Monthly Archives: December 2020

2020-12-04: News Headlines

Ragip Soylu (2020-12-04). Erdogan says France needs to get rid of Macron. middleeasteye.net Erdogan says France needs to get rid of Macron | Turkish President slams French counterpart over his intervention in Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict | Fri, 12/04/2020 – 13: 46 | French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey at a Nato summit in Watford, near London, December 2019. (AFP) | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued his personal attacks against his Fren…

Eds. (2020-12-04). Engels against reformism in Germany and France. mronline.org Friedrich Engels was born 200 years ago today. Modern reformists like to cite Engels as an authority. But until his very last day, Engels fought against reformist ideas and for revolutionary principles.

MEE and agencies (2020-12-04). Turkey: US sanctions over S-400s to be mandatory in new defence bill. middleeasteye.net Turkey: US sanctions over S-400s to be mandatory in new defence bill | The $740bn annual US defence spending legislation will oblige the White House to select from a list of sanctions | Fri, 12/04/2020 – 09: 37 | Russia delivered the S-400 ground-to-air systems last year and Turkey has tested them as recently as October (Reuters) | Turkey's lira slipped on Friday after US lawmakers include…

MEE and agencies (2020-12-04). French police launch crackdown on mosques suspected of 'Islamic separatism'. middleeasteye.net French police launch crackdown on mosques suspected of 'Islamic separatism' | Around 2,600 Muslim places of worship to be inspected in cities across France, according to interior minister Gerald Darmanin | Fri, 12/04/2020 – 12: 01 | Muslim protestors in India and across the world condemned Macron's defence of caricaturing the Prophet Muhammad (AFP) | Scores of mosques in France were raided…

Peter Koenig (2020-12-04). Alert COVID-19: RNA-Type Vaccines Which Modify the Human Genome. Crackdown on Free Speech. globalresearch.ca This first video interview may be one of the most important ones you listen to before the onslaught of the Covid-19 vaccine — distinction: Western style Covid-19 vaccine. | The Russian Sputnik V is not part of the same design. | The …

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-04). UK and Russia announce start of COVID-19 vaccinations from next week. peoplesdispatch.org Raising hopes for an early victory against COVID-19, Russian president Vladimir Putin on December 2, Wednesday, announced mass voluntary vaccination in Russia starting next week. Russia became the second country to declare such a move after the UK announced similar measures earlier in the day. | The UK health ministry said in a statement that it has accepted the recommendations of the Independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and approved Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for use. Prime minister Boris Johnson proclaimed the same in a television address to the nation. | UK PM Boris Jo…

Fair Fight (2020-12-04). Thursday 12/3: Rock the Runoff! Virtual Concert Fundraiser to #GOTV in Georgia. indybay.org Online event…

South Front (2020-12-03). Video: Chicken Kiev Meets Cold Turkey: Black Sea Turkey-Ukraine Axis Emerges? globalresearch.ca On the face of it, an alliance between Turkey and Ukraine seems like a rather odd creation, yet one that may surprisingly durable simply because neither country has anywhere else to turn. What practically dooms them to a partnership if …

WSWS (2020-12-03). 100 years since US socialist journalist John Reed's death. wsws.org John Reed's life became devoted to documenting the struggles of the oppressed. His greatest work was Ten Days That Shook the World, an indelible, eyewitness account of the 1917 Russian Revolution.

Ramzy Baroud (2020-12-03). Moving Past Apartheid: One-State is not Ideal Justice, but It is Just and Possible. counterpunch.org Once again, Europe's top diplomats expressed their 'deep concern' regarding Israel's ongoing illegal settlement expansion, again evoking the maxim that Israeli actions "threaten the viability of the two-state solution". This position was communicated by EU Foreign Affairs Chief, Josep Borrell, on November 19, during a video-conference with Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister, Riyad al-Maliki. All Israeli

RT (2020-12-03). 'Running out of time': US adds new demands as Russia makes concessions to save last remaining nuclear deterrent deal — envoy. rt.com Moscow has agreed to key US demands in a bid to preserve the New START agreement in a race against time to extend the treaty before it expires, the Russian envoy to the US said. Washington then simply made new demands.

RT (2020-12-03). Moscow moves to expel Soros-linked US activist as ex-president Medvedev warns foreign NGOs trying to sow discord in Russia. rt.com The Russian government is set to expel a prominent human-rights activist, with former president Dmitry Medvedev claiming there's a co-ordinated campaign by international organizations to stoke unrest in the world's largest state. | Vanessa Kogan, the director of the Stichting Justice Initiative project, told Britain's Guardian newspaper that Russian authorities had notified her of the revocation of her residency permit. She will now have two weeks to leave the country, where she has lived for more than ten years. She also has two children with a Russian national. | The Stichting Justice Initiative is an NGO wh…

RT (2020-12-03). New Year's Eve parties ruled out by Airbnb in bid to deter Covid-spreading gatherings. rt.com Short-stay rental giant Airbnb has toughened its booking rules ahead of New Year's Eve in a bid to crack down on people throwing parties in defiance of coronavirus restrictions, as well as to try to limit the spread of Covid-19. | From Thursday, Airbnb users lacking positive reviews will be barred from booking one-night stays in entire-home listings on December 31 in Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, Spain, the UK and US. | Customers will also need to tick a box when booking to specifically promise that they will not throw a NYE bash, the San Francisco-based firm said in a statement on Thursday. | The company…

Staff (2020-12-03). 200K wrongfully purged GA voters fight to be heard in Senate runoffs. therealnews.com Civil rights groups are seeking an injunction against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to allow those voters to participate in the Jan. 5 runoff senate election, which will determine the balance of power in Congress.

RT (2020-12-03). UK is 1st European country to reach grim milestone of 60,000 Covid-19 deaths. rt.com The UK's toll of deaths linked to the coronavirus pandemic has surpassed 60,000, according to new government data published on Thursday, making it the first country in Europe to reach such a high fatality count. | The British government's figures concern Covid-related deaths that occur within 28 days of a positive test. | Only the US, Brazil, India and Mexico have reported more deaths from the virus during the pandemic, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. | The UK on Thursday reported a further 14,879 new infections and 414 fatalities in the previous 24 hours, according to government figures, taki…

MEE and agencies (2020-12-03). Detained Saudi prince moved to 'undisclosed' location, warns European lawmaker. middleeasteye.net Detained Saudi prince moved to 'undisclosed' location, warns European lawmaker | Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz has been detained for nearly three years | Thu, 12/03/2020 – 14: 39 | An undated picture made available on 30 May 2020 by a friend of Saudi Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz shows him signing the visitors book in the German city of Dresden (AFP) | A detained Saudi prince has been moved to…

RT (2020-12-03). 'Running out of time': US adds new demands as Russia makes concessions to save last remaining nuclear deterrent deal — envoy. rt.com Moscow has agreed to key US demands in a bid to preserve the New START arms control agreement before it expires, according to the Russian envoy to Washington. He claims the US then simply added new conditions for its renewal. | "The fate of New START is perhaps the key issue for future arms control," ambassador Anatoly Antonov said at an event hosted by the Brookings Institute, a prominent American lobby group and policy advisory, on Wednesday. | The 2011 treaty putting a limit on the number of nuclear warheads, and their delivery vehicles, the US and Russia are allowed to possess remains virtually the only ac…

Peter Koenig (2020-12-03). The Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic: The Real Danger is "Agenda ID2020" globalresearch.ca WHO has most likely received orders from "above", from those people who also manage Trump and the "leaders" (sic) of the EU, European Union. The final decision to go ahead NOW with COVID-19 pandemic, was taken in January 2020 at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos – behind very much closed doors.

George Monbiot (2020-12-03). Caught in the Crossfire. zcomm.org Brexit isn't about Europe, and isn't about the UK. It's the outcome of a civil war within capitalism…

sputniknews (2020-12-03). Serbia Receives First Batch of Russia's Sputnik V Coronavirus Vaccine for Study – Vucic. sputniknews.com BELGRADE (Sputnik) — Serbia has received the first batch of Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus that will be studied by the national health bodies, President Aleksandar Vucic said.

Timothy Pratt (2020-12-03). Asian American Voters Could Help Flip Georgia. thenation.com Asian American Voters Could Help Flip Georgia…

Fair Fight (2020-12-03). Thursday 12/3: Rock the Runoff! Virtual Concert Fundraiser to #GOTV in Georgia. indybay.org Online event…

Francesca Mari (2020-12-03). What's Between 30 Million Americans and an Eviction Tsunami? zcomm.org Only government intervention can keep millions of Americans housed…

Manlio Dinucci (2020-12-03). The Nuclear Bomb Is Ready: In Italy Soon. The B61-12 has a Nuclear Warhead with 4 "Selectable Power Options" globalresearch.ca A video was released on November 23 by Sandia National Laboratories that shows a US F-35A fighter flying at supersonic speed 3000 meters above sea level, launching a B61-12 nuclear bomb (non-nuclear warhead equipped). The bomb did not fall vertically …

WSWS (2020-12-03). EU-Turkey tensions mount over Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean. wsws.org The unilateral opening of Varosha or Maraş in northern Cyprus and Ankara's proposed two-state solution have intensified tensions between the European Union and Turkey.

sputniknews (2020-12-03). US Lawmakers Include Expanded Nord Stream-2 Sanctions in 2021 Defense Bill. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Negotiating teams from both chambers of the US Congress said in a joint statement that they had included expanded sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the final version of the 2021 US defense spending bill.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-03). Communist youth in Russia protest budget cuts in health sector. peoplesdispatch.org Even as Russia faces an acute health and social crisis due to COVID-19, the federal budget for 2021-2023 calls for cuts of 200 billion rubles (USD 2.64 billion) in the overall state allocation for the health sector…

Joseph Jankowski (2020-12-03). UK Minister Warns Brits Could be "Denied Normal Life" If They Do Not Receive COVID Vaccination. globalresearch.ca Brits could be denied entry into bars, theaters, and sporting events if they can not prove they've received vaccination against COVID-19, according to the head of the United Kingdom's vaccine rollout. | Nadhim Zahawi, the newly appointed minister to oversee …

Speak Out Now (2020-12-03). Saturday 12/5: France: Mass Protests Against a Government Crackdown (Online meeting). indybay.org Online meeting, see website for details…

WSWS (2020-12-03). "So that rifles shoot": Germany's Green Party leader Baerbock pleads for massive arms spending and new war missions. wsws.org In advance of next year's federal elections, the Greens are spearheading the campaign for the return of German militarism.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-03). Iran, Turkey call for increased economic coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 03 (MNA) — President's Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi held a phone conversation on Thursday with Lutfi Elvan, newly-appointed treasury and finance minister of Turkey, on bilateral ties between the two countries.

South Front (2020-12-02). Video: Azerbaijani Troops Are in Lachin, but Unresolved Karabakh Status Remains Source of Tensions. globalresearch.ca The Nagorno-Karabakh region has been nearing the end of the first phase of the implementation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani ceasefire deal that started on November 10. | Late on November 30, Azerbaijani troops started entering the Lachin district in the Nagorno-Karabkah region. …

_____ (2020-12-02). How Do We Solve A Problem Like Amazon? popularresistance.org Progressive International has launched a global campaign to #MakeAmazonPay. Yet for two decades numerous unions and campaigns across the globe have scratched their heads wondering how to curb the ever-expanding might of what has become one of the world's most valuable companies. | At Bad Hersfeld and (eventually) internationally, Amazon has become far more accustomed to strikes, yet the company's power shows no signs of being tempered. Indeed in Germany, despite more than 300 days lost to strike action, Amazon has consistently been able to resist workers' demand for a collective agreement.

RT (2020-12-02). Valery Giscard d'Estaing, ex-president of France and author of ill-fated EU constitution, dies 'due to Covid-19' at age 94. rt.com Valery Marie Rene Georges Giscard d'Estaing, who served as president of France from 1974 to 1981, passed away from what his family said were effects of the novel coronavirus, having been hospitalized with breathing difficulties. | Also known as Giscard and VGE, d'Estaing was the third president of the French Fifth Republic, succeeding the popular Georges Pompidou as the leader of the Gaullist conservatives. He narrowly lost re-election to socialist Francois Miterrand, after a challenge from the right by future president Jacques Chirac. | VGE was hospitalized in September with a lung infection, and then again i…

RT (2020-12-02). Valery Giscard d'Estaing, ex-president of France and author of ill-fated EU constitution, dead 'due to Covid-19' at age 94. rt.com Valéry Marie René Georges Giscard d'Estaing, who served as president of France from 1974 to 1981, passed away from what his family said were effects of the novel coronavirus, having been hospitalized for breathing difficulties. | Also known as Giscard and VGE, d'Estaing was the third president of the French Fifth Republic, succeeding the popular Georges Pompidou as the leader of the Gaullist conservatives. He narrowly lost re-election to socialist Francois Miterrand, after a challenge from the right by future president Jacques Chirac. | VGE was hospitalized in September with a lung infection, and then again in…

RT (2020-12-02). Valery Giscard d'Estaing, ex-president of France and author of ill-fated EU constitution, dies 'due to Covid-19' at age 94. rt.com Valery Marie Rene Georges Giscard d'Estaing, who served as president of France from 1974 to 1981, passed away from what his family said were effects of the novel coronavirus, having been hospitalized with breathing difficulties. | Also known as Giscard and VGE, d'Estaing was the third president of the French Fifth Republic, succeeding the popular Georges Pompidou as the leader of the Gaullist conservatives. He narrowly lost re-election to socialist Francois Miterrand, after a challenge from the right by future president Jacques Chirac. | VGE was hospitalized in September with a lung infection, and then again i…

2020-12-03: News Headlines

Ramzy Baroud (2020-12-03). Moving Past Apartheid: One-State is not Ideal Justice, but It is Just and Possible. counterpunch.org Once again, Europe's top diplomats expressed their 'deep concern' regarding Israel's ongoing illegal settlement expansion, again evoking the maxim that Israeli actions "threaten the viability of the two-state solution". This position was communicated by EU Foreign Affairs Chief, Josep Borrell, on November 19, during a video-conference with Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister, Riyad al-Maliki. All Israeli

Peter Koenig (2020-12-03). The Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic: The Real Danger is "Agenda ID2020" globalresearch.ca WHO has most likely received orders from "above", from those people who also manage Trump and the "leaders" (sic) of the EU, European Union. The final decision to go ahead NOW with COVID-19 pandemic, was taken in January 2020 at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos – behind very much closed doors.

RT (2020-12-03). 'Running out of time': US adds new demands as Russia makes concessions to save last remaining nuclear deterrent deal — envoy. rt.com Moscow has agreed to key US demands in a bid to preserve the New START agreement in a race against time to extend the treaty before it expires, the Russian envoy to the US said. Washington then simply made new demands.

RT (2020-12-03). New Year's Eve parties ruled out by Airbnb in bid to deter Covid-spreading gatherings. rt.com Short-stay rental giant Airbnb has toughened its booking rules ahead of New Year's Eve in a bid to crack down on people throwing parties in defiance of coronavirus restrictions, as well as to try to limit the spread of Covid-19. | From Thursday, Airbnb users lacking positive reviews will be barred from booking one-night stays in entire-home listings on December 31 in Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, Spain, the UK and US. | Customers will also need to tick a box when booking to specifically promise that they will not throw a NYE bash, the San Francisco-based firm said in a statement on Thursday. | The company…

Staff (2020-12-03). 200K wrongfully purged GA voters fight to be heard in Senate runoffs. therealnews.com Civil rights groups are seeking an injunction against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to allow those voters to participate in the Jan. 5 runoff senate election, which will determine the balance of power in Congress.

MEE and agencies (2020-12-03). Detained Saudi prince moved to 'undisclosed' location, warns European lawmaker. middleeasteye.net Detained Saudi prince moved to 'undisclosed' location, warns European lawmaker | Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz has been detained for nearly three years | Thu, 12/03/2020 – 14: 39 | An undated picture made available on 30 May 2020 by a friend of Saudi Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz shows him signing the visitors book in the German city of Dresden (AFP) | A detained Saudi prince has been moved to…

South Front (2020-12-03). Video: Chicken Kiev Meets Cold Turkey: Black Sea Turkey-Ukraine Axis Emerges? globalresearch.ca On the face of it, an alliance between Turkey and Ukraine seems like a rather odd creation, yet one that may surprisingly durable simply because neither country has anywhere else to turn. What practically dooms them to a partnership if …

WSWS (2020-12-03). EU-Turkey tensions mount over Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean. wsws.org The unilateral opening of Varosha or Maraş in northern Cyprus and Ankara's proposed two-state solution have intensified tensions between the European Union and Turkey.

Manlio Dinucci (2020-12-03). The Nuclear Bomb Is Ready: In Italy Soon. The B61-12 has a Nuclear Warhead with 4 "Selectable Power Options" globalresearch.ca A video was released on November 23 by Sandia National Laboratories that shows a US F-35A fighter flying at supersonic speed 3000 meters above sea level, launching a B61-12 nuclear bomb (non-nuclear warhead equipped). The bomb did not fall vertically …

Fair Fight (2020-12-03). Thursday 12/3: Rock the Runoff! Virtual Concert Fundraiser to #GOTV in Georgia. indybay.org Online event…

Timothy Pratt (2020-12-03). Asian American Voters Could Help Flip Georgia. thenation.com Asian American Voters Could Help Flip Georgia…

George Monbiot (2020-12-03). Caught in the Crossfire. zcomm.org Brexit isn't about Europe, and isn't about the UK. It's the outcome of a civil war within capitalism…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-03). Communist youth in Russia protest budget cuts in health sector. peoplesdispatch.org Even as Russia faces an acute health and social crisis due to COVID-19, the federal budget for 2021-2023 calls for cuts of 200 billion rubles (USD 2.64 billion) in the overall state allocation for the health sector…

Francesca Mari (2020-12-03). What's Between 30 Million Americans and an Eviction Tsunami? zcomm.org Only government intervention can keep millions of Americans housed…

Speak Out Now (2020-12-03). Saturday 12/5: France: Mass Protests Against a Government Crackdown (Online meeting). indybay.org Online meeting, see website for details…

Joseph Jankowski (2020-12-03). UK Minister Warns Brits Could be "Denied Normal Life" If They Do Not Receive COVID Vaccination. globalresearch.ca Brits could be denied entry into bars, theaters, and sporting events if they can not prove they've received vaccination against COVID-19, according to the head of the United Kingdom's vaccine rollout. | Nadhim Zahawi, the newly appointed minister to oversee …

_____ (2020-12-02). How Do We Solve A Problem Like Amazon? popularresistance.org Progressive International has launched a global campaign to #MakeAmazonPay. Yet for two decades numerous unions and campaigns across the globe have scratched their heads wondering how to curb the ever-expanding might of what has become one of the world's most valuable companies. | At Bad Hersfeld and (eventually) internationally, Amazon has become far more accustomed to strikes, yet the company's power shows no signs of being tempered. Indeed in Germany, despite more than 300 days lost to strike action, Amazon has consistently been able to resist workers' demand for a collective agreement.

RT (2020-12-02). Valery Giscard d'Estaing, ex-president of France and author of ill-fated EU constitution, dead 'due to Covid-19' at age 94. rt.com Valéry Marie René Georges Giscard d'Estaing, who served as president of France from 1974 to 1981, passed away from what his family said were effects of the novel coronavirus, having been hospitalized for breathing difficulties. | Also known as Giscard and VGE, d'Estaing was the third president of the French Fifth Republic, succeeding the popular Georges Pompidou as the leader of the Gaullist conservatives. He narrowly lost re-election to socialist Francois Miterrand, after a challenge from the right by future president Jacques Chirac. | VGE was hospitalized in September with a lung infection, and then again in…

RT (2020-12-02). Valery Giscard d'Estaing, ex-president of France and author of ill-fated EU constitution, dead 'due to Covid-19' at age 94. rt.com Valéry Marie René Georges Giscard d'Estaing, who served as president of France from 1974 to 1981, passed away from what his family said were effects of the novel coronavirus, having been hospitalized for breathing difficulties. | Also known as Giscard and VGE, d'Estaing was the third president of the French Fifth Republic, succeeding the popular Georges Pompidou as the leader of the Gaullist conservatives. He narrowly lost re-election to socialist Francois Miterrand, after a challenge from the right by future president Jacques Chirac. | VGE was hospitalized in September with a lung infection, and then again in…

RT (2020-12-02). Valery Giscard d'Estaing, ex-president of France and author of ill-fated EU constitution, dies 'due to Covid-19' at age 94. rt.com Valery Marie Rene Georges Giscard d'Estaing, who served as president of France from 1974 to 1981, passed away from what his family said were effects of the novel coronavirus, having been hospitalized with breathing difficulties. | Also known as Giscard and VGE, d'Estaing was the third president of the French Fifth Republic, succeeding the popular Georges Pompidou as the leader of the Gaullist conservatives. He narrowly lost re-election to socialist Francois Miterrand, after a challenge from the right by future president Jacques Chirac. | VGE was hospitalized in September with a lung infection, and then again i…

RT (2020-12-02). Valery Giscard d'Estaing, ex-president of France and author of ill-fated EU constitution, dies 'due to Covid-19' at age 94. rt.com Valery Marie Rene Georges Giscard d'Estaing, who served as president of France from 1974 to 1981, passed away from what his family said were effects of the novel coronavirus, having been hospitalized with breathing difficulties. | Also known as Giscard and VGE, d'Estaing was the third president of the French Fifth Republic, succeeding the popular Georges Pompidou as the leader of the Gaullist conservatives. He narrowly lost re-election to socialist Francois Miterrand, after a challenge from the right by future president Jacques Chirac. | VGE was hospitalized in September with a lung infection, and then again i…

RT (2020-12-02). Valery Giscard d'Estaing, ex-president of France and author of ill-fated EU constitution, dies 'due to Covid-19' at age 94. rt.com Valery Marie Rene Georges Giscard d'Estaing, who served as president of France from 1974 to 1981, passed away from what his family said were effects of the novel coronavirus, having been hospitalized with breathing difficulties. | Also known as Giscard and VGE, d'Estaing was the third president of the French Fifth Republic, succeeding the popular Georges Pompidou as the leader of the Gaullist conservatives. He narrowly lost re-election to socialist Francois Miterrand, after a challenge from the right by future president Jacques Chirac. | VGE was hospitalized in September with a lung infection, and then again i…

RT (2020-12-02). Valery Giscard d'Estaing, ex-president of France and author of ill-fated EU constitution, dies 'due to Covid-19' at age 94. rt.com Valery Marie Rene Georges Giscard d'Estaing, who served as president of France from 1974 to 1981, passed away from what his family said were effects of the novel coronavirus, having been hospitalized with breathing difficulties. | Also known as Giscard and VGE, d'Estaing was the third president of the French Fifth Republic, succeeding the popular Georges Pompidou as the leader of the Gaullist conservatives. He narrowly lost re-election to socialist Francois Miterrand, after a challenge from the right by future president Jacques Chirac. | VGE was hospitalized in September with a lung infection, and then again i…

RT (2020-12-02). EU opts for longer Covid vaccine evaluation to build public 'trust,' as UK swiftly approves Pfizer-BioNTech jab. rt.com Berlin has said that Europe is pursuing a more measured rollout of a Covid-19 jab to maintain "trust," after the UK celebrated its emergency approval of the German-developed Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Wednesday. | German health minister Jens Spahn said Europe could have already approved the vaccine "if we'd wanted to," but that EU member states favored a "move forward together." | "It's very important we do this to help promote trust and confidence in this authorization," Spahn added. | His words came as British ministers hailed a "UK-led charge" against coronavirus after the country's regulator became the wo…

RT (2020-12-02). Britain's Pfizer vaccine announcement gives anti-vaxxers an unlikely boost blamed on Russia without any evidence. rt.com The UK's approval of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine was heralded by the government as a breakthrough for "humanity." However, its announcement was met with a surge of vaccine skepticism online. | Britain became the first nation in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for widespread use on Wednesday. The announcement was delivered in pompous style by the government, with business secretary Alok Sharma celebrating how "the UK led humanity's charge against this disease," and Health Secretary Matt Hancock volunteering to take the jab on live television with ITV's Piers Morgan. | Also on rt.com

RT (2020-12-02). Britain's Pfizer vaccine announcement gives anti-vaxxers an unlikely boost blamed on Russia without any evidence. rt.com The UK's approval of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine was heralded by the government as a breakthrough for "humanity." However, its announcement was met with a surge of vaccine skepticism online. | Britain became the first nation in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for widespread use on Wednesday. The announcement was delivered in pompous style by the government, with business secretary Alok Sharma celebrating how "the UK led humanity's charge against this disease," and Health Secretary Matt Hancock volunteering to take the jab on live television with ITV's Piers Morgan. | Also on rt.com

RT (2020-12-02). EU opts for longer Covid vaccine evaluation to build public 'trust,' as UK swiftly approves Pfizer-BioNTech jab. rt.com Berlin has said that Europe is pursuing a more measured rollout of a Covid-19 jab to maintain "trust," after the UK celebrated its emergency approval of the German-developed Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Wednesday. | German health minister Jens Spahn said Europe could have already approved the vaccine "if we'd wanted to," but that EU member states favored a "move forward together." | "It's very important we do this to help promote trust and confidence in this authorization," Spahn added. | His words came as British ministers hailed a "UK-led charge" against coronavirus after the country's regulator became the wo…

RT (2020-12-02). Spain unveils festive travel ban & Covid curfews, but allows groups of 10 to gather for Christmas and New Year. rt.com Spaniards celebrating Christmas and New Year can meet in groups of 10, but will be banned from moving between regions over the festive period in order to keep a lid on coronavirus infections, the country's health minister said. | The current six-person limit for people gathering outside their household will be extended to 10 on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1, Minister Salvador Illa revealed on Wednesday. | He also announced curfews will be extended to 1: 30am on December 24 and 31, but said that it is "strongly recommended" that people do not mix together from more than two 'bubbles.' | A ban on travel betwe…

RT (2020-12-02). Aliens or just nature at play? Amazing light pillars give Russian city sci-fi movie-like feast of brightness (PHOTOS). rt.com A rare phenomenon was observed by residents of the Siberian city of Tyumen, on the first night of winter, as light pillars colored the pre-dawn skies in blue and orange hues. | Numerous vertical shiny beams remained visible in the sky right up until sunrise, with many people flocking outside and taking pictures to share on social media. | The sight might've resembled an alien invasion to an imaginative witness, with tractor beams lowered into Tyumen to deploy extraterrestrial forces from spaceships to Earth. | But there seems to have been no panic among the locals, as light pillars aren't too uncommon in no…

RT (2020-12-02). EU must proceed with Brexit no-deal contingency plans, Irish PM Martin says, as end of UK transition looms. rt.com Irish PM Micheal Martin has said the European Union must now proceed with preparations for a no-deal outcome, while EU negotiator Michel Barnier warned Brexit talks may be thrust into crisis over the UK's legislation. | "We are in the final critical phases," Martin told parliament on Wednesday, while speaking about the stalled Brexit talks. "One month out from the end of transition, we have reached a point in time where prudence demands we must proceed with preparations for EU contingency measures in case of no deal." | The PM added that the issue may be discussed in Brussels in the coming week. | Temporary co…

RT (2020-12-02). EU and Russia 'too interconnected' to be enemies, former Italian ambassador tells RT. rt.com For all the problems between Russia and the European Union, their economies are so interdependent and complementary that cutting ties would be cause for regret later, former Italian diplomat Cesare Maria Ragaglini told RT. | "We have to start a strategic dialogue, because our relations are too interconnected and cannot be dismissed because we have problems," Ragaglini, who served as Italy's envoy to the UN and ambassador to Moscow before he retired, told RT. | Our economies are very much interconnected, interdependent and complementary. | With the EU planning to roll out a "green deal" proposal, it would be a…

RT (2020-12-02). Britain's Pfizer vaccine announcement gives anti-vaxxers unlikely boost blamed on Russia without any evidence. rt.com The UK's approval of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine was heralded by the government as a breakthrough for "humanity." However, its announcement was met with a surge of vaccine skepticism online. | Britain became the first nation in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for widespread use on Wednesday. The announcement was delivered in pompous style by the government, with Business Secretary Alok Sharma celebrating how "the UK led humanity's charge against this disease," and Health Secretary Matt Hancock volunteering to take the jab on live television with ITV's Piers Morgan. | Also on rt.com

RT (2020-12-02). Spain unveils festive travel ban & Covid curfews, but allows groups of 10 to gather for Christmas and New Year. rt.com Spaniards celebrating Christmas and New Year can meet in groups of 10, but will be banned from moving between regions over the festive period in order to keep a lid on coronavirus infections, the country's health minister said. | The current six-person limit for people gathering outside their household will be extended to 10 on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1, Minister Salvador Illa revealed on Wednesday. | He also announced curfews will be extended to 1: 30am on December 24 and 31, but said that it is "strongly recommended" that people do not mix together from more than two 'bubbles.' | A ban on travel betwe…

RT (2020-12-02). Britain's Pfizer vaccine announcement gives anti-vaxxers unlikely boost blamed on Russia without any evidence. rt.com The UK's approval of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine was heralded by the government as a breakthrough for "humanity." However, its announcement was met with a surge of vaccine skepticism online. | Britain became the first nation in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for widespread use on Wednesday. The announcement was delivered in pompous style by the government, with Business Secretary Alok Sharma celebrating how "the UK led humanity's charge against this disease," and Health Secretary Matt Hancock volunteering to take the jab on live television with ITV's Piers Morgan. | Also on rt.com

South Front (2020-12-02). Video: Azerbaijani Troops Are in Lachin, but Unresolved Karabakh Status Remains Source of Tensions. globalresearch.ca The Nagorno-Karabakh region has been nearing the end of the first phase of the implementation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani ceasefire deal that started on November 10. | Late on November 30, Azerbaijani troops started entering the Lachin district in the Nagorno-Karabkah region. …

Lucas Leiroz de Almeida (2020-12-02). Spain on the Brink of Financial Collapse. globalresearch.ca The Spanish economic situation worsens day after day. The national manufacturing sector dropped significantly in November, according to data from IHS Markit, which attributes the decline to the drop in production demand due to the pandemic. The decrease in production …

Jasmine Norden (2020-12-02). Hope for the future as increasing number of Europeans support climate change actions. thecanary.co A new Research conducted by eupinions in September surveyed 13,000 UK and EU residents. Two-thirds of respondents said they would support banning short-haul flights and cutting back on meat consumption. Meanwhile, over 50% of the participants said they would back using cars less often. | But while this positive attitude towards dealing with the climate crisis is welcome, personal changes need to be accompanied by c…

_____ (2020-12-02). France's New Security Law May Have Sparked A 'George Floyd' Moment. popularresistance.org ward-winning Syrian photographer Ameer Alhalbi lies dazed on the ground. His head is heavily bruised and bandaged, blood covers his face, arms, and much of his body. Lengths of cotton wool have been stuffed up his broken nose, giving him an almost comical appearance. Alhalbi has been badly beaten by police. But this is not Syria, it is Paris, where he was covering — ironically — huge, nationwide protests against police brutality this weekend.

WSWS (2020-12-02). Germany's Left Party slanders the legacy of Friedrich Engels. wsws.org The attempt to cut this theoretical giant down to the size of the political needs of the Left Party assumed truly grotesque dimensions.

_____ (2020-12-02). Is the U.S. Actually a 'Police State'? strategic-culture.org Eric ZUESSE | Is the phrase "police state" anything more than propaganda that a government uses against a foreign government that it wants to overthrow — such as the U.S. did against Iraq before invading it in 2003, and against Libya and Syria since 2011, and against Venezuela since 2012, and against Ukraine since 2013, and in all instances destroyed those countries, allegedly to 'bring democracy and human rights and the rule of law, and fight against corruption' there (as if that were honestly the intention)? | The phrase "police state" is used propagandistically to denigrate a foreign nation that one's ow…

_____ (2020-12-02). France's New Security Law May Have Sparked A 'George Floyd' Moment. popularresistance.org Award-winning Syrian photographer Ameer Alhalbi lies dazed on the ground. His head is heavily bruised and bandaged, blood covers his face, arms, and much of his body. Lengths of cotton wool have been stuffed up his broken nose, giving him an almost comical appearance. Alhalbi has been badly beaten by police. But this is not Syria, it is Paris, where he was covering — ironically — huge, nationwide protests against police brutality this weekend.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-02). Azeri defense min. condemns assassination of 'Dr.Fakhrizadeh'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 02 (MNA) — Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan in separate messages on Wed. to Iran's Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces and Defense Minister condemned assassination of Iran's prominent nuclear scientist 'Fakhrizadeh'.

Dr. Rudolf Hà§nsel (2020-12-02). The Davos "Great Reset" 2021 Agenda of the World Economic Forum. A New Phase of Economic and Social Destruction? globalresearch.ca On June 3, 2020, as a consequence of the "global health crisis", the World Economic Forum WEF in Geneva announced a "unique twin summit" for January 2021 in Davos, Switzerland.(1) The theme should be "The Great Reset". The WEF defines …

Fair Fight (2020-12-02). Thursday 12/3: Rock the Runoff! Virtual Concert Fundraiser to #GOTV in Georgia. indybay.org Online event…

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-02). Iran scientist assassination a state terrorism. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 02 (MNA) — Chairman of Russian Duma's International Affairs Committee called assassination of nuclear and defense scientist 'Mohsen Fakhrizadeh' as example of state terrorism.

Speak Out Now (2020-12-02). Saturday 12/5: France: Mass Protests Against a Government Crackdown (Online meeting). indybay.org Online meeting, see website for details…

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-02). 'We know who was behind Fakhrizadeh's assassination'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 02 (MNA) — Iranian ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali has stated that the Islamic Republic knows who is responsible for the assassination of nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

_____ (2020-12-02). Provisional Government Of West Papua Won't Bow Down To Jakarta. popularresistance.org Today, we announce the formation of our Provisional Government of West Papua. We are ready to take over our territory, and we will no longer bow down to Jakarta's illegal martial rule. From today, December 1, 2020, we begin implementing our own constitution and reclaiming our sovereign land. | On this day in 1961, the elected West New Guinea Council raised the Morning Star flag in Jayapura. Our national anthem and name, West Papua, were accepted. Diplomats from Australia, the Netherlands and the UK, and a delegation from colonised Papua New Guinea had already witnessed the formation of the Council on April 5, 196…

Peter Koenig (2020-12-01). Nuremberg Trial: 75 years Ago and What it Means Today. dissidentvoice.org On Saturday 21 November 2020 Russia celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the beginning of the Nuremberg Trials which started on 20 November 1945 and lasted almost a year, until 1 October 1946. The Tribunal was given the task of trying and judging 24 of the most atrocious political and military leaders of the Third Reich. …

sputniknews (2020-12-01). Paris Vows to Seek Immediate EU Retaliation if US Sanctions France for New Digital Tax. sputniknews.com Last year, Paris approved a 3 percent revenue tax, dubbed "GAFA" (meaning Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon) on companies with profits of more than €25 million ($28 million) in France and corporations making over €750 million (around $890 million) worldwide, resulting in a harsh reaction from the Trump administration.