(2021-10-13). Heroes or Parasites: Europe's Self-serving Politics on Refugees. dissidentvoice.org 
Language is politics and politics is power. This is why the misuse of language is particularly disturbing, especially when the innocent and vulnerable pay the price. The wars in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern, Asian and African countries in recent years have resulted in one of the greatest humanitarian catastrophes, arguably unseen since …
(2021-10-13). Henrietta Lacks and her immortal cells: Lacks estate sues pharmaceutical company. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
Henrietta Lacks was a young Black woman who in 1951 was diagnosed with a particularly agressive form of cervical cancer. Her treating doctors at the Johns Hopkins hospital took a sample from the tumour and that was the birth of "HeLa" — an "immortal" line of fast-replicating cells that have been reproduced every since, used …
(2021-10-13). Sri Lankan health workers join national stoppage. wsws.org Nurses, attendants, paramedics, office staff and junior staff took part in the industrial action, defying President Gotabhaya Rajapakse's draconian essential services law.
(2021-10-13). Mitsuba auto parts workers occupy factory in Turkey to oppose sackings. wsws.org Workers at a Mitsuba plant in Kocaeli launched a wildcat strike as contract negotiations began that affect 150,000 Turkish metal workers.
(2021-10-13). Workers in Vietnam forced to work to maintain profits of US companies. wsws.org As COVID restrictions disrupt supply chains and hit profits, Vietnamese garment workers are being made to eat, sleep and work at factories producing for major US labels.
(2021-10-12). Muqtada al-Sadr-led alliance set to emerge as single largest force in Iraqi parliament. peoplesdispatch.org The fifth elections since the 2003 US-led invasion of the country saw the lowest voter turnout (41%), amid growing discontent with the political system due to widespread corruption, inefficiency and government apathy…
(2021-10-12). Afghanistan Tackles the Islamic State. independentmediainstitute.org On October 8, a terrible blast struck the worshippers attending Friday noon prayers at the Gozar-e-Sayed Abad Mosque in the Khan Abad district of Bandar, the capital of Kunduz, one of Afghanistan's largest cities in its northern belt. This is a mosque frequented by Shia Muslims, who were referred to as "our compatriots" by Taliban …
(2021-10-12). From the archives of NATO's peace award recipient Nancy Pelosi. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Subject: [stopnato] Afghanistan: New US House Speaker Pledges Support For Expanded War Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2007 17: 13: 58 -0800 (PST) From: Rick Rozoff <@yahoo.com> Reply-To: stopnato@yahoogroups.com To: Stop NATO
(2021-10-12). US and Taliban delegations meet in Doha. peoplesdispatch.org The bilateral talks took place for the first time after the Taliban came to power in mid-August. Following the meeting, the US has reportedly agreed to provide "humanitarian assistance" to Afghanistan…
(2021-10-12). Kabul Dairies Part 17: In this dead end! greenleft.org.au The Taliban are hunting down women's rights activists in Kabul. Yasmeen Afghan files this account of one such activist who is now underground.
(2021-10-12). US War In Afghanistan Is Over, Says Biden. But US Remains At War. southfront.org 
Illustrative Image20 years after 9/11, the US still is at a global war against terror. | Written by Uriel Araujo, researcher with a focus on international and ethnic conflicts. | In the aftermath of Afghanistan withdrawal, the US still has around 750 military bases abroad in at least 80 foreign countries, according to an estimate by David Vine, a political science professor at the American University in Washington, DC. First of all, the very pr…
(2021-10-12). The Taliban has many suitors lining up to help. asiatimes.com 
The Taliban have been getting many suitors lately. They are far from the "pariah" that the Biden administration thought they were destined to be. During the past month alone, the Taliban received six suitors from the region and beyond offering courtship — the foreign minister of Qatar; the special envoys of Russia, China and Pakistan; …
(2021-10-12). Azerbaijan Induced Its Isolation When It Had Potential To Be Regional Hub. southfront.org 
Illustrative ImageIran and India opt for Armenia instead of Azerbaijan for regional connectivity project. | Written by Paul Antonopoulos, independent geopolitical analyst | Azerbaijan, with the backing of Turkey and Syrian mercenaries, were the undisputed victors of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War after reclaiming most of the territory from Armenian control. It was expected that with most of Nagorno-Karabakh under Baku's control, new trade and transportation corridors would open and ensure that Azerbaijan became an indispensable connectivity hub in the Caucasus. Although there is a possibility for a trade corridor…
(2021-10-12). Russian foreign minister notes attempts to escalate situation in Asia. tass.com According to Lavrov, some narrow political structures and military blocs, sticking to the logic of the cold war and a policy of containment, "contribute to the destabilization of the situation in Asia"
(2021-10-12). COVIDSafe: The Failure of an App. asia-pacificresearch.com
(2021-10-12). Muqtada The Conqueror gains ground in Iraqi poll. asiatimes.com 
It would be tempting to picture the Iraqi parliamentary elections last Sunday as a geopolitical game-changer. Well, it's complicated — in more ways than one. Let's start with the abstention rate. Of the 22 million eligible voters able to choose 329 members of Parliament from 3,227 candidates and 167 parties, only 41% chose to cast …
(2021-10-12). Russia tells Nuland of new red line. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Though the U.S. military was in Kyrgyzstan from 2001 onward, as Washington's NATO ally Germany was in Uzbekistan and France in Tajikistan. Moscow: We will not tolerate U.S. military presence in Central Asia. Poland. Estonia. Latvia. Lithuania. Finland. Sweden. Ukraine. Moldova. Bulgaria. Romania. The Czech Republic. Hungary. Albania. Serbia/Kosovo. Bosnia. Croatia. Montenegro. Macedonia. Georgia. Azerbaijan. …
(2021-10-12). UK Says It Is Increasing Asia 'Footprint' as Warship Docks in Singapore. news.antiwar.com The UK's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth "Our recent integrated review highlighted the importance of the Indo-Pacific and the UK's intent to tilt here and have an increased footprint, and much more persistent presence," Commodore Steve Moorhouse, the commander of the Queen Elizabeth's strike group, told Reuters. | "What better way to just show that off in the first instance,…
(2021-10-12). NATO strengthens partnership with Azerbaijan following last year's war in the Caucasus. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijan, NATO discuss issues of partnership First Deputy Minister of Azerbaijan — Chief of General Staff of the Azerbaijani army, Lieutenant General Karim Valiyev met with Chief of the Partnerships Directorate of the NATO Allied Powers Command Operations, Rear Admiral Bulent Turan, on October 12…. Greeting the guest, Valiyev noted that after the victory of …
(2021-10-12). Indian Soldiers Kill 5 Suspected Rebels In Kashmir, A Day After 5 Indian Soldiers Were Slain In Clashes. southfront.org 
On October 12th, Indian government forces reportedly killed five suspected rebels in two clashes in Indian-administered Kashmir. This took place…
(2021-10-12). Indian foreign secretary visits Sri Lanka amid rising tensions with China. wsws.org New Delhi, which is uneasy about growing Chinese influence in Sri Lanka, used the visit to remind Colombo about US and Indian geostrategic plans and expectations.
(2021-10-12). India's New COVID-19 DNA Vaccine Is a First. jamanetwork.com In August, the government of India granted Emergency Use Authorization to a COVID-19 DNA vaccine. Pharmaceutical firm Zydus Cadila, in partnership with India's Department of Biotechnology, developed the 3-dose intradermal vaccine, called ZyCov-D, which is authorized there for use in people aged 12 years or older. The endorsement marks the first clinical use of a DNA vaccine in humans.
(2021-10-12). Free Indigenous Political Prisoner Leonard Peltier. dissidentvoice.org In this special Indigenous Peoples' Day episode of Rattling the Bars, TRNN Executive Producer Eddie Conway speaks with author and activist Ward Churchill about the wrongful imprisonment and deteriorating health of Indigenous political prisoner Leonard Peltier. A member of the American Indian Movement who was sent to prison in 1977 after a dubious trial sentenced …
(2021-10-12). "Electricity obeys the laws of physics, not the laws of the market" peoplesdispatch.org Over the weekend, multiple States in India faced power cuts as coal reserves in the country are running out. How did it come to this?
(2021-10-12). One more white supremacist symbol falls. workers.org 
Decatur, Georgia A diverse crowd gathered on Decatur Square on Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 11, to honor the Muscogee Creek nation whose land this had been before settler colonialism. Organizers determined that banishing the "Indian Wars" cannon from its place of prominence in the public space would be a . . . |
(2021-10-12). U.S. Forming New Axis Of Power In Middle East. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | Indian multinational conglomerate company Reliance Industries is going to create a joint venture TA'ZIZ-ADNOC and the sovereign fund ADQ with a total investment of $2 billion in the emirate. | According to the official statements of ADNOC, the capacity of the JV plants will include 940 million tons/year of chlorine alkali, 1.1 million tons/year of ethylene chloride and 360 thousand tons/year of polyvinyl chloride. | Moreover, ADNOC may be on the list of foreign companies that will receive a large stake in the privatization of Bharat Petroleum. While a significant increase in demand for petrol…
(2021-10-12). Iran Begins Large-Scale Air Defense Drills. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On October 12th, Iran's Armed Forces launched a large-scale military exercise, involving air defense units and domestically-developed military hardware. | The joint aerial maneuvers, attended by air defense divisions of the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and codenamed Modafean Aseman Velayat 1400 (Guardians of Velayat Sky 1400), kicked off in the country's central desert areas. | During the exercises, domestically-developed, air defense missil…
(2021-10-12). Epitaph for a Failed US Occupation: The Late Gen. Odierno's Arch-Nemesis Muqtada al-Sadr wins Iraq. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — The elections in Iraq have brought it briefly back into U.S. headlines, though it is a long time since Americans have given the mess they made there any thought. The late Gen. Ray Odierno, the former head of the 8.5-year-long occupation of Iraq who died on Saturday, once fingered a …
(2021-10-12). Headlines for October 12, 2021. democracynow.org WHO: Climate Change Is "The Single Biggest Health Threat Facing Humanity", Heavy Flooding in China Kills 15, Destroys 20,000 Homes, 135 Arrested in Indigenous Peoples' Day Climate Action Outside White House, Greenpeace Installs Statue of Boris Johnson Splattered in Oil Outside 10 Downing St., Wealthy Nations Denounced for Hoarding COVID-19 Vaccines, Parliamentary Report: COVID-19 Response Was One of Biggest Public Health Failures in U.K. History, Gov. Greg Abbott Bans All Entities in Texas from Enforcing Vaccine Mandates, Iraqi Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr Sees Biggest Gains in Parliamentary Election, U.N. Urges World…
(2021-10-12). Voter Turnout in Iraq Hits All-Time Low as Faith in Democratic Process Falters. truthout.org 
Voter turnout at the fifth parliamentary election in Iraq hit an all-time low, with many Iraqis refusing to vote as widespread faith in the democratic process and politics falters. Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who has been a vocal opponent of foreign invasion, won the most seats. He has also been accused of kidnapping and killing his critics. "The election has more to do with making this regime and this system look good than responding to the demands of the people," says Nabil Salih, Iraqi j…
(2021-10-12). Iraqi Journalist: Amid Low Election Turnout, "Iraq's Streets Littered with the Memories of Our Dead" democracynow.org 
Voter turnout at the fifth parliamentary election in Iraq hit an all-time low, with many Iraqis refusing to vote as widespread faith in the democratic process and politics falters. Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who has been a vocal opponent of foreign invasion, won the most seats. He has also been accused of kidnapping and killing his critics. "The election has more to do with making this regime and this system look good than responding to the demands of the people," says Nabil Salih, Iraqi journalist and photographer, who also discusses protests that sped up the election and conditions in Iraq's hospitals. His…
(2021-10-12). Gaza's little miracles . electronicintifada.net A number of children were found alive after coming under Israeli bombardment.
(2021-10-12). Sally Rooney stands up for Palestine in face of smears. electronicintifada.net Respecting boycott, award-winning author won't let Israeli company publish her work.
(2021-10-12). North Korea Holds Weapons Exhibition As Kim Vows Future "Invincible Military" southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On October 11th, North Korea held an exhibition of weapons systems in Pyongyang, showcasing an intercontinental ballistic missile, among other weapons. | Kim Jong Un reviewed the rare exhibition and vowed to build an "invincible" military, as he accused the United States of creating regional tensions and lacking action to prove it has no hostile intent toward the North, state media reported. | In an apparent continued effort to drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul, Kim also used his speec…
(2021-10-12). Esplodono i prezzi nella battaglia del gas. globalresearch.ca L'esplosione dei prezzi del gas colpisce l'Europa nel momento critico della ripresa economica, dopo i disastrosi effetti dei lockdown del 2020. La spiegazione che cià≤ è dovuto alla crescita della domanda e al calo dell'offerta nasconde un quadro ben più …
(2021-10-12). Columbus Day toppled in Boston. workers.org 
By K. James Boston In a major victory for Indigenous people everywhere, Boston Mayor Kim Janey signed an Executive Order declaring the second Monday in October to henceforth be Indigenous Peoples Day. Janey [Boston's first woman and first Black mayor] signed the order Oct. 6 inside Boston City Hall, the . . . |
(2021-10-12). Philippines overwhelmed by COVID-19 onslaught. indybay.org Amid a devastating COVID surge, and with fewer than 22 million people fully vaccinated in a population of 110 million, the Duterte government is overseeing a social disaster.
(2021-10-12). Military Situation In Syria On October 12, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On October 11, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 13 times: 3 — in Idlib province, 2 — in Latakia province, 1 — in Hama province, 2 — in Aleppo province | On October 11, unknown aircraft reportedly attacked areas near Bukamal city | On October 11, six civilians were killed and 17 others were injured by a car bomb explosion in the city of Afrin | On October 12, a car bomb explosion was reported in t…
(2021-10-12). Assassination Attempt Targeted Molham Team Manager In Syria's Al-Bab (Photos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On October 12th, an explosion took place in the city of al-Bab in the Syria's Aleppo governorate. | An improvised explosive device planted in a car exploded next to the Ihsan mosque in the city of al-Bab. | The explosion was likely an assassination attempt. The IED was planted in the car of the director of the office of the Molham Volunteer Team in al-Bab. He was identified as Muhammad Abu Fatooh. | No casualties were reported as a result of the explosion, and Muhammad Abu Fatooh managed to survive. The IED detonated at the moment when the man got into his car. | Molham Volunteering…
(2021-10-12). As CIA Warns China "Most Important" Threat to U.S., Is Biden Pursuing a "New Cold War"? democracynow.org 
We look at growing tensions between China and Taiwan as China's military said Monday it had conducted beach landing and assault drills in the province across from Taiwan. Taiwan's president responded on Sunday saying Taiwan would not bow to pressure from China. This comes as The Wall Street Journal has revealed a small team of U.S. special operations forces and marines have been secretly operating in Taiwan for at least a year to help train Taiwanese military forces for a possible conflict with China. We speak with Ethan Paul of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, who warns U.S. interference could ca…
(2021-10-12). "NATO's southern flank at risk": report says Biden backs $6 billion F-16 deal with Turkey. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Biden administration reportedly backs Turkey's $6B F-16 deal request Turkey's request for Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits to upgrade its existing warplanes is valued at $6 billion (TL 54.02 billion), according to Turkish sources who spoke to two different media organizations Tuesday. Considering U.S. Congress' opposition to Ankara purchasing arms due to …
(2021-10-12). Extremist Jewish settlers invade Al-Aqsa mosque. peoplesdispatch.org Settler invasions of the Al-Aqsa mosque compound have been reported over the last two days, with a group of people from the UAE also reportedly entering the mosque under police protection on Monday…
(2021-10-12). Military Situation In Yemen On October 12, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The Liaison and Coordination Officers' Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 240 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah during the past 24 hours | On October 11, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 3 airstrikes on the Maheliyah district | On October 11, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted an airstrike on the Dhaher district | On October 11, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 50 airstrikes on the Abdiyah district | On October 11, Saudi-led coalition warp…