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We travel from Japan to Iceland for the sounds of Sigur Ros!
International Politics
Overall
– All the focus, if you believe the Israeli narrative, should be on Iran’s alleged nuclear weapon program. However, this is a red herring considering Israel’s nuclear weapons and how insane the leadership is
– More drones are being traded across the world with Israel as the leading exporter
– Spain recommended, should EU discussions with Libya fail, an oil embargo and freezing assets of Libya’s central bank as a replacement. Meanwhile, the EU is preparing for a security mission in the country.
– The U.S. denied Tony Blair was being removed from his position as an envoy to the Middle East as Blair will soon leave his post
– Despite the letter sent by the 47 Senators, international talks are still ongoing between P5+1 and Iran. Still, little is being accomplished
– Both officials at the United Nations and Russia believe the Islamic State now is in Afghanistan, which is troublesome
Middle East
– In all honesty, there does not seem to be a serious alternative to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. That isn’t good
– Benjamin Netanyahu: If you elect me, then I will ensure no Palestinian state is created
– Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he would wait for U.S. “actions” after conflicting statements from U.S. officials on regime change
– The Houthi government in Yemen released the former prime minister and his cabinet from their homes
– At least 90 percent of Iranian MPs say sanctions must be removed should an international deal be made
– Officials from the justice system in Saudi Arabia said there does exist “justice for all” in the country
– A court in the Gaza Strip sentenced a Palestinian to 15 years of hard labor after it was found he spied for Israel
Africa
– The Real News hosts a panel of guests to talk about current efforts against the Congolese government and how the youth play into the resistance
– With Boko Haram still thriving in Nigeria, it threatens to pull apart the state into northern and southern halves
– Civilians escaping to Europe from instability in North Africa often face a rough journey and, if they do make it, they face hostility in European countries
Latin America, Caribbean and Canada
– Professor William Black joins The Real News to talk about corruption in Chile and how whistleblowers are not really protected.
– Twenty-seven people, including a treasurer for the Workers Party, were arrested in Brazil over the Petrobras scandal
– Plan Colombia is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to U.S. presence in Colombia
Surveillance Planet
– Gallup: Thirty-four percent of Americans, as a result of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden’s revelations on the nation’s mass surveillance programs, changed the way they protect their privacy
Financial Matters
– Jeff Madrick : “Free-Market Boosters Just Don’t Get It: Why Do They Cling to Discredited Ideas?”
– There are major wealth gaps between races in the U.S. and the time is now, not tomorrow, to achieve equality.
Labor’s a-Brewing
– Dean Baker: “Scott Walker Ends Freedom of Contract in Wisconsin”
– Good news as California announced it would investigate a case covered by ProPublica/NPR on a disabled man whose home aide was removed
– When workers at fast-food restaurants are burned on the job, management often tells them to apply some mustard
– Oil workers believe the six-week strike led to benefits for workers as their union starts to implement a new contract
– Labor should, instead of licking their wounds from Wisconsin, put their best foot forward and organize, organize, organize.
Politics US
Washington USA
– Gallup: Less than 40 percent of have a favorable opinion of Democratic and the same goes for Republicans.
– Gareth Porter: “The Real Story Behind the Republicans’ Iran Letter”
– Lost with all of these Iranian hawks? Too much to count, but too little time? Well fret no more as this infographic can help show who’s who in Congress.
– Oops. The U.S. government improperly spent $125 billion last year, according to the Government Accountability Office
– A new poll found 51 percent of Americans thinking Hillary Clinton faces “somewhat serious” problems after her latest scandal involving her private email
– Democratic activists supporting Elizabeth Warren for president are now shifting their focus to making her vice president; INSTEAD OF PUTTING ENERGY INTO A WORTHLESS EFFORT GO OUT AND SUPPORT LOCAL PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES. Goodness gracious, these activists are short-sighted
– As a result of the Affordable Care Act, more than one-third of Americans without health insurance now have it; But the question is: Is it good coverage?
– The U.S. government is now consulting David Petraeus, yes that David Petraeus, on what to do against the Islamic State
– President Barack Obama: I will challenge Republicans head on when it comes to education policy than backdown
– The State Department is unaware of any Senate probe into the department’s alleged interference in Israeli elections
– The American Civil Liberties Union sued the federal government for information on the White House’s secret kill list
– It’s lights, camera, terrorism in this case where FBI agents made a civilian into their terrorist to go after
Anytown USA
– Chris Hedges: “The Most Dangerous Woman in America”
– Part one of two with Lisa Mitchell Sennaar on her uncle Parren Mitchell, an important figure in Baltimore politics during the 1960s who was anti-war and championed civil rights
– Cops in Denver were given body cameras to wear and use. Although, they mostly do not turn them on
– In San Francisco, four officers are under investigation for sending each other racist and homophobic texts
– Even Portland, seen as a city where progressive politics can be found, struggles with reforming its police force
– Dahr Jamail: “US Judge Sentences US Citizen Based on Israeli Military Documents”
– A man in Oregon now surpassed 900 days in jail. What did he do, you ask? No charges have been filed yet against him.
We Don’t Need No Education
– The Real News covers college students who discuss opposition from their campuses on Israeli divestment campaigns
Health, Hunger and Homelessness
– Despite a change in government, Uruguayan President Tabare Vasquez is serious about combating not only cigarette companies, but alcoholic ones as well
– Coca-Cola paid nutrition experts to push its drinks as a healthy snack for consumers
– Sam Sacks: “As 9/11 First Responder Death Toll Mount, EPA Considers New Rules on Toxic Dust”
The Second Sex
– A feminist movement is growing in Syria to empower women by openly talking about their sexuality
– Vice President Joseph Biden said new federal funds can clear rape kit backlogs across the U.S.
Planet Earth
– There needs to be more done to dwindle a $20 billion wildlife black market that will certainly cause major problems in the future to ecosystems
– As a result of global warming, it is best for countries to be warned of natural disasters to better prepare for the devastation that may follow
– A growing number of sea lion pups washed ashore in California this year, which is worrying environmentalists and officials
– As a result of Cyclone Pam, 24 people were killed and at least 3,300 are displaced in Vanuatu
– The world’s coal boom is now slowing down, according to a new a report
Mixed Bag
– The U.S. returned treasures to Iraq as ISIS continues to destroy more ancient artifacts in Iraq
– Remember that time The Washington Post published a piece saying war with Iran wouldn’t so bad? Yeah, not a good idea to publish that
– French authorities say Yassar Arafay was not poisoned, according to their investigation
Break Time
– Olson Olson [Sigur Ros]
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