Perhaps fearing a favorable Muslim response to the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, al-Zawahiri is translated as saying, "You were born to a Muslim father, but you chose to stand in the ranks of the enemies of the Muslims, and pray the prayer of the Jews, although you claim to be Christian, in order to climb the rungs of leadership in America."
The al-Zawahiri video might be a response to the interview President-elect Obama gave on Sunday during which he promised to increase US troops in Afghanistan, destroy al-Qaeda and once again proclaimed his support for the state of Israel.
California High Court Will Review Gay Marriage Ban
On November 4, the voters of California overwhelmingly voted in favor of Proposition 8, a measure that amended the state constitution to define marriage as only between one man and one woman.
By a vote of 6-1 the judges voted to hear arguments against the measure by gay rights groups and individuals.
Supporters of gay rights have vowed to fight the move, saying majority rule should not set the law.
"Supporters of gay rights have vowed to fight the move, saying majority rule should not set the law?"
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations agency tasked with monitoring the proliferation of atomic weapons worldwide, say that they have reached a stonewall in dealing with the rogue nation of Iran.
According to an UN official, ”We had gridlock before but then at least we were talking to each other. Now it’s worse. There is no communication whatsoever, no progress regarding possible military dimensions in their program."
The agency says that, as of this month, Tehran had amassed 630kg of low enriched uranium hexafluoride, up from 480kg in late August. Analysts say Iran is enriching uranium at such a pace that, by early next year, it could reach break-out capacity – one step away from producing enough fissile material for a crude nuclear bomb.
Making it clear that Iran has no intention of ending its atomic weapons program, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, “Now the great powers are disappointed, as they have not the least bit of hope to break the Iranian people down. If great powers seek to take over Iran’s rights, Iranian people will slap them so hard that they won’t find their way back home.”
According to a former senior diplomat familiar with the Mideast, “Although the victory of Mr Obama virtually puts an end to the likelihood of a military confrontation over the nuclear issue, Iran’s international problems might become more complicated with tightened pressure and sanctions."
Israeli Air Force chief: We are ready to deal with Iran
Even as Israel builds a multi-level missile defense shield to protect the country from attack, the Israeli Air Force is prepared to strike deep into Iran to remove the threat of a nuclear weapons program.
IAF commander Major-General Ido Nehushtan told the German news magazine Der Spiegel, "We are ready to do whatever is demanded of us." While he characterized the decision to strike Iran a political one, he pointed out "...if I understand it correctly, all options are on the table… The Air Force is a very robust and flexible force. We are ready to do whatever is demanded of us."
When asked about the problem of Iran's dispersal of its nuclear facilities throughout the country, Nehushtan said, "Please understand that I do not want to get into details. I can only say this: It is not a technical or logistical question."
Many felt that if Obama was elected that Israel might take out the Iranian nuclear facilities before the inauguration. The selection of Rahm Emmanuel as Chief of Staff was seen by some as a signal to Israel that President-elect Obama would continue to support Israel. Israel appears ready to protect themselves whether that support remains or not.
A pre-dawn explosion near a an anti-government protest site has killed at least one person and injured another 21. A hand grenade was believed to have been thrown near where protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy have been protesting since August. The explosion went off in front of a stage at the Government House compound.
"It's a powerful bomb, so far one has died. We are still waiting for forensic officials and for PAD permission to go into Government House," a police official is quoted as saying.
The "pro-democracy" protesters question the legitimacy of the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, claiming he is merely a puppet for the ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed by a military coup in 2006. Thaksin and his followers have been accused of harboring a "republican" agenda to replace the monarchy.
The protesters, made up of academicians and business people want to replace Thailand's one-man, one-vote system to be replaced with representatives chosen by certain professions and social groups rather than by the people.
The protesters have occupied the compound at Government House for more than three months, refusing to allow police access. This is the third bomb to be thrown into the compound since the protests began, but the first to have exploded.
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