Roasted Turkey with the trimmings: Tensions high after Russian jet shot down by Turkish Airforce

(A Russian SU-25 Fencer ground-attack plane, like that shot down tuesday)

Tuesday, November 24^th, two Turkish F-16's downed a Russian SU-25 ground attack plane. The navigator, Capt. Konstantin V. Murakhtin, was rescued by special forces troops who followed his radio beacon and negotiated his release from the insurgents who were holding him. The pilot, Lt. Col. Oleg A. Peshkov, was killed by ground fire from insurgents as his parachute descended.

The navigator, who parachuted out of the warplane said Wednesday that there had been no warning before a missile slammed into the aircraft, giving him and the pilot no time to dodge the missile. “There were no warnings from either the radio channel or visually, there was no contact at all,” he told the Interfax news agency from the Russian air base outside Latakia, Syria.

Captain Murakhtin’s account directly contradicted that of Turkish officials, who said the pilots had been warned 10 times in five minutes not to transgress into Turkish airspace, even the sliver of territory that the plane crossed in 17 seconds. The Russians have been adamant that the warplane was shot down over Syria, not Turkey. It crashed about two and a half miles from the border, Russia said, and the pilots parachuted into Syria. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/26/world/europe/turkey-russia-jet.html?_r=0

(supposed flight paths/crash sites according to both sides)

As reported by Western Journalism, Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced Turkey’s actions as a “stab in the back by the terrorists’ accomplices.” He warned of “significant consequences” for relations with the nation. Turkey and NATO had used similar language to alert Russia that if it continued to venture into Turkish airspace, it would be courting “extreme danger” and experience “serious consequences.”

Turkey is also looking to NATO for support via an emergency hearing. “At the request of Turkey, the North Atlantic Council will hold an extraordinary meeting at (1600 GMT). The aim of this extraordinary NAC is for Turkey to inform Allies about the downing of a Russian airplane,” a NATO official told AFP. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova informed the media on Tuesday that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already cancelled an upcoming trip to Turkey as a result of the downed plane. http://www.westernjournalism.com/breaking-obama-just-responded-to-downed-russian-plane-with-startling-message-to-putin/


images source:http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34912581

News App review- SmartNews for Android

For this review, the author downloaded SmartNews, a mobile app that sorts news from multiple sources based on genre. The first observation of this application is that it relies solely on mobile network data (4G) rather than wi-fi to download the most recent stories. This is good news for those in areas without adequate wi-fi, but not so great for those who are on restrictive data plans.

Once the app has downloaded the most recent news, one can browse article titles (which show image thumbnails, a title, and the source) by swiping sideways to switch between tabs, which are organized by popularity and genre. The default tabs are Top, Entertain, Sports, Lifestyle, U.S., World, Biz, Tech, Science, Buzz, and Social, the last of which requires connecting to a Twitter account to view popular stories from the user's Twitter feed. There is also a “+” tab, which allows users to add custom categories such as Women's health or Soccer news.

Selecting a news story will open the article on its web page either in a simple read format (under the Smart tab) or in what appears to be a browser within the app (the Web tab), although it lacks an address bare. There is a share icon, however, which allows the article to be shared through email, social media, opened in a regular web browser, and more. Simply swiping back will bring the SmartNews tabs and stories back into view.

Compared to most data-based apps, SmartNews is very lax on space requirements. Upon installation, it only takes up around 6 megabytes (android LG phone), compared to apps like Snapchat that take up more than 100 megabytes, although this may depend on the device it is installed on and the frequency of use.

Overall, this app appears to be very useful for anyone who wishes to keep up to date with the latest news on the go. Its very easy to use, the layout is not at all confusing. The only drawback this author can point out is the inability to use it on wi-fi alone. But even the best apps have trade-offs.

C'mon and let us know: Should we let them they stay or should they go?-The Syrian Refugee Crisis

The issue of refugee placement will no doubt go down as one of the biggest national (if not global) events of 2015. With presidential candidates and other officials choosing sides either with other global leaders or their constituents, it competes the rabid polarization once caused by Obamacare.

This author is torn. Yes, even I, a native Texan who grew up in the evangelical neo-conservative south, do not know which side is right or wrong. The majority says that we shouldn't let in any more refugees period. For while, I agreed with that notion. Now I see where there are those saying that recent events are all the more reason to take them in, and seeing images depicting a Syria where there's nothing to return to. It's striking. I can't tell the difference between defensive paranoia and strategic common sense.

Both sides have very good points. On the one hand, if we refuse asylum to refugees, they will have no where else to go and will hate the U.S. for turning them away, perhaps aiding ISIS in desperation. Many pro-refuge journalists cite this. However, it must be pointed out that there is little to be done about screening and tracking the influx of refugees. An example would be the refugee from Louisiana who made it to the capitol virtually unnoticed- http://dailycaller.com/2015/11/17/missing-syrian-refugee-headed-to-washington-dc/ At the same time, the rabid anti-refugee sentimentalism may come from a general distrust in Muslims, which I take issue with.

I know personally that there are a lot of good Muslims. One of my best pen pals who lives in Long Island is an Indian of Muslim upbringing. And even Mark Luttrell, the special forces soldier whose story of survival was depicted in the film “Lone Survivor” by Mark Wahlberg was rescued by Muslim villagers, who themselves despised Al Qaeda. Persecuting them would be the same as persecuting all Christians for the acts of extremists like Westboro Baptist Church or other so-called Christian-based cults.

Its all about perspective. Sure, maybe preventing settlement of refuges would be a good blanket strategy. But we should learn from denying entry of German Jews shortly before World War II what can happen if we don't help. That said, we need to call on these other Islamic nations, particularly those in the Arabian peninsula and north Africa, to do their part rather than bringing them to areas of high tension such as the U.S. and the already saturated areas of Europe. A solution can be found, but we must unite in solidarity, not in fear. If we give into fear, ISIS has already won.

Cold Fight against Terror: Foo Fighters cancel Paris tour, Coldplay and others join calls for peace

The rock band Foo Fighters have canceled the remaining dates of their Sonic Highways World tour, which included a concert in Paris, following terrorist attacks in the city on Friday that killed at least 127 people. Band leader Dave Grohl (pictured below) announced the news of the tour cancellation on Saturday, a day after the attacks.

"It is with profound sadness and heartfelt concern for everyone in Paris that we have been forced to announce the cancellation of the rest of our tour," the band said in a statement. "In light of this senseless violence, the closing of borders, and international mourning, we can't continue right now. There is no other way to say it. This is crazy and it sucks."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was hurt or who lost a loved one," the group added. The group had four dates left and was scheduled to perform in Paris at a different venue than the one targeted, however.



The deadliest attack took place at the Bataclan concert hall, where four gunmen shot dead at least 87 people during a concert by American band Eagles of Death Metal, a group which Grohl had worked with in the past. Family members said the band, including singer and guitarist Jesse Hughes, escaped the attack but that several crew members were unaccounted for, NBC News reported on Saturday. The group has also canceled the remainder of its tour and is returning home, Agence France-Presse reported.



In addition to the concert hall, suicide bombers also blew themselves up outside the Stade de France, France's national stadium, where thousands of people, including French President François Hollande as well as Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera's daughter, were watching an exhibition game between France and Germany as the explosions took place. The three attackers were killed.



Meanwhile, Coldplay performed part of a scheduled concert in the United States that day, but held a moment of silence for the victims of the tragedies and also performed a cover of an iconic song that calls for peace. Coldplay performed a short, acoustic concert in Los Angeles on Friday night after postponing a larger TIDAL and KROQ live streamed gig "out of respect for the terrible events in Paris." The rock band held a moment of silence before performing and opened the concert with a cover of John Lennon's "Imagine."



On Friday, fellow rock group U2 said they had canceled two concerts in Paris, including one that was to be taped for an HBO special, in wake of the attacks. Concerts were not the only enetertainemnt venues affected by the tragedy; Paris premieres of Steven Spielberg's feature “Bridge of Spies” and Natalie Portman's “Jane Got a Gun” were canceled as well.

Story and image Source: http://www.eonline.com/news/715906/foo-fighters-cancel-remainder-of-tour-after-paris-attacks-coldplay-holds-moment-of-silence-at-concert

U.S. and Partners to help rebuild Iranian Nuclear Reactor

The United States and other global powers are helping Iran to update and reconstruct a nuclear reactor that has been suspected of helping the Islamic Republic produce enough material for a potential nuclear weapon, according to regional reports and statements from the State Department. A spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the Islamic Republic’s main nuclear regulator, said on Tuesday that the United States and several other nations would begin supplying Iran equipment so that it can modernize the nuclear reactor.“Four countries of the [nuclear negotiating team] have accepted to cooperate with Iran in supplying advanced equipment for the (Arak) reactor and different other issues,” Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for the Iranian nuclear authority, said Tuesday. Kamalvandi explained that while Iran could complete the modernization on its own, “it has sought the world powers’ assistance to accelerate the job.” The spokesman was also quoted as saying “We have had negotiations on this issue in Vienna and recently, some consultations have been made by the Iranian foreign ministry officials in China.” Assistance will also be provided by the other global powers that helped secure the nuclear deal, which include China, France, Germany, and Russia.

(A view of the heavy water reactor at Arak)

The United States’ goal is to work with Iran to refit the reactor in such a way that it can no longer produce weapons grade material. The Obama administration announced that it would assist Iran is rebuilding the Arak reactor when the nuclear deal was implemented in late October. However, Iran maintains that the United States and other partner nations will provide “advanced equipment” for the reactor, located near the Iranian industrial city of Arak. Nuclear experts from the Department of Energy will be tasked with helping to accomplish this goal, according to Secretary Ernest Moniz.“Under the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action], one step that Iran must take is to redesign its Arak Heavy Water Research reactor, including removing its existing calandria and rendering it inoperable,” Moniz said in an Oct. 18 statement. He explained that “To support this effort, the Department of Energy’s nuclear experts will lead the U.S. effort to work with our P5+1 partners and Iran to modernize the Arak reactor, effectively eliminating a potential source of weapons-grade material.”U.S. nuclear experts will also provide Iran with “technical advice” on nuclear issues, Moniz said. He also said “In addition to co-chairing the Arak Modernization Working Group, the Department of Energy’s technical experts will also continue to support President Obama, Secretary [John] Kerry, our P5+1 and EU partners, and the [International A'tomic Energy Agency] through technical advice and expert consultations on nuclear matters.”

Seyed Araqchi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, praised the nuclear modernization project in comments to reporters offered after an October meeting between Iran and the global powers.
“A statement was compiled and released by Iran, China, and the U.S. yesterday in which the three countries announced their resolve to modernize Arak site in due time but what is more important to us is an official document which should be signed between Iran and the six members of the G5+1,” Araqchi was quoted as telling reporters at the time.
The issue of Arak was a key negotiating point during nuclear talks that recently produced a compromise, aimed at curbing the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions.

story and image source:

http://freebeacon.com/national-security/us-to-help-iran-rebuild-nuclear-reactor/

Red River Basin safe from flooding for the time being

The Red River, despite the recent influx of fall rain, shows no signs of flooding soon, the numbers show. This is, perhaps, due in part to the dryness in the late half of summer that lasted through September. Based on monitoring by the National Weather Service from Shreveport, LA, the most recent spike was 14.53 feet on Tuesday, November 3^rd. With the heavy rains endured throughout the southern states that caused the flooding of the Red River as well as many local creeks and bayous earlier this summer, citizens in the river basin have every right to be concerned. 

These measurements come from the NWS/NOAA Hydrograph prediction service, which are monitored day to day at different points along the river in each state. The River's depth is measured for both highs and lows at each point.

According to the service's website, the flood categories are as follows: The Action stage is 26 ft, Flood stage at 30ft, Moderate Flood at 31.5ft, and Major flood being 33ft or higher. The spring flooding earlier this year reached a peak crest of 37.14 ft, while the highest on record was 45.9 ft in the August of 1849. 

http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=svpl1&wfo=shv