Daily Archives: January 9, 2021

Joe Biden: Jimmy Carter 'not attending inauguration' says expert

The incoming US President and his relationship with Putin was put to the test in the aftermath of Mr Biden's election win, with the Russian taking weeks to congratulate his counterpart. World leaders from across the globe were quick to react to Mr Biden's victory, which will see him formally take over from incumbent US President Donald Trump this month. It saw experts discuss how this relationship could develop, particularly as Mr Biden is a longtime critic of Russia, and Putin.

Although some saw Russia's delay in contacting Mr Biden as a negative, Konstantin Eggert, a Russian political commentator, said the move was "classic Putin", as it "proved that he's tough, strong, and ready to take the fight all the way to Washington".

In a telegraph Putin sent to Mr Biden, which was published across Russian state media, the Kremlin's leader said he had "confidence that Russia and the US can facilitate the resolution of many problems and challenges faced by the world now".

Yet, the previous history between Mr Biden and Putin demonstrates just how difficult a relationship this may be to manage.

While Vice President, Mr Biden routinely attacked Russia and its position as a powerhouse, particularly during the conflict between Moscow and Ukraine.

The row centred around the status of the Ukrainian regions of Crimea and Donbass, and how Russia annexed the former amid tensions with Kyiv.

In 2015, at the height of tension, Mr Biden announced sanctions on Russia after the West accused it of arming rebels in the Ukraine, and sending troops to the region.

He called on Putin to "make a simple, stark choice - get out of Ukraine, or face continued isolation and growing economic costs".

At the time, hundreds had been killed, a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report said, while violence has continued until the present day.

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Mr Biden argued the decision made by the US, and its then-President Barack Obama, was not an attempt to "weaken the Russian economy" but a warning shot to Putin.

He argued that Russia should be "judged by the action it takes on the ground" and not agreements it "signs on paper".

While speaking at a security conference in Germany, he added: "Given Russia's recent history, we need to judge it by its deeds, not its words.

"Don't tell us, show us, President Putin. Too many times President Putin has promised peace and delivered tanks, troops, and weapons."

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The Democrat was also critical of Putin following a meeting at the Kremlin nine years ago, where he told the Russian premier exactly what he thought about him.

According to the New Yorker, Mr Biden recalled having an interpreter show him around Putin's huge office, before he joked "it was amazing what capitalism will do".

Putin, who was Prime Minister at the time, then got a "few inches away" from Mr Biden's nose, before the then-Vice President said to the Russian: "I'm looking into your eyes, and I don't think you have a soul."

Reflecting on the moment, Mr Biden added: "He looked back at me, and he smiled, and he said, We understand one another.

Mr Biden has also been known to want to work with Russia, and in 2009 a Politico report confirmed that he wanted to "press the reset button" on ties between Washington and Moscow.

However, he rejected a move from Russia as it wished to halt further NATO expansion in Eastern Europe, something Moscow is vehemently opposed to, by demanding that "sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances".

Discussing how Russia and the US could move its relationship forward, Mr Eggert told NPR in December, that both will have to make compromises, adding: "For Putin, the priority always was to be seen as talking to the United States. And interestingly enough, in a very large measure, the Trump administration denied him this possibility.

"For him, being able to speak one-on-one with the United States is proof of Russia's superpower status and his global role."

Read the rest here:

Biden poised for bitter clash with Putin as future US President raised WW3 fears - Daily Express

Iran and the regional forces it backs have increasingly relied in recent years on drones to carry out attacks in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf. The semi-official Fars news agency said the Iranian Republican Guard was testing combat drones used as bombers, interceptors and in reconnaissance missions in a two-day exercise in central Semnan province.

Mohammad Baqeri, chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, said: "The fingers of our heroic armed forces are on the trigger, and if enemies commit the slightest mistake, the armed forces will surely respond fiercely."

The drills come after Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused Donald Trump of trying to find excuses to attack Iran in his last days in office and warned Israel might also try to provoke a fresh war in the Middle East.

The exercises coincided with increased tensions between Iran and the US two days after the first anniversary of the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike at Baghdad airport and two weeks before Joe Biden takes office.

Iran has developed a large domestic arms industry in the face of international sanctions and embargoes barring it from importing many weapons.

Western military analysts say Iran sometimes exaggerates its weapons capabilities, though concerns about its ballistic missiles contributed to Washington leaving the nuclear pact.

The Pentagon believes Iran-linked militia in Iraq have stepped up their surveillance of US troops and bases in the country by using off-the-shelf, commercially available drones.

READ MORE:World War 3: Warning of 'dire Iran counter-attacks' amid US tension

Beyond surveillance, Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can drop munitions and even carry out a kamikaze flight where they load it up with explosives and fly it into something.

Yemens Iranian-backed Houthis have significantly increased their UAV attacks in recent months, bombing airports and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, a main rival of Iran.

Security analysts said the increased use of drones by Iran or its allies is a strategy aimed at pushing back and defending against pressure from the US and regional enemies such as Saudi Arabia and Israel.

One US official said: We have seen an uptick in drone activity in Iraq near our bases and facilities.

Certainly the drones that we have seen are more of the commercial off-the-shelf variant. So theyre obviously a deniable type UAV-activity in Iraq.

More:

WW3 fears: Iran warns 'fingers of heroic armed forces on trigger' after military display - Daily Express

London: World War Two underground Blitz shelter explored

World War 3 seemed like a genuine eventuality at the dawn of 2020 amid concerns sparked in January over the US-led assassination of Qasem Soleimani, a high-ranking Iranian official with the Revolutionary Guard's chain of command. At the time, people feared retaliative measures from the country's leadership following this and months of Trump administration sanctions. In the end, however, the feared escalation failed to materialise, and Covid-19 fears took over, halting discussions of World War 3.

Covid-19 has dominated the news for nearly a year, as the disease has now killed 1.84 million people.

While this isn't comparable to either of the two world wars - in which 20 and 75 million people died respectively - the pandemic has caused significant stress on international society.

The pressure has meant global governments have had to turn their gaze inwards to avert disaster, but a spirit of international cooperation has bloomed, overriding last year's hostile start.

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The pandemic also means analysts have not updated their snapshot picture of global tensions in nearly one year.

The most famous summary of global tension comes from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

The group of eminent academics has spent more than 75 years deciding the position of the "Doomsday clock", a physical representation of global tensions.

Notable events in international relations dictate the distance of the clock's hands to midnight, which depicts global catastrophe.

The final decision outlines whether the world faces a climate or atomic crisis, the latter of which comes closer to World War 3.

Currently, the world is at 100 seconds to midnight, according to the Bulletin's statement released last year on January 23.

Speaking about the prospect of nuclear war, they said at the time the national security situation was "dire".

They wrote: "In the nuclear realm, national leaders have ended or undermined several major arms control treaties and negotiations during the last year, creating an environment conducive to a renewed nuclear arms race, to the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and to lowered barriers to nuclear war."

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"Political conflicts regarding nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea remain unresolved and are, if anything, worsening.

"US-Russia cooperation on arms control and disarmament is all but nonexistent."

The Bulletin evaluation shifts, however, as the world can push the hand away from midnight.

They concluded: "The global security situation is unsustainable and extremely dangerous, but that situation can be improved if leaders seek change and citizens demand it."

"There is no reason the Doomsday Clock cannot move away from midnight.

"It has done so in the past when wise leaders acted, under pressure from informed and engaged citizens around the world.

"We believe that mass civic engagement will be necessary to compel the change the world needs."

To make decisions, Bulletin board members meet twice a year to evaluate risks and provide expert advice.

Read this article:

World War 3: How close are we to World War 3? Risk analysis exposed - Daily Express

South China Sea: Expert on reported missile deployment in 2016

Pangong Tso is a lake in the disputed territory, with a section of the lake controlled by China but claimed by India. Chinas state media outlet The Global Times cited a report from the Indian funded National Center for Microbial Resource-National Center for Cell Science which said the lake has been damaged by increased human activity.

The report stated the increase in human activity near the lake, especially from tourists staying in villages nearby, has caused bacteria to flourish.

The Global Times then added it found tents to accommodate around 10,000 people in the Mann village near the lake.

Opening their article, the Global Times blasted India for damaging the ecosystem of the lake.

They said India has not only threatened the peace and stability in the region around Pangong Tso lake by inciting frequent tussles along the lakeshore, it is also threatening the unique ecosystem of the body of water.

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Chinese media outlets have previously accused India of ramping up military deployments on their side of the lake.

Satellite imagery is said to show Indian military facilities being erected on Finger 4, a mountain spur, for the lake in 2020 according to Chinese media.

The outlets also claim Indian military camps were constructed on Finger 3 between 2013 and 2014.

But open-source intelligence Twitter user@detresfa_shared satellite images of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) forces mushrooming all over the lake area.

China has constructed a new road south of Pangong Tso, and showed off PLA commandos carrying out physical training in the region.

India has also recently boosted security details near the lake, with the government also fast tracking the construction of 12 fast patrol boats to counter the Chinese.

Military deployments have escalated in the area in the wake of Junes lethal clash between Indian and PLA forces.

An unconfirmed number of PLA troops and 20 Indian soldiers died in a hand-to-hand clash in the border region last year.

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In the wake of the lethal clash, both China and India have been in deadlocked diplomacy talks over deescalating tensions in the region.

After eight months and eight rounds of negotiations at the military commander level neither sides have agreed to stand down in Ladakh.

A senior Indian official told the Hindustan Times: While the dates for the ninth round of military talks are still to be decided, we are in no hurry as the Chinese side is yet to get back with certain clarifications towards disengagement and de-escalation on ground.

We are prepared for a long haul but the ultimate objective is to get the heavy armour of both armies back to bases.

Both India and China insist, however, the border is stable and no further military action will be taken.

India has angered China by engaging in military drills with the US, Japan and Australia.

China on the other hand has angered India with a military agreement with Pakistan, another country along the LAC.

The rest is here:

WW3: China accuses India of inciting violence as tensions over disputed region erupt - Daily Express

Washington: Donald Trump protests 'embarrassing' says Coulter

Tensions have been running high all over the world in the past year, but the US in particular has seen chaos and destruction sweep the country. Political divisions have been devastating the country as President Donald Trumps supporters continue to run riot. On Wednesday, the US Capitol Building was invaded by Mr Trumps most hardcore supporters who have been calling for the result of the November 3 election to be reversed, claiming the current President is the rightful winner. President Trump himself has not helped matters, rather aggravating the situation, by continuously repeating his unfounded rhetoric that voter fraud is the reason he lost the Presidency for a second term.

Spurring on the crowds in Washington, Mr Trumps lawyer Rudi Giuliani told a pro-Trump rally was willing to stake [his] reputation on election fraud.

He added: And if were wrong, we will be made fools of. But if were right, a lot of them will go to jail. So lets have trial by combat.

Following the riots, 52 people have been arrested while four people have lost their lives, with one woman being critically shot in the chest on video.

The scenes in the US shocked onlookers around the world who were watching democracy be challenged in a way normally unrecognisable in a wealthy, developed country such as the US.

Speaking toExpress.co.ukabout the potential dangers America poses to the world under Mr Trump and soon-to-be President Biden, Professor of International Relations at Londons Metropolitan University Dr Andrew Moran said the new president is likely to take a different approach.

READ MORE:World War 3 MAPPED: The SIX places where WW3 could break out in 2020

Dr Moran said: America is seen around the world by many as a declining power.

The economic collapse of 2008 substantially undermined the model of capitalism, whilst the faith of many in Americas military power has been damaged by the perceived failures in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Dr Moran explained how the events in Washington on Wednesday further add to the USs dwindling role on the world stage.

He explained: Rather than the bluster and fireworks of the Trump presidency, we may see a more nuanced foreign policy. But Biden will be challenged.

This has now been made worse by the dramatic events overnight in Washington.

The storming of the Capitol Building has substantially undermined the credibility of American democracy and its institutions, which the leadership in China and Russia are all too eager to capitalise on.

Dr Moran thinks President-elect Biden may use force to earn back Americas reputation as a militarily powerful and influential nation.

He added: Bidens instinct will be to reach out to multilateral institutions and to use established regimes and norms to address these problems. That does not mean that he will not be willing to use force.

When he was Vice-President, Biden worked with a president, Barack Obama, who though reluctant to become involved in direct conflict overseas, was willing to use force in more discreet ways, such as the use of drone strikes, special forces and cyber warfare.

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For the last year, the most dangerous and extreme-risk countries are mostly congregated in Africa and the Middle East.

This extensive list includes places like Libya, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan.

Mexico, which is often in the news for murders and cartel crimes, has a range of ratings from moderate to high risk depending on where in the country you are.

Erika Weisbrod, director of security solutions at International SOS, explained: There are certain regions within each county that may have a higher risk or might be more dangerous than others.

So understanding where youre going in a country is important as oppose to ruling out travel to a country altogether.

The most dangerous countries in the world, in no specific order:

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World War 3 MAP: What are the most dangerous countries in world as Biden to replace Trump? - Daily Express

Nostradamus 2020 predicts rise of 'antichrist' in chilling trailer

Nostradamus is widely regarded as the world's leading authority on prophecy and predictions, even 454 years after his death. The French mystic and writer published during his lifetime (1503 to 1566) collections of cryptic predictions many believe have accurately warned us of the future. Nostradamus's followers claim he correctly predicted the rise of Adolf Hitler to power in 1933, the coronavirus pandemic and the Great Fire of London in 1666 - but what did he have to say about 2021?

Michele de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, penned his prophecies in the form of four-lined poems or quatrains.

The bulk of his work was published not long before his death, in his 1555 magnum opus Les Propheties.

The writings have been poured over in a bid to glean some hints about what will happen in the future.

Some of his predictions that are yet to pass include supposed warnings of World War 3, natural cataclysms and possibly even Brexit.

Craig Hamilton-Parker, a leading British psychic and medium who runs Psychics.co.uk has also shared with Epxress.co.uk some of his own predictions for the new year, which you can read below.

READ MORE:Nostradamus predictions for 2021: Which predictions have come true?

The year 2020 has been a very tough sell for most people across the globe with the coronavirus pandemic, civil unrest and the looming threat of climate change.

But if Nostradamus's followers are to be believed, his most feared prophecies about the outbreak of global war are yet to pass. Will 2021 be the year this happens?

Nostradamus is said to have warned us of a war between the East and the West in one of his quatrains.

In Century VIII, Quatrain 59, he wrote: "Twice put up and twice cast down,

"the East will also weaken the West.

"Its adversary after several battles

"chased by sea will fail at time of need."

Is this a reference to World War 3, or something else entirely?

Our planet has been spared the effects of a powerful solar event since 1859.

Then, a powerful solar flare and geomagnetic storm known as the Carrington Event struck the planet, burning out telegraph wires and creating auroras so powerful many people thought nighttime had turned into day.

If such an event repeated in our modern-day world, the effects would likely be catastrophic on our infrastructure, power grids and communication.

The Earth was spared another Carrington-level event in 2012 when the Sun released a powerful Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) in the Earth's direction.

Daniel Baker of the University of Colorado said at the time: "If it had hit, we would still be picking up the pieces."

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But if claims about Nostradamus's writings are true, the mystic may have warned of a powerful solar flare hitting the planet.

Century VIII, Quatrain 2, reads: "Condom and Auch and around Mirande,

"I see fire from the sky which encompasses them.

"Sun and Mars conjoined in Leo, then at Marmande,

"lightning, great hail, a wall falls into the Garonne."

Another of Nostradamus's passage is also believed to contain a warning about natural cataclysms including global sea levels rising.

Century VI, Quatrain 20 reads: "Peace and plenty for a long time the place will praise:

"Throughout his realm the fleur-de-lis deserted:

"Bodies dead by water, land one will bring there,

"Vainly awaiting the good fortune to be buried there."

Among the more bizarre claims, is the notion Nostradamus foretold Britain's exit from the European Union.

Nostradamus supposedly knew this would happen and wrote about it in Century I, Quatrain 33.

The passage reads: "Peace and plenty for a long time the place will praise:

"Throughout his realm the fleur-de-lis deserted:

"Bodies dead by water, land one will bring there,

"Vainly awaiting the good fortune to be buried there."

Mr Hamilton-Parker has also made his predictions about Brexit and the UK's future outside of the EU.

The UK finally severed its link to the economic bloc on December 31 when the Brexit transition period ended.

After that, Mr Hamilton-Parker predicts the economy will take a hit but will bounce back in a fairly short amount of time.

He said: "Britain will become a world leader in Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence.

"This will be spearheaded by targeted government investment into the intelligence services and the military.

"A giant car factory will be built specialising entirely in electric vehicles and wind power turbines.

"New factories will be built in Oxford for the production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and insulin.

"Free trade zones will be created to attract companies such as Facebook, Google and Amazon."

The psychic has also told Express.co.uk of a new virus that will emerge in China in 2021.

The new virus will not have any links to the coronavirus and it will take a while before its origin is exposed.

And speaking of coronavirus, Mr Hamilton-Parker said: "Vaccinations will never completely defeat Covid-19.

"It will mutate into other less dangerous forms that do not require a vaccine.

"Pockets of the virus will persist in remote places such as Siberia and the Amazon."

Nostradamus has established a strong following in the years after his death but there is no credible evidence to back his supposed prophecies.

Sceptics argue Nostradamus's writings are fallaciously interpreted and skewed to fit events after they have already happened.

According to Brian Dunning, the author of the Skeptoid podcast, not a single Nostradamus prophecy or prediction has truly come to pass.

He said: "Michel de Nostredame was truly one of the brilliant lights of his day, but to subscribe to false stories and urban legends is to disrespect who the man actually was.

"Appreciate his contributions to medicine and Renaissance literature, and don't trivialize his good works in favour of a pretended history of paranormal magical powers."

Read more here:

Nostradamus 2021 predictions: WW3 outbreak, solar flares, cataclysms, Brexit in New Year - Daily Express