Link: http://laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=1946681&CategoryId=14091

The leaders of the community self-defense groups in 20 cities in the western Mexican state of Michoacan have reached an agreement with federal officials to begin demobilizing, officials said. Agreed to work with federal authorities to to identify Caballeros Templarios drug cartel “targets.

Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27045534

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Ukraine is "on the verge of civil war" after Kiev sent in troops against pro-Russia separatists. Mr Putin, in a phone call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, described the move as a "sharp escalation, military operation "anti-constitutional.

Link: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-15/unidentified-fighter-jets-open-fire-kramatorsk-airfield-casualties-reported

Itar Tass report: shoot out at the separatists-controlled airport in the city of Kramatorsk. Four Su-27 fighter jets allegedly opened fire at the local airfield. Unclear who unidentified warplanes belong to. RUSSIA DECLINES COMMENT ON AIRBORNE UNIT.

Link: http://investmentwatchblog.com/ukraine-on-brink-military-recaptures-eastern-airport-pushes-tanks-toward-flashpoint-city-unidentified-fighter-jets-open-fire-on-kramatorsk-airfield-russia-tests-obama/

First Ukrainian military action against a pro-Russian uprising, government forces said they clashed Tuesday with 30 armed gunmen at a small airport. Russia: Ukraine is on the brink of “civil war, Kiev’s leaders ordered troops and tanks towards a flashpoint eastern city to push back separatist surge.

Link: http://wakeupfromyourslumber.com/news/canada-plans-invade-syria

The pro-Israeli government of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper making military preparations for military intervention in Syria, leaked documents show. Canada’s National Defense has drawn up five scenarios for military mission in Syria, according to documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen

Link: http://naturalsociety.com/couple-wins-orwellian-state-tries-fine-growing-vegetables/

Florida couple challenge the state when they were told they would be fined $500 simply for having a vegetable garden on property they owned for over 20 years. Florida officials claim it was an eyesore

Link: http://www.activistpost.com/2014/04/vermont-senate-overwhelmingly-votes-for.html

Vermont Senate votesf 26-2 for a bill that would require GMO labels on food products. Governor Peter Shumlin has shown signs of the likelihood of signing. FDA relies on testing done by biotech companies and food producers - not independent, impartial sources.

Link: http://rt.com/news/french-ban-gm-maize-736/

France parliament passed law prohibiting genetically modified (GM) maize from being grown, citing environmental concerns. The law can be applied to any GM strain adopted at EU level. If any strain of GM crop is adopted in the future at EU level it will be banned in France.

Link: http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2014/04/15/pens-a15.html

The American financial elite has launched a sweeping nationwide assault on the pension benefits of US workers in both the public and private sectors. States throughout the country, sought to slash government workers’ legally protected pension benefits on grounds there is no money.

Link: http://rt.com/news/ukraine-general--protesters-destroyed-704/

A Ukrainian general leading the operation against protesters in the east of the country has warned that activists who refuse to lay down their arms will be “destroyed. Kremlin: allegations about Russia’s military presence in eastern Ukraine are “absurd. There are no Russian troops there.

Link: http://rt.com/news/turkey-erdogan-tax-twitter-388/

Turkish officials called for Twitter to open office, pay tax in the country, after Turkey banned the blogging site in the country for two weeks following corruption scandal. Aim is for the company to pay tax, meet Turkey's just demands.

Link: http://rt.com/politics/russian-journalist-politicians-obligatory-340/

A majority party MP is suggesting amendments to the Russian law on mass media, making it obligatory for civil servants and all politicians to reply to journalists’ queries under threat of fines. Law applies to representative of federal and municipal bodies of power, various public organizations and unions.

Link: http://rt.com/news/un-ukraine-turchinov-operation-396/

Ukraine’s coup-installed president, Aleksandr Turchinov, proposed conducting joint operation with UN peacekeeping forces, signs decree immediately imposing a special anti-terrorist operation in the east of the country. Ban Ki-moon: Kiev could rely fully on help from the UN as its partner.

Link: http://rt.com/usa/white-house-confirms-cia-ukraine-448/

White House spokesman Jay Carney confirmed CIA Director John Brennan visited Kiev over the weekend, met with high-ranked Ukrainian officials. Deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich accused Brennan of ordering crackdown on pro-Russian activists in the east of the country.

Link: http://www.activistpost.com/2014/04/roundup-herbicide-125-times-more-toxic.html

Study published in journal Biomedical Research International: Roundup herbicide 125 times more toxic than its active ingredient glyphosate studied in isolation. Pesticides contain adjuvants, kept confidential, called inerts. Inert adjuvants up to 10,000 times more toxic than glyphosate.

Link: http://12160.info/forum/topics/irs-seizing-tax-refunds-of-children-grandchildren-over-parents?overrideMobileRedirect=1

Government is coming after the children and grandchildren of the original debtors for the repayment. In some cases, IRS doesn't possess the original records of the debts. Debts of parents from the early 1960s and 70s are being collected from children.

Link: http://rt.com/news/donetsk-kharkov-protest-ukraine-280/

Over 10,000 pro-autonomy demonstrators rallied across eastern Ukraine as Kiev’s coup-appointed President threatened military force if protesters and paramilitaries reject a Monday morning deadline to vacate occupied govt buildings.

Link: http://www.wnd.com/2014/04/stocks-dive-as-russia-abandons-u-s-dollar/?

The stock market dive Friday that brought the Dow Jones Industrial Average to near 16,000 and the Nasdaq to below 4,000 might reflect an accelerated move by Russia away from the petrodollar in retaliation for the Obama administration’s threatened economic sanctions over Crimea.

Link: http://12160.info/page/report-traitor-spy-jonathan-pollard-to-be-released-by-us-as-israe

Israel and Palestinian negotiators to extend US-brokered peace talks. As part of the deal, Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard sentenced to life in 1987 after admitting to passing US miliary secrets to Israel while working as intelligence analyst for US Navy to be freed.

Link: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/04/12/federal-agency-ends-bundy-ranch-cattle-roundup-in-nevada-after-militia-stand-off/

Showdown between rancher Cliven Bundy and U.S. brought armed federal rangers to Nevada to seize 1,000 head of cattle. Hundreds of heavily armed Bundy supporters, camped on road to his ranch. Calling rally the “Battle of Bunkerville. U.S. Bureau of Land Management called off effort.

Link: http://www.presstv.com/detail/2014/04/13/358453/cia-provoking-bloodshed-in-ukraine/

Ukrainian deposed President Viktor Yanukovych says the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is provoking bloodshed in the country by sanctioning the use of weapons against pro-Russia protesters. Warned that Ukraine’s interim officials have taken the country to the brink of a civil war.

Link: http://rt.com/news/eastern-ukraine-violence-slavyansk-240/

Casualties reported on both sides as gunfire broke out in Slavyansk in eastern Ukraine, where anti-government protesters seized several buildings. City is under siege as Kiev announced an “anti-terrorist operation” against the protesters.

Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/04/14/358462/israel-confiscates-land-in-west-bank/

Israel has grabbed more Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank in a move that could complicate efforts to extend the so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority. Israeli ministry of military affairs declared 100 hectares of territory south of East al-Quds (Jerusalem), as its property.

Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/04/14/358464/unsc-holds-meeting-on-ukraine/

United Nations Security Council held emergency meeting on rising tensions in Ukraine. Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin blamed Ukraine’s government for tensions in the country. Accused interim government of cracking down on peaceful protests with force and draconian measures.

Link: http://naturalsociety.com/new-study-chronically-sick-people-high-levels-sinister-glyphosate-urine/

Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology study: animals and humans who consume GMO foods with glyphosate chemicals, main ingredient in Monsanto’s RoundUp have high levels of glyphosate in their urine. People who eat organic foods, have lower levels of glyphosate in their urine.

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/13/us-syria-crisis-assad-idUSBREA3C0K120140413

President Bashar al-Assad: Syria's three-year conflict at a "turning point" due to military gains, ending sieges on rebel-held areas closing off supply routes from Lebanon and securing main highway from Damascus to central Syria. Allies expect him to win presidential election in July.

Link: http://www.gulf-times.com/us-latin%20america/182/details/388200/vigilantes%E2%80%99-ultimatum-to-mexico-authorities

Self- defence” group in state of Michoacan give Mexican government ultimatum: free captured members of the movement by May 10 or expect all hell to break loose, legalise self- defence groups independent of any local police forces. Not possible for us to go unarmed, refuse to lay down weapons.

Link: http://www.blacklistednews.com/DOJ_Investigation_Confirms%3A_Albuquerque_Police_%27Executing%27_Citizens/34441/0/38/38/Y/M.html

Department of Justice: officers too frequently use deadly force against people who pose minimal threat, conduct of officers heightens danger. Activists call for removal of officials, increased scrutiny, federal monitor to be appointed.

Link: http://stratrisks.com/geostrat/18831

Israel’s army chief of staff General Benny Gantz said an Israeli military operation in Lebanon is not only a realistic scenario but a necessary one. Israel is considering an increase in the level of its preparedness to emergency level.

Link: http://naturalsociety.com/monsanto-demands-removal-mexican-judge-gm-maize-ban/

Following two separate rulings to ban GMO, Monsanto made an official request for the removal of Judge Jaime Manuel Marroquin Zaleta. The country is currently resisting Monsanto’s attempt to grow GM maize in one of its most important crop zone.

Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/04/12/358315/ukraine-preparing-operational-response/

Announcement follows seizure of government buildings by pro-Russian protesters in the city of Slavyansk in southern Donetsk. Ukraine's Acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov: incident an example of “external aggression”, Kiev taking extra security measures to deal with the crisis.

Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/04/12/358314/syria-opposition-calls-for-israel-ties/

A leader of the foreign-backed Syrian opposition calls for forging a coalition with Israel against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, noted overthrow of Assad is Israel’s main interests in Syria. offered handing Golan Heights to Tel Aviv in return for receiving military aid from Israel.

Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/04/13/358322/1000s-of-french-hold-antiausterity-demo/

Thousands of French demonstrated in Paris against austerity measures introduced by government. Demonstrators holding signs reading “no to austerity, ”said Hollande not different from predecessor Sarkozy. Hollande struggles to revive French economy by cutting business taxes.

Link: http://rt.com/news/rally-donetsk-slavyansk-ukraine-160/

Thousands of pro-federalization activists have rallied in cities across Eastern Ukraine, calling for greater sovereignty of their region from Kiev. Activists have formed militias that helped anti-Maidan protesters seize several government buildings.

Link: http://rt.com/news/rome-austerity-protests-march-172/

At least 80 people – both police and protesters – have been injured as street battles broke out in Rome, with rocks being flung and police deploying pepper spray. Thousands took to the street to march against austerity measures.

Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/04/11/358181/us-is-no-1-warmonger-on-earth-carter/

United States has become the "number one warmonger on Earth," has constantly been at war somewhere. There are about 30 countries where we have initiated armed conflict."Slammed the president about increased use of drones in Middle East and NSA surveillance of foreign leaders.

Link: http://naturalsociety.com/california-may-first-put-warning-labels-sodas-sugary-drinks/

A bill that would require soft drinks and sugary sodas to feature warning labels has advanced in California. The new bill would require these drinks to feature a label warning about the high sugar content and it’s potential connections to diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay.

Link: http://naturalsociety.com/maryland-new-hampshire-next-marijuana-decriminalization/

Maryland to become the 17th state to decriminalize marijuana. Reduce penalties for possession of 10 grams of pot from a misdemeanor criminal offense (where it currently stands) to an infraction carrying only a $100 civil fine. Formerly classified as a crime now classified as an infraction.

Link: http://rt.com/politics/russia-sanctions-foreign-travel-840/

Russian Foreign Ministry official warning: citizens who travel abroad, might be detained, extradited to US for trial on inflated charges, may result in lengthy prison sentences. Advised all Russians who have any conflict with US avoid travelling to countries with extradition agreements with United States.

Link: http://rt.com/business/ukraine-russia-gas-price-168/

The newly-appointed head of Ukraine’s national gas company says the country “sees no reason” to comply with the “political” hike in gas prices imposed by Russia, and will formally stop transferring money to Moscow until the situation is resolved.