(2019-12-19). Iran and US both undermining nuclear deal says UN political affairs chief. news.un.org Both Iran and the United States have been putting strain on the groundbreaking 2015 deal to monitor Iran's nuclear programme, which remains a "cornerstone of international peace and security", said the UN's political affairs chief on Thursday.
(2019-12-19). Russia, Ukraine to resume talks on energy following Paris summit. wsws.org The talks have resumed just after the US announced sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany.
(2019-12-19). The Indo-'Israeli' Trans-Arabian Corridor Will Push Russia Closer to Pakistan. globalresearch.ca India's participation in "Israel's" Trans-Arabian Corridor for connecting the Eastern Mediterranean and Afro-Asian ("Indian") Ocean will render New Delhi's North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC) with Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia economically redundant, consequently pushing Russia closer to Pakistan as Moscow seeks to …
(2019-12-19). At least three people killed in shooting in central Moscow. yenisafak.com At least three people were killed by gunfire in Russia Thursday in an attack near the building of the Federal Security Service in central Moscow, local media reported. In a video posted on social media, multiple law enforcement officers can be seen and gunfire can be heard, said Russian state-supported television RT.Though what happened remains unclear, "conflicting reports indicate that one to three individuals, armed with 'assault rifles' attacked the FSB building," said RT.This is a developing story.
(2019-12-19). Indo-Pak Nuclear Confrontation: First Use Policy and the Race Towards Armageddon. counterpunch.org PART ONE There are several indications that India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological mentor the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) are obsessed with the perverse urge to wipe out Pakistan with nuclear weapons by unleashing a first or a second strike. Through similar means, their counterparts on the Pakistani side are More
(2019-12-19). Russia only seeks to protect itself from foreign meddling — Putin on 'sovereign internet' & 'foreign agents' laws. rt.com 
During his major annual press conference, Putin was asked about two controversial laws regarding 'sovereign internet' and 'foreign agents' — which have been criticized as big steps towards having a closed society. | The legislation, commonly known as the 'Sovereign Internet Bill,' was adopted earlier this year and took effect on November 1. It envisions a system that would ensure the autonomous functioning of the Russian-language segment of the global web in case of a global internet shutdown. Critics of the law, however, expressed concern that the government might use it to impose strict control over th…
(2019-12-19). Ukraine, China & 2024 retirement plans: Key takeaways from Putin's 15th annual press chat. rt.com 
At his annual year-end press conference, Vladimir Putin addressed his presumed retirement in 2024, the situation in Ukraine, domestic issues around healthcare and demographics, and relations with China, among many other topics. | Thursday's Moscow event was the 15th in as many years of Putin's presidency, and finished up as one of the longest. The Russian president sat for four hours and 18 minutes, taking around 80 questions from 57 journalists, of which he answered about 77. Some 1,895 reporters representing Russian and foreign media received accreditation for the conference, with many more watching online.
(2019-12-19). There should be Hikiwake: Putin describes solution for Russia-Japan island dispute in Judo terms. rt.com 
Absence of a peace treaty after WWII remains the major issue in Russian-Japanese relations. While there's no solution for it, Moscow would prefer a "draw," President Vladimir Putin said using a Judo term for the possible outcome. | "Is there a decision? So far, no. But, what's the most important, we desire to find it," Putin told reporters on Thursday, during his end-of-year press conference. | "And it might come in very different forms. I've said it once — and the Japanese liked it — it should be a 'hikiwake,' a draw, if we can speak in Judo terms." | The Russian president is an avid practitioner of…
(2019-12-19). FSB shooting: Man opens fire near HQ of Russian intelligence in central Moscow, one FSB staff killed. rt.com 
Gunfire has broken out near central Moscow's Lubyanka Square in the immediate vicinity of the Federal Security Service building. The authorities said the gunman was neutralized and two FSB officers seriously injured. | The shooting occurred around 6pm local time right at the heart of Russia's capital on a street leading to the square and the iconic FSB building and some 10 minutes on foot from the Kremlin. | | Gunfire can be heard in several videos from the scene circulating on social media. The footage also shows multiple law enforcement officers in full gear and ambulances. | –í–∏&n…
(2019-12-19). 'Volleys of automatic fire': Kalashnikov-armed attacker killed 1, injured 5 in shooting on busy Moscow street. rt.com 
A festive December evening turned deadly as a man armed with an assault rifle opened fire in the very heart of Moscow, killing one and injuring five people just across the street from a children's department store. | It is just after 6pm on Thursday, twelve days before the end of the year. The city is all strung up with holiday lights and Muscovites are leaving work to shop for food and gifts for the upcoming New Year and Christmas holidays. The Central Children's Store on Lubyanka Square, a few minutes' walk from the Kremlin, is bustling. Nearby streets, cafes and restaurants are filled with people. Then shot…
(2019-12-19). 'So many shots I could not even count': Witnesses recall horror of deadly shooting near FSB HQ in Moscow. rt.com 
People who happened to be near the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) headquarters as a gunman opened fire said they initially thought the loud bangs were fireworks before realizing what really occurred. | Konstantin was at work in an office located just across the square from the FSB HQ and had a clear view of the shooting. He said the shooter hid behind a column belonging to a building located next to the FSB, from where he shot indiscriminately at the wall of the nearby houses. "He was constantly reloading his assault rifle and shooting to the sides." | We also saw a dead police officer lying in the str…
(2019-12-19). WATCH civilians fleeing intense shooting near FSB HQ in Moscow. rt.com 
Footage showing civilians fleeing the massive gunfight outside Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) headquarters has emerged online. The shooting left at least one FSB operative dead and five people injured. | The video was apparently captured by an eyewitness moments after the incident began. Some pedestrians tried to escape the fighting right away, while others appeared tempted to go and take a closer look at the gunfight. | Law enforcement officers at the scene, however, were quick to steer nosy civilians away from the shooting. "Run, I've told you!" one of them is heard shouting. | The shooting occur…
(2019-12-19). VIDEO reportedly showing last moments of Moscow shooter emerges online. rt.com 
Footage has surfaced on social media that purports to show the final moments of the gunman who opened fire at the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) headquarters in central Moscow. | SOME READERS MAY FIND THE CONTENT DISTURBING | The video shows a black-clad person with a backpack, armed with what looks like an assault rifle, hiding behind a column of a building right next to the FSB HQ. The hooded man is visibly engaged in a shootout. | He is shown shooting, supposedly at police or FSB officers, and then apparently getting hit himself. The video shows him crouching and eventually falling to the ground.
(2019-12-19). First VIDEOS of shooting near FSB building in central Moscow. rt.com 
Videos showing a gun rampage near the Federal Security Service (FSB) headquarters in central Moscow have emerged online. People can be seen running for their lives as shots are heard in the background. | A footage taken from a nearby building shows a black-clad person — it is not clear whether the person is a security officer or attacker — running along the emptied street. | –í–∏–¥–µ–æ –∏–∑ —Ü–µ–Ω—Ç—Ä–∞ –ú–æ—Å&ndash…
(2019-12-19). EU officially extends economic sanctions against Russia by 6 months over Ukraine conflict. rt.com 
The European Union extended economic sanctions against Russia, which will expire on January 31, 2020, the EU Council said on Thursday. "Today, the Council prolonged the economic sanctions targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy until 31 July 2020," according to the statement. | The decision was made in connection with "incomplete implementation" of the Minsk agreements on the settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the document says. | French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel "updated" the European Council on 12 December on the state of implementation of the Minsk a…
(2019-12-18). Video: Russia Deploys its Uran-9 Combat Robots in Syria. globalresearch.ca In late 2019, photos and footage showing Russia's Uran-9 combat robot deployed in Syria appeared online. They became a rare visual evidence of the Uran-9 combat deployment in the war-torn country, which, according to official sources, took place in 2018….
(2019-12-18). North Korean-US tensions rise as end-of-year deadline approaches. wsws.org In the absence of any US sanctions' relief or meaningful talks, North Korea has threatened to resume its nuclear- and missile-testing program.
(2019-12-16). IG report exposes FBI, Congressional, and media deceit in Russia probe. thegrayzone.com A new report from DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz confirms that the FBI relied on the Steele dossier — a…
(2019-12-13). Someone Interfered in the UK Election, and It Wasn't Russia. theantimedia.com Hardly anyone will care because this election interference has been happening right out in the open, and was perfectly legal.
(2019-12-11). Jeremy Corbyn faces Russiagate smear campaign before UK vote. thegrayzone.com Jeremy Corbyn, a real progressive, could win UK's elections. Max Blumenthal joins Pushback to discuss how powerful forces are trying…
(2019-12-11). Trump Impeachment: A Misguided Move? therealnews.com 
The Democrats claim their articles of impeachment against Trump are a solid case. The Nation and Grayzone contributor Aaron Maté argues that they are actually quite weak, and only serve corporate Democrats' interest in feeding Russiagate paranoia.
(2019-12-09). On Human Rights Day, Let's Abolish Nuclear Weapons. progressive.org A nuclear war would create one of the worst humanitarian crises imaginable, one for which no nation would have an adequate emergency or health response.
(2019-12-02). Trident is the Crime. zcomm.org The U.S. nuclear weapon arsenal creates anguish, fear and futility worldwide. Yet "holy ground" exists as activists work toward abolition of nuclear weapons…
(2019-11-07). Take Action — Some actual, SANE legislation. peaceaction.org Trump has plans to spend nearly $2 TRILLION over the next 30 years on unneeded and unnecessary nuclear weapons and delivery systems. This makes no sense. This is insane. That's nearly $100 million wasted every day for thirty years on weapons we are supposed to be getting rid of. To put that amount in perspective, …
(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 …
(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 …