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Showing posts from August, 2014

The powers behind the Islamic State

An interview with the investigative journalist Nafeez Ahmed at the RealNews network Key parts "... the origins of the group [ISIS] come from militant groups affiliated to al-Qaeda that are operating in Iraq and Syria. And that's where it gets murky, because, as we know, these groups were kind of engaged in all kinds of militant activity fighting the Assad regime. They were also active in responding to U.S. occupation after the 2003 invasion. So there's a mix of different actors involved. So in Iraq we had elements of even the Ba'ath party and ex-Saddam supporters who were actually--according to many reports, they were being recruited by these al-Qaeda militants." "And what makes it more murky is how these groups really became as kind of virulent and kind of influential as they have, which is really the kind of--you know, you follow the money. And you follow the money, we're looking at the involvement of the Gulf states, which have real

More than three million refugees in Syria

An unimaginable humanitarian disaster “ The UN refugee agency reports that Syria's intensifying refugee crisis will today pass a record 3 million people , amid reports of horrifying conditions inside the country. These include cities where populations are surrounded, people are going hungry and civilians are being indiscriminantly killed.” "Almost half of all Syrians have now been forced to abandon their homes and flee for their lives. One in every eight Syrians has fled across the border, fully a million more than a year ago. A further 6.5 million are displaced within Syria. Over half of those uprooted are children, " “ UNHCR and other aid agencies say increasing numbers of families are arriving in a shocking state, exhausted, scared and with their savings depleted. Most have been on the run for a year or more, fleeing from village to village before taking the final decision to leave.” "There are worrying signs too that the journ

Πάνω από τρία εκατομμύρια οι πρόσφυγες στη Συρία

Ασύλληπτο το μέγεθος της ανθρωπιστικής καταστροφής “ Το ρεκόρ των τριών εκατομμυρίων ξεπερνούν σήμερα οι Σύροι πρόσφυγες, εν μέσω αναφορών για ολοένα αυξανόμενες τρομακτικές συνθήκες στο εσωτερικό της χώρας - πόλεις, όπου οι άνθρωποι μαστίζονται από την πείνα και οι πολίτες στοχοποιούνται ή γίνονται θύματα της γενικευμένης βίας.” “ Σχεδόν οι μισοί από όλους τους Σύρους έχουν ήδη αναγκαστεί να εγκαταλείψουν τα σπίτια τους για να διασωθούν. Ένας στους οκτώ Σύρους έχει καταφύγει εκτός συνόρων, δηλαδή ένα εκατομμύριο περισσότεροι άνθρωποι από ό, τι πριν από ένα χρόνο. Επιπλέον, 6,5 εκατομμύρια άνθρωποι έχουν εκτοπιστεί στο εσωτερικό της Συρίας. Πάνω από το ήμισυ των ξεριζωμένων είναι παιδιά. ” “ Οι πρόσφυγες που διασχίζουν την έρημο προς την ανατολική Ιορδανία αναγκάζονται να πληρώνουν τεράστια ποσά τους διακινητές, τα οποία κυμαίνονται από 100 δολάρια ανά άτομο ή περισσότερα, προκειμένου να τους μεταφέρουν στην ασφάλεια.” “ Η Συριακή κρίση έχει καταστ

Gaza Situation - Report 51

24 hour reports by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Due to the dramatic escalation in violence over the past few days and the massive assault on Gaza, UNRWA has declared an emergency in all five areas of the Gaza Strip. It is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to mount an emergency response should that become necessary. The priority for the Agency has now shifted to emergency operations, providing assistance to those who have been displaced and sought shelter in UNRWA schools, while attempting to continue regular operations. Urgent funding needs persist and are increasing Key parts: “ The number of IDPs staying in UNRWA shelters is 52,235. 60 shelters remain open. Over the next couple of days UNRWA is expecting the IDP numbers to stabilize. It is still premature to draw conclusions regarding the number of IDPs who would opt to remain in UNRWA shelters for a longer period of time as their homes are uninhabitable, and those

Gaza Situation - Report 50

As of this afternoon, almost 233,000 IDPs had left the UNRWA shelters. The number of IDPs staying in UNRWA shelters is 54,261. 78 shelters remained open. Over the next couple of days UNRWA is expecting the IDP numbers to stabilize. It is still premature to draw conclusions on the number of IDPs who would opt to remain in the shelters for a longer period of time and those who may be able to return to their homes. On the 50 th day of the military escalation, an open-ended ceasefire has been agreed between Palestine and Israel and came into effect on 26 August at 19:00hrs. Anything short of the lifting of the seven-year blockade on Gaza will not lead to a sustainable ceasefire, which is what is needed to restore a life of normalcy to the Palestinians in Gaza, including the over 1.2 million Palestine refugees. ... both parties must return to meaningful negotiations towards a final status agreement that addresses all the cores issues and ends the 47-year occupation

An alternative to the neoliberal dictatorship

globinfo freexchange A few hours after the article A perfect timing for Argentina to resist against the money market tyranny was published on this blog, I read a very interesting article by Chris Tell, published also at ZeroHedge , which describes the new opportunities in the fast changing global geopolitical and economic scenery. Key paragraphs and further comments: “ Taking a look at the news since Ukraine started making headlines shows me that distraction appears to be working. I’m not suggesting this was by design. I don’t think that’s the case. It is, however, convenient for EU policy makers who’ve completely screwed up the European marketplace and are looking for someone to blame. Putin is a Godsend. ” “ While all this is taking place I have to wonder where and what other opportunities arise from this very large and accelerating power shift. An active move away from the dollar is underway and has been for some time. What is important now is that this is being

Ukraine front: Greeks fighting on both sides

Greek neo-nazis joining Ukrainian paramilitary forces globinfo freexchange Neo-nazis from Greece, Italy and Scandinavia are among the paramilitary neo-nazi groups joining Kiev's military forces against separatists in East Ukraine. The presence of the Greek neo-nazis was revealed on Telegraph by the head of one of the most powerful paramilitary groups, the Azov Battalion . Through their extremist profiles on social media, neo-nazis in Ukraine managed to attract foreign fighters. According to the leader of the Azov Battalion, Andriy Biletsky, there are men from Ireland, Italy, Greece and Scandinavia under his command. In their base, a former sniper from the Swedish army, National Guard and current member of the Swedish far-Right, Michael Skilt, leads and trains one of the teams. As he claimed on Telegraph, "the fighter woke-up inside him" after the clashes in Kiev. He receives around 130 euros per month for his "services" in Ukra

Gaza Situation - Report 49

24 hour reports by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Due to the dramatic escalation in violence over the past few days and the massive assault on Gaza, UNRWA has declared an emergency in all five areas of the Gaza Strip. It is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to mount an emergency response should that become necessary. The priority for the Agency has now shifted to emergency operations, providing assistance to those who have been displaced and sought shelter in UNRWA schools, while attempting to continue regular operations. Urgent funding needs persist and are increasing Key parts: “ The Gaza population is terrified as the Israeli Air Force (IAF) continues to destroy selected residential and commercial properties across the Gaza Strip and in the heart of the coastal enclave, Gaza City. The strikes follow warnings through leaflets, text messages or phone calls, some of them pre-recorded, others reportedly sent from mobile

A perfect timing for Argentina to resist against the money market tyranny

Latin America to open the road for other countries to escape from debt slavery by system failure Probably the most significant reason for which the Western sanctions against Russia will eventually turn against the West itself, or more accurately, against the Western economic elites, is that they forced Russia and China to accelerate their plans to build their own geopolitical and economic frame. Just when Argentina was in the corner and the ravens were ready to devour the country * , BRICS's movements to establish their own economic system, offered to Argentina an alternative to escape from the Western money market monopoly. This was probably a key factor that permitted Argentina to resist: “ A US court has backed the vulture funds; but last week, Argentina sidestepped its jurisdiction by transferring the trustee for payment from Bank of New York Mellon to its own central bank. That play, if approved by the Argentine Congress, will all

A culmination of the humanitarian tragedy in Mediterranean

“ More than 300 people have died while trying to make irregular sea crossings from North Africa to Europe in the past week, bringing the death toll this year from sinking vesels on the Mediterranean to almost 1,900, including some 1,600 since June.” “ ... the first and largest of these incidents occurred last Friday when a boat, reportedly carrying at least 270 people, capsized near Garibouli to the east of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Nineteen people survived, but the Libyan coastguard has recovered the bodies of 100 others, including five young children and seven women. The remaining 251 passengers are feared drowned.” “ In a second incident on Saturday evening, the Italian Navy rescued 73 people and recovered 18 bodies from a damaged rubber dinghy 20 miles from Libyan territorial waters. UNHCR's Fleming said 10 people were still missing and feared drowned.” “ In a third incident, on Sunday evening, a fishing boat carrying about 400 people capsized

Κορύφωση της ανθρωπιστικής τραγωδίας στη Μεσόγειο

“ Περισσότεροι από 300 άνθρωποι έχασαν τη ζωή τους την τελευταία εβδομάδα στην προσπάθειά τους να περάσουν παράτυπα μέσω θαλάσσης από τη Βόρεια Αφρική στην Ευρώπη, ανεβάζοντας έτσι τον αριθμό των θανάτων από βύθιση πλοίων για αυτή τη χρονιά στους σχεδόν 1.900, συμπεριλαμβανομένων και περίπου 1.600 από τον Ιούνιο.” “ ... το πρώτο και μεγαλύτερο ναυάγιο συνέβη την περασμένη Παρασκευή όταν ένα σκάφος, το οποίο σύμφωνα με πληροφορίες, μετέφερε τουλάχιστον 270 ανθρώπους, ανατράπηκε κοντά στο Garibouli στα ανατολικά της Τρίπολης, πρωτεύουσας της Λιβύης. 19 άνθρωποι επέζησαν, αλλά η ακτοφυλακή της Λιβύης εντόπισε τα σώματα 100 άλλων, μεταξύ των οποίων πέντε μικρών παιδιών και εφτά γυναικών. Εκφράζονται φόβοι ότι οι υπόλοιποι 251 επιβάτες έχουν πνιγεί.” “ Σε ένα δεύτερο ναυάγιο το απόγευμα του Σαββάτου, το Ιταλικό Ναυτικό διέσωσε 73 ανθρώπους και ανέσυρε 18 σορούς από ένα κατεστραμμένο φουσκωτό πλοιάριο 20 μίλια από τα χωρικά ύδατα της Λιβύης. Η εκπρόσωπος Τύπου τη

Gaza Situation - Report 48

24 hour reports by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Due to the dramatic escalation in violence over the past few days and the massive assault on Gaza, UNRWA has declared an emergency in all five areas of the Gaza Strip. It is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to mount an emergency response should that become necessary. The priority for the Agency has now shifted to emergency operations, providing assistance to those who have been displaced and sought shelter in UNRWA schools, while attempting to continue regular operations. Urgent funding needs persist and are increasing Key parts: “ According to preliminary information recorded by the Protection Cluster, the cumulative death toll among Palestinians stands at 2,076. 1,454 – 70 per cent – are believed to be civilians, including 491 children and 253 women. Out of the 2,076 killed, 253 are believed to be militants, and the status of a further 369 killed Palestinians is stil

Greek economy: Signs of further shrinking

“ The total value of imports-arrivals , for the 6-month period from January to June 2014 amounted to 23741,2 million euros (32438,3 million dollars) in comparison with 23451,1 million euros (30718,6 million dollars) for the c orresponding period of the year 2013 recording an increase, in euros, of 1,2%. The corresponding change excluding oil products recorded an increase of 1320,9 million euros or 8,9%. ” “ The total value of exports-dispatches , for the 6-month period from January to June 2014 amounted to 13127,2 million euros (18042,0 million dollars) in comparison with 13766,7 million euros (18130,5 million dollars) for the corresponding period of the year 2013, recording a drop, in euros, of 4,6%. The corresponding change excluding oil products recorded a drop of 336,6 million euros or 4,0%. ” “ The deficit of the Trade Balance, for the 6-month period from January to June 2014 amounted to 10614,0 million euros (14396,3 million dollars) in comparison w

A country surrounded by "propaganda frequencies"

NERIT officially a tool for governmental propaganda in Greece globinfo freexchange After the announcement of the Greek Council of State, through which the propaganda campaign by the banking-media dictatorship in Greece was officially confirmed especially during the latest years of crisis ( http://failedevolution.blogspot.gr/2014/07/greece-media-propaganda-officially.html ), a letter from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to the Greek PM, Antonis Samaras, essentially confirms the intention of the neoliberal government to transform the supposedly public broadcaster, NERIT, into a basic tool of governmental propaganda, always for the benefit of the banking-media dictatorship. Therefore, this is an official confirmation that Greece is surrounded by "propaganda frequencies" which are trying to erase every independent voice against the plans of the government-puppet, whose mission is to complete the Greek experiment and therefore attempts to stay i

Gaza Situation - Report 47

24 hour reports by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Due to the dramatic escalation in violence over the past few days and the massive assault on Gaza, UNRWA has declared an emergency in all five areas of the Gaza Strip. It is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to mount an emergency response should that become necessary. The priority for the Agency has now shifted to emergency operations, providing assistance to those who have been displaced and sought shelter in UNRWA schools, while attempting to continue regular operations. Urgent funding needs persist and are increasing Key parts: “ There is no safe place in Gaza. The bombardment of populated areas continues day and night, with the IDF sending messages through leaflets, phone calls or mobile phone texts warning civilians to stay away from terrorists and terror infrastructure as the IDF will continue their attacks. Last night, the IDF carried out several strikes including

Μια χώρα περικυκλωμένη από "συχνότητες προπαγάνδας"

Και η ΝΕΡΙΤ επίσημως εργαλείο κυβερνητικής προπαγάνδας globinfo freexchange Μετά την ανακοίνωση του Συμβουλίου της Επικρατείας, που επιβεβαίωσε επισήμως την εκστρατεία προπαγάνδας που επιχειρείται ειδικά τα τελευταία χρόνια της οικονομικής κρίσης, από την τραπεζομιντιακή δικτατορία στην Ελλάδα ( http://failedevolution.blogspot.gr/2014/07/to.html ), μια επιστολή της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης Ραδιοτηλεόρασης (EBU) προς τον Αντώνη Σαμαρά, επιβεβαιώνει ουσιαστικά την πρόθεση της νεοφιλελεύθερης κυβέρνησης να μετατρέψει οριστικά την υποτιθέμενη δημόσια τηλεόραση ΝΕΡΙΤ σε ένα βασικό εργαλείο κυβερνητικής προπαγάνδας, πάντα βέβαια προς εξυπηρέτηση των συμφερόντων της τραπεζομιντιακής δικτατορίας. Επιβεβαιώνεται έτσι και επίσημα, ότι η χώρα κατακλύζεται από συχνότητες προπαγάνδας που προσπαθούν να πνίξουν κάθε ανεξάρτητη φωνή αντίθετη με τα σχέδια της κυβέρνησης-μαριονέτας που επιχειρεί με κάθε τρόπο να παραμείνει στην εξουσία για να ολοκληρώσει το πείραμα. Υπενθυμίζεται ότι