More Bad News for Russia

[AC]

More bad news for Russia...Putin has been abducted by aliens.



http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/aliens-abduct-putin-in-animation/vi-AA9JlCl?ocid=mailsignout

[AkMike]

More bad news for Russia...Putin has been abducted by aliens.



http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/aliens-abduct-putin-in-animation/vi-AA9JlCl?ocid=mailsignout

 Is that really bad? 
  They could explain the wars and invasion that caused so many to die as being caused by alien brain implants!

[Muzh]

Word on the street is that Russians are waiting for Tchaikovsky to be played on the radio while the Dons put the "right" people in place. Also, there is a severance with Kadyrov's ties, or so they say.


Stay tuned.

[AkMike]

Word on the street is that Russians are waiting for Tchaikovsky to be played on the radio while the Dons put the "right" people in place. Also, there is a severance with Kadyrov's ties, or so they say.


Stay tuned.

 Possibly a palace coup. Doll will be heartbroken though.

[AkMike]

Tanks and Armor build up in Red Square..

http://proua.com.ua/?p=7701

[AkMike]

Russia This Week: All the Strange Things Going on in Moscow


A long article

http://www.interpretermag.com/russia-this-week-all-the-strange-things-going-on-in-moscow/

[AkMike]

Is Russia finally going to have to pay for its crimes?


Today the European Court on Human Rights (ECHR) has started the inter-state case on the violations of human rights carried out by Russian forces on the territory of Ukraine since spring 2014. The case of Ukraine vs. Russia is going to be a conjoined hearing, consisting of five large cases considering multiple occasions of unlawful incarceration, torture and depriving of the right on life of Ukrainian citizens by Russian forces.

According to the director of the Foundation for Strategic Cases of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, Mikhail Tarahkalo, this case would mean a lot to Ukraine. In case of victory at the ECHR this would be the first step of the official international recognition of the fact of Russia’s responsibility for the actions of militants of DNR and LNR in Ukraine. This would be the first major decision of an independent international body recognizing the invasion of Russia on the territory of Donbass and distribution of its jurisdiction to the territory.

Will Russia take this easily? Considering how most of the major hostilities in the East Ukraine and some of rogue terrorist attacks in major Ukrainian cities have been occasionally timed to some of the biggest hearings on Ukrainian situation in Europe, there is a reason to up the vigilance for the Ukrainian special forces, as the language of diplomacy and law has been proven to be not the Russia’s way, as it demonstrated in the past year of atrocities and violence. Yet the international victory would be a turning point of war, and hence Ukraine has to gather all its resources to make this breakthrough happen.

“In case of recognition of the violations, Russia will be forced to pay substantial compensation to the applicants, i.e. Ukraine”, the Ukrainian Helsinki Group suggests, so clearly, many will be at stake in this hearing.

http://euromaidanpress.com/201...-pay-for-its-crimes/

[AnonMod]

Reminder to all, spouses and family are off limits.

[AkMike]

never mind

[lordtiberius]

 

[AkMike]

Putin biographer: He's not dead ? but chaos is brewing in the Kremlin.

(There seems to be cracks in the walls.)

There's something going on behind the scenes in the Kremlin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hasn't been seen in public since March 5. (Video featuring Putin on March 13 was not live.)

Analysts are speculating that his absence suggests there may be a power struggle behind it all. And it appears as though Boris Nemtsov's murder could have been the catalyst in all of this.

On March 12, Reuters reported that the murder of opposition figure Boris Nemtsov has "exposed rarely seen tensions between different camps inside President Vladimir Putin's system of rule."

"Some of Nemtsov's associates say his shooting is being used by one faction to send Putin a message that they are unhappy and need to be reckoned with," Reuters reported.

Click for the rest
http://www.businessinsider.com/chaos-and-cracks-behind-the-putin-regime-2015-3#ixzz3UIlfNWGzhttp://www.businessinsider.com/chaos-and-cracks-behind-the-putin-regime-2015-3

[JayH]

Looks like more bad news for Russia--Putin is still on this earth.

[AkMike]

Buy Junk, Get Junk and wonder why it doesn't work..


Sukhoi-30 MKI, Air Force's Most Modern Fighter Jet, Plagued by Engine Trouble


New Delhi:  Sukhoi-30 MKI, the most powerful and modern fighter jets in Indian Air Force's stable, has been hit by mid-air engine failures. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in Parliament today that as many as 35 instances of engine failures were reported in 2013-14 - that's nearly three a month.

 In all, there are 69 instances of engine failure in the last four years, the minister said. Inquiries by the Air Force have revealed that in as many as 33 instances, the engines failed because of impure fuel, in another 11 cases, the problem was caused by excessive vibration and in eight others, engine failures were reported because of low pressure in the lubricant tanks, the Defence Minister said. About five SU-30 MKI have crashed since 2009.

Like all twin-engine jets, the Russian made Su-30s are capable of landing on a single engine. But to reach its maximum potential of carrying a total eight tones of payload including bombs, missiles and spare fuel tanks, the jet needs both its AL-31FP engines to function.

 Engine failures is fast becoming a major concern for Air Force and also puts a question mark on India's ability to defend its skies. Another problem area that senior Air Force officers point out is serviceability. "Serviceability of the aircraft is about 50 per cent only," an officer said. It means at any given time, roughly half out of a fleet of 200 jets are available for operational purposes. This becomes crucial in times of emergencies like war.

 Mr Parrikar said that the engines were scheduled to be overhauled after every 1000 hours of flying, but the defects started showing-up after only 500 hours of flying. The minister said that Russia-based NPO Saturn, manufacturers of Su-30 Al-31FP engines, offered to make "nine technological improvements" during overhauls, and added that after the modifications the engines were flying for upto 900 hours.

 To address the growing capability gap, especially that created by increasing obsolescence of MiG-21, India is talking to France to buy 126 medium multi-role Rafale fighter jets. But the negotiations have been dragging on for three years. Although the acquisition has got mired on per unit cost and number of man hours required to produce it in India, a resolution of these issue can be expected when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits France in April.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sukhoi-30-mki-air-forces-most-modern-fighter-jet-plagued-by-engine-trouble-747483

[AkMike]

Russia's Gazprom Braces for Tough Year as Demand Slumps
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russias-gazprom-braces-for-tough-year-as-demand-slumps/517578.html

Fresh Corruption Scandal Hits Russian Defense Ministry
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/fresh-corruption-scandal-hits-russian-defense-ministry/517566.html

Euphoria Fades in Crimea After a Year of Russian Rule
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/news/article/euphoria-fades-in-crimea-after-a-year-of-russian-rule/517567.html

Russian Firms Flock to Dollar Accounts Amid Sanctions
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-firms-flock-to-dollar-accounts-amid-sanctions/517559.html

Russia's MTS Sees Net Profit Fall 92% in Q4
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russias-mts-sees-net-profit-fall-92-in-q4/517557.html

Russia Accuses Kiev of Tightening Blockade of Eastern Ukraine
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-accuses-kiev-of-tightening-blockade-of-eastern-ukraine/517513.html

PACE says no ‘civil war’ in Ukraine, but Russian involvement
Read more on UNIAN: http://www.unian.info/politics/1056576-pace-says-no-civil-war-in-ukraine-but-russian-involvement.html

Trouble in Transnistria
http://www.unian.info/politics/1054236-trouble-in-transnistria.html

Kremlin promoting national pride in place of individual dignity
http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/03/17/kremlin-promoting-national-pride-in-place-of-individual-dignity/

Latvia moves to bolster Russian border defences amid Kremlin hybrid war fears
http://uatoday.tv/politics/latvia-moves-to-bolster-russian-border-defences-amid-kremlin-hybrid-war-fears-415929.html

Putin lashes out over EU and US snubs to Moscow Victory Day parade
http://uatoday.tv/politics/putin-lashes-out-over-eu-and-us-snubs-to-moscow-victory-day-parade-415930.html

Putin's Crimea confessions fuel war crimes debate in Russia
http://uatoday.tv/politics/russian-crimea-documentary-could-expose-putin-to-war-crimes-trial-415927.html

 Russian budget to lose $135 billion at the price of oil at $55 - OPEC
http://en.censor.net.ua/news/328738/russian_budget_to_lose_135_billion_at_the_price_of_oil_at_55_opec

[JayH]

 Russian budget to lose $135 billion at the price of oil at $55 - OPEC
http://en.censor.net.ua/news/328738/russian_budget_to_lose_135_billion_at_the_price_of_oil_at_55_opec

 43.86  and heading down down down.The loss of income will devastate a Russian economy is already in tatters and will be destroyed if Russia persists in attacking Ukraine and refuses to leave Crimea.
To me-- seeing the Russian military forced to withdraw is all I would accept( and my preference is to force Russia to pay compensation for the damage-both in infrastructure damage and in cost of Ukraine defending itself plus the cost to individuals and companies)

http://www.nasdaq.com/markets/crude-oil.aspx

[AkMike]

But that's WTI (West Texas Intermediate) oil, Brent is closer to what it will be for Russian oil.
It's at 53.31 USD currently.

[GriffinCO]

Russia will never give up Crimea.  You'll have to pry it from Putin's cold, dead hands.

[AkMike]

With any luck that'll both happen soon! 

[lordtiberius]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/oil-prices-set-to-take-a-bath-heard-on-the-street-1426533577

The West Texas Intermediate was at $48.  We are seeing a six year low.  Texas oilmen will perform more maintenance but stock piles are near capacity.  Geopolitics could push it back up.  Barring that it could go lower as the Saudis seem determined to reassert control over the oil market.

[fathertime]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/oil-prices-set-to-take-a-bath-heard-on-the-street-1426533577

The West Texas Intermediate was at $48.  We are seeing a six year low.  Texas oilmen will perform more maintenance but stock piles are near capacity.  Geopolitics could push it back up.  Barring that it could go lower as the Saudis seem determined to reassert control over the oil market.

I've been reading about how oil was going to be 20 dollars a barrel from you, and thus far it isn't even close.  Other more credible people in the industry have also said it is going down and it is quite low at the moment.    I still doubt it will ever get there, some even say it is heading back up.  You have about 9-10 months before the bet is won/lost....I think we made it in December.   


As it happens, gas prices here in California are still high at around 3.10-3.15 a gallon at the most inexpensive locations in my neighborhood.   


Fathertime!   

[Taz]

I would say that oil falling from over $100 a barrel to in the 40's is a huge drop. The state of California is the reason why your gas prices are so effin' high. I am in Texas and you can easily find gas for about $2/gallon. I assure the extra $1.20 a gallon isn't in transportation costs. It is because of CARB regulations and state and local gas taxes. The tax differential alone between CA and TX gas taxes is about 30 cents a gallon. Of each gallon of gas in California, 68 cents goes to the government.


An interesting site to read about gas prices is here by the CA government.


http://energyalmanac.ca.gov/gasoline/margins/index.php


Government typically makes more on a gallon of gas than the oil companies do by far. Why aren't we blaming "greedy" government instead of the oil companies?


Anyway I hope oil prices stay way down. The longer it is like this, the more Putin and Russia are punished. Finally some of my Russian friends are coming around and seeing how severe the consequences are for Russia right now.

[AC]

Long time no see, Taz!  Welcome back!

[Taz]

Thanks, I was pretty busy with my lady the last month or so. Trying to decide where to relocate so we were visiting quite a few cities. Finally narrowed it down a bit, from about 15 to 3.


I was actually hoping Putin was gone for good but I guess the world isn't that lucky. I'd love to be a fly on the wall to see what was happening in his closed door meetings...

[lordtiberius]

  back Taz!

[AkMike]

TSN reports,


US authorities have advised large companies to flee Russia before the summer - spin doctor


The probability of disconnection from SWIFT far only discussed.

 The US Federal Reserve has recommended all major Western companies to completely fold its activities in the beginning of summer this year.

This TSN.ua said Taras Berezovets political strategist, referring to insider information.

"No one explains why. This information, which distributes US Federal Reserve," - he said.

Expert sees the relationship of such recommendations to talks about disabling of on SWIFT. "If any disconnection SWIFT , then, of course, no western company will not be able to carry on business in Russia. In fact, it is comparable to a nuclear attack on Russia's economy, "- says Berezovets.

"The risk is [disconnection from SWIFT]. While it only discuss denied it. But one needs to understand that if they decided, of course, they will hide it. They just do everything at the last moment," - said political strategist.

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) - an independent federal agency that serves as the central bank and provides centralized control of the commercial banking system States.

Recall that in the last few days left of the big car companies.

On 18 March it became aware of the withdrawal of the Russian market brands Opel and Chevrolet most models . Brand owners - US company General Motors - also stops built in St. Petersburg plant.

March 19 to suspend exports of machinery to Russia said South Korean car manufacturer SsangYong .

http://tsn.ua/groshi/vlada-ssha-poradila-velikim-kompaniyam-tikati-z-rosiyi-do-pochatku-lita-polittehnolog-416679.html