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Senate Foreign Relations Committee approves sanctions against Turkey for S-400s purchase


Sputnik
Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:37 UTC
S-400
© AP/Turkish Defence Ministry
S-400 Air Defense System
Washington has repeatedly threatened to sanction Turkey over its decision to buy the Russian air defence system, and moved to halt the delivery of F-35 fighter jets to Ankara over the purchase earlier this year.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has passed the 'Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act', which includes sanctions against Turkey over its decision to buy Russia's S-400 air defence system.

Senator Bob Menendez, the bill's co-sponsor and ranking committee Democrat, tweeted Wednesday that the legislation "makes clear to Turkey that its behaviour with respect to Syria is unacceptable, and its purchase of the S-400 system is untenable."

The bill's passage followed an appeal by a bipartisan group of senators including Democrat Chris Van Hollen and Republican Lindsey Graham to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this month, with the appeal urging Pompeo to punish Ankara, and suggesting that a failure to act was "sending a terrible signal to other countries that they can flout US laws without consequence."
The sanctions legislation was passed 18-4 Wednesday, and now faces a vote before the rest of the Senate. Committee chairman Senator Jim Risch said following the vote that "Now's the time for the Senate to come together and take this opportunity to change Turkey's behaviour."

Comment:




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Star of David

Of course: Israeli satellite intel co claims alleged 'Iranian' weapons tunnel in Syria near Iraqi border


Sputnik
Thu, 12 Dec 2019 20:17 UTC
tunnels iraqi border
© ImageSat International
Satellite images showing an alleged Iranian tunnel on a military base near the border crossing in Syria's Boukamal region, near the Iraqi border, on December 10, 2019
In recent years, Israel has repeatedly accused Iran of deploying forces and weapons in Syria as part of a proxy war against Tel Aviv, and has carried out hundreds of airstrikes against alleged 'Iranian' or 'Iran-backed' forces in the war-torn country. Tehran says its assistance has been limited to helping Damascus in its fight against terrorism.

Israeli intelligence company ImageSat International has released a series of satellite images it claims show efforts by Iranian or 'pro-Iranian' forces to build a tunnel at a military base near the Syrian-Iraqi border to facilitate the transfer and storage of advanced weapons and large vehicles.

Comment: Take it with a grain of salt. ImageSat International is a favorite go-to for propaganda photos.

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Chess

US Senate passes resolution recognizing Armenian genocide, ignoring Trump & Turkey's objections


RT
Thu, 12 Dec 2019 20:20 UTC
us capitol
© Reuters / Loren Elliott
The US Senate has unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the Ottoman Empire-era massacre of Armenians as genocide. The move is likely to further strain US ties with Ankara, which has opposed such a designation for decades.

The landmark resolution was passed by the Senate on Thursday. It was the fourth attempt to adopt it, as the previous efforts were blocked by three GOP senators.

"We have just passed the Armenian genocide resolution...and it is fitting and appropriate that the Senate stands on the right side of history in doing so. It commemorates the truth of the Armenian genocide," the resolution's sponsor, Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), said.
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Vader

US tests ground-launched ballistic missile that would've been banned by INF treaty


RT
Thu, 12 Dec 2019 20:10 UTC
missile
© Reuters / US Air Force/Senior Airman Ian Dudley
The Pentagon has conducted a second test of a missile that would have been banned under the INF treaty with Russia, which the US abandoned earlier this year. A ground-based ballistic missile flew for over 500 kilometers.

The conventionally configured test missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Thursday, the US Department of Defense confirmed in a statement, giving no further details.

"Data collected and lessons learned from this test will inform the Department of Defense's development of future intermediate-range capabilities," the statement said.

Thursday's test follows the cruise missile launch in August, just days after the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty expired due to the unilateral US exit.

Comment: No one freaks out when the Americans show off their weapons but one missile launch by North Korea and the whole western hemisphere loses their minds. There is no difference though. The Americans are the exceptional nation, they can criticize other countries for doing the same thing they do and no one in the Western media bats an eye. It's pathetic.

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Bad Guys

Canada's Conservative Party leader resigns after election loss & allegations of misused party funds


RT
Thu, 12 Dec 2019 19:15 UTC
Justin Trudeau Andrew Scheer
© Reuters/Adrian Wyld
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau • Andrew Scheer
The head of Canada's Conservative Party, Andrew Scheer, has announced he is resigning from the post. The move comes as tensions within the party soar after their election loss and amid emerging allegations of Scheer's misconduct.

The decision was announced by Scheer himself on Thursday shortly before he delivered a resignation speech in the House of Commons.

In a tweet, he said "this was the most difficult decision I have ever had to make," adding that he decided to put the "party first and my family first."

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Bad Guys

YouTube bans insults based on race, gender expression and sexual orientation


NBC News
Wed, 11 Dec 2019 21:08 UTC
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki
© Eric Gaillard / Reuters
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki.
Google-owned YouTube will no longer allow anyone on its platform to post content that "maliciously insults" others based on protected traits including race, gender expression and sexual orientation, the company announced Wednesday.

The change, which was issued as part of YouTube's regular harassment policy update, comes after the company was forced to publicly address a harassment claim one of its creators lodged against another. In late May, Vox journalist Carlos Maza, who identifies as gay, spoke out about repeated harassment he said he experienced from conservative YouTube host Steven Crowder, who regularly made fun of Maza's race and sexual orientation.

Comment: It's not just offensive speech YouTube is cracking down on. They are working to remove from view anything deemed 'controversial content'. See: Youtube CEO Wojcicki boasts of new algorithm, army of 10,000 censors that have disappeared 'controversial content' by 70%

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Info

Indian parliament passes citizenship bill for non-Muslims - protests erupt in province of Assam


RT
Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:53 UTC
indian flag
© REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
India's MPs have approved a bill which fast-tracks the citizenship process for the country's non-Muslim minorities. Opposition has slammed the legislation, while the government says the bill is aimed at people's protection.

Once signed into law by President Ram Nath Kovind, the Citizenship Amendment Bill will apply to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis who arrived from Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh before 2015. The legislation was passed by India's lower house on Monday before being approved by the parliament on Wednesday, 125 votes to 105.

Protests continue against the bill, which some say is prejudiced against Muslims and others accuse of undermining India's secular constitution. A number of opposition MPs have also questioned why the bill excludes Tamil Hindus who fled to India from neighboring Sri Lanka during its violent civil war.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi tore up a copy of the bill during Monday's heated debate on the proposal, describing it as "worse than Hitler's laws and a conspiracy to make Muslims stateless."

Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah has countered, saying the law aims to protect persecuted people from countries where Muslims are in the majority, adding that the bill is not directed against Muslims and they "have no reason to fear."

Comment: Protests over a bill giving fast track Indian citizenship to non-Muslims have engulfed the state of Assam.
The government introduced of a 24-hour suspension of mobile internet services in some parts of Assam, which was ordered on Wednesday to prevent attempts to "inflame passions" through social media.

New Delhi says the CAB is necessary to protect persecuted minorities from Muslim-majority Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan - Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jain, and Parsis. It offers them an easy way to obtain Indian citizenship. The bill does not include Muslims in the six religious groups - the fact that prompted Muslims in Assam to voice their anger.


Tensions in Assam have grown rapidly over the week, with protesters switching from burning copies of the loathed piece of legislation to burning tires and cars. After the Wednesday night outburst, which happened in defiance of a curfew, the government in New Delhi sent troops from other parts of India. The troops restored order in the state capital, Guwahati, but protests continued on Thursday in other places.


The volatile situation also caused a disruption in traffic after several airlines canceled their Thursday and Friday flights to and from cities in Assam, including Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Jorha. Similar cancelations were announced by train services in the state.

Prime Minister Modi addressed the disgruntled residents of Assam, saying they have nothing to worry about. "No one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow," he tweeted.


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Attention

Cowardly, complicit MSM ignore journalists' letter demanding freedom for Julian Assange

Oscar Grenfell
World Socialist Web Site
Thu, 12 Dec 2019 18:26 UTC
journalist reporters support assange

A graphic produced by the organisers featuring some of the journalists who have signed
In a glaring act of political censorship, media corporations in the English-speaking world have maintained a complete silence on a powerful open letter by journalists and media workers issued last weekend demanding the unconditional freedom of Julian Assange.

The blackout occurs under conditions where doctors have warned that Assange's health has deteriorated to the point that he may die in Britain's maximum-security Belmarsh Prison.

It comes in the lead-up to hearings next February for the WikiLeaks founder's extradition to the United States, where he faces Espionage Act charges and life imprisonment, for having published the truth.

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Star of David

Mobster Israel squeezes Palestine: Accept new settlements in Hebron or lose more land


Middle East Monitor
Mon, 09 Dec 2019 18:02 UTC
illegal settlement west Bank
© Wisam Hashlamoun/Apaimages
Illegal settlements in the West Bank
Israeli occupation forces have told told the Palestinian municipality in Hebron that it must agree to the contruction of a new Jewish-only neighbourhood or lose its right to the land.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Defence Minister Naftali Bennett sent a letter on 1 December to the municipality of the Palestinian city, through the office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, stating "If it failed to comply within 30 days, legal proceedings would be filed to lift its protected status."

Comment: Bibi isn't content with Hebron, but doubling down on his annexation demands. claiming the entire Jordan Valley and its mineral riches:
Netanyahu said his proposal to annex the strategic part of the occupied West Bank was discussed during a late-night meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He said they also agreed to move forward with plans for a joint defense treaty.

The long-time Israeli leader, beleaguered by a corruption indictment and political instability at home, is promoting the two initiatives as a justification for staying in office.

The Trump administration has already delivered several landmark victories to Netanyahu, such as recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and recognizing Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights.



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Bizarro Earth

Unpopularity contest: British voters head to polls to decide who they dislike the least

Simon Rite
RT
Thu, 12 Dec 2019 07:03 UTC
big ben
© Getty Images / Dan Kitwood
If the reports from across the country are true, British voters are positively skipping to the polls today with one thought on their mind: Who do I dislike the least?

Yep, however the votes stack up come Friday morning, it will be hard to declare anyone a winner in 2019's general election; it would be more accurate to say we will know who has lost less than anyone else.

This is an unpopularity contest where the winner loses.

When you look at the choices on offer, it's not really surprising the humble voter will be struggling to decide in which box to put their tick.

Comment: It remains to be seen whether the issue of Brexit will trump the destruction of the NHS by the Tories (and the Blarites before them) amongst voters, but it's unlikely that either issue will be over just because the votes have been counted:

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