(2020-11-01). Some good news: Australia records zero Covid cases for first time in nearly five months. rt.com 
As European nations rush headlong into lockdowns and several countries post record case numbers, it's not all doom and gloom on the Covid front; Australia has reported no new community infections for the first time since June. | The development paves the way for a further easing of harsh lockdown restrictions that have been in place in the country, particularly in the state of Victoria, which accounts for the vast majority of Australia's 907 deaths related to the disease. | Sunday saw Australia record no new daily infections for the first time since June 9. "Thank you to all of our amazing health & public heal…
(2020-11-01). Two More Suspects Arrested Over Knife Attack in Nice, Reports Say. sputniknews.com PARIS (Sputnik) – The French police have widened the probe into a deadly knife attack at a church in the southern city of Nice, arresting two more people, media said Sunday.
(2020-11-01). VIDEO: Leader's letter to French youth over double standards. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 01 (MNA) — Issuing a letter to the young people in France, Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei called on them to question the double standards of their president Emanuel Macron over freedom of expression.
(2020-11-01). Berlin Pub Blacklists Chancellor Angela Merkel for Poor Coronavirus Response. sputniknews.com Germany announced a month-long lockdown earlier this week. The quarantine, that will start on Monday, 2 November, stipulates the cancellation of all mass events and the closure of bars and restaurants except for takeaways.
(2020-11-01). Three Iranian animations go to Italy's Corti a Ponte festival. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 01 (MNA) — Three Iranian animations have been accepted into the 13th edition of Corti a Ponte in Italy.
(2020-11-01). Video Allegedly Showing Destruction of Armenian Trucks Carrying Ammo Shared by Azerbaijani Military. sputniknews.com Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in an intense conflict for over a month after the two sides accused each other of breaching the armistice existing in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh republic. Despite efforts to restore the truce, the two sides continue to exchange fire.
(2020-11-01). Turkey Extends Seismic Survey in Disputed East Mediterranean Area. sputniknews.com ANKARA (Sputnik) – Turkey's Oruc Reis research vessel will continue its seismic exploration in the disputed area of the Eastern Mediterranean, near the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kastellorizo, until 14 November, the navy's Office of Navigation, Hydrography and Oceanography has announced.
(2020-11-01). UN urged to condemn insulting to Holy Prophet (PBUH). en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 01 (MNA) — Islamic Association of Philippine Alumni called on the Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres to condemn the France's insulting to the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH).
(2020-10-31). Spanish police make ludicrous claim Russia plotted to invade Catalonia. wsws.org Spain's paramilitary police also made basesless allegations that WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange was party to a plot involving 10,000 Russian troops attacking Spain.
(2020-10-31). Macron accuses Turkey of 'bellicose' attitude towards Nato allies. middleeasteye.net 
Macron accuses Turkey of 'bellicose' attitude towards Nato allies | French president hits out at Turkey as row over his comments on Islam continues to rage | Sat, 10/31/2020 – 16: 22 | Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) walks past France's President Emmanuel Macron during the 2019 Nato summit in Watford, northeast of London (AFP) | French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Turk…
(2020-10-31). Turkish rescuers pull elderly man from earthquake rubble. middleeasteye.net 
Turkish rescuers pull elderly man from earthquake rubble | Aegean Sea quake kills 53 people in Turkey and Greece | Sat, 10/31/2020 – 10: 03 | An earthquake survivor embraces a Turkish rescue worker (Reuters) | A 70-year-old man was pulled from the remains of a destroyed building to an applauding crowd on Sunday as Turkish rescuers went into their third day searching for victims of an earth…
(2020-10-31). The Threat of Peace… Why America Needs War With Russia and How To Stop It. thealtworld.com 
In an interview for Strategic Culture Foundation, veteran activist and author Ron Ridenour shares his insights on the prospects of war and peace |
(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). Left-wing in Belgrade counters anti-immigrant vigilantism by Serbian far-right. peoplesdispatch.org On Sunday, October 25, the left-wing sections in Belgrade organized "A Tea of Solidarity" in the park near the Faculty of Economics in the city to counter the far-right vigilantism against migrants in the city. The right-wing anti-migrant group Peoples Patrols had organized a clean-up of the park and chanted anti-migrant, hyper-nationalist slogans at the event. A large contingent of security forces were also present in the park to avert clashes between the groups. | Masina reported that the leader of the right-wing group, Damjan Knezevic, who is the former vice-president of the far-right Zavetnici party, was pres…
(2020-10-31). [World Report] Slovakia to test all adults for SARS-CoV-2. thelancet.com Slovakia plans to be the first country to test its whole population for SARS-CoV-2, but experts warn of logistical and technical challenges. Ed Holt reports from Bratislava.
(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). For a European-wide school strike against the pandemic. wsws.org If non-essential businesses, schools, and day-care centres are not immediately closed, the overloading of health care systems and the premature death of millions of people is inevitable.
(2020-10-31). Australian ruling elite again demands premature lifting of pandemic restrictions. wsws.org The similar ending of safety measures caused the COVID-19 catastrophes, now engulfing hospitals throughout Europe, the US and many other parts of the world.
(2020-10-31). European Central Bank set to expand bond-buying program. wsws.org ECB president Christine Lagarde has said the euro zone recovery is "losing momentum" amid a resurge of COVID-19 infections.
(2020-10-31). Spain's Conquistador Hernan Cortes and the Unknown History of the Panama Canal. globalresearch.ca The Panama Canal project is much older than just the US imperialistic endeavor and completion of the 20th century that most people associate it with that led to the birth of a new republic. | *** | Leaving aside all issues …
(2020-10-31). Trudeau says Nice attack does not define Islam. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 31 (MNA) — Condemning a deadly attack in the France's Nice, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that these terrorist attacks do not define Islam.
(2020-10-31). Guterres urges continued dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan. news.un.org The UN chief remains "deeply concerned" over reports that hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone are continuing to affect civilians, his spokesperson said on Saturday.
(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). [Correspondence] Host or pathogen-related factors in COVID-19 severity? thelancet.com Lucy Okell and colleagues1 observed that the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently in marked decline in many countries. Okell and colleagues suggest two possible explanations for this decline, namely the effect of lockdowns, physical distancing, and other interventions; or, alternatively, herd immunity. After analysing trends in cumulative deaths over time in many European countries that went into lockdown at different stages of their epidemic, and data obtained from serology studies on the proportion of the population that had the infection previously, Okell an…
(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). [Correspondence] Host or pathogen-related factors in COVID-19 severity? — Authors' reply. thelancet.com Christian Gortázar and colleagues, in their response to our Correspondence about herd immunity in COVID-19,1 suggest that the mutation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) might provide an alternative explanation for the observed decline in deaths in Europe. As evidence, they highlight the observation that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has mutated,2,3 alongside their own report arguing that the severity of COVID-19 has decreased over time.4 Unfortunately, their own study appears to have ended before many recoveries could have occurred, severely undermining the main conclusion.
(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). Terrorism and "French Values" globalresearch.ca There have been some horrendous, despicable killings by Muslim extremists in France. Such killings must be condemned. | French president Emmanuel Macron played the victim card, saying that France "will not give into terrorism." Yet when 21st century France engages in …
(2020-10-31). FROM THE FIELD: Planning a route to green cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. news.un.org Bosnia and Herzegovina is showing how even highly polluted cities can be transformed into well-planned, climate-resilient urban hubs.
(2020-10-30). Video: Neo-Ottoman Nights of Armenian-Azerbaijani War. globalresearch.ca Turkish Sultan-in-Chief Recep Tayyip Erdogan has come up with a justification for the deployment of Syrian militants to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone to support the war against Armenia. According to him, at least 2,000 fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party …
(2020-10-30). Women's strike paralyzes Poland after right-wing court bans abortion. peoplesworld.org 
Women across Poland continue to strike in protest against the near total banning of abortions by the country's highest court. The country has been paralyzed by more than a week of demonstrations against the decision, which was backed by Poland's right-wing government. The constitutional court's ruling last Thursday triggered daily mass demonstrations, with anger directed …
(2020-10-30). Terrorism and French Values. dissidentvoice.org 
There have been some horrendous, despicable killings by Muslim extremists in France. Such killings must be condemned. French president Emmanuel Macron played the victim card, saying that France "will not give into terrorism." Yet when 21st century France engages in overseas militarism, otherwise known as state terrorism, in places with large Muslim populations — places …
(2020-10-30). 'Vital we start now': WHO reforms should not be left until after Covid-19 pandemic, says German health minister. rt.com 
The German government has called for immediate reforms to the World Health Organization (WHO), with Health Minister Jens Spahn stressing the importance of starting the process now and not wait until the pandemic has passed. | The UN health agency should be faster in its response to crises, Spahn added, calling for the WHO's members to give it more funding and for them to be better at sharing information. | Read more | | Spahn's call for tran…
(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). "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). 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). Suspect in Nice attack was arrested in Tunisia in 2016 for using knife: Official. middleeasteye.net 
Suspect in Nice attack was arrested in Tunisia in 2016 for using knife: Official | Meanwhile, French interior minister says more attacks likely as 'war on Islamist extremism' underway | Fri, 10/30/2020 – 11: 12 | From left, French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, French President Emmanuel Macron and Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi visit the scene of a knife attack at…
(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). 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…
(2020-10-30). "The fight for abortion has been the struggle of Polish women for generations" peoplesdispatch.org 
Last week's ruling in the Constitutional Court placing further restrictions on abortion access in Poland sent a shockwave through society and brought tens of thousands on to the streets in protest…
(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). France: No Change for Thirty Years. counterpunch.org 
France, which is already facing health, environmental, economic and social woes, has also endured a series of blows in the form of terrorist attacks. Thus the calls to mobilise for war. Again. But destroying an enemy that is often very hard to find always requires more powerful weapons than last time. Not artillery and tanks
(2020-10-30). Marxism and Election 2020. sputniknews.com On today's episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events, France being on high alert after two terrorist attacks, Islamabad having an attack, Wal-Mart preparing for civil unrest, Louisville officer Mattingtingly counter-suing Breonna Taylor's boyfriend Kenneth Walker, and Kyle Rittenhouse being extradited to Wisconsin.
(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). 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). Casualties mount in Armenian-Azeri war as US-brokered ceasefire collapses. wsws.org The danger is growing that the war between the two former Soviet republics in the Caucasus could escalate into a war involving Russia, Iran, and the NATO powers.
(2020-10-30). FBI raids neo-Nazi camp in Michigan as national connections of Whitmer plotters emerge. wsws.org The FBI conducted further raids in Michigan Thursday as more details emerge of a national conspiracy involving fascists and police in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Delaware, Texas and Minnesota.
(2020-10-30). The Triumph Of The Commons In The UK. popularresistance.org United Kingdom – There are thousands of community-powered initiatives in action across the UK. Projects to bring broadband to a rural place that wasn't expecting it to arrive for years, generate renewable energy, or make the most of treasured local spaces or assets. Schemes to deliver addiction services, protect neighborhoods from natural disasters, or manage social housing in an equitable way. In none of these have the communities in question needed supervision from the state or transactions with big businesses.
(2020-10-30). Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS), New Momentum in the Development of Trade and Investment. globalresearch.ca On October 28, the BRICS Business Council (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) during the forum reviewed its joint work for the previous years, discussed at length current business issues and, in particular tried to choose a path for …
(2020-10-30). Deadly earthquake rocks western Turkey, Greece: Report. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 30 (MNA) — A strong earthquake struck the Aegean Sea on Friday and inflicted damage in both Greece and Turkey, where buildings collapsed killing at least four people with many others trapped in the rubble.