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Iranian Reaction On Last Night's Attack Against U.S. Forces In Iraq
*Daily Mail: Ayatollah says damp squib revenge raid for Soleimani's assassination is 'not enough' after Iran ineffectually fires 22 ballistic missiles at two US bases in Iraq - but fails to kill anyone* * Iran fired 22 ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing American troops early Wednesday local time * Strikes are not thought to have killed any US or Iraqi personnel, though extent of damage is being assessed * Ayatollah said US was given a 'slap' but strikes alone are 'not enough' and called for troops to be kicked out * There are still fears for US troops after Iran-backed m... more »
Opposing Iran War Doesn’t Make You Conservative or Liberal, It Makes You Smart
[image: Iran]It is possible to be a Republican who doesn't support conflict with Iran just like it's possible to be a Democrat who doesn't support it. It's called thinking for yourself.
Putin’s Visit Coincided with Syrian Arab Army Preparation to Clear Idlib of ISIS
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not issued any direct pronouncements yet on Trump’s decision to assassinate Gen. Qassem Soleimani, but his recent visits to Turkey and Syria, all suggest he’s not sitting idly by while the Middle East is exploding again. In fact, his visit to Syria already resulted in the Syrian Arab Army preparing … Continue reading Putin’s Visit Coincided with Syrian Arab Army Preparation to Clear Idlib of ISIS →
Lipari recalls two brands of sandwiches in 11 states because of Listeria findings
Positive test results for Listeria in a supplier’s production plant have spurred Lipari Foods to recall certain sandwiches distributed to foodservice operators and retail stores. “This was brought to our attention by JLM Manufacturing after environmental sampling returned a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes. Lipari Foods began shipping this product on Dec. 31, 2019,”... Continue Reading
Trump Says Iran Appears to be ‘Standing Down’ After Strike
The president indicated he would not retaliate militarily for Iran's missile strike on two Iraqi bases housing American troops.
Sri Lanka's Presidential Election Reopens Old War Wounds For Tamils
*Akshobh Giridharadas* *Security, Asia* [image: Reuters] Colombo’s past ethnic tensions have resurfaced with the election of Rajapaksa. Sometime in October of 2012, I found myself fortuitously sitting in the Indian Embassy in Beijing. The then-ambassador to China, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar asked me about how I liked living in Singapore; where at that time I was working with sports broadcasters ESPN STAR Sports. Prior to his Beijing posting, Jaishankar, had previously served in Singapore as the top envoy (2007–2009). He was reminiscing about his days in Singapore and remarked that ... more »
Will Iran Move from Stand-Off to Stand Down?
*James Jay Carafano* *Security, Middle East* [image: Reuters] Now that the dust has settled from last night’s fireworks display, one thing is clear: Tehran has a lot of unpleasant short-term choices. The fierce rhetoric from senior Iranian officials after last night’s rain of missiles into Iraq seems completely at odds with the results of the strike. The “revenge” attack—a response to the killing of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani—appears to have been ineffectual. Rather than make the mullahs look tough, the missile escapade raises the possibility that the regime may be mired in a qu... more »
Can Iran's Sniper Rifle Really Hit an Enemy 1,600 Meters Away?
*Robert Beckhusen* *Security, Americas* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/IRAN-ARMY-DAY--RC141F933730.html] Not all is as it seems. *Key point:* Tehran likes to brag about weapons that aren't actually that good. Iran regularly over-hypes its military technology, and in some cases, shows off bogus equipment for propaganda purposes. Iran’s military industry is also resourceful and produces interesting weapons which the Islamic republic then proliferates into very real conflicts. As a latter example, Iran in April 2017 revealed the .50-caliber, semi-automatic Heidar sn... more »
Dipole Down Under
Vijay Jayaraj explains how weather is created around the Indian Ocean in this article Record Heat and Cold Expose Climate Alarmists’ Bias. Excerpts in italics with my bolds and images. Australia was literally on fire in December. Record heat made headlines in global media. So did the extreme rainfall in east Africa. You and everybody […]
Ukraine Deletes Statement Attributing Plane Crash in Iran to Engine Failure
The plane crash in Iran that occurred shortly after the attack by Iran on US Military Airbases was originally attributed to engine failure, however, this statement from the Ukrainian authorities has since been deleted. The original statement read: “According to preliminary information,” the statement had read, “the plane crashed as a result of a technical failure … The post Ukraine Deletes Statement Attributing Plane Crash in Iran to Engine Failure appeared first on OYE Alternative News.
Australia's Bushfires Bring Mounting Pressure to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
Global Issues News Headlines - 11 hours ago
SYDNEY, Australia, Jan 08 (IPS) - As nature's fury wreaked havoc across Australia, reducing to ashes all that came in its way - people, flora, fauna, picturesque historic towns and villages once popular with local and overseas tourists – it was unlike anything the country had witnessed before. The staggering scale and intensity of the devastation could best be summed up as apocalyptic. Read the full story, “Australia's Bushfires Bring Mounting Pressure to Reduce Greenhouse Gases”, on globalissues.org →
Women’s Groups Applaud Gender Action Plan Following COP 25
Global Issues News Headlines - 11 hours ago
MADRID, Spain, Jan 08 (IPS) - After nearly two weeks of negotiations at COP 25 climate negotiations in Madrid last month (2-13 December), governments will be adopting a new 5-year Gender Action Plan (GAP) that progressively builds upon the first GAP, and works to address many of the concerns raised by women and gender groups at the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including calls for greater focus on implementation and scaling up gender-just climate solutions. Read the full story, “Women’s Groups Applaud Gender Action Plan Following COP 25”, on globalissues.org →
Did US Rep. Tlaib Announce Pledge of Allegiance Was Banned in Michigan?
A routine review of content labeled satire.
Commercial Airlines Reroute Flights Amid US-Iran Tensions
Commercial airlines are rerouting flights throughout the Middle East to avoid potential danger during heightened tensions between the United States and Iran.
Invitation to Ivanka Trump Draws Backlash at Big Tech Show
The nation's largest consumer electronics show hosted Ivanka Trump as a keynote speaker — a choice that drew scorn from many women in technology.
Is US Army Sending Texts About a Military Draft?
The military has been an all-volunteer force since 1973.
2 Men Accused of Gluing Winning Numbers Onto Lotto Ticket
Authorities in Mississippi say two men attempted to scam the state lottery commission by submitting a losing ticket that had the winning numbers glued onto it.
Trump Gets Woman’s Suit Delayed Until NY Top Court Weighs In
President Donald Trump got a reprieve in a former “Apprentice” contestant's lawsuit over his response to her sexual assault allegations, when appeals judges gave him permission to appeal to New York's highest court and put proceedings on hold in the meantime.
Puerto Ricans Left Homeless After Biggest Quake in Century
Cars, cots and plastic chairs became temporary beds for hundreds of families who lost their homes in southwest Puerto Rico as a flurry of earthquakes struck the island, one of them the strongest in a century.
AR-15 Perfection: Why the Army Loves the Geissele Super Duty URG-I
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Americas* [image: https://d2shlf6mledvwo.cloudfront.net/media/catalog/category/SHOP_URGI_UPPERS_14.jpg] One of the best kinds of AR-15s? *Key point:* The URG-I is an excellent weapon that is essentially the same as its military counterpart. In the sea of AR-15 competitors, few actually sell their weapons and accessories to the United States Military. The AR-15 platform’s commonality with the Pentagon’s M4 carbine means that technology developed for the armed services can quickly become available to the civilian world--and vice versa. The Geissele Supe... more »
The 1 Reason Why Colt's 10mm Delta Elite Gun Is so Powerful
*Kyle Mizokami* *Technology, Americas* [image: https://large.shootingsportsmedia.com/466763.jpg] Astounding. *Key Point:* Colt has done it again by making a very powerful, compact weapon. One of the most powerful semi-automatic handguns is also from one of the oldest firearms manufacturers in America. The Colt 10mm Delta Elite Rail combines the 10mm Auto cartridge with the 1911 pistol platform, all offered up by a company that made its name selling cavalry revolvers during the Civil War. Established in 1836 by inventor Samuel Colt, one of the company’s earliest successes was th... more »
Making America Rogue Again
*Paul R. Pillar* *Security, Middle East* [image: Reuters] There is no evidence that President Donald Trump’s ordering of the assassination of Qassim Suleimani was guided by any appreciation for the ill consequences that would follow. The assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, and the rationales offered for this killing, exhibit extreme myopia no matter where one looks in space and time. Looking forward, there is no evidence that President Donald Trump’s ordering of the assassination was guided by any appreciation for the ill consequences that would follow, includin... more »
How Iran Has Kept Its Aging American-Made F-14 Tomcats Flying
*David Axe* *Technology, Middle East* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/ATTACK-RP2DRIQPPWAA.html] Impressive. *Key point:* The F-14 is still one of the best planes Iran has and it has done everything in its power to keep them working. On April 9, 1972, Iraq and the Soviet Union signed an historic agreement. The USSR committed to arming the Arab republic with the latest weaponry. In return for sending Baghdad guns, tanks and jet fighters, Moscow got just one thing — influence … in a region that held most of the world’s accessible oil. In neighboring Iran, news of Iraq... more »
Will America Be Safer After the Assassination of General Suleimani?
*Daniel K. Khalessi* *Security, Middle East* [image: Reuters] The assassination significantly increases the likelihood that Iran will try to escape from the nuclear penalty box, thus making war more likely than not. In the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s decision on Thursday to assassinate Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the most prominent military figure in Iran since the 1979 Revolution and the second most powerful person in Iran after the supreme leader, the essential question is: what happens now? To answer this question, rewind back to the 1980 presidential debate between Rona... more »
Is Iran's New "Karrar" Tank Any Good?
*Robert Beckhusen* *Security, Middle East* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/RUSSIA--GM1E99R00N001.html] Or it is a poorly-made Russian copy? *Key point: *Iran's new tank might not be that "new" after all, but few details are confirmed. In March, Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan — Iran’s defense minister — claimed that a new, unseen Iranian tank called the Karrar “is one of the *most advanced tanks* in the world.” He further suggested that the “tank [is] 100 percent Iranian made and it can even be superior than [the] T-90 in some degrees.” Then in August, a tank with a clo... more »
Why Iran's Cruise Missiles Aren't Better Than America's
*Michael Peck* *Technology, Middle East* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/USA-PBEAHUOQQBR.html] Tehran likes to talk a big game. *Key point: *Iran likes to make bold claims about its weapon systems, but it often can't back them up. The newest Iranian weapon, the Mobin, was displayed at the MAKS 2019 defense trade show in Russia in August. The cruise missile has a range of 450 kilometers (280 miles), a speed of 900 kilometers (560 miles) per hour, and a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet. It also features a warhead of up to 120 kilograms (265 pounds) and has a “low radar... more »
Look Upon Each Other As Helpers & Co-Workers - A Quotation by M.N. Hopkins
*Look upon each other as helpers and co-workers and no longer as the ego competitors that seek control of one another. Feel the love you already have for the other and all others. Act from this place of love and see the miracles unfold before your eyes.* *©* *M.N. Hopkins* *To read more of my poems & quotations, please click on the link below:* *Poems & Quotations by M.N. Hopkins* *or visit:* *Pinterest*
Reaction: Trump's speech today
By Kevin Zeese Popular Resistance Trump's speech was filled with lies that Republicans, Democrats and the corporate media will pretend were true and will confuse the people of the United States with hatred for Iran and Soleimani based on falsehoods. But, the only immediate threat made was more economic sanctions, which are devastating and should be considered an act of war, but he did not announce any other retaliation. He also began saying Iran will never have nuclear weapons, but Iran has always said it never wanted nuclear weapons. He is playing primarily to a domestic audienc... more »
Stock Markets Soar Followed By Oil And Gold Prices Plunging After President Trump's Statement On Iran
*WNU Editor*: And just like that, it never happened. Hat tip Zero Hedge.
Breezzy
Sometimes I wouldn't mind having Rebecca Long-Bailey's extraordinary eyebrows, if only to watch them in the mirror reacting to this kind of thing: Wonder if any at the BBC are starting to worry that they might be, ever so slightly, overdoing the whole Stormzy thing?
A movie showing why Germany isn't green
Germany has wasted over 1 trillion euros pursuing the "green" energy myth. Part of that myth required Germany to get rid of its nuclear power facilities since leftist environmentalists hate nuclear even more than they hate hydroelectric power even though both are highly efficient carbon free energy sources. The folks at PowerLineBlog found this great movie showing how green various European countries were over the course of 2019. The greener a country is on the map the lower the countries carbon intensity. What you'll note is that Germany tends to be brown a lot. Poland is always ... more »
GOP Strategist Has A Message For The Trump Campaign: Fear The Bern!
A new Emerson poll of likely New Mexico voters shows Bernie winning among Democrats with 28%, followed by Status Quo Joe (27%), Andrew Yang (10%), Elizabeth (8%), Mayo Pete (7%), Bloomberg (3%)... You may recall, Trump bragged about how New Mexico is one of the states he could flip. In 2016 even a terminally weak candidate like Hillary beat him there, 385,234 (48.26%) to 319,667 (40.04%). Since election day, Trump's approval rating has plummeted by 27 points and his approval/disapproval numbers in December were 43-53%, underwater by 10 points. If he's counting on New Mexico's 5 el... more »
Iran's Foreign Minister Says It Has Concluded Its Response To U.S. Strike. Does Not Seek Escalation
*Daily Mail: **'We do not seek escalation or war': Iran's foreign minister says it has 'concluded' retaliation after Tehran targets US troops in missile attacks as Trump tweets 'all is well' and says he will deliver statement today* * Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif insists they do not want a war after firing a dozen ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq housing American troops * He tweeted that 'Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense' * He warned that Iran did not 'seek escalation or war' but vowed to continue defending themselves if the U.S.... more »
Success! Nassau grouper swims back to healthy numbers
The “Nassau grouper” seems to be regrouping itself back to healthy population levels thanks to the collaborative efforts of scientists, conservationists and government officials in the Grand Cayman Islands. The post Success! Nassau grouper swims back to healthy numbers appeared first on CFACT.
Flynn vs McCabe: Who the deep state loves
Suddenly the DOJ is asking for jail time for a true American hero; General Flynn. Flynn has pled guilty, after the FBI basically bankrupted him and threatened to go after his son, to lying in an ambush interview by the FBI which Flynn was deliberately led to believe was just a friendly meeting about routine issues. After not wanting jail time for Flynn for a very long time *suddenly* the DOJ wants Flynn in jail. Note Flynn's "lie" wasn't about anything criminal; apparently if you deliberately tell an FBI agent the wrong time of day you can go to prison. The fact that the agents w... more »
Livestream: House Hears Testimony About Digital Manipulation
On Jan. 8 at 10:30am, the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a hearing on “Americans at Risk: Manipulation and Deception in the Digital Age.” The committee will hear from Monika Bickert from Facebook, Joan Donovan of the Harvard Kennedy School, Tristan Harris from the Center for Humane Technology and Justin Hurwitz from the University of Nebraska College of Law. The livestream of the hearing is available here and below. The prepared testimonies are available below. Monika Bickert Testimony HHRG 116 IF17 Wsta... more »
After Soleimani Killing Suddenly the US is Alone
[image: undefined] The silence is deafening. The lack of response from U.S. allies around the world to President Trump’s assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani tells you things have fundamentally changed. Normally when something like this happens the US has all of its allies lined up with statements at the ready. A gaggle of the usual suspects behind lecterns pledging support replete with the requisite hand-wringing and virtue signaling. That didn’t happen this time. Only arm-twisting by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cajoled a few lukewarm responses from European allies s... more »
Was the missile attack a face saving gesture?
Imagine for a moment an Iran where Khamenei is excreting in his pants knowing that he might be the next target; after all if the amazingly mobile and highly secretive Soleimani could be targeted Khamenei, who stays in Tehran, could be targeted too. That Khamenei is stuck between a rock and a hard place. If he does nothing then he may be ousted by power seeking members of his own fascist theocratic regime. If he retaliates against the US he could die. What better way out than to fire missiles at US bases that he knows, either because they're amazingly inaccurate or because the fix ... more »
CFR Pushes Central Planning to Fuse Education With Economy
[image: cfr-pushes-central-planning-to-fuse-education-with-economy] The globalist Council on Foreign Relations is pushing for state and local help to restructure schools and emphasize workforce training, instead of creating thinkers.
China Now Biggest Source of Immigration to United States
[image: china-now-biggest-source-of-immigration-into-united-states] When Americans think of immigration, they naturally think of immigrants from Mexico, or perhaps from Latin America generally, but there are now more immigrants coming from Communist China than from any country south of the border.
The New Racism
[image: the-new-racism] The new racism, born in academia, is just as ugly as the old racism.
Could Missile Attack On Iraqi Bases Defuse US-Iran Tensions?
Crashed Iranian missiles in Anbar (Al Sumaria) On January 7 Iran fired several ballistic missiles at the Ain Al-Assad base in Anbar and at Irbil city. There were Iraqi casualties at Assad, but no details were given initially. In Irbil, one missile landed outside the international airport, and another around 20 miles outside the city. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard took credit for the attack and Tehran said that if the U.S. took any more aggressive action it would face a larger response. It even claimed to have killed 80 Americans at Al-Assad. Afterward President Trump Tweeted “All is we... more »
This Day In Iraqi History - Jan 8
1921 Churchill wrote Sir Percy Cox saying too expensive to maintain British forces in Mesopotamia therefore Arab govt should be created to run things (Musings On Iraq article on Churchill’s views on Mesopotamia) (Musings On Iraq book review *Churchill’s Folly, How Winston Churchill Created Modern Iraq*) (Musings On Iraq book review *Inventing Iraq: The Failure of Nation Building and a History Denied*) (Musings On Iraq book review *Supremacy And Oil, Iraq, Turkey, and the Anglo-American World Order, 1918-1930*) 1948 College student strike in Baghdad over Anglo-Iraq Treaty ended whe... more »
Donald Knuth clarifies why \(P=NP\) seems likely
Neutrino physics: IceCube has ruled out an astrophysical explanation of the strange ANITA events, see arXiv, by placing an upper limit on the flux from the would-be sources, thus strengthening the odds that they have observed a stau (supersymmetric partner of the tau lepton \(\tilde \tau_R\)) Old men who have been amazing contributors to STEM fields evolve in various ways. When I randomly saw the 599th followup of the Weak Gravity Conjecture – the first hep-th paper posted in 2006 (hep-th/0601001: I didn't have to be particularly fast to get this nice number), it turned out to be a p... more »
All you need to know about Democrats: Pelosi attacks Trump and ignores/defends Iran
Trump killed a mass murdering terrorist leader who happened to be a key member of the fascist theocratic gay killing regime that runs Iran. Pelosi and almost all Democrat's politicians first thought is to attack Trump and go along with the #FakeNews media's pity party for Iran. The #FakeNews media covered the funeral of Soleimani with more respect than they would cover the funeral of Trump if he died today. Pelosi and the Democrats constantly ignore the fact that this whole chain of events began with Iran killing an American. That led to Trump retaliating against the Iranian backe... more »
Sound and fury from Iran, but what does it signify?
Iran reportedly launched "ballistic missiles" of some sort against US installations in Iraq yesterday, in apparent retaliation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani over the weekend. However, to my surprise, the missiles apparently hit nothing of importance, and didn't inflict a single casualty. Contrast that with the precision strike against the Saudi Aramco oil refining facility a few months ago, where Iranian "drones" proved combat-accurate and struck the targets they were aiming for with considerable precision. There's no doubt Iran possesses weapons that are capable of inflicti... more »
Justice at Last? Panic in Israel as the ICC Takes Momentous Step in the Right Direction
The high level of these ICC investigations places the legal push against Israel at a whole new level. This is uncharted territory for Israel, the United States, Palestine, the ICC and the international community as a whole. The post Justice at Last? Panic in Israel as the ICC Takes Momentous Step in the Right Direction appeared first on MintPress News.
Golden Globes best picture winner 1917 is less a war epic than an elegiac tribute
As the US President and Iran tilt at World War III, Sam Mendes's minor-key film, inspired by his grandfather, offers yet another reminder of its horrors.
Man pleads not guilty to killing 19 disabled people due to mental illness
Just In - 12 hours ago
A Japanese man accused of stabbing 19 disabled people to death pleaded not guilty due to mental illness, in a dramatic trial interrupted when he seemed to put something in his mouth and lay on the floor writhing.
Democrats support terrorism
"Qassem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing." Nikki Haley “According the Obama Department of Defense, Qasem Soleimani was a terrorist directly responsible for the murder of over 500 US service men & women. Why are congressional Dems outraged that he’s finally dead?” Ted Cruz, TX But the 2020 gang continue to grieve Soleimani’s death.
Largest Ever Strike in India Shakes Up Modi Govt
India woke up on January 8, to witness the largest ever strike with an estimated 25 crore (250 million) workers, employees, farmers and rural labourers stopping work and hitting the streets to protest against the Modi government’s economic policies and divisive politics.
WATCH: Heroic Cop Inadvertently Makes Instructional Video on How NOT to Kill Mentally Ill Man
[image: kill]A Fontana police officer inadvertently made an instruction video on how not to kill when he talked down a man intent on dying in a death by cop scenario.
Cop Goes to Trial After Horrifying Video Shows Him Torture Teen in a Restraint Chair with Taser
[image: taser]After a cop was seen in a horrifying video sadistically using a taser to torture a teen in a restraint chair, he is now headed to trial for his crimes.
TALES OF THE NAEP: How bad is our upper-end press?
*WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020Mississippi (said to be) rising:* How bad is our upper-end journalism? As we sit here "on the beach," awaiting the start of Mister Trump's War, you're asking an excellent question! The haplessness of our upper-end journalism helped give us this Era of Trump. We plan to spend the bulk of this year exploring the anthropological background to this state of affairs. That said, let's return to your question! How bad *is* our upper-end press corps? Consider a column which appeared in the New York Times last month. The New York Times is our nation's most famou... more »
Inaugural Morning Update with Harley Schlanger
Stop WWIII Inaugural Morning Update with Harley Schlanger Video of Inaugural Morning Update with Harley Schlanger We present our inaugural morning briefing with Harley Schlanger. Every weekday morning Harley will brief you on what you need to know to start your day. On Tuesdays, we broadcast his briefing live on the LaRouchePAC Facebook page at 12:00 pm eastern, where he fields questions about current events, history, economics, and culture. Join the discussion, and, if you haven't already, sign up for Harley's weekly articles. Subscribe to the LaRouchePAC Videos YouTube channel a... more »
Police Arrest Suspect of Setting Fatal Fire on São Paulo Street Dweller
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL - The Civil Police arrested in the early hours of this Wednesday, January 8th, the suspect of setting fire to a street dweller last Sunday, January 5th, in the Mooca neighborhood, eastern zone of São Paulo. The victim died a day later. According to the police, the court has accepted the warrant […] The post Police Arrest Suspect of Setting Fatal Fire on São Paulo Street Dweller appeared first on The Rio Times.
Fugitive ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn fronts media for first time since daring Japan escape
Just In - 13 hours ago
Nissan's fugitive ex-chair Carlos Ghosn appears in public in Lebanon on Wednesday for the first time since fleeing Japan last month ahead of his trial for alleged financial misconduct.
Trade war: China's refusal to lift grain quotas make Trump's phase one import demands ‘more difficult'
bilaterals.org - 13 hours ago
08-Jan-2020 China will not raise its quotas for the import of grains, according to vice agriculture and rural affairs minister Han Jun, raising the prospect of a stand-off with the US.
Intra-EU investment reform: What options for the Energy Charter Treaty?
bilaterals.org - 13 hours ago
08-Jan-2020 The leaked treaty for the termination of intra-EU BITs can be seen as the culmination of an ongoing effort by the EU Commission to discourage investment arbitration between Member States, reflecting a tension between public international law and EU law.
Ncell backed by international tribunal in Nepal tax row
bilaterals.org - 13 hours ago
08-Jan-2020 The ICSID has issued an interim order preventing Nepal's government from collecting capital gains tax on Axiata's acquisition of Ncell.
Boris Johnson to tell EU he wants a quick free trade deal
bilaterals.org - 13 hours ago
08-Jan-2020 Johnson isn't interested in aligning to EU rules but an agreement on this schedule may require compromises.
Cinéma : ‘‘Terre amère'', un avant-goût de l'Aleca
bilaterals.org - 13 hours ago
08-Jan-2020 Le film documentaire met à nu les graves problèmes qui entravent la sécurité alimentaire en Tunisie et marginalisent les petits exploitants et techniciens agricoles.
Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine, un « danger» pour certains états
bilaterals.org - 13 hours ago
08-Jan-2020 Le démantèlement des barrières douanières pourrait entrainer une chute drastique des recettes dans certains États d'Afrique central et plomber la compétitivité du secteur privée locale.
President Trump To Address The Nation On Iran Attacks At 11:00 EST
*CNN: **Trump to address nation after Iran attacks Iraqi bases housing US troops in retaliation for Soleimani's death* ran fired a number of missiles at two Iraqi bases housing US troops Wednesday local time in retaliation for the American strike that killed a top Iranian general last week -- presenting President Donald Trump with the biggest test of his presidency to date. Trump will deliver a statement on Iran from the White House at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday morning, the administration announced. Vice President Mike Pence will join Trump for his remarks. The US has "100% a... more »
Why US Hostility Towards Chinese Tech Groups Feels Like Déjà Vu
US reactions to Chinese competitive threats are an awful lot like the ones to Japan of the 1980s, but the US now has a lot less leverage.
Why Ruger's New Pistol Caliber Carbine Is so Popular
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Americas* [image: https://ruger.com/products/pcCarbine/specSheets/19100.html] Shorter range, but easier to store and carry. *Key point: *The PC Carbine is compact and powerful and allows you to share the same magazines as your Glock. Once upon a time, there was a niche for a rifle that was shorter than traditional rifles, making it handier and easier to travel with. Preferred by the likes of cavalrymen, stagecoach guards, and gold and silver prospectors, the carbine sacrificed range for portability. Ruger’s new Pistol Caliber Carbine (PC Carbine) is an... more »
These Strange Russia Compact Rifles Must Be Seen To Be Believed
*Caleb Larson* *Security, * Truly bizarre. *Key point: *Despite their promise as compact, precise firearms, these rifles never became standard issue. The 1960s and 1970s were an interesting time in experimental Soviet rifle design. Several radical bullpups came out of Russia, and pushed the limits of gunsmithing, incorporating features like triple barrels, plastic resin housing, and blisteringly high rates of fire. A hallmark of bullpups is their compact, high barrel-to-length ratio, which makes them ideal for urban operations, or for troops in vehicles, where space is at a pre... more »
Is Kel-Tec's PF9 the Finest Plastic Pocket Pistol Ever?
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Americas* [image: https://www.keltecweapons.com/firearms/pistols/pf9/] Let's take a look. *Key Point:* The PF9 is an affordable, compact gun that doesn't have as many safety features as its competitors. Many people want a simple, compact weapon self-protection but are put off by the retail price of today’s firearms. Affordability is perhaps the least discussed feature of many handguns but one of the foremost in the minds of consumers. The Kel-Tec PF9 handgun combines both features and affordability in an attractive package. Established in Florida in 1... more »
Oil Tanker Operators Suspend Travel Through Strait Of Hormuz
*Zero Hedge:* *Tanker Operators Suspend Travel Through Strait Of Hormuz* Following Iran's decision to lob missiles at US-Iraqi bases last night, several major tanker operators have suspended sailing through the Straits of Hormuz, the site of several tanker attacks last year. Petrobras, Bahri - Saudi Arabia's state-run tanker operator - and other tanker companies have suspended sailing through the Straits of Hormuz, WSJ reports, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter. Meanwhile, Gulf officials are already trying to convince the world that there's nothing to worry about... more »
"Economic Market Snapshot AM 1/8/20"
*PM 1/8/20, Updated frequently as available.* ◆ Gregory Mannarino, AM 1/8/20: "*Market Does Not Believe Trump Will Follow * *Through With His Threats**"* - https://www.traderschoice.net/ ◆ *MarketWatch Market Summary, Live Updates* - https://www.marketwatch.com/tools/marketsummary *CNN Market Data:* - http://money.cnn.com/data/markets/ *CNN Fear And Greed Index:* - http://money.cnn.com/data/fear-and-greed/ ◆ *Buffett Indicator: Where Are We with Market Valuations?* "As of 1/8/20 (updates daily): The Stock Market is Significantly Overvalued. Based on historical ratio of total market c... more »
Trump Campaign Seizes on Soleimani Killing
Donald Trump once warned Barack Obama not to “play the Iran card” to boost his political prospects by starting a war.
Iran Strikes Back at US with Missile Attack at Bases in Iraq
Iran struck back at the United States for killing its most powerful military commander, firing a barrage of ballistic missiles at two Iraqi military bases that house American troops.
Ukrainian Airplane Crashes Near Iran’s Capital, Killing 176
A Ukrainian passenger jet carrying 176 people crashed minutes after taking off from the Iranian capital's main airport, turning farmland on the outskirts of Tehran into fields of flaming debris and killing all on board.
13-Year Old Boy from Oklahoma Shot to Death in Drug Cartel Shootout on Mexican Highway
Oscar Simei López Castillo, 13, died after armed men, believed to be drug-cartel members, crashed into their vehicle and opened fire on them in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The highway on which they were traveling was a stretch of road that rival drug gangs are fighting each other to control.
Iran Launched 15 Ballistic Missiles into Iraq, Targeting US Coalition Forces
Iran fired 15 ballistic missiles into Iraq, targeting US military and coalition forces in retaliation after the US airstrike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani last week. There are no reports of US casualties.
Geospatial Tracking Monitors Everything that Moves – Including You
Social engineers plan to utilize 5G and geospatial technology in so-called smart cities. This technology can (and will) be used to control all human activity. In the name of convenience and so-called sustainability. We are expected to be in awe of technology and grateful for the end of freedom.
CNN Settles Covington Catholic Lawsuit Out Of Court For Undisclosed Amount
A group of Black Hebrew Israelites had provoked the confrontation by slinging racial slurs at the students as they were waiting for their bus. Video showed it was Nathan Phillips who approached and confronted the students with his drum.
Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading. - Kate Aronoff offers a reminder that the right's constant bleating about limiting government spending never applies to the cost of wars of choice. - Laura Glowacki reports on how Doug Ford's choice to allow rent increases will only make matters worse for Ontario's poorest residents. And Andrea Horwath and Sol Mamakwa discuss the urgent need for a mental health strategy for Indigenous people facing high suicide rates. - PressProgress highlights how Canadians have to make do with far fewer paid vacation days than people throughout mo... more »
Iran and Hezbollah’s Presence Around the World
A Buenos Aires mural commemorating the victims of the 1994 AMIA bombing in the city. (Flickr/Wally Gobetz, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) In the days since the U.S. strike that killed Iranian Quds Force commander Major General Qassim Soleimani, Americans have heard many dire warnings about potential retaliation by Iran. Soleimani’s Quds Force, a unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that specializes in unconventional warfare, would be a likely source for such retaliation—but Iran doesn’t rely on the Quds Force alone. Instead, the government’s ability is enhanced by Iran’s exte... more »
Facebook Takes a Step Forward on Deepfakes—And Stumbles
Koki Nagano discusses the future of virtual humans and deepfakes at TEDxCharlottesville in Charlottesville, Va. on Nov. 8, 2019. (Flickr/Edmond Joe, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) The good news is that Facebook is finally taking action against deepfakes. The bad news is that the platform’s new policy does not go far enough. Journalists, technologists and academics have warned in recent years about the potential threat posed by these realistic-looking video or audio falsehoods, which show real people doing or saying things they never did or said. Generated through neural-network methods that ar... more »
Our Business
If you think that what is brewing between Iran and the United States is none our business, Hugh Segal urges you to think again: But the tensions between Iran and the U.S. are most assuredly our problem. As a founding partner of the NATO treaty, which provides for mutual defence between the 28 member nations, an Iranian attack upon American forces, embassies, homeland or personnel would trigger an Article 5 Treaty obligation for Canada to engage, just as was the case after the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, even though no state actor claimed responsibility. Canada’s... more »
Reports: U.S. Border Patrol Detaining Iranian-Americans for Hours
[image: reports-u-s-border-patrol-detaining-iranian-americans-for-hours] According to various reports, Customs and Border Patrol at a crossing in Wasington State are detaining people appearing to be of Iranian descent.
The real mission of Gen. Soleimani disclosed
The Americans lie over and over again. The British media (see this video) is not interested in discussing American lies. Largely because the British media is complicit in these very same lies. Take George W. Bush's 'shock and awe' attack on Iraq in 2003 because of 'weapons of mass destruction' that were not actually there. The British media gave Tony Blair uncritical access to spread his lies which helped Bush to internationally justify the war. The Iranian professor (Mohammad Marandi, University of Tehran) in this video is telling the truth. But the west is not willing to he... more »
The Transportation Safety Board doesn’t want you to hear the Cockpit Voice Recording of Flight 624
News 1. Weather There’s weather today. A lot of schools, businesses, and governments are closed. Everyone will complain about stuff. 2. Taxes “It’s early in the budget season, but Halifax regional councillors are hoping to keep next year’s tax increase well below inflation,” reports Zane Woodford: Council’s budget committee met Tuesday to work toward creating […]
A Definite Proof of God’s Existence
Once upon a time there was a man who passionately desired for a definite proof of god’s existence or nonexistence. He took an atheist and a theist up a hill and threw them both down. As the theist fell, he cried, “There is a god.” As the atheist fell, he cried, “There is no god.” The theist survived the fall but the atheist didn’t, and thus the man had a definite proof of the existence of god. This short story elucidates the fact that it is beyond the bounds of possibility to prove or disprove the existence of god.
Fourth Generation Glocks Might Be in Trouble
*Gun News Daily* *Security, Americas* [image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glock#/media/File:Gen4grip.jpg] Can they fix the problem? *Key point:* Generation 4 Glocks might be the future but they've engeredered some pushback due to unsatisfactory features. As many of you who have read my written articles know by now, I’ve always been an all-steel handgun guy. I’ve never felt inadequate with what I have: a gunsmith-tuned Norc commander 1911 in .45 ACP, a Taurus 689 VR 6-inch in .357 Magnum, and a Rock Island M202 in .38 Special. Having lived in the suburbs for a little under a de... more »
In An Impeachment Trial, Senators Are Not Traditional Jurors
*Steven Lubet* *Politics, Americas* McConnell, the Senate’s leader, has more leeway and far more power than any juror or even a jury foreperson. *Key point*: Still, the Senate’s oath of impartiality clearly calls for at least some commitment to objectivity. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell created a predictable stir when he told Fox News host Sean Hannity that he would structure the impending impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in “total coordination with the White House counsel’s office.” He added, “There will be no difference between the president’s position and ... more »
China's Type 001A Aircraft Carriers Are Missing Something
*Michael Peck* *Security, Asia* More than experience at sea. *Key Point: *The Type 001A was launched in 2017, and has so far undergone six sea trials. Is China’s newest aircraft carrier half-full or half-empty? That depends on how you look at the vessel’s aircraft capacity. The ship, prosaically named the Type 001A for now, is China’s second carrier and the first built in China. The first carrier, the* Liaoning*, is a refurbished ex-Soviet vessel. The *Liaoning *could carry twenty-four J-15 fighters. The Type 001A can carry thirty-six J-15s plus various support aircraft and hel... more »
Explained: Why Does America Still Have Troops in Iraq?
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, Middle East* Aren't they suppose to have left? We explain what is going on. The Iraqi Parliament has followed through on their promise to vote for the expulsion of U.S. troops from Iraqi soil following a U.S. drone strike against top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, putting the spotlight back on the Trump administration’s plans to maintain a continued Middle-Eastern military presence amid the uncertainty of the post-Soleimani world. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has spent the past several days addressing the confusion around an unsigned Pentagon letter... more »
Just Look At The Korean War: Fighting China Is A Terrible Idea
*Robert Farley* *Security, Asia* And it would be worse today. *Key point:* There was nothing good about the last Sino-American War, not even the “peace” that resulted from it. In November 1950, China and the United States went to war. Thirty-six thousand Americans died, along with upwards of a quarter million Chinese, and half a million or more Koreans. If the United States was deeply surprised to find itself at war with the People’s Republic of China, a country that hadn’t even existed the year before, it was even more surprised to find itself losing that war. The opening Chine... more »
Imagine This: A Hypersonic SR-71 Successor Spy Plane
*Harold C. Hutchison* *Technology, Americas* That can travel as fast as Mach 6/ *Key point:* Initial plans call for the SR-72 to be a drone. The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is rightly viewed as a legend. Best known as a recon plane that *nobody could hit*, it even was considered as *the basis for a fighter* and was the *second-fastest manned plane* in history. It served with the United States military from 1964-1998, and with NASA until 1999. The SR-71 had been developed from the A-12 OXCART (no relation to *the A-12 Avenger*), a single-seat plane capable of making high-speed recon... more »
India Wants To Replace Its MiG-27s, But What Jet Will Replace It?
*David Axe* *Security, * India is struggling to replace its MiG-27s and other old fighters. *Key Point:* New Delhi wants to spend around $18 billion acquiring 110 new fighters to replace MiG-21s and MiG-27s. The Indian air force plans in December 2019 finally to retire its last few Soviet-designed MiG-27 Flogger fighter-bombers, bringing to an end 38 years of MiG-27 operations in India and leaving the Kazakh air force as the last operator of the 1970s-vintage, swing-wing warplane. New Delhi’s last MiG-27 unit, No. 29 Squadron is based in Jodhpur in Rajasthan. Two other MiG-27 sq... more »
Putin and Erdogan Launch Turkish Stream Natural-Gas Pipeline
2017 map from EIA.gov. The route appears to have changed slightly. See more recent map in the RFERL article below. … Continue reading →
Belarus and Ukraine in exchange for Iran: Is such ‘deal’ possible for Trump and Putin?
As reported by Belsat: https://belsat.eu/en/news/minsk-and-kyiv-in-exchange-for-tehran-is-such-deal-possible-for-trump-and-putin “Minsk and Kyiv in exchange for Tehran. Is such ‘deal’ possible for Trump and Putin? … Continue reading →
Iran, the United States and Operation Enduring Freedom - Sowing the Seeds of Distrust With Washington
Let's open this posting with a lengthy quote: "*The Afghan war has produced at least one set of improbable bedfellows: the US and Iran. That is why the battle for Herat in southwest Afghanistan on Monday, November 12, stood out from the Northern Alliance’s other rapid-fire wins. Beyond giving the anti-Taliban movement a key city and control over the main routes to Iran and Turkmenistan, winning Herat may be remembered as a turning point for America’s foreign relations outside Afghanistan too, because it brought the US and Iran together militarily for the first time since the anti-Am... more »
Trump Assassinated the Leading General Who Fought Against ISIS.
Eric Zuesse, originally posted at The Saker Even some mainstream U.S. ‘news’-media (but none that are Republican) acknowledge the fact that Qasem Soleimani was among the most effective of all nations’ generals who fought against ISIS. Other mainstream U.S. ‘news’-media seem very reluctant to do so, because the entirety of America’s mainstream ‘journalism’ has spewed […] More The post Trump Assassinated the Leading General Who Fought Against ISIS. appeared first on The Duran.
ARE REPUBLICANS ABOUT TO DECLARE VICTORY?
On Twitter last night, I made a prediction: By morning, the Republicans are going to be calling this a huge win for Trump. https://t.co/mSUIZjv68a — Steve M. (@nomoremister) January 8, 2020 In response to the Iranian attack on military targets in Iraq occupied by U.S. forces, Representative Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) said: So what I'm watching for, as these missiles fall literally as we speak, is: Are they hitting infrastructure, or are they specifically trying to target Americans and kill Americans? If they're hitting infrastructure, that could be a signal that, while [the Iranians] ... more »
Preparing For A New War Against Libya
The arrival of new weapons and fighters in Libya heralds a new war against the population. In reality, the situation has never calmed down since the attack by NATO in accordance with the Rumsfelf/Cebrowski strategy of endless war. By taking a further step, the protagonists will not solve anything, but will extend the conflict zone.
Iran News Links 8 January 2020
8 January 2020 — The New Dark Age There may be some duplication due to cross-posting and may be updated throughout the day, so please check back Iran strikes US bases in Iraq to avenge Soleimani, vows to target Israel and all US bases in the region (Al-Manar) http://thesaker.is/iran-strikes-us-bases-in-iraq-to-avenge-soleimani-vows-to-target-israel-and-all-us-bases-in-the-region-al-manar/ Iran strikes US bases in Iraq as … Continue reading Iran News Links 8 January 2020
US Speaker Nancy Pelosi Blames The White House For 'Needless Provocations'
*The Hill:* *Pelosi urges end to 'needless provocations' after Iran missile attack* Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday night called for an end to “needless provocations” from the Trump administration shorty after Iran claimed responsibility for launching unspecified projectiles at a military base housing U.S. troops in Iraq. “Closely monitoring the situation following bombings targeting U.S. troops in Iraq,” Pelosi tweeted. “We must ensure the safety of our service members, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its vi... more »
Podcast: "Does Populism Hollow Out Democracy?"
In December I took part in a very interesting conference in Budapest on constitutional developments and interpretation in "populist" Eastern European nations. In conjunction with the conference Martin Loughlin and I were interviewed for a podcast by DEMOS (@DEMOS_H2020), a project on "Democratic Efficacy and Populism in Europe." The podcast is now available, and some Balkinization readers might find it valuable. Here are links: Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PPJjoAK6mw Tweet: https://twitter.com/DEMOS_H2020/status/1214889019827466240
Iran Strikes & Tehran Plane Crash/Problematic Boeing Products
* Been trying to get a handle on the Iranian strikes into Iraq. The Plane crash looks to be more trouble with Boeing products... Following up on last nights breaking news:* - Breaking News: Reports of Iranian Strikes on Iraqi Base (Housing Americans) *Reuters had been reporting about alleged Iranian claims of 80 casualties- however that news appears to be questionable. As there are reports of zero casualties as well.* *TASS* *“80 people were killed in Iran’s missile attack on US bases in Iraq, Reuters reported with reference to Iran’s state television.”* *Most probably p... more »
Brazilian Corn Exporters Concerned about Collateral Effect of US-Iran Crisis
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Grain producers in Brazil, especially corn farmers, are very concerned about the recent US-Iranian clash in the Middle East. The escalation of the conflict, they say may hinder the South American country’s exports to Iran, one of largest importers of Brazilian corn. “For now, there has been no change (about exports […] The post Brazilian Corn Exporters Concerned about Collateral Effect of US-Iran Crisis appeared first on The Rio Times.
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