New radioactive hotspots suggest more leaks at Fukushima

Several new hotspots reading potentially lethal doses of radiation have been detected near the tanks storing the radioactive water, forcing the operator to admit there might be even more leaks at the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The high radiation readings were detected during the daily inspection on Saturday near three water tanks and one pipe stretched between the tanks and the plant, Kyodo news agency reported.

source rt.com

NSA hacked Al-Jazeera and Russia’s Aeroflot

The National Security Agency hacked into Al-Jazeera TV’s encrypted e-mails, as well as Russian airline Aeroflot’s ticketing system.
As far as Aeroflot is concerned, the hacked reservation system may not have been the last incident involving US spying on the airline. While Snowden was staying at the transit area of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, the Internet was awash with rumors that he was going to catch an Aeroflot flight headed for Cuba.
In mid-July, an Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Havana deviated off course, FlightAware live flight tracking indicated. The news sparked a rash of online speculation that Snowden may have been aboard the flight.

source rt.com

Putin: US should present Syria evidence

Russia finds the accusations unacceptable and the idea of performing a military strike on the country even more so. Especially as it would constitute a violation of international law, if carried out without the approval of the UN Security Council.
Further to this, Putin told Obama that he should consider what the potential fallout from a military strike would be and to take into consideration the suffering of innocent civilians.
The Russian president has expressed certainty that the strategy for a military intervention in Syria is a contingency measure from outside and a direct response to the Syrian government’s recent combat successes, coupled with the rebels’ retreat from long-held positions.

source rt.com 

No public debates on Syria

The US regularly lectures the world on the virtues of democracy, yet the Obama administration is preparing to launch a military offensive against Syria while arrogantly denying the American people a democratic open debate

This is becoming a very disturbing trend: The only time the American people really have an opportunity to hold a democratic debate on the question of military adventures is after the boots have already hit the ground. This type of backwards behavior is nothing more than a pale shadow of democracy, speaking out on a subject when the words no longer carry any weight.

source rt.com

Israel readies anti-missile defenses for probable Syrian strike

Israel announced it is prepared for "every possible scenario," including a retaliatory strike, in response to a possible US attack on Syria. Over the weekend, the Israeli Defense Force deployed Iron Dome anti-missile batteries in the Tel Aviv area.

"We are not involved in the civil war in Syria, but let me reiterate, if someone tries to harm Israel’s citizens, the Israeli Defense Force will respond with immense power."

source rt.com

 

Military action in Syria faces uncertain fate in Congress

The Syria issue is highly complex politically, causing divisions both within and between the parties, particularly at the extremes.
Some traditionally liberal Democrats, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus, have been skeptical of intervention, with several dozen Democrats signing a letter on Thursday worrying about getting into an "unwise war."
Some of the most conservative Republicans, such as Michigan Representative Justin Amash, have also expressed skepticism.

source reuters.com

U.S. military drills

North Korea said late on Saturday it withdrew an invitation for a U.S. envoy to visit the country to discuss the fate of a jailed American citizen because U.S. military drills on the peninsula made humanitarian dialogue impossible.

The North's Foreign Ministry said military drills last week by the United States and South Korea involving a B-52 bomber flight over the peninsula was "the most striking manifestation of the offensive and aggressive nature" of the exercise.

source  reuters.com