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The Last Chronicles of Planet Earth December 9, 2016 Edition written by Frank DiMora
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~Scroll down for all the news; please be sure to CLICK on the photos for all Bible verses pertaining to each news story~
Headline: Netanyahu to Iran: ‘We’re not a rabbit, we’re a tiger’
Headline: Iran’s Rouhani: Jihad against Israel Only Path for Palestinians
Prime Minister Netanyahu conveyed a message through Kazakhstan to Iranian President Rouhani, saying that Israel ‘is not a rabbit, but a tiger.’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed determination and resolve against Iranian threats during his visit Wednesday in Kazakhstan. President Nursultan Nazarbayev had volunteered to transmit a message from Netanyahu to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who will be visiting Astana next week. “Ask him why Iran continues to threaten us with annihilation,” Netanyahu responded to Nazarbayev. “Don’t you understand: we’re not a rabbit. We’re a tiger.” Earlier in the day, the Iranian outlet Press TV reported on remarks by Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Khameini, who said that Israel will cease to exist within 25 years if unity is established between the Palestinians and the Islamic world at large. Khameini also stressed his country’s goal to “liberate Palestine.”
Dec. 14, 2016
https://unitedwithisrael.org/irans-rouhani-jihad-against-israel-only-path-for-palestinians/
Headline: Nevada and Israel Sign Water Deal in First-of-its-Kind Agreement Between a US State and Mid-East Country
Nevada and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding on water-use innovation, marking what is reportedly a first-of-its-kind collaboration agreement between a U.S. state and a Middle East country. The deal—reached between Nevada’s WaterStart public-private joint venture and Israel’s National Technological Innovation Authority at Monday’s BusinessH2O Summit, a one-day conference in Las Vegas organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—paves the way for Israeli water technology companies to eventually set up research and production facilities in the notoriously arid state of Nevada. “Our private sector needs to partner with water-advanced countries like Israel to adopt new technologies and best practices in water management, which will help create jobs and grow our economy,” said Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of international affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
Dec. 14, 2016
Headline: ISIS takes responsibility for launching rocket at Israel from Sinai
ISIS claimed responsibility overnight Wednesday for a rocket fired at the Nitzana border crossing separating Israel and Egypt on Tuesday, despite the fact that the rocket failed to reach Israeli territory and landed in the Sinai. The terror group claimed responsibility for the rocket by publishing photos documenting what they called “shelling across the border of occupied Palestine by two Grad rockets.” In one of the published photos, a terrorist, whose face is obscured, can be seen readying one of the rockets for launch. Another photo later shows the rocket being launched.
Dec. 15, 2016
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4893468,00.html
Headline: Thousands rally in Gaza for anniversary of Hamas founding
Tens of thousands of Palestinians, including hundreds of gunmen and children waving mock weapons, rallied in Gaza on Wednesday in support of the Islamic terrorist group Hamas that rules the territory on the 29th anniversary of its founding. In a show of force for Hamas, loudspeakers blasted the group’s slogans through the streets as rockets mounted on pickup trucks rolled by. Hundreds of masked militants marched and dozens of children wielding imitation assault rifles attended with their families. Hamas official Khalil Haya, delivered a fiery speech at the rally full of rhetoric against Israel. He also called for reconciliation with the Fatah party, led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas — but only under Hamas’ terms.
Dec. 15, 2016
http://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-rally-in-gaza-for-anniversary-of-hamas-founding/
Headline: Palestinians preparing new Security Council draft – report
Headline: Report: US cuts all direct aid to PA
The Palestinian delegation to the United Nations has reportedly circulated a new draft of a resolution condemning Israel settlements that they hope to bring to a vote before US President Barack Obama leaves office next month. The draft is reportedly softer than one circulated earlier in the year, but still calls all the settlements, including Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, illegal, Israel Radio reported, noting that Egypt would submit the text for the Palestinians. The Palestinians pushed for the Security Council to adopt a resolution against settlements in February 2011 but it was vetoed by the United States. The 14 other Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution, reflecting the wide support for the draft which had over 100 co-sponsors.
Dec. 15, 2016
http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-preparing-new-security-council-draft-report/
https://worldisraelnews.com/report-us-cuts-all-direct-aid-to-pa/
Headline: Amona residents defend decision to reject compromise
Residents of Amona held a press conference Thursday afternoon during which they sought to explain their decision to reject a proposed compromise the previous night, which would have allowed them to transfer their homes to available land in a different area in the outpost on condition that their owners acquiesce in the evacuation of their original location. “The state made no commitment to anything and it is putting a gun to our heads,” said Avichai Boaron, who is heading the struggle against the evacuation. We have sacrificed our homes but we won’t agree to destroying our children’s souls.”
Dec. 15, 2016
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4893591,00.html
Saudi Arabia
Headline: Yemen conflict: US cuts arms sales to Saudi Arabia
Headline: Saudi king warns against ‘foreign interference’ in Yemen as his troops continue attacks on Houthis
The US has said it will limit arms sales to Saudi Arabia amid concerns over civilian casualties linked to air strikes in Yemen. Precision-guided weapons will no longer be delivered, a Pentagon official said. President Barack Obama’s administration said it was concerned over “flaws” in the way air strikes are targeted in Yemen. In October, more than 140 people were killed in a strike on a funeral in the country. A Saudi-led coalition, which is attempting to support the elected government against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, was blamed for the attack. White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price later warned Saudi Arabia that US security co-operation was “not a blank cheque”.
Dec. 14, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38310870
https://www.rt.com/news/370399-saudi-king-yemen-intervention/
Egypt
Headline: Islamists threaten ‘volcano of jihad’ against Egypt after execution
Egypt executed prominent Islamist fighter Adel Habara on Thursday, state media said, days after a top court rejected his final appeal and in defiance of militant threats to ignite “a volcano of jihad” across the country. Habara, 40, was sentenced to death in 2014 for killing 25 army conscripts in Northern Sinai in August 2013. He was hanged early on Thursday after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi signed off on the death sentence, state news agency MENA said. Sisi has launched a fierce crackdown on Islamists since as Egypt’s then-military chief he overthrew the country’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, in July 2013. He is battling a raging insurgency in Northern Sinai, led by Sinai Province, the Egyptian affiliate of ISIS. The militant group has killed hundreds of soldiers and police in regular attacks that have intensified since Sisi took power. After Habara’s appeal was rejected by the Court of Cassation on Saturday, ISIS supporters issued warnings to Sisi online not to carry out the execution. “To the tyrant Sisi, if you dare to execute Sheikh Adel Habara then, by God, you will have ignited a volcano of jihad all over the country and opened the doors of hell on your soldiers and dogs and institutions,” read a message on the Lone Wolves account run by ISIS supporters on Telegram.
Dec. 15, 2016
Headline: Around The World And Online, Protests For Aleppo
Headline: Around 50,000 to be evacuated from Aleppo over 2-3 days
Headline: Hezbollah hails Syrian govt victory in Aleppo
As the people of Aleppo appealed for the world to take action against the advancing government troops, one of the greatest refrains was a call to fellow Muslims for help. A Shiite army was advancing, and Sunnis watching the impending fall saw the battle as yet another conflagration of Sunni-Shiite divisions. But rather than lay blame at the feet of their own Sunni leaders, Arabs protesting Wednesday over the fall of Aleppo directed their anger at Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who belongs to a Shiite strand of Islam and is supported by largely Shiite powers, including Iran, Lebanese and Iraqi Hezbollah, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In Kuwait, Arabs held banners denouncing Assad and Russia, and in Turkey, activists held a massive rally in front of the Russian embassy in Ankara. Turkish Islamist groups launched a campaign named “Open Road to Aleppo,” inviting supporters to march from Istanbul to the border Turkey shares with Syria, and then on to Aleppo to help trapped residents. There were calls Wednesday by the Syrian opposition for supporters across the world to launch protests this Friday in their countries, to pressure their leaders to intervene on Aleppo. “Take to the streets with angry demonstrations, press your governments and protest in front the embassies of Russia and Iran,” the page said. “Russia is committing a genocide against the people of Aleppo and Assad’s gangs commit massacres and executions every day.”
Dec. 14, 2016
http://www.vocativ.com/383929/protests-for-aleppo/
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4893704,00.html
Headline: Top US official reports ISIS may have air defenses in Syria town
Headline: ISIS militants launch another powerful attack on the strategic airbase in Homs province
ISIS militants got control of military equipment and weapons, possibly including air defense equipment, when they recaptured the Syrian town of Palmyra (Homs Province), the top US general leading the fight against IS told reporters on Wednesday. Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend said Russian forces and the Syrian government took their eye off the ball and lost Palmyra and will likely try to take it back again. But if they don’t, he said, the US-led coalition will take action, particularly if insurgents start moving weapons out of the city. “Anything they seize poses a threat to the coalition, but we can manage those threats and we will,” Townsend said, adding that ISIS likely has some armored vehicles, various guns and other heavy weapons there. Townsend said he anticipates that the coalition will have opportunities soon to strike the equipment and kill the militants operating it. “We will strike it if we see it moving away from Palmyra,” he said. “I think … as long as it stays in Palmyra, the Russians will have the lead and the regime will have the lead to deal with that.”
Dec. 15, 2016
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4893308,00.html
Headline: ‘Worse Than A Nuke’: Hottest Warzone In Iraq Might Get A Bibilical Bath
Iraq’s Mosul dam is showing signs of collapse, threatening to engulf the entire city and displace millions of people. Iraqi and Italian engineers are working round the clock to complete major renovations over the next 18 months. If the dam bursts, it threatens to unleash an entire manmade lake onto Iraq’s second largest city, threatening the livelihoods of millions of Iraqis. “It is just a matter of time. It will be worse than throwing a nuclear bomb on Iraq,” Mosul damn expert Nadhir al-Ansari told Al-Jazeera. Ansari elaborated that the ground supporting the foundation of the dam is rife with sinkholes and inherently unstable. Iraqi environmental expert Azzam al-Wash echoed Ansari’s concern saying “this is akin to putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound and pretending that everything is going to be all right.”
Dec. 13, 2016
Headline: ISIS infiltrates Mosul, calls for capture of women
ISIS infiltrated the liberated neighborhoods of al Noor, al Ilam, and al Taameen in Mosul on Wednesday evening, taking advantage of the cloudy weather conditions that led to the ease of air-strikes that target them, reported Al Arabiya’s correspondent in Iraq. This pushed the Counter-Terrorism forces to send more back-up to the neighborhoods to repel the counter-attacks in which ISIS used car bombs and mortars. The correspondent reported that ISIS called on their supporters to kill the men and capture the women in the liberated neighborhoods, prompting residents to flee to more secure areas such as Kokajala neighborhood. In contrast, Abdulwahab al-Saadi, head of the Counter-Terrorism forces called on the civilians to stay in their homes and not flee, stressing that things are under control
Dec. 15, 2016
Turkey
Headline: Turkey: Silencing the Media
Turkey’s government has all but silenced independent media in an effort to prevent scrutiny or criticism of its ruthless crackdown on perceived enemies, Human Rights Watch said today. The assault on critical journalism sharpened in 2014 but accelerated after the failed coup attempt in July 2016, denying Turkey’s population access to a regular flow of independent information from domestic newspapers, radio, and television stations about developments in the country. The 69-page report, “Silencing Turkey’s Media: The Government’s Deepening Assault on Critical Media,” documents five important components of the crackdown on independent domestic media in Turkey, including the use of the criminal justice system to prosecute and jail journalists on bogus charges of terrorism, insulting public officials, or crimes against the state. Human Rights Watch also documented threats and physical attacks on journalists and media organizations; government interference with editorial independence and pressure on media organizations to fire critical journalists; the government’s takeover or closure of private media companies; and restrictions on access to the airwaves, fines, and closure of critical television stations.
Dec. 15, 2016
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/12/15/turkey-silencing-media
Iran
Headline: Iran sanctions extension act to become law without Obama’s signature: White House
Headline: Russia says loss of Iran nuclear deal would be unforgivable
A bill extending U.S. sanctions against Iran for 10 years will become law without President Barack Obama’s signature, but will not affect implementation of the international accord limiting Iran’s nuclear program, the White House said on Thursday. The announcement represents an apparent reversal by the administration, after it said previously Obama would likely sign the act passed by Congress last month extending some sanctions on Tehran and also making it easier to reimpose others lifted under the 2015 nuclear pact. “This Administration has made clear that an extension of the Iran Sanctions Act, while unnecessary, is entirely consistent with our commitments in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Consistent with this longstanding position, the extension of the Iran Sanctions Act is becoming law without the President’s signature,” a White House statement said.
Dec. 15, 2016
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-usa-idUSKBN1441AE
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4893562,00.html
Afghanistan
Headline: Afghanistan Continues to Fume over Russia’s Outreach to Taliban
Officials and lawmakers in Afghanistan continue to question and denounce Russia’s recent disclosure that it maintains “limited political” contacts with the Taliban. The ongoing session of the Afghan parliament has witnessed a heated debate on the issue, with some lawmakers condemning Russia’s outreach to the Islamist insurgency as “shameful” while others accusing Moscow of providing modern warfare to Taliban fighters. Lawmakers also criticized neighboring Iran for backing the Taliban. On Wednesday, the legislative lower house, or Wolasi Jirga, passed a resolution, urging President Ashraf Ghani’s national unity government not to allow neighboring and regional countries to interfere in internal Afghan matters “on the pretext of supporting the Taliban to fight Islamic State.” Russian ambassador to Kabul, Alexander Mantytskiy, revealed last week his government maintains ties with the insurgent group but they are not “intensive.”
Dec. 14, 2016
http://www.voanews.com/a/afghanistan-continues-to-fume-over-russia-outreach-to-taliban/3635866.html
Ethiopia
Headline: Ethiopian troop withdrawal from Somalia exposes peacekeeping problems
Headline: Turkey restores Ottoman-era building in Ethiopia
The Ethiopian troops had been assisting the internationally funded African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The draw-down could imperil Somalia’s chances of becoming a viable nation state. Many assumed this redeployment was aimed at bolstering Ethiopia’s security forces in order to tackle the country’s ongoing six-month state of emergency. But the reasons are more complicated, revealing problems with internationally-funded peacekeeping and with AMISOM’s efforts in battling al-Qaeda-linked militants in Somalia. Since the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) withdrew its forces, the Islamic insurgency of Al Shabaab has already retaken a number of towns across south and central Somalia. “AMISOM should be able to do its mission with its quota of 21,000 troops—but it’s not managing it,” said a foreign political adviser in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa who wished to remain anonymous. “AMISOM can’t do anything without those additional Ethiopian troops.”
Dec. 15, 2016
http://www.ethiosports.com/2016/12/15/turkey-restores-ottoman-era-building-in-ethiopia/
Sudan
Headline: Hatred spills beyond South Sudan along with refugees
Besides bags, blankets and tales of horror, some of the thousands of refugees fleeing South Sudan’s civil war each day carry something else – the ethnic hatred the United Nations says is “fertile ground” for genocide. That hatred, fueled by continuing reports of ethnic-based killings inside the country, is turning refugee camps on its borders into tinder-boxes and threatening to destabilize the wider region. More than a million people have fled the world’s youngest nation since fighting erupted in late 2013, the biggest cross-border exodus from any central African conflict since the 1994 Rwandan genocide. They are going in all directions, including Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, but Uganda, directly south, has received the most – 600,000 refugees so far. Bidi Bidi, a parched 250 square km expanse of scrubland in northern Uganda, was only set up as a camp in August. It is already home to 260,000 South Sudanese, and authorities say that during November 2,700 more arrived every day. Earlier this month, the desperation and anger of its residents boiled over into confrontation as Dinka women from South Sudan’s largest and dominant ethnic group were attacked as crowds of refugees waited to receive food.
Dec. 15, 2016
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southsudan-uganda-refugees-idUSKBN1441QU?il=0
Algeria
Headline: Algeria condemns US travel advisory
The Algerian Foreign Ministry on Thursday described a U.S. warning against traveling to Algeria — due to the alleged risk of a terrorist attack — as a “distorted” claim that “does not reflect reality”. On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department issued a statement warning U.S. nationals against traveling to remote areas of southern and eastern Algeria “due to the possible threat of terrorist attacks or kidnapping”. The Algerian Foreign Ministry responded on Thursday with a statement of its own in which it asserted that the U.S. travel advisory did “not reflect the reality of Algeria’s security situation”. “The security of Algeria is permanently stable thanks to the policy of national reconciliation advocated by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the high price paid to eliminate terrorism,” the statement read. The ministry went on to assert that the U.S. travel advisory would be detrimental to bilateral ties and bilateral cooperation against terrorism.
Dec. 15, 2016
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/algeria-condemns-us-travel-advisory/707294
Headline: VIDEO 1000 Muslims block London streets chanting Allahu Akbar to demand Islamic caliphate
The street outside the empty embassy in Belgrave Square, London, was closed off as it filled with protestors and Islamic leaders chanting loudly and calling for America to be punished over Aleppo. The demonstration became an alternative to an official rally calling for an end to the bloodshed in Syria outside Downing Street. During the speeches which lasted almost an hour the crowd chanted Allahu Akbar ‘God is the greatest’ and cheered for those calling for a global caliphate. The crowd largely segregated into men and women with many of the women wearing Islamic clothing. According to website Breitbart one protester appeared to be waving a Taliban flag, while others were handed placards made by Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, which calls for the reestablishment of a caliphate. It is unclear who organised the demonstration.
Dec. 15, 2016
Luke 21:9-10
Matthew 24:6-7
Mark 13:7-8
Revelation 6:4
Revelation 6:8
Headline: Brazil: Clashes as Senate approves 20-year austerity plan
The Brazilian Senate has approved a controversial amendment to the constitution capping public spending for the next 20 years. The approval of the austerity measure is an important victory for President Michel Temer. He took office earlier this year promising to lead the country out of its worst recession in many decades. Protests against the measure turned violent in the capital Brasilia and at least a dozen states in the country. The opposition says the measures will mainly hit areas such as health and education, which are already underfunded. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets during the Senate session to protest against the austerity plan. After the vote, many demonstrations descended into violence. In Brasilia, masked protesters set fire to a bus and marched on the local offices of Globo TV, which they say is biased towards Mr Temer’s government. But the marchers were blocked by riot police.
Dec. 14, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38311053
Headline: 2 Blasts Hit Mogadishu; 6 Soldiers Killed
A blast believed to be caused an improvised explosive device tore through a Somali Army checkpoint and nearby displaced persons camp Thursday, killing six government soldiers, according to officials. Abdifitah Omar Halane, Benadir regional administrative spokesman, told VOA that the blast occurred at Ex-control Afgoye, the entry checkpoint to the southwestern part of Mogadishu. Halane said at least 13 other people were injured in the blast, most of them women and children. In a separate incident, a suspected al-Shabab suicide bomber detonated an explosive-laden car near a Mogadishu restaurant, killing himself and wounding seven others, including one journalist. Halane said the attacker blew himself up at a checkpoint near the Village restaurant, a popular Western-style eatery frequented by local journalists, government officials, and visitors from the diaspora. The restaurant has been targeted in several previous attacks which killed journalists and government staff. The car explosion followed a high-speed chase between police and the suspected suicide attacker, according to Halane. Meanwhile, a suicide car bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a restaurant in the Somali capital Thursday, killing himself and injuring three others, a Somali police officer said. The attacker detonated the massive bomb after his car overturned during a high-speed chase by police near the presidential palace in Mogadishu. Only the bomber died in the blast in the heavily guarded area where there are key government institutions, said Capt. Mohamed Hussein.
Dec. 15, 2016
http://www.voanews.com/a/two-blasts-mogadishu-six-soldiers-killed/3637497.html
http://www.voanews.com/a/somali-suicide-bomber-strikes-capital/3637225.html
Headline: Ukraine Update: November 9-December 13, 2016
The Ukrainian government implemented a series of reforms in the face of rising public dissatisfaction and protests. The slow pace of reform and perceived corruption of the Ukrainian government manifested in demonstrations of over 5,000 protesters in November. These movements enjoy the support of pro-Russia and populist parties that are making a concerted effort to capitalize on increasing public frustration in order to strengthen their movements and undermine the legitimacy of pro-western president Petro Poroshenko. Lack of unity and a clear direction from populist parties will likely prevent them from gaining meaningful traction among the Ukrainian electorate in the short term, however. Ukraine’s reformist movement also continued to voice its dissatisfaction with the Poroshenko administration. Former governor of Odessa Oblast, Mikheil Sakaashvili, announced the creation of a new reformist political party, held protests and launched a fundraising effort. President Poroshenko attempted to quell dissatisfaction by enacting reforms doubling the minimum wage, restructuring the health care system to make insurance universally available and protecting depositors against bank fraud. President Poroshenko will likely seek high-profile public victories, particularly EU visa liberalization, in order to stabilize support for his government. Ukraine also continued to strengthen its military and political ties with the EU and NATO in its effort to distance itself from Russia and modernize its infrastructure and military. Ukraine and the EU signed a memorandum of understanding on a strategic energy partnership that enhances cooperation in efficiency and facilitates energy market integration in the future. The deal also makes progress towards a visa-free travel regime for Ukrainians visiting EU nations. Ukraine launched numerous domestically manufactured surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles near Crimea, forcing a strong Russian reaction. In an effort to avoid prompting Russian military action against their forces, Ukraine shifted the tests further inland, revealing its ability to utilize its military buildup in Crimea to alter Ukraine’s use of its sovereign territory. Russia went so far as to assert that it would use its military assets in Crimea against another Black Sea power. Despite Russian pushback, the missile tests demonstrated the growing capabilities of Ukraine’s military and domestic arms industry, which continues to improve and modernize from its post-Soviet state of disrepair.
Headline: Putin, Abe hold talks on Japan-Russia territorial dispute
The leaders of Russia and Japan held talks at a hot springs resort in western Japan on Thursday on a territorial dispute that has divided their countries for 70 years. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the summit meeting in Nagato city marks his first official visit to a G-7 country since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe invited Putin even though the G-7 nations, including Japan, still have sanctions on Russia. The meetings will move to Tokyo on Friday. Abe hopes to make progress on the territorial dispute and bolster ties through joint economic projects. A major breakthrough is seen as unlikely. In brief remarks before the meeting, Abe told Putin that the hot spring waters of Nagato are famous for relieving fatigue. “I can guarantee you that the hot springs here would fully remove fatigue from our summit talks,” he said. Putin replied, “Better not to get too tired.” He also credited Abe’s efforts for “a certain movement in the development of Russian-Japanese ties.” James Brown, a Japan-Russia expert at Temple University’s Japan campus in Tokyo, said the meeting was “an extraordinary development. I think Prime Minister Abe is being really quite bold in announcing this new approach to relations with Russia, especially coming at such a difficult time in relations between Russia and the West.” |
Dec. 15, 2016
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1024571/world
Headline: Pellets Fired to Quell Protests Blind Hundreds of Kashmiris
Indian authorities call the shotgun shells filled with hundreds of small metal pellets a “non-lethal” weapon for crowd control, but that does not make them harmless. They’ve inflicted a permanent toll on hundreds of Kashmiris hit by them. The pellets have been in use here since 2010. Soldiers are trained to fire the shotguns below protesters’ waists, causing immense pain but — in theory — no permanent injuries. But a police official acknowledged that the rules are “more or less not followed because of the intensity of stone-throwing protests. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with department policy. The latest wave of protests began in early July after Indian troops killed Burhan Wani, a young and charismatic militant commander. As government troops cracked down on angry street protests in the Kashmir valley, shotguns were their weapon of choice. Health officials say that in the past five months more than 6,000 people, mostly young men, have been injured by shotgun pellets, including hundreds blinded in one or both eyes. Police and hospital officials say the pellets have killed at least eight people, though a prominent local rights group, Jammu-Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, says the death toll from the pellets is 18.
Dec. 14, 2016
Headline: 3 soldiers killed, 17 wounded as Philippine troops clash with Abu Sayyaf
At least three soldiers have been killed and 17 wounded during heavy fighting between Philippine government troops with Abu Sayyaf militants in southern Philippines, an army spokesman has said. Maj. Filemon Tan of the Philippine military’s western command said in a statement the fighting broke out around 10 a.m. Saturday local time in a remote village of Patikul, Sulu province as troops tracked the militants. Tan said the the gun battle raged for an hour and 45 minutes. “The (troops) continue to conduct pursuit operations and intensify the conduct of focused military operations to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu,” Tan said. President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military to hunt down Abu Sayyaf members, who are believed to be behind kidnappings for ransom in the area. The Philippine leader said he does not plan to forge a peace deal with the groups. Duterte has met with his counterparts from Indonesia and Malaysia to discuss a coordinated security plan to curb the activities of Abu Sayyaf in Sulu sea that borders the two Southeast Asian countries. “My order to army: destroy them, kill them,” Duterte has said, adding that under his watch Abu Sayyaf members will never be granted amnesty.
Dec. 15, 2016
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-12/11/c_135896672.htm
Headline: NATO is Hunting Russia’s ‘Carrier Killer’ Submarines
NATO’s anti-submarine forces are currently searching for one, possibly two, “carrier killer” Russian submarines thought to be in the vicinity of NATO warships off the coast of Syria. The Aviationist, an aviation blog, broke the story yesterday, citing military sources who claim that several maritime patrol aircraft—including brand-new U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon sub hunters—are scouring the sea for the Russian submarines. Sources believe the submarines are Oscar-class guided missile boats—submarines specifically designed to take out aircraft carriers. The “carrier killing” subs are of particular concern as they are reportedly operating within uncomfortable proximity to the American USS Eisenhower and the French Charles De Gaulle, both of which are nuclear-powered aircraft carriers stationed in the eastern Mediterranean to provide support to anti-Islamic State operations in Syria.
Dec. 13, 2016
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a51503/nato-hunting-russian-carrier-killer-submarines/
Headline: China installs weapons systems on artificial islands – U.S. think tank
Headline: Satellite images confirm China has advanced weapons on all 7 artificial islands
China appears to have installed weapons, including anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, on all seven of the artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea, a U.S. think tank reported on Wednesday, citing new satellite imagery. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies said its findings come despite statements by the Chinese leadership that Beijing has no intention to militarize the islands in the strategic trade route, where territory is claimed by several countries. AMTI said it had been tracking construction of hexagonal structures on Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi reefs in the Spratly Islands since June and July. China has already built military length airstrips on these islands. “It now seems that these structures are an evolution of point-defense fortifications already constructed at China’s smaller facilities on Gaven, Hughes, Johnson, and Cuarteron reefs,” it said citing images taken in November and made available to Reuters. “This model has gone through another evolution at (the) much-larger bases on Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief reefs.” Satellite images of Hughes and Gaven reefs showed what appeared to be anti-aircraft guns and what were likely to be close-in weapons systems (CIWS) to protect against cruise missile strikes, it said.
Dec. 15, 2016
Headline: Pyongyang conducted sub-launched ballistic missile test: US military source
North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine during the last couple of weeks, a US military source told a Japanese television network on Thursday. The reported test came during the same period in which China, in line with harsher economic sanctions imposed on Pyongyang by the UN Security Council, has not allowed North Korean ships to deliver coal to Chinese ports.
Dec. 15, 2016
Headline: Dallas Police Resignations Soar As “Insolvent” Pension System Implodes
A few days ago we noted that the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System (DPFP) took the unprecedented step of halting withdrawals from their DROP fund after a “run on the bank” pushed to the entire pension system, and the City of Dallas, to the brink of liquidity crisis (see “In Unprecedented Move, Dallas Pension System Suspends Withdrawals“). Now, a local CBS affiliate in Dallas is reporting that the pension crisis is driving a massive surge in police resignations. Interim Dallas Police Chief David Pughes told city council members Monday that 99 officers have left the department since October 1. City councilman Philip Kingston is among those who blame the situation on the cash-starved police and fire pension fund. “It’s concerning, but it’s not very surprising with the turmoil surrounding the pension system,” said Kingston. In a statement, Mayor Mike Rawlings said, “This is why we are working so hard to address our pension crisis.” The Dallas Police Association said in any given year, about 180 officers leave the department — either to retire or work at higher-paying departments. About half the number have left in a two and a half month period. Of course, not surprisingly, the majority of the resignations came from older, tenured officers who had the most to lose. “I think most of those 99 were tenured officers, so those are our most experienced officers, the majority investigative detectives who solve crimes everyday,” said Mata. Councilman Kingston acknowledges the department’s challenge. “I think Chief Pughes is going to have to be creative. There’s nothing we can do to fix that in the short term. He has the number of officers he has and he has got to get results using those officers.”
Dec. 13, 2016
Headline: Venezuelans fight to protect their savings as government pulls bills from circulation
Headline: Some poor Venezuelan parents give away children amid deep crisis
Venezuelans are rushing to the banks this week in a desperate attempt to protect their savings from the government’s latest spasm of reckless financial policymaking. On Tuesday morning thousands of people across Venezuela played hooky from work to line-up outside banks and deposit bundles of cash into their savings accounts after the government gave everyone a 72-hour countdown to turn in all their 100 bolivar notes before they’re removed from circulation. The 100 bolivar note, the highest denomination of Venezuelan currency, is currently worth about 3 cents on the U.S. dollar. But Venezuela’s government announced on Sunday that it is removing the bills from circulating because they’re being purchased in bulk by “international mafia groups” that are allegedly trying to “overthrow” the struggling socialist government by hoarding money abroad and starving Venezuela of cash. President Nicolas Maduro said that by making his country’s 100 bill illegal, he is “hitting back” against the mafia groups, who he claims have ties to the U.S. State Department, although he’s never offered any solid proof to back his claims.
Dec. 13, 2016
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/poor-venezuelan-parents-away-children-amid-deep-crisis-141708650.html
Headline: Asian shares extend losses after Fed rate hike, dollar eases
Shares fell in Asia early Thursday after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates overnight. The quarter percentage point rate increase, the second in a decade, was widely expected although investors were surprised to see the Fed project three more increases for 2017. KEEPING SCORE: Japan’s Nikkei 225 index gave up early gains to fall 0.2 percent to 19,225.24 after the release of upbeat manufacturing data. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.7 percent to 22,074.16 and Australia’s S&P ASX 200 dropped 1.1 percent to 5,5,26. 30. South Korea’s Kospi lost 0.4 percent to 2,030.80 and the Shanghai Composite index fell 0.3 percent to 3,131.67. FED’S MOVE: The hike took the Fed’s key short-term rate to a range of 0.50 percent to 0.75 percent. Investors reacted to the Fed’s announcement Wednesday by selling stocks that would be most hurt by higher interest rates, which raise the cost of borrowing and can slow corporate profits and economic growth. The Fed also raised its forecast for rate hikes in 2017 to three from two. WALL STREET BLUES: Stocks had their worst day in two months after the Fed’s announcement, and four stocks fell for every one that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 18.44 points, or 0.8 percent, to 2,253.28, its biggest percentage loss since mid-October. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 118.68 points, or 0.6 percent, to 19,792.53. The Nasdaq composite fell 27.16, or 0.5 percent, to 5,436.67.
Dec. 14, 2016
Dec. 7, 2016- Thousands of snow geese die after ‘landing on toxic waters’ in Montana
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/07/thousands-of-snow-geese-die-in-montana-after-landing-on-contaminated-water
Dec. 8, 2016- 100 tons of fish have died in Lake Maninjau, Indonesia
https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.okezone.com%2Fread%2F2016%2F12%2F08%2F340%2F1561683%2Fcuaca-ekstrem-picu-ratusan-ton-ikan-di-agam-mati-keracunan&edit-text=&act=url
Dec. 12, 2016- Thousands of dead fish found in a river in Espirito Santo, Brazil
https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fg1.globo.com%2Fespirito-santo%2Fdesastre-ambiental-no-rio-doce%2Fnoticia%2F2016%2F12%2Fpeixes-aparecem-mortos-no-rio-ipiranga-no-norte-do-es.html&edit-text=&act=url
Dec. 13, 2016- 9.8 million poultry killed due to avian flu in various areas of South Korea
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-korea-cull-bird-flu_1.html
Headline: 50 Christian Statues Defaced and Decapitated in Germany
Fifty statues of Christ and other Christian figures have been defaced and smashed apart in a crime wave sweeping parts of Germany. Statues in the Münster region in the west of Germany have been targeted over a series of months – including one of Jesus which had its head lopped off, and many more missing limbs or other fragments. The series of attacks on Christian imagery was brought to light in a report by a division of the state broadcaster WDR. Their news show, Lokalzeit Münsterland, reported the crime wave on their 8 December edition, and also on social media.
Dec. 15, 2016
http://heatst.com/world/50-christian-statues-defaced-and-decapitated-in-germany/
Headline: THE REAL LIFE HUNGER GAMES: Sick rules for bonkers new Russian reality TV show allow contestants to ‘fight, rape and MURDER each other’ A BRUTAL Russian reality show allowing “fighting, murder and rape” will see contestants armed with knives and dumped in the Siberian wilderness to battle bears, wolves and freezing temperatures. The Hunger Games-style contest will see 30 participants – half of them women – ditched in the wild for a nine-month survival test in temperatures sinking to minus 40C or lower. Contestants from different countries seeking a £1.3 million prize will be issued with knives but not guns and expected to hunt and fish for food to stay alive. The shocking rules say: “Everything is allowed. Fighting, alcohol, murder, rape, smoking, anything.” Russian millionaire Yevgeny Pyatkovsky, 35, is the brains behind the extreme contest – but says the show won’t take responsibility for what happens to the contestants. He said: “We will refuse any claim of participants even if they were to be killed or raped. “We will have nothing to do with this. This will be spelt out in a document to be signed by the participant before the start of the show.” But while the show’s own rules are that absolutely anything goes, Russian criminal laws will still apply if contestants do end up turning savage. Contestants are told if there is proof of criminality “the police will come and take you away”.
***Please contact ETRM via email if any viewer finds this story is untrue
Dec. 15, 2016
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2404086/russian-reality-tv-show/
http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/shocking-real-life-hunger-games-9464797
Headline: Three parent babies: IVF clinics told they can create children with two mothers
Clinics in Britain can now apply to create three parent babies after the fertility watchdog gave the final approval for the procedure. The fertility technique, which was developed by British scientists, allows doctors to replace an egg’s defective mitochondrial DNA with healthy DNA from a female donor to prevent children suffering debilitating conditions such as muscular dystrophy. It is controversial because it would result in babies born with the DNA of three people – and effectively, two mothers.
Dec. 15, 2016
Headline: Record-breaking wave thunders through North Atlantic
A colossal wave recorded in the North Atlantic has smashed previous records for size. The 62 foot (19 meter) wave — captured between Iceland and the UK on February 4 2013 — has set a new world record for the biggest wave ever recorded by a buoy, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The previous record of 60 feet (18 meters) was also measured in the North Atlantic in December 2007. Four times the size of a double-decker bus, the WMO said the huge swell followed the passage of a “very strong cold front” which produced powerful winds of up to 50 mph (80 kph). The organization said the delay in confirming the new record was due to the time it took to analyze, cross-check and verify the data. “This is the first time we have ever measured a wave of 19 meters. It is a remarkable record,” said Wenjian Zhang, WMO Assistant Secretary-General, in a statement.
Dec. 14, 2016
http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/13/europe/record-wave-north-atlantic/index.html
Headline: NASA scientist warns of ‘extinction-level’ asteroid strike
A NASA scientist is warning that Earth is due for an “extinction-level” event like a comet or asteroid strike – and he claims there won’t be anything we can do to stop it, according to a New York Post report on the matter. Joseph Nuth, an award-winning scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, was speaking at the annual American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco. Nuth maintained that policymakers should start preparing for such a cataclysm, despite the extremely long odds of it happening. “But on the other hand, they are the extinction-level events, things like dinosaur killers, they’re 50 to 60 million years apart, essentially,” Nuth said. “You could say, of course, we’re due, but it’s a random course at that point.” Nuth claims that humanity isn’t close to being prepared for such a threat, stating that “there’s not a hell of a lot we can do about it at the moment.”
Dec. 15, 2016
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/221774
All earthquakes are instantly posted to the ETRM Facebook page- you do not need to sign up; click the photo below to see the earthquake album ***beginning November 29, 2016, earthquakes of a 5.0 magnitude and higher will be posted
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Headline: What’s shaking? 
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