(2019-12-27). 'Climate tariffs' on fracked 'molecules of freedom': German think tank wants to punish US for sanctions against Nord Stream 2. rt.com 
US sanctions against the 'Russian' Nord Stream 2 pipeline have caused widespread anger in Germany, with even critics of the project now ironically seeking to slap the American 'molecules of freedom' with an eco-tax in reprisal. | The prospect of "crushing sanctions" included in the funding the US military, signed by President Donald Trump last week, has already compelled the Swiss-Dutch company Allseas to halt construction on the last remaining portion of the pipeline, which runs under the Baltic Sea, from Russia to Germany.
(2019-12-27). 'Bombshell' Glosses Over the Horrors of Fox News. truthdig.com "You will be muzzled," the lawyer for Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) warns her at the end of "Bombshell," as the former Fox News anchor signs a $20 million settlement of a sexual harassment suit against her former boss, ex-Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes. The lawyer could have been speaking about the movie. | Carlson sued Ailes in 2015, which led other women, including fellow anchor Megyn Kelly, to reveal that he assaulted them too. "Bombshell" unfolds over late 2015, in the…
(2019-12-26). The Yiddish Art of Suicide. counterpunch.org 
If today's Incels had a sense of humor and a real flair for decadence like Zalman Schneour, they might be able to tell us something about how paranoia can dance. But contemporary Underground Man rarely goes out; content in his chat rooms, squinty-eyed, immobile and listless. The solitary's terror now consists of a mania for More
(2019-12-26). Year in Climate Crisis: Fossil Fuels Expansion, Scary Science and Global Activism. therealnews.com 
The Real News Network's Steve Horn and Dimitri Lascaris talk about the 2019's biggest climate stories.
(2019-12-26). Burning States, Secret Travels and Scott Morrison. counterpunch.org 
The bush fire situation in Australia is now deemed catastrophic. And it started early, with a relentless ferocity that has seen thousands of volunteers stretched across the states and a slow but assured rise in the number of deaths. Currently, there are fires raging at emergency level across New South Wales, and major incendiary activity More
(2019-12-26). A Feminist Alternative to Trump's Chest-Pounding on Iran. counterpunch.org 
President Trump's foreign policy has led the U.S. on a perilous course with Iran, resulting in a dangerous moment for U.S.-Iran relations. Yet rather than threatening obliteration — or sympathizing with Iranian protesters only when it is politically expedient — the U.S. should pursue a civilian focused, diplomatic strategy informed by feminist foreign policy principles More
(2019-12-26). After Democrats Push Bill to Send Fracked Gas to EU, Trump Includes in Budget. therealnews.com 
The European Energy Security and Diversification Act, legislation offering $1B to promote sending U.S. fracked gas to EU countries, was inserted into the federal budget bill signed into law by President Donald Trump. Democrats invoked "Russiagate" in their PR push for the bill.
(2019-12-26). Michael Moore: Republicans Who Oppose Impeachment Are "Dying Dinosaurs," But Trump Could Win in 2020. democracynow.org 
As the Senate attempts to set rules for President Trump's impeachment trial, at least one Republican is expressing concern about the proceedings. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said in an interview Tuesday that she was disturbed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's promise of "total coordination" with the White House. Murkowski's comments mark a rare instance of dissent for the Republican Party, which has been unified behind President Trump until now. McConnell needs 51 votes to set the rules for the hearing. Republicans have a thin majority of 53 seats in the Senate. Last week, Oscar-winning…
(2019-12-26). The Left Case for Fertility Awareness. thenation.com 
No pill, intrauterine device, or ultra-ribbed piece of rubber could provide the sexual liberation I experience practicing a method associated with anti-choice religious zealots: the fertility awareness method of birth control.
(2019-12-26). Michael Moore: Americans Pay More for Healthcare Than Others, But "We Don't Call It a Tax" democracynow.org 
We continue our interview with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore about election 2020 and some of the major issues for voters. Long before Medicare for All became a rallying cry in the Democratic Party, Moore's 2007 film "Sicko" diagnosed the shortcomings of the for-profit American healthcare system and called for a system of universal healthcare. "The real question never gets asked. They always want to pin them on how much is it going to cost in taxes," Moore says of debate moderators who ask whether Democratic presidential candidates will raise taxes to pay for Medicare for All.
(2019-12-26). We Can't Obtain Immigration Justice in a World of Borders and Nations. truthout.org We can't reckon with the extreme inequalities and inherent injustices of immigration policy without an analysis of how borders, the state and capitalism function to create them. | Current liberal immigration news is often centered on reducing current harm — resisting Trump's "border wall" and expansion of concentration camps, advocating for immigration reform and countering attacks on the asylum process. All of these efforts are critical to preventing more unnecessary death and suffering and sh…
(2019-12-26). Global War on Humanity: America's Unceasing Pursuit of Hegemony. globalresearch.ca Essentially what we're looking at is a broader historical perspective on how the US de facto supported Nazi Germany with a view to destroying the Soviet Union as well as weakening the British Empire and competing empires including of course France, Belgium, Holland, etc. And those countries today are no longer colonial powers.
(2019-12-26). Colombia: Farmer Leader Shot to Death in Front of His Family. telesurenglish.net The National Association of Farmer Users (ANUC) activist Reinaldo Carrillo was killed at dawn on Wednesday by hitmen who entered his house and shot him in front of his family in Pitalito town, Department of Huila, Colombia. | RELATED: | Violence in Colombia Continues As Social Leader Assassinated | "We reject the murder of Reinaldo Carrillo. He was a member of a group of people which expected the government to grant them the ownership title of a vacant land called La Conaca," sai…
(2019-12-26). Trump Warns Syria, Russia, Iran Over Idlib Campaign. telesurenglish.net U.S. President Donald Trump took a shot at the governments of Syria, Iran, and Russia on Thursday, warning them against renewing their assault on the Idlib province. | RELATED: | Syria: Trump Administration Builds Military Base in Oil Field | Trump, who praised Turkey in the tweet, was relatively silent during Ankara's "Operation Peace Spring" in northeastern Syria, despite the fact it displaced thousands and killed and wounded many civilians. | "Russia, Syria, and Iran are kill…
(2019-12-26). A Brief Introduction to Tibet. globalresearch.ca Westerners appear to have a willful blindness about Tibet, with strong opinions often held by those who haven't been there. The Western media have imposed on our imaginations an image of a fabled theocracy where a reincarnated god rules over a peaceful people spinning prayer wheels in a pastoral idyll.
(2019-12-26). Iraq President Offers to Quit After Rejecting PM Nominee. truthdig.com BAGHDAD — Iraq's president refused on Thursday to designate a prime minister candidate nominated by the Iran-backed parliamentary bloc and offered to resign, plunging the country into further political uncertainty amid nearly three months of unprecedented mass protests. | President Barham Salih said in a statement issued by his office that he would not name the governor of the southern Basra province, Asaad al-Eidani, as the country's next prime minister "to avoid more bloodshed and in order to safeguard civil peace." | Al-Eidani's name was proposed on Wednesday by the Fatah bloc, which includes leaders ass…
(2019-12-26). All the Political Revolts America Ignored in 2019. truthdig.com ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In 2019, the Middle East was shaken by a new round of street revolts. As the year began, Abdelaziz Bouteflika had announced a fifth run for the presidency of Algeria. Then the peaceful "revolution of Smiles" broke out and by April he had resigned. A small elite has for decades monopolized Algeria's oil resources and has rewarded its supporters while marginalizing everyone else. On December 12, Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected president, amid continued massive demonstrations in major cities and a protester boycott of the election itself. The crowds are clearly unconvinced that switching ou…
(2019-12-26). Americans are Ready for a Different Approach to Nuclear Weapons. counterpunch.org Although today's public protests against nuclear weapons can't compare to the major antinuclear upheavals of past decades, there are clear indications that most Americans reject the Trump administration's nuclear weapons policies. Since entering office in 2017, the Trump administration has withdrawn the United States from the nuclear agreement with Iran, scrapped the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia, and More
(2019-12-26). 'Blinding the Truth': Israeli Snipers Target Gaza Protesters in the Eyes. globalresearch.ca Media coverage and social media posts went wild when Palestinian photojournalist Muath Amarneh was blinded in his left eye after he was hit by a rubber bullet while covering a protest in the West Bank. | However, Amarneh was far from …
(2019-12-26). A Feminist Alternative to Trump's Chest-Pounding on Iran. counterpunch.org President Trump's foreign policy has led the U.S. on a perilous course with Iran, resulting in a dangerous moment for U.S.-Iran relations. Yet rather than threatening obliteration — or sympathizing with Iranian protesters only when it is politically expedient — the U.S. should pursue a civilian focused, diplomatic strategy informed by feminist foreign policy principles More
(2019-12-26). Housing Justice Village Arrestees Respond to Jailing by City of Oakland. indybay.org In a political show of force, the city of Oakland directed a small army of police to mass arrest and jail 22 housing rights demonstrators on November 24, for nothing more than setting up tents in front of city hall to protest the city's never ending war against the homeless. Most arrestees spent at least 24 hours in Santa Rita, and some remained jailed for over two days, on what would otherwise be a citable infraction. On December 2, arrestees held a press conference to address the city's attack and why they protested in the first place.
(2019-12-26). Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf Orders Mass Arrest of Housing Justice Village 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.
(2019-12-26). Israel Preparing for War on Iran? globalresearch.ca Israel's longtime goal is unchallenged Middle East dominance partnered with Washington. | Achieving it depends on transforming independent regional nations into US/Israeli vassal states by war or other hostile means, Iran most of all. | Along with Turkey, it's the only regional …
(2019-12-26). Who Is Winning the Arms Race? Russia's "Super-Weapons" globalresearch.ca Russia's defense budget is a small fraction of what the US spends for militarism and warmaking. Yet Russia's super-weapons exceed the best in the West because of efficient and effective use of its resources. | Meeting with Russia's Defense Ministry Board …
(2019-12-26). Video: Turkish-based 'Syrian Government' Threatens Damascus with Military Action. globalresearch.ca Late on December 23, the Turkish-based "Syrian Interim Government" (an entity funded by Turkey in an attempt to legalize its actions in Syria) threatened the real Syrian government with a military action. | In a released statement, it claimed that forces …
(2019-12-26). Impeachment Is a Distraction: Heavily Scripted Vote Demonstrates that Democracy Really Is Dead. globalresearch.ca Watching the impeachment "vote" was hard work. With only a few exceptions, each Congressman rose for roughly 90 seconds and provided a prearranged, almost completely scripted-along-party-lines explanation of how he or she was casting one's ballot. After four grueling hours …
(2019-12-26). Erdogan's Adventurism in Syria and Libya Has Left Turkey Weaker and Isolated. globalresearch.ca Still featured on the Turkish Ministry of Affairs website is the "Zero Problems With Our Neighbors" policy that was launched in 2010 with the aim of diffusing Turkey's many issues with all of its neighbors. However, less than a year …
(2019-12-26). The Yiddish Art of Suicide. counterpunch.org If today's Incels had a sense of humor and a real flair for decadence like Zalman Schneour, they might be able to tell us something about how paranoia can dance. But contemporary Underground Man rarely goes out; content in his chat rooms, squinty-eyed, immobile and listless. The solitary's terror now consists of a mania for More
(2019-12-26). Daily Life in Syria. The Eyes of the Syrian People. globalresearch.ca Life in Aleppo is quite far from calling it "safe". Concerning the western part of Aleppo, everyday we get missiles originally from Aleppo countryside which is under the terrorists control. | It is not easy to live under their mercy! Personally …
(2019-12-26). Turkey Will Send Troops to Libya If Requested: Erdogan. telesurenglish.net Turkey will send troops to Libya at the request of Tripoli as soon as next month, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, putting the North African country's conflict at the center of wider regional frictions. | RELATED: | Turkish Congress Readying Bill To Allow Sending Troops to Libya | Libya's internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) has been struggling to fend off General Khalifa Haftar's forces from eastern Libya, which have been supported by Russi…
(2019-12-26). Syria: Trump Administration Builds Military Base in Oil Field. globalresearch.ca The United States is building a large military base within the al-Omar oil field, in the province of Deir Ezzor, in Syria, local media reported. | "The U.S. is equipping the base to serve as the command headquarters for the international …
(2019-12-26). Fireworks Instead of Mortar Shells: Syrian Christians Flood the Streets in Spiritual Unity of Christmas Celebrations. globalresearch.ca Mainstream media perpetrates huge deceptions and promulgates criminal war propaganda as policy. Often the omission is worse than the direct lie. Regularly, mainstream messaging omits context and ROOT CAUSES of events that it claims to be describing. The root cause …
(2019-12-26). Mexico Reiterates Demand that Bolivia End Siege on Embassy. telesurenglish.net The Mexican government, under the leadership of Andrés López Obrador (AMLO), reiterated its complaint about the " harassment " and "intimidation" of its embassy staf at the official mission's residence in La Paz, Bolivia. Since the coup d'etat in Bolivia, at least nine people have taken refuge at the embassy in La, Paz. | RELATED: | Mexico Under Alert for Popocatépetl Volcano Eruption | In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the "intimidation" by Bolivian…
(2019-12-26). McDonald's Franchise Violated Safety Laws: Peruvian Watchdog. telesurenglish.net Peru ¥s labor watchdog has found McDonald's Corp ¥s Latin America franchisee Arcos Dorados guilty of six "very serious" violations of local safety and health laws following the deaths of two employees in a restaurant kitchen. | RELATED: | Peru: McDonald's Shuts for Inspection After Employee Deaths | The Labor Ministry's regulating body (Sunafil) prop…
(2019-12-26). German Politician: "Ami Go Home!"… The US is waging bloody economic wars against the entire world. globalresearch.ca Oskar Lafontaine is a German politician, candidate for Chancellor in the German federal election of 1990, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party from 1995 to 1999, Minister of Finance from 1998 to 1999, leader of The Left in Saarland since …
(2019-12-26). The Case for Free Public Transit in Toronto. globalresearch.ca Free public transit is a growing movement around the world. | According to the book Free Public Transit: And Why We Don't Pay To Ride Elevators, there are 200 cities around the world with some form of fare-free transit, and 97 …
(2019-12-26). Nord Stream 2, US Sanctions and Trump's "Economic Suicide"? globalresearch.ca Does Mr. Trump really not grasp that his sanctions left and right — and now on the Russian-German gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 — is committing economic suicide, not for himself, of course, but for the United States? He attempts …
(2019-12-26). Fast Food Nations and Global Nutrition. globalresearch.ca Daniel Maingi works with small farmers in Kenya and belongs to the organisation Growth Partners for Africa. He remembers a time when his family would grow and eat a diversity of crops, such as mung beans, green grams, pigeon peas …
(2019-12-26). Nancy Pelosi's Scripted Impeachment Failure. Or, …Leading the Dems from Blue… to Yellow! globalresearch.ca For the voter, the Democratic Party no longer has any interest in performing its function as an opposition party. The charade of purported constitutional jurisprudence seen in the US House impeachment hearings should forever confirm this. This degradation of political …
(2019-12-26). Chemical Weapons Watchdog Is Just an American Lap Dog. globalresearch.ca A spate of leaks from within the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW), the international inspectorate created for the purpose of implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention, has raised serious questions about the institution's integrity, objectivity and …
(2019-12-26). Remembering The Invasion Of Panama. globalresearch.ca Panama marked the 30th anniversary of the U.S. invasion with an official day of mourning for the first time this year: | Panama declared a day of national mourning for Friday, the 30th anniversary of the U.S. invasion that ousted dictator …
(2019-12-26). China vs the West: The Geopolitical Game that Played Out in Namibia to Influence Elections. globalresearch.ca Leading up to the 2019 general elections, the ordinary Namibian citizen did not, and even some of those with some level of sophistication did not seem to fully grasp and understand what was happening in the country and why it …
(2019-12-26). China's Huawei Continues to Move Around US Sanctions. globalresearch.ca By establishing facilities in Europe to produce components, Chinese telecom giant Huawei is continuing the process of circumventing US sanctions amid a wider US-led trade war aimed at artificially quelling the growing trend of foreign companies outcompeting long-entrenched US monopolies….
(2019-12-26). Boris Johnson Has Changed His Mind on 'Reset' with Russia. globalresearch.ca Recently Boris Johnson was quoted as saying he had 'changed his mind' on whether there could be a 'reset' in relations between Britain and Russia. Interviewed when on a visit to Estonia, he said that despite remaining an optimist and …
(2019-12-26). The Crimean Rail Bridge Will Contribute to the Peninsula's Economic Rejuvenation. globalresearch.ca The opening of the Crimean rail bridge completes Russia's physical connectivity initiative with the peninsula and will greatly contribute to rejuvenating its economy after the region languished in neglect for nearly two and a half decades under Ukrainian rule. | President …
(2019-12-26). A Star Is Always Born. globalresearch.ca It is no different now. | The yearning still gnaws. | The night dark, utterly silent, | Sky stretched endlessly back | Into an infinity beyond reach. | And the fears, the tears | Are they any different? | It is no different now. | Joy sometimes, hope …
(2019-12-26). The Trump-Biden and the Russia-Ukraine Saga: The Game is About Eurasia. globalresearch.ca On December 23rd, the Washington Post ran a piece exploring the possible motivations behind US president Donald Trump's decision to pause US military aid to Ukraine on July 12th last year. On September 28th 2018 and February 16th respectively, …
(2019-12-26). You Say You Want a (Russian) Revolution? globalresearch.ca Once in a blue moon an indispensable book comes out making a clear case for sanity in what is now a post-MAD world. That's the responsibility carried by " The (Real) Revolution in Military Affairs," by Andrei Martyanov (Clarity …
(2019-12-26). The Russia-Ukraine Gas Deal Took the World by Surprise. New Detente? globalresearch.ca Few could have predicted several years ago that Russia and Ukraine would reconcile with one another to the point of agreeing to ensure the reliable delivery of gas to the EU for the next 5-15 years, but that's exactly what …
(2019-12-26). China vs the West: Relations with Africa. The Geopolitical Game that Played Out in Namibia to Influence Elections. globalresearch.ca Leading up to the 2019 general elections, the ordinary Namibian citizen did not, and even some of those with some level of sophistication did not seem to fully grasp and understand what was happening in the country and why it …