3036-ARE WE NOW IN THE END TIMES? | View Thread

Anonymously, Politicians and Diplomats Admit Need for West to Work With Russia on Syria

In an interview with the German news network Deutsche Welle, Stefan Meister, head of the program on Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia at the German Council on Foreign Relations, suggested that 2016 will see further rapprochement between Moscow and the West.

"The West wants closer ties with Russia and is, in particular, ready to consider Russian proposals on Syria, including the creation of a broad negotiating format on the matter," Meister said.

In this regard, he specifically pointed to Moscow's ever-increasing international clout.

"We [will] also see Russia return to the international arena and walk out of the isolation after the Ukraine crisis. Right now, both the EU and the US are very interested in the normalization of relations with Moscow," Meister added.

President Vladimir Putin chairs meeting of Russian Security Council

West Tries to Stop Russia From Re-Creating USSR But Moscow Has No Such Aim - Putin

He pointed out that among other things, the West is pinning hopes on Russia's ability to help resolve the Syrian gridlock.

"The US and the EU believe that they now need Russia because it could contribute to the settlement of the Syrian crisis. But I think that we first of all see attempts to improve relations with Russia in view of the many other crises that we face," Meister said.

Western countries have repeatedly blamed Russia for backing supporters of Donbass region's independence in eastern Ukraine, allegations that Moscow vehemently rejects.

Luis Miguel 1162 61587 Lima	RE: ARE WE NOW IN THE END TIMES? 12/28/2015 1:00:59 AM
	US mass shootings most important event of 2015: Poll Sun Dec 27, 2015 3:4AM Amanda Fischer (L) hugs her daughter, Sally Fischer, during a memorial service in Irwindale, California, for their friend who was killed during a mass shooting on December 5, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The majority of Americans say the most important events of 2015 were the mass shootings in the United States, including the attack in San Bernardino, California, according to a new poll. The Associated Press-Times Square Alliance poll found that 68 percent listed mass shootings in the US as “very or extremely important” news events this year, including the ones in San Bernardino, California; Charleston, South Carolina; Roseburg, Oregon; and Chattanooga, Tennessee. "At this point, I'm numb to all of it," said 32-year-old J.P. Fury, one of the people surveyed. "This is nothing new. Every week there's a new shooting somewhere in America, and there's a new terrorist attack somewhere around the world." The poll also shows that 44 percent of Americans rate as extremely or very important the deaths of African Americans at the hands of police which have sparked protests across the US in the past two years. Americans are also much less likely than they were a year ago to believe that the current year was better for the United States. Only 17 say this year was better for their country, compared to 30 percent who said so last year. On a personal level, fewer than a third (29 percent) believe 2015 was better for them than 2014, while 21 percent feel it was worse, compared with 15 percent in 2014. The United States is by far the global leader in mass shootings, with five percent of the world’s population but with nearly a third of all gun-related massacres in the last 50 years, a recent study has found. According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), firearms are the cause of death for more than 33,000 people in the United States every year, a number that includes accidental discharge, murder and suicides, which are on the increase. (PRESS TV)
	"Choose a job you love and you will not have to work a day in your life" (Confucius)
	+1

Luis Miguel 1162 61587 Lima	RE: ARE WE NOW IN THE END TIMES? 12/28/2015 2:04:09 AM
	A positive message for a change this time Peace on Earth: EU, US ‘Very Interested’ in Reconciling With Russia in 2016 © Sputnik/ Alexander Vilf 10:13 26.12.2015(updated 10:19 26.12.2015) Next year will see more fence-mending between Russia and the West, according to Stefan Meister, head of the program on Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia at the German Council on Foreign Relations. © FLICKR/ EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Anonymously, Politicians and Diplomats Admit Need for West to Work With Russia on Syria In an interview with the German news network Deutsche Welle, Stefan Meister, head of the program on Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia at the German Council on Foreign Relations, suggested that 2016 will see further rapprochement between Moscow and the West. "The West wants closer ties with Russia and is, in particular, ready to consider Russian proposals on Syria, including the creation of a broad negotiating format on the matter," Meister said. In this regard, he specifically pointed to Moscow's ever-increasing international clout. "We [will] also see Russia return to the international arena and walk out of the isolation after the Ukraine crisis. Right now, both the EU and the US are very interested in the normalization of relations with Moscow," Meister added. © SPUTNIK/ MIKHAIL KLE MENTYEV West Tries to Stop Russia From Re-Creating USSR But Moscow Has No Such Aim - Putin He pointed out that among other things, the West is pinning hopes on Russia's ability to help resolve the Syrian gridlock. "The US and the EU believe that they now need Russia because it could contribute to the settlement of the Syrian crisis. But I think that we first of all see attempts to improve relations with Russia in view of the many other crises that we face," Meister said. Western countries have repeatedly blamed Russia for backing supporters of Donbass region's independence in eastern Ukraine, allegations that Moscow vehemently rejects. Read more: http://sputniknews.com/world/20151226/1032326963/russia-west-relations.html#ixzz3vZs4u7l
	"Choose a job you love and you will not have to work a day in your life" (Confucius)
	+1

Luis Miguel 1162 61587 Lima	RE: ARE WE NOW IN THE END TIMES? 12/28/2015 9:47:38 AM
	Sun Dec 27, 2015 11:49pm EST China passes controversial counter-terrorism law BY BEN BLANCHARD An Weixing, the head of the Public Security Ministry's counter-terrorism division, speaks at a news conference after China's parliament passed a controversial new anti-terrorism law in Beijing, December 27, 2015. REUTERS/KIM KYUNG-HOON China passed a controversial new anti-terrorism law on Sunday that requires technology firms to help decrypt information, but not install security "backdoors" as initially planned, and allows the military to venture overseas on counter-terror operations. Chinese officials say their country faces a growing threat from militants and separatists, especially in its unruly Western region of Xinjiang, where hundreds have died in violence in the past few years. The law has attracted deep concern in Western capitals, not only because of worries it could violate human rights such as freedom of speech, but because of the cyber provisions. U.S. President Barack Obama has said that he had raised concerns about the law directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping. While a provision in an initial draft that would require companies to keep servers and user data within China was removed from the final law, technology companies will still have to provide help with sensitive encryption information if law enforcement authorities demand it. Speaking after China's largely rubber-stamp parliament passed the law, Li Shouwei, deputy head of the parliament's criminal law division under the legislative affairs committee, said China was simply doing what other Western nations already do in asking technology firms to help fight terror. "This rule accords with the actual work need of fighting terrorism and is basically the same as what other major countries in the world do," Li told reporters. This will not affect the normal operation of tech companies and they have nothing to fear in terms of having "backdoors" installed or losing intellectual property rights, he added. The installing of security "backdoors" was also initially mooted by China for the law. Officials in Washington have argued the law, combined with new draft banking and insurance rules and a slew of anti-trust investigations, amounts to unfair regulatory pressure targeting foreign companies. China's national security law adopted in July requires all key network infrastructure and information systems to be "secure and controllable". The anti-terrorism law also permits the People's Liberation Army to get involved in anti-terrorism operations overseas, though experts have said China faces big practical and diplomatic problems if it ever wants to do this. An Weixing, head of the Public Security Ministry's counter-terrorism division, said China faced a serious threat from terrorists, especially "East Turkestan" forces, China's general term for Islamists separatists it says operate in Xinjiang. "Terrorism is the public enemy of mankind, and the Chinese government will oppose all forms of terrorism," An said. Rights groups, though, doubt the existence of a cohesive militant group in Xinjiang and say the unrest mostly stems from anger among the region's Muslim Uighur people over restrictions on their religion and culture. The new law also restricts the right of media to report on details of terror attacks, including a provision that media and social media cannot report on details of terror activities that might lead to imitation, nor show scenes that are "cruel and inhuman". (Editing by Jacqueline Wong; Editing by Michael Perry)
	"Choose a job you love and you will not have to work a day in your life" (Confucius)
	+1

Luis Miguel 1162 61587 Lima	RE: ARE WE NOW IN THE END TIMES? 12/28/2015 10:38:26 AM
	Britain sends in more troops as historic city floods By Oli Scarff5 hours ago Members of the emergency services paddle down Huntington Road in York, northern England, after the adjacent River Foss burst its banks on December 27, 2015 (AFP Photo/Oli Scarff) View Gallery York (United Kingdom) (AFP) - British Prime Minister David Cameron was expected to visit flood-stricken parts of northern England on Monday, as troops helped tackle a deluge that has swamped the historic city of York. Related Stories British soldiers aid evacuation in flood-hit northern England Reuters 'Unprecedented' Flooding Inundates Towns In Northern England Huffington Post Floods hit parts of England as government scrambles to respond AFP Torrential rain brings flooding to northern England Reuters The government has dispatched hundreds of soldiers to help deal with unprecedented flooding in the county of Yorkshire, where hundreds of people have been forced to flee their homes. Cameron on Sunday hosted a conference call of Britain's COBRA emergencies committee over the floods, which have caused chaos during the post-Christmas holiday period. Rivers across northern England have burst their banks, hitting the cities of Leeds and Manchester as well as nearby towns and villages. Emergency workers paddled in dinghies to save stranded residents in York, with some people wading through waist-deep water carrying possessions above their heads. Mountain rescue teams used inflatable boats to evacuate care home residents, while soldiers knocked on doors to check whether people who stayed in their houses were still safe. View gallery The government is under pressure to review the quality of Britain's flood defences after rivers … An extra 200 soldiers were sent in to work with the 300 already on the ground, aiding hundreds of rescuers and volunteers who have been on high alert since Christmas Day. "A further 1,000 military personnel are being held in reserve should the situation worsen," Cameron's Downing Street office said, calling the flooding an "unprecedented event". The Environment Agency had 27 severe flood warnings in place early Monday, signalling a "danger to life", chiefly at points along major rivers in Yorkshire. Warnings were also issued for 94 other areas where flooding was expected and "imminent action required". The Met Office national weather service predicted a "fine and dry day with some sunshine" for Yorkshire on Monday. However, river levels on the Ouse in York were expected to peak around midday. View gallery A "Road Closed" sign stands partially submerged on a residential street adjacent to the Ri … - 'Empty rhetoric' - The government was under pressure Monday to review the quality of Britain's flood defences. The Guardian newspaper said Monday that "empty rhetoric and even the army cannot substitute for coherent policy on flood prevention". "Climate change and inadequate preparation... ensure that the floods will become a painfully regular future of British life," the daily said in its editorial. Cameron said a combination of temporary and permanent barriers had helped, but admitted that "in some cases they have been overtopped and overrun, and so of course we should look again at whether there is more we can do". View gallery A man dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow from "Pirates of the Caribbean" stands outside his f … Accountancy firm PwC said it was too early to estimate losses arising from this month's floods but initial analysis showed that they could run as high as £1.3 billion ($1.9 billion, 1.8 billion euros). With its cobbled streets and timbered buildings, York is one of Britain's top tourist attractions. It has a rich history dating back to Roman times and is home to one of Europe's finest cathedrals, which is about 800 years old. Some 3,500 properties in York were deemed at risk of flooding and special centres were set up to shelter hundreds residents who have left their homes. Others took to the higher floors of their houses to avoid the water pouring into front rooms still adorned with Christmas decorations. The barrier holding back the River Foss flowing into the city was raised, to prevent it from becoming jammed shut in a power loss. Floodwater in some streets almost totally submerged parked cars and came up so high that only shop signs could be seen above the surface in some areas. The Archbishop of York John Sentamu said flood waters were coming into his Bishopthorpe Palace residence. York city council also tweeted that all its phone lines were down "due to flood water in the exchange". More than 7,500 homes in Greater Manchester and Lancashire were without electricity due to flood damage.
	"Choose a job you love and you will not have to work a day in your life" (Confucius)
	+1

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US mass shootings most important event of 2015: Poll

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Peace on Earth: EU, US ‘Very Interested’ in Reconciling With Russia in 2016

Next year will see more fence-mending between Russia and the West, according to Stefan Meister, head of the program on Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia at the German Council on Foreign Relations.

Britain sends in more troops as historic city floods

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