Tillerson in Moscow: Have US Strikes in Syria Scuppered US-Russia Relations? (Parts 1 & 2)

Steve Bannon "Just Snapped"

The Trump Administration would like you to think they aren't still plagued with infighting. Wrong. Sad. Babies. Ana Kasparian, John Iadarola, and Maz Jobrani, hosts of The Young Turks, discuss.

US Fails to Impress Putin with ‘Beauty of Their Weapons’ in Syrian Strike ahead of Tillerson's Visit

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson begins his visit with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. The agenda is expected to focus on spiking Russia-US tensions in light of an alleged chemical attack in Syria and a US missile strike in response.

Vladimir Putin: "This US Strike Reminds Me Strongly of Events in Iraq in 2003"

Sean Spicer Raises Outcry With Talk of Hitler, Assad and Poison Gas

THE NEW YORK TIMES: WASHINGTON — The White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, set off an intense backlash on Tuesday when he suggested that President Bashar al-Assad of Syria was guilty of acts worse than Hitler and asserted that Hitler had not used chemical weapons, ignoring the use of gas chambers at concentration camps during the Holocaust. Mr. Spicer later apologized.

During his daily briefing for reporters, Mr. Spicer was defending President Trump’s decision to order a missile strike on Syria by trying to lend gravity to the actions of Mr. Assad. American officials accuse the Syrian president of using sarin gas, a lethal chemical weapon, in an attack on a rebel-held area of Idlib Province last week that killed dozens, many of them children.

But in misconstruing the facts of the Holocaust — Nazi Germany’s brutally efficient, carefully orchestrated extermination of six million Jews and others — Mr. Spicer instead drew a torrent of criticism and added to the perception that the Trump White House lacks sensitivity and has a tenuous grasp of history. Read on and comment » | Nicholas Fandos and Mark Landler | Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Vladimir Putin Says Trust between US and Russia Has 'Degraded' Since Donald Trump Took Office

THE TELEGRAPH: Russia's top diplomat accused the United States on Wednesday of carrying out an unlawful attack against Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces as he opened a fraught meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, said Russia had lots of questions about the Trump administration's "very ambiguous" and "contradictory" ideas.

In an ominous start to their meeting, Mr Lavrov said it was important for Moscow to understand the "real intentions" of the Trump administration.

"We have seen very alarming actions recently with an unlawful attack against Syria," Mr Lavrov said. "We consider it of utmost importance to prevent the risks of replay of similar action in the future." Read on and comment » | Roland Oliphant | Wednesday, April 12, 2017

White House Accuses Russia of Cover-Up in Syria Chemical Attack

THE NEW YORK TIMES: WASHINGTON — The White House accused the Russian government on Tuesday of engaging in a cover-up of the chemical weapons attack last week by Syrian forces that prompted American missile strikes, saying that United States intelligence and numerous contemporaneous reports confirmed that the Syrians used sarin gas on their own people.

In a declassified four-page report that details United States intelligence on the chemical weapons attack and contains a point-by-point rebuttal of Moscow’s claims, the White House asserted that the Syrian and Russian governments had sought to confuse the world community about the assault through disinformation and “false narratives.”

The strongly worded document calls for international condemnation of Syria’s use of chemical weapons and harshly criticizes Russia for “shielding” an ally that has used weapons of mass destruction. Read on and comment » | Julie Hirschfeld Davis | Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Eric Trump Says President Bombed Syria Because Ivanka Told Him To

According to the President’s son, Eric, the President made the decision to bomb Syria because Ivanka urged him to. Supposedly, she was so broken-hearted over the images on the news that she told daddy he had to do something.

Is It the End of Socialism in Venezuela? – Inside Story

Will the US Try to Denuclearise North Korea by Force? - Inside Story

The US has rerouted several warships towards the region, after North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan.

North Korea Warns US Over Aircraft Carrier Deployment

North Korea warns US over aircraft carrier deployment.

North Korea is vowing to respond to what it calls “reckless” US behaviour.

It's on edge over a joint military exercise by the US and South Korea, which is under way in Pohang.

Tensions have intensified after Washington deployed a naval strike group to the Korean Peninsula, over Pyongyang’s recent missile tests.

Al Jazeera's Craig Leeson reports from Pohang, South Korea.

Donald Trump Jr. Denies He Will Run for New York Governor But Hints at Future Political Career

THE INDEPENDENTE: President's son refutes rumours he intends to challenge incumbent Andrew Cuomo in 2018

Donald Trump Jr., rumored to be eyeing a move to follow his father's footsteps into politics, will not be a candidate for governor of New York next year but is not ruling out a possible run for office in the future.

The younger Trump, in an interview Monday with The Associated Press, categorically denied any speculation that he might challenge incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo.

“I am not running in 2018,” Trump said in his first public comments about a possible candidacy next year.

But he acknowledged having been bitten by the politics bug and said that he could consider a run down the road. Read on and comment » | Jonathan Lemire | Tuesday, April 11, 2017

AM Joy: Jared Kushner Battles Steve Bannon for White House Power | April 8, 2017

Alt-Right Actually Believed Trump Was Anti-War

Published on 10 Apr 2017 You’ll never guess who the Alt-Right is blaming for Trump’s bombing of Syria… Ana Kasparian and John Iadarola, hosts of The Young Turks, discuss.

Steve Bannon's Role Being Questioned: President Trump 'Never Needed' Him | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Is Steve Bannon backing down from his feud with Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner? The New York Times' Jeremy Peters discusses his reporting on Bannon's rôle in the White House.

Putin: Syria Chemical Attack Was ‘False Flag,’ More ‘Provocations’ Coming

BREITBART.COM: At a Tuesday press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed last week’s chemical weapons attack in the Idlib province of Syria was a “false flag” – a phony operation staged by enemies of Russia and Syria to discredit them. He said more such false flag operations were on the way.

“We have reports from multiple sources that false flags like this one – and I cannot call it otherwise – are being prepared in other parts of Syria, including the southern suburbs of Damascus. They plan to plant some chemical there and accuse the Syrian government of an attack,” said Putin, as reported by Russia’s RT.com. » | John Hayward | Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Vladimir Putin Claims the US Plans to Plant Chemical Weapons in Syria, Attack and Blame Assad

Putin Shrugs Off Criticism of Syria Ties before Tillerson Visit

THE GUARDIAN: Russian president calls for UN inquiry as he compares chemical attack claims against Syria to US accusations Iraq had WMDs

Vladimir Putin has shrugged off western criticism of his support for the Syrian regime, shortly after the top US diplomat said Bashar al-Assad’s days in power were numbered, ratcheting up tensions between the the US and Russia before talks in Moscow.

The US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, had hoped to underscore the US position with a unified message from the G7, which condemned the chemical attack at a summit in Italy on Tuesday. However, G7 foreign ministers were divided over possible next steps and refused to back a UK call for fresh sanctions.

Putin said western and Turkish accusations that Syria’s government dropped the nerve agent sarin that killed dozens of civilians in Idlib earlier this month were comparable with the now-discredited claim that Saddam Hussein’s had stockpiled weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. » | Emma Graham-Harrison and Heather Stewart | Tuesday, April 11, 2017

La Corée du Nord prête à la «guerre» contre les États-Unis

LE FIGARO: Pyongyang a dénoncé l'envoi d'un porte-avions par Washington vers la péninsule de Corée et s'est dit prête à riposter ce mardi. Alors que le régime s'apprête à célébrer le 105e anniversaire de sa fondation, les observateurs internationaux redoutent le lancement d'un sixième essai nucléaire.

La Corée du Nord s'est dite prête à «la guerre» ce mardi après l'envoi ce week-end d'un groupe aéronaval américain vers la péninsule de Corée. Washington a en effet, dépêché dimanche le porte-avions USS Carl Vinson et son escadre qui devait initialement faire escale en Australie. » | Par Le figaro.fr et AFP, AP, Reuters Agences | mardi 11 avril 2017

Chechnya Opens World's First Concentration Camp for Homosexuals since Hitler's in the 1930s Where Campaigners Say Gay Men Are Being Tortured with Electric Shocks and Beaten to Death

MAIL ONLINE: Chechyna has opened the first concentration camp for homosexuals since Hitler / Prisoners reportedly tortured with electric shocks and some beaten to death / One of those who fled said prisoners were beaten to force them to reveal other members of the gay community / Comes after 100 gay men were detained and three killed in Chechyna last week

Chechyna has opened the first concentration camp for homosexuals since Hitler, where campaigners say gay men are being tortured with electric shocks and beaten to death.

It comes after it was claimed 100 gay men had been detained and three killed in Chechnya last week.

A report by Novoya Gazeta said authorities had set up several camps where homosexuals are killed or forced to promise to leave the republic.

One of the camps is reportedly at the former military headquarters in the town of Argun.

Svetlana Zakharova, from the Russian LGBT Network, told MailOnline: 'Gay people have been detained and rounded up and we are working to evacuate people from the camps and some have now left the region.

'Those who have escaped said they are detained in the same room and people are kept altogether, around 30 or 40. They are tortured with electric currents and heavily beaten, sometimes to death.' Read on and comment » | Thomas Burrows for MailOnline | Monday, April 10, 2017

Syria’s Government ‘Coming to an End,’ Tillerson Warns Before Russia Trip

THE NEW YORK TIMES: LUCCA, Italy — Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson said on Tuesday that the reign of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria was “coming to an end” and warned that Russia was at risk of becoming irrelevant in the Middle East by continuing to support him.

Mr. Tillerson, in comments made just before he traveled to Moscow for a high-stakes summit meeting, sought to clear up the United States’ position on Syria while also declaring that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia needed to choose whether to side with Mr. Assad or the West.

Russia can be a part of the discussions “and play an important role,” Mr. Tillerson said at a Group of 7 meeting in Lucca, Italy, or it “can maintain its alliance with this group, which we believe is not going to serve Russia’s interests longer term.” » | Gardiner Harris | Tuesday, April 11, 2017

President Donald Trump To Save Syrian Babies But Cut Meals On Wheels | AM Joy | MSNBC

Joy Reid and her panel discuss why Trump is suddenly inspired to intervene in Syria, after not being so moved in recent years, or in his current domestic policy.

US-Russia Tensions: How Is Moscow Likely to Respond to Tillerson's Latest Remarks?

Egypt Church Attacks: "The Target Is to Divide Muslims and Christians"

Four Way Race? Late Surge by Far-left Candidate Mélenchon

Blood Money: The Islamic Practice Turning Businesslike?

The Observers takes a closer look at "Blood Money": paid to spare the lives of those destined for execution, is the traditional practice becoming increasingly businesslike in countries with Islamic law?

Morning Joe: Steve Bannon Is Isolated In The White House | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Top Talkers: Two Senior White House aides held lengthy meetings at Mar-a-Lago in an attempt to mend a rift that has caused many to speculate a change in White House staff is imminent.

Russia's War of Words after US Missile Strike

Boris Johnson Slapped Down as Syrian Air Strikes Reverberate

Tillerson, on Eve of Russia Trip, Takes Hard Line on Syria

THE NEW YORK TIMES: WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson is taking a hard line against Russia on the eve of his first diplomatic trip to Moscow, calling the country “incompetent” for allowing Syria to hold on to chemical weapons and accusing Russia of trying to influence elections in Europe using the same methods it employed in the United States.

Mr. Tillerson’s comments, made in interviews aired on Sunday, were far more critical of the Russian government than any public statements by President Trump, who has been an increasingly lonely voice for better ties with Russia. They seemed to reflect Mr. Tillerson’s expectation, which he has expressed privately to aides and members of Congress, that the American relationship with Russia is already reverting to the norm: one of friction, distrust and mutual efforts to undermine each other’s reach. Read on and comment » | David E. Sanger | Sunday, April 9, 2017

US Became Investigator & Judge; This Is a Violation of International Law – Bolivia UN Envoy on Syria Strike

Bolivia envoy slams US missile strike on a Syrian Army airbase after Russia calls for emergency UNSC meeting on the attack.

US Strike Helping ISIS, Al-Qaeda, the Enemy US Supposed to Fight against – Ron Paul

The UN security Council is holding an emergency meeting on the US missile attack on a Syrian airbase. To discuss the UN Security Council meeting we're joined by Ron Paul, chairman and founder of The Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity.

‘No Rhyme or Reason to Trump’s Incoherent Policy in Syria’ – Historian to RT

The U.S. says its missile strike was in retaliation for an alleged chemical attack in Idlib province on Tuesday - Damascus has constantly stressed it does not use toxic weapons. However, now just days after President Trump ordered the airfield strikes, his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says participation with the current Syrian government is needed to end the conflict there.

US - What Will Be Donald Trump's Reaction to North Korea Nuclear Missile Tests?

Egypt: Islamic State Group Claims Responsibility for Twin Church Bombings

Le Pen Says France Not Responsible for WWII Roundup of Jews

THE WASHINGTON POST: PARIS — Far-right French presidential contender Marine Le Pen made “a serious mistake” by denying that the French State was responsible for the roundup of Jews in World War II, her main rival said Monday.

Emmanuel Macron, an independent centrist, was among many presidential candidates criticizing Le Pen’s comments Monday.

“Some had forgotten that Marine Le Pen is the daughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen,” Macron, the front-runner in the April 23-May 7 two-round election, told BFM TV.

Le Pen’s father repeatedly has been convicted for anti-Semitism and racism. » | Associated Press | Monday, April 10, 2017

Kevin MacDonald - Neocons to Remove Assad, Trump Buys the MSM Lie

Jihadi Justin Admits It: M103 Is an Islamic Blasphemy Law

Jihadi Justin admits to House of Commons that M103 is entirely about Islamophobia (not the general anti discrimination motion they said it was). Further more in his speech, he makes it clear criticism of Islam will no longer be tolerated.

This man is out of his depth, methinks. – Mark

Justin Trudeau’s Unhinged Islamophobia Rant

Justin Trudeau is happy you opposed M-103, because you’ve exposed your bigotry.

Sen. Rubio on U.S. Strike on Syria Air Base, Removing al-Assad

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio joins "CBS This Morning" from the Capitol to discuss the U.S. military strike on the Syrian Shayrat air base, believed to be the origin of the plane that launched the latest chemical attack on Syrians. Rubio also discusses the risks behind the strike and how President Bashar al-Assad could be ousted.

Marco Rubio doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He has a simplistic solution to an extremely complicated problem. Sorry, Mr. Rubio, you’re wrong! – Mark

Trump Turns On Assad: How Will US Strikes Impact War in Syria? (Parts 1 & 2)

Lavrov to Tillerson: Attack on Syrian Airbase Plays into Extremists' Hands

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stressed there is no evidence of Syria's involvement in the Idlib chemical incident. On Saturday he told his American counterpart that the U.S. strike on the Syrian base had played into the extremists' hands.

Statin Side Effects (Excerpt from Statin Nation)

Statin Nation »

U.S. Attack on Syria Cements Kremlin’s Embrace of Assad

THE NEW YORK TIMES: MOSCOW — If Russia once maintained at least a semblance of distance from President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, it rushed to his defense after the American missile strike ordered by President Trump on Thursday. The attack cemented Moscow more closely than ever to the notorious Syrian autocrat.

Even as the United States condemned Mr. Assad for gassing his own citizens and held Russia partly responsible, given its 2013 promise to rid Syria of chemical weapons, the Kremlin kept denying that Syria had any such capability.

By championing Mr. Assad and condemning American “aggression,” President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia seemed to be burying the idea that he could somehow cooperate with the Trump administration to end the conflict on his terms. » | Neil MacFarquhar | Saturday, April 8, 2017

Explosion Rips through Egyptian Church

Multiple people were killed in an explosion as they celebrated Palm Sunday at a Coptic Christian church in Egypt. CNN's Ben Wedeman has more.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Two Explosions Kill at Least 31 at Egyptian Coptic Churches on Palm Sunday »

Forget Islamophobia, Trudeauphobia on the Rise!

From seniors to millennials, from Ontario to B.C Trudeaumania 2.0 has been replaced with Trudeauphobia. No word from the Liberals (yet) on whether they'll introduce a motion banning criticism of the PM.

Syria Crisis: Russia Raises Prospect of War If It Is Given G7 Ultimatum as It Mocks Boris Johnson's No-show

THE TELEGRAPH: Russia has raised the prospect of war with the West as it mocked Boris Johnson for cancelling a trip to Moscow in the wake of the Syrian nerve gas attack.

The Russian Embassy in London posted a series of provocative tweets on its official account in which it suggested that "a conventional war" could be one outcome if the G7 group of nations presents it with an ultimatum later this week.

The Embassy also said it was "deplorable" that Mr Johnson was "unable to stand Western ground" by attending talks with his Russian counterpart.

It came as Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, warned Russia it is responsible for the deaths caused by the Syrian chemical weapons attack "by proxy". » | Gordon Raynor, Political Editor and Kate McCann, Senior Political Correspondent | Sunday, April 9, 2017