Ukraine's Economy Will Collapse

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/H9e3NvwnnzI" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ukraine Interim Leader Warns Economy in Steep Decline -- Voice of America</span></b></div><br />Ukraine's interim president says his country faces serious economic problems that began long before the deadly street protests against ousted president Viktor Yanukovych.<br /><br />Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said Sunday night that the country is in a steep economic decline, even as many of the world's economies are advancing.<br /><br />"On the background of the world economic recovery, Ukraine is rolling down into an abyss and is a pre-default state," he said.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/new-ukraine-leader-says-country-is-in-steep-economic-decline/1858020.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Ukraine's Economy</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140224/187845745/Ukraine-Hopes-for-35Bln-in-Western-Aid.html">Ukraine Hopes for $35Bln in Western Aid </a>-- RIA Novosti<br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/eu-examining-immediate-long-term-aid-ukraine-131640858--sector.html">EU examining immediate and long-term aid for Ukraine</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/us-ukraine-aid-idUSBREA1N0EG20140224">Ukraine calls for urgent aid after Yanukovich ousted </a>-- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-western-nations-eu-russia">Western nations scramble to contain fallout from Ukraine crisis </a>-- The Guardian<br /><a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140224/187838985/Western-Leaders-Move-to-Secure-Financial-Aid-for-Ukraine.html">Western Leaders Move to Secure Financial Aid for Ukraine</a> -- RIA Novosti<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/us-ukraine-eu-assistance-idUSBREA1N0VS20140224">EU examining immediate and long-term aid for Ukraine</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140224/187850083/Ukraine-Hopes-Russian-Gas-Price-Wont-Change--Report.html">Ukraine Hopes Russian Gas Price Won't Change – Report </a>-- RIA Novosti<br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10658483/William-Hague-Ukraine-faces-economic-collapse.html">Hague: Ukraine faces economic collapse</a> -- The Telegraph<br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-02-24/white-house-talks-up-aid-for-ukraine-with-eye-on-russia-s-putin">White House Talks Up Aid for Ukraine With Eye on Putin</a> -- Bloomberg Businessweek<br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-02-22/osborne-says-g-20-should-send-ukraine-strong-message-of-support">U.S.-EU Ready to Help Cash-Strapped Ukraine as President Ousted</a> -- Bloomberg Businessweek<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/us-ukraine-bond-idUSBREA1N1LE20140224">Ukraine bond investors remain anxious despite relief rally</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/business/bloomberg/article/Ukraine-Bond-Rally-Seen-Tied-to-New-Aid-Amid-5262095.php">Ukraine Bond Rally Seen Tied to New Aid Amid Default Concern </a>-- SFGate/Bloomberg Businessweek<br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26324686">What economic help for Ukraine? </a>-- Andrew Walker, BBC<br /><a href="http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-needs-western-support/25275620.html">Explainer: Why Ukraine Needs Western Economic Help</a> -- Radio Free Europe<br /><br /><b>My Comment</b>: This is an easy prediction .... Ukraine's economy is going to collapse. Ukraine is already hinting to the West that they need $35 billion in aid ASAP .... the truth is that they need more than that .... probably $50 - $60 billion this year alone .... and God knows how much next year. For the EU .... this is money that they do not have. Russia has been the main provider of aid to Ukraine .... but I doubt that any aid is going to go to a government that Moscow now regards as illegitimate. This leaves the U.S. .... but I know that any money or financial assistance coming from Washington is a pipe-dream at best.<br /><br />On a bright note .... last week my aunt (who lives in the eastern part of the country) did not get her pension payment .... but the money was deposited this morning (a week late). She is relieved .... but she is no fool .... she sees this as a sign that times are going to get rough.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> Here is an <b><a href="http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/specter-of-money-haunts-ukraines-turmoil/495037.html">excellent post</a></b> on how Ukraine's fiscal mess resulted in the political mess of today. Bottom line .... the EU does not have the resources (nor will it commit the reousrces) to bail the Ukrainians out.<br /><br /><b>Update #2:</b> The financial panic is settling in .... <b><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/ukraine-aid-idINL6N0LT19A20140224">Ukraine calls for urgent Western aid after Yanukovich ousted</a></b> -- Reuters

Ukraine's Economy Will Collapse

Ukraine Interim Leader Warns Economy in Steep Decline -- Voice of America Ukraine's interim president says his country faces serious eco...

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Monument To Soviet Soldiers Who Died Liberating Ukraine From Nazis Is Toppled

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKzfi1UOE3fSNzc_UXzQuioxAPkPXp2ofQ0qirhCODDUHo7NIja3vsnplsENtaBcU0C4fdqInILVZ_ThT2L49A-QwvTvrRDxb-55wqlA2HsPv2do0FKep6hvsQyhxZMLsMcU5uD61vpVy/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKzfi1UOE3fSNzc_UXzQuioxAPkPXp2ofQ0qirhCODDUHo7NIja3vsnplsENtaBcU0C4fdqInILVZ_ThT2L49A-QwvTvrRDxb-55wqlA2HsPv2do0FKep6hvsQyhxZMLsMcU5uD61vpVy/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image from stryi.com.ua</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Monument To Soldiers Who Died Liberating Ukraine From Nazis Toppled (PHOTOS) -- RT</b></span></div><br />The ‘Soviet Soldier’ – a monument commemorating the collective sacrifice of the Soviet army against Nazi forces – has been toppled in western Ukraine. This follows the country-wide fall of some two dozen Lenin statues.<br /><br />The taking down of the ‘Soviet Soldier’ in the town of Stryi, Lvov region, turns a new page in the chaos that gripped the nation in November, and has taken on dangerously nationalist overtones in the past fortnight.<br /><br />The city administration’s website first reported on the story of the monument, erected in 1965 as a companion piece to two other objects: an obelisk with WWII engravings and the Eternal Flame over the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://rt.com/news/war-monument-toppled-ukraine-351/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> I am grateful that my father is not alive to see this. He was in the Soviet Army .... and he fought against the Nazis and their Ukrainian allies during the war .... to see this happening right now would (1) make his blood boil, and (2) worry about the future. As to what is my take .... I am happy to see the Lenin statues being torn down .... but tearing down monuments to the soldiers who died liberating eastern Europe from the Nazis .... words do not express my utter disgust.

Monument To Soviet Soldiers Who Died Liberating Ukraine From Nazis Is Toppled

Image from stryi.com.ua Monument To Soldiers Who Died Liberating Ukraine From Nazis Toppled (PHOTOS) -- RT The ‘Soviet Soldier’ – a monument...

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Ukrainians Of Russian Descent Deeply Worried On The Rise Of Ukranian Nationalists

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWrFLr0iGBh9hu1kB9dPd1_3YmwEniRGnt8t1WcUWFgHaJPP3A7EGVFIs1f_ZfA-GqdQfhhzyTfAZ7HmMXjUJSaCOANlm5GIXsRzGHFJz_WwskzMliVQHjNFmC0i1cEvTN_1peWBa50HB/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWrFLr0iGBh9hu1kB9dPd1_3YmwEniRGnt8t1WcUWFgHaJPP3A7EGVFIs1f_ZfA-GqdQfhhzyTfAZ7HmMXjUJSaCOANlm5GIXsRzGHFJz_WwskzMliVQHjNFmC0i1cEvTN_1peWBa50HB/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Russian Stronghold in Ukraine Preparing To Fight The Revolution -- Time</b></span></div><br />Lawmakers and worried citizens in the pro-Russia Crimea consider their options<br /><br />The busload of officers only began to feel safe when they entered the Crimean peninsula. Through the night on Friday, they drove the length of Ukraine from north to south, having abandoned the capital city of Kiev to the revolution. Along the way the protesters in several towns pelted their bus with eggs, rocks and, at one point, what looked to be blood before the retreating officers realized it was only ketchup. “People were screaming, cursing at us,” recalls one of the policemen, Vlad Roditelev.<br /><br />Finally, on Saturday morning, the bus reached the refuge of Crimea, the only chunk of Ukraine where the revolution has failed to take hold. Connected to the mainland by two narrow passes, this huge peninsula on the Black Sea has long been a land apart, an island of Russian nationalism in a nation drifting toward Europe. One of its biggest cities, Sevastopol, is home to a Russian naval base that houses around 25,000 troops, and most Crimean residents identify themselves as Russians, not Ukrainians.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://world.time.com/2014/02/23/the-russian-stronghold-in-ukraine-preparing-to-fight-the-revolution/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MAc6YScJxBc" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Ukrainians Of Russian Descent Deeply Worried</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/22/us-ukraine-crisis-regions-idUSBREA1L0KH20140222">Leaders in east Ukraine vote to take control of their areas</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/ukraine-crisis-selfdefence-idINL6N0LS0V820140224">Self-proclaimed protectors of Kiev look to Ukraine's east</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-secession-russian-crimea">Ukraine crisis fuels secession calls in pro-Russian south </a>-- The Guardian<br /><a href="http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-crimea-rising-separatism/25268303.html">Pro-Russian Separatism Rises In Crimea As Ukraine's Crisis Unfolds</a> -- Radio Free Europe<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304610404579401591776273578?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304610404579401591776273578.html">Crimea Remains Russian Bastion in Ukraine</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://www.todayszaman.com/news-340259-crimean-tatars-deeply-concerned-over-developments-in-ukraine.html">Crimean Tatars deeply concerned over developments in Ukraine </a>-- Today's Zaman<br /><a href="http://rt.com/politics/russia-ukraine-citizenship-bill-474/">Nationalists promote granting citizenship to ethnic Russians from Ukraine</a> -- RT<br /><br /><b>My Comment</b>: If vicious nationalist thugs <b><a href="http://rt.com/news/ukraine-right-sector-militants-210/">like these come to power</a></b> ....  I can can easily predict that Ukraine will be split within a year.

Ukrainians Of Russian Descent Deeply Worried On The Rise Of Ukranian Nationalists

The Russian Stronghold in Ukraine Preparing To Fight The Revolution -- Time Lawmakers and worried citizens in the pro-Russia Crimea consider...

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Where Is Former Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych?

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kLbXTGdwrDM" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Manhunt For Ukraine's Deposed President As He Is Accused Of 'Mass Murder' Of Civilians After Protester Deaths - But He May Already Be Safe In Hands Of Russian Forces -- Daily Mail</b></span></div><br />* Acting interior minister Arsen Avakov says on his Facebook profile Viktor Yanukovich is a wanted man<br />* He was reportedly last seen in Sevastopol, a port on Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula<br />* But extraordinary claims have emerged today that he was sneaked out of the port by Russia<br />* It comes as official reveals EU could coordinate $35bn in aid Ukraine says it needs<br />* Meanwhile, the Russian press describes the fall of the Ukrainian president as a coup d'etat<br />* Russia has also recalled its ambassador in Ukraine for consultations on the 'deteriorating situation'<br /><br />A manhunt in Ukraine has been launched for ousted former president Viktor Yanukovich as it was revealed the stricken country urgently needs $35 billion in foreign aid.<br /><br />Ukraine's Finance Ministry said it had called for a donor's conference and needed the first aid in the next week or two.<br /><br />Acting President Oleksander Turchinov, appointed after Yanukovich was stripped of his powers by parliament on Saturday, said Ukraine was near default and the economy was falling into an abyss.<br /><br />'Over the past two days, we have had consultations and meetings with the EU and U.S. ambassadors and other countries and financial institutions on the urgent delivery of macro-financial assistance for Ukraine,' Acting Finance Minister Yuri Kolobov said in a statement.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2566502/Manhunt-Ukraines-deposed-president-accused-mass-murder-civilians-protester-deaths-safe-hands-Russian-forces.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Former Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/yanukovych-crosses-ukraine-looking-for-refuge/2014/02/24/b3dc14e0-9d66-11e3-878c-65222df220eb_story.html">Yanukovych crosses Ukraine, looking for refuge</a> -- Washington Post<br /><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/ukraine-crisis-yanukovich-idINDEEA1N0BQ20140224">Ukraine's Yanukovich on the run, wanted for mass murder</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/24/281936240/ukraines-yanukovych-on-run-from-mass-murder-charge">Ukraine's Yanukovych On Run From Mass Murder Charge</a> -- NPR<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/ukraine-yanukovych-reportedly-seen-in-crimea/2014/02/24/2b7d1fb2-9d21-11e3-8112-52fdf646027b_story.html">Ukraine: Yanukovych reportedly seen in Crimea</a> -- Washington Post/AP<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/25/world/europe/ukraine.html?hpw&rref=world">Acting Officials in Ukraine Seek Stability and Ousted Leader </a>-- New York Times<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/viktor-yanukovych-ukraine-secret-documents">With Viktor Yanukovych gone, Ukraine hunts for secrets of former leader</a> -- The Guardian<br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/02/24/monument-to-corruption-ukraine-most-wanted-man-built-75m-home-on-25g-salary/">Monument to corruption: Ukraine's most-wanted man built $75M home on a $25G salary</a> -- FOX News

Where Is Former Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych?

Manhunt For Ukraine's Deposed President As He Is Accused Of 'Mass Murder' Of Civilians After Protester Deaths - But He May Alrea...

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Crisis In Ukraine -- News Updates February 24, 2014

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aCxymi2eXYc" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ukrainian Parliament, After Ousting President, Tries To Consolidate Power, Frees Prisoners -- Washington Post</b></span></div><br />KIEV, Ukraine — The foes of ousted president Viktor Yanu­kovych took swift, bold action Sunday to consolidate power and transform the government, sacking ministers, freeing jailed protesters and announcing detentions of former officials, even as ordinary Ukrainians confessed they weren’t really sure who was running the country or where it was headed.<br /><br />By decree, the nation’s parliament gave interim presidential authority to the speaker, Oleksandr Turchynov, a leader of the opposition.<br /><br />Turchynov quickly delivered some sobering news: The economy was in a shambles, and the government coffers empty. Ukraine’s pension fund, currency and banking system were facing “immense problems,” he said, according to the news agency RIA Novosti.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukrainian-parliament-after-ousting-president-tries-to-consolidate-power-frees-prisoners/2014/02/23/9246255c-9ca6-11e3-9080-5d1d87a6d793_story.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The Crisis In Ukraine</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://rt.com/news/kiev-clashes-rioters-police-571/">Ukraine turmoil LIVE UPDATES</a> -- RT<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/24/ukraine-protests-warrant-arrest-viktor-yanukovych-live-updates">Medvedev: Ukraine's new government not legitimate - live updates</a> -- The Guardian<br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10656312/Ukraine-revolution-live.html">Ukraine's interim government 'not legitimate', says Russian PM</a> -- The Telegraph<br /><a href="http://live.aljazeera.com/Event/Ukraine_liveblog">Ukraine Live Blog Live</a> -- Al Jazeera<br /><br /><a href="http://rt.com/news/yanukovich-ukraine-president-warrant-417/">Yanukovich wanted over mass killings in Ukraine, whereabouts unknown</a> -- RT<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/24/ukraine-viktor-yanukovych-arrest-warrant">Ukraine: warrant out for Viktor Yanukovych's arrest, says interior minister </a>-- The Guardian<br /><a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140224/187842480/Warrant-Issued--for-Deposed-Ukraine-Leader-for-Mass-Murder.html">Warrant Issued for Deposed Ukraine Leader for Mass Murder</a> -- RIA Novosti<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/us-ukraine-idUSBREA1G0OU20140224">Ukraine's fugitive president wanted for mass murder </a>-- Reuters<br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-issues-arrest-warrant-missing-leader-123251908--finance.html">Ukraine issues arrest warrant for missing leader</a> -- AP<br /><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/02/yanukovich-arrest-warrant-issued-police-20142248319897709.html">Yanukovich wanted for 'mass murder' in Kiev</a> -- Al Jazeera<br /><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/ashton-visiting-ukraine-as-interim-leaders-seek-eu-ties/1857767.html">Arrest Warrant Issued for Ukraine's Yanukovych</a> -- Voice of America<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/25/world/europe/ukraine.html?hpw&rref=world">Acting Officials in Ukraine Seek Stability and Ousted Leader </a>-- New York Times<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/viktor-yanukovych-ukraine-secret-documents">With Viktor Yanukovych gone, Ukraine hunts for secrets of former leader</a> -- The Guardian<br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/02/24/monument-to-corruption-ukraine-most-wanted-man-built-75m-home-on-25g-salary/">Monument to corruption: Ukraine's most-wanted man built $75M home on a $25G salary</a> -- FOX News<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/yanukovych-crosses-ukraine-looking-for-refuge/2014/02/24/b3dc14e0-9d66-11e3-878c-65222df220eb_story.html">Yanukovych crosses Ukraine, looking for refuge</a> -- Washington Post<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26321790">Nervous uncertainty across Ukraine</a> -- BBC<br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-24/lviv-takes-law-into-own-hands-as-protests-split-ukraine.html">Lviv Takes Law Into Own Hands as Protests Split Ukraine</a> -- Bloomberg<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/23/world/europe/ukraine-protests/?hpt=hp_t1">A new day in Ukraine: Political uncertainty sweeps divided nation</a> -- CNN<br /><a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140223/187814384/Ukraine-Says-Economy-in-Critical-State-Russia-Uncertain-Over-Aid.html">Ukraine Says Economy in ‘Critical State,’ Russia Uncertain Over Aid </a>-- RIA Novosti<br /><a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140224/187840640/Kiev-Clearing-Away-Protest-Wreckage-Subway-Working-Again.html">Kiev Clearing Away Protest Wreckage, Subway Working Again</a> -- RIA Novosti<br /><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-begins-work-on-national-unity-government/1857379.html">Ukraine Interim President Vows Moves Toward European Integration </a>-- Voice of America<br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-02-23/ukraine-leader-warns-of-economic-danger-as-new-rule-takes-shape">Ukraine Replaces Central Bank Head </a>-- Bloomberg Businessweek<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/24/world/europe/ukraine-winners-and-losers/">Ukraine's political upheaval boosts some while others just get the boot</a> -- CNN<br /><a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140224/187848511/Ukraine-Ex-Ruling-Party-Moves-to-Opposition.html">Ukraine Ex-Ruling Party Moves to Opposition</a> -- RIA Novosti<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/24/world/europe/fresh-from-prison-former-prime-minister-re-emerges-on-political-stage.html">Fresh From Prison, a Former Prime Minister Returns to the Political Stage</a> -- New York Times<br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/russian-nato-generals-discuss-ukraine-134924689--finance.html">Russian, NATO generals discuss Ukraine </a>-- Reuters

Crisis In Ukraine -- News Updates February 24, 2014

Ukrainian Parliament, After Ousting President, Tries To Consolidate Power, Frees Prisoners -- Washington Post KIEV, Ukraine — The foes of ou...

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World News Briefs -- February 24, 2014

<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=282724076&edition=BETAUS" height="259" id="rcomVideo_282724076" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460"> <param name='movie' value='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=282724076&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=282724076&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>Ukraine's Fugitive President Wanted For Mass Murder -- Reuters</b></span></div><br />(Reuters) - Ukraine's new authorities issued an arrest warrant on Monday for mass murder against ousted president Viktor Yanukovich, who is on the run after being toppled by bloody street protests in which police snipers killed demonstrators.<br /><br />Russia, Yanukovich's main backer, said it would not deal with Ukrainians who seized power from their elected leader in an "armed mutiny". It declared that Russian citizens' lives were under threat there, and contacted NATO to express concern.<br /><br />With Ukraine's neighbors raising the alarm about a break-up of Ukraine, Moscow said the concerns of local leaders in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, Russian-speaking bastions of electoral support for Yanukovich, must be taken into account.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/us-ukraine-idUSBREA1G0OU20140224">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MIDDLE EAST</b></span></div><br />Top military body against Syria’s Assad Is in chaos,<b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/24/world/middleeast/top-military-body-against-syrias-assad-is-in-chaos-undermining-fight.html?ref=world"> undermining fight.</a></b><br /><br />Syria rebel leader Abu Khaled al-Suri <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26318646">killed in Aleppo</a></b>.<br /><br />Senior US official briefs Israel<b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/senior-us-official-briefs-israel-on-iran-nuclear-talks/1857505.html"> on Iran nuclear talks.</a></b><br /><br />Exclusive: Iraq signs deal to buy <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/us-iraq-iran-arms-idUSBREA1N10D20140224">arms, ammunition from Iran </a></b>- document.<br /><br />Palestinian 'BDS' threat hangs<b><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140224/DEFREG04/302240014/Palestinian-BDS-Threat-Hangs-Above-Negotiations"> above negotiations</a></b>.<br /><br />Istanbul police fire tear gas on protest <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/istanbul-police-fire-tear-gas-protest-over-internet-181926638.html;_ylt=AwrBJSDq7AhTZngA2GvQtDMD">over Internet curbs.</a></b><br /><br />Merkel and entire German cabinet to arrive in<b><a href="http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Merkel-and-entire-German-cabinet-to-arrive-today-for-talks-342350"> Israel today for talks</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ASIA</b></span></div><br />U.S. examines Afghanistan option that would <b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-examines-afghanistan-option-that-would-leave-3000-troops-in-kabul/2014/02/23/a0870034-9b32-11e3-ad71-e03637a299c0_story.html">leave behind 3,000 troops</a></b>.<br /><br />China increases focus <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/china-increases-focus-on-afghanistan/1857937.html">on Afghanistan</a></b>.<br /><br />18 militants dead after <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/18-militants-dead-after-pakistani-air-strikes/1857368.html">Pakistani air strikes</a></b>.<br /><br />Thai PM rules out resigning as bombs, <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/us-thailand-protest-idUSBREA1M02H20140224">gunfire punctuate unrest</a></b>.<br /><br />South Korea begins military drills with US <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/24/south-korea-military-drills-us-north-korea">despite North Korean opposition</a></b>.<br /><br />Top Pakistan Taliban commander<b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26323200"> Asmatullah Shaheen 'shot dead'</a></b>.<br /><br />Two killed in suicide attack outside <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/us-pakistan-iran-attack-idUSBREA1N12120140224">Iranian consulate in Pakistan</a></b>.<br /><br />China fires security vice minister<b><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/24/china-fires-security-vice-minister-because-of-corr/"> because of corruption</a></b>.<br /><br />Australia 'may undermine' moves for <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/24/australia-may-undermine-moves-for-sri-lanka-war-crimes-inquiry">Sri Lanka war crimes inquiry</a></b>.<br /><br />Kim Jong-un 'expecting a second child' as his wife is spotted in public wearing a maternity dress <b><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2566574/Kim-Jong-expecting-second-child-wife-spotted-public-wearing-maternity-dress-finally-cigarettes.html">(so will he finally have to give up the cigarettes?</a></b>).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AFRICA</b></span></div><br />UN: 400,000 displaced by <b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/400000-displaced-southeast-congo-attacks-22649694">southeast Congo attacks.</a></b><br /><br />Nigeria Boko Haram crisis: Anger <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26322224">over second Izghe raid</a></b>.<br /><br />Nigeria seals state border<b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/02/nigeria-seals-state-border-with-cameroon-2014223154723696322.html"> with Cameroon</a></b>.<br /><br />Witnesses: 70 Muslims killed in massacre in <b><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/02/24/witnesses-70-muslims-killed-in-massacre-in-rural-central-african-republic/">rural Central African Republic</a></b>.<br /><br />Egypt interim government <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26323638">resigns unexpectedly</a></b>.<br /><br />Egypt's Morsi urges 'revolution' <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/egypt-court-acquits-police-morsi-goes-back-trial-112543866.html;_ylt=AwrSyCRhWglTmzQA60PQtDMD">as officer killed</a></b>. Mohamed Morsi accused of passing <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/mohamed-morsi-secrets-iran-egypt">state secrets to Iran</a></b>.<br /><br />Analysts debate way <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts-debate-way-forward-for-south-sudan/1858058.html">forward For South Sudan</a></b>.<br /><br />Somalia's al-Shabab vows<b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/02/somalia-al-shabab-group-vows-comeback-20142248557425260.html"> to make comeback.</a></b><br /><br />Zimbabwe's Mugabe warns <b><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/10654809/Mugabe-warns-would-be-successors-that-hes-still-in-charge.html">would-be successors</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>EUROPE</b></span></div><br />Yanukovich wanted over mass killings in Ukraine,<b><a href="http://rt.com/news/yanukovich-ukraine-president-warrant-417/"> whereabouts unknown</a></b>.<br /><br />Western nations scramble to contain fallout <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-western-nations-eu-russia">from Ukraine crisis</a></b>.<br /><br />Now Putin gets tough in Moscow: Riot police seize Pussy Riot stars as 100 arrested in first Russian protest <b><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2566514/Police-Russia-detain-100-crack-mass-rally-outside-courthouse-anti-Putin-protesters-jailed.html">since fall of the Ukrainian president</a></b>.<br /><br />Merkel calls for Britain to remain<b><a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/4f6cb6ce-9b20-11e3-b0d0-00144feab7de.html#axzz2uFekzOZp"> at heart of Europe</a></b>.<br /><br />US eavesdropping on hundreds<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/us-eavesdropping-hundreds-key-german-figures-185340926.html;_ylt=AwrTWf3zfQpTrHQATEfQtDMD"> of key German figures</a></b>.<br /><br />Eta monitors 'working for peace' <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26318697">in Spain's Basque region.</a></b><br /><br />UK's North Sea oil industry at stake in vote <b><a href="http://rt.com/news/north-sea-scottish-independence-426/">for Scottish independence.</a></b><br /><br />Vatican: Pope creates new department<b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26326501"> to oversee finances</a></b>.<br /><br />Scandal of Europe's <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/23/europe-11m-empty-properties-enough-house-homeless-continent-twice">11m empty homes</a></b>.<br /><br />Cyprus weathers a financial hurricane –<b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/24/cyprus-weathers-financial-hurricane-one-year-on"> one year on</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AMERICAS</b></span></div><br />Report: US Army to shrink to <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/report-us-army-to-shrink-to-preworld-war-two-levels/1857855.html">pre-World War II levels</a></b>.<br /><br />US prosecutors to seek <b><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i_iRqntlgkiFbHgT5FfURDIfp13g?docId=2c5f0244-719b-4b68-ba9f-2887c1fa0a16">Mexican drug lord's extradition</a></b>. Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán: US to seek cartel leader's<b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/joaquin-chapo-guzman-us-extradition-mexico-drugs"> extradition from Mexico.</a></b><br /><br />Venezuelan police and opposition activists<b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26309917"> clash in Caracas</a></b>. Maduro calls crisis talks <b><a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/maduro-calls-crisis-talks-after-caracas-riots/story-e6frg6so-1226836335109#">after Caracas riots</a></b>. Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro to meet opposition leader in attempt <b><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/venezuela/10657305/Venezuela-Nicolas-Maduro-to-meet-opposition-leader-in-attempt-to-calm-protests.html">to calm protests</a></b>.<br /><br />Hundreds arrested in Brazil as protest against <b><a href="http://rt.com/news/brazil-world-cup-protest-348/">World Cup spending grows violent</a></b>.<br /><br />Brazil, Europe plan undersea cable <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/brazil-presses-eu-undersea-cable-skirt-u-links-115123537--finance.html">to skirt U.S. spying</a></b>.<br /><br />Attackers fire at convoy of <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/us-colombia-attack-idUSBREA1N02C20140224">Colombia presidential candidate</a></b>.<br /><br />New arms threat: Argentina's £3billion <b><a href="http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/461327/New-arms-threat-Argentina-s-3billion-boost-to-military">boost to military</a></b>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR</b></span></div><br />European Hezbollah combat recruits<b><a href="http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/European-Hezbollah-combat-recruits-depart-for-Syria-342342"> depart for Syria</a></b>.<br /><b><br /></b> Head al Qaeda representative in Syria killed, <b><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/head-al-qaeda-representative-in-syria-killed-rebels-say/">rebels say.</a></b><br /><br />Guantanamo court holds secret hearing <b><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/us/guantanamo-court-holds-secret-hearing-on-cia-black-sites-1.269520">on CIA black sites</a></b>.<br /><br />The Balkanization <b><a href="http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/the-balkanization-al-qaeda-9912">of Al Qaeda</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS</b></span></div><br />Global dividends pass $1 trillion,<b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26321338"> says Henderson</a></b>.<br /><br />Deutsche Bank to cut US unit’s assets by quarter <b><a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/f47b2214-9b1f-11e3-b0d0-00144feab7de.html#axzz2uFekzOZp">to meet Fed rules.</a></b><br /><br />Dow rallies triple digits and S&P 500 <b><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/101439980">turns positive for the year</a></b>.

World News Briefs -- February 24, 2014

Ukraine's Fugitive President Wanted For Mass Murder -- Reuters (Reuters) - Ukraine's new authorities issued an arrest warrant on M...

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Today's archidose #736

Here are some photos of the <a href="http://www.bagsvaerdkirke.dk/index.php?id=100">Bagsværd Church</a> (1976) in Bagsværd, Copenhagen, Denmark, by Jørn Utzon, photographed by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fibsen/">Flemming Ibsen</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fibsen/11373239746/" title="bagsværd kirke by fibsen, on Flickr"><img alt="bagsværd kirke" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/11373239746_ee514f3a60_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fibsen/11373358475/" title="bagsværd kirke by fibsen, on Flickr"><img alt="bagsværd kirke" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/11373358475_d758c5cd1c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fibsen/11373364164/" title="bagsværd kirke by fibsen, on Flickr"><img alt="bagsværd kirke" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/11373364164_4a8e97ffd8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fibsen/11373335045/" title="bagsværd kirke by fibsen, on Flickr"><img alt="bagsværd kirke" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/11373335045_43dfdc5969_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fibsen/11373398904/" title="bagsværd kirke by fibsen, on Flickr"><img alt="bagsværd kirke" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/11373398904_fe6b44e2aa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fibsen/11373291415/" title="bagsværd kirke by fibsen, on Flickr"><img alt="bagsværd kirke" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/11373291415_ff0f7a5fd9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fibsen/11373501283/" title="bagsværd kirke by fibsen, on Flickr"><img alt="bagsværd kirke" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/11373501283_6e0d403600_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fibsen/11373252785/" title="bagsværd kirke by fibsen, on Flickr"><img alt="bagsværd kirke" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3789/11373252785_5481bb8d1b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />To contribute your Flickr images for consideration, just:<br /><blockquote>:: Join and add photos to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/archi-dose/">archidose pool</a>, and/or<br />:: Tag your photos <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/archidose/">archidose</a></span></blockquote>

Today's archidose #736

Here are some photos of the Bagsværd Church (1976) in Bagsværd, Copenhagen, Denmark, by Jørn Utzon, photographed by  Flemming Ibsen . To co...

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Bizarre: Meet the man who injects himself with SNAKE venom to boost his immunity (PHOTOS)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ynaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/man1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="man" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-250194" height="600" src="http://www.ynaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/man1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="postInfo"> </div><br /> Steve Ludwin is a man we can call fearless as he seemed undisturbed by the statistics which say that “<em>an estimated 100,000 people worldwide die from snakebites each year and another 250,000 are permanently disabled.”</em><br /> The 46-year-old rocker is so obsessed with snakes and is one of a  handful who regularly inject venom into their bodies with increasing the quantity each time.<br /> <em>“Injecting venom is like your immune system doing the Jane Fonda workout video,” he says. “When a cold or any of those pussy swine flu things enter my body, my white blood cells laugh it off.”</em><br /> More photos:<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CEUdzR2JJtpOFxe2RNlU1ID4M6ys-mn1ZsSg0p6grv-86vE4G8S94BDyRafnTMm4EXbq07pewCdCU3Gg6-r8tpzcTSKecqMcMxUYkPbQt9WqjVdmna40IKrT_oJ3qCI8pgxYiQlqB93Q/s1600/bizarre_magazine_34384_12.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CEUdzR2JJtpOFxe2RNlU1ID4M6ys-mn1ZsSg0p6grv-86vE4G8S94BDyRafnTMm4EXbq07pewCdCU3Gg6-r8tpzcTSKecqMcMxUYkPbQt9WqjVdmna40IKrT_oJ3qCI8pgxYiQlqB93Q/s640/bizarre_magazine_34384_12.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTOKzhZIEY95uZig76TZvNOxzhzW9ircpvJDmBOphzW2_QNDIH8AU_Jegh33fGpB9BlCG8se8k0HePghZLVey92YoaWraSJNk_CoqjkYFzngeOF7FWA_Wld6fHEhxwxqbwg6wNIP5aloH/s1600/bizarre_magazine_34339_12.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTOKzhZIEY95uZig76TZvNOxzhzW9ircpvJDmBOphzW2_QNDIH8AU_Jegh33fGpB9BlCG8se8k0HePghZLVey92YoaWraSJNk_CoqjkYFzngeOF7FWA_Wld6fHEhxwxqbwg6wNIP5aloH/s640/bizarre_magazine_34339_12.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh6bNnfxYF1Jz5QHqk92gXGs0IsHLIF7D9d2OiFgANjFvndiMXLb_JDEAlJ5MhFFIiiGIUNupS0MxJ_oK6RR9fdgQr45jnh527-6JveN4IdOg8NEg4yeuD9vphikhlm0rstwMmNDmUBod/s1600/bizarre_magazine_34348_12.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh6bNnfxYF1Jz5QHqk92gXGs0IsHLIF7D9d2OiFgANjFvndiMXLb_JDEAlJ5MhFFIiiGIUNupS0MxJ_oK6RR9fdgQr45jnh527-6JveN4IdOg8NEg4yeuD9vphikhlm0rstwMmNDmUBod/s640/bizarre_magazine_34348_12.jpeg" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrywV-nYjbuIjICvuIyQEqmaEfjVobQ59p7mTaVqr8iDTAzrLNF7bqEPeB_Pm4qNHgPoj8zUR2i0zUEUB8mmt0SmYGCEGzdDnEJYX0-BLgCq3xuVpwX0FXnVbttXjVt9KoRxkk7ZL0X2K/s1600/bizarre_magazine_34399_12.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrywV-nYjbuIjICvuIyQEqmaEfjVobQ59p7mTaVqr8iDTAzrLNF7bqEPeB_Pm4qNHgPoj8zUR2i0zUEUB8mmt0SmYGCEGzdDnEJYX0-BLgCq3xuVpwX0FXnVbttXjVt9KoRxkk7ZL0X2K/s640/bizarre_magazine_34399_12.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="float: left; height: 30px; margin: 4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-right: 10px; width: 80px;"> </div><div style="float: left; height: 30px; margin: 4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-right: 10px; width: 95px;"> </div><span class="IN-widget" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 1; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="display: inline-block ! important; font-size: 1px ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important;"><span id="li_ui_li_gen_1393241197338_2"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="li_ui_li_gen_1393241197338_2-link"><span id="li_ui_li_gen_1393241197338_2-logo">in</span><span id="li_ui_li_gen_1393241197338_2-title"><span id="li_ui_li_gen_1393241197338_2-mark"></span><span id="li_ui_li_gen_1393241197338_2-title-text">Share</span></span></a></span></span></span>

Bizarre: Meet the man who injects himself with SNAKE venom to boost his immunity (PHOTOS)

Steve Ludwin is a man we can call fearless as he seemed undisturbed by the statistics which say that “ an estimated 100,000 peopl...

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 24, 2014

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r2Bgsp1wcES8UMnlrz7JQn0m0848dKkIGVYx9AQS9BGKvIfByFh41n9cjY-efcCA0vYC2tR6TnD4vh_p49q66qwR9bZsnb-yLqZgmUC0WdaKlGgOM7ia5-oyOEo50XfsjbDhOEserYQw/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r2Bgsp1wcES8UMnlrz7JQn0m0848dKkIGVYx9AQS9BGKvIfByFh41n9cjY-efcCA0vYC2tR6TnD4vh_p49q66qwR9bZsnb-yLqZgmUC0WdaKlGgOM7ia5-oyOEo50XfsjbDhOEserYQw/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Pentagon's five-year spending plan would be a total of $115 billion over sequestration spending caps. (<a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140223/DEFREG02/302230020/Sources-DoD-5-Year-Spending-Plan-115-Billion-Over-Budget-Caps-Ignores-Sequestration">Defense Department</a>)</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What’s On The Chopping Block—And What’s Safe—In The Pentagon’s Shrinking Budget? -- National Journal</b></span></div><br />This year’s scramble in Washington over the budget request will start Monday, when Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-usa-budget-pentagon-idUSBREA1B29H20140212">expected</a> to preview the fiscal 2015 Defense Department budget—a week before the official request goes to Congress.<br /><br />Its first hint at budget priorities will spur the defense industry to start lobbying, lawmakers to stake out their priorities, and the Pentagon to launch a charm offensive on Capitol Hill. And everyone involved will be chasing the same goal: keeping their priorities safe from cuts, even if that means nudging someone else’s pet project.<br /><br />Before the budget Hunger Games begin, here are a few key priorities that could be on the chopping block as the Pentagon decides how to cut tens of billions of dollars—and what might escape the ax.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.defenseone.com/management/2014/02/whats-chopping-blockand-whats-safe-pentagons-shrinking-budget/79231/?oref=d-channelriver">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140223/DEFREG02/302230020/Sources-DoD-5-Year-Spending-Plan-115-Billion-Over-Budget-Caps-Ignores-Sequestration">Sources: DoD 5-Year Spending Plan $115 Billion Over Budget Caps, Ignores Sequestration </a>-- Defense News<br /><br /><a href="http://www.informationdissemination.net/2014/02/su-33-vs-mig-29k.html">Su-33 vs Mig-29K</a> -- Information Dissemination<br /><br /><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140223/DEFREG01/302230018/NATO-Praises-Ukraine-Army-Staying-Out-Crisis">NATO Praises Ukraine Army for Staying Out of Crisis </a>-- Defense News<br /><br /><a href="http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20140224/187855734/Russia-Develops-Laser-Shield-for-Military-Optical-Devices.html">Russia Develops 'Laser Shield' for Military Optical Devices</a> -- RIA Novosti<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/report-says-allies-under-attack-must-request-japan-s-assistance-1.269440">Report says allies under attack must request Japan's assistance</a> -- Stars and Stripes/Japan Times<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26284618">South Korea-US military drills begin</a> -- BBC<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/24/south-korea-military-drills-us-north-korea">South Korea begins military drills with US despite North Korean opposition</a> -- The Guardian<br /><br /><a href="https://medium.com/war-is-boring/994cb33803bf">Iran Plans to Use Captured American Copter Against U.S.</a> -- David Axe, War Is Boring<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-26319402">Italian marines row: India drops anti-piracy charge</a> -- BBC<br /><br /><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140224/DEFREG04/302240016/Germany-Redoubles-Support-Israel">Germany Redoubles Support for Israel </a>-- Defense News<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2564079/New-study-casts-doubt-Wests-Afghan-plan.html">Afghanistan will revert to being a terrorist haven after Allied military withdrawal, U.S. study warns</a> -- Daily Mail<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-examines-afghanistan-option-that-would-leave-3000-troops-in-kabul/2014/02/23/a0870034-9b32-11e3-ad71-e03637a299c0_story.html">U.S. examines Afghanistan option that would leave behind 3,000 troops</a> -- Washington Post<br /><br /><a href="http://breakingdefense.com/2014/02/new-spy-satellites-revealed-by-air-force-will-watch-other-sats/">New Spy Satellites Revealed By Air Force; Will Watch Other Sats</a> -- Breaking Defense<br /><br /><a href="http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1433811/us-send-two-new-spy-satellites-space-says-general-william-shelton">US to send two new spy satellites into space, says General William Shelton </a>-- South China Morning Post<br /><br /><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/02/22/us-space-spysatellite-idINBREA1L0YI20140222">U.S. Air Force reveals ‘neighborhood watch' spy satellite program </a>-- Reuters<br /><br /><a href="http://www.space.com/24767-gps-satellite-launch-success-delta4-rocket.html">US Air Force Launches New GPS Satellite</a> -- Space.com<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/us/boeing-union-approves-contract-lowering-cost-of-military-jets-1.269597">Boeing union approves contract lowering cost of military jets</a> -- Stars and Stripes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MCT)<br /><br /><a href="https://medium.com/war-is-boring/124c8839989e">Air Force Reluctantly Upgrades A-10s After Congress Complains </a>-- War Is Boring<br /><br /><a href="http://defensetech.org/2014/02/21/air-force-begins-massive-b-1b-overhaul/">Air Force Begins Massive B-1B Overhaul</a> -- Defense Tech<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-21/lockheed-f-35-for-marines-delayed-as-test-exposes-cracks.html">Lockheed F-35 for Marines Delayed as Test Exposes Cracks </a>-- Bloomberg<br /><br /><a href="http://breakingdefense.com/2014/02/air-force-launches-major-new-strategy-budget-looks-start-work-on-sixth-gen-fighter-csaf-welsh/">Air Force Launches Major New Strategy, Budget Looks; Start Work On Sixth Gen Fighter: CSAF Welsh </a>-- Colin Clark, Breaking Defense<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/us/nuke-test-scores-fell-flat-during-alleged-cheating-1.269390">Nuke test scores fell flat during alleged cheating</a> -- Stars and Stripes/AP<br /><br /><a href="http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140223/NEWS04/302230006/Navy-develops-world-s-smallest-guided-missile-">Navy develops 'world's smallest guided missile'</a> -- Navy Times<br /><br /><a href="http://news.usni.org/2014/02/21/trition-testing-ahead-schedule">Triton Testing Ahead of Schedule </a>-- USNI News<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/22/wars-new-frontier-dod-presses-emf-spectrum-used-ce/">War’s New Frontier: DOD presses for EMF spectrum used by cell phones for next generation weapons</a> -- Washington Times<br /><br /><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140222/DEFREG02/302220025/US-Army-Focuses-Boosting-Tech?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p">US Army Focuses on Boosting Tech </a>-- Defense News<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/us/fixing-strykers-falls-to-soldiers-as-army-ends-repair-contract-1.269141">Fixing Strykers falls to soldiers as Army ends repair contract </a>-- Stars and Stripes/The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/comrades-say-marine-heroism-tale-of-iraq-veteran-was-untrue/2014/02/21/455bf006-9b1f-11e3-ad71-e03637a299c0_story.html">Comrades say Marine heroism tale of Iraq veteran was untrue</a> -- Washington Post<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2014/02/21/world/americas/21reuters-usa-defense-valor.html?ref=world">Hagel Decides Not to Pursue Top Medal for Celebrated U.S. Marine Hero</a> -- New York Times<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/us/overseas-military-dog-transfers-to-nyc-police-beat-1.269523">Overseas military dog transfers to NYC police beat</a> -- AP<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/us/nsa-official-warned-of-an-insider-threat-17-years-before-snowden-1.269181">NSA official warned of an insider threat 17 years before Snowden</a> -- Stars and Stripes/Bloomberg News<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/opinion/schneier-nsa-too-big/">It's time to break up the NSA </a>-- Bruce Schneier, CNN<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2014/02/21/at-the-pentagon-once-a-secret-always-a-secret-even-if-everyone-knows/?wprss=rss_national">At the Pentagon, once a secret, always a secret — even if everyone knows </a>-- Al Kamen, Washington Post<br /><br /><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140223/DEFREG02/302230016/Quadrennial-Review-Emphasize-Middle-East">Quadrennial Review To Emphasize Middle East</a> -- Defense News<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/20/scales-superior-warriors-with-inferior-weapons/?page=all#pagebreak">U.S. troops are equipped with inferior, antiquated weapons </a>-- Robert Scales, Washington Times<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-the-army-should-fire-some-generals-and-promote-some-captains/2014/02/21/7921a234-9802-11e3-afce-3e7c922ef31e_story.html?wprss=rss_opinions">Why the Army should fire generals and promote captains</a> -- Adrian Bonenberger, Washington Post

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 24, 2014

The Pentagon's five-year spending plan would be a total of $115 billion over sequestration spending caps. ( Defense Department ) What’s ...

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Will The U.S. Repeat The Soviet Defeat In Afghanistan?

<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_140216-M-VH365-105c.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_140216-M-VH365-105c.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A U.S. Marine Corps mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle provides security in the Now Zad district in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Feb. 16, 2014. The vehicle is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. The unit supported Afghan forces conducting an operation in the area. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sean Searfus</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How Not To Repeat The Soviet Defeat In Afghanistan -- Jim Michales, USA Today</b></span></div><br />WASHINGTON — Over the years, U.S. commanders in Afghanistan have paid close attention to the failed Soviet Union experience in that country as they developed their own campaign plans.<br /><br />The Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979 in order to prop up a friendly government. They withdrew in 1989 as the Soviet Union disintegrated, leaving the Afghan forces to take the lead in fighting an American-funded insurgency.<br /><br />John Allen, the Marine general who retired last year after serving as the top coalition commander in Afghanistan, said a study of the Soviet war in Afghanistan produced key lessons.<br /><br />"I sought to apply those in the recommendations I made ultimately to my senior leadership and the president," Allen said in a talk at the Stimson Center, a think tank in Washington.<br /><br />The key lesson: Without long-term foreign support and funding, the Afghan military and government will struggle to survive.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/nation/2014/02/21/allen-afghanistan-lessons-soviet-union/5702217/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> The problem with outsiders believing that they could impose their will/political system/ideology/etc. on Afghanistan is that the Afghans have a long historical tradition of automatically rejecting the influence that outsiders are trying to impose. .... even if it is in the best interests of the Afghans. The British learned this over a century ago. The Soviets in the 1980s and early 1990s. And now the U.S. and NATO. Bottom line .... let the Afghans sort out their mess by themselves .... and if they should bring back Al Qaeda and their affiliates (which I doubt) who then launch attacks against us .... well then .... make it very clear to them that if they should go down this stupid path again .... they will be bombed and invaded again.

Will The U.S. Repeat The Soviet Defeat In Afghanistan?

A U.S. Marine Corps mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle provides security in the Now Zad district in Afghanistan's Helmand province...

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21 Afghan Soldiers Killed After 100 Taliban Fighters Overran An Afghan Army Base On Sunday

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGyL2KSBk4-rMSIWsKHrKLJP2GLZucpK0E8VmT_xPSBOam0NwusALpBVl5TSqsPIrCNa4cTMO16PgFvJHcrqx2emsvBtahyvFuLs5SqZ9dmsYsh8PS1isufmNcaAqOi0HeWpajIzpRBOB/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGyL2KSBk4-rMSIWsKHrKLJP2GLZucpK0E8VmT_xPSBOam0NwusALpBVl5TSqsPIrCNa4cTMO16PgFvJHcrqx2emsvBtahyvFuLs5SqZ9dmsYsh8PS1isufmNcaAqOi0HeWpajIzpRBOB/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Afghan National Army members carry the coffins of fellow soldiers shot to death by Taliban insurgents. Mauricio Lima for The New York Times</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Grief And Anger In Afghanistan Over Killing Of 21 Soldiers -- New York Times</b></span></div><br />KABUL, Afghanistan — A public outpouring of grief mixed with patriotism whipped through Afghanistan on Monday, a day after 21 Afghan soldiers were shot to death by Taliban insurgents in the eastern province of Kunar.<br /><br />The bodies of the soldiers were laid in repose at the military hospital here, draped in the Afghan flag. “The uniforms your brothers and sons wore were actually their burial shrouds,” Defense Minister Bismullah Khan Mohammadi told family members who gathered there Monday. “We will follow their path and defend their blood.”<br /><br />People began raising money for the families to supplement the meager 100,000 afghanis — about $1,800 — in death benefits that they would receive from the government. Amrullah Saleh, a former intelligence chief, announced that he had raised $10,000 in small contributions that he would match personally.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/25/world/asia/grief-and-anger-in-afghanistan-over-killing-of-21-soldiers.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Sunday's Taliban Attack That Killed 21 Afghan Soldiers</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/23/us-afghanistan-taliban-idUSBREA1M04Z20140223">Afghan Taliban kill 21 soldiers, suspend prisoner swap attempt </a>-- Reuters<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304275304579400201300448422?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304275304579400201300448422.html">Taliban Attack Kills 21 Afghan Soldiers</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/23/world/asia/afghanistan-attack/">19 Afghan soldiers killed, 9 missing after attack </a>-- CNN<br /><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/slain-afghan-soldiers-memorialized-kabul-22644321">Slain Afghan Soldiers Memorialized in Kabul</a> -- AP<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303426304579402822937723190?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303426304579402822937723190.html">Afghans Mourn 21 Slain Soldiers</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-taliban-raid-afghanistan-army-20140223,0,2830661.story#axzz2uFxWpRbW">Taliban raids Afghanistan army posts, killing 19 soldiers</a> -- L.A. Times<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/taliban-kill-19-afghan-soldiers-in-remote-area/2014/02/23/eb932f42-9c6a-11e3-9080-5d1d87a6d793_story.html">Taliban militants kill 19 Afghan soldiers in remote province</a> -- Washington Post

21 Afghan Soldiers Killed After 100 Taliban Fighters Overran An Afghan Army Base On Sunday

Afghan National Army members carry the coffins of fellow soldiers shot to death by Taliban insurgents. Mauricio Lima for The New York Times ...

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Taliban Suspends Talks To Swap Captured U.S. Soldier For Five Guantanamo Bay Detainees

<iframe frameborder="0" height="234" src="http://www.cnn.com/video/api/embed.html#/video/bestoftv/2014/02/23/undercovered-american-pow-bowe-bergdahl.cnn" width="416"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Taliban Suspends Talks To Swap Captured Soldier For Five Senior Prisoners Held In Guantanamo Bay -- Daily Mail/AP</b></span></div><br />* Sgt Bowe Bergdhal is America's only prisoner of war in Afghanistan<br />* 27-year-old, of Wood Valley, Idaho, was captured by the Taliban in 2009<br />* Taliban want to exchange Sgt Bergdahl for five Guantanamo Bay detainees<br />* Bergdahl is being held between Afghanistan and Pakistan, it is thought<br />* Video of the POW was released in December 'to prove he is still alive'<br />* The U.S. State Department has refused to acknowledge the negotiations <br /><br />A deal to release America's only prisoner of war in Afghanistan in exchange for five senior Taliban commanders appears to have broken down at the 11th hour.<br /><br />The Taliban says it has suspended 'mediation' with the United States to swap U.S. soldier Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for suspected terrorists held in U.S. custody in Guantanamo Bay.<br /><br />It is the latest blow to what was considered the best chance yet of securing the 27-year-old's freedom since his capture on June 30, 2009.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2566435/Taliban-suspends-talks-swap-captured-soldier-five-senior-prisoners-held-Guantanamo-Bay.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The Taliban Suspending Talks To Swap A Captured U.S. Soldier For Five Guantanamo Bay Detainees</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/23/taliban-us-bergdahl-afghanistan/5751323/">Taliban says it suspends talks on captive U.S. soldier</a> -- USA Today/AP<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/23/world/asia/taliban-talk-suspension/">Taliban say they're suspending talks on captive U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl</a> -- CNN<br /><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/afghann-taliban-suspending-talks-with-us-on-prisoners-exchange/1857397.html">Afghan Taliban: Suspending Talks With US on Prisoner Exchange</a> -- Voice of America<br /><a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asia/taliban-halts-talks-over-prisoner-war-bowe-bergdahl-n36501">Taliban Halts Talks Over Prisoner of War Bowe Bergdahl</a> -- NBC<br /><a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/afghan-taliban-cancels-talks-us-release-american-soldier-bowe-bergdahl-exchange-5-taliban-prisoners">Afghan Taliban Cancels Talks With US To Release American Soldier Bowe Bergdahl In Exchange For 5 Taliban Prisoners; Kills 21 In New Attack Near Pakistan Border</a> -- IBTimes

Taliban Suspends Talks To Swap Captured U.S. Soldier For Five Guantanamo Bay Detainees

Taliban Suspends Talks To Swap Captured Soldier For Five Senior Prisoners Held In Guantanamo Bay -- Daily Mail/AP * Sgt Bowe Bergdhal is Ame...

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3,000 U.S. Troops To Remain In Afghjanistan After Withdrawal?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ELa0UbVUcm8TgeFdMZXSYwbhT8y9pgdka84x0HY_ZovtJq6vcVXvZHjru3PQZtuLchd8LUnS557HdoT3c6kqwDIod8PcW5x6s-h3QnqLmNYz9ewMoYsfKsg-LxGcvKC8Xamh1__Yc0wg/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ELa0UbVUcm8TgeFdMZXSYwbhT8y9pgdka84x0HY_ZovtJq6vcVXvZHjru3PQZtuLchd8LUnS557HdoT3c6kqwDIod8PcW5x6s-h3QnqLmNYz9ewMoYsfKsg-LxGcvKC8Xamh1__Yc0wg/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shamil Zhumatov. Reuters</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Not-So-Cold Turkey: US Ponders Leaving 3,000 Troops In Afghanistan After ‘Withdrawal’ -- RT</b></span></div><br />US President Barack Obama considers leaving 3,000 troops in Afghanistan, while three other options are being hotly debated between the White House and the US military, with the latter believing such a small figure to be a mistake.<br /><br />The key factors relate to the four options being discussed as to the number of troops and where they’ll be positioned. The United States has been in discussions over the past months as to the longer-term implications of such a decision, the Washington Post reports.<br /><br />An update on the government’s decision-making will be given by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel at an upcoming high-level NATO meeting with his peers in Brussels this week, a senior official said. Regarding numbers, it is too soon to tell, but “we’ll have to tell people where we stand in our thinking and planning,” a top official told the Post. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://rt.com/news/afghanistan-troops-pullout-withdraw-387/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>Update: </b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-examines-afghanistan-option-that-would-leave-3000-troops-in-kabul/2014/02/23/a0870034-9b32-11e3-ad71-e03637a299c0_story.html">U.S. examines Afghanistan option that would leave behind 3,000 troops</a> -- Washington Post<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> This will be a mistake. In a country as large as Afghanistan these numbers will have zero impact on Afghanistan .... it will be only used for "show". In fact .... the only impact that it will have will be political (in both the U.S. and Afghanistan) that the U.S. is still committed to Afghanistan.

3,000 U.S. Troops To Remain In Afghjanistan After Withdrawal?

Shamil Zhumatov. Reuters Not-So-Cold Turkey: US Ponders Leaving 3,000 Troops In Afghanistan After ‘Withdrawal’ -- RT US President Barack Oba...

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A Chinese Military Chief Makes The Case For Smog

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoRoPMFbuDn7T3K6x4DguwtiEEUTAXGWZHhrUu_y4r2dEMzK8jpJS5p2c9uhncHnCAkhJENd9f4yTHyw-z1dC6lgPiWbCSCBsMg51iX9xzv-TB8sCEV63hc80-4cp52paURapW1h1AIk1/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoRoPMFbuDn7T3K6x4DguwtiEEUTAXGWZHhrUu_y4r2dEMzK8jpJS5p2c9uhncHnCAkhJENd9f4yTHyw-z1dC6lgPiWbCSCBsMg51iX9xzv-TB8sCEV63hc80-4cp52paURapW1h1AIk1/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Zhang Zhaozhong's comments on thick smog is best defence against US laser weaponry</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>China's Naval Chief Says Smog Is Best Defence Against US Laser Weapons -- IBTimes</b></span></div><br />Thick smog is the best defence against US laser weapons, a Chinese military chief has declared on national television.<br /><br />Zhang Zhaozhong, the Navy Major General for the People's Liberation Army drew massive criticism when he made the statement on CCTV's Haixia Liang'an (Cross-Straits) current affairs programme, adding that lasers were "most afraid of smog".<br /><br />He said: "Under conditions where there is no smog, a laser weapon can fire [at a range of] 10 kilometres. When there's smog, it's only one kilometre. What's the point of making this kind of weapon?<br /><br />"It only works when the weather is good. The enemy will target you when the weather is bad.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/chinas-naval-chief-says-smog-best-defence-against-us-laser-weapons-1437650">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment: </b>I am not in China right now .... but I know that none of my Chinese friends are going to buy this story.

A Chinese Military Chief Makes The Case For Smog

Zhang Zhaozhong's comments on thick smog is best defence against US laser weaponry China's Naval Chief Says Smog Is Best Defence Aga...

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Pentagon To Shrink U.S. Army Troop Numbers To 1940 Levels. A-10 And U-2 To Be Canceled

<object data="http://www.bloomberg.com/video/embed/Vyn1Qye6RBiWtyCl4_Vn0A?height=395&width=640" height="430" style="overflow: hidden;" width="640"></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pentagon Wants To Cut Troops To 1940 Levels, Ditch A-10 and U-2 -- NBC</b></span></div><br />Firing the opening salvo in a bloody budget battle, the U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is set to recommend drastic cuts of billions of dollars that would take U.S military forces to levels not seen since before World War II.<br /><br />The cuts in military spending, forces and weapons programs address the stark reality of growing budget pressures at home and point to improbability that the United States will ever again engage in a large ground war.<br /><br />The plan, to be unveiled Monday afternoon, is likely to face stiff opposition on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers will battle for every troop, weapons program and dollar.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/pentagon-wants-cut-troops-1940-levels-ditch-10-u-2-n37086">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Pentagon Plans To Shrink The U.S. Army To Pre-World War II Levels</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/hagel-propose-big-cuts-army-2015-budget-22645816">Hagel to Propose Big Cuts in Army in 2015 Budget</a> -- ABC News/AP<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/24/us/politics/pentagon-plans-to-shrink-army-to-pre-world-war-ii-level.html?hpw&rref=us&_r=0&gwh=FB46CD16272D0EDA20BE0BA213A22D4D&gwt=pay">Pentagon Plans to Shrink Army to Pre-World War II Level</a> -- New York Times<br /><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/defense-secretary-chuck-hagel-to-recommend-deep-budget-cuts-targeting-pay-benefits/">Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to recommend deep budget cuts targeting pay, benefits</a> -- CBS<br /><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-military-cuts-20140223,0,5535019.story">Pentagon plans to shrink Army to Pre-World War II level</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/report-us-army-to-shrink-to-preworld-war-two-levels/1857855.html">Report: US Army to Shrink to Pre-World War Two Levels</a> -- Voice of America<br /><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/army/199012-hagel-plans-to-reduce-size-of-army-to-pre-wwii-levels">Report: Hagel plans to reduce size of Army to pre-WWII levels</a> -- The Hill<br /><a href="http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2014/02/24/Defense-budget-said-to-shrink-Army-to-pre-World-War-II-low/UPI-59511393223884/?spt=rln&or=1">Defense budget said to shrink Army to pre-World War II low </a>-- UPI<br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/24/hagel-proposed-budget-will-reportedly-shrink-army-to-pre-wwii-numbers/">Proposed budget will reportedly shrink Army to pre-WWII numbers</a> -- FOX News<br /><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/02/pentagon-propose-shrinking-us-army-201422442137937459.html">Pentagon to propose shrinking US Army </a>-- Al Jazeera<br /><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/24/chuck-hagel-shrink-army-pre-wwii-levels-report/">Chuck Hagel to shrink Army to pre-World War II levels, report says</a> -- Washington Times

Pentagon To Shrink U.S. Army Troop Numbers To 1940 Levels. A-10 And U-2 To Be Canceled

Pentagon Wants To Cut Troops To 1940 Levels, Ditch A-10 and U-2 -- NBC Firing the opening salvo in a bloody budget battle, the U.S. Secretar...

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The Capture Of Drug Cartel Lord Joaquin Guzman Sparks Extradition Fight Between The U.S. And Mexico

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/50IMgxAMI68" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>U.S. And Mexican Authorities Detail Coordinated Effort To Capture Drug Lord -- Washington Post</b></span></div><br />MEXICO CITY — The half-dozen Mexican commandos who burst into Room 401 of the Miramar condominium building in the beach town of Mazatlan found the world’s most-wanted drug lord not armed to the teeth, but shirtless and curled up in bed with his beauty-queen wife. An assault rifle was at his side, but he didn’t try to grab it.<br /><br />The arrival of the elite troops at this seaside condo tower on Saturday morning marked the culmination of nine days of rapid-fire military raids and detective work across the Pacific coast state of Sinaloa.<br /><br />Mexican and U.S. authorities involved in the investigation offered new details on Sunday about how they put together a jigsaw puzzle that was 13 years in the making. They were helped by U.S.-supplied wiretaps and surveillance technology that allowed them to track the cellphone locations of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and his crew as they tried everything to avoid capture — even fleeing through sewer tunnels.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/safe-houses-key-to-drug-king-capture/2014/02/23/ab218a9a-9cc3-11e3-8112-52fdf646027b_story.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The Arrest Of Mexican Drug Lord Joaquin Guzman</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26308203">Mexico's top drug lord Joaquin 'Shorty' Guzman arrested</a> -- BBC<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/24/nyregion/federal-prosecutors-seek-return-of-mexican-drug-kingpin-to-us.html?gwh=F91573A23F69A9765EDE5FDBF70BBAA0&gwt=pay">Federal Prosecutors Seek Return of Mexican Drug Kingpin to US</a> -- New York Times<br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26320180">US to seek 'Shorty' Guzman's extradition from Mexico</a> -- BBC<br /><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i_iRqntlgkiFbHgT5FfURDIfp13g?docId=2c5f0244-719b-4b68-ba9f-2887c1fa0a16">US prosecutors to seek Mexican drug lord's extradition</a> -- AFP<br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/02/24/legal-battle-begins-on-where-to-try-mexican-drug-lord-el-chapo-guzman/">Capture of Mexican drug lord 'El Chapo' Guzman ignites fight over trial location </a>-- FOX News<br /><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/captured-mexican-druglord-hid-basic-apartment-article-1.1699016">SEE IT: Billionaire Mexican drug lord hid out in basic apartment prior to his capture</a> -- New York Daily News<br /><a href="http://www.sundayworld.com/top-stories/crime-desk/donal-macintyre-s-crime-cafe/u-s-to-put-cartel-boss-on-trial-and-claim-his-11-billion-fortune">U.S. want cartel boss on trial to claim his €11 billion fortune</a> -- Sunday World<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/23/world/americas/el-chapo-capture/">'El Chapo' Guzman: How the world's most wanted drug lord was finally busted </a>-- CNN<br /><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2566470/Capture-El-Chapo-Guzman-wont-stop-29-billion-worth-drugs-coming-US-year-warn-experts.html">Capture of 'El Chapo' Guzman won't stop $29 billion worth of drugs coming into the US each year OR violence, experts warn</a> -- Daily Mail<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/drug-kingpins-arrest-shows-mexican-authorities-making-progress/2014/02/23/16f83d2e-9ca9-11e3-ad71-e03637a299c0_story.html">Drug kingpin’s arrest shows Mexican authorities making progress</a> -- Eduardo Medina Mora, Washington Post<br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26320182">Guzman arrest: A coup for Mexican President Pena Nieto?</a> -- BBC<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/23/opinion/meacham-cartel-boss-arrest/?hpt=hp_c4">Capturing 'Public Enemy No. 1'</a> -- Carl Meacham, CNN<br /><a href="http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/2/24/chapo-guzman.html">Guzman's arrest unlikely to ease violence in Mexico</a> -- Alfonso Serrano, Al Jazeera

The Capture Of Drug Cartel Lord Joaquin Guzman Sparks Extradition Fight Between The U.S. And Mexico

U.S. And Mexican Authorities Detail Coordinated Effort To Capture Drug Lord -- Washington Post MEXICO CITY — The half-dozen Mexican commando...

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The End Of The U.S. Air Force's F-18?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimsT-ESgLh4jcfzizId84PfG-ZrXFvUTqgpXrQRoHcjiX-X1-05uHwHZ4l_5nkzAvJtGoWSkp1nFEVMHPVePqshZrisdDz8kcSS9zI3_FiJnQSU9ZuOBgh4KkTKgfX3X1hR3eDxR332a1/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimsT-ESgLh4jcfzizId84PfG-ZrXFvUTqgpXrQRoHcjiX-X1-05uHwHZ4l_5nkzAvJtGoWSkp1nFEVMHPVePqshZrisdDz8kcSS9zI3_FiJnQSU9ZuOBgh4KkTKgfX3X1hR3eDxR332a1/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources: Source: Boeing Co. F/A-18 Hornet program</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Credits: Javier Zarracina/Los Angeles Times Programming by Anthony Pesce. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>For F/A-18 Super Hornet, The End May Be On The Horizon -- L.A. Times</b></span></div><br />Workers at Northrop Grumman Corp.'s 1-million-square-foot El Segundo facility on Aviation Boulevard have been cranking out fuselage sections for the Navy's F/A-18 fighter jet for decades.<br /><br />But now, the end may be near.<br /><br />Since entering service in 1983, the lithe twin-engine fighter-bomber has been a symbol of U.S. military might, catapulting from aircraft carrier decks and obliterating targets in the sky and on the ground.<br /><br />Today there are increasing fears that the F/A-18 Super Hornet assembly line may be shut down because of dwindling orders, as the Navy prepares for a new generation of warplane — the controversial F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hornet-fighter-future-20140222,0,217379.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fbusiness+%28L.A.+Times+-+Business%29#axzz2u1hGpUbG">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment</b>: After 30 years ... i guess it's time is up. <br /><br /><br />

The End Of The U.S. Air Force's F-18?

Sources: Source: Boeing Co. F/A-18 Hornet program Credits: Javier Zarracina/Los Angeles Times Programming by Anthony Pesce. For F/A-18 Super...

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The New Russian Air Force

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CZXLsrAZMjA" width="420"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Russia’s New Air Force Is A Mystery -- Thomas Newdick, War Is Boring</b></span></div><br />Why is Moscow buying three very similar jet fighters?<br /><br />The Russian air force has just introduced three new jet fighters. Not the much-publicized Sukhoi T-50 stealth fighter—which isn’t ready yet—but three slightly different versions of the classic Su-27, all originating from the same Sukhoi design bureau but built by two separate manufacturers.<br /><br />Yes, that’s a bit odd—and potentially wasteful. The U.S. Air Force, for one, is buying just a single new fighter type, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The American air arm wants as many as 1,763 copies of the F-35A to replace most of its existing fighters and, in theory, maximize efficiency.<br /><br />By contrast, Russia is acquiring just a few dozen each of the Su-30M2, Su-30SM and Su-35S—each a different upgrade of the 1970s-vintage Sukhoi Su-27, known to NATO as the “Flanker.” Moscow hasn’t officially explained its jet fighter strategy, but it appears the purchases are meant to keep two factories in business amid a slump in warplane exports.<br /><br /><b><a href="https://medium.com/war-is-boring/af28abb0be7d">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> I am not an aviation expert .... but from where I am standing it appears that (unlike the US Air-Force putting all of it's eggs in the F-35) the Russians are banking on different versions of aircraft .... as well as keeping their industrial manufacturing base for military jets operating.

The New Russian Air Force

Russia’s New Air Force Is A Mystery -- Thomas Newdick, War Is Boring Why is Moscow buying three very similar jet fighters? The Russian air f...

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Report: NSA Is Eavesdropping On Hundreds Of Key German Figures

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqhNQ6V4S-iAcYUaKMKvd88IfCJoiY3fm-VY1rk38JSOyQRxACjgoQD2ivliCfZ4JXG7DRcjk3NyCslXj0eeLTzZ-F-pMVpTxgT_UclStFkdLgcWwL3SISakuSFXfcgU0q-Ff1hTb-5W3/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/AVvXsEgVqhNQ6V4S-iAcYUaKMKvd88IfCJoiY3fm-VY1rk38JSOyQRxACjgoQD2ivliCfZ4JXG7DRcjk3NyCslXj0eeLTzZ-F-pMVpTxgT_UclStFkdLgcWwL3SISakuSFXfcgU0q-Ff1hTb-5W3/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A mobile phone simulating a call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel next to a tablet computer showing the logo of the United Staes' National Security Agency (NSA) is seen in this multiple exposure picture illustration taken in Frankfurt October 28, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>No Spying On Friends: NSA Bugs Merkel Aides Instead Of Chancellor -- RT</b></span></div><br />In the wake of President Obama's promise to stop spying on German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the US intelligence has switched its attention to her top government officials, a German newspaper reported.<br /><br />Washington's relations with Germany were strained last year after revelations that the US National Security Agency (NSA) was conducting mass surveillance in Germany and even tapped the mobile phone of Chancellor Merkel.<br /><br />Facing the German outrage, President Barack Obama pledged that the US would stop spying on the leader of the European country, which is among the closest and most powerful allies of America. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://rt.com/news/nsa-germany-spying-switch-384/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Reports That The NSA Is Eavesdropping On Hundreds Of Key German Figures</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/23/us-germany-usa-spying-idUSBREA1M0IK20140223">U.S. now bugging German ministers in place of Merkel: report</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/02/nsa-moves-from-bugging-german-chancellor-to-bugging-german-ministers/">NSA moves from bugging German Chancellor to bugging German ministers </a>-- Ars Technica<br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/us-eavesdropping-hundreds-key-german-figures-185340926.html;_ylt=AwrTWf3zfQpTrHQATEfQtDMD">US eavesdropping on hundreds of key German figures</a> -- AFP<br /><a href="http://www.bustle.com/articles/16324-why-nsa-spying-on-the-german-chancellors-aides-matters">Why NSA Spying On The German Chancellor's Aides Matters </a>-- Seth Millstein, Bustle<br /><a href="http://qz.com/180313/the-us-wont-spy-on-angela-merkel-but-everyone-around-her-is-fair-game/">The US won’t spy on Angela Merkel—but everyone around her is fair game</a> -- Quartz<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> The NSA is not spying on Merkel .... but they are spying on the people who talk to Merkel. Something tells me that the Germans are going to have a problem in seeing the difference.

Report: NSA Is Eavesdropping On Hundreds Of Key German Figures

A mobile phone simulating a call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel next to a tablet computer showing the logo of the United Staes' Nati...

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For by grace are ye saved through faith...

<div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>--ROMANS 4.4-5</b></i> </div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/a0ctKXVud-M?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

For by grace are ye saved through faith...

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth ...

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