Politics

Russia have placed their new-generation Su-35 fighter jets on 24-hour standby at the Latakia base in Syria, just in case they are needed to perform aerial operations in the region, the Russian forces have said.  A Russian Air Spaces Forces group spokesman has said that there will be a constant presence of two Su-35 jets ready to take-off in 60 seconds at Russia’s Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia. RT.com reports: The fighter jets will provide cover for Russian aircraft and increase their total field of view.

Palestine’s first Embassy in the West has been opened in Brazil. The Palestinian Authority inaugurated its first diplomatic mission in the Western Hemisphere in Brazil on Wednesday, amid a diplomatic row between Brazil and Israel. Brazil has repeatedly rejected Israel’s ambassador, a former leader of West Bank settlers. Press TV reports: Palestinian Ambassador Ibrahim Alzeben led the opening ceremony in the Brazilian capital city of Brasilia. The event was attended by Brazilian government officials, representatives of Arab countries and members of the local Arab community.

Iran wants euro payment for new and outstanding oil sales in a bid to cut reliance on the US dollar. After the removal of sanctions Tehran also plans to recover some of its previously frozen assets in euros. Sputnik news reports: Iran has turned away from the US dollar in oil trade and is denominating in euros all new and outstanding oil contracts with companies, including French oil and gas giant Total, Spanish refiner Cepsa and Litasco, the trading arm of Russia’s Lukoil, a source at National Iranian Oil Co told Reuters.

Europe’s worsening migrant crisis is the best thing that ever happened to the PEGIDA movement.

The group very nearly faded into obscurity early last year after then-leader Lutz Bachmann posted a picture of himself dressed as Hitler on Facebook with the caption “He’s back.”

Then, 1.1 million Mid-East asylum seekers flooded across Germany’s borders.

In December 2013, Politico ran a story about Wall Street and Washington that begins with a speech Hillary Clinton gave to a group of bankers put together by some Goldman Sachs bigs. Boldface emphases below are mine. Excerpt: