(2019-12-28). India: Hundreds of Women Camp Against the Citizenship Law. telesurenglish.net Hundreds of women Friday night remained protesting in a camp built in the Shaheen Bagh neighborhood in New Delhi where Muslim immigrants have been gathering for 13 consecutive days to protest against a legal amendment that denies them citizenship. | RELATED: | India Approves Funds for Population Survey Amid Protests Over Citizenship Law | "This is the first time in my life that I participate in a protest," said 48-year-old woman Romanian Khan, who remains in the…
(2019-12-28). Amiens railworkers vote to continue strike against French President Macron. wsws.org Workers, students, teachers and "yellow vest" protesters came to support the strike, which has lasted since December 5 and shut down rail transport across France.
(2019-12-28). France: Unions, Yellow Vests, Transporters Take to the Streets. telesurenglish.net Despite the calls of President Emmanuel Macron to a truce, thousands of French Saturday took to the streets of Paris where workers, students, retirees, and yellow vests came together in common action against the pension reform, which citizens have been rejecting during 24 days on a row. | RELATED: | French Workers Stand Firm: No 'Christmas Truce' for Macron | "If the government exp…
(2019-12-28). Trump issues hypocritical threat over Syrian offensive. wsws.org Syrian government troops backed by Russian air power have advanced on the last redoubt of Al Qaeda-linked militias in Idlib province.
(2019-12-28). New WikiLeaks documents expose doctoring of chemical weapons report to justify 2018 US attack on Syria. wsws.org Just as extraordinary as the leaks themselves is the complete blackout observed by the mainstream media in the United States and Europe.
(2019-12-28). Croatia: Right-wing Social Democrat wins first round of presidential elections. wsws.org All candidates are deeply hated and discredited among broad sections of the population. Turnout in the elections was barely 39 percent.
(2019-12-28). Mexico: Zapatista Meeting of Women Who Fight Starts in Chiapas. telesurenglish.net Around 3,200 women from all over the world are gathered in the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico, to participate in the "Second International Meeting of Women who Fight," which has been convened by the Indigenous political group Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN). | RELATED: | Mexico: EZLN Announces Creation of New Rebel Municipalities | Women from countries such as Argentina, Germany, Peru, Spain, and the United States are gathered at "The Footprints of Commander Ramona" ven…
(2019-12-28). When words are not enough: BRAWLS break out in Serbian & Montenegrin parliaments amid debates over church property law (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Lawmakers in Serbia and Montenegro punched and shoved each other as two separate fights broke out in the nations' parliaments over the adoption of a law on the ownership of property by churches. | In Serbia, the trouble started when the leader of the opposition Dveri party, Bosko Obradovic, and fellow lawmaker Ivan Kostic came to the floor while holding two politically-charged banners. One read "Serbia, why are you silent?" and the other — "Vucic and Milo — the twin brothers," which was an attack on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his Montenegrin counterpart, Milo Djukanovic. | Several offende…
(2019-12-28). RT's crew ATTACKED for filming as Yellow Vests & anti-pension reform marches end in clashes (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Anti-government Yellow Vests and anti-pension rallies have simultaneously descended upon the streets of the French capital, promptly escalating into clashes with police who responded with tear gas and baton charges. | This weekend appeared to be particularly heated in Paris, as two different groups of protesters joined efforts in defying the policies of the country's government. Although the protests were calm most of the day as RT's Charlotte Dubenskij reported, violence broke out in some parts of the city. | The protesters tried to erect barricades in the streets, set objects on fire and pelted law enforceme…
(2019-12-28). Perfect start! Russia's Sergey Ustiugov wins first stage of FIS Tour de Ski. rt.com 
Russian cross-country skier Sergey Ustiugov got off to a perfect start at the prestigious International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup event — Tour de Ski — confidently winning the first stage of the seven-tour event on Saturday. | The two-time world champion dominated the men's 14km freestyle mass start race in Switzerland clocking a time of 33 minutes 19.1 seconds. | READ MORE: 'I don't see anything bad in it': Russian biathlete says she'd race in lingerie | The reigning Tour de Ski champio…
(2019-12-28). 'Democratic talks to replace club interests': UNGA approves Russian-drafted resolution against cybercrime despite US opposition. rt.com 
A new resolution paving the way for experts from around the world to work together on a new treaty combating cybercrimes was passed by the UN General Assembly despite strong opposition from the US and its allies. | The document drafted jointly by Russia and 47 other nations has been adopted by the 193-member international body with 79 votes in favor and 60 votes against as well as 33 abstentions. The resolution calls on the General Assembly to form a committee of experts representing all parts of the world to "elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communica…
(2019-12-28). Ride's too hot? Stolen STALIN LIMO found in Moscow day after the heist. rt.com 
A luxurious, heavily-armored limousine that purportedly carried around Joseph Stalin himself was reportedly found stashed in a garage in Moscow. The armored vehicle is estimated to be worth $2.8 million. | The grand theft rocked the Russian media on Friday, when it emerged that the ZIS-115 was snatched by a crew of six from a garage in the north of Russia's capital. The suspects broke into an ordinary car shed where the limo sat and towed the 4.2-ton vehicle away. | But they apparently did not make it far. The car was recovered on Saturday in another garage in the capital, social media outlet BAZA reported.
(2019-12-28). ARTIFICIAL snow and Christmas trees in pots — did you ever imagine Russian winter holidays looking like THIS? rt.com 
As a snowless Moscow winter defies the image of the traditional Russian-style holiday season, piles of artificial snow have been brought to a central park in a last-ditch effort to raise local citizens' spirits. | With temperatures of just -1 Celsius (33 Fahrenheit) on the streets of the Russian capital on Saturday, artificial snow had to be imported for a Christmas market at the Zaryadye Park, which is adjacent to the iconic Red Square and the Kremlin. | –ï–¥–∏–Ω—Å—Ç–≤–µ–Ω–Ω—ã–&…
(2019-12-28). 'I have to be ready and good in the playoffs': Alex Ovechkin declines NHL All-Star Game invite to stay fit for Caps' playoff run. rt.com 
Washington Capitals star and Russian hockey icon Alex Ovechkin has once again taken the decision to decline his invitation to play in the NHL All-Star Game. | Ovechkin's decision follows on from his move to miss the league's annual showcase game last year, and means he will be handed a one-game suspension, which will be served either immediately before or immediately after the All-Star weekend. | The punishment mirrors the sanction imposed on Ovechkin last season, and means he will miss either the Jan. 18 road game at the New York Islanders, or the Jan. 27 clash at the Montreal Canadiens. | Also on rt.com…
(2019-12-28). Banks make biggest layoffs since 2015 & may continue to do so next year — report. rt.com 
Bankers around the globe are facing the biggest job cuts in four years, and their troubles could continue in 2020 as lenders are trying to cope with rising competition amid a slowing economy. | Nearly 78,000 people are set to lose their jobs, as more than 50 banks have revealed plans to downsize their workforce this year, according to Bloomberg, citing filings by the companies and labor unions. It is the highest number since 2015, when 91,448 employees in the banking sector were let go. | European banks will see the biggest layoffs, as they plan to cut more than 63,500 jobs or almost 82 percent of the total. N…
(2019-12-28). 'Hatred must be really strong to insult the dead': 2nd Jewish cemetery vandalized in a month in Slovakia (VIDEO). rt.com 
Vandals have targeted an old Jewish cemetery in the small Slovakian town of Rajec, toppling over 20 tombstones. A similar incident happened just two weeks ago about 70km away. | The vandalism in Rajec may have happened in mid-December, since the cemetery has few visitors. | "Unfortunately, very few people visit the tombs of their relatives in Jewish cemeteries because there are very few relatives alive," Jewish publicist and journalist Konstanty Gebert told Ruptly. "The hatred must be powerful enough that insulting the dead, even if no living are insulted, gives satisfaction." | Gebert said the vandals must…
(2019-12-28). Two dead in fire at Russia's Novatek oil and gas field: reports. yenisafak.com Two people have been killed and one injured in a fire in an elevator at Russia's Novatek northern oil and gas field, news agencies reported on Saturday citing emergency ministry officials.The fire broke out at East-Tarkosalinskoye field, Novatek's most mature oil and gas field, in Yamal Nenets region, the Interfax news agency said .The blaze had been put out, it said.Novatek did not reply to a request for comment, the emergency ministry office in the region did not respond to phone calls.
(2019-12-28). TOGG: | All you need to know about Turkey's first fully indigenous car. yenisafak.com Turkey unveiled the prototype of its first fully domestically-produced car on Friday with a grand ceremony in the industrial province of Kocaeli.President Recep Tayyip Erdogan showcased a red SUV model and another grey sedan model of the automobile and shared a footage on social media in which he took a test-drive of the first-ever electric car.The project is seen as a significant step forward to realizing a long-held dream of manufacturing Turkey's first "national" automobile.TOGG CEO Gàºrcan Karaka≈ü said on Saturday that the car's official brand name and emblem will be determined by the end of…
(2019-12-28). Federal judge denies bid to restore 98,000 voters in US state of Georgia. yenisafak.com A federal judge on Friday denied an attempt to restore about 98,000 voters in Georgia to the U.S. state's electoral rolls after they were removed earlier this month upon being classified as "inactive".Lead plaintiff Fair Fight Action, a voting rights nonprofit, did not establish that the Georgia secretary of state's decision to cancel the voter registrations had violated the constitution, U.S. District Judge Steve Jones said in the ruling.The judge, from the Northern District of Georgia, added that the secretary of state must make "diligent and reasonable" efforts to inform residents about registration, especiall…
(2019-12-28). Ralph Nader on Impeachment: Democrats Should Go After Trump's Full Corruption, Not Just Ukraine. counterpunch.org 
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(2019-12-27). Kurt Vonnegut: Anarchist and Social Critic. counterpunch.org 
After my early enthusiasm about the writer Kurt Vonnegut, I became skeptical. Was he a phony? After I met him, his lifestyle in his sumptuous Manhattan East Side town house bothered me and seemed to belie his satires of that same life. Even the adoration for him in Europe at the time sharpened my suspicions More
(2019-12-27). Romania: 30 years removed from socialism. liberationnews.org 
Capitalism's restoration in Romania and the former Socialist Bloc has brought with it all its inherent contradictions.
(2019-12-27). Strikers call to step up class struggle against French President Macron. wsws.org The ongoing mass transit and public sector strike which is paralyzing much of transport in France to protest Macron's pension cuts entered its fourth week today.
(2019-12-27). Strikers Call to Step Up Class Struggle Against France's President Macron. globalresearch.ca The ongoing mass transit and public sector strike which is paralyzing much of transport in France to protest Macron's pension cuts entered its fourth week today. Despite attempts by the union bureaucracies to impose a "Christmas truce" by suspending all …
(2019-12-27). Video: Russian Airstrikes Wipe Out Convoy of Turkish-backed Terrorists. globalresearch.ca By the evening of December 25, government forces have repelled a counter-attack by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its Turkish-backed allies on the town of Jarjnaz in southern Idlib and have resumed their advance on the town of Maarat al-Numan. | The …
(2019-12-27). US War Budget Targets China. globalresearch.ca A previous article discussed how the US FY 2020 war budget targets Russia, Turkey and Syria. | Euphemistically called annual National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs), they're all about advancing America's imperium, along with enriching corporate America by waging endless wars of …
(2019-12-27). The MEK in Albania. counterpunch.org The following is an interview I conducted via email with Osli Jazexhi, an Albanian-based, Canadian-Albanian historian who specializes in the history of Islam, nationalism and religious reformation in Southeastern Europe. His interest covers nationalism, radicalism, religious and ethnic identities in the Balkans. The interview was conducted between December 17 and 19. How popular is MEK More
(2019-12-27). Accelerating towards a fairer future. news.un.org Cutting child mortality by a third in Brazil, reaching carbon neutrality in Finland and redirecting trillions of dollars of investment to funds that promote sustainability: these are some examples of initiatives from governments, civil society and the private sector, designed to speed up the UN's goal of achieving a fairer society for all.
(2019-12-27). Libya: Haftar's Air Force Commander Drops Bombshell Confession: Jets from Egypt's President Sisi, "French Specialists" Provide Support. globalresearch.ca New developments in war-torn Libya have come to light since the capture of Amar Youssef Al-Jakam, Assistant Air …
(2019-12-27). Germany: Daimler workers support the strike wave in France. wsws.org Discussions with German workers give a sense of the growing opposition to the hackneyed and hollow promises of the company union.
(2019-12-27). Unusual Hot Winter in Moscow as Temperatures Hit 133-year High. telesurenglish.net The Russian capital has witnessed the hottest December in history and 2019 will likely go down as the warmest in 140 years of meteorological observations. | RELATED: | 'Russia Rejects Deployment of Turkish Troops to Libya' Peskov | Not only is the temperature not dropping below zero, but there is no sign of the blanket of snow that usually covers sidewalks and parks at this time of year. | "This year is truly unique because of its abnormal weather conditions," Anton Dubiniuk, in…
(2019-12-27). 'Russia Rejects Deployment of Turkish Troops to Libya' Peskov. telesurenglish.net The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov Friday rejected any foreign military presence in Libya after Turkey's President Recep Erdogan announced that he will send troops to Libya at the request of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), which is led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. | RELATED: | Turkey Will Send Troops to Libya If Requested: Erdogan | "We believe that any interference by third countries in the situation [in Libya] will hardly contribute to settlement effor…
(2019-12-27). Turkey announces troop deployment in Libya. peoplesdispatch.org The move is being seen as part of Turkey's attempts to consolidate its position as a regional hegemon. The actual deployment of troops will take place once the Turkish parliament ratifies the decision…
(2019-12-26). After Democrats Push Bill to Send Fracked Gas to EU, Trump Includes in Budget. therealnews.com 
The European Energy Security and Diversification Act, legislation offering $1B to promote sending U.S. fracked gas to EU countries, was inserted into the federal budget bill signed into law by President Donald Trump. Democrats invoked "Russiagate" in their PR push for the bill.
(2019-12-26). Trump Warns Syria, Russia, Iran Over Idlib Campaign. telesurenglish.net U.S. President Donald Trump took a shot at the governments of Syria, Iran, and Russia on Thursday, warning them against renewing their assault on the Idlib province. | RELATED: | Syria: Trump Administration Builds Military Base in Oil Field | Trump, who praised Turkey in the tweet, was relatively silent during Ankara's "Operation Peace Spring" in northeastern Syria, despite the fact it displaced thousands and killed and wounded many civilians. | "Russia, Syria, and Iran are kill…
(2019-12-26). Turkish Communists hold gatherings in Istanbul and Izmir. peoplesdispatch.org The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) organized gatherings in Istanbul and Izmir on December 22-23, calling for "hope, organizing, and celebrating, to win 2020." TKP general secretary Kemal Okuyan, poet Nihat Behram, journalist-author Enver Aysever and actor Orhan Aydƒ±n participated in the gatherings, besides hundreds of party workers. | The events were organized to prepare the party cadre for the upcoming struggles in the new year. SoL reported that workers from many sectors, including workers of retail giant Bimeks, textile workers, teachers, construction workers and metal workers, besides daily wage…
(2019-12-26). UN refugee agency welcomes move to register all births in Kazakhstan. news.un.org The decision to ensure that all babies born in Kazakhstan are registered at birth and issued birth certificates has been welcomed by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
(2019-12-24). In the UK Do Subjects Deserve their Rulers? dissidentvoice.org I constantly receive such letters; letters which repeat, again and again, year after year, basically the same thing: "If only we would have an opportunity to vote out our damn system!" Such letters, emails and messages keep coming to me from the United States, but also from the United Kingdom. Particularly, after certain events, like …
(2019-12-24). Commentary: 'Ukrainegate' and impeachment. fightbacknews.org Milwaukee, WI – Near the end of August, a whistleblower released a document uncovering a private conversation between U.S. president Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The fact that the two of them were talking is not newsworthy; what was revealed and is of some import, however, was the specific content of their exchange. | The whistleblower's report lays out how Trump attempted to strongarm Zelensky and the Ukrainian government into reopening an investigation into Hunter Biden, the son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. The younger Biden was involved in a number of questionable…
(2019-12-23). Americans Are Ready for a Different Approach to Nuclear Weapons. dissidentvoice.org 
Although today's public protests against nuclear weapons can't compare to the major antinuclear upheavals of past decades, there are clear indications that most Americans reject the Trump administration's nuclear weapons policies. Since entering office in 2017, the Trump administration has withdrawn the United States from the nuclear agreement with Iran, scrapped the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia, and …
(2019-12-23). A revelatory performance of Erich Korngold's opera 'Der Ring des Polykrates'. peoplesworld.org 
LOS ANGELES—The recently formed Numi Opera's second production in its inaugural season was the rarely performed Der Ring des Polykrates (The Ring of Polycrates) by composer Erich Korngold (born in Brno, Austria-Hungary, 1897, died in Los Angeles, 1957). The 1914 one-act opera, composed when the precocious Korngold was but 17 years old, is in a …
(2019-12-23). Headlines for December 23, 2019. democracynow.org White House Halted Ukraine Aid 91 Minutes After Trump & Zelensky Phone Call, U.S. Considering Plan to Deport Mexican Asylum Seekers to Guatemala, WaPo: White House Pushes to Use Migrant Children to Ensnare Parents, Saudi Arabia Sentences 5 People to Death for Khashoggi's Murder, ICC Takes Step to Investigating Israel for War Crimes, India: Protests Continue as Modi Defends "Anti-Muslim" Citizenship Law, Iraq: Thousands Demand Appointment of Independent Prime Minister, Reuters: Up to 1,500 Dead in Iran's Bloody Crackdown Against Nov. Protests, Pentagon: U.S. Soldier Killed in Afghanistan, French Unions Continue St…
(2019-12-23). 'Surveillance Valley' author Yasha Levine's Twitter frozen after post objecting to US pushing for war with Russia in Ukraine. rt.com 
Yasha Levine, a journalist who exposed the US government surveillance origins of the internet and its symbiotic relationship with Big Tech, was locked out of Twitter after criticizing Washington's Ukraine policy with clear satire. | "We gotta kill Russians in Ukraine or they'll come and kill us here!" Levine tweeted on Saturday, mocking what he described as the US' policy of using Ukraine as a "forward operating base" — a policy expressed in only slightly more euphemistic terms during the impeachment hearings earlier this month. The journalist even included a link to an article he'd written excoriating th…
(2019-12-23). Another kind of war: Unilateral economic sanctions damage Syria. workers.org 
First published in the German daily newspaper Junge Welt on Dec. 16. Translation by John Catalinotto. At the beginning of December, the Conference of Germany's State Interior Ministers extended the ban on deportations to Syria without restrictions until at least June 2020. Originally, the interior ministers at their autumn meeting . . . | Continue reading Another kind of war: Unilateral economic sanctions damage Syria at Workers.org
(2019-12-22). Seemingly Coordinated ISIS/al-Qaeda Attacks On Syrian Oil/Gas Fields & US' Russia/Libya Hypocrisy. thelastamericanvagabond.com 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 (12/21/19). 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 …
(2019-12-20). Democrats Invoke Russiagate to Advance Bill Lobbied for by Big Oil. therealnews.com 
Two bills that would allow the United States to expand its fossil fuel infrastructure in the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries have advanced to the the Senate—and Democrats backing them have invoked "Russiagate" to push them through.
(2019-12-19). Queen's Speech takes 'wrecking ball' to Scotland's foundations, SNP claims. thecanary.co The SNP has accused Boris Johnson and the UK Government of "taking a wrecking ball" to Scotland with its plans in the Queen's Speech. | SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford spoke out after a speech that did not mention Scotland by name — although the queen said the "integrity and prosperity" of the United Kingdom was of "the utmost importance" to the UK Government. | Blackford argued the Withdrawal Agreement Bill that ministers will bring forward will hurt Scotland's economy and cost thousands of jobs north of the border. | He was also critical of plans on immigration and said the UK Government was failing…
(2019-12-18). "Not the End of It": If GOP Senate Saves Trump, Rep. Al Green Says He Can Face Impeachment Again. democracynow.org 
President Donald Trump is on the cusp of being impeached by the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, with a historic vote set today on whether to formally accuse him of abusing his power in dealing with Ukraine to help himself politically, and then obstructing Congress by blocking their investigation. Trump lashed out directly at the vote on Tuesday, calling the proceedings to remove him from office an "attempted coup." Should the House approve either of the articles of impeachment, the Republican-controlled Senate will hold a trial with all 100 senators acting as jurors, with a two-thirds supermajority…
(2019-12-18). A Secret CBP Team is Targeting and Detaining Innocent Travelers. We're Suing. aclu.org U.S. Customs and Border Protection is deploying secret teams that target, detain, and interrogate innocent travelers. We're suing to expose their activities. | In November 2018, three CBP officers detained Andreas | Gal, a former chief | technology officer at Mozilla Corporation and current Apple employee, at San | Francisco International Airport after he landed from a business trip to Sweden. | Andr…
(2019-12-18). Headlines for December 18, 2019. democracynow.org House to Hold Historic Impeachment Vote Today, Top U.S. Diplomat to Ukraine William Taylor to Step Down, Rick Gates Sentenced to 45 Days in Jail and $20,000 Fine, FISA Court Orders FBI to Change National Security Wiretaps After DOJ Report, Democratic Primary Debate to Go Forward After Labor Dispute Resolved, Senate Approves One of the Most Expensive Military Spending Bills in U.S. History, Trump Meets with Outgoing Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, Indian Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Controversial Citizenship Law, Strikes Continue Nationwide in France over Pension Overhaul, Bolivia's Evo Morales Names Two…