Daily Archives: 2020-10-25

2020-10-25: News Headlines

F. William Engdahl (2020-10-25). Will the Next Head of the WTO Impose a Gates-Davos "Great Reset" Agenda? globalresearch.ca It is all but certain that the next head of the influential World Trade Organization (WTO) will be an African by birth and a woman. But neither is what makes the all-but certain naming of Nigerian-born Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala cause for …

Juan Cole (2020-10-25). Donald Trump, the Mr. Magoo of Geopolitics, Incites Warfare Between Egypt and Ethiopia. commondreams.org President Donald Trump stops to speak to reporters as he prepared to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on January 19, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Pete Marovich/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/trump_ethiopia_egypt.jpg

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…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-25). Top al-Qaeda militant killed in Afghanistan. middleeasteye.net Top al-Qaeda militant killed in Afghanistan | Egyptian national Abu Muhsin al-Masri targeted by Afghan security forces, as Kabul accuses Taliban of still maintaining close ties with group | Sun, 10/25/2020 – 09: 30 | Afghan soldiers on patrol outside the US military base in Bagram, 50km north of Kabul (AFP) | Afghan forces have killed a top al-Qaeda operative wanted by the United States, a…

Sara Abbas & Azza Mustafa (2020-10-25). Lessons from Sudan's December revolution. zcomm.org The revolution in Sudan did not end with the ousting of al-Bashir — people in the streets continue to keep the pressure up until all their demands are met…

_____ (2020-10-25). How A Police Killing In Nigeria Sparked A Nationwide Movement. popularresistance.org Nigerian security forces opened fire this week on protesters in Lagos, killing at least 12 demonstrators and marking a deadly escalation in the weekslong protests against police brutality. | Since early October, tens of thousands of Nigerians have been marching in cities throughout the country, demanding the disbandment of a notorious police unit known as SARS—the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. An Amnesty International report published in June documented dozens of cases of torture and extrajudicial killing by the unit. But the incident that sparked the movement was a video of what appeared to be an unprovoked…

Al Carroll (2020-10-25). Trump's Body Count: Could Be Over a Million. indybay.org The combined death toll from all of Trump's many crimes is not "just" the over 222,000 COVID deaths. It includes at least 40,000 Venezuelans, Syrian Christian and Yazidi refugees, Karen Christians, Rohingya, refugees from Latin America, Afghans, Iraqis, Somalis, Yemenis, and tens of thousands of Americans who died by Trump sabotaging their healthcare.

_____ (2020-10-25). Macron's Gamble Will Backfire as Brexit Will Make Both Him and France Big Losers of a No-Deal With Brussels. strategic-culture.org He couldn't save Lebanon, despite all the rhetoric. Libya too was a disaster, as was his more recent battle with the firebrand Turkish president over a row in the Eastern Med about energy exploration. And now, France's cursed President, Emmanuel Macron, is going to lead his nation in a campaign which will take him and the entire French economy over the abyss on Brexit. | Remarkably, as the EU stands and watches, Macron, a man tortured and cursed by defeat wherever he goes around the world, is about to throw the lever on the French economy as he prepares to go into battle against Boris Johnson over UK's rights to…

yenisafak (2020-10-25). Saudi-led coalition intercepts Houthi drone from Yemen. yenisafak.com The Saudi-led coalition on Sunday intercepted an explosive-laden drone fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen toward Saudi Arabia.Coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki said the rebel drone was fired towards civilian areas in southern Saudi Arabia, according to the official Saudi news agency SPA.There was no comment from the Houthi group on the report.On Saturday, the Houthi group said it had fired three drones towards the Jizan and Abha airports and the Khamis Mushait base.The Houthi group regularly announces rocket and drone attacks on Saudi territories, saying they are a reaction to the Saudi-led coalition's atta…

yenisafak (2020-10-25). Guinean president Conde wins presidential elections after first round. yenisafak.com Guinean President Alpha Conde was re-elected for a third term after winning the country's presidential elections held on Oct. 18 with 59,49% of the vote.The results were announced after the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) concluded the vote-counting process.International observers that monitored the elections said it was carried out properly, giving it a positive grade.Cellou Dalein Diallo, the main rival and leader of the opposition Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), got 33.5% of votes, the election commission said.None of the other 10 candidates exceeded the 5% threshold.Third term as…

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…

lekki was a massacre (2020-10-24). Saturday 10/24: Oakland protest in Solidarity w Nigeria. indybay.org Bay Area solidarity demo with #endsars movement in Nigeria…

lekki was a massacre (2020-10-24). Oakland protest in Solidarity w Nigeria. indybay.org Bay Area solidarity demo with #endsars movement in Nigeria…

MEE staff (2020-10-24). Coronavirus: Algeria president to be quarantined after staff test positive. middleeasteye.net Coronavirus: Algeria president to be quarantined after staff test positive | Doctors advise 74-year-old Abdelmadjid Tebboune to start five-day quarantine as a precautionary measure, his office said on Saturday | Sat, 10/24/2020 – 13: 49 | Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (AFP) | Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune will start a five-day quarantine from Saturday after senior staff tested positive for…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-24). Egyptians set to vote for parliament 'with no real authority'. middleeasteye.net Egyptians set to vote for parliament 'with no real authority' | Some 63 million voters are eligible to elect 568 of 596 members in the lower house, widely seen as rubber-stamp body | Sat, 10/24/2020 – 09: 45 | A resident makes her vote a polling station in Agouza district in Giza, the twin-city of Egypt's capital, on 24 October, 2020 (AFP) | Voting for Egypt's lower house of parliament beg…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-24). France recalls ambassador from Turkey after Erdogan jibe at Macron. middleeasteye.net France recalls ambassador from Turkey after Erdogan jibe at Macron | Turkey's leader said French president 'needs mental treatment' after comments on Islam | Sat, 10/24/2020 – 21: 24 | The two Nato allies find themselves at loggerheads over a range of issues, including Syria and Libya (AFP)
| France on Saturday said it was recalling its ambassador to Turkey for consultations after comm…

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…

The Canary (2020-10-24). Nigerian president blames 'hooliganism' for 51 killings by security forces during protests. thecanary.co At least 51 civilians have been killed during unrest in Nigeria following days of protests over police abuses, the country's president said.President Muhammadu Buhari blamed the violence on "hooliganism". And he asserted that security forces have used "extreme restraint".On Thursday 22 October, he said the government "will not fold its arms and allow miscreants and criminals continue to perpetrate acts of hooliganism"."Devoid of sympathy": But many Nigerians are upset by what the president has not said. In a national address on 22 October, Buhari didn't mention the shootings. Instead, he warned protesters…

RT (2020-10-24). Ethiopia denounces Trump for INCITING WAR by saying Egypt will 'BLOW UP' disputed Blue Nile dam project. rt.com US President Donald Trump's comment that Egypt will "blow up" a disputed dam that Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile has sparked an outcry in Addis Ababa, where the government is calling the statement an "incitement to war." | Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew summoned US Ambassador Michael Raynor for clarification on Saturday, a day after Trump spoke in the Oval Office about Ethiopia's $4.6 billion hydroelectric dam project. | Also on rt.com | | The project has cr…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-24). Ethiopia denounces 'belligerent threats' after Trump says Egypt to blow up disputed dam. middleeasteye.net Ethiopia denounces 'belligerent threats' after Trump says Egypt to blow up disputed dam | Ethiopia's PM says his country 'will not cave in to aggressions of any kind' | Sat, 10/24/2020 – 11: 54 | The Renaissance Dam in Guba, Ethiopia, is at the centre of a dispute between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over shares of the Nile water (AFP/file photo) | Ethiopia said on Saturday that threats of an…

MEE and agencies (2020-10-24). Renaissance Dam: Ethiopia summons US ambassador over Trump's 'incitement of war'. middleeasteye.net Renaissance Dam: Ethiopia summons US ambassador over Trump's 'incitement of war' | Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says his country 'will not cave in to aggressions of any kind' | Sat, 10/24/2020 – 11: 54 | The Renaissance Dam in Guba, Ethiopia, is at the centre of a dispute between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over shares of the Nile water (AFP/file photo) | Ethiopia on Saturday summoned the US am…

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…

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."

Peoples Dispatch (2020-10-24). Warring parties in Libya sign "permanent ceasefire" deal. peoplesdispatch.org Following a temporary ceasefire in July, Libya's Government of National Accord and the Khalifa Haftar-led Libyan National Army have struck a permanent deal. All foreign fighters are to leave the country in three months…

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.

anonymous solidarity (2020-10-24). Nigerian Youth Lead the Way. indybay.org Total Solidarity with the Youth of Nigeria!

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-24). Iran emphasizes political settlement for Libya's crisis. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 24 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman noted that the crisis in Libya must be resolved through a political settlement.

sputniknews (2020-10-24). Afghan Security Forces Announce Killing of 'Al-Qaeda Key Member' Abu Muhsin al-Masri. sputniknews.com Al-Qaeda leader Abu Muhsin al-Masri, also known as Husam Abd-al-Ra'uf and originally from Egypt, was wanted by the FBI for conspiracy to aid foreign terrorist organisations and for killing US nationals.

yenisafak (2020-10-24). UN hails Libya's lifting of force majeure on oil ports. yenisafak.com The UN mission in Libya on Saturday welcomed an announcement of lifting the state of "force majeure" from Libya's eastern Sidra and Ras Lanuf ports."This decision is a result of the confidence-building measures agreed and implemented through the Joint Military Commission. It's a win-win for the Libyan people," the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said in a statement.The UN mission said the announcement "demonstrates what can be accomplished when Libyans come together in good faith for the sake of their country".The move by the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) came after the announcement of a permanent ce…

yenisafak (2020-10-24). Sudan says Trump signs order removing state from terrorism list. yenisafak.com Sudan said on Friday that US President Donald Trump signed an official statement to take Sudan off its list of states sponsoring terrorism."Trump officially signed an order to remove Sudan from the list of states sponsoring terrorism," a statement by the Sudan's Sovereign Council said."Shortly this day will be announced as a historic day for Sudan and its revolution," the statement added.So far, the US has not commented on the Sudanese announcement.On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US started the process of removing Sudan from his country's list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.Pompeo a…

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…

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…

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…

MEE staff (2020-10-23). Libyan factions sign 'permanent' ceasefire following talks. middleeasteye.net Libyan factions sign 'permanent' ceasefire following talks | UN announces signing of agreement in Geneva to end fighting | Fri, 10/23/2020 – 10: 35 | General view during talks between the rival factions in the Libya conflict on 20 October 2020 at the United Nations offices in Geneva (AFP) | Warring factions in Libya have agreed to a "permanent" ceasefire following talks, the United Nations said on Friday. | Th…

Vijay Prashad (2020-10-23). Paradise for human victims of corporate persons. mronline.org Any day now, Zambia will be the first African country to slip into a private debt default. It can only pay interest on the $3 billion in dollar-denominated bonds if it totally ignores the needs of the Zambian people.

Yasmina Allouche (2020-10-23). Algeria: Minister tells people to leave if they disagree with constitutional amendments. middleeasteye.net Algeria: Minister tells people to leave if they disagree with constitutional amendments | Algerians describe Sid Ali Khaldi's words as 'serious' and 'undermining national unity' ahead of next month's referendum | Fri, 10/23/2020 – 12: 20 | The hashtag 'I don't like the situation' began trending following Khaldi's comments (YouTube/Screengrab) | The Algerian minister of youth and sport has…

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…

Mirinda Crissman (2020-10-23). From Texas to Nigeria, end police brutality! workers.org Houston Hundreds of people gathered near Wazobia African Market on the southwest side of Houston on Oct. 14 to protest police brutality in Nigeria. They came together to draw attention to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, known in Nigeria for its extrajudicial killings, torture, extortion, frame-ups and blackmail. "End SARS" protests . . . |

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…

Pepe Escobar (2020-10-23). Make America Jeffersonian Again. thealtworld.com A messianic bent leads Americans to dismiss as malign actors every nation deviating from 'self-evident truths' | The whole planet has every reason to be terminally puzzled at how all those lofty Enlightenment ideals Thomas Jefferson embedded in the 1776 Declaration of Independence ended up with…Trump vs. Biden. | Jefferson borrowed freely from Locke, Rousseau, Hume to come up with an eminently quotable Greatest Hits, featuring "self-evident" truths such as "all men are created equal", "unalienable rights", and that searing "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." | Well, Baudrillard would have dubbed the e…

Steven Sahiounie (2020-10-23). Sudan Bends to Trump's Pressure to Normalize Relations with Israel. globalresearch.ca The US has taken Sudan off the list of state-sponsors of terrorism, and with UAE support to provide several billion dollars of aid, in exchange for normalization with Israel. | US President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter Monday: "GREAT news! New …

teleSUR (2020-10-23). UN Chief Welcomes Libya Cease-Fire Accord. telesurenglish.net UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed the signing of a cease-fire agreement by the Libyan parties in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations. | "This is a fundamental step toward peace and stability in Libya. I congratulate the parties for putting the interest of their nation ahead of their differences," Guterres told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York. | RELATED: | He appealed to…

WSWS (2020-10-23). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org Nigerian Federal airport workers stage one-day warning strike under conditions of mass unemployment, poverty and inequality in Africa's largest country—which has fueled mass protests against state violence.

WSWS (2020-10-23). Nigerian government clamps down on protests. wsws.org The deployment of Nigeria's army followed its announcement last week that it was ready to maintain law and order and deal decisively with "subversive elements and troublemakers."

news.un (2020-10-23). UN salutes new Libya ceasefire agreement that points to 'a better, safer, and more peaceful future'. news.un.org Warring parties in Libya on Friday agreed an historic ceasefire, which was hailed by the head of the UN Support Mission in the country (UNSMIL), who led the mediation, as a courageous act that can help secure a "a better, safer, and more peaceful future for all the Libyan people".

_____ (2020-10-23). Joint Statement: US Connection In Nigeria Violence. popularresistance.org Washington, D.C.-based Pan-African Community Action (PACA) and the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP)'s U.S. Out of Africa Network (USOAN) issued a joint statement condemning what appears to be illegal police and military violence committed against unarmed, peaceful protesters in Nigeria. | PACA and the USOAN assert, however, a U.S. connection to the violence that many are not making. The Nigerian police forces and military have long histories with the United States through the U.S.-led International Police Training School and the military-to-military relations between U.S. and Nigerian militaries, a part of the U.S.