Daily Archives: November 25, 2019

2019-11-25: News Headlines

WSWS (2019-11-25). German student organisation bombarded with far-right hate mail. wsws.org The University of Hamburg student organization has been bombarded with hate mail and threats of violence after students protested against a founding member of the far-right Alternative for Germany, Bernd Lucke, returning to his teaching post.

Conn Hallinan (2019-11-25). Nuclear Lies and Broken Promises. counterpunch.org 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. More

United Nations (2019-11-25). Guterres holds 'focused and frank' informal discussions over future of Cyprus. news.un.org 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.

WSWS (2019-11-25). Bus drivers in Hesse, Germany, discuss their strike. wsws.org Striking bus drivers employed by private companies in the German state of Hesse are resisting scandalously low wages and exploitative working conditions.

Andrew Korybko (2019-11-25). Will the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Sanction Russia from the Olympics? globalresearch.ca The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) might declare Russia's national counterpart "non-compliant" with the international body's regulations early next month in a shameful move that could potentially make the country unable to compete in next year's Tokyo Olympics, thus continuing the …

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

WSWS (2019-11-25). Leaked email on alleged chemical attack shows 2018 strikes against Syria based on lies. wsws.org A whistleblower's memo establishes that the July 2018 OPCW report on the alleged chemical attack in Douma falsified the findings of investigators to justify the attack on Syrian government forces carried out by the US, the UK and France.

Alan Macleod (2019-11-25). Establishment Dems Demands Trump be Impeached, but Not for War Crimes. mintpressnews.com 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.

Sonja van den Ende (2019-11-25). MH17: Five Years of One-Sided Propaganda and Investigation from the Dutch Government's JIT Team. globalresearch.ca Five years ago on July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was blown out of the sky while flying over Eastern Ukraine. It was on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. All 283 passengers (mainly Dutch) and 15 …

Beyond Pesticides (2019-11-25). Brexit Predicted to Lead to Regulatory Decline and Increased Hazards from Pesticides. globalresearch.ca The potential exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU) — aka "Brexit" — may portend greater pesticide use and exposures, according to a report from the Soil Association and the Pesticide Action Network UK. As covered by …

Staff (2019-11-25). Pope Francis Calls Nuclear Weapons Immoral as Catholic Activists Face Jail For U.S. Nuke Base Action. democracynow.org 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,…

Staff (2019-11-25). Headlines for November 25, 2019. democracynow.org Navy Secretary Ousted amid Dispute over Accused War Criminal Eddie Gallagher, Released State Dept. Emails Implicate Pompeo in Giuliani Ukraine Plot, Bloomberg Jumps into 2020 Race by Buying Millions in Campaign Ads, Sen. Graham Blocked Armenian Genocide Resolution at White House Request, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Released from Hospital in Good Health, Hong Kong: Pro-Democracy Candidates Win Nearly 90% Seats in Local Elections, Security Forces Raid Offices of Egypt's Last Independent Media Outlet, Iraqi Security Forces Kill 13 Protesters amid Anti-Government Demonstrations, Israel Deporting Head of Human Rights Watch's…

RT (2019-11-25). Erdogan in Qatar on first Arab trip since Turkey's campaign in Syria. rt.com President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Qatar on Monday on his first official trip to an Arab country since Turkey's forces intervened in northeast Syria last month against Kurdish fighters. | Ankara and Doha have grown closer since Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt cut ties with their former Gulf ally more than two years ago. | Erdogan's visit comes at a critical time amid signs of a possible breakthrough in the crisis between Qatar and its neighbors. Erdogan will reportedly attend the fifth meeting of the Qatar-Turkey Higher Strategic Committee at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Tami…

RT (2019-11-25). Businessman buys Hitler hat & cigar box wants them out of 'wrong hands'… so he gives them to Israeli group. rt.com An entrepreneur purchased Nazi memorabilia off an auction, saying he wants them to be displayed at a Holocaust museum, instead of being used by neo-Nazis. | Abdullah Chatila, a Swiss investor and philanthropist of Lebanese origin, has bought several of the Nazi leader's personal belongings at an auction in Munich, Germany last week. He then donated all the items to Keren Hayesod — United Israel Appeal, an Israeli state-run fundraising organization, with hopes that they will be displayed at a Holocaust museum in Israel. | "It is extremely important to me that items from this painful historical era do not l…

RT (2019-11-25). Biggest art robbery since WW2: How 2 thieves snatched priceless jewelry from German museum (PHOTOS). rt.com An incredibly audacious jewel heist was mounted on a German treasure trove in Dresden in the early hours of Monday. Here's what we know of how the brazen theft unfolded, right under the security team's noses. | The smash and grab: | In the early hours of Monday, two thieves forced their way into Dresden's Green Vault Museum via a grilled window. Security cameras filmed the pair on their way in, police later said. | Bild reports that the thieves cut the power to local street lighting by damaging a nearby supply box before making their entry. However, although police have acknowledged that power went out…

RT (2019-11-25). 'We did not boycott US firms during NSA scandal': German minister defends move to include Huawei in country's 5G network. rt.com Germany's economy minister has backed inclusion of Huawei in the country's 5G networks despite US claims of spying by the Chinese tech giant. He recalled that American firms weren't sidelined during the infamous NSA scandal. | The German telecom network is lagging behind the networks of many other European countries, and the lack of coverage is especially dire in rural areas. Huawei has been seen as a tool to tackle the problem. Yet, Berlin is facing pressure from Washington, who alleges the tech giant has close ties with the Chinese government and helps it to spy on other states. Huawei has repeatedly ridicul…

RT (2019-11-25). Luggage issues: Alina Zagitova & Co return from Japan Grand Prix without skates & costumes. rt.com Russian figure skaters, including world and Olympic champion Alina Zagitova, risk missing several training sessions in Russia as their luggage — containing skates and costumes — has not been delivered from Japan. | The athletes who took part in the NHK trophy in Sapporo arrived in Moscow on Monday having made a connecting flight in Tokyo. | READ MORE: Big in Japan: Russian teen Alena Kostornaia wins figure skating Grand Prix in Sapporo | After arriving in the Russian capital the skaters…

RT (2019-11-25). China boosts purchases of soybeans from Brazil amid US trade deal uncertainty. rt.com Chinese importers purchased at least 20 cargoes of Brazilian soybeans last week, traders told Reuters, citing uncertainty over a trade deal with its traditional supplier, the United States. | According to traders, the purchases were for delivery when the new harvest reaches the market early next year. | Some US and Argentinian cargoes were also booked last week, one of them said. | Also on rt.com | | Russia to replace US soybean exports to China amid escalating trade war | "Buying out of Brazil is probably a good hedge at this point. There's p…

RT (2019-11-25). Bilateral relations with European states more important for Russia that ties with EU — Medvedev. rt.com Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday that bilateral contacts with European states are now more important for Russia than relations with the European Union. He made the statement at a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Antti Rinne in Moscow. | Moscow is not going to be the first to lift its restrictions imposed in response to the EU sanctions against Russia, Medvedev said. | The sanctions, which may be retained for a long time, do not hamper the cooperation with European countries separately, according to the prime minister. He added that a number of Russian companies do not want Moscow's restrictive…

RT (2019-11-25). 18yo girl 'seriously injured' after setting herself alight in French high school. rt.com An 18-year-old high school student in a suburb of the French capital set herself alight before jumping out of a first-story window, according to eyewitnesses. She was reportedly seriously injured in the incident. | The student set herself on fire at the Georges-Clemenceau high school in Villemomble on Monday before running down the hallway calling for help, one of her classmates is cited by Le Pari…

Max Parry (2019-11-24). Armenian Genocide Resolution Reaffirms G-word is a Tool for US Realpolitik. dissidentvoice.org 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. …

teleSUR (2019-11-24). Center-Right Klaus Iohannis Re-Elected President of Romania. telesurenglish.net 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…

teleSUR (2019-11-24). OAS Seeks to Divide Latin American Countries: Zapatero. telesurenglish.net The former President of Spain , José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, said on Saturday in Brazil that the Organization of American States ( OAS ) is seeking to divide Latin America, as part of a policy that has been a repeated failure. | RELATED: | Bolivian Congress Approves Law to Call For New Elections | "The only thing that it has done is to deepen divisions in the Latin American continent. That organization needs a process of integration and recovery of the great dialogues, and not exclusion,"

teleSUR (2019-11-24). UK PM Johnson Offers New Brexit Promise For Christmas. telesurenglish.net The ongoing Brexit story lived another "get Brexit done" chapter after Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised Sunday to bring his deal to leave the European Union back to parliament before Christmas. | RELATED: | Brexit Party Leader Nigel Farage Will Not Run In UK Election | As the Dec.12 election looms closer, the Conservatives have come up with a man…

RT (2019-11-24). Trump taps Ambassador to Norway Braithwaite to replace Navy Sec. fired over Gallagher scandal. rt.com 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…

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

teleSUR (2019-11-23). United Nations Presents a Peace-Building Agreement for Bolivia. telesurenglish.net The United Nations, the European Union (EU) and the Bolivian Episcopal Conference (CEB) on Saturday announced an agreement between the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) and the Jeanine Añez administration whereby they pledge to pacify Bolivia and ensure credible elections. | RELATED: | Democratic Lawmakers Criticize US Stance Towards Bolivia's Coup | The agreement was presented at a press conference by the UN special envoy Jean Arnault, the EU ambassador to Bolivia Leon de la To…

Joe Giambrone (2019-11-23). Ukrainegate 13,000 Times Worse Than You Think. dissidentvoice.org 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 …

Paul Street (2019-11-22). Washington's Consensus on Neofascist Coups in Latin America. counterpunch.org The Obama-backed right-wing coup in Honduras helped fuel Central American migrant streams that the demented fascist oligarch Donald Trump railed against during his successful and Nativist presidential campaign. "Donito Assolini" has been mired in partisan turmoil since the beginning of his cancerous, white-nationalist presidency. The two major parties and their constituents disagree sharply over whether the tiny-fingered, tangerine-tinted, Twitter-tantruming tyrant Trump should be impeached and removed for trying to trade arms to Ukraine in exchange for political dirt on the ludicrous right-wing Democratic-presid…

Robert Mackey (2019-11-22). "Are You Sure They Did That?" Even Fox Questions Trump's Ukraine Conspiracy Theory. theintercept.com 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.

Sebastiaan Faber, Bécquer Seguín (2019-11-22). The Left May Finally Govern in Spain. thenation.com The Left May Finally Govern in Spain…

Fred_F (2019-11-22). Unions campaign for a jobs-rich energy transition. greenleft.org.au Climate workers' rights Pip HinmanIssue 1246 AustraliaNovember 22, 2019Together with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council and the Victorian Trades Hall Council, the Maritime Union…

Staff (2019-11-22). U.N. Rapporteur: Julian Assange Has Faced Psychological Torture; He Should Not Be Extradited to U.S. democracynow.org 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…

Staff (2019-11-22). "In Defense of Julian Assange": Why WikiLeaks Founder's Case Threatens Press Freedom. democracynow.org 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…

Staff (2019-11-22). Headlines for November 22, 2019. democracynow.org Ex-White House Adviser Warns Impeachment Probe of GOP's "Fictional Narrative" on Ukraine, Senate Republicans May Limit Trump's Impeachment Trial to Two Weeks, Mass Protests in Colombia Oppose Right-Wing Government, Bolivian Soldiers Tear Gas Funeral Procession for Slain Protesters, Iran Continues Internet Blackout After Violently Repressing Protests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Indicted on Corruption Charges, Protesters Confront Joe Biden Over Obama-Era Deportations, Over 100 Lawmakers Call on President Trump to Fire Stephen Miller, Seven Arrested at UC Berkeley Protest of Ann Coulter Speech, Syracu…

United Nations (2019-11-21). UN experts urge Turkey to repatriate Irish woman associated with terror group. news.un.org Turkey must ensure that an Irish woman and her infant daughter who are being held in custody there are repatriated, independent UN experts said in a statement released on Thursday. The woman, Lisa Smith, has been described in press reports as a supporter of the ISIL terror group, and former member of the Irish military.

United Nations (2019-11-21). Thursday's Daily Brief: Deadly Syria violence, risks of working at sea, poor health in jail, concern over ISIL suspect, and her child. news.un.org 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.

Ed Rampell (2019-11-21). Alex Gibney's Cinematic Notes from Underground: Russia's Dissident Oligarch. progressive.org The title refers to Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an oil oligarch who burst upon…

Staff (2019-11-21). Bernie Sanders Criticizes U.S. Relationships with Saudi Arabia and Israel at Democratic Debate. democracynow.org 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…

Staff (2019-11-21). 2020 Candidates' Focus on Inequality Shows "Shift in the Conversation" Within Democratic Party. democracynow.org 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…

Staff (2019-11-21). Julián Castro: Gordon Sondland's Testimony Is "Nail in the Coffin" of Trump's Defense. democracynow.org 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…

Staff (2019-11-21). Headlines for November 21, 2019. democracynow.org Gordon Sondland Says Trump Directed Ukraine Quid Pro Quo, Top 10 Democratic Candidates Hold Presidential Debate in Atlanta, Dozens of Guatemalan Migrants Freed from Locked Truck in Mexico, Humanitarian Volunteer Scott Warren Not Guilty of Felonies for Aiding Migrants, Ex-Border Patrol Agent Sentenced to Probation for Running Over Migrant, Syria: 22 Civilians Killed in Idlib; Israel Bombs Iranian Forces Near Damascus, Israel Headed for Another Election After Benny Gantz Fails to Form Government, U.S. Isolated at U.N. Security Council After Declaring Israeli Settlements Legal, U.N. Warns Planned Fossil Fuel Product…

Robert Mackey (2019-11-21). Sondland Pressed Ukraine to Smear Biden at Trump's Direction, Diplomat Says. theintercept.com 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.

Stephen Zunes (2019-11-20). House of Representatives Finally Recognizes Armenian Genocide. progressive.org 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.

Sam Biddle (2019-11-20). Senators Press Amazon for Answers on Ring's Sloppy Security Practices. theintercept.com This past year has been chock full of uncomfortable revelations about Ring, the surveillance social network and home security hardware company acquired by Amazon for a reported $800 million, including r…

Staff (2019-11-20). Unusual. Improper. Inappropriate. Wrong: Officials Decry Trump's Pressure on Ukraine to Probe Bidens. democracynow.org "I couldn't believe what I was hearing." Those were the words of Army Lieutenant Colonel Alex Vindman during Tuesday's House impeachment inquiry hearings, describing his reaction to a July phone call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the call, Trump pressured Zelensky to investigate his political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter, who served on the board of a Ukrainian natural gas company, Burisma. Vindman, who is the director for European affairs at the National Security Council, testified along with Jennifer Williams, a Russia adviser for Vice President Pence, in the fi…

Staff (2019-11-20). Headlines for November 20, 2019. democracynow.org 4 Key Witnesses Testify in Impeachment Hearings, Amnesty Says Iranian Security Forces Killed Over 100 Protesters, Bolivian Military Carries Out Second Massacre Against Morales Supporters, Senate Approves Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, U.N. Affirms It Still Considers Israeli Settlements Violation of International Law, Pentagon Says ISIS Is Rebuilding in Northern Syria, NYT: Navy SEALs Expected to Oust Gallagher, Despite Trump Restoring His Rank, Report: Mike Pompeo Planning to Resign as Secretary of State, Trump Administration Can Now Send Asylum Seekers to Guatemala, Sweden Drops Sexual Assault Investi…

Frances Madeson (2019-11-19). What the Frack? New Mexico Wants to Recycle Radioactive Wastewater. progressive.org The state's famous green chiles may be hot for a whole new reason.

Aaron Maté (2019-11-17). Jimmy Dore: until we fix Democratic Party elites' corruption, we won't defeat Trump's. thegrayzone.com Jimmy Dore pushes back on impeachment and Ukrainegate, Hillary Clinton's smear of Tulsi Gabbard as a Russian asset, the DNC's…

Kate Ruane (2019-11-15). Whistleblowers Are Public Servants. We Must Protect Them. aclu.org President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine spoke on the phone. The president insists the call was " perfect." Others are concerned that, during the call, the president intimated he would withhold financial aid appropriated to Ukraine unless the Ukrainian president agreed to investigate former-Vice President Joe Biden, a political rival of the president. | How do we even know about any of this? A…

2019-11-25: Social Media Postees

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

German student organisation bombarded with far-right hate mail
wsws.org | 2019-11-25
The University of Hamburg student organization has been bombarded with hate mail and threats of violence after students protested against a founding member of the far-right Alternative for Germany, Bernd Lucke, returning to his teaching post.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/11/25/hamb-n25.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/

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

Bus drivers in Hesse, Germany, discuss their strike
wsws.org | 2019-11-25
Striking bus drivers employed by private companies in the German state of Hesse are resisting scandalously low wages and exploitative working conditions.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/11/25/busf-n25.html

Will the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Sanction Russia from the Olympics?
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2019-11-25
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) might declare Russia's national counterpart "non-compliant" with the international body's regulations early next month in a shameful move that could potentially make the country unable to compete in next year's Tokyo Olympics, thus continuing the …
globalresearch.ca/shame-wada-sanctions-russia-olympics/5695856

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

Leaked email on alleged chemical attack shows 2018 strikes against Syria based on lies
wsws.org | 2019-11-25
A whistleblower's memo establishes that the July 2018 OPCW report on the alleged chemical attack in Douma falsified the findings of investigators to justify the attack on Syrian government forces carried out by the US, the UK and France.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/11/25/pers-n25.html

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/

MH17: Five Years of One-Sided Propaganda and Investigation from the Dutch Government's JIT Team
Sonja van den Ende | globalresearch.ca | 2019-11-25
Five years ago on July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was blown out of the sky while flying over Eastern Ukraine. It was on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. All 283 passengers (mainly Dutch) and 15 …
globalresearch.ca/mh17-five-years-one-sided-propaganda-investigation-dutch-government-jit-team/5695881

Brexit Predicted to Lead to Regulatory Decline and Increased Hazards from Pesticides
Beyond Pesticides | globalresearch.ca | 2019-11-25
The potential exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU) — aka "Brexit" — may portend greater pesticide use and exposures, according to a report from the Soil Association and the Pesticide Action Network UK. As covered by …
globalresearch.ca/brexit-predicted-lead-regulatory-decline-increased-hazards-pesticides/5695873

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

Erdogan in Qatar on first Arab trip since Turkey's campaign in Syria
rt.com | 2019-11-25
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Qatar on Monday on his first official trip to an Arab country since Turkey's forces intervened in northeast Syria last month against Kurdish fighters. | Ankara and Doha have grown closer since Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt cut ties with their former Gulf ally more than two years ago. | Erdogan's visit comes at a critical time amid signs of a possible breakthrough in the crisis between Qatar and its neighbors. Erdogan will reportedly attend the fifth meeting of the Qatar-Turkey Higher Strategic Committee at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Tami…
rt.com/newsline/474292-erdogan-qatar-turkey-syria/

Businessman buys Hitler hat & cigar box wants them out of 'wrong hands'… so he gives them to Israeli group
rt.com | 2019-11-25
An entrepreneur purchased Nazi memorabilia off an auction, saying he wants them to be displayed at a Holocaust museum, instead of being used by neo-Nazis. | Abdullah Chatila, a Swiss investor and philanthropist of Lebanese origin, has bought several of the Nazi leader's personal belongings at an auction in Munich, Germany last week. He then donated all the items to Keren Hayesod — United Israel Appeal, an Israeli state-run fundraising organization, with hopes that they will be displayed at a Holocaust museum in Israel. | "It is extremely important to me that items from this painful historical era do not l…
rt.com/news/474261-businessman-donates-hitler-hat/

Biggest art robbery since WW2: How 2 thieves snatched priceless jewelry from German museum (PHOTOS)
rt.com | 2019-11-25
An incredibly audacious jewel heist was mounted on a German treasure trove in Dresden in the early hours of Monday. Here's what we know of how the brazen theft unfolded, right under the security team's noses. | The smash and grab: | In the early hours of Monday, two thieves forced their way into Dresden's Green Vault Museum via a grilled window. Security cameras filmed the pair on their way in, police later said. | Bild reports that the thieves cut the power to local street lighting by damaging a nearby supply box before making their entry. However, although police have acknowledged that power went out…
rt.com/news/474286-germany-dresden-green-vault-theft/

'We did not boycott US firms during NSA scandal': German minister defends move to include Huawei in country's 5G network
rt.com | 2019-11-25
Germany's economy minister has backed inclusion of Huawei in the country's 5G networks despite US claims of spying by the Chinese tech giant. He recalled that American firms weren't sidelined during the infamous NSA scandal. | The German telecom network is lagging behind the networks of many other European countries, and the lack of coverage is especially dire in rural areas. Huawei has been seen as a tool to tackle the problem. Yet, Berlin is facing pressure from Washington, who alleges the tech giant has close ties with the Chinese government and helps it to spy on other states. Huawei has repeatedly ridicul…
rt.com/news/474285-germany-huawei-nsa-scandal/

Bilateral relations with European states more important for Russia that ties with EU — Medvedev
rt.com | 2019-11-25
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday that bilateral contacts with European states are now more important for Russia than relations with the European Union. He made the statement at a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Antti Rinne in Moscow. | Moscow is not going to be the first to lift its restrictions imposed in response to the EU sanctions against Russia, Medvedev said. | The sanctions, which may be retained for a long time, do not hamper the cooperation with European countries separately, according to the prime minister. He added that a number of Russian companies do not want Moscow's restrictive…
rt.com/newsline/474284-bilateral-relations-eu-medvedev/

China boosts purchases of soybeans from Brazil amid US trade deal uncertainty
rt.com | 2019-11-25
Chinese importers purchased at least 20 cargoes of Brazilian soybeans last week, traders told Reuters, citing uncertainty over a trade deal with its traditional supplier, the United States. | According to traders, the purchases were for delivery when the new harvest reaches the market early next year. | Some US and Argentinian cargoes were also booked last week, one of them said. | Also on rt.com | | Russia to replace US soybean exports to China amid escalating trade war | "Buying out of Brazil is probably a good hedge at this point. There's p…
rt.com/business/474277-china-brazilian-soybeans-imports/

Luggage issues: Alina Zagitova & Co return from Japan Grand Prix without skates & costumes
rt.com | 2019-11-25
Russian figure skaters, including world and Olympic champion Alina Zagitova, risk missing several training sessions in Russia as their luggage — containing skates and costumes — has not been delivered from Japan. | The athletes who took part in the NHK trophy in Sapporo arrived in Moscow on Monday having made a connecting flight in Tokyo. | READ MORE: Big in Japan: Russian teen Alena Kostornaia wins figure skating Grand Prix in Sapporo | After arriving in the Russian capital the skaters…
rt.com/sport/474295-alina-zagitova-luggage-delay/

18yo girl 'seriously injured' after setting herself alight in French high school
rt.com | 2019-11-25
An 18-year-old high school student in a suburb of the French capital set herself alight before jumping out of a first-story window, according to eyewitnesses. She was reportedly seriously injured in the incident. | The student set herself on fire at the Georges-Clemenceau high school in Villemomble on Monday before running down the hallway calling for help, one of her classmates is cited by Le Pari…
rt.com/news/474298-france-female-student-self-immolates/

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

OAS Seeks to Divide Latin American Countries: Zapatero
telesurenglish.net | 2019-11-24
The former President of Spain , José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, said on Saturday in Brazil that the Organization of American States ( OAS ) is seeking to divide Latin America, as part of a policy that has been a repeated failure. | RELATED: | Bolivian Congress Approves Law to Call For New Elections | "The only thing that it has done is to deepen divisions in the Latin American continent. That organization needs a process of integration and recovery of the great dialogues, and not exclusion,"
telesurenglish.net/news/OAS-Seeks-to-Divide-Latin-American-Countries-Zapatero–20191124-0003.html

UK PM Johnson Offers New Brexit Promise For Christmas
telesurenglish.net | 2019-11-24
The ongoing Brexit story lived another "get Brexit done" chapter after Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised Sunday to bring his deal to leave the European Union back to parliament before Christmas. | RELATED: | Brexit Party Leader Nigel Farage Will Not Run In UK Election | As the Dec.12 election looms closer, the Conservatives have come up with a man…
telesurenglish.net/news/johnson-offers-up-new-brexit-promise-for-christmas-20191124-0006.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/

United Nations Presents a Peace-Building Agreement for Bolivia
telesurenglish.net | 2019-11-23
The United Nations, the European Union (EU) and the Bolivian Episcopal Conference (CEB) on Saturday announced an agreement between the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) and the Jeanine Añez administration whereby they pledge to pacify Bolivia and ensure credible elections. | RELATED: | Democratic Lawmakers Criticize US Stance Towards Bolivia's Coup | The agreement was presented at a press conference by the UN special envoy Jean Arnault, the EU ambassador to Bolivia Leon de la To…
telesurenglish.net/news/United-Nations-Presents-a-Peace-Building-Agreement-for-Bolivia-20191123-0003.html

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/

Washington's Consensus on Neofascist Coups in Latin America
Paul Street | counterpunch.org | 2019-11-22
The Obama-backed right-wing coup in Honduras helped fuel Central American migrant streams that the demented fascist oligarch Donald Trump railed against during his successful and Nativist presidential campaign. "Donito Assolini" has been mired in partisan turmoil since the beginning of his cancerous, white-nationalist presidency. The two major parties and their constituents disagree sharply over whether the tiny-fingered, tangerine-tinted, Twitter-tantruming tyrant Trump should be impeached and removed for trying to trade arms to Ukraine in exchange for political dirt on the ludicrous right-wing Democratic-presid…
counterpunch.org/2019/11/22/washingtons-consensus-on-neofascist-coups-in-latin-america/

"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/

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/

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

UN experts urge Turkey to repatriate Irish woman associated with terror group
United Nations | news.un.org | 2019-11-21
Turkey must ensure that an Irish woman and her infant daughter who are being held in custody there are repatriated, independent UN experts said in a statement released on Thursday. The woman, Lisa Smith, has been described in press reports as a supporter of the ISIL terror group, and former member of the Irish military.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/11/1051881

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/

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/

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

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

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

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/

Unusual. Improper. Inappropriate. Wrong: Officials Decry Trump's Pressure on Ukraine to Probe Bidens
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-11-20
"I couldn't believe what I was hearing." Those were the words of Army Lieutenant Colonel Alex Vindman during Tuesday's House impeachment inquiry hearings, describing his reaction to a July phone call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the call, Trump pressured Zelensky to investigate his political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter, who served on the board of a Ukrainian natural gas company, Burisma. Vindman, who is the director for European affairs at the National Security Council, testified along with Jennifer Williams, a Russia adviser for Vice President Pence, in the fi…
www.democracynow.org/2019/11/20/trump_impeachment_vindman_williams_volker_morrison

What the Frack? New Mexico Wants to Recycle Radioactive Wastewater
Frances Madeson | progressive.org | 2019-11-19
The state's famous green chiles may be hot for a whole new reason.
progressive.org/dispatches/what-the-frack-new-mexico-recycle-radioactive-wastewater-madeson-191119/

Jimmy Dore: until we fix Democratic Party elites' corruption, we won't defeat Trump's
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-11-17
Jimmy Dore pushes back on impeachment and Ukrainegate, Hillary Clinton's smear of Tulsi Gabbard as a Russian asset, the DNC's…
thegrayzone.com/2019/11/17/jimmy-dore-until-we-fix-democratic-party-elites-corruption-we-wont-defeat-trumps/

Whistleblowers Are Public Servants. We Must Protect Them
Kate Ruane | aclu.org | 2019-11-15
President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine spoke on the phone. The president insists the call was "perfect." Others are concerned that, during the call, the president intimated he would withhold financial aid appropriated to Ukraine unless the Ukrainian president agreed to investigate former-Vice President Joe Biden, a political rival of the president. | How do we even know about any of this? A…
aclu.org/news/free-speech/whistleblowers-are-public-servants-we-must-protect-them

Turkey's Syria 'Ethnic Cleansing' In US Memo, US Can Shoot 'Any Syrian' Over Oil & A Bolivia Coup
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-11-11
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (11/6/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/turkeys-syria-ethnic-cleansing-in-us-memo-us-can-shoot-any-syrian-over-oil-a-bolivia-coup/

"White Helmets Are Preparing New Chemical Provocations In Syria," France Bombs Iraq & Oil Occupation
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-11-03
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (11/2/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/white-helmets-are-preparing-new-chemical-provocations-in-syria-france-bombs-iraq-oil-occupation/

Russia Has 'Proof' US Is Smuggling Oil In Syria & Did Israel/US Create A Civil War In Lebanon?
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-10-26
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (10/26/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/russia-has-proof-us-smuggling-oil-syria-did-israel-us-create-civil-war-lebanon/