(2020-08-09). Calais refugees 'exhausted' and 'scared' as police evictions continue. thecanary.co 
Refugees living in Calais facing repeated police evictions have been left "exhausted, scared and not knowing which way to turn", a humanitarian charity has warned.Aid workers in northern France say the forced moving on of refugees is fuelling attempts to cross the English Channel in small boats.They say recent weeks in the French port city have been "unbelievably tough" and that people there "only want to be given the chance to rebuild their lives".Hundreds of refugees live in various camps along the French coastline, often in desperate conditions that have only been made more dangerous by the Covid-19 pandemic.C…
(2020-08-09). NYT digs up more unnamed sources for 'Trump-Russia' narrative as media resurrects hysteria ahead of 2020 election. rt.com 
The New York Times has once again broadcast the musings of anonymous officials to insinuate Donald Trump is somehow in cahoots with Russia, amid a growing resurgence in debunked Russiagate theories ahead of the November election. | The paper ran an exclusive report purportedly detailing the US president's battle with intelligence agencies over allegations that Moscow had interfered with the 2016 presidential contest. According to unnamed sources cited by the NYT, Trump was unresponsive and dismissive of an intelligence assessment which claimed that he is Russia's "favored" candidate in the 2020 race. One anony…
(2020-08-09). Iran, Bosnia seeking to expand media coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 09 (MNA) — Iranian Ambassador to Sarajevo Mahmoud Heidari met and held talks with the head of the state broadcasting of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday.
(2020-08-09). The Infinite Greed, Power And Controls Of Giant Corporations. popularresistance.org The combination of greed and power often spin out of control and challenge the enforceable rule of law and the countervailing force of the organized civic community. | When greed and power are exercised by giant multinational corporations that escape the discipline of the nation-state, the potential for evil becomes infinite in nature. Enough is never enough. | Global giant companies, aided and abetted by their corporate attorneys and accountants, can literally decide how little taxes they are going to pay by shifting profits and expenses among different tax haven countries such as Ireland, Luxembourg, and Panama…
(2020-08-09). There Is No Political Solution To The Syrian Conflict. popularresistance.org US Secretary of State, John Kerry, of the Obama administration, created a mantra for the media: "There is no military solution to Syria." He said it so many times, he seemed to convince everyone. However, after 9 years of conflict it appears there is neither a military, nor political solution for Syria. Despite the fact that the Syrian government under President Assad, with help from Russia, has regained 70% of the territory, and all the major cities are calm, still there is no possibility for recovery or reconstruction of hospitals, schools, homes and lives due to the US sanctions.
(2020-08-09). Belarus holds presidential elections. yenisafak.com Belarusians began casting votes on Sunday in the presidential election.In a statement, the country's central election commission said over 6.84 million people are expected to cast their votes.Five candidates are running for the presidency: Alexander Lukashenko, president of Belarus since 1994, Andreij Dmitrijev, co-chairman of the Speak the Truth movement, Anna Kanopackaja, a former lawmaker, Sergeij Cherechnia, chairman of Belarus' Social Democratic Party and Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. | Lukashenko was re-elected with 83.5% votes in 2015. | *Writing by Fahri Aksut in Ankara…
(2020-08-09). France to host fundraising conference for Beirut. yenisafak.com France's President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday will bring the international community together to raise funds for Beirut in the aftermath of the deadly blast earlier this week.The virtual conference will be held at 1200GMT with Macron hosting the conference from his vacation home in the south of France.The conference is backed by the United Nations and will involve major world leaders, including Lebanon's President Michel Aoun and US President Donald Trump.Leaders from the EU, Britain, China, Russia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE are also expected to participate.Two massive explosions tore through…
(2020-08-09). Eurasian nations report new coronavirus cases, deaths. yenisafak.com Coronavirus cases and fatalities continued to rise across Eurasian and Central Asian countries on Friday.- UkraineHealth Minister Maksym Stepanov said 1,199 more people tested positive for the virus over the past 24 hours, bringing the tally to 80,949.He said 18 more fatalities raised the death toll to 1,897 while recoveries increased by 317 to reach 43,972.Stepanov urged the public to strictly follow the government's COVID-19 restrictions, which have been extended until Aug. 31.- KazakhstanKazakhstan registered 872 new COVID-19 cases, raising the tally to 98,701. The number of recoveries rose by 664 to reach 72,…
(2020-08-09). Turkey: 5 die, 25 injured in bus accident. yenisafak.com At least five people died and 25 others got injured in a bus accident in Istanbul on Sunday.A passenger bus crashed into a wall of an overpass at the Istanbul Northern Marmara Motorway.The health condition of 10 among the injured, including three children, is serious, according to local authorities.Police have initiated an investigation, and further details are awaited.*Writing by Fahri Aksut…
(2020-08-09). Turkey: 32 suspects held in anti-drug operations. yenisafak.com At least 32 suspects were held during anti-drug operations in Mersin and Gaziantep provinces of Turkey, security sources said on Sunday.In the southern coastal province of Mersin, police acted on a tip-off and found 25,000 drug pills in a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was detained.Meanwhile, in Gaziantep, the southeastern border province, anti-drug police teams carried out operations to nab drug traffickers.During the operations, police rounded up 31 suspects for possession, use, and selling of drugs.They also seized 13 guns, 11 of which were unlicensed, three unlicensed shotguns, and some cash.*Writing by F…
(2020-08-08). Turkey's IHH aids thousands in Lebanon after blast. yenisafak.com Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) on Saturday provided humanitarian aid for thousands who have been affected by Tuesday's massive explosion at Beirut port.In a statement, the IHH said rescue efforts are still underway for those still missing after the blast, which killed at least 154 people."The grain silos destroyed by the explosion were a vital artery for the supply of food in the country," IHH said, warning of a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon in case of failure to supply the country with enough quantities of flour within a short period of time.According to the statement, the IHH has launched a camp…
(2020-08-08). France Will Ask UK to Pay £30 Mln to Police the English Channel Amid Migrants Influx – Report. sputniknews.com Britain earlier vowed to take tougher action on illegal migration together with France, as some 7,500 migrants in total could cross the Channel by Christmas.
(2020-08-08). Red Roja's declaration on King Juan Carlos's flight from Spain. workers.org 
By Red Roja This is the Aug. 5 statement by the Red Roja (Red Network) organization regarding the escape of Spain's former King Juan Carlos I on Aug. 3 from Spanish territory where he faces charges of corruption. Translation and explanatory notes by Workers World Managing Editor John Catalinotto. The . . . |
(2020-08-08). Georgian actions amounted to declaration of war on Russia — former President Medvedev has no regrets about 2008 conflict. rt.com 
Russia had to intervene to protect people in South Ossetia and Abkhazia in 2008, when Georgia shelled civilians and "peacekeepers," former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said, calling the move a 'difficult decision." | At the time, Georgia was led by Mikhail Saakashvili, who later fled to Ukraine and remains wanted on criminal charges back home. Medvedev called the behavior of Saakashvili "criminal," and criticized the "scoundrels" who ordered troops to open fire on the houses of civilians and Russian "peacekeepers." | "I made a difficult, but the only possible decision — to stand in defense of Abkhazi…
(2020-08-08). Goodbye, greenback! As they abandon dollar in trade, Russia & China could create 'financial alliance,' leading Russian expert says. rt.com 
Moscow and Beijing's ditching of the US dollar could result in the creation of a "financial alliance," according to a top Russian analyst. Alexey Maslov believes the partnership is approaching a "breakthrough moment." | Maslov, director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, predicts that Russia-China "de-dollarization" could lead to the two nations forming a de-facto fiscal alliance. | "The collaboration between Russia and China in the financial sphere tells us that they are finally finding the parameters for a new alliance with each other," he said, speaking to Japanese p…
(2020-08-08). Narrow escape: Massive rock-fall caught on VIDEO during road construction in Dagestan, Russia. rt.com 
People were seen fleeing to safety as a huge stone fell during road construction in a mountainous area in Russia's southern Republic of Dagestan. While it was a terrifying sight, casualties were thankfully avoided. | An avalanche of rocks crashed down upon the unfinished road from great heights, sending clouds of thick black dust billowing into the air. | Construction workers reacted swiftly and escaped, with one of them finding safety in the cabin of his excavation vehicle. | Even those filming the disaster from dozens of meters away were forced to shut down their phones and retreat. | Nobody was hurt, but…
(2020-08-08). 'Flagrant example of unfair competition': Russia slams US over 'baseless' ban on China's TikTok. rt.com 
Washington's recent order banning cooperation with the popular TikTok video-sharing service is an attempt to protect the dominance of American web giants, and violates the rules of the World Trade Organization, Moscow has said. | The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova On Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that…
(2020-08-08). Incorrectly designed and rushed Covid-19 vaccine could actually AGGRAVATE infection, Russian virology expert warns. rt.com 
Russia's domestically produced Covid-19 vaccine could be dangerous and even cause infection if improperly designed, says Alexander Chepurnov, the former lab head at the Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology. | A rapidly produced vaccine has already been completed and trialed in Russia, and will soon be registered and undergo mass production. The country is just one of many in the race to produce an effective immunization against the disease. According to Chepurnov, if the vaccinated person already has specific antibodies, coronavirus could actually intensify after receiving the vaccine.
(2020-08-08). Belarus elections may mark a key moment in European geopolitics. peoplesdispatch.org Five-time president Alexander Lukashenko is likely to win due to the lack of strong opposition candidates but the possibility of major protests remains. The country is a key part of both Russian and western strategies in the region…
(2020-08-08). Georgia highschoolers use social media to expose disastrous conditions as schools reopen. wsws.org Two students from Georgia's North Paulding High School were suspended after photos of hallways packed with crowds of unmasked students went viral on social media.
(2020-08-08). Eid al-Ghadir celebrated in Urmia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 08 (MNA) — People in Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province of Iran, celebrated the occasion of Eid al-Ghadir on Saturday, preserving the anti-coronavirus health protocols.
(2020-08-08). Coronavirus Is Being Tackled By Nicaragua's Community-Based Health System. popularresistance.org Nicaragua's Sandinista government is — like every other government — engaged in a struggle to limit the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on its people. But Nicaragua suffers two additional handicaps. One is that it is subject to US and European sanctions, which severely limit the aid it gets from abroad or from multilateral bodies. The other is its internal opposition, which aims to use the pandemic in its latest attempt to destabilize the government and turn opinion against it. To do so it employs a wide range of propaganda methods, at home and abroad. These were very evident in a recent article in t…
(2020-08-08). Militants Shell 8 Towns in Syria's Idlib, Aleppo Provinces, Russian Military Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Syrian militants from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group shelled eight towns in the northwestern Idlib and Aleppo provinces, the head of Russia's Syria reconciliation centre said Saturday.
(2020-08-08). 'Russiagate' Hoax Unravels, but Their Anti-Russia Sanctions Don't. strategic-culture.org Eric ZUESSE | It was reported only on 'fringe' media (such as "Disobedient Media" now gone from the Web) until recently. However, the evidence that the entire "Russiagate" charge — that Russia's Government had "hacked" the Democratic National Committee in 2016 — is an Obama Administration hoax (which was continued into Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report), is now starting to come out into public view and be endorsed publicly by retired U.S. intelligence professionals who can't be fired. It's not yet published in any mainstream U.S. news media, however. So, in this place will be chronologically pre…
(2020-08-08). Turkey ready to rebuild Port of Beirut: Turkish VP. yenisafak.com Ankara is ready to send more medical assistance and food aid to help Lebanon during its time of need, Turkey's vice president said on Saturday.Fuat Oktay, who is visiting the Lebanese capital along with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, said all of Turkey's hospitals and air ambulances are at Lebanon's service, as the country deals with the devastating fallout of Tuesday's massive blast at the port of Beirut.He said Ankara has told Lebanon that it can use Turkey's Mersin port until the Beirut port is rebuilt."Turkey is ready to help rebuild the heavily damaged Beirut port and nearby buildings," the vice…
(2020-08-08). Italy approves new post pandemic aid package. yenisafak.com The new stimulus measures are the third tranche of a government plan aimed at supporting Italy's fragile economy brought to its knees by the strict lockdown imposed nationwide to stem the spread of coronavirus.In total, the three emergency decrees approved by the Italian government since March released funding to the tune of ‚Ǩ100 billion. | "The new decree aims at supporting workers, businesses, and local institutions," Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said at a press conference on Friday evening, detailing the new measures.The package includes an 18-week extension of public funding for workers un…
(2020-08-08). Russia reports more than 5,200 new coronavirus cases. yenisafak.com Russian authorities reported 5,212 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Saturday, pushing its national tally to 882,347, the fourth largest in the world.The official death toll rose to 14,854 after officials said 129 people had died across the country in the last 24 hours.
(2020-08-07). Headlines for August 7, 2020. democracynow.org Study Predicts U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Could Reach 300,000 by December, Georgia High Schoolers Suspended for Sharing Images of Unmasked Students in Crowded Halls, India's COVID-19 Cases Top 2 Million as WHO Warns of Worsening Outbreaks in Africa, Peru's Health System in Collapse as COVID-19 Death Toll Reaches 20,000, Congressional Talks on New Coronavirus Stimulus on Brink of Collapse, "Make Billionaires Pay Act" Would Tax Richest 0.001% to Fund Healthcare for Millions, Police Fire Tear Gas at Anti-Government Protesters as Anger Rages over Beirut Blast, New York Attorney General Files Suit to Dissolve NRA over Ex…
(2020-08-07). Leftist groups urge Danish government to receive more refugees. peoplesdispatch.org Leftist groups in Denmark have demanded the social democrat-led government to raise the country's refugee quota and receive at least 500 refugees annually, which was the case before 2016…
(2020-08-07). USAF Vet Could Face '20 Days for 20 Bombs' for Protest Against US H-Bombs Stationed in Germany. counterpunch.org 
Hamburg, Germany With this week's commemorations of the US atomic massacres at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there will be countless hours spent on speeches, sermons, hymns, and warnings; tons of ink spilled in op/eds, editorials and articles. All will solemnly promote the need to pursue a world without nuclear weapons. However, many of the same voices
(2020-08-07). Migrants Die In The Atlantic Ocean Trying To Reach Spain. telesurenglish.net About 50 migrants Thursday died in the Atlantic Ocean after their barges sank while trying to reach the Canary Islands in Spain. | RELATED: | Spanish outlets revealed that one of the boats broke down off the coast of Mauritania, and at least 40 people died. Also, 10 migrants died after another vessel shipwrecked near to the coast of Western Sahara. The only survivor told AFP that their boat broke down. | "For a l…
(2020-08-07). Neil deMause on Reopening Coverage, Nicole Porter on Covid and Prisons. fair.org 
Media…
(2020-08-07). Germans battle virus deniers, landlords, and the right wing. peoplesworld.org 
On Saturday, crowds came to Berlin from all over Germany for a parade, estimated at 17,000 to 20,000 by the police but over a million by some exuberant adherents. Many or most politicians, media, and a majority of Germans were debating over whether, how soon and with what anti-virus restrictions schools, vacation travel, and soccer …
(2020-08-07). Unregulated capitalism drives 'The Business of Drugs'. peoplesworld.org 
Much of the world is facing a crisis around the use and abuse of various sorts of substances. Headlines around the world show many deaths each day due to overdoses. In the U.S., approaches to this issue have typically involved prohibition, enforcement, and corrections. Other jurisdictions such as the Netherlands and Portugal have successfully tried …
(2020-08-07). Malta bans mass gatherings, makes masks mandatory as coronavirus cases surge. rt.com 
Malta banned mass gatherings and made it mandatory to wear masks in public on Friday. The move came as new coronavirus infections surged after having been reduced to zero for a week early in July. | Health authorities reported 49 new infections on Friday, the second highest daily number since the first case was detected in early March. Nine patients have died, Reuters reported. | The decision to reimpose controls represents a sharp turnaround for Malta, which depends on tourism for a third of its GDP. | The Mediterranean country has conducted the third-highest level of testing in the EU and had lifted restrict…
(2020-08-07). 'Scene from a post-apocalyptic movie': Russian rescue operations begin at the very epicenter of Beirut explosions. rt.com 
Rescue teams from Russia have begun their search operations at the ruins left by two massive explosions in Lebanon's capital Beirut, while survivors seek medical care in newly set-up emergency hospital tents. | Teams of Russian relief workers and their search dogs arrived in Beirut on Friday and quickly started looking for any survivors trapped under the enormous grain silos near the port, at the very epicenter of the blasts. The corn-filled silo — which sustained severe damage — has been credited with shielding some of the nearby area from the worst of the explosions. | Speaking to RT's Igor Zhdanov…
(2020-08-07). Fit for a king? Spanish ex-monarch Juan Carlos has fled to luxury Abu Dhabi hotel amid Saudi corruption scandal, report says. rt.com 
Juan Carlos, the former king of Spain, has reportedly been staying at a lavish hotel — one of the world's most expensive — in the United Arab Emirates, after fleeing his country amid mounting corruption allegations. | Juan Carlos, the former king of Spain, has reportedly been staying at a lavish hotel — one of the world's most expensive — in the United Arab Emirates, after fleeing his country amid mounting corruption allegations. | Ever since the ex-monarch made the surprise move of leaving Spain on Monday, without saying why or clarifying his route, speculation has been mounting througho…
(2020-08-07). Even senior Tories condemn government's 'unfair' lack of clarity on quarantine. thecanary.co 
Senior Tories have condemned the government for their "unfair" lack of clarity over the possible implementation of further quarantine restrictions.Chairperson of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs Graham Brady and former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith have called for a "proper testing regime for air travellers" to be implemented as quickly as possible, and for regional air corridors to be considered.It comes as chancellor Rishi Sunak warned holidaymakers of the risk of travelling abroad during the coronavirus crisis amid concerns France may be the next nation to be added to the quarantine list.
(2020-08-07). Cyprus Is No Longer a Tax Haven for Russia's Oligarchs. globalresearch.ca Moscow announced the unilateral termination of the transnational agreement with Cyprus on the avoidance of double taxation. Effectively, Cyprus will no longer be a tax haven for Russia's rich. Russia seems to be moving in this direction without compromise so …
(2020-08-07). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to
(2020-08-07). Video: Russian S-300 Air Defense System Spotted in Libya? globalresearch.ca Russia has deployed an advanced S-300 air defense system to Libya to support the forces of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar against the Turkish military and its proxies, local media reported on August 5. | According to photos surfacing online, the supposed …
(2020-08-07). Pompeo Warned Moscow in July Call Against Alleged Bounties on US Soldiers – Report. sputniknews.com Unnamed US officials told the New York Times on Friday that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave a vague warning to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last month that Russia should refrain from offering bounties to Taliban fighters to kill US soldiers in Afghanistan, as the Times has claimed was happening.
(2020-08-07). Belarus arrests 33 Russian military contractors ahead of presidential elections. wsws.org The arrest of 33 Russian military contractors in Belarus makes clear that the long-standing ally of Moscow has become a new hotspot in the growing conflict between the United States and Russia.
(2020-08-07). Fascist death squads preparing to carry out mass murder in Germany. wsws.org Police officers, former military officers and far-right operatives engaged in a vast conspiracy to hoard large quantities of munitions and weaponry, establish safe houses, identify political opponents, and procure the necessary materials to secretly dispose of dead bodies.
(2020-08-07). Facebook Removes Foreign Pro-Trump Troll Farms. telesurenglish.net Facebook and Instagram Thursday took action to prevent their platforms from being used by U.S. President Donald Trump's supporters to promote his reelection campaign. | RELATED: | A Romania-based troll farm pushed pro-Trump content under the names of "Black People Vote For Trump" on Instagram and "We Love Our President" on Facebook. | The content published in those fake accounts and pages was allegedly managed by U.S. ci…
(2020-08-07). Thousands march across Turkey to denounce violence against women. peoplesdispatch.org Thousands of women marched in different cities in Turkey on Wednesday, August 5, demanding that the government take strong steps to stop the violence against women and asking it to not withdraw from the Istanbul convention. | Wednesday's protests were part of the ongoing movement that started last month after the brutal murder of a 27-year-old woman, Pinar Gultekin. Protests were held in several cities across Turkey including Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Adana and Antalya. In Izmir, the women carried out a sit-in when the police used force and detained several of the protestors. | Hundreds of protestors gathering in…
(2020-08-07). 'Untimely' to go on screen at two intl. film festivals. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 07 (MNA) — Iranian feature 'Untimely', directed by Pouya Eshtehardi, will be screened at "ONE Country ONE Film" in France and "Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF)" in the US.
(2020-08-07). Non-nuclear attack could trigger nuke response: Russia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 07 (MNA) — In a possible warning to the US and Western allies, Russia announced Friday it will consider any missile attack as being nuclear in nature, and so will result in a nuclear response.
(2020-08-07). US Selectively Omits 'Complicity' in Libyan War While 'Angling' Against Russia, China in Africa. sputniknews.com As hue and cry rises in US media over whether Russian security contractors are involved in the Libyan civil war, one activist told Sputnik the US has no room to judge, since it created the chaos in Libya and deploys its own mercenaries around the globe.
(2020-08-07). US State Department Says Behind Russian, Iranian Text Campaign. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The State Department stands behind text messages sent to Russians, Iranians, and others advertising multi-million dollar rewards for information about foreign actors who interfere in US elections, a spokesperson said.