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Syria raids Hamas offices months after group's leaders leave
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
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Page 6: Politix
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-Lurid Crime Tales-
Michigan highway shooter suspect arrested
It looks like insanity instead of Sudden Jihad Syndrome.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 11/08/2012 02:08 || Comments || Link || [336065 views] Top|| File under:


OH: Misdemeanor assault charge after polling place incident
A Summit County man has been charged with tossing a cup of coffee in another man’s face during an argument over political signs outside a voting location.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office says John Pegley, 58, of Coventry Township, was arrested Tuesday on a misdemeanor assault charge.

He allegedly shouted obscenities from his car over political signs held outside a polling place. The other man said he was beyond the limit where politicking is banned.

The sheriff’s office says Pegley continued to shout and threw coffee in the man’s face. The victim didn’t require treatment at the scene.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 11/08/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [336067 views] Top|| File under:

#1  From cleveland.com: The sheriff's office said the victim was putting up a Mitt Romney political sign near the Summit County polling spot at 725 Portage Lakes Drive in Coventry Township when Pegley pulled up in his car and shouted obscenities at him from inside his vehicle.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 11/08/2012 2:03 Comments || Top||


Africa Horn
Sudan's Bashir Leaves Saudi Hospital
[An Nahar] Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir
Head of the National Congress Party. He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi and eventually appointed himself president-for-life. He has fallen out with his Islamic mentor, Hasan al-Turabi, tried to impose shariah on the Christian and animist south, resulting in its secessesion, and attempted to Arabize Darfur by unleashing the barbaric Janjaweed on it. Sudan's potential prosperity has been pissed away in warfare that has left as many as 400,000 people dead and 2.5 million displaced. Omar has been indicted for genocide by the International Criminal Court but nothing is expected to come of it.
has been discharged from hospital in Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in their national face...
and is recovering, his press secretary said on Wednesday, after a second minor operation in less than four months.

"President Bashir left the hospital today at 8:00 am local time," and is now recovering in the Saudi kingdom before continuing with his schedule there, Emad Sayed Ahmed told Agence La Belle France Presse.

Although Bashir's visit is private, he is also to meet with senior Saudi officials, the official SUNA news agency reported.

Bashir, 68, underwent a "successful small surgery" after traveling to Saudi Arabia on Monday for a normal medical check connected to an infection in his vocal cords, SUNA said on Tuesday.

Bashir is "in good health and is carrying out all his presidential activities normally," SUNA said.

Ahmed in late October denied rumors that Bashir was sick and said he underwent minor surgery during the holy Moslem fasting month of Ramadan, which was observed from mid-July to mid-August.

The president, known for his fiery
...a single two-syllable word carrying connotations of both incoherence and viciousness. A fiery delivery implies an audience of rubes and yokels, preferably forming up into a mob...
public speeches, has been relatively quiet in recent weeks, making his fewer orations more restrained.
Posted by: Fred || 11/08/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [336064 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  relatively quiet in recent weeks, making his fewer orations more restrained

An Israeli attack on one of his missile factories left him glancing over his shoulder?
Posted by: Water Modem || 11/08/2012 17:26 Comments || Top||


Economy
Boeing Announces Big Layoffs in Defense Division
Boeing announced a major restructuring of its defense division on Wednesday that will cut 30 percent of management jobs from 2010 levels, close facilities in California and consolidate several business units to cut costs.

The company told employees about the changes on Wednesday, in a memo obtained by Reuters and confirmed by Boeing.

Boeing, the Pentagon's second-largest supplier, said the changes were the latest step in an affordability drive that has already reduced the company's costs by $2.2 billion since 2010, according to the memo.

The measures come as U.S. weapons makers are under pressure to cut costs and preserve profit margins amid dwindling defense spending in the U.S.

In a message to employees, Dennis Muilenburg, chief executive of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said the company aimed to cut costs by an additional $1.6 billion from 2013 through 2015.

"We are raising the bar higher because our market challenges and opportunities require it, and our customers' needs demand it," Muilenburg said.

He said the total savings would reach $4 billion, making the company healthier and better able to deal with a tougher marketplace.

He said Boeing would cut the number of executive jobs an additional 10 percent by the end of 2012, bringing overall cuts in its executive team to 30 percent for the past two years, a move that would result in a 10 percent cut in management costs.

Boeing said the changes were not a response to the threat of additional, across-the-board U.S. budget cuts due to take effect on Jan. 2, or the outcome of U.S. elections, but represented another step in its continuing drive to "be more competitive while investing in technologies and people."

Posted by: Au Auric || 11/08/2012 06:12 || Comments || Link || [336065 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Interesting timing; want to bet some threats were made advice was given in regard to their standing on future contract bids if they had announced this earlier?
Posted by: Glenmore || 11/08/2012 11:55 Comments || Top||

#2  Is this one of those layoffs where the employees were not given advance notice (in violation of federal law)?
Posted by: SteveS || 11/08/2012 12:03 Comments || Top||

#3  I expect this to be the first of many announcements as corporations hunker down to last thru the next four years.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 11/08/2012 12:11 Comments || Top||

#4  Technically yes, SteveS, but evidence is on the net that the Administration said they'd cover or waive the fines. One set of rules for me, another set of rules for thee.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 11/08/2012 12:34 Comments || Top||


Europe
Greek MPs Vote on Austerity as Protests Turn Violent
[An Nahar] A huge protest outside the Greek parliament turned violent Wednesday ahead of a late-night vote on a deeply unpopular new austerity bill, as demonstrators hurled petrol bombs and police fired tear gas to disperse them.

As a general strike called by the two main labor unions paralyzed the country for a second straight day, more than 70,000 people turned out to protest the new 18.5-billion-euro ($23.6-billion) belt-tightening package.

The measures are vital to unlock international aid and stave off imminent bankruptcy for the crisis-ravaged country.

The demonstration proceeded peacefully for nearly two hours as a heavy police cordon stood guard.

But when officers used tear gas to repel a group of nearly 300 people, protesters responded by throwing petrol bombs, according to a police source, who said 20 people had been cooled for a few years
Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages!
The violence erupted as 300 politicians held a fierce and lengthy pre-vote session that was interrupted when Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras announced that salary cuts would also affect parliamentary employees -- who responded by threatening to go on strike immediately.
Posted by: Fred || 11/08/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [336064 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Update
The Troika ( European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund)are on a promise to Geitner to do everything to keep the EURO stable until at least the election, so as not to damage Obamas re-election chances, in return for which the bailout funds will be extended to Europe. You can sleep soundly at night from now on just listening to the printing presses purring away in overdrive.
Greece lawmakers back austerity cuts amid protests
Lawmakers in Greece have narrowly backed a fresh round of austerity measures, despite violent protests across the country.

The austerity package aimed at securing the next round of bailout funds was passed with 153 MPs in favour - a majority of just three.

The 13.5bn-euro ($17.3bn; £10.5bn) bill includes tax rises and pension cuts.

Earlier, riot police fired tear gas towards protesters when they were attacked with petrol bombs in Athens.
Posted by: tipper || 11/08/2012 1:04 Comments || Top||

#2  Greece is bankrupt.
They cannot pay.
Write off the debt.
Do not lend them more.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 11/08/2012 11:17 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
New storm hits New York and New Jersey after Sandy
Ghia will not be mocked. To sooth her wraith the eternal virgins, Sarah Jessica Parker and Mikey Moore should step forward as human sacrifices.
Tens of thousands of residents in New York and New Jersey have again lost power as a winter storm hit areas still recovering from Sandy's devastating impact.

Some people were again forced to leave their homes and public transport was affected.

Winds gusted at up to 60mph (100km/h) bringing down trees and power lines.

New Jersey state governor Chris Christie said: "I am waiting for the locusts and pestilence next."
Posted by: tipper || 11/08/2012 03:33 || Comments || Link || [336073 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I am waiting for the locusts and pestilence next."

Dunno about locusts, but there's plenty of pestilence in the area.
Posted by: Glenmore || 11/08/2012 11:57 Comments || Top||

#2  How can there be more storms? We re-elected Obama.
Posted by: SteveS || 11/08/2012 15:52 Comments || Top||

#3  Obama didn't build those storms. Blame Boosh.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 11/08/2012 18:01 Comments || Top||


Science & Technology
Long-abandoned bacterial fermentation process converts sugar directly to diesel
A long-abandoned fermentation process once used to turn starch into explosives can be used to produce renewable diesel fuel to replace the fossil fuels now used in transportation, University of California, Berkeley, scientists have discovered.

Campus chemists and chemical engineers teamed up to produce diesel fuel from the products of a bacterial fermentation discovered nearly 100 years ago by the first president of Israel, chemist Chaim Weizmann. The retooled process produces a mix of products that contain more energy per gallon than ethanol that is used today in transportation fuels and could be commercialized within 5-10 years. While the fuel's cost is still higher than diesel or gasoline made from fossil fuels, the scientists said the process would drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, one of the major contributors to global climate change.
Posted by: Au Auric || 11/08/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [336063 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I like it, diesel out of my beer kit!
Wait...
Posted by: Skidmark || 11/08/2012 0:28 Comments || Top||

#2  Energy content vs. costs? Unintended consequences such as diversion of food to fuel? There is a twofer, you can get both fuel and cordite.
Posted by: JohnQC || 11/08/2012 8:57 Comments || Top||

#3  it will never work unless BIG OIL gets their cut
Posted by: 746 || 11/08/2012 11:47 Comments || Top||

#4  As a general rule I disfavor putting food into my gas tank because at the end of the day eating is more important than driving.
Posted by: Iblis || 11/08/2012 12:03 Comments || Top||

#5  the scientists said the process would drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation

Nice! Instead of oxidizing long chain hydrocarbons, a process that produces CO2, we can oxidize long chain hydrocarbons instead. Genius!
Posted by: SteveS || 11/08/2012 12:07 Comments || Top||

#6  If there's no conversion costs involved, no capital costs, 100% efficiency, 1 pound of sugar into one pound of diesel... it's about 2.69 per gallon.

That's with a lot of "make an ass out of u + me" assumptions.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 11/08/2012 12:09 Comments || Top||

#7  The wife worked for a company in South San Francisco that produced diesel and gas from E.Coli fermentation of sugars. She and 50% of her company got laid off 3 weeks ago. I say good riddance, there is no future in making automobile fuel out of food. She is currently interviewing in a much more sustainable market and I, for one, think it will be a good move for her. Cellulosic conversion will be the future of biofuels, not sugars.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 11/08/2012 12:43 Comments || Top||

#8  Finally, something to do with the leftover Halloween candy......
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 11/08/2012 12:44 Comments || Top||

#9  A long-abandoned fermentation process once used to turn starch into explosives
The origin of the deadly Irish Potato Bomb.
Posted by: Shipman || 11/08/2012 16:09 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Culture Wars
And so it begins: UN Announcement, Gun Control Meeting Set
Hours after U.S. President Barack Obama was re-elected, the United States backed a U.N. committee's call on Wednesday to renew debate over a draft international treaty to regulate the $70 billion global conventional arms trade.

U.N. delegates and gun control activists have complained that talks collapsed in July largely because Obama feared attacks from Republican rival Mitt Romney if his administration was seen as supporting the pact, a charge Washington denies.

The month-long talks at U.N. headquarters broke off after the United States - along with Russia and other major arms producers - said it had problems with the draft treaty and asked for more time.

But the U.N. General Assembly's disarmament committee moved quickly after Obama's win to approve a resolution calling for a new round of talks March 18-28. It passed with 157 votes in favor, none against and 18 abstentions.

U.N. diplomats said the vote had been expected before Tuesday's U.S. presidential election but was delayed due to Superstorm Sandy, which caused a three-day closure of the United Nations last week.
An official at the U.S. mission said Washington's objectives have not changed.

"We seek a treaty that contributes to international security by fighting illicit arms trafficking and proliferation, protects the sovereign right of states to conduct legitimate arms trade, and meets the concerns that we have been articulating throughout," the official said.

"We will not accept any treaty that infringes on the constitutional rights of our citizens to bear arms," he said.
U.S. officials have acknowledged privately that the treaty under discussion would have no effect on domestic gun sales and ownership because it would apply only to exports.

The main reason the arms trade talks are taking place at all is that the United States - the world's biggest arms trader accounting for more than 40 percent of global conventional arms transfers - reversed U.S. policy on the issue after Obama was first elected and decided in 2009 to support a treaty.

'MONTHS AWAY' FROM DEAL?

Countries that abstained included Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sudan, Belarus, Cuba and Iran. China, a major arms producer that has traditionally abstained, voted in favor.

Among the top six arms-exporting nations, Russia cast the only abstention. Britain, France and Germany joined China and the United States in support of the resolution.

The measure now goes to the 193-nation General Assembly for a formal vote. It is expected to pass.

The resolution said countries are "determined to build on the progress made to date towards the adoption of a strong, balanced and effective Arms Trade Treaty."

Jeff Abramson, director of Control Arms, a coalition of advocacy groups, urged states to agree on stringent provisions.

"In Syria, we have seen the death toll rise well over 30,000, with weapons and ammunition pouring in the country for months now," he said. "We need a treaty that will set tough rules to control the arms trade, that will save lives and truly make the world a better place."
Brian Wood of Amnesty International said: "After today's resounding vote, if the larger arms trading countries show real political will in the negotiations, we're only months away from securing a new global deal that has the potential to stop weapons reaching those who seriously abuse human rights."
Can we get a definition of this term "human rights?" Like the Human Rights being practiced in Syria?
The treaty would require states to make respecting human rights a criterion for allowing arms exports.

Britain's U.N. mission said on its Twitter feed it hoped that the March negotiations would yield the final text of a treaty. Such a pact would then need to be ratified by the individual signatories before it could enter into force.

The National Rifle Association, the powerful U.S. interest group, strongly opposes the arms treaty and had endorsed Romney.
The United States has denied it sought to delay negotiations for political reasons, saying it had genuine problems with the draft as written.
Posted by: Sherry || 11/08/2012 11:47 || Comments || Link || [336069 views] Top|| File under:

#1  From Instapundit, my question is answered.

UPDATE: Reader Daniel Wachs writes:
Remember, in the parlance of the UN, Human Rights means “anti-Israel”. Is this the start of Obama’s method to stop arms support to the Jewish State?
Posted by: Sherry || 11/08/2012 14:45 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
44[untagged]
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4Govt of Syria
4Arab Spring
2TTP
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1al-Qaeda in Arabia
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1Hezbollah
1Jamaat-e-Ulema Islami
1Lashkar-e-Islami
1PFLP-GC
1Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan
1Taliban
1Ansar Dine
1al-Shabaab
1Boko Haram

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Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
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Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
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Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
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Two weeks of WOT
Thu 2012-11-08
  Syria raids Hamas offices months after group's leaders leave
Wed 2012-11-07
  Bombings, Clashes Kill 131 in Syria as Gunmen Assassinate Parliament Speaker's Brother
Tue 2012-11-06
  Suicide bomber kills at least 27 by army base near Baghdad
Mon 2012-11-05
  Grenade attack on Kenya church kills 1, wounds 14
Sun 2012-11-04
  Two Suicide Bombers Attack Restaurant in Somali Capital
Sat 2012-11-03
  30 people shot dead in Nigeria, rights group says
Fri 2012-11-02
  US withdraws its support for Syrian National Council
Thu 2012-11-01
  Armed Islamists on Tunis streets after clashes
Wed 2012-10-31
  18 militants killed in Khyber, Orakzai
Tue 2012-10-30
  Israel Hit by 18 Rockets as Hamas Seeks Revenge
Mon 2012-10-29
  52 Dead in Syria Clashes, Air Raids after Eid Truce Collapses
Sun 2012-10-28
  Almost 150 Killed on First Day of Syria Truce
Sat 2012-10-27
  Indonesia foils plot to attack US missions
Fri 2012-10-26
  Afghanistan mosque suicide bomb attack kills at least 41
Thu 2012-10-25
  Israel says 79 rockets fired at it from Gaza

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