(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). Navalny Poisoning: CIA, MI6, 'Discredited' State-Funded Bellingcat Play Key Role In Accusing Russia. popularresistance.org Russia's FSB intelligence agency has been accused of poisoning opposition activist Alexei Navalny. While the allegation may prove to be true, Western media coverage has overlooked the key role of the CIA, MI6, and the state-funded outlet Bellingcat in generating it. | Western media outlets have failed to disclose that Bellingcat is funded by NATO member states, including the US via the National Endowment for Democracy, and that Bellingcat has a dubious record. In a leaked assessment, the UK government's Integrity Initiative wrote: "Bellingcat was somewhat discredited, both by spreading disinformation itself, and…
(2020-12-28). Bosnia and Herzegovina: Migrant lives at 'immediate risk', warn UN agencies. news.un.org United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners have called on authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to act urgently to help hundreds of migrants, stranded and without shelter, amid freezing winter temperatures.
(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). 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). Argentina prepares to roll out Sputnik Covid-19 vaccine. laprensalatina.com Buenos Aires, Dec 28 (efe-epa).- Argentina mobilized Monday to distribute 300,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to hospitals in each of the 34 provinces amid concerns about a second wave of infections in the South American country that has already lost nearly 43,000 lives to Covid-19. The operation was on track "to initiate …
(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). 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 …
(2020-12-28). 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). Zarif, Armenian counterpart confer on mutual coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (MNA) — In a phone talk on Mon., Iranian FM Zarfi and Armenian foreign minister Ara Aivazian discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and regional agenda.
(2020-12-28). Post-Brexit Trade Deal Risks Erosion of UK Workers' Rights. telesurenglish.net Britain's post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union (EU) leaves workers' rights and environmental protection at risk of erosion and will slow the country's economic recovery, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a London-based think tank, warned Sunday. | RELATED: | The agreement offers clear benefits to Britain and the EU, which would have been lost if no deal had been negotiated. However, its commitments on labor and environmental standards…
(2020-12-27). Navalny poisoning: CIA, MI6, 'discredited' state-funded Bellingcat play key role in accusing Russia. thegrayzone.com Western media coverage has overlooked the key role of the CIA, MI6, and the NATO member state-funded outlet Bellingcat in generating the allegation that Russia's FSB poisoned Alexei Navalny. Russia's FSB intelligence agency has been accused of poisoning opposition activist Alexei Navalny. While the allegation may prove to be true, Western media coverage has overlooked the key role of the CIA, MI6, and the state-funded outlet Bellingcat in generating it. Western media outlets have failed to disclose that Bellingcat is …
(2020-12-27). VaccinEUnity? European bloc launches Covid jab program — but Germany, Hungary & Slovakia already started ahead of schedule. rt.com 
The EU launched a bloc-wide vaccination program on Sunday in what Ursula von der Leyen called a "moment of unity." Yet, each member state has got only around 10,000 doses so far, and some decided to start earlier than planned. | The beginning of the vaccination program, scheduled for December 27, 28 and 29, is "a touching moment of unity," EU Commission President von der Leyen said in an address published on Saturday, a day ahead of the rollout. She said that the vaccine had been delivered to all EU nations and described the jab as being "the lasting way out" of the pandemic crisis. | Today, we start turning t…
(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). 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). 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). 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 …
(2020-12-27). 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). 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.
(2020-12-26). 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 …
(2020-12-26). 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). Monday 12/28: Text Banking for Georgia/Banca de Texto SMS para Georiga w/ Poor People's Campaign. indybay.org Online webinar training…
(2020-12-26). Saturday 12/26: Georgia Comes Alive! Virtual Music Festival to Support Georgia Voters & Equal Voter Rights. indybay.org Virutal music festival…
(2020-12-25). 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…
(2020-12-24). Migrants face uncertainty after fire in camp in Bosnia. peoplesdispatch.org A large fire broke out in the Lipa refugee camp, in northwest Bosnia and Herzegovina which hosts close to 1,200 migrants on December 23. There are no injuries or casualties but most of the infrastructure has been destroyed.
(2020-12-24). Deadliest week in Germany since COVID-19 pandemic began. wsws.org Last week was by far the worst in the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, with officially 175,314 infections and over 4,300 deaths (against 3,050 the previous week). Across Europe, the death toll exceeded the catastrophic half-million mark on Tuesday.
(2020-12-24). Why is the Guardian promoting more Pentagon propaganda? mronline.org 
Recent reporting reinforces the false impression that the United States is threatened by Chinese and Russian expansionism.
(2020-12-24). Activists and Parliamentarians Join Together to Prevent Armed Drones in Germany. commondreams.org "People are saying they cannot think of any peace movement struggle in recent years that has won such a striking victory. This brings hope to the whole peace movement." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/ban_drones_germany.jpg …
(2020-12-24). Civil Rights Groups Denounce Georgia Officials For Closing Early Voting Sites Ahead of Senate Runoffs. commondreams.org Voting rights groups on Wednesday accused officials in at least two Georgia counties of voter suppression, pointing to the closures of several early voting locations in majority-Black and Latino communities ahead of two key runoff Senate elections. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-1230129827_1.jpg …
(2020-12-23). Sharyl Attkisson and Rachael Jolley. projectcensored.org In the first half of the show, award-winning journalist and bestselling author Sharyl Attkisson shares ideas from her new book "Slanted. " She contends that in recent years corporate and government forces have dramatically expanded their intervention into the conduct of journalism, to the extent that some types of investigative stories can no longer be reported. | Then Rachael Jolley, former editor-in-chief for the Index on Censorship, joins the program from the UK to explain how the coronavirus pandemic has changed the work of reporters — in Europe and elsewhere. She notes that even while the pandemic has…