Latin America Archives - Page 379 of 485

As U.S. Pushes For Syria Strike, Questions Loom over Obama Claims in Chemical Attack

During Tuesday’s Senate hearing on Syria, Secretary of State John Kerry insisted the administration has irrefutable evidence showing the Assad regime was responsible for the deadly chemical attack in late August. But questions remain over key parts of the administration’s case for military action.

Venezuela Suffers Nationwide Blackout

Venezuela recorded today a nationwide blackout that still affects several interior regions as the power is gradually restored, reported dpa news. The incident happened at about noon and lasted for about 15 minutes in Caracas before power was restored. Subsequently, however, it failed again.

Possible Upshot of a US Attack on Syria

The White House has launched what it describes as a “flood the zone” campaign to persuade Congress to authorize bombing Syria days after President Obama surprised many by announcing he would seek congressional approval before taking action against the Syrian government.

Cuba States Position on Syria

As the Obama administration seeks Capitol Hill support to bomb Syria as punishment for alleged use of chemical weapons; Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Sunday that urges the US Congress to take the lead from the British Parliament, whose rejecting such action made an important contribution to world peace.

This Week in Palestine (Aug. 24-30)

Welcome to this Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org, for August 24th to the 30th, 2013. As Palestinian – Israeli new resumed peace talks continue, Israeli troops kill three Palestinian civilians during attacks targeting West Bank committees.

US Prepares to Strike Syria

Pentagon officials say the U.S. Navy has moved five destroyers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles into the eastern Mediterranean Sea to prepare for a possible strike on Syria. This comes as the British Parliament voted Thursday not to back international action against Syria.

Does US Have the Evidence and Authority to Bomb Syria for Alleged Chemical Attack?

The Obama administration appears to be pressing ahead with military strikes on Syria despite new obstacles at home and abroad. On Wednesday, an informal meeting of the United Nations Security Council failed to reach an agreement after Russia and China opposed any authorization of force in response to last week’s alleged chemical attack by Assad forces in Ghouta.

Manning, Snowden, Assange & Cuban 5

In the case of the Cuban Five and these three whistleblowers, the convictions are within the bounds of the law. It seems, however, that our legislations have serious shortcomings. They need to be interpreted differently and perhaps changed with new precepts that take into the account the universal and eternal value of ethical principles.

As Fukushima Raises Severity Level, Nuclear Expert Warns Radioactive Leaks Will Only “Get Worse”

Japan’s nuclear regulator said today it has officially raised the severity rating of the latest radioactive water leak at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant to Level 3 on an international scale for radiological releases. The plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), said last week that 330 tons of highly radioactive water leaked from a storage tank at the facility.

As Strikes on Syria Loom, Is US Ignoring a Diplomatic Track?

Britain is set to introduce a United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing military action in Syria as the United States and allies gear up for expected strikes on the Assad regime. The resolution condemns the Syrian government for allegedly using chemical weapons and authorizes “necessary measures for protecting civilians.”