Daily Archives: February 12, 2021

2021-02-12: News Headlines

MEE and agencies (2021-02-12). Yemen: UN expects over two million children to go hungry or starve in 2021. middleeasteye.net Yemen: UN expects over two million children to go hungry or starve in 2021 | Over a million pregnant or breastfeeding women also expected to suffer from extreme malnutrition this year | Fri, 02/12/2021 – 10: 30 | millions of Yemenis are on the brink of famine with the economy destroyed, schools and hospitals barely functioning, and tens of thousands killed (AFP) | About 400,000 children un…

Brian Terrell (2021-02-12). Ending the Other War in Yemen. counterpunch.org On February 4, in his first major foreign policy address, President Joe Biden announced, "we are ending all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen, including relevant arms sales." Speaking of the Saudi-led coalition that has been at war in Yemen since 2015, creating what he called "a humanitarian and strategic catastrophe," Biden declared "This war has to end."

yenisafak (2021-02-12). EU Parliament calls for ban on arms sale to Saudi, UAE. yenisafak.com The European Parliament on Thursday called on EU member states to ban arms sale to Saudi Arabia and the UAE over violations of human rights in Yemen.A joint motion adopted by the European Parliament recalled Germany's arms sale ban to Saudi Arabia and Italy's ban to UAE and Saudi Arabia. Lawmakers said some EU countries are also planning to join the ban while others continue arms sale to these countries and violate the common stance of the EU Council.The European Parliament also welcomed the US decision to halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia and to suspend the transfer of F-35 jets to the UAE.Lawmakers also called on…

news.un (2021-02-12). Yemen: 'Toxic mix' imperils lives of under-fives with acute malnutrition. news.un.org Since the escalation of conflict in 2015, severe acute malnutrition is among its highest levels in Yemen, threating the lives of half of the country's children under the age of five, four UN agencies warned on Friday.

Mary L Wentworth, Yoav Elinevsky (2021-02-12). Biden's Half Measures to End the War in Yemen are Not Enough. counterpunch.org The Saudis decided to enter an ongoing civil war in Yemen in 2015 for several reasons. The two countries share a long border at the southern end of their peninsula. This length of this border is matched by Yemen's coastline on the Arabian Sea, an access to ocean waters that Saudi Arabia does not have.

Ahmed Abdulkareem (2021-02-12). This Is Yemen After Biden Declared an End To American Support for the War. mintpressnews.com The Biden administration sparked a sense of hope around the world that the war on Yemen could finally be over. For those on the ground though, the bombs keep falling, food is scarce and hope is in short supply.

Ragip Soylu (2021-02-12). 'An anti-Turkey alliance': Ankara slams Greece for hosting 'hostile' meeting with regional countries. middleeasteye.net 'An anti-Turkey alliance': Ankara slams Greece for hosting 'hostile' meeting with regional countries | Turkey brands Athens meeting between Greece and six other nations an attempt to form an alliance against it | Fri, 02/12/2021 – 10: 28 | Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L), speaks with Emirati minister Reem Ebrahim Al-Hashimy (R) and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud (C) on 21 F…

MEE staff (2021-02-12). 'We want real justice': Loujain al-Hathloul's family slams conditions of release. middleeasteye.net 'We want real justice': Loujain al-Hathloul's family slams conditions of release | Since Loujain's sentence was only suspended, not pardoned, Saudi Arabia retains right to return her to prison for any perceived criminal activity | Fri, 02/12/2021 – 16: 27 | A woman viewing a tweet posted by sister of Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul, Lina, in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on 10 February (AFP/File photo) | Af…

Human Rights Watch (2021-02-12). Saudi Arabia releases Women's Rights Activist Loujain al-Hathloul but Bans her Travel. juancole.com (Beirut) — Saudi authorities released from prison the prominent women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul on February 10, 2021, Human Rights Watch said today. However, she is banned from travel and has a suspended sentence, which allows the authorities to return her to prison at any time for any perceived criminal activity. In late December 2020, …

Peoples Dispatch (2021-02-12). Renewed global pressure to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE. peoplesdispatch.org More than 90 human rights and anti-war organizations wrote a letter to the US president demanding cancellation of billions of dollars of arms sales to the two countries on the day that the European Parliament adopted a resolution asking member countries to do the same…

Medea Benjamin, Ariel Gold (2021-02-12). Biden Should Stop Payment on U.S. Funds to Sisi's Egypt. counterpunch.org Under Donald Trump's presidency, Egypt, as well as Saudi Arabia, Israel, the UAE, and other repressive regimes, had virtually free reign to commit unchecked human rights abuses without worry that they might be chastised or lose U.S. diplomatic and financial support. But when Joe Biden won the 2020 election, President Sisi of Egypt started to

Staff (2021-02-12). Ralph Nader: Biden Must Hold Boeing Accountable for Deaths Due to Faulty Planes. truthout.org Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and…

Staff (2021-02-12). Where Are the Witnesses? Ralph Nader Says Democrats' Impeachment Case Is "Prescription for Defeat" democracynow.org As the historic Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump continues, we speak with longtime consumer advocate, corporate critic and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, who says Democrats have set themselves up for defeat by rushing proceedings and failing to call witnesses — including Trump himself. "The narrow approach of the articles of impeachment keep the Democrats from having a full hand," says Nader. "They have like 10 arrows in their quiver and they're using one or two."

Staff (2021-02-12). Ralph Nader on Corporate Crime, Holding Boeing Accountable for 737 MAX Deaths & Biden's First Weeks. democracynow.org Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and hold Boeing fully accountable. "This is just another example of giant companies getting away with their corporate criminal…

Ali Harb (2021-02-11). US Congressman hails Biden's shift on Yemen war but urges vigilance. middleeasteye.net US Congressman hails Biden's shift on Yemen war but urges vigilance | Yemen war critic Ro Khanna welcomes decision to end American support for Saudi offensive operations but warns against 'twisted definition' of 'defensive' | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 22: 18 | Ro Khanna, a prominent legislator in the progressive movement, called for lifting the blockade on Yemen (AFP/File photo) | US Congressman Ro Khanna, a leading crit…

Ali Harb (2021-02-11). Yemen conflict: Will Biden's approach finally end the war? middleeasteye.net Yemen conflict: Will Biden's approach finally end the war? | Analysts say ending offensive support for Saudi-led coalition is important step, but questions linger over specifics of new US policy | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 16: 48 | The conflict in Yemen has killed more than 100,000 people and brought the impoverished country to the brink of famine (AFP/File photo) | Following last week's announcement by US President Joe…

MEE staff (2021-02-11). US envoy to Yemen meets with President Hadi ahead of proposed peace talks. middleeasteye.net US envoy to Yemen meets with President Hadi ahead of proposed peace talks | US envoy Tim Lenderking stressed the Biden administration's goal of ending the war and 'suffering of the Yemeni people' via UN-led negotiations | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 16: 46 | A Yemeni waves the country's national flag atop a billboard showing President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi during a rally commemorating the 10th anniversary of Arab Spri…

_____ (2021-02-11). Evaluating Biden's Yemen Policy: Bait And Switch. popularresistance.org President Joe Biden seemed to announce an end to Washington's complete support for Saudi Arabia's war on Yemen last week, reversing Trump's and even the Obama/Biden administration's public policy. He called the war a "humanitarian and strategic catastrophe." | In his first presidential foreign policy speech on Feb. 4, Biden said, "We are ending all [U.S.] support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen, including relevant arms sales." (whitehouse.gov) But he quickly added that Washington will continue to help Saudi Arabia to "defend its sovereignty and territory," including selling the Saudis massive new hig…

Charles Pierson (2021-02-11). Yemen: "Mission Accomplished"… For Now? counterpunch.org Since 2015, the US has been giving crucial assistance to Saudi Arabia's military coalition in its war against Yemen's Houthi rebels. US assistance takes the form of intelligence sharing, logistics and targeting assistance, arms sales, and transfer of spare parts for coalition warplanes.

AP Muhammed Afsal (2021-02-11). Covid-19: Migrant workers stuck in Dubai after Saudi and Kuwait travel ban. middleeasteye.net Covid-19: Migrant workers stuck in Dubai after Saudi and Kuwait travel ban | Thousands of mainly poorer workers are in a desperate situation, unable to reach their jobs before visas expire | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 10: 44 | 'Dubai packages' covered the airfares from the worker's home country to the UAE and then to Saudi Arabia/Kuwait, a 14-day hotel stay, food, visa charges and a mandatory Co…

Umar A Farooq (2021-02-11). Saudi dissident files lawsuit against McKinsey for outing him as MBS opponent. middleeasteye.net Saudi dissident files lawsuit against McKinsey for outing him as MBS opponent | Omar Abdulaziz claims consultancy firm McKinsey outed him as a critic to the Saudi government and MBS in 2016 | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 16: 36 | Omar Abdulaziz has told MEE that Saudi agents had attempted to lure him to the kingdom's consulate in Canada months before the killing of Jamal Khashoggi (MEE/Jillian Kestler-D'Amour…

AP Muhammed Afsal (2021-02-11). Covid-19: Migrant workers stranded in Dubai after Saudi and Kuwait travel ban. middleeasteye.net Covid-19: Migrant workers stranded in Dubai after Saudi and Kuwait travel ban | Thousands of mainly poorer workers are in a desperate situation, unable to reach their jobs before visas expire | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 10: 44 | 'Dubai packages' covered the airfares from the worker's home country to the UAE and then to Saudi Arabia/Kuwait, a 14-day hotel stay, food, visa charges and a mandatory…

yenisafak (2021-02-11). Qatar to resume trade with Saudi Arabia on Feb. 14. yenisafak.com Qatar's authorities Wednesday said the country will resume commercial traffic with Saudi Arabia on Feb. 14, adhering to the coronavirus protective measures.The Qatari News Agency quoted the customs authority as saying: "The General Authority of Customs has issued a number of regulatory and precautionary controls pertaining to the movement of imported and transiting goods from the Salwa border port in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Abu Samra border port in the State of Qatar."Truck drivers coming from the Salwa port must obtain a certificate attested by the Saudi Health Ministry, proving that they have been te…

Manlio Dinucci (2021-02-11). "Strategic Dialogue" Between Italy and Saudi Arabia. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | The fact, that Matteo Renzi was received in Riyadh by His …

Staff (2021-02-11). Headlines for February 11, 2021. democracynow.org "The Inciter-in-Chief": Democrats Accuse Trump of Being "Singularly Responsible" for Insurrection, Trump Attacked Pence on Twitter Minutes After Learning VP Was Evacuated from Capitol, Georgia Prosecutor Opens Criminal Probe of Trump over Election Interference, U.S. COVID Death Toll Tops 471,000; Half of All Deaths Occurred Since Nov. 1, WHO Backs Use of Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine, Saudi Women's Rights Activist Loujain al-Hathloul Released After 1,001 Days in Prison, Biden & Xi Jinping Speak on Phone as U.S. Forms Military Task Force on China, U.S. Sanctions Military Junta as Anti-Coup Protests Continue in Burma,…

Peoples Dispatch (2021-02-11). Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul released after 1001 days in prison. peoplesdispatch.org Her release as per a judge's order also includes the conditions that she stay on probation for three years and refrain from travelling outside of Saudi Arabia for five years…

Bill Law (2021-02-11). Saudi Arabia: Can America's Favorite Police State ever Change? juancole.com ( Middle East Monitor ) — The phone call to the family lasted just one minute. It came 23 months after aid worker Abdulrahman Al-Sadhan had been arrested at the offices of the Red Crescent in Riyadh, where he worked co-ordinating rescue operations and emergency relief. He was held incommunicado despite numerous efforts by the …

Nicolas Niarchos (2021-02-10). The Suffering Underclass of War-Torn Yemen. thenation.com The Suffering Underclass of War-Torn Yemen…

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2021-02-10). 'The Fight Is Not Over': Prominent Women's Rights Activist Loujain al-Hathloul Released From Saudi Prison. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/al-hathloul-released-prison-saudi.jpg

MEE staff (2021-02-10). Saudi Arabia 'suspended ministry website following criticism of hateful speech'. middleeasteye.net Saudi Arabia 'suspended ministry website following criticism of hateful speech' | Washington-based think tank says Riyadh has taken steps to remove anti-western and antisemitic content by its own officials and platforms in response to recent revelations | Wed, 02/10/2021 – 13: 24 | The Saudi Crown Prince has promoted himself as a reformist, but the rhetoric found on his government's platforms and by his appoin…

Nadda Osman (2021-02-10). Loujain al-Hathloul: Saudi activist released from prison. middleeasteye.net Loujain al-Hathloul: Saudi activist released from prison | Blogger Nouf Abdulaziz, who was also swept up in Mohammed bin Salman's 2018 crackdown on dissent, also reportedly released | Wed, 02/10/2021 – 16: 56 | In a photo shared by her sister on social media, Loujain is shown smiling after her release (Screengrab/Twitter) | Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul has returned home after spendin…

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-10). Macron's idea sign of his inability to think strategically. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 10 (MNA)—"The idea to include Saudi Arabia must be seen within that context, i.e. the inability of Macron to think strategically and in more analytical detail about national and international relations", says Prof. Adib Moghaddam.

CounterPunch News Service (2021-02-10). Loujain al-Hathloul Released After Over 1000 Days in Prison. counterpunch.org On Wednesday, February 10th, women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was released from prison in Saudi Arabia after over 1000 days in prison. Loujain has been a fearless women's rights activist and the news of her release is uplifting. In December of 2020, Loujain was sentenced to almost six years in prison by a terrorism court.