Puppet MastersS


Snakes in Suits

Assad's 'chemical weapons': US has long record of starting wars on false pretexts


Sputnik
Wed, 28 Jun 2017 21:21 UTC
US soldiers
© REUTERS/ Rodi Said
The White House's statement regarding Damascus' alleged "preparations" for the use of chemical weapons in Syria has prompted concerns that it could be followed by a series of US strikes on Syrian government forces. Sputnik contributor Andrei Kots explained why these fears are not unfounded.

The White House's recent statement regarding the alleged preparations for the use of chemical weapons on the part of Damascus has prompted concerns among Russian observers about the possibility of new US strikes on the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).

In his recent op-ed, Sputnik contributor Andrei Kots drew attention to the fact that Washington has a long record of launching military operations on false pretexts.
"The United States has identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children. The activities are similar to preparations the regime made before its April 4, 2017 chemical weapons attack," the White House's statement said, providing no details to confirm the claim.
Read More...
Info

German FM states the obvious: It's impossible to resolve international conflicts without Russia

Sputnik Italia - translated by Frederick Assar
Fort Russ News
Wed, 28 Jun 2017 21:11 UTC
Sigmar Gabriel
Russia is needed to resolve the on-going conflicts in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and Eastern Ukraine, said German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.
"The great international conflicts of our time can only be solved through dialogue and mutual trust". We need a constructive Russia in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and Eastern Ukraine, and I will tell this to our Russian partners", said the leader of German diplomacy before leaving for Krasnodar, where a conference of the twin cities of Russia and Germany will be held.

Comment: Russia already knows this and is waiting for cooperation with respect for sovereignty.


Comment: How about some action then because new sanctions certainly won't help: If it doesn't work, try again: Idiotic EU extends economic sanctions against Russia for another six months

Read More...
Bad Guys

Macron's government launches campaign to dismantle workers' rights


Al Arabiya
Wed, 28 Jun 2017 20:41 UTC
Macron
© Reuters / Fabrizio Bensch
President Emmanuel Macron's government is launching an effort to redesign French labor rules, one of the most important and divisive promises of his presidency.

Labor Minister Muriel Penicaud told RTL radio on Wednesday the government is "moving the rules of the game" in hopes of tackling unemployment, hovering near 10 percent.

A draft labor law is being presented at a Cabinet meeting Wednesday, and unions fear it strips hard-earned worker protections.

Comment: Further reading: President Emmanuel Macron: Will reverse five decades of working-class power

Read More...
Wall Street

Sovereign Debt Jubilee: How Japan wrote off nearly half its national debt

Ellen Brown
Web of Debt Blog
Wed, 28 Jun 2017 20:41 UTC
Japanese economy Tokyo
Japan has found a way to write off nearly half its national debt without creating inflation. We could do that too.

Let's face it. There is no way the US government is ever going to pay back a $20 trillion federal debt. The taxpayers will just continue to pay interest on it, year after year.

A lot of interest.

If the Federal Reserve raises the fed funds rate to 3.5% and sells its federal securities into the market, as it is proposing to do, by 2026 the projected tab will be $830 billion annually. That's nearly $1 trillion owed by the taxpayers every year, just for interest.

Personal income taxes are at record highs, ringing in at $550 billion in the first four months of fiscal year 2017, or $1.6 trillion annually. But even at those high levels, handing over $830 billion to bondholders will wipe out over half the annual personal income tax take. Yet what is the alternative?
Read More...
Info

US boosts spy plane presence off Syria amid WMD accusations, aircraft carrier to visit Israel


RT
Wed, 28 Jun 2017 20:59 UTC
Boeing P-8 Poseidon
© Wikipedia
US surveillance planes have intensified flights off the coast of Syria after Washington accused Damascus of plotting a chemical attack. Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush is en route to the Israeli port of Haifa.

Enthusiasts monitoring air traffic in the region have logged the flights of three types of US spy planes - the RC-135U Combat Sent, RC-135V Rivet Joint, and the P-8A Poseidon - off the coast of Syria over the past week.

All three planes were active Tuesday after the White House publicly claimed the government in Syria was preparing a chemical attack and warned Damascus would "pay a heavy price" if it was carried out.
Read More...
Dominoes

CNN retracted Scaramucci story over possibility of $100 million libel suit

Emily Smith
NY Post
Tue, 27 Jun 2017 20:15 UTC
CNN rusia
© David Goldman / AP
The specter of a $100 million libel suit scared CNN into retracting a poorly reported story that slimed an ally of President Trump's — and forcing out the staffers responsible for it, The Post has learned.

The cable network's coverage of Trump transition team member Anthony Scaramucci came amid federal scrutiny of corporate parent Time Warner's pending purchase by AT&T — and the widespread belief among media execs that CNN President Jeff Zucker can't survive a merger.

CNN immediately caved after Scaramucci, a financier and frequent network guest, cried foul and threatened to take legal action, sources said Tuesday.

Scaramucci got an unusual public apology but still hired a top Manhattan lawyer to put further pressure on CNN and "look after [his] interests in this matter," one source said.
Read More...
Snakes in Suits

If it doesn't work, try again: Idiotic EU extends economic sanctions against Russia for another six months


RT
Wed, 28 Jun 2017 20:50 UTC
Moscow
© Maxim Zmeyev / Reuters
The European Union has prolonged anti-Russia economic sanctions, keeping restrictions on business with Russian energy, defense, and financial sectors until January 31, 2018.

According to a release published on Wednesday, the "decision follows an update from President Macron and Chancellor Merkel to the European Council of 22-23 June 2017 on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements."

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin takes the EU's extension of sanctions "negatively and with sorrow."


Comment: 'Double-edged weapon': Senior lawmaker blasts fresh round of anti-Russian sanctions

Read More...
Chess

Kurds threaten US they'll quit Raqqa operation if Turkey continues massive offensive

RI Staff
Russia Insider
Wed, 28 Jun 2017 20:41 UTC
Turkey tank Kurds
© AFP 2016/ ARIS MESSINIS
Starting last night Turkey has begun a massive shelling action against the Kurdish-held NW corner of Syria around the town of Afrin. The Turks have been massing around the SDF-held Afrin enclave for days and weeks now. They claim "retaliatory" bombardment is all they are interested in but the Kurds fear this is a prelude to an all-out ground offensive.

Some clashes between Kurdish fighters and Turkish-backed rebels have reportedly already taken place. The Kurds suspect the rebels and Turkish armed forces will try to take the town of Tal Rifat. The Kurds wrestled control of Tal Rifat from rebels in February 2016—precisely when the Syrian army itself was making gains against the rebels in this part of Aleppo province.
Read More...
Quenelle

'Time for a change': Corbyn demands end to public sector pay cap & budget cuts


RT
Wed, 28 Jun 2017 20:41 UTC
Theresa May Jeremy Corbyn
© Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has tabled amendments to the Conservative government's Queen's Speech, demanding an end to the public sector pay cap and budget cuts to emergency services.
"You can't have safety and security on the cheap," Corbyn said ahead of the final vote on the Queen's Speech, the government's program for the two-year parliamentary session.

"It is plain to see that seven years of cuts to our emergency services has made us less safe; it's time to make a change."
Read More...
Snakes in Suits

Tory-DUP deal promises British soldiers won't be prosecuted for N. Ireland 'Troubles' killings


RT
Wed, 28 Jun 2017 20:40 UTC
Democratic Unionist Party
© Daniel Leal-Olivas / AFP
Nestled in the agreement between the Tories and the Democratic Unionist Party is a promise to draft a law to protect British security forces from prosecution over killings committed during the 30-year so-called 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland.

The contentious promise is contained in a section of the document, published Monday, entitled Legacy, which states that:
"The UK government will work with the Executive and all parties to seek the implementation of the legacy bodies in the Stormont House Agreement, to provide better outcomes for victims and survivors."
Read More...