US: Russia has fired rockets into Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stepping up pressure on Moscow, the U.S. on Sunday released satellite images it says show that rockets have been fired from Russia into neighboring eastern Ukraine and that heavy artillery for separatists has crossed the border.

The images, which came from the U.S. Director of National Intelligence and could not be independently verified by The Associated Press, show blast marks where rockets were launched and craters where they landed. Officials said the images show heavy weapons fired between July 21 and July 26 — after the July 17 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.

The four-page memo is part of the Obama administration's push to hold Russia accountable for its activities in neighboring Ukraine, and the release could help to persuade the United States' European allies to apply harsher sanctions on Russia.

The timing of the memo also could be aimed at dissuading Russia from further military posturing. The Pentagon said just days ago that the movement of Russian heavy-caliber artillery systems across its border into Ukraine was "imminent."

Moscow has angrily denied allegations of Russia's involvement in eastern Ukraine. Russia's foreign ministry over the weekend accused the U.S. of conducting "an unrelenting campaign of slander against Russia, ever more relying on open lies."

Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by phone Sunday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, urging him to stop the flow of heavy weapons and rocket and artillery fire from Russia into Ukraine, said a State Department official. Kerry did not accept Lavrov's denial that heavy weapons from Russia were contributing to the conflict, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of the call.

There was no immediate comment from Moscow. The White House had no separate comment on the release, referring queries to the State Department.

Russia displays its might amid Ukrainian crisis

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia showed off its military muscle Friday in the annual Red Square parade marking victory over Nazi Germany, at a time when the world's attention is focused on Ukraine where pro-Russian insurgents are preparing a referendum on secession.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin made no reference to the situation in Ukraine in a speech before the parade, focusing on the historic importance of the victory over Nazi Germany. But in a sign of triumph over Russia's annexation of Ukraine's region of Crimea, parading troops included a marine unit from the Black Sea Fleet that flew the Crimean flag on its armored personnel carriers.

About 11,000 Russian troops proudly marched across Red Square to the tunes of marches and patriotic songs, followed by columns of dozens of tanks and rocket launchers. About 70 combat aircraft, including giant nuclear-capable strategic bombers, roared overhead.

Crimea, which hosts a major Russian Black Sea Fleet base, is also set to hold a massive navy parade in the port of Sevastopol, celebrating the Russian takeover.

Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday and a key element of the national identity, honoring the armed forces and the millions who died in World War II. This year it comes as Russia is locked in the worst crisis with the West since the end of the Cold War.

The parade, which featured massive Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missiles, comes a day after Putin visited the Defense Ministry's main operational center to watch a massive military exercise that simulated a retaliatory nuclear strike in response to an enemy attack. The official statements describing the maneuvers were strikingly blunt, reflecting simmering tensions with the West.

Ban adoptions of Russian children by Americans.

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin left little room for maneuvering Thursday when he suggested he was likely to sign the so-called Dima Yakovlev law, which would ban adoptions of Russian children by Americans.

The measure, which includes other sanctions against the United States, is intended as a response to an American law passed by Congress and signed by President Obama earlier this month. The Sergei Magnitsky Act denies visas to Russian officials involved in the prosecution and death of a Russian lawyer and whistle blower who called attention to alleged official corruption.

The Russian counter-measure, passed by both houses of the Russian parliament, provides a whole range of punitive actions, including visa restrictions for specified U.S. officials and the adoption ban. The latter has attracted widespread attention, raising deep concern and apprehension among U.S. families hoping to adopt children from Russia. It also has been criticized by Russian civil society and human rights groups.

During a Kremlin government meeting Thursday, Putin lashed out at the United States for behaving “with a defiant arrogance” and said that he sees no reason not to sign the Russian law but needs some time to study it. His remarks were laced with sarcasm as he discussed foreign adoptions.

“There are probably many places in the world where the level of life is higher than here,” he said in televised remarks. “So what? Shall we send all our children there? Maybe we should all move there too, shouldn't we?”
 I understand their concern. What makes us, as Americans, think we have something better to offer, by doing their children "this favor." Not long ago, and perhaps it still is, somewhat of a "status symbol" to adopt a negro or a foreign child. I always felt it was a bit of arrogance on our part, at least, perhaps, not doing it for the right reason.

Putin Backs Efforts to Force $1 Trillion Repatriation

By Scott Rose & Ilya Arkhipov - Dec 12, 2012 6:55 AM ET

Russian President Vladimir Putin threw his support behind efforts to repatriate capital by ending the use of offshore destinations by companies and forcing the highest ranking officials to relinquish cash and shares abroad.

Russiaa should proceed with anti-corruption legislation that would put limits on officials owning foreign bank deposits and securities, Putin said today in Moscow in his first state-of- the-nation address since returning to the presidency in May. The curbs would be expanded to top policy makers including the president, prime minister and their families, Putin said.

Putin and his allies are seeking to claw back as much as $1 trillion to reignite sagging economic growth and spur investment in new industries as the nation exhausts the potential of resource-based expansion. Economic growth is set to slow to 3.6 percent next year, compared with the average 7 percent growth Putin enjoyed during his first two terms in the Kremlin.

“How can you trust an official or politician who makes bold statements about the wellbeing of Russia, but then tries to move his funds, his cash, abroad?” Putin said. “Property abroad should be declared regardless, and officials should report its value and also the source of the income that allowed them to make that transaction.”

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A Mothers Day Tale

Thomas Prusik-Parkin & Mhilton RimoloJust when you think you've heard it all, a man goes and dresses up like his dead mother -- for six years -- in order to continue cashing in on her Social Security benefits.

Thomas Prusik-Parkin was in court yesterday for allegedly collecting over $115,000 of his deceased mother Irene's government benefits after she died in 2003.

How did he do it? Well, first, he reportedly changed Irene's death certificate, adding a fake Social Security number and birthday, making it seem like she was still alive. Then he went to the DMV to renew her driver's license -- dressed like her.

And then when people started growing suspicious of him during a real estate battle, he threw on a coat of nail polish, a red cardigan, and some lipstick and met with the DA's office.

Needless to say, Prusik-Parkin's ruse wasn't as rock solid as he thought. He and an accomplice -- Mhilton Rimolo, his "nephew" -- were indicted in 2009 on 47 counts, including grand larceny, forgery, conspiracy, and criminal impersonation.

Obama Tells Russia He’ll Have ‘More Flexibility’ After The Election

In a conversation that was picked up Monday by live microphones, President Obama privately told Russia he will have “more flexibility” to deal with missile defense after the election.

Speaking to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ahead of a global nuclear security summit in South Korea, Obama asked for “space” and “time” to deal with the missile defense issue.

“Yeah. I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you,” Medvedev said.

“This is my last election,” Obama said. “After my election, I have more flexibility.”

“I will transmit this information to Vladimir,” said Medvedev, who will hand the Russian presidency over to Vladimir Putin in May.

West in "mediaeval crusade" on Gaddafi, Putin says

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday a U.N. resolution authorizing military action in Libya resembled "mediaeval calls for crusades" after Western forces launched a second wave of air strikes.

As diplomatic tempers over the campaign flared, officials in Tripoli said a missile intended to kill Muammar Gaddafi had destroyed a building in his fortified compound, which was heavily bombed in 1986 by the Reagan administration.

"It was a barbaric bombing," said government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim, showing pieces of shrapnel that he said came from the missile. "This contradicts American and Western (statements) ... that it is not their target to attack this place."

There was no comment on the strike from attacking forces.