From the Trenches World Report

Waking Times – by Dylan Charles

Two million people in 52 countries marched against Monsanto last week in protest of genetically-modified food and in support of consumer choice. There’s international pressure on this GMO giant like never before.

But proposed legislation in North Carolina would make it illegal for whistleblowers to expose how Monsanto and other corporations are threatening public health and the environment.   Continue reading “North Carolina Law Would Make It Illegal to Expose Monsanto”

RT News

The US has announced it is easing sanctions on Iran, allowing exports of computers, cellphones and software to individuals. The move comes ahead of presidential election to be held next month.

Though the chances of an Apple Store being opened in Tehran are still slim, Iranians might soon be able to buy American computer devices and cellphones officially and not at the black market, as they have been forced to do by US restrictions, in force since 1992. As for Iranians living in US, they can finally feel free to buy whatever gadgets they like – something they used to be denied, with shops citing American sanctions.   Continue reading “US lifts ban on gadget exports to Iran ahead of elections”

Common Dreams – by Amy Goodman

One cyberactivist’s federal case wrapped up this week, and another’s is set to begin. Although these two young men, Jeremy Hammond and Bradley Manning, are the two who were charged, it is the growing menace of government and corporate secrecy that should be on trial.

Hammond was facing more than 30 years in prison, charged with hacking into the computers of a private security and intelligence firm called Strategic Forecasting, or Stratfor, when he agreed to a plea agreement of one count of computer hacking. Stratfor traffics in “geopolitical intelligence, economic, political and military forecasting,” according to its website.   Continue reading “President Obama Uses a Sledgehammer Against Dissent”

Ye Olde False Flag

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s MiG aircraft maker said Friday it plans to sign a new agreement to ship at least 10 fighter jets to Syria, a move that comes amid international criticism of earlier Russian weapons deals with Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime.

MiG’s director general, Sergei Korotkov, said a Syrian delegation was in Moscow to discuss the details of a new contract for the delivery of MiG-29 M/M2 fighters. In remarks carried by Russian news agencies, he said Syria wants to buy “more than 10” such fighters, but wouldn’t give the exact number.   Continue reading “Russia to sell at least 10 MiG fighters to Syria”

Voting American

The former head of the IRS visited the White House more times than any Cabinet member, according to an analysis by The Daily Caller, raising questions about the nature of those visits — particularly around the time the agency was targeting conservative groups.

The Caller analysis of White House visitor logs showed former IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman visited the White House at least 157 times under the Obama administration.    Continue reading “IRS Chief Visits White House 157 Times”

NPR – by Dan Charles

A farmer in Oregon has found some genetically engineered wheat growing on his land. It’s an unwelcome surprise, because this type of wheat has never been approved for commercial planting.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it’s investigating, trying to find out how this wheat got there. The USDA says there’s no risk to public health, but wheat exporters are worried about how their customers in Asia and Europe will react.   Continue reading “GMO Wheat Found In Oregon Field. How Did It Get There?”

Dear Senator Wyden and Team,

The fact that you work in an office and I work outside speaks to the fact that you and your team probably have no clue how bad the project to modify the upper atmosphere has become in southern Oregon, east of the Cascades. In fact, it is making us sick.  YES. SICK. Many people are complaining of colds that do not go away, of upper respiratory tightness, frequent headaches, “brain fog” and a background fatigue.    Continue reading “Letter to Sen. Wyden: We are being Sprayed on a Daily Basis!”

American Freedom by Barbara

In this week’s cover story, TIME’s David Von Drehle interviews Mayor Rahm Emanuel about the enduring problems facing Chicago – school reform, gun violence, unemployment and budget shortfalls. Von Drehle also outlines how Emanuel’s aggressive efforts – often at odds with his Democratic base – could prove to be a proxy for a broader fight nationwide over the identity of the Democratic Party.

Mark Seliger photographed Rahm Emanuel for TIME on the L train platform in Chicago for the cover.   Continue reading “Godfather of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Cover of Time”

AlterNet – by  Aviva Shen

Protesters rallied in St. Louis, MO on Wednesday over the death of 25-year-old Cary Ball Jr, who was  shot 25 times by police officers last month. Police say Ball refused to pull over for a traffic stop, eventually crashed into a parked car, and started running. According to police, Ball pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the officers, prompting them to open fire.   Continue reading “St. Louis Police Shoot Black Honor Student 25 Times”

Mr. Conservative – by Kristin Tate

Kyle Dube lured a 15-year-old girl, Nicole Cable, in an effort to stage her kidnapping and then rescue her to become a “hero”. Instead, Dube ended up killing the girl by accident.

Oops.   Continue reading “Man Fakes Girl’s Kidnapping To ‘Be A Hero,’ Then Kills Her By Accident”