Puppet MastersS


Propaganda

Tilting at windmills: US representatives establish special committee to counter imaginary Russian enemy


Sputnik
Thu, 04 May 2017 14:16 UTC
USSR falcon
© AFP 2017/ MLADEN ANTONOV
The United States has not provided any evidence so far of the so-called Russian threat, though Washington still continues to accuse Russia of "all sins," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday.

On Wednesday, US House of Representatives approved the establishment of a special committee to counter "covert influence'' exerted by Russia. The committee is set to hold regular meetings to discuss measures to counter Russian influence, which include in particular "covert broadcasting, media manipulation, disinformation, incitement and offensive counterintelligence."

"We hear many hysterical charges of Russia on all deadly sins. We see how the Congress creates some interagency structures in order to investigate the Russian threat. So far we have not seen or heard any fact, which will in any way confirm what we are accused of," Lavrov said after talks with his Finnish counterpart Timo Soini.
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Snakes in Suits

FBI director Comey declares Russia is 'greatest threat of any nation on Earth'


RT
Thu, 04 May 2017 14:27 UTC
James Comey
© Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
The FBI director branded Russia the "greatest threat of any nation," while answering questions at a Senate hearing on Moscow's alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. The White House has distanced itself from that view.

James Comey was answering a question on whether Russia represented a threat to the US "democratic process," when he branded Russia the "greatest threat of any nation on Earth, given their intent and capability."

"One of the biggest lessons learned is that Russia will do this again. Because of the 2016 election, they know it worked," Comey also said at the Wednesday hearing, according to the Independent.

He would not provide any evidence to back the accusations.
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Stock Down

Puerto Rico files for historic $70bn bankruptcy


RT
Thu, 04 May 2017 14:25 UTC
Puerto Rico flag
© Alvin Baez / Reuters
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is seeking the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in US history, after failed negotiations with creditors over its $70 billion debt crisis. That's more than four times the debt Detroit collapsed under.

On Wednesday, the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico announced they had moved to place the US territory into federal bankruptcy court, making it the largest entity of the US government to seek refuge from creditors in the courts in history.

Chairman of the Oversight Board José Carrión said the filing was made to "provide a method for the Commonwealth and its instrumentalities to achieve fiscal responsibility and access to the capital markets," according to a press release.

US territories are barred from filing for a traditional bankruptcy like most US cities or states. Last year, Congress approved the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) to address the impending financial crisis Puerto Rico was already facing.

Comment: See also: Puerto Rico files for bankruptcy protection in largest ever US municipal debt restructuring

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Info

Marine Le Pen in final debate: 'France will be governed by a woman, either me or Madame Merkel'

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
Mish Talk
Wed, 03 May 2017 14:23 UTC
Marine Le Pen
The gloves came off in the final debate before the May 7 French presidential election.

It was a big mud-slinging affair, mostly by Le Pen, if one believes the mainstream media comments.

France24 had live coverage of the Acrimonious Final Debate translated into English.
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Arrow Down

7 countries abstained from voting Saudi Arabia into UN women's rights commission


RT
Wed, 03 May 2017 14:14 UTC
Saudi women rights
© Morteza Nikoubazl / Global Look Press
Seven countries abstained from voting to appoint Saudi Arabia to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), with the absence of a 'no' option, the Swedish Foreign Ministry has revealed.

The vote for membership in the CSW was held on April 19, leading to Saudi Arabia joining the 45-member body. Seven states abstained while another 47 voted 'yes' at the UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Swedish Foreign Ministry told local media.

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom noted, however, that the delegation could not vote against Saudi Arabia, as there was no such option. She also said that the procedure was held by secret ballot so the diplomats would not be under any pressure.
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Info

Indian troops launch major rebel hunt in Indian side of troubled Kashmir


Sputnik
Thu, 04 May 2017 14:16 UTC
Indian soldiers
© AP Photo/ Mukhtar Khan
Indian security forces launched a massive combing operation in at least two dozen villages in southern Kashmir on Thursday morning to weed out militants from the areas. The operation was launched after a spate of militant attacks and anti-India protests over the last few days.

Local reports said villagers were involved in fierce resistance against security operation and pelted stones at government forces including Army personnel.

"Today's combing operation in Kashmir is to ensure the situation is brought under control, after recent incidents. Banks have been looted, policemen have been killed. That is why today's combing operation is taking place. We are taking measures, have beefed up our counter-infiltration posture to take care of the situation," Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat said in New Delhi.
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Propaganda

Al-Jazeera films fake chemical attack against Syrian civilians


Sputnik
Thu, 04 May 2017 14:10 UTC
Fake News graphic on computer screen
© Pixabay
A false flag fake chemical attack against civilians has recently been filmed by al-Jazeera stringers in Syria, and it was ordered from a European country, a military and diplomatic source revealed on Thursday.

"The "effectiveness" of the White Helmets' TV-spectacle of accusing Syrian authorities of attacking civilians in Khan Shaykhun with sarin inspired terrorists to continue filming the fake 'series'. According to info confirmed via several channels, al-Jazeera television channel stringers have recently filmed a staged, fake scene of an alleged chemical attack against civilians by the Syrian Army," the source told Sputnik.
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Network

Russia-Turkey agricultural restrictions being lifted, but hold the tomatoes


RT
Thu, 04 May 2017 14:04 UTC
Russia wheat export
© Alexey Malgavko / Reuters
Ankara has withdrawn a 130 percent tariff on Russian grain following the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi.

Russia will resume exporting wheat to Turkey without restrictions starting from Thursday, Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci told Bloomberg.

Turkey introduced the tariff on Russian grain in response to Moscow's ban on Turkish tomatoes and other produce following the downing of a Russian jet in Syria in November 2015.

While Russia risked losing its second biggest buyer of wheat after Egypt, Turkey had faced higher prices elsewhere.

The Wednesday meeting in Sochi between Putin and Erdogan did not solve the issue of Turkish tomatoes. Putin said Russian farmers have taken out significant loans to boost domestic production and construct greenhouse facilities, so lifting restrictions now will hurt them.
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Snakes in Suits

Theresa May thanks Prince Philip for contribution to UK following retirement


Sputnik
Thu, 04 May 2017 14:02 UTC
Prince Philip
UK Prime Minister Theresa May expressed on Thursday gratitude to Prince Philip for his contribution to the United Kingdom, following an announcement that he would be stepping down from Royal duties.

Earlier in the day, the Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying that Prince Philip would "no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year."

"On behalf of the whole country, I want to offer our deepest gratitude and good wishes to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh following today's announcement that he will stand down from public duties in the autumn. From his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen to his inspirational Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his patronage of hundreds of charities and good causes, his contribution to our United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the wider world will be of huge benefit to us all for years to come," May said in a statement issued by Downing Street.
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Biohazard

'War will see Japan under radioactive clouds before any country' - N. Korean state media warns


RT
Wed, 03 May 2017 14:00 UTC
North Korea nuclear weapons
© Sue-Lin Wong / Reuters
If the Korean Peninsula standoff evolved into an armed conflict, Japan would be the first to suffer from the fallout - both political and nuclear - North Korean state media said, warning Tokyo against any hostile actions.

"In case of a nuclear war on the peninsula, Japan that houses logistic bases, launching bases and sortie bases of the U.S. forces will be put under radioactive clouds before any country," state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper said on Wednesday.

The newspaper reminded Tokyo of its previous experience involving nuclear weapons, stating that the country would become the number one target for a North Korean strike as it housed US forces and would be "put under radioactive clouds before any country."
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