Puppet MastersS


Yoda

On Pepe Escobar's excellent Russia-EU article

Russia European Union EU flags
© Sputnik / Vladimir Sergeev
You can read it in full at Saker's Blog, Zerohedge or some few other media outlets, including Asia Times. Pepe refers to me, for which I am very thankful to him, when describing the the general state of the affairs today, and I quote him:

Generally, Pepe and I we arrive to the same conclusion, as Pepe puts it:
As much as Washington is not "agreement-capable", in the words of President Putin, so is the EU, says Lavrov: "We should stop to orient ourselves toward European partners and care about their assessments." Not only Russia knows it: the overwhelming majority of the Global South also knows it.

Comment: Lavrov at Valdai: Iron Curtain still separates Russia and the EU


Black Cat

Biden promises to pressure states into issuing mask mandates nationwide

Joe biden mask
© Angela Weiss/AFP
Former Vice President Joe Biden is promising that, if elected, he would urge state and local governments to issue mask mandates nationwide.

The Democrat nominee, who has shifted on his support for a federal mask mandate, told supporters in Delaware on Friday that it was vital for the government to implement a "national strategy to position our country to finally get ahead of this virus." As part of the strategy, the former vice president promised not only to get a spending bill, that deals with both the economic and public safety aspects of the novel coronavirus, through Congress by January, but also to push for comprehensive mask mandates.

"I'll go to every governor and urge them to mandate mask-wearing in their states," he said. "If they refuse I'll go to the mayors and county executives and get local masking requirements in place nationwide."

Comment: The Hill reports that Covid propagandist-in-chief Fauci backs up dictator-wannabe Creepy Joe:
Fauci told CNN's Erin Burnett that it would be a "great idea" to have everybody wearing masks uniformly. He also responded to criticism that mandates on masks would be difficult to enforce.

"If everyone agrees that this is something that's important and they mandate and everybody pulls together, and says 'we're gonna mandate it, but let's just do it,' I think that would be a great idea to have everybody do it uniformly," Fauci said.

Fauci further said that one of the arguments he hears against masks mandates is that enforcing it would create more of an issue.

"One of the issues though, I get the argument that 'Well, if you mandate a mask, you're going to have to enforce it and that's going to create more of a problem,'" Fauci said. "Well, if people are not wearing masks, then maybe we should be mandating it."
For someone who bleats on about 'following the science', Joe seems to be ignoring a remarkable amount of it:


Newspaper

UK has mounted covert attacks against Russian leadership - former cabinet secretary reveals

Mark Sedwilll
© Omar Sobhani/ReutersMark Sedwill said the aim of such actions had been to ‘impose a price greater than one they might have expected’ in response to aggressive Russian behaviour.
Britain has carried a series of covert attacks on Russia's leaders and their allies, the former cabinet secretary has disclosed.

Mark Sedwill said the UK had sought to exploit Moscow's "vulnerabilities", including through the deployment of its recently declared offensive cyber-capability.

He said the aim of such actions had been to "impose a price greater than one they might have expected" in response to aggressive Russian behaviour.

Comment: It's highly likely that the criminality the UK is admitting to involves a lot more nefarious dealings than just illicit money: Skripal Likely Poisoned by British Intelligence in Effort to Smear and Silence Russian World View

For more, check out SOTT radio's: Behind the Headlines: Perfidious Albion: If Russia is a Rogue State, What is the UK?


Star of David

Donald Trump announces Sudan-Israel relations agreed

Trump on phone
© ReutersPresident Trump announced the deal on a three-way call with the leaders of Sudan and Israel.
Sudan is to normalise relations with Israel - the latest in a series of Arab League countries to do so.

At the same time, US President Donald Trump has removed Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, unblocking economic aid and investment.

Announcing the normalisation, Mr Trump said "at least five more" Arab states wanted a peace deal with Israel. The Sudan deal comes weeks after similar moves by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. The two Gulf states became the first in the Middle East to recognise Israel in 26 years. The UAE's foreign ministry said it welcomed Sudan's decision, calling it "an important step to boost security and prosperity in the region."

Sudan and Israel said in a three-way statement with the US that delegations would meet "in the coming weeks. The leaders agreed to the normalisation of relations between Sudan and Israel and to end the state of belligerence between their nations."

Comment: Stick and carrot? Not everyone sees this 'breakthrough' as unleveraged persuasion. Iran has its take on the new developments as the tide rises towards a final kumbaya moment:
Iran's Foreign Ministry has portrayed a US-brokered Sudan-Israel deal to normalise ties as "phoney", accusing Khartoum of paying "a ransom" in exchange for Washington taking the North African country off a list of state sponsors of terrorism, where it was added in 1993, soon after the rise to power of now ousted President Omar al-Bashir.

"Pay enough ransom, close your eyes to the crimes against Palestinians, then you'll be taken off the so-called 'terrorism' blacklist", the ministry tweeted in English, going on to fume:
"Obviously, the list is as phoney as the US fight against terrorism. Shameful".
The deal was negotiated on the US side by senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner, Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz, National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and national security official Miguel Correa, with Kushner, for his part, calling the agreement "a great breakthrough".

Meanwhile, both Israel and America, which has been acting as a mediator, have stated the deal is just a continuation of an apparent trend for peace agreements with the Jewish state, with Netanyahu for his part praising the "expansion of the peace circle". Donald Trump has expressed certainty that Iran will also join a "deal like this" in the foreseeable future.



Laptop

Hunter Biden email names Kamala Harris, among others, as key contacts for 'joint venture' with China Energy Co.

Kamala
© Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Pool via APBiden's VP pick Kamala Harris
The emails purported to be Hunter Biden's on that abandoned laptop have been verified by one recipient. They're real and they're spectacularly damning, according to Tony Bobulinski, a former business partner of Hunter Biden.

Another email begs for answers from Joe Biden's vice-presidential running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris. Fox News reports:
A list of "key domestic contacts" for a joint venture involving Jim and Hunter Biden and now-bankrupt CEFC China Energy Co. included former Vice President Joe Biden's current running mate Sen. Kamala Harris, among other prominent Democrats, Fox News has learned.

An email [was] exclusively obtained by Fox News, with the subject line "Phase one domestic contacts/ projects" and dated May 15, 2017, Biden's brother, Jim Biden, shared a list of "key domestic contacts for phase one target projects."

The email is unrelated to the laptop or hard drive purportedly belonging to Hunter Biden, the former vice president's son.
Jim Biden is the Democratic nominee's brother.

Comment: This question regarding Harris did not come up in the debate. Even if it had, there would be no truthful reply to follow. Disdaining facts, Biden was profusely and consistently untruthful.

See also:
Joe Biden told 32 lies in 96 minutes during the debate. Here they are


Arrow Up

Dramatic turnabout: Muslims abandon Biden, back the president 'Trump does what he says'

Trump/Muslim voter trend charts
© mediadc.brightspotcdn/Aksam Gazetesi
President Trump, whose Middle East plan is winning support from Arab nations, is gaining strong support from Muslim leaders and their followers who believe that the Democrats haven't delivered on years of promises, according to a new survey of Islamic leaders.

In a shocking turnaround, 61.48% of the 109 Muslim leaders who "represent two million voters" plan to vote for Trump. That is a slight edge over their 2012 vote for Barack Obama.

The survey of the leaders was done by the Washington correspondent for Aksam Gazetesi, a Turkish news site. It suggested that the Muslim leaders' support for former Vice President Joe Biden was 30.27%. Those results represent a dramatic flip of the Muslim vote, which for years has sided with the Democrats.

Dollar

Hunter Biden-linked companies took millions in bailout loans, taxpayer funds

Hunter B
© Access/Screenshot/Shutterstock.com/KJNHunter Biden
Hunter Biden's business conglomerate didn't just benefit from foreign investments and fees. It also scored tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer-backed subsidies and loans, federal records and financial documents show.

The finances of the Biden family have come under increased scrutiny in the waning days of the 2020 presidential election season, particularly after bombshell reports in the New York Post this month appeared to suggest that Hunter Biden may have been selling access to the former vice president.

In one email published by the Post, an equity-allocation arrangement involving a Chinese investment appeared to involve Hunter Biden receiving a sum of money to be held for "the big guy," reportedly Joe Biden.

Joe Biden has dismissed the controversy as a "smear campaign," though his campaign has not denied the authenticity of the emails.

Comment: And the reveals keep on coming:
AN E-MAIL OBTAINED BY THE NATIONAL PULSE APPEARS TO CONFIRM SUSPICIONS THAT HUNTER BIDEN AGREED TO LOBBY HIS FATHER, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AFTER BEING ASKED TO "TALK TO THE BIG GUY."

Not only did Hunter Biden say he would oblige, but he also noted he would be "killed" by White House/Vice Presidential staff if he went "around everyone and straight to [Joe Biden]" - apparently acknowledging the unethical nature of his upcoming action.

"The big guy" appears to be a common euphemism for Joe Biden, and appears in previous e-mails published by The New York Post and confirmed by Hunter Biden business associate Tony Bobulinski.

The latest news comes despite Joe Biden repeatedly insisting there is no basis "whatsoever" for claims that Hunter Biden profited from his family name.
email
© Email obtained by The National Pulse
Left wing news sites like Vox have repeatedly claimed that "By mutual agreement, Hunter avoided lobbying his father," without evidence, and contrary to what the new e-mails reveal.

The e-mail, dated December 14th 2010, came from a lobbyist and senior partner at The Mathis Harple Group - which has worked for major pharmaceuticals industry groups, big tobacco corporations, and even major petroleum companies like Royal Dutch Shell.

Chuck Harple - a lobbyist and Senior Partner at the firm - e-mailed Hunter Biden about arranging a meeting with then Vice President Joe Biden, who he referred to as "the big guy."

The e-mail begins:
"Hunter

I will tell you that the Building Trades are at the end of their rope with this administration. They, General President Mark Ayers and Secretary Treasurer Sean McGarvey were told two years ago that Nate Tamarin was the "labor guy." Since then, those that haven [sic] chosen to circumvent Nate after "no action" did hear the wrath of Nate. Those that stood up to him - the Ibew, NEA, IAFF, etc.... Basically told nate to go f off - in a nice way."

He continued:

"Personally, I was the Teamsters Political Director and under the Bush Presidency - I was able to call rove, Mehlman, Sara Taylor and Andy Card. Granted a lot didn't get done - but at least we were heard. Whereas now, we have our team in - and Sean has sent an official letter asking for a meeting with Vice President Biden over a year ago, and the reasoning for not getting the meeting is absolutely ridiculous. So what is worse - having our guys in there and no access or having access (like with Bush) with terrible results. Furthermore, the National Building and Construction Trades Secretary Treasurer (who represents nearly 3.5 million members) THINKS that vice president Biden doesn't want to meet with him and his President Mark Ayers."
In other words, Harple was e-mailing the Vice President's son for political access. And Hunter promised to oblige.

In a reply to Harple just over two hours later, Hunter Biden allegedly wrote:
"I'll work on it - but is there any issue I should know about before I go around everyone and straight to him - if I ask he will do it - but if I am missing something legit then i will get killed by staff."

R. Hunter Biden
The bombshell comes as the national news media continues to ignore and pour scorn over the veracity of the Hunter Biden laptop and the e-mails contained within.

The National Pulse has confirmed the nature of the e-mails and the contents of the laptop.

Harple also told Hunter Biden in the original email:
"You should not be worried about getting "yelled" at by the Boss or his staff - they should be shitting their pants thinking that - because of miscommunications, the Building Trades think they are being dissed by the Vice President. Personally, the Bldg Trades are too honorable and stuck on protocol. If it were my union - I would have sandwiched the President, VP or their CoS and made sure they knew.

All that said, what works best - for you and I - is for you to call Sean first. Say you talked to me and that you want to get all the facts before you talk to the big guy. This will be good for both of us.

What do you think?"
The National Pulse will be breaking more stories related to the contents of Hunter Biden's e-mails due to their importance as it pertains to the U.S. public's understanding of what a Biden-run White House would look like.



Hiliter

Libyan factions sign 'permanent' ceasefire following talks

UN Geneva Libyan talks
© AFPTalks between Libyan factions at the UN Geneva offices, October 20, 2020
Warring factions in Libya have agreed to a "permanent" ceasefire following talks, the United Nations said on Friday. The agreement came after five days of discussions in Geneva between representatives of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) and the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA).

Stephanie Williams, head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced:
"The Libyan parties have reached a permanent ceasefire agreement throughout Libya. This achievement represents an important turning point towards peace and stability in Libya" and "the departure of all mercenaries and foreign fighters from all Libyan territories, land, air and sea, within a maximum period of three months from today. The ceasefire does not apply to UN-designated terrorist groups."
The signing of the agreement on Friday, which comes after accelerated discussions around a ceasefire in recent weeks, lasted about 10 minutes and was followed by a round of applause. Ali Abushahma, the head of the delegation for the GNA, said:
"We have had enough suffering, enough bloodshed... we hope we will change the suffering on all the territories of Libya, especially in the south. I appeal to all Libya: Be one hand."

Magnify

'Do we want Earth to become like Venus?': Putin seems to change stance on climate change and calls for swift action

Venus
© J. Greaves/Cardiff University/JAXA / APVenus, 2016
Vladimir Putin has called on the people of the world to come together and "tend to our planet" for future generations. The Russian President also warned that "unrestrained and unlimited consumption" will have to be abandoned.

Putin was speaking on Thursday to the Valdai Club, a Russian discussion forum attended by influential politicians, academics and business leaders, and visited yearly by the president. In recent years, the annual meeting has been held in Sochi, but this year it took place online.

"Tensions have reached a critical point. We can see this in climate change," the Russian president said. "This problem calls for practical action and much more attention on our part. It has long stopped being the domain of abstract scientific interests but now concerns nearly every inhabitant of the planet Earth."

Comment: Back in 2017 Putin and the Kremlin were quoted as saying that climate changes appear to be part of cyclical process and that humans weren't responsible:
"The warming, it had already started by the 1930s," Putin said in comments broadcast from an Arctic forum held in the northern Russian city of Arkhangelsk. "That's when there were no such anthropological factors, such emissions, and the warming had already started."

The Kremlin strongman added: "The issue is not stopping it... because that's impossible, since it could be tied to some global cycles on Earth or even of planetary significance. The issue is to somehow adapt to it."
And yet we now have these seemingly conflicting statements at the recent Valdai meeting. Is Putin, as seems to be that case with the coronavirus farce, going along with the erroneous mainstream narrative to appease the general public, or is it due to pressure? Or has he changed his mind?

One thing seems pretty clear, our climate is changing and it has been, overall, cooling for at least the last 20 years and the trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future: For more on the Valdai meeting, see: President Putin's 2020 Valdai Club speech articulates his vision of populist statism


Briefcase

Judge orders DOJ to attest to Flynn evidence after former FBI agent accuses prosecutors of altering documents

emmett sullivan
© CBS News/YouTubeU.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan
A federal judge on Friday ordered prosecutors in the Michael Flynn case to swear under penalty of perjury to the accuracy of evidence they had filed after a former FBI agent accused prosecutors of altering documents.

Judge Emmet Sullivan gave the Department of Justice (DOJ) until Monday to attest to the evidence, which includes handwritten notes from former FBI agent Peter Strzok. He also ordered the prosecutors to provide the dates and authors for each filing as well as a transcription for each handwritten document.

Strzok's attorney, Aitan Goelman, flagged the alterations in a letter to Sullivan late last month, saying that the DOJ had added dates to the documents and that at least one of them was inaccurate.

Comment: Is Sullivan looking for a way out? Defense Attorney Sydney Powell has his back against the wall: