French military seeks ‘total reconquest of Mali’

"French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Sunday the end goal of France’s military action in Mali was to retake control of the whole country from Islamist militants who have seized the north. 'The goal is the total reconquest of Mali. We will not leave any pockets' of resistance, Le Drian said on France 5 television. Le Drian also said Malian forces had not yet been able to retake the town of Diabaly, seized nearly a week ago by Islamists and then heavily bombed by French planes." Continue reading

Continue ReadingFrench military seeks ‘total reconquest of Mali’

British man who ‘vanished’ after being stripped of citizenship says he was tortured, forced to sign a confession by the CIA

"Mahdi Hashi, who vanished last summer in Somalia, has described for the first time his 'horrific' ordeal at the hands of the secret police in the neighbouring state of Djibouti, who he claims worked closely with US interrogators. The 23-year-old, who lived in London, alleges that he was stripped and repeatedly slapped before being threatened with electrocution and sexual abuse by officers who were attached to Djibouti's intelligence service. Speaking from a top security prison in New York, where his family tracked him down just before Christmas, Mr Hashi claims he was so frightened by the threats of torture that he signed the confession demanded by his American interrogators." Continue reading

Continue ReadingBritish man who ‘vanished’ after being stripped of citizenship says he was tortured, forced to sign a confession by the CIA

Torture of prisoners persists in Afghanistan: UN

"The UN issued a follow-up to a report on torture a year ago, as Kabul seeks full control over prisons and prisoners from NATO’s International Security Assistance Force despite the misgivings of the US-led ISAF. Other forms of torture included hanging suspects by the wrists from chains for long periods and threatening them with sexual violence, the UN mission in Afghanistan said in its 139-page analysis released late Sunday. Many of those tortured to extract confessions were children under the age of 18, it said." Continue reading

Continue ReadingTorture of prisoners persists in Afghanistan: UN

Wyden asks Obama’s terrorism chief for rules governing assassination of U.S. citizens

"'Senior intelligence officials have said publicly that they have the authority to knowingly use lethal force against Americans in the course of counterterrorism operations, and have indicated that there are secret legal opinions issued by the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel that explain the basis for this authority,' Wyden wrote. 'I have asked repeatedly to see these opinions, and I have been provided with some relevant information on the topic, but I have yet to see the opinions themselves.'" Continue reading

Continue ReadingWyden asks Obama’s terrorism chief for rules governing assassination of U.S. citizens

Critics object to Obama nominating ‘Mr. Drone’ John Brennan to CIA head

"The nomination of President Barack Obama’s top counter-terrorism advisor John Brennan to head the CIA has sparked outrage and concern about America’s growing drones programme and its use for targeted killings of suspected Islamic militants. Brennan has been a key architect of drones policy under Obama and many experts believe that the use of the unmanned robot planes in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia is likely to increase if he becomes America’s top spy." Continue reading

Continue ReadingCritics object to Obama nominating ‘Mr. Drone’ John Brennan to CIA head

Saudis aiding U.S. drone attacks in Yemen: report

"Saudi Arabia has provided fighter jets to assist the United States with its drone strikes against Al-Qaeda targets in Yemen, the London Times reported on Friday. US drones are backing Yemeni forces combating militants of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The group’s Yemen branch is considered by Washington to be the most active and deadliest franchise of the global jihadist network. The Times cited a US intelligence source as saying that 'some of the so-called drone missions are actually Saudi Air Force missions'. US drone attacks in Yemen nearly tripled in 2012 compared to 2011." Continue reading

Continue ReadingSaudis aiding U.S. drone attacks in Yemen: report

Al Qaeda Disbands; Says Job of Destroying U.S. Economy Now in Congress’s Hands

"In an official statement published on the group’s website, the current leader of Al Qaeda said that Congress’s conduct during the so-called 'fiscal-cliff' showdown convinced the terrorists that they had been outdone. Mr. al-Zawhiri said that the idea of holding the entire nation hostage with a clock ticking down to the end of the year 'is completely insane and worthy of a Bond villain.' 'As terrorists, every now and then you have to step back and admire when someone else has beaten you at your own game,' he said. 'This is one of those times.'" Continue reading

Continue ReadingAl Qaeda Disbands; Says Job of Destroying U.S. Economy Now in Congress’s Hands

U.S. developed ‘tsunami bomb’ during World War II

"The tests were carried out in waters around New Caledonia and Auckland during the Second World War and showed that the weapon was feasible and a series of 10 large offshore blasts could potentially create a 33-foot tsunami capable of inundating a small city. The top secret operation, code-named 'Project Seal', tested the doomsday device as a possible rival to the nuclear bomb. About 3,700 bombs were exploded during the tests, first in New Caledonia and later at Whangaparaoa Peninsula, near Auckland. The plans came to light during research by a New Zealand author and film-maker, Ray Waru, who examined military files buried in the national archives." Continue reading

Continue ReadingU.S. developed ‘tsunami bomb’ during World War II

America’s Allies Feed Christians to the Dogs

"Andrei Arbashe, a young Syrian Christian, had just gotten married and his wife was about to give birth. He had his life ahead of him. But thanks to the US/Saudi/Qatari/Israeli-supported rebels that was not to be. Instead, as the Australian reports today, he was beheaded by Obama and Hillary's rebels, cut into pieces, and fed to the dogs. His 'crime' was nothing more than his being a Christian whose brother was overheard complaining of the brutality of the rebels. The rebels are also schooling the children in the arts of beheading bound prisoners whose crime is loyalty to the Syrian government." Continue reading

Continue ReadingAmerica’s Allies Feed Christians to the Dogs