(2019-08-08). A Wretched Day for Democracy: Revocation of the Special Status of Kashmir. counterpunch.org 
The India that Jammu and Kashmir acceded to in 1947 had chosen democracy, secularism, and socialism as its goals. Although the Praja Parishad, predecessor of the RSS, was determined to foist a solution of the entire Kashmir issue along communal lines even prior to 1953, and its leaders had been vocal about their views, it was heartwarming that India had chosen democracy and secularism as its goals. More
(2019-08-08). Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan move closer to war after Kashmir annexation. peoplesworld.org 
Kashmir is back on a knife edge with the Indian government's outrageous unilateral decision to scrap article 370 of the Indian Constitution that has given Indian-administered Kashmir its special status since May 14, 1954. This catastrophic and unconstitutional decision taken under right-wing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership will have far-reaching consequences and spark civil unrest …
(2019-08-08). Kashmir Under Siege: India Moves to Annex Territory, Heightening Tensions with Nuclear Rival Pakistan. democracynow.org 
Tensions are escalating over the disputed region of Kashmir following India's revocation earlier this week of its special status, which granted the area some autonomy. Kashmir remains on lockdown, with internet and other communications blocked and leaders placed under house arrest. The Modi government has also deployed tens of thousands of additional troops in Kashmir. Pakistan announced Wednesday it would expel India's ambassador and stop its newly appointed envoy from assuming his position in New Delhi. It also announced it was cutting off all bilateral trade with India. We speak with three guests: Sanjay Kak,…
(2019-08-08). 'They Called Us Enemy': Star Trek's George Takei pens graphic novel memoir. peoplesworld.org 
What does it mean to be an American? Who gets to decide? When the world is against you, what can one person do? These are the questions that emanate from George Takei's new graphic novel account of life as a child in two Japanese internment camps during World War II. Takei, well-known for his inspiring …
(2019-08-08). Earth's hottest month lights a fire for progress. nationofchange.org 
Well folks, we did it. July 2019 was the hottest month in recorded human history, with record-breaking temperatures in many parts of Europe, wildfires raging over tens of thousands of square miles of Arctic Alaska and Russia, and a staggering ice melt in Greenland that dumped 197 billion gallons of water into the ocean — 12.5 billion …
(2019-08-08). Iran on the Precipice. counterpunch.org 
There's never been a full-scale war between two nuclear-armed states. If Iran one day did cross the nuclear threshold the same deterrence will apply. No one rational would want to provoke their own incineration. Columbia University professor, Kenneth Waltz, the distinguished theorist on the conduct of war, wrote in Foreign Affairs that with Israel possessing More
(2019-08-08). New Israeli Military Strategies for Annexation and Undermining Palestinian Identity. therealnews.com 
Shir Hever discusses two new Israeli military strategies, presented by Israeli chief of staff Aviv Kochavi, who calls for a more deadly invasion of Gaza, and former general Yossi Kuperwasser's plan of "changing the Palestinian narrative" in order to annex Palestinian land…
(2019-08-08). UNRWA Accusations: (Im)Perfect Timing. counterpunch.org 
A damaging internal report has cast a dark shadow over the ethical behavior of top officials of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). As disclosed by Al Jazeera and AFP, the report cites "credible and corroborated reports" that members of an "inner circle" at the top of UNRWA, including Swiss Commissioner-General Pierre Krà§henbàºhl, have engaged in "sexual misconduct, nepotism, retaliation, discrimination and other abuses of authority for personal gain, to suppress legitimate dissent, and to otherwise achieve their personal objectives." The report was sent to UN Sec…
(2019-08-08). Iranian War Veteran Gives Advice to Trump. dissidentvoice.org 
Dear President Trump, In a recent Tweet, you claimed that "Iranians never won a war, but never lost a negotiation." As a world citizen and a veteran of the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, I have firsthand experience with the bitterness of war, and I have a few suggestions and responses for you. First, I would advise you against …
(2019-08-08). "Global Hawk" drone: evidence of Iran's advanced defensive capability. uwidata.com 
The recent downing of an American "Global Hawk" drone by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards is evidence of Iran's advanced defensive capability. Iran has proven that it can answer a direct military threat, even from a global power like the US. The same can be said for the UK, whose international immunity provided by world authorities …
(2019-08-08). Neoliberalism Has Met Its Match in China. truthdig.com 
When the Federal Reserve cut interest rates last week, commentators were asking why. According to official data, the economy was rebounding, unemployment was below 4% and gross domestic product growth was above 3%. If anything, by the Fed's own reasoning, it should have been raising rates. | Market pundits explained that we're in a trade war and a currency war. Other central banks were cutting their rates, and the Fed had to follow suit in order to prevent the dollar from becoming overvalued relative to other c…
(2019-08-08). Gaza Journalists Target of Israeli Snipers. globalresearch.ca Palestinian journalists covering the weekly protests against the decades-long Israeli occupation are complaining of being the target of Israeli snipers stationed along the border of the blockaded territory. | Since the protests began in March of last year, two journalists have …
(2019-08-08). Escalating US War on China by Other Means. Undermining Stability in Asia-Pacific Region. globalresearch.ca The US is hostile toward all nations it doesn't control, waging war on them by naked aggression and other means, including against China. | Pressuring and bullying the country to bend to its interests failed, what Trump and hardliners surrounding him …
(2019-08-08). Obama, Biden, Mattis and Clapper Expressed Skepticism on Syria, so Why Is Gabbard Singled Out? mintpressnews.com Why must Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard be smeared and attacked for questioning the mainstream narrative on Syria when even Barack Obama has done the same?
(2019-08-08). Foreign Correspondent: The U.S. Trade War with China is Not Going So Well. progressive.org For the past year, the U.S. has escalated economic warfare with grudging acceptance by high-level Democrats and Republicans.
(2019-08-08). India dramatically intensifies repression in Kashmir. wsws.org India's ruling elite has rallied behind the BJP-led state assault on Jammu and Kashmir, even while conceding that it is a "roll of the dice" fraught with domestic and geopolitical "risk."
(2019-08-08). If Crimea Matters, Russia Should Support Kashmir. globalresearch.ca There are striking structural similarities between Kashmir and Crimea that should make Russian decision makers think twice before endorsing the unilateral actions of their decades-long Indian partners if they want to remain politically consistent. | Kashmir and Crimea share many structural …
(2019-08-08). India Moves to Annex Territory, Heightening Tensions With Nuclear Rival Pakistan. truthout.org | | Tensions are escalating over the disputed region of Kashmir following India's revocation earlier this week of its special status, which granted the area some autonomy. Kashmir remains on lockdown, with internet and other communications blocked and leaders placed under house arrest. The Modi government has also deployed tens of thousands of additional troops in Kashmir. Pakistan announced Wednesday it would expel India's ambassador and stop its newly appointed envoy from assuming his po…
(2019-08-08). Judge: Neo-Nazi must pay more than $14 million to Jewish woman targeted by harassment campaign. splcenter.org A federal judge adopted a recommendation that the publisher of a major neo-Nazi website must pay more than $14 million in damages to a Jewish woman targeted for a relentless barrage of antisemitic threats and messages by the neo-Nazi and his followers.
(2019-08-08). Trump Judge Approves Manslaughter Charges for Pregnancy Loss. truthout.org | | Recently, the ultra-conservative 8th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated an involuntary manslaughter charge against a Native woman from Sisseton, South Dakota. That charge is based on allegations that she ingested illegal drugs while pregnant, resulting in the death of her newborn. Jessica Mason Pieklo and Imani Gandy explain why this decision is an alarming escalation of the anti-choice efforts to establish fetal personhood and punish people for their pregnancy outcomes.
(2019-08-08). Kenyan MP Removed from Parliament Session for Bringing Her Baby. telesurenglish.net Zuleikha Hassan, a Kenyan Member of Parliament (MP) was asked to leave a parliamentary session Wednesday by the temporary speaker of the lower house for bringing her child. | RELATED: | Kenyan Finance Minister Henry Rotich Arrested on Graft Charges | The decision of the speaker sparked outrage among Hassan's colleagues. She walked into the chamber while th…
(2019-08-08). Explosions in Three States Highlight Dangers of Aging Fossil Fuel Infrastructure. truthout.org | | On August 1, for the third time in as many years, Enbridge's Texas Eastern Transmission gas pipeline exploded. This tragic incident in central Kentucky killed a 58-year-old woman, Lisa Denise Derringer, and injured at least five others. Flames towered 300 feet high when the 30-inch diameter pipe ruptured at 1 a.m. and forced at least 75 people to evacuate. | "We opened the backdoor and it was like a tornado of fire going around and around and he said we were trapped," survivor Jodi…
(2019-08-08). Police officer fired for hitting handcuffed woman on video. nationofchange.org Recently released surveillance video footage revealed a Vermont police officer beating a handcuffed woman for no justifiable reason. After an investigation into the assault, the officer was terminated from the department. On March 14, Amy Connelly was arrested for disorderly conduct after allegedly tearing a man's shirt at a bar and refusing to leave Shooters …
(2019-08-08). Amid Turkish war threats, Ankara and Washington to build "safe zone" in Syria. wsws.org The Turkish government is seeking US approval to invade Syria and target Kurdish nationalist militias that serve as key US proxies in the Middle East.
(2019-08-08). Why SAA Resumed the Military Operation against Al Qaeda to Clean Idlib. globalresearch.ca The latest 13th round of talks in Astana between the Syrian state with Russia and Iran as its guarantors on one side, and Al-Qaeda and the Turkish regime as it guarantor on the other side, would have slowly but steadily …
(2019-08-08). Video: Quitting Cold Turkey. globalresearch.ca Until literally a couple of years ago, courtesy of its enviable position in Asia Minor positioned in direct proximity of USSR (during the Cold War), Iran (after the Islamic Revolution), Iraq, and of course Syria in most recent years, Turkey …
(2019-08-08). Syria Slams US-Turkey Safe Zone, Calls it 'Blatant Aggression'. telesurenglish.net The Syrian government said Thursday that an agreement between Turkey and the United States over northeastern Syria represented a "blatant attack" on the country's sovereignty and territorial unity and a "dangerous escalation." | RELATED: | Syrian Army Resumes Operations After Attacks on Idlib | The agreement setting up a joint operation center to manage a strip…
(2019-08-08). In wake of 'collapsed' agreement, new wave of violence threatens millions in Syria's Idlib. un.org Following the "deeply regrettable" announcement that the Idlib truce had "collapsed" at the start of this week, the Senior Humanitarian Adviser to the UN's Syria Envoy urged Member States on Thursday to increase their support for "critical humanitarian needs" in the country's last opposition-held enclave.
(2019-08-08). Hong Kong, Kashmir: A Tale of Two Occupations. globalresearch.ca Readers from myriad latitudes have been asking me about Hong Kong. They know it's one of my previous homes. I developed a complex, multi-faceted relationship with Hong Kong ever since the 1997 handover, which I covered extensively. Right now, if …
(2019-08-08). Hiroshima and the New Arms Race — No Winners. counterpunch.org Seventy-four years ago today the United States dropped the first atomic bomb over the city of Hiroshima, Japan. This nuclear weapon resulted in the deaths of an estimated 140,000 individuals. Three days later on August 9, a similar attack was carried out on the city of Nagasaki, Japan killing an additional 80,000 people. These events changed More
(2019-08-08). Russia Accuses the US of Interfering in Venezuela's Dialogue. telesurenglish.net Russia's Foreign Ministry said it regrets the cancellation of the round of negotiations that had been developed in Barbados, between a delegation of the government of President Nicolas Maduro and the Venezuelan opposition. | RELATED: | ALBA Countries Condemn Trump's Total Blockade Against Venezuela | The office of the Russian Foreign Ministry, through a statement, said that regardless of who is responsible for this decision, the main…
(2019-08-08). Israel Rules in Favor of Homophobic Political Campaign Ads. telesurenglish.net Israeli companies cannot deny anti-gay campaign ads of the ultra-Orthodox Zionist Noam party according to a new ruling by the acting chairman of the Central Elections Committee Neal Hendel. | RELATED: | Israeli Far-right Ministers Attend Event Honoring Rabbi Who Praised Palestinian Massacre | The decision came Tuesday after a petit…
(2019-08-08). Here's the astonishing amount of members Labour has after all those smears and mutinies. thecanary.co On 8 August, the Guardian reported that Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party still had over 500,000 members at the end of 2018.In other words, the endless smears from the right and its corporate media allies are failing to make a serious dent i…
(2019-08-08). Nicaragua To Open Embassy in Palestine. telesurenglish.net The Sandinista government of Nicaragua have sent their first ambassador to Palestine, handing over diplomatic credentials to Riyad Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on Wednesday. | RELATED: | 8 Curious Facts About Nicaragua's Sandinista Revolution | The new ambassador will be Mazen Khuffash, a Nicaraguan official of Palestinian heritage,…
(2019-08-08). Mobilizing Muslim Resistance to the War in Yemen. counterpunch.org Right now, the people of Yemen are suffering through the world's worst humanitarian disaster. The Saudi-led coalition, backed by the United States, continues to bomb Yemen and launch unlawful airstrikes that have hit homes, hospitals, schools, and mosques. This violence has left millions at risk of starvation and death due to repeated outbreaks of diseases More
(2019-08-08). Bond markets point to global recession. wsws.org The signs of a global slowdown, if not an outright recession, are most evident in Germany and the Asia-Pacific region, where three central banks cuts their interest rates yesterday.
(2019-08-08). In Afghanistan, U.S. Faces Formidable Foes—Its Own Allies. progressive.org As the war approaches the end of its second decade, U.S. officials show no signs that they are willing to address the fundamental power dynamics that have fueled the war for so long. Meanwhile, innocent people die.
(2019-08-08). Oil Rises More Than 2%, Expectations of More OPEC Cuts. telesurenglish.net Oil jumped more than 2 percent on Thursday on expectations that falling prices could lead to production cuts, coupled with a steadying of the yuan currency after a week of turmoil spurred by an escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions. | RELATED: | US Renews Chevron License in Venezuela Despite Trump Sanctions | Prices rebounded after tumbling nearly 5 percent to their lowest since January on Wednesday after data showed an unexpected build in U.S. crude stockpiles after nearly t…
(2019-08-08). Currency war: A new stage in capitalist breakdown. wsws.org A global currency conflict will take the economic warfare being waged by the US against "strategic competitors" such as China as well as its nominal allies to a new level.
(2019-08-08). A New App Allows Readers in China to Bypass Censorship of The Intercept. theintercept.com Since June, people in China have been unable to read The Intercept, after the country's government apparently banned our website, along with those of several other media organizations. Today, we are happy to announce a workaround that will allow people in China to circumvent the restrictions, access our full site, and continue to read our award-winning journalism. | In partnership with Psiphon, an anti-censorship organization based in Canada, we are launching…
(2019-08-08). Diabetic Man Deported by US to Iraq Dies from Lack of Insulin. telesurenglish.net Jimmy Aldaoud, a man from Detroit who was deported to Iraq in June, was found dead Wednesday after being unable to procure insulin for his diabetes. | RELATED: | ICE Raids 7 Food Factories in MS, Promising Deportations | The 41-year-old man was born in Greece and lived in the U.S. since he was six months old. He had never been to Iraq, did not speak Arabic, neither…
(2019-08-08). Five Years After the Genocide, Yazidis Share Their Forgotten Stories and Demand Justice. globalresearch.ca Five years after Islamic State (ISIS) militants launched a genocide against the Yazidi community in Sinjar, northern Iraq, hundreds of thousands of Yazidis are still displaced and living in harsh conditions. The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) calls on the …
(2019-08-08). Biden Is Doubling Down on Iraq War Lies. truthout.org | | For the second consecutive Democratic debate, Joe Biden has failed to come to terms about his critical role in supporting the illegal, unnecessary, and predictably disastrous U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq. | There is nothing new about this. Biden has a long history of inaccurate claims regarding that oil-rich country. For example, in the lead-up to the critical Senate vote authorizing the invasion, Biden used his role…
(2019-08-08). The real threat to free speech. greenleft.org.au 
#Folau was still trending on Twitter in Australia on August 7 as the endless whining — amplified by the corporate media — about sacked rugby player Israel Folau allegedly having his freedom to express his bigoted hate speech restricted persists. | Meanwhile, some very serious threats to free speech are going under-reported. | That same day, the High Court reversed former public service worker Michaela Bannerji's successful worker's compensation case. | Bannerji was sacked in 2013 for posting mild criticisms of Australia's inhumane offshore detention of asylum seekers. Her Tweets were not posted under…
(2019-08-08). The hidden refugee 'hell' in Melbourne. greenleft.org.au 
Located in the suburb of Broadmeadows, Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation (MITA) has been described as a "hidden hell for refugees". | Addressing a forum organised by the Refugee Action Collective (RAC) on August 5 by video message, Iraqi refugee Ali Yousuf, who was previously in MITA and is now in an Adelaide detention centre, said MITA guards regularly provoke people, seeking any reaction as an excuse to attack them. Yousuf suffered a broken hand when assaulted by a guard. | Yousuf said that detention is a waste of money that could be spent on helping the sick and people with disabilities. | He said th…
(2019-08-08). Rally To Stop Restarting of Japanese NUKE Plants, Defense Of Families-Children. indybay.org San Francisco Japanese Consulate | 275 Battery St near California St. | San Francisco…
(2019-08-08). Readings from Civil Liberties United: Diverse Voices from the SF Bay Area. indybay.org Oakland Asian Cultural Center | 388 9th St., Suite 290 | Oakland, CA 94607…
(2019-08-07). Pakistan downgrades ties with 'brutal Indian racist regime' over Kashmir dispute. thecanary.co 
Pakistan is downgrading diplomatic ties with India and suspending bilateral trade in response to New Delhi's decision to eliminate the special status and statehood of Kashmir, a Himalayan region claimed by both countries.Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told parliament that Pakistan will expel the Indian ambassador.The decision to downgrade relations was made at a meet…
(2019-08-07). "Toni Morrison Will Always Be with Us": Angela Davis, Nikki Giovanni & Sonia Sanchez Pay Tribute. democracynow.org 
Toni Morrison, one of the nation's most influential writers, died this week at the age of 88 from complications of pneumonia. In 1993, Morrison became the first African-American woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. She also won a Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for her classic work "Beloved." Much of Morrison's writing focused on the Black female experience in America, and her writing style honored the rhythms of Black oral tradition. Her work was deeply concerned with race and history, especially the sin of transatlantic slavery and the potentially restorative power of community. In 2012, President Obama awar…
(2019-08-07). Will Germany Become the Military Power it Once Was? therealnews.com 
Annette Groth discusses the three demands by the U.S to Germany to increase its military power and presence overseas, and the new right-wing minister of defense Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. For now Germany is loathe to send troops or ships to Syria or Hormuz, but Kramp-Karrenbauer has already announced her intention to increase military spending to 2%…