Celente: Sanctions against Russia over Crimea Are Toothless

More than two dozen Russian and Crimean officials have been sanctioned with travel bans and asset freezes in the US and Europe. But, few seem to be happy with that. Lawmakers in Washington say it's not enough, while Russia's furious at being handed any sanctions at all, given the overwhelming show of support in Crimea. Gerald Celente, publisher of the Trends Journal says there was little choice in the restrictions placed on the officials.

Watters' World: Russians in America Edition

Mar. 17, 2014 - 3:47 - Watters heads to one of the largest Russian communities in the US

Russia TV Host: Russia Could Turn USA into Radioactive Ashes

A Russian TV host has threatened the United States with a nuclear strike in his news broadcast. The remarks made by Dmitry Kiselyov were broadcast at the same time as the polls closed in the disputed Crimean referendum about secession from Ukraine. With a picture of a nuclear explosion behind him and words "Into radioactive ashes" written across the screen, Kiselyov said: "Russia is the only country in the world that is really able to turn the USA into radioactive ashes. He also referenced an official Russian government article published in January and urged US officials to read it as it "very clearly explained in detail how our system of guaranteed nuclear revenge works. It is called 'Perimeter'. In the USA it was nicknamed 'Dead Hand'. Actually I advise you to read it." Kiselyov is seen as a loyalist of Russian President Vladimir Putin who has been awarded a friendship medal and made the head of the Russia Today news agency. Report by Ashley Fudge.

THE INDEPENDENT: State television presenter warns Russia could 'turn the US into radioactive dust': TV presenter says Obama won't stop calling Putin and living in fear of the Russian president is making his hair go grey » | Maria Tadeo | Monday, March 17, 2014

Bolton: 'Embarrassing How Weak' Obama's Russia Sanctions Are

Mar. 17, 2014 - 6:20 - Former US ambassador to the UN sounds off on president's sanctions on Putin's inner circle over Crimea and questions about the politics of missing Malaysia plane's pilot

Diese Sanktionen beeindrucken Wladimir Putin sicher nicht

Wladimir Putin

DIE PRESSE: Die EU hat nach dem Anschluss-Referendum auf der Krim pflichtschuldig Strafmaßnahmen verhängt. Russland wird deshalb sein Verhalten nicht ändern.

Vielleicht ist ja schon erstaunlich, dass Europa irgendeinen Finger gegen Russland rührt. Doch bei Licht betrachtet sind die Sanktionen der EU ähnlich furchteinflößend wie eine paar aufblasbare Plastikkrokodile im Kinderschwimmbecken. Ob nun acht prorussische Krim-Führer und 13 zweitrangige Politiker aus Russland nach Europa reisen und dort auf, möglicherweise ohnehin inexistente, Konten zugreifen dürfen oder nicht, wird das Kalkül des russischen Präsidenten kaum verändern. Jedenfalls werden diese „Strafen“ Wladimir Putin nicht davon abhalten, den Anschluss der Krim an Russland zu vollziehen. Das war auch gar nicht mehr Ziel des Beschlusses der EU-Außenminister. Jean Asselborn, mitteilsamer Chefdiplomat Luxemburgs, hat die Wahrheit ausgesprochen: Der Status quo ante auf der Krim werde sich auch mit schärfsten Sanktionen nicht mehr herstellen lassen. » | Von Christian Ultsch | Die Presse | Print-Ausgabe | Dienstag, 18. März 2014

Die neue Eiszeit

Menschen feiern nach dem Referendum auf der Krim.

TAGES ANZEIGER: Die russisch-amerikanischen Beziehungen glichen zunehmend der Fahrt auf einer Achterbahn. Nach der russischen Annexion der Krim ist Schluss.

Wozu Wladimir Putin fähig ist, zeigte er schon 2008 beim Angriff auf Georgien. In Washington freilich erlosch selbst damals nicht die Hoffnung, der Mann in Moskau werde sich doch noch als verlässlicher Partner erweisen. Nach Putins gesetzlosem Vorgehen auf der Krim ist davon nichts geblieben: Washington sammelt die Scherben einer Politik ein, die niemals wirklich wusste, wer Wladimir Putin war und ist. Und je mehr sich der Russe als amerikanischer Buhmann empfiehlt und Erinnerungen wachruft an die Zeiten des Kalten Krieges, desto intensiver wird in der amerikanischen Hauptstadt seine psychische Befindlichkeit hinterfragt. » | Von Martin Kilian, Washington | Montag, 07. Müarz 2014

Independence from Rome! Venice Floating Away Unnoticed as Crimea Steals Show

While the Crimean referendum tops world media headlines, an attempt at secession is going on in Veneto, Italy, with its major city Venice. But as it is being virtually ignored by media, people in Europe are hardly aware of what's happening next door.

EU and US Impose Crimea Sanctions on Russia

Obama entraîné dans une nouvelle guerre froide

LE FIGARO: Bousculé par une agressivité qu'il était loin d'avoir anticipée, le président américain a durci le ton en annonçant « un élargissement des sanctions » à plusieurs membres du gouvernement russe.

Barack Obama avait rêvé d'une présidence centrée sur la reconstruction de la nation américaine. D'une politique de sécurité du «XXIe siècle» à «l'empreinte légère» qui mettrait l'accent sur la diplomatie. Mais le voilà forcé, bien malgré lui, de s'engager ainsi que ses alliés dans une confrontation avec la Russie qui commence à ressembler furieusement à une nouvelle guerre froide. » | Par Laure Mandeville | lundi 17 mars 2014

From a Country Which Has Just Legalised Marijuana, This BS!

Paris Car Ban Starts After Pollution Hits High

BBC: Hundreds of police are monitoring traffic in Paris after pollution levels prompted the French government to impose major restrictions.

Only motorists whose cars have odd-numbered registration plates are allowed to drive.

On Tuesday, if the restrictions remain in place, it will be the turn of those with even-numbered plates.

Ministers acted after air pollution exceeded safe levels for five days running in Paris and surrounding areas.

The smoggy conditions have been caused by a combination of cold nights and warm days, which have prevented pollution from dispersing. (+ BBC video) » | Monday, March 17, 2014

Putin erkennt Krim als souveränen Staat an

ZEIT ONLINE: Der nächste Schritt für einen Beitritt zu Russland ist getan: Präsident Putin hat die Halbinsel Krim trotz westlicher Warnungen als unabhängigen Staat anerkannt. » | Quelle: Zeit Online, dpa, AFP, Reuters, tis | Montag, 17. März 2014

Crimean Referendum: Mr Putin and the Threat of a New Cold War

THE GUARDIAN – EDITORIAL: Through a series of interventions in civil liberties, Mr Putin is turning a soft autocracy into a highly repressive state

The referendum that took place in Crimea is both irrelevant and deeply significant. Irrelevant because it has no standing in the law of the country to which it applies, and because it took place while the autonomous region was under military occupation. International bodies are unlikely to recognise its outcome: the UN security council voted by 13-1 to condemn it on Saturday, with only Russia voting against. The referendum is significant, however, because it represents a giant step on the road to Russian annexation, and because it reveals a little more of the nature of that country's president, Vladimir Putin. » | Editorial | Sunday, March 16, 2014

Earthquake Strongly Felt Across Los Angeles

Mar. 17, 2014 - 1:55 - William La Jeunesse reports

Christian Values Under Attack At Home and Overseas?

Mar. 17, 2014 - 3:15 - Reaction from Ralph Reed, chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition

Will US Sanctions Deter Russian Expansion?

Mar. 17, 2014 - 3:15 - Michael Singh, managing director of The Washington Institute, weighs in

Obama to Russia: 'Further Provocation Will Do Nothing': Sanctions Imposed

FOX NEWS: Is it enough? Obama imposes sanctions on Russian officials over Crimea: WASHINGTON – Faced with calls for a swift and stern reaction to Russia's threatened annexation of Crimea, President Obama wielded his executive pen Monday morning, slapping seven in Vladimir Putin's inner circle -- but not the Russian president himself -- with sanctions freezing their U.S. assets. » | Monday, March 17, 2014

Galloway: West Created Frankenstein Monster in Ukraine

Ukraine's Right Sector members stormed and torched government buildings - and attacked unarmed police squads. They also consistently rejected the concessions offered by the Yanukovich administration, when it was trying in vain to calm the unrest. And now, they have become arguably one of the most influential groups in Ukraine. British MP George Galloway says the West needs to recognize the dangers it poses.

The Changing Face of America? Jewish Convert to Islam Does Pilgrimage to Plain of Arafat

Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra inside the streem of pilgrims heading to Mount Arafat in Mecca, a journey that millions of Muslims do every year.

Pro-Russia Protesters in Donetsk Want Referendum

BBC: As the voting took place in Crimea, in eastern Ukraine in the city of Donetsk, hundreds of pro-Russian protesters stormed government buildings, demanding their own referendum on whether to become part of Russia.

Steve Rosenberg reports. (+ BBC video) » | Sunday, March 16, 2014

UN Report on North Korea Finds 'Atrocities Like WW2'

BBC: The UN human rights council is due to discuss a report on human rights violations in North Korea.

The authors say the infringements resemble the worst atrocities of World War Two and suggest North Korea should be referred to the International Criminal Court.

A number of people who managed to escape from North Korea have travelled to Geneva for the meeting.

Imogen Foulkes reports. (+ BBC video) » | Geneva | Monday, March 17, 2014

Crimea Votes to Return to ‘Motherland’

CNN's Anna Coren visits a polling station where an overwhelming majority say they want to return to the "Motherland."

Ukraine Mobilises Its Army as Kremlin Ups the Ante with Warning to America: 'We Can Reduce You to Radioactive Ash'

MAIL ONLINE: Ukraine has a national guard of 20,000 troops and another 20,000 reserves / Russia, meanwhile, has an army of 700,000 battle-ready frontline soldiers / Yesterday, Russian state news agency chief warns US to stay out of crisis / Dmitry Kiselyov tells TV viewers Russia could turn US to 'radioactive ash'

The Crimean crisis moved a step closer to all-out war today as Ukraine mobilised its armed forces and a firebrand Kremlin mouthpiece warned America to stay out of its business, declaring: 'We could turn you to radioactive ash.'

In a sign of rising tensions following yesterday's referendum that called for Crimea's annexation to Russia, the Ukrainian parliament approved the deployment of up to 20,000 soldiers and declared all Ukrainian state property on the territory to be nationalized.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are now on stand by, including another 20,000 battle-ready reservists, prepared to fight should their government fail to find a solution to the standoff with Russia over the future of the Black Sea peninsular. Read on and comment » | Matt Blake and Associated Press | Monday, March 17, 2014

Will Crimea Vote Further Inflame US Tensions with Russia?

Mar. 16, 2014 - 11:18 - Reaction from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's top members, Sens. Robert Menendez and Bob Corker

Chris Wallace on Imposing Tough Economic Sanctions on Russia

Mar. 14, 2014 - 4:09 - Kerry: U.S. will not recognize Crimea vote

Inside Story: Crimea Referendum: Ukraine or Russia?

As people in Crimea vote to join Russia, we discuss what the move means for Ukraine.

Anjem Choudary vs. David Wood: Would Sharia Help the West? (Debate)

Muslims claim that the West is immoral, and that Islam can improve Western society. But can the teachings of Muhammad really help the United States, Great Britain, and other Western nations? Anjem Choudary and David Wood debate the evidence.

American Pastor Jailed in Iran Denied Medical Treatment

Mar. 15, 2014 - 4:14 - Saeed Abedini's wife on husband's plight

Why Russia Sees Crimea as Crucial to Its Future

Mar. 12, 2014 - 11:26 - US Navy Capt. William Parker III explains the strategic value of the Crimean peninsula

Ukraine Crisis: Moscow Rally Opposes Crimea Intervention

BBC: Tens of thousands have joined a rally in the Russian capital Moscow to oppose its intervention in Ukraine, a day before Crimeans vote on whether to secede and join Russia.

Holding Russian and Ukrainian flags, they shouted: "The occupation of Crimea is Russia's disgrace." A smaller pro-Moscow rally was being held elsewhere.

Moscow supports the vote, which Ukraine and the West have dismissed as illegal.

Kiev says Russian "provocateurs" are behind clashes in eastern Ukraine. (+ BBC videos) » | Saturday, March 15, 2014

Venezuela: Maduro wirft den USA Umsturzpläne vor

Präsident Maduro: Anschuldigungen gegen US-Außenminister Kerry

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Der Ton zwischen Caracas und Washington verschärft sich. Venezuelas linker Staatschef Nicolás Maduro wirft der US-Regierung vor, gezielt seinen Sturz zu betreiben. Nun will er mehr Polizei gegen die regierungsfeindlichen Demonstranten einsetzen.

Caracas - Die Proteste gegen Präsident Nicolás Maduro dauern an. Jetzt will die venezolanische Regierung härter durchgreifen. Der Linksnationalist Maduro kündigte in Caracas eine höhere Polizeipräsenz in der Hauptstadt Caracas, San Cristóbal, dem Ausgangspunkt der Bewegung im Zentrum des Landes, und Valencia im Norden an. Dort waren am Mittwoch drei Menschen an Schussverletzungen gestorben: zwei Zivilisten und ein Nationalgardist. Es gehe darum, die Straßen von Barrikaden und Blockierern zu befreien, sagte der Staatschef. » | ler/AFP/dpa | Samstag, 15. März 2014

Vor dem Referendum: Krim-Bewohner heben massenhaft Geld ab

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Vor der Volksabstimmung auf der Krim ist die Stimmung angespannt. Die Menschen sorgen sich offenbar um die Zeit danach und stehen in Schlangen vor den Banken an. In den ostukrainischen Städten Charkow und Donezk gab es Tote bei Krawallen - Kiew sieht russische Provokateure am Werk.

Simferopol - Die Krim bereitet sich mit einem "Tag der Ruhe" ohne politische Agitation auf das umstrittene Referendum vor. In der Hauptstadt Simferopol bildeten sich am Samstag bei sonnigem Wetter Warteschlangen an Geldautomaten, an denen Menschen ukrainische Geldscheine zogen. Am Sonntag sind mehr als 1,8 Millionen Krim-Bewohner aufgerufen, über den Anschluss an Russland abzustimmen. » | ler/dpa/Reuters | Samstag, 15. März 2014

Saudi Arabia Bans 50 Baby Names

GULF NEWS: List includes foreign names; those that ‘contradict culture and religion’

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry has banned 50 given names including “foreign” names, names related to royalty and those it considers to be blasphemous.

Saudis will no longer be able to give their children names such as Amir (prince), Linda or Abdul Nabi (Slave of the Prophet) after the civil affairs department at the ministry issued the list, according to Saudi news sites.

It justified the ban by saying that the names either contradicted the culture or religion of the kingdom, or were foreign, or “inappropriate”.

The names fit into at least three categories: those that offend perceived religious sensibilities, those that are affiliated to royalty and those that are of non-Arabic or non-Islamic origin. » | Gulf News Report | Thursday, March 13, 2014

Riyadh Demands Qatar Shut Down Al Jazeera

GULF NEWS: Qatar considers the demand an interference in its affairs

Dubai: Saudi Arabia demanded that Qatar shut down Al Jazeera and two think tanks during a recent meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a source close to someone who attended the talks said Friday.

Riyadh demanded the closure of the pan-Arab broadcaster as well as the Brookings Doha Centre and the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies, the source said. » | AFP | Friday, March 14, 2014

Indian Expat Stabs Saudi to Death

GULF NEWS: The defendant said the victim threatened to kill him with a pistol

Riyadh: An expatriate Indian in Saudi Arabia stabbed a young Saudi to death at a rest house on a highway, media reported.

The victim, who was in his 20s, was found bleeding inside the kitchen of a rest house on the Riyadh-Dammam highway with two severe stabs to his chest, local media reported Friday.

The report did not say when the person was killed. » | IANS | Friday, March 14, 2014

International Talks On Crimea Crisis

Mar. 14, 2014 - 5:45 - Geraldo on tensions between the US and Russia over Ukraine

Gove Attacks 'Preposterous' Number of Old Etonians in Cameron's Cabinet

Michael Gove, the education secretary, was educated at a fee-paying school in Scotland.

THE GUARDIAN: Education secretary draws comparisons between PM's team and cabinet of Lord Salisbury, criticised for alleged cronyism

The education secretary, Michael Gove, has attacked the "preposterous" number of Etonians in David Cameron's inner cabinet and, in the process, taken aim at the chances of Old Etonian Boris Johnson succeeding Cameron as party leader after the general election.

He described the concentration of Old Etonians as "ridiculous", adding that such a bastion of privilege does not exist in any other rich country.

Although Gove, in an interview with the Financial Times, stressed that the elite nature of Cameron's top team reflected the failings of past state education policies, the remarks fit perfectly with the Labour claim that the top of the Conservative party is an out-of-touch elite. » | Patrick Wintour | Friday, March 14, 2014

Fears Russia Will Use Syria, Iran to Retaliate for Sanctions

Mar. 14, 2014 - 4:07 - Reaction from Elliot Abrams, former deputy national security adviser for President George W. Bush

Frostige Stimmung zwischen Kerry und Lawrow

DIE WELT: Das Treffen der Außenminister in London macht deutlich, wie weit die Ansichten der USA und Russlands in der Krim-Krise auseinander liegen. Nicht einmal vor die Presse wollten sie gemeinsam treten.

Im Konflikt um die Zukunft der Halbinsel Krim bleibt Russland auf Konfrontationskurs. "Wir müssen das Ergebnis der Volksabstimmung respektieren", sagte der russische Außenminister Sergej Lawrow am Freitag nach einem mehrstündigen Gespräch mit seinem US-Kollegen John Kerry in London. Mit den USA habe man keine gemeinsame Sichtweise. Kerry bekräftigte die Meinung seiner eigenen Regierung sowie der EU: Das für Sonntag geplante Referendum sei nicht legitim, zumal sich die zu Ukraine gehörige Krim unter russischer Besatzung befinde. Sollte sich Präsident Wladimir Putin für die Annektierung der Krim entscheiden, werde dies "enorme Konsequenzen" haben. (+ Video) » | Von Sebastian Borger, London | Freitag, 14. März 2014

Crimée : la diplomatie échoue avant le référendum

Les six heures d'entretien entre le chef de la diplomatie russe
Sergueï Lavrov et son homologue américain John Kerry,
vendredi à Londres, n'ont rien donné.

LE FIGARO: La réunion de la «dernière chance» n'a pas permis de désamorcer la crise ukrainienne, avant le vote sur le rattachement de la péninsule à la Russie.

Barack Obama assurait vendredi croire encore à une solution diplomatique sur la crise en Ukraine. La fenêtre semblait pourtant se refermer après l'échec de six heures de discussions «de la dernière chance», à Londres, entre le secrétaire d'État américain John Kerry et le ministre russe des Affaires étrangères, Sergueï Lavrov, même si les deux hommes sont convenus de rester en contact. » | Par Florentin Collomp, Pierre Avril | vendredi 14 mars 2014

Lee Rigby Murder: Couple Jailed for Glorification Videos

Royal Barnes and his wife Rebekah Dawson posted
three videos on YouTube

BBC: A married couple have been jailed for posting videos on YouTube glorifying Fusilier Lee Rigby's murder.

Royal Barnes, 23, of Hackney, east London, recorded and uploaded three videos shortly after the murder in Woolwich, south-east London, last May.

In one of the videos, he hailed the murder as a "brilliant day".

At the Old Bailey, the Muslim couple were both jailed - Barnes for five years and four months, while Rebekah Dawson, 22, was sentenced to 20 months. » | Friday, March 14, 2014

Veteran Labour Politician Tony Benn Dies Aged 88

Anthony Neil Wedgewood Benn, known as Tony Benn, formerly 2nd Viscount
Stansgate, was a controversial British Labour Party politician. He renounced his
hereditary peerage and served in the House of Commons for 50 years.

BBC: The veteran Labour Party politician, Tony Benn, has died at the age of 88.

In a statement his family said he passed away at his London home surrounded by relatives.

Tony Benn was one of the most influential left-wing figures in British politics.

Political editor Nick Robinson reports. (+ BBC video) » | Friday, March 14, 2014

Iraqi Cabinet Approves Legalizing Marriage For 9-Year-Old Girls

RTT NEWS: Iraq's Council of Ministers have approved a new draft law that would restrict women's rights in matters of inheritance and parental and other rights after divorce, make it easier for men to take multiple wives, and allow girls to be married from age nine.

The new Personal Status Law, which received the Cabinet's nod on February 25, must now be approved by the parliament to become law.

Human Rights Watch called on the Iraqi Government to withdraw the pending legislation and ensure that Iraq's legal framework protects women and girls in line with its international obligations.

The draft law, called the Jaafari Personal Status Law, is based on the principles of the Jaafari school of Shia religious jurisprudence, founded by Imam Jaafar al-Sadiq, the sixth Shia imam. » | RTT Staff Writer | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Russia and West on Collision Course over Ukraine as Talks Fail in London

The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and the US
secretary of state, John Kerry, in London.

THE GUARDIAN: John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov fail to reach agreement as Crimea prepares for referendum on joining Russia

The Ukraine crisis has entered a new and more dangerous phase after 11th-hour talks in London between the US secretary of state, John Kerry, and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, broke up without resolution.

The diplomatic failure sets Russia on a collision course with the west, with Moscow ordering further military deployments on Friday and a contentious referendum in Russian-dominated Crimea set to go ahead as planned on Sunday.

The referendum, which will almost certainly result in a vote in favour of breaking away from Ukraine and union with Russia, will trigger the imposition of sanctions by the west on Monday.

During five hours of talks, Kerry pushed Lavrov to postpone the referendum. He challenged him over sudden Russian troop movements along the Ukrainian border over the last few days. But Lavrov offered nothing in the way of a concession that would have helped reduce tensions.

At a press conference afterwards, the Russian foreign minister described the talks as productive, in that both sides were able to set out their positions, but the two sides did not share "a common vision". Looking for a way to emphasise his point, Lavrov sought an international parallel: Crimea meant more to Russia than the Falklands did to Britain. » | Ewen MacAskill and Alec Luhn in Moscow | Friday, March 14, 2014

Abdurraheem Green – Stoning, Homosexuality and Democracy

Is Islam a Threat to the West? By Abdur Raheem Green

Abdur Raheem Green (UK), well known for his efforts at the renowned Speaker's Corner in London's Hyde Park and Lecturer of Peace TV.

Inside Story: Pope Francis: Reform or Modernisation?

A report card on the first non-European Pontiff, as he marks his first year in office.