(2020-12-07). US Congress And Corporate Media Claim Venezuela's Government Threatened To Starve Non-Voters. popularresistance.org Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US corporate media declared Venezuela's legislative elections a "sham" before results were even announced, opening a new front in the propaganda war on the besieged country and its leftist government. | Among the most blatant distortions deployed against President Nicolas Maduro's United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) was a claim first advanced by Leopoldo López, the far-right, US-backed opposition leader who recently fled to Spain. | On Twitter, López tweeted a deceptively edited clip of Constituent Assembly President Diosdado Cabello addressing an election rally, and accu…
(2020-12-07). Dutch socialists demand greater expenditure on municipal health services. peoplesdispatch.org Last week, the Socialist Party (SP) in the Netherlands demanded adequate funding for the Municipal Health Services (GGD) in the country to bolster preventive measures against any health crisis…
(2020-12-07). OPCW executives praised whistleblower and criticized Syria cover-up, leaks reveal. thegrayzone.com Exclusive: Documents obtained by The Grayzone show that OPCW executives privately criticized the manipulation of a Syria chemical weapons probe, and supported a dissenting veteran inspector. One official, however, feared helping the "Russian narrative." These private admissions further expose the public whitewash of the Douma cover-up, and undermine the ongoing attacks on the whistleblowers who challenged it. Since the explosive revelation that an investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in Syria was manipulated, a smear …
(2020-12-07). Stuck In A Lift With John Pilger — 'News And How To Use It' by Alan Rusbridger. zcomm.org Pilger tells the unfiltered, uncompromised truth about the foundations of power. His focus is on speaking up for the victims of power, not on serving power…
(2020-12-07). OPCW director worried truth about Syria 'chemical attack' report would feed 'Russian narrative'. rt.com 
While praising the OPCW whistleblower's integrity and professionalism, one director worried that seeking truth about the altered report on a 'chemical attack' in Syria might help Russia, which he denounced as the enemy. | "I fear there is little one can do since the report is final and out — unless one wants to feed in the Russian narrative and that I would never do as they really are not bona fide friends of this organization, that's for sure," was the message of one director to Dr. Brendan Whelan, one of the whistleblowers who challenged the 'interim' report by the Organization for the Prohibition of Ch…
(2020-12-07). Turkey's cities face drought as lack of rain hits water levels in dams. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey's cities face drought as lack of rain hits water levels in dams | Concerns running high as rainfall drops to five-year lows in western and central parts of the country | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 11: 35 | Cracked soil after a drought at the Dikilitas Pond in the Golbasi district of Ankara, 23 July 2020 (AFP) | Mayors of the largest cities in Turkey are concerned by the lack of rainfall since the summer, w…
(2020-12-07). As Sisi meets Macron, Egypt renews detention of human rights activist. middleeasteye.net 
As Sisi meets Macron, Egypt renews detention of human rights activist | A number of detained members of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights were released last week, but Zaki remains in custody pending similar charges | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 10: 39 | Patrick George Zaki has been in custody since 7 February upon his return from Italy, where he had been living and studying (Twitter) | A l…
(2020-12-07). France's weapons sales to Egypt won't be conditioned on human rights, says Macron. middleeasteye.net 
France's weapons sales to Egypt won't be conditioned on human rights, says Macron | Despite criticism from rights groups for hosting Sisi, the French leader said the two countries were 'united' in building 'a space of civilisation' | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 13: 30 | French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Elysee Palace in Paris on 7 December 2020…
(2020-12-07). Georgia Runoffs: Democrats Aim to Take Senate as Republicans Back Trump Attack on Election Integrity. democracynow.org 
Two Georgia Senate runoff elections on January 5 will decide who controls the upper chamber and whether the Biden administration will be able to pass its ambitious policy agenda. If Democrats succeed in unseating Georgia's two senators, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, the Senate will be split 50-50, with incoming Vice President Kamala Harris able to cast tie-breaking votes. In two debates Sunday night, Perdue skipped his debate with challenger Jon Ossoff, who took the stage opposite an empty podium, and Loeffler faced off against Reverend Raphael Warnock. We play excerpts and host a discussion with author and Em…
(2020-12-07). Black Voters Matter: Group Sues Georgia for Purging 200,000 Voters Ahead of 2020 Election. democracynow.org 
On the voter registration deadline for Georgians who want to vote in two Senate runoff elections on January 5, we speak with Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter, about why the state is "ground zero" for Republican voter suppression efforts. Black Voters Matter has filed a federal lawsuit alleging Georgia's current secretary of state improperly removed nearly 200,000 voters from the rolls. Those voters "were purged illegally" ahead of the 2020 election and almost certainly affected the results, says Albright. "At the end of the day, this election … should not have even been c…
(2020-12-07). French workers take to the barricades against Security Bill that would criminalize filming police violence. liberationnews.org 
A "Global Security Bill" that is on its way to becoming law in France has incited a new wave of militant protests across the country.
(2020-12-07). Ireland and U.S. Imperialism. mronline.org 
When discussing Ireland's role in imperialism today it is vital to highlight the role Ireland plays in assisting the U.S. to extract profits from 'poorer nations'. That is to say nations that have abundant natural resources that the mass of the local population do not get to reap the benefits of.
(2020-12-07). Arabic press review: Family of Egypt's Mubarak to sue EU over 'illegal sanctions'. middleeasteye.net 
Arabic press review: Family of Egypt's Mubarak to sue EU over 'illegal sanctions' | Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia prepares for reconciliation with Qatar, Bashir's health deteriorates in jail, and video of Egyptian man throwing cash from balcony goes viral | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 16: 38 | Gamal Mubarak (seen to right of his late father Hosni) said he will sue the Council of the European Union after winning…
(2020-12-07). Threat of More Illegal US Sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. globalresearch.ca The US under both right wings of the one-party state is waging a long war on Russia by other means — and all other nations unwilling to bow and scape to its imperial demands. | US aggression includes endless smashing of …
(2020-12-07). Araghchi stresses on Portugal role in Iran-Europe relations. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister expressed hope that Portugal could play an active role in the relations of Iran and Europe when it takes over the presidency of the EU in 2021.
(2020-12-07). 'Venezuela Has Now a Legitimate Assembly' Observers Note. telesurenglish.net The head of the delegation of Russian electoral observers Igor Ananskij highlighted that Venezuela's National Assembly gained legitimacy after the elections that took place on Sunday, December 6. | RELATED: | "The most important result of these elections is that Venezuela now has a legitimate National Assembly," Ananskij told Sputnik. | The vice president of the Russian Parliament's Lower House (Duma) also expressed…
(2020-12-07). E3 react to Iranian parl. plan to set up new centrifuges. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — France, Germany and the UK have voiced their concern about a counteractive plan by the Iranian Parliament to set up new centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear facility.
(2020-12-07). Iran-Romania ties not harmed under pressures: envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — The Romanian envoy to Tehran likened the Iran-Romania relation to a tree whose root will not be hurt under the sanctions imposed by the arrogant powers of the world.
(2020-12-07). Tens of Thousands Rally in France Against Security Law as Police and Protesters Clash Again. globalresearch.ca French protesters clashed with police in Paris and other cities including Marseille, Lyon, Rennes and Nantes yesterday as tens of thousands took to the streets in further mass demonstrations against an authoritarian new security law. | The weekly rallies each Saturday …
(2020-12-07). Iran, Italy seeking to expand bilateral relations. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy held a videoconference for the second time on Monday.
(2020-12-07). Belgian Workers Party holds country-wide solidarity initiative. peoplesdispatch.org The solidarity initiative of the Workers Party of Belgium (PTB/PVDA) is intended to support caregivers and other sections of the working class, the youth, elderly, and the poor during the winter months amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis…
(2020-12-07). More Scandals on Dutch Government's Involvement in Supporting Terrorism in Syria. globalresearch.ca A new chapter in the scandals of the Netherlands's involvement in supporting terrorist organizations in Syria is unfolding in front of the world public opinion after Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has recently admitted that he personally intervened to obstruct …
(2020-12-07). Pearl Harbor: An Orchestrated Event? thealtworld.com In November, 1944, US Secretary of War, Henry Stimson snapped to the US Secretary of the Treasury that he was worn out "from working the last two weeks on the Pearl Harbor report to keep out anything that might hurt the President." — Churchill's War, Vol. II | December 7, 2020. Today is the 79th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the event that brought the US into the war against Germany and Japan. Eight American battleships were sunk or put out of action, and about 3,600 American sailors were killed or wounded. | Washington needed scapegoats, and Admiral Husband Kimmel and General Walter S…
(2020-12-07). Reduced working hours as a socio-economic investment. indybay.org In this Austrian article, reduced working hours is seen as a socio-economic investment, not as a cost-trap. In a 1909 study by Sidney Chapman, shorter working hours leads to higher productivity and greater output. More time sovereignty and better health of workers would be long-term gains…
(2020-12-06). Review of Hensman's 'Indefensible'. zcomm.org Defense of the Easily Defensible By Dave Markland In 2018 Haymarket Books published Rohini Hensman's Indefensible: Democracy, Counter-revolution and Anti-imperialist Rhetoric. Its focus is on left journalists and analysts like John Pilger and the late Edward S. Herman who have committed the inexcusable sin of being overly suspicious of United States foreign policy. Many readers
(2020-12-06). The Canary's Kerry-Anne Mendoza On Censorship, Smear Campaign Against Left In The UK. thealtworld.com Kerry-Anne Mendoza, the editor-in-chief of The Canary in the United Kingdom, was systematically targeted on Twitter and suspended. Her account has since been restored, but it was part of a larger campaign against left-wing voices in the UK. She joins Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola to discuss this censorship. | Throughout the show, Kerry-Anne contextualizes her experiences on Twitter by recapping what happened to Jeremy Corbyn, who came very close to becoming British prime minister. She describes the blacklisting of Jewish voices affiliated with the Labour Party because they support Palestinian rights and breaks…
(2020-12-06). Hundreds of 'threats & terrorism justification' reported in France during month of tributes to beheaded teacher. rt.com 
Tributes to slain teacher, Samuel Paty, have been marred by nearly 800 incidents ranging from threats to the outright justification of terrorism, the French education ministry has said. | The murder of the schoolteacher continues to send shockwaves through France. The killing that took place in mid-October has given rise to a whole series of disturbing incidents in various French education facilities throughout November, the nation's education ministry revealed in a recent report. | Minutes of silence held in honor of the teacher were disrupted almost 800 times in various incidents in November, the report says…
(2020-12-06). Blow for new Moldovan President Sandu as diplomatic vehicle caught trying to smuggle anabolic steroids across Ukrainian border. rt.com 
Bringing a new meaning to 'diplomatic muscle,' a car registered to Moldova's Moscow embassy has been halted by customs officials on the country's border with Ukraine, carrying a shipment of anabolic steroids, according to Kiev. | In a statement on Saturday, the Ukrainian government said that "the products were found in the cargo compartment of a minibus with license plates of the diplomatic corps." It has also been reported that the vehicle had been stopped by Moldovan officials before leaving the country. Chisinau's Foreign Ministry has acknowledged the incident, and said it was eager to "clarify the circumst…
(2020-12-06). New York Authorities reportedly investigate BOMB THREAT on Aeroflot flight from Moscow to JFK airport, with 250 on board. rt.com 
Local US media reported on Sunday, citing New York Port Authority Police , that law enforcement officers were investigating a potential bomb threat on an Aeroflot plane, which had traveled from Moscow to JFK airport. | The scheduled flight, from the Russian capital, landed safely at John F. Kennedy International Airport at around 3: 45 p.m. local time (8: 45 p.m. GMT), according to Fox…
(2020-12-06). Anti-LGBT Lithuanian lawmaker accidentally caught on camera with naked man in work from home blunder (VIDEO). rt.com 
A prominent Lithuanian MP who has railed against 'non-traditional' marriages and LGBT rights has been spotted at home with a naked man, after apparently turning his camera on by accident while in an online parliamentary meeting. | Petras Grazulis, a lawmaker from the country's right-wing Order and Justice Party, could be seen briefly on video from a committee session of the country's Seimas assembly. | In the footage, circulated widely online, a man appears behind the politician, apparently wearing no clothes, looking over his shoulder at the screen. | The chairman of the committee warned that the revelatio…
(2020-12-06). Egypt's Sisi arrives in France for controversial visit. middleeasteye.net 
Egypt's Sisi arrives in France for controversial visit | The Egyptian leader will discuss 'strategic partnership' with French President Emmanuel Macron during his three-day visit to Paris | Sun, 12/06/2020 – 10: 33 | Macron has faced criticism for hosting Sisi after Egypt jailed three rights activists after briefing diplomats from Europe and America on the state of human rights in Egypt (A…
(2020-12-06). Greta Thunberg Takes Over Swedish Newspaper as Editor For One Day. sputniknews.com Perhaps the world's most famous teen activist, Sweden's Greta Thunberg has been raising the issue of climate change for the past couple of years, starting with "Fridays for Future" youth movement and speaking to the UN.
(2020-12-06). 'Can't Wait': UK Health Secretary Says Coronavirus Restrictions Could Be Loosened by 'End of March'. sputniknews.com The United Kingdom has introduced a tiered system of coronavirus restrictions following a 4-week total lockdown which will see several areas of the country placed under different levels of constraints. However, as the commonwealth is set to implement a mass vaccination program, hopes of the restrictive measures being lifted have begun to increase.
(2020-12-06). Kennesaw State Uni Back to Normal Operations As Suspect in 'Armed Intruder Incident' Apprehended. sputniknews.com An "armed intruder" was reported on the Marietta Campus of Georgia's Kennesaw State University on Sunday, with the school's emergency management group quickly urging students to shelter via social media.
(2020-12-06). Democracy 'Has To Be Defended': It Is Possible and Necessary, Critics Say, To Stop Trump From Running in 2024. commondreams.org "In a society fully committed to democracy, Congress would use this lame-duck period to impeach, convict, and disqualify Donald Trump from pursuing public office in the future, as the Constitution allows." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/trump_georgia2.jpg …
(2020-12-06). Former PM says Boris Johnson will spark 'economic war' if he fails to get Brexit deal. thecanary.co The UK will face an "economic war" with Europe and America if Boris Johnson fails to negotiate a Brexit deal, Gordon Brown has warned. | The former prime minister said Johnson's confrontational approach will make him the "most isolated prime minister in peacetime history" in the event of a no-deal Brexit. | Negotiations between British and EU negotiators are set to resume today, 6 December, in Brussels in an attempt to secure a post-Brexit trade deal. | "A path of confrontation": | Warning of "huge international implications" if no agreement is reached, Brown said: We would be in an economic war with Europ…
(2020-12-06). Thousands Take Part in Anti-Government Protest in France. telesurenglish.net The protest against the French government's Global Security law continued this Saturday in almost 90 cities in the country although President Emmanuel Macron's administration announced its intention to reform the most controversial aspects of the norm. | RELATED: | The day of protests was also supported by the main French trade unions which called on the population to fight against the loss of adequate working condi…
(2020-12-06). Covid Mideast Updates: Iran – Turkey – Morocco – Kuwait. telesurenglish.net Iran's COVID-19 cases surged to 1,040,547 on Sunday with 11,561 new infections. Meanwhile, Turkey registered 195 more deaths from the coronavirus, the highest daily record in the country. | Iran, the hardest-hit country in the Middle East region, reported 294 new deaths from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 50,310, said Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, during her daily briefing. | A total of 730,798 people have recovered from the disease and been discharged from hospitals, while 5,809 remain in intensive care units. | Followi…
(2020-12-06). Protests continue in France against draconian Global Security Bill. peoplesdispatch.org The continuous protests against the Global Security Bill have forced the government on the back foot. However, the protesters have said they will continue to resist till all objectionable aspects of the bill are withdrawn…
(2020-12-06). VIDEO: Fireworks explode as fire starts in market in Russia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — Fireworks exploded after a shop with pyrotechnics caught fire at a market in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.
(2020-12-06). Romania Holds Parliamentary Election Amid Pandemic. telesurenglish.net 18 million Romanians are called to cast their ballots this Sunday to elect a new bicameral parliament that will serve for the next four years. They will exercise their vote under special protective measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic. | RELATED: | As many as 18,802 polling stations opened at 7: 00 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) and will close at 9: 00 p.m. (1900 GMT) in 42 constituencies in the country, while 748 statio…
(2020-12-05). The Road to a More Just Society Runs Through Congress. commondreams.org Think about all the dreams for a better world that could come to be realized if our elected officials worked for the big majority of Americans instead of for Big Business interests. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/congress_5.jpg …
(2020-12-05). 'Get on your knees' before Putin: Ex-Ukrainian leader Poroshenko says Zelensky will humiliate country to end Donbass conflict. rt.com 
Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has sarcastically told his successor Volodymyr Zelensky to kneel before Russia's Vladimir Putin, believing it is the only way to achieve peace in the country's eastern Donbass region. | According to Poroshenko, who was defeated by Zelensky in a landslide vote, advisers in the presidential office believe the conflict can be ended simply by stopping the shooting. These "big experts" are mistaken, he says, as he believes an end to the fighting is impossible unless Ukraine wants to be embarrassed. | "This can be done in weeks," Poroshenko claimed, speaking to Kiev-based…
(2020-12-05). Brexit trade talks to reconvene in Brussels in last gasp effort to secure deal. rt.com 
British and EU negotiators are to meet in Brussels on Sunday in a late bid to resolve ongoing "significant differences" between the two sides as they seek to agree a trade deal before the end of the year deadline. | The reconvening of talks was confirmed by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a joint statement following their phone call on Saturday, which was in itself a bid to overcome the continuing deadlock. | "In a phone call today on the ongoing negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom, we welcomed the fact that progress has been…
(2020-12-05). Frozen to death on the Road of Bones: Russian teen motorist dies in his car after a week spent stranded at MINUS 50 degrees. rt.com 
A young Russian has frozen to death in his car in the notoriously cold Yakutia region, after getting lost while driving in extreme temperatures. | Following a week-long search, the 18-year-old was found dead. Incredibly, his friend and companion survived. According to the region's investigative committee, the temperature in this area at night is around -50°C, and the car's radiator was broken. The two teenagers started driving from Yakutsk to Magadan on November 28 and were not found until December 5. The only road between these cities is the Kolyma Highway, most commonly known as the Road of Bones. The ro…
(2020-12-05). Russian authorities to investigate after forged negative Covid-19 test certificates found on sale for just $33 each. rt.com 
A criminal case has been opened in Russia after mass forgeries of negative Covid-19 test certificates were discovered. The documents were found to be on sale online for 2,500 rubles ($33) each. | The Moscow City Prosecutors Office has reported that a criminal investigation is underway to discover who is behind the forgeries. The case comes after a complaint by medical laboratory company Gemotest, which reported that it had appealed to law enforcement after discovering that its certificates were being faked. Alongside the police, Gemotest conducted controlled purchases of the forgeries, leading to the couriers…
(2020-12-05). Portugal Bans New Years Travel Between Regions, Allows Christmas Break, Prime Minister Says. sputniknews.com MADRID (Sputnik) – Portuguese citizens will be able to travel between the country's municipalities during the Christmas holidays with certain limitations, but the travel window will close for New Year's eve and its aftermath, Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on Saturday.
(2020-12-05). VIDEO: Turkey emerges as conduit for change as EU falls on its own sword. strategic-culture.org Turkey, once begging to enter the EU, is now becoming a truly independent power. Watch the video and read more in the
(2020-12-05). Turkey arrests Russian journalists on illegal filming charges. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 05 (MNA) — Turkey says it has detained two Russian journalists on charges of illegal filming near the country's drone production facilities.
(2020-12-05). Slovenian left intensifies campaign against military spending. peoplesdispatch.org The right-wing dominated Slovenian National Assembly last week voted down the left-supported citizens' initiative calling for a national referendum on the government's plan for carrying out massive military expenditure…