Jihadists Suspected in Shocking Daylight Attack Outside London

A British soldier is dead, and two suspected terrorists were shot in a shocking daylight attack outside London Wednesday. by Steven Emerson 22 May 2013, 1:48 PM PDT

Mexico Cartel Dominates, Torches Western State

Michoacan is burning. A drug cartel that takes its name from an ancient monastic order has set fire to lumber yards, packing plants and passenger buses in a medieval-like reign of terror. from AP 22 May 2013, 1:22 PM PDT

British Soldier Hacked to Death in Street in London Terrorist Attack

A young British soldier is dead after reportedly being "hacked and chopped" to death by two black men Wednesday afternoon on a London street. Sky News reports the incident is being treated by government officials as a terrorist attack. by A.J. Delgado 22 May 2013, 11:25 AM PDT

Polish Man Gets Quick Face Transplant After Injury

A 33-year-old Polish man received a face transplant just three weeks after being disfigured in a workplace accident, in what his doctors said Wednesday is the fastest time frame to date for such an operation. It was Poland's first face transplant. from AP 22 May 2013, 11:09 AM PDT

Military Sources: Obama Admin Not Pursuing Benghazi Suspects

Fox News is quoting U.S. military sources who claim "the Obama administration knows who is responsible [for Benghazi] but is not acting." by AWR Hawkins 22 May 2013, 10:09 AM PDT

Hard-Right Historian Commits Suicide in Notre Dame

Dominique Venner, a French award-winning historian whose social views were strongly traditional, killed himself inside the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris beside the main altar, using a shotgun to shoot himself through his mouth. 1,500 people were inside the cathedral at the time. by William Bigelow 22 May 2013, 3:11 AM PDT

Canada Warns of Possible Iraq 'Civil War'

A spate of deadly violence risks plunging Iraq into a sectarian civil war, Canada's top diplomat warned, adding that a Canadian was among the latest victims. from AFP 22 May 2013, 3:10 AM PDT

Four Dead as Clashes Rage in Lebanon's Tripoli

At least four people have been killed in clashes in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, a security source told AFP, as fighting raged into a fourth day on Wednesday. from AFP 22 May 2013, 3:08 AM PDT

Top Syrian Official Due in Moscow for Talks

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Muqdad is due in Moscow Wednesday to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on a planned peace conference on ending the conflict in Syria, the RIA Novosti state news agency said. from AFP 22 May 2013, 3:07 AM PDT

Diplomats: Iran Expands Nuclear Technology

Diplomats say Iran is moving ahead to update a program the West fears could be used to make nuclear weapons, in a blow to years of high-level diplomacy aimed at stopping it from doing so. from AP 22 May 2013, 3:05 AM PDT

Syria Opposition Urges Rebels to Join Qusayr Battle

Syria's opposition urged fighters across the country Wednesday to "rush to the rescue" of rebel stronghold Qusayr, while appealing to the international community to set up a humanitarian corridor to the embattled town. from AFP 22 May 2013, 3:05 AM PDT

Seven Egyptian Security Men Kidnapped in Sinai Freed

Six Egyptian policemen and a border guard kidnapped by suspected militants in the volatile Sinai Peninsula last week were freed by their captors Wednesday after successful mediation, the country's military spokesman said. from AP 22 May 2013, 3:01 AM PDT

Iran's Ahmadinejad to Challenge Ally's Ban from Election

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday he would ask Iran's supreme leader to reverse a ban preventing his aide from running in next month's presidential poll, a test of stability after the violent trauma of the 2009 vote. from REUTERS 22 May 2013, 3:00 AM PDT

World View: Syria, Allies Threaten War with Israel in the Golan Heights

Syria and Israel exchanged both weapons fire and threats of war on Tuesday over the border between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights. An Israeli jeep in an overnight patrol in the Golan Heights near the border with Syria came under fire from Syrian forces across the border, and the Israelis returned fire. by John J. Xenakis 22 May 2013, 2:47 AM PDT

State Dept Employees 'Accountable' For Benghazi Failures Receiving Pay Five Months Later

State Department Deputy Spokesman Patrick Ventrell announced on Monday that employees identified by the Accountability Review Board as responsible for the security failures that lead to the Benghazi attacks are receiving pay after five months on administrative leave. They are not, however, doing any work for the State Department. by Meredith Dake 22 May 2013, 2:11 AM PDT

Army Has Paid Ft. Hood Suspect over $278,000 Since Shooting

Because the Army classified the shooting as "workplace violence" rather than a "terrorist attack," Fort Hood victims are unable to collect the benefits and financial help commensurate with combat injuries. by AWR Hawkins 21 May 2013

Tunisian Man Died of SARS-Like Virus After Mecca Pilgrimage

(UPI) -- A Tunisian man died after a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and two adults children tested positive for SARS-like virus, health officials say. from UPI 21 May 2013

Obama to Visit Africa for First Time Since 2009

President Obama will visit Africa in June for the second time in his presidency. He visited Egypt and Ghana in 2009, but has not returned since. The trip, scheduled for June 26 to July 3, will take Obama to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. by AWR Hawkins 21 May 2013

Islam Rising, Christianity Declining in United Kingdom

Britain’s ancient connection to Christianity is fading fast as Muslims have emigrated to Britain in droves. The 2011 census reveals that Christianity is plummeting 50% faster than had been thought previously. Within ten years only a minority in Britain will call themselves Christians. by William Bigelow 21 May 2013

Obama to Take First Major Africa Trip in Late June

President Barack Obama will leave on a first African tour next month, visiting Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa, but his itinerary bypasses Kenya, an ancestral homeland. from AFP 21 May 2013

MPs Set to Back Gay Marriage as Rebels Lose Vote

The legalisation of gay marriage is poised for approval by MPs on Tuesday after David Cameron headed off another Conservative rebellion. from AFP 21 May 2013

Israel Fires Back at Syria After Gunshots at Its Troops

Israeli troops shot at a target across the Syrian frontier on Tuesday in response to gunfire that struck its forces in the Golan Heights, the Israeli military said. from REUTERS 21 May 2013

Bangladeshi, South Korean Climbers Die on Everest

A climber from Bangladesh and another from South Korea have died on Mount Everest as hundreds flock to the world's highest peak during good weather, Nepalese tourism officials said Tuesday. from AFP 21 May 2013

Iran to List Approved Presidential Candidates

Iran's June 14 presidential election steps up a gear on Tuesday when the Guardians Council releases the approved list of candidates who have passed muster under the vetting process. from AFP 21 May 2013

Afghan Leader to Push for Indian Military Aid

Afghan President Hamid Karzai will try to secure more military aid in talks with Indian leaders on Tuesday as he looks to beef up his security forces after international troops pull out next year. from AFP 21 May 2013

World View: Wave of Terrorist Violence in Iraq Kills Hundreds

A dozen car bombings across Iraq on Monday killed at least 95 people, and this followed the killing of 200 people last week from bombings. Terrorist violence has been on the increase in Iraq since December 2011, when the last American forces pulled out of Iraq. by John J. Xenakis 21 May 2013

Boise Man Arrested on Terrorism and WMD Charges

A 30-year-old Uzbekistan national living in Boise, Idaho, was arrested on the morning of May 16th as part of a wide scale federal terrorism investigation. by Abha Shankar 20 May 2013

South Korea Deploys Israeli-Made Missiles to Protect Border Islands

South Korea has deployed Israeli-made Spike missiles to protect border islands in the West Sea. by AWR Hawkins 20 May 2013

Hezbollah Helping Assad's Forces in 'Most Intense' Battle of Syrian Conflict

On May 19, the Syrian military, working with Hezbollah fighters, began taking the city of Qusayr back from opposition forces. by AWR Hawkins 20 May 2013

Obama Admin Decries Sale of Russian Anti-Ship Missiles to Syria

On May 17, the Obama administration decried Russia's sale of advanced anti-ship missiles to Syria. According to the LA Times, the acquisition of these "Yakhont cruise missiles with advanced radar" will make it more difficult for the U.S. and its allies to use naval ships to conduct support operations like launching jets to impose a no-fly zone should the U.S. decide to intervene in Syria. by AWR Hawkins 20 May 2013

Uh-Oh: Hillary's Benghazi Scapegoat Speaks Out

The Daily Beast reports that one of the Benghazi fall guys is refusing to take the fall. Raymond Maxwell was put on indefinite leave by the State Department after its Administrative Review Board (ARB) investigation of Benghazi for reasons that are still unknown to him. The person he claims made the decision to cast him out was Cheryl Mills--Hillary Clinton's former chief of staff and counsel at the State Department. It is the second time Mills' name has turned up during scrutiny of the State Department's response to the attack. by John Sexton 20 May 2013

Former Counterterrorism Head: FBI Never Called Ft. Hood 'Workplace Violence'

Michael Steinbach, former head of the FBI’s counterterrorism division and now special agent in charge of Miami, told over 30 congressional staffers in March of 2012 that, contrary to the White House's classification, the bureau does not refer to the Fort Hood shooting as "workplace violence." As head of the FBI counterterrorism division, Steinbach oversaw the investigation into the mass murder at Texas Army base. by Kerry Picket 20 May 2013

Suicide Bomber Kills 14 at Afghan Province Council

A suicide bomber struck outside a provincial council headquarters in northern Afghanistan on Monday, killing the council chief and at least 13 others, authorities said. The Taliban insurgency quickly claimed responsibility. from AP 20 May 2013

Second Taiwanese Fighter Crash Within a Week

A Taiwanese fighter jet ploughed into the sea off the island's north coast on Monday, the air force's second crash in less than a week, military officials said. from AFP 20 May 2013

Gay Marriage Vote Poses Problems for Cameron

Prime Minister David Cameron faces further dissent from within the ranks of his Conservative Party as a bill to legalise gay marriage returns to Parliament Monday. from AFP 20 May 2013

Tunisia Arrests 200 in Salafist Crackdown

Tunisian police arrested some 200 members of the hardline Islamist Ansar al-Sharia in weekend clashes that erupted after a ban on their congress, Prime Minister Ali Larayedh said in remarks published on Monday. from AFP 20 May 2013

Car Bombs in Baghdad, South Iraq Kill at Least 40

A wave of car bombings across Baghdad's Shiite neighborhoods and in the southern city of Basra killed at least 40 people on Monday, striking at market places and crowded bus stops during the busy morning hours, officials said. from AP 20 May 2013

Legendary City of Central America Found?

The famed Honduran city called Ciudad Blanca (or The White City in English), which inspired explorers as famous as Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés to search for it, may have been found at last. by William Bigelow 20 May 2013

Syria Ready to Strike Israel

Reports indicate that Syria has "surface-to-surface Tishreen missiles" zeroed in on Tel Aviv and "is ready to use them should Israel conduct a strike on Damascus." by AWR Hawkins 20 May 2013

World View: Israel's Army to Begin Using Live Fire on West Bank Palestinians

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are changing policies and are increasingly willing to use live fire "if necessary" on West Bank Palestinian protesters that threaten Jewish settlements. According to the IDF, there has been an escalation in Arab attacks on Israeli civilians. by John J. Xenakis 20 May 2013

Report: Al Qaeda Affliate Takes Over Syrian Oil Fields

Al Qaeda and its affiliates in Syria are reportedly funding their activities by selling oil from fields they took from Bashar al-Assad. According to the the Telegraph, up to 380,000 barrels of crude "that were previously produced around the city of Raqqa and in the desert region to the east are now in Rebel hands." As a result, the al-Nursa Front, "a violently anti-Western jihadist group," is selling the crude for profits to fund their operations. ' by AWR Hawkins 19 May 2013

North Korea Fires Three Short-Range Missiles into Sea of Japan in 'Protest'

North Korea fired three short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan on Sunday that fell into the ocean east of the Korean Peninsula, news agencies and the Wall Street Journal report. South Korean defense experts cited by the Journal indicated the missiles were not the mid-range projectiles that the North Korean regime had appeared ready to launch during tensions earlier this year. The U.S. and South Korea warned North Korea but took no further action. The missiles may have been a protest against joint U.S.-South Korean naval exercises. by Joel B. Pollak 19 May 2013

Saudi Tries to Avoid Afghan-Style Blowback from Syria

Chastened by the experience of Afghanistan, where hundreds of Saudis fought before returning to sow terror at home, the kingdom is battling to avoid similar blowback from the conflict in Syria, analysts say. from AFP 19 May 2013

Syria Military Pounds Rebel Town Killing 13

The Syrian military pounded the rebel-held central town of Qusayr, killing 13 people, in an apparent preparation for a ground assault, a watchdog said. from AFP 19 May 2013

N. Korea Test-Fires Another Short-Range Missile

North Korea on Sunday test-fired a short-range missile off its east coast, its fourth in two days, a Seoul official said. from AFP 19 May 2013

Russia Retrieves Mice, Newts from Space

A Russian capsule filled with 45 mice and 15 newts along with other small animals returned from a month's mission in orbit on Sunday with data scientists hope will pave the way for a manned flight to Mars. from AFP 19 May 2013

Greece Enters Sixth Year of Recession

Data released last week showed Greece entered its sixth straight year of recession, but there is now cautious optimism about the economy's prospects although unemployment is still hitting record highs and consumers are squeezed by pay cuts and tax hikes. from AFP 19 May 2013

Iran's Guard Warns Against Post-Election Turmoil

Several Iranian newspapers are citing a senior Revolutionary Guard commander as warning his forces will be on watch for possible unrest after the June 14 presidential election. from AP 19 May 2013

Kuwait Deports 'Hundreds' for Traffic Offences

Kuwait has deported hundreds of expats for traffic offences in the past month, a report said on Sunday, drawing condemnation from a human rights group. from AFP 19 May 2013

Syrian Activists: Shelling Near Lebanon Kills 16

Syrian activists say government airstrikes and heavy shelling of a strategic town near the Lebanese border have killed at least 16 people, including rebel fighters. from AP 19 May 2013

8,000 Households in France Paid More than 100% in Taxes

The new rule from the socialist government of France is: we’re not going to take most of the money you earn, we’re going to take all of it and your savings, too. The business newspaper Les Echos said more than 8,000 households in France paid more than 100% of their income last year to the government in taxes. by William Bigelow 19 May 2013

World View: North Korea Launches Three Short-Range Missiles

North Korea on Saturday launched three short range guided missiles into the sea off the Korean Peninsula's east coast. The missiles did not threaten any South Korean, Japanese, or American assets. by John J. Xenakis 19 May 2013

World View: Russian Warships Enter Mediterranean for First Time in Decades

The Mediterranean task force should be comprised of 10 warships and support vessels as part of several tactical groups tasked with attack, antisubmarine warfare, and minesweeping. by John J. Xenakis 18 May 2013

U.S. Urges Nigeria Show 'Restraint' in Striking Back Against Islamic Militants

On May 18, Nigerian war planes "struck militant camps in the northeast" in an attempt to stem the growing tide of Islamic terrorists in the area. The U.S. quickly warned that Nigeria needs to be sure "to respect human rights and not harm civilians." by AWR Hawkins 18 May 2013

Surprise: Ron Paul Blames American Interventionism for Benghazi Deaths

On Monday, former Rep. Ron Paul claimed Benghazi is the result of American "interventionism" and asserted that therefore neither Republicans nor Democrats are getting it right when they seek to explain the causes of the attacks. by AWR Hawkins 18 May 2013

Mexico Violence Claims Hundreds of US Lives

Excluding terror attacks and US soldiers killed in action, Mexico has seen more homicides of Americans than any other part of the world in the past decade, according to an AFP analysis of US State Department figures. from AFP 18 May 2013

Ministry: New Case of SARS-Like Virus in Saudi Arabia

A new case of the deadly coronavirus has been detected in Saudi Arabia where 15 people have already died after contracting it, the health ministry announced on Saturday on its Internet website. from AFP 18 May 2013

Iraq Violence Kills Eight

Violence in Iraq killed eight people, including a police officer, his wife and two children, on Saturday, while gunmen kidnapped 10 security force personnel, officials said. from AFP 18 May 2013

SKorea Says NKorea Fires 3 Short-Range Missiles

North Korea fired three short-range guided missiles into its eastern waters on Saturday, a South Korean official said. It routinely tests such missiles, but the latest launches came during a period of tentative diplomacy aimed at easing tensions. from AP 18 May 2013

China Police Arrest Man After Plane Bomb Threats

Chinese police have arrested a man who allegedly made bomb threats which caused delays or diversions to Shanghai, news reports said Saturday. from AFP 18 May 2013

Hard-Line Afghan MPs Block Law Protecting Women

Conservative religious lawmakers in Afghanistan blocked a law on Saturday that aims to protect women's freedoms, with some arguing that parts of it violate Islamic principles or encourage women to have sex outside of marriage. from AP 18 May 2013

China 'Will Not Accept' Carbon Tax on EU Flights: Report

China will not pay for CO2 emissions by its airlines on flights within Europe, a top civil aviation official reportedly said after the European Commission warned eight Chinese firms face fines for nonpayment. from AFP 17 May 2013

French President Signs Gay Marriage into Law

France became the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage Saturday after President Francois Hollande signed it into law following months of bitter political debate. from AFP 17 May 2013

Yahoo Japan Suspects 22 Million IDs Stolen

Yahoo Japan Corp. has said it suspects up to 22 million user IDs may have been stolen during an unauthorised attempt to access the administrative system of its Yahoo! Japan portal. from AFP 17 May 2013

White House Silent On Meeting Where Benghazi Talking Points 'Drastically Pared Down'

"Even today, nobody will say on the record, or even off the record to CBS News, who was at the Deputies meeting on the morning of Sept. 15, where the talking points were drastically pared down for Rice's use." by John Nolte 17 May 2013

White House Officials Blame State for Not Deploying Rapid-Response Terror Unit to Benghazi

"The [White House] official said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's deputy, Patrick Kennedy, quickly dispensed with the idea. A senior State Department official Thursday told CBS News, "Under Secretary Kennedy is not in the decision chain on FEST deployment" but would not directly confirm whether Kennedy or somebody else dismissed the FEST." by John Nolte 17 May 2013

When Terrorists and Their Supporters Laugh at America

Ahlam Tamimi, “one of the world’s most renown(ed) female terrorists,” is now touring Arab media, taking advantage of her “expertise” in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing in April. Tamimi regularly speaks to provide “insight on how Muslims—both male and female—can become killing machines.” by Adam Turner 17 May 2013

IRS Target List Included Groups Critical of Obama on Benghazi

While the IRS was targeting the Tea Party and other domestically-focused conservatives, they were allegedly targeting foreign policy groups like Secure America Now (SAN) as well. According to The Wall Street Journal, whereas most groups that apply for a 501(c)(4) tax exempt status get it quickly--usually within a year--SAN's application has been held up twice. And the application approval for some groups has been held up for three years. by AWR Hawkins 17 May 2013

Russian, American Spies Square Off

The embarrassing arrest of a suspected CIA officer in Moscow is the latest reminder that, even after the Cold War, the U.S. and Russia are engaged in an espionage battle with secret tactics, spying devices and training that sometimes isn't enough to avoid being caught. from AP 17 May 2013

Honduras Open to Diplomatic Ties with China

Honduras is "open" to diplomatic relations with China, despite decades of ties to Beijing's bitter rival Taiwan, Foreign Minister Mireya Aguero said. from AFP 17 May 2013

Hong Kong Light Railway Accident Injures 50: Police

Up to 50 people were injured when multiple cars derailed on Hong Kong's light railway in the north of the city, throwing passengers onto the floor. from AFP 17 May 2013

Israel Rabbi Speaks Out on Being Gay and Orthodox

In openly displaying his homosexuality while serving as an Orthodox rabbi, Ron Yosef has broken a major taboo in the closed religious world that he inhabits. from AFP 17 May 2013

UN Chief Urges Russia to Drop Support for Syria's Assad

UN chief Ban Ki-moon was to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday as global pressure grows on Moscow to end arms supplies to the Syrian regime and drop its support for President Bashar al-Assad. from AFP 17 May 2013

World View: Nigeria's President Launches Major War Against Boko Haram Terrorists

Nigeria's president Goodluck Jonathan has declared a state of emergency in the northeast regions of Nigeria, and has ordered full-scale deployment of the army and air force to fight Boko Haram terrorists in the region. Prior to 2009, Boko Haram was a little known Muslim sect of ethnic Hausa people, but since that time, they've established a linking with al-Qaeda. by John J. Xenakis 17 May 2013