(2020-07-11). [Editorial] COVID-19: the worst may be yet to come. thelancet.com As much of western Europe begins to ease countrywide lockdowns, globally the pandemic may still be in its infancy, with more than 160‚Äà000 new cases reported each day since June 25. Individual countries count cases differently, so direct comparisons are difficult, but the numbers illustrate a worrying pattern. At a subnational level the picture is nuanced, with local hotspots, but at a country level the picture is clear—the world is facing a worsening multipolar pandemic.
(2020-07-11). [Correspondence] Organised crime: the missing link in drug policies. thelancet.com Illegal drugs and their effect on public health were discussed in a 2019 Lancet Series.1 However, the Series authors did not report how a global criminal enterprise, the drug—abuse industrial complex,2 is the origin of the problem. This global network of organised crime, corrupt politicians, money laundering, and distribution systems perpetuates this public health crisis. We have reason to believe the drug trade is now expanding under the guise of legal cannabis and cannabidiol, especially in North America, with outreach to other markets in South America, Europe, and Asia.
(2020-07-11). [Comment] Offline: Restoring trust in WHO. thelancet.com Belgium has the sad distinction of leading the world league table of deaths from COVID-19. At 843 deaths per million, Belgium is ahead of the UK (650 per million), Italy (576 per million), Sweden (537 per million), and France (458 per million). COVID-19 was first reported in Belgium on Feb 4, 2020, in a 54-year-old man who had been repatriated from Wuhan, China. Community transmission was confirmed in early March after holiday makers returned from school vacation breaks in northern Italy. The national sense of failure and anger is spurring a serious effort to initiate an international inquiry into the global resp…
(2020-07-10). Putin, Russian Security Council discuss Libyan crisis. yenisafak.com "The situation in Libya was discussed with an emphasis on the absence of alternative to a peaceful settlement in this country," the Kremlin said in a statement on its official website following the meeting.Libya has been torn by civil war since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.Libya's new government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement failed due to the military offensive by warlord Khalifa Haftar's forces.The UN recognizes the Libyan government headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj as the country's legitimate authority.
(2020-07-10). Serbia Protest Explosion — Vuƒçiƒá Caught Between Coronavirus and Color Revolution. strategic-culture.org 
On the evenings of July 7th and 9th, a wave of unrest swept through several Serbian cities — chiefly Belgrade — in opposition to an announcement from Vuƒçiƒá that Belgrade would return to the government mandated coronavirus quarantine lockdowns. | Largely the protests were peaceful if energetic, with the vast majority of protesters of all ages and walks of life observing norms and voicing their opposition to the announcement that quarantine would return. Many of those protesting were not anti-Vuƒçiƒá per se, and their issues were not political in the ele…
(2020-07-10). The U.S. and UK are a Wrecking Ball Crew Against the Pillars of Internationalism. counterpunch.org 
On January 9, 2020, Ambassador Karen Pierce—the United Kingdom's permanent representative to the United Nations—spoke at a meeting on the UN Charter. "Nobody could accuse the founding members of a lack of ambition when they drafted the Charter," Ambassador Pierce said. "But at times, the United Nations has often suffered from an almost unbridgeable gap
(2020-07-10). The Prosecution of Washington's Kosovo Clients for War Crimes. globalresearch.ca The United States and its NATO allies launched a military intervention in 1999 that helped the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) win its secessionist campaign against Serbia.U.S. officials justified that intervention on the grounds that Serbian security forces were committing pervasive …
(2020-07-10). The Washington Post and Its Cold War Drums. counterpunch.org 
The Washington Post has taken its Cold War campaign against China, Russia, and Iran to a new level. In the Sunday edition of its Outlook section,…
(2020-07-10). Srebrenica At 25: Have We Learned Anything? therealnews.com 
In 1995, between July 11-22, Serbian forces murdered 8,327 defenseless Bosnians in an act of genocide. What's happened to international law and outrage over crimes against humanity?
(2020-07-10). The Heat: U.S.-Russia ties. america.cgtn.com 
The Russia factor. How will relations between United States and Russia fare in an all-important election year?>
(2020-07-10). For Some Students, ICE's Visa Announcement Is Life or Death. thenation.com For Some Students, ICE's Visa Announcement Is Life or Death…
(2020-07-10). Trump Threatens To Cut Funding For Schools That Don't Reopen. popularresistance.org President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos are threatening to cut off federal funding to schools that do not open their doors this fall due to coronavirus concerns. | In a recent Tweet he suggests it is a Democrat ploy to hurt him politically by tweeting: "In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS. The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election, but is important for the children & families." In a conference call with governors across the country, Devos stated: "Risk is involved in ever…
(2020-07-10). Italy's rebound pulls European stocks out of loss, virus concerns remain. yenisafak.com Italian stocks pulled Europe out of early losses on Friday as data pointed to a strong rebound in May industrial output, but a spike in coronavirus cases globally continued to weigh on investor sentiment.The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.4% by 0829 GMT after starting the day lower.Milan stocks jumped 0.7% as Italy reported a rise in production of 42.1% in May from the month before, almost double of what economists were predicting.France's CAC 40 rose 0.3% after production at French factories, mines and water-treatment plants jumped an unprecedented 19.6% in May.Still, the STOXX 600 was flat for the week as invest…
(2020-07-10). Dutch government to file suit against Russia over downing of MH17. yenisafak.com The Dutch government on Friday said it would file a suit against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights over the downing of Malaysia Airlines passenger flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine six years ago.The Netherlands, home to roughly two-thirds of the victims, holds Russia responsible for the crash on July 17, 2014. The Kremlin has consistently denied involvement.A letter to parliament said the Netherlands was filing the case at the European court to achieve "truth, justice and accountability" for all 298 victims.
(2020-07-10). Russia warns of growing nuclear war threat. yenisafak.com The risk of a nuclear war has risen significantly in recent years because of the US unwillingness to reaffirm its impossibility, the Russian foreign minister said on Friday."We are particularly concerned about the two-year-old refusal of the Americans to reassert the fundamental principle,…
(2020-07-10). Turkish police arrest 14 terrorist PKK suspects. yenisafak.com Turkish police arrested 14 suspects in raids in the southern Adana province for their alleged links to the terrorist group PKK, a judicial source said on Friday.Anti-terror police launched an investigation into the alleged members of the terrorist group, said a source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.With 17 arrest warrants in total, police continue operations to capture the remaining three suspects.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and EU — has been responsible for the deaths o…
(2020-07-10). Turkey, UK 'very close' to free trade deal. yenisafak.com Turkey and the UK are "very close" to signing a free trade agreement for…
(2020-07-10). Turkish court repeals 1934 decree turning Hagia Sophia into museum. yenisafak.com A Turkish court said on Friday it annulled a 1934 government decree turning the iconic Hagia Sophia into a museum, ruling it was unlawful, paving the way for Istanbul's grandest structure to be used as a mosque after an 85-year hiatus.The ruling was made by the Council of State, Turkey's top administrative court.An hour after the court ruling, President Tayyip Erdogan declared Istanbul's Hagia Sophia open to Muslim worship on Friday."The decision was taken to hand over the management of the Ayasofya Mosque…to the Religious Affairs Directorate and open it for worship," the decision signed by Erdogan said.An NGO…
(2020-07-10). VIDEO: Is Russia European? strategic-culture.org Is Russia a part of Europe? According to the map its origins definitely lay in Europe. But it sees itself unique | civilization with influence beyond its current constricted borders. Watch the video and read more in the
(2020-07-10). China's Reasonable Proposal for Arms Control and Washington's Duplicity. strategic-culture.org China underscored this week that it is willing to engage in negotiations with the U.S. to reduce nuclear arsenals and to underpin strategic stability. However, the offer comes with the caveat that Washington must first reduce its arsenal to the level of China's before Beijing will engage in such talks. | That is an eminently reasonable and logical proposal. The starting point is to look at the existing balance of forces. While the U.S. and Russia each possess about 6,000 nuclear warheads, China's arsenal is
(2020-07-09). Belgian Princess Condemns Her Family's Brutal Colonial History in Congo & Calls for Reparations. democracynow.org 
Black Lives Matter protests in the U.S. have sparked a reckoning about racism and colonialism across the world, including in Belgium, where a growing movement is demanding the country address systemic racism and make amends for its violent colonial legacy. King Philippe issued an unprecedented statement "expressing regret" for Belgium's brutal colonial rule in Congo under Leopold II, who ran the country as his personal fiefdom and under whose command millions of Congolese were enslaved and killed. "It's an erased history," says Belgo-Congolese journalist and activist Gia Abrassart. We also speak with Princess Esm…
(2020-07-09). UN chief underscores need for reconciliation 25 years after Srebrenica genocide. news.un.org Twenty-five years after the Srebrenica genocide, peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains fragile, underscoring the need for true reconciliation in the region, the UN Secretary-General said on Thursday in a video message marking the anniversary of the worst atrocity crime in Europe, since the Second World War.
(2020-07-09). We know how to keep the peace, says Serbian president. yenisafak.com Serbia's president on Thursday attested that his government would be able to maintain peace and stability in the country amid a second day of violent protests.In a video message recorded while en route to Paris, Aleksandar Vucic likened Wednesday's riots in the northern city of Novi Sad to an incursion of fascist units into the city in 1941. Vucic urged people in Novi Sad and the rest of the country to avoid confronting the "thugs.""We, as the state, will do that. We will work and we will win. We will preserve peace for our country. Surrender was never an option," Vucic said."I am now flying to Paris to fight for…
(2020-07-09). UN sends 71 truckloads of aid to Idlib, Syria. yenisafak.com The UN on Thursday sent 71 truckloads of humanitarian aid to northwestern Syria, where millions of people are in need of assistance due to internal conflict in the country.The trucks carrying supplies entered Idlib province through the Cilvegozu border gate in Turkey's south.The aid will be distributed among residents of Idlib and nearby rural areas.Syria has been ravaged by civil war since early 2011, when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protesters.Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to UN estimates.Idlib falls within a de-escalation zone…
(2020-07-09). Russia did it Again: Chasing the Bounty Hunters. dissidentvoice.org Russia did it again. This time it's paying to kill Americans. How criminal! Such things only Americans would do — Washington, the Pentagon, CIA…. Because killing and have killed is in their mindset and bloodstream. That's what criminals do: They project their own crimes onto others. The latest NYT reporting is, "It's not the Taliban …
(2020-07-09). SCOTUS decides 5-4 win for abortion rights. workers.org 
SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective Executive Director Monica Simpson speaking at reproductive justice rally in Georgia, June 28, 2019. On June 29, the Supreme Court issued a much anticipated decision in June Medical Services v. Russo, the first reproductive justice case since anti-abortion Trump appointees Neil Gorsuch and . . . |
(2020-07-09). "Pinning Down Putin" Biden, the Democrats and the Next War. counterpunch.org The latest Foreign Affairs features a piece by former Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, "Pinning Down Putin: How a Confidant America Should Deal With Russia." A protege of former secretaries of state Madeleine Albright and Hillary Clinton, she is a notorious "liberal interventionist," married to neocon pundit Robert Kagan. She is perhaps best known
(2020-07-09). Venezuela is on a Path to Make Colonialism Obsolete. counterpunch.org On June 29 the European Union (EU) slapped new sanctions against 11 Venezuelan individuals. Immediately President Nicolas Maduro responded by ordering the expulsion of the EU ambassador to the country. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that Brussels would retaliate against Caracas over its decision and announces that it will summon Maduro's ambassador to
(2020-07-09). As Long As Mass Media Propaganda Exists, Democracy Is A Sham. thealtworld.com "A majority of Americans believe that Russia paid the Taliban to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan last year amid negotiations to end the war, and more than half want to respond with new economic sanctions against Moscow, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday," "Overall, 60% of Americans said they found reports of Russian bounties on American soldiers to be 'very' or 'somewhat' believable, while 21% said they were not credible and the rest were unsure," says Reut…
(2020-07-09). The Latest 'Russiagate' Bombshell Took One Week To Be Exposed As Dud. popularresistance.org Within just one week the recent attempt to revive 'Russiagate' has failed. It was an embarrassing failure for the media who pushed it. Their 'journalists' fell for obvious nonsense. They let their sources abuse them for political purposes. | On June 27 the New York Times and the Washington Post published stories which claimed that Trump was informed about alleged Russian bounty payments to the Taliban for killing U.S. soldiers and did nothing about it: | A Russian military spy unit offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants to attack coalition forces in Afghanistan, including U.S. and British troops, in a strik…
(2020-07-09). General Milley Tells US Congressional Panel No Evidence of Russian Bounties in Afghanistan. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The United States has no direct evidence of the alleged Russian bounties offered to Taliban* militants to kill US soldiers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said in congressional testimony.
(2020-07-09). Reply to the letter by Philippe, King of the Belgians, about Belgium's responsibility in the exploitation of the Congolese people. mronline.org 
On 30 June 2020, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the former Belgian Congo's independence, the news went viral over the planet: Philippe, King of the Belgians, had conveyed regrets for the colonial past, and particularly for the time when Leopold II owned the Congo as a personal possession (1885-1908), to the Congolese …
(2020-07-09). Lab worker killed by brain-destroying disease 7 YEARS after accidental jab. rt.com 
A new study has shed light on why a woman developed a fatal brain disease linked to mad cow disease several years after piercing her skin with contaminated laboratory equipment. | A woman in France who developed a rare and fatal brain disease did so via accidental lab exposure to the proteins that cause mad cow disease, a new study has The initial exposure happened in May 2010, as the then-24-year-old technician "handled frozen sections of brain of transgenic mice that overexpressed the human prion pro…
(2020-07-09). 'Much higher' death rate than Covid-19: Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan warns of dangerous local pneumonia. rt.com 
The Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan has warned its citizens in the Central Asian country to exercise caution amid a large outbreak of viral pneumonia, which appears to be deadlier than the new coronavirus. | Between Covid-19 and the pneumonia outbreak, the diplomats described the health situation in Kazakhstan as "very grim." Since the start of the year, 1,772 people have died of pneumonia in the country. In June alone, there were 628 fatalities, including Chinese citizens, a statement on the embassy's website reads. | "The mortality rate of the disease is much higher than that of the new coronavirus pneumonia,"
(2020-07-09). Video Documentary on Nicaragua, Events of April 2018: Lies Through Omission and Lack of Evidence. Was It A False Flag? globalresearch.ca From Nicaraguan civil society and from members of North American and European Networks in solidarity with Nicaragua's Sandinista Revolution | IACHR President: Sr. Joel Hernández García | IACHR First Vice-President: Sra. Antonia Urrejola Noguera | IACHR Second Vice-President: Sra. Flávia Piovesan | GIEI members: …
(2020-07-09). Video Documentary on Nicaragua, Lies Through Omission and Fake Evidence. (May 2018) Was It A False Flag? globalresearch.ca From Nicaraguan civil society and from members of North American and European Networks in solidarity with Nicaragua's Sandinista Revolution | IACHR President: Sr. Joel Hernández García | IACHR First Vice-President: Sra. Antonia Urrejola Noguera | IACHR Second Vice-President: Sra. Flávia Piovesan | GIEI members: …
(2020-07-09). From Coincidences to Coincidences, Covid and the "Boston Connexion" Serves Gilead's Remdesivir? globalresearch.ca We bring to the attention of our readers this important article of France Soir, translated from the French (by France Soir) | Each day brings new developments in what is now commonly known as the "LancetGate". The WHO's latest flip-flop, relayed …
(2020-07-09). Germany: Automaker Opel cuts company pensions. wsws.org W ith the help of the IG Metall union, management is passing on the costs of the coronavirus pandemic, e-mobility and digitalization to the workers.
(2020-07-09). Italy Bans 13 Countries From Entry, 5 in Latin America. telesurenglish.net Italy is banning the arrival of citizens from 13 countries that it considers potentially dangerous of COVID-19 infections the Ministry of Health announced Thursday. | RELATED: | "In the world, the pandemic is in its most acute phase. We cannot nullify the sacrifices made by Italians in these months. This is why we have chosen the line of utmost prudence," said Minister of Health Roberto Speranza in a statement after signing the or…
(2020-07-09). El Salvador: Ex-President Cristiani Involved in Jesuits Killing. telesurenglish.net Former lieutenant Rene Mendoza confirmed that El Salvador's ex-President Alfredo Cristiani (1989-1994) approved the murder of Father Jose Ellacuria and his collaborators at the Central American University (UCA) in 1989. | RELATED: | In the trial being carried out in Spain, the lawyers explicitly asked Mendoza whether he could confirm if Cristiani consented and approved the decision to kill the Jesuits. | "Accordin…
(2020-07-09). 'Negative trend in EU-Turkey relations must stop'. yenisafak.com Negative trend in EU-Turkey relations must stop, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday.Speaking at a European Parliament session called by the conservative European People's Party, Borrell said: "Turkey is an important partner, candidate country, and a NATO ally. The current negative trend in our relations needs to be stopped and reversed."Borrell said he recently visited Turkey after visiting Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, adding that "stability and security in the Mediterranean requires collective engagement."Conflicts in Syria and Libya directly affecting the security and interes…
(2020-07-09). Bosnia pays tribute to 1995 Srebrenica genocide victims. yenisafak.com Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday bid farewell to nine newly identified victims of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. | The remains of the genocide victims were placed on minivans laden with flowers in the Bosnian city of Visoko on Thursday morning for their final journey to rest in a cemetery. | The victims will be buried in the village of Potocari, northwest of Srebrenica, on Thursday to mark the genocide's 25th anniversary. | A truck carrying the victims' remains arrived at the Presidential Council Building in the capital Sarajevo. Bosnian officials and members of the public prayed for the victims and placed flowe…
(2020-07-09). Libya's mufti hails cooperation with Turkey. yenisafak.com Sadiq al-Ghariani said during a TV program that all civil organizations in Libya should organize mass demonstrations, adding that the residents of the capital, Tripoli, are well aware of who helped them get rid of the bombs and missiles that were being fired on them two months ago.Al-Ghariani was referring to Turkey's assistance in breaking a more than year-long offensive by Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar on the city.He stressed that the agreement concluded between Turkey and Libya was legal and legitimate and that countries like France and the UAE had unlawfully interfered in the war-torn North African country."R…
(2020-07-09). Turkey, Latvia agree to boost mutual trade, investment. yenisafak.com Turkey and Latvia on Thursday agreed to boost bilateral trade and investment ties, according to the Turkish trade minister.After holding the First Term Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) virtual meeting with her Latvian counterpart Janis Vitenbergs, Ruhsar Pekcan said the officials addressed steps to reach a bilateral trade volume target of $1 billion.The second JETCO meeting is planned to be held next week in Turkey, Pekcan noted.Pointing to the current bilateral trade volume of $293 million, Pekcan said: "We identified the sectors where we can increase cooperation and bilateral trade and investment area…
(2020-07-09). Turkey provides medical support to Bangladesh hospitals. yenisafak.com Turkey's state-run aid body provided on Thursday medical supplies to hospitals in Bangladesh to help the South Asian country tackle the coronavirus outbreak.The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) said it donated two medical ventilators, 1,000 protective overalls, 1,000 N95 masks and 5,000 surgical masks to two hospitals in Chittagong, the country's second largest city.Salahuddin Kasem Khan, Turkey's honorary consul in Chittagong, said Turkey has stood by Bangladesh and helped Bangladeshis for a long time.Brig. Gen. Humayun Kabir, director of Chittagong State Hospital, thanked Turkey for its suppor…
(2020-07-09). Portuguese envoy praises Turkey's COVID-19 measures. yenisafak.com The Portuguese ambassador to Turkey on Thursday expressed her satisfaction at the steps the Turkish government was taking to promote safe tourism amid the pandemic. Paula Leal Da Silva praised Turkey's safe tourism certificate program after a meeting held in the country's Mediterranean resort town of Antalya."We had the opportunity to see the measures taken at the airport with a view to ensure the necessary sanitary conditions for all the tourists who, hopefully, will soon resume their trips to Turkey," she said.Turkey issued a safety certificate to hotels and restaurants who were complying by safety measures and…
(2020-07-09). Turkey's speaker chairs Asian Parliamentary Assembly. yenisafak.com "COVID-19 essentially reminded us once again that we were a big family and we had a joint destiny and future," Mustafa Sentop said.The APA gathered for the first time since the 12th APA Plenary Session held last December in Turkey's Mediterranean resort city of Antalya.Turkey will serve as the term president in 2020-2021.Sentop recalled that more than 10 million people were infected with COVID-19 and the death toll from the pandemic rose to more than 500,000."We have experienced a common trouble and pain, and continue to experience it. So we should relieve it and find the solution together," he said.Sentop also n…
(2020-07-09). Turkey neutralizes PKK terrorist in N. Iraq operation. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces neutralized a PKK terrorist, and seized a large amount of arms and ammunition as part of an anti-terror operation in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Thursday.The seized items included an AK-47 rifle, RPG-7 rocket launcher, 160 5.56 mm Kalashnikov ammunition, handmade and IED explosives, anti-tank rocket ammunition, ammonium nitrate and 60mm mortars, among others.The action was part of Operation Claw-Tiger, which was launched last month to ensure the safety of Turkish people, and the country's borders by neutralizing the threat of PKK and other terrorist groups in the…
(2020-07-09). Over 50 kg of heroin seized in southeastern Turkey. yenisafak.com Police seized 52.4 kilograms (115.5 pounds) of heroin in southeastern Turkey's Hakkari province on Thursday, according to officials.Anti-drug police found heroin packages hidden inside the trunk of a truck stopped for snap checking in Yuksekova district, the provincial governorate said in a statement.While the contraband was seized, driver of the truck was detained.Crackdown on drugs, has, over the years, helped Turkey deal with narcoterrorism, or profits for terrorist groups from the illegal trade.
(2020-07-09). Militants Shell Settlements in Syria's Latakia, Aleppo, Idlib Provinces, Russian Military Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group shelled settlements in the Syrian provinces of Idlib, Aleppo and Latakia, the head of the Russian centre for Syrian reconciliation, Rear Admiral Alexander Shcherbitsky, said during a press briefing on Thursday.