(2020-10-14). The Malevolent Encirclement of Russia. globalresearch.ca Over recent weeks a series of events in the states surrounding the Russian Federation has erupted that certainly are not being greeted with joy in the Kremlin. Each crisis center of itself is not a definitive game-changer for future Russian …
(2020-10-14). So Long, Sister Ardeth Platte, Anti-Nuclear Activist. counterpunch.org Sister Ardeth Platte, a Dominican nun and antinuclear protester, died ("Ardeth Platte, Dominican Nun and Antinuclear Activist, Dies at 84," New York Times, October 8, 2020) during the night or early morning of the first presidential debate. When Sister Ardeth broke into a nuclear missile facility in Colorado, she recited "Oh God, help us to be
(2020-10-14). Western Anger as China, Russia Elected to UN Human Rights Council and Saudi Arabia Rejected. thealtworld.com 
The rejection of Saudi Arabia, the only country that did not receive the required number of votes from UN member states, has been seen as a repudiation of the Kingdom's decreasing international support. | MPN— In a secret ballot at the United Nations yesterday, Saudi Arabia was rejected for a position on the body's 47-country Human Rights Council (HRC). The only country that did not receive the required number of votes from member states, the failure has been seen as a repudiation of the Kingdom's abysmal human rights record and its decreasing international support. | 15 positions were filled yesterday, alth…
(2020-10-14). Armenia knew war over Nagorno-Karabakh was coming, 'the question was when,' PM Pashinyan tells nation as fighting continues. rt.com 
In an emotional address to the nation on Wednesday, Armenia's Prime Minister said his country was aware of Baku's plans to provoke a war over Nagorno-Karabakh, adding that Azeri attempts to smash Armenian defenses have failed. | Nikol Pashinyan, however, conceded that the disputed region controlled by Armenians, and backed by Yerevan, but considered illegally occupied in Azerbaijan, has suffered massive losses. | Fighting erupted in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27, with both Armenia and Azerbaijan accusing each other of firing the first shots. As far as Pashinyan is concerned, the outbreak of hostilities was…
(2020-10-14). Russia sees no prospect of prolonging New START treaty with US, but is not closing door on negotiations — Foreign Minister Lavrov. rt.com 
Moscow doesn't believe the New START treaty with the US can be continued, as achieving common ground is impossible against the backdrop of ultimatums employed by Washington, the Russian Foreign Minister said on Wednesday. | In his interview with three Russian radio stations, Sergey Lavrov was asked if he saw any prospect of the two countries agreeing to prolong the landmark deal until 2026. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START, obliges Russia and the US to reduce the number of their strategic nuclear missile launchers by half, and it expires in February. | "There is no such prospect. I persona…
(2020-10-14). Reproduce or pay up! Controversial Russian Communist politician backs CHILDLESSNESS TAX on citizens who don't want to have kids. rt.com 
A prominent Russian politician has supported the introduction of a tax on citizens who refuse to have children. The idea was first floated by the country's 'Council of Mothers' as a means to solve the country's demographic crisis. | Speaking to the news agency 'Moscow,' Tamara Pletnyova, a Communist Party MP and the chair of the parliamentary Committee on Family, Women, and Children, argued that "those who don't want to have children should be taxed." She added that those medically unable to do so and those no longer of reproductive age should be exempted. | "This was the case in Soviet times," she explained.
(2020-10-14). Selected Articles: The Malevolent Encirclement of Russia. globalresearch.ca 
By A recent RAND study prepared for the US Army suggests with remarkable accuracy who might be behind what will undoubtedly become a major threat to Russian security …
(2020-10-14). Trump Regime/Russia New START Talks at Impasse. globalresearch.ca As long as nuclear weapons exist, the chance of their use ahead — as once before unjustifiably — is ominously high. | Humanity has a clear choice. Eliminate these weapons entirely or risk their eliminating us. | The history of warfare shows …
(2020-10-14). NATO, Energy Geopolitics and Conflict in Caucasus. thealtworld.com Pushing NATO expansion further into the Caucasus and Central Asia and the objective of replacing Russian energy to Europe with a Caspian alternative mean that the resurgence in conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh could be a prolonged proxy, low-intensity war. | Rarely are geopolitical events innocently coincidental, as an old saying goes. Let's look at a few recent upheavals. First we have the renewed pressure on Germany and Europe to abandon the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline from Russia, which the strange Navalny affair and his alleged poison-assassination conveniently gives cover to what would otherwise be an unprecedent…
(2020-10-14). Russia and the European Union Looking for Common Business Language. globalresearch.ca Despite the series of sanctions, corporate European businesses are still highly interested in Russia and Russia recognizes the enormous significance and invaluable contributions of these businesses in its economy. The stark reality is that there are more European businesses in …
(2020-10-14). Human Rights Debate at UN Security Council. Horrifying Social Consequences of US Sanctions Inflicted on North Korea. globalresearch.ca During the press briefing outlining Russia's program of work for their October Presidency of the UN Security Council, I mentioned the offer by Dr. Kee B. Park, Director of the Korea Policy Project at Harvard Medical School, and renowned …
(2020-10-14). Security situation in world has worsened: Iran UN envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 14 (MNA) — Iran's ambassador to the United Nations warned against return of Cold War-era mentality, stating that threat of weapons of mass destruction and outer space and cybernetic threats have worsened security situation in the world.
(2020-10-14). Iran, Russia discuss bilateral trade cooperation. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 14 (MNA) — Iranian Minister of Energy Reza Ardakanian and his Russian counterpart reviewed the latest status of Iran-Russia trade cooperation on Wednesday.
(2020-10-14). Russian Oxygen Generation System Fails on Space Station, Crew Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The oxygen generation system (OGS) has failed in the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS), according to the crew's talks with the Earth, broadcast by NASA.
(2020-10-14). Russian Health Ministry Registers Another Two Drugs for COVID-19 Treatment. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Two Remdesivir drugs against the coronavirus infection were registered in Russia, according to the Russian Ministry of Health.
(2020-10-14). US and South Korea Committed to Denuclearizing Pyongyang, Mark Esper Says. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The United States and South Korea remain strong military allies and both are still committed to the goal of getting North Korea to scrap its nuclear and ballistic missile arsenals, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said, welcoming recently appointed Seoul Defense Minister Suh Wook to the Pentagon.
(2020-10-13). Headlines for October 13, 2020. democracynow.org Dems Warn of Threat to ACA, Roe v. Wade, as Hearing Begins for Trump SCOTUS Nominee Amy Coney Barrett, Trump Returns to Campaigning as COVID Status Remains Unclear, COVID-19 Cases Soaring in Europe, Russia, as India Becomes Second Country to Hit 7 Million Cases, Johnson & Johnson Halts Vaccine Trials; More Evidence of Reinfection Revealed, GA Early Voters Face Long Lines; CA Officials Warn GOP over Illegal Drop Sites, Pascua Yaqui Tribe Sues in Arizona over Voter Suppression Efforts, WH Moves Forward with Taiwan Weapons Sales as U.S. Officials Tell Taiwan to Ramp Up Defense, Bangladeshi Government Approves Death…
(2020-10-13). UN rejects Saudi bid for human rights council but Russia and China are elected. middleeasteye.net 
UN rejects Saudi bid for human rights council but Russia and China are elected | Rights groups express alarm after Moscow and Beijing secure seats on UN's top human rights body | Tue, 10/13/2020 – 19: 34 | The UN General Assembly held elections on Tuesday for 15 vacant seats in the UN Human Rights Council (AFP/File photo) | Saudi Arabia failed in its bid to become a member of the United Nations Human Rights Co…
(2020-10-13). US & 7 friendly nations sign Artemis Accords to carve up moon — but satellite is hard to reach without Russia's help. rt.com 
The US has signed a treaty with seven countries governing exploration and exploitation of the Moon and its resources. While many signatories never even landed there, Russia and China were — perhaps unsurprisingly — not invited. | The Artemis Accords, proposed in May to set reasonable boundaries for the growing number of countries eager to stake a claim to Earth's only satellite, have been officially
(2020-10-13). Eight Legged Freaks in Sochi? Residents share photos of large wolf spiders as they head indoors to get jiggy in fall mating season. rt.com 
It's not quite on the level of the movie 'Eight-Legged Freaks," yet, but residents of Russia's subtropical southern city Sochi are expressing their fears online after local homes experienced an invasion of large wolf spiders. | Much larger than the average critter you might find in your house, the abdomen of a wolf spider is longer than three centimeters, but, despite their appearance, they are not dangerous to humans. | Writing on popular Instagram account @love.sochi, the page administrator explained that the spider is not threatening to humans, with a bite like a bee sting. In fact, the invasion of huge…
(2020-10-13). Head of Russia's national health watchdog says shutting down economy to prevent spread of Covid-19 is pointless & makes no sense. rt.com 
The top official at Russia's state health watchdog believes that there is no point in suspending the economy to fight coronavirus. Anna Popova's comments came after the Kremlin said a second lockdown isn't even being considered. | Speaking at a coronavirus event at well-known university RANEPA, on Tuesday, Rospotrebnadzor boss Anna Popova explained that Russia has quite a low rate of Covid-19 per capita, and therefore there is no sense in taking drastic measures. Currently, there are few restrictions in the world's largest country with bars, restaurants, and shops open as usual. | "Despite the fact that we see…
(2020-10-13). Trump Seeking New START Deal Pre-Election? globalresearch.ca Since taking office in January 2017, Trump has been a deal-breaker, not maker. | Hardliners surrounding him obstructed efforts to extend New START. | The last remaining Russia/US arms control agreement expires on February 5, 2021. | Unacceptable US demands on extending New …
(2020-10-13). Russian-brokered ceasefire in Azeri-Armenian war collapses. wsws.org Conflicts are escalating across the region, as Turkish officials supporting Azeri forces threatened to restart Mediterranean oil drilling, prompting warnings from Greece.
(2020-10-13). Talking Tough and Carrying a Radioactive Stick. The Nuclearization of American Diplomacy. globalresearch.ca On August 21st, six nuclear-capable B-52H Stratofortress bombers, representing approximately
(2020-10-13). Olive Branches and Nuclear Bombs in Israel. strategic-culture.org According to the Christian website
(2020-10-13). DoJ Ignores Trump Call to Declassify All Russiagate Docs After Failing to Receive Official Order. sputniknews.com Lawyers from the US Department of Justice told a federal judge on Tuesday the department had no intention of totally declassifying documents related to the Russiagate investigation, despite US President Donald Trump's tweets to that effect, since it hadn't been given an official order to release unredacted files.
(2020-10-12). A New Wall for a New Cold War? globalresearch.ca The head of the prestigious Munich Security Conference warned late last month against efforts to "build a new 'wall' between Russia and the West" in light of the Navalny incident and the many other disagreements between both sides, and while …
(2020-10-12). The Russia Brokered Armenia-Azerbaijan Ceasefire. globalresearch.ca It was a diplomatic coup for Russia to broker a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan since it restored Moscow's relevance to the conflict, but for as positive of a development as this was, it's uncertain whether it'll last and will …
(2020-10-12). Nagorno-Karabakh: the bigger picture. thealtworld.com A tangled web of alliances and realignments is forming over the latest conflict in the Caucasus | The wars that have afflicted our 'Middle East' region incessantly since the start of the last century have taught us two things: that 'dormant' ethnic and religious conflicts can be reawakened at any moment; and when truces are agreed they prove unreliable and short-lived so long as the underlying causes are not tackled. | The breakdown of the Russian-brokered humanitarian cease-fire between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh — where hundreds have been killed and thousands displaced on both sides in the…
(2020-10-12). With Crushing Sanctions on 18 Iranian Banks, Is Trump Trying to Leave a War Behind for Biden? globalresearch.ca As the dying Trump administration, literally on a sickbed, contemplates losing power, its hawks are lashing out at Iran in an attempt to ensure that the 2015 international nuclear deal is dead and buried, and that the US and Iran …
(2020-10-12). The Nuclearization of American Diplomacy. counterpunch.org 
On August 21st, six nuclear-capable B-52H Stratofortress bombers, representing approximately one-seventh of the war-ready U.S. B-52H bomber fleet, flew from their home base in North Dakota to Fairford Air Base in England for several weeks of intensive operations over Europe. Although the actual weapons load of those giant bombers was kept secret, each of them is capable of carrying eight AGM-86B nuclear-armed, air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs) in its bomb bay.
(2020-10-12). Siberian grandfather discovered alive just a week after reportedly 'dying' of Covid-19: family suing Russian authorities for compo. rt.com 
With over a million deaths, there are now countless people who know someone to have passed away from Covid-19. For one Russian family, mourning was followed by a shock, after their 'dead' relative turned out to be very much alive. | In the tiny Siberian village of Shabanovo, around 3,000km east of Moscow, an elderly pensioner was laid to rest in a closed coffin, after being hospitalized with coronavirus. Just a week later, the family received a call from the man's nursing home with news that their dead relative was, in fact, still living — and they had buried a different man. | According to the nursing ho…
(2020-10-12). Manhunt underway after teenager SHOOTS HIS GRANDMOTHER then kills 3 innocent people at bus stop in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod. rt.com 
Police in central Russia are searching for an 18-year-old male after a shooting spree in a suburban town near Nizhny Novgorod on Monday. Three people were killed and three injured; one of the victims was the gunman's grandmother. | A police source told Moscow news agency TASS that the teenager, named as Daniil Monakhov, first had an argument with his grandmother, whom he wounded with a gunshot from a hunting weapon. He then killed a neighbor before opening fire on people at a nearby bus stop. | Cops believe Monakhov, who fled from the scene of the murders in a Kia car, is carrying two smoothbore shotguns, one…
(2020-10-12). 'We should not forget who started this stage of war': Armenian president on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in exclusive RT interview. rt.com 
Armenian President Armen Sarkissian told RT that Azerbaijan has initiated the latest round of clashes over Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed hope that the Moscow-mediated ceasefire will hold despite problems on the ground. | "We should not forget… who started this stage of war. It was the Azeri side, not the people of Nagorno-Karabakh," Sarkissian told RT's Ilya Petrenko in an interview. | Inhabited mostly by ethnic Armenians, Nagorno-Karabakh seceded from Azerbaijan in 1991 and declared itself an independent republic after the 1994 armistice. The government in Baku maintains that the region is an "occupied…
(2020-10-12). 'We should not forget who started this stage of war': Armenian president points finger at Azerbaijan in exclusive RT interview. rt.com Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has insisted, in an exclusive interview with RT, that Azerbaijan initiated the latest round of clashes over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh, control of which is contested by Baku and Yerevan. | Sarkisian expressed hope that a Moscow-mediated ceasefire will hold despite ongoing problems on the ground. "We should not forget… who started this stage of war. It was the Azeri side, not the people of Nagorno-Karabakh," he old RT's Ilya Petrenko. | Inhabited mostly by ethnic Armenians, Nagorno-Karabakh seceded from Azerbaijan in 1991 and declared itself an independent republic af…
(2020-10-12). European Oil Companies Will Not Tolerate Poland's Attempt to Cancel Nord Stream 2. globalresearch.ca By handing out a ‚Ǩ6.5 billion fine against Gazprom, Warsaw has obviously and massively miscalculated because it did not only antagonize the Russian energy company as was intended, but also European partners of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, which …
(2020-10-12). Militants Conduct 15 Attacks in Syria's Idlib De-Escalation Zone, Russian Military Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Terrorists has carried out 15 attacks in Syria's northern province of Idlib, the deputy head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Centre for Syrian Reconciliation said at a daily briefing on Monday.
(2020-10-12). Em Ghedi, Prepara-se a Nova Base para os F-35 Nucleares. globalresearch.ca No aeroporto militar de Ghedi (Brescia), està£o a inciar-se os trabalhos de construàßà£o da base operacional mais importante para os caàßas F-35A da Foràßa Aérea Italiana, armados com bombas nucleares. A empresa Matarrese spa, de Bari, que se adjudicou ao …
(2020-10-11). Several Observations About The Russian-Brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani Ceasefire. thealtworld.com It was a diplomatic coup for Russia to broker a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan since it restored Moscow's relevance to the conflict, but for as positive of a development as this was, it's uncertain whether it'll last and will thus serve as a litmus test of exactly how much influence the Eurasian Great Power still holds over its "sphere of influence" in the South Caucasus. | Russia's Diplomatic Coup In The South Caucasus | The world is celebrating the Russian-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani ceasefire which went into effect at noon on Saturday following over 10 hours of negotiations between Foreign Minister…
(2020-10-11). Heavy shelling and civilian casualties dash hopes for Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire. middleeasteye.net 
Heavy shelling and civilian casualties dash hopes for Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire | Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other on Sunday of violating a Russian-brokered ceasefire | Sun, 10/11/2020 – 23: 06 | Nagorno-Karaback, an ethnic Armenian enclave inside Azerbaijan is home to 15,000 people (AFP) | A Russian-brokered ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan failed to hold on Sunday, with…
(2020-10-11). As War Danger Mounts in the Arctic, Peace Hinges on a Revival of the Wallace Doctrine. strategic-culture.org 
According to the Department of Defense's dismally short sighted vision for the Arctic, U.S. strategic interests were best maintained not by cooperation with Arctic partners, by rather by belligerent sabre rattling under the guise of "competition" with nations who have continuously professed a desire to work with the west as allies. | In recent weeks, this belligerence has taken the form of a new forward posture of 150 advanced U.S. fighter jets to be housed at the Eielson Airforce Base in Alaska including a mix of F22 Raptors and F35 Lighting II jets only 600 miles away from the Russia border. Each fighter plane…
(2020-10-11). First reactor of Belarus' controversial Astravets nuclear power plant achieves criticality, Baltic states are outraged by project. rt.com 
The first of two Russian-built reactors at the new Belarusian nuclear power plant, at Astravets, is almost ready to go. Located near the border with Lithuania and Latvia, the Baltic states have fiercely opposed the project. | Along with Estonia, the pair have pledged to stop electricity trade with Minsk when the plant is finally operational. The Astravets nuclear power plant (known in Belarus as BelAes) is a joint project with Russia's state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom. On Sunday, the first chain reaction was launched at one of the VVER-1200 type reactors and sustained at the minimum controlled power le…
(2020-10-11). Iran's envoy reacts to IAEA chief's comments. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 11 (MNA) — Iran's Permanent Envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that considerable centrifugal and quality of nuclear materials have no place in the documents of IAEA.
(2020-10-11). S-300s, S-400s to Be Modified to Use Various Types of Missiles Simultaneously, Report Says. sputniknews.com Russia's air defence troops are equipped with at least 125 battalions of S-300s (about 1,500 launchers total) and 69 battalions of S-400s (552 launchers), with the latter expected to remain the most advanced road-mobile air defence system in Russia's arsenal until the arrival of the S-500 beginning next year.