(2025-12-20). UN: Dec. 19] Peacekeepers Killed in Sudan So. Sudan, Congo Mission Renewed Lots More. passblue.com 
This Week @UN: UN person/envoy of the year; Slovenia is exhausted; UN's AI use. Plus: Sudan; Congo; US/Venezuela; US/ICC; Houthis/UN; Gaza. Follow us daily on Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Blue Sky • Our #1 story: An Eastern European Woman Should Lead the UN, op-ed by Vesna Pusic • A short holiday note to thank our …
(2025-12-20). WSJ: U.S. will pay 20 percent of Gaza reconstruction, officials tell Qatar, UAE. haaretz.com In a pitch to Arab countries, U.S. officials have proposed 'Project Sunrise,' a 20-year, $112.1 billion plan for Gaza's postwar reconstruction, with a commitment to fund 20 percent of the cost, the Wall Street Journal reported…
(2025-12-20). Israeli attack on Gaza school kills five, most of them children. newarab.com 
Five Palestinians were killed in an Israeli attack on a school sheltering displaced people in The Palestinian civil emergency service said in a statement that most of the killed were A hospit…
(2025-12-20). Trump doesn't rule out war with Venezuela. newarab.com 
(2025-12-20). Turkey says crashed drone believed to be Russian-made. newarab.com 
Turkey said a drone that crashed on Friday in a rural area of northwestern Turkey following The unmanned aerial vehicle was discovered near the city of Izmit – around 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of the Black Sea, the private DHA news agency reported. | The drone "is believed to be of Russian-made Orlan-10 type used for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes according to initial findings," said an interior ministry statement…
(2025-12-19). Could an already irked Trump force Netanyahu to move on to second phase of his Gaza plan? haaretz.com The U.S. president says insists that the second phase of Gaza plan is a done deal – but complains that obstacles keep piling up – and his administration fears that Israel is intentionally trying to sabotage it ‚ñ Meanwhile, the prime minister will take off for the U.S. while all fronts – Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran – are volatile…
(2025-12-19). Israeli bombardment in southern Gaza prevents recovery of bodies. tehrantimes.com Israel killed four Palestinian civilians, including a woman, as a result of a series of airstrikes carried out by warplanes targeting the town of Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, WAFA reported Friday.
(2025-12-19). Escalation in Southern Gaza: Airstrikes Target Khan Younis, Rafah Amidst Truce Violations. english.almanar.com.lb Israeli occupation forces intensified military aggression in southern Gaza Strip early Friday, launching a series of airstrikes on the cities of Khan Younis and Rafah. In Khan Younis, Israeli warplanes targeted the Bani Suheila area east of the city, with simultaneous machine-gun fire directed at eastern neighborhoods accompanied by artillery shelling. Additionally, Israeli naval vessels …
(2025-12-19). Netanyahu hails major gas deal with Egypt, but its political independence remains. haaretz.com While Israel staged a triumphant signing, Cairo's press yawned. Al Ahram said the agreement 'won't affect Egypt's political decisions on Gaza,' as officials quietly stress economic necessity, U.S. pressure and a deal designed to survive wars, crises and diplomatic freezes…
(2025-12-19). Gaza's tech workers contend with little electricity, limited internet. aljazeera.com Coders and engineers in Gaza's tech sector are fighting to finish projects and keep clients.
(2025-12-19). Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition Joins Increase Of 2026 Sailings To Gaza. popularresistance.org The 18 national campaigns of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla coalition (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, International Campaign to Break the Siege, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, United States) met in Dublin, Ireland December 5-7, 2025 to plan for many more vessels to sail to challenge the illegal Israel naval blockade and the genocide of Gaza. | Israel continues to break the ceasefire in Gaza and has escalated the vicious attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians and their land in the West Bank.
(2025-12-19). What will Trump do to protect the Gaza ceasefire deal? aljazeera.com Qatar warns daily Israeli breaches threaten entire agreement put forward by US President Donald Trump.
(2025-12-19). Hamas reaffirms objectives on the 38th anniversary of their founding. iacenter.org December 19, 2025 The Hamas Online English Mirror posted the following statement on Dec. 14, 2025On the 38th anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), we affirm the following: — The Al-Aqsa Flood Operation is a firmly-rooted milestone in our people's path of struggle and independence. We follow the path of the martyred leaders, committed to the blood and sacrifices of our people until liberation of the land and holy sites, whatever the sacrifices. — Throughout two full years of aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip, the occupation has succeeded only in the crimi…
(2025-12-19). Houthis detain 10 more Yemeni UN staffers. newarab.com 
The Houthis have harassed and detained dozens of UN staff and aid workers in the past years, accusing them of spying for the United States and Israel ⚪ charges that carry the death penalty in Yemen, and that the UN has sharply rejected. | The rebels have stepped up such arrests since the start of the Gaza war more than two years ago, and more rece…
(2025-12-19). The Classroom as a Battleground: Italy's Students Rise Against Genocide. counterpunch.org 
In Italy, the bell that signals the start of the school day has recently sounded like a call to arms—not for war, but against it. While the Italian government actively supports the geopolitical machinery enabling the genocide in Gaza, a different kind of politics is being forged in the corridors of the nation's historic licei
(2025-12-19). Ceasefires in the Gaza Genocide: A Historical Perspective. counterpunch.org 
What is new in the current situation and particularly ominous, is that, formerly, even the most exclusivist version of Zionism did not rely on genocide as a tool: generations of Zionists have tried to buy land from Palestinians, to expel them through bureaucratic means, to use violent Apartheid and ethnic cleansing strategies, or to engage in what Palestinian political scientist Saleh Abdel Jawad calls "sociocide" — to make life so legally, financially, psychologically, and physically difficult that Palestinians themselves would choose to leave. In previous writing, I have argued that, while Zionism before…
(2025-12-19). Miami summit to address future of Gaza agreement as Israel continues lethal strikes. tehrantimes.com The United States Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, will hold talks in Miami, Florida, with senior officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey as efforts continue to advance the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire, even as Israel violates the truce on the ground.
(2025-12-19). US vows Hamas disarmament in talks on next Gaza ceasefire phase. newarab.com 
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday urged the disarmament of Hamas but voiced hope for progress on reaching the next stage of a Gaza ceasefire as regional officials met and five more people were killed in the devastated territory. | Top officials of Qatar and Egypt – key mediators of the ceasefire – and regional power Turkey headed Friday to Miami to meet US envoys including Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's friend and roving envoy. | Rubio acknowledged difficulties in achieving peace in Gaza, saying that the ceasefire that went into effect in October with the release of hostages amounted to a "mira…
(2025-12-19). US Justice Department begins releasing government Epstein files. aljazeera.com While thousands of documents are expected to be made public, the release falls short of the full Epstein file.
(2025-12-19). Trump helps genocide-denying Epstein islander Dershowitz tout book. thecanary.co The White House has told reporters that the US would be "lucky" to have Donald Trump stand for a third term as US president. A clear breach of the US constitution, which limits presidents to two terms. Trump and his chief of staff are both on record recognising that a third term is unconstitutional, though […] | By
(2025-12-19). The Epstein vault opens: Democrats challenge Trump before the deadline. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – Democratic representatives in Washington have unveiled a new batch of photographs associated with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. This move intensifies scrutiny on the Trump administration, especially with the Justice Department's deadline looming to release all non-classified documents related to Epstein.The recently released images, numbering 68, represent just a fraction of the approximately 95,000 files that Democrats claim were provided by Epstein's estate. The release of their publication arrives just a day before the administration is obligated to adhere to a law. This law, signed by Preside…
(2025-12-19). Trump administration begins release of Epstein files. newarab.com 
The US Justice Department on Friday began releasing the long-awaited records from the investigation into the politically explosive case of The files are expected to shed light on the disgraced financier's connections with high-profile business executives, celebrities and politicians, including Trump, once a close friend of Epstein, fought for months to preve…
(2025-12-19). Draft Resolution for Your Local Government to Pass on Venezuela. worldbeyondwar.org Here is a model resolution that can be modified and submitted to your local government or other institution, which you can urge to pass it. #WorldBEYONDWar…
(2025-12-19). Thursday 12/18: Webinar: Venezuela Under Threat: Eyewitness Reportbacks. indybay.org Zoom | www.codepink.org/vz121825…
(2025-12-19). Protest! Trump's War on Venezuelan NYC 5pm. iacenter.org Protest! Trump's War on Venezuela Venezuela belongs to the Venezuelan People Times Square (43 & Broadway) — Friday, Dec. 19, 5: 00 PM More info: cbalbertolovera@gmail.com…
(2025-12-19). Venezuela Defense Minister Vows To Defend the 'Homeland at Any Cost' After Trump's Blockade Threat. news.antiwar.com Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has said Venezuela would defend the "homeland at any cost" in response to President Trump's declaration that he's imposing a blockade on all "sanctioned" tankers entering and leaving Venezuelan ports. "We say to the US government and its president that we are not intimidated by their crude and arrogant …
(2025-12-19). Machado's Nobel win facilitates war crimes and plunder, Julian Assange argues. tehrantimes.com The Swedish government violated its own laws by awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, according to an explosive legal brief filed by Julian Assange.
(2025-12-19). In Venezuela, We Have Not Been Invaded. counterpunch.org 
I am writing these words from Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, on December 12, 2025, one day after María Corina Machado, the newly appointed Nobel Peace Prize winner, said at a press conference in Oslo, Norway, in response to a journalist's question about whether she would accept a military invasion of Venezuela, that: Venezuela has
(2025-12-19). President Maduro Says Trump's Actions Reveal True Intentions for Venezuela, Calls for Great Colombia Unity Amid More Killings at Sea (+Petro). orinocotribune.com Caracas ( "The truth has been revealed," Maduro said. These recent US actions and statements serve to demonstr…
(2025-12-19). Venezuela int'l conference: U.S. delegates defy 'no-fly zone'. iacenter.org By Mairead Skehan Gillis December 16, 2025 Caracas, Venezuela A delegation from the U.S. traveled to Venezuela to attend the People's Assembly for Peace and Sovereignty in our Americas held in Caracas from December 9—11. The activists represented organizations opposing U.S. imperialist wars and took part in a coordinated week of action across 100 cities from November 15-23 to demand "No U.S. War on Venezuela!" and "No Troops on Our Streets!" Opening day of People's Assembly for Peace and Sovereignty in our Americas, Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 9, 2025. (PHOTO: Mairead Skehan Gillis) It was of utmost importance…
(2025-12-19). Kremlin eyes Latin American storm: Is Venezuela the next proxy flashpoint in US-Russia tensions. hindustantimes.com The Kremlin has confirmed preparations for fresh contacts with the United States as speculation grows over possible Russia-US talks on Ukraine in Miami. Speaking to reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said Moscow is seeking updates on consultations between Washington, Europe and Ukraine. Peskov also dismissed reports that Turkey plans to return Russian S-400 missile systems, calling the claims unfounded. Addressing rising tensions around Venezuela, he warned the situation is "potentially very dangerous," reaffirming Russia's support for its ally Caracas and urging restraint to avoid unpredictable escala…
(2025-12-19). Murders in the Caribbean: Can antiwar forces stop Trump's aggression? iacenter.org By John Catalinotto December 19, 2025 December 13. The U.S. Naval Death Fleet in the Caribbean escalated toward open war earlier this week by committing an act of piracy against a ship carrying oil from Venezuela to Cuba. This escalation comes at a time when Congress is openly questioning the legality of the fleet's unjustifiable attacks on small motorboats in the region, where it has murdered more than 85 people while destroying more than 20 boats since August. Does the conflict among and within the ruling-class parties — the MAGA Republicans and the Democrats — create an opening that allows the anti…
(2025-12-19). Imperialist Realism, Functional Sovereignty, and the Structural Encirclement of Venezuela. orinocotribune.com 
By Diego Sequera and Ernesto Cazal — Dec 15, 2025 | The United States' National Security Strategy 2025, published last week but dated November, is a text that transcends the imprint of a technical manual or a diplomatic wish list. | It is, rather, a political act at a turning point: the first official US document that starts, albeit in a veiled way, from the somewhat less veiled awareness of US decline as a starting point. | However, the document attempts to manage the fragments of decline, to gather them around a doctrine for hemispheric reaffirmation where its "backyard" is proclaimed as the region of its…
(2025-12-19). Trump's war on it's all about the oil!/ By Dan Kovalik. voicesfromsyria.com Trump's war on
(2025-12-19). Trump threatens military aggression against Venezuela despite American public opposition. tehrantimes.com TEHRAN — U.S. President Donald Trump has refused to rule out a military invasion of Venezuela, asserting his objectives are clear to President Nicolás Maduro.
(2025-12-19). Bill To Block Trump From Launching War With Venezuela Fails. popularresistance.org The House on Wednesday voted down a War Powers Resolution meant to block President Trump from launching a war with Venezuela without congressional authorization, as required by the Constitution. | The bill failed in a vote of 211-213, with nine representatives not voting. Just three Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the bill: Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), and Don Bacon (NE). One Democrat, Henry Cuellar (TX), voted against the legislation. | The legislation would have directed the president to remove "United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that h…
(2025-12-19). Demonstration in Mexico in Solidarity with Venezuela / Acción de Solidaridad con Venezuela desde México. worldbeyondwar.org En este video el Observatorio de Derechos Humanos de los Pueblos de México, organización aliada a WBW, junto a otras organizaciones desarrollaron una acción de solidaridad con Venezuela, pidiendo detener la guerra. #WorldBEYONDWar…
(2025-12-19). Sweida violence reignites as Druze forces clash with HTS. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) — Intense fighting has erupted in Syria's southern province of Sweida between Druze forces and armed elements affiliated with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies, leaving several individuals wounded, report say.
(2025-12-19). Workers remain deprived of minimum wage. tribune.com.pk 
Despite the legal declaration of a fixed monthly minimum wage in Punjab, full implementation remains elusive even within government departments as daily wage employees continue to be deprived of their full salaries. | According to sources of the Express Tribune, the Punjab government initially raised the minimum wage to Rs37,000 in April 2025, but due to rising inflation, increased it further to Rs40,000 in September 2025. This translates to Rs1,538 per day for an 8-hour work shift. However, there has been little to no enforcement due to manpower shortages and a lack of resources within the Labour Department.
(2025-12-19). 5.7 magnitude quake strikes Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) — A strong 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region early Friday, according to the German Research Center for Geosciences.
(2025-12-19). Veil Controversy Sparks Political Firestorm in India. devdiscourse.com Iltija Mufti, PDP leader, has filed a police complaint demanding an FIR against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for an incident where he removed a Muslim woman's 'naqab' in public. This act, deemed disrespectful by many, has ignited political tensions and calls for accountability.
(2025-12-19). Why peace deal on Ukraine still distant after Berlin talks? independent.co.ug 
BERLIN, Germany | Xinhua | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday concluded lengthy talks with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in Berlin, describing the talks as "productive." The talks, which also brought together several European leaders, underscored a shared view that diplomatic efforts should be sustained to bring …
(2025-12-19). Violence erupts in Bangladesh after youth leader dies. tehrantimes.com Violence broke out in Bangladesh's capital after a youth leader of the country's 2024 pro-democracy uprising who was injured in an assassination attempt died in a hospital in Singapore, The Guardian reported.
(2025-12-19). China Unveils Earth System Forecasting Strategy for 2025—2035. ecns.cn CMA Deputy Director Bi Baogui said at a press briefing in Beijing that the initiative addresses both national disaster prevention and climate change adaptation needs.
(2025-12-19). Nobel Laureate María Corina Machado: Murder is an Act of Love/ By Kurt Nimmo. voicesfromsyria.com 
Machado told Donald Trump US oil companies will "make a lot of money" after she is installed. Original Link Here: Nobel Laureate María Corina Machado: Murder is an Act of Love — Global ResearchGlobal Research — Centre for Research on Globalization By Kurt Nimmo Global Research, December 19, 2025 The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, María Corina Machado, …
(2025-12-19). Trump Targets Birthright Citizenship, Visa Lottery, and Naturalized Citizens. truthout.org The Trump administration is ramping up efforts to strip more naturalized immigrants of their U.S. citizenship, with The New York Times reporting that officials are seeking 100 to 200 cases per month. The news comes less than two weeks after the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case to decide the constitutionality of President Trump's executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship. |
(2025-12-19). NASA explorer solves Black Hole jets mystery. ummid.com A team of NASA astronomers using its IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) has identified the origin of X-rays in a supermassive black hole's jet, answering a question that has been unresolved since the earliest days of X-ray astronomy.
(2025-12-19). Jeffrey Sachs: European Security Includes Russia. consortiumnews.com In an open letter in Berliner Zeitung, the author tells the German chancellor that peace in Ukraine cannot be achieved by pretending that Russia's security concerns do not exist. By Jeffrey D. Sachs Berliner Zeitung CN at 30 Chancellor Merz, You…
(2025-12-19). BMA ensures law enforcement at ports of entry. sanews.gov.za BMA ensures law enforcement at ports of entry | The enhanced security measures implemented by the Border Management Authority (BMA) across the country's ports of entry are ensuring that law transgressors are stopped in their tracks. | This operation is part of a strengthened multi-layered approach designed to ensure safe, efficient and well-coordinated border management during this peak travel period. | "As daily movements continue to increase, the Border Management Authority remains on high alert, committed to facilitating legitimate travel and trade while decisively preventing illegal activities and safeguardin…
(2025-12-19). US Citizens Deported By Zionist State After A Week Of Detention. popularresistance.org New York-based Irene Cho and Boston-based Trudi Frost, who were arrested by Israeli forces last Friday, remain in custody at the Givon prison after Israeli courts have summarily denied all their appeals while refusing to examine the evidence proving they have committed no offense. They are expected to be deported later tonight from Ben Gurion airport. | Cho and Frost were arrested on Friday, December 12, in the West Bank village of al-Mughayyer while staying with the Abu Hamam family, which is threatened with forced displacement by military and settler violence.
(2025-12-19). England's Fight for Ashes Magic: A Test of Resolve. devdiscourse.com On the brink of a series loss in the Ashes, England's spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel has called for a magical performance on day four of the third Test against Australia to sway the match in their favor.
(2025-12-19). CLAT 2026 Result Out: Link, Steps to Check. ummid.com The Consortium of National Law Universities has declared the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 UG and PG results on its official website consortiumofnlus.ac.in (clat.ac.in).
(2025-12-19). Hainan FTP Customs acts to spur investment. ecns.cn An aerial drone photo taken on Nov 21 shows Yangpu International Container Port in Yangpu Economic Development Zone, Hainan province."With China's strong consumption fundamentals and policy support, we are fully committed to long-term investment in Hainan FTP," said Seth.
(2025-12-19). Morocco bests Jordan to lift 2025 FIFA Arab Cup. ummid.com Atlas Lions, Morocco, Thursday defeated Jordan to lift the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup.
(2025-12-19). US strikes kill 5 on alleged drug boats in Pacific: military. tribune.com.pk 
The US military said it killed five alleged drug traffickers aboard two vessels in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, taking the overall death toll in Washington's campaign to more than 100 people. | Under President Donald Trump, US forces have carried out numerous strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean since September. | The administration has provided no evidence that the targeted boats were involved in drug trafficking, prompting debate about the legality of these operations. | The latest attacks hit two vessels in international waters that were "engaged in narco-trafficking operations," the US…
(2025-12-19). What's in Tehran art galleries. tehrantimes.com Tehran's CAMA — Contemporary and Modern Art Gallery is playing host to an exhibition of paintings by Jamshid Haqiqatshenas. | The exhibit will be running until December 31 at the gallery located at No. 44, 10th Golestan, Pasdaran St.
(2025-12-19). New poll shows young Republicans turning against Israel. mondoweiss.net 
A new poll provides extraordinary data regarding the changing view of Israel in an unexpected place — inside the Republican Party.
(2025-12-19). Saudi Arabia, other GCC countries ban Dhurandhar. ummid.com Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries have banned the star studded Bollywood film, Dhurandhar, for its anti-Pakistan narrative.
(2025-12-19). Trump announces new deal with pharma companies to cut drug prices. aljazeera.com So far 14 of the 17 of largest pharmaceutical companies have agreed to lower drug prices in the US.
(2025-12-19). US imposes sanctions on two more ICC judges for Israel probe. newarab.com 
The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on two more judges of the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had already ordered sanctions on judges and prosecutors in the case, explicitly linked the new measures to a vote Monday in which the two judges sided with the majority and
(2025-12-19). FO ∞ Talks: Is China's Economy Really Collapsing or Is the West Misreading the Numbers? fairobserver.com Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh and David Mahon, a Beijing-based investor and longtime China analyst who publishes China Watch, discuss whether China's economy is a triumph in the making or a bubble about to burst. Mahon argues that Western debate often collapses a vast, uneven system into a single verdict — either inevitable dominance or certain collapse…
(2025-12-19). Drone delivery trial cuts Qiongzhou Strait logistics time to 20 minutes. ecns.cn A low-altitude drone logistics trial has been launched at Xuwen Port in south China's Guangdong Province, significantly shortening cross-strait delivery time between the povince and Hainan Island to about 20 minutes, CCTV News reported.
(2025-12-19). Tata Power Secures Rs 2,000 Crore via Non-Convertible Debentures. devdiscourse.com Tata Power announced the successful raising of Rs 2,000 crore through non-convertible debentures (NCDs) issued on a private placement basis. On Friday, the leading integrated power company noted that the NCDs were allocated using multiple yield allotment method prescribed by BSE and Sebi.
(2025-12-19). Nicholas Mulder: Interludes of Abundance. newleftreview.org Nicholas Mulder on Arnaud Orain, Le monde confisqué. Reading of the current neo-mercantilist lurch as a return to the norm of long-run capitalist history.
(2025-12-19). WHYY Newscast for Thursday 7:00 p.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2025-12-19). Liverpool have 'moved on' from Salah furore. tribune.com.pk 
Arne Slot said Liverpool have "moved on" from the furore caused by Mohamed Salah's explosive outburst at being dropped and are showing signs of growing into the side he wants to see. | The Reds begin what could be up to a month without Salah, who is representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), away at Tottenham on Saturday. | After a run of nine defeats in 12 games, Slot has steadied the ship in a five-game unbeaten run, during which Salah did not start a single game. | "Actions speak louder than words. We moved on," Slot told reporters on Friday, referring to his decision to bring Salah on as a su…
(2025-12-19). Military contractors find big profits in war-to-homeland pipeline. responsiblestatecraft.org By leveraging the
(2025-12-19). Big Tech and the Architecture of the Israeli Genocide Against Palestinians. counterpunch.org 
History is filled with examples of corporations fueling war machines and global colonization. IBM supplied technology used in Nazi death camps; shipping and trading companies played central roles in the transatlantic trafficking of Africans; and multinational firms helped bankroll South Africa's apartheid regime. The companies that once profited from South Africa's pass laws, today empower
(2025-12-19). Saturday 1/10: Trump Regime Takedown (every Saturday). indybay.org corner of Van Ness and O'Farrell St, San Francisco…
(2025-12-19). Texas Now Has a Drone Fleet Nearly as Large as the US Border Patrol's. truthout.org Texas Republicans have been wary of unmanned aerial vehicles, with some even backing proposed laws to allow the citizenry to gun down invasive airborne drones. Now, thanks to years of Operation Lone Star, Governor Abbott's multi-billion dollar border mission, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is ushering in what might fairly be called the Drone Star State with an expansive fleet of… |
(2025-12-19). Japan's central bank hikes interest rates to 30-year-high. ecns.cn The Bank of Japan on Friday hiked interest rates from 0.5% to 0.75%, marking the first increase since January and its highest level since 1995, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK…
(2025-12-19). Burkina Faso Suspends Participation In Francophone Judicial Body. popularresistance.org In yet another move away from Franàßafrique, Burkina Faso's High Council of the Judiciary (CSM) announced on December 15 its decision to suspend participation in the Francophone Network of Judicial Councils, known by its French acronym, RFCMJ. | Headquartered in Quebec, a French-speaking part of Canada, the organization seeks to "develop common standards" in judiciaries of Francophone countries. Over half of its 23 members are former colonies in Africa. | Burkina Faso's CSM was one of the five judicial councils in RFCMJ's current bureau, alongside Guinea, Lebanon, Quebec, and France, which presides over it.
(2025-12-19). Hadi's killing "chilling turning point" for Bangladesh. aljazeera.com Lawyer Taqbir Huda says Sharif Osman Hadi's killing and violence in Bangladesh signal a shift and security failure…
(2025-12-19). How Latinos have become especially vulnerable to diabetes, and one reporter's 'wake-up call" managing the disease. whyy.org 
At the Mexican Consulate's monthly health fair in Oklahoma City, community organizations have tables set up with information on nutrition, exercise, and various health issues. | The main attraction, though, is a quick check-up meant to catch early signs of type 2 diabetes. | "For any adult clients, we're doing free health screenings in regards to height, weight, BMI, blood, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose," says Benjamin Canizales, a health manager with the local Latino Community Development Agency. | The effort, Canizales says, is meant to educate and advise Latinos in Oklahoma about diabetes, and to hel…
(2025-12-19). Iran's foreign goods transit hits 13.5m tons in 8 mos: IRICA. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) — The Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) put the value of the country's foreign transit of goods in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (started Mar. 21, 2025) at 13.5 million tons.
(2025-12-19). Iran, Turkey examine co-op in pharmaceutical, medical equipment industries. tehrantimes.com TEHRAN- At the webinar examining commercial cooperation in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries between Iran and Turkey, organized by the International Affairs and Trade Development Department of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (TCCIMA) and in cooperation and coordination with the Economic Section of the Turkish Embassy in Tehran, economic officials from the most important pharmaceutical and medical equipment associations of the two countries, while reviewing and analyzing cooperation opportunities for private sector companies from both sides, emphasized joint pro…
(2025-12-19). Is Iran Joining "Muslim NATO" ? Saudi—Pakistan Pact and Shifting World Order. globalresearch.ca It has been reported that Iran is interested in joining the "Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement" between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Ali Larijani, the Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, recently
(2025-12-19). After surviving violent attacks and amputation, Tanzanians with albinism get new prosthetics in New Jersey. whyy.org From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? A team of people surrounded Mwigulu as they fiddled with straps across his back and adjusted wires connected to a prosthetic arm at his left side. | "Ok, here, is it too much?" asked Matthew Graham, clinical director at MedEast, an orthotic and prosthesis company in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. | Mwigulu, 21, paused and moved his shoulders a little. "Make it more tighter," he said. Graham pulled on one of the straps connected to a harness that looped under Mwigulu's armpits and…
(2025-12-19). Rubio: 'Not going to have peace' if Hamas can threaten Israel. aljazeera.com US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said peace will never happen if Hamas has the ability to "threaten or attack Israel."
(2025-12-19). Nadia Afgan slams Punjab government for ignoring stray dog, tree protection laws. tribune.com.pk 
Actor Nadia Afgan posted a six-minute video to her Instagram page on Thursday, criticising the Punjab government for failing to adhere to its own laws and court-imposed bans. In the video, she speaks specifically about the continued killing of stray dogs and the cutting down of trees in Punjab, particularly during peak smog season. | Both practices have been banned by the Punjab government and the Lahore High Court. The LHC has prohibited the killing of stray dogs and ordered restrictions on tree cutting. However, despite these directives, little change appears to have been observed on the ground. | In the vid…
(2025-12-19). China's year-end box office surpasses 4 billion yuan. ecns.cn As of 10: 45 p.m. on Thursday, China's year-end box office (November 28—December 31) has exceeded 4 billion yuan (about $570 million), according to online platform data.
(2025-12-19). One word sums up climate politics in 2025: Greenlash. grist.org 
(2025-12-19). Nearly 540 migrants rescued off Crete: Greek coastguard. tribune.com.pk 
Nearly 540 migrants crammed on a sailing boat were rescued early Friday south of the island of Crete, the Greek coastguard said. | The 539 would-be asylum seekers were rescued by a patrol vessel of EU border agency Frontex near the small island of Gavdos in the Libyan Sea, a coastguard spokeswoman told AFP. | So far, the coastguard has recorded nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and the Palestinian territories aboard the boat, the spokeswoman said. | Read More: US Homeland Security chief pauses green card lottery programme | They will first be taken to the Cretan city of Rethym…
(2025-12-19). Afghanistan seeks to bolster health co-op with Iran. tehrantimes.com TEHRAN — A delegation from Afghanistan's Food and Drug Administration met with Iranian counterparts in Tehran on Wednesday to explore the potential for expanding ties in the health sector.
(2025-12-19). Four soldiers killed in suicide attack in northwest Pakistan. newarab.com 
A suicide car bomber and three gunmen attacked a military post near a village The attack took place in North Waziristan, a former stronghold of
(2025-12-19). Bangladesh on edge after student leader's killing sparks unrest. moderndiplomacy.eu Bangladesh deployed police and paramilitary forces across Dhaka and other cities after violent overnight protests erupted over the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a 32-year-old student leader and election candidate. Hadi, a spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha platform, was shot by masked assailants in Dhaka last week while launching his campaign and later died in …
(2025-12-19). Gabriele Pedullà : Timpanaro's Materials. newleftreview.org Gabriele Pedullà on Tom Geue, Major Corrections. Intellectual biography of Sebastiano Timpanaro, who brought the tools of philology to bear in a keen-sighted historical materialism.
(2025-12-19). The Yellow Baldwin: William Gee Wong. counterpunch.org 
Reading William Gee Wong's Sons of Chinatown: A Memoir Rooted in China and America (Temple University Press, 2024), one realizes how valuable the former Oakland Tribune publishers Robert and Nancy Maynard were to the Oakland community. However, the stress that accompanied their being overachievers killed them—the Jackie Robinson curse. Maynard, who'd worked at The Washington
(2025-12-19). Nvidia deepens complicity in Israeli occupation with new 'second home' R&D campus. tehrantimes.com Nvidia, the world's most valuable chipmaker, has announced plans to establish a significant new research and development campus in Kiryat Tiv'on, northern occupied Palestine, near Haifa, calling it a strategic "second home" for the tech giant, Al Mayadeen reported Friday.
(2025-12-19). Is ‚Ǩ90 Billion from Europe Sufficient to Help Ukraine Defeat Russia? thinktank.pk The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has entered a critical phase as of late 2025, with questions surrounding Ukraine's ability to sustain its defense efforts. Key factors include access to reliable energy supplies from Europe, substantial financial aid packages, and the influx of fresh military reinforcements. Understanding the Role of European Fuel in Ukraine's …
(2025-12-19). Trump's Cuts To Infrastructure Projects Harm Working People. popularresistance.org You're going to have the American dream back," promised then-candidate Donald Trump on the campaign trail in 2024. But nearly a year into the President's second term, his administration is failing to live up to campaign promises. In fact, the Trump administration's actions are pushing the dream of economic security and dignity even farther out of reach for working families across the U.S. | Countless headlines have rightfully covered executive orders stripping a million federal workers of union rights. They've detailed legislation that defunds healthcare and nutrition programs while funneling money to massive cor…
(2025-12-19). Head's ton crushes England's Ashes hopes. tribune.com.pk 
Danger man Travis Head crunched his fourth century in as many Tests at Adelaide Oval Friday as Australia built a 356-run lead over England to stand on the brink of retaining the Ashes. | The hosts were 271-4 at stumps on day three of the third Test with Head on 142 and first-innings century-maker Alex Carey not out 52, taking the five-match series out of England's reach. | England must win after crashing inside two days at the first Test in Perth and inside four in Brisbane, both by eight wickets. | But it appears to be an impossible task with the highest run chase at the ground 316 by Australia against Englan…
(2025-12-19). UN elects former Iraqi President Salih as head of refugee agency. newarab.com 
The The 193-member world body elected the 65-year-old Kurdish politician as the
(2025-12-19). IAEA Partners with Princess Máxima Center to Strengthen Childhood Cancer Care. devdiscourse.com The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has officially designated the Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology in the Netherlands as a new IAEA Collaborating Centre, marking a major step toward improving childhood cancer treatment worldwide. The announcement was made in Utrecht during a ceremony attended by Her Majesty Queen Máxima and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
(2025-12-19). This Week's Most Popular Articles. globalresearch.ca 
(2025-12-19). Dec. 5 – Nelson Mandela anniversary of his passing. indybay.org Photo of Nelson Mandella…
(2025-12-19). Vladimir Putin mocks Zelensky's Kupiansk selfie, boasts Russian frontline gains. hindustantimes.com Russian President Vladimir Putin used a televised address to mock Volodymyr Zelensky's recent "Hello from Kupiansk" selfie, sneering that the Ukrainian leader was "standing on the threshold" rather than inside a city Moscow claims is already encircled. Putin argued that after Russian troops pushed Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region, the "full and complete strategic initiative" had passed to the Russian army, which he claimed is now advancing along nearly the entire frontline while Ukrainian units "retreat" with depleted reserves. Watch for more…
(2025-12-19). Profit-taking ahead of roll-over week pulls PSX into the red. tribune.com.pk 
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended Friday's session in the red as investors resorted to profit-taking ahead of the upcoming roll-over week, despite the benchmark index touching a fresh all-time intra-day high earlier in the day. | "PSX witnessed a profit-taking day today as the market headed into the Roll-over week starting Monday," said Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd. The KSE-100 Index closed at 171,405 points, down 556 points or 0.32%. | The day unfolded in two distinct phases. During the morning session, the market extended yesterday's bullish momentum and recorded a fresh intra-da…
(2025-12-19). President Zardari to take official visit to Iraq from Dec 20-24. tribune.com.pk 
President Asif Ali Zardari will undertake an official visit to the Republic of Iraq from December 20 to 24 at the invitation of Iraqi president, Associated Press of Pakistan reported. | The visit underscores the longstanding, brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iraq, rooted in shared bonds of faith, culture, and mutual respect, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs news release said. | During the visit, the president will hold high-level meetings with the Iraqi leadership to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore ways to further strengthen cooperation across key areas of mutual interest, incl…
(2025-12-19). The Freedom to Use AI (or Else). counterpunch.org 
In human relationships, a key need is consistency. People need to know what to expect and what the agreed-upon rules are. When life feels like there is nothing but randomness, it's difficult for most to remain stable and sane, from the personal, all the way to the larger shared culture of a nation. For all
(2025-12-19). Israel, Lebanon officials meet as pressure mounts to disarm Hezbollah. aljazeera.com Talks come as Israel launches near-daily attacks across Lebanon in violation of 2024 ceasefire with Hezbollah.
(2025-12-19). Preliminary data records a reduction in road fatalities. sanews.gov.za Preliminary data records a reduction in road fatalities | The Department of Transport's mid-term festive season preliminary road safety report shows a decline in road fatalities compared to the same period last year, with 113 lives saved. | "The number of fatal crashes last year this time was 545, compared to the 431 we have seen this year. The fatal crashes took 638 lives last year this time compared to 505 persons this year," Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, said on Friday. | Addressing a media briefing in Cape Town on the preliminary report of the 365 Days Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign for the 2025…
(2025-12-19). Visa-free measures spur surge in visitors. ecns.cn China saw some 40.6 million foreign nationals enter through its ports over the past year, a 27.2 percent year-on-year increase, according to the latest statistics released by the National Immigration Administration on Thursday.
(2025-12-19). Thursday 12/25: Christmas Community Dinner. indybay.org Veterans Memorial Building | 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060…
(2025-12-19). Visual album "Come, O Love" featuring Shahram Nazeri, Davlatmand Kholov unveiled in Konya. tehrantimes.com TEHRAN — The unveiling ceremony of the visual album "Come, O Love," featuring Iranian tenor Shahram Nazeri and the late Tajik singer Davlatmand Kholov, was held on Tuesday at the Selàßuk University in Konya, Turkey, coinciding with the 752nd death anniversary of the great Persian-speaking poet Rumi.
(2025-12-19). Government steps in as Busoga sugarcane farmers get minimum price guarantee. independent.co.ug 
Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | The government has intervened in Busoga's sugarcane sector, setting a minimum price of Shs125,000 per ton of sugarcane following complaints from out-growers over low prices. The decision was reached at a meeting held on Friday, December 19, 2025, in Kampala between officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry …
(2025-12-19). ILWU Statement of Policy: The ILWU Versus Fascism. wibailoutpeople.org On December 12, 2025, the ILWU's International Executive Board unanimously approved the following Statement of Policy: The ILWU Versus Fascism The December of 1945 issue of the Dispatcher, quoting the late President Philip Murray of the CIO, warned, "it is not impossible for fascist ideas to conquer America."[1] This warning came mere months after the …
(2025-12-19). The Angry Tide Has Washed Into Chile. counterpunch.org 
(2025-12-19). 5 killed in US strikes on 2 boats in eastern Pacific. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) — The US military said on Thursday that it had conducted two more strikes against boats it said were smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing five people.
(2025-12-19). Dar accuses India of violating IWT as Chenab levels fall. tribune.com.pk 
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has accused India of violating the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning that New Delhi's alleged manipulation of water flows into Pakistan could trigger a humanitarian crisis, as water levels in the Chenab River continue to fall. | The warning comes amid fluctuating water patterns on the river system. On December 8, reports indicated that India had released a surge of water into the Chenab River, pushing the flow up to 58,300 cusecs. However, Pakistani officials said levels have since plunged sharply. | A day earlier, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir…
(2025-12-19). Mashatile hails Mafolo's role in shaping democratic South Africa. sanews.gov.za Mashatile hails Mafolo's role in shaping democratic South Africa | Deputy President Paul Mashatile has paid tribute to late ANC stalwart and intellectual Magashe Titus Mafolo, describing him as a principled leader whose life's work helped shape South Africa's democratic governance, intellectual thought and African identity. | The Deputy President was delivering the eulogy at the funeral service of Magashe Titus Mafolo, held in Irene, Pretoria, on Friday. | Mashatile thanked the Mafolo family for allowing government and society to honour a "son of the soil", whose contributions transcended politics and touched com…
(2025-12-19). PM Modi's Foreign Visits: The Deeper Story. ummid.com PM Modi's travels have become a permanent feature of India's political theatre. Yet, to dismiss them as spectacle alone would be to miss the deeper story unfolding beneath the surface.
(2025-12-19). Thousands of EU farmers clash with police in Brussels. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- Thousands of farmers from across the European Union converged on Brussels on Thursday, blocking major roads with hundreds of tractors, clashing with police, and disrupting traffic during an EU leaders' summit. Protesters hurled eggs, potatoes, and smoke bombs, set off fireworks, and ignited fires, prompting authorities to respond with tear gas and water cannons. The demonstrations oppose the proposed EU-Mercosur free trade agreement with South American nations including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Farmers warn the deal would flood European markets with cheaper beef, poultry, sugar, and oth…
(2025-12-19). Ukraine's low-tech shield: Fishing nets turned into Drone defense against UAVs. hindustantimes.com As Russian FPV and fiber-optic drones tighten their grip on Ukraine's skies, Kyiv is being forced into a starkly low-tech defensive improvisation. Viral visuals from southern and eastern Ukraine show roads and buildings draped in fishing nets and mesh tunnels—an emergency shield against deadly drone strikes. With advanced air-defence systems stretched thin and military aid delayed, Ukraine is repurposing discarded deep-sea fishing nets sent by European charities to protect civilians and military convoys. The tactic underscores both Ukraine's adaptability and the growing pressure of a war where billion-dolla…
(2025-12-19). Hainan FTP opens fast lane. ecns.cn A foreign vessel carrying 179,000 metric tons of petrochemical raw materials berths at Yangpu Port in Danzhou, Hainan province, on Thursday, following the official launch of the island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port.
(2025-12-19). President confirms nominations to National Dialogue Steering Committee. sanews.gov.za President confirms nominations to National Dialogue Steering Committee | President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed the nominations to the Steering Committee of the National Dialogue, marking a key milestone in the establishment of a citizen led, inclusive process aimed at shaping South Africa's long-term social and economic future. ⚪ The President, who is convenor of the National Dialogue, confirmed the nominations received from a wide range of social sectors in a statement on Thursday. ⚪ In line with his responsibility in terms of Section 83 of the Constitution to promote national unity, President Cyril Ramapho…
(2025-12-19). Trump Labels Fentanyl 'Weapon of Mass Destruction'. hrw.org Click to expand Image | US President Donald Trump shows a signed executive order classifying fentanyl as 'weapon of mass destruction' during a Mexican Border Defense Medal presentation in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, December 15, 2025. | © 2025 Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters…
(2025-12-19). Uganda to host special summit on security situation in DRC. independent.co.ug 
KAMPALA, UGANDA | Xinhua | President Yoweri Museveni is scheduled to host a ministerial and extraordinary summit on the security situation in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a top official said Thursday. The summit, which will be held on Dec. 21 at State House Entebbe, 40 km south of the Ugandan capital city of …
(2025-12-19). Syria, Kurdish forces race to salvage integration deal. moderndiplomacy.eu Syrian, Kurdish and U.S. officials are intensifying talks ahead of a year-end deadline to show progress on a stalled agreement to integrate Kurdish-led forces into the Syrian state. The deal, first outlined in a March 10 accord, was meant to see the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) merge into national military and state institutions. Recent …
(2025-12-19). Pakistan: End Judicial Harassment of Human Rights Lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha. fidh.org The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and the undersigned organizations express deep concern over the ongoing judicial harassment of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in Pakistan.
The prosecution, widely known publicly as the "tweets case," targets social media commentary critical of state conduct, including allegations of enforced disappearances and other human rights violations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. (…) | – |
(2025-12-19). Dylan Riley & Robert Brenner: The Long Downturn and Its Political Results. newleftreview.org Responding to the wide-ranging debate sparked by their 'Seven Theses on American Politics' (NLR 138), Riley and Brenner expand the temporal frame of their analysis of capitalist stagnation as an endogenous feature, incurable by bubbles and bailouts—and rethink the nature of the 'political capitalism' that results.
(2025-12-19). China offers to resolve Thailand-Cambodia rift. ecns.cn Relatives grieve on Wednesday over the death of a Cambodian man killed in artillery shelling in Siem Reap Province near the border with Thailand.During Thursday's phone talks, both the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers briefed Wang on the latest developments regarding their border conflict and expressed their willingness to de-escalate the situation and cease fire.
(2025-12-19). The Oligarchy Study They Don't Want You to Remember/By Eric Buesing. voicesfromsyria.com In 2014, two professors proved America is an oligarchy. Then everyone forgot. Original Link Here: The Oligarchy Study They Don't Want You to Remember — Global ResearchGlobal Research — Centre for Research on Globalization By Eric Buesing Global Research, December 16, 2025 In the spring of 2014, Martin Gilens of Princeton and Benjamin Page of Northwestern …
(2025-12-19). An arrogant and decrepit empire that pretends to act as an international bully. uwidata.com By Sergio Rodríguez Gelfenstein The pace of events is so rapid that it is difficult to keep track of what is happening and to deliberate on its repercussions and consequences. Last week I wrote about the new U.S. National Security Strategy and said that I would continue trying to discern its implications, but recent events …
(2025-12-19). EDUCATION: Church of Uganda leaders urge shift to clean cooking and income projects. independent.co.ug 
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Education leaders under the Church of Uganda have called for a shift towards cleaner cooking energy and income-generating projects in schools, citing rising operational costs, environmental degradation and health risks linked to traditional biomass fuels. The call was made during the Church of Uganda's Annual Heads of Education Institutions Retreat …
(2025-12-19). Gabriele Pedullà : Timpanaro's Materials. newleftreview.org Gabriele Pedullà on Tom Geue, Major Corrections. Intellectual biography of Sebastiano Timpanaro, who brought the tools of philology to bear in a keen-sighted historical materialism.
(2025-12-19). Europe's ambitions vs. sobering reality: What the numbers reveal. strategic-culture.su Europe confronts a sobering loss of global power as its economic, military and technological influence wanes. Once a model of integration and prosperity, the EU now trails the United States and China economically, while India and ASEAN rapidly close the gap. Without visionary leadership, Europe risks becoming a spectator in a multipolar world it helped create.
(2025-12-19). Brazil may delay EU-Mercosur deal amid Brussels protests. tribune.com.pk 
Police fired teargas at farmers protesting the EU's planned trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur in Brussels Thursday, as Brazil opened the door to postponing its signature to win over reluctant Europeans. | About 1,000 honking tractors rolled into the Belgian capital, where the deal loomed large over an EU summit focused on funding Ukraine's war effort. | EU plans to have the pact sealed this week were thrown into disarray by Italy joining fellow heavyweight France in demanding a delay. | The last-mile upset drew a now-or-never ultimatum from Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva — but he…
(2025-12-19). Geneva hosts Tehran convention to protect Caspian Sea. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) — The meeting of Special Working Group on setting up Secretariat of Tehran Convention for Protection of Caspian Sea Environment was held in Geneva on Dec. 18-19 with the participation of envoys of 5 Caspian Sea littoral states.
(2025-12-19). Solidarity with the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa! Water IS Life! wibailoutpeople.org 
(2025-12-19). Israeli anti-immigration activist places beheaded dolls outside homes. haaretz.com Far-right activist Sheffi Paz said the dolls, splashed with red paint to resemble blood, were placed in protest of last month's beheading of a foreign national by another foreign national in the city…
(2025-12-19). Iran-Uzbekistan cultural ties seen as opening markets for Iranian handicrafts. tehrantimes.com TEHRAN — Uzbek artist and carpet researcher Farrokh Manhal said on Thursday that deep historical and cultural links between Iran and Uzbekistan provide a strategic basis for expanding cultural diplomacy and markets for Iranian handicrafts in Central Asia.
(2025-12-19). Five Reasons Why the Newly Declared Ethiopia-India Strategic Partnership is So Important. globalresearch.ca Ethiopia and India
(2025-12-19). Tehran-Moscow's regional and global concerns. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) — Iranian foreign minister's visit to Moscow signals a new push to align Tehran and Russia on key bilateral projects and pressing regional and global crises, from the North-South corridor to international security.
(2025-12-19). Architecture of Cities: the Legacy of Frank Gehry. counterpunch.org 
Death becomes us: We announce our arrivals and departures: We were here. Death resonates. It is finite. Vulnerability is something fragile: A state of the heart and mind filled with keys and chords that play in various languages of emotions: Vulnerability may be mankind's rarest and exclusive reveal: I had shot Frank Gehry's portrait on
(2025-12-19). U.S. and China Are Headed for an AI Collision. wattsupwiththat.com Given the economic importance of AI to countries throughout the world, the competition between the United States and China is regrettable. But it's probably also inevitable. China is not abiding by the rules that are supposed to govern the global economy. And it's using AI, says the Justice Department, to bolster its military, to test weapons of mass destruction, and to heighten surveillance.
(2025-12-19). Putin threatens UK, Europe with nuclear missile deployment amid soaring tensions. hindustantimes.com Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a fierce warning to the UK and Europe, launching a verbal attack on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and threatening the deployment of Russia's nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile in Belarus. The escalation comes amid the Ukraine war, rising NATO tensions, and renewed fears of a wider Russia—West confrontation. Watch the full video to know more…
(2025-12-19). Gorgan hosts intl. tribal culture festival highlighting regional ties. tehrantimes.com GORGAN – Iran's Golestan province hosted the 17th International Festival of Tribal Culture this week, with officials saying the event reflects Iran's historical links with neighboring countries.
(2025-12-19). Dominican Republic wastes renewable energy while fossil fuel thermoelectric plants operate above legal limits. globalvoices.org 
'Thermal plants operate with comfort margins above international standards, [causing] inefficient dispatch and forcing renewables curtailment'Global Voices Feature photo via Canva Pro. | By Zahiris Priscila Francisco Martínez | The Dominican Republic has experienced accelerated growth in renewable energy production over the past few years. National Energy Commission (CNE) Executive Director Edward Veras confirmed
(2025-12-19). Three killed in Taipei stabbing, smoke bomb attack. aljazeera.com Officials say suspect, who died after falling from a building during police chase, carried out 'indiscriminate attacks'.
(2025-12-19). Pinochetism Returns to Power in Chile. counterpunch.org 
José A. Kast's resounding victory in the runoff election is bound to have a profound influence on Chile. A solid, neo-fascist, extreme right-wing force consolidated as a result of the convergence of two radical variants of Pinochetism —one led by Kast and the other, even more extreme, by Johannes Kaiser— to which rushed to join
(2025-12-19). Greece's Coast Guard Rescues Hundreds Amid Rising Migration Pressures. devdiscourse.com In a dramatic rescue operation, Greece's Coast Guard has successfully saved around 545 migrants from a fishing boat off Gavdos Island, marking one of the largest groups to reach Greece in recent months. The operation took place roughly 16 nautical miles from Gavdos, and the migrants were subsequently brought safely to Agia Galini on Crete.
(2025-12-19). Kazakhstan: Physical attacks and judicial harassment of LGBTQIA+ defenders Temirlan Baimash, Ardzh Tursynkhan, and Zhanar Sekerbayeva. fidh.org At the end of November 2025, unidentified individuals and state authorities physically attacked Kazakhstani LGBTQIA+ defenders Temirlan Baimash, Ardzh Tursynkhan, and Zhanar Sekerbayeva. The three defenders were subsequently arbitrarily arrested and subjected to judicial harassment. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OMCT-FIDH) condemns the repeated acts of physical and verbal violence, intimidation, and arbitrary detention targeting LGBTQIA+ human rights defenders (…) | – |
(2025-12-19). Explore: Importance of Hira and other Makkah mountains. ummid.com Makkah is home to a group of mountains of deep religious and symbolic significance, most notably Mount Hira, which houses the Cave of Hira (Ghar e Hira), where revelation first descended.
(2025-12-19). Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Vote for Final Denial of Oil Permits for Sable. indybay.org With a 3-1 vote, the Board rejected the company's application to take over permits for onshore oil and gas facilities on the Gaviota Coast previously held by ExxonMobil…
(2025-12-19). Paradoxically, 'Donroe Doctrine' could put US interests at risk. responsiblestatecraft.org The Trump administration's new
(2025-12-19). Israeli civilians detained after hit-and-run in West Nablus. haaretz.com IDF says suspects were detained and their vehicle seized after an overnight hit-and-run that wounded a Palestinian man, as footage and Palestinian reports described Israelis fleeing an overturned car…
(2025-12-19). Christian Zionists and Their Polytheistic Pedophilic Incestual Gang-Rape Theology. muslimskeptic.com For a long time now, Judeo-Christian Zionists have been hurling vile attacks against Islam, the Prophet Ô∑∫, and Muslims. Many of the popular apologists who engage in these attacks are financed by Israel to spread anti-Islam propaganda and to establish Christian hatred against Muslims. This attack almost exclusively centers around the tired old argument of …
(2025-12-19). Russia's war budget: Kremlin spend $137 Billion, 5.1% of GDP in 2025 | Ukraine. hindustantimes.com Russia has disclosed its direct Ukraine war spending for the first time, revealing plans to spend over $137 billion in 2025, around 5.1% of its GDP. The figures highlight Moscow's deepening war economy, expanding military production, and intensified strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure amid ongoing conflict and peace talks. Watch the full video to know more!
(2025-12-19). Iran: Narges Mohammadi, several other human rights defenders arbitrarily arrested in massive crackdown. fidh.org More than 50 people were arrested, including five women human rights defenders, while they were taking part in a memorial ceremony honouring a recently deceased fellow human rights defender. The Observatory (FIDH-OMCT) and the League for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran (LDDHI) strongly condemn these new arrests and call on the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, including human rights defenders.
Paris-Geneva, 18 December 2025. (…) | – |
(2025-12-19). Trump Confidant Alan Dershowitz Discussed Third Term Scenario With the President. truthout.org Alan Dershowitz, a former lawyer for President Donald Trump, recently said in an interview that he and Trump have discussed the possibility of Trump running for a third term in office — an action that would violate the U.S. Constitution. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Dershowitz, who was part of Trump's legal team during his first impeachment trial, said the discussion took place at… |
(2025-12-19). Asteroid named after Chinese space-tech expert Qi Faren. ecns.cn Qi Faren, a renowned Chinese space technology expert, speaking at an academic seminar held at Beijing Institute of Technology, December 6, 2025.An asteroid has been named after Qi Faren, a renowned Chinese space technology expert, according to the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
(2025-12-19). Ousted Air Force Special Ops Command Chief Faces Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges. theintercept.com 
Former Air Force Special Operations Command Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Green has been charged with "possession, viewing, and producing child pornography," the Air Force quietly announced this week. | The news offers an answer to a mystery that had puzzled the Air Force community since April, when Green was removed from his position as the top enlisted leader of AFSOC "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to fulfill his duties," according to a press release put out at the time. The Air Force did not publicly elaborate on the reasons for his removal, leaving service members and observers to speculate. | The…
(2025-12-19). Military contractors reap big profits in war-to-homeland pipeline. responsiblestatecraft.org By leveraging the
(2025-12-19). 'Gun reforms a good start but…': What Australia should do after Bondi beach attack Maya Gomez. hindustantimes.com Days after the Bondi Beach Massacre, HT's Aayesha Varma and Legal Scholar Maya Gomez analyse matters of the mind. What does a shooter think? What do survivors go through? How can a nation heal itself after a tragedy like this? Tune in to this episode of HT Podcast.
(2025-12-19). British Baker Richard Hart Insults a Nation—And Shows What He Doesn't Get About Mexican Bread. lataco.com There is a clear difference between cultural colonization and cultural appreciation and it's not that hard to get right if you come with an open heart and unbounded humility.
(2025-12-19). From rules-based order to rule by fear: America's democratic unravelling. independentaustralia.net 
(2025-12-19). Study reveals how viruses hijack host cells using hidden RNA messages. ecns.cn It acts like a molecular Trojan horse, produced by the virus during its active replication cycle.The virus then co-opts that machinery to churn out its own genetic material, accelerating the production of viral offspring.
(2025-12-19). Messi's Kolkata visit ends in chaos; organiser arrested, fans demand refunds. ummid.com Football legend and Argentina National Football Team Captain Lionel Messi's Kolkata visit Saturday ended in chaos forcing the Police to arrest the organiser while disappointed fans are demanding refunds.
(2025-12-19). Trump Ends Year on Voters' Naughty List As Rising Unemployment and Snowballing Prices Crush Holiday Spirit. commondreams.org As 2025 comes to a close, Americans are taking stock of an economy that looks nothing like what Donald Trump promised. Instead of lower prices and stable jobs, working families are staring down the highest unemployment rate in four years, soaring costs, and the looming loss of health care for millions. Trump's reckless tariffs have cost consumers and businesses $158 billion, leading to layoffs, less spending, and
(2025-12-19). International Transport Workers' Federation urges PM Shehbaz to halt PIA privatisation. tribune.com.pk 
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has called for the privatisation process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to be halted immediately, according to a letter from ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton. | In the letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Cotton requested that the privatisation process be paused "until there is meaningful dialogue with the trade unions representing the workforce of PIA." | Cotton argued that the privatisation process has excluded unions, including the ITF-affiliated People's Unity. He said this exclusion is unacceptable, undermines collective bargaining ag…
(2025-12-19). Arab Cup: Qatar has exhausted itself in organising it. thecanary.co The 2025 Arab Cup was not just a sporting event, but a showcase of professional organisation, where everything seemed to have been carefully thought out, from the modern stadiums designed to the highest international standards, to the facilities for crowd movement and transport, to the logistics services in the areas designated for fans. Every corner […] | By
(2025-12-19). MeitY issues warning over fake DigiLocker app. ummid.com The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a warning against a fake DigiLocker app found circulating online.
(2025-12-19). To distract from trial, his defense minister will keep force-feeding the poison machine. haaretz.com Every minute people talk about criticism of opposition group Brothers and Sisters in Arms is a minute they're not talking about Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Katz and the other ministers who failed in the run-up to October 7…
(2025-12-19). Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS comes nearest to Earth ahead of Christmas. ummid.com Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is coming nearest to Earth on December 19, and astronomers are eager to welcome it as a Christmas 2025 gift.
(2025-12-19). Erika Kirk endorses JD Vance for U.S. President in 2028 as Trump refuses to… hindustantimes.com Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, made a bold declaration in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 18, 2025, pledging full support for her husband's friend, JD Vance, in his anticipated 2028 presidential run. Kirk promised, "We are going to get my husband's friend JD Vance elected for '48 in the most resounding way possible." Watch for details…
(2025-12-19). Uproar in Senate panel as Aleem Khan and Palwasha Khan trade barbs. tribune.com.pk 
(2025-12-19). Why does Egypt need Israeli gas – and what does it risk. newarab.com 
(2025-12-19). Sudan: CNN and Lighthouse Reports publish evidence of SAF ethnically motivated atrocities. moderndiplomacy.eu CNN has reported that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied militias have carried out a campaign of ethnically targeted killings in Sudan's Gezira (also known as Al Jazirah) state, including dumping bodies into canals and concealing mass graves. CNN, working with Lighthouse Reports, documented a months-long SAF-led campaign against "Kanabi" farming communities (largely non‚ÄëArab …
(2025-12-19). Madison, December 19, 2025: Starbucks Workers United STRIKE! wibailoutpeople.org 
Picket at the Cap Square Location, 1 E Main Street, Madison, WI | 11 A.M. — 3 P.M. | Members and Leaders of the Steelworkers, IBEW, SEIU Wisconsin, @wibopm, the DSA Madison and more support striking Starbucks Workers November 28, 2025 at the State Street Location in Madison.
(2025-12-19). No body, no explanation: A Hebron family is trying to understand what happened to their son. haaretz.com After completing his shift at his family's bakery in Hebron, Muhannad Zughair set out for home — but never got there. The Israeli army says he tried to run over a soldier and was shot dead as he fled. His family says they were told nothing, and ask why his father and brother had to be arrested and beaten…
(2025-12-19). Owen Hatherley: Architecture of the Future? newleftreview.org The built legacy of the Soviet Bloc is undergoing a dramatic reappraisal, from crumbling concrete brutalism to Instagrammable socmod chic. Hatherley's critical survey of a growing body of work in this area—examining modernist constructions from Vilnius to Tashkent—asks the question the new studies largely avoid: what, if anything, makes this architecture socialist?
(2025-12-19). Pa., N.J. and Del. could see increased risk of power outages due to supply and demand crunch on regional grid. whyy.org This story is part of the From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? | The mid-Atlantic region's grid operator is struggling to secure enough electricity to meet the demand projected from data centers in the coming years, as costs for consumers continue to rise. | PJM Interconnection, which runs the grid in Pennsylvania, Delaw…
(2025-12-19). Be vigilant as heavy rainfall expected over festive season. sanews.gov.za Be vigilant as heavy rainfall expected over festive season | Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has called for heightened vigilance as above-normal rainfall and thunderstorms are expected during the festive season. | According to current weather forecasts, above-normal rainfall is expected across the central and eastern parts of South Africa, accompanied by warm to cool conditions across the country. | The Highveld is likely to experience frequent afternoon thunderstorms on most days, while eastern provinces face a 30 to 60% chance of afternoon thunderstorms as Chr…
(2025-12-19). US Issues New Sanctions on ICC Judges Amid Israeli War Crime Probe. truthout.org The International Criminal Court and human rights groups on Thursday condemned new US sanctions on two more of the tribunal's judges, which brought the total number of sanctioned ICC jurists to 11 amid the Trump administration's escalating campaign of retaliation against people and institutions seeking to hold Israel and the United States accountable for their alleged crimes. "Today… |
(2025-12-19). Tehran ceremony honors scientific achievers of Islamic Iran. tehrantimes.com TEHRAN — A prestigious ceremony titled "Hello to the Future" was held on Wednesday evening at the Milad Tower Conference Hall in Tehran, celebrating the outstanding contributions of scientific achievers in Islamic Iran. | The event gathered prominent figures from various fields of science and technology, as well as family members of esteemed military commanders martyred during Israel's June war against Iran.
(2025-12-19). Massacre of the Jewish community by Islamist terrorists on Bondi Beach. onlineopinion.com.au Sixteen Australians are dead. Antisemitism surged for years, warnings were issued, a plan was delivered, and government inaction followed. The massacre did not come without notice.
(2025-12-19). Lebanese parliament pushes back, breaks boycott. tehrantimes.com BEIRUT—On Thursday, Lebanon's parliament sent a decisive signal: political blackmail no longer guarantees paralysis.
(2025-12-19). Transit of goods via Iran reaches 13.5m tons in 8 months. tehrantimes.com TEHRAN- As reported by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), 13.5 million tons of commodities was transited through Iran during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-Novembre 21).
(2025-12-19). UN: U.S. sanctions against ICC judges undermine international justice. tehrantimes.com The United Nations has issued a strong warning over newly announced US sanctions targeting judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), stressing that such measures threaten judicial independence and weaken the global system of accountability.
(2025-12-19). Kerala Local Body Election Results 2025: Broader Lessons. ummid.com The results of Kerala's recent local body elections have been swiftly pressed into service by competing political claims – he Congress sees revival, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) declares a breakthrough, and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) seeks refuge in the familiar explanation of routine anti-incumbency.
(2025-12-19). How to Make Peace On Earth: Go Transfigure! counterpunch.org 
Civilization de-personalizes. The emancipation of the personality, which civilization claims to achieve, is fatal to personal originality. —Nicolai Berdyaev, The Meaning of History Every creative artistic act is a partial transfiguration of life. —Ibid "…pick up on some kind of redemption of your own consciousness, become mindful of your own friends,your own work, your own proper meditation, your own art, your own beauty, go out and make
(2025-12-19). Violence erupts in Bangladesh after wounded youth leader dies. geo.tv 
(2025-12-19). The Doomsday Glacier Flunks 2025 Checkup. counterpunch.org 
Thwaites, the most studied glacier in the world, commands attention because it is not only the widest in the world at 80 miles but also the shakiest. And its nickname "The Doomsday Glacier" certainly sets it apart from the 500 other named glaciers in Antarctica. Based upon new research of 2024-25, polar scientists have been
(2025-12-19). Iran in the past week: Key developments at home and abroad. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) — Here is a concise weekly digest of the most significant political, economic, cultural, and social developments in Iran, published every Friday by Mehr News Agency.
(2025-12-19). A People's Orientation To The Praxis Of People(S)-Centered Human Rights. popularresistance.org Since the launch of the North-South Project for People(s)-Centered Human Rights (North South Project) last year, the framework has been steadily increasing in the global lexicon. The framework itself was produced by Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) founder, Ajamu Baraka, who is also the Director of the North South Project, as a direct result of his observations and practice as a long-time human rights activist. Baraka's observations and practice was systematized into what he refers to as, "the Black radical human rights tradition that is people(s)-centered – hence People(s)-Centered Human Rights (PCHRs).
(2025-12-19). Nan Z. Da: Literary Criticism in the Age of AI. newleftreview.org Critical analyses of AI usually adopt a stance of defensive humanism. Instead, Nan Da interrogates its mode of reasoning. How do LLMs make the step from data to inference—and what does it mean when they can no longer differentiate the two? Lessons from Emily Dickinson on linguistic interpretation's necessary freedoms—and responsibilities.
(2025-12-19). Official Says 11 States Open to Stopping Residents From Voting at DOJ's Request. truthout.org The U.S. Department of Justice has sent a confidential draft agreement to more than a dozen states that would require election officials to remove any alleged ineligible voters identified during a federal review of their voter rolls. The agreement — called a memorandum of understanding, or MOU — would hand the federal government a major role in election administration… |
(2025-12-19). Taiwan opposition lawmakers announce plan to impeach Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te. ecns.cn Legislators from the Chinese Kuomintang party and Taiwan People's Party announced that they would propose the impeachment of Lai Ching-te, leader of China's Taiwan region, when holding a press conference in regional capital Taipei City on Friday.
(2025-12-19). Morocco wins the Arab Cup after an epic match against Jordan. thecanary.co The Arab Cup final wrote an exceptional chapter in the history of the tournament, after the Moroccan team were crowned champion following an exciting 3-2 victory over Jordan in extra time. The dramatic match was held at Lusail Stadium in front of a crowd of nearly 85,000 fans and high-level officials. Arab Cup: an early […] | By
(2025-12-19). China strongly condemns U.S. plan to sell massive advanced weapons TaiwanÔºöFM. ecns.cn China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the U.S. plan to sell massive advanced weapons to China's Taiwan region, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun at a press conference on Thursday.
(2025-12-19). US Navy test-launches Iranian drone clone. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) — The US Navy has test-launched an Iranian drone clone LUCAS drone from the helideck of USS Santa Barbara over the past few days, CENTCOM has said.
(2025-12-19). President unveils economic drive in South Khorasan, touts national strength. tehrantimes.com TEHRAN — President Masoud Pezeshkian concluded a significant working visit to South Khorasan province, heralding a major injection of capital and a series of development projects aimed at boosting the regional and national economy.
(2025-12-19). Confessions Of The Retired And Powerless. levernews.com 
(2025-12-19). A Harvard Scholar's Ouster Exposes a Crisis of Institutional Integrity. portside.org A Harvard Scholar's Ouster Exposes a Crisis of Institutional Integrity |
(2025-12-19). Israel's actions deliberate strategy to occupy Syria. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) — Iranian ambassador to the United Nations has condemned the Israeli illegal aggression against the town of Beit Jan in Syria, saying the Israeli actions are part of a deliberate strategy to consolidate the occupation of Syria.
(2025-12-19). Meet Ousmane Dembele FIFA Player of Year 2025. ummid.com Ousmane Dembele, France Forward and Paris St-Germain (PSG), has won the Men's Player of the Year 2025 at the Fifa Best Awards.
(2025-12-19). Residents in this small town 'left for dead' after industrial disaster. therealnews.com 
"It's not fair. We're people, our lives matter. My daughter's life matters. And that's what everybody is telling me: 'You guys are just the cost of doing business. We can kill a whole community and who cares?'" | "It's not fair. We're people, our lives matter. My daughter's life matters. And that's what everybody is telling me: 'You guys are just the cost of doing business. We can kill a whole community and who cares?'" documentary,east palestine,railroad,sacrifice zones,video,East Palestine
(2025-12-19). India beat South Africa as warm up for T20 World Cup defence pounds forward. aljazeera.com India's preparations for their T20 World Cup defence look daunting as South Africa swept aside in 3-1 series win.
(2025-12-19). WHYY Newscast for Friday 2:00 p.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2025-12-19). CARTOONS: Donald Trump is not in the White House. independentaustralia.net 
(2025-12-19). TikTok signs deal to form new U.S. joint venture, investors include Oracle, Silver Lake. ecns.cn The logo of TikTok.Affiliates of certain existing ByteDance investors will hold 30.1 percent, while ByteDance will retain 19.9 percent, according to the memo."ÄÄ"ÄÄThe joint venture will be "majority owned by American investors, governed by a new seven-member majority-American board of directors, and subject to terms that protect Americans' data and U.S.
(2025-12-19). Bay Area Faith Communities Shut Down ICE's San Francisco Field Office. indybay.org Call for an End to ICE Kidnappings…
(2025-12-19). EU approves $90bln loan for Ukraine; Russian assets spared. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) — European Union leaders agreed on Friday to provide a massive interest-free loan to Ukraine to meet its military and economic needs for the next two years…
(2025-12-19). 'Trump' card played: Did US quietly kill Ukraine's NATO bid? Zelensky publicly calls out Biden. hindustantimes.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that former U.S. President Joe Biden told him Ukraine would not be allowed to join NATO, even before the war with Russia began. Zelensky defended Ukraine's constitutional commitment to NATO and said only the Ukrainian people—not Russia or foreign powers—can decide the country's security path. Watch the full video to know more!
(2025-12-19). Martín Mosquera: The Meaning of Milei. newleftreview.org With Latin America in Trump's cross-hairs, a report from Buenos Aires on the social stalemate that allowed far-right firebrand Javier Milei to impose the harshest shock therapy in Argentina's history. Mosquera mobilizes the conceptual legacies of Gramsci, Trotsky, Otto Bauer and Angelo Tasca to identify the function of the region's highly successful new rights.
(2025-12-19). Guinea-Bissau: the 'narco-state' the US virtually ignores. responsiblestatecraft.org On November 26, soldiers of the Presidential Guard took power in yet another West African country. This time, it was Guinea-Bissau — the tiny country on the Atlantic coast better known to the world as the region's first "
(2025-12-19). Pakistan eyes January Panda Bond debut. tribune.com.pk 
Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb reviewed progress on Pakistan's inaugural Panda Bond issuance under a planned $1 billion programme aimed at diversifying funding sources and supporting debt sustainability. | He was briefed by officials of the Ministry of Finance's Debt Management Office on regulatory approvals, investor outreach and market readiness, as Pakistan prepares to enter China's onshore bond market with the first issuance targeted for January. | Pakistan Advances Toward USD 1 Billion Panda Bond Program with Inaugural Issuance Targeted for January | Federal Minister for Finan…
(2025-12-19). Port of Oakland Commission Hears Increasing Demand to Stop Arming Israel. indybay.org Largest Protest yet in rally and "Pack the Port" action as outrage continues over Oakland's airport complicity in shipping arms to Israel.
(2025-12-19). Shipyard Unionism: A Novel of Triumphs and Defeats — a Review of Goliath at Sunset by Jonathan Bandow. portside.org Shipyard Unionism: A Novel of Triumphs and Defeats — a Review of Goliath at Sunset by Jonathan Bandow |
(2025-12-19). Trump administration reviews Nvidia AI chip sales to China in sharp policy shift. moderndiplomacy.eu The Trump administration has launched an inter-agency review that could clear the first-ever sales to China of Nvidia's H200 artificial intelligence chips, the company's second-most powerful offering. The Commerce Department has sent export license applications to the State, Energy and Defense Departments, triggering a 30-day review process, though the final decision rests with President Donald …
(2025-12-19). Friday 12/19: Protest israeli crimes at their consulate in SF. indybay.org 456 Montgomery St, SF the israeli consulate…
(2025-12-19). Assassination Ignites Crisis: Why Bangladesh Is Burning After Hadi's Death. thinktank.pk As Bangladesh grapples with fresh turmoil on December 19, 2025, the death of prominent youth activist Sharif Osman Hadi has ignited widespread protests, arson attacks, and heightened political tensions. This latest crisis threatens the fragile stability of the interim government and raises concerns about the upcoming February elections. From anti-India sentiments to attacks on media …
(2025-12-19). What India Pays for Empty Parliament and Vanity Nationalism? ummid.com India pours public funds into Parliament and state assemblies as if they are engines of accountability, but what we receive in return is political theatre, ritual nationalism, walkouts, orchestrated chaos, and a government that uses the legislature as a rubber stamp.
(2025-12-19). Indonesia Shouldn't Trade Workers' Rights for Chinese Investment. fairobserver.com On December 12, some 300 workers at PT. CTLI (Shengtuo Company), a Chinese-owned company operating inside Indonesia's Morowali Industrial Park, walked off the job. Their demands were neither radical nor vague. They asked for payslips that arrive on time, personal protective equipment that fits their work, rest days that are not quietly erased, meals on…
(2025-12-19). Trump's Expanded Drug War Will Make Overdose Crisis Worse, Experts Say. truthout.org As President Donald Trump exploits fear about fentanyl to justify military aggression in Latin America, experts warn that his administration's choice to slash federal support for public health programs threatens to erode progress in reducing fatal overdoses linked to synthetic opioids. Trump issued an executive order on Monday declaring fentanyl a "weapon of mass destruction" that could be… |
(2025-12-19). CSIR UGC NET December 2025 Admit Card: Link, Steps to Download. ummid.com CSIR UGC NET December 2025: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is releasing on its official website 'csirnet.nta.nic.in' the Admit Card and Hall Tickets of the candidates who have registered for the CSIR UGC NET December 2025.
(2025-12-19). Beyond the Strait: Hormozgan charts course from transit hub to economic powerhouse. tehrantimes.com TEHRAN- Strategically positioned at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz—the world's most critical energy chokepoint—Iran's Hormozgan province serves as the nation's indispensable commercial gateway. Home to major ports like Shahid Rajaei, the country's largest container port, it is the primary hub for Iran's import, export, and transit trade, connecting global markets from the Persian Gulf to Africa and India.
(2025-12-19). NC County Board Dissolves Library Panel Over Refusal to Ban Trans Book. truthout.org A board of commissioners in North Carolina decided earlier this month to dissolve the entire library board of trustees in response to that board refusing to remove a single book featuring a transgender child character from the shelves. The 3-2 decision by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners was based, in part, on the debunked concept of "social contagion" — the belief that children… |
(2025-12-19). When Should Patients Decide for Themselves? whyy.org As patients, it can be hard to know when to take charge, and when to let our doctors take the reins. On this episode, we explore the question of patient autonomy, and how patient choice can affect our health. We hear stories about controversial treatment decisions, diabetes in the Latino community, and a contentious proposed diagnosis related to anorexia.
(2025-12-19). How to Use Gold Loan Calculator to Plan Repayment Smartly? ummid.com A Gold Loan calculator is an online tool that estimates the loan amount you can obtain against your pledged gold based on its weight, purity, and the prevailing gold rate.
(2025-12-19). A Cruder Imperial Logic, a More Volatile American Empire. counterpunch.org The Trump administration's National Security Strategy (NSS) creates a basis for a more chaotic and violent American empire. Already coming under heavy criticism, with Foreign Policy in Focus publishing warnings about its implications for global development and grand strategy, the strategy remains perhaps most dangerous for its imperious dictates to the world. Behind platitudes of
(2025-12-19). FIDH delegation barred from entering Kyrgyzstan: Authorities must provide explanations. fidh.org On the night of 11—12 December 2025, a delegation of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) was denied entry to Kyrgyzstan at Bishkek's Manas International Airport, without any explanation. The delegation was due to attend the Bir Duino documentary film festival, held from 12 to 15 December 2025. This incident highlights the country's democratic backsliding and its increasingly restrictive stance towards independent voices.
Paris, 15 December 2025. In the middle of the (…) | – |
(2025-12-19). IAF cinematheque to screen Al Pacino's "Wilde Salomé" tehrantimes.com TEHRAN- The Cinematheque of the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) is scheduled to screen a recorded stage performance of "Wilde Salomé" on Wednesday.
(2025-12-19). The China-Egypt Partnership: A Blueprint for South-South Cooperation. moderndiplomacy.eu We know that Egypt and China belong to the developing countries of the Global South, and this will strengthen the strategic partnership between them. This partnership has achieved unprecedented successes under the leadership of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. This partnership will witness even greater success over the next …
(2025-12-19). Putin set to signal war or peace stance at year-end news conference. moderndiplomacy.eu Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to address the future of the war in Ukraine when he speaks at his marathon end-of-year news conference on Friday. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 triggered the most severe confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cold War, following years of conflict in eastern Ukraine. The …
(2025-12-19). Zelensky's peace talk & Drone war: Kyiv pushes talks as Rostov burns in strikes. hindustantimes.com Peace overtures are playing out in conference rooms while a shadow war of drones rages across borders, with Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles slamming into Russia's Rostov Region and triggering deadly fires and civilian casualties. In coordinated overnight strikes on Rostov-on-Don, Bataysk and Taganrog, Ukrainian drones ignited a cargo vessel in the port of Rostov-on-Don, killing two crew members and injuring three others, as well as setting private homes ablaze in Bataysk and damaging civilian infrastructure across the area. Watch for details…
(2025-12-19). Red Cup Rebellion Solidarity Surges, New Union Baristas Join Historic ULP Strike Amid Holiday Rush. indybay.org NATIONWIDE, December 18, 2025 — As the holiday rush sets in for Starbucks, union baristas' historic Red Cup Rebellion grew again in strength and power Thursday as hundreds of new union Starbucks baristas across the country joined the unfair labor practice (ULP) strike. Union baristas' open-ended ULP strike began on Red Cup Day, November 13, and has gained momentum and solidarity from supporters each week since. Over 180 state and local elected officials sent a letter to Starbucks on Wednesday calling for the company to end union busting and finalize a fair union contract.
(2025-12-19). Britain sanctions Russia's energy firms. tribune.com.pk 
Britain imposed sanctions on Thursday on more Russian oil companies and Canadian-Pakistani billionaire Murtaza Lakhani as part of efforts to ramp up pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. | The government targeted 24 individuals and entities, including what it described as Russia's largest remaining unsanctioned oil companies: Tatneft, Russneft, NNK-Oil and Rusneftegaz. | The latest measures aim to make it harder for Russia to trade its oil globally. In October, Britain and the US sanctioned Russia's two biggest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft. | Earlier on Thursday, the EU imposed sanctions on 41 more…
(2025-12-19). US Is Legally Obligated to Provide Asylum. SCOTUS May Help Trump End It Anyway. truthout.org Immigrant justice advocates are worried that the Trump administration's attempt to reinstate an asylum ban at the U.S.-Mexico border through an appeal at the Supreme Court will put asylum seekers in harm's way. Asylum is a way for people to escape dangerous conditions such as violence, war, consequences from climate change, or persecution for their sexual orientation or gender identity. |
(2025-12-19). RIAC at the RUDN University Workshop "The Role of Non-State Actors in Middle Eastern Politics: 2025 Outcomes" russiancouncil.ru On November 16, 2025, the RUDN University hosted a workshop titled "The Role of Non-State Actors in Middle Eastern Politics: 2025 Outcomes"
(2025-12-19). Annual Uganda Diaspora Convention reaffirms govt's commitment to inclusive growth. independent.co.ug 
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its strategic commitment to positioning the Ugandan diaspora as a central pillar of national development, global competitiveness, and economic transformation as the 2nd Uganda Diaspora Convention 2025 started Thursday in Munyonyo. Convened under the theme 'Economic and Commercial Diplomacy', the convention brought together …
(2025-12-19). Hugh Johnson on the Cold Weather. mediasanctuary.org Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist Hugh Johnson spoke about the cold winter, how it compares to other years, and the forecasted holiday week with Lennox Apudo and Sean Bernyk.
(2025-12-19). Pushing Muslim Political Consciousness Back to Pre-Partition Mindset. ummid.com The Indian Muslims are currently not just back to square one — they are, in truth, below zero, because whatever political capital the community had before the Partition has eroded further.
(2025-12-19). Black Dimensions in Art 2025 Exhibition. mediasanctuary.org Black Dimensions in Art is celebrating their fiftieth anniversary at the Albany institute of art. Marisa Espe speaks with Andrea Cunliffe live on air about this special exhibition.
(2025-12-19). France's President goes soft on Russia? Macron invites Putin to table to talk $97,200,000,000 Loan. hindustantimes.com French President Emmanuel Macron has said he believes it would be "useful" to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin again, calling a proposed €90 billion compromise a "major step forward" amid efforts to end the Ukraine war. Macron's remarks come as questions grow over whether European support for Kyiv is shrinking, highlighting divisions within Europe on diplomacy, funding commitments, and the future course of talks with Moscow.
(2025-12-19). Openers lead West Indies fightback. tribune.com.pk 
Brandon King and John Campbell comfortably negotiated 23 overs in fading light before stumps to take the West Indies to 110-0 at the end of day two of the third Test after New Zealand declared on a mammoth 575-8. | The West Indies, with King unbeaten on 55 and Campbell not out 45, are still 465 runs behind. | New Zealand opener Devon Conway's epic 227 and some late hitting from Rachin Ravindra, who had six fours and two sixes in his 72 not out, and Ajaz Patel (30 not out) allowed captain Tom Latham to give his bowlers more than an hour at the West Indies openers. | But King and Campbell were more than up to th…
(2025-12-19). The Right to Resist: Palestine and the Semantics of Terrorism. counterpunch.org 
The Palestinian struggle, which spans over a century, is fundamentally about the dispossession of land, resistance to displacement, self-determination and human rights. The indigenous people of Palestine have paid in lives, treasure, hopes and lost dreams because of Europe's history of racism, antisemitism and colonial exploitation; a legacy that was transplanted into the Middle East
(2025-12-19). Trump sues BBC for $10 Billion over altered capitol speech. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – Former President Donald Trump has launched a significant lawsuit against the BBC, alleging defamation. The lawsuit stems from the network's broadcast of an edited version of his January 6, 2021 speech. Trump's legal representatives claim the edit misrepresented his words, suggesting he had incited his supporters to breach the U.S. Capitol. The lawsuit, lodged in a Miami federal court, seeks $10 billion in damages. Trump contends that the BBC's editing of his speech was misleading. He claims they cut the video to omit his appeal for a peaceful demonstration, while emphasizing remarks that could be His l…
(2025-12-19). Ireland Turns Back on Data Centres. wattsupwiththat.com Much of Ireland's economic growth in the last three decades has come from the onshoring of high tech companies, including data centres. But it appears Ireland no longer want them, "cos of climate change".
(2025-12-19). Invest in the Planet, Not the Pentagon. counterpunch.org 
Ten years ago as of December 2025, nearly every country in the world made a promise. By signing the Paris Agreement, governments committed to limit global temperature rises to no more than 2 ∞C — and ideally 1.5 ∞C — to avoid the most devastating impacts of a warming planet. Recognizing their historic responsibility for greenhouse gas
(2025-12-19). Bondi terrorism delivers dive in journalism standards. independentaustralia.net 
(2025-12-19). TikTok signs joint venture deal to end US ban threat. tribune.com.pk 
TikTok said Thursday it has signed a joint venture deal with investors that would allow the company to maintain operations in the United States and avoid a ban over its Chinese ownership. | The move caps a lengthy tussle over the hugely successful video-sharing app in the world's largest economy, where TikTok says it has more than 170 million users. | According to an internal memo seen by AFP, TikTok CEO Shou Chew told employees that the social media company and its Chinese owner ByteDance had agreed to the new entity. | Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX are on board as major investors, the memo said…
(2025-12-19). Jack London, Celebrity Socialist at 150. counterpunch.org 
For more than 100 years, his short story, "To Build a Fire," was required reading for nearly every school kid in the US, most likely to teach them the necessity of survival, though the tale might also have been read as a paean to dying. The fictional nameless protagonist perishes alone in the cold and
(2025-12-19). Five killed as Cessna Citation private jet crashes at Statesville Airport. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- A Cessna Citation C550 private business jet crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning, killing five of the six people on board. One passenger survived, though details on their condition have not been released. The identities of the victims remain confidential pending family notification.The crash occurred around 10: 15 a.m., when the aircraft veered off the runway to the right, caught fire, and produced thick black smoke visible from a distance. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane approach "way too low" before impact.A Cessna Citation II private jet has crash…
(2025-12-19). The Housing Crisis Is a Democracy Crisis. portside.org The Housing Crisis Is a Democracy Crisis |
(2025-12-19). Save Our Forests, One Roll at a Time. counterpunch.org 
North America's boreal forests are crucial for wildlife and the climate, but we're literally trashing them to make pulp for toilet paper and other disposable paper products. Companies are clear-cutting a million acres a year, according to a new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The northern boreal forests are Earth's largest terrestrial biome. They're
(2025-12-19). Where are our children?… A nation must not get used to fear. independent.co.ug 
COMMENT | DERRICK KYATUKA | It's the WhatsApp notifications that do it. Another photo. Another name. Another last-seen location. And suddenly every parent pauses, heart racing, asking the quietest but loudest question: could my child be next? In Kampala and across Uganda reports of missing children feel disturbingly frequent. Every few days, another emergency notification …
(2025-12-19). Pirates of the 21st century. tehrantimes.com TEHRAN — "The essence of America is bullying, plundering the resources of other countries, and betraying its allies." This proposition stands as one of the most vital pillars of the order currently dominating international affairs.
(2025-12-19). Reparative Rebirth: African Children at the Heart of Climate Justice and Sovereignty. counterpunch.org 
In July 2025, the International Court of Justice held its first hearings on states' climate responsibilities in decades. A lead judge described climate change as an "urgent and existential threat," acknowledging that future generations are central to the crisis. Yet the hearings failed to explicitly center the most affected population—children born in economically poor nations, especially in
(2025-12-19). Deadly attacks hit Taipei metro stations, three killed, suspect confirmed dead. tribune.com.pk 
Attacks at metro stations in Taipei on Friday involving smoke bombs and stabbings killed at least three people, the Taiwanese city's fire department said, adding that the suspect was also dead. | Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai said the attacks at Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan station were "a deliberate act", although the motive was not immediately clear. | Cho said in a statement that the suspect wore a mask and threw "five or six gasoline bombs or smoke grenades" at Taipei Main Station. | According to the Taipei City Fire Department, a total of four people were confirmed dead including the suspect, a 27-ye…
(2025-12-19). Golestan at a glance: forests, ancient monuments and Caspian landscapes. tehrantimes.com GORGAN – Golestan is one of the least visited provinces in Iran, yet for many travelers who take the time to explore it, the region may quickly become a favorite destination.
(2025-12-19). For a left-wing with a plan. indybay.org Forward-looking & socially just preventive or emergency measures that go beyond dysfunctional market control are becoming increasingly important for the survival of society—and, for many people, more plausible. At the same time, we are seeing how, in the wake of increasing geopolitical confrontations & global economic competition, government planning & control are vital.
(2025-12-19). Iran suspected as influence operation targets Arab community and crucial election nears. haaretz.com A network of avatars, including a fake NGO and a phony online magazine, have amassed tens of thousands of followers and deceived a political party and journalists. 'This case shows how credibility can be manufactured even for something that doesn't exist,' one expert says…
(2025-12-19). Discovered: Exoplanet with two tails. ummid.com In a first, a team of researchers in Canada and Switzerland has discovered an exoplanet, which has not one, but two tails.
(2025-12-19). Tens of thousands flee DR Congo to Burundi amid rebel takeover of key city. aljazeera.com UN refugee agency says women and children arriving 'exhausted and severely traumatised' after fleeing eastern DRC.
(2025-12-19). Ex-NASCAR driver Greg Biffle among seven dead in plane crash. geo.tv 
NASCAR driver Greg Biffle is seen during a Daytona 500 media day in February 2022. — Reuters/FileRetired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was killed in a plane crash along with his wife, two children and three others at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday morning,…
(2025-12-19). Heritage Council mourns passing of council member. sanews.gov.za Heritage Council mourns passing of council member | The National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC) has announced the passing of its Council Member, Dr Natalie Skeepers, saying her passing is a loss to the public sector. | In a statement on Thursday, the Council which is an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, said Skeepers passed away unexpectedly on 15 December 2025. | "Dr Skeepers served the National Heritage Council with distinction, integrity, and unwavering commitment. She was a valued member of the Corporate Governance Committee and the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee, where she pl…
(2025-12-19). EU urged to treat Chinese firms fairly. ecns.cn China has urged the European Union to immediately stop its unreasonable actions against Chinese companies operating within the bloc and use the Foreign Subsidies Regulation investigation tool prudently, said the Ministry of Commerce.
(2025-12-19). Fluoridated faith: How weak science and vested interests sold mass medication. independentaustralia.net 
(2025-12-19). Support Judge Hannah Dugan! ICE Out of Milwaukee Everywhere! wibailoutpeople.org 
(2025-12-19). Tanqueray takes the Showtime culinary experience to the shores of the Nile. independent.co.ug 
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The year's final chapter deserves a setting of pure bliss to sum it up. A setting with a gentle breeze carrying the rhythm of the Nile, soft waves lapping at the shore, and the golden sun dappling through lush, riverside greenery. This December 20th, Tanqueray will take all …
(2025-12-19). BBC finally mentions hunger strike — but still ignores reason for it. thecanary.co The BBC News website has finally broken its obstinate silence about the hunger strike by anti-genocide protesters — but only as two of the political prisoners ended their strike and still ignoring almost everything else of relevance. Mentions hunger strike obscurely The BBC's article about the decision of Jon Cink and Umer Khalid to […] | By
(2025-12-19). Nation to hit oil demand peak by 2030. ecns.cn Wu Mouyuan, vice-president of the institute, attributed the global resilience to sustained growth in oil consumption in emerging economies and steady demand for chemical feedstocks and aviation fuels.
(2025-12-19). The Congressional Review Act: A New Tool for Lawmakers to Radically Meddle in Public Land Management. counterpunch.org 
Radical? Not me. In a House Natural Resources Committee hearing earlier this year, after one lawmaker finished complaining about "radical environmentalists" a second lawmaker bemusedly opined that no one is just an "environmentalist" anymore; nowadays all environmentalists are radical environmentalists. Congressional members throwing "radical" around are definitely projecting. To "project" is to unconsciously attribute thoughts and
(2025-12-19). From Sykes-Picot to Silicon Valley: Why Middle East Fault Lines now run through American Tech. juancole.com ( The new lines are invisible. They have been coded in S…
(2025-12-19). Chelsea boss Maresca rubbishes Manchester City links. tribune.com.pk 
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca on Friday dismissed reports linking him with the top job at Manchester City, insisting the speculation over his future does not affect him at all as he remains fully committed to the London club. | Maresca, who previously worked as an assistant coach at City, joined Chelsea in 2024 and led the Premier League side to the Europa Conference League title at the end of his first season, followed by the Club World Cup in July. | A report in The Athletic this week said the 45-year-old Italian is among the top candidates to replace Pep Guardiola at City when the Spanish manager brings an e…
(2025-12-19). be honest: The Israeli mainstream simply has no patience for Arabs. haaretz.com Zionism has always preferred to focus on itself and push aside those who live alongside it. To overcome that tendency, we'll need creative techniques…
(2025-12-19). SPL 2025/26: Al Nassr Top Goal Scorer So Far – Courtesy Felix, Ronaldo. ummid.com Saudi FC Al Nassr is the top goal scorer in the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League (SPL) season so far, courtesy its Skipper Cristiano Ronaldo and attacking Midfielder/Forward Joao Felix.
(2025-12-19). Taipei terror visuals to shock all: Smoke bombs and stabbings at Taiwan's major stations leave 9 wounded. hindustantimes.com Pantc gripped Taiwan's capital Taipei after a masked attacker allegedly hurled smoke bombs and stabbed passersby in a shocking daytime rampage, leaving at least nine people injured. Emergency services rushed to the scene as police launched a manhunt, with reports later claiming the suspect—who was already wanted by authorities—jumped off a rooftop and died. The incident has raised serious concerns over public safety, urban security, and emergency preparedness in Taiwan's densely populated capital.
(2025-12-19). Sydney attack: Israel's balance of gains and losses. tehrantimes.com TEHRAN — Israeli media's interpretation of the terrorist attack in Sydney is marked by contradiction and confusion.
(2025-12-19). 'Trump-Kennedy Center': Trump's name added to venue's facade. aljazeera.com President Trump's name was put on The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
(2025-12-19). MotoGP's sprint format has paid off. tribune.com.pk 
MotoGP's sprint format is no longer an experiment but its Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta knows it remains one of the championship's most contentious talking points, even as TV audiences soared this season to watch the shorter format. | Introduced in the 2023 season, the half-length races have turbo-charged television audiences with a viewership increase of 26% on Saturdays while overall TV audiences are up 9%, according to figures published by MotoGP. | Moreover, the 22-round season brought 3.6 million fans to race tracks, breaking nine attendance records as MotoGP celebrated one of its most memorable…
(2025-12-19). In 2025, The Israeli Army Was The 'Worst Enemy Of Journalists'. thedissenter.org 
(2025-12-19). WHYY Newscast for Friday 6:00 a.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2025-12-19). WHYY Newscast for Friday 9:00 a.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2025-12-19). Japan reaffirms no-nukes stance after official's remarks spark debate. moderndiplomacy.eu Japan reiterated its long-standing commitment to its three non-nuclear principles after media reports said a senior security official had suggested the country should acquire nuclear weapons to deter potential threats. The remarks, attributed to an unnamed official from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's office, came amid concerns about a worsening regional security environment. Chief Cabinet Secretary …
(2025-12-19). R563 remains closed amid serious safety risks. sanews.gov.za R563 remains closed amid serious safety risks | The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has confirmed that the affected section of the R563 will remain closed to traffic after geotechnical assessments found the area to be unsafe for public use. | The decision follows the development of a sinkhole along the R563 near the N14 intersection in recent weeks. Based on the latest assessments, the department has resolved not to open the temporary road as previously considered. | Departmental officials remain on site and are set to begin excavating trenches to physically prevent vehicles from illegally accessing th…
(2025-12-19). The NYT Wants More Defense Spending. counterpunch.org 
On December 14, the New York Times devoted its entire Opinion section of 14 pages to lobbying for greater defense spending. The NYT managed to do this without mentioning numerous strategic advantages that the United States maintains over its most important rivals or the strategic waste of resources in such programs as the Golden Dome
(2025-12-19). Nobel Laureate María Corina Machado: Murder is an Act of Love/ By Kurt Nimmo. voicesfromsyria.com Machado told Donald Trump US oil companies will "make a lot of money" after she is installed. Original Link Here: Nobel Laureate María Corina Machado: Murder is an Act of Love — Global ResearchGlobal Research — Centre for Research on Globalization By Kurt Nimmo Global Research, December 19, 2025 The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, María Corina Machado, …
(2025-12-19). The Last Thing Iraq Needs: US Sanctions Threaten a Nation Trying to Heal. counterpunch.org 
I arrived at the Taj Hotel in Baghdad's Jadriyah neighborhood at 6 a.m., worn thin by the long flight from Los Angeles. After sleeping until mid-afternoon, I stepped out into the 90-degree heat on a simple mission: find falafel, fries, and a place to exchange money. A local bus picked me up and dropped me
(2025-12-19). EC trains MPs on Biometric Voting Kits use. independent.co.ug 
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Electoral Commission has assured legislators of the accurate and transparent use of the Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVK) during the 2026 general elections. The EC, charged with managing elections in the country, took legislators through a step-by-step guide on the operation of the kits during a one-day training …
(2025-12-19). 'Avatar 3' makes grand debut in China, fueling box office boom. ecns.cn On the other hand, some critics noted the plot and scenes bear striking similarities to the previous installment. The 198-minute runtime also poses a challenge for moviegoers' patience and theater scheduling.
(2025-12-19). Conozca la tasa de cambio oficial del Banco Central para el viernes 19 diciembre de 2025. cubadebate.cu En correspondencia con las transformaciones cambiarias anunciadas por el Banco Central de Cuba, les compartimos la tasa de cambio oficial para el viernes 19 de diciembre.
(2025-12-19). La especial relación entre Fidel Castro y monseñor Cesare Zacchi. cubadebate.cu La relación entre Fidel Castro y monseñor Cesare Zacchi constituyó un singular caso de diálogo y entendimiento entre el Estado cubano, la Santa Sede y la Iglesia católica durante años complejos en sus vínculos. Monseñor Cesare Zacchi fue un prelado de la Iglesia católica que desarrolló una destacada labor diplomática como representante del Vaticano, especialmente en Cuba.
(2025-12-19). Díaz-Canel en la Asamblea Nacional: La Patria no se rinde. cubadebate.cu Reiteró que es mucho lo que nos toca enfrentar y resolver en lo interno, comenzando por la determinante esfera económica. "Para analizar la situación actual del país hemos sido realistas y autocríticos, pero también hemos reafirmado la confianza en la capacidad de resistencia y victoria del pueblo cubano. La Patria no se rinde".
(2025-12-19). Alinhamento tcheco-eslovaco sinaliza crescente insatisfaàßà£o com o autoritarismo de Bruxelas. strategic-culture.su O dissenso político dentro da UE está em ascensà£o. | Junte-se a nós no e . | Escreva para nós: | A recente visita de representantes…
(2025-12-19). Lula anuncia veto a la Ley que rebaja penas de condenados por el golpe de Estado. cubadebate.cu El presidente de Brasil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, confirmó este jueves su intención de vetar el proyecto de Ley de Sentencias, conocido como Ley de Dosimetría, aprobado por el Congreso Nacional, que prevé una reducción de penas para los condenados por el intento golpista del 8 de enero de 2023, cuando fueron atacados los tres poderes del Estado brasileño.
(2025-12-19). In Uzbekistan, Motor Sports Body Misses the Mark on Rights. hrw.org Click to expand Image | The F1 Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 20, 2025. | © 2025 Qian Jun/Paddocker via AP Photo | The International Automobile Federation (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, or FIA), the international body governing motor sports, including Formula1, held its annual General Assemblies last week in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. At the General Assemblies, the federation presented Uzbekistan as the "star of the east," seemingly without a single reference to Uzbekistan's deeply problematic human rights record. In recent years, Uzbek authorities have increa…
(2025-12-19). 2026: Año del Centenario del Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz. cubadebate.cu A propuesta del Primer Secretario del Partido y Presidente de la República de Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, se aprobó nombrar al año 2026 como "Año del Centenario del Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz", en homenaje al líder histórico de la Revolución cubana y como ratificación de la unidad de sus ideas en la Revolución Cubana.
(2025-12-19). Díaz-Canel en la Asamblea Nacional: La Patria no se rinde. cubadebate.cu Reiteró que es mucho lo que nos toca enfrentar y resolver en lo interno, comenzando por la determinante esfera económica. "Para analizar la situación actual del país hemos sido realistas y autocríticos, pero también hemos reafirmado la confianza en la capacidad de resistencia y victoria del pueblo cubano. La Patria no se rinde".
(2025-12-19). New government strategy 'doesn't do enough to protect girls under 16'. thecanary.co Keir Starmer's government has pledged the "largest crackdown" ever on violence against women and girls (VAWG). But its plan currently seems light on details. And as Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza says, she's still: deeply concerned that too much of this strategy will only protect girls who are 16 or over. More action to combat […] | By
(2025-12-19). Bulgaria tra integrazione europea e rivolta: l'emblema di una contraddizione irrisolta che coinvolge l'Europa orientale e Bruxelles. strategic-culture.su La Bulgaria non riesce a scegliere tra l'Europa e la propria identità . | Segue nostro Clamoroso, sebbene relativamente ignorato, il caso bulgaro degli ultimi giorni: alla vigilia di un passo storico che sancirebbe l'irreversibilità del percorso europeo del paese, si mette in moto una grande manifestazione di piazza — la maggiore dalla fine del comunismo oltre 30 anni orsono — che fa collassare il governo in carica. | Il pass…
(2025-12-19). Le elezioni parlamentari anticipate in Kosovo non risolveranno lo status definitivo della provincia serba. strategic-culture.su In sostanza, il Kosovo rappresenta l'ennesimo fallimento di nation building made in USA e nessuna delle sue componenti puà≤ dirsi oggi soddisfatta. | Segue nostro Le elezioni anticipate nella provincia serba secessionista del Kosovo sono previste per il 28 dicembre 2025. Sono state indette perché il parlamento non è riuscito a formare un governo dopo le elezioni del 9 febbraio 2025, seguite da un secondo tentativo, anch'esso fallito.
(2025-12-19). Sunday 1/11: The State of Immigrant Rights 2026: Updates on the Courts and ICE Actions. indybay.org La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley…