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2021-02-15: News Headlines

Alan Macleod (2021-02-15). "Shame on You, New York Times!" Scientists Speak Out Over Media Disinformation on China. mintpressnews.com ATexas teenager has been forced to use her entire college savings to prevent her single mother from being evicted after she lost her job amid a raging pandemic. Alondra Carmona of Houston made the Some of the world's top scientists are condemning The New York Times for what they describe as a highly misleading hit job…

CP Editor (2021-02-15). Dr. Hanan Ashrawi on the Future for Palestine. counterpunch.org

Ragip Soylu (2021-02-15). Turkey: Hundreds arrested after PKK's execution of 13 hostages. middleeasteye.net Turkey: Hundreds arrested after PKK's execution of 13 hostages | Erdogan lashes out at United States for allegedly providing Kurdish militants with weapons | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 13: 48 | The funerals of three Turkish military personnel killed in Iraq, at the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque, Ankara, on 12 February 2021 (AFP) | Turkey on Monday announced the detention of 718 people suspected of having links to the…

Richard D. Wolff (2021-02-15). The Centers of Global Capitalism Are Migrating Away From the U.S., Europe and Japan. counterpunch.org The blunt truth of modern economic development is this: capitalism is leaving its old centers and relocating to its new centers. About this leaving we can and should borrow the phrase: this changes everything.

Shatha Hammad (2021-02-15). Palestine: Lawyers rally against 'intrusion on judiciary' after controversial decrees. middleeasteye.net Palestine: Lawyers rally against 'intrusion on judiciary' after controversial decrees | Ex-judges join the sit-ins to condemn 'power-hungry moves' by the Palestinian Authority in the absence of a parliament | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 09: 51 | Lawyers and former judges call for protection of judicial independence, outside the Palestinian Legislative Council in Ramallah on 9 February (MEE/Shatha Hammad) | T…

MEE staff (2021-02-15). Feud between Congressman and UAE ambassador to US escalates online. middleeasteye.net Feud between Congressman and UAE ambassador to US escalates online | Congressman Ro Khanna calls for release of Yemeni journalist Adel al-Hasani after war of words with Yousef al-Otaiba | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 19: 25 | Congressman Ro Khanna first introduced a resolution to end US support for Saudi-led war in Yemen in September 2017 (AFP/File photo) | US Congressman Ro Khanna has called on the UAE to help secure th…

MEE staff (2021-02-15). Houthis claim fresh drone strikes on Saudi airports. middleeasteye.net Houthis claim fresh drone strikes on Saudi airports | The alleged attacks on Jeddah and Abha come amid a surge in violence as Yemeni movement pursues offensive in Marib | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 16: 33 | Smoke billows during clashes between forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government and Houthi rebel fighters in al-Jadaan area about 50 kilometres northwest of Marib in central Yemen (AFP) | Houthi drones struck t…

M. K. Bhadrakumar (2021-02-15). US-Indian Strategic Construct of Western Indian Ocean Runs into Headwinds. asia-pacificresearch.com

teleSUR (2021-02-15). Germany Will Not Reject Russian Vaccine if Authorized by the EU. telesurenglish.net The German Federal Government spokesperson Steffen Seibert on Monday announced that his country will not reject Russian and Chinese COVID-19 vaccines if the European Union (EU) allows its use. | RELATED: | He pointed out that it does not matter where the vaccine is produced if it is certified by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorized by the European Commission (EC). | "If the Russian or any other vaccine complie…

Medea Benjamin (2021-02-15). Is Biden Committing Diplomatic Suicide Over the Iran Nuclear Agreement? zcomm.org Can Biden's America be part of the solution? After only three weeks in office, surely it can't be too late. But the ball is in his court, and the whole world is watching…

yenisafak (2021-02-15). Turkey bids farewell to citizens massacred by PKK. yenisafak.com Funeral services are being held across Turkey on Monday for citizens martyred by PKK terror group in northern Iraq, with attendees chanting slogans against terrorists.Gendarmerie Private Suleyman Sungur, 27, was laid to rest in his hometown in the southeastern Siirt province.His mother Sirin and father Salih were present in the ceremony, which was attended by the provincial gendarmerie commander, Gen. Arif Cetin, as well as many other officials and citizens.Following the funeral prayer, citizens chanted slogans against the PKK terror group, calling for an end to it.On Sunday, Turkish National Defense Minister Hul…

yenisafak (2021-02-15). 'Nothing can justify terror': Germany on PKK massacre. yenisafak.com The German government on Monday expressed condolences over the massacre of 13 Turkish citizens by the terror group PKK in northern Iraq, saying no such action could be justified."We would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims," Foreign Ministry deputy spokeswoman Andrea Sasse told a news conference in Berlin."Nothing can justify terror. International humanitarian law must be fully respected in armed conflicts," she added.The Turkish nationals, who had been held captive for several years by the PKK, were executed by the group in Gara, northern Iraq over the weekend, during Tu…

Patrik Paulov (2021-02-15). The Gulf War 30 Years Ago: Memories From a Shelter in Baghdad. commondreams.org On February 13, 1991, a horrific massacre took place in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. The U.S. coalition bombed a shelter and killed more than 400 people. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/amiriya_shelter_intesar_ahmead_photo_patrik_paulov.jpg

MEE staff (2021-02-15). 'Baseless allegations': Iran denies plotting to attack UAE embassy in Ethiopia. middleeasteye.net 'Baseless allegations': Iran denies plotting to attack UAE embassy in Ethiopia | Tehran rubbishes US and Israeli claims it was behind foiled attack, saying 'neither Ethiopia nor the Emirates said anything about Iranian interference' | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 18: 55 | Ethiopian authorities arrested 15 people in an alleged plot to attack UAE's embassy in Addis Ababa (AFP/File photo) | Iran has denied US and Israeli cl…

MEE staff (2021-02-15). Trump wanted to 'take out' Syria's President Assad, former adviser claims. middleeasteye.net Trump wanted to 'take out' Syria's President Assad, former adviser claims | KT McFarland, who served as deputy national security adviser, said the former president was enraged after seeing pictures of suspected sarin gas attack | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 16: 16 | The Trump administration responded to the 2017 gas attack by firing dozens of cruise missiles at a Syrian air base where the gas was allegedly housed (AFP)…

MEE and agencies (2021-02-15). Iran will block snap IAEA inspections if nuclear deal terms not met. middleeasteye.net Iran will block snap IAEA inspections if nuclear deal terms not met | Tehran's move is seen as a challenge to Joe Biden's attempt to revive the Iranian nuclear deal | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 10: 16 | An Iranian flag flies outside the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna (AFP/File photo) | Iran said on Monday that it will not allow snap inspections from the UN nuclear watchdo…

Areeb Ullah (2021-02-15). Saudi woman handed death penalty for murder of Bangladeshi maid. middleeasteye.net Saudi woman handed death penalty for murder of Bangladeshi maid | Abiron Begum Ansar was beaten to death by her employers in Riyadh | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 12: 29 | Ansar's family said her body was 'unrecognisable' when it was repatriated back to Bangladesh seven months after her murder (Supplied) | A criminal court in Riyadh on Sunday handed a Saudi national the death penalty for the murder of a Bangladeshi…

Areeb Ullah (2021-02-15). Saudi national handed death penalty for murder of Bangladeshi woman. middleeasteye.net Saudi national handed death penalty for murder of Bangladeshi woman | Abiron Begum Ansar was beaten to death by her employers in Riyadh | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 12: 29 | Ansar's family said her body was 'unrecognisable' when it was repatriated back to Bangladesh seven months after her murder (Supplied) | A criminal court in Riyadh on Sunday handed a Saudi national the death penalty for the murder of a Banglad…

MEE and agencies (2021-02-15). Israeli missile strikes 'kill six non-Syrian militia fighters' near Damascus. middleeasteye.net Israeli missile strikes 'kill six non-Syrian militia fighters' near Damascus | Syria's army said it intercepted a 'sizeable' number of the missile strikes over Damascus | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 07: 14 | Israeli officials said their forces struck 500 military targets in Syria in 2020, many of them Iranian-backed (AFP) | Israeli missile strikes against several targets in Syria killed at least six…

MEE staff (2021-02-15). Iran denies ownership of seized oil tanker, tells Washington to 'stop acts of piracy'. middleeasteye.net Iran denies ownership of seized oil tanker, tells Washington to 'stop acts of piracy' | United States seized Liberian-flagged tanker earlier this month, forcing ship to anchor outside Texas port | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 16: 13 | The US Justice Department on 14 August 2020 confirmed it had seized fuel cargo aboard four tankers sent by Iran to crisis-wracked Venezuela (AFP/File photo) | The seizure of a cargo of oil…

MEE and agencies (2021-02-15). Syrian army 'intercepted' Israeli missile strike over Damascus. middleeasteye.net Syrian army 'intercepted' Israeli missile strike over Damascus | Damascus did not specify the number of casualties or targets struck by Israel | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 07: 14 | Israeli officials said it had struck 500 Iranian targets inside Syria in 2020 (AFP) | Syria on Monday said it had intercepted Israeli missiles flying over Damascus as Israel continues to target Iranian military outposts…

Online News Editor (2021-02-15). Israel stops entry of Covid-19 vaccine into blockaded Gaza. laprensalatina.com Jerusalem/Gaza, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Israel on Monday blocked the entry of the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines to the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian National Authority said. "The Israeli occupation authorities today prevented entry of coronavirus vaccines" to the enclave, the first lot of 2,000-doses out of 10,000 that Palestinian authorities have been allocated from Russia, …

The Canary (2021-02-15). Protests in India over arrest of climate activist. thecanary.co Scores of people have demonstrated in the Indian cities of Bengaluru and Mumbai after a climate activist was arrested for circulating a document on social media supporting months of massive protests by farmers. | Disha Ravi was arrested in Bengaluru on Saturday. | Police said at a news conference on Monday that the document spread misinformation about the farmer protests on the outskirts of New Delhi and "tarnished the image of India". | They say Ravi shared the document with Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, who tweeted it earlier this month. | Activists hold placards demanding the release of Indi…

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2021-02-15). #ReleaseDishaRavi: Global Outrage After India Arrests Climate Activist Over Farmer Protest Toolkit Shared by Greta Thunberg. commondreams.org Ravi's arrest "is an unprecedented attack on democracy," said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "Supporting our farmers is not a crime." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-12311814551.jpg

Online News Editor (2021-02-15). Japan's GDP posts first contraction since 2009 over Covid-19. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Japan's gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 4.8 percent year-on-year in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, marking its first contraction since the 5.7 percent decline it registered in 2009, the government said Monday. During the last quarter of the year between October and December, the Japanese economy grew …

Online News Editor (2021-02-15). Jordan starts Covid-19 vaccinations for refugees at Zaatari camp. laprensalatina.com Amman, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Jordan on Monday started vaccinating Syrian refugees living in the Zaatari camp, becoming one of the first countries in the world to include refugees in its coronavirus vaccine rollout, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Monday. Lilly Carlisle, the spokesperson of the UNHCR in Jordan, told Efe that the Jordanian …

Online News Editor (2021-02-15). Another South Korean religious group investigated over Covid-19 outbreak. laprensalatina.com Update 1: Adds case of cat testing positive Seoul, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- South Korean police searched the headquarters of a missionary organization Monday for being behind an outbreak of Covid-19, a new case in the country of a Christian group being accused of violating health emergency laws. Authorities stormed the International Mission headquarters in Daejeon …

Online News Editor (2021-02-15). Thailand's economy shrank 6.1 percent in 2020. laprensalatina.com Bangkok, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Thailand's economy shrank 6.1 percent in 2020, its largest contraction in two decades amid a halt in tourism and exports caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to data released by the government on Monday. Thailand's gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 4.2 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of last year …

yenisafak (2021-02-15). Turkey to start sharing additional local COVID-19 data. yenisafak.com Turkey will start Monday to share the seven-day averages of new novel coronavirus cases in each of the country's provinces.The figures will be released online and updated in real time by the country's Health Ministry.Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced plans for the decision in a press conference last week following a meeting of the country's Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board in the capital Ankara."Thus, our Provincial Public Health Councils will be able to take decisions regionally when necessary. We're now moving to a period where regional work also can be carried out for a plannable future."Local acti…

Medea Benjamin, Nicolas J.S. Davies (2021-02-15). Is Biden Committing Diplomatic Suicide Over the Iran Nuclear Agreement? commondreams.org American neocons and hawks, including those inside his own administration, appear to be flexing their muscles to kill Biden's commitment to diplomacy at birth, and his own hawkish foreign policy views make him dangerously susceptible to their arguments. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/codepink_2.jpg

yenisafak (2021-02-15). Married couples coming to therapy on rise during pandemic in Turkey. yenisafak.com Therapist Gunes Kucuk told Anadolu Agency that the pandemic impacted married and unmarried couples from different angles and at different levels."As this process continued, somatic conditions such as anxiety disorders, panic attacks, depression, acute stress disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder began to be seen more," said Kucuk.Mentioning that families were affected at different levels according to their cultural, structural, social, and economic status within themselves, she told the agency that families with "strong social support were stronger in coping with the process despite everything.""Families w…

news.un (2021-02-15). Afghanistan: 65 media workers, rights defenders killed since 2018. news.un.org Sixty-five journalists, media professionals and human rights defenders were killed in Afghanistan between 1 January 2018 and 31 January 2021, with 11 losing their lives since the start of peace negotiations last September, the UN Mission in the country said on Monday.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Ankara summons US ambassador to Turkey. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Media sources reported that the Turkish Foreign Ministry has summoned the US ambassador to Ankara for commenting on the killing of Turkish citizens in Iraq.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). US building new military base at Iraq-Syria-Turkey triangle. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The US-led Coalition is building another base military base at the Iraq-Syria-Turkey triangle in the Ain Dewar area in Al-Hasakah countryside.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran, Russia, Turkey to hold another round of Astana talks. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iran, Russian, and Turkey will reportedly hold another round of Astana Peace talks in Sochi to evaluate the Syrian Constitutional Committee.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran, Turkey mull over boosting 'tourism' in post-corona era. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The fifth meeting of the Joint Technical Committee for Tourism Cooperation between Iran and Turkey was held through video conference.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Breathtaking scenery of Meighan Wetland in central Iran. en.mehrnews.com ARAK, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Meighan Wetland in Markazi province is one of the most important wetlands in Iran, and its diverse wildlife and desert nature have given a special effect to this wetland.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran, Qatar discuss bilateral relations, regional coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met and held talks with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Tehran on Mon. to discuss bilateral talks and regional developments.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). US military convoy targeted in Baghdad. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iraqi sources reported that a US military convoy has been targeted in Baghdad on Monday.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran has won as a power in West Asia: Leader's advisor. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Top Military Aide to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that Iran has succeeded as a power in West Asia, and a clear sign of that in the near future is the withdrawal of the US terrorist army from the region.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Russia welcomes China's offer to return US to JCPOA. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov says Moscow welcomes China's offer to hold a multilateral meeting to return the United States to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPCOA).

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran informs IAEA of suspending its JCPOA voluntary actions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iran's permanent ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna said that Tehran has informed the IAEA of suspending its voluntary actions under the Nuclear Deal.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran, Tajikistan to expand coop. on labor market, employment. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The Director-General of International Affairs of Ministry of Cooperative, Labour and Social Welfare said that Iran and Tajikistan will expand relations in the fields of work, employment and technical and vocational education.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iraqi group launches missile attack on Turkish military base. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The Iraqi Islamic Resistance Group "Ashab al-Kahf" announced a rocket attack on a Turkish military base in Mosul.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Yemeni army launches drone attacks on 2 Saudi airports. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The Yemeni army targeted Abha and Jeddah airports in Saudi Arabia in drone strikes on Monday.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iranian FM hold talks with Qatari counterpart. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held a meeting with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Tehran on Monday.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran fully committed to Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE). en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — In a meeting with visiting Qatari FM, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said, "Iran believes that peace and stability in the region will be achieved with the cooperation and collaboration of countries in the region ONLY."

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran FM spokesman's weekly presser. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh held a press conference on Monday morning, where he answered questions on a wide range of topics.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Iran to definitely respond to Zionist's mischievous acts. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — IRGC Spokesman General Ramezan Sharif said the Islamic Republic will definitely respond to the Zionist regime's mischievous acts.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-15). Early spring blossoms in N Iran. en.mehrnews.com BANDAR ANZALI, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Around one month remaining to the start of spring (March 21) and the new Iranian year, many trees in the northern city of Bandar Anzali in Gilan province, have produced blossoms.

2021-02-14: News Headlines

Editor (2021-02-14). Will Biden Finally Bring Our Troops Home From Afghanistan? scheerpost.com U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua T. Jasper] By Maj. Danny Sjursen / AntiWar Real talk: Joe Biden hasn't had too many finest hours in his 47 years plus years on the national scene. To be fair, he's had his moments — like a powerful, earthy, and impassioned 1986 speech he delivered to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, opposing the Reagan administration's apologism for the "repulsive… |

MEE and agencies (2021-02-14). Iraq: In first, four arrested over killing of anti-government protesters. middleeasteye.net Iraq: In first, four arrested over killing of anti-government protesters | Demonstrators have decried longstanding impunity regarding death of some 600 Iraqi protesters since October 2019 uprising | Sun, 02/14/2021 – 15: 40 | An Iraqi protester chants slogans as she waves the national flag during an anti-government demonstration in the southern city of Basra on 7 February 2020 (AFP) | Iraq…

MEE and agencies (2021-02-14). Turkey: 13 hostages executed in northern Iraq, 48 PKK militants killed. middleeasteye.net Turkey: 13 hostages executed in northern Iraq, 48 PKK militants killed | Ankara says Turks were shot by PKK captors as Turkish troops about to stage rescue operation in Gara region | Sun, 02/14/2021 – 10: 52 | The funeral of three Turkish military personnel killed in action at the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque in Ankara on 12 February 2021 (AFP) | Ankara said on Sunday that 13 Turkish civilian…

MEE and agencies (2021-02-14). Dozens of Houthis and pro-government troops killed in Yemen's Marib. middleeasteye.net Dozens of Houthis and pro-government troops killed in Yemen's Marib | Military officials say at least 16 pro-government forces were killed, 21 wounded, in past 24 hours in the strategic area | Sun, 02/14/2021 – 12: 42 | A Russian-built BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle belonging to forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government gets into position during clashes with Houthi fighters northwes…

MEE and agencies (2021-02-14). Sailors abducted by pirates off Nigeria coast return to Turkey. middleeasteye.net Sailors abducted by pirates off Nigeria coast return to Turkey | Fifteen Turkish sailors had been kidnapped in January in the Gulf of Guinea | Sun, 02/14/2021 – 13: 32 | A Turkish sailor who was kidnapped by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea is greeted by his family at Istanbul international airport on 14 February 2021 (Reuters/Handout) | Fifteen Turkish sailors who were kidnapped by pirates o…

_____ (2021-02-14). How One Tiny Country Is Beating The Pandemic And Climate Change. popularresistance.org The small Himalayan country of Bhutan, mainly known for measuring national happiness instead of GDP, is the only carbon-negative country on the planet. Believe it or not, it has only had one single death from COVID-19. Is that a coincidence? | Madeline Drexler's new article in the Atlantic, "The Unlikeliest Pandemic Success Story," dives into the reasons that Bhutan has managed to fare so well against the novel coronavirus while rich countries and middle-income have struggled to keep it in check. The tiny developing country, landlocked between India and Tibet, wasn't exactly set up for success. It began 2020 with…

MEE and agencies (2021-02-14). Syria Kurds hand Iraq 100 alleged Islamic State fighters: Reports. middleeasteye.net Syria Kurds hand Iraq 100 alleged Islamic State fighters: Reports | Around 1,600 Iraqis were still detained in northeast Syria at the end of last year over allegedly fighting for IS | Sun, 02/14/2021 – 15: 14 | A member of the Syrian Kurdish internal security services stands guard during the release of people suspected of being related to Islamic State group fighters from the Kurdish-run a…

RT (2021-02-14). As fears rise over San Francisco-area attacks on elderly Asians by black assailants, leftists find the real culprit: WHITE PEOPLE. rt.com The Lunar New Year passed in the San Francisco Bay area with fears rising over a series of unprovoked attacks on elderly Asians by black men, but leftists may have found some solace by finding the real perpetrators: white people. | As Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen explained, Asians shouldn't respond to the horrific attacks with "knee-jerk" calls for more policing but must instead recognize the violence as "part of a pattern of white supremacy." Even if the assailants are "people of color," he added, "the solution is not to fall back on racist assumptions of our own but to hold the system of…

RT (2021-02-14). Dem Congresswoman wants 'truth commission' to target 'white supremacy' and rein in 'far-right media' over US Capitol riot. rt.com Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-California) has suggested a "truth commission" to tackle "racial injustice" and "white supremacy" in the US, as well as holding "far-right media" and others accountable for the US Capitol riot. | Jacobs floated her idea while appearing on CNN's 'Reliable Sources' on Sunday and said the reason for this "truth commission" proposal is because "we haven't really done the reckoning with the racial injustice and white supremacy of our past that we need to do." | Donald Trump's impeachment trial, according to Jacobs, was "just the start" and more people who "incited, encouraged, or committed acts…

RT (2021-02-14). 'Creepy': CIA trolled over baffling Valentine's Day poem on Twitter. rt.com The Central Intelligence Agency left social media users feeling slightly uncomfortable on Valentine's Day with a bizarre bit of poetry in celebration of the romantic holiday. | "Roses are red. Violets are blue. Happy Valentine's Day from the CIA to you!" the controversial government agency tweeted on Sunday. | Creepy ‚ò Ô∏è The tweet was a follow-up to a previous coded message…

_____ (2021-02-14). New American Regime = Exact Same Challenges for Russia. strategic-culture.org The next 8 years will be a time for Russia to look inwards in order to project outwards, Tim Kirby writes. | As a country that has seen total systemic collapse twice during the 20th century, Russia was watching the leadup to the U.S. presidential inauguration with just as much anticipation as the most ardent Trump/Biden supporters and fervent conspiracy theorists. It looked from Moscow, like Trump, after having been blatantly cheated out of the presidency, might just decide to flip the rigged game table over consequences be damned. Whatever chaos would ensue from such a move would surely give the Russians the fre…

_____ (2021-02-14). Why More and More Countries Are Choosing the Russian Vaccine. strategic-culture.org On January 29, 2021, the Russian Direct Investment Fund applied for registration of the Sputnik V vaccine in the European Union. In January, Hungary became the first EU country to register the Russian vaccine joining dozens of other states across the world.

_____ (2021-02-14). The Guardian Revealed Its True Face in Sacking a Columnist for Criticising U.S. Military Aid to Israel. strategic-culture.org By Jonathan COOK | The revelation that a leftwing journalist, Nathan J Robinson, has been In the tweet below, I have listed a few of the mor…

yenisafak (2021-02-14). Palestine welcomes Turkey's industrial zone in W. Bank. yenisafak.com Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Palestinian Economy Minister Khaled Al-Osaily said the Turkish support amounts to $10 million and is meant for the internal structure of the industrial zone."There is a plan for Turkish factories to operate in the [industrial] zone," Al-Osaily said.According to the Palestinian minister, the industrial zone will be implemented in two phases: The first is financed by Germany at a cost of about 24 million euros, and includes all external infrastructure and is likely to be completed by mid-2021.The second phase, which targets the internal infrastructure, is financed by Turkey and will cost…

Support Peace Hero (2021-02-14). Biden Wants to Extradite Peace Hero Assange. indybay.org Proud Democrat Pres Biden's "Justice" Dept is appealing a British decision to not allow extradition of Julian Assange who exposed American war crimes in Iraq. See consortiumnews.com/2021/02/12/biden-doj-files-appeal-to-get-assange-extradited/

yenisafak (2021-02-14). Bangladesh extends closure of education institutions. yenisafak.com Bangladesh has announced that it will extend the closure of educational institutions for a further 14-day stretch, a straight 11-month shutdown of in-person education after the first COVID-19 case was registered in the country in March last year, a senior official confirmed on Sunday.The Education Ministry has decided to close all educational institutions until Feb. 28, except for Islamic seminaries due to the coronavirus pandemic, Mohammad Abul Khayer, a communication officer at the ministry confirmed to Anadolu Agency.The ministry is taking all important steps to keep students safe from the deadly virus, Khaye…

yenisafak (2021-02-14). Lebanon starts COVID-19 vaccine rollout. yenisafak.com Lebanon's national vaccination campaign against the coronavirus pandemic began Sunday.Mahmoud Hasson, the head of the intensive care unit at the Rafik Hariri Hospital in Beirut, and actor Salah Tizani, 93, received the first shots.Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and Health Minister Hamad Hassan were present during the inoculation."I will not be receiving the vaccine today," Diab told reporters. "Priority will be given to the medical staff, who have made great sacrifices and they must be given full protection in order to do their message."The medical staff and people over 75 will be the first to be vaccinated…

yenisafak (2021-02-14). Saudi Arabia extends virus restrictions for 20 days. yenisafak.com Saudi Arabia on Sunday extended precautionary measures against the coronavirus pandemic for additional 20 days, in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.The extension of the restrictions will be effective as of Sunday 10: 00 pm (19: 00 GMT), the Saudi Interior Ministry said in a statement cited by the official SPA news agency.On Feb. 3, the kingdom ordered precautionary measures to stem the spread of the pandemic upon recommendations from health authorities.Under the measures, social gatherings should not exceed 20 people and the suspension of all events and parties, including weddings, and corporate meetings a…

Ralph Nader, Bruce Fein (2021-02-14). Democrats' Shameful Cave. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/gettyimages-12923215461.jpg

yenisafak (2021-02-14). Ex-Istanbul mayor dies at 76. yenisafak.com Kadir Topbas, the former mayor of Istanbul, passed away on Saturday at the age of 76.He was hospitalized last November after he contracted COVID-19.Topbas was elected mayor of Istanbul in 2004 as candidate of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, and maintained his position until 2017 when he resigned.In 2004, he became the head of Istanbul-based United Cities and Local Governments, Middle East and West Asia Regional Government, and vice president of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). He became UCLG co-chair in 2007.Topbas was the first politician to have won three consecutive local election…

Online News Editor (2021-02-14). Japan okays use of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- Japan on Sunday formally approved Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine for domestic use, marking an important step to immunize most of its people in the run-up to the Summer Olympics that begin on July 23 in Tokyo. The immunization drive will start on Wednesday as the government targets to inoculate its entire population …

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Taliban denies reports over death of 'Taliban leader'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — A senior Taliban member denied the controversial news over the death of Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhunzada in an explosion in Quetta of Pakistan.

The Canary (2021-02-14). Salmond accuser feels 'let down' by Scottish government and exploited by Holyrood inquiry. thecanary.co A woman who came forward with allegations of sexual harassment by Alex Salmond has found the Holyrood committee's investigation "more traumatic" than the High Court trial of the former first minister. | "Let down": | The woman, speaking anonymously on the BBC's The Sunday Show, said the Scottish government "let down" women who complained because of its unlawful investigation. She also said the committee inquiry set up to look into the botched investigation of Salmond had turned the issue into a "political fight" and suggested any conclusions it reaches will be "utterly useless". | She also denied claims t…

Online News Editor (2021-02-14). More than 30 injured in Thai anti-monarchy protests. laprensalatina.com Bangkok, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- At least 31 people were injured in a clash between police and protesters during demonstrations against lèse majesté law in Thailand a day ago, officials said on Sunday. The injured include 11 protesters and 20 police officers in the protests by students and pro-democracy activists, Thai Public Broadcasting Service reported, citing …

Online News Editor (2021-02-14). At least 100 injured after strong earthquake rattles northeast Japan. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- At least 100 people were injured after a magnitude-7.3 earthquake struck northeast Japan, local news agency Kyodo reported Sunday. However, no serious injuries have been reported. Most of those hurt were from the Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures and sustained their injuries due to falling objects, landslides and fires. The epicenter of …

Online News Editor (2021-02-14). Dimitrov, Karatsev, Zverev off to Australian Open quarterfinals. laprensalatina.com Melbourne, Australia, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on Sunday thrashed Austrian Dominic Thiem in straight sets to book an Australian Open last-eight clash against Russian Aslan Karatsev, who became the seventh man in the Open Era to reach the quarterfinals on his slam debut. Later, German Alexander Zverev also made it to the tournament's …

Online News Editor (2021-02-14). Russian women hold human chain protests in support of Yulia Navalnaya. laprensalatina.com Moscow, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- Some 300 women formed a human chain in Moscow on Sunday in solidarity with Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of leading Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. The protest, which was unauthorized, doubled up as a call to release all political prisoners and came after several large protests were met by a police …

Online News Editor (2021-02-14). Druze mark 1982 strike against Israel's annexation laws in Golan Heights. laprensalatina.com Jerusalem, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- Members of the Druze community in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Sunday staged a protest to commemorate the 1982 strike against the annexation of the territory from Syria. Several hundred took part in marches and some of the protesters in the Druze town of Majdal Shams held aloft portraits of Syrian …

news.un (2021-02-14). Living and loving with HIV: a UN Resident Coordinator blog. news.un.org To mark Valentine's Day, the annual 14 February celebration of love and affection, Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand, and Patchara Benjarattanaporn, Thailand Country Director for UNAIDS, call for an end to discrimination against people living with HIV, and recognition of the contribution they make to Thai society.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Iran, Iraq's KRG emphasize removing problems on joint borders. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) – Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) stressed the need for removing problems on joint borders.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Israelis to face tough response if cross red lines in Syria. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Iranian foreign minister's senior assistant on special political affairs, Ali-Asghar Khaji, warned the Israeli regime against crossing red lines in Syria, in a reference to the Zionists' alleged air raids on Syrian soil.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Bomb blast leaves 1 dead, 1 injured in Afghanistan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — One person has been killed and another injured in an explosion in the central province of Uruzgan in Afghanistan.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). VIDEO: Hirom lake hosting Eurasian cranes. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — These days, the Hirom Lake, located in Larestan, Fars province, south of Iran, hosts a large population of Eurasian cranes that landed there on their way back to their northern habitats.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). VIDEO: Snowfall disrupts Moscow air travel. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Airports in Moscow have been disrupted due to heavy snowfall that has blanketed the Russian capital.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Iran counts on purchasing arms from Russia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Iran hopes it will be able to procure arms from Russia to ensure security in the region, Senior Assistant to Iranian Foreign Minister in Special Political Affairs Ali-Asghar Khaji told Sputnik.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Iran urges IAEA to ensure confidentiality of information. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Iran's permanent ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna said that Tehran has urged the IAEA to ensure the confidentiality of information regarding its nuclear program.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Rural serenity of winter days in Mazandaran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Emaft, a village in the central district of Savadkuh County, Mazandaran province, is among the thousands of Iranian villages that bring visitors a deep feeling of serenity, which is considered a virtue in the modern world.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Army launches military drill in west Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran staged a military drill in Qasr-e Shirin in Kermanshah Province.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Systematic human rights violations ongoing in Bahrain. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Today the continuous violation of human rights, suppression of people seeking their own minimalist demands along with al-Khalifa alliance with Zionism can be witnessed in Bahrain, a senior Iranian Parliamentary advisor said.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). FAO, Iran start joint plan to reinvigorate agri. innovation. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — FAO supports the establishment of an agricultural innovation lab in Iran to enhance the national capacity in generating novel approaches for tackling growing food and nutrition security challenges.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Russia says partners in EU need Nord Stream 2 project. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Russian Deputy Prime Minister said that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline does not face the risk of being unused as EU countries are interested in the project.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Yemeni army launch drone attack on Saudi airport. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — The Yemeni army has targeted Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia in a drone strike on Sunday.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Persepolis 1-0 Paykan: IPL. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — In a match held on Sunday at Azadi Stadium, Persepolis defeated Paykan 1-0 in the 15th week of the Iran Professional League.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). Afghan FM appreciates Iran's aid in containing tanker blast. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — Afghanistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his sincere appreciation for the timely action and cooperation of Iranian authorities in controlling the fire, preventing further damage and opening border caused by blast.

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-14). London, Washington discuss Iran nuclear program in phone call. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (MNA) — The British Foreign Secretary said that he had discussed Iran's nuclear program in a telephone conversation with his American counterpart.

yenisafak (2021-02-14). Bodies of 13 Turkish civilians found in N.Iraq terror cave. yenisafak.com Bodies of 13 Turkish civilians were found during Turkey's anti-terror operation in northern Iraq, according to the Turkish defense chief on Sunday."While our activities in the Operation Claw-Eagle 2 zone were continuing, the mortal remains of 13 citizens were found in a cave," said Hulusi Akar at the operations center on the border in southeastern Sirnak province.He said the innocent and unarmed Turks were shot dead — one in the shoulder, and the rest in their heads."According to the information by two terrorists who were captured alive, our citizens were martyred by the 'cave manager' before the start of the an…

yenisafak (2021-02-14). Anti-terror operation held in southeast Turkey. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces seized ammunition, equipment and organizational documents in a counter-terrorism operation in the eastern Sirnak province, the governor's office said on Saturday.According to a statement, a joint team of gendarmerie commandos and police held the operation in the vicinity of Mt. Gabar and targeted over a dozen shelter and caves in which weapons and equipment were buried under ground.Among the items found during the operation — dubbed EREN-10 Martyr Lieutenant Mustafa Erdal — were sniper rifles, guns, flame thrower, rockets, hand grenades and grenade throwers, improvised explosive devices,…

yenisafak (2021-02-14). Over 100 injured in powerful Japan earthquake. yenisafak.com Over 100 injuries were reported after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit northeastern Japan on Saturday, according to local media Sunday."Injuries were reported in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures and six others, including Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama, all neighboring Tokyo. The quake was felt in several other areas including the capital," the Kyodo News Agency said, adding that there have been no deaths attributed to the earthquake.It also said there was no tsunami following the disaster.The Japan Meteorological Agency said the powerful tremor off Fukushima occurred at 11.07 p.m. local time (1407GMT) 60 kilometers (3…

yenisafak (2021-02-14). Three PKK terrorists killed in northern Iraq. yenisafak.com Three PKK terrorists in northern Iraq were neutralized by Turkish drones, according to the Turkish National Defense Ministry on Sunday."3 PKK terrorists spotted in the Gara region in northern Iraq… trying to escape with a paramotor were neutralized by our UAVs," the ministry said on Twitter.The total number of terrorists neutralized in the region has reached 53, it added.Turkey launched Operation Claw-Eagle 2 on Feb. 10 to prevent the PKK/KCK and other terror groups from re-establishing positions used to carry out cross-border terror attacks. The operation was completed on Sunday.Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-…

yenisafak (2021-02-14). German travel vlogger embraces Islam after spending a year in Pakistan. yenisafak.com Popular German travel vlogger and content creator Christian Betzmann shocked his fans on social media when he announced that he has embraced Islam after spending a year in Pakistan.Taking to Instagram, Betzmann posted a photo of himself holding a certificate from the Islamic School of Miami accompanied by a caption saying that he "accepted Islam.""I started this channel last December and spend almost 1 year in Pakistan. During this time I met so many incredible people and learned a lot about the religion and the lifestyle. Growing up in Europe, the word Islam was always connected with negativity, war, terrorism,"