(2021-10-13). Heroes or Parasites: Europe's Self-serving Politics on Refugees. dissidentvoice.org 
Language is politics and politics is power. This is why the misuse of language is particularly disturbing, especially when the innocent and vulnerable pay the price. The wars in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern, Asian and African countries in recent years have resulted in one of the greatest humanitarian catastrophes, arguably unseen since …
(2021-10-13). Austria gets a new chancellor but policies remain unchanged. wsws.org The abyss of ruthlessness, corruption and crime that has opened up with the recent government crisis in Vienna is symptomatic of the state of bourgeois democracy in all Western countries.
(2021-10-13). Break the media monopoly over women's bodies. greenleft.org.au Whistleblower Frances Haugen has called out Facebook and its sister site Instagram for exacerbating body image and mental health issues in teenage girls. Janet Parker argues it helps feminists campaign against the system that commodifies women's bodies.
(2021-10-13). Indigenous Resistance Day: Venezuela Condemns Historic Crimes of Europe. orinocotribune.com Venezuela joins the voice of the peoples of America who suffered for over 300 years from the genocide that followed the invasion by the Spanish empire, and announced forceful political actions of an international scope to vindicate the struggle of the peoples, when commemorating the Day of indigenous Resistance, this Tuesday, October 12. | President Nicolás Maduro reported that his government will issue formal communications directly to the King of Spain, with reflections on the historical consequences of the conquest. Venezuela will also petition the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to tr…
(2021-10-13). Mitsuba auto parts workers occupy factory in Turkey to oppose sackings. wsws.org Workers at a Mitsuba plant in Kocaeli launched a wildcat strike as contract negotiations began that affect 150,000 Turkish metal workers.
(2021-10-13). Germany ends free coronavirus tests and reopens universities. wsws.org Despite new infections continuing at a high level of about 8,000 per day, and virologists warning of a severe wave this autumn and winter, the federal and state governments are eliminating even the last protective measures against COVID-19…
(2021-10-13). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: The case for continuing COVID-19 precautions. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. are reportedly dropping. While the news headlines are encouraging, the country is in its fourth surge heading into flu season and winter holidays. That is why medical experts are keeping their predictions and recommendations fluid. How the virus spreads depends on human behavior. "What happens is that people read the news and say: 'We're done. We're free. It's over,'" says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's…
(2021-10-13). Russian COVID-19 deaths reach record highs while government does nothing. wsws.org Nearly 1000 people a day are dying from coronavirus in Russia, as the federal government does nothing and local officials impose a patchwork of inadequate and ineffective public health measures.
(2021-10-13). Ukraine sabotages Donbass reconciliation talks — Lugansk negotiators. tass.com "The Ukrainian delegation was ready to discuss anything but substantive issues," she added…
(2021-10-12). Anti-Social Media: Can Our Already Volatile Political Culture Transcend a Facebook World? projectcensored.org In the aftermath of Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen's testimony to Congress, Mickey and his guests look at the ongoing issues of social media's social responsibility, or lack thereof. Given many…
(2021-10-12). Whistleblower testimony launches bipartisan campaign for Facebook censorship. wsws.org The Senate testimony by former Facebook employee Frances Haugen has intensified the bipartisan drive to clamp down on left-wing and socialist political content on social media platforms.
(2021-10-12). Haugen Isn't Really a 'Facebook Whistleblower' — and It's Dangerous to Imagine She Is. strategic-culture.org Haugen isn't really a 'Facebook whistleblower' — and it's dangerous to imagine she is | By Jonathan COOK | The enthusiasm with which much of the media and political establishment have characterised Frances Haugen as a " Haugen has brought to the surface a fuzziness in what many of us understand by the idea of whistleblowing. | Even Russell Brand, a comedian turned soothsayer whose c…
(2021-10-12). Haugen Isn't Really a 'Facebook Whistleblower'. counterpunch.org The enthusiasm with which much of the media and political establishment have characterised Frances Haugen as a "Facebook whistleblower" requires that we pause to consider what exactly we think the term "whistleblower" means. Haugen has brought to the surface a fuzziness in what many of us understand by the idea of whistleblowing.
(2021-10-12). Azerbaijan Induced Its Isolation When It Had Potential To Be Regional Hub. southfront.org 
Illustrative ImageIran and India opt for Armenia instead of Azerbaijan for regional connectivity project. | Written by Paul Antonopoulos, independent geopolitical analyst | Azerbaijan, with the backing of Turkey and Syrian mercenaries, were the undisputed victors of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War after reclaiming most of the territory from Armenian control. It was expected that with most of Nagorno-Karabakh under Baku's control, new trade and transportation corridors would open and ensure that Azerbaijan became an indispensable connectivity hub in the Caucasus. Although there is a possibility for a trade corridor…
(2021-10-12). NATO strengthens partnership with Azerbaijan following last year's war in the Caucasus. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijan, NATO discuss issues of partnership First Deputy Minister of Azerbaijan — Chief of General Staff of the Azerbaijani army, Lieutenant General Karim Valiyev met with Chief of the Partnerships Directorate of the NATO Allied Powers Command Operations, Rear Admiral Bulent Turan, on October 12…. Greeting the guest, Valiyev noted that after the victory of …
(2021-10-12). Russia tells Nuland of new red line. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Though the U.S. military was in Kyrgyzstan from 2001 onward, as Washington's NATO ally Germany was in Uzbekistan and France in Tajikistan. Moscow: We will not tolerate U.S. military presence in Central Asia. Poland. Estonia. Latvia. Lithuania. Finland. Sweden. Ukraine. Moldova. Bulgaria. Romania. The Czech Republic. Hungary. Albania. Serbia/Kosovo. Bosnia. Croatia. Montenegro. Macedonia. Georgia. Azerbaijan. …
(2021-10-12). Two poignant quotes from Iranian press on worsening tensions with Azerbaijan. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com From the Tehran Times. Key quotes in bold print. In the latest sign of misplaced overconfidence, Azerbaijani officials have launched a barrage of criticism against Iran simply because it quietly and diplomatically protested an Azerbaijani decision to tax Iranian commercial trucks passing through an Azerbaijani road curve. This overconfidence on the part of the Republic …
(2021-10-12). Ex-Pentagon Software Chief Says China Already Won Artificial Intelligence Battle, Quits In Protest. moguldom.com Ex-pentagon software chief Nicolas Chaillan told the Financial Times that China has won the artificial intelligence battle with the U.S. and is headed for global dominance because of its technological advances. A tech entrepreneur, software developer and cybersecurity expert, Chaillan, 37, was born in France and became a U.S. citizen in 2016. He went to …
(2021-10-12). NATO elects Turkish Mideast rapporteur vice head of Parliamentary Assembly committee. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Turkish MP elected vice head of NATO Parliamentary Assembly committee A Turkish lawmaker on Oct. 11 was elected the vice head of a NATO Parliamentary Assembly committee. Ahmet Berat Conkar was elected the vice chairperson of the political committee during the 67th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Lisbon, Portugal. Conkar is a …
(2021-10-12). "NATO's southern flank at risk": report says Biden backs $6 billion F-16 deal with Turkey. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Biden administration reportedly backs Turkey's $6B F-16 deal request Turkey's request for Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits to upgrade its existing warplanes is valued at $6 billion (TL 54.02 billion), according to Turkish sources who spoke to two different media organizations Tuesday. Considering U.S. Congress' opposition to Ankara purchasing arms due to …
(2021-10-12). European Union: Observers Won't Interfere in Venezuelan Electoral Process (Borrell's Statements). orinocotribune.com "The European Union (EU) decided to send an electoral observation mission to Venezuela in response to an invitation, and in no way does it intend to interfere in the process," a spokesperson for the institution told AFP on Monday, October 11. "Non-interference in electoral processes is the heart of our missions." | This position, added the spokesperson, is also "embodied" in the agreement signed between the EU and the Venezuelan authorities. The spokesperson made the statements on behalf of Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, who did not respond to requests by Venezuelan authorities to acco…
(2021-10-12). EU foursquare behind Ukraine on war in Donbass, "liberation" of Crimea. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Borrell, Kuleba discuss deteriorating situation in eastern Ukraine "This morning in Kyiv before the EU-Ukraine Summit, Josep Borrell discussed with Dmytro Kuleba the deteriorating situation in eastern Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk agreements. The European Union strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, "the statement reads. *** President of Ukraine Volodymyr …
(2021-10-12). Germany: U.S. nuclear-capable bomber refueled for action in the Baltic Sea. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Spangdahlem refuels BTF bombers with VIPER kit for first time Two B-1B Lancers from Dyess Air Force Base's 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, currently operating from Royal Air Force Fairford, England, conducted hot-pit refueling using the innovative Versatile Integrated Partner Equipment Refueling (VIPER) kit, at Spangdahlem AB Oct. 11. **** Spangdahlem AB employed the VIPER kit …
(2021-10-12). Who Won Germany's Election in 2021? counterpunch.org rmany's recent election had a few surprises and will lead to a new government. Overall, Germany's recent election, held on 26th September 2021 had a participation rate of 76,6% compared to 76.2% in 2017. In other words, æ of Germans voted. All in all, 25.7% voted for the center-mildly-progressive social-democratic party SPD. With that, the SPD overtook Germany's conservatives and strong-state favoring CDU — Angela Merkel's political party — sitting at 24.1%.
(2021-10-12). EU's Von der Leyen blasts Russia as aggressor in Donbass, supports Ukraine on "occupied territories" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Von der Leyen came to her current position from that of Germany's defense minister, in which post she was as fawningly subservient to the Pentagon as Monica Lewinsky was when she was shuffled off to the Defense Department in 1996. Excerpts from her Wikipedia page are at the bottom of the page. ==== Von der …
(2021-10-12). Reliving Terror and Fascist Violence in Italy: Assault on the Headquarters of the Workers' Union CGIL and the Umberto I Polyclinic in Rome. libya360.wordpress.com Yoselina Guevara This weekend in Rome, moments of violence and terror were experienced when numerous demonstrators against the "health passport or green pass (vaccination card against Covid-19)" attacked emblematic sites of the Italian capital, in an operation coordinated by the openly fascist Forza Nuova movement. On Saturday, October 9, a group of the "no vac"…
(2021-10-12). Thousands hit the streets of Italy in defense of labor rights. peoplesdispatch.org On October 11, Monday, thousands mobilized across Italy to denounce the assault on labor rights and against austerity measures imposed by the government of Mario Draghi. The protests also condemned the far-right attack on the headquarters of the trade union Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) in Rome.
(2021-10-12). NATO Parliamentary Assembly condemns Russia's "occupation" of Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com ==== NATO Parliamentary Assembly honors Nancy Pelosi with first-ever "Women for Peace" award ==== NATO Parliamentary Assembly condemns Russia's ongoing violation of the territorial integrity of Georgia The NATO Parliamentary Assembly condemns Russia's violation of the territorial integrity of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, according to a resolution drawn up by the NATO General Assembly. "We …
(2021-10-12). Behind NATO's 'Cognitive Warfare': 'Battle for Your Brain' Waged by Western Militaries. orinocotribune.com 
By Ben Norton — Oct 8, 2021 | Western governments in the NATO military alliance are developing tactics of "cognitive warfare," using the supposed threats of China and Russia to justify waging a "battle for your brain" in the "human domain," to "make everyone a weapon." | NATO is developing new forms of warfare to wage a "battle for the brain," as the military alliance put it. | The US-led NATO military cartel has tested novel modes of hybrid warfare against its self-declared adversaries, including economic warfare, cyber warfare, information warfare, and psychological warfare. | Now, NATO is spinning out an…
(2021-10-12). Drug to calm cytokine storm: Life-saving Russian discovery could be key to stopping body's 'suicide attack' in severe Covid cases. rt.com 
A group of Russian scientists have created a drug that may potentially revolutionize the treatment of Covid-19 by defusing the most catastrophic reaction the disease causes in patients, while not destroying their immune response. | The drug, called Leitragin, was developed by the Biomedical Technology Research Center of the Russian Federal Medical and Biology Agency (FMBA), and is currently undergoing clinical trials in Russia. Although its base substance was previously known and used in ulcer treatment medicine by Soviet and Russian doctors, it was the FMBA team that discovered how to apply it for the treatme…
(2021-10-12). The Taliban has many suitors lining up to help. asiatimes.com 
The Taliban have been getting many suitors lately. They are far from the "pariah" that the Biden administration thought they were destined to be. During the past month alone, the Taliban received six suitors from the region and beyond offering courtship — the foreign minister of Qatar; the special envoys of Russia, China and Pakistan; …
(2021-10-12). Another concession/capitulation: coup de maàÆtre's maàÆtresse de coup Nuland welcomed in Moscow. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com ==== As Ukraine simmers, Victoria Nuland is now highest-ranking member of U.S. Foreign Service ==== Izvestia: Why Nuland was allowed to enter Russia and what to expect from talksUS Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland was removed from the Russian sanctions lists because of her official post in the Biden administration, a high-ranking source told …
(2021-10-12). Military Situation In Syria On October 12, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On October 11, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 13 times: 3 — in Idlib province, 2 — in Latakia province, 1 — in Hama province, 2 — in Aleppo province | On October 11, unknown aircraft reportedly attacked areas near Bukamal city | On October 11, six civilians were killed and 17 others were injured by a car bomb explosion in the city of Afrin | On October 12, a car bomb explosion was reported in t…
(2021-10-12). Venezuela Urges Non-Aligned Movement to Oppose Cruel Illegal Sanctions. orinocotribune.com The Foreign Affairs Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Félix Plasencia, reiterated its rejection of illegal sanctions and urged the members of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries (NAM) to unite multilaterally against this cruel and inhumane policy, reported the website of the Venezuelan ministry for foreign affairs. | Plasencia made the statements during his speech on Monday, October 11, in the general debate of the NAM meeting held in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the organization's founding summit. The NAM includes 120 countries that are not formally…