Medea Benjamin, Nicolas J. S. Davies (2019-12-22). The Real Lesson of Afghanistan Is That Regime Change Does Not Work. commondreams.org Any responsible government Americans elect in 2020 must learn from the well-documented failure and catastrophic human cost of U.S. regime change efforts in Afghanistan. (Photo: US Marine Corps/Sgt. Mark Fayloga) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/afghan_war_0.jpeg …

Brenda Norrell (2019-12-22). Blood Memory Rising, Book Review of Standing with Standing Rock. indybay.org \'Standing with Standing Rock,\' is an encyclopedia of resistance, which chronicles the Water Protector movement from the first run to Washington, and on to the camps, and the surveillance by TigerSwan, to the ultimate international divestment campaign. In its 29 chapters are poetry, essays and discussions of Indigenous rights and Treaties.

Lynda Carson (2019-12-22). Muhammad Ali an activist to help MIAs/POWs in Vietnam. indybay.org Cathy A. Lundy was only around 4 years old when she was aboard the Yacht Sequoia as a guest of former disgraced President Richard Nixon (a.k.a. Tricky Dick). Unfortunately, her father was reported killed in action in Laos during the Vietnam War during 1970. The cruise certificate hangs on the wall of my apartment. Photo by Paulo Kesete…

Peter Koenig (2019-12-22). The Madrid Climate Disaster. dissidentvoice.org Does anyone know what COP25 stands for? Probably very few. It\'s unimportant. As unimportant as the whole roadshow itself. Just for the hell of it, for those who read this article, COP means Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The 25 stands for the 25th year …

Citizens\' Climate Lobby (2019-12-22). 2020 Citizens\' Climate Lobby Northern California Regional Conference. indybay.org Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611…

Citizens\' Climate Lobby (2019-12-22). 2020 Citizens\' Climate Lobby Northern CA Regional Conference, Day 2. indybay.org Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611…

Citizens\' Climate Lobby San Mateo (2019-12-22). Everything You Wanted to Know about Climate Change, but Were Afraid to Ask. indybay.org Half Moon Bay Library, 620 Correas Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019…

Youth V Apocalypse, PlantingJustice, Mycelium (2019-12-22). Climate Strike: SF Bay Area Youth Strike in Oakland. indybay.org Plaza outside Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612…

Brenda Norrell (2019-12-22). Buffy Sainte Marie Truthtelling Indigenous Genocide. indybay.org Buffy Sainte Marie described the genocide, slavery, murder and rape of Indigenous Peoples, that the kings and queens, military, churches and banks are responsible for, speaking with AIM West\'s Tony Gonzales, during the 50th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz.

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-22). Seemingly Coordinated ISIS/al-Qaeda Attacks On Syrian Oil/Gas Fields & US\' Russia/Libya Hypocrisy. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/21/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

teleSUR (2019-12-22). Morales Announced Party Candidates Until End of Month. telesurenglish.net The former Bolivian president Evo Morales announced Saturday that leaders of his party, the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) will travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina on Dec. 29 to debate and call a meeting on the border with Bolivia, where they will elect their candidates for the next elections in 2020. | RELATED: | Bolivia One Month After the Coup: A Recount of Pivotal Events | Morales spoke for the first time with a Bolivian media since on Nov. 10 a coup d\'état was carried out against his gover…

Lynda Carson (2019-12-22). Michael L. Cantor mocks the artwork of the Yacht Sequoia Cruise Certificates. indybay.org In a shocking email further below, Michael L. Cantor, director of FE Partners LLC, the owner of the former Presidential Yacht Sequoia, mocks the artwork of the Yacht Sequoia Cruise Certificates with condescension and derision towards the much coveted historical Yacht Sequoia Cruise Certificates!

Jeff Carter (2019-12-22). Major Missed Opportunity on Clean Energy Incentives to Reduce Carbon Emissions. commondreams.org Runoff from melting permafrost in Alaska flows toward the sea. (Photo: NOAA) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/permafrost.jpg …

Kate Zeller (2019-12-22). President Trump Authorizes Somalia Debt Relief. indybay.org President Trump signed a year-end spending bill which authorizes the first phase of debt relief for Somalia.

RT (2019-12-22). Afghan president wins 2nd term — preliminary election results. rt.com Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has secured 50.64 percent of the vote in the long-delayed preliminary results from September\'s election, the country\'s election commission has announced. | Afghanistan\'s chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, polled second with 39.52 percent. The results were originally set to be released in October, but were repeatedly withheld due to technical problems and amid allegations of vote tampering from various candidates. | Now, before the final results are announced, candidates have the right to file complaints. Abdullah\'s office already said in a statement that he would contest the resu…

RT (2019-12-22). Oh, really? US envoy to Germany says Nord Stream 2 sanctions \'EXTREMELY PRO-EUROPEAN\' despite Berlin & EU criticism. rt.com US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell says the new sanctions aimed at derailing the construction of the German-Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline are beneficial to Europe, while chiding Berlin for not being \"pro-Europe\" enough. | Grenell, who has courted controversy in Germany with his frequent attempts to meddle in Berlin\'s sovereign matters, said in an interview with Bild and AP that he was swamped with messages of gratitude from European diplomats after US President Donald Trump signed a defense spending bill envisioning biting sanctions on the companies involved in the construction of the $11 billion pipeli…

RT (2019-12-22). India could become fastest growing energy market by 2030. rt.com India\'s Energy Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that his country will surpass China and become the world\'s fastest growing market for energy by 2030. | \"We are on our way to become the world\'s largest energy consumer,\" the minister said, noting that India plans to use a combination of conventional fuel and sustainable fuels to create a \"balanced energy mix.\" | Read more | | India will reverse economic slowdown to become stronger, as it did before — Modi | India will also explore the use of other sustainable sources of energy, such as hyd…

RT (2019-12-22). Ripple is thriving off the failures of antique SWIFT system, market analyst tells Boom Bust. rt.com Ripple, the company behind cryptocurrency XRP, has raised US$200 million in its latest investment round – bringing its valuation to $10 billion – as the startup aims to further grow its cross-border payments business. | However, the success of the San Francisco-based firm, with its growing base of consumers sending live payments, did not result in a huge movement in XRP, which has the third-largest cryptocurrency market capitalization behind bitcoin and Ethereum. This can be explained by the fact that the token is a \"specific kind of crypto,\" making it uninteresting for regular investors, according to Jeffrey…

RT (2019-12-22). Huge blaze & plumes of black smoke as fire rips through petrochemical plant in Russia (VIDEOS). rt.com A massive inferno erupted in the early hours of the morning at a petrochemical plant in Ufa, prompting the authorities to scramble dozens of firefighters, fire engines and even a special train to put the blaze out. | The incident happened when a flammable liquid caught fire at the Neftekhim plant in Russia\'s Republic of Bashkortostan on Sunday morning. The blaze quickly spread through the three-story building before the fire alarm went off. | A local branch of the Emergencies Ministry dispatched 135 firefighters and 45 engines to deal with the blaze. Soon afterwards, a firefighting train carrying 340 tons of w…

RT (2019-12-22). 'It was incredible': Jurgen Klopp hails his players after Liverpool win World Club Cup in Qatar (VIDEO). rt.com An extra-time strike from Roberto Firmino proved decisive as Liverpool defeated Brazilian Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo 1-0 to capture the World Club Cup in Qatar on Saturday night. | Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was delighted with his team\'s performance after a difficult week spent juggling priorities and managing injuries. But the Anfield side came away as world champions as the captured one of the few remaining trophies not previously won by the club thanks to their extra-time victory. | \"We are exhausted from a very intense game but in moments of like this, I struggle to find the right words, to expr…

RT (2019-12-22). \'No more deaths, no more abuse!\' Peruvian protesters demand justice after teen workers die during shift at McDonald\'s. rt.com Dozens of people picketed a McDonald\'s in Lima, Peru, in protest over the deaths of two young employees who died there, purportedly due to unsafe working conditions. | McDonald\'s employees and relatives of the deceased held signs reading \"Work yes, exploitation no. #McDonaldsNeverMore\" and \"Fed up with surviving, we want to live!\" during a rally on Saturday. | | © Ruptly | Two teenagers, Alexandra Porras, 18, and Gabriel Campos, 19, died last week while cleaning the kitchen at the restaurant. According to Peruvian police, Porras was electrocuted while handling the soft drink machine. Campos was killed w…

yenisafak (2019-12-22). Turkey to stand by Libyan government until peace established: DefMin. yenisafak.com Turkey will stand by the internationally recognised government of Libya until peace, stability and security is established in the country, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Sunday, after the two countries signed a military cooperation accord last month.Turkey backs the government of Fayez al-Serraj in Libya, which has been split into rival political and military factions since 2011. Ankara has said it could send troops to Libya if the Serraj government makes such a request. The two countries also signed a maritime boundaries deal that has enraged Greece.Akar was speaking at an event in the northern province of…

yenisafak (2019-12-22). Turkish protesters march in support of Uighurs after àñzil comments. yenisafak.com Thousands of protesters marched in support of China\'s Uighurs in Istanbul on Friday and voiced solidarity with Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil after the furore caused by his criticism of China\'s policies toward the Muslim minority.Last week, soccer star Ozil, a German Muslim of Turkish origin, posted messages on social media calling minority Uighurs \"warriors who resist persecution\" and criticised both China\'s crackdown and the silence of Muslims in response.Members of Istanbul crowd held up banners reading \"Stop the cruelty\" and chanted \"Murderer China, get out of East Turkestan\" and \"East Turkestan is not alone\",…

yenisafak (2019-12-22). Erdogan says Turkey will increase military support to Libya if necessary. yenisafak.com Turkey will increase its military support to the internationally recognised government of Libya if necessary and it will evaluate ground, air and marine options, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.Turkey backs the government of Fayez al-Serraj in Libya, which has been split into rival political and military factions since 2011. Ankara has said it could send troops to Libya if the Serraj government makes such a request. The two countries also signed a maritime boundaries deal that has enraged Greece.Speaking at an event in the northern province of Kocaeli, Erdogan said Turkey will \"absolutely\" not turn back f…

yenisafak (2019-12-22). Trump slams House\'s impeachment delay as \'so unfair\'. yenisafak.com President Donald Trump on Saturday criticized House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi for holding off on sending the articles of impeachment against him to the Senate.\"It\'s so unfair,\" Trump said, days after he was impeached by the House, during a speech to conservative student group Turning Point USA, saying that Pelosi adopted the strategy because she has \"no case.\"\"They are violating the Constitution,\" Trump said, calling Pelosi \"crazy Nancy.\"The Democratic-controlled House voted on Dec. 18 to impeach Trump, setting the stage for a trial in the Senate. Trump is very unlikely to be convicted and removed f…

yenisafak (2019-12-22). Facts, pen, intellect needed to help Kashmir: Experts. yenisafak.com The Kashmiri community in the diaspora also needs to widen the scope of cooperation with Muslim and non-Muslim groups who believe in humanity to get support for their cause, they added.\"Pen, intellect, facts, human resources and financial support are the five aspects of lobbying for Kashmir struggle in the western capitals,\" Ghulam Nabi Fai told the audience at, \"Kashmir: Bleeding wound of Ummah.\"The conference was organized by Human and Civilizational Foundation and Pakistan Solidarity Platform.Fai, who is Secretary General of World Kashmir Awareness Forum, said those who are conscious of Kashmir\'s fight for rig…

yenisafak (2019-12-22). Russia\'s Lavrov says Nord Stream 2 will be launched despite sanctions. yenisafak.com Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday that the Nord Stream 2 and Turk Stream gas pipeline projects would be launched despite U.S. sanctions, adding that Russia planned to respond to the new measures, the Interfax news agency reported.U.S. President Donald Trump signed a bill on Friday that included legislation imposing sanctions on firms laying pipe for Nord Stream 2, which seeks to double gas capacity along the northern Nord Stream pipeline route to Germany. Trump told Putin US will continue looking for arms treaty solutionsRussia\'s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday that U.S. Preside…

yenisafak (2019-12-22). UAE\'s Brooge Petroleum to start trading on Nasdaq on Monday. yenisafak.com UAE-based Brooge Petroleum and Gas Investment Co (BPGIC) said it will start trading on New York\'s Nasdaq stock exchange on Monday, following its merger with U.S. company Twelve Seas Investment Co.Oil storage company BPGIC completed the merger on Friday, it said in a statement on Sunday, and its valuation now exceeds $1 billion.The merger and listing were aimed at establishing a global presence with access to liquid markets that could support the company\'s expansion plans, BPGIC said.BPGIC, which was set up in 2013, is one of the largest holders of oil storage assets in Fujairah.In September, BPGIC awarded a contr…

yenisafak (2019-12-22). Trauma of genocide lives on in Zimbabwe. yenisafak.com Zimbabwe 32 years ago ended a genocidal war that massacred thousands in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.But more than three decades later, Msitheli Ndlovhu from Nkayi districts in Matabeleland North Province still suffer trauma from the atrocities.Msitheli was only 14 years old when the war was halted in the southern African nation in 1987.Yet, he was only 9 years old when eight members of his family were rounded and locked in a thatched hut in their rural home before it was set on fire by government soldiers.\"It was in 1983 and I was just coming from school when my parents, my brothers and sisters were drive…

yenisafak (2019-12-22). Muslim scholars urge India to reverse citizenship law. yenisafak.com The International Union for Muslims Scholars (IUMS) on Sunday called on the Indian government to retreat from a controversial citizenship law, warning that the law would fuel hatred against Muslims.In a statement, the IUMS said it was closely following the situation of Muslims in India with great concern following the passage of the citizenship law.It said the legislation would expose Muslims to various forms of restrictions and oppression, going on to call on the UN and the Islamic world to stand up against the law.The Citizenship Amendment Act, passed last week, grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Ch…

Julian Wettengel (2019-12-22). Drop in coal use pushes Germany closer to 2020 climate target. zcomm.org Merkel\'s Germany dumps 20% of Its Coal Use, CO2 Falls 7%, Renewables at 40%…

Dana Hill (2019-12-22). Throughout South America, Structural Violence Is Showing Up as Street Violence. zcomm.org Ecuador was only the latest indicator of what\'s possible when indigenous movements exercise their power. It also showed what\'s at stake…

Rigel Sergent (2019-12-22). Grassroots Democracy & the Social Production of Housing. zcomm.org Venezuela\'s cities have given birth to a powerful social movement aiming at urban reorganization through self-governed assembly processes…

John Feffer (2019-12-22). The Real Shadow Policy of Trump Admin Is Racist Extremism. zcomm.org While Trump\'s shadowy conduct toward Ukraine is without a doubt illegal, this shadow policy of white nationalism is even worse. It\'s not just a crime — it\'s a crime against humanity…

Gavin Aronsen (2019-12-22). Using Roleplaying To Imagine Life Under a Green New Deal. zcomm.org Instead of wizards and clerics, Iowans are envisioning roles like community planners and memory stewards, in an environmentally and economically just society.

Binoy Kampmark (2019-12-21). Medical Opinion, Torture, and Julian Assange. dissidentvoice.org On November 27 this year, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Nils Melzer, delivered an address to the German Bundestag outlining his approach to understanding the mental health of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. These comprised two parts, the initial stage covering his diplomatic asylum in the Ecuadorean embassy, the second dealing with his formal detention in …

Jan Oberg (2019-12-21). Syria: the War, the Loss, and the Silence. dissidentvoice.org On December 12, 2012, on the day, 4 years earlier, Western countries and allies — perversely calling themselves Friends of Syria — carried through a regime change by statement and set up a Syrian National Council of people never elected by anyone in Syria and told the world that it was, from now on, the …

Peoples Dispatch (2019-12-21). Despite bloodshed, Indians continue to resist discriminatory citizenship law. peoplesdispatch.org For over a week, India has been gripped by massive unrest against the far-right government led by prime minister Narendra Modi\'s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The protests that began as a movement against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act or the CAA, has turned into a nation-wide uprising to protect the values of secularism, democracy and socialism. | The CAA opens pathways to citizenship for a specific set of immigrants who have lived in India from before December 31, 2014 and are from India\'s three Muslim-dominated neighbors, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Critics of the Act have stated that…

Staff (2019-12-21). House Vote Locks in Impeachment as Issue in \'20 Hill Races. truthdig.com WASHINGTON — The day after nearly every House Democrat voted to impeach President Donald Trump, the chief of the House Republican campaign committee said the political fallout was clear. | \"Last night their obsession with impeachment finally came to a head, and they basically ended their majority,\" Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer said Thursday. \"Max Rose is done,\" he continued, listing him among freshmen Democrats from districts Trump captured in 2016 who he said won\'t survive next November\'s elections. | The feisty Rose, a Brooklyn native and Afgha…

Staff (2019-12-21). Catalog Retailers See Reason for Optimism After Declines. truthdig.com PORTLAND, Maine — Catalogs, those glossy paper-and-ink offerings of outdoor apparel, kitchenware and fruit baskets, are not yet headed for the recycling bin of history. | Until recently, the future appeared grim for the mailbox-stuffers. A one-two punch of postal rate increases and the Great Recession had sharply cut their numbers. Common wisdom had everything retail-related moving online. | But a catalog-industry rebound appears in the works, fueled in part by what might seem an unlikely group: younger shoppers who find it\'s sometimes easier, more satisfying and even nostalgic, flipping pages rather than c…

Staff (2019-12-21). Buttigieg Leads 2020 Rivals in Wall Street Contributions. truthdig.com WASHINGTON — The financial sector, blamed by progressives for spawning the 2008 economic collapse, is lining up behind Pete Buttigieg\'s presidential campaign. | The mayor of South Bend, Ind., has collected more campaign cash from donors and political action committees tied to the financial, insurance and real estate sector than any other White House hopeful, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. | The $3.06 million in contributions compares to $2.8 million directed toward former Vice President Joe Biden and $2.03 million for Sen. Cory Booker, whose home state of New Jersey has st…

WSWS (2019-12-21). Assange gives evidence in Spanish case against security contractor. wsws.org David Morales, a former Spanish military officer, is accused of spying on Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy and was charged in October with privacy violation, bribery and money laundering.

Ajit Singh (2019-12-21). China detaining millions of Uyghurs? Serious problems with claims by US-backed NGO and far-right researcher \'led by God\' against Beijing. thegrayzone.com Claims that China has detained millions of Uyghur Muslims are based largely on two studies. A closer look at these…

teleSUR (2019-12-21). Gender Parity and Indigenous Presence Passed for Constituent. telesurenglish.net In a 180-degree turn that changes the landscape of the constituent process, the Chilean Chamber of Deputies approved gender parity, seats for indigenous peoples and posts for independent candidates. | RELATED: | Anti-Government Protests Reach 2nd Month in Chile | The vote occurred which occurred Thursday night was radically different from the one taken just one day before, where those issues were blocked by right-wing lawmakers | However, in the second attempt, this time introduced as a co…

teleSUR (2019-12-21). Chile: TV Broadcast Live When Two Armored Cars Crushed Citizen. telesurenglish.net During the protests that took place at Dignity Square on Friday, Chile\'s Military Police deliberately ran over Oscar Perez, a young citizen who was crushed between two armored vehicles. The scenes of the police attack were broadcast live on local television. | RELATED: | Anti-Government Protests Reach 2nd Month in Chile | In the video, it can be seen that while an armored car closes Oscar\'s way, the other armored car takes a turn, accelerates towards the citizen, attacks him, and runs him o…

IMEMC News & Agencies (2019-12-21). ICC Responds to Mounting Calls for Action, Opens Official Investigation into War Crimes in Palestine. imemc.org \"End impunity!\" 29 November protest calls for action by ICC. Photo:…

Jessica Corbett (2019-12-21). \'A win for the planet!\': Dutch supreme court issues landmark ruling mandating climate action. nationofchange.org The nonprofit that brought the case called it \"a groundbreaking decision that confirms that individual governments must do their fair share to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.\"

Kristine Mattis (2019-12-21). The Climate Emergency Needs No Holidays. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/climateemergency-oakland.jpg …

WSWS (2019-12-21). Trump signs Pentagon budget imposing new sanctions on Syria. wsws.org The record $738 billion National Defense Authorization Act was passed with the overwhelming support of House and Senate Democrats.

Staff (2019-12-21). McConnell Pushes Through 12 More Lifetime Trump Judges. truthdig.com This article originally appeared on Common Dreams. | The right-wing takeover of the U.S. courts continued apace Thursday as the Republican-controlled Senate, with the help of some Democrats, quietly confirmed a dozen more of President Donald Trump\'s lifetime judicial nominees hours before leaving for Christmas recess. | The confirmations received little media attention amid Trump\'s im…

John Catalinotto (2019-12-21). Trump impeached: What next? — a WW commentary. workers.org Dec. 20 — The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach the president on two counts late on the evening of Dec. 18. All Republicans and one Democratic House member voted against impeachment. As of today, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has not yet released the orders of impeachment . . . | Continue reading Trump impeached: What next? — a WW commentary at Workers.org

Binoy Kampmark (2019-12-21). Medical Opinion, Torture, and Julian Assange. dissidentvoice.org On November 27 this year, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Nils Melzer, delivered an address to the German Bundestag outlining his approach to understanding the mental health of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. These comprised two parts, the initial stage covering his diplomatic asylum in the Ecuadorean embassy, the second dealing with his formal detention in …

Ajit Singh (2019-12-21). China detaining millions of Uyghurs? Serious problems with claims by US-backed NGO and far-right researcher \'led by God\' against Beijing. thegrayzone.com Claims that China has detained millions of Uyghur Muslims are based largely on two studies. A closer look at these…

Brenda Norrell (2019-12-21). Blood Memory Rising, Book Review of Standing with Standing Rock. indybay.org \'Standing with Standing Rock,\' is an encyclopedia of resistance, which chronicles the Water Protector movement from the first run to Washington, and on to the camps, and the surveillance by TigerSwan, to the ultimate international divestment campaign. In its 29 chapters are poetry, essays and discussions of Indigenous rights and Treaties.

WSWS (2019-12-21). Assange gives evidence in Spanish case against security contractor. wsws.org David Morales, a former Spanish military officer, is accused of spying on Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy and was charged in October with privacy violation, bribery and money laundering.

Lynda Carson (2019-12-21). Muhammad Ali an activist to help MIAs/POWs in Vietnam. indybay.org Cathy A. Lundy was only around 4 years old when she was aboard the Yacht Sequoia as a guest of former disgraced President Richard Nixon (a.k.a. Tricky Dick). Unfortunately, her father was reported killed in action in Laos during the Vietnam War during 1970. The cruise certificate hangs on the wall of my apartment. Photo by Paulo Kesete…

teleSUR (2019-12-21). Gender Parity and Indigenous Presence Passed for Constituent. telesurenglish.net In a 180-degree turn that changes the landscape of the constituent process, the Chilean Chamber of Deputies approved gender parity, seats for indigenous peoples and posts for independent candidates. | RELATED: | Anti-Government Protests Reach 2nd Month in Chile | The vote occurred which occurred Thursday night was radically different from the one taken just one day before, where those issues were blocked by right-wing lawmakers | However, in the second attempt, this time introduced as a co…

Peoples Dispatch (2019-12-21). Hawaiian protestors stay firm at Mauna Kea. peoplesdispatch.org The indigenous inhabitants of the island state have opposed the telescope over what they consider to be a consistent desecration of the mountain, which already has 13 telescopes on the summit.

Youth V Apocalypse, PlantingJustice, Mycelium (2019-12-21). Climate Strike: SF Bay Area Youth Strike in Oakland. indybay.org Plaza outside Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612…

Staff (2019-12-21). McConnell Pushes Through 12 More Lifetime Trump Judges. truthdig.com This article originally appeared on Common Dreams. | The right-wing takeover of the U.S. courts continued apace Thursday as the Republican-controlled Senate, with the help of some Democrats, quietly confirmed a dozen more of President Donald Trump\'s lifetime judicial nominees hours before leaving for Christmas recess. | The confirmations received little media attention amid Trump\'s im…

WSWS (2019-12-21). Democratic debate: Candidates denounce Trump, ignore party votes for Trump\'s program. wsws.org The seven candidates said nothing about the fact that the impeachment of Trump was bracketed by congressional votes in which the Democratic Party endorsed Trump\'s key legislative priorities.

Staff (2019-12-21). Millions of Dollars Poured Into Ads Fueling Trump Impeachment Fight. truthout.org Political candidates and groups shelled out millions on impeachment-related TV ads before the House impeached President Donald Trump Wednesday, according to a new report from the Wesleyan Media Project. | The analysis, produced in partnership with OpenSecrets, reveals tha…

Leon Kunstenaar (2019-12-21). Oaklanders Hold Powerful \"Impeach And Remove\" Demonstration. indybay.org Photos: Leon Kunstenaar. Pro Bono Photo | Hundreds of rallies throughout the country in support of House vote to impeach Trump…

WSWS (2019-12-21). Trump signs Pentagon budget imposing new sanctions on Syria. wsws.org The record $738 billion National Defense Appropriations Act was passed with the overwhelming support of House and Senate Democrats.

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-21). ICC To Investigate Israeli Government War Crimes & UN Again Contradicts US Claims Of Iran \"Proof\" thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/20/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Scott Ritter (2019-12-21). The \'Whistleblower\' and the Politicization of Intelligence. globalresearch.ca The whistleblower complaint has opened a window into the politicization of the intelligence community, and the corresponding weaponization of the national security establishment, argues Scott Ritter. | *** | The whistleblower. A figure of great controversy, whose actions, manifested in an 11-page …

Larry Romanoff (2019-12-21). \"America the Shrunken\" globalresearch.ca In May of 2014, Frank Bruni wrote an article for the NYT titled \'America the Shrunken\', in which he detailed what he called \"the downward arc of a diminished enterprise\" that was the USA, quoting friends who claimed their children …

WSWS (2019-12-21). Amazon Logistics set to surpass delivery volume of FedEx, UPS by 2022. wsws.org The advanced techniques of workplace exploitation along with low wages and breakneck conditions that have made Amazon notorious are being set as the standard for the entire logistics industry.

Brenda Norrell (2019-12-21). Buffy Sainte Marie Truthtelling Indigenous Genocide. indybay.org Buffy Sainte Marie described the genocide, slavery, murder and rape of Indigenous Peoples, that the kings and queens, military, churches and banks are responsible for, speaking with AIM West\'s Tony Gonzales, during the 50th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz.

Citizens\' Climate Lobby San Mateo (2019-12-21). Everything You Wanted to Know about Climate Change, but Were Afraid to Ask. indybay.org Half Moon Bay Library, 620 Correas Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019…

Citizens\' Climate Lobby (2019-12-21). 2020 Citizens\' Climate Lobby Northern CA Regional Conference, Day 2. indybay.org Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611…

Citizens\' Climate Lobby (2019-12-21). 2020 Citizens\' Climate Lobby Northern California Regional Conference. indybay.org Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611…

WSWS (2019-12-21). A magnificent account of Stalin\'s opponents in the USSR. wsws.org Stalin\'s rise was neither foreordained nor a natural outgrowth of the October Revolution. The Great Russian chauvinist and bureaucrat secured power in ferocious conflict with the proletariat, peasantry and cadre of the revolutionary socialist movement.

WSWS (2019-12-21). Australia: Lauded military veteran subject of second police investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. wsws.org The special forces were used for some of the most brutal aspects of the war, particularly hunting down and capturing or killing alleged Taliban resistance fighters.

WSWS (2019-12-21). Hungary\'s government continues its assault on democratic rights. wsws.org Last week, the Hungarian parliament, dominated by the right-wing Fidesz party, passed bills that represent a further step towards dictatorial forms of rule.

Staff (2019-12-21). Trump Labor Board Escalates War on Workers\' Rights. truthout.org Between 2017 and 2018, workers in two hotels in Stamford, Connecticut voted to join UNITE HERE Local 217. Though they won both elections by a landslide — the Hilton vote count was 110 to 5 while the Sheraton was 69 to 32 — the elections were highly contested by the employers. The bosses did everything they could in the month-long election process to dissuade workers from voting yes, from threats and intimidation to bribes, lies, and promises. Each day was another opportunity for management and their \"union…

Staff (2019-12-21). People Power in Romania Stopped a Mining Project. Now the Corporation Is Suing. truthout.org Recently, a colorful group gathered outside a World Bank building in downtown Washington, D.C. to defend a community 5,000 miles away in Romania. Most had never met each other but when each pointed to her or his hand-drawn sign it was smiles and nods all round. And before you knew it, they were chanting slogans together as if they had done this before, including one in the Romanian language: \"Uniti Salvam Rosia Montana!\" | Several Romanian citizens were joined at the demonstration by activis…

Staff (2019-12-21). No, McConnell — Biased Jurors and No Witnesses Do Not Make for a \"Fair Trial\" truthout.org In my decades as a criminal defense attorney, I have never seen a trial where the jurors admit they aren\'t impartial, coordinate the trial process with the defendant and then, as promised, find the defendant not guilty. And yet, that is exactly what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell aims to do. | Negating any semblance of conducting a fair trial, McConnell has brazenly declared his intention to violate the senators\' oath of impartiality and deny the right to call witnesses to testify at the…

Staff (2019-12-21). Trump Adviser Says Republicans Will Ramp Up Voter Suppression in 2020. truthout.org Reporting on Friday shows a top adviser for President Donald Trump\'s re-election campaign caught on tape in November bragging of the Republican Party\'s history of voter suppression — and promising to go on the offensive in 2020. | The revelation came from the Associated Press in a report Friday on comments by Trump re-election adviser Justin Clark at an event in Madison, Wisconsin. | \"Traditionally it\'s always been Republicans s…

Staff (2019-12-21). We Must Address the Roots of Inequality to Keep It From Killing Us. truthout.org New data from the U.S. Census Bureau confirms that the gap between the richest and poorest households in the U.S. is the largest it has been in over 50 years, and that economic power is more concentrated than ever before. Democrats and Republicans may have different interpretations of these facts, but in public health, decades of research are coming to a consensus: Inequality kills. | Over the past five years, I have worke…

Staff (2019-12-21). What Will It Take to Rid Our Store Shelves of BPA and Other Dangerous Chemicals? truthout.org This is part 4 of a 4-part investigation of the science surrounding the chemical BPA and the U.S. regulatory push to discredit independent evidence of harm while favoring pro-industry science despite significant shortcomings. | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — A percussion of metal-on-metal echoes through the lab as empty food cans drop one by one off a conveyor belt and into rounded poc…

Staff (2019-12-21). Doctors Prescribe More of a Drug If They Receive Money From Company Tied to It. truthout.org The financial interactions include payments for delivering promotional talks, consulting and receiving sponsored meals and travel. | The 50 drugs in our analysis include many popular and expensive ones. Thirty-eight of the drugs have yearly costs exceeding $1,000 per patient, and many topped the list that are most costly for the Medicare Part D drug program. | Take Linzess, a drug to treat irritable bowel syndrome and severe constipation. From 2014 to 2018, the drug\'s makers, Allergan and I…

Kate Zeller (2019-12-21). Congress Passes Somalia Debt Relief. indybay.org As part of the Federal government\'s year-end spending package or \"minibus,\" Congress passed the first phase of debt relief for Somalia.

RT (2019-12-21). Bullion beats sanctions: Muslim states may switch to gold & barter trade. rt.com Iran, Malaysia, Turkey and Qatar are looking into using gold and barter for trade to shield themselves from any future punitive economic measures, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has announced. | The idea was voiced as the leaders of many Islamic nations gathered for a four-day Islamic summit in Kuala Lumpur, which was boycotted by Saudi Arabia. In his address, the Malaysian prime minister said that while some of the states present at the meeting, such as Iran and Qatar, are facing economic restrictions due to \"unilateral decisions\" of some nations, others should remember that they can face the same…

RT (2019-12-21). Pakistani court sentences professor to death for blasphemy. rt.com An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced a university professsor to death for insulting the Prophet Muhammed. The trial has already seen his defense lawyer shot dead, under the Muslim world\'s harshest blasphemy regime. | Thirty-three-year-old Junaid Hafeez was arrested in 2013 and charged with making derogatory remarks about the Islamic Prophet Muhammed on social media. Under the country\'s harsh blasphemy law, he was sentenced on Saturday to death by hanging. | His lawyers claim he was framed by Islamic extremists for his liberal views, and said they plan to appeal the verdict. \"There can\'t be a fair…

RT (2019-12-21). What we know so far about Russia-Ukraine gas transit deal. rt.com After multiple rounds of talks, Russia and Ukraine have finally hammered out an extension to the current gas agreement that is set to expire at the end of the year. | While the agreement \"in principle\" was reached earlier this week, the sides revealed the key points on Saturday. Here are the details of the breakthrough deal. | Terms of agreement: | The new contract will ensure gas supplies to Europe for the next five years, and the deal might be further prolonged for another ten years. The deal stipulates the transit of 65 billion cubic meters of gas next year, and 40 billion cubic meters per year for…

RT (2019-12-21). Trump signs off on sanctions targeting Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. rt.com President Donald Trump has approved US sanctions against companies developing a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, which Washington claims endangers national security. | The sanctions, part of a larger defense spending bill Trump signed on Friday, aim to halt the construction of the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline under the Baltic Sea. | The new law will revoke US visas and freeze American properties owned by anyone who continues to work on the pipeline. | US lawmakers have argued that the project would make their European allies too dependent on Russian energy and give Moscow more leverage on the…

RT (2019-12-21). Civilians left behind as bias & double standards of West ruin 2 UNSC resolutions on humanitarian aid for Syria — Moscow. rt.com As the mainstream media pounds Moscow for \"vetoing aid for Syria,\" Russia\'s UN mission says there was no winner in the latest UN battle during which its own draft resolution was defeated by \"bias and double standards.\" | The Russian mission to the UN has offered their take on two rival resolutions on Syria which the Security Council rejected during a contentious Friday vote. | Read more | | Russia & China veto UN Security Council resolution on Syria truce that would\'ve protected terrorists from \'COMPLETE ANNIHILATION\' | One, drafted by Belgium, Ger…

RT (2019-12-21). \'They\'ll soon demand we stop breathing\': Moscow slams Nord Stream 2 sanctions, says US hinders economic growth. rt.com The US, a country with a mammoth national debt, is trying to prevent others from growing their economies, the Russian Foreign Ministry said following actions taking aim at the Russo-German Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. | Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova lashed out at the US\' crippling sanctions regarding the pipeline this Friday. | \"A state with a $22-trillion national debt prohibits creditworthy countries to develop the real sector of their economies!\" she wrote in a Facebook post, adding…

RT (2019-12-21). \'Hope you understand as a Native Indian\': Indian MP shreds Warren for criticizing canceled meeting with US reps over Kashmir. rt.com An Indian MP has taken US Senator Elizabeth Warren to task after she raised concerns about a canceled meeting between New Delhi and a fellow progressive lawmaker, poking fun at her self-declared Native American bona fides. | After Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar scrapped a scheduled meeting with US lawmakers — including Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) — during the 2+2 summit in Washington on Friday, Warren fired off a tweet calling \"efforts to silence\" the congresswoman \"deeply troubling.\" The tweet prompted a swift mocking response from BJP lawmaker Rajeev Chandrasekhar, arguing t…

RT (2019-12-21). EU companies legally doing business mustn\'t be targeted by any sanctions – European Commission on US move against Nord Stream 2. rt.com EU states are against any sanctions targeting its companies legally doing business, the EU Commission said, after the US rolled out a package of penalties against firms participating in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. | \"At the moment, the [European] Commission is studying the potential impact of these measures on European companies,\" a spokesperson for the EU body was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. | Brussels opposes sanctions that affect European firms doing business according to the law, the official stressed. The statement comes just a day after US sanctions — meant to hamper construct…

RT (2019-12-21). Moscow anti-doping lab\'s data accessed from outside Russia, former director gave files of unknown origin to WADA — probe. rt.com Moscow anti-doping lab\'s files were remotely altered by its former director, Grigory Rodchenkov, and his unidentified associates from US and German IP addresses, Russian investigators confirmed. | Ex-boss of Moscow lab fled to US in November 2015 becoming a star witness and main source of information for World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in its case against Moscow. | Earlier in December, WADA introduced harsh sanctions against Russia over the alleged manipulations with the data handed over to it by Russian doping watchdog, RUSADA, as part of its reinstatement process. | But the laboratory information management…

RT (2019-12-21). \'Sanctions just a hiccup\': Nord Stream 2 will be completed, & US knows it but cannot bear the thought — former US diplomat. rt.com The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is going to be completed despite the latest US sanctions, former US diplomat Jim Jatras told RT, adding that the last-ditch attempt to derail its launch is a gesture of despair by Washington. | The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, signed by US President Donald Trump into law on Friday, envisions harsh sanctions for the foreign contractors involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. | The bill gives the companies 30 days to wind down operations before they are put on a blacklist, their visas revoked and assets frozen. Allseas, a Swiss-Dutch company that has bee…

RT (2019-12-21). Big bully at work: Firm laying Nord Stream 2 pipeline halts all \'activities\' faced with \'crushing sanctions\' by US. rt.com Allseas, a Swiss-Dutch company laying the Nord Stream 2 pipeline off the Danish coast, has announced it is suspending its work and will pull out of the project after being faced with an avalanche of sanctions by the US. | The company, which operates two vessels installing deep-sea pipes for Nord Stream 2 on the bottom of the Baltic Sea, released its statement just before US President Donald Trump signed the mammoth 2020 National Defense Authorization Act into law on Friday night. The bill targets companies involved in the construction of the pipeline, giving them 30 days to wind down all operations unless they…

RT (2019-12-21). \'Interference in domestic affairs\': Germany fumes at US sanctions on Nord Stream 2 pipeline. rt.com Berlin has rejected a package of sweeping US sanctions meant to halt the construction of the German-Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, denouncing it as interference in its domestic affairs. | Germany \"has noticed with regret that the sanctions initiated by the US Congress against Nord Stream2 and Turkstream [pipelines] came into force after being signed by the US president,\" deputy government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer tweeted on Saturday. | The federal government rejects such extraterritorial…

RT (2019-12-21). 'A snap-shot laser beam!' Alex Ovechkin scores stunning wrist shot as Caps beat Devils 6-3 (VIDEO). rt.com Russian hockey superstar Alex Ovechkin celebrated his 900th game played in tandem with Nicklas Backstrom with a stunning strike as the Washington Capitals blew past the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. | Backstrom had a big night, netting twice and assisting with two more as he registered the 900th point of his career. But, not to be upstaged, Ovechkin found time to produce a moment of magic of his own. | \"Ovi\" broke down the right and, after receiving the puck via a smart layoff from Backstrom, fired unerringly through the legs of his teammate and high into the top corner of the net. | Through the legs, ups…

RT (2019-12-21). Turkish parliament approves military cooperation with Libya — report. rt.com Turkish lawmakers have ratified a defense and security memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Libya, state media has reported. The MoU on defense and security was hammered on November 27 between the senior government officials from two countries along with another deal on the delimitation of the maritime jurisdiction areas in the Mediterranean. The agreement outlines cooperation in defense and security, including establishing defense offices in each other\'s countries. The agreement also provides for training, the transfer of military hardware, and allows for joint exercises and intelligence. Ankara had signale…

RT (2019-12-21). Sleeping dragon no more: China about to replace US as strongest naval power and Washington is too late to stop it. rt.com China might soon shift the world naval balance and unseat the US as the modern master of the seas. The process appears to already be under way, and there is little that Washington can do about stopping it. | Visibly shaken by what it has seen on a photo showing just one of China\'s military shipyards near Shanghai, the business magazine Forbes recently told its readers an alarming story about the \"impressive rate\" and \"vast scale\" of Chinese naval modernization. | Today, China Changxing island pic.twitter.com/cxVmRiMjiQ— ÈæôÈæë&per…

RT (2019-12-21). US State Department \'firmly opposes\' ICC probe into Israeli war crimes allegations, insisting court lacks jurisdiction. rt.com US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has voiced \"firm\" opposition to a bid in the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged war crimes committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. | After nearly four years of preliminary investigation, the ICC\'s top prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said on Friday that the war crimes probe would be expanded into a full-scale inquiry, looking into whether Israel has carried out atrocities in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as Gaza. In a statement

RT (2019-12-21). CIA torture is \'snow secret\': Edward Snowden roasts CIA\'s feelgood holiday tweet. rt.com Every now and again the CIA does its best to appear relatable, and every time the agency gets put back in its place. Now, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden hijacked a festive tweet to slam the CIA\'s torture practices. | \"It\'s *snow secret* that we love winter,\" the clandestine agency tweeted on Saturday, marking the first day of winter in the US. | Snowden was acerbic in his response. \"It\'s *snow secret* that you tortured Gul Rahman for weeks at a black site, then chained him naked to a concrete floor until he died in the near-winter cold,\" he tweeted. | t.co/UjwEE3GXjb