(2021-10-06). Facebook Whistleblower to Congress: Regulate Big Tech. Silicon Valley Can't Be Trusted to Police Itself. democracynow.org 
Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen testified to Congress Tuesday, denouncing the company for prioritizing "astronomical profits" over the safety of billions of users, and urging lawmakers to enact strict oversight over Facebook. Haugen's testimony gave a rare glimpse into the secretive tech company, which she accused of harming children, sowing division by boosting hateful content, and undermining democracy. "Facebook wants you to believe that the problems we're talking about are unsolvable. They want you to believe in false choices," Haugen said at the hearing. Roger McNamee, a former mentor to Mark Zuckerber…
(2021-10-06). Last year Armenia, this year Iran: Turkey boosts military aircraft flights to Azerbaijan. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Turkish military planes actively flying to Azerbaijan in recent days Turkish military transport aircraft have been actively flying to Azerbaijan in the past few days, just like during the Second Karabakh War. The movement comes amid mounting tensions between Azerbaijan and Iran. "It seems that Turkey has finished delivering whatever they delivered to Azerbaijan today. …
(2021-10-06). The Iran-Azerbaijan Standoff Is a Contest for the Region's Transportation Corridors. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-06). Iran and Azerbaijan on the Brink of War but It Is Unlikely to Boil Over. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-06). Iran closes its airspace to Azerbaijani military, warns Russia to be wary of geopolitical changes in Caucasus. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Iran closes its airspace to Azerbaijan's military Iran has closed its airspace to Azerbaijan's air force, which supplies military equipment equipment to the Nakhijevan Autonomous Republic, Haqqin.az reported Tuesday, October 5. According to Azeri media publications, the country's defense department has already been notified of the change. "Baku regarded this decision as another betrayal against …
(2021-10-06). Now, an Azerbaijani-Iranian Conflict? antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Now, an Azerbaijani-Iranian Conflict? The feature is by David Davidian and is required reading on this most vital of all current politico-military developments. Excerpts from the article are provided below. The analysis is informed, timely and alarming. The Baku Declaration/Three Brothers military axis of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan (with Qatar as the unacknowledged step-brother Smerdyakov …
(2021-10-06). Video: Turkey- Azerbaijan United Front against Iran. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-06). Heads of NATO's Military Committee, new U.S. command discuss wars from seabed to space. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com "Transatlantic bond remains strong", says Chair of the NATO Military in follow-up meeting with Commander JFC Norfolk On 5th October 2021, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer welcomed Vice Admiral Daniel W. Dwyer to NATO HQ, in Brussels, Belgium. The two first met in Norfolk on the 23rd September 2021 in …
(2021-10-06). Forbes Reveals Why the US Government Is Trying to Extradite Venezuelan Diplomat Alex Saab. counterpunch.org Alex Saab is "the key that unlocks the Venezuelan monetary mystery—that is, how a country facing sanctions from the US, the UK and the European Union—is still able to export things like gold and oil…and really the only man who can actually explain how the country [Venezuela] survives today," according to Forbes. The US would
(2021-10-06). Stoltenberg: NATO must "prepare for a world of greater state-to-state rivalry" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Secretary General stresses the importance of Europe and North America standing together in NATO On Tuesday (5 October), speaking at an event hosted by Brookings Institution and Georgetown University in Washington D.C., NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: "The need for transatlantic unity is greater today than at any time since the end of the …
(2021-10-06). U.S. deploys nuclear-capable bombers to Europe to "integrate with NATO allies" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers arrive at RAF Fairford for Bomber Task Force Europe 22-1 B-1B Lancers, supporting equipment, and personnel from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Forces Base, Texas, arrived at RAF Fairford, England, today to execute the long-planned Bomber Task Force mission, a regularly scheduled U.S. European Command and U.S. Strategic …
(2021-10-06). France and the Fraying of NATO. counterpunch.org Biden has infuriated France by arranging the agreement to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. This replaces a contract to purchase a fleet of diesel-powered subs from France. Australia will have to pay penalties for breach of contract but the French capitalists will lose around 70 billion dollars. The perceived perfidy of both Canberra and Washington
(2021-10-06). Who's Running The Show? Kerry Tells French TV Biden 'Literally Not Aware' Of International Spat. southfront.org 
Illustrative Image | Originally published on President Joe Biden was 'literally not aware' of the spat between the United States and France which was ignited by the Biden administration's tri-lateral agreement with the UK and Australia over the exchange of submarine technology, according to Climate Envoy John Kerry. | The spat was so bad that French President Emmanuel Macron briefly recalled his ambassador to the US. | "[Biden] asked me. He said, 'What's the situation…
(2021-10-06). NATO chief takes part in German event assessing bloc's first land war, first war in Asia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com NATO Secretary General takes part in German event on the initial evaluation of efforts in Afghanistan Today (06 October 2021), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed virtually a high level event organized by Germany's Minister of Defence, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on the initial assessment of NATO's twenty years efforts in Afghanistan. **** "At the same time, …
(2021-10-06). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Breaking down COVID-19 vaccine booster approvals. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The path to approvals for a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has seemed complicated. "This is a confusing set of recommendations," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "So let's look at the four groups approved for only the Pfizer booster, thus far. If you got a primary series of the Pfizer vaccine, you're 65 and older, and it's been six months or more, you…
(2021-10-06). After Afghan pullout NATO moves yet closer to Russian border. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Security Council sees risk of NATO getting closer to Russian bordersAccording to Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council Yuri Kokov, threats of a geopolitical nature emerge due to the fact that Americans, in essence, are not abandoning their intentions in the region after leaving Afghanistan After leaving Afghanistan, the US does not abandon its …
(2021-10-06). Russia-Nigeria Relations. Cooperation in Oil Exploration and Military Affairs. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-06). Malign activities: NATO to slash Russian mission at its headquarters by half. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Why the Russian government continues to legitimize the world's only and history's largest military bloc (with over 70 members and partners in three continents) is a question that needs to be asked. NATO to halve size of Russian permanent mission to alliance — Sky News NATO has decided to reduce Russia's Permanent Mission to the …
(2021-10-06). More Than 1,100 Russian Military Instructors Present In CAR, No Mercenaries: Russian International Security Official. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | There are 1,135 military instructors from Russia in the Central African Republic, Alexander Ivanov, general director of the Officer's Union for International Security. | They are providing military training services in the CAR."The terms are determined by the contract, which is regularly updated. The government aims to expand cooperation," he said. | Additionally, Ivanov stressed that there are no Russians among the foreign mercenaries in the republic."If we talk abou…
(2021-10-06). The Trouble with Transitions. fpif.org 
It was supposed to be the greatest transition of modern times. | Practically overnight, a dirty, inefficient, and unjust system that encompassed 11 time zones was to undergo an extreme makeover. Billions of dollars were available to speed the process. A new crew of transition experts came up with the blueprint and the public was overwhelmingly on board. Best of all, this great leap forward would serve as a model for all countries desperate to exit a failed status quo. | That's not what happened. | When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and Russia emerged from its wreckage as the largest successor state, governme…
(2021-10-06). Military Situation In Syria On October 6, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On October 5, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 13 times: 5 — in Idlib province, 1 — in Latakia province, 1 — in Hama province, 6 — in Aleppo province | On October 5, an SDF member was killed by a mine explosion near the town of Shaddadi | On October 5, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Kansafra village | On October 5, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled SAA positio…
(2021-10-06). Syrian Army Pounds Greater Idlib, Senior Commander Says Ground Operation Is Near (Videos). southfront.org 
Illustrative image.Untewewitled.jpg | On October 6, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) pounded the al-Zawiya Mount in the southern part of the region of Greater Idlib. | Dozens of artillery rounds and rocket hit the towns of al-Fatterah, Sufuhon, Fleifel, and Benin in the mountainous area, which is known to be a stronghold of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of Greater Idlib, and the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation. | According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Russian drones…
(2021-10-06). U.S. Senators Demand Biden Expels 300 Russian Diplomats. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On October 5th, U.S. Democratic and Republican senators urged President Joe Biden to expel 300 Russian diplomats from the United States. | This should be a tit-for-tat response if Moscow does not issue more visas for Americans to represent Washington in Russia. | Under a decree that was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in 2021, Moscow was authorized to restrict or ban employment contracts of Russian citizens with "state bodies and state instituti…
(2021-10-05). Pandora Papers: Massive Leak Exposes How Elite Shield Their Wealth & Avoid Taxes in Colonial Legacy. democracynow.org 
The Pandora Papers, described as "the world's largest-ever journalistic collaboration," have revealed the secret financial dealings of the world's richest and most powerful people. "We've uncovered a system that benefits a few at the expense of the many," says Ben Hallman, senior editor at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, who details some of the project's main revelations so far. We also speak with Vanessa Ogle, professor of history at the University of California at Berkeley and an expert on tax havens, who says the growth of tax havens like the Bahamas and Switzerland is directly linke…
(2021-10-05). "Appalling and Unacceptable": Leak Shows Facebook Knew Its Algorithms Spread Hate & Harmed Children. democracynow.org 
An unprecedented leak at Facebook reveals top executives at the company knew about major issues with the platform from their own research but kept the damning information hidden from the public. The leak shows Facebook deliberately ignored rampant disinformation, hate speech and political unrest in order to boost ad sales and is also implicated in child safety and human trafficking violations. Former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen leaked thousands of documents and revealed her identity as the whistleblower during an interview with "60 Minutes." She is set to testify today before the Senate Commerce Subco…
(2021-10-05). Headlines for October 5, 2021. democracynow.org Hollywood Crew Workers Vote to Authorize Strike, Facebook Whistleblower Frances Haugen to Urge Congress to Take Action, Johnson & Johnson Seeks FDA OK for Booster Shot, New York Healthcare Provider Fires 1,400 for Refusing to Get Vaccinated, Biden Accuses GOP of Playing "Russian Roulette" with U.S. Economy, Activists Confront Sen. Sinema in Arizona Bathroom, State Department Lawyer Blasts Biden for "Inhumane" Expulsions of Haitians, California Declares State of Emergency After Offshore Oil Pipeline Spill, Biden Administration to Open Up 80 Millions of Acres for Drilling in Gulf of Mexico, Report: 14% of World's C…
(2021-10-05). Former Facebook Employee Haugen Testifies Before Congress. telesurenglish.net A disgruntled Facebook whistleblower who expressed concerns about numerous of the company's business operations testified before Congress on Tuesday, following a succession of damaging disclosures about the firm. | RELATED: | Frances Haugen, a former Facebook project manager who leaked a vast collection of internal information to the Wall Street Journal, told a Senate subcommittee that Facebook "put their astronomica…
(2021-10-05). Leak Shows Facebook Knew Its Algorithms Harmed Children and Spread Hate. truthout.org 
An unprecedented leak at Facebook reveals top executives at the company knew about major issues with the platform from their own research but kept the damning information hidden from the public. The leak shows Facebook deliberately ignored rampant disinformation, hate speech and political unrest in order to boost ad sales and is also implicated in child safety and human trafficking violations. Former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen leaked thousands of documents and revealed her identity as th…
(2021-10-05). By backing war against Nagorno-Karabakh Turkey is supplanting Russia in the Caucasus: analyst. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Erdogan nibbling away at Russia's hegemony in Caucasus Turkey's foray into the South Caucasus by supporting Azerbaijan militarily in a victory last year against Armenia in Nagorno Karabakh seems to be paying off as it nibbles away at Russia's hegemony in the region, analyst Emil Avdaliani said. **** Turkey has positioned itself as a "new …
(2021-10-05). Turkey, Israel, and Azerbaijan Create Tensions for Iran. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-05). War Games In South Caucasus: Turkey Sent Heavy Military Equipment To Azerbaijan (Photos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Several cargo aircraft of the Turkish Air Force were spotted flying to Azerbaijan. They are likely transporting heavy equipment to take part in the joint exercises that kick on October 5th. | At least four Turkish military cargo planes flew to Azerbaijan. | One Airbus A400M-180, one Lockheed C-130EM Hercules and two Lockheed C-130E Hercules aircraft took off from Turkish Isparta and Kayseri airports. The aircraft landed in Sumgayut, north of Baku, and latter left Azerbaijan. Click to see full-size image | Baku and Ankara are preparing for joint military exercises that will take plac…
(2021-10-05). Turkey intensifies saber-rattling over its military outpost in Cyprus. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Ankara to keep defending Turkey's, Turkish Cypriots' rights in east Med: FM "We defend our rights and the rights of the Turkish Cypriots all the way. We'll also do what's necessary when there's action that will harm these rights," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlàºt àáavu≈üoƒülu said at joint press conference with his Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau …
(2021-10-05). Turkey's Erdogan hails decline of the West, breathes fire over Cyprus, Greece, Syria, Kurds. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Turkey will not accept fabricated maps in east Med: Erdogan "We are not hesitating to protect our interests….Aren't we going to protect our rights in the eastern Mediterranean? Are we going to accept fabricated maps?" [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan said in an interview with the magazine Kriter on Oct 5. Erdogan referred to a …
(2021-10-05). Two Thirds Of Online Posts From Fossil Fuel Companies 'Greenwashing'. popularresistance.org One expert called it a "systematic deceptive marketing campaign designed to interfere with the solution that is necessary to respond to the climate emergency: stopping fossil fuel production." | Nearly two thirds of social media posts put out by six major European fossil fuel and energy companies since the end of 2019 present a "green" image of the company, despite the majority of their business activity remaining in fossil fuels, reveals new analysis by DeSmog. | The findings add to campaigner concerns that fossil fuel companies are promoting a misleading image of their business models as the need to decarbonize…
(2021-10-05). Report: Neary 700 European Firms Fund, Support Israeli Settlements. orinocotribune.com Nearly 700 European institutions have financial ties with the companies that are involved in expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a new civil society report says. | The revelation was made in a The 'Don't Buy into Occupation' (DBIO) coalition found that between January 2018 and May 2021, 672 European financial institutions, including banks, asset managers, insurance companies, and pension funds, h…
(2021-10-05). Forbes Reveals Why The US Government Is Trying To Extradite Alex Saab. popularresistance.org Alex Saab is "the key that unlocks the Venezuelan monetary mystery—that is, how a country facing sanctions from the US, the UK and the European Union—is still able to export things like gold and oil…and really the only man who can actually explain how the country [Venezuela] survives today," according to Forbes. | The US would far prefer to just quietly extradite Saab to Miami, use whatever means necessary to extract sensitive information from him, and then warehouse him in the world's largest prison system. Forbes uses the euphemism "under pressure" by US prison authorities as the means to force Sa…
(2021-10-05). War drums rumbling: Polish DM calls for NATO-EU action to fend off Russian threats, "protect Europe's energy supply chains" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Russia undermining European security, Polish defence minister tells conference The Polish defence minister [Mariusz B≈Çaszczak] on Tuesday accused Russia of undermining security in Europe, saying the continent's security landscape has visibly deteriorated because of Moscow's policies. B≈Çaszczak told the conference that, while organisations such as NATO and the EU played a crucial role, each member …
(2021-10-05). 'Worst Injustice in Norway': Lawyer Seeks to Revert 400-Year-Old Witch Trials. sputniknews.com In witch trials that took place across Europe between 1450 and 1750, about 100,000 people, mostly women, stood accused of witchcraft. About 45,000 were executed; they were usually burned at the stake.
(2021-10-05). NATO announces Finnish-Swedish air combat exercise. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com From the NATO Allied Air Command webpage. Finland to Launch Week-Long Air Training Drills During exercise Ruska 21 taking place across Finland from October 4 to 9, 2021, the [NATO Enhanced] Partner country's air force will train together with the Swedish Air Force aiming at sustaining and developing Finland's air defence. In addition to the …
(2021-10-05). French Trade Unions Protest To Defend Employment. telesurenglish.net On Tuesday, the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), labor force, Solidarity, and the Unitary Trade Union Federation (FSU) mobilized throughout France to reject President Emmanuel Macron's labor reform that came into force last week. | RELATED: | Trade union organizations are also demanding wage increases and an end to layoffs. This National Strike will include some 200 demonstrations in major cities, starting at 2: 00…
(2021-10-05). Thousands join national strike in France amid attacks on labor rights. peoplesdispatch.org Major trade unions in France want to push workers' demands to the mainstream prior to kick start of the political campaigns for the 2022 French presidential elections…
(2021-10-05). Algeria: Fury at France grows unabated over visas, Macron row. middleeasteye.net 
Algeria: Fury at France grows unabated over visas, Macron row | France's restrictions on visas granted to Algerian citizens and comments made by Macron have angered Algiers – with repercussions already in motion | Tue, 10/05/2021 – 16: 52 | Algeria has banned French military planes from its airspace to join or leave the Sahelo-Saharan strip, where troops are deployed as part of Operation Barkhane (AFP…
(2021-10-05). German Politics: Confused, but Self-Righteous. strategic-culture.org 
Diana Johnstone assesses the recent German election, the decline of the traditional left, and its implications for relations with the U.S. and Russia. | By Diana JOHNSTONE | There was no clear winner in Germany's Sept. 26 elections. No party has a strong majority, no strong leader is in sight. Weak national leadership has become the model for liberal Western democracy. And weak leadership is unlikely to resist powerful established interests. | To put it more clearly, the forthcoming German government, to be formed by a coalition of parties, is not very likely to rebel against the influence of the pro-U.S. Atlanti…
(2021-10-05). More than 7 million people in Germany in precarious employment. wsws.org Around 7 million people in Germany work in so-called "atypical" or precarious jobs.
(2021-10-05). Ukraine Continues Seeking NATO Accession When Traditional Members Are Looking Away. southfront.org 
Illustrative ImageKiev remains naàØve to transformations in global security structures. | Written by Paul Antonopoulos, independent geopolitical analyst | Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said during a meeting with the leaders of Moldova, Romania and Poland some weeks back that NATO needs to expand its presence in the Black Sea as it is the only way to oppose "Russian forces in the region." At the end of August, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea GeoanƒÉ said that by controlling the area, the West would be able to influence the Middle East and the Mediterranean. However, the ultimate goa…
(2021-10-05). Romanian Gov't Collapses in Censure Motion. telesurenglish.net Romania's coalition government led by Prime Minister Florin Citu collapsed on Tuesday after it lost a no-confidence vote initiated by the main opposition Social Democratic Party (PSD) and supported by all opposition parties in Parliament. | The motion was passed by 281 votes, much more than the required minimum of 234 or 50 percent plus one in the 467-seat bicameral Parliament. | RELATED: | Citu's cabinet was toppled ten days after he wa…
(2021-10-05). Iran: Foreign Minister Arrives in Moscow for Talks on Region. telesurenglish.net Amir-Abdollahian leads the delegation in his visit to the Russian capital, taking place [er the invitation of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. | The top diplomats will discuss counter-terrorism efforts and illegal drug trafficking as well as international contributions to the rebuilding of Afghanistan during their meeting scheduled for Wednesday. | RELATED: | Iran's Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali said at a ceremony to welcome Amir-Abdollahian that this is the f…
(2021-10-05). Russian Communist leader warns Putin that police 'brutality' & controversial online voting are 'bomb' waiting to 'blow up' society. rt.com 
The leader of Russia's Communists has written an open letter to President Vladimir Putin bemoaning the arrests of his comrades and what he sees as the "unjustified brutality" of the police, warning that trouble may lie ahead. | In the missive, published on the party's official website, Gennady Zyuganov complained about the detentions of Communists following protests on September 20 and 25. He described the arrests as "groundless" and "unlawful." | Last month, the party organized two demonstrations against the results of September's parliamentary election, which, for the first time, was held over multiple days.
(2021-10-05). Climate-Change Transition in the Age of the Billionaire. tomdispatch.com It was supposed to be the greatest transition of modern times. Practically overnight, a dirty, inefficient, and unjust system that encompassed 11 time zones was to undergo an extreme makeover. Billions of dollars were available to speed the process. A new crew of transition experts came up with the blueprint and the public was overwhelmingly on board. Best of all, this great leap forward would serve as a model for all countries desperate to exit a failed status quo. That's not what happened. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and Russia emerged from its wreckage as the largest successor state, government off…
(2021-10-05). Kalashnikov Finalizes Testing Of Chukavin Sniper Rifle, Dragunov's Replacement. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | In Russia, the state tests of the Chukavin sniper rifle, which will replace the Dragunov sniper rifle in the troops, have been completed, the results are being documented, the Kalashnikov group of companies said."The state tests of the Chukavin sniper rifle, which will replace the Dragunov sniper rifle in the troops, have been completed with a positive result. At present, the results of the tests are being documented, after which a decision is expected to adopt a new rifle complex into s…