(2020-09-20). Stephen Cohen has died. Remember His Urgent Warnings Against The New Cold War. thealtworld.com Stephen F Cohen, the renowned American scholar on Russia and leading authority on US-Russian relations, As one of the precious few western
(2020-09-20). Police in Belarus arrest 200 women at opposition protest. thecanary.co 
Among those detained was Nina Bahinskaya, a 73-year-old former geologist whose defiance has made her a popular figure in the protests. | By | poliPolice in the capital of Belarus have cracked down sharply on a women's protest march demanding the authoritarian president's resignation.Officers arrested more than 200 demonstrators, including an elderly woman. The woman has become a symbol of the six weeks of protest that have rocked the country. More than 2,000 women took part in the march in Minsk.Such anti-government marches have become a regula…
(2020-09-20). Washington unilaterally reimposes UN sanctions on Iran despite opposition from UN Security Council members — including US allies. rt.com 
Mike Pompeo has claimed that the US is ready to punish countries that won't comply with newly reintroduced sanctions on Iran. However, the UK and France defied Washington, saying the relief agreed under the Iran deal will remain. | The secretary of state announced the unilateral return of virtually all UN sanctions against Iran late on Saturday, hailing the development as "great news for peace in the region." | Virtually all
(2020-09-20). Turkish athletes dominate Istanbul Half Marathon. yenisafak.com Atac finished 21 km (13 miles) run in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 16 seconds in the men's category, while Demir completed the same distance in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 17 seconds in the women's race.Spain's Adel Mechaal, trailed 0.9 seconds behind Atac, and Benard Cheruiyot Sang from Kenya came third, 35 seconds behind the leader in the men's race.In the women's category, Kenyan athlete Daisy Jepto Kimeli came second, covering the distance 12 seconds later. She was followed by Turkish runner Esma Aydemir who finished in 1 hour, 15 minutes and 40 seconds.Atac told Anadolu Agency that Turkish athletes should be valued. "Th…
(2020-09-19). Campus workers in Georgia defend Black and Brown lives. workers.org 
Atlanta This is a slightly edited version of a talk given at the Workers World Party Sept. 10 webinar, "Workers Defend Black Lives." View webinar at tinyurl.com/y6m9z593. In and around Atlanta, labor unions have been connecting the issues of labor to racial justice. Unions are recognizing that issues of labor . . . |
(2020-09-19). US army announces new deployments in Syria. middleeasteye.net 
US army announces new deployments in Syria | The move follows a collision between Russian and American vehicles which left seven American soldiers injured | Sat, 09/19/2020 – 10: 36 | Armoured vehicles have been sent as part of the reinforcements (AFP) | The US Army announced Friday it was stepping up its military deployment in northeastern Syria despite a push to limit its presence there,…
(2020-09-19). Damascus berates Dutch legal action on human rights record. middleeasteye.net 
Damascus berates Dutch legal action on human rights record | The Netherlands has launched a bid through international bodies to hold the Syrian government to account for abuses | Sat, 09/19/2020 – 13: 36 | The Syrian government stands accused of committing widespread human rights abuses (AFP) | The Syrian government berated the Netherlands on Saturday for launching a new bid through intern…
(2020-09-19). 'You will see another angle of life here' — stories from refugees in Calais. thecanary.co 
Video project 'People of Calais' tells stories of refugees in northern France waiting to come to the UK | By | Mohamed is talented a writer, poet and rapper. He lives in desperate conditions in Calais, waiting to cross to the UK. He is one of thousands of refugees who have travelled from war-torn countries and settled in northern France."You will see another angle of life here," the 34-year-old says in a new video.Mohamed fled Sudan after being arrested for political writings. He travelled to Slovenia, where he was imprisoned, stripped and beat…
(2020-09-19). Tulsi Gabbard goes OFF MESSAGE from fellow Dems again, introduces bipartisan bill to deter fraud with mail-in ballots. rt.com 
Former Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard, branded a "Russian asset" by Hillary Clinton for her anti-war views, is again refusing to blindly follow her party's talking points — this time over fears of election fraud. | "Whether in the midst of a pandemic, as we are now, where mail-in voting is likely to drastically increase, or even in a normal election, no one should get in between a voter and the ballot box," the Hawaii congresswoman said Friday on Twitter. | Banning ballot harvesting is not a partisan issue. It's been used & abused in states like North Carolina and California & is ripe fo…
(2020-09-19). Latvian doctor boasts to magazine he refused to assist hospital visitor who spoke Russian – says he was proud not to help. rt.com 
The Latvian debate over the Russian language is often political, but now it has entered healthcare. A Riga doctor has boasted about refusing to help a hospital visitor because he was a Russian speaker. | According to Sputnik Latvia, anesthesiologist Roberts Furmanis called himself "Latvian to the bone,"
(2020-09-19). UK to crack down on Covid-19 rule breakers, impose fines up to £10,000 for defying self-isolation orders. rt.com 
The British government is making self-isolation a legal requirement in England for those who have tested positive for Covid-19 or who have been traced to an outbreak, and violators will be fined as much as £10,000 ($12,920). | The new mandate will come into effect on September 28 in England, and government officials are in talks to expand it to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, British media outlets reported. Fines will start at £1,000 ($1,292) and rise to £10,000 ($12,920) for repeat violators. Self-isolation orders will apply to people who test positive for Covid-19 and to those identif…
(2020-09-19). 'Open interference': Belarus warns against inclusion of opposition figure Tikhanovskaya in meeting of EU foreign ministers. rt.com 
Belarus has warned the EU not to include opposition figurehead and former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya in an upcoming meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers, saying it would amount to open interference. | "It is quite obvious, in fact, that such actions, if any, are an impudent and open interference in the internal affairs" of Belarus, Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatoly Glaz said on Saturday, as reported by the Sputnik news agency. Such a move by the European Union would show "complete disrespect" for the country's citizens, he added. | Glaz's comments came in response to Russian news reports…
(2020-09-19). The world has thousands of Covid-19 strains, but 99% of all Russian cases come from just two, says health watchdog. rt.com 
Today, there are several thousand coronavirus mutations globally, but only 22 are stable, according to Russia's health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor. In Russia, 99% of all infected samples come from just two of the mutations. | The 22 were all first detected around January-March 2020, and since then, other mutations haven't managed to become widespread. | "The total number of mutations identified in the sequenced genomes of SARS-CoV-2 is many thousands," the Rospotrebnadzor statement reads. "However, only a few of them are fixed and consistently inherited." | According to the watchdog, 93% of the studied samples co…
(2020-09-19). 25 hours & 20,000km! Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers set new WORLD RECORD for range & duration of non-stop flight. rt.com 
A pair of Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers have spent more than 25 hours in the air and covered over 20,000km, setting a new world record for non-stop flight range, and duration, for this type of aircraft, it has been revealed. | The Defense Ministry, in Moscow, made the announcement on Saturday with Sergey Kobylash, the commander of Russia's long-range aviation service, saying that "nobody has flown this type of aircraft longer." | The record, which was set on Saturday, saw two Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers (NATO reporting name 'Blackjack') "staying in the air for more than 25 hours and covering a distanc…
(2020-09-19). Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers set WORLD RECORD for range & duration of non-stop flight. rt.com Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers have spent more than 25 hours in the air and covered over 20,000 kilometers, setting the world record for non-stop flight range and duration for this type of aircraft, the Defense Ministry said. | "Nobody has flown this type of aircraft longer," Sergey Kobylash, the commander of Russia's long-range aviation, said. | The record, which was set on Saturday, saw two Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers (NATO reporting name: 'Blackjack') "staying in the air for more than 25 hours and covering the distance of over 20,000 kilometers (12,427 miles)," the commander added. | Also on rt.com…
(2020-09-19). UK to crack down on Covid-19 rule breakers, impose fines up to 10,000 pounds on those who defy self-isolation orders. rt.com The British government is making it a legal requirement in England for those who have tested positive for Covid-19 or who have been traced to an outbreak to self-isolate, and violators will be fined as much as 10,000 pounds. | The new mandate will go into effect on Sept. 28 in England, and government officials are in talks to expand it to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, British media outlets reported. Fines will start at 1,000 pounds and rise to 10,000 pounds for repeat violators. Self-isolation orders will apply to people who test positive for Covid-19 and for those identified as being at risk through t…
(2020-09-19). Hasidic Israeli pilgrims trapped at Ukraine-Belarus border on Covid-19 fears. middleeasteye.net 
Hasidic Israeli pilgrims trapped at Ukraine-Belarus border on Covid-19 fears | Thousands of pilgrims enduring grim weather, without shelter, blame Israeli government for abandoning them | Sat, 09/19/2020 – 11: 31 | Hasidic Jews sleep outside on the ground at the Belarus-Ukraine border (supplied) | On the biggest Jewish holiday, proclaiming the start of a new year on the Hebrew calendar, thousands of H…
(2020-09-19). Hasidic Israeli pilgrims trapped at Ukraine-Belarus border amid Covid-19 fears. middleeasteye.net Hasidic Israeli pilgrims trapped at Ukraine-Belarus border amid Covid-19 fears | Thousands of pilgrims enduring grim weather, without shelter, blame Israeli government for abandoning them | Sat, 09/19/2020 – 11: 31 | Hasidic Jews sleep outside on the ground at the Belarus-Ukraine border (supplied) | On the biggest Jewish holiday, proclaiming the start of a new year on the Hebrew calendar, thousands of…
(2020-09-19). Germany: Right-wing extremist network in police pays homage to Hitler and the Nazis. wsws.org A photo montage shared online by police officers shows a grinning SS soldier pressing a button marked "Gas." In the background, refugees are screaming in fear in a gas chamber.
(2020-09-19). Peace negotiations stall as ceasefire begins to fall apart in Ukraine. wsws.org Ukraine's far-right continues to oppose any negotiated settlement that could lead to the end of the six-year long civil war that has needlessly killed over 13,000.
(2020-09-19). Following strike, brewery management in Belgium accepts workers' demand on safe conditions. peoplesdispatch.org Workers at the Jupille factory of the multinational brewery AB InBev went on a 13-day strike against alleged insensitivity that resulted in the spreading of COVID-19 among some employees…
(2020-09-19). Cold War Thaw? Navalny Poisoning. Belarus Political Instability. NATO on Russia's Doorstep. globalresearch.ca "We understand that not only for the Soviet Union but for other European countries as well it is important to have guarantees that if the United States keeps its presence in Germany within the framework of NATO, not an inch …
(2020-09-19). [Correspondence] The double burden of malnutrition—further perspective — Authors' reply. thelancet.com We thank Saskia Osendarp and colleagues, Mohammad Sorowar Hossain and colleagues, and Christine Stewart and colleagues for their responses to the Lancet Series on the double burden of malnutrition. They make some relevant points that we would like to address here.
(2020-09-19). [Perspectives] A history of herd immunity. thelancet.com As many countries around the world recognised the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, 2020, some seemed to put their faith in herd immunity. UK pandemic adviser Graham Medley, for example, said that "We are going to have to generate what we call herd immunity", which would require "a nice big epidemic". When the idea received furious criticism, British officials denied that herd immunity had ever been part of their plan. A run at herd immunity in Sweden prompted mathematician Marcus Carlsson to object: "we are being herded like a flock of sheep toward disaster".
(2020-09-19). China, Russia next targets if US wins in undermining Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 19 (MNA) — Pointing to US unlawful move to reimpose sanctions against Iran and importance of confronting its unilateralism, Cartalucci said China and Russia are next targets of the US if it will be successful in undermining of Iran.
(2020-09-19). Vienna to host 64th IAEA General Conference. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 19 (MNA) — Iran's Ambassador to Vienna-Based International Organizations said that the 64th Annual Regular Session of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference will be held in tAustrian capital Vienna on Mon. Sept. 21.
(2020-09-19). Russia once again rules out activation of snapback. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 19 (MNA) — Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov questioned the possibility of the United States using snapback to impose new sanctions on Iran and once again blamed Washington.
(2020-09-19). New Finding Raises Doubts About Christopher Columbus Sparking Infectious Outbreak in Europe. sputniknews.com Believed to be the first explorer to discover the New World, Columbus has long been blamed for catching syphilis there and bringing it to Europe, where an outbreak of this disease was registered between 1492 and 1507.
(2020-09-19). Turkey overcoming pandemic's economic effects, says Erdogan. yenisafak.com Turkey's production levels continued to rise in the third quarter as the country has overcome a significant part of the coronavirus pandemic's economic effects, the Turkish president said on Saturday."The number of people employed has been rising since April, when the impact of the pandemic was felt the hardest," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the inauguration of a new section of the North Marmara Motorway.Erdogan, who addressed the ceremony via video link, said Turkey's employment rate will increase further over the coming months, adding that he was hopeful that the third quarter will end with a "growth rate that…
(2020-09-19). Belarus warns EU against inviting Lukashenko's rival to meeting. yenisafak.com The foreign ministry in Belarus said on Saturday that it saw the possible participation of opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in an EU ministerial meeting as an interference in domestic affairs, the Belta state news agency reported.Tsikhanouskaya has led the biggest challenge to President Alexander Lukashenko's 26-year rule in Belarus.The foreign ministry said it had informed European diplomats about its view.Russian state news agencies reported earlier that Tsikhanouskaya is expected to take part in a meeting of European foreign ministers next week.
(2020-09-19). Attack foiled as explosives-laden car found in NW Syria. yenisafak.com A potential terrorist attack was thwarted as authorities seized a vehicle rigged with explosives in northwestern Syria on Saturday.A car found in Syria's Afrin region was fitted with 75 kilograms (165 pounds) of explosives connected to mobile phones for remote detonation, according to a statement by the governor's office of Turkey's southern Hatay province.Police in Afrin received intelligence reports that a bomb-laden vehicle prepared in the Tal Rifat region, under the control of the PYD/YPG/PKK terrorist organization, was sent to the Operation Olive Branch area in Afrin for an attack on security forces or civil…
(2020-09-19). Russia's opposition parties fail to win broad support in regional elections. wsws.org Kremlin-backed candidates held onto governorships and control of local parliamentary bodies in the 83 regions of the country where voting occurred.
(2020-09-19). The Reason Why Italy Deploys Its Fighters in Lithuania. globalresearch.ca In Europe civil air traffic is expected to drop by 60% this year compared to 2019, due to Covid-19 restrictions, putting more than 7 million jobs at risk. On the other hand, military air traffic is growing. | On Friday, August …
(2020-09-18). Headlines for September 18, 2020. democracynow.org White House Scuttled Plan to Mail 650 Million Face Masks to U.S. Households, NYC Schools Delay In-Person Classes Amid Staffing Shortages and Coronavirus Fears, CDC Watered Down Coronavirus Testing Guidelines Over Objections of Scientists, Trump Coronavirus Adviser Threatens to Sue Stanford Doctors over Criticism, WHO Warns of "Alarming" Coronavirus Transmission Rates Across Europe, U.S. Billionaires Added $845B to Net Worth Since March as Pandemic Exposed Racial Inequities, Court Halts "Drastic Operational Changes" at USPS, Warning of Widespread Disenfranchisement, Ex-Coronavirus Task Force Aide Endorses Biden, C…
(2020-09-18). Movements in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe: Free the Denver anti-racist organizers! liberationnews.org 
Note from the PSL: We are deeply appreciative of the many solidarity statements we have received from around the country and the world. The statement below comes from movements and member organizations of the International Peoples' Assembly, which is active across Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. If your organization would like to offer a …
(2020-09-18). UN calls on Turkey to investigate possible war crimes in northern Syria. middleeasteye.net 
UN calls on Turkey to investigate possible war crimes in northern Syria | UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said there was an 'alarming pattern in recent months of grave violations' | Fri, 09/18/2020 – 21: 51 | The UN said increased infighting among the various Turkish-affiliated armed groups was causing civilian casualties (AFP/File photo) | The United Nations on Friday urged Turkey t…
(2020-09-18). Germany: US Nuclear Weapons Shamed in Nationwide Debate. counterpunch.org 
We need a broad public debate … about the sense and nonsense of nuclear deterrence. —Rolf Mutzenich, German Social Democratic Party Leader Public criticism of the US nuclear weapons deployed in Germany bloomed into a vigorous nationwide debate this past spring and summer focused on the controversial scheme known diplomatically as "nuclear sharing" or "nuclear
(2020-09-18). Turkey withdraws vessel from disputed waters to 'give diplomacy a chance': Erdogan. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey withdraws vessel from disputed waters to 'give diplomacy a chance': Erdogan | Turkey's natural gas exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean has been at the centre of a row between Ankara and Athens | Fri, 09/18/2020 – 14: 53 | Tensions between Turkey and Greece flared when Ankara sent exploration vessel Oruc Reis to disputed waters on 10 August (AFP) | Turkey has recalled its natura…
(2020-09-18). Coups on allies: HTS rids Syria's Idlib of opponents. middleeasteye.net 
Coups on allies: HTS rids Syria's Idlib of opponents | HTS was a magnet for foreign fighters from Europe, but now they are in its prisons as part of the group's efforts to gain international support | Fri, 09/18/2020 – 11: 59 | The car of a Hurras al-Deen second-ranked leader after being targeted in Idlib by the international coalition on 14 September (MEE/Ali Haj Suleiman)
| At the foot of…
(2020-09-18). The Final Nail: COVID-19 Marks the End of Democratic Socialism in Sweden. mintpressnews.com 
Eleanor Goldfield reports from Stockholm on how COVID-19 has laid bare the US-style capitalist reality taking hold in Sweden and how the pandemic ushered in the end of democratic socialism in the country.
(2020-09-18). French MP leads assembly walkout over student representative wearing hijab. middleeasteye.net 
French MP leads assembly walkout over student representative wearing hijab | Anne-Christine Lang, of Macron's En Marche party, criticised after saying she viewed the hijab as a 'symbol of submission' | Fri, 09/18/2020 – 12: 40 | Maryam Pougetoux is the spokesperson of the National Union of Students in France (AFP) | An MP from French President Emmanuel Macron's La Republique En Marche part…
(2020-09-18). No Socialist Paradise: Sweden's COVID-19 Response Is Nothing to Envy. mintpressnews.com From Djurgà•rden, I walk along the water on Strandvà§gen — a rising fall whips in a determined wind across the water, slicing at remnants of summer and carving pathways around centuries-old buildings. Colors like Nordic interior design catalogs look like they've been stirred among clouds — a muted vibrance that evokes a calm and stoic resolve. | Albeit quieter than a typical early fall day, there's a bustle. People are out and their faces are bare. Buses and trolleys roll by and not a mask can be seen inside. Scuffed and faded stickers on the street remind people to keep their distance yet t…
(2020-09-18). Brexit: Why Does Europe Continue to Speak English? strategic-culture.org 
The seemingly longest divorce proceedings in history continue as the United Kingdom is still struggling to ever so slowly wiggle its way out of the EU. The British are trying
(2020-09-18). Washington deploys armored vehicles to Syria & steps up air patrols after dust-up with Russian forces. rt.com 
The Pentagon has sent a number of armored vehicles, radar systems and additional troops to Syria in a show of force, bolstering the US military presence in the country following a run-in with Russian forces last month. | The deployments, accompanied by increased air patrols over eastern Syria, were announced by US Central Command on Friday. | "The United States has deployed Sentinel radar, increased the frequency of US fighter patrols over US forces, and deployed Bradley Fighting Vehicles to augment US forces in the Eastern Syria Security Area (ESSA)," CENTCOM spokesman Captain Bill Urban said in a statement,…
(2020-09-18). Pair of Russian military servicemen arrested after viral video shows them washing their shoes with holy water. rt.com 
A criminal case has been opened in the western Russian city of Kaliningrad after two servicemen from the Baltic fleet were filmed washing their shoes with holy water, after a clip of them caught in the act went viral. | According to the Kaliningrad garrison's military investigation department, both suspects are natives of Dagestan, a Caucasian republic on the southern border of Russia. One of the accused is a conscript soldier, and the other is a contract employee, Interfax reported. | They were arrested on charges of insulting the feelings of religious believers, at the city's Christ the Savior Cathedral.
(2020-09-18). Devastating storm WASHES BEACH AWAY on Greek island of Kefalonia (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Storm Ianos made landfall in Greece on Friday and entirely washed away a beach on the island of Kefalonia. Videos posted by locals on social media showed massive destruction. | The Mediterranean hurricane ('Medicane') hit Kefalonia on Friday. Footage posted to Twitter shows the once-beautiful Jerusalem Beach being entirely washed away by the catastrophic flooding. | At one point in the video, a car can be seen being pushed over a ridge by the sheer force of the water. | Catastrophic flooding in Greece today (
(2020-09-18). French finance minister tests positive for Covid-19, as country grapples with record new infections. rt.com 
France's Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has tested positive for the coronavirus and is isolating at home. Meanwhile, France recorded its worst day for new cases of Covid-19 since the pandemic began. | Le Maire announced his diagnosis via Twitter on Friday, noting that he has no symptoms of the virus, but saying he will still "stay in solitary confinement for 7 days," per government regulations. | J'ai été testé positif à la COVID-19 ce soir. Je me suis immédiatement mis à l'isolement à mon domicile conformément aux règles sanitaires édictées par le gouvernement. Je ne présente aucun symptà¥me. Je resterai…
(2020-09-18). Arctic Tensions Rise as Britain Leads Show of Force Against Russia in the Barents Sea. globalresearch.ca In the first such operation of its kind in 20 years, the British Navy were joined by American, Danish and Norwegian forces to supposedly demonstrate freedom of navigation against "Russian attempts" to control the Barents Sea in the Arctic, the …
(2020-09-18). New US Ambassador to Germany Attracts the Usual Enemies: Doug Macgregor Feels the Wrath of the Pro-Israeli Lobby. globalresearch.ca There is an old saying that allegedly came out of the French Revolution, that revolution, like the god Saturn, devours its own children. It was reportedly uttered by Georges Danton at the trial that preceded his execution and could be …
(2020-09-18). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.