Daily Archives: December 31, 2020

2020-12-31: News Headlines

Online News Editor (2020-12-31). Rights group says Philippine forces shot dead 9 indigenous community leaders. laprensalatina.com Bangkok, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- Philippines security forces have killed nine suspected members of a leftist guerrilla group on Panay Island, sparking an allegation that the deceased were civilians and indigenous community leaders. Another 17 people were arrested during a joint police and military operation on Wednesday. According to Karapatan, a network of human rights organizations, …

Eds. (2020-12-31). Palestinian rights have always been secondary to the 'national interest' of Arab regimes. mronline.org Normalisation with Israel is just the latest example of Arab rulers advancing their own interests at the expense of Palestinians.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-31). Iran expresses concerns over US military activities in the Persian Gulf. peoplesdispatch.org After increasing its military presence in the region in the last few weeks the US flew two of its B-52 bombers above the Persian Gulf on Tuesday…

David Swanson (2020-12-31). Top 10 Questions for Antony Blinken. dissidentvoice.org Before Antony Blinken can become Secretary of State, Senators must approve. And before that, they must ask questions. Here are some suggestions for what they should ask. 1. Second to the war on Iraq, which of the disasters you've helped facilitate do you most regret, Libya, Syria, Ukraine, or something else? And what have you …

Vijay Prashad (2020-12-31). The Future Will Only Contain What We Put into It Now. dissidentvoice.org Image in homage of Bolivian people's resistance by Tings Chak (China) Towards the end of November, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres addressed the German Bundestag to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN). At the heart of the UN is its Charter, the treaty that binds nations together in a global project, …

MEE correspondent (2020-12-31). Aden's terrified residents fear more attacks after return of Yemeni government. middleeasteye.net Aden's terrified residents fear more attacks after return of Yemeni government | Many express pessimism about future following deadly attacks that killed 25 and wounded more than 100 | Thu, 12/31/2020 – 18: 11 | Many Aden residents say they cannot promises made by government (AFP) | Many residents of Aden city woke up to a sense of dread on Thursday morning. | Military checkpoints had…

Jeffrey St. Clair (2020-12-31). Booked Up: the 25 Best Books of 2020. counterpunch.org Baseless: My Search for Secrets in the Ruins of the Freedom of Information Act Nicholson Baker (Penguin Press) The Jakarta Method: Washington's Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program that Shaped Our World Vincent Bevins (Public Affairs Books) Fallout: The Hiroshima Cover-up and the Reporter Who Revealed It to the World Lesley M.M. Blume (Simon

Richard Norton-Taylor (2020-12-31). British diplomats probed Kissinger on possible use of force against Saudis. middleeasteye.net British diplomats probed Kissinger on possible use of force against Saudis | UK government believed Washington had drawn up plans including 'deposing existing regimes' in response to 1973 oil crisis, documents show | Thu, 12/31/2020 – 00: 01 | US secretary of state Henry Kissinger with Saudi Arabia's King Faisal in Riyadh in 1973 (Library of C…

MEE staff (2020-12-31). Nearly 10.4 million children at risk of famine in 2021: Unicef. middleeasteye.net Nearly 10.4 million children at risk of famine in 2021: Unicef | Millions of parents in Yemen in particular 'are being left to make the gut-wrenching choice between food and medical care for their children', UN body warns | Thu, 12/31/2020 – 17: 22 | A man and children seek refuge in a cave due to poverty and lack of housing near Taiz on 2 December (AFP/File photo) | Nearly 1o.4 million children will suffer fr…

MEE staff (2020-12-31). Israelis protesting settler's death in police chase arrested in West Bank. middleeasteye.net Israelis protesting settler's death in police chase arrested in West Bank | Tensions between extremist settlers and the police have risen sharply following the death of 16-year-old Ahuvia Sandak | Thu, 12/31/2020 – 13: 58 | Israeli protesters stand next to an image of Ahuvia Sandak, who died during a police chase when his car rolled over and crashed near a junction in the West Bank (Screengrab) | Hundreds of I…

MEE staff (2020-12-31). More than 10 million children at risk of famine in 2021: Unicef. middleeasteye.net More than 10 million children at risk of famine in 2021: Unicef | Millions of parents in Yemen in particular 'are being left to make the gut-wrenching choice between food and medical care for their children', UN body warns | Thu, 12/31/2020 – 17: 22 | Man and children seek refuge in cave amid poverty and lack of housing near Taiz, Yemen, on 2 December (AFP/File photo) | Almost 1o.4 million children will suffer…

Online News Editor (2020-12-31). Released Taliban militants behind journalist's killing, Kabul says. laprensalatina.com Kabul, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- Two of the 5,000 Taliban fighters who were released earlier this year after an agreement with the United States — as a precondition for intra-Afghan peace negotiations — were behind the recent assassination of Afghan journalist Rahmatullah Nikzad, Afghanistan's principal intelligence agency claimed on Thursday. The alleged perpetrators of the killing …

teleSUR, CE (2020-12-31). President Arce Encourages Use of Traditional Indigenous Medicine. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's government is encouraging the use of traditional medicine, in addition to more orthodox approaches, as a means to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as the country prepares for the arrival of the Sputnik V vaccine acquired from Russia. | RELATED: | President Luis Arce noted the benefits reported by Bolivians in rural areas, many of which experienced no major COVID-19 outbreak, in contrast with the city of Santa…

Online News Editor (2020-12-31). China approves commercial use of indigenous Covid-19 vaccine. laprensalatina.com Shanghai, China, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- China on Thursday greenlighted the commercial use of a homegrown coronavirus vaccine after an interim analysis of clinical trial results showed it is more than 79 percent effective against Covid-19. State-run Xinhua news agency reported that the government granted "conditional marketing authorization for a self-developed Covid-19 vaccine." A unit of …

Online News Editor (2020-12-31). Indian capital imposes night curfew to restrict New Year mass celebrations. laprensalatina.com New Delhi, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- The government on Thursday imposed a night curfew in the Indian capital to restrict mass New Year celebrations after detecting an increasing number of cases of a more contagious strain of the coronavirus in the second-worst country affected by Covid-19. "Night curfew will be in force (not more than five …

Philip Giraldi (2020-12-31). A New War in the New Year? Trump Again Takes Aim at Iran. globalresearch.ca One of the most perplexing narratives presented during the waning days of the administration of President Donald J. Trump is his apparent disengagement from dealing seriously or providing leadership regarding the surging Coronavirus while at the same time continuing an …

_____ (2020-12-31). Victories For Palestine Continued On US Campuses In 2020. popularresistance.org Despite the challenges of online/remote learning, campus activism has not stopped over the past year. National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) is currently planning their 2021 conference, celebrating 10 years of this annual reunion of SJP chapters from around the nation. And many student chapters have passed significant resolutions around some major issues, from censorship, to the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, to divestment and, most recently, the training of campus police by the Israeli military. As we wrap up 2020, here is a representative sample of…

teleSUR (2020-12-31). Dominican Congress Passes Law Banning Child Marriage. telesurenglish.net Dominican Republic's Congress Wednesday passed a bill to prohibit child marriage in the Caribbean nation. | RELATED: | The document catalogs early marriage as "a harmful practice that limits children's s opportunities for development and access to education." | The Executive Branch will discuss the norm that states that "a man or woman may not marry before reaching the age of 18." President Luis Abinader will be in ch…

Dr. Joseph Mercola (2020-12-31). Why Lockdowns Don't Work and Hurt the Most Vulnerable. Bankruptcies, Poverty, Despair. globalresearch.ca In a December 9, 2020, Twitter thread,1 Michael P. Senger, an attorney and author of the September 2020 article,2 "China's Global Lockdown Propaganda Campaign," reviewed the largely hidden impacts of global lockdowns. Ivor Cummins' video also reviews …

Online News Editor (2020-12-31). China approves first homegrown coronavirus vaccine for general public. laprensalatina.com Shanghai, China, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- China has approved for general public distribution a homegrown coronavirus vaccine developed by state-owned pharma giant Sinopharm, moving a step closer towards a massive inoculation campaign, officials said on Thursday. The approval came after the developer on Wednesday said it had filed for conditional marketing authorization from the National Medical …

Online News Editor (2020-12-31). Democrats relying on Latino vote in key Georgia Senate elections. laprensalatina.com By Marcelo G. Wheelock Atlanta, Dec 30 (efe-epa).- Democrats want to repeat the formula that led them to victory in the Nov. 3 presidential election in Georgia and they are relying on the local Hispanic vote in the crucial runoffs for the state's two US Senate seats in early January, races that will decide which …

Online News Editor (2020-12-31). China's manufacturing continues growth but at slower pace. laprensalatina.com Shanghai, China, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- The manufacturing sector in China has expanded in December, albeit at a slower pace than the last month. The official manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) slid to 51.9 in December from 52.1 recorded in November, according to the data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) published on Thursday. A …

Online News Editor (2020-12-31). Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy back in jail again. laprensalatina.com Hong Kong, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- Hong Kong's top court on Thursday remanded pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai in custody again after allowing prosecutors to appeal against his bail in a national security law case. The Court of Final Appeal granted an interim order to detain the 73-year-old founder of Apple Daily until a hearing on …

Online News Editor (2020-12-31). Wuhan bids farewell to 2020 without looking back. laprensalatina.com By Jesús Centeno Wuhan, China, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- Life has returned to normal in Wuhan one year after the Chinese government informed the World Health Organization of mysterious cases of pneumonia in the city, whose residents now want to turn the page on one of their darkest periods. In the final hours of 2020, a …

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Yemen sets condition for freeing Saudi pilots. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Head of the National Committee for Prisoners Affairs Abdulqadir Al-Murtadha in the Salvation Government said that Saudi pilots will not be released from prison except in exchange for the Palestinian prisoners.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Tehran's first reaction to Aden Airport attack. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry has condemned violent attacks on civilians, calling on all Yemeni sides to return to the negotiating table.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). US failed miserably in reviving sanctions: Iran UN envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Iran's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations said that the United States sustained heavy defeat miserably in the revival of international sanctions against Tehran.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Nations of region not to forget sacrifice of martyr Soleimani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Iranian Embassy to Croatia said that regional countries will not forget the bravery and sacrifices of former IRGC Quds Force Commander Martyr Lt. Gen. Soleimani who played a key role in the fight against terrorism.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Rouhani congratulates Cuba on Liberation Day. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani felicitates Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on the country's Liberation Day, hoping for further expansion of relations between the two nations.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). 'Plots underway to fabricate pretext for war'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned the US that Iran is fully prepared to defend its people and security.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Assassins of Soleimani should await 'harder slaps'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — A former Iranian foreign minister says Tehran will continue measures to take Lt. Gen. Soleimani's revenge.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Militias settling scores through Aden airport attack. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — The attack that targeted Aden airport on Wednesday came as part of a series of settling of scores between Saudi-sponsored and UAE-backed militants, causing chaos and destruction in the southern provinces, Aden governor says.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Another US convoy attacked near Kuwait-Iraq border. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — A US coalition logistics convoy was reportedly targeted by a roadside bomb near Kuwait-Iraq border.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Nasrallah to deliver speech on Soleimani's anniv. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — On the occasion of the 1st anniversary of the martyrdom of Lt. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Secretary-General of Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah will deliver a speech on Sunday, Jan. 3.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). 6,390 new COIVD cases detected in Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — The country's Health Ministry has announced the detection of 6,390 new infections in the past 24 hours.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). 'Fear of revenge not leaving US alone'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Iranian Army's first-in-command says the revenge for the US's assassination of General Soleimani is not over yet.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Trump admin. suffers another defeat at end of 2020: Envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Iranian Ambassador to UK Hamid Baeedinejad said that the Trump administration sustained another setback at the end of the year 2020.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). "Our region lost a real peace hero": Iran Foreign Ministry. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a tweet on Thu. wrote that the region lost a real peace hero, referring to the 1st anniversary of martyrdom of former IRGC Quds Force Commander Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Zarif hopes for ending era of contempt for multilateralism. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — On the eve of New Christian Year, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wishes the ending insane era of contempt for law and multilateralism.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Iran's trade value with Eurasia hits $1.4bn in eight months. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — According to the statistics, Islamic Republic of Iran's trade value with Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) hit $1.4 billion in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (from March 21 to Nov. 22).

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Defense industry telecom products at cutting-edge technology. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said that telecommunications products of defense industry of the country are in tandem with world's cutting-edge technology.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-31). Armed Forces to continue 'Resistance' School with high spirit. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said that Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue the School of "Resistance" with high motivation inspired by Martyr Soleimani.

Mandy Terc (2020-12-31). Why Americans Should Demand Better Us Middle East Policy. commondreams.org Americans need to support policies that help mitigate the disastrous effects of American armed invasions and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/gettyimages-1228370281.jpg

news.un (2020-12-31). Iran execution of child offender breaks international law: UN rights office. news.un.org The execution of an Iranian man for a crime allegedly committed when he was 16 years old has been condemned by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) and raised concerns over violations of his right to a fair trial.

Gershon Baskin (2020-12-31). Israel needs to form a Jewish-Arab party to change the game. zcomm.org It is indeed clear that what is left of the Left is not only small, it is very fragmented…

Prabhat Patnaik (2020-12-30). A matter of survival of the peasantry. mronline.org The kisans gathered around the Delhi border have unerringly put their fingers on the real issue confronting them, namely their very survival as peasants.

Ramzy Baroud (2020-12-30). The US Money Tree: The Untold Story of American Aid to Israel. dissidentvoice.org On December 21, the United States Congress passed the COVID-19 Relief Package, as part of a larger $2.3 trillion bill meant to cover spending for the rest of the fiscal year. As usual, US representatives allocated a massive sum of money for Israel. While unemployment, thus poverty, in the US is skyrocketing as a result …

Eds. (2020-12-30). Native Youth provide for community and elders during COVID pandemic. mronline.org 2020 has been a year of many trials across Indian Country. Across our many Nations, rural, city and everywhere in between, we are all coping with the catastrophic effects of the COVID-19 virus.

Alan Macleod (2020-12-30). Fingers Point to US-Backed Gov't in Colombia's Ninetieth Massacre of the Year. mintpressnews.com "The Trump administration waged a full scale campaign to undermine Colombia's peace accords. We must not waste our time hoping the Biden administration might reverse course, we must demand it." — James Jordan, Alliance for Global Justice…

RT (2020-12-30). Bolivia signs contract to purchase 2.6 million doses of Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine. rt.com Bolivia has become the third Latin American nation to strike an agreement with Russia's Direct Investment Fund for supplies of its Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19. Under the deal, La Paz will receive 2.6 million doses. | The contract between the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Bolivia's Health Supply Center (CEASS) was signed during a videoconference, in which Bolivian President Luis Arce took part. | The president praised Sputnik V in a Twitter