Several hopefuls vying to replace British Prime Minister Theresa May turned their fire on favourite Boris Johnson on Sunday, questioning his pledge to leave the European Union by the end of October no matter what.
Daily Archives: 16. Juni 2019
Fürs Protokoll: Zwei Grüne bei der Bundeswehr
Vor zwei Tagen haben die Grünen-Abgeordneten Cem Özdemir und Tobias Lindner in der FAZ einen Gastbeitrag unter der Überschrift veröffentlicht Warum grüne Außenpolitik die Bundeswehr braucht (leider hinter Paywall und deshalb nicht frei zugänglich). Jetzt haben die beiden Parlamentarier auch praktisch nachgelegt: Auf Instagram zeigten sie sich am (gestrigen) Donnerstag im Bundeswehr-Flecktarn als Oberleutnante – offensichtlich vorläufiger Dienstgrad – in Munster.
Nuclear strategists report we‘re closer to nuclear war than ever before—but our leaders seem oblivious. I’m running for President to end the new Cold War & lead us away from nuclear abyss. Please donate to ensure our message is heard in 3rd debate & beyond
Space Force Yes! Baby Nukes No! What Congress Is Sticking in the Pentagon Budget.
For 58 straight years, the National Defense Authorization Act, as the spending bill is formally called, has cleared both chambers of Congress, often with broad bipartisan majorities. This time around, only two Republicans out of 26 who serve on the committee voted for the complete, amended bill, which Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), the highest-ranking GOP member, said “sadly takes our military backwards in several key areas.”
Bomber Task Force Participates in Joint Exercise with Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group
ARABIAN SEA
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and part of the U.S. Central Command Bomber Task Force, and the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, attached to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group conducted joint operations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, June 1.
(…)
During the exercises, CVW-7 and the 20th EBS conducted several joint training evolutions designed to improve operational tactics in several warfare areas. Exercises included air-to-air training, flying in formation, and simulated strike operations in defense of a national asset.
US builds intermilitary relationship with RSAF
Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C Eagles fly in formation with U.S. Air Force F-15Cs in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 2, 2019. The flight was conducted as part of a larger effort to continue building military-to-military relationships and interoperability
No business case for Trans Mountain expansion, says former environment minister
Anderson wrote that Asian refineries have better supply options than Alberta. Compared with conventional light and medium crude oil from Nigeria and the Middle East, Alberta bitumen is expensive to produce, hard to handle and provides no security of supply advantages, he said.
Canada set to approve hotly-debated pipeline expansion, Trudeau unlikely to benefit
Canada looks set to approve a hotly-debated plan to expand an oil pipeline this week, people familiar with the process told Reuters, but the move is unlikely to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rebuild flagging support ahead of an October election.
Guatemala wählt heute
Neben dem Amt des Staats- und Vizepräsidenten sind die Wähler Guatemalas am Sonntag aufgerufen, die Abgeordneten des Nationalkongresses, Abgeordnete für das zentralamerikanische Parlament sowie Bürgermeisterämter und lokale Verwaltungen neu zu bestimmen. Wahlberechtig sind 8.150.121 Personen.
Ganz Argentinien und Uruguay ohne Strom
Ganz Argentinien und Uruguay haben vorübergehend keinen Strom. Auch Teile Brasiliens, Chiles und Paraguays sollen betroffen sein. Das teilte der argentinische Energieversorger Edesur mit.
New Zealand Struck by Massive 7.4 Earthquake
Reports indicate that the quake struck at 10:55 a.m. local time and was approximately 10km deep, government agencies said. The quake centered some 150 km from L‘ Esperance rock — which lies between New Zealand and Tongo.
Could John Bolton soon be SACKED? Will it avert Iran war? Former CIA agent Kiriakou positive on both
Hawkish National Security Advisor John Bolton has steered the Trump administration towards multiple conflicts. However, CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou tells RT he’s learned that Bolton’s days in the White House may be numbered.
Tensions erupt as US launch cyber attack on Russia but officials don‘t tell Trump
The New York Times, the US has increased the number of cyber attacks on Russia’s grid. Moreover, two administration officials had told the newspaper that Donald Trump had not been briefed on the attacks.
Pentagon officials have also described the “broad hesitation” to tell Trump about the details of the operations against Russia.
U.S. Escalates Online Attacks on Russia’s Power Grid
(15.06.2019)
But in a public appearance on Tuesday, President Trump’s national security adviser, John R. Bolton, said the United States was now taking a broader view of potential digital targets as part of an effort “to say to Russia, or anybody else that’s engaged in cyberoperations against us, ‘You will pay a price.’”
Power grids have been a low-intensity battleground for years.
Bolton Says U.S. Is Expanding Offensive Cyber Operations
(11.06.2019)
The U.S. intends to expand offensive operations in cyberspace to counter digital economic espionage and other commercial hacks, White House national security adviser John Bolton said Tuesday, while also dismissing talk of a split with President Trump on North Korea and other hot spots.
Trump says Kim has ‚kept his word‘ hours after Bolton said he hasn‘t
(12.06.2019)
Earlier Tuesday, Bolton had told the Wall Street Journal at a speaking event in Washington that North Korea is not complying with the terms agreed upon during Trump‘s first summit with Kim, in Singapore last year.
Bolton and Pompeo Are Trying to Start Another Forever War
This shouldn’t be remotely surprising, given their track records of supporting regime change across the Middle East, opposing the Iran nuclear deal and salivating at the prospect of bombing Tehran. Given these actions, it is frustrating to see many reporters simply parroting their unverified claims. This is exactly what Bolton and Pompeo are counting on: They want the public to be looking the other way.
Dem congressman: Would anyone be surprised if Bolton got U.S. into Iran war over ‚very, very questionable intelligence?‘
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) joins Alex Witt to discuss the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, including his concern that the U.S. is heading toward a war with Iran following the Trump administration’s conclusion that Iran attacked oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Quigley also weighs in on President Trump backtracking after saying he’d consider listening to foreign governments offering campaign help.
Invading Iran will ruin America
This “help me, help yourself” approach to international relations has yielded a major minus: America for perhaps the first time since World War II does not hold the moral high ground in dealing with an adversary it perceives a major menace to global peace and security.
It is important to recognize that America’s sustainability as a superpower has not simply manifested from its military prowess. Sure, there is that but every major power needs a virtuous ideology others can get behind, or at least rationalize their helplessness with, and Washington’s has been “moral exceptionalism.”
India to impose retaliatory tariffs on 28 U.S. goods
India is by far the largest buyer of U.S. almonds, paying $543 million for more than half of U.S. almond exports in 2018, U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows. It is the second largest buyer of U.S. apples, taking $156 million worth in 2018.
Trump Administration Strips India of Special Trade Status
(31.05.2019)
The White House said that it would terminate India’s preferential market access to the United States as of June 5. The notice claimed that India had not given the United States “equitable and reasonable access to its markets.”
The administration said that it would also apply to India tariffs on solar panels and washers that President Trump announced last year, suspending an exemption it had granted to certain developing countries.
PM Imran suggests SCO biggies to ditch US Dollar for trade
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan had suggested ditching US dollar, urging the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to finalise arrangements for trade in local currencies.
Pakistan to present austerity-centred budget following IMF deal
(11.06.2019)
Analysts have warned the IMF deal would likely come with myriad restrictions that could bridle Khan‘s grand promises to build an Islamic welfare state, as the country is forced to tighten its purse strings.
Pakistan‘s increasing economic woes also come as the country is facing possible sanctions from the Financial Action Task Force — a money-laundering monitor based in Paris — for failing to rein-in terror financing.
PM meets RoK-Việt Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group
HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam always attaches importance to promoting cooperative relations with the Republic of Korea (RoK) and wants to closely coordinate with the Korean side to develop the strategic cooperative partnership to new heights, said Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.
Years ago at the South Pole, I looked up to the aurora for inspiration through the 6-month winter night. Now I know they’re just as awe inspiring from above. #nofilter
(10.06.2019)
auroras over the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
(08.06.2019)
Barry Soper: Leave mainstream media out of social media crackdown
It‘s not for the politicians to dictate how events should be covered.
The traditional Fourth Estate has for centuries been recognised as distinctly separate from the powers of government which is defined as three estates, the legislature, the executive and a judiciary.
How our selectively implemented foreign influence laws have undermined democracy
Jail for five years is one possibility, so too an official demand to turn over documents. Or you could be forced to publicly out yourself as an agent of foreign influence.
Such are the sweeping powers the Government gave itself last year to stop escalating influence operations from foreign countries
Retract the extradition bill, not suspending it: protesters
The Front’s convener Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit said there are five demands for today‘s protest, that is for the government to retract the bill instead of suspending it, and for Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to step down.
Protesters also demanded immediate release of those who have been arrested and charges against protesters to be dropped. The government should retract remarks saying the Wednesday protest was a “riot” and to hold those who ordered to fire bullets at protesters accountable.
BREAKING: Hongkongers march in their thousands against extradition bill again, calling for leader to resign
Hongkongers marched in their thousands on Sunday to call for the withdrawal of a controversial extradition bill, despite its suspension by the government the day before. Chanting for Chief Executive Carrie Lam to step down, they marched through Wanchai and Causeway Bay en route to government headquarters in Admiralty.
Sea of black in Hong Kong: Will march against suspended extradition bill get another record turnout?
Crowds formed in Victoria Park and filled subway stations across Hong Kong as another mass march against the government’s extradition bill began
Xi Jinping trifft türkischen Präsidenten
Der chinesische Staatspräsident Xi Jinping hat am Samstag in Duschanbe seinen türkischen Amtskollegen Recep Tayyip Erdoğan zu einem Gespräch getroffen
CICA members call for sustainable security, development in Asia
Leaders or representatives of member countries of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) pose for a group photo with representatives of observer states and relevant international and regional organizations in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, June 15, 2019. The fifth CICA summit was held in Dushanbe on Saturday. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the summit.
Xi Jinping nimmt am fünften CICA-Gipfeltreffen in Duschanbe teil
Der chinesische Staatspräsident Xi Jinping hält eine Rede auf dem fünften Gipfeltreffen der Konferenz über Interaktion und vertrauensbildende Maßnahmen in Asien (CICA) in Duschanbe, Tadschikistan, 15. Juni 2019.
US needs to heed China‘s call to return to trade talks
If the Trump administration continues its condescending attitude toward China while refusing to take Beijing as an equal negotiating partner and to make long-overdue compromises on China‘s legitimate requests, chances remain slim for the two heavyweight economies to reach a trade deal in the coming month or two.
US President Donald Trump, in his recent interviews with American media, expressed his hope to meet and talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 meeting in Osaka, Japan, slated to begin June 28.
Japanese companies oppose U.S. additional tariffs on China
U.S. subsidiaries of Japanese companies, as well as American and Chinese businesses, have voiced opposition to President Donald Trump‘s proposed tariffs of up to 25 percent on an additional $300 billion of Chinese products.
Editorial: UN special rapporteur indicates freedom of expression in Japan in danger; infringing on freedom of expression is inexcusable
(07.06.2019)
The report also expresses concern over the pressure the government is applying on the protests against the new base construction in Okinawa, and advised against infringing on the freedom to demonstrate in opposition of public policy, and suggested the government cooperate with the protests and related journalism.
The new report once again criticizes the Japanese government, stating that almost none of the previous report’s recommendations have been implemented.
“It could have been me”–participants of memorial and protest wear black, shed tears for woman killed by U.S. soldier
(02.06.2019)
“It could have been me…” At an emergency memorial and protest held June 2 to remember the murder of a woman by a serviceman in the U.S. Marine Corps in Chatan, Okinawa in April, participants prayed for the victim to rest in peace and confirmed the importance of thinking of the incident not as someone else’s sorrow but as an event directly involving each and every person in Okinawa.
‘Talk Caravan’ brings Okinawa base dispute to national level
(12.06.2019)
In a prefectural referendum in February, a decisive 72 percent of voters in Okinawa expressed opposition to the base relocation.
Tamaki‘s pledge to halt the base transfer led to his overwhelming victory in the gubernatorial election last September.
South Korean says it received report on handover of oil tanker‘s crew after incident
The Hyundai Dubai rescued 23 sailors from the Norwegian tanker Front Altair, Thursday, after receiving a distress call, and then handed them over to Iranian authorities.
CBS News said the captain of the Hyundai Dubai „contacted his company‘s management, which told him to refuse the Iranian request (to turn over the mariners),“ but handed them over as „he felt like he had no choice but to comply with Iranian demands,“ citing declassified U.S. intelligence reports Friday.
An official of the South Korean shipping firm said the company that the captain contacted could have been the ship owner headquartered in Germany, not Hyundai.
US-Gesandter kommt für Vorbereitung des Moon-Trump-Gipfels nach Seoul
Vor dem für Ende Juni geplanten Besuch von US-Präsident Donald Trump in Seoul wird der US-Sondergesandte für Nordkorea Stephen Biegun nächste Woche in Seoul erwartet.
Präsident Moon ruft Nordkorea in Rede vor schwedischem Parlament zum Dialog auf
Was Nordkoreas Frieden schütze, sei nicht eine Atomwaffe, sondern Dialog. Wenn Nordkorea den Weg zum Dialog gehe, würde niemand auf der Welt das Regime und die Sicherheit Nordkoreas gefährden. Das sagte Moon am Freitag in seiner Rede vor dem schwedischen Parlament in Stockholm. Das System des Partnerlandes müsse respektiert und garantiert werden. Dies sei die erste Vorbedingung für den Frieden, die nicht geändert werden könne, sagte er weiter.