Daily Archives: January 3, 2021

2021-01-03: News Headlines

Online News Editor (2021-01-03). India approves emergency use of AstraZeneca, Bharat Biotech vaccines. laprensalatina.com New Delhi, Jan 3 (efe-epa).- India on Sunday approved two coronavirus vaccines for emergency use, one developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, and the other by local pharma Bharat Biotech, moving a step closer to one of the world's largest inoculation campaigns against the Covid-19 pandemic. The head of India's drugs regulator, Venugopal G. Somani, …

Online News Editor (2021-01-03). Nepal tourist arrivals drop to 34 years low in 2020. laprensalatina.com By Sangam Prasain Kathmandu, Jan 3 (efe-epa).- The number of foreign tourists in Nepal plunged more than 80 percent in 2020, the lowest level in 34 years, according to official figures released on Sunday, as the coronavirus pandemic hit global travel. According to the statistics by the Department of Immigration, 230,085 foreign tourists visited the …

Andrew Korybko (2021-01-03). Russia's Constitutional Amendments. Domestic Law Takes Precedence over International Law. globalresearch.ca The recent amendments to the Russian Constitution confirm that domestic document's precedence over international law, and while Russia still respects the latter, it won't ever let it be exploited for "lawfare" like in the Yukos case. | The Russian people overwhelmingly …

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). VIDEO: Miankaleh wildlife sanctuary in northern Iran. en.mehrnews.com `Tehran, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Every winter, the Miankaleh wildlife sanctuary in northern Mazandaran province hosts a variety of immigrant birds and wild animals due to its suitable weather condition and vegetation.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Iran registers 5,960 new COVID-19 cases, 102 deaths. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03( MNA) — Iran's Health Ministry registered 5,960 new coronavirus cases and 102 fatalities on Sunday, the ministry's spokeswoman said.

Online News Editor (2021-01-03). Thailand detects 315 new Covid-19 cases, prepares tougher restrictions. laprensalatina.com Bangkok, Jan 3 (efe-epa).- Thailand confirmed 315 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, most of them local infections as the country reels under the second wave of the coronavirus that began in mid-December and has forced the health authorities to prepare for harsher restrictions. The new cases, which include 21 imported, has increased the overall tally …

Jonathan Cook (2021-01-03). The Antisemitism Industry: how antisemitism is being politicized and weaponized in Europe to defend Israel. zcomm.org The same European leaders who a few years ago marched in Paris shouting "Je suis Charlie" — upholding the inalienable free speech rights of white Europeans to offend Muslims by insulting and ridiculing their Prophet — are now queuing up to outlaw free speech when it is directed against Israel…

Ellen Birkett Lindeen (2021-01-03). Georgia on My Mind. zcomm.org The choice is yours, Georgians. We are counting on you…

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). IRIAF ready to respond to any threat, audacity of enemies. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Referring to some military moves in the region, the Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) said that his forces are always ready to respond to any threat and audacity of the enemies.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Sources reveal info. about UAE's secret contacts with Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Diplomatic sources from Cairo have revealed some information about the UAE's secret contacts with Iran over the assassination of Iranian top scientist Martyr Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Sultan of Oman seeking to resolve Arab states, Iran disputes. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Arab sources reported that reconciliation of Qatar and the four Arab countries as well as resolving the dispute of Arab countries with Iran is a priority for the future policies of the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Leader's note on Gen. Soleimani's autobiography released. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has penned a note on the newly-published autobiography book of the martyred Iranian commander Lt. General Ghasem Soleimani.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). 2 terrorist bombers, an armed criminal executed in S Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Two terrorist bombers and an armed criminal were executed in Sistan and Baluchestan on Sunday morning.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Baghdad gathering turning into referendum on expulsion of US. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Hundreds of Thousands of people in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad have gathered in Tahrir square to mark Resistance martyrs and express their voice for the expulsion of US troops from the country.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Iran, Pakistan to discuss anti-narcotics cooperation. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Iranian and Pakistani anti-narcotics police chiefs will discuss ways of boosting cooperation in a bid to counter the traffic of illegal drugs.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). 'Soldier' on stage in Tehran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — On the occasion of the first martyrdom anniversary of Lt. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian play 'Soldier', written and directed by Hossein Parsaie went on stage at Vahdat Hall in Tehran.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Baghdad gathering turning into referendum on expulsion of US. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Millions of people in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad have gathered in Tahrir square to mark Resistance martyrs and express their voice for the expulsion of US troops from the country.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Martyrdom anniv. of Gen. Soleimani, al-Muhandis held in Syria. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Participated by some Iranian, Syrian, and Palestinian officials, the first anniversary of the martyrdom of General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis was held in the holy shrine of Hazrat Zainab (S.A), Damascus.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Artists showcase Gen. Soleimani pictures in Kish. en.mehrnews.com KISH, Jan. 03 (MNA) — A group of Iranian artists are showcasing the pictures of the martyred Iranian anti-terror commander, Lt. General Ghasem Soleimani, in an art exhibition in Kish Island. The gallery will be open till January 31.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Tehran says US expulsion from region becoming 'closer'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Iranian senior diplomat said that the reality of the region shows that the process of expelling the US is accelerating day by day and the status of the Americans among the peoples of the world has never been such bad before.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Exports via Hormozgan prov. ports top $7bn in 9 months. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Iran exported a total of 24 million tons of commodities worth $7 billion via southern Hormozgan province during the nine months of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2020 to December. 20).

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Expulsion of US troops retribution for commanders' assassins. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Hashd al-Shaabi Chief Faleh al-Fayyaz said ousting the US troops from Iraq and the region is retribution for the murderers of Lt. Gen. Soleimani and Abu Mahi Al-Muhandis.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Range limit to 2,000km for Iranian missiles not everlasting. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Stating that Iran's missile capability is non-negotiable, the Commander of IRGC Aerospace Force said that the range limit to 2,000 kilometers for Iranian missiles is not everlasting.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Iran hard revenge definite: MP. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Stressing that Iran is determined to take revenge on the perpetrators of the assassination of Martyr General Soleimani, an Iranian lawmaker stressed that the US must be dealt with harshly, not on the negotiation table.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Gen. Soleimani represented Iran's commitment to war on terror. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — A member of the Afghan parliament says figures like Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani represented Iran's efforts and commitment to fight against terrorism.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). 'Pars 1' satellite handed over to ISA: Official. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — "Pars 1" satellite was handed over to the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) after successful completion of all relevant tests on Saturday.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Coronavirus defeated by Iranian knowledge. en.mehrnews.com &nbsp…

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Iran extends flights ban to UK over new strain. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Deputy Head of Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) said that the suspension of flights between Iran and the UK has been extended until January 19.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Iran to determine time, place of revenge for Soleimani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — IRGC Spokesman General Ramezan Sharif said it is Iran who will determine the time and place of revenge for Lt. Gen. Soleimani.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Five killed in car explosion in Kapisa, Afghanistan: Report. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — A bomb blast near Afghan capital, Kabul killed at least five civilians and injured dozens more. Following the explosion, Mirwais Karimi, Head of Kapisa Ulema Council was assassinated.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Ghalibaf pays tribute to martyr Lt. Gen. Soleimani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf paid tribute to martyr Lt. Gen. Soleimani by paying a visit to Kerman Martyrs Cemetery in Kerman Province.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). VIDEO: Iraqis gathering to commemorate Soleimani in Baghdad. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Large numbers of Iraqis are gathering in Tahrir Square in Baghdad to take part in a large demonstration marking the first anniversary of the martyrdom of General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Only option left for Washington lifting anti-Iran sanctions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Alli Shamkhani said that the complete lifting of all anti-Iran sanctions is the only option left for Washington to return back from Trump's failed strategy of maximum pressure.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). Iraqi army targets ISIL positions in Kirkuk. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Iraqi army forces targeted the positions of ISIL takfiri terrorists in Kirkuk province during a large-scale operation.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-03). A commander with ubiquitous influence on the ground. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 03 (MNA) — Five years ago in the midst of the Syria war, when militants were only 400 meters away from the Syrian presidential palace, a top Iranian General held a long, unusual meeting with the Russian president for over 2 hours.

Online News Editor (2021-01-03). Thousands in Baghdad mark 1st anniversary of Soleimani's killing. laprensalatina.com By Nawar Alrikabi Baghdad, Jan 3 (efe-epa).- Thousands of supporters of the Iraqi militia group the Popular Mobilization Forces on Sunday took to the streets to mark the first anniversary of the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani by US forces in Iraq. The rally, at central Baghdad's iconic Tahrir square, also called for the …

Online News Editor (2021-01-03). China's Tianwen-1 probe will enter Mars' orbit in February. laprensalatina.com Shanghai, China, Jan 3 (efe-epa).- Chinese first probe to Mars, Tianwen-1, will enter the red planet's orbit in February as planned, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said Sunday. After its launch on July 23 last year, the spacecraft is already 130 million km (80 million miles) away from the Earth and has to travel …

The Grayzone (2021-01-02). Top 12 The Grayzone stories of 2020: From Julian Assange persecution to Bolivia coup defeat, corporate war on free speech to OPCW cover-up. thegrayzone.com 2020 was a chaotic year for the planet. While the Covid-19 pandemic dominated global politics, The Grayzone continued shining a light on the machinations of empire, from the persecution of imprisoned journalist Julian Assange to the defeat of a US-backed coup regime in Bolivia, from the growing corporate war on free speech to the OPCW's scandalous Syria cover-up. Throughout the year, The Grayzone's website had more than 5.24 million views and 2.48 million unique visitors. Our small, independently funded team …

RT (2021-01-02). Relations between Russia & China at 'historic high' after 'once-in-century epidemic,' says Chinese foreign minister. rt.com The relationship between Beijing and Moscow has remained close throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and the two countries have emerged from the crisis as stronger allies, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday. | In recent times, China and Russia have pulled away from the West and grown closer to each other with ever-strengthening economic ties. The new paradigm marks a profound geopolitical shift, given that, until the events of 2014 in Ukraine, Moscow had spent around 25 years pursuing a path to Western integration, which included membership of the G8. | In the Soviet-era, the USSR and Beijing viewed…

Eric van de Beek (2021-01-02). US govt-sponsored website Bellingcat disrupts MH17 trial in Netherlands. thegrayzone.com Bellingcat has attacked defense attorneys and smeared witnesses in the trial over the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. Is it being used by Western intelligence services to steer the case in a particular direction? (This report was originally published at Eric van de Beek's personal website.) For six years the British website Bellingcat has promoted Ukraine's narrative that Russia shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17). With the start of the MH17 trial in March 2020, the self-proclaimed "collective …

Jay Janson (2021-01-02). Suckered into Stupid Wars. dissidentvoice.org "Unknown to most Americans, the US 'totally destroyed' North Korea once before" — Irish Times Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later that someone of high notoriety would blurt out the truth about the American genocide in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, and lift for a moment the curtain of imbecility that keeps why-me-worry …

RT (2021-01-02). India approves AstraZeneca vaccine as company still working on jab's efficacy of at least 62% after disappointing trial results. rt.com India has approved AstraZeneca's Covid-19 jab for emergency use, despite trials showing its efficacy to be 62 percent with two full shots. AstraZeneca claims to have discovered a new "winning formula," but hasn't revealed it yet. | India's information minister, Prakash Javadekar, announced on Saturday that the coronavirus vaccine, designed by the British-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca in collaboration with the University of Oxford, had been approved by regulators a day earlier for emergency use. Formal approval by the Drugs Controller General of India is expected in the coming days. | The news came as India sur…

MEE staff (2021-01-02). Palestinian news platform QNN banned by TikTok. middleeasteye.net Palestinian news platform QNN banned by TikTok | Quds News Network slammed the move by the social media giant as politically motivated | Sat, 01/02/2021 – 10: 55 | Popular social media app Tik Tok removed Quds News Network without warning (AFP) | A popular Palestinian news platform said that it was removed from popular social media app TikTok without any notice, in a move it claimed to be connected to news con…

MEE and agencies (2021-01-02). Five women killed in Yemen wedding blast. middleeasteye.net Five women killed in Yemen wedding blast | Government and Houthis blame each other for the deaths, which came a day after attacks in Aden killed 26 people | Sat, 01/02/2021 – 10: 13 | The aftermath of an explosion in Yemen (AFP/FILE) | Five women were killed when a shell hit a wedding venue in Yemen's Hodeidah city on New Year's Day, officials said on Saturday. | The government and the Ho…

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-02). 50 Taliban members killed in Afghanistan's Helmand. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 02 (MNA) — Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense announced that Mullah Abdul Salam, a key Taliban commander, was killed along with 50 of his men in Nad-e- Ali in Helmand Province.

Abhijan Choudhury (2021-01-02). Palestine's children bear the brunt of Israeli occupation. peoplesdispatch.org Last month's murder of 15-year-old Ali Ayman Abu Aliya in the village of Al-Mughayyir was yet another instance of the brutality shown by Israeli occupation forces towards the children of Palestine…

Yumna Patel (2021-01-02). The Covid-19 Vaccine: Another Ugly Face of Israeli Apartheid. commondreams.org Close to 400,000 Israelis have already been vaccinated against the coronavirus, and tens of thousands of others are on track to do the same in the coming weeks. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/palestine_7_0.jpg

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-02). Iran COVID-19 update: 6,045 new cases, 101 deaths. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 02 (MNA) — The Iranian Health Ministry has confirmed 6,045 COVID-19 infections and 101 deaths due to respiratory disease in the past 24 hours.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-02). Iran, Cuba to co-produce COVID-19 vaccine. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 02 (MNA) — Iran is cooperating with Cuba in producing a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a senior official at the Iranian Health Ministry.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-02). Rouhani urges Iranians to be careful about UK Covid-19. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 02 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged Iranian people to be careful about UK Covid-19 variant.