Monthly Archives: November 2020

2020-11-16: News Headlines

Editor (2020-11-16). There's Still No Evidence Hunter Biden's Emails Are 'Russian Disinformation'. scheerpost.com Wikimedia Commons] By Glenn Greenwald / Substack Congressman Adam Schiff, the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and, not coincidentally, the single most shameless pathological liar in the U.S. Congress by a good margin, appeared on CNN with Wolf Blitzer on October 16 to discuss The New York Post story about Hunter Biden's emails. The CNN host asked him a rhetorical question embedded… |

Paul Street (2020-11-16). This Regime Must Go NOW: Three Reasons. counterpunch.org The Trump campaign and White House are scheming to get the Republican-controlled state legislatures of Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania to declare invalid the mail-in ballots required by the pandemic Trump fueled and fanned across the nation. This would be the pretext for some or all those legislatures trying to install (over the protests of Democratic governors in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan) un-elected slates of Trump electors to the Electoral College, claiming that Trump won the "legal" popular vote in their states. The murky legal and constitutional tangle that could result fro…

M.K. Bhadrakumar (2020-11-16). India's farewell to ASEAN as it boards RCEP train. mronline.org It comes in the specific context of the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership [RCEP] on Sunday—the mega free trade agreement centred on the ASEAN plus China, Japan and South Korea.

Caitlin Johnstone (2020-11-16). The Best Plants And People Grow From Shit. thealtworld.com There are creatures the size of mountains swimming beneath the ice. | There are babies laughing at things you can't see. | That quiet old woman there, sitting in the corner: | she has seen some shit, man. | The lushest plants have their roots in shit, | and the lushest people, too. | They do not rise above the shit, | their roots dangling like car wash tentacles as they levitate in the air. | They sink into it. | They build their foundation in it. | They do not transcend, | they embody. | And they grow. | They grow above the shit. | They grow into the shit. | They grow of the shit. | You are not a snipped and dyi…

Ralph Nader (2020-11-16). Trump's Ongoing Crime Wave Requires a Special Prosecutor. counterpunch.org There are many reasons why loser Trump refuses to concede. Yes, delusion has been the counterfeit coin of his fantasy realm — "I won this election by a lot" he tweeted with all caps last Saturday. In his fevered mind — nourished by a bullying career — all victories are his triumphs, and all losses are fake due

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…

Lucas Leiroz de Almeida (2020-11-16). New Trade Zone in Asia-Pacific Could Ensure Chinese Global Leadership. asia-pacificresearch.com

Andrew Korybko (2020-11-16). The Kashmir Dispute: Pakistan Accuses India of Being a State Sponsor of Terrorism. globalresearch.ca Pakistan released a detailed dossier during a press conference on Saturday making the case that India is a state sponsor of terrorism whose intelligence services have weaponized this phenomenon as part of the proxy war that they're fighting with respect …

Mohammad Ayesh (2020-11-16). Arabic press review: Algerian court sentences media mogul to five years in prison. middleeasteye.net Arabic press review: Algerian court sentences media mogul to five years in prison | Meanwhile, Jordanian MPs are due to be prosecuted over alleged 'vote buying', and more than 200 prominent Palestinians campaign for one-state solution | Mon, 11/16/2020 – 14: 32 | Anis Rahmani's organisation served as the media wing of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's administration (Facebook) | Algerian cour…

Peter Oborne (2020-11-16). Nagorno-Karabakh: Monastery becomes symbol of Armenian grief. middleeasteye.net Nagorno-Karabakh: Monastery becomes symbol of Armenian grief | Armenians flock to Dadivank before site is formally handed over to Azerbaijan as part of ceasefire deal | Mon, 11/16/2020 – 11: 32 | Father Hovhannes said he intended to remain at Dadivank. Azerbaijan has said religious sites will be protected (Reuters) | "Whatever happens I am going to stay," said Father Hovhannes, the priest at the ancie…

MEE staff (2020-11-16). Pakistan under pressure to recognise Israel, says Imran Khan. middleeasteye.net Pakistan under pressure to recognise Israel, says Imran Khan | Prime minister says United States and other countries ramping up pressure following Israel's deals with UAE and Bahrain | Mon, 11/16/2020 – 14: 46 | Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan addresses the legislative assembly in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, 5 August (AFP) | Pakistan is under pressure from the US and other co…

MEE staff (2020-11-16). Etihad Airways removes advert featuring Second Jewish Temple. middleeasteye.net Etihad Airways removes advert featuring Second Jewish Temple | Promotional video was part of announcement that airline will start operating flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv | Mon, 11/16/2020 – 15: 32 | Screengrab of Etihad Airways' promotional video, subsequently removed, showing a drawing of Jerusalem's Second Temple as one of Israel's landmarks (Twitter\@etihad) | Etihad Airways has removed a video adv…

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.

Dr. Binoy Kampmark (2020-11-16). A Dedicated Obsession: Washington's Continuing Iran Sanctions Regime. globalresearch.ca One dogma that is likely to persist in US foreign policy during a Biden presidency will be the sanctions regime adopted towards Iran. Every messianic state craves clearly scripted enemies, and the demonology about the Islamic Republic is not going …

Gregory Hood (2020-11-16). America's Social Credit System Is Worse than China's. asia-pacificresearch.com

Anadolu Agency (2020-11-16). Pakistani PM Khan Says He Is Under Pressure to Recognize Israel. globalresearch.ca Pakistan's prime minister said he has been under "pressure" to recognize Israel. However, Islamabad will never recognize the "Zionist" state until a just settlement is reached for the decadeslong Palestinian issue. | In an interview with a local broadcaster aired on …

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-16). Zarif condoles with Syria over his counterpart's demise. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has offered condolences to the Syrian government over the death of his counterpart Walid al-Moallem.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-16). UN anti-Iran Human Rights resolution ignores Iranians' rights. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (MNA) — Ali Bagheri-Kani deplored the UN anti-Iran resolution on Human Rights which has ignored many human rights violations against Iran such as US cruel sanctions and the assassination of General Soleimani.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-16). Slovakian, Thai, Japanese envoys submits credentials to Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (MNA) — The new ambassadors of Slovakia, Thailand and Japan submitted a copy of their credentials to the Iranian Foreign Minister on Monday.

WSWS (2020-11-16). This week in history: November 16-22. wsws.org 25 years ago: Peres succeeds Rabin as Israeli prime ministerOn November 22, 1995, Shimon Peres officially succeeded Yitzhak Rabin as Israeli prime minister, 18 days after Rabin was assassinated by a religious Zionist fanatic. Peres's major political moves upon taking office—an appeal for new peace talks with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and the appointment of several new cabinet ministers—demonstrated an acute awareness of the depth and explosive potential of the social and political crisis of the Zionist state.

Uriel Araujo (2020-11-16). India and US Signed a Game-changer Defence Deal, Amid the Rise of What Could be a New Bipolarity. asia-pacificresearch.com

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-16). Macron, Pompeo to confer on issues related to Iran in Paris. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (MNA) — A French newspaper reported that the French President will hold a meeting with the US Secretary of State to discuss issues related to Iran on Monday.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-16). Gasoline rationing scheme: From policy to practice. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (MNA) — These days last year, Iranians were surprised by the sudden news of the implementation of a program for rationing gasoline and also the increase in the fuel prices.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-16). VIDEO: American experts discuss Iran's cyberpower. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — American experts discuss the cyber power of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this video.

news.un (2020-11-16). UN human rights experts denounce 'concerted attempt' to erode civic space in Cambodia. news.un.org Voicing concerns over increasing restrictions on the civil society in Cambodia, a group of independent UN human rights experts have called for an immediate end to the systematic detention and criminalization of activists.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-16). 'Moallem made great efforts to counter threats of Zionists'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Parliament Speaker appreciated the late Syrian FM Walid al-Moallem's great efforts to counter the threats of the Zionist regime.

WSWS (2020-11-16). Large COVID-19 outbreak in Xinjiang, China. wsws.org Repeated flare-ups of coronavirus in different regions of China highlight the fact that the pandemic is a global issue that cannot be resolved on a national basis by locking down borders.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-16). Hashd al-Sha'abi captures 5 ISIL elements in Diyala. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (MNA) — Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Sha'abi have arrested 5 ISIL terrorist elements in Diyala province.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-16). Iran Health Ministry announces 13,053 new COVID-19 cases. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (MNA) — A spokesperson in the Iranian Health Ministry said that 13,053 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in the past 24 hours which brings total infections to 775,121.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-11-16). What is RCEP and why are trade unions in the Asia-Pacific region concerned about it? peoplesdispatch.org Even as the new agreement between ASEAN nations and its free trade partners establishes the largest trading bloc in the world, it is vehemently being opposed by labor unions, trade justice groups and women's movements…

Daniel Nichanian (2020-11-16). ICE Suffered Blows in the South in Last Week's Elections. zcomm.org Voters in populous Georgia and South Carolina counties elected sheriffs who ran on ending contracts with ICE…

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-16). Wahhabi terrorists to fail in northern borders of Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (MNA) — Ali Akbar Velayati said that the presence of Wahabi terrorists in the northern borders of Iran is doomed to failure.

Middle East Eye (2020-11-16). Groups Critical of Israel to be Branded 'Antisemitic' Under Pompeo Plan: Report. globalresearch.ca The US State Department is expected to announce plans to create a new governmental process that would officially designate some groups, including NGOs and human rights organisations, as antisemitic. | Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reportedly decided to establish the …

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-16). FAO starts project on improving Iran agro-rural capacities. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (MNA) — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) started the implementation of a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project to enhance the resilience of Iranian rural communities and agricultural systems.

RT (2020-11-15). Russian military setting up humanitarian response center in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh to assist refugees displaced by conflict. rt.com Following the Moscow-brokered armistice between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Russian military has begun setting up a humanitarian response center in Stepanakert, the de facto capital of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. | The conflict over the territory, which had been raging since late September, came to an abrupt end on Monday, after Russia managed to persuade Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders to agree to halt the fighting. As part of the truce, Russian peacekeepers moved into Nagorno-Karabakh to separate the warring sides and curb any possible provocations. | The Russian military has already started setti…

Vietnam News Agency (2020-11-15). Acuerdo de Asociación Económica Integral Regional firmado tras años de conversaciones. peoplesworld.org HANOI, 15 nov (VNA) — Ministros de 15 países de la región Asia-Pacífico firmaron hoy el Acuerdo de Asociación Económica Integral Regional (RCEP) después de ocho años de conversaciones. El pacto comercial involucra a 10 países miembros de la ASEAN: Brunéi, Camboya, Indonesia, Laos, Malasia, Myanmar, Filipinas, Singapur, Tailandia y Vietnam, y los socios del …

MEE and agencies (2020-11-15). Assassination of PM foiled as Armenia withdraws from Nagorno-Karabakh. middleeasteye.net Assassination of PM foiled as Armenia withdraws from Nagorno-Karabakh | Armenian Premier Pashinyan had come under pressure to quit after agreeing to ceasefire in the contested region | Sun, 11/15/2020 – 11: 11 | Thousands have demonstrated against Nikola Pashinyan, pictured here on 6 October 2020, after he agreed to a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh after nearly two months of fighting (AFP)…

RT (2020-11-15). Iran boosts military cooperation with Iraq as it warns of US-backed 'terrorists' being redeployed to the region. rt.com A senior Iranian military official has hailed an agreement to increase defense cooperation with Iraq, claiming that the two nations must guard against extremists allegedly being sent into the region by Washington. | Tehran and Baghdad have drafted a plan that calls for joint military drills and cooperation between their defense industries, as well as strengthening border security. The document will be finalized and formally signed in the near future, according to Iranian state media. | Iraqi Defense Minister Juma Anad Saadoun, accompanied by senior Iraqi commanders, traveled to Tehran to iron out the deal. | R…

Marwa Osman (2020-11-15). Iraq Threatens U.S.—MES EP.80. thealtworld.com Iraq's anti-terror Kata'ib Hezbollah group, a faction of the country's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) better known as Hashd al-Sha'abi, has warned that a "tougher and stronger" confrontation awaits US forces should they defy a timetable set for their withdrawal from the Arab country. The Iraqi resistance further warned that the next stage of the fight will soon take place featuring new types of weapons. To discuss this issue with us from Malmo is Feras Ali political commentator. | Israeli Bulldozers and diggers demolished Palestinian village of Khirbet Humsa last week, leaving 74 people, including 41 minors, ho…

sputniknews (2020-11-15). Strong 6.1-Magnitude Earthquake Registered in Mindanao, Philippines. sputniknews.com An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 hit Mindanao in the Philippines, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre.

sputniknews (2020-11-15). Hallyu Star Lee Seung-gi is Back With His New Song. sputniknews.com Talented South Korean actor dropped the pre-release song "Ordinary Man" ahead of his full 7th album.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). Iran-Bulgaria: Great capacities for coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — Taking a look at the commonalities between Iran and Bulgaria in a variety of aspects, signals that the two countries have great capacities for further enhancing ties.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). Shamkhani's meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani met and held talks with the visiting Iraqi Minister of Defense Juma Inad Sadoon in Tehran on Sunday.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). Iran's new amb. submits credentials to Qatari official. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — Iran's new envoy to Qatar submitted a copy of his credentials to the Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). 'Iran self-reliant in port construction sector'. en.mehrnews.com CHABAHAR, Nov. 16 (MNA) — In an interview with Mehr news the Head of Coastal and Port Engineering department of PMO said Iran is self-reliant in the port construction sector and the majority of the maritime equipment in Iranian ports is domestic.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). Iran to avenge perpetrators of assassinating Martyr Soleimani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said that Iran will certainly revenge the perpetrators of assassination of former IRGC Quds Force Commander Martyr Lt. Gen. Soleimani.

Iran Aguilera (2020-11-15). Communal Organisation: The Barcelona Experience. zcomm.org Venezuelan communard Iran Aguilera examines the advances of popular power in Anzoátegui State…

American Indian Resource Center at UCSC (2020-11-15). Friday 11/20: Indigethanx. indybay.org Online Event | http: //bit.ly/INDIGETHANX20…

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). Parliament's Sunday open session. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Parliament, during its open session on Sunday, investigated an urgent bill to extend the VAT law.

Global Times (2020-11-15). China's U.S. Funded Think Tanks and Research Institutions. Interference in China's Internal Affairs? globalresearch.ca While US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calls for vigilance over think tanks he believes are "tainted by the machinations" of foreign governments, he turns blind eye to the fact that the US is the world's worst when it comes …

2020-11-15: News Headlines

MEE and agencies (2020-11-15). Israeli army strikes Gaza Strip overnight. middleeasteye.net Israeli army strikes Gaza Strip overnight | The air and land attack took place shortly after the first anniversary of the assassination of an Islamic Jihad leader | Sun, 11/15/2020 – 10: 33 | Israeli air strikes, like the one pictured in the town of Khan Younis on 23 October 2020, are a regular occurrence in Gaza (AFP) | The Israeli army said it struck Hamas positions in the besieged Gaza…

Binoy Kampmark (2020-11-15). A Dedicated Obsession: Washington's Continuing Iran Sanctions Regime. dissidentvoice.org One dogma that is likely to persist in US foreign policy during a Biden presidency will be the sanctions regime adopted towards Iran. Every messianic state craves clearly scripted enemies, and the demonology about the Islamic Republic is not going to go begging. Elliot Abrahams, the current US special representative for Iran, told Associated Press …

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). Shamkhani's meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani met and held talks with the visiting Iraqi Minister of Defense Juma Inad Sadoon in Tehran on Sunday.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). MP terms re-negotiation with fraudulent liars as foolish idea. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — MP Moghtadaei stressed, "re-negotiation of JCPOA with fraudulent liars and criminals, who have never stopped their hostile moves against Iran, is basically a foolish idea."

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). Parliament's Sunday open session. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Parliament, during its open session on Sunday, investigated an urgent bill to extend the VAT law.

Iran Aguilera (2020-11-15). Communal Organisation: The Barcelona Experience. zcomm.org Venezuelan communard Iran Aguilera examines the advances of popular power in Anzoátegui State…

American Indian Resource Center at UCSC (2020-11-15). Friday 11/20: Indigethanx. indybay.org Online Event | http: //bit.ly/INDIGETHANX20…

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). Iran-Bulgaria: Great capacities for coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — Taking a look at the commonalities between Iran and Bulgaria in a variety of aspects, signals that the two countries have great capacities for further enhancing ties.

Marwa Osman (2020-11-15). Iraq Threatens U.S.—MES EP.80. thealtworld.com Iraq's anti-terror Kata'ib Hezbollah group, a faction of the country's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) better known as Hashd al-Sha'abi, has warned that a "tougher and stronger" confrontation awaits US forces should they defy a timetable set for their withdrawal from the Arab country. The Iraqi resistance further warned that the next stage of the fight will soon take place featuring new types of weapons. To discuss this issue with us from Malmo is Feras Ali political commentator. | Israeli Bulldozers and diggers demolished Palestinian village of Khirbet Humsa last week, leaving 74 people, including 41 minors, ho…

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). Swapping to improve Iran's foreign trade. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — In an interview with Mehr News, Deputy Foreign Minister for the Economic Diplomacy Affairs said bartering will improve Iran's foreign trade.

Global Times (2020-11-15). China's U.S. Funded Think Tanks and Research Institutions. Interference in China's Internal Affairs? globalresearch.ca While US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calls for vigilance over think tanks he believes are "tainted by the machinations" of foreign governments, he turns blind eye to the fact that the US is the world's worst when it comes …

Prof. Ruel F. Pepa (2020-11-15). Making Sense of the Oriental Mindframe. asia-pacificresearch.com

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-15). Iran to avenge perpetrators of assassinating Martyr Soleimani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (MNA) — Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said that Iran will certainly revenge the perpetrators of assassination of former IRGC Quds Force Commander Martyr Lt. Gen. Soleimani.

Richard Horton (2020-11-14). [Comment] Offline: A different kind of lockdown. thelancet.com In April, 2019, Dr Mai Alkaila became the first woman to be appointed Minister of Health in the occupied Palestinian territory. An obstetrician and gynaecologist by training, she later earned a PhD in health policy and systems. But she also had a taste for diplomacy and has served the State of Palestine as Ambassador to Chile and Italy. Perfect credentials, one might imagine, for a role that comes with already delicate political challenges. And then the COVID-19 pandemic struck. How was a divided land and a divided government under occupation going to handle a health emergency that was confounding even the most u…

WSWS (2020-11-14). Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Staff (2020-11-14). Women and Students Are Leading Thailand's Fight for Democracy. truthout.org A mass movement for democracy has swept Thailand since July. Led by a new generation of students and workers, protests have taken place throughout the country. They are fighting for a profound transformation of Thai society. Thai socialist

_____ (2020-11-14). Update: Abby Martin's Lawsuit Over Israel Loyalty Oath Mandate In US. popularresistance.org New developments in Abby Martin's major lawsuit challenging unconstitutional pro-Israel, anti-BDS law in the state of Georgia. | Abby Martin: "In February of this year, I was supposed to give a keynote speech at Georgia Southern University. Before the event, I refused to sign a state-mandated pledge to not boycott Israel in order to speak. My invitation was rescinded and the conference canceled as a result. I decided to sue the state of Georgia because signing an anti-BDS clause in order to work in the state is a direct violation of my rights to Constitutional free speech and to participate in political boycotts.

RT (2020-11-14). Fired Amazon worker & strike leader sues megacorporation for racial discrimination during Covid-19. rt.com An ex-Amazon employee who led a warehouse workers' strike has sued for discrimination, alleging the company failed to "provide PPE equipment to its predominantly minority workforce" while giving whites cushy management jobs. | The trillion-dollar online retail giant "subjected a class of African American and Hispanic workers to inferior terms and conditions of employment as it offered predominantly Caucasian employees working in managerial classifications [sic]," the

Caitlin Johnstone (2020-11-14). Unelected Officials Override The President To Continue Wars (But Only Kooks Believe In The Deep State). thealtworld.com Outgoing US envoy to Syria James Jeffrey stated in a recent interview with Defense One that US officials have been …

Deirdre Griswold (2020-11-14). Class oppression and the virus. workers.org The United States continues to lead the world — in the number of COVID-19 cases as well as in deaths. As of Nov. 9, this rich, high-tech imperialist country has now registered 243,302 deaths from the virus. This is twice as many coronavirus deaths as in India, even though the . . . |

RT (2020-11-14). Ukrainian special forces reportedly practice RECAPTURE of Crimea, 6 years after peninsula rejoined Russia. rt.com Elite soldiers in the Ukrainian army recently staged a series of drills that reportedly rehearsed for a potential invasion of the Crimean Peninsula. | Following reports in the Ukrainian media, Russia's RIA Novosti agency described the proposed tactical playbook for the mock mission. First, "several groups of special forces cross the border unnoticed and go deeper into the territory of the peninsula" where they would "destroy the runways of airfields, destroy communication centers, headquarters and weapons depots, and eliminate commanders." | This covert operation would then be followed by a full-scale air and…

Anand Naidoo (2020-11-14). The Heat: US presidential race and coronavirus surge. america.cgtn.com China on Friday congratulated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, saying China will respect the choice of the American people…one week after the US media projected the former United States Vice President as the winner of the presidential election.

WSWS (2020-11-14). Tropical storms continue to pound the Philippines. wsws.org PAGASA, the national meteorological agency, announced on Thursday that it is expecting one or two storms to hit in November, and possibly three in December.

Prabir Purkayastha (2020-11-14). Good news on vaccines but what about its delivery? peoplesdispatch.org If we plan to vaccinate the entire Indian people, the states need to be involved in a big way, however, the Modi government has so far centralized all aspects of the management of the epidemic, treating it only as an administrative problem.

Devi Sridhar (2020-11-14). [Perspectives] Staying sane in our new COVID-19 world. thelancet.com COVID-19 spread like wildfire across the world: from China to its neighbouring countries to east Asia, Iran, Europe, and the rest of the world. This pandemic showed how connected the world has become, and how even the best mathematical modelling could not predict which countries would be first affected and how elite travellers would move from hotels to ski resorts to cruise ships and restaurants. But during the pandemic, there has been anxiety about the virus and considerable uncertainty, with widespread reports of mental health issues and feelings of isolation, especially under lockdowns.

Danica Jorden (2020-11-14). Police Fire on Femicide Protest in Cancún. zcomm.org The details were sickening and at the same time so familiar. Another young woman missing, raped, murdered and mutilated…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-11-14). Yet another journalist killed in Afghanistan. peoplesdispatch.org On November 12, a journalist was killed and three others were critically wounded in an improvised bomb blast in Helmand's Lashkar Gah. 33-year-old Elyas Dayee was associated with Radio Free Afghanistan RFE/RL. | In another bomb blast last week, former Tolo news presenter Yama Siawash was killed in Kabul's Makrorayan-e-Char. Siawash had recently joined Afghanistan's central bank as an adviser. Abdullah Abdullah, who head the country's peace and reconciliation process, termed his death "an forgivable and unforgettable crime." | As many as 50 journalists and dozens of rights activists have been killed in Afghanistan…

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-14). Iran's trade vol. exchange with Europe at $8.8bn in 7 months. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 14 (MNA) — Spokesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) put the country's trade volume exchanged with Europe in the seven months of the current year (from March 21 to Oct. 22) at $8.8 billion.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-11-14). Pro-govt. groups gain advantage in Jordanian polls amid poor turnout. peoplesdispatch.org Pro-government figures and independents won a majority of seats with a large number of them from military backgrounds. Out of 130 elected members, 100 are first-time winners…

sputniknews (2020-11-14). Nusra Terrorists Carry Out 31 Attacks in Syria's Idlib De-escalation Zone. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group* carried out 31 attacks in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone over the past 24 hours, the deputy head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian Reconciliation, Rear Adm. Alexander Grinkevich, said on Saturday.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-14). Iran ready to aid Iraq boost its defense capabilities: Hatami. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 14 (MNA) — Iran's Minister of Defense voiced Iran's readiness to help Iraq strengthen its defense capabilities.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-14). IRGC launches attack on anti-revolutionary group in NW Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 14 (MNA) — IRGC's Hamza Sayyid al-Shuhada Base announced that it has targeted the positions of anti-Revolutionary groups on the other side of the Iranian border.

sputniknews (2020-11-14). Two Chinese 'Aircraft-Carrier Killer' Missiles Hit Target in South China Sea, Report Says. sputniknews.com According to a former PLA colonel, the successful launch of the DF-26B and DF-21D missiles in August is a "warning" to the United States that they should not take any military risk against China.

_____ (2020-11-14). VIDEO: Russian Diplomacy Pulls Caucasus from Brink of Disaster. strategic-culture.org

sputniknews (2020-11-14). Two Men Killed, One Woman Injured in Cholet Commune in Western France, Report Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Two men were killed and one woman was seriously injured in the commune of Cholet in France's western department of Maine-et-Loire, the BFMTV broadcaster reported on Saturday, citing police sources.

Women's March Action (2020-11-14). Monday 11/16: Georgia: Let's Get It! Mass Organizing Call w/ Women's March Action. indybay.org Online organizing call…

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-14). Iran produces effective antiviral COVID-19 drug. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 14 (MNA) — Iranian researchers have developed an effective COVID-19 drug that has been approved by Iran's Food and Drug Administration (IFDA).

WSWS (2020-11-14). Re-release of Bong Joon-ho's Memories of Murder (2003): A picture of South Korean society. wsws.org An early film by South Korean writer-director Bong Joon-ho (Parasite) has been released over the course of the past year in a number of countries—and now in the US. It is well worth seeing.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-14). Iraqi army captures ISIL commander in Al Anbar province. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 14 (MNA) — Iraqi army forces identified and arrested an ISIL commander in a large-scale operation in Al Anbar province.

Mike Daube, Maurice Swanson (2020-11-14). [Correspondence] Conflicts of interest should be declared. thelancet.com In her Correspondence about smoking cessation programmes in China,1 Yuchen Xue declares no competing interests. However, she writes from the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, which is entirely funded by Philip Morris International, a tobacco company that has been heavily criticised for promoting tobacco industry agendas.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-14). Iranian "The Hunter" to vie at Canadian HECFF. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 14 (MNA) — The documentary film "The Hunter" directed by an Iranian filmmaker will be taking part in Human-Environment Care Film Festival in Canada.

sputniknews (2020-11-14). Armenian National Security Service Says Prevented Attempt to Kill Prime Minister Pashinyan. sputniknews.com YEREVAN (Sputnik) – Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) said on Saturday that it had thwarted an attempt to assassinate Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan by his political opponents.

WSWS (2020-11-13). Socialist Equality Group webinar discusses New Zealand and US elections. wsws.org Speakers debunked the claims of pseudo-left groups that the re-election of Jacinda Ardern's Labour Party is a win for workers, and outlined the stronger military alliance between New Zealand and the US in the context of a crisis of democracy in Washington and preparations for war against China.

Paul Antonopoulos (2020-11-13). War in Ethiopia Threatens China's Economic Penetration in Africa. globalresearch.ca Less than a year after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a military operation against the country's northern Tigray province. Ethiopia is often described as the Horn of Africa's pillar of stability and …

RT (2020-11-13). A very good boy: Turkmenistan unveils six-meter-tall golden statue of president's favorite dog breed. rt.com Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has unveiled a giant statue of a dog in the center of Ashgabat, the country's capital. The gilded monument is dedicated to the Alabai, a popular breed in the Central Asian country. | Six meters tall on a nine-meter-high plinth, the canine statue is in the middle of a busy roundabout, surrounded by a brand new housing development. | According to the Turkmen government, "the sculpture looks very majestic," depicting the "dignity and self-assuredness" of the Alabai breed. The statue "is clearly visible from all sides and visible from a distance," the statement says.

MEE staff (2020-11-13). 'Dangerous precedent': Palestinian premier warns Pompeo over settlement visit. middleeasteye.net 'Dangerous precedent': Palestinian premier warns Pompeo over settlement visit | Mike Pompeo's visit, a first for a US secretary of state, will 'legitimise' Israeli settlements despite international consensus over their illegality, warns Prime Minister Shtayyeh | Fri, 11/13/2020 – 21: 32 | Protesters in Nablus burn cardboard cutout of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this year during demonstration agai…

RT (2020-11-13). Soldiers and civilians reportedly killed as shells fired along Pakistan-India border in Kashmir (VIDEO). rt.com At least a dozen people have been killed in fighting between Pakistani and Indian forces at the disputed border in Kashmir, according to reports, in one of the deadliest encounters between the two militaries this year. | Indian officials reported the death of six civilians, three soldiers and one border guard following a day of heavy shelling between the neighboring states on Friday. | Meanwhile, Pakistan reports four civilian deaths but has not named any military fatalities, despite Indian officials claiming that they inflicted casualties among Pakistani security forces. | Both sides contend that the other in…

Joseph Natoli (2020-11-13). The 77/72* Phenomenal World Divide. counterpunch.org "I can't tell you how many people are saying Trump's saying what I've been thinking all my life." "Most of them [Biden voters] are morons." "That V.P. of Biden's, oh my God, that woman is vicious," "The worst thing about the Trump presidency isn't what we've learned about Trump. It's what we've learned about our

RT (2020-11-13). Ties between Moscow & OPCW going through 'period of challenges,' but point of no return not yet reached, Russian envoy tells RT. rt.com The US and its allies are trying to turn the UN's chemical arms watchdog into a political tool, but it remains an important platform via which Moscow can defend its interests, Alexander Shulgin, Russian envoy to the body, told RT. | The ambassador was speaking in the light of a statement made by Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, on Thursday. Nebenzia had suggested that the country may well consider quitting the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) altogether, if "it completely loses credibility." | The statement was made amid a row between Moscow and the Wes…

The Canary (2020-11-13). Met Commissioner admits force 'not free of discrimination, racism or bias'. thecanary.co The Metropolitan Police commissioner has said she feels "very sorry" that trust among Black communities is so low, as she admitted her force "is not free of discrimination, racism or bias".Cressida Dick issued a statement as the force outlined plans for 40% of new recruits to be from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds (BAME) from 2022.It comes as London mayor Sadiq Khan published an action plan to address concerns over the use of police powers affecting Black Londoners, including stop and search and the use of Tasers. It also comes after the mother of Stephen Lawrence argued "that there has been very li…