After another brief delay due to nearby fighting, the water plant in Avidevka began operations on Saturday, according to Russian language news accounts.
The water plant, set in a no mans land in Advievka stopped working twice, the first time due to shelling and the second time because plant workers refused to show up. The refusal was in part because both sides were firing mines from mortars into the area.
Ukrainian sappers cleared mines on Thursday, but a further delay was encountered due to fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian backed separatists.
Rebel media claimed that Ukrainian artillery fire resumed in the vicinity of the water plant on Friday, but so far no reports have emerged that the water plant has stopped work.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the region a total of seven Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in fighting and shelling in Donetsk and Lugansk.
Friday evening two unidentified Ukrainian border guards in Marinka were wounded in small arms fire and mortar directed against their checkpoint. According to the lb.ua news report, the gunfight lasted 30 minutes.
Elsewhere, rebel artillery fire hit Ukrainian positions in southern Donetsk near Mariupol Friday. According to a separate lb.ua news report, rebel 122mm artillery fire hit Novogrigoevka, Novomikailovka and Lebedinskoye. Rebel mortar fire fell on Vodyanoye, Marinka, Krasnogorovka, Novotroiskoye and Shirokino.
Also on Friday, rebel 152mm artillery hit Ukrainian positions at Krimenskoye and Troitskoye. Rebel forces also fired mortars in Lugansk at Katerinovka, Troitskoye, Popasnaya and Novoaleksadrovka.
Two Ukrainian soldiers were reported wounded on Friday.
On Saturday, according to yet another lb.ua news report, rebel 122mm artillery fire hit Ukrainian positions in southern Donetsk at Bogdanovka, Novotroitskiye and Vodyanoye.
In Lugansk on Saturday, rebel 152mm artillery hit Ukrainian positions at Popasnoaya and Kalinovka. Rebel 122mm artillery and 82mm mortar fire was reported at Novoaleksandrovka, Krimenskoye, Popasnaya and Katerinovka.
Ukrainian reports were that three Ukrainian military were wounded on Saturday,
According to rebel media, Ukrainian artillery fire hit 11 residential buildings in Gorlovka, Zaitsevo and Donetsk on the night of March 3rd to March 4th. The artillery fire knocked out electrical power in the Petrovskiy district of Donetsk city.
On Saturday rebel media said that Ukrainian forces fired on their positions a total of 2,000 times, a number which includes small arms fire. Among the locales hit were the Donetsk airport, Spartak and Yasinovataya.
A suspect in the murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korea’s leader has claimed he is the victim of a conspiracy by Malaysian authorities attempting to damage the honour of North Korea. Ri Jong Chol, a North Korean, accused Malaysia of using coercion to try to extract a confession from him.
The nerve of them, trying to get a murder suspect to confess!
Kim Jong-nam was murdered on 13 February at Kuala Lumpur International airport, after being assaulted by two women who Malaysian police believe smeared his face with VX, a chemical classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.
Ri told reporters outside the North Korea embassy in Beijing on Saturday that he was not at the airport on the day of the killing and knew nothing about the accusation that his car was used in the case.
The first part is irrelevant, and the second part is falsifiable...
Ri was in Beijing en route back to North Korea after Malaysia deported him. His arrival at the Beijing international airport early on Saturday was greeted by a swarm of South Korean and Japanese reporters, but Ri was whisked away from the chaotic scene by Chinese police before he was able to make any statement.
Outside the embassy, Ri told reporters that he was presented with false evidence in Malaysia, and police showed him pictures of his family in detention. “I realised that this is a conspiracy, plot, to try to damage the status and honour of the republic,” Ri said.
Kim Jong-un’s regime meanwhile bristled at suggestions the US might relist it as a state sponsor of terror because of the assassination. “The US will keenly realise how dearly it has to pay for its groundless accusations,” said North Korea’s foreign ministry. There have been calls from some members of Congress to reinstate the listing, which was removed in 2008 by George W Bush as part of disarmament talks that proved unsuccessful.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/05/2017 00:00 ||
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[Daily Mail] Islamic students at a Sydney private school threatened to behead non-Muslim staff and declared themselves ISIS sympathizers, staff alleged. Police feared students at Punchbowl Boys High School were being radicalized after principal Chris Griffiths did not cooperate with a de-radicalization program.
Griffiths and deputy principal Joumana Dennaoiu were removed from their roles at the Muslim-majority school after an investigation by the Education Department. The two were stood down for allegedly stopping female teachers from participating in official events such as the Year 12 graduation ceremony, and other issues.
Several employees claimed non-Muslim staff were verbally attacked, including with threats of beheading, by Muslim students declaring themselves ISIS sympathizers. Not only were these incidents not reported to police, the 'actively hostile' relations were so bad police liaison officers couldn't access the government school for the past 2.5 years.
Officers said Griffiths converted to Islam in 2014 and claimed relations between police and the school broke down after he was appointed two years ago. A senior constable said, "Students were being told that if 'the pigs' stop you, to film them and refuse their directions. The students were being led down a dangerous path by the principal. We had concerns about radicalization."
The Education Department said it conducted an "extensive appraisal of the school's policies, procedures and management", prompted by a series of serious staff complaints in 2016, before removing the pair. It said the investigation revealed "a high level of staff disunity and disharmony" and "increased disengagement" of the school from the community.
Griffith's predecessor Jihad Dib, who is now the NSW state MP for Lakemba, said exclusion of any kind was wrong. Under Dib's leadership, the school was transformed from a campus controlled by Middle Eastern gangs where violence and drug dealing were common, to a high performer with much better literacy and numeracy rates.
President Trump’s “love” of Caterpillar, Inc. apparently wasn't deep enough to spare the Illinois-based manufacturer from a multi-agency federal raid linked to its overseas subsidiaries and tax practices.
The company, which makes mining and construction equipment, was slapped with three search warrants by the feds on Thursday.
On Friday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross confirmed that the raids were part of an ongoing probe against the company.
“The Commerce Department has enforcement responsibilities both on imports and on exports, so it’s an important part of our function,” Ross said on CNBC. “We’re going to be even stricter on enforcement, particularly on inbound goods that shouldn’t be.”
The escalation of the government’s dispute with Caterpillar comes as the Trump administration promises to reform corporate taxes and design a system that makes it attractive for companies like Caterpillar to keep their businesses stateside.
[Ynet] Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern on Sunday called for a European Union ...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing... -wide ban on campaign appearances by Turkish politicians to avoid having individual member countries like Germany come under pressure from Ankara.
The Sick Man of Europe Turkey ...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire.... said on Saturday it would defy opposition from authorities in Germany and the Netherlands and continue holding rallies in both countries to urge Turks living there to back an April 16 referendum to boost President Tayyip Erdogan's powers.
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/05/2017 09:51 ||
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The European Union is expected within days to sign off on plans for a small military command centre in Brussels, a symbolic step towards deeper defence ties that the UK will not seek to block.
Right next door to NATO headquarters. It'll make for a quicker commute...
After years of stop-start moves, European leaders vowed to improve defence co-operation in the wake of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the spread of conflict and instability on the EU’s southern and eastern borders.
The plans took shape last year when EU ministers agreed a blueprint to improve Europe’s response to conflicts and crises, although ideas for a Brussels headquarters were scaled back. The UK secretary of state for defence, Michael Fallon – a long-term sceptic on EU defence – backed the initiative because there was no “EU command and control”.
EU foreign and defence ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday are expected to take the next step, with an agreement expected on establishing a “military planning and conduct capability”, a Brussels-based team to command existing army and civilian missions.
Expected to start work this spring, the unit would command three existing EU military training missions in Mali, Somalia and Central African Republic. In future, it could be running missions aimed at peace-building and disarmament.
The UK is not expected to block the plans, which have to be agreed by all member states. Diplomats and officials said there was a logical strategic gap to fill, pointing out that traditional military structures mean a field commander is supported by an officer at a distant headquarters.
In a sign of the political sensitivities, countries debated at length whether the head of the new body should be called a “commander”, before settling on “director”. That person is likely to be the head of military staff in the EU’s foreign policy service, with a team of 30 people. “We are not looking at some enormous new building [in Brussels],” said one diplomat.
Not today. Next year's budget, however...
The EU runs 16 military and civilian missions, including the British-led naval force protecting ships from Somali pirates, operated from Northwood in north-west London, and a small civilian team working to keep the peace in Georgia, following the Caucasus state’s 2008 war with Russia.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/05/2017 00:00 ||
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[DeutscheWelle] The Turkish government has been actively cracking down on African schools run by the controversial Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen. Now, Gulen schools in Æthiopia have changed hands. Due to pressure from Ankara?
Everything is the same on the Nejashi Ethio-Turkish International Schools' website. The top of the page reads: "Registration Starts for 2016-17 Academic Year." Photos feature children playing basketball in front of a school building, and high-end technology in the classroom is emphasized. But the most important news about the school is missing: According to media reports, all six Nejashi schools in Æthiopia have been sold. The news agency AP quoted school administrator Cecil Aydin as saying the decision had been made "for economic reasons."
Some 2,000 students attend the six educational institutions, which offer complete K-12 schooling. Yearly tuition is more than $2,500 per student (2,353 euros). Most parents in Æthiopia cannot afford the cost, but the country's elite like to send their children there.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: trailing wife ||
03/05/2017 09:51 ||
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[The Mail] As Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill's claims that she had never met with Sergey Kislyak were proven to be untrue, six more Democrats have been revealed to have met with the Russian Ambassador.
Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Maria Cantwell of Washington, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Robert Casey of Pennsylvania and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island sat in on the meeting with Kislyak and McCaskill, Fox News reported.
The seven Democratic leaders met with the ambassador to discuss the blockade of US adoptions in Russia in 2013.
Klobuchar said in a statement that she was at the meeting to tell Kislyak about the families she met in Minnesota. McCaskill was one of the slew of Democratic lawmakers demanding Attorney Jeff Sessions' head after it was revealed he had met with Kislyak twice last year.
The Missouri senator had denied meeting him saying in her ten years serving on the Armed Services Committee, she was involved in 'no call or meeting' with the Russian diplomat.
Her claims were quickly disproved after Charles C.W. Cooke of the National Review discovered tweets saying otherwise. 'Off to meeting w/Russian Ambassador. Upset about the arbitrary/cruel decision to end all US adoptions, even those in process,' she tweeted on January 2013.
That same year in August, McCaskill tweeted again: 'Today calls with British, Russian and German Ambassadors re: Iran deal. #doingmyhomework.'
She told USA Today the meeting was with around a dozen other senators.
#2
Yes, but we know that all Democrats are people of sterling moral character and deep seated American patriotism. We don't know anything of the kind about Flynn or Sessions.
[Right Scoop] It’s being reported that at least 300 companies are already lining up to build the wall on the southern border:
300 companies have already said they are interested in helping build a border wall between the United States and Mexico, Jane King at the Nasdaq reports.
According to CNN Money, the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection Agency asked the companies to submit a proposal to design and build structures near the United States border with Mexico. The proposals will start to come in next week.
The companies interested in helping range from construction companies to fence builders to concrete firms.
"There’s really nothing to say at this point. It’s all very speculative. Once we get the details, we’ll examine whether it’s something we’d move on," said Terry Willis of Caddell Construction who does major government construction projects around the world, including U.S. embassies and prisons. "Not every company is a serious bidder."
Congress will need to approve the funds that will be needed before construction of the wall can begin.
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/05/2017 10:50 Comments ||
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#6
Israel has the technology. Nearly zero attacks. The cost reductions and deployment is enviable. "In Israel, the separation barrier is seen as a success, in spite of the enormous costs. The military and political classes are happy to remind the public that since the barrier was erected, infiltration into Israel by suicide bombers has fallen to almost zero." Advancements ongoing.
#7
Are you kidding? Somebody yelled 'Multi Billion Dollar Government Contract!' and companies start airdropping Airborne Sales Engineers on the office.
I'm waiting to hear about the minority owned set-asides.
Posted by: ed in texas ||
03/05/2017 11:56 Comments ||
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#8
I'm thinking of the counter-sniper patrols to protect the construction crews.
[DAWN] RAW ... India's Research and Analysis Wing, Pakistain's equivalent of the Boogie Man... ALPINDI: The family of a man who died during a police crackdown against kite flying in Sadiqabad on Friday placed his body in front of the Benazir Bhutto ... 11th Prime Minister of Pakistain in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996. She was the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, founder of the Pakistain People's Party, who was murdered at the instigation of General Ayub Khan. She was murdered in her turn by person or persons unknown while campaigning in late 2007. Suspects include, to note just a few, Baitullah Mehsud, General Pervez Musharraf, the ISI, al-Qaeda in Pakistain, and her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, who shows remarkably little curiosity about who done her in... Hospital (BBH) and blocked traffic in protest against the police.
According to Mohammad Ashraf, the brother of 50-year-old Mohammad Aslam, a police party entered the victim’s house to arrest his two sons who the police claim were flying kites.
Aslam is said to have been punched by a policeman which caused heart failure. The victim was pronounced dead at BBH, outside of which his family staged a sit-in. They shouted slogans and blocked traffic on Murree Road for more than an hour. Two ambulances which were transporting patients at death's door were also stuck in the traffic jam and the patients’ family members had to appeal to the protesters to give way to the ambulances.
The protesters gave way to the two ambulances after the intervention of senior police officials and moved towards Chandni Chowk, where they resumed their sit-in. They dispersed after senior police officials ensured them that those found responsible will be held to account. The police deny the family’s claims.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/05/2017 00:00 ||
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#1
Well, I suppose one could drop a shuttlecock bomb from a kite.
[DAWN] GUJRANWALA: Nearly three years after Saba Qaiser’s father and uncle shot her in the face, rolled her in a rug and threw her in a river for marrying without their consent, the 21-year-old is again afraid for her life.
After surviving the attack in Gujranwala, Ms Qaiser was determined to ensure the men were brought to justice.
Even though her father and uncle were tossed in the calaboose I ain't sayin' nuttin' widdout me mout'piece! and locked away Book 'im, Mahmoud! , she was pressured by relatives to forgive them under a law that until last October allowed killers who had been pardoned by family members to walk free.
Since the case did not go to trial, the men were released after two months in jail.
"Although I had to tell the court that I had forgiven them, I never did from my heart," said Ms Qaiser, whose story was told in the 2016 Oscar-winning documentary, A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness by filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
Her uncle never forgot the "dishonour" she had brought on the family, and when he came across a trailer for Ms Obaid-Chinoy’s film last year, he was furious, she explained.
"He came to my house at night and asked for me and started shooting from his pistol. I was lucky to survive his attack," said Ms Qaiser, whose left cheek bears a scar running from mouth to temple from the previous attack.
Her father and uncle were once again taken into custody, in April 2016, and are expected to be freed later this month after she decided not to press charges against them.
Women’s rights campaigners say the case illustrates the difficulties of prosecuting such crimes despite new legislation against "honour killings", which removed the loophole that once enabled pardoned killers to go free.
The new law was passed in October 2016 -- three months after the murder of an outspoken social media star, Qandeel Baloch, whose brother was arrested in connection with her death by strangulation.
The new law still gives victims’ relatives the option of forgiving attackers, but only in cases where the culprits have been sentenced to death. Even if a pardon is given, attackers face a mandatory life sentence.
After the attack, Ms Qaiser’s mother was forbidden by her husband from seeing her daughter and forced to move to Sargodha from her daughter.
She visits her husband in prison every week. But as soon as the visit is over, she secretly sees her daughter.
"My husband is not angry at her. It’s his brother who provokes him and after they are out of the jail, we will break ties with him," she said.
Her daughter, however, fears the matter will not end there.
"He’ll be madder at me and will want to harm me for sending him to jail for the second time," she said in the dimly-lit room where she lives with her husband and two children.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/05/2017 00:00 ||
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#2
The problem is not mounting a big laser on an aircraft. The Army (yes, the Army) has been flying the Airborne Laser Adjunct Aircraft since Reagan was Pres. Anti missile defense research.
The problem is the power supply.
Posted by: ed in texas ||
03/05/2017 11:41 Comments ||
Top||
#3
Sooo...you're already flying. Mount a windmill on the fuselage. Presto! Power supply! Where do I collect my Bill Nye Science Award?
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/05/2017 11:57 Comments ||
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#4
How much power does a laser welder need? Hook six laser welders up and you have a weapon. Get a couple of Honda generators ....
#5
The answer Lonzo is "A LOT". The problem with lasers is they lose power the farther they go as the beam will diffuse slightly and the particulates in the atmosphere, and the atmosphere itself will absorb the engergy. Enough power to cut steel and close range, no problem. Enough power to cut through metal at 50km away... you need a huge amount of power to do so.
Currently we use chemical energy to generate lasers and chemicals are heavy. Most of the 747 they tested this with was chemical vats to generate the 10kW they needed for it and they could only fire it a few times before the chemicals were depleted.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
A suspect in the murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korea’s leader has claimed he is the victim of a conspiracy by Malaysian authorities attempting to damage the honour of North Korea. Ri Jong Chol, a North Korean, accused Malaysia of using coercion to try to extract a confession from him.
[Daily Mail] Islamic students at a Sydney private school threatened to behead non-Muslim staff and declared themselves ISIS sympathizers, staff alleged. Police feared students at Punchbowl Boys High School were being radicalized after principal Chris Griffiths did not cooperate with a de-radicalization program.
The European Union is expected within days to sign off on plans for a small military command centre in Brussels, a symbolic step towards deeper defence ties that the UK will not seek to block.
[The Mail] As Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill's claims that she had never met with Sergey Kislyak were proven to be untrue, six more Democrats have been revealed to have met with the Russian Ambassador.
[DAWN] GUJRANWALA: Nearly three years after Saba Qaiser’s father and uncle shot her in the face, rolled her in a rug and threw her in a river for marrying without their consent, the 21-year-old is again afraid for her life.
