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Today: 70 articles and 260 comments as of 15:30.
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Area: WoT Operations    Non-WoT    Opinion        Politix   
Lavrov: Russia does not consider Turkey a strategic ally, despite the partnership between the two countries
Today's Headlines
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Page 2: WoT Background
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Page 3: Non-WoT
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 6: Politix
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Arabia
Pompeo: We hope SaudiArabia will consider normalizing its relationships with Israel
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 10/15/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Saudi Arabia


Britain
British firm under fire over bulldozers used to demolish Palestinian homes
[IsraelTimes] Sale may have been in breach of OECD guidelines, UK government body says; the company, JCB, can challenge ruling or enter into mediation with rights activists.

The sale of British heavy machinery that was used by the Israeli army to demolish Paleostinian structures in the West Bank may have been in breach of OECD guidelines, a UK government body said Monday.

A complaint had been lodged against the company, JCB, by the Lawyers for Paleostinian Human Rights organization in December 2019, using a UK government complaints system that was created to allow individuals and groups to challenge multinationals seen not to be keeping to the standards set by the OECD, The Guardian reported.

According to those guidelines, multinationals must "seek ways to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights
...which are usually open to widely divergent definitions...
impacts that are directly linked to their business operations, products or services by a business relationship, even if they do not contribute to those impacts."

Israel says the demolitions target illegally built units and the homes of suspected bandidos murderous Moslems as well as structures used to attack Israeli forces.

An April 2019 UN study said that building permits for Paleostinians in the West Bank are "virtually impossible" to obtain and the result is a chronic housing shortage.

The National Contact Point, part of the British Foreign Office, announced on Monday that it believed JCB must account for the case, adding that the claims were "material and substantiated."

The heavy machinery company had rebutted the claim, saying that not only was it not responsible for the way the equipment was used after its sale, but that it had also been used for positive purposes such as the building of hospitals, roads and schools. There were no further details given on the location of those infrastructure projects.

According to The Guardian, JCB said it sold the equipment to Comasco, a third-party distributor in Israel, and has no responsibility over what was later done with the machinery.

JCB, which has donated millions of pounds to the Conservative Party and is chaired by Tory peer Anthony Bamford, can challenge the ruling or enter into a mediation process with Lawyers for Paleostinian Human Rights.

"JCB’s apparent failure to address the material and prolific use of its products in demolition and displacement incidents that cruelly impacts Paleostinian families, and also its use in settlement-related construction which creates pervasive human rights violations, must cease immediately," Tareq Shrourou, director of Lawyers for Paleostinian Human Rights, told The Guardian.

"We look forward to constructively engaging with JCB and expect it will do the right thing by complying with its human rights responsibilities," Shrourou said.

JCB is not the only heavy machinery firm to face questions over the use of its equipment by Israel.

Earlier this year, more than 60 Democrats in the US House of Representatives pushed the Trump administration to pressure Israel over its use of American-made equipment to demolish Paleostinian homes. It’s not clear whether Israel currently uses US equipment in the home demolitions but in the past it has used Caterpillar land moving equipment, making the company a prominent target for the Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment (BDS) movement.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/15/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Bulldozers + Paleostinians = St. Pancake? You forgot the blueberries, mate...
Posted by: Raj || 10/15/2020 0:43 Comments || Top||

#2  OECD guidelines - Obsessive European Compulsive Disorder?
Posted by: SteveS || 10/15/2020 10:20 Comments || Top||

#3  They could always ask the Indians if Mahindra wants the contract.
Posted by: magpie || 10/15/2020 10:26 Comments || Top||

#4  Put it up for bid screw the Brit wonks.
Posted by: jpal || 10/15/2020 13:04 Comments || Top||

#5  Anybody got a pic of Netanyahu wearing a Cat Hat? Or John Deere Green if you prefer.
Posted by: Matt || 10/15/2020 14:14 Comments || Top||

#6  Rachel is the Queen of Palestine-a
Every day you'll find her in the diner
Although she's big and round
She's never gained a pound
"But, sir, it's just been ground!"
etc.

Posted by: Hupolunter Turkeyneck1559 || 10/15/2020 15:21 Comments || Top||


The Grand Turk
At a terrible-looking nightclub in Turkey, Hamza commanders' bodyguards drunkenly shuffle around while a DJ shouts out their names and then ''Hamza''
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 10/15/2020 00:43 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte

#1  No alcohol, but probably plenty of battlefield drugs...
Posted by: M. Murcek || 10/15/2020 8:11 Comments || Top||

#2  Lions of Islam honoring the foster brother, companion and paternal uncle of the prophet Muhammad. He was martyred in the Battle of Uhud on 22 March 625 (3 Shawwal 3 hijri). Alcohol is permitted in these ceremonies.
Posted by: jpal || 10/15/2020 12:53 Comments || Top||

#3 
Posted by: swksvolFF || 10/15/2020 22:49 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
Portland City Council is discussing practice of releasing booking photos for public record
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 10/15/2020 00:16 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Antifa/BLM

#1  I guess they finally understand Felony arrests & Mugshots have a Life-Long repercussion for trusted positions like teachers, politicians and Trusted access.

Plus it allows Bloggers and law enforcement agencies to use Facial Recognition to verify the true names, previous arrests. and Subversive attendances.

eg. Like the those from OUT OF STATE that traveled to the West Coast to commit INTER-STATE Criminal activities. Besides placing them under FBI jurisdiction, it lets everyone back home also know.
Posted by: NN2N1 || 10/15/2020 6:28 Comments || Top||

#2  Owners protecting their rabid attack dogs.
Posted by: Gleamp Ulolutch2851 || 10/15/2020 6:39 Comments || Top||

#3  This is an easy fix: All night time booking handled by Sheriff's Dept. through a central "night booking facility." The city cops are stretched thin, and this is just the Sheriff easing that strain. Out of city council's hands completely.
Posted by: M. Murcek || 10/15/2020 7:00 Comments || Top||


Iraq
Kadhimi receives invitation letter from Turkish President Erdogan to pay official visit to Turkey
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by: Fred || 10/15/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
1,300 new settlement homes get final approval
[IsraelTimes] The Civil Administration has advanced approval for 2,166 new homes in settlements across the West Bank, official figures show, ending an eight-month lull in settlement expansion.

Many of the approved homes are in isolated areas of the West Bank outside of settlement blocs that Israel may hold onto in a future peace deal.

A total of 1,313 homes were given final approval, while another 853 were okayed for an advanced planning stage. Among those are over 500 homes in Har Gilo, south of Jerusalem, which will grow from 1,600 homes once given final approval.

The settlement of Kfar Adumim, east of Jerusalem, says it has gotten approval to add 132 new homes.

The Peace Now organization says the settlement uptick signals Israel’s rejection of Paleostinian statehood and deals a blow to hopes of a wider Israeli-Arab peace.

"Netanyahu is moving ahead at full steam toward solidifying the de facto annexation of the West Bank," it said in a statement ahead of Wednesday’s decisions.

A similar number of homes are up for approval at another meeting Thursday.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/15/2020 02:44 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


U.S. and U.N. Say Lebanon and Israel Held 'Productive Talks'
The Lebanese view:
[AnNahar] Representatives from the governments of Israel, Leb
...an Iranian colony situated on the eastern Mediterranean, conveniently adjacent to Israel. Formerly inhabited by hardy Phoenecian traders, its official language is now Arabic, with the usual unpleasant side effects. The Leb civil war, between 1975 and 1990, lasted a little over 145 years and produced 120,000 fatalities. The average length of a ceasefire was measured in seconds. The Lebs maintain a precarious sectarian balance among Shiites, Sunnis, and about a dozeen flavors of Christians. It is the home of Hezbollah, which periodically starts a war with the Zionist Entity, gets Beirut pounded to rubble, and then declares victory and has a parade. The Lebs have the curious habit of periodically murdering their heads of state or prime ministers...
, and the United States met on October 14 to launch discussions aimed at "reaching consensus on a common Israel-Lebanon maritime boundary," the U.S. and the U.N. said on Wednesday.  

"During this initial meeting, the representatives held productive talks and reaffirmed their commitment to continue negotiations later this month," a joint statement issued by the Government of the United States and the Office of the U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon said.

The negotiations were mediated and facilitated by the U.S. team, led by Assistant Secretary David Schenker and Ambassador John Desrocher, and hosted by U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis.

The Israeli delegation was headed by Udi Adiri, Director General of the Ministry of Energy. The Lebanese delegation was meanwhile headed by Brigadier General Bassam Yassine, the Lebanese Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

The Israeli view:
Lebanese team refuses to talk to Israelis in maritime border negotiations

[Jpost] The Lebanese side's statements about the meeting emphasized that they are "indirect" and "technical."

Leb’s representatives would not speak directly to the Israeli delegation in the first meeting for negotiations about the border between the countries’ exclusive economic zones on Wednesday, according to the Lebanese side.

The meeting lasted about an hour and a half. The Israeli and Lebanese teams met in tents at the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) headquarters in Naqoura, which is near the border with Israel, with US Ambassador to Algeria John Desrocher mediating.

The US State Department said: "During this initial meeting, the representatives held productive talks and reaffirmed their commitment to continue negotiations later this month."

The Energy Ministry said the sides discussed the format of the negotiations and set a schedule for future meetings, saying the next one will be in the coming weeks. The Lebanese delegation said the next negotiation meeting will take place on October 28, and they will continue every two weeks.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/15/2020 02:44 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Southeast Asia
Thailand is in 'dangerous territory' and faces a 'full-blown crisis', expert warns, as anti-royal protesters face off with police a day after defying the king with three-fingered salutes
Related: Thailand's government announces emergency decree to quell anti-government protesters as riot police clear Bangkok's streets of demonstrators
Posted by: Skidmark || 10/15/2020 11:08 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  three-fingered salutes

Boy Scouts?
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 10/15/2020 16:36 Comments || Top||

#2  The fuggin Mockingjay salute?

Really?
Posted by: swksvolFF || 10/15/2020 16:47 Comments || Top||

#3  And just like that, I'm supporting a monarchy.
2020, please stop!
Posted by: SteveS || 10/15/2020 17:30 Comments || Top||

#4  Why do I feel skeptical about these "pro" democracy movements?

Somehow I wouldn't be surprised to find a Soros or a Xi behind this.
Posted by: AlanC || 10/15/2020 17:43 Comments || Top||

#5  They are telling the king to read between the lines.
Posted by: Bigfoot Prince of the Jutes || 10/15/2020 18:58 Comments || Top||

#6  It used to be you could judge whether a thai restaurant would be good or not depending on if they had a picture of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit on the wall. New king doesn't hold that kind of respect.
Posted by: Bigfoot Prince of the Jutes || 10/15/2020 19:02 Comments || Top||

#7  "Somehow I wouldn't be surprised to find a Soros or a Xi behind this."

You're 180 out on this one. Big Tu is in Xi's pocket and has been for years. The current Thai govt/junta is taking its cues from the CCP on a wide range of issues - including suppression of legitimate protests. Sadly the Domino Theory is playing out about 60 years after the fact as the PRC sets deep hooks into THA, MMR, KHM, and LAO.
Posted by: Bangkok Billy || 10/15/2020 19:18 Comments || Top||

#8  Big Tu is in Xi's pocket and has been for years.

A critical piece of information. Thank you, Bankok Billy.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/15/2020 22:17 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iran reports major cyber attack, no significant damage
[IsraelTimes] Iran’s IRNA news outlet is reporting on a major cyber attack against two government institutions.

A spokesperson says the attack did not cause any significant damage and is being investigated. He says the country has dealt with larger attacks in the past.

Unconfirmed reports in Iranian media earlier pointed to possible attacks on ports and banking, US-funded Radio Farda reports.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/15/2020 02:44 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Tough to hack 486-25 machines, isn't it
Posted by: Raj || 10/15/2020 10:48 Comments || Top||

#2  ^Snort!
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 10/15/2020 11:00 Comments || Top||

#3  Love when a major cyber attack does so little damage that you have to report it to the media.
Posted by: jpal || 10/15/2020 11:08 Comments || Top||



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1Commies
1Govt of Iran
1al-Nusra

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Two weeks of WOT
Thu 2020-10-15
  Lavrov: Russia does not consider Turkey a strategic ally, despite the partnership between the two countries
Wed 2020-10-14
  Denver Local News Bodyguard Who Killed Trump Supporter Bragged About Harassing and Confronting Conservatives in the Past
Tue 2020-10-13
  Vatican to open refugee reception centre in Rome
Mon 2020-10-12
  Osama bin Laden's ex-London spokesman is ‘freed early from 25 year US jail term because he is at high risk from Covid due to his obesity' and 'will return to the UK within weeks'
Sun 2020-10-11
  Iraq reshuffles military chiefs amid escalation of ISIS groups
Sat 2020-10-10
  Elon Musk and the U.S. military plan to build a reusable 7,500mph cargo rocket
Fri 2020-10-09
  US hits Iran’s entire financial sector with sanctions
Thu 2020-10-08
  International mediation meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict set for Geneva
Wed 2020-10-07
  BLM rioters in Los Angeles are breaking into buildings & smashing the glass
Tue 2020-10-06
  Baku demands apology from France after Macron claims Syrian jihadists deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh
Mon 2020-10-05
  DC Antifa ‘Ringleader’ Jason Charter Arrested Again at WalkAway Rally
Sun 2020-10-04
  8 charged in French cryptocurrency scheme to finance jihadis
Sat 2020-10-03
  Iraqi Air Force bombed ISIS terrorist hideouts on the border between Diyala and Salah al-Din
Fri 2020-10-02
  Trump confirms he and Melania test Positive for Covid-Virus
Thu 2020-10-01
  France arrests 29 in anti-terror Syria financing sting

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