(2020-10-01). US Presidential Debate Presented China As the Scapegoat. Blaming China for Covid-19. globalresearch.ca American democracy would best be served by focusing more on domestically relevant facts than rhetorical attacks against foreign countries like China. | *** | The …
(2020-10-01). Serious questions remain about mysterious 'PeaceData' website blamed on Russian trolls. thegrayzone.com As political censorship escalates on social media, American spy agencies accuse Russia of running a fake left-wing news website called PeaceData. But there is no evidence for the FBI's claims, and many questions remain unanswered. By Ben Norton US government intelligence agencies have initiated a series of smear campaigns relying on false innuendo to suggest that independent left-wing American media outlets are connected to Russia. The broad-based, longstanding operation to imply links between foreign governments and alternative news websites through …
(2020-10-01). Legal group demands Israel end impunity for killing of Palestinian citizens. middleeasteye.net 
Legal group demands Israel end impunity for killing of Palestinian citizens | Adalah says public perception of Palestinians as the 'enemy' encourages deadly police violence | Thu, 10/01/2020 – 14: 48 | Four Palestinians pray in front of Israeli police at a street in Jerusalem's old city after they were prevented from entering the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for Friday prayers in October 2000 (…
(2020-10-01). The key to Viet Nam's successful COVID-19 response. mronline.org 
There were less than 400 cases of infection across the country during that period, most of them imported, and zero deaths, a remarkable accomplishment considering the country's population of 96 million people and the fact that it shares a 1,450 km land border with China.
(2020-10-01). France temporarily detains relatives of citizens trapped in Syria camps. middleeasteye.net 
France temporarily detains relatives of citizens trapped in Syria camps | At least six people were arrested by anti-terrorism unit for sending funds to family members | Thu, 10/01/2020 – 17: 18 | A woman covers her face with a veil as she holds a manifest of names while sitting by children outside a tent at al-Roj camp, 30 September 2020 (AFP) | French authorities arrested at least six French citizen…
(2020-10-01). Climate crisis gets only 10 minutes at end of presidential debate. peoplesworld.org 
The first presidential debate seemed like it would end without a mention of the climate crisis when moderator Chris Wallace brought it up at the end of the night for a segment that lasted roughly 10 minutes. The raucous event in Cleveland, Ohio was notable for President Donald's Trump's constant interruptions and bullying behavior as he spoke over …
(2020-10-01). Military hotline between Turkey and Greece established, Nato says. middleeasteye.net 
Military hotline between Turkey and Greece established, Nato says | The step comes as both countries decided to negotiate their differences in Istanbul in near future | Thu, 10/01/2020 – 16: 20 | A handout photo released by the Greek National Defence Ministry on 26 August shows ships of the Hellenic Navy taking part in a military exercise in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (AFP) | Nato has announced the es…
(2020-10-01). Pakistan's Mughal Syndrome. counterpunch.org 
In recent years, India has begun to view the Mughals and other Muslim dynasties before them, not as natives but invaders and colonizers. Hindutva's rise sees even Islam as a foreign religion and the Mughal monuments, including the Taj Mahal, as occupiers' relics. The 1947 partition takes on new meaning as India reincarnates Hindu glories whitewashing the Muslim rule.
(2020-10-01). Lebanon and Israel agree to hold UN-mediated talks on border dispute. middleeasteye.net 
Lebanon and Israel agree to hold UN-mediated talks on border dispute | United States, which has welcomed the framework agreement, will act as facilitator during the discussions | Thu, 10/01/2020 – 14: 37 | A file picture taken on 5 September 2018 near the Rosh Hanikra border crossing in northern Israel, shows the Naqura Bay south of the Lebanese city of Tyre as seen behind a new wall on th…
(2020-10-01). US lawsuit challenges Trump's sanctions against ICC. middleeasteye.net 
US lawsuit challenges Trump's sanctions against ICC | Rights group and law professors are suing the administration to block US measures against International Criminal Court | Thu, 10/01/2020 – 21: 15 | President Donald Trump during a visit to US troops in Afghanistan in November 2019 (AFP/File Photo) | A human rights group, along with four law professors, have filed a lawsuit against the US President Donald Tr…
(2020-10-01). Coronavirus: Turkish government admits excluding asymptomatic cases from figures. middleeasteye.net 
Coronavirus: Turkish government admits excluding asymptomatic cases from figures | Revelation prompts outrage as Turkish Medical Association accuses government of 'hiding the facts' | Thu, 10/01/2020 – 09: 23 | The official number of daily coronavirus cases in Turkey have begun to decline in recent days after rising over the past several weeks (Reuters) | Doctors and politicians in Turkey…
(2020-10-01). Twitter removes 130 Iran-linked accounts during US presidential debate. middleeasteye.net 
Twitter removes 130 Iran-linked accounts during US presidential debate | Social media giant says accounts all appeared to originate in Iran and were identified based on FBI intelligence | Thu, 10/01/2020 – 17: 06 | Last year, Twitter removed almost 5,000 accounts it said were linked to Iranian government (AFP/File photo) | Twitter says it removed 130 accounts linked to Iran that were "attempting to disrupt the…
(2020-10-01). Russian Defense Minister Reviews 5 Years Of Syria Operation. thealtworld.com 
September 30th, 2020, marked exactly 5 years since the beginning of the Russian operation in Syria. | It began after Damascus issued an official invitation for the Russian army to help the Syrian people and liberate the country from international terrorist groups. | On this day in 2015, the Federation Council gave its consent to Russian President Vladimir Putin to use the Russian Armed Forces in Syria. The decision was a response to the official appeal of the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad."In the specified period, the situation in Syria turned out to be critical. The emerging situation threatened the defeat of…
(2020-10-01). Iranian press review: Tensions flare in Iraq and Iran over criticism of Sistani. middleeasteye.net 
Iranian press review: Tensions flare in Iraq and Iran over criticism of Sistani | Meanwhile, oil exports sharply increase despite US sanctions and three authors are jailed for 'propaganda against the state' | Thu, 10/01/2020 – 12: 58 | Mask-clad members of the Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitary force stand near portraits of Sistani, left, and Soleimani, right (AFP) |
(2020-10-01). Pandemic of Repression: Modi Government Crushes Dissent While Ignoring India's 6 Million COVID Cases. democracynow.org 
As India becomes just the second country to hit 6 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, we speak to journalist Rana Ayyub in Mumbai, who was recently hospitalized after testing positive for the disease. India's lead pandemic agency says an antibody study suggests more than 60 million people in the country have already been infected with the coronavirus — 10 times the official count but still a small fraction of its population of 1.3 billion. "It doesn't feel like India is even talking about the pandemic," says Ayyub, a global opinions writer for The Washington Post. "More than the fear of the pandemic, people i…
(2020-10-01). Two Iranian-Flagged Tankers Reportedly Arrive in Venezuela as Maduro Vows to Improve Gasoline Output. sputniknews.com In May, five Iranian tankers delivered more than a million barrels of oil to Venezuela, hit by a serious fuel shortage caused by US sanctions.
(2020-10-01). UN sends 16 truckloads of aid to Syria's Idlib. yenisafak.com The UN on Thursday sent 16 truckloads of humanitarian aid to Idlib, northwestern Syria, where millions of people need assistance due to the worsening internal conflict.The trucks carrying supplies entered the Idlib province through the Cilvegozu border gate in Turkey's southern Hatay province. | The aid will be distributed among residents of Idlib and nearby rural areas.Syria has been ravaged by civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protesters. | Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, and more than 10 million displaced, according to UN estimates.Idlib falls with…
(2020-10-01). 'Don't wait on west': MP from Ukraine's largest opposition party urges Kiev to swallow pride & buy Russian coronavirus vaccine. rt.com 
A Ukrainian opposition MP has called for Kiev to start a dialogue with Moscow to purchase the Russian Covid-19 vaccine. Viktor Medvedchuk is an influential member of the pro-Russia and eurosceptic 'Opposition Platform' group. | Writing on the party website, Medvedchuk said he believes the country should buy the Russian vaccine, Sputnik V, instead of making deals with Western companies for vaccines which don't exist yet. | "Russia has already received applications from 50 countries, including from the CIS, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America," Medvedchuk wrote. "If the Ukrainian government is going…
(2020-10-01). UK govt report claims Huawei security failings pose long-term risk, but company says defects not linked to 'China interference'. rt.com 
UK security officials were not convinced by China's Huawei Technologies that the security risks of using its products in Britain can be adequately managed in the long term, a government report said. | The Chinese company could only give "limited assurance" that risks to UK networks could be sufficiently mitigated from a long-term perspective, the report released on Thursday said. It cited "continued problems" with engineering and security practices at Huawei. | A government-led board, which includes officials from Britain's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), signaled that the intelligence agency st…
(2020-10-01). Navalny 'is working with CIA': Kremlin makes explosive allegation after opposition figure blames Putin for alleged poisoning. rt.com 
Western intelligence agencies — in particular, agents from the American CIA — are working with Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, Vladimir Putin's spokesman alleged on Thursday. | "Probably, it is not the patient [Navalny] who works for the Western special services, but that the Western intelligence services work with him, this would be more correct (to say)" Dmitry Peskov explained. "I can even be specific – these days, specialists from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States of America are working with him." | The bombshell allegation comes just hours after Navalny claim…
(2020-10-01). Could they be blocked? Russia refuses to grant extension to Facebook & Twitter over demand to store citizens' data inside country. rt.com 
Russia has changed its mind about giving Facebook and Twitter extra time to fulfill the legal requirement of moving their servers. The law states that data on Russian users is required to be stored inside the country's borders. | According to newspaper RBK, it was previously thought that the two tech giants, as well as some other companies, would be given until October 30, 2022 to comply. Instead, the government has decided only to grant delays to companies that sell airplane tickets, leaving everyone else scrambling to find a Russian server. | According to a Russian law passed in 2015, websites with data on R…
(2020-10-01). Russian combat strength is at post-USSR peak after decade of investment, says military industry bankrolled British think tank. rt.com 
A Western weapons-industry funded think tank claims Russia's military capability is at its strongest since the Cold War period, and its forces are better equipped and more professional after ten years of investment and reform. | The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), says Russia's modernization and recent combat experience means it now has a highly capable army. It is worth noting that the organisation is funded by the likes of Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Raytheon and Boeing: All of whom have a vested business interest in promoting the idea of threats to Western military hegemony. | "Today…
(2020-10-01). 'Put the proof on prime time TV, you have my permission': Navalny to sue Putin's spokesman over CIA allegation. rt.com 
A dramatic day of verbal hostility has led to Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny announcing his intent to sue President Vladimir Putin's spokesman. The threat came after the Kremlin accused Navalny of working with the CIA. | Germany's Der Spiegel magazine published a sensational interview with Navalny on Thursday, in which the anti-corruption activist, who is recovering in Berlin from a suspected poisoning, says "I assert that Putin is behind [the crime], I don't see any other explanation." | In response to these comments, Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov dropped a bombshell, telling reporters the M…
(2020-10-01). Russia's FSB detains Siberian nuclear scientist suspected of passing classified technologies & state secrets to China. rt.com 
A Russian physicist is being accused of divulging state secrets, after conducting research at a physics lab in China. He couldn't return to his work there due to Covid rules and had recently been working at Tomsk State University. | The Urals-based news site Znak identified the suspect as 64-year-old nuclear physicist Alexander Lukanin. Znak reported that Lukanin was arrested for disclosing classified information belonging to the Russian government, but there has been no official confirmation of this. The outlet also reported that the scientist is currently in a pre-trial detention centre, and that the FSB has…
(2020-10-01). Lebanon agrees 'framework' to negotiate on disputed maritime border with Israel — senior official. rt.com 
Lebanon is ready for US-mediated talks with Israel to resolve a long-standing maritime border dispute, the speaker of Lebanon's parliament, Nabih Berri, said. The two nations are technically in a state of war. | The talks will be held under the auspices of the United Nations, at a base near the UN-monitored boundary with Israel, known as the Blue Line, Berri told reporters on Thursday. The Lebanese military will lead the rare direct negotiations between the two nations, which will be mediated by the US. | "This is a framework agreement, and not a final one," Berri noted. | Israel's Energy Minister Yuval Steini…
(2020-10-01). Governor of Russia's remote & frozen far-eastern peninsula of Kamchatka plans to lift local mood with 'Ministry of Happiness'. rt.com 
Pharrell Williams would surely approve: the governor of the vast, but remote and sparsely populated Kamchatka region has proposed setting up a Ministry of Happiness to lift the mood on the wet and windy weather-beaten promontory. | Kamchatka, the size of the United Kingdom, with a population smaller than that of Malta, is snowbound for half the year, and has a climate ranging from subarctic in the south to polar in the north. Now, Governor Vladimir Solodov plans to get locals smiling, against the odds. The move forms part of wider reforms to government agencies on the peninsula. | In a statement on the Kamchat…
(2020-10-01). Azerbaijan & Armenia at war: What you need to know about bloody conflict over long-disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh (MAP). rt.com 
The bloody flareup between Azerbaijan and Armenia over a territorial dispute risks escalating into a major regional war. Here is how the two former Soviet republics got locked into a conflict rooted in feuds as old as the hills. | The ongoing hostilities started on September 27, becoming one of the most serious in a series of border clashes that have been occurring in the region on a fairly regular basis. The parties are fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region located inside Azerbaijan, as recognised internationally, and some surrounding territories. | Baku claims sovereignty over these, based on…
(2020-10-01). Two journalists from Paris daily 'Le Monde' seriously injured in Azerbaijani strike on Nagorno-Karabakh, one in 'grave' condition. rt.com 
Two journalists from French newspaper Le Monde have suffered serious injuries after shelling by Azerbaijani forces hit a group of reporters covering the conflict between Yerevan and Baku over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. | The journalists were working in Martuni, in the eastern part of the disputed territory, when the Azerbaijani military hit the city with an airstrike, the Paris daily said on Thursday. Two Armenian reporters also suffered injuries in the incident, and one local law enforcement officer died, according to Yerevan. | | Bloodstains and equipment are seen in a car of Armenian reporters…
(2020-10-01). UAE police chief accused of torture 'frontrunner for top Interpol job'. middleeasteye.net 
UAE police chief accused of torture 'frontrunner for top Interpol job' | Nasser Ahmed al-Raisi, accused of serious human rights abuses, could be named Interpol president in December | Thu, 10/01/2020 – 14: 26 | UAE police chief Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi (L), pictured in 2018 (Wikicommons) | A United Arab Emirates security chief accused of presiding over the "torture" of a British student is at…
(2020-10-01). Two Years After Khashoggi's Murder, Why is America Still an Accomplice to MBS's Crimes? dissidentvoice.org 
Trump holds a chart of weapon sales as he welcomes Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office, March 20, 2018. (Photo: Reuters) Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered on October 2, 2018 by agents of Saudi Arabia's despotic government, and the CIA concluded they killed him on direct orders from Saudi Crown Prince …
(2020-10-01). Turkish cross-border, peacekeeping missions up for extension. yenisafak.com Turkey's parliament is due to consider a motion extending authorization to launch cross-border anti-terrorist operations in northern Iraq and Syria, as well as deploy peacekeeping forces to the countries of Lebanon, Mali, and the Central African Republic.The motion, submitted on Thursday by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government, would allow the Turkish military to carry out cross-border operations in northern Iraq and Syria for another year, from Oct. 30, 2020 until Oct. 30, 2021.The motion states that Turkey places great importance on protecting Iraq's territorial integrity, national unity, and stability."
(2020-10-01). Russia vs. US Imperial Aims in Syria. globalresearch.ca Former NATO commander General Wesley Clark earlier explained that the US underwent a post-9/11 transformation. A "policy coup" occurred. | With no public debate or acknowledgement, hardliners in Washington usurped power. | Days after 9/11, Clark learned from Pentagon commanders that plans …
(2020-10-01). Russia-Turkey Agreement over Idlib Faces Collapse. globalresearch.ca Hayat Tahir Sham (HTS), formerly known as Jibhat al Nusra, the Al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, began demanding the evacuation of civilians in Agrabat in the Idlib province recently, or they would be moved by force. HTS is supported by …
(2020-10-01). Election Interference in Latin America: A Growing Danger. cepr.net Many people in the US first became aware of the problem of election interference on social media when allegations emerged of Russian attempts to influence the 2016 US elections through the dissemination of "fake news" on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. But as we learn more about the phenomenon, it is becoming increasingly …
(2020-10-01). Bt Cotton in India is a GMO Template for a 'Monumental Irreversible Catastrophe'. counterpunch.org Cotton is the only genetically modified (GM) crop that has been officially approved in India and has been cultivated (illegally then legally) in the country for more than 20 years. Although GM mustard has been approved for commercial cultivation by India's apex regulatory body for GM crops (the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, GEAC), a public
(2020-10-01). Russia, France denounce Turkey as Armenian-Azeri war escalates. wsws.org As reports emerge that Turkey is sending Syrian Islamist mercenaries to Azerbaijan to fight Armenia, the risk of a Russian-Turkish clash and a broader regional war is rising.
(2020-10-01). Evasions, anti-Russian demagogy at Comey hearing before US Senate. wsws.org The former FBI director claimed dozens of times not to be aware of the details of the initial stages of the 2016 investigation into Trump and Russia.
(2020-10-01). US announces fresh sanctions on war-ravaged Syria. peoplesdispatch.org The newly imposed unilateral sanctions by the US are likely to harm the Syrian government's efforts to rejuvenate the economy. Already existing EU and US sanctions are seen as among the main hurdles to the reconstruction process in Syria…
(2020-10-01). America Is on the Road to Revolution. strategic-culture.org We have more in common with pre-Nazi Germany and pre-Soviet Russia than we think. | Rod DREHER | In 1951, six years after the end of World War II, the political philosopher Hannah Arendt published The Origins of Totalitarianism, in an attempt to understand how such radical ideologies of both left and right had seized the minds of so many in the 20th century. Arendt's book used to be a staple in college history and political theory courses. With the end of the Cold War 30 years behind us, who today talks about totalitarianism? Almost no one—and if they do, it's about Nazism, not communism. | Unsurprisingl…
(2020-10-01). Harvesting, drying plums in NE Iran. en.mehrnews.com JAJARM, Oct. 01 (MNA) — The photos below depict the traditional harvesting and drying of yellow plums in a rural area near Jarjarm, North Khorasan province.
(2020-10-01). Briefing on Iran's daily developments. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) — The following are Iran's developments in the past 24 hours.
(2020-10-01). Headlines of Iran's Persian-language dailies on Oct. 01. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) — Mehr News takes a look at the headlines of Iran's Persian-language dailies on Thursday, October 01.
(2020-10-01). Nouri dismisses report of link with Esteghlal. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) — Iranian-German coach Alexander Nouri has rejected reports of his initial agreement with Esteghlal or any other Iranian team.
(2020-10-01). Rouhani felicitates Nigeria on Independence Day. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulated the anniversary of Nigeria's independence from Britain, calling for increased cooperation with the African country.
(2020-10-01). Mortar shells of Karabakh conflict injures Iranian child. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) — Mortar shells from the military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region has hit a village in the Iranian soil, injuring a 6-year-old child.
(2020-10-01). Iran ready to coop. with China on COVID-19 vaccine. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani felicitated the Chinese National Day and expressed readiness for increased cooperation with Beijing, especially in producing the COVID-19 vaccine.
(2020-10-01). Damascus rules out any agreements Israeli regime. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) — Syria has underlined its rejection of any agreement with the Israeli regime, noting that the regime is harming the Arab cause and especially the Palestinian cause.
(2020-10-01). Front pages of Iran's English-language dailies on Oct. 01. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) — Here are the front pages of Iran's English-language dailies on Thursday, October 01.
(2020-10-01). 25-year agreement to open new chapter in Iran-China ties. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) — First Vice President Es'hagh Jahangiri expressed congratulations to the Chinese officials and people on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the establishment of Modern China which is celebrated on October 1.
(2020-10-01). Hundredfold increase of knowledge-based firms in 7 yrs. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday that the number of knowledge-based companies has increased a hundredfold since seven years ago.