(2021-01-01). The Georgia Fraud Story You Haven't Heard: Sec of State Raffensperger Speaks With a Forked Tongue. counterpunch.org 
In recent weeks, the news filling American living rooms is that Georgia's Republican Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, bravely stood up to President Trump's claim of voter fraud in the November 2020 elections and continues to do so now that Georgians are heading to the polls next week to decide a crucial runoff election that
(2021-01-01). UN calls for international monitors to oversee Libya ceasefire. middleeasteye.net 
UN calls for international monitors to oversee Libya ceasefire | Antonio Guterres called for the African Union, European Union and Arab League to contribute civilians and retired soldiers | Fri, 01/01/2021 – 17: 01 | Antonio Guterres called on all nations to respect the UN arms embargo on Libya (Reuters) | The United Nations is calling for international monitors to support a fragile ceasef…
(2021-01-01). Crimean senator tells Zelensky – return Ukraine to Moscow Time to recall days before it became 'Europe's most backward country'. rt.com 
As the last few hours of 2020 ticked away, Ukraine's president urged Crimeans to "turn back the clock" and return to rule by Kiev. But one local leader says the troubled country would be better off adopting Russian time instead. | In his address to citizens in the Eastern European country on Thursday, Volodymyr Zelensky bemoaned the fact that those living in the disputed Crimea and Donbass regions would be celebrating the new year an hour earlier than Kiev. | Breaking into Russian, the dominant language of the breakaway former territories, he acknowledged that "Donetsk, Lugansk and Crimea now live in every sen…
(2021-01-01). Independent Britain's first day: Channel traffic smooth on French & UK sides as new post-Brexit era begins. rt.com 
Despite fears of a transport collapse, freight traffic across the Channel continued without major hold-ups and complications in the first hours of Friday after the UK officially quit the EU customs union. | Hundreds of lorries have already travelled between France and Britain in both directions through the Channel Tunnel, while dozens more have been transported by ferries. | "The traffic was strong enough for an exceptional and historic night," a spokesman for Getlink, the Channel Tunnel's operator, told AFP, adding that "everything went well." | Due to Britain no longer being part of the EU customs union, the…
(2021-01-01). 'Keep the light on' Sturgeon tells EU, suggesting Scotland might SECEDE from post-Brexit UK 'soon'. rt.com 
Within minutes of Brexit taking effect, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted a message to Brussels that Scotland might be rejoining the EU "soon," following up on a recent demand for another independence referendum. | "Scotland will be back soon, Europe. Keep the light on," Sturgeon said as clocks struck midnight in Brussels and the UK's exit from the European Union became official on Friday. | | Scotland will be back soon, Europe. Keep the light on üè¥Û ÅßÛ Å¢&Uci…
(2021-01-01). Portugal promises 'fair, green & digital' Covid recovery for EU as it assumes European Council presidency. rt.com 
Portugal has taken the reins of the European Council, vowing in its role as president of the group to implement a sustainable economic recovery for the bloc and act as a fair negotiator between the UK and the EU. | Lisbon was handed the rotating presidency by Germany, and will lead the council until June. The leadership role, which is responsible for heading the Council of Ministers, changes hands between EU member states every six months. Portugal's term officially began on January 1, 2021. | A website dedicated to Portugal's new role explained that the country was committed to pursuing "a fair, green and dig…
(2021-01-01). Russia's Asian path may benefit stability in Europe by forcing declining EU to deal with Moscow as it is not as it wants it to be. rt.com 
After the fall of communism, the NATO powers expected Russia to fall into line and Westernize, but without the prospect of Western integration. But that plan has blown up in their faces. | It has pushed Moscow towards Asia, just as the global balance of power flipped. The historical shift of economic power from the West to the East is a catalyst for a revolutionary change in EU-Russian relations. While Asia continues its rise, economic stagnation and relative decline has seemingly destined Europe to growing irrelevance in the world. | For the first time in its history, Russia does not need to look towards Euro…
(2021-01-01). Norway to lift UK travel ban but will keep special quarantine & testing rules amid concerns over new Covid-19 strain. rt.com 
Norway has announced it will end travel restrictions placed on the UK aimed at stopping the spread of a coronavirus mutation. It said that special rules pertaining to travelers from the country will remain in place, however. | The Norweigan government
(2021-01-01). It can't get any worse! Russians say 2021 will be a better year in new poll, although one in four anxious about future. rt.com 
Pandemics, wars and rampaging wildfires. The news from 2020 read more like a script for a Hollywood disaster film. But, now it's over, the majority of Russians think that things can only get better, according to a new poll. | A study of more than 1,600 people in the world's largest country However, one in four of those surveyed said they were looking to the new year with a…
(2021-01-01). Covid, Brexit and Dreadnought : the UK Slides Into Economic And Social Turmoil. counterpunch.org Covid-19 is familiar to us as the virus causing a worldwide pandemic that has killed millions. Brexit is withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, which, although calamitous for Britain, is not a matter for wide international concern. And thirdly, as the excellent researchers of the House of Commons note, "the Dreadnought program is about the design,
(2021-01-01). What We Learned In Julian Assange's Extradition Hearing. popularresistance.org The prosecution of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange would be a landmark test of the First Amendment right to publish if he were brought to trial in the United States, as press freedom groups, constitutional lawyers, and newsrooms across the board have sounded the alarm about the ways in which the U.S. indictment intends to silence investigative journalism around the world. | But Assange would first have to be extradited from the United Kingdom, where he has been imprisoned in HMP Belmarsh for over a year and a half. At Assange's extradition hearing in London, comprising one week of oral arguments in February an…
(2021-01-01). US senator from Georgia enters 14-day quarantine before key runoff race. laprensalatina.com Washington, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- Republican Senator from Georgia David Perdue on Thursday began a 14-day quarantine after having contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19, a situation that complicates his party's campaign to retain his Senate seat five days before key runoff elections in his state. Perdue is one of two GOP senators …
(2021-01-01). Russia: Putin Voices Confidence in Overcoming 2020 Challenges. telesurenglish.net Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual New Year speech on Thursday, during which he expressed the belief that his nation will be able to overcome existing challenges and restore normalcy. | RELATED: | "I am convinced that together we will overcome everything, establish and restore normal life and with renewed vigor continue to solve the tasks facing Russia in the coming third decade of the 21st centu…
(2021-01-01). Migration and Racism: Lessons From Antonio Gramsci. counterpunch.org Italian political theorist and activist Antonio Gramsci, who died eighty-four years ago, in an Italy that was a far cry from the multiethnic country it is today, provides much grist for the mill when it comes to a complex analysis of migration and racism. He underscores the need to interpret migratory movements through complex analyses.
(2021-01-01). Court Orders Veterans Affairs Department to Replace Flawed Science in Plutonium Disaster Case. counterpunch.org In a major class action ruling issued December 17, the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington, DC has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to re-examine how it evaluates disability claims from veterans exposed to deadly alpha radiation during cleanup operations following a disastrous nuclear weapons accident at Palomares, Spain. The
(2021-01-01). Migration and Racism: Lessons From Antonio Gramsci, an interview with Peter Mayo. counterpunch.org Italian political theorist and activist Antonio Gramsci, who died eighty-four years ago, in an Italy that was a far cry from the multiethnic country it is today, provides much grist for the mill when it comes to a complex analysis of migration and racism. He underscores the need to interpret migratory movements through complex analyses.
(2021-01-01). EU, UK learn to live without each other at dawn of new era. laprensalatina.com London/Brussels, Jan 1 (efe-epa).- The European Union and the United Kingdom brought in the new year on Friday, which also marked the first day of their new, post-Brexit relationship after almost half a century together. Having struggled — and ultimately failed — to live together, now they will have to learn to live without each …
(2021-01-01). Armenia suspends import of Turkish goods. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 01 (MNA) — Yerevan government suspended the import of Turkish —made goods to Armenia for six months in response to Turkish military support for the Republic of Azerbaijan.
(2021-01-01). Terror of Soleimani, testament to US ruinous role in region. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 01 (MNA) — The Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran in Norway issued a statement on Thu., stating that assassination of Iran's top commander Martyr Gen. Soleimani is a testament to US destructive role in the region.
(2021-01-01). US maximum pressure policy against Iran 'failed': Ulyanov. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 01 (MNA) — Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna said that maximum pressure policy exerted by the United States against Iran did not produce any positive result and failed.
(2021-01-01). Kelly Loeffler's extensive ties to the energy sector suggest major conflict of interest. salon.com Loeffler was named to Georgia Power board of directors two months before she had to leave for the Senate…
(2021-01-01). Yet another audit of Georgia's election fails to find evidence of fraud. salon.com Audit of absentee ballot signatures in Georgia finds no evidence of voter fraud…
(2021-01-01). Man Accidentally Shot Dead During Peaky Blinders Party in Southwestern France – Reports. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A man was accidentally shot dead by one of the guests during a Peaky Blinders fancy dress party held in the southwestern French commune of Monbazillac. The shooter carried a hunting shotgun and is reported to have unintentionally fired at his associate, the France 3 broadcaster reported on Friday.
(2021-01-01). Some 30 Cars Burnt on New Year's Eve in France's Strasbourg — Reports. sputniknews.com MOSCOW, January 1 (Sputnik) — Hooligans have burnt some 30 cars in the eastern French city of Strasbourg despite the coronavirus-linked curfew, the Figaro newspaper reported on Friday, citing a source in the local authorities.
(2021-01-01). UK Will Remain EU's Friend, Ally After Brexit — Macron. sputniknews.com PARIS (Sputnik) — The United Kingdom will remain the friend and ally of the European Union after completing its withdrawal from the union, French President Emmanuel Macron said.
(2021-01-01). 'Keep the Light On': Scottish FM Sturgeon Tweets to EU 'Scotland Will Be Back Soon'. sputniknews.com The Scottish Parliament rejected UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's post-Brexit trade deal on Wednesday, and last month the Conservative leader smeared Scotland's devolved power as a "disaster" for the country.
(2021-01-01). UK MPs Nominate Cuban Doctors For Nobel Peace Prize. popularresistance.org The Cuba Solidarity Campaign in the United Kingdom announced Thursday that four more members of the British Parliament have nominated the Cuban doctors for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. | According to a message spread through Twitter, MPs from Liverpool Paula Barker, Ian Byrne, Kim Johnson and Dan Carden joined other MPs and academics from the UK who had previously formally nominated the Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade from Cuba for the award. | The online petition, published by the solidarity campaign on its website, had accumulated by November's end, more than 6,400 signatures of legislators, academics,…
(2021-01-01). Scotland To Return To the EU Soon, First Minister Sturgeon Vows. telesurenglish.net The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon asked the European Union (EU) to "keep the light on" because "Scotland will be back soon." | RELATED: | The pro-independence politician tweeted that message after the Brexit transition period expired at 23: 00 GMT on December 31. | From that moment on, Scotland's trade relations and travel regulations with EU countries began to be ruled by the guidelines agreed in the new agreem…
(2020-12-31). Refugee agencies call for provision of shelter to 900 migrants in Bosnia. laprensalatina.com Sarajevo, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- International refugee agencies have called on authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide shelter to 900 migrants forced to survive in freezing temperatures without proper accommodation for over a week after their camp burned to the ground. The International Organization for Migration and the UN's refugee office ACNUR said in a …
(2020-12-31). 7 Ways Women of Colour Resisted Racism This Year. commondreams.org Women are leading anti-racist activism around the world, from Black Brazilians running for election to Germany's migrant rights movement. #12DaysofResistance | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/gettyimages-1229482477.jpg …
(2020-12-31). President Arce Encourages Use of Traditional Indigenous Medicine. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's government is encouraging the use of traditional medicine, in addition to more orthodox approaches, as a means to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as the country prepares for the arrival of the Sputnik V vaccine acquired from Russia. | RELATED: | President Luis Arce noted the benefits reported by Bolivians in rural areas, many of which experienced no major COVID-19 outbreak, in contrast with the city of Santa…
(2020-12-31). 'Unacceptable': Italy slams Egypt decision to clear police of Giulio Regeni's murder. middleeasteye.net 
'Unacceptable': Italy slams Egypt decision to clear police of Giulio Regeni's murder | Rome says it will work at all levels to find truth after Egyptian prosecutor clears five officers and criticises Italian accusations | Thu, 12/31/2020 – 17: 41 | Italian authorities say they plan to charge four senior Egyptian security officials in murder of Regeni (AFP) | Italy called Egypt's decision to clear five police o…
(2020-12-31). Putin Highlights Strategic Partnership with Venezuela in 2020. telesurenglish.net The Foreign Ministry of the Eurasian country highlighted the Russian-Venezuelan strategic partnership, thanks to the interest of Presidents Nicolas Maduro and Vladimir Putin. | The Russian Head of State expressed his hope to continue the joint work, the development of bilateral relations and to coordinate efforts in the international arena. | RELATED: | In early December 2020, President Nicolas Maduro…
(2020-12-31). Spain to cut pensions as billions go to super-rich in EU pandemic bailout. wsws.org While handing out €140 billion in COVID-19 bailouts to the banks, the "left populist" Podemos party is moving to slash workers' pensions.
(2020-12-31). Mexico Is Set to Receive Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine in March. telesurenglish.net Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) Wednesday informed that his country will receive the first doses of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine made by the United Kingdom-based AstraZeneca company and the Oxford University. | RELATED: | On Tuesday, the U.K. approved Mexico and Argentina to use the vaccine to immunize their people. Four months ago, British authorities also allowed both countries to produce the drug and distribute it in…
(2020-12-31). Macron government rejects national lock-down in France. wsws.org Ignoring the recommendations of scientists, the government has determined to reopen schools and workplaces in the New Year…
(2020-12-31). Greece's oldest Auschwitz survivor has died. wsws.org As a young woman, Ester Cohen‚ÄÜwas deported in 1944 to the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp along with her parents and six siblings. Apart from one sister, the entire family died at the camp.
(2020-12-31). Democrats relying on Latino vote in key Georgia Senate elections. laprensalatina.com By Marcelo G. Wheelock Atlanta, Dec 30 (efe-epa).- Democrats want to repeat the formula that led them to victory in the Nov. 3 presidential election in Georgia and they are relying on the local Hispanic vote in the crucial runoffs for the state's two US Senate seats in early January, races that will decide which …
(2020-12-31). Spain, UK reach draft deal on Gibraltar after Brexit. laprensalatina.com Madrid, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- Spain and the United Kingdom on Thursday came to a draft agreement to avoid a hard border in Gibraltar after Brexit. Arancha González Laya, the Spanish foreign minister, announced the draft deal just hours before the UK is due to begin life outside the European Union. "We are knocking down barriers …
(2020-12-31). US imposes new tariffs on German, French wines amid trade dispute with EU. laprensalatina.com Washington, Dec 30 (efe-epa).- The US government Wednesday announced increased tariffs on some European Union (EU) products, including French and German wines amid a long-running dispute over subsidies involving civil aircraft manufacturers. The products on which additional tariffs were imposed also include aircraft manufacturing parts, non-sparking wines and cognac and other grape brandies from France …
(2020-12-31). Boris Johnson's father applying for French citzenship. laprensalatina.com Paris, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- The father of United Kingdom Prime Minister and Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson said he is applying for French citizenship. Stanley Johnson told French broadcaster RTL that he "will always be European." "It's not a question of becoming French. If I understand correctly, I already am. My mother was born in France, …
(2020-12-31). Nations of region not to forget sacrifice of martyr Soleimani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) — Iranian Embassy to Croatia said that regional countries will not forget the bravery and sacrifices of former IRGC Quds Force Commander Martyr Lt. Gen. Soleimani who played a key role in the fight against terrorism.
(2020-12-31). Coronavirus deaths reach record high in Germany as hospitals teeter on brink of collapse. wsws.org Nurses in Hamburg went public to speak about working conditions shortly before Christmas.
(2020-12-31). The United Kingdom Detaches From the European Union Today. telesurenglish.net On the night of December 31, the UK will end the regulatory ties that have bound it to the European Union (EU) for nearly half a century. | RELATED: | While the last-minute agreement with the EU avoided immediate commercial and financial chaos, the deal reached will not prevent the full consequences of Brexit from being discovered in the coming months. | In addition to the fact that companies have made their calculations to avoid possible collap…
(2020-12-31). Madrid and London Reach Initial Agreement on Gibraltar. telesurenglish.net The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, announced this Thursday an initial agreement reached, in extremis, with the United Kingdom which allows the application of policies and programs of the European Union (EU) to Gibraltar, as well as the Schengen agreement and a customs regime on the subject of goods traffic and transport. | RELATED: | At…
(2020-12-30). UK approves Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine. laprensalatina.com London, Dec 30 (efe-epa).- The United Kingdom's government on Wednesday accepted the medicines and health regulatory body's recommendation to authorize the use of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, the health ministry said. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave the green light for the vaccine to be used on people 18 years and …
(2020-12-30). The Congress of Tours and the birth of the organized communist movement in France. peoplesdispatch.org This December 30th marks the centenary of the foundation of the organized communist movement in France at the historic 18th national congress of the Socialist Party – French Section of the Workers' International (SFIO), held in Tours in 1920…
(2020-12-30). 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.
(2020-12-30). Stephen F. Cohen on Russia's democratization and how US meddling undermines it. thegrayzone.com Pushback rounds out 2020 by airing an unpublished interview with Stephen F. Cohen, the eminent Russia historian and scholar who passed away in September at the age of 81. In an interview recorded one year before his death, Stephen F. Cohen discusses local elections and protests in Russia; opposition leader Alexei Navalny; as well as the state of Russia's post-Soviet democratization and how US meddling undermines it. Guest: Stephen F. Cohen. Professor emeritus of Russian studies at New York University …
(2020-12-30). 'Sold out': Uighurs fear deportation as China ratifies extradition treaty with Turkey. middleeasteye.net 
'Sold out': Uighurs fear deportation as China ratifies extradition treaty with Turkey | Uighur activists urge Turkish government not to abide by agreement that could put tens of thousands at risk of being detained in internment camps
| Wed, 12/30/2020 – 10: 17 | Supporters of China's Muslim Uighur minority protest in Istanbul against B…