Collapse of US charges against journalist raises serious questions about politically motivated prosecutions
Mohamed Elmaazi | thecanary.co | 2019-12-12
Washington DC police have dropped criminal charges against award-winning journalist Max Blumenthal, in a press-freedom story which has received scant media attention. | Blumenthal: The police \"threatened to break down my door\": | On 25 October 2019, Blumenthal was arrested in a morning raid by police who threatened to \"break down\" his door. Blumenthal, who co-founded independent media outlet t…
thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2019/12/12/collapse-of-us-charges-against-journalist-raises-serious-questions-about-politically-motivated-prosecutions/

Will the Democratic Presidential Nomination Be Bought?
Norman Solomon | indybay.org | 2019-12-12
Billionaires on a shopping spree…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/11/18828801.php

MN withstands -10 windchill to demand human rights at home and abroad
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-12-12
Minneapolis, MN – On December 10, 25 protesters rallied outside of Senator Amy Klobuchar\'s office to mark International Human Rights Day. After chanting outside the senator\'s office, Brad Sigal from the MN Immigrant Rights Action Committee addressed the crowd to draw attention to Trump\'s record of human rights abuses against immigrants. The protesters then marched in -10 degrees windchill to the legendary May Day Books in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. | Tracy Molm of the Anti-War Committee spoke at the closing rally inside the bookstore. \"On Human Rights Day we come together to call attention to human rights…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/12/11/mn-withstands-10-windchill-demand-human-rights-home-and-abroad

Uganda\'s First Fridays for Future Climate Striker Joins COP25 Protests in Madrid
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-12
As we broadcast from the U.N. climate summit in Madrid, Spain, we speak with climate activist Vanessa Nakate, who was Uganda\'s first Fridays for Future climate striker. \"I wanted to do something that would cause change to the lives of the people in my community and my country,\" she says. \"My country heavily depends on agriculture, therefore most of the people depend on agriculture. If our farms are destroyed by floods, if the farms are destroyed by droughts and crop production is less, that m…
truthout.org/video/ugandas-first-fridays-for-future-climate-striker-joins-cop25-protests-in-madrid/

Award-Winning Journalist Vanessa Beeley Faces \"Deplatforming\" at Six Canadian Venues
Michael Welch | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-12
Vanessa Beeley, the award-winning journalist who has gained notoriety for her on the ground reporting on the Syrian conflict has faced opposition in her efforts to speak to Canadian audiences at the invitation of local anti war activists. | According …
globalresearch.ca/award-winning-journalist-vanessa-beeley-faces-deplatforming-at-six-canadian-venues/5697546

Polluting Companies Are Sponsoring COP25 Talks in Exchange for Tax Breaks
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-12
Big polluters are to blame for slow progress in the annual UN climate negotiations in Madrid, Spain, according to activists — with several companies sponsoring the talks in exchange for tax breaks. | Sponsors of the talks, known as COP25, include the electrical utilities company Iberdrola, which produced 24.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 20…
truthout.org/articles/polluting-companies-are-sponsoring-cop25-talks-in-exchange-for-tax-breaks/

Trump attacks climate activist Thunberg after Time honor
Associated Press | peoplesworld.org | 2019-12-12
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump lashed out at 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg on Thursday, a day after she was named by Time as its Person of the Year, calling her selection \"ridiculous.\" The Swedish teenager has become a symbol of a growing movement of young climate activists after leading weekly school strikes in her country …
peoplesworld.org/article/trump-attacks-climate-activist-thunberg-after-time-honor/

Greta Thunberg Slams Response to Climate Crisis at COP25 as \"Creative PR\"
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-12
At the U.N. climate summit in Madrid, 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg addressed world leaders Wednesday, hours after she was named Time magazine\'s Person of the Year. Thunberg came to the talks after a trip to meet with climate leaders across North America in anticipation of the scheduled climate conference in Santiago, Chile, before the talks were abruptly moved to the Spanish capital. In her address, Thunberg warned that the planet\'s carbon budget is down to just eight years, an…
truthout.org/video/greta-thunberg-slams-response-to-climate-crisis-at-cop25-as-creative-pr/

Environmental Activists Target Exxon\'s Lead Attorney in Climate Liability Case, a Prominent Democratic Donor
Rachel M. Cohen | theintercept.com | 2019-12-12
Ted Wells Jr., who defended Exxon against a lawsuit by New York\'s attorney general, has given half a million dollars to Democrats in recent decades.
theintercept.com/2019/12/12/exxon-climate-lawsuit-democratic-donor/

Colombia\'s Peace Deal Paved the Way for Its Historic Protests
Miguel Salazar | thenation.com | 2019-12-12
Colombia\'s Peace Deal Paved the Way for Its Historic Protests…
thenation.com/article/colombia-strikes-duque/

No Israeli Peace, Joy or Goodwill at Christmastime for Palestinians
Jerome Irwin | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-12
Peace, Good Will and Joy on Earth at Christmas! But what does that mean for Palestine and Palestinians? Every year, on the 11th day of the 11th hour of the 11th month, the human spirit pauses to pay tribute to world peace, good will and joy towards all and commemorate that dark moment in modern…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/12/no-israeli-peace-joy-or-goodwill-at-christmastime-for-palestinians/

Ukraine Might Finally See Peace, Unless the US \'Deep State\' Sabotages It First
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-12
The intense diplomatic efforts undertaken by Presidents Putin and Zelensky finally yielded credible hope that peace might eventually return to Ukraine following their first-ever face-to-face meeting during this week\'s Normandy Summit in Paris, but the greatest obstacle that both leaders …
globalresearch.ca/ukraine-might-finally-see-peace-unless-us-deep-state-sabotages-it-first/5697531

Indian Government Strips Naturalization Rights From Muslims, Sparking Protests
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-12
Critics condemned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi\'s government Tuesday after the Lok Sabha, the lower chamber of the country\'s parliament, passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill, stripping naturalization rights granted to other groups from the nation\'s 200 million Muslims living in the world\'s largest democracy. | \"We are now moving closer to Modi\'s dream of an India where a Muslim will have to walk the streets of his country with his gaze lowered, where democracy will be a privilege some…
truthout.org/articles/indian-government-strips-naturalization-rights-from-muslims-sparking-protests/

From London to Beirut, From Santiago to New Delhi: Protesters Need to Build Solidarity Networks
Catherine Rottenberg — Neve Gordon | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-12
On Friday, December 1, two protest marches met in central London in what felt like a magical moment. A few thousand striking university lecturers had just reached the British Parliament at Westminster after marching from the Bloomsbury neighbourhood, when close to a thousand Extinction Rebellion teenagers came pouring down a parallel street and the two protests united. The…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/12/from-london-to-beirut-from-santiago-to-new-delhi-protesters-need-to-build-solidarity-networks/

Algeria: Presidential Elections Close With Very Low Attendance
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-12
Algeria\'s presidential elections, which the opposition has billed as a farce, were marked by massive protests and empty polling stations on Thursday. | RELATED: | Algerian Gov\'t Paves the Way for Foreign Financial Institutions | Polling stations closed their doors with little attendance from citizens after a day marked by massive demonstrations and the boycott of elections, especially in the northern region of Kabylia. | In Algiers, polls closed at 7: 00 p.m. (local time) with…
telesurenglish.net/news/Algeria-Presidential-Elections-Close-With-Very-Low-Attendance-20191212-0006.html

The U.S. Government Lied about the Afghanistan War, They Couldn\'t Have Done It Without Media Lapdogs
Ted Rall | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-12
\"In ten years or so, we\'ll leak the truth,\" the Dead Kennedys sang. \"But by then it\'s only so much paper.\" But it might just score you a Pulitzer Prize. Award bait and bragging rights are no doubt the principal goals of The Washington Post\'s self-congratulatory data dump, \"The Afghanistan Papers.\" As the headline implies,…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/12/the-u-s-government-lied-about-the-afghanistan-war-they-couldnt-have-done-it-without-media-lapdogs/

When You Follow the Gun Trail, You Can End Up in Expected Places
Robert Fisk | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-12
I\'ve always wanted to find out where the guns came from. Who were the \'willing accomplices\' to the wars I witnessed? In 1996, I traced to its Boeing makers in the deep south of the US a missile fired by the Israelis at a Lebanese ambulance. It killed two women and four children. I even…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/12/when-you-follow-the-gun-trail-you-can-end-up-in-expected-places/

Video: Militants Push Syrian Army Back in Southern Idlib
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-12
On December 11, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham\'s Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Army and the special forces unit, known as the \"Red Bands\", attacked and captured the area of al-Katibat al-Mahjura in southeastern Idlib. Units of the Syrian Army deployed there were caught …
globalresearch.ca/video-militants-push-syrian-army-back-southern-idlib/5697540

Libya Is Likely to Become a Proxy Battlefront Between Greece and Turkey
Paul Antonopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-12
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoƒüan has certainly opened up pandora\'s box in Libya that is now difficult for him to close after he made a series of gross miscalculations and aggression against Greece. This has triggered a crisis all across …
globalresearch.ca/libya-likely-become-proxy-battlefront-between-greece-turkey/5697536

Donald Trump\'s Big Abuses of Power Demand a Big Impeachment
Ralph Nader, Bruce Fein | thenation.com | 2019-12-12
Donald Trump\'s Big Abuses of Power Demand a Big Impeachment…
thenation.com/article/impeachment-constitution-abuse-power/

Money, Power and Turf: Winning the Middle East Media War at Any Cost
Ramzy Baroud | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-12
It is hardly surprising to see Middle Eastern countries at the bottom of the World Press Freedom Index, as the worst violators of freedom of the press. But equally alarming is the complete polarization of public opinion as a result of self-serving media and, bankrolled by rich Arab countries, whose only goal is to serve their specific, often sinister, agendas.
counterpunch.org/2019/12/12/money-power-and-turf-winning-the-middle-east-media-war-at-any-cost/

Trump signs executive order aimed at suppressing criticism of Israel
wsws.org | 2019-12-12
The purpose of the order signed Wednesday is to squelch free speech at publicly funded universities, targeting in particular the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/12/anti-d12.html

Sudanese Transitional Government Faces Profound Challenges
Abayomi Azikiwe | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-12
Interim Prime Abdallah Hamdok of the Republic of Sudan visited the United States during early December seeking to have sanctions lifted against his newly-created administration. | In meetings with members of Congress and the National Security Advisor Robert O\'Brien, who …
globalresearch.ca/sudanese-transitional-government-faces-profound-challenges/5697498

US Senate Committee Approves Sanctions Against Turkey
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-12
A U.S. Senate committee backed legislation on Wednesday to impose sanctions on Turkey after its offensive in Syria and purchase of a Russian S-400 missile system, the latest move in the chamber to push Republican President Donald Trump to take a harder line against Ankara. | RELATED: | US Military Finishes Pullback From Northeast Syria | The Republican-led Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted by 18-4 to send the \"Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act of 2019\" for a vote in the full Senate. | \"Now\'s the time for the Senate to come together and take this opportunit…
telesurenglish.net/news/US-Senate-Committee-Approves-Sanctions-Against-Turkey-20191212-0004.html

The video of Labour legend Tony Benn that captures the spirit we all need to have right now
Peter Bolton | thecanary.co | 2019-12-12
There\'s one hard-hitting speech from left-wing Labour legend Tony Benn that we all need to rewatch right now. Because it captures the spirit that we so badly need, both today and every day from here on out. | The struggle continues: | Benn gave the speech years after leaving parliament. And making an impassioned case for the need to keep up the fight for social protections and access to public services at all times, he stressed that: every single generation has to fight the same battles again…
thecanary.co/trending/2019/12/12/video-labour-legend-tony-benn-that-captures-the-spirit-we-all-need-to-have-right-now/

Turkey\'s Erdoğan threatens to send troops into Libya
wsws.org | 2019-12-12
With Ankara and Moscow backing rival regimes in the ravaged country, any escalation threatens to spill over into a far wider and more dangerous war.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/12/liby-d12.html

Bolivia: The 21st Century Coup d\'État and Its Crimes Against Humanity
Alex Anfruns | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-12
After the coup d\'état, repression is advancing by leaps and bounds in Bolivia. The dictatorship persecutes the \"narco-traffickers\", \"vandals\" and \"terrorists\", that is to say: the social movements, former members of the government, peasants and indigenous people who demonstrate and …
globalresearch.ca/bolivia-21st-century-coup-crimes-against-humanity/5697518

Papers Owned By Oligarchs Unsurprisingly Oppose a Wealth Tax
Joshua Cho | commondreams.org | 2019-12-12
It\'s no surprise that the Journal\'s editorial board published an obtuse \"open letter\" mocking \"patriotic billionaires\" who support a wealth tax, implying that they\'re hypocrites for not voluntarily \"writing checks\" to the government instead of \"waiting for legislation.\" (Photo: Screenshot) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/screen_shot_2019-12-12_at_11.54.44_am.png …
commondreams.org/views/2019/12/12/papers-owned-oligarchs-unsurprisingly-oppose-wealth-tax?cd-origin=rss

Progressives Rebel as House Hands Trump War Spending Package
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-12
The House voted 377-48 to advance a $738 billion military spending authorization package on Wednesday despite a rebellion among progressive Democrats angered by the loss of provisions that would have curtailed endless wars and put President Trump\'s most violent foreign policy ambitions in check. | The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is often described by the dominant media as a \"must-pass\" piece of legislation glowing with bipartisanship, but this year negotiations were different. Democrats clashed…
truthout.org/articles/progressives-rebel-as-house-hands-trump-war-spending-package/

NATO Summit — and 2020 Planned Aggression
Peter Koenig | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-12
A recent article \" NATO is Brain Dead\" described the obsolescence Of NATO and NATO\'s defense mechanisms against non-existence enemies. Amazing — with pretense of protection and security in Europe and the world, against Russia and China and fighting | …
globalresearch.ca/nato-summit-2020-planned-aggression/5697496

NATO Secretary General Targets \'Rising China\': Why Cold War Newspeak Never Went Away
Cynthia Chung | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-12
On December 3rd, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that NATO must address the \"security implications\" of China\'s rise as a \"military power\", and in true Orwellian doublespeak, insisted that he did not want to make an adversary …
globalresearch.ca/nato-secretary-general-targets-rising-china/5697526

US renews insults and threats against North Korea
wsws.org | 2019-12-12
The Trump administration has made clear that it has no intention of meeting North Korea\'s end-of-year deadline for meaningful talks, thus setting the stage for confrontation and conflict.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/12/nkor-d12.html

USA Still Lying on Imperialist Motive in Afghan war
DLI | indybay.org | 2019-12-12
The recent release of an Inspector General\'s report on the 18-year(and counting!) Afghan war found lies and deceit by 3 consecutive White House administrations(Bush, Obama and Trump) are at the heart of the longest US war in its 243 years of history. And its $Trillion + cost–along with the other Imperialist aggression in Iraq–will be the most expensive overseas misadventure since 1776!
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/12/18828821.php

Zealots in High Office
James A Haught | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-12
Back in 2003, in a top-secret international phone call, President George W. Bush urged French President Jacques Chirac to join America in invading Iraq on grounds that Christian nations must thwart the Satanic forces of Gog and Magog. Chirac was baffled by such crackpottery. A few French newspapers wrote derisive sneers about the born-again U.S.
counterpunch.org/2019/12/12/zealots-in-high-office/

The Warfare State Lied About Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. They Will Lie Again
Tho Bishop | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-12
Today the Washington Post published a bombshell report titled \"The Afghanistan Papers,\" highlighting the degree to which the American government lied to the public about the ongoing status of the war in Afghanistan. Within the thousands of pages, consisting …
globalresearch.ca/warfare-state-lied-about-afghanistan-iraq-syria-they-will-lie-again/5697528

Thursday\'s Daily Brief: South Sudan floods, Somalis leave Yemen, LATAM economic slowdown
news.un.org | 2019-12-12
In today\'s Daily Brief: Flooding could push millions in South Sudan into humanitarian crisis, Somalis return home from war-torn Yemen; historically low growth in Latin American and Caribbean economies; UN\'s top court will deliberate on Myanmar genocide accusations; and alpinism\'s classified a \"cultural treasure\".
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053411

Trump Signs EO Saying Judaism Is Now A Nationality, New Toothless NDAA Allows Yemen & Iran Wars
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-12-12
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 (12/11/19). 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 …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/trump-signs-eo-saying-judaism-is-now-a-nationality-new-toothless-ndaa-allows-yemen-iran-wars/

Colombian Police to be Investigated for Excessive Use of Force
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-12
The Attorney General of Colombia stated on Wednesday that it will conduct an investigation into what happened on Tuesday when agents of the questioned Mobile Riot Squadron ( Esmad ) of the National Police detained two young men and transported them in private vehicles. | RELATED: | Colombia: Medellin Will Host a Concert Pro National Strike | The Public Ministry indicated that it will open the preliminary inquiry without determining the agents subject to prosecution because the name…
telesurenglish.net/news/Colombian-Police-to-be-Investigated-for-Excessive-Use-of-Force-20191212-0001.html

Unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Mali revealed in new report
news.un.org | 2019-12-12
Escalating violence and insecurity in Mali have sparked an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, rendering 3.9 million people in need of assistance and protection — an increase of 700,000 since the beginning of the year, the UN said on Thursday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053391

Evo Morales Arrived in Argentina to Request Political Asylum
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-12
Bolivia\'s former President Evo Morales, who was forced to resign after the mutiny of his country\'s security forces, arrived in Argentina as a refugee. | RELATED: | Bolivia One Month After the Coup: A Recount of Pivotal Events | \"He comes to stay in Argentina because he arrives as an asylee and then he will have refugee status,\" Argentina\'s Foreign Affairs Minister F…
telesurenglish.net/news/Evo-Morales-Arrived-in-Argentina-to-Request-Political-Asylum-20191212-0005.html

Is the Democrats\' impeachment effort too narrowly focused?
C.J. Atkins | peoplesworld.org | 2019-12-12
Among liberals, many centrists, and almost everyone on the left, there is agreement that Donald Trump has committed acts that merit impeachment and removal from the presidency. Given his conduct in life as a corrupt businessman, crooked real estate tycoon, serial womanizer, and outspoken racist, it was almost pre-ordained that as president he would abuse …
peoplesworld.org/article/is-the-democrats-impeachment-effort-too-narrowly-focused/

Pride Goeth Before the Fall
George Ochenski | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-12
The hammer of impeachment is finally falling on Donald Trump\'s occupancy of the White House. For many, it\'s taken far too long to get to the point where an obviously corrupt individual with a very long record of shady dealings, illicit financial transactions and bankruptcies now faces a process in which he has no control.
counterpunch.org/2019/12/12/pride-goeth-before-the-fall/

The impeachment crisis and its political consequences
wsws.org | 2019-12-12
Regardless of the its final outcome in the House and Senate, the impeachment proceedings will have reactionary and dangerous repercussions.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/12/pers-d12.html

Impeachment Eve Vigil
Lenny Siegel | indybay.org | 2019-12-12
Gateway Park, Castro Street and El Camino Real, Mountain View…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/11/18828806.php

Judiciary Panel Takes First Steps Toward Impeachment Vote
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-12-12
WASHINGTON — The House Judiciary Committee took the first steps Wednesday evening toward voting on articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, beginning a marathon two-day session to consider the historic charges. | The Judiciary meeting is to mark up, or amend, the two articles of impeachment that Democrats introduced Tuesday. Those articles charge Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine. | The articles aren\'t expected to be changed, though, as Democrats are unlikely to accept any amendments proposed by Republicans unified against Trump\'s impea…
truthdig.com/articles/judiciary-panel-takes-first-steps-toward-impeachment-vote/

Author Talk: Peter Kalmus on \"Being the Change: Live Well & Spark a Climate Revolution\"
BPBNSP | indybay.org | 2019-12-12
Book Passage Bookstore & Cafe in the Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Building Ste 42, San Francisco, California 94111…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/11/18828816.php

We Can\'t Do It Ourselves
Kris De Decker | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-12
How to live a more sustainable life? This question generates a lot of debate that is focused on what individuals can do in order to address problems like climate change. For example, people are encouraged to shop locally, to buy organic food, to install home insulation, or to cycle more often. But how effective is individual…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/12/we-cant-do-it-ourselves/

Most Americans Support Phasing-Out Fossil Fuels…Isn\'t That Worth a Headline?
Basav Sen | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-12
Last month, The Washington Post reported on the results of a poll it conducted with the Kaiser Family Foundation earlier this year. The poll had remarkable finding: nearly half — 46 percent — of American adults believe the U.S. needs to \"drastically reduce\" fossil fuel use in the near future to address the climate crisis, while another 41…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/12/most-americans-support-phasing-out-fossil-fuels-isnt-that-worth-a-headline/

\'Embrace the transformation\' to a carbon-neutral world by 2050, UN chief tells COP25
news.un.org | 2019-12-12
With millions of workers increasingly affected by the climate crisis the route to securing livelihoods in the future lies in a wholesale transformation of how we power the planet and manage our resources, the UN chief said on Thursday, at a COP25 climate action event focused on greener jobs.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053331

Outrage as UN Climate Talks Kick Out Civil Society, Not the Polluters
Andy Rowell | commondreams.org | 2019-12-12
The statement highlighted that this had never happened before in 25 years of negotiations, but yet, there \"could be no better symbol of this crisis we face. People around the world are crying out for justice, and fighting oppression, while those in power attempt to shut us out.\" (Photo: Theo C. Mouze via Twitter) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/screen_shot_2019-12-12_at_10.21.59_am.png …
commondreams.org/views/2019/12/12/outrage-un-climate-talks-kick-out-civil-society-not-polluters?cd-origin=rss

Jeremy Corbyn faces Russiagate smear campaign before UK vote
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-11
Jeremy Corbyn, a real progressive, could win UK\'s elections. Max Blumenthal joins Pushback to discuss how powerful forces are trying…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/11/jeremy-corbyn-faces-russiagate-smear-campaign-before-uk-vote/

Israeli Troops Invade West Bank; Abduct Seven Palestinians
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2019-12-11
In pre-dawn raids on Wednesday, Israeli forces invaded several parts of the West Bank, driving into sleeping towns and refugee camps and forcing residents out of bed, abducting seven and ransacking a number of homes. They also fired tear gas to disperse residents of the invaded areas who had come …
imemc.org/article/israeli-troops-invade-west-bank-abduct-seven-palestinians/

Julian Assange, Thanks for Warning Japanese About Washington
Joseph Essertier | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-11
\"The hostility or fear against WikiLeaks that resides in these arguments [about whether to publish or not] comes from a philosophy that these things should be kept between the people in question and not revealed, so as not to disturb smooth diplomacy.\" The WikiLeaks shock has retaught us a basic principle of journalism, he adds.
counterpunch.org/2019/12/11/julian-assange-thanks-for-warning-japanese-about-washington/

Corporate media silent on journalists\' letter demanding freedom for Julian Assange
wsws.org | 2019-12-11
The media blackout continues the nine-year collaboration of major outlets in the US-led campaign to smear, vilify and silence the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/11/medi-d11.html

SEP (UK) candidate Dennis Leech speaks at hustings in Manchester
wsws.org | 2019-12-11
Leech emphasised the global campaign to free WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and prevent his extradition to the US.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/11/hust-d11.html

Will the Democratic Presidential Nomination Be Bought?
Norman Solomon | indybay.org | 2019-12-11
Billionaires on a shopping spree…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/11/18828801.php

Plutocrats Are Trying to Buy the Democratic Nomination
Norman Solomon | truthdig.com | 2019-12-11
From three different vectors, the oligarchy is on the march to capture the Democratic presidential nomination. Pete Buttigieg has made big gains. A timeworn ally of corporate power, Joe Biden, is on a campaign for his last hurrah. And Michael Bloomberg is swooping down from plutocratic heights. | Those three men are a team of rivals–each fiercely competitive for an individual triumph, yet arrayed against common ideological foes named Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. | The obvious differences between Buttigieg, Biden and Bloomberg are apt to distract from their underlying political similarities. Fundamen…
truthdig.com/articles/plutocrats-are-trying-to-buy-the-democratic-nomination/

US-backed parties have infiltrated Lebanon\'s protests, pushing the country toward war amid economic collapse
Rania Khalek | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-11
By joining the roadblocks around Beirut, protesters allowed themselves to be used by US-allied parties playing a dangerous game that…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/11/us-parties-lebanon-protests-pushing-country-war-roadblocks/

Riot Police Attack Peaceful Protesters in Colombian Capital
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
On Tuesday, the Mobile Riot Squadron ( Esmad ) carried out attacks against the protesters who were peacefully demonstrating at the National University of Colombia in the capital city of Bogotá. | RELATED: | Colombia: UN Denounces Murder Of 86 Human Rights Defenders | According to reports from social activists, the attacks against the protesters who participated in the peaceful demonstrations began shortly after they gathered at the university in the Colombian capital. | The people…
telesurenglish.net/news/Riot-Police-Attack-Peaceful-Protesters-in-Colombian-Capital-20191211-0005.html

Protesters Call for Climate Justice at the Peoples\' Summit in Chile
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-11
Overshadowed by events in Madrid, where the United Nations COP25 conference is taking place, activists in the Chilean capital, Santiago, are eager that social justice becomes more central to international climate discussions. On December 2, the first day of COP25, more than 100 environmental groups launched a parallel conference in Santiago. And on Friday, several thousand people participated in a series of marches organized by these groups and their allies. | The week-long Peoples\' Summit drew climate…
truthout.org/articles/protesters-call-for-climate-justice-at-the-peoples-summit-in-chile/

Thunberg \'a Bit Surprised\' to Be Time \'Person of the Year\'
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-12-11
The Swedish activist who has sparked a youth climate protest movement after starting a solo protest is the youngest at 16 to earn the honor.
truthdig.com/articles/thunberg-a-bit-surprised-to-be-time-person-of-the-year/

Majority of Mexicans See United States as Greatest Threat, New Poll Shows
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-11
This is not the first time that a US-based outfit has concluded that the US government is a menace to other countries. A 2014 survey of world public opinion found that the United States was overwhelmingly considered the greatest threat to world peace.
mintpressnews.com/mexico-united-states-greatest-threat-poll-shows/263358/

Colombia: Medellin Will Host a Concert Pro National Strike
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
A student assembly of the University of Antioquia summoned at least 30 local bands to play in Medellin, on December 22nd in support of the national strike, as it happened previously in Bogota with the concert \'A song for Colombia\'. | RELATED: | Riot Police Attack Peaceful Protesters in Colombian Capital | The show \"will not only be musical, but will be mixed with comparsas (carnival singers)\", Alejandra Montoya, one of the organizers of the ev…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-medillin-will-host-a-concert-pro-national-strike-20191211-0012.html

On International Human Rights Day, Oppose U.S. Coup in Bolivia and Global Lawlessness: Black Alliance for Peace (BAP)
Black Alliance for Peace | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
December 10, 2019, on this day 71 years ago the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was launched by the United Nations. The Declaration reflected the agreed-upon principles that were expected to usher in a new period in which this …
globalresearch.ca/international-human-rights-day-congressional-black-caucus-oppose-u-s-coup-bolivia-global-lawlessness/5697368

Indian Parliament Passes Controversial Citizenship Law
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
India\'s ruling Hindu nationalist government on Wednesday won parliamentary approval for a far-reaching citizenship law that critics say undermines the country\'s secular constitution, as protests against the legislation intensified. | RELATED: | India\'s \'Anti-Muslim\' Citizenship Bill Sparks Mass Protests | The Citizenship Amendment Bill seeks to grant Indian nationality to Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Parsis and Sikhs who fled Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before 20…
telesurenglish.net/news/Indian-Parliament-Passes-Controversial-Citizenship-Law–20191211-0008.html

Algerian Gov\'t Paves the Way for Foreign Financial Institutions
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
Algeria\'s Interim President Abdelkader Bensalah Wednesday signed the \"finance law\" which defines the 2020 fiscal budget, reduces public spending, eliminates some conditions for foreign investments, and allows indebtedness with International Financial Institutions (IFIs). | RELATED: | Algeria: Protesters Rally Against Dec. 12 Presidential Election | This hap…
telesurenglish.net/news/Algerian-Govt-Paves-the-Way-for-Foreign-Financial-Institutions-20191211-0006.html

Operation Condor 2.0 Expanded
Peter Koenig | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-12-11
According to US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, the US will help \"legitimate governments\" in Latin America, in order to prevent protests from \"morphing into riots\". From what we are seeing this \"legitimization\" may be expanded to rest of the world. Because Washington-instigated destabilizing unrest goes on throughout the world. We may as well call …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/12/operation-condor-2-0-expanded/

Sudan\'s Withdrawal from Yemen Is Part of Its Alignment with the U.S
Paul Antonopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
In an October article, I made the argument that Yemen has become Saudi Arabia\'s \"Vietnam\" because despite their technological, demographical and economical advantage over Yemen, it has completely failed to break the Yemeni resistance, headed by the Houthi-led Ansarullah …
globalresearch.ca/sudan-withdrawal-yemen-alignment-u-s/5697470

Russia\'s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov\'s \"Timely Visit\" to Washington. Coincides with House Impeachment Procedure. Discusses \"Russiagate\" with Trump in Oval Office
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov met with Pompeo at the State Department as well as Trump in the White House Oval Office. | Several issues discussed including \"Russiagate\" | [Careful timing?: | \"House Democrats will begin work on completing their articles of | …
globalresearch.ca/russia-sergey-lavrov-washington/5697449

Elected by Donors: How the University of Cape Town Was Bullied into Embracing Israel
Ramzy Baroud | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-11
While the story may only seem relevant in South Africa\'s political and academic contexts, in reality, it exemplifies the nature of a brewing war between supporters of Palestinian rights and Israeli interests, worldwide.
mintpressnews.com/university-cape-town-south-africa-bullied-embracing-israel/263383/

Documentary about journalist Robert Fisk a highlight of Toronto International Film Festival
Bill Meyer | peoplesworld.org | 2019-12-11
TORONTO–One of the most progressive films at the Toronto International Film Festival this year was a National Film Board of Canada documentary, This Is Not a Movie, celebrating the work of lifelong foreign correspondent Robert Fisk. For more than 40 years, he\'s reported on some of the most violent and divisive conflicts in the world. …
peoplesworld.org/article/documentary-about-journalist-robert-fisk-a-highlight-of-toronto-international-film-festival/

Brazil\'s Senate Advances Bill That May Send Lula Back to Prison
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
Brazil\'s Senate took a step on Tuesday toward restoring mandatory imprisonment for convicts after they lose their first appeal, a move that could return former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to jail for corruption. | RELATED: | Brazil: Opposition Accuses Bolsonaro Before UN for Censorship | President Jair Bolsonaro attends a promotion ceremony for generals in Brasilia, Brazil, Dec. 9, 2019. | Photo: Reuters | The Senate\'s constitution and justice committee voted 22-…
telesurenglish.net/news/Brazils-Senate-Advances-Bill-That-May-Send-Lula-Back-to-Prison-20191211-0001.html

Trump-Pelosi Trade Maneuvers: The New NAFTA 2.0, China Tariffs, and Brazil-Argentina Steel
Dr. Jack Rasmus | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
According to the corporate media, revisions to the USMCA demanded …
globalresearch.ca/trump-pelosi-trade-maneuvers-the-new-nafta-2-0-china-tariffs-and-brazil-argentina-steel/5697373

Brazilian Workers Party backs Bolsonaro\'s draconian \"anti-crime\" bill
wsws.org | 2019-12-11
The vote has shattered the year-long claim by Bolsonaro\'s opposition that it represents some kind of democratic \"resistance\".
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/11/braz-d11.html

The Most Significant Afghanistan Papers Revelation
Caitlin Johnstone | theantimedia.com | 2019-12-11
The Washington Post has published undeniable evidence that the US government has been lying to the public about the war in Afghanistan.
theantimedia.com/most-significant-afghanistan-papers-revelation/

Leadership Strips Approved Antiwar Measures From NDAA
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2019-12-11
The final version makes no attempt to rein in the military in any serious way.
theantimedia.com/leadership-strips-approved-antiwar-measures-from-ndaa/

Who Will Protect Us From an Unpatriotic Patriot Act?
John W. Whitehead | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-11
\"It is the responsibility of the patriot to protect his country from its government.\" — Thomas Paine While Congress subjects the nation to its impeachment-flavored brand of bread-and-circus politics, our civil liberties continue to die a slow, painful death by a thousand cuts. Case in point: while Americans have been fixated on the carefully orchestrated…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/11/who-will-protect-us-from-an-unpatriotic-patriot-act/

Impeachment: It\'s not just about Trump but also deepening democracy
Joe Sims | peoplesworld.org | 2019-12-11
This is truly an extraordinary moment. Now, for only the fourth time in U.S. history, a president faces impeachment. Impeachment is a huge people\'s victory. And let\'s be clear–it is a victory born of struggle. The American people from many different walks of life compelled the House of Representatives to take this step. It may not …
peoplesworld.org/article/impeachment-its-not-just-about-trump-but-also-deepening-democracy/

Are These Two Articles of Impeachment the Best the Democrats Can Do?
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-11
When the House Democratic leadership announced on Tuesday morning that only two articles of impeachment will be charged against Donald Trump — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — I was ready to start flipping tables and punching holes in the drywall. | After everything that has transpired in the three years since that wad of pub cheese first darkened the White House doorstep, after all the…
truthout.org/articles/are-these-two-articles-of-impeachment-the-best-the-democrats-can-do/

Democrats release articles of impeachment against Trump on \"national security\" grounds
wsws.org | 2019-12-11
The articles of impeachment assert that the president \"betrayed the nation\" and \"compromised the national security of the United States\" by temporarily delaying military aid to Ukraine.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/11/impe-d11.html

Impeachment Eve Vigil
Lenny Siegel | indybay.org | 2019-12-11
Gateway Park, Castro Street and El Camino Real, Mountain View…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/11/18828806.php

Death Toll from New Zealand Volcano Eruption Rises to 8
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
New Zealand officials lifted the death toll from this week\'s volcano eruption to eight on Thursday after two victims died in hospital, as ongoing seismic activity prevented teams from accessing the island to recover bodies. | RELATED: | Peru Announces State of Emergency After Volcano Displaces 1,300 | Authorities said eight bodies remained on the islan…
telesurenglish.net/news/Death-Toll-from-New-Zealand-Volcano-Eruption-Rises-to-8-20191211-0013.html

Venezuela Oil Production Continues Slow Recovery
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-11
According to state oil company PDVSA, production is again approaching one million barrels per day.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14744

PG&E reaches minimal $13.5 billion settlement with victims of Californian fires
wsws.org | 2019-12-11
If approved, the deal will do nothing to make victims and their families whole, and will position PG&E to qualify for a $21 billion state wildfire fund to bail them out of future liabilities.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/11/pgae-d11.html

Chevron to Write Down Assets by at Least $10 Billion, Elevating Investor Concern
commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
______________________________…
commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/11/chevron-write-down-assets-least-10-billion-elevating-investor-concern?cd-origin=rss

\'Tax the Rich\' Is No Longer Just a Political Slogan
Jim Hightower | commondreams.org | 2019-12-11
Years of rank avarice and arrogance have caught up with the superrich and their enablers, turning \"billionaire\" into a synonym for \"thief\" and focusing rising public anger on the inequality they\'ve fostered.(Photo: Austin Kirk/flickr/cc) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/money_11.jpeg …
commondreams.org/views/2019/12/11/tax-rich-no-longer-just-political-slogan?cd-origin=rss

Video: President al-Assad: Europe Was the Main Player in Creating Chaos in Syria
Bashar al Assad | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
President Bashar al-Assad said that Syria is going to come out of the war stronger and the future of Syria is promising and the situation is much better, pointing out to the achievements of the Syrian Arab army in the …
globalresearch.ca/video-president-al-assad-europe-main-player-creating-chaos-syria/5697395

Chile: Senate Approves Indictment of Former Interior Minister
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
The two parts of the constitutional accusation obtained 23 votes in favor and 18 against, mostly from the former minister\'s right-wing allies. | The first part of the accusation against Chadwick points to the violation of the \"Constitution and laws, omitting effective measures to prevent the violation of human rights and not having maintained public order in a rational manner.\" | The second and final chapter pointed to the violation of the Constitution \"by declaring a state of emergency and having allowed events not contemplated in this figure. He is accused of restricting the freedom of movement and assembly…
telesurenglish.net/news/Chile-Senate-Approves-Indictment-of-Former-Interior-Minister-20191211-0016.html

Argentina and Cuba Agree to Increase Food and Medicine Exchange
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez and his Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Canel met Wednesday in Buenos Aires to speak about bilateral relations, agreeing to continue and expand the exchange of food and medicine between both nations. | RELATED: | Argentina: President Fernandez Calls for a New Social Compact | \"The heads of state stressed the importance of increasing the exchange of medicine and food, with special emphasis on generic drugs for senior adults in our country,\" Ar…
telesurenglish.net/news/Argentina-and-Cuba-Agree-to-Increase-Food-and-Medicine-Exchange-20191211-0014.html

\'Bolivian Coup Plotters to Be Tried for Massacres\' Morales Says
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
Bolivia\'s former President Evo Morales Wednesday said that the main actors involved in the coup d\'etat against him will be tried for the massacres committed in Sacaba and Senkala. | RELATED: | Evo Morales Vows to Return to Bolivia After Right-Wing Coup | The Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) leader highlighted the preliminary results of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) special mission, which confirmed killings in Cochabamba and El Alto during the coup d\'etat i…
telesurenglish.net/news/Bolivian-Coup-Plotters-to-Be-Tried-for-Massacres-Morales-Says-20191211-0011.html

Constitutional Accusation Against Chilean President Goes Ahead
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
A constitutional accusation filed by opposition parties against President Sebastian Piñera was approved today by a committee of deputies, as the first step in that process. | RELATED: | Chile Denounces Over 350 Eye Injuries On Human Rights Day | The Committee, formed by five legislators of the Socialist, Communist and Christian Democratic parties (opposition), as well as the National Renewal and Independent Democratic Union parties of the ruling coalition, supported by three votes…
telesurenglish.net/news/Constitutional-Accusation-Against-Chilean-President-Goes-Ahead-20191211-0010.html

Chile Expands Search Operation for Missing Plane in Drake Sea
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
Chile\'s Armed Forces Wednesday announced that they are expanding the search operation for the Air Force C130 Hercules aircraft that disappeared on its way to Antarctica with 38 people on board on Monday. There are no clues to the location of the plane or indications of what happened so far. | RELATED: | Chilean Military Aircraft Crashes Near Southern Coast: 38 Dead | A greater number of officers will be involved in searching for the crashed plane in the Sea of Brake, which is on…
telesurenglish.net/news/Chile-Expands-Search-Operation-for-Missing-Plane-in-Drake-Sea-20191211-0009.html

Venezuela Charges 509 Human Rights Violators: Attorney General
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
The Venezuelan Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, said Tuesday that since the start of this administration, the Public Ministry (MP) has charged 509 alleged human rights violaters in the Bolivarian Republic. | RELATED: | \'OAS Is Major Human Rights Violator Against Venezuela\' Dussan | \"770 have been charged for crimes such as homicide, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, illegitimate deprivation of liberty, and domicile violations among others. Of that total, 131 conviction…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-Charges-509-Human-Rights-Violators-Attorney-General-20191211-0003.html

Mexico\'s Ex-Head Of Public Security Took Bribes From Cartel
teleSUR, jg | telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-11
The former Mexican Head of Public Security was arrested in the United States this week after he was accused of conspiring to smuggle cocaine and accepting multi-million dollar bribes to protect jailed drug trafficker Joaquin \"El Chapo\" Guzman of the Sinaloa cartel. | RELATED: | US, Canada, and Mexico Sign Trade Deal Again to Replace NAFTA | The U.S. Dep…
telesurenglish.net/news/ex-mexican-head-of-public-security-took-bribes-from-drug-cartel-20191210-0022.html

North Korea missile tests \'deeply troubling\': senior UN official
news.un.org | 2019-12-11
Recent developments concerning North Korea\'s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes are \"deeply troubling\", the UN\'s Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific said on Wednesday, briefed the Security Council.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053281

UPS Teamsters across country mourn co-worker murdered by cops
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-12-11
Miami, FL – UPS Teamsters across the country are participating in a nationwide moment of silence today, December 9, for #Frank Ordonez, the 27-year-old UPS package car driver killed in a police shootout after being taken hostage by armed robbers. Many Teamsters are questioning the tactics used by police, noting that the officers\' trigger-happy actions were not normal for a hostage situation and resulted in not only the death of Frank Ordonez but the death of union representative Rick Cutshaw and endangered the lives of many others. | The moment of silence took place at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, the time Frank Ordonez\'…
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/12/10/ups-teamsters-across-country-mourn-co-worker-murdered-cops

White Helmets Founder Was Allegedly Assassinated, Turkish Report
Nauman Sadiq | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
Speculation is rife in the local Turkish media that the founder of the White Helmets, James Le Mesurier, might have been running away from someone before he fell or was pushed to his death in a case that was …
globalresearch.ca/white-helmets-founder-allegedly-assassinated-turkish-report/5697365

Last Straw as Teachers in France Join Nationwide Strike
Danica Jorden | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-11
One of the many groups taking part in the massive general strike in France this week, and joining forces with the year-long Yellow Jackets movement, are the country\'s public school teachers. The \"coup de grâce\" for teachers was the Macron …
globalresearch.ca/teachers-france-join-nationwide-strike/5697402

Food Stamps Saved My Life
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-12-11
You may have heard about the Trump administration\'s latest attack on very poor Americans: a punitive new restriction that will cut SNAP benefits for 688,000 people. SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is our country\'s most popular and effective nutrition assistance program. | Growing up, my family got food stamps — and oh, I hated it. I hated standing in line at the grocery store, knowing we\'d be paying with coupons that would brand us as \"poo…
truthdig.com/articles/food-stamps-saved-my-life/

BDS: The Full Menu of Rights
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-11
12-10-19 / Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) / Palestine On the anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and UN Resolution 194 affirming Palestinian refugees\' right to return to their homes, the BDS movement insists on \"the full menu of rights\" for the indigenous Palestinians. Exactly 71 years ago, …
imemc.org/article/bds-the-full-menu-of-rights/