(2020-09-25). As COVID-19 hit Georgia Meatpacking Counties, Officials and Industry Shifted Blame. counterpunch.org 
Hall County in north central Georgia is home to Gainesville, a town of about 43,000 where a large chicken-topped monument in its center declares it the "Poultry Capital of the World." There are more than a dozen meat processing plants in Hall County, and several others in surrounding counties. But Hall County is also home to
(2020-09-25). Turkey orders scores of arrests over 2014 pro-Kurdish protests. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey orders scores of arrests over 2014 pro-Kurdish protests | Demonstrators had accused Turkey's army of standing by as Islamic State besieged Kobane, just over the Syrian border | Fri, 09/25/2020 – 09: 36 | The demonstrations led to the deaths of 37 people, with many more injured (AFP) | Turkish authorities on Friday issued arrest warrants for 82 people, including a mayor, over pro-Kur…
(2020-09-25). Provocation on the High Seas: U.S. Naval Adventures Near the Shores of Russia, China and Iran. counterpunch.org 
The war on terror is slowly ending. The U.S. military will try to keep bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, but with most troops gone in the next few years, the lives of the few who remain will be at constant risk. Pressure will mount to get those soldiers out. But Pentagon bureaucrats and brass are masters of institutional infighting, and, apparently, ignoring presidential orders they don't like, so who knows how that will turn out? One thing is sure: the military's focus has shifted, from the Middle East to Russia and China. That means U.S. soldiers and materiel will continue to be in places they shouldn't, in ever g…
(2020-09-25). Unlike US, Europe Picks Top Judges with Bipartisan Approval. zcomm.org By choice and by law, high court justices in those places work together to render consensus-based decisions…
(2020-09-25). U.S. Expands Military Bases in the Eastern Mediterranean. zcomm.org Lures Debt-Weary Greece into Provocative Military Partnership for Geopolitical Control of Region…
(2020-09-25). Norway Negotiating to Resuscitate Cold War-Era Military Deal With US. sputniknews.com During the Cold War era, Norway received 300 US fighter jets and 8,000 military vehicles, free of charge. The total amount of US military aid to Norway reached $8.7 billion.
(2020-09-25). Turkish infrastructure projects draw global interest. yenisafak.com This week the 13th Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum spotlighted billion-dollar infrastructure projects for global investors, including attractive transportation projects in Turkey. | "We believe that Turkey has some of the most sophisticated infrastructure companies, policies, and projects in the world," said Norman Anderson, CEO of CG-LA Infrastructure, the Washington, DC-based organizer of the forum, held virtually on Thursday. | Turkey has built a strong infrastructure over the last decade, he said. | "Turkey's projects at the forum were first class, some of the best opportunities in the world," Anderson…
(2020-09-25). Iran, Russia discussing joint production of COVID-19 vaccine. yenisafak.com Iran and Russia's sovereign wealth fund RDIF are discussing the joint production of a vaccine against COVID-19, Russian news agencies cited the Iranian ambassador to Moscow as saying on Friday."We are holding talks, I spoke with the head of RDIF Kirill Dmitriev, our officials have held several rounds of consultations and we announced that we will co-operate," Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali was cited as saying.Thus far, Russia has struck a manufacturing partnership deal with India, which is due to produce 300 million doses of the 'Sputnik-V' vaccine domestically. It is also discussing such partnerships with sev…
(2020-09-25). MiG-21 military jet crashes in western Serbia. yenisafak.com A Serbian military aircraft crashed Friday in western Serbia, the Defense Ministry confirmed.The ministry said that the MiG-21 military aircraft was performing a "regular" flying mission when it crashed near the village of Brasina at 9 a.m. local time (0700GMT).The search and rescue teams were dispatched to the region. No information is yet available whether there are casualties.Meanwhile, local media reported that the plane crashed into the yard of a house in the village and a person was injured.The firefighters and police teams are working at the scene.
(2020-09-25). Student protests against herd immunity policy spread across Greece. wsws.org High school students marched in Athens and Thessaloniki Thursday as occupations of high schools and strikes by doctors, port workers and airline workers spread.
(2020-09-24). 'We Demand The Immediate Release Of Julian Assange'. popularresistance.org We, members of the Progressive International Council, support the freedom of Julian Assange against the unlawful and dangerous extradition trial currently setagainst him in London. Julian Assange has been a world-defining journalist, editor, and intellectual whose work has been crucial in promoting global justice. The prosecution by the United States of an Australian citizen for his journalistic activities done in sovereign countries in Europe is a gross violation of human rights and international law.
(2020-09-24). Arab and European states call on Israel and Palestine to restart talks. middleeasteye.net 
Arab and European states call on Israel and Palestine to restart talks | Foreign ministers from France, Egypt, Germany and Jordan called for the resumption of talks on the basis of the two-state solution | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 20: 53 | The top diplomats from Egypt, France, and Jordan met in Amman, while Germany's Heiko Maas joined virtually (AFP) | Foreign ministers from four Arab and Europea…
(2020-09-24). PDF of September 24 issue. workers.org 
Download the 12-page PDF. Whistleblower: ICE abuses detainees ALSO: Migrant caravan for residency; Defend BLM activist lawyers; Trump, Biden, and U.S. decline; 'Free Palestine' webinar; U.S. Cold War vs TikTok; Is Marxism still relevant? WORKERS ORGANIZE: Illinois; North Carolina. WORLD: Editorial: Ginsburg & SCOTUS. WORLD: Belarus; Bolivia. TEAR DOWN THE . . . |
(2020-09-24). France agrees to EU commission migration pact. yenisafak.com The French interior ministers issued a joint press release Thursday to say they support a proposal laid out by the European Commission on a migration pact for asylum seekers coming to Europe.The European Commission met on Wednesday to draft a reform of migration policy which proposes a "compulsory solidarity mechanism." The proposal suggests abandoning a present contested rule which says the country where migrants arrive first must bear the burden of asylum requests.Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin along with cohorts Citizenship Minister Marlene Schiappa and Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune…
(2020-09-24). Turkey surprises investors with first interest rate hike in two years. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey surprises investors with first interest rate hike in two years | Analysts welcomed the step, saying it could help Turkey avoid a balance of payments crisis | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 13: 44 | A currency exchange office worker counts Turkish Lira banknotes in front of the electronic panel displaying currency exchange rates at an exchange office in Istanbul (AFP) | The Turkish Central Bank raised interest…
(2020-09-24). Solidarity with China doesn't mean closing our eyes to painful realities. peoplesworld.org 
It's no wonder that China is in the crosshairs of imperialism, both U.S. and European. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the nation has over the past few decades built itself up from poverty to become the world's second-largest economy, with an incredible rise in living standards. With its expanding trade and …
(2020-09-24). The Heat: COVID-19 soars in US, UK and India. america.cgtn.com 
The World Health Organization says COVID-19 appears to be accelerating, with cases soaring in the United States, the United Kingdom and India.
(2020-09-24). 'Twindemic': EU officials warn of flu & coronavirus mix, tell governments to keep their guard up. rt.com 
European Union officials have urged member states to do everything possible to slow the fresh wave of Covid-19 infections as the region's annual flu season begins, in order to avoid new lockdowns. | "This crisis is not behind us. We are at a decisive moment," EU Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides told reporters in Brussels on Thursday. As winter approaches, she warned of the risk of a potentially lethal "twindemic of Covid-19 and the flu." | Kyriakides urged governments to encourage people to get seasonal flu vaccines and adhere to social distancing measures to reduce transmission of the coronavirus. "T…
(2020-09-24). Russia now testing Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine on elderly & other high-risk groups as part of third phase trials. rt.com 
Russia has started clinical trials of its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine on volunteers from high risk groups, including the elderly. The formula is currently in its final phase of tests, before planned mass distribution. | Developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute of Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Sputnik V is the first registered Covid-19 vaccine in the world. It has already been through the first two phases of clinical trials and is due to be eventually tested on 40,000 Muscovites. Previous trial stages in the summer only accepted volunteers between the ages of 18 to 60, but the third phase…
(2020-09-24). 'We're freedom-loving too, but also serious': Italian president responds to BoJo's claim about why Italy has lower Covid-19 rate. rt.com 
Italian President Sergio Mattarella has replied to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's unexpected explanation as to why Rome seems to be doing better in containing the spread of the coronavirus. | Johnson was The PM replied t…
(2020-09-24). The peak wasn't the peak? UK & France record HIGHEST-EVER daily rises in Covid-19 cases. rt.com 
The UK and France have both reported their highest-ever daily total of coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic, confirming that the 'second wave' of the deadly virus is well and truly in full swing. | The UK recorded some 6,634 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the highest daily figure yet. The country's total Covid-19 tally has surpassed 400,000 cases, with nearly 42 thousand deaths. | The vast majority of the new cases — 5,632 — come from England, the official figures show. Scotland has reported 465 new patients, Wales 348 and Northern Ireland only 189. Some 40 people succumbed to th…
(2020-09-24). Russian Embassy in US tells Washington to focus on fighting Covid-19, rather than bashing Russia's pioneering Sputnik V vaccine. rt.com 
The Russian Embassy in Washington issued a sharp rebuke of the US government on Thursday, telling them to "save American lives (and) fight Covid19 , not Russian Vaccines (being prepared to fight the killer pandemic)." | The comments were made in response to a US Department of State press briefing which had seemed to cast doubt over the effectiveness of coronavirus formulas developed in Russia. | The official Twitter account for the Russian Embassy in the USA warned the government not to "try to downplay President Putin's constructive proposal to hold an online top-level conference shortly for countries interes…
(2020-09-24). Three UK Labour MPs demoted over opposition to torture prosecution bill. middleeasteye.net 
Three UK Labour MPs demoted over opposition to torture prosecution bill | Nadia Whittome, Beth Winter and Olivia Blake defied a Labour Party whip to oppose Overseas Operations Bill against 'vexatious' lawsuits
| Thu, 09/24/2020 – 14: 31 | Kuwaiti and British soldiers take part in exercises about 40km north of Kuwait City (AFP) | Three Labour MPs have lost their roles in the United Kingdom shadow cabine…
(2020-09-24). Selected Articles: "Second Wave" Faked on False-Positive COVID Tests. globalresearch.ca 
By The confrontation with Russia and the decision to boost America's military presence in Syria is but a microcosm of America's wider struggle to maintain its invasive primacy over the …
(2020-09-24). Europe Needs China to Become an Independent Global Power. globalresearch.ca For China, a strategic alliance with the EU will further develop the Belt and Road Initiative across the vast expanse of Eurasia. For the EU, China can help "the Old Continent" once again become a major global political and economic …
(2020-09-24). Foreign Correspondent: Turmoil in Belarus. progressive.org Citizens take to the streets to protest what they see as a stolen election.
(2020-09-24). Russia Intends Military Cooperation with Iran When UN Arms Embargo Expires. globalresearch.ca On issues related to the JCPOA nuclear deal and expiring UN arms embargo on Iran next month, the Trump regime is isolated on the world stage. | Commenting on its unlawful imposition of what it called "snapback" sanctions on Iran, its …
(2020-09-24). America's Broken Syria Project. globalresearch.ca A recent altercation between Russian forces and US occupiers in northeastern Syria helped highlight the increasingly tenuous position Washington holds not only in Syria but across the entire Middle East. | After attempting to block Russian military vehicles, US forces found …
(2020-09-24). Further revelations about sterilizations and medical malpractice at ICE detention facility in Georgia. wsws.org The latest revelations, including the naming of the doctor who performed them, strengthens the account given in a recent whistleblower complaint, while giving lie to the US government's dismissals.
(2020-09-24). China Recognizes Lukashenko's New Presidential Term in Belarus. telesurenglish.net China expressed its support for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who assumed a new term on September 23, almost two months after the August 9 elections. | RELATED: | "China respects the choice of Belarusian citizens, the presidential elections are an internal affair of the country," Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday. | "China supports Belarus' efforts to protect its independe…
(2020-09-24). Cyprus committed to resuming peace talks. news.un.org President Nicos Anastasiades of Cyprus stands ready to resume talks on the reunification of the island nation, the UN General Assembly heard on Thursday.
(2020-09-24). Pandemic shocks world, reinforces need for multilateralism, says Estonian President. news.un.org The COVID-19 pandemic gave the world "a thorough shock" and taught several lessons on the realities of climate change, the President of Estonia said to the UN General Assembly on Thursday.
(2020-09-24). Cuba and Russia Strengthen Commercial and Financial Ties. telesurenglish.net The Deputy Prime Minister of Cuba, Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, held a diplomatic meeting with various authorities of the Russian government and business people of that country to strengthen bilateral relations. | During their tour of the Eurasian nation, the Cuban authorities spoke with the directors of the GAZ Group and the real estate investment company, Sinara Group. | RELATED: | The First Vice-minister of Foreign T…
(2020-09-24). Germany's school openings throw fuel onto the pandemic's fire. wsws.org Only five of the almost 300 German administrative districts currently report no new infections, as the number of people with COVID-19 rises rapidly.
(2020-09-24). A Doctor Smuggles Lifesaving Equipment. popularresistance.org He bought it in the United States, shipped it to a friend through Europe and into Lebanon, and found a way to smuggle it by road into Syria. But this was a piece of contraband only made illegal by the United States' cruel policy of sanctions toward Syria—a critical part needed to fix a broken CT scanner, the sole machine in a city of over 100,000 people in Syria. | Last year, Dr. Farid, a Syrian physician based in the United States, opened a large medical and cancer center in Syria. (He asked that neither his real name nor the name of his city be used for safety reasons.)…
(2020-09-24). VIDEO: The Propaganda Campaign Against Russia Is Gathering Momentum. strategic-culture.org Russia does everything that any normal sovereign power should do. The problem is that Washington doesn't want any competition for their global monopoly on power. Watch the video and read more in the
(2020-09-24). Rouhani felicities National Day of Armenia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 24 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulated National Day of the Republic of Armenia in separate messages to the president and prime minister of the country.
(2020-09-24). Re-design the future, Mary Robinson urges at Transition to Zero Pollution launch. imperial.ac.uk Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, called for "a bold new vision for the future" at the launch of Transition to Zero Pollution.
(2020-09-24). Global Sell-Off Drives European Stocks to Three-Month Lows. sputniknews.com The EU equities suffered the latest losses amid a lack of new stimuli for the US economy and fears of an approaching second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
(2020-09-24). Sweden Accuses Russian, Danish Ships of Violating Its Waters. sputniknews.com According to Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist, who called the violations "unacceptable", the alleged Russian intrusion happened on 14 September near Gothenburg and lasted 11 minutes. By contrast, no details of the Danish one were provided.
(2020-09-24). Iran 'coordinates steps in Syria with Russia, Turkey'. yenisafak.com The Syrian issue requires an exceptional strategy, and Iran coordinates its steps in Syria with Russia and Turkey, the Iranian foreign minister said Thursday."There are serious problems in our region," Javad Zarif told Iranian media during his visit to the Russian capital Moscow."Syrian issue requires special coordination. We coordinate our steps with Turkey and Russia in Syria under Astana process."The Astana peace process to end the Syrian conflict was launched in January 2017 by Turkey, Russia, and Iran.Since the eruption of the bloody civil war in Syria in 2011, thousands of people died, millions fled the cou…
(2020-09-24). Italian president, in response to Johnson, says Italy also freedom-loving, but serious. yenisafak.com Italian President Sergio Mattarella, responding to comments from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the spread of coronavirus, said on Thursday that Italy loved freedom, but was also serious.Johnson told parliament in London this week that Britain had a worse infection rate than nations like Italy and Germany because it was a "freedom-loving country" which therefore resisted social restrictions to curb the virus.Asked about the comment during a visit to Sardinia, Mattarella said: "We Italians also love freedom, but we also care about seriousness."
(2020-09-24). Turkey says dialogue with EU crucial in East Med tensions. yenisafak.com A senior Turkish diplomat on Thursday urged dialogue and cooperation between the country and the EU on the Eastern Mediterranean as a way to contribute to security, stability and prosperity in the region. Deputy Foreign Minister Yavuz Selim Kiran was speaking at the International Conference on the Eastern Mediterranean, organized by Turkey's Communications Directorate, after making a presentation on Turkey's priorities in the region, as well as its vision of fairness and cooperation.Dialogue between Turkey and the EU is crucial for the Eastern Mediterranean, said Kiran at the videoconference, urging Brussels to w…
(2020-09-24). Ukraine says Lukashenko not 'legitimate' Belarus leader. yenisafak.com Ukraine does not consider Alexander Lukashenko the legitimate president of Belarus, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kulebahours announced Thursday, a day after the veteran leader was sworn in for a sixth term."Today's "inauguration" of Lukashenko does not mean his recognition as a legitimate head of Belarusian state," he wrote on Twitter. "Ukraine has never interfered in internal affairs of Belarus and will always support the Belarusian people."Protests broke out after Lukashenko, who has served as president since 1994, was declared the winner of Aug. 9 polls. Opposition candidates, however, accused the administration of…
(2020-09-24). UK preparing sanctions against Belarus: Minister. yenisafak.com The British foreign secretary announced on Thursday the UK was preparing sanctions against Belarus over alleged human rights abuses.Speaking at the House of Commons, Dominic Raab said that Alexander Lukashenko, who was sworn in as Belarus' president last week, has "a wholesale lack of legitimacy."Protests in Belarus broke out after Lukashenko, who has served as president since 1994, was declared the winner of Aug. 9 polls. Opposition candidates, however, accused the administration of rigging the vote.Raab said the UK did not accept the rigged election results, and slammed the "thuggery" used against protestors."I…
(2020-09-24). Dogs used to detect coronavirus in pilot project at Helsinki airport. yenisafak.com Dogs trained to detect the novel coronavirus began sniffing passenger samples at Finland's Helsinki-Vantaa airport this week, authorities said, in a pilot project running alongside more usual testing at the airport.The dogs' efficiency has not been proven in comparative scientific studies so passengers who volunteer to be tested and are suspected as carrying the virus are instructed to also take a swab to confirm the result.A team of 15 dogs and 10 instructors are being trained for the job in Finland by volunteers, sponsored by a private veterinary clinic. Among them is Kossi, a rescue dog from Spain, who was tra…
(2020-09-24). Russia's Lavrov, WHO Europe chief discuss virus fight. yenisafak.com Russia's foreign minister and the World Health Organization's (WHO) Europe director discussed the fight against COVID-19 in a meeting, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.Sergey Lavrov and Hans Kluge met on Sept. 23 to discuss Russia and the WHO's cooperation, paying special attention to the coronavirus situation, the ministry said in a statement on its website."Mutual interest in developing cooperation was confirmed, and plans were considered to assist countries in the region in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and other health challenges," the statement said.Lavrov conveyed Russia's support for…
(2020-09-24). 'Unacceptable' state of Greek islands must improve: UN. yenisafak.com The Moria Reception and Identification Center was gutted on Sept. 10, forcing some 12,000 people onto the streets, said the UNHCR.It called on European states to continue supporting Greece by offering relocation places for the most vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees.The agency lauded the Greek government for swiftly establishing an emergency facility to shelter those displaced from the Moria camp.Some 9,400 asylum seekers left homeless by the fire are now residing in the new government-run site, which was set up in days, said UNHCR.Several hundred of the most vulnerable have been transferred to safe accommoda…
(2020-09-24). Turkey's Central Bank raises interest rates by 200 bps. yenisafak.com Turkey's Central Bank on Thursday raised its one-week repo rate — also known as the bank's policy rate — by 200 basis points.The bank's policy rate increased to 10.25% from 8.25%.The decision was announced in a statement following the bank's eighth Monetary Policy Committee (MCP) meeting this year.In the previous three consecutive meetings, the bank kept the rate constant at 8.25%, following a gradual cut of 375 basis points from 12% over the preceding months.Last year, in eight meetings, the bank cut the rate by a total of 1,200 basis points from 24%.After holding eight meetings last year, this year…
(2020-09-24). Earthquake rattles Istanbul, surrounding areas. yenisafak.com A magnitude-4.2 earthquake was felt in Turkey's largest city Istanbul on Thursday, said the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).AFAD said the quake occurred at 4.38 p.m. local time (1338GMT) and was centered in the northwestern Tekirdag province, neighboring Istanbul.Its epicenter was 6.83 kilometers (4.23 miles) below the surface.No casualties have been reported so far.In 1999, a magnitude-7.4 tremor hit the industrial province of Kocaeli to Istanbul's east, leaving over 18,000 people dead.