Was Obama sending a message when flashing the peace sign?

Deadbeat 1960s 'Give Peace a Chance' progressives

"The so-called Islamic State released a decree effectively keeping all members of the minorities under house arrest, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) said. "We don't know the real reason but we think Isis want them as human shields or hostages," a spokesperson added. "Activists with the group, which documents atrocities in the Syrian city, counted 43 Christian families remaining on Thursday. "One of its members writing under the alias Abu Mohammed said the ban was implemented without any explanation at Easter, which they have been unable to celebrate for the past three years under the terrorist group's rule. "He wrote that most of the trapped families are poor workers who could not afford to move elsewhere even when they had the chance. "They suffer from the decisions and practices of the organisation (Isis), which has occupied their places of worship while forcing them to pay tribute, although they are deprived from practicing their rituals and religious practices," Mr Mohammed said, saying they are also subject to regular harassment. "Rami Abdulrahman, from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights cast doubt on the new order, saying Raqqa's entire population was already confined to the city. "Isis stopped everybody leaving Raqqa. Muslims, not only Christians." "Most of Raqqa's former Christian and Armenian residents fled alongside other civilians and minorities when the city was seized from the Syrian regime by allied Islamist and opposition rebels in 2013. "Isis consolidated its hold the following year, sparking another wave of migration as its fighter executed Alawites and laid waste to Shia mosques and Christian and Armenian churches. "As with its other strongholds across Syria and Iraq, the group orders non-Sunni Muslims to convert, leave or remain on the condition they give up their property, pay special taxes (jizya) and sign a "dhimma" contact agreeing to abide by Sharia law. "Those who stay face increased scrutiny and surveillance, with accusations of public worship, attempting to convert others and other contraventions punishable by death. "This week's reported crackdown came amid a series of reported measures by Isis, which appears to be suffering the consequences of efforts by the US-led coalition to choke its revenue streams and infrastructure. "RBSS said the group was making courses in taxi driving, medical care, engineering and other roles mandatory for all citizens in a suspected move to recruit more civilians. "Militants are also reportedly forcing more people to undergo courses in its ideology and jihad, while rationing electricity and temporarily cutting off water supplies as the humanitarian situation in the city deteriorates further. "Fighters' salaries were cut according to a decree issued earlier this year and the group is said to have become increasingly reliant on the US dollar after a failed attempt to start its own currency."

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"Obama branded the controversial agreement a reminder that when the global community stands together, it can promote common security."

"The President said no terrorist group had succeeded in getting hold of making a dirty bomb, but said al-Qaeda wanted to and ISIS had already used chemical weapons in the Middle East. (Daily Mail) "He said there was no doubt that if ISIS 'mad men' got a nuclear bomb, they would use it to kill as many people as possible. Obama gave a chilling warning that such a catastrophic disaster would 'change our world'. 'We have measurably reduced the risk,' Obama said. But he added: 'The threat of nuclear terrorism persists and continues to evolve.'"

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