Impeachment: It’s not just about Trump but also deepening democracy
Joe Sims | peoplesworld.org | 2019-12-11
This is truly an extraordinary moment. Now, for only the fourth time in U.S. history, a president faces impeachment. Impeachment is a huge people’s victory. And let’s be clear–it is a victory born of struggle. The American people from many different walks of life compelled the House of Representatives to take this step. It may not …
peoplesworld.org/article/impeachment-its…
Are These Two Articles of Impeachment the Best the Democrats Can Do?
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-11
When the House Democratic leadership announced on Tuesday morning that only two articles of impeachment will be charged against Donald Trump — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — I was ready to start flipping tables and punching holes in the drywall. | After everything that has transpired in the three years since that wad of pub cheese first darkened the White House doorstep, after all the…
truthout.org/articles/are-these-two-arti…
Democrats release articles of impeachment against Trump on “national security” grounds
wsws.org | 2019-12-11
The articles of impeachment assert that the president “betrayed the nation” and “compromised the national security of the United States” by temporarily delaying military aid to Ukraine.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/11/impe…
Who Will Protect Us From an Unpatriotic Patriot Act?
John W. Whitehead | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-11
“It is the responsibility of the patriot to protect his country from its government.” — Thomas Paine While Congress subjects the nation to its impeachment-flavored brand of bread-and-circus politics, our civil liberties continue to die a slow, painful death by a thousand cuts. Case in point: while Americans have been fixated on the carefully orchestrated…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/11/who-will-pro…
Indian Parliament Passes Controversial Citizenship Law
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
India’s ruling Hindu nationalist government on Wednesday won parliamentary approval for a far-reaching citizenship law that critics say undermines the country’s secular constitution, as protests against the legislation intensified. | RELATED: | India’s ‘Anti-Muslim’ Citizenship Bill Sparks Mass Protests | The Citizenship Amendment Bill seeks to grant Indian nationality to Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Parsis and Sikhs who fled Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before 20…
telesurenglish.net/news/Indian-Parliamen…
The Most Significant Afghanistan Papers Revelation
Caitlin Johnstone | theantimedia.com | 2019-12-11
The Washington Post has published undeniable evidence that the US government has been lying to the public about the war in Afghanistan.
Americans Misled About Their Wars: Lather, Rinse, and Repeat
Thomas S. Harrington | commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
Afghan children look on as a US soldier from the Provincial Reconstruction team (PRT) Steel Warriors patrols in the mountains of Nuristan Province on December 19, 2009. (Photo: Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/views/2019/12/11/americ…
Aung San Suu Kyi defends Myanmar from accusations of genocide, at top UN court
news.un.org | 2019-12-11
Myanmar will have “no tolerance” for human rights abuses committed in Rakhine state and will prosecute the military, if war crimes have been committed there, Aung San Suu Kyi told the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s main judicial body, on Wednesday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1…
Food Stamps Saved My Life
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-12-11
You may have heard about the Trump administration’s latest attack on very poor Americans: a punitive new restriction that will cut SNAP benefits for 688,000 people. SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is our country’s most popular and effective nutrition assistance program. | Growing up, my family got food stamps — and oh, I hated it. I hated standing in line at the grocery store, knowing we’d be paying with coupons that would brand us as “poo…
truthdig.com/articles/food-stamps-saved-…
Algerian Gov’t Paves the Way for Foreign Financial Institutions
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
Algeria’s Interim President Abdelkader Bensalah Wednesday signed the “finance law” which defines the 2020 fiscal budget, reduces public spending, eliminates some conditions for foreign investments, and allows indebtedness with International Financial Institutions (IFIs). | RELATED: | Algeria: Protesters Rally Against Dec. 12 Presidential Election | This hap…
telesurenglish.net/news/Algerian-Govt-Pa…
‘Bolivian Coup Plotters to Be Tried for Massacres’ Morales Says
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
Bolivia’s former President Evo Morales Wednesday said that the main actors involved in the coup d’etat against him will be tried for the massacres committed in Sacaba and Senkala. | RELATED: | Evo Morales Vows to Return to Bolivia After Right-Wing Coup | The Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) leader highlighted the preliminary results of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) special mission, which confirmed killings in Cochabamba and El Alto during the coup d’etat i…
telesurenglish.net/news/Bolivian-Coup-Pl…
BDS: The Full Menu of Rights
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-11
12-10-19 / Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) / Palestine On the anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and UN Resolution 194 affirming Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their homes, the BDS movement insists on “the full menu of rights” for the indigenous Palestinians. Exactly 71 years ago, …
imemc.org/article/bds-the-full-menu-of-r…
Riot Police Attack Peaceful Protesters in Colombian Capital
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
On Tuesday, the Mobile Riot Squadron ( Esmad ) carried out attacks against the protesters who were peacefully demonstrating at the National University of Colombia in the capital city of Bogotá. | RELATED: | Colombia: UN Denounces Murder Of 86 Human Rights Defenders | According to reports from social activists, the attacks against the protesters who participated in the peaceful demonstrations began shortly after they gathered at the university in the Colombian capital. | The people…
telesurenglish.net/news/Riot-Police-Atta…
UPS Teamsters across country mourn co-worker murdered by cops
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-12-11
Miami, FL – UPS Teamsters across the country are participating in a nationwide moment of silence today, December 9, for #Frank Ordonez, the 27-year-old UPS package car driver killed in a police shootout after being taken hostage by armed robbers. Many Teamsters are questioning the tactics used by police, noting that the officers’ trigger-happy actions were not normal for a hostage situation and resulted in not only the death of Frank Ordonez but the death of union representative Rick Cutshaw and endangered the lives of many others. | The moment of silence took place at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, the time Frank Ordonez’…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/12/10/ups-tea…
White Helmets Founder Was Allegedly Assassinated, Turkish Report
Nauman Sadiq | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
Speculation is rife in the local Turkish media that the founder of the White Helmets, James Le Mesurier, might have been running away from someone before he fell or was pushed to his death in a case that was …
globalresearch.ca/white-helmets-founder-…
Colombia: Medellin Will Host a Concert Pro National Strike
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
A student assembly of the University of Antioquia summoned at least 30 local bands to play in Medellin, on December 22nd in support of the national strike, as it happened previously in Bogota with the concert ‘A song for Colombia’. | RELATED: | Riot Police Attack Peaceful Protesters in Colombian Capital | The show “will not only be musical, but will be mixed with comparsas (carnival singers)”, Alejandra Montoya, one of the organizers of the ev…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-medilli…
Video: President al-Assad: Europe Was the Main Player in Creating Chaos in Syria
Bashar al Assad | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
President Bashar al-Assad said that Syria is going to come out of the war stronger and the future of Syria is promising and the situation is much better, pointing out to the achievements of the Syrian Arab army in the …
globalresearch.ca/video-president-al-ass…
Chile: Senate Approves Indictment of Former Interior Minister
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
The two parts of the constitutional accusation obtained 23 votes in favor and 18 against, mostly from the former minister’s right-wing allies. | The first part of the accusation against Chadwick points to the violation of the “Constitution and laws, omitting effective measures to prevent the violation of human rights and not having maintained public order in a rational manner.” | The second and final chapter pointed to the violation of the Constitution “by declaring a state of emergency and having allowed events not contemplated in this figure. He is accused of restricting the freedom of movement and assembly…
telesurenglish.net/news/Chile-Senate-App…
Chile Expands Search Operation for Missing Plane in Drake Sea
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
Chile’s Armed Forces Wednesday announced that they are expanding the search operation for the Air Force C130 Hercules aircraft that disappeared on its way to Antarctica with 38 people on board on Monday. There are no clues to the location of the plane or indications of what happened so far. | RELATED: | Chilean Military Aircraft Crashes Near Southern Coast: 38 Dead | A greater number of officers will be involved in searching for the crashed plane in the Sea of Brake, which is on…
telesurenglish.net/news/Chile-Expands-Se…
Constitutional Accusation Against Chilean President Goes Ahead
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
A constitutional accusation filed by opposition parties against President Sebastian Piñera was approved today by a committee of deputies, as the first step in that process. | RELATED: | Chile Denounces Over 350 Eye Injuries On Human Rights Day | The Committee, formed by five legislators of the Socialist, Communist and Christian Democratic parties (opposition), as well as the National Renewal and Independent Democratic Union parties of the ruling coalition, supported by three votes…
telesurenglish.net/news/Constitutional-A…
US-backed parties have infiltrated Lebanon’s protests, pushing the country toward war amid economic collapse
Rania Khalek | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-11
By joining the roadblocks around Beirut, protesters allowed themselves to be used by US-allied parties playing a dangerous game that…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/11/us-parties-le…
Thunberg ‘a Bit Surprised’ to Be Time ‘Person of the Year’
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-12-11
The Swedish activist who has sparked a youth climate protest movement after starting a solo protest is the youngest at 16 to earn the honor.
truthdig.com/articles/thunberg-a-bit-sur…
Operation Condor 2.0 Expanded
Peter Koenig | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-12-11
According to US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, the US will help “legitimate governments” in Latin America, in order to prevent protests from “morphing into riots”. From what we are seeing this “legitimization” may be expanded to rest of the world. Because Washington-instigated destabilizing unrest goes on throughout the world. We may as well call …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/12/operation-con…
Corporate media silent on journalists’ letter demanding freedom for Julian Assange
wsws.org | 2019-12-11
The media blackout continues the nine-year collaboration of major outlets in the US-led campaign to smear, vilify and silence the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/11/medi…
SEP (UK) candidate Dennis Leech speaks at hustings in Manchester
wsws.org | 2019-12-11
Leech emphasised the global campaign to free WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and prevent his extradition to the US.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/11/hust…
Elected by Donors: How the University of Cape Town Was Bullied into Embracing Israel
Ramzy Baroud | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-11
While the story may only seem relevant in South Africa’s political and academic contexts, in reality, it exemplifies the nature of a brewing war between supporters of Palestinian rights and Israeli interests, worldwide.
mintpressnews.com/university-cape-town-s…
Documentary about journalist Robert Fisk a highlight of Toronto International Film Festival
Bill Meyer | peoplesworld.org | 2019-12-11
TORONTO–One of the most progressive films at the Toronto International Film Festival this year was a National Film Board of Canada documentary, This Is Not a Movie, celebrating the work of lifelong foreign correspondent Robert Fisk. For more than 40 years, he’s reported on some of the most violent and divisive conflicts in the world. …
peoplesworld.org/article/documentary-abo…
Watchdog Caught in Political Crossfire on His Russia Report
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-12-11
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department’s internal watchdog was caught in a political tug of war Wednesday as Republican and Democratic senators used his report on the origins of Russia investigation to back their views that it was an important and legitimate probe or a badly bungled farce. | Inspector General Michael Horowitz testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about his findings this week that while the FBI had a legitimate basis to launch the Russia investigation and was not motivated by political bia…
truthdig.com/articles/watchdog-caught-in…
Interference Paranoia: Russia, Reddit and the British Election
Binoy Kampmark | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-11
In some ways, it is a very British thing: fair play is expected; the reasonable person with all faculties intact, going about the business of living and voting. Little thought is given to the fact that these assumptions are as much constructions, faàßades of rhetorical merit rather than reality. Voters need not be reasonable, and…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/11/interference…
Moscow Creates ‘Anti-Missile Dome’ over Northern Fleet as Battle for Arctic Heats Up
Zero Hedge | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
The international struggle for military supremacy in the Arctic has just risen to absurd new heights. | Following the collapse of the arms control regime that for decades aided the US’s tenuous grip on power in the region, the US, Russia …
globalresearch.ca/moscow-creates-anti-mi…
How the FBI Botched Its Russia Inquiry, One of the Most Closely Watched Cases in Its History
Eric Lichtblau | theintercept.com | 2019-12-11
The investigation was slowed by communication failures, concerns about political optics, and an overall lack of urgency, along with plenty of mistakes.
theintercept.com/2019/12/11/fbi-trump-ru…
Soldiers Abduct Seven Palestinians, Injure Many And Attack Three Journalists
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2019-12-11
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Wednesday at dawn, seven Palestinians from several parts of the occupied West Bank, after the army invaded and searched many homes, and injured many others, in addition to attacking journalists and confiscating two cars. In Ramallah governorate, in central West Bank, the soldiers abducted five Palestinians, …
imemc.org/article/soldiers-abduct-seven-…
Plutocrats Are Trying to Buy the Democratic Nomination
Norman Solomon | truthdig.com | 2019-12-11
From three different vectors, the oligarchy is on the march to capture the Democratic presidential nomination. Pete Buttigieg has made big gains. A timeworn ally of corporate power, Joe Biden, is on a campaign for his last hurrah. And Michael Bloomberg is swooping down from plutocratic heights. | Those three men are a team of rivals–each fiercely competitive for an individual triumph, yet arrayed against common ideological foes named Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. | The obvious differences between Buttigieg, Biden and Bloomberg are apt to distract from their underlying political similarities. Fundamen…
truthdig.com/articles/plutocrats-are-try…
Papers Owned by Oligarchs Unsurprisingly Oppose a Wealth Tax
Joshua Cho | fair.org | 2019-12-11
When wealth-tax advocates like senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are two of the top three contenders for winning the 2020 Democratic primaries, you can bet that the US ruling class is terrified by the possibility of being slightly less rich (FAIR.org, 4/16/19). Notably, US oligarch Jeff Bezos (who ow…
fair.org/home/papers-owned-by-oligarchs-…
Mexico’s Ex-Head Of Public Security Took Bribes From Cartel
teleSUR, jg | telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
The former Mexican Head of Public Security was arrested in the United States this week after he was accused of conspiring to smuggle cocaine and accepting multi-million dollar bribes to protect jailed drug trafficker Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman of the Sinaloa cartel. | RELATED: | US, Canada, and Mexico Sign Trade Deal Again to Replace NAFTA | The U.S. Dep…
telesurenglish.net/news/ex-mexican-head-…
Venezuela Oil Production Continues Slow Recovery
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-11
According to state oil company PDVSA, production is again approaching one million barrels per day.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14744
Sizzling Arctic: Top 5 Climate Horror Stories in NOAA’s Report Card
Juan Cole | commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
As a historian, I have taught courses on climate change and history, and one thing I can tell you, it is very unusual during the past million years for the Arctic to be hot. (Photo: Screengrab) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/views/2019/12/11/sizzli…
Divide and Conquer Tactics: Millions of Deaths Triggered by the British Empire
Tomasz Pierscionek | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
Western historians who condemn the USSR for the deaths under Stalin‚Äã’s dictatorship should shed a spotlight on ‚Äãthe millions who died under British rule‚Äã, including those in engineered famines across the Indian subcontinent. | The UK general election is a week | …
globalresearch.ca/deaths-caused-british-…
AXA, Divest from Israel’s Climate Apartheid: Day of Action Roundup
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-11
December 10, 2019 / Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) / France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland The second global AXA Day of Action included mobilizations all around the world, on the same day as the UN Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and the 4th global climate strike. The second global AXA Day of …
imemc.org/article/axa-divest-from-israel…
How Africa Could Power a Green Revolution
William Minter | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-11
Just before this year’s global climate summit opened in Madrid recently, researchers announced that emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels will hit a record high in 2019. Although the 0.6 percent rate of growth is less than last year’s 2.1 percent, the total which must be cut to prevent the most catastrophic and irreversible…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/11/how-africa-c…
Exxon wins New York climate fraud lawsuit
Ruth Milka | nationofchange.org | 2019-12-11
“Nothing in this opinion is intended to absolve ExxonMobil from responsibility for contributing to climate change through the emission of greenhouse gasses in the production of its fossil fuel products.”
nationofchange.org/2019/12/11/exxon-wins…
Joe Biden Can Do Better on Climate: 350 Action Launches Biden 2020 Petition
commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
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commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/11/joe…
The Scariest Climate Stories Emerging From the Arctic
Juan Cole | truthdig.com | 2019-12-11
This piece originally appeared on Informed Comment. | NOAA has issued its annual report on the Arctic. It is a big report, but there are some terrifying findings. | Because this point is not always made in journalism, it is important to underline why these monstrous things are happening. It is because you are driving your gasoline-fueled automobile and heating your house with coal and voting for politicians like Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell. The wrecking of our beaut…
truthdig.com/articles/the-scariest-clima…
COP25: Support business efforts to tackle climate change, urges Guterres
news.un.org | 2019-12-11
The UN Secretary-General has called on business and civil society leaders to press Governments into articulating policies that support private sector efforts to address climate change.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1…
Most Americans support phasing out fossil fuels. Isn’t that worth a headline?
Basav Sen | nationofchange.org | 2019-12-11
Polls aren’t always trustworthy. But to the extent that they reveal public opinions, this one shows large majorities of Americans want serious governmental action on climate change.
nationofchange.org/2019/12/11/most-ameri…
‘The Biggest Thing You Did for Israel’ Was Breaking Iran Deal — Adelson Tells Trump
Philip Weiss | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
Donald Trump’s speech to the Israeli American Council on Saturday night in the presence of his biggest donors, Sheldon and Miriam Adelson, has caused some shock waves. Largely because he referred to Jewish wealth. Here are some surprises …
globalresearch.ca/biggest-thing-you-did-…
Majority of Mexicans See United States as Greatest Threat, New Poll Shows
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-11
This is not the first time that a US-based outfit has concluded that the US government is a menace to other countries. A 2014 survey of world public opinion found that the United States was overwhelmingly considered the greatest threat to world peace.
mintpressnews.com/mexico-united-states-g…
Venezuela Charges 509 Human Rights Violators: Attorney General
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
The Venezuelan Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, said Tuesday that since the start of this administration, the Public Ministry (MP) has charged 509 alleged human rights violaters in the Bolivarian Republic. | RELATED: | ‘OAS Is Major Human Rights Violator Against Venezuela’ Dussan | “770 have been charged for crimes such as homicide, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, illegitimate deprivation of liberty, and domicile violations among others. Of that total, 131 conviction…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-Charge…
Brazil’s Senate Advances Bill That May Send Lula Back to Prison
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
Brazil’s Senate took a step on Tuesday toward restoring mandatory imprisonment for convicts after they lose their first appeal, a move that could return former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to jail for corruption. | RELATED: | Brazil: Opposition Accuses Bolsonaro Before UN for Censorship | President Jair Bolsonaro attends a promotion ceremony for generals in Brasilia, Brazil, Dec. 9, 2019. | Photo: Reuters | The Senate’s constitution and justice committee voted 22-…
telesurenglish.net/news/Brazils-Senate-A…
Donald Trump’s Anti-Semitism Grows Ever Bolder
Ilana Novick | truthdig.com | 2019-12-11
On Saturday, President Donald Trump gave a speech at the Israeli American Council’s National Summit in Florida. It should have been a straightforward appearance in front of a sympathetic audience. He could have bragged about his close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, or maybe mentioned how he moved the American Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that garnered support from multiple conservative and mainstream Jewish groups even as it angered leftists. | Instead, as CNN
truthdig.com/articles/trumps-anti-semiti…
Last Straw as Teachers in France Join Nationwide Strike
Danica Jorden | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
One of the many groups taking part in the massive general strike in France this week, and joining forces with the year-long Yellow Jackets movement, are the country’s public school teachers. The “coup de grâce” for teachers was the Macron …
globalresearch.ca/teachers-france-join-n…
Argentina and Cuba Agree to Increase Food and Medicine Exchange
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez and his Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Canel met Wednesday in Buenos Aires to speak about bilateral relations, agreeing to continue and expand the exchange of food and medicine between both nations. | RELATED: | Argentina: President Fernandez Calls for a New Social Compact | “The heads of state stressed the importance of increasing the exchange of medicine and food, with special emphasis on generic drugs for senior adults in our country,” Ar…
telesurenglish.net/news/Argentina-and-Cu…
Death Toll from New Zealand Volcano Eruption Rises to 8
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
New Zealand officials lifted the death toll from this week’s volcano eruption to eight on Thursday after two victims died in hospital, as ongoing seismic activity prevented teams from accessing the island to recover bodies. | RELATED: | Peru Announces State of Emergency After Volcano Displaces 1,300 | Authorities said eight bodies remained on the islan…
telesurenglish.net/news/Death-Toll-from-…
From Shanghai to Chongqing: The World’s Most Expensive Railway
Larry Romanoff | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
The Yiwan Railway | Work was finally completed in 2010 on China’s Yiwan Railway, a route paralleling the lake formed by the Three Gorges dam, a 380 km East — West line running through beautiful but challenging mountainous terrain from Wuhan, …
globalresearch.ca/world-most-expensive-r…
The Uyghur Issue: How Can the U.S. Dare Lecturing China About the Rights of the Muslims?
Andre Vltchek | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
In 2019, I have written a long analysis about “the Uyghur issue”; analysis which will be soon published as a book. | For some time, I have been warning the world that the West, and the United States in particular, are …
globalresearch.ca/how-can-u-s-dare-lectu…
North Korea missile tests ‘deeply troubling’: senior UN official
news.un.org | 2019-12-11
Recent developments concerning North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes are “deeply troubling”, the UN’s Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific said on Wednesday, briefed the Security Council.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1…
EU to Discuss Recognition of Palestine
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-11
Foreign Ministers of the European Union are expected to exchange views, next month, on whether the 28-nation bloc should recognize Palestine as a sovereign state as the US pushes ahead with pro-occupation policies, undermining the prospect of the so-called two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ireland and Luxembourg are among …
imemc.org/article/eu-to-discuss-recognit…
Israeli Authorities Thwart Progress of Students and Schools over Archaeological Sites
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-11
(Photo courtesy of Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities) Israeli occupation authorities, Tuesday, notified a Palestinian school in the town of Samou, to the south of Hebron, to stop working, claiming that it has been constructed in an area which threatens archaeological sites. Palestinian Ministry of Education said, in a statement, …
imemc.org/article/israeli-authorities-th…
Detainee Zahran Continues Strike For 80th Day
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2019-12-11
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that Ahmad Zahran, 42, imprisoned by Israeli under repeatedly renewed arbitrary Administrative Detention orders without charges or trial, is ongoing with the hunger strike for the 80th consecutive day, despite his seriously deteriorating health condition. The PPS stated that the Israeli Prison Authority …
imemc.org/article/detainee-zahran-contin…
Israeli Troops Invade West Bank; Abduct Seven Palestinians
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2019-12-11
In pre-dawn raids on Wednesday, Israeli forces invaded several parts of the West Bank, driving into sleeping towns and refugee camps and forcing residents out of bed, abducting seven and ransacking a number of homes. They also fired tear gas to disperse residents of the invaded areas who had come …
imemc.org/article/israeli-troops-invade-…
Israeli Troops Raid Al-Bireh Industrial Zone
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-11
Israeli forces, on Tuesday evening, raided the industrial zone in al-Bireh/Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, leading to confrontations. Forces stormed the industrial zone and stationed their troops in the vicinity of the traffic department, there, where they proceeded to confiscate camera records from a number of facilities, leading to …
imemc.org/article/israeli-forces-raid-al…
Settlers Attack Shepherds in Northern West Bank
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-11
Israeli settlers, today, attacked Palestinian herders in the Khirbet Yanoun pastures, northern West Bank, according to a local official. Ghassan Daghlas, an official in charge of monitoring Israeli settlement activities, told WAFA that settlers chased herders out the pastures and lands that belong to the village of Aqraba, to the …
imemc.org/article/settlers-attack-shephe…
As in the US, British voters face a stark choice between a gentleman and a rogue
Peter Bolton | thecanary.co | 2019-12-11
As the UK goes to the polls on December 12, the two men leading the country’s major political parties could not be more different. One is a perfect gentleman; the other a perfect rogue. But something is seriously amiss. If this is the case, then how come the rogue is leading the polls and the gentleman is the undoubted underdog? The answer lies in the power structures of the mainstream media. | A stark contrast: | That the current prime minister’s career — both before and after he entered politics — has been a chequered one i…
thecanary.co/opinion/2019/12/11/as-in-th…
Homogenizing India: the Citizenship Debate
Nyla Ali Khan | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-11
The federal government of India has yet to realize its obligations toward minorities. India’s progress will be greatly hindered unless the federal government as well as the majority community assure minorities that their honor, liberty, and rights will be fully protected. In a diverse country, it is not only for the majority community to approve…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/11/homogenizing…
The Donald Trump Campaign Is Deploying Phone Location-Tracking Technology
Lee Fang | theintercept.com | 2019-12-11
President Donald Trump’s reelection effort has retained the services of a technology company that specializes in the mass collection of smartphone location data, which can be used to track voters for political targeting purposes. | Phunware, an Austin, Texas-based firm, announced the connection in a little-noticed press release in October, touting “new and existing customer wins including American Made Media Consultants,” the consulting firm set up this year by Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale to handle advertising services for a v…
theintercept.com/2019/12/11/the-donald-t…
President Trump’s War on the Poor
Jesse Jackson | commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
The Trump administration may restrict the size of loans college students can take out, which Rev. Jesse Jackson says is a backward way to reduce student loan debt. (Photo: File Photo) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/views/2019/12/11/presid…
How Trump’s New Anti-Semitism Order Effectively Criminalizes Dissent
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-11
Trump’s anti-Semitism bill is unlikely to dampen the flames of hatred towards Jewish Americans or make them feel safer; indeed, outlawing criticism of Israel may have the opposite effect.
mintpressnews.com/how-trump-new-anti-sem…
Leadership Strips Approved Antiwar Measures From NDAA
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2019-12-11
The final version makes no attempt to rein in the military in any serious way.
Warren vs. Buttigieg clash offers contrast with Bernie’s consistency
Jeff Cohen | nationofchange.org | 2019-12-11
he finger-pointing by Warren and Buttigieg over their histories has helped showcase the one front runner whose history is consistent and progressive.
nationofchange.org/2019/12/11/warren-vs-…
Brazilian Workers Party backs Bolsonaro’s draconian “anti-crime” bill
wsws.org | 2019-12-11
The vote has shattered the year-long claim by Bolsonaro’s opposition that it represents some kind of democratic “resistance”.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/11/braz…
Congress: The Snail’s Pace Race
Thomas Knapp | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-11
I don’t keep count, but I see lots of headlines like this one from The Hill, dated December 5: “Congress races to beat deadline on shutdown.” Reporters Jordain Carney and Niv Elis tell us that “Congress is racing the clock” and working on a “tight time frame” to pass yet another stopgap spending measure (“continuing…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/11/congress-the…
Australia’s Big Smoke
Kenneth Surin | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-11
I am in Sydney, having just spent 6 days in Brisbane to the north. The area around, and to the south of, Sydney has been engulfed by extensive wildfires which have been burning since August. This includes 20% of the Blue Mountains world heritage area.
counterpunch.org/2019/12/11/australias-b…
Modern Family Progressivism
Shawn Fremstad | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-11
In a recent New York Times’ column, Thomas Edsall defends progressives against Attorney General William Barr and other social conservatives who charge them with wanton destruction of the family. Edsall is right to call out Barr and others for “marketing apocalyptic hogwash” to get Trump reelected, but his argument concedes too much to social conservatives.
counterpunch.org/2019/12/11/modern-famil…
Ideology or Popularity: How Will Britain Vote?
Sameer Dossani | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-11
It’s not news that Jeremy Corbyn isn’t a popular figure. It’s also not news that Jeremy Corbyn’s policies are hugely popular with the British public. Why should the first of these appear to matter more than the second? The answer, of course lies in something that we’ve known for a long time. The British press cater to elites.
counterpunch.org/2019/12/11/ideology-or-…
Big Pharma Bought Access to Your DNA from Genealogy Company and What They’re Using It for Should Concern Everyone
Joshua Greenberg | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
Have you paid for an ancestry report? Perhaps someone gave it to you as a gift. Either way, pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline now owns your genetic fingerprint. | In a paradigm shift that is making some people uneasy, human DNA has been …
globalresearch.ca/big-pharma-bought-acce…
The US’ New Stance on ‘Israeli’ Settlements Doesn’t Change Anything at All
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
The US’ new stance on “Israeli” settlements is condemnable from both the legal and ethical standpoints, but it doesn’t change the reality that Tel Aviv’s colonial policy won’t be curtailed unless the international community summons the political will to impose …
globalresearch.ca/us-new-stance-israeli-…
Popular Theatre as Cultural Resistance: Engaging Audiences Worldwide
Caoimhghin àì Croidheáin | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
“Primarily, I am a prose writer with axes to grind, and the theatre is a good place to do the grinding in. I prefer comedy to ‘serious’ drama because I believe one can get the ax sharper on the comedic …
globalresearch.ca/popular-theatre-cultur…
A Second Nakba in the Making
James J. Zogby | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
Two years ago Friday, President Donald Trump formally recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. We knew then that this was an irresponsible and cruelly insensitive act that would do grave harm to the rights and well-being of Palestinians and put an …
globalresearch.ca/second-nakba-making/56…
In Wag the Dog Move, Indicted Israeli PM Netanyahu Moves to Annex 25% of Palestinian West Bank
Juan Cole | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
Interim Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu committed again on Sunday that his government will steal the entire Jordan Valley from the Palestinians. He had floated this plan two months ago but now seems to be determined to move ahead. It …
globalresearch.ca/israeli-pm-netanyahu-a…
“Sin Taxes” and Orwellian Methods of Compliance that Feed the Government’s Greed
John W. Whitehead | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his …
globalresearch.ca/sin-taxes-other-orwell…
PG&E reaches minimal $13.5 billion settlement with victims of Californian fires
wsws.org | 2019-12-11
If approved, the deal will do nothing to make victims and their families whole, and will position PG&E to qualify for a $21 billion state wildfire fund to bail them out of future liabilities.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/11/pgae…
‘Tax the Rich’ Is No Longer Just a Political Slogan
Jim Hightower | commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
Years of rank avarice and arrogance have caught up with the superrich and their enablers, turning “billionaire” into a synonym for “thief” and focusing rising public anger on the inequality they’ve fostered.(Photo: Austin Kirk/flickr/cc) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/views/2019/12/11/tax-ri…
Chevron to Write Down Assets by at Least $10 Billion, Elevating Investor Concern
commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
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commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/11/che…
US Lobbyists Prepare to Seize “Historic Opportunity” in Tory-led Brexit to Shred Consumer Safeguards, Raise Drug Prices
Lee Fang | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
Boris Johnson’s election on December 12 hinges on the British prime minister’s promise to leave the European Union. Johnson has remade the Conservative Party, pushing out longtime party members wary of a firm break from the EU, to cast the …
globalresearch.ca/us-lobbyists-prepare-s…
Indigenous Leaders and Delegates From the Global South Stage Walkout at COP25
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-11
Democracy Now! was broadcasting live from the United Nations climate summit in Madrid, Spain, when hundreds of climate advocates and people’s movements at the U.N. climate action summit staged a protest inside the conference venue. As the demonstration unfolds, we speak with Tom Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network; Karin Nansen, chair of Friends of the Earth International; Nigerian climate activist Nnimmo Bassey with Health of Mother Earth Foundation; and indig…
truthout.org/video/indigenous-leaders-an…
“Shame!” Indigenous Leaders & Delegates from Global South Stage Dramatic Protest at COP25 in Madrid
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-11
Democracy Now! was broadcasting live from the United Nations climate summit in Madrid, Spain, when hundreds of climate advocates and people’s movements at the U.N. climate action summit staged a protest inside the conference venue. As the demonstration unfolds, we speak with Tom Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network; Karin Nansen, chair of Friends of the Earth International; Nigerian climate activist Nnimmo Bassey with Health of Mother Earth Foundation; and indigenous climate activist Daiara Tukano from Brazil.
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/11/cop25_wa…
Record Climate-Fueled Wildfires Engulf Australia in Smoke
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-11
As world leaders gather to address the climate crisis in Madrid, massive wildfires have engulfed Australia in flames and smoke. More than 100 climate-fueled blazes have killed at least six people and pushed air quality levels in Sydney to 12 times hazardous levels. Thousands braved extreme air pollution Wednesday to protest the government’s climate inaction outside Sydney Town Hall. As Democracy Now! broadcasts live from inside the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Madrid, Spain, we speak with Austral…
truthout.org/video/record-climate-fueled…
“The Most Extreme Fires We’ve Ever Seen”: Record Climate-Fueled Wildfires Engulf Australia in Smoke
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-11
As world leaders gather to address the climate crisis in Madrid, massive wildfires have engulfed Australia in flames and smoke. More than 100 climate-fueled blazes have killed at least six people and pushed air quality levels in Sydney to 12 times hazardous levels. Thousands braved extreme air pollution Wednesday to protest the government’s climate inaction outside Sydney Town Hall. As Democracy Now! broadcasts live from inside the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Madrid, Spain, we speak with Australian environmental scientist Bill Hare, director of Climate Analytics and a coordinator of the Climate Ac…
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/11/australi…
Billionaire Presidential Hopeful Mike Bloomberg Addresses Press at COP25 But Won’t Take Questions
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-11
Former New York mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg spoke at the U.N. climate summit Tuesday, saying he came to the climate talks because “no one from the White House” was there. The event was billed as a media opportunity, but Bloomberg refused to answer questions from the press. Bloomberg entered the presidential race in November and has since spent tens of millions of dollars of his own money on the race. Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman followed Bloomberg through the conference venue, asking how he would address issues of inequality and whether his strategy to win the presidency was to outs…
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/11/mike_blo…
Sure, Impeach Trump, But Let’s be Honest
Scott Tucker | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-11
Sure, impeach Trump for legitimate reasons explicitly stated in the Constitution. But let’s be honest that an 18th century document did not include slaveholding among high crimes against humanity, and certainly has no specific clauses covering modern war crimes and state terrorism. The New York Times has a recent article (“Republican Tactic: Using Impeachment Hearings…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/11/sure-impeach…
Video: Russian Troops Entered Raqqah City in Northern Syria for First Time Ever
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
On December 9, Russian forces entered the city of Raqqah for the first time since the start of their anti-terrorism operation in 2015. A unit of the Russian Military Police set up a temporary humanitarian point and provided locals with …
globalresearch.ca/video-russian-troops-e…
US Senate advances bill giving State Department right to call Russia ‘sponsor of terrorism’
rt.com | 2019-12-11
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved a bill asking the State Department to determine whether Russia falls under criteria of a state sponsor of terrorism, potentially opening a way stricter sanctions. | The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved a bill asking the State Department to determine whether Russia falls under criteria of a state sponsor of terrorism, potentially opening a way stricter sanctions.The pretentiously titled ‘St…
rt.com/usa/475637-us-senate-russia-spons…
UK Politicians Are Cynically Using London Bridge Attack to Drum Up Votes
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-11
A man recently released from prison on terrorism charges attended a conference on criminal legal reform in London and, wearing a fake explosive vest, stabbed fellow attendees, killing two people, Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones. Merritt was a course coordinator for Learning Together, an education program bringing students from outside prison walls inside them to learn alongside people who are incarcerated. Jones was a graduate…
truthout.org/articles/uk-politicians-are…
Mumbai 26/11 attack suspected mastermind Hafiz Saeed officially charged with terrorist-financing in Pakistan
rt.com | 2019-12-11
Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack that killed 165 people, has been officially charged with terrorist-financing in a Pakistani counter-terrorism court. | The court in Lahore indicted Saeed and four his accomplices with financing terrorist activities in various cities of the Punjab province. The filing of charges was due on Saturday but was delayed because one of the suspects could not be present at court. | Saeed is a co-founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group that is accused of the Mumbai attack in 2008, and the chief of its front organization, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).
rt.com/news/475604-mumbai-attack-masterm…
Rep. Ro Khanna Urges “Universal Condemnation” of Trump as Democrats File Impeachment Charges
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-11
House Democrats have unveiled two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump that formally charge him with high crimes and misdemeanors after more than two months of investigation. On Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined chairs of the impeachment inquiry committees to announce the charges of “abuse of power” and “obstruction of Congress.” Democrats allege Trump withheld congressionally directed taxpayer funding for Ukraine’s military until the Ukrainian president agreed to do what Trump called a “favor” by announcing Ukraine was investigating his potential 2020 political rival Joe Biden. Democra…
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/11/ro_khann…
‘Exactly Why Some People Hate Democrats’: Progressives Rip Moderates for Proposal to Censure, But Not Impeach, Trump
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
Progressive Democrats in Congress directed outrage and disgust at several of their centrist colleagues, who held a meeting Monday where they discussed censuring President Donald Trump for his alleged attempt to bribe the Ukrainian government rather than impeaching him. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2019/12/11/exactly…
‘Let’s Bring Rumsfeld In’: Khanna Calls for Hearings on US Officials Who Lied to American People About Endless Afghan War
Andrea Germanos, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
“The bottom line is that top military officials and civilian officials have known that the Afghan war has been has been unwinnable and have been misleading the American public for 20 years.” | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2019/12/11/lets-br…
‘How Sick Is That?’ Says Thanos Creator After Trump Campaign Depicts US President as Fictional ‘Mass Murderer’ in Bizarre Ad
Jon Queally, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
“These are sad and strange times we are going through,” responded comic book author who created the villainous character. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2019/12/11/how-sic…
‘We Are Unstoppable, Another World Is Possible!’: Young Climate Activists Storm COP 25 Stage
Andrea Germanos, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
Protesters with Fridays for Future demand world leaders at the global climate summit urgent address the planetary emergency. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2019/12/11/we-are-…
‘Planetary Arsonists’: Naomi Klein Points to Behavior of Autocratic Leaders Like Bolsonaro, Trump as Exacerbating Climate Crisis
Eoin Higgins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
“The fires of hatred are spreading from one country to the next,” the author warns in new video. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2019/12/11/planeta…