Hamas Now Has Anti-Aircraft Missiles In It's Arsenal

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnhCjbob7W1AQg6G5TFCcGHyzF8UG8Mj8Tdn3tw7lpbEHLVNMCG8m66G2eyId0LHp3bT-2Z7IDPJ9QqIBYI253XFdi5P4rxukZuJQTu9Fbw9s9VT50QUZt8i3IDWz9vSUw50QOc5vezQs/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnhCjbob7W1AQg6G5TFCcGHyzF8UG8Mj8Tdn3tw7lpbEHLVNMCG8m66G2eyId0LHp3bT-2Z7IDPJ9QqIBYI253XFdi5P4rxukZuJQTu9Fbw9s9VT50QUZt8i3IDWz9vSUw50QOc5vezQs/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Palestinian members of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, stand guard in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Dec. 7, 2012. (photo by REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hamas Tests Anti-Aircraft Missiles Against Israel -- Al-Monitor</b></span></div><br />Palestinians in Gaza acknowledge that the Israeli air force has caused problems for them in previous military confrontations — problems that for a long time have remained without adequate resolution. Domination of the skies has afforded Israel a platform for achieving its major objectives, such as assassinations and elimination of weapons emplacements, at minimal cost. The armed factions in Gaza are determined to counter this capability through anti-aircraft missiles and are now in possession of a few versions, although in limited quantities.<br /><br />The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza puts the number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli Air Force at 911, out of the 2,269 killed, from 2008 until today. Most of these deaths occurred during the war waged during 2008–2009. In contrast, the 2012 confrontation saw 143 Palestinians killed by the Israeli air force, out of a total of 171 dead.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/02/gaza-hamas-qassam-aircraft-missiles-israel-strela.html#">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> <a href="http://freebeacon.com/hamas-tests-missiles-against-israel/">Hamas Tests Missiles Against Israel</a> -- Washington Free Beacon<br /><br /><b>My Comment</b>: Hamas is a designated terror group. The worry that these anti-aircraft missiles may be used in targeting civilian aircraft are justified.

Hamas Now Has Anti-Aircraft Missiles In It's Arsenal

Palestinian members of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, stand guard in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Dec. 7, 2012. (photo by REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)Hamas Tests Anti-Aircraft Missiles Against Israel -- Al-MonitorPalestinia…

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Did Acting CIA Director Michael Morell Lie To Congress On Benghazi?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2iqv0JMQ1ovsER_9IbAnwqcRMx-tcld4edyYppVBmqQ9ORUag96Ap0G6998LYcZCrXZr_cUa-eoxUSh4jwMSQYmbBWGQcCQ_tGEqehdfhjlhxyH70eb5HpqeTW3dm27gDoq1meqV2r2v/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2iqv0JMQ1ovsER_9IbAnwqcRMx-tcld4edyYppVBmqQ9ORUag96Ap0G6998LYcZCrXZr_cUa-eoxUSh4jwMSQYmbBWGQcCQ_tGEqehdfhjlhxyH70eb5HpqeTW3dm27gDoq1meqV2r2v/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Photo:</b> Former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morel</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lawmakers: CIA #2 Lied to Us About Benghazi -- Stephen Hayes, Weekly Standard</b></span></div><br />“When U.S. intelligence officials testified behind closed doors two weeks ago, they were asked point blank whether they had altered the talking points on which U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice based her comments about the Benghazi attacks that have turned into a political firestorm,” read a Reuters story on November 28. “Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, acting CIA Director Michael Morell and National Counterterrorism Center Director Matthew Olsen each said no, according to two congressional sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.”<br /><br />For two weeks, the official public position of the intelligence community was that no one knew who had made the changes. In private meetings with lawmakers, on Capitol Hill and at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, Morell denied that he had played any significant role in writing or revising the talking points.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/lawmakers-cia-2-lied-us-about-benghazi_782724.html?page=2">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment</b>: The Reuters report that covered the Congressional testimony from Mike Morell on the Benghazi talking points (and his denying of it) <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-usa-benghazi-rice-cia-idUSBRE8AS0SJ20121129">can be read here</a></b>. This is just one more example on why a special prosecutor/special committee needs to examine the entire issue of Benghazi .... specifically on the government's response to it after the attack.

Did Acting CIA Director Michael Morell Lie To Congress On Benghazi?

Photo: Former CIA Deputy Director Michael MorelLawmakers: CIA #2 Lied to Us About Benghazi -- Stephen Hayes, Weekly Standard“When U.S. intelligence officials testified behind closed doors two weeks ago, they were asked point blank whether they had al…

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Picture Of The Day

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.defense.gov/imgHandler.ashx?h=350&w=0&img=/dodcmsshare/photoessay/2014-02/hires_140214-F-YY948-150a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.defense.gov/imgHandler.ashx?h=350&w=0&img=/dodcmsshare/photoessay/2014-02/hires_140214-F-YY948-150a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft takes off during a daytime mission from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 15, 2014. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Brian Wagner</span></div>

Picture Of The Day

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft takes off during a daytime mission from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 15, 2014. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Brian Wagner…

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I Am A Ukrainian (Video)

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Hvds2AIiWLA" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><b>Update:</b> <a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/i-am-a-ukrainian-video-goes-viral-in-bid-to-shine-light-on-protests-1.1695425">'I am a Ukrainian' video goes viral in bid to shine light on protests</a> -- CTV

I Am A Ukrainian (Video)

Update: 'I am a Ukrainian' video goes viral in bid to shine light on protests -- CTV…

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Russians Are Split On Having A Military Draft

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjYv13GE6vJWvxxmobDS05m6ngH0rV3eCYZPE1ucFLRukAcftUCUmHLb6OTTvKQ6uJTTCSG1JLIHys5J1Pn8EtZGL1M1harkUNzFU4ChtXJMJjO1ONgwThWwrIsRMhm8EP3SPKY35QUBj/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjYv13GE6vJWvxxmobDS05m6ngH0rV3eCYZPE1ucFLRukAcftUCUmHLb6OTTvKQ6uJTTCSG1JLIHys5J1Pn8EtZGL1M1harkUNzFU4ChtXJMJjO1ONgwThWwrIsRMhm8EP3SPKY35QUBj/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Russians Split on Military Draft – Survey. © RIA Novosti. Alexander Kryazhev</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Russians Split on Military Draft – Survey -- RIA Novosti</b></span></div><br />MOSCOW, February 18 (RIA Novosti) – Russians are divided about the use of conscript soldiers in the army, according to a survey published Tuesday.<br /><br />A total of 48 percent of Russians believe the military draft should remain a key source of manpower for the army, while 40 percent think only professional contract soldiers should serve, the poll by the independent Levada Center found.<br /><br />Almost half of Russians (48 percent) would like their children to serve in the army, while 33 percent would prefer to help their relatives dodge military service.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140218/187653530/Russians-Split-on-Military-Draft--Survey.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> I am very skeptical of these results. The older generation may favor it .... but most young Russians would prefer not to serve the necessary 1 year term.

Russians Are Split On Having A Military Draft

Russians Split on Military Draft – Survey. © RIA Novosti. Alexander KryazhevRussians Split on Military Draft – Survey -- RIA NovostiMOSCOW, February 18 (RIA Novosti) – Russians are divided about the use of conscript soldiers in the army, according to…

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NATO Chief: Afghan President Hamid Karzai Will Not Sign The Security Pact

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/it-uyRGwln0" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Karzai Unlikely To Sign Security Pact: NATO Chief -- APA</b></span></div><br />Baku-APA. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) says Afghan President Hamid Karzai will likely leave the signing of a security pact with the US to his successor, APA reports quoting Press TV.<br /><br />NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he believes that Karzai will not sign the long-stalled pact until April’s presidential election.<br /><br />“We haven’t so far seen any progress as regards a signature on the Bilateral Security Agreement, and actually I believe that President Karzai will not sign the security agreement, so it will be for his successor to make that decision,” Rasmussen said on Thursday in Athens, where he was attending a European Union defense ministers’ meeting.<br /><br />Rasmussen also acknowledged that NATO expects a separate pact with Kabul which would be impossible without a deal with the US.<br /><br />“There will be a separate NATO Status of Forces agreement, but we will not finalize that Status of Forces agreement unless the Afghans sign the Bilateral Security Agreement between the United States and Afghanistan,” the NATO chief added. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://en.apa.az/news/207450">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>Update</b>: <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/nato-head-afghan-security-pact-elections-205133498.html">NATO head: Afghan security pact after elections</a> -- AP<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> And NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen is right.

NATO Chief: Afghan President Hamid Karzai Will Not Sign The Security Pact

Karzai Unlikely To Sign Security Pact: NATO Chief -- APABaku-APA. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) says Afghan President Hamid Karzai will likely leave the signing of a security pact with the US to his successor, APA reports quoting Pres…

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Pentagon Study Predicts That The Taliban Will Surge In Afghanistan If Afghan Forces Are Cut

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.defense.gov/imgHandler.ashx?h=318&w=478&img=/dodcmsshare/homepagephoto/2014-02/hires_140219-A-RU942-102c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.defense.gov/imgHandler.ashx?h=318&w=478&img=/dodcmsshare/homepagephoto/2014-02/hires_140219-A-RU942-102c.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Warrior Training Alliance instructor Terry Jones teaches Afghan border police while they conduct a tactical site exploitation course on Forward Operating Base Thunder in Afghanistan's Paktya province, Feb. 19, 2014. Jones is assigned to the Security Force Advise and Assist Team 9, Warrior Training Alliance.U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Dixie Rae Liwanag U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Dixie Rae Liwanag</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Afghanistan Troop Cuts Will Likely Lead To Taliban Surge, Study Warns -- The Guardian</b></span></div><br />Insurgency ‘likely to swell’ following upcoming US and Nato military withdrawal, challenging Nato’s 2012 expectations<br /><br />Stability in Afghanistan will require tens of thousands more troops costing billions more dollars than Nato envisioned at a fateful 2012 summit, according to a new Pentagon-sponsored review.<br /><br />The review, released Thursday and conducted by the nonpartisan think tank CNA at the behest of the Pentagon’s policy directorate, found that the Taliban insurgency is likely to swell in the years following the upcoming US and Nato military withdrawal, sharply challenging expectations set at Nato’s May 2012 summit in Chicago. The review also saw widespread deficiencies in Nato’s planning for Afghanistan manpower, logistics, air support and ministerial strength. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/20/afghanistan-troop-cuts-taliban-surge-pentagon-study">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On A Pentagon Study That Predicts A Taliban Will Surge In Afghanistan If The Afghan Army Is Cut</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/21/us-usa-afghanistan-idUSBREA1K02720140221">U.S. report says planned cuts to Afghan forces threaten stability</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/report-planned-cuts-to-afghan-troops-threaten-stability/1856104.html">Report: Planned Cuts to Troop Levels in Afghanistan Threaten Stability</a> -- Voice of America<br /><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/study-casts-doubt-wests-afghan-plan-22603604">New Study Casts Doubt on West's Afghan Plan</a> -- ABC News/AP<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> It is too early to predict such an outcome. Karzai and his gang will no longer be in power, and the Taliban are starting to have <b><a href="http://centralasiaonline.com/en_GB/articles/caii/features/pakistan/main/2014/02/20/feature-01">their own problems.</a></b>

Pentagon Study Predicts That The Taliban Will Surge In Afghanistan If Afghan Forces Are Cut

Warrior Training Alliance instructor Terry Jones teaches Afghan border police while they conduct a tactical site exploitation course on Forward Operating Base Thunder in Afghanistan's Paktya province, Feb. 19, 2014. Jones is assigned to the Security …

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Pakistan Intensifies It's War Against The Taliban

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3ihoe6-qp2LLhrUWydyiE1BuV10CJwgBzu2_CADhfYGsq6t9fIHDRMT8xnzVwXDHl_5IyYJ5AdCGtPvYWSyFyiYzSFY9nemOQqXyriFfjJsh_u95j770cNEZmkEGhvsW6z2z6BPBfba6/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3ihoe6-qp2LLhrUWydyiE1BuV10CJwgBzu2_CADhfYGsq6t9fIHDRMT8xnzVwXDHl_5IyYJ5AdCGtPvYWSyFyiYzSFY9nemOQqXyriFfjJsh_u95j770cNEZmkEGhvsW6z2z6BPBfba6/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pakistani Air Force strikes at 'militants' in North Waziristan, Khyber -- Lon War Journal</b></span></div><br />The Pakistani military claimed it killed more than 35 "militants," including a number of fighters from Central Asia, during a series of airstrikes today in the Taliban-controlled tribal agency of North Waziristan. An additional 30 jihadists are reported to have been killed in airstrikes in the tribal agency of Khyber. The punitive raids were launched after the Movement of the Taliban executed 23 Frontier Corps troops.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/02/pakistani_air_force.php">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Pakistan Intensifying It's War Against The Taliban</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/international/2014/February/international_February582.xml&section=international">40 die as Pakistan bombs militant hideouts after peace talks fail </a>-- Khaleej Times/Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistani-jets-pounds-militant-hideouts/2014/02/20/4ec490e4-9a11-11e3-b1de-e666d78c3937_story.html">Pakistan strikes militant hideouts as talks stall</a> -- Washington Post/AP<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/asia/pakistani-airstrikes-kill-suspected-militants-in-tribal-areas.html?gwh=F8D4A7E7512E97DBD0A714581035CDC8&gwt=pay">Pakistani Airstrikes Target Militants in Tribal Areas</a> -- New York Times<br /><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/kyodo-news-international/140220/pakistan-says-22-militants-killed-scores-injured-air-0">Pakistan says 22 militants killed, scores injured in airstrikes</a> -- Global Times/Kyodo News<br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26268814">Pakistan bombs militant hideouts in tribal areas</a> -- BBC<br /><a href="http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/21-Feb-2014/40-killed-as-fighter-jets-bomb-taliban-in-waziristan-khyber">40 killed as fighter jets bomb Taliban in Waziristan, Khyber</a> -- Daily Times<br /><a href="http://www.dawn.com/news/1088346/pm-gave-go-ahead-for-n-waziristan-khyber-airstrikes-sources">PM gave ‘go ahead’ for N. Waziristan, Khyber airstrikes: sources</a> -- DAWN

Pakistan Intensifies It's War Against The Taliban

Pakistani Air Force strikes at 'militants' in North Waziristan, Khyber -- Lon War JournalThe Pakistani military claimed it killed more than 35 "militants," including a number of fighters from Central Asia, during a series of airstrikes today in the T…

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Nigeria’s Boko Haram Threatens Oil Refineries And Moderate Muslim Clerics

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lLc8aydmN3g" width="420"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Nigeria’s Boko Haram Threatens Oil Refineries, Muslim Clerics -- Voice of America</span></b></div><br />ABUJA — Nigerian police report 60 people were killed early Wednesday when insurgents attacked a town in northern Nigeria. Witnesses blamed militant group Boko Haram, which has issued a new threat to bomb oil refineries and kill prominent Muslim clerics.<br /><br />The fishing town of Bama has been attacked four times in the past two years. Scores of people have been killed and hundreds of houses have been burned to the ground. <br /><br />As reports filtered in Wednesday that gunmen in Bama were once again shooting people and setting homes on fire, Boko Haram released a video statement saying it plans to widen its reach, to attack oil refineries in the south and continue its assault on Muslim clerics that don’t agree with its harsh interpretation of Islamic law.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/nigerias-boko-haram-threatens-oil-refineries-muslim-clerics/1855574.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Nigeria's War Against Boko Haram</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/news/lead-stories/item/33956-boko-haram-threatens-ibb,-buhari,-shekarau,-refineries.html">Boko Haram threatens IBB, Buhari, Shekarau, refineries</a> -- Nigerian Tribune<br /><a href="http://www.spyghana.com/boko-haram-new-targets-are-refineries-in-the-niger-delta/">Boko Haram New Targets Are Refineries In The Niger Delta</a> -- Spy Ghana<br /><a href="http://www.nigerianbulletin.com/threads/boko-haram-threatens-to-attack-niger-delta-region-kill-emir-of-kano-buhari-others.47042/">Boko Haram Threatens to Attack Niger Delta Region, Kill Emir of Kano, Buhari, Others</a> -- Nigerian Bulletin<br /><a href="http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/foreign/21-Feb-2014/boko-haram-chief-threatens-attacks-in-nigeria-oil-region-video">Boko Haram chief threatens attacks in Nigeria oil region: video</a> -- Daily Times<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/nigeria-violence-idUSL6N0LP50J20140220">Death toll from Islamist attack in northeast Nigeria doubles to 98</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/islamic-extremist-leader-threatens-nigerian-oil-22595459">115 Killed, 1,500 Buildings Razed in Nigerian Town </a>-- AP<br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26254480">Nigeria's Boko Haram crisis: Bama attack mars victory claims</a> -- BBC<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> Attacking Nigeria's oil installations will be a major escalation .... and a clear sign that the Nigerian government is not winning it's war against Boko Haram.

Nigeria’s Boko Haram Threatens Oil Refineries And Moderate Muslim Clerics

Nigeria’s Boko Haram Threatens Oil Refineries, Muslim Clerics -- Voice of AmericaABUJA — Nigerian police report 60 people were killed early Wednesday when insurgents attacked a town in northern Nigeria. Witnesses blamed militant group Boko Haram, whi…

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Basque Separatists ETA Are To Formally Hand Over Their Weapons Today

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48986000/gif/_48986030_spain_basque_304.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48986000/gif/_48986030_spain_basque_304.gif" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Basque Separatists Eta Set To Take Historic Step By Handing Over Weapons -- The Guardian</b></span></div><br />Spanish government of Mariano Rajoy holds out for full 'defeat' declaration as independence group ends 40 years of militancy<br /><br />The Basque separatist group Eta is expected on Friday to take a historic step towards handing over weapons and bomb-making equipment used in its terror campaign for independence that has claimed more than 800 victims over decades.<br /><br />Sources in the northern Basque region of Spain and elsewhere said mediators would declare that Eta had already made significant moves in readying itself for giving up or disabling weapons and was ready to go further.<br /><br />Details remained scarce, however, and analysts were fearful that Eta could try to drag the process out while seeking concessions from Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/20/basque-separatist-eta-historic-weapons-mariano-rajoy">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> 800 dead. Thousands wounded. And what for?

Basque Separatists ETA Are To Formally Hand Over Their Weapons Today

Basque Separatists Eta Set To Take Historic Step By Handing Over Weapons -- The GuardianSpanish government of Mariano Rajoy holds out for full 'defeat' declaration as independence group ends 40 years of militancyThe Basque separatist group Eta is exp…

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Here Are 12 Dramatic Videos That Show The Brutal Mayhem In Ukraine (Graphic)

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fns42rViXlA" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Journalists filmed a group of people under fire during Thursday’s battles. Using shields for cover, protesters fell to the ground after being shot at from different directions and were then dragged away for medical help.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>12 Most Dramatic Kiev Videos Showing True Scale Of Ukraine Mayhem -- RT</b></span></div><br />The center of Kiev has been transformed into a battleground as rioters clash with police on Independence Square. RT has gathered the twelve most horrifying videos that show Kiev’s descent into turmoil.<br /><br />Ukraine has seen some of the worst scenes of violence over the last few days, with over thirty five dead and dozens injured in the escalating conflict. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://rt.com/news/horrifying-videos-kiev-maidan-901/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment</b>: What I am surprised about this post is that it is RT (Russian Television) that is posting this story .... not the Western press.

Here Are 12 Dramatic Videos That Show The Brutal Mayhem In Ukraine (Graphic)

Journalists filmed a group of people under fire during Thursday’s battles. Using shields for cover, protesters fell to the ground after being shot at from different directions and were then dragged away for medical help.12 Most Dramatic Kiev Videos S…

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Iranian Video Simulates A Nuclear Attack On Israel

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/94a3236AcUQ" width="420"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>New Iranian Video Shows an Even More Shocking Military Scenario than the Last One -- The Blaze</b></span></div><br />A new video reportedly making the rounds in Iran shows the nuclear bombing of Israel, describing the act as a “Holocaust.” It also simulates graphically the potential Iranian response to a military attack on its territory.<br /><br />The latest video follows a simulation aired by Iranian state television earlier this month depicting an Iranian attack on the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and Israeli cities.<br /><br />Israel’s Channel 2 News reported that this latest animated video began showing up on Iranian websites on Monday.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/20/new-iranian-video-shows-an-even-more-shocking-military-scenario-than-the-last-one/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> I am unimpressed with the video .... they need better graphics.

Iranian Video Simulates A Nuclear Attack On Israel

New Iranian Video Shows an Even More Shocking Military Scenario than the Last One -- The BlazeA new video reportedly making the rounds in Iran shows the nuclear bombing of Israel, describing the act as a “Holocaust.” It also simulates graphically the…

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The Worst Day In Kiev?

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gPQnJulgYc8" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reporter's Notebook: The Worst Day I've Seen In Kiev -- Todd Baxter and Lateef Mungin, CNN</b></span></div><br />Kiev, Ukraine (CNN) -- The gunbattle was so close it rattled the walls.<br /><br />I grabbed my camera and pointed it out the window, looking toward Independence Square. From more than 10 stories up, I filmed the chaos. Protesters were all around, ramming into the lines of police officers. Black smoke hung in the air. Gunfire rang out.<br /><br />I saw a medic shot in the arm. He was helped to safety. I saw at least 20 wounded people carried away. But the gunmen could not be seen. There was panic. People looked skyward, scanning rooftops for snipers. At one point, a crowd of protesters stormed this hotel. They searched, floor to floor, trying to confirm a rumor that snipers were shooting from here.<br /><br />Then there was another rumor about what was in the lobby of this hotel.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/world/europe/ukraine-reporters-notebook/index.html?hpt=hp_c2">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> Regular readers of this blog know that I have family in Kiev .... and it has certainly not been an easy week. I just learned a few minutes ago that my cousin's daughter is safe. She is a beautiful 24 year old lady .... but today she made the decision to be at the barricades to help in the production line that made molotov cocktails. <br /><br />Sighhhh .... I think my cousin .... who is just as attractive as her daughter .... aged 20 years today.<br /><br />Even my 87 year old mother has gotten upset over what has happened .... and she survived the Second World War. <br /><br />Bottom line .... this crisis is splitting my own family. On my mother's side everyone is Russian .... Moscow and Saint Petersburg is where everyone has lived .... and continues to live. On my father's side .... they are also Russian .... but they are from Kiev, south of Kiev, and the western part of Ukraine.<br /><br />The older generation supports the government .... the younger generation do not .... and as you can imagine .... tempers are becoming frayed.<br /><br />As to where do I stand .... I am the guy in the middle who lives in Canada .... far away from the chaos and mayhem that is happening in Kiev right now. I am also the one that both sides in my very large family go to when times go bad .... and for my relatives in Ukraine they are very bad right now. But being outside of the box does give me a perspective that no one who is caught up in the middle of this conflict can have right now .... and my perspective is the following ....<br /><br />This political crisis and the violence that it has spawned is eventually going to stop .... but not before more bloodshed and damage has been done. After what happened today .... the anger, hatred, and bitterness will be around for a very long time .... and it will take people who are neutral and who have not been involved in this crisis to step up and try to calm the situation .... and to bring a sense of stability and authority that people will accept. <br /><br />Ukraine's economy will also need financial help and assistance when this is over .... for the country is now essentially bankrupt. I have no illusions that the West is going to help Ukraine .... the EU is broke and I expect zero assistance from the U.S.. The one who must (and will) step up is Russia .... and I have confidence that once the situation has stabilized, Russian President Putin will authorize the assistance that Ukraine will desperately need. In the long term .... the EU will play an important role in Ukraine's future .... but not today.<br /><br />In conclusion .... I am glad that my father is not alive to see all of this. He grew up during the Ukraine famine. He was witness to the first bombing of Kiev by Nazi Germany on the first day of the war. He was drafted into the Soviet army to fight the Nazis and their Ukrainian collaborators. And in the end ..... when the Soviet Union broke apart and the Communists were kicked out .... he felt (and he believed) that a better time was coming.<br /><br />Sadly .... especially after today .... I know that he would be deeply depressed with what is happening.

The Worst Day In Kiev?

Reporter's Notebook: The Worst Day I've Seen In Kiev -- Todd Baxter and Lateef Mungin, CNNKiev, Ukraine (CNN) -- The gunbattle was so close it rattled the walls.I grabbed my camera and pointed it out the window, looking toward Independence Square. Fr…

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Ukraine's Defense Minister Is Refusing To Answer U.S. Secretary Of Defense Hagel's Phone Calls

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMSFv-zOAGzhvxFGmvy_DkmNa0qPeKBTmI24JUi0hctfCGmpcC-x3OuPdY4WYQjJxc2j45e_2NGnv4naSdZ4w_V_rEwGL0ZMrKLKKMa8cR4ZTYkuF1gPIKyHbESq_heMkB9eJQavCP5WL/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMSFv-zOAGzhvxFGmvy_DkmNa0qPeKBTmI24JUi0hctfCGmpcC-x3OuPdY4WYQjJxc2j45e_2NGnv4naSdZ4w_V_rEwGL0ZMrKLKKMa8cR4ZTYkuF1gPIKyHbESq_heMkB9eJQavCP5WL/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Minister Lebedev and US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/special-report-bret-baier/blog/2014/02/20/ukrainian-defense-minister-refuses-secretary-hagels-calls">FOX News</a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Anyone Home? Ukraine Isn't Taking The Pentagon's Calls -- Reuters</b></span></div><br />(Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been unable to get anyone on the phone at Ukraine's defense ministry over the past several days as violence flared and Kiev named a new head of the armed forces general staff, the Pentagon said on Thursday.<br /><br />"We haven't been able to connect with anybody from the Defense Ministry there in Ukraine," spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told a Pentagon news briefing.<br /><br />"Here in the Pentagon, we've been trying to (connect with them) pretty diligently this whole week."<br /><br />Kirby said he was also unaware of any successful military-to-military contacts between United States and Ukraine, and acknowledged it is usually not so difficult for Hagel to get a foreign counterpart on the phone. Hagel and the Ukrainian defense minister spoke in December, Kirby noted.<br /><br />"I'd say it's pretty unusual," he said.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-ukraine-crisis-usa-pentagon-idUSBREA1J28T20140220">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The Pentagon Not Being Able To Get In Touch With Ukraine's Defense Ministry</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/us/ukrainian-defense-ministry-not-taking-hagel-s-calls-1.268995">Ukrainian defense ministry not taking Hagel’s calls </a>-- Stars and Stripes<br /><a href="http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/02/20/hagel-fails-to-reach-ukraine-counterpart.html?comp=700001075741&rank=2">Hagel Fails To Reach Ukraine Counterpart</a> -- Military.com<br /><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/20/defense-secretary-chuck-hagel-ukraine-president-viktor-yanukovych-attacks-kiev/5642131/">Hagel not able to engage Ukrainian counterpart</a> -- USA Today<br /><a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/02/20/pentagon-unable-to-contact-ukrainian-military-despite-repeated-calls">Pentagon Unable to Contact Ukrainian Military Despite Repeated Calls</a> -- US News and World Report<br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/special-report-bret-baier/blog/2014/02/20/ukrainian-defense-minister-refuses-secretary-hagels-calls">Ukrainian Defense Minister Refuses Secretary Hagel's Calls</a> -- FOX News<br /><a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/ukrainian-defense-officials-rebuff-hagels-calls-n34876">Ukrainian Defense Officials Rebuff Hagel's Calls</a> -- NBC News<br /><a href="http://www.defenseone.com/politics/2014/02/ukraines-defense-minister-ignoring-hagels-calls/79157/?oref=d-skybox">Ukraine’s Defense Minister Is Ignoring Hagel’s Calls</a> -- Defense One<br /><a href="http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=121688">Hagel Urges Ukrainian Military to Stay Out of Unrest</a> -- US Department of Defense<br /><br /><b>My Comment: </b>I can understand why Ukraine's defense minister is ignoring phone calls from the Pentagon .... the crisis in Ukraine has the potential of breaking out into a civil war with bloodshed and destruction on a national scale .... who has the time to placate what the Americans may be feeling at the moment. But U.S. concerns are justified because I suspect that they must know that the Ukraine Defense Minister is NOT refusing any phone calls from his Russian counterpart .... and I suspect that U.S. intelligence is hearing on the grape wine that Ukraine officials are developing scenarios that will involve declaring a State of Emergency and a military intervention. In short .... making a very bad situation even worse.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Is Refusing To Answer U.S. Secretary Of Defense Hagel's Phone Calls

Minister Lebedev and US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. FOX NewsAnyone Home? Ukraine Isn't Taking The Pentagon's Calls -- Reuters(Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been unable to get anyone on the phone at Ukraine's defense ministry ov…

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FCC Commissioner: U.S. Government Wants To Send 'Researchers' Into Newsrooms To Investigate How News Stories Are Published

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zxvDp3ggF3Y" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The FCC Wades Into the Newsroom -- Ajit Pai, Wall Street Journal</b></span></div><br />Why is the agency studying 'perceived station bias' and asking about coverage choices?<br /><br />News organizations often disagree about what Americans need to know. MSNBC, for example, apparently believes that traffic in Fort Lee, N.J., is the crisis of our time. Fox News, on the other hand, chooses to cover the September 2012 attacks on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi more heavily than other networks. The American people, for their part, disagree about what they want to watch.<br /><br />But everyone should agree on this: The government has no place pressuring media organizations into covering certain stories.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the Federal Communications Commission, where I am a commissioner, does not agree. Last May the FCC proposed an initiative to thrust the federal government into newsrooms across the country. With its "Multi-Market Study of Critical Information Needs," or CIN, the agency plans to send researchers to grill reporters, editors and station owners about how they decide which stories to run. A field test in Columbia, S.C., is scheduled to begin this spring. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304680904579366903828260732">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/g4VkPfMUGjk" width="420"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The FCC Wanting To Send Officials Into Newsrooms</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/20/white-house-sniff-out-newsrooms-troubling-and-dang/">White House to sniff out newsrooms: ‘Troubling and dangerous development’</a> -- Washington Times<br /><a href="http://foxnewsinsider.com/2014/02/19/govt-monitors-newsrooms-fcc-look-media-decision-making">Gov't Monitors in Newsrooms? FCC to Look Into Media Decision-Making</a> -- FOX News<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/proposed-fcc-study-of-news-organizations-sparks-conservative-outcry/2014/02/20/117401d8-9a71-11e3-80ac-63a8ba7f7942_story.html">Proposed FCC study of news organizations sparks conservative outcry </a>-- Washington Post<br /><a href="http://rt.com/usa/fcc-explanation-controversial-interfere-news-994/">FCC sidesteps explanation on controversial plan to ‘interfere with news stations’</a> -- RT<br /><a href="http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2014/02/20/fcc-looking-to-insert-government-officers-to-monitor-newsrooms/">FCC Looking to Insert Government Officers to Monitor Newsrooms</a> -- PJ Media<br /><a href="http://www.thewire.com/politics/2014/02/brief-guide-fcc-newsroom-invasion-panic/358343/">A Brief Guide to the FCC Newsroom Invasion Panic</a> -- The Wire<br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/20/critics-want-fcc-media-study-thrown-on-trash-heap-skeptical-changes/">Critics want FCC media study thrown on ‘trash heap,’ skeptical of changes </a>-- FOX News<br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/20/why-fcc-should-keep-its-nose-out-tv-newsrooms/">Why the FCC should keep its nose out of TV newsrooms</a> -- Howard Kurtz, FOX News<br /><a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/02/feds_to_snoop_in_newsrooms_what_could_go_wrong.html">Feds to snoop in newsrooms. What could go wrong? </a>-- Rick Moran, American Thinker<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> Before the NSA surveillance scandal, the IRS targeting political opponents of the administration, and the US Justice Department going after reporters who receive information from whistle-blowers .... I would have laughed this accusation out of the room .... labeling it as an extreme right-wing conspiracy theory. No more now. And while no policy has been enacted (yet) .... it is obvious that there are people in the US government who believe that this is an idea that should be pursued with rigor .... regardless of the opposition and the message that it will send. <br /><br /><b>Update:</b> With the exception of the Washington Post .... essentially calling the <b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/proposed-fcc-study-of-news-organizations-sparks-conservative-outcry/2014/02/20/117401d8-9a71-11e3-80ac-63a8ba7f7942_story.html">outcry against this proposed FCC study a conservative complaint</a></b> .... no one in the main stream media has touched this story nor raised an eyebrow on the chilling aspects of what this may mean to news editing and publication.

FCC Commissioner: U.S. Government Wants To Send 'Researchers' Into Newsrooms To Investigate How News Stories Are Published

The FCC Wades Into the Newsroom -- Ajit Pai, Wall Street JournalWhy is the agency studying 'perceived station bias' and asking about coverage choices?News organizations often disagree about what Americans need to know. MSNBC, for example, apparently …

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The U.S. Army's Most Important Weapon In it's Arsenal Is Not Working Properly

<script height="360px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=7d6243b6b5f74a6fb09a179d33842db2&ec=lxcXNxazoxuJM1vUodOtK3sFcnDiF0pa" width="640px"></script><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Troops Left To Fend For Themselves After Army Was Warned Of Flaws In Rifle -- Washington Times</b></span></div><br /><i>Army Senior Warrant Officer Russton B. Kramer, a 20-year Green Beret, has learned that if you want to improve your chances to survive, it’s best to personally make modifications to the Army’s primary rifle — the M4 carbine.</i><br /><br />Warrant Officer Kramer has been dropped into some of the most ferocious battles in the war on terrorism, from hunting Islamists in the mountains of northern Iraq to disrupting Taliban opium dealers in dusty southern Afghanistan. He was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery in Operation Viking Hammer to crush the terrorist group Ansar al-Islam in Iraq.<br /><br />The warrant officer said he and fellow Special Forces soldiers have a trick to maintain the M4A1 — the commando version: They break the rules and buy off-the-shelf triggers and other components and overhaul the weapon themselves.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/19/troop-left-to-fend-for-themselves-after-army-was-w/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> I have lost count on the number of times that I have read stories on how U.S. military rifles have a tendency to "jam" at the worst possible time. This Washington Times' post is (sadly) just another one.

The U.S. Army's Most Important Weapon In it's Arsenal Is Not Working Properly

Troops Left To Fend For Themselves After Army Was Warned Of Flaws In Rifle -- Washington TimesArmy Senior Warrant Officer Russton B. Kramer, a 20-year Green Beret, has learned that if you want to improve your chances to survive, it’s best to personal…

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Coop Himmelb(l)au in NYC?

Could Vienna's Coop Himmelb(l)au be realizing a building in New York City? And a high-rise to boot? Per <a href="http://www.coop-himmelblau.at/architecture/news/2-towers-for-2-cities">a description-free news item</a> on the firm's website with the following renderings, that might just be the case.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vCNSTTdcRG1z_jiogT2igFqZyyyucpPxlv1QthQzwa_YYMNLpt-36qVDtn-9fVlf1jrXMu0dNiDKw1AThEhsG4J9gKhwkIdz5-e8ECYSoeutfMFTwghePp7_CSiXNlo12v93TFkQRbBu/s1600/2_Towers_for_2_Cities_1_1417_1417_85.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vCNSTTdcRG1z_jiogT2igFqZyyyucpPxlv1QthQzwa_YYMNLpt-36qVDtn-9fVlf1jrXMu0dNiDKw1AThEhsG4J9gKhwkIdz5-e8ECYSoeutfMFTwghePp7_CSiXNlo12v93TFkQRbBu/s640/2_Towers_for_2_Cities_1_1417_1417_85.jpg" /></a><br />[rendering from <a href="http://www.coop-himmelblau.at/architecture/news/2-towers-for-2-cities">architect's website</a>] <br /><br />(Via <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/02/20/will_this_bonkers_sky_wing_tower_sprout_860_feet_in_tribeca.php">Curbed</a>, which has more speculative information on the project.)

Coop Himmelb(l)au in NYC?

Could Vienna's Coop Himmelb(l)au be realizing a building in New York City? And a high-rise to boot? Per a description-free news item on the firm's website with the following renderings, that might just be the case.[rendering from architect's website]…

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Sports Illustrated model Petra Nemcova

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Modeling and creating opportunity through non-profits</b></span></div><b><br /></b><b>Have you noticed all the "non-profits" lately that don't make profits?  Even the NFL is a "non-profit" along with many churches and alleged Christian ministries:</b><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QvshMzStMvo?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

Sports Illustrated model Petra Nemcova

Modeling and creating opportunity through non-profitsHave you noticed all the "non-profits" lately that don't make profits?  Even the NFL is a "non-profit" along with many churches and alleged Christian ministries:…

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G4T is back

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://www.g4t.us/" style="color: red;">www.g4t.us</a></b></span></div><br /><b>Secret hangouts, chats; a new perspective as YOU TUBE is dying a slow death...</b><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gAs_Jh11440?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

G4T is back

www.g4t.usSecret hangouts, chats; a new perspective as YOU TUBE is dying a slow death...…

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Ernie Varitimos to go LIVE on GOOGLE HANGOUTS

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">"Dude in the Wilderness"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Learn about the markets and trading with Ernie Varitimos "The Apple Trader."</span></b></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uYLWT6kjzhM?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

Ernie Varitimos to go LIVE on GOOGLE HANGOUTS

"Dude in the Wilderness"Learn about the markets and trading with Ernie Varitimos "The Apple Trader."…

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Milan Fashion Week

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The growing talent of fashion and modeling</b></span></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JBh39NLP0tU?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

Milan Fashion Week

The growing talent of fashion and modeling…

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News of California to split into SIX STATES

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Y29C9R4XwFM?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

News of California to split into SIX STATES

…

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Jim Comiskey on the Metals and Markets

<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>WATCH:   The US DOLLAR, Russia, Ukraine, Natural Gas, Oil,  GOLD and SILVER....</b></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XLotLsxlEgA?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><b>...developing...</b></div>

Jim Comiskey on the Metals and Markets

WATCH:   The US DOLLAR, Russia, Ukraine, Natural Gas, Oil,  GOLD and SILVER.......developing...…

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Deflation: Making Sure "It" Happens Here?

The following chart shows the natural log of annual change in the CPI less food and energy. When using logs, exponential growth (or in this case, decay) is seen as a straight line.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRRU_UIX_1FlzZiyUy3OhBExIirTWl3cXJZBYyGh5iDMzPgNDhCqGzpElegx5Azn9Q769MfC9mx3fjRziVMWorAVSRHGQd17JvZuO5-MOTCOKZJMJ4ob3zaaKORxpEKRX65oG8jGT5GY/s1600/Deflation+-+Making+Sure+It+Happens+Here.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRRU_UIX_1FlzZiyUy3OhBExIirTWl3cXJZBYyGh5iDMzPgNDhCqGzpElegx5Azn9Q769MfC9mx3fjRziVMWorAVSRHGQd17JvZuO5-MOTCOKZJMJ4ob3zaaKORxpEKRX65oG8jGT5GY/s320/Deflation+-+Making+Sure+It+Happens+Here.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />No matter how hard the Fed tries, it cannot seem to break through the top of the decaying trend channel. So what's the latest tactic? Taper! Good luck on that. Maybe it works. Maybe it doesn't.<br /><br />As seen in the following chart, the Fed has had substantially more "success" with energy though. The chart shows the annual change in the CPI for energy (not the natural log).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhNzV6HgwiGCalVZPB8jZuWK-PVGZciRPMcfU3ByLaPMrtll99oUVgpRicR_A3aQNzb8UfQyVyLJf3da-ldmpKX5E5OuzD82-hkfhyphenhyphenA_ZCzvdpI-SVCHV9URbKc9ixck30LexL2dhKgg/s1600/The+Cone+of+Chaos.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhNzV6HgwiGCalVZPB8jZuWK-PVGZciRPMcfU3ByLaPMrtll99oUVgpRicR_A3aQNzb8UfQyVyLJf3da-ldmpKX5E5OuzD82-hkfhyphenhyphenA_ZCzvdpI-SVCHV9URbKc9ixck30LexL2dhKgg/s320/The+Cone+of+Chaos.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />And when I say "success", I really mean "confidence building" chaos. Note that ZIRP has actually helped to calm things down a bit in recent years. Nothing stops chaos like nothing apparently. So here oil is, <a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=ski">chugging along at the $100 level</a> looking for forward guidance. Perhaps it wants to believe that the global economy is robust, but it just isn't all that sure. Or perhaps that's just me talking as a permabear? (Hint: Oil can't actually believe anything. It's just a liquid. I may be a permabear, but I'm not entirely crazy, lol. Sigh.)<br /><br /><b>November 22, 2002</b><br /><a href="http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2002/20021121/">Deflation: Making Sure "It" Doesn't Happen Here</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>What has this got to do with monetary policy? Like gold, U.S. dollars have value only to the extent that they are strictly limited in supply. But the U.S. government has a technology, called a printing press (or, today, its electronic equivalent), that allows it to produce as many U.S. dollars as it wishes at essentially no cost. By increasing the number of U.S. dollars in circulation, or even by credibly threatening to do so,<span style="color: red;"> the U.S. government can also reduce the value of a dollar in terms of goods and services</span>, which is equivalent to raising the prices in dollars of those goods and services. We conclude that, under a paper-money system, <span style="color: red;">a determined government can always generate higher spending and hence positive inflation</span>.</i></div><br />You will note that Bernanke did not mention wages or salaries in that paragraph, nor anywhere else in his speech for that matter. Perhaps the Fed's ability to decrease the value of a dollar is at best like a blunt hammer, and not a surgical instrument.<br /><br />It would also seem that our government is not all that determined to generate higher spending at a level that could guarantee positive inflation (much like Japan since their housing bust in the early 1990s). Perhaps $100 oil, <a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=skk">massive debt relative to disposable personal income</a>, and <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/167375/congressional-job-approval-february.aspx">a congressional approval rating of just 12%</a> has something to do with it. Go figure.<br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="color: red;">First, as you know, Japan's economy faces some significant barriers to growth besides deflation, including massive financial problems in the banking and corporate sectors and a large overhang of government debt.</span> Plausibly, private-sector financial problems have muted the effects of the monetary policies that have been tried in Japan, even as <span style="color: red;">the heavy overhang of government debt has made Japanese policymakers more reluctant to use aggressive fiscal policies</span> (for evidence see, for example, Posen, 1998). <span style="color: red;">Fortunately, the U.S. economy does not share these problems,</span> at least not to anything like the same degree, suggesting that anti-deflationary monetary and fiscal policies would be more potent here than they have been in Japan.</i></div><br />That was then, this is now.<br /><br />I know not with what weapons Great Recession III will be fought, but Great Recession IV will be fought with sticks and stones. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/14977-i-know-not-with-what-weapons-world-war-iii-will">Sigh.</a><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=skg">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart #1</a><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=skh">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart #2</a>

Deflation: Making Sure "It" Happens Here?

The following chart shows the natural log of annual change in the CPI less food and energy. When using logs, exponential growth (or in this case, decay) is seen as a straight line.Click to enlarge.No matter how hard the Fed tries, it cannot seem to b…

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Photos from Rihanna's 26th birthday party

<h3 class="post-title entry-title"></h3><div class="post-header"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxfrgog3GzQJ8cHTawSC3ObUDaQxzdD0cDU9mVfU3Gg1oPjmXnQwVrm-d5zhL0EAt40FejbpRmadfpcxZqXKrxFkFi0tDXnvXNMy_zxi-IIgniwinctEZ6dNlZW2jl95EBMpS8FgJXKY/s1600/25ad86b69a7011e3a47812f9925f2146_8.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqR7QBLobAGyoRb1uWkM-P8_piYmavKTiy2qHECZ2N6lzeUeZOgDWFu_w4iejWnW9YNjH4BITBc4HK_tygDI7CGGUT3xNqFEmmKv7U69oUG9pojj5rXlStOqnWSxFBycVRAy5kf_y54bM/s1600/f7c06d869a6f11e3bb781213dc211ba7_8.jpg" /></div>Rihanna turned 26 today February 20th and had an intimate private birthday celebration with friends in Aspen, Colorado. She posted some photos on her instagram page. Check on them after the cut...<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFRAzAEyMc-CpOYFfMCfY4VfSUxnsGZSa6xJus4KelWrMhMQ1QJr8PlfMsabrdrvU6wG9y2E9lsj3LSaCfOHj4jtrxgZPyMXtk5DnLlupdgiSmRVLT6aeBqnzfVMaC-UDRNlLDJio8C0/s1600/7a5143329a7611e3915612c9c4c5bed5_8.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QUdA2hvUWKegbnrEbRHVw_-_tw_ynrMVX9xbi_oCBr3e7ek_S1c6Zv3GoGZYve9SVBDs_t_810TLS9tHrUMzJnHt8D98JXgYS1rdo4A5tfkdSqLqLUbftfm7ulp319aR5YBcoO4ZDr0/s1600/660258973278326109_25945306.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzkyzBuDWfBNIapHbpB0vXcscxkViV7A_pUreSLuDJc4aisgoY6z9RzhunJ_OU2TR4tBftw9bvRVl_TQShs3_cRJJ_d63SgqjWQboV81lEiCwoGgj1QFUlFTIRLyPsPJB6IIQ_IoRd0s/s1600/48a830ea9a6f11e39a0512fb41973d49_8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzkyzBuDWfBNIapHbpB0vXcscxkViV7A_pUreSLuDJc4aisgoY6z9RzhunJ_OU2TR4tBftw9bvRVl_TQShs3_cRJJ_d63SgqjWQboV81lEiCwoGgj1QFUlFTIRLyPsPJB6IIQ_IoRd0s/s1600/48a830ea9a6f11e39a0512fb41973d49_8.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_k8CxwTmzuWNau_iujO0qn7tsboYu3m6Ulc58iCtOPhjidT8CfcZrKt8ayosdJmfRIQ8-pX_-k9QK2VabXIRmE6U-ZdEhY-79ygBuJreNgTVxAHHHL93Dh-jpEQLKhyphenhyphenmuF-D6taWH-M/s1600/85d752de988011e382bb120918532a2a_8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_k8CxwTmzuWNau_iujO0qn7tsboYu3m6Ulc58iCtOPhjidT8CfcZrKt8ayosdJmfRIQ8-pX_-k9QK2VabXIRmE6U-ZdEhY-79ygBuJreNgTVxAHHHL93Dh-jpEQLKhyphenhyphenmuF-D6taWH-M/s1600/85d752de988011e382bb120918532a2a_8.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRIKNPrvHpYey-1DK7MFY6ahgXllaAJ5sLCubxw9RTq0NxkTTcBlaQrER1C11-aY2YcIx7BGNi7879DvvwdzCwcIM6bxnKnwI49ZToCOf0iZY65DLr73CZj8Lz0-klGt_pM60v6IstaI/s1600/Untitled.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRIKNPrvHpYey-1DK7MFY6ahgXllaAJ5sLCubxw9RTq0NxkTTcBlaQrER1C11-aY2YcIx7BGNi7879DvvwdzCwcIM6bxnKnwI49ZToCOf0iZY65DLr73CZj8Lz0-klGt_pM60v6IstaI/s1600/Untitled.png" /></a></div>

Photos from Rihanna's 26th birthday party

Rihanna turned 26 today February 20th and had an intimate private birthday celebration with friends in Aspen, Colorado. She posted some photos on her instagram page. Check on them after the cut...…

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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- February 20, 2014

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QDkiRrh1erc" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Violence in Ukraine Creates Deepening Clash Between East and West -- Steven Lee Myers, New York Times</span></b></div><br />MOSCOW — The two sides in what is developing into an East-West clash over Ukraine hardened their positions on Wednesday, with Russian officials denouncing what they called a coup by right-wing extremists, even as the United States and Europe threatened to impose sanctions on those responsible for the violence that has erupted in the capital, Kiev, and spread to other cities.<br /><br />The starkly divergent reactions underscored the deepening confrontation between Russia and the West over Ukraine’s fate, with each side accusing the other of interference and disputing even the facts of what was happening.<br /><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/20/world/europe/violence-in-ukraine-creates-deepening-clash-between-east-and-west.html"><br />Read more </a></b>....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/dark-days-in-kiev-9142042.html">Dark days in Kiev</a> -- Independent editorial<br /><br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/roots-consequences-ukraine-39-violence-154736768.html">Roots and consequences of Ukraine's violence</a> -- Vladimir Isachenkov and Maria Danilova, AP<br /><br /><a href="http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2014/02/20/zakaria-very-little-the-u-s-can-do-on-ukraine/?hpt=hp_bn2">Very little the U.S. can do on Ukraine</a> -- Fareed Zakaria, CNN<br /><br /><a href="http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2014/02/20/are-the-us-and-eu-right-to-impose-sanctions-on-ukraine">Are the U.S. and EU Right to Impose Sanctions on Ukraine?</a> -- Teresa Welsh, US News and World Report<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/02/20/218846/amid-unrest-ukraine-also-a-winter.html">Amid unrest, Ukraine also a Winter Games bidder</a> -- William Douglas, McClatchy Foreign Staff<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26277562">Syria conflict: Nothing is ever easy at the UN</a> -- Nick Bryant, BBC<br /><br /><a href="http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/obama-administration-is-botching-iran-nuke-talks/">Obama Administration is Botching Iran Nuke Talks</a> -- Zachary Keck, The Diplomat<br /><br /><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/19/3946931/the-thugs-in-n-korea.html">The thugs in N. Korea</a> -- Miami Herald editorial<br /><br /><a href="http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/troubled-waters-indonesias-growing-maritime-disputes/">Troubled Waters: Indonesia’s Growing Maritime Disputes</a> -- Scott Cheney-Peters, The Diplomat<br /><br /><a href="http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2014/02/20/brazil_looks_outward_cautiously.html">Brazil Looks Outward, Cautiously </a>-- Tim Ridout, Real Clear World<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/world/americas/venezuela-qa/">Venezuela: What's the crisis about?</a> -- Faith Karimi and Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN <br /><br /><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2014/0220/Will-Venezuela-s-protests-fizzle-out">Will Venezuela's protests fizzle out?</a> -- Andrew Rosati, Christian Science Monitor<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/venezuelas-neighbors-have-to-work-to-stem-the-chaos/2014/02/18/f0fedae0-98cc-11e3-b931-0204122c514b_story.html">Venezuela’s neighbors have to work to stem the chaos</a> -- Washington Post editorial<br /><br /><a href="http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2014/02/19/from-kabul-to-kiev/">From Kabul to Kiev </a>-- Seth Mandel, Commentary

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- February 20, 2014

Violence in Ukraine Creates Deepening Clash Between East and West -- Steven Lee Myers, New York TimesMOSCOW — The two sides in what is developing into an East-West clash over Ukraine hardened their positions on Wednesday, with Russian officials denou…

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World News Briefs -- February 20, 2014 (Evening Edition)

<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=280447334&edition=BETAUS" height="259" id="rcomVideo_280447334" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460"> <param name='movie' value='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=280447334&edition=BETAUS'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><embed src='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=280447334&edition=BETAUS' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' allowfullscreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' width='460' height='259' wmode='transparent'></embed> </object></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Harrowing Footage Emerges Of UNARMED Protesters Being Cut Down By Sniper Fire On A Day Of Violence In Kiev That Has Brought Today's Death Toll To At Least 70 -- Daily Mail</b></span></div><br />* Ukrainian Health Ministry said 88 police, six journalists and four foreigners were among those hospitalised<br />* Ukraine's Interior ministry says 67 police troops have been captured by protesters in Kiev<br />* At least 50 people have died in clashes in Kiev that came just days after the crisis in the Ukraine seemed to be over<br />* President Barack Obama condemned violence, warning 'there will be consequences' for Ukraine if it continues<br />* Several thousand protesters remained on Independence Square in Kiev and clashed with police on Thursday<br />* Ukrainian skier Bogdana Matsotska will not take part in Friday's women's slalom in protest at Ukraine government<br /><br />Tossing firebombs, protesters advanced upon police lines Thursday in Ukraine's embattled capital. Government snipers shot back, killing at least 70 people and wounding hundreds of others, according to a protest doctor.<br /><br />Video footage on Ukrainian television showed shocking scenes today of protesters being cut down by gunfire, lying on the pavement as comrades rushed to their aid. Trying to protect themselves with shields, teams of protesters carried bodies away on sheets of plastic or planks of wood.<br /><br />One of the wounded, volunteer medic Olesya Zhukovskaya, sent out a brief Twitter message - 'I'm dying' - after being shot in the neck. Dr Oleh Musiy, the medical coordinator for the protesters, said she was in serious condition after being operated on.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2563609/Truce-Kiev-collapses-hours-official-day-mourning-28-people-killed-protests-erupts-violence.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MIDDLE EAST</b></span></div><br />Rebels' grip on border region weakens <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/rebels-39-grip-border-region-weakens-under-syrian-110005647.html">under Syrian Army assault</a></b>.<br /><br />U.N. Syria aid vote likely Friday, <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-syria-crisis-russia-aid-idUSBREA1J08420140220">Russia or China support unclear</a></b>.<br /><br />Mortar attack on crowded market <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/mortar-attack-crowded-market-iraqi-town-kills-20-174017965.html">in Iraqi town kills 20.</a></b><br /><br />World powers and Iran make 'good start' <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-iran-nuclear-idUSBREA1H0S620140220">towards nuclear accord</a></b>. EU: Next Iran nuclear talks <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/iran-agreement-reached-on-further-nuclear-talks/1855289.html">to be held March 17</a></b>.<br /><br />Russia FM talks weapons, Syria <b><a href="http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Feb-20/247940-russias-lavrov-says-us-syria-policy-aids-terrorism.ashx#axzz2tsM7fGXR">during Iraq visit</a></b>.<br /><br />Kerry 'determined' to get<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/kerry-39-determined-39-middle-east-peace-deal-193120492.html"> Middle East peace deal</a></b>.<br /><br />Kerry to meet Abbas again <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-to-meet-abbas-again-in-peace-talk-push/1855326.html">in peace talk push</a></b>.<br /><br />Turkey's embattled Erdogan seeks <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-turkey-government-idUSBREA1J0S820140220">wider powers for spy agency</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ASIA</b></span></div><br />New highly radioactive leak at <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/highly-radioactive-leak-japan-39-fukushima-plant-045324842--finance.html">Japan's Fukushima plant</a></b>.<br /><br />NATO head: Afghan security pact <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/nato-head-afghan-security-pact-elections-205133498.html">after elections.</a></b><br /><br />Afghanistan troop cuts will likely lead to Taliban surge,<b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/20/afghanistan-troop-cuts-taliban-surge-pentagon-study"> study warns</a></b>.<br /><br />Afghan Taliban repudiates hoped-for <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/19/us-afghanistan-taliban-idUSBREA1I1CS20140219">olive branch to government</a></b>.<br /><br />Pakistani military airstrikes<b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/19/world/asia/pakistan-violence/"> targeting militants kill 15</a></b>. Pakistan bombs<b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/pakistan-army-bombs-militant-targets/1855431.html"> militant targets</a></b>.<br /><br />Thai protesters take to Facebook to <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-thailand-protest-idUSBREA1J0BM20140220">target businesses linked to PM</a></b>.<br /><br />Indian government clashes with southern state <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-india-gandhi-idUSBREA1J0Z520140220">over Gandhi killers</a></b>. Rajiv Gandhi murder: India court <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26269476">suspends plotters' release.</a></b><br /><br />Nationalistic remarks from Japan lead <b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/20/world/asia/nationalistic-remarks-from-japan-lead-to-warnings-of-chill-with-us.html?ref=world">to warnings of chill with U.S.</a></b>.<br /><br />China aims for Nanjing's history <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-china-japan-nanjing-idUSBREA1J0SZ20140220">to speak loudly on Japan</a></b>.<br /><br />North and South Koreans <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26252563">hold rare family reunions</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AFRICA</b></span></div><br />UN chief urges deployment of <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/un-chief-urges-deployment-3-000-extra-troops-204539636.html">3,000 extra troops to CAR.</a></b><br /><br />Congo security forces scatter <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/congo-security-forces-scatter-attempted-rally-kabila-rival-183254666.html">attempted rally by Kabila rival</a></b>.<br /><br />Feeble turnout by Libyan voters points<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/feeble-turnout-libyan-voters-points-deep-disillusionment-210413158.html"> to deep disillusionment</a></b>.<br /><br />115 killed, 1,500 buildings razed <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/115-killed-1-500-buildings-razed-nigerian-town-214848296.html">in Nigerian town.</a></b><br /><br />South Sudan oil state capital divided,<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-southsudan-unrest-idUSBREA1J15S20140220"> crude output down</a></b>. South Sudan denies losing <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-denies-losing-malakal-town-to-rebels/1855063.html">‘Malakal Town’ to rebels.</a></b><br /><br />Ethiopia accused of using spyware <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/ethiopia-accused-of-using-spyware-against-citizens-living-abroad/1855312.html">against citizens living abroad</a></b>.<br /><br />France, Germany to send parts of<b><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140219/DEFREG01/302190033/France-Germany-Send-Parts-Joint-Brigade-Mali"> joint brigade To Mali.</a></b><br /><br />The Muslims of the Central African Republic<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/muslims-central-african-republic-face-deadly-purge-080003782.html"> face a deadly purge.</a></b><br /><br />Blasts shake five polling stations in Libya,<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-libya-vote-blasts-idUSBREA1J0W020140220"> no one hurt</a></b>. Libyans vote for constitution body <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-libya-vote-idUSBREA1J0ZP20140220">amid bombs, tensions.</a></b><br /><br />Nigeria central bank head <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26270561">Lamido Sanusi ousted</a></b>.<br /><br />Women bear brunt of South Sudan conflict,<b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-un-women-rape-unrest-violence/1855125.html"> UN official says</a></b>.<br /><br />184 million Africans <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/malaria-risk-20feb14/1855382.html">at risk for malaria</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>EUROPE</b></span></div><br />Ukraine <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26269221">truce collapses: Live</a></b><br /><br />EU hits Ukraine with sanctions, <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-ukraine-eu-idUSBREA1J1WW20140220">threatens more</a></b>.<br /><br />EU seeks peace as <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-ukraine-idUSBREA1G0OU20140220">Ukraine death toll hits 75</a></b>. Medic: 70 protesters killed, <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/medic-70-protesters-killed-500-wounded-kiev-173145105.html">500 wounded in Kiev</a></b>.<br /><br />Deadly violence <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/02/clone.of.deadly-violence-shatters-ukraine-truce-20.html">shatters Ukraine truce</a></b>.<br /><br />Kiev mayor quits ruling party <b><a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140220/187724983/Kiev-Mayor-Quits-Ruling-Party-Amid-Deadly-Clashes.html">amid deadly clashes</a></b>.<br /><br />Russia calls Western sanctions against <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-idUSBREA1J0T820140220">Ukraine officials 'blackmail'</a></b>.'Don't be doormat' <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-ukraine-russia-signal-idUSBREA1J0Y820140220">Russia warns cash-starved Kiev</a></b>.<br /><br />Basque separatists Eta set to take historic step<b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/20/basque-separatist-eta-historic-weapons-mariano-rajoy"> by handing over weapons</a></b>.<br /><br />Less than a third of Scots plan to <b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2014/02/19/world/europe/19reuters-scotland-independence-poll.html?ref=world">vote for independence: Poll</a></b>.<br /><br />Russians split on <b><a href="http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140218/187653530/Russians-Split-on-Military-Draft--Survey.html">military draft – survey</a></b>.<br /><br />Pope tells cardinals to tackle divisive <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-pope-family-debate-idUSBREA1J0VD20140220">family issues with courage</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AMERICAS</b></span></div><br />White House considers sanctions on Ukraine <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/rferl-ukraine-protesters-police-in-tense-standoff-after-deadly-clashes/1854693.html">as EU talks continue</a></b>. Obama under pressure to wield more <b><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/20/obama-under-pressure-to-bring-more-than-rhetoric-to-ukraine-crisis/">than 'rhetoric' in Ukraine crisis</a></b>.<br /><br />Number of US farms declines,<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/number-us-farms-declines-farmers-getting-older-182609347--politics.html;_ylt=AwrBJR9tSgZTHlsAuEHQtDMD"> farmers getting older.</a></b><br /><br />Obama, Canadian and Mexican leaders wrap up one day summit,<b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-canadian-and-mexican-leaders-wrap-up-one-day-summit-discuss-ukraine/1855288.html"> discuss Ukraine</a></b>.<br /><br />Murder charges against Venezuela <b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/world/americas/venezuela-protests/">opposition leader dropped</a></b>. Jailed leader channels <b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/jailed-leader-channels-venezuelans-ire/2014/02/19/d4eb20ee-997f-11e3-b1de-e666d78c3937_story.html">Venezuelans’ ire.</a></b> Venezuelan opposition leader Lopez <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26263274">'to stay in custody'</a></b>.<br /><br />Venezuela's violent crime<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/venezuela-39-violent-crime-fuels-death-business-100517869.html"> fuels the death business</a></b>.<br /><br />Colombia's 'zero tolerance' for corruption <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/colombia-39-39-zero-tolerance-39-corruption-spurs-182852506.html">spurs major Army shakeup</a></b>.<br /><br />Panama Canal expansion work to resume <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-spain-panama-idUSBREA1J18020140220">after deal with consortium</a></b>.<br /><br />Argentina tries to delay <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26225135">$1.3bn repayment to creditors</a></b>.<br /><br />Mexico’s drug cartels are standing in the way <b><a href="http://qz.com/178986/mexicos-drug-cartels-are-standing-in-the-way-of-a-fracking-bonanza/">of a fracking bonanza</a></b>.<br /><br />Record U.S. gun production as <b><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-20/record-u-s-gun-production-as-obama-demonized-on-issue.html">Obama ‘demonized’ on issue</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR</b></span></div><br />Report demands US probe<b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/02/new-report-urges-us-probe-yemen-drone-strike-2014219222512481454.html"> Yemen drone strike</a></b>.<br /><br />US warns airlines of <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/us-warns-airlines-of-possible-shoe-bomb-threat/1855223.html">possible shoe bomb threat</a></b>.<br /><br />Bulgaria says identified third suspect <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-bulgaria-bombing-suspect-idUSBREA1J0NJ20140220">in Burgas bus bombing</a></b>.<br /><br />Guantanamo prisoner <b><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2014-02-20/guantanamo-prisoner-goes-before-military-tribunal">pleads guilty in bombing</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS</b></span></div><br />G20 has failed to fulfil its promise of <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/20/g20-economy-promise-failure-crisis">collaboration amid hostility.</a></b><br /><br />Apple Contractor Foxconn seeks wider reach<b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/apple-contractor-foxconn-seeks-wider-reach-after-china-flaps/1855273.html"> after China flaps</a></b>.<br /><br />Facebook to pay <b><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914204579393452029288302?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304914204579393452029288302.html">$19 billion for WhatsApp</a></b>.<br /><br />Wal-Mart reports fall <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26274055">in quarterly profits</a></b>.

World News Briefs -- February 20, 2014 (Evening Edition)

Harrowing Footage Emerges Of UNARMED Protesters Being Cut Down By Sniper Fire On A Day Of Violence In Kiev That Has Brought Today's Death Toll To At Least 70 -- Daily Mail* Ukrainian Health Ministry said 88 police, six journalists and four foreigne…

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Free Advice for Fed: Raise Rates When Furniture Sales Fully Recover

The Fed isn't quite sure what threshold it should be using to determine when to raise interest rates. Can't say I blame them. I therefore thought I'd offer some free (deflationary) advice.<br /><br />Furniture sales and new home sales go hand in hand. Right? So simply raise rates when furniture store sales (as a percentage of disposable personal income) reach "normal" levels again. What could be easier? Transparent. Clean. Consistent.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6taFX965j0GqBuR89H3VZSpkO19DSqkMmNQPWUw6IxpQSQtuSAEr8QN3_BQScdhNLUZPCeki5d6D2O8QTAigWAZzlEuGOOUDxl4q-SHWzrhXUFq6s06x0wZ-7eydYgXdNJwGINLgbrA/s1600/Furniture+vs.+Income+-+Long-Term.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6taFX965j0GqBuR89H3VZSpkO19DSqkMmNQPWUw6IxpQSQtuSAEr8QN3_BQScdhNLUZPCeki5d6D2O8QTAigWAZzlEuGOOUDxl4q-SHWzrhXUFq6s06x0wZ-7eydYgXdNJwGINLgbrA/s320/Furniture+vs.+Income+-+Long-Term.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Let's zoom in on that recent trend in red and try to estimate how long it will take to get back to normal.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEbjXrO-pmLxwpg2ATVMXDwQlZfel0wtn9AEwGH2FXmdHgzPZX_8QF9UeJ0Ndpngpvzo803hScMRjYd4C8tr45Wh2cz5g_nq9T8Qj6yKa37CRf42jterXRKCXpank4QUexL_5dIqdfM8/s1600/Furniture+vs.+Income+-+Short-Term.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEbjXrO-pmLxwpg2ATVMXDwQlZfel0wtn9AEwGH2FXmdHgzPZX_8QF9UeJ0Ndpngpvzo803hScMRjYd4C8tr45Wh2cz5g_nq9T8Qj6yKa37CRf42jterXRKCXpank4QUexL_5dIqdfM8/s320/Furniture+vs.+Income+-+Short-Term.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />The solution is clear. Raise rates just this side of never. Be just like Japan!<br /><br /><b>See Also:</b><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/09/trend-line-disclaimer-time.html">Trend Line Disclaimer</a><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2010/06/sarcasm-disclaimer.html">Sarcasm Disclaimer</a><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=sjS">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

Free Advice for Fed: Raise Rates When Furniture Sales Fully Recover

The Fed isn't quite sure what threshold it should be using to determine when to raise interest rates. Can't say I blame them. I therefore thought I'd offer some free (deflationary) advice.Furniture sales and new home sales go hand in hand. Right? So …

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Sanctions Have Been Imposed On Ukraine

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fgHihCxJE1A" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ukraine Sanctions Imposed Amid Kiev Clashes -- BBC</b></span></div><br /><i>European Union foreign ministers have agreed to impose sanctions on Ukrainian officials "responsible for violence and excessive force".</i><br /><br />In a statement, they said targeted sanctions including asset freezes and visa bans would be introduced "as a matter of urgency".<br /><br />At least 21 anti-government protesters died in clashes in Kiev on Thursday.<br /><br />Officials said that one policeman had also died and that 67 police had been captured by protesters.<br /><br />"No circumstances can justify the repression we are currently witnessing," the statement from EU foreign ministers said.<br /><br />EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the "prime responsibility" to get talks between the two sides under way lay with President Viktor Yanukovych.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26280710">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The EU Imposing Sanctions On Ukraine</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/eu-ministers-impose-sanctions-against-ukrainian-officials-responsible-for-violence-1.1696032">EU ministers impose sanctions against Ukrainian officials responsible for violence </a>-- AP<br /><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140220/eu-sanctions-ukrainians-blood-their-hands">EU sanctions Ukrainians with 'blood on their hands'</a> -- Global Post/AFP<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914204579394461852462306?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304914204579394461852462306.html">EU Approves Sanctions on Ukraine</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/ukraine-eu-idINDEEA1J0FT20140220">EU hits Ukraine with sanctions, threatens more over bloodshed</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/europe/Ukraine-Crisis-Diplomacy.html?hpw&rref=world&_r=0">European Union Imposes Sanctions in Ukraine Crisis</a> -- New York Times<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20140220-715703.html">EU Ministers Approve Sanctions on Ukraine</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/20/ukraine-eu-foreign-ministers-agree-sanctions-officials">EU foreign ministers agree sanctions against Ukrainian officials </a>-- The Guardian<br /><a href="http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/eu-acts-over-ukraine-as-deaths-rise-30027610.html">EU acts over Ukraine as deaths rise</a> -- Belfast Telegraph<br /><a href="http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/united-states-bans-visa-issuance-to-about-20-senior-ukrainian-government-officials-337188.html">United States bans visa issuance to about 20 senior Ukrainian government officials</a> -- Kyiv Post

Sanctions Have Been Imposed On Ukraine

Ukraine Sanctions Imposed Amid Kiev Clashes -- BBCEuropean Union foreign ministers have agreed to impose sanctions on Ukrainian officials "responsible for violence and excessive force".In a statement, they said targeted sanctions including asset free…

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Unrest And Violence Escalates In Venezuela

<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=280337763&edition=BETAUS" height="259" id="rcomVideo_280337763" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460"> <param name='movie' value='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=280337763&edition=BETAUS'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><embed src='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=280337763&edition=BETAUS' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' allowfullscreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' width='460' height='259' wmode='transparent'></embed> </object></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Violence Escalates In Divided Venezuela -- Reuters</b></span></div><br />(Reuters) - Venezuelan security forces and demonstrators faced off in streets blocked by burning barricades in several cities on Thursday in an escalation of protests against President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government, witnesses said.<br /><br />At least five people have died since the unrest turned violent last week, with scores of injuries and arrests.<br /><br />The demonstrators, mainly students, blame the government for violent crime, high inflation, product shortages and alleged repression of opponents.<br /><br />In affluent east Caracas overnight, security forces fired teargas and bullets, chasing youths who threw Molotov cocktails and blocked streets with burning trash, witnesses said.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA1J1BX20140220">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="363" scrolling="no" src="http://english.share.voanews.eu/flashembed.aspx?t=vid&id=1855176&w=640&h=363&skin=embeded" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The Unrest In Venezuela</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/president-nicolas-maduro-sends-army-venezuelan-state-amid-crackdown-1556969">President Nicolás Maduro Sends Army To Venezuelan State Amid Crackdown</a> -- IBTimes<br /><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/02/violent-protests-escalate-venezuela-201422020613529913.html">Violent protests escalate in Venezuela </a>-- Al Jazeera<br /><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/world/latin-america/2014/02/20/tense-venezuela-awaits-ruling-opposition-leader/3N3htG7CeTHSoVyE8wGpaP/story.html">Venezuela opposition denounces 'brutal repression'</a> -- AP<br /><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/protests-grip-venezuela-/1855178.html">Protests Grip Venezuela</a> -- Voice of America<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/world/americas/venezuela-protests/">Murder charges against Venezuela opposition leader dropped</a> -- CNN<br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-02-19/venezuelan-protests-turn-violent-as-lopez-faces-arraignment">Venezuela to Keep Opposition Leader Jailed Amid Protests </a>-- Bloomberg Businessweek<br /><a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648084/Opposition-leader-faces-charges-in-tense-Venezuela.html">Opposition leader faces charges in tense Venezuela; violence heats up</a> -- AP<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/jailed-leader-channels-venezuelans-ire/2014/02/19/d4eb20ee-997f-11e3-b1de-e666d78c3937_story.html">Jailed leader channels Venezuelans’ ire</a> -- Washington Post<br /><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/venezuelan-beauty-quee-fatally-shot-head-protest-article-1.1620304">Venezuelan beauty queen Genesis Carmona, 22, fatally shot in head during protest </a>-- New York Daily News<br /><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/20/280019048/in-venezuela-another-beauty-queens-death-adds-to-anger">In Venezuela, Another Beauty Queen's Death Adds To Anger</a> -- NPR<br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-20/leopoldo-lopez-the-venezuela-oppositions-new-hero">Leopoldo López, the Charismatic Face of Venezuela's Opposition</a> -- Bloomberg Businessweek<br /><a href="http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21596945-after-opposition-leader-arrested-violence-continues-unabated-tale-two-prisoners">Protests in Venezuela: A tale of two prisoners</a> -- Economist<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/world/americas/venezuela-qa/">Venezuela: What's the crisis about?</a> -- Faith Karimi and Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN <br /><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2014/02/nicolas_maduro_s_venezuela_erupts_in_violence_the_venezuelan_president_appears.html">Venezuela Erupts</a> -- William J. Dobson, Slate

Unrest And Violence Escalates In Venezuela

Violence Escalates In Divided Venezuela -- Reuters(Reuters) - Venezuelan security forces and demonstrators faced off in streets blocked by burning barricades in several cities on Thursday in an escalation of protests against President Nicolas Madur…

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Incoming!!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZoMJYjOhVG7v_mTjMpV0qTbdr87hzNQgzAKXTN0TVKrF-T1AZMq-kIjin2saQfcRY8dxAW_7NZjHQ9cn7fm_34SY6GeVqR4m9QZSup1F1IOmELCSv28UffdvRFuOet2HLDVxxubKdwlq/s1600/incoming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZoMJYjOhVG7v_mTjMpV0qTbdr87hzNQgzAKXTN0TVKrF-T1AZMq-kIjin2saQfcRY8dxAW_7NZjHQ9cn7fm_34SY6GeVqR4m9QZSup1F1IOmELCSv28UffdvRFuOet2HLDVxxubKdwlq/s640/incoming.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDDgbIZ4joSZ3-7Px5yNiHceYGt9VpWeReoLy36sql4L6h6Q9e7SD_5WMGQ-idpG5Sqank9kGobq-gZ9h-cGRQuFqIKebgZHRWNfAzw3jZg0xTladyBUkMq8nGgrS7awlsfzC_C_4RInk/s1600/more-boobs-since-thats-all-anyone-wants_o_863943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDDgbIZ4joSZ3-7Px5yNiHceYGt9VpWeReoLy36sql4L6h6Q9e7SD_5WMGQ-idpG5Sqank9kGobq-gZ9h-cGRQuFqIKebgZHRWNfAzw3jZg0xTladyBUkMq8nGgrS7awlsfzC_C_4RInk/s640/more-boobs-since-thats-all-anyone-wants_o_863943.jpg" /></a></div>

Incoming!!

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Photo: Iyanya looking good in Ankara suit. You like?

<img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Osq8r_knWhE/UwUDisUjK6I/AAAAAAAAaaI/7KRcKgKqEKk/s640/f894b538978011e38efa12921969ad50_8.jpg" width="640" />

Photo: Iyanya looking good in Ankara suit. You like?

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Lagos State Govt Bans Mini Skirts, Other Attires!

<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"></h3><div class="post-header"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatki0WnuDhyphenhyphenW3xmX7EmJPuBjA1ioIilsx48qclxXRZHRDQK-624l-xbXv1rxJKHliFfFtM0EJlFfjdjzNaHfq2wqStq-dgcmnBGmCxTjXmZ_slK2jCXwKNSLbePkBe1gsCgBXph0h4Mc/s640/Raji-Fashola.jpg" width="512" /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><span style="font-size: medium;">Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration has banned indecent dressing among female public servants. All forms of dresses that expose breasts, contours and other sensitive female body parts have been outlawed.<br /><br />The decision was taken as a result of worsening cases of indecent dressing among female public servants at the Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />P.M.NEWS has observed that all forms of skimpy dresses or mini skirts, tight trousers revealing the contours, sleeveless dresses and blouses and body clinging dresses are worn by some female public servants as they walk about the secretariat.<br /><br />Worried by this despicable act, the state government had to introduce new dress code among public servants, especially the female folk.<br /><br />A circular issued by the Head of Service, Mrs. Josephine Williams dated 7 February, 2014 has been sent to all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs calling on all Directors of Finance and Administration, DFAs, to immediately move against indecent dressing in Alausa.<br /><br />The circular, with the reference number CIR/HOS/14/Vol.1/022, said similar directive was issued through the HOS in 2005 in a circular number 113 mandating public servants to dress properly and decently to the office and official functions portray the good image of the state government.<br /><br />The government warned that it would begin to take drastic and punitive measures against recalcitrant public servants who flout the directive.<br /><br />“It has however been observed with grave concern that some officers have not been complying with this directive. The noticeable non-compliance of some officers to this directive should henceforth stop as the extant civil service rules and regulation on proper and indecent dressing still subsist and will be applied accordingly on flouters,” the HOS said.<br /><br />Williams listed what is contained in the new dress code for female civil servants, saying that skirts above the knee should not be worn by public servants, saying that dresses allowed are skirts which are of knee level, moderate slit and not body clinging skirts.<br /><br />According to the HOS, if female public servants must wear trousers, such trousers should neither be tight nor revealing and must be worn with a jacket.<br /><br />Also, gowns to be worn by female public servants must be of knee level, moderate slit, not sleeveless and not body clinging.<br /><br />Williams added that if native attires must be worn, they must be worn completely.<br /><br />The government also reeled out dress code for male public servants. In the dress code for men, administrative officers must wear suit and tie as professionals and other officers could wear wear suit and tie or French suit.<br /><br />Junior and clerical staff are allowed to wear shirts and trousers and French suit while complete native wear is allowed for all cadres of public servants.<br /><br />“As a matter of necessity, all Directors of Finance and Administration are hereby enjoined to ensure that officers within their purview adhere strictly to moderate and decent dressing,” said the HOS.<br /><br />Already, the Directors of Finance and Administration of various ministries have been having urgent meeting with their staff to intimate them about the new dress code.<br /><br />The development has become a subject of discourse among public servants at Alausa. </span><br />

Lagos State Govt Bans Mini Skirts, Other Attires!

Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration has banned indecent dressing among female public servants. All forms of dresses that expose breasts, contours and other sensitive female body parts have been outlawed.The decision was taken as a result…

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Iranian Nuclear Talks Progressing?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6yo7_m3U-A8M2QROiIHIThIH198MH2V-fWczzxHK1PMLsWJL-HvSYtDOe23pImQQiortBV4gL3MVZK93SpECIP-OXsWd0R_dxrsynX48sK2J6htHjR3IK3Rse8twXO3hXYGWVJkfYNhz/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6yo7_m3U-A8M2QROiIHIThIH198MH2V-fWczzxHK1PMLsWJL-HvSYtDOe23pImQQiortBV4gL3MVZK93SpECIP-OXsWd0R_dxrsynX48sK2J6htHjR3IK3Rse8twXO3hXYGWVJkfYNhz/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif pose before the start of a conference in Vienna Feb. 18, 2014. Photo by <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.575202">Reuters</a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Iran <span style="color: #0000ee;">A</span>nd World Powers Agree On Framework For Nuclear Talks -- New York Times</b></span></div><br />VIENNA — In what officials described as a serious, workmanlike and conversational atmosphere, Iran and six world powers have agreed on a timetable and framework for negotiating a comprehensive agreement to end the confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program, the European Union’s foreign policy chief and Iran’s foreign minister said on Thursday.<br /><br />While details were vague and the two delegation leaders declined to take any questions at a closing news conference, they said that groups of experts would meet early in March and that the full delegations would meet here again on March 17, with the expectation that they will meet monthly.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/middleeast/iran.html?hpw&rref=world">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The Iranian Nuclear Talks</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/world/europe/iran-nuclear-talks/">P5+1 and Iran agree on nuclear negotiation framework in Vienna</a> -- CNN<br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26269092">Iran nuclear deal framework 'agreed' in Vienna </a>-- BBC<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914204579394430835276744?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304914204579394430835276744.html">Iran Agrees on Agenda for Nuclear Talks</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-iran-nuclear-idUSBREA1H0S620140220">World powers and Iran make 'good start' towards nuclear accord</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.575202">Framework for nuke talks agreed upon, Iranian official says</a> -- Haaretz<br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-iran-nuclear-talks-20140220,0,3206753.story#axzz2tseORMfW">Iran, world powers off to 'good start' in nuclear talks </a>-- L.A. Times<br /><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140220/iran-world-powers-agree-nuclear-talks-timetable">Iran, world powers agree nuclear talks timetable </a>-- Global Post/AFP<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-nuke-talks-enter-last-day/2014/02/20/e11d048c-9a0a-11e3-b1de-e666d78c3937_story.html">Iran nuke talks end, next round March 17</a> -- Washington Post/AP<br /><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/iran-agreement-reached-on-further-nuclear-talks/1855289.html">EU: Next Round of Iran Nuclear Talks Set to Begin March 17 </a>-- Voice of America<br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-02-20/powers-set-iran-atomic-agenda-with-lots-to-do-before-deadline">Iran Talks Set Five-Month Plan for Race to Final Nuclear Accord</a> -- Bloomberg Businessweek<br /><a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/20/p5-1-talks-drill-down-on-the-future-of-iran-s-nukes.html">P5+1 Talks Drill Down On The Future Of Iran’s Nukes</a> -- Michael Adler, Daily Beast<br /><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/2014/0220/Negotiators-put-acrimony-aside-to-pursue-final-Iranian-nuclear-agreement">Negotiators put acrimony aside to pursue final Iranian nuclear agreement</a> -- Christian Science Monitor<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/iran-nuclear-usa-mideast-idUSL2N0LP0U020140220">U.S. negotiator at Iran talks heads to Israel, Saudi Arabia</a> -- Reuters

Iranian Nuclear Talks Progressing?

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif pose before the start of a conference in Vienna Feb. 18, 2014. Photo by ReutersIran And World Powers Agree On Framework For Nuclear Talks -- New York Ti…

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Video: Omg hear what Gandoki said on AYlive Lagos

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gez5_rMcBnU?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div><br />AY LIVE is an Annual Worldwide Event organised by Ace Comedian Ayo makun AY. Year in Year out, It is being held in different states around Nigeria and so far has been recognised with numerous Awards worldwide as a mark of Excellence. Here is a short Clip of Comedian Gandoki thrilling the audience to spellbound jokes.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gez5_rMcBnU">CLICK TO WATCH</a>

Video: Omg hear what Gandoki said on AYlive Lagos

AY LIVE is an Annual Worldwide Event organised by Ace Comedian Ayo makun AY. Year in Year out, It is being held in different states around Nigeria and so far has been recognised with numerous Awards worldwide as a mark of Excellence. Here is a short …

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Russia Wades In On The Crisis In Ukraine

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/T4iCpXvttH4" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Russia Warns West Against 'Illegitimate' Sanctions On Ukraine -- L.A. Times</b></span></div><br />MOSCOW -- Russian officials and Kremlin-influenced media stepped up their accusations Thursday that Western countries were fomenting the violence in Ukraine and warned that sanctions imposed by the United States and under consideration by the European Union were tantamount to “blackmail.”<br /><br />A truce between the Ukrainian government and opposition protest leaders fell apart hours after it was reached late Wednesday. Renewed fighting between police and protesters took at least 22 lives Thursday, bringing the death toll from three days of fiery clashes in Kiev to about 50 and possibly more, opposition sources reported. The Ukrainian Health Ministry said 35 were killed Thursday.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-ukraine-russia-warns-west-20140220,0,1129094.story#axzz2tseORMfW">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Russian Reaction To The Ukraine Crisis</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/europe/Ukraine-Crisis-Diplomacy.html">Russia Denounces West’s Sanction Threats to Ukraine</a> -- New York Times/Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-idUSBREA1J0T820140220">Russia calls Western sanctions against Ukraine officials 'blackmail'</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914204579394641654222958?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304914204579394641654222958.html">Russia Denounces Call for Early Ukraine Elections</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/ukraine-russia-signal-idINL6N0LP21420140220">"Don't be doormat" Russia warns cash-starved Kiev</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/International/2014/Feb-20/247959-putin-sending-mediator-to-ukraine-at-yanukovichs-request-russian-agencies.ashx#axzz2tsM7fGXR">Putin sending mediator to Ukraine at Yanukovich's request: Russian agencies</a> -- Daily Star/Reuters<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20140220-710406.html">Russia Dispatched Rights Ombudsman to Negotiate End to Ukraine Violence</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://stream.wsj.com/story/latest-headlines/SS-2-63399/SS-2-460843/">Russia Warns Ukraine on Further Financial Aid</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2014/02/20/playing-the-ukrainian-card/">For Moscow, Ukraine is always ‘Little Russia’</a> -- Nina Khrushcheva, reuters<br /><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/2014/0220/Is-Ukraine-president-losing-the-Kremlin-s-confidence">Is Ukraine president losing the Kremlin's confidence?</a> -- Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor<br /><br /><b>My Comment: </b>I have trouble believing this news report .... <b><a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/putin-has-no-time-watch-coverage-ukraine-turmoil-aide-n34651">Putin 'Has No Time' to Watch Coverage of Ukraine Turmoil: Aide</a></b> -- NBC

Russia Wades In On The Crisis In Ukraine

Russia Warns West Against 'Illegitimate' Sanctions On Ukraine -- L.A. TimesMOSCOW -- Russian officials and Kremlin-influenced media stepped up their accusations Thursday that Western countries were fomenting the violence in Ukraine and warned that sa…

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Ukraine WAR and CHAOS escalates

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">*****UKRAINE CONFLICT ALERT*****</span> </span></b><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Government snipers shooting civilians...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">100+ DEAD 500+ INJURED</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kO_vT_4BoZY?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Zk7Whf1-fbw?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><b>INTERMITTENT LIVE COVERAGE...</b><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/H3n28jfWoDE?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ron Paul on U.S.A. involvement in Ukraine...</b></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zzEyInvXi8k?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BWB8UwEEyJ4?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>...developing...</b></div>

Ukraine WAR and CHAOS escalates

*****UKRAINE CONFLICT ALERT***** Government snipers shooting civilians...100+ DEAD 500+ INJUREDINTERMITTENT LIVE COVERAGE...Ron Paul on U.S.A. involvement in Ukraine......developing...…

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Ukraine's Olympians Denied Permission To Wear Black Arm Bands

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QxSII50lFOo" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ukraine's Olympians Refused Permission To Wear Black Arm Bands -- ITV</b></span></div><br />Ukraine's athletes were denied permission to wear black arm bands in memory of the 26 people that have been killed in violent clashes by the International Olympic Committee today.<br /><br />The country's athletes admitted the ongoing unrest was proving to be a distraction.<br /><br />"Yes it's a distraction, everyone's talking about it - even just now at the start, at the finish, people are saying 'what's happened in your country, what's happened?'" Dmytro Mytsak, a Ukrainian giant slalom skier, said.<br /><br />The 18-year-old revealed that the team were grateful to receive support from the Russian spectators.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-02-19/ukraines-olympians-refused-permission-to-wear-black-arm-bands/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140219/olympics-ioc-rejects-grieving-ukraines-black-band-request">Olympics: IOC rejects grieving Ukraine's black band request-</a>- Global Post/AFP<br /><br /><b>My Comment</b>: The Olympic Committee does not want to take away attention from the Games and they do not want to embarrass Russian President Putin who wants the Sochi Olympics to be all about Russia. Here is a hint to the Olympic committee .... it is not working.

Ukraine's Olympians Denied Permission To Wear Black Arm Bands

Ukraine's Olympians Refused Permission To Wear Black Arm Bands -- ITVUkraine's athletes were denied permission to wear black arm bands in memory of the 26 people that have been killed in violent clashes by the International Olympic Committee today.Th…

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J Martins shares new photos of his adorable son

<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"></h3><div class="post-header"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHS_qpE_LXBQhTaSvYxGWJP_0fo6zgaSTe5UIXT3trF_dplQf2uMhosmsXEM3g-_8aMX2eidynmzX_S3eYPpvlSNfzBjJS95G_VHineT_me-GyC5ycH0Ev74OEVbCxdQ-ba6XR33FQusc/s1600/jmartins+babylindaikejiblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHS_qpE_LXBQhTaSvYxGWJP_0fo6zgaSTe5UIXT3trF_dplQf2uMhosmsXEM3g-_8aMX2eidynmzX_S3eYPpvlSNfzBjJS95G_VHineT_me-GyC5ycH0Ev74OEVbCxdQ-ba6XR33FQusc/s640/jmartins+babylindaikejiblog.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br /><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="st">On Tuesday 4th of February, Singer J Martins and wife Nnezi Mbila welcomed a son 'Jason'. </span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="st">More photos of him and his baby after the cut</span></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnLPQgv3uwOibRI9FOkst7h662WdLvzhHsdqeAid9KFDHTLSTNzidRCCnd4yUyZvRzlruuXMbsw5_MU274V-HHkRk7dIHomGl_ZHMBpKuIQm_SCXuznzBjt8rtbf1GxUGIevknLl8eHI/s1600/jmartins+babylindaikejiblog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnLPQgv3uwOibRI9FOkst7h662WdLvzhHsdqeAid9KFDHTLSTNzidRCCnd4yUyZvRzlruuXMbsw5_MU274V-HHkRk7dIHomGl_ZHMBpKuIQm_SCXuznzBjt8rtbf1GxUGIevknLl8eHI/s640/jmartins+babylindaikejiblog2.jpg" width="361" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div>

J Martins shares new photos of his adorable son

On Tuesday 4th of February, Singer J Martins and wife Nnezi Mbila welcomed a son 'Jason'. More photos of him and his baby after the cut…

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