Daily Archives: October 5, 2019

2019-10-05: News Headlines

Joseph OMahoney (2019-10-04). Nuclear powers once shared their technology openly — how Iran's program fell on the wrong side of history. nationofchange.org As tensions remain at fever pitch between Tehran and Washington, Iran continues to breach limits agreed in the 2015 Iran deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Since Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal in May 2018, its future has become more and more uncertain. Iran has enriched uranium beyond the level agreed …

Paul Street (2019-10-04). We Meddle Too: Trump, Empire, and "The National Interest" counterpunch.org Never underestimate the power of the United States' American Exeptionalist and imperial doctrine. Look at the recent Washington Post revelation regarding wannabe fascist strongman Donald Trump's meeting with Russian ambassador Sergey Lavrov in the White House in 2017. Trump told Lavrov and another high-ranking Russian official that he wasn't concerned about Russia meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election because the United States does the same thing in other countries. More

Tracy Keeling (2019-10-04). Vladimir Putin even outdid Trump with this ludicrous comment on Greta Thunberg. thecanary.co Vladimir Putin just achieved the impossible: he outdid Donald Trump in sheer ludicrousness. The Russian president shared his thoughts on Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish climate activist who's inspired mass protests around the world. They're astounding in their hypocrisy and lack of awareness. | Adults have a duty: | Thunberg recently spoke at the UN. In her passionate speech, she said: Entire ecosyst…

Michael T. Hertz (2019-10-04). The official lies told about JFK's death prove that the people no longer own the government. nationofchange.org Let us think back to the year 1960 and compare those times to our own. The previous eight years under Eisenhower were, in America, years of relative peace and prosperity. The Korean War ended in 1953. There was the continuing fear of nuclear destruction and war with the Soviet Union, but we were not actually …

teleSUR (2019-10-04). World Lauds Xi's National Day Speech as China Reaffirms Peace. telesurenglish.net Foreign officials and experts applauded a speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as Beijing reaffirmed its commitment to world peace and development. | During his speech, Xi pledged that China will stay on the path of peaceful development, and pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. | RELATED: | Russia Helps China Build Missile-Attack Warning System | "We will continue to work wit…

South Front (2019-10-04). Video: Russia Tested Elements of Advanced S-500 Air Defense in Syria. globalresearch.ca Syrian, Iranian and Russian forces started a joint military drill, involving heavy military equipment, rocket launchers and warplanes, on October 1, al-Watan newspaper reported on October 2. According to al-Watan, the drills coincided with a series of protests against the …

Rajan Menon (2019-10-04). Why Arms Races Never End: Hypersonic Weapons and National (In)security. counterpunch.org Hypersonic weapons close in on their targets at a minimum speed of Mach 5, five times the speed of sound or 3,836.4 miles an hour. They are among the latest entrants in an arms competition that has embroiled the United States for generations, first with the Soviet Union, today with China and Russia. Pentagon officials More

teleSUR (2019-10-04). Medvedev Receives Honoris Causa Degree From University Of Havana. telesurenglish.net Russian Prime Minister thanked the academic condition and called it an honor, as well as a wonderful opportunity to make a speech, for the first time, at the University of Havana, an "unique place where the leaders of the Cuban Revolution grew, and also opened a path for the independence and freedom of this country."

Tsvetana Paraskova (2019-10-04). Russia's Largest Oil Company Ditches Dollar in New Oil Deals. globalresearch.ca Russia's largest oil company Rosneft has set the euro as the default currency for all new exports of crude oil and refined products, as the state-controlled giant looks to switch as many sales as possible from U.S. dollars to euros …

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2019-10-04). Report Shows 'Stunning and Dramatic' Scenes of Thawing Permafrost in Siberia That 'Leaves Millions on Unstable Ground'. commondreams.org The latest installment in a Washington Post series on "hot zones" around the world that are already enduring "extreme climate change" focuses on the federal Russian republic in eastern Siberia called Yakutia, part of which "has warmed by more than 3 degrees Celsius since preindustrial times—roughly triple the global average." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/permafrost_2.jpg

Robert Mackey (2019-10-04). Echoing Trump, Russian TV Casts Joe Biden and Kurt Volker as Villains of Ukraine Saga. theintercept.com Russian television coverage of the unfolding scandal over Ukraine, which has focused on promoting smears against Joe Biden, has been fervently pro-Trump.

Jodie Evans (2019-10-04). Why I Confronted Trump's Architect of U.S. Sanctions Against Iran and Called Her a 'Weapon of Mass Destruction'. commondreams.org Jodie Evans with others outside of the United Against a Nuclear Iran conference in New York City. (Photo: Codepink) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/screen_shot_2019-10-04_at_1.04.15_pm.png

RT (2019-10-03). 'For futur of you're famly': FBI seeks to recruit 'Russian spies' with hilariously inept Facebook ad. rt.com The FBI has sought to recruit "Russian spies" in Washington, DC through a series of Facebook ads — suggesting a degree of desperation when it comes to counter-intelligence assets, but also a serious lack of copy editing talent. | "The FBI obtains the best intelligence to combat threats through information provided by the public. If you have information that can help the FBI, visit us," the three ads launched on September 11 urge in English. They are accompanied by stock photos with trite captions in Russian. | "Time to build Bridges," says one, over a drawing of a man crossing a bridge. | "Isn't it time…

RT (2019-10-03). Homeless LA 'subway soprano' offered a record deal after video of her angelic singing goes viral. rt.com Emily Zamourka, a homeless Russian singer who has become an overnight internet sensation, has been offered a record deal by a Grammy-nominated music producer, signaling a reversal of fortunes for the destitute virtuoso. | Zamourka has been living on the streets of Los Angeles after falling on hard times, but a viral video of her singing Puccini in the subway has led to an outpouring of support, donations and job offers. | According to TMZ, Zamourka caught the attention of Joel Diamond, who has worked with the likes of David Hasselhoff and famed singer Engelbert Humperdinck. The producer hopes to create a "huge…

Eric Zuesse (2019-10-03). Misrepresentations of American and Soviet Roles in World War II and the Cold War. globalresearch.ca Introduction | The Soviet Union contributed more than did any other nation to the defeats of Germany and Japan in World War II, but America and Britain together defeated Italy. Many prominent Western 'historians' white-out the Soviet roles in defeating …

RT (2019-10-02). 'Pssst… Don't tell anyone, but we surely will': Putin pokes fun at question of whether Russia plans to meddle in 2020 US election. rt.com It seems Vladimir Putin has become so tired of Russian meddling claims that he 'secretly' told an NBC journalist that Moscow will surely influence the 2020 US vote. The confession was made in front of a laughing audience though. | Autumn of 2020 — the time when the US will choose their president — is nearing and there is no dying down of Russiagate, it seems. So NBC's Keir Simmons, who came to Moscow to moderate the Energy Week forum, tried to get some information on the everlasting issue. | "Is Russia as [special prosecutor] Robert Mueller alleged attempting to influence the 2020 election in the US?

Tyler Durden (2019-10-02). Protests Rage as Ukraine's President Zelensky Allows Election in Donbass. theantimedia.com Zelensky's unlikely rise to power in Ukraine was based in large part on convincing voters that he would ease tensions with Russia.

Colin Todhunter (2019-10-02). Nuclear War: Just Another Day. dissidentvoice.org Catastrophic events that send the world into turmoil happen on 'just another day'. The atom bomb that exploded over Hiroshima took place while thousands of ordinary folk were just going about their everyday business on 'just another day'. A missile attack on a neighbourhood in Gaza or a drone attack on unsuspecting civilians in Afghanistan: death …

United Nations (2019-10-02). 'Tenacious' Kyrgyz lawyer and statelessness champion, wins prestigious UNHCR prize. un.org A rights lawyer who took to horseback to help more than 10,000 stateless people gain nationality in Kyrgystan after the break-up of the Soviet Union, has been awarded the UN refugee agency's prestigious 2019 Nansen Refugee Award.

Eds. (2019-10-01). European Parliament's anti-communist resolution draws widespread criticism. mronline.org Communists and other progressives have accused the EU leadership of targeting the Soviet Union while concealing the role of countries such as Spain and Italy in the spread of Nazism and fascism. | Source

United Nations (2019-10-01). Strict alcohol laws which cut intake more than 40 per cent in Russia, linked to historically high life expectancy. un.org Strict laws put in place by the Russian authorities since 2003 have resulted in a significant drop in alcohol-related deaths nationwide, a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed on Tuesday.

United Nations (2019-10-01). Tuesday's Daily Brief: Greek island shelter crisis, only 8 per cent of UNGA speakers women, Russian alcohol laws extending lives, Older Persons Day. un.org Tuesday's top stories: Greece urged to fast-track asylum-seekers as 1,000 die on the Mediterranean; just 16 women addressed UN General Assembly; less alcohol means longer lives in Russia; cholera campaign in Sudan; standing up for older people on international day.

Eds. (2019-10-01). "World at a Crossroads and a System of International Relations for the Future" by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for "Russia in Global Affairs" magazine, September 20, 2019. mronline.org These days, the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly opens up. So does a new international "political season". | Source

Vanessa Beeley (2019-09-30). The White Helmets, Hala Systems and the Grotesque Militarization of "Humanitarianism" in Syria. mintpressnews.com Syria, August 2019 — reports came in that Russian warplanes had destroyed two terrorist-manned early warning radar posts in the Northern Hama countryside, known as the 20th post and the Eagle post. | According to an article published by South Front, these early warning posts are "tasked with monitoring flights of Russian and Syrian warplanes" and warn armed groups throughout Hama and Idlib of incoming airstrikes on their positions. | South Front informed us that "four militants, inc…

Staff (2019-09-30). Whistleblower Edward Snowden on Trump, Obama & How He Ended Up in Russia to Avoid U.S. Extradition. democracynow.org We conclude our interview with NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, who has just published his memoir titled "Permanent Record." In 2013, after quitting his job at the NSA, Snowden attempted to fly from Hong Kong to Latin America in order to avoid being extradited to the United States. But the U.S. revoked his passport when he stopped through Russia, effectively stranding him there. Snowden has lived as an exile in Moscow ever since. He tells us his story.

Staff (2019-09-30). Edward Snowden: Private Contractors Play Key Role in U.S. Intelligence's "Creeping Authoritarianism" democracynow.org As a whistleblower complaint against President Trump rocks Washington, Democrats begin an impeachment inquiry and Trump threatens "big consequences" for the person who came forward, we continue our conversation with one of the world's most famous whistleblowers: Edward Snowden, now in exile in Russia. Six years ago, he shocked the world when he leaked a trove of secret documents about how the United States had built a massive surveillance apparatus to collect every single phone call, text message and email, and pry into the private lives of every person on Earth. He has just published a memoir titled "Permanent R…

Olivia Alperstein (2019-09-26). Get Rid of Nuclear Weapons. progressive.org September 26 is International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Let's make this the year when we finally resolve to abolish nuclear weapons for good.

Ricardo Vaz (2019-09-26). Venezuela: Trump Imposes Travel Ban, Putin Backs Dialogue. venezuelanalysis.com US officials and the Venezuelan opposition have also lobbied the EU to impose harsher sanctions against Caracas.

Staff (2019-09-26). "Financial Censorship Is Still Censorship": Edward Snowden Slams Justice Dept. Lawsuit Against Him. democracynow.org As a whistleblower complaint filed against President Trump rocks Washington and threatens Trump's presidency, one of the world's most famous whistleblowers, Edward Snowden, joins us from Moscow, Russia. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Snowden alleging that his newly released memoir, "Permanent Record," violates the nondisclosure agreements he signed with the federal government when he was a National Security Agency employee. The Justice Department also argued that they are entitled to all of Snowden's book profits. Democracy Now!'s Amy Goodman and Juan González speak with Sno…

Staff (2019-09-26). Permanent Record: Why NSA Whistleblower Edward Snowden Risked His Life to Expose Surveillance State. democracynow.org Six years ago, Edward Snowden leaked a trove of secret documents about how the United States had built a massive surveillance apparatus to spy on Americans and people across the globe. Snowden was then charged in the U.S. for violating the Espionage Act and other laws. As he attempted to flee to Latin America, Snowden became stranded in Russia after the U.S. revoked his passport. He has lived in Moscow ever since. Snowden just published his memoir, "Permanent Record," in which he writes about what led him to risk his life to expose the U.S. government's system of mass surveillance. From Moscow, he speaks to Democ…

Ricardo Vaz (2019-09-12). Venezuela Oil Production Continues Decline as China Cancels More Shipments. venezuelanalysis.com Russian oil giant Rosneft blasted threats of US sanctions as "unfair competition."

Peace Action (2019-06-25). Peace Action Endorses Ilhan Omar for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 25, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Ilhan Omar for Congress in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …

Peace Action (2019-06-24). Peace Action Endorses Kara Eastman for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 24, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Kara Eastman for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …

2019-10-05: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

Why I Confronted Trump's Architect of U.S. Sanctions Against Iran and Called Her a 'Weapon of Mass Destruction'
Jodie Evans | commondreams.org | 2019-10-04
Jodie Evans with others outside of the United Against a Nuclear Iran conference in New York City. (Photo: Codepink) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/screen_shot_2019-10-04_at_1.04.15_pm.png
commondreams.org/views/2019/10/04/why-i-confronted-trumps-architect-us-sanctions-against-iran-and-called-her-weapon?cd-origin=rss

Vladimir Putin even outdid Trump with this ludicrous comment on Greta Thunberg
Tracy Keeling | thecanary.co | 2019-10-04
Vladimir Putin just achieved the impossible: he outdid Donald Trump in sheer ludicrousness. The Russian president shared his thoughts on Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish climate activist who's inspired mass protests around the world. They're astounding in their hypocrisy and lack of awareness. | Adults have a duty: | Thunberg recently spoke at the UN. In her passionate speech, she said: Entire ecosyst…
thecanary.co/trending/2019/10/04/vladimir-putin-even-outdid-trump-with-this-ludicrous-comment-on-greta-thunberg/

The official lies told about JFK's death prove that the people no longer own the government
Michael T. Hertz | nationofchange.org | 2019-10-04
Let us think back to the year 1960 and compare those times to our own. The previous eight years under Eisenhower were, in America, years of relative peace and prosperity. The Korean War ended in 1953. There was the continuing fear of nuclear destruction and war with the Soviet Union, but we were not actually …
nationofchange.org/2019/10/04/the-official-lies-told-about-jfks-death-prove-that-the-people-no-longer-own-the-government/

World Lauds Xi's National Day Speech as China Reaffirms Peace
telesurenglish.net | 2019-10-04
Foreign officials and experts applauded a speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as Beijing reaffirmed its commitment to world peace and development. | During his speech, Xi pledged that China will stay on the path of peaceful development, and pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. | RELATED: | Russia Helps China Build Missile-Attack Warning System | "We will continue to work wit…
telesurenglish.net/news/World-Lauds-Xis-National-Day-Speech-as-China-Reaffirms-Peace-20191004-0011.html

Video: Russia Tested Elements of Advanced S-500 Air Defense in Syria
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2019-10-04
Syrian, Iranian and Russian forces started a joint military drill, involving heavy military equipment, rocket launchers and warplanes, on October 1, al-Watan newspaper reported on October 2. According to al-Watan, the drills coincided with a series of protests against the …
globalresearch.ca/video-russia-tested-s-500-syria/5691029

We Meddle Too: Trump, Empire, and "The National Interest"
Paul Street | counterpunch.org | 2019-10-04
Never underestimate the power of the United States' American Exeptionalist and imperial doctrine. Look at the recent Washington Post revelation regarding wannabe fascist strongman Donald Trump's meeting with Russian ambassador Sergey Lavrov in the White House in 2017. Trump told Lavrov and another high-ranking Russian official that he wasn't concerned about Russia meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election because the United States does the same thing in other countries.
counterpunch.org/2019/10/04/we-meddle-too-trump-empire-and-the-national-interest/

Nuclear powers once shared their technology openly — how Iran's program fell on the wrong side of history
Joseph OMahoney | nationofchange.org | 2019-10-04
As tensions remain at fever pitch between Tehran and Washington, Iran continues to breach limits agreed in the 2015 Iran deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Since Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal in May 2018, its future has become more and more uncertain. Iran has enriched uranium beyond the level agreed …
nationofchange.org/2019/10/04/nuclear-powers-once-shared-their-technology-openly-how-irans-program-fell-on-the-wrong-side-of-history/

Why Arms Races Never End: Hypersonic Weapons and National (In)security
Rajan Menon | counterpunch.org | 2019-10-04
Hypersonic weapons close in on their targets at a minimum speed of Mach 5, five times the speed of sound or 3,836.4 miles an hour. They are among the latest entrants in an arms competition that has embroiled the United States for generations, first with the Soviet Union, today with China and Russia. Pentagon officials…
counterpunch.org/2019/10/04/why-arms-races-never-end-hypersonic-weapons-and-national-insecurity/

Russia's Largest Oil Company Ditches Dollar in New Oil Deals
Tsvetana Paraskova | globalresearch.ca | 2019-10-04
Russia's largest oil company Rosneft has set the euro as the default currency for all new exports of crude oil and refined products, as the state-controlled giant looks to switch as many sales as possible from U.S. dollars to euros …
globalresearch.ca/russia-largest-oil-company-ditches-dollar-new-oil-deals/5691047

Echoing Trump, Russian TV Casts Joe Biden and Kurt Volker as Villains of Ukraine Saga
Robert Mackey | theintercept.com | 2019-10-04
Russian television coverage of the unfolding scandal over Ukraine, which has focused on promoting smears against Joe Biden, has been fervently pro-Trump.
theintercept.com/2019/10/04/russian-state-tv-echoing-fox-news-calls-biden-villain-ukraine-giuliani-hero/

Medvedev Receives Honoris Causa Degree From University Of Havana
telesurenglish.net | 2019-10-04
Russian Prime Minister thanked the academic condition and called it an honor, as well as a wonderful opportunity to make a speech, for the first time, at the University of Havana, an "unique place where the leaders of the Cuban Revolution grew, and also opened a path for the independence and freedom of this country."
telesurenglish.net/news/medvedev-receives-honoris-causa-degree-from-university-of-havana-20191004-0008.html

Report Shows 'Stunning and Dramatic' Scenes of Thawing Permafrost in Siberia That 'Leaves Millions on Unstable Ground'
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-10-04
The latest installment in a Washington Post series on "hot zones" around the world that are already enduring "extreme climate change" focuses on the federal Russian republic in eastern Siberia called Yakutia, part of which "has warmed by more than 3 degrees Celsius since preindustrial times—roughly triple the global average." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/permafrost_2.jpg
commondreams.org/news/2019/10/04/report-shows-stunning-and-dramatic-scenes-thawing-permafrost-siberia-leaves-millions?cd-origin=rss

Misrepresentations of American and Soviet Roles in World War II and the Cold War
Eric Zuesse | globalresearch.ca | 2019-10-03
Introduction | The Soviet Union contributed more than did any other nation to the defeats of Germany and Japan in World War II, but America and Britain together defeated Italy. Many prominent Western 'historians' white-out the Soviet roles in defeating …
globalresearch.ca/misrepresentations-american-soviet-roles-wwii-cold-war/5690937

Homeless LA 'subway soprano' offered a record deal after video of her angelic singing goes viral
rt.com | 2019-10-03
Emily Zamourka, a homeless Russian singer who has become an overnight internet sensation, has been offered a record deal by a Grammy-nominated music producer, signaling a reversal of fortunes for the destitute virtuoso. | Zamourka has been living on the streets of Los Angeles after falling on hard times, but a viral video of her singing Puccini in the subway has led to an outpouring of support, donations and job offers. | According to TMZ, Zamourka caught the attention of Joel Diamond, who has worked with the likes of David Hasselhoff and famed singer Engelbert Humperdinck. The producer hopes to create a "huge…
rt.com/usa/470097-zamourka-record-deal-la-homeless/

'For futur of you're famly': FBI seeks to recruit 'Russian spies' with hilariously inept Facebook ad
rt.com | 2019-10-03
The FBI has sought to recruit "Russian spies" in Washington, DC through a series of Facebook ads — suggesting a degree of desperation when it comes to counter-intelligence assets, but also a serious lack of copy editing talent. | "The FBI obtains the best intelligence to combat threats through information provided by the public. If you have information that can help the FBI, visit us," the three ads launched on September 11 urge in English. They are accompanied by stock photos with trite captions in Russian. | "Time to build Bridges," says one, over a drawing of a man crossing a bridge. | "Isn't it time…
rt.com/usa/470088-fbi-russia-facebook-ads/

Protests Rage as Ukraine's President Zelensky Allows Election in Donbass
Tyler Durden | theantimedia.com | 2019-10-02
Zelensky's unlikely rise to power in Ukraine was based in large part on convincing voters that he would ease tensions with Russia.

Zelensky Donbass

Nuclear War: Just Another Day
Colin Todhunter | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-10-02
Catastrophic events that send the world into turmoil happen on 'just another day'. The atom bomb that exploded over Hiroshima took place while thousands of ordinary folk were just going about their everyday business on 'just another day'. A missile attack on a neighbourhood in Gaza or a drone attack on unsuspecting civilians in Afghanistan: death …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/10/nuclear-war-just-another-day/

'Tenacious' Kyrgyz lawyer and statelessness champion, wins prestigious UNHCR prize
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-02
A rights lawyer who took to horseback to help more than 10,000 stateless people gain nationality in Kyrgystan after the break-up of the Soviet Union, has been awarded the UN refugee agency's prestigious 2019 Nansen Refugee Award.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1048382

'Pssst… Don't tell anyone, but we surely will': Putin pokes fun at question of whether Russia plans to meddle in 2020 US election
rt.com | 2019-10-02
It seems Vladimir Putin has become so tired of Russian meddling claims that he 'secretly' told an NBC journalist that Moscow will surely influence the 2020 US vote. The confession was made in front of a laughing audience though. | Autumn of 2020 — the time when the US will choose their president — is nearing and there is no dying down of Russiagate, it seems. So NBC's Keir Simmons, who came to Moscow to moderate the Energy Week forum, tried to get some information on the everlasting issue. | "Is Russia as [special prosecutor] Robert Mueller alleged attempting to influence the 2020 election in the US?
rt.com/usa/470072-putin-us-meddling-election-joke/

European Parliament's anti-communist resolution draws widespread criticism
Eds. | mronline.org | 2019-10-01
Communists and other progressives have accused the EU leadership of targeting the Soviet Union while concealing the role of countries such as Spain and Italy in the spread of Nazism and fascism. | Source…
mronline.org/2019/09/30/european-parliaments-anti-communist-resolution-draws-widespread-criticism/

"World at a Crossroads and a System of International Relations for the Future" by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for "Russia in Global Affairs" magazine, September 20, 2019
Eds. | mronline.org | 2019-10-01
These days, the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly opens up. So does a new international "political season". | Source…
mronline.org/2019/09/30/world-at-a-crossroads-and-a-system-of-international-relations-for-the-future-by-foreign-minister-sergey-lavrov-for-russia-in-global-affairs-magazine-september-20/

Strict alcohol laws which cut intake more than 40 per cent in Russia, linked to historically high life expectancy
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-01
Strict laws put in place by the Russian authorities since 2003 have resulted in a significant drop in alcohol-related deaths nationwide, a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed on Tuesday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1048282

Tuesday's Daily Brief: Greek island shelter crisis, only 8 per cent of UNGA speakers women, Russian alcohol laws extending lives, Older Persons Day
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-01
Tuesday's top stories: Greece urged to fast-track asylum-seekers as 1,000 die on the Mediterranean; just 16 women addressed UN General Assembly; less alcohol means longer lives in Russia; cholera campaign in Sudan; standing up for older people on international day.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1048342

The White Helmets, Hala Systems and the Grotesque Militarization of "Humanitarianism" in Syria
Vanessa Beeley | mintpressnews.com | 2019-09-30
Syria, August 2019 — reports came in that Russian warplanes had destroyed two terrorist-manned early warning radar posts in the Northern Hama countryside, known as the 20th post and the Eagle post. | According to an article published by South Front, these early warning posts are "tasked with monitoring flights of Russian and Syrian warplanes" and warn armed groups throughout Hama and Idlib of incoming airstrikes on their positions. | South Front informed us that "four militants, inc…
mintpressnews.com/white-helmets-hala-systems-militarization-humanitarianism-syria/262115/

Edward Snowden: Private Contractors Play Key Role in U.S. Intelligence's "Creeping Authoritarianism"
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-09-30
As a whistleblower complaint against President Trump rocks Washington, Democrats begin an impeachment inquiry and Trump threatens "big consequences" for the person who came forward, we continue our conversation with one of the world's most famous whistleblowers: Edward Snowden, now in exile in Russia. Six years ago, he shocked the world when he leaked a trove of secret documents about how the United States had built a massive surveillance apparatus to collect every single phone call, text message and email, and pry into the private lives of every person on Earth. He has just published a memoir titled "Permanent R…
www.democracynow.org/2019/9/30/edward_snowden_us_surveillance_corporate_america

Whistleblower Edward Snowden on Trump, Obama & How He Ended Up in Russia to Avoid U.S. Extradition
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-09-30
We conclude our interview with NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, who has just published his memoir titled "Permanent Record." In 2013, after quitting his job at the NSA, Snowden attempted to fly from Hong Kong to Latin America in order to avoid being extradited to the United States. But the U.S. revoked his passport when he stopped through Russia, effectively stranding him there. Snowden has lived as an exile in Moscow ever since. He tells us his story.
www.democracynow.org/2019/9/30/how_edward_snowden_avoided_extradition_to

Get Rid of Nuclear Weapons
Olivia Alperstein | progressive.org | 2019-09-26
September 26 is International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Let's make this the year when we finally resolve to abolish nuclear weapons for good.
progressive.org/op-eds/get-rid-of-nuclear-weapons-alperstein-190926/

Venezuela: Trump Imposes Travel Ban, Putin Backs Dialogue
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-09-26
US officials and the Venezuelan opposition have also lobbied the EU to impose harsher sanctions against Caracas.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14671

"Financial Censorship Is Still Censorship": Edward Snowden Slams Justice Dept. Lawsuit Against Him
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-09-26
As a whistleblower complaint filed against President Trump rocks Washington and threatens Trump's presidency, one of the world's most famous whistleblowers, Edward Snowden, joins us from Moscow, Russia. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Snowden alleging that his newly released memoir, "Permanent Record," violates the nondisclosure agreements he signed with the federal government when he was a National Security Agency employee. The Justice Department also argued that they are entitled to all of Snowden's book profits. Democracy Now!'s Amy Goodman and Juan González speak with Sno…
www.democracynow.org/2019/9/26/edward_snowden_memoir_permanent_record

Permanent Record: Why NSA Whistleblower Edward Snowden Risked His Life to Expose Surveillance State
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-09-26
Six years ago, Edward Snowden leaked a trove of secret documents about how the United States had built a massive surveillance apparatus to spy on Americans and people across the globe. Snowden was then charged in the U.S. for violating the Espionage Act and other laws. As he attempted to flee to Latin America, Snowden became stranded in Russia after the U.S. revoked his passport. He has lived in Moscow ever since. Snowden just published his memoir, "Permanent Record," in which he writes about what led him to risk his life to expose the U.S. government's system of mass surveillance. From Moscow, he speaks to Democ…
www.democracynow.org/2019/9/26/edward_snowden_trump_whistleblower_impeachment

Venezuela Oil Production Continues Decline as China Cancels More Shipments
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-09-12
Russian oil giant Rosneft blasted threats of US sanctions as "unfair competition."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14654