2020-05-12: News Headlines

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-12). The 'See-No-Evil' Phase of Russiagate. strategic-culture.org The media spinfest following the collapse of this conspiracy theory suggests our troubled republic simply cannot accept its errors, leaving us unable to learn from them. | Patrick LAWRENCE | The long, destructive conspiracy theory known as Russiagate, the mother of them all, at last evaporates into thin air. No shred of it remains as of back-to-back disclosures over the past couple of weeks. Where does this leave us? What is to come of this momentous turn of events? | Among those not inclined toward hysteria or copious quaffs of Democratic Party Kool—Aid, it has long been a question how those who concocted…

RT (2020-05-12). Six big lies you have been told about 'Russiagate'. rt.com Russian 'meddling' in the 2016 US presidential election has become an article of faith, not just among Democrats but many Republicans as well, thanks to the endless repetition of vague talking points, none of which hold water. | It all began with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) claiming in June 2016 that Russia hacked their computers, after

RT (2020-05-12). Russian border may not open fully UNTIL 2021 — Tourism Union. rt.com With countries around the world beginning to loosen their anti-coronavirus measures, many people are starting to ask one thing: when can I travel again? If you're planning to come to Russia, you might need to wait until next year. | According to a letter written by President of the Russian Tourist Industry Union (PCT) Andrey Ignatiev and President of the Russian Hotel Association (RGA) Gennady Lamshin, it might take until January 1, 2021 for passage through Russia's border to get back to normal. | The letter, which was sent to Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov and the head of Russia's Federal…

RT (2020-05-12). Fire erupts at Saint Petersburg Covid-19 hospital after ventilator malfunctions, 5 dead. rt.com Five patients have perished in a major fire at a Saint Petersburg hospital on Tuesday morning with 150 people evacuated to safety. The facility has been designated to treat patients with coronavirus. | Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at the Saint George Hospital in Russia's second city at around 6: 30am local time. Plumes of smokes were observed coming from the building's sixth floor. | Officials told local media that there were five fatalities. Citing sources, local reporters said the victims were receiving artificial lung ventilation. | The institution was repurposed to care for coronavirus su…

RT (2020-05-12). PROPAGANDA has diminished the Soviet Union's role in victory over fascism — Russian foreign minister. rt.com The White House shocked the internet on May 8 when it posted a now-infamous tweet declaring the USA and the UK as the victors of World War II, omitting the USSR. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov believes propaganda is to blame. | Speaking at a press conference, Lavrov recalled how, at the Holocaust Forum in January, US Vice President Mike Pence forgot that the Soviets liberated Auschwitz. | "To be frank, it doesn't surprise me to hear such things," he said, following an online meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers. "It's not because we suspect that any particular politician is deliberately obscuring hi…

RT (2020-05-12). Russia becomes world's second hardest-hit country with 230,000+ confirmed Covid-19 cases, surpassing Spain & UK. rt.com With 10,899 more coronavirus infections reported across the country on Tuesday morning, Russia now trails only the United States in terms of people known to have contracted Covid-19. | Nationwide, 232,243 confirmed cases have been discovered since the start of the outbreak, national disease response officials said. This figure is higher than those recorded by Spanish (227,436), British (224,332) and Italian (219,814) authorities. | However, it's worth noting that Russia has over twice the population of those countries and has carried out far more tests. | At the same time, Russia has had considerably fewer dea…

Stephen Lendman (2020-05-12). Strained China-US Relations. Renewed Trade War Ahead? New Cold War? globalresearch.ca Sino/US relations are more dismal than at any time since Nixon's 1972 meeting with Mao during his weeklong visit to China. | Are bilateral differences irreconcilable? Is the breach between both countries too great to restore more cooperative relations? | Is a …

en.mehrnews (2020-05-12). Arms embargo on Iran to expire on Oct.: Ulyanov. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) — Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mikhail Ulyanov said the restrictions on the supply of 7 categories of weapons to Iran will expire on October 18.

teleSUR (2020-05-12). Covid-19: Russia Is Second Most Affected Country in the World. telesurenglish.net The COVID-19 pandemic recorded more than 10,000 cases in Russia in the last 24 hours, for a total of 232,000 people who tested positive for the illness, making Russia the second most affected country in the world in terms of the number of infections. | RELATED: | The number of infections in Russia is only exceeded by the United States, according to the Johns Hopkins University balance sheet, updated on Tuesday. | "In the last…

WSWS (2020-05-12). Russian court keeps historian of Stalinist massacres jailed amid COVID-19 outbreak. wsws.org The vendetta against Dmitriev is part of the campaign by Russia's state and ruling oligarchy to suppress all efforts to uncover the truth about the crimes of Stalinism.

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-12). A World Health Crisis? — So Ramp Up Confrontation and Deploy Nuclear Bombers. strategic-culture.org The Pentagon is excelling itself in its enthusiastic march to war. There are countless thousands suffering from the effects of the Covid-19 virus, including hundreds of members of the U.S. armed services, while the world's despots are relishing their freedom to persecute minorities, and the poor and downtrodden are dying in hideous misery because of starvation and lack of medical care. But the propaganda war against China continues, concurrent with ramping up of anti-China confrontation by Washington in its ongoing deployment of nuclear attack warships and bombers to the Western Pacific and the South China Sea.

en.mehrnews (2020-05-12). Envoy urges EU for 'practical support' to JCPOA, multilateralism. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) — Iran's Ambassador to Croatia called on the European countries for a change of approach and adopting practical support to multilateralism and the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The Commonwealth Club (2020-05-12). Nuclear Weapons: Stopping the War That No One Wants (livestream). indybay.org Online via livestream…

Aaron Maté (2020-05-11). Bombshell: Crowdstrike admits 'no evidence' Russia stole emails from DNC server. thegrayzone.com Crowdstrike, the firm behind the Russian email hacking allegation at the core of Russiagate, makes a bombshell admission: "We did…

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-11). New House Documents Sow Further Doubt That Russia Hacked the DNC. strategic-culture.org For two and a half years the House Intelligence Committee knew CrowdStrike didn't have the goods on Russia. Now the public knows too. | Ray McGOVERN | House Intelligence Committee documents released Thursday reveal that the committee was told two and half years ago that the FBI had no concrete evidence that Russia hacked Democratic National Committee computers to filch the DNC emails published by WikiLeaks in July 2016. | The until-now-buried, closed-door testimony came on Dec. 5, 2017 from Shawn Henry, a protege of former FBI Director Robert Mueller (from 2001 to 2012), for whom Henry served as head of the Burea…

Stephen Lendman (2020-05-11). Reinventing History a US Specialty. The Role of the Soviet Union In Defeating Nazi Germany. globalresearch.ca The power of endlessly repeated propaganda gets most people to believe almost anything — especially when pounded into the public consciousness by press agent establishment media. | In the US, they're mouthpieces for monied interests and the imperial state. Following government …

teleSUR (2020-05-11). China: New COVID-19 Outbreak Spreads Concern. telesurenglish.net A new coronavirus outbreak in Shulan, a Chinese city near the Russian border, and a spate of cases in Wuhan has prompted fears of a fresh wave of infections in China. | RELATED: | According to Chinese authorities, Shulan is at high risk. A family cluster was diagnosed with COVID-19, after having contact with a woman with no known history of travel or exposure to the virus. | The news were given a week after China designated a…

Prof Susan Babbitt (2020-05-11). Bees and the "Eternally Not Talked About" globalresearch.ca Dostoevsky said former seminarians (which included many Russian radicals then) were "too complete, too hostile, too sharp and therefore too limited." That is, they were limited precisely by being too complete, by fitting all the pieces together, in a tight-fitting …

Christopher Black (2020-05-11). May 9th World War II Commemoration: Russian Victory, NATO Defeat. globalresearch.ca This article was originally published on New Eastern Outlook in July 2015. | On February 2nd, 1943, the 6th German Army, under the command of Field Marshall Von Paulus, and elements of the 4th Panzer Army, surrendered to the Red Army …

Finian Cunningham (2020-05-11). From WWII to COVID-19 Denial. thealtworld.com Donald Trump's apparent denial of the Soviet Union's role in defeating Nazi Germany will perhaps go down as the "finest hour" for this delusional president. But a practical consequence of such denial-mentality is America will lose the "war" against COVID-19. | On the occasion marking the 75th anniversary of victory over the Nazi Third Reich, the Trump White House made no mention of the Soviet Union's indisputable military achievement of vanquishing the German fascist regime, instead implying that the US and Britain were the sole victors. | Trump added for vainglorious good measure: "The American spirit will alway…

Karl Grossman (2020-05-11). COVID-19 and the parallel nuclear war and climate change threats. nationofchange.org We can create a new and better world—but we must fully commit ourselves to it and work for it, "pressing, making changes."

Zero Hedge (2020-05-11). Pompeo Likens Iran To Nazis On 2nd Anniversary Of US Nuclear Deal Exit. iranian.com Perhaps attempting to ensure the anti-Iran 'maximum pressure' campaign remains front and center, even in the midst of a pandemic and historic unemployment, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has resorted to the one of the most common — and we might note laziest — labels for America's 'enemies'. In official statements Saturday, and on the same day Russia and …

sputniknews (2020-05-12). NATO Chief Urges Berlin to 'Protect Peace and Freedom' by Stationing US Nukes. sputniknews.com The appeal comes as leaders from the SPD, Germany's second-largest party and member of Chancellor Merkel's governing coalition, demand the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from the country's airbases.

sputniknews (2020-05-12). Ex-Russian Public Health Chief Slams Reports on Russia's Low COVID-19 Death Toll as Hype. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Allegations that the death toll from the coronavirus in Russia may be significantly lower than official statistics are motivated by malevolence and unprofessional hype, former Russian Chief Sanitary Doctor Gennadii Onish—Åhenko, who is now a lawmaker of parliament's lower house, said on Tuesday.

sputniknews (2020-05-12). Russia to Consider Caracas' Request for Help in Probe of Invasion If Asked – Lavrov. sputniknews.com MOSCOW(Sputnik) – Russia will consider Venezuela's request for help in investigation of a naval incursion if it receives such request, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday .

sputniknews (2020-05-12). Russian Federal Security Service Detains Man Planning to Set Gov't Buildings on Fire in Tver Region. sputniknews.com The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on Tuesday announced the prevention of a terrorist attack in the city of Kimry, in Tver Region.

sputniknews (2020-05-12). Russia, Turkey Carry Out 10th Joint Patrolling in Syria's Idlib — MoD. sputniknews.com SARAQIB, Syria (Sputnik) – The Russian and Turkish military on Tuesday conducted the tenth joint patrol along the M4 highway in Syria's northern Idlib de-escalation zone, the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for the reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria said in a statement on Tuesday.

sputniknews (2020-05-12). Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov Hospitalised with COVID-19. sputniknews.com Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that he has contracted the coronavirus. He has become the latest top Russian figure to come down with COVID-19. Last week, Russia's Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova tested positive for the virus, but said she was manifesting mild symptoms.

sputniknews (2020-05-12). Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Holds Press Conference After CIS Foreign Ministers' Meeting – Video. sputniknews.com The regular meeting of foreign ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) took place on Tuesday via teleconference amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

yenisafak (2020-05-12). Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tests positive for coronavirus. yenisafak.com Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus and was receiving treatment at hospital, the Interfax news agency reported."Yes, I am sick. I am receiving treatment," Peskov was quoted as saying.

John Krzyzaniak (2020-05-11). Nuclear Weapons: The Anatomy of a U.S. STRATCOM "Disinfographic" globalresearch.ca United States Strategic Command, the branch of the US military responsible for the nation's nuclear weapons, recently released an

RT (2020-05-10). Elon Musk resorts to insults in RUSSIAN to defend capitalism. rt.com As Elon Musk sues Californian authorities for stopping a Tesla factory from reopening, he has found a somewhat novel way of dealing with his critics — dismissing them with short Russian insults. | The target of Musk's Cyrillic ire is Robert Reich, an economist and labor secretary under the Clinton administration. A well-known proponent of fairer distribution of wealth, Reich shared a story about the Tesla CEO's plans for legal action in the Golden State with the comment: "Elon Musk threatens to take away people's jobs unless he's allowed to risk their health. Capitalism at its worst." | Elon Musk threate…

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-10). Russian Journalists Accuse NY Times of Stealing Stories That Earned It Pulitzer Prize — for Second Time. strategic-culture.org The New York Times has apparently stolen its Pulitzer Prize-winning stories from Russian journalists — the same liberal anti-Putin reporters its correspondents have lionized | Ben NORTON | The New York Times has been accused for a second time of stealing major scoops from Russian journalists. One of those stories won the Times a Pulitzer Prize this May. | The journalists who have accused the Times of taking their work without credit also happen to be the same liberal media crusaders against Vladimir Putin that Western correspondents at the Times and other mainstream outlets have cast as persecuted heroes.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-05-10). Victory Day and the continuing battle against Fascism. peoplesdispatch.org Victory Day marks the surrender of Nazi Germany during World War II. However, today, Neo-Nazi movements continue to thrive in Europe even as there are concerted attempts to deny the role of the Soviet Union in the defeat of Germany. The people, however, are in the forefront of the struggle against these groups.

I.V. Sta (2020-05-09). Eyewitness: Russia's 70th V-Day. liberationnews.org In addition to beautiful parades, fireworks and concerts, I was able to witness multitudes of people sharing with each other something wholly priceless: the gratitude of being alive thanks to those who fought fascism.

Fight Back (2020-05-09). On the passing of Michael Lucas, immigrant organizer and friend of Soviet people. fightbacknews.org Michael Lucas, editor of Northstar Compass and leader of the International Council for Friendship and Solidarity with the Soviet People, died in Toronto on May 4. He was 94. | Lucas was a fixture of the Canadian left for decades, especially among communities of progressive immigrants from Eastern Europe and Russia. He was longtime head of the Society of Carpatho-Russian Canadians. A musician, Lucas was deeply committed to preserving and sharing the culture and traditions of his people. Throughout his long life, he was a staunch supporter of socialism and the anti-fascist traditions of the Soviet Union. | "He work…

The Iranian (2020-05-09). Operation Ajax: CIA Oil Coup in Iran. iranian.com Via The Cold War Our series on the history of the Cold War period continues with a documentary on the Iranian Coup of 1953 against the prime minister of Iran Mohammad Mosaddegh and the so-called operation Ajax conducted by the American and British in support of the oil interests and the shah regime. This coup …

Nadezhda Azhgikhina (2020-05-08). Freedom of Speech Is Under the Gun as the Virus Spreads in Russia. thenation.com Freedom of Speech Is Under the Gun as the Virus Spreads in Russia…

Staff (2020-05-07). How Russia Became the Next COVID-19 Hot Spot: Infection Rate Soars with 10,000 New Cases Each Day. democracynow.org We go to Moscow for an update on the pandemic in Russia, where the coronavirus is spreading rapidly, with at least 10,000 new cases a day and the second-highest infection rate in the world, and more than 100 medical workers have died fighting the virus, and many have reported lack of personal protective equipment. Meanwhile, three Russian healthcare workers mysteriously fell from hospital windows over the past two weeks. Two died, and the one who is hospitalized had posted a video online to note the lack of medical equipment and said he had to keep working despite testing positive. We speak with Joshua Yaffa, Mos…

Staff (2020-05-05). Headlines for May 5, 2020. democracynow.org Dire Forecasts Warn U.S. Death Toll Could Surge in Coming Weeks as States Move to Relax Restrictions, China Rebukes Trump Admin Claim That Coronavirus Was Man-Made, Report Says Brooklyn Jail Destroying Medical Records to Hide Toll of COVID-19, J. Crew Files for Bankruptcy, Betsy DeVos Sued for Garnishing Wages of Student Loan Holders During Pandemic, EU, World Leaders Pledge Billions to Fund Coronavirus Vaccine; U.S. Sits Out, Questions Raised After 3 Doctors in Russia Fall from Hospital Windows, U.K. May Have Second-Highest Coronavirus Death Toll; France Identifies COVID-19 Case from December, Venezuela Detains…

Gareth Porter (2020-04-30). With apparently fabricated nuclear documents, Netanyahu pushed the US towards war with Iran. thegrayzone.com An investigation of supposed Iranian nuclear documents presented in a dramatically staged Netanyahu press conference indicates they were an Israeli…

Jon Rainwater (2020-04-23). A Myriad of Ways to Wage Peace During These Times. peaceaction.org As we shelter in our homes to protect ourselves from this global pandemic, we wanted to share some of the many ways you can remain active and impactful in the work for a more peaceful world. Peace Action has long been a leader in organizing international conferences, marches, and rallies around the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty …

Bill Ofenloch (2020-04-17). 'The Only Logic of Trident is Omnicide' Christopher Helali Interviews Peace Activist Martha Hennessy, Left Turn, Winter 2020. kingsbayplowshares7.org Martha Hennessey is a longtime anti-war activist and the granddaughter of Dorothy Day, the co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. She is 62, a retired occupational therapist, and grandmother of eight. She has been arrested and imprisoned protesting nuclear power, war, the use of drones, the torture of prisoners in Guantanamo and other prisons, and…

Roxanne George (2020-04-04). Call Congress to commemorate the anniversary of the Kings Bay Plowshares Seven's nuclear weapons protest. kingsbayplowshares7.org Tell Congress that now, more than ever, it's time to wash our hands of Trident. On April 4, 2018, seven anti-nuclear activists, known as the Kings Bay Plowshares 7, entered the Kings Bay Naval Base in Camden County in Georgia to protest the nuclear weapons based there. The Kings Bay Plowshares 7 carried out their…

Paul Dobson (2020-03-30). Rosneft Dodges US Sanctions by Transferring Venezuela Operations to Russian State Firm. venezuelanalysis.com Moscow insists that its support for the Venezuelan government and role in its oil industry will remain unchanged.