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Bezuinigingen en groeiende ongelijkheid leidt tot onrust en onbehagen. Maar waar blijft de opstand?

Banken, bonussen, bezuinigingen en een toenemende ongelijkheid in de samenleving zorgen voor een groeiend gevoel van onbehagen onder burgers. Lees meer.

Tegenlicht

1000s hold anti-austerity demo in Athens

Thousands of people in Greece have held a protest rally outside the parliament in the capital Athens against government’s austerity measures.

Over 12,000 people rallied in the capital on Sunday ahead of.. Read more.

PressTV

Related,
- Greek Parliament Rams Through Reform Bill - Greek Reporter

Greek Parliament Rams Through Reform Bill

The Greek Parliament, by a vote of 152 to 135, in the early morning hours of March 31 approved a critical reform bill needed to release a delayed nine billion euro installment from international lenders, but only after vehement criticism from opponents who said it harm pharmacies, independent stores and small businesses.

The vote took place against the backdrop of protests.. Read more.

Greek Reporter

Ukrainian people in 3 major eastern cities hold protest

More pro-Russia rallies in volatile eastern Ukraine- people take into streets in three major cities shouting anti-government slogans.

The demonstrations were held in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lugansk. The ralliers called for a union between south-eastern regions in order to confront what they call coup leaders in capital Kiev. They also demanded a referendum to allow them to determine their own future. The protesters also urged the immediate release of political prisoners.

In recent weeks pro-Russia rallies have been held nearly on a daily-basis in eastern Ukrainians cities. Neighboring Crimea separated from Ukraine and rejoined the Russian Federation following a mid-March referendum.

PressTV

Related,
- Lavrov: If West accepts coup-appointed Kiev govt, it must accept a Russian Crimea - RT

Venture Capital: Ukraine - Cash injection or infection?

The International Monetary Fund is to loan Ukraine up to 18 billion dollars to save the country from bankruptcy after three months of protests.

But this money comes with strict austerity instructions that could escalate the tensions in Kiev -- Katie Pilbeam discusses the implications of these cuts with Business New Europe Editor Ben Aris. U.S. President Barack Obama threatens energy sanctions on Russia but we question the impact.

Russia's banking cull continues and in- house investor Tim Kirby spins the wheel once again -- but is his beginners luck about to run out?

RT

Lavrov: If West accepts coup-appointed Kiev govt, it must accept a Russian Crimea

The West is inconsistent in not recognizing the Crimea referendum as legitimate, while recognizing the military coup in Kiev, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said. He accused the EU and US of duplicity and described sanctions as a “dead-end track.”

If the West accepts Kiev’s coup-appointed government then it must,.. Read more.

RT

Relatd,
- Ecuador does not recognize Ukraine’s ‘illegitimate’ govt - Correa - RT

Oligarchs, Fascists and the People's Protest in Ukraine

Derek Monroe - The Ukrainian far right, backed by local oligarchs, the US and the EU - hijacked the peaceful protest against corruption

TRNN

At least eight killed in local polls

At least eight people were killed March 30 in clashes between groups backing rival candidates in Turkey’s municipal elections.

Security officials said six people were killed.. Read more.

Hürriyet

Related,
- Nearly 53 million voting at Turkey's 194,000 polling stations - Today's Zaman
- Today's elections set to overhaul country's political landscape - Today's Zaman

- Extraordinary security measures taken for polls - Hürriyet
- Turkish elections: broadcasting ban goes into effect - AA

‘Disobedence 2014’: Mass protest calls for an end to austerity in Spain

Around 4,000 people have staged an act of “mass civil disobedience” in the Catalonian city of Barcelona.

Protesters hurled projectiles at police and set fire to bins,.. Read more + photos.

RT

Related,
- Anti-globalisation protest - Barcelona (photos) - Demotix

Mt. Gox faced questions on handling client cash long before crisis

(Reuters) - Two years before Mt. Gox filed for bankruptcy, a half dozen employees at the Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange challenged CEO Mark Karpeles over whether client money was being used to cover costs, according to three people who participated in the discussion.

The question of how Mt. Gox handled other people's money.. Read more.

Reuters

De week van Bitcoin #21: Tuur bij Coinsummit in San Francisco en Kim Dotcom

In De Week van Bitcoin #21 staan Tuur Demeester en Paul Buitink stil bij de Coinsummit in San Francisco die Tuur heeft bezocht en gaan de heren in op de politieke en crypto plannen van Kim Dotcom.

Verder aandacht voor het rapport van UBS en de bitcoinvriendelijke plannen van het eilandje Isle of Man.

deBitcoin

Saadi Qaddafi denies abuse allegations, apologises to Libya people

A calm and seemingly un-bruised Saadi Qaddafi appeared on a televised video from Hadba prison yesterday to deny to allegations that he had been ill treated, beaten and tortured.

Former Prime Minister Ali Zeidan had said in an interview this week.. Read more.

Libya Herald

Related,
- Small group of U.S. soldiers in Libya ahead of training mission - Reuters
- Declaring War on Terrorists in Libya - Tripoli Post

3 Troops Martyred, 4 Wounded in Suicide Attack Targeting Arsal Army Checkpoint

Three troops were martyred and four others were wounded on Saturday evening in the border town of Arsal when a suicide bomber driving a booby-trapped car blew himself up at an army checkpoint in region.

 "A suicide bomber driving a booby-trapped car.. Read more.

Naharnet

Related,
- Car bomb targets Lebanon army near Syria border - Washington Post
- Syria Army 'Gains Ground' along Lebanon Border - Naharnet

Nasrallah: If takfiris succeed in Syria, all in Lebanon will be eliminated

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned of the threat posed to Lebanon by Islamist fighters in the Syrian conflict on Saturday.

In a televised speech, Nasrallah discussed Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria,.. Read more.

Al Akhbar

Related,
- Sayyed Nasrallah: Hezbollah Stronger, Gold will Always Remain Gold - Al Manar
- Nasrallah Supports Dialogue after Presidential Vote, Says Equation Remains Golden 'Even if Someone Changes Their Opinion' - Naharnet

Obama Weighs New Aid for Gunmen in Syria, Sets Joint Military Plan with Saudis

The United States is considering allowing shipments of portable air defense systems to Syrian opposition groups, a U.S. official said Friday, as President Barack Obama sought to reassure Saudi Arabia’s king that the U.S. is not taking too soft a stance in Syria and other Mideast conflicts.

A Washington Post report said Saturday that the U.S. is ready to.. Read more.

Al Manar

Related,
- Obama meets with Saudi king, weighs new Syria aid (video) - Washington Post
- Official: Obama May Provide Syrian Rebels with Manpads - Arutz Sheva

- The moderate rebels: A needle in a haystack - Al Akhbar

Is Pakistan aiding Syrian rebels?

Pakistan denies claims it is arming Syrian rebels at Saudi Arabia's behest. Experts, however, say Islamabad is not only providing military equipment to anti-Assad groups, it's also helping jihadists to go fight in Syria.

Pakistani and international media have reported about Pakistan-based Wahhabi militant groups,.. Read more.

DW

Related,
- Saudi Arabia woos Pakistan with $1.5 billion grant. Why now? - CS Monitor
- From Saudi, with love - Dawn

Intelligence Wars in Syria

Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

This documentary takes an in depth look into a number of terrorist attacks and assassinations that have taken place in Syria in the recent years.

PressTV

Teargas fired at clashes between El-Sisi and Sabahi supporters in Alexandria

Police fire teargas to disperse supporters of rival presidential candidates

Clashes erupted on Saturday between supporters of rival presidential candidates Hamdeen Sabahi and Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in Alexandria. Read more.

Ahram

Related,
- Clashes between Egypt police, protesters kill 4 - PressTV

Israel-Egypt: Peace treaty not peace

On the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, Ahram Online explores relations between the two countries in recent years

An independent economic source, who asked to remain anonymous, told Ahram Online this week that as part of a plan to deal with severe energy shortages,.. Read more.

Ahram

Egypt narrows budget deficit in 8 months due to aid from Gulf countries

Egypt’s overall budget deficit narrowed to LE123.6 billion (US$17.79 billion) in 8 months from 2013 to 2014 from LE146.5 billion, due to higher non-tax revenues, particularly grants aid from Gulf countries, according to data from the Finance Ministry.

Measured by percentage of economic output, the deficit is now.. Read more.

Egypt Independent

Obama and the Saudi Agenda

Toby Jones says the Saudis see the Arab awakening as an existential threat while the US sees it as something to be manipulated

TRNN

Related,
- Obama seeks to reassure Saudi king on Iran nuke program, Syrian civil war - DW
- US seeks to heal Saudi rift with deal on rebel arms - The Times

Gorillaz - Kids With Guns

Lyric

Greece child abuse rises as economy falters

Economic crisis has been linked to a growing number of abandoned and abused children, straining local charities.

Athens, Greece - Haritina is a fine-boned, well-mannered 16-year-old. Read more.

Al Jazeera

#NewWorldNextWeek: Pedophiles, Drugs and Money in the New World Order

Story #1: Lord Justice Fulford ‘Campaigned to Support PIE Paedophile Group’
Story #2: Vatican Bound Cocaine-Filled Condoms Seized By German Customs
Story #3: Sanctions Against Russia? Don’t Tell ExxonMobil Read more.

Corbett Report & Media Monarchy

Standby NATO: Turkey plots justification to Syria strike

The Turkish government is red-faced after a leak on YouTube revealed a daring plot to justify invading neighboring Syria.

An anonymous source posted audio of a secret meeting between top Turkish officials - discussing a false flag operation that would appear as a Syrian attack. It's not the first time Ankara has tried to rally NATO against Syria.

RT's Marina Portnaya has a collection of Turkish attempts to spark a full-blown war with its neighbor, with the backing of the Alliance.

RT

Defense Says FBI Wanted Marathon Bombing Suspect As Informant

Defense attorneys for suspected Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev say sometime before the bombing his older brother, Tamerlan, was approached by the FBI and was asked to be an informant.

In a letter from February made public in a motion filed in federal court today,.. Read more.

NPR

Related,
- Feds: `No evidence' Tamerlan Tsarnaev was FBI informant - Boston Herald

- The Boston Bombings and the CIA Connection. Graham Fuller and Uncle Ruslan Tsarnaev - Global Research
- Boston terror suspects uncle was married to CIA officer's daughter and even shared a home with the agent - Daily Mail

- Former CIA officer: ‘Absurd’ to link uncle of Boston suspects, Agency - Al Monitor

Former Norwegian premier Stoltenberg named new NATO chief

Former Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has been named the new secretary general of NATO, the military alliance confirmed.

He replaces the outgoing Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Read more.

DW

Baltic States seek NATO boots on the ground

In the wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the Baltic States are engaged in intense talks with NATO to step up security in the region.

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia welcome plans for more NATO troops. Read more.

DW

ЗАШТО? WHY? Revisiting NATO atrocities in Yugoslavia after 15 yrs

Part 2

Fifteen years after NATO's 78-day bombardment of Yugoslavia, memories of the bombing still haunt present-day Serbia. NATO killed over 2,000 people, hundreds were civilians, 88 were children. Serbs ask 'why?' above all.

Why did NATO smash their cities, kill their children, bomb hospitals and schools? RT presents 'Zashto?' (Why?) on the trauma of terror in Serbia. Read more.

RT

Head to Head - Should the West end its wars?

A decade of Western interventions in the Middle East is coming to an end. But is the West leaving behind better countries than they found? Or were their campaigns total fiascos?

Nicknamed Darth Vader by his men and Macho Jacko by the British tabloid press, General Sir Mike Jackson, the former head of the British army, says the West did not always achieve its objectives, but will not admit failure.

Al Jazeera

The Iraq War's Real Legacy

Though President Obama attempts to justify Iraq's invasion, Iraqi civilians and Iraq war veterans share their stories on the lasting environmental, social, and health effects of the U.S. occupation still being felt today

TRNN

Grillo lashes out at Obama

'He came to sell shale, F-35 fighter jets' says M5S leader

(ANSA) - Rome, March 28 - The leader of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) Beppe Grillo lashed out at US President Barack Obama.. Read more.

ANSA

Related,
- People in Rome protest against Obama visit to Italy - PressTV
- Italy: Obama's visit breeds protests in Rome (video) - RT

Over 40% of Italians want to ditch euro

ANSA) - Rome, March 28 - Some 43% of Italians are in favor of leaving the euro currency, new poll results showed Friday.

According to a study by the Ixè institute for Italian broadcaster Rai3,.. Read more.

ANSA

Related,
- Italy's five-year bonds drop to new low - ANSA
- Italy gross borrowing requirement to drop in 2014, OECD says - ANSA

No third Greek bailout so far, says euro zone official

The eurozone is not making any preparations for a third bailout for Greece and will consider it only if expressly asked by Athens, which has not happened so far, a senior eurozone official said on Thursday.

Instead, the euro zone is now focusing on.. Read more.

eKathimerini

Related,
- Greeks decry market reforms needed to unlock EU-IMF aid - eKathimrini
- Peripheral bank bond penalty vanishing as confidence returns - eKathimerini

Chaos with Ongoing Greek Pharmacists Strike

Citizens have been greatly inconvenienced by the decision of Greek pharmacists to shut down their stores, protesting to the changes regarding the ownership of pharmacies embedded in the new bill introduced to Greek parliament.

In pharmacies that are on duty,.. Read more.

Greek Reporter

¡No Pasarán! Thousands march in Madrid against education austerity cuts

Thousands of university and high school students flooded central Madrid in a second day of strikes Thursday organized to protest massive cuts in education funding imposed by PM Mariano Rajoy's People's Party government. Read more.

RT

Related,
- Fires and barricades on day two of student protests in Madrid - El País
- Most violent “student” protestors in Madrid not students at all - El País

- Solicitor General’s Office rejects call for ban on protests in Madrid city center - El País

Public deficit nearly on target at 6.62%

But declining consumer prices raise the specter of deflation in Spain and Europe

Speaking after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Cristóbal Montoro announced on Friday that the public deficit figure for 2013 came in at 6.62 percent of GDP, which represents around 66.2 billion euros. Read more.

El País

Related,
- Central bank’s growth forecasts exceed government’s own predictions - El País
- Home evictions averaged 184 per day in Spain last year - El País

Home evictions averaged 184 a day in Spain last year

Number of court-ordered expulsions reached 67,189 in 2013, according to judicial figures

The number of court-ordered home evictions for non-payment of mortgages, rent or other legal reasons reached 67,189 last year, according to judicial statistics released on Friday. Read more.

El País

Related,
- Central bank’s growth forecasts exceed government’s own predictions - El País
- Public deficit nearly on target at 6.62% - El País

Juice News: Crimea - Media War Games ft. Abby Martin

It's March 2014 and following on from an extremely successful Winter Olympic Games, Russia decides to organise another fun sporting event: and the whole world's invited. Welcome to the Paramilitary Games in the Crimean Peninsula.

Unfortunately, in spite of Russia's best intentions, the Western Media doesn't seem to enjoy the event as much as anticipated, and spits the dummy in a way that exceeds even its #SochiFail histrionics. The battle lines are drawn: it's East versus West in a good old fashioned media cold-shoulder war, with each side firing 24 hour news cycle broadsides at each other with alacrity.

Join your host Robert Foster, caught squarely in the cross-fire as he attempts to navigate the salvos, and find some underlying truth. It's Mutually Assured Mass-Media Destruction: Crimedia Wars - and the stakes are high - who will win the War of Perception? It's Juice Rap News, in the thick of it, as usual... Hysteria Is Happening.

Written & created by Giordano Nanni & Hugo Farrant in a suburban backyard home studio in Melbourne, Australia, ­on Wurundjeri Land.

Juice Media

Al Jazeera reporter explains Philippines peace deal with Muslim rebels

The Philippines and the country's largest Muslim rebel group have signed a historic peace agreement, after 17 years of negotiations and decades of fighting that killed at least 120,000 in the southern island of Mindanao.

Al Jazeera's Jamela Alindogan reports from Mindanao.

Al Jazeera

Related,
- Philippines signs deal with Muslim rebels (video) - Al Jazeera
- From the battlefields of Mindanao, Bangsamoro peace pact signed in the gardens of Malacanang - Minda News

- Pact ends 40 years of darkness – Najib - Manila Times
- Bangsamoro agreement opens up Mindanao’s fertile lands - Manila Times

- Hopes, fears aired on signing of Bangsamoro peace pact - Minda News

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

A Palestinian child was killed in the far southwest of Hebron. Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian civilians and a member of a Palestinian armed group and wounded another 12 Palestinians in Jenin refugee camp.

Israeli forces continued to fire at Palestinian civilians in access-restricted areas along the border in the Gaza Strip. Read more.

PCHR

Army arrests 41 extremists in Sinai

CAIRO, Mar 27 (Aswat Masriya) - Army and police forces have arrested 41 terrorist elements in Sinai on Thursday, said an army spokesman.

The armed forces demolished three houses, 28 huts, and 25 unlicensed motorcycles used by terrorists and extremists, said Colonel Ahmed Mohamed Ali on his Facebook page. Read more.

Aswat Masriya

Top prosecutor sends 919 Morsi supporters to court

After Monday's announcement of 529 death sentences handed out in Minya, Egypt's top prosecutor refers 919 Morsi supporters to mass trial before the same court

Egypt's top prosecutor referred hundreds of Islamists to court Wednesday,.. Read more.

Ahram

Related,
- Egypt court sets 28 April to rule in trial of Brotherhood leader, 682 others - Ahram
- EU's Ashton criticises collective death sentence in Egypt - Ahram

Egypt's Sisi to run for president, vows to tackle militancy

CAIRO, March 26 (Reuters) - Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the general who ousted Egypt's first freely elected leader, declared his candidacy on Wednesday for a presidential election he is expected to easily win.

Sisi toppled Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood last July after mass protests against his rule.. Read more.

Aswat Masriya

Related,
- Sisi's statement on running for presidency - Aswat Masriya

- Cabinet source: No reshuffle before presidential elections - Egypt Independent
- Colonel General Sobhi replaces Field Marshal El-Sisi as Egypt's defence minister - Ahram

- Egypt army extends power by taking charge of gulf aid - Aswat Masriya

Arab League summit fails to reach consensus on pressing issues

The Arab League summit has ended in Kuwait with no agreement on how to solve some of the regions's most pressing issues.

The Syrian opposition failed to get the official seat at the summit and also failed in their appeal for greater military support, with some leaders at odds over which opposition factions to back.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt had looked for condemnation of the Muslim Brotherhood but the final communique of the summit skirted around the issue. Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall reports from Kuwait City.

Al Jazeera

Related,
- Hamas feels disappointed by Arab League's final statement - MEM
- Opposition fail to get Syria Arab League seat - Al Alam

- Another “Useless” Arab League Summit - Global Research

The unraveling of the Saudi-US alliance

When President Barack Obama visits the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) during the last days of March, the biggest challenge facing the US as the main country fighting the “War on Terror” is that its most important Arab ally is the major sponsor of ideologies and groups perpetrating terror and supporting terrorists in many Muslim countries, especially in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen and North Africa. Obama and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz have much to discuss.

Unlike US relations with Israel, Saudi-US relations were never organic, i.e., based on shared religious and cultural values. Read more.

Today's Zaman

Related,
- Arabian slights: Why the Saudis are angry about American policies - Haaretz
- What awaits Obama in Saudi Arabia - Al Arabiya

- Gasoline Ally: Saudi oil keeps US loyal (video) - RT

Syrian rebels capture vital military command post

Syrian rebels have captured a government command centre in Latakia. A combined force led by Ahrar al-Sham and Jabhat al-Nusra overwhelmed troops stationed at the military and communications post.

Most of the people in the area are supporters of Syrian President Bashar al Assad. The region is the historic heartland of Assad's clan and his Alawite sect. Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught reports.

Al Jazeera

Related,
- Terrorist groups eliminated in several areas around the country - SANA
- Syrian opposition and Assad forces clash over coastal town - Today's Zaman

- Terrorist car bomb and mortar attacks in Homs and Damascus Countryside claim one life - SANA

- President al-Assad warns of western-backed extremism on the region's unity - SANA
- Al-Jaafari: Turkish army's covering of terrorist operations in Kasab is dangerous escalation - SANA

Al-Jaafari: Turkish army's covering of terrorist operations in Kasab is dangerous escalation

New York, (SANA) Syria's Permanent Representative to UN Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari said Turkish army is covering the terrorist operations of the armed groups in Kasab area in the coastal province of Lattakia, pointing out that Syrian government has sent several letters to the United Nations on the dangerous violations exercised by Israel in the disengagement zone (the UNDOF zone) and its surroundings.

Al-Jaafari added at a press conference he held at UN HQ.. Read more.

SANA

Report: Erdoğan may visit Israel after elections

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan may visit Israel after the March 30 local elections in a move to improve Turkish-Israeli relations, which turned sour after a Gaza-bound Turkish aid flotilla was attacked by Israeli forces in March 2010, Turkish dailies reported on Thursday.

According to press reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's special representative on energy and security issues,.. Read more.

Today's Zaman

Related,
- Report: Turkey and Israel to reopen embassies - JPost
- Turkish foreign minister says 'gap with Israel closing' - Haaretz

UN calls to ‘prevent further militarization' in Syria

United Nations Deputy Spokesman Ferhan Haq said all states should prevent “further militarization” of the Syrian conflict over a question on Turkey’s position regarding the war-torn country.

“Asked about Turkey’s role in Syria, the Spokesperson reiterated that the Secretary-General has called on all states,.. Read more.

Hürriyet

Related,
- Spying on key security meeting on Syria is 'declaration of war': Turkish FM - Hürriyet

- President al-Assad warns of western-backed extremism on the region's unity - SANA
- Al-Jaafari: Turkish army's covering of terrorist operations in Kasab is dangerous escalation - SANA

Turkey's internet authority blocks access to Youtube

Foreign ministry calls leaking of a wiretapped security meeting a 'national security threat'

ANKARA - Turkey's telecommunications authority (TIB) has announced an 'administrative' block on video-sharing website Youtube, where a leaked security meeting of high-ranking Turkish officials appeared on Thursday. Read more.

AA

Related,
- Spying on key security meeting on Syria is 'declaration of war': Turkish FM - Hürriyet
- Turkey blocks YouTube after intelligence leaked on plans for Syrian operation - JPost

- Turkey's FM: Security leak linked with Syrian regime, al-Qaeda - AA
- Leaked recording shows Turkish officials discussing military aggression against Syria - SANA

- US, EU officials react to Turkey's YouTube ban - Hürriyet
- Turkish gov't bans YouTube, steps up pressure on media ahead of elections - Today's Zaman

In announcing presidential candidacy, Tymoshenko vows to defeat Putin, Ukraine’s oligarchy

Yulia Tymoshenko is back in the political ring and swinging – at Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the oligarchs who control Ukraine’s politics and economy, and at her potential competitors in the May 25 presidential election.

In announcing her presidential candidacy on March 27, the twice-imprisoned,.. Read more.

Kyiv Post

Related,
- Time to grab guns and kill damn Russians: Tymoshenko tape leak (video) - RT

- Timmermans hekelt 'bizarre uitspraak' Timosjenko - Nieuws.nl
- Duitsland: Timosjenko is veel te ver gegaan - Telegraaf

IMF to extend Ukraine $14-18 bln

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level agreement with the Ukrainian leadership on opening a two-year credit worth from $14 billion to $18 billion, the IMF said in a press release.

"The agreement reached with the authorities is subject to approval by IMF Management and the Executive Board. Read more.

Interfax

Related,
- Blessing or Curse? IMF agrees $14-18bn bailout for Ukraine (video) - RT

- I.M.F. Prepares $18 Billion in Loans for Ukraine (video) - NY Times
- IMF, U.S. to give Ukraine monetary support (video) - Washington Post

- Ukrainian govt anticipates GDP decline by 3% with 12-14% inflation in 2014 - Interfax
- Yatsenyuk, citing billions of dollars stolen by Yanukovych, calls for austerity measures - Kyiv Post

Say what? Obama claims 'Iraq invasion not as bad as Crimea'

Barack Obama has declared the Kiev uprising a moral victory, Crimea's vote a sham and Russia a brute aggressor, that must be confronted. To prove his points the President used examples... including US achievements in Iraq.

RT's Gayane Chichakyan takes a look at the narrative being put forward by the White House. Read more.

RT

Related,
- UN general assembly calls Crimea vote illegal - Al Jazeera
- 'It's not double but absence of standards at Western stance over Russia-Crimea' (video) - RT

10 april wordt een cruciale datum voor de wereldgeschiedenis

De G8 heeft Rusland uit het clubje geschopt omdat ze 'De Krim' van Oekraïne hebben gestolen. Hiermee geven ze een signaal af, maar kunnen ze Rusland niet isoleren. Rusland behoort nog steeds tot de G20 en daar is er meer weerstand om Rusland uit dat clubje te zetten. Dit is op zijn beurt ook het gedroomde excuus van China om de dominantie van de VS binnen het IMF aan te pakken.

De BRICS landen staan achter Rusland om het plaatsje in de G20 veilig te stellen,.. Lees meer.

Beurs

BRICS countries - Russia's allies in opposing idea of unipolar world

MOSCOW, March 27. /ITAR-TASS/. Cooperation within the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is now the overriding, central geopolitical format for Russia, Chairman of the Russian National Committee for BRICS Studies, State Duma deputy Vyacheslav Nikonov said in an interview with ITAR-TASS.

He has recently come back from Rio de Janeiro where he led the Russian delegation at the sixth BRICS academic forum. Read more.

ITAR-TASS

Related,
- BRICS countries reject Western sanctions on Russia (video) - teleSUR
- ​‘Russia is enemy of the Western global financial system’ - RT

- 10 april wordt een cruciale datum voor de wereldgeschiedenis - Beurs

Kiev decides to tame eastern Ukraine by foreign mercenaries

Turchynov believes that law enforcement agencies in eastern regions cannot settle the issue of pro-Russian movement themselves, the source says

DNEPROPETROVSK, March 25. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukrainian authorities plan to attract US private military company Greystone Limited to suppress protest moods of the mostly Russian-speaking population in the east of the country. Read more.

ITAR-TASS

Related,
- Western Mercenaries in Ukraine? - Global Research

‘Guardian’ reporting of Snowden leaks threatened with closure, conference told

Deputy editor details extent to which intelligence agencies tried to stop newspaper’s disclosures

The Guardian deputy editor Paul Johnson has clarified his statement at a radio conference in Dublin that the British Government would close down the newspaper over the Edward Snowden spying affair. Read more.

Irish Times

Social media: Weapon of PsyWar & you’re the target

For centuries the most powerful intelligence gathering service on the planet was the Catholic rite of ‘confession’, where millions of people told vital info to the Pope on guilty acts which could then be used to blackmail them and their co-sinners.

But you’d be wrong if you thought that was mostly over with Luther and the reformation. Read more.

RT

The Eyeopener: Confronting Cognitive Dissonance

Are you irate, irritable and irrational when presented with evidence that goes against your preconceived notions of how the world operates? Looking for a solution to your stress?

Join us this week on The Eyeopener as we examine the theory of cognitive dissonance and how it stops people from confronting the uncomfortable truths about the way the world really works. Read more.

Corbett Report

Crude oil causes developmental abnormalities in large marine fish: Deepwater Horizon oil disrupts heart development in tunas

Crude oil from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster causes severe defects in the developing hearts of bluefin and yellowfin tunas, according to a new study.

The findings show how the largest marine oil spill in United States history may have affected tunas and other species that spawned in oiled offshore habitats in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Read more.

ScienceDaily

Related,
- Texas Oil Spill Expected to ‘Get Much Worse’ for Wildlife (video) - EcoWatch
- Deepwater Horizon geeft tonijnen hartinfarct - IPS

How “Extreme Levels” of Roundup in Food Became the Industry Normal

Food and feed quality are crucial to human and animal health. Quality can be defined as sufficiency of appropriate minerals, vitamins and fats, etc. but it also includes the absence of toxins, whether man-made or from other sources.

Surprisingly, almost no data exist in the scientific literature on herbicide residues in herbicide tolerant genetically modified (GM) plants, even after nearly 20 years on the market. Read more.

GreenMedInfo

Turkish Military Pounds Syrian Army Bases Near Border

TEHRAN (FNA)- Turkish military tanks targeted Syrian army bases in the Kasab border town, where the Syrian army has been battling numerous militant groups to secure the border.

According to an Al-Alam reporter in Syria’s Lattakia, a huge explosion was heard at a Syrian army base near Kasab after Turkish military targeted the area. Read more.

Fars News

Related,
- UN urges Turkey, Syria to refrain from further military actions - Today's Zaman
- Clashes in Syria intensify near Turkish border - AA

- NATO’s Turkey Providing Air Support for Al Qaeda in Northern Syria - Global Research
- Citizens in Liwa Iskendrun protest Erdogan support to terrorist aggression on Syrian people - SANA

- Turkey Ready to Hit Al-Qaeda to Defend Ottoman Tomb in Syria - Bloomberg

Argentina ready to sign for the Israeli Kfir Block 60 fighter aircraft

Argentina is advancing in negotiations with Israel for the purchase of the multi-purpose combat aircraft Kfir Block 60, which is supposed to replace the aging Mirage III, on service for over four decades.

According to the dialy 'Haaretz' an Argentine military delegation recently visited Israel to sign the deal.. Read more.

MercoPress

Related,
- Argentina buying 30-year-old Israeli fighter jets - Haaretz

Gov't praises support of France, Mexico, Brazil in vulture funds row

In his daily brief to the press, Capitanich praised the government’s Procrear building program explaining that the construction activity increased by 2.1 percent in January.

The head of ministers also stressed the support by France, Brazil and Mexico to Argentina in its long-stranding legal dispute against vulture funds.. Read more.

Buenos Aires Herald

Related,
- Brazil, Mexico, France to back Argentina in bonds case in U.S. court - Reuters
- Putin calls CFK, praises Argentina's 'double standard' concerns - Buenos Aires Herald

More than 1.5K land restitutions over last 13 months: Govt

More than 1,500 displaced Colombians have seen their stolen lands returned in the last 13 months, according to the government whose restitution program has internationally been criticized for its alleged lack of effectiveness.

The land restitution program’s Deputy Director Adriana Fuentes told.. Read more.

Colombia Reports

FARC demands change to Colombia’s mining and energy policy

Colombia’s FARC guerrilla group has demanded the suspension of hydroelectric programs and mining royalties, as part of their new proposal for mining and energy policy.

The FARC’s press release from Havana, where the rebel group and government are currently negotiating peace talks, proposed a plan for Colombia’s new mining and energy policy. Read more.

Colombia Reports

European Banking Secrecy Comes to an End

Brussels, Mar 25 (Prensa Latina) One of the most discussed topics today in European financial sectors is that of the European Union (EU) putting an end to banking secrecy for foreigners.

The decision, adopted on Monday, came after the EU Council unanimously agreed in Brussels to toughen the measures on savings accounts. Read more.

Prensa Latina

Venezuelan Central Bank Opens Dollar Trade as New Exchange System Introduced

Santa Elena de Uairén, 25th March 2014, (Venezuelanalysis.com) - On Monday morning Venezuela’s new SICAD II exchange rate system came into force, which authorities argue has helped to lower the value of the dollar on the black market.

On the first day of trading the Venezuelan currency sold for an average of 51.86 bolivars to the dollar,.. Read more.

Venezuelanalysis

Maduro denounces coup attempt by three Generals

During the Conference for Peace in Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro denounced- before the chancellors of the South American Union of Nations (UNASUR)- that thee Air Force Generals attempted a coup against his government. They have been arrested and await military trial.

The Commander in Chief stated that although the opposition has won elections, "the opposition in Venezuela has allowed itself to be dragged down a shortcut".

teleSUR

Related,
- Three Venezuelan Air Force Generals Arrested for Alleged Coup Plotting - Venezuelanalysis
- Interview with Ex-CIA Collaborator: “The CIA’s Plans in Venezuela Are Far Advanced” - Venezuelanalysis

- Unrest in Venezuela has produced 1,893 detentions - El Universal
- Release of opposition leader Leopoldo López to be decided on Thursday - El Universal

- When the rich protest - AVN
- Wikileaks evidences US funding to Venezuela's fascism - AVN

Coup after coup = democracy?

As almost 530 Morsi supporters in Egypt are sentenced to death, RT's Anastasia Churkina looks at whether or not coups & regime change can bring along truly democratic change without the construction of a strong government system.

RT

Taiwan protesters to meet president over deal

Taiwanese student protest leaders who have occupied parliament building in the past week have accepted President Ma Ying-jeou's offer to meet to resolve an impasse about a controversial trade pact with mainland China.

The students announced their decision on Tuesday at the parliament, where hundreds of demonstrators have gathered inside and outside the building to challenge a contested trade agreement that would open 80 of China's service sectors to Taiwan, and 64 Taiwanese sectors to China.

Al Jazeera's Rob McBride reports from Taipei.

Al Jazeera

Related,
- Students welcome president’s invitation to discussion - Taiwan News
- President invites protesting students for talks - Focus Taiwan

- Activists set conditions to Ma dialogue - China Post
- Failure to clear trade pact will hurt financial sector: official - Focus Taiwan

Dangerous EU imports

The European Commission has warned of a rising number of notifications relating to the import of consumer products registered as dangerous to consumers.

It said most of the dangerous goods are coming from China. Read more.

DW

EU executive to harmonize organic food production

The European commission has presented new proposals geared towards making organic food production safer and easier in the 28-member bloc.

It said the initiative would serve both farmers and consumers. Read more + video.

DW

WHO: air pollution linked to seven million deaths in 2012

Roughly seven million people have died from air pollution, a report by the World Health Organization says.

The analysis linked dirty air not only to lung disease, but also to heart disease and cancer of the bladder. Read more.

DW

Greece has Europe’s highest rate of flu deaths

Greece has experienced more deaths from flu than any other European country this year apart from Spain, whose population is more than four times larger, according to the latest figures measuring the virus’s impact.

Data collected by the European Center for Disease Prevention (ECDC),.. Read more.

eKathimerini

Greece seeks war reparations from Berlin

Greece is stepping up pressure on Germany to compensate survivors of Nazi wartime atrocities.

The campaign coincides with a rise in anti-German sentiment after Berlin imposed strict austerity measures on Athens during the economic crisis. Al Jazeera's John Psaropoulos reports from Athens.

Al Jazeera

Worse than Greece? Savage cuts await Ukraine if deal with IMF struck

Ukraine's interim PM skipped the international nuclear security summit to meet IMF officials in the hope of securing loans.

RT's Venture Capital host Katie Pilbeam talks about what awaits Ukraine if a deal is struck.

RT

Related,
- First draft of Ukraine's program of cooperation with IMF to be ready by the end of this week, says finance minister - Interfax

- U.S. Lawmakers Drop IMF Reforms From Ukraine Aid Bill - Reuters
- Ukraine, Britain discuss situation in Ukraine, Kyiv's cooperation with IMF - Interfax

- Crimean residents not to get Ukrainian pensions due to blocking of treasury accounts - Denisova - Interfax
- Ukraine not to pay Russia more than $387 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas in Q2 - Prodan - Interfax

BRICS countries reject Western sanctions on Russia

The so-called BRICS countries reject Western sanctions imposed in retaliation for Russia's adhesion of Crimean territory. 

Other nations considered experts in topics such as technology, like Iran, also showed their support.

teleSUR

Related,
- BRICS countries - Russia's allies in opposing idea of unipolar world - ITAR-TASS

Has Anglo-American Capitalism Run Out of Steam?

On the 30th anniversary of the UK miners' strike, George Irvin discusses the rise of inequality in Britain and the US since the 1970s

TRNN

Bitcoin gaining popularity beyond the Internet

The virtual currency Bitcoin seems to be gaining popularity beyond the Internet. Recently a villa at Indonesia's resort island of Bali was sold through this method.

Bitcoin is a global network that enables a new payment system and completely digital money. This new digital form of money was launched in 2009. That means transactions are made with no banks. There are no transaction fees and no need to give your real name.

And this 279-square-meter villa is the first property purchased through Bitcoin. It was bought by an unknown buyer based in the US state of Texas with less than one-thousand bitcoins. That's roughly around 600-thousand dollars. And this is the biggest transaction ever recorded since the virtual currency was launched.

PressTV

Auroracoin Airdrop: Iceland Prepares for Financial Revolution

At midnight, on Tuesday 25 March, over 10 million auroracoins will be made available to the citizens of Iceland in a so-called Airdrop of a new national cryptocurrency which the developers hope will herald a financial revolution.

Every one of Iceland's 320,000 citizens will be able to claim 31.8 auroracoin to do with as they choose,.. Read more.

IBT

Related,
- Auroracoin Airdrop in Iceland Tonight - Iceland Review
- Bitcoin cousin aims to overthrow Iceland’s capital regulations - RT

Huisartsen eisen verbod op nieuw EPD

Over een maand probeert de Vereniging van Praktijkhoudende Huisartsen (VPHuisartsen) via een rechtszaak de uitrol van het nieuwe elektronisch patiëntendossier te laten verbieden.

Wanneer de rechtbank dit volgt komt er een einde aan een landelijk uitwisselingssysteem van medische persoonsgegevens waarbij.. Lees meer.

Security.nl

Urkaine radical leader killed 'for compromising Kiev', Right Sector pledges revenge

Ukrainian nationalist group Right Sector has announced it holds the acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov accountable for the death of notorious radical militant Aleksandr Muzychko and will avenge it, Ukrainian media reports. Read more.

RT

Related,
- 'Kiev leaders took power with Right Sector's help, but now afraid of them' (video) - RT
- Radical Right Sector activist killed in police raid; investigators raise possibility of self-inflicted wounds - Kyiv Post

Still Report # 226: MH370 - LEOs & SARs

U.S. intelligence satellites have probably pinpointed MH370. A LEO passed overhead every 15 minutes.

Still Report

Related,
- Missing MH370: Pakistan dismisses reports plane was in its territory - The Star
- Did Missing Flight MH370 Land In The Maldives Or Diego Garcia: The Full Updated Summary - Zero Hedge

- Diego Garcia: Island Atoll US Base is Rumored Landing Spot for Malaysia Flight MH 370 - Epoch Times

- FBI analyse Malaysian Airlines pilot's home flight simulator as it's revealed he deleted data one month prior to taking control of missing MH370 plane - Daily Mail
- Cops find five Indian Ocean practice runways in MH370 pilot’s simulator, BH reports - Malay Mail

- How scientists found that MH370 crashed into the ocean - DW
- What Happened to MH370? 'The Biggest Mystery Since Amelia Earhart' - Spiegel

- Mystery of Flight MH370 'may never be unraveled' - DW
- China demands to see proof that missing plane crashed into the sea (video) - teleSUR

- Chinese tourists, angry over missing plane, shun Malaysia - Malay Mail

The Asia-Pacific Perspective: China's Bin Laden

Welcome back to The Asia-Pacific Perspective, that monthly show where James Corbett of corbettreport.com and Broc West of apperspective.net break down all the latest news and headlines from the Asia-Pacific region.

In this month's conversation.. Read more.

Corbett Report

Chilean police cuts short mass protest that turned violent

A mass protest was cut short in Santiago, Chile, after police dispersed activists with tear gas and water cannon.

According to protest organizers over 150,000 people had gathered in the city center to urge newly-elected President Michelle Bachelet to push ahead with her reform program. Read more.

MercoPress

Related,
- Water cannons wipe out protesters: Fierce clashes in Chile (video) - RT

Time to grab guns and kill damn Russians: Tymoshenko tape leak

Ukrainians must take up arms against Russians so that not even scorched earth will be left where Russia stands; an example of former Ukrainian PM Yulia Tymoshenko's vitriol in phone call leaked online.

She confirmed the authenticity of the conversation on Twitter, while pointing out that a section where she is heard to call for the nuclear slaughter of the eight million Russians who remain on Ukrainian territory was edited (not present in this clip).

RT

Related,
- Tymoshenko denies 'wipe out Russians' comment - Al Jazeera

One of last Ukrainian military bases in Crimea falls; commander's whereabouts unknown

FEODOSIA, Crimea -- It started at about 4:15 a.m. on March 24, with dull explosions echoing over Feodosia. 

Russian soldiers and Russian-backed Crimean self-defense forces threw stun grenades into the territory of the Ukrainian 1st Separate Marine Battalion. Read more.

Kyiv Post

Related,
- Defense Ministry confirms seizure of several dozen Ukrainian Marines by Russian troops in Feodosia - Interfax

- Ukraine troops set to leave Crimea - Al Jazeera
- Acting Defense Minister Tenyukh states he resigns, but VR did not support his resignation - UNIAN

Muslim Brotherhood members sentenced to death

Egyptian court sentences 529 members of the outlawed group to death on charges of murder.

An Egyptian court has sentenced 529 members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood to death on charges including murder, in a sharp escalation of a crackdown on the movement. Read more.

Al Jazeera

Related,
- Egypt court sentences 529 Muslim Brotherhood supporters to death (video) - RT
- Egypt's Minya criminal court sentences 529 Brotherhood supporters to death - Ahram

- Egyptian court sentences 529 Muslim Brotherhood members to death - lawyer - Aswat Masriya

Taiwan: Students break in to government building in protest against China trade pact

Hundreds of student activists broke in to the Executive Yuan government administration building in Taipei on Sunday, following dissatisfaction with government response to their demands.

The students have been protesting a trade pact with China, and have been demanding an apology from President Ma Ying-jeou, that Premier Jiang Yi-huah step down, and that the government withdraws the pact from the legislature.

People covered the barbed-wire barricades with blankets and cardboard to ease crossing over them, and ambulances and medical staff have been removing the injured and bringing supplies inside.

Opposition leader and former presidential candidate Tsai Ying-Wen and ex-Premier Su Chen-Chiang have also arrived at the scene to show support with the students.

RT

Related,
- Students storm Executive Yuan as standoff persists - Taipei Times
- Taiwan nabs dozens at protest against pact with China - PressTV

- Taiwan police move in on anti-China protests (video) - Al Jazeera
- Taiwan: Students stock up on supplies as occupation beds in (video) - RT

- Students stage their own press conference on service trade deal with China - Taiwan News
- Taiwan says China trade pact crucial to economy - PressTV

The Netherlands: Nuclear Security Summit draws protests

Protesters took to the streets of The Hague on Sunday to protest the third Nuclear Security Summit, calling for an end to nuclear weapons and the use of nuclear energy.

A total of 53 countries and four international organisations are participating in the summit, bringing together world leaders including US president Barack Obama and Chinese president Xi Jinping.

RT

Related,
- Netherlands ready for start of 2014 Nuclear Security Summit: PM - Xinhua
- Peng invited to christen new strain of tulip in Netherlands - Xinhua

- World leaders gather for Hague nuclear summit - Washington Post
- World leaders fear Ukraine crisis will harm nuclear cooperation - Guardian

Beida brigade pulls out of Ajdabiya

The Hassan Al-Jaber Brigade pulled out of Ajdabiya’s Haniya military camp last night after Ibrahim Jadhran agreed that it could take its weapons and equipment back to Beida.  It took its 100 vehicles after Maghreb prayers.

On Friday evening, Jadhran’s forces clashed with the brigade, trying to capture the equipment and vehicles when it tried to withdraw. Read more.

Libya Herald

Related,
- Libyan army in heavy fighting with oil port rebels - Reuters
- US sailors hand over control of captured oil tanker to Libyan forces - Guardian

Netanyahu Attacks Boycott As Campaign Enters New Phase

Warschawski: Benjamin Netanyahu's gov't attacks on Boycott Israel campaign help strengthen it as it grows from activists to big business.

TRNN

Related,
- As Israeli diplomats strike || UN body to vote on settlement-boycott resolution - Haaretz
- Israeli officials blast EU, UN for condemning West Bank settlement plans - JPost

Hamas rally in Gaza takes aim at Egypt, Israel and Abbas

(Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Palestinians rallied in Gaza on Sunday to show support for their Islamist Hamas government, which has long been at loggerheads with Israel but is now shunned by Egypt as well.

The military-backed government that toppled the Muslim Brotherhood,.. Read more.

Reuters

Egypt considering importing weapons from Russia: Interior minister

Mohamed Ibrahim says there are talks with Russia to import arms, to make up for a shortfall

Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim said on Sunday that Egypt was facing an arms supply problem and was considering importing weapons from Russia. Read more.

Ahram