(2021-10-18). Corporate Democrats' Toothless Drug Pricing Alternative Is a Coup for Big Pharma. truthout.org 
Under the Build Back Better Act, Congress can expand and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid, improving the lives of millions of seniors while also throwing a lifeline to folks living in states where GOP politicians are strangling public benefits. | But to win these popular reforms, we have to defeat the efforts of Big Pharma, their greedy lobbyists and the politicians who take their money. | It wasn't enough for Democratic Representatives Kurt Schrader of Oregon, Scott Peters of California,…
(2021-10-18). Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve Board. counterpunch.org I didn't expect to write again about Powell being reappointed as Fed chair, I had expected that Biden would have made a pick by now, but here we are. Now that Larry Summers has condemned the "woke" Fed for failing to crack down on inflation, it seems worth recapping what is at issue. What we
(2021-10-18). Huge opposition from television and movie workers as union calls off strike and pushes sellout deal. wsws.org The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union called off a strike, set to begin at 12: 01 am Monday, as part of the efforts of the AFL-CIO and the Biden administration to block the largest strike wave in generations.
(2021-10-18). Biden Administration to Release Long-awaited Sanctions Review. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-18). A Desperate Biden Administration Turns to Terrorism. globalresearch.ca
(2021-10-18). DOJ Will Ask Supreme Court to Place Stay on Texas's 6-Week Abortion Ban. truthout.org 
On Friday, the Biden administration announced that it planned to appeal to the Supreme Court an order from a lower court issued last week, which kept in place a restrictive Texas law that outlaws abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy. | A three-judge panel in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
(2021-10-18). Biden Has Outpaced Trump's Use of Title 42 to Expel Asylum Seekers. truthout.org 
"We didn't know we were being deported," said Cinthia* as she walked toward a bus headed to Honduras. The 24-year-old fled violence and threats in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, earlier this year. She made it 1,500 miles north through Guatemala and Mexico and across the U.S. border into Texas, where she planned to request asylum. Instead, the U.S. summarily expelled her on a flight from McAllen, Texas, to southern Mexico, and Mexico then sent her overland to El Ceibo, a remote border crossing with Guatemala.
(2021-10-18). Pediatrician Welcomes Imminent Approval of COVID Vaccine for Kids 5-11 Amid Opposition to Mask Mandates. democracynow.org 
The Biden administration is launching a national vaccination campaign for about 28 million children between the ages of 5 and 11. The vaccine will be two doses and one-third as potent as the one being given to people over the age of 12. An independent panel is set to offer a recommendation to the FDA that evaluates the safety and efficacy of the vaccines in late October. We're joined by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, pediatrician and co-chair of the Protect Michigan Commission, to speak more about the rollout of the vaccine for kids. "It's really important, if we want to go back to normal, for our kids to get this vacci…
(2021-10-18). As CIA Ramps Up Anti-China Actions, Why Doesn't Congress Oppose Biden's "New Cold War"? democracynow.org 
We speak with Ethan Paul, a former reporter with the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong who is now with the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. China's military revealed last week that it had conducted beach landing and assault drills in the province across from Taiwan. This comes as the CIA has set up a new mission center focused solely on China. CIA Director William Burns has described China as "the most important geopolitical threat facing the United States." Paul says there has been almost no "meaningful dissent among Democrats" in Congress about "the need to make sure that we don't let this beast…
(2021-10-18). Biden delivers on more arms to Ukrainian military to achieve "full NATO interoperability" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Ukraine receives second batch of U.S. security aid Besides the previously agreed $250 million worth of aid, Ukraine is receiving from American partners medical equipment, weapons, ammunition, high-precision weaponry, and radar surveillance worth another $60 million with cargoes arriving in several batches. Earlier it was reported that during President Volodymyr Zelensky's working visit to the …
(2021-10-18). Delta CEO: We Won't Force-Vaxx Our Employees, Vaccine Mandates Are A Blunt Instrument. moguldom.com Delta Airlines, which does business with the U.S. government and is considered a federal contractor, says it will not cave in on its decision to oppose President Joe Biden's vaccine mandate, which requires that all federal contractors have their employees vaccinated. The airline's CEO, Ed Bastian, called the vaccine mandate "divisive" and a "very blunt …
(2021-10-18). México y Estados Unidos: Poder imperial y nuevo "entendimiento" globalizacion.ca Los gobiernos de Joe Biden y Andrés Manuel López Obrador lanzaron el 8 de octubre el Entendimiento del Bicentenario, que mediante un proceso de reingeniería de la Iniciativa Mérida buscará delinear un nuevo enfoque de cooperación bilateral en materia de…
(2021-10-18). Republican campaign rally in Virginia draws Trump, Bannon and fascist supporters. wsws.org In the gubernatorial election, Republican hedge fund executive Glenn Youngkin is running a close race against Democratic former Governor Terry McAuliffe.
(2021-10-18). Teamster Insurgents Could Win Their Union Election. zcomm.org They're planning for what comes after…
(2021-10-18). Is Trump's Violent Dishonesty Inexorable? counterpunch.org A year ago, when I examined the lessons of hatred and political violence in the US, I made note of the ugly role dehumanization and hate played in the alt-right's support of Donald Trump. I was inspired, in part, by thinking about what Matthew Shepard would have experienced had he lived to see the full-force
(2021-10-18). Sydney University students protest cuts to gender and cultural studies. greenleft.org.au Students and staff are campaigning against the University of Sydney's plans to move the Gender and Cultural Studies Department into the School of Social and Political Sciences. Adam Trumper reports.
(2021-10-18). It's Joe Manchin vs. the World, and Manchin Is Winning. truthout.org 
The unspoken mantra of the Trump administration was, " He's gotten to see his name in…
(2021-10-18). Murder of Conservative MP David Amess will be used to strengthen state and clampdown on democratic rights. wsws.org Amess's death will occasion a further shift to the right and a strengthening of the state in the name of the "war against terror", as with every terrorist atrocity carried out over the two decades since the Afghan war.
(2021-10-18). German Social Democrats, Greens, Free Democrats' coalition paper: A declaration of war on the working class. wsws.org The exploratory paper presented by the three parties far eclipses the Agenda 2010 welfare and labour "reforms" of the last federal SPD-Green government, headed by Gerhard Schrà∂der.
(2021-10-18). Headlines for October 18, 2021. democracynow.org Gutting Democrats' Climate Plans, Manchin Opposes Renewable Energy Program in Reconciliation Bill, Manchin Wants Strict Conditions on Child Tax Credit, Which Has Lifted Millions of Kids from Poverty, FDA Panel Unanimously Recommends Booster Shots of J&J COVID-19 Vaccine, Bronx Man Dies of COVID-19 One Hour After Release from Rikers Jail, COVID Cases on the Rise in the U.K, Russia; Melbourne Ends World's Longest Lockdown, U.S. to Compensate Afghan Families over August Drone Strike That Killed 10 Civilians, Death Toll in ISIS-K Mosque Attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Rises to 47, British Lawmaker David Amess Fatall…
(2021-10-18). "Racism Plays a Major Part": Like in Flint, Lead Pipes Leave Benton Harbor, Michigan, with Toxic Water. democracynow.org 
Residents of Benton Harbor, Michigan, are calling for immediate action on replacing the city's lead pipes, which have endangered their drinking water. Since 2018, tap water in the predominantly Black city has contained lead levels up to 60 times the federal limit. Yet government officials have only addressed the toxic contamination as an urgent crisis in recent days. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician who exposed a similar water crisis in the neighboring city of Flint, sees parallels between the two emergencies. "Every day that goes by when there is lead in the water is one day too long for the children of Be…
(2021-10-18). Indonesia: America's Model "Democratic Leadership". A Historical Review. globalresearch.ca First published by GR on April 1, 2018, this article by renowned geopolitical analyst Shane Quinn focusses on | US government support for the notorious dictator General Suharto of Indonesia, and Washington's involvement in the bloodbath which took place there in …
(2021-10-18). Alumni Couple Donates $5 Million Gift To Howard University. moguldom.com Alumni couple Eddie C. Brown and C. Sylvia Brown have donated $5 million to their alma mater, Howard University. The generous gift will go towards the Graduation Retention Access to Continued Excellence (GRACE) Grant, which supports Howard students who have financial difficulties, according to a news release from the university. "We are extremely grateful to Eddie …
(2021-10-18). Champion Of Iraq War WMD Case, General Colin Powell Dies Of Covid, Had Cancer. moguldom.com 
General Colin Powell, who made history as the first Black person to serve as U.S. Secretary of State, has died of complications from covid-19. He was 84. Powell's death was announced by his family in a statement on social media. "General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs …
(2021-10-18). Free Alex Saab Delegation at the African Bar Association. orinocotribune.com By John Philpot and Roger D. Harris — Oct 17, 2021 | John Philpot and Roger D. Harris offer an update on the legal aspects surrounding the case of Alex Saab. | Venezuelan government envoy Alex Saab was flown to the US on Saturday after more than a year detained in Cape Verde. The Venezuelan government denounced the "kidnapping" of the businessman, recalling that he carries a diplomatic passport, while his defense team pointed the finger at irregularities and political pressure as the extradition request moved through the Cape Verdean legal system. | In the following piece, written before the extradition, law…
(2021-10-17). Climate Activists Resume Weeklong Protest At Capitol. popularresistance.org Indigenous groups and other environmental activists marched to the Capitol Friday as they continued a weeklong protest demanding that Congress and the Biden administration stop new fossil fuel projects and act with greater urgency on climate change. Nearly 80 people were arrested on the fifth day of the "People vs. Fossil Fuels" protest. That brings the total arrested during the week to more than 600, organizers said.
(2021-10-17). Washington or Moscow: Decision-Time for Erdogan in Northern Syria. strategic-culture.org Continued US support for Kurdish militants is taking its toll on US-Turkish relations. Turkey's President Erdogan may finally have to choose between an American or Russian direction for his country. | By Tulin DALOGLU | In his 7 October statement renewing US national emergency powers in Syria, US President Joe Biden said: "The situation in and in relation to Syria, and in particular the actions by the Government of Turkey to conduct a military offensive into northeast Syria, undermines the campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, endangers civilians, and further threatens to undermine the…
(2021-10-17). Coalition Urges Biden to Change Approach to Global Food, Agriculture. truthout.org 
A coalition of farmer and food justice advocates is urging the Biden administration to revamp its approach to international food and agricultural policy into one that breaks "with the U.S. government's historical alignment with corporate agribusiness and neoliberal, unregulated trade orthodoxy." | The
(2021-10-17). Texas Guardsmen Shot By Heavily Armed Cartel Gunmen At Border. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Originally published on Heavily armed drug cartels are becoming more aggressive along the Texas-Mexico border amid President Biden's immigration crisis. Last week, Fox News' Bill Melugin captured cartel members
(2021-10-17). 21N: Opposition Looking to Form Alliances with Former Chavistas (APR's Uzcátegui) — Extreme Left and Right in Talks. orinocotribune.com With just over a month to go until the November 21 regional and municipal elections, in which Venezuelans will elect governors, mayors and legislative and municipal councilors, the opposition is seeking unlikely alliances in the hopes of overcoming the divisions that have characterized its current political situation. | An example of this is the case of one of the right-wing candidates for the mayorship of Caracas, Antonio Ecarri, who is still trying to win over votes despite the fact that the G4 coalition decided to nominate Tomás Guanipa instead. | Consequently, this week, Antonio Ecarri met Chavista dissidents…
(2021-10-17). Make Gig Work Decent Work. popularresistance.org On most days, Doug Ford's Conservative government in Ontario does not respond well to problems, or it actively makes things worse. If an election had been called a year-and-a-half ago, Ford would have lost. However, when COVID hit, Ford nearly brought Ontario to its knees. Nevertheless, he managed to deceive some into thinking he managed well. | Today, he is barely visible, having prorogued Queen's Park during September's federal election to protect his federal Conservative counterparts instead of stepping up to protect Ontarians and help guide our recovery. | Schools are suffering, hospitals and healthcare worke…
(2021-10-17). Nicaragua Calls on US Ambassador to Cease Covert Attacks. libya360.wordpress.com Kawsachun News The United States Ambassador to Nicaragua is being told to cease covert attacks and continued interference in Nicaragua with just weeks remaining before the country's general election. A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua, dated Monday, October 11, denounces "continuing interference in the affairs of our country, on the…
(2021-10-17). Unfortunately for Modi and Shah, the Congress Simply Does Not Go Away. zcomm.org But to mount a credible opposition, the Congress Working Committee must resolve to hold internal elections for the party's leadership based on a contest between policy planks…
(2021-10-17). Rikers' Forceful Guard Union Is Deepening the Jail's Humanitarian Crisis. truthout.org 
Outrage over the human rights abuses at New York City's Rikers Island penal colony is spreading, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and two other New York-based Congress members speaking out to decry the "inhumane conditions" at the jail after visiting it. Other New York politicians who have spoken out about the abuses at Rikers include Assembly members Jessica González-Rojas and Emily Gallagher and NYC public advocate Jumaane Williams. | Meanwhile, on September 28, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul decla…
(2021-10-17). Italy: Serious attack on democracy. pressenza.com On 9 October, militants of the neo-fascist extreme right took advantage of a massive demonstration in Rome, called to protest against the compulsory vaccination certificate [1] against Covid-19, to go towards the Italian government and violently attack the national headquarters…
(2021-10-17). Shaping US Middle East Policy Amidst Failing States, Failed Democratization And Increased Activism. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Written by The future of US engagement in the Middle East hangs in the balance. | Two decades of forever war in Afghanistan and continued military engagement in Iraq and elsewhere in the region have prompted debate about what constitutes a US interest in the Middle East. China, and to a lesser degree Russia, loom large in the debate as America's foremost strategic and geopolitical challenges. | Questions about US interests have also sparked discussion about whether the United States can best achiev…