Puppet MastersS


Telephone

China claims it is in close communication with US on trade as fresh tariffs loom


Reuters
Thu, 12 Dec 2019 02:35 UTC
Shipping bows
© finance.yahoo.com
China and the United States are in close communication on trade, its commerce ministry said on Thursday, declining to comment on possible retaliatory steps if Washington imposes more tariffs on Chinese goods this weekend.

The United States is due to impose tariffs on almost $160 billion of Chinese imports such as video game consoles, computer monitors and toys on Sunday. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet top trade advisers on Thursday to discuss the move, sources told Reuters previously.

A decision to proceed with the levies could roil financial markets and scuttle U.S.-China talks to end the 17-month-long trade war between the world's two largest economies.

"The two sides' economic and trade teams are maintaining close communication," Gao Feng, spokesman at the Chinese commerce ministry, told reporters at a regular briefing.

Comment: Will it be compromise, cooperation and resolution? Or, more of the same!



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Star of David

Israel: The Knesset dissolves, third election scheduled for March 2, 2020


Sputnik
Thu, 12 Dec 2019 05:14 UTC
Knesset
© AFP/Gali TibbonKnesset, Israel
Israel is now heading for its third general election within a year - an unprecedented situation for the country.

The Israeli Parliament has adopted laws on dissolving the Knesset and holding early general election on 2 March 2020 in second and third readings, Haaretz newspaper reported on Thursday. The parliament has also voted to set the election date on 2 March instead of 10 March, when Israelis will be celebrating Purim.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who did not attend the first reading that took place on late Wednesday, took part in the second and third readings.

The Knesset of the 22nd convocation had been working for less than three months, thus setting an anti-record in Israeli history.
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Arrow Up

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 MinistryS-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 InternationalSatellite 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 WyldCanadian 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."

Comment:

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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 / ReutersYouTube 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.

Comment:

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