Daily Archives: November 25, 2020

2020-11-25: News Headlines

Howard Lisnoff (2020-11-25). The US Still Penalizes Thousands of Veterans. counterpunch.org The military has a very long history of denying veterans' benefits to soldiers. From a high of veterans granted benefits through the GI bill following World War II, the number of veterans who have been denied benefits beginning during the Vietnam War accelerated and reached new highs during…

Binoy Kampmark (2020-11-25). Skewed Responsibility: Australian War Crimes in Afghanistan. counterpunch.org The Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry was always going to make for a gruesome read — and that was only the redacted version. The findings of the four-year investigation, led by New South Wales Court of Appeal Justice and Army Reserve Major-General Paul Brereton, point to "credible evidence" that 39 Afghan non-combatants

M. K. Bhadrakumar (2020-11-25). Return of Great Game in Post-Soviet Central Asia. globalresearch.ca The recent Issue Brief by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission entitled

South Front (2020-11-25). Video: Yemeni Houthis New Generation Quds-2 Cruise Missile Strike against Saudi Arabia. globalresearch.ca The Yemeni Houthis have fired their new cruise missile, the Quds-2, at a Saudi Aramco oil company distribution station in the kingdom's city of Jeddah, the group's media news wing announced early on November 23. A spokesperson for the Armed …

James Bovard (2020-11-25). How Many Syrians Did You Vote to Kill? counterpunch.org How many Syrians did you vote to kill on Election Day? Thanks to our perverse political system, the answer will be revealed over the next four years if the Biden administration drags the U.S. back into the Syrian Civil War. But there are steps that Trump can take in his final months in office to

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-25). FM's assistant condemns Bamiyan terrorist attack. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 25 (MNA) — Iran Foreign Ministry's Director-General for West Asia condemned a deadly attack that killed and injured dozens of people.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-25). UAE halts new visas to citizens of 13 mostly Muslim states. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 25 (MNA) — The United Arab Emirates has stopped issuing new visas to citizens of 13 mostly Muslim-majority countries, according to a document issued by a state-owned business park.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-25). Bombings, minefield kill 29 in pro-Turkey north Syria. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 25 (MNA) — Twenty-nine people were killed Tuesday by explosives in three separate incidents in parts of north Syria along the border with Turkey, a war monitor said.

Tom Clifford (2020-11-25). Xi Jinping's "China First" globalresearch.ca Tom Clifford reporting from Beijing | It isn't about what happened, it's about what will happen. Our time has come is the catchphrase, a rallying cry. The people are told they have been cheated. It won't happen again. We are the …

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-25). Turkey suspiciously boosting military presence in N Iraq. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 25 (MNA) — A member of the Patriotic Union of Iraqi Kurdistan party noted that Turkey is strengthening its military presence in northern Iraq.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-25). Khaf-Herat railway to come on stream in few weeks: Roads min. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 25 (MNA) — Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development said that Khaf-Herat railway between Iran and Afghanistan will become operational before the termination of the Iranian month of Azar (Dec. 20).

news.un (2020-11-25). UN officials denounce bombings in northern Syria. news.un.org Two separate bomb attacks in northern Syria on Tuesday, which reportedly left at least seven civilians dead and many more wounded, have been condemned by the UN.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-25). 9 power plants to come online by yearend: min. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 25 (MNA) — Iranian energy minister informed that 9 power plants will come online by the current yearend (March 20, 2021).

Kym Robinson (2020-11-25). The Australian Special Forces' Culture of Death. asia-pacificresearch.com

Yogesh Jain (2020-11-25). How the privatization of medicine in India is accelerating its COVID-19 death toll. peoplesdispatch.org The COVID-19 crisis was an opportunity for the public systems to recapture their rightful position as the predominant health care providers in the country. But the public systems were unprepared for the task…

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-25). VIDEO: Russia thwarts ISIL attack in Moscow, detains one. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 25 (MNA) — Russia's Federal Security Service said on Wednesday it had thwarted "terror" attacks planned by ISIL in the Moscow region, uncovering and breaking up a militant cell.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-25). US impedes Iraqi MPs' access to assassin. report of Soleimani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 25 (MNA) — Putting pressure on the Iraqi govt., the US embassy in Baghdad is preventing the Iraqi MPs to have access to the assassination report of IRGC Cmdr. Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Kester Kenn Klomegah (2020-11-25). Putin Talks Global Stability and Coronavirus Vaccine with Ambassadors. globalresearch.ca While receiving newly arrived Ambassadors accredited to the Russian Federation from different foreign countries including Rwanda, Gambia and Central African Republic, President Vladimir Putin stressed the importance of coordinating global efforts to ensure stability and halt the spread of coronavirus …

South Front (2020-11-24). Video: Armenia Is Trolling Russia, Digging Its Own Grave Around the Clock. globalresearch.ca As of November 23, the Russian peacekeeping force has finished its deployment in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, that included the sending 1960 personnel and 552 units of equipment. The total number of observation posts currently kept by Russian forces in …

WSWS (2020-11-24). New Zealand government, media downplay Australian war crimes in Afghanistan. wsws.org Prime Minister Ardern did not condemn the Australian war crimes, as her government has sought to cover up similar atrocities committed by New Zealand special forces.

WSWS (2020-11-24). Labor governments presided over most confirmed Australian war crimes in Afghanistan. wsws.org Many of the war crimes flowed out of Labor's escalation of Australia's role in the occupation of Afghanistan, including in US-led "kill or capture" operations.

RT (2020-11-24). The My Lai Massacre, Babies Thrown onto Bayonets. dissidentvoice.org A throwback to legendary investigative journalist Seymour Hersh discussing exposing the My Lai massacre by American soldiers in the Vietnam War, among other war crimes.

Caitlin Johnstone (2020-11-24). This Is Your Brain On Echo Chambers: Right Calls Biden A Xi Puppet As He Packs His Cabinet With China Hawks. thealtworld.com This is your brain: This is your brain on media echo chambers: Joe Biden set to appoint …

Staff (2020-11-24). Groundbreaking Indigenous news and commentary show coming to The Real News Network. therealnews.com TRNN is excited to announce the upcoming launch of "Decolonized News Hour," a groundbreaking show featuring the latest stories from Indian Country, in all its underappreciated diversity, and investigations of current issues from Native perspectives.

Stephen Lendman (2020-11-24). Big Lie that Won't Die: Russiagate Still Around. globalresearch.ca The scheme was cooked up by Obama/Biden regime Russophobes John Brennan, Hillary and the DNC — to smear Russia and discredit Trump at the same time. | It aimed to maintain and escalate US hostility toward the Russian Federation — for …

Sara Flounders (2020-11-24). Class struggle in China — How to deal with multibillionaires? workers.org "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is an old story repeated in many variations, from Greek myths to a famous German poem by Goethe in 1797 to an Alfred Hitchcock film and several Disney versions. All variations deal with summoning or unleashing overwhelming forces that can't be controlled. In "The Communist Manifesto," Karl . . . |

RT (2020-11-24). Syrian state media reports 'Israeli aggression' near Damascus & in southern Quneitra. rt.com The Israeli military has allegedly struck at least two sites in Syria, including in the Damascus countryside and near villages south of Quneitra, Syrian state media reported. Only material damage was inflicted in the attacks. | Early reports indicate the strikes, launched early Wednesday morning, hit near the town of Jabal Al-Mani in a rural area around the Syrian capital, as well as the village of Ruyhaina located south of Quneitra, which straddles the border between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. It is yet unclear what munitions were used in the attacks or whether Syrian defenses attempted to…

Clinton Nzala (2020-11-24). Malawi is Just the Beginning: How Israel Changed the Political Narrative of an Entire Continent. mintpressnews.com The Palestinian cause was pivotal on the agenda of many African political parties in the 1970s and '80s. Over the last three decades, however, it has been pushed to the fringes of political discourse save for a handful of countries on the continent.

MEE and agencies (2020-11-24). Turkey Khashoggi trial: Journalist felt threatened by MBS's allies, court hears. middleeasteye.net Turkey Khashoggi trial: Journalist felt threatened by MBS's allies, court hears | A hearing of the Istanbul-based trial into the Saudi journalist's murder hears testimony of Khashoggi talking about high-level threats years before his death | Tue, 11/24/2020 – 12: 03 | Friends of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi attend an event marking the second-year anniversary of his assassinati…

Shatha Hammad (2020-11-24). What did the PA gain for resuming security coordination with Israel? middleeasteye.net What did the PA gain for resuming security coordination with Israel? | Activists say they expect the Palestinian Authority to crackdown on dissent, as Palestinians criticise a return to the coordination policy | Tue, 11/24/2020 – 14: 37 | Palestinian Authority security forces stop vehicles at a checkpoint in Nablus in the occupied West Bank on 2 July 2020, after authorities reimposed a Covid-19 loc…

Dean Baker (2020-11-24). How Many Lives Would Have Been Saved, If We Had Cooperated on a Vaccine With China? counterpunch.org We know that Republican office holders are not allowed to say that Joe Biden won the election. Apparently there is a similar ban in place for news outlets when it comes to the question of the United States collaborating with China, and other countries, in developing vaccines against the pandemic. In recent days, there have

RT (2020-11-24). Terrorism investigation opened into attack on 2 women in Swiss store, suspect 'shouted Allahu Akbar' during stabbing. rt.com A stabbing attack which injured two women in a department store in the Swiss city of Lugano is being investigated as a suspected terrorist act. The female suspect, who allegedly called out 'Allahu Akbar,' has been arrested. | The attack occurred around 2pm local time, when a 28-year-old Swiss woman, who lives in the area, grabbed the first victim by the neck with her bare hands before turning on a second woman and slashing her with a knife, police said. | According to local reports, the attacker seized a bread knife from a store display as her weapon. She also reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar!" and screamed th…

MEE staff (2020-11-24). HRW calls on Saudi Arabia to reveal status of detained Uighurs. middleeasteye.net HRW calls on Saudi Arabia to reveal status of detained Uighurs | Aimadoula Waili and Nurmemet Rozi were arrested last week by Saudi authorities and risk deportation and torture in China, rights group says | Tue, 11/24/2020 – 20: 05 | Human Rights Watch has called on Saudi authorities to 'immediately disclose' the status of Hemdullah Abduweli and Nurmemet Rozi (AFP/File photo) | Human Rights Watch has called on…

Ian Cobain (2020-11-24). British military operating in scores of locations across Middle East. middleeasteye.net British military operating in scores of locations across Middle East | UK forces have 23 bases and personnel in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Gulf states and the US embassy in Jerusalem | Tue, 11/24/2020 – 11: 39 | British and Omani tank crews photographed during exercises in Oman in 2018 (Twitter) | The UK government is maintaining a military presence at scores of facilities across the Middle East, according…

Serene Khattab (2020-11-24). Egypt: Singer suspended by music syndicate over photo with Israeli celebrities. middleeasteye.net Egypt: Singer suspended by music syndicate over photo with Israeli celebrities | Mohamed Ramadan also faces a court case over accusations of normalisation with Israel | Tue, 11/24/2020 – 13: 36 | Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan has come under fire after posing for a photo with Israeli celebrities (AFP) | Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan was suspended by Egypt's Union of Artistic Syndicates on Mon…

MEE and agencies (2020-11-24). Yemen's Houthis launch missile attack on Saudi Aramco site, say officials. middleeasteye.net Yemen's Houthis launch missile attack on Saudi Aramco site, say officials | UK foreign Secretary says Houthis must 'cease their aggression' following attack which triggered explosion but left no injuries | Tue, 11/24/2020 – 07: 56 | A view of a kerosene silo at the Saudi Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea city of Jeddah (AFP) | An attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels on a Saudi Aramc…

RT (2020-11-24). 'Stop the threat': Saudi Arabia blames Houthis for Aramco missile attack in letter to UN Security Council. rt.com Saudi Arabia has told the United Nations Security Council that Yemen's Houthi militia is behind the missile attack at a petroleum facility in Jeddah owned by its Aramco oil company on Monday, in a formal letter seen by reporters. | A letter penned by Saudi UN ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi called on the 15-member body to "stop the threat" that the Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to energy security, Yemeni politics, and regional stability, Reuters reported on Tuesday. | "It has been identified that the Houthis militia backed by Iran is responsible for the terrorist attack," Al-Mouallimi said in the letter, rep…

RT (2020-11-24). 'John McCain' warship drama: US Navy defends vessel entering Russian waters by blasting Moscow's 'EXCESSIVE maritime claims'. rt.com The US Navy has called Russia's claims of maritime territory "excessive" and described an alleged incursion by one of its ships, the USS 'John S. McCain', into Russian waters as a routine "Freedom of Navigation Operation." | Russia's Ministry of Defense

Ragip Soylu (2020-11-24). Turkey: Erdogan ally Bulent Arinc resigns in dispute over reforms. middleeasteye.net Turkey: Erdogan ally Bulent Arinc resigns in dispute over reforms | Arinc left the Turkish president's high advisory council after he called for the release of two high-profile prisoners | Tue, 11/24/2020 – 15: 14 | Then-Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, talks to his then-deputy Bulent Arinc during a debate at the parliament in Ankara on 25 February 2010 (AFP) | One of the leading associ…

RT (2020-11-24). Over ONE BILLION doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19 expected to be ready in 2021 as producer promises low prices. rt.com More than 500 million people will be able to take the pioneering Russian Sputnik V vaccine to fight coronavirus next year, according to is developers, who say the jab will be sold cheaper than those of its foreign competitors. | The drug will be produced not only in Russia but also by "leading foreign pharmaceutical companies" which have agreed to cooperation deals with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Talks with additional international partners are underway to further increase production capacity. | "Sputnik V will be two or more times cheaper than mRNA vaccines with similar efficacy levels," RDIF…

RT (2020-11-24). Two explosions in central Afghanistan kill 14 people, wound 45 — officials. rt.com At least 14 people have been killed and dozens more injured after twin blasts in the central Afghan province of Bamiyan on Tuesday afternoon, provincial officials said. | The explosives were hidden at the side of a road in a main bazaar in Bamiyan city and claimed the lives of 12 civilians and two traffic policemen, while wounding 45 other people, Reuters quoted Zabardast Safai, the police chief of the province, as saying. | The people who sustained injuries in the attack were mostly in a nearby restaurant and shops at the time of the blasts, according to Safai. | A spokesperson at the Afghan Ministry of Inter…

RT (2020-11-24). Over 1 BILLION doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against Covid expected in 2021 as producer promises low prices. rt.com More than 500 million people will be able to take the pioneering Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus next year. Its developers say the two-shot jab will be sold cheaper than those of its foreign competitors. | The drug will be produced not only in Russia but also by "leading foreign pharmaceutical companies" who agreed to cooperation deals with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Talks with additional international partners are underway to further increase production capacity. | "Sputnik V will be two or more times cheaper than mRNA vaccines with similar efficacy levels," RDIF said in a st…

RT (2020-11-24). Commercial interests & Russia/West geopolitical struggle combine to make race for Covid-19 vaccines a new battleground. rt.com It seems that the struggle to find a remedy to deal with coronavirus is being overtaken by geopolitical rivalries and prejudice. Not to mention the commercial interests at stake in a market potentially worth up to $100 billion. | Another vaccine has entered the race to rid the world of the Covid-19 pandemic, but unlike the US version, when the team behind the British-produced AstraZeneca product announced its successful preliminary trial results, the company's shares plummeted in trading on Monday. | By contrast, US pharma giant Pfizer's earlier announcement, on November 9, saw stock markets around the world (…

Evelyn Leopold (2020-11-24). Biden is Facing a Showdown on Iran Sanctions. counterpunch.org President Trump has called the Obama-initiated nuclear agreement for Iran a "horrible one-sided deal" and withdrew from it in 2018. Except he really didn't. This past summer, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo began a series of appeals to the UN Security Council, saying that the United States was still a member of the deal, based

RT (2020-11-24). US Navy defends entering Russian waters by blasting Moscow's 'EXCESSIVE' maritime claims. rt.com The US Navy has called Russia's maritime claims "excessive" and described an alleged incursion by one of its ships, the USS John S. McCain, into Russian waters as a routine "Freedom of Navigation Operation." | The Russian Ministry of Defense

Peter Koenig (2020-11-24). China's Reaction to an Unannounced US Visit to Taiwan. globalresearch.ca Background | China has reacted strongly to a senior US official's unannounced visit to Taiwan, warning that it will take legitimate and necessary action according to circumstances. | The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman reiterated Beijing's firm opposition to any official ties between …

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-24). US providing ISIL with weapons in Iraq. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 24 (MNA) — An Iraqi security expert stressed that ISIL terrorist elements receive weapons from foreign forces inside Iraq.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-24). Car bomb explodes in al-Baba district , NE Aleppo. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 24 (MNA) — Syrian sources reported that a car bomb had exploded in the city of Al-Bab, northeast of Aleppo in northern Syria but they did not mention the details.

Ashlie D. Stevens (2020-11-24). At Trump's final bizarre turkey pardon, his ongoing refusal to concede was the elephant in the room. salon.com The president talked up the Dow and made a racist swipe at the "China virus," but no mention of the transition…

sputniknews (2020-11-24). Israel Strikes South of Damascus Province, Damage Inflicted, Syrian Army Says. sputniknews.com The reports follow last week's airstrikes conducted by the Israeli military, which, the IDF said, targeted Iranian Quds and Syrian Army objects in Syria. The attack resulted in three soldiers killed and one injured, Syrian media said, citing a military source.