Daily Archives: October 4, 2020

2020-10-04: News Headlines

Prof Michel Chossudovsky (2020-10-04). Combating The Virus: Mass Unemployment is Not the Solution. globalresearch.ca Image: India unemployment at record high | Millions of people around the World are victims of the fear campaign. Panic prevails. Day after day, the persistent impact of media disinformation concerning the Killer Virus is overwhelming. | Fear and panic, coupled …

_____ (2020-10-04). The Idiotic Claim That Other Nations Are 'Disrupting the Public Conversation' on U.S. Politics. strategic-culture.org Caitlin JOHNSTONE | "Based on intel provided by the FBI, last night we removed approximately 130 accounts that appeared to originate in Iran," a

Steven Sahiounie (2020-10-04). Will Lebanon be the Next US-NATO Humanitarian War? The Elimination of Hezbollah is Israel's Top Priority. globalresearch.ca The waters off Lebanon are the scene of a gathering Armada of French and American naval ships. What appeared at first to be a humanitarian response to the devastating

Yves Engler (2020-10-04). Israel Lobby Will Face Blowback, eventually. dissidentvoice.org How much is too much? When will Israeli nationalists in North America completely discredit themselves by overusing their power to crush those defending Palestinians? The recent ruthlessness of the Israel lobby is remarkable. Recently they've convinced Zoom to cancel a university sponsored talk, a prominent law program to rescind a job offer, a public broadcaster …

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-04). 4 civilians killed in Taliban attack in Afghanistan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 04 (MNA) — The spokesperson of police forces in Kapisa Province in Afghanistan announced that 4 civilians have been killed in a Taliban attack.

news.un (2020-10-04). Greening of India's railway network on track. news.un.org An ambitious plan to make one of the world's largest and most complex railway networks a net zero carbon emitter by 2030 is moving full steam ahead, although without the steam, thanks, in part, to support from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Lucine Kasbarian (2020-10-04). Spike in Boycotts of Turkish Goods and Services. indybay.org For years, Turkey has injected itself, often militarily, into the sovereign affairs of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Greece, Cyprus, India, and now, Armenia and Artsakh. On October 2, reports emerged that Turkey is using NATO and American facilities to attack Armenia and Artsakh. Since NATO is unable or unwilling to rein in this rogue nation that many consider to be the single greatest threat to global security, public boycotts are increasingly gaining favor.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-04). 'Iran, Kuwait to witness ever-increasing ties'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 04 (MNA) — In a message to the new Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed hoped that the bilateral ties between the two sides will experience an ever-increasing trend.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-04). Iran's nuclear power capacity to be tripled: minister. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 04 (MNA) — Iranian Energy Minister announced on Sunday that the country plans to increase its nuclear power capacity from its current 1,000 megawatts to 3,000 MW in future.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-04). Iran's positions on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 04 (MNA) — Iran has been calling for restraint and dialog between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute and most recently has given a stern warning to the two warring sides against violating Iran's territory.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-04). Iranian Realtors in Canada, US. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 04 (MNA) — Hearing the name of a realtor, many people remembered intermediaries. Most people think that realtors' role in the transaction can be eliminated, and their role can be ignored.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-04). Iranian parliamentary members visit Nagorno-Karabakh border. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 04 (MNA) — Following recent conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh region, a group of Iranian Parliamentary members visited Nagorno-Karabakh border on Sunday morning.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-04). Iran Passive Defense Org. role vital in foiling new threats. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 04 (MNA) — Deputy Coordinator of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces described Passive Defense Organization as a vital organ due to its crucial role in preventing the country against the unexpected and new cyber threats.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-04). Al-Kadhimi assesses Iran-Iraq relations as good. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 04 (MNA) — The Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi described his country's relations with Iran as good and said there are no real problems in the relations between the two countries.

_____ (2020-10-03). The China And Africa Connection US Imperialism Does Not Want You To Know About. popularresistance.org We have a monumental problem on our hands. The issue of the U.S.' policy of Full-spectrum Dominance is one that is connected to a host of contradictions afflicting the U.S. imperial order at this time. For nearly a decade, U.S. military power has made an enormous strategic shift to both the Asia Pacific and to Africa. At the center of the transition is the growth of China as an economic world power and the decline of the U.S. as a global hegemon. | China has much to offer Africa and the Global South at this time. China shares a common history of colonialism and imperialist humiliation with Africa.

Lucas Leiroz de Almeida (2020-10-03). China Changes Its Economic Strategy: Strengthens Domestic Consumer Market. globalresearch.ca China is radically changing its economic strategy. Faced with an international scenario that only tends to worsen with an unprecedented economic crisis approaching in the midst of a devastating pandemic, Beijing decided to adopt an economic internalization plan, seeking to …

Areeb Ullah (2020-10-03). Pregnant Ethiopians languish in 'hellish' Saudi detention centres: Amnesty International. middleeasteye.net Pregnant Ethiopians languish in 'hellish' Saudi detention centres: Amnesty International | Detainees say they were forced to stay in crowded cells and to use their cell floors as toilets | Sat, 10/03/2020 – 11: 38 | Ethiopia has called for a halt in repatriations because of Covid-19. It brought back nearly 4,000 Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia between April and September 2020 (AFP) | Ethiopian migrants impr…

Raymond Tyler (2020-10-03). Ren Zhiqiang was not arrested for 'anti-communism'. workers.org When influential, former property executive Ren Zhiqiang was given an 18-year sentence in China, the Western media were quick to label his imprisonment as due to alleged "anti-communist" activity. The Washington Post, CNN, the Guardian, and the New York Times parroted the same message: that Zhiqiang was imprisoned for being . . . |

MEE and agencies (2020-10-03). Syrian rebels sign up to fight for Azeris to feed families. middleeasteye.net Syrian rebels sign up to fight for Azeris to feed families | At least 36 Syrian rebel fighters killed in Nagorno-Karabakh in past 48 hours, according to war monitor, as Damascus claims 'blatant Turkish interference' in the conflict | Sat, 10/03/2020 – 19: 47 | Azeri troops fire artillery shells towards Armenian positions on 28 September (AFP) | Desperate to help his family displaced by Syr…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-03). Jordan's King Abdullah accepts resignation of Prime Minister Omar al Razzaz. middleeasteye.net Jordan's King Abdullah accepts resignation of Prime Minister Omar al Razzaz | PM will stay on until monarch designates a successor to oversee parliamentary elections on 10 November, as country grapples with Covid-19 surge | Sat, 10/03/2020 – 22: 06 | The monarch told Razzaz in a letter accepting his resignation that mistakes had been made in the handling of the pandemic (AFP) | Jordan's Ki…

RT (2020-10-03). Ex-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko hospitalized with Covid-19, diagnosed with serious 'bilateral pneumonia' infection. rt.com As Ukraine struggles with a surge in Covid-19 cases, ex-President Petro Poroshenko has been hospitalized with the virus, according to his wife Marina. One of their daughters has also been admitted to hospital for the same reason. | "Despite the fact that my husband has bilateral pneumonia, he has a strong will," Marina Poroshenko Petro Poroshenko, aged 55, who ran the country from 2014 to 2019, was di…

RT (2020-10-03). 'Giant step backwards': 30 years into German unity Russia-Europe cooperation sacrificed to US ambition, German ex-diplomat to RT. rt.com Germany's reunification 30 years ago could have started an era of unprecedented cooperation between the US, Europe and Russia, German ex-diplomat Frank Elbe told RT. Yet, Washington chose domination over lucrative partnership. | On October 3, Germany celebrates the day of national unity — a holiday marking the moment when capitalist West Germany and socialist East Germany officially merged into one state once again. With Moscow still having a sway over the situation in the East, the historical reunification could not have been possible without the tacit support of the then-Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev…

RT (2020-10-03). 'Russia has a special position': Azerbaijan's president says Moscow is most suitable mediator in Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. rt.com Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has named Russia as the best-placed country to resolve the dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, noting that Moscow has more knowledge of the region than either Paris or Washington. | "Russia is one of the countries which is a mediator, along with United States and France," Aliyev said in an interview with Al Jazeera published on Saturday. | Of course, Russia has a special position, because it's a neighbor to Azerbaijan, neighbor to the region. | Aliyev believes that, due to Russia's geographical proximity to the Caucasus, it has a better understanding of the events of…

RT (2020-10-03). 'It's like a graveyard': VIDEOS show mass death of sea life at Far East Russian tourist hotspot, surfers complain of toxic burns. rt.com Hordes of sea creatures have washed up at a popular tourist beach in Kamchatka after surfers complained about suffering from eye burns. A probe has been launched as tests show increased levels of petroleum products in the water. | Kamchatka is a large peninsula, in Russia's Far East, which juts out into the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk. | The first signs that something was wrong at the picturesque Khalaktyr beach, a popular tourist and surfing spot, became apparent when people started to develop symptoms after taking a dive in the ocean. "For weeks now, all surfers have been experiencing eye problems a…

RT (2020-10-03). Blame Kadyrov? Chechen boss asks Navalny why he wasn't accused of poisoning, instead of 'ridiculous' accusation against Putin. rt.com Head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov has told opposition figure Alexey Navalny to blame him for his alleged poisoning, claiming that it is "more convincing and plausible" than the accusation thrown at Russian President Vladimir Putin. | Writing on Telegram, Kadyrov accused Navalny of blaming Putin "without any evidence." , the opposition figure told German magazine Der Spiegel that he believes Putin organized the alleged Novichok attack, saying that he has "no other explanation for what happened." According to Kadyrov, this accusation is "ridiculous." | Thanks to Putin, there's a tolerant attitude toward the opposi…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-03). Israelis defy protest ban to keep up pressure on Netanyahu. middleeasteye.net Israelis defy protest ban to keep up pressure on Netanyahu | Thousands took the streets on Saturday in latest display of anger against the Israeli PM, despite new law curbing demonstrations during the coronavirus lockdown | Sat, 10/03/2020 – 20: 56 | Israelis protest against Netanyahu and against the second nationwide lockdown imposed in a bid to stem the increase of Covid-19 cases, Tel Av…

WSWS (2020-10-03). Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Stephen Lendman (2020-10-03). Arms Control and the Dangers of Nuclear War: Russia Rejects Unacceptable Trump Regime New START Demands. globalresearch.ca New START is the last remaining Russia/US arms control agreement. | Expiring on February 5, 2021 if not renewed, the Trump regime rejected Vladimir Putin's offer to extend the agreement for another five years with no pre-conditions. | On September 28, Politico …

WSWS (2020-10-03). Chinese students support historian Joseph Scalice against Stalinist slanders. wsws.org We urge our readers, including in China, to come to the defence of Dr. Scalice, including by sending statements of support to the WSWS opposing the slanderous attack on him by the CPP and sharing his lecture widely.

WSWS (2020-10-03). US deploys missile destroyer off coast of Venezuela. wsws.org The military provocation has come amid a wave of new sanctions against both Venezuela and Iran, which is supplying the South American country with vital fuel supplies.

Adel Karim (2020-10-03). Who Stands Behind New Wave of Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict? globalresearch.ca Karabakh. The Azerbaijani and Turkish mass media and social networks persistently report about succesful actions of the Azerbaijani army and enormous losses among Armenian forces. However in fact the situation is different — the army of Azerbaijan has lost about …

WSWS (2020-10-03). Modi government rams half-dozen anti-worker, anti-farmer laws through India's parliament. wsws.org The BJP's labour "reform" abolishes restrictions on the use of contract labour, job cuts, and plant closures, and illegalises most worker job action.

Editor (2020-10-03). This Long-Standing Battle Between Armenia and Azerbaijan Has Nothing to Do With Us. scheerpost.com David Stanley / CC BY 2.0] By Maj. Danny Sjursen / AntiWar Journalists and geo-strategists call it a " frozen conflict" — one of several such deadlocked disputes under tenuous ceasefire in…

_____ (2020-10-03). To Catch The Heartbeat Of Those Below. popularresistance.org 'It was the worst when I was released. That's the biggest prison I had to face'. | Martin Aleida recalls the moment he was released from prison at the end of 1966. The then twenty-two-year-old writer emerged from nearly a year behind bars to Jakarta unable to find his friends and comrades. His workplace, Harian Rakjat ('The People's Daily'), the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI), was no longer.

Lei-Yun Wang, Jia-Jia Cui, Qian-Ying Ouyang, Yan Zhan, Cheng-Xian Guo, Ji-Ye Yin (2020-10-03). [Correspondence] Remdesivir and COVID-19. thelancet.com In a Chinese clinical trial by Yeming Wang and colleagues,1 remdesivird did not show significant benefits for patients with severe COVID-19. Shortly after their study was published, remdesivir was authorised in the USA by the US Food & Drug Administration2 and approved in Japan3 for patients with severe COVID-19 on the basis of preliminary phase 3 trial results.4 We find it puzzling that the discrepancy of results between China and the USA is merely justified by different study designs.

_____ (2020-10-03). Explosive Stakes on Armenia-Azerbaijan Chessboard. strategic-culture.org Pulling Russia back into the Nagorno-Karabakh morass means more Turkish freedom of action in other war theaters | Pepe ESCOBAR | Few geopolitical hot spots across the planet may rival the Caucasus: that intractable, tribal Tower of Babel, throughout History a contentious crossroads of empires from the Levant and nomads from the Eurasian steppes. And it gets even messier when one adds the fog of war. | To try to shed some light into the current Armenia-Azerbaijan face off, let's crisscross the basic facts with some essential deep background. | Late last month Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan's proverbial "strongman", in p…

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). Oct 21, last deadline for 16th Resistance Int'l Filmfest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) —The head of Permanent Public Relations and Information Centre of Iran's 16th Resistance International Film Festival, Mohsen Javadi, announced the last deadline for submitting the works to the second part of this cinematic even.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). Ayat. Sistani, 'symbol of 'rationality, wisdom': VP. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) — Iran's First Vice President said that Iraq's most prominent Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani is a symbol of rationality and wisdom of authority.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). IranAir launches first Germany flight after six months. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) — IranAir has resumed flights to Germany after more than six months of hiatus due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). All Iran-Iraq flights cancelled due to COVID-19: CAO. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) — Head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) said that all flights of Iranian airlines and Al-Araqiya Airlines were cancelled until further notice from Iran to Iraq and vice versa due to spread of COVID-19.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). 'The Wasteland' to go on screen at Valladolid Intl. FilmFest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 04 (MNA) — Iranian film 'The Wasteland' directed by Ahmad bahrami, will take part at the 65th edition of Valladolid International Film Festival in Spain.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). Police seize over 1 ton of opium in SE Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) — Police forces of the Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeastern Iran, have captured over one tone of opium in a single operation in the province.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). SP Phase 14 refinery to come online next year. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) — An official with Pars Oil and Gas Company says that the refinery of Phase 14 will come become operational in the first half of the next Iranian calendar year (to start on March 21, 2021).

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). Iranian "Ojaq" wins at Religion Today Filmfest. in Italy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) — Ali Bolandnazarzar, the Iranian filmmaker won an award for his documentary "Ojaq" at Religion Today Film Festival in Italy.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). Iraqi Shia hold Arbaeen procession. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) — Due to the spread of coronavirus, foreign nationals are not allowed to enter the country for the Arbaeen precession, however, Iraqi people are currently marching from various parts of the country to Karbala.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). Unity, amity, empathy needed to overcome current crises: Veep. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) — Iranian First Vice President said that unity, amity and empathy is needed to overcome crises and problems overshadowing the country.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). Late Iranian actor applauded in Brazilian filmfest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) — The late Iranian actor, Levon Haftavan has been appreciated for his performance in the short film "Barzakh" at Rock Horror in Rio Film Festival in Brazil.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). Iranian legislator highlights 16th Resistance Intl. FilmFest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) — An Iranian lawmaker urged officials to seriously and fully support Iran's 16th Resistance International Film Festival.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-03). France seeking to maintain relations with Hezbollah. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) — French Ambassador to Lebanon Bruno Foucher noted that France seeks to maintain its relations with Lebanese Hezbollah.

sputniknews (2020-10-03). Car Bomb Explosion Occurs in Afghanistan's Southern Kandahar Province, Military Says. sputniknews.com KABUL (Sputnik) – A car bomb has exploded at an Afghan National Army (ANA) base in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar Province, a military spokesman said.