Daily Archives: November 19, 2020

2020-11-19: News Headlines

_____ (2020-11-19). Susan Rice Is Asia's Worst Nightmare. strategic-culture.org Forget Libya—the Obama alumna was an absolute disaster in Asian affairs. That alone should disqualify her for Secretary of State. | Tanner GREER | There is a movement

Tim Wheeler (2020-11-19). Karl Yoneda and Elaine Black—star-crossed lovers in a class war. peoplesworld.org In October 1987, I covered a rally in Washington, D.C., for the People's Daily World celebrating the federal government's apology for the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. The event, which drew hundreds to the U.S. Capitol steps, was sponsored by the Japanese American Citizens League. Among those who flew into town …

MEE staff (2020-11-19). Saudi court sentences Salman al-Odah's brother to five years in prison. middleeasteye.net Saudi court sentences Salman al-Odah's brother to five years in prison | Khaled al-Odah's sentencing comes three and a half years after he was detained for showing solidarity with his brother on social media | Thu, 11/19/2020 – 17: 39 | Khaled al-Odah was also issued a travel ban preventing him from leaving the country (Abdullah Alaoudh/Twitter) | Saudi Arabia sentenced the brother of jailed cleric Salman al-O…

MEE staff (2020-11-19). Amnesty urges G20 leaders to 'stand up for brave activists' jailed in Saudi Arabia. middleeasteye.net Amnesty urges G20 leaders to 'stand up for brave activists' jailed in Saudi Arabia | Women's empowerment features prominently on G20 Agenda, despite several activists languishing in jail or facing trial | Thu, 11/19/2020 – 18: 17 | Protesters gather at Saudi embassy in Washington to remember slain Middle East Eye columnist Jamal Khashoggi (AFP/File photo) | Member states of the Group of 20 (G20) meeting in thi…

Ragip Soylu (2020-11-19). Turkey hikes interest rates after Erdogan agrees to swallow the bitter pill. middleeasteye.net Turkey hikes interest rates after Erdogan agrees to swallow the bitter pill | Central Bank vows to continue monetary tightening until a permanent fall in inflation | Thu, 11/19/2020 – 12: 27 | A man walks past an information screen displaying rates in front of an exchange office in Istanbul, on October 26, 2020 (AFP) | The Turkish Central Bank has increased its policy interest rate by 475 points to 15 pe…

Carla Stea (2020-11-19). Strangling Sanctions against North Korea. "Psychopathic Double Standards" at the UN Security Council. globalresearch.ca Do They Have a Conscience? | "A key difference between a psychopath and a sociopath is whether he has a conscience, the little voice inside that lets us know when we're doing something wrong, says L. Michael Tompkins, EdD. He's a …

news.un (2020-11-19). In the face of ridicule: one woman's fight to bring sanitation to a Nepali village. news.un.org 4.2 billion people are living without access to safely managed sanitation, putting them at increased risk of catching a host of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, cholera, and typhoid. On this year's World Toilet Day, which is marked on 19 November, we look at how Ratna Khawas has fought ridicule and tradition to improve hygiene in her Nepali village, with the help of the UN.

news.un (2020-11-19). In the face of ridicule: one woman's fight to bring sanitation to a Nepalese village. news.un.org 4.2 billion people are living without access to safely managed sanitation, putting them at increased risk of catching a host of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, cholera, and typhoid. On this year's World Toilet Day, which is marked on 19 November, we look at how Ratna Khawas has fought ridicule and tradition to improve hygiene in her Nepalese village, with the help of the UN.

Dmitry Bokarev (2020-11-18). India and ASEAN to Create a "Belt and Road Alternative"? asia-pacificresearch.com

Xia Zhijian (2020-11-18). How Can the Belt and Road Better Protect Biodiversity? asia-pacificresearch.com

news.un (2020-11-18). Backed by space technology, Asia-Pacific countries power sustainable development. news.un.org Asian and Pacific nations are leveraging space technology and geospatial information to respond to challenges on the ground, including in their efforts to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new United Nations report.

Gavan McCormack (2020-11-18). Japan, Australia, and the Rejigging of Asia-Pacific Alliances. asia-pacificresearch.com

South Front (2020-11-18). Video: Silent Retreat of Neo-Ottoman Forces from Syria. globalresearch.ca In October and the first half of November, the war in Syria remained in a relatively calm phase, which was not marked by any active military actions of the sides involved in the conflict. Nonetheless, this period demonstrated several trends …

Andrew Korybko (2020-11-18). Syrian Foreign Minister Muallem Was a Multipolar Visionary. globalresearch.ca Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem passed away earlier this week, but his multipolar vision will be remembered forever. The Arab Republic's top diplomat previously served as his country's Ambassador to the US from 1990-1999 prior to becoming Assistant Foreign Minister …

Ceren Sagir (2020-11-18). Thai students lead charge against military rulers and monarchy. peoplesworld.org Thailand's riot police fired water cannons and tear gas at protesters Tuesday as they tried to break through barricades outside parliament while possible changes to the constitution were discussed. Police had set up the barbed wire barricades earlier as hundreds of royalists demonstrated to call on MPs not to change the constitution. But the student-led …

Nadda Osman (2020-11-18). Jordanian children's channel 'servant' song causes backlash online. middleeasteye.net Jordanian children's channel 'servant' song causes backlash online | The song has been condemned as racist and accused of dehumanising domestic workers | Wed, 11/18/2020 – 12: 06 | Many have demanded that the video is removed for its derogatory and offensive content towards domestic workers (Screengrab/Twitter) | A children's song played on the Jordanian children's channel Karameesh, in which children si…

Media Lens (2020-11-18). The Dead and Those about to Die: Climate Protests and the Corporate Media. dissidentvoice.org The Roman poet Horace famously declared: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country. Wilfred Owen, the great English poet of the First World War, described this phrase as 'the old Lie' in his famous war poem, 'Dulce et decorum est'. Patriotism so often means 'honouring' …

RT (2020-11-18). 'Testament to transparency'? Pentagon reveals data on 'confirmed' civilian casualties of intervention against IS in Syria & Iraq. rt.com The Pentagon has released "the most comprehensive" data on civilian casualties of the US-led coalition operations against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, Airwars has said. Only officially conceded deaths are in it, though. | The UK-based conflict monitoring group Airwars said "more than three years of extensive engagement" with the US military allowed it to obtain the "most accurate and comprehensive data ever publicly revealed" by the Pentagon about civilian casualties inflicted by the US-led coalition operations in Syria and Iraq over the last five years. | New: Following several years of patient engagement…

Paul Cochrane (2020-11-18). The US's long financial war on Hezbollah – and Lebanon. middleeasteye.net The US's long financial war on Hezbollah – and Lebanon | The United States has piled sanctions on the Lebanese movement, but to what effect? | Wed, 11/18/2020 – 13: 14 | Supporters of Hezbollah and the Lebanese Communist Party demonstrate at the entrance of Beirut's international airport on 8 July 2020, to denounce the visit of the US Central Command chief to the country (AFP) | Over the past two d…

Staff (2020-11-18). As North Dakota Faces World's Deadliest Outbreak, Native Communities Condemn States' COVID Response. democracynow.org As COVID-19 rampages through the U.S., we look at how the rapid spread of the disease is affecting Native American communities, which have already faced disproportionate infection and death rates throughout the pandemic. "We're having a lot of people perish. We're having a lot of death, a lot of hospitalizations," says Jodi Archambault, a citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and former special assistant to President Obama for Native American affairs. We also speak with Allie Young, founder of Protect the Sacred, who says the Navajo Nation has "worked hard to flatten the curve" of COVID-19 infections but is st…

Ragip Soylu (2020-11-18). Turkish mob boss threatens opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. middleeasteye.net Turkish mob boss threatens opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu | CHP leader files criminal complaint against Alaattin Cakici after well-connected gangster issues hand-written threat of physical violence | Wed, 11/18/2020 – 11: 14 | Turkish underworld boss Alaattin Cakici arrives in a Vienna courtroom in handcuffs escorted by Austrian police in 2004 (Reuters) | A Turkish mobster has threatened Kemal Kili…

Ralph Nader (2020-11-18). Abdicating to Boeing: An Open Letter to FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson. counterpunch.org November 13, 2020 Stephen Dickson, Administrator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) U.S. Department of Transportation 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20591 Dear Mr. Dickson, It is now abundantly clear that instead of clearing out top Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operatives who have worked to make the FAA safe for Boeing, you have thrown in your

Pip Hinman (2020-11-18). West Papuans urge Dutton, AFP to stop training Indonesian military. greenleft.org.au West Papuan refugees and human rights campaigners are trying to meet government and Australian Federal Police officials to request they stop counter-insurgency training of Indonesian special forces. Kerry Smith reports.

Simone Chun (2020-11-18). Demand That the UN Command Stop Infringing on Korea's Sovereignty. counterpunch.org In an emergency press conference on November 10, 2020, Gyeonggi Vice Governor for Peace Lee Jae-gang protested against the UNC Command's rejection of his request to set up a peace office in a 6-person tent in front of Dora Observatory, which overlooks the Kaesong Industrial Complex from South Korea: "It is a terrible thing when

Andrew Emett (2020-11-18). Lawsuit filed against Fort Worth and police officer who killed innocent woman. nationofchange.org "Defendant Dean in his prowl around the backyard of her home caused Atatiana fear and uncertainty. Dean shot Atatiana, causing pain and suffering. Dean failed to render medical aid to Atatiana."

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-18). Intl. Resistance Filmfest great chance to touch Resistance. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 18 (MNA) — Stating that today the West seeks to justify its terrorist ideology, a Syrian artist said, "Resistance International Film Festival reflects the reality of the resistance and it is a great chance to watch the real resistance."

WSWS (2020-11-18). COVID-19 drastically impacts Bangladesh students and youth. wsws.org Students, like other poor sections of the society, have been ignored by the Awami League government.

Matthew Rozsa (2020-11-18). Is the pandemic making turkey more expensive?>. salon.com After outbreaks among agriculture workers, industry experts weigh in on the pandemic's effects on turkey prices…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-11-18). Several injured in police action against pro-democracy protesters in Thailand. peoplesdispatch.org Protesters in Thailand are demanding a curb on the monarchy's power. The government led by prime minister Prayush Cha-ocha has resorted to repression of the protesters and arrested several leaders…

MEE and agencies (2020-11-17). Iraq hangs 21 men for terrorism at notorious Nasiriyah prison. middleeasteye.net Iraq hangs 21 men for terrorism at notorious Nasiriyah prison | The men had been convicted under a 2005 counterterrorism law but there were no details on their specific crimes | Tue, 11/17/2020 – 08: 29 | Iraq ranks fifth among countries that carry out death sentences, according to Amnesty International (Reuters) | Iraq executed 21 men convicted of terrorism on Monday at the notorious Nasi…

Pranav Jani (2020-11-17). The 1857 rebellion in Colonial India. mronline.org The 1857 Rebellion against British rule in Colonial India hasn't always received the attention it deserves, despite being one of the most important uprisings of the 19th century. Pranav Jani argues it's high time we changed that.

Nur Ayoubi (2020-11-17). Covid in Lebanon: Minister's 'let women cook' in lockdown comment causes uproar. middleeasteye.net Covid in Lebanon: Minister's 'let women cook' in lockdown comment causes uproar | Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi also said women 'too timid' to be prime minister, sparking widespread backlash | Tue, 11/17/2020 – 12: 51 | Mohammed Fahmi has come under fire for his comments (Reuters) | Social media users in Lebanon have organised a campaign challenging controversial comments made by caretaker Interior Minis…

MEE staff (2020-11-17). Covid-19: Turkey to impose new measures to curb coronavirus surge. middleeasteye.net Covid-19: Turkey to impose new measures to curb coronavirus surge | All schools will remain closed until the year-end and there will be a curfew between 10am to 8pm on weekends, President Erdogan said | Tue, 11/17/2020 – 17: 23 | Erdogan said the government needs people to cooperate with these measures in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus (AFP/File photo) | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said…

Robert Fantina (2020-11-17). Jammu and Kashmir: Implications for Regional and Global Peace. globalresearch.ca The current situation in India's illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) is not without current, tragic precedent. Bringing non-native Kashmiris into the territory, and since April, two million non-natives have been approved to do so, with the goal of eliminating …

commondreams (2020-11-17). Mass Execution of 21 Individuals in Iraq Is an Outrage. commondreams.org ______________________________…

WSWS (2020-11-17). Student strikers in the Philippines demand government action on COVID-19 and typhoon devastation. wsws.org A student petition declared that the "The national government must act now" to address the devastation caused by the pandemic and massive typhoons, "or step down from their positions. No compromises."

teleSUR (2020-11-17). Thailand's Violent Protests Leave Over 40 Wounded. telesurenglish.net During a recent demonstration, at least 41 protesters were wounded, some with bullet wounds, while they were marching on the Thai parliament and clashed with police and royalist counter-protesters, in the worst violence since the movement emerged last July. | RELATED: | Police fired water cannon and teargas at protesters who cut through razor-wire barricades and removed concrete barriers outside parliament. The police denied tha…

Nigel Lisbon (2020-11-16). Indianapolis: Protesters take action as system lets another killer cop off the hook. liberationnews.org On Nov. 10, special prosecutor Rosemary Khoury announced that the grand jury she led to investigate the killing of Dreasjon Reed did not bring charges against killer cop Dejoure Mercer.

Staff (2020-11-16). "I Need That Pardon": Ronnie Long, Free After 44 Years, Demands Justice for His Wrongful Conviction. democracynow.org "It's a blessing within itself for me to even be sitting here right now," says Ronnie Long, free after 44 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. Long, who is African American, was convicted in 1976 of raping a white woman by an all-white jury and sentenced to 80 years in prison. In 2015, his lawyers learned that investigators had withheld exculpatory evidence proving his innocence — including semen samples and fingerprints taken from the crime scene that did not match his own — and witnesses for the state committed perjury at his trial. It would take several more years and a ruling by the 4t…

teleSUR (2020-11-16). Francisco Sagasti Elected New Interim President of Peru. telesurenglish.net The Peruvian Congress on Monday elected Francisco Sagasti as the new leader of its Board of Directors, which at the same time makes him the new successor to the former president, Manuel Merino, at the head of the country's presidency. | RELATED: | Along with Sagasti are Congresswoman for the Frente Amplio, Mirtha Vásquez, for Acción Popular, Luis Roel, and for Somos Perú, Matilde Fernández, in the first, second a…