Patriota pede demissão e será substituído por Luiz Alberto Figueiredo

http://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/patriota-pede-demissao-sera-substituido-por-luiz-alberto-figueiredo-9710093

Lawyers critique handling of Mubarak trial - Features - Al Jazeera English

On Sunday, Egyptians witnessed a rare spectacle: representatives of two different ousted political regimes went on trial on the same day.
In one Cairo courtroom, a court heard a case against six Muslim Brotherhood members - including the group's spiritual leader Mohamed Badie and two of his deputies, Khairat El-Shater and Rashad Bayoumi - on charges of inciting the killings of protesters on June 30. Badie, El-Shater and Bayoumi did not appear in court for security reasons, and the case was postponed to October 29.
In another courtroom at the Cairo Police Academy, the judge presiding over the case against former president Hosni Mubarak for involvement in the killings of demonstrators in Egypt's 2011 uprising, promised that the case would proceed with "integrity".
Lawyers critique handling of Mubarak trial - Features - Al Jazeera English

Bolívia descarta ruptura com Brasil, mas quer relatório sobre fuga de senador

 No entanto, o governo boliviano também disse que o Brasil deve explicar como ocorreu a fuga do senador opositor do governo de Morales, pois o político não tinha permissão legal para deixar a embaixada e existem quatro ordens judiciais que impediam sua saída.

A Bolívia, segundo Quintana, deseja que o Brasil explique o caso por vias diplomáticas, pois não acredita na versão do uso de um veículo oficial e do acompanhamento de militares brasileiros na saída de Roger Pinto.
http://noticias.uol.com.br/ultimas-noticias/efe/2013/08/25/bolivia-descarta-ruptura-com-brasil-mas-quer-relatorio-sobre-fuga-de-senador.htm

Syria’s war If this isn’t a red line, what is?

 “The beauty of chemical weapons”, in Mr Assad’s view, says Emile Hokayem of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, “is that there is enough ambiguity to allow discussion of a response to drag on for weeks or months.” By that time, Mr Assad hopes, he may have the rebels back on the ropes. Or he may have made a drastic miscalculation.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/pomegranate/2013/08/syria-s-war?fsrc=scn/fb/wl/bl/redlinesyria

Israel's defense minister: Assad has used chemical weapons in Syria - Diplomacy & Defense Israel News Broadcast | Haaretz

Israel's defense minister: Assad has used chemical weapons in Syria - Diplomacy & Defense Israel News Broadcast | Haaretz

EU restricts arms sales to Egypt - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

 European bloc suspends export licences for equipment used for "internal repression" but leaves aid programmes untouched.
EU restricts arms sales to Egypt - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Israeli intelligence backs reports of latest chemical weapons attack in Syria

Israeli intelligence backs reports of latest chemical weapons attack in Syria - Middle East Israel News Broadcast | Haaretz

An end to kosher slaughter? Stem cell meat takes on factory farming

An end to kosher slaughter? Stem cell meat takes on factory farming - The Jewish Thinker Israel News Broadcast | Haaretz

Who Is Ali Khamenei?

Who Is Ali Khamenei?: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not a crazy, irrational, or reckless zealot searching for opportunities for aggression, as this sweeping intellectual profile shows. That means there’s room for the United States and Iran to improve ties -- if Washington can convince Khamenei it’s not determined to overthrow the Islamic Republic.

Evolve or Expire

Evolve or Expire: In the coming weeks and years, the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood will likely undergo a painful internal struggle between those who want to give in to victimhood and respond to violence with violence and those who realize that it is time to move on. The result will almost certainly be the group's fragmentation.

The Persistence of Arab Anti-Americanism

The Persistence of Arab Anti-Americanism: Anti-Americanism might have ebbed momentarily thanks to U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and support for the Arab Spring. But hostility is once again mounting in the Arab world. In Amaney Jamal's new book, she tries to determine why.

Egypt detains al-Qaeda chief's brother

 Ayman al-Zawahri's brother detained at checkpoint in Giza, according to security official.
Egypt detains al-Qaeda chief's brother - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Saudi king calls on Arabs to stand with Egypt

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/16/us-egypt-protests-saudi-idUSBRE97F0NF20130816

Petrobras anuncia venda de US$ 2,1 bilhões em ativos

A Petrobras anunciou nesta sexta-feira um pacote de venda de ativos de US$ 2,1 bilhões, em linha com o plano de desinvestimentos da petroleira.
O principal negócio divulgado foi a transferência de fatia de 35% de um bloco da bacia de Campos para a chinesa Sinochem, por US$ 1,54 bilhão.
A empresa também vendeu participações em blocos no Golfo do México, se desfez de suas ações em uma petroquímica localizada no Rio Grande do Sul e de fatia em empresa responsável por térmicas no Rio Grande do Norte.
"Estas operações representam um passo importante para a Petrobras, no âmbito do seu Programa de Desinvestimentos previsto no plano de negócios e gestão 2013-2017", disse a Petrobras em comunicado ao mercado.
http://economia.uol.com.br/noticias/reuters/2013/08/16/petrobras-anuncia-venda-de-us-21-bilhoes-em-ativos.htm

Hezbollah Under Fire

Hezbollah Under Fire: With the bloodbath in Egypt, ongoing carnage in Syria, and gruesome bombings in Iraq, another explosion in the Middle East might hardly seem like news. But the importance of the blast that rocked Beirut’s southern Shia-dominated suburbs should not be diminished. It could spell the beginning of the end for Hezbollah.

Israeli extradited to Bosnia to stand trial for genocide

Carmiel resident who immigrated from former Yugoslavia was allegedly involved in the 1995 massacre of over 1,000 Muslim Bosnians.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.541833 

Maduro apela para Assunção retornar ao Mercosul

http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mundo/2013/08/1326735-em-carta-maduro-apela-para-assuncao-retornar-ao-mercosul.shtml

Dilma diz que relações com Paraguai darão 'salto qualitativo' com novo presidente

Dilma não respondeu sobre a previsão de retorno do Paraguai ao Mercosul, mas destacou a importância para o país de voltar ao bloco.
"Para o Mercosul, a vinda do Paraguai é muito importante, e também acredito que, para o Paraguai, também é muito importante a volta ao Mercosul", disse a presidente.
Ela citou como exemplo o projeto da construção da linha de transmissão de energia que ligará a usina de Itaipu a uma estação próxima a Assunção --desenvolvida com dinheiro do Focem (fundo para desenvolvimento do Mercosul).
"O Focem emprestou para o Paraguai US$ 550 milhões para construir a linha que assegura a absorção pelo Paraguai da energia elétrica de Itaipu. Sem isso, haveria dificuldades de estruturar o financiamento", disse.
O valor citado pela presidente é, na verdade, o valor total da obra. O valor financiado pelo fundo foi de US$ 400 milhões, segundo documento do próprio Focem.
http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mundo/2013/08/1326689-no-paraguai-dilma-diz-que-relacoes-darao-salto-qualitativo-com-novo-presidente.shtml

Egypt's lawless peninsula

 Egypt's Sinai is one of the most volatile areas in a region slipping deeper into political crisis, and it is seen by many as a lawless hotbed of militant activity.
Egypt's lawless peninsula - Inside Story - Al Jazeera English

Egypt declares state of emergency

A state of emergency has been declared across Egypt, as security forces and supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi continue to clash around the country.
The announcement on Wednesday came amid a deadly crackdown by security forces on two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo.
Egypt declares state of emergency - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Funai filma pela primeira vez tribo de índios que vive isolada na Amazônia

http://noticias.uol.com.br/ciencia/ultimas-noticias/redacao/2013/08/13/funai-filma-uma-das-tribos-de-indios-que-viviam-isoladas-na-amazonia.htm

Turkish pilots kidnapped in Lebanon

 Zuwar al Imam Reda group claims responsibility and demands release of Lebanese Shias kidnapped in Syria in 2012.
Turkish pilots kidnapped in Lebanon - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Deadly air strike reported in Sinai

 An air strike in Egypt's northern Sinai peninsula has killed five suspected armed fighters, news agencies have reported quoting Egyptian sources and witnesses.
It said the source of the strike was not clear, with some sources claiming it to be an Israeli drone strike while others credited the Egyptian military.
Deadly air strike reported in Sinai - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Turkey's moves in Somalia unnerve al-Shabaab

 A recent attack on the Turkish mission in Mogadishu has worried diplomats and foreign students.
Turkey's moves in Somalia unnerve al-Shabaab - Features - Al Jazeera English

The Arab Wars of Religion by Shlomo Ben-Ami - Project Syndicate

The Arab Wars of Religion by Shlomo Ben-Ami - Project Syndicate

Peace Signs in Colombia

Peace Signs in Colombia: For a little under a year, the Colombian government and the FARC have been holding peace talks in Havana. Two Colombian government negotiators, a prominent opposition member of the Venezuelan National Assembly, a former Cuban diplomat, and two demobilized fighters offer their takes on the negotiations. Their hopefulness about the process varies, but all warn of regional instability should talks fail.

World’s first lab-grown burger to be cooked

World’s first lab-grown burger to be cooked - Europe - Al Jazeera English

Rouhani urges West to abandon Iran sanctions

 Iran’s new President Hassan Rouhani has told Western nations that the only way to interact with Iran is through dialogue and called on them to abandon the "language of sanctions" in dealing with the country's uranium enrichment programme.
Rouhani urges West to abandon Iran sanctions - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Egypt denies entry to Yemeni Nobel laureate

State news agency MENA said Karman, who had previously announced her solidarity with supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi, was on a list of people who were not allowed to enter Egypt.

Egypt denies entry to Yemeni Nobel laureate - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

US extends embassy closures

US extends embassy closures - Americas - Al Jazeera English

Sudan's Bashir barred from Saudi airspace - Africa - Al Jazeera English

 Aircraft carrying Sudanese leader forced to turn back while en route to swearing-in of new Iranian president.
Sudan's Bashir barred from Saudi airspace - Africa - Al Jazeera English

US issues global alert over 'al-Qaeda threat'

 "Terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests", the US statement read.
"US citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Terrorists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services."
US issues global alert over 'al-Qaeda threat' - Americas - Al Jazeera English

UK: Undocumented migrants at a crossroads

 The government is also facing criticism over a pilot scheme to force so-called high risk visitors to pay a bond to obtain a visa.
The main affected countries are Nigeria, Ghana, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Some visa applicants will be asked to pay a refundable bond - said to be as much as $4,600.

If successful, the government says the scheme could be extended on an "intelligence-led basis on any visa route and any country".
UK: Undocumented migrants at a crossroads - Inside Story - Al Jazeera English

Jordan seizes large arms shipment from Syria

 Jordan has been concerned that Al-Qaida-linked militants in Syria may use its territory as a haven as they escape attacks from the Syrian army. There is also concern that the militants may try to smuggle in weapons to use in attacks to destabilize the pro-U.S. kingdom, one of two Arabs states with a signed peace treaty with Israel.
Jordan seizes large arms shipment from Syria - Middle East - Israel News | Haaretz

Hezbollah's Nasrallah urges elimination of Israel in rare public speech

Speaking on the occasion of Jerusalem day, the Lebanese militia's leader said Israel 'poses a danger' to the Mideast region.

Hezbollah's Nasrallah urges elimination of Israel in rare public speech - Diplomacy & Defense - Israel News | Haaretz

Al-Qaida leader tells Morsi supporters democracy not the way

 In a 15-minute recording posted on Islamist websites, Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri urges Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters to abandon democracy and seek to govern through the full implementation of Islamic law.
Al-Qaida leader tells Morsi supporters democracy not the way - Middle East - Israel News | Haaretz

What makes Jews so smart? - Weekend - Israel News | Haaretz

What makes Jews so smart? - Weekend - Israel News | Haaretz

Japanese minister says he didn't mean to praise Hitler in speech - World - Israel News | Haaretz

Japanese minister says he didn't mean to praise Hitler in speech - World - Israel News | Haaretz