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Eight NATO ships shadowed Russian aircraft carrier 'Kuznetsov' in Mediterranean Sea


RT
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 17:32 UTC
Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov
© Norwegian Royal Airforce / ReutersRussian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov
The first-ever combat mission of the only Russian aircraft carrier has drawn much attention from NATO, the chief of the Russian Navy said.

A group of Russian warships headed by aircraft carrier 'Admiral Kuznetsov' was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in mid-October to assist in the Syrian mission.

"It's the first time since the aircraft carrier was built that we use our Navy aviation in a combat environment. Of course, it draws attention, particularly from NATO members," Admiral Vladimir Korolyov told Rossiya 24 news channel.

"Up to eight ships shadowed us as we passed Great Britain. But there were no violations of the international laws of the sea," he added.

The 'Admiral Kuznetsov' is accompanied by three other Russian warships and several support ships. The Su-33 and MiG-29 warplanes the carrier has on board have been used to attack terrorist targets in Syria's Idlib and Homs governorates.

Comment: See also: Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov to join the anti-terrorist mission in Syria

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Info

Trump names Ben Carson as housing secretary to head urban renewal agenda


RT
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 16:27 UTC
Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson
© Mike Segar / Reuters
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former Republican rival Dr. Ben Carson as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, was an early endorser of Trump after dropping out of the Republican primaries where he and the businessman clashed bitterly. A Carson spokesperson previously said he would not seek a cabinet position as he didn't have the experience to run a federal agency.

"Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities," Trump announced Monday morning. "We have talked at length about my urban renewal agenda and our message of economic revival, very much including our inner cities. Ben shares my optimism about the future of our country and is part of ensuring that this is a presidency representing all Americans."

"I am honored to accept the opportunity to serve our country in the Trump administration," Carson said. "I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly by strengthening communities that are most in need."

"We have much work to do in enhancing every aspect of our nation and ensuring that our nation's housing needs are met."
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Jet5

EU's Syria Plan B sees Assad staying, Brussels paying for it


RT
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 16:10 UTC
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
© SANA / ReutersSyria's President Bashar al-Assad
The EU is reportedly planning to offer Damascus financial aid in exchange for allowing rebel forces stay in power in some regions of Syria. Brussels is no longer insisting on the retirement of Syrian President Bashar Assad, according to The Times.

The new proposals from the EU were voiced by its foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, at a meeting with opposition leaders two weeks ago, the British newspaper reported. They reflect developments on the ground, as the Syrian Army has scored several victories and is about to take complete control over Aleppo.

"What Mogherini wanted to do was present an EU plan - this is how to solve the conflict," a source close to the western-backed Syrian opposition told the newspaper "There's a transition, but the details are vague. In return, if all sides agree and everyone does what the EU says, there's a huge pot of money."

Comment: The EU has no right to insist on anything from Syria. Interesting that this proposal comes right at the time when Syria and Russia are close to taking back all of Allepo thereby freeing countless Syrian citizens from the clutches of western-backed jihadis.

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Info

Brexit legal challenge: Theresa May appeals Article 50 ruling in Supreme Court


RT
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 15:38 UTC
protester holds up a placard outside the UK Supreme Court
© Toby Melville / Reuters
Prime Minister Theresa May's government launched its Supreme Court appeal on Monday to overturn an earlier High Court ruling, which stated Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty could only be triggered with the input of Parliament.

The most powerful court in the land is being asked to overturn a recent High Court decision that ruled it unconstitutional for May to formally trigger the process of leaving the EU without first consulting MPs.

Brexiteers have seen the High Court ruling as an affront to democracy and an attempt to overturn the referendum result of June 24.

Monday's session sees the beginning of the final legal battle over the Brexit process. Eleven Supreme Court justices are hearing the arguments for and against May's royal prerogative powers over Brexit decisions.
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Info

Doomed for failure? Russia, US to start talks on rebel withdrawal from Aleppo


RT
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 15:25 UTC
A Russian soldier walks to a military vehicle in goverment controlled Hanono housing district in Aleppo, Syria
© Omar Sanadiki / ReutersA Russian soldier walks to a military vehicle in goverment controlled Hanono housing district in Aleppo, Syria December 4, 2016.
A proposal made by US Secretary of State John Kerry to Russia about the divided Syrian city of Aleppo details the procedure for the withdrawal of rebel forces, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov revealed, adding the two countries will discuss the issue in the coming days.

"During the Russian-American consultations concrete routes and timing of the withdrawal of all militants from eastern Aleppo will be discussed. Once we reach an agreement, a ceasefire will be put in place," Lavrov said.

The Russian foreign minister added that any armed group that refuses to leave Aleppo will be treated by Russia as terrorists, adding that Moscow will support the Syrian Army's operations against them.

Comment: Russia is giving the US another chance to remove the Aleppo rebels but it is doubtful the US will succeed based on the rebel's response.

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Star of David

Dutch intelligence probed right-wing politician Geert Wilders over Israel ties


RT
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 15:21 UTC
Dutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders
© Mike Stone / ReutersDutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders
Dutch secret services conducted an investigation into suspicions that Geert Wilders, head of the anti-Islam Party for Freedom, was strongly influenced by top Israeli military and political figures, according to reports in the Netherlands.

Wilders, the firebrand leader of the Dutch far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), was investigated by the country's General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) between 2009 and 2010 over his "ties to Israel and their possible influence on his loyalty," according to De Volkskrant newspaper, which conducted interviews with 37 public officials and former intelligence officers.

An investigation into an opposition leader is an exceptional case in the Netherlands, the newspaper noted, citing several former intelligence officers who said such inquiries are considered an "absolute no-go" due to political sensitivity.

Comment: He's not the only 'new right' leader (or his/her people) with connections to Israel. What remains to be seen is how 'solid' these ties are; is the new right playing it smart?... or are they actually fans of the Apartheid State?

Given that this was such an 'exceptional investigation' into Wilders, why bother disclosing, 6 years later, that it took place?

This can probably be put down to politicking by the Dutch establishment, which is unnerved by the likelihood of Wilders becoming prime minister next year.

If you thought 2016 was politically explosive, 2017 - with general elections in the Netherlands, France and Germany - is going to be dynamite!

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Info

Russian gas focus of fierce debate on EU's energy dependence


RT
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:30 UTC
gas pipelines
© Sergei Karpukhin / Reuters
Lessening dependence on natural gas from Russia has topped the agenda of a European Union energy ministers meeting on Monday.

The ministers are discussing amendments to European energy deal regulations to reduce the dependence of member states and increase cooperation during gas supply emergencies.

"Governments can be deeply entrenched in the commercial interests of their national champions and object to the EU messing with their strategic relations with external suppliers," said Marco Giuli, an analyst at the European Policy Centre in Brussels, as quoted by Bloomberg.

He stressed that it isn't easy for member states to cede power over energy policy and there are limits to EU action.
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Jet5

Defense Secretary Ash Carter: Mosul victory 'certainly possible' before Trump takes office


RT
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:30 UTC
Iraqi soldier uses his rifle to hold up a helmet
© Goran Tomasevic / ReutersAn Iraqi soldier uses his rifle to hold up a helmet as a decoy during clashes with Islamic State fighters in Al-Qasar, South-East of Mosul, Iraq November 28, 2016.
Retaking the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State is "certainly possible" before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said. Commanders in the field, however, say there is no deadline for seizing the city.

"[Retaking Mosul] is certainly possible and again it is going to be a tough fight," Carter told journalists on board a US military aircraft, when asked if the recapture would be completed by January 20 - the date Trump's presidency begins.

The comment came as Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) militants repelled an offensive by elite Iraqi forces in eastern Mosul, in a series of powerful counter-attacks that also targeted government troops to the south and west of the city.
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Info

Japan Prime Minister Abe to visit Pearl Harbor: A first for a Japanese leader

Tyler Durden
Zero Hedge
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:16 UTC
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
© REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
In another sign that conventional diplomatic protocol is changing on a daily basis, on Monday Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would visit Hawaii on Dec. 26 and 27 for his final summit meeting with outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama, and to remember the victims of Japan's Pearl Harbor attack 75 years ago.

As Reuters reports, the visit will make Mr. Abe the first sitting Japanese prime minister to visit Pearl Harbor since his country's surprise attack on the Hawaiian port began the Pacific war 75 years ago.

Following Mr Obama's visit to the atomic bombing site of Hiroshima earlier this year, it will break down one of the last remaining taboos between the US and Japan, symbolizing the reconciliation between former enemies who have become close allies the FT adds.

"I'll visit Pearl Harbor with President Obama. This will be a visit to console the souls of the victims," Abe told reporters. "I would like to show to the world the resolve that horrors of war should never be repeated."
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Attention

Russian MoD reports 2 paramedics killed, 1 more injured in militant attack on hospital in Aleppo


RT
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:06 UTC
Shelled Russian mobile hospital in Aleeppo
© Lizzie Phelan / Twitter
A female Russian medical specialist has been killed and two more medics have been injured in a militant shelling of a mobile military hospital in Aleppo, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Two Russian medical specialists were killed and another injured when militants shelled a mobile military hospital in Aleppo, Russia's Defense Ministry said, while calling on the international community and human rights organizations to condemn the attack.

One Russian medic was killed immediately at the Russian military mobile hospital set up in western Aleppo, and another died later in a hospital after succumbing to her injuries, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The doctors are now fighting for the life of Russian pediatrician, who was also severely injured in the attack.

"Today, between 12:21 and 12:30pm [local time], a medical center of the Russian Defense Ministry's mobile hospital in Aleppo was shelled by the militants during the reception time," ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov told journalists, adding that "as a result of the direct hit of the reception ward, one female Russian military medic was killed [and] two medical specialists were severely injured."

Some local residents attending medical appointments were also injured during the shelling that targeted one of the field hospitals set up in the government held part of the city, the ministry added.

Comment: Proof of who is actually bombing hospitals in Aleppo.

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