(2021-12-29). Arundhati Roy on the Media, Vaccine Inequity, Authoritarianism in India & Challenging U.S. Wars. democracynow.org 
We go to New Delhi, India, to speak with acclaimed Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy about the pandemic, U.S. militarism and the state of journalism. Roy first appeared on Democracy Now! after receiving widespread backlash for speaking out against the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. At the time, her emphatic antiwar stance clashed with the rising tides of patriotism and calls for war after 9/11. "Now the same media is saying what we were saying 20 years ago," says Roy. "But the trouble is, it's too late."
(2021-12-29). Chaos, poverty and hunger — The U.S. legacy in Afghanistan. mronline.org The U.S.-led mission fled the Afghanistan front of their so-called "war on terror," leaving nothing but trash, extreme poverty and universal unemployment.
(2021-12-29). Headlines for December 29, 2021. democracynow.org U.S. Coronavirus Infections Hit All-Time High, Omicron Drives Record Rates of Infection in Several European Countries, Taliban Fire Warning Shots at Dozens of Women Protesters in Kabul, U.N. Envoy Warns of Civilian Toll as Saudi-Led War on Yemen Escalates, Mahmoud Abbas Meets Israeli Defense Minister, Death Toll from Brazil Flooding Rises to 20, Kodiak, Alaska, Hits 67 ∞F as Climate Emergency Fuels Extreme December Weather, Climate Emergency Cost Global Economy Nearly $200 Billion in 2021, South African Court Halts Shell Oil's Offshore Oil Exploration Plans, Russia Shutters International Memorial, Which Chr…
(2021-12-29). Migrant workers face discriminatory policies in New Zealand. wsws.org The Labour Party-led government has deported more than 850 people over the last two years, including to countries like India where the COVID-19 pandemic has killed millions.
(2021-12-29). Vaccine Passports Were Planned Even Before the Pandemic Began. 20 Months Before the Covid Outbreak. globalresearch.ca
(2021-12-29). If Modi Was the Star of Biden's Democracy Summit, Why Are His Followers Wrecking His Image? zcomm.org Narendra Modi has allocated to himself the world-historical burden of exporting India's great democratic civilisational values to the floundering globe at large. But rogue functionaries of high status seem hell bent on getting in the way…
(2021-12-29). Jeremy Corbyn and the North Shropshire Conservative Defeat. orinocotribune.com By Fra Hughes — Dec 24, 2021 | In undermining Corbyn in a Machiavellian-type coup, the new Labour leader Keir Starmer was supported by the establishment, supported by the mainstream media, supported by Tony Blair, and supported by Zionist "Israel". |
(2021-12-29). Sri Lankan health workers endorse the Global Workers Inquest into the COVID-19 pandemic. wsws.org "As frontline health workers we have been battling the pandemic in hospitals and experiencing how the government has been handling the pandemic in a criminal manner."
(2021-12-28). Headlines for December 28, 2021. democracynow.org World Coronavirus Cases Hit Record High as Omicron Surges, Israel Tests Fourth Vaccine Doses as COVID Surges in Largely Unvaccinated African Nations, Biden Warns Governors of Looming Shortages of Hospital Beds as COVID-19 Cases Near Pandemic Highs, CDC Recommends Shorter Isolation for People with Asymptomatic Coronavirus Infections, Afghan Taliban Bans Women from Road Trips Without Male Escort, Talks on Reviving Iran Nuclear Deal Resume in Vienna, Iraq's Top Court Ratifies Results of October's Contested Election, Russia to Hold Talks with U.S. and NATO Allies over Ukraine Border Tensions, New German Government Mo…
(2021-12-28). Dozens of Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen halt crucial aid supplies. peoplesdispatch.org Over the past week, the Saudi Arabia-led military coalition bombed different locations in Yemen killing at least three people including a child and a woman in Ajama near the capital Sana'a.
(2021-12-28). UN Envoy Warns 'Threat to Civilian Lives Is Increasing' in Yemen. scheerpost.com 
By Jessica Corbett / Common Dreams A United Nations special envoy on Tuesday raised alarm about the safety of civilians in war-torn Yemen given escalating violence, including airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition. "The escalation in recent weeks is among the worst we have seen in Yemen for years and the threat to civilian lives is increasing," said Hans …
(2021-12-28). The Collapse of Afghanistan's Economy. zcomm.org More Afghan people may die from sanctions than from 20 years of war…
(2021-12-28). 2021 Year in Review: Afghanistan. america.cgtn.com 
Four and a half months after the Taliban take-over in Afghanistan, the government is working to improve the country's dire economic situation with little international assistance. With many challenges on the ground, millions of Afghans are still struggling to make a living. Earlier this month, …
(2021-12-28). US Sends Potentially Deadly Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan. journal-neo.org 
Although the official death toll from COVID-19 currently exceeds 5.4 million, it is estimated by individual experts that the actual fatality statistics could be as high as 15.2 million. Unfortunately, many countries of the world have found themselves particularly vulnerable to the negative consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, especially the poorest countries and states affected …
(2021-12-28). Checkmate: Iran is Spearheading a Geopolitical Sea Change in West Asia. orinocotribune.com 
By Matthew Ehret — Dec 24, 2021 | While the west bangs on about Vienna talks, sanctions and military options, Iran has been quietly building a vast network of alternative solutions to cement its Asian ascent. | Benjamin Franklin once famously wrote to his fellow colonials: "Either we hang together or we hang separately." | Those words are just as true today as they were 270 years ago, for empires have always controlled by dividing their victims into regional tribal interests in order to be better conquered. | While techniques have adapted to modern times, the essential ingredients for the science of discord…
(2021-12-28). Government Action, Not Consumer Action, Will Stop Climate Change. popularresistance.org Pointing the finger at individual consumers has been the default strategy of powerful corporations since the 1950s. Deflect blame for smog or litter or polluted waterways or carcinogens or gun violence away from manufacturers and onto John Q. Public. Make the issue about personal responsibility. "People start pollution, people can stop it," said the famous crying Indian ad from the early 1970s, the brainchild of a can and bottle manufacturers trade group. | The strategy has worked like a dream because Americans prize personal responsibility. Ronald Reagan was speaking for many of us when he said: "It is time to r…
(2021-12-28). Ferry fire in Bangladesh claims 41 lives. wsws.org Last Friday's disaster is the product of decades of government indifference to the profit-driven and unsafe ferry transport system operating in Bangladesh.
(2021-12-28). Maduro to Al Mayadeen: We Will Not Abandon Palestine. orinocotribune.com Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro says, in an interview for Al Mayadeen, that the Venezuelan people resisted fierce attacks launched by US imperialism and its allies, and discusses relations with some countries, including Iran and Syria. | In an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro noted that 2021 was the first year in which Venezuela registered economic growth since "the beginning of the criminal imperialist US sanctions," adding that this growth was the result of Venezuela's economy which produces food, goods, products, and services. The country has witnessed growth in i…
(2021-12-28). If You Haven't Researched Arguments Disputing a Western Narrative, You Don't Understand the Issue. strategic-culture.org By Caitlin JOHNSTONE | It's a question that can be applied to any disputed western narrative about any government the US-centralized empire doesn't like. Russia is engaging in aggressive provocations. Assad is using chemical weapons. There's a genocide in Xinjiang. Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Maduro is deliberately starving his people. Whatever's the Official Imperial Line of the Day about the Official Bad Guy of the Day. | What I've found interesting about this exercise is that while I would've correctly predicted that those questioned had done zero research into the opposing viewpoints of the issue they…
(2021-12-28). The World is Turning to Nuclear Power amid the Raging Energy Crisis. journal-neo.org 
The energy crisis is perhaps the worst since 1973, when the Arab countries imposed an oil embargo, protesting against Western support for Israel in the Yom Kippur War. Combined with a pandemic, new strains, and a lockdown relapse threat, it is a deadly blow to economies and industries worldwide. Bloomberg sounds the alarm: problems with …
(2021-12-28). COVID-19 danger persists in Japan as Omicron variant takes hold. wsws.org The government's response to the latest COVID-19 dangers in contrast to public sentiment demonstrates the need for an international strategy to end the pandemic.
(2021-12-28). 'Drive My Car': It's the journey. peoplesworld.org 
In his new film Drive My Car, writer-director Ryusuke Hamaguchi has fashioned a brilliant study of relationships and love, need and understanding. He rests his moral tale on two devices: a play within a play and the movement of a car carrying its owner and driver. Prominent Japanese actor Y≈´suke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima) has agreed …
(2021-12-28). Pakistan — A Wonderful Destination For Adventurous Sports. moderndiplomacy.eu Pakistan is famous for its exciting cities, historical sites, hospitality, great cuisines across the world. However, most of the international states are not aware of the fact that it is an excellent destination to enjoy adventurous sports as well as cultural festivities. The variety of adventure sports in Pakistan is enormous. There are a number …
(2021-12-28). 2021 Samidoun Year in Review: Help us organize a new year of Palestinian liberation struggle! samidoun.net 
2021 has been a year of struggle for Palestine — towards return and liberation. This year, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network has taken to the streets, organized new chapters, marched for justice, and fought to free Palestinian prisoners. We're now preparing for 2022. From New York to Vancouver, from Germany to occupied Palestine, from Toulouse […] | The article
(2021-12-28). Scholar Angela Davis on Prison Abolition, Justice for Palestine, Critical Race Theory & More. democracynow.org 
World-renowned author, activist and professor Angela Davis talks about the prison abolition movement from her time as a Black Panther leader to today. In her tireless efforts as an abolitionist and a teacher, Davis continues to be a fierce advocate of education and the interconnected struggles of oppressed peoples. Davis talks about Indigenous genocide, Palestine, critical race theory and the role of independent media. "Democracy Now! helps us to place our own domestic issues and struggles within the context of global battles against fascism," says Davis.
(2021-12-28). #Africa4Palestine mourns the loss of Archbishop Tutu. mronline.org PRESS STATEMENT: Africa4Palestine mourns the loss of Archbishop Desmond Tutu…
(2021-12-28). Angela Davis Speaks on Abolition, Justice for Palestine and Critical Race Theory. truthout.org 
World-renowned author, activist and professor Angela Davis talks about the prison abolition movement from her time as a Black Panther leader to today. In her tireless efforts as an abolitionist and a teacher, Davis continues to be a fierce advocate of education and the interconnected struggles of oppressed peoples. Davis talks about Indigenous genocide, Palestine, critical race theory and the role of independent media. "Democracy Now! helps us to place our own domestic issues and struggles wi…
(2021-12-28). UAE's reasons for cancelling the agreement for purchase of F35. moderndiplomacy.eu Days after the UAE's decision to cancel the agreement regarding purchase of F35 jets from the US, a CNN report (December 23, 2021) stated that assessments of senior US officials suggested that transfers of sensitive ballistic missiles had taken place between China and Saudi Arabia. One of the reasons for UAE to cancel the deal …
(2021-12-28). A Referendum that was Held in Taiwan. journal-neo.org 
On December 18, a referendum was held in Taiwan, to which four questions were submitted. Since both leading parties of the country, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the Chinese National Party (Kuomintang), in increasingly tough opposition to each other in almost all aspects of domestic and foreign policy, called for directly opposite answers to …
(2021-12-28). World Bank Loan Will Support Vietnam's Economic Recovery. moderndiplomacy.eu The Government of Vietnam and the World Bank has signed an agreement for financing of US$221.5 million to support Vietnam's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through policy reforms aimed at improving financial inclusion and spurring greater environmental resilience. "In the spirit of our long-term, trusted and productive partnership, we are proud to support Vietnam at …