2021-09-24: News Headlines

John Rachel (2021-09-24). The Never Ending Cycle of Nuclear Insanity. dissidentvoice.org Amidst all of the sensible and sane cries to eliminate nuclear weapons, we are caught in a self-sustaining, self-reinforcing feedback loop. Call it the Death Spiral of Human Annihilation. Yes, the U.S. throughout its history, despite official denials even among historians who should know better — maybe they do but prefer being manufacturers of myth …

Linda Gunter (2021-09-24). The Record-Breaking Failures of Nuclear Power. counterpunch.org The Tennessee Valley Authority could likely rightfully claim a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, but it's not an achievement for which the federally-owned electric utility corporation would welcome notoriety. After taking a whopping 42 years to build and finally bring on line its Watts Bar Unit 2 nuclear power reactor in Tennessee, TVA just broke its own record for longest nuclear plant construction time. However, this time, the company failed to deliver a completed nuclear plant.

Vijay Prashad (2021-09-24). Clear away the hype: the U.S. and Australia signed a nuclear arms deal, simple as that. mronline.org The AUKUS despite being coined a security partnership, is a nuclear arms deal aimed at increasing pressure against China and should be cause for concern.

John Laforge (2021-09-24). A Little Radiation Is Not Good For You. counterpunch.org In a rare pushback against the radioactive pollution industry, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission — well known as a rubber stamp for the nuclear lobby — has flatly rejected an attempt to further weaken the agency's radiation exposure regulations. After six years of deliberation, the NRC's three commissioners, two Democrats and one Republican, voted unanimously to reject formal petitions submitted in

Alex Bainbridge (2021-09-24). Socialist councillor casts sole vote against AUKUS on Cairns Council. greenleft.org.au Alex Bainbridge reports that Socialist Alliance councillor Rob Pyne was the sole voice of opposition against Morrison's nuclear submarine proposal on the Cairns Council.

Philip Giraldi (2021-09-24). Putin the Poisoner? More Doubts over Attempts to Delegitimize Russia's Leader. globalresearch.ca

Rick Rozoff (2021-09-24). Erdogan: NATO's two powerhouses must fight war together, Putin must ditch Assad. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com As a mandatory act of solidarity with his strategic partner. As 2 NATO countries, Turkey, US should be in very different position: Turkish president As two NATO countries, Turkey and the US should be in a very different position, the Turkish president said Friday. Speaking to reporters in Istanbul after the Friday prayer, Recep Tayyip …

Rick Rozoff (2021-09-24). Aliyev: Azerbaijan planned "frozen conflict" war well in advance. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Interview of President Ilham Aliyev to the authoritative Russian magazine "National Defense" Although in a state of frozen conflict, the plan to conduct combat operations for all aspects of life in a war-torn country, of course, has long been developed. Of course, taking into account the new realities, new opportunities of Azerbaijan, including technological opportunities, …

Conn Hallinan (2021-09-24). Looking Back: 50 Years of Foreign Policy. counterpunch.org For over 50 years I have been writing about foreign policy, mostly America's, but those of other nations as well. I think I have a pretty good grasp of countries like Turkey, China, India, Russia and the European Union. I regret that I am less than sure-footed in Africa and Latin America. During this time

Staff (2021-09-24). UN human rights chief slams Ukraine over extrajudicial media crackdown after popular outlet taken offline over undisclosed charges. rt.com The United Nations' human rights mission in Ukraine has voiced serious concerns over a decision by top security officials in Kiev to unilaterally restrict access to a number of media outlets deemed critical of the government. | Speaking to journalists at a briefing on Thursday, the head of the team monitoring civil liberties in the Eastern European nation, Matilda Bogner, said that the move to shutter a series of broadcasters and block access to popular news site Strana, as well as a number of Russian publications, is a cause for concern. | Earlier this year, "the National Council for Security and Defense deci…

Anonymous007 (2021-09-24). U.S. Congress Votes More Sanctions On Nord Stream 2, Russian Officials Including Prime Minister. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | The House of Representatives of the US Congress has adopted a defense budget providing for tougher sanctions against Moscow. | 316 people voted in favor, and 113 against. | In particular, the document includes amendments on expanding restrictions on Russia's sovereign debt, on the possibility of introducing personal sanctions against a whole list of officials, as well as on new measures against Nord Stream 2. | The defense budget of about $780 billion has yet to pass Senate consideration an…

Anonymous007 (2021-09-24). Zelensky Could "Escape To Russia" Following Oligarch Law Adoption: Ukrainian MP. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | The adoption of the law "On Oligarchs" could lead to the flight of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Russia, Oleksiy Honcharenko, a deputy of the Verkhovna Rada from the European Solidarity party (Petro Poroshenko's faction) claimed. | The politician believes that the bill turns Ukraine "into a monarchy under the leadership of Vladimir the First.""This is a lot of corruption. The NSDC, and in fact — Zelensky himself — will decide who is bad and who is good. And it will s…

Koohan Paik-Mander (2021-09-23). Meet the Biden Advisor Who Wants a Cold War with China. counterpunch.org As a longtime Hawaii resident, I have always wondered how the former President of the United States, Grover Cleveland, was so ineffective when it came to foreign policy matters. His efforts to right the wrong of the unauthorized armed invasion and imprisonment of the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Queen Lili ªuokalani, in 1893

Staff (2021-09-23). Are the Motives of War Profiteers Driving Us to the Brink of a New Cold War? truthout.org "The United States will compete, and will compete vigorously, and lead with our values and our strength," President Biden

Rick Rozoff (2021-09-23). Biden: new era of diplomacy, no new Cold War…except when it comes to Russia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Biden to the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, 2021: "And as we close this period of relentless war, we're opening a new era of relentless diplomacy….[W]e are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocs." Though he coupled those vaporous bromides with: "We have reaffirmed our sacred NATO …

ecns.cn (2021-09-23). China expresses grave concern over U.S.-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation. ecns.cn China on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the cooperation between the United States, the UK and Australia on nuclear submarines, stating that it deliberately escalates regional tensions.

Anonymous103 (2021-09-23). Lithuania More Isolated Than Ever After Latvia And Estonia Refuse To Cut Energy From Belarus. southfront.org Illustrative ImageBaltic unity is cracking over Belarussian energy dispute | Written by Paul Antonopoulos, independent geopolitical analyst | Lithuania is unilaterally reducing the capacity of electricity networks at its border with Belarus. Using this dubious method, the country's authorities are trying to block the "unsafe" Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) from providing energy. However, attempting to achieve this will not only be difficult, but Lithuanian decisionmakers in the capital of Vilnius risk engaging in a prolonged spat with Latvia and Estonia who rely on this energy source."Latvia will no long…

MEE correspondent (2021-09-23). Iranian press review: Where is Hassan Rouhani? middleeasteye.net Iranian press review: Where is Hassan Rouhani? | Meanwhile, Iranian officials are cautious of Israel's U-turn over nuclear deal, and more couples divorce to receive government's financial aid | Thu, 09/23/2021 – 12: 30 | A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency on 14 July 2021 shows Iran's President Hassan Rouhani attending a cabinet meeting in the capital Tehran (AFP) |

Anonymous103 (2021-09-23). Nuclear Tensions Between Australia And North Korea Are Among AUKUS Side Effects. southfront.org A missile is launched during a long and medium-range ballistic rocket launch drill in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency in Pyongyang on August 30, 2017. | Agreement paves the way for nuclear proliferation in Asia-Pacific | Written by Lucas Leiroz, research fellow in international law at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. | Apparently, the creation of the AUKUS group is the new big topic of debate on the geopolitical scenario. While the main focus is on China, which is undoubtedly the main target of the American initiative, the North Korean issue cannot be neglected. North Kor…

Lawrence Wittner (2021-09-23). The Fate of Cassandra: Dire Predictions Go Unheeded. counterpunch.org In ancient Greek mythology, Cassandra was a priestess who was able to predict the future but unable to convince others to act upon her prophecies. The fate of Cassandra seems particularly relevant today, for there has been ample warning about three developments that threaten continued human existence—preparations for nuclear war, climate change, and disease pandemics—without,

_____ (2021-09-23). Veterans To President Biden: Just Say No To Nuclear War! popularresistance.org To mark the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, September 26, Veterans For Peace is publishing an Open Letter to President Biden: Just Say NO to Nuclear War! The letter calls on President Biden to step back from the brink of nuclear war by declaring and implementing a policy of No First Use and by taking nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert. | VFP also urges President Biden to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and to provide global leadership for the total elimination of nuclear weapons. | The full letter will be published on the VFP website and offered to mainstr…

Manlio Dinucci (2021-09-23). Joe Biden, el aprendiz de brujo nuclear. globalizacion.ca El discurso que anunció la creacion de la nueva alianza bélica AUKUS está plagado de ‚Äémentiras. Los submarinos que Estados Unidos venderá a Australia están concebidos ‚Äépara portar armas nucleares. Al negar ese hecho, Australia trata de ocultar que AUKUS…

Vijay Prashad (2021-09-23). US and Australia signed a nuclear arms deal, simple as that. asiatimes.com On September 15, the heads of government of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States announced the formation of AUKUS, "a new enhanced trilateral security partnership" among these three countries. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined US President Joe Biden to "preserve security and stability in the Indo-Pacific," …

Anonymous007 (2021-09-23). France Could "Cozy Up" With Russia Following Nuclear Submarine Debacle: National Interest. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | France could forge closer bonds with Russia in many fields, according to MSM outlet The National Interest is a premier outlet for all sorts of ridiculous and biased stories based, and this one is of little surprise. | France may move towards rapprochement with Russia after the creation of a new defense partnership AUKUS and the termination of a major contract for…

MEE staff (2021-09-23). Iran says UK must repay $550m debt and lift sanctions: Report. middleeasteye.net Iran says UK must repay $550m debt and lift sanctions: Report | In meeting between the countries' foreign ministers, the UK acknowledged the payment but said sanctions make it impossible to pay, according to The Guardian | Thu, 09/23/2021 – 19: 59 | UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss spoke at the UN with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, pressing him to urge Tehran to return to nuclear talks (AFP/File photo)…

Staff (2021-09-23). United States of War: How AUKUS Nuclear Submarine Deal Could Inflame Tension, Provoke War with China. democracynow.org Criticism is growing of AUKUS, a new trilateral military partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States that the countries say is needed to counter China's growing power in the Indo-Pacific region. As part of the agreement, the U.S. has agreed to help Australia build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, replacing a previous deal Australia had with France. China has denounced the deal, saying the countries are "severely damaging regional peace and stability, intensifying an arms race, and damaging international nuclear non-proliferation efforts." Anthropologist David Vine, who tracks U.S…

sputniknews (2021-09-23). US Sanctions Suffocating Syrian People, International Community Must Act, Foreign Minister Says. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Syrian President Bashar Assad earlier said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that sanctions against the Syrian people are anti-human, anti-state, and illegitimate.

Rick Rozoff (2021-09-23). Erdogan to deliver diktat to Putin over Syria. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com From Turkey's Daily Sabah. Expectations and choices for Erdogan, Putin at Sochi Summit Although all world capitals, especially Ankara, seem to be focused on the issue of Afghanistan, the lack of a political solution in Syria…will be the most critical issue on the table in Sochi. Erdogan will…convey to Putin how important Turkey's military presence …

Pepe Escobar (2021-09-23). Eurasia Takes Shape: How the SCO Just Flipped the World Order. orinocotribune.com By Pepe Escobar — Sep 22, 2021 | As a rudderless West watched on, the 20th anniversary meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was laser-focused on two key deliverables: shaping up Afghanistan and kicking off a full-spectrum Eurasian integration. | The two defining moments of the historic 20th anniversary Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan had to come from the keynote speeches of — who else — the leaders of the Russia-China strategic partnership. | Xi Jinping: "Today we will launch procedures to admit Iran as a full member of the SCO." | Vladimir Putin…

Rick Rozoff (2021-09-23). Turkey deploys thousands more troops to Syria ahead of talks with Russia, Iran. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Putin and Peskov would never hold a minor peccadillo like that against their strategic ally. Turkish military sends more troops to NW Syria ahead of meeting Turkey's military has dispatched thousands of additional troops to opposition-held northwestern Syria ahead of a critical meeting with Russian and Iranian leaders next week, a report said Thursday. …Turkey, …

Staff (2021-09-23). The Boston Group Supports Mexico Talks. orinocotribune.com This Wednesday, September 22, the Boston Group, a group originally made up of Venezuelan and US parliamentarians, made public its support for the negotiation process taking place in Mexico City between the Venezuelan government and the opposition represented in the Unitary Platform, with the facilitation of Norway, and accompanied by the Netherlands and Russia. | In a statement, the group recognized the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and expressed its support for the talks being held in Mexico City. | In this regard, it welcomed the efforts of the governments of Mexico, Norway, Russia, and th…

_____ (2021-09-23). Lessons From 50 Years Covering Foreign Policy. popularresistance.org For over 50 years I have been writing about foreign policy — mostly America's, but those of other nations as well. I think I have a pretty good grasp of places like Turkey, China, India, Russia, and the European Union. I regret that I am less than sure-footed in Africa and Latin America. | During this time I have also learned a fair amount about military matters and various weapons systems, because they cost enormous amounts of money that could be put to much better use than killing and maiming people. But also because it's hard to resist the absurd: the high performance US F-35 fighter jet — at $1.7…

Anonymous765 (2021-09-23). U.S.-Led Coalition Denies Responsibility For Strikes On Syria, Unlike Russia. southfront.org | DEAR FRIENDS. IF YOU LIKE THIS TYPE OF CONTENT, SUPPORT SOUTHFRONT WORK : | BITCOIN: bc1qv7k70u2zynvem59u88ctdlaw7hc735d8xep9rq : | BITCOIN CASH: qzjv8hrd…

Rick Rozoff (2021-09-23). UN: Zelensky appeals to NATO chief for release of Ukrainians held in "occupied territories" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Ukrainian president, NATO secretary general meet in New York Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to facilitate the release of Ukrainians illegally held in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia. **** "Volodymyr Zelensky asked Jens Stoltenberg to facilitate the release of almost 450 Ukrainians who are illegally in …

Rick Rozoff (2021-09-23). Ukrainian press boasts of 54% support for continued "war with Russia" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Survey: 54% of Ukrainians oppose compromises with CADLR, 43% believe in return of Crimea Almost 81% of Ukrainians consider that the armed conflict with Russia is ongoing in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and 54% are convinced that Ukraine must not make any compromises to stop the conflict. According to the survey, 80.7% of respondents answered …

Peoples Dispatch (2021-09-23). Calls for end of US military intervention in Syria grow louder. peoplesdispatch.org Iran, Iraq and Russia have raised the issue at the ongoing UN General Assembly session, while some representatives in the US Congress have proposed an amendment in the annual defense spending bill. If passed, it will stop all funding for US military operations in Syria…

Anonymous669 (2021-09-23). Russian Warplanes Continue To Hammer Greater Idlib As Tensions Rise With Turkey (Video, Photos). southfront.org FILE PHOTO: Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft before departing for its permanent base in Russia from Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. © Vadim Grishankin / Sputnik | Russian warplanes continue to hammer the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib where Turkey maintains a large force. | Late on September 22, four Russian airstrikes hit the outskirts of the town of Benin in the southern countryside of Idlib. The airstrikes targeted frontline positions of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of Greate…

Anonymous007 (2021-09-23). Military Situation In Syria On September 23, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On September 23, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 26 times: 11 — in Idlib province, 11 — in Latakia province, 1 — in Hama province, 3 — in Aleppo province | On September 23, a car bomb explosion was reported in the city of Afrin | On September 23, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Tadel area | On September 22, an Israeli drone reportedly was shot down by SAA air defens…

Rick Rozoff (2021-09-23). NATO chief, Russian FM meet behind closed doors. Russia declines non-existent offer. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Lamb: Forget about it. I'm joining the wolf pack. (Except through the process of ingestion and digestion.) Russia not to join NATO, Sergey Lavrov says during meeting with Jens Stoltenberg Russian Foreign Minister Sergey began his participation in the UN General Assembly session with a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. During the protocol …

Rick Rozoff (2021-09-23). Transdniester caught in pincer between Romania and Ukraine with Russian troops stuck in the middle. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Try to imagine a small fish, Transdniester, swallowed by a large fish, Moldova, which in turn is swallowed by a larger fish Romania, resting in the belly of a whale, NATO. Transnistria leader speaks in favor of maintaining Russian peacekeeping mission The leader of the unrecognized republic of Transnistria, Vadim Krasnoselsky, believes the peacekeeping mission …

Anonymous669 (2021-09-23). More Towns Join Reconciliation Process In Western Daraa (Photos). southfront.org Syrian soldiers in Tel Rifaat city, Illustrative image | More towns in the western countryside of Daraa in southern Syria have reportedly joined the Russian-sponsored reconciliation process. | On September 23, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) entered the town of Dael under a reconciliation agreement that was accepted by the town's local leaders. As usual, a unit of the Russian Military Police accompanied the SAA. | Dozens of gunmen in Dael have already handed over their weapons and joined the reconciliation process as…

Rick Rozoff (2021-09-23). Baltic: multinational NATO warplane drills send message to Russia, Kaliningrad, Belarus. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Ramstein Alloy 21-3 Trains Allies and Partners for Missions Above the Baltic Sea On September 21 and 22, the third Ramstein Alloy exercise this year saw Allied and Partner air forces come together to conduct live-fly training in the Baltic States and…airspace over the Baltic Sea. This iteration of the Ramstein Alloy exercise series was …

Anonymous007 (2021-09-23). Russian PMC Wagner Refused To Support Notorious African Dictator. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | Equatorial Guinea's authorities have apparently believed all the rumors and reports about Russian mercenaries active in various locations around Africa and has decided it needed some PMCs for itself. | Reportedly, the country's Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mange made a secret visit to Moscow. There, the VP, who is also the President's son, tried to conclude agreements for PMCs' help in ensuring security in the country. It turned out that cooperation would imply the p…

jz 2021-09-25 00:27 | 20:27 EST | 43 | 0 | 33 | 12 | 0