Future Fear - Roaring Waves - Global Government

With climate at 'breaking point', leaders urge breakthrough in Paris - Reuters
Reuters reports: "World leaders launched an ambitious attempt on Monday to hold back rising temperatures, with the United States and China leading calls for the climate summit in Paris to mark a decisive turn in the fight against global warming. In a series of opening addresses to the U.N. talks, heads of state and government exhorted each other to find common cause in two weeks of bargaining to steer the global economy away from its dependence on fossil fuels. [...] If a signed deal now appears likely, so too is the prospect that it will not be enough to prevent the world's average temperature from rising beyond 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. That is widely viewed as a threshold for dangerous and potentially catastrophic changes in the planet's climate system."

Wars & Rumors of War - King of the North

My Way News - Putin sends air-defense missiles to Syria to deter Turkey
My Way News reports: "In a move raising the potential threat of a Russia-NATO conflict, Russia said Wednesday it will deploy long-range air defense missiles to its base in Syria and destroy any target that may threaten its warplanes following the downing of a Russian military jet by Turkey. The incident was the first time in half a century that a NATO member shot down a Russian plane. If Russia responds by downing a Turkish plane, NATO member Turkey could proclaim itself under attack and ask the alliance for military assistance."

Admin - Primary Source is Changing

As you may know, the primary news source most cited on this blog is My Way News. If you have clicked through to any of the recent news reports you would have noticed this banner at the top of their page:

After many years, the MyWay website will be getting an upgrade. The current site will be available until the end of day, December 5th, 2015. The new site will debut in the near future.

If you're a MyWay email accountholder, you will still be able to access your email by logging in through the following URL:http://my.myway.com/email_redir.jsp. Please update your bookmarks accordingly.

Thank you for your years of loyalty using MyWay!

I'm not sure exactly what this will mean for their news site, but I will be using other sources until the dust settles. From time to time I get pushback from readers who email me to let me know (most friendly, some not) that there are indeed other sources of news on the net. Yes, I'm aware. So, why do I use them? My Way News has, for many years, offered up newswire reports on an uncluttered site, free of advertising, banners, pop-ups, cookies and trackers along with a commendable privacy policy. In short, I like My Way News because it's just news, the top headlines, and that's all.

We will begin this new era next week. Don't be surprised to find links to Reuters, AP, Fox, CNN and the other major news sites. I'll try really hard not to link to Yahoo News (the very opposite of My Way News), but it may be unavoidable. With any luck, My Way News will be back in the near future, better than ever, with an unchanged site philosophy.

For our American visitors, Happy Thanksgiving!

Wars and Rumors of War - King of the North

My Way News - Obama, Hollande pledge solidarity against ISIS
My Way News reports: "Hollande's trip to Washington was part of a diplomatic push to get the U.S. and other nations to bolster efforts to destroy the militant group that has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks. Hollande emerged from his meeting with Obama saying that France and the United States had agreed to step up a "joint response," including new efforts to target terrorists' financial networks, take back IS-controlled territory, scale up efforts in Syria and Iraq and increase intelligence sharing. [...] The French president had planned to urge Obama to work with Russia to build a new coalition to fight the extremists. But Hollande's mission quickly became entangled with the fallout from a Russian military plane downed by Turkey — an incident with echoes of the Cold War."

My Way News - Official: Paris attacks organizer was planning more carnage
My Way News reports: "The man believed to have planned the Nov. 13 Paris attacks that killed 130 people and wounded hundreds more had likely planned to carry out another suicide bombing days later in the French capital's business district, the Paris prosecutor said Tuesday."

My Way News - Turkey shoots down Russian jet it says violated its airspace
My Way News reports: "Turkey shot down a Russian warplane on Tuesday that it said ignored repeated warnings and crossed into its airspace from Syria, killing at least one of the two pilots in a long-feared escalation in tensions between Russia and NATO. Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced what he called a 'stab in the back' and warned of 'significant consequences.' [...] The incident highlighted the chaotic complexity of Syria's civil war, where multiple groups with clashing alliances are fighting on the ground and the sky is crowded with aircraft bombing various targets."

My Way News - Tunisia declares state of emergency after bus blast kills 12
My Way News reports: "Tunisia's president declared a 30-day state of emergency across the country and imposed an overnight curfew for the capital Tuesday after an explosion struck a bus carrying members of the presidential guard, killing at least 12 people and wounding 20 others. The government described it as a terrorist attack. The blast on a tree-lined avenue in the heart of Tunis is a new blow to a country that is seen as a model for the region but has struggled against Islamic extremist violence. "

Peace and Security of Jerusalem - Covenant With Many

My Way News - Surge in Israeli-Palestinian violence ahead of Kerry visit
My Way News reports: "A Palestinian fatally stabbed an Israeli soldier at a West Bank gas station Monday before he was killed by security forces as two Palestinian teenage girls in Jerusalem attacked a 70-year-old Palestinian, apparently mistaking him for an Israeli, in a new rash of attacks on the eve of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to the region to try and calm two months of deadly violence. [...] Monday's attacks are the latest in a wave of violence that began in mid-September over tensions surrounding a sensitive Jerusalem holy site [this is the PC term the reporters use when they refer to the Temple Mount...Ed.] and quickly spread across Israel and into the West Bank and Gaza Strip."

King of the North - Persia - Doomed Damascus - Gog Alliance

My Way News - Russia's Putin in Iran for talks focusing on Syria
My Way News reports: "Russia's President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran on Monday for talks with Iranian leaders that focused on the Syrian crisis and an international peace plan intended to end the conflict. During his meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, both Putin and the top cleric warned against any effort to impose a political settlement on Syria. [...] Moscow and Tehran have been the key backers of Assad throughout his nation's civil war, which has killed over 250,000 people and turned millions into refugees. Russia has shielded Syria from international sanctions, and on Sept. 30 it launched an air campaign against the Islamic State group and other insurgents, while Tehran has sent military advisers to shore up Assad."

Wars and Rumors of War

My Way News - US issues travel warning in wake of terror attacks
My Way News reports: "Americans should be alert to the possible travel risks, especially during the holidays, following increased terrorist threats around the world, the State Department warned on Monday. A travel alert, which is to be in effect until Feb. 24, said current information suggests that militants with the Islamic State, al-Qaida, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups continue to plan attacks in multiple regions. U.S. authorities said the likelihood of terror attacks will continue as members of IS return from Syria and Iraq, and other individuals not affiliated with terror groups engage in violence on their own."

Pestilence

My Way News - Liberia seeks US help to determine cause of new Ebola cases:
My Way News reports: "Two experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are set to travel to Liberia to try to determine the cause of new Ebola cases confirmed last week, more than two months after the country had been declared free of Ebola transmission for a second time, a Liberian health official said Monday. [...] Liberia has recorded more than 4,800 deaths during the worst Ebola outbreak in history, according to the World Health Organization. More than 11,300 deaths have been recorded for the entire outbreak, which was concentrated in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, according to WHO. The first cases were confirmed in March 2014."

Temple Mount - Peace and Security of Jerusalem - Persia

My Way News - Iran's Guard simulates capture of Al-Aqsa Mosque
My Way News reports: "Paramilitary forces from Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard have held a war game simulating the capture of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque from Israeli control, state media reported Saturday. [...] The hilltop compound, which is holy to Jews and Muslims, has been at the heart of weeks of unrest between Israel and the Palestinians. Muslims call the site the Noble Sanctuary, and the mosque is Islam's third holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Jews revere the spot as the Temple Mount — home to the biblical Temples and the holiest site in Judaism [...] Iran does not recognize Israel, has called for its destruction and supports anti-Israel militants across the Middle East."

Wars & Rumors of War

My Way News - Brussels hunkers down amid warning of Paris-style threat
My Way News reports: "Belgian authorities closed down Brussels' subway system and flooded the streets with armed police and soldiers Saturday in response to what they said was a threat of Paris-style attacks. The decision to raise the threat alert to the highest level in the Belgian capital came as the manhunt continued for a suspect missing since the carnage in neighboring France."

Ten Kings - Global Government

My Way News - SE Asia formally creates regional economic community
My Way News reports: "Southeast Asian leaders on Sunday formally created a unified economic community in a diverse region far larger than the European Union or North America, with hopes of competing with China and India. The 10 leaders in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations signed a declaration during their summit establishing the ASEAN Economic Community, originally envisioned in 2002."

Wars & Rumors of War

My Way News - Gunmen attack hotel in Mali's capital, killing at least 20:
My Way News reports: "Heavily armed Islamic extremists seized dozens of hostages Friday at a Radisson hotel, but Malian troops, backed by U.S. and French special forces, swarmed in to retake the building and free many of the terrified captives. At least 20 people, including one American, were killed along with two gunmen during the more than seven-hour siege, a Malian military commander said. An extremist group led by former al-Qaida commander Moktar Belmoktar claimed responsibility for the attack in the former French colony, and many in France saw it as a new assault on their country's interests a week after the Paris attacks."

Wars & Rumors of War

My Way News - Key events in life of Paris attacks' alleged mastermind
My Way News reports: "The alleged mastermind of the Paris attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was reported by French authorities on Thursday to have been killed the previous day during a police siege in the Paris suburb of St. Denis. He was born in Belgium to a Moroccan-born immigrant shopkeeper who lives and owns a clothing store in the Molenbeek-Saint-Jean borough of Brussels."

My Way News - EU security measures up for debate in wake of Paris attacks
My Way News reports: "France and Belgium will urge their European partners on Friday to tighten gun laws, toughen border security and choke off funds to extremist groups, a week after at least 129 people were killed in attacks in Paris."

My Way News - Russian strategic bombers deal new strikes on IS
My Way News reports: "Russian strategic bombers struck targets in Syria Thursday in a third straight day of a heavy bombing blitz, military officials said. Russia, which has conducted air campaign in Syria since Sept. 30, sharply raised its intensity this week on President Vladimir Putin's orders."

My Way News - European nations shut their borders to economic migrants
My Way News reports: "Most nations along Europe's refugee corridor abruptly shut their borders Thursday to those not coming from war-torn countries such as Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq, leaving thousands desperately seeking a better life in the continent stranded at Balkan border crossings. The overnight decision [...] reflected new worries about possible militants coming in with the refugees."

My Way News - House votes to curb Syrian refugees, snubbing veto threat
My Way News reports: "Responding swiftly to the terror in Paris, the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to erect high hurdles for Syrian and Iraqi refugees coming to American shores, dividing the president's own party as lawmakers reflected the anxiety of voters back home. The vote was 289-137, enough to override a threatened White House veto of the legislation, which was hurriedly drafted in response to the carnage in the streets of Paris. Forty-seven Democrats voted for the bill [...] The strong vote in the House could improve prospects for the bill in the Senate."

Future Fear - Roaring Waves

My Way News - Absurdly hot October as Earth sets 8th heat record this year
My Way News reports: "Even in a record-breaking hot year for Earth, October stood out as absurdly warm. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that last month globally was 58.86 degrees (14.98 degrees Celsius). That's the hottest October on record by a third of a degree over the old mark, 'an incredible amount' for weather records, said NOAA climate scientist Jessica Blunden. October's temperature was the most above-normal month in history."

Peace of Jerusalem - Temple Mount

My Way News - Palestinian attacks in Tel Aviv, West Bank leave 5 dead
My Way News reports: "A pair of stabbing and shooting attacks carried out by Palestinians killed three Israelis, a Palestinian and an American teenager on Thursday in one of the deadliest days in a recent outburst of Israeli-Palestinian violence. The attacks are part of a wave of violence that erupted in mid-September over tensions surrounding a Jerusalem holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims."

Wars & Rumors of War

My Way News - IS group says it has killed Norwegian, Chinese captives
My Way News reports: "The Islamic State group said Wednesday that it has killed Norwegian and Chinese captives after earlier demanding ransoms for the two men. [...] The announced killings come as Islamic State militants face increasing airstrikes from a variety of countries, including the U.S., Russia and France, as well as ground attacks from Kurdish and other forces."

My Way News - IS attacks claim more than 800 lives abroad this year
My Way News reports: "The Islamic State group has dramatically expanded its theatre of operations from its hub in Syria and Iraq, executing or inspiring a series of attacks across three continents that claimed more than 800 lives this year. [...] IS, which has recently lost territory to U.S.-backed forces in Syria and Iraq, seeks to boost its credentials with spectacular acts of violence that attract recruits."

My Way News - IS releases photo of bomb it says downed Russian jetliner
My Way News reports: "The Islamic State group on Wednesday released a photo of a bomb hidden in a soft drink can that it said had brought down a Russian passenger jet over Egypt last month, and it also announced it had killed hostages from Norway and China. The disclosure of the new violence by the militants came as Russian and French warplanes continued their stepped-up airstrikes against IS targets in Syria."

My Way News - Fate of Paris attacks mastermind unclear after bloody raid
My Way News reports: "The hunt for the mastermind of last week's attacks took a bloody turn Wednesday to a Paris suburb where a fierce gunbattle with police left at least two people dead and eight arrested. The fate of the alleged ringleader was unclear, with authorities saying he was not taken alive and they were trying to determine if he died in the raid. "

My Way News - Honduras detains 5 Syrians with stolen Greek passports
My Way News reports: "Five Syrians have been detained on charges of falsifying documents after trying to use stolen Greek passports to enter Honduras, a law enforcement spokesman for the Central American country said Wednesday. [...] the men indicated they planned to travel to the United States."

Covenant With Many

My Way News - Palestinian leader discusses failed peace effort
My Way News reports: "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has shined new light on the breakdown of a potentially history-altering round of 2008 peace talks, saying that he rejected an offer from Israel's Ehud Olmert — which included placing Jerusalem's Old City under international control — because he was not allowed to study the map."

Wars and Rumors of War

My Way News - IS militants dig in, anticipating assault on Syria's Raqqa
My Way News reports: "Islamic State militants are stiffening their defenses for a possible assault on their de facto capital Raqqa as international airstrikes intensify on the Syrian city in retaliation for the Paris attacks. The fighters are hiding in civilian neighborhoods and preventing anyone from fleeing, activists said. [...] the extremists are digging in to make any potential assault as grueling as possible. The city, which they have held since early 2014, lies on the Euphrates River at an intersection of major routes from all directions, most through agricultural areas crisscrossed by canals and tributaries of the river"

Pestilence

My Way News - Guinea begins countdown to end of Ebola after nearly 2 years
My Way News reports: "Authorities have started the countdown to the end of Ebola in Guinea, the last country still reporting cases after nearly two years and more than 11,000 deaths worldwide, health officials said Tuesday. The patient's recovery and the lack of new cases raise hopes that Guinea — and the world — could end Ebola transmission before the end of the year. Guinea must still go 42 days without any new cases and after that must maintain a period of heightened surveillance."

War - Nations in Distress

The New York Times - Hollande Says ‘France Is at War’
The New York Times reports: "President Francois Hollande told a joint session of Parliament on Monday that “France is at war,” and that it will prevail in its fight against the militants of the Islamic State."

My Way News - IS could ultimately force West to consider invasion:
My Way News reports: "This is the fundamental contradiction, after Paris: Few in the West want to send ground troops to Syria and Iraq to battle the Islamic State group, but it may be even harder to find anyone who thinks airstrikes alone will defeat the radical extremists [...] But if IS carries through with its threats of further attacks on the West [...] An international ground operation could become conceivable, and would not necessarily rely on Americans — a constellation of nations, including Egypt, Iran, the Gulf, Europe and Russia, has become increasingly enraged at the jihadis."

My Way News - France seeks united US-Russia assault on Islamic State
My Way News reports: "France wants to bring the United States and Russia together in a grand coalition dedicated to smashing the Islamic State group, President Francois Hollande told lawmakers Monday in a rare joint session in the Palace of Versailles as authorities worldwide struggled to pinpoint those responsible for the deadliest attacks on French soil since World War II. [...] In hopes of killing Islamic State organizers and trainees, France overnight launched its heaviest airstrikes yet on the city of Raqqa, the group's de-facto capital in Syria. French authorities said Sunday night's bombings destroyed a jihadi training camp and munitions dump."

CatholicHerald.co.uk - Paris terrorist attacks are ‘part of a Third World War,’ says Pope Francis
The Catholic Herald reports: "The terrorist attacks on Paris by ISIS militants are part of 'a third world war,' Pope Francis has said. Speaking on Saturday, the day after the attacks on the French capital, Pope Francis told the television station of the Italian bishops’ conference he was 'shaken and pained.' 'I don’t understand, but these things are difficult to understand, how human beings can do this,' the Pope said. 'That is why I am shaken, pained and am praying.'" 

Islamic State threatens attack on Washington, other countries | Reuters
Reuters reports: "Islamic State warned in a new video on Monday that countries taking part in air strikes against Syria would suffer the same fate as France, and threatened to attack in Washington. The video, which appeared on a website used by Islamic State to post its messages, begins with news footage of the aftermath of Friday's Paris shootings in which at least 129 people were killed."

War - Nations in Distress

My Way News - France vows to punish IS for Paris attacks that kill 127
My Way News reports: "French President Francois Hollande vowed to attack the Islamic State group without mercy as the jihadist group claimed responsibility Saturday for orchestrating the deadliest attacks on France since World War II. Hollande said at least 127 people died Friday night when at least eight attackers launched gun attacks at Paris cafes, detonated suicide bombs near France's national stadium and killed hostages inside a concert hall during a rock show. More than 200 people were injured, dozens critically."

War - Nations in Distress

My Way News - 120 dead in Paris attacks, worst since WWII:
My Way News reports: "A series of attacks targeting young concert-goers, soccer fans and Parisians enjoying a Friday night out at popular nightspots killed at least 120 people in the deadliest violence to strike France since World War II. President Francois Hollande condemned it as terrorism and pledged that France would stand firm against its foes. [...] There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. Jihadists on Twitter immediately praised them and criticized France's military operations against Islamic State extremists. Witnesses in the concert hall described hearing attackers say 'Allahu Akbar.' "

Rumors of War - King of the North

My Way News - Kremlin-controlled TV airs 'secret' plans for nuclear weapon
My Way News reports: "Details of a new Russian submarine-launched nuclear torpedo have been shown on state-controlled TV, a secret the Kremlin said should never have been aired. Some observers, however, saw it as a deliberate leak. The airing of the video on television channels under tight Kremlin control raised suspicions that it was done intentionally to scare the West at a time when its ties with Russia are at the lowest point since the Cold War."

Comment: At least they didn't leak details about the nuclear depth charges. 

War

My Way News - Amid offensive, Iraqi Kurds cut Islamic State supply line
My Way News reports: "Supported by U.S.-led airstrikes, Kurdish Iraqi troops on Thursday seized part of a highway that is used as a vital supply line by the Islamic State group, a key initial step in a major offensive to retake the strategic town of Sinjar from the militants. [...]The coalition said 24 airstrikes were carried out over the past day, striking nine militant tactical units, nine staging areas and destroying 27 fighting positions, among other targets. Coalition aircraft have conducted more than 250 airstrikes in the past month across northern Iraq."

My Way News - Twin suicide blasts in Beirut's Shiite suburb kill 43
My Way News reports: "Twin suicide bombings struck a southern Beirut suburb that's a stronghold of the militant Shiite Hezbollah group on Thursday evening, killing at least 43 people and wounding scores more in one of the deadliest attacks in recent years in Lebanon. The attack was quickly claimed by the extremists Islamic State group, which is fighting in neighboring Syria and Iraq but has not had a recognized affiliate in Lebanon, though the tiny Mediterranean country has seen deadly spillovers from the civil war next door. "

War - Doomed Damascus

My Way News - Global push for end to Syria war seen as most serious yet
My Way News reports: "The international community is mounting its most serious effort yet to end the nearly 5-year-old Syrian war, rallying around a second round of talks in Vienna this weekend amid the emergence of a Russian proposal that calls for early elections."

My Way News - Syrians express opposition to Russian plan to end conflict
My Way News reports: "A Russian proposal to end Syria's conflict that would include early presidential elections faced opposition from both sides on Wednesday, as deep divisions remained over the fate of President Bashar Assad. "

Rumors of War - Kings of the East

My Way News - China to Philippines: No sea feud talk at APEC summit
My Way News reports: "China's top diplomat asked the Philippines Tuesday not to raise contentious issues — an obvious reference to the Asian neighbors' territorial spats — in an annual economic summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Manila next week [...] the two Asian neighbors' relations soured in the last three years due to overlapping claims in the South China Sea, a regional conflict that involves four other Asian governments, whose leaders are attending the Manila meetings."

Final Kingdom

My Way News - Cameron: Britain's EU demands not 'Mission: Impossible'
My Way News reports: "British Prime Minister David Cameron laid out his government's demands for European Union reform Tuesday, saying a looser 'British model of membership' would let him campaign 'heart and soul' for his country to stay in the 28-nation bloc. Cameron said the EU must agree to 'irreversible changes' that would cede autonomy back to member states — and limit freedom of movement, a key EU principle, by allowing the U.K. to restrict benefits for immigrants from within the EU. Britain will hold a referendum by the end of 2017 on whether to leave the EU."

Peace & Security of Jerusalem

My Way News - Violence returns to Jerusalem after 2-week lull
My Way News reports: "Two Palestinian boys, aged 11 and 14, stabbed and wounded an Israeli guard on a train who responded by firing and wounding one of them Tuesday. Meanwhile, Israeli security forces killed two other Palestinians who carried out knife attacks, police said, as violence returned to Jerusalem after a two-week lull. [...] Jerusalem had been relatively quiet for the past two weeks following an Israeli crackdown in response to the attacks."

Future Fear

My Way News - World Bank: Climate change could result in 100 million poor
My Way News reports: "Climate change could push more than 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030 by disrupting agriculture and fueling the spread of malaria and other diseases, the World Bank said in a report Sunday."

Covenant With Many

My Way News - Obama, Netanyahu minimize differences, renew call for peace
My Way News reports: "Minimizing sharp differences, President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed their commitment to seeking elusive Middle East peace on Monday, though prospects for an agreement between Israelis and Palestinians appear ever further out of reach."

Pestilence

My Way News - Sierra Leone declared free of Ebola, as Guinea struggles
My Way News reports: "Cheers erupted and people danced in the streets Saturday as Sierra Leone marked the end of the Ebola outbreak within its borders, although neighboring Guinea still struggles to stamp out the deadly virus that has killed more than 11,000 mostly in West Africa. Nearly 4,000 people have died in Sierra Leone of Ebola since the outbreak began in late 2013."

Covenant With Many

My Way News - US rules out Mideast peace deal before Obama leaves office
My Way News reports: "President Barack Obama has made a 'realistic assessment' that a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians is not possible during his final months in office, U.S. officials said Thursday. The officials spoke to reporters ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the White House on Monday."

War - Jerusalem Peace & Security

My Way News - Palestinian shooting attacks signal escalation in West Bank
My Way News reports: "Back-to-back Palestinian shootings Friday wounded three Israelis, two of them seriously, the military said. The attacks signaled an escalation after a series of Palestinian stabbings and widespread stone-throwing that marked the current round of confrontations with Israel. Israeli media said the wounded were teens between the ages of 16 and 19."

Fearsome Events - Future Fear

My Way News - Report: 14 wild weather events last year goosed by warming
My Way News reports: "Dozens of scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and across the world examined 28 strange weather conditions last year to see if global warming partly increased their likelihood or their strength. In a series of papers in a 180-page, peer-reviewed report, the scientists spotted some effects of climate change in half of them. In other weather events, scientists found no evidence of climate change making conditions more likely or stronger."

Temple Mount - Covenant With Many

My Way News - Jordan: No cameras inside mosques at Jerusalem holy site
My Way News reports: "The interiors of two mosques at a sensitive Jerusalem holy site will be exempt from monitoring by security cameras, Jordan's king said in an apparent attempt to allay Palestinian concerns about his plan to install the cameras at the sprawling hilltop compound. The 37-acre (15 -hectare) site has been at the heart of the current round of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Jordan, the custodian of the site, last month proposed camera monitoring in efforts to defuse tensions. Israel welcomed the plan but the idea was met by Palestinian criticism."

Comment: It will be interesting to see if this is enough to overcome Palestinian objections. The interesting thing to note is how they are acting as if the Palestinians have the final word. From what I've read, final administrative control rests with Jordan. Of course, given recent Palestinian behavior, their ability to act out and act up may give them a de facto veto. Isn't it odd that the site is the absolute holiest site to Israel but only the third holiest site to followers of Islam, and yet they act as if it's the most important thing to them. Some perspective is needed. I know, we are talking about the reality distortion field that covers all of the holy land, so no, perspective is the one thing they will never have.

Global Government

My Way News - Details of controversial Pacific trade deal are released
My Way News reports: "Governments of the 12 member countries released the complete text online Thursday, making public the specifics of an agreement that critics complain was forged in secrecy. [...] Apart from the U.S., Japan and Mexico, countries in the trade pact are New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Peru, Canada, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia."

War - Covenant with Many

My Way News - Conflict hard to ignore as stabbings reach Israeli heartland
My Way News reports: "After years of relative quiet in major Israeli cities, a seven-week burst of violence has brought the Palestinian issue to the country's heartland and pushed the long-festering conflict back to the forefront of the national agenda. Disillusioned by years of failed negotiations and a controversial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, most Israelis appear to want to create more distance and separation from their Palestinian neighbors rather than revive peace talks."

Comment: The Palestinians are constantly innovating, coming up with new ways to demonstrate their desire for peace.  Quite remarkable really.

Rumors of War - Kings of the East

My Way News - No joint declaration at Asia defense meet amid sea tensions
My Way News reports: "Divisions within Asia over China's claims in the disputed South China Sea spilled over Wednesday to a meeting of U.S. and Asian defense ministers, where China insisted the group make no public mention of the waterway in a joint declaration intended as a public display of unity. [...] China's claims in the South China Sea are disputed by several countries in the region, including Malaysia, which is hosting the meeting."

Doomed Damascus

My Way News - Russia says it doesn't mind if Assad stays or steps down
My Way News reports: "In an apparent effort to set the stage for transition talks, a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman said on Tuesday that Moscow does not consider it a matter of principle that Syrian President Bashar Assad should stay in power."

Covenant with Many

My Way News - AP Interview: Peres says Israel could face an eternal war
My Way News reports: "Over a seven-decade career in politics, Shimon Peres has helped guide Israel through wars and existential threats. But now, with the country embroiled in a new wave of violence, the 92-year-old elder statesman worries that if its leaders do not get serious about pursuing peace with the Palestinians, it will be in an eternal state of war and risk losing its Jewish majority."