(2020-12-29). Endings for Beginnings: Reaching a Brexit Deal. counterpunch.org 
It was a hurried dash and came just before the end of the transition period. The UK and the European Union have reached an agreement on the torturously long road of Brexit. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson can take the deal back to his constituents and Parliament, claiming he achieved something less horrendous than a
(2020-12-29). India finds 6 cases of new covid variant among travelers from Britain. laprensalatina.com New Delhi, Dec 29 (efe-epa).- Six people who flew in from Britain recently have tested positive for the more contagious strain of the coronavirus that has prompted fresh border closures across the world after it was first detected in the United Kingdom. "All these persons have been kept in single room isolation in designated health …
(2020-12-29). Argentina starts nationwide COVID-19 vaccinations. peoplesdispatch.org On December 24, the South American nation received the first 300,000 doses out of a total order of over 10 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. In the first round it has prioritized the health workers for the administration of the vaccine.
(2020-12-29). Recidivist Criminal and Constitutional Outlaw Trump Rushes to Pardon Criminal Lawbreakers. counterpunch.org 
Serial lawbreaker Donald J. Trump is embarking on the most sordid presidential pardon spree in American history. He has already pardoned convicted crooks, thieves, and violent outlaws. Trump's pardon lawyers are frantically assembling more MAGA besotted individuals and groups to be pardoned wholesale. The number may climb into the hundreds. The queue is long. Trump
(2020-12-29). After massive cyberattack, imperialist U.S. blames Russia — and China. workers.org 
U.S. officials and cybersecurity experts are calling it perhaps the most extensive and costly "cyberattack" in modern history. Revelations have come to light that in mid-December numerous U.S. government agencies and some of the world's largest corporations discovered they had been hacked over the course of several preceding months. U.S. . . . |
(2020-12-29). Russia and Turkey to continue military cooperation despite US sanctions. middleeasteye.net 
Russia and Turkey to continue military cooperation despite US sanctions | Russian foreign minister says Moscow and Ankara will not be deterred by US sanctions over acquisition of S-400 missile system | Tue, 12/29/2020 – 16: 13 | Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu meets with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov (AFP) | Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said military cooperation with Turkey would no…
(2020-12-29). Coronavirus accelerates as new strain detected across Europe. wsws.org The spread of the new strain of the virus intersects with the European governments' criminal refusal of measures to stop the pandemic that would cut corporate profits.
(2020-12-29). Iran, Russia defense coop. based on Intl. law. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 29 (MNA) — Russian Foreign Minister said that Moscow's defense cooperation with Iran is in accordance with international law.
(2020-12-29). Netherlands violates nationality rights: UN rights committee. news.un.org The Netherlands has violated a child's rights by registering children under the category "nationality unknown" as opposed to Stateless — leaving them ineligible to access international protections, the UN Human Rights Committee ‚ÄØdeclared‚ÄØon Tuesday.
(2020-12-28). European travel insurers warn jab will be required to book trips if EU adopts Covid-19 vaccine mandate. rt.com 
Several European travel insurance companies say the Covid-19 vaccine will become mandatory to book a trip, should the EU adopt the requirement — a vow that has unsettled those who haven't made up their mind about taking a jab. | While vaccination is not currently needed to purchase a travel insurance policy for visiting Europe, it will become mandatory if the EU opts to require the Covid-19 jab for incoming visitors, Elvio Chilelli, a representative from EU insurer Europ Assistance, told visa news outlet SchengenVisaInfo last week. | Europ Assistance would be far from the only travel insurer to require c…
(2020-12-28). Argentina To Start National COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign. telesurenglish.net Argentina will begin its national COVID-19 vaccination campaign on December 29 as local governments and hospitals already received the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. | RELATED: | The authorities reported that the vaccination will take place as of 9: 00 AM local time simultaneously in all provinces as each city has received a part of the first shipment with 300,000 doses. | Nonetheless, the Minister of Health Ginés Go…
(2020-12-28). Serbia Becomes Hub for Russia's Gas Distribution in the Balkans. globalresearch.ca With the TurkStream gas pipeline now running through Serbia, the Balkan country will enjoy numerous benefits when exports begin, such as energy stability, the opportunity to get cheaper gas, and additional tax revenue. On December 25, Serbia successfully tested the …
(2020-12-28). Political Instability in the Central African Republic, The Role of China-Russia Cooperation. globalresearch.ca The Chinese-Russian strategic partnership could be leveraged to stabilize the CAR after this Sunday's elections and might eventually become a model for them to apply towards their other African partners too. | The Central African Republic (CAR) has once again attracted …
(2020-12-28). "I Just Felt Like I Had No Control Over My Body": Survivors of Alleged ICE Medical Abuse Speak Out. democracynow.org 
Dozens of immigrant women detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia have joined a class-action lawsuit against ICE over allegations they were subjected to nonconsensual and invasive gynecological procedures and surgeries that were later found to be unnecessary, and in some cases left them unable to have children. The lawsuit cites sworn testimony from at least 35 women about their treatment by Mahendra Amin, a physician in Ocilla, Georgia, and describes retaliation and threats of deportation for speaking out. "We have more than 40 women who filed sworn testimo…
(2020-12-28). Russia Is Cracking Down on Political Performance Art, Again. Why It Should Listen, Not Lash Out. counterpunch.org Performances by artists and activists on political topics have been a sensitive spot for the Russian authorities for years. But as the authorities' crackdown on civil society intensifies, so does the creative non-violent response exposing and drawing attention to it. This in turn increases the pressure authorities exert on the artists and activists in efforts
(2020-12-28). How the Fight Over Spain's Antifascist Legacy Involves a Former 'Nation' Editor. thenation.com How the Fight Over Spain's Antifascist Legacy Involves a Former 'Nation' Editor…
(2020-12-28). The European Union: Free at Last. commondreams.org The goal of 'ever closer union', anathema to English exceptionalists, is back on the agenda. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/boris_johnson_0.jpg …
(2020-12-27). The European Citizens' Initiative for a Basic Income. counterpunch.org 
There are no precedents that can serve as a reference for Europe's economic and social situation right now. The 2020 European Commission indicators show a drop of 8.3% for GDP growth, while the OECD sets the figure at about 9% for the eurozone. The country-by-country forecasts showing considerable inequality within the EU are calamitous and,
(2020-12-27). Turkey warns 'thug Haftar' against attacking its forces in Libya. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey warns 'thug Haftar' against attacking its forces in Libya | Defence minister says renegade general's forces will be 'legitimate targets' in such an event during visit to Tripoli | Sun, 12/27/2020 – 13: 05 | Turkish Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar, right, is pictured with his Libyan counterpart Salah Eddine Namrouchin, left, during a visit to Turkish troops in Tripoli (AFP) | Turkish…
(2020-12-27). Samos Dreaming: Reflecting on the Life, History and Social Injustice on Greece's Samos Island. globalresearch.ca There is a tragic lack of attention given to the achievements and activities of people and communities in tackling the problems they confront. It is tragic because people need hope and inspiration in these dark times and the thousands upon …
(2020-12-27). Multicultural Cooperation between BRICS Member States: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. globalresearch.ca In this interview, Alena Peryshkina, Co-Chair of the BRICS Civil Forum, Director of the AIDS Infoshare Foundation, Co-Chair of the BRICS and G20 CSOs Working Group, discusses some aspects of multicultural dimensions, especially the need to institutionalize cultural ties and …
(2020-12-27). Russia Calls for De-Escalation of Tensions in Syria's Ayn Issa, Reconciliation Centre Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian officials are calling on all parties to cease shelling near the Syrian town of Ayn Issa, Rear Adm. Vyacheslav Sytnik, the deputy head of the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for Syrian reconciliation, said on Sunday.
(2020-12-27). In the Georgia runoffs, 'poll chaplains' continue King's legacy. zcomm.org "I want people to go to the polls knowing that they have nothing to fear — that their right to have their voice heard will be encouraged, uplifted, and defended by people of hope"
(2020-12-27). Keeping the Curtains Drawn on Canada's Secretive Factory Farm Industry. commondreams.org Unlike Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, Canada's laws governing animal welfare have barely evolved over the last century. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/canadian-pigs.jpg …
(2020-12-26). How COVID-19 Hollowed Out A Generation Of Young Black Men. popularresistance.org While COVID-19 has killed 1 out of every 800 African Americans, a toll that overwhelms the imagination, even more stunning is the deadly efficiency with which it has targeted young Black men like Bates. One study using data through July found that Black people ages 35 to 44 were dying at nine times the rate of white people the same age, though the gap slightly narrowed later in the year. And in an analysis for ProPublica this summer using the only reliable data at the time accounting for age, race and gender, from Michigan and Georgia, Harvard researcher Tamara Rushovich found that the disparity was greatest in B…
(2020-12-26). Seamus Mullen's love affair with tortilla española: Find beauty in the simplicity of this dish. salon.com The former chef at Boqueria and Tertulia in New York City explores the most emblematic dish from Spain…
(2020-12-26). Tuesday 12/29: Jump-Off for the Run-Off: Zoom Rally Supporting Georgia Voters w/ Poor People's Campaign. indybay.org Online via Zoom…
(2020-12-26). Saturday 12/26: Georgia Comes Alive! Virtual Music Festival to Support Georgia Voters & Equal Voter Rights. indybay.org Virutal music festival…
(2020-12-26). The New York Times Hasn't Heard About China's Vaccines. cepr.net That is the implication of a major piece on how the coronavirus vaccines are leading to greater worldwide inequality, since the rich countries have reserved the vast majority of the 2021 supplies of vaccines of the leading U.S.-European vaccines. While this is in fact a serious problem, as my co-authors and I have noted, China …
(2020-12-25). Thebes of Myth and History. counterpunch.org 
Thebes was one of about 1,000 poleis (city-states) spread all over the mainland of classical Greece, the islands of the Aegean and Ionian seas, the Black Sea coast, Asia Minor, north Africa, southern France, eastern Spain and southern Italy and Sicily. There were so many Greeks and Greek city-states in Italy and Sicily the Romans
(2020-12-25). EU bans plastic waste exports to poorer countries. nationofchange.org "This is an important milestone in fighting plastic pollution, transitioning shifting to a circular economy, and achieving the aims of the European Green Deal."
(2020-12-25). Dickens, refrigeration and New World turkey: Behind the decline of the traditional Christmas goose. salon.com The bird that used to dominate holiday tables became a ghost of Christmas past, but some say that is changing…
(2020-12-25). UK and EU reach trade agreement but questions remain. peoplesdispatch.org The deal will now have to be ratified not only by the British Parliament, but also by all the 27 member nations of the EU and the European Parliament, before December 31 to avoid major trade uncertainty…