(2021-10-20). The US Peace Council Strongly Condemns The Illegal "Extradition" of Venezuelan Diplomat Alex Saab and Demands his Immediate Release (Statement). orinocotribune.com October 18, 2021 | Once again, U.S. imperialism revealed its outlaw nature by resorting to kidnapping and extraordinary rendition (reminiscent of its similar illegal actions in Afghanistan and Iraq) of Venezuelan diplomat, Alex Saab, for trying to buy humanitarian supplies for Venezuela — a fully legal act according to international law, but one that defied illegal U.S. sanctions on that country. | Venezuela is among some three dozen nations illegally sanctioned by the U.S. for striving tyo chart its own future. Venezuelan people are dying from lack of medicine and starving from lack of food due to those sa…
(2021-10-20). Colin Powell (1937-2021): U.S. imperialism's top salesman for slaughter. liberationnews.org 
Aftermath of the 1991 "Highway of Death" massacre carried out while Powell was the top officer in the U.S. military. Credit — samer (Flickr) Colin Powell, former Secretary of State under the George W. Bush administration and key promoter of the Iraq war, passed away Monday at the age of 84 due to health complications …
(2021-10-20). Malaysia, Singapore adopt deadly "living with COVID" strategy. wsws.org The two Southeast Asian states have officially adopted the homicidal "living with COVID" strategy, even as case numbers continue in their thousands.
(2021-10-20). Laos: From Landlocked to High-Speed Rail-Linked. newatlas.report October 19, 2021 (Brian Berletic — NEO) — For anyone who travelled through the rugged landlocked Southeast Asian country of Laos years ago, they will remember the twisting mountain roads and the many days by bus it would take to traverse the terrain from China's border with Laos at Boten to the Laotian capital of …
(2021-10-20). Public health or private wealth? How digital vaccine passports pave way for unprecedented surveillance capitalism. thegrayzone.com The titans of global capitalism are exploiting the Covid-19 crisis to institute social credit-style digital ID systems across the West. The death by starvation of Etwariya Devi, a 67-year-old widow from the rural Indian state of Jharkhand, might have passed without notice had it not been part of a more widespread trend. Like 1.3 billion of her fellow Indians, Devi had been pushed to enroll in a biometric digital ID system called Aadhaar in order to access public services, including …
(2021-10-20). Romanian health care system collapsing under COVID-19 surge. wsws.org As schools are being reopened throughout the European Union, a deadly surge is devastating Eastern European countries, including Romania, Bulgaria and the Baltic States.
(2021-10-20). There's a Riot Goin' On: Sly and the Family Stone's album turns 50. wsws.org The highly regarded and contradictory album reflects not only artistic creativity, but also the souring of the counterculture's romance with drugs.
(2021-10-20). Sri Lankan workers and students call for eradication of COVID-19. wsws.org Educators, professionals, workers and university students discuss the importance of this Sunday's global online webinar hosted by the WSWS to explain the case for the eradication of the virus.
(2021-10-20). IED Attack On Bus In Damascus Leaves 14 SAA Soldiers Dead. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | At least 14 Syrian soldiers killed in Damascus blast | There's been terrorist attack in the center of the Syrian capital Damascus. Two explosive devices went off at once at the moment when the Syrian army bus drove past the presidential palace near the Rais Bridge over the Barada River, not far from the Dama Rose Hotel and the National Museum of Damascus. | The first explosive device went off at about 6: 30 local time, after 50 meters the second detonated. At this time, there are many people i…
(2021-10-20). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Next steps, new leader for Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Dr. Cheryl Willman was named executive director of Mayo Clinic Cancer Programs, and director of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in May. In this role, Dr. Willman is leading the expansion and strategic development of Mayo Clinic Cancer Center locations in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, as well as newly developing Mayo Clinic global cancer programs in London and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as…
(2021-10-19). Demonstrations in New York Against Alex Saab Abduction, Campaigns Relaunched, Russia & Iran Protest (Photos & Video). orinocotribune.com 
Caracas, October 18, 2021 ( In New York this Sunday, October 17, a group of local activists gathered in support of the diplomat to demand justice for the arbitrary actions of the United States last Saturday, when the ambassador of Venezuela to the African Union was illegally extracted from Cape…
(2021-10-19). Colin Powell: Iraqis Will 'Not Shed Tears' for 2003 Invasion Architect. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-19). Colin Powell Was a Nice Man Who Helped Destroy Iraq. zcomm.org As secretary of state in 2003, Powell lied at the United Nations about Iraq having weapons of mass destruction…
(2021-10-19). A Reluctant Warrior? An Examination of Gen. Colin Powell's Bloody Legacy from Iraq to Latin America. democracynow.org 
We look at the life and legacy of Colin Powell, who is best known for giving false testimony to the U.N. Security Council in 2003 about nonexistent weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, paving the way for the U.S. invasion and occupation that would kill over 1 million Iraqis. Powell, who was the first Black secretary of state, the first Black and youngest chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first Black national security adviser, died on Monday due to blood cancer and Parkinson's disease that left him vulnerable to infection from COVID-19. Tributes poured in from top U.S. leaders in both Republican and Democ…
(2021-10-19). Biden and Other Democrats Helped Colin Powell Spread George W. Bush's Iraq Lies. truthout.org 
While the death of former Secretary of State and retired Gen. Colin Powell has elicited praise-filled eulogies in the mainstream media and officials in Washington, many Americans still carry bitter feelings over Powell's support for the illegal, unnecessary and predictably disastrous war in Iraq. In particular, critics cite his February 2003 speech before the United Nations Security Council in which he put forward a litany of demonstrably false statements in making the case that Iraq had com…
(2021-10-19). Colin Powell: The US ruling class mourns a faithful servant. wsws.org Powell headed the US military during the first Iraq war and, as secretary of state, was a leading figure in the second Iraq war.
(2021-10-19). Fascist ambush becomes 'sectarian violence' in U.S. media, Lebanon crisis deepens. liberationnews.org 
On Oct. 14, snipers from the fascist "Lebanese Forces" carried out a deadly assault on a peaceful mass rally as it was gathering in Beirut. The rally was called to demand the removal of Judge Tarek Bitar who is presiding over the investigation into an August 2020 explosion in the Beirut port. The action accused …
(2021-10-19). How US-Soviet Cold War Competition led to Fall of the Afghan Left and Collapse of the Country into Fundamentalism. juancole.com By Luis Edel Abreu Veranes | — From the turbulent 1970s ( Middle East Monitor) — With its geographic centrality on the Asian continent, Afghanistan has historically become a corridor and civilisational interstice between Persian and Hindustani empires and peoples flowing in from the north. Some were Turkic-speaking, who marked and shaped the ethnic synthesis …
(2021-10-19). Zalmay Khalilzad Resigns as Special Envoy for Afghanistan. news.antiwar.com Zalmay Khalilzad has resigned as the US special envoy for Afghanistan, Khalilzad, who was born in Afghanistan, was first appointed as the Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation by the Trump administration in 2018. His negotiations in Qatar with the Taliban led to the signing of the Doha agreement, which paved the way for the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. | Eve…
(2021-10-19). Washington Does Not Cooperate With The Search For Peace In Afghanistan. southfront.org 
Illustrative ImageThe US government informs that it will not participate in the Extended Troika summit in Moscow, undermining international negotiations for peace in Afghanistan. | Written by Lucas Leiroz, research fellow in international law at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. | The US does not want any further involvement in the Afghan conflict. This seems to be the reality increasingly evident since the moment the American government decided to withdraw its troops from the Central Asian country. However, the end of American participation does not mean the end of the conflict, nor the end of American r…
(2021-10-19). China's road to economic development. indybay.org While we were all enthusiastically looking at Afghanistan and Central Asia, China has built a railway to the border of Myanmar with an access to the Indian Ocean for transiting goods.
(2021-10-19). Eurasian Women's Forum: Women in the Changing World. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-19). What Climate Finance Means for the Global South in the Run-up to COP26. towardfreedom.org What tools are available to developing countries to support them as they face climate-change impacts like eroding coastlines and droughts? And how will such tools be made available?
(2021-10-19). Texas Republicans slice electoral boundaries to dilute Latino and Asian voting power. peoplesworld.org 
This story is reprinted from The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans—and engages with them—about public policy, politics, government, and statewide issues. The article originally appeared here. The intensity with which Texas Republicans are struggling against demographic tides as they redraw the state's congressional districts can best be seen in their proposed maps …
(2021-10-19). Narrative Traps in India's Decision-making. asia-pacificresearch.com
(2021-10-19). ASEAN-Myanmar Relations At Deadlock After The Country's Expulsion From Upcoming Summit. southfront.org 
Illustrative ImageChina expresses hope that ASEAN alone can resolve the crisis in Myanmar. | Written by Paul Antonopoulos, independent geopolitical analyst | Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing announced in a televised speech on October 18 that his country is committed to peace and restoring order, but urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to review the current situation and stressed that the recent violence in Myanmar is due to provocations by rebel groups. This was the first reaction from the head of the junta to ASEAN's October 15 decision to exclude him from the upcoming summit at the end o…
(2021-10-19). Comedian Dave Chapelle's The Closer: A racist tirade disguised as stand-up comedy. indybay.org To an extent without precedent by any entertainment figure in recent memory, Chapelle openly advocates anti-Semitism and gloats over racist violence directed against Asians.
(2021-10-19). After Austin leaves, NATO Caucasus, Central Asia point man arrives in Georgia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com NATO Special Representative for Caucasus, Central Asia to visit Georgia NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy and Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Javier Colomina will arrive today in Tbilisi. Colomina will hold meetings with President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, Parliament Speaker …
(2021-10-19). NATO Caucasus, Central Asia representative visits "occupation line" on South Ossetian border. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary-General visits the village of Odzisi, near the occupation line NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Security Policy and the newly-appointed Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Javier Colomina visited the village of Odzisi, near the occupation line. Lasha Darsalia, the First Deputy Foreign Minister, introduced the guest …
(2021-10-19). Azerbaijan's defense chief awards Turkish-trained commandos, meets veterans of Karabakh invasion. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijani Defense minister visited the recently established commando military unit According to the order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, activities on increasing the combat capability of the Azerbaijan Army are underway, the Ministry of Defense told APA. On October 19, the Minister of …
(2021-10-19). Azerbaijan launches new war games in conquered Nagorno-Karabakh. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijani army starts command post exercises in Lachin district Command-staff exercises began in the Lachin district on October 19 in accordance with the plan for the preparation of the ground forces of the Azerbaijani army for 2021, Trend reports citing the Ministry of Defense. During the command-staff exercises, the interaction of the Ground Forces with …
(2021-10-19). India Walton's campaign for mayor of Buffalo stands up to harassment & intimidation. liberationnews.org 
India Walton, a proud socialist, shocked the political establishment when she won the Democratic primary for mayor of Buffalo in June over 4-term Mayor Byron Brown. Her campaign for mayor generated much enthusiasm among Buffalo's workers, but the ruling ruling elite were horrified. Suddenly they were faced with a candidate who boldly stated, "It's time …
(2021-10-19). Top New York Democrat Sparks Outrage by Comparing India Walton to David Duke. truthout.org 
The chair of the New York State Democratic Party sparked anger, rebuke, and calls for his resignation Monday after comparing India Walton, winner of the party's nomination for Buffalo mayor and a black woman, to notorious racist and white supremacist David Duke. | Party chair Jay Jacobs made the remarks during
(2021-10-19). Dispatches from India: Fuel price hikes haunt the poor. peoplesdispatch.org In this episode, we take a look at the latest from the farmers' protest, the dismissal of government employees in Kashmir and the impact of the relentless hike in fuel prices on the poor…
(2021-10-19). How opium trade funded the British Empire. peoplesdispatch.org The British empire and the massive strides made by the United Kingdom in the age of colonization was built on the trade of opium that had a lasting effect on India and China. Journalists Nilanjan and Prabir Purkayastha, and author Thomas Manuel talk about the past and present of opium trade…
(2021-10-19). PKK Struggles To Stay On Its Feet; Draws From PJAK's Pool Of Fighters. southfront.org 
Illustrative Image | Written by The last three years have proven to be difficult years for the PKK. As Turkey has started operation after operation, increased its permanent military presence in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and has managed to expel PKK fighters from several of its camps in North-Iraq. Analysis of data sets concerning PKK fatalities, media announcements of the PKK, and statistics provided by a Kurdish human rights research institute, show a changing trend: PKK is drawing from PJAK's pool of f…
(2021-10-19). North Korea launches TWO ballistic missiles less than a month after 'hypersonic' missile test — reports. rt.com 
Pyongyang has reportedly carried out another weapons test, with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida saying that the reclusive nation launched two ballistic missiles on Tuesday, as cited by Reuters. | The reported missile test took place around 10: 17am local time on Tuesday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported. The South Korean military said at least one missile was fired from a launch site near the North Korean port city of Sinpo in central South Hamgyong Province. | There have been few other details about the launch, with Seoul's military noting that they have been conducting a "thorough analysis"
(2021-10-19). Reduced-Dose vs High-Dose Glucocorticoids Added to Rituximab and Remission Induction in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis—Reply. jamanetwork.com In Reply Dr Chandwar and colleagues comment that the patients in our study had normal kidney function. However, we disagree because the median eGFR was 52 mL/min/1.73 m2, which is lower than the eGFR of the general Japanese population aged 70 to 74 years (median, 68 mL/min/1.73 m2). Second, the higher prevalence of MPO-ANCA positivity has been previously reported in Japanese patients. We agree that the applicability of our regimen to patients with PR3-ANCA positivity should be further investigated, although in our study the regimen was fairly effective in this subgroup of patients. Third, our study's treatment re…
(2021-10-19). Harlem, NY: Socialist candidates join forces. liberationnews.org 
On Oct. 16, socialist City Council candidate Kristin Richardson Jordan and socialist Mayoral candidate Cathy Rojas came together for a joint "meet and greet" in Harlem.
(2021-10-19). Climate Change Viewed from the Attic of the World. tomdispatch.com Thirteen thousand feet high on the far side of the Himalaya mountains, we have entered the past and the future at the same time. We are a medical expedition and also a pilgrimage, consisting of doctors, nurses, Buddhist clerics, supernumeraries like me, and a large staff of guides, muleteers, and camp tenders. We are bound for the isolated villages of Upper Dolpo, a remote region of northwestern Nepal, land of the snow leopard — both the actual animal and The Snow Leopard, Peter Matthiessen's nonfiction classic. We are traveling the same trails Matthiessen walked in 1973. As a medical mission, our purpose i…
(2021-10-19). North Korea Test-Launches SLBM, Causes A Stir In Washington, Seoul And Tokyo. southfront.org 
Illustrative image. Click to see full-size image | On October 19th, North Korea test-launched at least 1 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), causing a stir in South Korea and the U.S. | United States' INDOPACOM released a statement on the attack, condemning it. | .
(2021-10-19). North Korea Reportedly Used Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile in Latest Test. sputniknews.com TOKYO (Sputnik) – South Korea believes North Korea conducted a short-range ballistic missile test on Tuesday morning, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing representatives of the country's National Security Council.
(2021-10-19). Retinal Artery Thrombosis and Aortic Valve Vegetations. jamanetwork.com A 42-year-old woman had 30 days of blurry vision in the right eye. Dilated-fundus examination and fluorescein angiography showed retinal artery thrombosis; echocardiography showed pedunculated and mobile aortic valve vegetations, and results of testing for antinuclear antibodies were positive at low titer (1: 40, homogenous pattern) with positive dsDNA (5.0 IU/mL). What is the diagnosis and what would you do next?
(2021-10-19). AIPAC Operative Bakari Sellers Criticizes Biden: The Portfolio He Gave VP Kamala Harris Is Trash. moguldom.com Vice President Kamala Harris, the highest-ranking Black woman in political office, is next in line to the presidency should President Joe Biden be unable to do his duties. Harris' primary duties as vice president are to cast a tie-breaking vote when the Senate is deadlocked, preside over and certify the official vote count of the …
(2021-10-19). Center-Left Parties Win Elections in Major Italian Cities. telesurenglish.net In the Italian sub-national elections held on Sunday and Monday, progressive candidates won the mayoralties of Rome, Turin, Milan, Naples and Bologna. | RELATED: | Democratic Party (PD) Roberto Gualtieri became the mayor of the Italian capital after winning 60.1 percent of the vote and defeating right-wing candidate Enrico Michetti. Gualtieri asked all political forces to join together to solve the Roman infrastr…
(2021-10-19). 'Karen in the Air': Watch Woman Preach About Pandemic Via Microphone During Midflight. sputniknews.com The choice of time and place was definitely wrong, and though the woman claimed to have good intentions, she nearly drove her fellow passengers mad.
(2021-10-19). Central Europe, From Postcommunism to Democracy? counterpunch.org Last Sunday, a 94-year-old woman held a small European flag in her hand as she wheeled her wheelchair through Warsaw among thousands of demonstrators protesting against the reform of the Polish judiciary and her government's confrontation with the European Union. That lady, who in 1944 was a young fighter in the Warsaw Uprising against Nazism,
(2021-10-19). Oklahoma woman convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to four years in prison for miscarriage. wsws.org The political context for this reactionary and barbaric case is a full-fledged assault on abortion rights in the United States.
(2021-10-19). Explosion Killed Police Officer, Wounded More Than Dozen Civilians In Pakistan's Balochistan (Photos, Videos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On October 18th, a roadside bomb explosion took place in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's Balochistan province, killing at least one police officer and wounding 15 other people, mostly civilians. | The bomb had exploded at the moment, when a police bus had parked outside the Baluchistan university, a provincial minister said. | The dead and wounded were transported to a local hospital. | No group has claimed responsibility so far. However, local militants, including the Balochistan Liberation Army, are behind such attacks on security forces. | Various Baloch separatist groups remai…
(2021-10-19). A Giant Leap for Palestine? Stay Tuned! globalresearch.ca