PUTIN OVERSEES FINAL HYPERSONIC MISSILE TEST BEFORE 2019 DEPLOYMENT

 PUTIN OVERSEES FINAL HYPERSONIC MISSILE TEST BEFORE 2019 DEPLOYMENT  (Source Zero Hedge) The Russian Defence Ministry, on special orders from President Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday conducted a successful final test launch of a new hypersonic glide missile system ahead of its official deployment in 2019, according to reports from Russian state media. The new weapon, called the Avangard, uses an intercontinental ballistic missile and a hypersonic glide vehicle and can travel 20 times the speed of sound.

In Wednesday’s field exercise, the hypersonic weapon was launched from the Dombarovsky Air Base in the southern Ural Mountains. Moscow said the missile successfully struck a designated practice target on the Kura Missile Test Range, more than 3,700 miles away.

“Putin arrived at the National Defense Control Center and gave the command to start the tests,” the Kremlin’s press office said, according to Russian media outlet Sputnik. “The launch was conducted by combat troops of the Strategic Missile Forces from the Dombarovsky launch facility.”

Kremlin’s press-service said: “Putin thanked the creators of Avangard, the test participants and the Ministry of Defense for their excellent work, adding that the hypersonic missile will be “put into service with the Strategic Missile Forces in due time.”

The capabilities of the winged glider allow it to bypass the coverage area of American and NATO missile defense systems. Putin introduced the Avangard, which was among a list of new technologies presented in March, saying the hypersonic missile cannot be intercepted. The Russian president said the Avangard has an intercontinental range and can fly in the atmosphere at 20 times the speed of sound. He said, “it heads to target like a meteorite, like a fireball.” The Russian Defense Ministry released footage of Wednesday’s missile launch which deployed the Avangard hypersonic glider during its final trial. The weapon will enter service next year.

 

France Rejects America—and Empowers Germany!

France Rejects America—and Empowers Germany! (Source thetrumpet.com) President Macron visited Berlin on Nov. 18, 2018. One week earlier he had hosted leaders around the world and used the occasion to be openly hostile to the United States. But during his trip to Germany on November 18, there were no harsh words or criticisms. “If you do not understand the words from France, remember that France loves you,” he told the German parliament. Macron has never said anything like that to Britain or America. Instead, he has called for a “true European army” to protect Europe “with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America.” France certainly does not love the United States. 10 powerful European nations will combine their forces.” The European unification project is going to consolidate to 10 nations that Germany can really dominate. You can read about this power in Daniel 2 and 7, and Revelation 13 and 17. In Revelation 9:7-9, John saw these weapons in vision and wasn’t familiar with what he was seeing. He had never seen mechanized vehicles or modern technology. He described what he saw using terms he was familiar with, such as “locusts,” war horses and lions. “The sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle,” says verse 9. This is talking about airplanes, jet fighters and helicopters that can go all directions and inflict punishing destruction! If you look back in European history, you will see previous instances when people tried to establish an empire in Europe: Adolf Hitler, Napoleon, Charlemagne and others. Those were all terrifyingly bloody times in Europe! That was the tyranny of the Holy Roman Empire! In World Wars i and ii, America helped to set France free from the empire. But instead of showing gratitude, France is now helping to raise it right back up!

Across France, hundreds of thousands have marched, blockaded roads, and destroyed property, demanding change from the government. Paris was shut down for weeks on end as rioters burned cars, smashed windows, and clashed with police. The riots were sparked by anger at a rise in fuel taxes (to pay for Macron’s war on climate change), but it is clear that the people are angry about much more than that. “The demands of the protesters have grown more radical as the weeks have passed,” wrote the Times. “Many are calling for the overthrow of Mr. Macron and a new political system to be introduced”. This is a game-changing trend for France and Europe. Many people in France are tired of democracy and want a whole new political system—and Bible prophecy shows that they will get it! On Dec. 13, 2018, the American Conservative published an article by James Pinkerton that addressed the protests in France and pointed out that the European Union is fundamentally not a democratic project. In general, voters don’t want to hand over power to a superstate. Every time they have been asked in referenda, they have issued a clear “No!” However, as Pinkerton pointed out, “[T]he dream of a united Europe will always endure, at least in the minds of would-be Charlemagnes.” French President Macron is clearly a would-be Charlemagne! But Pinkerton went on to write, “Of course, such an imperium requires a fist—the more mailed, the better.” To create such an empire in Europe, you must use an iron fist! That is the only way it has been achieved in the past.

As world turns away from US dollar, role of Russian ruble is growing – Putin

As world turns away from US dollar, role of Russian ruble is growing – Putin (Source RT) The reserve currency position of the Russian ruble is strengthening as countries turn away from the dollar due to US financial restrictions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday during his annual Q&A session.

The role of Russia’s national currency will continue to grow, especially in payments between members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Putin told journalists. The Russian president gave an example of cross-border payments between EEU members Russia and Belarus, nearly 70 percent of which are in rubles. “The role of the ruble as a reserve currency used in payments is increasing. It will strengthen in this segment as it is not associated with costs of dollar payments and is more reliable,” the Russian leader told journalists.

 

Huawei Launches the Evolution Strategy for 5G-oriented Wireless Target Network

Huawei Launches the Evolution Strategy for 5G-oriented Wireless Target Network (Source globalresearch.ca)
The following article confirms HuaWei’s lead in 5G telecommunications technology. In this regard, the campaign against Huawei including the arrest of CFO 
Meng Wanzhou is intent upon undermining China’s  strategic lead in 5G including Huawei’s “All Bands Go to 5G.

At Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2018, Huawei released the “All Bands Go to 5G” strategy for the evolution towards a 5G-oriented wireless target network. This strategy provides suggestions for future development of the wireless network in three key aspects: simplified site, simplified network, and automation. China is not only the largest producer of cellphones Worldwide, it is a leader in wireless technology. According to an August 2018 report by Deloitte Consulting: “China is winning the race against the United States to build a faster nationwide wireless network that uses 5G technology” The US dirty tricks campaign (supported by Canada) indelibly seeks to prevent China from taking the lead: Unless the U.S. moves more quickly, it will be at a major disadvantage when it comes to creating dominant new companies in the emerging space….

Accordingly, countries that adopt 5G first are expected to experience disproportionate gains in macroeconomic impact compared to those that lag,” the report’s authors said.

Catholic Dads Must Go to Church to Prevent Sex Abuse By Clergy

Catholic Dads Must Go to Church to Prevent Sex Abuse By Clergy (Source Yahoo)

The Catholic community, in America and abroad, is grappling with the horrific details put forth in a new report from the Illinois Attorney General claiming that church officials covered up for over 500 priests accused of abuse, releasing a public document with 185 names on it after compiling a list of 690 priests. The Illinois report followed on the heals of a Pennsylvania grand jury report claiming over 1,000 victims of rape and sexual predation were ignored or actively silenced by church leaders, many of whom sheltered the perpetrators of awful crimes. Though both reports are devastating in their details, neither is shocking. Catholic clergy have a history of raping kids and the church has a history of covering it up.

The practical question the report forces Catholic parents of young children to answer is one parents in the church have faced before: Does my family’s participation in church life jeopardize the safety of my kids? Given that the reports out of Illinois and Pittsburgh follow revelations of a similar nature in Boston, Ireland, Kenya, the Philippines, and Croatia, we must entertain the notion that the answer is “yes.” As such, many Catholic parents like myself are reconsidering how they engage with churches and religious institutions. Some will walk away. I will not. Instead, I will double down on my involvement in church matters because I’m aware that the presence of a father tremendously diminishes the likelihood of harm befalling a children.

 

 

 

The First Step Act will offer a fairer deal to prison inmates

The First Step Act will offer a fairer deal to prison inmates (Source The Washington Post)

The significance of the First Step Act, the criminal-justice-reform bill that senators passed Tuesday, should not be understated. It is the greatest reevaluation yet of the nation’s outmoded get-tough-on-crime policies that have contributed to its massive prison population, and an acknowledgment that in some cases rehabilitation and training are preferable to long-term human warehousing. We wish we could say this more often: Credit to Republicans, including President Trump, for finally shepherding a compromise reform package through the Senate. The bill would help prisoners earn good-time credits so they could reduce their sentences for good behavior. It would offer them more training and work opportunities, as well as the chance to earn money that would go into escrow accounts to pay for post-release expenses. It would bolster programs to help prisoners reintegrate into society after release. It would ban shackling of pregnant women. The legislation would relax some mandatory-minimum sentences, mainly on drug charges, and give judges more discretion to sentence people to less than the mandatory amount of time if they are convicted of nonviolent drug crimes. It would also address the ongoing outrage that more than 2,000 people have languished behind bars because of an unjust disparity in sentencing rules between charges for crack and powder cocaine offenses, a distinction that disproportionately hit African Americans. In all, if the House approves the legislation, thousands of current inmates, and many more in the future, would get a fairer deal.

 

China Outraged At Arrest Of Huawei CFO, Warns It Will “Take All Measures

China Outraged At Arrest Of Huawei CFO, Warns It Will “Take All Measures (Source Zero Hedge) So much for a trade war truce between China and the US. Shortly after the news hit that Huawei CFO Wanzhou Meng — also deputy chairwoman and the daughter of Huawei’s founder —

was arrested on December 1, or right around the time Trump and Xi were having dinner in Buenos Aires last Saturday, and faces extradition to the U.S. as a result of a DOJ investigation into whether the Chinese telecom giant sold gear to Iran despite sanctions on exports to the region, China immediately lodged a formal protest publishing a statement at its embassy in Canada, and demanding the U.S. and its neighbor “rectify wrongdoings” and free Meng, warning it would “closely follow the development of the issue” and will “take all measures” to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens. As Bloomberg notes, the CFO’s arrest will be regarded back home as an attack on China’s foremost corporate champions. While Alibaba and Tencent dominate headlines thanks to flashy growth and high-profile billionaire founders, Ren’s company is by far China’s most global technology company, with operations spanning Africa, Europe and Asia.

How likely is an earthquake in the Midwest, South? The Big One could be coming

How likely is an earthquake in the Midwest, South? The Big One could be coming(Source usatoday.com)

The question is not if a massive earthquake will hit more than a half dozen states that border the Mississippi River, but rather when it will happen.

A minor earthquake early Wednesday that centered on Decatur in East Tennessee about 60 miles southwest of Knoxville was felt into Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“A 4.4 magnitude earthquake is a reminder for people to be prepared,” said John Bobel, a public information officer for the division of emergency management in Kentucky’s Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. People see indoor objects shake with magnitude 4 to 4.9 quakes, but the quakes generally cause little to minimal damage.

Scientists have seen evidence that the central Mississippi River Valley has seen major earthquakes for more than 4,000 years.

Today the zone threatens Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. That’s a different set of faults than Wednesday’s quake in the East Tennessee Seismic Zone.

Back in 1811, New Madrid, Missouri, itself had only 400 people, St. Louis to the north had about 1,500 residents and Memphis to the south wasn’t even a twinkle in its founders’ eyes, according to the Central United States Earthquake Consortium. Damage was reported as far away as Charleston, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia; and the quakes, estimated at 7.5 to 7.7 magnitude, were felt more than 1,000 miles away in Connecticut.

 

Trump’s new Africa strategy takes sharp aim at China, Russia

Trump’s new Africa strategy takes sharp aim at China, Russia (Source Associated Press)

The Trump administration on Thursday announced a sharp refocus of its Africa strategy to counter what it called the “predatory” practices of China and Russia, which are “deliberately and aggressively targeting their investments in the region to gain a competitive advantage.”

National security adviser John Bolton laid out the new strategy in remarks at the Heritage Foundation, saying the U.S. will now choose its African partners more carefully. He took special aim at China, accusing it of wielding “bribes, opaque agreements, and the strategic use of debt to hold states in Africa captive to Beijing’s wishes and demands.”

Russia, he alleged, is also “seeking to increase its influence in the region through corrupt economic dealings.” Russia and China’s efforts across the African continent, he said, “stunt” its economic growth.

Some critics have said this administration has let Africa policy drift for too long, while the president is well known for his disparaging remarks about the continent that is home to 1.2 billion people.

Addressing members of Congress on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of State Tibor Nagy was the latest to warn of China’s increasing economic, military and political influence in Africa, a continent with some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and trillions of dollars’ worth of natural resources.

 

Multipolar World Order in the Making: Qatar Dumps OPEC. Towards a Tectonic Shift in the Global Energy Market?

Multipolar World Order in the Making: Qatar Dumps OPEC. Towards a Tectonic Shift in the Global Energy Market?

(Source Strategic Culture Foundation)

Moscow, Beijing and New Delhi, the Eurasian powerhouses, seem to have every intention, as seen at the trilateral summit in Buenos Aires, of developing the ideal multipolar frameworks to avoid continued US dominance of the oil market through shale revenues or submissive allies as Saudi Arabia, even though the latest spike in production is a clear signal from Riyadh to the USA. In this sense, Qatar’s decision to abandon OPEC and start a complex and historical discussion with Moscow on LNG in the format of an enlarged OPEC marks the definitive decline of Saudi Arabia as a global energy power, to be replaced by Moscow and Doha as the main players in the energy market.

Qatar’s decision is, officially speaking, unconnected to the feud triggered by Saudi Arabia against the small emirate. However, it is evident that a host of factors has led to this historic decision. The unsuccessful military campaign in Yemen has weakened Saudi Arabia on all fronts, especially militarily and economically. The self-inflicted fall in the price of oil is rapidly consuming Saudi currency reserves, now at a new low of less than 500 billion dollars. Events related to Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) have de-legitimized the role of Riyadh in the world as a reliable diplomatic interlocutor. The internal and external repression by the Kingdom has provoked NGOs and governments like Canada’s to issue public rebukes that have done little to help MBS’s precarious position. In Syria, the victory of Damascus and her allies has consolidated the role of Moscow in the region, increased Iranian influence, and brought Turkey and Qatar to the multipolar side, with Tehran and Moscow now the main players in the Middle East. In terms of military dominance, there has been a clear regional shift from Washington to Moscow.