» Obama’s Efforts to Ease US Restrictions on Cuba 19/03/16 12:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks

March 19, 2016

Obama’s Efforts to Ease US Restrictions on Cubaby webdesk@voanews.com (Associated Press)
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 12:57 PM

President Barack Obama aims to use his historic trip to Cuba starting Sunday to further his bid to restore ties after a half-century of acrimony. Though his visit will be one of the most visible symbols of the new approach, Obama already has been rolling back restrictions on Cuba, punching hole after hole in the U.S. trade embargo. Here's what the Obama administration has done to increase engagement with Cuba: - Loosened travel restrictions to allow Americans to go independently on educational, "people-to-people" trips instead of in organized groups. A formal tourism ban remains. - Eliminated a ban on Cuban financial transactions going through U.S. banks, which effectively had cut off Cuba from the global banking system. - Allowed Cuban citizens to open U.S. bank accounts and use them to send remittances back home. - Removed Cuba from the U.S. list of countries with inadequate port security, making it easier for ships to travel between the two countries. - Approved "general licenses" for U.S. travel to Cuba, meaning Americans traveling for certain authorized reasons don't have to apply for permission in advance. - Started restoring direct mail service. The first flight left the U.S. just before Obama's trip as part of a pilot project. - Authorized some U.S. cruise lines to sail to Cuba. They're waiting for Cuban approval. - Struck an agreement to restore commercial flights. The Transportation Department will soon award the first flight routes. - Authorized exports of badly needed goods ranging from constructions materials to tractor parts, though no such trade has begun. - Allowed Cuban citizens to start earning salaries in the United States without having to start the immigration process, as long as they don't pay special taxes in Cuba. - Reopened the U.S. Embassy in Havana. Cuba also reopened its embassy in Washington. - Released three Cubans jailed in the U.S., while Cuba released American Alan Gross. - Sat down with Cuban President Raul Castro in Panama in the first face-to-face meeting between a U.S. and Cuban leader in decades. - Started high-level exchanges and visits between U.S. and Cuban officials. - Increased the amount people in the U.S. can send Cubans from $500 to $2,000 every three months. Earlier, Obama removed a $1,200 annual cap on remittances. - Permitted American travelers to return with up to $400 of merchandise, including tobacco and alcohol products worth no more than $100 combined. - Removed Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. - Authorized the commercial export of some communications and Internet devices including software, hardware and services. - Allowed unlimited family visits by Cuban-Americans, before the U.S. and Cuba announced plans to normalize relations. - Urged Congress repeatedly but unsuccessfully to lift the U.S. trade embargo.

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Putin Leaves All Options on the Table In Syria
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 12:54 PM

Russian air force pilots salute upon their arrival from Syria March 16 at an airbase in the southern Russia's Krasnodar region.(Photo: Sergei Venyavsky/AFP/Getty)

MOSCOW — The first wing of Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers landed in the southern Russian city of Veronezh on Tuesday, just under 24 hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced mission accomplished in Syria. The military had achieved most of its goals, and it was time to pack up.

At the airfield, friends and families of Russian aviators lined the tarmac as they waved the Russian tricolor to celebrate the unexpected homecoming. As the Su-34s popped their drogue shoots to slow to final rest in their Syrian expedition, a military band blared patriotic tunes for the state television cameras.

The precise number of Russia’s 60-or-so aircraft to return home from Syria has yet to be specified. Additional wings of aircraft were shown last week in Defense Ministry videos on Facebook to depart the Syrian government-held airbase in Latakia from where they conducted 167 days of strikes on targets in Syria.

The March 14 announcement appeared to catch both the expert community and officials in Washington off guard. The decision appeared to be made at the very top, experts said, and American officials found themselves in the awkward position of being unable to comment on Russia’s actions. What was clear, however, was that Putin’s announcement coincided with the first day of a new round of peace talks in Geneva, set to last through March 24.

So where does Russia's drawdown leave the situation in Syria as well as its own standing in global affairs?

“The pullback leaves the [High Negotiations Committee] without an excuse to ignore the peace talks, or come up with new demands, because their key demand has been met: Russia is no longer pounding opposition-controlled areas,” said Yury Barmin, a Russian international affairs analyst. “At the same time, [Syrian President Bashar al-]Assad is getting a signal that he no longer enjoys Russia’s unconditional support, and will have to be more flexible and more cooperative.”

Fred Hof, a former senior adviser on Syria for the Obama administration, now with the Atlantic Council, said that it remains unclear what Russia’s intentions are and what kind of combat capability will be left behind in Syria. What is clear, he said, is that Putin bolstered Assad’s negotiating position in Geneva.

“I think his objective is to force the US into a working relationship with Bashar,” Hof said. “This would enable him to claim he defeated what he calls the American regime change and democratization campaign, and that Russia is back as a major power [but] we’ll have to see how the announcement translates into actual facts and whether or not an air campaign that has brutalized Syrian civilians is truly over.”

Cost of Operation

Putin spoke at length about the Syria operation on March 17. A crowd of 700 military personnel assembled in an extravagant Kremlin hall for an award ceremony. Putin estimated the cost of his intervention in Syria at $480 million, or about $2.9 million a day. Independent estimates provided by IHS senior analyst Ben Moores place the cost higher, at about $4 million per day.

As quickly as Russia’s planes departed Syria, they can return. The infrastructure for a rapid redeployment has been maintained, and Putin said “if necessary, literally within a few hours, Russia can build up its contingent in the region to a size proportionate to the situation developing there and use the entire arsenal of capabilities at our disposal.”

Russia's Syrian operation began with about 30 fixed-wing aircraft and 16 helicopters conducting around 20 sorties per day. After a mid-October surge, Russia was operating up to 60 aircraft in Syria, conducting around 60 sorties a day, increasing to more than 100 daily missions in November. The numbers show an impressive improvement to Russian operational tempo.

Considering the resources expended, Russia’s operation in Syria has been labeled by many analysts to have been a great success for Putin. He entered the conflict with clear goals and significantly altered the facts on the ground by saving Assad from an imminent defeat. He also bolstered Russia's air base in Latakia and a naval facility in the port of Tartus. By withdrawing when he did, Putin looked victorious, but he also is leaving all options on the table.

Mission Accomplished

The timing of Russia’s withdrawal also betrayed Moscow’s true motives: its campaign in Syria was primarily intended to save the Assad regime from collapse, thereby ensuring Russian influence over the Syrian regime and winning a seat at the table equal in standing to that of the United States.

“The Russian intervention has indeed changed the trajectory of the war, and allowed Assad to consolidate control over most of Western Syria,” said Vladimir Frolov, a Russian foreign affairs expert. It also weakened moderate opposition forces, taking the momentum from them. But it did not result in the decisive victory Assad might have hoped for. Instead, “Putin helped Assad fight the war to a standstill and drag the parties to the negotiating table,” Frolov said.

Putin saw more success in pursuit of a second, more abstract objective. By intervening in Syria, the Russian president hoped to end his diplomatic isolation vis-à-vis the United States. He succeeded. The United States is again engaging Russia on Moscow’s favored terms – the illusion that is it's one of two superpowers capable of ending major world crises, Frolov said.

Mark Galeotti, an expert in the Russian military at New York University, said that Putin chose the perfect moment to begin scaling back his operation. “The longer you stay, the greater chance that something goes wrong. And Putin likes to make a splash, so the first real day of non-contact talks in Geneva was an obvious day to announce a withdrawal.”

“Putin took a risk with the intervention, and he once again demonstrated the luck of the devil. Nothing went badly wrong, and the intervention did what it needed to do. He seized a good moment to cash in his chips. But, as ever with Putin, it wasn’t the product of grand strategy, it was a series of improvisations with a sense of what he wanted. He reached the stage where it seemed like the right time to pull out,” Galeotti said.

Email: mbodner@defensenews.com

Twitter: @mattb0401

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Putin Leaves All Options on the Table in Syria
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 12:53 PM

Defense News - Home

Where does Russia's drawdown leave the situation in Syria as well as its own standing in global affairs?

'Agents of Destruction': How CIA Helped Create Islamist Frankenstein - Sputnik International
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 12:53 PM

Cia - Google News

Sputnik International

'Agents of Destruction': How CIA Helped Create Islamist Frankenstein
Sputnik International
"According to the official version of history, CIA aid to the Mujahedeen began during 1980, that is to say, after the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan, 24 Dec 1979. But the reality, secretly guarded until now, is completely otherwise: Indeed, it was ...

US soldier killed in Islamic State rocket attack in northern Iraq, military says - Washington Post
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 12:52 PM

World - Google News

Washington Post

US soldier killed in Islamic State rocket attack in northern Iraq, military says
Washington Post
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Park Forest officer critically injured in shootout; suspect killed - Chicago Tribune
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 12:52 PM

Calvin Coolidge was the last president to visit Havana — on a battleship - USA TODAY
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 12:52 PM

Brazil's Rousseff knew about bribery scheme, senator says: magazine
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 12:52 PM

Reuters: World News

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A senator accused of involvement in Brazil's biggest corruption scandal said President Dilma Rousseff and her predecessor Lula were both aware of it and tried to block prosecutors from investigating, Veja magazine said on Saturday.

U.S. supports Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 12:51 PM

Reuters: World News

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States supports Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed territory of Western Sahara, considering it both credible and realistic, the U.S. mission to the United Nations said on Saturday.

A hollow superpower | The Economist
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 12:16 PM

JUBILANT crowds waved Russian flags; homecoming pilots were given fresh-baked bread by women in traditional dress. Judging by the pictures on television, Vladimir Putin won a famous victory in Syria this week. After his unexpected declaration that the campaign is over, Mr Putin is claiming credit for a ceasefire and the start of peace talks. He has shown off his forces and, heedless of civilian lives, saved the regime of his ally, Bashar al-Assad (though Mr Assad himself may yet prove dispensable). He has “weaponised” refugees by scattering Syrians among his foes in the European Union. And he has outmanoeuvred Barack Obama, who has consistently failed to grasp the enormity of the Syrian civil war and the threat it poses to America’s allies in the Middle East and Europe.

Look closer, however, and Russia’s victory rings hollow. Islamic State (IS) remains. The peace is brittle. Even optimists doubt that diplomacy in Geneva will prosper (see article). Most important, Mr Putin has exhausted an important tool of propaganda. As our briefing explains, Russia’s president has generated stirring images of war to persuade his anxious citizens that their ailing country is once again a great power, first in Ukraine and recently over the skies of Aleppo. The big question for the West is where he will stage his next drama.

Make Russia great again

Mr Putin’s Russia is more fragile than he pretends. The economy is failing. The rise in oil prices after 2000, when Mr Putin first became president, provided $1.1 trillion of windfall export revenues for him to spend as he wished. But oil prices are three-quarters down from their peak. Russian belts have tightened further because of sanctions imposed after Mr Putin attacked Ukraine. Living standards have fallen for the past two years and are falling still. The average salary in January 2014 was $850 a month; a year later it was $450.

Mr Putin was losing legitimacy even before the economy shrivelled. Many Russians took to the streets in the winter of 2011-12 to demand that their country become a modern state with contested elections. Mr Putin responded by annexing Crimea and vowing to restore Russian greatness after the Soviet collapse—“the greatest geopolitical catastrophe” of the 20th century, he called it. Part of his plan has been to modernise the armed forces, with a $720 billion weapons-renewal programme in 2010; part to use the media to turn Russia into a fortress against a hostile West; and part to intervene abroad.

With action in Ukraine and Syria, he has made it appear that Russia is the equal—and rival—of America. That is not only popular among ordinary Russians but also contains a serious message. Mr Putin fears that Russia, in its weakened state, could be vulnerable to what he sees as America’s impulse to subvert regimes using the language of universal democracy. In both Ukraine and Syria, he believes, America recklessly encouraged the overthrow of governments without being able to contain the chaos that followed. He intervened partly because he fears that the revolutions there must be seen to fail—or Russia itself could one day suffer a revolution of its own.

So far his plans have worked. Beguiled by a pro-Kremlin broadcast media, ordinary Russians have been willing to trade material comfort for national pride. Mr Putin’s popularity ratings remain above 80%, far higher than most Western leaders’. But the narcotic of adventurism soon wears off. Since last October, the share of voters who feel the country is heading in the right direction has fallen from 61% to 51%. Russians tired of Ukraine; now Syria has peaked. Sooner or later, the cameras will crave action. Ukrainians are petrified once again.

What does this mean for the West? So far America, at least, has misunderstood Mr Putin’s aims. In the autumn Mr Obama predicted that Syria would be a Russian “quagmire”. Speaking to the Atlanticrecently, he argued that Russia’s repeated resort to force is a sign of weakness. That is true, but not (as Mr Obama suggests) because it shows that Mr Putin cannot achieve his foreign-policy goals by persuasion. For him, military action is an end in itself. He needs footage of warplanes to fill his news bulletins. There will be no quagmire in Syria because the Kremlin is not in the business of nation-building.

Mr Obama thinks Russia should be left to its inevitable decline. Like a naughty child, Mr Putin is rewarded by American attentiveness, he believes. Yet, Syria shows how, when Mr Obama stands back in the hope that regional leaders will stop free-riding on American power and work together for the collective good, the vacuum is filled by disrupters like Iran and IS, and by Russia in its search for the next source of propaganda.

So the West needs to be prepared. It is welcome that America is strengthening its forces in Europe. NATO’s European members should show similar mettle by putting troops in the Baltic states—which will require a change of heart in countries, such as Italy, that see any display of resolve as needlessly provoking Russia. If there is trouble, NATO and the EU will need to respond immediately to show that Russia cannot prise open the collective-security guarantee that lies at the heart of NATO.

Carry on Kiev

The biggest test will be Ukraine—a focus of Russian attention and also the country most like Russia itself. If Ukraine can become a successful European state, it will show Russians that they have a path to liberal democracy. If, by contrast, Ukraine becomes a failed state, it will strengthen the Kremlin’s argument that Russia belongs to its own “orthodox” culture and that liberal democracy has nothing to teach it.

Alas, America and the EU have Kiev fatigue. Instead of doing everything in their power to help Ukraine, they expect Ukrainian politicians to prove that they are capable of reform on their own. That is a mistake. They should be offering financial help and technical advice. They should help root out corruption. And they should be patient.

Eventually, deep Russian decline will limit its aggression. For the time being, however, a nuclear-armed Mr Putin is bent on imposing himself in the old Soviet sphere of influence. In Mr Obama’s last year as president, Mr Putin, fresh from Syrian success, could yet test the West one more time.

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Istanbul Bombing Kills at Least 4 and Wounds Dozensby SAFAK TIMUR
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 11:56 AM

NYT > World

A suicide bomber on Saturday struck a street popular with tourists, officials said. Tensions were already high in Turkey after two bombings in Ankara.

Europe’s No. 1 fugitive managed to elude capture for monthsby Mike Corder | AP
Saturday March 19th, 2016 at 11:55 AM

World

As the net closed around Salah Abdeslam, Europe’s No. 1 fugitive was holed up, apparently anonymous, in an apartment in the place he knows best, the Brussels neighborhood of Molenbeek, a locale favored by several Paris attackers.

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19/03/16 12:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
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19/03/16 09:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. The airliner, carrying at least 61 people, crashed on a repeated landing attempt in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don.

» Iranian General Aided a U.S. Political Aim in Iraq in 2006, Envoy Reveals
19/03/16 09:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. The George W. Bush administration indirectly cooperated with a powerful Iranian spymaster in 2006 to unseat then-Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the former U.S. ambassador to ...

» Influential Cuban-Americans Changed Stance on Embargo
19/03/16 09:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Cuban-American businessmen, once implacably opposed to the trade embargo, ended up campaigning to lift it, helping pave the way for the historic move.

» Brazil's Government Calls Out Its Backers
19/03/16 09:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. After weeks of taking hits from prosecutors, protesters and the political opposition, supporters of President Dilma Rousseff and her predecessor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, fought back...

» Once a Savior, Brazil's 'Lula' Is Tarnished
19/03/16 09:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has become a symbol of economic ills and a growing corruption scandal.

» Russian air disasters of past decade
19/03/16 09:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World. A look at notable disasters over the past decade involving Russian planes or foreign planes:

» Russia trumpets new Orthodox cathedral in Paris
19/03/16 09:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World. A huge golden dome has been hoisted atop a new Russian Orthodox cathedral in the heart of Paris, in a ceremony to inaugurate a controversial project championed by Vladimir Putin.

» Supreme Court Judge in Brazil Blocks Post for Ex-President
19/03/16 09:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World – TIME. (RIO DE JANEIRO) — A Supreme Court judge suspended former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s nomination to a Cabinet post amid corruption investigations, a decision l...

» 5 Killed in Istanbul Suicide Bomb Attack
19/03/16 09:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World – TIME. (ISTANBUL) — A suicide attacker detonated a bomb on Istanbul’s main pedestrian shopping street on Saturday, killing five four people, the city’s governor said. Twenty other people were injure...

» Dubai Airliner Crashes in Russia Killing All 62 on Board
19/03/16 09:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World – TIME. MOSCOW—A Dubai airliner with 62 people on board nosedived and exploded in a giant fireball early Saturday while trying to land in strong winds in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-...

» A 'Coward's End' For Europe's Most Wanted Man
19/03/16 09:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. Islamic State 'heroes' are expected to die behind their rifles, but Salah Abdeslam surrendered with little resistance.

» Russia Plane Crash: Investigators Find Black Box
19/03/16 09:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. Four children were among the 62 people killed when the Dubai airliner nose-dived and burst into flames while trying to land.

» Who is Salah Abdeslam? - video explainer
19/03/16 09:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news + Video | The Guardian. Belgian authorities arrest Salah Abdeslam in Brussels on Friday after an international manhunt and a series of raids. Police said Abdeslam was wounded in the leg and that...

» FlyDubai air crash kills 62 in Russia – video report
19/03/16 09:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news + Video | The Guardian. The crash of a FlyDubai Boeing 737 is captured on CCTV in the early hours of Saturday morning. A total of 62 passengers and staff were killed in the accident, which occur...

» Lula suggests 'intimidating' his prosecutors as anger at his immunity spreads
19/03/16 09:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Brazil's former president has been sworn in as President Dilma Rousseff's chief of staff, as wiretaps are released scandalising the country

» CCTV appears to show Rostov-on-Don plane crash
19/03/16 09:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. CCTV footage appears to show what is believed to be the Russian Boeing 737-800 crashing while landing in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don

» Russian plane crash: flight data shows plane flying in circles before crashing
19/03/16 09:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Flight data from the Boeing passenger jet that crashed on landing in Russia, shows the plane making a number landing attempts before it crashed, killing at least 62 people on board

» Weekend Roundup: Putin's Drawdown Is as Much About World Order as About Syria - Huffington Post
19/03/16 09:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. Huffington Post Weekend Roundup: Putin's Drawdown Is as Much About World Order as About Syria Huffington Post Russian President Vladimir Putin's surprise announcement this week of a wi...

» Supreme Court Justice in Brazil Blocks Post for Ex-President - New York Times
19/03/16 09:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. Supreme Court Justice in Brazil Blocks Post for Ex-President New York Times RIO DE JANEIRO — A Supreme Court judge suspended former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's nomi...

» Putin visits Crimea to mark 2 years since annexation - The Manila Times
19/03/16 09:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. Putin visits Crimea to mark 2 years since annexation The Manila Times MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin visited Crimea on Friday as Russia marked two years since annexing the Black Sea ...

» Plane Crashes in Southern Russia; 62 Dead
19/03/16 09:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. An airliner flying from Dubai has crashed while trying to land in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, killing all 62 people on board. Officials say the Boeing 737 aircraft was fly...

» Airliner crashes in Russia; 55 aboard reported dead - CNN
19/03/16 09:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. CNN Airliner crashes in Russia; 55 aboard reported dead CNN (CNN) A Boeing 738 passenger jet crashed as it was landing at the Rostov-on-Don airport in southern Russia, the countr...

» VIDEO: Dozens killed in Russia plane crash
19/03/16 09:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from BBC News - World. A passenger jet has crashed in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don killing all 62 61 people on board, officials say.

» RFE/RL Condemns Pressure Tactics Against Moscow Bureau
19/03/16 08:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. WASHINGTON -- On March 18, RFE/RL's Moscow bureau administrator was approached at her home by two unknown men identifying themselves as journalists with Russia's NTV chan...

» U.S. Says Russia Has Withdrawn Most Strike Aircraft From Syria
19/03/16 08:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Russia has withdrawn most of its strike aircraft from Syria and has not carried out air strikes in the north of the country this week, the U.S. military said on March 18.

» Dubai Airliner Crashes In Southern Russia, 62 Dead
19/03/16 08:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. A Russian authorities said a passenger airliner from Dubai has crashed and burned while trying to land at the airport in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, killi...

» Independent Russian Media Firms Respond To NTV Attack
19/03/16 08:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. A group of independent regional media companies in Russia has issued an appeal to the Press Council of Russia asking it to condemn a recent attack story broadcast on the ...

» Russian Emergency Workers Search Wreckage At Plane Crash Site
19/03/16 08:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Emergency workers searched through the remains of a passenger plane that crashed while trying to land in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don early on March 19. All...

» U.S. Steps Up Airstrikes Against ISIS After It Gains Territory in Afghanistan
19/03/16 08:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. Some inside the administration and among national security experts have questioned whether the focus should be more on the Taliban than the Islamic State.

» Cuba honors Venezuelan leader with medal ahead of Obama visit
19/03/16 08:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba honored Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with its highest state honor on Friday in an act of defiance two days before U.S. President Barack Obama is due for ...

» Cruise ship rescues 18 Cuban migrants who say nine others died
19/03/16 08:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. (Reuters) - A cruise ship off the Florida coast on Friday rescued 18 Cuban migrants who said nine fellow travelers died during their 22-day-long journey, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

» Russian passenger jet crashes with 55 people on board: CNN
19/03/16 08:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. (Reuters) - A Boeing 738 passenger jet crashed as it was landing at the Rostov-on-Don airport in southern Russia, CNN reported on Saturday, citing Russia's Southern Regional Emergency ...

» Russia says hopes Kerry visit will improve bilateral relations
19/03/16 08:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that it hoped the visit of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to Moscow on March 23-24 would contribute to normalizatio...

» Russia says airline from Dubai crashes in Rostov-on-Don
19/03/16 08:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top News at 8:15 a.m. EDT. MOSCOW (AP) -- Russia's Emergencies Ministry says a passenger airliner from Dubai has crashed while trying to land at the airport in the southern city of Rostov-on-Do...

» Drone comes within 200 feet of airliner near LA airport
19/03/16 08:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top News at 8:15 a.m. EDT. LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A drone came within 200 feet of hitting a Lufthansa jet near Los Angeles International Airport on Friday - the latest run-in between aircraft and the incre...

» Merrick Garland, National Security Lawyer
19/03/16 08:43 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Lawfare - Hard National Security Choices. Judge Merrick Garland has some experience with what he is about to go through: being stonewalled by senators who profess to have nothing against him. Back in 1995,...

» Syria and the Kurdish Question Revisited
19/03/16 08:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Lawfare - Hard National Security Choices. While Russian President Vladimir Putin’s sudden decision to withdraw troops from Syria caught many by surprise, it was not the only dramatic development in Syria t...

» Today's Headlines and Commentary
19/03/16 08:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Lawfare - Hard National Security Choices. Salah Abdeslam, the most wanted fugitive behind the Islamic State’s terrorist attacks in Paris last November, was arrested today after a shootout with police in Br...

» Russia Update
18/03/16 18:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Interpreter. Russia Update Pentagon Says Russia Among Greatest Threats; Kremlin Blasts Trump’s Putin ‘Demonization’ LIVE UPDATES: Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely followin...

» Russia continues airstrikes despite pullout from Syria - Deutsche Welle
18/03/16 18:43 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. Deutsche Welle Russia continues airstrikes despite pullout from Syria Deutsche Welle "I want to emphasize that Russia's air force will continue to conduct airstrikes against the ...

» Russia in Review
18/03/16 18:43 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs - US-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism. March 18, 2016 Russia in Review: a digest of useful news from U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nucl...

» Russia jets continue strikes in Syria, Moscow says - Telegraph.co.uk
18/03/16 18:42 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. Telegraph.co.uk Russia jets continue strikes in Syria, Moscow says Telegraph.co.uk Russian airstrikes are supporting a regime offensive against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levan...

» Russia, Europe's Scapegoat for All Seasons - The Nation.
18/03/16 18:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. Russia , Europe's Scapegoat for All Seasons The Nation. The accusation seems to be that Russia is capitalizing on domestic opposition to Merkel's open-door immigration policies by dir...

» Georgian FM: Western Integration, Sovereignty Are ‘Red Lines’ In Russia Talks
18/03/16 18:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Georgia’s new foreign minister says the ex-Soviet nation’s territorial integrity and Western aspirations are not up for discussion in its dealings with Russia.

» Cliff divers leap 30 metres from Victoria Falls
18/03/16 18:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from itnnews's YouTube Videos. From: itnnews Duration: 01:03 Two cliff divers have practised their skills near Victoria Falls as they leap 30 metres into the Zambezi River. Report by Cara Legg.

» Prosecutor’s mysterious death transfixes Argentines ahead of Obama visit
18/03/16 18:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World. After 14 months, there is still no clarity over who killed prosecutor Alberto Nisman.

» Syrian troops push toward Palmyra amid intense airstrikes
18/03/16 18:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes News. Russian warplanes on Friday flew in support of Syrian government troops in an offensive to recapture the historic town of Palmyra from the hands of the Islamic State group, which ha...

» Homeland Security using raids to curb border crossings
18/03/16 18:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes News. The Obama administration is openly and unapologetically stepping up efforts to find and deport unaccompanied children and families who arrived in the U.S. in the 2014 surge of illeg...

» Senate confirms Army generals for key military posts
18/03/16 18:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes News. The Senate late Thursday approved the nominations of Army Gen. Joseph Votel to run U.S. Central Command and Gen. Tony Thomas to take over as the top officer at U.S. Special Operatio...

» Congress Calls for Full Funding of U.S.-Israel Missile Defense Programs
18/03/16 18:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. A bipartisan coalition of 30 senators is calling on top appropriators to fully fund several joint U.S.-Israeli missile defense systems that help protect the Jewish state from terror...

» Russian Media Leaks Sensitive Details of Armenia’s Defense Posture
18/03/16 17:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Eurasia Daily Monitor - The Jamestown Foundation. In February, Russian sources confirmed a $200 million loan to Armenia. The loan—extended by Moscow to allow Armenia to buy up-to-date Russian weapons—had b...

» Is Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian Reconciliation Possible?
18/03/16 17:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Eurasia Daily Monitor - The Jamestown Foundation. On March 10, in a rare tripartite deal, Georgia released four Ossetian prisoners, three of which were serving life sentences on charges of terrorism agains...

» Russia pulls most strike aircraft from Syria, now using artillery: US - Reuters
18/03/16 17:42 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. Reuters Russia pulls most strike aircraft from Syria, now using artillery: US Reuters WASHINGTON Russia has withdrawn most of its strike aircraft from Syria, the U.S. military said on ...

» What to Know About Salah Abdeslam
18/03/16 17:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World – TIME. Salah Abdeslam, who was captured by police in a terrorism raid in Brussels Friday, is one of Europe’s most wanted fugitives, believed to be one of the key architects of last year’...

» US Senators Call for Increased Efforts to Counter Russian, Chinese Propaganda
18/03/16 17:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Two U.S. senators: Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican; and Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat; are introducing legislation aimed at countering propaganda from Russia, China and other count...

» Two Years After Annexation, Putin Seeks to Link Crimea by Bridge to Russia
18/03/16 17:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. President Vladimir Putin, marking the second anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea, on Friday exhorted workers building a bridge between the Black Sea peninsula and Russia to fulfi...

» Russia jets continue strikes in Syria, Moscow says
18/03/16 17:35 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Terror group claims to have killed Russian soldiers in combat as generals announce a major offensive to push Isil out of Palmyra only days after Vladimir Putin ordered a withdrawal of Russian f...

» Islamic State Influence Grows in Russia's North Caucasus Region
18/03/16 17:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. The Russian government announced this week that three Islamic State-linked militants were arrested in Dagestan, one of the seven republics of Russia's North Caucasus region. According to ...

» U.S. mansion where Obama to stay in Havana 'built to impress'
18/03/16 17:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. HAVANA (Reuters) - The mansion in Havana where U.S. President Barack Obama and his family will spend two nights has survived war, revolution and an Albanian occupation.

» Now captured, Abdeslam traveled Europe before Paris attacks
18/03/16 17:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top News at 4:54 p.m. EDT. BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- Salah Abdeslam, the Belgian-born Frenchman who was arrested Friday in a police raid in Brussels' Molenbeek neighborhood, had crisscrossed ce...

» Camera-Shy Miss Puerto Rico Stripped of Crown
18/03/16 17:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World – TIME. Kristhielee Caride will not represent Puerto Rico at the 2016 Miss Universe pageant after clashing with the national director over public appearances and an alleged attitude problem, accordin...

» Paris attack cell stretched from Europe to Syria and back
18/03/16 17:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World. Police, prosecutors, friends, families and acquaintances have unveiled details about the men who carried out the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris. Altogether, authorities say that three teams participated i...

» Venezuelan leader flies to Cuba ahead of Obama visit
18/03/16 17:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World. Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro flew to Cuba on Friday for a day of high-level meetings and ceremonies that appeared designed to send a message of socialist solidarity two days before Barack Obam...

» EU Leaders, Turkey Meet To Clinch Migrant Deal
18/03/16 17:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. European Union leaders and Turkey are meeting in Brussels in the hopes of clinching a deal to end the migrant crisis.

» The Daily Vertical: A Spoiler Not A Superpower (Transcript)
18/03/16 17:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. The Daily Vertical is a video primer for Russia-watchers that appears Monday through Friday.

» Russia Places U.S. Organization On 'Undesirable' List
18/03/16 17:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Russia's Justice Ministry has added a U.S. organization on the list of "undesirable organizations" under a law that Moscow says is needed to prevent foreign organizations...

» Czech Police Arrest Russian Kingpin
18/03/16 17:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. An alleged Russian kingpin has been arrested in the Czech Republic on suspicion of running an organized criminal group.

» Afghan Police Thwart Attack On Spy Chief
18/03/16 17:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Afghan security forces say they thwarted an attack on the country's acting intelligence chief in Kabul.

» Podcast: Putin's New World Order
18/03/16 17:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Will Vladimir Putin succeed in his quest to change the global rules? Listen to the new Power Vertical Podcast.

» Two Years After Annexation, Crimeans Wait On Russia's Unfulfilled Promises
18/03/16 16:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Two years ago, pro-Russian figures in Crimea and Russian government officials were promising residents of Ukraine's Black Sea region a rose garden after its annexation in...

» Syrian Army Push Toward Palmyra Amid Russian Strikes
18/03/16 16:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Russia says its jets are flying in support of the Syrian military's offensive to recapture the ancient city of Palmyra from Islamic State (IS) militants.

» Putin Threatens To ‘Hang’ Someone If Crimea Highway Not Built
18/03/16 16:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Russian President Vladimir Putin has invoked imagery of capital punishment while venting frustration about delays in reconstruction of a highway in annexed Crimea.

» Obama to Unseal Files on Argentina’s ‘Dirty War’
18/03/16 15:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. President Obama is moving to declassify records that could show what the United States knew about Argentina’s brutal crackdowns of the 1970s and ’80s.

» U.S. Service Members Punished for Strike on Afghan Hospital
18/03/16 15:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. The Defense Department has disciplined at least a dozen military personnel for their roles in an airstrike in October on a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Afghanistan that killed 42 peo...

» Guido Westerwelle, Former Foreign Minister of Germany, Dies at 54
18/03/16 15:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. A former leader of the Free Democratic Party, he went on to become the highest-ranking openly gay person in the German government.

» Syria shows that Russia built an effective military. Now how will Putin use it?
18/03/16 15:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Europe. No one in NATO expects a war, but the alliance has been paying close attention.

» Rescue ends Kon-Tiki voyage attempt
18/03/16 15:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from BBC News - World. Authorities in Chile say they have rescued 14 people from two rafts, bringing to an end an attempt to emulate the famous Kon-tiki voyage of 1947.

» Russian air strikes target IS at Palmyra
18/03/16 15:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from BBC News - World. Russia says it is carrying out up to 25 air strikes a day around the ancient city of Palmyra as Syrian forces try to oust so-called Islamic State.

» US to declassify military records on Argentina's "Dirty War"
18/03/16 15:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top News at 2:49 p.m. EDT. WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama will move to declassify U.S. military and intelligence records related to Argentina's "Dirty War," the Whi...

» The Latest: Russian planes back Syria's battle for Palmyra
18/03/16 15:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top News at 2:49 p.m. EDT. BEIRUT (AP) -- The Latest on the conflict in Syria as U.N.-brokered peace talks in Geneva carry on into their fifth day (all times local):...

» Paris attacks fugitive Abdeslam arrested in Brussels raid
18/03/16 15:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top News at 2:49 p.m. EDT. BRUSSELS (AP) -- The main fugitive from Islamic extremist attacks in Paris in November, Salah Abdeslam, has been arrested in Belgium's capital after four months at la...

» Armored police vehicle hit by bomb attack in southeast Turkey: media
18/03/16 15:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. ISTANBUL (Reuters) - An armored police vehicle was targeted in a bomb attack in the town of Nusaybin in southeast Turkey, the private Dogan news agency reported on Friday.

» U.S., allies target Islamic State with 20 strikes in Syria, Iraq: statement
18/03/16 15:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and its allies conducted 20 strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria on Thursday, the coalition leading the operations said.

» Russia pulls most strike aircraft from Syria, now using artillery: U.S.
18/03/16 15:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia has withdrawn most of its strike aircraft from Syria, the U.S. military said on Friday, adding that it was now entirely carrying out strikes in support of...

» U.N. tells Syrian government to go faster in Geneva talks
18/03/16 15:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. GENEVA (Reuters) - Syria's government must do more to present its ideas about a political transition and not merely talk about principles of the peace process, U.N. mediator Staffan de...

» Two years after annexation, Putin seeks to bind Crimea by bridge to Russia
18/03/16 15:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. Tuzla Island, CRIMEA (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin, marking the anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea, on Friday exhorted workers building a bridge between the Black Sea ...

» Mikhail Khodorkovsky Is Putin’s Most Powerful Enemy (in Exile)
18/03/16 14:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Russia may not be ready for the ex-billionaire to return, but his arguments are gaining ground. LONDON — On a recent afternoon the Open Russia Foundation, which basically represents the brains and money...

» Obama to host summit with Nordic leaders in May: White House
18/03/16 13:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will host the leaders of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in May for a U.S.-Nordic Leaders Summit, the White House said o...

» Former German Foreign Minister Westerwelle dies at 54
18/03/16 13:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. BERLIN (Reuters) - Former German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has died from cancer at the age of 54, his foundation said on its website on Friday.

» Russia says groundwork laid for routing Islamic State in Syria's Palmyra
18/03/16 10:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's defense ministry said on Friday that conditions had been created for a complete defeat of Islamic State forces in the Syrian city of Palmyra.

» To Stop Zika, Aedes Aegypti Mosquito Must Be Controlled
18/03/16 10:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from VOAvideo's YouTube Videos. From: VOAvideo Duration: 02:35 Until there's a vaccine against the Zika virus, controlling it comes down to controlling the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries it. Countries ...

» Two Years After Crimea Annexation, Ukraine Struggles to Forge Peace
18/03/16 10:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Friday marks two years since Russia's illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. As VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb reports, the recent uptick in fighting against Russian-ba...

» Justice Department, Ferguson Reach Compromise over Police Reform
18/03/16 10:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. The U.S. Justice Department and the central U.S. city of Ferguson, Missouri, have reached an agreement that resolves a lawsuit filed by the federal government against the city over reform...

» Pakistani Hindus Complain of Forced Conversion of Teenage Girls
18/03/16 10:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. In a village in the Umerkot district of Pakistan’s Sindh province, where Harya said she was kidnapped, hers was one of only two Hindu families. Her parents said she disappeared after goi...

» Musharraf Leaves Pakistan After Travel Ban Lifted
18/03/16 10:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who is facing treason and other charges, has left the country after having his travel ban lifted. The Supreme Court ordered the governme...

» Syria Shaky Truce Allows for Rallies Against al-Qaida Branch
18/03/16 10:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. With Syria's shaky cease-fire holding, peaceful protesters have yet again taken to the streets in opposition-held areas of the country. But this time, in addition to President Bashar Assa...

» Myanmar’s Big Bang with Giant Gongs
18/03/16 10:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Gongs have been used in religious rituals in Asia since ancient times. Their composition has changed little over the centuries. But the vagarities of the modern metals market has compelle...

» US Military Personnel Punished for Afghan Hospital Attack
18/03/16 10:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Officials say U.S. personnel who were involved in the devastating, half-hour aerial attack on a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Afghanistan have been or will be punished. Colonel Patr...

» Pond Water Brings Relief to India’s ‘Arsenic Belt’
18/03/16 10:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. In the 1960s, as the drilling of tube wells began in eastern India, people were advised to switch to the practice of drinking groundwater to protect themselves from cholera and other wate...

» Congress Remains Divided Ahead of Obama's Cuba Visit
18/03/16 10:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. U.S. President Barack Obama’s trip to Cuba is being anticipated by many as a historic chance to thaw relations with Havana. Despite the reluctance of some in Congress, Obama has moved agg...

» Ahead of War Crimes Verdict, Karadzic's Divisive Bosnia Legacy Endures
18/03/16 10:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. The verdict that a U.N. tribunal will hand down next week in Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic's trial for genocide has re-opened old wounds for many Bosnians, who for years feared him...

» Runaway Lion Claws Man on Nairobi Street
18/03/16 10:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Kenya wildlife officials say a lion that escaped from Nairobi National Park attacked a man on a busy road in the capital Nairobi Friday. This is the third time in less than a month that l...

» Trump's grammar the same as that used by children
18/03/16 10:43 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Academic analysis of US presidential candidates' speeches shows that Donald Trump's grammar more basic than his rivals

» US military personnel 'punished' over Kunduz hospital air strike
18/03/16 10:43 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Military personnel involved in devastating air strike on MSF hospital in Afghanistan have been or will be punished, US officials say

» Apple CEO accuses US government of 'trampling civil liberties' with fight over San Bernardino phone
18/03/16 10:42 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, has lashed out at the American government, saying his fight with them is like "a bad dream"

» Crew of Kon-Tiki2 balsa rafts rescued off coast of Chile
18/03/16 10:42 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Two balsa rafts sailing from South America to Easter Island and back rescued were documenting climate change marine life and pollution in the Pacific

» Pictures of the day: 18th March 2016
18/03/16 10:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Today: A playful polar bear, bike riders in the Pennines and Bagpuss

» David Cameron supports sending back refugees to Turkey from Greece – video
18/03/16 10:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news + Video | The Guardian. David Cameron says on Thursday that the UK supports the idea of sending tens of thousands of migrants back to Turkey from the Greek islands. Speaking in Brussels ahead of...

» Refugees brave another night at Greece’s border camp – video
18/03/16 10:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news + Video | The Guardian. Refugees light fires and brace another harsh night at a makeshift camp near Idomeni on Thursday night, as European leaders meet in Brussels for a summit on migrants . Abo...

» Amazon In Frame As Google Sells Robot Division
18/03/16 10:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. Despite impressive breakthroughs, Google's parent company is looking to sell - and Amazon could be in the frame.

» Threatening Letter Sent To Donald Trump's Son
18/03/16 10:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. Containing an unidentified white powder, the letter calls for the real estate tycoon to quit the Republican nomination race.

» Autonomous Spy Sub Can Travel For Three Months
18/03/16 10:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. Echo Voyager can operate at a maximum depth of 11,000 feet for up to three months at a time.

» Pope looking at Armenia trip in June to mark anniversary
18/03/16 10:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World. Pope Francis is planning a trip to Armenia in June, a year after he termed the Ottoman-era slaughter of Armenians a genocide.

» Russia marks 2 year anniversary of Crimea annexation
18/03/16 10:37 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World. Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled to Crimea on Friday to mark the second anniversary of the peninsula’s annexation and inspect construction of a bridge meant to link it to mainland Russia.

» U.N. Leader'sChoice of WordsPrompts Unusual Rupture
18/03/16 10:36 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Morocco took offense at Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s description of its annexation of Western Sahara and prepared retaliatory measures.

» Putin the peacemaker | The Economist
18/03/16 09:11 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Ta ta for now THERE is nothing Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, likes more than taking everyone by surprise. Except, perhaps, demonstrating that his country is an independent actor on the world stage...

» British warships to intercept migrants off Libyan shore
17/03/16 21:36 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. David Cameron urges action to destroy boats close to the Libyan shore, ahead of gruelling night of talks over Turkey's 'blackmail' deal

» Life after the fall of a mobile phone giant
17/03/16 21:35 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from BBC News - World. Life after the fall of a mobile phone giant

» Fidel followers remain nervous of US thaw
17/03/16 21:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from BBC News - World. Older Cubans remain nervous of US, as ties deepen

» Puerto Rico Miss Universe contestant dethroned because "attitude problem"
17/03/16 21:33 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Kristhielee Caride will no longer represent the U.S. territory after telling newspaper she did not like cameras

» Questions plague Brazil ex-president’s chief of staff role
17/03/16 21:33 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World. Uncertainty clouded Brazil’s already turbulent political scenario Thursday as a judge blocked the appointment of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as chief of staff to his successor just mo...

» Defense Secretary Calls Iranian Seizure of American Sailors ‘Outrageous’
17/03/16 21:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. On Thursday, Ashton B. Carter told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Iran’s actions in January may have violated international law.

» Apple-FBI fight may be first salvo in encryption war - The Detroit News
17/03/16 21:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google News. The Detroit News Apple- FBI fight may be first salvo in encryption war The Detroit News San Francisco — The Apple- FBI fight may just be the opening salvo in a broader war over encryptio...

» Top Israeli Commander Endorses Obama Doctrine; Gives Kudos to Moscow
17/03/16 21:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Defense News - Home. Israel’s number two-ranking officer on Monday conferred praise on global rivals Russia and the United States with his seeming support of the so-called Obama doctrine and respect for Mo...

» Whistleblower probes cost admiral a promotion
17/03/16 21:31 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes News. The Navy has denied promotion to the admiral in charge of its elite SEAL teams, effectively ending his military career, after multiple investigations found that he had retaliated ag...

» UC Merced Stabbing Suspect May Have Self-Radicalized, FBI Says - ABC News
17/03/16 21:31 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google News. Fox News UC Merced Stabbing Suspect May Have Self-Radicalized, FBI Says ABC News “Investigators developed information that he may have self-radicalized and drawn inspiration from terrori...

» The CIA As a Public Relations Phenomenon - Huffington Post
17/03/16 21:31 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from cia - Google News. The CIA As a Public Relations Phenomenon Huffington Post Say what you will about the spooky Central Intelligence Agency (and God help us, the list of accusations is as long as your arm),...

» Faisal Mohammad inspired by ISIS in University of California-Merced stabbings
17/03/16 21:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. FRESNO, Calif. — A California university student who went on a campus stabbing rampage that wounded four people before he was shot down by a campus police o...

» The West Should Accommodate Russia to Secure Peace with Assad in Syria - U.S. News & World Report (blog)
17/03/16 21:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. U.S. News & World Report (blog) The West Should Accommodate Russia to Secure Peace with Assad in Syria U.S. News & World Report (blog) Russia's drawdown in Syria comes in the wake of ...

» Олланд и Меркель призвали Россию и Украину выполнять минские соглашения - Газета.Ru
17/03/16 21:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. Комсомольская правда Олланд и Меркель призвали Россию и Украину выполнять минские соглашения Газета.Ru Французский президент Франсуа Олланд и немецкий канцлер Ангела Меркель призва...

» Locked up and pregnant
17/03/16 20:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from BBC News - World. The Tunisian women bringing their babies up on the inside

» US Propaganda Push Against Russia May Shred Basic Constitutional Freedoms - Sputnik International
17/03/16 20:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. Sputnik International US Propaganda Push Against Russia May Shred Basic Constitutional Freedoms Sputnik International In an Orwellian Twist of Fate, two US senators drop legislation c...

» Man Guilty Over US Prophet Cartoon Attack
17/03/16 20:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. A jury returns a guilty verdict in what is believed to be the first US trial on charges linked to the so-called Islamic State.

» Puerto Rico Miss Universe contestant stripped of crown
17/03/16 20:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World. Puerto Rico’s 2016 Miss Universe contestant has been stripped of her crown because of what officials say is an attitude problem.

» Brazil Congress Starts Impeachment Process Against Rousseff
17/03/16 20:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Impeachment proceedings against Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff restarted Thursday with the creation of a special committee in Congress, the latest battlefront in a fast-developing ...

» Troubles Deepen in Inquiry of Ex-President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
17/03/16 20:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. An uproar accompanied Mr. da Silva’s swearing-in as President Dilma Rousseff’s chief of staff on Thursday and the release of recordings of him suggesting intimidation of investigators.

» US troops punished over hospital attack
17/03/16 20:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from BBC News - World. The US military disciplines more than a dozen service members after an air strike on an Afghan hospital killed 42 people last year.

» Tempers Flare in Brazil Over Intercepts of Calls by Ex-President 'Lula' - New York Times
17/03/16 20:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. New York Times Tempers Flare in Brazil Over Intercepts of Calls by Ex-President 'Lula' New York Times Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil's former president, after he was sworn in as the...

» US to declassify military records on Argentina's “Dirty War” - Washington Post
17/03/16 20:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. Newsweek US to declassify military records on Argentina's “Dirty War” Washington Post WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will move to declassify U.S. military and intelligence records...

» Apple employees may quit rather than comply with FBI encryption orders, says NYT - The Verge
17/03/16 19:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google News. Apple employees may quit rather than comply with FBI encryption orders, says NYT The Verge But if any significant portion of that team made a conscious effort to stymy the project, it's ...

» Hillary Clinton says U.S.-Mexico border is secure
17/03/16 19:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton said Thursday that the southwest border is secure enough that the government should now turn its attention to ...

» FBI: California college stabbing suspect may have been self-radicalized, had ISIS propaganda - Fox News
17/03/16 19:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google News. Fox News FBI : California college stabbing suspect may have been self-radicalized, had ISIS propaganda Fox News The California college student who stabbed four people last fall in a camp...

» The FBI Warns That Car Hacking Is a Real Risk - WIRED
17/03/16 19:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google News. WIRED The FBI Warns That Car Hacking Is a Real Risk WIRED In a public service announcement issued together with the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic and Safe...

» Navalny’s Strange Freedom, Russian Cyberwar Against Ukraine, and
17/03/16 19:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Institute of Modern Russia. Navalny’s Strange Freedom, Russian Cyberwar Against Ukraine, and Why Putin Loves Trump This post has been generated by Page2RSS

» Russia Sends Arms to Iraqi Kurds for IS Fight
17/03/16 19:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Russia sent arms this week to Iraq’s Kurdish region to be used by Peshmerga forces fighting the Islamic State group, Russian and Kurdish sources said. The arms were delivered Monday and i...

» In Azerbaijan, No Pardon For Ismayilova
17/03/16 19:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. WASHINGTON WASHINGTON, March 17, 2016 -- Azerbaijan today pardoned several political prisoners, but RFE/RL reacted with dismay that a leading contributor to its Azerbaij...

» Russia Sends Arms to Iraqi Kurds for IS Fight - Voice of America
17/03/16 19:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. Voice of America Russia Sends Arms to Iraqi Kurds for IS Fight Voice of America Russia sent arms this week to Iraq's Kurdish region to be used by Peshmerga forces fighting the Islamic...

» Libya's U.N.-backed government to move to Tripoli within days: PM
17/03/16 17:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libya's U.N.-backed unity government will move to Tripoli from Tunis "within a few days", its prime minister said in a television interview broadcast on Thursday.

» US Senators Call to Counter Russian, Chinese Propaganda
17/03/16 17:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. U.S. Senators Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican, and Chris Murphy, a New York Democrat, have introduced a bill aimed countering propaganda from to Russia, China and other countries. Accordi...

» Europe Grapples With Plan to Return Refugees From Greece to Turkey
17/03/16 17:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. The Continent’s leaders had challenges reaching a consensus on the crisis as humanitarian groups have called the proposed policy a violation of international law.

» These 5 Facts Explain the State of Global Corruption
17/03/16 17:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World – TIME. You can learn a lot about a country’s politics by looking closely at its corruption scandals. Who is investigating whom? What do the investigators really hope to achieve? And what do th...

» Is Tighter Pentagon Spending Killing Troops?
17/03/16 17:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World – TIME. Ever since Congress and the White House put caps on federal spending starting in 2013, there have been calls to lift them for the Pentagon. The military’s pain has so become acute, both...

» Largest Oval Blue Diamond to Be Auctioned in Hong Kong
17/03/16 17:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. The largest oval blue diamond ever to appear at auction is to be sold April 5 in Hong Kong. VOA’s Julie Taboh reports on a recent press event in London that showcased the rare gemstone.

» U.S. to declassify intelligence, military records on Argentina's 'Dirty War'
17/03/16 17:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States government will declassify documents from U.S. military and intelligence agencies related to Argentina's 1976-1983 "Dirty War," the seven-year ...

» Cost of Russia's Syrian Campaign Revealed as $480 Million
17/03/16 17:37 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Moscow Times Top Stories. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday the military operation in Syria has cost Russia approximately 33 billion rubles ($484 million).

» Песков: Путин встретился с экс-премьером Италии Проди - РИА Новости
17/03/16 17:37 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. РИА Новости Песков: Путин встретился с экс-премьером Италии Проди РИА Новости Экс-председатель Совета министров Италии Романо Проди находится в России с частным визитом, сообщил пр...

» Почему референдум не сохранил СССР?
17/03/16 17:36 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from SvobodaRadio's YouTube Videos. From: SvobodaRadio Duration: 54:00 25 лет назад – 17 марта 1991 года состоялся единственный за всю историю существования СССР всесоюзный референдум, на котором гражданам ...

» Democrats use ‘nuclear option’ to kill immigration bill
17/03/16 17:33 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from In Homeland Security. The bill involved a plan to punish cities and towns that prohibit police from asking about a person's immigration status.

» AP NewsBreak: FBI Investigating Virginia Stun Gun Incident - ABC News
17/03/16 17:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google News. WJLA WDBJ7 AP NewsBreak: FBI Investigating Virginia Stun Gun Incident - ABC ... ABC News The FBI head of the FBI's Richmond office says the agency is investigating the 2013 death of a Vi...

» Obama Admin Stalling Investigation Into U.S. ‘Ransom Payment’ to Iran
17/03/16 17:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. The Obama administration is being accused of stalling a congressional investigation into a purported $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded “ransom payment” to Iran in exchange for the releas...

» Inside the Ring: Targeting Islamic State’s al-Baghdadi
17/03/16 17:31 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. President Obama wants to kill or capture Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and has made striking the self-proclaimed caliph one of the highest priorities for his final year ...

» Strong Intelligence Oversight Can Happen Within the Executive Branch
17/03/16 17:31 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Just Security. Samuel J. Rascoff That the American public is divided on the current showdown between Silicon Valley and the national security state is to be expected. What is more striking, at least at fir...

» Putin orchestrated success in Syria
17/03/16 17:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes. From the narrow vantage point of Russian self-interest, Putin has pulled off another coup and shown that he is a more adept international poker player than his counterpart in Washington.

» NATO commander: Russia withdrawal could be step to Syria peace deal
17/03/16 17:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes News. NATO’s top military officer on Thursday expressed hope that Russia’s plan to end military operations in Syria could be an important step toward a comprehensive peace deal in war-tor...

» Dunford: Iran Remains the Same ‘Malign Influence’ It Was Before Nuclear Deal
17/03/16 17:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. Gen. Joseph Dunford testified Thursday that, even after the Iran nuclear deal spearheaded by the Obama administration, Iran remained the same malignant influence in the Middle East ...

» Putin Pays Iran Back for Withholding Ground Troops from Syria
17/03/16 17:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. March 17, 2016, 7:37 PM (IDT) Putin is settling accounts with Tehran for reneging on its promise of ground troops for Syria by leaving Iran in the lurch.

» Russia Pulls out of West Syria, Leaves US to Face ISIS in the East
17/03/16 17:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. March 17, 2016, 7:37 PM (IDT) Russia pulls the bulk of its forces out of Syria after achieving its purpose, with hardly a shot fired against ISIS, whose strongholds in the eastern sector are lef...

» Obama Hikes Post-Presidency Payments
17/03/16 17:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. President Obama sought to increase the amount of money available for the federal government to spend on former presidents in advance of his White House exit. In his budget requests ...

» Kremlin Unaware of Iraqi Kurds Allegedly Receiving Russian Arms
17/03/16 17:27 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. The Kremlin spokesman said he could not comment on the reports about Russian arms deliveries to Iraqi Kurds.

» Sequestration Budget Cuts Pose 'Greatest Risk' to DoD
17/03/16 17:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Defense News - Home. WASHINGTON — The US defense secretary and Joint Chiefs chairman warned lawmakers that scrapping the two-year budget deal would be catastrophic for US national security interests. ...

» The Russian ‘Withdrawal’ and Putin’s Brilliant Deception in Syria
17/03/16 17:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Eurasia Daily Monitor - The Jamestown Foundation. In a surprise move, Monday (March 14), President Vladimir Putin announced the Russian military mission in Syria was “mostly accomplished” and ordered an im...

» Dagestani Insurgents Include Former Policemen and Other Officials
17/03/16 17:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Eurasia Daily Monitor - The Jamestown Foundation. Operations by Russian security forces against militants of the armed Islamist underground movement in Dagestan are less frequent now than in previous years...

» Russia’s Conflict Against Ukraine and the West: The Religious Dimension
17/03/16 17:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Eurasia Daily Monitor - The Jamestown Foundation. The conflict Russia is waging against Ukraine has, from the very beginning, had many different dimensions. Currently, it is increasingly assuming the narra...

» Iran seen escaping U.N. sanctions over missiles due to ambiguous resolution
17/03/16 17:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iran will likely escape new United Nations sanctions, though the U.N. Security Council could issue a public reprimand for recent launches of what Western off...

» Russian Archive Chief Out After Debunking Soviet WW II Legend
17/03/16 17:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. The longtime director of the Russian State Archive has been removed from his post less than a year after he exposed a popular Soviet World War II legend to be “fiction” a...

» Syria Rejects Kurdish Bid For Federal Region
17/03/16 17:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. Syria's Foreign Ministry dismisses the move as "unconstitutional and worthless" and a major opposition group warns against it too.

» The bromance between Trump and Putin is over
17/03/16 17:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World. Kremlin spokesman says new Trump ad paints Russia as a villain. Where's the love?

» Obama Privately Tells Donors That Time Is Coming to Unite Behind Hillary Clinton - New York Times
17/03/16 17:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. New York Times Obama Privately Tells Donors That Time Is Coming to Unite Behind Hillary Clinton New York Times Hillary Clinton at an event in Columbus, Ohio, on Sunday. Credit Ji...

» The 'King of the Jungle' meets the Queen of England
17/03/16 17:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from itnnews's YouTube Videos. From: itnnews Duration: 01:07 The 'King of the Jungle' meets the Queen of England when Her Majesty opens London Zoo's new lion enclosure. . Report by Jessica Wakefield.

» Matter: Humans Interbred With Extinct Relatives at Least 4 Times, Study Finds
17/03/16 17:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. The interbreeding may have given modern humans better immunity to pathogens, according to the authors of the analysis of global genomes.

» Ukrainian President Vows Swift End To Political Crisis
17/03/16 17:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has tried to reassure the European Union that Kyiv will soon overcome its worst political crisis in two years.

» Syrian Kurds declare their own region, raising tensions
17/03/16 17:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World. The claiming of a federal region in the northeast is opposed by Syria, Turkey and the U.S.

» Challenges for EU as It Tries for Migration Deal With Turkey
17/03/16 17:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. European leaders meeting Thursday for talks on a deal with Turkey seen as key to stemming the migrant crisis warned there were major obstacles ahead, but said they would push for agree...

» Where did it all go wrong for Turkey?
17/03/16 17:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. It was hailed as the democracy in the Middle East that would be an example to the Arab world - but more than a decade later it has come to look like the Arab dictatorships it abhorred

» Donald Trump presidency 'could be as damaging to global economy as terrorism'
17/03/16 17:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. If the billionaire reaches the White House he could initiate trade wars with China and Mexico and potentially drag down global growth by up to 1.5 per cent

» History Shows US Genocide Decree No Guarantee of Action
17/03/16 17:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's designation Thursday that the Islamic State (IS) is responsible for genocide against some minorities in Iraq and Syria represents a highly symbolic an...

» Kurds Declare 'Federal Region' in Syria, Says Official
17/03/16 17:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. A Kurdish official said the main Syrian Kurdish faction has declared a federal region in Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria.

» Germany's Economy Minister aims to get Russia sanctions lifted
17/03/16 17:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel called on Thursday for the European Union to try to create conditions by this summer to lift sanctions imposed against Russ...

» Citing Atrocities, John Kerry Calls ISIS Actions Genocide
17/03/16 17:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. The secretary of state’s declaration, made in response to a congressional deadline, is unlikely to change American policy.

» Former Israeli Spy Chief Meir Dagan Dies
17/03/16 13:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Meir Dagan, a former director of Israel’s spy agency Mossad credited with delaying Iran’s nuclear weapons development through a series of high-profile missions, has died aged 71, the I...

» EU to Launch Formal Visa-Free Process for Ukraine in April
17/03/16 13:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. The EU’s executive will formally launch the process for approving Ukraine’s visa-free access to the bloc in April, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said, taking Kiev a...

» Kurdish Group TAK Claims Responsibility for Turkey Car Bombing
17/03/16 13:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Kurdish militants took responsibility Thursday for a deadly car-bombing in central Ankara earlier this week, saying the strike was retaliation for the Turkish state’s sweeping crackdow...

» Ex-President's Appointment Rekindles Brazil Protests
17/03/16 13:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. President Dilma Rousseff’s appointment of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to her cabinet rekindled weekend protests in Brazil, as the move was seen by many as an attempt to ...

» Critique of Chechnya Provokes Attack on Chief of Russian Anti-Torture NGO
17/03/16 13:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Moscow Times Top Stories. Head of the Committee Against Torture NGO Igor Kalyapin could have avoided an attack in the Chechen capital of Grozny if he had come to the Russian republic with good intentions.

» СМИ: Зять Ельцина проходит лечение в США - Росбалт.RU
17/03/16 13:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. Росбалт.RU СМИ: Зять Ельцина проходит лечение в США Росбалт.RU Бывший глава администрации президента, журналист и один из учредителей «Ельцин центра» Валентин Юмашев борется с онко...

» Cына Сильвио Берлускони суд приговорил к 1 году и 2 месяцам - РИА Новости
17/03/16 13:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. РИА Новости Cына Сильвио Берлускони суд приговорил к 1 году и 2 месяцам РИА Новости Таким образом, апелляционный суд не подтвердил решение суда первой инстанции, который в июле 201...

» Путин: операция ВКС России в Сирии открыла дорогу к миру - РИА Новости
17/03/16 13:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. РИА Новости Путин: операция ВКС России в Сирии открыла дорогу к миру РИА Новости Операция ВКС России в Сирии продолжалась пять с половиной месяцев. За время своего пребывания в САР...

» Песков подтвердил Reuters гибель пятого военного в операции в Сирии - РБК
17/03/16 13:12 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. РБК Песков подтвердил Reuters гибель пятого военного в операции в Сирии РБК Пресс-секретарь президента России Дмитрий Песков подтвердил Reuters гибель в Сирии военнослужащего Федор...

» Black Sea Rising: Rebirth of a Russian Fleet
17/03/16 13:12 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Moscow Times Top Stories. From a military point of view, Russia's operation to annex CrimeaВ was an exceptionally clean affair, and gave an opportunity to demonstrate the fruits of Moscow's military mo...

» Pharmacy in Russian Duma Sees Run on Sharapova's Drug of Choice
17/03/16 13:11 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Moscow Times Top Stories. A pharmacy at the State Duma has registered a spike in demand for meldonium after Russian tennis champion Maria Sharapova failed a doping test for the recently banned drug, In...

» Russian Jets Pulling Out Of Syria, But It Seems New Helicopters Are Just Arriving
17/03/16 12:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Interpreter. Live Updates: The previous post in our Putin in Syria column can be found here .

» 400 Russian Police Clash With Roma Residents in Tula Over Gas Siphoning
17/03/16 12:33 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Interpreter. LIVE UPDATES: Police cracked down on residents of a Roma community in Tula who were accused of illegal gas-siphoning. The villagers said they would pay for gas but it had been cut off by a...

» Russia can redeploy to Syria 'within hours', warns Vladimir Putin
17/03/16 12:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russian news, all the latest and breaking Russia news. Vladimir Putin says he can reverse decision to withdraw from Syria at a moment's notice, in apparent warning against seeking to take advantage of the ...

» Putin: Russia could redeploy forces in Syria within hours if needed
17/03/16 12:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia | The Guardian. Comments come days after announcing that Moscow’s military involvement in Syria would be wound down Russia could redeploy its forces in Syria “in a few hours”, Vladimir Putin has sai...

» Kremlin complains Donald Trump ad demonises Russia
17/03/16 12:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia | The Guardian. Video posted to Trump’s Instagram account shows Vladimir Putin throwing a judo opponent and Hillary Clinton barking The Kremlin has hit out at a video promoting the US presidential h...

» Syria peace talks stall amid dispute over 'federal Syria' call
17/03/16 12:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia | The Guardian. Tension in Geneva over composition of delegations and idea to form federal Syria with semi-autonomous Kurdish region The three-day-old Syrian peace talks have hit their first logjams...

» Rothschild, bucking trend, contemplates new hires in Russia | Reuters - Reuters
17/03/16 12:31 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. Reuters Rothschild, bucking trend, contemplates new hires in Russia | Reuters Reuters The Rothschild Group is looking at taking on new hires for its Russian operation later this year,...

» Russia's Syria Campaign: Top 5 Achievements No One Mentions - Sputnik International
17/03/16 12:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. Sputnik International Russia's Syria Campaign: Top 5 Achievements No One Mentions Sputnik International President Vladimir Putin caused a stir when he announced the withdrawal of Russ...

» The Russians show their hand in Syria by withdrawing - The Economist
17/03/16 12:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. The Economist The Russians show their hand in Syria by withdrawing The Economist THERE is nothing Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, likes more than taking everyone by surprise. Exce...

» Russia and Victory - Voltaire Network
17/03/16 12:27 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. Voltaire Network Russia and Victory Voltaire Network The announcement of the partial withdrawal of the Russian Army from Syria has spawned a great number of commentaries which illustr...

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The U.S. and Global Security Review - Blog by Michael Novakhov