Puppet MastersS


Arrow Down

Trump: 'London needs new mayor...Khan is a disaster'


AFP
Sun, 16 Jun 2019 00:00 UTC
Trump/Khan
© Galadari Printing & Publishing LLCUS President Donald Trump • London Mayor Sadiq Khan
US President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack Saturday on London Mayor Sadiq Khan, backing a right-wing British columnist who has been widely accused of Islamophobia and once called migrants "cockroaches."

Trump attached his latest denunciation of the mayor to a retweet by Katie Hopkins about crime in "Khan's Londonistan" - using a term widely perceived as a pejorative reference to the British capital's Muslim population and Khan's Pakistan ancestry.

"LONDON needs a new mayor ASAP. Khan is a disaster - will only get worse!" Trump wrote in response to Hopkins' tweet, later adding the mayor was "a national disgrace who is destroying" the city.

Earlier this month the president's plane had not even touched down in London for the start of a state visit when he tweeted that Khan was a "stone cold loser."

Khan had criticized the red carpet treatment being given Trump for the visit.


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Target

Kremlin: US attacks on Iran compare to 'white powder evidence' against Iraq in 2003


RT
Sun, 16 Jun 2019 14:19 UTC
Foot on face
© UnknownThe next step: Iran
The US campaign for a war against Iraq in 2003 serves as a cautionary tale against saber-rattling and finger-pointing amid current tensions in the Persian Gulf, the Kremlin's spokesperson has said.

"We didn't forget the vials with white powder. We remember and, therefore, have learnt to show restraint in our assessments," Dmitry Peskov said on a TV show aired on 'Rossiya 1' channel on Sunday.

He was referring to a famous scene at the UN Security Council in the months leading up to the Iraq War. Attempting to justify the upcoming US invasion of the Middle Eastern country, then-secretary of state, Colin Powell, brandished a vial with white powder meant to illustrate the dangers of anthrax, which the US were accusing Saddam Hussein of stockpiling.

The allegations of Iraq possessing anthrax and other weapons of mass destruction were proven to be untrue, but only after Washington launched an invasion, toppling the government in Baghdad.
Colin Powell
© ReutersColin Powell, February 5, 2003.

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UFO

The truth's not out there? Trump was briefed on UFOs he doesn't believe exist


RT
Sun, 16 Jun 2019 18:43 UTC
Trump and spaceguy
© Carlos Barria/Reuters
In a new twist that will either douse a million conspiracy theories or ignite twice as many new ones, President Donald Trump has said he's met with officials about UFOs, but also that he doesn't "particularly" believe in them.

Speaking to ABC's George Stephanopoulos, Trump revealed that he has been briefed by the military on UFO sightings. "I've seen, and I've read, and I've heard. And I did have one very brief meeting on it. But people are saying they're seeing UFOs. Do I believe it? Not particularly."

Stephanopoulos pressed on, asking Trump if he thought he'd be informed if there was indeed extraterrestrial life out there. "Well, I think my great pilots would know. Our great pilots would know," Trump responded. "They see things a little bit different from the past. So we're going to see. We're watching and you'll be the first to know."

Have the Men in Black gotten to Trump? Does the swamp have him? Who knows. Despite the president's disinterest, the US military has been keeping tabs on the skies of late. After a rise in reports, the Navy recently set new guidelines for reporting "unidentified aircraft" entering US aerospace, ensuring all sightings get the proper scrutiny.


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Arrow Down

Despite commitments, Iran to roll back its JCPOA obligations unless situation changes


Sputnik
Sat, 15 Jun 2019 20:00 UTC
Rouhani and Nuke Tech
© AFP/HO/Iranian PresidencyIranian President Rouhani and Iranian nuclear technology experts led by Ali Akbar Salehi
Following the US unilateral withdrawal from the deal, other signatories to it have vowed to continue adhering to the agreement. However, Tehran has voiced displeasure at how these countries are living up to their promises and has therefore reportedly suspended some of its commitments under the nuclear deal.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned that Tehran will continue backtracking on its obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, if other signatories do not send some "positive signals" in terms of protecting the Iranian economy from the unilateral American sanctions.

"Obviously, Iran cannot stick to this agreement unilaterally. It is necessary that all the sides of this agreement contribute to restoring it", Rouhani said.

The Iranian president didn't specify what Tehran's next steps would be if the remaining signatories do not take action.

Comment: See also:
Iran can't be the only one to implement nuclear deal while others sit idle - Rouhani

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Star of David

Sara Netanyahu, convicted of misusing state funds, claims she's 'suffered enough'


Times of Israel
Sun, 16 Jun 2019 12:15 UTC
Sara Netanyahu/Yossi Cohen
© Debbie Hill/AFPSara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and her lawyer Yossi Cohen wait for the judge to arrive at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on June 16, 2019.
PM's wife admits to lesser offense in plea deal that dropped original fraud charge over her illegal ordering of catered meals to the PM's Residence; will pay $15,000 to state.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara, was convicted Sunday of taking unfair advantage of a mistake, after earlier confessing to the offense as part of a plea deal signed last week in a case involving allegations of illegally procured catering services at the Prime Minister's Residence.

"Indeed, the defendant misused public funds," judge Avital Chen said in announcing the verdict, while admitting the case for the prosecution had not been smooth. He noted Netanyahu's lack of previous convictions and the fact that she had "taken responsibility and saved a lot of precious judicial time."

After the verdict was announced, Netanyahu told the judge: "I have suffered enough."

The agreement saw Netanyahu escape a conviction of aggravated fraud, but confess to the lesser charge. She will pay NIS 55,000 ($15,210) - NIS 10,000 as a fine, and the rest as restitution.

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Light Saber

Iran reminds world of US history of false-flag ops, questions tanker attacks - 'Is it diplomacy, Mr Pompeo?'


RT
Sun, 16 Jun 2019 18:43 UTC
Oman oil tanker mike pompeo
© Reuters / ISNA (L) / Piroschka Van De Wouw (R)
The incidents involving two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman this week may have been carried out at the direction of the US, a top Iranian official implied, citing its record of using "false-flag" operations to justify wars.

The attacks on the oil tankers were "suspicious" and seem to be "supplementary" to economic pressure being applied on the country, Speaker Ali Larijani stated on Sunday.

"These actions and accusations are supplementary to economic sanctions because [the US] did not reach their goals through the sanctions," Larijani said, as quoted by Iranian media. The official then apparently accused Washington of possibly being behind the attacks, citing "America's historical record in the area" of false-flag operations.

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Fire

IG Horowitz's report on FISA abuse will unleash Barr's investigation

Margot Cleveland
The Federalist
Fri, 07 Jun 2019 15:25 UTC
William Barr
© Tom Williams/Getty ImagesAttorney General William Barr
The forthcoming report from the Office of Inspector General on potential Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act abuse will finally unleash Attorney General William Barr, and when it does, watch out.

For the last month, conservative pundits have predicted the ever-imminent dropping of Inspector General Michael Horowitz's report on his investigation into the circumstances surrounding FISA surveillance of former Trump campaign advisor Carter Page. Horowitz's report will likely provide new and damaging details surrounding the FBI's use of the FISA court to spy on Page. More importantly, the conclusion of Horowitz's probe frees Barr to conduct a broader and more exacting investigation into all aspects of the Russia collusion hoax.

Barr revealed this during his interview last week with CBS This Morning's Jan Crawford. In his hour-long interview, Barr made several points clear. First, Barr confirmed that Horowitz's investigation focused on a discrete aspect of the Russia collusion investigation - the electronic surveillance of Page. (Barr had previously stated that he anticipated receiving Horowitz's conclusions concerning the propriety of the FISA process targeting Page in May or June, which makes the fevered predictions that Barr already had the IG report less impressive.)

Comment: What a show it will be.

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Vader

The Gulf of (un)Credibility

Craig Murray
craigmurray.org
Sat, 15 Jun 2019 15:15 UTC
attacked tanker buque petrolero Gulfo Oman
© Reuters
I really cannot begin to fathom how stupid you would have to be to believe that Iran would attack a Japanese oil tanker at the very moment that the Japanese Prime Minister was sitting down to friendly, US-disapproved talks in Tehran on economic cooperation that can help Iran survive the effects of US economic sanctions.

The Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous was holed above the water line. That rules out a torpedo attack, which is the explanation being touted by the neo-cons.

Comment: Well said, Mr. Murray. Even the Brits are withholding unequivocal endorsement of the US' tall tale, and that is saying something.

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Bad Guys

UK Royal Marines Reportedly Deployed to Gulf in Wake of Tanker Attacks Blamed on Iran


Sputnik
Sat, 15 Jun 2019 17:59 UTC
uk royal marines
© Wheelie A'barrow/MOD
The reported development comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East as the United States and its regional allies have accused Iran of orchestrating an attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman earlier this week. Tehran has strongly rejected the allegations as unfounded.

The Royal Marines are being deployed to the Gulf of Oman following an incident, in which two oil tankers were targeted near the Strait of Hormuz on 13 June, causing explosions and a fire on at least one of them, the Daily Star reported, citing unnamed sources.

The troops will purportedly be tasked with keeping British vessels safe, using equipment to search the open sea for "fast Iranian attack craft" and "terminate" them if deemed necessary.


Comment: Nothing can possibly go wrong with this plan.


"We have had marines in the region on anti-piracy and counter-terrorist operations for some time. If the current situation escalates I expect we will see more personnel deployed to bolster the operation", the source was quoted as saying.

According to the UK tabloid, the marines will be equipped with sniper rifles and light machine guns, but they have been instructed to use them only as a last resort.

Comment: The U.S. too is scrambling to promise to guarantee free movement through the Strait:
"We don't want war," Pompeo told Fox News, but he added that Washington would "take all the actions necessary, diplomatic and otherwise," to guarantee free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
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Star of David

As Gaza protests refuse to abate, bloodthirsty IDF eagerly push for 'serious military campaign'


Times of Israel
Sun, 16 Jun 2019 17:25 UTC
Israel tank near gaza strip
© Associated Press/Ariel SchalitIsraeli soldiers work next to their tanks near the Israel Gaza border, Israel, Tuesday, March 26, 2019.
TV report says IDF wants to end policy of warning Gaza residents before airstrikes after two days of rocket attacks, but analysts say unlikely ahead of elections

Top generals in the IDF are expected to push for a much stronger response to rocket fire and arson balloons from the Gaza Strip after fresh attacks in recent days, Channel 12 reported Friday.

Citing a senior military source, Channel 12's veteran military analyst Roni Daniel said Israel was "on the verge of a serious military campaign," and said the IDF was considering ending its policy of warning occupants of buildings ahead of airstrikes, even if it causes casualties.


Comment: A humane policy?


"Everything is hanging by a very thin thread and the situation could change dramatically," the source said.
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