(2020-07-12). From bad to worse Lebanon. thealtworld.com The US has deliberately engineered the country's economic collapse, but Hezbollah won't yield to it demands | UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet sounded the alarm on Saturday that the economic situation in Lebanon was spiralling out of control and that many thousands of its people face destitution and starvation. The warning was stark. But it wasn't surprising given the relentless US pressure the country faces, which has more than crossed every conceivable red line. | Bachelet listed a number of reasons why she feared economic collapse was looming: thousands of businesses bankrupted, the Leba…
(2020-07-12). Ex envoy objects over US effort to extend arm embargo on Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 12 (MNA) —The former Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan expressed his objection over US effort to extend the arms embargo on Iran, stressing that such futile efforts are not acceptable to the member States of the Security Council.
(2020-07-12). Outgoing Spanish amb. meets with FM Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 12 (MNA) — Spain's ambassador to Iran Eduardo López Busquets met and held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday.
(2020-07-12). If JCPOA obligations were fulfilled, world could be different. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 12 (MNA) — On the eve of the anniversary of JCPOA, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini said that the world could be different if the obligations were fulfilled.
(2020-07-12). A closer look at Iran-Syria military cooperation agreement. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 13 (MNA) — The agreement on military, defense, and security cooperation between Iran and Syria has sent a wave of fear through the Zionist camp.
(2020-07-12). Lebanese Christian cleric seen to criticise Hezbollah, allies over crisis. yenisafak.com Lebanon's top Christian cleric stepped up criticism of the Iran-backed Shi'ite group Hezbollah and its allies without naming them on Sunday, saying Lebanese rejected being isolated from their allies and driven into decline.Lebanon is suffering a financial meltdown which marks the biggest threat to its stability since the 1975-90 civil war.For the second sermon in a row, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai stressed the importance of Lebanon's neutrality, implicit criticism of the heavily armed Hezbollah over its support for Iran in conflicts with Sunni-led Gulf Arab states.Rai carries weight as the head of t…
(2020-07-12). Lebanon records new coronavirus infection high with more than 100 cases. yenisafak.com Lebanon has recorded more than 100 new coronavirus infections in the last day, its highest daily increase yet, with most of the cases among workers of a cleaning company, the health minister said on Sunday."To reassure people, the source is known," health minister Hamad Hassan told broadcaster LBC. He added that up to 75% of the cases were linked to what he described as a big cleaning company, were symptom-free and non-Lebanese.Hassan said 800 workers from the cleaning company in question needed to be tested, along with another 1,000 workers from two other companies with whom they were connected."The number will…
(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). BREAKING: Security Council extends for one year, lifesaving cross-border aid to Syria. news.un.org On its fourth attempt this week, the Security Council has on Saturday, authorized for one year, cross-border humanitarian aid from Turkey into northwest Syria.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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). 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.
(2020-07-11). UNSC Adopts Resolution to Continue Cross-Border Aid Deliveries to Syria Via 1 Crossing. sputniknews.com UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – The UN Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a resolution to extend the work of one Syria-Turkey cross-border point for one year in order to ensure humanitarian aid deliveries to Syria, German Ambassador to the United Nations Christoph Heusgen has announced.
(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…
(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
(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…
(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…
(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. …
(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.
(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.
(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…
(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). 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.
(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…
(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
(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
(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 …
(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.
(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). 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 …
(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.
(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…
(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.
(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.
(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…
(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…
(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…
(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…
(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.
(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…
(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…