Link: https://www.rt.com/news/400738-germany-support-us-korea/

When asked about the worst-case scenario, namely an armed conflict between Washington and Pyongyang, Merkel said that Germany would not necessarily back America. “No, not automatically. I do not see any military solution to [the crisis with] North Korea. I think it is wrong,” Merkel said. The German leader called for a peaceful resolution to tensions, insisting that “diplomatic means have not been utilized in full.”

Link: http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/08/22/532536/Russia-Indon-Jets-Palm-Oil

Russia is set to sell Indonesia nearly a dozen Sukhoi fighter jets worth $1.14 billion in exchange for cash and commodities, officials in Jakarta say. Indonesia is to ship about $570 million worth of commodities in addition to cash payments in return for 11 Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets; the type and volume of commodities were “still being negotiated.”Previously the Indonesian trade minister had said the exports could include palm oil, tea and coffee.

Link: http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/08/19/532203/Canada-US-refugees-military-tents

Soldiers busily assemble tents with wooden floors, lighting, and heating in Canada's Quebec Province near the US border to temporarily house a surge in asylum seekers from the United States. Most of the new arrivals are Haitians who face expulsion from the United States at the end of the year. Then, temporary asylum granted to 60,000 Haitians affected by a devastating 2010 earthquake is due to expire. Their numbers have soared from about 400 in May to 3,800 in the first weeks of August.

Link: http://www.blacklistednews.com/UK_condemned_over_%27shocking%27_export_of_deadly_weedkiller_to_poorer_countries/60468/0/38/38/Y/M.html

A highly toxic weedkiller not authorised for use in the EU is being exported to developing countries from a UK factory. Paraquat, a pesticide so lethal that a single sip can be fatal, has caused thousands of accidental deaths and suicides globally, and was outlawed by EU states in 2007. Swiss pesticide manufacturer Syngenta is exporting thousands of tonnes of the substance to other parts of the world.

Link: https://www.rt.com/politics/400627-russia-mulls-limitations-on-internet/

The Russian government plans to take steps to minimize the flow of internet traffic through foreign-based exchange points in order to prevent sensitive data from falling into the hands of US intelligence agencies, plans to prevent internet service providers and communications companies from channeling web traffic from Russia through foreign-based internet exchange points (IXPs).

Link: https://www.rt.com/usa/400591-travel-warning-mexico/

Popular Mexican vacation hot spots for Americans may not be safe to visit, the US is warning American travelers. The warning targets two Mexican states that are rife with gang violence, and includes Cancun and Playa Del Carmen.

Link: http://www.activistpost.com/2017/08/new-distracted-walking-legislation-will-outlaw-texting-even-talking-walking.html

Stamford, Connecticut proposal would make texting, and even talking, on an electronic device while walking illegal; claimed that its purpose “is not to raise money for the city, but to hopefully educate the public.” Residents will face an initial fine of $30 if police deem that they fit the description of “distracted walkers.”

Link: http://www.blacklistednews.com/38_out_of_60_shampoos_found_to_contain_harmful_manufacturing_solvent_in_tests_by_Hong_Kong_consumer_watchdog/60454/0/38/38/Y/M.html

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog found 38 out of 60 shampoo samples it tested contained a harmful solvent used in manufacturing. The Consumer Council also found 20 per cent of the shampoos contained allergy-causing preservatives, and one tested positive for a heavy metal.

Link: http://www.blacklistednews.com/Scientists_remotely_hacked_a_brain%2C_controlling_body_movements/60465/0/38/38/Y/M.html

The effort, led by physics professor Arnd Pralle, PhD, of the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, focused on a technique called “magneto-thermal stimulation;” requires implantation of specially built DNA strands and nanoparticles which attach to specific neurons — but once the minimally invasive procedure is over, the brain can be remotely controlled via an alternating magnetic field. When those magnetic inputs are applied, the particles heat up, causing the neurons to fire. Scientists were able to prompt their test subject to run, freeze in place, or even completely lose control over their limbs.

Link: http://www.blacklistednews.com/63_Shot%2C_8_Dead_In_Chicago%27s_2nd_Most_Violent_Weekend_Of_2017/60446/0/38/38/Y/M.html

At least 63 people were shot in the city, and eight of them were killed, police said. More than half of them were wounded over 13 hours from Saturday to early Sunday. At least 16 more people were shot through the day Sunday, including three on the same street.

Link: https://www.rt.com/business/400489-russia-soviet-debt-payment/

Moscow made the final payment on the remaining foreign debt inherited from the Soviet Union. Russia took on the debt after the other former Soviet republics refused to pay. “The debt to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the amount of $125.2 million has been settled. The remaining debt was the money the Soviet Union owed to Yugoslavia.

Link: https://www.rt.com/business/400532-us-ukraine-first-coal-shipment/

The first cargo of Pennsylvanian coal is on its way to Ukraine under a deal sealed between US Xcoal Energy & Resources and Ukrainian state-run Centrenergo earlier this year, the Ukrainian Embassy said on its Facebook page. Ukraine will get 700,000 tons of coal from the US State of Pennsylvania this year. Ukraine holds the third largest anthracite coal reserves in the world. However, over half of its coal resources are in the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Lugansk. The country faced massive disruption at power plants using anthracite coal after the railways leading to the territories were blocked.

Link: https://www.rt.com/usa/400458-trump-afghanistan-announcement-troops-strategy/

US President Donald Trump said he ordered the US military to aggressively engage the Taliban and “fight to win” in Afghanistan “killing terrorists,” signaling there will be no “rapid exit” from the 16-year war.

Link: https://sputniknews.com/latam/201708191056596152-venezuela-chief-prosecutor-colombia/

Former attorney general Luisa Ortega Diaz arrived in Bogota on Friday after fleeing Venezuela together with her husband German Ferrer, the Colombian migration agency has announced. Ortega was fired earlier this month by the Venezuelan government after criticizing the election to a controversial constituent assembly. The new top prosecutor opened an investigation into her husband, an opposition lawmaker, over his alleged involvement into an extortion ring.

Link: http://www.blacklistednews.com/Bank_runs_in_Hong_Kong_following_introduction_of_facial_recognition_withdrawals_in_Macau/60432/0/38/38/Y/M.html

Hong Kong’s ATM network has been hit with a surge in withdrawals by customers using China UnionPay bank cards in the wake of facial recognition technology being introduced at cash dispensing machines in Macau. Monetary chiefs in Hong Kong have declined to deny or confirm information obtained by the South China Morning Post that ATMs have seen a “staggering’’ rise in withdrawals since the casino hub introduced the recognition technology in May as part of a bid to stem illegal capital flight from mainland

Link: http://www.thedailysheeple.com/siberian-cyber-doctor-has-6-microchips-implanted-to-open-doors-store-data_082017

A Siberian doctor has implanted six microchips under his skin to turn his body into a no-nonsense multi-functional gadget. Some of the chips function as swipe cards, letting him into his home and office. He opens doors and pays bills with a wave of his hand,

Link: https://www.rt.com/news/400335-isis-reinforcements-deir-ezzor-destroyed/

The Russian air force has destroyed a large column of Islamic State militants, vehicles and large caliber weapons heading to the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, the Russian defense ministry has said. "The Russian Air Force destroyed another large column of ISIS fighters that was heading to the area of the city of Deir ez-Zor, where international terrorists are trying to regroup and equip their last base in Syria," the statement says.

Link: https://www.rt.com/news/400395-syria-deir-ezzor-siege/

Islamic State terrorists are gathering their remaining forces in Deir ez-Zor to prepare for a decisive battle as the Syrian Army, supported by the Russian Air Force, pushes to retake the besieged city, the Russian Defense Ministry said. “Syrian government forces supported by Russian Aerospace forces are swiftly pushing from three directions towards Deir ez-Zor at the moment. The foothold around the city is the last stronghold of terrorists on Syrian soil,” General Sergey Rudskoy, spokesman for the Russian General Staff.

Link: https://www.rt.com/news/line/

Lebanese militant movement Hezbollah has used weaponized drones against the Islamic State group across the border in war-ravaged Syria, its media arm said on Monday. A source on the ground said it was the first time that Hezbollah had deployed weaponized drones against IS in Syria, where the Shiite movement is fighting to bolster President Bashar Assad’s forces.

Link: http://www.blacklistednews.com/%E2%80%98BLOODIEST_24_HOURS%E2%80%99_OF_PHILIPPINES_DRUGS_WAR%2C_AS_32_SHOT_DEAD_BY_DUTERTE%E2%80%99S_POLICE/60359/0/38/38/Y/M.html

Thirty two suspected drug dealers were killed in police shootouts in the Philippines on Tuesday night, during the bloodiest 24 hours so far of a state war on drugs that has killed over 7,000 people in the last year. 107 were arrested. Officers also confiscated over 200 grams of methamphetamine, 786g of marijuana, and firearms.