(2020-06-06). [Editorial] Salient lessons from Russia's COVID-19 outbreak. thelancet.com Alexander Myasnikov, Russia's COVID-19 information chief, said in mid-April that it would be "impossible" for Russians to get the virus, estimating the probability of extensive spread in Russia at "0 ∑0%". This hubris has been sorely exposed. As of June 2, Russia has 423‚Äà186 cases, the third most in the world, while relatively few deaths from COVID-19 (5031) have been recorded. The rapid spread of the epidemic in Russia has highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the health system, and presents the traditionally strong Russian leadership with a new challenge.
(2020-06-06). Over 20,000 tons of diesel spilled in Russian arctic river. wsws.org The catastrophe on the Ambarnaya underlies the dangers bound up with the "new scramble for the Arctic" by the major powers and corporations.
(2020-06-05). Two U.S. Senators Determined to Stop Nord Stream 2 by Imposing Extra Sanctions. globalresearch.ca The Nord Stream 2 project involves the construction of two gas pipelines with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. The gas pipeline will run through the …
(2020-06-05). 'Wolf Warrior Diplomacy': Israel's China Strategy in Peril. counterpunch.org Israel's balancing act that allowed it to reap America's unconditional and, often, blind support, while slowly benefiting from China's growing economic influence and political prestige, is already floundering. Thanks to the heated cold war between the US and Chinese economic superpowers, the Israeli strategy of playing both sides is unlikely to pay dividends in the
(2020-06-05). Russia's Invitation to G7 Summit Sparks Debate. globalresearch.ca The rescheduling of the Group of Seven (G7) summit from late June to September and Russia's invitation to participate alongside Australia, India and South Korea has sparked discussions among both Russian officials and experts. | The Kremlin reported that Russian President …
(2020-06-05). Beyond Nuclear Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging High-Level Radioactive Waste Dump for Entire Inventory of US "Spent" Reactor Fuel. globalresearch.ca Today the non-profit organization
(2020-06-04). Democrats Casually "Blame Russia" for the Riots. globalresearch.ca The riots engulfing the U.S. were provoked by Moscow, according to National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017 and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013, Susan Rice. She even took it …
(2020-06-04). "Wolf Warrior Diplomacy": Israel's China Strategy in Peril. dissidentvoice.org Israel's balancing act that allowed it to reap America's unconditional and, often, blind support, while slowly benefiting from China's growing economic influence and political prestige, is already floundering. Thanks to the heated cold war between the US and Chinese economic superpowers, the Israeli strategy of playing both sides is unlikely to pay dividends in the …
(2020-06-05). 'Great Power Competition' Is a Cheap Slogan Justifying Cold War. strategic-culture.org The fact is, we cannot afford a confrontation with China, no matter how it is packaged. | Daniel LARISON | The hawks that speak loudest about the importance of great power competition don't have the first clue what the U.S. needs to do to remain competitive against other major powers. This has become impossible to miss in the growing push for pursuing a confrontational China policy. | "Great power competition" has become the slogan that hawks now use to justify never-ending increases to the military budget without paying any attention to the importance of developing the social, intellectual, and economic resource…
(2020-06-04). Turkey Rejoices at Deepening US-Chinese Cold War, Appreciating It Increases Its Value to Both. anti-empire.com 
Related:
| Turkish vice president Fuat Oktay said that the United States and Turkey have a "creative opportunity to understand each other" as U.S.-China tensions accelerate. | The
(2020-06-06). Russia's request for return of seized diplomatic properties to protect staff against Covid-19 ignored by US — Moscow. rt.com 
"When the New York State governor declared the state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we asked to return said property so our personnel could use it to lower the risks stemming from to the spread of the coronavirus," Russia's deputy envoy to the UN, Gennady Kuzmin, said. | Kuzmin noted that Moscow had hoped that "humanitarian reasons… would trump political motives," but the US ignored the request. | The US seized control over three Russian diplomatic posts in New York, DC, and San Francisco in 2017, after ordering Moscow to vacate the buildings. Moscow slammed the move as hostile and illegal under…
(2020-06-06). 'Total disgrace!' Trump roasts MSNBC after former FBI attorney Lisa Page hired as legal analyst. rt.com 
Lisa Page, the FBI lawyer whose leaked anti-Trump text messages with another federal agent indicated deep-seated bias in the Russiagate probe, has been hired as an analyst at MSNBC, drawing jeers and praise alike. | t.co/3QdaYCaiZS— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
(2020-06-05). Just 20% of coronavirus cases responsible for 80% of transmissions according to explosive new research. rt.com 
The latest research into so-called "superspreader events" could inform public policy across the world, to help fight the widely feared "second wave" of coronavirus infections, but without the need for strict lockdowns. | A "superspreader" is an infected person who transmits a virus to a large number of people. A growing body of evidence has found that superspreaders account for the vast majority of coronavirus transmissions. | In the latest
(2020-06-05). 'It's Ruptly, I'm not tweeting it': Yahoo WH correspondent ridiculed for not sharing LIVESTREAM from protest because it's RUSSIAN. rt.com 
A Yahoo journalist refused to share a livestream from a Washington protest with his followers simply because it was from RT's Ruptly video agency. When ridiculed over it, he implied that the criticism was paid for with rubles. | Hunter Walker, Yahoo's White House correspondent, was looking for live coverage from the Washington protests on Thursday, so he asked his followers if there was a livestream. One was quickly suggested, but the journalist found it problematic. | t.co/yyq9PLHVVK— Kyuss Jones (@Kyuss_Jones) (2020-06-05). Arctic oil spill: Russian watchdog 'revealed violations' in Norilsk thermal power plant's operations in 2017. rt.com 
Russia's Federal Environmental, Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service (Rostechnadzor) revealed violations in the operation of tanks at the combined heat and power plant CHPP-3 in Norilsk, in Russia's Krasnoyarsk Region, in 2017, according to the SPARK database. During inspections in the fall of 2017, Rostechnadzor found irregularities in the operation of two tanks for fuel storage at the thermal power plant that belongs to the Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company (NTEC), which is part of the Nornickel group. | The watchdog also said the company had failed to conduct repair work which had been planned earlier at…
(2020-06-05). 'Dishonorable and unworthy' move: Moscow vows 'adequate response' to diplomats' expulsion from Czech Republic over 'poison plot'. rt.com 
The expulsion of two Russian diplomats over the imaginary Prague poisoning plot is a very hostile move, Russia's Foreign Ministry has said, warning the scandal is set to affect relations between the two countries. | "The Czech side has acted dishonorably and unworthily, taking this unfriendly step. Without any reason, the Czech authorities caused serious damage to Russian-Czech relations," the ministry said in a statement. | The actions of Prague will receive not only an adequate response, but will be also taken into account during formation of Russian policies towards the Czech Republic. | After weeks of unfo…
(2020-06-05). Moscow slams Prague for 'fabricated provocation' as false 'ricin poisoning plot' leads to Russian diplomats' expulsion. rt.com 
The Czech government has expelled two Russian diplomats for allegedly tricking the country's special services with a fake poisoning plot. The Russian embassy branded the accusations as a "provocation." | The decision to expel the Russian diplomats in Prague was announced by Prime Minister Andrej Babis and Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek at a joint media conference on Friday. | The prime minister said the high-profile media scandal over an alleged Kremlin plot to kill the mayor of Prague and two municipal officials with ricin poison was actually a ruse. The tip-off about the planned assassination came from a Ru…
(2020-06-05). Oxygen treatment: Russian doctors experimenting with PRESSURE CHAMBERS to defeat Covid-19. rt.com 
As the world researches vaccines and cures, it is no secret that defeating Covid-19 is everyone's top priority. In Moscow, some scientists are using a completely different, experimental technique: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). | The procedure works by placing a patient in a pressure chamber and having them breathe in oxygen-rich air. In the chamber, air pressure is much higher than the body is used to, meaning the lungs can breathe in much more pure oxygen, speeding up natural healing processes. | "The procedure aims to avoid transferring the patient to an artificial lung ventilation apparatus," said Serge…
(2020-06-04). What would Ranger Smith say? Driver stunned to see WILD BEAR running through Russian city (VIDEO). rt.com 
A wild beast was filmed running through the center of a Siberian town, just a month after a man was nearly killed in a bear attack on the streets of another Russian city. | The bear was spotted racing down an empty narrow road in downtown Yeniseysk, a city of around 18,000 people in Siberia. A short video filmed by a driver shows the wild animal moving in front of the car before turning away from the road onto a lawn and fleeing somewhere near houses. | –ù–∏—á–µ–≥–æ –Ω–µ–æ–±—ã[mda…
(2020-06-04). US nuclear secrets reportedly stolen from missile contractor. Surprised to learn that Russian hackers are blamed again? rt.com 
Cyber extortionists have stolen confidential documents possibly containing information about the United States Minuteman III nuclear deterrent, according to reports. | The hackers The Minuteman III is a key nuclear deterrent system that controls thermonuclear warheads that c…
(2020-06-04). 'System glitch': Facebook admits RT Deutsch story was WRONGLY labeled 'fake' but damage to traffic is already done. rt.com 
Facebook fact checkers have labeled a video published by RT's German-language branch RT Deutsch 'fake news,' after the outlet reported a viewership spike. They later blamed a 'technical glitch' but the damage was already done. | An innocent post about a hospital being built in Russian city of Ufa to treat people suffering from Covid-19 had somehow incurred the displeasure of Facebook's ever-watchful fact checkers. It is trivial to discover lots of stories about the project in Russia's regional and national media, as well as a plenty of videos of the hospital under construction on platforms such as YouTube.
(2020-06-04). 'Disrespect for Americans': Moscow calls out AG Barr's claims that 'foreign actors' meddled with ongoing protests. rt.com 
Attorney General William Barr's claim that "foreign actors" are stoking US protests is an insult to American citizens and a dismissal of the country's problems, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. | Speaking on Thursday to Govorit Moskva radio, Zakharova called out Barr's attempts to blame the violence on US streets on someone else. | Firstly, it's yet another attempt to explain internal problems by external factors. Secondly, it's disrespect for US citizens whose problems are attributed to 'foreign meddling' without any evidence. | Earlier in the day, the attorney general held a press c…
(2020-06-05). Russia backs Iran's peaceful satellite launch. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 05 (MNA) — Russia has defended Iran's right to launch a satellite, dismissing US claims that Tehran was defying the UN resolution endorsing the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers by sending it into space.
(2020-06-06). US Media Calls Russia's Mysterious Khabarovsk-Class Sub Potential 'Defining Submarine of 2020'. sputniknews.com In addition to being a major component of Russia's overall naval doctrine, submarines are of crucial importance to the country's nuclear triad, with their silent operations lurking under the Arctic Ocean, the Atlantic and Pacific guaranteeing a strategic response in the event of an enemy first strike.
(2020-06-05). 'The Pandemic Will Not Change UK or US Narrative When it Comes to Global Competition' – Analyst. sputniknews.com Government Communications Headquarters Director Jeremy Fleming said earlier this week that the NHS is being targeted by cyberattacks from Russia, China and Iran, which are aimed at getting access to sensitive data such as vaccine research in the UK.
(2020-06-05). Russian Embassy: Prague's Expulsion of Diplomats Shows it's Unwilling to Normalise Ties With Moscow. sputniknews.com The Czech government has decided to expel two employees of the Russian embassy from the country, in connection with the story of a Russian diplomat allegedly transporting the poison ricin to the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Andrei Babish said at a news conference on Friday.
(2020-06-06). Merkel allies criticise Trump decision to cut US troops in Germany. yenisafak.com Senior lawmakers from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling conservative bloc on Saturday criticised President Donald Trump's decision to order the U.S. military to remove 9,500 troops from Germany.The move would reduce U.S. troops numbers in Germany to 25,000, from 34,500."The plans once again show that the Trump administration is neglecting an elementary leadership task: the involvement of alliance partners in decision-making processes," Johann Wadephul, foreign policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, told Reuters.All NATO partners benefited from the cohesion of the alliance, and only Russia an…
(2020-06-05). UAE airstrikes kill 2 Libyan Army soldiers. yenisafak.com Two Libyan Army soldiers were killed on Friday in an airstrike by a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-made drone in northwestern Libya, according to an army spokesman.The UAE drone attacked Libyan army units along the Abu Qurayn front in Misrata province, Mustafa al-Majei, a spokesman for the Burkan Al-Ghadab (Volcano of Rage) Operation, told Anadolu Agency.The UAE is one of several countries — along with Egypt and Russia — that have supported the militias of warlord Khalifa Haftar against Libya's government.The attack came after the Libyan Army this week announced the complete liberation of the capital Trip…
(2020-06-05). Russia nearing 450,000 coronavirus cases. yenisafak.com The number of COVID-19 cases in Russia approached 450,000 on Friday. As many as 449,834 people are being treated of the virus, including 8,726 confirmed over the last 24 hours, the country's emergency task force said in a daily report.Meanwhile, over the same period, recoveries rose by 8,057 and reached 212,680, it added.So far, the authorities have not been able to overcome a negative trend in mortality, with the virus claiming over 100 lives for 11th day in a row
(2020-06-05). Push Back: US Police State Faces Revolt. popularresistance.org Dr. Gerald Horne on the George Floyd protests, the black freedom struggle, and Trump's expansion of the US police state at home and around the world. | Historian and author Gerald Horne discusses the US uprisings against police brutality and systemic racism sparked by George Floyd's killing; the devastating impact of the US government's decades-old war on the black freedom struggle; the ongoing "Russia-baiting" of the protests; and how, amidst the suffering and repression at home, the U.S. government, in bipartisan fashion, continues to attempt to impose its will on countries abroad, from China to Venezuela. | Gu…
(2020-06-04). Facebook selectively slaps 'state-controlled media' warning on some government-funded outlets ahead of 2020 US elections. rt.com 
Facebook is labeling content posted by state-funded media outlets and plans to bar them from running ads in a conveniently loophole-packed effort to prevent "foreign influence" in the 2020 US presidential election. | Pages of Russian and Chinese media outlets have already been graced with the new warning labels, which Facebook announced on Thursday in a The social media behemoth claimed it is taking other factors into account besides government ownership, explaining "if we determine that ther…
(2020-06-04). 'Thank you, Iran!': Trump says 'deal is possible' after Tehran releases US Navy vet. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has praised Tehran for releasing US Navy veteran Michael White, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018, hinting at a breakthrough that may pave way for a new nuclear deal. | "I just got off the phone with former American hostage Michael White, who is now in Zurich after being released from Iran. He will be on a U.S. plane shortly, and is COMING HOME to the United States," Trump tweeted on Thursday evening, before giving credit to the Islamic Republic for its cooperation in the process. | Thank you Iran, it shows a deal is possible! | I just got off the phone with former Ameri…
(2020-06-04). Bringing Lebanon to its knees. thealtworld.com Syria and Iran can cope with another round of US sanctions. The Lebanese are the most vulnerable targets of the 'Caeser Act'. | The Trump administration is promising Syria and its allies in Iran and Lebanon a fresh package of 'suffocating' sanctions in two weeks' time with the coming into force of the so-called 'Caesar Act', whose provisions were passed by both houses of Congress last December. | The aim of this legislation is not only to suffocate Syria but also to inflict as much economic pain as possible on its backers, especially in Lebanon, Iran, and Russia. It targets all groups, companies, and individuals…
(2020-06-04). History: The 1887 Alaska Purchase and the US-Russia Bering Strait Rail Tunnel Project. globalresearch.ca In a recent paper entitled
(2020-06-04). Russia OKs Use of Nukes in Response to Non-Nuclear Attacks. globalresearch.ca Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new government policy for nuclear deterrence on Tuesday that allows the use of nuclear weapons in response to conventional arms attacks. | Russia says its nuclear weapons are developed in order to deter potential attacks …
(2020-06-04). U.S. Abandons Open Skies for New Age Space Weapons. counterpunch.org With the U.S. deciding to walk out of the Open Skies agreement, the U.S. is signaling to the world that it intends to return to days of Pax Americana that existed post-World War II, when it was the sole possessor of nuclear weapons. It has already walked out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in
(2020-06-04). Beyond Nuclear Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging High-Level Radioactive Waste Dump for Entire Inventory of U.S. "Spent" Reactor Fuel. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-06-04). How the Cold War, Which Never Actually Stopped, Actually Started. strategic-culture.org This will be the first-ever credible, or "historical," but brief, account of how the Cold War actually began, and of why it started, and of why it continues today (even though it started on the basis of lies which have long-since become exposed but — for reasons which will become obvious — the exposing of which lies remains hidden from the public, so that 'history' can be preserved, and the public thus remains deceived). | INTRODUCTION | To understand today's world, an introduction is needed first that summarizes what World War II (the Cold War's predecessor) was actually all about, in geostrategic te…
(2020-06-04). Sky News Blames Russians for US Defense Contractor Hack Without Evidence. sputniknews.com After discovering that hackers hit a US defense contractor with ransomware, the UK's Sky News reported on Wednesday that "Russian-speaking" people were suspected of the attack, wholly without evidence.
(2020-06-04). 'Deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944 was genocide'. yenisafak.com The Soviet Union's brutal 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars bears all the hallmarks of genocide, according to a foreign policy expert.Hakan Kirimli, a political scientist at Bilkent University in Turkey's capital Ankara, told Anadolu Agency that on May 18, 1944, the Soviet Union exiled all the Tatars from Crimea, leaving not a single one."They were kept in extremely harsh conditions where they were sent, and half of them were killed," Kirimli added.Describing the deportation as a "genocide," Kirimli said: "They wanted the Crimean Tatars to completely disappear from history, and they even removed the phrase 'Crim…
(2020-06-03). US Navy Sails Into Russia's Barents Sea for the First Time Since the 1980s in What Is to Be "the New Normal" anti-empire.com 
The US and UK naval group leaves the Barents Sea Friday evening after five days in waters where Russia's Northern Fleet normally exercises. The voyage marks a new age with U.S. Navy surface warships sailing in the north. | The U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs office at the headquarters in Naples, Italy, confirms in a phone interview with the Barents Observer that the group of warships is now sailing west into the Norwegian Sea. | This was the
(2020-06-03). Susan Rice Blames Russia for George Floyd Riots: 'Right out of the Russian Playbook'. anti-empire.com 
Editor's note: So is CNN's Chris Cuomo (of the twitter.com/SteveGuest/status/1267987525198585856 |
| Former Obama adviser Susan Rice has blamed the violent protests that rocked major American cities over the weekend on "foreign actors," and even suggested that Russia could be involved in stirring them up. | "I'm not reading the intelligence today, or these days — but based on my experience, this is right out of the Russian playbook," Rice, who served as national-security advise…