Syrian deputy FM says reports of chemical weapon usage a conspiracy; Germany approves Patriot deployment to Turkey. BEIRUT - Western powers are whipping up fears of a fateful move to the use of chemical weapons in Syria’s civil war as a “pretext for intervention”, President Bashar Assad’s deputy foreign minister said on Thursday. He spoke as Germany’s cabinet approved stationing Patriotanti-missile batteries on… Read more →
(Reuters) – Jordan’s king visited the West Bank on Thursday in a show of support for Palestinians stung by Israel’s decision to expand settlements after their successful bid for de facto U.N. recognition of statehood. King Abdullah, whose country is at peace with Israel and an ally of the United States, made no immediate comment after flying by helicopter to the city… Read more →
Syrian forces have mixed chemical weapons and loaded them into bombs in preparation for possible use on President Bashar Assad’s own people, Fox News confirms. A senior U.S. official told Fox News that bombs were loaded with components of sarin gas, a deadly nerve gas. Syrian forces have 60 days to use these bombs until the chemical mixture expires and… Read more →
(Reuters) – Vietnam condemned on Tuesday China’s claims to disputed South China Sea islands as a serious violation of its sovereignty after saying it was setting up patrols to protect its fisheries and accusing Chinese boats of sabotage. The condemnation of China’s claims to the sea and its numerous reefs and tiny islands was the strongest yet from Vietnam since tension flared… Read more →
Iran has claimed it has “captured” an unmanned US drone over Gulf waters after it entered Iranian airspace. “The unmanned US drone patrolling Persian Gulf waters, performing reconnaissance and gathering intel, was captured as soon as it entered Iranian airspace,” the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement on Tuesday. Telegraph has the full article
The Syrian government began to move its chemical weapons in recent days, senior U.S. officials confirmed to Fox News, prompting new warnings from the Obama administration that using those weapons against the population would cross a “red line.” One senior U.S. official told Fox News “there are concerns about possible preparations for use” of the weapons, though “we don’t know… Read more →
http://www.euronews.com/ Japan has begun deploying a surface-to-air missile defence system and placed it’s armed forces on standby in response to North Korea’s decision to launch a long-range rocket, later this month. A Japanese naval vessel is enroute to Okinawa with an advanced Patriot defence system onboard. It is believed the North Korean rocket will pass over the Okinawa island chain. Japanese… Read more →
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated a strong warning Monday to the Syrian government not to use its chemical weapons, but she would not comment on reports that there were indications of recent activity at sites believed to house those weapons, nor would she give any hints as to what action the U.S. might take if that “red line” was… Read more →
Britain and France have both summoned Israeli ambassadors in protest at Israel’s decision to approve the construction of 3,000 new homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The UK said the move would cast doubt on Israel’s “stated commitment to achieving peace with the Palestinians”. Israel authorised the 3,000 additional housing units a day after the UN voted to… Read more →
Hong Kong (CNN) – North Korea has moved another step closer to the unusual and provocative move of launching a long-range rocket in wintertime, according to an analysis of satellite images by a U.S. academic website. Using commercial satellite imagery, the website 38 North says that trailers carrying the first two stages of one of the North’s Unha rockets can be seen near… Read more →
