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Climate change ‘a matter of conscience’ at Paris summit

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Mankind’s relationship with nature was the focus of the Climate Summit of Conscience in Paris, hosted by French President Francois Holland...

Mankind’s relationship with nature was the focus of the Climate Summit of Conscience in Paris, hosted by French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday. With the UN climate conference just months away, faith leaders, Nobel laureates, economists and artists from around the world gathered in the French capital to show that protecting the planet is more than a matter of science. nigelssavage guest speaker WhyDoIcareorg Summit of Conscience symposium! #whydoicare #arcworld #hazon #plumvillage pic.twitter.com/VWSC58PTCr— Hazon | Vision (@hazon) 20 Juillet 2015 “The meaning of this meeting is to assemble all of the consciences,” explained Hollande. “The word ‘conscience’ impacts every one of us. It’s up to every individual to see what he or she can do to save the planet. There are philosophies, there are convictions, there are global diversities that should at a certain point unite, and unite to make decisions.” LIVE Summit of Conscience in Paris https://t.co/YvYNwVHHh7 fhollande N_Hulot COP21 WhyDoIcareorg pic.twitter.com/a8OYZy4XIf— UN Climate Action (@UNFCCC) 21 Juillet 2015 A more immediate concern is the effect on migration. More than 20 million people were displaced by natural disasters last year alone, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. At a meeting of mayors in the Vatican, the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo said there was a clear need to respect the planet, but also human life – which is an area where mayors are very much involved. All are aiming to strike a deal to limit global temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius. Researchers warn a rise of 4 degrees could lead to substantial species extinction, global food insecurity and fundamental changes to human life.   Less

Norway: fourth anniversary of attacks in Oslo and on Utoya

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It is four years since the attacks on a government building and a youth camp on the island of Utoya claimed the lives of 77 people and chang...

It is four years since the attacks on a government building and a youth camp on the island of Utoya claimed the lives of 77 people and changed countless others for ever. Memorial services will be held across Norway throughout the day. Participated in the ceremony remembering the victims of #22July 2011 attacks in #Oslo & #Utoya. We will never forget. pic.twitter.com/LN0ZgPFQ9v— Anne Brasseur (@PACE_President) July 22, 2015 For Prime Minister Erna Solberg, understanding is not possible. “I believe only those who have lost a son or a daughter, sister or brother really understand how painful it is,” she said at the ceremony. “But we try to understand, we try to show we care, our respect and compassion.” Opinion is divided over this exhibition in the same building where Anders Behring Brievik’s first eight victims died. Planned with the help of some survivors and relatives of those who died, there are those who say it will help people come to terms with what happened. But others fear it will become a “hall of fame” for Breivik, whom they would prefer to be forgotten. In Pictures: controversial exhibition on 2011 Oslo mass killings Items belonging to Anders Behring Breivik Cameras and other victims’ belongings Parts of the vehicle used by mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik. Visitors walk through the 22 July Centre in the government quarter in Oslo, Norway   Less

Sandra Bland death ruled ‘suicide by hanging’

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An autopsy on a woman who was found dead in her Texas jail cell has found that her injuries were consistent with suicide. The preliminary ...

An autopsy on a woman who was found dead in her Texas jail cell has found that her injuries were consistent with suicide. The preliminary results support the medical examiner’s initial ruling of suicide in the case of Sandra Bland who died three days after being arrested in a traffic stop. Waller County prosecutor said the post-mortem showed she had no defensive injuries on her hands which would indicate a struggle. However, he detailed other injuries that were believed to be self-inflicted. “There were approximately 30 cut marks on her left wrist that were also in a state of healing. These roughly 30 cut marks were both in a state of scarring and scabbing indicating that they were placed on her body roughly two weeks before her incarceration,” Waller County Assistant District Attorney Warren Diepraam said. Bland was pulled over on July 10 for failing to signal a lane change, but the encounter quickly escalated, and she was taken into custody and charged with assaulting an officer. She was found hanging in her cell with plastic bin bag around her neck on July 13. A dashcam video has raised questions over the state trooper Brian Encinia’s reasons for her arrest. Her family have disputed the suicide ruling and say there are discrepancies that need to be clarified. “We made it very clear that we wanted a full, thorough investigation;” explained Bland’s sister Sharon Cooper. “The investigation that you would do with somebody detained in custody. We wanted that, regardless of what the outcome was.” Jail documents appear to show conflicting reports about suicidal thoughts, and Bland was not judged a suicide risk based on guard’s observations. The jail itself has come under fire for not correctly following protocol concerning inmates by failing to carry out timely checks. On the day of Bland’s death a guard spoke to her around 7am, but no one came back to check until 8.55am. The policies state that visual contact must be made every 60 minutes. A local TV station KZTRK reported that Bland made a phonecall to her friend LaVaughan Mosley and talked about having her bail set at 5,000 dollars. “I’m still just at a loss for words, honestly, about this whole process, how this switching lanes with no signal turned into all of this I don’t even know,” Bland said in the message, according to the Houston station. “Umm, But I am still here, so just call me back when you can. Bland’s arrest for a traffic stop and subsequent death have created nationwide anger. Activists say the case is the latest example of racial bias and use of excessive force by US police. Her body was returned to Chicago on Wednesday in preparation for a funeral scheduled for Saturday.   Less

Plane debris to be sent to France to investigate possible links to MH370

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A piece of plane debris washed up on the French department of Reunion Island is being sent to France for further investigation. Speculatio...

A piece of plane debris washed up on the French department of Reunion Island is being sent to France for further investigation. Speculation is rife it could belong to the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. The Boeing 777 disappeared in March 2014 less than an hour into a voyage from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The two-metre-long object is believed to be a flaperon – a part of a plane’s wing which helps the pilot control the aircraft while in flight. Malaysia’s Deputy Transport Minister said the object is almost certainly from the same model. Others, however are being more cautious. “It’s the first real evidence that there is a possibility that a part of the aircraft may have been found. It’s too early to make that judgement, but clearly we are treating this as a major lead,” said Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Warren Truss. Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi of University of Western Australia Oceans Institute added: “Finding this piece of debris in Reunion Island is entirely consistent with the current patterns in the southern Indian Ocean.” Previously, the search for the missing plane had focussed on an area off the coast of western Australia, some 3,700 kilometres east of Reunion. Now, teams have been mobilised on the island and in France, where analysts at the BEA crash investigation agency will examine the debris. Officials hope to find the plane part’s maintenance number, which will help in finding the origin of the piece. The investigation is expected to take two to three days.   Less

Paris beach party stirs geopolitical tensions

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A summertime beach event in Paris has sparked geopolitical tensions. Hundreds of police have been deployed for the Tel-Aviv sur Seine cele...

A summertime beach event in Paris has sparked geopolitical tensions. Hundreds of police have been deployed for the Tel-Aviv sur Seine celebration after the one-day celebration attracted criticism from pro-Palestinian activists. Many set up their own Gaza beach event in protest. From the Euro-Palestine association Nicolas Shahshahani said: “This (Tel Aviv on Seine festival) is all part of Israeli propaganda to show an Israel that is different from the bombs, soldiers, checkpoints, etc, etc. And the ‘cool’, ‘fun’, ‘gay friendly’ Tel Aviv is all part of an Israeli PR exercise.” Despite the pressure to cancel the event, city authorities resisted and activities rolled out with heightened security along the banks of the River Seine. “We must say that the mayor of Paris Madame Anne Hidalgo and her team were, I would say extremely brave in saying that no matter what people say on social media, Tel Aviv is our friend, Israel is our friend, we’re gonna have this event and nobody is gonna dictate what we do in our public space,” said Eytan Schwartz, Advisor to Tel Aviv Mayor. Activists highlighted that the event came after a Jewish extremist attack in the West Bank. France is said to be home to both the largest Jewish and Muslim communities in Europe. Tensions between the two flared up last summer during Israel’s offensive in Gaza.   Less

Al Qaeda now loves average Americans, Hates the Common Enemy? (Satire)

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The article shown in video was [found here]. Excerpt of text in article: ...

The article shown in video was [found here]. Excerpt of text in article: A notorious al Qaeda magazine is encouraging lone-wolf terrorist attacks on U.S. economic leaders, including Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg and Warren Buffett. The list in Inspire magazine also included industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch, internet entrepreneur Larry Ellison, and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. A prominent economist was also on the list but asked that his name be withheld. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke was named, though not Janet Yellen, who succeeded him. Also pictured was Jim Walton, one of the heirs to the Wal-Mart fortune, although he was misidentified in the caption as his late father, Sam Walton. Several other names on the list were misspelled. (Don't know why George Soros and others did not make list)[Stark Raving Viking blog]   Less

Tuscaloosa School Bus Attack

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Tuscaloosa, AL - The 13 second edited video clip released today by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office shows a school bus aide -- a 64-ye...

Tuscaloosa, AL - The 13 second edited video clip released today by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office shows a school bus aide -- a 64-year-old man -- punched repeatedly in the face. Michael Ryan Simmons, 24, of Tuscaloosa, was charged with assault and was booked into jail on a $10,000 bond. The victim suffered a major fracture to the eye socket and needed surgery, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Simmons said he was standing up for his 5-year-old nephew, a student on the student, who he claimed had been mistreated by the aide for weeks, that report states. The child came into the house crying, with a scrape on his cheek, Simmons' family told the station. "He wasn't really saying anything," Simmons said of the aide, but had "a look on his face like he didn't really care." "I'm sorry for what I did. I know it wasn't right," he added. "I was taking up for my nephew." School spokeswoman Lesley Bruinton is out of the office today, but on Thursday she said viewed the entire video and it does not appear to show the aide touching the student. The bus driver, Bruinton said, yelled for the man to stop attacking the aide and attempted to pull him off the victim. When that failed, she radioed her dispatcher for help, Bruinton said.   Less

Stunning Timelapse Video Shows Aurora Australis in Tasmania

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Aurora Australis gave a spectacular light show over Tasmania overnight on October 4. Stargazers flocked to areas around Tasmania, including ...

Aurora Australis gave a spectacular light show over Tasmania overnight on October 4. Stargazers flocked to areas around Tasmania, including Hobart, to see the southern aurora which is seasonally visible at high latitudes in the south of Australia as well as Antarctica, South America, and New Zealand. Credit: YouTube/Robert Warren   Less

Press briefing at air base Hmeimim in Syria. Eng. Subs.

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Press briefing at air base Hmeimim in Syria. 360p. Eng. Subs. Today, journalists of foreign media have received an opportunity to familiariz...

Press briefing at air base Hmeimim in Syria. 360p. Eng. Subs. Today, journalists of foreign media have received an opportunity to familiarize themselves with everyday work of the Russian Aerospace Force aviation group at the Hmeymim airbase in Syria. For the first time they could see the living conditions of the Russian servicemen and feel the atmosphere of preparation for combat task performance of in the sky of Syria aimed at destruction of the ‪ISIS‬ infrastructure. In the course of the last 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian air group have continued making pinpoint strikes against terrorist infrastructural facilities in the Syrian Arab Republic. For the last 24 hours, the Russian Su-34, Su-24M, Su-25SM aircraft performed 53 combat sorties engaging 72 terrorist facilities in the ‪Hama‬, ‪Idlib‬, ‪Lattakia‬, Damascus‬, ‪Aleppo‬ and Deir ez-Zor provinces. The effectiveness of engagement of the terrorist infrastructures by the Russian aircraft has considerably increased. Earlier the Russian aircraft worked mainly in pairs, but now due to good knowledge of the combat area the aircraft eliminate two or more targets individually in the course of one sortie. Commenting on the claims of the Pentagon representative Colonel Steven Warren concerning the assessment of the activities of the Russian aviation in the Syrian Arab Republic, it should be mentioned that the Russian unmanned aerial vehicles detect considerable increase in the number of targets of the ISIS terrorist grouping. ISIS leaders are projecting manpower reinforcements to combat areas from Raqqah and Iraq territories. They are also taking efforts to direct maneuvering automobile caravans with weapons and ammunition to the contact line with the Syrian Armed Forces. Therefore, explanations of the Pentagon representatives concerning sharp flight decrease caused by “no target detection” in Syria are more than just strange. Airy dreams of Colonel Steven Warren concerning using cluster munitions by the Russian aviation in “inhabited areas” of Syria are absurd. It appears that the American colleagues have not established their aims in the announced war against the ISIS terrorist organization. This may be why the terrorists feel comfortable a year after the start of the anti-ISIS coalition’s operations.   Less

Gunter Schabowski the man who accidentally sparked the Fall of the Berlin Wall dies

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Gunter Schabowski the East German spokesperson whose error led to the demise of the Berlin Wall has died aged 86. Guenter Schabowski, offici...

Gunter Schabowski the East German spokesperson whose error led to the demise of the Berlin Wall has died aged 86. Guenter Schabowski, official whose blunder led to fall of Berlin Wall, dies at 86 https://t.co/ZE5RCcT2Wa pic.twitter.com/U1gAuumPUT— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 1, 2015 At a news conference in 1989 Schabowski said travel restrictions on East German citizens would be lifted immediately. The mistake prompted tens of thousands to cross to the West. Schabowski, man who accidentally spilled news of Berlin Wall opening, dies https://t.co/hIdWIw99Fe pic.twitter.com/p9FVLI9YBI— Anup subedi (@Anup_subedi) November 1, 2015 Remembering the #BerlinWall today. I grew up in #Germany knowing there was another Germany behind the wall. pic.twitter.com/EcEd1JKdux— Anne Reece Senff (@ReeceSenff) October 22, 2015 He admitted that he ‘jumped the gun’ as the announcement was due the next day and the lifting of the restrictions would be phased in.   Less

Fill "her" up please... Oh Damn, I'm in Da Hood!

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Buying gas in Detroit... I'll pass... Ann Arbor isn't that far away!  

International Military Rewiev - Syria-Iraq Battlespace, nov.05.2015

• LiveLeak

It took almost two weeks for the Syrian forces to liberate the Khanasser-Ithriya highway. Nonetheless, they were finally able to secure the ...

It took almost two weeks for the Syrian forces to liberate the Khanasser-Ithriya highway. Nonetheless, they were finally able to secure the remaining territory along the strategic supply route that had been captured by ISIS. On Wednesday, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) and the Palestinian pro-government militia “Liwaa Al-Quds” broke-through ISIS’ remaining frontlines to the north of Ithriya and conducted a massive retreat of the militants to the town of Tabaqa in the Al-Raqqa province. Separately, the terrorists retreating along the Salamiyah-Raqqa highway came under attack from the Russian Air Force’s SU-24 fighter jets. The liberation of the Khanasser-Ithriya highway was of the utmost importance for the Syrian Arab Army’s Central Command these last few days, as the roadway is the only supply route to continue the SAA advance in the Aleppo province. It isn’t clear when the supplies will be restored because militants set many explosive devices at the highway. According to the SAA, mine clearance specialists have already started to demine them. The SAA supported by the NDF and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) continued their advance in the Latakia province. They began the assault at the southern perimeter of the village of Mafraq Beit Abu Reesha, where they struck the combined forces of Al-Nusra and the FSA. Following a series of intense firefights the SAA took control of the village. Then the pro-government forces seized the village of Khirbat Jubb Al-Za’rour. The SAA’s success was due in large part to the Russian Air Force’s MI-24 Hind Helicopter Gunships that were pounding the militants before the Syrian infantry units reached their positions. Separately, the SAA and NDF imposed full control over the Gas Station and the Northern Highlands inside the town of Harasta after the Jaysh Al-Islam militants withdrew from this area in the Damascus countryside. According to the field reports, the SAA advance along the Homs-Damascus highway. The US military will continue airdropping munitions to militant groups in Syria because it is encouraged by how the fighters used the equipment during a recent offensive to capture new ground, US Army Colonel Steve Warren told reporters on Wednesday. The successful offensive in the city of Al-Hal was a “validator” of the US plan to airdrop munitions to the Syrian militants. Warren explained that the new militant alliance operating under the name “The Syrian Arab Coalition” took control over 200 plus kilometers during a conventional offensive in northern Syria that was launched within the past two weeks. The Iraqi Security Forces are continuing a large-scale military operation against ISIS in the Anbar province. The Iraqi forces attempted to encircle and retake Ramadi, but ISIS resistance prevented them from cutting supply lines across the Euphrates River. Iraqi forces need to take the Palestine Bridge on the Euphrates to constrict ISIS’ ability to resupply and communicate. Taking Ramadi will be difficult because ISIS has had months to prepare complex urban defenses that will make for a dangerous fight. #financial_support_div{ display:none; position: absolute; width:300px; height:180px; margin-left: -150px; margin-top: -70px; /*- half of width and height */ top:50%; left:50%; padding: 5px; opacity:0.9; filter:alpha(opacity=90); z-index:1000; background-color:#000; color: white; } .close_box{ background: gray; color:#fff; padding:1px 3px; display:inline; position:absolute; right:1px; margin-right: -13px; margin-top: -13px; border-radius:3px; cursor:pointer; border: 1px #000 solid; } $(document).on("click",".close_box",function(){ $(this).parent().fadeTo(300,0,function(){ $(this).remove(); }); }); Loading the player ...   Less

France mounts “unprecendented” security steps for global climate talks

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France has begun mounting a massive security operation ahead of next week’s global climate conference in Paris. A total of 143 heads of ...

France has begun mounting a massive security operation ahead of next week’s global climate conference in Paris. A total of 143 heads of state and government are due in the French capital on Monday and large demonstrations planned for the eve of the gathering have been banned amid security concerns. France’s Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said: “on top of the 8,000 police officers at the borders, 2,800 police officers will be patrolling the site of the conference. Mobile units, riot squads and gendarmerie units will be called on at an unprecedented level.” With some 45,000 people expected to attend the talks, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has also urged Parisians not to use their cars on Sunday or Monday and to prioritise public transport, which will be free exceptionally. French authorities have also warned that there could be a risk of a chemical or biological weapon attack so extra measures are also being taken to protect water systems. Veolia, a French water and waste firm has teamed up with the country’s anti-terrorism unit to install a series of sensors at key points in the water network to detect if there is any contamination in the water supply.   Less

Obama pays tribute to Paris attacks victims

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Barack Obama paid tribute to the Paris attack victims shortly after arriving in the city at midnight. Accompanied by the French President ...

Barack Obama paid tribute to the Paris attack victims shortly after arriving in the city at midnight. Accompanied by the French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the US president made an unscheduled visit to the Bataclan concert hall where the deadliest attacks took place. Obama placed a single rose among the flowers and candles at the makeshift memorial. Obama was the first world leader to express solidarity with France after the attacks and described the country as one of America’s oldest allies.   Less

Trump: #you ain’t no Muslim, bruv!

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Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the United States has been met with every sentiment from shock to derision. In a campai...

Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the United States has been met with every sentiment from shock to derision. In a campaign statement, Trump called for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on”. Statement on Preventing Muslim Immigration: https://t.co/HCWU16z6SR pic.twitter.com/d1dhaIs0S7— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2015 Mr Trump repeated his call later in the evening at a campaign rally in South Carolina. Thank you for the support, South Carolina! #USSYorktown #MakeAmericaGreatAgain #Trump2016 pic.twitter.com/n0Ph35qsKV— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2015 What they are saying The Muslim community in the United States has reacted with shock and anger to Donald Trump’s comments. Nihad, Awad, the Executive Director of advocacy group the Council on American and Islamic Relations (CAIR) says it has echoes of America’s dark past. “This is outrageous coming from someone who wants to assume the highest office in the land. It is reckless and simply un-American. Donald Trump sounds more like a leader of a lynch mob than a great nation like ours. He and others are playing into the hands of ISIS.” Political rivals, led by fellow presidential-hopeful Hillary Clinton, were vociferous. This is reprehensible, prejudiced and divisive. RealDonaldTrump, you don't get it. This makes us less safe. -H https://t.co/SjAqL0clHd— Hillary Clinton (HillaryClinton) December 7, 2015 Presidential candidate Martin O’Malley: Donald Trump is a ‘fascist demagogue’ https://t.co/QdGbjEfVfS— Business Insider (@businessinsider) December 7, 2015 Members of Trump’s own Republican Party have also been quick to condemn his words. Donald Trump is unhinged. His “policy” proposals are not serious.— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) December 7, 2015 We said it 2 weeks ago & we’ll say it again, realDonaldTrump’s rhetoric is dangerous and bad for America. -Staff https://t.co/zY9yWh4Ajq— John Kasich (JohnKasich) December 7, 2015 Former US Vice President Dick Cheney gave his opinion to the Washington Examiner# Has anyone publicly backed Trump’s call? Yes, but not many people. A few took to Twitter to voice their support. Here is the truth whether you like it or not:realDonaldTrump is only candidate to have the bravery to put out that statement on Muslims— David Brody (TheBrodyFile) December 7, 2015 Controversial conservative commentator Ann Coulter also had something to say. GO TRUMP, GO! https://t.co/wNHPSwm75q— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) December 7, 2015 #You ain’t no Muslim, bruv Trump’s rhetoric comes in the wake of the most recent demonstration of tolerant public sentiment in the UK. Three people were injured in a knife attack at a London Underground station at the weekend. But it was the words shouted at the suspect by a bystander that captured the nation’s attention. Since then, “You ain’t no Muslim, bruv” has even inspired its own hashtag. “Bruv” is street slang closely related to the use of the word “bro’” in the US. Keywords trending on social media in the US after Trump’s statement included Hitler, shutdown and immigration.   Less

Iraqi forces move street-by-street to recapture Ramadi

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Iraqi forces in Ramadi are moving street by street to force out ISIL militants in the hope of recapturing the city by the end of the week. ...

Iraqi forces in Ramadi are moving street by street to force out ISIL militants in the hope of recapturing the city by the end of the week. Officials say the operation marks the most significant progress made by the military since Ramadi fell to the group in May. The capital of the vast Anbar Province lies just over 100 kilometres west of Baghdad. Its fall to ISIL was a major blow to a government struggling to claw back territory from the group. Analysts suggest ISIL has lost 14 percent of its territory across Iraq and Syria in the past year. Despite this, it has captured new, strategically important territory and has managed to hold on to Iraq’s second city Mosul. While Iraqi officials are optimistic the recapture of Ramadi will be swift, the US coalition was more cautious. The army’s approach has been hindered by snipers and suicide bombers, and reports suggest ISIL is rounding up people to possibly use as human shields. US spokesman Colonel Steve Warren estimates up to 350 ISIL fighters remain in the city.   Less

US and Russia get differing results in the air over Syria

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The US is claiming its airstrikes in Syria and Iraq have killed 10 mid-level ISIL leaders in the past month, notably a French national impli...

The US is claiming its airstrikes in Syria and Iraq have killed 10 mid-level ISIL leaders in the past month, notably a French national implicated in the Paris attacks. He has been named as Charaffe al-Mouadan, and was allegedly killed on Christmas Eve. Also named was, according to the US, a UK-educated leading ISIL hacker, Siful Haque Sujan from Bangladesh. With the Iraqi army now being more effective on the ground in Iraq, retaking Ramadi on Monday, ISIL is being squeezed from all directions. “I think it’s really important to keep in mind that we still have a fight ahead of us. Mosul is different than Ramadi, it’s a big, big, big city and it’s going to take a lot of effort, it’s going to take more training, it’s going to take more equipment and it’s going to take patience,” said Col. Steve Warren, US army. Social media sites have received pictures allegedly from Aleppo, Damascus and Homs showing Syrian or Russian barrel bombing of residential areas. Several NGOs say civilian deaths have sharply risen since the Russians began their air war, and their criticisms were amplified by the US State Department on Monday. Indeed, some have claimed Russian planes are now killing more civilians per week than ISIL. Others maintain that Russia is bombing regime opponents of Bashar al-Assad far more intensively than known jihadi strongholds of ISIL. 12 months of war in #Syria: #ISIS lost territory in north, gained in south. Kurds biggest winner, Assad bigger loser pic.twitter.com/94QfYBNC4J— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) December 21, 2015   Less

‘Je suis Charlie’: Paris honours victims of Jan. 2015 Islamist militant attacks

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A commemorative plaque at the former office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has been unveiled as part of a series of tributes on Tuesday...

A commemorative plaque at the former office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has been unveiled as part of a series of tributes on Tuesday, in the run-up to the anniversary of last January’s Islamist militant killings in Paris. The plaque featured the names of all those killed there, although celebrated cartoonist George Wolinski’s name included a spelling mistake, which authorities said would be rectified quickly. Bourde gravée dans le marbre : une ultime blague pour #Wolinski #JeSuisCharly https://t.co/Fv079y1IJL pic.twitter.com/fB0G7zFYxl— Marianne (@marianne2fr) 5 Janvier 2016 A total of 17 people were gunned down by fanatics between January 7-9, including at a Jewish supermarket where French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo also paid their respects. The three days of terror prompted a solidarity movement worldwide under the banner ‘Je Suis Charlie’. But they proved to be a grim forerunner of the suicide bombings and shootings ten months later in Paris in which 130 people were killed. On Sunday, a more public ceremony is planned at Place de la Republique, the square in eastern Paris that attracted mass rallies in favour of free speech and democratic values after the attacks and became an informal memorial. Hollande will preside over the ceremony, during which a 10-metre-high commemorative oak tree will be planted. Johnny Hallyday, the 72-year-old French rock giant, will perform his song “A Sunday in January” about several million people who marched in protest on the streets of French cities on the Sunday following the January attacks. Known for ridiculing political and religious leaders, Charlie Hebdo has released a special anniversary edition with a cover showing an angry God with a Kalashnikov strapped to his back. “One year later, the assassin is still on the run,” the headline says. One year later, Charlie Hebdo is still as defiant as ever https://t.co/i6pck7e9UI pic.twitter.com/v8zpjm7V5t— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) 5 Janvier 2016 An editorial, released before publication, said the magazine would continue despite religious extremists who wanted to muzzle it. “They won’t be the ones to see Charlie die – Charlie will see them kick the bucket,” it declared.   Less

Seattle Police shoot man coming at them with knife wanted in all 50 states

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West Precinct patrol officers were dispatched to a report of an attempted car theft in the 1500 block of Queen Anne Avenue N around 1:45 p.m...

West Precinct patrol officers were dispatched to a report of an attempted car theft in the 1500 block of Queen Anne Avenue N around 1:45 p.m. Officers arrived just minutes later and confronted the knife wielding suspect near Kerry Park. The dashcam video published 12 hours later shows one officer shoot James Slade as he advances with a raised knife. Still armed with a knife and now wounded, Slade can be heard pleading with officers to kill him. Slade stands up and climbs into the driver’s seat of a patrol car. It is at this point that another officer tases him, something that is sequentially different from the original post by Seattle Police and is corrected that in post. Dashcam shows officers remove Slade from the patrol car and provide first aid until Seattle Fire medics arrive on scene.   Less

Coins, catfish, bikes and bottles: the treasures of Paris’ Canal Saint-Martin

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It’s 4.5 kilometres long, holds 90,000 cubic metres of water and contains treasures ranging from gold coins to washing machines… The C...

It’s 4.5 kilometres long, holds 90,000 cubic metres of water and contains treasures ranging from gold coins to washing machines… The Canal Saint-Martin in Paris is being dredged for the first time in 15 years. Fish are evacuated ahead of the operation and all the water is transferred into the capital’s River Seine. A favourite hangout for the French capital’s bobos — or bourgeois bohemians — the waterway will take three months and millions of euros to drain and clean. As rolled up carpets, suitcases, street signs and bikes emerged, one local office worker described the Canal as “a giant dustbin.” One woman said: “When you see the bikes, the scooters, you think ‘OK, that was an accident.’ But the bottles, they’ve been thrown in on purpose. It’s shocking.” Another child was slightly more hopeful about the operation. When asked what he thought might be found, he said: “For example, coins, gold bars or rubies!” Local authorities have warned people to resist the temptation to jump in and search for items they may have lost over the years. In images Hundreds of the capital’s Vélib hired bicycles have been found. Une centaine de Vélib retrouvés au fond du Canal Saint-Martin https://t.co/2JMyYweosi pic.twitter.com/bRWH1wzbi9— BFMTV (@BFMTV) January 11, 2016 Près de 100 Vélib exhumés du canal Saint-Martin https://t.co/X66gHIwcbk pic.twitter.com/NH009lq5b4— Libération (@libe) January 11, 2016 And bottles. Lots of bottles… More than anything else there are BOTTLES in the bottom of Canal Saint Martin! Cleaning has commenced… pic.twitter.com/SGWdEDGChx— Anne Ditmeyer (@pretavoyager) January 9, 2016 Catfish, filth and ‘little secrets’ were also found. More than anything else there are BOTTLES in the bottom of Canal Saint Martin! Cleaning has commenced… pic.twitter.com/SGWdEDGChx— Anne Ditmeyer (@pretavoyager) January 9, 2016 Le canal Saint-Martin se vide et dévoile ses trésors https://t.co/jOyW95shut pic.twitter.com/ug1qGW5htD— BFMTV (@BFMTV) January 7, 2016   Less