A common theme runs through the three essays linked just below: truth and the hoops and snares that some who like it must jump through or avoid; the first is from Brownstone Institute, the two others are from Consortium News. Next, links to Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio reports. — MCM

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The Long Knives Are Out for Elon, by Paul Frijters, Gigi Foster, Michael Baker | Brownstone Institute In April 2022, Elon Musk announced he was buying Twitter and was going to enforce the First Amendment of the US Constitution that enshrines free speech. That announcement was like a declaration of war on Big Tech, Big Pharma, and the other powerful interests that had grown richer by means of lies (and associated products and services) that they managed to sell to the population with the help of censorship. The announcement that a . . . READ MORE . . .

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The Whistleblower Crackdown, by John Kiriakou | Consortium News This is National Whistleblower Week, with Saturday marking National Whistleblower Appreciation Day. The National Whistleblower Center in Washington has its annual lunch, seminar and associated events scheduled.  Whistleblowers from around the U.S. attend, a couple members of Congress usually show up and we talk. . . . I’m not sanguine about where our efforts stand, especially on behalf of national security whistleblowers.  Since I blew the whistle on the C.I.A.’s torture program in 2007 and was prosecuted for it in 2012, I think the situation for whistleblowers . . . READ MORE . . .

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Washington’s Russian Drone Fantasy, by Scott Ritter  | Consortium News According to the official U.S. government narrative, a “desperate” Russia — suffering significant battlefield reversals in Ukraine including the loss of “large numbers” of reconnaissance drones while its own military industrial capacity lacks the ability to provide adequate replacements due to Russia’s “economic isolation” — has turned to Iran for assistance. “Our information,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan declared, “indicates . . . READ MORE . . . .

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Ukraine’s grain is ready to go. But ships aren’t. Why? Risk. By Aya Batrawy | The Associated Press Shipping companies are not rushing to export millions of tons of grain trapped in Ukraine, despite a breakthrough deal to provide safe corridors through the Black Sea. That is because explosive mines are drifting in the waters, ship owners are assessing the risks and many still have questions over how the deal will unfold. The complexities of the agreement have set off a slow, cautious start, but it’s only good for 120 days — and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia cuts gas flows further as Europe urges energy saving, by Christoph Steitz and Nina Chestney | Reuters FRANKFURT/LONDON — Russia delivered less gas to Europe today in a further escalation of an energy stand-off between Moscow and the European Union that will make it harder, and costlier, for the bloc to fill up storage ahead of the winter heating season. The cut in supplies, flagged by Gazprom (GAZP.MM) . . . this week, has reduced the capacity of Nord Stream 1 pipeline — the major delivery route to Europe for Russian gas — to a mere . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia to quit the ISS after 2024. Reported by Charles  Maynes | National Public Radio  Russia says it will pull out of the International Space Station after 2024. This echoes intentions previously set by Russia and comes amid tensions with the U.S. and the West over the war in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Russia says it will pull out of the International Space Station after 2024. Reported by Joe Palca | NPR The head of the Russian space agency has said his country will end its participation in the International Space Station in 2024. What does this mean for the future of its partnership with NASA? Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.

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At 75, the CIA is back where it started – countering the Kremlin. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR At its creation in July 1947, the CIA delivered briefings to President Harry Truman that would still sound current in today’s news feeds. The many examples include . . . Click HERE listen and read.

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The EU agrees to plan that aims to cut gas consumption across Europe by 15%. Reported by A Martinez and Rob Schmitz | NPR Russia claims mechanical issues are the reason for the supply cut. Germany’s economy minister accused Russia’s president of playing a “duplicitous game.” Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.