(2020-07-03). Revolutionary Possibilities: Could U.S. Capitalism Turn Nationalist? counterpunch.org The Trump administration has turned sharply toward economic nationalism. It attacks and undermines the World Trade Organization, NATO, and the UN. Trump and other top officials explicitly insult many world leaders. He imposes high tariffs. Official statements renew and sustain Cold War-type attacks on China, Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran. Trump flirts openly with nationalists who
(2020-07-03). Bounty-Hunter Hoax to Kill U.S.-Russia Relations. strategic-culture.org Relations between the United States and Russia have already been badly wounded during recent years, largely as a result of baseless allegations such as Moscow interfering in American elections, colluding with President Donald Trump, or regarding other international developments, from the downing of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine, to purported war crimes in Syria, to the alleged poisoning of British double-agent Sergei Skripal in England. | But the latest U.S. media effort claiming Russian military intelligence involvement in sponsoring Taliban assassins or "bounty hunters" to target American troops in Afghanis…
(2020-07-03). Countries Ranked on "Democracy" in 2020. dissidentvoice.org 
NATO and its supporters and member-nations are hiding the fact that the predominant belief in many of these nations is that they're dictatorships that merely pontificate 'democracy' to other nations. NATO, which is America's propagandistically 'pro-democracy' military alliance against Russia and against China, polled the people in 53 countries — some of which are in …
(2020-07-03). Tokyo olympics and Fukushima 'revival'. mronline.org 
At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics a young man born on the day of Hiroshima nuclear bombing was selected to be the last torch bearer on the relay, to signify that Japan had stood up from nuclear ruin. In an attempt to replicate the 1964 Olympic theme, the Abe government has constructed the idea of a …
(2020-07-03). A Russian Bounty Is Bad. What's Shocking and Outrageous Is the War. thenation.com A Russian Bounty Is Bad. What's Shocking and Outrageous Is the War.
(2020-07-03). World Rebukes US Over Iran. popularresistance.org Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday sought to reassert America's waning influence on the world stage, challenging the U.N. Security Council to extend a U.N. arms embargo that is due to expire in October. Instead, America's top diplomat received a scolding from friends and foes alike in the 15-nation council, which roundly criticized Washington for withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal two years ago without a clear plan to limit Tehran's nuclear activities. | On a day when the European Union pointedly excluded the United States from a "safe list" of countries permitted to travel to the 27-member bloc, the c…
(2020-07-03). Russia reports less than 7,000 cases for 8th day in row. yenisafak.com Russia on Friday reported less than 7,000 new coronavirus for the eight consecutive day.A total of 6,718 cases were reported over the past 24 hours, raising the tally to 667,883, with active cases making up about a third of the total, the country's emergency task force said in a daily report.The virus claimed 176 lives over the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 9,859 while recoveries went up by 8,915 to reach 437,893, it added.Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said the country will continue increasing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests despite declining case numbers, to "identify new…
(2020-07-03). Russia to reopen embassy in Libya. yenisafak.com Russia has decided to reopen its embassy in Libya, the Interfax news agency cited Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on Friday.Lavrov said a ceasefire in the Libyan conflict, proposed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi alongside Libya's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar in Cairo on June 6, fitted into decisions taken at an international conference in Berlin regarding the situation in the North African country.Lavrov was speaking at the start of a meeting with the speaker of Libya's pro-Haftar eastern parliament, Aguila Saleh.
(2020-07-03). Top Iran security body says cause of incident at Natanz nuclear site identified. yenisafak.com Iran's top security body said on Friday the cause of an incident and fire at the Natanz nuclear site had been determined and will be announced later, semi-official news agency Tasnim reported."Investigations by the relevant agencies have accurately determined the cause of the incident… at the Natanz nuclear complex," spokesman Keyvan Khosravi said, according to Tasnim. "Due to security considerations, the cause and manner of the incident will be announced at a convenient time."Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation initially reported an "incident" had occurred early on Thursday at Natanz. It later published a photo…
(2020-07-02). Lee Camp: How the Media Used the Bounty Scandal to Stop the 'Threat' of Peace in Afghanistan. mintpressnews.com This is not a column defending Donald Trump. | Across my career, I have said more positive words about the scolex family of intestinal tapeworms than I have said about Donald Trump. (Scolex have been shown to read more.) | No, this is a column about context. When The New York Times reports anonymous sources from the intelligence community say Russia paid Taliban fighters to kill American soldiers, context is very important. | Some of that context is that
(2020-07-02). US Media Used To Stop The 'Threat' Of Peace. popularresistance.org This is not a column defending Donald Trump. | Across my career I have said more positive words about the scolex family of intestinal tapeworms than I have said about Donald Trump. (Scolex have been shown to read more.) | No, this is a column about context. When The New York Times reports anonymous sources from the intelligence community say Russia paid Taliban fighters to kill American soldiers, context is very important. | Some of that context is that Mike Pompeo said, "I was the CIA director — We lied, we cheated, we stole. We had entire training courses." So we know for certain that U.S. intelligence ag…
(2020-07-02). Historic Constitutional Changes in Russia. globalresearch.ca In January during an address to Russian lawmakers, Vladimir Putin proposed long overdue changes to the country's out-of-date Constitution. | They include what Sputnik International called "a heavy focus on social and organizational/governance issues" — notably guaranteeing a living wage and …
(2020-07-02). Traditional Russophobia in an Unusual Election Year. counterpunch.org Why would Russia pay Taliban troops to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan? "Russia has never gotten over the humiliation they suffered in Afghanistan," Nancy Pelosi explains helpfully, "and now they are taking it out on us, our troops." The speaker of the House has perhaps forgotten that after 9/11 Vladimir Putin supported the U.S. intervention
(2020-07-02). The Fourth Estate Has Murdered America. The NYT "Made Up The Story"? globalresearch.ca The "news service" of multi-billionaire Bloomberg echoes the New York Times lie that Russia paid the Taliban to kill US occupying troops: | "Lawmakers from both U.S. political parties demanded President Donald Trump hold Russia accountable over allegations it offered cash …
(2020-07-02). "Russia is Paying the Taliban": Afghan Bounty Scandal Comes at Suspiciously Important Time for US Military Industrial Complex. globalresearch.ca The latest scandal, like others before it, is based on scant testimony by anonymous officials and has had the effect of pushing liberal opinion on US foreign policy into a far more hawkish direction. | *** | Based on anonymous intelligence …
(2020-07-02). Anti-Russia War Fever Spreads On Capitol Hill. popularresistance.org Groups of congressional Republicans and Democrats have visited the White House over the past two days for briefings on allegations that the Russian military intelligence agency GRU offered bounties to Taliban fighters who killed American soldiers in Afghanistan. | They have emerged bristling with demands for retaliation, with one Republican senator declaring, "I want to hear their plan for Taliban and GRU agents in body bags"—in other words, for military action by the United States against Russia, possessor of the world's second largest stockpile of nuclear weapons. | The "Russian bounties" campaign is a fa…
(2020-07-02). Moscow hits back at Pompeo's 'Russia arming Taliban' jibe, says Afghan government has been only recipient of Russian weapons. rt.com 
The sovereign government in Kabul is the sole entity on Afghan soil that has received Russian weaponry, Moscow has insisted. The statement comes after Mike Pompeo bluntly accused it of funnelling weapons to Taliban militants. | "Russia has only supplied arms to the legitimate government of Afghanistan — something that is well known", Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday. | The diplomat was taking aim at US Secretary of State Pompeo, who pulled no punches when talking about Russia this Wednesday. | "The Russians have been providing weapons to the Taliban for an awful lot…
(2020-07-02). Pelosi calls for new sanctions on Moscow, amid 'Russian bounties' allegations. rt.com 
As the fallout from dubiously sourced allegations about 'Russian bounties' on US troops in Afghanistan continues, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for fresh sanctions against Russia's defense and intelligence sectors. | Moscow paid Taliban fighters bounties to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan, and President Donald Trump ignored intelligence briefings on the matter, an anonymously sourced New York Times report claimed last Friday. Trump called the story a "phony hit job" against him, his Defense Department found no corroborating evidence, and National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said on Wednesday that…
(2020-07-02). Russia Did It Again — Chasing the Bounty Hunters. globalresearch.ca Russia did it again. This time Moscow is accused of "paying to kill Americans". How criminal! | Such things only Americans would do — Washington, the Pentagon, CIA…. Because killing and have killed is in their mindset and bloodstream. That's what …
(2020-07-02). US Begins Active Militarisation Of Space. thealtworld.com 
On 19 June, the unclassified section of the Pentagon's new space defence strategy was The publicly available document is short in length, but it clearly shows the position and intentions of the US military with regards to space — to achieve and retain US military superiority. | In the spirit of previous strategies and doctrines, Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, none of whic…
(2020-07-02). Couriers from rivaling food delivery companies stage mass brawl in Moscow (VIDEO). rt.com 
Couriers from two of Russia's major food delivery companies, sporting their branded uniforms, were filmed engaging in a fight in Moscow… apparently to the disappointment of hungry customers waiting for their orders. | The 'battle' took place in a McDonald's parking lot and involved the employees of Delivery Club in green and Yandex.Eda in yellow. | –í –ú–æ—Å–∫–≤–µ —Å–µ–≥–æ–¥–Ω—è –ø—Ä–æ–∏–∑&ndas…
(2020-07-02). Couriers from rival Moscow food delivery companies stage mass brawl outside McDonald's (VIDEO). rt.com Couriers from two of Russia's major food delivery companies, sporting their branded uniforms, were filmed fighting in public in Moscow… apparently to the disappointment of hungry customers awaiting their orders. | The 'battle' took place in a McDonald's parking lot and involved employees from 'Delivery Club' in green and 'Yandex Food' in yellow. | –í –ú–æ—Å–∫–≤–µ —Å–µ–≥–æ–¥–Ω—è –ø—Ä–æ–∏–∑&ndash…
(2020-07-02). Russia's chief of general staff discusses European security & arms control with NATO military committee head. rt.com 
Russia's Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov has discussed security in Europe and arms control during a telephone call with Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Sir Stuart Peach, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. | They discussed European security and arms control, the ministry said on Thursday. Also on the agenda were "the issues of the fight against the spread of Covid-19, and measures to prevent incidents during military activity," the statement added. | This was the second contact between Gerasimov and Peach. In late November, they met in Baku, Azerbaijan, to discuss the prevention of incid…
(2020-07-02). Mueller report redactions unlikely to be revealed before presidential election after Supreme Court agrees to hear Trump appeal. rt.com 
The US Supreme Court agreed to hear the Trump administration's bid to keep parts of prosecutor Robert Mueller's report on alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election redacted, likely ensuring the material won't sway 2020 votes. | Tuesday's Supreme Court decision hands congressional Democrats at least a temporary defeat in their effort to force disclosure of secrets that they hope can be used to damage President Donald Trump politically. The case won't be heard until the court's next term, which begins in October, so it won't likely be decided until after the November 3 election. | The Democrat-controlled US…
(2020-07-02). Couriers from rival food delivery companies stage mass brawl in Moscow (VIDEO). rt.com Couriers from two of Russia's major food delivery companies, sporting their branded uniforms, were filmed embroiled in a fight in Moscow… apparently to the disappointment of hungry customers awaiting their orders. | The 'battle' took place in a McDonald's parking lot and involved employees from Delivery Club in green and Yandex.Eda in yellow. | –í –ú–æ—Å–∫–≤–µ —Å–µ–≥–æ–¥–Ω—è –ø—Ä–æ–∏–∑–&a…
(2020-07-02). Switzerland restricts entry from 29 countries. rt.com 
From July 6, travelers to Switzerland from 29 countries will have to register with the authorities and go into self-isolation, the government said on Thursday. The move is part of measures to prevent a resurgence of the coronavirus. | The list includes the United States, Sweden, Brazil, and Russia, which have been designated as countries with a high risk of infection, Reuters reported. | Visitors who have spent time in the named countries in the previous 14 days must notify the authorities immediately on arrival and then go into quarantine for 10 days, according to the Swiss government.
(2020-07-02). Dangerous Game: How the Wreckage of Russiagate Ignited a New Cold War. globalresearch.ca It's been nearly four years since the myth of Trump-Russia collusion made its debut in American politics, generating an endless stream of stories in the corporate press and hundreds of allegations of conspiracy from pundits and officials. But despite netting …
(2020-07-02). Over 78% Russian voters support amendments to the constitution. peoplesdispatch.org The amendments to the current constitution, which was adopted in 1993, will among other things allow incumbent president Vladimir Putin to contest again for…
(2020-07-02). States Might Allow High Doses of Radiation to Public Before Evacuating From a Nuclear Accident During Viral Pandemic. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-07-02). India marks $5.2B for indigenous military projects. yenisafak.com India on Thursday earmarked 389 billion Indian rupees ($5.2 billion) for the design and development of indigenous military equipment, according to a statement by the Ministry of Defense. Following a meeting of the country's defense acquisition council, the Ministry of Defense announced that the approved proposals included acquisitions worth 311.3 billion rupees ($4.1 billion) from domestic defense industry firms.The country also green lighted the purchase of additional fighter jets from Russia, including the procurement of 21 Mikoyan MIG-29 along with upgrading of 59 existing aircraft, costing 74.18 billion rupee…
(2020-07-02). US Amb to UN Claims Russia's Position on Syria Cross-Border Aid Program Will Lead to 'Mass Graves'. sputniknews.com A UN resolution adopted in January envisaged a reduction of border crossings under a program of cross-border humanitarian aid to Syria, from four to two, as the Assad government regained control over the country's territory and made possible aid delivery from inside Syria.
(2020-07-02). Explosion in Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility Caused by Bomb, Report Claims. sputniknews.com An explosion at one of Iran's most important nuclear facilities, Natanz, took place on Thursday, damaging the power plant, but leaving its reactor intact. The cause of the explosion has not been officially confirmed.
(2020-07-01). In Russia, a New Generation of Activists are Taking on Climate Crisis. commondreams.org For young climate activists like Alexey, the lesson is clear: Vladimir Putin, the authoritarian president who has been in power for all of their lives, has never been all too concerned about their safe and sustainable future. (Photo: Fridays for the Future Russia / Facebook) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/climateemergency.jpg …
(2020-07-01). 'Priority in Syria political unity, territorial integrity'. yenisafak.com Protecting the political unity and territorial integrity of Syria is a priority, the Turkish president said Wednesday."Maintaining the political unity and territorial integrity of Syria, the establishment of calm on the ground and a lasting solution to the conflict are our priority," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a Turkey-Russia-Iran summit under the Astana process via video conference."We'll continue to do our best to provide peace, security and stability in our neighbor Syria," he said.The trilateral meeting is ongoing with the attendance of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Puti…
(2020-07-01). Labour Party Demands China Be Removed From UK 5G and Nuclear Power Projects. sputniknews.com The Labour Party has taken a harsher line on China in recent weeks, offering support for Hong Kong opposition protesters and criticising the government in Beijing for its new national security law.
(2020-07-01). Black Lives Matter is 'anti-christian' & 'anti-civilizational' — outspoken senior Russian Orthodox Bishop. rt.com 
A prominent Russian cleric believes the 'Black Lives Matter' movement isn't a battle for human rights, but rather a "struggle for who is most important in humanity." He says its true nature is "becoming increasingly apparent." | Bishop Savva of Zelenograd, the deputy administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate says the campaign is "anti-Christian and anti-civilizational." | Also on rt.com | | The churchman was reacting to news that the statue of Emperor…
(2020-07-01). The Fourth Estate Has Murdered America. thealtworld.com The "news service" of multi-billionaire Bloomberg echoes the New York Times lie that Russia paid the Taliban to kill US occupying troops: | "Lawmakers from both U.S. political parties demanded President Donald Trump hold Russia accountable over allegations it offered cash bounties for the killing of American troops. Trump has denied reports by several major news organizations that he was briefed on the matter; he has not demanded an investigation of the allegations; and he has yet to even threaten Moscow with retaliation should the reporting be confirmed. Trump's lack of action has reignited concerns that the Rep…
(2020-07-01). The Truth About Russian-Taliban Ties Is as Intriguing as the Fake News About Them. globalresearch.ca Russia doesn't exploit the Taliban as a proxy for killing Americans, but seeks to nurture equally close relations with it along the lines of the ones that it presently enjoys with Pakistan. Moscow seems to believe that the group will …
(2020-07-01). House Speaker Pelosi Calls For 'Immediate' Sanctions on Russia Over 'Taliban Bounties' Reports. sputniknews.com Earlier, Democratic Senator Bob Menendez formally requested new sanctions be imposed on top Russian officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, over unconfirmed allegations that Russia offered reward money to Taliban-linked militants to assassinate US soldiers.
(2020-07-01). Trump Ramps Up Attack on NYT, Says Russia Bounty Story's 'Secret Source Probably Doesn't Even Exist'. sputniknews.com Democrats have asked Congress to consider new sanctions against Moscow over media claims that Russia has been paying Taliban-affiliated militants to kill American and other coalition troops serving in Afghanistan. Russian officials have vocally denied the allegations, and accused those pushing them of trying to further undermine Russia-US ties.
(2020-07-01). New York Times calls for punishing Putin over anonymous bounty claims but advised Trump to let ISIS kill Russian troops in Syria. rt.com 
The same New York Times reporting anonymous claims of Russian bounties on US troops in Afghanistan opined in 2017 that President Trump should let ISIS "bleed" Russian forces in Syria rather than help defeat the terrorists. | Thomas Friedman, who has won three Pulitzer prizes as a journalist and columnist for the Times, argued in an
(2020-07-01). Three Glaring Problems With the Russian Taliban 'Bounty' Story. strategic-culture.org There seems to be a lack of sourcing and a big whiff of politics, say former intelligence officers. | Barbara BOLAND | Abombshell The article alleges that GRU, a top-secret unit of Russian military intelligence, offered the bounty in payment for every…
(2020-07-01). Vote on amendments isn't about Putin, it's the first ever 'truly Russian constitution' – leading historian. rt.com 
Previous Russian constitutions were either inspired or influenced by foreign legislators, but the amendments that the country is voting on are truly "Russia-centered," veteran Russia-focused historian Martin McCauley told RT. | It's no wonder then that the Western media ignores more than 200 proposed changes to the Russian Constitution and only focuses on the one that may allow Vladimir Putin run for president again, if he wishes to do so. | "'Putin wants to be Tsar for life' — that makes headlines, everyone understands that and if you go into the details of constitutional law people get bored," McCauley…
(2020-07-01). Another anti-Russian smear from the New York Times. indybay.org Patrick Martin at the World Socialist Web Site describes the New York Time's ongoing aversion to facts. [Illustration shows how a current Google Search simply amplifies the propaganda.]…
(2020-07-01). A Canada Day Surprise: How a "Synthetic Nationalism" Was Created to Break the US-Russia Alliance. dissidentvoice.org 
As a Canadian author associated with a Canadian geopolitical magazine and a book series rooted in the thesis that Canada is still under the dominance of the British Empire to this very day, the July 1st holiday known as "Canada Day" is a bit of a strange thing to celebrate. As I have recently written …
(2020-07-01). Some Italian Thinkers are now resisting Lies about the Soviet Union and WW II. dissidentvoice.org 
Lying about world history is one of the main weapons of the Western imperialists, through which they are managing to maintain their control of the world. European and North American countries are inventing and spreading a twisted narrative about almost all essential historic events, be they colonialism, crusades, or genocides committed by the Western expansionism …
(2020-07-01). Pentagon chief says 'no corroborating evidence' so far to back Russia bounty story. rt.com 
The US secretary of defense said that while the Pentagon takes all threats against US troops "very seriously," there is so far no proof for the ever-shifting story that Russia paid bounties for the killing of US soldiers. | In a statement on Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the top military brass treats the security of military personnel, including in Afghanistan, as a high priority. | "I want to assure all of our service members that the Department takes very seriously any and all potential threats against US military personnel," he said. | Esper noted that while he and others in the US military…
(2020-07-01). Over 77% of Russians back constitutional amendments, 21% opposed — preliminary results. rt.com 
After processing 99 percent of the ballots, the Russian Election Commission has announced that 77 percent of voters approved proposed changes to the constitution, while 21 percent were opposed. The turnout was 65 percent. | Millions of Russians went to the polls on Wednesday to cast their vote for or against 206 proposed amendments, which had already been approved by the legislature. This was preceded by five days of early voting since June 25 and even online voting in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod — all due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which had delayed the vote from its originally scheduled date of April 22.
(2020-07-01). Trump resumes attack on NYT's 'Russian bounty' story, says 'secret source probably doesn't even exist'. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has again attacked the "discredited" New York Times over its disputed story that Russia offered bounties for the killing of US troops in Afghanistan, blasting the story as a "fake news tale". | In a tweet on Wednesday morning Trump said the story was made up to damage him and the Republican Party. | "The Russia Bounty story is just another made up by Fake News tale that is told only to damage me and the Republican Party," the president wrote. | "The secret source probably does not even exist, just like the story itself. If the discredited @nytimes has a source, reveal it. Just another…
(2020-07-01). Russia has come a long way since 1993; Putin's constitutional changes reflect the needs of a revitalized state. rt.com 
Russia's 'super-presidential' 1993 Constitution was forged in blood after violent upheaval, at a time when the country was on its knees. It is logical that it would be revisited when modern Russia had finally come of age. | What is so problematic with the current 1993 Constitution, and what are the reasons behind the proposed amendments? The answers can be found in the circumstances under which President Boris Yeltsin's document came into effect and in the major transformation that Russia has undergone since then. | First of all, it is necessary to stress that Russia in 1993 and Russia in 2020 are essentially…