Brief - West, Middle East, Eastern Europe

BRIEF - MISC The West #Latvia - after Sweden pimps out the princess, Vatican pimps out the Pope: "Pope Francis meets with President of Latvia" - radiovaticana.va Christine Chilver ('Fifi') WWII British-Latvian seductress - SEO spy - http://goo.gl/ojGcrd  - said 2 bedded trainees / sleep talking #EU open borders joy >> 30-40 Latvian former prisoners now living in #UK (only obliged 2email probation officers) - http://goo.gl/2MZc1s  > EU law does allows requests 4 criminal history - if essential - but by law such enquires NOT allowed as ROUTINE !!! - #EU FRANCE France’s Sarkozy announces political comeback http://dlvr.it/6z2zLX NZ New Zealand Jewish PM wins third term http://toi.sr/1tLpnoH  via @timesofisrael >> #NZpol “Key’s victory comes just weeks after Israel rejected Wellington’s proposed non-resident envoy to Israel, Jonathan Curr”  [TimesofIsrael] Look-up:  rejected b/c also envoy to Palestine Authority. [abcnews/net/au] Middle East YEMEN BREAKING NEWS: #Yemen Shiite rebels seize government HQ: AFP via @jerryliet #cdnpoli #BREAKING: #Yemeni prime minister submits resignation http://ara.tv/m3a6v Yemen PM [Prime Minster Mohammad Basindawa] quits as violence rages in capital #Yemen - Houthis = Zaidi branch of Shia Islam aka Fivers - sect almost excl/ present in Yemen - similar 2 Sunni - Believe prophet / Imam ? - Iraq, Lebanon & Iran = Twelvers Shia - which different.  Houthis in Yemen described as 'powerful clan'. Alleged Iran backed. - Yemeni govt backing allegedly al-Qaeda + Saudi Arabia. Looks like Houthis have taken control of Yemen - PM resigned. #NATO’s "Terror Hordes in Iraq a Pretext for #Syria Invasion" >> http://goo.gl/jcx9ua  >> bit involved 4 me but good info on Middle East #Iran Facebook, Twitter & YouTube inaccessible w/out illegal software. Viber, Tango and WhatsApp 2 be banned - http://goo.gl/8nxcII -----------------------------------------  Eastern Europe #Novorossiya >> What's with the disarm deal? Sounds like a double-cross trap being set up by Ukr. & friends. #Russia - anti-war protests - Igor Irtenyev Russian poet agitates >> "In 2011, he emigrated to Israel in opposition to Vladimir Putin" PEN Intl - w/wide assoc. of writers, formed London, comm. 1920s to promote 'friendship' etc - One of 1st NGOs / intl HR advoc/ AFP "#Russian national TV has portrayed Kiev authorities as a "fascist junta" bent on persecuting Russian-speakers during the conflict." >> But fail to clarify that this is EXACTLY what the Ukies are! What a joke! >> "I believe that the war has been provoked by Putin" .. Is there an Obama blackout over there? Dude can't see what US did. -------------------------------------- COMMENT Just random bits of information and comments. Really don't think it's a good idea to disarm for anyone fighting over independence and territory. Yemen seems to be where all the action was.  At first I thought that the Houthis have taken over.  But maybe I'm wrong and they just wanted a change of government.    Discovered that it's easier to remember information about countries if you see some photos associated with the country. In my mind's eye I can see downtown Sana'a, so it helps remember the news (I think). Hmmm ... just had a look at Google images and, boy, was I wrong imagining Sana'a as a modern city.  Guess you've got to look at more than one photo.  LOL.   The city isn't familiar, like I imagined. It's very old and 'alien' looking (from my western urban perceptive).  I'm taking a guess that large parts of the city and, maybe the customs, are unchanged from biblical times.  What else? Surprised Russia isn't clamping down on foreign agitator NGOs in their midst. I've not read the Sarkozy come-back article yet.    Bling Bling should get elected no problems in France, as they've got a history of political figures associated with corruption allegations who remained in power. The Israelis are funny.  Surprised to see the word 'c*cksucker' in Times of Israel.  The impression I get of them is that they're people who kind of let it all hang out -- and from snippets I've encountered here and there, I also get the impression they've got a sense of humour.   Surprised anyone (non-western) allows PEN International to operate within their borders.   When I see NGO, all I can think is:  stirring up trouble by stealth.  NZ’s Jonathan Curr’s now ambassador in Turkey.  Turkey’s nice and slack.  No danger of kidnap.   Don’t know who wound up with the Middle East appointment.  Too lazy too check.  Expect it will pop up some time during online travels.

USA - Miscellaneous

USA McAfee dude retweeted by IISS .. on dealing with cyber threat @ national level .. strategic challenge >> Oh, dear .. there goes the internet 'P/ship 4 Civil Justice' challenge #USA State Dept /Ray McGovern's brutal arrest & "Be On the Look-Out"> RESCINDED http://goo.gl/cyN8TK ISIS - Private 'Security' & or. Contractor Why does #USA allow private corporations to effectively behave as government? Check out this bizarre video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=80ZzBko3XGg … Video associated with site below: http://beforeitsnews.com/war-on-terror/2014/09/what-isis-has-a-website-in-america-thats-linked-to-our-gov-watch-before-its-removedbecause-it-will-be-2444882.html?utm_content=awesm-publisher&utm_source=direct-b4in.info&utm_medium=facebook-share&utm_campaign=&utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fb4in.info%2Fpfgh COMMENT International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) "Some observers have argued that certain policies advocated by the IISS have increased Muslim hostility toward the United States and undermined global security." [Wikipedia - here] The above's a mixed bag of what caught my attention. IISS is the British pro-American 'think tank'. Guessing it's a kind of 'old boys' establishment (corporate interests) 'club' lobby group that meddles in 'international relations', behind the scene. Partnership for Justice Fund "nonprofit progressive legal organization based in Washington DC" "focuses on cases regarding free speech and dissent, domestic spying and surveillance, police misconduct, government transparency, and educating the public about their rights" [Wikipedia - here] No doubt both Ray McGovern and the PFJ are happy with their win. Stumbled on the private 'security' (and other) contractor video.   What's interesting to me is that such organisations even exist.   It's curious that private contractor companies are taking over the role of government functions in the US  -- ie corporations perform government functions, as I see it. The first thing I think is that it's a great way for governments to hide what they're doing:  it's not like you're going to get government accountability and transparency out of arm's length contractors. I've not gone to the site on the video to check it out for myself.   The whole thing creeps me out too much.  Will leave it for another time.

In Summary: RUSSIA, FRANCE, UKRAINE

RUSSIA #Russia - x6 Rus. fighter jets intercepted near #Alaska - in Air Defence Identification Zone (not airspace) http://goo.gl/aWTtgZ ADIZ - no treaty, no reg. body etc - just 'buffer' space 2 prepare 4 foreign aircraft - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Defense_Identification_Zone … “The ADIZ is a zone of airspace which extends out approximately 200 miles from the coastline and is mainly within international airspace.” FOX NEWS SPINNING CRAP - "US fighter jets intercept #Russian military planes off Alaskan coast" - sound serious. but Rus. not in airspace. -----------------------------------------------------    FRANCE   #France - Marine Le Pen's anti-imm/ National Front party won abt 14 % of Calais vote in town hall elections in March [WorldBulletin]  Calais a prob 4  UK | ($6.4 million) annually over 3 years contribution to border control @ Calais - deal done [WorldBulletin] http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/144794/britain-france-agree-to-tackle-illegal-immigrants -----------------------------------------------------  UKRAINE RT >> "#Ukraine’s parliament agreed to give more autonomy to eastern parts" Economist >> #Novorossiya, that doesn't sound like independence -----------------------------------------------------  Watch #CarlBildt talk a heap of crap about #Russia 'smash & grab' & threat to World Order >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=sT0ITOYLjyE … Global Strategic Review >> 'Democracy' in #Ukraine 'threat' to Russia ... Carl & co need for find a new schtick. Nobody's buying democracy for Ukr. Carl's prescription: 'help' Ukr. REFORM ECON/ end 'insane' dependence subsid. GAS 'preserve' + strengthen DEMOCR. pol system >> This will line pockets of West ... er, save Ukr, THWART Kremlin 'ambitions' & FEARS of LARGE PARTS EU will subside! LOL >>> Once that's sorted, everyone can get on with real agenda ... COLONISATION .. er, 'integration' ... hahahah >Resort to 'decade ago' nostalgia crap .. prosperity, security, freedom, peace & stability ... NOW 'exposed', 'vulnerable' LOL >>> Cool ... Carl says #Putin could well be in power in #Russia a decade from now! Maybe Carl can get anor job in Georgia? > Well, well ... Carl did say 'IF' they succeed (referring 2 Ukr/ 'project') .. so Carl & co ain't so sure of themselves. LOL  Postscript Carl Bildt is honoured to be invited to become a member of the Council of IISS COMMENT Bildt's heading for the IISS. Probably his reward.  Looks like it's where all the establishment types go when they've served their purposes in government etc. Fox News media distortion spotted.  With the picture of the US jet fighter and the headline, you'd think this 'interception' of Russian jet-fighters was some big deal.  Nope, it's not.  Weren't even in US airspace.  Furthermore, this sort of thing is a common occurrence ... someone quoted as saying 'about 10 times a year' (paraphrasing). That's about it from yesterday's travels.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

In Brief: On Venezuela & On New Zealand

VENEZUELA Standard & Poor’s downgraded #Venezuela & put the chances of sovereign DEFAULT in coming 2 yrs at 50%. >>http://goo.gl/aXg9py >>> Uh-oh! #Peru Alonso Segura is new Finance Minister / has the task of reviving economy hit by lower commodity prices. http://goo.gl/aXg9py -----------------------------------------------------  NEW ZEALAND MT I've just spoken 2 my friend John key PM of NZ. I congratulated him on a big election win on back of great economic plan [Dave Cameron] >> Fancy these two being chums ... LOL -----------------------------------------------------  COMMENT ALONSO SEGURA new Finance Minister, Venezuela. Wall Street Journal indicates he's a well-known economist.  No policy changes expected.  Article - here. Not only is it unbelievable that Key got elected; now Judith Collins is back as well! *Facepalm* -- what's going on in NZ? The Scotland and New Zealand results are really depressing.

Asia, Africa, Middle-East

ASIA #China trial began : Ilham Tohti, critic of govt policies towards ethnic Uighurs (Muslims) in Xinjiang. http://goo.gl/aXg9py #Thailand - coup generals order name of self-exiled billionaire former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s to be erased from text books. / Economist How Alibaba measures up  #IT #Business - >> http://goo.gl/GfNAWG  - cool graph - #China e-commerce craps on everyone else #China - Central bank injects ($81 billion) into financial system via loans 2 big banks for stimulus / http://goo.gl/BuXrtY  / Heaps info -----------------------------------------------------  AFRICA #Zimbabwe: Mugabe appoints 17 new ambassadors http://goo.gl/6YNJbE - serve 4 yr terms, conditionally renewable #Nigeria 15 pp killed after gunmen attacked teacher-training college>> http://goo.gl/aXg9py - 12 soldiers 2 firing squad over May mutiny #SouthSudan foreigners (excl. diplomats & govt aid agencies) OUT w/in month / RETRACTED amid criticism it would disrupt aid progs /Economist International Organisation for Migration "estimates that 3,000 migrants have died trying to cross the sea to Europe so far this year" / Economist -----------------------------------------------------  MIDDLE-EAST "... where the Press is ‘free’ the problem today is that there is in fact no truly free media. " >> http://goo.gl/ytgMjs  Gulf News I’d have to disagree and say that while the alternate press many not be unbiased, it is at least free to publish a non-establishment point of view. For me, the issue is biased, sneaky, establishment & foreign-interest slanted media in the *mainstream*. R T>> "Turkey would join anti-ISIL coalition if the U.S. had a clear-cut strategy to take out Assad." >> Why Assad? Source - Twitter commentary (Mahir Zeynalov, journalist) -----------------------------------------------------  COMMENT As I understood it, some sort of slowing of China economy:  hence the injection for stimulus.   Noticed the European press refers to 'migrants' or 'immigrants' in news that is about refuge seekers.   There's probably an essay about corporate globalism, imperialism, NGOs and the role of media distortion right there. Still don't know enough about the Middle East to figure out why Assad is such a target for the West.  But I expect I'll get there eventually.  Don't read enough of the Middle East news at the moment.

Cybersecurity, Techie & Other

CYBERSECURITY, TECHIE & Other US 'SECRET STATE' #US national security state w/in a state = 6 million classified persons (larger than Norway, NZ or Scotland pop)! >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=aMYqzGwwoF8 … -----------------------------------------------------  CYBERSECURITY #cybersecurity - Dropbox, Google & Open Technology World - lending support 2 Simply Secure 2 devel. easy-use sec. http://goo.gl/09sw4B -----------------------------------------------------  DIGITAL CURRENCY / BITCOIN Have notes & coins have had their day? Kenneth Rogoff, of Harvard University, reckons they have. http://goo.gl/4y6Ewo  / #Bitcoin ? -----------------------------------------------------  WHISTLEBLOWERS http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/144776/switzerland-prepares-to-tighten-screws-on-whistleblowers #Switzerland's parliament proposed bill Monday - weakening protection 4 whistleblowers - http://goo.gl/JcBXM9  Julius Baer / #WikiLeaks / The Swiss law is another bit of gagging legislation going around various govts. What's with that lately? It's 4 cover-ups #Switzerland clamping down on whistleblowers but offers #Snowden asylum. If I were Snowden, I'd politely decline ... LOL -----------------------------------------------------  COMMENT Loads of interesting information here.  The bit about the US 'state within a state' is rather spooky.   Might have to cross-reference that one with the other US info.

AUSTRALIA - Great Barrier Reef - UN Reclassification Dodge & Civil Liberties (Anti-Terror Laws)

AUSTRALIA Environment #Auspol >>To pre-empt UN from reclassifying GBR as “in danger”, Australia announced a 35-year plan 2 manage Great Barrier Reef >>Economist Civil Liberties #auspol >> there go civil liberties >> RT " #Australia to tighten anti-terror laws http://shar.es/1aswLs  " [Press TV News] Wednesday:  proposed legislation to go before Parliament. -----------------------------------------------------  COMMENT The Great Barrier Reef move is a sneaky move (is this the Slippery Government?). Appears the government may be aiming to serve the needs of corporations instead of protection of the environment. Anti-terror legislation interests me in terms of the threat to overall civil liberties.  Not big on any legislation that widens the powers of government or government agencies.