Daily Archives: November 23, 2020

2020-11-23: News Headlines

Binoy Kampmark (2020-11-23). The Yemen Civil War Arms Bonanza. counterpunch.org "Making billions from arms exports which fuel the conflict while providing a small fraction of that in aid to Yemen is both immoral and incoherent." So thundered Oxfam's Yemen Country Director, Muhsin Siddiquey after consulting figures from the Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) showing that members of the G20 have exported over $17 billion worth of arms to Saudi Arabia since the Kingdom entered the conflict in Yemen. "The world's wealthiest nations cannot continue to put profits above the Yemeni people."

Ralph Nader (2020-11-23). Trump's Massive, Lawless, and Immoral Legacy to Our Country Will Continue Unless … counterpunch.org Trump has gotten away with almost everything throughout his bankruptcy-driven business career and his corrupt, cruel, and costly political years in the White House. Things changed on November 3, when he was retired by the voters. Refusing to concede, however, so as to prolong his crazed fantasies, Trump is distracting the mass media from his looting

Ralph Nader (2020-11-23). Trump's Massive, Lawless, and Immoral Legacy to Our Country Will Continue Unless … counterpunch.org Trump has gotten away with almost everything throughout his bankruptcy-driven business career and his corrupt, cruel, and costly political years in the White House. Things changed on November 3, when he was retired by the voters.

Caitlin Johnstone (2020-11-23). Surprise! America Is Getting Another Psycho For Secretary Of State. thealtworld.com Blinken is a liberal interventionist who has supported all of the most disgusting acts of US mass military slaughter this millennium, including the Iraq invasion. | Did you know the US Department of Defense used to be called the

Walden Bello (2020-11-23). What Will a Biden Presidency Mean for the Asia-Pacific Region? counterpunch.org Assuming Joe Biden will take the reins of the presidency on January 20, 2021, what will his likely policies toward the Asia-Pacific region look like? It is unlikely that Joe Biden will continue Trump's trade war with China. That would simply be too destabilizing for everyone. Not only is the U.S. greatly dependent on China

Hamid Dabashi (2020-11-23). "Coup 1953" Documentary Opens Up Wounds Over Britain's Criminal Role in Iran's History. globalresearch.ca "Angry TV film-makers stop release of lauded Iranian documentary,"

Richard Falk (2020-11-23). A Comic Display of Geopolitical Subservience: Mike Pompeo's Visit to Israel. globalresearch.ca Prefatory Note: Posted below is a greatly modified interview on the entirely inappropriate and distasteful visit of the U.S. Secretary of State to Israel for three days. It was distasteful and regressive to a degree that defied normal levels of …

Steven Sahiounie (2020-11-23). Obama Admits His Failure in Syria. The Sarin Gas Saga. Obama Supported Al Qaeda. globalresearch.ca Former US President Barack Obama has admitted in He was asked about the failures in his administration, and he …

Peoples Dispatch (2020-11-23). Following air strikes, Iran warns Israel against violating Syria's sovereignty. peoplesdispatch.org Israel carried out airstrikes inside Syria on November 18 and again on November 21. At least three Syrian soldiers and close to 15 militiamen were killed in the airstrikes…

Mitchell Plitnick (2020-11-23). Pompeo's Attack on BDS Is an Assault on Free Speech. globalresearch.ca Secretary of State Mike Pompeo broke a long-standing taboo and became the first American secretary of state to visit an Israeli settlement. Then, Pompeo announced that the United States would recognize products made in West Bank settlements as "made in …

James O'Neill (2020-11-23). A Lot More to Afghanistan Than the Current Distractions Would Imply. dissidentvoice.org It seems fitting that I write this on 22 November 2020, the 57th anniversary of the assassination of John F Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. The murder of Kennedy was lied about from day one. That comes as no surprise to those who follow geopolitics. What the JFK assassination tells us, however, is that the powers …

Richard Falk (2020-11-23). A Comic Display of Geopolitical Subservience: Mike Pompeo's Visit to Israel. zcomm.org Pompeo's gratuitous remark is a gesture of solidarity with the Netanyahu government, and irresponsibly treats the BDS Campaign as antisemitic…

Nadda Osman (2020-11-23). Uighur scholar arrested in Saudi Arabia at risk of deportation to China. middleeasteye.net Uighur scholar arrested in Saudi Arabia at risk of deportation to China | Activists and human rights advocates have raised concerns that Aimadoula Waili may be tortured in a 're-education' camp if sent back to China | Mon, 11/23/2020 – 15: 48 | The scholar fears he could be deported back to China, where Uighurs face persecution (Supplied) | A Uighur Muslim religious scholar was arrested in Saudi Arabia o…

MEE staff (2020-11-23). Israel's Netanyahu made secret trip to Saudi Arabia to meet crown prince, say reports. middleeasteye.net Israel's Netanyahu made secret trip to Saudi Arabia to meet crown prince, say reports | Saudi foreign minister denies meeting or any visit by Israeli officials, despite anonymous confirmations to US media | Mon, 11/23/2020 – 07: 37 | US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, L, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to make a joint statement after meeting in Jerusalem on 19 November 2020 (AFP) | Israeli…

MEE and agencies (2020-11-23). Israel invites Lebanese president for direct talks over maritime dispute. middleeasteye.net Israel invites Lebanese president for direct talks over maritime dispute | No indication on whether Michel Aoun intended to respond to the invitation by Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz | Mon, 11/23/2020 – 11: 51 | President Michel Aoun delivering a televised address on the eve of the country's 77th independence day, at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital (AFP) | I…

news.un (2020-11-23). No time to waste, as Yemen inches towards famine: UN Children's Fund. news.un.org Raising alarm over "an imminent catastrophe" in war-ravaged Yemen, the head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reiterated the urgent need for combatants to stop the fighting.

Johanna Ross (2020-11-23). How the 'Russian Threat' Is Being Used to Scare Scots Away from Independence. globalresearch.ca UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has — albeit inadvertently — single-handedly done his utmost to encourage the Scottish independence movement since he took office, even last week causing more offence north of the border with his 'devolution was a disaster' …

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). Iran keen on coop. for boosting peace, stability in Syria. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — Addressing Syrian officials in messages, the senior assistant to the Iranian FM in special political affairs stressed Iran's readiness to cooperate in strengthening peace and stability in Syria.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). Iraqi army launches anti-ISIL operation in Al Anbar province. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — Iraqi army launched a large-scale military operation against ISIL terrorist elements in Al Anbar province.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). Gantz, Ashkenazi not-informed of Netanyahu visit to S. Arabia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — Netanyahu informed neither Gantz nor Ashkenazi of his secret visit to Saudi Arabia.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). US sanctions against independent countries failed policy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — In a meeting with the Turkish Ambassador, the Iranian Parliament Speaker said that US sanctions against independent countries are a failed policy.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). Sustainable peace in Afghanistan requires regional consensus. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said that attaining sustainable peace in Afghanistan requires a regional consensus.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). Pompeo says US restricted Iran's access to oil revenues. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — The US Secretary of State claimed that US sanctions have prevented Iran from directly accessing 70 billion dollars in oil revenues.

Direct Action Everywhere (2020-11-23). Thursday 11/26: Protest for the 46 Million #NoThanks. indybay.org This November we will take action to elevate the stories of the 46 million turkeys who are killed for Thanksgiving.

_____ (2020-11-23). Abuses In Palm Oil Fields Linked To Top Beauty Brands. popularresistance.org Sumatra, Indonesia – With his hand clamped tightly over her mouth, she could not scream, the 16-year-old girl recalls — and no one was around to hear her anyway. She describes how her boss raped her amid the tall trees on an Indonesian palm oil plantation that feeds into some of the world's best-known cosmetic brands. He then put an ax to her throat and warned her: Do not tell. | At another plantation, a woman named Ola complains of fevers, coughing and nose bleeds after years of spraying dangerous pesticides with no protective gear. Making just $2 a day, with no health benefits, she can't afford to see a d…

Staff (2020-11-23). Reports of Meeting Between Netanyahu, Pompeo, bin Salman Spark Fear of Iran War. truthout.org The alarming possibility of a military attack on Iran — a nation that has long been in the sights of war hawks in the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Israel — was immediately invoked by foreign policy analysts Monday following

commondreams (2020-11-23). National Congress of American Indians Calls on Insurance Companies to Adopt Free, Prior and Informed Consent Policies. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Peter Koenig (2020-11-23). The China Moment. globalresearch.ca China has achieved the almost impossible — a free trade agreement with 14 countries — the ten ASEAN, plus Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, altogether 15 countries, including China. The so-called Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, was …

Amiad Horowitz (2020-11-23). RCEP creates world's largest free trade zone, but where does U.S. stand? peoplesworld.org HANOI—On Nov. 15, a group of 15 countries, including the 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other regional powerhouses like China, Japan, and Australia, made history by signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The agreement establishes the world's largest free trade zone, covering almost a third of the …

Joe Lauria (2020-11-23). It's Time for the US to Face Its War Crimes. globalresearch.ca Australia had to reveal heinous crimes its troops committed in Afghanistan, even after it prosecuted a whistleblower and raided a TV station. It's time for the U.S. to launch serious investigations of its own conduct in war, writes Joe Lauria….

Danny Sjursen (2020-11-23). What If They Called an Election and Nothing Changed in the War State? commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/syria_us_troops_0.jpg

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). Isfahan to host Iran-Qatar joint economic commission meeting. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 24 (MNA) — The 7th Iran-Qatar Joint Economic Commission Meeting will be held in historic city of Isfahan on Tue. Nov. 24 in the presence of Reza Ardakanian and Ahmed Al Kuwari chairmen of Iran and Qatar joint economic commission meeting.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). Police bust over 26 tons of narcotics in a week: official. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — According to the International Deputy of Iran Drug Control Headquarters, over 26 tons of illicit drugs have been seized by Iran's anti-narcotics police forces in the country in the last week.

Ariel Natan Pasko (2020-11-23). Pollard for President of Israel. indybay.org Pollard for President of Israel, Give Him Justice…

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). Inter-Afghan talks can lead to establish 'peace', 'stability'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — Iranian Parliament Speaker said that inter-Afghan talks can lead to the establishment of peace and stability.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). 'Driving Lessons' wins at Hebden Bridge filmfest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — Iranian Short 'Driving Lessons' has won an award at the 2nd edition of Hebden Bridge Film Festival in the UK.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). Iran exports to CIS hit $692mn in six months: TPO. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — An official in Iran's Trade Promotion Organization said that Iran's exports, in the first 6 months of the current Iranian year, hit $13.57 billion, of which $692 were exported to CIS.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). Defense Ministry to unveil Dena destroyer. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — Iran's defense minister says a state-of-the-art domestic destroyer dubbed "Dena" will join the Navy's fleet in the near future.

Abdel Bari Atwan (2020-11-23). Will Turkey intervene in Yemen? thealtworld.com and how will Riyadh react to Ankara's growing regional and Islamic role? | On the eve of the G-20 summit hosted by Saudi Arabia, King Salman phoned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and they agreed to resolve outstanding differences between their two countries through dialogue. This move not only reflected the kingdom's eagerness to ensure that Erdogan would personally take part in the 'virtual' gathering, Turkey being the only other Muslim member of the G-20. It was also an attempt to offset the danger posed by Turkey's growing role in the Islamic world to Saudi Arabia's perceived interests and presumed…

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). E3 foreign ministers to discuss Iran nuclear deal. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — Foreign ministers of Germany, UK and France in a trilateral meeting on Monday will review the latest development on Iran's 2015 nuclear deal, JCPOA.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). Aramco rocket attack coincides secret talks in S. Arabia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — Saudi Arabia was surprised when Jedda's ARAMCO distribution facilities were hit by rockets of Houthis on Monday morning a while after Pompeo, Netanyahu, and MBS were holding secret talks in the country.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-23). E3 Foreign Ministers seeking to cooperate on Iran: UK FM. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) — British Foreign Secretary said that E3 Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their commitments to cooperate on Iran in a meeting on Monday.

Dr. Binoy Kampmark (2020-11-22). The Yemen "Civil War" Arms Bonanza. Mammoth Weapons Sales to UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel. globalresearch.ca "Making billions from arms exports which fuel the conflict while providing a small fraction of that in aid to Yemen is both immoral and incoherent." So

Caitlin Johnstone (2020-11-22). MSM Already Helping Next Administration Hide Corruption Under 'Diversity' Banner. thealtworld.com There has never been a better time to be a woman, minority or member of the LGBT community who works in the DC establishment and thinks the poor should be made into pet food. | The New York Times has The article's authors warn against the nonexistent, completely imaginary threat of the next presidential administration…

MEE and agencies (2020-11-22). Israeli jets strike Gaza after rocket fire hits factory. middleeasteye.net Israeli jets strike Gaza after rocket fire hits factory | Israel and Hamas trade blame for fire exchanged over Gaza just a week after similar strikes | Sun, 11/22/2020 – 10: 30 | Smoke rises over Gaza buildings after an Israeli air strike on 22 November 2020 (Reuters) | Israel carried out air strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning after rockets from the blockaded territory hit an Isra…

South Front (2020-11-22). Video: Azerbaijani Troops Enter First of Districts that Are Set to be Returned Under Karabakh Deal. globalresearch.ca Late on November 19, Azerbaijani troops started entering the district of Agdam in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Agdam is one of the districts surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic that Azerbaijan lost to Armenian forces after …

RT (2020-11-22). Israel ratifies deal with UAE allowing first visa-free travel to Arab state. rt.com Israel has ratified a visa exemption agreement with the United Arab Emirates — its first such deal with an Arab state — as rapprochement between the former foes continues at a rapid pace. | Israeli ministers unanimously voted to support the treaty during a cabinet meeting on Sunday. | The visa exemption agreement had been signed between the sides in Tel-Aviv in October, when two UAE ministers paid a historic visit to Israel. The government in Abu Dhabi reportedly ratified it earlier this month. | This means that Israeli and UAE citizens will be able travel to each other's countries without applying…

Jordan Woll (2020-11-22). COVID chaos: U.S. government set to allow relief programs to expire when needed the most. liberationnews.org Just when financial assistance is needed the most to allow people to stay safe at home instead of risking their lives and public health by going out to work, key government programs are set to expire in a matter of weeks.

RT (2020-11-22). Russia claims its pioneering Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine will cost less than Western rivals as US pharma giants announce price tags. rt.com First the vaccines, now the bill. As G20 leaders called, at the weekend, for fair distribution, US pharma giants have started to announce how much their products will cost,. Meanwhile, Russia says its alternative will be cheaper. | The two American drug makers that aim to bring their vaccines to market first have now revealed their pricing strategies. Pfizer, which filed for US approval of its formula on Saturday, said earlier that a dose of its product will carry a $19.50 price tag. Moderna, thought to be close to signing a deal for a comprehensive rollout in the European Union, announced this week that it wi…

Mike Walter (2020-11-22). The Heat: APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. america.cgtn.com Leaders from APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group, have pledged to work toward free and open trade to revive economies battered by the coronavirus pandemic. A virtual gathering of APEC economic leaders wrapped up Friday, with member nations calling for economic integration and closer cooperation …