Monthly Archives: December 2020

2020-12-08: News Headlines

Sara Flounders (2020-12-09). China's global vaccines — a game changer. workers.org In the U.S., with less than 5% of the world's people, there is little concern for the fate of the globe's other 95% who are facing the pandemic. When, how and under what conditions a vaccine will be distributed in the U.S. is the overwhelming U.S. concern. Rates of COVID-19 . . . |

Craig Wood (2020-12-09). Those Who Don't Fear the Lobby. dissidentvoice.org With the encouragement of friends and after serving eleven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1961-1983), Congressman Paul Findley (R-IL) wrote a book, They Dare to Speak Out, about influences and pressures inside the Israeli lobby. His was the first book to point out ways the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), along with …

Aaron Mate (2020-12-08). OPCW Executives Praised Whistleblower and Criticized Syria Cover-up, Leaks Reveal. globalresearch.ca Exclusive: Documents obtained by The Grayzone show that OPCW executives privately criticized the manipulation of a Syria chemical weapons probe, and supported a dissenting veteran inspector. One official, however, feared helping the "Russian narrative." These private admissions further expose the …

Ralph Nader (2020-12-08). Action for Change Starts in Congress. counterpunch.org We know their names! We've given immense power to Five Hundred and Thirty-Five People to do good or bad. One Hundred Senators and Four Hundred and Thirty-Five Representatives. Unfortunately, some 1500 corporations control most Members of Congress. Think about all the dreams for a better world that could come to be realized if our elected officials

Patrick Cockburn (2020-12-08). Gangsterism as Foreign Policy: Assassinations are Becoming the New Norm. counterpunch.org I was in Israel on 4 November 1995 when a student named Yigal Amir assassinated the Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin as he left a peace rally in Tel Aviv. A video shows Amir loitering by an exit to the square for 40 minutes before Rabin appears, when his killer takes out a pistol and

Eds. (2020-12-08). Pentagon to Biden: Latin America a major battlefield in war with China. mronline.org The head of SOUTHCOM, Admiral Craig Faller, told Pentagon reporters Wednesday that U.S. imperialism's "competitive edge [in the region]…is eroding, particularly when it comes to the Chinese influence."

Matthew Hoh (2020-12-08). Keep Active, Fight Hard and Wear a Damn Mask. counterpunch.org Last week Covid killed more Americans than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have directly killed since 2001. 15,682 Americans died from Covid over the seven days from November 28-December 4. This is a larger number than the 14,000+ killed in action as both service-members and private contractors since 2001. The number of Iraq and

Joshua Hanks (2020-12-08). China replacing U.S. as world's leading scientific power. workers.org The first day of December saw two major scientific events: the Arecibo observatory in Puerto Rico collapsed, and China's Chang'e 5 spacecraft landed on the moon. These two events are the latest developments in the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and China — a new Cold War being fought on . . . |

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-08). All-India strike to be held today in solidarity with protesting farmers. peoplesdispatch.org Opposition parties and a wide variety of progressive sectors across India are joining a national strike in support of the ongoing farmers' agitation. The farmers are demanding the repeal of three agricultural laws that were passed recently…

Lucas Leiroz de Almeida (2020-12-08). Relations Between Colombia and China Are on the Rise. globalresearch.ca China is about to accomplish a historic act in Colombia. In 1942, when Bogotá had 380,000 inhabitants, a project was launched to build the urban metro. After more than 75 years and with 8 million people, the work finally seems …

Fight Back (2020-12-08). Farmer protests in India. fightbacknews.org A reported 250 million people turned out on December 3 to protest three oppressive farm bills in India. The record-breaking number of farmers, trade unionists, communists and socialists mobilized from Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra to protest the anti-farmer laws. Farmers over the years have turned out in the tens of thousands to protest the unjust laws, worsening conditions of cultivation, and the introduction of businesses to take over their livelihood. The upcoming days will see more resistance from people. | The farmer protest in India is sparked by the introduction of three oppressive bills.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). Iran COVID-19 update: 11,023 infections, 323 deaths. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — The Iranian Health Ministry has confirmed 11,023 COVID-19 infections and 323 deaths due to the respiratory disease in the past 24 hours.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). US drone crashes over Iraq's Nineveh: Report. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — Iraqi news sources reported Tuesday night that a US drone crashed over the northwestern province of Nineveh in Iraq.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). Exports via Iran's Kordestan prov. grow 55% in eight months. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — More than 2.3 million tons of goods worth $947 million were exported via the customs terminals of Iran's western Kordestan province during the eight calendar months to November 20, a senior customs official said.

Eds. (2020-12-08). Think tankers against China: The Australian Strategic Policy Institute. mronline.org Security think tanks are the leeches of industry. Attached to their appropriate field, they compile analysis that is supposedly masterful, insightful and even useful.

CP Editor (2020-12-08). Lebanon, Hezbollah, and a US-Israeli Plan for Civil War? counterpunch.org

San Francisco Human Rights Commision (2020-12-08). Wednesday 12/9: Stand Together SF: Systemic Racism and How it has Affected the Asian and Black Communities. indybay.org Online via Zoom…

Media Lens (2020-12-08). Stuck in a Lift with John Pilger: News and How to Use It by Alan Rusbridger. dissidentvoice.org Noticing the way journalists seemed unable to resist commenting on our work, even if it was just to slag us off, Glenn Greenwald tweeted us in 2012: 'You are really deeper in the heads of the British establishment-serving commentariat than anyone else — congrats.' ((Greenwald, Twitter, 12 September 2012.)) If that was true then, our relationship …

MEE staff (2020-12-08). UK defence ministry blacklisted website critical of its Middle East policies, finds inquiry. middleeasteye.net UK defence ministry blacklisted website critical of its Middle East policies, finds inquiry | The ban on Declassified, now lifted, had been imposed after the website published a series of articles about UK training for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen | Tue, 12/08/2020 – 12: 13 | British troops in Iraq in 2004. The ban on Declassified was only lifted after government ministers intervened (AFP/file photo) | The…

RT (2020-12-08). Lithuania deploys ARMED MILITIA to guard CHRISTMAS TREE and enforce tough new Covid-19 measures. rt.com Grinches beware! Paramilitaries have been deployed to protect a Christmas tree in the center of Vilnius. But, as they're also there to enforce social distancing measures, it might be coronavirus that ends up stealing Christmas. | According to local news site Delfi, the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, a state-backed voluntary militia, has been

Global Research News (2020-12-08). Selected Articles: Sorry, Boris Johnson Will Not Disappear. globalresearch.ca By The assassination of Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is the…

Betsey Piette (2020-12-08). Palestine Writes: A labor of love. workers.org Originally scheduled to take place in New York City this March, but canceled due to the pandemic, the Palestine Writes Literature Festival aired as a virtual event on Dec. 2-6. The event brought together writers, artists, publishers, booksellers, activists and scholars for conversations about art, literature and the intersection between . . . |

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-08). US companies sold more than 60% of all arms in the international market in 2019. peoplesdispatch.org US sanctions against Russia and China have helped maintain its hegemony in the global arms trade with 12 of its companies featuring in the world's top 25 arms producing and military service providers…

RT (2020-12-08). Russian health watchdog chief calls for two month Covid-19 vaccine booze ban, but top doctor says champagne is fine. rt.com Russian fizz aficionados held their breath today as a row broke out between public health officials over whether it is safe to drink alcohol before or after having the Covid-19 vaccine. | On Tuesday, the head of Russia's health protection agency, Anna Popova,

RT (2020-12-08). Turkey threatens 'grave consequences' after east Libyan forces seize its ship over alleged arms smuggling. rt.com Ankara has condemned the seizure of a Turkish vessel in the Mediterranean by forces from east Libya, promising a robust response to the interception and calling for the ship to be allowed to continue its journey. | "Targeting Turkish interests in Libya will have grave consequences, and these elements (who target Turkish interests) will be viewed as legitimate targets," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. | The ministry "strongly condemned" the move, stressing that the vessel should be allowed resume its planned voyage "immediately," and adding that the ship had been fined and the crew…

MEE and agencies (2020-12-08). Covid-19: Gaza resumes screening after receiving nearly 20,000 kits from WHO. middleeasteye.net Covid-19: Gaza resumes screening after receiving nearly 20,000 kits from WHO | The Hamas-run Gaza government says newly arrived batch 'is only enough for eight days' | Tue, 12/08/2020 – 10: 23 | In mid-August, Gaza had recorded only around 100 Covid-19 cases, but the past two weeks have seen a steep deterioration in containment (AFP/file photo) | Hamas said on Monday it had received nearly…

Shatha Hammad (2020-12-08). Killed on his birthday: Family grieves Palestinian boy shot by Israeli forces. middleeasteye.net Killed on his birthday: Family grieves Palestinian boy shot by Israeli forces | A few minutes before he was shot, Ali said he did not expect Israeli soldiers to target him 'because I am a little child' | Tue, 12/08/2020 – 11: 28 | Ali Abu Alia was killed by Israeli forces on 4 December in his hometown of al-Mughayir (Supplied) | When she prepared the traditional Palestinian dish of maqlouba at the…

MEE staff (2020-12-08). Palestinian writer Majd Kayyal arrested by Israeli police in Haifa. middleeasteye.net Palestinian writer Majd Kayyal arrested by Israeli police in Haifa | Novelist and journalist seized from family home alongside his brother at 6am, with charges unclear | Tue, 12/08/2020 – 09: 40 | Majd Kayyal was arrested in 2014 for travelling to Beirut for work (Adalah) | Palestinian writer, journalist and political activist

MEE staff (2020-12-08). Egypt, UAE welcome Kuwaiti efforts to settle Gulf diplomatic crisis with Qatar. middleeasteye.net Egypt, UAE welcome Kuwaiti efforts to settle Gulf diplomatic crisis with Qatar | Cairo says it hopes move will 'reveal a complete solution', in first comments since reports of possible reconciliation | Tue, 12/08/2020 – 12: 14 | Egyptian-Qatari relations have worsened since President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power in 2014 (AFP) | Egyptian and Emirati officials have welcomed Kuwaiti efforts to settle the di…

MEE staff (2020-12-08). Saudi Arabia's MBS files motion to dismiss 'Tiger Squad' hit-job lawsuit in US court. middleeasteye.net Saudi Arabia's MBS files motion to dismiss 'Tiger Squad' hit-job lawsuit in US court | Ex-Saudi intelligence official Saad al-Jabri filed the suit earlier this year, alleging that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attempted to have him killed in 2018 | Tue, 12/08/2020 – 17: 12 | Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrives at the Future Investment Initiative FII conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh on 24 Oc…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-08). India strikes in solidarity with farmers. peoplesdispatch.org Hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers and workers organized a national strike on December 8 demanding the rollback of the recently enacted farm laws. The protesters were met with heavy police repression.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). 'Parva' receives 'Award of Merit' of Accolade Competition. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — Iranian feature film 'Parva' directed by Mehran Mahdavian, has received 'Award of Merit' of the 17th edition of the Accolade Global Film Competition in the US.

Jordan Schachtel (2020-12-08). Everyone Is Already Wearing a Mask. They Just Don't Work. globalresearch.ca One of the most common pro-mask arguments I've heard over the course of the past year, both from "public health experts" and your average citizen, sounds similar to the following statement: | "If only everyone would just wear a mask, we …

James J. Zogby (2020-12-08). Palestinians: Victims of 'Cancel Culture'. globalresearch.ca In the very month in which I read articles condemning the "cancel culture," which some apply exclusively to the "left's efforts to silence or shame views with which they disagree," several disturbing incidents caught my attention. | A Palestinian American Congresswoman …

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). Israel, not Iran, is problem in West Asia: Russian envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov said on Tue. that Israel is the source of problem in West Asian region, stating that arms sales to Iran are not prohibited.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). Either back Resistance or normalization, no third choice. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah Resistance Movement in Lebanon said the move by some Arab countries to normalize ties with the Israeli regime is a clear betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). Police bust over 1 ton of opium in SE Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — The anti-narcotics police forces of Iran confiscated 1,098 kilograms of opium in Sistan and Baluchistan province in the past 24 hours.

Hallel Rabin (2020-12-08). 'Refusing to Serve in the Army is My Small Act of Making Change'. zcomm.org Hallel Rabin spent 56 days in an Israeli military prison for refusing to serve in the Israel Defense Force. Rabin, 19, talks about her time behind bars, conversations with her fellow inmates, and talking to young Israelis about the occupation…

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). VIDEO: Old British woman receives world's first COVID vaccine. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — A 90-year-old Margaret British woman, Keenan, became the first patient in the world to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). All JCPOA participants must show restraint, responsibility. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister called on all JCPOA participants to show restraint and responsibility.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). FM Zarif stresses Iran's support for Astana Peace Process. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — Referring to the visit of the Syrian Foreign Minister to Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif once again stressed the support of Iran for the Astana Peace Process.

_____ (2020-12-08). NATO Is Determined to Find Threats and Challenges to Justify Its Existence. strategic-culture.org Government and media propaganda has firmly convinced most of the citizenry of the West that Russia invaded Crimea, and the truth has dissolved in the swirling miasma that the anti-Russia movement has dubbed as history. | In March 2014 the ethnically Russian province of Crimea declared itself to be separate from Ukraine. There was a

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). Tehran joins United 4 Smart Sustainable Cities. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — Iranian capital city is now a member of United 4 Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) to improve its international interactions and cooperation under the framework of the 'Smart Tehran Program'.

Negar Mortazavi (2020-12-08). US Sanctions Have Caused Iranians Untold Misery — And Achieved Nothing. globalresearch.ca "My young cousin passed away last week," an Iranian Twitter user recently lamented. "She needed medication for her cancer that doctors said can't be found." | The tweet tragically went on: "Maybe she'd be alongside her little daughter now if she …

AFP (2020-12-08). China Overtakes the US to Become EU's Biggest Trade Partner as Beijing's Economy Continues to Boom Post-COVID while the Rest of the World Slides into the Red. asia-pacificresearch.com

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). Charming scenery of autumn snow in Masuleh. en.mehrnews.com GILAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — Located 55 km from Rasht in Gilan province of Iran, the historical and scenic village of Masuleh is witnessing snowfalls as autumn is reaching its end in December.

Sumit Sharma (2020-12-08). Canada, India Mudslinging over Sikh Farmer Protests. asia-pacificresearch.com

WSWS (2020-12-08). Ukraine, Hungary clash as NATO discusses Ukrainian membership. wsws.org The conflict between Ukraine and Hungary demonstrates the deep crises that is confronting the right-wing capitalist states of NATO as they seek to further encircle Russia.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). 'Gabriel' to vie at Karama Human Rights Film Festival. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) — Iranian short film, 'Gabriel' has been accepted into the 11th edition of Karama Human Rights Film Festival in Jordan.

Oakland Asian Cultural Center (2020-12-08). Saturday 1/9: Book Talk: Women and the Legacy of Imperialism in the Pacific. indybay.org Zoom…

2020-12-07: News Headlines

Aaron Maté (2020-12-07). OPCW executives praised whistleblower and criticized Syria cover-up, leaks reveal. thegrayzone.com Exclusive: Documents obtained by The Grayzone show that OPCW executives privately criticized the manipulation of a Syria chemical weapons probe, and supported a dissenting veteran inspector. One official, however, feared helping the "Russian narrative." These private admissions further expose the public whitewash of the Douma cover-up, and undermine the ongoing attacks on the whistleblowers who challenged it. Since the explosive revelation that an investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in Syria was manipulated, a smear …

Danny Haiphong (2020-12-07). "Awkwafina is Nora from Queens" demonstrates the depths of New Cold War propaganda against China. mronline.org In the season finale, the liberal mask comes off and the program morphs into a screed for the U.S.'s New Cold War on China.

WSWS (2020-12-07). Chinese defence minister visits Nepal to boost political and military ties. wsws.org The landlocked and poverty-stricken Himalayan country has become another focal point in the dangerous geo-political rivalry between India and the US on one side, and China on the other.

Phil Carter (2020-12-07). India: Pesticide Takeover Spells Trouble for Bees. asia-pacificresearch.com

WSWS (2020-12-07). "Red-tagging" accusations at the centre of elite conflict in the Philippines. wsws.org The McCarthyite accusations are an initial salvo between rival sections of the ruling class in the mounting political tensions leading up to the May 2022 presidential election.

Dr. Ejaz Akram (2020-12-07). America-prompted Color Revolution in Thailand. asia-pacificresearch.com

RT (2020-12-07). OPCW director worried truth about Syria 'chemical attack' report would feed 'Russian narrative'. rt.com While praising the OPCW whistleblower's integrity and professionalism, one director worried that seeking truth about the altered report on a 'chemical attack' in Syria might help Russia, which he denounced as the enemy. | "I fear there is little one can do since the report is final and out — unless one wants to feed in the Russian narrative and that I would never do as they really are not bona fide friends of this organization, that's for sure," was the message of one director to Dr. Brendan Whelan, one of the whistleblowers who challenged the 'interim' report by the Organization for the Prohibition of Ch…

Dave Lindorff (2020-12-07). For the US in Afghanistan's Endless War, Surrender is Apparently Not an Option. counterpunch.org The US War in —or on—Afghanistan has rightly been called the "Forever War." Launched on October 7, 2001, while the ruins of the World Trade Center were still smoldering from the 9/11 attacks five weeks earlier, the war is now in its 19th year, making it almost nine years longer than the Vietnam War. And yet,

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Talks underway between Iran, Iraq to boost mutual trade tie. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq poised to strengthen bilateral ties in the fields of trade and commerce.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). E3 react to Iranian parl. plan to set up new centrifuges. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — France, Germany and the UK have voiced their concern about a counteractive plan by the Iranian Parliament to set up new centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear facility.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Iran's Leader in good health. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — An informed source affiliated to the office of Iran's Leader rejected the failing health rumors about the Leader of the Islamic Revolution underlining that Ayatollah Khamenei is in good health.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). FAO ready to back Iran to ensure healthy biodiverse soils. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has expressed readiness to help Iran develop and adopt policies and programs to promote sustainable agricultural systems and nurture soil biodiversity.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Araghchi stresses on Portugal role in Iran-Europe relations. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister expressed hope that Portugal could play an active role in the relations of Iran and Europe when it takes over the presidency of the EU in 2021.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Iran supporting Astana Peace Process: Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister stressed the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the Astana Peace Process in a meeting with his Syrian counterpart on Monday.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Iran-Romania ties not harmed under pressures: envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — The Romanian envoy to Tehran likened the Iran-Romania relation to a tree whose root will not be hurt under the sanctions imposed by the arrogant powers of the world.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Syria plays a very crucial role in resistance front: Velayati. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Adviser to the Leader of Islamic Revolution for International Affairs said that Syria plays a very crucial and decisive role in the Resistance Front.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Cinema Verite announces lineup of "Special Display" film. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — A lineup of eight documentaries which will be displayed in the "Special Display" of a non-competing section of the 14th edition of Iran International Documentary Film Festival known as "Cinema Verite" has been abandoned.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Iran's aviation industry has made significant progress. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Deputy Coordinator of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army said that Iranian aviation industry has made eye-catching progress and development despite sanctions imposed against the country.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Iranians airlines to replace foreign peers during pandemic. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development said that Iranian airlines will replace foreign airline companies during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

Global Research News (2020-12-07). Selected Articles: India: Largest Strike in World History. globalresearch.ca By The general strike occurred…

Binoy Kampmark (2020-12-07). Think Tankers Against China: The Australian Strategic Policy Institute. dissidentvoice.org Security think tanks are the leeches of industry. Attached to their appropriate field, they compile analysis that is supposedly masterful, insightful and even useful. Reports can recommend courses of action, from a troop surge in a failing war, to an increase of defence spending in bolstering cyber capabilities. Bunkered in these institutes, the think tanker …

David Edwards (2020-12-07). Stuck In A Lift With John Pilger — 'News And How To Use It' by Alan Rusbridger. zcomm.org Pilger tells the unfiltered, uncompromised truth about the foundations of power. His focus is on speaking up for the victims of power, not on serving power…

Staff (2020-12-07). Georgia Runoffs: Democrats Aim to Take Senate as Republicans Back Trump Attack on Election Integrity. democracynow.org Two Georgia Senate runoff elections on January 5 will decide who controls the upper chamber and whether the Biden administration will be able to pass its ambitious policy agenda. If Democrats succeed in unseating Georgia's two senators, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, the Senate will be split 50-50, with incoming Vice President Kamala Harris able to cast tie-breaking votes. In two debates Sunday night, Perdue skipped his debate with challenger Jon Ossoff, who took the stage opposite an empty podium, and Loeffler faced off against Reverend Raphael Warnock. We play excerpts and host a discussion with author and Em…

Stephen Lendman (2020-12-07). Threat of More Illegal US Sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. globalresearch.ca The US under both right wings of the one-party state is waging a long war on Russia by other means — and all other nations unwilling to bow and scape to its imperial demands. | US aggression includes endless smashing of …

Nur Ayoubi (2020-12-07). 'Trolling to another level': Palestinians pose as Emiratis in Tel Aviv. middleeasteye.net 'Trolling to another level': Palestinians pose as Emiratis in Tel Aviv | Israelis flock to Palestinian men in dishdashas for photographs in viral video praised for its humour | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 13: 14 | Palestinians wearing traditional Emirati clothes as they filmed themselves in Tel Aviv on Saturday (Screengrab/ Twitter) | Palestinian citizens of Israel are often subjected to hostility and suspicion in th…

Mohammad Ayesh (2020-12-07). Arabic press review: Family of Egypt's Mubarak to sue EU over 'illegal sanctions'. middleeasteye.net Arabic press review: Family of Egypt's Mubarak to sue EU over 'illegal sanctions' | Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia prepares for reconciliation with Qatar, Bashir's health deteriorates in jail, and video of Egyptian man throwing cash from balcony goes viral | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 16: 38 | Gamal Mubarak (seen to right of his late father Hosni) said he will sue the Council of the European Union after winning…

Ragip Soylu (2020-12-07). Turkey's cities face drought as lack of rain hits water levels in dams. middleeasteye.net Turkey's cities face drought as lack of rain hits water levels in dams | Concerns running high as rainfall drops to five-year lows in western and central parts of the country | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 11: 35 | Cracked soil after a drought at the Dikilitas Pond in the Golbasi district of Ankara, 23 July 2020 (AFP) | Mayors of the largest cities in Turkey are concerned by the lack of rainfall since the summer, w…

Nadda Osman (2020-12-07). Lebanese designer removes bag made from explosion debris after backlash. middleeasteye.net Lebanese designer removes bag made from explosion debris after backlash | The 'Silo' bag, which uses glass from August port blast, has been denounced as distasteful | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 15: 04 | The bag has been criticised online, with many calling it exploitative (Screengrab/Twitter) | A Lebanese accessories brand has come under fire after selling a "Silo" bag made from glass from the 4 August Beirut por…

MEE staff (2020-12-07). Israeli envoy and UK Jewish group slammed for 'racist' Nakba comments. middleeasteye.net Israeli envoy and UK Jewish group slammed for 'racist' Nakba comments | Activists condemn Board of Deputies for inviting Tzipi Hotovely to event, after she calls the expulsion of 700,000 Palestinians a 'very popular Arab lie' | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 14: 57 | Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely gives a press conference (AFP) | Activists have criticised the UK's main Jewish community organisation for host…

Staff (2020-12-07). Black Voters Matter: Group Sues Georgia for Purging 200,000 Voters Ahead of 2020 Election. democracynow.org On the voter registration deadline for Georgians who want to vote in two Senate runoff elections on January 5, we speak with Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter, about why the state is "ground zero" for Republican voter suppression efforts. Black Voters Matter has filed a federal lawsuit alleging Georgia's current secretary of state improperly removed nearly 200,000 voters from the rolls. Those voters "were purged illegally" ahead of the 2020 election and almost certainly affected the results, says Albright. "At the end of the day, this election … should not have even been c…

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Iran, Italy seeking to expand bilateral relations. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy held a videoconference for the second time on Monday.

news.un (2020-12-07). Improved Afghan law still fails victims of sex crimes and violence against women, UN report finds. news.un.org Afghanistan's justice system is continuing to fail female victims of violence and sex crimes, despite a 2009 law that was hailed as a significant step forward in legal efforts to protect them, according to a UN report published jointly on Monday by the UN human rights office (OHCHR) and the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

_____ (2020-12-07). A Brief History Of US Military Poisoning Of Hawai'i. popularresistance.org Poisoning the Pacific: The US Military's Secret Dumping of Plutonium, Chemical Weapons, and Agent Orange, a new book by Japan-based journalist Jon Mitchell, is a detailed investigation and documentation of U.S. and Japanese military chemical and biological poisoning and pollution across the Pacific, Asia and South East Asia. Mitchell's work doesn't cover the U.S. military poisoning of Hawai'i as that would require a separate volume due to the concentration of the U.S. military bases and their pollution in the state.

news.un (2020-12-07). Transfer of Rohingya refugees to Bay of Bengal island 'must be voluntary': UN refugee agency. news.un.org The head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), has voiced concerns over the reported relocation of some Rohingya refugees by Bangladeshi authorities, to an island off the country's coast, in the Bay of Bengal.

Paul Craig Roberts (2020-12-07). American Democracy Is a Fiction & Who Do Republicans Represent? thealtworld.com As my article this morning on this 79th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor illustrates | , governments use deception to bring people in agreement with the agendas of those who control government. The cost of such deceptions usually exceed the benefits. Ruinous wars result, and the unity required to cement a country together can be destroyed. | I believe the latter has happened with the stolen US presidential election. It is cer…

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Afghanistan refutes reports of insulting to Afghans in Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Afghanistan Foreign Ministry has dismissed as untrue the reports and alleged videos of insulting some Afghan nationals in Iran.

Alastair Crooke (2020-12-07). Biden's Iran Deal Faces Iran's 'Red Pill'. thealtworld.com Does Biden's Team 'A' believe that a limited strike on Iran's nuclear facilities is realistic, without triggering wider war? | Biden says he wants — through diplomacy —

teleSUR (2020-12-07). 'Venezuela Has Now a Legitimate Assembly' Observers Note. telesurenglish.net The head of the delegation of Russian electoral observers Igor Ananskij highlighted that Venezuela's National Assembly gained legitimacy after the elections that took place on Sunday, December 6. | RELATED: | "The most important result of these elections is that Venezuela now has a legitimate National Assembly," Ananskij told Sputnik. | The vice president of the Russian Parliament's Lower House (Duma) also expressed…

Yusuf Ahmed Nur (2020-12-07). We've Had Enough Death in 2020. Why Add More? aclu.org I was in the middle of reciting Ya Seen, the 36th chapter of the Quran, when the executioner signaled to me that was enough. It was time to kill Orlando Hall. Across a strip of tape dividing us, Orlando received a shot of lethal injection before I could finish the verse's final, essential line. "So glory be to Him in whose hand is the dominion of everything, and to Him you will be returned.", , Orlando lost consciousness while reciting the Shahada, as I, his spiritual advisor, had instructed him., , The execution of Orlando Hall on Nov. 19 was the first I had ever witnessed. As a business professor at Indiana…

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). 1st online platform to accept Chinese crypto launched. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — China hands out $3 million of digital yuan as JD.com becomes the first online platform to accept it.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Syrain FM holds talks with Ghalibaf. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Syrian FM Faisal Mekdad met and held talks with Iranian Parliament's spox Mohamamd Bagher Ghalibaf on Monday.

SANA (2020-12-07). More Scandals on Dutch Government's Involvement in Supporting Terrorism in Syria. globalresearch.ca A new chapter in the scandals of the Netherlands's involvement in supporting terrorist organizations in Syria is unfolding in front of the world public opinion after Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has recently admitted that he personally intervened to obstruct …

Paul Craig Roberts (2020-12-07). Pearl Harbor: An Orchestrated Event? thealtworld.com In November, 1944, US Secretary of War, Henry Stimson snapped to the US Secretary of the Treasury that he was worn out "from working the last two weeks on the Pearl Harbor report to keep out anything that might hurt the President." — Churchill's War, Vol. II | December 7, 2020. Today is the 79th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the event that brought the US into the war against Germany and Japan. Eight American battleships were sunk or put out of action, and about 3,600 American sailors were killed or wounded. | Washington needed scapegoats, and Admiral Husband Kimmel and General Walter S…

_____ (2020-12-07). Biden's Iran Deal Faces Iran's 'Red Pill'. strategic-culture.org Biden says he wants — through diplomacy — And now, four years on, the prospect of failure seems assured — firstly by the hostages to…

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Last breath of Autumn in Gilan. en.mehrnews.com GILAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Natural landscapes of Gilan Province of Iran is witnessing the last days of Autumn in December.

Hallel Rabin (2020-12-07). 'Refusing to Serve in the Army is My Small Act of Making Change'. zcomm.org Hallel Rabin spent 56 days in an Israeli military prison for refusing to serve in the Israel Defense Force. Rabin, 19, talks about her time behind bars, conversations with her fellow inmates, and talking to young Israelis about the occupation…

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Iraqi forces arrest ISIL element in Kirkuk province. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — The Iraqi forces have arrested the intelligence chief of the ISIL terrorists in the Northern Province of Kirkuk.

RT (2020-12-06). 'Putin has cancer' pundit beloved by Western media arrested for flouting Covid-19 restrictions at St. Petersburg rally. rt.com To the Western media, he's a window into the secretive world of the Kremlin. To many Russians, he's a notorious conspiracy pundit. But for police, Valery Solovey is a wanted man, after he was arrested at a rally in St. Petersburg.

Dave Markland (2020-12-06). Review of Hensman's 'Indefensible'. zcomm.org Defense of the Easily Defensible By Dave Markland In 2018 Haymarket Books published Rohini Hensman's Indefensible: Democracy, Counter-revolution and Anti-imperialist Rhetoric. Its focus is on left journalists and analysts like John Pilger and the late Edward S. Herman who have committed the inexcusable sin of being overly suspicious of United States foreign policy. Many readers

Andrew Korybko (2020-12-06). Khalistan Is The Solution: From Sikh Genocide To Econocide. thealtworld.com Exclusive— The long-held aspirations of Indian Punjab's Sikh population for self-determination might receive an enormous boost in the midst of the country's large-scale farmers' protests. Although more than just that state's Sikhs are participating in these peaceful demonstrations, they form a crucial part of this movement which wouldn't be possible without them acting as the vanguard. Their home region's agricultural potential is enormously important for the rest of India, which gives them much more significant leverage over national affairs than many of them had previously thought possible. | The past coup…