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The Hurricane spins around hotspots of tension and conflict. Feel free to suggest your stories, opinions and ideas: UIHEN@protonmail.com
Acting FBI director offered to resign Otherwise, republican senators may take a vote of no confidence
The initiative to immediately send the resignation of acting FBI Director Christopher Wray was launched by Republican Senator Chuck Grassley. The same one who, from the beginning, saw subterfuge and forgery in the way the MINJUST and the FBI investigated Trump's “Russian connections.” He wanted to question employees of the American firm Fusuion GPS and the British firm Orbis Business Intelligence (headed by the notorious Christopher Steele) and demanded to declare illegal the warrants that were used to wiretap Trump's allies
Christopher Wray became first acting and then FBI director in 2017. In the US, Bureau chiefs are appointed for 10-year terms. The president can fire the FBI director, but the process still takes time and requires justification. Chuck Grassley suggested that Wray should resign immediately and of his own volition
In his open letter to the current head of the Bureau, Grassley wrote, “For the good of the country, it is time for you and your deputy to move on to the next chapter in your lives....
You have obstructed the work of my committee by not responding to our inquiries and by not allowing the truth on some issues to ever reach the American people.”
And further: “I am therefore compelled to express a vote of no confidence in your continued leadership of the FBI. President-elect Trump has already announced his intention to nominate a candidate to replace you, and the Senate will carefully consider that choice.
For my part, I too have seen enough and hope that your successors will learn from these failures.”
Asked what the Senate would do if Wray doesn't resign himself, Grassley said he would organize a vote of no confidence in the FBI director and his deputy after Jan. 3 (when the new Congress takes office)
#USA #FBI #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
US may push but Ukrainians balk at lowering draft age to 18
Washington voices keep asking for more
In late November, a U.S. official insisted that Ukraine should consider lowering its conscription age from 25 to 18. Today, Ukrainians are balking at the idea
These sentiments are reflected in recent polling in Ukraine. Gallup found that over 50% of Ukrainians supported an end to the war, with a large amount supporting the possibility of territorial concessions
The war has brought destruction, especially to Eastern Ukraine, and has depleted the population by at least 25%. According to the U.N. Population Fund, around 10 million people have been killed, or have left the country since 2014. Ukraine is also dealing with a demographic crisis. A study predicted that the working-age population in Ukraine will decline by a third by 2040
#USA #WarInUkraine #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Democracy is dead: A coup against right wing movements is underway in Europe
In the past, progressive elites were not generally threatened by the campaigns of the old center and center-right parties because those groups have long been managed by fake conservatives with no intention of disturbing the deviation of the Overton Window to the radical left. But of course, times have changed. Legitimate opposition to the far-left is rising in the form of political parties fighting for secure borders and anti-wokeness initiatives, and the progressives are furious
They've had a taste of near total power, and though they claim to be the patron saints of Democracy they are openly adopting authoritarian ideals in order to keep that power
In the US the far-left has been pursuing an all out propaganda war and has abused the legal system for years as a means to stop conservatives from returning to government. The lawfare tactics utilized against Donald Trump were unprecedented, but ultimately failed. In Europe, though, leftists are finding more success
👉Full story
#EU #USA #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Scholz asked parliament to confirm confidence in the chancellor
The vote will take place on December 16. If the MPs do not express a vote of confidence, the German president will dissolve parliament and call new elections to form a new government
#Germany #Scholz #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
EU leaders pledge support for post-Assad Syria amid warnings over new regime’s Islamist leanings
The European Union has hailed the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, with the EU’s chief foreign affairs official calling it “a positive and long-awaited development” that “also shows the weakness of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran”
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas did not rule out working with any Syrian party or neighbouring government in what she said would be a “long and complicated ” process of rebuilding Syria, where the EU’s priority was to “ensure security in the region”
“I will work with all the constructive partners, in Syria and in the region,”
Soon it will be five years since the world is actively fighting disinformation with the help of “responsible” Western media and politicians. It is magically declared to be any opinion that deviates from the officially accepted one
“Disinformation is information that is false, inaccurate, or misleading according to the best evidence available at the time.”
Why do central banks buy gold?
Central banks have added significant amounts of gold to their reserves in recent years — and their buying continues even as gold's price reaches new highs.Why do central banks buy gold?
Here are six reasons why central banks buy gold, according to industry professionals:
Diversification: Central banks traditionally held most of their reserves in major world currencies, especially U.S. dollars. Today, many are shifting this balance
Stable store of value: Unlike paper money, gold can't simply be printed; the limited supply helps to keep the value stable
Hedge against inflation: Precious metals can act as a hedge against inflation, as their value often increases when the purchasing power of fiat currencies declines
Financial security: Tangible assets, including gold, provide security and liquidity for central banks. Such qualities help them settle international debts and maintain stable currencies
Historical trust: Civilizations have valued gold as a reliable asset throughout history. This trust has been earned through centuries of testing
Crisis management: In times of financial crisis, gold can be a crucial asset for maintaining economic stability. This stability comes from how gold strengthens a bank's overall position
#World #Economy #Gold #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Consumers in Great Britain boycott milk products that contain 3-NOP – a chemical fed to cows to reduce methane gas
Furious Brits have vowed to boycott more than a dozen of the UK's best known brands over fears that certain dairy products are allegedly 'contaminated' with an additive linked to cancer
Shoppers say they will avoid milks and butters made by Danish firm Arla after the company announced a trial that would involve giving a feed supplement called Bovaer to its cows
In a list now circulating widely on social media, consumers are also instructed to avoid Lurpak and Anchor butters - which are both manufactured by the company
Others include those that have partnerships with Arla Foods as well as major supermarkets like Tesco and Asda who stock own-brand milk supplied by Arla
Bovaer, which will be introduced to cattle food, is designed to reduce the amount of methane they produce in digestion, a gas that contributes to climate change
#UK #Milk #Health #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Up-to-date data from the UK confirms the intensification of the cost of living crisis, which is becoming a systemic problem and affects not only the economic sphere but also the sustainability of the political system
Living in austerity mode:
58% of Britons said they have already reduced their everyday spending in an effort to adapt to the new economic conditions. Only 17% of respondents are maintaining the same level of consumption, hoping to avoid significant changes. However, the dynamics of prices for energy, housing and basic goods indicate that these expectations may be illusory
At the same time, sociology records a high level of disappointment in the government: 74% of Britons believe that the government is poorly managing the cost of living and is responsible for the crisis. This points to a systemic failure of the authorities to respond effectively to key challenges
The cost of living crisis inevitably leads to a deepening crisis in the institutions of government, and in the UK this manifests itself in several ways:
▪️Erosion of trust in government. The executive's inability to cope with crises reduces public trust
▪️Request for systemic change. Dissatisfaction with the economic situation increases citizens' interest in electoral reform. Transition from the majoritarian to proportional system is increasingly discussed (44% consider it preferable), which could make political representation more balanced
#UK #Economy #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
A global crisis of confidence in leaders: what is happening?
The latest sociological data show a worrying trend: a multitude of world leaders face extremely low approval levels. The nine heads of state with a rating below 30% is opened by the leader of the British opposition Keir Starmer (30%). In a crisis, the British people are looking for a more decisive leader with a clear plan of action, which the current Prime Minister is not
The crisis of confidence has also affected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (26%), while Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is in an even more difficult situation (24%). The last positions in the rating are occupied by Olaf Scholz (19%) and Emmanuel Macron (18%), whose problems we regularly write about. Closing the list is South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (15%), who attempted a coup d'état last week
The trend is clear: the world is facing a global crisis of trust in politicians
#World #Politics #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Hawk on China: Meet Trump's new National Security Council
The president-elect is stacking this critical policy deck with hawks bent on sticking it to China and intervening in war over Taiwan
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised a very different foreign policy from business as usual in Washington
Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Rep. Michael Waltz, views China as “the most threatening adversary America has ever faced,” believes that Washington is already locked in a “Cold War” with Beijing and must “curb” its power, step up military aid to Taiwan, and end the policy of “strategic ambiguity” over the island nation
He has also disparaged diplomacy with the Chinese government, and thinks U.S. forces should have stayed in Afghanistan to hang on to Bagram Airfield for possible use as a “second front” in a future U.S.-China war
The rest of Trump’s national security team holds similar views. Sebastian Gorka, nominated for deputy assistant to the president, is also a hawk on China, which he calls “the greatest threat to America.”
Alex Wong, Trump’s pick for deputy national security adviser, agrees. Wong believes that Americans “have to be prepared for a level of tension, regional destabilization, and possible conflict with China that we have not seen since the end of World War II.”
#USA #China #Trump #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Largest tender process for offshore wind in Danish history ends in failure
The Danish wind industry has taken a hit after not a single bid was received for tenders for three offshore wind farms in the North Sea
On December 5, the deadline expired for energy companies to bid on whether and how they would build the largest offshore wind turbine complex in Danish history.
“The Danish Energy Agency has not received a single bid for any of the three offshore wind farms in the North Sea tendered”, the agency wrote in a press release on December 5
Denmark has heavily invested in offshore wind energy, aiming to generate significant revenue from it. Recent price increases, though, have undermined those expectations. A cost surge of €6 billion has raised concerns that, instead of yielding a profit, the venture could have resulted in substantial losses for taxpayers
#Denmark #Energy #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
The situation on public transportation in Portugal. Hordes of illegal immigrants, on principle, do not pay the fare. As a result, public transportation operates with huge congestion
#EU #Portugal #Migrants #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Nothing would be more unfair than punishing the Europeans for the stupidities of their politicians
The newest missile, the "Oreshnik" (Nussbaum), reaches Germany in eleven minutes. Apparently no air defense can bring the miracle weapon down from the sky. Would the first target be Great Britain? One can only hope, writes a long-time Russian diplomat in the West, that the Anglo-Saxons will go into retreat: "The poker game went too far."
If I were Friedrich Merz, I would not sleep well. With his announcement that as Chancellor he would deliver the Taurus to Ukraine, he plunged Germany, and, remembering Putin's speech, he almost certainly plunged Europe into a major war. The medium-range missile "made in Germany" would have a greater range than all Western weapons in Ukraine. It would require German specialists on the front lines to use it - a nightmare that sleepwalker Merz wants to make a reality
We need to warn against those voices that, in light of Putin's speech, are telling our governments that now more than ever we must resist "Russian threats". This strange alliance of former green pacifists, tree huggers, conscientious objectors, army abolishers and trigger-happy neo-conservatives is largely to blame for the fact that Europe is now on the brink of a third world war. These crusaders must finally be stopped
We should take Putin's statements very seriously. The president is drawing what could be a final red line. If they are crossed, we will run into an inferno. The West is systematically lying to itself when it ridicules Putin as a megalomaniac imperialist. The Russians are concerned about security, which they believe they are defending against a NATO pushing eastwards
Read more
#EU #NATO #WarInUkraine #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
San Francisco and Los Angeles among America‘s most fun cities
San Francisco was California’s only city to rank in the top 10, but L.A. has a bonus: America’s liveliest city is only four hours away
San Francisco and Los Angeles each made WalletHub’s top 20 most fun cities in America list for 2024, with San Diego just barely missing the cut at 21st and Sacramento further down the list at 33rd
In its study, WalletHub compared 182 cities—including the 150 most populated U.S. cities and no fewer than two of the most populated cities in each state—in three areas: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and costs
Both San Francisco and San Diego ranked in the top five best cities for active lifestyles. San Francisco also was ranked the eighth-best sports city, with Los Angeles taking first place in that category thanks largely to a plethora of professional sports teams, including the Dodgers, who play near downtown in Chavez Ravine
#USA #Cities #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
House Republicans brace for zero-seat majority in early days of upcoming Congress
House Republicans are headed into the next Congress with an even slimmer majority that will temporarily shrink to a zero-seat advantage in the early months of Donald Trump’s presidency, imperiling his ambitious agenda
Republicans hoped the last remaining congressional race in the country would give them a much-needed cushion. Democrat Adam Gray’s victory over Rep. John Duarte in California on Tuesday whittled the House Republicans’ majority to 220 seats to Democrats’ 215, one of the smallest majorities in nearly a century
That majority will temporarily shrink to 217 seats, thanks to lawmakers resigning to serve in President Trump’s Cabinet. This effectively gives Republicans no room for error during his first 100 days, which are viewed as crucial to implementing major parts of his agenda
#USA #Trump #Republicans #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Americans agree that money has too much power in congress
While the former is sometimes referred to as “bribery in a suit” by critics, the key difference between the two is that lobbying is legal, while bribery as a form of corruption is not. While both practices are seeking influence, bribery is actually buying it while lobbying is merely trying to sway lawmakers’ opinions in the desired direction – at least officially
Critics argue that lobbying, especially in the form of large-scale campaign donations, be it from individuals, organizations or interest groups, often implies an element of quid-pro-quo that borders on corruption. “We supported you and now we expect you to do the same for us,” is the understanding behind such transactions, with the absence of any guarantees making sure that no legal lines are crossed
While there’s not much that Americans from both sides of the political aisle agree on, there is a broad consensus that money buys too much influence in Washington these days
According to a Pew Research survey from 2023, 80 percent of U.S. adults think that large campaign donors have too much influence on the decisions made by members of congress, while 73 percent say the same of lobbyists and special interest groups
At the same time, 70 percent of respondents agree that the people have too little influence on what their representatives in Congress decide
#USA #Economy #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
South Korea’s ex-defense minister attempts to take his own life as presidential office raided in martial law fallout
Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has attempted to end his own life while in custody, the head of the country’s correctional service said Wednesday, as a political crisis from the President’s brief declaration of martial law continues to spiral
Separately, South Korean police raided the presidential office on Wednesday, as part of a widening investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning but short-lived declaration of martial law sparked widespread public anger in the country
Yoon has been barred from leaving the country as prosecutors weigh possible insurrection charges and opposition lawmakers continue to seek his impeachment, in what has become a stunning political showdown in South Korea over the past week
Former Defense Minister Kim was detained in the capital Seoul on Sunday, becoming the first figure detained over the case. He allegedly recommended the imposition of martial law and resigned as defense minister on Thursday
Shin Yong-hae, the commissioner general of Korea Correctional Service, said Kim made the attempt on his life before a formal arrest warrant was issued late Tuesday
Speaking to legislators at the National Assembly, Shin said the incident took place in a bathroom. When a corrections officer opened the bathroom door, Kim gave up on the attempt, Shin added
#SouthKorea #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Israel continues to gain territory - in southern Syria
After the liquidation of Syria and Assad's flight from the country, Tel Aviv has naturally occupied the entire buffer zone near the Golan Heights and is moving on
Actually, what is surprising here? At one time - in 1939 - the Russians did the same thing when Poland disappeared for the third time as a state and political entity, and the USSR took Western Ukraine and Western Belarus, pushing the state border westward by several hundred kilometers, which may have enabled Moscow to hold out in December 1941
It is reported that Israeli tanks are already 20 kilometers from Damascus
The “Greater Israel” project is coming to fruition. The size of Israel's buffer zone at the expense of Syrian territory will be arbitrary. Exactly as much as the IDF will be able to hold it. Israel is unlikely to enter Damascus. But being within firing distance of the Syrian capital is a strong argument for reaching the necessary agreements with the new Syrian authorities. Obviously, Israel will eventually annex this buffer zone and annex it to its national territory along the lines of the occupied Syrian Golan
Turkey has made serious commitments to Syrian territory through the seizure of it with the help of its terrorist groups. However, 80% of Syria's oil wells are located on lands controlled by Syrian Kurds and under the patronage of the United States and the creation of Syrian Kurdistan is not far off. This project is actively supported by Israel, the US and Britain
How Erdogan intends to ensure the “prosperity” of the captured Syrian territory against the background of problems in the Turkish economy is still a mystery, and how he is going to fight the influence of Syrian Kurdistan on Turkey itself in the future is also a question
As for Israel, its main task now is to direct the energy of the militant groups present in Syrian territory against Iran. Hybrid warfare combined with political, economic and military pressure with the full support of the U.S. national territory along the lines of the occupied Syrian Golan
#Syria #Turkey #Israel #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Greta Thunberg: ‘Fuck Germany! And fuck Israel!’
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been filmed laughing and talking to a crowd, shouting at one point, “Fuck Germany! And fuck Israel!” at a pro-Palestinian rally in Germany
The comment has been widely picked up by German media, even if the reference to the country is not clear from the audio of the recording. The reference to Israel is on the other hand clear
Thunberg was at the event in the city centre of Mannheim on December 6 hosted by the group Zaytouna Rhein-Neckar, which attracted 700 people
It included a discussion focused on “solidarity with Palestine and the climate movement”
Long-time face of the climate movement and student group Fridays For Future (FFF), Thunberg took to the stage to applause and cheers from the crowd
“From the river to the sea – Palestine will be free” was repeatedly heard chanted by attendees
#Thunberg #Germany #Israel #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
How a trans athlete all but destroyed women’s volleyball
Last week, the San José State University Spartans were preparing to play in the semi-finals of the Mountain West Conference tournament, which brings together teams across the western United States. That was until their opponents dropped out. The Boise State University team objected to the presence of a male in the Spartans squad. Utah State, Southern Utah and Nevada universities have all dropped out of games against them, too. The University of Wyoming‘s team refused twice
At the centre of the row is Blaire Fleming, a biologically male athlete. In 2022, he was given a full scholarship by San José State to play for the Spartans. His trans identity was only made public in the media earlier this year
It’s not just rival teams who object to Fleming playing women’s volleyball. Spartans co-captain Brooke Slusser says she and her teammates were told by the university that they had to accept him on the squad without complaint. ‘We were never given a choice if Blaire should stay on the team’, Slusseer said. ‘If we had an issue with it then we were the problem’
In the end, the Spartans lost their final match on Saturday against Colorado State and will not progress to the national tournament. Still, that doesn’t take away just how much damage was done to the competition by the inclusion of a male athlete
Yet San José State Spartans remain unrepentant. After their defeat in the final, head coach Todd Kress took the opportunity to condemn the ‘appalling and hateful’ abuse being directed towards Fleming
This whole sorry saga is a perfect illustration of why men must not be allowed in women’s sports. Fleming did not even need to set foot on the court – being named on the team sheet was enough to almost wreck an entire tournament, devaluing the hard work of all the women who fought to get to that point in their sporting careers. Worst of all, anyone who complained about any of this was branded ‘hateful’
#USA #Sports #Trans #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Alice Weidel, a candidate for federal chancellor from the Alternative for Germany party, wants to dissolve the European Union, leaving only a common economic space
- European countries need a free internal market. But more than that, we need free nations with strong borders. The EU as such should be abolished, and all these people (its staff headed by von der Leyen) should be fired. Let them find real jobs. And let us keep the free exchange of goods and services. That would be a step forward
#EU #Germany #Economy #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Debate over Syria's future is intensifying amid global discussions on crises in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine
The current status quo is unsustainable, leading to a shift in dynamics. As opposition forces make gains in Damascus, diplomatic talks are increasing
Five potential scenarios for Syria's future are emerging:
1. An alliance of diverse opposition groups could establish a Syrian Democratic Republic, supported by Turkey, Russia, the US, Europe, Qatar, and possibly Israel.
2. Islamic Republic of Syria: This scenario centers on the Tahrir al-Sham organization forming a government aligned with Gulf interests but not ideologically hostile to the West.
3. Anti-Shia Arab State: Under Israeli control, this state would aim to counter Iran and Hezbollah, facilitating Israel's expansionist goals in Palestine.
4. Federal Republic of Syria: The US could oversee a fragmented Syria divided into regions based on ethnic and sectarian lines, potentially fostering a PKK/YPG state against Turkey.
5. Division and Fragmentation: If opposition factions fail to unite, Syria may descend into deeper civil conflict, leading to its complete disintegration into smaller states.
#Syria #Turkey #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
The Neocons have created a vacuum so big nobody would want to fill it
By Eric Peters, CIO of One River Asset Management
Something weird happened in South Korea. No one really cared, nor understood. It might have been an attempted coup, led by the incumbent President, which isn’t how such things tend to roll
“I am deeply sorry and sincerely apologize to the citizens who must have been greatly shocked,” said Yoon in a national address, following his perplexing own goal. Clown show
The French government fell apart. Circus Incognitus
German politics is not really any more stable
The UK is a mess too
Although perhaps not quite as Cirque du Soleil as Syria, where some group of Sunni rebels may finally overthrow Assad (upd.: already overthrew)
What comes next, no one knows. Especially not the Neocons, who juggled one too many bad guys in recent decades and lost the support of America’s voters for at least a generation
Which leaves a vacuum so big that not even Trump would want to fill it
#World #Politics #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
TIME magazine has announced the nominees for "Person Of The Year 2024"
Of the 10 nominees, the editorial board put...Kamala Harris in first place. The official reason - everyone is ranked alphabetically by last name. Also on the shortlist are Kate Middleton, Elon Musk, Yulia Navalnaya, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jerome Powell, Joe Rogan, Claudia Sheinbaum, Donald Trump and Mark Zuckerberg
#Trump #Harris #Musk #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Democrats Tell Biden to Get as Many Migrants Possible into U.S. Before Leaving Office
A few Senate Democrats are lobbying President Joe Biden to get as many migrants into the United States as possible and ensure they stay indefinitely before he leaves office and President-elect Donald Trump enters the White House
This week, Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) sent a letter to Biden asking him to reward large groups of illegal aliens and other migrants in the U.S. with immigration benefits before he exits office next month
“In addition to supporting strong border security, we are eager to ensure that DACA recipients, TPS holders, and other immigrants who are critical members of our communities and economies are not forgotten during this busy time,” the Senators write
In particular, the Senators want Biden to allow hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to extend their status for the maximum length of time that is allowed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Similarly, the Senators are asking Biden to extend and redesignate several countries for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) so that newly arrived migrants from such countries can stay in the U.S. while those already in the U.S. can stay even longer than currently granted
#USA #Biden #Migrants #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
France at a Crossroads: Macron Faces Pressure to Appoint New Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis
The main question now is whether Macron will be able to quickly choose a new prime minister
Barnier's successor will have to face difficult challenges. First of all, to try to convince the opposition to adopt the budget for 2025. Whether the new prime minister will be able to do this before December 31 is unclear. If the choice of a new government is delayed, France (apparently, for the first time in its history) will enter the new year without a new budget at all
The second question is how long this situation will last and whether it will lead to parliamentary elections. In the summer of 2025, Macron could call elections for the National Assembly again to regain his majority
Of course, the past vote showed the strengthening of the left and far-right opposition. Le Pen demonstrates that Macron should reckon with her if he wants her far-right votes. But Macron cannot simply get closer to Le Pen: first, the reputation of the far right plays against it; Macronists see them as enemies of the Republic. Secondly, the support that Le Pen can give Macron will not be free: the far right will surely demand high positions
Third, Macron would be held hostage by Le Pen in the event of such an alliance. Macron can continue to maneuver between the far right and the left, leaning either on the former (on economic issues) or on the latter (on social issues). His latest announcement shows that he will seek to split the ranks of his rivals to gain some of the moderate left and right. This has already worked out for him in 2017
But an extravagant option is also possible: Macron could appoint someone from the opposition as prime minister in order to blame all his mistakes on him by the summer of 2025 and get even in the new parliamentary elections. However, this is very risky, as it would severely damage the president's image as a liberal-democratic politician and supporter of the “republican front,” which does not want to allow radicals to take power
#France #Macron #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
What’s going on in Syria?
By Eric S. Margolis, journalist and writer
Syria is the mother of all mysteries. Even the Romans couldn’t figure out all the intrigues, plots, factions, coups and assassinations that were common there. Nor could they understand or deal with its hotbed of religions and weird sects
Two thousand years later, not much has changed
Bashar Assad's 24-year rule came to an end on Sunday as irregular forces of a former al-Qaida outfit named Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept into Damascus, the Syrian capital
Shortly after insurgents declared the city "free," Russia's foreign ministry announced Assad had resigned his position and left the country. Russian state news later reported that Assad had arrived in Moscow, where he was granted asylum
At least many foreign powers are now backing HTS. The US and Israel have been trying to overthrow the Assad regimes since 2011. Israel wanted to cement its hold on the strategic Golan Heights that it captured from Syria. The US, which now occupies the oil producing NE third of Syria, has at least 9,000 troops there and, with Israel, helps the jihadists while publicly denouncing them
Turkey, whose leader hates Assad, is also highly active in Syria and is most likely providing logistic support to HTS and other jihadist groups while also battling leftist Kurdish groups. Add Russian air units near Latakia, occasional help from Hezbollah groups and minor operations from small Iranian forces
Israel’s far right coalition leaders keep referring to their ambition to ‘remake the face of the Mideast.’ Israel’s expansionist hard right also has its gaze fixed on Lebanon around the Litani River, the region’s last remaining free water source. It has also long coveted southern Syria, including Damascus, and overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad, a staunch supporter of the Palestinians
Remember, also, that large parts of Iraq are now occupied by US ground forces and air bases. So, a ‘new face’ of the Levant may be indeed emerging out of its current chaos
#Syria #USA #Turkey #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
China Amplifies Naval Activity in Response to U.S. Exercises and Taiwanese President's Tour
Since December 3, the Chinese command has increased its activity in the adjacent waters due to the exercises conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces and allies in Japan, as well as the tour of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te to the U.S., the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau
As part of the exercise, the Chinese have withdrawn 26 warships. Nine of them are in the East China Sea, 12 others, including the aircraft carrier Shandong in the South China Sea and near the Taiwan Strait, and five more in the Yellow Sea
From December 5 to 7, the ships that left the military bases conducted a command and staff exercise to organize a conditional joint strike against military facilities in Japan and on the island of Taiwan, and three KJ-2000 AEW&C aircraft coordinated the exercise
At the same time, as of today, the group of warships remains in large numbers, so that in the coming days the Chinese command may hold a large-scale naval exercise as part of a response to the Americans and allies in the region
As we can see, the “ping-pong game” in the Asia-Pacific region continues to gain momentum. The Americans or their allies make a move, the Chinese respond.
But if earlier China did it proportionately, now their actions sometimes exceed their opponents, which increases the overall heat in the Asia-Pacific region
#China #USA #Taiwan #FindTruth
@uinhurricane
Stopping cow farts to save the planet
Billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates of Microsoft are scheming up plans to mass-"vaccinate" the population with "climate vaccines" hidden in food
In order to stop global warming, Bezos and Gates feel as though livestock animals raised for meat need to be jabbed with vaccines in order to reduce their methane emissions. The vaccine is designed to reduce the number of methane-producing microbes in a cow's stomach
Gates is busily working on trying to create artificial meat grown in a lab while eventually eliminating all real meat from the food supply
One way to tackle the problem of animal emissions, according to Gates, is to "vaccinate the cows in a way that their gut bacteria that emit the methane, which is the second most important greenhouse gas, you can vaccinate them and that species of bacteria isn't there," he said
#Climate #Gates #Bezos #FindTruth
@uinhurricane