Puppet MastersS


Laptop

Congressional security review finds 15% of U.S. agencies have a brain, use Kaspersky software - digital lobotomy imminent


RFE/RL
Wed, 15 Nov 2017 21:10 UTC
kaspersky
Yevgeny Kaspersky
About 15 percent of U.S. government agencies have detected Kaspersky Lab's software on their systems in a review prompted by concerns that the Russian antivirus firm is vulnerable to Kremlin influence, a security official has told Congress.

Jeanette Manfra, assistant secretary for cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security, testified on November 14 that 94 percent of agencies responded to an order to survey their networks to identify any use of Kaspersky products and to remove them.

Manfra said her department did "not currently have conclusive evidence" that any networks had been breached because of their use of Kaspersky software.

The administration of President Donald Trump ordered civilian U.S. agencies in September to remove Kaspersky software from their networks. U.S. officials are concerned that the company's antivirus software could be used by Russian intelligence agencies to spy on the U.S. government.

The decision was a sharp response to what U.S. intelligence agencies have described as a national security threat posed by Russia in cyberspace, including allegations that Moscow attempted to influence last year's U.S. presidential election through cyberattacks and leaks.

Kaspersky has repeatedly denied that it has ties to any government, and said it would not help a government with cyberespionage. Moscow has denied any interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Comment: The Kaspersky witch hunt continues, and it has two main advantages: 1) demonize Russia, 2) make U.S. agencies' networks less secure.

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Propaganda

'Press-freedom' lapdogs don't think it's appropriate to comment on RT's registration as foreign agent


RT
Wed, 15 Nov 2017 17:06 UTC
RT America
© Jaap Arriens / Global Look Press
Press-freedom watchdogs have issued strangely muted reactions to RT's registration as a foreign agent in the US. The reactions of free-speech groups vary from "we have just received the letter on the issue" to "it is not appropriate for us to comment."

"I am afraid I'm not well enough informed about this particular topic to report anything of substance to your viewers," an official from the US Press Association told RT in a written statement.
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Gear

Ex General Robert Kehler says US military can refuse Trump's nuclear strike orders

Joel Gehrke
Washington Examiner
Wed, 15 Nov 2017 20:11 UTC
Retired Gen. Robert Kehler
© Getty ImagesRetired Gen. Robert Kehler Retired Gen. Robert Kehler told a Senate panel that the president's power to awaken the United States' nuclear arsenal is not totally unchecked
U.S. military officers won't "blindly" follow a hypothetical presidential order to launch a nuclear strike, a retired general told lawmakers Tuesday.

"It's important to remember that the United States military doesn't blindly follow orders," C. Robert Kehler, who led the U.S. Strategic Command from 2011 to 2013, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "A presidential order to employ U.S. nuclear weapons must be legal."

Kehler, whose duties at the Nebraska-based Strategic Command rendered him directly responsible for American nuclear forces, appeared as part of a panel of witnesses testifying about the scope and limits of presidential authority over nuclear weapons. The committee convened the hearing over concerns about whether President Trump might order such an attack on North Korea without congressional approval.

"We are concerned that the president of the United States is so unstable, is so volatile, has a decision-making process that is so quixotic, that he might order a nuclear weapon strike that is wildly out of step with U.S. national security interests," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said during the hearing.
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Green Light

West's proxy war in Yemen: Germany sells half a billion euros' worth of weapons to Egypt and Saudi Arabia


DW
Wed, 15 Nov 2017 18:32 UTC
merkel saudi arabia
"Hallo mein name ist Angela Merkel. Ich liebe Demokratie, Menschenrechte und Rechtsstaatlichkeit. Es sei denn, es gibt Geld, natürlich!"
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's administration has been criticized for massively increasing arms sales to Middle East dictatorships Saudi Arabia and Egypt. One opposition lawmaker branded the trade "reprehensible."

The German government approved nearly €450 million ($526 million) worth of weapons exports to Saudi Arabia and Egypt in the third quarter of 2017, more than five times the €86 million it sold in the same quarter of last year.

The German Economy Ministry disclosed the numbers after a member of parliament from the opposition Left party, Stefan Liebich, requested the information.

Egypt alone bought nearly €300 million worth of weapons, making it the number one export destination for German arms, while Saudi Arabia handed over nearly €150 million. By comparison, the two countries imported €45 million and €41 million respectively in the third quarter of 2016.

Comment: Blah, blah... Where were the 'greens' and the 'reds' and the 'pinks' when Helmut Kohl was fuelling the break-up of Yugoslavia with German weapons? Or, more recently, when Germany was used as a depot for US weapons to Syrian 'rebels' ...ahem, terrorists?

See also: Monolithic and Ruthless Conspiracy: The West's Obliteration of Yemen by Covert Means

Given that the refugees flowed into her country because of NATO's wars in MENA, we have to ask: is Merkel trying to get more refugees into Europe??

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Vader

International Criminal Court's Afghanistan war crimes probe a sham and cover-up for US

Finian Cunningham
RT
Tue, 14 Nov 2017 18:22 UTC
Afghanistan destroyed
© ReutersAn Afghan man inspects a house destroyed during an US air strike in Kunduz, Afghanistan November 4, 2016
When The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it was planning to investigate alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, the timing seemed appropriate.

The announcement by the ICC on November 3 came within days of a deadly airstrike by US forces in northern Afghanistan, which UN officials say killed ten civilians.

But the history of the intergovernmental court since it was set up some 15 years ago gives pause to hope that it might deliver justice in Afghanistan. For many critics, the ICC is a byword for self-serving Western political control, either whitewashing crimes or smearing designated opponents. A pertinent question is: why has it taken the ICC so long to investigate alleged crimes in Afghanistan's war?
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Alarm Clock

Schrodinger's coup in Zimbabwe: Mugabe under house arrest, but government denies coup attempt

Adam Garrie
The Duran
Wed, 15 Nov 2017 17:29 UTC
Robert Mugabe
© Rogan Ward / Reuters
Zimbabwe is in the midst of what appears to be a political crisis that is looking more and more like a military coup. Events started late yesterday when tanks from the Zimbabwean Army poured into the streets of the capital Harare.


Since then, Zimbabwean broadcasters have been off air, with reports emerging that the Army has taken control of the state broadcaster, a move which often signals that a general coup is taking place against the government.

As of last night and early this morning, local time, telecom services in Zimbabwe were switched off, meaning that information has been slow to emerge and when news items do come out of Harare, are often marred in contradiction.

The first statement to emerge was from the Army itself. An officer appeared on ZBC television and said that no coup is taking place but rather, that certain figures "committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country". The statement continued,
"As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy".
The Army's statement further assured the country that President Robert Mugabe and his family are safe.

Comment: See also: Today, Coup General Constantino Chiwenga of the rogue faction of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces made the following statement on TV, insisting that Mugabe remains president (Garrie quotes bits of the statement above):
Fellow Zimbabweans, following the address we made on 13 November 2017 which we believe our main broadcaster, ZBC and The Herald were directed not to publicise, the situation in our country has moved to another level.

Firstly, we wish to assure the nation that His Excellency, The President, of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Head of State and Government and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde R.G Mugabe and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed. We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice.

As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.

To the civil servants: As you are aware, there is a plan by the same individuals to influence the current purging taking place in Zanu PF to the Civil service. We are against that act of injustice and we intend to protect everyone of you against it.

To the judiciary, the measures underway are intended to ensure that, as an independent arm of the state, you are able to exercise your independent authority without fear of being obstructed as has been the case with this group of individuals.

To our Members of Parliament: Your legislative role is of paramount importance for peace and stability in this country and it is our desire that a dispensation is created that allows you to serve your respective political constituencies according to democratic tenets.

To the generality of the people of Zimbabwe: We urge you to remain calm and limit unnecessary movement. However, we encourage those who are employed and those with essential business in the city to continue their normal activities as usual. Our wish is that you enjoy your rights and freedoms and that we return our country to a dispensation that allows for investment, development and prosperity that we all fought for and for which many of our citizens paid the supreme sacrifice.

To political Parties; We urge you to discourage your members from engaging in violent behaviour.

To the youth: We call upon you to realise that the future of this country is yours. Do not be enticed with dirty coins of silver, be disciplined and remain committed to the ethos and values of this great nation.

To all Churches and religious organisations in Zimbabwe: We call upon you and your congregations to pray for our country and preach the gospel of love, peace, unity and development.

To both our people and the world beyond our borders: We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover of Government. What the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is doing is to pacify a degenerating political, social and economic situation in our country which if not addressed may result in violent conflict.

We call upon all the war veterans to play a positive role in ensuring peace, stability and unity in the country.

To members of the Defence Forces: All leave is cancelled and you are all to return to your barracks with immediate effect.

To our respected Traditional leaders: You are the custodians of our culture, customs, traditions and heritage and we request you to provide leadership and direction to your communities for the sake of unity and development in our country.

To the other Security Services: We urge you to cooperate for the good of our country. Let it be clear that we intend to address the human security threats in our country. Therefore any provocation will be met with an appropriate response.

To the media; we urge you report fairly and responsibly.


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Dollar

Germany reveals the total amount of its arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Egypt


RT
Wed, 15 Nov 2017 18:46 UTC
Towing truck Bison
© Morris Mac Matzen / ReutersTowing truck Bison
The German government has revealed that the total value of its arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Egypt in the third quarter of 2017 has quintupled in comparison to the same period last year. The news provoked a wave of outrage from the opposition.

While Egypt and Saudi Arabia are engaged in a long-running bombing campaign in war-torn Yemen, Riyadh and Cairo appear to be among the top clients of the German arms industry. The money spent is also on the rise.

The numbers have been disclosed in the Economy Ministry's answer to an information request filed by Left Party MP Stefan Liebich. According to the data, Egypt has taken first place with some €300 million ($352.5 million), skyrocketing from €45 million in the same period last year. Riyadh is also showing quite an appetite for German arms, importing €148 million ($173.9 million) worth of military equipment, going up from €41 million.
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Stock Down

Global manipulator George Soros dumps Facebook, Twitter and Apple stock


RT
Wed, 15 Nov 2017 17:21 UTC
George Soros
© M. Popow / Global Look Press 195George Soros
US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings show the George Soros' investment fund has disposed of its holdings in Apple and Snap in the last quarter, reducing stakes in other tech giants such as Facebook and Twitter.

According to the filings, the fund sold 1,700 shares of Apple and 1.55 million of Snap stock. It also reduced its stake in Twitter by 5,700 shares while still holding 18,400 shares of the social media site. The investor got rid of 367,262 shares in Facebook; he has now 109,451 of the network's shares.

Comment: Sounds like the Dark Lord knows people are getting fed up with the political crackdown on social media and can see which way the wind is blowing (largely because he's played a significant role in all of it).

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Eye 1

"Quelling information rebellions" - Limited free speech and media censorship suggested as a remedy to Russian interference

Max Blumenthal
AlterNet
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:15 UTC
Clint Watts
© Susan Walsh / APClint Watts, right, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute Program on National Security, testifies at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Russian intelligence activities
Nearly a year after the presidential election, the scandal over accusations of Russian political interference in the 2016 election has gone beyond Donald Trump and reached into the nebulous world of online media. On November 1, Congress held hearings on "Extremist Content and Russian Disinformation Online." The proceedings saw executives from Facebook, Twitter and Youtube subjected to tongue-lashings from lawmakers like Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, who howled about Russian online trolls "spread[ing] stories about abuse of black Americans by law enforcement."

In perhaps the most chilling moment of the hearings, and the most overlooked, Clint Watts, a former U.S. Army officer who had branded himself an expert on Russian meddling, appeared before a nearly empty Senate chamber. Watts conjured up a stark landscape of American carnage, with shadowy Russian operatives stage managing the chaos.

"Civil wars don't start with gunshots, they start with words," he proclaimed. "America's war with itself has already begun. We all must act now on the social media battlefield to quell information rebellions that can quickly lead to violent confrontations and easily transform us into the Divided States of America."
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Stock Up

Bitcoin climbs to $13,500 in Zimbabwe following news of military coup and currency shortages


RT
Wed, 15 Nov 2017 17:27 UTC
Zimbabwe
© Philimon Bulawayo / ReutersPeople queue to draw money outside a bank in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 15,2017
Bitcoin is trading at $13,500 in Zimbabwe, at almost double the value of the cryptocurrency on international exchanges. Demand for bitcoin has surged dramatically in the cash-strapped African country after the military seized power on Wednesday.

According to the local exchange Golix, the price of bitcoin has risen almost 10 percent in Zimbabwe on news of the coup. The country also faces serious shortages of hard currency.

Zimbabwe hasn't had its own currency since 2009 when hyperinflation wiped out the local dollar. In 2008, the central bank printed a 100 trillion note, and inflation topped 500 billion percent. Since then, Zimbabwe has been using the US dollar and South African rand, among other currencies.

Comment: See also: End of the road for Robert Mugabe? Military tanks on streets of Harare - China denies involvement in apparent Zimbabwe coup

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