Daily Archives: October 25, 2020

2020-10-25: News Headlines

Ann Garrison (2020-10-25). Call for Prosecution of War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, and Genocide Crime in DRC. indybay.org "Congo Week," the annual series of forums, films, and conversation organized by Washington D.C.-based Friends of the Congo was, like so much else, a virtual event this year. It concluded today with the presentation of humanitarian awards to two Congolese groups defending human rights, and to Dr. Denis Mukwege, the world renowned gynecologist and Nobel Prize Winner who founded Panzi Hospital to treat women victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In his acceptance speech, Dr. Mukwege called for prosecution of the 617 war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide crimes documented i…

Akram Al-Waara (2020-10-25). Family of Palestinian teen accuses Israeli soldiers of beating him to death. middleeasteye.net Family of Palestinian teen accuses Israeli soldiers of beating him to death | Amer Snobar died on Sunday from blunt-force trauma to the neck, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said | Sun, 10/25/2020 – 14: 07 | Amer Snobar, 18, from the Nablus-area village of Yatma, was reported dead early Sunday morning (Supplied) | The death of a Palestinian teenager early on Sunday morning, allegedly at the h…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-25). Senior Labour frontbencher given 'dressing down' over criticism of Israel. middleeasteye.net Senior Labour frontbencher given 'dressing down' over criticism of Israel | Labour leader Keir Starmer reportedly angry with pro-Palestinian MP Stephen Kinnock for saying UK should ban products from illegal Israeli settlements | Sun, 10/25/2020 – 11: 28 | Keir Starmer has won praise from some UK Jewish groups since he became Labour party leader in April 2020 (AFP) | UK Labour leader Keir S…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-25). Israel accepts US sale of F-35 warplanes to Qatar could happen. middleeasteye.net Israel accepts US sale of F-35 warplanes to Qatar could happen | Speculation in Israeli media that Trump administration will hold out sale of stealth fighter as inducement for Qatar to normalise ties with Israel | Sun, 10/25/2020 – 16: 04 | An F-35 fighter jet. 'I have no doubt that if they [Qatar] want it and are willing to pay, sooner or later they will get it,' said Israel's Energy Mini…

RT (2020-10-25). Slate calls for Mozart & Beethoven to be referred to by their full names to fight 'sexism and racism,' leaving Twitter baffled. rt.com Calling famous classical music composers just by their last names can be "harmful" nowadays, according to an article published in US liberal magazine Slate. The piece was instantly mocked online. | Writing for Slate, Chris White, an assistant professor of music theory at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, took issue with how some composers, like Beethoven or Mozart, are often referred to just by their last names, while others are not. In fact, continuing to use such mononyms today could be seen as "outdated and harmful," he argued. | When we say, 'Tonight, you'll be hearing symphonies by Brahms and Edmon…

RT (2020-10-25). 'Rocks' & punches thrown as anti-Trump protesters CLASH with 'Jews for Trump' parade in NYC (VIDEOS). rt.com A massive car parade of Jewish Donald Trump supporters was met with violent resistance in New York City, with counter-protesters throwing projectiles at cars and trading punches with the conservative demonstrators. | The cars, many of which sported American, Israeli, and pro-Trump flags, all crossed the Brooklyn Bridge and, at one point, passed Trump Tower, honking repeatedly as they passed the building. | #JewsForTrump rally @realDonaldTrump #Trump2020

_____ (2020-10-25). Federal Judges Block Efforts To Ease Rules For Mail-In Ballots. popularresistance.org In the final weeks of the 2020 election, Republican-appointed appellate judges have overturned rulings that required states to make mail-in voting easier during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tens of millions of ballots have already been cast, even as federal judges kept changing the rules. | These decisions could be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court, which will include a 6-3 conservative majority if nominee Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed by the U.S. Senate next week as planned. So far, the court has ruled against voters in nearly every case it has reviewed.

Peter Maass (2020-10-25). When We Talk About Fox News, We Need to Talk About the Murdoch Family Too. zcomm.org Movements of racism and hate are not propelled by visual histrionics alone. They require platforms and they require capital…

_____ (2020-10-25). Life Of Palestinian Hunger Striker In Immediate Danger. popularresistance.org Maher al-Akhras, who has been on a hunger strike since his administrative detention on July 27, is waging a battle against the mighty Israeli occupation apparatus. Every day brings him closer to death, as Israel seems to be trying to prove through his case that the life of Palestinians, like their freedom and human rights, are worth nothing. But the formidable insistence of his hunger strike against the principle of administrative detention, and his determination that the strike will end only once he is free or becomes a martyr, is mobilizing more and more people to his support.

_____ (2020-10-25). What We Are Up Against: Fascism In The United States. popularresistance.org Last week, I wrote about what is needed in this moment and urged people to look more deeply, beyond the Biden-Trump spectacle, to understand where we are as a country and what we must do to change course. I cited the work of Gabriel Rockhill. Read his three recent articles in Counterpunch and the fourth in the series here at Black Agenda Report for an enhanced understanding of how we got here and what we are up against. | This week, I delve more deeply into the question of where we are and what Rockhill means when he writes that "…liberalism and fascism…

Grant Smith (2020-10-25). Thursday 10/29: Censorship, Entanglement & Corruption: The Israel Lobby 2021 Agenda. indybay.org Webinar with participation through Zoom and YouTube. 9AM California time, Noon EDT.

Staff (2020-10-25). To Defeat Fascism, We Must Recognize It's a Failed Response to Capitalist Crisis. truthout.org Few would disagree in light of recent events that the Trump regime, its most diehard extreme-right, white supremacist supporters, and elements of the Republican Party are bidding for a fascist putsch. Whether this putsch remains insurgent or is beaten back will depend on how events unfold in the November 3 election and its aftermath, and especially on the ability of left and progressive forces to mobilize to defend democracy and to push forward a social justice agenda as a counterweight to…

yenisafak (2020-10-25). Palestinian beaten to death by Israeli settlers. yenisafak.com A Palestinian teen was beaten to death early Sunday by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, according to eyewitnesses and a medical source.Amer Snobar, 18, from the town of Yatma, south of Nablus city, was attacked by settlers guarding a Jewish settlement and died of his wounds, witnesses said.A medical source said the teen was admitted to hospital with signs of assault on his body.An Israeli military statement said a Palestinian fell while escaping and hit his head while being chased by army forces.According to the army, the chase came after settlers said that their cars were attacked by stone-throwing P…

yenisafak (2020-10-25). French president encouraged Islamophobia: Pakistan PM. yenisafak.com The Pakistani prime minster has added his voice to the growing criticism of the French president for "encouraging Islamophobia" following the killing of a teacher who showed cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad to his pupils. | "Hallmark of a leader is he unites human beings… rather than dividing them. This is a time when President [Emmanuel] Macron could have put healing touch, and denied space to extremists rather than creating further polarisation and marginalisation that inevitably leads to radicalization," Imran Khan said in a series of tweets on Sunday. | "It is unfortunate that he has chosen to encourage Isl…

yenisafak (2020-10-25). Israeli cabinet approves Bahrain normalisation deal, minister says. yenisafak.com Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet on Sunday unanimously approved Israel's normalisation deal with Bahrain, on…

Susan Price (2020-10-25). In a first, British trade unions commit to challenging Israeli apartheid. greenleft.org.au Bernard Regan reports that Britain's peak union body, representing 6 million workers, adopted a motion last month at its annual conference, reaffirming its solidarity with the Palestinian people's struggle for self-determination.

MEE and agencies (2020-10-24). Israel-Sudan normalisation: How the world reacted. middleeasteye.net Israel-Sudan normalisation: How the world reacted | While Palestinians categorically reject the deal, US allies welcome it as a boost to stability in the Middle East | Sat, 10/24/2020 – 11: 23 | Sudan, technically at war with Israel since 1948, has become the fifth Arab country to forge diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv (AFP) | US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Sudan has agree…

Shatha Hammad (2020-10-24). Palestine Cinema Days film festival kicks off despite cash, pandemic challenges. middleeasteye.net Palestine Cinema Days film festival kicks off despite cash, pandemic challenges | Social distancing, international funding curbs on Palestinian cultural institutions fail to deter event's seventh edition | Sat, 10/24/2020 – 10: 23 | Seats sealed off in line with strict Covid-19 social-distancing measures at the Ramallah Cultural Palace on 20 October (MEE/Shatha Hammad) | In the main hall of the Ram…

Mohammed Amin (2020-10-24). Israel normalisation deal finds fury and favour in Sudan. middleeasteye.net Israel normalisation deal finds fury and favour in Sudan | Critics say US-backed deal 'humiliating', 'shameful' for Sudan; supporters welcome country's return to international fold | Sat, 10/24/2020 – 11: 14 | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Sudan normalised relations with Israel on Friday (AFP) | Sudan on Friday become the third Arab countr…

_____ (2020-10-24). Israel Lobby Spreads More Lies About Palestine Groups At NYU. popularresistance.org New York University has agreed to settle with the US Department of Education over allegations that the university had not appropriately responded to claims of anti-Semitism. | Two attorneys filed the complaint last year on behalf of a student who alleged that she faced "two years of extreme anti-Semitism on the NYU campus which has created an intolerable and unlawful hostile atmosphere for Jewish students." | Echoing previous attempts by Israel advocates to silence Palestinian rights activists on campuses, the complaint accused Students for Justice in Palestine of creating the "hostile" climate due to the group's…

yenisafak (2020-10-24). Indonesia maintains both support for Palestine, ties with UAE. yenisafak.com An Indonesian expert on international relations has said despite its close relationship with the UAE, Indonesia, should not let this affect its unwavering support for Palestinian independence from Israeli occupation.Earlier this week, the UAE government inaugurated a street in the capital Jakarta dedicated to Indonesian President Joko Widodo as a symbol of bilateral ties between the two countries.Ramdhan Muhaimin, a lecturer at the Al-Azhar University in Jakarta, urged Indonesia to keep supporting the Palestinian cause, though several Arab countries, including UAE, have agreed to normalize relations with Israel."

Staff (2020-10-24). Barrett Poised to Be Sixth SCOTUS Justice Hand-Picked by Federalist Society. truthout.org For Americans tearing their hair out about the imminent conservative super-majority on the United States Supreme Court, we have some pointed advice for you. Familiarize yourself with the work of the Federalist Society, a group comprising thousands of very conservative lawyers advocating a so-called "originalist" version of the Constitution, sanctifying private property rights at the expense of workers, consumers, the environment, social justice and the protection of individual rights. | When w…

Fight Back (2020-10-24). Commentary on Bolivia: How a coup failed. fightbacknews.org Chicago, IL – On November 10, 2019, a hastily-assembled coalition of generals, middle class liberals and fascist paramilitaries overthrew the democratic government of Evo Morales in Bolivia. Coming on the heels of a coup attempt in Venezuela and the vicious repression of a people's uprising in Chile, it seemed to many that the continental struggle against U.S. imperialism had reached a tipping point in the empire's favor. | Today, not even a year later, the official results for Bolivia's presidential elections were announced. Evo's comrade and successor Luis "Lucho" Arce received a resounding 55% of the vote…

news.un (2020-10-24). UN expresses hope 'new opportunities' will arise from Sudan's recognition of Israel. news.un.org The UN chief on Saturday said he was taking note of the announcement that Sudan has agreed to normalize relations with Israel, expressing hope that further cooperation will advance international peace and prosperity.

Resistance Revival Chorus (2020-10-24). "All You Fascists Bound To Lose" zcomm.org Let this single and the rest of our album be your soundtrack to defeating fascism at the polls on Nov. 3 — and marching in the streets afterwards if the white nationalists in the White House don't like the results…

Henry A. Giroux (2020-10-24). Dystopian Plagues, Pandemic Fears, and Fascist Politics in the Age of Trump. zcomm.org The COVID-19 crisis has amplified a surrealist hallucination that floods our screens and media with images of fear, trepidation, and dread…

WSWS Repost (2020-10-24). Final presidential debate: Candidates silent on Trump threat of political coup. indybay.org What was not discussed in the last presidential debate should tell voters more than what was discussed. | The candidates made no reference to the plot to assassinate Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer or the growing threat of fascist violence encouraged by the White House.

sputniknews (2020-10-24). Demonstrators Protest Outside Prime Minister Netanyahu's Residence in Jerusalem – Video. sputniknews.com Anti-government protests have been held weekly for the past several months across the Jewish state, with many Israelis demanding the Israeli prime minister's resignation over his indictment on corruption charges, as well as widespread anger over the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

sputniknews (2020-10-24). New Book Tells Story of Berlin Brothel Madam Who Let Nazis Spy on Guests. sputniknews.com Katharina Zammit, better known Kitty Schmidt, ran the famous Salon Kitty brothel in Berlin during the Nazi era. Senior officers in Hitler's counter-intelligence service blackmailed her into letting them spy on clients by using hidden microphones placed in the bedrooms.

yenisafak (2020-10-24). UAE, Bahrain hail normalization of Sudan-Israel ties. yenisafak.com In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry described the announcement as "an important step toward enhancing security and prosperity in the region". | It said the move to normalize the Sudanese-Israeli relations "would expand the scope of economic, commercial, scientific and diplomatic cooperation". | The Bahraini Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, described the announcement as "an additional historical step on the path for achieving peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East region". | It went on to hail US efforts for facilitating the normalization of the Sudanese-Israeli relations. | On Friday, Sudan's acti…

Staff (2020-10-23). Biden Admits Past Mistake Supporting Crime Bill as Trump Defends Attacks on Black Lives Matter. democracynow.org President Trump and Joe Biden sparred on their records over race and criminal justice in Thursday's presidential debate. Trump simultaneously promoted his criminal justice reform efforts while continuing to lean on "tough on crime" rhetoric. Trump also criticized Biden for authoring the 1994 crime bill and supporting other laws that intensified mass incarceration in the U.S., which Biden acknowledged was "a mistake." Rashad Robinson, spokesperson for Color of Change PAC, says Biden's admission highlights the importance of continued pressure on politicians on racial justice issues. "The Democrats can't just make t…

Adam Khalil (2020-10-23). Egypt vents anger as Turkey takes centre stage in reconciliation of Palestinian factions. middleeasteye.net Egypt vents anger as Turkey takes centre stage in reconciliation of Palestinian factions | Cairo considers the success of talks held in Istanbul as a violation of its historical role in the Palestinian cause | Fri, 10/23/2020 – 12: 10 | Following the talks in Istanbul, Fatah and Hamas agreed to present a joint vision on legislative and presidential elections to be held in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusale…

Lee Camp (2020-10-23). Top 10 People to Blame if Joe Biden Loses (It's Not The Left). counterpunch.org So, Joseph Biden, AKA "Kid Senile," leads in the polls against Donald Trump, AKA "Kid Fascist Lunatic," by such a large margin that it resembles a horse race in which one of the horses is an aged wiener dog with three legs. Right now, even though the polling does not account for the millions of voters who

Sara Flounders (2020-10-23). New York Workers Assembly Against Racism. workers.org A powerful and forward-planning Workers Assembly Against Racism was held at Union Square in New York City on Oct. 18. Participants projected the possibilities of workers' power through general strikes, shutdowns and mass actions to dramatically push back ongoing attacks — including police and racist violence, evictions, lack of stimulus . . . |

Chauncey K. Robinson (2020-10-23). Trump is white supremacy's symbol, but the fight against it goes beyond him. peoplesworld.org The white supremacist militia plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was not a fluke. A recent report by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that white supremacist groups are the single most dangerous domestic extremist threat to the nation. Despite this finding, we have a president who continues to not only refuse to fully …

MEE staff (2020-10-23). MBS said he would be killed by his 'own people' if Riyadh normalised ties with Israel: Report. middleeasteye.net MBS said he would be killed by his 'own people' if Riyadh normalised ties with Israel: Report | Billionaire Haim Saban claims crown prince made remarks after UAE and Bahrain's deals with Israel, Haaretz reports | Fri, 10/23/2020 – 18: 16 | US President Donald Trump has suggested Saudi Arabia may recognise Israel (AFP/File photo) | Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Israeli-American billionaire Haim Sa…

Alison Weir (2020-10-23). Yes, There Is a World Zionist Congress — and It's Meeting Now. mintpressnews.com Some have the impression that 'world Zionism' is an antisemitic conspiracy theory… even while the World Zionist Congress is in session, with 720 delegates from over 30 countries.

Jordan Woll (2020-10-23). Trump and Biden agree: U.S. empire should reign supreme. liberationnews.org On matters of war and empire, Donald Trump and Joe Biden fundamentally agree.

Mohammad Ayesh (2020-10-23). Arabic press review: Iraqi bank triggers storm over 'second marriage' loan. middleeasteye.net Arabic press review: Iraqi bank triggers storm over 'second marriage' loan | Meanwhile, US diplomat says political solution in sight in Libya, and Palestinian lawyers sue UK over century-old Balfour Declaration | Fri, 10/23/2020 – 16: 48 | An Iraqi business owner adjusts a protective mask bearing a wedding invitation on a bridal shop mannequin amid the Covid-19 pandemic, in the southern port cit…

Ramzy Baroud (2020-10-23). European Hypocrisy: Empty Words for Palestine, Deadly Weapons for Israel. counterpunch.org In theory, Europe and the United States stand on completely opposite sides when it comes to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. While the US government has fully embraced the tragic status quo created by 53 years of Israeli military occupation, the EU continues to advocate a negotiated settlement that is predicated on respect for international

Staff (2020-10-23). Who is 'the least racist person in the room'? therealnews.com Burn It Down with Kim Brown — airing live on 10/23/2020. As YouTube restricts embedding for new channels, please click over to the YouTube link below. | Trump and Biden traded blows over each other's character, and what they would do for the country. Our panel discusses the final 2020 presidential debate, along with the recent developments in the fight against voter suppression.

Editor (2020-10-23). Los ricos se vuelven más ricos, los pobres se vuelven más pobres y más enfermos. workers.org "Los ricos se vuelven más ricos y los pobres más pobres". El viejo cliché sigue siendo cierto, obscenamente cierto. En seis meses, de marzo a septiembre, cuando la clase trabajadora fue golpeada por COVID, el desempleo masivo y un aumento en la supremacía blanca, los ricos se hicieron más ricos. . . . |

MEE staff (2020-10-23). Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict: Israeli-made cluster bombs used in residential areas. middleeasteye.net Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict: Israeli-made cluster bombs used in residential areas | New evidence found by Human Rights Watch reveals that Baku's forces repeatedly used cluster bombs in Nagorno-Karabakh | Fri, 10/23/2020 – 10: 07 | The body of a LAR-160 series Israeli-made rocket was found in a residential neighbourhood in Stepanakert (Human Rights Watch) | New evidence has emerged corroborating claims that Aze…

RT (2020-10-23). 'We had a good relationship with Hitler': Biden slams Trump for meeting Kim Jong-un, compares North Korea to Nazi Germany. rt.com Slamming President Donald Trump's "good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Joe Biden confused debate viewers by referring to a "good relationship" between the US and Adolf Hitler. | Calling Kim a "different kind of guy" during a discussion on North Korea, Trump touted his ability to talk to the controversial leader and said his civil relationship with him has helped the two countries avoid a nuclear war. | "We're not in a war. We have a good relationship… Having a good relationship with leaders of other countries is a good thing," Trump said during the Thursday night debate. Biden slammed th…

RT (2020-10-23). Israel will not oppose US-UAE deal on 'specific weapons systems,' says Netanyahu, despite previous worry over F-35 jets. rt.com The Israeli government says it will not oppose the US selling "specific weapons systems" to the United Arab Emirates, in an apparent reference to F-35 fighter jets, despite Tel Aviv opposing such a deal less than a fortnight ago. | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Benny Gantz This is despite Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen saying less than two weeks ago that the country would oppose the sale of the fifth-generat…

RT (2020-10-23). Sudan to join White House-brokered peace deal with Israel after call with US. rt.com Sudan is joining the Abraham Accords and recognizing the state of Israel, US President Donald Trump has announced. It is the third country in three months to do so, following the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. | Following a phone call with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump on Friday, Sudanese PM Abdalla Hamdok and head of the Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced they would "end the state of belligerence" with Israel and start the process of normalizing relations. | BREAKING: Sudan and Israel announced today they decided to "end the state of belligerence" between them and start a proces…

RT (2020-10-23). Trump touts 'really good progress' at Armenia-Azerbaijan talks in Washington as shelling in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh intensifies. rt.com Even as US President Donald Trump praised the "progress" made in talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, air raid sirens sounded over Stepanakert in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh, heralding another round of artillery bombardment. | "We're working with Armenia. We have a very good relationship with Armenia. They're very good people. They're so dedicated. They're incredible people. And we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday afternoon, as he announced a peace deal between Sudan and Israel. | Trump: "We're working with Armenia. We have a very good relationship with Armenia. We'll…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-23). Trump says Egypt may 'blow up' Ethiopia dam. middleeasteye.net Trump says Egypt may 'blow up' Ethiopia dam | US president made the remarks as he announced normalisation deal between Israel and Sudan | Fri, 10/23/2020 – 22: 24 | US President Donald Trump announced on Friday a normalisation deal between Sudan and Israel (AFP) | US President Donald Trump voiced anger at Ethiopia over its construction of a huge dam on the Nile River and suggested Egypt ma…

MEE staff (2020-10-23). Sudan agrees to normalise relations with Israel, Trump announces. middleeasteye.net Sudan agrees to normalise relations with Israel, Trump announces | Move comes hours after Washington removes Khartoum from State Sponsors of Terrorism list | Fri, 10/23/2020 – 15: 19 | US President Donald Trump speaks on phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about normalisation of Sudan-Israel relations (AFP) | US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Sudan has agreed to normalise diplomati…

teleSUR (2020-10-23). Palestinians Condemn Agreement Between Sudan, Israel. telesurenglish.net Palestinians have been outraged over the declaration of a normalization agreement between Israel and Sudan under the U.S. sponsorship. | The Palestinian Presidency affirmed in a statement its condemnation and rejection of Sudan's decision to normalize relations with Israel that seizes the land of Palestine. | "No one has the right to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause," it said. | It also said that the path to a comprehensive and just peace must be based on international law, resolutions of international legitimacy, and specific references, in a way that leads to ending the Isr…