(2020-09-25). Two Capitalisms: a Challenge to Democratic Socialists, Social Democrats, Progressives and Welfare State Liberals. counterpunch.org 
[O]n September 24, 1599, in a timbered building off Moorgate Fields, not far from where Shakespeare was struggling to complete Hamlet, a new type of company was founded. [O]wnership of the new firm, called the East India Company, was sliced into tiny pieces to be bought and sold freely…Liberalism's fatal hypocrisy was to celebrate the virtuous
(2020-09-25). As COVID-19 hit Georgia Meatpacking Counties, Officials and Industry Shifted Blame. counterpunch.org 
Hall County in north central Georgia is home to Gainesville, a town of about 43,000 where a large chicken-topped monument in its center declares it the "Poultry Capital of the World." There are more than a dozen meat processing plants in Hall County, and several others in surrounding counties. But Hall County is also home to
(2020-09-25). Redefining Anti-Semitism on Facebook. counterpunch.org 
The objective is to force Facebook to alter its hate speech definition so that its own "detection algorithm" will characterize any criticism of Israel as hate speech and automatically remove the pertinent content from the platform. Given that Facebook has 2.7 billion users and is the world's largest and arguably most influential media platform, it comes as
(2020-09-25). Palestinians Are Not Numbers: On the Future of the Palestinian Discourse. counterpunch.org 
Palestine can never be truly understood through numbers, because numbers are dehumanizing, impersonal, and, when necessary, can also be contrived to mean something else entirely. Numbers are not meant to tell the story of the human condition, nor should they ever serve as a substitute for emotions. Indeed, the stories of life, death — and
(2020-09-25). Provocation on the High Seas: U.S. Naval Adventures Near the Shores of Russia, China and Iran. counterpunch.org 
The war on terror is slowly ending. The U.S. military will try to keep bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, but with most troops gone in the next few years, the lives of the few who remain will be at constant risk. Pressure will mount to get those soldiers out. But Pentagon bureaucrats and brass are masters of institutional infighting, and, apparently, ignoring presidential orders they don't like, so who knows how that will turn out? One thing is sure: the military's focus has shifted, from the Middle East to Russia and China. That means U.S. soldiers and materiel will continue to be in places they shouldn't, in ever g…
(2020-09-25). Susan Abulhawa: 'Palestine is the test'. workers.org 
The following is a lightly edited transcript of a Sept. 19 talk by Palestinian novelist and Workers World Party member Susan Abulhawa during a "Free Palestine! No Normalization with Colonization or Occupation!' webinar sponsored by WWP. We've known for years that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and other . . . |
(2020-09-25). Turkey orders scores of arrests over 2014 pro-Kurdish protests. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey orders scores of arrests over 2014 pro-Kurdish protests | Demonstrators had accused Turkey's army of standing by as Islamic State besieged Kobane, just over the Syrian border | Fri, 09/25/2020 – 09: 36 | The demonstrations led to the deaths of 37 people, with many more injured (AFP) | Turkish authorities on Friday issued arrest warrants for 82 people, including a mayor, over pro-Kur…
(2020-09-25). Surviving a pandemic under siege. workers.org 
During a Sept. 18 "Free Palestine" webinar, Palestinian writers and activists Susan Abulhawa and Khaled Barakat were asked to comment on the spread of COVID-19 in occupied Palestine, and what it means to have access to healthcare under foreign occupation. The following is an edited version of their replies. Susan . . . |
(2020-09-25). COVID-19 and Sliding Indian Economy: What's the Way Out? counterpunch.org India has become the world's new hotspot for the COVID-19 pandemic as infection cases have surged in recent weeks. On September 22, the total number of confirmed cases surged past 5.6 million. If the current trend continues, India may soon become the world's worst-hit country, surpassing the US. With more than 90,000 people succumbing to
(2020-09-25). It's Not Vaccine Nationalism, It's Vaccine Idiocy. counterpunch.org Last week an official with China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that the country may have a vaccine available for widespread distribution by November or December. This would almost certainly be at least a month or two before a vaccine is available for distribution in the United States, and possibly quite a
(2020-09-25). YouTube, Zoom and Facebook censor Leila Khaled for Israel. zcomm.org "They are bothered by the ways in which we are focusing on questions of Black liberation, Palestinian liberation and prison abolition, and the connections between these movements"
(2020-09-25). Charging Officers for Taylor's Death Would 'Indict System' That's 'Broken From Top to Bottom'. sputniknews.com Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced on Wednesday that only one officer, former Det. Brett Hankison, would be indicted in connection to the March 13 shooting death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman. One expert tells Sputnik the emerging details on evidence provided to the grand jury proves "the whole system is broken."
(2020-09-25). Two Terrorists Killed, Arms and Ammunition Recovered in Kashmir Encounter. sputniknews.com Indian-administered Kashmir has witnessed fewer terrorism-related incidents since the federal government overturned Article 370 of the Constitution, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the country's federal Home Ministry told Parliament during the recently-concluded monsoon season session.
(2020-09-25). Murder Charges Against Ex-UK Army Major Over Drowning Iraqi Teen Dropped After 17-Year Inquiry. sputniknews.com As of February 2018, former British Army major Robert Campbell, 47, had been cleared from charges of drowning a 19-year-old Iraqi man, Saeed Radhi Shabram, in the city of Basra in 2003 seven times before a new investigation into the incident was kicked off, weeks after he was given a good conduct medal.
(2020-09-25). Any Meaningful Talks With Pakistan Can Only Be Held in Atmosphere Free of Terror – India's UN Envoy. sputniknews.com Sputnik has discussed a wide array of issues with Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti, permanent representative of India to the United Nations, including India's bid for a permanent seat at the UNSC, the ongoing border tensions with China, Pakistan, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.
(2020-09-25). Czechs plan to buy air defence from Israel's Rafael. yenisafak.com The Czech Defence Ministry will start talks with the Israeli government to buy a short and medium range air defence system made by Israeli state-owned supplier Rafael, the ministry said on Friday.The government has been raising defence spending to modernise its armed forces, but has admitted it would fall short of its pledge, as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to spend 2% of gross domestic product on defence by 2024.The ministry said it expected a government-to-government contract to be signed in early 2021 and supplies from 2023 and had picked Rafael's SPYDER Short Range Air Defence/Medium Ra…
(2020-09-25). Turkish infrastructure projects draw global interest. yenisafak.com This week the 13th Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum spotlighted billion-dollar infrastructure projects for global investors, including attractive transportation projects in Turkey. | "We believe that Turkey has some of the most sophisticated infrastructure companies, policies, and projects in the world," said Norman Anderson, CEO of CG-LA Infrastructure, the Washington, DC-based organizer of the forum, held virtually on Thursday. | Turkey has built a strong infrastructure over the last decade, he said. | "Turkey's projects at the forum were first class, some of the best opportunities in the world," Anderson…
(2020-09-25). Iran, Russia discussing joint production of COVID-19 vaccine. yenisafak.com Iran and Russia's sovereign wealth fund RDIF are discussing the joint production of a vaccine against COVID-19, Russian news agencies cited the Iranian ambassador to Moscow as saying on Friday."We are holding talks, I spoke with the head of RDIF Kirill Dmitriev, our officials have held several rounds of consultations and we announced that we will co-operate," Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali was cited as saying.Thus far, Russia has struck a manufacturing partnership deal with India, which is due to produce 300 million doses of the 'Sputnik-V' vaccine domestically. It is also discussing such partnerships with sev…
(2020-09-24). The US Is Using The Guardian To Justify Jailing Assange For Life. popularresistance.org Julian Assange is not on trial simply for his liberty and his life. He is fighting for the right of every journalist to do hard-hitting investigative journalism without fear of arrest and extradition to the United States. Assange faces 175 years in a US super-max prison on the basis of claims by Donald Trump's administration that his exposure of US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan amounts to "espionage". | The charges against Assange rewrite the meaning of "espionage" in unmistakably dangerous ways. Publishing evidence of state crimes, as Assange's Wikileaks organisation has done, is covered by both free speech…
(2020-09-24). CODEPINK Commends Mayor de Blasio's Decision to Skip the G20 Summit Hosted by Saudi Arabia. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-09-24). The US is Using the Guardian to Justify Jailing Assange for Life. Why is the Paper So Silent? counterpunch.org 
Julian Assange is not on trial simply for his liberty and his life. He is fighting for the right of every journalist to do hard-hitting investigative journalism without fear of arrest and extradition to the United States. Assange faces 175 years in a US super-max prison on the basis of claims by Donald Trump's administration that his exposure of US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan amounts to "espionage".
(2020-09-24). Arab and European states call on Israel and Palestine to restart talks. middleeasteye.net 
Arab and European states call on Israel and Palestine to restart talks | Foreign ministers from France, Egypt, Germany and Jordan called for the resumption of talks on the basis of the two-state solution | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 20: 53 | The top diplomats from Egypt, France, and Jordan met in Amman, while Germany's Heiko Maas joined virtually (AFP) | Foreign ministers from four Arab and Europea…
(2020-09-24). PDF of September 24 issue. workers.org 
Download the 12-page PDF. Whistleblower: ICE abuses detainees ALSO: Migrant caravan for residency; Defend BLM activist lawyers; Trump, Biden, and U.S. decline; 'Free Palestine' webinar; U.S. Cold War vs TikTok; Is Marxism still relevant? WORKERS ORGANIZE: Illinois; North Carolina. WORLD: Editorial: Ginsburg & SCOTUS. WORLD: Belarus; Bolivia. TEAR DOWN THE . . . |
(2020-09-24). Minneapolis calls for an end to aid to Israel, remembers Sabra and Shatila. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – On September 17, over 30 activists in Minneapolis bannered across Interstate 94 during rush hour to remember the Sabra and Shatila massacre and highlight the destructive role the U.S. plays in Lebanon. They waved Palestinian flags and dropped banners across eight lanes of traffic demanding an end to aid in Israel, demanding an end to apartheid, and expressing solidarity against state violence. The response from people passing by was overwhelmingly positive with a constant stream of honks from cars. | From September 16 to 18, 1982, pro-Israel militiamen murdered more than 1000 Palestinian and Leb…
(2020-09-24). Iran's coronavirus death toll surpasses 25,000. middleeasteye.net 
Iran's coronavirus death toll surpasses 25,000 | Health Ministry says 5,000 people have died from Covid-19 in past month and warns of 'third wave' | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 18: 47 | Islamic Republic has suffered worst outbreak of Covid-19 in Middle East (AFP) | The death toll from Covid-19 in Iran has surpassed 25,000, the highest total in the Middle East, with infection rates continuing to surg…
(2020-09-24). Fatah and Hamas agree to first Palestinian elections in nearly 15 years. middleeasteye.net 
Fatah and Hamas agree to first Palestinian elections in nearly 15 years | Deal between the rival Palestinian factions follows normalisation agreements between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 12: 01 | Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, centre, recites a prayer as he arrives for a meeting in Ramallah on 3 September with representatives of Palestinian factions (AFP) | The Pa…
(2020-09-24). Top consumer brands, big banks linked to brutal palm oil worker abuses. peoplesworld.org 
PENINSULAR MALAYSIA (AP)—Jum's words tumble out over the phone, his voice growing ever more frantic. Between sobs, he says he's trapped on a Malaysian plantation run by government-owned Felda, one of the world's largest palm oil companies. His boss confiscated and then lost his Indonesian passport, he says, leaving him vulnerable to arrest. Night after …
(2020-09-24). Iranian press review: Middle East's highest peak gravely threatened by mining. middleeasteye.net 
Iranian press review: Middle East's highest peak gravely threatened by mining | Meanwhile, US sanctions lead to flu vaccine shortage and conservatives want the next president to be a military commander | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 12: 35 | Mount Damavand is under threat from mining in its foothills (Greger Ravik/flickr) | Conservatives say next president should be from military : | Conse…
(2020-09-24). 'We are cheerleaders' for pro-US camp in Middle East, says UAE's Al-Otaiba. middleeasteye.net 
'We are cheerleaders' for pro-US camp in Middle East, says UAE's Al-Otaiba | Abu Dhabi's ambassador to Washington says normalisation deal with Israel will give 'moral boost' to religious minorities in region | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 23: 00 | Flags of US, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on ramparts of Jerusalem's Old City on 15 September (AFP/File photo) | The Emiratis are "cheerleaders" for the US role in the…
(2020-09-24). Imagine Trump or Biden in Church Praying for Yemeni Children Facing Starvation and US Missiles. dissidentvoice.org 
Thousands of precious Yemeni children are being starved to death, dying of cholera, or being blown to bits by US made and managed missiles. Can Americans glued to their TV sets, straining to understand what is happening to their country, imagine Trump or Biden in church praying for Yemeni children facing starvation and US missiles? …
(2020-09-24). Arab states are forging ties with Israel to please US, Ted Cruz says. middleeasteye.net 
Arab states are forging ties with Israel to please US, Ted Cruz says | US senator rejects criticism of Saudi Arabia's human rights record, says Riyadh played 'major role' in brokering Arab peace with Israel | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 18: 34 | Cruz says Donald Trump's 'clarity' in favouring Israel pushed Arab countries to embrace normalisation (AFP/File photo) | Ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in…
(2020-09-24). Solidarity with China doesn't mean closing our eyes to painful realities. peoplesworld.org 
It's no wonder that China is in the crosshairs of imperialism, both U.S. and European. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the nation has over the past few decades built itself up from poverty to become the world's second-largest economy, with an incredible rise in living standards. With its expanding trade and …
(2020-09-24). The "War Against Us", the Battle of Britain, and Steve Richards on the Prime Ministers. dissidentvoice.org 
We can report that the skies over South East England have been swarming with Spitfires and Hurricanes this month. Is there a war on? Well, yes. In 1991, the historian Howard Zinn described the two targets of Operation Desert Storm: The American population was bombarded the way the Iraqi population was bombarded. It was a …
(2020-09-24). New York City mayor boycotts summit in Saudi Arabia over rights concerns. middleeasteye.net 
New York City mayor boycotts summit in Saudi Arabia over rights concerns | Coalition of human rights groups urges world city mayors to speak out 'against injustices' and boycott summit, which is part of G20 | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 20: 50 | New York Mayor Bill de Blasio attends 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York on 11 September (AFP/File photo) | New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is pulling out of a G20 world citi…
(2020-09-24). Hunger Will Kill Us before Coronavirus. dissidentvoice.org 
Baasanjav Choijiljav (Mongolia), Promise, 2018. In April 2020, a month after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the pandemic, the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) warned that the numbers of people who lived with acute hunger around the world would double due to COVID-19 by the end of 2020 'unless swift action is taken'. A …
(2020-09-24). Turkey surprises investors with first interest rate hike in two years. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey surprises investors with first interest rate hike in two years | Analysts welcomed the step, saying it could help Turkey avoid a balance of payments crisis | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 13: 44 | A currency exchange office worker counts Turkish Lira banknotes in front of the electronic panel displaying currency exchange rates at an exchange office in Istanbul (AFP) | The Turkish Central Bank raised interest…
(2020-09-24). US congressman calls for 'UAE 94' prisoner's release. middleeasteye.net 
US congressman calls for 'UAE 94' prisoner's release | Abdulsalam Mohamed Darwish al-Marzooqi was handed 10-year sentence in 2013 after being accused of planning to overthrow Emirati government | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 17: 16 | While in prison, Marzooqi has been reportedly been subject to abuse, including solitary confinement and beatings (AFP/File photo) | A US congressman has called for the release of…
(2020-09-24). Another Arab state to announce ties with Israel in 'next day or two', US official says. middleeasteye.net 
Another Arab state to announce ties with Israel in 'next day or two', US official says | UN ambassador Kelly Craft declined to name names, but recent moves indicate Sudan or Oman may be next on list of countries to move forward with normalisation deal | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 16: 34 | Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain met with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Net…
(2020-09-24). Feet First? Trump Says He Won't Leave White House When He Loses Election. thealtworld.com 
'We're going to have to see what happens,' says US president, again raising concerns over integrity of mail-in-ballots despite no evidence of fraud | "Get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very peaceful — there won't be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation. The ballots are out of control. You know it. And you know who knows it better than anybody else? The Democrats know it better than anybody else.": | WASHINGTON (Times of Israel) — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday again declined to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the Nov. 3 presidential election. | "
(2020-09-24). The Heat: COVID-19 soars in US, UK and India. america.cgtn.com 
The World Health Organization says COVID-19 appears to be accelerating, with cases soaring in the United States, the United Kingdom and India.
(2020-09-24). Russian Embassy in US tells Washington to focus on fighting Covid-19, rather than bashing Russia's pioneering Sputnik V vaccine. rt.com 
The Russian Embassy in Washington issued a sharp rebuke of the US government on Thursday, telling them to "save American lives (and) fight Covid19 , not Russian Vaccines (being prepared to fight the killer pandemic)." | The comments were made in response to a US Department of State press briefing which had seemed to cast doubt over the effectiveness of coronavirus formulas developed in Russia. | The official Twitter account for the Russian Embassy in the USA warned the government not to "try to downplay President Putin's constructive proposal to hold an online top-level conference shortly for countries interes…
(2020-09-24). Russia now testing Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine on elderly & other high-risk groups as part of third phase trials. rt.com 
Russia has started clinical trials of its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine on volunteers from high risk groups, including the elderly. The formula is currently in its final phase of tests, before planned mass distribution. | Developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute of Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Sputnik V is the first registered Covid-19 vaccine in the world. It has already been through the first two phases of clinical trials and is due to be eventually tested on 40,000 Muscovites. Previous trial stages in the summer only accepted volunteers between the ages of 18 to 60, but the third phase…
(2020-09-24). Three UK Labour MPs demoted over opposition to torture prosecution bill. middleeasteye.net 
Three UK Labour MPs demoted over opposition to torture prosecution bill | Nadia Whittome, Beth Winter and Olivia Blake defied a Labour Party whip to oppose Overseas Operations Bill against 'vexatious' lawsuits
| Thu, 09/24/2020 – 14: 31 | Kuwaiti and British soldiers take part in exercises about 40km north of Kuwait City (AFP) | Three Labour MPs have lost their roles in the United Kingdom shadow cabine…
(2020-09-24). Another Arab state to announce ties with Israel in 'day or two', US official says. middleeasteye.net Another Arab state to announce ties with Israel in 'day or two', US official says | UN Ambassador Kelly Craft declines to identify, but recent moves indicate Sudan or Oman may be next on list of countries to move forward with normalisation deal | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 16: 34 | Foreign ministers of United Arab Emirates and Bahrain met with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last…
(2020-09-24). 'Edge of the abyss': Israel tightens coronavirus lockdown as infections climb. middleeasteye.net 
'Edge of the abyss': Israel tightens coronavirus lockdown as infections climb | Move comes after number of daily new cases has reached nearly 7,000 among a population of just nine million | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 08: 04 | Netanyahu has rejected allegations from protesters that a tougher lockdown was essentially aimed at quashing demonstrations against him (Reuters) | Prime Minister Benjamin Net…
(2020-09-24). Netanyahu brings dirty laundry to Washington for US staff to wash: Report. middleeasteye.net 
Netanyahu brings dirty laundry to Washington for US staff to wash: Report | For the first time, US officials have commented on the Israeli prime minister's behaviour, which has been reported on for years | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 11: 16 | One US official said that after multiple trips to Washington it became clear that the bringing of the dirty laundry was intentional (AFP) | Officials in the Un…
(2020-09-24). Selected Articles: "Second Wave" Faked on False-Positive COVID Tests. globalresearch.ca 
By The confrontation with Russia and the decision to boost America's military presence in Syria is but a microcosm of America's wider struggle to maintain its invasive primacy over the …
(2020-09-24). Groups from across the world ask UN General Assembly to act against Israeli apartheid. peoplesdispatch.org More than 450 civil society and human rights groups from across the globe released a letter addressed to the ongoing 75th session of the UNGA asking it to revive its anti-apartheid bodies and take action to end Israeli occupation of Palestine…
(2020-09-24). Thousands Call on Facebook to Stop Censoring Palestine. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-09-24). Advocates Demand Facebook #StopCensoringPalestine After Platform Blocks Livestream Featuring Palestinian Rights Defenders. commondreams.org "When it comes to speech advocating for Palestinians. Facebook swiftly censors and removes content, often with no explanation." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/facebook-censorship_petition.jpg …
