#The Assassination Bureau (Limited)

[thisbluespirit]

Films watched (1960s): The Assassination Bureau Limited (Paramount, 1969); written & produced by Michael Relph; dir. Basil Dearden (based on the unfinished Jack London novel The Assassination Bureau Ltd). Starring Oliver Reed, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas & Curd Jürgens.

"The Assassination Bureau is a political weapon or it is nothing. Properly used... it could bring down empires. I could make the destiny of Europe!"

[letterboxd-loggd]

The Assassination Bureau (1969) Basil Dearden

February 10th 2025

[jabronibaloney]

Guess I'm an assassin then.

[milfstalin]

A leader of a major faction in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has warned that if Israel begins a war that involves the energy sector, the world will lose 12 million barrels per day, “and this is what we will make sure of.”

Abu Ali al-Askari, the head of the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades Security Bureau, stated: “This is what we will be taking care of, but only God knows what our brethren in Yemen will do in Bab al-Mandab and our brethren in Iran will do in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Israeli leaders have threatened to launch a massive attack against Iran, including against nuclear power and oil infrastructure.

Askari warned further that the resistance’s response “will not be limited to Israel, but will extend to Washington’s bases and interests in Iraq and the region.”

[...]

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital oil transit chokepoint situated between Iran and Oman. Oil tankers carry approximately 17 million barrels of oil each day through the Strait, or 20 percent of the world's total consumption.

Some analysts believe that oil prices, currently around $80 per barrel, could reach more than $300 per barrel in the case of a full blockade of the Gulf of Hormuz.

[...]

Al-Askari's statement also comes after right-wing Israeli Channel 14 aired a segment on Tuesday featuring Ayatollah al-Sistani's image on a list of potential assassination targets.

The image appeared alongside other regional figures, including Yemeni leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Hezbollah's deputy leader Naim Qassem, Hamas political chief Yahya Sinwar, Iranian Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani, and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

[...]

11 Oct 2024

[teecupangel]

Good day, this is a bit long so I apologize. I have been thinking about Desmond as a POE and that has made me wondering about Desmond as a sword (I am unsure if you have done this already) ((inspired by "Reincarnated as a Sword". ))

Like what if when Desmond died and suddenly woke up stuck in a sword and ancestor finding him and trying to get him out, or perhaps they go through their journeys as sword and master. Desmond can telepathically talk to the user.

It'd be very unpleasant to be stuck as a sword for so long, so I'd like to see Desmond stuck as one for like 500 years or something.

I was also thinking of Xin Mo from SVSSS who's pretty violent and requires the user to kill alot of people to satisfy its bloodlust. If you are weak mentally, you go insane by the sword's hallucinations. Desmond wouldn't want to give his ancestors visions and go insane so I think to be angsty you'd have to force the killing requirement. I believe Altair would be the most successful if so.

Xin Mo was unlocked because the ML's blood was basically super strong, so in AC it could be desmond sword can only talk with ancestors.

If not Xin Mo, perhaps he is another famous sword or wakes up as Altair's sword. When Altair dies, sword Desmond is put with his armor and eventually reaches Ezio. Desmond would probably be sick of being in a sword.

As the prophet, Ezio would connect Desmond to sword desmond and he'd try his best to get him out.

In Wuxia terms, perhaps he cultivated enough energy to ascend to a human form. Or his user couldve killed enough people to grow into a human. He could be meaty human or like metal human soo.... up to you.

If this becomes romantic due to the emotional bond between master and sword I think theyd eventually fuck the sword tbh.

I also think itd be funny if Altair shows up in Malik's bureau like "this is my love and we are getting married" and shows his sword.

Malik or another assassin could see Altair talking to his sword in secret and think he's insane.

So there’s a Transistor AltDes idea somewhere in this blog but I cannot, for the life of me, find it. XD

Anyway, for this one, we’ll… change the timeline a bit.

Desmond actually time traveled to the time of the Isus and he gets captured by an Isu scientist.

This Isu scientist found Desmond fascinating and experimented on him, making him a vital part of the next iteration of the Sword of Eden.

Fortunately, Desmond is only encased in one sword because the war between the humans and Isus started and the scientist’s research lab was hit.

Desmond, as a sword, was taken by the humans and that’s when he started to ‘influence’ his user.

We’ll take inspiration from JJBA’s Anubis and make Desmond a learning sword. The more he fights the same enemy, the more he understands how his enemy fights. This, in turn, makes him able to calculate the probablities of his enemies’ attacks and predict their next move using those probabilities.

He also, not because he wants to, curses his user to desire carnage and death.

To be more exact, Desmond’s fervent wish to become human again becomes what is akin to an automatic order that Desmond sends out to all his users.

Because Desmond is a sword that’s main goal is to completely take over the wielder’s mind and control it like his own body but that function is limited at the moment due to the scientist knowing Desmond hasn’t been broken enough to become loyal to the Isus.

And that wish to become ‘human’ turns into something corrupted like “cover me in blood and viscera” in a twisted way of being as close to human as a sword could be.

This persisted throughout the entire time he was used as a weapon against the Isus.

This way, we will have Desmond be broken by centuries of being used over and over again, unable to stop his wielders from succumbing to the rage.

One of his wielders was Charlemagne and he became known as Durandal, the legendary sword said to be able to cut through anything.

Charlemagne only managed to escape the bloodlust by hiding the sword away and using Joyeuse instead.

But, because Charlemagne is a member of the Order of the Ancients, there were records of him that the Templar Order could use to pinpoint the sword’s resting place.

And nothing was more shameful than being used by Templars.

Until Altaïr assassinated the latest Templar to wield him and took the sword because it ‘called out’ to him.

That’s when Desmond learned of a loophole.

Because of their genetic connection, Altaïr was immune to the bloodlust.

And he could hear Desmond.

They get to know one another while Altaïr traveled back to Masyaf and he kept Desmond a secret. Sure, he was quite… ornate but all Altaïr had to do was wrap his hilt and crossguard in leather and that would hide most of his ‘decoration’.

Altaïr also learned that a lot of the gems Desmond had were put by the Templar Order so he could just remove those without harming Desmond.

By the time Malik learned of Desmond’s existence, Altaïr and Desmond were too far deep into one another that Altaïr had no problem admitting that he was in love with his sword (and implied that, yes, he is fucking his sword… Malik does not want any details)

Then Kadar nods at him and tells him that he knows Altaïr loves Desmond. They’re more or less married already.

And now Malik was left wondering if his younger brother has been inflicted with the same ‘sickness’ as Altaïr has.

Was this contagious?

Will he start believing that it was normal for a man to love his sword to that degree???

.

(If Desmond gets a human body, I kinda want it to be both flesh and metal, with Isus lines all over)

[fuckyeahmarxismleninism]

🔴 Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine exalts the great national Arab leader, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, who passed on Friday 27/9/2024, as a result of a treacherous zionist raid on the southern suburb of Beirut after he carried out his duties of struggle toward our Arab nation in defense of Lebanon and Palestine.

The banner of resistance will not be broken, and the martyrdom of the Master of Resistance marks the beginning of a new phase of greater strength and determination to continue on the same path.

The Popular Front mourns the Master of Resistance, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, and a group of Hezbollah's brave leaders, martyrs on the path to Al-Quds.

In the name of its Secretary-General, his deputy, its Political Bureau, Central Committee, and all its cadres and members at home and in the diaspora, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine mourns to our people, the nation, the Axis of Resistance, and the liberation movement, the leader of the resistance, the master of martyrs, and the inspiration of an entire generation, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah "Abu Hadi," the Secretary-General of Lebanese Hezbollah, and a group of heroic leaders of the resistance who were martyred in a cowardly zionist assassination in the southern suburb of Beirut, coordinated and planned with the criminal American enemy.

The Front expresses its deep solidarity with the brothers in Hezbollah—leadership, cadres, and fighters—and the Lebanese people, and the Axis of Resistance, in this great and significant loss. We send them a clear message: Your wound is our wound, the blood of your leaders is our blood, and the martyrdom of the Master of Resistance, Hassan Nasrallah, represents the beginning of a new phase of resistance, more powerful and determined to continue on the same path.

Palestine, Lebanon, the entire nation, and indeed the global liberation movement have lost an exceptional leader and a symbol of Arab and revolutionary resistance worldwide. The great martyr was a unique leadership figure in every sense of the word, enjoying a high stature in the struggle against occupation and the American enemy. He was distinguished by his steadfast positions supporting the rights of Arab peoples, foremost among them the Palestinian cause. He was characterized by rare courage in facing threats and by political acumen that enabled him to anticipate regional and international developments, making him capable of dealing with the most complex challenges that faced the resistance, whether militarily or politically. He had clear fingerprints on the victories achieved by the resistance in Lebanon, foremost among them the July victory and the expulsion of the zionist occupation from southern Lebanon in 2000.

The great martyr dedicated his life to serving the cause of resistance, sacrificing the precious and dear, most notably the loss of his eldest son, Hadi, who was martyred in a heroic battle against the occupation, setting an exemplary model in sacrifice and loyalty to the cause.

The impact of martyr Nasrallah was not limited to the Lebanese arena alone but transcended borders to become a symbol of resistance throughout the region and a pivotal leader in supporting Palestinian resistance factions, providing them with all the logistical support, military training, and weapons they needed. His historic decision to support the resistance in Gaza during the Al-Aqsa Flood battle had a great impact in enhancing the capabilities of the Palestinian resistance. Since the founding of Hezbollah, the Palestinian cause was strongly present in its doctrine, and the martyr always emphasized that the liberation of Al-Quds is a legal and moral duty. Through his role in developing the party's arsenal of advanced rockets and weapons, he managed to create a balance of horror with the zionist entity, contributing to protecting Lebanon from repeated attacks.

The Master of Resistance departed to join his fellow martyrs, never abandoning his position in the front lines, resisting until the last moment. While we today feel the bitterness of loss, we stand tall in facing this enemy who thought that targeting the leaders of the resistance, foremost among them the great martyr Hassan Nasrallah and his fellow leaders, would break the will of the resistance.

The martyrdom of the Master of Resistance represents a grave loss, but it will not weaken the resolve of the resistance nor diminish its determination; on the contrary, the ranks of the resistance in Lebanon and everywhere will increase in insistence on continuing the confrontation with this tyrannical enemy who understands only the language of force. The blood of these martyrs will form new fuel for the fire of resistance, which will not die down until the liberation of Palestine and all occupied Arab lands.

We pledge to the martyr leader and all the free resistance fighters that the response to this zionist crime will be commensurate with the crime itself. The resistance continues, stronger and more united on all fronts of support like one body, armed with the will of the peoples and their rallying around the legitimate option of resistance in defending our occupied lands and our dignity until achieving victory over this usurping zionist entity and its allies and agents in the region.

Glory and eternity to the soul of the martyr leader and the martyr leaders, and we will certainly be victorious.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

Political Bureau

28 September 2024

[garbodude]

I’m running what is, hopefully, the finale of the ‘Jailbreak’ episode of ‘The Midnight Crew’ this weekend! Our party, who I’ll describe later, are villains of ‘The Weird Ward’ setting, working under a master thief named Q to steal things his newfound form no longer can manage ( he’s been turned into a yucky little duck).

The party in question, consisting of Demo Dutch ( well meaning affable oaf with a ‘hulk’ style rage mode), Lobo (Italian assassin who can command and transform into dogs), Pipedream (my brother, a curmudgeonly lunk who can transform into living metal), Toolkit (jaded iconoclast technopath), Mojito (friendly barkeep who can break down his body into lengths of prehensile sinew, with limited shapeshifting ability), and The Breeze (survivor of The Battle of Blair Mountain, now an invisible saboteur extraordinaire), have been tasked by their mallard majordomo to break somebody out of prison.

The who? The infamous living biohazard Doctor Alchemy, who can transmogrify the chemical makeup of anything by touch alone. The prison? ‘The Brig’, a mechanical Alcatraz afloat in the middle of Lake Michigan, staffed by the Bureau against Unknown Relativistic Phenomena, guarded by a quartet of Edisonian Iron Men, and surrounded by a perpetual blizzard. Our Midnight Crew has made it into the prison proper, but can they keep up their charade as agents of B. U. R. P. to get to Dr. Alchemy? Does he even want to be broken out? What are Q’s motives, really?

All these questions will be answered in this upcoming episode of The Midnight Crew!

[frostise]

𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐋 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒

notes: my list of portrayal notes of KF to keep in mind because my version of her draws inspiration from the 80s firestorm comics, firestorm comic (2004), the justice league unlimited series, injustice verse and batman: assault on arkham ♡

KF is more of a killer than seducer. it's in her moniker. she's downright rotten to the core and loves to commit evil acts to satisfy her sadism, morbid curiosity and make up for the fact she's had her bloodthirst repressed since youth. she'll only be flirtatious with her potential love interests

louise will always wear a highly advanced titanium battle armour called thermo-armour. it's designed to keep her warm at all costs and amplifies her limited super-strength to the point she can lift a grown man around 193 pounds and break a bone. her boots are called hockey skates. at first it seems like a normal combat boot but once frost clicks her heels together, the sole built within it activates a skating blade she normally uses as traversal equipment to get around in the city. it can also be used as deadly weapons if the situation calls for it. frost only takes off her uniform in a safe environment

she has a body of a professional athlete while still maintaining her femininity as evidenced in her comic appearances and i'm talking defined abs, buff arms, muscular legs/thighs, toned ass and back muscles like a competitive ice hockey player on her way to division one!!

louise has a ability called 'heightened thermosensation' which means she can sense people's body heat and track their movements. your muse cannot sneak on her or land a hit because she's a character that relies on speed to avoid critical hits unless they're capable of matching her speed

louise is NOT weak against fire. she's weak against cold temperatures and freezing water. using heat-based weapons or powers will only serve to strengthen her power to absorb heat and dish out ice

my version of louise will never have a 'death kiss' because she's not capable of generating ice breath and will always resort to grabbing the head of a person to drain their body heat if they're close enough for it or any part of their body for that matter

she's a killer who is provoked by certain people and environments. this means she'll be committing violence on impulse if your muse is a hero, anti-hero, has wronged her personally or perceived as a traitor/threat of T.A.B

KF works for a secret organisation called the assassination bureau (AKA T.A.B) containing dangerous metahuman assassins that were active since the 60s and exposed to the public in the early 2000s. most infamous criminals had made deals with figurehead 'breathtaker' to obtain his operatives and use them to their disposal. most of frost's missions are classified and it's the only organisation she remains loyal to

louise had made a deal with the devil named neron. in exchange for her powers to be boosted to firestorm's level or over, she sold her soul. i welcome anyone who has a supernatural muse to realise she has no soul intact because there's a toxic green aura in her that comes in the shape of neron's tentacles

she's well known for being a powerful and sadistic villain throughout all of NYC. she's hated, respected and feared by most citizens, heroes and villains. her self-proclaimed ice queen title is infamous as well

it's no secret she's a monster lover. she will immediately befriend or date one if there's good chemistry. she will also kill for them if they're being mistreated in any way. louise is a firm believer of them being superior than humans but this doesn't mean she's naïve about their instincts. she'll never hesitate to defend herself if they attack, insult or manipulate her

her archenemy will always be firestorm. they've been enemies since the 80s and anyone associated with him will be targeted, especially rookies. she also hates most heroes for ruining her jobs and spoiling the fun but that doesn't mean she can't have fun toying with their moral codes, bantering and killing them off when the opportunity arises

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Matt Gertz at MMFA:

Over a handful of hours on Tuesday, the right’s conspiracy theory ecosystem concocted a sinister plot by President Joe Biden to assassinate his predecessor out of the banal fact that FBI agents received standard instructions on the use of force before conducting a court-ordered search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in 2022. Hundreds of pages of filings were unsealed on Tuesday in Trump’s classified documents case, revealing that the former president — who is charged with 40 federal criminal counts related to his alleged willful retention of documents after leaving the White House — had multiple documents marked “classified” in his bedroom that were discovered months after the 2022 search.  Credible outlets reviewed the documents and produced a wave of news stories detailing what a judge described as “strong evidence” of Trump’s allegedly criminal acts. Meanwhile, Trump’s MAGA media supporters ginned up a counternarrative based on a credulous reading of a deceptive argument from Trump’s lawyers that was included in the unsealed documents.

The story that emerged from the right-wing media echo chamber posits that pro forma language provided to FBI agents before the 2022 search which stated that “law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force when necessary” was actually part of a Biden scheme to assassinate Trump. This is both a horrific accusation to make without evidence and facially absurd for any number of reasons. (Why would the Biden administration issue assassination orders in writing and then conduct the Mar-a-Lago search on a date specifically selected because Trump would be in New York instead?) But it spread quickly from its initiation by a key figure in the right’s January 6 disinformation community, through the ranks of MAGA influencers, to Trump himself, and then to the Fox News airwaves.

By Tuesday night, Trump’s campaign had issued a fundraising email in which the presumptive Republican presidential nominee alleged of the Biden administration, “You know they’re just itching to do the unthinkable … Joe Biden was locked & loaded ready to take me out & put my family in danger.” The startlingly quick adoption of an unhinged conspiracy theory shows how the right-wing media apparatus operates, dreaming up convoluted but inflammatory nonsense and bombarding their audience with it. Here’s how it happened.

[...] In reality — and as more credible journalists pointed out — those instructions are standard for FBI searches.  “These are the rules that apply to FBI agents whenever they do anything,” Reuters reporter Brad Heath wrote in response to Kelly’s initial claim on X. He added, “Agents - like all cops - can use deadly force when met with a sufficiently serious threat. The policy the FBI followed here applies all the time; they are the same rules agents follow when walking down a sidewalk.” “One clue that this is the generic DOJ use of force policy — not something cooked up for Mar-a-Lago, let alone ordered by the president — is that it talks about the use of warning shots in prison,” Heath noted in response to Kelly’s post with the “Policy Statement.” The FBI would later issue a statement confirming that the bureau had “followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force.”

Donald Trump and right-wing media propagandists such as Julie Kelly pushed an unhinged lie that President Joe Biden would order the assassination of Donald Trump when conducting a search of Mar-A-Lago for classified document theft. In reality, the FBI agents received standard instructions on the use of force before conducting their search warrant at Mar-A-Lago.

See Also:

HuffPost: Donald Trump Wildly Suggests Joe Biden Was Ready To Kill Him In Mar-A-Lago Search

[teyvatiantraveler]

Name: Erika Riess

Height: 6ft

Age: 32

Pronouns: she/her, he/him (when it's convenient)

Allegiance: Independent

Backstory:

Erika Riess was born in Heidelberg, Germany to two ghouls. She doesn't remember much of her childhood before the age of 12, when she was taken in by a human woman called Iva as a favour to her parents.

Iva did her best to take care of Erika but her need for human flesh proved difficult to satiate. This lead to Iva both ingratiating herself to the local ghoul community and experimenting to find the limited range of human foods she can eat. Iva loved Erika as her own daughter, even going as far as to catch her up on her education so she could get into school.

Eventually, Erika was discovered due to killing high-ranking CCG officers, but not by the CCG. Marcus Kennedy, a former CIA handler looking to assemble a team to pull off high-profile, high-stakes assassination contracts, was looking to replace a former employee who had turned coat.

Erika joined Marcus on the promise that he help mask her identity and facilitate her move to Berlin. Marcus initially gave her a trial contract: Sneak into the French Bureau's national convention and kill their top officer. This was to see how she worked with the team of Marcus, Arctus, and Jonty/Jonathan. Marcus acts as her handler, Arctus is the hacker and analyst and Jonty is a smuggler and weapons procurer.

The contract went off with a few hitches (unintentional kills, people getting suspicious of her) but it overall showed her potential. Erika got her wish of moving to Berlin, and gradually became untraceable. She now operates on a schedule of one week off, then two weeks travelling around the world and completing contracts with the aid of the team.

Erika is known as a shadow among both her colleagues and her contractors, and only works through her handler. Each member of the team has veto rights on any contract, though they don't usually use them unless they go against the existing blacklist.

Rumours are currently saying that Marcus and the team are currently looking at expansion into Tokyo, offering their services against the heart of the CCG.

[lboogie1906]

COINTELPRO was a counterintelligence program run by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (1956-76). It combined the efforts of the Bureau and local police forces to track, harass, discredit, infiltrate, destroy, and destabilize dissident groups in the US. COINTELPRO targeted the Communist Party, the Socialist Workers Party, the American Indian Movement, those considered part of the “New Left,” the kkk, and most acutely, Black civil rights and militant Black nationalist groups.

The director of the FBI, considered militant Black nationalist groups to be the most dangerous threat facing the US at that time due to their perceived potential to cause civil unrest and violence. COINTELPRO focused on the Black Panther Party, Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam, and others. COINTELPRO sought to undermine, intimidate, and slander avowedly nonviolent Black leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr.

COINTELPRO is suspected to have contributed to the divide that formed between Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam that resulted in his assassination. It is estimated that COINTELPRO and the police officers working as part of the program killed 28 Black Panther Party members and imprisoned another 750 in their effort to destroy the group.

Complete information on the origins and activities of COINTELPRO remains elusive, as participating agents are legally bound to secrecy, and the FBI retains control over most of the COINTELPRO files that do exist. Due to the highly sensitive nature of COINTELPRO’s actions, many details of the program were intentionally never put into writing so that they could never be exposed. Some COINTELPRO files came to light in March of 1971 after a leftist group called the Citizens’ Committee to Investigate the FBI broke into a small Pennsylvania FBI office, seized documents, and disseminated them to news outlets. In 1975, the US Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations concerning Intelligence Activities helped bring other COINTELPRO activities to light, but because the committee only required the FBI to provide heavily redacted documents, its impact in exposing the truth was limited. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[bm2ab]

Arrivals & Departures . 20 November 1925 – 06 June 1968 . Robert Francis Kennedy

Robert Francis Kennedy, also known by his initials RFK, was an American politician and lawyer. He served as the 64th United States attorney general from January 1961 to September 1964, and as a U.S. senator from New York from January 1965 until his assassination in June 1968, when he was running for the Democratic presidential nomination. Like his brothers John F. Kennedy and Ted Kennedy, he was a prominent member of the Democratic Party and is considered an icon of modern American liberalism.

Born into the prominent Kennedy family in Brookline, Massachusetts, Kennedy attended Harvard University, and later received his law degree from the University of Virginia. He began his career as a correspondent for The Boston Post and as a lawyer at the Justice Department, but later resigned to manage his brother John's successful campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1952. The following year, Kennedy worked as an assistant counsel to the Senate committee chaired by Senator Joseph McCarthy. He gained national attention as the chief counsel of the Senate Labor Rackets Committee from 1957 to 1959, where he publicly challenged Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa over the union's corrupt practices. Kennedy resigned from the committee to conduct his brother's successful campaign in the 1960 presidential election. He was appointed United States attorney general at the age of 35, one of the youngest cabinet members in American history. Kennedy served as John's closest advisor until the latter's assassination in 1963.

Kennedy's tenure is known for advocating for the civil rights movement, the fight against organized crime, and involvement in U.S. foreign policy related to Cuba. He authored his account of the Cuban Missile Crisis in a book titled Thirteen Days. As attorney general, Kennedy authorized the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to wiretap Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference on a limited basis. After his brother's assassination, he remained in office during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson for several months. He left to run for the U.S. Senate from New York in 1964 and defeated Republican incumbent Kenneth Keating, overcoming criticism that he was a "carpetbagger" from Massachusetts. In office, Kennedy opposed U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and raised awareness of poverty by sponsoring legislation designed to lure private business to blighted communities (i.e., Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration project). He was an advocate for issues related to human rights and social justice by traveling abroad to eastern Europe, Latin America, and South Africa, and formed working relationships with Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, and Walter Reuther.

In 1968, Kennedy became a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for the presidency by appealing to poor, African American, Hispanic, Catholic, and young voters. His main challenger in the race was Senator Eugene McCarthy. Shortly after winning the California primary around midnight on June 5, 1968, Kennedy was shot by Sirhan Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian, allegedly in retaliation for his support of Israel following the 1967 Six-Day War. Kennedy died 25 hours later. Sirhan was arrested, tried, and convicted, though Kennedy's assassination, like his brother's, continues to be the subject of widespread analysis and numerous conspiracy theories.

[dragoneyes618]

Two weeks ago when the IDF assassinated Hassan Nasrallah, the barbarous leader of Hezbollah responsible for the killing of 238 U.S. marines in October 1983 and for the March 1985 kidnapping of Associated Press journalist and bureau chief Terry Anderson, Moody’s credit rating agency downgraded Israel two notches to a Baa1 from an A2 rating. In so doing, Moody’s maintained a negative outlook for Israel, placing it below investment grade and in league with countries such as Spain and Bulgaria, whose GDP per capita are remarkably below those of other European Union member states.

Moody’s, with the stroke of a pen, publicized its blistering downgrade just hours after the news of Nasrallah’s (later confirmed) demise, was simmering in media outlets, intelligence communities, and among the denizens of countries in four hemispheres. Was this a coincidence? I think not. My proof is that to justify the unsubstantiated and undeserved credit downgrade, Moody’s revived the judicial reform dispute as one of the grounds for the current downgrade. Certainly, this was not a new phenomenon, nor is it incomprehensible to have a debate of such intensity in a country that accords with democratic principles of free speech and the right to assemble. Most importantly, any discourse over the role of Israel’s courts has not ignited protests in Israel for quite some time. So why revive an erstwhile issue to justify the assault on Israel’s credit rating?

Most notably, in downgrading Israel’s credit rating, Moody’s overlooked the Jewish state’s robust real estate sector, driven in part by foreign investments and by a considerable uptick in local demand. The credit agency also overlooked Israel’s booming tech industries and flourishing consumer markets. No doubt all of these sectors are enviably strong. This begs the question as to why this credit rating firm has put a damper on Israel’s economic outlook. Could it be that Moody’s credit rating analysts were swept up in the fever of anti-Israel propaganda?

In issuing its credit report, Moody’s resorted to the use of common tropes – “no (war) exit plan,” “diminished quality of Israel’s institutions and governance,” and so forth – all of which have no basis in reality. Thus, a lacuna remains as to what was the actual basis for Moody’s to have taken a swipe at Israel’s creditworthiness.

Within days of Moody’s shocking downgrade of Israel’s creditworthiness to below investment grade, another major credit agency would jump on the bandwagon. S & P Global would downgrade Israel from its AA status (wherein AA is the usual standard benchmark for westernized, developed countries) to an A rating; and they similarly maintained a negative outlook for the Jewish state. Not surprisingly, the basis for S & P Global’s bleak prognosis on Israel’s economy was as flawed as Moody’s. Hurling criticism at Israel for its air strikes over southern Lebanon, which preceded its much-anticipated limited ground invasion, S & P Global used the war Israel had just intensified on its northern border to justify their agency’s sudden credit downgrade of the Jewish state. Nevertheless, their downgrade of Israel’s creditworthiness shows the canard – the utter falsehood – underlying their decision. Here is why.

To begin with, didn’t Israel deliberately state the purpose for its air strikes over southern Lebanon was to achieve their recently added war goal of securing the northern border so that 60,000 displaced Israelis could finally return to their homes in the north, from which they were forced to evacuate when Hezbollah began firing rockets the day after October 7? Surely, the return of residents to these northern towns and communities ensures revival of businesses which had been abruptly shuttered when evacuation orders were given to all residents and businesses in the area. Therefore, the return of residents suggests the return of restaurants, pharmacies, grocery stores, apparel shops, banks, medical and dental offices, and any other form of commerce that had been forced to close down when these communities were made uninhabitable by Hezbollah’s daily rockets that were aimed at them.

The effective dismantling of Hezbollah, as proven to be superbly carried out by Israel’s military in the past weeks – namely, a well-orchestrated detonation of thousands of communication devices used by Hezbollah, followed by strategic air strikes that took down Nasrallah and 15 of his top Hezbollah commanders and other Hezbollah members – certainly inures to the benefit of Israel’s economy, because it removes the serious impediments preventing return of the population to their homes and businesses in the north. Undoubtedly, any contraction in Israel’s GDP resulting from businesses having been shuttered in the north would quickly be reversed because of these concrete steps taken by Israel’s military to ensure a safe return of residents and business to their daily lives.

One must ask: Why did S & P Global act so counterintuitively by hastily downgrading Israel’s creditworthiness for setting as a war goal the securing of its northern border with Lebanon, when such efforts would no doubt normalize the economy in Israel’s north by enabling its displaced residents and businesses to return?

Perhaps most ironic is that while two major U.S. credit rating agencies have impugned Israel’s economic health, the U.S. is attempting to capitalize on Israel’s military triumphs. First, they are pushing for a new Lebanese president to be elected while the stranglehold of Hezbollah has been seriously weakened by Israel’s assassination of its leader and its destruction of their command center and central operations. Second, on Rosh Hashana, Israel – in coordination with the U.S., Jordan, and other international actors – rescued a 21-year-old Yazidi woman from Gaza, who had been held captive by Hamas for a decade after being sex-trafficked by ISIS in her prepubescent and teenage years. It was Israel’s steadfast and unrelenting war efforts in breaking down the Hamas infrastructure in Gaza for the past eleven months that enabled this young woman to be freed from the clutches of terrorists and reunited with her family.

In essence, while Israel emerges as a key player in helping the U.S. to actively surmount the seemingly impregnable axis of resistance, two prominent U.S. credit rating firms have taken a sledgehammer to the Jewish state for exercising its right to defend itself against savage terrorist attacks. While the effects of such downgrades to Israel’s credit rating can never be taken too lightly – they discourage investments and prompt higher borrowing costs, all of which can rapidly trigger a destabilization of Israel’s economy – it’s hard to ignore the evidence of unbridled envy that has seeped deep into the entrails of U.S. credit rating agencies, who are evidently launching an attack on the Jewish state.

If we look for a moment at Israel’s immigration statistics, we see how they belie the somber predictions of the U.S. credit rating firms. Last week, Israel’s Aliyah Ministry released encouraging statistics showing that in the past year, 31,000 individuals have immigrated to Israel despite the shadow of war. This stat is almost three times the number of those who have left, primarily for employment opportunities, which would have occurred even if there had not been a pending war. It’s hard to find an analogous model of immigration patterns in a comparable Westernized country that could claim they had an influx of immigrants while its military was fighting on three fronts and its citizens were on high alert for attacks in residential quarters at any time of the day or night.

What these immigration stats show is that notwithstanding the penumbral halo of war, and ever-present uncertainty and insecurity, families and individuals have made the decision to uproot themselves to relocate to Eretz Yisrael. They followed their hearts, for it is understood that the place where we live is the grounding of our soul. For this reason, conflicts and wars will never alloy our passion to come home to the place of our destiny and origin.

The fact that as Jews we are rooted in history, identity, and determination means we easily provoke envy in others. You see, the human condition leaves most people peripatetic. They struggle to find themselves. They travel to exotic places; they engage in multiple relationships; or they travel via the psychoanalyst’s couch to their past or even to past lives. But Jews are not itinerant. On the contrary, they have a purpose; they have a home. Even before Israel was a state, the Jews were a nation. They had a home within their souls. As history has proven time and time again, G-d has blessed Israel with a grounding so strong that no war, genocide, or persecution could extinguish it. What other ethnic group is pari passu or on equal footing with the Jews? Sadly, instead of others learning how we survived as a nation beleaguered by the hostilities of mankind, we are torn down – criticized, mocked, and repudiated in the universities, public discourse, and in the financial sector that doles out nasty credit ratings just at the moment of Israel’s tour-de-force military and intelligence victory in its taking down the leader of Hezbollah.

Arousing envy in others is inevitable when one shows excellence because it threatens the status quo by raising the bar toward which others are forced to compete. However, given the timing, rationale, and basis for precipitously lowering Israel’s credit rating right at the moment they began a strategic defense of their northern border with Lebanon raises serious concerns that pro-Palestinian and left-leaning interest groups may be manipulating U.S. credit rating agencies in ways that are prejudicial to Israel’s economic viability.

This calls for, at the very minimum, a congressional inquiry into the motivation behind the suspiciously timed downgrading of Israel’s creditworthiness by two of the largest credit rating firms in the U.S. This is important because a damper on Israel’s economy has cascading effects that must not be overlooked.

Let the New Year embolden us in our journey toward permanent security for Israel. By confronting the reality of envy, we can confidently start off the New Year on a more solid footing.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Paromita Das GG News Bureau New Delhi, 22nd October. The diplomatic tension between Bharat and Canada can be traced back to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader and vocal advocate of the Khalistani movement—a separatist cause that seeks to establish an independent Sikh state in the Bharatiya Punjab region. Nijjar, labeled a “terrorist” by the Bharatiya government, was involved in pro-Khalistan activities that Bharat considers a threat to its national security. Canada, home to a significant Sikh population, including vocal Khalistan supporters, has been a hotspot for tensions between pro-Khalistan activists and Bharatiya authorities. Nijjar’s assassination on Canadian soil marked a turning point in these simmering tensions. While the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is still investigating the incident, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s public accusation that Bharat was involved in Nijjar’s killing ignited the current diplomatic crisis. Key Diplomatic Concepts in Focus Several diplomatic terms have become prominent in the public discourse as a result of this episode, shedding light on the intricacies of modern international diplomacy. Person of Interest A key concept in both law enforcement and international relations, the term “person of interest” refers to an individual who is not officially charged with a crime but is of significant interest to authorities due to ongoing investigations. In this case, both Bharatiya and Canadian intelligence agencies considered Nijjar a person of interest for his involvement in Khalistani separatist activities. His role in this movement was central to the diplomatic fallout that followed his death. Following Trudeau’s accusation, Canada declared several Bharatiya diplomats “persona non grata,” a term that signifies that the individuals are no longer welcome in the host country and must leave immediately. This is one of the harshest diplomatic measures a country can take against foreign representatives. Bharat retaliated by expelling Canadian diplomats, leading to a tit-for-tat situation that escalated tensions and resulted in a diplomatic freeze. The use of this measure is not just symbolic but also reflects a complete breakdown of trust, severely limiting official communication between the two nations. The Role of Intelligence and the Five Eyes Alliance At the heart of Trudeau’s accusations is intelligence reportedly shared within the Five Eyes alliance, a security and intelligence-sharing network that includes Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Intelligence networks like the Five Eyes play a critical role in global security but can also influence diplomatic relations when the shared intelligence points to foreign state involvement in criminal activities. Trudeau’s decision to publicly accuse Bharat, allegedly based on Five Eyes intelligence, has been questioned by some as premature, especially given that the RCMP has not concluded its investigation. This case demonstrates how intelligence, particularly when handled through international alliances, can have significant geopolitical implications. The opaque nature of intelligence-sharing often means that public accusations are made without full transparency, leading to more questions than answers and further complicating diplomatic relationships. Diaspora Politics: A Double-Edged Sword The Indo-Canadian diplomatic spat also highlights the influence of diaspora politics. Canada has the largest Sikh population outside of Bharat, with over 770,000 Sikhs, representing 2% of the country’s total population. This community plays an influential role in Canadian politics, especially in provinces like British Columbia, where many Sikhs reside. Some analysts suggest that Trudeau’s stance on the Khalistani issue may be partly influenced by domestic political considerations. His government, reliant on the support of the Sikh community, particularly through its alliance with Jagmeet

Singh’s New Democratic Party (NDP), is under pressure to address concerns related to the Bharatiya government’s treatment of Sikh separatists. This delicate balancing act between maintaining strong diplomatic ties with Bharat and catering to an influential domestic political bloc has added another layer of complexity to the crisis. Impact on Trade and Economic Relations The diplomatic freeze between Bharat and Canada is not just a political issue—it has substantial economic implications. Canada is one of Bharat’s top 20 investors, and both nations have enjoyed strong economic ties, particularly in sectors like education, energy, and technology. Bharatiya students make up a significant portion of Canada’s international student population, and delays in visa processing due to the diplomatic rift threaten to disrupt this critical exchange. Additionally, the crisis could jeopardize trade relations, with potential slowdowns in bilateral trade agreements and investment projects. For years, both countries have worked to deepen their economic partnership, but this diplomatic row risks undoing much of that progress. The Role of Law Enforcement The RCMP’s investigation into Nijjar’s assassination is a key element of this story, but their silence on the details of the case has led to speculation about foreign involvement. Trudeau’s decision to go public with accusations before the investigation was completed has been criticized by some as premature, potentially inflaming tensions before all the facts were established. The involvement of law enforcement agencies like the RCMP underscores the role that national security organizations play in international diplomacy, especially in cases involving cross-border criminal activity or accusations of state-sponsored actions. A Diplomatic Row That Could Redefine Bilateral Relations The Indo-Canadian diplomatic crisis offers several lessons in modern diplomacy. Firstly, it shows how rapidly diplomatic incidents can escalate when accusations are made publicly without conclusive evidence. While Trudeau’s allegations were reportedly based on intelligence, Bharat’s repeated calls for substantial proof have yet to be answered, leaving the situation mired in ambiguity. This diplomatic spat is a reminder of the fragility of international relations, especially when domestic political pressures intersect with foreign policy. Trudeau’s handling of the Khalistani issue reflects the broader challenge of managing diaspora politics in a multicultural society, where foreign policy decisions can have significant domestic repercussions. Moreover, the crisis demonstrates the power and limitations of intelligence-sharing networks like Five Eyes. While these alliances are critical for global security, they operate in the shadows, and their involvement in diplomatic disputes can lead to strained relations if the intelligence is not transparent or is perceived as being used for political gain. Conclusion: Diplomacy in the Age of Global Intelligence The ongoing diplomatic row between Bharat and Canada is a complex case study in modern diplomacy, where intelligence-sharing, diaspora politics, and geopolitical interests collide. The use of diplomatic terms like “persona non grata” and “person of interest” are not just theoretical constructs but have real-world consequences, affecting not only bilateral relations but also global diplomacy. The fallout from this incident could reshape Indo-Canadian relations for years to come. Whether this leads to a permanent rift or a renewed effort to rebuild trust remains uncertain. However, it is clear that the handling of this situation will be watched closely by other nations, offering valuable lessons on the delicate balance required in diplomacy, especially when accusations of state-sponsored actions are involved.   In conclusion, this case serves as a reminder that diplomacy is as much about managing perceptions as it is about managing facts. As Sun Tzu famously said, “Keep your friends

close, and your enemies closer”—a principle that rings especially true in the complex, interconnected world of modern international relations. The post The Origins of the Crisis: Nijjar’s Assassination and Diplomatic Fallout appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] Paromita Das GG News Bureau New Delhi, 22nd October. The diplomatic tension between Bharat and Canada can be traced back to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader and vocal advocate of the Khalistani movement—a separatist cause that seeks to establish an independent Sikh state in the Bharatiya Punjab region. Nijjar, labeled a “terrorist” by the Bharatiya government, was involved in pro-Khalistan activities that Bharat considers a threat to its national security. Canada, home to a significant Sikh population, including vocal Khalistan supporters, has been a hotspot for tensions between pro-Khalistan activists and Bharatiya authorities. Nijjar’s assassination on Canadian soil marked a turning point in these simmering tensions. While the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is still investigating the incident, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s public accusation that Bharat was involved in Nijjar’s killing ignited the current diplomatic crisis. Key Diplomatic Concepts in Focus Several diplomatic terms have become prominent in the public discourse as a result of this episode, shedding light on the intricacies of modern international diplomacy. Person of Interest A key concept in both law enforcement and international relations, the term “person of interest” refers to an individual who is not officially charged with a crime but is of significant interest to authorities due to ongoing investigations. In this case, both Bharatiya and Canadian intelligence agencies considered Nijjar a person of interest for his involvement in Khalistani separatist activities. His role in this movement was central to the diplomatic fallout that followed his death. Following Trudeau’s accusation, Canada declared several Bharatiya diplomats “persona non grata,” a term that signifies that the individuals are no longer welcome in the host country and must leave immediately. This is one of the harshest diplomatic measures a country can take against foreign representatives. Bharat retaliated by expelling Canadian diplomats, leading to a tit-for-tat situation that escalated tensions and resulted in a diplomatic freeze. The use of this measure is not just symbolic but also reflects a complete breakdown of trust, severely limiting official communication between the two nations. The Role of Intelligence and the Five Eyes Alliance At the heart of Trudeau’s accusations is intelligence reportedly shared within the Five Eyes alliance, a security and intelligence-sharing network that includes Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Intelligence networks like the Five Eyes play a critical role in global security but can also influence diplomatic relations when the shared intelligence points to foreign state involvement in criminal activities. Trudeau’s decision to publicly accuse Bharat, allegedly based on Five Eyes intelligence, has been questioned by some as premature, especially given that the RCMP has not concluded its investigation. This case demonstrates how intelligence, particularly when handled through international alliances, can have significant geopolitical implications. The opaque nature of intelligence-sharing often means that public accusations are made without full transparency, leading to more questions than answers and further complicating diplomatic relationships. Diaspora Politics: A Double-Edged Sword The Indo-Canadian diplomatic spat also highlights the influence of diaspora politics. Canada has the largest Sikh population outside of Bharat, with over 770,000 Sikhs, representing 2% of the country’s total population. This community plays an influential role in Canadian politics, especially in provinces like British Columbia, where many Sikhs reside. Some analysts suggest that Trudeau’s stance on the Khalistani issue may be partly influenced by domestic political considerations. His government, reliant on the support of the Sikh community, particularly through its alliance with Jagmeet

Singh’s New Democratic Party (NDP), is under pressure to address concerns related to the Bharatiya government’s treatment of Sikh separatists. This delicate balancing act between maintaining strong diplomatic ties with Bharat and catering to an influential domestic political bloc has added another layer of complexity to the crisis. Impact on Trade and Economic Relations The diplomatic freeze between Bharat and Canada is not just a political issue—it has substantial economic implications. Canada is one of Bharat’s top 20 investors, and both nations have enjoyed strong economic ties, particularly in sectors like education, energy, and technology. Bharatiya students make up a significant portion of Canada’s international student population, and delays in visa processing due to the diplomatic rift threaten to disrupt this critical exchange. Additionally, the crisis could jeopardize trade relations, with potential slowdowns in bilateral trade agreements and investment projects. For years, both countries have worked to deepen their economic partnership, but this diplomatic row risks undoing much of that progress. The Role of Law Enforcement The RCMP’s investigation into Nijjar’s assassination is a key element of this story, but their silence on the details of the case has led to speculation about foreign involvement. Trudeau’s decision to go public with accusations before the investigation was completed has been criticized by some as premature, potentially inflaming tensions before all the facts were established. The involvement of law enforcement agencies like the RCMP underscores the role that national security organizations play in international diplomacy, especially in cases involving cross-border criminal activity or accusations of state-sponsored actions. A Diplomatic Row That Could Redefine Bilateral Relations The Indo-Canadian diplomatic crisis offers several lessons in modern diplomacy. Firstly, it shows how rapidly diplomatic incidents can escalate when accusations are made publicly without conclusive evidence. While Trudeau’s allegations were reportedly based on intelligence, Bharat’s repeated calls for substantial proof have yet to be answered, leaving the situation mired in ambiguity. This diplomatic spat is a reminder of the fragility of international relations, especially when domestic political pressures intersect with foreign policy. Trudeau’s handling of the Khalistani issue reflects the broader challenge of managing diaspora politics in a multicultural society, where foreign policy decisions can have significant domestic repercussions. Moreover, the crisis demonstrates the power and limitations of intelligence-sharing networks like Five Eyes. While these alliances are critical for global security, they operate in the shadows, and their involvement in diplomatic disputes can lead to strained relations if the intelligence is not transparent or is perceived as being used for political gain. Conclusion: Diplomacy in the Age of Global Intelligence The ongoing diplomatic row between Bharat and Canada is a complex case study in modern diplomacy, where intelligence-sharing, diaspora politics, and geopolitical interests collide. The use of diplomatic terms like “persona non grata” and “person of interest” are not just theoretical constructs but have real-world consequences, affecting not only bilateral relations but also global diplomacy. The fallout from this incident could reshape Indo-Canadian relations for years to come. Whether this leads to a permanent rift or a renewed effort to rebuild trust remains uncertain. However, it is clear that the handling of this situation will be watched closely by other nations, offering valuable lessons on the delicate balance required in diplomacy, especially when accusations of state-sponsored actions are involved.   In conclusion, this case serves as a reminder that diplomacy is as much about managing perceptions as it is about managing facts. As Sun Tzu famously said, “Keep your friends

close, and your enemies closer”—a principle that rings especially true in the complex, interconnected world of modern international relations. The post The Origins of the Crisis: Nijjar’s Assassination and Diplomatic Fallout appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates. [ad_2] Source link

[bellmo15-blog]

Do you live in a boring old house but dream of living in an old medieval castle? Do you order take out every other night all the while wishing you could be roasting a big on a succulent Viking banquet? Do you drive a car to work everyday while wishing you and everyone else could ride a majestic stalion? Then have we got a world for you!

Historia! A world made up of historical recreations of different time periods across history! From the Middle Ages to the Industrial Age, there's something for everyone! Experience Egypt during a time where Cleopatria ruled! Talk a walk down Industrial Era London and have a few pints with your friends. Or go on a trip with some Vikings down a river in your longship. But our locations aren't just ancient recreations, we also got some more modern ones two. Maybe you love the 80's as much as your parents do. Imagen being able to live in that era every day in our own little recreation of that era, Vice City!

All of the locations in this world have been recreated using actual photos and documents to make as authentic of worlds as we can. (Disclamer; Do not use Historia as a subsatute for learning about actual history. Some locations might not be 1-1 recreations.)

Historia! Come live in the past! Literally! (Paid for by the Universal Bureau of Travel.)

So, I actually drew something! Something pretty basic I'll admit and it was on my 3DS but still something at least. And there is kind of a reason for this. Because I want to give people some lore about my crossover universe and some of the worlds in it. Or rather, one of the semi original worlds! Because while it is mostly already established worlds in my universe there is one I've been wanting to talk about that I've had in my head for a long time now. And it was mostly born from the amount of times I've played Assassin's Creed at first.

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before but I almost always imagen myself in certain games when not doing the main story of a game because it's honestly kind of fun to do that and I have been doing this since I was a child only really taking this little universe I've created in my mind a bit more seriously when I became older. So, why not take this to the next level and actually work this into my universe? There was just tiny problem. Assassin's Creed mainly takes place inside memories recreated by the Animus! So how the hell am I going to imagen myself in those? Create an original world that's just historical recreations of those old time periods! If it's a period that Assasins's Creed has depicted, it's a part of historia. And also some recreations of the 80's, 90's and 2000's as well because why limit this to JUST really ancient time periods? And that was mainly inspired because of how much I love the PS2 GTA games.

Originally Historia was nothing more than just a barren world of empty land masses. But then, a group of historical enthusiasts from our world came together and decided to turn it into something grand. A world where it's nothing but historical recreations of past time periods. It took several decades to get it all set up but to those historical enthusiasts, it was well worth it. In recent years it has become a popular tourist place for those who travel across different worlds. Adding a recreation of the 80's, 90's and 2000's however was seen as a controversial move as some would fear it would "ruin" the authenticity of the rest of Historia. But it proved to be as popular of an attraction as the rest of the countries in this world.

And... that's pretty much all I can think to add...... Bye.