News for today's 2018

Iron Man-Style Helmet Being Developed For Soldiers

12:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/O73LixMjYVU" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Iron Man-Style Helmet will Help Soldiers Pinpoint Targets On The Battlefield - And Avoid Shooting Comrades By Mistake -- Daily Mail</b></span></div><br />* Q-Warrior helmet mounted display system was developed by BAE Systems<br />* It can help soldiers pinpoint targets and waypoints during conflicts<br />* Similar tech is already used by pilots, and featured in the Iron Man films<br />* Military researchers claim the helmet is 'exceeding expectations in tests'<br />* The battery-powered display comes with a GPS unit and video camera<br />* It will also highlight nearby comrades to avoid friendly fire attacks<br /><br />Soldiers could soon be equipped with Iron Man-style helmets that help them pinpoint targets quickly and easily on the battlefield.<br /><br />The Q-Warrior helmet-mounted display, designed by defence contractor BAE Systems, uses similar technology to that used by jet pilots in fighter planes and mimics the display used in the Iron Man films. <br /><br />It’s currently undergoing tests in the U.S., but military researchers have said the tech is ‘already exceeding expectations.'<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2563009/Iron-Man-style-helmet-help-soldiers-pinpoint-targets-battlefield-avoid-shooting-comrades-mistake.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lJMq6UCv1_s" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The Q-Warrior Helmet</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10640878/Iron-Man-helmet-designed-for-the-battlefield.html">'Iron Man' helmet designed for the battlefield</a> -- The Telegraph<br /><a href="http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/business-news/bae-systems-one-step-ahead-with-its-iron-man-helmet-1-6450161">BAE Systems one step ahead with its ‘Iron Man’ helmet</a> -- Yorkshire Post<br /><a href="http://news.uk.msn.com/heads-up-display-for-soldier-helmet">Heads-up display for soldier helmet</a> -- MSN News<br /><a href="http://www.cityam.com/blog/1392809965/bae-brings-iron-man-tech-battlefield">BAE brings Iron Man tech to the battlefield</a> -- City AM<br /><a href="http://eandt.theiet.org/news/2014/feb/q-warrior.cfm">Augmented reality helmet for soldiers exceeds expectations </a>-- E&T<br /><a href="http://www.gizmag.com/q-warrior/30898/">Q -Warrior brings head-up displays to the battlefield</a> -- Gizmag

Iron Man-Style Helmet Being Developed For Soldiers

Iron Man-Style Helmet will Help Soldiers Pinpoint Targets On The Battlefield - And Avoid Shooting Comrades By Mistake -- Daily Mail * Q-Warr...

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

11:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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, 20...

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

10:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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 Morel Lawmakers: CIA #2 Lied to Us About Benghazi -- Stephen Hayes, Weekly Standard “When U.S. in...

Picture Of The Day

9:45 PM Tukiyooo 0

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...

I Am A Ukrainian (Video)

9:30 PM Tukiyooo 0

I Am A Ukrainian (Video)

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

Russians Are Split On Having A Military Draft

9:25 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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 Kryazhev Russians Split on Military Draft – Survey -- RIA Novosti MOSCOW...

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

9:20 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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 -- APA Baku-APA. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) says Afghan President Hamid...

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

9:15 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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 Forw...

Pakistan Intensifies It's War Against The Taliban

9:10 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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 Journal The Pakistani military claimed it killed m...

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

9:05 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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 America ABUJA — Nigerian police report 60 people were killed early...

Basque Separatists ETA Are To Formally Hand Over Their Weapons Today

9:01 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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 Guardian Spanish government of Mariano Rajoy holds out for f...

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

9:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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 bein...

Iranian Video Simulates A Nuclear Attack On Israel

9:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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 Blaze A new video reportedly making the rounds in I...

The Worst Day In Kiev?

9:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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, CNN Kiev, Ukraine (CNN) -- The gunbattle was ...

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

9:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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 News Anyone Home? Ukraine Isn't Taking The Pentagon's Calls -- Reuters (R...

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

9:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<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 Journal Why is the agency studying 'perceived station bias' and asking abou...

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

9:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

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 Times Army Senior Warrant Officer Russton B. Kramer...

Coop Himmelb(l)au in NYC?

7:45 PM Tukiyooo 0

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.)