The United Kingdom yesterday urged Iran to ease tensions in the Gulf by releasing the British oil tanker boarded in the Strait of Hormuz, an act deemed “unacceptable” by London and raising further escalation fears. British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt announced that the executive would inform Parliament on Monday about “further measures” that the United Kingdom intends to take, but the “priority” remains to “find a way to defuse the situation.” But “we also need to see a process” of appeasement on the Iranian side, he said. “We need this ship to be released.”
Category: Politics
148 Killed by Islamic Terrorists This Week, During 26 Separate Attacks
This is a significant decline from the last few weeks. There were no major attacks out of Afghanistan, which had been a hot spot right up until the peace road map was signed.
The worst attack occurred in Kismayo, Somalia where 26 were killed and 56 were injured. A suicide car bomb exploded at the base of the Asasey hotel in the southern port city while a presidential candidate was meeting with local elders. Timed just seconds behind the explosion, three heavily armed gunman entered the Hotel killing 26 including American and a UK citizen. A gun battle ensued for 14 hours before armed security were able to retake control of the hotel.
US Forces Deployed in Saudi Arabia Amid Growing Tension With Iran
US forces are deployed in Saudi Arabia to defend US interests in the face of “serious emerging threats,” the Pentagon said. The move comes amid growing tension with Iran over the safety of shipping lines in the Gulf. Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz has agreed to “host US forces to enhance security and stability in the region,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Puerto Ricans Demand “Ricky Leaks” Governor Resign, More to Come Monday
What had initially looked like a minor, unrelated detail in a story about a massive corruption scandal has erupted in to a full-blown political crisis in Puerto Rico. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of San Juan Saturday to demand the resignation of embattled Governor Ricardo Rossello, with even bigger protests planned for Monday. The protests were sparked in part by last week’s revelation of offensive text messages— now dubbed “Ricky Leaks”— between Rossello and his inner circle. However, for residents of the U.S. commonwealth— themselves American citizens— the uprising is about much more on an island unaccustomed to seeing them.
What Matt Drudge Predicted is Now Becoming a Reality After 20 years
Matt Drudge gave a speech before the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. in 1998. He was already deemed an internet leader in both news and aggregated news distribution. His Drudge Report challenged the ethos of the newspaper society, which was just the beginning of dynamic revolutionary change in the news world order. The Drudge Report made friends, added enemies, created new futures and helped forced everyone in the industry to change many times over in order just to stay relevant.
Frisco Search Warrant Quashed, Aussie Police Wanted Prints in Pair of Press Raids
On Thursday, a judge voided a search warrant used by the San Francisco Police Department to monitor a journalist’s phone. The warrant was then used to gather information in advance of a controversial raid on the apartment and news operation of Bryan Carmody, who published a leaked police report and refused to divulge its source. Meanwhile, more details are emerging down under on a similar raid on Australia’s public broadcaster. In a troubling time worldwide for press freedoms, this week provided much-needed good news, and a dose of disinfecting daylight.
The United States Shot Down an Iranian Drone in Strait of Hormuz
The United States on Thursday shot down an Iranian drone that approached an American ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the latest incident in a high-tension region for more than two months. It was US President Donald Trump who announced that the United States had shot down this Iranian aircraft that had come dangerously close to an American ship, after ignoring multiple calls to getaway.
Jacob Zuma Refuses to Cooperate on Corruption Inquiry
Jacob Zuma, former South Africa president ended his cooperation Friday with a corruption investigation focused on his time in office, saying it was biased. Zuma 77, testified since Monday before the commission to shed light on the many scandals that have tarnished his presidency (2009-2018) and forced him to resign a year and a half ago.
Strait Trippin’: Iran Seizes Tanker, US Downs Drone
A month ago, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard shot down an unmanned American drone in the Strait of Hormuz. Later that week, President Trump called off a retaliatory military attack on Iran at the last minute. He explained the next day that he did not believe the loss of Iranian lives to be proportionate to the loss of a machine. On Thursday, the United States appeared to level the score. US Marines jammed an unmanned Iranian drone in the Strait, downing the aircraft and destroying it. The incident reignited tensions between the two countries, which seem to be stumbling toward war.
Another Attempt at Impeaching Trump Fails Spectacularly
Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, has once again attempted to impeach the President. This is the third time Congressman Green has tried to impeach President Trump, and this is the third time the House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted against him.
Turkey Kicked Out by US From F-35 Fighter Jet Program
The United States said it was excluding Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program after the first parts of the Russian advanced defense program S-400 was received in Ankara last week. Washington says the F-35 fighter jets can not coexist with a Russian intelligence-gathering platform that will be used to learn its evolving capabilities.
House Puts Partisan Differences Aside, Votes to Kill Cadillac Tax
It’s been a busy week on Capitol Hill. Maybe you’d heard. Lost in the presidential politics and Democratic din, the House paused on Wednesday to finally deliver a bipartisan whooping to an unpopular element of the Affordable Care Act. By a vote of 419-6, the so-called “Cadillac Tax” is no more, dead before it was allowed to begin. The tax, designed to keep health care costs down, had early supporters in each party, but was widely opposed by both.
Israeli Education Minister In Hot Water Over Gay Remarks
Israel’s head of Education became the target of protests after saying he believes in the effectiveness of homosexual conversion therapies. Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the declaration but gives no sign that he intends to dismiss a minister. Protests in Israel on Sunday heighten pressure for education minister Rafi Peretz to be fired.
El Chapo: Life Imprisonment for the Mexican “Drug Emperor”
Today, a Mexican drug tycoon Joaquin Guzman, a 62-year-old, known as El Chapo, has been sentenced to life in prison. Guzman managed to escape from a Mexican prison through a tunnel in 2015 but was later arrested and handed over to the United States in 2017. Guzman was the leader of the Sinaloa drug trafficking group in northern Mexico, which officials say it was the largest supplier of drugs to the United States.
Iran Refuses to Negotiate Its Ballistic Missile Program
The Iranian mission to the United Nations, Ali Reza Mir Yusuf, said Tehran’s ballistic missile program is not negotiable. His remarks came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke of the Iranians’ readiness to discuss their missile program.
US President Donald Trump also said progress has been made in an effort to reduce tensions with Iran. Relations between the two countries deteriorated dramatically after Trump withdrew last year from the nuclear deal with Iran and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran began to breach some of the terms of the agreement.
Second Quarter Fundraising Separates Democratic Contenders and Pretenders
Following the first debates last month, polling for the Democratic presidential contenders coalesced around five main candidates. Former Vice President Joe Biden, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Kamala Harris (D-CA), and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg put some distance between themselves and the rest of the two-dozen strong field. Monday was Disclosure Day for the field, and sure enough, Biden, Bernie, Buttigieg, Warren, and Harris came out on top of the money race. Money talks, of course. Not always on its own, but often in echoes. With debate requirements tightening in the fall, the second quarter numbers offer the best picture yet as to who will go the furthest and who might be going home the soonest.
Is Elizabeth Warren Taking the Leading in California?
The big prize for Democrats is California and many people thought Sen. Kamala Harris would be favored, especially after her strong debate performance. If not Harris, than possibly former Vice President Joe Biden or even Sen. Bernie Sanders who had good showing in the 2016 primary election, in the State of California. However, the latest poll had Sen. Elizabeth Warren in first place, Harris in second by only a very thin margin, with Biden now down to third. If Harris can’t secure her home state in the Primary, her chances of success are thin.
Galileo Satellite System Disruption: Coincidence or Attack?
Space war, or technical warfare is silently being waged all around us. On July 13th, 2019 (this past weekend) the European Union’s (EU’S) Galileo satellite went, or was taken offline. Galileo is owned by the collective European Union, managed and operated by the European Space Agency, and is used for nonmilitary, scientific, and civilian purposes.
US Migrant Crisis: Donald Trump Toughens Asylum Rules
The United States government said yesterday it will never grant asylum to immigrants who did not request it in a “safe third country” in a new attempt to reduce the flow of migrants along the border with Mexico, mainly from Central America. Strict measures should reach migrants arriving along the Mexican border. Strict rules are making it difficult to grant benefits to applicants who have transited through other countries before arriving in the US.
Jon Corzine: After Overseeing One of America’s Worst Financial Failures, He’s in Charge of People’s Money Again!
After gaining one of the highest levels of public trust, and producing one of America’s worst ethical and financial failures, Jon Corzine is back working with client’s money again.
When I was growing up, I believed America was fair and honest and if you worked hard you could move ahead– and those who get caught cheating will pay a price. Well, now it appears you can get caught cheating, be in charge while over $800 million dollars of client’s money is lost forever, but if you’re well connected you’ll be back in business with a new hedge fund in a just few years. What a country!
As Debt Ceiling Approaches, Both Sides Scramble for July Deal
Just before the weekend, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin dropped a bombshell to those paying attention to Friday news: the federal government may run out of cash by early September. “Based on updated projections, there is a scenario in which we run out of cash in early September, before Congress reconvenes,” the secretary wrote in a letter to Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. “As such, I request that Congress increase the debt ceiling before Congress leaves for summer recess.” Since then, Mnuchin and Pelosi have become besties, negotiating directly, and almost continuously, by phone. Both sides want a deal before July 26, yet both sides remain far apart.
“It’s a Conspiracy Against Me” – South Africa’s Jacob Zuma Rejects Allegations of Crimes
In court testimony, Former South African President Jacob Zuma rejects allegations of crimes and claims to be the target of conspiracies to get him out of the picture. He is accused of corruption and involvement with entrepreneurs who had an influence in his government. Zuma denied a number of accusations against him on Monday. He said that for years he has been the target of conspiracies and attempts to destroy his reputation.
The Chief Rabbi of Sfat Defends Rafi Peretz for His Opposition to Parts of the Gay Agenda
The LBGTQ community went out July 14 in protest against the statements of Rafi Peretz, the newly selected Minister of Education in the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. Minister Peretz, an Orthodox Jew, is firmly against Israel supporting surgeries for people to change their genders. As Minister of Education, Rafi Peretz feels it is important to provide therapy to those that are influenced to change their lives drastically and even to go through surgery to change their bodies to become transgender.
Donald Trump Accused of Racism for Attacking Congresswomen
US President Donald Trump faces a flurry of criticism following statements deemed racist about women politicians in the Democratic Party. Trump wrote in his Twitter account on Sunday:
“So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run. Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done. These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough. I’m sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!”
As U.S.-Iran Tensions Mount, Europe Tries to Save the Deal
Amid ongoing saber rattling between the United States and Iran, two European envoys have been dispatched to attempt to save the Iran Nuclear Deal. Emmanuel Bonne, representing French President Emmanuel Macron, was in Tehran this week, and British Foreign Minister (and Prime Ministerial candidate) Jeremy Hunt is headed for Brussels. Meanwhile, Iran says it’s ready to talk, conditionally. It seems unlikely the United States will be as willing to listen.
President Rouhani: Iran Will Negotiate If US Lifts Sanctions
President Hassan Rohani is ready for negotiations with the United States in order to stop efforts to punish his country economically. Amid tensions between Washington and Tehran, Germany, France and the United Kingdom called for responsible action. Iranian President Hassan Rohani said on Sunday his country is ready to resume talks with the United States if Washington removes heavy economic sanctions against the country and returns to the 2015 nuclear deal.
Right vs Left – Democracy in Israel is Tested Too
Democracy which is enjoyed by America, Israeli and the free world continually faces conflicts between the two sides left and right. Democracy gives the right of both sides to interact peacefully but there is always conflicts over political control. After President Trump won the election he revealed himself as a conservative Republican. Republicans are generally more conservative than Democrats who are more liberal. Republicans can be conservative or liberal republican and democrats can be more or less liberal.
Migration to Europe: UN Urges Libya to Close Detention Centers After Deadly Bombing
The United Nations has called for the closure of immigration detention centers in Libya, saying these facilities are unsuitable for shelter. This comes about two weeks after the killing of more than fifty people in an air strike targeting a detention center in the Libyan capital Tripoli.
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Britain Offers to Release Iranian Oil Tanker – Deescalating Tensions
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said an Iranian oil tanker being held by the British Royal Navy in the Straits of Gibraltar could be released if the United Kingdom will be guaranteed by Iran that the oil tanker would not go to Syria to deliver its cargo. The minister added that he had a “constructive” telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who informed him of Tehran’s desire to resolve the issue, and not to escalate the situation.
Building and Finding Peace
No one in the world can deny the importance of peace except for crazy fanatics. There are various types of peace, all are important. Peace in the home is one type of peace which is important for the whole family. To have peace in home also requires livelihood and national security.
National peace is important even critical for those living in their country. National peace demands its citizens to work together for their nation and its national peace. National unity is a goal which is also the goal of national peace. No nation in this world is alone. National peace requires also world peace.
British Police Launch Investigation of Kim Darroch Memos Leak
British police have launched an investigation into an alleged leak of e-mails from the British ambassador in Washington criticizing the administration of US President Donald Trump. Deputy police commissioner Neil Basu said there was “clear public interest” in bringing officials to justice. Sir Kim Darroch resigned as an ambassador on Wednesday, saying it was “not possible” for him to continue.
380 Injured, Including School Children and 162 Killed this Week by Islamic Terrorists
One hundred and sixty two people were killed by Islamic terrorist attacks with a massive 380 injured in 34 attacks over the last week. The number injured took a savage leap with the knowledge that a susuide car bomb went off next a school. The number of attacks per day increase from 32 over six days to 34 over the last seven days. The overall number of deaths decrease but the number by a single event was unconscionable.
Portland Mayor Criticized From the Right; Receives Challenger from the Left
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler did a lot of talking on Monday, but didn’t end up saying very much in his first press conference following an overseas vacation. He said the dueling protests between far-left and far-right demonstrators, which frequently devolve in to violent street brawls, are a black mark against Portland’s reputation, yet offered no ideas on how to repair it. He said he plans to discuss ways to better control future protests, yet offered no ideas of his own. He offered no timetable for any solutions or ideas he might have alluded to, yet the city’s next outdoor MMA fight is scheduled for next Saturday. While Wheeler has withstood a barrage of criticism, much of it from the out-of-state right, his battle for re-election was joined this week from the left.
Schism – Democratic Party Infighting
Democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) shocked the political establishment when she was elected to the House of Representatives without any major political experience to speak of. Since her election Ocasio-Cortez has championed some of the most liberal and progressive policies ever to be discussed in the halls of the U.S. Congress.
Somalia Terrorists: 26 People Die in Asasey Hotel Attack
At least 26 people, including a prominent journalist in Canada and several foreigners, were killed in an attack on a hotel in southern Somalia. A suicide bomber drove a car containing explosives at the Asasey Hotel in Kismayo Port, and then snipers attacked the building. Journalist Hodan Naleyah and her husband are believed to be among the dead.
Operation Ghost Stories: The True Story of the Russian Illegals Portrayed in FX’s The Americans
Russian state sponsored television aired a spook program this week. Russia (the government’s official channel) televised an exclusive interview with retired Colonel Elena Vavilova (aka Tracey Foley) and her husband Andrey Bezrukov (aka Donald Hattfield). These two agents were arrested by the FBI on June 27, 2010 at their residence in Massachusetts and charged with espionage.
House Votes to Restrain Presidential War Powers; Trump Threatens Veto
On Friday, in “the most important foreign policy vote in the United States Congress,” the Democrat-controlled House voted to reauthorize the often-contentious National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)— and tied President Trump’s war-making hands in doing so. Twenty Republicans voted with the majority on a bipartisan amendment to require the president to get congressional approval before attacking Iran. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces long odds, and the threat of a presidential veto.
Turkey Risks US Sanctions After Buying Russian S-400 Missiles
The Turkish Defense Ministry said on Friday that they have received the first Russian air defense system S-400. The delivery was made earlier today with the equipment reaching an air base northwest of the capital Ankara, the ministry said. The purchase angered the United States, Turkey’s ally. The United States has warned Turkey that it may face sanctions because of the purchase, including denial of access to US F-35 fighter jets.
Egyptian Independence Days Celebrated in Israel – 1952 and 2013
Egypt celebrated Independence Day on July 11 the 66th year when Egypt became a republic. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Riblin of Israel attended celebrations at the Egyptian embassy. Egypt is a peaceful neighbor of Israel since the peace treaty of 1979. Netanyahu spoke that they are working forward toward expanding the Gas line from Israel to Egypt and their commitments to prosperity security and peace in the Middle East.
Norway Detects Radiation Leak From Soviet Nuclear Submarine
Norway has detected a radiation level 800,000 times greater than normal in the sinking of a Russian military submarine. The Soviet-era vessel sank in the Norwegian Sea in 1989, when a fire on board killed 42 sailors.
The Norwegian team’s analysis showed radioactive cesium leaking from a ventilation tube on the submarine, called Komsomolets. According to Hilde Elise Heldal researcher, the problem is not alarming for the time being, as Arctic waters rapidly dilute radioactive material. Komsomolets is also located in a very deep sea, at 1680m deep, and there are few fish in the area, says Heldal.
Sudan Crisis: Ruling Military Foils Coup Attempt
Sudan’s ruling transitional military has foiled a “coup attempt” aimed at “blocking the deal” with opposition representatives. The head of the Security Committee Council, Jamal Omar Ibrahim, said that a number of officers and soldiers has been arrested.
The announcement of the attempted coup failed after the agreement of the military council and opposition representatives to end the political deadlock in the country. Ibrahim said that 12 officers were arrested, including seven in service and five in pensions and four officers were detained.
Trapped at a Wisconsin Technical College! Provost Slams Teachers and Donors; “Our Only Choices Are to Retire or Die”
Gateway Technical College sits on the banks of Lake Michigan in Racine, Wisconsin. The college covers three counties in southeastern Wisconsin including Kenosha, Racine and Walworth. Gateway bills itself as a “model college,” offering 65 programs and claiming to have a “near 100% student satisfaction rate” with its 21,000 students. With these kinds of numbers it’s easy to assume the college is a dynamic and innovate place to study and work.
Southwest Border Migration Recorded a Sharp Drop of 28% in 2019
Is President Donald Trump’s new policy with Mexico working? Or is the seasonal drop in migration due to the weather?
First, if you take the May to June average for the last five years of Southern Border illegal migration and end prior to this year or 2018, the average seasonal drop is 9%. Without a doubt, there seems to be something real going on because it just dropped around 300% more than the average season decline.
Four Arrested in Puerto Rico Corruption Probe; Federal Funds in Danger
Two former government officials were arrested Wednesday as a massive corruption indictment was unsealed by U.S. authorities. Julia Keleher, former secretary of education on the island, and Angela Avila-Marrero, who managed Puerto Rico’s Health Insurance Administration, were arrested by FBI agents, along with four other people. The two are accused of directing $15.5 million in government contracts to businesses with which they had ties. Corruption has plagued the island for years, and could complicate matters as it asks for disaster assistance and money to fund basic services.
France Approves Digital Tax on Google and Facebook
France’s parliament approved legislation to impose a three-percent tax on Internet and technology companies like Google and Facebook to re-establishing financial justice, says Justice Minister Bruno Le Mayer. The 3% tax will be levied on the sales of multinational companies in France. The French Senate passed a new tax on Thursday, one week after the National Assembly approved it.
Britain Blamed Iran for Trying to Seize Its Oil Tanker in Persian Gulf
Iranian ships tried to seize a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, the UK government said. This happened a week after British marines detained an Iranian tanker in the Strait of Gibraltar.
As stated by the British government, the incident occurred on Wednesday into the Strait of Hormuz: three Iranian boats tried to prevent the passage of British Heritage a commercial vessel but were forced to retreat when the HMS Montrose tanker escorting crew demanded they withdraw.
Federal Rate Cut is Coming; Powell is Showing His Hand; Maybe Keeping His Job
Fed chief Jerome Powell has given further fodder to those expecting Fed rate cuts this year in testimony before Congress. The market believes Powell will lower rates as early as the next Fed meeting and Powell’s testimony reassured them about the Fed’s dovish shift in June.
Powell said that the lower U.S. business investment and slower growth among American manufacturers as worrisome signs. He said U.S. gross domestic product is likely to moderate in the second quarter from the 3.1% annual pace of growth in the first three months of the year.
Alaska Governor, Legislature Remain Far Apart (800 miles) on Budget Impasse
In a scene reminiscent of Oregon— or Moldova— two separate sides gathered in two separate locations to convene two separate special sessions of the legislature, ostensibly to find two separate solutions to Alaska’s mounting budget crisis. With 38 senators and representatives gathered in the state capital, Juneau, and 22 in Wasilla, the hometown of Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy, an attempt to override some $440 million in spending cuts appeared to fail Wednesday. A three-fourths vote by a joint session (one would assume, held in the same place) will be needed by Friday, or Gov. Dunleavy’s line-item vetos will stand.
Dam Failure in Brazil; Vale Ordered to Pay for Damages
Nearly six months after the dam burst on an iron ore mine in Brazil, a court has sentenced Vale mining company to pay for the damage. More than 200 people died and massive environmental damage has remained.
Barely half a year after the devastating breach in Brumadinho, Eastern Brazil, a court has ruled for the first time and ordered the Vale mining company to make amends. A judge ordered the company must pay for any damage. “But the company did not commit any damages for the time being. This can not yet be quantified,” Judge Elton Pupo Nogueira said.
