Monthly Archives: July 2020

2020-07-31: News Headlines

Richard D. Wolff (2020-07-31). The Consequences of Inequality Can Be Fatal. counterpunch.org Capitalism, as Thomas Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century shows, relentlessly worsens wealth and income inequalities. That inherent tendency is only occasionally stopped or reversed when masses of people rise up against it. That happened, for example, in western Europe and the U.S. during the 1930s Great Depression. It prompted social democracy in Europe and

Marshall Auerback (2020-07-31). Every Step the EU Takes Toward Financial Unity Sows New Seeds of Its Potential Collapse. counterpunch.org Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" is a play featuring two characters waiting for a character, Godot, who never arrives. As such, it is a useful metaphor for the goings-on of the European Union (EU). Observers of the EU's evolution in the capital of Brussels have witnessed a Godot-like experience of the promised arrival of the

Brett Wilkins (2020-07-31). The Bologna Massacre, the 'Strategy of Tension' and Operation Gladio. counterpunch.org On the sweltering morning of August 2, 1980, a powerful explosion blew apart the central train station in Bologna, Italy, killing 85 people and wounding 200 more. To this day, it is uncertain exactly who is behind the deadliest terrorist attack in modern Italian history. It is clear that right-wing extremists including neo-fascists, Italian secret

T.J. Coles (2020-07-31). The Space Wars Have Begun. counterpunch.org "Space is now a distinct warfighting domain," says the U.S. Defense Space Strategy. Last week, corporate media repeated U.S. military propaganda: that Russia had "tested new technologies that could lead to so-called 'killer satellites'" (ABC); the U.S. and Britain "accused Russia of testing a weapon-like projectile in space that could be used to target satellites

Rob Urie (2020-07-31). Russiagate, Nazis, and the CIA. counterpunch.org The political success of Russiagate lies in the vanishing of American history in favor of a faàßade of liberal virtue. Posed as a response to the election of Donald Trump, a straight line can be drawn from efforts to undermine the decommissioning of the American war economy in 1946 to the CIA's alliance with Ukrainian fascists in 2014. In 1945 the NSC (National Security Council) issued a series of directives that gave logic and direction to the CIA's actions during the Cold War. That these persist despite the 'fall of communism' suggests that it was always just a placeholder in the pursuit of other objectiv…

yenisafak (2020-07-31). COVID-19 infections rise in Belgium's capital. yenisafak.com In a single day the number of Brussels municipalities in the coronavirus alarm zone more than doubled from four to 10, Belgium's Public Health Institute Sciensano announced on Friday. | At the same time, the country saw a 62% rise in new coronavirus cases on July 21-27 compared to the previous week. On average, some 371 people were infected by the virus daily. | This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases to 68,006 since the outbreak, out of which 9,840 lost their lives. | According to the latest figures, six new municipalities in the capital saw more than 20 new daily cases per 100,000 inhabitants, which is c…

yenisafak (2020-07-31). Virus cases, deaths mount in Central Asia, Eurasia. yenisafak.com More coronavirus cases and fatalities were reported in Central Asian and Eurasian countries on Friday.- KazakhstanKazakhstan reported 1,414 more COVID-19 cases, bringing its total so far to 89,078, while recoveries rose 1,702 to reach 59,517.A total of 793 virus patients have died in the Central Asian country so far, with nearly 30,000 still under treatment.- UkraineHealth Minister Maksym Stepanov said 1,090 more people tested positive for COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, raising the total count to 69,884.He said 20 more fatalities pushed the death toll up to 1,693, while recoveries increased by 622 to reach 36,7…

yenisafak (2020-07-31). W.Balkans welcomes Muslim holiday amid COVID-19. yenisafak.com Muslims living in Western Balkan countries are welcoming the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha amid protective measures due to the coronavirus pandemic.While Muslims were saddened to face another holiday amid the COVID-19 measures, special prayers were performed with a limited congregation in most countries due to rising numbers of cases in the region.The historical Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque in Bosnia's capital Sarajevo opened its doors to believers 15 minutes before prayer time. | Meanwhile, in Serbia, morning prayers were held in houses, while the only mosque in the capital Belgrade did not hold the Eid prayer. | But…

sputniknews (2020-07-31). Huawei Urges Germany to Keep Tech Giant as 5G Provider Despite US Pressure, Reports Say. sputniknews.com Huawei's 5G rollout in Europe has been in doubt amid reports of the security risks that the Chinese tech firm's equipment allegedly poses – a claim promoted by the United States but vehemently denied by China.

RT (2020-07-30). Russian serviceman working in Crimea arrested for HIGH TREASON, accused of spying for Ukraine. rt.com A serviceman from Russia's Black Sea Fleet has been arrested by the country's Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of working for Ukrainian military intelligence. | If found guilty of high treason, the detained soldier could In a statement

Caitlin Johnstone (2020-07-30). Op-Ed: The Exit Of 12,000 US Troops Is The Single Worst Event In German History. thealtworld.com Today's Caitlin Johnstone essay has been replaced with a National News Conglomerate op-ed by General Hank Hammerfist. NNC: Obey. | The Trump administration has begun slashing the US military presence in Germany from an almost satisfactory 36,000 troops to a practically microscopic 24,000. I think we can all agree that this is the single worst thing that has ever happened in the history of Germany, and arguably the universe. | While most Americans were until now unaware that their government had that many troops in a nation known predominantly for beer and bleak documentaries, pundits and politicians in the know h…

RT (2020-07-30). 'A momentary lapse of honesty?' WATCH US Defense Secretary Esper saying NATO must 'avoid PEACE in Europe'. rt.com US Defense Secretary Mark Esper seemingly mistook the word 'peace' for 'war' when he made a gaffe in the middle of a speech on the relocation of American troops in Europe. | Esper was delivering important news to reporters: the Pentagon has laid out a plan to withdraw nearly 12,000 American soldiers from its NATO ally Germany. | The blunder occurred just when Esper was arguing that Germany, as the "wealthiest country in Europe," can and should boost its defense spending. | I've said that very publicly, I've said that very privately to my counterparts as well — about the importance of NATO, any alliance, s…

RT (2020-07-30). EU targets Russian intelligence, Chinese, North Korean companies in first ever cybercrime-related sanctions batch. rt.com The European Union has imposed sanctions on six people and three entities, including a Russian military intelligence unit over their alleged involvement in various hacking activities, in the first ever such move from Brussels. | EU officials slapped the "Special Technologies" unit (GTsST) of the Russian military intelligence (also known as GRU) with sanctions, accusing it of being behind several high-profile cyber-attacks — including the infamous NotPetya virus that inflicted $10 billion worth of damage to the world economy in 2017. | The origins of that virus are still unclear. Yet, what is known for ce…

RT (2020-07-30). EU targets Russian intelligence, Chinese, North Korean companies in first ever cybercrime-related round of sanctions. rt.com The European Union has imposed sanctions on six people and three entities, including a Russian military intelligence unit, over their alleged involvement in various hacking activities, in the first ever such move from Brussels. | EU officials slapped the "Special Technologies" unit (GTsST) of the Russian military intelligence agency (also known as GRU) with sanctions, accusing it of being behind several high-profile cyber-attacks — including the infamous NotPetya virus that inflicted $10 billion-worth of damage to the world economy in 2017. | The origins of that virus are still unclear. What is known for…

RT (2020-07-30). Italian senators vote to lift ex-minister Salvini's immunity, open way for trial over migrant ship. rt.com The Italian Senate voted on Thursday to lift right-wing leader Matteo Salvini's immunity. The move clears the way for possible charges against the former interior minister for refusing to allow 164 migrants to get off a ship in Sicily last August. | The case from last August is the third involving a rescue ship standoff in which Italian prosecutors have sought kidnapping charges against Salvini. | During his 14 months as interior minister, Salvini repeatedly denied ships carrying rescued migrants access to Italy's ports. The policy resulted in numerous standoffs, leaving migrants stuck at sea for long weeks.

RT (2020-07-30). Russian & US scientists vow to fight Covid-19 PANDEMIC together amidst political animosity. rt.com Despite Moscow and Washington having been at odds over scores of international and bilateral affairs, Russian and US scientists managed to find a common language in jointly fighting a shared threat — the coronavirus pandemic. | The scientists have teamed up to cooperate in "all the areas related to the coronavirus, its nature, treatment and prevention measures," the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) said. | The RAS and US National Academies of Sciences, Medicine and Engineering inked an agreement on Thursday around working together on a wide range of Covid-related areas, such as epidemiology, virology, i…

RT (2020-07-30). Wife of Ukrainian rapper arrested after dismembered body parts found in apartment fridge. rt.com The wife of rapper Andy Cartwright has been arrested after his body parts were found in their St Petersburg apartment. She reportedly cut him into pieces, washed his organs, treated his limbs with salt and then refrigerated them. | Marina Kokhal claims the 30-year-old rapper died of a drug overdose. Saying she wanted to make him disappear so he wouldn't be remembered for dying an inglorious death, she has admitted to chopping up his body. | According to Saint Petersburg-based website 'Fontanka', the police were informed after 36-year-old Kokhal contacted a lawyer for advice, explaining that Cartwright had died…

RT (2020-07-30). Call of the Black Sea: Russian jet intercepts US spy planes for FOURTH TIME in just over a week (VIDEO). rt.com With summer heating up, it appears as though the US Air Force finds Russia's Black Sea particularly inviting, as the Russian military has intercepted American jets there for the fourth time in just over one week. | The US Air Force seemingly could not decide who should be next to enjoy the scenic splendors of the Black Sea shoreline, deciding to send two of its surveillance planes to watch over the area at the same time on Thursday. | The jets were promptly intercepted, however, by a Russian Su-27 fighter jet, which was scrambled to escort the "aerial targets" approaching the nation's border. | The planes were…

RT (2020-07-30). American pilots continue their love affair with the Black Sea! Russian jet intercepts US spy planes for 4th TIME in 9 days (VIDEO). rt.com With summer heating up, it appears as though the US Air Force finds Russia's Black Sea particularly inviting. The Russian military has intercepted American jets on a long haul trip for the fourth time in just over one week. | The US Air Force seemingly could not decide who should be next to enjoy the scenic splendor of the Black Sea shoreline – around 8,000km from home – where temperatures have hit the 90s degrees Fahrenheit this week, choosing to send two of its surveillance planes at the same time on Thursday to watch over the area. | Could it be that American 'top guns' are so determined to showcase the del…

RT (2020-07-30). Ex-US Marine sentenced to 9 years in Russian prison after drunken assault on two Moscow police officers. rt.com Texan Trevor Reed, a 29-year-old student and former US Marine, has been found guilty of attacking two police officers and handed a nine year jail sentence by a Moscow court, prompting media speculation about a "prisoner swap." | The former marine has been accused of attacking the officers last summer while drunk after attending a party. According to the prosecutors, some Moscow residents called the police when they saw a rowdy troublemaker arguing with two women. The drunk man, who turned out to be Reed, tried to resist arrest. | It was inside the police car that the man suddenly became aggressive and elbowed…

RT (2020-07-30). Russian authorities to investigate as Communist MP claims 39 ruling party politicians have dual citizenship or foreign residency. rt.com The speaker of Russia's State Duma (parliament) has ordered the Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption to determine which lawmakers have alternative citizenships or other residence permits, after a claim by an opposition MP. | A key part of Vladimir Putin's constitutional changes, approved in a national vote earlier this month,

Philip Giraldi (2020-07-30). Foreign Interference in Elections: Is It Real or Just Political Noise? thealtworld.com While claims of Russian interference in elections are fairly common, they are difficult to prove in any serious way. | A recently concluded British Parliamentary inquiry has determined that Russia may have

South Front (2020-07-30). Video: Turkey Shifts Focus to Southern Libya Amid Stalemate Near Sirte. globalresearch.ca Turkey is looking for opportunities to shift the current balance of power in Libya after its proxies failed to break the Libyan National Army defenses and capture the port city of Sirte in northern Libya in an off-the-cuff advance. | Turkish…

WSWS (2020-07-30). UK coronavirus infections and death rates increase as Johnson blames Europe. wsws.org The Tories' aim is to divert attention from the resurgence of coronavirus infections in the UK due to their own criminal policies.

Newsclick (2020-07-30). Study says Instagram algorithm prioritizes scantily-clad men and women. peoplesdispatch.org According to a study carried out by European Data Journalism Network and AlgorithmWatch, pictures which featured under-dressed people had a greater chance of being featured in newsfeeds on the platform…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-07-30). US announces withdrawal of around 12,000 troops from Germany. peoplesdispatch.org US president Donald Trump has said that Germany needs to pay for its own defense and stop taking advantage of the US. Germany called the move senseless and harmful for NATO…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-07-30). Workers march in Berlin protesting layoffs at major department store chain. peoplesdispatch.org The management of the Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof in Germany has decided to close 50 branches of its department stores chain by the end of this year. This may lead to the loss of 5,000 jobs…

WSWS (2020-07-30). Corporate press promotes Susan Rice as Biden running mate. wsws.org The former Obama national security advisor is identified with illegal wars, drone missile assassinations and an aggressive posture towards both Russia and China.

Dafna Tachover (2020-07-30). Wireless Radiation: Russian Government Recommends Banning Wi-Fi and Cell Phones in Primary Schools. globalresearch.ca On July 17th, 2020, the

Caitlin Johnstone (2020-07-30). The Real Deep State Power Grab: Notes From The Edge Of The Narrative Matrix. thealtworld.com the new cold war agendas against China and Russia. All analysts who've been staring transfixed by Covid anxiety waiting for Bill Gates to usher in the New World Order have completely missed this story due to a misguided collective decision to fixate on this virus. | The virus will certainly play a part in many ways, but the real large-scale power agendas at work revolve around the US-centralized empire's increasingly urgent campaign to

Peoples Dispatch (2020-07-30). Turkish parliament approves new social media law raising fears of censorship and harassment. peoplesdispatch.org The Turkish parliament on July 29, Wednesday, passed an amendment to the country's internet law making it compulsory for social media sites to appoint a legal representative in Turkey and implement all court orders on an immediate basis. The law will become effective from October 1. | According to the new law, any social media platform based abroad which has at least a million users must assign at least one legal representative in Turkey, preferably a Turkish citizen. The contents of social media sites such as Facebook, TikTok and others can be scrutinized by the courts and failure to implement court orders would…

_____ (2020-07-30). Human Rights Fraud From Ukraine To Nicaragua. popularresistance.org Current Western human rights industry practice has nothing to do with establishing the truth. Increasingly in recent years, US and allied elites have sought to legitimize illegal aggression by exploiting human rights motifs in their attempts to recolonize the majority world. | In any given crisis, human rights NGOs funded by the US and allied corporate elites and governments deploy sensationalist false claims, for example of police murdering peaceful protestors, so as to create a cognitive limbo of doubt and suspicion aimed at disabling opposition to the West's recolonization campaigns. Over the medium and long t…

WSWS (2020-07-30). Germany: "Voluntary military service in Homeland Security"—an invitation to neo-Nazis. wsws.org The term "Homeland Security" ("Heimatschutz"), which appears eleven times in a short advertising text on the Ministry of Defence website, is a battle cry of the extreme right.

yenisafak (2020-07-30). England excess deaths highest in Europe amid virus. yenisafak.com England had the highest level of excess deaths in Europe over the first half of 2020, according to new statistics published by the UK's official statistics agency on Thursday."While England did not have the highest peak mortality, it did have the longest continuous period of excess mortality of any country compared, resulting in England having the highest levels of excess mortality in Europe for the period as a whole," the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.Spain was the European country with the highest peak, and Bergamo in northern Italy was the European local authority posting the highest peak.Edwin Mor…

yenisafak (2020-07-30). Europe prepares for possible second wave of COVID-19. yenisafak.com European countries have started to prepare for a possible second wave of the novel coronavirus.As one of the worst-affected countries in Europe, Italy extended its state of emergency on Wednesday until Oct. 15. from the previously declared July 31.So far, some 35,129 people have lost their lives in the country, according to data from the US-based Johns Hopkins University, while 246,776 have contracted with the virus.Fears have also mounted again in Spain, another European nation hit hard by the pandemic, as the number of infections continues to rise every day. After the state of emergency came to an end in the co…

yenisafak (2020-07-30). German economy narrows by over 10% in Q2. yenisafak.com Germany's economy posted a contraction of 10.1% in the second quarter of 2020, the country's statistical authority said on Thursday.The prices and calendar adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) narrowed by 10.1% in the April-June period, after 2% decrease in the first quarter of this year, figures released by the Federal Statistical Office showed.The country's GDP was ‚Ǩ768 billion ($844.8 billion) in the second quarter, down from ‚Ǩ846.9 billion ($931.6 billion) in the same quarter last year.The GDP per capita was ‚Ǩ9,238 in the second quarter, falling from &…

yenisafak (2020-07-30). Greece ready to discuss maritime borders with Turkey. yenisafak.com Greece is seeking to hold talks on delimitation of maritime boundaries with Turkey, an official said Thursday.At a weekly news conference in Athens, government spokesman Stelios Petsas stressed the importance of open communication channels with Turkey, especially when tensions escalated, referring to the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.He went on to say Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held a phone talk with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiadis over the arrival of Turkish seismic vessel — Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa to the Turkish Cypriot side of the island.Turkey is a guarantor nation for the Turkish Re…

yenisafak (2020-07-30). Russian, Turkish diplomats to discuss Libya in Moscow. yenisafak.com Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Alexey Zaytsev, deputy spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that the delegations from the two countries will discuss "different aspects of the Libyan crisis," including disposition of the warring sides at the moment of the cease-fire declaration.Zaytsev recalled that the previous rounds of consultations on Libya were held in Turkey — In Istanbul in June and in Ankara in July.Asked about violations of arms embargo on Libya by Russia, he said "allegations are groundless" and that countries accusing Russia "directly involved in arms supplies to the Libyan warring…

sputniknews (2020-07-30). EU Warns Critical Supply Shortages May Hinder Future COVID-19 Immunization Campaigns. sputniknews.com The European Union is warning its member states that there is a looming risk of a shortage of critical equipment that would be needed to administer mass COVID-19 vaccinations. | EU Warns Critical Supply Shortages May Hinder Future COVID-19 Immunization Campaigns…

sputniknews (2020-07-30). Italy's Matteo Salvini Could Face Jail After Senate Votes to Strip Him of Immunity. sputniknews.com The coronavirus pandemic has seen a collapse in the support base for the nationalist Lega Nord party and now its leader, Matteo Salvini, is facing legal problems after being stripped of political immunity. The former government minister could, however, potentially benefit from being put back in the limelight.

sputniknews (2020-07-30). Trump Asks Why US Should Protect a Germany that 'Pays Russia Billions of Dollars for Energy'. sputniknews.com The Pentagon pressed forward with plans to withdraw nearly 12,000 personnel from Germany on Wednesday, with some of the troops to be redeployed to other European NATO nations while others are sent home. At the moment, there are about 36,000 US troops stationed in the Central European country. American troops have been on German soil since 1945.

sputniknews (2020-07-30). Airbus Q2 Earnings Reveal Planemaker Lost Over Half of Revenues to €8.32bn, Cites Impact of COVID-19. sputniknews.com The news follows quarterly earnings from the European aerospace giant's US rival, which revealed major profit losses and rising debt as the aviation industry struggles with the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen demand for aircraft and travel services badly impacted in recent months.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-30). Iran, Georgia discuss economic coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) — Iranian Ambassador to Tbilisi Javad Ghavam Shahidi met and held talks with Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava on the expansion of economic cooperation.

_____ (2020-07-30). CIA Fabricated Russiagate 'Evidence', Says Former NSA Tech Chief. strategic-culture.org Bill Binney has now laid out, in this speech, the evidence that he wants to present in court against Barack Obama's CIA, that it defrauded Americans to believe in "Russiagate" (the allegation that Russia 'hacked' the computers of Hillary Clinton and Democratic Party officials and fed that information to Wikileaks and other organizations). Binney cites evidence, which, if true, conclusively proves that Russiagate was actually created fraudulently by the CIA's extensive evidence-tampering, which subsequently became covered-up by the Special Counsel Robert Mueller, in his investigations for the Democratic Party's fi…

Staff (2020-07-29). Rev. Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church on Legacy of John Lewis & Ongoing Fight for Voting Rights. democracynow.org We look at the life and legacy of late civil rights icon and Georgia Congressmember John Lewis, who is being mourned across the U.S. and who became the first Black politician to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. "The irony of this moment is that even as we celebrate and honor John Lewis, the patron saint of voting rights, he hailed from the state which in many instances is ground zero for voter suppression," says Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, who serves as senior pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, was with Lewis in the final days of his life and will preside over his memorial service. "In recen…

Aidan O'Brien (2020-07-29). Has anything changed since 1840? Trade, imperialism, Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta megacity. mronline.org In modern times, China has been the ultimate challenge for imperialists: it's independence being an enigma to Europeans and Americans. From Marco Polo to Mike Pompeo, China has been a mystery to Christian crusaders.

Eds. (2020-07-29). An ultra-parasitical global financial system that enjoys unwavering protection. mronline.org During the evolution of the pandemic in Europe, the financial system has received little attention in the media. It was only at the end of February/beginning of March that a very sharp fall in the stock markets made the front page of newspapers and television broadcasts.

Kenneth Surin (2020-07-29). The UK's Russia Report on the "Londongrad Laundromat" counterpunch.org The UK parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), drawn from MPs and peers of all parties, last week published its report on possible Russian interference in UK politics. The report's release had been delayed by 9 months after it had been blocked by Boris "BoJo" Johnson in the run-up to the December 2019 general election.

The Canary (2020-07-29). US officials claim Russia is behind the spread of virus disinformation. thecanary.co US officials say Russian intelligence services are using a trio of English-language websites to spread disinformation about the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.The officials alleged Russian operatives have acted in seeking to exploit a crisis the US is struggling to contain ahead of the presidential election in November.Two Russians who have held senior roles in Moscow's military intelligence service known as the GRU have been identified as responsible for the effort to reach American and western audiences, according to the US government officials, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.The i…

RT (2020-07-29). Lukashenko 'demands answers' as KGB chief briefs him on 'Russian mercenaries' detained in Belarus. rt.com Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has ordered a thorough probe into what he called an "emergency situation" as security chief confirmed arrests of 32 suspected 'Wagner' private military recruits in a televised briefing. | Lukashenko on Wednesday told the head of the Belarusian National Security Service, the KGB, to launch a transparent and unbiased probe into the incident, which the media has been quick to tie to the upcoming presidential election. | "If these are indeed Russian citizens… we must immediately contact the Russian officials and demand that they explain what is going on," Lukashenko said…

2020-07-30: News Headlines

Caitlin Johnstone (2020-07-30). Op-Ed: The Exit Of 12,000 US Troops Is The Single Worst Event In German History. thealtworld.com Today's Caitlin Johnstone essay has been replaced with a National News Conglomerate op-ed by General Hank Hammerfist. NNC: Obey. | The Trump administration has begun slashing the US military presence in Germany from an almost satisfactory 36,000 troops to a practically microscopic 24,000. I think we can all agree that this is the single worst thing that has ever happened in the history of Germany, and arguably the universe. | While most Americans were until now unaware that their government had that many troops in a nation known predominantly for beer and bleak documentaries, pundits and politicians in the know h…

Newsclick (2020-07-30). Study says Instagram algorithm prioritizes scantily-clad men and women. peoplesdispatch.org According to a study carried out by European Data Journalism Network and AlgorithmWatch, pictures which featured under-dressed people had a greater chance of being featured in newsfeeds on the platform…

WSWS (2020-07-30). Corporate press promotes Susan Rice as Biden running mate. wsws.org The former Obama national security advisor is identified with illegal wars, drone missile assassinations and an aggressive posture towards both Russia and China.

yenisafak (2020-07-30). Europe prepares for possible second wave of COVID-19. yenisafak.com European countries have started to prepare for a possible second wave of the novel coronavirus.As one of the worst-affected countries in Europe, Italy extended its state of emergency on Wednesday until Oct. 15. from the previously declared July 31.So far, some 35,129 people have lost their lives in the country, according to data from the US-based Johns Hopkins University, while 246,776 have contracted with the virus.Fears have also mounted again in Spain, another European nation hit hard by the pandemic, as the number of infections continues to rise every day. After the state of emergency came to an end in the co…

yenisafak (2020-07-30). England excess deaths highest in Europe amid virus. yenisafak.com England had the highest level of excess deaths in Europe over the first half of 2020, according to new statistics published by the UK's official statistics agency on Thursday."While England did not have the highest peak mortality, it did have the longest continuous period of excess mortality of any country compared, resulting in England having the highest levels of excess mortality in Europe for the period as a whole," the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.Spain was the European country with the highest peak, and Bergamo in northern Italy was the European local authority posting the highest peak.Edwin Mor…

yenisafak (2020-07-30). German economy narrows by over 10% in Q2. yenisafak.com Germany's economy posted a contraction of 10.1% in the second quarter of 2020, the country's statistical authority said on Thursday.The prices and calendar adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) narrowed by 10.1% in the April-June period, after 2% decrease in the first quarter of this year, figures released by the Federal Statistical Office showed.The country's GDP was ‚Ǩ768 billion ($844.8 billion) in the second quarter, down from ‚Ǩ846.9 billion ($931.6 billion) in the same quarter last year.The GDP per capita was ‚Ǩ9,238 in the second quarter, falling from &…

yenisafak (2020-07-30). Greece ready to discuss maritime borders with Turkey. yenisafak.com Greece is seeking to hold talks on delimitation of maritime boundaries with Turkey, an official said Thursday.At a weekly news conference in Athens, government spokesman Stelios Petsas stressed the importance of open communication channels with Turkey, especially when tensions escalated, referring to the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.He went on to say Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held a phone talk with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiadis over the arrival of Turkish seismic vessel — Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa to the Turkish Cypriot side of the island.Turkey is a guarantor nation for the Turkish Re…

yenisafak (2020-07-30). Russian, Turkish diplomats to discuss Libya in Moscow. yenisafak.com Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Alexey Zaytsev, deputy spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that the delegations from the two countries will discuss "different aspects of the Libyan crisis," including disposition of the warring sides at the moment of the cease-fire declaration.Zaytsev recalled that the previous rounds of consultations on Libya were held in Turkey — In Istanbul in June and in Ankara in July.Asked about violations of arms embargo on Libya by Russia, he said "allegations are groundless" and that countries accusing Russia "directly involved in arms supplies to the Libyan warring…

sputniknews (2020-07-30). Trump Asks Why US Should Protect a Germany that 'Pays Russia Billions of Dollars for Energy'. sputniknews.com The Pentagon pressed forward with plans to withdraw nearly 12,000 personnel from Germany on Wednesday, with some of the troops to be redeployed to other European NATO nations while others are sent home. At the moment, there are about 36,000 US troops stationed in the Central European country. American troops have been on German soil since 1945.

sputniknews (2020-07-30). Airbus Q2 Earnings Reveal Planemaker Lost Over Half of Revenues to €8.32bn, Cites Impact of COVID-19. sputniknews.com The news follows quarterly earnings from the European aerospace giant's US rival, which revealed major profit losses and rising debt as the aviation industry struggles with the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen demand for aircraft and travel services badly impacted in recent months.

_____ (2020-07-30). Foreign Interference in Elections: Is it Real or Just Political Noise? strategic-culture.org A recently concluded British Parliamentary inquiry has determined that Russia may have The Parliament's Intelligence and Security…

_____ (2020-07-30). CIA Fabricated Russiagate 'Evidence', Says Former NSA Tech Chief. strategic-culture.org Bill Binney has now laid out, in this speech, the evidence that he wants to present in court against Barack Obama's CIA, that it defrauded Americans to believe in "Russiagate" (the allegation that Russia 'hacked' the computers of Hillary Clinton and Democratic Party officials and fed that information to Wikileaks and other organizations). Binney cites evidence, which, if true, conclusively proves that Russiagate was actually created fraudulently by the CIA's extensive evidence-tampering, which subsequently became covered-up by the Special Counsel Robert Mueller, in his investigations for the Democratic Party's fi…

Staff (2020-07-29). Rev. Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church on Legacy of John Lewis & Ongoing Fight for Voting Rights. democracynow.org We look at the life and legacy of late civil rights icon and Georgia Congressmember John Lewis, who is being mourned across the U.S. and who became the first Black politician to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. "The irony of this moment is that even as we celebrate and honor John Lewis, the patron saint of voting rights, he hailed from the state which in many instances is ground zero for voter suppression," says Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, who serves as senior pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, was with Lewis in the final days of his life and will preside over his memorial service. "In recen…

Aidan O'Brien (2020-07-29). Has anything changed since 1840? Trade, imperialism, Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta megacity. mronline.org In modern times, China has been the ultimate challenge for imperialists: it's independence being an enigma to Europeans and Americans. From Marco Polo to Mike Pompeo, China has been a mystery to Christian crusaders.

Eds. (2020-07-29). An ultra-parasitical global financial system that enjoys unwavering protection. mronline.org During the evolution of the pandemic in Europe, the financial system has received little attention in the media. It was only at the end of February/beginning of March that a very sharp fall in the stock markets made the front page of newspapers and television broadcasts.

Kenneth Surin (2020-07-29). The UK's Russia Report on the "Londongrad Laundromat" counterpunch.org The UK parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), drawn from MPs and peers of all parties, last week published its report on possible Russian interference in UK politics. The report's release had been delayed by 9 months after it had been blocked by Boris "BoJo" Johnson in the run-up to the December 2019 general election.

The Canary (2020-07-29). US officials claim Russia is behind the spread of virus disinformation. thecanary.co US officials say Russian intelligence services are using a trio of English-language websites to spread disinformation about the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.The officials alleged Russian operatives have acted in seeking to exploit a crisis the US is struggling to contain ahead of the presidential election in November.Two Russians who have held senior roles in Moscow's military intelligence service known as the GRU have been identified as responsible for the effort to reach American and western audiences, according to the US government officials, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.The i…

RT (2020-07-29). Lukashenko 'demands answers' as KGB chief briefs him on 'Russian mercenaries' detained in Belarus. rt.com Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has ordered a thorough probe into what he called an "emergency situation" as security chief confirmed arrests of 32 suspected 'Wagner' private military recruits in a televised briefing. | Lukashenko on Wednesday told the head of the Belarusian National Security Service, the KGB, to launch a transparent and unbiased probe into the incident, which the media has been quick to tie to the upcoming presidential election. | "If these are indeed Russian citizens… we must immediately contact the Russian officials and demand that they explain what is going on," Lukashenko said…

RT (2020-07-29). Veteran diplomat becomes new US envoy for Arctic as Washington seeks greater role in region. rt.com The Trump administration on Wednesday named a special envoy for the Arctic, filling a post that had been vacant for more than three years. Washington is seeking a greater role in the region, trying to blunt growing Russian and Chinese influence there. | The State Department's appointment of veteran career diplomat Jim DeHart to be US coordinator for the Arctic came just a week after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed enhanced US engagement in the Arctic, speaking during a visit to Denmark, AP reported. | The US opened a consulate in the semi-autonomous Danish territory of Greenland earlier this year as part…

RT (2020-07-29). Blow to go! Latest Russian plan to eliminate drink-driving — installing alcohol locks on all newly produced cars. rt.com Get ready for a new sensation: breathing into your car before it starts. In a bid to make roads safer, Russia's is planning to introduce 'alcolocks,' which require a driver to prove their sobriety before a vehicle moves. | According to Moscow business daily Kommersant, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is developing a plan to introduce alcohol locks en-masse. The technology, known as an 'ignition interlock device,' is already set to become mandatory in the European Union from 2022. | The locks work by making it impossible to start a car when alcohol above a certain threshold is detected in the driver's breath…

RT (2020-07-29). Michigan inn owners remove Norwegian flag after taking flak from folk mistaking it for Confederacy banner. rt.com What is red, has a white and blue cross and may make people call you a racist? A Norwegian flag… which owners of a Michigan inn decided to pull down after too many people got angry, thinking it represented the Confederacy.

RT (2020-07-29). Bye Bye Benjamin! Russia & China speed up de-dollarization process: most trade no longer conducted in greenbacks. rt.com After years of talking about abandoning the US dollar, Russia and China are doing it for real. In the first quarter of 2020, the share of the dollar in trade between the countries fell below 50 percent for the first time.

The Canary (2020-07-29). 'Cruel' evictions in France are causing a spike in channel crossings, aid workers say. thecanary.co "Cruel" evictions of people from camps in Calais are at their highest intensity for years and attempts to cross the English Channel have risen as a result, campaigners have claimed.Aid workers in northern France say police evictions are happening at the highest levels since the 'Jungle' camp was cleared in 2016.In one incident, more than 500 people were put onto buses and moved away ahead of a visit from UK home secretary Priti Patel earlier this month.Clare Moseley, founder of the humanitarian charity Care4Calais, said conditions in the French city are as bad as she has seen since 2016 and criticised police tact…

The Canary (2020-07-29). Turkish parliament approves social media law with strict new powers. thecanary.co Turkey's parliament has approved a law that gives authorities greater power to regulate social media despite growing concerns over censorship.The law requires major social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter to keep representative offices in Turkey to deal with complaints against content on their platforms.If a social media company refuses to designate an official representative, the legislation mandates steep fines, advertising bans and bandwidth reductions.With a court ruling, bandwidth would be reduced by 50% and then by 50% to 90%. Bandwidth reductions mean social media networks would be too slow to…

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Group of European MPs say 'no' to W.Bank annexation by Israel. yenisafak.com A group of European MPs from the UK, France, Ireland, and Belgium have released a statement on Wednesday to reject the "illegal plan" of Israel's annexation of part of the occupied West Bank.Convened by Stephen Kinnock, a British MP and the co-chair of the Britain-Palestine All-Party Parliamentary Group, the lawmakers agreed to challenge and seek to deter Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial plan.Prompting parliamentary colleagues from Europe and the US to sign their statement to oppose the proposed annexation, the group also appealed the public members to forward it to their local MPs.- 'No…

Paul Antonopoulos (2020-07-29). U.S. Is Pushing for a New Provocation Against Serbia over the Kosovo Issue. globalresearch.ca Belgrade and Pristina have resumed dialogue in Brussels, but the recent delivery of American-made armored vehicles to Kosovo could make the talks difficult and signifies Washington is once again attempting to destabilize the Balkans. Serbia and Kosovo returned to the …

Tim Anderson (2020-07-29). CHC #6 — Behind the Armenia — Azerbaijan conflict. thealtworld.com Counter Hegemonic Chat #6. Tim and Jay discuss the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and its roots with Mia Shouha, graduate student who wrote a thesis on this matter and has traveled extensively in the region.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-07-29). Progressives denounce Poland's plan to quit treaty on violence against women. peoplesdispatch.org The conservative government in Poland has decided to quit the Istanbul Convention, which is a Council of Europe convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence…

WSWS (2020-07-29). Russian pseudo-left provides neo-Stalinist justification for vendetta against historian Yuri Dmitriev. wsws.org Boris Kagarlitsky's website Rabkor has published a commentary justifying the frame-up of Dmitriev, who has done valuable work in exposing Stalin's crimes.

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Greece: Masks mandatory in more places as virus spreads. yenisafak.com Over 50 more coronavirus cases were recorded in Greece over the past 24 hours, health authorities said on Wednesday.A total of 52 more people tested positive for COVID-19, including seven who were checked while entering the country, according to the National Organization for Public Health (EODY).As infections continue to rise, the government has made masks mandatory in more public places starting Wednesday, including food and retail stores, hair salons, banks, and public service offices.People were already required to wear masks in markets, public transport, cafes, and restaurants since Greece started easing its…

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Thirty-three Russians arrested in Belarus. yenisafak.com Thirty-three Russian nationals allegedly linked to the private military company Wagner were arrested in Belarus last night, the country's state news agency Belta said on Wednesday.According to Belta, the law enforcement bodies followed the suspects from the moment of their arrival in Belarus.It said a total of 200 Wagner mercenaries came to the country "to destabilize the situation during the presidential election campaign". The Investigative Committee is probing the detained individuals.Belarus will hold its presidential election on Aug. 9, and earlier, acting President Alexander Lukashenko voiced concern over p…

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Merkel ally: US decision to withdraw troops from Germany weakens NATO. yenisafak.com A senior member of Chancellor Angel Merkel's conservatives has criticised a U.S. decision to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany and move its European headquarters to Belgium."Instead of strengthening NATO, the troop withdrawal will weaken the alliance," Norbert Roettgen, chairman of the German parliament's foreign affairs committee, told Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper."The effectiveness of the U.S. military is not increased but reduced, especially with a view to Russia and ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East," Roettgen added.The U.S. military said on Wednesday it would move its headquarters out…

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Quo Vadis, Aida? by Bosnian director to vie in Venice. yenisafak.com With Turkey's state broadcaster TRT among co-producers, Bosnian director's film Quo Vadis, Aida? will compete for the grand prize at the Venice Film Festival this year.Set in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995 during the Serbian occupation of Srebrenica, where one of the world's most horrific genocides took place in the heart of Europe, the drama will be among 18 films in the main competition of the festival which will be held between Sept. 2-12.A film by Bosnian director Jasmila Zbanic, Quo Vadis, Aida? tells the story of Aida, a translator for the UN peacekeeping task force in Bosnia. It is co-produced by Bosnia, T…

yenisafak (2020-07-29). EU signs $74M contract for coronavirus drug. yenisafak.com The European Commission signed a ‚Ǩ63 million ($74 million) contract with US drug firm Gilead to secure COVID-19 treatment remdesivir, the EU institution announced on Wednesday. | The agreement will cover the treatment of approximately 30,000 patients with severe symptoms of the novel coronavirus. | The procurement is financed by the EU budget and the medicine will be distributed among EU members states and the UK from August. | "The [European] Commission is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to secure access to safe and efficient treatments, and is supporting the development of vaccines a…

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Germany to introduce mandatory COVID tests for travellers next week. yenisafak.com New rules for mandatory coronavirus tests for travellers entering Germany from countries designated as risk areas are due to come into effect next week, a spokeswoman for the country's health ministry said on Wednesday at a regular news conference.Germany announced plans on Monday for free, mandatory coronavirus tests for holidaymakers returning from high-risk countries in order to slow the spread of infections as the holiday season kicks into high gear.

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Turkey to display seized historical artifacts in museum. yenisafak.com Some 155 historical artifacts seized during a police raid in the Aegean province of Aydin will be displayed in a museum, said an official on Wednesday.The historical artifacts including statues, oil lamps and rings plus 2,300 ancient coins were seized in the Nazilli district on July 24 and handed over to Aphrodisias Museum in Aydin.Umut Tuncer, the provincial director of culture and tourism, told Anadolu Agency that most of the delivered artifacts were genuine and that the analysis process continues for others.Noting that the police operation was one of the biggest operations in Aydin in terms of quality, Tuncer…

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Turkey's AK Party deputy tests positive for coronavirus. yenisafak.com A lawmaker of Turkey's ruling party announced Tuesday that he tested positive for the new coronavirus.In a written statement, Huseyin Sanverdi, a deputy of Justice and Development (AK) Party from the southern Hatay province, said he is under care in the state hospital for COVID-19."Thank God, I do not feel the severe symptoms of the virus that will negatively affect my health," said Sanverdi.Sanverdi was among the people who attended the reopening of Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia as a mosque last week.He denied allegations that the rules to wear protective mask and social distancing were not followed."Everyone a…

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Turkey launches new anti-terror operation in east. yenisafak.com With 1,006 personnel, Turkey has launched a new anti-terror operation in its eastern Tunceli province, the country's Interior Ministry announced on Wednesday.In a statement, the ministry said Operation Yildirim-4 was launched on Tuesday to "completely eliminate the separatist terror group from the country's agenda and to neutralize terrorists taking shelter in the region."A total of 1,006 security personnel, including gendarmerie commandos, gendarmerie special operations and police special forces as well as security guards, are taking part in the operation, added the statement.Also, operations Yildirim, Yildirim-…

yenisafak (2020-07-29). Police seize record 195 kg of heroin in eastern Turkey. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces seized a record 195 kilograms (429 pounds) of heroin in an anti-narcotics operation in the eastern province of Malatya, the local governorate said on Wednesday.Anti-narcotics force found the illegal drugs when they stopped a truck at a checkpoint. During the search, assisted by a sniffer dog, 375 packs of heroin hidden in the trunk, were recovered.Police seized the illicit items, and held two suspects allegedly involved in their transportation.Malatya governor Aydin Barus said that since the beginning of 2020, local police and gendarmerie forces have conducted 814 anti-drug operations, rou…

sputniknews (2020-07-29). Paris Will Not Accept Brexit Deal at Any Price, French Minister Says. sputniknews.com The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said last week that an EU-UK trade agreement was "unlikely" as London was not showing a "due level of engagement" in the Brexit talks.

sputniknews (2020-07-29). Iranian Missiles Land Near UAE Air Base Where India's Rafale Jets Were Stationed: US Media Reports. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): The first batch of Rafale fighter jets are set to arrive in India's Ambala Air Base on Wednesday afternoon after covering the 7,000 kilometers from France. The jets were stationed overnight at the Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE. The same air base houses US and French troops and aircraft.

sputniknews (2020-07-29). Surprise for the Enemy: What to Know About Rafale Jets as India's Air Power Receives Major Boost. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): India purchased 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a 2016 government-to-government deal at a cost of $8.7 billion. The delivery of the jets, which began in October 2019, will be completed by 2022. India urged France to expedite the delivery amid heightened tensions with China along the border.

sputniknews (2020-07-29). 'It Does Damage': Assembly of World's Largest Fusion Reactor Begins Despite 'Huge Problems' – Expert. sputniknews.com Assembly of the world's largest nuclear fusion reactor started at the Cadarache facility in southern France, despite the fact that the the reactor is not radioactive waste-free and costs huge sums of money that could instead be used to address urgent needs in the world, Kevin Kamps, radioactive waste watchdog with Beyond Nuclear, told Sputnik.

sputniknews (2020-07-29). India Celebrates Induction of Five French Rafale Jets to Its Depleting Air Fleet. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): The Indian Air Force has a shortage of around 10 squadrons of combat aircraft after phasing out its MiG-21 and MiG-27 fighter planes. The induction of French Rafale jets on Wednesday was the first to take place in two decades – last time, India bought 270 Su-30 MKI from Russia in staggered contracts in the late 1990s.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). VIDEO: Two trains collide in Russia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — Two cargo trains collided with each other in Russia on Wed. due to the falling sleep of driver of one of the trains, injuring two people and causing trains to derail.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-29). Iran, Turkey stress expansion of cultural, media coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 29 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman in a virtual conversation with his Turkish counterpart discussed the cultural and media cooperation between the two countries.

The Canary (2020-07-28). Spain hits out at UK's 'error' over coronavirus travel warning. thecanary.co Boris Johnson's government faces a diplomatic storm with Spain and warnings that its policy on travel to the country risks major damage to business and confusion for holidaymakers.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned against all but essential travel to Spain's Balearic and Canary Islands, having already issued the same advice for the mainland.Travellers from all parts of Spain are required to quarantine for a fortnight on arrival in the UK, a change imposed at short notice over the weekend. | Travel advice for

RT (2020-07-28). Taking from crooks to give to the old? Russian finance ministry to seize unexplained bank funds & transfer them to pension pot. rt.com It's not quite Robin Hood, but it's close. Russia's Ministry of Finance is planning to transfer the confiscated suspicious savings of Russian citizens to the country's pension fund, according to newly proposed amendments. | So, if you can't prove where your money came from, it's going to the old folks. | As things stand, illegally held assets can be seized by the state. If the proposed new amendments pass through parliament, any money taken because the owner can't prove the source of the moolah will be sent to the Russian Pension Fund (PFR), which is responsible for payments to pensioners and other forms of so…

RT (2020-07-28). Russian envoy appreciates Kuchma's work on Donbass settlement as ex-Ukrainian president leaves contact group. rt.com Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma did a lot to make sure that Kiev implements its obligations under the Minsk agreements, Russian presidential envoy to the Contact Group on the settlement in Donbass, Boris Gryzlov, has said. He was commenting Tuesday on Kuchma's decision to step down as head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Minsk talks on the conflict in eastern Ukraine. | "The approval of additional measures to monitor the ceasefire in Donbass, which was the last of the Contact Group's moves that involved Kuchma, is an important step in the right direction," Gryzlov said. He noted that Kuchma "took a…

RT (2020-07-28). Anyone for a 'CoronaBurger?' Crimean fast-food PR ploy falls flat as Covid fails to whet the appetite. rt.com Who says that a pandemic can't have a silver lining? In Sevastopol, on the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, a fast food restaurant called 'Covid-Burger' has popped up, hoping to cash in on the hype. | Local entrepreneurs developed a brand new burger concept inspired by the Coronavirus epidemic – but customers aren't so interested. | The burger joint's cashier, who spoke to a journalist from the local edition of national daily Komsomolskaya Pravda, explained the restaurant is the same as before – just rebranded. | "The name is just a trick, we are fighting the coronavirus, before that we just sold burgers," the c…