Daily Archives: December 21, 2019

2019-12-21: News Headlines

Binoy Kampmark (2019-12-21). Medical Opinion, Torture, and Julian Assange. dissidentvoice.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 …

John Catalinotto (2019-12-21). Trump impeached: What next? — a WW commentary. workers.org Dec. 20 — The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach the president on two counts late on the evening of Dec. 18. All Republicans and one Democratic House member voted against impeachment. As of today, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has not yet released the orders of impeachment . . . | Continue reading Trump impeached: What next? — a WW commentary at Workers.org

WSWS (2019-12-21). Assange gives evidence in Spanish case against security contractor. wsws.org David Morales, a former Spanish military officer, is accused of spying on Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy and was charged in October with privacy violation, bribery and money laundering.

Brenda Norrell (2019-12-21). Blood Memory Rising, Book Review of Standing with Standing Rock. indybay.org 'Standing with Standing Rock,' is an encyclopedia of resistance, which chronicles the Water Protector movement from the first run to Washington, and on to the camps, and the surveillance by TigerSwan, to the ultimate international divestment campaign. In its 29 chapters are poetry, essays and discussions of Indigenous rights and Treaties.

Ajit Singh (2019-12-21). China detaining millions of Uyghurs? Serious problems with claims by US-backed NGO and far-right researcher 'led by God' against Beijing. thegrayzone.com Claims that China has detained millions of Uyghur Muslims are based largely on two studies. A closer look at these…

Lynda Carson (2019-12-21). Muhammad Ali an activist to help MIAs/POWs in Vietnam. indybay.org Cathy A. Lundy was only around 4 years old when she was aboard the Yacht Sequoia as a guest of former disgraced President Richard Nixon (a.k.a. Tricky Dick). Unfortunately, her father was reported killed in action in Laos during the Vietnam War during 1970. The cruise certificate hangs on the wall of my apartment. Photo by Paulo Kesete…

teleSUR (2019-12-21). Gender Parity and Indigenous Presence Passed for Constituent. telesurenglish.net In a 180-degree turn that changes the landscape of the constituent process, the Chilean Chamber of Deputies approved gender parity, seats for indigenous peoples and posts for independent candidates. | RELATED: | Anti-Government Protests Reach 2nd Month in Chile | The vote occurred which occurred Thursday night was radically different from the one taken just one day before, where those issues were blocked by right-wing lawmakers | However, in the second attempt, this time introduced as a co…

Peoples Dispatch (2019-12-21). Hawaiian protestors stay firm at Mauna Kea. peoplesdispatch.org The indigenous inhabitants of the island state have opposed the telescope over what they consider to be a consistent desecration of the mountain, which already has 13 telescopes on the summit.

Brenda Norrell (2019-12-21). Buffy Sainte Marie Truthtelling Indigenous Genocide. indybay.org Buffy Sainte Marie described the genocide, slavery, murder and rape of Indigenous Peoples, that the kings and queens, military, churches and banks are responsible for, speaking with AIM West's Tony Gonzales, during the 50th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz.

WSWS (2019-12-21). Australia: Lauded military veteran subject of second police investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. wsws.org The special forces were used for some of the most brutal aspects of the war, particularly hunting down and capturing or killing alleged Taliban resistance fighters.

Staff (2019-12-21). Trump Labor Board Escalates War on Workers' Rights. truthout.org Between 2017 and 2018, workers in two hotels in Stamford, Connecticut voted to join UNITE HERE Local 217. Though they won both elections by a landslide — the Hilton vote count was 110 to 5 while the Sheraton was 69 to 32 — the elections were highly contested by the employers. The bosses did everything they could in the month-long election process to dissuade workers from voting yes, from threats and intimidation to bribes, lies, and promises. Each day was another opportunity for management and their "union…

WSWS (2019-12-21). Hungary's government continues its assault on democratic rights. wsws.org Last week, the Hungarian parliament, dominated by the right-wing Fidesz party, passed bills that represent a further step towards dictatorial forms of rule.

Larry Romanoff (2019-12-21). "America the Shrunken" globalresearch.ca In May of 2014, Frank Bruni wrote an article for the NYT titled 'America the Shrunken', in which he detailed what he called "the downward arc of a diminished enterprise" that was the USA, quoting friends who claimed their children …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-21). ICC To Investigate Israeli Government War Crimes & UN Again Contradicts US Claims Of Iran "Proof" thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/20/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

WSWS (2019-12-21). Trump signs Pentagon budget imposing new sanctions on Syria. wsws.org The record $738 billion National Defense Appropriations Act was passed with the overwhelming support of House and Senate Democrats.

WSWS (2019-12-21). A magnificent account of Stalin's opponents in the USSR. wsws.org Stalin's rise was neither foreordained nor a natural outgrowth of the October Revolution. The Great Russian chauvinist and bureaucrat secured power in ferocious conflict with the proletariat, peasantry and cadre of the revolutionary socialist movement.

Kate Zeller (2019-12-21). Congress Passes Somalia Debt Relief. indybay.org As part of the Federal government's year-end spending package or "minibus," Congress passed the first phase of debt relief for Somalia.

Staff (2019-12-21). No, McConnell — Biased Jurors and No Witnesses Do Not Make for a "Fair Trial" truthout.org In my decades as a criminal defense attorney, I have never seen a trial where the jurors admit they aren't impartial, coordinate the trial process with the defendant and then, as promised, find the defendant not guilty. And yet, that is exactly what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell aims to do. | Negating any semblance of conducting a fair trial, McConnell has brazenly declared his intention to violate the senators' oath of impartiality and deny the right to call witnesses to testify at the…

Staff (2019-12-21). Trump Adviser Says Republicans Will Ramp Up Voter Suppression in 2020. truthout.org Reporting on Friday shows a top adviser for President Donald Trump's re-election campaign caught on tape in November bragging of the Republican Party's history of voter suppression — and promising to go on the offensive in 2020. | The revelation came from the Associated Press in a report Friday on comments by Trump re-election adviser Justin Clark at an event in Madison, Wisconsin. | "Traditionally it's always been Republicans s…

Staff (2019-12-21). We Must Address the Roots of Inequality to Keep It From Killing Us. truthout.org New data from the U.S. Census Bureau confirms that the gap between the richest and poorest households in the U.S. is the largest it has been in over 50 years, and that economic power is more concentrated than ever before. Democrats and Republicans may have different interpretations of these facts, but in public health, decades of research are coming to a consensus: Inequality kills. | Over the past five years, I have worke…

Staff (2019-12-21). What Will It Take to Rid Our Store Shelves of BPA and Other Dangerous Chemicals? truthout.org This is part 4 of a 4-part investigation of the science surrounding the chemical BPA and the U.S. regulatory push to discredit independent evidence of harm while favoring pro-industry science despite significant shortcomings. | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — A percussion of metal-on-metal echoes through the lab as empty food cans drop one by one off a conveyor belt and into rounded poc…

Staff (2019-12-21). Doctors Prescribe More of a Drug If They Receive Money From Company Tied to It. truthout.org The financial interactions include payments for delivering promotional talks, consulting and receiving sponsored meals and travel. | The 50 drugs in our analysis include many popular and expensive ones. Thirty-eight of the drugs have yearly costs exceeding $1,000 per patient, and many topped the list that are most costly for the Medicare Part D drug program. | Take Linzess, a drug to treat irritable bowel syndrome and severe constipation. From 2014 to 2018, the drug's makers, Allergan and I…

Staff (2019-12-21). People Power in Romania Stopped a Mining Project. Now the Corporation Is Suing. truthout.org Recently, a colorful group gathered outside a World Bank building in downtown Washington, D.C. to defend a community 5,000 miles away in Romania. Most had never met each other but when each pointed to her or his hand-drawn sign it was smiles and nods all round. And before you knew it, they were chanting slogans together as if they had done this before, including one in the Romanian language: "Uniti Salvam Rosia Montana!" | Several Romanian citizens were joined at the demonstration by activis…

Staff (2019-12-21). Millions of Dollars Poured Into Ads Fueling Trump Impeachment Fight. truthout.org Political candidates and groups shelled out millions on impeachment-related TV ads before the House impeached President Donald Trump Wednesday, according to a new report from the Wesleyan Media Project. | The analysis, produced in partnership with OpenSecrets, reveals tha…

Citizens' Climate Lobby (2019-12-21). 2020 Citizens' Climate Lobby Northern California Regional Conference. indybay.org Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611…

Citizens' Climate Lobby San Mateo (2019-12-21). Everything You Wanted to Know about Climate Change, but Were Afraid to Ask. indybay.org Half Moon Bay Library, 620 Correas Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019…

Citizens' Climate Lobby (2019-12-21). 2020 Citizens' Climate Lobby Northern CA Regional Conference, Day 2. indybay.org Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611…

Youth V Apocalypse, PlantingJustice, Mycelium (2019-12-21). Climate Strike: SF Bay Area Youth Strike in Oakland. indybay.org Plaza outside Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612…

WSWS (2019-12-21). Amazon Logistics set to surpass delivery volume of FedEx, UPS by 2022. wsws.org The advanced techniques of workplace exploitation along with low wages and breakneck conditions that have made Amazon notorious are being set as the standard for the entire logistics industry.

Scott Ritter (2019-12-21). The 'Whistleblower' and the Politicization of Intelligence. globalresearch.ca The whistleblower complaint has opened a window into the politicization of the intelligence community, and the corresponding weaponization of the national security establishment, argues Scott Ritter. | *** | The whistleblower. A figure of great controversy, whose actions, manifested in an 11-page

Staff (2019-12-21). McConnell Pushes Through 12 More Lifetime Trump Judges. truthdig.com This article originally appeared on Common Dreams. | The right-wing takeover of the U.S. courts continued apace Thursday as the Republican-controlled Senate, with the help of some Democrats, quietly confirmed a dozen more of President Donald Trump's lifetime judicial nominees hours before leaving for Christmas recess. | The confirmations received little media attention amid Trump's im…

WSWS (2019-12-21). Democratic debate: Candidates denounce Trump, ignore party votes for Trump's program. wsws.org The seven candidates said nothing about the fact that the impeachment of Trump was bracketed by congressional votes in which the Democratic Party endorsed Trump's key legislative priorities.

Leon Kunstenaar (2019-12-21). Oaklanders Hold Powerful "Impeach And Remove" Demonstration. indybay.org Photos: Leon Kunstenaar. Pro Bono Photo | Hundreds of rallies throughout the country in support of House vote to impeach Trump…

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Iraqi demonstrators torch political party offices. yenisafak.com Protestors set fire to offices of political parties Friday in the southern Iraqi province of Dhi Qar to protest the killing of a demonstrator a day earlier.Offices of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Dawa Party and the Badr Organization, headed by former Transportation Minister Hadi Al-Amiri, were among those set ablaze, according to a security officer who did not want to be named due to security concerns.The officer did not provide further detail of the conditions of the buildings.Mohammed al-Isami was shot dead Thursday by unidentified attackers. Attempts to kill two other protestors were also made…

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Russia to go ahead with gas pipe project despite US sanctions. yenisafak.com "Russia has implemented and will continue to implement its economic projects regardless of anyone's sanctions," the ministry said in the statement.A U.S. bill signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday included legislation imposing sanctions on companies laying pipe for Nord Stream 2, which aims to double gas capacity along the northern Nord Stream 1 pipeline route to Germany.

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Locals in Syria's Ras al-Ayn expose YPG/PKK oppression. yenisafak.com A Syrian woman displaced by the YPG/PKK terror group in northern Syria exposed the true colors of the terror group by telling how it persecuted the locals using violence."YPG/PKK forcibly evicted us out of our homes, they said 'get out, get out!' They forced us out of homes at night by beating us," the weary woman said in a video posted by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense on Twitter on Saturday."They didn't even allow us to bring our belongings with us. They've also burnt our homes," she added.She went on to say that Turkish soldiers looked out for the Syrians upon their arrival in the region and they ext…

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Syria says rockets damage Homs refinery, disrupt production. yenisafak.com Rockets were fired overnight at Syria's main Homs refinery and two gas units causing minor damage and disrupting production, oil officials said on Saturday, calling it a "terrorist attack".Fires were extinguished after several hours and maintenance engineers had begun repair work, the refinery head, Haitham Musawkar, was quoted as saying on state media.The refinery, located west of Homs, is one of two main refineries covering most domestic demand for diesel, heating fuel, gasoline and other products, industry experts say.

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Large-scale local narco-terror op launched in SE Turkey. yenisafak.com Interior Ministry on Saturday said a narco-terror operation was launched in the southeastern Diyarbakir province of Turkey, with the participation of hundreds of security personnel.Operation "Kiran-11 Narco-Terror" seeks to hinder the PKK's winter preparations, neutralize its terrorists based in the region, arrest drug dealers and eliminate its financial sources.A total of 1,260 personnel — including the special gendarmerie, police forces, and local security personnel — participate in the operation.Turkey has been fighting narcoterrorism, and this year confiscated over 40 tons of marijuana and seized about 40 m…

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Turkish jets 'neutralize' 3 PKK terrorists in N.Iraq. yenisafak.com A group of three PKK terrorists was neutralized as part of a Turkish counter-terrorism operation in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry announced on Saturday.Three PKK terrorists preparing for an attack were neutralized in an air-backed operation held in northern Iraq's Zap and Sinat-Haftanin regions, the ministry said on Twitter.The statement added that counter-terrorism operations in the region would continue without slowing down.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in statements to imply terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.More than 400 YPG/PKK terrorists were…

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Pakistan's new chief justice takes oath. yenisafak.com Justice Gulzar Ahmed took oath as Pakistan's 27th Chief Justice on Saturday amid an ongoing political chaos that has gripped the nation over conviction of the former military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf in a high treason case earlier this week.President Arif Alvi administered oath to the new Chief Justice at a ceremony at the President House in capital Islamabad, which was also attended by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, the air force and naval chiefs, as well as the cabinet members, state-run Pakistan Television reported.Justice Ahmed, who has replaced his predecessor Justice Asif S…

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Trump signs defense bill establishing US Space Force. yenisafak.com President Donald Trump signed an annual defense bill that includes the creation of a Space Force as the sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, for fiscal year 2020 at a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews.The NDAA authorizes a top-line budget of $738 billion."We will create a brand new American military service. With my signature today you will witness the birth of the Space Force," said Trump before signing. "There'll be a lot of things happening in space."The initial announcement of a Space Force to protect America's assets in space, including satellites t…

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Turkish parliament ratifies 2020 budget. yenisafak.com Turkish lawmakers ratified the 2020 budget Saturday following a 12-day marathon session in the general assembly.Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop announced the budget was supported by 329 lawmakers while 159 voted against it in the 600-seat chamber.Lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) approved budget.Turkey earmarked 88.5 billion liras ($15 billion) for public investment in transportation, industry, health and education.Expenditures were projected at 1.095 trillion liras ($0.19 trillion). Also, non-interest expenses will round up at 956.5 bil…

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Turkey not to allow violations in East Med: Official. yenisafak.com Foreign remarks on Turkey's recent maritime deal with the UN-recognized government of Libya will not prevent Turkish government from pursuing its own agenda in the Eastern Mediterranean, country's communications director said on Saturday.Fahrettin Altun issued an article on micro blogging platform Medium where he discussed Turkey-Libya maritime jurisdiction pact and how it confirms the sovereignty of Turkey in the region.Altun said the maritime pact demonstrated that Ankara administration would never turn a blind eye to any fait-accompli in the Eastern Mediterranean, and it ensured that Turkey was an actor that…

yenisafak (2019-12-21). 'Turkey to act if Libya greenlights troop deployment'. yenisafak.com Turkey is ready to take necessary steps if the UN-recognized government of Libya makes a request, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Saturday, referring to the deployment of Turkish soldiers in Libya."If our Libyan brothers make such a request, Turkey is ready to do what is necessary," Oktay said, speaking at a trade and cooperation meeting held in Istanbul.On Nov. 27, Ankara and Tripoli reached two separate memorandums of understanding, one on military cooperation and the other on maritime boundaries of countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.Following the military cooperation deal, Turkish President Recep Tayyip…

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Turkey-Israel relations following Libya deal: ANALYSIS. yenisafak.com Turkey was at the center of some head-spinning developments in the Eastern Mediterranean in the last few days.In fact, the world and especially the riparian states are closely following these "events," which could also be named "belated decisions from Turkey."One of these states is Israel, which has been for a long time looking for ways to transport to Europe the natural gas that will be gathered from the hydrocarbon fields in the Eastern Mediterranean.After a long period of political distance, Turkey and Israel signed a normalization deal in June 2016 to cooperate on a pipeline project, to transfer natural gas f…

yenisafak (2019-12-21). Three killed in UAE drone attacks in Libya. yenisafak.com Three people were killed in raids by drones operated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Libya on Saturday, the UN-recognized government said.UAE-operated drones carried out 10 airstrikes on the town of Msallata, east of Tripoli, the media office of the Government of National Accord (GNA) said in a statement.It said three people were killed in the attacks.According to the statement, drones also carried out two airstrikes on the town of Zliten.No information was yet available about casualties.On April 4, military commander Khalifa Haftar, who commands forces based in eastern Libya, launched an offensive to captur…

Chris Hartmann (2019-12-21). Bolivia's Plurinational Healthcare Revolution Will Not Be Defeated. zcomm.org Under the Morales administration, Indigenous healthcare beliefs and practices stepped out from long shadows cast by colonialism and racism. Those achievements are now under threat…

Matthew Kimball (2019-12-21). Bike Ad More Newsworthy Than Pentagon Budget. zcomm.org What is more newsworthy—a decision to give the Pentagon three-quarters of a trillion dollars, or an ad for an exercise bike? If you picked the Pentagon spending, you may not have a future in corporate media…

David Siever (2019-12-21). Thousands March To Support Trump's Impeachment. zcomm.org People turned out in over 600 communities all over the United States calling for President Donald Trump's impeachment…

RT (2019-12-21). Pakistani court sentences professor to death for blasphemy. rt.com An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced a university professsor to death for insulting the Prophet Muhammed. The trial has already seen his defense lawyer shot dead, under the Muslim world's harshest blasphemy regime. | Thirty-three-year-old Junaid Hafeez was arrested in 2013 and charged with making derogatory remarks about the Islamic Prophet Muhammed on social media. Under the country's harsh blasphemy law, he was sentenced on Saturday to death by hanging. | His lawyers claim he was framed by Islamic extremists for his liberal views, and said they plan to appeal the verdict. "There can't be a fair…

2019-12-21: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

Assange gives evidence in Spanish case against security contractor
wsws.org | 2019-12-21
David Morales, a former Spanish military officer, is accused of spying on Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy and was charged in October with privacy violation, bribery and money laundering.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/21/ucgl-d21.html

Medical Opinion, Torture, and Julian Assange
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-12-21
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 …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/12/medical-opinion-torture-and-julian-assange/

Blood Memory Rising, Book Review of Standing with Standing Rock
Brenda Norrell | indybay.org | 2019-12-21
'Standing with Standing Rock,' is an encyclopedia of resistance, which chronicles the Water Protector movement from the first run to Washington, and on to the camps, and the surveillance by TigerSwan, to the ultimate international divestment campaign. In its 29 chapters are poetry, essays and discussions of Indigenous rights and Treaties.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/20/18829041.php

China detaining millions of Uyghurs? Serious problems with claims by US-backed NGO and far-right researcher 'led by God' against Beijing
Ajit Singh | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-21
Claims that China has detained millions of Uyghur Muslims are based largely on two studies. A closer look at these…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/21/china-detaining-millions-uyghurs-problems-claims-us-ngo-researcher/

China detaining millions of Uyghurs? Serious problems with claims by US-backed NGO and far-right researcher 'led by God' against Beijing
Ajit Singh | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-21
Claims that China has detained millions of Uyghur Muslims are based largely on two studies. A closer look at these…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/21/china-detaining-millions-uyghurs-problems-claims-us-ngo-researcher/

Muhammad Ali an activist to help MIAs/POWs in Vietnam
Lynda Carson | indybay.org | 2019-12-21
Cathy A. Lundy was only around 4 years old when she was aboard the Yacht Sequoia as a guest of former disgraced President Richard Nixon (a.k.a. Tricky Dick). Unfortunately, her father was reported killed in action in Laos during the Vietnam War during 1970. The cruise certificate hangs on the wall of my apartment. Photo by Paulo Kesete…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/19/18829036.php

Hawaiian protestors stay firm at Mauna Kea
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-21
The indigenous inhabitants of the island state have opposed the telescope over what they consider to be a consistent desecration of the mountain, which already has 13 telescopes on the summit.
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/21/hawaiian-protestors-stay-firm-at-mauna-kea-2/

Gender Parity and Indigenous Presence Passed for Constituent
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-21
In a 180-degree turn that changes the landscape of the constituent process, the Chilean Chamber of Deputies approved gender parity, seats for indigenous peoples and posts for independent candidates. | RELATED: | Anti-Government Protests Reach 2nd Month in Chile | The vote occurred which occurred Thursday night was radically different from the one taken just one day before, where those issues were blocked by right-wing lawmakers | However, in the second attempt, this time introduced as a co…
telesurenglish.net/news/chile-gender-parity-and-indigenous-presence-passed-in-constituent-20191220-0013.html

Buffy Sainte Marie Truthtelling Indigenous Genocide
Brenda Norrell | indybay.org | 2019-12-21
Buffy Sainte Marie described the genocide, slavery, murder and rape of Indigenous Peoples, that the kings and queens, military, churches and banks are responsible for, speaking with AIM West's Tony Gonzales, during the 50th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/20/18829040.php

Hungary's government continues its assault on democratic rights
wsws.org | 2019-12-21
Last week, the Hungarian parliament, dominated by the right-wing Fidesz party, passed bills that represent a further step towards dictatorial forms of rule.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/21/hung-d21.html

Trump Labor Board Escalates War on Workers' Rights
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-21
Between 2017 and 2018, workers in two hotels in Stamford, Connecticut voted to join UNITE HERE Local 217. Though they won both elections by a landslide — the Hilton vote count was 110 to 5 while the Sheraton was 69 to 32 — the elections were highly contested by the employers. The bosses did everything they could in the month-long election process to dissuade workers from voting yes, from threats and intimidation to bribes, lies, and promises. Each day was another opportunity for management and their "union…
truthout.org/articles/trump-labor-board-escalates-war-on-workers-rights/

"America the Shrunken"
Larry Romanoff | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-21
In May of 2014, Frank Bruni wrote an article for the NYT titled 'America the Shrunken', in which he detailed what he called "the downward arc of a diminished enterprise" that was the USA, quoting friends who claimed their children …
globalresearch.ca/america-shrunken/5698017

Australia: Lauded military veteran subject of second police investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan
wsws.org | 2019-12-21
The special forces were used for some of the most brutal aspects of the war, particularly hunting down and capturing or killing alleged Taliban resistance fighters.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/21/smit-d21.html

ICC To Investigate Israeli Government War Crimes & UN Again Contradicts US Claims Of Iran "Proof"
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-12-21
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/20/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/icc-to-investigate-israeli-government-war-crimes-un-again-contradicts-us-claims-of-iran-proof/

Trump signs Pentagon budget imposing new sanctions on Syria
wsws.org | 2019-12-21
The record $738 billion National Defense Appropriations Act was passed with the overwhelming support of House and Senate Democrats.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/21/ndaa-d21.html

A magnificent account of Stalin's opponents in the USSR
wsws.org | 2019-12-21
Stalin's rise was neither foreordained nor a natural outgrowth of the October Revolution. The Great Russian chauvinist and bureaucrat secured power in ferocious conflict with the proletariat, peasantry and cadre of the revolutionary socialist movement.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/21/rogo-d21.html

Congress Passes Somalia Debt Relief
Kate Zeller | indybay.org | 2019-12-21
As part of the Federal government's year-end spending package or "minibus," Congress passed the first phase of debt relief for Somalia.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/18/18829017.php

No, McConnell — Biased Jurors and No Witnesses Do Not Make for a "Fair Trial"
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-21
In my decades as a criminal defense attorney, I have never seen a trial where the jurors admit they aren't impartial, coordinate the trial process with the defendant and then, as promised, find the defendant not guilty. And yet, that is exactly what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell aims to do. | Negating any semblance of conducting a fair trial, McConnell has brazenly declared his intention to violate the senators' oath of impartiality and deny the right to call witnesses to testify at the…
truthout.org/articles/no-mcconnell-biased-jurors-and-no-witnesses-do-not-make-for-a-fair-trial/

People Power in Romania Stopped a Mining Project. Now the Corporation Is Suing
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-21
Recently, a colorful group gathered outside a World Bank building in downtown Washington, D.C. to defend a community 5,000 miles away in Romania. Most had never met each other but when each pointed to her or his hand-drawn sign it was smiles and nods all round. And before you knew it, they were chanting slogans together as if they had done this before, including one in the Romanian language: "Uniti Salvam Rosia Montana!" | Several Romanian citizens were joined at the demonstration by activis…
truthout.org/articles/people-power-in-romania-stopped-a-mining-project-now-the-corporation-is-suing/

Millions of Dollars Poured Into Ads Fueling Trump Impeachment Fight
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-21
Political candidates and groups shelled out millions on impeachment-related TV ads before the House impeached President Donald Trump Wednesday, according to a new report from the Wesleyan Media Project. | The analysis, produced in partnership with OpenSecrets, reveals tha…
truthout.org/articles/millions-of-dollars-poured-into-ads-fueling-trump-impeachment-fight/

We Must Address the Roots of Inequality to Keep It From Killing Us
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-21
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau confirms that the gap between the richest and poorest households in the U.S. is the largest it has been in over 50 years, and that economic power is more concentrated than ever before. Democrats and Republicans may have different interpretations of these facts, but in public health, decades of research are coming to a consensus: Inequality kills. | Over the past five years, I have worke…
truthout.org/articles/we-must-address-the-roots-of-inequality-to-keep-it-from-killing-us/

Trump Adviser Says Republicans Will Ramp Up Voter Suppression in 2020
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-21
Reporting on Friday shows a top adviser for President Donald Trump's re-election campaign caught on tape in November bragging of the Republican Party's history of voter suppression — and promising to go on the offensive in 2020. | The revelation came from the Associated Press in a report Friday on comments by Trump re-election adviser Justin Clark at an event in Madison, Wisconsin. | "Traditionally it's always been Republicans s…
truthout.org/articles/trump-adviser-says-republicans-will-ramp-up-voter-suppression-in-2020/

Doctors Prescribe More of a Drug If They Receive Money From Company Tied to It
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-21
The financial interactions include payments for delivering promotional talks, consulting and receiving sponsored meals and travel. | The 50 drugs in our analysis include many popular and expensive ones. Thirty-eight of the drugs have yearly costs exceeding $1,000 per patient, and many topped the list that are most costly for the Medicare Part D drug program. | Take Linzess, a drug to treat irritable bowel syndrome and severe constipation. From 2014 to 2018, the drug's makers, Allergan and I…
truthout.org/articles/doctors-prescribe-more-of-a-drug-if-they-receive-money-from-company-tied-to-it/

What Will It Take to Rid Our Store Shelves of BPA and Other Dangerous Chemicals?
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-21
This is part 4 of a 4-part investigation of the science surrounding the chemical BPA and the U.S. regulatory push to discredit independent evidence of harm while favoring pro-industry science despite significant shortcomings. | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — A percussion of metal-on-metal echoes through the lab as empty food cans drop one by one off a conveyor belt and into rounded poc…
truthout.org/articles/what-will-it-take-to-rid-our-store-shelves-of-bpa-and-other-dangerous-chemicals/

2020 Citizens' Climate Lobby Northern California Regional Conference
Citizens' Climate Lobby | indybay.org | 2019-12-21
Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/20/18829045.php

2020 Citizens' Climate Lobby Northern CA Regional Conference, Day 2
Citizens' Climate Lobby | indybay.org | 2019-12-21
Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/20/18829046.php

Everything You Wanted to Know about Climate Change, but Were Afraid to Ask
Citizens' Climate Lobby San Mateo | indybay.org | 2019-12-21
Half Moon Bay Library, 620 Correas Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/20/18829042.php

Climate Strike: SF Bay Area Youth Strike in Oakland
Youth V Apocalypse, PlantingJustice, Mycelium | indybay.org | 2019-12-21
Plaza outside Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/20/18829043.php

Amazon Logistics set to surpass delivery volume of FedEx, UPS by 2022
wsws.org | 2019-12-21
The advanced techniques of workplace exploitation along with low wages and breakneck conditions that have made Amazon notorious are being set as the standard for the entire logistics industry.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/21/amzn-d21.html

The 'Whistleblower' and the Politicization of Intelligence
Scott Ritter | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-21
The whistleblower complaint has opened a window into the politicization of the intelligence community, and the corresponding weaponization of the national security establishment, argues Scott Ritter. | *** | The whistleblower. A figure of great controversy, whose actions, manifested in an 11-page …
globalresearch.ca/whistleblower-politicization-intelligence/5696154

The 'Whistleblower' and the Politicization of Intelligence
Scott Ritter | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-21
The whistleblower complaint has opened a window into the politicization of the intelligence community, and the corresponding weaponization of the national security establishment, argues Scott Ritter. | *** | The whistleblower. A figure of great controversy, whose actions, manifested in an 11-page …
globalresearch.ca/whistleblower-politicization-intelligence/5696154

Trump impeached: What next? — a WW commentary
John Catalinotto | workers.org | 2019-12-21
Dec. 20 — The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach the president on two counts late on the evening of Dec. 18. All Republicans and one Democratic House member voted against impeachment. As of today, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has not yet released the orders of impeachment . . . | Continue reading Trump impeached: What next? — a WW commentary at Workers.org
workers.org/2019/12/45036/

Democratic debate: Candidates denounce Trump, ignore party votes for Trump's program
wsws.org | 2019-12-21
The seven candidates said nothing about the fact that the impeachment of Trump was bracketed by congressional votes in which the Democratic Party endorsed Trump's key legislative priorities.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/21/dems-d21.html

Oaklanders Hold Powerful "Impeach And Remove" Demonstration
Leon Kunstenaar | indybay.org | 2019-12-21
Photos: Leon Kunstenaar. Pro Bono Photo | Hundreds of rallies throughout the country in support of House vote to impeach Trump…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/18/18828997.php

McConnell Pushes Through 12 More Lifetime Trump Judges
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-12-21
This article originally appeared on Common Dreams. | The right-wing takeover of the U.S. courts continued apace Thursday as the Republican-controlled Senate, with the help of some Democrats, quietly confirmed a dozen more of President Donald Trump's lifetime judicial nominees hours before leaving for Christmas recess. | The confirmations received little media attention amid Trump's im…
truthdig.com/articles/mcconnell-pushes-through-12-more-lifetime-trump-judges/

Iraqi demonstrators torch political party offices
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
Protestors set fire to offices of political parties Friday in the southern Iraqi province of Dhi Qar to protest the killing of a demonstrator a day earlier.Offices of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Dawa Party and the Badr Organization, headed by former Transportation Minister Hadi Al-Amiri, were among those set ablaze, according to a security officer who did not want to be named due to security concerns.The officer did not provide further detail of the conditions of the buildings.Mohammed al-Isami was shot dead Thursday by unidentified attackers. Attempts to kill two other protestors were also made…
yenisafak.com/en/world/iraqi-demonstrators-torch-political-party-offices-3507949

Russia to go ahead with gas pipe project despite US sanctions
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
"Russia has implemented and will continue to implement its economic projects regardless of anyone's sanctions," the ministry said in the statement.A U.S. bill signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday included legislation imposing sanctions on companies laying pipe for Nord Stream 2, which aims to double gas capacity along the northern Nord Stream 1 pipeline route to Germany.
yenisafak.com/en/news/russia-to-go-ahead-with-gas-pipe-project-despite-us-sanctions-3507958

Locals in Syria's Ras al-Ayn expose YPG/PKK oppression
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
A Syrian woman displaced by the YPG/PKK terror group in northern Syria exposed the true colors of the terror group by telling how it persecuted the locals using violence."YPG/PKK forcibly evicted us out of our homes, they said 'get out, get out!' They forced us out of homes at night by beating us," the weary woman said in a video posted by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense on Twitter on Saturday."They didn't even allow us to bring our belongings with us. They've also burnt our homes," she added.She went on to say that Turkish soldiers looked out for the Syrians upon their arrival in the region and they ext…
yenisafak.com/en/world/locals-in-syrias-ras-al-ayn-expose-ypg-pkk-oppression-3507957

Syria says rockets damage Homs refinery, disrupt production
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
Rockets were fired overnight at Syria's main Homs refinery and two gas units causing minor damage and disrupting production, oil officials said on Saturday, calling it a "terrorist attack".Fires were extinguished after several hours and maintenance engineers had begun repair work, the refinery head, Haitham Musawkar, was quoted as saying on state media.The refinery, located west of Homs, is one of two main refineries covering most domestic demand for diesel, heating fuel, gasoline and other products, industry experts say.
yenisafak.com/en/world/syria-says-rockets-damage-homs-refinery-disrupt-production-3507946

Turkish jets 'neutralize' 3 PKK terrorists in N.Iraq
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
A group of three PKK terrorists was neutralized as part of a Turkish counter-terrorism operation in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry announced on Saturday.Three PKK terrorists preparing for an attack were neutralized in an air-backed operation held in northern Iraq's Zap and Sinat-Haftanin regions, the ministry said on Twitter.The statement added that counter-terrorism operations in the region would continue without slowing down.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in statements to imply terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.More than 400 YPG/PKK terrorists were…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkish-jets-neutralize-3-pkk-terrorists-in-niraq-3507955

Large-scale local narco-terror op launched in SE Turkey
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
Interior Ministry on Saturday said a narco-terror operation was launched in the southeastern Diyarbakir province of Turkey, with the participation of hundreds of security personnel.Operation "Kiran-11 Narco-Terror" seeks to hinder the PKK's winter preparations, neutralize its terrorists based in the region, arrest drug dealers and eliminate its financial sources.A total of 1,260 personnel — including the special gendarmerie, police forces, and local security personnel — participate in the operation.Turkey has been fighting narcoterrorism, and this year confiscated over 40 tons of marijuana and seized about 40 m…
yenisafak.com/en/news/large-scale-local-narco-terror-op-launched-in-se-turkey-3507947

Pakistan's new chief justice takes oath
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
Justice Gulzar Ahmed took oath as Pakistan's 27th Chief Justice on Saturday amid an ongoing political chaos that has gripped the nation over conviction of the former military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf in a high treason case earlier this week.President Arif Alvi administered oath to the new Chief Justice at a ceremony at the President House in capital Islamabad, which was also attended by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, the air force and naval chiefs, as well as the cabinet members, state-run Pakistan Television reported.Justice Ahmed, who has replaced his predecessor Justice Asif S…
yenisafak.com/en/world/pakistans-new-chief-justice-takes-oath-3507956

Turkish parliament ratifies 2020 budget
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
Turkish lawmakers ratified the 2020 budget Saturday following a 12-day marathon session in the general assembly.Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop announced the budget was supported by 329 lawmakers while 159 voted against it in the 600-seat chamber.Lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) approved budget.Turkey earmarked 88.5 billion liras ($15 billion) for public investment in transportation, industry, health and education.Expenditures were projected at 1.095 trillion liras ($0.19 trillion). Also, non-interest expenses will round up at 956.5 bil…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkish-parliament-ratifies-2020-budget-3507945

Trump signs defense bill establishing US Space Force
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
President Donald Trump signed an annual defense bill that includes the creation of a Space Force as the sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, for fiscal year 2020 at a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews.The NDAA authorizes a top-line budget of $738 billion."We will create a brand new American military service. With my signature today you will witness the birth of the Space Force," said Trump before signing. "There'll be a lot of things happening in space."The initial announcement of a Space Force to protect America's assets in space, including satellites t…
yenisafak.com/en/news/trump-signs-defense-bill-establishing-us-space-force-3507948

'Turkey to act if Libya greenlights troop deployment'
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
Turkey is ready to take necessary steps if the UN-recognized government of Libya makes a request, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Saturday, referring to the deployment of Turkish soldiers in Libya."If our Libyan brothers make such a request, Turkey is ready to do what is necessary," Oktay said, speaking at a trade and cooperation meeting held in Istanbul.On Nov. 27, Ankara and Tripoli reached two separate memorandums of understanding, one on military cooperation and the other on maritime boundaries of countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.Following the military cooperation deal, Turkish President Recep Tayyip…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-to-act-if-libya-greenlights-troop-deployment-3507953

Turkey-Israel relations following Libya deal: ANALYSIS
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
Turkey was at the center of some head-spinning developments in the Eastern Mediterranean in the last few days.In fact, the world and especially the riparian states are closely following these "events," which could also be named "belated decisions from Turkey."One of these states is Israel, which has been for a long time looking for ways to transport to Europe the natural gas that will be gathered from the hydrocarbon fields in the Eastern Mediterranean.After a long period of political distance, Turkey and Israel signed a normalization deal in June 2016 to cooperate on a pipeline project, to transfer natural gas f…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-israel-relations-following-libya-deal-analysis-3507950

Three killed in UAE drone attacks in Libya
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
Three people were killed in raids by drones operated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Libya on Saturday, the UN-recognized government said.UAE-operated drones carried out 10 airstrikes on the town of Msallata, east of Tripoli, the media office of the Government of National Accord (GNA) said in a statement.It said three people were killed in the attacks.According to the statement, drones also carried out two airstrikes on the town of Zliten.No information was yet available about casualties.On April 4, military commander Khalifa Haftar, who commands forces based in eastern Libya, launched an offensive to captur…
yenisafak.com/en/news/three-killed-in-uae-drone-attacks-in-libya-3507954

Turkey not to allow violations in East Med: Official
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-21
Foreign remarks on Turkey's recent maritime deal with the UN-recognized government of Libya will not prevent Turkish government from pursuing its own agenda in the Eastern Mediterranean, country's communications director said on Saturday.Fahrettin Altun issued an article on micro blogging platform Medium where he discussed Turkey-Libya maritime jurisdiction pact and how it confirms the sovereignty of Turkey in the region.Altun said the maritime pact demonstrated that Ankara administration would never turn a blind eye to any fait-accompli in the Eastern Mediterranean, and it ensured that Turkey was an actor that…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-not-to-allow-violations-in-east-med-official-3507952

Bolivia's Plurinational Healthcare Revolution Will Not Be Defeated
Chris Hartmann | zcomm.org | 2019-12-21
Under the Morales administration, Indigenous healthcare beliefs and practices stepped out from long shadows cast by colonialism and racism. Those achievements are now under threat…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/bolivias-plurinational-healthcare-revolution-will-not-be-defeated/

Bike Ad More Newsworthy Than Pentagon Budget
Matthew Kimball | zcomm.org | 2019-12-21
What is more newsworthy–a decision to give the Pentagon three-quarters of a trillion dollars, or an ad for an exercise bike? If you picked the Pentagon spending, you may not have a future in corporate media…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/bike-ad-more-newsworthy-than-pentagon-budget/