2019-10-05: News Headlines

Photos and Text (2019-10-05). San Francisco ICE Deportation Hearings Tear Families Apart. indybay.org Cambodian refugees protest immigration raids…

WSWS (2019-10-05). Iraq in flames. wsws.org Iraqi security forces opened fire on unarmed civilians for the fourth day in a row Friday as protesters poured into the streets once again in defiance of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's declaration of a round-the-clock curfew.

WSWS (2019-10-05). Hong Kong's chief executive invokes emergency law against protest movement. wsws.org The use of this British colonial era law is a warning that the ruling class in the Hong Kong and Beijing are preparing to suppress the months-long demonstrations for basic democratic rights.

WSWS (2019-10-05). Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka to contest the November presidential election. wsws.org The election has been announced amid rising opposition to the government's austerity measures and the eruption of mass strikes by public sector workers for higher pay.

WSWS (2019-10-05). Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Paul Street (2019-10-04). We Meddle Too: Trump, Empire, and "The National Interest" counterpunch.org Never underestimate the power of the United States' American Exeptionalist and imperial doctrine. Look at the recent Washington Post revelation regarding wannabe fascist strongman Donald Trump's meeting with Russian ambassador Sergey Lavrov in the White House in 2017. Trump told Lavrov and another high-ranking Russian official that he wasn't concerned about Russia meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election because the United States does the same thing in other countries. More

The Canary (2019-10-04). Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who's jailed in Iran, to 'send daughter home to UK'. thecanary.co A British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran is to send her daughter home to the UK to start school, it has been reported.Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been visited in prison by five-year-old Gabriella at least once a week for the past three years.The youngster will be back in London before Christmas, according to the Times.Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested in April 2016 and sentenced to five years in jail after being accused of spying, which she vehemently denies.Richard Ratcliffe, husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, outside the Iranian Embassy (Jonathan Brady/PA)Her fight for freedom has seen her endure hunger strikes…

Joseph OMahoney (2019-10-04). Nuclear powers once shared their technology openly — how Iran's program fell on the wrong side of history. nationofchange.org As tensions remain at fever pitch between Tehran and Washington, Iran continues to breach limits agreed in the 2015 Iran deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Since Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal in May 2018, its future has become more and more uncertain. Iran has enriched uranium beyond the level agreed …

RT (2019-10-04). 'Save the planet, eat the babies': AOC trolled over climate change panic by pro-Trump prankster. rt.com Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a fan of radical climate change solutions, but one "modest proposal" caught her off guard. A woman she thought had a "mental condition" suggested eating babies for the good of the earth. | Speaking about her proposed 'Green New Deal' at a town hall event on Thursday, AOC was interrupted by an apparently distressed woman who felt the Green New Deal's zero-carbon goal just wouldn't cut it. Claiming that "we only have a few months left" to fight climate change, the woman went on to suggest that humanity begin eating its own children to save the world from ecological apoca…

Bill Meyer (2019-10-04). Biopics on Helen Reddy and Jean Seberg at TIFF: Part 1. peoplesworld.org TORONTO—"Share Her Journey" is a five-year program at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to increase participation and opportunities for women in front of and behind the camera. A record 36% (114) of all films at this year's festival were directed or co-directed by women. This determined effort to honor the artistry of women in …

The Canary (2019-10-04). Cleric warns Iraqi leaders as protest death toll soars. thecanary.co Iraq's top Shiite cleric has sharply criticised the government over deadly violence gripping the country, urging political leaders and protesters to pull back "before it is too late".The comments by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani came as the death toll in this week's anti-government demonstrations climbed to 42.His sermon came hours after Iraq's prime minister called on protesters to go home, comparing security measures to "bitter medicine" that needs to be swallowed.Anti-government protesters burn an armoured vehicle (Hadi Mizban/AP)Since 1 October, security forces have fired live rounds and tear gas every day t…

Mark Weisbrot (2019-10-04). Trump's Trade War With China: Is It About to End? counterpunch.org The latest de-escalation of the trade war with China — with exemptions from some tariffs on both sides — has left markets uncertain as to whether it will end before there is serious escalation. But if I were managing a hedge fund, I would bet on it. To see why, we must start with Trump More

RT (2019-10-04). Character assassination 101: Clint Eastwood's Richard Jewell biopic rips 'fake news' for 1996 Atlanta Olympic bombing smear. rt.com Hollywood director Clint Eastwood takes a critical look at the FBI and an overzealous news media in a new fact-based biopic telling the saga of Richard Jewell, a security guard fingered for a bomb plot he tried to stop. | While working as a guard at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, Jewell discovered a backpack containing three pipe bombs. Immediately alerting police and helping to evacuate the area before the devices could detonate, Jewell saved scores of people from death or injury and was cheered for his heroism — but that would soon change. | Three days after the tragedy, Jewell found h…

Nyla Ali Khan (2019-10-04). No Development Without the Politics of Mass Mobilization and Demilitarization in Kashmir. counterpunch.org Amidst that pandemonium of 1947, Jammu and Kashmir was the first state in the newly freed Indian subcontinent to have its own written constitutional plan. The constitution guaranteed enfranchisement of all adult citizens, men and women, and took particular care to protect the dignity and religious freedoms of minorities. The admirable egalitarian and democratic quality More

Eds. (2019-10-04). Victims left behind in U.S. Agent Orange cleanup efforts. mronline.org Vietnamese victims have yet to receive compensation—and many live in desperate poverty. | Source

Mohamad Bazzi (2019-10-04). Jamal Khashoggi's Murder Shook Everyone—Except Trump. thenation.com For Trump, outrage over the slaying of the journalist was just the cost of doing business with Saudi Arabia.

Juan Cole (2019-10-04). US Press Horrified By Trump's "Shoot Migrants in the Legs" But Ignores What Israeli Snipers Do to Palestinian Protesters. commondreams.org The fact is..that almost all those nearly 10,000 persons shot by live fire by Israeli professional snipers have been unarmed civilians posing no threat to anyone. (Photo: Gaza march, Ma'an News Agency) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/467167c.jpeg

Tracy Keeling (2019-10-04). Vladimir Putin even outdid Trump with this ludicrous comment on Greta Thunberg. thecanary.co Vladimir Putin just achieved the impossible: he outdid Donald Trump in sheer ludicrousness. The Russian president shared his thoughts on Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish climate activist who's inspired mass protests around the world. They're astounding in their hypocrisy and lack of awareness. | Adults have a duty: | Thunberg recently spoke at the UN. In her passionate speech, she said: Entire ecosyst…

teleSUR (2019-10-04). World Lauds Xi's National Day Speech as China Reaffirms Peace. telesurenglish.net Foreign officials and experts applauded a speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as Beijing reaffirmed its commitment to world peace and development. | During his speech, Xi pledged that China will stay on the path of peaceful development, and pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. | RELATED: | Russia Helps China Build Missile-Attack Warning System | "We will continue to work wit…

South Front (2019-10-04). Video: Russia Tested Elements of Advanced S-500 Air Defense in Syria. globalresearch.ca Syrian, Iranian and Russian forces started a joint military drill, involving heavy military equipment, rocket launchers and warplanes, on October 1, al-Watan newspaper reported on October 2. According to al-Watan, the drills coincided with a series of protests against the …

teleSUR (2019-10-04). Dozens of Iraqi Protesters Killed as Demonstrations Intensify. telesurenglish.net For the past week, wide-scale demonstrations have hit several Iraqi cities as protesters demand economic improvements and the removal of government officials. | RELATED: | 11 Murdered Overnight in Anti-Government Protest in Iraq | In the past 24 hours, dozens of these protesters have been killed across Iraq as the violent protests against government corruption swelled into a mass spontaneous uprising sweeping much of the country, the worst unrest since the defeat of Islamic State.

United Nations (2019-10-04). UN expresses concern following wave of street protests in Iraq and elsewhere. un.org The United Nations is urging authorities in Iraq to allow citizens to exercise their right to freedom of expression after the security forces opened fire on mass anti-government protests which began earlier this week.

Tyler Durden (2019-10-04). Martial Law Unfolding in Iraq: 30 Protesters Dead, Internet Blackout, 24-Hour Curfews. theantimedia.com Now in their third day, mass anti-government protests across Iraq have resulted in 30 dead and over 1000 wounded.

teleSUR (2019-10-04). Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian Man at Gaza Border. telesurenglish.net The Israeli Defense Forces opened fire on Palestinian demonstrators Friday, killing at least one person and wounding many others, the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement. | RELATED: | 20 Year Old Killed in Gaza Protests | According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, nearly 6,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip gathered near the border to protest against Israel's discrimatory policies. | During the protest, the Israeli Defense Forces fired live rounds towards the protesters after they alleged…

Tyler Durden (2019-10-04). Hong Kong Protesters Go on Rampage, Vow to Defy Government's Mask Ban. theantimedia.com The government's attempt to ban masks resulted in hundreds of mostly masked students gathering to chant: "Hongkongers, resist!"

Ramzy Baroud (2019-10-04). The Africa-Palestine Conference: Why South Africa Must Lead the Way. counterpunch.org On September 16, I visited South Africa, a country where many Palestinians have always felt welcomed, if not overwhelmed by the degree of genuine and meaningful solidarity. While having the honor to address many audiences in six, major cities, I have also learned a great deal. An important and sobering lesson is that while apartheid More

Ramzy Baroud (2019-10-04). Africa is Becoming the Latest Battleground in the Struggle for Palestinian Freedom. mintpressnews.com Israel has successively driven a wedge between African countries, which, at one point, were united in their unconditional support of the Palestinian struggle against Israeli military occupation and apartheid.

Stephen Lendman (2019-10-04). As Global Economy Weakens, Trump Escalates Trade War. globalresearch.ca Multiple rounds of Sino/US trade talks failed over unacceptable Trump regime demands and aims. | They're unrelated to the bilateral trade imbalance — caused by corporate America shifting operations to China and other low-wage countries. | Another round of US/China talks are …

Stephen Lendman (2019-10-04). Torture and Killing of Palestinians in Israeli Prisons. globalresearch.ca B'Tselem published numerous reports on Israeli use of torture and other forms of abuse against Palestinian detainees — arrested and imprisoned for political reasons. | In November 2017, the organization said the following: | "The Israel Security Agency's (ISA) interrogation regime relies …

Rajan Menon (2019-10-04). Why Arms Races Never End: Hypersonic Weapons and National (In)security. counterpunch.org Hypersonic weapons close in on their targets at a minimum speed of Mach 5, five times the speed of sound or 3,836.4 miles an hour. They are among the latest entrants in an arms competition that has embroiled the United States for generations, first with the Soviet Union, today with China and Russia. Pentagon officials More

Tsvetana Paraskova (2019-10-04). Russia's Largest Oil Company Ditches Dollar in New Oil Deals. globalresearch.ca Russia's largest oil company Rosneft has set the euro as the default currency for all new exports of crude oil and refined products, as the state-controlled giant looks to switch as many sales as possible from U.S. dollars to euros …

teleSUR (2019-10-04). Medvedev Receives Honoris Causa Degree From University Of Havana. telesurenglish.net Russian Prime Minister thanked the academic condition and called it an honor, as well as a wonderful opportunity to make a speech, for the first time, at the University of Havana, an "unique place where the leaders of the Cuban Revolution grew, and also opened a path for the independence and freedom of this country."

Prof. John McMurtry (2019-10-04). Lawless Trump-Canada Connections. globalresearch.ca Canada recently seized and sold $30 million worth of Iranian properties in Ottawa and Toronto, a gross hypocrisy explains Yves Engler in light of oversights of more flagrant US and Israel terror victims. See this. | But the behaviour of …

Federico Pieraccini (2019-10-04). Iran Is China's Secret Weapon for Killing off the US Dollar's Global Reserve Status. globalresearch.ca There is a strong current of change affecting the international political arena. It is the beginning of a revolution brought on by the transition from a unipolar to multipolar world order. In practice, we are faced with the combination of …

subMedia (2019-10-04). Trouble #22: Crossing the Line. dissidentvoice.org ia801403.us.archive.org/16/items/trouble22crossingtheline/Trouble22_Crossing_the_Line360.mp4 The situation on the United State's southern border continues to deteriorate. The American president, in a characteristic flourish of craven megalomania, has decided that his prospects for re-election hinge on his unique capacity to fix the country's 'broken borders' and solve the problem of 'illegal migration' once and for all. To help bring this …

Staff (2019-10-04). Lessons From Watergate: "How We Learned to Stop an Out of Control President" truthout.org | | President Donald Trump called openly Thursday for the leaders of Ukraine and China to investigate Trump's campaign rival Joe Biden and Biden's son Hunter for corruption. Trump's explicit remarks during a press conference came as leaders of the Democratic-led House pushed ahead rapidly with their impeachment investigation. President Trump is just the fourth U.S. president to face a formal impeachment inquiry, joining Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. We spend the hour looking ba…

Romain Mielcarek (2019-10-04). Why Is Europe Still Fueling the War in Yemen? thenation.com Why Is Europe Still Fueling the War in Yemen?

Wilfred Chan, JN Chien (2019-10-04). Hong Kong's Mask Ban Is Just a Cover for a Police Crackdown. thenation.com Hong Kong's Mask Ban Is Just a Cover for a Police Crackdown…

Andrew Korybko (2019-10-04). The Eurasian Economic Union's Expansion Is Encouraging, but Don't Get Too Excited. globalresearch.ca The recent meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Council in the Armenian capital of Yerevan at the beginning of October saw the reaching of a free trade agreement with the ASEAN powerhouse of Singapore and confirmation that a temporary deal will …

Andre Vltchek (2019-10-04). Juan Guaido, Joshua Wong: New Generation of Pro-Western "Saints" dissidentvoice.org The new generation of "pro-Western heroes" and "saints" is clearly failing to impress the world. Juan Guaido and Joshua Wong are definitely as right-wing as Mother Teresa was, but not as "credible". ***** A long time ago I visited a place in Calcutta, India, where Mother Teresa used to operate. According to the Catholic Church …

Staff (2019-10-04). From Trump to Nixon: "Watergate" Film Explains "How We Learned to Stop an Out of Control President" democracynow.org President Donald Trump called openly Thursday for the leaders of Ukraine and China to investigate Trump's campaign rival Joe Biden and Biden's son Hunter for corruption. Trump's explicit remarks during a press conference came as leaders of the Democratic-led House pushed ahead rapidly with their impeachment investigation. President Trump is just the fourth U.S. president to face a formal impeachment inquiry, joining Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. We spend the hour looking at back at the Watergate scandal, which led to Nixon's resignation in 1974 and is the focus of a documentary titled "Watergate…

Staff (2019-10-04). Headlines for October 4, 2019. democracynow.org Trump Publicly Calls on Ukraine and China to Investigate the Bidens, Trump Discussed Campaign Rivals in June Call with China's Xi Jinping, FEC Chair: Illegal for Candidates to Solicit Foreign Help in U.S. Elections, Messages Detail How U.S. Officials Pressured Ukraine on Trump's Behalf, IRS Whistleblower: Treasury Official Tried to Interfere with Trump or Pence Tax Audit, Trump Administration to Collect DNA of All Immigrants Jailed in U.S., Iraq Death Toll at 44 as Violent Repression of Protests Continues, Honduran President Denies Narcotrafficking Ties as His Brother Faces U.S. Trial, Protests Rock Ecuador as IM…

Julia Conley, staff writer (2019-10-04). Human Rights Defenders Condemn Iraqi Government After Security Forces Kill at Least 44 People in Anti-Corruption Protests. commondreams.org Human rights organizations joined Iraq's top Shiite cleric in condemning the Iraqi government on Friday for its violent response to protests in Baghdad and a number of southern cities, as 44 people were reported to be killed in clashes between demonstrators and security forces. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-11728024501.jpg

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2019-10-04). Report Shows 'Stunning and Dramatic' Scenes of Thawing Permafrost in Siberia That 'Leaves Millions on Unstable Ground'. commondreams.org The latest installment in a Washington Post series on "hot zones" around the world that are already enduring "extreme climate change" focuses on the federal Russian republic in eastern Siberia called Yakutia, part of which "has warmed by more than 3 degrees Celsius since preindustrial times—roughly triple the global average." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/permafrost_2.jpg

Robert Mackey (2019-10-04). Echoing Trump, Russian TV Casts Joe Biden and Kurt Volker as Villains of Ukraine Saga. theintercept.com Russian television coverage of the unfolding scandal over Ukraine, which has focused on promoting smears against Joe Biden, has been fervently pro-Trump.

Robert Fisk (2019-10-04). A Year After Khashoggi's Murder, Saudi Arabia is Lurching Toward Chaos. counterpunch.org The Saudis are taking a pasting. Video pictures from the Houthis of Saudi soldiers and their allies killed or surrendering inside the Saudi border town of Najran represent a devastating blow to a kingdom which is constantly threatening war against Iran. If it can't protect its own armed forces inside Saudi territory, what is the More

Jodie Evans (2019-10-04). Why I Confronted Trump's Architect of U.S. Sanctions Against Iran and Called Her a 'Weapon of Mass Destruction'. commondreams.org Jodie Evans with others outside of the United Against a Nuclear Iran conference in New York City. (Photo: Codepink) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/screen_shot_2019-10-04_at_1.04.15_pm.png

RT (2019-10-03). 'For futur of you're famly': FBI seeks to recruit 'Russian spies' with hilariously inept Facebook ad. rt.com The FBI has sought to recruit "Russian spies" in Washington, DC through a series of Facebook ads — suggesting a degree of desperation when it comes to counter-intelligence assets, but also a serious lack of copy editing talent. | "The FBI obtains the best intelligence to combat threats through information provided by the public. If you have information that can help the FBI, visit us," the three ads launched on September 11 urge in English. They are accompanied by stock photos with trite captions in Russian. | "Time to build Bridges," says one, over a drawing of a man crossing a bridge. | "Isn't it time…

RT (2019-10-03). Homeless LA 'subway soprano' offered a record deal after video of her angelic singing goes viral. rt.com Emily Zamourka, a homeless Russian singer who has become an overnight internet sensation, has been offered a record deal by a Grammy-nominated music producer, signaling a reversal of fortunes for the destitute virtuoso. | Zamourka has been living on the streets of Los Angeles after falling on hard times, but a viral video of her singing Puccini in the subway has led to an outpouring of support, donations and job offers. | According to TMZ, Zamourka caught the attention of Joel Diamond, who has worked with the likes of David Hasselhoff and famed singer Engelbert Humperdinck. The producer hopes to create a "huge…

The Canary (2019-10-03). Climate protesters arrested for spraying fake blood at Treasury over UK funding for fossil-fuel schemes. thecanary.co Four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after climate crisis activists sprayed the Treasury in central London with fake blood.Extinction Rebellion demonstrators parked an old fire engine outside the building, and a pool of red liquid — said to be 396 gallons (1,800 litres) of water coloured with food dye — lay opposite the entrance.A police spokesman said: "Police were called at 10.17am to Horse Guards Road. People on a privately-owned fire engine had sprayed a liquid at the Treasury building. … Three men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage."The campaigne…