Western Powers Aiding Ukraine ... Placed on Notice of Russian Sabotage

"We  have recently uncovered a staggeringly reckless campaign of Russian sabotage in Europe, even as Putin and his acolytes resort to nuclear sabre-rattling, to sow fear about the consequences of aiding Ukraine." 

"Such activity and rhetoric is dangerous and beyond irresponsible."

Richard Moore, M16 chief, Britain

RAF Tornado with two Storm Shadow missiles. Britain is expected to supply Storm Shadow missiles for use by Ukraine on targets inside Russia, now that the US has agreed to do the same for the similar American long-range Atacms weapon. Photograph: Cpl L Matthews/PA

 

Russia, according to the head of British foreign intelligence service. is conducting a "staggeringly reckless" sabotage campaign against the western allies supporting Ukraine against Moscow in its invasion and conflict imposed upon its neighbour. Richard Moore, chief of M16 has taken a preventive initiative in dispatching his spies to apprehend the Russian campaign before it spirals out of control and dire consequences ensue.

The M16 chief stated empathically that a Russian victory in Ukraine would not only threaten Europe but American security as well, a message clearly meant to reach the ears of incoming U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. Working alongside his French intelligence counterpart to prevent a dangerous escalation by "calibrating the risk and informing the decisions of our respective governments" the warning responds to President Vladimir Putin's "mix of bluster and aggression".

 

Addressing diplomats and intelligence officers in France, Moore spoke alongside Nicolas Lerner, head of France's external intelligence agency, the DGSE, during an event commemorating 120 years of the Entente Cordiale, a mutually-reliant pact binding Britain and France together as military and diplomatic allies, ending ancient rivalries between the two countries.

Russian intelligence is suspected by Western security officials of attempting to destabilize Ukraine's Western allies through a campaign of disinformation, sabotage and arson. A campaign whereby Moscow has been linked to a number of planned attacks in Europe. Among them a plot to set fire to  Ukrainian-owned businesses in London. As well as a scheme where incendiary devices contained in packages were found to be placed on cargo planes.

One such package burst into fire at a courier hub in Germany in July, while another in England ignited in a warehouse. "The collective security of the whole of Europe is at stake", repeated France's Lerner, stating that Britain's experience went back to the era a decade or so earlier when Russian agents used deadly chemicals as tools of assassination in Britain to destroy the lives of expatriate Russians critical of the Kremlin.

Among Ukrainian allies most involved in arming and supporting Ukraine in its counteroffensive against Russian territorial ambitions both Britain and France have given allowance to Kyiv to make use of weapons they have supplied to hit targets inside Russia's borders. In so doing, linking their determination to make whatever moves are felt to be required to ensure that Russia's plans of dominating a sovereign Ukraine and extracting greater tracts of its land mass to incorporate into Greater Russia is stopped, alongside U.S. initiatives to do likewise.

Although the European cruise missiles are manufactured by missile-maker MBDA, the U.S. controls some of their tech, giving it a voice in their use. | Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images

Youth Lenient, Older Demographic Condemn Protest Violence: Poll

"Mask-wearing protest may serve to shield persons engaging in hate expression as seen in the recent case of Montrealer Mai Abdelhadi, who engaged in hate speech in front of the main campus of Concordia University."

"The survey indicates that Canadians do not regard hate expression as protected free speech. In that regard, it is important to determine whether Ms. Abdelhadi's vile utterances violate our country's anti-hate laws and, if so whether legislators should proceed accordingly."

"The poll serves as an important reminder that Canadians regard acts of vandalism as indefensible and that they cannot be justified as political gestures."

"Canadians also desire greater accountability on the part of persons engaging in protest that condones vandalism and/or hate speech."

Jack Jedwab, president, Association for Canadian Studies

Demonstrators fill Ste-Catherine St. during Friday’s protest. Photo: John Mahoney/Montreal Gazette

 

A new poll conducted for the Association for Canadian Studies by Leger found that close to three-quarters of Canadians (74 percent) reject as unacceptable property destruction during protests. Politically motivated violence and vandalism is rejected by an overwhelming majority of Canadians. The poll results represent a firm rebuke in response to the recent riots in Montreal when anti-Israel and anti-NATO social 'activists' smashed windows, torched cars and clashed violently with police. 

That most of the rioters also wore masks with the obvious intention of hiding their identities is another item that most Canadians are opposed to. A common practise for anti-Israel activists who frequently hold disruptive protests in Montreal, Toronto and other areas and cities across the country, since the terrorist attacks on Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023 by Hamas. Mask wearing finds only 23 percent of respondents saying that it is an acceptable practise.

When views expressed at these protests are 'overtly racist', a minority of 29 percent believe free speech should be protected. The individual mentioned, Abdelhadi, was a franchisee of a Second Cup cafe situated within Montreal's Jewish General Hospital who used a Nazi salute against pro-Israel demonstrators challenging their opposite numbers, pointedly chanting "The Final Solution is coming". The result of which was that the franchise within the hospital was speedily shut down by the cafe chain, sundering its contract with the franchisee.

Poll results found that support for violence during protests was highest with younger Canadians; a third of those between 18 and 24, and close to a quarter of 25 to 34-year-olds stating that such actions are justified to achieve political goals. Rates of agreement with vandalism were similarly observed when the results were segmented based on status of employment with over a quarter of students (26.4 percent) maintaining that destruction of public property meant "to send a political message is acceptable".

Poll responders in the  retirement category (87.1 percent) and self-employed individuals (75.6 percent) were most emphatically opposed to such demonstrations where destroying property occurred. As opposed to part-time workers finding such behaviour acceptable, at 19.3 percent. Politically motivated violence was rejected by Montrealers in particular, with 81 percent condemning it in any circumstances, in comparison with a response of 65 percent in Vancouver.

Riot police line the sidewalk on St-Laurent Blvd. Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

British Combat Volunteer in Ukraine in Russian Hands

"I'm hoping he'll be used as a bargaining chip, but my son told me they torture their prisoners and I'm so frightened he'll be tortured."

"He wanted to go out there because he thought he was doing what was right."

"[I] was sent the video by [my] son’s commander and was] in complete shock and tears."

"I could see straight away it was him. He looks frightened, scared and worried."

Scott Anderson, father of British volunteer fighter

James Scott Rhys Anderson   still from video BBC

 

For the first time since the conflict in Ukraine began, with the Ukrainian military responding to the February 24, 2022 invasion of their country by their neighbour Russia, a foreign volunteer fighter with the Ukrainian forces has been captured as a prisoner. The British national was fighting with Ukrainian troops in the occupied part of Russia's Kursk region. 

 

This, at a time when Moscow had initiated daytime drone attacks in Ukraine's civilian areas, with its ground forces accelerating more recent gains along areas of the front line.

Russian State new agency Tass and other media identified the Briton as James Scott Rhys Anderson, with Tass quoting the 20-year-old as having stated he had served as a signalman for four years in the British military before joining the International Legion of Ukraine which had formed in the early stages of the close-to-three-year-old war.

Officials in the U.K. Embassy in Moscow stated they were "supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention". Britain's Daily Mail newspaper was informed by the soldier's father that his son had been captured. He explained his son had worked for a brief period as a police custody officer before departing to fight in Ukraine. His attempts to convince his son not to travel to Ukraine to join the Ukrainian military was to no avail.

Russian forces have latterly gained  ground at "a significantly quicker rate" than they had in the entirety of 2023, according to the Institute for the Study of War, out of Washington. Ukrainian forces are put to the test to fend off a push by Russia's larger forces in the eastern Donetsk region. According to the Institute for the Study of War, the Russian military authority detected and are exploiting Ukrainian defence weaknesses.

As the war surpassed its thousand-day milestone, a significant escalation in hostilities loomed. Russia fired 145 Shahed drones at Ukraine last week as it launches drones throughout the day as opposed to the past when most such drone attacks took place during the night hours, according to Ukraine's air force.

Head of Ukraine's National Security Council's Couunter-disinformation Center, Andrii Kovalenko, stated that Russia was engaged in conserving its stock of its more destructive, more expensive missiles in favour of using drones for the present time. Claiming that the Ukrainian air force stopped almost all the drones in mid-air. 

Mr. Anderson was unemployed at the time he flew to Krakow, Poland from Luton, England, then took a bus to the Ukrainian border with the intention of joining the International Legion formed by Ukraine to enlist willing international fighting volunteers. Such foreign recruits can opt for three year contracts, paid between £440 ($550 USD) and £3,800 ($4,800 USD) monthly on the basis of the level of combat they engage in.

 

James Scott Rhys Anderson said in a video he served in the Ukraine's International Legion   Facebook

Urban Health Myth: Standing Desks Superior to Sitting

"Standing is generally better than sitting."

"To improve your overall health and lower your risk of heart disease, you have to mix in actual movement."

Matthew N. Ahmadi, research fellow, University of Sydney, Australia

 

"What our research and other literature suggest is that both sitting and standing are part of the problem of physical inactivity."

"[Standing involves few muscular contractions and] muscular contraction is a necessary condition for any activity to maintain or improve health."

"[The supposed health benefits of standing over sitting have been] hugely exaggerated."

"Transitioning frequently from sitting to standing is a good idea, as there will be some muscular contractions while doing that."

Emmanuel Stamatakis, professor of physical activity, lifestyle and population health, University of Sydney

Photo: Harvard Health

Published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, a large new study of over 83,000 adults found that standing for over two  hours daily -- which many people with standing desks do -- offers no protection against the risks of too much sitting, for the cardiovascular system. Scientists at the University of Sydney and other colleagues used records of over 83,000 men and women from the U.K. Biobank study.

 

The researchers found that hours of standing presented their own problems which in the end still increased the likelihood of developing serious circulatory problems -- varicose veins, abnormally low blood pressure and blood clots -- in comparison to people who infrequently stood. A standing desk in and of itself does little to reverse the health risks inherent in sitting. Despite that researchers have been inspiring people to sit less based on studies indicating long hours in a chair contribute to greater risks of heart disease, vascular problems, joint pain, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health conditions.

As a result of public health authorities urging people to sit less, there has been a proliferation of workers using standing  desks as an alternative to sitting at their desks. According to recent epidemiological studies, many workers stand for three to four hours daily, yet little credible science supports standing; some of the studies in fact raise doubts about its effectiveness.

It was found that people who stand for an hour burned a mere nine calories more than than had they remained seated, according to a 2019 experiment; so much for warding off obesity. The most damaging impacts of sitting, however pose risks to the cardiovascular system. The Biobank records the researchers studied gave extensive data relating to lifestyles, health and daily habits along with a typical day's movements.

A sophisticated algorithm allowed the researchers to analyze movement patterns so the researchers could realize whether someone was sitting, standing or in motion through every waking minute of their days. The next step was to check medical databases in Britain to determine whether these same individuals had died from or been hospitalized for a cardiovascular problem in the seven years or so following their participation in the Biobank study.

 

Working in an office. (Pexels/Marc Mueller)

 

Movement patterns were cross-checked against medical outcomes, searching for links between sitting and standing and serious heart conditions such as heart disease, heart failure and stroke, or circulatory problems including venous ulcers, varicose veins and blood clots. People, it turned out, who sat for over ten hours daily -- most people -- were 13 percent more likely to develop serious heart problems in the intervening years than those who sat less. There was also a 26 percent higher risk for circulatory disorders. Standing for over two hours a day saw risks of circulatory problems rise by some 22 percent.

Risks for severe heart problems did not develop for those standing for more than two hours daily in comparison with people who stood less, but the risks did not diminish, either. As one stands, blood flows through legs at a sluggish rate and tends often to pool there, a potential contribution to circulatory disease. One's heart rate is barely raised; necessary to improve cardiovascular health. 

 

A solution to this conundrum is fairly simple; move about, both researchers advised. Make it a point to stroll about in brief breaks every half-hour; use the stairs, slip in some squats while remaining in place at one's desk. Sit down, stand  up, sit down and stand again.

 

Standing desks became a popular choice for people concerned about the effects of sitting all day but they might not have many advantages, a new study has found.

Tempura/E+/Getty Images

Terminating Fascist Threats

"We found out at around 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. We actually talked to her as well. We basically said: 'Listen, we cannot allow this to happen. We spoke to our lawyers, and we prepared a press release. We could not send out the press release for a few hours, until the lawyers actually sent her a termination letter."

"[The company stands against such] violent and hateful [remarks]. Political views are up to individuals, but things like this? We can't tolerate that."

"Were going to figure out a way to reopen the stores quickly."

Foodtastic (Second Cup) CEO Peter Mammas

"This video is related to a franchisee of Second Cup, one of the private tenants operating within the Jewish General Hospital. We fully support Second Cup's decision to take swift and decisive action in this matter by shutting down the franchisee's cafes and terminating their lease agreement."

"Our CIUSSS [Integrated Health and Social Services Centres] is deeply committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and stands firmly against antisemitism and any other form of discrimination or hate speech."

Carl Theriault, spokesperson, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal

The Jewish General Hospital is seen in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

 

On Thursday, in Montreal, a series of pro-Palestinian/hate-Israel groups conducted their usual peaceful marches with the good humour and attention to moral civility that is their hallmark  in Canada with a little different twist. Outside Concordia University a protest took place against the existence of the State of Israel and Jewish existence in particular. A woman, later identified by employees of a Second Cup shop located at the Jewish General Hospital as a franchisee, exercised her hateful spleen by exhibiting her prowess in giving a Nazi salute, aimed at the presence of counter-protesters.

To the Israel supporters and Jews standing there, as the event was being videoed, she addressed another type of salute, this one in reference to the Nazi Germany World War II Final Solution involved in the extermination of European Jewry. "The final solution is coming your way -- the final solution. You know what the final solution is?" A familiar phrase indeed to Jews still reeling from the most horribly despicable descent of humanity into the hellscape of genocide.

The revealing video swiftly made its way onto social media and the outcry was predictably outraged. Eventually, the incident, boiling away on social media, made its introduction to the awareness of Second Cup's corporate headquarters chief executive officer of the parent company. Clearly not very good public relations for the respected coffee chain. According to Foodtastic's Peter Mammas, after he confronted the  woman identified as Mai Abdulhadi over her incendiary remarks she did not deny being the author of the remarks.

 

The now-closed Second Cup cafe at the Jewish General Hospital

 

Following her termination, which includes her family, all of whom are linked to two Second Cup franchises at the Jewish General Hospital, she has busied herself seeking out legal counsel for herself and her family members, listed as Quebec business owners of two coffee counters. With the termination of the franchise leases for the family of Ms. Abdulhadi, the 12 employees in the two shops are set to continue being paid during a transition period when new licensees will take over the now-shuttered two Second Cup counters. 

 Students marched through downtown Montreal on Thursday in their tens of thousands to protest Israel's military activities in Gaza, claiming their universities are complicit with Israel's conflict against the terrorist Hamas group in Gaza. The following day, an anti-Israel, anti-NATO protest became violent when protesters, including 'outside agitators' clashed with police. Cars were torched, and windows were smashed in the Palais de Congres Montreal where the NATO meeting was taking place. Businesses alongside the conference centre also had their windows smashed.

In total three people were arrested. Protest attendees were mostly masked to avoid identification. Montreal Police stated that they anticipate that facial recognition techniques will aid in identifying others who will also be arrested for their violent contributions to 'peaceful' gatherings. They also noted that there are no plans to launch a hate crime investigation over the Nazi salute and other societal disrupting incidents since "we have not received any complaints yet". One can only hope that will soon be remedied.

The CEO of Foodtastic said the company's operations team reviewed footage from last Thursday's pro-Palestinian protest outside Concordia University. He says the person seen making the gesture is Mai Abdulhadi. The company says Abdulhadi owned and operated two of its Second Cup locations inside the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. (thestartupnation.ca/Instagram)

The Ongoing Dilemma Posed by Handling Illegal Migrants in the EU

"The long and often arduous journey to Europe has not been a dealbreaker for the hundreds of thousands of migrants who have arrived on the continent illegally in recent years. More than 385,000 such migrants entered Europe in 2023, nearly triple the pandemic-era low in 2020. These were just a fraction of the twenty-nine million immigrants who arrived in the past decade, legally and illegally, placing significant strain on a migration system already considered ineffectual."

"Migrants endure voyages on unseaworthy vessels, travel on foot through war zones or scalding deserts, and encounter predatory human smugglers or hostile locals. Last year alone, more than three thousand migrants died crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe."

"But disembarking in Europe presents new hurdles. Politicians have pledged to crack down on what they call a migration crisis, especially those from far-right parties, which are gaining support ahead of European Parliament elections in June. Meanwhile, European Union (EU) countries are grappling with how to balance stronger border enforcement with concerns over human rights and migrant safety."

Council on Foreign Relations

SFAX, TUNISIA: Irregular migrants face many risks en route to Europe, including a dangerous voyage on the Mediterranean Sea. Yassine Gaidi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

 The number of migrants now crossing into European Union countries has decreased dramatically from the highs seen last year, following the years-long efforts by Europe to limit unauthorized migrants entering by land and sea, with the instituting of increasingly tough policies on accepting migrants. Fewer migrants may be crossing into countries of the EU, but anti-immigrant sentiment has been growing, considerable harsher policies are being raised by established political parties that would never have considered them years earlier.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been attempting to send migrants that have been rescued in the Mediterranean, to Albania. One of the premier welcoming countries in the migration wave of 2015, Germany now has upgraded patrols to all of its land borders. For its part, Poland has plans to introduce legislation temporarily suspending the right of new arrivals to ask for asylum. Anti-immigrant political parties have emphasized uncontrolled migration with a dilution of national identity. Europeans are concerned the influx of migrants is too difficult to manage, frustrated that some 80 percent of failed asylum seekers evade deportation.

Notably, the Christian Democratic party of former German chancellor Angela Merkel who fulsomely gave welcome to immigrants in 2015 is pressing now to have more restrictive measures, a move that has given them a lead in the polls. "The far right is the mainstream when it comes to migration now", observed Susi Dennison, senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

A 2018 EU report reached the conclusion that forwarding asylum seekers to third countries rather than processing their requests was impermissible under EU and international law. Now, however, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, gave praise to Italy's plan as "out-of-the-box thinking". Ms. Meloni's plan would see migrants screened in Albania, and remain in detention centers there, awaiting decisions on their asylum application. An Italian court questioned whether asylum seekers from unsafe countries could be held in Albania.

The rejection of asylum seekers can be complex, when the migrants' countries of origin refuse to receive them in a return to their origins. During that time when the deportation order is in place, migrants are able to move undetected to other countries in the bloc. There are few restrictions on travel between many European nations under the Schengen Agreement. 

While no clear way to legally deport failed asylum seekers has been identified, a challenge exists to find countries willing to take failed asylum seekers. "There is a lot of hot air in terms of what could be done next", observed Raphael Bossong, a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

 

LAMPEDUSA: This immigrant reception center is one of four such “hot spots” in Italy where new arrivals are first hosted after crossing into Europe. Yara Nardi/Reuters

 

 

Laotian Tourist Town Tragedies

"Obviously it's like a famous backpacker place."

"You go from Thailand Luang Prabang and then to Vang Vieng and then  you keep going."

"I've just heard good things about it and it's where most people go."

Frida Svedberg, Swedish tourist in Laos

 

"[Canadians should] exercise a high degree of caution, never leave your food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers [and be wary of accepting food or drinks from strangers as] they may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery."

"[Watch out for food and drinks like] happy pizzas [and] special shakes [that may contain unspecified amounts of opium or] other unknown substances."

Canada travel advisory

Nana Backpackers hostel, Vang Vieng, AP

Vang Vieng in Laos, one of South-east Asia's poorest nations, is a one-party communist state. It is also a go-to place for fun, easy living, outdoor adventure, companionship, and food and drink destination for young people in their late teens and twenties. It teems with young people from all over Europe, North America and Asia looking for a good time. All these tourists are a source of revenue for the village, its environs and Laos in general.

There was a time that the town was celebrated as a venue for partying when young backpackers thronged there. At night the town is full of visitors along its main neighbourhood bursting with bars, restaurants and food stalls. Daytime activities focus on the nearby river thronged with kayaking tourists, expressing exhilaration in their dalliance with nature, making friends with other tourists and anticipating a night on the town after dark.

 

Around the years 2005-06 Vang Vieng became popular among European backpackers for whom exposure to the serenity of nature surrounding the area with available opportunities of tubing along the river -- tourists seated on a tube, floating along the Nam Song River would stop to party impetuously along its banks where a variety of bars invited their presence. 

 

Backpackers roam the main street of Vang Vieng, Laos November 22, 2024. Associated Press

 

The combination of cheap liquor, illegal drugs and river sports drew people into a free atmosphere of exuberance and rowdiness. On occasion that exuberance linked with alcohol and drugs could become deadly. People drowned, or after leaping into the river on a rope swing, would suffer a fatal blow to the head in accidents from which there would be no recovery.

There was a record of 27 deaths linked to river activities in 2011, when the government felt obliged to react by passing a number of mandatory safety regulations to stem the tide of deaths, and with them bad international publicity and a reduction in the number of tourists, impacting deleteriously on the country's tourism industry.

Since that time Vang Vieng has seen a return of tourism in greater numbers, but tourists not necessarily of the backpacking set they were previously accustomed to. While  young western backpackers still arrive, there are plentiful visits now by Chinese and South Koreans, looking to enjoy a wider range of activities.

Over 600,000 tourists visited Vang Vieng in 2023. Expectations were that even greater numbers would arrive in 2024. Sometimes methanol is added to mixed drinks at disreputable bars. Methanol is a cheaper alternative to ethanol but severe poisoning or death can result from imbibing it. Inadvertently this byproduct of poorly distilled homebrew liquor could have been used to make liquor go a little further.

Foreign tourists boating along the NamSong River, Laos, November 22, 2024. AP

Earlier this week, news of two Australian teens becoming critically ill following a night out drinking in Vang Vieng went into circulation. Hospitalized in Thai medical facilities neither survived, and methanol poisoning was confirmed in one case. A woman from Britain also died. As did an American and two Danes, while their exact causes of death have not yet been revealed. It is as yet unclear how many tourists have been affected, although a New Zealander has also become a victim.

Despite the concerns of perplexed and worried tourists and the dark memories stirred of the town's past of reckless partying, the situation does not appear to have affected the many tourists circulating in and around the town, crowding its downtown bars and restaurants as usual, come night.

Foreign tourists enjoying activities in Vang Vieng, AP

Russia's Ukraine Chess Game

"The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined."

"The reckless decisions and actions of Western countries [choosing to supply weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia is responsible for this action]."

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman

 

"No one in the world has such weapons."

"Sooner or later other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development."

"We have this system now. And this is important."

"There is no countermeasure to such a missile, no means of intercepting it, in the world today. And I will emphasize once again that we will continue testing this newest system. It is necessary to establish serial production."

"[Testing the Oreshnik will happen] in combat, depending on the situation and the character of security threats created for Russia. [There is] a stockpile of such systems ready for use."

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Photo: Associated Press

Furthermore, said Putin, while Russia's new hypersonic ballistic missile is not an intercontinental missile, several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could prove as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. To which assertion added Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin that even with conventional warheads, "the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons."

 

Clearly, Russia's attack on Ukraine's central city of Dnipro was an experimental test to determine not only the viability of the new weapon, but to warn Russia's enemies -- and particularly its near neighbours in Eastern Europe as well as NATO, who they are tangling with. The conflict, remarked Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is "taking on very dramatic dimensions, entering a decisive phase." No one is logically prepared to argue with that assessment.

Security in Ukraine was upgraded to the extent that a parliamentary session was cancelled following the Russian strike on a military facility in Dnipro. In a nationally televised speech to his nation characterizing the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile representing retaliation for Kyiv's being given the clearance by European countries providing it with longer-range missiles that it may use to strike within Russia's borders, deeper than its previous strikes, NATO members have been put on notice.

 

Russian T90M Proryv tank fires towards Ukrainian positions at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

According to a  gloating Putin, Western air defence systems would be incapable of stopping his powerful new missile. "These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world's most advanced technology and satellite communications capability", added Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, from the perspective of his friendly relations with t he Kremlin. "There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel."

Unsaid but inferred is the recommendation that to forestall further use of the powerful hypersonic missile, the United States would do well to reconsider its discretionary permission for Ukraine to use longer-range U.S.-supplied missiles deeper into Russian territory. Orban emphasized that recent modifications to Russia's nuclear deployment doctrine should be taken seriously, that underestimating Russia's resolve is uncautionary: "It's not a trick ... there will be consequences".

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky had his own interpretation of these most recent events, characterizing the Russian missile strike as an "escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe". Mr. Lipavsky expressed full support in delivering additional air defence systems to Kyiv to protect Ukrainian civilians from "heinous attacks".

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman and the head of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev, left, visits test-drive of the T-90M "Proryv" tank at the testing ground of the Nizhny Tagil Institute for Metal Testing outside Nizhny Tagil, Russia, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (Ekaterina Shtukina, Sputnik Pool Photo via AP)

 

 

The 'Armed Struggle' of Islamist Jihad

"[The Muslim Students Association's] space booking for this event has been declined."

"We will not limit debate or prohibit the reasonable exercise of freedom of expression on campus."

"However, it is imperative that these conversations take place in an inclusive and constructive manner and that, above all else, they are safe for those engaged -- directly or indirectly."

University of Victoria (British Columbia) spokesperson 

"The pro-Zionist, anti-Islam, anti-Muslim, dishonest media continues to churn out lame, stale and factually incorrect material."

"As expected, they rely on a Zionist-run organization which is clearly pro-ethnic cleansing, pro-genocide, pro-apartheid and pro-murder."

"These pro-Zionist, pro-apartheid, pro-genocide supporters of murdering children pieces of filth need a wake-up call. May their tongues be muted, may their hands be paralyzed and may they experience misery and live wretched lives."

Islamist fundamentalist imam Younus Kathrada, Victoria, B.C.

"And I remind myself and the rest of you of the great importance of good role models. And especially for our youth. We need to be aware of these individuals in whose footsteps we should be following. And recently, Allah took out for us from among the Muslims, a real hero (Hamas Sinwar). A hero that we should be speaking of in our homes and speaking of to our children.  MEMRI

The UVic Muslim Students Association had invited Imam Kathrada -- who operates a Muslim youth indoctrination program that emphasizes adherence to the darker passages of the Koran and the Hadiths focusing on hatred of non-Muslims and the obligation of the faithful in Islam to commit to violent jihad to please Allah and to receive the rewards inherent in being lifted to Paradise as martyrs where 72 'dark-eyed houris' await each one who sacrifices their lives to jihad -- to conduct a November 24 lecture with the title The Importance of Connecting with the Muslim Community.

The publicized event was noted by two news sources; Global News and the National Post, both of which wrote of the imam, his fiery, hostile attacks on non-Muslims, the corrupt permissiveness of Canadian society, and most particularly displaying extreme antisemitism advocating for the death of Jews. This was not welcome attention to the University, which soon afterward issued a statement to the effect that the Muslim Students Association's request had been denied, for the university to allow the event to take place on its property.

The University pointed out as well that the Muslim Students Association has been ratified by the University of Victoria Students' Society, a "separate entity from the university". The University's denial of space accorded to the Muslim Students Association was predictably vilified by the guest speaker whose pulpit will of necessity be moved elsewhere. The University's decision, he thundered, was a "Zionist plot", to be deplored.

He will lose no time in getting on with his own personal service to the British Columbia Muslim community, teaching their youth how imperative it is as good Muslims to adhere to his sermonizing relating to the duplicitous, dangerous Jews with their atrocious plots to eliminate the influence of Islam while posing a lethal challenge to the lives of Muslim children whom their Hamas government deliberately placed in danger, using them as pawns in a conflict with Israel.

 

 

At his Muslim Youth of Victoria Islamic centre, his strict lessons in Islamist priorities will continue to infect the minds of young Canadian Muslims, persuading them that there should be no discourse between Muslims and Jews, that the only good Jews are underground, placed there by the Muslim faithful. This man's vicious sermons have been highlighted by MEMRI, the Middle East Media Research Institute which published details of sermons where Kathrada glorifies jihadist violence against Jews.

The UVic Muslim Students Association are doubtless comprised of Kathrada's former inductees into Islamist jihad and as such have been central organizers of anti-Israel rallies that take place outside the British Columbia legislature. Yet another provincial government that has failed to take the threat to society in general and Canadian Jews in particular, seriously. 

 

That failure is mirrored in what is happening at the present time in Quebec, where Montreal is being besieged by tens of thousands of Muslims and their sympathizing non-Muslim university students, wreaking violent havoc, attacking police, vandalizing businesses, and honouring Palestinian terrorism while invocating violently against Israel and Jews.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Concordia University demanding it divest from Israel. CTV

 

"The Jews have an ancient and dark history of bloodshed and breaking covenants and treaties."

"If Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them Himself, but He ordered armed struggle."

"Listen! He ordered armed struggle to test some of you [Muslim students] by means of others."

Younus Kathrada

Remembrance Day Disharmony in School 'Inclusivity'

"Over the last few days our school has been the focus of significant public attention due to the recent Remembrance Day events. This has resulted in a  high volume of incoming messages to the school as well as some graffiti on the outside of the school property."

"Fortunately, there has not been any significant disruption to our usual routines and learning environment, thanks in large part to the incredible work of our staff who have continued to focus on our students' educational needs and emotional well-being amidst the external pressures."

"We are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment where all students feel respected and valued. We are actively working with central school board staff to monitor the situation."

Sir Robert Borden High School Principal Aaron Hobbs

 

"I think they are in general just protesting [demonstration by pro-Palestinian groups in front of her constituency office] but they also want to oppose my position on the inappropriate song on Remembrance Day." 

"I support their right to protest and I am thankful they chose my [riding] office [where their protest took place] and not Sir Robert Borden High School."

Lisa MacLeod, Conservative member of Ontario provincial parliament

Sir Robert Borden High School in Ottawa. Photo by Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Fallout from Principal Hobbs' controversial decision to highlight an Arabic song -- associated with Palestinian support for the terrorist group Hamas in the wake of its violent incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, when thousands of terrorists went on a campaign of gross carnage in mass rape, mutilation, slaughter of Israeli children, men and women and hostage-taking as a 'just' reaction to the Israeli 'occupation' of Gaza in self-protection against its violent predatory mission to destroy the Jewish state -- featured at Canada's solemn Remembrance Day ceremony at the school, is ongoing.

 

That the school principal viewed it as 'inclusive' to feature an Arabic-language Palestinian song throughout the day's ceremonies at the school, was at the very least an 'exclusion' exercise, in the reality that the school hosts a large number of Jewish students, who were puzzled at the inappropriateness of introducing something so obviously political and one-sided to a ceremony dedicated to the memory of Canadian soldiers who fell in military duty to defend and protect democracy against the forces of fascism.

 

That none of the teaching staff at the high school appear to have cautioned their principal against his decision to have the song played amidst the three presentations at the school for varying grade levels is itself peculiar. The principal initially explained that it was one of the teachers who had suggested that the song might be a good fit for the ceremonies taking place at the school for Remembrance Day. What has resulted days later is the discovery that someone vandalized the school sign with large red lettering reading "Hamas High". 

"We acknowledge that Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion, where the focus should remain on honouring those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we hold dear."

"The inclusion of a song that could be seen as politically charged was not in line with the values of respect and unity that we strive to uphold at this school."

School Principal Aaron Hobbs

The controversy ensuing from the principal's poorly-thought-out, and obvious political messaging saw condemnation from parents whose children attend the school, as well as local, regional and national politicians. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has launched an investigation into the incident as the principal, expressing mortification and remorse reiterated that his purpose was to extend to the entire school population a spirit of 'inclusion'; a woke sentiment that seldom works well in its canted practise. 

 

A demonstration by pro-Palestinian groups was planned for the school,  which social media posts publicized as a rally to end "anti-Palestinian racism", and to "stand in solidarity with the students" following the principal's issuance of a public apology for deciding to include the Arabic protest song as a feature of Remembrance Day at the school. Other parents from the school planned for a counter- demonstration to walk their children home through the protest. The Ottawa Police Service were present to ensure an orderly and peaceful event took place. 

 

The location of the rally changed and shifted outside the constituency office of outspoken member of provincial parliament Lisa MacLeod whose riding it is. She had spoken for the principal to be fired in response to his 'inclusivity' venture. The demonstration resulted in no untoward incidents although police recommended that the riding office be closed during the demonstration. 

 

During the initial event when Jewish students asked for an explanation from the school principal for the reason and purpose of the change, he had responded it had been his intention to open up the ceremony that is usually only about "a white guy who has done something related to the military".  An expression of gross misrepresentation, making light of the sacrifice of thousands of Canadians.

"Remembrance Day is a solemn time to pay tribute to Canadian veterans."

"Including a song associated with one side of an ongoing foreign conflict -- especially one currently contributing to division and tension in our communities -- reflects poor judgement for a public school setting."

Jewish Federation of Ottawa

Graffiti on the sign at Sir Robert Borden High School in Ottawa following a Remembrance Day controversy. Photo by X

Fibreoptic Cables in the Baltic Sea

"[The incidents are] a very clear sign that something is going on here."

"Nobody believes that these cables were accidentally severed."

"We have to state, without knowing exactly who it came from, that this is a hybrid action."

"We also have to assume ... that it is sabotage."

Boris Pistorius, German defence minister

The undersea cable between Helsinki and Rostock was laid in 2015   Getty Images

 

The C-Lion1, two undersea internet cables linking Finland and Germany, saw completion in 2016, a 1,175-kilometre undersea cable providing telecommunications connectivity between Central Europe and the Nordic countries. Germany's minister of defence stated that the two undersea internet cables disruption appear to have been deliberate acts of 'sabotage'. Tension are already high across eastern Europe and this incident will only serve to raise them even higher. 

The cable operator, Cinia, reported the underwater communications cable functioning to connect Finland and Germany had been severed early Monday. A separate communications cable linking Lithuania and Sweden, in the Baltic Sea as well, had sustained damage a day earlier. What precisely occurred with the two cables is not yet fully clear, but German defence minister Pistorius suspects the damage was deliberately inflicted.

 

The Finnish C-Lion1 cable operator, Cinia, stated that the 'cut' to its communications cable had been detected after 4:00 a.m. on Monday, east of the southern tip of the Swedish Island of Oland. A vessel was dispatched after due preparation, to repair the damage, while the firm is conducting an investigation. 

 

While the Finnish and German foreign ministers stated that they remained "deeply concerned", neither official assigned blame for the severed cable.

"The fact that such an incident immediately raises suspicions of intentional damage speaks volumes about the volatility of our times."

"Our European security is not only under threat from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors."

Joint statement, Finnish and German foreign ministers

Rotary Foundation vs 101-year-old Philanthropic Benefactor

"I miss him very much. And as far as I'm concerned, we both decided this is the way we wanted the money to go to help people in our part of the world. I'm talking about real people in our part of the world who are helping our people and that's what he wanted."

"I can't believe that Rotary could be so mean and so greedy and tell lies about me."

"They never said they were sorry [when he died]. I just feel terrible about it."

"As far as I'm concerned, all they are doing is delay tactics asking how much money I have in the bank."

Mary McEachern, Widow, 101, Edmonton 

"As is often the case with many Rotary members, Mr. McEachern named The Rotary Foundation Canada as a beneficiary in his last will for the purpose of supporting Rotary's humanitarian programs."

"We regret that this issue is still with the courts and look forward to a timely and reasonable resolution while still honouring Mr. McEachern's lifelong dedication to Rotary."

Eva Vida, president, Rotary Foundation Canada

Mary and Steve McEachern were long-time philanthropists. Mary said Steve changed his mind late in life about which charities he wanted to donate his fortune to, but he died before he could amend his will. (Supplied)

Steve and Mary McEachern were lifelong major donors to the Rotary Foundation Canada. Working for Investors Group Wealth Management for 65 years, Steve McEachern made his fortune. As a longtime Rotarian and donor to multiple other charities, he held volunteer board positions. Rotary among them. According to Mary McEachern, she was deeply disappointed that despite her husband's involvement with the charity on many levels, there had never been a formal acknowledgement of his death at age 99 in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His will had stipulated that the Rotary Foundation would be the sole beneficiary to his fortune of $40 million, aside from his widow's living expenses looked after by the estate. However, Mary McEachern explained her late husband's change of mind shortly prior to his death, and in that interim period had been unable to amend his will. The new plan was that the estate would be shared with numerous charities in Canada. Accordingly, Rotary Canad was offered $13 million, but they chose to challenge Mary's version of Steve's estate in court.

Understandably, it is Mary McEachern's desire that Rotary respect her late husband's decision, emphasizing that her husband's and her lifetime savings should be partitioned to support not just one charity whose work is done overseas, but to support numerous Canadian charities whose focus is within Canada itself. On Mary's death the plan they devised is to distribute the estate, sharing it with local and national charities, such as SARS, Hope Mission, Edmonton Humane Society, the Mustard Seed Foundation, The Salvation Army in Alberta and northern territories, St. John Council for Alberta, University Hospital Foundation, Edmonton Public Schools, Strathcona High School and a bursary in Mary's name for nursing graduate students at the University of Alberta.

The 101-year-old widow had plans to donate as well to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Cowichan Valley Hospice Society, Heat and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Parkinson Canada, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, CNIB Foundation, and Wings of Providence. A broad spectrum of Canadian charitable groups, all of which would be earmarked to share in the estate of her late husband. 

 

That Rotary refuses to consider the wishes of Mary McEachern speaking as her husband's confidant and inheritor, bespeaks a puzzling lack of ethical judgement.

Mary McEachern speaks of her husband's involvement with the Rotary Club Southside as a holder of board positions with the group, as well as with the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation. He had donated to the Air Force Commemorative Site at the Village at Griesback, AISH, Investment Club Prime Time Group, 4-H Foundation, Edmonton Community Foundation Scona Memorial for Veterans and others.

Mary McEachern, a 101-year-old widow, is in a legal battle with Rotary Foundation of Canada over her late husband's $40-million estate. Photo by Greg Southam /Postmedia

Russia's Barbaric Geothermal Drone Scheme

"We, from our side, must do everything so that next year this war ends by diplomatic means. This is very important." 

"This is their approach [the United States], their promise to their society [quick deal between Kyiv and Moscow], it is also very important to them. He [Trump] is on the side of supporting Ukraine, he appreciates our strength, integrity and courage."

"[Ukraine should not be] left alone with the Russian Federation [to craft a solution to the conflict]. For us, the victory means a strong Ukraine. Whether that's in diplomacy or on the battlefield is another question."

"But we have already proved that 'sit and listen' rhetoric does not work with us. Sitting, talking and agreeing on nothing -- this is what is beneficial for Putin."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

A Ukrainian soldier examines a thermobaric drone launched by Russia  AP

 

A small number of highly destructive thermobaric drones have been created by a high-tech factory in central Russia. The same factory also produces huge swarms of inexpensive decoys. The use of the drones -- both the destructive models, relatively few in number due to the expense of production and the decoys produced in much greater number are an expression of a new tactic devised by Moscow to overwhelm Kyiv, forcing it to respond to all the drones in fear of one of the thermobaric types wreaking chaos and greater deaths. In the process of responding, the plan is for Ukraine to unnecessarily, out of caution, use its dwindling stock of defensive weaponry to shoot down the drones, expending in the process defensive funding. 

Vladimir Putin's mission to destroy Ukraine and reap the benefits of acquiring more Ukrainian territory to be folded into Greater Russia doesn't leave much hope for Russia to become a willing partner for peace  until its objectives have been achieved. At which time Ukraine will be geographically eviscerated at the cost of more lives and ruined civic infrastructure. And while Kyiv is anxious to protect the lives of its citizens, the Kremlin seems disposed to consider its fighting men expendable, including the new contingents of North Korean fighters now under Russian command.

Russia calls its drone scheme Operation False Target, its intention is to force Ukraine to needlessly use its scarce resources to save lives and hope to spare further destruction of critical infrastructure. As for distinguishing the relatively harmless drones from their look-alike thermobaric drones, it cannot be done by radar and even electronics experts cannot distinguish which drones fleeting through the skies are the deadly ones. Russia's is a devilish plan to continue on its path of destruction in Ukraine. The first weekend of November saw 20 hours in the Kyiv region under air alert. In October some 1,889 drones were launched by Moscow.

Over 50% of the drones that target Ukraine are unarmed decoys with up to 75% being produced out of a factory in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia; a highly sensitive industry. A deadly variant of the Shahed unmanned aircraft is also produced at the same factory, armed with thermobaric warheads. These vacuum bombs create a vortex of high pressure and heat capable of penetrating the thickest walls while sucking out all the oxygen encountered in their path. When they strike buildings Alabuga's thermobaric drones are particularly deadly since they are loaded as well with ball bearings to cause massive damage beyond the superheated blast.

These deadly drones are estimated to make up between 3 and 5 percent of all drones. Their physical effects on people even outside the initial blast site, are grotesquely lethal; collapsed lungs, crushed eyeballs, brain damage included. The human toll is of little interest to Russia, however. They see great conflict benefits in the drones' use. An unarmed drone costs much less than the $50,000 to produce an armed Shahed drone. Decoys with live-feed cameras also have their special functions, allowing geolocation of Ukraine's air defences, relaying the information to Russia just before they crash.

 

DJI Matrice reconnaissance drones, bought during 'The Army of Drones' program, are set up ready for test flights in the Kyiv region, Ukraine. (Sergei Supinsky / AFP via Getty Images)