Biden Appoints Chief Ukraine Coup-Plotter Victoria Nuland
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2021-01-08
Describing it as "one of the darkest days in American history," President-elect Joe Biden denounced Wednesday's spectacular assault on the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. as a coup attempt fomented by Donald Trump. | "I wish we could say we couldn't see it coming, but that isn't true. We could see it coming," the 78-year-old Delawarean said. | The last four years we've had a president who's made his contempt for our democracy, our Constitution, the rule of law, clear in everything he has done. He unleashed an all-out assault on the institutions of our democracy from the outset, and yesterday was but a culmin…
popularresistance.org/biden-appoints-chief-ukraine-coup-plotter-victoria-nuland/
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
wsws.org | 2021-01-08
Employees at British Gas walk out to defend pay and conditions; UK University students rent strike across 31 universities; Kenyan healthcare workers' strike continues despite union sending doctors back…
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/08/wkrs-j08.html
This Pandemic Shows How Elites Have Forgotten Us
Peter Mertens | zcomm.org | 2021-01-08
Belgium has suffered the world's worst rate of coronavirus deaths…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/this-pandemic-shows-how-elites-have-forgotten-us/
Vaccine distribution mired in delays across Europe
wsws.org | 2021-01-08
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread out of control throughout the European continent, the program of vaccination organized by the European Union is already widely recognized to be a debacle.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/08/vacc-j08.html
The Climate Crisis Sets Another Grim Record
Editor | scheerpost.com | 2021-01-08
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center / CC BY 2.0] By Andrea Germanos / Common Dreams Highlighting global campaigners' demands for urgent and bold climate action, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service announced Friday that despite coronavirus-related lockdowns, 2020 tied with 2016 for being the warmest year on record and closed out the warmest decade on the books. "It is notable that… | Source…
scheerpost.com/2021/01/08/the-climate-crisis-sets-another-grim-record/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-climate-crisis-sets-another-grim-record
The Pearl Harbor Hack and Other Media Fables
Eve Ottenberg | counterpunch.org | 2021-01-08
Journalistic fatuity soared into the stratosphere last month with tales of Chinese bounties on U.S. soldiers (the Russians, I guess, got tired of doing that and delegated to the Chinese), and breathless reports that the U.S. supposedly experienced its third or fourth Pearl Harbor. This one was in cyberspace, when Russia allegedly hacked into some…
counterpunch.org/2021/01/08/the-pearl-harbor-hack-and-other-media-fables/
Student protests continue in Turkey in defiance of police-state measures
wsws.org | 2021-01-08
The mass student protests in Istanbul that started to oppose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's appointment of a new rector to Boƒüaziàßi University, continued yesterday in defiance of police-state measures to suppress the movement.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/08/turk-j07.html
The Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) Intrusion in Albania, Threatens Regional Stability in Middle East and Balkans
Robert Fantina | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-08
One can only imagine the risk when some citizens of a small country conceal hundreds of thousands of weapons and explosives. The nation becomes a powder keg, awaiting one small mistake to spark a deadly explosion. | This is the situation …
globalresearch.ca/the-mujahedin-e-khalq-organization-mko-intrusion-in-albania-threatens-regional-stability-in-middle-east-and-balkans/5733929
UK Judge Justifies CIA Spying On Assange
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2021-01-07
The British judge ruling in the US government's extradition case against journalist Julian Assange justified a CIA spying operation targeting both the WikiLeaks publisher and the Ecuadorian government by pointing to debunked accusations published by CNN. Yet in a self-referential loop, the American media outlet's dubious claims about Assange themselves originated with a security firm that was spying on Assange for the CIA — and which is now facing prosecution in Spain for illegal activity. | While the UK judge ultimately decided not to extradite Assange, citing his deteriorating mental health and the likeli…
popularresistance.org/uk-judge-justifies-cia-spying-on-assange/
"Americans Are Now Getting a Mild Taste of Their Own Medicine" of Disrupting Democracy Elsewhere
Staff | democracynow.org | 2021-01-07
World leaders reacted in horror over the storming of the U.S. Capitol, with the U.N. secretary-general calling on political leaders to demand their followers refrain from violence. Leaders of the U.K., New Zealand, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, France, Germany, NATO and the European Council called for a peaceful transfer of power to Joe Biden. Investigative journalist Allan Nairn looks at what steps Trump may take next, and says despite protestations from President-elect Joe Biden and others that the insurrection was "not who we are," the U.S. has a long track record of disrupting democratic processes elsewher…
www.democracynow.org/2021/1/7/us_foreign_election_interference_allan_nairn
Video: Tense Situation in Northern Syria. Actions of Turkish Military
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-07
The Turkish Army has been increasing its military presence in Greater Idlib despite the recent withdrawal of observation posts, which had been encircled by the Syrian Army. | Recently, the Turkish military deployed major reinforcements to Mount al-Zawiya. Turkish military convoys …
globalresearch.ca/video-turks-fear-russian-advance-syria-al-bab/5733807
Not believing in God 'as dangerous' as Covid-19 denialism says Head of Russian Church, asking followers to trust the experts
rt.com | 2021-01-07
Coronavirus isn't the only pandemic sweeping through society, the Russian Orthodox Church's top cleric has said. According to Patriarch Kirill, disbelief is public health enemy number one, ahead of purely biological threats. | In a sermon to mark the start of Christmas in Russia on Wednesday, the bishop told worshippers that "there are people who do not believe in anything at all — not in disease or in danger, and neglect medical advice." | "But we believers know that these stupid people exist. There are also many people who do not believe in God… which is very dangerous, even deadly," he added. "Just a…
rt.com/russia/511839-believing-god-dangerous-covid-denial/
France Grants Citizenship to Immigrant Essential Workers as Protests Against Racist "Security" Laws Grow
Danica Jorden | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-07
The government of France has decided to recognize the contributions of essential workers from other countries working within its borders during the pandemic by offering them French citizenship. On 22 December 2020, the day of the announcement, 74 immigrants were …
globalresearch.ca/france-grants-citizenship-immigrant-essential-workers-protests-against-racist-security-laws-grow/5733758
German teachers' union backs in-person learning as COVID-19 deaths soar
wsws.org | 2021-01-07
In enforcing their inhumane pandemic policies, the federal and state governments, consisting of a broad range of political coalitions, can rely on the close cooperation of Germany's trade unions.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/07/gtea-j07.html
'Irresponsible and inhumane' Home Office continuing with deportations despite lockdown
Joe Glenton | thecanary.co | 2021-01-07
The Home Office plans to press forward with the deportation of up to 60 people despite a full national lockdown and a massive spike in coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in the UK. | The Independent newspaper reported on 6 January that two flights were set to leave in the next week despite current restrictions. One is bound for Romania, the other for Poland. | "Irresponsible and inhumane": | New lockdown rules say that people cannot leave their homes or travel abroad except wh…
thecanary.co/trending/2021/01/07/irresponsible-and-inhumane-home-office-continuing-with-deportations-despite-lockdown/
WHO warns of COVID-19 'tipping point' as cases rise across Europe
news.un.org | 2021-01-07
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a "tipping point" in the fight against COVID-19, amid surging cases in Europe and the fresh challenge of a mutating virus.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/01/1081592
Bolivia approves emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine
Tanya Wadhwa | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-07
Bolivia hopes to vaccinate up to 20% of its population in the first quarter of this year. The health ministry has endorsed Russia's Sputnik V and China's CoronaVac vaccines against COVID-19…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/07/bolivia-approves-emergency-use-of-russias-sputnik-v-vaccine/
New year begins with record COVID-19 deaths in Germany
wsws.org | 2021-01-07
The beginning of the year in Germany was characterised by overcrowded crematoria, hospitals on the brink of collapse and mass death.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/07/gcor-j07.html
The EU Avoids Treating Guaido As 'President' Of Venezuela
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2021-01-07
The European Union avoided referring to the opposition politician Juan Guaido as Venezuela's "acting president" once the mandate of the National Assembly over which he presided expired on Tuesday. | "Venezuela urgently needs a political solution to end the current impasse through an inclusive process of dialogue and negotiation leading to credible, inclusive, and democratic processes," said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. | He added that the EU will maintain its engagement with all Venezuelan political and social actors, including "Juan Guaido and…
popularresistance.org/the-eu-avoids-treating-guaido-as-president-of-venezuela/
The UK is Out of the EU
Patrick Cockburn | zcomm.org | 2021-01-07
But the Balance of Power in Europe has Tipped Permanently Against It…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/the-uk-is-out-of-the-eu/
Brutal Human Rights Abuses — Torture, Sanctions and Our Failure to Discuss Economic Rights
Rod Driver | zcomm.org | 2021-01-07
People in advanced nations assume that their governments do not torture prisoners, but it is practized by the US, and was used by Britain in its colonies and in Northern Ireland…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/brutal-human-rights-abuses-torture-sanctions-and-our-failure-to-discuss-economic-rights/
Argentina Condemns UK's Military Drills on the Malvinas Islands
telesurenglish.net | 2021-01-07
Argentina's Foreign Affairs Ministry (FAM) Wednesday condemned the latest military drills carried out by the United Kingdom on the Malvinas Islands. | RELATED: | Argentina: Felisa Sotelo, A 'Mother of Plaza de Mayo', Died | The Argentine authorities described the military activities as an unjustified show of force and a deliberate detachment from the United Nations resolution that calls for a peaceful solution to the Malvinas territorial dispute. | "Our country regrets that at…
telesurenglish.net/news/Argentina-Condemns-UKs-Military-Drills-on-the-Malvinas-Islands-20210107-0013.html
China Urges UK to Forget Colonial Mentality in Hong Kong Issues
telesurenglish.net | 2021-01-07
China on Thursday urged the United Kingdom to abandon its illusion of colonial influence on Hong Kong and to cease interfering in China's internal affairs. | RELATED: | China to Take Countermeasures Against New US Sanctions | British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Wednesday said that the arrests of activists in Hong Kong were "a grievous attack on Hong Kong's rights and freedoms" as protected under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. | In response, Foreign Affairs Ministry spok…
telesurenglish.net/news/China-Urges-UK-to-Forget-Colonial-Mentality-in-Hong-Kong-Issues-20210107-0012.html
"The Syrian File" and The "Biased" Policies of the Organization for the Chemical Prohibition Organization
Khaled Iskef | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-07
Russia has commented on the work policies of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons regarding the Syrian file and the pressures that the organization is subjected to by some countries, criticizing the technical secretariat policies in them, saying …
globalresearch.ca/the-syrian-file-and-the-biased-policies-of-the-organization-for-the-chemical-prohibition-organization/5733728
Bolivia Restricts Flights From Europe Until Mid-February
telesurenglish.net | 2021-01-07
Bolivia's President Luis Arce on Wednesday issued a decree that prohibits the entry of flights from Europe until February 15 as a preventive measure to prevent the spread of the British coronavirus strain in the Andean country. | RELATED: | Bolivia Allows Use of Russian Sputnik V Vaccine | The new rule changes a decree issued on December 23 that suspended the entry to Bolivia of European flights until January 8, 2021. | The decision was adopted within the framework of the National…
telesurenglish.net/news/Bolivia-Restricts-Flights-From-Europe-Until-Mid-February-20210107-0003.html
Tunisian Forces Arrest High-Ranking Al-Qaeda Operative, Interior Ministry States
sputniknews.com | 2021-01-07
CAIRO (Sputnik) – Tunisia's security services have detained a terrorist from among the leaders of the Al-Qaeda* terror group (banned in Russia), the country's interior ministry said on Thursday.
sputniknews.com/africa/202101071081698965-tunisian-forces-arrest-high-ranking-al-qaeda-operative-interior-ministry-states/
Russia's Historical Relationship with the United States. President Lincoln and Czar Alexander II
Cynthia Chung | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-07
"Whenever the government of the United States shall break up, it will probably be in consequence of a false direction having been given to public opinion. This is the weak point of our defences, and the part to which the …
globalresearch.ca/why-russia-saved-united-states/5733755
European Union will no longer recognize Juan Guaidó as president of Venezuela
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-07
The EU announced the position following the swearing-in of Venezuela's new National Assembly which was the body from which Guaidó rendered his claim to interim presidency…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/07/european-union-will-no-longer-recognize-juan-guaido-as-president-of-venezuela/
Germany's federal and state governments keep workplaces open despite surging COVID deaths
wsws.org | 2021-01-06
Government officials are ignoring the recommendations of scientists and risking an intensification of the pandemic.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/06/germ-j06.html
Julian Assange Is Denied Bail By London Court
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2021-01-06
"I am satisfied there are substantial grounds for believing that if Mr Assange is released today he would fail to surrender to court to face the appeal proceedings," Judge Vanessa Baraitser said. | "As far as Mr Assange is concerned this case has not yet been won… the outcome of this appeal is not yet known." | She was referring to the fact that Assange after failing in his battle against extradition to Sweden, breached bail and took refuge in the Embassy of Ecuador in London in June 2012. He was granted asylum by Ecuador on the grounds of political persecution, with the presumption that if he was extradited to…
popularresistance.org/julian-assange-is-denied-bail-by-london-court/
The Heat: What Brexit deal means for the United Kingdom
Anand Naidoo | america.cgtn.com | 2021-01-06
After 48 years together, the United Kingdom and the European Union are officially apart. So how's it going so far?
america.cgtn.com/2021/01/06/the-heat-what-brexit-deal-means-for-the-united-kingdom
Nigel Farage's Brexit Party Officially Renamed to 'Reform UK' by Electoral Commission
sputniknews.com | 2021-01-06
The Brexit Party formed in 2018 in order to promote Brexit and pressure the Conservative government into fulfilling its promise to deliver the 2016 referendum result. After the UK formally left the European Union, party leader Nigel Farage has re-oriented his priorities to opposing coronavirus lockdown measures and reforming UK politics.
sputniknews.com/uk/202101061081675044-nigel-farages-brexit-party-offically-renamed-to-reform-uk-by-electoral-commission/
Brexit: Britain leaves the EU, and workers bear the burden
G. Dunkel | workers.org | 2021-01-06
Brexit — the rupture between Britain and the European Union — was completed at midnight, Dec. 31. In a 2016 referendum, in a xenophobic, racist vote fueled by dreams of a withered and long-passed imperial glory, British voters narrowly supported a proposal to leave the European Union. Only 51.9% of . . . | Continue reading Brexit: Britain leaves the EU, and workers bear the burden at Workers.org…
workers.org/2021/01/53600/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=brexit-britain-leaves-the-eu-and-workers-bear-the-burden
Dossier no. 36: Twilight: The erosion of U.S. control and the multipolar future
The Tricontinental | mronline.org | 2021-01-06
If there was one revolution that marked the beginning of the end of the colonial epoch and that inaugurated a new worker-led civilisation, it was the Haitian Revolution of 1804. Enslaved Africans defeated the four major European powers of the day, won their freedom, and declared an independent republic.
mronline.org/2021/01/05/dossier-no-36-twilight-the-erosion-of-u-s-control-and-the-multipolar-future/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dossier-no-36-twilight-the-erosion-of-u-s-control-and-the-multipolar-future
Chavismo back in Venezuela's National Assembly, Guaidó further weakened
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-06
The 277 members of Venezuela's National Assembly were sworn in yesterday January 5. The body has vowed to take swift measures to address the deepening economic crisis in the country, fight back against the economic and financial blockade imposed on the country and work towards reconciliation. The swearing in of the legislators also officially put an end to Juan Guaidó's mandate as deputy, which prompted the European Union to withdraw their recognition of Guaidó as interim president.
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/06/chavismo-back-in-venezuelas-national-assembly-guaido-further-weakened/