Daily Archives: October 29, 2020

2020-10-29: News Headlines

MEE correspondent (2020-10-29). Iranian press review: Tehran's Baghdad ambassador 'happy' to be on US sanctions list. middleeasteye.net Iranian press review: Tehran's Baghdad ambassador 'happy' to be on US sanctions list | Meanwhile, Iran deploys ground forces to its borders with Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Tehran and Washington accuse each other of destabilising Afghanistan | Thu, 10/29/2020 – 14: 34 | Iran's ambassador to Iraq Iraj Masjedi has been blacklisted in the latest round of US sanctions (AFP) | Iran's Bag…

Steve Sweeney (2020-10-29). Turkey accused of shipping jihadist mercenaries into Azerbaijan-Armenia war. peoplesworld.org Jihadist groups are believed to have been present in Azerbaijan since at least February, it was claimed on Oct. 27, with Turkey accused of shipping in militia, including a Uyghur Muslim terror group, the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP). The Islamist fighters are thought to have been mobilized from their bases in Syria to join Azeri …

MEE staff (2020-10-29). Twitter suspends Palestinian accounts shortly after Israeli ministry report on 'phony' profiles. middleeasteye.net Twitter suspends Palestinian accounts shortly after Israeli ministry report on 'phony' profiles | Social media giant says accounts were 'amplifying the dissemination of information' that violated its terms of service | Thu, 10/29/2020 – 12: 24 | Sada Social has been recording and monitoring the suspension of Palestinian content and accounts on Twitter and Facebook since September 2017 (AFP) | Twitter has suspe…

Rayhan Uddin (2020-10-29). UAE police chief's bid to head Interpol sparks 'deep concerns' among rights groups. middleeasteye.net UAE police chief's bid to head Interpol sparks 'deep concerns' among rights groups | Emirati general Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi would 'damage' international police organisation's reputation, joint letter says | Thu, 10/29/2020 – 12: 52 | The election of Interpol's next president will be held on 7-8 December in Abu Dhabi (AFP/File photo) | The appointment of the United Arab Emirate's security chief as presi…

Julia Kassem (2020-10-29). Trump and Biden: Cold-War Dinosaurs. counterpunch.org If Americans have a modicum of memory, it is clear that baseless, warmongering accusations have time and time again been the precursor for winning consent over upcoming imperialist hostility. Accusing Iraq of harboring "weapons of mass destruction" in 2003, those that care to remember the administration of former President George W. Bush recalled the widespread condemnation from the left over how a lie cost over 1 million lives.

MEE and agencies (2020-10-29). Saudi Arabia: Man arrested after attacking French consulate guard 'with sharp tool'. middleeasteye.net Saudi Arabia: Man arrested after attacking French consulate guard 'with sharp tool' | The attack in Jeddah comes as tensions rise in the aftermath of French President Macron's comments defending the right to publish satirical images of Prophet Muhammad | Thu, 10/29/2020 – 11: 13 | Saudi Arabia on Tuesday condemned cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad (AFP/file photo) | A Saudi citizen w…

Liberation Staff (2020-10-29). PSL statement: Solidarity with the Statue Girl Keepers: Japanese reparations to Korea now! liberationnews.org The Party for Socialism and Liberation sends its unconditional solidarity to the "Statue Girl Keepers" and to the People's Democracy Party of South Corea in their relentless struggle against Japanese imperialism and pro-Japanese right-wing forces in their country.

MEE staff (2020-10-29). US warns of possible Houthi missile strikes on Saudi capital. middleeasteye.net US warns of possible Houthi missile strikes on Saudi capital | Saudi coalition spokesman said bomb-laden Houthi drones were launched toward the capital 'deliberately and systematically to target civilians' | Thu, 10/29/2020 – 15: 25 | Brian Hook, then-US special representative on Iran, on 21 June 2019 checks what Saudi officials said were Iran-made Houthi missiles and drones intercepted over Saudi territory (A…

MEE staff (2020-10-29). Turkey faces 'real' risk of sanctions for testing Russian S-400 missile system: US. middleeasteye.net Turkey faces 'real' risk of sanctions for testing Russian S-400 missile system: US | Turkey confirmed the first test of the S-400 earlier this month, despite repeated warnings from the United States | Thu, 10/29/2020 – 14: 49 | Following the delivery of the first battery of missiles last year, Turkey was excluded from an F-35 fighter jet training programme (AFP/File photo) | A US State Department official has…

South Front (2020-10-29). Video: Armenian-Azerbaijani War — One Month After. globalresearch.ca After a month of war, the Turkish-Azerbaijani bloc continues to keep the initiative in the conflict, exploiting its advantage in air power, artillery, military equipment and manpower. The coming days are likely to show whether Ankara and Baku are able …

Gareth Porter (2020-10-29). How a Key Pentagon Official Turned China Policy over to Arms Industry and Taiwan Supporters. globalresearch.ca The "Fortress Taiwan" arms deal overseen by ex-Assistant Secretary of Defense Randall Schriver is one of the most provocative U.S. moves against China in years — and a big win for his think tank's arms industry and Taiwanese patrons. | When …

Peoples Dispatch (2020-10-29). Indonesian protests mark re-emergence of social movements, civil society. peoplesdispatch.org Academic and activist Robertus Robet, talks about the wave of protests in Indonesia against the Omnibus Law, the key role played by the trade unions, and the challenges to democracy in the country…

Hamada Fara'na (2020-10-29). The Palestinians must try to win over disillusioned Israelis to their cause. zcomm.org Winning over those Israelis who are disillusioned with the way that their government is going ever more to the extreme right can help to tip the balance in the Palestinians' favour. When that starts to happen, anything is possible…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-10-29). China imposes sanctions on US arms companies over Taiwan arms deals. peoplesdispatch.org The announcement of sanctions comes in response to arms deals signed by Taiwan and the US worth billions of dollars. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Space & Security will be among the companies to be sanctioned…

Julia Conley, staff writer (2020-10-29). 'It's Not Just That You're a Crook': Watch Jon Ossoff Eviscerate Sen. Perdue Over Insider Trading, Covid Lies, and Healthcare Attacks. commondreams.org "You're attacking the health of the people that you represent," the Democratic challenger said to Georgia's incumbent GOP senator. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/screen_shot_2020-10-29_at_9.59.28_am.jpg

Reprieve (2020-10-29). New Report Exposes Secret US Drone Strikes in Yemen. globalresearch.ca A Airwars documented at least 30 locally-claimed US …

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-29). Islamic Unity Conf. should pursue new ways for solidarity. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 29 (MNA) — Top Iranian jurisprudent Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi warned of enemies' efforts to find new ways to divide the world of Islam calling on the Islamic Unity Conference to find new ways to boost solidarity among Muslims.

Dave DeCamp (2020-10-29). Putin Offers NATO Inspections to Prevent Deployment of INF-Banned Missiles. globalresearch.ca On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin The INF was signed between the US and the Soviet …

Carla Stea (2020-10-29). China: "Nuclear 'Sword of Damocles' Jeopardizes the Survival of Humanity". Entry In Force of Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. globalresearch.ca Background: An Auspicious October | October 2, 2020: United Nations High Level Meeting Commemorating and Promoting the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons: This Meeting Was Boycotted by United Kingdom, United States and France, AGAIN! | For many years …

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-29). Iranian animation goes to German film festival. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 28 (MNA) — Iranian animation 'Autumn Winds, Spring Winds, and Two Doves' by Sadegh Javadi, will take part in the 63rd edition of DOK Leipzig festival in Germany.

South Front (2020-10-28). Video:The US-brokered Humanitarian Ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh Collapsed. globalresearch.ca The US-brokered humanitarian ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh collapsed immediately after its start on the morning of October 26. Clashes between the sides did not stop even for a minute and Yerevan and Baku immediately accused each other …

Staff (2020-10-28). Headlines for October 28, 2020. democracynow.org White House Credits Trump with "Ending the COVID-19 Pandemic" as U.S. Cases Hit Record Highs, As 54 Million U.S. Residents Struggle for Food, Senate Adjourns Without Passing Relief Bill, Family of Walter Wallace Jr. Demands Justice After Fatal Police Shooting, Grand Jurors Call Actions of Louisville Police Officers Who Killed Breonna Taylor "Criminal", Trump Mocks Media Coverage of Coronavirus Crisis, Trump on Counting Votes Beyond Election Day: "I Don't Believe That's by Our Laws", Muslims Denounce French President for Defending Caricatures of Prophet Muhammad, Yemen's Humanitarian Workers Plead for Internationa…

Alan MacLeod (2020-10-28). Bolivia's Hardline Christian Govt Charged with Massacring Protesters as Morales Returns from Exile. thealtworld.com In her last days in office, US-backed strongwoman Jeanine Añez is attempting to push through judicial reforms that could help her in the coming months should she face trial for her crimes. | MPN— Almost exactly one year after he was overthrown in a

Adam Khalil (2020-10-28). Israel normalisation with Sudan 'deals blow' to Hamas in Gaza. middleeasteye.net Israel normalisation with Sudan 'deals blow' to Hamas in Gaza | Palestinian sources claim movement's procurement of weapons affected, though others say arms route dried up long ago | Wed, 10/28/2020 – 12: 22 | Ousted Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir (R) meeting with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at the Nur mosque in Khartoum on 30 December 2011 (AFP) | The normalisation agreement between Israel and Sudan…

Matt Taibbi (2020-10-28). Ten Ways to Call Something "Russian Disinformation" Without Evidence. globalresearch.ca How do you call something "Russian disinformation" when you don't have evidence it is? Let's count the ways. | We don't know a whole lot about how the New York Post story about Hunter Biden got into print. There are some …

John Stanton (2020-10-28). Liquid Capitalism: Everyone Drinks It, Swims in It, Drowns in It. globalresearch.ca The most radical socialists, Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters (Black, White, Latino or Asian), liberal and conservative zealots, diversity and equity gurus, pacifists, denizens of corporates and non-profits, rappers, rockers and country western musicians, Bernie Sanders, racists and White guilt …

MBNJSD (2020-10-28). Ending Regime Change in Bolivia and the World. dissidentvoice.org Bolivian woman votes in October 18 election Less than a year after the United States and the U.S.-backed Organization of American States (OAS) supported a violent military coup to overthrow the government of Bolivia, the Bolivian people have reelected the Movement for Socialism (MAS) and restored it to power. In the long history of U.S.-backed …

Aaron Maté (2020-10-28). Chomsky: OPCW cover-up of Syria probe is 'shocking'. mronline.org Noam Chomsky says that the OPCW's cover-up, under U.S. pressure, of a Syria chemical weapons probe raises "very severe suspicions."

Aaron Maté (2020-10-28). Draft debacle: Bellingcat smears OPCW whistleblower, journalists with false letter, farcical claims. thegrayzone.com Bellingcat claimed to have uncovered a letter that disproves OPCW inspectors and journalists who challenged the censorship of a Syria chemical weapons probe. But in one of many falsehoods, Bellingcat's "letter" was in fact only a draft that was never sent — and only further exposes the cover-up. Bellingcat, the NATO member state-funded website that has participated in a propaganda effort to accuse Syria of a chemical weapons attack in April 2018 and justify the US-led bombing that followed, has …

Lucas Leiroz de Almeida (2020-10-28). Will US Continue to Further Implement RAND Corporation's Strategy in Relation to Russia? globalresearch.ca The recent conflicts in the Russian zone of influence have attracted attention around the world. But little has been said about the possibility that such conflicts are part of a single common plan, designed to geopolitically destabilize Russia. This possibility …

Sheren Khalel (2020-10-28). US lawmakers to introduce bill that may allow Israel to buy bunker-buster bombs. middleeasteye.net US lawmakers to introduce bill that may allow Israel to buy bunker-buster bombs | Bipartisan group's legislation would allow Israel to buy munitions capable of penetrating Iran's underground nuclear infrastructure | Wed, 10/28/2020 – 16: 31 | Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker-busters are designed to be dropped by B-2 bombers like this one at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia (Reuters/File photo)…

Rayhan Uddin (2020-10-28). Saudi Arabia set to abolish kafala system: Report. middleeasteye.net Saudi Arabia set to abolish kafala system: Report | Riyadh due to announce new contract between migrant workers and their employers, ending controversial sponsorship system | Wed, 10/28/2020 – 11: 38 | Migrant workers working on a construction site in the Saudi capital Riyadh (AFP/File photo) | Saudi Arabia plans to abolish the controversial kafala sponsorship system for migrant workers, according to…

MEE staff (2020-10-28). Dubai to sell Israeli wine made in occupied Golan Heights. middleeasteye.net Dubai to sell Israeli wine made in occupied Golan Heights | The Israeli wine, manufactured by the Golan Heights Winery, is set to be distributed by UAE company African + Eastern from next week | Wed, 10/28/2020 – 13: 41 | A worker pours wine into a barrel at the Psagot Winery in the Israeli illegal settlement of Psagot, near the Palestinian West Bank city of Ramallah, on 19 November 2019 (AFP) | Israeli and Em…

Umar A Farooq (2020-10-28). Syria and Iraq among deadliest countries for journalists. middleeasteye.net Syria and Iraq among deadliest countries for journalists | Committee to Protect Journalists says little has changed in the two countries, where investigative reporting comes with high risks | Wed, 10/28/2020 – 17: 08 | Mourners carry coffin of Yussef Sattar, journalist reportedly killed while covering anti-government protests in Iraq in January (AFP/File photo) | Syria and Iraq remain among the wor…

RT (2020-10-28). US embassy in Emirates issues new terrorism warning to American citizens. rt.com The US embassy in the United Arab Emirates has warned Americans to be "very careful" of terrorist attacks, after a flareup in tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemeni rebels led the embassy in Riyadh to issue a similar alert. | US citizens in the Emirates were

MEE and agencies (2020-10-28). Qatar expresses 'regret' over invasive medical examinations of women at airport. middleeasteye.net Qatar expresses 'regret' over invasive medical examinations of women at airport | Qatar said its actions were triggered after a baby was found 'concealed in a plastic bag' abandoned in a bin at the airport | Wed, 10/28/2020 – 10: 27 | Doha said the abandoned baby is now receiving medical care and the first incident of its kind in Hamad International Airport (Reuters) | Qatar said it regret…

_____ (2020-10-28). If Biden Wins, Russiagate Will Magically Morph Into Chinagate. strategic-culture.org Caitlin JOHNSTONE | The same exact low rumble, slowly rising toward the same fever pitch crescendo. First you get a few unexpected comments showing up in your notifications, then a few more, then a lot more, then a whole lot more. It's one news story, then it's ten, then it's a hundred, then it's completely dominating half of US political discourse. | The increasingly shrill shrieking from rightists about China having leverage over Joe Biden is alarmingly similar to what I experienced from liberals at this exact point in time in 2016 about Russia having leverage over Donald Trump. When I point out these similarit…

_____ (2020-10-28). The U.S. Just Blackmailed Sudan. strategic-culture.org Washington has proven that it is willing to make people suffer, and even starve, if governments don't acquiesce to normalization with Israel, writes As`ad AbuKhalil. | As`ad ABUKHALIL | The recent announcement that Washington would be lifting U.S. sanctions on Sudan in return for Sudan's normalization with Israel is a case study of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. | Sudan, like Somalia, has long been a battleground for Cold War intrigues by the U.S., which is responsible for the massive export of arms to both countries. Like the longtime Somali dictator, Muhammad Siad Barre, Sudan's Jaafar Nimeiry (1969-19…

RT (2020-10-28). Russia's Covid-19 vaccines will NOT be given to tourists & won't be offered for sale until domestic demand is met: Health ministry. rt.com Russia's coronavirus vaccines will not be offered commercially and won't be given to tourists, the health ministry pledged on Wednesday after reports emerged in foreign media that "vaccination tours" are now on sale abroad. | Speaking to TASS, Alexey Kuznetsov, an assistant to the country's health minister, explained that any foreign visits being organised to Russia for vaccination against Covid-19 are entirely fraudulent. According to Kuznetsov, Russia's domestically produced vaccines won't be commercially available for quite some time. | "Vaccination is already underway, and it is free for citizens. Russians…

Mohammad Ayesh (2020-10-28). Arabic press review: Hundreds of Kuwaiti companies face bankruptcy amid coronavirus. middleeasteye.net Arabic press review: Hundreds of Kuwaiti companies face bankruptcy amid coronavirus | Meanwhile, Moroccan politician says Macron waging war on Islam, Egypt jails activist over tweet and IMF warns of 'challenging' times for poorer nations | Wed, 10/28/2020 – 17: 09 | Kuwaiti man stops at a currency exchange shop in Kuwait City (AFP) | Kuwaiti companies threatened with bankruptcy: | Hundre…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-28). UAE to become first Arab state to open consulate in Morocco-controlled Western Sahara. middleeasteye.net UAE to become first Arab state to open consulate in Morocco-controlled Western Sahara | The Moroccan King Mohammed VI welcomed the decision as 'historic' | Wed, 10/28/2020 – 07: 35 | Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, left, sits besides King Mohamed VI of Morocco on 2 December 2015 (AFP) | The United Arab Emirates is set to become the first Arab state to open a consulat…

Global Research News (2020-10-28). Selected Articles: Ten Ways to Call Something "Russian Disinformation" Without Evidence. globalresearch.ca By While California, Brazil and Bolivia have spent the past Northern Hemispheric summer burning and we all await more chaos created by more frequent natural disasters, a climate emergency …

RT (2020-10-28). Keep your cash in the country: New law means Russia's most important officials will be banned from having foreign bank accounts. rt.com Members of Russia's Security Council will be forbidden from keeping their money and valuables in banks outside of Russia, after the country's parliament passed a law restricting financial freedoms for the most powerful officials. | The bill, which passed through parliament on Tuesday, will bring the law in line with the new constitutional reforms. In July, Russian voters approved a wide-ranging package of amendments to the constitution, including a restriction on high-level officials having foreign citizenship or residency. | Once signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, members of the Security Council will…

Ragip Soylu (2020-10-28). Turkey outraged by new Charlie Hebdo cover targeting Erdogan. middleeasteye.net Turkey outraged by new Charlie Hebdo cover targeting Erdogan | The Turkish president says he will not look at the drawing so as not to give credit to the magazine that has insulted Islam | Wed, 10/28/2020 – 11: 23 | An angry Erdogan said that anti-Turkism was on the rise in Europe during his party's parliamentary group meeting on 28 October 2020 (AFP) | French magazine Charlie Hebdo has targeted Turkish…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-28). UK declares solidarity with France amid row with Turkey in wake of teacher's murder. middleeasteye.net UK declares solidarity with France amid row with Turkey in wake of teacher's murder | UK's foreign secretary calls on Nato allies to 'stand shoulder to shoulder' and 'never give terrorists the gift of dividing us' | Wed, 10/28/2020 – 08: 30 | Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab declared his country's support for France on Wednesday amid calls for an economic boycott triggered by anti-…

C.J. Hopkins (2020-10-28). The Last Days of the Trumpian Reich. dissidentvoice.org So, according to the corporate media, this is it for Russian-backed Hitler. Game over. The walls are closing in. It's the last days of the Trumpian Reich. Get those vuvuzelas ready! Yes, apparently, the American people, who were all a bunch of Putin-worshipping, white-supremacist neo-Nazis when they elected Trump in 2016, have come to their …

Bill Meyer (2020-10-28). Modern-day China through Chinese eyes: reviews from Toronto International Film Festival. peoplesworld.org &nbsp…

Anya Parampil (2020-10-28). Bolivia calls to investigate OAS for fraud and coup: Interview with Evo's Foreign Minister Diego Pary. thegrayzone.com The Grayzone briefly spoke with Bolivia's former foreign minister under Evo Morales, Diego Pary Rodríguez. He called for an investigation into the OAS for fraud and backing a coup, rejected Juan Guaidó, and expressed solidarity with Palestine. By Anya Parampil and Ben Norton We spoke with Bolivia's former foreign minister under Evo Morales, Diego Pary. He called for an investigation into the OAS for fraud and backing a coup, rejected Juan Guaidó, and expressed solidarity with Palestine. Interview by @AnyaParampil …

_____ (2020-10-28). UK Universities Reject Israel Lobby's Anti-Semitism Definition. popularresistance.org Only a minority of UK universities have adopted the misleading and politically motivated definition of anti-Semitism promoted by Israel and its lobby. | Despite repeated British government threats, fewer than 22 percent of higher education establishments have adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's "working definition" of anti-Semitism. | The IHRA definition has been repeatedly condemned by free speech defenders, Palestinians, Jewish activists, Palestine solidarity, Black and Asian groups.

Sally Abed (2020-10-28). Palestinian Maher Al-Akhras Demands: Freedom or Death. thenation.com Palestinian Maher Al-Akhras Demands: Freedom or Death…