(2020-10-16). IMF Seizes On Pandemic For Privatization In 81 Countries. popularresistance.org The enormous economic dislocation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity to fundamentally alter the structure of society, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if using the crisis to implement near-permanent austerity measures across the world. | 76 of the 91 loans it has negotiated with 81 nations since the beginning of the worldwide pandemic in March have come attached with demands that countries adopt measures such as deep cuts to public services and pensions — measures that will undoubtedly entail privatization, wage freezes or cuts, or the firing of public sector workers like d…
(2020-10-16). Dogshit Presidents, And Other Notes From The Edge Of The Narrative Matrix. thealtworld.com It's extremely foolish to let monopolistic tech oligarchs have this unprecedented influence over the flow of information. I shouldn't have to keep saying this, but here we are. | If online censorship keeps tightening, the internet will cease to be an information-democratizing tool of the people to any extent at all and will instead just enable ruling power structures to administer propaganda much more quickly and efficiently than they could previously. | ~ | "You should oppose censorship because it will eventually come for you too." | This is only true of people who oppose the establishment power structures with…
(2020-10-16). After backing out of debate, Trump took his lies to NBC town hall. peoplesworld.org 
The following is excerpted from a longer article by The Associated Press. WASHINGTON (AP)—President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden faced inquisitive voters on separate stages in different cities in a substitute for the debate Trump refused to participate in. Here's how some of Trump's rhetoric Thursday night compared with the facts in the prime-time events …
(2020-10-16). American Science: Triumph or Tragedy? mronline.org 
A historian of science himself, Conner is fully cognizant of the accomplishments of American science and technology. In an earlier book, A People's History of Science: Miners, Midwives and "Low Mechanicks" (2005), he demonstrated the contributions of ordinary citizens to science, but he also warned of the corruptive potential of corporate money and military power.
(2020-10-16). Democrats Should Welcome More Trump Town Halls. thenation.com Democrats Should Welcome More Trump Town Halls…
(2020-10-16). Fact-Checking the Liars: the Record of U.S. Imperial War and Plunder. counterpunch.org Joe Biden and Co. demanded an instant fact checker for the now cancelled October 22 second debate with President Donald Trump. I can only imagine how this would be implemented. Perhaps with every lie, half truth and distortion enunciated by a debater, a flashing red light would appear, coupled by a graphic displaying a correction.
(2020-10-16). A Calm, Cool, and Presidential Joe Biden Won the 'Debate' That Wasn't. thenation.com A Calm, Cool, and Presidential Joe Biden Won the 'Debate' That Wasn't…
(2020-10-16). 'I know nothing about QAnon': Trump refuses to denounce far-right conspiracy theory. middleeasteye.net 
'I know nothing about QAnon': Trump refuses to denounce far-right conspiracy theory | During town hall, president says all he knows about QAnon movement, labelled terror threat by FBI, is that 'they are very much against paedophilia' | Fri, 10/16/2020 – 16: 42 | US President Donald Trump on set during live one-hour NBC News town hall forum on 15 October (Reuters) | US President Donald Trump again refused to de…
(2020-10-16). Emma Goldman and Lesser Evilism. counterpunch.org With the Presidential election weeks away now and the country rigidly polarized—people violently divided on matters rooted deeply in their moral and cultural biases and unreconcilable—an urgent call is made from true believers in the democratic process, liberals mainly, to vote. While this is nothing new, the pressure this cycle is more intense than ever.
(2020-10-16). Biden says voters DESERVE to know whether he will pack Supreme Court… but declines to reveal the answer. rt.com 
Joe Biden said voters deserve to know where he stands on expanding the Supreme Court — reversing a statement he made last week — but he again declined to give a definitive answer on whether he plans to install more liberal judges.
(2020-10-16). Trump says he will accept 'peaceful transfer' of power, but not Dems' attempt to 'take down a duly elected president'. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump said he will leave office without issue if he loses the election fair and square, but argued it was Democrats who refused a "peaceful transfer" after the 2016 race and tried to "take down" his presidency. | Speaking at a town hall event hosted by NBC on Thursday night, the president vowed to accept defeat so long as the election is "honest," but took aim at officials under the Barack Obama presidency, who he said targeted his campaign in the waning days of the previous administration. | "They talk about the peaceful transfer, right? They spied on my campaign and they got caught, they…
(2020-10-16). Trump refuses to 'disavow QAnon in its entirety' because he knows 'nothing' about the group except that 'they fight pedophilia'. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has been blasted after refusing to outright condemn the QAnon conspiracy community, insisting at a town hall event that he doesn't know anything about the group beyond its opposition to pedophilia. | The president was pressed to "disavow QAnon in its entirety" during an NBC town hall on Thursday evening, with moderator Savannah Guthrie stating the group believes Democrats are a "Satanic pedophile ring" and that Trump is the "savior." | "I know nothing about QAnon. I know very little," Trump replied, as Guthrie interjected: "I just told you." | You told me, but what you tell me doesn't…
(2020-10-16). Joe Biden says young children who decide they 'want to be transgender' should face 'zero discrimination'. rt.com 
Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden suggested that children as young as eight-years-old should be allowed to change their gender identity if they decide they "want to be transgender." | The comment came on Thursday night at an election town hall hosted by ABC News, where a woman who said one of her two daughters is transgender asked Biden what he would do to protect LGBTQ rights. The former vice president said, "I will flat out just change the law." He then told a story about seeing two gay men kissing each other and being told by his father, "Joey, it's simple, they love each other." | Biden next turned…
(2020-10-16). Trump tricked by Babylon Bee satire article claiming Twitter shut down 'entire network' to slow negative Biden news. rt.com 
President Donald Trump has mistaken a satirical news story on the Babylon Bee about a total Twitter shutdown for a real one, prompting confusion among supporters and an onslaught of mockery from his critics. | Trump on Friday tweeted the fake story about Twitter shutting down its "entire network" to slow the spread of negative stories about his Democratic opponent Joe Biden. | "Wow, this has never been done in history," Trump wrote, reacting to the satire site's post about the supposed Twitter shutdown. "Why is Twitter doing this?" the commander-in-chief asked, adding that it would only bring "more attention t…
(2020-10-16). 'So brave': Republican governor mocked for writing 'Ronald Reagan' on ballot in protest against Trump. rt.com 
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is facing backlash from both ends of the political spectrum after announcing that he voted for the long-dead Ronald Reagan for president as a protest against Donald Trump. | Speaking to the Washington Post about his decision, Hogan admitted his vote was "simply symbolic," but said, "I thought it was important to just cast a vote that showed the kind of person I'd like to see in office." | Symbolic votes are nothing new for the moderate Republican, as he chose to write his father's name on the ballot in 2016, a politician who was 88 at the time and passed away the following year. R…
(2020-10-16). 'Biden beat Trump' in TV ratings, MSM rush to declare after dueling town halls. rt.com 
Jumping on early TV numbers, Democrats and the media declared a ratings victory for Joe Biden over President Donald Trump. Streaming numbers for their respective town halls paint a somewhat different picture. | Instead of a presidential debate — that was canceled over a last-minute rule change — Trump and Biden held town halls on different TV networks Thursday evening. Trump's hour-long NBC event was scheduled opposite Biden's 90-minute ABC appearance — and to hear the media on Friday, the Democrat won easily. | | Initial v…
(2020-10-16). Seattle police officers LEAVING department at 'unprecedented' rate amid budget calls and ongoing protests. rt.com 
At least 118 officers have left the Seattle Police Department (SPD) following mass Black Lives Matter protests and city budget cuts. It currently has around 1,200 officers on its force — the lowest number in a decade. | According to
(2020-10-16). P. Diddy launches 'Our Black Party', warns white people should be 'scared to death' of Trump & vote Biden to avoid 'race war'. rt.com 
American rapper P. Diddy has made waves announcing a "black political party," but also endorsing Democrat Joe Biden because with Trump in office, "we are on the verge of a race war." | In an interview with radio host Charlamagne Tha God, as well as through a series of tweets, P. Diddy announced the launch of Our Black Party, a new political party meant to "address the needs of black people" through "developing a coalition of people and organizations committed to building Black political power." | The rap producer and 'I'll Be Missing You' singer says the party, launched with a handful of black activists, is op…
(2020-10-16). Race & climate change, but no economy? Debate topics list lines up with Democrat issues, not what Americans care about. rt.com 
The newly released list of topics for the last remaining debate between President Donald Trump and his challenger Joe Biden seems to be tailored to Democrats rather than subjects that polls show most Americans care about. | The Commission on Presidential Debates, the nonprofit that traditionally runs the process, announced on Friday that the topics for the October 22 debate have been picked by moderator Kristen Welker of NBC. They will range from fighting Covid-19 and climate change to leadership, families and race. | Debate topics for third debate disclosed: | Nothing on the economy (top issue in Gallup) | No…
(2020-10-16). Risk of hepatitis B reactivation and cytomegalovirus related infections with Mogamulizumab: A retrospective study of international pharmacovigilance database. thelancet.com A signal has been identified between Moga exposure and hepatitis B reactivation as well as CMV related infection. A consideration in future studies should be placed on determining the relationship and investigating the need for pre-treatment screening, close monitoring, and utilization of prophylaxis in this population-based on pre-treatment risks.
(2020-10-16). Trump Blasted by Town Hall Moderator for Spreading Conspiracy Theories. truthout.org During a town hall event hosted by NBC News's Savannah Guthrie on Thursday evening, President Donald Trump refused to denounce the QAnon movement and deflected other questions regarding his promotion of conspiracy theories in general. | Trump's demeanor during the town hall was nothing unfamiliar to anyone who has followed his presidential tenure so far — he was oftentimes combative with Guthrie, expressing frustration with her several times during the debate. He regularly complained about qu…
(2020-10-16). No shortcut to an ecosocialist future. greenleft.org.au Public distrust in political parties and institutions is higher than it has been, yet we are a long way from where we need to be to even begin to challenge capitalism, writes Fred Fuentes. So what will it take to build the movement we need today?
(2020-10-16). No shortcuts to an ecosocialist future. greenleft.org.au Public distrust in political parties and institutions is higher than it has been, yet we are a long way from where we need to be to even begin to challenge capitalism, writes Fred Fuentes. So what will it take to build the movement we need today?
(2020-10-16). Saturday 10/24: Public Education, Privatization, and Class Struggle. indybay.org
(2020-10-16). Drugs used for COVID-19 fail to stop deaths: WHO. yenisafak.com A batch of drugs, at least the one used in the treatment of COVID-19, was unable to prevent deaths in patients infected with the novel coronavirus, a World Health Organization (WHO) study showed Friday.In six months, the world's largest randomized control trial on COVID-19 therapeutics generated conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of repurposed drugs for the treatment of COVID-19."Interim results from the Solidarity Therapeutics Trial, coordinated by the World Health Organization, indicate that remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, and interferon regimens appeared to have little or no effect o…
(2020-10-16). Libya resumes flights between Tripoli, Benghazi. yenisafak.com The first flight from Libya's Tripoli arrived on Friday at Benghazi's Benina International Airport after more than a year of suspension.Local media reported that an African Airlines plane arrived at Benina International Airport in Benghazi from Tripoli after a hiatus of more than a year.According to the local media, the plane has a delegation from the airport and civil aviation authorities to contribute to providing everything needed to restart it and ensure the implementation of measures to stem the spread of novel coronavirus. | Earlier Friday, Tripoli's Mitiga International Airport announced resumption of its…
(2020-10-16). Abraham Accords exclude key players in Mideast: expert. yenisafak.com Washington relied on the success of "autocratic leadership while neglecting the Palestinians," a former CIA officer said Friday, citing US-brokered Israel-United Arab Emirates (UAE)- Bahrain normalization deals, also known as Abraham Accords. Douglas London said in an opinion piece penned for the Atlantic Council that he reacted to the normalization moves with "trepidation more than celebration."London said that it reminded him of the US-backed agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in 1983, which shattered following the Lebanese government's 1984 collapse, leading "unprecedented acts of terrorism against US Mari…
(2020-10-16). Belarus says it has evidence opposition council members sought to harm national security. yenisafak.com Belarusian investigators on Friday said they had evidence that members of the country's opposition coordination council had taken actions aimed at destabilising the country and harming its national security.Belarus has put opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on its wanted list for allegedly making calls to overthrow the constitutional order, the interior ministry of close ally Russia said on Friday.Belarus has seen two months of protests since a contested Aug. 9 election, in which Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory. His opponents say it was rigged to hand him a sixth term in power.
(2020-10-16). Google launches new features to help locate nearest voting locations. yenisafak.com Alphabet Inc's Google said on Friday it was introducing new features across its search engine, Maps and voice assistant to help voters in the United States find their nearest voting locations.Details on in-person voting or returning mail-in ballots can be found under searches with "early voting locations" or "ballot drop boxes near me," Google said in a blog post, adding the data was pulled from a joint project between state election officials and non-partisan, non-profit civic group Democracy Works.Google said its voice assistant would also share details on where to vote nearby, if prompted with the question, wh…
(2020-10-16). Health minister says COVID-19 cases rise in Istanbul. yenisafak.com Turkey's health minister said on Friday there has been rises in COVID-19 infections in the Turkish metropolitan city of Istanbul and northwestern Bursa province.Speaking at a news conference following his meeting with local officials in the eastern province of Erzurum, Fahrettin Koca said that although there has been a significant drop in the last few weeks, there is a rising trend in infections across the country, particularly in Istanbul and Bursa, over the past week."We have been fighting day and night against the coronavirus pandemic for seven months. Unlike many countries in the world, we have maintained our…
(2020-10-16). Israel bars Palestinians from Al-Aqsa for 4th Friday. yenisafak.com The Israeli police justified the move as part of the complete lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.Eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency that only residents of Jerusalem's old city were allowed to enter the mosque.The Israeli restrictive measures prevent people from moving more than one kilometer (0.6 mile) from their homes.During the coronavirus pandemic period, more than 10,000 worshippers perform the Friday prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, while before the pandemic the number was more than 50,000.On Friday, Israel counted 1,608 coronavirus infections. | *Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara…
(2020-10-16). Kremlin 'worried' by surge in COVID-19 cases, but says situation under control. yenisafak.com The Kremlin said on Friday it was worried by the record surge in Russia's COVID-19 cases and that the outbreak was spreading quickly, but that the situation was still under control.Russia's daily tally of new coronavirus cases surged to a record high of 15,150 on Friday, including 5,049 in the capital Moscow, pushing the national total to 1,369,313 since the pandemic began.
(2020-10-16). Merkel calls for de-escalation in Eastern Mediterranean. yenisafak.com The German chancellor on Friday called for de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean and a closer dialogue between the EU and Turkey to address the current problems.Speaking at a news conference in Brussels after a two-day summit of EU leaders, Angela Merkel expressed regret over Turkey's decision to send its seismic vessel Oruc Reis to conduct research in the Eastern Mediterranean."Now this has once again increased tensions, instead of bringing them down. I find it regrettable, and think that it was not necessary," she said, adding that the leaders discussed this topic during today's meeting.Despite strong call…
(2020-10-16). Patent applications rise 47% in 2019: Turkish minister. yenisafak.com The increase resulted from new inventions in high-technology fields, including machinery, medicine, chemistry, computer and electric-electronics, Mustafa Varank said at an event in the capital Ankara.Turkey ranked 13th in the world with its number of patents in 2019, outdistancing many countries such as India, Israel, Australia, and Finland, he added.When an invention is patented, it is protected for 20 years, so each patent application has a 20-year-long goal and vision, Varank stated.The number of patent applications annually rose by 27 times in the last 18 years, he said.
(2020-10-16). Saudi Arabia arrests 45 in anti-corruption drive. yenisafak.com The Saudi authorities arrested at least 45 persons, including public employees and army officers, over suspicion of corruption and influence peddling.The Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority said in a statement on late Thursday that it has launched investigations in 889 criminal and disciplinary cases, including "suspicion over corruption, profiteering and influence peddling of public posts."Those arrested include 13 public employees, four businessmen and five non-Saudi employees, the authority said.The statement added that the Anti-Corruption Authority also seized funds and real estate assets worth 602…
(2020-10-16). Turkey decries Armenia's attack on Nakhchivan. yenisafak.com Turkey on Friday strongly condemned the Armenian forces' attack on Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, according to the Foreign Ministry."We strongly condemn the missile attack that Armenia's armed forces launched from the occupied Gubadli region to Ordubad region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic," the ministry said in a statement. | "It is seen that Armenia is getting more aggressive day by day due to the defeats it has suffered in the occupied territories," it said. | The statement noted that the attack on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic — which also borders Turkey — is the "new and dangerous…
(2020-10-16). Turkey, Ukraine set to boost strategic partnership. yenisafak.com Ankara and Kiev's strategic partnership is set for a boost with a new military cooperation deal to be signed during the Ukrainian president's visit to Turkey on Friday.Volodymyr Zelensky will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital to discuss matters ranging from defense and trade cooperation to bilateral, regional, and international issues, including the Karabakh crisis.Joint production of the AN-178 aircraft by Ukrainian manufacturer Antonov and Turkish aviation firms will also be on the agenda.Erdogan previously met Zelensky in Ukraine's capital Kiev in February.Under an agreement signed dur…
(2020-10-16). Turkish Red Crescent distributes aid in Azerbaijan. yenisafak.com The Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) has started the distribution of humanitarian aid in the Azerbaijani city of Fizuli on Friday.Kaan Saner, director of the Turkish Red Crescent's International Policies and Partnerships, told Anadolu Agency that they started to distribute aid in cities close to the conflict zone after the call for emergency aid.Saner said that the relief supplies will be distributed to cities affected by the conflict over the past three days, adding that the first stop is Fizuli and then aid will be distributed in Agjabedi, Aghdam and Tartar, which is the most affected.Earlier, the aid convoy of t…
(2020-10-16). WHO defends data after concluding Gilead's remdesivir flopped COVID trial. yenisafak.com A World Health Organization (WHO) trial that concluded Gilead Sciences Inc. remdesivir did not significantly help COVID-19 patients is reliable, a scientist who evaluated it said on Friday, as the U.S. company criticized its methodology."It's a reliable result, don't let anybody tell you otherwise, because they'll try to," Richard Peto, an independent statistician hired by the WHO to evaluate its Solidarity trial, told reporters, adding that any benefit of remdesivir may be due to chance.Gilead has questioned the findings that concluded remdesivir does not help patients who have been admitted to hospital, saying…
(2020-10-16). EU posts $13.2B trade surplus in August. yenisafak.com European Union's foreign trade balance ran a ‚Ǩ11.3 billion ($13.2 billion) surplus in August compared to the same period last year, the bloc's statistical office revealed on Friday.The figure was ‚Ǩ10.6 last year, according to Eurostat."The first estimate for extra-EU exports of goods in August was ‚Ǩ139.7 billion, down by 14.0% compared with August 2019," it said.Imports from the rest of the world stood at ‚Ǩ128.3 billion, down by 15.6% compared with the same month in the last year.Intra-EU trade fell to ‚Ǩ208.8 billion in…
(2020-10-16). 'Get ready' for no-deal Brexit, says Boris Johnson. yenisafak.com Britain's prime minister on Friday said the time has come for the UK to "get ready" for a no-deal Brexit on Jan. 1."Unless there's a fundamental change of approach, we should go for the Australia solution," Boris Johnson said, using the government's preferred euphemism for a no-deal Brexit.He had previously declared that the UK would walk away from talks if a deal was not finalized by Oct. 15.On Friday, the EU Council said it was "disappointed" by the lack of progress in negotiations.However, the council said talks will continue over the coming weeks, a suggestion that provoked ire within the British government.
(2020-10-16). Macron defends fishing rights at Brexit deal debate. yenisafak.com French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement Friday at the EU Council Summit in Brussels on the matter of fishing rights in the English Channel and northern waters between France and England."Under no circumstance will our fisherman be the ones sacrificed for this Brexit. We did not choose Brexit; it's the choice of the British people," he said to Radio France International upon his arrival at a summit held Thursday and Friday in the Belgian capital.Although Friday's agenda will focus on events in Africa, discussions the prior day had focused on relations with the UK, with the fishing issue being one of gr…
(2020-10-16). Pakistan eyes removal from FATF gray list. yenisafak.com Pakistan hopes to be taken off the gray list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global money-laundering watchdog, by end of the month, an official of the South Asian country has said.Underlining that Pakistan has made significant progress in implementing FATF criteria the statement by Foreign Ministry spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri came just days ahead of an FATF virtual plenary meeting scheduled Oct. 21-23 in Paris to review Islamabad's performance on its action plan."The process of FATF is ongoing. Pakistan is implementing the FATF Action Plan since 2018 and we have made significant progress in this…
(2020-10-16). Serbia orders mandatory mask-wearing as coronavirus cases rise. yenisafak.com Serbia ordered mandatory wearing of masks at all times outside the home and introduced other measures on Friday to deal with the spread of coronavirus, a health official said.Municipalities will be ordered to ban public gatherings and a sports arena in Belgrade will be prepared by next Monday to accommodate an anticipated inflow of patients with milder COVID-19 symptoms, said Darija Kisic Tepavcevic, a member of the government's crisis staff."Masks must be worn by everyone, everywhere, including outdoors, … this is mandatory," Kisic Tepavcevic said.Kisic Tepavcevic said the situation in Serbia was more favourab…