Daily Archives: August 14, 2019

2019-08-14: News Headlines

Jeremy Kuzmarov (2019-08-14). Russian Blast Points to Danger of New Nuclear Arms Race. counterpunch.org On Thursday August 8th, an explosion at the Nenoksa Missile test site in northern Russia during testing of a new type of nuclear propelled cruise missile resulted in the death of at least seven people, including scientists and was followed by a spike in radiation in the atmosphere. Analysts in Washington and Europe are of the belief that the explosion may offer a glimpse of technological weaknesses in Russia's new arms program. More

Staff (2019-08-14). United States and Turkey Agree to a Syrian "Safe Zone," Betraying the Kurds. therealnews.com Baris Karaagac discusses how the U.S allowed the Turkish government seize land in northern Syria to counter Russian and Iranian influence in spite of former Kurdish allies…

Prof Michel Chossudovsky (2019-08-14). The Downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17: The Quest for Truth and Justice. Review of the Evidence. globalresearch.ca The MH17 Inquiry has been conducted in an insidious fashion. Important pieces of evidence including eye witness reports, audio & video material transmitted through Ukraine Intelligence (SBU) have been manipulated or excluded from the Dutch inquiry, which largely endorses Washington's accusations directed against Moscow.

teleSUR (2019-08-14). Court Overrides Salvini, Allows Migrant Ship in Italian Waters. telesurenglish.net An administrative court in Rome ruled Wednesday that a Spanish rescue ship carrying around 150 migrants should be allowed to enter Italian territorial waters in defiance of a ban imposed by Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. | RELATED: | Salvini Orders Italian Coast Guard Not to Rescue 135 Migrants | Salvini, leader of the far-right League party, quic…

Patrick Cockburn (2019-08-14). Boris Johnson Recklessly Picks at the Scabs of Ireland's Violent Past. counterpunch.org On 8 May 1987 a Provisional IRA unit of eight men attacked a police station in the village of Loughgall in county Armagh 15 miles from the Irish border. One man drove a digger with a bomb in its bucket towards the building, half of which was destroyed in the explosion. But British forces had More

Zero Hedge (2019-08-14). Footage Captures NATO Intercept Attempt of Plane Carrying Russian Defense Minister. globalresearch.ca Russia's Defense Ministry has published dramatic video Tuesday showing another close encounter between its military planes and NATO jets over the Baltic Sea, but this time it involved a dangerous intercept as the NATO aircraft came just off the wing …

WSWS (2019-08-14). Three-star general stands for far-right Alternative for Germany in mayoral election. wsws.org The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has selected Joachim Wundrak, a former Luftwaffe lieutenant-general, as its candidate for the Hannover mayoral election on October 27.

teleSUR (2019-08-14). New Zealand Man Accused of Mosque Shootings Sent Racist Letters. telesurenglish.net The Australian white supremacist accused of terror attacks at two mosques in New Zealand that killed 51 people in March, has written several letters from jail expressing his racist political and social views, prompting Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to say that should never have been allowed. | RELATED: | Norway Mosque Attacker Inspired by El Paso, New Zealand Attacks: Report | "I think every New Zealander would have an expectation that this individual should not be able…

Staff (2019-08-14). Stacey Abrams Applauded for #FairFight2020 Initiative Against Voter Suppression. truthout.org | | After experiencing firsthand how voter suppression impacts elections in her narrowly unsuccessful Georgia gubernatorial race against Republican Brian Kemp, Stacey Abrams on Tuesday launched an initiative aimed at bolstering voter protections nationwide ahead of the 2020 elections. | "There are only two things stopping us in 2020: that people have…

WSWS (2019-08-14). Italy: Democrats, Five-Star Movement call for technocratic government. wsws.org On August 20, the Senate will hold a confidence vote on the current government, after far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini broke the governing alliance.

Norman Stockwell (2019-08-14). Presidential Hopefuls Hit the Trail in Iowa: A Photo Essay. progressive.org Twenty-one candidates came through the Iowa State Fair for a weekend of "straw" polls, soapbox speeches, and a turkey leg or two.

WSWS (2019-08-14). Portugal's social-democratic government calls out army against truckers' strike. wsws.org The financial aristocracy has made clear that it will not tolerate workers' demands for a dramatic rise in wages and working conditions, proper rest times, and fundamental social change.

WSWS (2019-08-14). "Voyage of the Damned:" Hundreds of refugees stranded in the Mediterranean. wsws.org Europe's governments have shut their doors to refugees rescued from the sea after fleeing death and torture.

teleSUR-EF (2019-08-14). UK: Corbyn Gears up to Bring Down Brexit. telesurenglish.net Britain's Labour Party is urging rebel lawmakers in the ruling Conservatives party to help block a no-deal Brexit by bringing down Prime Minister Boris Johnson's administration and allowing its leader Jeremy Corbyn to form an interim government. | RELATED: | EU Will Not Negotiate New Brexit Deal, Junker Tells Johnson | Recently-elected Johnson has promised to take Britain out of the European Union by Oct. 31, with or without a deal. This will likely set the scene for a parliamenta…

Nation.Cymru (2019-08-14). Irish Newspaper Calls for Union between Ireland, Wales and Scotland. globalresearch.ca Wales, Ireland and Scotland should form a 'Celtic pact' and leave England behind to sort out Brexit for itself, according to the Irish Mirror. | Writing for the newspaper, Jason O'Toole suggests that a pact of the four nations — Ireland, …

Jake Johnson, staff writer (2019-08-14). 'Just Reciting White Nationalist Talking Points': Trump Immigration Chief Says Statue of Liberty Poem Only About Europeans. commondreams.org "This administration finally admitted what we've known all along: They think the Statue of Liberty only applies to white people." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/trump_immigration_chief.jpg

patrick (2019-08-14). BDS condemns antisemitic, fascist forces in Germany and worldwide. bdsmovement.net BDS condemns antisemitic, fascist forces in Germany and worldwide: BNC StatementOur nonviolent movement opposes all forms of racism and racial discrimination. | Right To BoycottAugust 14, 2019 | By: | | Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC)

Gary Leupp (2019-08-13). MSNBC and the Next Election: Racism is the Issue. dissidentvoice.org After Donald Trump unexpectedly won the 2016 election, the Democrats and the mainstream media they shape sought to explain the disaster as a result of Russian meddling. Such meddling, which had been alleged for months, was documented in an (unconvincing) intelligence report prepared by the lame-duck Obama administration, made public Jan. 6, 2017; Congress followed …

teleSUR (2019-08-13). Italian Senators Temporarily Dismiss Call for Snap Elections. telesurenglish.net Italian senators suspended Tuesday, until next week, the debate for snap elections promoted by Matteo Salvini, the current Minister of Interior and leader of the far-right League party. | RELATED: | EU Offers No Solution to Over 500 Migrants Stranded at Sea | Salvini, along with its right-wing allies, wanted a no-confidence vote on Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's government, to be held in the Senate before Wednesday. The leader of the League party wanted to trigger snap elections…

teleSUR (2019-08-13). EU Offers No Solution to Over 500 Migrants Stranded at Sea. telesurenglish.net The European Commission (EC) acknowledged Tuesday that it cannot do more for immigrants aboard the Open Arms vessel as long as the European Union (EU) countries do not propose a solution for the relocation of these people. | RELATED: | Javier Bardem Asks Spain's Acting PM To End Open Arms Stand-Off | "Finding a solution depends on the Member States'

United Nations (2019-08-13). Tuesday's Daily Brief: Hong Kong airport disruption, Geneva Conventions at 70, new Ebola drug breakthrough, French fighters face Iraq execution; Europe pushed on stranded migrants and Aden update. un.org Our main stories today cover: Human rights chief on chaos at Hong Kong airport; Geneva Conventions have been 'limiting brutality' for 70 years; breakthrough drug in DR Congo Ebola fight; France pushed to repatriate nationals on death row in Iraq; 'Race against time" for migrants in Mediterranean…

teleSUR (2019-08-13). French Activists Call for an End to the Blockade of Venezuela. telesurenglish.net Activists and citizens from France and other parts of the world signed on Tuesday in this capital a letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to denounce the blockade imposed on Venezuela by the United States. | RELATED: | Venezuela: Court Charges 3 Assembly Members with Treason | The Venezuelan Embassy hosted the first of seven days dedicated to gathering support for the statement, which was backed this Tuesday by French, Venezuelan, Brazilian, Cuban, Salvadoran…

Amy Goodman (2019-08-13). "The next step is the Kremlin": Why Moscow protests have Putin's government worried. nationofchange.org Up to 60,000 protesters gathered Saturday in Moscow in the largest demonstration Russia has witnessed in years. Although the protest was officially authorized, dozens of protesters were arrested in the capital, and dozens more were also arrested in demonstrations across the country. Saturday's protest was organized to denounce the recent barring of opposition candidates from running in an upcoming election for Moscow City Council. We speak with Nina Khrushcheva, professor of international affairs at The New School. She is the co-author of "In Putin's Footsteps: Searching for the Soul of an Empire Across Russia…

teleSUR (2019-08-13). World Commemorates Fidel Castro's Birthday. telesurenglish.net Governments and social movements around the world have come together to commemorate the birthday of revolutionary icon Fidel Castro, on what would have been his 93rd birthday. | RELATED: | 60 Years of Defending Cuba Against a Barbarous Empire | On Tuesday morning, members of China's Communist Youth attended an event at the Cuban embassy in Beijing to commemorate the Cuban revolutionary hero. Other Cuban embassies also hosted events. In Russia, there was a talk on Fidel along with an…

WSWS (2019-08-13). Explosions at Russian military facilities leave eight dead. wsws.org Bound up with the accelerating global arms race, blasts at a nuclear weapons testing facility in Russia's far north and an ammunitions depot in Siberia have injured dozens.

Pepe Escobar (2019-08-13). How Tehran Fits into Russia-China Strategy. globalresearch.ca Complex doesn't even begin to describe the positioning of Iran-Russia in the geopolitical chessboard. What's clear in our current, volatile moment is that they're partners, as I previously reported. Although not strategic partners, as in the Russia-China tie-up, Russia-China-Iran …

teleSUR (2019-08-13). Venezuelan Opposition Journalist Served as Spy for US, UK Gov't. telesurenglish.net Ambassador of Venezuela to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, revealed evidence in a series of tweets Sunday and Monday, proving that well-known opposition 'journalist' Nelson Bocaranda has served as a "local agent" of the United States and United Kingdom governments since the 1980s. | RELATED: | US Admits Violating Venezuela Airspace | "In Venezuela, there are accomplices who lend themselves to surrender their homeland to traffickers of war and colonization. For years they have presented themselves…

Bill Blum (2019-08-13). Unequal Justice: John Roberts' Dark Legacy of Voter Suppression. progressive.org Plaintiffs are litigating voting rights cases in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, and several other states. Some will succeed, some will fail, but all will be more uncertain and expensive thanks to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Staff (2019-08-13). From Hong Kong to Kashmir to the US, Authoritarianism Is Rising. truthout.org | | Over the past couple weeks, the global pattern of authoritarianism has become particularly visible, and particularly gut-wrenching. Global politics is changing quickly, with political discourse becoming increasingly degraded and dangerous in one country after the next. | In Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling party boasted of the mass book burning and destruction that it has, apparen…

Stephen Sefton (2019-08-13). Nicaragua and Western Progressive Opinion. telesurenglish.net Progressives in Europe and North America attacking Nicaragua's Sandinista government consistently exclude from their version of events in 2018 the extreme, sadistic violence and economic hardship imposed on Nicaragua's people by the country's U.S.-supported political opposition. The demonstrable facts of the failed attempt to overthrow President Ortega stubbornly contradict the outright lies and misrepresentations promoted by the Nicaraguan opposition's foreign supporters. | Consequently, Western progressives opposed to President Ortega's government face various intractable dilemmas as they try in vain to dist…

teleSUR (2019-08-13). UK Expected To Release Illegally Seized Iranian Tanker. telesurenglish.net Iran is celebrating a diplomatic victory, as they claim the U.K. is expected to release the seized Iranian tanker, following negotiations. Iranian maritime authorities said Tuesday that they had been in talks with the U.K. government, and showed documents that prove that Iran did not violate sanctions against Syria, the reason given by the U.K. for the seizure. | RELATED: | UK Wants European Force to Police Persian Gulf | Jalil Eslami, deputy head of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization, s…

Ruth Milka (2019-08-13). Sea turtles are mistaking plastic pollution for food. nationofchange.org Endangered green sea turtles are accidentally ingesting plastic that resembles their food source concludes a new study published in the journal ' Scientific Reports'. | Researchers at the University of Exeter and the Society for the Protection of Turtles studied 34 sea turtles who washed up on beaches on the island of Cyprus. The team was able to look at the gastrointestinal tracts of 19 of the turtles, all of which had ingested plastic. | The sea turtles had ingested plastic that was green, black or clear, which greatly…

RT (2019-08-12). Really? McFaul 'plants US flag' in Twitter to claim it as free speech sanctuary. rt.com Michael McFaul says he can say whatever he wants on Twitter because it's an American platform. Yeah, the very same Twitter that 'shadowbans,' silences alternative media, and hosts fake Russian bots that meddle in US elections.

Aaron Maté (2019-08-12). What do we know about Russia's alleged influence campaign? thegrayzone.com What have US intelligence officials proven to date about their claims of a sweeping Russian interference effort and Russian government…

The Canary (2019-08-12). University bans beef burgers to do its part in the fight against climate chaos. thecanary.co Beef burgers have been banned by a university as part of efforts to tackle the climate emergency.Goldsmiths, University of London said it will remove all products containing beef from sale from next month as the institution aims to become carbon neutral by 2025.Students will also face a 10p levy on bottles of water and single-use plastic cups when the academic year starts to discourage use of the products.The college's new Warden, Prof Frances Corner, said staff and st…

Peadar O'Cearnaigh (2019-08-12). 50 years on and the Battle of the Bogside could teach us about the dangers of a Tory no-deal Brexit. thecanary.co On 12 August 1969, a battle between Irish republicans on one side and British police and loyalist gangs on the other raged for two days in Derry city. The battle of the Bogside, as it became known, ensured the conflict in Ireland would continue for anothe…

Staff (2019-08-12). "The Next Step Is the Kremlin": Why Moscow Protests Have Putin's Government Worried. democracynow.org Up to 60,000 protesters gathered Saturday in Moscow in the largest demonstration Russia has witnessed in years. Although the protest was officially authorized, dozens of protesters were arrested in the capital, and dozens more were also arrested in demonstrations across the country. Saturday's protest was organized to denounce the recent barring of opposition candidates from running in an upcoming election for Moscow City Council. We speak with Nina Khrushcheva, professor of international affairs at The New School. She is the co-author of "In Putin's Footsteps: Searching for the Soul of an Empire Across Russia's…

unitedEditor (2019-08-10). TURKEY AND US COME TO AGREEMENT ON CREATION OF SECURITY ZONE. uwidata.com Turkey and the United States seem to have finally reached some level of agreement regarding the creation of a security zone in Syria, an issue which had long strained the already tense relations between the two countries. Nonetheless, the decision likely doesn't mean the end of the conflict over the issue. Following three days of …

United Nations (2019-08-09). Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders ready for talks with UN chief on improved relations. un.org Leaders of the Greek and Turkish parts of the divided island of Cyprus have agreed to meet with the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in order to "plan the way forward", and improve the daily lives of all Cypriots, a statement from the UN Mission in Cyprus, declared on Friday.

unitedEditor (2019-08-08). Boris Johnson, 'Britain Trump'. uwidata.com Boris Johnson recently became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by a majority vote of the Conservative Party, despite his spotty reputation. This has generated a lot of worry, as any poorly considered action on his part could endanger the EU and his premiership. WHO IS THE NEW RESIDENT OF HOUSE DOWNING STREET? Boris …

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2019-08-08). Venezuelan Gov't Suspends Dialogue as EU Criticizes US Embargo. venezuelanalysis.com The European Union objected to the "extraterritorial application of unilateral measures."

Alan MacLeod (2019-08-08). Can't Afford a Vacation? Get Another Credit Card! – News about Americans' dire financial straits turns into a credit card commercial. fair.org Summertime is well and truly here, and for many of us, that means sunny vacations. Disneyland? Florida? A European adventure? | But for tens of millions of Americans, there will be none, because they cannot afford one. A new and widely reported poll from financial services company BankRate.com found that over one in four people are forgoing a vacation, primarily because they cannot pay for it. | The average expected cost of a vacation, for those planning one, was $1,979. But, as a well-publicized sur…

Staff (2019-08-07). Headlines for August 7, 2019. democracynow.org Dems and Grieving Communities Voice Resistance to Trump Visits to El Paso and Dayton, FBI Investigating Gilroy Mass Shooting as Domestic Terror, Dems Call on Congressional Leaders to Pass Bills Addressing White Supremacy, Civil Rights Groups Rally Against Gun Violence and White Supremacy at White House, Walmart Workers Plan Walkout to Protest Gun Sales, Toni Morrison, Visionary Author and Nobel Laureate, Dies at 88, Nigerian Journalist and Political Activist Omoyele Sowore Arrested After Calling for Revolution, U.S Warns Turkey Against Syria Attacking Kurdish Forces in Syria, 25% of World's Population Under "Extr…

unitedEditor (2019-08-06). Could Thousands of Daesh fighters end up in Europe? uwidata.com US President Donald Trump threatened to release the Daesh militants if the European Union refused to take them. "We have thousands of ISIS fighters that we want Europe to take and let's see if they take them. And if they don't take them, we'll probably have to release them to Europe," Mr. Trump said on …

Turkish Minute (2019-08-06). Pentagon: Any Operation by Turkey into Northern Syria 'Unacceptable'. theantimedia.com (TM) — US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday any Turkish operation into northern Syria would be "unacceptable" and that the United States would prevent unilateral incursions, as tensions between Washington and Ankara simmer, according to Reuters. On Sunday President Recep Tayyip Erdoƒüan said Turkey, which already has a foothold in northwest Syria, will carry out …

Aaron Maté (2019-08-04). Mueller time is over, Russia-hate is here to stay. thegrayzone.com Stephen F. Cohen says that while Robert Mueller has closed up shop, dangerous U.S. fear-mongering about Russia remains. Guest: Stephen…

splcenter (2019-08-03). Weekend Read: The SPLC fights an internal threat to our democracy. splcenter.org In his recent testimony before Congress, Special Counsel Robert Mueller pointedly warned the nation about Russia's ongoing attempts to meddle in our nation's elections.

Eoin Higgins (2019-08-01). Kamala Harris Team Accused of "Inventing Conspiracies" About Tulsi Gabbard. theantimedia.com The Kamala Harris' campaign jumped to tie Gabbard and her campaign to a nebulously defined and unclear Russian conspiracy.

Paul Dobson (2019-07-01). US Sanctions Maduro's Son as Venezuela Discussed at G20. venezuelanalysis.com Russian President Vladimir Putin challenged Juan Guaido to run in elections while Trump said he has "five different alternatives for Venezuela."

2019-08-14: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

The Downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17: The Quest for Truth and Justice. Review of the Evidence
Prof Michel Chossudovsky | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-14
The MH17 Inquiry has been conducted in an insidious fashion. Important pieces of evidence including eye witness reports, audio & video material transmitted through Ukraine Intelligence (SBU) have been manipulated or excluded from the Dutch inquiry, which largely endorses Washington's accusations directed against Moscow.
globalresearch.ca/the-downing-of-malaysian-airlines-mh17-the-quest-for-truth-and-justice/5684127

Boris Johnson Recklessly Picks at the Scabs of Ireland's Violent Past
Patrick Cockburn | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-14
On 8 May 1987 a Provisional IRA unit of eight men attacked a police station in the village of Loughgall in county Armagh 15 miles from the Irish border. One man drove a digger with a bomb in its bucket towards the building, half of which was destroyed in the explosion. But British forces had…
counterpunch.org/2019/08/14/boris-johnson-recklessly-picks-at-the-scabs-of-irelands-violent-past/

Russian Blast Points to Danger of New Nuclear Arms Race
Jeremy Kuzmarov | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-14
On Thursday August 8th, an explosion at the Nenoksa Missile test site in northern Russia during testing of a new type of nuclear propelled cruise missile resulted in the death of at least seven people, including scientists and was followed by a spike in radiation in the atmosphere. Analysts in Washington and Europe are of the belief that the explosion may offer a glimpse of technological weaknesses in Russia's new arms program.
counterpunch.org/2019/08/14/russian-blast-points-to-danger-of-new-nuclear-arms-race/

United States and Turkey Agree to a Syrian "Safe Zone," Betraying the Kurds
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-08-14
Baris Karaagac discusses how the U.S allowed the Turkish government seize land in northern Syria to counter Russian and Iranian influence in spite of former Kurdish allies…
therealnews.com/stories/united-states-and-turkey-agree-to-a-syrian-safe-zone-betraying-the-kurds

Footage Captures NATO Intercept Attempt of Plane Carrying Russian Defense Minister
Zero Hedge | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-14
Russia's Defense Ministry has published dramatic video Tuesday showing another close encounter between its military planes and NATO jets over the Baltic Sea, but this time it involved a dangerous intercept as the NATO aircraft came just off the wing …
globalresearch.ca/footage-captures-nato-intercept-attempt-plane-carrying-russian-defense-minister/5686410

Three-star general stands for far-right Alternative for Germany in mayoral election
wsws.org | 2019-08-14
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has selected Joachim Wundrak, a former Luftwaffe lieutenant-general, as its candidate for the Hannover mayoral election on October 27.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/08/14/gene-a14.html

BDS condemns antisemitic, fascist forces in Germany and worldwide
patrick | bdsmovement.net | 2019-08-14
BDS condemns antisemitic, fascist forces in Germany and worldwide: BNC StatementOur nonviolent movement opposes all forms of racism and racial discrimination. | Right To BoycottAugust 14, 2019 | By: | | Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) …
bdsmovement.net/news/bds-condemns-antisemitic-fascist-forces-germany-and-worldwide

New Zealand Man Accused of Mosque Shootings Sent Racist Letters
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-14
The Australian white supremacist accused of terror attacks at two mosques in New Zealand that killed 51 people in March, has written several letters from jail expressing his racist political and social views, prompting Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to say that should never have been allowed. | RELATED: | Norway Mosque Attacker Inspired by El Paso, New Zealand Attacks: Report | "I think every New Zealander would have an expectation that this individual should not be able…
telesurenglish.net/news/New-Zealand-Man-Accused-of-Mosque-Shootings-Sent-Racist-Letters-20190814-0025.html

Stacey Abrams Applauded for #FairFight2020 Initiative Against Voter Suppression
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-08-14
| After experiencing firsthand how voter suppression impacts elections in her narrowly unsuccessful Georgia gubernatorial race against Republican Brian Kemp, Stacey Abrams on Tuesday launched an initiative aimed at bolstering voter protections nationwide ahead of the 2020 elections. | "There are only two things stopping us in 2020: that people have…
truthout.org/articles/stacey-abrams-applauded-for-fairfight2020-initiative-against-voter-suppression/

Italy: Democrats, Five-Star Movement call for technocratic government
wsws.org | 2019-08-14
On August 20, the Senate will hold a confidence vote on the current government, after far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini broke the governing alliance.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/08/14/ital-a14.html

Presidential Hopefuls Hit the Trail in Iowa: A Photo Essay
Norman Stockwell | progressive.org | 2019-08-14
Twenty-one candidates came through the Iowa State Fair for a weekend of "straw" polls, soapbox speeches, and a turkey leg or two.
progressive.org/dispatches/presidential-hopefuls-iowa-davis-stockwell-190814/

Portugal's social-democratic government calls out army against truckers' strike
wsws.org | 2019-08-14
The financial aristocracy has made clear that it will not tolerate workers' demands for a dramatic rise in wages and working conditions, proper rest times, and fundamental social change.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/08/14/port-a14.html

"Voyage of the Damned:" Hundreds of refugees stranded in the Mediterranean
wsws.org | 2019-08-14
Europe's governments have shut their doors to refugees rescued from the sea after fleeing death and torture.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/08/14/pers-a14.html

UK: Corbyn Gears up to Bring Down Brexit
teleSUR-EF | telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-14
Britain's Labour Party is urging rebel lawmakers in the ruling Conservatives party to help block a no-deal Brexit by bringing down Prime Minister Boris Johnson's administration and allowing its leader Jeremy Corbyn to form an interim government. | RELATED: | EU Will Not Negotiate New Brexit Deal, Junker Tells Johnson | Recently-elected Johnson has promised to take Britain out of the European Union by Oct. 31, with or without a deal. This will likely set the scene for a parliamenta…
telesurenglish.net/news/UK-Corbyn-Gears-up-to-Bring-Down-Brexit-20190814-0027.html

Irish Newspaper Calls for Union between Ireland, Wales and Scotland
Nation.Cymru | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-14
Wales, Ireland and Scotland should form a 'Celtic pact' and leave England behind to sort out Brexit for itself, according to the Irish Mirror. | Writing for the newspaper, Jason O'Toole suggests that a pact of the four nations — Ireland, …
globalresearch.ca/irish-newspaper-calls-union-between-ireland-wales-scotland/5686378

'Just Reciting White Nationalist Talking Points': Trump Immigration Chief Says Statue of Liberty Poem Only About Europeans
Jake Johnson, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-08-14
"This administration finally admitted what we've known all along: They think the Statue of Liberty only applies to white people." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/trump_immigration_chief.jpg
commondreams.org/news/2019/08/14/just-reciting-white-nationalist-talking-points-trump-immigration-chief-says-statue?cd-origin=rss

Italian Senators Temporarily Dismiss Call for Snap Elections
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-13
Italian senators suspended Tuesday, until next week, the debate for snap elections promoted by Matteo Salvini, the current Minister of Interior and leader of the far-right League party. | RELATED: | EU Offers No Solution to Over 500 Migrants Stranded at Sea | Salvini, along with its right-wing allies, wanted a no-confidence vote on Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's government, to be held in the Senate before Wednesday. The leader of the League party wanted to trigger snap elections…
telesurenglish.net/news/Italy-Senators-Dismiss-Far-right-Request-for-Snap-Elections-20190813-0022.html

Tuesday's Daily Brief: Hong Kong airport disruption, Geneva Conventions at 70, new Ebola drug breakthrough, French fighters face Iraq execution; Europe pushed on stranded migrants and Aden update
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-13
Our main stories today cover: Human rights chief on chaos at Hong Kong airport; Geneva Conventions have been 'limiting brutality' for 70 years; breakthrough drug in DR Congo Ebola fight; France pushed to repatriate nationals on death row in Iraq; 'Race against time" for migrants in Mediterranean…
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1044181

EU Offers No Solution to Over 500 Migrants Stranded at Sea
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-13
The European Commission (EC) acknowledged Tuesday that it cannot do more for immigrants aboard the Open Arms vessel as long as the European Union (EU) countries do not propose a solution for the relocation of these people. | RELATED: | Javier Bardem Asks Spain's Acting PM To End Open Arms Stand-Off | "Finding a solution depends on the Member States'…
telesurenglish.net/news/EU-Offers-No-Solution-to-Over-500-Migrants-Stranded-at-Sea-20190813-0007.html

French Activists Call for an End to the Blockade of Venezuela
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-13
Activists and citizens from France and other parts of the world signed on Tuesday in this capital a letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to denounce the blockade imposed on Venezuela by the United States. | RELATED: | Venezuela: Court Charges 3 Assembly Members with Treason | The Venezuelan Embassy hosted the first of seven days dedicated to gathering support for the statement, which was backed this Tuesday by French, Venezuelan, Brazilian, Cuban, Salvadoran…
telesurenglish.net/news/French-Activists-Call-for-an-End-to-the-Blockade-of-Venezuela-20190813-0027.html

"The next step is the Kremlin": Why Moscow protests have Putin's government worried
Amy Goodman | nationofchange.org | 2019-08-13
Up to 60,000 protesters gathered Saturday in Moscow in the largest demonstration Russia has witnessed in years. Although the protest was officially authorized, dozens of protesters were arrested in the capital, and dozens more were also arrested in demonstrations across the country. Saturday's protest was organized to denounce the recent barring of opposition candidates from running in an upcoming election for Moscow City Council. We speak with Nina Khrushcheva, professor of international affairs at The New School. She is the co-author of "In Putin's Footsteps: Searching for the Soul of an Empire Across Russia…
nationofchange.org/2019/08/13/the-next-step-is-the-kremlin-why-moscow-protests-have-putins-government-worried/

MSNBC and the Next Election: Racism is the Issue
Gary Leupp | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-08-13
After Donald Trump unexpectedly won the 2016 election, the Democrats and the mainstream media they shape sought to explain the disaster as a result of Russian meddling. Such meddling, which had been alleged for months, was documented in an (unconvincing) intelligence report prepared by the lame-duck Obama administration, made public Jan. 6, 2017; Congress followed …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/08/msnbc-and-the-next-election-racism-is-the-issue/

How Tehran Fits into Russia-China Strategy
Pepe Escobar | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-13
Complex doesn't even begin to describe the positioning of Iran-Russia in the geopolitical chessboard. What's clear in our current, volatile moment is that they're partners, as I previously reported. Although not strategic partners, as in the Russia-China tie-up, Russia-China-Iran …
globalresearch.ca/how-tehran-fits-russia-china-strategy/5686257

Explosions at Russian military facilities leave eight dead
wsws.org | 2019-08-13
Bound up with the accelerating global arms race, blasts at a nuclear weapons testing facility in Russia's far north and an ammunitions depot in Siberia have injured dozens.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/08/13/russ-a13.html

World Commemorates Fidel Castro's Birthday
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-13
Governments and social movements around the world have come together to commemorate the birthday of revolutionary icon Fidel Castro, on what would have been his 93rd birthday. | RELATED: | 60 Years of Defending Cuba Against a Barbarous Empire | On Tuesday morning, members of China's Communist Youth attended an event at the Cuban embassy in Beijing to commemorate the Cuban revolutionary hero. Other Cuban embassies also hosted events. In Russia, there was a talk on Fidel along with an…
telesurenglish.net/news/World-Commemorates-Fidel-Castros-Birthday-20190813-0017.html

Venezuelan Opposition Journalist Served as Spy for US, UK Gov't
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-13
Ambassador of Venezuela to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, revealed evidence in a series of tweets Sunday and Monday, proving that well-known opposition 'journalist' Nelson Bocaranda has served as a "local agent" of the United States and United Kingdom governments since the 1980s. | RELATED: | US Admits Violating Venezuela Airspace | "In Venezuela, there are accomplices who lend themselves to surrender their homeland to traffickers of war and colonization. For years they have presented themselves…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuelan-Opposition-Journalist-Served-as-Spy-for-US-UK–20190813-0021.html

Unequal Justice: John Roberts' Dark Legacy of Voter Suppression
Bill Blum | progressive.org | 2019-08-13
Plaintiffs are litigating voting rights cases in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, and several other states. Some will succeed, some will fail, but all will be more uncertain and expensive thanks to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
progressive.org/dispatches/unequal-justice-john-roberts-dark-legacy-of-voter-suppression-blum-190812/

From Hong Kong to Kashmir to the US, Authoritarianism Is Rising
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-08-13
| Over the past couple weeks, the global pattern of authoritarianism has become particularly visible, and particularly gut-wrenching. Global politics is changing quickly, with political discourse becoming increasingly degraded and dangerous in one country after the next. | In Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdo?an's ruling party boasted of the mass book burning and destruction that it has, apparen…
truthout.org/articles/from-hong-kong-to-kashmir-to-the-us-authoritarianism-is-rising/

Nicaragua and Western Progressive Opinion
Stephen Sefton | telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-13
Progressives in Europe and North America attacking Nicaragua's Sandinista government consistently exclude from their version of events in 2018 the extreme, sadistic violence and economic hardship imposed on Nicaragua's people by the country's U.S.-supported political opposition. The demonstrable facts of the failed attempt to overthrow President Ortega stubbornly contradict the outright lies and misrepresentations promoted by the Nicaraguan opposition's foreign supporters. | Consequently, Western progressives opposed to President Ortega's government face various intractable dilemmas as they try in vain to dist…
telesurenglish.net/news/Nicaragua-and-Western-Progressive-Opinion-20190813-0012.html

UK Expected To Release Illegally Seized Iranian Tanker
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-13
Iran is celebrating a diplomatic victory, as they claim the U.K. is expected to release the seized Iranian tanker, following negotiations. Iranian maritime authorities said Tuesday that they had been in talks with the U.K. government, and showed documents that prove that Iran did not violate sanctions against Syria, the reason given by the U.K. for the seizure. | RELATED: | UK Wants European Force to Police Persian Gulf | Jalil Eslami, deputy head of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization, s…
telesurenglish.net/news/UK-Expected-To-Release-Illegally-Seized-Iranian-Tanker-20190813-0009.html

Sea turtles are mistaking plastic pollution for food
Ruth Milka | nationofchange.org | 2019-08-13
Endangered green sea turtles are accidentally ingesting plastic that resembles their food source concludes a new study published in the journal ' Scientific Reports'. | Researchers at the University of Exeter and the Society for the Protection of Turtles studied 34 sea turtles who washed up on beaches on the island of Cyprus. The team was able to look at the gastrointestinal tracts of 19 of the turtles, all of which had ingested plastic. | The sea turtles had ingested plastic that was green, black or clear, which greatly…
nationofchange.org/2019/08/13/sea-turtles-are-mistaking-plastic-pollution-for-food/

The World is Uniting for International Law, against US Empire
Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-08-12
"We oppose the extraterritorial application of unilateral measures." That is not Cuba, Nicaragua, Iran, Russia, or China talking about the most recent unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States against Venezuela, i.e. economic sanctions that have become an economic blockade, but the European Union. Even allies who have embarrassed themselves by recognizing the phony …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/08/the-world-is-uniting-for-international-law-against-us-empire/

Really? McFaul 'plants US flag' in Twitter to claim it as free speech sanctuary
rt.com | 2019-08-12
Michael McFaul says he can say whatever he wants on Twitter because it's an American platform. Yeah, the very same Twitter that 'shadowbans,' silences alternative media, and hosts fake Russian bots that meddle in US elections. | …
rt.com/usa/466304-mcfaul-twitter-freedom-speech/

What do we know about Russia's alleged influence campaign?
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-08-12
What have US intelligence officials proven to date about their claims of a sweeping Russian interference effort and Russian government…
thegrayzone.com/2019/08/12/what-do-we-know-about-russias-alleged-influence-campaign/

University bans beef burgers to do its part in the fight against climate chaos
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2019-08-12
Beef burgers have been banned by a university as part of efforts to tackle the climate emergency.Goldsmiths, University of London said it will remove all products containing beef from sale from next month as the institution aims to become carbon neutral by 2025.Students will also face a 10p levy on bottles of water and single-use plastic cups when the academic year starts to discourage use of the products.The college's new Warden, Prof Frances Corner, said staff and st…
thecanary.co/discovery/news-discovery/2019/08/12/university-bans-beef-burgers-to-do-its-part-in-the-fight-against-climate-chaos/

50 years on and the Battle of the Bogside could teach us about the dangers of a Tory no-deal Brexit
Peadar O'Cearnaigh | thecanary.co | 2019-08-12
On 12 August 1969, a battle between Irish republicans on one side and British police and loyalist gangs on the other raged for two days in Derry city. The battle of the Bogside, as it became known, ensured the conflict in Ireland would continue for anothe…
thecanary.co/opinion/2019/08/12/50-years-on-and-the-battle-of-the-bogside-could-teach-us-about-the-dangers-of-a-tory-no-deal-brexit/

"The Next Step Is the Kremlin": Why Moscow Protests Have Putin's Government Worried
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-08-12
Up to 60,000 protesters gathered Saturday in Moscow in the largest demonstration Russia has witnessed in years. Although the protest was officially authorized, dozens of protesters were arrested in the capital, and dozens more were also arrested in demonstrations across the country. Saturday's protest was organized to denounce the recent barring of opposition candidates from running in an upcoming election for Moscow City Council. We speak with Nina Khrushcheva, professor of international affairs at The New School. She is the co-author of "In Putin's Footsteps: Searching for the Soul of an Empire Across Russia's…
www.democracynow.org/2019/8/12/the_next_step_is_the_kremlin

TURKEY AND US COME TO AGREEMENT ON CREATION OF SECURITY ZONE
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-08-10
Turkey and the United States seem to have finally reached some level of agreement regarding the creation of a security zone in Syria, an issue which had long strained the already tense relations between the two countries. Nonetheless, the decision likely doesn't mean the end of the conflict over the issue. Following three days of …
uwidata.com/4836-turkey-and-us-come-to-agreement-on-creation-of-security-zone/

Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders ready for talks with UN chief on improved relations
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-09
Leaders of the Greek and Turkish parts of the divided island of Cyprus have agreed to meet with the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in order to "plan the way forward", and improve the daily lives of all Cypriots, a statement from the UN Mission in Cyprus, declared on Friday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1044051

Venezuelan Gov't Suspends Dialogue as EU Criticizes US Embargo
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-08-08
The European Union objected to the "extraterritorial application of unilateral measures."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14619

Boris Johnson, 'Britain Trump'
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-08-08
Boris Johnson recently became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by a majority vote of the Conservative Party, despite his spotty reputation. This has generated a lot of worry, as any poorly considered action on his part could endanger the EU and his premiership. WHO IS THE NEW RESIDENT OF HOUSE DOWNING STREET? Boris …
uwidata.com/4818-boris-johnson-britain-trump/

Can't Afford a Vacation? Get Another Credit Card! – News about Americans' dire financial straits turns into a credit card commercial
Alan MacLeod | fair.org | 2019-08-08
Summertime is well and truly here, and for many of us, that means sunny vacations. Disneyland? Florida? A European adventure? | But for tens of millions of Americans, there will be none, because they cannot afford one. A new and widely reported poll from financial services company BankRate.com found that over one in four people are forgoing a vacation, primarily because they cannot pay for it. | The average expected cost of a vacation, for those planning one, was $1,979. But, as a well-publicized sur…
fair.org/home/cant-afford-a-vacation-get-another-credit-card/

Pentagon: Any Operation by Turkey into Northern Syria 'Unacceptable'
Turkish Minute | theantimedia.com | 2019-08-06
(TM) — US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday any Turkish operation into northern Syria would be "unacceptable" and that the United States would prevent unilateral incursions, as tensions between Washington and Ankara simmer, according to Reuters. On Sunday President Recep Tayyip Erdoƒüan said Turkey, which already has a foothold in northwest Syria, will carry out …

Pentagon: Any Operation by Turkey into Northern Syria ‘Unacceptable’

Could Thousands of Daesh fighters end up in Europe?
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-08-06
US President Donald Trump threatened to release the Daesh militants if the European Union refused to take them. "We have thousands of ISIS fighters that we want Europe to take and let's see if they take them. And if they don't take them, we'll probably have to release them to Europe," Mr. Trump said on …
uwidata.com/4739-could-thousands-of-daesh-fighters-end-up-in-europe/

Mueller time is over, Russia-hate is here to stay
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-08-04
Stephen F. Cohen says that while Robert Mueller has closed up shop, dangerous U.S. fear-mongering about Russia remains. Guest: Stephen…
thegrayzone.com/2019/08/04/mueller-time-is-over-russia-hate-is-here-to-stay/

Weekend Read: The SPLC fights an internal threat to our democracy
splcenter.org | 2019-08-03
In his recent testimony before Congress, Special Counsel Robert Mueller pointedly warned the nation about Russia's ongoing attempts to meddle in our nation's elections.
splcenter.org/news/2019/08/03/weekend-read-splc-fights-internal-threat-our-democracy

Kamala Harris Team Accused of "Inventing Conspiracies" About Tulsi Gabbard
Eoin Higgins | theantimedia.com | 2019-08-01
The Kamala Harris' campaign jumped to tie Gabbard and her campaign to a nebulously defined and unclear Russian conspiracy.

Kamala Harris Team Accused of "Inventing Conspiracies" About Tulsi Gabbard