Puppet Masters

Germany's upper house approves plan to give government power to OVERRULE states on lockdown

RT
Thu, 22 Apr 2021 14:02 UTC

© JENS SCHLUETER / AFP
A sign reading "Mask mandatory, cover your mouth and nose! hangs on a lamp post in front of the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) at Neumarkt square in Dresden, eastern Germany, on April 12, 2021, amid the novel coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic.

Germany's Bundestag, the country's upper house of parliament, has approved a law that gives Chancellor Angela Merkel's government greater powers to combat coronavirus, including overruling federal states to impose restrictions.

Once it comes into effect on June 30, the law will give the government the ability to impose evening curfews on states, declare restrictions on gatherings, reduce crowds at events and limit shop-opening times, as well as close schools and force students to learn remotely. These measures would be used if an area exceeded a seven-day incidence rate of 100 new infections per 100,000 residents over three consecutive days.

The law still requires approval from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, which he is expected to give later on Thursday, making the legislation official and allowing it to be published in the Federal Gazette.

Comment: It should be pretty clear by now that authorities across the Western world are participating in a coordinated attack on citizen's freedoms:

Also check out SOTT radio's: MindMatters: Interview with Rod Dreher: How to Survive the Coming Soft Totalitarianism

The US Postal Service is running a 'covert operations program' that monitors Americans' social media posts

Jana Winter
Yahoo News
Wed, 21 Apr 2021 11:00 UTC

The law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service has been quietly running a program that tracks and collects Americans' social media posts, including those about planned protests, according to a document obtained by Yahoo News.

The details of the surveillance effort, known as iCOP, or Internet Covert Operations Program, have not previously been made public. The work involves having analysts trawl through social media sites to look for what the document describes as "inflammatory" postings and then sharing that information across government agencies.

March 16 government bulletin, marked as "law enforcement sensitive" and distributed through the Department of Homeland Security's fusion centers revealed:

"Analysts with the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Internet Covert Operations Program (iCOP) monitored significant activity regarding planned protests occurring internationally and domestically on March 20, 2021. Locations and times have been identified for these protests, which are being distributed online across multiple social media platforms, to include right-wing leaning Parler and Telegram accounts."

A number of groups were expected to gather in cities around the globe on March 20 as part of a World Wide Rally for Freedom and Democracy, to protest everything from lockdown measures to 5G.

Comment: Et tu Postal Service? Is the PTA next?

Putin: Russia developing high-tech nuclear and laser weapons, warns 'provocateurs' will regret crossing country's red lines

RT
Wed, 21 Apr 2021 13:07 UTC

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the vast majority of the country's Soviet-era atomic stockpile will soon be replaced by modern weapons, warning that Moscow is intent on defending itself against foreign aggression. Speaking as part of his annual address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow on Wednesday, Putin said that his government

"wants to have positive relationships with everyone on the international stage, including those with whom relations have broken down recently. We really don't want to burn bridges."

At the same time, however, he cautioned:

"Those who mistake this stance for weakness need to know that Russia's response [to any aggression] will be asymmetrical, swift and harsh. Those planning provocations will regret their deeds in a way they have not regretted anything else for a long time."

As part of the country's plans to defend itself, he said, its stockpile of strategic weapons is currently being overhauled, updating older Soviet-era equipment in favor of next-generation technology, such as "hypersonic and laser" armaments.

Comment: Russia gives fair warning...likely on deaf ears.

Biden administration: US troops leaving Afghanistan may remain in neighboring countries

Frances Martel
Breitbart
Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00 UTC

The chief of the Pentagon's Central Command said on Tuesday the U.S. military may keep troops near Afghanistan after the delayed withdrawal planned for September 11, 2021.

Speaking to the House Armed Services Committee, Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., reportedly stated the Pentagon is engaged in "detailed planning" to ensure that the U.S. military can act against threats in Afghanistan without a permanent presence there. McKenzie's comments followed assurances last week from Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a visit to Kabul that the United States would remain an active participant in the construction of a democratic Afghanistan in a civilian capacity even after troops leave.

Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. government negotiated a deal with the Taliban in which the terrorist organization agreed not to attack U.S. troops or harbor foreign terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda in exchange for American troops to fully withdraw from the country by May 1, 2021. President Joe Biden announced this month that he would not honor the deal and extend America's military presence there through September 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of the al-Qaeda attacks on the U.S. homeland that prompted the Afghan War. Biden described his extension of the war as an acknowledgment that the war had gone on too long.

"It's time for American troops to come home," Biden declared. McKenzie's remarks suggested that the American troops may not be returning home, but relocating elsewhere in central Asia.

Comment: The general doesn't want to leave the MidEast any time soon. There are too many US targets to warrant a decrease in regional assets. If Ukraine becomes ground zero, the 9/11/21 extension serves proximity.

New Zealand 'uncomfortable' with expanding Five Eyes' remit, says its foreign minister

The Guardian
Sun, 18 Apr 2021 22:02 UTC

New Zealand's foreign minister, Nanaia Mahuta, says her country won't provoke or engage with China through the Five Eyes alliance aside from on intelligence matters, in a major accommodation of Chinese concerns.

The Five Eyes alliance is a network of five like-minded countries - the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - that share security-related intelligence. Recently, members have invoked the alliance on broader matters, such as Hong Kong's creep towards authoritarianism or the mistreatment of Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang region.

This has infuriated Chinese officials, who see the group as attempting to curtail China's sovereignty.

Last year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded with anger to a statement about Hong Kong, saying "if they dare to harm China's sovereignty, security and development interests, they should beware of their eyes being poked and blinded".

Speaking at a meeting of the New Zealand China Council on Monday, Mahuta said New Zealand did not want to see a widening of the scope of the intelligence network.

"We are uncomfortable with expanding the remit of the Five Eyes. We would much rather prefer to look for multilateral opportunities to express our interests."

China tells Australia not to make relationship 'even worse' after two trade deals canceled

Julia Marnin
Newsweek
Thu, 22 Apr 2021 18:09 UTC

© GREG BAKER/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin takes a question during the daily briefing in Beijing on July 24, 2020

China has warned Australia not to make relations between the two nations "even worse" on Thursday after Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne announced the cancellation of two trade deals with China the day before, saying the arrangements were "inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy."

The deals, between China and the Australian state of Victoria, were a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, a massive, multibillion-dollar project aimed at expanding trade across Asia to Europe and connecting dozens of countries by building infrastructure such as railways and ports, according to the Associated Press.

"We urge the Australian side to abandon its Cold War mentality," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Thursday. He urged the country "not to go further down the wrong path so as to avoid making China-Australia relations, which are already facing serious difficulties, even worse."

Aunty Maxine runs her mouth: Waters', Biden's pre-Chauvin verdict comments come under fire as defense eyes appeal

Ronn Blitzer
Fox News
Wed, 21 Apr 2021 17:54 UTC

Derek Chauvin's murder conviction was met with widespread approval among those seeking justice for George Floyd, but the trial's outcome may not be set in stone thanks to remarks from influential political leaders such as Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and President Biden himself.

Waters, who had visited Minnesota before the verdict was announced, said that if Chauvin is not convicted of murder, protesters should "stay in the street," "get more active," and "get more confrontational." In a New York Post op-ed, former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy warned that this alone would be grounds for appeal.

"Because of her, this isn't over," McCarthy wrote.

Comment:

Russia to withdraw troops from deployment on border with Ukraine, Moscow confirms, as major snap exercises in Crimea conclude

RT
Thu, 22 Apr 2021 16:43 UTC

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has announced that troops deployed in the west and south of the country in recent days will soon begin returning to base, saying they have now passed tests of their combat readiness.

The chief of the country's military revealed on Thursday that a number of units of the regular army and airborne divisions had been transferred to the area, near the shared border with Ukraine, as part of surprise military exercises. The buildup had caused alarm in Kiev, and been cited by Western nations as a potential precursor to an invasion, which the Kremlin repeatedly denied.

According to Shoigu, "the goals of the sudden inspection have been fully achieved. The troops demonstrated their ability to ensure reliable defense of the country."

Comment: Ukraine continues to try and stab Russia in the back. They have requested the EU remove Russia from the SWIFT system of international bank transfers, which is used almost worldwide. Russia has called such a move a "declaration of war."

Considering how inept and impotent the previous economic sanctions against Russia were, this seems like another hopeless attempt to kneecap the Russian economy.

US troops in Syria seem to be getting hit with directed-energy attacks, Pentagon throws shade at Russia

Sinéad Baker
Business Insider
Thu, 22 Apr 2021 16:40 UTC

The US is investigating what appears to be directed-energy attacks on US troops, and the Pentagon suspects Russia is behind them, Politico reported.

Four national-security officials involved in the investigation told Politico that the Department of Defense has been investigating the incidents of suspected attacks since last year.

Two sources told Politico that this included incidents in Syria, where troops developed flu-like symptoms last fall.

Comment: It's entirely plausible that the culprit is closer to home. See: Sonic attacks in Havana, Cuba: CIA-specialty false flag?

'Red lines,' coup attempts and Zircon missiles: Highlights of Putin's address to Federal Assembly

Ilya Tsukanov
Sputnik
Wed, 21 Apr 2021 08:23 UTC

The president's annual address, given to members of the two houses of Russia's parliament, plus members of the cabinet, regional governors, and various distinguished guests, outlines his views on the state of the nation, and establishes guidelines for the country's foreign and domestic policy in the year to come.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his annual address to Russian lawmakers and officials on Wednesday, with this year's speech lasting 78 minutes, and dedicated to a broad range of issues including foreign and defence policy, the economy and social policy, the coronavirus and climate change.

Sputnik has collected the speech's highlights. A complete readout of the address can be found here.

Comment: Given some of his prior statements about global warming Putin is likely throwing a bone at the global warming wolves so that he has one less monkey on his back. And the same may be said regarding his views of the Coronavirus plandemic.

On the other hand, he is very determined to show the West that there is no messing around with Russia when it comes to defending their national interests and on their Western border and in Ukraine.

See also:

I see a new market for fake IDs, this time claiming age of 17.

Yupo

Slappy looks old...I guess selling your soul to the devil has consequences...

Bezel Bub

Walensky was born Rochelle Paula Bersoff in Peabody, Massachusetts, to Edward Bersoff and Carol Bersoff-Bernstein. Walensky is married to Loren D....

HashAttack2

I would call her a moron but then idiots and imbeciles may feel left out

Michael L

Whoa folks! I just was wondering who this lady was and I came across this. Who is Melle Stewart? Is She Dead or Alive? Actress Melle Stewart...

Rowan Cocoan

Puppet Masters

Germany's upper house approves plan to give government power to OVERRULE states on lockdown

The US Postal Service is running a 'covert operations program' that monitors Americans' social media posts

Putin: Russia developing high-tech nuclear and laser weapons, warns 'provocateurs' will regret crossing country's red lines

Biden administration: US troops leaving Afghanistan may remain in neighboring countries

New Zealand 'uncomfortable' with expanding Five Eyes' remit, says its foreign minister

China tells Australia not to make relationship 'even worse' after two trade deals canceled

Aunty Maxine runs her mouth: Waters', Biden's pre-Chauvin verdict comments come under fire as defense eyes appeal

Russia to withdraw troops from deployment on border with Ukraine, Moscow confirms, as major snap exercises in Crimea conclude

US troops in Syria seem to be getting hit with directed-energy attacks, Pentagon throws shade at Russia

'Red lines,' coup attempts and Zircon missiles: Highlights of Putin's address to Federal Assembly

Latest News

Picture of the Day

Quote of the Day

Recent Comments

Quantum Quirk

Contact Us