeted a Saudi military headquarters in the Yemen’s southwestern province of Ta’izz with a Tochka ballistic missile on Sunday night, Yemen's Arabic-language al-Masirah news website reported.

Two top Gulf commanders killed in Yemen rocket strike: sources: Two senior commanders from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were among dozens of Gulf, Yemeni and Sudanese soldiers killed in a rocket strike in Yemen as fighting flared before Tuesday's peace talks, local media and Yemeni sources said.

Saudi mobilizes counter-insurgency units on Yemen border: The decision to activate the four interior ministry regiments "specializing in guerrilla warfare" comes on the eve of a possible ceasefire and United Nations-brokered peace talks in Switzerland Tuesday. "They were also given powers of security forces in seizing, arresting, searching, chasing and shooting according to the legal procedures,"

British support for Saudi Arabia wrecking aid to Yemen, senior Tories warn: Ahead of United Nations-sponsored peace talks, senior Tory figures warn that Government's support for Saudi-led military offensive in Yemen has wrecked more than a decade's worth of British aid spending in the country

20 women elected in Saudi elections: Saudi voters have elected 20 women for local government seats, according to early results, a day after women voted and ran in elections for the first time in the country's history.

Palestinian shot dead, 11 injured in Jerusalem car ramming attack: - A Palestinian was shot and killed, and 11 people were wounded in a car ramming attack at an entrance of Jerusalem on Monday, Israel's army and media said.

Hillary Clinton wants to take Israeli relationship to ‘next level’: Hillary Clinton gave a speech at the Saban Forum of Brookings that included more pandering to Israel than any speech I’ve heard from any American politician. It was endless. Israel is a brave democracy, a light unto the nations, a miracle, its “prowess in war” is “inspiring,” and we must take the US-Israel relationship to the “next level.”

Pakistan: At least 25 killed in Parachinar market bombing: At least 25 people were killed and 70 others sustained injuries in a bomb explosion triggered by a remote-controlled device in a second-hand clothes market here on Sunday, official sources said.

Protests in Ethiopia leave at least five dead, possibly many more?: Ethiopia's government said on Monday at least five people had been killed in protests against its plan to incorporate areas of farmland near the capital into a new zone to attract business, while an opposition figure said 30 had died.

Four killed in ADF attack in DR Congo: The rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) allegedly attacked the city of Oicha north of Beni in North Kivu province bordering Uganda late Sunday afternoon, a local official said, requesting anonymity.

Islamic State executes two for ‘witchcraft’, ‘spying’ in Libya: IS beheaded the Moroccan woman in a public square and shot dead a Palestinian man for alleged spying in the coastal city of Sirte, said the agency close to the internationally recognised government.

‘Girl bombers killed’ in Cameroon: Security forces armed with guns and arrows killed two young women wearing explosive vests in a north Cameroon town on Monday, the second raid there in days by suspected Boko Haram militants from neighbouring Nigeria, witnesses said.

Gunmen kill UN employee in Somali capital Mogadishu: UN: Unidentified gunmen shot dead an employee of the UN refugee agency in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Monday, in an attack that also left another person dead, a UN statement said.

AFRICOM’s Secret Empire: US Military Turns Africa Into ‘Laboratory’ Of Modern Warfare: The U.S. military already plans to expand its massive military footprint in Africa and elsewhere to the tune of “several million dollars” a year and thousands of troops.

Teacher attacked in Paris suburb by man ‘citing ISIL’: According to local prosecutors the man shouted: “This is Daesh. This is a warning.” Daesh is another name for ISIL.

French teacher admits inventing ISIL school 'attack': After claiming he was attacked and wounded by an ISIL supporter, Paris teacher now admits he made up the story.

Galloway blasts ex-colonel Kemp for calling Shaker Aamer ‘Al-Qaeda operative’: An explosive radio debate saw ex-MP George Galloway savage former British colonel Richard Kemp’s claims that ex-Guantanamo inmate Shaker Aamer had been a “military-trained Al-Qaeda operative.”

Venezuela Election Aftermath: Privatization Looms: The opposition MUD coalition publishes its official plan for overturning gains made by the socialist government and the people over the last 17 years.

Crude Falls Below $35 per Barrel in New York for First Time Since 2009: Futures rebounded after touching $34.53 a barrel in New York, the lowest since Feb. 18, 2009. U.S. Senate negotiators are nearing a deal to allow unfettered crude oil exports for the first time in 40 years, though differences remain on renewable-energy tax credits that Democrats are demanding in return

Global arms industry: Sales of arms and military services by the largest arms-producing companies—the SIPRI Top 100—totalled $401 billion in 2014 according to new international arms industry data. Companies based in the United States continue to dominate the Top 100, with a 54.4 per cent share of the total.

Bowe Bergdahl to face desertion charge in general court-martial: Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was held by the Taliban for five years and freed in exchange for five detainees in Guantanamo Bay, will face charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy in a general court-martial, instead of a misdemeanor-level forum, the Army announced Monday.

How a conservative congressman ended up on the terrorist no-fly list: “My first reaction was to ask, ‘Why am I on that list?’ ‘We can’t tell you that.’ ‘What are the criteria you use?’ I asked. ‘That’s classified.’ I said, ‘How can I get off this list?’ The answer was, ‘You can’t.’ ”

Number of reports of mass cell phone buys grows in Missouri: The FBI is aware of reports of men visiting Walmart stores in several cities in Missouri and purchasing or trying to purchase large quantities of cellular telephones. An FBI spokeswoman won't say exactly how much its agents are delving into the purchases.

Watch: Donald Trump: Hillary Clinton has 'killed hundreds of thousands with her stupidity': Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump slams Hilary Clinton's political record, claiming she's killed "hundreds of thousands" via her actions

Gov. Cuomo: Trump is a recruitment poster for ISIS: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is "fanning the flames of hate" with his proposal to ban Muslims from entering the U.S.

What ISIS Really Has In Mind By Eric Margolis
	The objective of ISIS and other anti-western groups is not to kill Americans, Britons and French, as many foolishly believe. Continue

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Blocking Democracy as Syria’s Solution By Robert Parry
	The long-cherished neocon dream of “regime change” in Syria is blocking a possible route out of the crisis – a ceasefire followed by elections in which President Assad could compete. Continue

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Turkey’s Role in Iraq – Precursor to War? By Peter Koenig
	Our western world has become a theatre of lies and deceit. Nothing is ‘mistake’ or ‘blunder’. Continue

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Neoconservatives’ Hegemonic Goals Threaten Extinction Of Planet Earth By Paul Craig Roberts
	These are the same bloodthirsty war criminals who have destroyed seven countries, murdered, maimed, and displaced millions of Muslim peoples. Continue

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It’s Time to Stop “Supporting Our Troops” By Joachim Hagopian
	Since World War II alone the US has murdered up to 30 million people around the globe with an estimated 90% of them being civilians. Continue

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Mass Murderers Follow the Example set by their Government By Joe Clifford
	We see nations illegally bombed into oblivion by the US with no remorse or sense of guilt. Human lives are totally inconsequential, unless of course they are US lives. Continue

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Threats and Violent Attacks Against Muslims in the U.S., Just From This Week By Glenn Greenwald
	There is, it turns out, a serious problem of domestic terrorism in the U.S., but it’s not the kind that typically receives attention or concern. Continue

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Should We Ban Jews Since They’ve Committed Terrorist Attacks? Video
	"Imagine a custom and border patrol agent asking someone, are you a Jew?" Continue

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It's Too Late to Turn Off Trump By Matt Taibbi
	The Donald is merely articulating something that runs through the entire culture. Continue

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Climate Awareness Icon James Hansen Callc Paris Talks 'Fraud' Over Lack Of Carbon Emissions Taxes By Chris Tognotti
	It’s a fraud really, a fake. It’s just bull*hit for them to say: ‘We’ll have a 2C warming target and then try to do a little better every five years.’ It’s just worthless words. Continue

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Bombardment of rebel bastion near Syria capital kills 28: Pro-rebel Monitor: At least 28 civilians were killed in heavy bombardment of a besieged Syrian rebel stronghold, including near a school, east of Damascus on Sunday, a monitoring group said.

Car bomb near hospital in central Syria kills at least 16: A car bomb exploded Saturday in a government-held neighborhood in the central Syrian city of Homs, killing at least 16 people and wounding dozens, state media and an opposition monitoring group said.

11 Hezbollah fighters killed in weekend Syria battles: At least 11 Hezbollah fighters were killed during battles in several parts of Syria over the past 48 hours, security sources told The Daily Star late Saturday.

Six civilians killed, over 43 injured in terrorist mortar attacks on Damascus and its Countryside: –Six citizens were killed and more than 43 others were injured due to terrorist mortar and rocket attacks launched by terrorist organizations on the residential neighborhoods in Damascus city, Jarmana and al-Wafideen Camp.

Major Kurdish factions: A close look at the most influential Kurdish groups in the Middle East spread over Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.

12 IS militants killed in air strike in western Iraq: An air strike by U.S.-led coalition aircraft targeting a position of the terrorist Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq's western province of Anbar on Sunday killed 12 IS militants, a security source said.

Iraqi soldiers killed in operation to reclaim Ramadi from Islamic State: The Anbar Operations Command complex and Taamim neighborhood retaken by counter-terrorism forces are strategically significant because they overlook other parts of Ramadi which are still under the militants' control. Iraqi troops also managed to confiscate a large amount of weaponry.

Russian destroyer fires warning shots at Turkish fishing boat on collision course in Aegean : A Russian destroyer had to open warning fire as a Turkish fishing vessel sailed on a collision course towards them and didn’t respond to calls from the warship, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

Russia warns Turkey over Aegean warship incident: Russia on Sunday warned Turkey to stop staging what it called provocations against its forces in or near Syria after one of its warships fired warning shots at a Turkish vessel in the Aegean to avoid a collision.

Maltese ships owned by Turkish president’s son being implicated in ISIS oil trade: The 34-year-old is one of three equal partners in the BMZ group, a major Turkish oil and marine shipping company, which both the Russian and Syrian governments have accused of purchasing oil from ISIS.

Dirty Business: Swiss Oil Traders Caught Exporting Daesh-Extracted Oil: Swiss oil traders might have gotten themselves into some trouble after it was revealed that they regularly imported oil from terminals in Turkey, where Daesh, also known as ISIL/ISIS, sold their illegal oil supply, the Swiss newspaper Le Matin reported.

Saudi-led air strikes kill 19 Yemeni civilians: residents: Saudi-led air strikes killed 19 Yemeni civilians in bombings of homes and a market on Sunday, residents said, a day before a U.N.-brokered ceasefire is set to start ahead of peace talks to end eight months of war.

Saudi Arabia Condemned Amid Reports It Will Execute 50 People: Saudi Arabia has been the target of international condemnation once again after it was reported that the kingdom plans to carry out more than 50 executions in the upcoming days, including the beheading of some protestors who were juveniles at the time of their arrest.

Teenage Palestinian girl shot after alleged attack: Condition of the 16-year-old unclear after she was shot in the West Bank after trying to stab Israelis, police say.

At least 87 killed in Burundi violence: Several witnesses described the police and army going door-to-door in opposition strongholds in the capital Bujumbura, dragging out young men and executing them.

2 killed as fighting erupts during crucial Central African Republic referendum: Two people were killed Sunday as heavy weapons fire and clashes in the Muslim district of Bangui, the Central African Republic capital, marred a key constitutional referendum aimed at ending years of sectarian strife.

Nigerian forces arrest Shi'ite sect leader, kill 2 aides in raids: Nigerian troops arrested the leader of a minority Shi'ite Muslim sect and killed his deputy and chief spokesman in raids on his house and other buildings on Sunday, the group said, a day after shooting dead seven others in a clash in the northern city of Zaria.

Kenya official: 1 soldier dies,2 wounded in ambush by Somalia's Islamic extremists: Mandera County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia said Sunday the soldiers were travelling to Mandera town, in Kenya's north, from Nairobi when they were ambushed by al-Shabab fighters between Elwak and Lafey towns.

Heavy clashes break out during Central African Republic referendum: Heavy fighting broke out in a Muslim enclave of Central African Republic's capital Bangui Sunday as voters went to the polls to cast their ballots in a constitutional referendum seen as crucial to restoring stability, witnesses said.

24 killed, dozens injured in Pakistan market bombing: A bomb blast ripped through a crowded bazaar in a mainly Shi’ite area of Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region Sunday, killing at least 24 people and wounding dozens more, officials said.

MSF Afghanistan hospital airstrike death toll reaches 42: Increase from previous total of 30 deaths comes after two months of investigations into US airstrikes on Kunduz facility

Turkmenistan launches $10bn gas pipeline to South Asia: Afghan, Pakistani and Indian leaders take part in breaking ground ceremony of 1,814-km project that is due by 2019.

Russia Sends Warning to West : The cruise missiles launched from a Kilo-class submarine provided visible proof of how Vladimir Putin is using his intervention in Syria as a showcase for Russian military prowess.

Ecuador signs deal with Sweden for Assange questioning:, Ecuador and Sweden have signed a pact that would allow WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be questioned by Swedish authorities at Ecuador's embassy in London where he has been holed up for more than three years since facing sexual assault charges, the Quito government said.

69 police officers injured in clashes with leftist rioters in eastern German city of Leipzig: 50 police cars were also damaged in the riots Saturday evening, which started after hundreds of leftwing activists demonstrated against a rally by far-right protesters in the eastern German city of Leipzig earlier in the day.

Marine AND Marion Le Pen both lose their bids for power in French regional elections : France’s far-right National Front has failed to win a single region in today's elections, as leader Marine Le Pen is forced to abandon her bid to become president in 2017.

Paris Shooting Gun Traced to CIA-Linked Gun Dealer: The question of how a gun legally imported by a US civilian gun dealer linked to the CIA ended up back in Paris is bound to fuel conspiracy theories

Seventy Paris airport workers have security passes revoked over extremism fears: Suspected radical Islamists identified as authorities try to weed out potential terrorists working at Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports in wake of attacks on French capital

Stop The War Protesters March On Downing Street To Denounce Syria Airstrikes: Stop The War protestors marched from BBC Broadcasting House to Downing Street to denounce bombing raids carried out on targets belonging to the Islamic State (IS) terror group.

Shaker Aamer: 'British agent witnessed my beating': Shaker Aamer was the last British resident of Guantanamo Bay. He was held without trial for more than 13 years. His lawyers say the case against him came from unreliable allegations extracted during torture, and that his treatment at the US military base in Cuba raises serious questions about the legality and morality of the so-called war on terror.

Thousands rally to support Polish government after opposition protest: Tens of thousands of people marched through Warsaw on Sunday to express support for the ruling conservatives, as Poland remained locked in a constitutional crisis over the appointment of judges who could help the government pass its legislative program.

Donald Trump: Hillary Clinton’s foreign policy “killed hundreds of thousands”: Donald Trump believes Hillary Clinton’s foreign policy has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Here’s the transcript of his interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday.

Watch: Police kill African-American Man Who is Walking Away From Them : In the graphic video, the deputies continue firing, even as the man is down on the ground.

Man wielding machete shot dead at Pennsylvania Walmart: Pennsylvania State Police say Sunday that 20-year-old Andrew Joseph Todd, of Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, was shot when he refused officers' orders to drop his weapon inside the Walmart late Saturday.

Russia in an Invisible War Russia Just Suddenly Reemerged as a World Power While the West Wasn't Looking By Rostislav Ischenko
	How could Russia in just 20 years, rise from a semi-colony to an acknowledged world leader. Continue

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Crippled in Syria, Turkey Goes for a ‘Sunnistan’ in Iraq By Pepe Escobar
	Turkey’s “incursion” into Iraq is a cold, calculated move. And once again, the name of the game is – what else? – Divide and Rule. Continue

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Sistani Orders Turkey Out Of Iraq By Moon Of Alabama
	If Erdogan were smart he would now order the Turkish troops stationed near Mosul to leave Iraq. Continue

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Illegal Slaughter Cameron’s Bombings of Syria, Equals Blair’s Iraq War Crimes By Felicity Arbuthnot
	How desperately Prime Minister Cameron has been yearning to bomb the Syrian Arab Republic. Continue

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Three House Panels to Investigate Whether ISIS Intelligence was Cooked By Rebecca Kheel
	Analysts at Centcom have alleged that senior officials altered their reports to paint a rosier picture of the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Continue

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The Courage from Whistle-blowing By Ray McGovern
	Courage, like cowardice, can grow when an action by one person influences decisions by others, either toward bravery or fear. Continue

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Video Shows Israeli Commandos Rescuing Wounded Jihadists From Syria Video
	Nearly every night, Israeli special ops forces secretly rescue wounded fighters in Syria. Continue

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King Bibi By Uri Avnery
	He is a consummate hate-monger. Jews against Arabs, Oriental Jews against Ashkenazis, religious ones against the secular. Continue

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Trump’s Religion Test for Immigrants is Standard Practice in Israel By Philip Weiss
	Compare Netanyahu’s racist xenophobic rhetoric to Trump’s claims re Mexicans and Muslims. There isn’t much difference.. Continue

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Darth Trump: Humor Video
	Made with 100% all natural Trump sound bites. Sometimes you just gotta laugh. Continue

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Historic Climate Deal Reached By Andrea Germanos
	Climate campaigners are saying that the agreement doesn't go far enough, and that the real work is just beginning. Continue

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Working Until It’s Time for Your Grave By Tiffany Williams
	Climate campaigners are saying that the agreement doesn't go far enough, and that the real work is just beginning. Continue

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Blasts near hospital in Syria's Homs city kill 16 - monitor: Twin explosions in a government-controlled neighbourhood of Syria's Homs city killed at least 16 people and wounded scores more on Saturday.

Putin says Russia backs Free Syrian Army alongside Assad troops: President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia is supporting the opposition Free Syrian Army, providing it with air cover, arms and ammunition in joint operations with Syrian troops against Islamist militants.

Free Syrian Army rebuts Putin's claims about joint : Senior figures in opposition-aligned Free Syrian Army have denied claims made Friday by Vladimir Putin regarding support for the FSA, telling al-Araby al-Jadeed they would never collaborate with their "enemy".

Al-Nusra Front leader condemns Saudi's Syria talks: Abu Mohamad al-Joulani says groups involved in discussions in Riyadh have committed 'treason'.

Russia blasts Saudi Arabia for ‘hijacking Syrian peace process’ after rebel conference. The group “is well known for its adherence to the obsolete idea of ousting the lawful government in Damascus,” the statement said.

Suicide bomber kills six on Iraq-Saudi border: An army lieutenant colonel said the bomber was dressed in a military uniform with captain's insignia and was driving an explosives-rigged military vehicle.

Only 300 Daesh terrorists left in Iraq’s Ramadi: Report: Civilians, raising white flags to approaching soldiers, have raced to safety under a hail of gunfire by Daesh fighters

US says airstrikes killed 350 in Ramadi in past week: U.S. airstrikes in recent days killed an estimated 350 Islamic State fighters holed up in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi, an American military spokesman said Thursday, suggesting the extremists lost as much as half of their defending force.

Turkish jets strike Kurdish rebel PKK targets in northern Iraq: “If Turkey does not withdraw its troops and the Security Council, the Arab League and the worldwide community will continue to idle, we will find a way to protect our legal rights”, Iraqi parliament member from the State of Law bloc, Awatif Nima, told RT.

Russia calls Turkish troop deployment in Iraq 'unlawful incursion': Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has spoken by phone with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari to discuss the "unlawful incursion" of Turkish troops in northern Iraq, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

Iraqi fighters protest Turkish troop presence: Several thousand protesters, most of them members of Shia paramilitary forces, gathered in central Baghdad on Saturday to demand the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Iraq.

Iraq appeals to UN and demands Turkey withdraw troops from its north: Prime minister Haider al-Abadi asks UN security council to order Turkey to withdraw troops near the Isis-controlled city of Mosul

Hezbollah kills 3 Nusra militants near Lebanon border: Hezbollah Saturday killed three militants from the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front around Lebanon's northeastern border with Syria.

Brother of teen shot by Israeli forces among 3 killed by Israel: The Palestinian Ministry of Health said Oday Ersheid, 22, was killed by live fire in Hebron. His sister Dania died in October in a case cited by Amnesty International as a possible extrajudicial killing.

BBC forced to admit it misled over Palestine: For the second time in just over six months, the BBC has been forced to admit that its flagship news and current affairs program — Today — has misled its audiences over the situation in Israel and the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Saudi Jets Mistakenly Hit Own Targets in Yemen’s Jawf: Saudi Arabia's fighter jets mistakenly targeted a camp of pro-Riyadh militants in northern Yemen, killing and injuring scores of them.

Burundi: 87 killed in worst violence in months: At least 87 people were found dead in Burundi's capital Bujumbura on Saturday, a day after the government said an unidentified group carried out coordinated attacks on three military installations.

Suicide bomber kills 7 in northern Cameroon attack: Authorities say at least seven people are dead and 30 others wounded in northern Cameroon after the latest suicide attack blamed on Boko Haram militants.

6 killed as Nigeria's chief-of-staff escapes 'assassination attempt', : At least six people are thought to have been killed on Saturday in northern Nigeria, with the military claiming there was an attempted assassination of the country's chief-of-staff.

Two Egyptian policemen jailed for torturing lawyer to death: Two police officers were sentenced on Saturday to five years in jail by an Egyptian court for torturing a lawyer to death in a police station in February, a rare penalty against members of the security forces.

At least 17 injured in grenade attack at Ethiopia mosque: At least 17 people were injured when a grenade was thrown into the main mosque in the Ethiopia capital Addis Ababa after Friday prayers, a government spokesman said today.

Libya's rival factions set Dec 16 as target date for UN deal - envoy: Libya's rival factions have agreed to Dec. 16 as a target date for signing a United Nations-backed national unity government agreement, the U.N. envoy said on Friday after talks in Tunisia.

UK 'moving towards' military intervention against IS in Libya: Ministers at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office told the Telegraph that they are “extremely concerned” by the rise of IS in Libya and want to intervene in the troubled North African country.

France says fight against Isil will extend to Libya: French Prime Minister Manuel Valls says the threat of further attacks like Paris remains "because we have hundreds, even thousands of young people who have succumbed to radicalisation".

Gambia's president declares country Islamic republicl: Gambia's president has declared the tiny West African country an Islamic republic, saying he decided this because Islam is the religion of the majority of its citizens and to break from the nation's colonial past.

Bomb kills soldier, wounds four in SW Pakistan: Police: At least one soldier was killed and four others wounded including a passerby when a bomb exploded at a paramilitary checkpoint in southwest Pakistan, police said.

4000 people killed in 370 drone attacks in tribal areas: At least 4000 people were killed including 200 children while thousands were injured in 370 drone attacks. : Speaker Asad Qaiser said that the matter of compensation related to drone attacks would be raised in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

US Air Force Seeks $3 Billion Drone Program Expansion: Despite a mounting civilian death toll and increased opposition from civil liberties activists, the US Air Force has announced that it plans to double its number of drone squadrons. According to the report, US President Barack Obama confirmed drone attacks for the very first time.

Malaysia minister: 50,000 ISIL sympathisers in country: At least 50,000 Malaysians support the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, the country's transport minister said on Saturday, raising alarm about possible attacks in the Southeast Asian nation.

Watch : Ukraine's Prime Minister gets crotch-lifted off the parliament floor: Video -

Nations Approve Landmark Climate Accord in Paris: With the sudden stroke of a gavel on Saturday night, representatives of 195 countries reached a landmark climate accord that will, for the first time, commit nearly every country to lowering planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions to help stave off the most drastic effects of climate change.

Swiss police arrest two Syrians with explosives: Two Syrians detained in Geneva amid a heightened alert over the threat of 'terrorism'.

Homeland Security Report Raises Concerns Over Syrian Migrant Identities: Following the conquest of Deir ez-Zour and Raqqa in Syria, authorities believe ISIS was able to acquire numerous blank passports, as well as passport printing machines, from government offices.

U.S. Agents in Greece Expose Syrian Who Sold Passports Thinking They Were for ISIS: An NBC News investigation has uncovered that a Greece-based document forger — who sold American passports to a U.S. agent after being told they were meant for ISIS — will not be extradited to America anytime soon, since he was not promptly arrested despite a nine-month-long investigation

German Police Clash with Protesters Countering Neo-Nazi Rally: German police have used tear gas and water cannons on protesters holding a counter rally to Neo-Nazi demonstrators in the city of Leipzig.

Canadian children had the sweetest welcome for Syrian refugees: Late on Thursday night the first 163 of a planned 25,000 Syrian refugees arrived in Canada, and were greeted and given winter coats by prime minister Justin Trudeau.

County campsite will become ‘miniature city’ to accommodate undocumented children from Central America: The nearly 500 children, all undocumented, will be taken to the Lakeview Camp and Retreat Center near Waxahachie over the next few days. The plan right now is to house them at the facility over the next 21 days, while officials figure out where to send them next.

Maduro Announces Proposals to Renew the Revolution: The Venezuelan president and chief representative of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Nicolas Maduro, announced on Thursday the findings of his party’s third Socialist Congress to protect the Bolivarian ideas and national sovereignty.

33,480 Americans dead after 70 years of atomic weaponry: U.S. hopes to save money by cutting medical benefits for nuclear workers

Donald Trump has gone too far for French far-right leader Marine Le Pen: "Seriously, have you ever heard me say something like that?" she asked on Thursday when questioned about Mr. Trump’s comments during a television interview. "I defend all the French people in France, regardless of their origin, regardless of their religion."

Saudi prince slams Trump as 'disgrace' to America: Billionaire Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal slammed the presidential candidate on Friday, calling him a "disgrace" to the Republican Party and "to all America." In a tweet, he said Trump should withdraw from the presidential race, as he "will never win."

Trump calls billionaire Saudi prince 'dopey' : On Friday, Trump called Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal "dopey" and accused him of wanting "to control our U.S. politicians with daddy's money." Trump said he wouldn't be controlled if he was elected.

Trump branding removed from Dubai development amid uproar: The image and name of American presidential hopeful Donald Trump was gone on Friday from much of a Dubai golfing and housing development amid the uproar over his comments about barring Muslims from traveling to the United States.

Modesto resident saw a group of seven or so “Muslims” firing rifles : Charles Cleveland said he was so upset, he left the facility. In the wake of the massacre at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, “just the idea of seeing Muslims shooting was shocking to me,” he said.

Donald Trump' calls for death penalty for all cop killers: Donald Trump has claimed he will sign an executive order mandating the death penalty for all convicted cop killers, as a petition to deny him entry to the UK becomes the most signed on parliament’s website.

Video shows cops shoot man dead while he holds his hands in the air: A second video has been released that shows the controversial fatal police shooting of a Texas man who had raised his hands up just before he was shot.

Crimea Loses Power Temporarily, Ukraine Loses Crimea Forever By Tony Cartalucci
	The West may find this contempt it has shown toward national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of existing nations backfire on it when its own allies face the same prospect of being carved up. Continue

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So Why Did Turkey Shoot Down That Russian Plane? By Conn Hallinan
	Powerful forces are maneuvering to torpedo any Syrian peace process that could leave room for Bashar al-Assad. Continue

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What Stinks in Saudi Ain’t the Camel Dung By F. William Engdahl
	ISIS is simply a “Saudi army in disguise.” Continue

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US State Department Gets Undiplomatic with Russian TV Reporter Video
	RT Reporter shows US reporters how real questioning is conducted. Continue

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Majority Of U.S. Millennials Want To Send Troops To Fight ISIS, But Wouldn't Go Themselves By Reuters
	Despite their support for sending troops, 85 percent of respondents told pollsters they would "definitely" or "probably" not be willing to join the military. Continue

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Drone Strikes Are Creating Hatred Toward America That Will Last for Generations By Sally Kohn
	If we want to curb terrorism in the United States, we must stop drone attacks in the Middle East. Continue

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Open Rafah Now: Siege on Gaza is a Cruel and Political Failure By Ramzy Baroud
	End Gaza’s perpetual suffering and open the border, once and for all. Continue

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Trump Is a Symptom Not the Disease By Hamid Dabashi
	This new bill will cast US citizens of Arab, Iranian, and Muslim descent as second-class citizens in their own country - a "legislation that will effectively create two classes of Americans. Continue

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Visa-waiver Ban Won't Stop Terrorism By Mark LeVine
	Americans are in a quandary, desperate to act but unable to share in responsibility for the violence around them. Continue

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The Rise of the American-Muslim Totalitarian State By Garikai Chengu
	Donald Trump’s recent call to ban Muslims from entry into the U.S. is not without precedent. Continue

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Reinventing Banking: From Russia to Iceland to Ecuador By Ellen Brown
	In the 21st Century, before a man and a woman are allowed to make love, some sclerotic bureaucrat or child-molesting priest, is expected to slam a stamp on a paper form and declare: “you can now kiss the bride.” Continue

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Middle-income Households No Longer The Majority In The US By Andre Damon
	“Americans are less well-to-do now than at the start of the 21st century. For all income tiers, median incomes in 2014 were lower than in 2000." Continue

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Love, Marriage and Imperialism By Andre Vltchek
	In the 21st Century, before a man and a woman are allowed to make love, some sclerotic bureaucrat or child-molesting priest, is expected to slam a stamp on a paper form and declare: “you can now kiss the bride.” Continue

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Syria: Death toll from three car bomb attacks in Hasaka rises to 60: The initial death toll was put at 15, in addition to over 90 injured, before 45 more civilians later succumbed to their wounds, according to a source at Hasaka governorate. The bombings were carried out by suicide terrorists who used two gasoline tankers and a truck packed with large amounts of explosives.

Putin says Russia backs Free Syrian Army alongside Assad troops: President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia is supporting the opposition Free Syrian Army, providing it with air cover, arms and ammunition in joint operations with Syrian troops against Islamist militants.

Any targets threatening Russian forces in Syria must be immediately destroyed - Putin: All forces threatening Russian servicemen in Syria should be destroyed, according to the Russian president. Putin also said that at the moment more 5,000 members of the Free Syrian Army are fighting alongside the government's troops against the terrorists.

Kerry meets Putin next week on Syria peace plan: "They will discuss ongoing efforts to achieve a political transition in Syria," spokesman Mark Toner said on Friday on the sidelines of the UN climate summit in Paris. The talks will also cover differences in the parallel Russian and US approaches to the fight against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

Saudi FM Says Assad Must Go, Kerry Says Saudi Talks on Syria 'Constructive': Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir spoke Thursday to reporters during a two-day meeting of Syrian opposition groups, while U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry commented while attending the Paris climate summit

Syria's Assad says he won't negotiate with "terrorists" as U.S. wants: "They want the Syrian government to negotiate with terrorists, something I don't think anyone would accept in any country." Whenever they want to change their approach, give up the armaments, we are ready, while to deal with them as a political entity, this is something we completely refuse.

Putin: Russian military support to Syria aims at combating international terrorism: The gunmen in Syria have created “a true bridgehead.” “Their plans were evident: to strengthen and spread their expansion to the new regions,” the Russian president said.

Putin orders military to take tough action against threats in Syria: "I would like to warn those who would once again try to organise some sort of provocations against our servicemen," he said in a thinly veiled threat to Ankara.

White House Sends Ankara Two Warning Shots Over Daesh Oil Smuggling: Two senior US officials have conceded to Turkey's role in the Daesh oil trade, having previously supported Ankara's denials that it enables the terrorist group to profit by selling stolen Syrian oil.

Abadi Instructs FM to File Complaint at UN over Turkish Troops Deployment: A statement by Abadi's office said the incursion by Turkish troops "is blatant violation of the provisions and principles of the UN Charter and a violation to the sovereignty of the Iraqi state, which happened without the knowledge and consent of the Iraqi authorities."

Israelis kill three Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza: Two deaths came during protests, while another man was killed after allegedly trying to ram Israeli soldiers with a car.

Gaddafi’s son kidnapped in Lebanon – security forces: Gaddafi, "who was in Lebanon, was kidnapped Friday by an armed group", a security source told AFP. According to reports on Twitter, Hannibal Gaddafi was seized by members of the Lebanese Amal Movement. Hannibal, 40, is the fifth son of Colonel Gaddafi and his second wife, Safia Farkash.

Burundi military sites attacked, 12 insurgents killed: Gunmen attacked military sites in Burundi's capital on Friday and 12 of the assailants were killed, while 20 were arrested after heavy fighting, the army said.

Rival Libyans agree to sign unity government deal: Country's two main factions agree to sign national unity government deal at UN-facilitated meeting in Tunisia.

Taliban attack diplomatic area of Afghan capital Kabul: Spain's prime minister says one of its officers has died after Taliban attack on area housing diplomatic buildings.

Afghanistan spy chief resigns after fallout with President Ghani: Nabil, who strongly opposed Ghani’s moves toward a rapprochement with Pakistan, said in his letter of resignation from the National Directorate of Security (NDS) that there had been “a lack of agreement on some policy matters” in recent months.

Outcry as Filipino presidential nominee admits killings: Rights groups call on prosecutors to investigate claims by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte that he shot dead suspected criminals.

70k Muslim clerics issue fatwa against terrorism: On the last day of Urs-e-Razvi of Dargah Aala Hazrat, nearly 70,000 clerics came together and passed a fatwa against terrorist organizations, including IS, Taliban and al-Qaida.

In nations with significant Muslim populations, much disdain for ISIS: In Lebanon, a victim of one of the most recent attacks, almost every person surveyed who gave an opinion had an unfavorable view of ISIS, including 99% with a very unfavorable opinion. Distaste toward ISIS was shared by Lebanese Sunni Muslims (98% unfavorable) and 100% of Shia Muslims and Lebanese Christians.

Spain arrests alleged Islamist militant wanted by US, Interpol: Police in Spain’s northeastern region of Catalonia have arrested an alleged Islamist militant wanted by the US, Ali Charef Damache, Reuters reported. Damache, who has dual Algerian and Irish nationality, was wanted by the US and Interpol for alleged crimes of conspiracy to provide support for terrorists

Murder unlimited: Air Force to double number of drone squadrons, add bases in US and overseas: The Air Force says it plans to more than double the number of squadrons that fly drones, and will spread them out in more locations across the U.S. and overseas.

War is a racket: Pentagon Seeks to Knit Foreign Bases Into ISIS-Foiling Network: As American intelligence agencies grapple with the expansion of the Islamic State beyond its headquarters in Syria, the Pentagon has proposed a new plan to the White House to build up a string of military bases in Africa, Southwest Asia and the Middle East.

Privacy is gone, mass surveillance is here to stay – Assange: Humanity has lost its battle for privacy and must now learn to live in a world where mass surveillance is becoming cheaper for governments to implement, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said

Naomi Klein Decries Climate Deal as Extraordinarily Dangerous; Backs Defiance of French Protest Ban

Brazil’s Epic Scandal Takes Down a Banker: Brazilians have become inured to seeing politicians and businessmen marched off to prison for corruption. But the mug shot of banker André Esteves—unshaven and frowning—that flashed across TV screens in early December was a shock.

Climate deal could bar poor from seeking compensation for losses: The proposal, one of two, would explicitly rule out the prospect of poor countries that suffer devastating losses from climate change seeking compensation under the agreement from rich nations, whose emissions have been largely responsible for causing the problems, they said.

Canada sets example on Syrian refugees, aid agencies say: After months of promises and weeks of preparation, the first Canadian government planeload of Syrian refugees landed in Toronto on Thursday, aboard a military aircraft met by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Cruz: U.S. should focus on Islamic State, not regime change - Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz said U.S. leaders should prioritize combating Islamic State over pushing for regime change abroad, as he took a tough stance on militants but maintained his opposition to aggressive overseas intervention.

ISIS can print authentic Syrian passports, may infiltrate US: Islamic State has at least one specialized printing machine used to print authentic Syrian passports and plenty of blanks, US law enforcement agencies warned. Fraudulent passports would help terrorist infiltrators pose as refugees from Syria.

Ben Carson blasts RNC, threatens to leave Republican Party: 'I will not sit by and watch a theft,' he says.

San Bernardino Attackers’ Friend Spoke of ‘Sleeper Cells’: Mr. Marquez, a convert to Islam, has “held the keys” to understanding what motivated Mr. Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, and may shed light on whom they were in contact with in the years leading up to the attack, according to one senior law enforcement official. The couple were killed in a shootout with the police.

FBI to Test Letter With White Powder Sent to CAIR D.C. Office: – The Capitol Hill office for the Council on American-Islamic Relations was evacuated Thursday due to a “foreign substance” received in the mail.

American Muslim doctors feel greater scrutiny, even patients’ suspicions: The first study to examine religious identity and workplace discrimination against American Muslim doctors found that nearly half felt more scrutiny at work compared to their peers, and nearly one in four said they experienced religious discrimination during their careers.

Poll: Two-thirds of Republicans support Trump’s plan to keep out Muslims: Bloomberg Politics released the first poll about Donald Trump's horrific proposal for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States." The topline finding is pretty shocking: 65 percent of likely Republican primary voters agreed with Trump.

US Neo-Nazi Leader Says Donald Trump ‘the Real Deal’ : Donald Trump, the billionaire businessman and reality TV star has done more in a matter of months to advance and mainstream the ideas of neo-Nazis than self-proclaimed neo-Nazis have been able to accomplish in years.

White Oklahoma is found GUILTY of sexually attacking at least 13 black women on-duty: The 28-year-old ex-officer broke down in tears as he was found guilty on 18 counts - including rape, sexual battery and forcible oral sodomy - against eight of the women who testified against him.

Mentally ill 16 times more likely to be killed by cops – study: As officer-involved shootings continue to dominate the headlines, a new report found that those with mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed in encounters with law enforcement than other civilians.

Concerns of Bias Raised After US Judge Scalia's Racist : Senate Leader Harry Reid tore into the Supreme Court Justices' comments about Blacks belonging in “slower-track” schools.

House report: Obama officials misled public on Bergdahl swap: A year long investigation by the House Armed Services Committee has concluded that the Obama administration broke the law in swapping five Taliban members for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl — and went out of its way to hide the negotiations as they were happening.

Bowe Bergdahl Tells 'Desertion' Story: The popular podcast "Serial" launched its second season Thursday, shining a spotlight on the mysterious disappearance of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl — and allowing him to be heard publicly for the first time since he was freed by the Taliban in May 2014.

Mountain Ambush US Military Expert Explains How Turkey Ambushed Russia's Su-24 By Andrew Cockburn
	Pierre Sprey, one of the brainchild's behind two of America's most successful fighter aircraft, the F-16 and A-10, explains in detail how the Turks set up an ambush for Russia's Su-24. Continue

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The Radar Recordings of the Turkish Attack on the Russian Su-24 By Valentin Vasilescu
	General Viktor Bondarev, chief of staff of the Russian Air Force, made an astonishing declaration which totally changes the image broadcast by the Western media, which has so far published only the Turkish version. Continue

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The IMF Forgives Ukraine’s Debt to Russia By Michael Hudson
	The IMF has now been drawn into the U.S. Cold War orbit. Continue

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Washington to Whomever: Please Fight the Islamic State for Us By Peter Van Buren
	Why the Gulf States, the Kurds, the Turks, the Sunnis, and the Shia Won’t Fight America’s War. Continue

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You Cannot Fight Terrorism While You Are Supporting The Terrorists Full Interview with President Bashar Video and Transcript
	You cannot be the police and the thief at the same time. You have to choose either way to stand. Continue

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The Islamic State 'Masterplan' By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi
	The text- likely written at some point between June and October 2014- concerns a variety of aspects of administration, including management of oil resources, composition of military ranks and propaganda. Continue

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The US and the Rise of ISIS By Stephen Zunes
	There should be no question, as to U.S. responsibility in giving rise to this dangerous violent cult. Continue

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Mercenaries in Yemen–the U.S. Connection By Laura Carlsen
	Latin American mercenaries are leaving the ranks of the national armies of their countries to fight in the deserts of Yemen, wearing the uniform of the United Arab Emirates. Continue

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"Palestine Can't Wait!" By Ahmad Barqawi
	You won't see hordes of trigger-happy volunteer fighters, clad in black, flocking en mass, from all four corners of the earth over to Palestine to fight alongside a beleaguered population against an occupying power. Continue

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Trump Didn't Vote to Kill 1 Million Muslims in Iraq, Hillary Did By David Swanson
	The U.S. media is acting as though Donald Trump just invented bigotry this week. Continue

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The Phony Mystery of Why "They" Hate Us By Sheldon Richman
	What turns an angry and anguished Muslim into someone willing to kill Americans indiscriminately? Continue

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Blame the West’s Interventions for Today’s Terrorism By Stephen Kinzer
	A new terror attack inside the United States is likely. When it happens, how will Americans respond? Continue

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Le Pen’s National Front… It’s Not All Bad By Finian Cunningham
	A rise to power by Le Pen maybe is not welcome, but its shake-up of the bankrupt plutocracy is. Continue

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The Shaping of American Character By Arthur D. Robbins
	Like small children, Americans trust their parents—that is, their government and the people who speak for it—and like small children they have a desperate need to be taken care of, to be “okay.” Continue

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Trump Proposal to Ban Muslims from US Relies On Debunked Poll from Pro-Israel Think Tank By Adam Horowitz
	Trump’s idea rests on research from the Center for Security Policy, a neocon think tank run by Frank Gaffney who has a long history of pro-Israel advocacy. Continue

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CBS Chief Cheers Trump: “Go Donald! Keep Getting Out There!” By Lee Fang
	Experts say the 2016 presidential election alone could cost as much as $5 billion. Continue

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Latin America: The Aborted Neo-Liberal Offensive By James Petras
	Macri’s regime is the beginning and the end of a reversion to the neo-liberal disaster, similar to what took place at the end of the 1990’s. Continue

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Triple bombings in northeastern town in Syria kill 15: Triple car bombs exploded in a town in northeastern Syria's predominantly Kurdish province of Hassakeh on Thursday, killing 15 civilians and wounding dozens more, Syria's state-run news agency said.

Syrian rebels leave Homs under truce: Hundreds of rebels and their families on Wednesday left the last opposition-held neighborhood of Homs as part of a local truce that will bolster government control of the city, while opposition groups met in Saudi Arabia to forge a united front ahead of proposed peace talks.

IS recaptures central Syria towns: Pro-rebel monitor: "Syrian army units withdrew from all of the Maheen and Hawareen areas after an IS attack," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Syrian opposition seeks to close ranks as army gains on ground: Syria’s fragmented opposition and rebel groups sought common ground Wednesday ahead of planned negotiations to end a conflict which has devastated the country and drawn forces from Cold War and Middle East rivals into ever-deeper combat operations.

McCain slams Pentagon boss over lack of progress against ISIS: McCain told Defense Secretary Ash Carter that the threat from ISIS is growing faster than the administration’s efforts or ability to counter it.

Pentagon chief argues against ground force in ISIS fight: Defense Secretary Ash Carter returned to the Hill on Wednesday to defend the administration's response to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), saying he continues to recommend against a "significant" ground force to fight the jihadists.

Report: Turkey Builds Wall Along IS-Controlled Border Region: The Dogan News Agency says Thursday that 4 meter-high (13-foot) slabs were being positioned along the border in the provinces of Kilis and Gaziantep. Video footage showed construction vehicles lining concrete blocks along the border.

Largest Rebel Group Calls for an Islamic State in Syria: The largest Islamist rebel faction operating in Syria – Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham – has issued a statement following their participation in the Riyadh peace conference.

Key Syrian opposition group pulls out of Riyadh talks: Ahrar al-Sham withdraws from meeting aimed at fostering unity among rebels, saying its role has been minimised.

Groups linked to ISIS attending Riyadh talks on Syria's future – Iran: Groups linked to Islamic State are involved in talks in Riyadh which are aimed at forming a united delegation against Syrian President Bashar Assad and ending the country's civil war, according to Iran's deputy foreign minister.

Seven Kurdish militants, one policeman killed in southeast Turkey: Nusaybin, a district of Turkey's southeastern province of Mardin on the Syrian border, has been under curfew since Sunday. Eight policemen were also injured in the clashes.

Russia halts work in Turkey's first nuclear power plant after spat - officials: Russia's Rosatom has stopped construction work at Turkey's first planned nuclear power plant, Turkish energy officials told Reuters on Wednesday, as relations between Moscow and Ankara have soured after the downing of a Russian jet.

Simple Test Can Bring End to Erdogan's Illicit Sale of 'Conflict Crude': The Erdogan family's role in smuggling illegal oil from Syria and Iraq is an open secret; furthermore, a qualified oil test can indicate exactly where the oil that President's son Bilal Erdogan sells came from and track where it goes, Henry Kamens, a columnist and expert on Central Asia and the Caucasus underscores.

U.S. says Islamic State has made $1.5 billion from bank looting, oil sales: Islamic State militants have looted up to $1 billion from bank vaults in Syria and Iraq and has made at least another half a billion dollars from black market oil sales, senior U.S. Treasury official Adam Szubin said on Thursday.

US Says Airstrikes Killed 350 in Ramadi, Iraq, in Past Week: The U.S. military says airstrikes over the past week have killed about 350 Islamic State fighters in the Iraqi city of Ramadi — and that may have reduced by half the number of fighters defending the city.

27 Iraqi soldiers killed in bid to recapture Ramadi: At least 27 Iraqi soldiers have been killed in two suicide attacks northwest of Ramadi as the push to recapture the city from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group continues, military sources say.

Islamic State fighters destroy last bridge as Iraqi forces push into Ramadi: Besieged Islamic State militants in the Iraqi city of Ramadi destroyed a lock on the Euphrates River that served as a bridge as government forces on Thursday sought to cement their gains around the militant-held city west of Baghdad.

100,000 foreign troops incl. Americans to be deployed in Iraq, MP claims: The US is to send some 10,000 troops to Iraq to provide support for a 90,000-strong force from the Gulf states, a leading Iraqi opposition MP has warned. The politician said the plan was announced to the Iraqi government during a visit by US Senator John McCain.

Shi’ite militias threaten Turkey over incursion into Iraq: Shi'ite paramilitary groups with ties to Iran threatened to use force against Turkey on Wednesday unless it withdraws its troops from Iraqi territory, after a 48-hour deadline set by the government expired.

Erdogan says no way Turkey will withdraw troops from Iraq: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday said it was out of the question that Turkish troops would withdraw from Iraq after Baghdad accused Ankara of deploying soldiers there without permission.

Saudi-led coalition bombed schools in Yemen: Amnesty International called on "all states who supply arms to the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, including the USA and UK, to suspend all transfers of weapons which are being used to commit violations of international law".

Mexican, Colombian 'Blackwater' Mercenaries Killed in Yemen: A Mexican mercenary commander and an Argentine soldier of fortune working for a U.S. military firm Blackwater in Yemen died in fierce combats in the southeastern Yemeni city Taiz, local media reported Thursday.

British army officer turned mercenary and an Australian among 15 killed in Yemen: It was claimed that the two men were killed alongside six Colombian mercenaries who were being paid by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Christian groups urge US to bar Israeli rights abusers from receiving aid: Representatives of 11 churches and faith-based organizations submitted evidence to the US State Department on Wednesday of specific gross violations of human rights by Israeli forces.

Israel Exported $400k in Gold to North Korea: Practice, for which UN demanded explanations, emerged during Knesset Economics committee hearing.

50 killed as Afghan forces repel Taliban attack on airport: Afghan forces have repelled a Taliban attack on the Kandahar airport that lasted more than 24 hours and killed 50 people, mainly civilians, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.

Kim Jong Un says N Korea has hydrogen bomb, becomes powerful nuclear state: North Korea has now developed a hydrogen bomb and can use it along with nuclear warheads to defend its sovereignty, the country's central news agency has reported.

At least seven killed in Burundi: At least seven people were killed in Burundi's capital Bujumbura during a night of violence in flashpoint districts where months of protests took place against President Pierre Nkurunziza, police and witnesses said.

Gunmen kill policeman in Cairo: Gunmen on a motorcycle shot and killed an Egyptian policeman and wounded a second who were guarding banks in a busy commercial district of the capital Cairo on Saturday, Egypt’s state news agency said.

Russia can't mend ties with U.S. while it backs sanctions: Lavrov: Russia wants to mend ties with the United States but cannot do so while Barack Obama's administration backs economic sanctions against Moscow for its role in the conflict in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted on Thursday as saying.

Out of Gas: Turkey Is Losing Its Battle With Russia: Turkey has told the Reuters news agency that Russia has stopped work on its nuclear power plants. In reality, the Turks are exaggerating. The Russians haven’t really stopped—they have really only slowed down.

Turkey downplays Netanyahu’s plan for natural gas trade: Kalin’s remarks came after fresh remarks by Netenyahu, who said at the Knesset that “the natural gas provides Israel with a much stronger and sturdy base against international pressures,” adding that there were already talks with Ankara about importing Israeli gas to Turkey.

Bulgaria, Greece sign deal to start building gas pipeline: Dec 10 Bulgaria and Greece on Thursday signed a final investment agreement to build a natural gas pipeline to help Sofia reduce its almost complete reliance on Russian gas supplies.

Geneva on maximum alert in hunt for four Paris attack suspects: Geneva security officials have said they have raised the alert level in the city and are looking for suspects in connection with investigations into the Paris attacks on 13 November.

"I Don't Want to Die. This War Is Not My War": A Syrian in France's Largest Refugee Camp Speaks Out: Video - I escaped from the war. I don’t want to be—to die. This war is not my war. Yes, everyone is fighting in my country, yes. So, I escaped from the war. I don’t want to be dead for nothing.

German refugee influx tops one million in 2015: German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has resisted calls to place limits on numbers fleeing countries such as Syria

Drone strikes are creating hatred towards America that will last for generations: If we want to curb terrorism in the United States, we must stop drone attacks in the Middle East.

A Century of Terrorism: Let’s start with a simple question. How many all-time terror attacks you can recall right now? 10, 20 or 30 at Max if you are super good.

Hatred of Israeli policies was reported motive for CA attack, but US press politely ignores the story: One of the San Bernardino killers hated Israel. Israeli newspapers and foreign papers are making much more of this story than the mainstream US press.

Australia’s Abbott Defends Comments on Islam: Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Wednesday defended his comments suggesting that Western culture is superior to that of Islam, and called for U.S.-directed assistance in conquering the Islamic State group.

Trump to postpone Israel trip until 'after I become US president': Trump’s visit had been opposed by dozens of Israeli MPs – both Jews and Arabs – after his remarks drew condemnation across the Israeli political spectrum.

Trump UK ban petition passes 370,000 signatures: A petition calling for Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump to be barred from entering the UK has gathered more than 370,000 names, so MPs will have to consider debating it.

Donald Trump defends call to ban Muslims from US for third time: "I'm the worst thing that ever happened to Isis," he declared. "The people in my party fully understand that - they're running against me.

US visa crackdown 'a step too far': On Tuesday, politicians voted to stop anyone who has visited Syria, Iraq, Iran or Sudan during the past five years - or nationals of those countries - from travelling to the US under a visa-free scheme that is available to many Europeans, even for dual citizens who also live in a non-effected country.

How many Muslims are there in the United States?: Muslims will make up 2.1% of the U.S. population by the year 2050, surpassing people who identify as Jewish on the basis of religion as the second-largest faith group in the country (not including people who say they have no religion).

White House wants Republicans to disqualify Trump as reactions snowball: As international condemnation of Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump's proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US snowballs, the White House has called for Trump to be disqualified from the presidential race and urged Republican candidates to reject him.

House Votes to Restrict Travel by Foreigners Who Visited Iraq, Syria: The House overwhelmingly approved legislation Tuesday to limit certain travel privileges granted to citizens of 38 friendly foreign countries, the first step in what lawmakers expect will be a larger response to an evolving terrorist threat.

Voters Like Trump’s Proposed Muslim Ban: A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of Likely Republican Voters favor a temporary ban on all Muslims entering the United States until the federal government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists from coming here. Just 24% oppose the plan, with 10% undecided.

How anti-Muslim are Americans? Data points to extent of Islamophobia: Donald Trump’s call for a ban on Muslims might sound outrageous, but it could appeal to the 55% of Americans who voice an unfavorable opinion of Islam

Watch: Muslims face attacks on the wave of anti-Islamic sentiment : Woman attacked Muslims with anti-Islamic slurs and then hot coffee when she saw them praying in a park.

Smith & Wesson reports revenue growth from soaring arms sales after San Bernardino shooting : The gun company, which makes a third of all revolvers owned in the US, has now raised its outlook for the rest of the fiscal year expecting net sales alone to reach $625 million by April.

States throw money at military bases to keep them open: States with large military bases are filling what is traditionally the federal government's role by picking up the tab for construction and repairs, saying they can't afford not to

1 in 4 US bridges deficient, so feds revoke passports? : The US Government Accountability Office released a new report called, Transportation Infrastructure: Information on Bridge Conditions. It revealed that 1 in 4 bridges in America are deficient in some way.

Jobless claims rise more than expected: The number of continuing claims was 2.24 million, up from 2.16 million in the prior week.

Most Americans No Longer Are Middle Class: A just-released analysis of government data shows that as of 2015, middle-income households have become the minority. The trend is so firmly established that it may well continue; Americans have experienced "a demographic shift that could signal a tipping point," Pew researchers concluded Wednesday.

Nearly Half of Youth Say 'American Dream' Is Dead: Harvard Poll: American's youth are down on the future, with nearly half of those ages 18 through 29 believing the "American Dream" is more dead than alive, a nationwide survey released Thursday by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics shows.

Chicago protesters block streets, scuffle with cops, demand Mayor Emanuel resign: Protests in downtown Chicago are growing, with more and more demonstrators calling for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s resignation and an investigation into his administration. Protestors are blocking traffic on Michigan Avenue and entrances to major stores.

Judge bars release of '13 videos of fatal shooting by Chicago cops — for now: As Mayor Rahm Emanuel was apologizing Wednesday for the broken system of police accountability exposed by the Laquan McDonald case, city attorneys argued before a federal judge that footage of an officer fatally shooting a 17-year-old carjacking suspect nearly three years ago should be kept from public view.

Syria Right to Hit NATO Warplanes By Finian Cunningham
	From now on, NATO warplanes violating Syrian territory should be put on notice. Keep out or get shot down. Continue

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America’s Creeping War in Syria By Tony Cartalucci
	The US and its regional allies have begun a series of provocations meant to tip toe the West into deeper war in the region. Continue

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Destroying Syria to Create Sunnistan By Mike Whitney
	What is the connection between the US bombing of a Syrian military base in Ayyash, Syria, and the Turkish invasion of northern Iraq? Continue

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Syria: Ultimate Pipelineistan War By Pepe Escobar
	Syria goes way beyond a civil war. Continue

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Is Erdogan's Mosul Escapade Blackmail For Another Qatar-Turkey Pipeline? By Moon Of Alabama
	The Turkish move to annex Mosul is further developing into a serious conflict. Continue

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ISIS in Lebanon: An Interview with Andre Vltchek By Soud Sharabani
	The devastation we saw in Syria will come to Lebanon. Continue

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In Case You Missed It UK Government Prepared War in Syria Two Years Before 2011 Protests Video
	The reason given for this war is the Syrian government's anti-Israel stance that made Syria a target for Western-backed regime change. Continue

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Israel’s Cynical Approach is Feeding Unrest By Jonathan Cook
	In many towns, crowds calling “death to the Arabs” barely raise an eyebrow any more. Continue

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If This is Not “Newsworthy”, What Is? By Joe Clifford
	Isn’t killing doctors, nurses, child patients, in a hospital an act of very brutal “terrorism”? Continue

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"I Want my Story to be Heard" By Dr. Hakim
	“I’m angry. The U.S. military is killing us just because they want to be the Empire of the world.” Continue

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US Terrorism Former Drone Pilots Denounce 'Morally Outrageous’ Program By Jake Heller
	"Morally outrageous" and "one of the most devastating driving forces for terrorism and destabilization around the world." Continue

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Terrorism and Some Hard Truths By Lawrence Davidson
	To really make the U.S. safe from Middle East terrorism, Washington will have to dump Israel, play hardball with Saudi Arabia, and swear off the regime-change policy . Continue

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America’s Reckless War Against Evil By Ira Chernus
	Why It’s Self-Defeating and Has No End. Continue

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Mass Killings – False Flagging – Fearmongering – Police State By Peter Koenig
	Christianity – the New Testament – which we pretend to practice today, the theory of turning the other cheek, is nothing but hypocrisy. Continue

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Is it Terrorism or is it Religion? Does the Question Matter? By William Blum
	When you bully people long enough they are going to strike back. Continue

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Donald Trump’s “Ban Muslims” Proposal Is Wildly Dangerous By Glenn Greenwald
	It’s important not to treat Trump as some radical aberration. He’s essentially the American id. Continue

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Fascism in Donald Trump's United States By Henry A. Giroux
	Trump reminds us of totalitarianism's addiction to tyranny, its attachments to the machineries of death and its moral emptiness. Continue

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Extinction Is Forever By Robert J. Burrowes
	Our fellow species make the Earth habitable. We cannot live here without them. Continue

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ISIS commander among 11 killed in Syria air raids—Pro-rebel monitor: A commander and a child soldier were among 11 Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group fighters killed Tuesday in air strikes on Raqa, the jihadists’ de facto capital in Syria, a monitor said.

Syria: Rebels leave Homs under truce; Syrian rebels have begun evacuating the last district they control in the city of Homs under a ceasefire deal reached with the government.

Foreign fighter numbers in Syria jump to 31,000: The number of foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq more than doubled to as many as 31,000 in the past year, new research said, as Syria’s fractured opposition gathered in Riyadh to forge common ground ahead of talks with the Syrian government.

Syrian opposition seeks to close ranks as army gains ground: Syria's fragmented opposition and rebel groups sought common ground on Wednesday ahead of planned negotiations to end a conflict which has devastated the country and drawn forces from Cold War and Middle East rivals into ever deeper combat operations.

Russia strikes ISIS targets in Syria from sub in Mediterranean for first time (VIDEO): Russia has, for the first time, targeted Islamic State targets in Syria with Kalibr land-attack cruise missiles launched from a submarine in the Mediterranean Sea, according to Russia’s Defense Minister.

Russia long knew about Turkey’s complicity with Daesh: Lavrov: Despite knowledge about the use of the Turkish territory for the training of Daesh terrorists, Russia was reluctant to talk about the issue openly as it did not want to believe that the support came from the government in Ankara, Lavrov said in an interview with Italian news agencies on Wednesday.

Turkish PM accuses Russia of 'ethnic cleansing' in Syria: Turkey's prime minister accused Russia on Wednesday of attempted "ethnic cleansing" in northern Syria, saying Moscow was trying to drive out the local Turkmen and Sunni Muslim populations to protect its military interests in the region.

Moscow announces trilateral Syria talks in Geneva on Friday: "We will be having consultations in the trilateral format -- Russia, the United States and the UN," Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told RIA Novosti state news agency on Wednesday.

Russia PM: Turkey violated international law giving ground for reciprocal military action: Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the attack on the bomber will have "serious consequences" for the Russian-Turkish relations.

At Least 25 Jihadists Killed in Iraq in International Coalition Airstrikes: At least 25 Islamic State militants were killed in airstrikes launched by the U.S.-led international coalition in areas located south of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

UN refuses Russian request to make statement against Turkey, Iraq downplays dispute: Russia's attempt to have the UN Security Council issue a statement calling on Turkey to respect international law and the sovereignty of Iraq after Turkey's recent troop deployment in Mosul failed on Tuesday, while the Iraqi ambassador to the UN appeared to downplay the dispute between Ankara and Baghdad.

Turkey defends deployment of additional troops in Iraq as 'act of solidarity': Iraqi officials gave Turkey a 48-hour deadline to withdraw additional troops and Turkey declared it had halted the new deployment. Iraq's U.N. Ambassador Mohamed Alhakim told reporters in New York on Tuesday that Baghdad and Ankara were working to solve the dispute bilaterally and "I think it's going very well."

Turkey strikes PKK targets in northern Iraq: Turkey's military says it has carried out aerial raids on suspected Kurdish rebel targets in a new cross-border offensive in northern Iraq.

ISIS suicide bomber kills eight near Baghdad Shiite mosque : A suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group killed at least eight people near a Shiite mosque in eastern Baghdad on Wednesday, security and medical officials said.

Islamic State surrenders part of key Iraqi city Ramadi: Iraqi security forces recaptured a large part of the city of Ramadi from Islamic State, ­officials said yesterday, scoring a significant breakthrough in their fightback against the jihadists.

Iraq Demands Cancellation of US Security Agreement: Iraqi Parliament's Security and Defense Committee is going to review a security agreement with the United States over Washington’s inability to tackle the crisis in the country, committee member Hamid al-Mutlaq told Sputnik on Wednesday.

Defense secretary: U.S. ready to do more to help retake Ramadi from Islamic State: Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday the U.S. is willing to assist the Iraqi army with more personnel and attack helicopters to help it fight Islamic State militants, especially in the battle to retake a key city in Iraq.

Residents trapped in Ramadi as Iraqis close in: "Daesh fighters are becoming more hostile and suspicious. They prevent us from leaving houses. Everyone who goes out against orders is caught and investigated," said Abu Ahmed. "We feel we're living inside a sealed casket."

ISIS show off TANKS and devastating hi-tech weapons looted from Iraqi army and bought from West : ISIS propagandists have released pictures of the sophisticated and devastating weapons it wields as part of its campaign of terror across the Middle East - including heavy TANKS.

9 Nusra militants killed in Lebanon-Syria border clash with Hezbollah: Nine Syria-based Nusra Front militants, including a senior commander, were killed Wednesday in an ambush and an ensuing clash with Hezbollah fighters near the northeastern border town of Arsal

Three foreign mercenaries killed in Yemen clashes: Yemen’s al-Marsad news agency said on Wednesday that the three foreign mercenaries were employed by the US-based private military contractor, Blackwater, to fight against Yemenis.

Australian mercenary reportedly killed in Yemen: An Australian mercenary has reportedly been killed in Yemen, alongside six Colombian troops. He was among those killed during attacks near the heavily contested southern Yemen city of Taiz.

Over 170,000 flee Yemen war, as UN pleads for aid: Around 170,000 Yemenis, refugees and third country nationals have fled to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and some Gulf countries," the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in a statement, after aid meetings in the Kenyan capital.

Saudi Arabia Is Underwriting Terrorism. Let’s Start Making It Pay.: The country’s domestic human rights abuses are enough reason to impose sanctions alone. It might be shorter to list the human rights Saudi Arabia upholds than those it abuses.

US fumes at Iran’s reported ballistic missile test: UN ambassador says if reports are confirmed, America will bring issue to Security Council, seek appropriate action

Palestinian killed in Hebron after 2 Israelis stabbed, injured: A Palestinian was shot and killed Wednesday after reportedly stabbing two Israelis in Hebron’s Old City, locals and the Israeli army said. Israeli emergency service Magen David Adom confirmed that paramedics treated two Israelis, one who sustained moderate wounds, the other left with “mild” injuries.

Netanyahu to meet Donald Trump in Israel this month: Israeli officials said the prime minister’s Dec. 28 meeting with Trump was scheduled two weeks ago — before the billionaire developer called for banning all Muslims from entering the United States.

Israel Won't Forgo Its $1.8b Billion Compensation Over Egyptian Gas Dispute: Egypt stopped supplying Israel with gas in 2012 after the supply pipeline was repeatedly attacked by militants.

Police kill five in Burundi battles: Burundi police said they had shot dead five "insurgents" who hurled grenades at a patrol Wednesday, with witnesses saying the suspects were lined up and executed.

Four Egyptian soldiers killed in Rafah blast: Four members of the Egyptian armed forces including one officer were killed and four others injured after an explosive device went off near a highway in the city of Rafah on Tuesday.

Fact or fiction: Has ISIS leader escaped to Libya? Sources claim Al-Baghdadi has fled to Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte after being treated in Turkey following air strike on his convoy

Battle at Afghanistan airport kills 37 civilians, including children: Airport serves as a base for U.S. forces and CIA operations in southern Afghanistan. More than a dozen assailants stormed complex, wearing Afghan security uniforms

China Expresses Anger over US Deployment of Spy Plane: "I think this kind of increase in military deployment by the United States and pushing regional militarization does not accord with the joint long-term interests of the countries in this region," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing.
 

Beijing ‘airpocalypse’ red alert now in force: Tough restrictions come into force today in Beijing which has issued its first ever red alert for pollution. That’s the most serious warning signaling three consecutive days of severe smog.

Putin orders government to sue Ukraine if it defaults on US$3b debt: The dispute has been hampering the International Monetary Fund’s US$17.5-billion rescue plan for Ukraine, which restricted Kiev’s ability to restructure billions of dollars in debt, including some held by Moscow.

Joe Biden, His Son and the Case Against a Ukrainian Oligarch: Hunter Biden, 45, a former Washington lobbyist, joined the Burisma board in April 2014. That month, as part of an investigation into money laundering, British officials froze London bank accounts containing $23 million that allegedly belonged to Mr. Zlochevsky.

Six migrant children die after boat sinks off western Turkey: At least six children died and eight other people rescued Tuesday after a boat carrying migrants bound for Greece capsized off Turkey's western coast near the city of Izmir, local media reported.

U.S. designates a German citizen as a 'global terrorist': The U.S. State Department on Wednesday named Emrah Erdogan, a German citizen whom it said had joined and fought with the al Qaeda and al Shabaab militant groups, as a global terrorist.

Ex-Australia PM Abbott says West should 'proclaim superiority over Islam': Deposed Australian prime minister Tony Abbott declared Wednesday "cultures are not all equal" and the West should proclaim its superiority over Islam, sparking accusations he is trying to "Trumpify" the nation's politics.

Pope: Mercy trumps moralizing as he opens Vatican Holy Door: The Vatican has confirmed that some "irregularities" were discovered in its doctrine office after a German newspaper reported that investigators found a wad of about 20,000 euros ($22,000) in cash in a desk drawer.

Venezuela Latest Election Results: MUD Wins 112 Seats: Venezuela's opposition MUD coalition has secured a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, according to electoral results released Monday and Tuesday after Sunday’s legislative elections.

Guess What Happened The Last Time The Price Of Oil Plunged Below 38 Dollars A Barrel?: The last time the price of oil was this low, the global financial system was melting down and the U.S. economy was experiencing the worst recession that it had seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Footage of Police Violence Puts Heat on Chicago Officials: ON MONDAY, AMID PUBLIC OUTCRY in Chicago over police brutality and the announcement of a Justice Department probe into officers’ use of force, city officials released two more videos showing the killing or mistreatment of black men by law enforcement.

Poll: 68% of Trump’s supporters would vote for him if he bolts the GOP: Donald Trump not only continues to lead the Republican presidential field in a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll. The overwhelming majority of his supporters also say they would vote for him if he bolted the GOP and ran as an independent.

Nazi piece of work? US paper likens Trump to Hitler: The Philadelphia Daily News evoked Nazi imagery on its front page with a tight profile shot of the front-runner, right arm extended up and out at a 45-degree angle and the headline "The New Furor".

Watch: Trump Gets Hit With Attack From CNN Over Muslim Plan, Responds With 4 Words: “We are at war,” the candidate told New Day host Chris Cuomo multiple times during the interview. “Chris, we are at war with radical Islamic terrorism. We are at war, whether you like it or don’t like it,” said Trump.

Trump: Police Fear For Lives In Radical London: The US presidential hopeful attracts ridicule after saying areas of the capital are so "radicalised" that police live in fear.

UK parliament to debate ban on Trump entering country: MPs to consider debate as petition to ban US Republican presidential candidate from UK entry passes 100,000 signatures.

Business as usual for Trump partners in Dubai, Istanbul: Dubai developer refuses to comment on US Republican front-runner's call to bar Muslims as joint ventures continue.

Jewish groups slam Trump for call to block entry of Muslims: “A plan that singles out Muslims and denies them entry to the U.S. based on their religion is deeply offensive and runs contrary to our nation’s deepest values,” the Anti-Defamation League said in a statement

Severed pig's head left at N. Phila. mosque: Philadelphia police, the FBI, and the city's Human Relations Commission launched investigations Monday after a worker at a North Philadelphia mosque found a severed pig's head outside its door.

This smart car seems to have tattled on its driver: A Florida woman was reportedly arrested and placed into custody last week, after her car implicated her in at least one alleged hit-and-run incident. You read that right.

War Is On The Horizon: Is It Too Late To Stop It? By Paul Craig Roberts
	Russia’s determination to avoid war is leading directly to war. Continue

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NATO’s Absurd Denials Amid Acts of War in Syria By Finian Cunningham
	In two weeks we have seen two apparent acts of war by the US-led NATO military alliance in Syria. Continue

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US Attacks Syrian Military, World Awaits Russian Response By Brandon Turbeville
	At least four Syrian soldiers were killed and thirteen others were injured. Continue

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Think Before You Rush to War By Eric Margolis
	Washington has been infatuated by special forces daring-do, believing commandos can win small, imperial wars without involving the nation in a larger, costly conflict. Continue

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'No Thank You,'" Italy Declines Bombing Syria By Bonnie Kristian
	"Italy's position is clear and solid. We want to wipe out terrorists, not please the commentators. Continue

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IAEA's Final Report on Iran Nuclear Program Defends Discredited Parchin Cylinder Claims By Gareth Porter
	GOP 2016 frontrunner Donald Trump goes 'On the Record' to say he 'absolutely' means it when he calls for 'total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States'. - Continue

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Needless Interrogation of a Belgian Academic is Just What Isis Wants By Robert Fisk
	How the forces of law, order and security, can do more to recruit European Muslims to the Islamist cause than all the Isis videos combined. Continue

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In A World Gone Crazy Trump Says - Ban All Muslims From Coming To The USA Video
	GOP 2016 frontrunner Donald Trump goes 'On the Record' to say he 'absolutely' means it when he calls for 'total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States'. - Continue

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The Politics of Islamophobia By Ian Buruma
	The canny leaders of ISIS also rely on an apocalyptic “us or them” view of the world. Continue

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Yes, Calling Only Muslims Terrorists Does Result in Disparate Treatment of Muslims By Emptywheel
	The victims of Islamic “ideologically-motivated mass shootings” are treated as more important deaths than all the others. - Continue

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‘Terrorism': The Indefinable Word By John V. Whitbeck
	The word “terrorism” does not enhance understanding. It stifles rational thought and discussion and, all too often, is used and abused to excuse one’s own illegal and immoral behavior. Continue

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Does Fear Lead to Fascism? A Culture of Fear and the Epigenetics of Terror By John W. Whitehead
	America is in the midst of an epidemic of historic proportions. The contagion being spread like wildfire is turning communities into battlegrounds and setting Americans one against the other. Continue

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Will the IRS Take Your Passport? By Ron Paul
	The provision in question gives the Internal Revenue Service the authority to revoke the passport of anyone the IRS claims owes more than $50,000 in back taxes. Continue

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Apocalyptic Capitalism By Chris Hedges
	Those who are despoiling the earth do so for personal gain, believing they can use their privilege to escape the fate that will befall the human species. Continue

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U.S.-Led Air Strikes Targeting ISIS Kill 26 Civilians in Syria, Pro-rebel Activists Say: At least 26 Syrian civilians were killed Monday in an air strike suspected to have been conducted by the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS), a monitoring group has said.

US-led aircraft kill 4 Syrian government troops: “The Syrian foreign ministry demands the UN Security Council act immediately in the face of this aggression and take appropriate measures to prevent its recurrence”, the letter added.

Russia 'seriously concerned' over strikes reportedly by US coalition on Syria army: The ministry said it was also concerned about "the consequences of an airstrike on erroneous targets... in Hasakah province that led to a significant number of casualties among civilians".

Russian submarine with cruise missiles off Syria coast - reports: An advanced Kilo-class submarine has appeared near the Syrian coast, according to a source within the Russian MoD. The Rostov-on-Don sub is equipped with modern Russian Kalibr cruise missiles.

Rebel groups supported by the US or its allies are turning their guns on each other in Syria: Groups that have received support from the United States or its allies have turned their guns on each other in a northern corner of Syria, highlighting the difficulties of mobilizing forces on the ground against Islamic State.

Amnesty slams US & allies for weapons falling into ISIS’ hands: Islamic State’s campaign of terror in Iraq and Syria is being aided by the weapons indirectly supplied by the very countries trying to fight them, with the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 giving the terrorist group access to “a large and lethal arsenal.”

Islamist groups in Syria attract 31,000 foreign fighters: ex-UK spy chief: Syria has become the pre-eminent global incubator for a new generation of militants after Islamist groups more than doubled the recruitment of foreign fighters to as much as 31,000 over the past 18 months, according to a former British spy chief.

The Isis papers: leaked documents show how Isis is building its state: A leaked internal Islamic State manual shows how the terrorist group has set about building a state in Iraq and Syria complete with government departments, a treasury and an economic programme for self-sufficiency

Iraq Forces Retake Large Part Of Ramadi City From ISIS: Officials: Retaking the Al-Tameem area from ISIS is a significant breakthrough for Iraqi forces, which have been fighting for months to secure territory around Ramadi, a major city west of Baghdad and the capital of the vast Anbar province.

Iraq issues ultimatum: Turkish forces have 48 hours to leave the country: "In the absence of the withdrawal of these forces within 48 hours, Iraq has the right to use all available options,"

Turkey Refuses to Withdraw Its Troops From Northern Iraq Despite Ultimatum: In the face of fierce protests from the Iraqi government and the international community, Turkey is refusing to withdraw troops from northern Iraq.

Iraqi air force on high alert as deadline for Turkish withdrawal approaches: Sources in Abadi’s office said on Monday that the Iraqi premier has demanded that members of the Iraqi Air Force be ready to defend the country’s “territorial integrity and sovereignty,” according to the Sumeriyah news channel.

Iraq May Seek "Direct Military Intervention From Russia" To Expel Turkish Troops: Turkey just can’t seem to help itself when it comes to escalations in the Mid-East.

Iraqi Prime Minister: Daesh Smuggles Majority of Oil Through Turkey: Iraq's Prime Minister on Monday said that most of the oil produced in territory held by Daesh, also known as ISIL/The Islamic State, in Iraq and Syria is being smuggled through Turkey.

Turkey issues warning to Russia over Bosphorus incident — diplomatic source: The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Monday received explanations from Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov over an incident involving a Russian sailor who allegedly held a man-portable air defense system on his shoulder when his warship was sailing through the Bosphorus, a diplomatic source said.

Yemen: Saudi-led forces fight Houthi border advance, killing 20: Two residents told Reuters that 20 Houthi fighters had been killed at the southern border of the Saudi provinces of Najran and Jizan, while Saudi state television put the number of Houthi dead at 50.

Yemen factions agree to truce during UN-backed peace talks: Yemen's government said Tuesday that the country's warring sides are preparing to observe a week-long truce from Dec. 15 while U.N.-mediated peace talks take place in Switzerland.

Palestinian shot dead after stabbing Israeli in Hebron: A young Palestinian man was shot dead after he allegedly stabbed and critically wounded an Israeli man near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron's Old City on Monday afternoon, Israeli and Palestinian sources said.

U.S. donors gave settlements more than $220 million in tax-exempt funds over five years: Registered non-profit groups are lavishly funding with tax-deductible U.S. dollars the same West Bank settlements the Obama administration considers obstacles to peace.

Huckabee Draws Cheers at Fundraiser for West Bank Settlement: Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee got loud cheers tonight speaking at a New York City fundraiser for a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, including sustained applause when he said it was not the president's job to prioritize protecting "the reputation of Islam."

Hillary Clinton Corrects Flub, Thanks to Supreme Court Justice Breyer: The crowd erupted into gasps and chatter regarding what appeared to be Clinton suggesting a nuclear weapon could be used against Iran if they fail to comply.

50 killed as rival Afghan Taliban groups clash: More than 50 people have been killed and dozens more wounded in renewed fighting between rival Taliban factions in Shindand district near the western Afghan city of Herat, a local police spokesman said on Tuesday.

UN condemns nine civilian deaths in Afghan army shelling: The United Nations today condemned the government shelling of a southern Afghan village that killed nine people, demanding a swift probe into the latest civilian deaths to hit the war-torn country.

Taliban attacks Kandahar airport and US-NATO base: Simultaneous attacks on sites in southern Afghanistan city claimed by Taliban.

Isis is stealing fighters from the Taliban in Afghanistan: Jihadists lure recruits in villages with money and unified message

Six killed as Muslim rebels clash with Christians in Philippines: At least six people were killed when suspected Muslim guerrillas clashed with armed Christian settlers in the southern Philippines Tuesday in a feud over land, police said.

At least 20 killed, 90,000 flee Somalia clashes: UN: Fighting broke out in the town of Galkayo on November 22 between gunmen loyal to the Puntland and Galmudug districts, with reports of heavy gunfire as well as mortars or artillery.

US: Airstrikes Kill Somali Militant, IS Leader in Libya: Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said a December 2 airstrike in Somalia killed Abdiraham Sandhere, a senior leader of militant group al-Shabab, and two of his associates.

4 injured in blast at Moscow bus stop: "In total, four people were injured, three of them were hospitalized,” in the Institute of Emergency Care at Sklifosovsky, the Department of Health in Moscow reported, adding that the fourth victim refused hospitalization. None of the injuries are life-threatening, authorities say.

Poroshenko says Ukraine will support anti-ISIS coalition in Syria: "Speaking with Mr. Vice President [Joe Biden], I have confirmed our readiness, Ukraine's readiness to support the coalition forces in Syria as much as possible. Ukraine is standing and will stand side-by-side with the anti-terrorist coalition, as Ukraine knows what terrorist threats mean. We know how to fight terrorism inside Ukraine," Poroshenko said

Six refugee children die after boat sinks off western Turkey: media: At least six children died and eight other people rescued on Tuesday after a boat carrying migrants bound for Greece capsized off Turkey's western coast near the city of Izmir, local media reported.

Austria begins erecting fence on border with Slovenia: Austria has begun building a fence along its border with Slovenia, a move the government has said will help it to better manage refugees. Over the past month, however, the inflow of refugees into Austria has dropped.

Greece to sign airport privatization with Germany's Fraport: Stergios Pitsiorlas, the head of the country's privatization fund, said Tuesday that a 1.23 billion euro ($1.34 billion) deal will be signed within 10 days with German company Fraport for 14 regional airports, including those in tourist hotspots such as Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu and Rhodes.

Veterans to throw down medals, urge disobedience in Downing Street Syria protest: Special Forces veteran Ben Griffin has called on military personnel and munitions workers to disobey and block the bombing of Syria ahead of a Downing Street protest in which ex-services personnel will throw down their medals in disgust at the war.

War is a racket: U.S. arms-makers strain to meet demand as Mideast conflicts rage: U.S. officials say arms-makers have added shifts and hired workers, but they are bumping up against capacity constraints and may need to expand plants or even open new ones to keep weapons flowing

San Bernardino shooter attended troubled Pakistan college: Police and security officials on campus in the Punjabi city of Multan said intelligence officers had been stationed there to monitor militancy among 35,000 students studying in red-brick buildings set amid neatly kept grounds.

Obama calls for gun curbs for people on no-fly list: Obama urged Congress to pass additional restrictions on the purchase of assault weapons, and to “make sure no one on a no-fly list is able to buy a gun.” He framed the latter measure, in particular, as an act of common sense

Congressman: At Least 72 Homeland Security Employees on Terrorist Watchlist: Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch claimed that an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General revealed that 72 of the individuals on the United State terrorist watch list are working for the Department of Homeland Security.

Senate approves bill repealing much of ObamaCare: Republicans hailed it as a political messaging victory and a fulfillment of their promise from the 2014 midterm election to force President Obama to veto the landmark healthcare reform law named after him.

The Empire Strikes Back Week Nine of the Russian Intervention in Syria By The Saker
	Here is a short quote by Putin western leaders might want to ponder: - Continue

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Murder And Mayhem In The Middle East By Chris Martenson
	While the populations of Europe and the US are fed raw propaganda about the regional aims involved, the reality is far different. - Continue

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Erdogan Moves To Annexes Mosul By Moon Of Alabama
	The wannabe Sultan Erdogan now goes for Mosul in Iraq, which many Turks see as historic part of their country. - Continue

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"Britain and France Were the Spearheads in Supporting the Terrorists in Syria:" President al-Assad Full Sunday Times Interview
	British strikes in Syria illegal, play into terrorists' hands – Assad - Continue

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"This Is For Syria" London Tube Knife Attack Caught On Video Video
	Knife attacker slashed the throat of one person and injured two others while reportedly shouting "this is for Syria" - Continue

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Roof, Dear and Tashfeen Malik: ‘Self-Radicalized,’ ‘Terrorism,’ ‘Lone Wolf’ and Double Standards By Juan Cole
	Is there a double standard in our public discourse here? - Continue

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Airstrikes kill 32 Isis fighters in Raqqa, Pro-rebel activists say: At least 32 Islamic State fighters have been killed and another 40 wounded in a series of airstrikes on bases around its de-facto capital Raqqa, activists have said.

US Building Military Airbase in Northeastern Syria: US experts are reconstructing and equipping a desolate airport. The Lebanese al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Saturday that a number of US experts have entered the region since 50 days ago to develop and prepare the runways with 2,500m length and 250m width to be used by fighter jets.

British strikes in Syria illegal, play into terrorists' hands – Assad : “It will be harmful and illegal and it will support terrorism, as happened after the coalition started its operation a year or so [ago] because this is like a cancer,” Assad said, accusing British PM David Cameron of a farcical description of the so-called “moderate Syrian opposition”

Syria slams Turkey over troop deployment in Iraq: The Syrian foreign ministry joined the row, saying in a statement that it "condemns the flagrant Turkish violation of Iraqi territory, which comes as a continuation of the destructive role (Ankara) is playing against Syria and Iraq". The statement was carried on Syrian state television.

Iraq's Abadi says could resort to U.N. over Turkish deployment: He said the deployment of hundreds of Turkish forces near the northern Islamic State-controlled city of Mosul on Thursday had happened without the approval or knowledge of the Iraqi government and constituted a violation of national sovereignty.

Iraq Could Ask Russia for Help After 'Invasion' by Turkish Forces: The head of Iraq's parliamentary committee on security and defense, Hakim al-Zamili, in an interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, said that Baghdad could turn to Moscow for help after Turkey had allegedly breached Iraq’s sovereignty.

WikiLeaks: Turkey Planned Su-24 Downing Six Weeks Before the Incident?: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan planned to shoot down a Russian warplane engaged in Moscow's anti-Daesh campaign in Syria six weeks prior to the Su-24 incident, a famous Turkish whistleblower apparently said on Twitter.

Straits could be closed to Russian ships if Turkey’s security threatened: Turkey could still possibly perceive Russia's military buildup along the Turkish-Syrian border as a major threat to its national security and may decide to close the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosporus to the passage of Russian warships, according to the report.

39 People Killed in Iraq’s Anbar by US Coalition: a suicide truck bomber detonated his explosive-laden vehicle at a position of security forces near Palestine bridge in north of the ISIS-held provincial capital city of Ramadi, some 110 km west of Baghdad, killing eight security members and wounding 15 others

Saudi warplanes bomb Yemen, kill dozen civilians: A dozen people from the same family have been killed as Saudi Arabian warplanes continue bombing Yemen.

Isis claims responsibility for assassinating governor of Aden: “Islamic State fighters were able on Sunday morning to assassinate the governor of Aden, Maj Gen Jaafar Mohamed Saad,” a news service associated with Isis said in a statement. “[Isis] fighters had parked a car filled with explosives in the Tawahi district and detonated it as the governor’s convoy passed

Morocco sends ground troops to fight in Yemen: The Moroccan newspaper ‘Al Sabah’ reported that these teams will be transferred within a few days to the King Khalid Air Base in Saudi Arabia. So far, Moroccan operations in Yemen were limited to air strikes with a few F-16 fighter-jets

Saudi Arabia is about to stone a Sri Lankan woman to death: In the coming days, a Sri Lankan woman is to be led to an outdoor pit in Saudi Arabia. Her arms and hands will be tightly bound, her body buried up to her breasts. Saudi men will then surround her and begin to hurl rocks at her head to kill her slowly.

Palestinian shot dead after allegedly injuring 2 Israelis in Jerusalem: A spokesperson for Shaare Zedek hospital confirmed that two Israelis were brought there with "very light" wounds. She said that one of them was an Israeli soldier, who appeared to have been stabbed, while the other had been hit by a car.

About 40 ISIS terrorists killed in eastern Afghanistan: At least 39 members of the Daesh Takfiri militant group have been killed in separate mop-up operations by Afghan security forces backed by military aircraft in the country’s eastern province of Nangarhar.

Afghanistan: Isis strengthens presence with 1,600 soldiers in eastern province: Four districts in south of Jalalabad in Afghanistan, it is believed, have been taken over by the Islamic militant group to be a part of the "caliphate" they're trying to build.

4600 migrants rescued off Libyan coast in three days : British and Spanish navies took part in the 11 separate rescue operations on Thursday, as well as a ship operated by a non-governmental organisation, Doctors Without Borders, the coast guards said.

Egypt Must Pay Israel $1.76 Billion for Gas Stoppage: The Israel Electric Corp on Sunday announced that Egyptian natural gas companies will pay compensation of $1.76 billion for stopping gas supplies in 2012, after Mohammed Morsi had been elected president.

One soldier killed in renewed east Ukraine clashes: "Over the last day, one soldier was killed in fighting," spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told journalists, adding that clashes took place near a village right on the demarcation line, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the rebel stronghold Donetsk.

Joe Biden to visit Ukraine to confirm US support: US Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Ukraine to reassure Kiev that Washington remains committed to its pro-Western government despite stepped-up efforts to work with Russia against Daesh terrorists in Syria.

German Vice Chancellor warns Saudi Arabia over Islamist funding: German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel urged Saudi Arabia on Sunday to stop supporting religious radicals, amid growing concern among some lawmakers in Berlin about the funding of militant mosques by the world's biggest oil exporter.

Police Treating London Tube Stabbing as Terrorist Incident: U.K. counter-terrorism police are investigating a stabbing at a London Underground station on Saturday night that left a 56-year-old man with serious injuries.

Watch: Leytonstone Tube stabbing: Witnesses' YouTube and Twitter videos show 'terrorist' attack: A knifeman launched a terrorist attack at an east London tube station seriously injuring one man and wounding another on the evening of Saturday, 5 December. He reportedly shouted "this is for Syria" during the attacks.

Fact or fiction? ISIS army of scientists set to wage chemical and biological war on West: Experts warn weapons of mass destruction 'have been carried undetected' into European Union.

France's far-right National Front leads in regional elections: Marine Le Pen's far-right National Front party led in the first round of French local elections, TV exit polls showed on Sunday, with Le Pen and her niece Marion Marechal-Le Pen both gaining more than 40 percent in the north and southeast of the country.

After Paris Attacks, Proposed French Law Would Block Tor and Forbid Free Wi-Fi: The French government is considering to “Forbid free and shared wi-fi connections” during a state of emergency. This comes from a police opinion included in the document: the reason being that it is apparently difficult to track individuals who use public wi-fi networks.

Your online trail just got way more visible: Raytheon’s “extreme-scale analytics” system can track people’s movements like never before.

Finland plans to give every citizen 800 euros a month and scrap benefits: The proposal would entitle each Finn to 800 euros tax free each month, which according to Bloomberg, would cost the government 52.2 billion euros a year.

Live Updates: Venezuela's National Assembly Elections: Stay up to date with the latest information and tweets from Venezuela on a crucial day. All times are Caracas local time.

'We will not be terrorized': Obama: President plans to make extraordinary White House address Sunday in response to San Bernardino attack. In a release Saturday, the White House said Obama would provide an update on the investigation in California and "discuss the broader threat of terrorism."

Defense Contractors Cite “Benefits” of Escalating Conflicts in the Middle East: Major defense contractors Raytheon, Oshkosh, and Lockheed Martin assured investors at a Credit Suisse conference in West Palm Beach this week that they stand to gain from the escalating conflicts in the Middle East.

Carter: Cancer is gone: Former President Jimmy Carter said Sunday his cancer is gone. Carter said in a statement that his most recent MRI brain scan did not reveal any signs of the original cancer spots or any new ones and that he’ll continue his treatment.

Obama Taunts Putin over Syria By Sam Husseini
	President Obama mocked Russian President Putin for not fixing Syria during the past month and chided him about Moscow’s Afghan quagmire in the 1980s. - Continue

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NATO Picks a New Fight with Russia By Jonathan Marshall
	President Barack Obama’s foreign policy is best understood in a psychiatrist’s office. - Continue

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Get Rid of ISIS Using This One Weird Trick By Dan Sanchez
	The “trick” is non-intervention. And it is only weird in the sense that it is so uncommon in this age of war. Nonetheless, it works. - Continue

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Isis Wants an Insane, Medieval Race War – and We’ve Decided to Give Them One By Frankie Boyle
	I wonder if the Commons really understands or cares that they are making Britain a target. - Continue

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Putin Has Some Very Harsh Words For President Erdogan By Moon Of Alabama
	These were not even threats but direct declarations that Russia will take revenge and will follow through. - Continue

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The Folly of World War IV By Andrew J. Bacevich
	Assume that the hawks get their way -- that the United States does whatever it takes militarily to confront and destroy ISIS. Then what? - Continue

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From Westernized Daughter of a Rich Family to Burka-wearing Jihadi Bride: By Kelly Mclaughlin and Snejana Farberov and Khaleda Rahman
	Tashfeen Malik’s transformation into a ‘radicalized’ killer who swore allegiance to ISIS as she murdered 14. - Continue

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The Tale of Two Countries By Christopher Brauchli
	Compassion-some have it, some don't. - Continue

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Hillary Clinton and a Venezuelan Murder Mystery: Who Killed Luis Manuel Díaz? By Mark Weisbrot
	This is how public opinion is shaped when the U.S. government targets a country for regime change. - Continue

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Mortar attack targets Syria's Deir Ezzor, kills six: Sources said mortar rounds landed on a building in the city’s al-Joureh neighborhood when teachers were receiving their salaries on Saturday, official SANA news agency reported.

Al-Nusra militants storm Kurdish district in Aleppo, casualties reported: Syria’s branch of al-Qaeda al-Nusra Front and the Islamic Movement of Ahrar al-Sham pounded the Kurdish neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud in the city of Aleppo with mortars, causing injuries among civilians, local sources reported on Friday.

British bombers hit oil field targets in Syria for second time: Tornado and Typhoon warplanes from Britain's air base in Akrotiri, Cyprus conducted eight strikes on targets in the ISIS-controlled oilfield at Omar in eastern Syria.

Syria government, rebels could cooperate vs IS before Assad goes: Kerry: However, Kerry said it would be "exceedingly difficult" to achieve this if rebel forces that have been fighting against Assad for more than four years did not have some confidence that the Syrian leader would eventually go.

France's Fabius: Assad's departure not necessary before transition: “The fight against Daesh is crucial, but it will only be totally effective if all the Syrian and regional forces are united,” he told the French regional newspaper Le Progres, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.

Will an al Qaeda Ally Be a Peacemaker in Syria?: The success of the Syrian peace talks may hinge on whether a band of Islamist rebels who have fought with al Qaeda will be allowed to join the next round of negotiations, and potentially play a role in a new government, after mounting a PR campaign to cast themselves as moderate militants.

Syria row: No 10 admits '70,000 fighters' figure made up of disparate groups: Downing Street clarified the position after the Times and the Sun reported that military officials had warned No 10 against claiming that the 70,000 “moderate” fighters were prepared to join the battle against Isis.

Russia to use Iranian airspace to bomb Syria: “If Western countries took the same position as Russia in the fight against [Daesh], the Al-Nusra Front and other terrorist groups, we would not face these problems today and we stress on our political and military support for Moscow in this regard,” Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani said

Russian jets destroy Isis oil convoy after Putin accuses Turkey of buying oil from jihadist group: An Isis oil convoy was destroyed by a Russian air strike in Syria, days after Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Turkey of buying oil from Isis.

IS oil smuggling to Turkey insignificant: US official: The amount of oil smuggled into Turkey from areas of Syria controlled by the Islamic State is economically insignificant, the United States said Friday, after Moscow accused Ankara of profiting from the trade.

Security forces kill 30 militants, dismantle dozens of explosives in Anbar;: “Troops belonging to his division were able to detonate 43 explosive devices and eight barrels containing ammonium nitrate in Husaybah al-Sharqiya east of Ramadi.”

15 ISIS elements killed in coalition strike south of Mosul: A local source in Nineveh province announced on Friday, that 15 elements of the ISIS organization had been either killed or wounded in an air strike by the international coalition south of Mosul.

ISIS executes 5 civilians in Hawija District southwest of Kirkuk: The leader of Obeid tribes in Iraq Sheikh Anwar al-Aasi announced on Friday, that the ISIS elements executed five civilians from the residents of Hawija District southwest of the province.

Turkish military to have a permanent base in Iraq: : The deal regarding the base was signed between Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani and Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu, during the latter’s visit to northern Iraq on Nov. 4.

Baghdad demands Turkey withdraw ‘training’ troops from northern Iraq : The Iraqi foreign ministry said that the Turkish troops were acting in violation of the country’s sovereignty and demanded the forces withdraw immediately. “Around one regiment armoured with tanks and artillery” has entered the northern Nineveh area

Iraq: Turkey troops near Mosul violating international law: Iraqi President Fouad Massoum on Saturday called the deployment of several hundred Turkish troops inside Iraq near the northern city of Mosul “a violation of international norms and law.”

Three Turkish security officers killed in clashes with Kurd militants: Three members of the Turkish security forces were killed on Saturday in clashes with militants in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast, security forces said.

Four Palestinians killed by Israeli soldiers: Four Palestinians wounded several Israeli soldiers in separate attacks Friday before they were shot and killed by Israeli forces, the military said, the latest violence in more than two months of almost daily Palestinian assaults against civilians and soldiers.

A third of Americans support sanctions against Israel: 37 percent of Americans support sanctions against Israel as a response to settlement-building. Of those, 27 percent support economic sanctions and 10 percent are in favor of even harsher measures. Among Democratic voters the proportion is even higher, with half supporting sanctions.

Israel denounces Swedish FM over 'extrajudicial executions' accusations: Israel has denounced remarks by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, saying she accused it of carrying out "extrajudicial executions" in response to attacks by Palestinians using knives.

Three killed in Lebanon as militant blows himself up during raid: A suspected Islamist militant and two members of his family were killed in northern Lebanon on Saturday, after the man blew himself up during an army raid on his home, security and medical sources said.

Gunmen kill Yemen judge known for sentencing al Qaeda militants: Yemeni security officials on Saturday said that masked gunmen killed a prominent judge who was known for sentencing al Qaeda militants to prison in the southern port city of Aden.

Lake Chad: Triple suicide blasts kill 27, security sources say: Three suicide attacks have hit an island on Lake Chad, killing at least 27 people, security sources have said. The blasts, on the island of Koulfoua on the Chadian side of the lake, struck a weekly market, the sources said.

Eight civilians killed in CAR attack on IDP camp: Gunmen kill eight people and wound UN peacekeeper days after Pope Francis' visit to Central African Republic.

ISIS moves in on Afghanistan: Chilling pictures show jihadis have set up terror training camps as it's claimed they have KILLED the Taliban's leader and seized control of large parts of the war-torn nation

Erdogan vows to break Turkey's dependence on Russian oil and gas: Turkey's president keeps up the war of words between his country and the Kremlin

Germany wants to send Special Forces to Syria – reports: The 1,200-strong Bundeswehr task force’s deployment in Syria approved by the German parliament Friday might be reinforced by elite special forces, the KSK, according to local media.

Paris attacks: France 'to extend state of emergency indefinitely' - reports: The French government is looking to extend the state of emergency for six months or even "indefinitely", according to new reports.

Isil 'aims to attack UK next': report : Intelligence agencies 'fear fallout from air strikes on Syria': European security agencies, citing specific intelligence that had been obtained, stated that British Isil operatives in Syria and Iraq were being tasked to return home to launch an attack

Most British Muslims oppose airstrikes in Syria – and here’s why: Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood, reflected the views of many British Muslims. “I do not simply want to see Daesh defeated. I want them eradicated,” she said. “But I believe that the action proposed will not work.”

EU backs 2-yr suspension of free travel area : EU interior ministers mull over extending the ability of member states to legally suspend open borders with other members from 6 months to 2 years due to the recent refugee crisis. The plan was discussed at a two-day summit in Brussels.

Peruvian President Declares State of Emergency In Costal City: The Peruvian President Ollanta Humala declared a state of emergency for the coastal province of El Callao on Friday due to unprecedented levels of violence being carried out by criminal gangs and drug trafficking organizations.

Ecuador's Correa Celebrates 'Historic' Constitutional Changes: The most controversial amendment eliminated term limits for political office. However, it included a provisional measure that made it so the change only takes place after May 24, 2017, effectively preventing the incumbent Correa from being able to immediately seek a third term.

White House: Military draft now on the table for women: The government is deliberating whether to propose Selective Service changes that would make women eligible for the military draft, the White house said Friday, a day after the Pentagon said it would no longer bar women from combat jobs.

Islamic State says California killers of 14 were their followers: The militant group made the statement in an online radio broadcast three days after U.S.-born Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and his wife Tashfeen Malik, 29, from Pakistan, attacked a holiday party for civil servants in San Bernardino, about 60 miles (100 km) east of Los Angeles.

Woman in California shooting pledged allegiance to IS: The woman who carried out the San Bernardino massacre with her husband had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and its leader on Facebook, a U.S. law enforcement official said Friday, providing the strongest evidence to date that the rampage may have been a terrorist attack.

San Bernardino: 'pledge of allegiance' to Isis is no proof of group's involvement: If Isis were to be directly responsible, or even played a significant indirect inspirational role, the killings would be a major escalation of terrorist threat and activity on US soil. But the motives of the attackers remain extremely unclear.

Former Congressman Unleashes on Attorney General in Rant Against Islam: ‘Go Ahead and Prosecute Me. I Dare You.’: “I think Islam has a real freaking problem, alright?” Former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh said in a video posted to his Facebook page. “There is a cancer in Islam, and if they’re not going to learn to assimilate, I don’t want them in this country.”

Chicago police reports differ from video of teen's shooting: Hundreds of pages of documents released by Chicago officials show police officers depicting a starkly contrasting narrative to squad car video footage showing a white officer shooting a black teenager 16 times.

Ex-soldier 'addicted to killing' guilty but mentally ill: — A former soldier who said he became "addicted to killing" while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan pleaded guilty but mentally ill Friday to charges of raping and killing a Delaware woman.

Erdogan Blackmails NATO Allies By Mike Whitney
	Has Turkish President Erdogan figured out how to hoodwink the NATO allies into a confrontation with Russia that will help him achieve his goal of toppling  Assad and stealing Syrian territory?- Continue

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Holy Smoke Batman! Erdogan Has To Go By Finian Cunningham
	It is difficult to imagine that the American people misinterpreted Obama’s pledge of “no boots on the ground,” which he only made publicly 16 times - Continue

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In Syria, Britain is Making the Same Mistakes All Over Again By Adam Holloway MP
	A Conservative MP explains why he cannot back a plan to fight Islamic State which does nothing about the toxic politics which feed it - Continue

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What Obama Really Meant by ‘No Boots on the Ground’ By Micah Zenko
	It is difficult to imagine that the American people misinterpreted Obama’s pledge of “no boots on the ground,” which he only made publicly 16 times - Continue

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This is a Dumb War By Serge Halimi
	“I don’t oppose all wars. [...] What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. [...]" - Barack Obama - 2002. - Continue

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Obama Ignores Russian Terror Victims By Robert Parry
	President Obama has displayed a stunning lack of sympathy for the Russian civilians killed in an ISIS plane bombing in Egypt and for two Russian military men slain as victims of U.S. weapons systems in Syria- Continue

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Massacre Proves Turk, Washington Complicity in Syria Terror By Finian Cunningham
	“You’re not going to support me because I don’t want your money,” Trump told members of the Sheldon Adelson-funded hardline pro-Israel lobbying organization. - Continue

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U.S. First Shields Its Torturers and War Criminals From Prosecution, Now Officially Honors Them By Glenn Greenwald
	As NPR put it, “This was not an event for Cheney critics — on the war or torture or related topics.” - Continue

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Do Mass Killings Bother You? By David Swanson
	A young man who had successfully killed on a large scale went to his religious leader with doubts and was told that mass killing was part of God's plan. - Continue

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Donald Trump Tells Pro-Israel Crowd He Can’t Be Bought, Gets Booed By Zaid Jilani
	“You’re not going to support me because I don’t want your money,” Trump told members of the Sheldon Adelson-funded hardline pro-Israel lobbying organization. - Continue

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14 Killed in SoCal Massacre, 2 Suspected Shooters Dead By Willian Avila and Gabriella Iannetta
	Sources have confirmed that one of the attackers was Syed Farook. - Continue

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Guns and Deaths: We Really Don’t Care, Do We? By Peter Van Buren
	More than one a day. That is how often mass shootings (four or more people wounded or dead) occurred in the United States this year. - Continue

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Syrian government bombardment in Syria kills 56 civilians: Pro-rebel monitoring group : The bloodiest attack was in Eastern Ghouta, a rebel stronghold east of Damascus, where at least 41 civilians were killed, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Russian bombs obliterate Syrian tankers heading towards Turkey: A Russian jet is believed to have killed a family in their car as it targeted an Islamic State oil convoy - just days after President Vladimir Putin said Turkey was buying it from Islamists.

6 citizens killed, others injured in terrorist attacks in different areas: Two women were killed and 26 others were injured, including 16 students, due to terrorist mortar attacks on the residential areas in Damascus.

Syria air strikes: Rebels and Damascus condemn RAF bombing raids on Isis: Britain’s first air strikes against Isis inside Syria were met with a warm welcome from France, anger in Damascus – and a sense of exasperation among some of those rebels the West is supposed to be supporting.

Fact or fiction? Russians expanding 2nd air base in country: Russian troops are expanding a military base in central Syria, adding fortifications and developing its runways in a sign they intend to use it as their second air base in the country, Syrian activists said Thursday.

Russia sends its most advanced tanks to Syria frontline: A report by the Iranian Fars news agency, supported by photographs circulating on social media this week, suggest that newly delivered T-90 tanks have been sent to support the Syrian government's advance south of Aleppo.

Marines are flying over both Syria and Iraq regularly as part of a rescue force: Marines are regularly flying over both Iraq and Syria to provide an airborne force capable of responding quickly if a coalition aircraft goes down and a pilot or air crew needs rescuing, said the commanding officer of a unit that returned from Iraq this fall.

Germany to send up to 1,200 troops to Middle East after Bundestag approves military action against Isis in Syria; The country will not be carrying out air strikes but is sending survillance and reconnaissance planes

U.S. Air Force shopping for bombs to replenish stockpile depleted by ISIS attacks: “We’re in the business of killing terrorists and business is good,” Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said in statement. “We need to replenish our munitions stock.

Turkish troops invades northern Iraq to provide training – reports: “Turkish soldiers have reached the Mosul Bashiqa region. They are there as part of routine training exercises. One battalion has crossed into the region,” the source told Reuters without revealing the exact number of troops.

Iraq PM says would consider foreign troop deployment "act of aggression": Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Thursday no foreign ground troops had been requested from any country and that their deployment would be considered an "act of aggression".

Turkey's Iraq deployment not part of U.S.-led coalition -officials: The United States is aware of Turkey's deployment of hundreds of Turkish soldiers to northern Iraq but its move is not part of the U.S.-led coalition's activities, two U.S. defense officials said on Friday.

Female Kurdish militant killed in police raid in Istanbul: reports: A female suspected member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was killed on Friday in Istanbul in a police operation against militants suspected to be planning suicide attacks, reports said.

Death by explosive necklace, rocket launcher, or obliterated at sea: ISIS release a series of sickening execution videos from war-torn Yemen filmed in just 24 hours

MSF accuses Saudi-led coalition of bombing clinic in Yemen: Nine people, including two staff, wounded in attack on mobile clinic in Taiz as charity says coalition had GPS coordinates

UN food agency warns of imminent famine in Yemen: “… with half the country now just one step away from famine, we need the international community to really come behind us and support us, particularly over the next few months,” said WFP Deputy Regional Director Matthew Hollingworth on Friday.

Report: Russia begins delivery of S-300 missiles to Iran: Russian news agency Tass reports Moscow is delivering air defense missile systems to Tehran, after Russian President Putin lifted suspension on arms deals in wake of nuclear deal.

2 Palestinians shot dead near Ramallah after alleged attacks: Two Palestinians were shot dead near Ramallah on Friday after separate alleged attacks targeting Israeli military forces in the occupied West Bank, Israel's army and Palestinian officials said.

Donald Trump: I'm going to Israel: "I'm going to be meeting with (Prime Minister) Bibi Netanyahu." The GOP front-runner said he "love(s)" Israel and will support it whole-heartedly -- and attacked President Barack Obama for not doing enough to support the U.S. ally.

Trump's Israel comments irk Jewish donors: Republican questions Israel's commitment to peace and refuses to endorse Jerusalem as the nation's undivided capital.

At least 16 killed in renewed fighting in Somalia: Some 15 people were killed when fighting broke out on Thursday between security officers of the two rival regional states while a businessman was killed on Friday in the battle that also left a member of Galmudug State Parliament injured after gunmen opened fire on him.

Eight killed in Central African Republic days after pope's visit: Armed men in the Central African Republic killed eight civilians at a camp for displaced people and wounded one U.N. peacekeeper, just days after the pope visited the capital, the country's U.N. humanitarian coordinator said on Friday.

Libyan security forces kill IS commander in Tripoli: Libyan security forces on Friday killed an Islamic State (IS) commander in the capital city of Tripoli, according to a statement issued by Tripoli authority.

France flies surveillance missions over IS-held areas of Libya: French military aircraft have flown reconnaissance and intelligence missions over Libya, including areas controlled by Islamic State, and more are planned, a presidential document shows.

Report: ISIS in Libya training to fly planes: The terrorist group is using at least one flight simulator which may have been seized from the country’s airports.

ISIS Recruitment Thrives in Brutal Prisons Run By U.S.-Backed Egypt: “The brutality and the overwhelming loss of hope is creating a situation which fits [the Islamic State’s] narrative, and they’re using it to try and recruit people and spread their message.”

Hundreds of Tunisian Women Join Jihadists in Syria: Minister: Some 5,000 people from Tunisia, which is battling an Islamist insurgency at home, are thought to have joined the ranks of the Islamic State group (IS), and other groups, in Syria, Iraq and Libya.

Afghanistan: 8 killed, 2 injured in Wardak: At least eight civilians were killed and two others injured in a mortar shell fired in Sayed Abad district of Wardak province, said officials on Friday. According to the provincial officials the mortar hit the playground has left eight civilians killed and wounded two others.

Mullah Mansour dead, new Taliban caretaker chief appointed -- Pakistani Media: Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour has reportedly died and Taliban has appointed Moulavi Haibatullah Akhunzada as the new caretaker chief, Pakistani local Urdu TV "Channel 24" quoted its own sources from Afghanistan as saying on Friday night.

Civilian Deaths Raise Questions About C.I.A.-Trained Forces in Afghanistan: A series of home raids by C.I.A.-trained Afghan counterterrorism forces in the last month resulted in the deaths of at least six innocent civilians, according to Afghan government officials,

Killer Drone News Blackout Continues As Mainstream Media Ignore 4 Whistleblowers: The polls show it and commentators of all political stripes often cite the figures: Killer drone attacks by the U.S. military and the CIA in the Greater Middle East and Africa have strong U.S. public support.

Tension far from subsiding as Putin says Turkey to regret downing Russian jet: “But if anyone thinks that having committed this awful war crime, the murder of our people, that they are going to get away with some measures concerning their tomatoes or some limits on construction and other sectors, they are sorely mistaken,” he added.

Turkey dismisses Putin IS oil trade claims as 'Soviet propaganda': "In the Cold War period there was a Soviet propaganda machine. Every day it created different lies. Firstly they would believe them and then expect the world to believe them. These were remembered as Pravda lies and nonsense," Davutoglu said,

Turkey-Russia tension likely to escalate if not contained soon: Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning for citizens on Saturday, urging them to postpone their visits to Russia unless absolutely necessary.

France likely to close more than 100 mosques: Leading Imam Hassan El Alaoui says unlicensed mosques and those preaching hatred will be shut down under emergency rule.

News Agency Says ISIS Followers Carried Out California Attacks: The Aamaq news agency, which supports Islamic State, said on its website on Friday that followers of the Islamist militant group had carried out Wednesday’s attack on a social services agency in California, in which 14 people were killed.

FBI investigating California massacre as 'act of terrorism': The FBI is investigating this week's massacre in which a married couple killed 14 people in California as an "act of terrorism," an official said on Friday, saying the female shooter had pledged allegiance to a leader of the militant group Islamic State.

Woman in shooting pledged allegiance to IS: The woman who helped her husband kill 14 people at a holiday banquet for his county co-workers pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and its leader on Facebook using an alias, then deleted the messages before the attack, a U.S. law enforcement official said Friday

Report: San Bernardino Shooter Passed DHS Counterterrorism Vetting: CBS reports that one of the shooting suspects passed the Department of Homeland Security’s “counterterrorism screening as part of her vetting” for a visa.

After Paris and California attacks, U.S. Muslims feel intense backlash: American Muslims say they are living through an intensely painful moment and feel growing anti-Muslim sentiment after the recent Islamic State attacks in Paris and this week’s San Bernardino shootings, carried out by a Muslim husband and wife.

Gun Sales Set Another Monthly Record: Gun sales at all time high for 7th month in a row, set Black Friday record

Protest in San Francisco over black man killed by police: reports: Video of the shooting, apparently recorded on bystanders' cell phones and uploaded to social media, showed one of about a dozen officers move directly in front of Woods as he attempted to walk away. Woods was then dropped by a hail of gunfire.

Cruz: US more secure with Assad in power: "If you topple a stable ruler, throw a Middle Eastern country into chaos and hand it over to radical Islamic terrorists, that hurts America," Cruz said.