Opinion

Though it was reported this week that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange would be granted limited internet access by the Ecuadorian embassy in London should he agree to stipulations mentioned in a nine-page memo, it shouldn't be considered a victory, Randy Credico told Sputnik.

On Sunday night, CBS’ “60 Minutes” aired an interview with US President Donald Trump by journalist Lesley Stahl. However, while Trump’s dodgy answers and boorish behavior have drawn ire from the press, Jim Kavanaugh, editor of ThePolemicist.net, told Radio Sputnik Monday he couldn’t decide whether Trump or Stahl was worse in this outing.

Facebook’s Thursday purge of more than 800 pages included a number of the biggest alternative and independent media outlets on the platform. So why isn’t the mainstream media talking about the suppression of independent media?

Turkish police have searched the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul amid the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, who went missing after entering the consulate. Riyadh insists the journalist left the consulate the same day. Washington has threatened consequences if a Saudi link is proven, but isn't willing to risk the consequences, some observers say.

On October 10, Al Jazeera published photos of 15 alleged Saudi nationals who reportedly arrived in Istanbul on October 2 and may be involved in the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. However, a Saudi man claims that one of these men is actually his brother who died last year.

The 7th International Forum ‘Open Innovations’ is underway in Moscow. This year’s event focuses on the issues arising from the spread of digital technologies and the impact they have on our lives. Radio Sputnik talked to Marques Anderson, a founder of the World Education Foundation.

Ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her associates apparently benefitted personally from obtaining their security clearance status, Wall Street analyst Charles Ortel told Sputnik. The analyst shared his views on why Clinton's security clearance was withdrawn in August 2018 and whether it was her own decision.

The number of children in the developed world being diagnosed with forms of autism has risen exponentially in the last 20 years. Sputnik spoke to James Cusack, the Director of Science at Autistica UK, about what lies behind the statistics.

The 7th Open Innovations international forum is underway in Moscow. This year’s event focuses on issues arising from the spread of digital technology and the impact they have on our lives.

The US Secret Service is reported to have foiled an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump during his 2017 visit to the Philippines. Whether the threat to Trump's life was serious or not, he isn’t the only US President to evade an assassin’s putative bullet - some have come far closer to death than he, in much less publicized cases.

The developments come amid the ongoing trade spat between Beijing and Washington. As of September 24, US President Donald Trump imposed additional tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods, while China retaliated with levies on $60 billion in American products, including a 10-percent tariff on US liquefied natural gas (LNG).

According to the Dutch Defense Minister, the Netherlands is in a state of cyberwar with Russia. Dutch Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld stated that the time has come to shake off naivety and take measures. Radio Sputnik discussed Bijleveld's statement with Olav ten Broek, a member of the Dutch group We Want Peace With Russia.

Thousands of olive trees have been cut down in Italy in an effort to prevent the spread of a deadly disease which began in the United States. Sputnik spoke to Thomas Simpson, who writes a blog dedicated to the Xylella Fastidiosa emergency.

Scientists have created 'artificial life' for the first time using a quantum computer. An international team of researchers has developed a model of a minimal quantum system of individual living organisms represented at a microscopic level that could undergo biological behavior like being born, reproduction and death.

Commenting on Washington's attempts to alienate Iranian companies' ownership by freezing Iranian funds in US bank accounts, lawyer Maryam Jelalvand from Tehran University told Sputnik that the main problem pertains to the US continuing to act with impunity on the global stage.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) - The polls have closed in Bavaria, where voters were electing a new state parliament, and the first evaluations reflect the opinion polls of the last few weeks that predicted the loss of the absolute majority by the governing Christian Social Union.

Pastor Andrew Brunson has thanked Donald Trump for his assistance in freeing him from a Turkish prison, and prayed for the president to be given the "supernatural wisdom" to "accomplish all the plans" he has for the US. Trump in turn thanked President Erdogan, but denied that any sort of deal had been made in exchange for Brunson's release.

Turkey's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Fatih Donmez, said on October 9 that Ankara will begin exploratory drilling off the shelf of Cyprus this month. “Our drilling vessel - Fatih - has already arrived at the site last week. Certain tests and training will be conducted, and drilling will begin at the end of this month,” he said.

The Trump administration is considering sanctions against China for its alleged violations of human rights in the form of so-called "reeducation centers" for the predominantly Muslim Uyghur minority in northwestern China. But what's the real situation like for Chinese Muslims? Do 'reeducation camps' for Muslims really exist? Sputnik explores.

Under the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa is carrying out an extensive land reform program, sparking controversy both within the "Rainbow country" and abroad. Critics say that in addition to being unjust, land expropriation may result in conflict and starvation, especially if local tribes are targeted by the government.