By RFE/RL | – Human Rights organizations warn that the Islamic State (IS) extremist group has targeted minority communities in Iraq in a “systematic strategy to remove them permanently” from large parts of the country. In a report launched on February 27, four nongovernmental organizations detailed summary executions, forced conversions, rape, and other abuses suffered […]
Archives for February 2015
Israeli Blockade could cause Gaza Reconstruction to Take Over a Century
By IMEMC News | – British rights organization, Oxfam, stated that the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip may take more than 100 years, at the current rate, to complete essential building of homes, schools and health facilities in Gaza unless the Israeli blockade is lifted. According to Al Ray’s report, less than 0.25 percent of […]
Leonard Nimoy’s Last Wishes for Israel and Palestine
Reprint edn. in honor of the passing of Mr. Nimoy, who inspired a generation. Leonard Nimoy, who played Mr. Spock on Star Trek, speaks out as a Jewish American in favor of a two-state solution and a divided Jerusalem. Nimoy said, ‘ “I reach out to you as someone who is troubled to see the […]
Maz Jobrani: I’m not a Terrorist but I’ve played one on TV (Interview)
AJ+ | – “Comedian Maz Jobrani talks with Dena Takruri of AJ+ about playing a terrorist, being part of the axis of evil, and Disney’s Jafar.” AJ+ : ” Playing A Terrorist Ain’t Easy For Maz Jobrani” — Buy the book: I’m Not a Terrorist, But I’ve Played One On TV: Memoirs of a Middle […]
Antarctic Ice Melt Red Flag – Scientist: It’s “going way faster than anyone had thought”
Associated Press | – “From the ground in this extreme northern part of Antarctica, spectacularly white and blinding ice seems to extend forever. What can’t be seen is the battle raging underfoot to re-shape Earth. Water is eating away at the Antarctic ice. ” AP: “The Big Melt: Antarctica’s Retreating Ice ”
5 Surprising Ways Iran is better than Israel
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) I think I’m one of the few Americans who has been to both Iran and Israel. I like both countries and have a lot in common with thinkers in both. I love What I know of Tel Aviv’s cafe culture and the searing honesty and high ethics of the […]
Gaza: How the Struggle for Natural Gas drives the Wars
By Michael Schwartz | (Tomdispatch.com) | – Guess what? Almost all the current wars, uprisings, and other conflicts in the Middle East are connected by a single thread, which is also a threat: these conflicts are part of an increasingly frenzied competition to find, extract, and market fossil fuels whose future consumption is guaranteed to […]
Massive win for Internet Liberty as FCC Mandates Equal Access for All
By Jeremy Gillula and Mitch Stoltz | ( Electronic Frontier Foundation) | – As expected, the FCC’s new rules forbid ISPs from charging Internet users for special treatment on their networks. It will also reach interconnection between ISPs and transit providers or edge services, allowing the FCC to ensure that ISPs don’t abuse their gatekeeper […]
Scott Walker compares unions to ISIS
Think Progress | – “Scott Walker speaks at CPAC 2015” Think Progress Video: “Scott Walker compares unions to ISIS”