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Whistle

Ethiopia: State of emergency declared after months of protests


RT
Mon, 10 Oct 2016 15:30 UTC
torched bus Ethiopia
© Tiksa Negeri / ReutersMen walk past a bus that was torched during protests in the town of Sebeta, Oromia region, Ethiopia, October 8, 2016.
Ethiopia imposed a state of emergency following months of protests that have claimed more than 500 lives, according to rights groups. The discontent came amid the rollout of new development plans, but more broadly targets a stagnant human right situation.

The government's made the announcement after the latest escalation on October 2, which saw a march evolve into a large stampede.

"The government says 55 people were killed - some fell into nearby gullies and drowned," NPR reported. "The opposition says many, many more people lost their lives." According to various accounts, thousands have been arrested over recent months, and hundreds more have died.

On Sunday, a week after the unprecedented spike in unrest, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn addressed the nation on TV to declare a state of emergency that is to last six months, expressing concern about grave property damage and a threat to people's lives.
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Newspaper

New Guccifer leak reveals extent of Killary's ties with the US media


RT
Mon, 10 Oct 2016 15:18 UTC
hillary
© Brian Snyder / Reuters
Hillary Clinton has been revealed to have a very cozy relationship with the US media, which has been found to work closely with Clinton's campaign to present her in a favorable, transparent light - even planting stories, new email leaks suggest.

These facts are laid bare in the latest cache of classified Clinton campaign emails seen by The Intercept, which in turn received them from Guccifer 2.0 - the hacker who's reportedly behind several high-profile intrusions.

The cache of emails includes campaign strategies aimed at keeping the public perception of Clinton favorable, focusing particularly on her transparency, especially in light of the FBI investigation into her use of a private email server. The strategies sometimes reveal the campaign presiding over stylistic points and emphasizing what is to be described as "on the record."

Of particular note is one January 2015 document which includes references to Maggie Haberman. Formerly of Politico, Haberman now covers the presidential election for the New York Times. According to the leaked document, she's a "friendly journalist" who has "never disappointed" in painting a positive picture of Clinton.

Comment: See also:

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Evil Rays

Russia expands missile defense system using cellular towers

Nikolai Litovkin
Russia Behind the Headlines
Fri, 07 Oct 2016 15:14 UTC
radio relay antenna Russia
© Yakov Andreev/RIA NovostiA technician attaches a radio relay antenna for cellular communications on a tower in the village of Babarykino, Russia.
Russian designers have created an airspace control system that significantly extends Moscow's air and missile defense capabilities.

Developed by a subsidiary of state technology corporation Rostec, the system, named "Rubezh," can detect flying objects in the electromagnetic fields of cellular towers deployed across the Russian Federation.

The creators assure that GSM networks will help the military detect on radars a number of hard-to-see objects - enemy cruise missiles, drones and small aircraft.

How does Rubezh work?

The cellular network forms an electromagnetic field through continuous exchange of signals between cellular towers, transmitters and repeaters.

When metal objects get into this area, the stations' receivers instantly register a change in the field and - thanks to Rubezh - will be able to transmit the coordinates of the object to the "base."
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Map

Russia plans permanent naval facility upgrade in Syrian port of Tartus


RT
Mon, 10 Oct 2016 15:09 UTC
Russia's nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky navy sailors at Syria's Mediterranean port of Tartus
© Grigoriy Sisoev / SputnikRussia's nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky navy sailors at Syria's Mediterranean port of Tartus.
The Russian military plans to expand its supply base in Syria into a fully-fledged permanent naval base. The Russian facility in Tartus has long been used to resupply Russian warships during Mediterranean Sea missions.

"We are going to have a permanent Navy base in Tartus. We have prepared the paperwork, which is now being reviewed by other government agencies. The documents are pretty much ready, so we hope to submit them to you for ratification soon," General Nikolay Pankov, deputy defense minister responsible for communication with other parts of the Russian government, told the Federation Council, Russia's senate.

The upgraded base would have comprehensive defense systems and other capabilities, which the current supply post does not have, Leonid Slutsky, the chair of the State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee, told Rossiya 24 news TV.

"It will have not only docking facilities, but also a command and control system, an air defense system. A naval base needs to be able to defend itself and all its infrastructure," he said. "Of course it would have anti-submarine defense capabilities."
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Post-It Note

In a presidential debate designed to give a 'voice' to the people, the moderators hijack the show

Kyle Smith
New York Post
Sun, 09 Oct 2016 14:59 UTC
Anderson Cooper and Martha Raddatz
Anderson Cooper and Martha Raddatz
Last night was a vivid, real-time illustration of how the media think of the American people: "We're really interested in how you think! So, please, come in, sit down and . . . let the professionals ask the questions."

Man of the people Anderson Cooper, son of Gloria Vanderbilt, and Martha Raddatz, who had President Obama as a guest at her wedding, must have panicked when ordinary Americans invited to what was billed as a town hall debate in St. Louis didn't ask the questions they were supposed to ask.

Bizarrely, the people were interested in substantive policy questions rather than in doing what the moderators wanted them to do, which was to make like Tom Cruise grilling Jack Nicholson in "A Few Good Men."

Comment: The people don't have a voice and voting makes no difference.

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Jet1

South Korea readying for nuclear strike against the North in case of attack, says Defense Ministry


Sputnik
Mon, 10 Oct 2016 15:04 UTC
South Korea military
© Reuters/ Kim Ju-sung/Yonhap
South Korea's military is ready to launch a nuclear strike against the North in case of an imminent attack, a Defense Ministry spokesman said Monday.

South Korean military officials told local media last week they were on high alert amid what looked like preparations for another nuclear test or a missile launch north of the border. Defense Ministry's Moon Sang-gyun told reporters at a press briefing in Seoul that the North appeared to be readying for another provocation as it marks an important public holiday on Monday, as quoted by Yonhap news agency.

North Korea is celebrating the 71st anniversary of the ruling Workers Party. Pyongyang often uses important dates as a pretext for showing off its military power.

Comment: South Korea wouldn't have put out such a statement all on its own. The US is just as responsible for instigating tensions between the regions as North Korea is.

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Info

Oil prices surge on Putin saying Russia ready to support OPEC production freeze or even cut


RT
Mon, 10 Oct 2016 15:02 UTC
Russian President Vladimir Putin
© Ruptly
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will join the deal to cut global crude output. Oil prices gained over three percent after the announcement on Monday with Brent crude reaching $53 per barrel and WTI above $51.

"We support the recent initiative of OPEC to fix oil production limits. We hope that at the OPEC meeting in November, the idea will be embodied in an official agreement, giving a positive signal to the markets and investors," said Putin at the World Energy Congress in Istanbul on Monday.

The Russian President added that the era of oil and gas will not come to an end in foreseeable future.

"The demand for traditional energy supported not only the motorization and electrification of such huge countries and economies as China and India, but also by the continuing participation of oil and gas products in the most diverse areas of human life, in industrial processes," he said.

Comment: Whether intentional or not, nothing like a little jawboning to get oil prices up.

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Play

South Front: Russia to take down any airplane or missile targeting Syrian army, US aircraft included


South Front
Fri, 07 Oct 2016 14:39 UTC
south front
Using the Russian and Syrian air power, the Syrian Arab Army and its allies took the opportunity to make further advances in Aleppo city. The loyalist seized over a half of the Bustan al-Pasha neighborhood, including the Sport Complex, the Science school, the Housing institution and other buildings in the areas located on the way to Hellok.


(YouTube version)


The army and Hezbollah also took full control of the Suleiman al-Halabi Neighborhood and set fire control of al-Sakhoor roundabout. The government forces also expanded in northern Aleppo and secured fire control over the quarries southwest of al-Bureij.

Most of the damage done by terrorist factions in Aleppo appears to be against the civilian populace, with 8 civilians killed and 55 wounded after rebels recently shelled the al-Jamiliyah neighborhood.

Jund al-Aqsa promised to cease their participation in the Hama campaign against the government forces if Ahrar al-Sham continued 'aggressions' against them. Amongst the reported claims leveled by Jund al-Aqsa is that Ahrar al-Sham is in collusion with the Islamic State.

Comment: Comment: Bonus video from South Front: The West Plays Catch Up to Counter the Armata



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Wall Street

No deal reached on fined Deutsche Bank with US regulators


RT
Mon, 10 Oct 2016 14:40 UTC
Deutsche Bank building and stop light
© Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters
Deutsche Bank has failed to reach an agreement with the US regulators over the $14 billion fine for alleged mis-selling of mortgage-backed securities before the 2008 financial crisis.

A meeting in Washington, attended by Deutsche CEO John Cryan, was expected to resolve the fine imposed by the US Department of Justice following an investigation into the business activities of Germany's biggest bank.

Cryan is trying to have the $14 billion fine reduced. The amount is almost as big as the bank's market value. Talks are expected to continue, according to the bank.

Comment: An in depth article on Deutsche Bank: Deutsche Bank crises: Europe's ticking time bomb

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Stormtrooper

Boots on the ground: Are UK special forces preparing for chemical warfare ahead of assault on Mosul, Iraq?


RT
Mon, 10 Oct 2016 14:26 UTC
British soldiers with gas masks
© MOD / AFP
Troops from the British infantry and SAS have been kitted out with chemical warfare equipment ahead of an all-out assault on the Islamic State-held Iraqi city of Mosul, according to reports.

While the Ministry of Defence is being cagey about the rumors, reports suggest that soldiers from the Rifles infantry regiment are in Iraq and have been issued with special anti-chemical warfare equipment.

A 'boots on the ground' combat deployment would be highly controversial if publicly acknowledged, with even training duties in the region stirring up public anger in the wake of the disastrous Iraq occupation.
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