Wednesday, September 30, 2015

ISIS harvesting organs of healthy individuals to treat the injured jihadists


Doctors who have joined ISIS are busy harvesting organs and draining the blood of healthy captives to treat the injured jihadists in Raqqa, Syria. This has been revealed by a former prisoner. He has said that surgeons for the terror group removed kidneys and corneas from prisoners and treated them as 'blood banks' for wounded fighters.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 30 September 2015.
The man has also explained how those not strong enough for organ donation were forced to endure daily torture at the hands of barbaric IS militants in Raqqa. He managed to escape four months ago during the confusion and dust created after the prison suffered a direct hit during a counter terrorism raid. He was lucky to escape because the ISIS members fired at them.
There could be some truth in the organ harvesting allegations because, Iraqi ambassador Mohamed Alhakim had earlier claimed that dozens of bodies with surgical incisions and missing body parts had been discovered in shallow mass graves near Mosul.
(Image courtesy wikmediacommons.org)

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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Missile attack on a wedding party in Yemen leaves at least 130 dead


Missiles reportedly hit two tents in a village near the Red Sea port of Mocha, where a wedding party was celebrating the marriage of a man who was linked to the Houthi rebel movement. The death toll in this suspected air strike in Yemen has gone up to at least 130.
This has been reported in bbc.com dated 29 September 2015.
The Saudi-led coalition that has been bombing the rebels for six months has denied responsibility for the attack while the UN has condemned "the disregard shown by all sides for human life" in Yemen. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has, once again, remarked that there was no military solution to the conflict and if allowed to continue, it would only result in more human suffering and destruction.
Till now, nearly 5,000 people, including 2,355 civilians, have been killed in air strikes and fighting on the ground since 26 March. This has happened when Houthi fighters and allied army units forced Yemen's internationally recognized president to flee the country.
Residents of the village of Wahijah, where the attack took place, have revealed that missiles fired by coalition warplanes tore into two tents at the wedding reception. This was confirmed by Yemeni security sources and a senior government official has admitted that it was "a mistake".
Initial reports indicated at least 40 people were killed, many of them women and children. However, the figure was late revised to 130 by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR).
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Sunday, September 27, 2015

France joins the battle against ISIS – launches first air strike in Syria


Till now France had been participating in air strikes against ISIS in Iraq as a part of the US led coalition and had resisted air strikes in Syria because it was felt that such an action would strengthen the hands of Bashar al-Assad. However, the situation has now changed and France has, for the first time, carried out its first airstrikes in Syria.
This has been announced by President Francois Hollande's office and reported in foxnews.com dated 27 September 2015.
The office said that "France has hit Syria" based on information from French reconnaissance flights sent earlier this month. It may be recalled that President Hollande had announced a change in strategy earlier this month because of growing concern about the Syrian refugee crisis. Moreover, it was a question of national defense since France has been attacked and threatened by extremists claiming ties to IS.
Of course, President Francois Hollande has also stressed upon the importance of seeking a political solution for Syria.
Incidentally, while no specifics were provided about the location or timing of the airstrikes, it is understood from French military officials that they would target IS training and logistical sites. The French government has also indicated that even though it is part of the U.S.-led coalition, the decision to select targets rests on France.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Saturday, September 26, 2015

Ukraine imposes sanctions on Moscow - bans Aeroflot and Transaero flights into the country


Ukraine has indicated that with effect from 25 October it will ban Russian airlines Aeroflot and Transaero from flying into the country – it would be a part of sanctions over Moscow's support for rebels in the east. The announcement was made by Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk.
This has been reported in bbc.com dated 25 September 2015.
Moreover, Russian transit flights carrying military personnel or dual-use goods would also be banned. Moscow has termed the move as "an act of madness" and has promised a firm response.
Ukraine has already imposed sanctions against 400 people and 90 legal entities - most of them from Russia – who were held responsible for Moscow's annexation of Crimea in March 2014 and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Of course, in a separate development, Ukraine and Russia have reached an agreement on supplies of natural gas to Kiev for the coming winter, ending months of tough negotiations. The deal was brokered by the European Union and was initialed in Brussels.
It requires more refinement before it can be signed.
It may be recalled that past gas disputes between Russia and Ukraine have led to interruptions in supply and had resulted in major disruptions in shipments of Russian gas to EU countries.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Friday, September 25, 2015

United States and Australia warn about possible terror attack in Kuala Lumpur


Jalan Alor is a popular hawker street in Kuala Lumpur frequented by tourists and foreigners and the U.S. and Australian embassies have warned the authorities about a possible terror attack at a popular hawker street in the city.
This has been reported in foxnews.com dated 25 September 2015.
Taking cognizance of the warnings, the Malaysian police have detained three men, including two foreigners, for questioning. They are a Malaysian, an Indonesian and a Syrian, aged between 30 and 51 years. They were picked as part of an ongoing counter terrorism operation.
One of them often visited Yemen and had entered Malaysia a few days ago. Investigation is on to determine if they are involved in any plans to launch attacks in Malaysia.
In view of the threat, police have intensified security in popular public places and other strategic locations.
The US had warned people to avoid Alor Street which is located in a shopping belt in the city center and its immediate surrounding areas. Terrorist organizations had, in the past, planned attacks to coincide with significant dates.
(Image courtesy wikmediacommons.org)

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Thursday, September 24, 2015

At least 710 Haj-pilgrims killed and over 860 injured in stampede of stoning Satan in city of Mina


#HajPilgrimage #MinaStampede #Mecca Every year thousands of pilgrims go for Haj pilgrimage to Mecca and the pilgrimage ends by performing the ritual of stoning Satan. There is always a mad rush and stampede and this year, at least 710 persons have been killed and over 860 injured in the annual event in the city of Mina.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 24 September 2015.
Saudi Arabia's civil defense service has indicated that rescue operations were under way after the stampede in Mina. It seems there were nearly two million pilgrims were taking part in the last major rite of the Hajj.
The Hajj is among the five pillars of Islam and every capable Muslim is expected to perform it at least once in his lifetime.
The tragedy occurred in a morning surge of pilgrims at the intersection of streets 204 and 223 when the faithful were making their way toward a large structure overlooking the columns. Consequent to the stampede, over 220 rescue vehicles and some 100,000 police and members of the emergency services were deployed to try and ease the congestion and provide alternative exit routes.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Huge rat-size spiders invade Cheshire – residents in panic


Residents of Macclesfield in Cheshire are in panic after giant spiders, some of them as big as rats, have invaded their homes. Reports of these specimens in Britain's homes have suddenly rocketed probably because the creatures try to escape the cold weather outside.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 23 September 2015.
In the opinion of experts, the warm and wet summer has led to explosion in the size of the arachnids that are now creeping indoors. Local residents have reported seeing huge spiders in their homes over the last week.
One of them has taken a picture of a huge spider estimated to be having a six or seven-inch leg span – it was found in the spare bedroom. The bite of these giant house spiders is similar to the sting of a bee and it can even pierce the skin.
Claire Rind, an expert in invertebrate neurobiology from Newcastle University, has warned that Britain is seeing 'particularly big' house spiders at the moment. Her reasons are a rather nice warm and wet summer which have given rise to plenty of insects and other invertebrates that the spiders usually prey on.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Gunmen abduct foreigners from a Philippine island resort, an American and a Japanese jump to safety


It was a planned kidnapping of two Canadians, including a former mining company executive, a Filipino woman and the Norwegian manager. An American and his Japanese companion also were targeted but they jumped into the waters and escaped. The kidnapping was carried out by a gang of at least 11 men who were armed with pistols. They arrived on a motorboat and entered the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort on Samal Island off Davao City.
This has been reported in foxnews.com dated 22 September 2015.
The resort complex is located on a southern Philippine island and the kidnapping has sparked an extensive air and sea search by the authorities.
The gunmen tried to seize an American and his Japanese companion who were on one of the yachts docked at the marina, but they resisted and escaped by jumping off the boat suffering minor injuries in their struggle to break free from the kidnappers.
The victims have been identified but no one has claimed responsibility so far. Al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants have been active for years in the region. They have resorted to kidnapping in the past and are still holding two Malaysians, and a Dutch bird watcher who had been kidnapped nearly three years ago, apart from a town mayor. They are believed to be held by the militants in their jungle bases in southern Sulu province.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Monday, September 21, 2015

President Putin wants to set up airbase in Belarus but Belarus does not approve


Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to establish a Russian military air base in neighboring Belarus. But, while Belarus does not approve of a Russian base, it is helpless because the former Soviet republic continues to remains dependent on Moscow for credit and energy. And, the Russian move would unnerve Poland and the Baltic nations.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 20 September 2015.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has not commented on Putin's initiative but, the two presidents had met in the southern Russian city of Sochi and President Putin has ordered his Defense Ministry to hold talks with their Belarusian counterparts and sign the agreement.
Russia has radar and a navy communications facility in Belarus, but this would be the first airbase. Belarus has its advantages and is a desirable location for Russia because it borders Ukraine and three members of the European Union and NATO: Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.
Moreover setting up such a base is not new. The idea of setting up an airbase in the ex-Soviet republic had been revealed by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in 2013. It follows a 2009 agreement under which Russia and Belarus had agreed to defend their common external frontier and airspace.
The proposed base would be used to station Su-27 fighters.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Sunday, September 20, 2015

Russia sends fighter jets to Syria to bolster Assad’s defenses


The situation in Syria continues to get complicated with every passing day because Russia has apparently sent at least four fighter jets to Syria in order to bolster the embattled forces of Bashar al Assad. Moscow has already dispatched troops and military hardware and these include helicopter gunships, tanks and nearly 500 Russian marines. These have been sent to an airfield near the Syrian port city of Latakia.
This has been reported in news.fox.com dated 19 September 2015.
The build-up has coincided with Syrian government planes launching a second round of airstrikes against Islamic State positions in Palmyra and killing at least 26 people.
US Secretary of State John Kerry after talks in London with Foreign Minister Philip Hammond has indicated that the build-up is disturbing. In the opinion of John Kerry, the presence of aircraft with air-to-air combat capacity and surface-to-air missiles in the region raises serious questions.
While one US official has revealed that four tactical Russian fighter jets have now been sent to Syria, another US official has confirmed the presence of multiple jets, but has not put a number on how many.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Saturday, September 19, 2015

Death toll rises to 193 in fuel tanker explosion in South Sudan


The death toll in South Sudan’s fuel tanker explosion has risen to 193 and the government has declared three days of mourning. It has been confirmed by Patrick Raphael Zamoi, the governor of Western Equatoria state where the explosion happened that more injured have succumbed to the inevitable.
This has been reported in indianexpress.com dated 19 September 2015.
It seems hundreds of people had collected to scoop the gasoline from a leaking truck which had veered into a ditch outside Maridi town when, suddenly, the tank exploded due to unknown reasons.
In the opinion of Zamoi, the death toll could go up even further because the official count is only includes those who died on the spot or in hospital and there could be many more still unaccounted for or may have died at home.
Incidentally, such fuel tanker explosions are common in East Africa, where the poor residents who live near the highways converge around fuel tankers after accidents in order to steal gas – it is apparently a way of life for them.
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Friday, September 18, 2015

Taliban attacks mosque in Peshawar Air Force base and leaves 20 dead


A Taliban attack on a mosque inside Pakistan Air Force base in Badaber, Peshawar has left at least 20 dead – 16 of them are believed to be worshippers and the others include three guards employed by the air force and an army captain.
This has been reported in foxnews.com dated 18 September 2015.
In this brazen Taliban attack, the worshippers were gunned down by the militants when they stormed the mosque inside the compound during prayers.
The attack led to an hours-long firefight at the base and the Pakistani forces claimed to have killed 13 of the attackers – the total number of attackers has yet to be ascertained. It is understood that 10 soldiers were wounded in the firefight with militants, along with an unspecified number of civilians.
Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement to the media, the spokesman has revealed that there were 14 Taliban fighters involved in the assault. They offered "safe passage" to women and children after attacking the base.
The attack is perceived as a major blow for Pakistan's military. It had intensified its operations against the militants after the horrific Taliban attack last December at a Peshawar school in which 150 people died and most of them were children.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Thursday, September 17, 2015

Riot police ineffective to control influx of refugees into Croatia


Riot police were ineffective to hold back the latest influx of refugees and migrants that has been pushing into Croatia and I excess of 6,000 migrants have entered Croatia because many were unable to cross he borders and enter Hungary from Serbia. AS a result, the Croatian interior minister was forced to announce that his country could not accept any more people.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 17 September 2015.
Nearly 2,000 migrants and refugees had gathered at Croatia's Tovarnik railway station waiting for onward travel while heavily armed police officers initially held back a large crowd who had been told transport was available. It was a torture for the children who were in tears as they struggled to cope with the crush. The guards had to, eventually, allow hundreds of people through because they were not able to maintain control.
Similarly in Batina where the border guards had to stand down after hundreds of more refugees broke through the frontier with Serbia.
Incidentally, Croatia had joined the EU in 2013 as its newest member and had, initially, indicated that it would not halt the passage of refugees heading further into the bloc. And, they are now relenting.
(Image curtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Russia instigates the US – positions T-90 battle tanks at Syrian airport


In yet another instance of instigation, Russia has positioned seven numbers of T-90 battle tanks at a Syrian airfield near Latakia in order to bolster the forces of President Bashar al Assad. This news has come after news last week that Russia was bolstering Syria's embattled national forces.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 14 September 2015.
The range of equipment believed to have been deployed by Moscow include two tank landing ships and extra aircraft, along with a small number of naval infantry forces. The aim of the Russian military build-up is not very clear. In the opinion of a US official, the purpose could be to help rebuild or defend the airfield.
Damascus has denied that Russian forces were involved in combat, but the fact remains that the number of Russian "experts" had increased in the past year. Syria's ambassador to Moscow has reiterated that talks of Russian troops on the ground is "a lie".
From all appearances it looks likely that Russia is rebuilding two significant airfields including the one outside Latakia. And, these are now being defended with these Russian-manned Russian tanks. An infantry battalion of around 1,000 men has been deployed in western Syria to defend the port of Tartus.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Monday, September 14, 2015

Pope Francis visiting US between 22 and 27 September – security beefed up


Homeland Security has already taken care of one security threat to Pope Francis who is scheduled to visit the US between 22 and 27 September and has taken necessary measures to beef up security at outdoor events that he would be attending.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 14 September 2015.
Congressman Michael McCaul, head of the House Homeland Security Committee, has revealed that one potential threat has already been stopped and that authorities were monitoring others. He has added that the Pope is a very passionate man and likes to get out with the people which carries a large security risk.
The US Department of Homeland Security has indicated that the visit will be a National Special Security Event which means the Secret Service will head the planning of security. These security checks would include airspace restrictions, screening checkpoints and a ban on balloons, selfie sticks and backpacks at papal events.
The pontiff will get a plane-side greeting from President Barack Obama in Washington DC on 22 September, and would become the third pope to visit the White House.
His schedule is to give a speech to the Senate and House of Representatives, address world leaders at the United Nations, preside over a service at the 9/11 memorial in New York and celebrate Mass at Madison Square Garden.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Sunday, September 13, 2015

Russia’s game plan not clear – it sends Pantsir-S missile system to Syria


The game plan of Russia remains in mystery because, while it has urged the US to engage in military co-operation, it is believed to be sending an advanced anti-aircraft missile system to Syria. This dispatch of the missile system has been confirmed by two Western officials. A Russian source has described the system as Pantsir-S missiles that are sent to the war-torn country where the US has been engaging in airstrikes on Islamic State.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 13 September 2015.
The anti-aircraft system would be under control and be operated by Russian troops, rather than Syrians. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has clarified that his country was sending equipment to help Syrian President Bashar al Assad fight Islamic State. He has added that Russian servicemen were in Syria primarily to help service that equipment and teach Syrian soldiers how to use it.
Russia is also staging naval exercises off Syria's coast. Russia is an ally of Syria and it already has a Mediterranean naval base at Tartus on the Syrian coast which it would try to defend. As per information with the United States, there are about 200 Russian naval infantry forces presently stationed in Latakia on the coast in government-held Syria. The majority of the forces were engaged in reviving the airfield for future use.
Incidentally, the Syrian civil war has left 250,000 people dead, has divided the nation and has turned half of Syria's 23 million people into refugees – most of them are seeking asylum in European countries.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Thursday, September 10, 2015

Syrian ISIS terrorist plans to sneak into Britain through Calais


It has been rumored that a Syrian man, probably an ISIS agent, is trying to creep into Britain through the Calais route. The man is believed to be sleeping rough in Calais' Jungle migrant camp and hopes to sneak into the UK to commit acts of terror.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 10 September 2015.
French media has disclosed that the man, categorized as a 'category S' criminal, is being hunted by armed police in the northern port town. The gradation means he is considered a potential threat to the state.
The French police dossier include his photograph along with a physical description, a list of his alleged activities and notes to police officers on the precise nature on the potential risks involved while approaching him. He is believed to have left Syria late last month and had travelled overland to northern France and, now, hopes to sneak aboard a ferry or Channel Tunnel train to Britain.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Jewellry store robbery in London – shopkeepers put up a fight but robbers flee with 15-Kg of gold


It was a gang of six raiders on a smash and grab mission and they arrived on mopeds and armed with knives and hammers – their target was The Jeweller, in Kingsbury, north London. However, local shopkeepers put up a spirited fight to chase away the raiders’ but they decamped with £20,000 worth of gold.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 8 September 2015.
As revealed by footage captured by an onlooker, the staff inside the jewelry shop tried to defend themselves with baseball bats and the customers fled. But, around 40 fellow shopkeepers and members of the community gathered to defend the shop.
One of them man threw a meat cleaver at the robbers, and others launched shopping trolleys, and pallets as they chased the gang away along the Kingsbury Road. One of the robbers appears to lose balance and is kicked off the moped by one of the shopkeepers. All of them are believed to be from nearby Iraqi-run businesses.
The rest of the gang fled, scattering gold as they went, which was then picked up the rest of the businessmen and returned to the owners of The Jeweller. However, at least 15-Kg of gold jewellery was stolen from the cabinets in the raid.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Tuesday, September 8, 2015

This is the age of drone warfare - pick and eliminate the jihadists from miles away


It is now the age of drone warfare as two of the British jihadists killed in Syria were blitzed by a drone that was controlled by RAF pilots sitting 3,000 miles away in Lincolnshire. The controversial £10million Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was controlled from a hi-tech control hub at RAF Waddington.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 8 September 2015.
The unsuspecting jihadists had gone in a vehicle in Raqqa, capital of the so-called Islamic State, where they were eliminated by a laser-guided Hellfire missile. The pilots from 13 Squadron had ordered the craft – about the size of a small executive jet – to carry out airstrikes from a height of up to 50,000ft using its fearsome arsenal.
British warplanes – drones and RAF Tornados GR4 jets – have so far killed nearly 250 militants during more than 1,200 missions in Iraq as a part of their battle to crush IS and RAF commanders have used the Reaper, Britain's only armed UAV, to destroy over 100 enemy targets.
Britain has ten Reapers in the conflict zone and, once one of these is launched from conventional runways at an airbase in Kuwait, they are controlled from Waddington. It takes only a few seconds to act against terrorist leaders and militants instead of waiting for a conventional strike aircraft to arrive.
(Image courtesy wikmediacommons.org)

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Monday, September 7, 2015

RAF readies to strike ISIS in Syria to check flow of refugees into Europe


The problem of influx of Syrian refugees into Europe has become a major issue for Europe and, there are indications that Britain could authorize airstrikes in Syria within weeks in order to take on the ISIS militants and stem the flow. Prime Minister David Cameron, Chancellor George Osborne, Defense Secretary Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond have apparently agreed that there is a 'strong case' for action in Syria and in neighboring Iraq.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 7 September 2015.
However, such an action would needed the approval of the Commons and dozens of Tory MPs could oppose the plan. In that case, David Cameron would have to rely on the support of Labour MPs. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has signaled that she could extend support to the bombing raids as part of a long-term plan to end the bloody conflict in Syria.
It may be recalled that David Cameron had tried as far back as 2013 to authorize strikes but was humiliated when Tory rebels joined with Labour to vote down a plan to launch missile strikes against the Assad regime. As a result, the PM had to retreat and it damaged relations with US President Barack Obama who had to go it alone in sending jets into Syrian airspace.
The situation is now different and the public outrage at the refugee crisis fueled by the rise of ISIS has put the issue back on the table and everyone wants positive action.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Sunday, September 6, 2015

US warns Russia about it setting up a ‘forward operating base’ in war torn Syria


#syria #ISIS #johnkerry #Latakia It is understood that the United States has warned Moscow about dangers of increased aid to the government of Syria amid multiple reports that soldiers from Russia had begun to participate in the country's civil war.
Secretary of State John Kerry has called upon hid counterpart Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and had issued a warning about the increased presence of the Russian military in the war-torn country of Syria.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 6 September 2015.
The rumors are that Russia has built an air traffic control tower and housing in western Syria for setting up a 'forward operating base'. Russian government have already admitted to sending its advisers, specialists and weapons to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, but does not accept that its soldiers are actively involved in Syria’s battle against various rebel groups.
Incidentally, Russia has requested air right from surrounding countries to fly military cargo to their airfield near the Syrian city of Latakia. Moreover, it also maintains a naval base in the port city of Tartus.
Obviously, the world leaders must maintain calm and restraint and keep a check on activities that could aggravate the existing volatile situation in Syria and, added to the threats of the ISIS, it needs handing with care and caution.
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Saturday, September 5, 2015

Russia keeps tensions alive – its military research vessel Yantar seen of US coast


The Yantar, a Russian research military vessel, has been tracked near a Georgia submarine base – the Yantar is believed to be a deep-sea surveillance craft and is capable of cutting underwater cables. This vessel is being monitored by the US military. It has been sailing close to a ballistic missile submarine base and underwater transit routes and has been tracked since late August as it moved from the north Atlantic near Canada towards Cuba.
This has been revealed by Pentagon officials and reported in news.sky.com dated 5 September 2015. Defense officials feel that it is gathering intelligence on underwater sensors and other equipment used by US nuclear submarines stationed at Kings Bay, Georgia.
The vessel is part of Russia's underwater reconnaissance program probably meant to identify undersea communications lines, which could be used to disrupt US military operations. The Yantar was around 300 miles off the US coast, and remains in international waters.
Kings Bay in Georgia holds six Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. Each of these are capable of firing 24 Trident intercontinental ballistic missiles. Moreover, there are two guided-missile submarines which fire Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Incidentally, US also has similar intelligence ships off the coast of Russia – those are identified as ‘oceanographic ships' for studying whales.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Friday, September 4, 2015

Tourists to Morocco told by Foreign Office to be vigilant about possible terror attacks


Every year nearly 500,000 Britons travel to Morocco and the Foreign Office has warned travelers there is a high threat from terrorism in the city after an increase in the number of locals who either sympathize with or belong to international terrorism groups in Syria, Iraq and Libya.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 4 September 2015.
The updated advice has been issued to warn people visiting the African country to be vigilant at this time and, even though most of the trips are trouble-free, the fact remains that attacks could be indiscriminate and could happen in places frequented by foreigners.
The caution makes it amply clear that there is a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals. These threats come from groups or individuals who are motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. Therefore, everyone should be vigilant.
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Thursday, September 3, 2015

Robber gang in Paris blows Devil’s Breath on people to rob them


A new robber gang is on the prowl in Paris – they blow a powder known as Devil’s Breath into the face of the victim who goes into a zombie like trance and lose their valuables. The Triad-style gang is believed to be using a powerful Colombian drug popularly known as 'The Devil's Breath'. The gang consists of two Chinese women, aged 42 and 59, and a man. They have allegedly targeted dozens of people in this fashion.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 2 September 2015.
Once the powder is blown into their faces on the street, the victims transform into a hypnotic state 'under total sway' of their attackers. It seems one victim had parted with over £73,500 in valuables and cash alone.
The drug is known as Scopolamine (in Colombia it is called as 'The Devil's Breath') and it is considered to be one of the most dangerous drugs in the world. It results in people losing their free will and, if the dose is high, it could be fatal.
Scopolamine is odorless and tasteless and had been used by CIA to extract information from suspects. The drug turns people into complete zombies and blocks memories from forming. The victims have no recollection if what happened even after the effect of the drug wears off.
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