Democrats Bring Gun Debate to 2016 Presidential Campaign
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Democrats Bring Gun Debate to 2016 Presidential Campaignby webdesk@voanews.com (Associated Press)
After 15 years of a virtual gag order on guns in presidential politics, Democrats are talking again. President Barack Obama is considering more executive action on gun control. The front-runner in the Democratic race to replace him says she "will not be silenced" on guns. At the Democrats' first debate in the presidential season, candidates jockeyed for bragging rights over who had the lowest rating from the National Rifle Association. The return of the gun debate comes...
An Israeli man is killed and at least six others wounded after two suspected Palestinian gunmen attack a bus station in Beersheva.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - At least 40 Islamic State fighters have been killed in an air strike on their convoy in the Syrian province of Hama, a UK-based monitoring group reported on Sunday.
Israeli officials announced new steps to curb a rash of deadly stabbings on its citizens, authorizing police to stop anyone on the street and enforcing roadblocks in Arab East Jerusalem. Eight Israelis have died in Palestinian stabbings and police have shot and killed 40 Palestinians in clashes. NewsHour Special Correspondent Martin Seemungal joins Hari Sreenivasan via Skype from Jerusalem.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. expects Iran will take months to live up to its end of a seven-nation nuclear pact that could eventually provide the country relief from international sanctions.
The deal formally took effect Sunday, opening the way for Iran to make major changes to an underground nuclear ...
October 18, 2015, 10:16 PM (IDT)
A terrorist armed with a gun and a knife walked into the Beersheba central bus station Sunday night, Oct. 18, shot dead an Israeli soldier, snatched his weapon and injured 8 people, including four policeman after they arrived on the scene. They shot him dead in a struggle. A second suspected terrorist was injured by police gunfire and later turned out to be an Eritrean migrant. This was second shooting attack in the current wave of terror which has focused on stabbing, the first in Beersheba.
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Putin’s Call to Put Holy Books Beyond Reach of Russian Courts Opens a Real Can of Worms, Shtepa Saysby paul goble (noreply@blogger.com)
Paul Goble
Staunton, October 18 – Vladimir Putin’s call to put Holy Books beyond the reach of Russian courts was clearly intended to solve the political problem created by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s objections to the decision of a court in the Russian Far East finding verses from the Koran to be “extremist.”
But Putin’s move not only highlights Russia’s moves away from a secular state toward an Orthodox-Muslim one but also calls into question the entire logic of Russian legislation that allows for courts and other officials to ban anything they object at any particular time to as extremist.
Vadim Shtepa, a leading Russian regionalist writer, calls attention to all these problems and more in a commentary on the Spekr.press portal (spektr.press/pravoslavno-islamskoe-gosudarstvo/). His words should give pause to all those who think that what Putin has proposed will solve the problem rather than cause even more difficulties for Russia in the future.
Four days ago, he writes, Putin “proposed to make an exception from the law “On Countering Extremist Activity” for “the Bible, the Koran and other holy writings.” By so doing, the Kremlin leader “of a de jure secular state shows himself prepared to put religious teaching above the legislation of the country.”
Such a move, Shtepa continues, “fits in beautifully with the logic of recent times and only confirms the clerical evolution of the current Russian authorities.”
Of course, Putin’s move came in response to Kadyrov’s complaints, although others have challenged religious texts, including the Bible. (See sib.fm/news/2015/09/16/zhitel-novosibirska-poprosil-prokuraturu-proverit-bibliju). And of course, “Chechnya is a unique subject of the Russian Federation, in which much more is permitted than elsewhere.”
Indeed, it is “obvious that there was a secret pact between the Kremlin and the Kadyrov administration after the second Chechen war,” one in which “in exchange for colossal subsidies from the Kremlin ‘Allah,’ the Chechen leadership began to position itself as enthusiastic patriots of Russia and its protects by threatening activists of the opposition.”
But even that accord might have not been enough to push Putin to act had it not been for the support Kadyrov’s position received from the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, who speaks for Patriarch Kirill, called for ending court cases against “holy texts” (newsru.com/religy/11sep2015/chaplin_hl_schriften.html).
Chaplin even added that in his view and apparently that of many in the official hierarchy, “the Russian Constitution of 1993 was ‘illegitimate’ because ‘it was adopted without the active public participation of Orthodox people and also of traditional Muslims” (politsovet.ru/49717-v-rpc-zayavili-o-nelegitimnosti-konstitucii-rossii.html).
“Thus,” Stepa writes, “in Russia a definite rapprochement of the positions of Orthodox and Muslim conservatives if not their complete coming together has taken place” That trend was on view even earlier given the similar statements the Moscow Patriarchate and the leaders of traditional Muslims in Russia made about what should be permitted in society.
From one perspective, this shouldn’t surprise anyone. Five years ago, Putin asserted that “Orthodoxy is closer to Islam than it is to Catholicism” (islamnews.ru/news-28541.html). “Now,” Stepa says, “it is precisely the president who stands in defense of religious texts against the law,” something that that view and the ideas of Eurasianism support.
According to the regionalist writer, “the moratorium against criticism of ‘holy texts’ proposed by Kadyrov and Chaplin and supported by President Putin will mean the actual liquidation of secular statehood,” because it will place them above the law and thus “destroy the very institute of civic law on which contemporary civilization is based.”
Kadyrov and Chaplin limit these holy texts to the Koran and Bible respectively, “but any religious community can have its own ‘holy writings’ and it also will insist that they are ‘beyond the reach of the law.’” But that will prove impossible to sustain, as Putin has acknowledged by adding the texts of Buddhists and Hindus already.
The only way to “return the situation to a rational dimension is a principled and consistent insistence on the constitutional principles of a secular state,” from which Putin and his friends have now departed, having failed to recognize that their support of “’traditional religions’” undermines this possibility.
“It is indicative,” he says, “that Orthodox clericalists are concerned with practically the same thing that Muslim fundamentalists are. The two equally dislike European freedoms and are supporters of the introduction of a certain ‘correct’ dress code, especially for women. The Muslims are more radical in their demands, and the impression is that the Orthodox are following them.”
Several years ago, Ravil Gaynutdin, the head of the Council of Muftis of Russia (SMR), suggested that the Koran should be recognized as “the third Testament,’” after the Old and New (regions.ru/news/2097731/). Under the protection of the Putinist state, that “rapprochement” appears to be happening.
And if things proceed any further, “one anti-utopian anecdote could be as follows: ‘In 1927, Russia said: “there is no god.” Now, it needs to be added, “except Allah.’”
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Palestinians in Jerusalem, more than a third of the city’s population, have awoken to a new reality: Israeli troops are encircling Arab neighborhoods, blocking roads with concrete cubes the size of washing machines and ordering some of those leaving on foot to lift their shirts to show they are not carrying knives.
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WQAD.com |
Hacker who allegedly passed U.S. military data to ISIS arrested in Malaysia
WQAD.com (CNN) — Authorities have arrested a Malaysia-based hacker who they accuse of stealing personal information of U.S. military members and giving it to ISIS. Ardit Ferizi, a Kosovo citizen, was detained in Malaysia on a provisional U.S. arrest warrant ... Alleged hacker for the Islamic State has been arrestedFortune Hacker's Kill List Shows ISIS 'Crowdsourcing Terrorism'NBCNews.com Isis-linked hacker arrested in Malaysia a computer whizz since 10The Malaysian Insider WKOW all 25 news articles » |
The German chancellor said she would support accelerating the process of admitting Turkey to the European Union if the country cooperated in dealing with the influx of migrants into Europe.
Bush Casts Doubt on Trump Foreign Policy Judgmentby webdesk@voanews.com (VOA News)
Republican Presidential candidate Jeb Bush cast doubt on rival Donald Trump's judgment and ability to lead the United States in a complex world, saying the Republican front-runner discusses foreign policy like a reality show star. In an interview with CNN that aired Sunday, former Florida Governor Bush added he has "grave doubts" about real estate mogul Trump's ability to appropriately handle America's nuclear weapons. "He's not taking the responsibility, the possibility of being president of the United States really seriously," Bush said. "Across the spectrum of foreign policy, Trump talks about things as though he's still on The Apprentice." 'Not a serious approach' Bush told CNN that Trump's proposed plan of hoping the Islamic State group removes Syrian President Bashar Assad from power and then Russia taking on the Islamist extremists is like "some kind of board game and not a serious approach." "This is just another example of the lack of seriousness. And this is a serious time. We're under grave threats again, and I think we need a president with a steady hand," Bush said. Trump fired back immediately on Twitter, saying "Jeb, why did your brother (former President George W. Bush) attack and destabilize the Middle East by attacking Iraq when there were no weapons of mass destruction? Bad info?" The latest CBS News poll shows 27 percent of Republican primary voters support Trump, giving him a six-point lead over his closest competitor, neurosurgeon Ben Carson, with 21 percent. The rest of the Republican field is in single digits, including Bush with just 7 percent. Afghanistan In a separate CNN interview, Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton said it was too soon to say whether she would bring all U.S. troops home from Afghanistan if elected to the White House. President Barack Obama last week halted the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan, announcing that the United States will keep thousands of troops in the country through the end of his term in 2017. Clinton praised Obama as a commander-in-chief with "strong convictions of what he would like to see happen" – bringing U.S. forces home – tempered by "what he sees going on in the real world." Mitt Romney, the Republican's presidential nominee in 2012, slammed Clinton's tenure as secretary of state, saying American interests abroad deteriorated during her time in office. He also defended a House committee's controversial investigation into the 2012 Benghazi attack.
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Two Turkish soldiers are dead after a roadside bomb hits their vehicle in Tunceli, bringing the military death toll in two days of violence in the predominantly Kurdish east to six. Nathan Frandino reports.
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Reuters tells the world's stories like no one else. As the largest international multimedia news provider, Reuters provides coverage around the globe and across topics including business, financial, national, and international news. For over 160 years, Reuters has maintained its reputation for speed, accuracy, and impact while providing exclusives, incisive commentary and forward-looking analysis.
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Officials say the haul, found in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, was the result of a weeks-long investigation
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 CNN International |
Top al Qaeda leader Sanafi al-Nasr killed in US airstrike, Pentagon says
CNN (CNN) The leader of an al Qaeda-linked group allegedly bent on attacking the West has been killed in an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition in Syria, U.S. officials said Sunday. Sanafi al-Nasr, a Saudi citizen whose real name is Abdul Mohsen Adballah ... Leader of Qaeda Cell Killed in Airstrike in Syria, Pentagon SaysNew York Times Pentagon says leader of al-Qaeda offshoot in Syria was killed in airstrikeWashington Post U.S. Says al-Qaeda Linked Money Man Killed in Northwest SyriaBloomberg Reuters -Newsweek -Wall Street Journal all 149 news articles » |
Hillary Clinton coming off a polished debate performance as she prepares to testify before the Benghazi committee.
Hustler magazine founder Larry Flynt weights in on Playboy's decision to stop publishing nudity in their magazine.
Japan has showcased its naval strength, including Tokyo’s latest helicopter carrier Izumo. The commander of the US Third Fleet, which was recently given a greater role in the western Pacific, visited the event.
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USA TODAY |
China to expand influence in oil, gas
USA TODAY Since 2009, China has been taking a much more active role in its pursuit of international oil contracts. In 2009, for the first time, Saudi Arabia exported more of its oil to China than it did to the U.S. China also made large investments in Saudi ... and more » |
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We have not ended a war, only left it to the Afghans too soon.
OPATOVAC, Croatia (AP) - Tension was building among thousands of migrants as they remained stranded in fog and cold weather in the Balkans on Sunday in their quest to reach a better life Western Europe, a day after Hungary closed its border with Croatia and the flow of people was ...
China's view of UK coloured by 'century of humiliation'
Financial Times The last time the UK prime minister visited China, in 2013, the Global Times, an official state-owned newspaper, dismissed his visit and the country he represents in no uncertain terms. “Britain is no longer any kind of 'big country' but merely a ... |
The Hill (blog) |
Obama has tainted the FBI's Hillary e-mail investigation
CainTV The FBI's job is to gather evidence in the case so the Attorney General can make a decision whether to file charges against Hillary in the case. One possible crime with which she could be charged is the Espionage Act. Here some information about that ... Clinton cracks up over question about FBI probe into email serverThe Hill (blog) FBI Ticked About Obama's Ignorant Statement Claiming Hillary's Server Didn't ...Town Hall FBI Agents Angered By Obama's Attempt to Influence Hillary Clinton InvestigationBreitbart News Western Journalism- New York Post all 115 Western Journalism all 114 news articles » |
 Salon |
America enabled radical Islam: How the CIA, George W. Bush and many others ...
Salon From the 1950s on, the Muslim Brotherhood was supported and funded by the CIA. When Nasser decided to stamp out the movement in Egypt, the CIA helped its leaders migrate to Saudi Arabia, where they were assimilated into the Wahhabi kingdom's own ... and more » |
BEIRUT (AP) - Russian and Syrian warplanes pounded targets in central and northern Syria, killing at least four civilians Sunday as ground troops battled insurgents and seized new territory, activists and the government said.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and activist news platform Syrian Revolution Talbiseh said warplanes ...
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Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commanding general of US Army Europe, discusses the effects of the migrant crisis on European militaries, and countering Russia's "anti-access" bubbles.
October 18, 2015, 7:39 PM (IDT)
US President Obama instructed the US government on Sunday to prepare for the lifting of sanctions on Iran under the nuclear deal that Tehran signed with Western powers, although the timing of the sanctions relief depends on how soon Iran complies with the agreement, reports said.
Defense News TV: Russia and Europe
After a week of operations over Syria, Russia's Air Force is scaling back its efforts so it can analyze its progress.
The US Army is planning to set up more equipment caches — known as activity sets — in Europe as nerves continue to fray over Russia's incursion into Ukraine, putting eastern countries, particularly with ethnic ties to Russia, on alert.
Russia's Almaz-Antey blew up a passenger jet to show its Buk missiles did not down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 last year
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 Yahoo News |
Russia says latest Syria strikes weaken rebels
Yahoo News Moscow (AFP) - Russia said Sunday its latest Syria strikes hit infrastructure used by rebel fighters and claimed it has information of growing strife between rebel groups opposing President Bashar al-Assad. Russia says latest strikes weaken rebelsChannel News Asia Russia Says Strikes Destroyed Militants InfrastructureAl-Manar TV all 15 news articles » |
Russia in Syria: Moscow to increase missions in Syria to '300 a day'
The Independent Russia aims to increase its aerial missions over Syria to 300 a day, sources close to the country's operations have reportedly said. President Vladimir Putin said the country is currently flying around 50 missions a day on average in Syria. Operation ... |
Every minister in David Cameron’s cabinet is a eurosceptic, the defence secretary has said.
 РИА Новости |
Яценюк назвал четыре условия проведения выборов в Донбассе
РИА Новости Власти ДНР и ЛНР 6 октября согласились перенести местные выборы на 2016 год. За это время власти Украины будут обязаны выполнить все взятые на себя по минским соглашениям обязательства. Премьер-министр Украины Арсений Яценюк. © РИА Новости. Александр Максименко ... Полпред ЛНР сравнил слова Яценюка об условиях по выборам с детским лепетомГазета.Ru Яценюк назвал четыре условия для проведения выборов в ДонбассеВзгляд Яценюк выдвинул четыре условия для проведения выборов в ДонбассеНТВ.ru Комсомольская правда -Коммерсантъ Все похожие статьи: 147 » |
A look at the best news photos from around the world.
Media outlets willing to stand up to economic power are essential, writes Luigi Zingales
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Poroshenko: Russia Should Be Held Responsible for MH17by webdesk@voanews.com (VOA News)
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the Russian government should be held accountable for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17 last year over eastern Ukraine. In an interview on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, Poroshenko said the nation or person responsible for shooting down the Malaysian airline should be brought to justice. A Dutch-led investigative panel into the crash of MH-17 said in a report released last week that the plane was shot down by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile. The head of Russian Federal Aviation Agency has disputed the reports. Russia has asked the United Nations to open a new investigation into downing of the flight. The Boeing 777 was downed on July 17, 2014, over eastern Ukraine, the scene of fighting between pro-Russia rebels and Ukrainian government forces, killing all 298 people on board, most of them Dutch nationals. The Dutch-led panel, which included investigators from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine, did not explicitly assign blame, despite Western suspicions that pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine shot down the plane, mistaking it for a military aircraft. The 15-month probe only identified an area of 320 square kilometers (120 square miles) from where it said the launch must have taken place.
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States go after unclaimed property, use it to patch budgetsby By ADAM GELLER and DAVID CRARY
When Americans lose track of money (AP) -- in neglected bank accounts, paychecks they forgot to cash and elsewhere - state governments are increasingly aggressive in taking control of the cash....
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