Russian Fighter Jet Flies Repeatedly Within 1000 Yards Of US Warship In The Black Sea

As we reported last Friday, a second US warship, the destroyer Donald Cook, crossed the Bosphorus last week and entered the Black Sea at precisely the time when NATO was arguing that its encroaching presence around Russia should not spook anyone. Apparently it spooked someone, Russian, which earlier today decided to give the Americans a warm welcome. As AP reports, "A U.S. military official says a Russian fighter jet made multiple, close-range passes near an American warship in the Black Sea for more than 90 minutes Saturday amid escalating tensions in the region."

From AP:

The official says the fighter flew within 1,000 yards of the USS Donald Cook, a Navy destroyer, at about 500 feet above sea level, saying this prompted ship commanders to issue several radio warnings. The fighter appeared to be unarmed and the passes ended without incident.

The USS Donald Cook was operating in international waters east of Romania. It was deployed to the Black Sea April 10th, in the wake of the Russian military takeover of Ukraine's Crimea region and ongoing unrest there. The official was not authorized to talk publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

It is unclear if Russia was simply marking what is clearly considers its own expanded territorial waters, or if the MiG pilots were just being friendly.

And to confirm that today military overflights are not an isolated event today, moments ago photos were taken of a military helicopter flying over downtown Donestk in the east Ukraine, which as is widely known, is largely in the hands of "pro Russian separatists."

Credit to Zero Hedge

Russia Tests-Fires Yars Ballistic Missile

MOSCOW, April 14 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian Strategic Missile Forces test-fired on Monday an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from a launch site in northwest Russia, the Defense Ministry said.

According to a ministry’s spokesman, Col. Igor Yegorov, the launch was carried out at 10.40 a.m. Moscow time (06:40 GMT) from a mobile launcher at the Plesetsk space center.

The test was successful as the simulated warhead hit a designated target at the Kura test range on Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula, Yegorov said.

The fifth-generation RS-24 Yars (NATO reporting name SS-29) is an upgraded version of the Topol-M ballistic missile that was first tested in 2007.

The RS-24 ICBM can carry multiple independently-targetable nuclear warheads designed to evade missile defense systems to a range of 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles).

The Defense Ministry previously said the Topol-M and RS-24 ballistic missiles would be the mainstays of the ground-based component of Russia’s nuclear triad and would account for no less than 80 percent of the SMF’s arsenal by 2016.

Credit to RIA Novosti

US Pays Half Of Gazprom's Overdue Invoice With $1 Billion Ukraine Loan Guarantee

With Ukraine no longer paying for Russian gaz, and with Gazprom making it clear Kiev has to a) first pay the overdue $2+ billion in invoice and then b) prepay some $5 billion in gas until the end of the year of Europe gets it, it was only a matter of time before the US Treasury stepped in and paid off part or all of Gazprom's demands. That time is now, when moments ago Jack Lew announced a $1 billion loan guarantee for Ukraine - very much the same way that the US provided billions in loan guarnatees for the now long overthrown Mursi regime in Egypt. And in other news, many more "costly" and "damaging" US sanctions are surely headed Russia's way any second now.

From the Treasury:

Treasury Secretary Lew Announces Signing Of $1 Billion U.S. Loan Guarantee Agreement For Ukraine

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew announced the signing of a $1 billion loan guarantee agreement for Ukraine.  This guarantee, when completed, will complement the Government of Ukraine's International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform program and underscores the United States' commitment to Ukraine.

"The Ukrainian people have demonstrated tremendous courage as they have charted an independent course for their country and demanded a government that truly reflects the will of the people.  The United States has been at the forefront of building international support for Ukraine, and holding Russia accountable for its violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and destabilizing action," said Secretary Lew in his remarks at the U.S. Treasury Department today.  "I would like to congratulate Minister Shlapak on the progress he and his team have made in putting in place a comprehensive economic reform program together with the IMF.  The United States very much wants to see Ukraine prosper, and we will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people as they move forward to realize their long-held aspirations."

The $1 billion loan guarantee is part of a U.S. bilateral assistance package that also includes technical assistance to help Ukraine return to a path of economic recovery.  This loan guarantee will bolster the Government of Ukraine's ability to provide critical services as it implements reforms, while protecting the most vulnerable Ukrainian households from the impact of the necessary economic adjustment. 

Secretary Lew and Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Shlapak held a bilateral meeting before today's announcement to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine and Ukraine's progress on its economic reform plan.

The United States will continue to urge its international partners to take immediate steps to bolster the IMF assistance package and move forward with bilateral aid and technical assistance. 

And the inevitable photo op:

Credit to Zero Hedge

'Full-scale' military op in east Ukraine expected as Kiev's deadline expires

The Communist Chinese Takeover of All US Energy

China, allied with Russia, is in the process of taking over the United States, or should I say that our public officials are giving away the country to them. In the following paragraphs, the analysis is limited to Chinese based interests, but the same could be said for the Russians as well.

In my previous article, it was clearly demonstrated that the Chinese are preparing, among other things, to assume control of supplying America’s energy needs at a cost that they deem appropriate. It is a simple business proposition. They own our debt, we have defaulted and they are here to be compensated.

The Giveaway of American Energy to the Chinese

The Bundy affair affirmed the fact that Chinese are being handed control of solar energy inside the United States and that this is being facilitated by Senator Harry Reid. The takeover of American energy is being manifested on many fronts, but in particular, it is being concentrated on the takeover of the solar industry in the new Agenda 21 designation with the so-called “Solar Energy Zones”.

These Solar Energy Zones are appearing in multiple locations in such places as Southwestern Arizona, Barstow, CA. and Victorville, CA., and now I am receiving on te ground reports from Colorado and Utah as well. These designated Solar Energy Zones have very similar variables in common. The following chart indicates that the debt compensation will consist of complete control of the solar industry and will be expanded to other energy sources (e.g. hydroelectric and nuclear power). Again, here is a chart which demonstrates the commonalities shared by these Solar Energy Zones.

Coincidence or Conspiracy?

Chinese Solar on Bundy’s Ranch                                       Arizona Solar Farm

Chinese money backing project	Chinese money involved in project
Creation of Agenda 21 “Solar Energy Zone”	Creation of Agenda 21 “Solar Energy Zone”
Located near a Canamex Highway (I-15)	Located near a Canamex Highway (1-10)
Located near a major energy source (Hoover Dam)	Located near a major energy source (Palo Verde Nuclear Plant)
Located near a major military base (Nellis AFB)	Located near a major military base ancillary facilities (Luke AFB)

Further, the above chart indicates that the Chinese will control a good portion of American transportation. The proximity of Solar Energy Zones to the Canamex Highway Corridor system speaks to this intent. There is also a military aspect of this that should jump out at the reader and this will be discussed in detail in the next part in this series.

Long Beach

If one thinks that the location of these Solar Energy Zones next to a Canamex, or planned Canamex Highway Corridor system is a coincidence, they should take a close look at what is happening at Long Beach, CA.

The control of the American transportation system is no more pronounced than it is in Long Beach, CA. The deep water port at Long Beach is the only of its type on the West Coast. And this country’s government has GIVEN AWAY the Long Beach deep water port to the Chinese. The giveaway of both the military installation and the deep water port goes live next year in 2015.

Grid Ex II

The Chinese were recently on American soil and were invited to participate in the recently completed Grid EX II drill. This is the height of either stupidity or treason. In the last several months, the Chinese have threatened to nuke us over our intentions to invade Syria and Iran, and then we subsequently let them see the vulnerabilities of our power grid by allowing them to participate in the Grid Ex II drill in November of 2013 in which DHS practiced for a simulated takedown of the American power grid by an EMP weapon? Does anyone else think this is insane in that we would give the knowledge of the inner workings of our power grid to the Chinese, our enemy? However, the Chinese presence on American soil for Grid EX II is just a foothold in relation to what is coming.

The Chinese are being shown how to control entire energy grid of the United States. You don’t believe it? Then explain why they had access to highly secure areas, during the Grid Ex II drill, and now know how to bring down the grid with a computer key stroke. Will this become the false flag event that will bring on martial law which will be enforced by foreign assets? At one time, this would have been dismissed as idle speculation, but in today’s political climate it is a real possibility.

I swallowed hard as I write these words, because I know this spells the end of America as we know it because we are about to living under new management. If you doubt this, then please reread the preceding paragraphs . The Solar Energy Zones are located in proximity to major energy sources for a reason and now it appears clear as to why this is true. However, it is not just the Solar Energy Zones that we have to worry about.

Harry Reid Is Not the Only Traitor

This plot is bigger than the Solar Energy Zones. According to World Net Daily and Joseph Farah, there are a total of 10 named United States Senators now known to be involved with the special trip Harry Reid made to China in 2011 supposedly to invite Chinese investment in the United States. According to Farah, this is a clever scheme to sell off below market value valuable land, mineral, and water rights to communist China so they can set up “large investment zones” within America owned and controlled by communist China corporations which are only accountable to China’s government.

Farah identified the other nine senators as Richard Shelby, R-Ala.; Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.; Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.; Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.; Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.; Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.; and Michael Bennet, D-Colo.

The Farah article also made mention of a series of Chinese incursions into the American energy domain as reported by the Wall Street Journal on March 6, 2012. The state-by-state list of the $17 billion in oil and natural gas equity interests CNOOC and Sinopec have acquired in the United States since 2010.

• “Colorado: CNOOC gained a one-third stake in 800,000 acres in northeast Colorado and southwest Wyoming in a $1.27-billion pact with Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

• Louisiana: Sinopec has a one-third interest in 265,000 acres in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale after a broader $2.5-billion deal with Devon Energy.

• Michigan: Sinopec gained a one-third interest in 350,000 acres in a larger $2.5-billion deal with Devon Energy.

• Ohio: Sinopec acquired a one-third interest in Devon Energy’s 235,000 Utica Shale acres in a larger $2.5-billion deal.

• Oklahoma: Sinopec has a one-third interest in 215,000 acres in a broader $2.5-billion deal with Devon Energy.

• Texas: CNOOC acquired a one-third interest in Chesapeake Energy’s 600,000 acres in the Eagle Ford Shale in a $2.16-billion deal.

• Wyoming: CNOOC has a one-third stake in northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming after a $1.27-billion pact with Chesapeake Energy. Sinopec gained a one-third interest in Devon Energy’s 320,000 acres as part of a larger $2.5-billion deal”.

The Wall Street Journal article concluded this is partial payment to the Chinese for our debt. And please believe me when I say that this payment to the Chinese is only the very small tip of the iceberg for what is coming.

Conclusion

Mr. Farah is to be congratulated for making this major connection to the Bundy Affair. This information also explains “the why” which underlies these Solar Energy Zones.

This information also matches what researcher Vicky Davis has been saying, but Davis goes one step further than Mr. Farah. Vicky states that at designated Inland Ports, there are massive amounts of Chinese troops operating within these ports. Vicky Davis and Cassandra Anderson will be my guests on the talk show on April 27th to discuss these and other related points. Perhaps the fact that these Solar Energy Zones are located next to a large military installation will not begin to get the country’s attention.

The military threat posed by this treason will be explored in the next part in this series.

And if you think this ordeal is over for the Bundy family, please read this communication sent to me last night by Steve Quayle.

Begin forwarded message:

Posted on Bundy Ranch
ALERT From Multiple Truckers: Fleet of 50 blacked out vehicle’s 40 miles
south of the Bundy ranch heading that way. ‘Like’ and Share for everyone to
know! #StandwithBundy

This is just getting started!

 Credit to Common Sense

Russian Navy to Begin Sea Trials of 2 New Nuclear Subs in Summer

MOSCOW, April 14 (RIA Novosti) – Two new Russian nuclear-powered submarines will begin sea trials this summer, the country’s northern Sevmash shipyard said Monday.

Upon completion of the trials, the two boats – the Borei-class Vladimir Monomakh nuclear missile submarine and the Yasen-class Severodvinsk attack submarine – will be the newest addition to Russia’s sub fleet.

“Once navigation at sea opens this summer, the Vladimir Monomakh and Severodvinsk submarines will begin tests. Operations on all Sevmash nuclear submarines are run under the control of the leadership of the Russian Navy,” the company said in a statement.

Admiral Vladimir Korolev, the commander of the Northern Fleet, said Sunday the Vladimir Monomakh will enter into service later this year and will conduct a test launch of the navy’s new Bulava nuclear-capable ballistic missile before becoming fully operational.

Sevmash also said that hull work on the Yasen-class Novosibirsk submarine has been completed, and the boat will now undergo hydraulic testing, adding that the next Borei-class submarine, the Knyaz Vladimir, has completed such testing and is currently preparing to take on large equipment.

The Russian Navy is expected to receive 40 new warships and auxiliary vessels this year, including a variety of surface ships of various classes in addition to the nuclear submarines. The Russian Defense Ministry is currently carrying out a massive rearmament for the navy and air force as part of a series of modernization efforts.

Credit to RIA Novosti

EUROPE’S TOP BANKS CUT 80,000 MORE STAFF

Europe's largest banks cut their staff by another 3.5 percent last year and the prospect of a return to pre-crisis employment levels seems far off, despite the region's fledgling economic recovery.

Spurred into action by falling revenue, mounting losses and the need to convince regulators they are no longer "too big to fail", banks across the globe have shrunk radically since the 2008 collapse of U.S. bank Lehman Brothers sparked the financial crisis.

Last year, the tide of bad news began to turn for European banks, which are among the region's largest employers.

Helped by recovering economies and receding fears for the euro zone's future, the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Banks index .SX7P rose 19 percent, outpacing the 17.4 percent increase in multi-sector stocks.

But despite the improved outlook, Europe's 30 largest banks by market value cut staff by 80,000 in 2013, calculations by Reuters based on their year-end statements showed.

Recruitment consultants warn workers' hopes for a turnaround this year could be misplaced, bad news for countries like Spain where tens of thousands of bank layoffs have helped drive unemployment to 26 percent.

However, while painful for the people who have lost their jobs, the reduction of large banks' workforces through a combination of asset sales and redundancies means banks won't have as big an impact on overall employment in future crises.

Antoine Morgaut, chief executive for Europe and South America at recruiter Robert Walters (RWA.L) does not expect the industry's employment to ever return to what it was in its heyday of 2008. Then, the 25 of the top 30 banks with comparable figures employed about 252,000 more than the 1.7 million they do today. "It's been a bubble for 20 years," said Morgaut.

"In specialty areas we are seeing a bit of an upside but it is quite marginal and it will stay like that for the next six to nine months," he added.

Credit to Reuters

Russia Hints At Ushering In A New Gold Backed Ruble

The Silver Bug: The Central Bank of Russia has made a subtle, yet serious threat against the lynch-pin of the American Economy, the US dollar.

According to Russian media, Russia’s RIA Novosti Bank Rossiya has just released a new logo, which is a gold ruble.

This action comes in response to JPMorgan entering the economic battlefield and blocking Russian wire transfers.

Putin has made it quite clear that any attacks on the Russian economy will be answered in with retaliations of their own.



This latest threat has the potential to derail the American economy.

If Russia decides to use its vast gold reserves to back the Ruble, the ramifications for the global economy would be huge.

Already the US Dollar, which has had the luxury of being the reserve currency of the World for far too long, was skating on thin ice.




Credit to etfdailynews.com

Fabian Calvo: BLM and Deals for Chinese Investors, Imploding Dollar and Housing Market Crash

Pastor Hagee: Blood moons point to 'world-shaking event'

Megachurch pastor John Hagee is warning his San Antonio congregation and international following of a “world-shaking event that will happen between April 2014 and October 2015.”

And, no, he's not talking about Fiesta.

Hagee, founder of the Cornerstone Church, points to “four blood moons,” a rare astronomical event of four consecutive and complete lunar eclipses, known as a tetrad, which begins April 15. The San Antonio pastor asserts the dates of the eclipses signify a major event that will change history in a book released in October, a series of sermons and a TV special airing on Tuesday, the first night of the tetrad.

“What is the prophetic significance? Is this the end of the age?” Hagee, 73, asked his flock during a sermon near the time he released the book.

The televangelist, who declined to comment through spokesman Ari Morgenstern, gained international attention two years ago for a series of sermons asking, “Could 2012 be the end of the world as we know it,” that was broadcast to millions worldwide via his organization John Hagee Ministries and Global Evangelism Television.

Videos with dramatic music featuring Hagee's new prophecy have been posted to the organization's YouTube channel during the last few weeks, claiming “something is about to change” and seemingly ginning up excitement for the April 15 GETV special.

The four “blood moons” are total lunar eclipses that occur in intervals of about six months, an event known as a tetrad, according to NASA. A total eclipse is a result of a perfect alignment of the sun, the moon and the Earth and causes the moon to glow dark red.

Each eclipse in the upcoming tetrad will occur on a significant religious date, Hagee points out, citing NASA.

“The first of the four blood moons will come on April 15 this year, during Passover. The second will be on October 8, at the time of the Feast of the Tabernacles,” Hagee said, according to theDaily Express in London. “On April 4, 2015, during Passover, we will have another blood moon. Then finally, on September 28, during next year's Feast of the Tabernacles, the fourth blood and final moon will dawn.”

Hagee said to “have them fall on these exact dates is something that has to be beyond coincidental,” according to the Daily Express.

The Cornerstone Church, located near Stone Oak on the North Side, has about 20,000 active members, according to its website.

During last year's sermon, Hagee read Acts 2: 19-20 from the New Testament to signify the importance of the “blood red moons.”

“And I will show wonders in Heaven above and signs in the Earth beneath, the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.”

Between 1600 and 1900 there were no tetrads, but since, there have been five, according to NASA's millennium catalog of lunar eclipses.

The red moons all will be visible from the United States, and Tuesday's moon will be visible for approximately 78 minutes around 2 a.m., Fred Espenak, an eclipse expert for NASA, wrote on the agency's website.

“When you see these signs, the Bible says, lift up your head and rejoice, your redemption draweth nigh,” Hagee said in a sermon. “I believe that the Heavens are God's billboard, that He has been sending signals to Planet Earth but we just have not been picking them up.”

Credit to mysanantonio.com

Clashes between pro- and anti-govt activists in Kharkov