Daily Archives: November 2, 2020

2020-11-02: News Headlines

Ramzy Baroud (2020-11-02). What Does Israel Have against Palestinian Singer, Mohammed Assaf? counterpunch.org Why does Israel hate Palestinian singer, Mohammed Assaf? On October 16, Avi Dichter, Israeli Member of Parliament from the right-wing Likud Party, announced that Assaf's special permit to enter the occupied Palestinian West Bank would be revoked. Assaf, originally from Gaza, now lives with his family in the United Arab Emirates. He achieved stardom in

Stephen Lendman (2020-11-02). No Letup in US War on Iran by Other Means Ahead. globalresearch.ca On all things Iran under both right wings of the US war party, transforming the country into a subservient vassal state is a high priority. | Regardless of whether Republicans or Dems control the White House and/or Congress, things won't change …

MEE and agencies (2020-11-02). France set to ban Turkish ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves. middleeasteye.net France set to ban Turkish ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves | The move comes as tensions between Turkey and France are at a high over a range of issues | Mon, 11/02/2020 – 16: 08 | A French army soldier stands guard as a police officer walks by outside the National Armenian Memorial Centre in Decines-Charpieu, near Lyon, on 1 November 2020 (AFP) | France is set to ban the Turkish ultra-nationa…

Ronda Shelton (2020-11-02). More than 20 percent of Black Tennesseans barred from voting. liberationnews.org As millions of Americans cast their vote in the upcoming Presidential election, more than 20 percent of Black Tennesseans will be unable to participate due to past felony convictions. That's 1 out of 5 Black adult Tennesseans. The state's racial makeup is 78 percent white, 17 percent Black, 1.7 percent Asian, 0.3 percent Native American, …

MEE staff (2020-11-02). Israel's demolitions in West Bank and East Jerusalem reach four-year high. middleeasteye.net Israel's demolitions in West Bank and East Jerusalem reach four-year high | At least 741 Palestinians have lost their homes between January and September | Mon, 11/02/2020 – 12: 32 | An Israeli bulldozer demolishes a Palestinian farm in the village of al-Fikheet within area C, south of the occupied West Bank, 18 October 2020 (AFP) | Israeli demolitions of Palestinian properties have hit a four-year high, makin…

MEE and agencies (2020-11-02). Turkey: Three-year-old girl rescued from collapsed building days after deadly earthquake. middleeasteye.net Turkey: Three-year-old girl rescued from collapsed building days after deadly earthquake | The 6.9 magnitude earthquake has killed at least 85 people in Turkey and Greece since Friday | Mon, 11/02/2020 – 09: 26 | Three-year-old Elif holding the finger of a rescue worker on Monday after she was found under the rubble of a collapsed building, 65 hours following the earthquake struck Izmir (R…

Joe Gill (2020-11-02). Israeli drone maker targeted by activists in UK on Balfour anniversary. middleeasteye.net Israeli drone maker targeted by activists in UK on Balfour anniversary | Elbit Systems UK factories are hit in direct action protests to 'decommemorate' 1917 declaration over ongoing UK complicity in dispossession of Palestinians | Mon, 11/02/2020 – 15: 23 | Pro-Palestine activists locked themselves to the gates of UAV Engines' Shenstone factory, where motors for Elbit Systems UK drones are built, on Monday (Scre…

MEE and agencies (2020-11-02). UAE defends Macron amid France tensions. middleeasteye.net UAE defends Macron amid France tensions | Emirati foreign affairs minister rejects claims that French president expressed intentions to isolate Muslims, while Crown Prince Bin Zayed hails France's 'cultural diversity' | Mon, 11/02/2020 – 12: 16 | UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash speaks during a press conference in Sudan's capital Khartoum on 14 January 2020 (AFP)…

Hans Baer (2020-11-02). Ecosocialism: an alternative to global capitalism. mronline.org Over the past four decades or so, various leftists have become more sensitive to the environmental degradation in developed and developing capitalist societies and post-revolutionary societies, particularly in the former Soviet Union and, in recent times, China.

Rohollah Faghihi (2020-11-02). Millions of Iranians at Risk as US Sanctions Choke Insulin Supplies. globalresearch.ca A new tranche of sanctions imposed by the US on Iran has exacerbated the insulin shortage crisis in the Islamic Republic and boosted its smuggling, patients and doctors told Middle East Eye. | On 8 October, the US Treasury announced that …

WSWS (2020-11-02). This week in history: November 2-8. wsws.org 25 years ago: Israeli prime minister assassinated On November 4, 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a right-wing Jewish fanatic, revealing the depths of the social and political crisis of the Zionist state.

Raul Diego (2020-11-02). Freedom of Speech on the Internet is all but Extinct: Facebook's New "Free Speech Court" Is Anything but Independent. globalresearch.ca Freedom of speech on the Internet is all but extinct, and on the eve of the 2020 US elections, a de facto "free speech court" is going to make sure it never comes back. On Facebook at least. | ***…

Anthony Cartalucci (2020-11-02). Thailand's Monarchy and Why the US Targets It. thealtworld.com I attended an annual event Thailand's King Rama 10 presided over and witnessed thousands of Thai people attend to celebrate their culture, history, and their monarchy which is the living embodiment of both. | I explain how Thailand's monarchy is not a Western or Middle Eastern monarchy and should not be analyzed as such. Thailand's monarchy is the key to why the nation has never been colonized by Western imperialists in its 700 year history. | And today Thai people have sent a clear message to US-funded mobs that there are still many who believe in this Thailand and not what the mobs seek to transform it into.

Max Abrahms (2020-11-02). France at knifepoint as IS, Al-Qaeda incite new terrorist wave. thealtworld.com Current wave of terrorism in France is reminiscent of recent attacks when IS had caliphate in Syria and Iraq, says professor Max Abrahms | France is believed to be facing a new terrorist threat, similar to the attacks that hit the European country in 2015 and 2016. Some groups representing Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda exploit the outrage over controversial cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. | In October, the country saw several attacks that pushed the government to raise the nationwide terror alert level to maximum. The new terror alert level comes just as France goes into a second national lockdown that…

WSWS (2020-11-02). Months of unpaid wages spark strikes by delivery drivers across China. wsws.org To maintain or boost profits amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the big express delivery companies have lowered prices, shifting the burden onto local courier stations and exploiting delivery workers ever more harshly.

Mel Gurtov (2020-11-02). In Defense of Confucius Institutes. counterpunch.org Readers may be surprised to learn that while disputes between the US and China over trade, human rights, and the pandemic are making headlines, educational exchange programs are Washington's chief target these days. These programs are easy marks for an administration that wants to demonstrate toughness with Beijing. It is arousing suspicion about several categories

Gordon Duff (2020-11-02). Nuclear Education: America's Secret Plan to Create a Fake Iranian Nuclear Program (censored/suppressed). thealtworld.com Today's delve into the world of nuclear secrets begins with a short discussion of the "trial that never happened," or as some are aware, the trial of a CIA officer going on in Virginia today. "If a trial isn't reported, does jail time for a phony crime inconvenience one quite as much?" | From Politico: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a highly unusual public appearance Thursday — taking the witness stand for the prosecution in a criminal case against a former CIA officer on trial for leaking details of a top-secret spy program. | Former CIA case officer, Jeffrey Sterling, a man who knew of Ame…

Kester Kenn Klomegah (2020-11-02). Russian Government Prioritizes Small and Medium Scale Businesses, Affected by Covid-19 Crisis. globalresearch.ca Over the years, Small and Medium Scale Businesses (SMEs) have been uttermost focus for the Russian government recognizing the fact that these provide employment and support the overall economy. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the government has seriously prioritized the sector, …

_____ (2020-11-02). 'Let The World Remember How We Lost Palestine'. popularresistance.org Occupied Palestine – Today, Palestinians and human rights advocates around the world are marking 103 years since the Balfour Declaration was issued on November 2, 1917. | Using the hashtag #Balfour103, Palestinian and pro-Palestine activists have called to participate in a campaign they launched to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, rejecting the ominous promise. | The Balfour Declaration was issued by Britain when Arthur James Balfour, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, sent a letter to Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild, one of the leaders of the World Zionist movement…

_____ (2020-11-02). How Maher al-Akhras Is Resisting Israel's Administrative Detention. popularresistance.org Facing imminent death, 49-year-old Maher al-Akhras has been refusing to eat in prison for more than three months. The Palestinian father of six has been protesting his repeated arbitrary arrests; he is currently in administrative detention, without charge or trial. | Like many hunger strikers before him, Akhras does not seek death, although he is evidently prepared to die. The hunger strike is his way of refusing to become a modern-day Sisyphus, completing one administrative detention only to begin another. Reclaiming his body from the hands of Israeli authorities, he now wields his own life as a card to make a s…

Areeb Ullah (2020-11-02). Saudi Arabia 'censored' criticism by top economist during T20 summit. middleeasteye.net Saudi Arabia 'censored' criticism by top economist during T20 summit | Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz criticised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi | Mon, 11/02/2020 – 11: 15 | Joseph Stiglitz shed light on human rights violations in Saudi Arabia during his virtual participation at the Think 20 summit hosted by Riyadh (Screengrab) | Saudi Arabia censored a speech gi…

_____ (2020-11-02). Why Is Europe Courting Revolution? strategic-culture.org All eyes remain on the U.S. election, and on fathoming its consequences. But in the shadow of 'The Election', there are other 'moving parts': Germany just offered Washington 'a sweetheart deal' in which, Europe — with Germany leading — accepts to leverage America's full-spectrum strategy of isolating and weakening Russia and China. And in return it is asking the U.S. to acquiesce to German leadership of a 'power-political', European entity that is raised to parity with the U.S. That, bluntly, is to say, Germany is angling for 'superpower' status, atop an EU 'empire' for the new era. Putin recognised s…

The Canary (2020-11-02). Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe 'relieved' at avoiding prison after court hearing. thecanary.co Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has expressed her relief at not being sent back to prison after appearing before a court in Iran, according to her family.The 42-year-old British-Iranian dual national was told she would be returned to Evin prison in Tehran following Monday's hearing, but it was adjourned before she could put forward a defence, her husband Richard Ratcliffe said.She has been detained in Iran since 2016, when she was sentenced to five years in prison over allegations, which she denies, of plotting to overthrow the Iranian government. | Free Nazanin campaign can confirm that today (Monday 2 November) Nazan…

news.un (2020-11-02). Philippines: Humanitarians respond as millions caught in wake of devastating 'super typhoon'. news.un.org UN agencies and humanitarian actors in the Philippines are mobilizing to support communities hit by super Typhoon Goni, which has barrelled across the country, leaving massive devastation in its wake.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). White House's behavior important for Iran, not promise: Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 03 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister said that what is important for Iran is how the White House behaves after the US election, not what promises there are.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). Police bust over 1.2 tons of drugs in SE Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — Iran's counter-narcotics forces busted over 1.2 tons of different illicit drugs in the southeastern border regions in two operations on in the past 24 hours.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). Iran, Russia discuss expanding coop. within EAEU. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for the Economic Diplomacy Affairs and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister conferred on boosting relations within the framework of EAEU.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). Muslims celebrate birthday of Prophet of Islam, Imam Sadiq. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 3 (MNA) — Shia Muslims in Iran and around the world observe the birthday anniversary of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (PBUH) on Tuesday.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). 'Takfiris product of West to harm Muslims' image'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — Iran's Judiciary Chief says Takfiri terrorism is a product of western powers and an effort to distort the image of Muslims in the world.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). 22 Iranian convicts transferred from Iraq to Islamic Republic. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — Iranian Deputy Justice Minister for Human Rights and International Affairs said that 22 Iranian convicts have been transferred from Iraq to Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). Islamic Iran to continue 'Fight on Arrogance" with more power. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) —The Guardian Council in a statement on the occasion of commemorating Aban 13 (Nov. 03) wrote that "We will continue to fight against arrogance with more power and authority."

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). Iranian nation ruins grandeur of US. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — Iranian intelligence minister said by its resistance, the Iranian nation has ruined the grandeur of the United States and put that totalitarian regime on the verge of collapse.

Elaine Shelly (2020-11-02). Four Pandemic Americas: Infinite Choices, Few Choices, Pseudo-Choice, and No Choices at All. counterpunch.org My mother is a Black woman. But when I had to place her in nursing home care in 2016, I intentionally chose a home in a largely white community. Why? Because she was more likely to survive there. Let me explain. After President Trump's recent Covid-19 hospitalization, people said there were two Americas — one

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). Iran Air Force begins military drill on Monday. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) started a military exercise in the central province of Isfahan with the participation of units from seven airbases on Monday.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). Utmost efforts needed to spread unity among Islamic Ummah. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — Iranian Parliament Speaker's Special Aide for International Affairs said that utmost efforts should be made for spreading unity and amity among Islamic Ummah.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). Army will not allow any enemy's aggression against Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 3 (MNA) — Iran's Army Forces in a statement on Monday on the occasion of Aban 13, which marks the anniversary of US Embassy Takeover, said that Army Forces of the country will not allow any aggression of enemy against the Islamic Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). Defending Prophet's values priority of all Islamic countries. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — In separate messages to his Muslim counterparts, Iran's 1st VP noted that defending the values of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH), is the priority of all Islamic countries.

Uriel Araujo (2020-11-02). Chinese Presence in the Caribbean, New Global Power Encroaching on US Hegemony? globalresearch.ca Many analysts have been closely watching the growth of Chinese naval power and its increasing presence across both the Indian and Pacific oceans, collectively known as the …

Asa Winstanley (2020-11-02). Israel lobby slaughters Corbyn again. zcomm.org It seems that for the Israel lobby, slaughtering Corbyn once was not enough…

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). Fight against Arrogance a deep-rooted notion in Islamic Rev. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — IRGC statement stressed that "fight against global arrogance" is a deep-rooted notion in principles of the Islamic Revolution of Iran which will not be influenced by power shift between Democrats and Republican.

Collier Freedom Movement (2020-11-02). Monday 11/2: America Is On The Ballot: Indian Country Unites to Vote. indybay.org Online event…

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). 'To Be Is Better Than Not To Be' to be screened in Argentina. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — Iranian documentary 'To be is better than not to be' directed by Iman Bayatfar will be screened in El Festival Internacional de Cine Austral in Argentina.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). Rouhani felicitates Prophet Muhammad's birth anniversary. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has sent separate messages to the heads of Islamic countries, congratulating his counterparts on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-02). 11th National Ceramic Biennial of Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 02 (MNA) — On Oct. 31, the 11th National Ceramic Biennial of Iran was inaugurated virtually in Niavaran Cultural Center in which 94 works by 87 Iranian artists will be displayed for a month.

South Front (2020-11-01). Video: Azerbaijani Troops Are at the Gates of the Capital of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. globalresearch.ca The Nagorno-Karabakh war has apparently been developing in the favor of the Turkish-Azerbaijani bloc. On the evening of October 29, the Armenian side confirmed that Azerbaijani troops have almost reached the second largest town in Nagorno-Karabakh — Shusha, which is …

MEE and agencies (2020-11-01). Violent clashes break out in Baghdad, Basra and other Iraqi cities. middleeasteye.net Violent clashes break out in Baghdad, Basra and other Iraqi cities | Day after Tahrir Square, centre of anti-government demonstrations, was cleared by authorities, protesters return to the streets | Sun, 11/01/2020 – 19: 19 | Iraqi anti-government protesters confront security forces in the southern city of Basra, on 31 October 2020 (AFP) | Anti-government protests broke out into violent cl…

Kaamil Ahmed (2020-11-01). Iran arrests leading Arab separatist figure abroad. middleeasteye.net Iran arrests leading Arab separatist figure abroad | Ahwazi group claims Iran 'kidnapped' former leader, Habib Asyud, in Turkey | Sun, 11/01/2020 – 15: 46 | Habib Asyud gives an interview to an Arabic TV channel (screengrab) | A leading Iranian-Arab separatist figure from Iran's southwestern Ahwaz province has reportedly been captured abroad and transferred to Iran. | Iran has accused Habib Asyud of b…

_____ (2020-11-01). Macron Is No T. E. Lawrence, but It Is Still the Arab World Which Can Save Him in Lebanon. strategic-culture.org An inferiority complex linked to Lebanon's colonial past is responsible for Macron failing in Lebanon. But maybe his racist rant about Islam might fix that. | Is there no end to Emmanual Macron's gaffes in the Muslim world? It almost feels as though they roll in on a weekly basis and have given journalists a new Trump-like subject to busy them, distracted away of course from the more serious subjects of the day. | But attacking Islam is no joke. And one has to wonder whether the sanity of Macron is all there, a point made by the Turkish President recently when he suggested the French President was losing his mind…

MEE staff (2020-11-01). Robert Fisk, famed UK Middle East correspondent, dies aged 74. middleeasteye.net Robert Fisk, famed UK Middle East correspondent, dies aged 74 | In a decades-long career, Fisk reported on five Israeli invasions, the Lebanese civil war, the Iran-Iraq war and the 2011 Arab revolutions | Sun, 11/01/2020 – 22: 42 | Journalist Robert Fisk, who has died aged 74 (The Guardian) | The veteran British foreign correspondent Robert Fisk has died at the age of 74. | The journalist and author was report…

Robert Hunziker (2020-11-01). Dumping Fukushima's Water into the Ocean. counterpunch.org For nearly a decade the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has been streaming radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. As it happens, TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Co.) struggles to control it. Yet, the bulk of the radioactive water is stored in more than 1,000 water tanks. Assuredly, Japan's government has made an informal decision