2020-08-19: News Headlines

Staff (2020-08-19). Headlines for August 19, 2020. democracynow.org Joe Biden Formally Wins Democratic Presidential Nomination, Postmaster General Promises to Suspend Service Cuts Until After Election, Notre Dame Cancels In-Person Classes Amid COVID-19 Outbreak Linked to Party, Coronavirus Death Toll from U.S. Prisons and Jails Tops 1,000, World Health Organization Says Young People Are Driving Coronavirus Outbreaks, Malian President Deposed in Military Coup Following Weeks of Protests, Senate Intelligence Committee Alleges Trump Campaign Associate Was Russian Agent, Far-Right Activist, Banned from Twitter over Racism, Wins Florida House GOP Primary, RNC to Feature St. Louis Coup…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-08-19). President of Mali resigns following military take over. peoplesdispatch.org The coup was in response to the protests going on for the last few months in the country demanding the resignation of the president, widespread reforms and the expulsion of French troops from the country…

The Canary (2020-08-19). 16-year-old boy found dead on beach after disappearing at sea, says French minister. thecanary.co A 16-year-old Sudanese boy who disappeared at sea has been found dead on a beach near Calais, a French minister has said. | Marlene Schiappa, who is in charge of citizenship in France's government, said the teenager was found on the beach of Sangatte on Wednesday morning. | The tragedy comes as a record number of the perilous journeys across the Channel have been attempted during the recent hot weather. | @GDarmanin contre les passeurs qui profitent de la détresse d'êtres humains ! | — MarleneSchiappa (@MarleneSchiappa) Peoples Dispatch (2020-08-19). Several injured and 77 detained as police attack protest rally in Sudan. peoplesdispatch.org A rally on the anniversary of the ratification of the Constitutional Declaration in Sudan was attacked by the police on Monday. Protesters asked the govt. to set up the legislative council and and solve the economic crisis…

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-19). Iran remains main supporter of Resistance against Zionists. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) — Condemning the UAE' tie normalization with the usurping Zionist Regime, the representative of Islamic Jihad in Lebanon called Iran as the main supporter of Resistance Front in the fight against the Zionists in the region.

The Canary (2020-08-19). Joe Biden nominated to take on Donald Trump. thecanary.co Democrats have formally nominated Joe Biden as their 2020 presidential nominee, as party officials and activists gave the former vice president their overwhelming support to take on Donald Trump. | The moment marked a political high point for Biden, who had sought the presidency twice before and is now cemented as the embodiment of Democrats' desperate desire to defeat Trump in autumn. | The roll call of convention delegates formalised what has been expected for months since Biden took the lead in the primary elections' chase for the nomination. | It came as he worked to demonstrate the breadth of his coalition f…

yenisafak (2020-08-19). Mali: Coup leaders pledge 'credible' elections. yenisafak.com Leaders of a military coup in Mali vowed to hold "credible" elections in a statement announced on national television on Wednesday.The coup leaders, who pushed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to resign, have also announced the creation of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) to oversee a political transition.The committee affirmed its intention to set up a civil political transition that will lead to elections "in a reasonable delay", according to a statement read on national television ORTM by Col.-Maj. Ismael Wague, spokesman for the CNSP.He also announced an intention to respect inter…

RT (2020-08-18). Rebel soldiers detain Mali president & PM as political crisis boils into mutiny (PHOTOS, VIDEOS). rt.com Soldiers who have taken up arms in Mali have arrested the nation's top officials, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, sparking concerns in the UN and the African Union. | Keita's detention came after a period of uncertainty amid reports suggesting that soldiers mutinied at the Kati military base outside of the Malian capital of Bamako and arrested a number of senior military and civil officials, including several ministers. | Both the president and the prime minister are "at the hands" of the rebelling military, according to various sources both within the government and…

Eds. (2020-08-18). Oil spill threatens disaster for Mauritius. mronline.org The Japanese-owned (Mitsui-operated) MV Wakashio was en route to Brazil from China to fetch iron ore from a port owned by the notorious mining company Vale. Here the ship is seen having run aground near Blue Bay, one of the area's most pristine sites for coral, already threatened by bleaching due to the climate crisis. …

news.un (2020-08-18). One million flee escalating violence in Burkina Faso. news.un.org Mounting violence in Burkina Faso has forced more than one million people to flee their homes: 453,000 so far this year alone, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reported on Tuesday, citing government figures.

WSWS (2020-08-18). United Arab Emirates-Israel agreement cements US-led alliance against Iran. wsws.org The agreement makes the UAE the first Gulf state and the third Arab nation to reach such a deal, after Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

Pavan Kulkarni (2020-08-18). Doctors in Kenya strike for better conditions as infection rate among professionals rises. peoplesdispatch.org Over 750 healthcare workers tested positive, at least 14 of whom died, including some of the country's top doctors. The union claims that doctors have not received their salaries since July and don't have health insurance…

teleSUR (2020-08-18). Mali: Military Forces Arrest President and Top Officials. telesurenglish.net Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cissé, alongside other officials, were arrested on Tuesday by military forces following weeks of widespread protests against the government. | RELATED: | Local media outlets point at Colonel Malick Diaw and General Gen Sadio Camara as the alleged coup leaders. | The chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, condemned the coup via Twi…

teleSUR (2020-08-18). Mali: Shootings and Arrests in Bamako Warns of Possible Coup. telesurenglish.net On Tuesday morning, a mutiny in a military camp and the arrest of high-ranking officers raised fears of an attempted coup against Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. | RELATED: | "The embassy received information about the Armed Forces' mutiny. Norwegians must stay at home," Norway's embassy tweeted. | Bamako people are in great turmoil. Government offices, banks, and shops have closed. Local media are not providing any official info…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-08-18). Why did Israel and the UAE strike a deal? peoplesdispatch.org In this video, we look at the various factors behind Israel and the United Arab Emirates signing a deal to normalize relations. The deal is yet another step in the cooperation between the two countries which has been rising for a while.

news.un (2020-08-18). Mali: UN chief demands 'immediate and unconditional release' of President, cabinet members. news.un.org UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law in Mali, after mutinying troops arrested the country's leader and other senior officials on Tuesday.

sputniknews (2020-08-18). Economic Community of West African States Orders Closing of Regional Borders with Mali. sputniknews.com On 18 August, a group of officers from the armed forces of the landlocked West African nation of Mali began a mutiny, reportedly capturing the country's president and prime minister and taking control of the capital Bamako.

yenisafak (2020-08-18). Turkey will always stand with Libyan people: DefMin. yenisafak.com Turkey will always help Libya maintain its integrity, security, and ensure the prosperity of its people, the Turkish defense minister said on Tuesday.Hulusi Akar, who arrived in Libya on Monday along with Turkish military chief Gen. Yasar Guler, spoke to reporters about the specifics of his visit."We are here upon the invitation of the Government of National Accord (GNA) that was recognized by the United Nations (UN). We will continue standing with our Libyan brothers and sisters in the future, with whom we share a common history and culture of 500 years," he said."We will do everything that is needed in order fo…

yenisafak (2020-08-18). Netanyahu says UAE deal does not include sale of F-35 jets. yenisafak.com Israel said Tuesday that a deal to normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) does not include the US sale of F-35 fighter jets to the Gulf state.In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the agreement did not include "any approval by Israel on any arms deal between the United States and the United Arab Emirates".Netanyahu said he directed Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Drammer on Aug. 3 to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to convey an explicit message of Israel's opposition to selling the F-35 and other advanced weapon systems to any country in the Middle East."The peac…

teleSUR (2020-08-18). Egypt: Parliament Passes Bill on Behalf of Sex Crime Victims. telesurenglish.net Egypt Parliament on Tuesday passed a law allowing anonymous complaints from sexual violence victims, to protect them from offenders and social prejudices. | RELATED: | "When we observed that there is a reluctance to report specific crimes… and that some of the victims feared for their reputation from being named in such crimes, the government submitted a bill to encourage citizens to report these crimes," Justice…

Staff (2020-08-17). Headlines for August 17, 2020. democracynow.org Pelosi Calls House Back from Recess as Outrage Mounts over Turmoil at USPS, AZ Teachers Halt School Reopening; COVID-19 Data Shows Devastating Effect on Latinx, Black People, New Zealand Postpones Election Amid COVID-19 Spike; Virus Compounds Disaster in Lebanon, Mass Protests Continue in Belarus Amid Reports of Torture in Jails, Student Protests in Thailand Swell, Demanding Democratic Reforms, 16 People Killed After Car Bomb Blast at Hotel in Somalia, At Least 6 People Killed as Protests Intensify in Ivory Coast, Trump Vows to Reinstate U.N. Sanctions Against Iran, Lawyers Say Guards at Immigration Jail "Systema…

Patrick Cockburn (2020-08-17). The Decline in Power of the Oil States. counterpunch.org President Donald Trump is cock-a-hoop over the United Arab Emirates becoming the first Arab Gulf state to normalise its relations with Israel. He needs all the good news he can get in the months before the US presidential election. "HUGE breakthrough today! Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!" Trump tweeted.

Adam Dick (2020-08-17). 'Regime Change' in Belarus Looks Like an Objective of Both the Trump Administration and the Biden Campaign. globalresearch.ca It seems that whoever wins the presidency, United States foreign policy will keep chugging away at intervening across the world, including via "regime change" efforts. Over the last couple decades, targets for US-government-supported overthrow have included Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, …

news.un (2020-08-17). Real Life Heroes: building trust, and saving lives. news.un.org Marie-Roseline Bélizaire, a doctor and epidemiologist with the World Health Organization (WHO), is using her passion for community medicine to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Kira Zalan (2020-08-17). Private U.S. Contractors Part of the 'Kill Chain' in East Africa "Anti-Terrorist Operations" globalresearch.ca It was early on a Sunday morning when Al-Shabab militants attacked the small airstrip next to a military base on Kenya's north coast. Plumes of black smoke billowed into the sky as the militants destroyed six aircraft and killed three …

Caitlin Johnstone (2020-08-17). Abnormalize The Status Quo. thealtworld.com If we'd been living in a healthy society and then suddenly had this society's sick, insane status quo thrust upon us by powerful people, we'd have all been out in the streets making life very hard for those powerful people in an instant. | We are in the same situation now. We are having a wildly insane status quo thrust upon us by the powerful and for the benefit of the powerful. Only difference is we're not all out in the streets, and instead of thrusting this horrible situation upon us suddenly, they've been doing it this entire time. | Which is precisely why we're not out in the streets. We were born into this…

news.un (2020-08-17). Somalia: UN condemns 'brazen' terrorist attack on beachside hotel. news.un.org The UN in Somalia has strongly condemned a terrorist attack that took place on Sunday at the Elite Hotel in the capital Mogadishu, which reportedly killed at least 16 people and left many others injured.

teleSUR (2020-08-17). Nigeria To Reopen International Airports on August 29. telesurenglish.net Nigeria Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika announced on Monday the reopening of international airports on August 29. | RELATED: | "It is safe to fly if we observe all those protocols in place," Sirika said. | On March 23, Nigeria ceased international flights due to the virus outbreak, remaining only the essential travels. | The Lagos and Abuja international airports would receive four flights daily, keeping precautionary measures as physical distance, hand…

Unicorn Riot (2020-08-17). Coronavirus, Corruption, and Resistance: Life Under South Africa's Lockdown. unicornriot.ninja Durban, South Africa — Five months ago South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, declared a national state of emergency and announced a "21 day lockdown" in order to stem the spread of the coronavirus in South Africa. The lockdown's time frame has since been extended multiple…

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-17). UAE rulers' betrayal not to be erased from Muslims' memories. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — Referring to UAE-Israeli tie normalization, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said that the strategic mistake and the brazen betrayal of the UAE rulers will not be erased from the historical memories of the Muslims and freedom seekers.

sputniknews (2020-08-17). At Least 8 People Killed in Al-Shabaab Attack on Military Base in Somalia – Reports. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – An attack by the Al-Shabaab radical group on a military base in the Goofgudud Burey town of Somalia's southwestern Bay region has left at least eight people killed, local media reported on Monday, citing officials.

yenisafak (2020-08-17). Israeli foreign minister telephones Omani counterpart. yenisafak.com Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Monday telephoned his Omani counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi, according to Israel's state broadcaster.The move came days after US President Donald Trump announced a deal between Israel and the UAE to normalize their relations.The UAE is the first Gulf state and third Arab nation to have full diplomatic relations with Israel after Egypt and Jordan.Despite reports that the deal halted Israel's controversial plan to annex parts of the West Bank, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his government's continued commitment to the annexation plan.The Gulf state of Oman…

yenisafak (2020-08-17). Turkish defense minister, military chief visit Libya. yenisafak.com Turkey's defense minister and chief of general staff on Monday visited Libya to review the activities carried out under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two nations.A military ceremony was held for Hulusi Akar and General Yasar Guler upon their arrival at the Mitiga International Airport in the capital Tripoli.Following the ceremony, Akar and Guler went to the Defense Security Cooperation and Training Assistance Advisory Command, which was created as part of a MoU between Turkey and Libya.On Nov. 27, 2019, Ankara and Tripoli signed two MoUs; one on military cooperation and the other on maritime bou…

yenisafak (2020-08-17). Libya belongs to Libyans, says Turkish defense minister. yenisafak.com Turkey on Monday reiterated its support for Libya's legitimate government, with the visiting defense minister saying, "Libya belongs to Libyans"."We believe that we will achieve the wanted results by supporting our Libyan brothers in their just cause," Hulusi Akar said during his visit in the capital Tripoli.Accompanied by Turkish Chief of Staff Gen. Yasar Guler, Akar is visiting Libya to review the training and advisory activities carried out under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two nations on security and military cooperation.The duo met with the Turkish training personnel at lunch, foll…

yenisafak (2020-08-17). Germany asks UAE to use influence over Libya's Haftar. yenisafak.com Germany urged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to use its influence over warlord Khalifa Haftar, leader of the illegitimate armed forces in eastern Libya, according to the German Federal Foreign Office. | "In Libya at the moment, we are observing a deceptive calm. Both sides and their international allies are continuing to massively arm the country and holding firm to their preconditions for a ceasefire", German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas issued a statement upon his arrival in Tripoli. | Maas said during his two-day official visit to Libya, he will meet with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, Foreign Minister…

yenisafak (2020-08-17). Putin, Erdogan discuss conflicts in Libya, Syria in phone call. yenisafak.com Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the conflicts in Libya and Syria with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan in a telephone call on Monday, the Kremlin said in a statement.The Kremlin said the call's main focus was on the crisis in Libya, highlighting the need to make real steps towards a sustainable ceasefire.It also said both leaders agreed to step up anti-terrorism efforts in Syria, after reports earlier on Monday of a Turkish-Russian joint patrol being hit by a blast in the Idlib region.

RT (2020-08-16). At least 5 dead, 28 injured as gunmen explode car bomb & storm hotel in Mogadishu (VIDEOS). rt.com A hotel has been attacked by Islamic militants in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, with at least five people killed. Video posted on social media shows a large plume of smoke emerging from the scene that suffered the explosion. | Reports of the attack emerged on local media on Sunday. Several videos circulating online show dust and smoke rising from the location, identified as Mogadishu's Elite Hotel, while gunfire can be heard in the background. | A VBIED was detonated in front of the popular Hotel known as "Hotel Elite" at Liido beach in Mogadishu. Following the explosion, armed gunmen stormed the building and t…

RT (2020-08-16). Iran will change its approach to UAE over deal with 'child-murdering Israeli regime' — top commander. rt.com The freshly inked peace deal with Israel will change Tehran's attitude towards the United Arab Emirates, a top Iranian commander has warned, saying that Abu Dhabi will now be the prime suspect for any troubles in the Persian Gulf. | "Unfortunately, the UAE has reached a deal to normalize ties with the child-murdering Israeli regime," Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said on Sunday. | Tehran's approach to the UAE will change … If something happens in the Persian Gulf region and if our national security is damaged, however small, we will hold the UAE responsible for th…

Philip Giraldi (2020-08-16). The United Arab Emirates and Israel Join Hands: Great for Trump but More Bad News for the Middle East. globalresearch.ca The decision made this week by the United Arab Emirates and Israel to establish full diplomatic relations as part of a commitment to normalize the interaction between the two countries was characteristically announced by President Donald Trump because he is, …

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-16). Top General warns UAE against normalizing ties with Israelis. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 16 (MNA) — A top Iranian commander denounced the United Arab Emirates' decision to normalize ties with the Israeli regime, calling on Abu Dhabi to reconsider its move.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-16). VIDEO: Oil tanker breaks in half off Mauritius coast. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 16 (MNA) — A Japanese bulk carrier that struck a coral reef last month off the Mauritius coast broke apart Saturday afternoon. Spilling 1,000 tons of fuel oil, the ship is feared to create a marine ecological disaster around Mauritius.

sputniknews (2020-08-16). UAE Deal Brings Israel's 'Ultimate Disintegration Closer' – Advisor to Iran Supreme Leader. sputniknews.com On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced reaching a deal with the United Arab Emirates that would see Abu Dhabi beginning the process to recognize and normalize relations with Tel Aviv, with a formal signing ceremony projected to take place in Washington within a few weeks.

yenisafak (2020-08-16). Virus claims 6 lives in Libya, 2 in Sudan. yenisafak.com Health authorities in Libya and Sudan on Sunday confirmed additional fatalities due to the coronavirus pandemic.In a statement, Libya's National Center for Disease Control said six people had died from COVID-19 and 411 others tested positive.The country's tally now rose to 7,738 confirmed cases, including 145 deaths, and 894 recoveries.In Sudan, the Health Ministry recorded two deaths along with 103 infections and 10 recoveries.The country's total infections now stand at 12,314, including 798 deaths, and 6,350 recoveries.The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed nearly 769,000 lives in at least 188 countries and regions…

yenisafak (2020-08-16). Screen addiction causes children to lose ability to draw. yenisafak.com The normalization of technology has rendered some children incapable of drawing a simple picture, and the number keeps rising daily, according to a Turkish child development specialist.The new school year in Turkey will begin with remote classes Aug. 31. Aysenur Bekaroglu believes screen addiction in children is much more pronounced when learning is primarily dictated by a device."But this is the best of a bad lot," she said. "Rather than children being left uneducated, online education is the best option."Bekaroglu said schools are not only a center for education but a place to socialize, where children have pee…

yenisafak (2020-08-16). UAE phone lines to Israel open after accord to normalise relations. yenisafak.com Telephone lines between the United Arab Emirates and Israel were open on Sunday, calls made by Reuters reporters showed, after the two countries moved to normalise diplomatic relations last week.It was not clear when exactly a block on telephone calls made from the UAE to Israel was lifted, but historically calls were not possible.The UAE's Telecoms Regulatory Authority did not immediately respond to a request to comment.More Israeli news websites that were previously blocked in the UAE were also now able to be viewed on UAE internet connections on Sunday.An official in Israel's Communication Ministry told Reuter…

yenisafak (2020-08-16). India sends team to Mauritius to assist in oil spill. yenisafak.com India has sent technical equipment and a team of specialists to Mauritius to help local authorities deal with an environmental crisis after an oil spill from a Japanese ship, a government official said on Sunday.A Japanese bulk carrier struck a coral reef off the Indian Ocean island nation on July 25, spilling about 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil and triggering a state of "environmental emergency".The carrier split on Saturday, and the oil spill spread over a vast area of endangered corals, fish and other marine life in what some scientists called the country's worst ecological disaster.Scientists say the full impact o…

Jonathan Cook (2020-08-16). How the Israel-UAE Deal puts the Bogus Peace Industry Back in Business. dissidentvoice.org If there is one conclusion to draw from the agreement this week between Israel and the United Arab Emirates — with Israel temporarily "suspending" its threat to illegally annex parts of the West Bank, in return for "full normalisation" with the Gulf state — it is this: The peace industry is back in business. But this …

Anand Naidoo (2020-08-15). The Heat: U.S. presidential politics. america.cgtn.com The U.S. presidential race heats up as Democrats prepare to formally anoint Joe Biden in the race for the White House. As Democrats take center stage next week to formalize their party's ticket for November's national election, gone will be the mass gathering of party …

RT (2020-08-15). Open wide, Adolf! Daughter of Kremlin spokesman posts photo of HITLER'S TEETH on Instagram. rt.com So Hitler didn't escape to South America to run a bar with Elvis? On Friday, the daughter of the Kremlin press secretary posted a photo of his remains, in storage at the Federal Security Service's (FSB) secret archives in Moscow | On her popular Instagram account, Elizaveta Peskova shared photographs of the dental remains of Adolf Hitler and his wife, Eva Braun. | Peskova, whose father Dmitry Peskov has been the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2012, wrote that her friend and history fan Pierre Malinovsky requested to see the artifact, as not everyone believes that Hitler died in 1945.

Munyaradzi Makoni (2020-08-15). [World Report] COVID-19 worsens Zimbabwe's health crisis. thelancet.com Years of neglect and doctors' strikes have pushed the Zimbabwean health system to the brink. Munyaradzi Makoni reports.