(2021-12-13). Guernica, Lidice, My Lai … and Now Talon Anvil. libya360.wordpress.com Patrick Martin US MQ-9 Reaper Drone (Image credit: U.S. Air Force/Paul Ridgeway public domain) On Sunday, the New York Times published a detailed report chronicling the systematic, years-long mass murder of civilians by the United States in Iraq and Syria, carried out by a death squad called Talon Anvil. The unit directed air strikes and…
(2021-12-13). Eight Palestinian students from Al-Najah University seized by Israeli occupation forces. samidoun.net 
On Thursday, 9 December, Israeli occupation forces seized eight Palestinian students at An-Najah National University after raiding their homes in pre-dawn invasions. Following the arrests, occupation forces then sent threatening text messages to fellow students at the university, warning them that they too would be arrested if they participated in the activities of the Islamic […] | The article
(2021-12-13). Headlines for December 13, 2021. democracynow.org Biden Declares Major Federal Disaster in KY; 100+ Feared Dead After Tornadoes Rip Through 8 States, U.S. Health Officials Say Boosters Could Curb Winter COVID Surge as NY Tightens Mask Rules, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Tests Positive for COVID-19, Over Half a Billion People Faced Extreme Poverty Due to Healthcare Costs During Pandemic, SCOTUS Says Providers Can Sue over Texas Abortion Law But Limits Scope and Keeps Ban in Place, Gov. Gavin Newsom Says He Will Use Texas Abortion Ban as Model for CA Gun Control Laws, NYT: Secret Unit Launched 10,000s of Strikes Against ISIS, Killing Syrian Civilians in…
(2021-12-13). Mutual aid and solidarity in Nigeria's #EndSARS protests. roarmag.org Young people joining the #EndSARS protesters in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. October 20, 2020. Photo: Emmage / Shutterstock.com | On October 18, 2020, during the #EndSARS protests against police violence and state corruption in Nigeria's capital Abuja, a photo was shared on social media that quickly drew nationwide attention. The image showed passionate protesters with their fists pumped in the air, mouths wide open singing songs and chanting slogans. Some were holding placards that read "Our Lives Matter." | What drew the attention of the public, however, was the woman right at the center of the image. With a small N…
(2021-12-13). Moscow's Caucasian Conundrum: Turkish-Russian Relations and the Limits of "Strategic Competition" moderndiplomacy.eu Authors: Pietro Shakarian and Benyamin Poghosyan* Russo—Turkish relations have been at the forefront of recent media discussions. Cooperative competition, "frenemies," managed rivalry, "co-opetition," and other catchy terms are used to describe bilateral relations between Moscow and Ankara. However, the reality is that the two countries have both overlapping, and yet contradictory, interests in many parts …
(2021-12-13). India And Pakistan: Leaders Then And Now. moderndiplomacy.eu In 1947, after decades of struggle, India became independent with Jawaharlal Nehru as its first prime minister. Educated at Harrow, an elite English school (Winston Churchill went there for example), he went on to Trinity College, Cambridge, and finally Inner Temple to become a barrister. During the struggle for independence, Nehru led the Indian National …
(2021-12-13). Indian Farmers Celebrate Victory March as Their Historic Struggle Ends. libya360.wordpress.com Peoples Dispatch On December 11, tens of thousands of farmers in India participated in a final 'Victory March' from the borders of national capital Delhi where they had been camping in protest for over a year After a year and 15 days, the historic farmers' struggle at the borders of the Indian capital New Delhi…
(2021-12-13). Indian farmers celebrate victory march back home as their historic struggle ends after a year. peoplesdispatch.org On December 11, tens of thousands of farmers in India participated in a final 'Victory March' from the borders of national capital Delhi where they had been camping in protest for over a year…
(2021-12-13). Indonesian government scraps planned COVID-19 restrictions despite risk of Omicron spread. wsws.org As the government pursues its strategy of "living with the virus," officials are falsely claiming that the inadequate mitigation measures are sufficient to deal with a potential Omicron outbreak.
(2021-12-13). Vienna Talks and the Future of the Middle East. journal-neo.org 
The negotiations now opening in Vienna under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran on the one hand and, on the other, a number of countries including the E3 (France, Great Britain, and Germany), Russia, China, and the US, are not generally thought likely to make any major positive change to the stability …
(2021-12-13). Israel is Hell-Bent on Sabotaging U.S. Nuclear Negotiations With Iran. scheerpost.com 
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Joint Commission negotiations in Vienna, Austria. (Askin Kiyagan / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) | By Ariel Gold & Medea Benjamin / After a 5-month hiatus, indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran resumed last week in Vienna in an attempt to revise the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA). The outlook isn't good. | Less than a week into negotiations, Britain, France, and Germany…
(2021-12-13). The construction of Israel's Gaza concentration camp is complete. mronline.org 
Israel announced the completion of an underground wall and maritime barrier surrounding the besieged Gaza Strip. Not a single mainstream media outlet used the term "concentration camp" to report on it but they should have.
(2021-12-13). South Korea Declares Multilateral Agreement To End Korean War. popularresistance.org In a major development in the Korean peace process, South Korea, North Korea, China and the United States have agreed to declare an end to the Korean War. The announcement was made by South Korean president Moon Jae-in on Monday, December 13, who said the four parties to the Korean War agreed "in-principle" to formally declare its end, 71 years after it broke out in 1950.
(2021-12-13). "A Bigger Picture": Ugandan Activist Vanessa Nakate on Bringing New Voices to the Climate Fight. democracynow.org 
We go to Kampala, Uganda, to speak to climate activist Vanessa Nakate on the occasion of her first book being published, "A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis." In an extended interview, she describes the challenges of being a young Ugandan woman from a continent that contributes less than 4% of the world's carbon emissions yet suffers the worst consequences of the climate crisis and is often ignored by the Global North. "There won't be climate justice if specific groups of people are being left behind," says Nakate, founder of the Africa-based Rise Up Movement. "We are fa…
(2021-12-13). There Will Never Be Climate Justice If African Activists Keep Being Ignored. truthout.org 
We go to Kampala, Uganda, to speak to climate activist Vanessa Nakate on the occasion of her first book being published, A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis. In an extended interview, she describes the challenges of being a young Ugandan woman from a continent that contributes less than 4% of the world's carbon emissions yet suffers the worst consequences of the climate crisis and is often ignored by the Global North. "There won't be climate justice if sp…
(2021-12-13). China And Nicaragua To Collab On New Multipolar World. popularresistance.org China and Nicaragua have resumed diplomatic relations in what Nicaragua's Presidential Advisor Laureano Ortega Murillo called "a historic date." The Government of the Republic of Nicaragua announced it had broken diplomatic relations with Taiwan, ceasing to have any contact or official relationship, in a statement by Foreign Minister Denis Moncada before Nicaraguan diplomats and press, on Thursday and effective immediately. Kawsachun News attended the meeting virtually.
(2021-12-13). COVID-19 Vaccines Donated by China Arrive in Nicaragua. telesurenglish.net On Sunday, Nicaragua received 200,000 Sinopharm vaccines from a one-million batch of COVID-19 doses donated by China to President Daniel Ortega's administration, which severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan last week. | RELATED: | Health Minister Martha Reyes and the Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Costa Rica were present at the reception ceremony carried out at the Managua International Airport. | "The Nicaraguan people de…
(2021-12-13). Ten contradictions that plague Biden's 'Democracy Summit'. mronline.org 
Biden hopes to secure his place at the head of the "Free World" table by coming out as a champion for human rights and democratic practices worldwide.
(2021-12-13). New page in Turkey-UAE ties: Why now? moderndiplomacy.eu Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed's (MBZ) recent visit to Ankara came after a long period of frozen relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). For years, the two have held different positions on several regional and international developments including the 2013 Egypt events, the Libya crisis and the tensions in the Middle East …
(2021-12-13). Was America's Outspoken Catholic Priest and Best-Selling Author, Thomas Merton, "Eliminated" Because of His Outspoken Opposition to the Vietnam War? covertactionmagazine.com [This article continues CAM's series into suspicious deaths and political assassinations. Today marks the 80th anniversary of Thomas Merton's entry …
(2021-12-12). Arrogant powers delighted by suffering of Iranian people. en.mehrnews.com Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the arrogant powers' joy at the suffering of the Iranian people has been manifested in events such as imposing a "medical embargo on the Iranian nation".
(2021-12-12). The Assange Case Is the U.S. Defending Its Right to Lie. strategic-culture.org By Caitlin JOHNSTONE | * * * | Q: What's the difference between how the US deals with journalists it hates and how Saudi Arabia deals with journalists it hates? | A: Speed. | * * * | The US is
(2021-12-12). Chinese envoy rails against U.S. for 'weaponizing' democracy. ecns.cn Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Friday lambasted the United States for initiating a so-called "Summit for Democracy" that creates division across the globe.
(2021-12-12). U.S. moves to support anti-China, destabilizing forces in Hong Kong doomed to fail: commissioner's office of Chinese foreign ministry. ecns.cn The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Friday condemned and firmly rejected the so-called "Summit for Democracy" held by the United States and its invitation of Nathan Law Kwun-chung, which set a stage for him to peddle fallacies against China and Hong Kong.
(2021-12-12). The perils of the digital age: How Facebook failed to protect Persecuted Rohingya Muslims. juancole.com By Elif Selin Calik | — ( Middle East Monitor ) — Rohingya refugees and victims are suing Facebook for $150 billion. They allege that Facebook played a key role in the brutal crackdown against Muslims in Myanmar by promoting anti-Rohingya posts. This online hate turned into real-world violence, according to the lawsuit. As stated …
(2021-12-12). Why Poorer Nations Aren't Falling for Green-Washed Imperialism. orinocotribune.com By Prabir Purkayastha — Dec 8, 2021 | Fighting global warming is not just about providing a path to net-zero carbon emissions for all countries. It is also about figuring out how best to meet the energy needs of people across the world while working toward net-zero emissions. If fossil fuels have to be given up, which has now become an urgent need given the current environmental challenges, countries in Africa and a significant part of Asia, including India, need an alternate path for providing electricity to their people. What then is the best alternate course for poorer countries to follow for electricity…
(2021-12-12). 'The Time Machine' in Australia, in the Age of Covid. asiatimes.com 
In the classic H G Wells story The Time Machine, the Eloi are the surface-dwelling descendants of the upper class who are bred and fed on by the subterranean-dwelling Morlock cannibals, descendants of the working class. In the story, the Eloi don't ask any questions and line up voluntarily to be food for the Morlocks …
(2021-12-12). Commissioner's office of Chinese foreign ministry urges U.S., EU politicians to stop interfering in HK's rule of law. ecns.cn The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Friday strongly disapproved of and firmly rejected irresponsible remarks of some U.S. politicians and misguided comments of some European Union (EU) officials on Hong Kong.
(2021-12-12). India's community health workers' struggle for recognition. zcomm.org India's ASHA and anganwadi workers are rallying under the slogan "Community health work is work!" to demand fair pay and treatment for the essential services they provide…
(2021-12-12). How India stifled dissent on the United Nations' "Human Rights Day" moderndiplomacy.eu Each year, on 10th December, the United Nations observes international human rights day. When the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, it was proclaimed as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations". The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out a broad range of fundamental rights …
(2021-12-12). A Plea To Make Widespread Environmental Damage An International Crime. popularresistance.org The campaign to make ecocide an international crime took center stage in the Hague on Tuesday as Bangladesh, Samoa and Vanuatu advocated criminalizing environmental destruction during a virtual forum at the annual meeting of the International Criminal Court's 123 member nations. The forum, attended by more than 1,300 individual participants, represented a collective cry for justice from three of the world's most climate vulnerable countries. It came less than a month after they and other developing nations pressed their claims at the United Nations climate talks in Glasgow for greater resiliency and adaptation fu…
(2021-12-12). American-style democracy not a beacon, says Bangladeshi politician. ecns.cn The American-style democracy can't be considered as a "beacon of democracy" for the world, a Bangladeshi political veteran has recently said.
(2021-12-12). China, Iran jointly issue stamps of bridges to mark golden jubilee of diplomatic ties. ecns.cn China and Iran on Saturday jointly unveiled a set of two commemorative stamps depicting their ancient bridges to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
(2021-12-12). Iraq Announces End Of US Combat Mission. popularresistance.org Iraqi groups expressed dissatisfaction and opposition to the official announcement of the end of the US combat mission in the country on Thursday, December 9, weeks before the deadline of December 31. The groups pointed to the official declaration by the US that no troops will be withdrawn from Iraq immediately but that the remaining troops will shift their mission to assisting and training the Iraqi forces. The groups have reiterated their demand for a complete withdrawal of foreign troops. | Qasim al-Araji, Iraq's national security advisor, tweeted, "today we finished the last round of dialogue with the interna…
(2021-12-12). US logistics convoy targeted in Al Diwaniyah of Iraq. en.mehrnews.com According to Iraqi media, a convoy carrying logistics equipment for the US military was targeted in Al Diwaniyah of Iraq.
(2021-12-12). "We're Not Going to Mass" — How the Nicaraguan People are Punishing Their Coup-Mongering Priests. orinocotribune.com By Becca Mohally Renk — Dec 9, 2021 | "I'm Catholic. I still pray in my house every day. I just don't go to mass anymore." | We're sitting in a swept dirt yard outside of Managua talking with community leaders when the topic veers suddenly to Nicaragua's Catholic priests. | "I didn't hear this from somebody else, I saw it with my own eyes," says Marisol,* a no-nonsense woman in her sixties. The fervor of the words pouring out demonstrates the depth of emotions: her hurt, and her anger. | "I couldn't believe it. But there was my parish priest, standing in the back of a pickup truck with a megaphone, encouragi…
(2021-12-12). "We're Not Going to Mass." — How the Nicaraguan People are Punishing Their Coup-Mongering Priests. orinocotribune.com By Becca Mohally Renk — Dec 9, 2021 | "I'm Catholic. I still pray in my house every day. I just don't go to mass anymore." | We're sitting in a swept dirt yard outside of Managua talking with community leaders when the topic veers suddenly to Nicaragua's Catholic priests. | "I didn't hear this from somebody else, I saw it with my own eyes," says Marisol,* a no-nonsense woman in her sixties. The fervor of the words pouring out demonstrates the depth of emotions: her hurt, and her anger. | "I couldn't believe it. But there was my parish priest, standing in the back of a pickup truck with a megaphone, encouragi…
(2021-12-12). How the fight for abortion rights began. zcomm.org Let's make this current fight for abortion and a woman's right to bodily autonomy be the opening shot in the war to root out every last vestige of capitalism…
(2021-12-12). Kwanzaa: Exploring the Origins of Agriculture as we BuildBackBetter. indybay.org Central to our remembering, reflection and recommitment to our Kwanzaa Holiday Celebration is a renaissance of Black Agriculture in the "Greatest Garden in the World." Womanity is our theme for 2022, assigned by Queen Mother and we begin the journey.
(2021-12-12). City of Santa Rosa hires first lady African American as City Manager. indybay.org History is made after Santa Rosa elects its first Aftican American woman as city Manager.
(2021-12-12). Palestine Records 64.7% Turnout in Local Elections' First Round. telesurenglish.net Palestine's Central Election Committee reported a 64.7 percent turnout in the first phase of municipal elections held Saturday in the West Bank. | RELATED: | Independent candidate lists won more than 70 percent of council seats while over 29 percent of the remaining council seats went to tradition…
(2021-12-12). Saudi Arabia Arms Sale Is One of Biden's Many Militaristic Actions in First Year. truthout.org 
Given the brutish approach of his predecessor, many expected President Joe Biden to shift away from the worst practices in U.S. foreign policy and at the border in the previous four years. Indeed, in the first weeks of his presidency, the Biden administration signaled changes. In Secretary of State Antony Blinken's first press briefing, the State Department announced that it was reviewing weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — which have led the catastroph…
(2021-12-12). We've Still Got the Numbers. dissidentvoice.org 
In the Vietnam War protest song "Five to One," Jim Morrison of The Doors sings: The old get old/And the young get stronger May take a week/And it may take longer They got the guns/But we got the numbers Gonna win, yeah/We're takin' over In my youth, I took solace in the whole "we got …