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UN to investigate civilian deaths from U.S. drone strikes

"The United Nations is to set up a dedicated investigations unit in Geneva to examine the legality of drone attacks in cases where civilians are killed in so-called ‘targeted’ counter-terrorism operations. The announcement was made by Ben Emmerson QC, a UN special rapporteur, in a speech to Harvard law school in which he condemned secret rendition and waterboarding as crimes under international law. His forthright comments, directed at both US presidential candidates, will be seen as an explicit challenge to the prevailing US ideology of the global war on terror." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUN to investigate civilian deaths from U.S. drone strikes

Former cricket captain turned politician Imran Khan detained and ‘interrogated over drone views’ by U.S. immigration

"Imran Khan, the former Pakistan cricket captain turned politician, was taken off an international flight from Canada to New York and questioned by US immigration officials over his views on drone strikes and jihad. Khan, who has been at the forefront of a high-profile campaign as leader of the Pakistan Movement for Justice party (PTI) to end US drone strikes in northern Pakistan, had been in Canada to give a speech and was on his way to a fundraising dinner in the US on Friday." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer cricket captain turned politician Imran Khan detained and ‘interrogated over drone views’ by U.S. immigration

U.S. ‘coordinates weapon deliveries’ to Syria rebels: Russia

"'Washington is aware of the deliveries of various weapons to illegal armed groups active in Syria. Moreover, judging by the declarations of US officials published in US media, the US coordinates and provides logistical assistance in such deliveries,' the foreign ministry said in a statement. Russia’s top general Nikolai Makarov on Wednesday said rebels fighting against Bashar al-Assad’s army in Syria are using US-made Stingers, a type of shoulder-launched missile systems also known as MANPADs. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland promptly denied that the US is delivering any such, or any other, weapons to the rebels." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. ‘coordinates weapon deliveries’ to Syria rebels: Russia

60 Minutes: The new tax havens

"Companies searching out tax havens is nothing new. In the 80s and 90s, there was an exodus to Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, where there are no taxes at all. When President Obama threatened to clamp down on tax dodging, many companies decided to leave the Caribbean, but instead of coming back home, they went to safer havens like a small, quaint medieval town in Switzerland called Zug. Hans Marti, who heads Zug's economic development office, showed off the nearby snow-covered mountains. But Zug's main selling point isn't a view of the Alps: he told Lesley Stahl the taxes are somewhere between 15 and 16 percent." Continue reading →

Continue Reading60 Minutes: The new tax havens

Diabetic Cleburne Teen Hit With Taser After Crash

"The 19-year-old driver was in a hypoglycemic state. He’s diabetic. His blood sugar was dangerously low. 'Step out of the vehicle, sir. Provide me with your driver’s license and insurance,' the officer can be heard saying. 'Step out of the vehicle. Or I will tase you!' 23-seconds later he does, firing at the teenager once in the car and once on the ground. Emergency crews arrive. The officer finds out what was wrong. 'I didn’t know he was freakin’ diabetic!' the officer said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDiabetic Cleburne Teen Hit With Taser After Crash

Protesters banned from tax title auction; 1 man arrested for using video camera

"During a public auction of town-owned properties on Thursday, only registered bidders were allowed to attend, the media and other members of the public were banned, and a New Hampshire man was arrested. One of the four properties that was auctioned was seized for non-payment of taxes from Bondsville call firefighter Joseph 'Jay' Noone, who had approximately a half-dozen supporters at the duplex during the open house held before the auction. Noone, who was evicted from the property last year, owed approximately $35,000 in back taxes and legal fees. The auction netted $90,000 in revenues for the town." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingProtesters banned from tax title auction; 1 man arrested for using video camera

Police Arrest 60-Year-Old Woman Speaking At City Council Meeting

"A Riverside woman is facing misdemeanor charges following her arrest for speaking too long at a Riverside City Council meeting, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reported. The incident unfolded after Wright exceeded her allotted three minutes to speak at the lectern while commenting on a sludge hauling contract. Wright, 60, was initially handcuffed by two officers while she was on her knees. Wright can be heard yelling in pain as officers tried to bring her to her feet. 'Can you see my wrists? You’re pulling and jerking on my wrists!' she said. 'I cannot get up without putting my hands down!' Wright was later led out of the building." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice Arrest 60-Year-Old Woman Speaking At City Council Meeting

Honduras court bans private cities project

"The Honduran Supreme Court has ruled unconstitutional a project to build privately-run cities, with their own police and tax system. The 'model cities' project was backed by President Porfirio Lobo, who said it would attract foreign investment and create jobs. By 13 votes to one, Supreme Court judges decided that the proposal violated the principle of sovereignty. An American company was expected to invest US$15m in the initial phase of construction of the first city, on the Caribbean coast. The inspiration for his 'model cities' were Singapore, Macao and Hong Kong, President Lobo said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHonduras court bans private cities project

Amid Austerity, Greek Doctors Offer Help to Poor

"Until recently, Greece had a typical European health system, with employers and individuals contributing to a fund that with government assistance financed universal care. Things changed in July 2011, when Greece signed a supplemental loan agreement with international lenders to ward off financial collapse. Now Greeks must pay all costs out of pocket after their benefits expire. The changes are forcing increasing numbers of people to seek help outside the traditional health care system. Elena, for example, was referred to Dr. Syrigos by doctors in an underground movement that has sprung up here to care for the uninsured." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmid Austerity, Greek Doctors Offer Help to Poor

The most powerful person in the global economy

"The most powerful person will soon be the president of the European Central Bank, the Italian banker Mario Draghi. In the last few weeks, we have seen an extraordinary expansion of the European Central Bank’s powers. It can now set interest rates, control financial markets, and effectively dictate tax and spending policies across what remains — despite its current difficulties — the world’s largest single economic bloc. But history suggests that when you concentrate too much power in a single pair of hands, and even worse when the person who wields that power is not limited by any form of accountability, the results are catastrophic." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe most powerful person in the global economy