(2021-10-12). Building Back Better and the September Jobs Report. counterpunch.org If President Biden was designing a jobs report to advance his Build Back Better agenda, he could not have done better than the September jobs report. (No, he didn't manipulate the data.) It shows the need for improving our caring infrastructure to make it possible for more women to work. It also shows the need
(2021-10-12). This Is America #149: The Mask on Biden Slips. itsgoingdown.org Welcome, to This Is America, October 11th, 2021. On today's episode, we dive into headline and resistance news, before switching to our discussion, where we offer an anarchist critique and analysis of Biden's continuing attacks on migrants and push to expand industrial petrol-capitalism. There's a lot to cover, so let's get to the news! Living…
(2021-10-12). Mack Trucks subsidiary announces plans to build new military truck for Pentagon. wsws.org The unveiling of the new vehicle occurred less than two months after Democratic President Joseph Biden visited the Mack Trucks facility in Macungie.
(2021-10-12). President Biden reverses Trump cuts to national monuments sacred to Native Americans, restores Bears Ears. juancole.com 
By Diannie Chavez | — ( Cronkite News) — WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden restored Bears Ears National Monument to its previous 1.36 million-acres footprint Friday, reversing a Trump-era decision to cut as much as 85% of the southern Utah site valued for its environmental, archeological and tribal treasures. Bears Ears was one of three …
(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). Omar Demands Release of Memo Detailing Biden's Authority to Cancel Student Debt. zcomm.org "With a single signature," the lawmaker and her colleagues wrote, "you can improve the economy, create new jobs, transform the lives of 45 million Americans, narrow the racial wealth gap, and maintain the trust of voters."
(2021-10-12). Vice-President Harris: It's Your Turn to Step Up for Immigrant Rights. zcomm.org More than at any time in the recent past, Congress and the Biden administration have the means to open a path to citizenship to millions of undocumented residents…
(2021-10-12). Anti-democratic election laws in Australia were passed to "make sure that the working class can't voice its opposition" wsws.org One electoral member of the SEP noted that in the pandemic, "The working class is being told that the people around them, family, friends, caregivers, are going to die and to just accept their deaths."
(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). Epitaph for a Failed US Occupation: The Late Gen. Odierno's Arch-Nemesis Muqtada al-Sadr wins Iraq. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — The elections in Iraq have brought it briefly back into U.S. headlines, though it is a long time since Americans have given the mess they made there any thought. The late Gen. Ray Odierno, the former head of the 8.5-year-long occupation of Iraq who died on Saturday, once fingered a …
(2021-10-12). Iraqi Cleric Sadr's Bloc Performs Well in Vote, Emerges as Kingmaker. news.antiwar.com Final results for this weekend's Iraq election are still a day away, but the direction is shaping up, with influential Shi'ite cleric and nationalist Moqtada al-Sadr's party, Sairoun, Sadr's faction had 54 seats in the outgoing government, and early estimates give them 73 this time. That's a lot, but not enough to govern alone, meaning the party will either need allies or will, as has been the case in the past, serv…
(2021-10-12). Muqtada The Conqueror gains ground in Iraqi poll. asiatimes.com 
It would be tempting to picture the Iraqi parliamentary elections last Sunday as a geopolitical game-changer. Well, it's complicated — in more ways than one. Let's start with the abstention rate. Of the 22 million eligible voters able to choose 329 members of Parliament from 3,227 candidates and 167 parties, only 41% chose to cast …
(2021-10-12). From the archives of NATO's peace award recipient Nancy Pelosi. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Subject: [stopnato] Afghanistan: New US House Speaker Pledges Support For Expanded War Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2007 17: 13: 58 -0800 (PST) From: Rick Rozoff <@yahoo.com> Reply-To: stopnato@yahoogroups.com To: Stop NATO
(2021-10-12). Trump declares January 6 insurrectionist Ashli Babbitt a martyr of his fascist attempt to seize power. wsws.org In a pre-recorded video, former president Donald Trump and Arizona Representative Paul Gosar demanded "justice for Ashli," the Air Force veteran who was killed by Capitol Police during the January 6 attack on Congress.
(2021-10-12). Vulnerable people still not vaccinated as NSW reopens. greenleft.org.au As the newly installed NSW Premier eased restrictions for fully vaccinated people, vulnerable First Nations people are still struggling to be vaccinated and are being infected at an alarming rate. Rachel Evans and Adam Trumper report.
(2021-10-12). The Return of Coups in Africa: Is this a Footprint of Neo-Colonialism in the Continent? orinocotribune.com By Takudzwa Hillary Chiwanza — Oct 7, 2021 | For African democracy (and the perceived lack thereof), coups d'état have constituted perennial notoriety that has not portended an organic molding of contextual African democracy in…
(2021-10-12). In Middle America, Unions and Democrats Are Sleepwalking Into the Grave. zcomm.org By not organizing in decimated post-industrial towns, we're ceding ground to the right wing…
(2021-10-12). Canadian parent speaks out against devastating impact of COVID-19 open schools policy. wsws.org Angel, a mother of two children in British Columbia, was especially angered by the provincial New Democratic Party government's efforts to conceal the extent of the virus' spread in schools.
(2021-10-11). Historian Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz: Indigenous Peoples' Day Shared with Columbus Day Is a "Contradiction" democracynow.org 
President Biden has formally recognized Indigenous Peoples' Day as a federal holiday, following a growing movement to debunk the myth of Christopher Columbus as a beneficent discoverer and replace it with recognition that the arrival of Columbus in the Bahamas unleashed a brutal genocide that massacred tens of millions of Native people across the hemisphere. But the holiday will continue to be shared with Columbus Day, which many argue glorifies the nation's dark history of colonial genocide that killed millions of Native people. "It's just not appropriate to celebrate Columbus and Indigenous peoples on the same…
(2021-10-11). The Red Nation Slams Cooptation of Indigenous Peoples' Day Amid Global Colonial Resource Extraction. democracynow.org 
We continue our look at Indigenous Peoples' Day with Jennifer Marley, a citizen of San Ildefonso Pueblo and a member of the grassroots Indigenous liberation organization The Red Nation, which helped lead a campaign in 2015 to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Marley slams President Biden's formal recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day as a federal holiday and discusses how Native lands are disproportionately used for resource extraction and how The Red Nation connects their local struggles to international decolonization campaigns, as well.
(2021-10-11). From Columbus to Enbridge: Colonial Exploitation Continues. counterpunch.org It's somehow fitting irony on Indigenous Day — once known by another name — that a new Columbus is about to pump oil through Line 3, the last tar sands pipeline. That is the colonial-like corporation Enbridge. Maybe President Joe Biden will think about this one and stop the dirty oil from burning our rivers
(2021-10-11). Indigenous Coalition Tells Biden Communities Need Clean Water and Climate Action. truthout.org 
On the heels of President Joe Biden's The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) — a broad alliance of tribes, Indigenou…
(2021-10-11). "People vs. Fossil Fuels": Winona LaDuke & Mass Protests Call on Biden to Stop Line 3 Pipeline. democracynow.org 
In response to the completion of the contested Line 3 pipeline, which is now reportedly operational, thousands of Indigenous leaders and climate justice advocates are kicking off the "People vs. Fossil Fuels" mobilization, an Indigenous-led five-day action of civil disobedience at the White House to demand President Biden declare a climate emergency, divest from fossil fuels and launch a "just renewable energy revolution." "This pipeline doesn't respect treaty rights," says Winona LaDuke, longtime Indigenous activist and founder of Honor the Earth, a platform to raise awareness of and money for Indigenous stru…
(2021-10-11). NATO honors Nancy Pelosi with first-ever "Women for Peace" award. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com With an annual salary of $172,000 ($223,000 when she's speaker of the House), Pelosi is worth an estimated $120-$315 million. The perfect person to preach against corruption. Regarding the "peace" award from NATO — the equivalent of receiving a child protection award from Jeffrey Epstein — Pelosi has enthusiastically supported every war since she entered …
(2021-10-11). Unvaccinated US troops still number in 'hundreds of thousands' despite looming deadlines — reports. rt.com 
Hundreds of thousands of US military service members remain unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated against Covid-19 despite looming mandate deadlines, as rates vary significantly across individual services. | In August, members of the US military services were informed that immunization against Covid-19 would be required as part of new directives from President Joe Biden. According to data analyzed in a Washington Post report, however, inoculation rates among America's more than two million soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are lagging in many areas. | Deadlines for individual services vary, but many ar…
(2021-10-11). The Care Movement Fights Back Against Cuts to Biden's Historic Home Care Plan. counterpunch.org "The more beds they fill in nursing homes, the more money there is to be made," said disability rights organizer Josue Rodriguez at a vigil outside the U.S. Capitol to demand increased investment in alternatives to institutionalized care. Rodriguez, who has cerebral palsy, explained that the profit motive, combined with a misconception that so-called "fragile"
(2021-10-11). Mexican President AMLO Pleads with Biden to End Failed Trillion Dollar "War on Drugs"—But Powerful U.S. Interests Prefer Deadly Status Quo. covertactionmagazine.com In June 2021, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) told U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Mexico City that …
(2021-10-11). China's accession to the WTO and the collapse that never was. mronline.org 
President Joe Biden is worried about China. In April he explained "we are in competition with China… to win the 21st century… we are at a great inflection point in history. We have to do more than just build back better… we have to compete more strenuously."
(2021-10-11). Bolsonaro Remains Eager To Make Concessions To US, But What Will He Get In Return? southfront.org 
Illustrative ImageBe it under Biden or Trump, the US keeps pushing its own interests in Brazil, to the detriment of its most loyal allies. | Written by Uriel Araujo, researcher with a focus on international and ethnic conflicts. | A potential new global player in 2010, Brazil lost much of its soft power and is increasingly isolated internationally. Since Jair Bolsonaro's inauguration, Brasilia-Washington relations have been characterised by Brazilian unilateral concessions and goodwill gestures towards the US — usually without getting anything in return. A simple example was Bolsonaro's 2019 move to exempt U…
(2021-10-11). Mandatory Reporting Can Trigger Investigation Without Survivors' Consent. truthout.org 
(2021-10-11). Pfizer CEO—Biden's 'Good Friend'—Is Privately Working to Tank Drug Price Reforms. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-11). Paraguay: Mayors Of The Largest Cities Are Re-Elected. telesurenglish.net On Sunday, mayors of Paraguay's largest cities were reelected in subnational elections marked by an unusual wave of violence against candidates. | RELATED: | In the capital city, there were seven candidates for mayor and 23 lists of candidates for councilmen. In Asuncion, Oscar Rodriguez won the mayoralty with 47.5 percent of the vote, which allowed the Colored Party to stay in power. | The Liberal Party candidate E…
(2021-10-11). CNE Asks Josep Borrell to Publicly Apologize for Interventionist Statements. orinocotribune.com 
On Sunday, October 10, the president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Pedro Calzadilla, on behalf of the people of Venezuela, requested that the high representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs publicly apologize for his interventionist statements regarding the European Election Observation Mission, which will participate as international observers in the regional and municipal elections scheduled for November 21. | After the mock election on Sunday, October 10, Calzadilla informed that the European Union has not given any explanation about Borrell's interventionist action, which affects…
(2021-10-11). Peru: Castillo Struggles to Implement Promised Change. libya360.wordpress.com Kawsachun News A controversial cabinet reshuffle this week has served to show just how difficult it can be to implement radical and redistributive change. President Pedro Castillo won Peru's June 6th elections in the second round. His flagship policies were; a new constitution and the nationalization of natural resources. The expulsion of US forces (military…
(2021-10-11). Who are the leading candidates in Chile's upcoming presidential elections? peoplesdispatch.org Ahead of the general elections in Chile on November 21, we look at the leading presidential candidates, their backgrounds and their proposals to address the various issues in the country…
(2021-10-11). Philippine presidential elections open, dominated by fascistic and far-right forces. wsws.org An examination of the leading candidates for the presidency reveals that the ruling elites in the Philippines are preparing to run the most right-wing election campaign in the country's history.
(2021-10-11). Headlines for October 11, 2021. democracynow.org Merck Seeks FDA Approval for Antiviral COVID-19 Pill, COVID-19 Death Toll in Brazil Tops 600,000, "Shameful and Dangerous": Oxfam Slams New Deal on Global Minimum Corporate Tax, Up to 72 Die in Suicide Blast at Shiite Mosque in Afghanistan, Record Low Turnout Reported for Iraq's Parliamentary Elections, Lights Go Out in Lebanon After Electrical Grid Collapses, Taiwan Vows Not to Bow to Pressure from China as Tension Escalates, Libya: Six Refugees Shot Dead at Overcrowded Prison Camp, 70,000 March in Brussels Demanding Action on Climate Emergency, Report: Sen. Sinema Wants to Cut $100B in Climate Funds, Abortion B…
(2021-10-11). Mock Election a Complete Success — 21N Regional Elections. orinocotribune.com 
Pedro Calzadilla, president of Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE), congratulated the people of Venezuela, the workers of the CNE, and the members and leadership of the country's political parties, as he stated that the electoral simulation held this Sunday, October 10, was a complete success. | The president of the CNE, in his statements to the media on Sunday afternoon, said that the mock election has been one of the most significant preludes to the nationwide regional elections scheduled for November 21. | He added that the electoral rehearsal serves to measure enthusiasm, the functioning of the worki…
(2021-10-11). Process, Novelties And Prospects Of Parliamentary Elections In Iraq. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Early voting in parliamentary elections took place in Iraq. It was marked by a record-breaking low turnout, according to the election commission. In particular, this is largely due to the Iraqi youth, who massively boycotted the vote. In this regard, the Government is already taking measures, preparing for a possible new wave of protests soon after the announcement of the results. | The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), Jalil Adnan, told AFP news agency hours before the polls closed on October 10th that the turnout was estima…
(2021-10-11). Trump, flanked by Republican officials, delivers fascist screed at Iowa State Fairgrounds. wsws.org Solidarizing themselves with Trump's election conspiracies and his attempted coup, top Iowa Republicans, including Governor Kim Reynolds and long-time US Senator Chuck Grassley, welcomed the aspiring Fàºhrer.
(2021-10-11). AOC and Other House Democrats Join Immigration Fight Over Spending Bill. latinorebels.com On Friday Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and six other House Democrats from New York signed on to a letter urging the Democratic leadership in Congress to include immigration provisions in the sprawling social spending plan being negotiated on Capitol Hill.
(2021-10-11). Friday 10/15: Spooky Business: Trick or treating at Pelosi's for Peace/Clean Energy/Healthcare/Housing. indybay.org Nancy Pelosi's Pacific Heights home, Broadway near Divisadero, San Francisco.
(2021-10-11). Democrat Candidate for Virginia Gov. Claims CRT Was 'Made Up' By GOP, Trump Supporters. sputniknews.com McAuliffe made the remarks in response to a question about how he would respond to a former supporter who is now backing his Republican opponent over public schools "pushing a radical agenda in which American history is portrayed as racist" during an interview with CNN.
(2021-10-11). Hungarian-Style Soft Fascism is the GOP's Ruthless New Brand. counterpunch.org While it's fashionable in some circles to compare Donald Trump and the modern-day GOP to Hitler or Mussolini and their fascist movements from the 1930s, what's happening on the international stage right now is actually somewhat different and, once in power, far harder to stop or overthrow. Call it "soft fascism" or neofascism. The problem
(2021-10-11). Syria Protests Israel's Plan for Settlements in Golan Heights. telesurenglish.net On Monday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry Faisal Mikdad condemned Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's comments expressing his intention to increase settlements in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The Syrian official stressed that such aggressive statements and policies could not change the eternal truth of the area. | RELATED: | "The Golan has been and will remain for Syria and sooner or later, it will return to the embrace o…
(2021-10-11). New York City Council meeting reveals massive cover-up of COVID-19 in schools. wsws.org The meeting was a coordinated effort by Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio to cover up the spread of COVID-19 outbreaks in schools and to promote in-person learning no matter the costs to human life and health.
(2021-10-11). US Sanctions Cambodia for Cutting Strings to US-backed Puppets. newatlas.report October 11, 2021 (The New Atlas) — The US is targeting individuals in the Cambodian government with sanctions for allegedly "suppressing democracy." In reality Cambodia is defending against US-funded interference. Cambodia's main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) is literally based in Washington D.C. with exiled politicians fleeing to the US and conspiring …
(2021-10-11). Thousands Rally In Tunisia In Support Of "Democracy" And Against President's Attempts To Fix Economic Collapse. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On October 10th, thousands of Tunisians took to the street to protest against incumbent leader, president Kais Saied. | The main opposition appears to be questionably rallied and calling for people to organize riots."The future in Tunisia is really scary to me. For now we don't know what we will have as institutions. We don't have a parliament, we don't have democracy in our country. I am really scared", said Raja Masmoudi, a teacher who took part in the demonstration in Tu…
(2021-10-11). The Democrats as the 'Un-Republican' Party. zcomm.org The left/progressive forces within and around the Democratic Party must be strengthened, particularly at the state level…
(2021-10-11). Katrina vanden Heuvel on Nobel Peace Prize Winner Dmitry Muratov's Fight for Press Freedom in Russia. democracynow.org 
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Russian independent journalist Dmitry Muratov and Filipina journalist Maria Ressa for "their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression." Muratov runs the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, which has lost more journalists to murder than any other Russian news outlet. Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor-in-chief of The Nation and reporter on Russia for the last 30 years, recounts the trajectory of Muratov's career, noting his newspaper's humble beginnings and his unexpected rise to becoming an advocate for freedom of the press. "Investigative journalism in Russia today is very dang…