user: Q: Ukraine war set to flare up again after election furore

The conflict in Ukraine, which has done more than anything to bring Europe’s economy to a standstill this year, is set to enter a new phase after unofficial elections held in rebel areas further entrenched the differences between the two sides.

The elections have been condemned by the Ukrainian government, the E.U. and the U.S. as violating the terms of a ceasefire agreement that was signed in September.

They have been effectively recognized by Russia, however, further reducing the chance of an early thaw in relations between the two sides. Moscow said earlier this week that it “respected” the expression of popular will in the two provinces. The German government called Moscow’s decision “incomprehensible” and has warned of further sanctions if the situation now deteriorates further, as seems likely.

Rebel leaders in the disputed eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk said Wednesday that the truce would now be canceled. It has in any case existed in name only, with constant low-level fighting around various key points such as Donetsk Airport. Ukraine says over 100 soldiers and militiamen have been killed since the ceasefire started, and another 600 wounded. The rebels have likewise complained of repeated artillery bombardments, including of areas close to civilian populations.

Late Tuesday, President Petro Poroshenko said he would deploy reinforcements to the front line in an attempt to stop any fresh attacks by the rebels, who Kyiv says are operating with the open support of Russian armed forces. The chief of staff or Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Pyotr Mekhed told local media Wednesday that Russia had again sent equipment and personnel into Ukraine. Russia denies providing support to the rebels, although it acknowledges that some of its troops may have gone there voluntarily during their vacation.

Poroshenko has also said he will a law giving special constitutional status to the two regions and stop transfers of money to the “bandits” that won Sunday’s elections. The law had been a gesture aimed at tempting the rebels to abandon their goal of independence.

The self-proclaimed “People’s Republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk have said they want to join the Russian Federation but, despite abundant political and technical support, Moscow has so far stopped short of formally recognizing their independence from Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said his country won’t be intimidated into backing down from its support for the rebels (and its annexation of Crimea in March) by sanctions or any other western measures.

However, the Russian economy is increasingly showing signs of stress, as the ruble has fallen to a series of all-time lows against the dollar.

Having raised its key interest rate by a dramatic 1.5% on Friday in a vain attempt to stop the slide, the Central Bank of Russia effectively abandoned efforts to support it Wednesday, and said it would let the currency float almost without restrictions. At the same time, it warned markets that it would intervene heavily to head off any threats to financial stability. The ruble hit a new record low of 45.00 to the dollar in reaction.

A: Russia continues to give political backing to rebels, even as a run on the ruble forces its central bank to let the currency float.


IN: Jihadists post home address of Bin Laden killer
A British jihadist has published the home address of the Navy SEAL who killed Osama Bin Laden and urged extremists to murder him.

The unnamed Islamic State sympathiser shared the personal details of Robert O'Neill on social media, saying the former US soldier is "a number one target", The Mirror reports.

"I leave this info of Robert O’Neill for my brothers in America and Al Qaeda in the US, as a number one target to eventually hunt down and kill," the jihadist wrote.

"This is what he gets for…traveling around America putting on seminars boasting about killing Sheikh Osama."

Osama Bin Laden was killed in a SEAL Team 6 raid in May 2011.

Mr O'Neill went public last year claiming to have been the one who fatally shot Bin Laden during a Navy SEAL raid on his compound in Pakistan in May 2011.

The 39-year-old has reportedly been forced to separate from his wife over safety fears.

"We're actually looking into changing my name," his wife told Esquire in 2013.

"Changing the kids' names, taking my husband's name off the house, paying off our cars.

"Essentially deleting him from our lives, but for safety reasons."

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OUT: A British jihadist has published the home address of the Navy SEAL who killed Osama Bin Laden and urged extremists to murder him.


Q:
No flooding in forecast: Justin Smith is probable
It appears God will be willing. And the creek won’t rise.

Defensive tackle Justin Smith, the owner of a now-famous partially torn left triceps, is among 13 players listed as probable on the 49ers’ injury report in advance of Saturday’s divisional-playoff showdown against the Packers.

Those 13 are San Francisco’s only injured players. Smith is among a list that includes: LB Navorro Bowman (shoulder), CB Tarell Brown (shoulder), TE Garrett Celek (foot), S Dashon Goldson (shoulder), LB Tavares Gooden (ribs), LB Clark Haggans (shoulder), G Mike Iupati (shoulder), RB Bruce Miller (shoulder), CB Carlos Rogers (knee), LB Aldon Smith (shoulder), DT Will Tukuafu (neck) and LB Patrick Willis (shoulder).

Smith’s injury, of course, is the ailment that’s launched a thousand stories and inspired Jim Harbaugh’s hopeful declaration Wednesday about his game-day status.

“God willing and the creek don’t rise, he’s going to play,” Harbaugh said.

For the Packers, wide receiver Jarrett Boykin (ankle) and defensive end Jerel Worthy are out. Wide receivers Jordy Nelson (ankle) and Randall Cobb (illness) are probable after missing practice earlier in the week.

Green Bay’s other probables: TE Jermichael Finley (hamstring), RB Alex Green (knee), LB Clay Matthews (knee), LB Dezman Moses (hamstring) and RB James Starks (knee).
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A:


assistant: No flooding in forecast: Justin Smith is probable