OSCE monitors criticized the Turkish referendum on expanded presidential powers, saying that it was neither free nor fair. President Erdogan dismissed the criticism, and said that the OSCE “should know its place.”
In other news, a small plane exploded just after takeoff in Portugal and crashed into the parking lot of a supermarket, killing five people. There’s no indication that the crash was the result of terrorism, or that the aircraft had executed a halal landing. Furthermore, the unfortunate incident definitely had nothing to do with Islam.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to Fjordman, Insubria, Reader from Chicago, RRN, SS, and all the other tipsters who sent these in.
Notice to tipsters: Please don’t submit extensive excerpts from articles that have been posted behind a subscription firewall, or are otherwise under copyright protection.
Caveat: Articles in the news feed are posted “as is”. Gates of Vienna cannot vouch for the authenticity or accuracy of the contents of any individual item posted here. We check each entry to make sure it is relatively interesting, not patently offensive, and at least superficially plausible. The link to the original is included with each item’s title. Further research and verification are left to the reader.
Germany: Inflation Confirmed at 1.5% Year on Year
Final reading in March of EU harmonized index, up 0, 1% mom
(ANSA) — ROME, APR. 13 — In Germany, the EU-harmonised inflation rate recorded in March an increase by 1.5% year on year and by 0.1% month-on-month, according to the final reading.
Data on consumer prices reported by Germany’s Federal Statistical Office are also confirmed, with an increase by 1.6% yoy and by 0.2% mom.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Footage posted to Facebook Sunday showing the horrific random killing of an elderly man is yet another example of how the social network has become a sort of modern-day Roman Colosseum for gruesome acts.
Police have launched a massive manhunt for Steve Stephens, who is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Robert Godwin.
The chilling Facebook video purportedly shows Stephens, 37, getting out of his car and targeting Goodwin, 74. The video of the killing was on the social media site for three hours Sunday before it was removed. Stephens’ account also was removed.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
A disturbing video of a weekend mob assault in Detroit has police searching for suspects.
The video, shot on Saturday night in Detroit’s Greektown neighborhood, shows dozens of individuals brutally attacking several others, one of whom appears gravely injured.
‘At one point I thought he was dead, they had beat him so bad,’ an artist named Eugene told Click On Detroit. ‘I was thinking, “This is some savage stuff going on.”‘
Despite the dozens of witnesses seen standing by in the video, apparently none called police, who first learned of the brawl after the video was posted to Facebook.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Lawyer Defends Conspiracy Theorist Alex Jones: ‘He’s Playing a Character’ on Air
A defense lawyer for radio host Alex Jones said in a Texas child custody hearing that the prominent right-wing conspiracy theorist is a “performance artist.” According to The Austin American-Statesman, attorney Randall Wilhite said in a pretrial hearing that Jones’ angry rants against the government should not be used against him in the case.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Who ‘Paid for’ Tax Day Protests? Breitbart Revealed Organizers’ Soros Ties Months Ago
President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to call for an investigation into “who paid for the small organized rallies yesterday” — referring to the anti-Trump Tax Day March held Saturday in Washington and at least 60 other locations.
Trump may have missed a Breitbart News exclusive investigative article penned by this reporter on February 16 titled, “Soros Groups Behind Massive Anti-Trump Tax Day Protest Plot.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A Month of Islam and Multiculturalism in Britain: March 2017
by Soeren Kern
An estimated 400 home-grown jihadis have returned to the United Kingdom after fighting in Syria, but only 54 of those have been prosecuted, according to a Mail on Sunday investigation, which also discovered that some returned jihadis are roaming free on the streets of Britain.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Bulgaria: Ultra-Nationalists to Join the Government
Agreement with election-winner GERB
(ANSA) — TRIESTE — The Bulgarian nationalist United Patriots coalition haveagreed on a joint programme for ruling the country with the elections-winner Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), Euractiv and Intellinews report on Friday.
Boiko Borisov’s GERB announced it in an April 13 statement.
Talks about the formation of the government will begin next week. A coalition between GERB and the United Patriots was widely expected after GERB won the election but without enough seats to form a government alone, Intellinews says.
The United Patriots is a coalition of anti-immigrant, nationalists forces.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Deadly Plane Crash Outside Portugal Supermarket
Five people have died after an airplane crashed into the car park of a supermarket near the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, according to local media. Reports said that the aircraft exploded in the air, shortly after takeoff.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
EU and US Urge Hungary About Soros’ University
Washington asks to suspend law, Bruxelles launches investigation
(ANSA) — TRIESTE — “We’re urging the government of Hungary to suspend implementation of the law”. The Us State Department spokesman has called on Budapest to stop the higher education law that Washington says threatens the continued operation of the Hungarian university founded by Us financier George Soros, Reuters reported. The law could also threaten the operations of other American universities with degree programs in Hungary, State Departement added. Meanwhile, the European Union is launching an investigation of Hungary’s law. Eu Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans said that the probe will look into any negative impact that the new law might have on Eu principles of the free movement of goods, services, money and people. He says the investigation would be completed “as soon as possible” and that the commission would consider what steps to take next by the end of April.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a critic of liberal civil organizations fundedby the Hungarian-born Soros, has said the Central European University had violated regulations in awarding diplomas, an allegation the college rejects. Critics say the law is part of a wider crackdown on non-government organizations linked to Soros.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
French President Frontrunners Macron and Le Pen Kick Off Final Campaign Push in Paris
Less than a week before France heads to the polls, independent Emmanuel Macron and far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen are kicking off their final campaigning with rallies in Paris. Protests are expected against Le Pen.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Inside the World’s First All-Female Special Forces Unit: Norway’s Jegertroppen
An explosion just a few feet away rocks the unmarked station wagon as it travels along a dirt road in the Norwegian woodland.
Immediately, two soldiers jump from their front seats and run for cover behind the carcass of an old, rusty tank. Firing their weapons at targets along the snow-covered hillside, they call for support from the rest of their unit.
This firefight is just a drill, but the soldiers taking part are battling to break down one of the final barriers to women serving in the armed forces. They are training to become part of Norway’s Jegertroppen or “Hunter Troops” — the world’s first all-female military special forces unit.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
‘Too many drop-outs’ says ISTAT
(ANSA) — Rome, April 14 — Italy is top in Europe for the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs), at 2.2 million of 15-29-year-olds, ISTAT said Friday.
ISTAT added that Italy still has “too few university graduates and too many drop-outs”, leaving it far away from the EU averages in these categories. Italy is fourth-last in Europe for spending on edcuation, ISTAT said.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Soccer: ‘Forza Milan’ Says New Boss Li
Thanks Berlusconi for ‘trust in us’
(ANSA) — Milan, April 14 — New AC Milan owner and president Li Yonghong ended his first speech in charge Friday saying, in Italian, “Forza Milan”. He said “this glorious club is starting a new chapter. The success of this transition was made possible by the deep love of the Milan fans, by the efforts of the partners, and I thank (ex-premier Silvio) Berlusconi and Fininvestfor the trust they have placed in us”. “We have a great responsibility on our shoulders,” Li went on, adding that Berlusconi’s daughter Barabra wouldbe head of the Milan Foundation.
The new club CEO, Marco Fassone, told reporters that Silvio Berlusconi “knows the club is in good hands”.
Berlusconi’s 31-year era as AC Milan owner came to an end Thursday whenChinese businessman Li formally became the owner. In his first statement, Li said “I thank Berlusconi and Fininvest for their confidence, and the fans for their patience, from today we will build the future”.
Berlusconi said that “if today I leave all operational and representative posts, I will always remain Milan’s no.1 fan, the team that my father taught me to love as a boy, the dream we realised together. “I send the new owners the most cordial and deeply felt wish that they will reach even more extraordinary targets than the ones we did”. Berlusconi said he was leaving”with pain” but in the awareness that “a single family is no longer able to make the investments needed to compete at the top European and world levels”. He said he would “never forget the emotions Milan gave me and all of us”.
Berlusconi’s holding company Fininvest closed a deal selling 99.93% of the seven-time European champion’s shares to Luxembourg-based vehicle Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux, created ad hoc by the Chinese investor. “Fininvest today finalised the sale to Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux of its entirestake, 99.93%, held in AC Milan”, a joint statement said.
“The buyers have confirmed their commitment to make major interventionsof recapitalisation and financial and assets reinforcement of AC Milan”.
Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura said he was sad to see Berlusconi go andcalled the Milan side of Ruud Gullit and Marco Van Basten “one of the three clubs that made the history of soccer” in the last 50 years along with Johan Cruyff’s Ajax and Barcelona.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Fishmonger, Client in Fish Fight
Row over freshness of product in Milan
(ANSA) — Milan, April 14 — A fishmonger and a customer hit each other with fish in Milan Thursday, judicial sources said Friday.
The customer, a 50-year-old Ecuadorian woman, threw fish she had boughtat the stallholder after her husband complained it wasn’t fresh, and the 27-year-old seller threw some fish back at her.
The pair have said they will sue each other.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Lithuania to Push Military Spending Above NATO Target
Finance minister, we are responsible for our security
(ANSA) — TRIESTE, 12 APR — Lithuania will increase military spending after hitting Nato’s recommended level of 2% of economic output in the next two years, Reuters said. “We are a Nato member but we are also responsible for our security ourselves,” finance minister Vilius Sapoka told, adding that “next year we will already reach 2% of Gdp (in terms of military spending). Ithink we will keep gradually increasing that number”.
In the last days, the annual threat assessment by Lithuania’s intelligence service affirmed that Russia has developed the capability to launch an attack on the Baltic states with as little as 24 hours’ notice, limiting Nato’soptions to respond other than to have military forces already deployed in the region. It affirmed that Russia had upgraded its military in the Kaliningrad region last year, reducing lead times for any attack and potentially preventing Nato reinforcements.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Majority of Hungarians Back Orban’s ‘Anti-Soros’ University Law
The majority of Hungarians support the government’s legislation which would force foreign universities, such as the George Soros-founded Central European University (CEU), to adhere to new regulations.
According to MTI, a poll conducted by think tank the Századvég Foundation found 70 per cent of Hungarians support amendments to the higher education act which would see foreign universities issuing degrees in Hungary be obliged to observe Hungarian regulations.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Moldova: EU Agreed With 100 Mln Financial Assistance
60 mln in loans and 40 in from of grants
(ANSA) — TRIESTE — EU ambassadors agreed the Council’s negotiating stance on macro-financial assistance for the Republic of Moldova. Up to 100 millionis proposed in EU assistance, of which 60 million in loans and 40 million in the form of grants. It would supplement resources provided by the IMF and other multilateral institutions.
The assistance would be aimed at supporting the country’s economic stabilisation and structural reform agenda, helping to cover its external financingneeds over the coming two years.
Ambassadors asked the presidency to start talks on the proposed decision with the European Parliament, as soon as the Parliament has agreed its own stance.
The Republic of Moldova’s economy was affected by political instability during the period between elections in November 2014 and January 2016. It has also been affected by a banking fraud scandal, weak economic activity and import bans imposed by Russia. In July 2016 the Moldovan authorities and theIMF agreed a three-year extended credit facility and extended fund facility arrangement for $178.7 million. The Republic of Moldova requested complementary assistance from the EU in August 2015 and renewed that request in March 2016.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Oil: A 50-Year Story: From the Adriatic Sea to Bavaria
Millions of tonnes of crude oil for Germany, Austria and Czech R
(by Alfonso Di Leva) (ANSA) — TRIESTE — A story which dates back to 50 years ago and is 753 km long, starting in the northernmost point of the Adriatic Sea (port of Trieste) and reaching the heart of Europe, in Bavaria: this is the Trans-Alpine pipeline owned and managed by Siot (Tal Group) which supplies every year Germany, Austria and Czech Republic with millions of tonnes of crude oil. Bavaria has managed to turn itself from a largely agricultural region into one of the areas with the strongest industrial developmentin Europe and among the Western Countries: this is also due to the energy continuosly supplied for half a century. Today the Siot pipeline — which was completed in just one thousand days (between December 9, 1964 and June 1967) — covers 90% of Austria’s energy needs, 40% in Germany (100% in Bavaria) and 50% of the Czech Republic. Crude oil arrives in Trieste on board large oil tankers and then is stored in huge tanks before being pumped into thepipeline and transported to refineries in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, after crossing the Alps (1,600 above sea level), through three underground tunnels. More than 50 years have passed since April 13, 1967, whenthe first oil tanker, the “Daphnella”, docked in the port of Trieste (the first crude oil supply reached Ingolsadt, Bavaria, on October 3). This story is proof of an international collaboration which was developed through significant stages: the consortium made up of 83 banks that supported the construction phase (worth about 192mn USD, one of the biggest private investments at that time), the sharing of strategic vision, industrial projects, technologies and engineering plans between dozens of people from different countries. The current shareholding structure of Tal Group is a cross-border consortium whose shareholders are some of the world’s biggest and most profitable oil companies: OMV, Shell, Eni, BP, Rosneft, ExxonMobil, C-Blue Limited, MERO, Phillips 66/Jet Tankstellen and Total.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Protesters March Against Le Pen as French Campaign Enters Final Stretch
Several hundred protesters marched in northern Paris on Sunday to protest against far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen, saying that basic freedoms would disappear if she were elected to the French presidency.
With just a week to go before the first round of France’s presidential election, the demonstrators marched from the multi-ethnic northern suburb of Aubervilliers to a Paris neighbourhood where Le Pen is scheduled to hold a rally on Monday.
A group of protesters threw firebombs at police, who responded with tear gas during small skirmishes
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Protester Strips Naked, Another Storms Stage at Le Pen Rally Ahead of French Elections
A rally being held by French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen faced a security risk on Monday evening after a protester attempted to storm the stage, eventually being dragged off by the Front National leader’s security detail.
Ms. Le Pen — who is expected to reach the second round of this month’s presidential election — was giving a speech to a massive crowd at a hall in the Parisian neighborhood of Aubervilliers when a female got onto the stage and attempted to throw flowers.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Romania to EU: Cooperation and Verification Mechanism Unequal
Senate’s speaker meets Junker, time to end CVM
(ANSA) — BUCHAREST — The Senate’s President and co-chair of the Alliance ofLiberals and Democrats (ALDE) Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, that he told the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels that due to the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) Romania is not equal to other EU countries.
“We talked in Brussels about the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism and I frankly told him that I think that this cooperation and verification mechanism makes Romania not equal alongside other countries of the EU,” Tariceanu underlined as Agerpres agency reports. From his side, President Junker “told me that the proposal he made and reiterated is that during his mandate the MCV” should be “concluded with Romania”. The Senate President added that “in Brussels they are beginning to have doubts” about “the abuses and excesses and deviations that occur in Romania in justice”.
Tariceanu also mentioned that on May 11 Junker will be in Bucharest and will address the Parliament, in the context of the debate on the future of theEU.
During his visit to Brussels, the President of the Senate, Calin Popescu-Tariceanu also met with Vera Jourova, European commissioner for justice and discussed about the recent developments of the judicial system in Romania.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Young British Muslims think Isis fighters returning from Syria should be reintegrated into society and rehabilitated rather than being sent to prison, a study suggests.
The national study found young British Muslims across the UK believe returnee fighters should be reintegrated into society, with one saying the Government should “give them a chance” and another warning that “otherwise they are gonna find another extremist group and join them”.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Albania’s Political Crisis, Rama Asks EPP Intervention
To revive interrupted dialogue with the opposition
(ANSA) — TIRANA — The center-left Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama decided on Saturday to seek the assistance of the European People’s Party (EPP) to look for a solution to the ongoing political crisis. By eight weeks the center-right opposition led by Lulzim Basha protests in front of the Parliament to ask “a caretaker government to ensure an electoral process free” on June 18.
“We officially will turn to the EPP, the center right European family whichis also part of the Basha’s Democratic Party, to as soon as possible support dialogue between the parts, in order to overcome the impasse, and allow the country to continue towards free and democratic elections”, said the speaker of parliament Iir Meta, at the end of a meeting with Rama.
Basha insists on the resignation of Prime Minister. In reply to the decision of Rama and Meta to contact the EPP, Basha reiterated that “the dialogue has only one goal, a caretaker government and the mandate to this government to lead to free elections. There can be no other solution”. The opposition has not registered on the electoral roll and is boycotting parliamentary work by blocking the implementation of judicial reform, which is essential for negotiations to start EU membership.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Macedonian Companies Interested in Italian Marble Technology
Skopje,Italian Trade Agency organizes ‘Italian Stone Expirience’
(ANSA) — SKOPJE — Macedonian high-quality and world famous marble can become more competitive in foreign markets by use of adequate modern marble processing technology. To this purpose, representatives of 28 companies, concessionaries of marble attended in Skopje the presentation of Italian technology for the extraction and processing of natural stone, ‘Italian Stone Experience in Skopje’. The event, which will be also hosted in Prilep, is organized by the Ice-Italian Trade Promotion Agency office of Economic Cooperation at the Italian Embassy in Macedonia in cooperation with the Italian Association of Marble Processing Machinery Manufacturers and mineral resources department within the Ministry of Economy. “Macedonian marble industry has large potential and by use of adequate technology Macedonian marble can be even more competitive in foreign markets,” underlined Raimondo Lovati, from the Italian Association of Marble Processing Machinery Manufacturers, as reported by Mia press agency. “I hope that today’s event will result in quality cooperation and possible new investments in technology. Italian and Macedonian production systems are complementary since they are based on small and medium-sezied enterprises,” said Italian Ambassador Carlo Romeo. Italy exports equipment for processing of marble in 120 countries around the world, and it’s main exports partners are the Usa, China, Spain, India, Turkey. Exports equipment for stone processing from Italy reached EUR 1 billionin 2016. According to official statistics, trade exchange between Macedonia and Italy last year has improved by Italy taking the 5th place as Macedonia’s trading partner. Macedonia import of technology from Italy marble sector has doubled in the last two years reaching EUR 1.1 million in 2016.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
NYT Fails to Disclose Terrorism of Op-Ed Contributor
The New York Times has given precious space on its op-ed page to a Palestinian man leading a hunger strike in an Israeli prison. But the essay, from Marwan Barghouti, leaves out one crucial fact: he is in prison because he was convicted of killing five Israelis in terrorist attacks more than a decade ago.
A footnote to the op-ed describes Barghouti only as “a Palestinian leader and parliamentarian,” omitting any reference to his 2004 terrorism conviction.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Palestinians in Israeli Jails Launch Mass Hunger Strike
More than 1,000 Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails have launched an open-ended hunger strike following calls from prominent prisoner Marwan Barghouti. The strike coincides with the annual Palestinian Prisoners Day.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Erdogan Left With a Divided Turkey After Referendum
By expanding his powers through a slim, contested victory in Sunday’s referendum, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan has consolidated his rule — but over a nation bound for social turmoil. Diego Cupolo reports from Ankara.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
EU Observer in Turkey Condemns Referendum as ‘Neither Fair Nor Free’
Fears the Yes vote in Turkey’s referendum which granted far-reaching new powers to Turkey’s President may have been unfairly influenced in his favour have been heightened by criticism from an EU observer sent as an impartial witness.
Opposition parties are saying the result should be annulled after alleging electoral fraud in Sunday’s referendum, in which 51% of the electorate voted for constitutional changes that include the abolition of the office of Prime Minister, and could allow Recep Tayyip Erdogan to stay as President until 2029.
The EU sent a delegation of 20 impartial observers to ensure the referendum complied with European standards.
One of the delegates, Stefan Schennach, joined Turkish opposition in expressing serious concerns about the outcome, which he condemned as “unfair and unfree”.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
OSCE: Turkey Referendum ‘Contested on an Unlevel Playing Field’
Observers have said the Turkish referendum fell short of international standards, arguing both sides did not have equal campaign opportunities. Turkey’s president said monitors should not criticize, but know their place.
International election observers from the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) reported on Monday that Turkey’s constitutional referendum was contested on “an unlevel playing field.”
Despite the technical aspects of the voting process being well administered, voters weren’t provided with impartial information on key aspects of what they were voting for, the joint mission of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said in a statement.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Outcome of Turkey Vote Likely to Further Cool EU Relations
European leaders reacted with restraint and concern Monday to the narrow outcome of a referendum in Turkey that grants sweeping new powers to the nation’s president.
While relations between the European Union and Turkey have been deteriorating for months, the result of the Turkish vote will likely only widen the growing political and cultural distance between the 28-nation bloc and the EU candidate country.
Both Germany and France expressed concern about possible election irregularities and called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to engage in dialogue with the opposition after Sunday’s referendum’s showed how deeply the country is divided.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Turkey Referendum: Erdogan Dismisses Criticism by Monitors
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected criticism by monitors who say the referendum campaign fell short of international standards.
“Know your place,” he said, adding that he did not accept the comments.
The observers said Mr Erdogan had been favoured by an “unequal” campaign. In the referendum, voters gave sweeping new powers to the president.
The narrow vote was ruled valid by Turkey’s electoral body, despite claims of irregularities by the opposition.
Late changes in ballot counting marred the vote and removed a key safeguard, the monitors added.
Mr Erdogan’s push for an executive presidency succeeded with 51.4% voting for it.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Turkey Referendum, Erdogan Dominance Worries Dutch Politicians
With Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan claiming a narrow victory in a referendum designed to give his office more power, several politicians in the Netherlands expressed disdain for the vote results. Erdogan opponents in Turkey questioned the veracity of the vote count, with Turkish state media claiming that 70 percent of Turkish passport holders in the Netherlands voting to give Erdogan greater authority.
About 115,000 people cast a ballot in the Netherlands, where 250,000 Turkish passport holders reside. In Turkey and abroad, Erdogan claimed 51.5 percent of ballots with an 86-percent voter turnout, according to state supplied election results.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Belarus: Agreement With Russia on Oil Price and Supplies
Volume of deliveries of 24mln tons per year
(ANSA) — TRIESTE — Russia and Belarus came to an agreement “satisfactory for both sides” on price and oil supplies issues, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at a government meeting on Thursday, Belta and Tass agencies report.
The Russian government will approve a protocol setting the volume of Russia’s crude oil deliveries via pipelines in 2017-2024 at 24 mln tons per year.”The second protocol sets the procedure on gas price formation for Belarusuntil December 31, 2019, and stipulates the proposal on single gas market formation within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) till 2025, to be developed by January 1, 2018,” Russian PM said according to Tass.
The third protocol contains access rules regarding services provided by natural monopolies in the gas transportation area.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Russia Questions New Suspect Over St Petersburg Bombing
Russia’s domestic security service says it has detained a suspect linked with last month’s deadly bombing of the St Petersburg metro. The man, said to be from Central Asia, reportedly trained the suicide bomber.
Fifteen people died and dozens were injured as a result of the April 3 attack, in which an explosion tore through a train traveling between stations in Russia’s second-largest city.
Authorities say they think Azimov helped train the alleged suicide bomber, 22-year-old Akbarzhon Dzhalilov, a Russian citizen who was born in the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
North Korea Accuses US of Creating Situation for Nuclear War
North Korea’s deputy U.N. ambassador accused the United States on Monday of turning the Korean Peninsula into “the world’s biggest hotspot” and creating “a dangerous situation in which a thermonuclear war may break out at any moment.”
Kim In Ryong told a news conference that “if the U.S. dares opt for a military action,” North Korea “is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the U.S.”
He said the Trump administration’s deployment of the Carl Vinson nuclear carrier task group to waters off the Korean Peninsula again “proves the U.S. reckless moves for invading the DPRK have reached a serious phase of its scenario.”
Kim stressed that U.S.-South Korean military exercises being staged now are the largest-ever “aggressive war drill” aimed at his country, formally the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
North Korea Tensions Have Hawaii Pols Revisiting Emergency Attack Plans
As tensions with North Korea mount, Hawaii lawmakers anxiously are dusting off the state’s emergency plans in preparation for the possibility — however remote — of an attack on the islands.
The plans were last revisited in the 1980s. But the Hawaii House Public Safety Committee on Thursday formally called for the state’s defense agency to repair their hundreds of Cold War-era fallout shelters and restock them with medical supplies, food and water.
“They haven’t been updated since 1985,” Rep. Matt LoPresti, a Democrat who serves as vice chair of that committee, told Hawaii News Now. “I was 11 years old when they were last updated. Many of the buildings that are on the fallout shelter list don’t exist anymore.”
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
North Korea ‘Will Test Missiles Weekly’, Senior Official Tells BBC
North Korea will continue to test missiles, a senior official has told the BBC in Pyongyang, despite international condemnation and growing military tensions with the US.
“We’ll be conducting more missile tests on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis,” Vice-Foreign Minister Han Song-ryol told the BBC’s John Sudworth.
He said that an “all-out war” would result if the US took military action.
Earlier, US Vice-President Mike Pence warned North Korea not to test the US.
He said his country’s “era of strategic patience” with North Korea was over.
Mr Pence arrived in Seoul on Sunday hours after North Korea carried out a failed missile launch.
Tensions have been escalating on the peninsula, with heated rhetoric from both North Korea and the US.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
North Korea has threatened to launch weekly missile tests after US Vice President Mike Pence warned that the ‘era of patience’ with Kim Jong-un is over.
Vice Foreign Minister Han Song-Ryol has ramped up the tension between the two nations by saying: ‘We’ll be conducting more missile tests on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.’
He also said that an ‘all out war’ was a possibility if the US responded by taking military action against Pyongyang.
The secretive state’s deputy U.N. ambassador has also accused Washington of turning the Korean peninsula into ‘the world’s biggest hotspot’ and creating ‘a dangerous situation in which a thermonuclear war may break out at any moment.’
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
The sick text messages a Sydney bakery owner sent a woman just hours after her raped her when she answered his job advertisement on Gumtree have been revealed.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
A fundamentalist male sheikh Mohamad Doar has told a ‘girls’ youth night’ in Sydney they would go to hell if they befriended people of a different faith or plucked their eyebrows.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Afrikaans Sentenced to Death: English Now Sole Official Court Language
In an e-mail to staff revealing the decision, Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe said a resolution adopted last month by the heads of courts declared: “English must be the official language of record in all courts in the Republic of South Africa.”
In his April 5 message, Hlophe added: “Kindly ensure that there is compliance with this resolution in all courts in the Western Cape with immediate effect.”
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s office confirmed the decision, which has already attracted criticism from AfriForum and the Pan South African Language Board.
AfriForum’s Alana Bailey said the pro-Afrikaans group was considering mounting a legal challenge, and Rakwena Monareng, CEO of the language board, said while the board would seek a discussion with the heads of courts, litigation could not be ruled out.
But constitutional law expert Professor Pierre de Vos said the resolution would not make any difference because in most courts the language was already English.
The language issue was raised last week at the Judicial Service Commission when Northern Cape Judge Violet Phatshoane spoke about a colleague who wrote a judgment in Afrikaans and told a judge who was not conversant in the language to “consult the dictionary”…
| — Hat tip: RRN | [Return to headlines] |
Bewitch White People, Says ANC
White people must be bewitched and there is a local panacea for the ailing rand.
This was the talk on Friday at the Greater KwaDukuza ANC march on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast in defence of President Jacob Zuma.
“We do not care about the sick rand. It will recover. There’s a cure for it. The cure for the rand is the boy from Siqumbe [Malusi Gigaba]‚” said Greater KwaDukuza ANC Youth League chair Mfanafuthi Ngcobo when he addressed about 400 ANC marchers outside the Ballito Junction mall.
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Maduro Orders Venezuela Army Into Streets
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has ordered the army into the streets as the volatile country braces for what his opponents vow will be the “mother of all protests” on Wednesday.
Maduro, who has faced violent protests over recent moves to tighten his grip on power, ordered the military to defend the leftist “Bolivarian revolution” launched by his late mentor Hugo Chavez in 1999.
“From the first reveille (on Monday morning), from the first rooster crow, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces will be in the streets… saying, ‘Long live the Bolivarian revolution,’“ Maduro said Sunday night in a televised address.
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Some 10,000 Venezuelan Passports and Other Documents Were Issued to Middle Easterners
Within the span of a year, Venezuela illegally issued at least 10,000 passports and other documents to citizens of Syria, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries in a scheme spearheaded by current Vice President Tareck El Aissami, according to a former high-ranking immigration official.
Colonel Vladimir Medrano Rengifo, former director of Venezuela’s Office of Identification and Migration, said that during his 17 months in the post, most passports and visas were granted in the Venezuelan Consulate in Damascus, Syria’s capital.
Read more here: #storylink=cpy
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Venezuela Illegally Issued 10,000 Passports to Syrians, Iranians, Report Says
A former director of Venezuela’s Office of Identification, Migration and Foreigners said that during his 17 months in the post, the socialist government gave at least 10,000 Venezuelan passports and other documents to citizens of Syria, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.
In an interview with El Nuevo Herald, Colonel Vladimir Medrano Rengifo said the operation was headed by current Vice President Tareck El Aissami.
He said most passports and visas were granted in the Venezuelan Consulate in Damascus, Syria’s capital.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
EU ‘Terrified Erdogan Could Turn His Back on Migrant Deal’
EUROPE is preparing for another migrant crisis over fears Turkey’s newly empowered President Erdogan will turn his back on the nation’s long-awaited EU membership.
Officials across the continent are expecting Erdogan to square up to Brussels, reinstating the death penalty and demanding visa-free travel within the EU’s Schengen area.
The increasingly authoritarian Turkish president, who narrowly won a referendum granting him more control over key areas of the government, made an agreement with the EU to home some three million migrants during the height of the migrant crisis.
But Erdogan’s willingness to square up to the bloc’s “red line” opposition to capital punishment has led to fears they may allow their migrant population to move into Europe.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The Moroccan migrant suspect at the centre of a foiled plot to launch an attack outside the Russian embassy in Berlin, Germany, was arrested “at the last minute”, just hours before the terror attack was due to take place.
The migrant had come to the attention of the security services after discussing his plans on social media under a number of pseudonyms.
New details of the attack have come to light in the German press. As reported by Die Welt, the Moroccan male identified as Mohammed B.H. had told others he intended to infiltrate a protest that would take place outside the Russian embassy during the second weekend of April, and then launch his attack from there.
Die Welt reported that a special police task force acted on intelligence gathered on the suspect, raiding the migrant ‘container village’ of 8,000 residents where Mohammed lived at five o’clock on the morning of the day he planned to launch his attack.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Kansas Secretary of State Obtains First Conviction for Noncitizen Voting
On April 12, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach announced that he has obtained his first conviction of a non-U.S. citizen who illegally voted in a Kansas election.
A press release posted by Kobach’s office on his departmental web page noted that he had secured a guilty plea on April 7 in the voter fraud case of Victor David Garcia Bebek, a noncitizen who pleaded guilty to three counts of voting without being qualified, a class A misdemeanor. The case was brought in Sedgwick County District Court.
Bebek voted on three separate occasions, including a 2012 special election, the 2012 general election, and the 2014 general election. Under the plea agreement, Bebek was placed on unsupervised probation for a period of up to three years and must pay a $5,000 fine. Probation will terminate upon payment of the fine.
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‘Record-Breaking’ Number of Migrants Crossing Mediterranean This Easter
An “unprecedented” number of people tried to cross the Mediterranean over the Easter weekend this year, a migrant charity has said.
The Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) said they went to the aid of between 1,500 and 1,800 men, women, and children on seven rubber and two wooden vessels over the weekend, picking up 453 on their own ship and providing life jackets and other provisions to around 1,000 more.
Meanwhile, in the central Mediterranean, MOAS reported 2,074 rescues conducted by “various search-and-rescue (SAR) assets on Friday, including 134 rescued by the Phoenix”.
The charity said the situation had been a “24 hours marathon of continuous rescue operations” in what was “set to be the latest marker in the record-breaking escalation of this on-going humanitarian crisis at sea”.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Saving Lives, 1 Day at a Time, On the Deadly Mediterranean
It works the SAR zone — the search-and-rescue zone — which starts 12 nautical miles from the Libyan coast and goes 12 miles deeper into the sea’s unpredictable waters. This is the last, deadliest section of the migrant highway known as “the Libyan route” that slices across the African continent. According to UNHCR, an average of 14 people died in the Mediterranean every day in 2016, the highest number ever recorded.
Most migrants on the Mediterranean are now trying to reach Italy.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
The Failure of Open Borders in Germany and Sweden
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has just woken up to the fact that terrorists have been entering her country under the guise of would-be asylum seekers. “There is no doubt that among the so many people who have sought shelter in our country were also persons who have become the focus of the security authorities,” Chancellor Merkel acknowledged.
However, as if to exculpate herself from any responsibility, she added, “we should not forget that our country was already in the sights of Islamic terrorism before the many refugees came to us.” Her latter observation begs the question as to why she was so reckless in opening up Germany’s borders to a veritable flood of refugees, without any careful screening, in the first place.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Shining Sea: 75 Percent of Ocean’s Animals Glow
The ocean is a dark, dark place. Below about 656 feet (200 meters), light doesn’t penetrate. Considering that the average depth of the ocean is around 14,000 feet (4,267 m), that leaves a lot of room for inky blackness. Marine life has figured out a way to cope. New research finds that a full three-quarters of sea animals make their own light.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
The First Mars Colony Could be 3D Printed From Red Planet Dust
A new technique could allow the first humans on Mars to 3D print everything from tools to temporary housing out of a tough rubber-like material — using only Martian dust.
The method could enable the first humans who set foot on the Red Planet to print the tools and housing they need to survive without having to lug all the supplies aboard their spaceship.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Why is Easter Called ‘Easter’?
Today (April 16), Christians will be celebrating Easter, the day on which the resurrection of Jesus is said to have taken place. The date of celebration changes from year to year.
The reason for this variation is that Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. So, in 2018, Easter will be celebrated on April 1, and on April 21 in 2019.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Re “Why is Easter Called ‘Easter’?”:
Fascinating article about the difficulty of mechanically computing the changing date of Easter in watches and clocks, over the centuries:
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/patek-philippe-caliber-89-easter-problem
“The first true mechanical computus appears to have been made not long after Gauss came up with his algorithm, and it currently resides in a place more horological enthusiasts should know about: the great astronomical clock in the cathedral at Strasbourg, in Alsace, France.”
Background music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vjfw7UHl_E
On Norway’s Jergertroppen – all female special forces. Said Tonje – apparently one of the female special troopers on working out just like their male counterparts, “I’m the smallest, so I carry as much weight (backpack filled with rations, ammo, sleeping bag, toiletries, spare socks, undies etc,) as I myself weigh.”
Really? No mention of just how far she will need to carry such weight (60-100 lbs) I call garbage on such female fantasy in carrying extra weight that even a big powerful male would find daunting over any distance.
If any doubt my assessment which is based on my own military experience, then please log on to Youtube and watch the induction testing into Australian Special Forces (SAS) and determine for yourself if Jergertroppen will fulfill its intended role without many problems soon becoming apparent.
It’s nonsense, as they will find out very quickly if these unfortunate females are ever put to the test against male soldiers.
Trump’s State Department using MY tax dollars to defend a Soros school in Hungary?
What a revolting development!
Tax dollars as jizya. How could the world produce such devils as Soros. What motivates him to be the enemy of Jews and the west.
What is strange how can be such a Judas and not be in prison or given a fate similar to that of Mussolini.
EVERY month millions are being paid to jihadis to help them islamize us and enslave us. Can we prevent our Traitors from doing that by elections? NO.
I pinned very high hopes on Mr Trump when he was campaigning.
Whatever PROMISES made then based on clever OBSERVATIONS are reneged now.
It seems he “is learning the real gutters of policies and who makes them.
He is forced by unseen real rulers to desert his sincere attitudes and sublime independent steps to serve “Americans First.” Isn’t that natural. Or is it natural to receive millions from Qatar and Saudi Arabia and serve them first.
Everything he said was logical and based on observing what was Hussein doing to America and wanted to amend it : turning the WH to a lair for Muslim Brotherhood, a den for thieves smuggling millions to Abbas and Muslim Brotherhood. And a detrimental House for the NATIVES.
Have you seen the photos of Hussein looking with intense hatred at his excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, who, from his speeches, you know he has a clear picture of what jihadis are hiding for Israel and the west.
You know, I really like your site but the long-running scripts are really annoying. Is there anything you can do about that?
Oh, and I always learn something here. For example, how Easter is determined — I didn’t ever know that.
Angela Merkel is an idiot and has proved it over the last couple of years.
Paddy, I so agree with you. Soros is an evil man and his history in Hungary proves it. I am hoping to dance on his grave when he finally kicks the bucket (not literally of course).
I would do more than dance on his grave; I would make sure to give the weeds a thorough watering…
Moon, I seriously doubt that anything would even grow there, so save your, er, water.
As jihadists back from Syria, wander free for ‘lack of evidence’.
The figure of 400 is almost certainly an underestimate.
Just another day in the Islamisation of the UK.
Where political-correctness, cognitive-dissonance, appeasement and Islamofascism meet.
………………..
“What did you did at school today dear, anything interesting?”
“We went to the mosque mummy, it was the same one attended by the killers of Lee Rigby and still had the same imam , Shakeel Begg.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/15/children-taken-meet-islamic-preacher-hadpromoted-encouraged/
“Oh really? That sounds nice.Was a bit like that rally you went to with your UAF flag, where one of the killers of Lee Rigby, ranted about the kuffar?’
“Not really mummy…..The High Court ruled last year the imam was an “an extremist Islamic speaker who espouses extremist Islamic positions…and that he ‘promoted and encouraged religious violence”.
“That’s not very nice is it dear ?”
“I know mummy but the school said it was “part of our rich curriculum promoting the British values of tolerance of people of different faiths”
Brill comment….wake up UK
Those interested in the ‘resurgence’ of Hungary there is this (a traditional Catholic perspective):
http://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/articles/item/3149-blessed-karl-and-the-resurgence-of-christian-hungary