Daily Archives: July 11, 2020

2020-07-11: News Headlines

Jonathan Cook (2020-07-11). Israel's New UK Ambassador will Expose Delusions of Britain's Jewish Leaders. dissidentvoice.org After years of successfully drawing attention away from Israel's intensifying crimes against the Palestinian people by citing a supposedly growing "antisemitism crisis" in Britain's Labour Party, Jewish community leaders in the UK are exasperated to find themselves unexpectedly on the defensive. Last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pulled the rug out from under leading …

_____ (2020-07-11). Training The Warrior Cop: US Empire Is A Laboratory For Militarized Policing. popularresistance.org In addition to the paramilitary attitude that any civilian is a potential terrorist insurgent, US police have brought numerous tactics and weapons back from their Israel trips for use against US civilians, such as the New York Police Department's (NYPD) infamous Muslim surveillance program, which was modeled in part on Israeli surveillance of Palestinians in the West Bank. | Another is the chemical weapon "skunk water," a noxious liquid sprayed from hoses that imparts a foul smell on anything it touches that will not disappear for days. Humans struck by skunk water can experience nausea, vomiting and skin rashes.

en.mehrnews (2020-07-11). Iran opposes OPCW's decision over Syria. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 11 (MNA) — Iranian ambassador to the Netherlands called the new decision of the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) over Syria unbalanced and a step towards politicizing the organization.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-11). Tehran-Beijing coop. to strengthen Iran's position in WA. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 12 (MNA) — Former Iranian Ambassador to China said that the 25-Year Cooperation Partnership Program between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People's Republic of China will strengthen Iran's positions in West Asia.

en.mehrnews (2020-07-11). Iran-Serbia bilateral ties on development track: envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 11 (MNA) — Iranian Ambassador to Serbia said that bilateral relations between Islamic Republic of Iran and Serbia is on the track of development and growth.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-11). Iran, India seeking to expand railroad coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 12 (MNA) — In a meeting on Saturday, Head of Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) and Indian Ambassador to Tehran conferred on expanding railroad cooperation.

en.mehrnews (2020-07-11). 'Ensuring Zionists' regional security top priority of US'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 11 (MNA) — Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem named providing the security of the Zionist regime in the region as the main target of the US.

_____ (2020-07-11). The First NATO: British and French Joint Aggressions in the Mid-19th Century. strategic-culture.org The two most militarily powerful nations in the West, both free to project naval power and maritime domination anywhere in the world, get together to punish and overthrow regimes they find guilty of human rights abuses and political repression in the name of human rights and promoting democracy: What could possibly go wrong? | It is of course NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's new call for NATO, which has already over the past decade exercised its nation-building and promotion of enlightened regime policies with such brilliant success in Ukraine, Libya, Syria and Afghanistan to spread its mantle of protect…

South Front (2020-07-10). Video: Iran to Support Syria with Air Defense to Repel US, Israeli Attacks. globalresearch.ca Iran will help to strengthen Syrian air defense capabilities as part of a wider military security agreement between the two countries, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri said on July 8. …

Vijay Prashad (2020-07-10). The U.S. and UK are a Wrecking Ball Crew Against the Pillars of Internationalism. counterpunch.org On January 9, 2020, Ambassador Karen Pierce—the United Kingdom's permanent representative to the United Nations—spoke at a meeting on the UN Charter. "Nobody could accuse the founding members of a lack of ambition when they drafted the Charter," Ambassador Pierce said. "But at times, the United Nations has often suffered from an almost unbridgeable gap

RT (2020-07-10). Russia & China veto Western resolution on keeping Syria-Turkey border crossings open, but Moscow's counter-proposal fails. rt.com A Russian UN Security Council resolution on Syrian-Turkish border crossings has been rejected, after Moscow and Beijing vetoed a draft by Western members who sought to reopen the checkpoints outside of government control. | The international body, working in an online format due to the coronavirus pandemic, rejected the Russian proposal with four votes in favor, seven against, and four abstentions. It is the fourth time that a vote on the rival measures has failed, with the council struggling to reach a compromise as the mandate of the border crossings expires on Friday. | Earlier on Friday, 13 out of 15 Secur…

RT (2020-07-10). Indian & Chinese troops disengaging on border as agreed — Beijing's ambassador. rt.com China's ambassador to India said on Friday that Chinese and Indian frontline troops are disengaging in accordance with an agreement reached by military commanders, AP reports. The development follows a clash last month that left at least 20 soldiers dead in the Galwan Valley. | Ambassador Sun Weidong said the two countries should be partners rather than rivals, and handle differences properly to bring their ties back on the right track. | In video remarks released in New Delhi, the Chinese envoy also said the two countries have the wisdom and capability to properly handle differences. | The diplomat said the b…

news.un (2020-07-10). Syria: Authorization to continue lifesaving cross-border aid remains in limbo. news.un.org With the deadline just hours away, the Security Council has failed on its third attempt this week to extend its authorization for lifesaving food, medicine and shelter to cross into northwest Syria from Turkey.

Francesca Freeman, George Batah (2020-07-10). For Some Students, ICE's Visa Announcement Is Life or Death. thenation.com For Some Students, ICE's Visa Announcement Is Life or Death…

news.un (2020-07-10). Lebanon 'fast spiralling out of control' leaving many destitute and facing starvation, warns Bachelet. news.un.org Sounding the alarm over the crippling impact of "growing economic shocks, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic" in Lebanon, the UN human rights chief called on Friday for a unified response by politicians and the people to overcome the worsening socio-economic crisis there.

sputniknews (2020-07-10). UNSC Fails to Adopt Russian Draft Resolution to Deliver Syria Aid via 1 Crossing for One Year. sputniknews.com The previous resolution submitted by Russia was also blocked in the UNSC, with the United States, UK, Germany, France, Estonia, Belgium, and the Dominican Republican voting against the measure.

_____ (2020-07-09). Meet the Venezuelan Coup Regime's 'UK Ambassador,' a Pampered U.S. Heiress Who Threatens Journalists. strategic-culture.org Juan Guaidó's UK representative, a jet-setting US socialite named Vanessa Neumann, has threatened journalists with FBI investigations for reporting on her unhinged behavior. The coup-plotting heiress made her name spinning out conspiracies at neoconservative think tanks. | Ben NORTON | Since the United States initiated a coup attempt against Venezuela's elected, internationally recognized government in January 2019, the gang of far-right opposition s the Donald Trump administration recognized as the country's unelected representatives have racked up a series of embarrassing scandals. | Top aides of the

yenisafak (2020-07-09). UN sends 71 truckloads of aid to Idlib, Syria. yenisafak.com The UN on Thursday sent 71 truckloads of humanitarian aid to northwestern Syria, where millions of people are in need of assistance due to internal conflict in the country.The trucks carrying supplies entered Idlib province through the Cilvegozu border gate in Turkey's south.The aid will be distributed among residents of Idlib and nearby rural areas.Syria has been ravaged by civil war since early 2011, when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy ers.Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to UN estimates.Idlib falls within a de-escalation zone…

yenisafak (2020-07-09). Economic crisis in Lebanon is politic at its core: Experts. yenisafak.com The ongoing crisis in Lebanon is not economic as it seems but rather political from the outset, which hinders carrying out serious and swift reforms to ease woes of people, according to Lebanese political experts.The economy has been devastated even after the incumbent Cabinet led by Prime Minister Hassan Diab was formed in late January following the departure of Saad Hariri government in October because of unprecedented anti-government s over an economic crisis, that was described as the worst since the 1975-1990 civil war.Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Lebanese people continue taking to the street…

South Front (2020-07-09). Video: Turkish Proxies Create Chaos in Northeastern Syria. globalresearch.ca Chaos is spreading through the Turkish-occupied part of northern Syria. | Late on July 7, a car bomb explosion rocked the town of Tell Abyad killing at least seven people. Pro-Turkish sources immediately accused the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) of …

Alan MacLeod (2020-07-09). Guaido representative threatens FBI investigation into journalists exposing her dealings. mronline.org Juan Guaido's UK "ambassador" claims that she is working with the FBI in an investigation exposing a "transnational criminal network" of journalists and outlets, including Venezuelanalysis.

Ben Norton (2020-07-09). Meet the Venezuelan coup regime's 'UK ambassador,' a pampered US heiress who threatens journalists. thegrayzone.com Juan Guaidó's UK representative, a jet-setting US socialite named Vanessa Neumann, has threatened journalists with FBI investigations for reporting on…

Johanna Ross (2020-07-09). UK Commits 'Highway Robbery' of Venezuelan Gold, Says Academic. globalresearch.ca When it comes to Venezuela, Britain is suffering from split personality disorder. While the UK Foreign Office reportedly maintains 'full, normal and reciprocal diplomatic relations' with legitimately elected President Maduro's government, and with Maduro's UK ambassador, the British government has …

Nino Pagliccia (2020-07-09). Venezuela is on a Path to Make Colonialism Obsolete. counterpunch.org On June 29 the European Union (EU) slapped new sanctions against 11 Venezuelan individuals. Immediately President Nicolas Maduro responded by ordering the expulsion of the EU ambassador to the country. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that Brussels would retaliate against Caracas over its decision and announces that it will summon Maduro's ambassador to

Staff (2020-07-09). Strange Slow Dance Between Israel And The Gulf States, Despite Annexation. therealnews.com UAE ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba wrote an article promising normalization on the condition that Israel does not annex parts of the West Bank. Jamal Juma' of Stop The Wall pushed back with an opinion piece in Middle East Eye exposing the reality of Israeli apartheid.

A Guest Author (2020-07-09). Deadly new sanctions on Syria. workers.org By Judy Bello This slightly edited guest article was originally published June 12 on the web site of the United National AntiWar Coalition (unac.notowar.net). On May 20, President Trump signed into law the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Embedded in this bill, a housekeeping bill of sorts where yearly . . . |

_____ (2020-07-09). US: American Journalist Has No Right To Challenge Decision To Assassinate Him. popularresistance.org The US Government has asked the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to affirm the dismissal of American journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem's challenge to his Government's apparent decision to assassinate him without telling him why, or affording him the constitutional right to due process. | Mr Kareem is a recipient of the Edward R. Murrow and Peabody Awards, who grew up in Mount Vernon, New York, and used to be a stand-up comedian in New York City. He has been reporting on the conflict from Syria since it began. In 2016, he narrowly escaped being killed on five separate occasions, including two s…

yenisafak (2020-07-09). 'Negative trend in EU-Turkey relations must stop'. yenisafak.com Negative trend in EU-Turkey relations must stop, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday.Speaking at a European Parliament session called by the conservative European People's Party, Borrell said: "Turkey is an important partner, candidate country, and a NATO ally. The current negative trend in our relations needs to be stopped and reversed."Borrell said he recently visited Turkey after visiting Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, adding that "stability and security in the Mediterranean requires collective engagement."Conflicts in Syria and Libya directly affecting the security and interes…

yenisafak (2020-07-09). Portuguese envoy praises Turkey's COVID-19 measures. yenisafak.com The Portuguese ambassador to Turkey on Thursday expressed her satisfaction at the steps the Turkish government was taking to promote safe tourism amid the pandemic. Paula Leal Da Silva praised Turkey's safe tourism certificate program after a meeting held in the country's Mediterranean resort town of Antalya."We had the opportunity to see the measures taken at the airport with a view to ensure the necessary sanitary conditions for all the tourists who, hopefully, will soon resume their trips to Turkey," she said.Turkey issued a safety certificate to hotels and restaurants who were complying by safety measures and…

sputniknews (2020-07-09). Russia Submits Draft UNSC Measure to Deliver Syria Aid Via 1 Crossing for 1 Year – Envoy. sputniknews.com UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – Russia has introduced another UN Security Council draft resolution that seeks to authorise the cross-border humanitarian aid delivery mechanism in northwestern Syria from Turkey through one crossing for a year, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy said in a statement.

sputniknews (2020-07-09). Militants Shell Settlements in Syria's Latakia, Aleppo, Idlib Provinces, Russian Military Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group shelled settlements in the Syrian provinces of Idlib, Aleppo and Latakia, the head of the Russian centre for Syrian reconciliation, Rear Admiral Alexander Shcherbitsky, said during a press briefing on Thursday.

en.mehrnews (2020-07-09). Assad praises Iran-Syria strategic agreement. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 09 (MNA) — Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran Major General Mohammad Bagheri met and held talks with President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Thursday.

yenisafak (2020-07-08). US affirms Lebanon support as Hezbollah steps up criticism. yenisafak.com A U.S. general voiced Washington's backing for Lebanese stability on Wednesday on a visit that triggered a by demonstrators including supporters of the Iran-backed Hezbollah against U.S. policies in the country.General Kenneth McKenzie's visit to Beirut, a big recipient of U.S. military aid, comes after Hezbollah stepped up criticism of U.S. ambassador Dorothy Shea on Tuesday, accusing her of blatant interference in Lebanese affairs.Lebanon is in throes of an acute financial crisis seen as the biggest threat to its stability since the 1975-90 civil war.The heavily armed Hezbollah, founded by Iran's Revolu…

Caitlin Johnstone (2020-07-08). Patriotism Is Bullshit, And Other Notes From The Edge Of The Narrative Matrix. thealtworld.com It is 2021. The Biden administration has launched a full-scale invasion of Syria and the US and Russia are at a nuclear standoff unseen since the Cuban missile crisis. All top Twitter trends relate to the widespread debate over whether or not Sesame Street is guilty of kink shaming. | ~ | A vote for Kanye is a vote for Trump. | A vote for the Green Party is a vote for Trump. | A vote for no one is a vote for Trump. | A vote for Joe Biden is a vote for Trump. | Everything is a vote for Trump. | Everything is Trump. | You are Trump. | I am Trump. | Trump is all there is. | There is no escape. | ~ | Leaving aside th…

RT (2020-07-08). UN Syria commission never went to Idlib, obsessed with blaming Damascus — Lavrov. rt.com The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria relied on unverifiable third-hand sources and is obsessed with blaming Damascus, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after the Syrian government was accused of 'war crimes' in Idlib. | "This so-called independent commission uses facts drawn from social networks and from some sources that have asked to remain anonymous, citing security concerns," Lavrov said on Wednesday. He was commenting on the findings of three UN officials, who never bothered actually visiting the war-torn province. | While the Russian Foreign Ministry seeks to address the Syrian conflict, or an…

Paul Antonopoulos (2020-07-08). Arrest of Shi'ite Militias in Iraq Is Part of Iranian-US Proxy Struggle. globalresearch.ca New Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazemi faces many challenges to his authority, including from powerful pro-Iranian Shi'ite militias like Kata'ib Hezbollah. On June 26, 14 militiamen of Kata'ib Hezbollah, commonly known as the Iraqi Hezbollah, were apprehended by Iraqi security …

Stephen Lendman (2020-07-08). UN So-called Committee of Inquiry (COI) Casually Blames Bashar Al-Assad for US-Sponsored High Crimes Committed by Terrorist Proxies Against the People of Syria. globalresearch.ca Launched preemptively in March 2011 by the Obama regime, escalated by Trump, US direct and proxy aggression in Syria will likely continue indefinitely no matter which right wing of its war party is in charge ahead. | Formed in September 2011, …

Marwa Osman (2020-07-08). Saudi Fiasco in Yemen—MES EP.61. thealtworld.com The Saudi-led military coalition waging war on Yemen has intensified its aggression by launching a new round of airstrikes on the country, including in the capital, Sana'a. The new Saudi-led strikes come amid new advances by the Yemeni military which has retaken large swathes of land in al-Bayda and Ma'rib. To discuss this issue with us from Beirut is Mohamad Kleit journalist and photographer. | Iraq released more than a dozen members of Popular Mobilization Units, known as Hashd al-Shaabi, a few days after an unprecedented raid on the headquarters of Kata'ib Hezbollah, which is said to have been dictated by the…

yenisafak (2020-07-08). Landmines in Syria's al-Bab pose risk to civilians. yenisafak.com Civilians in the northern Syrian city of al-Bab are awaiting help from authorities to clear the area from landmines, planted by Daesh/ISIS terror group.The landmines and other explosives are strewn across and have limited agriculture activities, besides endangering humans and livestock.Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Muhammed Kalso, whose son was injured from a landmine explosion last week, has urged for a large-scale mine-clearing operation in the area.His son was injured while walking in the middle of the village."If we had known there was a mine in the middle of the village, we would not have taken the kids out. I…

yenisafak (2020-07-08). Turkey, Jordan reject Israeli move to annex West Bank. yenisafak.com Jordan and Turkey on Wednesday reiterated their rejection of an Israeli plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. | Speaker of Jordan's House of Representatives (lower house of parliament), Atef Tarawneh, held talks in Amman with Turkish Ambassador Ismail Aramaz to discuss cooperation between the two countries in the parliamentary, economic and investment fields. | "Amman and Ankara have historic relations and bonds of friendship and cooperation which require maintaining coordination and consultation regarding the issues of mutual interest." Tarawneh said in a statement. | The Jordanian speaker reiterated hi…

sputniknews (2020-07-08). UNSC Blocks Russian Draft on Syria Aid Delivery Via 1 Border Crossing, Diplomatic Source Says. sputniknews.com UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – The UN Security Council did not support a Russian-drafted resolution that would have authorized the delivery of humanitarian aid into northwest Syria through one checkpoint in Turkey for half a year, a diplomatic source at the United Nations told Sputnik.

en.mehrnews (2020-07-08). Gen. Soleimani played key role in Lebanon's victories. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 08 (MNA) — Sheikh Naim Qassem said that Martyr General Soleimani had a significant role in the victories of Lebanon and Syria against terrorist groups.