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Mideast ceasefire ends but talks continue over extension

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The truce between Israel and Hamas has ended but talks are continuing in Egypt over a fresh deal to bring peace to Gaza. Hamas has rejecte...

The truce between Israel and Hamas has ended but talks are continuing in Egypt over a fresh deal to bring peace to Gaza. Hamas has rejected extending the three-day truce as it says Israel has failed to meet its demands, most notably the reopening of the port at Gaza to shipping. Hamas has also denied Israeli allegations that it fired two rockets into southern Israel hours before the ceasefire ended this morning. There has been no word, however, from other Palestinian dissident groups.   Less

‘Difficult’ Ukraine talks end without breakthrough

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Talks in Berlin aimed at finding a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine have broken up without any substantial result, according to...

Talks in Berlin aimed at finding a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine have broken up without any substantial result, according to Germany’s foreign minister. Frank-Walter Steinmeier described the discussions with his counterparts from Russia, Ukraine and France as “difficult”, but said progress had been made on some issues. “Our aim remains to do all we possibly can to bring about a ceasefire in Ukraine, and to avoid further casualties in the future as far as possible,” he said, adding that the door remained open for talks to continue. Meanwhile on the ground in Ukraine fighting has continued in Donetsk, the eastern rebel-held city now surrounded by government forces. It is not clear what caused explosions that were clearly visible on the city’s skyline, but local authorities said at least 10 civilians were killed as clashes continued throughout Sunday. Reports say Ukrainian troops have raised their national flag over Luhansk in what could be a breakthrough in government forces’ attempts to crush pro-Russian separatists. Yesterday a military convoy led by pro-Russian rebels was seen driving towards Krasnodon near the border. It is unclear whether the column of armoured vehicles had crossed from Russia. A Russian humanitarian convoy is still stuck at the border.   Less

Gaza prepares for end of ceasefire, as talks continue in Egypt

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With just a few precious hours left of a five-day ceasefire, Gazans are rushing to stock up on supplies. It comes as Israeli Prime Ministe...

With just a few precious hours left of a five-day ceasefire, Gazans are rushing to stock up on supplies. It comes as Israeli Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu announced that they would strike ‘with force’, should Hamas resume rocket fire when the truce expires at midnight local time. The death toll in the conflict stands at 2,016 according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Sixty four soldiers and three civilians have died on the Israeli side. For the Palestinians the talks hinge on Israel lifting its blockade of the Gaza strip, also of concern to the international community. “It remains my conviction that we must not leave Gaza in the condition it was in before this latest escalation, otherwise the restrictions on the (Gaza) Strip, on exit and entry of goods and people will continue to fuel instability, under-development and conflict,” said Robert H. Serry, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process at the UN. Netanyahu said that any deal on the coastal enclave would have to meet the security demands of Israel. The Egyptian mediators hope for an extension to the ceasefire, with any outstanding issues to be resolved at a later date.   Less

Imran Khan suspends talks with Pakistan government

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Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan has pulled out of talks with the government, vowing to stay with thousands of protesters outside parl...

Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan has pulled out of talks with the government, vowing to stay with thousands of protesters outside parliament until the prime minister steps down. For a week, the ex-cricketer and the cleric Tahir ul-Qadri have led rallies in the capital Islamabad to demand the resignation of Nawaz Sharif over claims of corruption and that he rigged last year’s election. Though present in parliament on Thursday, Sharif was scheduled to address the assembly but failed to do so. MPs did however reject demonstrators’ calls for him to quit as unconstitutional. The peaceful protests have also shone a spotlight on the central issue in Pakistani politics: competition for power between the armed forces and civilian leaders. The military is widely seen as benefiting from their power struggle, with the government forced to rely on the army for security.   Less

Putin calls for talks between pro-Russian rebels and Kyiv

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for dialogue between pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine and the government in Kyiv to protect...

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for dialogue between pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine and the government in Kyiv to protect people living near the conflict zone. “Substantive, meaningful talks, concerning not only technical issues but also relating to the issues of the society’s political organisation and statehood in southeastern Ukraine, should begin immediately,” said Putin, “to protect legitimate interests of people living there.” A Kremlin spokesman clarified Putin does not want a separate state in the region and called the conflict a domestic one inside Ukraine. Putin said his meeting last week with President Petro Poroshenko was “good” and called the Ukrainian president a “partner with whom it is possible to have a dialogue.” On Saturday the Lithuanian president called on Europe to supply military equipment to Kyiv. “I think the situation is getting worse. Russia is in open and direct involvement, and is in a state of war against Ukraine,” said Dalia Grybauskaite. “And, it is clear,” she continued. “This means – against a country which would like to be closer with Europe, which means that Russia is practically in a state of war against Europe.” She added that an arms embargo on Russia should be stepped up by stopping sales under existing contracts. EU officials who met in Brussels on Saturday are set to draw up proposals for fresh sanctions within a week.   Less

Russia says Ukraine talks should seek ‘immediate ceasefire’

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Despite Western claims that Russia is backing separatist rebels in Ukraine and has sent its own troops over the border, Moscow has again ins...

Despite Western claims that Russia is backing separatist rebels in Ukraine and has sent its own troops over the border, Moscow has again insisted that it won’t intervene militarily. Speaking to students in the capital, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also called for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” to be discussed during crisis talks in Belarus today. “There will be no military intervention,” Lavrov said. “ We are exclusively in favour of a peaceful solution to this terrible crisis, to this tragedy, and everything we do is to seek a political solution to the conflict.” The talks in Minsk will bring together representatives of Russia, Ukraine, the OSCE security forum and separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. As President Putin urged talks on the “statehood” of southern and eastern Ukraine, his counterpart in Kyiv, Petro Poroshenko, accused Russia of launching “direct and open aggression”. Ukraine now says its forces are facing a “batallion of Russian tanks” around the airport of the rebel stronghold of Luhansk. And Ukrainian troops and local residents are reinforcing the port of Mariupol, the next big city in the path of pro-Russian fighters who pushed back government forces along the Azov Sea last week in an offensive on a new front.   Less

No breakthrough at Ukraine peace talks

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Pro-Russian separatists have met for preliminary peace talks with Ukraine. No major decision was expected from Monday’s session. The so...

Pro-Russian separatists have met for preliminary peace talks with Ukraine. No major decision was expected from Monday’s session. The so-called contact group plan to meet again on Friday in the Belorussian capital Minsk. “This is just the beginning of the process,” Andrei Purgin, one of the leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, told Russian state television. “When consultations continue on September 5,” he said, “steps towards a potential ceasefire will be discussed and we will actively talk about a possible hostage exchange.” Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko met with the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee US Senator Robert Menendez, and US Ambassador to Ukraine. “If Russia wants to ultimately solve this problem they should stop talking about talking to the people’s leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk and should talk directly to the Ukrainian government,” said Menendez. “They have influenced the situation from the very beginning, it is their troops that have invaded here, it is their weaponry that has killed Ukrainian soldiers, it is their efforts that have created the invasion that is taking place,” he added. Poroshenko accused Russia of “direct and undisguised aggression” which he said had changed the battlefield balance in eastern Ukraine. Moscow denies its troops have crossed the border.   Less

Poroshenko calls for long ceasefire to allow time for talks

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Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko has welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached in Minsk that should end the fighting in east Ukraine. ...

Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko has welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached in Minsk that should end the fighting in east Ukraine. He said it was vindication of his peace plan, and he said the onus was now on everyone to make the ceasefire last and give talks time to bear fruit. Kyiv tried a unilateral ceasefire earlier in the conflict but it failed to stick when pro-Russian separatists ignored it and fired on the Ukrainian army, and violations on both sides spiralled into intensified conflict. “In this protocol there are 12 practical steps to establish peace and stability in part of the Donetsk and Luhansk region of Ukraine. With the respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine,” said Poroshenko. Within minutes of the ceasefire coming into force three loud explosions were heard north of Donetsk. A prisoner exchange should be the next step, while armed forces are supposed to hold their current positions.   Less

Mark from Rio Linda California talks about listening to RUSH LIMBAUGH 2112

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Mark from Rio Linda California talks about listening to RUSH LIMBAUGH 2112  

Further talks on Ukraine ceasefire take place in Minsk

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Pro-Russian separatists, representatives from Kyiv and Moscow, and the EU security watchdog, the OSCE, met in the Belarus capital Minsk on S...

Pro-Russian separatists, representatives from Kyiv and Moscow, and the EU security watchdog, the OSCE, met in the Belarus capital Minsk on Saturday for another round of talks on resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma representing Kyiv, said the two sides agreed to move artillery 15 kilometres away from the front line on both sides to create a buffer zone. The regular breaches of the initial ceasefire earlier this month emphasise the need for further measures to end the conflict. Cleaning up is underway in the rebel-held city of Donetsk in the east, which suffered heavy overnight shelling on Friday, killing one person and causing substantial damage.   Less

Kyiv talks buffer zone with rebels as fighting continues in Ukraine

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An uneasy calm is holding in eastern Ukraine, despite reports of continued fighting in some pockets, especially in and around Donetsk. Sin...

An uneasy calm is holding in eastern Ukraine, despite reports of continued fighting in some pockets, especially in and around Donetsk. Since September 5 the two sides have been supposed to respect a ceasefire, but that has been violated on a daily basis, with the Ukrainians complaining that occasionally these have been full-blown attacks on their defensive positions. In places like Donetsk it is ordinary people who are suffering. “I hope Russia will support us in the future, and save us from this horror. Our Ukraine doesn’t want to give us any money. They say ‘let those defending you feed you and pay your pensions.’ In the last four months none of the grandmothers among us, or my mother, have received anything. We have no money and we don’t know how we’ll survive,” said one elderly woman. The airport in Donetsk remains in government hands but is under daily attack. Kyiv says last night its forces repulsed a major attempt to take it. Yet talks have begun between the government and the pro-Russian separatists to set up a heavy weapons-free buffer zone of 30 km between them.   Less

‘Slow progress’ at Iran nuclear talks – Rohani

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Little progress has been made in talks between Iran and six world powers on overcoming difficulties over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Off...

Little progress has been made in talks between Iran and six world powers on overcoming difficulties over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Officials on both sides at the UN in New York say differences remain serious ahead of an end-of-November deadline. The Iranian President Hassan Rohani, hoping for a deal to end sanctions against his country, says progress has been “extremely slow”. “Iran will never surrender its legal right to the pursuit of civil peaceful nuclear activity. The (uranium) enrichment will continue under this framework in Iran,” Rohani told a news conference. “Any agreement with Iran in which the right is not officially recognised of continuing enrichment on Iranian soil will not be accepted as legitimate by us,” he added. “The sanctions must completely melt away and be deactivated.” Western powers want to ensure Iran is not hiding a military nuclear programme. The US Secretary of State John Kerry says last November’s interim deal under which Iran halted high-level enrichment in exchange for limited sanctions relief has “made the world safer”. Officials had warned before the latest negotiations that a breakthrough was unlikely, but were still hoping for more progress. More talks are expected soon but no date or venue has been set.   Less

North Korean delegation arrives in south for talks

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A highest level delegation from North Korea has arrived in South Korea raising hopes that the arch rivals could see an improvement in ties. ...

A highest level delegation from North Korea has arrived in South Korea raising hopes that the arch rivals could see an improvement in ties. Heading the Pyongyang delegation was Hwang Pyong So, who appeared in full military uniform. He was joined by two senior aides to supreme leader Kim Jong Un. The group met South Korea’s unification minister and national security director. The two Koreas are technically at war because their three year war in the 1950s ended without a formal peace treaty. Relations have reached a low point in recent years over the North’s nuclear weapons programme, military aggression and human rights abuses. Seoul insists that the North denuclearise before the two sides can come closer together. Internationally isolated, Pyongyang has signalled it is ready to return to six-party talks over its nuclear programme. This visit comes as speculation mounts that supreme Leader Kim may be in bad health.   Less

EDL Radio Confused after Tumblr Raid [REHOST]

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This raid on an EDL talk show occured Sunday October 5th at around 20:00 UTC. Let me know if you guys enjoy!  

France: Hollande hosts eco-warrior Schwarzenegger for climate talks

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His popularity ratings are in the doldrums but Francois Hollande has the Terminator on his side – when it comes to saving the planet. Ah...

His popularity ratings are in the doldrums but Francois Hollande has the Terminator on his side – when it comes to saving the planet. Ahead of next year’s UN climate talks in France the President hosted Arnold Schwarzenegger, an environmental champion with his R20-Regions of Climate Action group which brings regional authorities together, from around the world, to push for environmental progress. “We are big believers in a regional approach, in the sub-national approach,” Schwarzenegger told reporters outside the Elysée Presidential palace “We in California have been very successful without the help of a national government.” The ex-Governor of California should know – when he was in the driving seat, the state’s clean energy credentials made headlines worldwide. On his visit to the French capital, the ex-bodybuilder turned Hollywood star, politician and eco-warrior couldn’t resist the lure of the Paris Motor Show – spending time, of course, with the cleanest greenest vehicles.   Less

Putin-Poroshenko to discuss gas and ceasefire at Italy talks

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As the Asia-Europe meeting opens in Milan all eyes will be on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko who are...

As the Asia-Europe meeting opens in Milan all eyes will be on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko who are set to meet on Friday in an effort to ease tensions over gas and the conflict in east Ukraine. Officials from the EU and Russia say a deal is on the horizon, and the Ukrainian president expressed high expectations for the talks. More than 300 people have been killed in eastern Ukraine in sporadic fighting in breach of a ceasefire agreed in Minsk in September. Moscow denies arming pro-Russian rebels and sending troops, though the West says there is evidence to the contrary. The talks between Poroshenko and Putin will be hosted by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and attended by British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “I expect an open discussion and progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreement,” Merkel said ahead of the talks, explaining “this progress has not yet been as obvious as was expected from the points of the Minsk agreement and so we will talk about how we can make the Minsk agreement a reality.” The conflict in eastern Ukraine has further complicated a row over unpaid gas bills since the new Ukrainian leadership took over, following a popular uprising earlier this year. Russian gas giant Gazprom says the bills amount to almost four billion euros. Ukraine faces energy cuts this winter if no deal is reached. There would be a knock-on effect for Europe which receives a third of its gas from Russia, half of which passed through Ukraine.   Less

Hong Kong leader tells students it’s good to talk but offers dialogue excluding main demands

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With pro-democracy demonstrations continuing in Hong Kong, the leader of the Legislative Council has offered to resume a dialogue with the p...

With pro-democracy demonstrations continuing in Hong Kong, the leader of the Legislative Council has offered to resume a dialogue with the protest’s leaders. Yet that offer appears to exclude from the talks the major reason why thousands have come out on to the streets. As office workers joined the protesters for the first time for sit-down lunches and chats it appeared the demonstrators were getting their arguments across. “The most constructive thing the Hong Kong government can offer the students, is to sit down and listen to the students what we can do together within the framework of the decision of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. The central authorities have said clearly that they will not retract the decision of the Standing Committee decision on the 31st of August,” said the LEGCO Chief Executive Leung Chun-Ying. In other word, Beijing still insists on choosing the shortlist of candidates for the 2017 elections, an insistence the protesters want scrapped. Police beatings of some students have also hardened resolve, so it is hard to see this offer of what some are calling talks-that-are-not-talks leading anywhere.   Less

Milan: ‘positive’ talks about Ukraine crisis, Russian gas

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Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and EU leaders in Milan. An upbeat Putin said the tal...

Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and EU leaders in Milan. An upbeat Putin said the talks at the Europe-Asia (ASEM) summit had been “positive” but there had been no sign of de-escalating the Ukraine crisis. Delegates were also looking to resolve a dispute over natural gas supplies from Russia. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who hosted the meeting, said progress had been made but differences remain. “I think we made a step ahead for the climate, for the constructive discussion. Obviously there a lot of differences,” said Renzi. “But I would underline the real desire to find solutions and for these reasons I think we can be positive,” Renzi added. The EU fears Russia’s decision to cut gas supplies to Ukraine because of unpaid bills could disrupt energy supplies to Europe this winter and is working to broker a deal. Russia is Europe’s biggest gas supplier, meeting around a third of demand. The EU gets about half of the Russian gas it uses via Ukraine. Putin will hold more talks on Friday with Poroshenko, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, Russia’s RIA news agency reported. RIA cited the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, saying the four had agreed to meet after the Milan summit. “It was agreed that a few hours after the ASEM summit ends, discussion on Ukraine will continue [between the four],” the agency quoted Peskov as saying.   Less

Kremlin: Ukraine talks ‘full of misunderstandings and disagreements’

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The Kremlin said talks between Russia, Ukraine and European leaders were “full of misunderstandings and disagreements.” Kremlin spoke...

The Kremlin said talks between Russia, Ukraine and European leaders were “full of misunderstandings and disagreements.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “certain participants” has taken an “absolutely biased, non-flexible, non-diplomatic” approach to Ukraine. That contradicts more upbeat messages from delegates hoping to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who hosted the meeting as part of the Asia-Europe (ASEM) summit in Milan, said progress had been made but differences remain. “It was breakfast without breakfast because nobody drank Italian coffee,” he said. “Nobody left the chair to share the milk, the tea, the coffee, but this is an interesting signal about the necessity of discussion and I hope [during] the next hours we will have some steps ahead. Now after these meetings of Milan I’m more positive and I hope we can work together very, very strongly,” continued Renzi. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, who attended the meeting, tweeted an official video statement during which he talks about “positive developments.” Implementation #Ukraine peace plan is key. Statement after meeting with presidents #Putin, Poroshenko & EU leaders: http://t.co/mxW4SgalAZ.— Herman Van Rompuy (euHvR) 17 Octobre 2014 Putin, Poroshenko, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who all attended the meeting, plan to hold their own talks later on Friday (October 17). Simona Volta, euronews correspondent reported: “In Milan it’s another day of bilateral and multilateral talks. Putin and Poroshenko’s positions remain different. Perhaps another day with no solution to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.” José Manuel Barroso tweeted this image of him with Van Rompuy and Poroshenko before the meeting. Mtg now w/ President Poroshenko of #Ukraine at the margins of #ASEM2014 Summit in Milan pic.twitter.com/HSI2qAy332— José Manuel Barroso (BarrosoEU) 16 Octobre 2014   Less

Ukraine: Pro-Western parties in coalition talks after election success

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Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk have held preliminary power-sharing talks – with their pro-Wes...

Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk have held preliminary power-sharing talks – with their pro-Western parties set to dominate the country’s parliament following Sunday’s general election. But the two leading political groups, roughly neck and neck, appear to be seeking a broader alliance. Yuriy Lutsenko, of the Poroshenko bloc, said all parties who took part in the Independence Square protests should be involved in the creation of a coalition, namely the nationalist Freedom Party, ex -premier Yulia Tymoshenko’s Motherland Party and the pro-Europe Self-Help or Self Reliance Party. Partial results put Self Help in third place, delighting its leader, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, who is looking ahead to a new era. “Those who get government jobs should be the best experts in their fields – not just someone’s friends or colleagues as it used to be,” he told euronews. “We must have direct, personal responsibility. Only self-sufficient political figures should become ministers – with the right to take independent decisions and bear responsibility.” Communists now look set to be absent from parliament for the first time. President Poroshenko, who dreams of Ukraine one day joining the EU, is looking resolutely West and met a delegation from the European Parliament in Kyiv. “I will kindly ask you to maybe accelerate the process of ratification of the association agreement in your countries,” he told his European guests, saying it would be an important gesture of support for Ukraine. The EU delegation also met Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, following this first parliamentary election since the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovych in February. Despite parties sympathetic to Moscow trailing, Russia says it is likely to recognise the election.   Less