Asia

♦ Former Mossad Chief Halevy: Iran Attack ‘Will Impact Region For 100 Years’

Eurasia Review | Ephraim Halevy, a former Mossad director, said yesterday that Iran poses no “existential threat” to Israel.

• ♦ Epidemics loom in flood-hit Thailand
• ♦ Asian investors cautious on Italy

Egypt

♦ Several tourists die in Egypt accident

At least 11 Hungarians killed after their bus overturns in a resort town on the Red Sea.

• ♦ Hundreds escape Egyptian ferry fire
• ♦ Hundreds escape Egyptian ferry fire
• ♦ Several tourists die in Egypt accident
• ♦ Egypt’s Military Widens Crackdown as Prominent Blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah Remains Imprisoned

♦ U.S. Drone Kills 16-Year-Old Pakistani Boy Days After He Attends Anti-Drone Organizing Meeting

A group of Pakistanis met in Islamabad late last month to discuss the impact of U.S. drone strikes in their communities. One of the attendees was a 16-year-old boy named Tariq Aziz, who had volunteered to learn photography to begin … →

• ♦ Second City – Dallas – Calls for a General Strike as Part of “Occupy” Wall Street
• ♦ 10 Million American Families Sliding Toward Foreclosure
• ♦ ‘Provocative’ perfume advert ban
• ♦ Ahmadinejad defiant over nuclear programme

Michigan

♦ Teacher’s aide sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison after sex with her 14-year-old student

Divorced mother-of-two April Patzkowsky, of Battle Creek, Michigan, was sentenced to seven to 15 years behind bars after she pleaded no contest to two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

• ♦ Third-world America: Michigan city cuts power, removes street lights due to inability to pay electric bill
• ♦ David Shuster condemns Michigan Republicans for bill that supports bullying
• ♦ We’re Catiously Optimistic About the ‘All-American Muslim’ Reality TV Show
• ♦ Teacher’s aide April Patzkowsky sentenced to prison after sex with student, 14

Veterans

♦ NFL Goes Even More Jingoistic — If That’s Possible

Apparently NFL executives weren’t satisfied with the current level of Pentagon propaganda. Now they have an “official month” each season: The National Football League will continue its long history of honoring veterans and active duty members of the…

• ♦ AP: Ohio Repeals Anti-Labor Law, Senate Bill 5
• ♦ Ex-soldier ends hunger strike
• ♦ You get what you pay for
• ♦ Harvard professor among veterans to get Congressional Gold Medal

♦ The Carbon-Neutral City

“Seattle becomes one of the first city governments in the world to declare that the goal of being carbon neutral is desirable, realistic, and attainable.”<img src="…

• ♦ Goodbye, Greece
• ♦ On Broadway
• ♦ Derrick Pitts examines a Russian mock mission to Mars and what it means for future space travel
• ♦ Tennessee First State to Allow TSA Highway Random Search Program

Syria

♦ Opposition: Homs Is Disaster Area

By ZEINA KARAM, ELIZABETH A.KENNY — The Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) — A key Syrian opposition group appealed Monday for international intervent… Read more: Syria News, Syria Crackdown, Video, Syria Homs, Syria Attacks, Syria Violence, Syria Protests, Homs, Syria, Syria … →

• ♦ Michael Hughes: Qatari Exceptionalism: Small Kingdom Makes Big Impact on World Stage
• ♦ Syrian forces move into Homs district after shelling
• ♦ War and the Word Cloud
• ♦ Syria, Iran and Middle East unrest- Tuesday 8 November 2011

Bahrain

♦ Bahrain security forces clash with protesters

Tear gas and armoured vehicles used to disperse protesters after funeral of father of opposition leader.

• ♦ Bahrain security forces clash with protesters
• ♦ Brian Dooley: In Praise of a Bahraini Police Officer

♦ The ballad of Rasha and Devorah

Hunched over the piano, Rasha Hamad starts rocking on her chair, her teeth bared in a pained grimace, her eyes squeezed shut. “I want to go the zoo, I want to go to the zoo,” she mumbles in English as … →

• ♦ UN raises Syrian death toll to 3,500
• ♦ Iran could be the unmaking of Obama’s presidency | Simon Tisdall
• ♦ Deaths reported in renewed Yemen violence
• ♦ Netanyahu a “Liar”: Sarkozy

Democrats

♦ Sarah Palin And Michele Bachmann’s Attacks On OWS Prove Their Cluelessness

It is understandable why Democrats align with the protestors and why Republicans want OWS to disappear, but the recent comments by Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann are further proof that they are the most clueless people in America.

• ♦ Corzine–keep looking!
• ♦ The GOP’s Latest Victory… Styrofoam (progressivenation.us)
• ♦ The GOP’s History of ‘Hostage-Taking’

Republicans

♦ Compassionate Conservatism? 4 Popular Safety-Net Programs Tea Party Republicans Have Turned Against in the Age of Obama

If Republicans can't support healthier school meals for kids, what can they support?…

• ♦ CLG calls for General Strike 11-28-11 to protest Austerity on the back of the 99%
• ♦ Wis. Republicans Push to Consolidate Power as Protests Continue
• ♦ A specter is haunting Ohio
• ♦ Sarah Palin And Michele Bachmann’s Attacks On OWS Prove Their Cluelessness

♦ Herman Cain Doesn’t Get It, and Neither do a Lot of Other Men

Another shoe has now dropped in the Herman Cain sexual harassment saga, thanks to the revelations of Sharon Bialek at a news conference yesterday morning. According to Ms. Bialek, Mr. Cain put his hand up her skirt, and tried to … →

• ♦ Exactly What Spending Do Most Americans Want Cut? (progressivenation.us)
• ♦ Office of Inspector General will re-examine tar sands pipeline deal!
• ♦ Cain’s accusers and his news conference

Banks

♦ Flaws Jeopardize New Attempt to Help Homeowners – ProPublica

Banking regulators this week launched the government’s latest attempt to help troubled homeowners — the Independent Foreclosure Review — heralding it as a thorough and fair way to compensate homeowners victimized by big banks. But early indications are that this … →

• ♦ Flaws Jeopardize New Attempt to Help Homeowners – ProPublica
• ♦ Daniel Cubias: Are the Banks Still Coming for Your House?
• ♦ One Last Note on Mike Bloomberg
• ♦ ROBO SIGNER FINANCIAL REMEDIES

Settlement

♦ Madoff ex-clients file $19 billion suit against JPMorgan

If you recall from the previous unsealed complaint, “Top JPMorgan Execs. Were Warned of Madoff Scheme”, this appears to be similar…certainly if there is one, there must be others. This is just slightly south of the entire settlement package of … →

• ♦ Kamala Harris, California Attorney General, To Fannie And Freddie Head: ‘Step Aside’ Over Mortgage Crisis
• ♦ Letting the Banks Off Easy

♦ As Political Groups Push Envelope, FEC Gridlock Gives ‘De Facto Green Light’

by Marian Wang …

• ♦ Bank admits error after couple claims home was illegally taken
• ♦ Top MuckReads: Wall Street Bundles Car Loans, Boy Scouts Bungle Abuse Case
• ♦ Cummings Requests Documents from Law Firm after Allegations of Foreclosure Abuse
• ♦ Doug Smith: One Way Journalism Paints Flawed Picture Of Poverty

Banks

♦ Central Banks Quietly Accumulating Gold – Declared Purchases of 206 Tons Through September 2011

GoldCore | Central Banks Quietly Accumulating Gold – Declared Purchases of 206 Tons Through September 2011…

• ♦ Dylan Ratigan On Occupy Wall Street And Tim Geithner: "Everybody Knows That Our Government Is Bought! Democrats & Republicans Are Owned By The Banks!"
• ♦ Why Wall Street Banks Can’t Handle The Truth
• ♦ Banks in Europe are undercutting regulators’ demands that they boost capital by declaring assets they hold less risky today than they were yesterday.
• ♦ Bailout The Movie – Official Film Trailer

Bailout

♦ Euro-Kaput: ‘Euro could be dead by end-November’

Russia Today | Greek PM George Papandreou is aiming to form a coalition government and push through an international bailout package.

• ♦ Where Does The Greek Bailout Money Go?

♦ Max Keiser: Time to Get The Hell Out of Dodge! 1/3

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• ♦ Scott Brown Comes Out Against NRA-Backed Legislation
• ♦ Greece, You Don’t Get a Say After All
• ♦ Court rules unmarried couples won’t get 50/50 split on shared properties

FDA

♦ New Device Uses Light to Screen for Melanoma

A new device called MelaFind, just approved by the U.S. FDA, makes detailed, digital images of skin growths and uses a computer to analyze them for signs of cancer.  The hope is that the device will allow dermatologists to find … →

• ♦ Medicare, Medicaid Still Paying for Blood Drugs Despite FDA Warnings – The Daily Beast

Vaccines

♦ How You Can Legally Get Exempted from Vaccines

In the U.S., forty-eight states allow religious exemptions from vaccinations that in many cases are otherwise mandatory.  Dr. Mercola and Barbara Loe Fisher, president and co-founder of the National Vaccine Information Center, discuss the practical considerations and how they could … →

♦ GPs urged to check nurses’ registrations after ‘unqualified imposter’ is found after FOUR YEARS at work

The Nursing and Midwifery Council said it is in discussion with the Royal College of GPs after a 46-year old woman was arrested in September in Medway, Kent.

• ♦ Reefer Madness: The Feds Seem Intent on Destroying Medical Pot | | AlterNet
• ♦ Children’s heart unit will stay open after court ruling
• ♦ Guam cancer survivor designs Nikes
• ♦ State Department uses taxpayer money to push GMOs in other countries

Robot

♦ Foxconn Wants to Build “Intelligent Robotics Kingdom” to Replace Human Workers with Robots

CNet | iPhone maker Foxconn aims to manufacture its own robots.

• ♦ Arcade Improv: Humans Pretending to Be Videogames
• ♦ Asimo the humanoid robot: A drinks waiter you don’t need to tip
• ♦ Video: A Steerable Remote ‘Telexistence’ Robot that Transmits Sight, Sound, and Touch to the Operator
• ♦ Asimo the humanoid robot is now smarter and faster… and can even help out in a nuclear crisis

Solar

♦ Russian Probe Launches Today, Heading to Mars’ Runt Moon

Phobos-Grunt and Upper Stage A model of the Phobos-Grunt probe with its upper state MKonair on Flickr At 3:16 pm EST today, Russia will launch the Phobos-Grunt mission from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The unmanned probe is traveling to … →

• ♦ How Do We Know When Solar Becomes a Mainstream Energy Source?
• ♦ Sunspot and solar flare: Things are hotting up as footage shows huge flare and coronal mass ejection
• ♦ Goodbye Nuclear – Hello Solar

♦ Call of Duty: the history of the world’s biggest video game

With Modern Warfare 3 released at midnight, Tom Hoggins explores the legacy of Call of Duty, video games most recognisible brand and one of the the most valuable entertainment properties in the world.

• ♦ Oregon puts iPad voting on the map as citizens tap their favorites on Election Day
• ♦ Climate change melting polar regions faster than ever before
• ♦ Best iPhone games this week

Senate

♦ Secretive GOP Group in AZ Redistricting Fight Comes Out of the Shadows

On Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to temporarily suspend the ouster of Colleen Mathis, the chairwoman of the state’s voter-created Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC). Mathis’ removal, orchestrated by Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, was approved by … →

• ♦ Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant Standard-Bearer Russell Pearce Goes Down
• ♦ BREAKING: Arizona Topples Senate President Russell Pearce, SB 1070 Immigration Law Architect, in Historic Recall Vote

Bank-of-America

♦ Kurt Vile Blasted for Licensing Music to Bank of America

Songwriter Kurt Vile has come under fire from fellow indie rockers for licensing his song “Baby’s Arms” to Bank of America Patrick Stickles the frontman of the New Jersey punk band Titus Andronicus took Vile to task for licensing the … →

♦ Bernie Sanders: The Veil of Secrecy at the Fed Has Been Lifted, Now It’s Time for Change

A BUZZFLASH AT TRUTHOUT NEWS ALERT The following is a statement from Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont – I): As a result of the greed, recklessness, and illegal behavior on Wall Street, the American people have experienced the worst economic crisis … →

• ♦ Mississippi voting on ‘personhood’ amendment
• ♦ The Greeks and us
• ♦ Michael Jackson’s Doctor, Conrad Murray, Found Guilty
• ♦ Hot Looks: Magnetic Attraction with Nails Inc.

♦ 6.9-magnitude quake jolts Japan

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 on the Richter scale has hit off the shores of Japan’s southern Okinawa Island.

• ♦ The Right of Citizens To Videotape Police
• ♦ Asteroid 2005 YU55 flyby video: Earth’s ‘near miss’ with space rock closer than the moon
• ♦ Watch Live
• ♦ Facebook says US must reform immigration policies to remain competitive

♦ Fuel Rockets: 4 Espresso Machines Tested and Rated

Do you come unhinged without your daily latte? The artisanal coffee craze has given rise to a fleet of make-it-yourself machines that turn out delicious cups.

• ♦ Engineering Replacements for Essential Perfume Ingredients
• ♦ ViSuaL CoMBaT DaiLY NoVeMBeR 9, 2011: (Y YOU NO BUNGA?)
• ♦ Time Marches On: a turtle plays piano, ninja squirrels attack and a risque ‘Jeopardy’ answer
• ♦ Where To Invest Now? Goldman Cautiously ‘Un’-Optimistic

♦ Worried about redundancy? Forget insurance, I’ll rely on the lottery

Six in 10 workers fear losing their job, but just one in seven has any insurance – and some expect lottery winnings to come to the rescue, research shows.

• ♦ IBM Proves Playing Virtual Games is Serious Business
• ♦ Sarkozy Says It All – A Netanyahu Truther?
• ♦ Keystone XL: Ring Around the Rose Garden
• ♦ Cheap DVD VAT loophole to close