Geopolitical mosaic: Ukraine will join the EU in March, while Canada’s borders will reach the North Pole
“There is tremendous damage to the economy ...” - Brian de Mulder will build Sharia in Belgium. - There will be no additional sanctions against Iran. - Israel and the CU: free trade zone? - Tapped Zuma. - The United States joined the military operation in the CAR. - In Stockholm, the Nobel Peace Prize. - “The Guardian”: Snowden is the man of the year. - Radical chimney sweep with explosives. - Two ways for Armenia: right and wrong. - Lukashenko “ate” the presidency. - About Maidan. - Voices from behind the "hill". - Almost in half. - March Association. - Towards Ukraine. - Between China and Singapore. - In Venezuela there will be fair prices. - Marijuana in pharmacies. - In Argentina - massive looting. - Russia is a generous soul. - The character of the "walking dead" and letters with ricin. - 4,7 million dollars from the corrupt. “About how Panetta and Hollywood talked.” - The February default is postponed. - On the Western boycott of the Olympics in Sochi. - US congressmen do not know what e-mail is. - The struggle for "digital rights". - Sex harasser six years old. - “The task of the diplomats is to stretch the hand of friendship, and not to fumble in their pockets ...” - End of HEU-LEU. - Canada wants to draw a new world map. - Presidential amnesty for Serdyukov? - “Through the efforts of the head of the republic, Ramzan Kadyrov and the government ...” - “We must speak the truth ...”
“There is tremendous damage to the economy ...” The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, the statement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov, posted on the official website of the department, says. This channel told "RT".
“The wave of violence does not subside, the casualties among the civilian population are multiplying every day. There is enormous damage to the economy, its rich cultural and historical heritage, ”said Comrade Gatilov. Nonetheless, humanitarian agencies are increasing their operations, increasing the coverage of operations.
"In October, the UN World Food Program provided about 3,4 million people with food," said Gatilov, noting that the work of Russian diplomats contributed to facilitating access to Syria to organizations delivering humanitarian aid.
Further, Comrade Gatilov noted that in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs the reason for the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria is the continuing influx of foreign fighters and weapons, a diverse supply of radical elements from abroad, as well as anti-Syrian sanctions imposed by Western states.
Brian de Mulder will build Sharia in Belgium. A young resident of Antwerp, Brian de Mulder, who is now fighting in Syria, posted a video message on YouTube, in which he threatened to commit a terrorist attack in Belgium. Clip removed.
Antwerp threatened Belgian Defense Minister Peter de Creme and Dutch anti-Islamist deputy Gert Wilders. De Mulder declares: "De Creme and Wilders, traitors will fall, beware of mined cars."
The Islamist calls on the Belgians to take up arms and go to war in Syria. As for Belgium, there, according to him, it is necessary to establish Sharia.
The video is studied by the special services, reported "Vesti" with reference to Interfax.
There will be no additional sanctions against Iran. The US Congress will not impose additional sanctions against Iran for the duration of the Geneva agreement concluded on October 24, reports correspondent ITAR-TASS Ivan Lebedev.
The decision to postpone consideration of the issue of new sanctions against Iran was taken by chairman of the Senate Banking Committee Tim Johnson. The Senate Banking Committee is responsible, in particular, for financial sanctions against foreign countries.
In recent weeks, the White House administration has urged Congress to refrain from imposing additional punitive measures against Iran. Johnson said he agreed with the administration. "The US President and Secretary of State Kerry presented convincing arguments proving that the Congress should take a pause in the process of discussing the issue of new sanctions against Iran," said the senator. “Therefore, I am inclined to support their request and so far not take any action on this issue in our committee.”
Israel and the CU: free trade zone? The countries of the Customs Union will form a research group with Israel, which will study the issue of concluding an agreement on a free trade zone, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said at a meeting of the Russian-Israeli commission on trade and economic cooperation on Monday, reports "Sight" with reference to "Prime".
“We have worked with our colleagues in the Customs Union, with Kazakhstan and Belarus, and we expect that the joint research group will begin work in the coming weeks in order to begin preparing an agreement on a free trade zone. I think that based on the analysis of the benefits that can be achieved, on the basis of such a potential agreement, we will come to the end of this process in the foreseeable future and find a solid basis for signing such an agreement, ”said Dvorkovich.
He noted that today the volume of mutual trade between Russia and Israel is about 3 billion dollars.
According to the co-chairman of the commission, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, “the signing of an agreement on a free trade zone is undoubtedly one of the main areas and can be one of the most central topics of work on the 2014 year.”
Tapped Zuma. South African President Jacob Zuma was whistled at a memorial service for Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg. This happened when he was about to give a solemn speech at the stadium, reports "Lenta.ru" with reference to Reuters.
France-Presse notes that people's dissatisfaction with Zuma is caused by the state of the country's economy, unemployment, and social inequality. The president was also at the center of a corruption scandal: he was accused of embezzling budget 20 million dollars to repair his own house.
The United States joined the military operation in the CARs. Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel ordered an American military transport Aviation for the transfer of the French and African armed forces from Burundi to the Central African Republic, transfers "RT" with reference to ITAR-TASS.
Thus, Washington supported the peacemaking efforts of France and the African Union and satisfied their request for material and technical assistance.
In Stockholm, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At the Stockholm Philharmonic Hall yesterday, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded. She received the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), passes "Voice of Russia" with links to Interfax and RIANews».
Since 1901, the Nobel has been awarded 561 times. She received 847 people and 22 organization.
The Guardian: Snowden is the man of the year. The British newspaper The Guardian declared Edward Snowden the “2013 Man of the Year.” This is stated on the website of the publication, reported "Vesti" with reference to ITAR-TASS.
The “Person of the Year” was determined by a vote of approximately 2 of thousands of journalists and newspaper editors.
In 2012, The Guardian recognized Bradley Manning as the "Man of the Year".
Radical chimney sweep with explosives. National radical Igor Shishkin was convicted for possession of weapons and explosives in Latvia. Reports about it "Lenta.ru" with reference to "DELFI". Shishkin was sentenced to one and a half years of imprisonment on probation and one hundred hours of forced labor.
The local security police have information that the organization headed by Shishkin organized a paramilitary camp, where several dozen activists were trained in martial arts, throwing knives and axes.
Two ways for Armenia: right and wrong. “As a result of the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, the material damage inflicted on Azerbaijan exceeded $ 300 billion today,” he said. IA "REGNUM" with reference to the APA Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov.
Previously, the volume of material damage inflicted on Azerbaijan as a result of the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands, according to Hasanov, was $ 60 billion, but, as recent international calculations have shown, the actual damage exceeds this amount by 5 times.
“Then we didn’t even know how, according to international practice, this damage is calculated. In recent 5-6 years, on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev, an appeal was made to the International Association of Appraisers. For two years now we have been working with this structure. As a result of the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, the material damage inflicted on Azerbaijan has exceeded $ 300 billion. The Association has determined this. International law allows Azerbaijan to at any time demand that Armenia compensate this damage in the form of compensation, ”Hasanov explained.
The Vice Prime Minister stressed that if Armenia chooses the right path, Azerbaijan can make concessions in compensation. He added: “If they choose the wrong, destructive way, naturally, Azerbaijan will demand full compensation for compensation.”
Lukashenko “ate” the presidency. The President of Belarus has not decided whether to participate in the next election. “I already ate the presidency, if it comes to that,” Lukashenka said.
“People will elect me or not elect: if I still participate in this presidential election. This is only the Lord knows. Even before they need to live. A man walks, and tomorrow and walk ceases. Therefore, anything can be, "- quotes Lukashenko Newsru.com with reference to ITAR-TASS.
A. Lukashenko was first elected president of 19 years ago. In January, 2011, he took the post of head of state for the fourth time. Election of the President of Belarus will be held in 2015 year.
About Maidan. During the clashes with the opposition in Kiev, ten policemen were injured, according to "Vesti" With reference to the TV channel "Russia 24".
On the night of 10 on December 11, the Kiev militia went to the storming of Maidan. "Golden Eagle" began to crowd the protesters, and utilities began to disassemble the barricades.
How to transmit "Vesti" With reference to ITAR-TASS, the pickets set by opponents of European integration in the government quarters of Kiev turned out to be a significant obstacle for the ambulance doctors. Because of the overlap of the streets, physicians often had to reach patients on foot. Difficult as the passage of cars on emergency calls, and transportation of patients.
From 7 to 9 December, the arrival of doctors did not wait for 22 from Kiev. Eight more people died on the way to hospitals.
RIA News" cites the words of the leader of the party "UDAR" Vitaly Klitschko, spoken by him today from the stage on the Kiev Maidan. An attempt to disperse the “Euromaidan” the president of Ukraine, the opposition leader believes, “has closed the way to any compromises.”
“It will be strange from now on to hear about some compromises in the form of“ technical governments ”or constitutional changes. It will all be a manipulation and game in favor of Yanukovych and the preservation of his power, ”Klitschko said.
Voices from behind the "hill". US Secretary of State John Kerry called unacceptable the reaction of the Ukrainian authorities to mass protests in Kiev, reports correspondent RIA "Novosti" Alexey Bogdanovsky.
“The United States expresses irritation at the decision of the Ukrainian authorities to respond to peaceful demonstrations in Kiev’s Maidan by special police forces, bulldozers and batons instead of respecting democratic rights and human dignity. This answer is unacceptable and not befitting a democratic state, ”said D. Kerry.
The EU Delegation to Ukraine reported that it was trying to contact local law enforcement officers to prevent the use of force against protesting citizens. EU heads of diplomacy Catherine Ashton expressed regret that the authorities use force to push aside protesters, writes RIA News".
“The EU representation in Ukraine is now trying to contact competent and responsible law enforcement officials to prevent the use of force against ordinary citizens. We admire the peaceful determination and tranquility of the demonstrators on the Maidan, ”the message states on the Facebook page.
Catherine Ashton's appeal is posted on the same network. She is in Kiev and writes: “Now, a few hours later, I sadly watch the police use force to remove civilians from the center of Kiev. The authorities did not need to act under the cover of night in order to begin communication with the community with the help of the police. ”
Almost in half. Euromaidan divided public opinion in Ukraine approximately equally. This is evidenced by the results of a sociological study conducted by "Research & Branding Group" in early December. "Lenta.ru".
49 percent of the polled Ukrainians called themselves supporters of “Euromaidan”, and 45 percent - his opponents. Another few percent of respondents did not have a definite opinion on this issue.
To the greatest extent, actions in support of European integration are supported by residents of Western Ukraine (84 percent) and the central part of the country (66 percent). Opponents of “Euromaidan” are the most among the residents of the east of the country of Ukraine (81%) and the south (60%).
At the same time, 46% of respondents supported integration with the European Union, and 36% supported the Customs Union. About 20% could not decide.
At the same time, supporters of the EU prevail in the west and in the central part of Ukraine, and supporters of the CU - in the east and south.
The survey was conducted from 4 to December 9 in all regions of Ukraine. Respondents were selected by quota sampling, which characterizes the adult population of the country by place of residence, gender and age. The sample population was 2079 people. The expected average sampling error is about 2%.
March association. Viktor Yanukovych, who spoke many times about the unacceptability for the country of the current conditions of the association agreement with the EU, yesterday outlined the approximate deadlines for reaching a compromise with Brussels on the conditions of the association, reports Interfax.
The compromise conditions on which the country will be ready to become an associate member of the European Union are expected to be prepared before the March Ukraine-EU summit, the head of state said at a meeting of the round table with three former Ukrainian presidents in Kiev.
In turn, the EU confirmed its readiness to provide Ukraine with financial assistance in the implementation of the association agreement.
Not only the EU met Kiev, but also the IMF.
Towards Ukraine. The International Monetary Fund went to meet Ukraine in the issue of the formation of the tariff policy. Progress in negotiations on the provision of credit can be expected in the next week or two, said the Minister of income and fees of Ukraine Oleksandr Klymenko. This tells "Voice of Russia" with links to RIA Novosti and ITAR-TASS.
“As for the IMF, today our positions on tariff policy, on budget and monetary policy have become very close. Today we received a positive signal from the IMF, and we are ready to end negotiations and get loans, ”Klimenko said in an interview with the television news service of the Ukrainian television channel 1 + 1. He clarified that the convergence of positions occurred on the need to raise tariffs for the population, on which the IMF insists. “I think the real steps of the movement will be visible for a week or two, we can already see real progress,” the minister added.
Yes, let me add, “real progress” in removing the last shirt from its own population is the only thing that any government, encouraged by generous creditors from the West, did indeed very quickly. At the time, Russia ate these loans, programs, reforms, and the "convergence of positions" on the most do not play about. Now the IMF and the democratizers from the EU will firmly take on Ukraine.
Between China and Singapore. Older brother Kim Jong-un lives a quiet life in China, reports correspondent RIA "Novosti" Daria Krutov With reference to the South Korean newspaper "Chosun Ilbo."
The eldest son, Kim Jong-il, was considered the heir of the late leader until he fell into disfavor in the 2001 year when he tried to enter Japan with false documents. Since then, Kim Jong Nam has lived in a “generously funded” exile in Macau and Beijing. In January, 2012, in an interview with a Japanese journalist, he spoke sharply against the policy of Kim Jong-un.
For the past year, Kim Jong Nam has not been seen in Macau. According to unnamed sources, the brother of the North Korean leader travels between China and Singapore. Raised by Chan Son Thaek and his wife, Kim Jong Nam began to fear for his life after his uncle’s arrest. Experts suggest that the Chinese authorities are guarding Kim Jong Nam to take advantage of the situation in the event of the overthrow of Kim Jong-un.
Venezuela will have fair prices. In Venezuela, checks have been conducted at 3 in thousands of stores to identify cases of unjustified overpricing. This was stated by Major General Ebert Garcia Plasa, who heads the Supreme Body for the Protection of the Economy, reports correspondent ITAR-TASS Sergey Sereda.
Funeral offices, travel agencies and toy stores were targeted. The first inspections were held in stores selling electrical goods, clothing and footwear. In all, 35 stores found the price level acceptable; owners of other points were instructed to reduce prices.
Comrade García called on Venezuelans to keep the sales receipts they received when they bought goods before the inspections began. With the help of these documents, citizens will be able to receive monetary compensation after the fair prices have been set for the goods purchased earlier.
The general spoke about one of the major metropolitan stores selling furniture. The audit showed that prices in it were above the government-set level ranging from 2 to 5 thousand percent!
Marijuana in pharmacies. The Uruguayan Senate approved the law on the legalization of marijuana, which will enter into force after its publication by the President of the country, reports correspondent RIA Novosti Oleg Vyazmitinov with reference to the Uruguayan media.
Uruguay will be the first country in the world to legalize the production and sale of marijuana. The bill provides that residents of Uruguay will be able to grow marijuana in limited quantities on their own or in cannabis clubs, as well as buy it in pharmacies upon presentation of a special card (up to 40 grams monthly). Legal sales will begin in the middle of 2014. It is expected that one gram will cost a dollar.
In Argentina - massive looting. The death toll in the mass robberies in Argentina has risen to nine, the number of injured exceeded one hundred, transmit "Vesti" With reference to the TV channel "Russia 24".
A week ago, police dissatisfied with low wages, went on strike. The criminals did not linger.
Bandits are attacking people in the streets in broad daylight, actively robbing apartments, supermarkets and small trade shops. From the shops make everything from baby strollers to dishes.
However, the guards of the order to return to the service is not going to. In addition, Buenos Aires said that the issues of both the security of citizens and the provision of police officers is the competence of local authorities.
Russia is a generous soul. Russia signed an agreement with Cuba, according to which Freedom Island will be debited 29 billion dollars in debt, reports Newsru.com with reference to Reuters.
Written off almost 90% of the debt, which began to take shape in Cuba even before the USSR. Russia agreed to write off 30 billion from 32 billion of debt, and restructure the rest within ten years by lowering interest rates or postponing payment deadlines.
The preliminary debt forgiveness agreement was signed in February, when Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited Cuba and agreed to settle the debt issue between Cuba and the USSR.
According to reports, the reasons for which Russia has gone to forgive debts are connected with the search for oil by Russian companies on the Cuban shelf.
According to another version, 30 billion dollars was written off under the conditions under which the Cuban Aviation Corporation will purchase Russian aircraft: three An-158 and Il-96-400, as well as two Tu-204.
The character of "The Walking Dead" and letters with ricin. Former actress Shannon Richardson made a deal with the investigation and admitted her guilt in sending out ricin letters to the US president and the mayor of New York, reports "Lenta.ru" with reference to the Associated Press.
Richardson announced this at a federal court meeting in Texarkana, Texas. The ex-actress was charged with possession and manufacture of hazardous substances, punishing life imprisonment. After Richardson made a deal with the investigation, she faces no more than 18 years in prison.
She sent letters with ricin to Barack Obama, Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg and to the public organization “Mayors Against Illegal Weapons” at the end of May. The messages contained threats to supporters of restricting the right of Americans to own weapons.
35-year-old Shannon, starring in several episodes of famous television series, six children. And the last of them was born when she was in custody in the letter case.
Richardson, we add, has previously played small roles in the television series "The Vampire Diaries", "Companions", "The Walking Dead."
4,7 million dollars from the corrupt. The former mayor of Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick, who is currently serving a 28-year jail term for corruption, must pay 4,7 million to the city as compensation. This decision was made by the court in the automotive capital of the United States, which last week was declared bankrupt, reports correspondent ITAR-TASS Alexander Bekreneva.
Not only that, with Kilpatrick, 195 thousand more dollars are due to the tax authorities.
About how Panetta talked to Hollywood. The CIA announced the results of the internal investigation, which confirm that, as the head of the department, Leon Panetta disclosed the secret information about the liquidation of bin Laden in the presence of a Hollywood screenwriter. He writes about it RIA News" with reference to the television channel Fox News.
Panetta revealed secret information about the elimination of the “number one terrorist” in June 2011 at a ceremony at the headquarters of the agency. The event was attended by Mark Boel, screenwriter of the film “Goal Number One”, which tells about the special forces' hunt for a terrorist.
Panetta said that he had no idea that the Hollywood screenwriter could be in the hall.
The February default is postponed. Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress reached a compromise agreement on the parameters of the federal budget for the 2014 fiscal year, which will allow to avoid another temporary suspension of the US government, reports "Voice of Russia" with links to RIA Novosti and ITAR-TASS.
Democratic Senator Patty Murray and Republican Congressman Paul Ryan, who conducted the negotiations, announced that the deal provides for a two-year reduction in government spending by 63 billion dollars and a decrease in government debt by about 20 billion. The budget agreement does not increase taxes, reduce the deficit and replaces state budget sequestration with new measures.
Thus, we add, the US default in February is postponed.
About the Western boycott of the Olympics in Sochi. The blog of the newspaper The Washington Post (a source of abbr. Translation - "Inopressa") Columnist Jennifer Rubin supported the decision of German President Joachim Gauck not to go to the Olympics in Sochi - allegedly taken in protest against human rights violations and the persecution of opposition leaders in Russia.
“There is no reason for indulgence in Russians; one should not allow them to enjoy the applause of the“ international community, ”the author writes. After all, Russia is the country that helped Iran with a nuclear program, forcing Ukraine to turn away from Europe, suppress political dissent and equip the mass murderer Assad. To this, the journalist adds: “It would be a small, but eloquent gesture if the Obama administration and all members of Congress ignored Sochi ... So what about this proposal: to stay at home and say no to Putin?”
US congressmen do not know what e-mail is. The US Congress is trying to solve the problem of mass surveillance of special services for citizens, but most parliamentarians do not even understand what network technology is. This was told by Bill Binnie, a former senior NSA officer with 30-year experience, writes Miguel Francis ("Voice of Russia").
In particular, the expert said:
The struggle for "digital rights". This is described in the next review from "Foreign Press".
32 newspapers around the world, including the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, have published an appeal to the international community. They protest against the systematic collection of personal information on the Internet and urge the UN to conclude an International Convention on Digital Rights.
The text was signed by 560 writers from 83 countries, including Umberto Eco, Tom Stoppard, Jonathan Littel and Günther Grass. Excerpt from circulation:
And more:
In a separate article for the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, Russian writer Viktor Yerofeyev outlined his point of view on the question, whose name is also under appeal. Erofeev noted:
Sex harasser six years old. A six-year-old student was temporarily expelled from an American school - for sexual harassment, they report "Vesti" With reference to the TV channel "Russia 24".
The case against the six-year-old opened after the first-grader kissed her neighbor on the cheek. The management of the city of Canon City, Colorado, considered this to be “indecent behavior” and “harassment”. Hunter Yelton was forbidden to appear in school.
Moreover, the pedagogical council is going to record the boy’s misdemeanor in his personal file with the phrase “harassment”. Yelton's mother insists that this behavior is normal for young children. However, the principal stated: “Kissing girls at school is absolutely unacceptable.”
Well, no romance, add on my own. Not a drop of tenderness. Just a little - enrollment and get out of school. And in parallel in the United States are given the freedom of gays and lesbians under the auspices of the struggle for human rights. How so? Hunter Yelton must have kissed not a girl, but a boy. Then the director would decide that there was not a manifestation of feelings, but the advocacy of ideas of tolerance.
“The task of the diplomats is to stretch the hand of friendship, and not to fumble in their pockets ...” Some Russian diplomats and their family members who were accused of medical insurance fraud in the United States could have engaged in espionage. According to CNN, the American special services at one time followed the diplomats, but they did not have enough data to accuse them of espionage. And the Anti-Corruption Foundation has already figured out that the money received from insurance, families of diplomats could spend on concerts, cruises, purchases at the Apple Store. He writes about it Newsru.com.
Of the 49 diplomats and their wives in the United States, there are eleven people: five work in the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN, one - in the Russian Embassy in Washington, and the rest - the spouses of diplomats.
However, there will be no official charges of espionage: after all, data from the American intelligence are not enough. In addition, all suspects have diplomatic immunity. If the Russian Federation does not remove it, the Americans do not have the right to arrest them.
According to investigators, from 2004 to 2013. in the families of Russian diplomats was born 63 child. Parents of 58 of them requested and received financial assistance under the Medicaid program, which provides for the provision of state medical aid and financial benefits to residents of the country below the poverty line. The threshold is the income of 3052 dollars per family per month.
According to Interfax, FBI investigator Jeremy Robertson explained that the investigation had been going on for more than a year and a half.
And the prosecutor of the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara, said: “The task of the diplomats is to stretch the hand of friendship, and not to rummage through the pockets of the host country.
The New York Post recalled the scandal with Edward Snowden, who was given temporary asylum in Moscow. That is why the case of forty-nine diplomats and went public, the article notes.
End HEU-LEU. The last batch of uranium from Russia was delivered by sea from St. Petersburg to the port of Baltimore as part of the HEU-LEU program, reports RIA News".
The head of Rosatom, Sergei Kiriyenko, and US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz discussed in Washington the state and prospects of Russian-American cooperation in the energy sector. The parties noted the successful completion of the agreement, under which 500 tons of HEU from Russian nuclear warheads (equivalent to 20000 warheads) were reprocessed and shipped to the United States as fuel for American reactors.
The last four containers with LEU will be sent to the port of Paduk (Kentucky). Russia fulfilled all obligations under the HEU-LEU agreement with the United States, which was concluded in 1993 year. The program was designed for 20 years and made it possible to generate more than 7 trillion kilowatts of electricity in the United States. Every tenth light bulb in the USA burned thanks to Russian uranium, while Russia received about 17 billion dollars under a contract.
Canada wants to draw a new world map. Canadian authorities will declare to the UN territorial claims on the North Pole, reports "Lenta.ru" with reference to the Associated Press. The preparation of the relevant application 9 December announced the head of the Canadian Foreign Ministry, John Baird. According to him, Canadian scientists have to prove that the pole is in the zone of the continental shelf of their country.
In early December, Canada submitted an application to the UN with a request to include in the borders of the continental shelf an area of 1,2 million square meters. km The pole does not fall into this zone, but, according to Baird, the application contains preliminary information, which in the future will make it possible to move the shelf boundary further away.
The North Pole and the adjacent part of the Arctic Ocean do not yet belong to any of the countries.
The newspapers are already writing about the beginning of a very cold war between Canada and Russia.
The article “Escalating the (very) Cold War between Russia and Canada” (“Slate”, USA; the source of translation is "InoSMI") Joshua Keating (Joshua Keating) writes:
A day after the Canadian statement, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would strengthen its military presence in the Arctic.
Presidential amnesty for Serdyukov? Anatoly Serdyukov may fall under the amnesty and avoid criminal responsibility, even if he is charged under the article on abuse of official authority. This follows from the amnesty project, introduced by Vladimir Putin to the State Duma and available Interfax.
The draft amnesty for persons exempted from criminal liability for articles for which the terms of punishment do not exceed five years are indicated by servicemen, employees of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation, institutions and bodies of the penitentiary system, as well as “other persons who participated in the hostilities or in actions to defend the Fatherland. " There are no 293 and 285 articles in the list of exemptions for amnestied persons. And if the decision on amnesty will be taken in its current form, the criminal case against Serdyukov can be terminated, notes Interfax.
The draft amnesty was prepared for the 20 anniversary of the Constitution and is currently being studied by deputies. It is planned to take it before the end of this year.
"Through the efforts of the head of the republic Ramzan Kadyrov and the government ..." The budget of the Chechen Republic, in which in the spring the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation discovered multibillion-dollar violations, will soon increase by almost 2 a billion rubles. The money will come from the state budget. This tells Newsru.com.
“The increase in the budget of the Chechen Republic has become possible due to the fact that the federal budget has been increased accordingly. Through efforts of the head of the republic, Ramzan Kadyrov and the government, we have secured the allocation of additional funds to our budget, ”the website of the head and government of the Chechen Republic quotes the chairman of the Committee on Budget, Banks and Taxes of the Chechen Parliament.
The final reading of the draft law “On Amendments to the CR Law“ On the Republican Budget for 2013 Year and for the Planning Period of 2014 and 2015 ”stipulates that Chechen budget revenues will increase by 1 billion 939 million 8,6 thousand rubles.
According to the First Deputy Minister of Finance of the Chechen Republic Abubakar Addayev, these funds will be used to develop health care, sports, housing and communal services, agriculture and forestry, culture, education, as well as to support important economic programs.
"We must tell the truth ..." Vladimir Putin ordered the liquidation of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Russian Agency of International Information RIA“ Novosti ”and the creation of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise“ International Information Agency “Russia Today”. The decree entitled “On some measures to improve the performance of state-owned media” was published on the website of the head of state, Interfax.
Since the liquidation of RIA “Novosti”, the rights of the founder in relation to organizations, the founder of which was RIA “Novosti”, goes to the Russia Today agency.
The main activity of “Russia Today”, according to the decree, “is the coverage abroad of government policies of the Russian Federation and public life in the Russian Federation”.
By the same decree, the Russian State Radio Broadcasting Company Voice of Russia was liquidated with the transfer of the property assigned to it to the operational management of the property to the economic management of the Russia Today agency.
Dmitry Kiselyov was appointed Director General of the Russia Today Agency.
The head of the Kremlin’s administration, Sergei Ivanov, explained the reorganization of RIA Novosti and a number of other state-run mass media with the need to increase their efficiency while reducing costs, Interfax notes.
The first task, according to Ivanov, is “a more rational use of budget funds allocated to state information resources.”
The second task is “to increase the efficiency of the state media”. “Russia is pursuing an independent policy that firmly protects national interests. It is not easy to explain this to the world, but this can and should be done. Here we have a certain success, and, on the other hand, some difficulties. We are sure - we will overcome them, ”said Ivanov. He added: “We must tell the truth, make it available to the maximum number of people, use modern language and the most advanced technologies for this.”
The topic of the liquidation of RIA “Novosti” is devoted to a review of Western newspapers from "Foreign Press".
“Putin prefers presidential decrees to all methods of government, and with the most recent decree he dismissed the state news agency RIA Novosti,” The Wall Street Journal reports. The property of RIA "Novosti" will be transferred to a new structure - the Russia Today agency, which will be headed by a loyal supporter of Putin, Dmitry Kiselyov, who became famous in Russia for his praises to the Kremlin and anti-Western conspiracy theories.
The Wall Street Journal columnist Paul Sonn notes: “As a result, the Kremlin should have a tool better suited to deal with what Putin calls an“ Anglo-Saxon monopoly on information flows. ”
The president’s decision came as a surprise to most of the RIA “Novosti” employees and a blow to the chief editor Svetlana Mironyuk, the author writes, calling RIA Novosti the most unbiased state-owned media. RIA "Novosti" often went beyond the boundaries of what was acceptable to the Kremlin: published an infographic on the number of anti-Putin rallies, conducted live broadcasts of legal proceedings against opposition figures. An unnamed source said that Mironyuk was under pressure since "the Kremlin did not like the objective coverage of protest actions in Moscow at the end of 2011 of the year."
Observers are surprised by the sudden rise of Kiselev, who in one of the last plots called the protests in Ukraine the result of a provocation by Sweden, Lithuania and Poland, avenging for the defeat in the Battle of Poltava 1709 of the year.
“The Kremlin has chosen its herald. Dmitry Kiselev, a Russian journalist known for his live tirades against Americans and homosexuals, was appointed Monday as head of the new state conglomerate Russia Today, writes Simon Schuster in Time magazine.
“This news shocked even cynical Russian journalists,” the article says. They are worried about the “standard-bearer” himself, who was chosen by Putin: “... hatred (Kiselev) for the West and its values makes it reject even the fiercest champions of the Cold War with disgust.”
Last April, Kiselev said on national television that the hearts of homosexuals who died in car accidents should be “buried or burned” to prevent them from being transplanted into the body of another person, ”reminds Schuster.
And in June, Kiselev said that the United States had entered into an alliance with Al-Qaeda with the goal of "sowing chaos" and achieving "world domination", and European society succumbed to the "cult of homosexuality" and "betrayed Christianity." And the only one who can repel these threats to civilization is President Putin.
“In terms of the scale of Putin’s activities, a politician from his predecessors of the 20th century is comparable only with Stalin,” he said. “It was a compliment,” the author explains to the readers.
RIA "Novosti" did not remain silent, the journalist notes.
“This step is the last in a series of changes in the Russian news landscape, which seems to indicate a tightening of state control in the already largely regulated media sector,” the article states on the agency’s website, which is subject to liquidation.
“There is tremendous damage to the economy ...” The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, the statement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov, posted on the official website of the department, says. This channel told "RT".
“The wave of violence does not subside, the casualties among the civilian population are multiplying every day. There is enormous damage to the economy, its rich cultural and historical heritage, ”said Comrade Gatilov. Nonetheless, humanitarian agencies are increasing their operations, increasing the coverage of operations.
"In October, the UN World Food Program provided about 3,4 million people with food," said Gatilov, noting that the work of Russian diplomats contributed to facilitating access to Syria to organizations delivering humanitarian aid.
Further, Comrade Gatilov noted that in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs the reason for the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria is the continuing influx of foreign fighters and weapons, a diverse supply of radical elements from abroad, as well as anti-Syrian sanctions imposed by Western states.
Brian de Mulder will build Sharia in Belgium. A young resident of Antwerp, Brian de Mulder, who is now fighting in Syria, posted a video message on YouTube, in which he threatened to commit a terrorist attack in Belgium. Clip removed.
Antwerp threatened Belgian Defense Minister Peter de Creme and Dutch anti-Islamist deputy Gert Wilders. De Mulder declares: "De Creme and Wilders, traitors will fall, beware of mined cars."
The Islamist calls on the Belgians to take up arms and go to war in Syria. As for Belgium, there, according to him, it is necessary to establish Sharia.
The video is studied by the special services, reported "Vesti" with reference to Interfax.
There will be no additional sanctions against Iran. The US Congress will not impose additional sanctions against Iran for the duration of the Geneva agreement concluded on October 24, reports correspondent ITAR-TASS Ivan Lebedev.
The decision to postpone consideration of the issue of new sanctions against Iran was taken by chairman of the Senate Banking Committee Tim Johnson. The Senate Banking Committee is responsible, in particular, for financial sanctions against foreign countries.
In recent weeks, the White House administration has urged Congress to refrain from imposing additional punitive measures against Iran. Johnson said he agreed with the administration. "The US President and Secretary of State Kerry presented convincing arguments proving that the Congress should take a pause in the process of discussing the issue of new sanctions against Iran," said the senator. “Therefore, I am inclined to support their request and so far not take any action on this issue in our committee.”
Israel and the CU: free trade zone? The countries of the Customs Union will form a research group with Israel, which will study the issue of concluding an agreement on a free trade zone, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said at a meeting of the Russian-Israeli commission on trade and economic cooperation on Monday, reports "Sight" with reference to "Prime".
“We have worked with our colleagues in the Customs Union, with Kazakhstan and Belarus, and we expect that the joint research group will begin work in the coming weeks in order to begin preparing an agreement on a free trade zone. I think that based on the analysis of the benefits that can be achieved, on the basis of such a potential agreement, we will come to the end of this process in the foreseeable future and find a solid basis for signing such an agreement, ”said Dvorkovich.
He noted that today the volume of mutual trade between Russia and Israel is about 3 billion dollars.
According to the co-chairman of the commission, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, “the signing of an agreement on a free trade zone is undoubtedly one of the main areas and can be one of the most central topics of work on the 2014 year.”
Tapped Zuma. South African President Jacob Zuma was whistled at a memorial service for Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg. This happened when he was about to give a solemn speech at the stadium, reports "Lenta.ru" with reference to Reuters.
France-Presse notes that people's dissatisfaction with Zuma is caused by the state of the country's economy, unemployment, and social inequality. The president was also at the center of a corruption scandal: he was accused of embezzling budget 20 million dollars to repair his own house.
The United States joined the military operation in the CARs. Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel ordered an American military transport Aviation for the transfer of the French and African armed forces from Burundi to the Central African Republic, transfers "RT" with reference to ITAR-TASS.
Thus, Washington supported the peacemaking efforts of France and the African Union and satisfied their request for material and technical assistance.
In Stockholm, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At the Stockholm Philharmonic Hall yesterday, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded. She received the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), passes "Voice of Russia" with links to Interfax and RIANews».
Since 1901, the Nobel has been awarded 561 times. She received 847 people and 22 organization.
The Guardian: Snowden is the man of the year. The British newspaper The Guardian declared Edward Snowden the “2013 Man of the Year.” This is stated on the website of the publication, reported "Vesti" with reference to ITAR-TASS.
The “Person of the Year” was determined by a vote of approximately 2 of thousands of journalists and newspaper editors.
In 2012, The Guardian recognized Bradley Manning as the "Man of the Year".
Radical chimney sweep with explosives. National radical Igor Shishkin was convicted for possession of weapons and explosives in Latvia. Reports about it "Lenta.ru" with reference to "DELFI". Shishkin was sentenced to one and a half years of imprisonment on probation and one hundred hours of forced labor.
“Igor Shishkin heads the national-radical association Gustav Celmins Center, in the past was one of the leaders of Perkonkrusts (Thunder Cross), the successor of the eponymous fascist organization that existed in the 1930s. Along with this, according to Kriminal.lv, he works as a chimney sweep.
Explosives, revolvers, shotguns, air rifles and a large number of cartridges were found in the car and in Shishkin’s house.
The explosives, according to law enforcement, the radical acquired last year. Supposedly, he was going to use her against immigrants and gays.
Shishkin himself claimed that he needed the explosives to destroy the beaver dam near his house. As for the weapon, it was, according to the version of the radical, it was necessary for him to defend himself. ”
Explosives, revolvers, shotguns, air rifles and a large number of cartridges were found in the car and in Shishkin’s house.
The explosives, according to law enforcement, the radical acquired last year. Supposedly, he was going to use her against immigrants and gays.
Shishkin himself claimed that he needed the explosives to destroy the beaver dam near his house. As for the weapon, it was, according to the version of the radical, it was necessary for him to defend himself. ”
The local security police have information that the organization headed by Shishkin organized a paramilitary camp, where several dozen activists were trained in martial arts, throwing knives and axes.
Two ways for Armenia: right and wrong. “As a result of the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, the material damage inflicted on Azerbaijan exceeded $ 300 billion today,” he said. IA "REGNUM" with reference to the APA Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov.
Previously, the volume of material damage inflicted on Azerbaijan as a result of the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands, according to Hasanov, was $ 60 billion, but, as recent international calculations have shown, the actual damage exceeds this amount by 5 times.
“Then we didn’t even know how, according to international practice, this damage is calculated. In recent 5-6 years, on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev, an appeal was made to the International Association of Appraisers. For two years now we have been working with this structure. As a result of the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, the material damage inflicted on Azerbaijan has exceeded $ 300 billion. The Association has determined this. International law allows Azerbaijan to at any time demand that Armenia compensate this damage in the form of compensation, ”Hasanov explained.
The Vice Prime Minister stressed that if Armenia chooses the right path, Azerbaijan can make concessions in compensation. He added: “If they choose the wrong, destructive way, naturally, Azerbaijan will demand full compensation for compensation.”
Lukashenko “ate” the presidency. The President of Belarus has not decided whether to participate in the next election. “I already ate the presidency, if it comes to that,” Lukashenka said.
“People will elect me or not elect: if I still participate in this presidential election. This is only the Lord knows. Even before they need to live. A man walks, and tomorrow and walk ceases. Therefore, anything can be, "- quotes Lukashenko Newsru.com with reference to ITAR-TASS.
A. Lukashenko was first elected president of 19 years ago. In January, 2011, he took the post of head of state for the fourth time. Election of the President of Belarus will be held in 2015 year.
About Maidan. During the clashes with the opposition in Kiev, ten policemen were injured, according to "Vesti" With reference to the TV channel "Russia 24".
On the night of 10 on December 11, the Kiev militia went to the storming of Maidan. "Golden Eagle" began to crowd the protesters, and utilities began to disassemble the barricades.
How to transmit "Vesti" With reference to ITAR-TASS, the pickets set by opponents of European integration in the government quarters of Kiev turned out to be a significant obstacle for the ambulance doctors. Because of the overlap of the streets, physicians often had to reach patients on foot. Difficult as the passage of cars on emergency calls, and transportation of patients.
From 7 to 9 December, the arrival of doctors did not wait for 22 from Kiev. Eight more people died on the way to hospitals.
RIA News" cites the words of the leader of the party "UDAR" Vitaly Klitschko, spoken by him today from the stage on the Kiev Maidan. An attempt to disperse the “Euromaidan” the president of Ukraine, the opposition leader believes, “has closed the way to any compromises.”
“It will be strange from now on to hear about some compromises in the form of“ technical governments ”or constitutional changes. It will all be a manipulation and game in favor of Yanukovych and the preservation of his power, ”Klitschko said.
Voices from behind the "hill". US Secretary of State John Kerry called unacceptable the reaction of the Ukrainian authorities to mass protests in Kiev, reports correspondent RIA "Novosti" Alexey Bogdanovsky.
“The United States expresses irritation at the decision of the Ukrainian authorities to respond to peaceful demonstrations in Kiev’s Maidan by special police forces, bulldozers and batons instead of respecting democratic rights and human dignity. This answer is unacceptable and not befitting a democratic state, ”said D. Kerry.
The EU Delegation to Ukraine reported that it was trying to contact local law enforcement officers to prevent the use of force against protesting citizens. EU heads of diplomacy Catherine Ashton expressed regret that the authorities use force to push aside protesters, writes RIA News".
“The EU representation in Ukraine is now trying to contact competent and responsible law enforcement officials to prevent the use of force against ordinary citizens. We admire the peaceful determination and tranquility of the demonstrators on the Maidan, ”the message states on the Facebook page.
Catherine Ashton's appeal is posted on the same network. She is in Kiev and writes: “Now, a few hours later, I sadly watch the police use force to remove civilians from the center of Kiev. The authorities did not need to act under the cover of night in order to begin communication with the community with the help of the police. ”
Almost in half. Euromaidan divided public opinion in Ukraine approximately equally. This is evidenced by the results of a sociological study conducted by "Research & Branding Group" in early December. "Lenta.ru".
49 percent of the polled Ukrainians called themselves supporters of “Euromaidan”, and 45 percent - his opponents. Another few percent of respondents did not have a definite opinion on this issue.
To the greatest extent, actions in support of European integration are supported by residents of Western Ukraine (84 percent) and the central part of the country (66 percent). Opponents of “Euromaidan” are the most among the residents of the east of the country of Ukraine (81%) and the south (60%).
At the same time, 46% of respondents supported integration with the European Union, and 36% supported the Customs Union. About 20% could not decide.
At the same time, supporters of the EU prevail in the west and in the central part of Ukraine, and supporters of the CU - in the east and south.
The survey was conducted from 4 to December 9 in all regions of Ukraine. Respondents were selected by quota sampling, which characterizes the adult population of the country by place of residence, gender and age. The sample population was 2079 people. The expected average sampling error is about 2%.
March association. Viktor Yanukovych, who spoke many times about the unacceptability for the country of the current conditions of the association agreement with the EU, yesterday outlined the approximate deadlines for reaching a compromise with Brussels on the conditions of the association, reports Interfax.
The compromise conditions on which the country will be ready to become an associate member of the European Union are expected to be prepared before the March Ukraine-EU summit, the head of state said at a meeting of the round table with three former Ukrainian presidents in Kiev.
In turn, the EU confirmed its readiness to provide Ukraine with financial assistance in the implementation of the association agreement.
Not only the EU met Kiev, but also the IMF.
Towards Ukraine. The International Monetary Fund went to meet Ukraine in the issue of the formation of the tariff policy. Progress in negotiations on the provision of credit can be expected in the next week or two, said the Minister of income and fees of Ukraine Oleksandr Klymenko. This tells "Voice of Russia" with links to RIA Novosti and ITAR-TASS.
“As for the IMF, today our positions on tariff policy, on budget and monetary policy have become very close. Today we received a positive signal from the IMF, and we are ready to end negotiations and get loans, ”Klimenko said in an interview with the television news service of the Ukrainian television channel 1 + 1. He clarified that the convergence of positions occurred on the need to raise tariffs for the population, on which the IMF insists. “I think the real steps of the movement will be visible for a week or two, we can already see real progress,” the minister added.
Yes, let me add, “real progress” in removing the last shirt from its own population is the only thing that any government, encouraged by generous creditors from the West, did indeed very quickly. At the time, Russia ate these loans, programs, reforms, and the "convergence of positions" on the most do not play about. Now the IMF and the democratizers from the EU will firmly take on Ukraine.
Between China and Singapore. Older brother Kim Jong-un lives a quiet life in China, reports correspondent RIA "Novosti" Daria Krutov With reference to the South Korean newspaper "Chosun Ilbo."
The eldest son, Kim Jong-il, was considered the heir of the late leader until he fell into disfavor in the 2001 year when he tried to enter Japan with false documents. Since then, Kim Jong Nam has lived in a “generously funded” exile in Macau and Beijing. In January, 2012, in an interview with a Japanese journalist, he spoke sharply against the policy of Kim Jong-un.
For the past year, Kim Jong Nam has not been seen in Macau. According to unnamed sources, the brother of the North Korean leader travels between China and Singapore. Raised by Chan Son Thaek and his wife, Kim Jong Nam began to fear for his life after his uncle’s arrest. Experts suggest that the Chinese authorities are guarding Kim Jong Nam to take advantage of the situation in the event of the overthrow of Kim Jong-un.
Venezuela will have fair prices. In Venezuela, checks have been conducted at 3 in thousands of stores to identify cases of unjustified overpricing. This was stated by Major General Ebert Garcia Plasa, who heads the Supreme Body for the Protection of the Economy, reports correspondent ITAR-TASS Sergey Sereda.
Funeral offices, travel agencies and toy stores were targeted. The first inspections were held in stores selling electrical goods, clothing and footwear. In all, 35 stores found the price level acceptable; owners of other points were instructed to reduce prices.
Comrade García called on Venezuelans to keep the sales receipts they received when they bought goods before the inspections began. With the help of these documents, citizens will be able to receive monetary compensation after the fair prices have been set for the goods purchased earlier.
The general spoke about one of the major metropolitan stores selling furniture. The audit showed that prices in it were above the government-set level ranging from 2 to 5 thousand percent!
Marijuana in pharmacies. The Uruguayan Senate approved the law on the legalization of marijuana, which will enter into force after its publication by the President of the country, reports correspondent RIA Novosti Oleg Vyazmitinov with reference to the Uruguayan media.
Uruguay will be the first country in the world to legalize the production and sale of marijuana. The bill provides that residents of Uruguay will be able to grow marijuana in limited quantities on their own or in cannabis clubs, as well as buy it in pharmacies upon presentation of a special card (up to 40 grams monthly). Legal sales will begin in the middle of 2014. It is expected that one gram will cost a dollar.
In Argentina - massive looting. The death toll in the mass robberies in Argentina has risen to nine, the number of injured exceeded one hundred, transmit "Vesti" With reference to the TV channel "Russia 24".
A week ago, police dissatisfied with low wages, went on strike. The criminals did not linger.
Bandits are attacking people in the streets in broad daylight, actively robbing apartments, supermarkets and small trade shops. From the shops make everything from baby strollers to dishes.
However, the guards of the order to return to the service is not going to. In addition, Buenos Aires said that the issues of both the security of citizens and the provision of police officers is the competence of local authorities.
Russia is a generous soul. Russia signed an agreement with Cuba, according to which Freedom Island will be debited 29 billion dollars in debt, reports Newsru.com with reference to Reuters.
Written off almost 90% of the debt, which began to take shape in Cuba even before the USSR. Russia agreed to write off 30 billion from 32 billion of debt, and restructure the rest within ten years by lowering interest rates or postponing payment deadlines.
The preliminary debt forgiveness agreement was signed in February, when Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited Cuba and agreed to settle the debt issue between Cuba and the USSR.
According to reports, the reasons for which Russia has gone to forgive debts are connected with the search for oil by Russian companies on the Cuban shelf.
According to another version, 30 billion dollars was written off under the conditions under which the Cuban Aviation Corporation will purchase Russian aircraft: three An-158 and Il-96-400, as well as two Tu-204.
The character of "The Walking Dead" and letters with ricin. Former actress Shannon Richardson made a deal with the investigation and admitted her guilt in sending out ricin letters to the US president and the mayor of New York, reports "Lenta.ru" with reference to the Associated Press.
Richardson announced this at a federal court meeting in Texarkana, Texas. The ex-actress was charged with possession and manufacture of hazardous substances, punishing life imprisonment. After Richardson made a deal with the investigation, she faces no more than 18 years in prison.
She sent letters with ricin to Barack Obama, Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg and to the public organization “Mayors Against Illegal Weapons” at the end of May. The messages contained threats to supporters of restricting the right of Americans to own weapons.
35-year-old Shannon, starring in several episodes of famous television series, six children. And the last of them was born when she was in custody in the letter case.
Richardson, we add, has previously played small roles in the television series "The Vampire Diaries", "Companions", "The Walking Dead."
4,7 million dollars from the corrupt. The former mayor of Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick, who is currently serving a 28-year jail term for corruption, must pay 4,7 million to the city as compensation. This decision was made by the court in the automotive capital of the United States, which last week was declared bankrupt, reports correspondent ITAR-TASS Alexander Bekreneva.
Not only that, with Kilpatrick, 195 thousand more dollars are due to the tax authorities.
About how Panetta talked to Hollywood. The CIA announced the results of the internal investigation, which confirm that, as the head of the department, Leon Panetta disclosed the secret information about the liquidation of bin Laden in the presence of a Hollywood screenwriter. He writes about it RIA News" with reference to the television channel Fox News.
Panetta revealed secret information about the elimination of the “number one terrorist” in June 2011 at a ceremony at the headquarters of the agency. The event was attended by Mark Boel, screenwriter of the film “Goal Number One”, which tells about the special forces' hunt for a terrorist.
Panetta said that he had no idea that the Hollywood screenwriter could be in the hall.
The February default is postponed. Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress reached a compromise agreement on the parameters of the federal budget for the 2014 fiscal year, which will allow to avoid another temporary suspension of the US government, reports "Voice of Russia" with links to RIA Novosti and ITAR-TASS.
Democratic Senator Patty Murray and Republican Congressman Paul Ryan, who conducted the negotiations, announced that the deal provides for a two-year reduction in government spending by 63 billion dollars and a decrease in government debt by about 20 billion. The budget agreement does not increase taxes, reduce the deficit and replaces state budget sequestration with new measures.
Thus, we add, the US default in February is postponed.
About the Western boycott of the Olympics in Sochi. The blog of the newspaper The Washington Post (a source of abbr. Translation - "Inopressa") Columnist Jennifer Rubin supported the decision of German President Joachim Gauck not to go to the Olympics in Sochi - allegedly taken in protest against human rights violations and the persecution of opposition leaders in Russia.
“There is no reason for indulgence in Russians; one should not allow them to enjoy the applause of the“ international community, ”the author writes. After all, Russia is the country that helped Iran with a nuclear program, forcing Ukraine to turn away from Europe, suppress political dissent and equip the mass murderer Assad. To this, the journalist adds: “It would be a small, but eloquent gesture if the Obama administration and all members of Congress ignored Sochi ... So what about this proposal: to stay at home and say no to Putin?”
US congressmen do not know what e-mail is. The US Congress is trying to solve the problem of mass surveillance of special services for citizens, but most parliamentarians do not even understand what network technology is. This was told by Bill Binnie, a former senior NSA officer with 30-year experience, writes Miguel Francis ("Voice of Russia").
In particular, the expert said:
“There are signs that the US Congress, both the House of Representatives and the Senate, are moving in the direction of restricting surveillance. But very many in Congress do not even use e-mail. It is unlikely that they will be able to prepare laws governing technologies that they do not understand at all. ”
The struggle for "digital rights". This is described in the next review from "Foreign Press".
32 newspapers around the world, including the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, have published an appeal to the international community. They protest against the systematic collection of personal information on the Internet and urge the UN to conclude an International Convention on Digital Rights.
The text was signed by 560 writers from 83 countries, including Umberto Eco, Tom Stoppard, Jonathan Littel and Günther Grass. Excerpt from circulation:
“The integrity of the individual is one of the pillars of democracy. But human dignity extends beyond the boundaries of his body. Everyone and everyone has the right to freedom and lack of supervision in thoughts and private space, letters and conversations. Meanwhile, this existential human right is absolutely not respected, because states and corporations are massively abusing technological innovations to exercise oversight. ”
And more:
“We demand for all citizens the right to vote when deciding the extent to which and by whom their personal data will be collected, stored and processed; the right to know where and for what purpose their data is collected; the right to delete such information if it was collected and stored without legal grounds. We call on all states and corporations to respect these rights. We call on all citizens to stand up for these rights. We urge the United Nations to recognize the primary importance of civil rights in the digital age and to adopt the binding International Convention on Digital Rights. We urge all governments to recognize this convention and stick to it. ”
In a separate article for the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, Russian writer Viktor Yerofeyev outlined his point of view on the question, whose name is also under appeal. Erofeev noted:
“As a writer, I am not afraid of state supervision ... But the writer is one thing, and the other is an ordinary citizen. As a citizen, I hate the very idea of surveillance by the state and I think that we should follow the state, because you can expect any meanness from it, and not vice versa. ”
Sex harasser six years old. A six-year-old student was temporarily expelled from an American school - for sexual harassment, they report "Vesti" With reference to the TV channel "Russia 24".
The case against the six-year-old opened after the first-grader kissed her neighbor on the cheek. The management of the city of Canon City, Colorado, considered this to be “indecent behavior” and “harassment”. Hunter Yelton was forbidden to appear in school.
Moreover, the pedagogical council is going to record the boy’s misdemeanor in his personal file with the phrase “harassment”. Yelton's mother insists that this behavior is normal for young children. However, the principal stated: “Kissing girls at school is absolutely unacceptable.”
Well, no romance, add on my own. Not a drop of tenderness. Just a little - enrollment and get out of school. And in parallel in the United States are given the freedom of gays and lesbians under the auspices of the struggle for human rights. How so? Hunter Yelton must have kissed not a girl, but a boy. Then the director would decide that there was not a manifestation of feelings, but the advocacy of ideas of tolerance.
“The task of the diplomats is to stretch the hand of friendship, and not to fumble in their pockets ...” Some Russian diplomats and their family members who were accused of medical insurance fraud in the United States could have engaged in espionage. According to CNN, the American special services at one time followed the diplomats, but they did not have enough data to accuse them of espionage. And the Anti-Corruption Foundation has already figured out that the money received from insurance, families of diplomats could spend on concerts, cruises, purchases at the Apple Store. He writes about it Newsru.com.
Of the 49 diplomats and their wives in the United States, there are eleven people: five work in the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN, one - in the Russian Embassy in Washington, and the rest - the spouses of diplomats.
However, there will be no official charges of espionage: after all, data from the American intelligence are not enough. In addition, all suspects have diplomatic immunity. If the Russian Federation does not remove it, the Americans do not have the right to arrest them.
According to investigators, from 2004 to 2013. in the families of Russian diplomats was born 63 child. Parents of 58 of them requested and received financial assistance under the Medicaid program, which provides for the provision of state medical aid and financial benefits to residents of the country below the poverty line. The threshold is the income of 3052 dollars per family per month.
According to Interfax, FBI investigator Jeremy Robertson explained that the investigation had been going on for more than a year and a half.
And the prosecutor of the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara, said: “The task of the diplomats is to stretch the hand of friendship, and not to rummage through the pockets of the host country.
The New York Post recalled the scandal with Edward Snowden, who was given temporary asylum in Moscow. That is why the case of forty-nine diplomats and went public, the article notes.
End HEU-LEU. The last batch of uranium from Russia was delivered by sea from St. Petersburg to the port of Baltimore as part of the HEU-LEU program, reports RIA News".
The head of Rosatom, Sergei Kiriyenko, and US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz discussed in Washington the state and prospects of Russian-American cooperation in the energy sector. The parties noted the successful completion of the agreement, under which 500 tons of HEU from Russian nuclear warheads (equivalent to 20000 warheads) were reprocessed and shipped to the United States as fuel for American reactors.
The last four containers with LEU will be sent to the port of Paduk (Kentucky). Russia fulfilled all obligations under the HEU-LEU agreement with the United States, which was concluded in 1993 year. The program was designed for 20 years and made it possible to generate more than 7 trillion kilowatts of electricity in the United States. Every tenth light bulb in the USA burned thanks to Russian uranium, while Russia received about 17 billion dollars under a contract.
Canada wants to draw a new world map. Canadian authorities will declare to the UN territorial claims on the North Pole, reports "Lenta.ru" with reference to the Associated Press. The preparation of the relevant application 9 December announced the head of the Canadian Foreign Ministry, John Baird. According to him, Canadian scientists have to prove that the pole is in the zone of the continental shelf of their country.
In early December, Canada submitted an application to the UN with a request to include in the borders of the continental shelf an area of 1,2 million square meters. km The pole does not fall into this zone, but, according to Baird, the application contains preliminary information, which in the future will make it possible to move the shelf boundary further away.
The North Pole and the adjacent part of the Arctic Ocean do not yet belong to any of the countries.
The newspapers are already writing about the beginning of a very cold war between Canada and Russia.
The article “Escalating the (very) Cold War between Russia and Canada” (“Slate”, USA; the source of translation is "InoSMI") Joshua Keating (Joshua Keating) writes:
“Russia declared its own claims to the North Pole in 2007, when the deep-sea device set the Russian flag at a depth of more than four kilometers. At the time, the post of foreign minister, Peter McKay, then criticized such attempts, noting that “this is not the 15th century. You can not just install flags everywhere and declare that "this is our territory."
A day after the Canadian statement, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would strengthen its military presence in the Arctic.
Presidential amnesty for Serdyukov? Anatoly Serdyukov may fall under the amnesty and avoid criminal responsibility, even if he is charged under the article on abuse of official authority. This follows from the amnesty project, introduced by Vladimir Putin to the State Duma and available Interfax.
The draft amnesty for persons exempted from criminal liability for articles for which the terms of punishment do not exceed five years are indicated by servicemen, employees of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation, institutions and bodies of the penitentiary system, as well as “other persons who participated in the hostilities or in actions to defend the Fatherland. " There are no 293 and 285 articles in the list of exemptions for amnestied persons. And if the decision on amnesty will be taken in its current form, the criminal case against Serdyukov can be terminated, notes Interfax.
The draft amnesty was prepared for the 20 anniversary of the Constitution and is currently being studied by deputies. It is planned to take it before the end of this year.
"Through the efforts of the head of the republic Ramzan Kadyrov and the government ..." The budget of the Chechen Republic, in which in the spring the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation discovered multibillion-dollar violations, will soon increase by almost 2 a billion rubles. The money will come from the state budget. This tells Newsru.com.
“The increase in the budget of the Chechen Republic has become possible due to the fact that the federal budget has been increased accordingly. Through efforts of the head of the republic, Ramzan Kadyrov and the government, we have secured the allocation of additional funds to our budget, ”the website of the head and government of the Chechen Republic quotes the chairman of the Committee on Budget, Banks and Taxes of the Chechen Parliament.
The final reading of the draft law “On Amendments to the CR Law“ On the Republican Budget for 2013 Year and for the Planning Period of 2014 and 2015 ”stipulates that Chechen budget revenues will increase by 1 billion 939 million 8,6 thousand rubles.
According to the First Deputy Minister of Finance of the Chechen Republic Abubakar Addayev, these funds will be used to develop health care, sports, housing and communal services, agriculture and forestry, culture, education, as well as to support important economic programs.
"We must tell the truth ..." Vladimir Putin ordered the liquidation of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Russian Agency of International Information RIA“ Novosti ”and the creation of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise“ International Information Agency “Russia Today”. The decree entitled “On some measures to improve the performance of state-owned media” was published on the website of the head of state, Interfax.
Since the liquidation of RIA “Novosti”, the rights of the founder in relation to organizations, the founder of which was RIA “Novosti”, goes to the Russia Today agency.
The main activity of “Russia Today”, according to the decree, “is the coverage abroad of government policies of the Russian Federation and public life in the Russian Federation”.
By the same decree, the Russian State Radio Broadcasting Company Voice of Russia was liquidated with the transfer of the property assigned to it to the operational management of the property to the economic management of the Russia Today agency.
Dmitry Kiselyov was appointed Director General of the Russia Today Agency.
The head of the Kremlin’s administration, Sergei Ivanov, explained the reorganization of RIA Novosti and a number of other state-run mass media with the need to increase their efficiency while reducing costs, Interfax notes.
The first task, according to Ivanov, is “a more rational use of budget funds allocated to state information resources.”
The second task is “to increase the efficiency of the state media”. “Russia is pursuing an independent policy that firmly protects national interests. It is not easy to explain this to the world, but this can and should be done. Here we have a certain success, and, on the other hand, some difficulties. We are sure - we will overcome them, ”said Ivanov. He added: “We must tell the truth, make it available to the maximum number of people, use modern language and the most advanced technologies for this.”
The topic of the liquidation of RIA “Novosti” is devoted to a review of Western newspapers from "Foreign Press".
“Putin prefers presidential decrees to all methods of government, and with the most recent decree he dismissed the state news agency RIA Novosti,” The Wall Street Journal reports. The property of RIA "Novosti" will be transferred to a new structure - the Russia Today agency, which will be headed by a loyal supporter of Putin, Dmitry Kiselyov, who became famous in Russia for his praises to the Kremlin and anti-Western conspiracy theories.
The Wall Street Journal columnist Paul Sonn notes: “As a result, the Kremlin should have a tool better suited to deal with what Putin calls an“ Anglo-Saxon monopoly on information flows. ”
The president’s decision came as a surprise to most of the RIA “Novosti” employees and a blow to the chief editor Svetlana Mironyuk, the author writes, calling RIA Novosti the most unbiased state-owned media. RIA "Novosti" often went beyond the boundaries of what was acceptable to the Kremlin: published an infographic on the number of anti-Putin rallies, conducted live broadcasts of legal proceedings against opposition figures. An unnamed source said that Mironyuk was under pressure since "the Kremlin did not like the objective coverage of protest actions in Moscow at the end of 2011 of the year."
Observers are surprised by the sudden rise of Kiselev, who in one of the last plots called the protests in Ukraine the result of a provocation by Sweden, Lithuania and Poland, avenging for the defeat in the Battle of Poltava 1709 of the year.
“The Kremlin has chosen its herald. Dmitry Kiselev, a Russian journalist known for his live tirades against Americans and homosexuals, was appointed Monday as head of the new state conglomerate Russia Today, writes Simon Schuster in Time magazine.
“This news shocked even cynical Russian journalists,” the article says. They are worried about the “standard-bearer” himself, who was chosen by Putin: “... hatred (Kiselev) for the West and its values makes it reject even the fiercest champions of the Cold War with disgust.”
Last April, Kiselev said on national television that the hearts of homosexuals who died in car accidents should be “buried or burned” to prevent them from being transplanted into the body of another person, ”reminds Schuster.
And in June, Kiselev said that the United States had entered into an alliance with Al-Qaeda with the goal of "sowing chaos" and achieving "world domination", and European society succumbed to the "cult of homosexuality" and "betrayed Christianity." And the only one who can repel these threats to civilization is President Putin.
“In terms of the scale of Putin’s activities, a politician from his predecessors of the 20th century is comparable only with Stalin,” he said. “It was a compliment,” the author explains to the readers.
RIA "Novosti" did not remain silent, the journalist notes.
“This step is the last in a series of changes in the Russian news landscape, which seems to indicate a tightening of state control in the already largely regulated media sector,” the article states on the agency’s website, which is subject to liquidation.
Observed and commented on Oleg Chuvakin
- especially for topwar.ru
- especially for topwar.ru
Information