(2020-10-31). Draft Debacle: Bellingcat Smears OPCW Whistleblower, Journalists With False Letter, Farcical Claims. strategic-culture.org 
Bellingcat claimed to have uncovered a letter that disproves OPCW inspectors and journalists who challenged the censorship of a Syria chemical weapons probe. But in one of many falsehoods, Bellingcat's "letter" was in fact only a draft that was never sent — and only further exposes the cover-up. | Aaron MATÉ | Bellingcat, the NATO member state-funded website that has participated in a propaganda effort to accuse Syria of a chemical weapons attack in April 2018 and justify the US-led bombing that followed, has published a new falsehood-ridden attack on an OPCW whistleblower whose suppressed findings exposed…
(2020-10-31). Remembering Stephen F. Cohen: Katrina vanden Heuvel on life and love with eminent Russia scholar. thegrayzone.com Katrina vanden Heuvel on the life and legacy of her late husband Stephen F. Cohen, the eminent historian who shaped the field of Russia studies and bravely challenged the New Cold War. Stephen F. Cohen, the eminent historian who helped shape the field of Russia studies and bravely exposed the fallacies and dangers of Russiagate and the new Cold War, passed away on September 18, 2020 at the age of 81. Cohen's wife, Katrina vanden Heuvel, editorial director and publisher …
(2020-10-31). What Does Israel Have against Palestinian Singer, Mohammed Assaf? dissidentvoice.org 
Why does Israel hate Palestinian singer, Mohammed Assaf? On October 16, Avi Dichter, Israeli Member of Parliament from the right-wing Likud Party, announced that Assaf's special permit to enter the occupied Palestinian West Bank would be revoked. Assaf, originally from Gaza, now lives with his family in the United Arab Emirates. He achieved stardom in …
(2020-10-31). The US Alliance with India: Bipartisan Issue of Strategic Importance. globalresearch.ca The US' alliance with India will remain a mainstay of its grand strategy regardless of who wins next week's elections since it's a bipartisan issue of the highest importance for its permanent military, intelligence, and diplomatic bureaucracies ("deep state"). | ***…
(2020-10-31). The Threat of Peace… Why America Needs War With Russia and How To Stop It. strategic-culture.org 
(2020-10-31). From a wealthy socialite to an Israeli Govt censor, Facebook's new "Free Speech Court" is anything but independent. mronline.org 
Freedom of speech on the Internet is all but extinct, and on the eve of the 2020 U.S. elections, a de facto "free speech court" is going to make sure it never comes back. On Facebook at least.
(2020-10-31). Dumping Fukushima's Water into the Ocean… Seriously? dissidentvoice.org 
(Reuters) For nearly a decade the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has been streaming radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. As it happens, TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Co.) struggles to control it. Yet, the bulk of the radioactive water is stored in more than 1,000 water tanks. Assuredly, Japan's government has made an informal …
(2020-10-31). How A Key Pentagon Official Turned China Policy Over To Arms Industry And Taiwan Supporters. popularresistance.org When the United States finalized a set of seven arms sales packages to Taiwan in August, including 66 upgraded F-16 fighter planes and longer-range air-to-ground missiles that could hit sensitive targets on mainland China, it shifted U.S. policy sharply toward a much more aggressive stance on the geo-strategic island at the heart of military tensions between the United States and China. | Branded "Fortress Taiwan" by the Pentagon, the ambitious arms deal was the engineered by Randall Schriver, a veteran pro-Taiwan activist and anti-China hardliner whose think tank had been financed by America's biggest arms contr…
(2020-10-31). [Correspondence] Asymptomatic health-care worker screening during the COVID-19 pandemic — Authors' reply. thelancet.com Kevin Fennelly and Christopher Whalen emphasise that health-care workers (HCWs) are at a higher risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection than are the general population. Angela Chow and colleagues describe their experience in Singapore of very low rates of HCW infections and nosocomial transmission when effective personal protective equipment is implemented. We agree with both perspectives, and our Correspondence1 did not contradict either of these viewpoints.
(2020-10-31). Meeting of COVID-19 combat headquarters held on Saturday. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — National Coronavirus Combat and Prevention Headquarters held a meeting in the presence of Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki on Saturday.
(2020-10-31). Sunday 11/22: Write Now! SF Bay: Claim Ourselves, Connect With Each Other. indybay.org Zoom…
(2020-10-31). Washington resorting to target Iran vital infrastructures. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — Hailing Iran's defense equipment and deterrent power, the Head of Iran's Passive Defense Organization noted that Americans have resorted to targeting Iran's infrastructures after failing in the field of military options.
(2020-10-31). Foreign powers, main cause of regional crises: Army cmdr. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — Iran's Army Chief Commander said that foreign powers are the main cause of crises in the region.
(2020-10-31). Iran COVID-19 update: 386 deaths, 7,820 cases in 24 hours. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — The Iranian Health Ministry has confirmed 7,820 COVID-19 infections and 386 deaths due to the disease in the past 24 hours.
(2020-10-31). No one should insult Holy Prophet in name of democracy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — Iranian First Vice President said that no one should insult Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) under the pretext of freedom of expression and democracy, stating that the West should stop committing violence and insult.
(2020-10-31). Manufacturing Happy People. zcomm.org In other words, if you are born in a slum in Manila or make t-shirts for the high-street fashion industry in some factory in Indonesia, or parts for an Apple iPad in China, etc. there is nothing you can do about it — except be happy…
(2020-10-31). FM spox commiserates with quake-hit people of Turkey. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — The spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry has expressed commiserations with the Turkish people following a strong and deadly earthquake which hit the country on Friday.
(2020-10-31). Is Euthanasia Ethically Acceptable? Ethics vs. Morality. globalresearch.ca Introduction | The question is obviously limited to the ethical but may also be considered in the area of morals and thus revise it to, "Is euthanasia morally correct?" I do not intend to get into a hair-splitting discussion since, in …
(2020-10-31). "Sailors do not go to the sea alone" wins at Kenya FilmFest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — Iranian documentary "Sailors do not go to the sea alone" received the Diploma of Honor for Best Feature Documentary at the Kenya International Sports Film Festival.
(2020-10-31). Asian American Intl. Filmfest to host Iranian "Haunt" en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — The Seattle Asian American Film Festival will be hosting the Iranian short film "Haunt" which is directed by Siamak Kashef-Azar.
(2020-10-31). Iranian feature film 'Badger' wins at Austin Film Festival. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — Iranian feature 'Badger' won an award at the 27th edition of Austin Film Festival in US.
(2020-10-31). Campaign for validating same sex marriage in Estonia gains momentum. peoplesdispatch.org Progressive sections in Estonia have launched the petition after the government proposed a national referendum that will define marriage as a union between a man and a woman…
(2020-10-31). Rahbari urges artists to return Order of Arts & Letters. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — The former conductor of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra Ali Rahbari called on the Iranian artists to return their Chevalier of Arts & Letters due to the French president's support for insulting the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH).
(2020-10-31). TPOI pursuing launch of bartering deal with 10 countries. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) – Deputy Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade said that Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) is pursuing the operationalization of bartering deal with 10 countries.
(2020-10-31). Defense agreement with US is a blow to India's strategic autonomy. peoplesdispatch.org Newsclick's Prabir Purkayastha analyzes the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) which was signed between India and the United States during the recent 2+2 ministerial dialogue in New Delhi…
(2020-10-31). Why are care workers across India protesting? peoplesdispatch.org A.R. Sindhu, General Secretary of All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, talks about the issues faced by care workers and why they have launched a fresh wave of struggles…
(2020-10-31). Autumn attracting skydivers to Yazd. en.mehrnews.com YAZD, Oct. 31 (MNA) — The number of skydivers and aficionados coming to the central Iranian province of Yazd has been growing in the past weeks after the onset of autumn and its suitable wind conditions.
(2020-10-31). City Councilman charged with assault and impersonating an officer. nationofchange.org Warren City Councilman Eddie Kabacinski chased down a young woman after she placed three Black Lives Matter stickers on Trump-Pence signs posted along the road.
(2020-10-31). 'Gabriel' wins two awards at Berkeley film festival. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 01 (MNA) — Iranian short film, 'Gabriel' has snatched to awards at the at the 2020 Berkeley Video & Film Festival in the US.
(2020-10-31). Bosnia & Herzegovina eyes bolstering economic coop. with Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — Speaker of House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina said that his country keens to strengthen and bolster economic cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
(2020-10-31). '180 Degree Rule' wins at Valladolid Intl. FilmFest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — Iranian film '180 Degree Rule' by Farnoosh Samadi has won an ward at the 65th Valladolid International Film Festival in Spain.
(2020-10-31). [Correspondence] Asymptomatic health-care worker screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. thelancet.com Mass testing of asymptomatic health-care workers (HCWs) has been suggested to reduce nosocomial transmission of COVID-19.1 This level of testing might not be necessary in hospitals with protocols for personal protective equipment,2 despite recommendations by Thomas Treibel and colleagues.3 The 1600-bed Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, is colocated with the 330-bed National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, which, together, manage most patients with COVID-19 in Singapore. At this hospital, HCWs use fit-tested N95 respirators, eye protection, gloves, and gowns in areas where patients with COVID-19 are tr…
(2020-10-30). France tensions explained in six questions. middleeasteye.net 
France tensions explained in six questions | Deadly attacks, 'Islam in crisis' comments, boycotts and cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad… Middle East Eye deciphers the context of recent tensions | Fri, 10/30/2020 – 12: 33 | A Palestinian woman walks past a mural of French President Emmanuel Macron in Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on 28 October 2020, painted to denounce Macron's defence of c…
(2020-10-30). War-Weary Yemenis See Threat in Israel's Increasingly Public Role in Their Country. mintpressnews.com 
Many in Yemen fear that Israel's ambitions in their country don't end at the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and rumors are circulating that land grabs reminiscent of those in Palestine could soon hit Yemen's shores.
(2020-10-30). Will Trump Surprise Pollsters and Hostile Media by Defeating Biden? globalresearch.ca The NYT is notably unrelenting in pushing fake news of Russian US election meddling to help Biden defeat Trump. | Despite claiming otherwise, the US intelligence community has no evidence suggesting foreign interference in the US election process this year or …
(2020-10-30). "Fighting for Democracy": Carol Anderson on Voter Suppression & Why Georgia Could Go Blue. democracynow.org 
As the 2020 campaign enters its final days, we go to Georgia, where two Senate seats are up for grabs and both Republican incumbents face stiff opposition. Joe Biden is also spending significant time in the state, which no Democratic presidential candidate has won since 1992. "Georgia is truly in play," says Emory University professor Carol Anderson. "We have had grassroots organizing and mobilizing, registering folks to vote, working through getting through all of the voter suppression barriers to bring people out to the polls in unprecedented numbers." Anderson is the author of "One Person, No Vote: How Voter S…
(2020-10-30). Why I'm Voting Green in 2020. globalresearch.ca Author's note: Kevin and I worked on this article together right before his untimely passing on September 6. I met Kevin during Ralph Nader's 2004 presidential campaign. Throughout the years since, I appreciated seeing his anti-imperialist and eco-socialist arguments strengthen …
(2020-10-30). The Sudan-Israel "Peace Deal: Lots of Behind-the-Scenes Maneuvering. globalresearch.ca The Sudanese-"Israeli" peace deal isn't a spontaneous act of reconciliation like it's misportrayed by some as being but the result of lots of behind-the-scenes maneuvering including last year's military coup and recent reports that Saudi Arabia will secretly pay Sudan's …
(2020-10-30). Turkey earthquake leaves several dead and hundreds wounded. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey earthquake leaves several dead and hundreds wounded | The earthquake, of up to 7.0 magnitude, destroyed several buildings and set off tidal waves | Fri, 10/30/2020 – 12: 54 | Locals and officials search for survivors at a collapsed building in Izmir, Turkey, after a strong earthquake struck the Aegean Sea on 30 October 2020 (Reuters) | An earthquake of up to 7.0 magnitude hit Izmir province in the…
(2020-10-30). Saudi G20 banknote angers India by depicting independent Kashmir. middleeasteye.net 
Saudi G20 banknote angers India by depicting independent Kashmir | New note, which celebrates G20 summit, has been criticised by New Delhi and reignited conversations about administration of territory | Fri, 10/30/2020 – 16: 25 | Banknote has caused controversy online (Screengrab/Social media) | A new 20 riyal note issued by Saudi Arabia to commemorate the kingdom's presidency of the G20 has sparked cont…
(2020-10-30). Arabic press review: Egyptian photojournalist disappears after interrogation. middleeasteye.net 
Arabic press review: Egyptian photojournalist disappears after interrogation | Meanwhile, Sudan's foreign minister is criticised over normalisation with Israel, and a French MP demands action be taken against UAE as a 'tax haven' | Fri, 10/30/2020 – 14: 37 | Egyptian photojournalist Mohamed al-Rai has reportedly gone missing since Wednesday (Twitter) | Egypt: Detained photojournalist missing…
(2020-10-30). As Covid-19 cases continue to sharply rise in Russia, Kremlin admits country has a shortage of doctors & calls for pay rises. rt.com 
Russia hasn't got enough doctors and paying them more should be a priority. That's according to Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, who said medics are working in "extreme conditions" during the Covid-19 pandemic. | When asked about doctors' wages, during a Friday press call, Peskov highlighted that Russia's regions have been given extra money to fight the coronavirus, and that they should use some of that to attract better specialists. According to Moscow-based newspaper Kommersant, a journalist had noted that richer areas of the country are luring higher-qualified doctors away from poorer lo…
(2020-10-30). Qatar to prosecute those behind invasive searches of women at airport. middleeasteye.net 
Qatar to prosecute those behind invasive searches of women at airport | Women on 10 flights out of Doha were examined as authorities searched for the mother of an abandoned baby | Fri, 10/30/2020 – 10: 35 | The incident only came to light this week after affected Australian passengers spoke out (AFP) | Qatar said on Friday that those responsible for the invasive gynaecological searches of…
(2020-10-30). 'What next, a white Rosa Parks?' Internet clashes over black model cast to play English Queen Anne Boleyn. rt.com 
Black model Jodie Turner-Smith is set to play 16th-century Queen of England Anne Boleyn, who was, of course, a white woman. The head-scratching choice tore the Internet apart, many suggesting it amounted to cultural appropriation. | Turner-Smith's turn as the medieval monarch was announced on Friday. The project was described by entertainment outlet Deadline as being a three-part "convention-defying" psychological thriller by Channel 5, set to "shine a feminist light" on the life of Boleyn, famously sent to her death by her husband King Henry the Eighth. | Social media quickly began overflowing with complaints…
(2020-10-30). New Zealanders approve euthanasia in a referendum, reject legalization of recreational cannabis. peoplesdispatch.org 
According to the preliminary results announced by the electoral commission of New Zealand on Friday, October 30, more than 65% of the voters in the country who participated in a referendum approved a legislation allowing euthanasia. Though nearly half a million votes are still to be counted and the final results will be announced on November 6, it is by and large a clear "yes." | New Zealand held two referendums on Thursday. In the second referendum, the proposal to legalize the use of recreational cannabis was rejected with more than 53% voters saying "no." | In the cannabis question, 'yes' received 46.1 percent…
(2020-10-30). Thai Protesters Host US-Funded Uyghur Separatists. thealtworld.com 
Anti-government agitator Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal hosts US government-funded "Uyghur Human Rights Project" in bid to help further integrate Thai opposition into Washington's wider war on China. | US has funded Uyghur separatism in Xinjiang for years through the US NED | UHRP is funded by the US NED, the same US government front funding Thai anti-government protests | UHRP refers to Xinjiang as "East Turkistan," openly admitting its support for separatism in Xinjiang | China has faced extreme terrorism in Xinjiang for years with even the Western media previously admitting the frequent, deadly attacks carried out b…
(2020-10-30). 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm' a provocative mockumentary that lampoons conservative political culture. peoplesworld.org 
Note: This review contains spoilers. Many readers may be familiar with the original Borat (2006) film, starring comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's controversial fictitious character, Borat, a reporter from Kazakhstan who travels to the U.S. to learn about America. Those who have seen Baron Cohen's work know that his Borat character is anti-Semitic, homophobic, and misogynist, …
(2020-10-30). The Orwellian Ironies of the So-Called Labour Party. counterpunch.org 
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is one of the most ghoulish figures in the annals of ambition and mass-murder. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the Scottish thane was slowly and mentally unravelled by the fact that he had directly and physically participated in the crime which would lead to his damnation, but Blair's civilised, manicured fingers have known only privilege and never violence, so I imagine the hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqis probably don't trouble him that much.
(2020-10-30). Covid-19 as deadly for nurses as World War I, with fatalities from virus matching deaths during four-year war. rt.com 
As many nurses have died from Covid-19 as during the whole of World War I, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has said, adding that health worker fatalities in the pandemic were likely hugely under-reported. | At least 1,500 nurses have lost their lives since the novel coronavirus outbreak was first reported in China's Wuhan some 11 months ago, according to ICN figures. The same amount is believed to have been killed during World War I, which lasted for four years between 1914 and 1918. | "The fact that as many nurses have died during this pandemic as died during World War I is shocking," ICN head Howar…
(2020-10-30). Instagram 'blocked French account of Iran's Khamenei' after he sent message to youths on Prophet Mohammed cartoons. rt.com 
A French-language Instagram account of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was temporarily blocked after posting a critical message to young people about controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, Iran's FARS news agency reported. | The page became inaccessible on Friday, two days after Khamenei's missive to "young French people" was posted on social media. In his address, the Ayatollah blasted French President Emmanuel Macron as "stupid" for insisting that caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed were in line with that country's values of freedom of speech. He also questioned why it was "OK" in France to insult the Prophe…