“…some of the weaponry recently supplied by the army has already ended up on the black market and in the hands of Islamic State fighters, according to Iraqi officers and lawmakers. American officials directed questions to the Iraqi government…
Report: Israel Considering Military Action Against Iran
NEWSMAX: …Israel’s biggest issue with the deal is its “sunset clause,” the [Jerusalem Post reports]. “You’ve not dismantled the infrastructure, you’ve basically tried to put limits that you think are going to be monitored by inspectors and intelligence,” the Israeli official told the Post. “And then after this period of time, Iran is basically free […]
OPEC’s clout on line as decisive meeting looms
USA TODAY: …OPEC leaders will meet Thursday in Vienna to consider cutting output to shore up prices. The price of benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude has dropped more than 30% the past few months, from more than $100 a barrel this summer to $75 a barrel this week. The drop is attributed to increased oil […]
Ferguson grand jury evidence may not be released after all
USA TODAY: …In an interview a few weeks ago, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch said the judge agreed that the records would be made public if there is no indictment. “If there is not an indictment returned in any case, then the case is closed and the records are closed. Unless the judge […]
President Obama: Let the battle begin!
Republicans in the House have a rule that has accounted for much of the gridlock that exists in Washington. Leadership requires that legislation passed in the House must have all necessary votes provided by the GOP majority.
The best thing for lawmakers to do until there’s a new governor? How about ‘Nothing?’
HARRISBURG PATRIOT-NEWS EDITORIAL: There’s a growing tide of speculation in Har-risburg’s political circles that strengthened Republican majorities in the state House and Senate might try to hand Gov. Tom Corbett some political victories before he leaves office in mid-January…
Leak of grand jury information could cost Attorney General Kane
As an assistant Lackawanna County prosecutor, Kathleen Kane testified at the 1999 trial of Judge Francis Eagen, charged with taking bribes. He had sought information about the investigation, she said, and she told him that grand juries operate in secret and their “strict rules” cannot be violated…
Gil Smart’s LNP column
“Upbraiding Taylor and what his shirt supposedly stands for becomes more important than praising the achievement; indeed, the achievement cannot be praised until Taylor and the rest of us are educated on the real issue here.”
The Pillars of Arab Despotism
The broader point is this: the educated youth who kicked off the revolutions of 2011 are not necessarily the vanguard of a new and more secular Middle East. They are one party in a bitter conflict over fundamental issues of identity and social order, a conflict whose outcome is far from certain.
Gambling Nuke Commander Linked to Fake Poker Chips
NEWSMAX: …Although Rear Adm. Timothy M. Giardina’s removal as deputy head of U.S. Strategic Command was announced earlier this year, evidence of his possible role in manufacturing the counterfeit chips has not previously been revealed. Investigators said they found his DNA on the underside of an adhesive sticker used to alter genuine $1 poker chips […]
Afghan parliament approves U.S, NATO agreements
USA TODAY: Afghanistan’s parliament approved agreements Sunday with the U.S. and NATO allowing international troops to remain in the country past the end of this year amid a renewed offensive by Taliban militants. The international combat mission in Afghanistan, begun after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban, was to conclude at the end […]
Catch these two films before they go!
Two current films, both of them successful at the box office, are worth seeing in theaters, before they’re replaced by an avalanche of late year entertainments and Oscar contenders.
Talk of impeaching President Obama is nonsense
If there is anything as politically foolish as the way the Republicans have handled the immigration issue, it would be for them to try to impeach the first Black American President.
Pennsylvania jobless rate declines to six-year low
The state Department of Labor and Industry released preliminary data showing unemployment fell to 5.4 percent from 5.7 percent in September. October’s unemployment rate was the lowest it has been in six years…