(2020-05-20). Pandemia ha acelerado etapa final del capitalismo ° El resto depende de nosotros! — Parte 2. workers.org 
Gran parte de las discusiones en el internet sobre el mejor camino hacia el socialismo a raíz de la nueva popularidad del socialismo, que ha estimulado el crecimiento de los socialistas demócratas de América y la campaña de Bernie Sanders, tienden a tener un defecto importante. En general, las discusiones . . . |
(2020-05-20). "Weapons of mass incompetence" workers.org 
By Vijay Prashad These slightly edited remarks were given April 24 at the "U.S. Empire vs. Political Prisoners" webinar teach-in sponsored by Mobilization4Mumia and held in honor of the 66th birthday of political prisoner and revolutionary Mumia Abu-Jamal. We are in Corona shock. The bourgeois order has become a prison. . . . |
(2020-05-20). If Trump Wins Again, Don't Blame Progressives. counterpunch.org The corporate conservatives who control the Democratic Party are suffering from cheaters' remorse. The DNC and their media allies (NPR, CNN, MSNBC, New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, Vox, etc.) subverted the will of primary voters, undermining initial frontrunner Bernie Sanders in order to install the worst candidate of the 20 centrists in the campaign. Now
(2020-05-20). Economic ruin, pandemic pose question: Capitalism or Socialism? workers.org 
This is a slightly edited and expanded version of a talk given during the "What Road To Socialism?" webinar held by Workers World Party on May 16. May 17 — According to the Department of Labor, the official unemployment rate is now almost 15 percent. A staggering 37 million workers . . . |
(2020-05-20). Washington's Tell Tale of Iranian-Al Qaeda Alliance Based on Questionably Sourced Book 'The Exile'. globalresearch.ca A disinformation campaign aimed to justify the assassination of Qassem Soleimani by painting him and Iran as willing enablers of al-Qaeda. The propaganda operation relied heavily on a shoddily sourced book, "The Exile." | *** | The U.S. assassination of
(2020-05-20). Failures in Syria and Libya Fuel Coup Speculations Against Erdogan. globalresearch.ca Turkish media has been full of speculation of a potential coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, including from state-run
(2020-05-20). Venezuela invasion bid: US denial on its role is not credible. peoplesdispatch.org Can we believe the claims of the US administration that it had no involvement in the most recent Venezuelan invasion attempt? Anya Parampil of The Grayzone tells more.
(2020-05-20). Soaring Beyond the Green New Deal. dissidentvoice.org 
When Stan Cox was writing his book, The Green New Deal and Beyond: Ending the Climate Emergency While We Still Can, he scripted these prophetic words: "The oft-predicted national decline in use of fossil fuels is nowhere to be seen, and it is unlikely to occur on its own, at least until the next economic …
(2020-05-20). Letting Big Corporations Get Away with Whatever They Want. zcomm.org The New York Times reported 98 lifesaving regulations were revoked, suspended, or simply replaced with weaker versions. What remains on the books is not enforced…
(2020-05-20). Abbas Suspending Agreements with Israel? globalresearch.ca In 2005, Israel virtually installed Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian president and PLO chairman. | A rigged election with no legitimacy assured it. His mandate is serving as Israel's enforcer. | He's kept in power as long as remaining submissive to Israeli interests …
(2020-05-20). The US' "Medical Terrorism" Against Syria Threatens to Make World War C Much Deadlier. globalresearch.ca The Syrian Ambassador to Russia slammed the US' sanctions against his country as a form of medical terrorism that prevents it from importing much-needed "medicines, and medical goods, and other means to combat [COVID-19]", which strongly suggests that America wants …
(2020-05-20). The pandemic has only exposed the suicidal tendencies of capitalism: Noam Chomsky. mronline.org 
'Another, probably more severe pandemic has been predicted. Scientists know how to prepare, but someone must act. If we choose not to learn the lessons that are right before our eyes, the consequences will be dire."
(2020-05-20). Video: Turkey's 'Neo-Ottoman' Project Shifts Focus From Syria to Libya. globalresearch.ca This week, massive Turkish military support has finally allowed the Government of National Accord to achieve some breakthrough in the battle against the Libyan National Army (LNA). | On May 18, GNA forces and members of Turkish-backed militant groups from Syria …
(2020-05-20). Video: Caliphate in Miniature: Rift Between Turkey and Al-Qaeda in Idlib. globalresearch.ca In the second half of April and early May, the Syrian province of Idlib became the epicenter of a military political drama developing between Turkish forces and their al-Qaeda-linked allies. | The escalated tensions even led to a military incident on …
(2020-05-20). How Russia is Botching Its Relationship With Syria. counterpunch.org What complicates Russia's relationship with Syria, which has sometimes been referred to as a Russian client state, is that two strong-willed, highly self-opinionated leaders are also involved here—Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Syria Bashar al-Assad. Both enjoy unshakeable clan support and can hold their ground. Assad is by no means a Russian protege, and the interests of the two countries do not always overlap, either.
(2020-05-20). Migrants lead struggle as 'reopening' fuels resistance. workers.org 
May 18 — Ford Motors CEO Jim Farley said during a recent conference call, "The auto industry is [the U.S.] economic engine. Restarting the entire auto ecosystem is how we restart the economy." (New York Times, May 18) Workers protest unsafe conditions due to COVID-19 as the Tesla auto plant . . . |
(2020-05-20). Our economic system fuels outbreaks, says Evolutionary Epidemiologist who predicted the pandemic. mronline.org 
Mass deforestation, industrialised animal agriculture and reductions in biodiversity are among a number of factors which increase the likelihood of the emergence and spread of dangerous pathogens such as the coronavirus disease 2019, explains scientist Dr Rob Wallace in an exclusive interview with Sputnik.
(2020-05-20). The Navajo Nation is being decimated by this virus. mronline.org 
The problems facing Native American communities during this pandemic were decades in the making.
(2020-05-20). Political Prisoners Teach-In: 'Greetings from Texas, death penalty capital'. workers.org 
These slightly edited remarks were given April 24 at the "U.S. Empire vs. Political Prisoners" webinar teach-in sponsored by Mobilization4Mumia and held in honor of the 66th birthday of political prisoner and revolutionary Mumia Abu-Jamal, incarcerated for 39 years by the U.S. state. By Gloria Rubac Greetings from the state . . . |
(2020-05-20). Kerala's socialist, 'people-first' response to COVID-19 saves lives. greenleft.org.au 
(2020-05-20). Hong Kong's police state strengthens under COVID-19 shutdown. greenleft.org.au 
(2020-05-20). Poetry in the Time of the Pandemic & Other Earthly Ills. indybay.org Zoom (access registration after ticket purchase)…
(2020-05-20). 2.6 million people flee as Cyclone Amphan batters India and Bangladesh. thecanary.co 
A strong cyclone has blown heavy rain and strong wind into coastal India and Bangladesh after more than 2.6 million people were moved to shelters in a frantic evacuation made more challenging by coronavirus.Cyclone Amphan slowed slightly as it reached cooler waters near the coast, but with wind speeds ranging between 100mph and 105mph, the … | By
(2020-05-20). 'Unproductive' to blame scientists for government decisions, says Buckland. thecanary.co 
Justice secretary Robert Buckland has labelled it "unproductive" to blame scientists for decisions taken by the government during the coronavirus crisis.His comments came after Cabinet colleague Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, tried to deflect criticism about key decisions, such as ending community testing, on to the scientists advising ministers on the UK response.Coffey, speaking to Sky News on Tuesday, said: "If the science was wrong, advice at the time was wrong, I'm not surprised if people then think we made a wrong decision."Downing Street distanced itself from her comments sh…
(2020-05-20). 'Stay alert' slogan needs more explanation, admits minister. thecanary.co 
Ministers have admitted that the government's "Stay alert" slogan requires added explanation to help the public understand the "more nuanced messages" involved.When announcing the lockdown on 23 March, Downing Street introduced the slogan "Stay at home", which was well adhered to and praised for its clarity.But when prime minister Boris Johnson spoke on 10 May about easing the restrictions for England, new messaging urged the public to "stay alert" to the virus, a slogan that has been criticised for being too vague.The devolved administrations refused to adopt the messaging at the same time and hit out at Johnson…
(2020-05-20). Was Maduro the 'jackpot'? Former US Green Berets reveal new details of botched Venezuela coup in interrogation tapes. rt.com 
Detained US ex-soldiers said they were tasked with securing an airfield in Venezuela in order to put President Nicolas Maduro on a plane after toppling him. The men were charged with plotting a coup against the government. | Venezuelan state TV has aired new interrogation tapes of the two former US Green Berets charged with participating in failed plot to oust Maduro. | American national Luke Denman told an interrogator that Jordan Goudreau, a US special forces veteran and founder of private security firm Silvercorp USA, had proposed that he take part in removing Maduro from power between late November and ear…
(2020-05-20). Is the Covid-19 financial crash the right time for India to cut 40% of military budget? It may be, if played right. rt.com 
India ranks behind only the US and China for military spending. With massive budget cuts coming, it needs a model that gets it more for its money — like Russia's. | Faced with an impending economic crisis, India is looking to review its military spending. Following indications by the Ministry of Defence that the military budget could be cut by up to
(2020-05-20). 'GIANT KANGAROO' acting as 'dog of the US': Chinese newspaper mocks Australia amid trade row. rt.com 
A Chinese tabloid widely considered to be a mouthpiece of the ruling communist party has printed some harsh words about Australia over the country's support of the US attack on Beijing's Covid-19 response. | Tensions between the US and China have lately been focused around Beijing's response to the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan and Washington's accusation of a cover-up regarding its severity and possible origin. Some of the US' global allies, like Australia, have been following its lead, provoking Chinese displeasure. | The Global Times, a popular Chinese tabloid generally considered to be reflective of the go…
(2020-05-20). Another day, another fail: Bloomberg MIXES UP hospital bed stats of Russia & OECD in attack on country's Covid-19 response. rt.com 
Shortly after asking "why the coronavirus did not kill more Russians," Bloomberg illustrated a stinging op-ed with a graph suggesting Russia is far behind OECD states in hospital beds… though the exact opposite is true. | Everything's fine if it fits the narrative, Bloomberg Opinion editors might have thought when they misquoted World Bank statistics on the number of hospital beds per 1,000 residents, including the misrepresented data in a Russia-bashing
(2020-05-20). Palestine to be liberated one day: Rouhani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 20 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the philosophy of Quds Day is that Quds will not be forgotten and Palestine will finally be liberated.
(2020-05-20). Spain's Health Ministry orders citizens, including children over 6, to wear masks in public spaces. rt.com 
The Spanish Health Ministry has made it compulsory for all citizens, including children over six, to wear masks in public spaces. Its order said the masks would be needed from Thursday for indoor public spaces and outdoors when impossible to keep a two-meter distance. Masks' efficiency in curbing the coronavirus is hotly debated globally. | Spain has suffered 27,778 deaths and had 232,037 cases of Covid-19, Reuters reports. The tourism-dependent economy is forecast to contract up to 12.4 percent in 2020. | The pace of new fatalities has slowed to under 100 a day, and PM Pedro Sanchez's left-wing coalition is a…
(2020-05-20). Rolls-Royce to cut 9,000 jobs, mostly in the UK, in order to survive the coronavirus pandemic. rt.com 
British aerospace giant Rolls-Royce has announced it will cut at least 9,000 jobs from its workforce in the face of the major impending contraction in the aviation market in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. | Rolls-Royce supplies engines for large commercial aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350, but given the severe impact the coronavirus will continue to have on the airline industry, demand is likely to crater even further. | Also on rt.com | | Th…
(2020-05-20). 'Enough is enough': Kubrat Pulev says he's REFUSING to step aside to let Anthony Joshua face Tyson Fury. rt.com 
Bulgarian heavyweight contender Kubrat Pulev has gone on record to state that he will NOT stand aside to allow Anthony Joshua to face Tyson Fury in a world heavyweight title unification bout. | The 39-year-old is currently the IBF's mandatory challenger and was originally set to face Joshua on June 20 before the coronavirus pandemic forced…
(2020-05-20). 'I hope she's not very heavy handed with the sword': 100yo British veteran Cpt. Tom Moore on upcoming knighting by the Queen. rt.com 
Captain Tom Moore, the 100-year-old British veteran who stole headlines with his viral backyard fundraiser for the NHS, is due to be knighted by Queen Elizabeth, but is taking it all in stride with some heartwarming humor. | "I hope she's not very heavy handed with the sword," he said Wednesday, in reference to the knighting ceremony in which the monarch taps the recipient's shoulders with a sword. | "By then I might be rather a poor old weak soul." | The 100-year-old World War II veteran raised £33mn by walking 100 laps of his garden in Bedfordshire before his 100th birthday on April 30, in what became…
(2020-05-20). Mo Salah and the Four Thieves: Gang of armed robbers wearing Mo Salah masks arrested by police in Egypt. rt.com 
Mo Salah has many imitators thanks to his spectacular scoring record. But none have gone as far to mimic Mo as a gang of four criminals arrested by Egyptian police in Cairo for wearing masks of the Liverpool forward to rob stores.
(2020-05-20). India's unemployment rate remains high despite lifting of lockdown measures. rt.com 
The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) has said the unemployment rate in the country was 24 percent for the week ending May 17, remaining unchanged from the previous week's figure. | According to its report, however, the labor participation rate rose to 38.8 percent as industries started opening up gradually after the nationwide coronavirus lockdown. | "Halfway into the month of May, it appears that the unemployment rate is around the same level as it was in April, mostly higher by a whisker," CMIE said, adding that the small relaxations in the lockdown since April 20 have not had any positive impact…
(2020-05-20). Netherlands to reopen schools in June, public transport to resume regular schedules. rt.com 
The Netherlands will press ahead with a further easing of lockdown measures in June due to a steady decline in the number of coronavirus infections and hospital admissions, according to PM Mark Rutte. | High schools will reopen on June 2 and elementary schools will return to full schedules on June 8, Rutte said on Tuesday. The easing will take place nearly two and a half months after lockdown measures were imposed across the country of 17 million in mid-March. | Public transport will resume regular schedules, with non-medical face masks compulsory for anyone over 13 years of age. Gyms and dance venues will rem…
(2020-05-20). German govt obtains new powers to block hostile foreign takeovers in healthcare. rt.com 
The government in Berlin gave itself new powers to veto hostile foreign takeover bids for German healthcare companies on Wednesday. The measure is designed to ensure a continuous supply of essential products during the coronavirus crisis. | The regulation, approved by the cabinet, will allow the government to block takeovers of makers of vaccines, precursor chemicals, medicines, protective equipment or medical machinery such as ventilators. | In the future, the government will be allowed to examine the security implications of a bid from outside the European Union as soon as the buyer holds more than 10 percen…
(2020-05-20). Russia plans to open consulate general in China's Wuhan — ambassador. rt.com 
Russia's Foreign Ministry plans to open a consulate general in Wuhan, the capital of China's Hubei province, Ambassador to Beijing Andrey Denisov said on Wednesday. "The city of Wuhan has been well-known to us for a long time. Before Wuhan, there was the city of Hankou. Our country was present in Hankou in the late 19th century, there was a consulate general," the envoy told an online briefing. | "Now the Russian Foreign Ministry has decided to reopen the consulate general in Wuhan. We hope that when the budget allows, we will restore our presence in Wuhan," TASS quoted Denisov as saying. "I am very pleased to…
(2020-05-20). Religious Fundamentalists Are Making the Pandemic Worse. thenation.com Religious Fundamentalists Are Making the Pandemic Worse…
(2020-05-20). Canada Does Not Deserve a Seat on the UN Security Council. dissidentvoice.org Despite its peaceful reputation, Canada is not acting as a benevolent player on the international stage. Rather, Canada ranks among the twelve largest arms exporters and its weapons have fueled conflicts across the globe, including the devastating war in Yemen. In a disappointing move, Canada refused to join 122 countries represented at the 2017 UN Conference to Negotiate a …
(2020-05-20). Biden Voices Opposition to Israel Annexing West Bank as Potentially 'Choking off Any Hope of Peace'. sputniknews.com On 28 January President Donald Trump formally unveiled his plan for Middle East peace, authored by a team led by his son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner, at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Palestinian authorities rejecting the proposal as flagrantly biased.
(2020-05-20). Most Wanted Hizbul Mujahideen Militant Arrested in Jammu and Kashmir. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): In April 2019, Chander Kant Sharma, a leading member of India's Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a nationalist organisation, was shot dead along with his personal security officer in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident triggered protests across the country.
(2020-05-20). Updated visitor policy: Mayo Clinic limits number of visitors during COVID-19 response. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. ? To support the best safety for patients and staff, Mayo Clinic is currently limiting the number of outpatient and hospital visitors? UPDATED: Friday, May 15 As Mayo Clinic continues to monitor our communities for the spread of COVID-19, updates have been made to visitor restrictions at all Mayo Clinic sites. The ongoing …
(2020-05-20). New collaboration on COVID-19 response to include new serology test. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. announced it will expand its response to the COVID-19 pandemic by developing a total antibodies test in collaboration with WuXi Diagnostics and Mayo Clinic. The new test is the result of ongoing collaboration between all three organizations, including clinical evaluation and support from Mayo Clinic. Thermo Fisher will seek U.S. FDA …
(2020-05-20). Convalescent plasma advocate donates at Mayo Clinic. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org A recovered COVID-19 patient who has become a strong nationwide advocate for the Convalescent Plasma Expanded Access Program made a plasma donation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Chaim Lebovits became involved with the program in March and since then has rallied thousands, who have also recovered, to donate.The initiative, which Mayo Clinic is leading, studies …
(2020-05-20). Mayo Clinic encourages patients to practice good hand hygiene. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Mayo Clinic has placed reminders about good hand hygiene and also has placed hand sanitizer stations around campus to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Amy Williams, M.D., Mayo Clinic executive dean for practice, illustrates how to properly apply hand sanitizer. Watch: Mayo Clinic encourages patients to practice good hand hygiene youtu.be/NSohxy0aP9A Journalists: Video is …
(2020-05-20). Mayo Clinic Q and A: COVID-19 and people with disabilities. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Dear Mayo Clinic: My father, who suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease, lives with me and my family, including three children. While my husband can work at home, I am still required to go on-site for my job. Although I practice social distancing, I am wondering if I need to do anything differently in caring for …
(2020-05-20). Mayo Clinic launches radio campaign to encourage recovered patients of COVID-19 to donate plasma. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Mayo Clinic is collaborating with Entercom Communications to launch a radio campaign that raises awareness in Detroit, New York City, Miami and Chicago of the federally-sponsored national Expanded Access Program (EAP) for Convalescent Plasma. The Food and Drug Administration announced Mayo Clinic as the lead site for the EAP program to speed access and increase availability of investigational convalescent plasma for hospitalized patients …
(2020-05-20). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: COVID-19 news briefing. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, covers the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Poland discusses how the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is changing, and how scientists and researchers are rapidly gaining new knowledge about the virus and the disease that it …