Puppet MastersS


Stock Down

Stocks plummet as eurozone leaders remain divided on coronovirus stimulus deal

Edmund Heaphy
Yahoo Finance
Wed, 08 Apr 2020 00:00 UTC
Centeno
© Francois Walschaerts/AFP/Getty ImagesPortuguese finance minister and Eurogroup chief Mario Centeno
Stocks in Europe fell on Wednesday after marathon talks among eurozone leaders failed to produce agreement on further coronavirus stimulus measures. The pan-European STOXX 600 index (^STOXX) fell by more than 0.8% after Mario Centeno, who chairs the 19-member group, said that discussions would resume on Thursday.
London's FTSE 100 (^FTSE) declined by around 1.2%, while Germany's DAX (^GDAXI) was down by around 1%. France's CAC 40 (^FCHI) was 1.1% in the red.
"After 16 hours of discussions we came close to a deal but we are not there yet," Centeno said in a tweet on Wednesday morning.

Stocks in the US climbed amid reports that the Trump administration is prepping plans to reopen the country's economy.
^GSPC) was up by more than 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) also climbed by 1%, while shares on the Nasdaq (^IXIC) rose by more than 0.9%.." data-reactid="29">The S&P 500 (^GSPC) was up by more than 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) also climbed by 1%, while shares on the Nasdaq (^IXIC) rose by more than 0.9%..
European leaders were unable to agree on the conditions for new lending from the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), the common currency area's bailout fund.

Comment: Brussels bureaucracy claims another victim:
Professor Mauro Ferrari submitted his resignation to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday, effective immediately. His four-year term ended abruptly just months after starting on January 1. Ferrari said he was "extremely disappointed by the European response to Covid-19."

Ferrari headed the European Research Council (ERC), a body established in 2007 with a multibillion-euro budget with the goal of supporting scientific discovery in the EU. The ERC's 'bottom-up' approach to distributing grants clashed with Ferrari's suggestion of launching a large-scale effort to fight the pandemic.

"I thought that at a time like this, the very best scientists in the world should be provided with resources and opportunities to fight the pandemic, with new drugs, new vaccines, new diagnostic tools, new behavioral dynamic approaches based on science, to replace the oft-improvised intuitions of political leaders."

The proposal was rejected by ERC's Scientific Council. Ferrari said he tried to get his ideas implemented through von der Leyen, but the very fact of him working directly with the Commission head "created an internal political thunderstorm. The proposal was passed on to different layers of European Commission administration, where I believe it disintegrated upon impact."

Ferrari is a US-Italian nanomedicine pioneer focusing on developing new cancer treatments.


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Oil Well

Worst timing for the oil price war; a Moscow-Riyadh truce can't come too soon

Nebojsa Malic
RT
Wed, 08 Apr 2020 11:29 UTC
Gazprom Neft's oil refinery
© Reuters/Alexey MalgavkoFull moon rises over the Gazprom Neft's oil refinery in Omsk, Russia, February 10, 2020
A dispute between Saudi Arabia and Russia on oil production levels would have been bad at any other time, but the Covid-19 pandemic made it so much worse. There will be time for blame later; the world needs an oil 'ceasefire' now.

In almost a month since Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates ramped up production - ostensibly to punish Russia for refusing to accept additional cuts under OPEC+ quotas - the oil price has crashed by over 70 percent, with Brent crude at $32.5 and WTI at $24.5 a barrel as of Tuesday.

Just days later, the bump in production met the sudden collapse of demand, as almost half the world - from North America to Europe and the Indian subcontinent - found itself stuck at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"The global economy has been dying of accumulated debt for 50 years. Coronavirus has sent it to the intensive care unit," Oilprice.com analyst Arthur Berman wrote on Monday in a gloomy retrospective.

Comment: The underlying politics, in the oil triangle of Washington, Moscow and Riyadh, suggest a shifting sands scenario in the making. Was the let-loose timing of Covid-19 part of these calculations? It certainly is part of the bigger picture while its true purpose and outcome remains TBD.

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Arrow Up

Putin: Doctors, nurses on frontline against Covid-19 will receive pay raise and same health benefits as military


RT
Wed, 08 Apr 2020 12:57 UTC
2 medical techs
© Sputnik/file photoFirst Moscow State Medical University
Russian President Vladimir Putin has compared medics treating patients suffering from coronavirus to the military fighting on the frontlines, as he announced salary increments for them amounting to up to over $1,000.

All medical staff involved in combating the deadly coronavirus outbreak in Russia will be given a pay rise, including doctors, nurses and ambulance drivers. The measure is expected to stay in force for at least three months.

"They are working selflessly, as one team," the president said, as he hailed the efforts taken by the medics to help those suffering from the disease. "These specialists are working on the 'frontlines'," the president said, adding that it would be only right to provide them with the same insurance guarantees the government currently grants to the Russian military.

He also warned that all Russian regions should prepare for a potential increase in the number of Covid-19 cases and enhance the capacities of the local medical facilities.

Comment: Taking care of business and the people:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government and the Central Bank to develop an additional business support program amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The program should be realized within five days, he said. It should allow companies
"to preserve employment and salaries" at a maximum rate.
"mitigate the downturn, soften the blow for businesses, whose losses are already rather substantial and may get even worse.

"restructure such debts. They can be repaid smoothly, monthly, in equal installments during at least one year after expiry of the deferral.

"ensure an option of repayment extensions on consumer and mortgage loans for citizens. I am asking the government to consider expanding this support measure so that it becomes available to a larger number of people."
Putin earlier declared the whole of April a non-working month with paid leave.


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Stop

Suspended worldwide: UN deployment and rotation of peacekeeping troops due to pandemic


RT
Wed, 08 Apr 2020 05:40 UTC
peacekeeper patrol
© Reuters/Ali HashishoUN peacekeepers patrol Maroun Al-Ras village in southern Lebanon
The United Nations has ordered its military and police forces across the globe to suspend rotation in an effort to mitigate the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The suspension will stay in effect until June 30, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters on Tuesday.

"There is no movement of troops, coming in or out... A few, limited exceptions may be considered," Dujarric told CBS News.

The spokesperson explained that the order applies not only to formed military and police units, but to individual officers as well. The UN currently has 13 active peacekeeping missions in Africa, the Middle East, Cyprus, Kosovo, and Kashmir.

Comment: Ships to shore! Crews 'under the weather'
France's sole aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle had to suspend its Mediterranean Sea mission and turn back to port shortly after around 40 of its crewmembers were placed under medical observation with suspected Covid-19.

All symptomatic sailors have been "isolated" from the rest of the crew and are being constantly monitored by medical staff, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. "They have symptoms consistent with a possible Covid-19 infection. These first symptoms have appeared recently."

The illness struck the crew when the nuclear-powered ship was making its way to the Mediterranean Sea to participate in France's Operation Chammal, directed against Islamist militants in the Middle East. Now, it will return to the southern French port of Toulon, where it had originally planned to dock on April 23.

The US Navy had to isolate more than 4,000 personnel on board the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt off Guam, after around 100 of its crew had tested positive for Covid-19.


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Stop

Taliban recalls negotiators as prisoner-exchange talks are suspended


RFE/RL
Tue, 07 Apr 2020 23:37 UTC
Suhail Shaheen
© AP/Aleksandr ZemillanichenkoTaliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen
The Taliban called back its team of negotiators from Kabul hours after saying it broke off talks with the Afghan government on a prisoner exchange. The three-member team met some Afghan officials while in the capital, but no progress was made on the release of inmates, the Taliban said on April 7.

Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for the Taliban's political office in Qatar, announced on Twitter that the team would withdraw "with immediate effect." "Prisoners of the Islamic Emirate should have been released long before as per the signed agreement and paved the way for intra-Afghan negotiations. But the relevant sides are deliberately delaying our prisoners' release and thus violating the peace agreement."
Shaheen tweeted earlier that the technical team would not participate in "fruitless meetings," blaming the administration of President Ashraf Ghani for delaying the prisoner release "under one pretext or another." The Afghan government said on April 7 that Taliban prisoners should provide assurances they would not return to combat.
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Russian Flag

Story of real-life Russian heroes come to the screen: Shugaley

Steven Sahiounie
Mideast Discourse
Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:46 UTC
movie shugaley libya russia prisoner
Scene from 'Schugaley'
The story-line of this new movie seems to be from a "Hollywood" script: terrorists, battle scenes, and prison torture. However, it is based on a true story unfolding in Libya. Shugaley tells the story of a Russian sociologist, and his translator, who were captured in May 2019 by terrorists in Libya on the orders of the Government of National Accord (GNA).

Russian sociologist Maxim Shugaley, and his Arab translator Samer Sweifan, were in Libya carrying out sociological research for The Foundation for the Protection of Traditional Values, a Russian think-tank.

While in Libya, Shugaley came upon explosive evidence damning to the western backed GNA government, which is viewed by many as a 'puppet' government, headed by Prime Minister Fayez Al Sarraj, which is recognized by the UN. Sarraj's private militia, RADA, captured Shugaley and Sweifan and took them to a private prison at Tripoli's Mitiga airport where they have suffered torture. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey exported terrorists to Libya from Syria, who were formerly on his payroll, having been cut off from US support in 2017 by President Trump. Since the pair's capture, they have been allowed only 1 visit with a lawyer, no charges have been filed, and no court hearings have been held. The pair is being held against their will, without due process. The UN office of human rights states under Principle 6:
"No person under any form of detention or imprisonment shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. No circumstance whatever may be invoked as a justification for torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

Comment:

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Eye 1

EU to adopt unified policy on mobile apps tracking the spread of the coronavirus

Foo Yun Chee
NY Times
Wed, 08 Apr 2020 17:53 UTC
face masks
The European Union is drawing up common rules for using mobile apps to track the spread of the coronavirus, aiming to make better use of the technology and address privacy concerns.

The coordinated strategy comes after several EU countries have rolled out a variety of apps, triggering criticism from some data privacy activists who worry mass data collection could become permanent if not tightly controlled.

European Commissioner for values and transparency, Vera Jourova, said a joint move to harness virus-fighting technology offered an efficient solution.

"I fully support a European approach for the use of mobile applications and mobile data in response to the coronavirus pandemic in line with our fundamental rights. We will ensure this approach is transparent, proportional and based on people's trust," she said.
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Chess

Trump blames Warren & DNC for Sanders ending campaign, INVITES 'Bernie people' to the Republican Party


RT
Wed, 08 Apr 2020 17:49 UTC
trump and bernie
© REUTERS / Kevin Lamarque
President Donald Trump took to Twitter to invite Bernie Sanders supporters to the Republican Party after the Senator dropped out of the presidential race. Trump also blamed Sanders' exit on Elizabeth Warren and the Democrats.

"Bernie Sanders is OUT! Thank you to Elizabeth Warren. If not for her, Bernie would have won almost every state on Super Tuesday!" the president tweeted shortly after it was announced Sanders was suspending his presidential campaign, clearing the way for Joe Biden to earn his party's nomination.

Comment: Bernie seems to be sitting on the fence, suspending his campaign but still choosing to remain on the ballot in order to try to get more delegates to try and "exert more influence" at the Democratic Convention.

Of course Biden tried to lure the Bernie Bros over to his side, but since he's barely able to cobble sentences together the attempt was a flop. For some reason Hillary supporters are celebrating Bernie's loss. They must have forgotten about their own candidate getting her butt kicked in 2016.

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Bad Guys

GOP gears up for next relief fight: Democrats 'Want the Federal Government to take over elections'

Andrew Harnik
Breitbart
Mon, 06 Apr 2020 17:34 UTC
pelosi
© AP PhotoHANNAH BLEAU
The GOP is gearing up for what could be a contentious battle over the next stage of coronavirus relief, as Democrats continue to signal their desire to pursue a variety of changes related to the U.S. election.

Republicans and Democrats are expected to begin the process of crafting the next stage of economic relief after successfully passing a bipartisan measure to provide relief to small businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus pandemic last month. The measure ultimately passed unanimously in the Senate, but it initially did not go without opposition, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) attempted to offer her own version of relief filled with a variety of liberal "wish list" items, including major changes to voting methods. While the speaker has signaled support for a bipartisan measure in the same mold as the last, she hinted last week that she is still going to pursue changes to voting methods.
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Question

Did Pakistan really win the Afghanistan War?

Kunwar Khuldune Shahid
The Diplomat
Wed, 08 Apr 2020 17:23 UTC
Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef
© AP Photo/Hussein SayedTaliban leader Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, center, who served as ambassador to Pakistan during the Taliban's rule speaks to the media in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 29, 2020.
Pakistan is jubilant over the U.S.-Taliban peace deal, but celebration may be premature.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo scrambled to Afghanistan last week in a bid to rescue the peace deal with the Afghan Taliban. A little over one month since the "historic deal" was signed in Doha, Washington is already feeling the need for a salvaging act. The United States' latest bid to get the current Ashraf Ghani-led Afghan regime on board, and in turn address a major stumbling block, was the announcement of a $1 billion reduction in aid to Afghanistan.

Islamabad is almost as invested in these developments as Washington and the Taliban are. While the past month has been marred by COVID-19 spiraling into a pandemic, in turn prompting Pakistan to focus the majority of its attention on addressing the escalating spread of the virus, the February 29 deal remains a milestone - and the basis for all of Islamabad's post-coronavirus stratagems.

Indeed, the deal itself was viewed in Pakistan as a resounding triumph. The agreement, which seeks to put an end to an 18-year-old war rooted in the post 9/11 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, was facilitated by a regional strategy envisioned in Rawalpindi long before the September 2001 attacks.

Comment:

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