Russia to keep military in Venezuela despite U.S. criticism

March 28 (UPI) – Russia said Thursday its military personnel will remain in Venezuela indefinitely as a diplomatic rift develops between the Kremlin and the United States over the cash-strapped nation. The military will remain there "as long as the Venezuelan government needs them," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday. "It all is being done based on bilateral agreements," she added.

Two Russian airplanes carrying 99 military personnel landed in Caracas this weekend. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday to warn that Washington "will not stand idly" and criticized "the continued insertion of Russian military personnel" in Venezuela, a country reeling from economic and political instability.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump asked Russia to "get out" of Venezuela. For its part, the Russian government suspects the United States of routing humanitarian aid through the nearby Dutch island of Curacao as a pretext to have its military deliver the goods.

"We've taken note of the agreement signed between the Netherlands and the United States on using the infrastructures of the Curacao island for humanitarian supplies to Venezuela," Zakharova said, according to the state-run TASS news agency. "At first sight this agreement merely opens access for U.S. officials to Curacao's infrastructures exclusively for providing humanitarian aid, but, as it has turned out, this deal does not rule out the possibility of using not only civilian but other means of delivery. Of what type? Clearly, military ones."

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has blamed a widespread blackout that struck the country on March 7 on a cyberattack originating from Houston, Texas, although no evidence has been presented to support the claim. Maduro said Wednesday night that a "brutal terrorist attack" on the country's electricity system was responsible for the latest blackout, the third to hit the country month, El Nacional reported. Businesses and schools will continue to be closed until Friday, amid ongoing electricity problems.

Juan Guaido, the opposition leader recognized by nations including the United States as Venezuela's interim president, blames the electrical problems on corruption. He has called for people to protest in the streets once again on Saturday. Maduro is supported by the military as well as recognized as legitimate president by nations including Russia, Mexico, China, Cuba and North Korea. Guaido is recognized by the United States as well as most Latin American and European countries.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2019/03/28/Russia-to-keep-military-in-Venezuela-despite-US-criticism/4541553787829/

Judge: BLM, Forest Service didn't comply with law in drilling study

March 28 (UPI) – A federal judge has ordered the U.S. government to do more research on drilling proposals in Colorado conservationists worry will harm the environment and animals. Specifically, the plans call for gas drilling in western Colorado that would create nearly 150 new gas and waste water wells. Environmentalists said in a lawsuit the Bureau of Land Management violated the National Environmental Policy Act. Wednesday, a judge agreed that not enough study was done and ordered the BLM and Forest Service to do more and cooperate with conservation groups.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Babcock said the studies failed by not sufficiently examining "reasonably foreseeable indirect impacts of oil and gas." He also said the agencies must specify the areas they studied. Colorado lawmakers have been considering tougher drilling requirements that prioritize public health and safety and provide more local control. Legislation has cleared committees and was sent to the full Colorado House Wednesday.

Industry leaders oppose the bill, saying it endangers a multi-billion-dollar industry in the state. The Citizens for a Healthy Community said in a statement the government's drilling study didn't analyze effects hydraulic fracking would have on wildlife, including elk and mule deer habitats. "This is an important win for our public lands, the climate and the tenacity of the North Fork Valley community," Executive Director Natasha Leger said. "Requiring the Bureau of Land Management to clearly and properly analyze all potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of this large-scale industrial oil and gas development project is absolutely critical to protecting the rare and irreplaceable ecosystem." Allison Melton, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, said the BLM shouldn't force Colorado to risk wildlife populations for the Trump administration's "reckless drill-anywhere agenda." "It's wonderful to see the court recognize that the BLM can't just ignore the significant harm to these animals," she said.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/03/28/Judge-BLM-Forest-Service-didnt-comply-with-law-in-drilling-study/9581553784224/

>>5946476

We will see.

Brazil police conduct 266 searches in child porn crackdown

March 28 (UPI) – Brazilian police conducted 266 search orders in 133 cities in a national crackdown on computer-related sex crimes against children, authorities said. The orders allow police to search suspects' offices and homes if officials believe they've received, stored or shared illegal pornographic files. Officers arrested more than 100 people by Thursday, G1 reported.

Storing child pornography in Brazil is punishable by as many as four years in prison, six years for those who share them and eight years for those who produce them. Authorities said about 237,000 files were examined by police preparing for the third phase of the operation, G1's report said. Nearly 100 searches were carried out in the Sao Paulo area, which was the largest part of what Brazilian authorities considered phase 3 of the Light During Infancy program. Last May, police arrested several hundred people in phase 2. Police started the program in late 2017.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2019/03/28/Brazil-police-conduct-266-searches-in-child-porn-crackdown/3121553793520/

>>5946671

Pencil Neck, is knowingly angry

>>5946813

Nice Find Anon

Notable