by Oui
Sat Oct 20th, 2018 at 07:23:05 AM EST
Saudis Used Israeli Spyware to Track Khashoggi Associate, Leading Dissident | Tikun Olam |
It's well known the the leading spyware package bought by repressive regimes, intelligence agencies, and corporate malefactors is Pegasus, which was created by the Israeli hacking company, NSO Group. Its development has allowed NSO to thrive financially and become an attractive target for major corporate interests.
More below the fold ...
by Oui
Fri Oct 19th, 2018 at 11:37:54 PM EST
[Update-1] Official Saudi statement speaks of "hand-to-hand" fight, thus not a "chokehold".
More below the fold ...
by Oui
Wed Oct 17th, 2018 at 06:53:21 PM EST
More below the fold ...
by Oui
Sat Oct 13th, 2018 at 02:17:44 AM EST
In aftermath of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi by the Saudi regime, the Vision 2030 wealth fund may be in for some delay. Let's see who are those persons led by $$$ signs in their eyes instead of the human rights issues of monarchs and dictators in the Middle East. Oil wealth and elites are not by definition the kindest of persons with empathy for critical voices in their kingdom. Fighting the Shia in Iraq, Syria, Bahrain and the ugly war in Yemen. Getting away with it by cozying up to the major suppliers of sophisticated war machines supplied by the US, UK, France and on a smaller scale by a few others. Even The Netherlands supplied once again lethal tools used in the war in Yemen. On the wrong side of history, yet getting away with it due to impunity by breaches of International Law and the Geneva Conventions. The 21st century has turned just as ugly as the 20th century proved to be. After the fall of the Iron Curtain and the 9/11 attacks, the western war machine has gained a lot more speed. No protests on the horizon that endure beyond one or two weeks. Am surprised the black clouds gathered at all over the Arabian desert. Crown Prince Salman is truly writing history as another Arab leader with qualities of a potentate ruler. Some of us were not fooled ...
Saudi summit in crisis as Khashoggi case prompts mass withdrawals
The president of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, said he would not be attending, and the Financial Times, Bloomberg, CNN and CNBC have withdrawn as media sponsors.
Continued below the fold ...
by Oui
Fri Oct 12th, 2018 at 03:40:29 AM EST
A fortnight ago Trump said King Salman depended fully on military protection from the American military might or he would be overthrown in matter of two weeks.
Crown Prince Salman of 33 years old brutally assassinates a Saudi citizen, working as a journalist for The Washington Post with children who are US citizens ... and what is Trump's phony comment today?
○ Trump warns halting Saudi arms sales would hurt economy | Defense News - today |
○ In rebuttal to Trump, bin Salman says Saudi won't pay US for kingdom's security
More below the fold ...
by Oui
Fri Oct 5th, 2018 at 06:33:46 PM EST
Changed title of diary, earlier version:
Missing VIPs - Media Remains Silent
[Update-1] Added latest news in comments below ...
No need to poison dissidents or "scumbags".
And Trump ally Crown Prince Salman is uneasy about criticism on his new policy to extract "tax" on the very wealthy by extraordinary means ...
○ Saudi journalist disappears from consulate in Turkey | UPI |
○ Washington Post prints empty column for Saudi writer missing in Turkey
More below the fold ...
by Oui
Wed Oct 3rd, 2018 at 06:05:06 PM EST
After the threat to the ICC located in the city of The Hague by John Bolton recently, another top court has ruled against the United States of America. No "Invasion Act" yet conceived to kidnap the judges of the International Court of Justice located in the Peace Palace funded by Andrew Carnegie over 100 years ago.
UN court orders US to ditch Iran sanctions | DW |
The United Nations' top court ordered the United States to lift sanctions on humanitarian goods to Iran.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling is a blow to the Trump administration, which withdrew from the 2015 international nuclear accord in May and reimposed sanctions on Iran.
The ICJ unanimously ruled that Washington "shall remove by means of its choosing any impediments arising from the measures announced on May 8 to the free exportation to Iran of medicines and medical devices, food and agricultural commodities."
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by Oui
Tue Oct 2nd, 2018 at 01:13:54 PM EST
Thank you doctor Allison for your dedication and excellent work ... the basic science is now used in cancer treatment I need to lengthen the years I have left to live. I'm almost through the first six months of chemotherapy and will build further resistance with immunotherapy. I'm doing fine and still manage to do all my activities although in close harmony with my energy level and being aware of the needs of my physical well being.
Furthermore great appreciation for the Dutch healthcare insurance where no one is excluded and my treatment started in a matter of weeks after all tests were performed.
More below the fold ...
by Oui
Mon Oct 1st, 2018 at 07:46:09 PM EST
The United States of America protecting an enclave of the Islamic State in the Euphrates Velley to fight another battle against the Syrian Army, Russians and the Iranians or their proxies.
Yesterday Iran retaliated with a barrage of six ballistic missiles fired from western Iran ...
Iran fires missiles into Syria in retaliation for military parade attack | France24 - today |
Iran launched a missile attack into eastern Syria targeting militants it blamed for a recent attack on a military parade in the Iranian city of Ahvaz, the country's Revolutionary Guards revealed Monday.
"The headquarters of those responsible for the terrorist crime in Ahvaz was attacked a few minutes ago east of the Euphrates by several ballistic missiles fired by the aerospace branch of the Guardians of the Revolution," said a statement posted on the official website of the Revolutionary Guards.
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by Oui
Mon Oct 1st, 2018 at 07:38:57 AM EST
Damn ... it was so obvious but on behalf of one's own career everyone remained silent. Until the #MeToo movement started to open a necessary debate ...
Court Employees Ready To Come Forward About Brett Kavanaugh, But Fear Retaliation The Hill - 9 hrs ago |
Brett Kavanaugh is Donald Trump's pick for the SCOTUS seat vacated by Justice Anthony Kennedy, and he's increasingly surrounded by controversy. After a woman who says Kavanaugh attempted to rape her in high school came forward to share her story, an attorney is sharing a letter he says he sent to Senators in July, letting them know that federal court employees also have concerns.
Multiple court employees approached attorney Cyrus Sanai, he says, to share concerns and stories before the confirmation of Kavanaugh. In a July letter, Sanai informed senators Chuck Grassley and Diane Feinstein that these individuals wanted to share their concerns, but were afraid of retaliation.
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by Oui
Fri Sep 28th, 2018 at 08:34:16 AM EST
In all of his earlier testimonies, Trump's pick Kavanaugh managed his composure as a SC nominee. When under pressure from testimony of Christine Blasey Ford who alleged an assault by Mr Kavanaugh 36 years ago had "drastically" affected her life, he returned mad as hell that in such a late stage he could be upended by a woman. That's life Brett. A Supreme Court Justice appointment is a life sentence.
Oh btw Cat, do YOU like beer? Ever had a few too many or can't remember where you were the night before? Passed out on top of a half clad girl or young woman? Consent or no consent or was she intoxicated too? Worked my ass off for academic honors, top of my class, kept a calendar of my activities in 1982, put a fictional entry in my yearbook, helped many women throughout my career, am loved by my mom and dad. Even the US president loves this type of guy to put him on the highest court of law in the exceptional United States of America. Wow, wow!
More below the fold ...
by Oui
Tue Sep 25th, 2018 at 09:17:07 PM EST
I refuse to give the US president a podium for his ugly rhetoric today at the United Nations. By contrast, I listened to the speech given by Egypt's president al-Sisi - a contrast of night and day or black and white.
More below the fold ...
by Oui
Tue Sep 25th, 2018 at 08:27:32 AM EST
See my diary one week ago - Fucking Israelis Stirring Up Big Trouble.
Israelis have been left out of the loop by the Americans in the war effort in Syria. The diplomatic effort is now in the hands of three major players Turkey, Russia and Iran.
Here's what happened in the last 24 hours above Latakia ...
Russia Reports Il-20M "Coot-A" Electronic Intelligence Aircraft Lost in Syria During Israeli Air Strike Near Latakia | The Aviationist |
A Russian military Ilyushin Il-20M Coot-A spyplane has been reported as "down" at approximately 2300 local time (2000 GMT) on Monday Sept. 17, in the Mediterranean Sea off the Syrian coast. There were 14 crewmembers on board the aircraft according to multiple reports.
What happened after the Russian Ministry of Defense investigated the incident and loss of Russian lives ...
by Oui
Mon Sep 24th, 2018 at 07:07:31 PM EST
I have never forgotten the ten thousands killed at the hands of rightwing military trained and led by US special forces in Central and South America. Murderers finding refuge inside the US.
Killing leftist oriented International journalists with impunity - US led guerilla warfare in Central America - the Fort Bragg death squads. The ugly business still exists to extend US Imperialism across the globe. We have endured these tactics in Afghanistan - Iraq - Libya - Syria and will continue in de future. Do not allow any US president or Ambassador to the UN lecture the world on Human Rights. A very BIG abuser is settled right in Washington DC.
○ UN Ambassador Nikki Haley on Iran - 'look into the mirror'
○ Iran: Terror Strikes IRGC Forces In Parade
More below the fold ...
by Oui
Sat Sep 22nd, 2018 at 11:30:30 PM EST
Attack happened on day the Arab community celebrated Saudi National Day. Last year I was in the UAE.
Ahvaz National Resistance claims deadly attack on military parade in Iran | The National - UAE |
Dozens of people, including women and children, were killed in an attack on a military parade in southwestern Iran on Saturday.
The death toll of 25 was expected to rise after gunmen attacked the parade in Khuzestan province on Saturday. More than 60 people were injured in the attack.
Almost half of the victims were members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp, state news agencies reported, making it one of the worst attacks ever on the elite force.
President Hassan Rouhani warned of a "crushing response".
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by Oui
Fri Sep 21st, 2018 at 05:50:40 AM EST
Frank’s excellent front page story how May’s breakfast in Salzburg was a primary stumbling block …
The Guardian puts the boot in
No sugarcoating from her (former) 27 EU colleagues. Time has run out. To save her party, May's destroying Great Britain and looking into the abyss ...
The Papers
More below the fold ...
by Oui
Wed Sep 19th, 2018 at 11:08:01 AM EST
○ Poland's new tactic for getting a U.S. military base? Pitch it as Fort Trump | Chicago Tribune |
US considering building 'Fort Trump' in Poland | Politico EU |
Poland's proposal for a permanent American base on its soil is controversial at NATO. Some allies view the idea as overly provocative toward Russia, and a potential violation of the 1997 NATO-Russia Founding Act, an agreement intended to ease tensions that seems to prohibit the "permanent stationing of substantial combat forces" in Central and Eastern European countries. Poland has urged the U.S. to regard that provision as "moot" in light of Russia's recent military aggression in Ukraine.
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by Oui
Tue Sep 18th, 2018 at 10:30:27 PM EST
Imran Khan's visit to Saudi Arabia and UAE will start a new era | Gulf News |
Dubai: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is being widely praised for his drastic steps, including the austerity measures he took within one month of coming into power.
His first official visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is even more commendable for it will largely be focused on the financial bailout plan for his country in addition to mending ties that saw a downward trend in recent years due to blunders committed by his predecessors.
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by Oui
Tue Sep 18th, 2018 at 09:44:48 AM EST
[Update-1] To be added soon ...
○ 3D Reconstruction of Il-20 Downing in Syria, Released by Russian MoD
After report by Russian MoD on investigation Israeli strike on Latakia, president Putin will take appropriate measures …
○ Russia Capable of Denying Israel Access to Syrian Airspace | Sputnik News |
○ S-300 missile system: Russia to upgrade Syrian air defences | BBC News |
END OF UPDATE
Follow-up diary to - Syrian Civil War - Endgame In Idlib?
Israelis have been left out of the loop by the Americans in the war effort in Syria. The diplomatic effort is now in the hands of three major players Turkey, Russia and Iran.
Here what happened in the last 24 hours above Latakia ...
Russia Reports Il-20M "Coot-A" Electronic Intelligence Aircraft Lost in Syria During Israeli Air Strike Near Latakia | The Aviationist |
A Russian military Ilyushin Il-20M Coot-A spyplane has been reported as "down" at approximately 2300 local time (2000 GMT) on Monday Sept. 17, in the Mediterranean Sea off the Syrian coast. There were 14 crewmembers on board the aircraft according to multiple reports.
Continued below the fold ...
by Oui
Mon Sep 17th, 2018 at 06:31:24 PM EST
[Update-1] My follow-up diary: Perfect Storm - May's Humiliation @SalzburgEU.
Impersonating the Iron Lady ...
Inside No 10: Deal or No Deal? | BBC Panorama |
The Brexit deadline is looming - just weeks left to get a deal, just months until the country is due to leave the European Union. The stakes are high for Britain, and at the centre of it all is the prime minister. Theresa May has to strike a deal with the EU and convince the public and MPs that her plan is the best plan. The only alternative, the government say, is no deal at all. But many disagree - and her own party, the opposition and the country are divided. So what does the prime minister's plan really mean, and what else could we do?
At a crucial time for the country, Panorama has been inside Downing Street with Theresa May as she seeks to navigate Britain's negotiations with the EU.
Below is how foreign media covered PM May's interview ...
