Monthly Archives: December 2020

2020-12-06: News Headlines

Dave Markland (2020-12-06). Review of Hensman's 'Indefensible'. zcomm.org Defense of the Easily Defensible By Dave Markland In 2018 Haymarket Books published Rohini Hensman's Indefensible: Democracy, Counter-revolution and Anti-imperialist Rhetoric. Its focus is on left journalists and analysts like John Pilger and the late Edward S. Herman who have committed the inexcusable sin of being overly suspicious of United States foreign policy. Many readers

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). 'Khaf-Herat railway to boost Iran-Afghanistan's trade ties'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — The Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters said that the Khaf-Herat railway paves the way for trade development between Iran and Afghanistan.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). Any inclination for future negotiating with US wrong. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — Iran Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Ebrahim Raeisi said that any inclination for future negotiation with the US is considered wrong.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). Betsy A. McLane's master class in Cinéma Vérité. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — Betsy A. McLane is slated to hold a master class in the 14th Iran International Documentary Film Festival known as "Cinema Verite" which is scheduled to be organized totally online from December 15 to 22 in Tehran.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). University, student sources of fundamental changes in society. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that universities and students are the sources of fundamental and original changes in society.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). Iranian animators censure assassination of nuclear scientist. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — In a statement, a number of Iranian animators slammed the assassination of Iran's nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). Iran observing enemies beyond its borders. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — Iran's Commander of Army Air Defense Force Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard said relying on its modern technology, Iran is observing enemies beyond its borders.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). FM Zarif holds talks with envoys from different countries. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with ambassadors of various countries to Iran on Sunday in Tehran-based Foreign Ministry building.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). Students are real, lasting asset of Establishment: Rouhani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) —Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a message on the occasion of Azar 16 (Dec. 6), which marks "Students' Day" said that students are clear example of awakening pulse of society as well as real and lasting asset of the country.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). Zarif meets with departing Brazilian ambassador. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the departing Brazilian Ambassador, Rodrigo de Azeredo Santos, meet and held talks in Tehran on Sunday.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). Autumn snow falls in Hamedan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — In the last month of Autumn, the west-central Iranian province of Hamedan, located in the Zagros Mountains, has been blanketed in white snow.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). Beautiful sceneries of late autumn in Alangdareh Forest Park. en.mehrnews.com GORGAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — Alangdarreh Forest Park is chosen as one of the seven exemplary touristic districts of the country and the outstanding forest park of the north of Iran.

teleSUR, ce (2020-12-05). Venezuelan Housing Mission Delivers 3,300,000th Home. telesurenglish.net The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, led this Saturday afternoon the delivery of the 3,300,000 house of the Great Venezuela Housing Mission (GMVV), which took place in the La Gran Villa urban development, located in the Villa de Cura parish, Zamora municipality, Miranda state. | RELATED: | Despite the effects of the economic blockade imposed by the United States government and t…

_____ (2020-12-05). How Israel Deployed an Intelligence Deception to Justify Killing Scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. strategic-culture.org Gareth PORTER | Israel's Mossad has spent years on a propaganda campaign aimed at convincing the world Iran possessed a nuclear weapons program — and legitimizing its assassinations of Iranian academics. | The Israeli assassination of Iranian defense official Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is being treated as a triumph of Israeli intelligence, with ubiquitous references in the New York Times and other major media outlets to the killing of

Ralph Nader (2020-12-05). The Road to a More Just Society Runs Through Congress. commondreams.org Think about all the dreams for a better world that could come to be realized if our elected officials worked for the big majority of Americans instead of for Big Business interests. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/congress_5.jpg

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-05). Iran to open home-made seawater greenhouse. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 05 (MNA) — An official with the Vice Presidential Office said that two homegrown seawater greenhouses using solar heat for changing seawater to freshwater will be inaugurated by the end of the current Iranian year.

_____ (2020-12-05). Congress Is Deadlocked On COVID-19 Relief. popularresistance.org The annu ≠al approval of the gar ≠gan ≠tu ≠an U.S. mil ≠i ≠tary bud ≠get is one of the most reli ≠able rit ≠u ≠als in Con ≠gress. It is so ordi ≠nary and over ≠whelm ≠ing ≠ly bipar ≠ti ≠san, it's bare ≠ly con ≠sid ≠ered news ≠wor ≠thy, and few out ≠lets fol ≠low the details of exact ≠ly how much the gov ≠ern ≠ment is allo ≠cat ≠ing to a nuclear weapons buildup, or deploy ≠ments to the Asia Pacif ≠ic, or the steady creep of U.S. mil ≠i ≠tary bases across the con ≠ti ≠nent of Africa. Even under Pres ≠i ≠de…

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-05). Tajikistan condemns assassination of scientist 'Fakhrizadeh'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 05 (MNA) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Tajikistan in an official note on Sat. strongly condemned the assassination of Iranian nuclear and defense scientist 'Dr. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh'.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-05). Police dismantle drug-trafficking band in S Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 05 (MNA) — Police forces of the Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeastern Iran, have dismantled a drug-trafficking band and seized over 1 ton of narcotics in Iranshhahr County.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-05). Iran, Congo discuss expansion of bilateral relations. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 05 (MNA) — The new Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Minister of Industry of the Democratic Republic of Congo conferred on boosting bilateral ties in the field of industry.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-05). 2020 GITEX to host 20 Iranian Knowledge-based firms tomorrow. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 05 (MNA) — 20 Iranian knowledge-based firms and startups will participate at the 40th international exhibition of electronics, computers, and E-Commerce in West Asia tomorrow.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-05). US blocked Iran's flu vaccine consignment. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 05 (MNA) — Iranian Health Minister says the United States has continued its sanctions against Iran amid the pandemic, even blocking the import of a flu vaccine consignment to the country.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-05). Abshineh Dam Lake of Hamadan Province. en.mehrnews.com HAMADAN, Dec. 05 (MNA) — Located 15 kilometers away from Hamedan Province in Hamedan-Malayer Highway, west-central Iran, Abshineh pond is witnessing the return of migratory birds following the appropriate rainfall in autumn.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-05). "Iris Ng" to hold online master class in "Cinéma Vérité" en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — Iris Ng is slated to hold an online master class in 14th Iran International Documentary Film Festival known as "Cinema Verite" which is scheduled to be organized totally online from December 15 to 22 in Tehran.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-05). Over 90% of submarines' equipment indigenized: Navy Admiral. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 05 (MNA) — Head of the Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization of Iran's Navy said that more than 90 percent of parts and equipment of submarines are manufactured domestically.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-05). Iran-Armenia railway to change Yerevan's economy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 05 (MNA) — Armenian Prime Minister said that the implementation of the Iran-Armenia railway will fundamentally change Yerevan's economy.

Dave DeCamp (2020-12-04). US Slaps More Sanctions on Iran, Claiming Tehran Has Secret Chemical Weapons. theantimedia.com Iraq used chemical weapons against Iran in 1980s war while receiving support from the US.

Voelker R. (2020-12-01). Essential Medicines Identified for Future Public Health Emergencies. jamanetwork.com As it prepares for the next potential public health emergency, the FDA collaborated with other federal agencies to develop a list of essential medicines, medical countermeasures, and pharmaceutical ingredients considered necessary to protect the public from infectious diseases and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

Project Censored (2020-12-01). #9. Rising Risks of Nuclear Power Due to Climate Change. projectcensored.org Nuclear power plants are unprepared for climate change. Rising sea levels and warmer waters will impact power plants' infrastructure, posing increased risks of nuclear disasters, according to reports from the…

2020-12-05: News Headlines

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-05). Police dismantle drug-trafficking band in S Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 05 (MNA) — Police forces of the Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeastern Iran, have dismantled a drug-trafficking band and seized over 1 ton of narcotics in Iranshhahr County.

RT (2020-12-04). Fears of an Iranian reprisal for the killing of nuclear chief prompt Israel to warn its own scientists & reactor workers. rt.com Israeli nuclear scientists and former staff at its southern Dimona reactor have been warned they may be targeted by Iran after its top nuclear scientist was assassinated last week in what Tehran claims was an Israeli attack. | At least one former Dimona scientist has been told by Israeli security officials that Iran is monitoring his internet activity, and that he should avoid walking along particular routes regularly, while remaining vigilant for unexpected packages, according to reports by Israel's Kan broadcaster. | According to Israeli ex-counter-terrorism chief Nitzan Nuriel, the likelihood of Tehran auth…

Jeffrey St. Clair (2020-12-04). Roaming Charges: Let's Get Small. counterpunch.org One of the most useful things about Obama's memoir is that he reminds who some of the people now being recycled into the Biden administration really are. John Kerry, for example, who Obama describes as working assiduously to convince greens to "offer up concessions on subsidies for nuclear power and the opening of addition US coastlines to offshore oil drilled." Obama writes this with gratitude and admiration, naturally, and was probably all the recommendation Biden need to tap Kerry as his "climate czar."

Anand Naidoo (2020-12-04). The Heat: Europe and Iran battle COVID-19. america.cgtn.com The number of COVID-19 cases worldwide continue to explode. And, from the Middle East to Europe and the Americas, the death rate is alarming. About 50,000 people have lost their lives to coronavirus in Iran. In Europe countries like Italy that were hard hit early …

Shenaz Kermalli (2020-12-04). The Assassination of an Iranian Scientist and the Double-Standards of American Outrage. commondreams.org Public discourse on these state-sponsored acts of terrorism (we wouldn't hesitate to characterize these acts as terrorism if Iran assassinated an Israeli or U.S scientist, would we?) has historically been largely absent. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/screen_shot_2020-12-04_at_11.57.48_am.png

teleSUR (2020-12-04). Iran Denounces UN Double Standards in Condemning Terrorism. telesurenglish.net The President of the Human Rights Council of Iran, Ali Baqeri Kani, indicated Friday that the international institution should react to terrorism in Iran, even at least once, as it has condemned it in France and Austria, in two separate letters addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). | RELATED: | The Iranian official demanded that…

Dave DeCamp (2020-12-04). US Slaps More Sanctions on Iran, Claiming Tehran Has Secret Chemical Weapons. theantimedia.com Iraq used chemical weapons against Iran in 1980s war while receiving support from the US.

Philip Giraldi (2020-12-03). A Killing in Iran: Who Gains from Yet Another Assassination? The Role of MEK? globalresearch.ca It is not often that one can agree with the pronouncements made by former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan, but his

Mnar Muhawesh Adley (2020-12-03). Podcast: The Assassination of a Nuclear Scientist and the War against Iran's COVID-19 Vaccine. mintpressnews.com After Iran's most senior nuclear scientist Mohsin Fakhrezadeh was assassinated last week the media has been abuzz about a non-existent nuclear weapons program, justifying a killing that masks a broader campaign to target Iran's COVID vaccine program led by Fakhrezadeh.

_____ (2020-12-03). A Killing in Iran: Who Gains From Yet Another Assassination? strategic-culture.org It is not often that one can agree with the pronouncements made by former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan, but his

Newsclick (2020-12-03). Assassination of nuclear scientist is a bid to provoke Iran into conflict. peoplesdispatch.org Newsclick's Prabir Purkayastha talks about the recent assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. He analyzes the implications of this on the region and looks at the myths about Iran's nuclear program…

Erin Banco (2020-12-03). Trump Tells Pompeo: Go Wild on Iran, Just Don't Risk 'World War III'. globalresearch.ca President Donald Trump may only have seven weeks According to …

Manlio Dinucci (2020-12-03). The Nuclear Bomb Is Ready: In Italy Soon. The B61-12 has a Nuclear Warhead with 4 "Selectable Power Options" globalresearch.ca A video was released on November 23 by Sandia National Laboratories that shows a US F-35A fighter flying at supersonic speed 3000 meters above sea level, launching a B61-12 nuclear bomb (non-nuclear warhead equipped). The bomb did not fall vertically …

Gareth Porter (2020-12-02). How Israel deployed an intelligence deception to justify killing scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. thegrayzone.com Israel's Mossad has spent years on a propaganda campaign aimed at convincing the world Iran possessed a nuclear weapons program — and legitimizing its assassinations of Iranian academics. The Israeli assassination of Iranian defense official Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is being treated as a triumph of Israeli intelligence, with ubiquitous references in the New York Times and other major media outlets to the killing of "Iran's top nuclear scientist". In fact, Israel's Mossad intelligence agency eliminated Fakhrizadeh, a defense official, despite the …

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2020-12-02). 'Dead-End for Climate': Coalition Denounces Senate Bill to Fund Nuclear Industry Bailout. commondreams.org "Instead of propping up the nuclear energy industry, Congress should be driving the transition to truly renewable energy." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/nuclear-bailout-dead-end.jpg

commondreams (2020-12-02). 100+ Groups Oppose Latest Nuclear Bailout Scheme. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Ron Forthofer (2020-12-02). Insanity reigns: The US, Israel and Iran. dissidentvoice.org All too often, events occur that make me feel that I am living in 'Bizarro World'. The recent talk and extensive US corporate media coverage about whether or not the US and/or Israel will soon attack Iran is one of these occasions. The alleged rationale for such an attack is the possibility that Iran might …

John Pilger (2020-12-01). "I spoke to impoverished families in 1975 and little has changed since then" dissidentvoice.org A British family from the film Smashing Kids, 1975. Photograph: John Garrett John Pilger interviewed Irene Brunsden in Hackney, east London about only being able to feed her two-year-old a plate of cornflakes in 1975. Now he sees nervous women queueing at foodbanks with their children as it's revealed 600,000 more kids are in poverty …

South Front (2020-12-01). Video: Iranian Nuclear Program Gains Steam Following Fakhrizadeh Assassination. globalresearch.ca US President Donald Trump is apparently set to slam the door and go to great lengths to show love to his friends in Tel Aviv before withdrawing from the White House. | On November 27, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a prominent Iranian …

Kim Petersen (2020-12-01). The Slow-motion Assassination of Julian Assange. globalresearch.ca Another Iranian nuclear scientist has been assassinated. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed by an elaborately planned and executed ambush. The complexity of the attack and the resources required to carry it out strongly indicate a state actor. Fingers of blame quickly …

Stephen Lendman (2020-12-01). Initial Iranian Response to Assassination of Its Top Nuclear Scientist. globalresearch.ca Iranian parliamentarians responded swiftly to last Friday's assassination of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh — more from the country's ruling authorities highly likely. | According to Iran's Intelligence Ministry, Fakhrizadeh was martyred by at least one explosion and gunfire from a number …

Project Censored (2020-12-01). #9. Rising Risks of Nuclear Power Due to Climate Change. projectcensored.org Nuclear power plants are unprepared for climate change. Rising sea levels and warmer waters will impact power plants' infrastructure, posing increased risks of nuclear disasters, according to reports from the…

sputniknews (2020-12-01). Fakhrizadeh's Murder Will Not Prevent Iran From 'Going Nuclear', EU's Borrell Says. sputniknews.com BRUSSELS, (Sputnik) – The recent assassination of Iranian physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is a criminal act and will not stop Tehran from "going nuclear," EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on Tuesday.

Voelker R. (2020-12-01). Essential Medicines Identified for Future Public Health Emergencies. jamanetwork.com As it prepares for the next potential public health emergency, the FDA collaborated with other federal agencies to develop a list of essential medicines, medical countermeasures, and pharmaceutical ingredients considered necessary to protect the public from infectious diseases and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

Elijah J. Magnier (2020-12-01). How Will Iran Answer the Assassination of Fakhri Zadeh? globalresearch.ca US President Donald Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided that Iran was their worst enemy and that its nuclear and missile programs should be disrupted or destroyed by all means. Perhaps Trump considers Iran to be one of …

WSWS (2020-12-01). War tensions mount in wake of Israeli assassination of top Iranian scientist. wsws.org While neither Washington nor Tel Aviv have formally claimed responsibility for the assassination of Moshen Fakhrizadeh, the authorship of this act of state terrorism is hardly in doubt.

Staff (2020-11-30). A Trap? Why Assassination of Top Iranian Nuclear Scientist Could Tie Biden's Hands in Future Talks. democracynow.org Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated Friday while driving on a highway outside Tehran. Iran accuses Israel of orchestrating the killing, which is the latest in a string of assassinations targeting scientists involved with Iran's nuclear program. Between 2010 and 2012, four Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated, and analysts say Fakhrizadeh's death was designed to make it harder for President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran when he takes office. Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. "Israel has always denied…

Global Research News (2020-11-30). Selected Articles: Assassination of Iranian Scientist Brings US-Israel Closer to War with Iran. globalresearch.ca By If you're worried about the capability of government to conduct surveillance of citizens engaged in political assembly and protest, or even just …

Mazda Majidi (2020-11-30). Iranian scientist assassinated in brazen act of terror: Who is the culprit? liberationnews.org Fakhrizadeh's assassination is the latest in a long-running U.S./Israeli terror campaign.

Brian Berletic (2020-11-30). Assassination of Iranian Scientist Brings US-Israel Closer to War with Iran. globalresearch.ca Reports on the death of senior Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh signals another dangerous turn in Washington's systematic attempts to undermine and overthrow the current government of Iran. | The Western media is framing the assassination as a unilateral operation carried …

Medea Benjamin (2020-11-30). Trump risks war again: Will the world condemn the murder of Iran's top nuclear scientist?>. salon.com Israel wouldn't have killed Mohsen Fakhrizadeh without Trump's say-so. Now Biden and the UN must lower tensions…

Scott Ritter (2020-11-30). Israel's Gift to Joe Biden, 52 Days Before He Even Takes Office: War with Iran. globalresearch.ca The assassination of Tehran's top nuclear scientist is a ploy by Israel to compel the likely US president-elect to reject diplomacy and choose military action to deal with Iran's nuclear ambition. Which option will he choose? | Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was the …

NIAC Action (2020-11-30). The Assassination of Iranian Nuclear Scientist. Setting the Stage for War? globalresearch.ca Ryan Costello, Policy Director of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), issued the following statement on reports of the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who led Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program until it was shelved in …