2021-01-04: News Headlines

MEE staff (2021-01-04). Palestinian says he 'miraculously survived' attack in Jerusalem by Israeli mob. middleeasteye.net Palestinian says he 'miraculously survived' attack in Jerusalem by Israeli mob | Two brothers from East Jerusalem were mobbed in an attack caught on camera, as Israeli police says they are 'losing control' after death of teen settler | Mon, 01/04/2021 – 13: 01 | A Palestinian protester argues with an Israeli settler during a demonstration against the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank town of S…

Online News Editor (2021-01-04). Singapore's GDP posts worst-ever contraction of 5.8 percent. laprensalatina.com Bangkok, Jan 4 (efe-epa).- Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 5.8 percent during 2020, its worst contraction since independence from Malaysia in 1965, weighed down by the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the fourth straight quarter of decline of the GDP of the city-state, whose economy is in recession. The last …

Editor (2021-01-04). Chris Hedges: The Empire is Not Done with Julian Assange. scheerpost.com By Chris Hedges / Original to ScheerPost Shortly after WikiLeaks released the Iraq War Logs in October 2010, which documented numerous U.S. war crimes — including video images of the gunning down of two Reuters journalists and 10 other unarmed civilians in the Collateral Murder video, the routine torture of Iraqi prisoners, the covering up of thousands of civilian deaths and the killing of nearly… |

Ahmed Abdulkareem (2021-01-04). "An Israeli Blitzkrieg" Signs Point to Imminent Israeli Military Action in Yemen. mintpressnews.com ADEN, YEMEN — Saudi Arabia has rung in the new year in a familiar way, with an airstrike targeting a large gathering of civilians at a wedding ceremony in Yemen. On new year's night, at least five civilians were killed when Saudi-backed militants launched artillery rounds at a wedding ceremony in the populated al-Hawk area in the strategic port city of Hodeida. | Developments taking place across the Middle East are driving the reality home in Yemen that 2021 is unlikely to bring about an end to Saudi Arabia's nearly six-year-long war on their country. Signs of escalation are beginning to surface gradually i…

Staff (2021-01-04). "Victory for Julian": U.K. Blocks WikiLeaks Founder Assange Extradition to U.S. on Espionage Charges. democracynow.org In a stunning decision, a British judge has blocked the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States, saying he would not be safe in a U.S. prison due to his deteriorated mental state. In 2019, Assange was indicted in the United States on 17 counts of violating the Espionage Act related to the publication of classified documents exposing U.S. war crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The United States has already announced plans to appeal the ruling. Press freedom advocates have campaigned against Assange's prosecution for years, arguing it would set a dangerous precedent for prosecut…

M.K. Bhadrakumar (2021-01-04). Perfect storm gathers in Persian Gulf. peoplesdispatch.org On the first anniversary of the killing of the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, Gen. Qasem Soleimani, in a targeted drone strike on January 3, 2020 that was approved by President Donald Trump, something was bound to happen. Tehran has regularly insisted that the killing has not yet been avenged. | And US officials have been especially nervous lately. The US flew strategic bombers over the Persian Gulf twice in December, in a show of force meant to deter Iran from attacking American or allied targets in the Middle East. | A senior US military official confirmed that the second flight last Wednesday by two Air Fo…

Staff (2021-01-04). Decision Is Good News for Assange But Sets Grave Precedent for Other Journalists. truthout.org In a stunning decision, a British judge has blocked the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States, saying he would not be safe in a U.S. prison due to his deteriorated mental state. In 2019, Assange was indicted in the United States on 17 counts of violating the Espionage Act related to the publication of classified documents exposing U.S. war crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The United States has already announced plans to appeal the ruling. Press freedo…

Alan Macleod (2021-01-04). Media Praise of Israel's COVID Vaccination Drive a Form of "Medical Apartheid" mintpressnews.com Completely missing from media accounts of the Israeli vaccine drive was mention of the millions of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, none of whom have received the vaccine.

W. T. Whitney (2021-01-04). Indonesia was a Model for Anticommunist Massacres and the US Was Complicit. counterpunch.org In a plot of obscure origin, six Indonesian Army generals were murdered on September 30, 1965. Blame fell on the PKI and soon soldiers, paramilitaries, and thugs were killing or disappearing members of the PKI and its affiliates. Army General Suharto assumed dictatorial powers which he retained until 1998. President Sukarno was sidelined. Deaths approached one million; a million more people ended up in concentration camps. Torture was rampant.

Utsa Patnaik (2021-01-04). The Global angle to the Farmer protests. mronline.org The farmers' movement for the repeal of the three farm laws which affect them closely but have been rammed through without consulting them, has now entered its second month.

Mark Gruenberg (2021-01-04). Candidates wrap up campaigns today in Georgia U.S. Senate runoffs. peoplesworld.org &nbsp…

Peter Lownds (2021-01-04). A new year poem for Latin America, 'La Paciente'. peoplesworld.org Latin America lies on a hospital gurney after yet another amputation She trembles in shock from her Brazilian breast to her Andean rump The Mexican Gulf traces the profile of her head, thrown back in agony Her "Indian" hair has shaken loose from its mountainous comb of bone So that the thick braid of Central …

AFSCME en Español (2021-01-04). Debemos involucrarnos en la segunda vuelta de las elecciones al Senado en Georgia. peoplesworld.org Una razón crucial que está motivando a la gente obrera a hacer todo lo posible por ayudar a Jon Ossoff y al Rvdo. Raphael Warnock a ganar la segunda vuelta electoral por el Senado que se realizará en Georgia en enero es la ayuda federal a estados, ciudades, localidades y escuelas. Si Ossoff y Warnock …

Daniel Hilton (2021-01-04). Tripoli academy still reeling a year after UAE attack in Libya. middleeasteye.net Tripoli academy still reeling a year after UAE attack in Libya | Survivors call for justice and relive painful memories of the drone strike on a military college that killed 26 unarmed youths | Mon, 01/04/2021 – 10: 39 | Brigadier General Khaled Ali Ahmed bin Omar stands at the site of the drone strike in a military academy in Tripoli (MEE/Daniel Hilton) | The blast hole has been filled in, the con…

MEE staff (2021-01-04). Saudi Arabia agrees to end blockade on Qatar, open airspace and land border. middleeasteye.net Saudi Arabia agrees to end blockade on Qatar, open airspace and land border | Kuwait's foreign minister announces preliminary agreement in a major step towards resolving the Gulf crisis | Mon, 01/04/2021 – 18: 45 | Saudi Arabia has lifted its land and air blockade on Qatar in a major step towards ending a Gulf rift that started more than three years ago when Riyadh and its allies imposed a siege on Doha. | Ku…

Ragip Soylu (2021-01-04). Top Turkish university scandalised by Erdogan's pick of new president. middleeasteye.net Top Turkish university scandalised by Erdogan's pick of new president | Appointment of a pro-government head of Bogazici University sparks widespread condemnation and clashes with the police | Mon, 01/04/2021 – 14: 49 | Bogazici University students hold a banner which reads 'We don't want a [government appointed] president' in a protest held on 4 January 2020 in Istanbul (MEE/Ragip Soylu) | A row over Tu…

Online News Editor (2021-01-04). Taliban, US accuse each other of violating Doha peace deal. laprensalatina.com Kabul, Jan 4 (efe-epa).- The Taliban and the United States Monday accused each other of breaching the peace agreement signed between them last year in the Qatari capital. The Taliban said the US forces in the country were carrying out airstrikes in non-combat zones in the insurgent-controlled areas. The military forces returned the accusation, saying …

Online News Editor (2021-01-04). Taliban trying to move leadership from Pakistan to Afghanistan, Kabul says. laprensalatina.com Kabul, Jan 4 (efe-epa).- The Taliban are looking to transfer its top leadership from Pakistan to Afghanistan, a strategy which has led to the insurgent group increasing its attacks in the country's south in order to increase the area under its control, Afghan intelligence claimed on Monday. Zia Sara, the director of the National Directorate …

Online News Editor (2021-01-04). Japan considers declaring state of emergency in Tokyo area. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Jan 4 (efe-epa).- Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Monday that the government was considering declaring another state of emergency in Tokyo and the surrounding areas due to the continued rise of Covid-19 cases that have piled up the pressure on the country's healthcare system. The emergency declaration, if announced, would affect the capital …

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). COVID-19 claims 55,650 lives across Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — The coronavirus has infected 6,073 people and claimed 110 lives in Iran in the past 24 hours, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.

Peoples Dispatch (2021-01-04). Iraqis demand withdrawal of US troops on anniversary of killing of Soleimani, al-Muhandis. peoplesdispatch.org Thousands of protesters gathered at Tahrir square in Baghdad after marching to the highway leading to the airport where Soleimani and Muhandis were killed last year. They demanded the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq…

Pepe Escobar (2021-01-04). The Raging 2020s. Soleimani Geopolitics, One Year On. globalresearch.ca One year ago, The assassination of Maj Gen Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq's …

WSWS (2021-01-04). Autoworker crushed to death at Marion Stamping Plant in Indiana. wsws.org Mark McKnight, a highly skilled and careful worker, was 57 years old. Everybody liked him, a co-worker commented, "the nicest guy you could ever meet."

WSWS (2021-01-04). German cultural institutions oppose government's anti—BDS resolution aimed at quashing criticism of Israel. wsws.org On December 9, 30 German cultural institutions issued a statement opposing a resolution passed by the Bundestag seeking to silence the BDS movement.

teleSUR (2021-01-04). China and Argentina To Strengthen 'Belt and Road' Cooperation. telesurenglish.net China's President Xi Jinping said that his country stands ready to work with Argentina to promote the development of the "Belt and Road" Initiative. | RELATED: | "Argentina could become the biggest economy in Latin America to join the Belt and Road Initiative," Buenos Aires Times commented, adding that such action that would allow President Alberto Fernandez to "deepen trade and investment ties with China even further."

teleSUR (2021-01-04). India: Citizens Block Road To Protest Roof Collapse. telesurenglish.net Hundreds of people on Monday protested against the Ghaziabad municipality, which they blame for the collapse of a roof at a crematorium that caused 24 deaths and 18 people injured. | RELATED: | The accident occurred in Muradnagar town, Uttar Pradesh state, on Sunday when dozens of people were sheltering from the rain under a shed. The roof collapse appears to have been caused by the negligence of municipal officials…

Timothy Pratt (2021-01-04). Latino Voters Show How Far Georgia Has Come. thenation.com Latino Voters Show How Far Georgia Has Come…

Joan Walsh (2021-01-04). The Georgia Senate Runoff Races Are Too Wild to Call. thenation.com The Georgia Senate Runoff Races Are Too Wild to Call…

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Soleimani tactics thwarts US, Zionist Regime plots in region. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — A military advisor to the Leader said that General Soleimani had a crucial role in the US failure in Afghanistan and Iraq and the Zionist Regime defeat in the 33-Day War against Lebanese Hezbollah.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). EU reacts to increase of uranium enrichment level in Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — The European Union (EU) has reacted to Iran's decision to increase its uranium enrichment level, which was recently reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Iran's measures reversible upon compliance by JCPOA members. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister said that Iran's measures are fully reversible upon full compliance by all JCPOA participants.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). KRG rep. says Gen. Soleimani helped Kurdistan to fight ISIL. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) representative in Tehran says that martyr. Gen. Qassem Soleimani helped Iraqi Kurdistan by sending weapons and military advisers to defeat ISIL.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Russian official warns increased ISIL movements in Syria. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — A Russian official noted that ISIL movements in east of Euphrates in Syria have increased significantly and termed areas outside control of Damascus as "tense" regions.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Iran's nuclear program fully transparent, verifiable. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 02 (MNA) — Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna noted that Iran's nuclear program is fully transparent and verifiable.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Presser of Iran' Foreign Ministry spox. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — The Spokesperson of the Iranian ministry of foreign affairs Saeed Khatibzadeh held a press conference on Monday morning, where he answered questions on a wide range of topics.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Iran missile program must be 'on the table' for JCPOA talks. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — Jake Sullivan, Biden's incoming national security adviser, says Iran's missile program should be on the table when talking about probable US's return to the nuclear deal.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). 'Resistance stronger after Soleimani assassination'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — The Iranian Judiciary chief says the assassination of top anti-terror commander, Lt. General Ghasem Soleimani, made the resistance movement stronger than ever.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Iranian 'Am I a Wolf?' joins 2021 Oscar Academy Awards list. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — The Iranian animation "Am I a Wolf? " directed by Amir Hoshang Moeen has managed to enter the final list of 2021 Oscar Academy Awards animated short films.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Iran embassy in Japan to hold seminar on Gen. Soleimani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — On the occasion of the first martyrdom anniversary of Lt. Gen. Soleimani, the Cultural Counselor of the Iranian Embassy in Japan will hold a virtual seminar of "Introduction of the national hero of Iran, Gen. Qasem Soleimani".

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Iran calls on Pakistan for increased anti-narcotics coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — Head of Iran's Anti-Narcotics Police said further strengthening of cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad is on the agenda, while Iran emphasizes stronger actions of the Pakistani side to combat narcotics.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). A bomb explodes on route of a US-coalition convoy in N Iraq. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — Some Iraqi sources reported that a bomb has exploded on the path of a convoy belonging to the so-called International Coalition against ISIL in northern Iraq.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). S. Korea demands immediate release of tanker seized by Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — South Korea's Foreign Ministry said on Monday that a South Korean chemical tanker had been seized by Iranian authorities in the waters off Oman, and demanded its immediate release.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Iran produces 20% enriched uranium in 12 hours. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — Spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said that the Islamic Republic has produced 20% enriched uranium in 12 hours.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Front pages of Iran's English-language dailies on Jan. 04. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — Here are the front pages of Iran's English-language dailies on Monday, January 4.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). 9 dead, 4 wounded in terror attack on bus in Syria's Hama. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — A terrorist attack on a bus in Hama, Syria, killed at least 9 civilians and wounded several others.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Tehran ready to negotiate with Riyadh. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — Stating that Iran welcomes any attempt to bridge the gap among regional neighbors, the Iranian envoy to Kuwait expressed Iran's readiness to discuss any disputes and crises with Riyadh via peaceful and formal negotiations.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). New explosion near Saudi forces HQ in S. Yemen. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — Two successive explosions, followed by gunfire, rocked the vicinity of the Saudi force's headquarters in the Yemeni governorate of Abyan on Monday, hours after a similar explosion yesterday.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). 200 US military vehicles arrived at Ain al-Asad Airbase. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — An Iraqi security source reported the arrival of 200 US military vehicles and trucks with the support of the US Air Force at the Ain al-Asad Airbase in Iraq's Al-Anbar Governorate.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). Iran, Russia & Turkey cooperating to push US aside. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — A Zionist newspaper wrote in a report that Iran, Turkey, and Russia are cooperating with one another against the influence and presence of the US in the region.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-04). US seeks disintegration of regional countries. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — Iran's IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said the disintegration of regional countries is the main purpose of the US.