(2022-12-23). Hong Kong to launch online platform of talents service. ecns.cn The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government will launch an online platform of talents service on Dec. 28 to facilitate entry application as the financial hub steps up efforts to trawl for talents.
(2022-12-23). Taliban defend closing universities to women as backlash grows. tribune.com.pk 
The minister of higher education in Afghanistan's Taliban government has defended his decision to ban women from universities  ; a decree that triggered a global backlash and protests inside the country. | Afghanistan's Taliban-run administration announced earlier this week it had closed universities to women partly due to female students not adhering to its interpretation of the Islamic dress code and interaction between students of different genders. | Female university students were turned away from campuses on Wednesday and the higher education ministry said their access would be suspended "until furthe…
(2022-12-23). Headlines for December 23, 2022. democracynow.org Jan. 6 Committee Releases Report on Capitol Insurrection, Recommends Barring Trump from Office, Senate Approves $1.7 Trillion Omnibus Spending Bill, Polar Vortex Brings Winter Weather Advisories to 200 Million Across U.S., Asylum Seekers Remain Stuck at U.S.-Mexico Border Amid Freezing Temperatures, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey Agrees to Dismantle Illegal Border Wall, Afghan Taliban Assault and Arrest Women Protesting University Ban, Report Finds U.S. Did Not Compensate Foreign Workers Injured or Killed in Afghanistan, Car Bomb Kills Pro-Kremlin Official in Russian-Occupied Ukraine, Putin Calls Russian Invasion of Ukr…
(2022-12-23). The Heat: Climate Change  ; Year in Review. america.cgtn.com 
Devastating floods, record heat, drought and massive wildfires. We look back at the climate crisis in 2022. Climate change, and the crisis faced by countries across the globe, intensified in 2022. From deadly floods in Asia, to raging wildfires in the United States, and drought …
(2022-12-23). Flight from Australia's Qantas makes emergency landing en route from Singapore to London. ecns.cn A flight from Australia's national carrier, Qantas, made an emergency landing in Baku of Azerbaijan, media reported on Friday.
(2022-12-23). Black to Caspian Seas: Azerbaijani, Georgian, Turkish DMs meet, issue communiqué. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Georgian Ministry of DefenseDecember 22, 2022 Minister of Defense of Georgia met with Azerbaijani and Turkish colleagues Minister of Defense of Georgia, Zhuansher Burchuladze, attended the Azerbaijan-Turkey-Georgia tripartite defense ministerial meeting in Turkey. After the bilateral meetings, Juansher Burchuladze met with the Minister of Defense of Turkey Hulusi Akar and the Minister of Defense of …
(2022-12-23). 16 Indian soldiers killed in road accident. tribune.com.pk 
Sixteen soldiers were killed in India's remote northeast Friday when the military truck transporting them skidded down a steep mountain slope and crashed, the army said. | The accident occurred in the state of Sikkim while the truck carrying the soldiers was negotiating a treacherous turn in a mountainous area near the border with China. | "A rescue mission was immediately launched, and four injured soldiers have been air evacuated," the Indian Army's eastern command said in a statement, confirming three officers and 13 soldiers had died of injuries after the accident. | Also read: Putin says Russia wants end…
(2022-12-23). India to randomly test 2% of international travellers for COVID. tribune.com.pk 
India will start randomly testing 2% of international passengers arriving at its airports for COVID-19, Mansukh Mandaviya, the country's health minister, told parliament on Thursday, as the country steps up surveillance for new coronavirus variants. | "The global pandemic is not yet over.. The virus is changing its face from time to time," Mandaviya told parliament on Thursday. | Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to hold a meeting with top officials on Thursday to review the COVID-19 situation in the country. | "Considering the upcoming festival season and New Year, states have been advised to keep up aware…
(2022-12-23). Algeria Becomes Next Country to Apply for Brics Membership. infobrics.org Algeria has become the third country, after Iran and Argentina, to formally apply to join the Brics bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and SA…
(2022-12-23). How Female Iranian Activists use powerful Images to Protest oppressive Policies. juancole.com By Parichehr Kazemi, PhD Candidate, University of Oregon |  ; (The Conversation)  ; Images of unveiled Iranian women and adolescent girls standing atop police cars or flipping off the ayatollah's picture have become signature demonstrations of dissent in the past few months of protest in Iran. Mass protests in Iran over death of Mahsa Amini …
(2022-12-23). Closing Arguments In US Political Prisoner Alex Saab's Legal Hearing. popularresistance.org After day one and day two of the hearing, December 12-13, the case of Alex Saab's diplomatic immunity wrapped up on the third day, December 20. Judge Robert Scola in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida will make his decision by the end of this month. | Saab's defense explained that to determine whether Alex Saab is entitled to diplomatic immunity, the judge must answer three questions: "First, did the sending state, Venezuela, appoint Mr. Saab as a special envoy for the purpose of obtaining humanitarian aid in the form of food, medicine and oil? Second, did the receiving state, Iran, accept…
(2022-12-23). Five Iraqi Soldiers Killed Or Wounded In New Attack By ISIS Cells In Kirkuk. southfront.org 
Illustrative image. | Late on December 21, two Iraqi service members were killed and three others were wounded as a result of an attack by ISIS cells in the northern Iraqi province of Kirkuk. | The attack targeted a post of the Iraqi military's 14th Division near the village of Butk, some 45 kilometers to the northwest of Kirkuk city. The terrorists targeted…
(2022-12-23). As NYT's Friedman Laments end of Israel-Palestine Two-State Solution, the Bantustan Alternative Looms. juancole.com Montreal (Special to Informed Comment)  ; In a New York Times Dec. 18, 2022, opinion piece, Thomas L. Friedman, echoing many other mainstream commentators, bemoans that Israel's aggressive settlement policies and growing religious nationalism "could bury the two-state solution and the one-state solution in the same grave." However, what Mr. Friedman and other commentators fail to …
(2022-12-23). New Israeli Gov't to un-ban Violent Racists from Parliament, and allow Discrimination against Women, Gays. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  ; The new Israeli government, formed in the nick of time by incoming Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, is so morally compromised that even the country's right wing is visibly uncomfortable with the agreements made by Netanyahu to allow him to come back to power. Iconic among those concessions was Netanyahu's acquiescence …
(2022-12-23). Three Israeli Police Officers Wounded In Alleged Shooting & Ramming Attack Near Tel Aviv (Video, Photos). southfront.org 
Early on December 23, three Israeli police officers were wounding after being rammed by a vehicle in an alleged attack…
(2022-12-23). Benjamín Netanyahu anuncia que formará gobierno en Israel. telesurtv.net Han pasado casi dos meses desde la quinta elección en los últimos tres años y medio, en la que el bloque de derecha ganó.
(2022-12-23). Tropas israelíes asesinan a futbolista palestino en Cisjordania. telesurtv.net El joven de 23 años, quien residía en Tubas, murió tras resultar herido por impactos de balas en la espalda y los pies.
(2022-12-23). Ultimate Battle Between Pro-Japan South Korea and Nationalist South Korea: Democracy at Stake, Economy in Crisis, Security at Risk. globalresearch.ca
(2022-12-23). Serial killer Charles 'Serpent' Sobhraj freed from Nepal prison. tribune.com.pk 
Confessed French serial killer Charles Sobhraj was freed from prison in Nepal on Friday after serving most of his sentence for killing American and Canadian backpackers and was taken to the airport for a flight back to Paris, his attorney said. | His alleged killings were dramatized in a series co-produced by the BBC and Netflix called "The Serpent," which aired last year. | A ticket was purchased with money received from a friend and the French Embassy in Kathmandu prepared the necessary travel documents allowing him to take the flight Friday evening, attorney Gopal Siwakoti Chitan said. | Sobhraj was driven…
(2022-12-23). UPDATED: North Korea Is Supplying Russia's Wagner Mercenaries: White House. southfront.org 
Illustrative ImageUPDATE: Head of the Wagner PMC Mr Prigozhin commented on Kirbi's claims: | "Unfortunately, Mr. Kirby makes quite a lot of statements based on speculation. Everyone knows that North Korea has not supplied any weapons to the Russian Federation for a long time. And such attempts were not even made. Therefore, the supply of weapons from the DPRK is nothing but gossip and speculation. | In my turn, I want to emphasize, as I have already answered this question today, that we buy quite a lot of US-made w…
(2022-12-23). North Korea fires missile amid tension over Russia arms aid. tribune.com.pk 
North Korea fired two ballistic missiles towards the sea off its east coast on Friday, the South Korean military said, the latest in an unprecedented number of missile tests this year. | Coming only days after two other missiles were launched and just after allegations were made on Thursday the country is shipping munitions to Russian forces in Ukraine, the incident shows that North Korea does not intend to stop the provocative actions its neighbours say are destabilising regional security. | South Korea s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the missiles flew 3 km (217.5 miles) and 2 km, respectively, after bei…
(2022-12-23). Taiwan should resume full flight services to Fujian, mainland says. ecns.cn Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the request in a statement after the DPP approved the resumption of the flights for a limited number of people.
(2022-12-23). Holguín: Chequea Ramiro Valdés recuperación del bloque dos de Felton. cubadebate.cu El Comandante de la Revolución Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, vice primer ministro de Cuba, constató el proceso de rehabilitación de la unidad dos de la Central Termoeléctrica Lidio Ramón Pérez, de Felton, en el municipio holguinero de Mayarí. Directivos y trabajadores de la planta explicaron el avance de la actual etapa de desmontaje de la caldera.
(2022-12-23). Unholy Days and Nights in Bethlehem. indybay.org On December 3rd, amid joyous celebration, the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony took place in Manger Square in Bethlehem, Palestine. In just a few more days, Bethlehem will commemorate the day of Jesus' birth right in the very town where it happened. It is a holy, magical time of year for residents and visitors. We may picture a sleepy, picturesque town surrounded by hills, dotted with sheep, but the reality in the city of Bethlehem and its environs (the Bethlehem Governate) is much different.
(2022-12-23). The Lions' Den is Not a Fleeting Phenomenon: On Palestine's Looming Armed Revolt. scheerpost.com 
As Lions' Den insignias are now appearing in every Palestinian neighborhood throughout the Occupied Territories, the group has succeeded in branching out from a specific Nablus neighborhood — Al Qasaba — to become a collective Palestinian experience.
(2022-12-23). 23 December, Online: Ka Joma Lives: International Day of Tribute to Jose Maria Sison. samidoun.net 
Friday, 23 December 5: 00 pm central Europe (8 am Pacific, 11 am Eastern, 6 pm Palestine) Register on Zoom: bit.ly/KaJomaLivesHighestHonorTribute Ka Joma Lives: International Proletarian Revolutionary Leader, Theoretician, Teacher and Poet in the Service of the People Join this international day of tribute online (along with many international organisations, including Samidoun) to honor the life …
(2022-12-23). 400 robots to serve Chinese language and culture education in Philippines. ecns.cn Four hundred robots in total donated by Huaqiao University in Fujian Province will serve the Chinese language and culture education in Chinese schools in the Philippines.
(2022-12-23). Brand Zelensky's Qatari Red Card Spells Trouble. strategic-culture.org
(2022-12-23). The results of Xi Jinping's visit to Saudi Arabia. journal-neo.org 
Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Saudi Arabia in early December received widespread acclaim and highly positive publicity in numerous countries around the world. First and foremost, it was a successful state reception in Riyadh, the likes of which have not been organized for any statesman from the West, not to mention the hostile meeting …
(2022-12-23). Saudi Arabia's Overtures to China, BRICS not Against a Third Country. infobrics.org Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab world value their relationship with China as the region's biggest economic partner with Riyadh even contemplating joining the BRICS group of emerging economies as the Gulf Kingdom recalibrates its global vision amid shifting geopolitics and world order…
(2022-12-23). Casualties Reported After Attack By Turkey's Proxies On Syrian Army Position In Northern Aleppo. southfront.org 
Illustrative image. | On December 23, militants of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (NSA) raided a position of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) near Abu Zindin crossing in the northern countryside of Aleppo. | The SNA, a coalition of Turkey's proxies in northern and eastern Syria, said that five service members of the SAA were killed or wounded in the raid. However, pro-government news sources didn't report any human or material losses. | The raid came following a series of similar at…
(2022-12-23). Law Pod UK latest episode: The most significant cases of 2022. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
In our final episode of the year, Rosalind English, Lucy McCann and Jonathan Metzer discuss some of the most important judgments that have been handed down in the last twelve months. The recording of this episode took place a day before judgment was handed down in the "Rwanda case" ( R ((AAA) Syria and Ors) v …
(2022-12-23). The U.S. Captagon Act: Tightening Syria's Siege Under New Pretext. strategic-culture.org
(2022-12-23). Mali Received Bayraktar TB2 Combat Drones From Turkey (Video). southfront.org 
A Bayraktar TB2 combat drone. Source: Baykar. | Mali has become the latest country to acquire Bayraktar TB2 combat drones from Turkey in order to strengthen its military capabilities. | On December 22, the Malian state TV aired footage showing at least two newly-delivered Bayraktar TB2 drones and a mobile ground control station being presented to the minister of defense Sadio Camara at an air base in Mopti. | Bayraktar TB2 drones saw major success in the last few years during conflicts in Libya, Syria and the di…
(2022-12-23). Mainland has 'no obstacle' to resume direct exchanges on cross-Straits travel. ecns.cn There is an increasing need among Taiwan compatriots for cross-Straits travel ahead of the Spring Festival and we are willing to take optimized measures and do our best to meet the demand.
(2022-12-23). America's 'Unfree' Allies. strategic-culture.org 
Under President Biden, the United States has renewed its efforts to promote the values of freedom and democracy around the world. However, when it comes to strategic matters, America is fine with some of its allies being "not free". This is true for both major non-NATO allies and NATO member states, as Turkey's example shows.
(2022-12-22). Afghan women stage street protest against university ban. tribune.com.pk 
(2022-12-22). Iran expresses regret over education ban for Afghan girls. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kan'ani expressed regret over the ban on university education for women in Afghanistan.
(2022-12-22). Canada is Still Preventing Charities from Bringing Aid to Afghanistan. libya360.wordpress.com Owen Schalk Afghan refugees near the Pakistan border. Photo courtesy One Free World International. A staggering 95% of Afghans are not getting enough to eat As Afghanistan struggles to manage the manifold social and economic crises resulting from decades of war and subsequent Western sanctions, the Canadian government is still preventing charities from delivering much-needed…
(2022-12-22). Uncompensated Allies: How Contracting Companies and US Government Agencies Failed Third-country Nationals in Afghanistan. globalresearch.ca
(2022-12-22). ONU rechaza exclusión de mujeres afganas de las universidades. telesurtv.net Türk destacó que esta medida resulta "otro golpe terrible y cruel a los derechos de las mujeres y las niñas afganas".
(2022-12-22). Armenia transmitted peace deal proposals to Azerbaijan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Yerevan has conveyed its peace agreement proposals to Baku and is ready to sign it, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a government meeting on Thursday.
(2022-12-22). Naval drills with China response to 'aggressive' US: Russian army chief. tribune.com.pk 
Russia's army chief on Thursday called joint naval drills between Russian and Chinese warships a response to increasingly aggressive US military posturing in the Asia-Pacific region. | "This cooperation is a natural reaction to the aggressive build-up of US military potential in the region… The exercises we are conducting are in strict accordance with international law," Valery Gerasimov said in a briefing. | Russia announced it was dispatching several warships to join war games between December 21 and 27 off the coast of China to strengthen naval cooperation. | China, Russia hold joint naval drills in water…
(2022-12-22). Why is China improving ties with the Arab world? journal-neo.org 
For a long time, Western propagandists insisted that Chinese diplomacy was successful only in Central and Southeast Asia. As for the Middle East, Beijing allegedly had no experience in this region and no prospects for developing ties with the Arab world. However, the visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the Middle East and his …
(2022-12-22). [Articles] Respiratory and haemodynamic effects of 6h-pronation in neonates recovering from respiratory distress syndrome, or affected by acute respiratory distress syndrome or evolving bronchopulmonary dysplasia: A prospective, physiological, crossover, controlled cohort study. thelancet.com 6h-pronation can be used to improve gas exchange and lung aeration in neonates with recovering RDS, evolving BPD or NARDS without relevant haemodynamic effects.
(2022-12-22). Elevan a 26 los muertos por deslave en campismo de Malasia. telesurtv.net Las autoridades malayas declararon que mantendrán la búsqueda de otros siete desaparecidos, tras el alud que sepultó el campismo.
(2022-12-22). Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific. wsws.org India: Andhra Pradesh port workers protest privatisation; Bangladeshi garment workers protest retrenchment and unpaid wages; Australia: Thales military manufacturing workers for higher pay.
(2022-12-22). China welcomes WTO rejecting U.S. 'Made in China' labeling on Hong Kong goods: MOC. ecns.cn The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled on Wednesday that the United States violated international trading laws for requiring Hong Kong products to be labeled "Made in China."
(2022-12-22). U.S. ban on 'Made in Hong Kong' label violates trading laws: WTO. ecns.cn The World Trade Organization ruled on Wednesday that the United States was violating international trading laws by requiring Hong Kong products to be labeled as "Made in China."
(2022-12-22). 853 cooperation deals reached at Greater Bay investment conference. ecns.cn Hundreds of companies from more than 10 countries and regions, including Japan, South Korea, the U.S., and France, reached 853 cooperation projects with a total investment of 2.5 trillion yuan ($0.36 trillion) at the 2022 Global Investment Promotion Conference for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area(GBA) was held from Wednesday to Thursday.
(2022-12-22). Russia proposes construction of joint oil fleet with India. infobrics.org Moscow and New Delhi continue to deepen ties despite Western pressure.
(2022-12-22). Iran: Brutal Repression in Kurdistan Capital (HRW). juancole.com Human Rights Watch  ; (Beirut)  ; Iranian security forces used excessive and unlawful lethal force against protesters in Kurdistan province's capital, Sanandaj, in October and November 2022, Human Rights Watch said today. The newly created United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Iran should investigate these grave abuses as part of its broader reporting on Iranian government …
(2022-12-22). Cartoonist Kianoush Ramazani: Hope in Iran during Turbulent Times. juancole.com 
By Mariam A. ( Globalvoices.org )  ; Three months have passed since Mahsa Amini was murdered by Iran's morality police for violating the country's strict clothing code, sparking unprecedented nationwide protests. And even though the state has increased its use of draconian tactics to reestablish control, including hurried public executions of young anti-government protesters, it …
(2022-12-22). Law Pod UK latest episode: An Essential Inquest Law Update. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
In Episode 175, Emma-Louise Fenelon speaks to Rory Badenoch and Rajkiran Barhey about recent developments in inquest law. This episode touches on the following important cases: Law Pod UK is particularly grateful to Rafe Jennings for his assistance in the preparation of this episode.
(2022-12-22). Recent Israeli Attack On Syria Targeted Hezbollah Drone Unit, Iranian Headquarter — Report. southfront.org 
File image. | The recent Israeli attack on Syria targeted a drone unit of Lebanon's Hezbollah and a headquarters of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Al Arabiya TV reported on December 22, citing sources with knowledge on the matter. | The Saudi-owned news channel said that the attack, which took place on
(2022-12-22). Tehran blasts US for shedding 'crocodile tears' for Iranians. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Iran Foreign Ministry has slammed the US for making an interventionist statement on the occasion of Yalda Night, saying it is "shedding crocodile tears" for Iranians with its long list of inhumane measures against the nation.
(2022-12-22). Headlines of Iran's Persian dailies on Dec. 22. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Mehr news agency takes a look at the headlines of Iran's Persian-language dailies on Thursday, December 22.
(2022-12-22). Why US shrugs off JCPOA talks? en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — While Iran continues to express its readiness for resuming Vienna talks to revive the JCPOA, the US has practically put the talks on hold in what appears to be a negotiating tactic aimed at extracting more concessions.
(2022-12-22). Iran condemns theft of Syrian natural resources. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Iran's envoy to the United Nations says that any sort of military action in northern Syria will deteriorate the humanitarian situation in that region, adding that foreign boots on the ground must come to an end.
(2022-12-22). Iran arrests members of four Mossad-affiliated teams. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Iran's Intelligence Ministry has identified and arrested the members of four operative teams linked to the Israeli regime's Mossad spy agency in the country.
(2022-12-22). VIDEO: Biden says Iranian people instead of Ukrainians. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — In the latest gaffe on Wednesday in a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Joe Biden once again used "Iranian people" instead of "Ukrainian people".
(2022-12-22). Iran has no restrictions on coop. expansion with Luxembourg. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says that Iran has no restrictions on developing cooperation with Luxembourg.
(2022-12-22). Front pages of Iran's English dailies on Dec. 22. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Here are the front pages of Iran's English language dailies on Thursday, December 22.
(2022-12-22). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org Strike wave continues across UK involving health, transport, postal workers and some civil servants over pay and collapsing infrastructure; French railway conductors continue strikes organised outside the official unions over pay, pensions and conditions; strikes and protests continue in Iran over pay and conditions and police killing of Mahsa Amini; port and railroad workers walk out across South Africa over pay…
(2022-12-22). Military Situation In Iraq On December 22, 2022 (Map Update). southfront.org 
(2022-12-22). If the US Aim in Helping Ukraine is a Rules-Based International Order it must Condemn Israeli Annexation of Syria's Golan and Occupation of Palestine. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  ; Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky's In framing the struggle as one to safeguard liberty and "international law," President Zelensky appe…
(2022-12-22). Face the facts: Corbyn surrendered to Israel's smears. electronicintifada.net Leader of Britain's Labour Party enabled a fake anti-Semitism crisis.
(2022-12-22). Russia denounces Israeli regime's strikes on Syria. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Russia condemns the illegal air attacks on Syrian territory by the Israeli regime's Air Force, Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said at a session of the UN Security Council on Wednesday.
(2022-12-22). Israel, Former Liberal Democracy, Is Now an Extremist Nuclear-armed State. globalresearch.ca
(2022-12-22). How the Lions' Den is Changing the Resistance Model in Palestine. dissidentvoice.org 
Just when Israel, and even some Palestinians, began talking about the Lions' Den phenomenon in the past tense, a large number of fighters belonging to the newly-formed Palestinian group marched in the city of Nablus. Unlike the group's first appearance on September 2, the number of fighters who took part in the rally in the …
(2022-12-22). If the US Wants to Help Ukraine, It Must First Condemn Israel. scheerpost.com 
The annexation of parts of Ukraine by Russia's Vladimir Putin that Mr. Zelensky and the Biden administration decried is no different from the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights.
(2022-12-22). Headlines for December 22, 2022. democracynow.org In Washington, Ukraine's President Asks U.S. Congress for More Aid to Fight Russia, Biden Pledges More Military Aid to Ukraine, Won't Press for Negotiations with Russia, European Officials Find No Evidence Russia Sabotaged Nord Stream Pipelines, Russia to Add 0,000 Troops After Putin Admits War in Ukraine Is "Extremely Difficult", China and Russia Hold Naval War Games as U.S. Deploys B-52s and Stealth Fighters to South Korea, Japan Unveils $320 Billion Plan for Largest Military Buildup Since World War II, WHO Calls on China to Share COVID-19 Data, U.S. Life Expectancy Fell in 2021 as Drug…
(2022-12-22). Bank of Japan decision sends "shock" through global markets. wsws.org There are numerous warnings that the BoJ decision to relax its ultra-low interest rate regime could lead to a "tsunami" of global Japanese investment moving home, adding to the turmoil in the international financial system.
(2022-12-22). Winter fairyland in Inner Mongolia. ecns.cn Dubbed "Chinese Alps," Arxan usually has its first snowfall as early as October and the snow season lasts seven months.
(2022-12-22). Oroqen Ice and Snow Yisaren Ritual held in north China's Inner Mongolia. ecns.cn The 9th Oroqen Ice and Snow Yisaren Ritual commenced on Thursday in Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
(2022-12-22). U.N. council demands end to Myanmar violence in first resolution in decades. tribune.com.pk 
The U.N. Security Council adopted its first resolution on Myanmar in 74 years on Wednesday to demand an end to violence and urge the military junta to release all political prisoners, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. | Myanmar has been in crisis since the army took power from Suu Kyi's elected government on Feb. 1, 2021, detaining her and other officials and responding to pro-democracy protests and dissent with lethal force. | "Today we've sent a firm message to the military that they should be in no doubt – we expect this resolution to be implemented in full," Britain's U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodwa…
(2022-12-22). UN Security Council must act with caution on Myanmar: Chinese envoy. ecns.cn China had to abstain from the voting as it had concerns about the draft resolution, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.
(2022-12-22). S. Korea, US consider live-fire drills amid N. Korea threats. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — South Korea and the United States are considering staging their first large-scale, joint live-fire drills in six years in 2023 as Seoul and Washington strengthen security coordination against North Korea.
(2022-12-22). Lessons Learned in the Internet's Darkest Corners. tomdispatch.com We all do it. Make little snap judgments about everyday strangers as we go about our lives. Without giving it a second's thought, we sketch minibiographies of the people we pass on the sidewalk, the guy seated across from us on the train, or the woman in line in front of us at the grocery store. We wonder: Who are they? Where are they from? How do they make a living? Lately, though, such passing encounters tend to leave me with a sense of suspicion, a wariness tinged with grim curiosity. I think to myself: Is he or she one of them? By them, I mean one of the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of "pe…
(2022-12-22). Russian Officials Say Zelensky Visit to DC Shows US Isn't Interested in Peace. news.antiwar.com Russian officials on Thursday said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington DC on Wednesday showed that the US isn't interested in ending the war in Ukraine. "The talks in Washington showed that neither Ukraine nor the United States seeks peace. They are simply determined to continue fighting," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. …
(2022-12-22). Giant '2023' arrives in Times Square. ecns.cn A woman poses for photos with the giant "2023" numerals at the Times Square ahead of the New Year's Eve celebration in New York City, U.S. Dec. 21, 2022.
(2022-12-22). Moscow rejects Pashinyan's claims over Russian peacekeepers. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Russian peacekeepers are carrying out their mission to control the Lachin corridor, work is underway to resolve the escalation, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.
(2022-12-22). 'People-to-people exchange essential for SCO countries'. tribune.com.pk 
"Promoting mutual trust and learning between our peoples, especially our younger generation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will undoubtedly contribute to the overall progress and prosperity of our countries," said Pakistani Ambassador to China Moinul Haque on Thursday. | At the forum on SCO Country People-to-People Exchange 2022, organised by the China Centre for International People-to-People Exchange of the Ministry of Education, Qingdao Municipal People's Government and Secretariat of SCO, the ambassador stated that SCO has become an influential, constructive force in gl…
(2022-12-22). Chile planning to open embassy in Palestinian territories. tribune.com.pk 
President Gabriel Boric of Chile, whose country has the largest Palestinian population outside of the Middle East, said on Wednesday that he planned to open an embassy "in Palestine." | The announcement by the leftist president, who began his four-year term in March 2022, came at a Christmas ceremony for Chile's Palestinian community, estimated to be more than 300,000 strong. | "One of the decisions we have taken as a government, I think we have not yet made it public… is that we will raise the level of our official representation in Palestine," Boric said. "We will open an embassy under our government." | R…
(2022-12-22). Soccer Champion Lionel Messi's Black Cloak: a brief History of the Honorary Bisht. juancole.com 
By Pardis Mahdavi, The University of Montana |  ; Shortly before Lionel Messi took to the stage to lift up the World Cup trophy, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani put a black cloak, called a "bisht," over the Argentinian soccer star's shoulders. Images of Messi wrapped in black fabric, which might have …
(2022-12-22). Morocco Slush Fund in Brussels Was Network of Bent MEPs Which Qatar Accessed. strategic-culture.org 
How much does the cash-for-whitewashing scandal effect Morocco's current claims on Western Sahara, both at the UN and at EU level? | After the dust is starting to settle on the biggest corruption scandal the EU has ever had, it seems that it was not created by Qatar, but by Morocco which had a network of corrupt MEPs on the books for almost 20 years. But who else got the whitewashing service? | It has shaken both the foundations and the highest echelons of the EU elite in Brussels. But the Eva Kaili corruption case, which has so far jailed three MEPs, is not quite what it seems. Much as it would be desirable to p…
(2022-12-22). Cristiano Ronaldo likely to sign for Saudi's Al-Nassr FC. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Former Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo is set to sign soon a $207 million-a-year contract to join Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr football club, according to Saudi Gazette citing Spanish newspaper Marca.
(2022-12-22). The Road to De-Dollarisation Will Run Through Saudi Arabia. scheerpost.com 
By Vijay Prashad / Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research On 9 December, China's President Xi Jinping met with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to discuss deepening ties between the Gulf countries and China. At the top of the agenda was increased trade between China and the GCC, with …
(2022-12-22). US Sends Nuclear-Capable Bomber, Stealth Jets to South Korea. globalresearch.ca
(2022-12-22). Sri Lanka's JVP makes bid for power to "save the country" wsws.org The JVP/NPP declares that it wants to "save the country," but its commitment to implementing the IMF's harsh austerity program means it wants to save Sri Lankan capitalism at the expense of working people.
(2022-12-22). U.S. Sanctions Are Killing Syrians and Are a Human Rights Violation. strategic-culture.org About 12 million Syrians are facing a deadly winter without heating fuel, gasoline for transportation, and dark houses each evening. | Imagine being ill and having to walk to the doctor or hospital. The ambulances in Syria will now re…
(2022-12-22). Military Situation In Syria On December 22, 2022 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On December 22, the Russian Ministry of Defense recorded no hostilities and ceasefire violations in the Idlib region in the past 24 hours; | On December 22, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Safuhin; | On December 22, Turkish artillery shelled SDF positions near Tal Tamar; | On December 22, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Kansafra; | 13 countries have repatriated 515 nationals of ISIS families from camps in northea…
(2022-12-22). What I've Seen Of Ukraine's War Crimes Against Civilians In The Donbass Over The Past Few Months  ; Eva Barlett. southfront.org 
Eva Bartlett is an independent journalist with extensive experience in Syria and in the Gaza Strip, where she lived a…
(2022-12-22). Casualties Reported After Rocket Attack On Turkish Base In Northern Syria (Photos). southfront.org 
FILE PHOTO: Turkish soldiers seen at the border town of Akcakale © Reuters / Murad Sezer | On December 22, an indirect fire attack targeted a Turkish military base near the town of Dabiq in the northern countryside of Syria's Aleppo. | The base was hit by a salvo of rockets that was reportedly launched from a nearby pocket jointly held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian government forces. Syrian activists said that the rocket attack resulted in Turkish casualties. However, this is yet to be confirmed…
(2022-12-22). HTS Militants Raid Two Syrian Army Positions In Southern Idlib, Kill Or Wound 15 Soldiers (Photos). southfront.org 
On December 22, militants of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of the northwestern Syrian region of Greater…
(2022-12-22). Washington's Dubious Syria Intervention Continues. globalresearch.ca
(2022-12-22). Taiwan Local Election Shocks US Imperialism. popularresistance.org On November 26, local elections were held throughout Taiwan, an island that has always been part of China, but since 1949 has been ruled by a fascist leadership driven out of the mainland by the victorious Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Taiwan has since been "protected" by the military U.S. fleet, while Taiwan's rulers maintained 48 years of martial law and a brutal regime of "White Terror". In 1987, the regime allowed bourgeois elections. | Before the 2022 elections, Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, had campaigned for her ruling "Democratic Progressive Party" (DPP) candidates with the assertion that Ta…
(2022-12-22). Taiwan local election shocks U.S. imperialism. mronline.org Before the 2022 elections, Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, had campaigned for her ruling "Democratic Progressive Party" (DPP) candidates with the assertion that Taiwan is an independent nation and should prepare to wage war.