(2019-12-21). Workers continue protests against pension reforms in France. peoplesdispatch.org The controversial reforms proposed by the Emmanuel Macron-led French government will introduce a grade point system for ascertaining pension amounts, besides raising the retirement age required to avail the pension benefits to 64…
(2019-12-21). UK to leave European Union at end of January after Johnson passes Withdrawal Agreement. wsws.org A total of 38 Labour MPs defied Jeremy Corbyn's instruction to oppose the bill.
(2019-12-21). Hungary's government continues its assault on democratic rights. wsws.org Last week, the Hungarian parliament, dominated by the right-wing Fidesz party, passed bills that represent a further step towards dictatorial forms of rule.
(2019-12-21). A magnificent account of Stalin's opponents in the USSR. wsws.org Stalin's rise was neither foreordained nor a natural outgrowth of the October Revolution. The Great Russian chauvinist and bureaucrat secured power in ferocious conflict with the proletariat, peasantry and cadre of the revolutionary socialist movement.
(2019-12-21). People Power in Romania Stopped a Mining Project. Now the Corporation Is Suing. truthout.org Recently, a colorful group gathered outside a World Bank building in downtown Washington, D.C. to defend a community 5,000 miles away in Romania. Most had never met each other but when each pointed to her or his hand-drawn sign it was smiles and nods all round. And before you knew it, they were chanting slogans together as if they had done this before, including one in the Romanian language: "Uniti Salvam Rosia Montana!" | Several Romanian citizens were joined at the demonstration by activis…
(2019-12-21). 'The players are capable of so much': Carlo Ancelotti targets end to trophy drought after being named new Everton boss. rt.com 
Merseyside strugglers Everton have secured the services of one of Europe's most acclaimed managers after sealing the signature of Carlo Ancelotti on a four-and-a-half-year deal. | Ancelotti departed Serie A side Napoli in November, emerged as the frontrunner for the managerial position at Goodison Park shortly after the sacking of Marco Silva. | On Saturday it was finally confirmed that the Italian would take over the reins after Everton's early kick-off with Arsenal, who appointed Mikel Arteta as their new boss just 24 hours earlier. | And the seasoned gaffer, who has won 20 major honors in club management, s…
(2019-12-21). Trump signs off on sanctions targeting Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. rt.com 
President Donald Trump has approved US sanctions against companies developing a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, which Washington claims endangers national security. | The sanctions, part of a larger defense spending bill Trump signed on Friday, aim to halt the construction of the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline under the Baltic Sea. | The new law will revoke US visas and freeze American properties owned by anyone who continues to work on the pipeline. | US lawmakers have argued that the project would make their European allies too dependent on Russian energy and give Moscow more leverage on the…
(2019-12-21). EU companies legally doing business mustn't be targeted by any sanctions – European Commission on US move against Nord Stream 2. rt.com 
EU states are against any sanctions targeting its companies legally doing business, the EU Commission said, after the US rolled out a package of penalties against firms participating in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. | "At the moment, the [European] Commission is studying the potential impact of these measures on European companies," a spokesperson for the EU body was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. | Brussels opposes sanctions that affect European firms doing business according to the law, the official stressed. The statement comes just a day after US sanctions — meant to hamper construct…
(2019-12-21). What we know so far about Russia-Ukraine gas transit deal. rt.com 
After multiple rounds of talks, Russia and Ukraine have finally hammered out an extension to the current gas agreement that is set to expire at the end of the year. | While the agreement "in principle" was reached earlier this week, the sides revealed the key points on Saturday. Here are the details of the breakthrough deal. | Terms of agreement: | The new contract will ensure gas supplies to Europe for the next five years, and the deal might be further prolonged for another ten years. The deal stipulates the transit of 65 billion cubic meters of gas next year, and 40 billion cubic meters per year for…
(2019-12-21). Turkish parliament approves military cooperation with Libya — report. rt.com 
Turkish lawmakers have ratified a defense and security memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Libya, state media has reported. The MoU on defense and security was hammered on November 27 between the senior government officials from two countries along with another deal on the delimitation of the maritime jurisdiction areas in the Mediterranean. The agreement outlines cooperation in defense and security, including establishing defense offices in each other's countries. The agreement also provides for training, the transfer of military hardware, and allows for joint exercises and intelligence. Ankara had signale…
(2019-12-21). Bullion beats sanctions: Muslim states may switch to gold & barter trade. rt.com 
Iran, Malaysia, Turkey and Qatar are looking into using gold and barter for trade to shield themselves from any future punitive economic measures, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has announced. | The idea was voiced as the leaders of many Islamic nations gathered for a four-day Islamic summit in Kuala Lumpur, which was boycotted by Saudi Arabia. In his address, the Malaysian prime minister said that while some of the states present at the meeting, such as Iran and Qatar, are facing economic restrictions due to "unilateral decisions" of some nations, others should remember that they can face the same…
(2019-12-21). 'Interference in domestic affairs': Germany fumes at US sanctions on Nord Stream 2 pipeline. rt.com 
Berlin has rejected a package of sweeping US sanctions meant to halt the construction of the German-Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, denouncing it as interference in its domestic affairs. | Germany "has noticed with regret that the sanctions initiated by the US Congress against Nord Stream2 and Turkstream [pipelines] came into force after being signed by the US president," deputy government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer tweeted on Saturday. | The federal government rejects such extraterritorial…
(2019-12-21). 'A snap-shot laser beam!' Alex Ovechkin scores stunning wrist shot as Caps beat Devils 6-3 (VIDEO). rt.com 
Russian hockey superstar Alex Ovechkin celebrated his 900th game played in tandem with Nicklas Backstrom with a stunning strike as the Washington Capitals blew past the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. | Backstrom had a big night, netting twice and assisting with two more as he registered the 900th point of his career. But, not to be upstaged, Ovechkin found time to produce a moment of magic of his own. | "Ovi" broke down the right and, after receiving the puck via a smart layoff from Backstrom, fired unerringly through the legs of his teammate and high into the top corner of the net. | Through the legs, ups…
(2019-12-21). 'They'll soon demand we stop breathing': Moscow slams Nord Stream 2 sanctions, says US hinders economic growth. rt.com 
The US, a country with a mammoth national debt, is trying to prevent others from growing their economies, the Russian Foreign Ministry said following actions taking aim at the Russo-German Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. | Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova lashed out at the US' crippling sanctions regarding the pipeline this Friday. | "A state with a $22-trillion national debt prohibits creditworthy countries to develop the real sector of their economies!" she wrote in a Facebook post, adding…
(2019-12-21). Civilians left behind as bias & double standards of West ruin 2 UNSC resolutions on humanitarian aid for Syria — Moscow. rt.com 
As the mainstream media pounds Moscow for "vetoing aid for Syria," Russia's UN mission says there was no winner in the latest UN battle during which its own draft resolution was defeated by "bias and double standards." | The Russian mission to the UN has offered their take on two rival resolutions on Syria which the Security Council rejected during a contentious Friday vote. | Read more | | Russia & China veto UN Security Council resolution on Syria truce that would've protected terrorists from 'COMPLETE ANNIHILATION' | One, drafted by Belgium, Ger…
(2019-12-21). Moscow anti-doping lab's data accessed from outside Russia, former director gave files of unknown origin to WADA — probe. rt.com 
Moscow anti-doping lab's files were remotely altered by its former director, Grigory Rodchenkov, and his unidentified associates from US and German IP addresses, Russian investigators confirmed. | Ex-boss of Moscow lab fled to US in November 2015 becoming a star witness and main source of information for World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in its case against Moscow. | Earlier in December, WADA introduced harsh sanctions against Russia over the alleged manipulations with the data handed over to it by Russian doping watchdog, RUSADA, as part of its reinstatement process. | But the laboratory information management…
(2019-12-21). Swedish justice ministry manipulated crime statistics — study. rt.com 
Sweden's Ministry of Justice pressured the country's Crime Prevention Council to hide, manipulate, or ignore potentially embarrassing crime statistics, a university study has found. | Sweden's Crime Prevention Council (Brå) has a difficult task. In a country where media outlets omit police-circulated descriptions of suspects' ethnicity, and the government actively downplays the surge in gun crime and bombings in its immigrant ghettoes, Brå is charged with compiling factual, accurate crime statisti…
(2019-12-21). Large-scale local narco-terror op launched in SE Turkey. yenisafak.com Interior Ministry on Saturday said a narco-terror operation was launched in the southeastern Diyarbakir province of Turkey, with the participation of hundreds of security personnel.Operation "Kiran-11 Narco-Terror" seeks to hinder the PKK's winter preparations, neutralize its terrorists based in the region, arrest drug dealers and eliminate its financial sources.A total of 1,260 personnel — including the special gendarmerie, police forces, and local security personnel — participate in the operation.Turkey has been fighting narcoterrorism, and this year confiscated over 40 tons of marijuana and seized about 40 m…
(2019-12-21). Turkey-Israel relations following Libya deal: ANALYSIS. yenisafak.com Turkey was at the center of some head-spinning developments in the Eastern Mediterranean in the last few days.In fact, the world and especially the riparian states are closely following these "events," which could also be named "belated decisions from Turkey."One of these states is Israel, which has been for a long time looking for ways to transport to Europe the natural gas that will be gathered from the hydrocarbon fields in the Eastern Mediterranean.After a long period of political distance, Turkey and Israel signed a normalization deal in June 2016 to cooperate on a pipeline project, to transfer natural gas f…
(2019-12-21). Turkish parliament ratifies 2020 budget. yenisafak.com Turkish lawmakers ratified the 2020 budget Saturday following a 12-day marathon session in the general assembly.Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop announced the budget was supported by 329 lawmakers while 159 voted against it in the 600-seat chamber.Lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) approved budget.Turkey earmarked 88.5 billion liras ($15 billion) for public investment in transportation, industry, health and education.Expenditures were projected at 1.095 trillion liras ($0.19 trillion). Also, non-interest expenses will round up at 956.5 bil…
(2019-12-21). 'Turkey to act if Libya greenlights troop deployment'. yenisafak.com Turkey is ready to take necessary steps if the UN-recognized government of Libya makes a request, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Saturday, referring to the deployment of Turkish soldiers in Libya."If our Libyan brothers make such a request, Turkey is ready to do what is necessary," Oktay said, speaking at a trade and cooperation meeting held in Istanbul.On Nov. 27, Ankara and Tripoli reached two separate memorandums of understanding, one on military cooperation and the other on maritime boundaries of countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.Following the military cooperation deal, Turkish President Recep Tayyip…
(2019-12-21). Turkey not to allow violations in East Med: Official. yenisafak.com Foreign remarks on Turkey's recent maritime deal with the UN-recognized government of Libya will not prevent Turkish government from pursuing its own agenda in the Eastern Mediterranean, country's communications director said on Saturday.Fahrettin Altun issued an article on micro blogging platform Medium where he discussed Turkey-Libya maritime jurisdiction pact and how it confirms the sovereignty of Turkey in the region.Altun said the maritime pact demonstrated that Ankara administration would never turn a blind eye to any fait-accompli in the Eastern Mediterranean, and it ensured that Turkey was an actor that…
(2019-12-21). Russia to go ahead with gas pipe project despite US sanctions. yenisafak.com "Russia has implemented and will continue to implement its economic projects regardless of anyone's sanctions," the ministry said in the statement.A U.S. bill signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday included legislation imposing sanctions on companies laying pipe for Nord Stream 2, which aims to double gas capacity along the northern Nord Stream 1 pipeline route to Germany.
(2019-12-21). Faran Balanced: Hanging out with wrong 'crowd'? Bad Santa US will give you SANCTIONS for Christmas. rt.com 
It's Christmastime and everybody is shopping for presents, but not the US, which has already given out its very special gift — sanctions — to those who it happens to dislike for the 'crime' of pursing an independent policy. | Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Germany— the list of countries who have been punished or threatened to be punished by the US for their "misbehavior" is longer than Santa's naughty list. But what have all these done to earn a lump of coal from the US? They have been doing business with China or Russia behind Washington's back, or dare to have their own policy.
(2019-12-20). Capitalism and the Limits of Greening. counterpunch.org 
The idea of a Green New Deal, including the one proposed by a group of Democrats led by New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is hardly novel on the world scene, though potentially consequential for American politics. European Green parties, for example, introduced far-reaching policies in support of an ecological (sustainable) model of development as early as 1980. A few other European leftist parties later arrived at their own "greening" initiatives to mitigate climate disruption. The much-smaller U.S. Greens followed suit. Even the authoritarian Chinese government has introduced its own program to curb green…
(2019-12-20). Democrats Invoke Russiagate to Advance Bill Lobbied for by Big Oil. therealnews.com 
Two bills that would allow the United States to expand its fossil fuel infrastructure in the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries have advanced to the the Senate—and Democrats backing them have invoked "Russiagate" to push them through.
(2019-12-20). Sweden: World Leaders Given an 'F' on Solving Climate Change. telesurenglish.net Teenager climate activist, Greta Thunberg, joined protests outside the Swedish parliament on Friday, where participants presented a report card giving politicians an F for "failed" in finding solutions for global warming at UN-led summits over the past decade and the verdict "Needs to try harder!". | RELATED: | US, Australia, and More Snub Calls for Climate Action at COP25 | "I would give them an F, actually. I know they did try, but they didn't try hard enough," activist Isabell…
(2019-12-20). Two tactics in the fight against Trump and the right. fightbacknews.org On December 18 the U.S. House of Representatives voted by a 230-197 margin to impeach President Donald Trump. The day before, thousands of people turned out at hundreds of protests across the country to support the impeachment effort. | Trump was impeached by a party-line vote on two counts: first, for abuse of power after he withheld military aid from the Ukraine in an effort to get the government there to investigate Joe Biden's son for corruption; and second, for obstruction of justice because of his campaign to cover up his actions. | What was not voted on were Trump's many other crimes against the people, in…
(2019-12-20). Massive protests against controversial judicial reforms rock Poland. peoplesdispatch.org On Wednesday, December 18, massive mobilizations took place in over 160 locations in Poland under the banner of "Today judges — tomorrow you", to protest the new judicial reforms proposed by the incumbent right-wing government led by the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS). Thousands of people, many carrying Polish flags, gathered in front of Poland's parliament in Warsaw. Marches were also organized in Wroclaw, Torun, Poznan, Szczecin, Katowice, Bialystok and other cities. The call for the protest was given by the Committee for the Defence of Democracy (KOD), the judiciary association "Iustitia Polska"
(2019-12-20). Whistleblowing: A Draft Law to Silence Whistleblowers. globalresearch.ca On 16th December 2019, the Swiss "Conseil des Etats" the upper house of the Swiss Parliament, approved the draft law on whistleblowing, in pipeline since 2003. The proposed law on whistleblowing and related labour laws in Switzerland are not only …
(2019-12-20). From Cavaignac to Villiers: The class struggle in France and the lessons of history. wsws.org This week General Pierre de Villiers called for more "firmness" in repressing the weeks-long mass strike against President Emmanuel Macron's austerity agenda.
(2019-12-20). Global Taxation Is a Mess. Here's How to Start Fixing It. thenation.com Global Taxation Is a Mess. Here's How to Start Fixing It.
(2019-12-20). Right-wing campaigns in Georgia and Wisconsin purge half a million registered voters. wsws.org The continued assault on democratic rights by the ruling class has led to millions of disenfranchised voters.
(2019-12-20). Vatican Office Reveals Vast Caseload of Abuse. truthdig.com 
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican office responsible for processing clergy sex abuse complaints has seen a record 1,000 cases reported from around the world this year, including from countries it had not heard from before — suggesting that the worst may be yet to come in a crisis that has plagued the Roman Catholic Church. | Nearly two decades after the Vatican assumed responsibility for reviewing all cases of abuse, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is today overwhelmed, struggling with a skeleton staff that hasn't grown at pace to meet the four-fold increase in the number of cases arriving in…
(2019-12-20). Hard truth to spit out: Yang tells Dems to stop obsessing over impeachment & deal with issues that helped Trump get elected. rt.com 
Breaking away from his Democratic peers, Andrew Yang called on the party to get over impeachment and stop pretending like President Donald Trump or Russia — not their own policy failures — caused their 2016 election loss. | In his opening remarks at the last Democratic presidential debate of the year on Thursday, Yang attempted to give his colleagues, still gloating over Trump's impeachment in the House, a rare reality check, urging them to stop putting all their eggs in a basket that nobody cares about in the first place. | "We have to stop being obsessed over impeachment, which unfortunately stri…
(2019-12-20). All I want for Christmas is $23tn in debt: Rand Paul lays waste to reckless US spending in annual Festivus Report. rt.com 
Offering some relief from the impeachment spectacle grinding on in Washington, Senator Rand Paul has released his yearly Festivus Report, chronicling the outrageous — but sometimes comical — spending habits of the US government. | Whether it's funding costly studies on the mating calls of Panamanian frogs, spending millions to improve the quality of television in Moldova or bankrolling Peru's Green New Deal, Washington has found a number of creative ways to blow through tax dollars in 2019. In an epic "airing of grievances" inspired by the TV sitcom Seinfeld, Paul (R-KY) pulled no punches for the f…
(2019-12-20). 'A Win for the Planet!': Dutch Supreme Court Issues Landmark Ruling Mandating Climate Action. commondreams.org Advocates for climate action celebrated Friday after the Supreme Court of the Netherlands upheld a landmark ruling that found the Dutch government is obligated under international human rights law to more ambitiously reduce greenhouse gas emissions that drive global heating. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/win_for_planet.jpg …
(2019-12-19). Queen's Speech takes 'wrecking ball' to Scotland's foundations, SNP claims. thecanary.co The SNP has accused Boris Johnson and the UK Government of "taking a wrecking ball" to Scotland with its plans in the Queen's Speech. | SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford spoke out after a speech that did not mention Scotland by name — although the queen said the "integrity and prosperity" of the United Kingdom was of "the utmost importance" to the UK Government. | Blackford argued the Withdrawal Agreement Bill that ministers will bring forward will hurt Scotland's economy and cost thousands of jobs north of the border. | He was also critical of plans on immigration and said the UK Government was failing…
(2019-12-19). Video: Military Intervention in Libya and Turkey's Grand Game in the Eastern Mediterranean. globalresearch.ca During the past week, the situation significantly escalated in Libya, with Turkey expanding its military involvement in the conflict. | In late November, Turkey signed with the Government of National Accord (GNA), which controls only a small part of northern Libya, …
(2019-12-19). ERC Won't Talk With PSOE Until It Responds to CJEU Ruling. telesurenglish.net In the statement released in front of the facade of the Parliament, ERC spokeswoman, Marta Vilalta informed that her political block will wait for the Socialists and the acting Government to decide if they want to use the ruling of the EU court to "end repression and policing" against independence and authorize the President of the Republicans, Oriol Junqueras, to become a Member of European Parliament (MEP).
(2019-12-19). Propaganda in the War on Yugoslavia. globalresearch.ca The war on Yugoslavia in the 1990s was a classic imperial war to reorder South Eastern Europe. To achieve its goals, the US even deployed the "jihadist" mercenaries with which it had previously fought the USSR in Afghanistan and which …
(2019-12-19). The Indo-'Israeli' Trans-Arabian Corridor Will Push Russia Closer to Pakistan. globalresearch.ca India's participation in "Israel's" Trans-Arabian Corridor for connecting the Eastern Mediterranean and Afro-Asian ("Indian") Ocean will render New Delhi's North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC) with Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia economically redundant, consequently pushing Russia closer to Pakistan as Moscow seeks to …
(2019-12-19). After British right-wing win, workers need anti-racist unity. workers.org 
Elections held Dec. 12 in England, Scotland, Wales and the occupied north of Ireland were a boost to Trump protégé and Conservative party leader Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Voters elected 365 Conservative Members of Parliament to the House of Commons, giving Conservatives — the Tories — the majority needed to . . . | Continue reading After British right-wing win, workers need anti-racist unity at Workers.org
(2019-12-19). Brexit Could See the Return of the Falkland Islands to Argentina. globalresearch.ca The Islas Malvinas, or more commonly known as the Falkland Islands, archipelago was invaded by the United Kingdom in 1833 and its occupation has continued to date. Argentina's claim for sovereignty through diplomatic means has been a state policy since …
(2019-12-19). UK's Johnson Presents Agenda, Promises Quick Brexit. telesurenglish.net United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed Thursday the agenda of his new government, presenting the Brexit as well as future trade deals as top priorities and pledging to transform Britain and repay the trust of voters who handed him a landslide election victory and a very large majority in Parliament. | RELATED: | 'We Don't Want Johnson, We Don't Want Brexit' Scottish Say | A week after the election, the Queen's Speech –written by the government but read out by the monarch…
(2019-12-19). Trump's order on 'anti-Semitism' aimed at pro-Palestinian movement. workers.org 
Photo credit: BDS Movement President Donald Trump's executive order issued Dec.11 would deny federal funds from schools that allow "anti-Semitism" on their campuses, including some anti-Israel activities. It is intended to squelch defense of — or even discussion about — Palestinian rights, and is the result of intense reactionary efforts . . . | Continue reading Trump's order on 'anti-Semitism' aimed at pro-Palestinian movement at Workers.org
(2019-12-18). "Not the End of It": If GOP Senate Saves Trump, Rep. Al Green Says He Can Face Impeachment Again. democracynow.org 
President Donald Trump is on the cusp of being impeached by the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, with a historic vote set today on whether to formally accuse him of abusing his power in dealing with Ukraine to help himself politically, and then obstructing Congress by blocking their investigation. Trump lashed out directly at the vote on Tuesday, calling the proceedings to remove him from office an "attempted coup." Should the House approve either of the articles of impeachment, the Republican-controlled Senate will hold a trial with all 100 senators acting as jurors, with a two-thirds supermajority…
(2019-12-18). A Secret CBP Team is Targeting and Detaining Innocent Travelers. We're Suing. aclu.org U.S. Customs and Border Protection is deploying secret teams that target, detain, and interrogate innocent travelers. We're suing to expose their activities. | In November 2018, three CBP officers detained Andreas | Gal, a former chief | technology officer at Mozilla Corporation and current Apple employee, at San | Francisco International Airport after he landed from a business trip to Sweden. | Andr…
(2019-12-18). The US-NATO-Israel Sponsored Al Qaeda Insurgency in Syria. Who Was Behind the 2011 "Protest Movement"? globalresearch.ca It was not a protest movement, it was an armed insurgency integrated by US-Israeli & allied supported "jihadist" death squads. From Day One, the Islamist "freedom fighters" were supported, trained & equipped by NATO & Turkey's High Command.
(2019-12-18). Headlines for December 18, 2019. democracynow.org House to Hold Historic Impeachment Vote Today, Top U.S. Diplomat to Ukraine William Taylor to Step Down, Rick Gates Sentenced to 45 Days in Jail and $20,000 Fine, FISA Court Orders FBI to Change National Security Wiretaps After DOJ Report, Democratic Primary Debate to Go Forward After Labor Dispute Resolved, Senate Approves One of the Most Expensive Military Spending Bills in U.S. History, Trump Meets with Outgoing Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, Indian Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Controversial Citizenship Law, Strikes Continue Nationwide in France over Pension Overhaul, Bolivia's Evo Morales Names Two…