Who rules the world now?

Noam Chomsky full length interview:

Published on 14 May 2016 - Cathy Newman's full interview with Philosopher Noam Chomsky. From Trump and Clinton, to climate change, Brexit and TPP, America's foremost intellectuals presents his views on who rules the world today.

Isil threatens to destroy Kaaba, says report

 Wed, 02 Jul 2014  |  A member of the militant group Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has said that they planned to capture Saudi Arabia and destroy the Kaaba in Mecca, according to a report in Turkish media. The report quoted alleged Isis member Abu Turab Al Mugaddasi who apparently wrote on microblogging site Twitter: "If Allah wills, we will kill...

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A member of the militant group Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil) has said that they planned to capture Saudi Arabia and destroy the Kaaba in Mecca, according to a report in Turkish media.

The report quoted alleged Isis member Abu Turab Al Mugaddasi who apparently wrote on microblogging site Twitter: "If Allah wills, we will kill those who worship stones in Mecca and destroy the Kaaba. People go to Mecca to touch the stones, not for Allah."

The report said Isil, also known by the acronym Isis, plans to take control of the city of Arar in Saudi Arabia, which is very close to the Iraq border, and begins operations there.

The Huffington Post, however, reported that the Twitter account https://twitter.com/nm8smyh, which sent the original message, had been suspended.

"The authenticity of the account as belonging to an ISIS member has not been verified," it said in a brief note accompanying the report on Isil's alleged plans to destroy the Kaaba.

The Huffington Post said if the statement was indeed from an Isil member, it would be shocking as the group had been attempting to increase recruitment from Muslims worldwide by declaring the restoration of an Islamic Caliphate.

It quoted John L. Esposito, Professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University, who said: "In terms of legitimacy – unless you're someone who's ready to join a terrorist group at this point, for the vast majority of Muslims there is no legitimacy with this group."

The Huffington Post said the threat to destroy the Kaaba reinforced Esposito's point, particularly as it comes during the holy month of Ramadan.

The terrorists had also threatened to assassinate the Shia leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a report in the Deccan Chronicle said.

“At present, the Shiite religious leader in Iraq is a person named Ali Sistani who is a remnant of Safavid generation. We warn all Shiites that Sistani should leave Iraq, otherwise, we will kill him,” Isil was quoted as saying in a statement yesterday.

One of the security officials in Iraq’s Southern city of Najaf, where Ayatollah Sistani lives, told Adyan news that security measures have intensified outside the Shia leader’s home, and said, “People should be confident that the dirty hands of Wahhabists will never reach our Great religious leader.”

On June 24, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had caused consternation among many Malaysians when he reportedly urged Umno members to emulate the exploits of Isil which he said had defeated an Iraqi force outnumbering it.

“For example, when someone dares to fight to his death, he can even defeat a much bigger team,” he said, singling out the militant group, ISIL.

ISIL, a splinter group of al-Qaeda, has been classified as a terror organisation.

Malaysians are said to be linked to the group. One was believed to have been the suicide bomber who killed 25 Iraqi policemen last month while police here have arrested several local men, believed to be members of the group.

Two days after Najib's statement and following major backlash over his purported support for Isil, Putrajaya issued a statement saying that the prime minister had not indicated any support for the militant group and would not endorse any forms of violence and extremism.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said Najib's comments, which were made during his speech at Cheras Umno branch anniversary dinner, had been "taken out of all context".

“Isil was mentioned briefly and in passing, but it is important to note that the prime minister in no way indicated any support for Isil," a Putrajaya spokesperson was quoted as saying.

"Any allegation to the contrary is completely false," the statement had said.

Original July 2, 2014.>>

Here’s why some Brazilians want their country to lose the World Cup

ENLARGE

For love of country, hate of state. (Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images)

The heresy on the street is: ‘I’d love to see the Brazil team lose every game.’

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — When Brazil was awarded the 2014 soccer World Cup, it seemed a no-brainer that it would please the nation known as the most skilled and passionate in the world at “the beautiful game.”

Brazil’s love and mastery of the ball has won a record five World Cups, and it’s often described in religious terms, as “a mecca for football,” or simply the “pais do futebol” — "soccerland."

Past victories have been greeted with 

more news here >>>

CORPORATOCRACY!

Against Fascism: The Separation of Business and State.

The problem of the corporate/government revolving door is so blatant, so obvious, so out in the open that even its opponents readily admit to its existence. And yet it continues without significant opposition from the public.

When - will the USD collapse?

Published on Feb 14, 2014 | A look at petrol dollars, why it is in demand, how it has assist US economy and the rationale how it will collapse.

Racism start early in America?

Protests against Jimmy Kimmel: Protesters across U.S demand his suspension

Published on 9 Nov 2013 | In 27 cities across the United States mostly Chinese American crowds gathered to protest what they call an offensive skit on the late night comic's TV show, which airs on the Disney owned ABC Network.The segment featured a child suggesting a solution to US debt owed to China would be to quote-- "Kill everyone in China"

Possessive individualism or greed?

Housing rules drive up fake divorces:

 Published on 1 Nov 2013 | The divorce rate in China's capital has soared by a staggering 41 percent since last year. Does that mean a sudden rise in unhappy families, or is something else driving up the divorce rate? At least some people in the cities are faking their divorces over housing. Beijing residents Xiao Hui and Xiao Ming, who only spoke to us on the condition of anonymity, divorced each other to buy a second apartment.

Krokodil crosses over to U.S. from Russia

Published on 11 Oct 2013 | Krokodil, a cheap heroin knockoff drug known for causing scaly, rotting skin, is gaining popularity in the U.S.

Trapped & Terrified: Workers' misery 'turns World Cup in Qatar into shame'.

Published on Oct 17, 2013 | Trapped and terrified - migrants in Qatar have been speaking about the desperation they're enduring. There are more than 80 million in the country - many of whom are working flat-out to get the prestigious World Cup event ready. Tesa Arcilla was in Qatar and has more on how the World Cup focus is drawing the world's eyes to migrant suffering.

USA madness! Latin American Leaders Denounce US at UN.

Published on 27 Sep 2013 | Brazil's Rousseff outraged over NSA spying revelations, Bolivia's Morales calls for Obama government to be judged in tribunal.

See more videos: http://therealnews.com

Thousands of hidden shark fins filmed on rooftop in Hong Kong

Published on 4 Jan 2013 : Shark fin sellers in Hong Kong have been hiding their delicacy away from prying eyes on rooftops, sparking outrage from environmentalists.

Syria Video Appears To Show Rebels Killing Unarmed Man

DynCorp Gets $72.8 Million Contract Despite Negative Reviews and History of Child Trafficking.

By JG Vibes & Alex Thomas
theintelhub.com | November 8, 2012

DynCorp is one of the most lucrative and infamous military contractors in the world, perhaps only surpassed by Halliburton. They both have a documented history of gunrunning, drug dealing, and human trafficking.

In addition, the actual work that they do on the record is sub par and their rebuilding efforts have gotten terrible reviews, especially DynCorp.

Despite this history of nefarious behavior and poor work, Dyncorp was just awarded a brand new $72.8 million dollar contract by the US government. Not only that, but they have also been given an advance exoneration from any liability.

That’s right, our wonderful government has just given DynCorp almost $73 million to continue what many believe will be shabby work that may only be used as a front for more sinister operations.

According to AllGov.com:

“DynCorp of West Virginia, one of the largest military contractors in Afghanistan, was awarded a $72.8 million contract to train pilots for the Air Force about one week after the special inspector general for reconstruction called the company’s earlier work at the Kunduz army base “unsatisfactory.”

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) wrote a scathing report in 2010 and a followup this year which found “serious soil stability issues . . . structural failures, improper grading, and new sink holes” that threatened the well-being of troops stationed there.

One sink hole was found near an electrical power transformer, whose failure “would result in a loss of electrical power over a large portion of Camp Pamir, causing significant financial loss and increasing the risk of injury through fire and electrical shock,” the report said.”

more here from original >> 

'Nobel Committee making another mistake'

Tariq Ali on Democracy Now

Published on Oct 13, 2012 by PressTVGlobalNews : Although European nations support Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians, the Nobel committee has awarded its Peace Prize to the European Union, an analyst tells Press TV.

The EU has won the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize at a time that social unrest and financial problems are shaking the very pillars of the 27-nation bloc.

Announcing the award on Friday, the Nobel Committee President Thorbjoern Jagland acknowledged the EU's current financial woes and social unrest as many analysts also questioned the timing of the event coinciding with a wave of unrest in the bloc.

Seven Deadly American Sins

The list doesn't include our most grievous offenses, those of military and economic warfare against the rest of the world. Sinful enough is our behavior at home.

1. Sin against children

Perhaps "sanctity of life" ends at birth. According to Census Bureaufigures, one out of every five American children lives in poverty. For blacks and Hispanics, it's one out of every three.

2. Sin against the poor

The U.S. poverty rate grew from 11.3% to 15.0%, a 33% jump, in just 11 years. The impact was felt primarily by minorities and women. The median wealth for single black and Hispanic women is shockingly low, at just over $100 (compared to $41,500 for single white women).

3. Sin against students

Students at all levels have been losing their nation's support. States reduced their education budgets by $12.7 billion in 2012, and in 2013 the majority of states will be spending even less.

4. Sin against the middle class

The middle class is shrinking. In 2011, according to a Pew Research analysis, 51% of the nation's households earned from two-thirds to double the national median income. In the 1970s it was 61%.

5. Sin against the common good

A recent Tax Justice Network report placed total hidden offshore assets at somewhere between $21 trillion and $32 trillion. With about 40% of the world's Ultra High Net Worth Individuals in the U.S., up to $12.8 trillion of untaxed revenue sits overseas. Based on a historical 6% rate of return, this is a tax loss of up to $300 billion per year, money that should be paying for the public needs of education and infrastructure.

6. Sin against nature
A number of studies show that investment in renewable energy will create many more jobs than the fossil fuel industry. And the investment will likely pay off. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory analysis determined that "renewable electricity generation from technologies that are commercially available today...is more than adequate to supply 80% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2050."

7. Sin against common sense
The deception began, at least in the modern age, with Milton Friedman, who said "The free market system distributes the fruits of economic progress among all people...He moves fastest who moves alone."

full article source here   >>>

Chinese Restaurant Closed After Dead Deer Found Inside Kitchen; Customers Repulsed By Roadkill .

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Ahmad Faraz - convicted in Britain for publishing Muslim Brotherhood writings

As the Muslim Brotherhood's first ever President addresses (picture) the UN about Islamophobia CagePrisoners explores the parameters of freedom of expression in a case that saw the first books banned in the UK since Lady Chatterley, in this exclusive interview

In December 2011 bookseller and publisher Ahmad Faraz was found guilty for possessing and distributing books that purpotedly promoted terrorism and was sentenced to three years in prison. 

The books in question included works by Sheikh Abdullah Azzam, written at a time when Britain was openly supporting Afghan and foreign mujahideen against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, as well as the famous 1950s work of Syed Qutb, Milestones. This particular edition of Milestones was deemed to 'support terrorism' because it included appendices of thirteenth century exhortations to jihad which themselves were taken from the pre-Qutb syllabus of the Muslim Brotherhood.

At the time of Faraz's trial the Arab world had just been rocked by a series of revolutions that ousted western-backed dictators and brought supporters of the same Muslim Brotherhood into influence and power from Tunisia to Egypt, whose publictions had also once been regarded as 'terrorist' by their rulers.

“On Psywar against the Innocent”

When freedom of expression is used to incite the public to hatred of a national, religious, racial or ethnic group it becomes a crime. According to Article 20 of the U.N.’s “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights” :

1. Any propaganda for war shall be prohibited by law.

2. Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law.

                This doesn’t contradict rights of freedom of expression. It attempts to constrain agendas of hatred. It is possible that any program of military propaganda or psywar against groups or nations is fundamentally illegal. Attempts to defend extreme hate crimes as within our rights of free speech encourages censorship, which encourages repression.

A video of U.S. origin, “Innocence of Muslims,” the trailer to a film defaming and sexually deriding the Prohet Mohammed, has of course resulted in protest by Muslims worldwide. Why isn’t everyone protesting ? The trailer is intensively offensive to human values, lacks redeeming artistic merit, and is recognizably propaganda. In California a judge refused to ban “Innocence of Muslims” from youtube, on the grounds that suppression would violate U.S. guarantees of free speech.

In France Charlie Hebdo has published on its cover a cartoon caricature depicting Islam’s Prophet naked in a distorted sexual posture. The effect is despicable and intended. The original issue sold out and despite the anxiety of the country’s 4 million Muslims, Charlie Hebdo ran the cartoon again. While France is sensitive to religious laws (abortions don’t appear in French literature), it hasn’t charged the editors of Charlie Hebdo with a hate crime, and instead closed French embassies and schools in twenty countries. Domestically any protests against the Charlie Hebdo cartoon, or against the American video/film, are banned.  In Germany there are debates about whether the film should be allowed at cinemas or not.

original source  >>>

Private Prisons Spend $45 Million On Lobbying, Rake In $5.1 Billion For Immigrant Detention Alone

Nearly half of all immigrants detained by federal officials are held in facilities run by private prison companies, at an average cost for each detained immigrant is $166 a night. That’s added up to massive profits for Corrections Corporation of America, The GEO Group and other private prison companies:

A decade ago, more than 3,300 criminal immigrants were sent to private prisons under two 10-year contracts the Federal Bureau of Prisons signed with CCA worth $760 million. Now, the agency is paying the private companies $5.1 billion to hold more than 23,000 criminal immigrants through 13 contracts of varying lengths.

CCA was on the verge of bankruptcy in 2000 due to lawsuits, management problems and dwindling contracts. Last year, the company reaped $162 million in net income. Federal contracts made up 43 percent of its total revenues, in part thanks to rising immigrant detention. GEO, which cites the immigration agency as its largest client, saw its net income jump from $16.9 million to $78.6 million since 2000.

As the AP explains, these remarkable profits come in the wake of an equally remarkable lobbying campaign. In the past decade, three major private prison companies spent $45 million on campaign donations and lobbyists to push legislation at the state and federal level. At times, this money has gone to truly nefarious legislation. A 2011 report found that the private prison industry spent millions seeking to increase sentences and incarcerate more people in order to increase the industry’s profits. 30 of the 36 legislators who co-sponsored Arizona’s now mostly invalidated immigration law — which would have landed many more people in detention — received campaign contributions from private prison lobbyists or companies, including CCA and GEO. According to a report released last year, CCA spent over $900,000 on federal lobbying and GEO spent between $120,000 to $199,992 in Florida alone during a short three-month span in 2011. $450,000 went to the Republican national and congressional committees, while Democrats received less than half that number. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) were also among the private prison lobby’s top benefactors.

Private prisons have also been found guilty of abuses ranging from understaffing facilities tobribing judges to sentencing juveniles with minor offenses to disproportionately long terms in privately-owned correctional facilities. A recent report found a Georgia prison run by CCA charges detainees $5 a minute for phone calls while paying them just a dollar a day for menial labor that keeps the facility running; immigrants in civil detention centers have been exploited by the same program.

view from source  |   By Aviva Shen on Aug 3, 2012

Intoxication Nation: Blackout Parties and Beyond

Published on Sep 21, 2012 by ABCNews : Part 1: "Blacking out" after drinking alcohol is a goal for some young people.


Part 2: After too much imbibing, even a simple walk can turn embarrassing or dangerous.