The Iranian Intelligence Minister, Seyed Mahmoud Alavi, has said that Saudi Arabia’s government will soon be “toppled”, following the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr Baqir al-Nimr.  In a message on Monday, the Minister announced, “By adopting terroristic and inhuman policies, the Al Saud regime will not achieve enhanced security; on the contrary it will face imminent downfall“. Farsnews.com reports: The Iranian intelligence minister condemned Sheikh Nimr’s execution, and extended his condolences to the Muslim Ulemmas (scholars), freedom-seeking nations and the axis of resistance.

An abundance of scientific research suggests that vaccines can trigger a large number of diseases and autoimmunity shortly after being administered. The Godfather of Autoimmunology, Yehuda Shoenfeld,  is suggesting that vaccines – specifically, their ingredients such as the toxic metal aluminum – is a significant contributor to the growing global epidemic of autoimmune diseases.

A leaked memo has revealed that authorities in Saudi Arabia were well aware of the crisis that would ensue, following the mass execution of 47 people in the New Year.  The memo reveals that the intelligence community anticipated and may have orchestrated the angry response from Iran. Middleeasteye.net reports: The document was leaked to the human rights group Reprieve, which believes it shows the executions were “politically motivated”.

The chart below, showing the total number of monthly FBI firearm background checks - a direct proxy for gun purchases in the U.S., needs no commentary.

Here is the same data, on a monthly basis to avoid the seasonal noise. No matter how one looks at it though, the 3.3 million background checks in December was a record high.

Neither of these are the "troubling chart" referenced in the title. This one shown below is, and it comes courtesy of the NYT:

Fourteen years after 9/11, the United States is still marching, undeterred by the millions killed and trillions of dollars wasted, towards something beyond grim, according to Riley Waggaman of Russia Insider who writes: “Let us consider the way in which we spend our lives.” So begins Thoreau’s greatest treatise against trains and fools with too much money, Life Without Principle. (And not to spoil the gripping plot, but Thoreau argues that we do not spend our lives particularly well.