Daily Archives: October 26, 2020

2020-10-26: News Headlines

Stephen Lendman (2020-10-26). Sudan "Normalizes" Relations with Israel? Trump "Arranged the Deal" globalresearch.ca On October 23, Sudan became the third Arab state to normalize relations with Israel. | The UAE in August and Bahrain last month took this step — what Hamas called "a stab in the back of the Palestinian cause…serv(ing) only the …

Ann Garrison (2020-10-26). 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…

Linh Dao (2020-10-26). New Haven activists fight racist police terror. liberationnews.org On Sept. 25, over 75 people came together in downtown New Haven, Connecticut to demand justice for anti-racist organizers in Denver recently targeted by the police and for Breonna Taylor…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-26). Israeli museum postpones auction of rare Middle Eastern artifacts after outrage. middleeasteye.net Israeli museum postpones auction of rare Middle Eastern artifacts after outrage | The museum's primary donor said it hoped postponement will 'make it possible to reach agreements that will also be acceptable' to government officials | Mon, 10/26/2020 – 18: 19 | A pocket watch made for French Queen Marie Antoinette by famous watchmaker Abraham Louis Breguet at the Museum for Islamic Art in…

MEE staff (2020-10-26). Israeli bulldozers and settlers uproot Palestinian olive trees in West Bank. middleeasteye.net Israeli bulldozers and settlers uproot Palestinian olive trees in West Bank | Israeli forces razed almost 60 olive trees in the town of Salfit and also demolished a house in the village of Taybeh | Mon, 10/26/2020 – 10: 23 | Palestinians harvest olives from their land, which lies on the Israeli side of the separation wall in the West Bank, 30 October 2019 (AFP) | Israeli bulldozers demolished a Palestinian hou…

Rayhan Uddin (2020-10-26). UK government refuses to publish evidence behind Eid lockdown measures. middleeasteye.net UK government refuses to publish evidence behind Eid lockdown measures | Government's own Islamophobia adviser pressed for data to support lockdown in Muslim-populated areas in July | Mon, 10/26/2020 – 13: 16 | UK mosques re-opened in July with strict social distancing in place, after four months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic (AFP/File photo) | The British government has refused to publish e…

Miko Peled (2020-10-26). This is Why Israel's Mass Protest Movement Will Never Lead to Change. mintpressnews.com Though seldom reported in the US, thousands are taking to the streets every week in Israel demanding that Netanyahu step down, but carefully crafted coalition agreements and the political reality in the country promise to keep him in the PM's seat for the foreseeable future.

_____ (2020-10-26). Oxford Study Challenges Israel's Claims Concerning Palestinian Refugees. popularresistance.org There needs to be a fundamental change in the way Palestinian refugees are seen, no longer as victims but as people with rights who are entitled to shape their own destiny. This assertion is made in a new study whose importance cannot be overstated. | According to international law, Palestinian refugees have a right to return to their homes and land and receive restitution and compensation for their suffering and personal and communal losses. Furthermore, the State of Israel, which is responsible for Palestine's ethnic cleansing, must pay for the repatriation, the rehabilitation, and the rebuilding that the retur…

news.un (2020-10-26). Coronavirus 'feeds off instability', disrupting Israel-Palestine peace efforts. news.un.org The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process reminded the Security Council on Monday of the Secretary-General's renewed appeal for a global ceasefire to respond to COVID-19, highlighting that the "the virus feeds off instability".

Stephen Lendman (2020-10-26). Azeris Using Banned Cluster Munitions in Nagorno-Karabakh. globalresearch.ca According to reports on the ground, Azeris are using Israeli-supplied cluster munitions in Nagorno-Karabakh. | More on this below. | *** | The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) bans production use, transfer, and stockpiling of these terror weapons that scatter submunition bomblets …

Stephen Lendman (2020-10-26). Chileans Vote Up or Down for Constitutional Change. globalresearch.ca Since the CIA elevated Augusto Pinochet to power on an earlier 9/11 day of infamy in 1973 — replacing social democracy with tyrannical fascist rule — Pinochet's ghost still haunts most Chileans. | Billionaire Sebastian Pinera governs the country with an …

Julia Conley, staff writer (2020-10-26). As Senate Dems Hold Talkathon in Protest, Warren Condemns GOP Vote on Barrett as 'Last Gasp of a Desperate Party'. commondreams.org Continuing a protest on the floor of the Senate that had begun late Sunday night, Senate Democrats on Monday morning embarked on a "talkathon" to speak out against the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to go ahead Monday. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Julia Conley, staff writer (2020-10-26). 'Prove Him Wrong': Progressives Demand Democrats Accept McConnell's Challenge, Expand Supreme Court If They Win Elections. commondreams.org Bolstered by some apparent support in the Senate Democratic caucus, progressive advocates on Monday demanded that the Democratic Party prove Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wrong about their commitment to remaking the judiciary. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Gabriel Arkles (2020-10-26). Don't Let the Supreme Court Open the Door to More Discrimination Against LGBTQ People. aclu.org The Supreme Court will soon hear oral arguments in

Staff (2020-10-26). Amid Staff COVID Outbreak, Democrats Call on Pence to Stop Presiding Over Senate. truthout.org With multiple members of Vice President Mike Pence's senior staff now confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus — and Senate Republicans scheduled to ram through the final confirmation vote for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett as early as Monday afternoon or evening — Democratic leaders in the Senate are calling on Pence to forgo his plans to preside over the chamber in the name of public health and out of concern for all who work there. | With at least five members…

WSWS (2020-10-26). Whose Vote Counts, Explained: Netflix series examines voting rights in America. wsws.org Like all basic democratic rights, the right to vote can only be defended through the independent political struggle of the working class.

Binoy Kampmark (2020-10-26). Trusted Demonologies: US Electoral Interference, the Proud Boys and Iran. counterpunch.org Iran, Russia and electoral interference. It is all part of the delicious mess that any observer of US politics has come to expect. Were the US body politic capable of being examined on the clinician's couch, historical fears, psychic disturbances, and a range of unsettling syndromes would be identified. The issue of electoral interference would

WSWS (2020-10-26). Right-wing press in Germany steps up attacks on pianist Igor Levit. wsws.org The Sàºddeutsche Zeitung editorial board's initial defence of its article, as well as subsequent articles in Die Welt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Neue Zàºrcher Zeitung, reveal that these leading newspapers share essentially the same line as the far right Alternative for Germany.

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-26). Islamophobia to accelerate decline of US, Zionist regime. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 26 (MNA) — IRGC strongly condemned the French president's remarks in support of insulting the Prophet of Islam (PBUH).

Pip Hinman (2020-10-26). Black Lives Matter rally as NSW parliamentary inquiry begins. greenleft.org.au About 200 people rallied in rain at the Sydney Domain on October 26, just before the NSW Parliamentary inquiry into Aboriginal deaths in custody began, reports Peter Boyle.

_____ (2020-10-26). The Supremely Undemocratic Court. popularresistance.org In this first installment of the Deception 2020 Series, we dig into that most supreme of undemocratic courts – just as Amy Coney Barrett looms over a smooth confirmation. Could the Democrats have stopped her? Then, we sit down with Dan Kovalik, human rights lawyer and author, for his take on the court, RBG, and more.

_____ (2020-10-26). Anti-Racist Activists Brutally Arrested In Michigan. popularresistance.org On Saturday, an anti-racist demonstration in Shelby Township, Michigan was brutally repressed by the police. According to a video posted online several dozen police turned out in full riot gear and riot shields and beat and assaulted protesters before arresting several of them. Many of those arrested were thrown to the ground and there are reports that officers reportedly kneeled on their necks while they were being restrained. One woman, a photographer, was stripped down to her underwear in the middle of the street before being searched and arrested.

KPFK: Strength Thru Unity Program (2020-10-26). Wednesday 10/28: Strength Thru Unity: Multicultural Election Special on COVID, Racism, & Human Rights. indybay.org Watch online via website livestream…

WSWS (2020-10-26). Sri Lankan parliament boosts president's autocratic powers. wsws.org The move towards dictatorship in Sri Lanka coincides with the drive by the ruling classes in every country towards fascist and autocratic rule.

Mondaire Jones (2020-10-26). What Amy Coney Barrett Means for the Future of Voting Rights. thenation.com What Amy Coney Barrett Means for the Future of Voting Rights…

Ben Dangl (2020-10-26). Ballots defeated bullets, now what's next in Bolivia? zcomm.org The MAS has overcome incredible challenges this year. Now they will have to navigate the disastrous pandemic, rising fascism and an economic downturn…

William i. Robinson (2020-10-26). To Defeat Fascism, We Must Recognize It's a Failed Response to Capitalist Crisis. zcomm.org Fascism seeks to violently restore capital accumulation, establish new forms of state legitimacy and suppress threats from below unencumbered by democratic constraints…

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…

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…

Majd Kayyal (2020-10-25). Israel's Orr Commission: A colonial tool to maintain Palestinian division. middleeasteye.net Israel's Orr Commission: A colonial tool to maintain Palestinian division | Sun, 10/25/2020 – 17: 40 | Investigation into Israel's deadly crackdown during the Second Intifada ultimately led to the deepest rupture in the history of the Palestinian people | We know of no other historical moment since the Nakba that united Palestinians in the way that the start of the Second Intifada did. We witnessed event…

_____ (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.

sputniknews (2020-10-25). US Senate Votes to Limit Debate on Amy Coney Barrett's Nomination for Supreme Court Post – Video. sputniknews.com The final vote on 48-year-old Amy Coney Barrett's nomination as a new justice is expected to be held on 26 October.

_____ (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.

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.

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…

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.

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…

_____ (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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

Brett Wilkins, staff writer (2020-10-23). Palestinian and Peace Leaders Condemn Trump's Israel-Sudan Normalization Deal as 'Stab in the Back'. commondreams.org Critics say the U.S.-brokered agreement normalizes not only relations between the former foes, but also Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

sputniknews (2020-10-23). Can Biden and the Media Keep Ignoring Tony Bobulinski? sputniknews.com On today's episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events, including the media ignoring the Hunter Biden story, Joe Biden denying taking foreign money ever in his life, Sudan announcing normalization with Israel, the Senate confirming Judge Barrett, and former Biden associate Tony Bobulinski being interviewed by the FBI.

Alan Macleod (2020-10-23). Report: Facebook "Complicit" in Role as "World's Engine for Anti-Muslim Violence" mintpressnews.com A new study conducted across nine countries revealed that Facebook played a leading role in facilitating anti-Muslim violence by providing a platform for Islamophobic groups to organize and refusing to stop them when their activities were brought to its attention.

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…