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Berlusconi dreaming: 'I'll be minister for my friend Putin'


RT
Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:22 UTC
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© Alexei Nikolsky / RIA Novosti / Kremlin / RIA Novosti Vladimir Putin (L) and Silvio Berlusconi.
The former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has allegedly been offered a position in the Russian Economy Ministry, and Russian citizenship by President Putin, Italian media reported.

La Stampa newspaper quoted the ex-premier as saying, "My future? Becoming minister for my friend Putin."

"Think about it: in Italy I am marginalized, while Putin tells me he is ready to give me [Russian] citizenship and get me the lead of the Russian Economy Ministry," the controversial politician added.

Berlusconi reportedly said it during a dinner with the 'Forza Italia' ('Forward Italy') political party.

Comment: Slippery Silvio must be overestimating his friendship with Putin. Based on the comments by Peskov, it's rather obvious that Putin said something to the effect of "you can work for me!" to Berlusconi when he was lamenting his ousting from Italian politics due to his criminality. Berlusconi, ever the showman and raging narcissist, could not help repeating it and peddling it as a real offer in an effort to prop up his badly damaged reputation.

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Heart - Black

Best of the Web: Spies, Lords and Predators: Australian 60 minutes program exposes British political child rapists


60 minutes
Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:36 UTC
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Australian investigative TV program 60 minutes recently aired a program that exposes the fact that high level British politicians, government ministers, intelligence, police and military chiefs have all been involved in decades-long, systematic sexual abuse, rape and murder of hundreds or perhaps thousands of children as young as 8 years old.

This is not a case of a 'few bad apples' but rather a pervasive culture among the British 'elite' where the bodies, hearts, minds and souls of young children are effectively 'consumed' by individuals in positions of almost absolute power. In addition, the crimes of these vicious predators have been deliberately covered up through the use of blackmail and death threats.

No one should be under any illusion that the alleged 'investigation' being conducted by the British government will reveal the real truth or see justice served, because this is merely a case of the guilty investigating themselves.

30 min video:

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Quenelle

Finally fed up: Russian commission approves bill okaying reciprocal impounding of foreign state property in Russia


RT
Tue, 21 Jul 2015 02:16 UTC
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© Vladimir Pesnya / Ria Novosti
The governmental commission for legislation has approved a bill that if passed would allow Russia to impound property of foreign states, so long as Russian courts rule these countries are infringing the sovereignty of Russian jurisdiction.

According to business daily Kommersant, the government will shortly look into the draft and then it will be submitted to the parliament.

The current draft, developed by the Justice Ministry, would give Russian courts more powers to impound the property of foreign states. Currently such steps are only allowed on condition the government of the country in question agrees. The new rules would cancel this stipulation and introduce another - impounding would only be possible as a reciprocal measure after a court decides that a nation has damaged the economic or other interests of the Russian Federation.

The Justice Ministry said in comments that the main idea behind the bill was to ensure a "jurisdiction balance" between Russia and foreign states. "The number of lawsuits against the Russian Federation is constantly growing and this happens without asking for our agreement for participation in these processes," ministry sources told Kommersant. Therefore, recognizing the ruling of foreign courts is equal to conceding national sovereignty, they added.

In early July, mass media reported that several European countries, such as Belgium and France had frozen Russian state companies' assets and curtailed their agencies in these countries. The move was in connection with the June 2014 ruling by the International Court in The Hague that ordered Russia to pay compensation of $39.9 billion, $1.85 billion and $8.2 billion to three companies connected with Yukos. The oil giant was dissolved in 2007 after its top managers and key owners were jailed for tax evasion.

Comment: Unlike the West's approach the seizures would be used to compensate Russian citizens who are victims of Western governments grabbing property belonging to them.
  • Russian response to sanctions: Law drafted to enable seizure of foreign assets on Russian territory


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Light Sabers

We'll take you down with us: U.S. fears isolation, keeps tight grip on Germany


Sputnik
Mon, 20 Jul 2015 22:59 UTC
us germany
© REUTERS/ Kevin LamarqueUS Marine Osprey sends up a big wash of rain as as it lands near the Bavarian town of Kruen, Germany, June 8, 2015
Germany, the largest and most industrialized economy in the EU, projected as a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations, is set to remain within the tight grip of the US, as Washington fears becoming isolated in the international arena amid the rise of the BRICS countries, according to a Russian Colonel General.

Germany, Europe's most industrialized and populous country, famed for its technological achievements, is prohibited from acquiring its own nuclear weapons. It renounced the nuclear option in the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968.

However, it is among the nations with the dubious distinction of hosting US nuclear weapons, along with Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.

The removal of the US nuclear warheads from Germany is a long-term aim of the country's government. However, the weapons remain in place.

Comment: How's that Western 'freedom and democracy' working out for you, Germany?

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Snakes in Suits

Ukrainian oligarch Kolomoisky to claim 'small sum' of $2 billion from Russia for Crimean property loss


ITAR-TASS
Wed, 22 Jul 2015 23:11 UTC
Igor Kolomoisky
© EPA/MYKHAYLO MARKIVBusinessman Igor Kolomoisky.
The Ukrainian companies that have lost their property in Crimea after the Black Sea peninsula's reintegration into Russia may claim a total of $2 billion from Moscow, ex-Governor of the Dnipropetrovsk Region, billionaire businessman Igor Kolomoisky said on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian oligarch declined to comment in detail on the intention of PrivatBank, part of Kolomoisky's Privat Group empire, to file a relevant lawsuit against Russia to The Hague Tribunal.

"I don't want to comment on anything [on The Hague Tribunal]. I believe lawsuits from all various structures and not only from PrivatBank will total about $2 billion," he said in reply to a question put by a TASS correspondent.

Comment: This is what Kolomoisky is complaining about that occurred back in April:
Crimea's authorities said on Thursday the nationalized property of Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoisky on the Black Sea peninsula will be sold in the coming three weeks.

"This month all the procedures will be carried out. A number of facilities already have their customers. That's why money will come in April-May. We are sure that the sum will be enough to settle accounts with creditors," the republic's head, Sergey Aksyonov, told reporters.

Last year Crimea's parliament, the State Council, nationalized the property of the 52-year-old businessman that includes over 100 items. The procedures to assess them have already been completed.

"The money will reach the treasury of the Republic of Crimea and will be later transferred to the Deposit Insurance Agency," Aksyonov said.

The nationalized property of Kolomoisky in Crimea includes several recreation centers, motor transport and telecommunications enterprises, a bakery, banks and nature parks.

The authorities have earlier launched similar measures to nationalize the Crimean property of other oligarchs - Rinat Akhmetov and Sergey Taruta - who own nature reserves, power networks and state residencies.

The chairman of Crimea's State Council, Vladimir Konstantinov, said the nationalization of this property is aimed at putting the historical record straight.

Until recently Kolomoisky, one of the richest men in Ukraine, was the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region. In March, he was dismissed amid a scandal over funding of volunteer armed battalions.


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Treasure Chest

Need more debt: EU launches โ‚ฌ 315bn investment fund to boost Europe's economy


RT
Wed, 22 Jul 2015 21:53 UTC
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© Francois Lenoir
The European Commission has set up a โ‚ฌ315 billion European Fund for Strategic Investments. It has the potential to add up to โ‚ฌ440 billion to the EU's GDP and create over one million new jobs in the coming three years.

The Fund represents an Investment plan for Europe, which was unveiled by EU Commission President Jean-Claude Junker last year. It's supposed to make billions of euros available for investment projects throughout the 28-nation bloc, with a heavy emphasis on financing for infrastructure, small businesses, education, youth employment and telecoms.

"Investments is what the European Union is missing today, as the level of investments currently is 15 percent lower than in 2007," European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, said in a press release Wednesday. He also expressed confidence that "the project is an important step for growth and employment in Europe."

Comment: Yup, that should fix Europe's problem, increase debt to fuel the stock market.

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Bomb

'Who are we bombing?' Jon Stewart grills Obama over Iran deal


RT
Wed, 22 Jul 2015 21:36 UTC
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© Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
President Barack Obama used his last appearance on the Daily Show to defend the Iran nuclear deal and his other achievements. Host Jon Stewart pointed out that diplomacy might work better than failed US policies of bombing, invasion and regime change.

"Whose team are we on in the Middle East?" Stewart, host of the popular comedy program for over 16 years, asked the president. "Who are we bombing?"

Comment: So everything is fine and going according to plan. Sit back and be amazed when the SHTF.

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Bad Guys

UK Foreign Secretary Hammond frustrated over 'cumbersome' democracy getting in the way of war with Russia and ISIS


RT
Wed, 22 Jul 2015 14:23 UTC
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond
© Pool / Dominic Lipinski / ReutersForeign Secretary Philip Hammond
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has warned the "cumbersome" democratic process of Western governments puts them at a disadvantage in confronting Russia and other threats.

Hammond told MPs on Tuesday the UK must get "buy-in" from various sections of society, such as the public and media, during the decision-making process.

The Foreign Secretary contrasted this with the "extraordinarily agile" Russian system, which sees decision making power concentrated in fewer hands.

His comments came as he expressed frustration over the government's inability to take military action against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in Syria despite being able to operate in Iraq.

Hammond told the cross-party Foreign Affairs Select Committee that Russia had an advantage over Western governments.


He said: "Russia has been extraordinarily agile in exploring new technologies like cyber.

"We have to think about how we respond to an adversary in which all decision making power is concentrated in the hands of one man โ€” I have heard it said that it is more concentrated even than under Leonid Brezhnev, when at least there was a Politburo."
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Clipboard

Ukraine: MH17 investigation results will be classified

Emelamud
Fort Russ
Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:45 UTC
Siberia Airlines Flight 1812
Siberia Airlines Flight 1812 - the other plane shot down by Ukraine.
They know that the Boeing was downed by the Russians! They are always talking about it! They have concrete proof! But besides vociferous accusations for some reason nothing is revealed! On the contrary, there are hints that the "concrete proof" will never be revealed.

Yesterday the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on European integration, Elena Zerkal said:
"With regard to criminal investigation, we set up a joint investigation team and the investigation is still ongoing. At the same time it is classified and confidential and the results will not be presented for public discussion."
Meanwhile, of course, there is talk of some kind of tribunal, where the accused will be Russia and Donbass.

I think we will not see publication of any serious evidence. Unless someone serious will jump the fence from the Ukrainian side, or something happens along those lines. From the Russian side they gave all they had. What's the point for them to be silent? But even if they had something, what difference would it make? They would publish it and so what? They are not idiots in the EU after all and know what's going on. They spit on the death of their citizens.

Comment: See: One year later: All evidence still suggests MH17 shot down by a jet fighter

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Eye 1

Britains's new definition of extremist: Anybody who challenges established order, criticizes capitalist system


RT
Tue, 21 Jul 2015 09:26 UTC
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© Luke MacGregor/ReutersDemonstration from Occupy London protest.
There is a worrying and dangerous tendency in the UK to label as extremists anybody who poses a challenge and who wants to protest against the unfair economic system that exists in the UK, journalist and broadcaster Neil Clark told RT.

City of London police have been attacked for pigeonholing an anti-capitalist group, alongside Al-Qaeda and IRA. An anti-terror presentation for nursery and school staff featured a picture of the Occupy London campaign alongside images from the 7/7 London bombings in 2005 and an IRA attack in 1996. The anti-inequality group was also categorized as an example of domestic extremism.

RT: As we've heard London police have placed movements like the Occupy London movement alongside international terrorist groups. What are your thoughts on calling movements like these extremist?

Neil Clark (NC): I think this all fits in with what's been happening here in Britain because the government has got this new so-called 'counter extremism initiative.' They want to bring in a bill and... their definition of 'extremism' is deliberately designed to bring in people who challenge the established order. Of course it's not just simply about terrorists; it's about anybody who criticizes the capitalist system, anybody who poses any kind of challenge, and anybody who wants to protest against the existing very unfair economic system that we've got in Britain. This is worrying, this is dangerous.

I think we've got the biggest threat to our civil liberties in Britain at the moment under this government of David Cameron that we've had for many, many years - over 100 years certainly. I remember Cameron a few weeks ago made a very sinister speech when he said that for too long we've been a passively tolerant society [and] we've got to change that. And he said that in the past people who were not causing trouble would be left alone, and we've got to change that - I think it's very sinister, really, because he is trying to clamp down on legitimate dissent.

Comment: Meanwhile, across the pond in the United States... Fmr. NATO Commander Wesley Clark calls for internment camps 'to deal with radicals' in the US and Europe

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