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Forget Apple for a minute: Obama admin to relax privacy restrictions, expand NSA data sharing

Charlie Savage
New York Times
Thu, 25 Feb 2016 18:58 UTC
obama
© Zach Gibson/The New York Times
President Obama, meeting Thursday with his National Security Council, wants more intelligence experts to see information intercepted by the National Security Agency.
The Obama administration is on the verge of permitting the National Security Agency to share more of the private communications it intercepts with other American intelligence agencies without first applying any privacy protections to them, according to officials familiar with the deliberations.

The change would relax longstanding restrictions on access to the contents of the phone calls and email the security agency vacuums up around the world, including bulk collection of satellite transmissions, communications between foreigners as they cross network switches in the United States, and messages acquired overseas or provided by allies.

The idea is to let more experts across American intelligence gain direct access to unprocessed information, increasing the chances that they will recognize any possible nuggets of value. That also means more officials will be looking at private messages — not only foreigners' phone calls and emails that have not yet had irrelevant personal information screened out, but also communications to, from, or about Americans that the N.S.A.'s foreign intelligence programs swept in incidentally.

Comment: This is what happens when a country exports all its freedom.

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Cookie

Russian agriculture ministry predicts grain production will increase 25% by 2030


RT
Fri, 26 Feb 2016 10:07 UTC
Grain field
© Jamal Saidi/Reuters
The Russian agriculture ministry is predicting grain production will increase by 25 percent over the next fifteen years to 130 million tons as a part of the strategic development of the cereals market.

Growth will come from expanding the areas current planted with grain. Cropped fields are expected to increase to 49 million hectares (490,000 sq km) as opposed to the current 46 million. The average yield is projected at 2.74 tons per hectare from the current 2.36.

Domestic grain consumption is expected to increase by 17.5 percent to 81.1 million tons due to a boost in livestock breeding and processing of raw grain into products as starch or syrups.

Russia expects to control over 10 percent of the global grain market boosting exports by 61 percent to 48.3 million tons. The country currently exports to Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Sudan and Yemen.

The government expects to invest 2.9 trillion rubles ($38.2 billion) in the next 15 years with private investors providing another 3.1 trillion rubles ($40.8 billion).

However, some experts suggest the Russian agriculture sector does not need to look for Kremlin help.

"The government investments are not necessary," the head of the Russia's agriculture markets research company 'Sovecon' Andrey Sizov told Vedomosti. Such measures as abolishing export tax on grain and raising the competition in the transport sector, as well as imposing administrative fines for improper use of the railway service would be enough to develop the industry.

The major producers say Russian grain might take on markets if the country could offer lower prices. Morocco, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea and China are the most promising markets, according to Russia's agriculture ministry.

Comment: Putin announces Russia will become leading exporter of GMO-free foods

See also:

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Gold Coins

Deutsche Bank recommends it's time to buy gold

Leslie Shaffer
CNBC
Fri, 26 Feb 2016 18:41 UTC
gold backed ruble yuan
© Sputnik/ Pavel Lisitsyn
Gold is still expensive, but rising economic risks and market turmoil mean investors should buy it for insurance, Deutsche Bank said Friday.

The recovery since the global and European financial crises had put the price of gold under some pressure. The yellow metal, which some analysts view as a safe haven or as a protection against rising inflation, typically underperforms during periods when the economy is growing or inflation is low. However, in a note issued Friday, the German Bank said economic signs are pointing in gold's favor.

"There are rising stresses in the global financial system; in particular the rising risk of a U.S. corporate default cycle and the risk of a sharp one-off renminbi devaluation due to the sharp increase in China's capital outflows," Deutsche Bank added."Buying some gold as 'insurance' is warranted."

Comment: If the big banks and countries are seriously looking into gold, a big upset in the financial world is bound to happen sooner rather than later.

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Heart - Black

How the US supports al-Qaeda in Yemen

Jonathan Marshall
Consortium News
Thu, 25 Feb 2016 00:00 UTC
AQAP
© en.wikipedia.org
AQAP helps Saudi Arabia by attacking Yemeni cities, civilians and cultural centers, while Washington turns a blind eye.
The Obama administration, eager to assuage Saudi Arabia's anger over the Iran nuclear deal and the failure to achieve "regime change" in Syria, has turned a blind eye to Riyadh's savaging of Yemen, even though that is helping Al Qaeda militants expand their territory. [...] Saudi Arabia invaded in March 2015 to crush an Iranian-supported insurgency and restore a discredited former president to power. But Washington cannot so easily ignore the rapid resurgence of a dangerous branch of Al Qaeda that is thriving on the chaos to take control of much of southern Yemen.

What a United Nations report called "widespread and systematic" attacks against civilians by Saudi and Gulf emirate pilots, armed with U.S.-made aircraft and cluster bombs that are banned by international treaty, account for the bulk of civilian deaths and for the wholesale destruction of ancient cities and cultural centers. In addition, a Saudi-imposed blockade on Yemen, supported by Washington, has allowed only a trickle of relief supplies to reach the country, putting millions of people at risk of starvation.

In the midst of this Hobbesian nightmare, militant followers of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) are making a rapid comeback after being crippled in 2012. Recently seizing numerous towns, including two provincial capitals, AQAP now dominates much of three provinces. And a new report suggests that AQAP insurgents are fighting alongside pro-Saudi forces in a savage battle for control of the large city of Taiz, northwest of the port of Aden.

Comment: AQ/AQAP: US-Israeli designed terrorists are fronting for higher realms of plotting and manipulation in order to complete a specific agenda and outcome. (Think of what could happen if they all laid down their weapons and just walked away...)

See also:

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Cross

Trump claims IRS audits him for being a 'strong Christian', CNN host barely keeps a straight face

Travis Gettys
Raw Story
Fri, 26 Feb 2016 19:39 UTC
donald trump
Christ promised the meek would inherit the earth, but according to the gospel of Trump — they might also be audited by the IRS.

Donald Trump suggested after his disastrous showing in Thursday's Republican presidential debate that his religious piety had made him a target for Internal Revenue Service investigators — and skeptical CNN anchor Chris Cuomo could barely keep a straight face.

"I'm always audited by the IRS, which I think is very unfair," Trump complained. "I don't know whether it's maybe because of religion or because of something else, maybe because I'm doing this (running for president)."

A poker-faced Cuomo asked him to go on.

"Well, maybe because of the fact that I'm a strong Christian and I feel strongly about it, so maybe there's a bias," Trump said, as Cuomo's eyebrows raised in astonishment.

Comment: Watch the entire interview posted online by CNN:



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V

Iraqi commanders: In defiance of US pressure, volunteer forces continue Mosul battle


FARS News Agency
Wed, 24 Feb 2016 06:40 UTC
Iraqi volunteers
© en.farsnews.com
Onward to Mosul, the Iraqi volunteer army refuses to quit despite US pressure.
The Iraqi volunteer forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) commanders reiterated that they are determined to continue their tough battle against the ISIL in a bid to take full control of the city of Mosul in Northern Iraq, and said that they will pay no heed to the US pressures aimed at preventing them from doing so.

"We are committed to the Iraqi government's decision that the Iraqi volunteer forces should play an active role in the battles against the Takfiri terrorists in Mosul," Spokesman of Iraq's Ansarullah al-Nujaba Movement Hashem al-Moussavi told FNA on Wednesday. He reiterated that the volunteer forces are waiting for the Iraqi government's decision before moving towards Mosul. "The US and the regional spy agencies are seeking to trouble the Iraqi volunteer forces' partnership in the war against the ISIL in Mosul, but to no avail," al-Moussavi added.

In a relevant development on February 16, A senior Iraqi volunteer forces commander underlined that his forces are determined to continue their war against the ISIL in the city of Fallujah. "The US and some pro-US Iraqi politicians intend to exert pressure on the Iraqi government to prevent the volunteer forces from entering the Fallujah city, but the volunteer forces will not bow to such pressures," Hassan al-Sari told FNA. He underlined that some Iraqi political figures are dissuading the volunteer forces at the order of the US. "The Iraqi volunteer forces will never given in to the demands of a few individuals who are not well-wishers of Iraq and are linked to the ISIL," the Iraqi commander added.

Comment: See also:

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Eagle

Hardline Pentagon vs 'moderate' State Department: Is Russia friend or foe?


RT
Fri, 26 Feb 2016 16:32 UTC
Kerry
© dpa
As the US-Russia brokered Syrian ceasefire looms, Secretary John Kerry has been displaying a warm attitude towards Moscow, stressing mutual goals and cooperation, but the Pentagon appears to be reading from a different playbook, calling Russia an enemy.

On Thursday, the US Secretary of State testified before Congress trying to sell legislators on a $50 billion budget for his department, calling it "the minimum price" for America's leadership for the next year.

In his fourth testimony this week, Kerry pointed out the scope of the US' "simultaneous" engagements across the world, while also stressing the need to keep national security strong and protect America's interests.

With regard to Washington's international challenges, specifically the scale of radical Islamic extremism, Kerry was asked if he agreed that Russia poses a greater threat than jihadists.

"If you wanted me to put on the table the top threat to the United States today, in terms of day to day life and the stability of the world, it is violent extremism, radical religious extremism and violence..." he began to reply. Kerry was interrupted by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-California), who called the Secretary out for being "unable" to say "radical Islamic" when referring to terrorism.


Comment: Pass the sick-bag. Rohrabacher seems to be channeling McCarthy here. Or Goebbels. And of course, no acknowledgment that the U.S. is the greatest facilitator of "radical Islamic" terrorism.

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Stock Down

Just deserts? Russia cuts gas supply to Turkey by a quarter


RT
Fri, 26 Feb 2016 16:18 UTC
istanbul
© Murad Sezer / Reuters
The already strained relations between Moscow and Ankara have taken a turn for the worse. Gazprom has cut gas supplies by nearly a quarter after failing to reach an agreement with Turkish importers on discounts for Russian natural gas.

Delivery is down 23 percent, compared to the same period last year, Interfax reports, quoting data from Bulgarian gas operator Bulgartransgaz that processes about 50 percent of Russian gas going to Turkey.

According to the news agency sources, the reduction is linked to a price dispute between Gazprom and Turkey's private gas importers.

Comment: Erdogan recently bemoaned the loss of Russia as a friend due to a paltry "two pilots". As Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded, due to Turkey, Russia lost two pilots. Big difference that just goes to show how small an understanding of normal human relations Erdogan has. Turkish business, and relations with Russia, will continue to suffer until the Turkish regime gets its act together and starts acting like an adult, not a petulant schoolyard bully. Further reading:

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Clipboard

Kerry's 'Plan B' remarks condemned by Damascus


FARS News Agency
Wed, 24 Feb 2016 06:00 UTC
Kerry
© en.farsnews.com
"It may be too late to keep it as a whole Syria." Plan B: Conquer and divide.
Damascus deplored US Secretary of State John Kerry's recent remarks on considering a Plan B and military option against Syria. "Kerry's remarks are aimed at diverting the public opinion from the US responsibility for the crimes committed by the terrorists against the Syrian nation," a Syrian foreign ministry official said on Wednesday. "The US and its allies and puppets are accountable for the crisis in Syria and its continued trend since they are still supporting terrorism," the official added.

According to the official, the Syrian nation and government want the end of crisis as soon as possible and are trying more than anyone else to eradicate terrorism and strengthen unity in Syria. The Syrian government on Tuesday accepted terms of the ceasefire deal as announced by the US and Russia, but the Damascus government wants the war against the ISIL to continue as planned.

But Kerry said he will move towards a plan B that could involve a partition of Syria if a planned ceasefire due to start in the next few days does not materialize, or if a genuine shift to a transitional government does not take place in the coming months. "It may be too late to keep it as a whole Syria if we wait much longer," he told the US Senate foreign relations committee on Tuesday.

Kerry did not advocate partition as a solution and refused to specify details of a plan B, such as increased military involvement, beyond insisting it would be wrong to assume that Barack Obama would not countenance further action.

Comment: Plan B is the real aim of the US/NATO terrorist war in Syria. Why trot this out before the ceasefire starts unless you want to impact action and opinion towards this end.

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Bomb

Turkey supplies new arms cargos to terrorists


FARS News Agency
Wed, 24 Feb 2016 02:46 UTC
missiles for terrorists
© unknown
Missiles for militants, new shipment received.
The terrorists stationed in the Northern outskirts of Lattakia city have been equipped with new cargoes of weapons reportedly coming from Turkey. The new batch of arms includes BM-21 122-mm Grad multiple rocket launchers, sources said on Wednesday.

Lattakia is a province bordering Turkey. The Syrian army and popular forces have recently pushed the militant groups back from more territories in the Northern part of Lattakia province and took back several villages and heights.

Earlier this week, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that more than 80 nations, particularly Turkey and Saudi Arabia, have provided financial, logistical and material assistance to terrorist groups, who are fighting in Syria. The Syrian leader described foreign sponsorship as "active" and "unlimited." Some of those countries support radicals "directly with money, with logistical support, with armaments, with recruitments," he noted in an interview with Spain's El Pais newspaper. Others help "them politically, in different international forums", he added.

Assad accused Saudi Arabia of being the key financial backer of the militants, who are trying to overthrow him. He also urged the international community to prevent "other countries, specially Turkey, from sending more recruits, more terrorists, more armaments, or any kind of logistical support" to terrorists, if it wants to see an efficient ceasefire in Syria.

Comment: Turkey is trying to maximize the effectiveness of last-minute supplies and arms to IS and further its crusade to eliminate Syrian Kurds. Will the various factions, including colluding countries, honor the ceasefire? For how long?

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