Turkey refusing to sign NATO defense plan for the Baltics, pressing alliance to label Syria's Kurds as 'terrorists' — report
rt.com | 2019-11-27
Ankara has reportedly been blackmailing NATO, refusing to sign the proposed defense plan for the Baltics and Poland unless the alliance officially recognizes Kurdish-led militia in northern Syria as a "terrorist group." | Agreeing on a new NATO defense plan for the eastern European countries has escalated from a formality into a true diplomatic battle, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing four senior sources within the bloc. | "[The Turks) are taking eastern Europeans hostage, blocking approval of this military planning until they get concessions," one of the sources said. | Turkey's envoy had been instructed not…
rt.com/news/474385-turkey-baltic-defense-syria/

Spanish Ship Arrives in Italy With 62 Rescued Migrants
telesurenglish.net | 2019-11-26
The Open Arms humanitarian vessel on Tuesday arrived in the Taranto port (Italy) with 62 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean Sea some five days ago. | RELATED: | Italy: Government Addresses Migration Issues With Rescue NGOs | "We have finished the landing of 62 people… we hope they leave behind terrible experiences lived before and be treated with humanity by Europe," Open Arms tweeted. | The international charity also informed that another 11 African migrants were previousl…
telesurenglish.net/news/Spanish-Ship-Arrives-in-Italy-With-62-Rescued-Migrants-20191126-0005.html

Over 2,800 People Wounded in Chile Since Start of Protests
telesurenglish.net | 2019-11-26
The National Institute of Human Rights of Chile ( NHRI ) on Monday reported that 2,808 people have been wounded during the nearly 40 days of demonstrations in the South American country. | RELATED: | Spain, UK, France to 'Advise' Chile's Police on Public Order | According to figures provided by the Chilean agency, 232 people suffered eye injuries (75 percent of the cases of gunshots), of the 2,808 wounded that have been found in different hospitals. | As of Monday, 437 people we…
telesurenglish.net/news/Over-2800-People-Wounded-in-Chile-Since-Start-of-Protests-20191126-0002.html

Powerful Quake Kills 21 in Albania as Buildings Bury Residents
telesurenglish.net | 2019-11-26
At least 21 people were killed when the most powerful earthquake to strike Albania in decades shook the capital Tirana and the country's west and north on Tuesday, tearing down buildings and burying residents under rubble. | Residents, some carrying babies, fled apartment buildings in Tirana and the western port of Durres after the 6.4 magnitude quake struck shortly before 4 a.m. (0300 GMT). | RELATED: | Albanian Protesters Attempt to Storm Prime Minister's Residence | The Balk…
telesurenglish.net/news/Powerful-Quake-Kills-21-in-Albania-as-Buildings-Bury-Residents-20191126-0008.html

Talking Turkey About Impeachment Hearings – NYT coverage teaches us how not to discuss the end of democracy
Dorothee Benz | fair.org | 2019-11-26
Congratulations, you made it through the public hearings of the impeachment inquiry, one eye on the livestream and one eye on your work email, and somehow you met your deadlines even as you followed along blow by blow. So what are you going to say about it around the Thanksgiving dinner table? | There were certainly some moments designed to stoke feelings of patriotism as we head into the heavily mythologized, uniquely American holiday this week. Alexander Vindman (New York Times, 11/19/19): "The uniform I…
fair.org/home/talking-turkey-about-impeachment-hearings/

Thankful in 2019
Thomas Knapp | counterpunch.org | 2019-11-26
A political writer's annual Thanksgiving column can be easy to write, or incredibly difficult to put together. It can also be inspiring or banal. The two are probably connected. It's always a difficult one for me; its quality is a matter of your opinion. But hey, Turkey Day is just around the corner and it's…
counterpunch.org/2019/11/26/thankful-in-2019/

Nuclear lies and broken promises: Will Turkey get the bomb next?
Conn Hallinan | peoplesworld.org | 2019-11-26
When Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoƒüan told an economic meeting in the city of Sivas on Sept. 4 that Turkey was considering building nuclear weapons, he was responding to a broken promise. When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the government of Iran of lying about its nuclear program, he was concealing one of the …
peoplesworld.org/article/nuclear-lies-and-broken-promises-will-turkey-get-the-bomb-next/

The Road Toward Greater Eurasia
Pepe Escobar | globalresearch.ca | 2019-11-26
The Astana Club is one of the most crucial annual meetings in Eurasia, alongside the Boao forum in China and the Valdai discussions in Russia. China, Russia and Kazakhstan are all at the forefront of Eurasia integration. No wonder, then, …
globalresearch.ca/road-toward-greater-eurasia/5695950

Iran's 'Only Crime Is We Decided Not to Fold'
Pepe Escobar | globalresearch.ca | 2019-11-26
Just in time to shine a light on what's behind the latest sanctions from Washington, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a speech at the annual Astana Club meeting in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan delivered a searing account of Iran-US …
globalresearch.ca/iran-only-crime-decided-not-fold/5695946

Ukraine-Gate Provides Another Opportunity to Demonize Russia
Jeremy Kuzmarov | counterpunch.org | 2019-11-26
Caught up in partisan politics, many Americans liberals have been supporting the impeachment hearings hoping that they will lead to President Trump's ouster. Since Trump is unlikely to be removed by the Senate, the most salient legacy of the hearings, however, will be the further entrenchment of Russophobia and advancement of the new Cold War.
counterpunch.org/2019/11/26/ukraine-gate-provides-another-opportunity-to-demonize-russia/

Video: Tense Situation in Northeastern Syria. Russian and Turkish Forces Continue "Joint Patrols"
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2019-11-26
The Syrian Army is developing its advance on positions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other radical groups in Greater Idlib. | Following the liberation of Misherfah in southern Idlib, the army pushed militants back from the villages of Um Khalakhil, Dahret …
globalresearch.ca/video-government-forces-liberate-more-areas-southern-idlib/5695998

Humans and Their Deadly Military Toys
Kim Petersen | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-11-26
On 1 March, Russian president Vladimir Putin delivered the annual address to Russia's Federal Assembly. The part of Putin's address that drew the most notice was his revealing the development of new hypersonic weaponry unmatched elsewhere: the Mach 10+ capable Kinzhal and the Mach 9 capable Zircon. Russian military and naval expert Andrei Martyanov examines …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/11/humans-and-their-deadly-military-toys/

"An Attack on the Human Rights Movement": Israel Deports Human Rights Watch Monitor
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-11-26
The Israeli government deported the director of Human Rights Watch's Israel and Palestine office, Omar Shakir, on Monday. The organization said the move places Israel in an "ugly club" of authoritarian regimes. Israel has accused Shakir of supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, a nonviolent global campaign aiming to pressure Israel over its treatment of Palestinians. A 2017 Israeli law bans foreigners from Israel if they publicly support the BDS movement. Omar Shakir joins us from Stockholm to discuss his recent deportation and his plans to address the European Parliament regarding Israel's sy…
www.democracynow.org/2019/11/26/human_rights_watch_monitor_deported_from

Israel Announces Itself as Authoritarian State
Juan Cole | truthdig.com | 2019-11-26
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Israel on Sunday expelled the in-country director of Human Rights Watch from the country. Israel thereby joins dictatorships such as Uzbekistan, Burundi, Azerbaijan, and Egypt, which have also expelled HRW human rights workers. | Breathless headlines in the US are saying that Israel became the first democracy to do so, but the expulsion is happening because Israel is not actually a democracy. Or, it is a democracy in the same way that Apartheid South Africa was, where whites voted and had partie…
truthdig.com/articles/israel-announces-itself-as-authoritarian-state/

'Extremism & violence': Iran joins Pakistan in blasting Norway for Koran burning stunt under the pretext 'freedom of expression'
rt.com | 2019-11-26
Tehran has summoned its Norwegian envoy to voice "strong protest" over the burning of a Koran at an anti-Muslim rally in Norway, joining Pakistan in condemning what it deemed an incitement of hatred and division. | The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Monday warning the Koran-burning could have "dangerous consequences in spreading extremism and violence," and insisted that the perpetrator faces punishment. | It is impossible to insult the beliefs and sanctities of over 1.5 billion Muslims in the world under the pretext of freedom of expression. | The Norwegian charge d'affaires, who currently…
rt.com/news/474397-iran-norway-koran-burning/

Two men planning terror attack with 'bomb vests and car bombs' arrested in Netherlands, police say
rt.com | 2019-11-26
Dutch police have arrested two men suspected of planning to carry out a terrorist attack "before the end of the year" after a tip-off from intelligence services prompted an investigation. | In a statement on Tuesday, prosecutors said the two men from Zoetermeer, 20 and 34, wanted to use bomb vests and car bombs in the attack. It is not clear what the intended target was, Dutch media cites law enforcement. | The National Police Unit began a criminal investigation in early October after a warning from the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) said that the men were planning a jihadist attack. | No fir…
rt.com/news/474379-netherlands-men-arrested-terror/

'Never nutmeg Ronaldo!' Juventus star trolled after teammate's cheeky training move (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2019-11-26
Social media users have seen the funny side of a Juventus training ground video which shows Italy international Leonardo Bonucci fooling Cristiano Ronaldo during a training ground exercise, even if the Portuguese marksman doesn't. | Ronaldo has a history of making a mockery of defenders throughout his record-breaking career but apparently doesn't like it so much when the tables are turned, after the video which emerged from the Juventus Center training ground shows the five time Ballon d'Or winner being nonplussed when 'nutmegged' in training – even as his Juve teammates respond with laughter. | Also on rt.com…
rt.com/sport/474381-cristiano-ronaldo-training-nutmeg/

WATCH Turkey testing Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft systems on US F-16 fighter jets
rt.com | 2019-11-26
Turkish media has released footage of what it says are radar tests of S-400 missile systems, which Ankara recently procured from Russia. The anti-aircraft defenses have been tried on US-made F-16 jets. | The trial took place at a military facility outside Turkey's capital city of Ankara. Footage released by one of Turkey's largest news agencies, Ihlas Haber Ajansi, shows at least one F-16 fighter jet performing low and high fly-bys over the compound, while S-400s track it. | The radars appear to be fully operational as they are seen vigorously spinning. A herd of sheep is seen grazing right outside the comp…
rt.com/news/474383-turkey-s400-f16-test/

'Erdogan thumbs his nose at Trump': US senator says Turkey crossed 'another red line' with S-400 test, calls for new sanctions
rt.com | 2019-11-26
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is mocking the US and has crossed a new "red line" as Ankara decided to start testing its S-400 air defense systems, a US senator said, calling for new sanctions against Turkey. | Turkey's persistence in its desire to actually use the armaments it procured from Russia was bemoaned by US Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen in a bitter tweet.The official said that Ankara's push for testing radars of the S-400 systems just two weeks a…
rt.com/usa/474350-erdogan-mocks-trump-s400/

'Vultures' already subpoenaed by Schiff: Trump trolls media & Democrats at traditional turkey pardoning ceremony
rt.com | 2019-11-26
While "pardoning" a turkey ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, US President Donald Trump got in a few jabs at the Democrat-led impeachment inquiry and the media. | Two turkeys, named Bread and Butter, were presented to the president on Tuesday at the White House Rose Garden, and Butter received the traditional presidential pardon. With the ceremony itself being tongue-in-cheek, Trump used it to needle the impeachment inquiry, led by House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff (D-California). | Bread and Butter "have already received subpoenas to appear in Adam Schiff's basement on Thursday," he said. "It see…
rt.com/usa/474396-trump-turkey-pardon-impeachment/

A cute shot from an acute angle: Watch Paulo Dybala's stunning free-kick winner for Juventus in the UEFA Champions League (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2019-11-26
Juventus playmaker Paulo Dybala produced a moment of magic from a tight angle to fire the Serie A side to a 1-0 win over La Liga side Atletico Madrid in their UEFA Champions League clash in Turin. | Juve had already qualified for the knockout stages of Europe's premier club competition, but Atletico were battling to secure the second spot in the group, which meant the Italian side were forced to stay on their guard against a side desperate to pick up a victory. | It made for a tense, tight encounter in Turin that was separated by a solitary goal — and what a goal it was. | This free kick doesn't even make…
rt.com/sport/474400-uefa-champions-league-juventus-paulo-dybala-goal/

PETA mocked over demand for University of Georgia to retire 'miserable' bulldog mascot
rt.com | 2019-11-26
The militant animal rights group PETA has called for the retirement of University of Georgia's bulldog mascot, posting a video supposedly showing him looking miserable. The message backfired among the offended Dawgs fans. | "He looks miserable," tweeted People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Monday, posting a video of Uga X at a rainy-day football game. Uga was sitting dry in a dog house while people around him endured the wet and cold weather. | HE LOOKS MISERABLE! | No dog deserves to be packed up, carted from state to state, and paraded in front of a stadium full of screaming fans. | Animals…
rt.com/usa/474398-peta-uga-georgia-bulldog/

PETA mocked over demand for University of Georgia to retire 'miserable' bulldog mascot
rt.com | 2019-11-26
The militant animal rights group PETA has called for the retirement of University of Georgia's bulldog mascot, posting a video supposedly showing him looking miserable. The message backfired among the offended Dawgs fans. | "He looks miserable," tweeted People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Monday, posting a video of Uga X at a rainy-day football game. Uga was sitting dry in a dog house while people around him endured the wet and cold weather. | @UGAAthletics must retire Uga immediately! He should be at home with a loving family. pic.twitter.com/XBdIjRMLGW
rt.com/usa/474398-peta-uga-georgia-bulldog/

Fox's Tucker Carlson questions Douma 'chemical attack proof' and roots for Russia on air. Off with his head, cry MSM
rt.com | 2019-11-26
Fox News host Tucker Carlson has crossed an MSM Rubicon and questioned the Douma "gas attack" fraud on air, bringing up the OPCW whistleblower. Then he "rooted for Russia" over Ukraine. Was it a "betrayal," or epic truth-trolling? | Carlson boldly went where no mainstream TV host had gone before, unpacking the explosive story of April 2018's Douma "chemical weapons attack." While the "attack" was attributed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by an altered report from the Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons, two whistleblowers within the group accused it of omitting evidence to craft a misleadi…
rt.com/usa/474372-tucker-carlson-syria-russia-ukraine/

Russia shows cutting-edge Avangard hypersonic glider to US inspectors
rt.com | 2019-11-26
Moscow has showcased its top notch Avangard hypersonic missile system to a team of US military inspectors, saying the unprecedented move is an attempt to revitalize the key New START arms control treaty. | The US team became familiar with Avangard over the past two days, Russia's Defense Ministry said Tuesday. It was not immediately clear how close the US inspectors were able to get to the cutting-edge system and whether it was shown to them in action. | The Avangard is a hypersonic glider, launched by silo-based ballistic missiles, said to be able to penetrate any — both existing and prospective — d…
rt.com/news/474362-russia-shows-us-avangard/

Palestine warns breaking off relations with US over 'legalization' of West Bank settlements is imminent
rt.com | 2019-11-26
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to end the nation's relationship with the US after the Trump administration declared Israel's Jewish-only settlements in the West Bank — illegal under international law — legal. | "We are ready to go to a complete breakdown of relations with [the US]," Abbas told Russian journalists on Tuesday. He explained that "almost every country in the world" has condemned US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's statement legitimizing the settlements last week, and Palestinian authorities were not willing to let such a brash move go unaddressed. | Also on rt.com…
rt.com/news/474382-palestine-threatens-cutoff-israeli-settlements/

Sending your kid to college is like playing 'Russian roulette' — 'No Safe Spaces' star Dennis Prager
rt.com | 2019-11-26
Conservative radio host Dennis Prager says respect for free speech in America is dwindling and the roots of this trend is in colleges, so sending your kids there is like playing Russian roulette with their values. | Prager is one of the stars of 'No Safe Spaces', a new documentary lighting up the box office that takes a firsthand look at the erosion of free speech on the modern day US college campus. | The film also stars podcaster Adam Carolla, comedian Tim Allen, and conser…
rt.com/usa/474386-college-values-russian-roulette/

Spain, UK, France to 'Advise' Chile's Police on Public Order
telesurenglish.net | 2019-11-25
Chilean President Sebastian Piñera announced this Sunday that, starting this week, new measures will be implemented to re-establish public order in Chile, among them, a joint cooperation project between police forces from Chile, United Kingdom, Spain, and France. | RELATED: | Chile: Most Vulnerable Victims of State Violence are Minors | According to the president, the security forces from these three European countries will provide advice to Chile's Carabineros in order to "enrich…
telesurenglish.net/news/european-forces-to-advise-carabineros-in-public-order-issues-20191125-0013.html

Nuclear Lies and Broken Promises
Conn Hallinan | counterpunch.org | 2019-11-25
When Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told an economic meeting in the city of Sivas this September that Turkey was considering building nuclear weapons, he was responding to a broken promise. When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the government of Iran of lying about its nuclear program, he was concealing one of the greatest subterfuges in the history of nuclear weapons. And the vast majority of Americans haven't a clue about either.
counterpunch.org/2019/11/25/nuclear-lies-and-broken-promises/

Spain: Catalan Leaders Demand Dialogue to Support PM Sanchez
telesurenglish.net | 2019-11-25
Catalonian independentist party Esquerra Republicana de Cataluña (ERC) informed that to support the investiture of Spanish Socialist Party's Pedro Sanchez they demand a diaologue and negotiation between both, Spanish and Catalonian governments. | RELATED: | OAS Seeks to Divide Latin American Countries: Zapatero | ERC spokeswoman Marta Vilalta claimed that the dialogue must be between equals, and that means between governments and without conditions on the issues to be discussed. | "We…
telesurenglish.net/news/independentists-demand-dialogue-of-equals-with-spanish-state-20191125-0009.html

Guterres holds 'focused and frank' informal discussions over future of Cyprus
United Nations | news.un.org | 2019-11-25
The UN Secretary-General held "focused and frank" informal talks with the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities on Monday in order to "take stock of efforts" to finally reach a settlement over the divided Mediterranean island.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/11/1052181

Establishment Dems Demands Trump be Impeached, but Not for War Crimes
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2019-11-25
UkraineGate has so far failed to capture the public imagination precisely because it does not go after Trump for his most egregious and impeachable domestic and foreign policies.
mintpressnews.com/establishment-dems-demands-trump-be-impeached-but-not-for-war-crimes/263011/

Surprise! MSM Spins OPCW Leak as Russian Disinfo
Caitlin Johnstone | theantimedia.com | 2019-11-25
So you know that Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) scandal we've been talking a lot about lately?>…

Surprise! MSM Spins OPCW Leak as Russian Disinfo

Pope Francis Calls Nuclear Weapons Immoral as Catholic Activists Face Jail For U.S. Nuke Base Action
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-11-25
Over the weekend, Pope Francis visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where the United States dropped the first atomic bombs in 1945, killing more than 200,000 people. Pope Francis said, "A world without nuclear weapons is possible and necessary." The leader of the Cathoilc Church met with survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and declared the possession of nuclear weapons to be immoral. The Pope's visit comes as a group of seven Catholic peace activists are awaiting sentencing for breaking into the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia on April 4, 2018. The activists, known as the Kings Bay Plowshares 7,…
www.democracynow.org/2019/11/25/pope_francis_nuclear_weapons_hiroshima_nagasaki

Armenian Genocide Resolution Reaffirms G-word is a Tool for US Realpolitik
Max Parry | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-11-24
Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in an overwhelming bipartisan majority to officially recognize the Armenian genocide more than a century after the atrocities were committed. The motion was a departure from decades of U.S. government refusal because of its realpolitik considerations of regional ally and fellow NATO member, the Republic of Turkey. …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/11/arrmenian-genocide-resolution-reaffirms-g-word-is-a-tool-for-us-realpolitik/

Center-Right Klaus Iohannis Re-Elected President of Romania
telesurenglish.net | 2019-11-24
Romania's center-right incumbent President Klaus Iohannis was elected Sunday for a second term after he heavily defeated his socialist opponent Viorica Dancila in a runoff vote. | RELATED: | Romania Announces Israel Embassy Will Move to Jerusalem | According to the eastern European country's electoral body, the center-right former physics professor obtained 62.8 percent of the votes, while Social Democrats' (PSD) Dancila received the other 37.1 percent. | "The winner today is modern…
telesurenglish.net/news/Center-Right-Klaus-Iohannis-Re-Elected-President-of-Romania-20191124-0010.html

Trump taps Ambassador to Norway Braithwaite to replace Navy Sec. fired over Gallagher scandal
rt.com | 2019-11-24
Donald Trump has nominated current ambassador to Norway, Ken Braithwaite, as the new head of the Navy, saying that he was "not pleased" with the way fired Navy Secretary Richard Spencer handled the SEAL Eddie Gallagher's case. | In a flurry of tweets on Sunday, the US president confirmed Spencer's resignation, saying that his "services have been terminated by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper." | ….contracting procedures were not addressed to my satisfaction. Therefore, Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer's services have been terminated by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. I thank Richard for his service & co…
rt.com/usa/474235-trump-navy-chief-new/

Yes, Ukraine interfered in the 2016 presidential election
Yasha Levine | thegrayzone.com | 2019-11-23
Meddling in the 2016 US presidential election by Ukrainian politicians and government agencies did indeed happen. No amount of denial…
thegrayzone.com/2019/11/23/yes-ukraine-interference-in-the-2016-presidential-election/

Ukrainegate 13,000 Times Worse Than You Think
Joe Giambrone | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-11-23
Did you know that Donald Trump had the State Department, USAID, NED, and the CIA fund and train Neo-Nazi, fascist militias to overthrow the government of Ukraine? These riot mobs, primarily Svoboda and Right Sector, stormed the capital, firebombed and shot the police, and destroyed democracy inside Ukraine. When the legitimately elected president was forced …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/11/ukrainegate-13000-times-worse-than-you-think/

The Left May Finally Govern in Spain
Sebastiaan Faber, Bécquer Seguín | thenation.com | 2019-11-22
The Left May Finally Govern in Spain…
thenation.com/article/spain-podemos-vox-catalonia/

"Are You Sure They Did That?" Even Fox Questions Trump's Ukraine Conspiracy Theory
Robert Mackey | theintercept.com | 2019-11-22
The hosts of "Fox and Friends" appear to be losing patience with Donald Trump's conspiracy theory that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 election.
theintercept.com/2019/11/22/sure-even-fox-questions-trumps-ukraine-conspiracy-theory/

U.N. Rapporteur: Julian Assange Has Faced Psychological Torture; He Should Not Be Extradited to U.S
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-11-22
This week Swedish prosecutors dropped an investigation into sexual assault allegations against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, stemming from 2010. Assange, who has always denied the allegations, took refuge inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London for over seven years to avoid extradition to Sweden on the charges. British authorities dragged him out of the Ecuadorian embassy in April and he has since been jailed in London's Belmarsh prison on charges related to skipping of bail in 2012, when he first entered the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden over the now-dropped sexual assault charges. The United States…
www.democracynow.org/2019/11/22/nils_melzer_julian_assange

"In Defense of Julian Assange": Why WikiLeaks Founder's Case Threatens Press Freedom
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-11-22
This week Swedish prosecutors dropped an investigation into sexual assault allegations against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, stemming from 2010. Assange, who has always denied the allegations, took refuge inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London for over seven years to avoid extradition to Sweden on the charges. British authorities dragged him out of the Ecuadorian embassy in April and he has since been jailed in London's Belmarsh prison on charges related to skipping of bail in 2012, when he first entered the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden over the now-dropped sexual assault charges. The United States…
www.democracynow.org/2019/11/22/julian_assange_tariq_ali_margaret_kunstler

Thursday's Daily Brief: Deadly Syria violence, risks of working at sea, poor health in jail, concern over ISIL suspect, and her child
United Nations | news.un.org | 2019-11-21
A recap of Thursday's stories in brief: Syria's violence continues to strike children; governments must do more for human rights in business; poor health in Europe's prisons; rights experts' concern over Irish ISIL bride and her child in Turkey; Fishing workers face huge risks at sea.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/11/1051931

Sondland Pressed Ukraine to Smear Biden at Trump's Direction, Diplomat Says
Robert Mackey | theintercept.com | 2019-11-21
Donald Trump's point man on Ukraine, Gordon Sondland, admitted during a conversation in July that the president had directed him to press Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, to open a sham investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, a State Department official testified on Thursday to the House impeachment inquiry. | The official, David Holmes, is a career foreign service officer who said in his opening statement that Sondland, the U.S.
theintercept.com/2019/11/21/sondland-pressed-ukraine-smear-biden-trumps-direction-diplomat-says/

Alex Gibney's Cinematic Notes from Underground: Russia's Dissident Oligarch
Ed Rampell | progressive.org | 2019-11-21
The title refers to Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an oil oligarch who burst upon…
progressive.org/dispatches/underground-russias-dissenting-oligarch-rampell-191121/

Bernie Sanders Criticizes U.S. Relationships with Saudi Arabia and Israel at Democratic Debate
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-11-21
Ten Democratic candidates took the stage in Atlanta, Georgia, Wednesday for the party's fifth presidential debate, co-hosted by MSNBC and The Washington Post. Toward the end of the evening, Senator Bernie Sanders criticized former Vice President Joe Biden's support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq and laid out his foreign policy vision, including strong criticism of traditional U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and Israel. "It is no longer good enough for us to be pro-Israel — I am pro-Israel — but we must treat the Palestinians with the dignity they deserve," he said. We speak with Phyllis Bennis, a fellow at th…
www.democracynow.org/2019/11/21/democratic_debate_sanders_foreign_policy_palestine

Julián Castro: Gordon Sondland's Testimony Is "Nail in the Coffin" of Trump's Defense
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-11-21
During Wednesday's impeachment hearing, U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland told lawmakers that he was ordered by Trump to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Sondland also acknowledged there was a quid pro quo tying U.S. military aid to investigations, and said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence were aware of the Ukraine pressure campaign. Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro joins us to discuss these latest developments in the impeachment inquiry, which he describes as "blockbuster testimony" that could serve…
www.democracynow.org/2019/11/21/julian_castro_impeachment_hearings_democratic_debate

2020 Candidates' Focus on Inequality Shows "Shift in the Conversation" Within Democratic Party
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-11-21
Ten Democratic candidates took the stage Wednesday for the party's fifth presidential debate, held in Atlanta, Georgia, and co-hosted by MSNBC and The Washington Post. One of the most memorable moments of the night was a disagreement between Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker over Warren's proposed tax on the wealthiest Americans. Her proposed wealth tax would kick in on assets of $50 million and higher. Both candidates agreed that inequality is a major issue in the U.S., but Booker said wealth taxes in other countries have not been effective and that there are better ways to raise revenue. The issue of ec…
www.democracynow.org/2019/11/21/democratic_debate_wealth_tax_inequality_m4a

House of Representatives Finally Recognizes Armenian Genocide
Stephen Zunes | progressive.org | 2019-11-20
It is shocking that it has taken this long for even one house of the U.S. Congress to recognize this historic tragedy. Somehow it is always a "bad time" to upset the government of Turkey.
progressive.org/dispatches/armenian-genocide-recognized-zunes-191120/