2019-12-25: News Headlines

Binoy Kampmark (2019-12-25). Medical Opinion, Torture and Julian Assange. counterpunch.org On November 27 this year, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Nils Melzer, delivered an address to the German Bundestag outlining his approach to understanding the mental health of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. These comprised two parts, the initial stage covering his diplomatic asylum in the Ecuadorean embassy, the second dealing with his formal detention in More

Ollie Vargas (2019-12-25). Bolivia's free territory of Chapare has ousted the coup regime and is bracing for a bloody re-invasion. thegrayzone.com Spending time with the union members of Chapare, who run society in a collective fashion, offers special insights into the…

Howie Hawkins (2019-12-25). The Green Party Is Not the Democrats' Problem. counterpunch.org Although it is a constant refrain from Democratic leaders and commentators, the Green Party is not why the Democrats lost to Bush and Trump. In trying to excuse her loss to Trump, Hillary Clinton recently made the baseless smears that Jill Stein, the Greens' 2016 presidential candidate, is a "Russian asset," and that Russians and More

news.un (2019-12-25). UN chief sends wishes for 'peace and a blessed New Year' to all. news.un.org While visiting with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres extended wishes for a peaceful Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Dave Id (2019-12-25). Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf orders mass arrest of Housing Justice protesters. indybay.org An inspirational day of solidarity with unhoused Oaklanders turned into a traumatic night after mayor Libby Schaaf directed a small army of police and DPW workers to smash a housing rights protest held on the doorstep of City Hall. For daring to challenge the Oakland's never ending war against the homeless — the city's encampment demolitions and evictions, the towing of residential vehicles, and a lack of earnestness and urgency in addressing the housing crisis — twenty-two people were arrested and sent to Santa Rita jail, some for over two days.

Robert Fisk (2019-12-25). Behind the Scenes of One Middle East Investigation I'll Never Forget. counterpunch.org Film directors are not the only ones who have to cut stories from their work. When The Independent still existed in paper form, I would lose track of the number of times a foreign editor would call me with the familiar plea: "Bob, can we keep this to 500 words?" Or: "Will this hold till More

Ralph Nader (2019-12-25). Democrats Cave in Secret Budget Deal with Trump. counterpunch.org While attention was focused on the House of Representatives' impeachment of Donald J. Trump, legislators from both parties were secretly huddling with White House aides to seal a $1.4 trillion budget deal to fund the government until next September. They were rushing to do this to avoid a partial government shutdown starting December 21, 2019. More

Text: RR Photos: Terry Scussel, Pro Bono Photo (2019-12-25). In SF, Music Punctuates Enthusiastic Chanting at Rally and March on Eve of Historic Impeachment Vote. indybay.org In San Francisco, lyrics were rewritten to rock classics calling for impeachment and a crowd of thousands chanted for "Trump Pence Out Now!"

Text: RR Photos: Jack Owicki, Pro Bono Photo (2019-12-25). In Mountain View, Seasonal and Humorous Signs at Eve of Impeachment Demo on Four Corners. indybay.org Demonstrators leaned in toward passing traffic to show off their creative signs on Impeachment Eve at a major intersection in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Citizens' Climate Lobby (2019-12-25). 2020 Citizens' Climate Lobby Northern California Regional Conference. indybay.org Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611…

Citizens' Climate Lobby (2019-12-25). 2020 Citizens' Climate Lobby Northern CA Regional Conference, Day 2. indybay.org Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611…

news.un (2019-12-25). The 2010 — 2020 UN News Decade in Review, part two. news.un.org With the 2020s now in full view, welcome to the second in our three-part series looking back at some of the major UN-related stories of the past decade. In part two, we take in the years 2014 to 2016, which saw the worst outbreak of Ebola ever recorded; new hope that the climate crisis could be tackled by world leaders, through the historic Paris climate agreement; and the launch of the UN's 2030 Agenda, a plan of action for people, the planet and prosperity.

Kate Zeller (2019-12-25). President Trump Authorizes Somalia Debt Relief. indybay.org President Trump signed a year-end spending bill which authorizes the first phase of debt relief for Somalia.

repost (2019-12-25). Criminal War Monger Pelosi & Demos Appropriate Millions For War On Venezuela. indybay.org Criminal war monger Demo leader Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats joined Trump in supporting tens of millions of dollars to overthrow the Venezuelan government.

Lynda Carson (2019-12-25). Michael L. Cantor mocks the artwork of the Yacht Sequoia Cruise Certificates. indybay.org In a shocking email further below, Michael L. Cantor, director of FE Partners LLC, the owner of the former Presidential Yacht Sequoia, mocks the artwork of the Yacht Sequoia Cruise Certificates with condescension and derision towards the much coveted historical Yacht Sequoia Cruise Certificates!

2019 Dr. Maulana Karenga Message (2019-12-25). Kwanzaa our "California Grown" Global Celebration, "Matunda ya Kwanza" indybay.org Imani (Faith) reminds us of the indispensable foundation of confident, righteous and rewarding belief, calling on us "to believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our leaders, our teachers and the righteousness and victory of our struggle." In remembrance of Khalid Al Mansour…

Kevin Alexander Gray (2019-12-25). The Soul Will Find a Way. counterpunch.org James Brown was a constant presence in our store. He was the low country homeboy who made it big. The state of Georgia and the city of Augusta claim him as their hometown hero, and he, too, claimed the state and city. Yet he never moved more than 40 miles from his family's roots in Barnwell County, South Carolina, along the Savannah River, establishing a home on Beech Island in Aiken County, South Carolina, adjacent to Strom Thurmond's Edgefield County home. More

Jesse Jackson (2019-12-25). Remembering the Message of Christmas. counterpunch.org On Wednesday, Christmas will be celebrated by millions of people across this country and across the world. Joy surrounds the holiday, with music in the air, lights on homes and lampposts, families gathering, presents exchanged and blessings shared. For some, Christmas is a difficult time — for the poor, for separated families, for the lonely, More

Colin Todhunter (2019-12-25). The Right to Healthy Food: Poisoned with Pesticides. counterpunch.org Environmentalist Dr Rosemary Mason has just written an open letter addressed to three senior officials in Britain: John Gardiner, Under Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the British government; Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England; and Chris Wormald, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health and More

Paul Tritschler (2019-12-25). In Defense of Nostalgia: a Christmas. counterpunch.org School and childhood were complicated, and I got out of both as fast as I could. Aged fifteen — that seems quite young to me now — I found a labouring job in a boat shed along the Clyde. The days of good apprenticeships in the Glasgow shipyards, or anywhere else for that matter, were fading fast, and I settled for poor pay and prospects in a badly ventilated box buffing fibreglass boats. More

Raouf Halaby (2019-12-25). Bethlehem is Scarred by Brutal Israeli Occupation, While the World Acquieses. counterpunch.org O little town of Bethlehem, How miserable we see thee lie! Above thy 28 ft. concrete separation wall of hatred, Palestinians cower in fear and sleepless nights. The silent stars are witness to thy dark and somber streets Where the light shineth not, And the everlasting darkness of occupation Hangs heavy on the oppressed and More

RT (2019-12-25). Dangerous doors & fire hazards: Norway's largest naval ship flagged as unsafe & BANNED from sailing. rt.com The Royal Norwegian Navy's newest ship cannot leave the dock as numerous safety hazards were discovered aboard the NATO vessel after being commissioned in May with much fanfare. | Having cost 2.2 billion Norwegian krones (US$246 million), the logistics and supply ship KNM Maud is Norway's largest naval vessel ever built. It has an operating room, a hospital for 44 beds and a hangar for two helicopters. | However, the ship cannot embark on voyages after global risk-assessment firm DNV GL deemed it too unsafe to sail. The ban will last until many of the vessel's deficiencies are fixed, which is expected to happe…

RT (2019-12-25). 'Solitary confinement' in own home: Father of Pakistan's atomic bomb petitions high court for 'freedom'. rt.com The atomic scientist chiefly responsible for making Pakistan a nuclear power is now asking the country's Supreme Court to set him free, as he has spent almost 15 years under guard in his home, cut off from family and friends. | Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, considered the father of Pakistan's atomic bomb, was detained in 2004 after confessing to illegally giving nuclear technology to Iran, Libya, and North Korea. He was first imprisoned by the government of General Pervez Musharraf, who was himself ousted in 2008 and recently convicted in absentia of treason. | Now 83, Khan is petitioning the highest court in the lan…

RT (2019-12-25). India-Pakistan & Korean Peninsula peace efforts among key highlights of China's 'neighborhood diplomacy' in 2019 — Chinese FM. rt.com Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has highlighted Beijing's efforts to deescalate tensions between Pakistan and India as one of the key achievements of China's 'neighborhood diplomacy' this year. | "During the India-Pakistan conflict, China supported the efforts of the two sides to defuse tensions and manage differences through dialogue," the top Chinese diplomat said in an exclusive yea…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). Eritrea's president in Ethiopia to strengthen ties. yenisafak.com Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki arrived in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa early Wednesday on an official visit.The two leaders, according to local broadcaster FANA, will discuss ways of further normalization of bilateral relations.In 2018, upon a palm branch by Ethiopia's prime minister, the relations between the two countries made a turnaround from one of a no-war-no-peace situation to the opening up of a new era of cooperation.Ever since, the two leaders exchanged numerous visits and signed what has been termed as the Asmara Declaration — a cooperative framework that also saw the commencement of air trav…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). Israel says won't allow Iran to entrench in Iraq. yenisafak.com Israel will not allow Iran to entrench in Iraq, Israeli army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi said on Wednesday.Speaking at a conference in Herzliya, Kochavi accused Iran's Quds Force of moving weapons into Iraq on a monthly basis, according to Yedioth Aharonoth newspaper."Advanced weapons are being smuggled by the Quds Force in Iraq on a daily basis and we can't allow that," he said."Iraq is undergoing a civil war, where the Quds Force is operating on a daily basis, where the country itself has turned into an ungoverned area."Kochavi's remarks are the first implied admission by an Israeli official of carryi…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). 'Malaysia to maintain pioneer role in Islamic banking'. yenisafak.com Malaysia is recognized as the "global leader in Islamic banking" sector which is enlarging rapidly worldwide, according to local media."We are seen as a pioneer in Islamic banking and we want to maintain that position," said Malaysian Deputy Finance Minister Amiruddin Hamzah."This sector is able to offer the best career opportunities and many of our graduates are in Islamic banking," Hamzah was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying.Underlining that Malaysia has the capacity to strengthen Islamic banking sector and create huge employment opportunities, Hamzah said: "This 'takaful' [Islamic insurance] is not only…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). Syrian regime captures five villages in northwestern Syria. yenisafak.com Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime backed by Russia and Iran has captured 40 residential areas over the past five days in the northwestern Idlib province, despite the region being designated a de-escalation zone.Since the offensive began on Dec. 20, the regime and its allies have launched a military campaign mainly in the cities of Maarat Al-Numan and Saraqib as well as the surrounding rural areas.Despite the area being part of a de-escalation zone, the regime and its allies on Tuesday night took control of five more villages in Maarat Al-Numan, bringing the number of seized villages to 40.In September 2018, Turkey…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). YPG/PKK bomb attack injures 14 civilians, children in Syria's Jarabulus. yenisafak.com At least 14 civilians were injured in northern Syria when the terrorist YPG/PKK carried out a bomb attack in the district of Jarabulus, Turkey's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.The YPG/PKK terrorists targeted civilians in the district center using two motorcycles armed with remote-controlled explosives, the ministry said on Twitter.Among the injured were children, the ministry said, adding that four people sustained serious injuries in the attack.The YPG/PKK terror group is targeting settlement areas under control of the Syrian National Army (SNA), which fought alongside the Turkish forces in Turkish-led anti-…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). Gendarmerie forces seize PKK bomb-making materials SE Turkey. yenisafak.com Turkish forces destroyed 19 caves and three winter bunkers used by PKK terrorists in southeast Turkey, local authorities announced Wednesday. Security forces seized weapons and ammunition as well as bomb-making materials including 200 kilograms (442 pounds) of ammonium nitrate during the operation in Diyarbakir province, according to a statement by the provincial governor's office.Gendarmerie forces launched a narco-terror operation on Dec. 23 as part of Operation Kiran-11 Narco-Terror to hinder the PKK's winter preparations, neutralize its terrorists based in the region, arrest drug dealers and eliminate its fin…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). Turkey expects suspect in 2002 killing to be extradited. yenisafak.com Turkey expects Ukraine to extradite a fugitive wanted for allegedly murdering a Turkish scholar who was researching the terror group FETàñ, Turkey's justice minister said on Wednesday.Speaking to reporters in the Turkish capital Ankara, Abdulhamit Gul said Turkish officials are working for the extradition of the suspect Nuri Gokhan B. from Ukraine, where he was arrested last week."Our expectation is the extradition of this person in line with international agreements."Necip Hablemitoglu, known for his research and books on the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETàñ), was killed in 2002 in front of h…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). Turkish president arrives in Tunis to meet his counterpart. yenisafak.com Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday arrived in Tunis to meet his Tunisian counterpart Kais Saied.Erdogan's visit came amid strengthening of Turkey-Libya ties.Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Head of Turkish National Intelligence Organization Hakan Fidan, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun and Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin are accompanying Erdogan during his visit.Turkey on Nov. 27 signed maritime boundary and security cooperation pacts with Libya's Tripoli-based, internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), spurning moves by o…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). Thai court to decide on dissolution of opposition party in January. yenisafak.com Thailand's Constitutional Court said on Wednesday that it would rule on the dissolution of the opposition Future Forward Party on Jan. 21 following a complaint that its actions were seditious and that it plans to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.The complaint alleges the party's triangle logo resembles a symbol of the Illuminati, a secret society that conspiracy theorists believe seeks world domination.The court gave the Future Forward Party 15 days to respond to separate allegations that it had violated laws governing political parties and accepting loans from its party leader.The Future Forward Party, whic…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). Turkish | 'Robin Hood' steals heart of old woman wanting to throw her son a | wedding. yenisafak.com A Turkish Good Samaritan, named "Robin Hood" by Istanbulites, in an altruistic act gave five gold coins, 1000 dollars and a box of chocolates to an impoverished woman who wanted to help her son with wedding expenses.The Secret Santa has been distributing envelopes containing 1000 Turkish liras to low-income families who generally live in shanty towns, paying their debts in neighborhood grocery stores and handing out pocket money to children since March 2019. Turkish citizen Vecihe Algàºl, one of his charges who lives in the àúskàºdar district of Turkey's Istanbul, said: "I really need this aid. I…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). Turkey says Erdogan in Tunisia for surprise talks with president. yenisafak.com Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Tunis on Wednesday in an unannounced visit for talks with Tunisian Presiden…

yenisafak (2019-12-25). Militants kill dozens in Burkina Faso, country mourns. yenisafak.com The president of Burkina Faso has declared 48 hours of national mourning after militants killed at least 35 civilians and seven soldiers in one of the deadliest attacks in the West African country."In memory of the civilian and military victims of Tuesday's terrorist attack in Arbinda [town of northern Burkina Faso], I have decided to declare a national mourning of 48 hours over the whole extent of the national territory from Wednesday December 25 at midnight," President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said in a statement.Seven soldiers were killed during a raid by militants on an army base in the northern part of the…

RT (2019-12-25). WATCH Indian soldiers throw Christmas party and sing Jingle Bells at outpost in Kashmir. rt.com Indian Army servicemen built snowmen and did their best rendition of a world-famous Christmas song as they celebrated the holiday at a remote snowy outpost along the Line of Control (LoC) in disputed Kashmir. | A video published on Wednesday shows several dozen Indian troops dancing and clapping as they sing the popular carol Jingle Bells near a helipad. | A man in a Santa Claus costume is seen grooving to the tune while holding a cane, with two human-sized snowmen with red scarves and caps in the background. | #WATCH Jawans celebrate Christmas on the Line of Control in Kashmir. (Source – Indian Army)

Staff (2019-12-24). Former Uber CEO Kalanick Severs Ties With Ride-Hailing Giant. truthdig.com NEW YORK — Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick is resigning from the board of directors, severing ties to the ride-hailing company that he co-founded a decade ago and ran until a series of scandals led to his downfall. | The departure, announced Tuesday, did not come as a surprise. Kalanick recently sold more than $2.5 billion worth of stock in the company, or more than 90% of his holdings. | "Uber has been a part of my life for the past 10 years. At the close of the decade, and with the company now public, it seems like the right moment for me to focus on my current business and philanthropic pursuits," the 43…

Staff (2019-12-24). Jane Fonda Arrested: We Are in a Climate Emergency. I Have No Choice But to Put My Body on the Line. democracynow.org A new round of protests, Fire Drill Fridays, led by actress Jane Fonda are calling for action to address the climate crisis, as bushfires fueled by a historic heat wave threaten Australia, high tides threaten to flood Venice, and the Philippines prepares for a Christmas typhoon. Last Friday, a day before Jane Fonda's 82nd birthday, the longtime political activist, feminist and two-time Academy Award winner was arrested for the fifth time, as she has been nearly every Friday in Washington since she started Fire Drill Fridays, inspired in part by the Swedish youth climate activist Greta Thunberg. She was arrested a…

Staff (2019-12-24). Biden's New Endorsement Reflects Battle for Latino Support. truthdig.com Joe Biden's presidential bid got a boost Monday from one of the leading Latinos in Congress, with the chairman of the Hispanic Caucus' political arm endorsing the former vice president as Democrats' best hope to defeat President Donald Trump. | "People realize it's a matter of life and death for certain communities," Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., told The Associated Press in an interview, explaining the necessity of halting Trump's populist nationalism, hard-line immigration policies and xenophobic rhetoric that the California congressman called cruel. | Cárdenas' is the chairman of Bold PAC, the political arm of…

Satya Vatti (2019-12-24). Huge protests in India call for unity vs. government's effort to expel Muslims. liberationnews.org Some of the largest protests in recent decades are taking place across many states in India as mass outrage and opposition mounts against the passage of anti-Muslim legislation. India is home to about 200 million Muslims, but the government is led by a far-right, Hindu fundamentalist party called the BJP. At least 25 people have …

teleSUR (2019-12-24). Turkish Congress Readying Bill To Allow Sending Troops to Libya. telesurenglish.net Turkey may need to draft a bill to allow for troop deployment to Libya and its parliament is working on the issue, Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Tuesday after Ankara signed a military cooperation agreement with Tripoli last month. | RELATED: | Erdogan Says Turkey Cannot Handle New Wave of Syrian Migrants | "There might be a need for authorization…

teleSUR (2019-12-24). US Congress Committee to Investigate Death of Detained Migrants. telesurenglish.net The House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney and the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Chairman Jamie Raskin announced Monday that they will investigate the deaths of migrant children and adults who were held in U.S. detention centers. | RELATED: | US Awards Migration Detention Contracts Ahead of California Ban | Given that a recent report warned of the existence of a "pattern of negligence and abuse that caused serious damage and the d…

Ariel Gold (2019-12-24). The Fascinating History and Political Lives of Jews in Iran. commondreams.org CODEPINK delegation in the sukkot of the Yusef Abad synagogue. (Photo: CODEPINK) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/codepink_1.jpg

Thomas Scripps (2019-12-24). Assange Gives Evidence in Spanish Court-Room Case. Security Contractor Accused of Spying on Assange. globalresearch.ca WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was brought from Belmarsh Prison yesterday to appear in person at Westminster Magistrates Court and provide video-link witness testimony in the Spanish prosecution of David Morales, the founder of security firm UC Global. Morales, a …

Peoples Dispatch (2019-12-24). Immigration detention centers "rife with abuse," investigation reveals. peoplesdispatch.org An investigation into the detention centers maintained under the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), by USA Today, revealed rampant physical and sexual abuse of migrant detainees. The investigation, published on December 23, analyzed inspection reports since 2015, and identified more than 16,000 reports of violence, apart from hundreds of documents and records of inspections, lawsuits, finance reports and contracts. The investigation also documented 35 first hand accounts from current and former detainees, about the conditions inside the centers. | This is the largest and the most extensive i…

Juan Cole (2019-12-24). Would Refugee Baby Jesus Have Been Torn From Mary's Arms by Trump? commondreams.org A Nativity scene in the southern Califiornia city of Claremont depicting the Holy Family as a separated family held in cages at the U.S. border is sparking controversy and conversations over President Donald Trump's immigration policies. (Photo: Rev. Karen Clark Ristine/Facebook) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/nativity.jpg

Staff (2019-12-24). Sanders and Omar Call on OSHA to Release Amazon's Injury Records. truthout.org This story was originally published by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit news organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more at revealnews.org and subscribe to the Reveal podcast, produced with PRX, at revealnews.org/podcast. | Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota are calling on the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to provide…

IMEMC & Agencies (2019-12-24). Israeli Military Seizes Equipment, Declares Area North of Hebron 'Closed Military Zone'. imemc.org Israeli forces seized a truck and a bulldozer owned by Palestinian residents in the town of Beit Ummar to the north of Hebron, the southern occupied West Bank, the Palestinian News and Info Agency (WAFA) reported. Mohammed Awad, a media activist, said that Israeli forces confiscated a truck and a …

Staff (2019-12-24). Headlines for December 24, 2019. democracynow.org House Could Bring Additional Articles of Impeachment Against Trump, Boeing Fires CEO Dennis Muilenburg over 737 MAX Jet Controversy, NYT: Pentagon May Withdraw U.S. Troops from West Africa, Syria: Up to 100,000 Civilians Forced to Flee Intensification of Fighting in Idlib, Asian Leaders Urge U.S. & North Korea to Move Toward Peace, Report: Canadian Police Were Prepared to Use Lethal Force Against Indigenous Land Defenders, Trump Met with Accused War Criminal Eddie Gallagher, Nigerian Man Dies in ICE Custody in Maryland, Colorado Governor Pardons Woman Who Took Sanctuary to Fight Her Deportation, Former Black Pant…