Mainstream News

Extraordinary rendition report claims 54 countries ‘offered covert support’ of CIA torture operation

"The full extent of the CIA’s extraordinary rendition programme has been laid bare with the publication of a report showing there is evidence that more than a quarter of the world’s governments covertly offered support. A 213-page report compiled by the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), a New York-based human rights organisation, says that at least 54 countries co-operated with the global kidnap, detention and torture operation that was mounted after 9/11, many of them in Europe. So widespread and extensive was the participation of governments across the world that it is now clear the CIA could not have operated its programme without their support, according to the OSJI." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingExtraordinary rendition report claims 54 countries ‘offered covert support’ of CIA torture operation

Iraq says 3,000 inmates freed amid demonstrations

"A top Iraqi minister said on Sunday that the authorities had released 3,000 prisoners over the past month in a bid to appease weeks of angry demonstrations in Sunni-majority areas of the country. Deputy Prime Minister Hussein al-Shahristani’s announcement is the latest in a series of government steps to curb the protests against the alleged mistreatment of the Sunni minority at the hands of the Shiite-led authorities. According to Shahristani, around 30,000 people are in Iraqi prisons, including those convicted of a range of offences and those being held without charge." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIraq says 3,000 inmates freed amid demonstrations

India Warns Kashmiris to Prepare for Nuclear War

"Indian officials are advising residents of strife-tornKashmir to prepare for a possible nuclear war by building bombproof basements and stockpiling food and water, adding to tensions between India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, after deadly cross-border skirmishes in recent weeks. India, heavily Hindu, controls the bulk of the predominantly Muslim region of Kashmir, which has been at the heart of disputes between the two nations since they won independence from Britain in 1947. The land along the cease-fire Line of Control is one of the most heavily militarized areas in the world." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIndia Warns Kashmiris to Prepare for Nuclear War

Panetta: US needs to keep up drone war

"The assassination of Al-Qaeda figures in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia with unmanned, robotic aircraft has provoked widespread criticism from human rights groups and some US allies, but Panetta said the US campaign has been effective. Asked if the CIA 'targeted killings' should be curtailed in coming years, Panetta told AFP in an interview that there was still a need to continue the drone strikes more than a decade since the attacks of September 11, 2001. 'I think it depends on the nature of the threat that we’re confronting. We are in a war. We’re in a war on terrorism and we’ve been in that war since 9/11.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPanetta: US needs to keep up drone war

Scotland Yard stole dead children’s identities

"London’s Metropolitan Police stole the identities of some 80 dead children and issued false documents in their names for use by undercover officers, Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported on Sunday. The force authorised the practice over three decades for officers attempting to infiltrate protest groups, without informing the children’s parents, the broadsheet said. Its investigation described officers creating aliases based on the dead children’s details and being issued with documents such as passports and driving licences in their names. Some officers reportedly spent up to a decade pretending to be these people." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingScotland Yard stole dead children’s identities

Scotland Yard stole dead children’s identities

"London’s Metropolitan Police stole the identities of some 80 dead children and issued false documents in their names for use by undercover officers, Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported on Sunday. The force authorised the practice over three decades for officers attempting to infiltrate protest groups, without informing the children’s parents, the broadsheet said. Its investigation described officers creating aliases based on the dead children’s details and being issued with documents such as passports and driving licences in their names. Some officers reportedly spent up to a decade pretending to be these people." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingScotland Yard stole dead children’s identities

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs: Debt Excess Even Lives in Texas

"As the chief financial officer of the nation's second-largest state, even I have found it hard to get a handle on how much governments are spending, and how much debt they're taking on. Every level of government is piling up incredible bills. And they're coming due, whether we like it or not. Even in low-tax Texas, property taxes have risen three times faster than the inflation rate and four times faster than our population growth since 1992. Our local governments, meanwhile, more than doubled their debt load in the last decade, to more than $7,500 in debt for every man, woman and child in the state." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexas Comptroller Susan Combs: Debt Excess Even Lives in Texas

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs: Debt Excess Even Lives in Texas

"As the chief financial officer of the nation's second-largest state, even I have found it hard to get a handle on how much governments are spending, and how much debt they're taking on. Every level of government is piling up incredible bills. And they're coming due, whether we like it or not. Even in low-tax Texas, property taxes have risen three times faster than the inflation rate and four times faster than our population growth since 1992. Our local governments, meanwhile, more than doubled their debt load in the last decade, to more than $7,500 in debt for every man, woman and child in the state." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexas Comptroller Susan Combs: Debt Excess Even Lives in Texas

Commodities: High metal prices can put lives in danger

"High prices for scrap metal has resulted in more than cultural vandalism such as the theft of a £500,000 Barbara Hepworth statute from Dulwich Park – it is putting innocent people's lives in danger. Last month, 80 operations, including eight for people with cancer, were cancelled at Llandough Hospital in Wales after 100m of cabling was stolen from a generator. Eight people have been killed trying to steal copper from electricity substations in the last year alone. The fact that there is a significant cash element makes metal theft an easy option for criminals – and it robs the Treasury of significant revenues." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCommodities: High metal prices can put lives in danger

Obama vows to watch U.S. financial industry to prevent ‘irresponsible behavior’

"President Barack Obama promised Saturday to watch the US financial industry to prevent what he called 'irresponsible behavior' as he defended his nominations to key financial watchdog agencies. The CFPB, set up under Obama’s 2010 financial regulatory law, has the power to protect consumers from predatory banking practices and hidden conditions on loans. It can also crack down on debt and credit agencies. 'It’s not enough to change the law — we also need cops on the beat to enforce the law,' Obama said, showcasing both nominations and urging the Senate to give both candidates a speedy approval." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama vows to watch U.S. financial industry to prevent ‘irresponsible behavior’