US-China Military Conflict in South China Sea 'Strong Possibility'

© AFP 2015/ POOL / RITCHIE B. TONGO

Former US Ambassador Chas Freeman claims that US naval patrols in the South China Sea threaten Chinese sovereignty and are highly likely to spark a military confrontation between the two great powers.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US naval patrols in the South China Sea threaten Chinese sovereignty and are highly likely to spark a military confrontation between the two great powers, former US Ambassador Chas Freeman told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"If the United States continues to press China on this, as it says it intends to do, an eventual military clash is a strong possibility," Freeman said. "The US Navy justifies its freedom of navigation operations on narrow legal grounds, but the messaging about this set of operations has constituted a broad challenge to China's sovereignty."

On Tuesday, the head of US Navy Pacific Command said the United States would continue military patrols in the disputed waters of the South China Sea despite Chinese officials calling them a "blatant provocation."

© AFP 2015/ POOL / RITCHIE B. TONGO

Japan in Close Contact With US on Warship Patrols of Spratly Islands

Beijing perceives US actions, Freeman argued, as an attempt to deny China the security in its immediate periphery that the United States demands for itself. "The United States cannot have it both ways," he added.
US activities in the South China Sea reflect a "ubiquitous narrative" in Washington that portrays Beijing as challenger of the international order, although, in reality, it seems as if the United States does not understand its own objectives.

"Washington strikes me as confused about what it is trying to accomplish with these sail-bys," Freeman concluded. "And if Washington is confused, how can Beijing not be?

On Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter called on China and other countries to halt reclamation and militarization activities in the South Chan Sea.
China has been constructing artificial islands on top of the coral reef habitats of the Spratly Islands over the past year. Beijing claimed sovereignty over the land and the 12 nautical mile zone surrounding the islands.
The United States has repeatedly warned it does not recognize the Chinese claims of sovereignty over the man-made islands, and has raised concerns over Beijing’s activities in the region.
Ambassador Freeman served as US Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires at the US embassies in Beijing and Bangkok. He was the State Department's Director for Chinese Affairs and also held several senior level positions at the US Department of Defense.

Forbes Nominates Putin as World’s Most Powerful Person Third Year in a Row

© Sputnik/ Sergey Guneev

The influential American magazine Forbes prepared a new list of the most influential people of 2015.

Russian President Vladimir Putin became the most influential man of the year for the third time, followed by German Chancellor Angel Merkel and US President Barack Obama.

“Putin continues to prove he’s one of the few men in the world powerful enough to do what he wants and get away with it,” the magazine wrote.

© Sputnik/ Alexei Druzhinin

Putin 'Comes Out on Top' in Latest Phase of Geopolitical Chess Game in Syria

According to the journalist, the sanctions imposed against Russia after the secession of Crimea weakened the ruble and drove Russia into a deep recession. However, the negative trend has not affected Putin’s popularity whose approval ratings stood at 89% in June 2015. Moreover, in early October, Russia launched a military operation in Syria that weakened NATO and US positions in the region and strengthened Russia's influence abroad. German Chancellor Angela Merkel ranked second and became "the most powerful woman" in the world. According to Forbes, her determination to resolve the problem with Syrian refugees and the Greek credit crisis helped her ‘climb’ to the top of the list.
Third in the ranking is US President Barack Obama. As he enters the last year of his presidency, his ratings are gradually falling, both domestically and internationally, Forbes wrote.

“There’s no doubt that the United States remains the world’s greatest economic, cultural, diplomatic, technological and military power. But as Obama enters the final year of his presidency, it’s clear his influence is shrinking, and it’s a bigger struggle than ever to get things done,” the magazine wrote.

The real story behind this incredible photo

Nes Com. Au

November 4, 20156:37am

La Vlora, leaving the Albanian port city of Durres in 1991.

Rohan Smithnews.com.au

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IT WAS a hot day in August, 1991, when Adrian Kokthi decided to risk it all.

He and two mates climbed aboard a rickety old truck packed to the brim with Albanians searching for a better life, amidst the chaos that was the volatile nation at the time.
He rode for 85km — from Kucove to the port city of Durres — on the bonnet, holding on to the headlight for dear life. He’d never seen anything so crowded, at least not until he arrived at port.
There, 40m off shore, La Vlora bobbed up and down and its cargo — 20,000 Albanians — squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder into every available inch of space.
They filled the cabins and hung from the sides of the giant ship. It was “torture”, but it was better than home, where the whole country was imploding.
Mr Kokthi, 22, was dreaming of a better life in Italy when he jumped from the dock and started swimming.

A truck like this one carried Mr Kokthi and his friends to port.Source:Supplied

He lost a shoe in the process but had no time to go back for it. As smoke poured from the ship’s funnel and its engines whirred, the young man grabbed hold of a ladder and climbed up.
When he reached the top, he realised there was no room for him. The ship sailed across the Strait of Otranto with him holding on to the ladder for most of the journey.
“It was a long time sailing, it was like torture,” the 46-year-old told news.com.au.
“It was packed, we were like sardines, but everybody had dreams, different dreams.”
Images of La Vlora’s voyage emerged on social media last week, but the story was completely different. The pictures were attached to a narrative about WWII. The authors declared the migrants were fleeing Europe for Africa.
That’s obviously false, but the pictures were shared thousands of times regardless.
Mr Kokthi says it’s about time people hear the real story, one that changed his life forever.

Absolute chaos: Migrants searching for a better life in Italy, 1991.Source:Supplied

‘ALBANIA WAS BROKEN, THERE WAS NOTHING THERE FOR ME’
Things were changing in Albania in 1991 and not for the better.
Elections left the communist-backed Labour Party of Albania in power but a coalition government was soon formed and decades of communism gave way to a new outlook.
With change came social unrest. Mr Kokthi said Albania imploded.
“Everything was shut down, the whole country. The economy collapsed, factories were
closing, there was nothing to do there. We couldn’t see a future there.”
Mass departures from Adriatic ports followed and huge crowds gathered to board overcrowded ships. That’s where Mr Kokthi’s story started.
On board, he said it was hard to breathe. He said there were people with guns and no food, water or shelter.

These aren't Syrians; they are Europeans trying to get to North Africa during the world war... So next time you think of closing the borders you might want to check with your grandparents...
Posted by Ahmet Aykac on Tuesday, September 22, 2015

“I have never seen so many people. My God. The boat was fully loaded.”
He doesn’t quite remember how long it took to reach the Italian port of Bari.
Official records say it was no more than 36 hours, but it must have seemed like a lifetime.
When the ship docked, it was absolute chaos.
“People were jumping from the ship and using ropes to get off. Police were everywhere but they weren’t ready for us. There was no way they were ready for so many people,” Mr Kokthi said.
Many escaped into Italy, but others waited to be processed. It was a long and arduous journey that ended in a packed football stadium without food and without order.

Incredible scenes at Bari, Italy, in 1991.Source:Supplied

‘PEOPLE STARTED FIRING, THE STANDS COLLAPSED’
Almost 20,000 people were transported from the port to an empty stadium. There, they waited to be processed, but they would eventually all be returned to Albania.
Inside the stadium it was every man for himself. Mr Kokthi remembers food being delivered and then everything going wrong.
“The Italian personnel brought food and tables and everything to the stadium and tried to make sure women and children line up first. Some people lost patience,” he said.
“They start pushing around and everything got out of control. A man in uniform pushed somebody out of the way. A guy got pissed off, went into a room and grabbed a piece of wood and came back and hit the man in uniform like hitting a baseball. He collapsed right away to the floor.”

Adrian Kokthi today.Source:Supplied

Adrian Kokthi dreaming of a better life in 1994.Source:Supplied

After that, police were removed and food was dropped in by helicopter, Mr Kokthi said.
At one point, shots were fired inside the stadium and a group of people ran into the stands. Their collective weight caused the stands to collapse.
Mr Kokthi said he wanted to be processed, but a government decision to return everybody to Albania left him without a choice. He says he and others were treated with respect and with love by the people they met, despite other reports.
It wasn’t the end of the line for Mr Kokthi’s journey. He would return to Albania to complete his fifth year of university before taking a job in Canada. He is now a high school teacher, happily married and living in Toronto. He admits it was tough to become part of the community initially, but he was determined to take on Canadian values, and is happy in his new home.

Migrants “disembark” La Vlora, many injuring themselves on the way down. Picture: Ferdinando Scianna/Magnum PhotosSource:Supplied

‘MY HEART BREAKS FOR SYRIA’
Watching millions of people flee from their homes in Syria reminds Mr Kokthi of his own journey, though he admits the two are starkly different.
“It wasn’t about a threat the way Syrians are facing,” he said.
“For them, it’s far, far worse. We left because we wanted a better future. They leave now because they want to exist.”
He said he hopes for the best for those fleeing war.
“I can empathise with their situation. I imagine what they’re going through; kids and women and fathers, trying to make a better life. I know what that’s like. I was very scared.”
Mr Kokthi said he hopes governments don’t turn their backs on those in need.
“I have the feeling that politicians are disconnected from real life in Europe. It’s their politics they can do anything they want. It’s not my business, but I hope they don’t just turn their backs.”
He said he received help, eventually, and he wouldn’t be where he is today without it.
“We’re happy here, even though it’s far away.”

Nikolic urges all friends of Serbia to join campaign #NoKosovoUnesco

Published: Nov 3, 2015 

 

BELGRADE – Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic urged all friends of Serbia to join the campaign against Kosovo becoming a UNESCO member and share the film on the destruction of Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) through social networks.

The film shows crimes against Serbian cultural heritage committed by Kosovo Albanians from 1999 until now.
Nikolic also said that UNESCO’s General Conference will decide in several days whether Serbian churches and monasteries and Serbian cultural heritage in KiM should be put under the protection of those who burnt them and destroyed them in 2004.
The Serbian president called on all friends of Serbia to help prevent this from happening by downloading the film on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kU1JwflxFg and sharing it on social networks.

Kosovo mufti calls Islamic countries to vote for Kosovo in UNESCO

In Serbia

Published: Nov 3, 2015PRISTINA – Head of the Islamic Community in Kosovo (ICK), mufti Naim Ternava sent a letter to the highest religious authority in Egypt, Shejhul Az-har, Ahmed Muhammad Ahmed et-Tajib, requesting Egypt’s support for Kosovo’s membership to UNESCO.

 

Illustration

ICK announced that the letter sent by Ternava expressed Kosovo’s commitment to become a member of international institutions, GazetaExpress reports.
“Kosovo is willing and possesses the capacities to take all responsibilities that come with participation in international forums and institutions. To us, UNESCO membership is highly important, because we would gain the experience and support to protect and promote our centuries-old heritage, that manifests the value of our civilization. We request that you use your authority to the government of Egypt, to support Kosovo’s membership to UNESCO, at the General Assembly, on November 9, 2015”, read the letter.
Ternava also sent another letter to the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Ijad Medeni, requesting that he uses his authority to the member parties of Islamic Conference to support Kosovo’s UNESCO membership.

Albania Parties Split on Key Judicial Reforms

Albania's ruling parties and the opposition remain divided on important judicial changes, intended to curb political influence on the judiciary and help the country’s EU accession bid.

Fatjona Mejdini

BIRN 

Tirana

Albania MPs to debate the packet of judicial reforms.

Albania is preparing to change its constitution in December as part of an ambitious effort to reform the judicial system, widely considered as the most corrupt field in the country.

However, the main parties still have not agreed a common draft, jeopardizing the chances of success in passing the amendments in parliament.

For the constitutional changes to pass, 93 MPs out of 120 members have to back them.
The first changes affect five articles of the constitution will set up a new way of selecting the members of High Council of Justice, aiming to decrease the role of politics in the highest body of justice.

The High and Constitutionals Courts will also change their composition and functions.

The institution of General Persecutor will be more focused on investigating corruption after the changes as well.

The revisions include empowering more anti-corruption initiatives in the judiciary and the President's office, as he is also the chairman of High Council of Justice.

Judicial reform is an EU condition for Albania to move forward in the next step towards gaining candidate status.

Comprehensive reform is considered essential by Albania's international partners. For this reason, alongside the parliamentary commission, a group of high-level experts has been joined to the attempt to reform the system.

Representatives from justice missions of the European Union, the United States and the Council of Europe are part of this group.

A visit of six members of Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe on legal issues, is visiting Albania after the reform commission sought their opinion on the planned reforms.

However, on Monday, while meeting the group of six rapporteurs, the deputy chairman of the parliamentary commission, a representative of the opposition, complained about the way this reform was being carried out.

Eduard Halimi said the ruling party members on the commission had failed to create a comprehensive and transparent process. 

The opposition was ready to collaborate, but the majority had to reflect their opinions, he added.

Patriarch: Our duty is to raise our voice to protect Kosovo

Published: Nov 3, 2015NIS –  

 

Serbia’s Patriarch Irinej said in Nis on Tuesday we all have to raise our voice to protect Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) and that “if force is used, we have to get it back by hook or by crook.”

“I hope we will not have to defend it this way, but that the consciousness and conscience of those who decide on our fate will speak in a way that an awakened and pure human conscience should speak,” the Patriarch told journalists on the occasion of a UNESCO meeting.
Patriarch Irinej pointed out it should not be allowed to put Serb holy sites in KiM under the protection of those who destroyed them and burned them.

KFOR: Security in northern Kosovo improved

Published: Nov 1, 2015 at 9:12 am

INSerbia 

LEPOSAVIC – Kfor Commander Major General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta and Dragan Jablanovic, mayor of the municipality of Leposavic, northern Kosovo-Metohija, on Saturday agreed that the level of security in northern Kosovo has increased.

KFOR – Illustration

Miglietta and Jablanovic met in Leposavic on Saturday to discuss the situation in Kosovo, with particular focus on northern Kosovo-Metohija.
Jablanovic expressed gratitude to Miglietta for the unbiased and efficient maintaining of a safe and secure environment and the freedom of movement, noting that Kfor is one of the most dependable institutions in Kosovo.
Kfor will continue to ensure a safe environment in the north and the remainder of Kosovo, ready to intervene as the third instance of the security response if necessary, a Kfor statement quoted Miglietta as saying.

Olympic Committee of Kosovo admitted to ANOC

Published: Oct 30, 2015 at 5:56 pm PRISTINA – The Olympic Committee of Kosovo has become the 206th member of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) at the organisation’s General Assembly meeting in Washington, the Albanian portal Albeu.com reports.

Last year in Bangkok, Kosovo was granted conditional admission to ANOC and the decision is a continuation of the process, since the Olympic Committee of Kosovo has already been admitted to the International Olympic Committee.

Financing ISIL: ‘Some Turkish Businessmen Involved in Selling Oil’

© AFP 2015/ STR

Middle East

Turkish ex-deputy of the opposition of the Republican People's Party from the province of Hatay, Mehmet Ali Ediboglu, spoke to Sputnik in an interview about ISIL’s abundant sources of finance.

ISIL has a number of sources from where it gets its revenue, but according to Ediboglu, one of the largest items of revenue is the sale of oil.

© REUTERS/ Murad Sezer

Turkey’s Fight Against ISIL is Myth as Erdogan Continues War Against Kurds

The Former MP said the Syrian oil fields are located in the Raqqa region. “ISIL holds the key to these deposits and together with a certain group of persons, consisting of those close to Barzani and some Turkish businessmen, they are engaged in selling this oil. “There is evidence that the oil revenues amounted to $800 million, later this amount increased to 1-2 billion dollars. The investigation into this matter continues today.

There is information that 27 Turkish and Iraqi businessmen are directly involved in this trade. Iraq's central government has taken a number of measures in this regard.”

He went on to say that the United Nations has likely provided the Iraqi and Turkish leadership with lists of the names of these businessmen. But so far the oil trade continues to bring huge profits to ISIL. From Turkey, the oil goes into the Mediterranean Sea and from there it is transported to various parts of the world.

“Turkey said that it does not help ISIL. However, there are various groups that Turkey considers to be ‘reasonable’ and provides them with considerable support and weapons. These groups are later subjected to pressure from ISIL or al-Nusra Front and are forced to sell weapons to these jihadists.”

Mehmet Ali Ediboglu stressed the ineffectiveness of the actions of the coalition forces in the fight against ISIL. “The jihadists have not suffered any significant losses as a result of the bombings by the coalition forces in Syria. Most likely, this is due to the fact that they had leaked information about the strikes. Meanwhile, the Russian air operation is highly effective. Since the Russian airstrikes ISIL militants have begun to bear heavy losses.”
“I suppose that in the next few months, the Syrian government will be able to establish its influence in the large parts of the country. If Russia continues its active operation and together with these airstrikes and ground attacks, these militants will suffer their final defeat.”

The Pan Epiriotic Federation of USA, held The Convention in Arisona

 Nicholas Gage re elected President of PAOKA

Athens has invited the Albanian Government to open all the International Agreements particularly for the Southern Albania, who lives the Greek Ethnic Community. Tirana, has welcomed the initiative, based on the reciprocity between tow countries, members of NATO.

Photos by Evening of Pan Epiriotic Federation of USA, Pyrros Dhimas, Kosstandina Beshani and the Head of Omonia Leonidhas Papas, elected member of General Council

The new challenges after Kosovo Independence, The Domino Effect, The latest Greek and Albanian relations under of "Epiriotis", Alexis Tsipras Governance, , the protecting of lands and properties of epiriotes, The Northern Epirus and the opening of Issue according to International Agreements, Himara and the Orthodox Church, The role of the State Departament to protect Human Rights and greeks who lives in their lands in Southern Albania, where in the focus of Pan Epirotic Federation of USA.

During the event, noted that The Greek Government, has invited to open important national issues for the Southern Albania with Albanian Government, under the attention of USA Diplomacy, EU and NATO, as a new development in Balkan Peninsula.

Athens has invited the Albanian Government to open all the International Agreements particularly for the Southern Albania, who lives the Greek Ethnic Community. Tirana, has welcomed the initiative, based on the reciprocity between tow countries, members of NATO.

An important progress report for Albania for last October,, has been canceled from Greek Veto in EU. Greece is very preocuped about an large escalation of "hellinophobia" against Greeks and Orthodox Church in Albania, even the aspirations of Albanian people is to be member of European union.

Albania Truble Politics: The SP-DP agreement over elections that scares SMI

 

SMI worries over a possible deal between the SP and the DP, based on the proposal of Lulzim Basha for the adoption of an electoral system according to which the party that emerges as a winner of elections can take a certain number of MP, in order to create a stable majority.

In a statement to the "Sot" newspaper, deputy of SMI Ylli Manjani pleaded against such a system, stressing that this would take Albania at least 14 years back in time, and bring back cases like "Dushku" where a small village managed to draw a significant number of MPs after some parties of the left, that made up the majority at that time made some political maneuverings.

"We are to meet OSCE / ODIHR's recommendations. The electoral system is not recommended by the ODIHR to be affected. However there isn't still a political proposal to change the electoral system, therefore we have no opinion on this issue. Technically I can tell you that this proposal brings us back to "Dushku" system", he said.

It remains to be seen if these movements are made only to intimidate SMI, to keep control of her appetite for more power. If such system would be adopted, small parties and SMI in particular would be out of the game.

Air Force of Albania added 2 new helicopters

 

Air Force of Albania, added two new helicopters for SAR operations (SAR), and four armored vehicles Military Police added.

Farka Air Base is the ceremony of delivery of two new helicopters of the type EC-145 configuration SAR (search and rescue), and four armored vehicles of class "Lince" to military police.

Russia - Serbia Agreement : Serbian Deffence will be equipped with S-300V, BUK, Iskander, Krasnopola nd attack helicopters from Russia

 

Kosovo issue remains open for Serbia at the same time causing concern and in Croatia 

This move shows that Serbia rejects NATO after modernization of the Serbian Army will be based on Russian standards and is a direct warning to EU after signing the preliminary agreement EU - Kosovo.

In huge defense agreement with Russia, Serbia proceeded which will acquire an unprecedented number of weapons from Moscow as S-300V, BUK, KRASNOPOL-M2, naval helicopters, radar, Iskander-E, ammunition and equipment that Serbia, will be created a site repair and modernization of Russian helicopters Mi-17.

Impressive is what was emphasized by Russian military "weapon systems that will be given to Serbia is suitable for a Balkan environment businesses" while the Prime Minister A.Voutsis stressed "under other new situation crated in Balkan, I will have to answer what I did for the defense of my country ... "indicating that the Kosovo issue remains open for Serbia at the same time causing concern and in Croatia ...

This move shows that Serbia rejects NATO after modernization of the Serbian Army will be based on Russian standards and is a direct warning to EU after signing the preliminary agreement EU - Kosovo.

This shows the creation of an independent anti-aircraft defense system will not be able to join the NATO standards and components that will not allow the passage of Belgrade defensive calibers for NATO.

Note also that there was a private meeting during 45 minutes with Russian President V.Putin and A.Voutsis ..

Serbian Prime Minister immediately said:

"Some will ask what we want Russian arms?. They wonder then what they want weapons all around us once surrounded by allies of NATO and only Serbia is not a member of NATO. "

"Serbia is silent when others buy attack helicopters, tanks and artillery. I wonder why in some donate rocket launchers and missiles? Tomorrow, under other associations worldwide, replying to what I did for the defense of my country, "said Vucic.

In a three-day visit to Russia by Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic agreed on an unprecedented defense agreement with Moscow from which to obtain huge amount of weaponry in the shade of the admission of Montenegro to NATO and EU-Kosovo agreement.

This contract, the defensive Serbia-Russia agreement provides for the full modernization of the Serbian Army under Russian standards.

First of all, talking about a long-term technical support to Russian-made self-propelled howitzers "Nora". This weapon system used by Russian airborne units and will be very useful in Serbia, especially on the border with Croatia ...

Second, the Serbian construction TDMA "Lazar-2" will be equipped with dual Russian-made 30 mm 2A42 cannon with 250-460 shots. The Serbian BTR "Lazar 2" will turn into "light tanks" special business environment in the Balkans and Balkan Serbia needs stress analysts.

Finally, they delivered anti-aircraft defense systems, namely S-300V, the same system will acquire to Iran by Russia.

Also the Serbian general staff wants to regularly acquire missile systems equipped with missiles ballistic trajectory, such as missiles Iskander -E, with a range of 170 km. Such systems in the region have only NATO countries, rather than the traditional opponents of Belgrade .

Moreover, the contract will cover supply of ammunition, spare parts, twelve transport helicopter two of which have already been delivered and one will be delivered by the end of this year. The total helicopter market will eventually exceeded 16 units.

It was agreed to create in Serbia and particularly in the area of ​​military airport Batajnica, outside Belgrade, repair site and modernization of Russian helicopters "Mi-17", used by the armed forces of Russia!

The Serbian Press also reports that the Serbian side expressed its interest in the purchase of anti-aircraft missile system "BUK", the anti-tank, semi-active guidance missile artillery KRASNOPOL-M2, combat helicopters and radar.

When Vucic visit to Russia, signed a strategic partnership protocol between the Serbian Railways (Zeleznice Srbije) and the public company of Russian Railways (RZD International), which provides for the involvement of the Russians to modernize the entire network.

Source

EXCLUSIVE: Israeli Colonel Leading ISIL Terrorists Captured in Iraq

FARS NEWS AGENCY

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iraqi security and popular forces have caught an Israeli colonel from Golani Brigade along with a number of ISIL terrorists, a commander disclosed on Thursday.

"The security and popular forces have held captive an Israeli colonel," a commander of Iraq's popular mobilization forces said on Thursday.

"The Zionist officer is ranked colonel and had participated in the Takfiri ISIL group's terrorist operations," he added.

Noting that he was arrested along with a number of ISIL terrorists, the commander said, "The Israeli colonel's name is Yusi Oulen Shahak and is ranked colonel in Golani Brigade of the Zionist regime's army with the security and military code of Re34356578765az231434."

He said that the relevant bodies are now interrogating the Israeli colonel to understand the reasons behind his fighting alongside the ISIL forces and the presence of other Zionist officers among ISIL terrorists.

The Iraqi security forces said the captured colonel has already made shocking confessions.

Several ISIL militants arrested in the last one year had already confessed that Israeli agents from Mossad and other Israeli espionage and intelligence bodies were present in the first wave of ISIL attacks on Iraq and capture of Mosul in Summer 2014, but no ranking Israeli agent had been arrested.

Political and military experts told FNA that the capture of the Israeli colonel will leave a grave impact on Iraq's war strategy, including partnership with Israeli allies.

In a relevant development in July, Iraqi volunteer forces announced that they had shot down a drone that was spying on the Arab country's security forces in the city of Fallujah, Western Iraq.

Iraq's popular forces reported that they had brought down a hostile surveillance aircraft over the Southeastern Fallujah in Anbar Province.

They said that the wreckage of the ISIL's spy drone carried 'Israel-Made' labels.

This was not the first Israeli-made drone downed in Iraq.

In August an Israeli Hermes drone was shot down in the vicinity of Baghdad Airport.

Turkish Ruling Party Set to Win Majority of Votes in Election

© AP Photo/ Hussein Malla

The Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)gained an absolute majority of votes in the parliament to be able to form the government without having to form a coalition, according to the Central Electoral Committee (CEC).

© REUTERS/ Umit Bektas

Ankara Waits Anxiously as Turkey Votes in Crucial Parliamentary Elections

ANKARA (Sputnik) — The Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is leading in the parliamentary elections with 53.74 percent after 45 percent of the votes counted, the Central Electoral Committee (CEC) reported Sunday. According to the CEC preliminary results, AKP has gained an absolute majority of votes in the parliament to be able to form the government without having to form a coalition.
The Republican People's Party (CHP) is currently gaining 20.16 percent of the votes, and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) obtained some 11 percent. Pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) scored of 10.81 percent now also has a chance to be represented in the parliament.

 Turkey has been run by a caretaker government since late August after the parties that won seats in the June election failed to form a coalition

Flight 7K9268 Broke Into Pieces Midair, Too Early to Determine Cause

© AFP 2015/ KHALED DESOUKI

or Sorochenko, an official with the Intergovernmental Aviation Committee, made the comments after inspecting the crash site on Egypt's Sinai peninsula.

The Russian Airbus A321 which crashed in Egypt Saturday killing 224 broke into pieces midair, but it is still too early to determine the cause, Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) said Sunday.

"It is too early to draw conclusions," MAK executive director Viktor Sorochenko said. "Disintegration of the fuselage took place in the air, and the fragments are scattered around a large area [about 20 square kilometers]", the official added.

In a separate development, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the investigation into the crash causes could take months.

"This is a complicated matter and requires advanced technologies and broad investigations that could take months," he told army recruits in a televised speech on Sunday.

© REUTERS/ Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Russian Investigators in Egypt Face Enormous Task, As Bodies Scattered 8 Km Around Crash Site

A Kogalymavia/Metrojet Airbus A321 en route to St. Petersburg from the resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh with 217 passengers and seven crew on board, crashed in the Sinai Peninsula, leaving no survivors. The Sinai air crash became the deadliest air accident in the history of Russian aviation, surpassing the 1985 disaster in Uzbekistan, where 200 people died.

Pristina to receive "serious response" over suspension

Aleksandar Vucic has said that Serbia will in the coming days provide "a serious response" to Pristina's announcement of suspension of the agreement on the ZSO.
Source: Tanjug Friday, October 30, 2015 | 09:38

(Tanjug, file)

The agreement concerns the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) in Kosovo, and was reached during the EU-sponsored Kosovo negotiations in Brussels.
Speaking for Serbia's state broadcaster RTS in Moscow late on Thursday, the prime minister said: "We must have a serious and responsible response and it will come in the days ahead of us, and it concerns above all the European Union and their attitude toward us all. We'll see, I shouldn't prejudice."

Asked to comment on "why Brussels is silent on the issue for now," Vucic said that "speaks very strongly in itself."

He described Pristina's decision as "difficult and bad news, and at the very least, irresponsible behavior."

"Somebody would say that one can always expect this from Pristina, and I think it is unexpected news because this is very irresponsible behavior. That's the mildest term I can use, without giving any further assessment," said he.

Vucic stated that the Brussels agreement was negotiated for months, that the talks were "difficult and full of compromise," and that "signatures that are now not respected were put on it."

"Somebody put their signature, my signature means something, the signature of anyone from Serbia meant something for me, of Borko Stefanovic, Boris Tadic, and Ivica Dacic. To them (Pristina) their signatures mean nothing, and they did that a day after they got the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU," Vucic said.

"Agreement has to be respected"

Both parties in dialogue on normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations have to implement what has been agreed, Maja Kocijancic, the spokesperson of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, said late on Thursday.

"Everything that has been agreed in the context of dialogue should be implemented regardless of internal procedures that we do not want comment," Kocijancic said when asked how Brussels will react to Pristina's decision to postpone the implementation of the agreement on the ZSO.

Pristina has postponed the agreement until the local constitutional court evaluates the constitutionality of the agreement reached in Brussels in August.

"Representatives of Serb Municipalities could be arrested"

If the Constitutional Court in Pristina decides that the Brussels agreement on the ZSO is contrary to the laws of Kosovo, it will not be implemented.
Source: Tanjug Friday, October 30, 2015 | 10:39

(Beta/AP, file)

This was announced by Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa.
Mustafa told the Kohavision broadcaster that the agreement on the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) "was signed only after he received assurances from the EU and the U.S. that it will not be possible to form a 'third authority in Kosovo'."

"The points of agreement on the ZSO will be forwarded to the Constitutional Court who will decide. If the Constitutional Court says some of the points of the agreement are not in accordance with the Kosovo Constitution, we will not implement them, and if the entire agreement is declared unconstitutional, then we will not implement it," said Mustafa.

This will, he said, "be decided by the Constitutional Court - otherwise the agreement will be implemented because it is an international obligation."

Mustafa also said that his government "could declare the ZSO illegal if does not adhere to the laws and the rules" of the government in Pristina.

"They (Serbs) can declare autonomy today but that would not be valid, because they are forced to respect the laws of Kosovo. Otherwise Kosovo's institutions will have to take measures. Those who violate the law can end up in jail and that is guaranteed by the agreement on the judiciary," said he.

After weeks of blockade of the Kosovo parliament by three opposition parties that are against the agreement, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga, in agreement with parliamentary parties, forwarded the document to the Constitutional Court.

The radical opposition Self-Determination party said they will not recognize the decision of the court, either, and will continue to block the assembly.

This development - which came a day after Pristina signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU - is considered by Serbia to be an act of obstruction of the implementation of the Brussels agreement.

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said in Moscow after his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Serbia will provide "a serious response" over Pristina's moves.

NATO warships Response Force in Mediteranean Area

NATO warships have lined up to within just a few hundred feet of each other and taken part in a complicated group exercise for Exercise Trident Juncture 2015.
In total 18 warships, from 11 nations, took part in the series of complex manoeuvres which covered hundred of miles of the Western Mediterranean over several hours.

Watch the video here : bit.ly/1RCQpbm

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