US-Iran: 5 Points of Concord Over 40 Years of Confrontation
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-08-29
The U.S. and Iran are locked in a tough confrontation for forty years. They do not have direct diplomatic relations and are engaged in a major ideological war, playing an important role on the geopolitical map of the world at the same time. Nonetheless, although Tehran and Washington have turned into two hostile camps over …
uwidata.com/5142-us-iran-5-points-of-concord-over-40-years-of-confrontation/

The Israeli Elections Are Not About Palestine or Peace
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-08-29
Shir Hever discusses how the upcoming Israeli elections demonstrate the secular/religious divide on major issues like gender segregation, separation of church and state, public transportation during the Shabbath, and the conscription of women and ultra-Orthodox to the military…
therealnews.com/stories/the-israeli-elections-are-not-about-palestine-or-peace

During Global Month of Action For Yemen, SF Protesters Make Demands of Pelosi
End the Genocide in Yemen | indybay.org | 2019-08-29
As separatists and government-backed forces battle for control of the Yemeni capital, innocent civilians suffer. Yemeni-Americans and allies gathered in front of San Francisco's federal building on August 16 with a message for Nancy Pelosi. | PHOTOS: Please credit the photographer as noted | Cornelia Grimes, Pro Bono Photo.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/08/29/18825802.php

Vicious Attack Against Pro-Democracy Protest Organizer in Hong Kong
commondreams.org | 2019-08-29
______________________________…
commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/29/vicious-attack-against-pro-democracy-protest-organizer-hong-kong?cd-origin=rss

Lying for Israel: Why Nearly Everyone in Washington Does It
Philip Giraldi | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-29
It is not often that one hears anything like the truth in today's Washington, a city where the art of dissimulation has reached new heights among both Democrats and Republicans. Everyone who has not been asleep like Rip Van Winkle …
globalresearch.ca/lying-israel-nearly-everyone-washington-does-it/5687524

Timor-Leste (East Timor): From Genocide to Democracy
Pamela Sexton | indybay.org | 2019-08-29
Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/08/26/18825734.php

Will Hezbollah Respond to Israel? When? And at What Cost?
Elijah J. Magnier | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-29
The "Axis of the Resistance" has been informed about Hezbollah's intention to respond to Israel imminently, confirmed sources within the decision-making leadership. The main offices of militant leadership and all gathering of forces have been abandoned or forbidden, and a | …
globalresearch.ca/hezbollah-will-respond-israel/5687523

"Israel" Will Never Let Iran Build a Pipeline to Syria Unless Russia Is Involved
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-29
It's impossible to imagine any realistic scenario where "Israel" would sit back and let its number one enemy strengthen its influence in the region unless Russia was involved as a stakeholder for keeping Iran in check. | *** | Iran is reportedly…
globalresearch.ca/israel-will-never-let-iran-build-a-pipeline-to-syria-unless-russia-is-involved/5687544

"We are waiting for war"
Andre Vltchek | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-08-29
Israel is right here behind this wall After the recent Israeli attacks against Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, the Middle East has found itself in the midst of undeclared war. Almost everyone in Lebanon appears to agree. "This time Israel went too far. In just two days, it bombed three countries," I am told by a …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/08/we-are-waiting-for-war/

'We Are Waiting for War': Lebanese Say Israel Has Gone Too Far
Andre Vltchek | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-29
After the recent Israeli attacks against Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, the Middle East has found itself in the midst of an undeclared war. | Almost everyone in Lebanon appears to agree. "This time Israel went too far. In just two days, …
globalresearch.ca/war-lebanese-say-israel-has-gone-too-far/5687498

Israeli Attacks on Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. Netanyahu's Election Strategy
Steven Sahiounie | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-29
Benyamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of "Israel", the occupier of Palestine, may lose the election on September 17th. He is the longest-serving prime minister in the history of the occupation; however, he is facing possible defeat even though …
globalresearch.ca/israeli-attacks-on-lebanon-syria-and-iraq-netanyahus-election-strategy/5687553

The Saudi Axis and Israel's Drone War on the Shiite Crescent
Juan Cole | commondreams.org | 2019-08-29
Netanyahu leads the most militarily powerful state in the Middle East, but is dedicated to further settler colonialism in the Palestinian West Bank, and needs the bogey man of Iran to wag the dog of international diplomacy in favor of Israel. (Photo: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/netanyahu_west_bank.jpeg …
commondreams.org/views/2019/08/29/saudi-axis-and-israels-drone-war-shiite-crescent?cd-origin=rss

A safe zone in Syria: a renewed military crisis or a diplomatic solution?
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-08-29
The establishment of safe zones in war-torn countries is supposed to entail a reduction in violence. However, in the present situation in Syria, US involvement in the establishment of a safe zone will lead to the direct military entrenchment of Washington, Turkey, Russia, and Syria, and will only cause the situation to deteriorate further. WHY …
uwidata.com/5160-a-safe-zone-in-syria-a-renewed-military-crisis-or-a-diplomatic-solution/

Syrian Army Liberates Entire Hama Governorate and Idlib's Khan Sheikhoun
Sarah Abed | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-29
Last week the town of Khan Sheikhoun was finally liberated by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), led by the Tiger Forces and Republican Guard. Earlier this month a truce was entered into force in Idlib. It was understood that if …
globalresearch.ca/syrian-army-liberates-hama-governorate-idlib-khan-sheikhoun/5687548

Millions in Idlib 'counting on your support to make the violence stop', UN relief chief tells Security Council
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-29
Despite an agreement signed nearly a year ago on a halt to further escalation in Syria's war-battered Idlib, "the bombing and fighting go on in plain sight, day in and day out", the UN humanitarian chief told the Security Council on Thursday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1045251

Senate Democrats' Campaign Arm Is Pressuring Consultants Not to Work With Leading Progressive Candidate in Colorado
Aída Chávez | theintercept.com | 2019-08-29
Andrew Romanoff said the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee pressured a number of firms not to work with his Senate campaign.
theintercept.com/2019/08/29/dscc-colorado-senate-democrats/

Yemeni Gov't Forces Advance Toward Aden
Xinhua | telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-29
Heavy forces of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces advanced toward Yemen's southern port city of Aden on Wednesday, sparking street battles in the city's eastern part. | RELATED: | US Seeks Direct Negotiations with Yemen's Houthis | Local residents told Xinhua that intense street battles were sparked in the neighborhoods located near the main entrances of Aden as government forces attempted to storm the city. | They said that military units of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) w…
telesurenglish.net/news/Yemeni-Govt-Forces-Advance-Toward-Aden-20190829-0011.html

Sri Lankan president "lifts" emergency but armed forces mobilised to "maintain security"
wsws.org | 2019-08-29
When emergency rule was imposed after the April terrorist bombings, the SEP warned that the real target of the government's measures was not terrorists, but the working class.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/08/29/sril-a29.html

Cambodia Is Showing How Small Countries Could Stand Up to the US
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-29
Cambodia, unlike its similarly sized and in many cases much larger peers in the international community, is relentless in is criticism of the US' blatant intervention in its domestic political affairs, showing how small countries could stand up to the …
globalresearch.ca/cambodia-showing-how-small-countries-could-stand-up-us/5687531

Indonesia's Journalists Grapple With Islamism
Andreas Harsono | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-29
In early January 2016, journalists in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta chatted about a doctor who had left her husband, moving to Kalimantan Island and joining a back-to-the-land movement called Gafatar. Journalists working for various Indonesian media outlets reported that her husband had filed a "missing person" report with the Yogyakarta police, saying she'd been…
counterpunch.org/2019/08/29/indonesias-journalists-grapple-with-islamism/

Trump, China and the stock markets
Deirdre Griswold | workers.org | 2019-08-29
The longer that U.S. stock markets continue to rise, the more nervous become the investors and all the financial analysts. On Friday, Aug. 23, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by over 600 points after proclamations by Donald Trump that his trade war with China would intensify, putting higher tariffs . . . | Continue reading Trump, China and the stock markets at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/08/29/trump-china-and-the-stock-markets/

New Zealand economic forecast: "Things could turn ugly"
wsws.org | 2019-08-29
The US-China trade war, slowing growth in New Zealand's export markets, and dampened business investment are key issues facing the local economy as the global recession looms.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/08/29/nzec-a29.html

Australia acts to retain sway over former colony Papua New Guinea
wsws.org | 2019-08-29
PNG is on the frontline of the great power competition with China.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/08/29/apng-a29.html

US Travel Industry Feels Chill as Chinese Tourists Stay Away
Xinhua | telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-29
For tourists going to Washington, the historic White House is a centerpiece attraction. But the rhetoric coming out of the building is turning Chinese visitors away. | RELATED: | China Boycotts Saudi Shrimp, Will Buy From Iran Instead | Statistics confirmed that fear on Tuesday: the number of Chinese tourists to the U.S. capital city has seen a precipitous fall. | According to a report by Destination DC, a local tourism promotion organization, about 226,000 Chinese tourists descended…
telesurenglish.net/news/US-Travel-Industry-Feels-Chill-as-Chinese-Tourists-Stay-Away-20190829-0008.html

Trump reviews Ukraine aid to ensure it's being used in US' interests — report
rt.com | 2019-08-29
US President Donald Trump is reviewing military aid to Ukraine to ensure American interests are being "prioritized," according to a senior administration official, putting the funding on hold and enraging Russiagate truthers. | Around $250 million in funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, earmarked for weapons, training, equipment and intelligence support, has been frozen while administration officials review whether the money is being used "in the best interest of the United States," the official told Politico on Wednesday. Trump reportedly wants to ensure that other nations are "paying their…
rt.com/usa/467512-trump-freezes-ukraine-aid-review/

In the "New Arms Race", Washington Can't Get Its Story Straight
Padraig McGrath | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-29
As of August 18th, when the United States test-fired a cruise-missile from San Nicolas Island, California, it would not be an exaggeration to say that we have entered an exceptionally dangerous phase in Russia-US relations, perhaps more so than at …
globalresearch.ca/new-arms-race-washington/5687465

Do ratings trump accountability in journalism? Latest retracted MSNBC 'bombshell' suggests 'yes'
rt.com | 2019-08-29
Lawrence O'Donnell's walkback of a supposed "bombshell" story involving a claim that Donald Trump received loans co-signed by Russian billionaires is the latest sign that journalism has become accountability-free. | Indicating that MSNBC deliberately chose to prioritize hype over facts, O'Donnell admitted on air that the claim needed "a lot more verification before [it] can be a confirmable fact" — but he reported it anyway. | Typically, when a journalist does not have enough information to verify a claim, they wait until such time that they do. When that basic tenet of journalism is lost, the news becom…
rt.com/usa/467566-msnbc-odonnell-media-accountability/

'Apologies are not enough': Eric Trump threatens to sue MSNBC & host over Russian loan 'smear'
rt.com | 2019-08-29
Eric Trump says he's taking legal action against MSNBC and its host Lawrence O'Donnell for slandering and smearing the Trump family and company, while President Donald Trump took to Twitter to slam the host. | Trump responded to O'Donnell's tweet apologizing for "en error in judgement" on his Last Word show on Tuesday night in which he claimed that the president took out bank loans with the help of Russian billionaires. The MSNBC host walked back his report after the president's attorney complained to the network. | "Apologies are not enough," Eric Trump later tweeted, claiming O'Donnell's "true intent" was to…
rt.com/usa/467561-eric-trump-sue-msnbc-odonnell/

Lawrence O'Donnell Retracts Trump-Russia Story
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-08-29
NEW YORK — MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell on Wednesday retracted his story about supposed Russian ties to President Donald Trump's finances and apologized for reporting it — just as Trump's lawyer demanded. | O'Donnell said, however, he still doesn't know whether or not the story is true. | His public pull-back unfolded quickly in the opening minute of "The Last Word," where 24 hours earlier the cable news host said that a source had told him that Deutsche Bank documents showed that Russian oligarchs had co-signed a loan application for Trump. | O'Donnell reported the story, based on a single source he di…
truthdig.com/articles/lawrence-odonnell-retracts-trump-russia-story/

The Power to Oversee the Education System, A Historical Timeline from the Prussian Empire to the Rockefeller Dynasty
Timothy Alexander Guzman | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-29
Throughout history, the idea of those in power to oversee the education system started in the 16th Century. The history is complex and is rarely mentioned. | The formation of the American public education system began in the Kingdom of Prussia …
globalresearch.ca/history-american-public-education-system-historical-timeline-prussian-empire-rockefeller-dynasty/5687403

Belarus Wants to Reset Diplomatic Ties With US: Lukashenko
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-29
The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, met with the U.S. National Security Official, John Bolton, in the capital city of Minsk Thursday as the two nations seek to strengthen their diplomatic ties. | RELATED: | Bolton Bemoans Venezuela's Upcoming Democratic Elections | During Bolton's visit, Lukashenko expressed Belarus' desire to 'reset' relations with the United States, despite Minsk's close ties with Russia. | "Despite all the noise around your visit, there is a lot of pos…
telesurenglish.net/news/Belarus-Wants-to-Reset-Diplomatic-Ties-With-US-Lukashenko-20190829-0003.html

The Death of Arms Control
Scott Ritter | truthdig.com | 2019-08-29
A deadly accident in northern Russia earlier this month caused the U.S. arms control community to stand up and take notice. The Russians claim they were testing "isotopic sources of fuel on a liquid propulsion unit," and that only after the test was completed did the engine explode. There was a spike in radiation levels detected in the city of Severodvinsk, roughly 18 miles away, shortly after the accident. Seven people were killed as a result of the explosion, including at least two who died of acu…
truthdig.com/articles/the-death-of-arms-control/

Putin and Russia, the World's "Heartland"
Eric Walberg | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-08-29
Russia has always fascinated me–the mystical orthodox faith brought to Kievan Rus in the ninth century, the stern heroes who defended Muscovy against the Golden Horde in the 13–15th centuries, the vast spaces, the remarkable literature of Pushkin and Tolstoy, the Bolshevik Revolution against imperialism … The West has always been a bit jealous of …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/08/putin-and-russia-the-worlds-heartland/

Trump's Other Wall
Jack Rasmus | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-29
Trump brags about the 'wall of money' now flowing into the US from abroad–from Europe, Asia, emerging market economies–as the global economy slides into recession there faster than in the US. He thinks that is great news for the US economy. But it's quite the opposite.
counterpunch.org/2019/08/29/trumps-other-wall/

Satellite Photos Show Burning Iran Space Center Launch Pad
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-08-29
A rocket at an Iranian space center that was to conduct a satellite launch criticized by the U.S. apparently exploded on Thursday.
truthdig.com/articles/satellite-photos-show-burning-iran-space-center-launch-pad/

'We'll always have a presence': Trump says 8,600 US troops will stay in Afghanistan
rt.com | 2019-08-29
US President Donald Trump said that Washington plans to leave 8,600 American troops in Afghanistan, but suggested further cuts could follow — over 15 years after President Bush boasted major victories against terrorists there. | President Trump announced the possible drawdown on Thursday morning in an interview with Fox News' Brian Kilmeade. | Even if an agreement is reached with the Taliban militants, there would be no complete reduction of the military personnel. Rather the presence of US troops in the country — now at around 14,000 — will be cut by nearly 40 percent. | "We're going down to 8…
rt.com/usa/467572-us-troops-afghanistan-presence/

'Ground Zero': Report from the former Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-29
Every year on August 29, at the initiative of Kazakhstan, the UN and its Member States mark the International Day against Nuclear Tests. This year, the Day coincides with the 70th anniversary of the first atomic bomb test at the Semipalatinsk test site in Kazakhstan. UN News travelled to the remote, eerily beautiful region, for this report.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1045221

'Stain on Public Service': Ocasio-Cortez Calls Out Fellow Democrat Barbara Boxer for Helping Lyft Fight Against California Labor Bill
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-08-29
New York Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called out former Sen. Barbara Boxer on Twitter Thursday for helping the ride-hailing company Lyft fight against a proposed state-level bill in California that aims to expand workers' benefits and rights. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/ocasio_cortez_0_0_1.png …
commondreams.org/news/2019/08/29/stain-public-service-ocasio-cortez-calls-out-fellow-democrat-barbara-boxer-helping?cd-origin=rss

Systematic Palestinian Isolation: What Is Missing from the Omar, Tlaib Story
Ramzy Baroud | mintpressnews.com | 2019-08-28
This is the story of Palestinian isolation by Israel that we must not allow to die out, long after the news cycle covering the two Congresswomen's story move on beyond Omar, Tlaib and Israeli transgressions.
mintpressnews.com/palestinian-isolation-missing-ilhan-omar-rashida-tlaib-story/261568/

Humanity Denied: What Is Missing from the Omar, Tlaib Story
Ramzy Baroud | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-08-28
Israel's decision to bar two United States Democratic Representatives, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, from entering Israel and visiting Palestine has further exposed the belligerent, racist nature of the Israeli government. But our understanding of the Israeli decision, and the massive controversy and discussion it generated, should not stop there. Palestinians, who have been at …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/08/humanity-denied-what-is-missing-from-the-omar-tlaib-story/

Orwellian Surveillance of Tohono O'odham Nation — A Test Case for Entire US Border?
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-08-28
Will Parrish tells the story of how Israeli surveillance techniques originally developed to control Palestinians are now being used on Indigenous land near the border to control migrants, and could be expanded to the entire nation…
therealnews.com/stories/orwellian-surveillance-of-tohono-oodham-nation-a-test-case-for-entire-us-border

When Ilhan Omar Is Accused of Anti-Semitism, It's News. When a Republican Smears Muslims, There's Silence
Mehdi Hasan | theintercept.com | 2019-08-28
Rep. Ilhan Omar participates in a panel discussion during the Muslim Collective for Equitable Democracy Conference and Presidential Forum at the National Housing Center in Washington, D.C., on July 23, 2019. | the Benjamins, baby." | That is, of course, what Rep. Ilhan Omar famously tweeted on February 10, in response to a tweet from my colleague Glenn Greenwald decrying "how much time U.S. political leaders spend defending a foreign nation" — namely, the state of Israel. Then, when a journalist followed up by asking Omar w…
theintercept.com/2019/08/28/when-ilhan-omar-is-accused-of-anti-semitism-its-news-when-a-republican-smears-muslims-theres-silence/

Wednesday's Daily Brief: Guterres talks technology for Africa's development, 'extinction crisis' prompts stronger wildlife protection, Greta Thunberg reaches New York, funding shortfalls in Iraq, a positive step for Indigenous women
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-28
A recap of Wednesday's stories: Secretary-General António Guterres says 'winds of hope are blowing ever stronger' for Africa's development; Swedish climate youth activist Greta Thunberg reaches New York by boat; Chief of UN Mission for Iraq warns on funding shortfalls; and in Canada, a new bill recognizes the rights of indigenous women.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1045131

G7 Summit: Critical Outcomes
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-08-28
In the French city of Biarritz, a three-day summit featuring the heads of state from 7 of the world's largest economies (Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, the USA, France and Japan) has come to a close. The hottest topics of discussion were trade relations, a nuclear deal with Iran, the protests in Hong Kong, the …
uwidata.com/5103-g7-summit-critical-outcomes/

What Is Happening in Hong Kong?
Brandon Turbeville | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-28
Over the past few months, both mainstream and alternative news outlets have been covering massive protests in Hong Kong where tens of thousands of people have taken part in demonstrations that have since devolved into violence both with police, counter-protesters, …
globalresearch.ca/what-happening-hong-kong/5687331

No Country for Old Protest Marchers
John R. Hall | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-08-28
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. — from Shakespeare's Macbeth The first time I got involved in demonstrations was back in 1967, and concerned what I considered to be a crime against mankind, over in a little country in Southeast Asia called Vietnam. Along about the same time, providence led me to drop out …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/08/no-country-for-old-protest-marchers/

The Greek Way to a Green Planet
Evaggelos Vallianatos | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-28
The dawn of the twenty-first century is giving us a whiff of another Dark Age. Christianity and Islam have been hovering over each other, fighting small-scale crusades. More than a billion Moslems hate America because America has been an ally of Israel and because America destroyed Iraq, eyeing the oil of the entire Middle East.
counterpunch.org/2019/08/28/the-greek-way-to-a-green-planet/

Recent Israeli Attacks "Significantly Weakened" Syria's Air-Defense Systems
Robert Inkalesh | mintpressnews.com | 2019-08-28
While an attack of this scale on virtually any sovereign nation aside from Syria would likely provoke a major response from the international community, this Israeli attack has barely registered.
mintpressnews.com/lsrael-attacks-syria-air-defenses/261551/

Israeli drone attack on Beirut suburb
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-08-28
Washington, DC – Israel launched a drone attack in Beirut's southern suburb, Dahiyeh, August 24, targeting the media offices of the national democratic political party Hezbollah. Lebanese politicians denounced the attacks as "acts of war," and Hezbollah stated it will respond. | Hezbollah reports that one of the Israelis drones exploded and the other did not – due to a technical failure. Of the drone that failed to blow up, Hezbollah stated "it was laden with a bomb which was professionally wrapped and isolated," made up of C4 explosives. | In recent days, Israel has launched attacks on Syria, Iraq, Gaza, and ea…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/8/28/israeli-drone-attack-beirut-suburb

Video: "Dawn of Idlib": Syrian Army's Offensive in Northwestern Syria
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-28
August 2019 was marked by important changes on frontlines in northwestern Syria. | The month started with a declaration by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani that his group, the most powerful faction in Idlib and formerly the official branch …
globalresearch.ca/video-syrian-army-offensive-northwestern-syria/5687469