vioncentral-blog

[vioncentral-blog]

Why One Catalan City Has Declared Spanish King Felipe VI Persona Non Grata

https://www.vionafrica.cf/why-one-catalan-city-has-declared-spanish-king-felipe-vi-persona-non-grata/

Why One Catalan City Has Declared Spanish King Felipe VI Persona Non Grata

Oriol Amorós, a representative of the Republican Left of Catalonia party (ERC) told Spanish website Sputnik Mundo that it is a "symbolic gesture which demonstrates the rejection of the King's words and actions."

Ana Surra, a Spanish MP from the same party elaborated that it means the autonomous community of Catalonia wants to declare itself a Republic.

According to both deputies, in the Catalan issue, King Felipe VI has deviated from his responsibility of an "arbitrator and conciliator in the permanent activities of the state bodies," including the Catalan Generalitat, assigned by the Constitution.

© AP Photo/ Spain's Royal PalaceIn this image taken from video released by Spanish Royal Palace, Spain's King Felipe VI delivers a speech on television from Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017.

"The King's televised address expressed exactly what could have been written by the ruling Spanish party [the People's Party, Partido Popular], which enjoys only 8 percent of public support in Catalonia. However it said nothing about any possible conciliation of parties," Oriol Amorós told Sputnik.

This decision of Catalonia’s Girona City Council won't have any impact on the movements of the monarch; he may visit the city any time he wants to, said Luis Rivas, Sputnik Mundo columnist and former Director of Information at EuroNews. He called it a political announcement, a result of the ongoing developments in the region.

The journalist also suggested that it has a certain connection with the upcoming football match between the Girona FC and Real Madrid, which is scheduled for October 29.

"The sporting event is to be turned into a political statement to the whole world and to the foreign mass media," Luis Rivas concluded.

© REUTERS/ Ivan AlvaradoInvoking Article 155 Is 'Worst Attack' on Catalonia in CenturiesOn Wednesday, Catalonia’s Girona City Council declared Spanish King Felipe VI persona non grata for his support of the decision of the Spanish central authorities to impose tough measures on Catalonia, including the suspension of its autonomy, in the wake of the independence referendum the region held earlier this month.

Earlier this week, Spanish central government decided to invoke Article 155 of the Spanish constitution due to Catalonia's push for independence, which could suspend the region's autonomy. The Spanish central government also suggested dissolving the Catalan government and holding snap elections to the regional parliament.

The Catalan authorities vowed to appeal Madrid's decision in the Constitutional Court.

[vioncentral-blog]

At Least Four Dead as Train Collides With Army Vehicle in Finland

https://www.vionafrica.cf/train-crashes-in-finland-several-reported-dead/

At Least Four Dead as Train Collides With Army Vehicle in Finland

Four people were killed and eight injured in a crash at a railroad crossing, as a passenger train from Karis to Hanko collided with a military transport vehicle at a crossing in Skogby near Highway 25 west of Ekenäs, Finnish national broadcaster Yle reported.

The local police confirmed the accident, adding that around ten units from the rescue service and police have been called to the site.

Raasepori: 4 dead and many injured in a railway accident between local train and an army vehicle.

— Poliisi LänsiUusimaa (@LUpoliisi) October 26, 2017

Finnish Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö said that Thursday "had started with a shocking news" and said he felt "ultimate grief”.

Aamu alkoi järkyttävällä uutisella Raaseporista. Päällimmäisenä suru.

— Jussi Niinistö (@jniinisto) 26 октября 2017 г.

En #sorg'ens dag, #tågolycka i Skogby. https://t.co/A1nXPaZmaS #olycka #raseborg

— Pia Fredriksson (@Pia_Fredr) October 26, 2017

JUST NU: Dödssiffran stiger efter olyckan i Finland – fyra personer bekräftas dödahttps://t.co/SxKeHeeocS pic.twitter.com/KhGlGyIo2v

— Aftonbladet (@Aftonbladet) October 26, 2017

The accident occurred around eight in the morning local time. Trains between the cities of Karja and Hanko have been suspended. Brigadian commander Arvi Tavaila said that the vehicle involved in the accident participated in a local drill. A press conference will be summoned at 12 o'clock local time.

Jos joku ei tiedä millainen on #Pasi miehistönkuljetusvaunu, joka törmäsi junan kanssa niin tässä kuva. Pelätään lukuisia uhreja #Raasepori pic.twitter.com/AR37Es74c1

— Vesa Suonsyrjä (@VesaSuonsyrja) October 26, 2017​

#Raasepori #tasoristeysonnettomuus #Masi on tämän näköinen ajoneuvo. Varusmiehet istuvat pressulla peitetyllä lavalla. pic.twitter.com/mORvx5y8XS

— Janne K. (@JanneKfin) October 26, 2017​

Jos tämä on se paikka, niin eihän tuosta näekään kunnolla.https://t.co/ehauwyng91 #raasepori pic.twitter.com/6i35xrO2c1

— Vesa Lindell (@LindeVes) October 26, 2017

​Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, expressed his condolences to friends and relatives of the victims of the Raseborg railway accident.

READ MORE: Ten Injured in Train, Truck Crash in Siberia

Exactly one month ago, on September 26, a tank involved in the Aurora-2017 exercises collided with a passenger train near the town of Trosa, south-west of the Swedish capital. Four people were injured: three tank crew members and a train driver.

[vioncentral-blog]

Russian Armed Forces Receive S-400 Regiment, Another Expected by Year-End

https://www.vionafrica.cf/russian-armed-forces-receive-s-400-regiment-another-expected-by-year-end/

Russian Armed Forces Receive S-400 Regiment, Another Expected by Year-End

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Almaz-Antey concern, which manufactures the systems, said in a statment: "as part of its obligations [to fulfill its] state defense order, transferred a regular (second for October and third for 2017) regiment of S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems to the Russian Defense Ministry," the manufacturer said.

READ MORE: Russia, Saudi Arabia Agree on S-400, Other Weapons Deliveries

"By the end of 2017, the company will supply the Russian Defense Ministry with another S-400 regiment. Thus, this year the state customer will have been sent four [artillery] regiments equipped with the system," it said.

© Sputnik/ Grigoriy SisoevS-400 Triumf anti-aircraft weapon systems during combat duty drills of the surface to air-misile regiment in the Moscow Region.

The S-400 Triumph is designed for highly effective protection against air strikes, strategic, cruise, tactical and operational-tactical ballistic missiles as well as medium-range ballistic missiles in combat and radio electronic countermeasures.

The S-400 systems were delivered to Syria in November 2015, after the Turkish Air Force shot down the Russian Su-24 bomber near the Syrian border. The systems are protecting the Hmeymim airbase useed by the Russian air power for strikes against terrorists in the country.

© Sputnik/ The S-400 Triumf Mobile Multiple Anti-Aircraft Missile System (AAMS)

[vioncentral-blog]

Nearly 60 Percent of Americans Think Mainstream Media Coverage Biased - Poll

https://www.vionafrica.cf/nearly-60-percent-of-americans-think-mainstream-media-coverage-biased-poll/

Nearly 60 Percent of Americans Think Mainstream Media Coverage Biased - Poll

A staggering 59 percent of Americans believe that MSM coverage of international and domestic agenda in their country is biased and incredible, according to a poll conducted by renowned French pollster Ifop (French Institute of Public Opinion).

Ifop interviewed respondents, asking them, "Do you think the mainstream media in the US cover international and domestic events fairly, or do you think coverage is unfairly influenced by the likes of politicians or big business?"

© Sputnik/ Americans' trust of media

According to the poll, 27 percent believe that MSM coverage of foreign and domestic events is fair while the rest, 14 percent said they don’t know. At the same time, the share of those mistrusting mainstream media coverage in the US has grown six percent over the past two-and-a-half year, compared to the results of an ICM Research poll in May 2015.

© AP Photo/ Pablo Martinez MonsivaisExposed: Project Veritas Takes on Mainstream Media’s ‘Coercive Nature’The Ifop survey was conducted in the wake of the ongoing allegations in the US mainstream media about Russia’s interference with the 2016 presidential election and its attempts to influence domestic politics. The results of the poll show that while MSM continue bashing Russia, providing no single piece of evidence to back up their claims, their credibility in the eyes of their domestic audience is sinking.

One of the most recent and glaring examples of this Russia bashing was a story by The Washington Post that claimed that a Google investigation had uncovered Russia’s attempts to influence the election by purchasing digital ads on YouTube, Gmail and other platforms. The newspaper cited unnamed "people familiar with the investigation" while the company refused to comment. The report has not been confirmed since it was published in early October.

READ MORE: Facebook, Twitter and Google Deserve Scrutiny, but Not the Way Congress Wants

What is also remarkable about the Ifop survey is that it revealed that 75 percent of those who voted for Donald Trump do not believe MSM, almost twice as much as among Hillary Clinton’s supporters (38 percent). These results are quite understandable. Trump and members of his team since his presidential campaign have been intensely targeted by MSM for their alleged ties to the Russian government.

In his attempts to counter this spread of misinformation, Trump has contributed a lot to popularize the concept of "fake news," a label the US president has attached to a number of MSM outlets.

Keep hearing about "tiny" amount of money spent on Facebook ads. What about the billions of dollars of Fake News on CNN, ABC, NBC & CBS?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 21 октября 2017 г.

​The survey was commissioned by Sputnik and conducted by Ifop on September 20-27, 2017, interviewing 802 respondents over 18 years of age in the United States.

[vioncentral-blog]

Naval Base Capable of Receiving Any Ships to Be Built on Kurils - Lawmaker

https://www.vionafrica.cf/naval-base-capable-of-receiving-any-ships-to-be-built-on-kurils-lawmaker/

Naval Base Capable of Receiving Any Ships to Be Built on Kurils - Lawmaker

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A naval base that will be built on the Russian Far Eastern Kuril Islands will be capable of receiving any ships, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federal Council's Committee on Defense and Security Frants Klintsevich told Sputnik.

"The base, if it is built, will be able to receive any ships, including capital ships," Klintsevich said, adding that work would start soon.

According to the Senator, it is expected that work on the Navy base will begin in the near future. "Everything goes strictly according to plan, without emergency jerks, the work will begin in near future," he added.

READ MORE: Moscow to Back Russian Businessmen in Creating New Enterprises on Kuril Islands

In February, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the division would be stationed in the archipelago in 2017.

In May 2017, the press service of the Eastern Military District announced that new armaments and military equipment, including drones, were entering the arsenal of the division.

Later, during a visit to Japan, Shoigu pointed out that the division "is being created not against someone, but exclusively for the protection of the territory of the Russian Federation."

[vioncentral-blog]

Xi Solidifies His Power Naming China's New Leadership Without Clear Successor

https://www.vionafrica.cf/xi-solidifies-his-power-naming-chinas-new-leadership-without-clear-successor/

Xi Solidifies His Power Naming China's New Leadership Without Clear Successor

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A day after the 19th National Congress of the CPC concluded on Tuesday, Xi introduced five new members of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC), along with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, at a press conference in Beijing and promised to work hard to be worthy of the trust from other party members.

"Here, on behalf of the newly elected central leadership, I wish to express our heartfelt thanks to all other party members for the trust they have placed in us. We will work diligently to meet our duty, fulfill our mission and be worthy of their trust," Xi said.

On Par With Former Leaders

Xi’s doctrine of governance, known as Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, was enshrined in the revised CPC constitution released following the end of the 19th National Congress of the CPC.

© REUTERS/ Aly SongXi Consolidates Power as New China Leadership Line-up RevealedThe inclusion of Xi’s name in the CPC constitution makes him the second Chinese communist leader to enjoy this honor while still serving as the party’s top leader, after the communist country’s founding father Mao Zedong, also known as Chairman Mao. Former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping’s theory was added to the CPC constitution after his retirement in 1989.

However, political analysts told Sputnik that the importance of adding Xi’s doctrine into the CPC constitution should not be overstated.

"The CPC constitution is more like a piece of paper. It does not offer additional legitimacy. The real foundation for power does not rely on this. Whoever is in charge at the time could have a chance to revise the CPC constitution," Li Datong, a Beijing-based political analyst who served as an editor at the Communist Party newspaper China Youth Daily, told Sputnik.

Establishing Authority

After taking over top CPC leadership as the party’s general secretary in 2012, Xi launched an ambitious campaign to lead the nation toward "the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation," as he tried to establish authority in the world’s most populous nation.

© REUTERS/ China DailyXi Jinping Declares Era of 'National Rejuvenation' in ChinaA key element of Xi’s campaign is his sweeping anti-corruption efforts that punished about 1.34 million grassroots level officials as well as tens of thousands of high ranking officials. While some applauded the anti-corruption campaign as critical to the CPC’s survival in China, many critics argued Xi selectively targeted his political opponents who dared to challenge his power in the party, including former security chief Zhou Yongkang and rising political star Bo Xilai, as well as Lin Jihua, a top aide to former Chinese president Hu Jintao.

Beijing-based expert Li Datong suggested that after five years in office, Xi continues to face opposition from some CPC members.

"If Xi wants to seek another term after 2022, I don’t think anyone would agree. Many people inside the party still don’t agree with Xi, because so many officials are living in fear every day. If you choose the wrong faction, you could face jail time easily. Corruption is so widespread that only those who picked the wrong side were punished," he said.

Lack of Clear Successor

After five new members of the PBSC were revealed Wednesday, a clear distinction from previous lineups was that all of new PBSC members were above 60 years old, which meant none of them would be fit to replace Xi as the top leader of the CPC by the party's 20th congress in 2022 due to age restrictions.

© AP Photo/ Andy WongFormer Deputy Chairman of China's Securities Committee Faces Corruption TrialAccording to unwritten traditions of recent leadership transitions in the CPC, a next generation of top Chinese leader usually gets elevated into the PBSC several years in advance before taking over as the general secretary of the party, as Hu Jintao did in 1992 and Xi did in 2007. And each new generation is expected to serve two terms, or ten years, after taking office. The new members of the PBSC would be too old to serve two consecutive terms from 2022, as PBSC members aged at 68 or older are expected to retire.

Xi’s decision to not name a clear successor in the new PBSC lineup indicates that he has learned lessons on the restrictions an early successor appointment could have on the current leadership, political analysts suggested.

"Both Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping appointed their successors multiple times and both faced a lot of troubles. The leaders after them have learned the lessons, because [appointing a successor] would put a lot of restrictions on the freedom of the current leader… Before making key decisions, you also need to consult with your successor to make sure you don’t hurt him," Ding Xueliang, a political analyst and a social science professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, told Sputnik.

Despite his public image as a strong leader, Xi’s power in China has not reached the level of Deng or Mao, the Hong Kong-based scholar argued.

"He still has a lot to do in the next 5 years before the next National Congress of the CPC to reach the goals in his heart," Ding said.

[vioncentral-blog]

Tesla’s Shift to Shanghai Production Signals Rise of China’s Electric Car Sector

https://www.vionafrica.cf/teslas-shift-to-shanghai-production-signals-rise-of-chinas-electric-car-sector/

Tesla’s Shift to Shanghai Production Signals Rise of China’s Electric Car Sector

Although a Shanghai official in charge of new-energy vehicle projects was quoted as saying on Monday by Bloomberg that "there is no such agreement," Tesla's continuing interest in having its own China plant suggests that China will further open up its emerging market to global auto producers.

© Sputnik/ Ahmad BadrTesla Take Note: Egyptian Students Invent $800 Electric Car (PHOTO)

Since 1994, China has required foreign automakers to operate in joint ventures, in hopes its domestic companies could benefit from technology transfers through jointly operated factories. If the WSJ report is true, Tesla, hotly pursued by Chinese consumers, would be the first among foreign electric-car makers to build its own factory in China.

Tesla did not confirm the news but instead restated that it expected to more clearly define its plans for production in China by the end of the year. Although no further details were disclosed, the opening up of China's electric vehicle market to foreign companies is an irreversible trend.

The move would drastically cut costs for foreign electric-car makers and improve their competitiveness in China's fast-growing electric vehicle market. Tesla would not be the only beneficiary.

China remains the No.1 automotive market in the world and by far the world's largest market for electric vehicles. Beijing's efforts at gradually opening up access to foreign manufacturers would have far-reaching significance for the global electric-car market.

© Sputnik/ Ahmad BadrTesla Take Note: Egyptian Students Invent $800 Electric Car (PHOTO)

Tesla has long hoped to start local production in China. Reports said building a factory in the free trade zone would not mean Tesla could avoid the 25-percent tariff on vehicle imports, but that doesn't seem to have affected the enthusiasm of Tesla to manufacture in China. Although minimum wages in China are rising, meaning higher labor costs for manufacturers, it seems that relocating its manufacturing operations to Shanghai will bring more benefits than costs for Tesla.

What's interesting is that the news has come as US President Donald Trump tries to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US. Although his tax reform plans recently gained momentum, Tesla's reported choice suggests that China is still an attractive investment destination for overseas manufacturers.

A complete industry chain built in China as well as technological progress in the electric vehicle sector are the basic pre-conditions for Tesla's local production. China is building a manufacturing hub in the global electric-car market, a move that has been given fresh momentum by the production plan of Tesla, a brand that has built its reputation in China for design and quality.

© AP Photo/ Marcio Jose SanchezAlways Crashing in the Same Car: Tesla Factory Injuries Far Higher Than Average

Tesla's efforts to start local production could be seen as a prelude to further opening-up of China's auto and electric vehicle sector.

In a speech delivered at the opening session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping made it clear that China will significantly ease market access and protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors. China's progress toward this goal will be definite and firm.

This article was originally published in the Global Times.

[vioncentral-blog]

Tensions Remain Even as US Returns Russian Flags Taken From Diplomatic Property

https://www.vionafrica.cf/tensions-remain-even-as-us-returns-russian-flags-taken-from-diplomatic-property/

Tensions Remain Even as US Returns Russian Flags Taken From Diplomatic Property

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Yet tensions still remain in the bilateral relationship, with Moscow saying that it may consider responding to the US treatment of its diplomatic missions.

First Buildings, Then Flags

The Russian Embassy in the United States confirmed to Sputnik earlier in October that Russian flags had been taken down from Russian properties in Washington, DC and San Francisco. In early September, Russian diplomats lost access to the buildings themselves as the US authorities closed down the Russian Consulate General in San Francisco and trade missions in New York City and Washington, DC.

The step was taken after Russia decided to reduce the number of US diplomatic personnel in Moscow. However, the back-an-forth regarding diplomats began as early as in late 2016, when then-President of the United States Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats and banned Moscow from accessing two of its diplomatic compounds on US territory.

© Sputnik/ Kristin DaileyRussian Foreign Ministry on Flags Removal From Diplomatic Missions: Washington Deliberately Destroys Relations With MoscowRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the removal of flags unacceptable in a phone conversation with his US counterpart Rex Tillerson. Lavrov also reiterated Moscow's earlier statement about the possibility of a lawsuit to return the property.

Commenting on the issue, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the removal of the flags was an unfriendly gesture on part of the US authorities. He added that in such a case Russian President Vladimir Putin would "do what is in the interests of the Russian Federation."

The flags have since been returned to the Russian side, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said earlier on Wednesday.

"Yes, they returned the flags and consular archives. But all this is accompanied by a series of actions that are absolutely unacceptable for us. These actions grossly violate the provisions of both the international consular convention of 1963 and the bilateral consular convention," Ryabkov told reporters.

The Russian Embassy in Washington has also confirmed that the United States returned the archives of the Consulate General in San Francisco, but did not allow the Russian side to enter the building to retrieve the documents.

The Russian diplomatic mission pointed out that the US side had breached the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Potential Response

Ryabkov said that the constant provocations of the United States made it seem as if Washington was expecting Moscow to respond in kind, regarding US diplomatic missions in Russia.

"We have not resorted to this because we treat the basics of diplomatic and consular relations differently, but international law accepts direct reciprocity, mirroring, if the country suffers such unacceptable and hostile attacks," Ryabkov said.

© AFP 2017/ Josh EdelsonMoscow Calls US Actions in Relation to Russian Diplomatic Property 'Unprecedented Abuse of Power'The deputy foreign minister stressed that Moscow was warning the US side that "one does not forget such things."

The Russian Embassy in the United States has also pointed out that the treatment of Russian diplomats allowed for potentially similar treatment of the US diplomatic missions in Russia.

Moscow Weighing Options

Moscow appears to be taking its time to assess the situation and decide which response would be best, according to Russian Consul General in New York Sergey Ovsyannikov.

"I think we have taken a break now. We have to look around, catch our breath and evaluate the situation. It is upsetting, though, when two buildings, which were under [Russian] ownership, get taken away for no reason. And, most importantly, as the US citizens like to say, this is against the law," Ovsyannikov told Sputnik on Friday.

The consul general said that Moscow or the Embassy in Washington would make the final decision.

© AFP 2017/ Josh EdelsonMoscow Selecting Law Firm for Lawsuit Over Diplomatic Property Seizure by US"In any case, it will be a concern for Moscow, and the Russian Embassy in Washington, which has international lawyers and a legal office," Ovsyannikov said.

The diplomat said he could not rule out the United States taking further steps as the investigation into Russia's alleged meddling in the US presidential elections remained a prominent topic.

Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations of interference, stressing that they have never been substantiated.

Everything Legal

Heather Nauert, the spokeswoman for the US State Department, said earlier in October that the actions of the US side with regard to the properties were legal.

Nauert said that the flags were "respectfully lowered and are safely stored within each of the buildings."

"Taking down a flag from a property that they've had to vacate, is that legal or not?… I think that's actually a respectful thing to do: to take down the flag, to fold it up, to hold on to it for that government and offer it back to them, there are many governments around the world who wouldn't take that care of another nation's flag," Nauert said.

© AFP 2017/ Josh EdelsonUS State Department: Actions Against Russian Consulate 'Perfectly Legal'However, the Russian side may already be looking for a law firm to represent its interests in court.

Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that positive experience with US firm White & Case made it possible to consider engaging it if Moscow decided to go to court.

[vioncentral-blog]

Trump: Good US-Russia Relations Would Make North Korea Crisis Easier to Settle

https://www.vionafrica.cf/trump-good-us-russia-relations-would-make-north-korea-crisis-easier-to-settle/

Trump: Good US-Russia Relations Would Make North Korea Crisis Easier to Settle

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "I think it would be great if we got along with Russia. I don't think there's anything wrong," Trump told Fox News on Wednesday.

"I think we could have a good relationship. I think the North Korea situation would be easier settled."

North Korea has carried out several missile tests in the last few months. In September, Pyongyang tested what it said was a hydrogen bomb, in violation of a UN Security Council resolution.

The UN Security Council has tightened sanctions against North Korea, but Pyongyang has so far shown no inclination to halt its missile or nuclear programs.

[vioncentral-blog]

Explosion in Kiev: Ukrainian Official Wounded, Bodyguard Killed

https://www.vionafrica.cf/explosion-in-kiev-ukrainian-official-wounded-bodyguard-killed/

Explosion in Kiev: Ukrainian Official Wounded, Bodyguard Killed

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A deadly detonation in Solomenskiy district of Kiev late on Wednesday has killed the security guard of the opposition Radical Party member Ihor Mosiychuk. The Ukrainian authorities reported later that at least five persons, including Mosiychuk and political analyst Vitaly Bala, were seriously injured.

Ihor Mosiychuk’s press office confirmed in a Facebook posting that the deceased man was Lawmaker's bodyguard. It extended condolences to his family, saying he had sacrificed his life to protect the others.

#BREAKING: Far-right Ukrainian MP Ihor Mosiychuk seriously injured in explosion in Kiev, #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/4He0YYtAK7

— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) 25 октября 2017 г.

According to the Ukrainian Police's statement, an explosive device was allegedly installed into the parked motorcycle and was remotely detonated, when Mosiychuk was near the entrance of the privately-owned TV Espresso channel.

Ukrainian death squad leader and MP Ihor Mosiychuk was injured in a car explosion. pic.twitter.com/ZAOkG0NyRb

— Же суи франсэ (@alkhwarizmi42) 25 октября 2017 г.

© Sputnik/ StringerMassive Explosion Hits Car in KievThe Ukrainian Interior Ministry has said that a criminal case had been opened under Article 258 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, which deals with acts of terrorism. The Security Service of Ukraine, country’s main counter-terrorism authority, will lead the investigation, the Interior Ministry has added.

The Mosiychuk's colleague, Oleh Lyashko linked the alleged terror strike with the political activity of the wounded Ukrainian Lawmaker.

In June, a colonel in Ukraine’s military intelligence, Maksim Shapova, was killed by an explosion in central Kiev, while in 2016 an investigative journalist, Pavel Sheremet, died in a similar incident.

[vioncentral-blog]

Analyst: Clinton, DNC ‘Created Scandal’ Over Their Own Trump-Russia Research

https://www.vionafrica.cf/analyst-clinton-dnc-created-scandal-over-their-own-trump-russia-research/

Analyst: Clinton, DNC ‘Created Scandal’ Over Their Own Trump-Russia Research

The dossier, which is reportedly the basis for parts of the Department of Justice's investigation into alleged ties between the Trump presidential campaign and Russian actors, has been the subject of tremendous scrutiny since it was unveiled by BuzzFeed News in January. Most of its scandalous claims have had no evidence presented to support them in the ensuing nine months.

Brian Becker and John Kiriakou of Sputnik Radio's Loud & Clear were joined by Mark Sleboda, a US-born but Russia-based international relations and security analyst. Becker asked Sleboda if he was surprised to learn that the DNC paid for the dossier.

"No, not at all," replied Sleboda. "In fact, this has been long reported without confirmable sources for months now. There is absolutely nothing surprising about this. If you go back, you'll see that this was talked about for a long time. The DNC, the Hillary Clinton campaign, and before that, some of Trump's Republican rivals during the Republican primary started the opposition research with this shadowy Fusion GPS company [and] the former British spook Christopher Steele."

"It was then carried on by the Clinton campaign and the DNC. Actually, the story now goes a step even further. CNN had a report out within the last 48 hours that not only did Clinton and the DNC fund this opposition research, the dodgy dossier, but Obama's FBI also paid Christopher Steele once that they got ahold of this dossier and brought it under their wing. This is concerning a political candidate, so this raises a lot of questions about improprieties and political motivations behind this dossier."

© REUTERS/ Carlos BarriaUS Speaker Ryan Says FBI Must Give Congress Docs on Controversial Trump Dossier Immediately

"I would like to posit something here," said Kiriakou. "I've spent 15 years in the CIA, half of that in operations, and let me explain to some of our listeners how this works. Whether or not Christopher Steele is a nice guy, or a good guy, or good at what he did or whatever, I think is probably irrelevant. I worked with Christopher Steele; he was a very highly regarded operations officer, a consummate professional. But I think that's irrelevant here — what's relevant is the fact that this is very typical of human intelligence and the inherently flawed nature of human intelligence."

"When you recruit someone to provide clandestine information for you, they're not doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. They're doing it because you're paying them, or you're giving them something tangible. Maybe you're not giving them a monthly salary, maybe you're putting their kid through college, or you're buying them a car, or a Rolex, or whatever. Everybody has a motivation and people like to keep the good times rolling. If you're getting a certain amount of money, you get used to that extra income. So when their information runs out, they want to continue going — and so they tell you what you want to hear. And it seems to me that this 'Steele dossier' is exactly what the Democrats wanted to hear."

© AP Photo/ Patrick SemanskyTrump Was Right? Report Claims Hillary Clinton and the DNC Funded Dodgy Trump-Russia Dossier

"I don't know if the FBI paid Christopher Steele," said Becker. "But they offered to pay him, and the only reason that they didn't go through with the payment of him [was because] the story came out in the media. It was no longer a covert operation, so it went from Republican rivals to Hillary Clinton in the DNC to the FBI. All of it was going to be a paid covert operation to create intelligence, none of which is vetted. As a consequence, none of it should be taken as anything genuine. Now you have Fusion, they're going to take the Fifth, they're not going to talk."

Earlier in October, Fusion GPS co-founders Peter Fritsch and Thomas Catan refused to answer a single question asked of them by the House Intelligence committee, invoking their rights to avoid self-incrimination provided by the Fifth Amendment.

"I suspect that it we probably will never reach a bottom to this [investigation] that satisfies everyone," said Sleboda. "It seems impossible to remove this from political biases and motivations all the way — especially now that it emerges definitively that the DNC and the Clinton campaign, which after rigging their own primary, then created this whole scandal around the dossier of opposition research that they've paid for."

[vioncentral-blog]

Crunch Report | Amazon’s New Cloud Cam and Key

https://www.vionafrica.cf/crunch-report-amazons-new-cloud-cam-and-key/

Crunch Report | Amazon’s New Cloud Cam and Key

Today’s Stories

Amazon debuts Cloud Cam and Key to take on Nest, August and others in home security

Microsoft finally kills off the Kinect, but the tech will live on in other devices

Looking at your phone while crossing the street could now cost you up to $99 in Honolulu

Credits

Written by: Tito Hamze Hosted by: Tito Hamze Filmed by: Tito Hamze Edited by: Tito Hamze

Notes:

I don’t know what to wear on Crunch Report (It’s a hard decision and I suck at dressing myself). If you are a startup and want to me to wear something mail me an XL T-shirt and I’ll wear it in an episode. I’m not going to mention the company on the shirt in the episode but it will be there. No offensive stuff, it’s totally at my discretion if I wear it. Mail it to me. Thanks <3 Ok, bye.

TechCrunch C/O Tito Hamze 410 Townsend street Suite 100 San Francisco Ca. 94107

[vioncentral-blog]

Cuban Officials: Alleged Sonic Attacks on US Diplomats Are 'Science Fiction'

https://www.vionafrica.cf/cuban-officials-alleged-sonic-attacks-on-us-diplomats-are-science-fiction/

Cuban Officials: Alleged Sonic Attacks on US Diplomats Are 'Science Fiction'

"This is slander by the United States," Col. Ramiro Ramirez, the Cuban official tasked with ensuring the security of foreign diplomats, said Sunday.

US President Donald Trump said last week that Havana was culpable for sicknesses incurred by two dozen US officials who were stationed on the island. Symptoms the officials reported include hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, headache, cognitive issues and insomnia. Washington expelled 15 Cuban diplomatic officials earlier this month while sending half of the US diplomatic corps in Cuba back home.

© AP Photo/ Alex BrandonSonic Attacks and Carpet Pissing: How US Diplomats are 'Mistreated' Around the World

"I want to stress that the decision to reduce our diplomatic presence in Havana was made to ensure the safety of our personnel," a senior State Department official told reporters September 29. "These attacks have been ongoing, and we expect it to continue," the official said.

A Cuban-led investigation into the bizarre illnesses started in February, but Washington has been become frustrated with their lack of progress. So far, Cuban investigators "have not been able to prove" that the acoustic strikes actually happened, Lt. Col. Roberto Hernandez said. The US offered Cuba's Interior Ministry 14 recordings of the sounds that were allegedly damaging, but Cuban officials have yet to find evidence that the samples are harmful to human health, Hernandez noted.

Cuban officials argue they don't have any sophisticated weapons with which to conduct the noise attacks, and if the attacks had been conducted by a third party, other Cubans would have been hurt as well, or at least noticed — neither of these things happened. "We interviewed more than 300 people in the neighborhood" where the attacks are said to have occurred, Lt. Col. Jose Alazo said recently, "no one heard these things."

© AFP 2017/ YAMIL LAGECuba Found No Evidence or Origin of Any Sonic Weapon Injuring US Diplomats

"It's impossible," Alazo noted, adding, "we are talking about science fiction."

According to the BBC, though, the sound would not have needed to be particularly loud in order to be harmful. Steve Goodman, author of "Sonic Warfare" told the outlet it was "not clear" whether inaudible soundwaves could induce symptoms described by the State Department. "The information given is so vague it's hard to say," Goodman said.

Indeed, a State Department official said in late September, "at this moment we don't have definitive answers on the source or cause of the attacks. And so I can't really speculate on engagement or no by Cubans or other parties. The [US-led] investigation's ongoing and we will see where the facts lead us in terms of cause or source."

Neurologists suggest that since there's no evidence of a weapon from both the US and Cuban investigations, it's possible mass psychogenic illness (MPI) among the US officials is the source. While MPI can lead to physical symptoms, there's no "organic" cause of it.

© AP Photo/ Desmond BoylanSound Recording Moves US Step Closer to Solving Mysterious Havana Noise Attacks

"There are a very large number of individuals that have relatively vague complaints as far as I can see," Mark Hallett, a researcher at the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, told the Guardian earlier this month. "There has been an exploration of possible causes for this and nothing has been found and the notion of some sonic beam is relatively nonsensical."

"If it is mass hysteria," a broader term under which MPI falls, "that would clarify all the mystery," Hallet said.

Ben Rhodes, White House foreign policy adviser during Barack Obama's tenure, told the Guardian he did not believe the Cuban government was behind the alleged attacks.

[vioncentral-blog]

Moscow Blasts Attempts to Twist Russia's Position on OPCW-UN Mandate Extension

https://www.vionafrica.cf/moscow-blasts-attempts-to-twist-russias-position-on-opcw-un-mandate-extension/

Moscow Blasts Attempts to Twist Russia's Position on OPCW-UN Mandate Extension

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — "Contrary to false statements from Washington, London and a number of other capitals, there is no reason to dramatize the situation in regard to the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM). Its current mandate expires only on November 16. More than three weeks is enough to study the expected JIM report and determine the future fate of the Mechanism," the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

"We call on our American colleagues to show at least minimal decency. In civilized international relations it is not customary to distort the opponent's position so rudely, caring only about "exposing" him and putting him in an unattractive light," the statement said.

© Sputnik/ Mikhail VoskresenskiyOPCW Says Found Evidence of Chemical Weapons Use in Syria's Hama in March"We confirm our intention to submit to the UN Security Council specific considerations on what should be done in order to ensure true independence, objectivity and professionalism in the investigation of offenses involving the use of chemical agents," the ministry emphasized.

According to the statement, the Western officials are ignoring systematic problems in the work of the OPCW-UN mission their real goal is not to establish the truth about the use of chemical weapons in the war-torn country, but to use relevant international bodies to increase pressure on Damascus.

On Tuesday, The White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a briefing that Russia's veto of the US-draft resolution to extend the mandate of the UN-OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism proved Moscow was not concerned about ending chemical attacks in Syria.

© AFP 2017/ AMER ALMOHIBANYRussia Envoy Points to Absence of 'White Helmets' Video in OPCW Report on Sarin"By blocking the extension of the Joint Investigative Mechanism, Russia has once again demonstrated it does not care about stopping the barbaric use of chemical weapons," Sanders stated on Tuesday.

Sanders pointed out that Russia blocked the UN Security Council action for the eighth time, which indicates it would continue to stand by the Syrian government of Bashar Assad.

Earlier the day, Russia vetoed the US draft resolution and calling the proposed move an attempt to divide and politicize the UN Security Council.

Previously, Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow tends to opt the "staging" version of the sarin incident in Syria’s Idlib Province as the OPCW has confirmed earlier the full liquidation of Damascus's Soviet-era stockpiles.

Meantime, The US State Department has acknowledged in the issued last week travel advisory that terror groups acting in Syria were in possession of the lethal chemical weapons.

[vioncentral-blog]

Congressmen Attempt to Fast-Track Bill to End US Support for Saudi War in Yemen

https://www.vionafrica.cf/congressmen-attempt-to-fast-track-bill-to-end-us-support-for-saudi-war-in-yemen/

Congressmen Attempt to Fast-Track Bill to End US Support for Saudi War in Yemen

Resolution 81, co-sponsored by two Republican and two Democratic lawmakers, is simple, according to co-sponsor Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA). "All the bill basically does is say we should not be assisting Saudi Arabia in Yemen," he told Military.com earlier in October. The bill would not affect anti-terror operations in Yemen, according to Khanna.

Now, Khanna says that he and his co-sponsors are in negotiations with Congressional leaders to fast-track the vote on the resolution under the War Powers Act. "The statute does not just apply to ground troops overseas," Khanna said, "it says any US government coordination or participation with a foreign government in an overseas conflict triggers the need to go to Congress."

© REUTERS/ Khaled AbdullahUS House Introduces Bill to End Support for Saudi-Led Operation in Yemen

The civil war in Yemen has raged since 2015, with the Saudi-backed government of Abrabbuh Mansur Hadi battling for control of the country with the primarily Houthi rebel groups who support former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), an Islamic militant group, has emerged as the third player in the conflict.

The US has supported the Saudi intervention, which has been condemned by the United Nations, the European Commission and many human rights groups. The issue is one of the rare ones to unit progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans, as both oppose an interventionist US foreign policy. Khanna said he expected significant support from both his own party and the House Freedom Caucus, the farthest-right grouping in the US House of Representatives.

"I don't want to be complicit with Saudi [Arabia], which lacks regard for human life. When America has the highest standard for these things, we should never be cooperating with Saudi Arabia," Khanna said. "It compromises America's moral standards, and we're being blamed for their atrocious actions."

© AP Photo/ Hani MohammedSaudi-led Coalition Blacklisted by UN for Killing Children in Yemen

The other cosponsors of the bill are Reps Mark Pocan, D-WI.; Thomas Massie, R-KY., and Walter Jones, R-NC. Jones, a small-government and non-interventionist Republican who in April said that the Trump administration's support for the Saudi intervention made the US a "de facto ally" of AQAP, further criticized US support of Riyadh to Defense News.

"They killed 3,000 Americans," said Jones, referring to the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudi Arabian nationals. "Why in the world are we always cutting deals with people who don't seem to care about Americans? For me, personally, I see the Saudis in the same boat with the Iranians."

The lawmakers admit that it may be difficult to pass the resolution due to the many powerful lobbying firms that represent Saudi interests in DC, such as the Podesta Group, BGR Government Affairs, DLA Piper and Pillsbury Winthrop.

© REUTERS/ Khaled AbdullahSaudi Threats, US Silence Block UN Probe of Civilian Deaths in Yemen – HRW

Establishment representatives on both sides are also expected to oppose an end to US support. "I see problems with what the Saudis are doing, but I see huge problems with the Houthi as well," said Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) in a statement to the press. "I'm not ready to say it's wrong to help Saudi Arabia, as long as the country makes that decision in a constitutional manner."

The conflict in Yemen, along with the recent deaths of US soldiers in Niger, has raised questions about whether the executive branch is complying with the War Powers Act. Passed in 1973, the law is meant to limit the president's ability to commit the nation to an armed conflict by requiring him to acquire Congressional authorization in most cases. Congress never voted on US support for the intervention, instead quietly acquiescing when then-president Barack Obama decided to aid the Saudis in 2015.

In 2001, Congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), which has been broadly interpreted to allow the US military to undertake operations against Islamic militant groups. Sixteen years later, after the ambush in Niger, some in Congress are calling for a revision of AUMF. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will testify on Monday on the prospect of revision.

[vioncentral-blog]

Political Controversies Will Not Shatter US-Russia Business Ties

https://www.vionafrica.cf/political-controversies-will-not-shatter-us-russia-business-ties/

Political Controversies Will Not Shatter US-Russia Business Ties

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "We are sure that the political provocations by the US authorities, which we are witnessing, will not shake our strong ties with the American business and cooperation will remain just as productive," Stadnik said.

"Today, the American business demonstrates to its politicians that working with Russia should be mutually beneficial and should proceed in a civilized legal manner," Stadnik stated.

© Sputnik/ Maxim BlinovLavrov: US Removal of Flags From Russia's Diplomatic Missions UnacceptableEarlier in October Russian flags had been taken down by the US authorities from the Russian properties in Washington, DC and San Francisco. In early September, Russian diplomats lost access to the buildings themselves as the US authorities closed down the Russian Consulate General in San Francisco and trade missions in New York City and Washington, DC.

Stadnik then stressed that the removal of flags was a shameless provocation. The Kremlin's spokesman said on Thursday that the act was an unfriendly step aimed at derailing bilateral ties.

The trade envoy spoke on the eve of the annual meeting of the US-Russia Business Council (USRBC), scheduled to take place on Thursday in New York.

"Holding the USRBC meeting with such a representative delegation indicates not only the establishment of business contacts between US and Russian companies, but it is also a clear signal that American business is open for cooperation with Russia. Likewise Russia that in word and deed proves that it is aimed at continuing cooperation with the American business, despite the political tension between our two countries," Stadnik stated.

© AFP 2017/ MLADEN ANTONOVDecent US-Russian Cooperation Crucial for Global Security – Russian LawmakerThe meeting in New York will be attended by the representatives of the various US companies, including Ford Motor Company, Mastercard, and Caterpillar, Inc.

Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov, representatives of the Russian companies, the officials representing the key sectors of the Russian economy will take part in the event.

[vioncentral-blog]

Go on, Daydream: New Evidence Suggests Wandering Minds Are Smarter

https://www.vionafrica.cf/go-on-daydream-new-evidence-suggests-wandering-minds-are-smarter/

Go on, Daydream: New Evidence Suggests Wandering Minds Are Smarter

Georgia Tech psychology researcher Eric Schumacher's new study suggests that people who are able to daydream during normal tasks aren't absent minded, nor aloof, as they may come off. "People tend to think of mind wandering as something that is bad. You try to pay attention and you can't. Our data is consistent with the idea that this isn't always true. Some people have more efficient brains," Schumacher said in an article posted on the university's website October 24.

CC0A Hacker's Dream: The Down Side of Your Brain Being Connected to the Internet

The study, "Functional connectivity within and between intrinsic brain networks correlates with trait mind wandering," is being published with the journal Neuropsychologia. Research subjects sat in an MRI machine and stared at a fixed point for five minutes, providing data on how "correlated brain regions… work together during an awake, resting state," Schumacher explains.

Next, the researchers cross-referenced their data with tests measuring the participants' intellectual and creative skills. People who self-reported daydreaming more had more efficient brains, according to the MRI data.

"The findings remind my of the absent-minded professor — someone who's brilliant, but off in his or her own world, sometimes oblivious to their own surroundings," the academic said, "or school children who are too intellectually advanced for their classes. While it may take five minutes for their friends to learn something new, they figure it out in a minute, then check out and start daydreaming."

© Photo: Youtube/SputnikWanna Become a Cosmonaut? Your Dream May Come True

Daydreaming allows people to explore different ideas, imagine how situations might play out and even get a better sense of what their future selves will be like — all of which are factors contributing to success — Scott Kaufman, Ph.D., wrote in a 2014 Psychology Today article.

Empirical research published in 2012 backed up some of the anecdotal claims tying mental drifting with intelligence. "Data suggest that engaging in simple external tasks that allow the mind to wander may facilitate creative problem solving," according that University of California-Santa Barbara study.