Puppet MastersS


Wall Street

US regulators accuse HSBC of overlooking British customers with ISIS links


RT
Wed, 16 Nov 2016 19:54 UTC
HSBC building
© Peter Nicholls / Reuters
US regulators are set to accuse HSBC of failing to take action against British terrorism suspects who banked with the company, according to a leaked report.

The multinational banking giant, which is headquartered in London, allegedly allowed 13 suspects with links to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) to hold accounts, according to the Times.

The newspaper says it learned of the allegations from a draft report submitted in September by US lawyer Michael Cherkasky, who was hired by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2012 to monitor HSBC's internal controls.

Cherkasky gave the names of 13 British terrorism suspects who banked with the firm, including Nadir Syed, 23, who was sentenced to life in prison for planning to behead a poppy seller in 2014.
Read More...
Briefcase

More transition confusion? Trump-Abe talks lack coordination, State Dept. uninvolved in planning

Alistair Bell and Ginger Gibson
Reuters
Thu, 17 Nov 2016 19:32 UTC
trump
© REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo
One day before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's first meeting with a foreign leader, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japanese officials said they had not finalized when or where in New York it would take place, who would be invited, or in some cases whom to call for answers.

Uncertainty over the talks shows the difficulties in turning Trump from a freewheeling businessman into a sitting president with a watertight schedule and a fully functioning administration by his inauguration on Jan. 20.

Japanese and U.S. officials said on Wednesday the State Department had not been involved in planning the meeting, leaving the logistical and protocol details that normally would be settled far in advance still to be determined.

"There has been a lot of confusion," said one Japanese official.

Comment: See also: New names floated for Trump cabinet

Read More...
Attention

Washington asks why Israel gave $50K dual-usage drone to Medvedev


RT
Thu, 17 Nov 2016 19:38 UTC
Dmitry Medvedev
© TheMarker Online / YouTube
A drone given to Russia's prime minister by the Israeli agriculture minister did not contain any US technology and information - though it still wasn't his to give away in the first place, Haaretz reported.

It must have seemed like a kind gesture from Uri Ariel at the time, as he offered Dmitry Medvedev a drone in which the Russian PM had expressed interest. After all, footage broadcast on Israeli television showed Medvedev with a wide-eyed grin as he piloted the unmanned aerial vehicle during a visit to Israeli's Volcani research institute last week.

However, that gesture of goodwill was quickly questioned by Washington, as the drone may have contained confidential US technology, Haaretz reported. Such technology is typically used by Israel under license and cannot be transferred to a third party without permission.
Read More...
Play

South Front: Possible future scenarios in Syria, current war reports (VIDEOS)


South Front
Thu, 17 Nov 2016 17:02 UTC
south front
In terms of the actual failure of diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, the threat of a direct armed conflict between Russia and the United States is becoming more and more of a reality.

In simulating a possible armed conflict between the Armed Forces of the involved countries, we can state with some confidence that it will commence with a series of provocative actions. Possibilities include air strikes of "unknown aircraft" on civilians, the use of chemical weapons, destruction of humanitarian convoys, "shooting" at military aircraft or ships of the coalition forces, and possibly even encompassing their complete destruction. The United States and Western countries will undoubtedly accuse the Syrian or Russian Armed Forces of any such action in this regard.


Comment: The Syrian Army and their allies are regaining territory from the terrorist coalition in western Aleppo, Turkey and the FSA are taking al-Bab north of Aleppo and thereby cutting off the Kurds from linking up their forces, the Americans are finally launching airstrikes on Nusra targets in Idlib, and the Russians have launched massive attacks on Nusra in Idlib and Aleppo from their reinforced naval contingent in the Med. Things are heating up in Syria, and not in favor of the U.S.-supported moderate and al-Qaeda terrorists.

Read More...
Rocket

Russian strategic bombers launch cruise missiles on ISIS, Al-Nusra in Syria


RT
Thu, 17 Nov 2016 19:09 UTC
Russian bomber
© Russian Defense Ministry / YouTube
Russia has deployed strategic bombers to launch strikes on Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and Al-Nusra Front targets in Syria, the Defense Ministry reported. The bombers flew from Russia for the mission, and fired cruise missiles while over the Mediterranean Sea.

With in-flight refueling on two occasions, the bombers covered a distance of some 11,000km (6,835 miles), flying over a northern sea route and the eastern Atlantic.

Su-33 fighter jets from Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier and air forces from the Khmeimim base in Syria were also deployed in the strikes on Thursday, Interfax reported, citing the Defense Ministry. Su-30 jets provided cover for the mission, the report added.

After launching cruise missiles at terrorist targets in Syria, the Russian jets returned to base, the ministry said.

Terrorist command points, weapons and ammunition depots, as well as an arms production facility were targeted by the strikes, the Russian military said, adding that all coordinates had been checked through several intelligence channels.

Comment: See also: Russian aircraft carrier takes part in massive strikes on terrorists in Syria's Idlib and Homs provinces

Read More...
Footprints

What's up? CIA and FBI agents "urgently withdrawn" from Ukraine

J. Arnoldski, translator
PolitNavigator/Fort Russ
Wed, 16 Nov 2016 00:00 UTC
Kiev SBU
© Kiev Ukraine News Blog - Kiev Ukraine City GuideAmerican intelligence officers - where they aren't. (SBU, Kiev)
American intelligence officers stationed at the General Prosecutor and SBU buildings in Kiev have urgently left Ukraine. This was reported by former Verkhovna Rada deputy Igor Markov live on the Russian debate-show The Meeting Place.

According to Markov, this is evidence that the US is "slyly withdrawing" from Ukraine.

"A week ago, all the FBI representatives based at the General Prosecutor and the CIA officers stationed in the SBU were urgently redeployed to Romania and Czech Republic. For security forces, this is a clear signal that the US is slyly withdrawing from Ukraine.

Only analysts remain, all operative agents have left," Markov stated.

Comment: It has been common thought that representatives of U.S. intelligence oversee all the work of the SBU against Russia and operate out of the SBU building. It's anybody's guess what the urgency was or might be to quickly relocate ALL the American intelligence operatives into two other countries. This "middle of the night" slip-away strongly suggests something is seriously in the planning for Kiev.

Read More...
Magnify

US panel on China urges Congress to investigate Beijing's military growth


RT
Thu, 17 Nov 2016 09:54 UTC
China island base
© CNN.com
A US commission on bilateral relations with China has warned that the country's fast-growing military may pose a threat to US security, while urging Congress to assess whether America's involvement in the region diminishes its own military capabilities.

"The military capabilities China is developing will expand or improve the ability of the People's Liberation Army to conduct a range of externally focused operations [and] strengthen China's traditional war-fighting capabilities against weaker neighbors. Given its enhanced strategic lift capability, strengthened employment of special operations forces, increasing capabilities of surface vessels and aircraft, and more frequent and sophisticated experience operating abroad, China may also be more inclined to use force to protect its interests.

"China's pursuit of expeditionary capabilities, coupled with the aggressive trends that have been displayed in both the East and South China seas, are compounding existing concerns about China's rise among US allies and partners in the greater Asia," states a lengthy annual report from the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which was submitted to the US Congress on Wednesday. After detailing the spheres in which China has been improving its capabilities, the report recommends that the Defense Department look more closely into the "gains and risks" to the US resulting from its participation in the fate of the region.

Comment: Ever notice how increasing US concerns with every little thing seems to become 'a national security risk' and how much this behavior resembles that of neurotic, paranoid Israel? There is no doubt China is on the rise...all the more reason to be friends, don't ya think?

Read More...
X

Law provides Trump the means to negate dozens of Obama's regulations

Stacy Cowley
The New York Times
Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:00 UTC
Obama signing bill
© GGerry Connolly - U.S. House of Representatives'Signs' of the times.
Dozens of major regulations passed recently by the Obama administration — including far-reaching changes on health care, consumer protections and environmental safety — could be undone with the stroke of a pen by Donald J. Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress starting in January, thanks to a little-used law that dates back to 1996. And it comes with a scorched-earth kicker: If the law is used to strike down a rule, the federal agency that issued it is barred from enacting similar regulation again in the future.

The obscure law — called the Congressional Review Act — was passed 20 years ago at the behest of Newt Gingrich, then the House speaker and now a member of Mr. Trump's transition team. It gives Congress 60 legislative days to review and override major regulations enacted by federal agencies. In the Senate, the vote would not be subject to filibuster.

The president can veto the rejection, which usually renders the law toothless. But when one party controls both the White House and Congress, it can be a powerful legislative weapon.

So far it has only been successfully used once: In 2001, a Republican Congress invoked it to eliminate workplace safety regulations adopted in the final months of President Clinton's tenure. President George W. Bush signed the repeal two months after his inauguration, wiping out stricter ergonomics rules that had been 10 years in the making.

Comment: A primer on the Congressional Review Act

Read More...
Snakes in Suits

Master puppeteer George Soros seems 'a bit jealous' these days

Martin Berger
New Eastern Outlook
Thu, 17 Nov 2016 18:23 UTC
George Soros and Donald Trump
George Soros and Donald Trump
George Soros' direct involvement in spreading the unrest in the United States triggered by the recent victory of Donald Trump amid the US elections is hardly a secret to anyone now.

George Soros and other wealthy liberals who have spent tens of millions of dollars on Hillary Clinton's campaign are gathering in Washington on Sunday evening for a three-day closed conference to close their ranks in the fight against Donald Trump, POLITICO notes.


Comment: The Empire Strikes Back: Soros gathers an army to 'take back power' from Trump

Read More...
X

Maduro to Obama: Repeal decree against Venezuela

Jeanette Charles
Venezuelanalysis.com
Wed, 16 Nov 2016 08:52 UTC
Maduro/Obama
© Libertad y ProgresoWhose country is the threat?
President Nicolás Maduro announced Monday his call for US President Barack Obama to repeal the his executive order declaring Venezuela a "threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States." The decree was first signed in March 2015 by Obama and renewed this year. Maduro's actions come after US presidential elections resulted in an electoral victory for Republican party presidential candidate Donald Trump.

The leftist leader formally expressed that Venezuela will petition Obama to repeal the decree during his television program Sunday. Maduro confirmed that he will discuss the issue with US Secretary of State John Kerry as well. Most recently, Kerry and Maduro spoke after November 9th's elections about ongoing efforts to re-establish functional diplomatic relations including the Bolivarian government's dialogue with the opposition. Earlier this month, Thomas Shannon, the under secretary for political affairs at the US Department of State, travelled to Venezuela to facilitate talks between the Venezuelan government and opposition.

Kerry and Maduro also met in Colombia during the signing of the Peace Accords in Cartagena de Indias late September. While Kerry explained that Obama's administration is "deeply concerned about events in Venezuela," he also added that, "We want to be constructive. We are not looking for conflict."

Obama's 2015 executive order declared it "a national emergency to protect human rights and democratic institutions in Venezuela" as well to protect the US from alleged illicit capital coming from the South American nation. Moreover, the order also imposed sanctions against seven high ranking Venezuelan officials. Obama did not repeal the decree this year despite having previously admitted that Venezuela does not constitute a threat to the US, teleSUR reported last April.

Comment: Why the executive order? These were the reported concerns: Venezuela has ties to Cuba and Cuba defended Chavez. Imperialism: The US is determined to subvert Venezuelan leadership to bend to Western hegemony at the expense of the Venezuelan economy and suffering of its people. Latin America supports Venezuela. The executive order gives Obama a pretext to counter Maduro, a way to increase repression through sanctions and prod the rest of Latin America into protest or submission. A threat to the US? Even Obama says this is bogus.

Read More...