Politics

Barter Agreement Between Russia And Iran Sidesteps Sanctions

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Putin chess

– Barter Agreement Between Russia and Iran Sidesteps Sanctions (Russia Insider, April 16, 2015):

Although Russia claims the agreement on a barter system with Iran was designed in order not to run afoul of the sanctions, the deal still could add further strain in its relations with its fellow P5+1 negotiator

This article originally appeared at Oil Price

An oil-for-goods barter system between Iran and Russia is well under way and is not affected by the sanctions imposed on some trade with Iran because of its nuclear program, according to Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov.

So far, the system, designed to last five years, is operating on a “very significant scale,” Ryabkov told legislators on April 13 in Moscow. “In exchange for Iranian crude oil supplies, we are delivering certain products,” he said. “This is not banned or limited under the current sanctions regime.”

Read moreBarter Agreement Between Russia And Iran Sidesteps Sanctions

Russia S-300 Missile Sale Worries Those Who Aren’t Ruling Out Bombing Iran

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu netanyahu-speaks-at-un-about-iranian-bomb

– Russia Anti-Air Missile Sale Worries Those Who Aren’t Ruling out Bombing Iran — Russian Lawmaker (Russia Insider, April 15, 2015):

Unless you plan to bomb Iran Russia’s sale of S-300 missiles shouldn’t worry you

MOSCOW, April 14 (TASS) – The chairman of the Federation Council’s international affairs committee, Konstantin Kosachev, believes that the worst worries over the supplies of Russian air defense systems S-300 are felt by those who do not rule out the possibility of bombing raids against that country.

“It looks like the supplies of Russian air defense systems S-300 to Iran trouble mostly those who do not rule out their own bombing raids against that country,” Kosachev told the media, adding that it remained to be seen which side (Iran or its opponents) “pose the worst threat to peace.”

Read moreRussia S-300 Missile Sale Worries Those Who Aren’t Ruling Out Bombing Iran

India Scraps Major Arms Purchase With France, Inks Major Deal With Russia

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Sukhoi

– India Scraps Major Arms Purchase with France, Inks Major Deal with Russia (Russia Insider, April 15, 2015):

India’s Congress Party has canceled most of its order of 126 French Rafales and opted for a large order of Russian Sukhois

This article originally appeared at Daily of the Breton State. It was translated by Tom Winter at Fort Russ

India has essentially annulled it gigantic arms contract with France for the purchase and combined construction of 126 Rafale fighter planes; the Indian Prime Minister agreed to buy only

36 of them during his visit to Paris last week, a responsible government source stated. Instead, India will buy 127 fifth generation Russian fighter jets.

Read moreIndia Scraps Major Arms Purchase With France, Inks Major Deal With Russia

In Last 9 Months Russia Repaid $100 BILLION Of Debt

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– In Last 9 Months Russia Repaid $100 Bn of Debt (Russia Insider, April 15, 2015):

Painful in the short term, but not exactly weakening Russian economy in terms of debt to GDP

This article originally appeared at True Economics

With Q1 out of the way, Russia passed a significant milestone in terms of 2015 external debt redemptions.

In total USD36.647 billion of external debt matured in Q1 2015, the highest peak for the period of Q1 2015 – Q3 2016. Even controlling for inter-company loans and equity positions, the figure was around USD24 billion for Q1 2015, again, the highest for the entire 2015 and the first three quarters of 2016.

Here is the breakdown of maturing external debts:

Russia-debt

All in, over the last 3 quarters alone, Russia has managed to repay and roll over USD156.23 billion worth of external debt, with net repayment estimated at around USD96.5 billion.

Read moreIn Last 9 Months Russia Repaid $100 BILLION Of Debt

Russia Is Modernizing Its Fleet Of MiG-31 Interceptor Jets

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MiG-31
MiG-31 is the fastest fighter jet in active service

– Russia Is Modernizing Its Fleet of MiG-31 Interceptor Jets (Russia Insider, April 15, 2015):

The first batch of 24 modernized MiG-31 BM fighter jets enters service

This article originally appeared at Defence Talk

The first 24 modernized MiG-31BM fighter jets have been delivered to the Russian Armed Forces. Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said more than ten aircraft will be delivered to troops ever year.

“After completing the modernization of the MiG-31, we expect that military forces will have more than 130 updated, outstanding aircraft with key technical parameters available for use,” said Yuri Borisov. According to him, about 12-13 aircraft undergo modernization per year.

Read moreRussia Is Modernizing Its Fleet Of MiG-31 Interceptor Jets

Russia Ready To Sue Ukraine Over $3 Billion Debt

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– Russia Ready to Sue Ukraine Over $3 Billion Debt (Russia Insider, April 15, 2015):

In late 2013, Russia bought $3 billion worth of Ukraine’s non-tradable Eurobonds with a coupon of 5 percent and maturity in December 2015. Russia has notified Ukraine that it expects it to honor its obligations

MOSCOW, April 15 (RAPSI) – Russia will turn to courts should Ukraine fail to repay its $3 billion debt on time, RIA Novosti reported, citing Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.

Read moreRussia Ready To Sue Ukraine Over $3 Billion Debt

Bellingcat’s BUK Caught On Video With The Ukrainian Army

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BUK 312
BUK 312

– Bellingcat’s BUK Caught on Video with the Ukrainian Army (Russia Insider, April 15, 2015):

We are waiting for Eliot Higgins, Aric Toler and the rest of the Bellingcat crew to explain this one…

This article originally appeared at Separatists Referendum

British Mi5 social media misinformation site Bellingcat has stated that a BUK number 312 was the BUK missile vehicle that shot down Malaysian Airlines flight MH-17. They have presented still images to attempt to prove their case. There are rumors that the still images they presented are being used by the Dutch Safety Board as evidence in the investigation into the downing of MH-17, however, the very same number BUK 312 was recorded on video in July 2014 in the war zone right before MH-17 was shot down. The US government and media have also used these still images to place blame upon Russia.

Read moreBellingcat’s BUK Caught On Video With The Ukrainian Army

Yemen: Another Failed U.S. Military Intervention

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The Week In Mideast Photos

– Yemen: Another Failed U.S. Military Intervention (Huffington Post, Aprl 13, 2015):

In addition to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, yet another U.S. military intervention is in shambles: the U.S. drone war against al Qaeda’s most potent regional affiliate — al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Heretofore, despite the rise of the perhaps even more brutal Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), mainly a threat to the Middle East region, the U.S. government has continued to regard AQAP in Yemen as the most severe terrorist threat to the United States. Although the group hasn’t been very active recently, it was involved in the Paris attacks a while back and in foiled bomb plots against U.S.-bound aircraft, including the underwear bombing, even further back.

After the 9/11 attacks, George W. Bush expanded his “War on Terror” from the Afghanistan/Pakistan region and started attacking Islamist militants in Yemen from the air. In 2006, AQAP was born after 23 militants escaped from prison in Yemen. Journalists, both locally in Yemen and from the West, have documented that the U.S. drone war under Bush and now Obama has actually increased the numbers of AQAP fighters.

Read moreYemen: Another Failed U.S. Military Intervention

Europe Will Be Very Angry When It Learns Greece Is About To Buy Russian Anti-Aircraft Missiles

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S-300

– Europe Will Be Very Angry When It Learns Greece Is About To Buy Russian Anti-Aircraft Missiles (ZeroHedge, April 15, 2015):

Just days after Russia lifted sanctions on providing anti-aircraft missiles to Iran, Reuters reports that The Greeks are in talks with Russia to purchase missiles for the S-300 defense system. Greece, a NATO member, has been in possession of the advanced Russian-made systems since the late 1990s and in a defiant show of independence towards Troika, is now negotiating with Russia for the purchase of additional missiles and for their maintenance.

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Ahead Of Varoufakis’ Meeting With Famous Sovereign Bankruptcy Lawyer S&P Downgrades Greece To CCC+

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– Ahead Of Varoufakis’ Meeting With Famous Sovereign Bankruptcy Lawyer S&P Downgrades Greece To CCC+ (ZeroHedge, April 15, 2015):

To think it was just recently in September of last year when the S&P, seemingly unaware of the tragic reality facing Greece in just a few months (by reality we meen democratic elections which overthrew the previous regime which was merely a group of Troika picked technocrats), upgraded Greece to B and said “The upgrade reflects our view that risks to fiscal consolidation in Greece have abated.” Well, the risks have unabated, and two months after S&P flipflopped and downgraded Greece back to B- on February 6, moments ago it downgraded it again, this time to triple hooks, aka the dreaded CCC+. But, as City AM reports, the biggest news is that the Greek Finance Minister “will on Friday meet with infamous sovereign debt lawyer Lee Buchheit, who has helped numerous countries restructure their debt. Buchheit is a partner at top US law firm Cleary Gottlieb.”

…

Flashback: Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton Supports Monsanto

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Hillary:

“I stand in favor of using seeds and products that have a proven track record …There is a big gap between what the facts are, and what the perceptions are.”

Fact is that (NON-GMO) wheat & barley seeds have a ‘proven track record’ that is thousands of years old and have been found in the great pyramids …

.. aaaand those seeds were still sprouting (!!!) …

… unlike GMO seeds.

Speaking of track records …

Hillary-corrupt

– Flashback: Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton Supports Monsanto (Infowars, April 13, 2015)

As Hillary Clinton gears up to enter the 2016 presidential race as announced today by her beyond viral Twitter post, we are reminded of her 2014 public appearance – in which she announced public support of Monsanto’s GMO seeds and chemicals. Chemicals that have recently been confirmed by the WHO to be causing cancer.

In the 65-minute keynote appearance at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) convention in San Diego, Clinton conversed with Jim Greenwood, BIO president, on a wide range of topics including GMOs. She said:

“I stand in favor of using seeds and products that have a proven track record …There is a big gap between what the facts are, and what the perceptions are.”

Clinton also remarked that the “benefits” of GMOs should be better explained in order to counteract the massive grassroots tide against the lab-created crops, saying that “Frankensteinish” depictions should be met with a stronger, more positive spin from GMO companies.

German FinMin Schaeuble Sees ‘No Contagion’ From Grexit, … Don’t Show Him THIS CHART

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schauble stare

– German FinMin Schaeuble Sees “No Contagion” From Grexit, Don’t Show Him This Chart (ZeroHedge, April 15, 2015):

Because all that matters is what some elite says, we are sure the following propaganda from German FinMin Schaeuble will be regurgitated by the mainstream media:

  • *SCHAEUBLE SAYS “YOU CAN’T SEE ANY CONTAGION”

However, if one actually looks at the data – European peripheral bond risk premia have soared in the last week as Grexit fears resurge.

20150415_cont

Charts: Bloomberg

 

Arizona Police Cruiser Runs Over Suspect At 50 Mph (Video)

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– Caught On Tape: Arizona Police Cruiser Runs Over Suspect At 50 mph (ZeroHedge, April 14, 2015):

It has not been a good month for police “infractions” caught on tape: whether it is a cop shooting an unarmed suspect just because, or a cop shooting an unarmed suspect because “a taser was confused with a gun”, the latest grotesque act caught on dashcam is the following video taken on February 19 showing a police cruiser slamming into an alleged crime suspect, Mario Valencia, holding a gun (however not aiming it at anyone and certainly not the police) at a speed of about 50 mph from behind, in what was clearly a move intended to kill the suspect.

Miraculously, the suspect survived. Ironically, the Police in Marana, Arizona, where the dashcam video was taken, claim that they saved the suspect’s life. His lawyer, understandably, strongly disagrees.

“Everything in the video seems to point towards an obvious excessive use of force. It is miraculous that my client isn’t dead,” said attorney Michelle Cohen-Metzger.

That said, the video of the incident has stirred debate about what type of force police should have used to detain a man with a gun.

Read moreArizona Police Cruiser Runs Over Suspect At 50 Mph (Video)

The One Chart That Proves Obamacare Really Is Working … For The Fascists

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Obamacare-screws-middle-class

– The one chart that proves Obamacare really is working (for the fascists) (ZeroHedge, April 14, 2015):

With the election cycle starting up again, we are going to be bombarded more and more with propaganda like this:  7 Charts That Prove Obamacare Is Working

I submit to you that, below, is the one chart that proves Obamacare really is working (for the fascists).

Since the Obama administration began pushing the healthcare reform bill in early 2009, the stock prices of the Big Five health insurers have done remarkably well, even vs. the S&P 500, and even without taking into account their phenomenal dividend yields.

Obamacare is working

Google Chart

Question: How many patients did Cigna, BCBS (Anthem), Aetna, United Healthcare, or Cigna diagnose or treat last month?  Last year?

Answer: Zero.

Read moreThe One Chart That Proves Obamacare Really Is Working … For The Fascists

HM Treasury: Bail-In Powers Implementation (PDF)

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‘Possibly’ related info:

– UK Housing Bubble Bursts: Sales Of Luxury Homes Crash By 80%; “Waves Of Wealthy People Are Leaving”:

As the FT reports, “sales of homes worth more than £2m have dropped by 80 per cent in the past year.”… “It is like the 1970s again, when waves of wealthy people left Britain and it was a disaster.”

George Soros As The Fighting Uruk-hai With Jacob Rothschild As Saruman

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H/t reader squodgy:

“Here are the official Tory/LibDem Government reports on legalising using our personal savings & pensions & Building Society Accounts to pay back the Rothschild masters.

PDF: HM Treasury – Bail-In Powers Implementation

PDF: The Building Societies (Bail-in) Order Consultation Draft

Just in case you didn’t believe me…..VOTE …NONE of the above.”

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They Are Coming


Gandalf (reading):

“They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes, drums… drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow lurks in the dark. We can not get out… they are coming.”

Read moreHM Treasury: Bail-In Powers Implementation (PDF)

The FBI Is Using ‘Aggressive Deception’ To Cover Up Saudi Links To 9/11 Attack

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911-Saudi-Arabia

– The New York Post Reports – FBI is Covering Up Saudi Links to 9/11 Attack (Liberty Blitzkrieg, April 13, 2015):

Former Democratic Sen. Bob Graham, who in 2002 chaired the congressional Joint Inquiry into 9/11, maintains the FBI is covering up a Saudi support cell in Sarasota for the hijackers. He says the al-Hijjis’ “urgent” pre-9/11 exit suggests “someone may have tipped them off” about the coming attacks.

Graham has been working with a 14-member group in Congress to urge President Obama to declassify 28 pages of the final report of his inquiry which were originally redacted, wholesale, by President George W. Bush.

“The 28 pages primarily relate to who financed 9/11, and they point a very strong finger at Saudi Arabia as being the principal financier,” he said, adding, “I am speaking of the kingdom,” or government, of Saudi Arabia, not just wealthy individual Saudi donors.

Sources who have read the censored Saudi section say it cites CIA and FBI case files that directly implicate officials of the Saudi Embassy in Washington and its consulate in Los Angeles in the attacks — which, if true, would make 9/11 not just an act of terrorism, but an act of war by a foreign government.

– From the New York Post article: How the FBI is Whitewashing the Saudi Connection to 9/11

One of the strangest aspects of the post 9/11 period has been the number of very intelligent people who intimately appreciate and fight against the innumerable crimes and thefts committed by the American oligarchy, yet simply can’t comes to terms with the fact that the official story of September 11, 2001 is a heaping pile of bullshit. At the end of the day, I think it’s just a function of managing career risk. Having already achieved some level of public success, not many people will want to give the mainstream media the opportunity to attach “9/11 truther” to their name, thus tarnishing all the other work they do in the mind of the general public.

Read moreThe FBI Is Using ‘Aggressive Deception’ To Cover Up Saudi Links To 9/11 Attack

Russia Officially Joins $50 Billion China-Led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

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xi-jinping-vladimir-putin

– Russia officially joins $50bn China-led infrastructure bank (RT, April 14, 2015):

On Tuesday Russia officially becomes a founder of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). It means Russian companies can take part in infrastructure projects in the Asia-Pacific region, and could attract foreign investment into Russia.

Russia applied for membership as a founding member of the AIIB 2 weeks ago, along with another 52 countries. The founding members have the right to establish the rules guiding the bank’s activities. China reportedly had rejected requests from North Korea and Taiwan to join the AIIB. The final list of the bank’s founding members will be announced on April 15.

Read moreRussia Officially Joins $50 Billion China-Led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

Vladimir Putin Steals The Show In TIME 100 Reader’s Poll

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Vladimir-Putin-smile-sunglasses

– Vladimir Putin steals the show in TIME 100 reader’s poll (RT, April 14, 2015):

In a diverse field of competitors made up of pop stars, technology gurus, visionaries and politicians – and at a time when US-Russia relations have hit rock bottom – President Putin has emerged victorious in Time magazine’s 2015 reader poll.

Among the 100 most influential people in the world, as hand selected by the editors of TIME, the Russian leader proved his rock-star credentials by edging out 24-year-old rapper Lee Chae-rin (better known by her stage name, ‘CL’) of the South Korean girl-group 2NE1 to claim the number-one spot with 6.95 percent of the votes in the final tally.

Read moreVladimir Putin Steals The Show In TIME 100 Reader’s Poll

Greece Isn’t Preparing Default – Tsipras Dispels Rumor

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Sure!

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras

– Greece isn’t preparing default – Tsipras dispels rumor (RT, April 14, 2015):

Greece isn’t planning a debt default, contrary to reports in the Financial Times, says Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

“Greece … is not preparing for any debt default and the same goes for its lenders. Negotiations are proceeding swiftly towards a mutually beneficial solution,” Prime Minister Tsipras’ office said in a statement, Reuters reported.

Greece is scheduled to make several payments to the IMF in the next few months. On May 1 €203 million is due, another €770 million on May 12, and about another €1.6 billion in June in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), an artificial currency created by the IMF that the institution uses to give out extra funds.

Read moreGreece Isn’t Preparing Default – Tsipras Dispels Rumor

“We Have Come To The End Of The Road” – Greece Prepares For Default, FT Reports

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Greece

– “We Have Come To The End Of The Road” – Greece Prepares For Default, FT Reports (ZeroHedge, April 13, 2015):

Update: as always is the case in Europe, nothing is confirmed until it is officially denied by officials, so here you go: GREEK GOVT OFFICIAL DENIES FT REPORT GREECE PLANNING DEFAULT

There was no explanation from the government official where Greece would get the €2.5 billion it needs to fund upcoming IMF interest and principal payments.

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It should hardly come as a surprise that after the latest round of Greek pre-negotiation negotiations with the Troika, in which the Greek representative was said to behave like a taxi driver, who “just asked where the money was and insisted his country would soon be bankrupt” and in which the Eurozone members “were disappointed and shocked at Athens’ lack of movement in its plans, and in particular its reluctance to talk about cutting civil servants’ pensions” that the next Greek step is to fall back – yet again – to square zero: threats of an imminent default. Which is precisely what, according to the FT, has happened “Greece is preparing to take the dramatic step of declaring a debt default unless it can reach a deal with its international creditors by the end of April, according to people briefed on the radical leftist government’s thinking.”

Read more“We Have Come To The End Of The Road” – Greece Prepares For Default, FT Reports