Puppet Masters

Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed: Women 'not ready' to drive because of culture, not religion

RT
Fri, 29 Apr 2016 18:13 UTC

Comment: What a misogynistic azzhat representing a society of same!

Saudi Arabia isn't ready to allow women to drive cars, a powerful prince has announced, dismissing suggestions that the ban would soon be lifted.

"So far the society is not persuaded [by women driving] - and it has negative influence - but we stress that it is up to the Saudi society," said Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been granted unprecedented powers under the rule of his father. The prince added that it is not "a religious issue as much as it is an issue that relates to the community itself that either accepts it or refuses it," Gulf News reported.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive. Although there are no formal written laws barring women from operating vehicles, they are not issued licenses, making it illegal for them to drive.

Other restrictions faced by women in the ultra-conservative country include being forced to wear loose-fitting gowns and being barred from going anywhere without a chaperone. They cannot open bank accounts, work certain jobs, attend university, undergo medical procedures, or travel outside the country without permission of a male guardian - usually their husband or a relative.

The Empire Files: Abby Martin exposes Killary's corporate cronyism

Kit O'Connell
Mint Press News
Wed, 27 Apr 2016 17:43 UTC

© AP
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at her presidential primary election night rally, Tuesday, April 26, 2016, in Philadelphia.

Abby Martin, a leading alternative journalist, accuses Hillary Clinton of being a political shapeshifter who is "morphing her positions to try to capture support" from supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders.

In an April 17 episode of "The Empire Files," the investigative news program Martin hosts on TeleSUR English, she promised to expose "what Hillary Clinton really represents," devoting the entire half-hour program to exploring the presidential hopeful's history and corporate-driven agenda.

Under pressure from Sanders' unexpected success in his campaign, Clinton has attempted to position herself as an anti-establishment, anti-Wall Street candidate, as well as the best choice to oppose Donald Trump's open racism and Islamophobia.

Comment: See also: Anonymous documents Killary's criminal career

Denied! China blocks US warship from making port call in Hong Kong

Sputnik
Fri, 29 Apr 2016 16:43 UTC

Chinese authorities did not allow the US aircraft carrier John Stennis to make a stop-over at the Hong Kong port, a US consulate official told the South China Morning Post newspaper on Friday. The warship requested a port call permit early Thursday but was denied entry.

"[They] said 'no' to the carrier," the US official told the South China Morning Post newspaper on condition of anonymity.

According to the outlet, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that port calls by US warships had to be approved on a case-by-case basis "in accordance with sovereignty principles." The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified the United States that the Stennis would not be permitted to make a scheduled port call in Hong Kong next week, Darragh Paradiso, a spokesperson for the US Consulate General in Hong Kong, told Bloomberg News.

Officers responsible for the Kunduz hospital bombing receive little more than a slap on the wrist

Claire Bernish
The Free Thought Project
Thu, 28 Apr 2016 16:39 UTC

After bombing a Doctors Without Borders (Médicins Sans Frontières, MSF) hospital in Afghanistan — and shooting at terrified victims as they fled the chaos, and then attempting to cover up its role in the tragedy — the Pentagon is refusing to press charges against any of the 16 service members found to be responsible.

Following a six-month Pentagon investigation, those 16 service members were found culpable in the attack in Kunduz, Afghanistan, on October 3, last year that left 42 patients, staff members, and civilians dead. According to the Los Angeles Times:

The 16 found at fault include a two-star general, the crew of an Air Force AC-130 attack aircraft, and Army special forces personnel, according to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the internal investigation.

One officer was suspended from command and ordered out of Afghanistan. The other 15 were given lesser punishments: Six were sent to counseling, seven were issued letters of reprimand, and two were ordered to retraining courses.

Body of 'Hero of Palmyra' handed over to Russia

Sputnik
Fri, 29 Apr 2016 16:12 UTC

The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed that the body of Alexander Prokhorenko, killed during the Palmyra liberation, was returned to Russia.

"It was a matter of honor for the Defense Ministry to return the body of First Lieutenant Alexander Prokhorenko, Hero of the Russian Federation, from the hands of terrorists," the Ministry said in a statement adding that the officer died while carrying out a military task in Syria.

"The fallen officer's body was brought to Moscow after special actions involving the representatives of the Syrian government and Kurdish self-defense forces", the statement read.

Pepe Escobar: The turbulent calm before the next devastating geopolitical storm

Pepe Escobar
Sputnik
Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:45 UTC

Major turbulence seems to be the name of the game in 2016. Yet the current turbulence may be interpreted as the calm before the next, devastating geopolitical/financial storm. Let's review the current state of play via the dilemmas afflicting the House of Saud, the EU and BRICS members Russia, Brazil and China.

Oil and the House of Saud

Not many people are familiar with the Baltic Dry Index. Yet the Index is key to track commodity demand. Two months ago, it was trading to all-time lows. Since then, it has increased over 130%. Precious metals prices have all moved higher in virtually all currencies. Why is this important? Because it tells us that faith in fiat currencies - the US dollar especially — is sharply declining.

The Baltic Index rise portends a rise in oil demand in Asia - especially China. Falling supply and rising demand for oil will likely drive up the price of the barrel of oil in the second half of 2016.

That does not mean that the House of Saud will win back the trust of both the US and Russia. Deep sources keep confirming that as far as Washington and Moscow are concerned, the House of Saud is expendable. Both are really energy independent (should the US want to be). Powerful Washington factions blatantly accuse Riyadh of "terror" - well, it's way more complicated - while Moscow regards the House of Saud as following US orders to destroy Russia in an oil price war.

Libyan army readying attack on IS positions in Sirte

RIA Novosti
Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:25 UTC

Chief of the Libyan army Khalifa Haftar is preparing troops for an attack on the position of the terrorist group "Islamic State" (IS, banned in Russia) in the city of Sirte, which should begin within 48 hours, according to British newspaper The Times , citing military sources.

The newspaper notes that about 7000 military deployed in the city of Ajdabiya, have to strike the first blow to the positions of the IS. Another 700 military will be to the south-east of the city of Sirte, ready for battle, which in the military is estimated to last at least a month. The troops will air support from MiG-23 fighter aircraft, reported Gen. Akram Bou-Khaliq.

Residents of the city Ajdabiya videotaped a large convoy of 150 pick-up trucks equipped with anti-aircraft guns, which was heading towards Sirte.

The Government of National Unity opposes these actions by stating that they can not only lead to clashes with the militants IS, but also with the military loyal to the General National Congress in Tripoli, whose forces are now deployed to the west of the city of Sirte.

Mush for brains: Kiev blames Russia for Ukraine's drop in GDP

RT
Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:44 UTC

After blaming Russia for inflation skyrocketing to 80 percent over the last three years and losing $100 billion in trade, Kiev says Moscow is now responsible for Ukraine's 20 percent GDP drop.

"Ukraine has lost more than 20 percent of its GDP as a result of Russian aggression. This comes along with the effective economic war that Russia initiated against us, blocking our exports and transit to Central Asia and China," said Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Vadym Pristayko at a UN Security Council meeting.

Pristayko was implying that Russia is violating the Budapest agreements of 1994, where the "signatories pledged not to exert economic pressure on Ukraine."

However, Moscow considers its new trade relations as a response to unfriendly economic measures from Kiev.

Comment: Maybe Kiev should start using those brain cells that appear to be waste. It was Russia who got sanctioned and Ukraine who joined the US/NATO. They should put 2 + 2 together and realize who the real culprit is for their economic losses.

Russia blasts Obama decision to send troops to Syria as "violation of sovereignty"

RT
Thu, 28 Apr 2016 21:24 UTC

Moscow has voiced concerns over the landing of 150 US soldiers in Rumeilan, northeastern Syria, without the consent of the Syrian government, calling it a "violation of the country's sovereignty."

"Speaking from the position of the Foreign Ministry, we can't help but be concerned about the fact that such actions are being carried out by the US without the consent of the legitimate government of the Syrian Arab Republic," Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS.

"It is a violation of sovereignty," he said. "I emphasize that a similar political assessment has already been given by official Damascus, and we express our full solidarity with it," the Russian diplomat said.

He added that "contacts between Russia-US defense ministries are taking place on a daily basis."

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister said the issues are being discussed by "professionals who are well versed in the situation, its dynamics, and in the existing threats and challenges, which can be tackled by the corresponding contingents."

Comment: The Empire of Chaos doesn't care about such petty things as sovereignty. They're busy trying to destabilize Syria and overthrow Assad.

Donetsk People's Republic blames Kiev for plotting assassination attempt on leader Alexander Zakharchenko

RT
Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:09 UTC

A bid to assassinate the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Aleksandr Zakharchenko, allegedly plotted by Kiev has been foiled by the DPR's security forces.

On Friday, Zakharchenko's press service confirmed the reports of an assassination attempt, promising to reveal further details later. A source in DPR's State Security Ministry said its "operatives... on Thursday detained a group of Ukrainian citizens, who had arrived from territories controlled by Kiev." "The individuals had in their possession a powerful explosive disguised as an interior design item," the source said.

The would-be assassins had previously studied Zakharchenko's daily routes to locate the best spot for the attack, according to the source. The attempt on the DPR prime minister's life had been planned to be carried out at a small arms training center in Donetsk, he added.

Zakharchenko said the assassination attempt on him was prepared by the Ukrainian Security Service. "They [the assailants] were Ukraine security operatives," he said, as cited by the Donetsk news agency. All suspects have been arrested and are currently being interrogated, the source said.

New Lt. Governor of Virginia Winsome Sears: "We're going to have safer neighborhoods, safer communities, and our children are going to get a good...

parzival

Bill Gates is going to be the one with the uncertain future,,, * New Lt. Governor of Virginia Winsome Sears: "We're going to have safer...

parzival

The more we hear about adverse affects the more we will merely shrug. It's a catch 22. Is that an asteroid trail in the photo?

sass

Welcome to the new normal. The more sensory exposure we have about such things, the less it is an issue.

sass

more misbehaving phuqqin' jewzskies starring on the sott; speaks for itself

Jibrish

Puppet Masters

Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed: Women 'not ready' to drive because of culture, not religion

The Empire Files: Abby Martin exposes Killary's corporate cronyism

Denied! China blocks US warship from making port call in Hong Kong

Officers responsible for the Kunduz hospital bombing receive little more than a slap on the wrist

Body of 'Hero of Palmyra' handed over to Russia

Pepe Escobar: The turbulent calm before the next devastating geopolitical storm

Libyan army readying attack on IS positions in Sirte

Mush for brains: Kiev blames Russia for Ukraine's drop in GDP

Russia blasts Obama decision to send troops to Syria as "violation of sovereignty"

Donetsk People's Republic blames Kiev for plotting assassination attempt on leader Alexander Zakharchenko

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