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To our Muslim readers, enjoy Eid today. For the rest, enjoy the beginning of the week!

International Politics

Overall

– A Ukrainian official stated MH17 crashed as a result of “massive explosive decompression,” caused by rocket fire

– Juan Cole: “Israel’s Gaza Campaign Endangers US Security: Why Obama & Kerry are Furious“; Meanwhile, U.S. officials warn Israel further criticism of officials like John Kerry will affect U.S.-Israel relations

Middle East

– Israel is using tips from beloved GOP consultant Frank Luntz to help its public relations during the siege in Gaza

– Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki goes on state television to ask for help against the Islamic State

– Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Israelis should get ready for a long war and we will stop only when our mission is accomplished

– The leader of Hamas stated the occupation of not only Gaza but of Palestine would have to end

– A former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. said in an op-ed that Israel should crush Hamas

– Whatever may happen, it is indeed true that “Israel has lost”

– After what happened with MH17, Emirates Airline declares it will not fly over Iraq

– Rania Khalek: “Merciless Israeli mobs are hunting Palestinians”

– In Gaza, at least 10 people were killed by missiles from a F-16 while at a refugee camp

– Natasha Lennard: “Why Talk of Intifada? We Should Call It a Palestinian Uprising”

Africa

– Despite the first day of Eid today, Libya continues to face violent fighting and a UN official warned groups in the country who continue to fight will be prosecuted

– In Nigeria, three suicide bombers (all female) killed a number of people throughout the country

Europe

– Russia was hit with more sanctions agreed upon by both the U.S. and the EU

Latin America, Caribbean and Canada

– Guatemala, a nation plagued by years and years of neoliberalism, is a place where many wish to escape from to live without violence

– A report by Human Rights Watch found torture is still being conducted in Brazil despite government efforts to stop it

Surveillance Planet

– Saudi Arabia is a partner of the NSA, a partner that uses brutal tactics through its secret police force

Financial Matters

– Robert Reich: “America’s Wealthiest Are Increasingly ‘Earning’ Their Fortunes by Inheriting Them”

– Corporations attempt to swindle the U.S. government of much-needed tax revenue by “inversion”

– The financial industry still exists in its own shadow world, a world profiting significantly with no serious regulatory efforts

– Lloyds Banking Group suspended seven of its employees for rigging interest rates

– Dean Baker: “Finance in the United States: Promoting Inequality and Waste”

Labor’s a-Brewing

– Journalist Michael Arria reports on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s gains when he solved a labor dispute with transit workers

– How long do Nepalese workers, who are constructing buildings and stadiums for the 2022 World Cup for Qatar, wait to be paid in the country? About a year.

Politics US

Washington USA

– A Pentagon official said if Hamas was destroyed by Israel, something worse would take its place

– The $2.7 billion bill in the Senate to address the immigration crisis on the border does not target the root causes of it

– Speaker of the House John Boehner believes the U.S. should focus on helping Israel rather than seeking a ceasefire

Anytown USA

– Gallup: Americans who identify with a particular religion are more likely to vote with Republicans and less likely with Democrats

Health, Hunger and Homelessness

– Gallup: 63 percent of Americans are avoiding soda and are eating more vegetables

– Monsanto is fully aware its products can cause major issues in human beings although they do not care to address this

Top Gun (Stories)

– After a federal judge ruled Washington D.C.’s gun ban was unconstitutional, police in the city were told not to enforce it

The Second Sex

– “This climate of fear” geared toward pregnant women with addictions jeopardizes efforts to assist them

– President Obama: Gender oppression in Africa is “crippling” the development of nations in the continent

Planet Earth

– The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported coasts along the U.S. are flooding more due to sea levels rising

– Researchers found a decline in wheat production in India correlated with global temperatures rising

– There are efforts to reject capitalism in order to help the environment as “green capitalism” is just another brand created by capitalists

– Britain allowed for natural gas companies to buy licenses to go for shale gas

Mixed Bag

– Michael Milligan, a performer, talks with The Real News about his show “Mercy Killers” and its message of the health care system

– In what is certainly humorous, a new site on Tumblr featured confused cats rejecting feminism

– Ownership of the trademark for the popular and healthy rooibos tea is now with South Africa

– A Republican lawmaker mistakes two U.S. officials as officials from India, then apologizes days later

Break Time

– Snake Eater (Video Game Orchestra feat. Ingrid Gerdes)