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Breaking news from the multi-partisan activist group.

By arrangement with LegitGov.org.

OccupyNov4-575.jpgPhotograph via Flickr by David Shankbone.

AP: CIA following Twitter, Facebook

November 4, 2011—In an anonymous industrial park in Virginia, in an unassuming brick building, the CIA is following tweets—up to 5 million a day. At the agency’s Open Source Center, a team known affectionately as the “vengeful librarians” also pores over Facebook, newspapers, TV news channels, local radio stations, Internet chat rooms—anything overseas that anyone can access and contribute to openly. The CIA facility was set up in response to a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission, with its first priority to focus on counterterrorism and counterproliferation.

NORAD, Quantico training exercises could create noise

—NORAD also conducting calibration flights with Department of Homeland Security from 12:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.

November 3, 2011—The North American Aerospace Defense Command is conducting another exercise starting late tonight and continuing through Sunday involving jets and low-flying planes. The training flights, coupled with explosives munitions training at Quantico Marine Corps base between now and Sunday at midnight, could rattle some residents. The NORAD training flights are scheduled between 11:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m., and then again from 2:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Arrests follow Occupy Oakland demonstrations

November 4, 2011—A one-day protest in Oakland, California on Wednesday that involved more than ten thousand people was followed by police action in the early morning hours of Thursday, including the use of tear gas and rubber bullets, followed by dozens of arrests. The demonstrations on Wednesday involved the participation of many workers and youth outraged over earlier police actions that led to the near-fatal injury of one protester, Iraq war veteran Scott Olsen, who was struck in the head by a projectile.

U.S. drone raids kill over 120 in 2 days

November 3, 2011—At least 127 people have been killed in separate U.S. assassination drone strikes in Somalia and Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region bordering Afghanistan over the past two days. On Thursday, 41 people were killed and 33 others were injured when the U.S. military launched a assassination drone attack on the outskirts of Hoomboy town, which is situated in Somalia’s southern region of the Middle Juba. The aerial attack followed a U.S. assassination strike against Jamame town in Somalia’s southern Jubbada Hoose region. At least 28 people were killed and dozens more were wounded.

9 Arrested as Occupy Philly Converges on Comcast Center

—Protesters marched to the headquarters of Comcast from their base camp at City Hall

November 2, 2011—Dozens of protesters with the Occupy Philadelphia movement have converged on the downtown headquarters of cable giant Comcast. According to Philly.com, “Police have arrested seven men and two women. Some of the protesters reportedly got into the lobby of the tower at 17th Street and JFK Boulevard. About 20 others linked arms on the sidewalk outside, chanting slogans and singing a song about solidarity to the tune of La Marseillaise.”

U.S. census income data shows 1 in 15 Americans rank among the nation’s neediest

—Highest rate in 35 years shows depth and reach of the recession

November 3, 2011—One in every 15 Americans now ranks among the nation’s poorest of the poor, eking by on $11,000 a year or less. According to new census data, about 20.5 million Americans are now in the bottom half of people living below the poverty line as the gap between the haves and the have-nots widens. By the numbers, the nation’s poorest include a single person earning less than $5,570 annually or a family of four living on $11,157.

IDF gears for “Freedom Waves” flotilla

—U.S. issued official warning to American citizens advising them against taking part in sail

November 4, 2011—The Gaza-bound “Freedom Waves” flotilla, which left Turkey’s shores on Wednesday is expected to arrive at its destination on Friday, and the Israeli Navy (INF) is set to stop it from violating the Gaza blockade—should it decided to actually breach it. Freedom Waves is believed to include some 30 activists. The INF said that barring any other choice, it will stop the vessels at sea. “U.S. citizens attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza could face action for violating Israeli and American law,” Washington cautioned.

Iraqi cleric: U.S. seeking to “occupy” Mideast

—Al-Sadr noted the Pentagon’s recent reminders that it will keep an estimated 40,000 troops across the region

November 3, 2011—U.S. plans to station troops across the Mideast after withdrawing from Iraq amount to occupying other Islamic countries, Iraq’s prominent cleric said in an interview broadcast Thursday. Muqtada al-Sadr said he’s not satisfied with President Barack Obama’s pledge to pull all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of the year, calling it a partial withdrawal because of the thousands of diplomats and security guards mercenaries who will remain. “The American occupation will stay in Iraq under different names,” al-Sadr told Al-Arabiya TV. “America is not only occupying Iraq but also other Islamic countries,” he said. “Occupying Iraq means occupying what is around Iraq, and then to control the Middle East.”

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This link roundup originally appeared at LegitGov.org.

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  Robert Reich: Greece’s Choice—and Ours: Democracy or Finance?: Rule by democracy or by financial markets? Based on what’s happened in America, choose the former. More

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