(2019-12-27). 'Bombshell' Glosses Over the Horrors of Fox News. truthdig.com "You will be muzzled," the lawyer for Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) warns her at the end of "Bombshell," as the former Fox News anchor signs a $20 million settlement of a sexual harassment suit against her former boss, ex-Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes. The lawyer could have been speaking about the movie. | Carlson sued Ailes in 2015, which led other women, including fellow anchor Megyn Kelly, to reveal that he assaulted them too. "Bombshell" unfolds over late 2015, in the…
(2019-12-27). 'Climate tariffs' on fracked 'molecules of freedom': German think tank wants to punish US for sanctions against Nord Stream 2. rt.com 
US sanctions against the 'Russian' Nord Stream 2 pipeline have caused widespread anger in Germany, with even critics of the project now ironically seeking to slap the American 'molecules of freedom' with an eco-tax in reprisal. | The prospect of "crushing sanctions" included in the funding the US military, signed by President Donald Trump last week, has already compelled the Swiss-Dutch company Allseas to halt construction on the last remaining portion of the pipeline, which runs under the Baltic Sea, from Russia to Germany.
(2019-12-27). Israel's Embattled Netanyahu Wins by Landslide in Primary. truthdig.com He could get a third chance to form a government in March election. A win then would give him immunity on the corruption charges he faces.
(2019-12-26). Nancy Pelosi's Scripted Impeachment Failure. Or, …Leading the Dems from Blue… to Yellow! globalresearch.ca For the voter, the Democratic Party no longer has any interest in performing its function as an opposition party. The charade of purported constitutional jurisprudence seen in the US House impeachment hearings should forever confirm this. This degradation of political …
(2019-12-26). Argentina: Evo Morales to Join the Plaza de Mayo Mothers' March. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's President in exile Evo Morales will join the traditional march that the Plaza de Mayo Mothers perform every Thursday to remember those who were disappeared, tortured and killed by the military dictatorship (1976-1983) in Argentina. | RELATED: | Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo Identify 130th Missing Grandchild | This will be the 2,176th march t…
(2019-12-26). WaPo's Afghan Papers Propagate Colonial Narrative of Noble Intentions Gone Awry. fair.org 
by Joshua Cho Washington Post ( 12/9/19) | In an earlier article (FAIR.org, 12/18/19) regarding the Washington Post's Afghanistan Papers ( 12/9/19), I discussed how…
(2019-12-26). Headlines for December 26, 2019. democracynow.org Murkowski "Disturbed" by McConnell's "Coordination" with White House for Impeachment Trial, Trump Attacks Windmills with a Series of False Claims, The Intercept: Bloomberg Used Prison Labor to Make 2020 Campaign Calls, Thousands of Syrian Civilians Flee Government Offensive in Idlib, 35 Civilians Killed in Attack in Burkina Faso, China Calls on U.S. to Take "Concrete Steps" Toward Peace with North Korea, At Least 21 Killed as Typhoon Phanfone Slams into the Philippines, U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Recalled After Criticizing Criminalization of Homosexuality, Evo Morales Vows to Return to Bolivia by Next Christmas, H…
(2019-12-26). Christmas & New Year Music Mixes For The Activists. indybay.org For the music lovers who are activists feel free to click on the links below to download some free music from my personal stash of music for the Christmas and New Year holidays!
(2019-12-26). Ronaldo slid into my DMs but I didn't reply, claims Russian Instagram stunner as she reveals messages to Neymar. rt.com 
Russian model Viktoria Odintcova claims she once rebuffed Cristiano Ronaldo after the football megastar slid into her Instagram DMs, also saying she is currently in contact with Neymar. | Brunette stunner Odintcova — known as Viki — is famed for her incredible curves, which she regularly flaunts to her 5 million Instagram followers. | When asked on Russian YouTube show 'Makarena' whether anyone as famous as Ronaldo had ever 'liked' one of her posts, she replied: | "That happened… He (Ronaldo) even wrote to me. It wa…
(2019-12-26). Iraq President Offers to Quit After Rejecting PM Nominee. truthdig.com BAGHDAD — Iraq's president refused on Thursday to designate a prime minister candidate nominated by the Iran-backed parliamentary bloc and offered to resign, plunging the country into further political uncertainty amid nearly three months of unprecedented mass protests. | President Barham Salih said in a statement issued by his office that he would not name the governor of the southern Basra province, Asaad al-Eidani, as the country's next prime minister "to avoid more bloodshed and in order to safeguard civil peace." | Al-Eidani's name was proposed on Wednesday by the Fatah bloc, which includes leaders ass…
(2019-12-26). The Yiddish Art of Suicide. counterpunch.org 
If today's Incels had a sense of humor and a real flair for decadence like Zalman Schneour, they might be able to tell us something about how paranoia can dance. But contemporary Underground Man rarely goes out; content in his chat rooms, squinty-eyed, immobile and listless. The solitary's terror now consists of a mania for More
(2019-12-26). McDonald's Franchise Violated Safety Laws: Peruvian Watchdog. telesurenglish.net Peru ¥s labor watchdog has found McDonald's Corp ¥s Latin America franchisee Arcos Dorados guilty of six "very serious" violations of local safety and health laws following the deaths of two employees in a restaurant kitchen. | RELATED: | Peru: McDonald's Shuts for Inspection After Employee Deaths | The Labor Ministry's regulating body (Sunafil) prop…
(2019-12-26). The Best Truthdig Arts & Culture Stories of 2019. truthdig.com 
Highlights include an unconventional take on "The Joker," a moving review of the 58th Venice Biennale and a probing Q&A with Errol Morris.
(2019-12-26). Palestinians to scale back protests on Israel-Gaza border — reports. rt.com 
Palestinians in Gaza will scale back protests along the fortified border with Israel, factions in the strip said on Thursday. The statements are seen as a sign of a lasting detente between Israel and Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas along the frontier. | For nearly 20 months, Palestinians have held weekly demonstrations dubbed the "Great March of Return." These have often turned violent as people throw rocks and firebombs at Israeli troops, who respond by shooting with live fire. | Gaza medical officials say 214 Palestinians have been killed since the Friday protests began in March 2018, Reuters reported. The prot…
(2019-12-26). The Case for Free Public Transit in Toronto. globalresearch.ca Free public transit is a growing movement around the world. | According to the book Free Public Transit: And Why We Don't Pay To Ride Elevators, there are 200 cities around the world with some form of fare-free transit, and 97 …
(2019-12-26). Remembering The Invasion Of Panama. globalresearch.ca Panama marked the 30th anniversary of the U.S. invasion with an official day of mourning for the first time this year: | Panama declared a day of national mourning for Friday, the 30th anniversary of the U.S. invasion that ousted dictator …
(2019-12-26). Over 16,000 complaints filed in Afghanistan's presidential election. rt.com 
More than 16,000 complaints have been filed to Afghan election authorities over the handling of this year's presidential polls, officials said on Thursday. Preliminary results published earlier this week put President Ashraf Ghani in place to secure a second term. | Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced that Ghani had won a slim 50.64 percent majority in the September 28 poll. The final results are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, after the complaints have been reviewed. | Officials have 15 days to finalize their investigation into the complaints, said Zuhra Bayan Shinwari,…
(2019-12-26). French arms killed dozens of Yemenis, say Houthi rebels. yenisafak.com Yemen's Houthis accused France on Wednesday of providing arms and logistics to the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia fighting the rebel group in the war-ravaged country. "France has killed and injured more than 38 Yemenis by artillery shelling in Al-Raqou market in Manbeh border district in Saada governorate," Mohamed Al-Houthi, a top Houthi rebel tweeted.He added that the the French legal system was turning a blind eye to these attacks.No comments have been made by the Arab Coalition or the French government on these accusations, so far.On Monday, the group accused the Saudi army of bombing Al-Raqou market whic…
(2019-12-26). "The Art of Survival: Enduring the Turmoil of Tule Lake" Opening Reception. indybay.org Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St. Ste 290, Oakland, CA 94607 | Located inside the Pacific Renaissance Plaza on the 2nd floor.
(2019-12-26). In Mountain View, Seasonal and Humorous Signs at Eve of Impeachment Demo on Four Corners. indybay.org Demonstrators leaned in toward passing traffic to show off their creative signs on Impeachment Eve at a major intersection in the heart of Silicon Valley.
(2019-12-26). Another caravan of Mexican migrants, but heading south of border for Christmas. yenisafak.com Poor Central American migrants who form caravans to fend off predatory gangs as they cross Mexico's interior en route to the United States have made global headlines and drawn the ire of President Donald Trump.But last week in the Texan border city of Laredo a caravan of about 1,500 families made up of Mexican migrants and Americans of Mexican origin set out in the opposite direction – for their Christmas holidays.Driving large cars laden with clothes, perfumes and other Christmas presents, the Mexicans, all with U.S. legal status, bore scant resemblance to the Central American migrants trudging north on foot, ex…
(2019-12-26). Stain on the Country. thenation.com 
Rorschach to the system.
(2019-12-26). Court: Trump Administration Unlawfully OK'd Longline Fishing Off California. indybay.org OAKLAND, Calif., December 21, 2019 — A federal district court has ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service failed to adequately analyze threats to critically endangered leatherback sea turtles when it allowed longline fishing off California. The Trump administration violated the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act in failing to consider the best available science on impacts to leatherbacks.
(2019-12-26). Video: Turkish-based 'Syrian Government' Threatens Damascus with Military Action. globalresearch.ca Late on December 23, the Turkish-based "Syrian Interim Government" (an entity funded by Turkey in an attempt to legalize its actions in Syria) threatened the real Syrian government with a military action. | In a released statement, it claimed that forces …
(2019-12-26). Brazil: Comedians Attacked by Militia After Film on 'Gay Jesus'. telesurenglish.net Brazil's far-right militia "Command of the People's Nationalist Insurgency" launched Molotov cocktails to the headquarters of the comedy group Porta dos Fundos in Rio de Janeiro on Christmas Eve, an action which represents a retaliation to a Netflix film depicting Jesus as gay. | RELATED: | UN Accuses Brazil's Bolsonaro of Violating Anti-Torture Pact | "The Command of the People's Nationalist Insurgency attacked the headquarters of Porta dos Fundos‚Äã‚Äã…
(2019-12-26). Kidnapped Under the Color of Law For Saying "I Love You" by Gypsy Taub. indybay.org
(2019-12-26). Return of the Zlat: Ibrahimovic 'accepts AC Milan offer' as Swede gets set for San Siro return. rt.com 
Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks to be poised to make a return to Serie A in January after reports from Italian media suggest that the striker is set to sign a six-month deal with former club AC Milan. | Ibrahimovic departed LA Galaxy in November after two years in Major League Soccer which saw him score 52 goals and tally a further 17 assists in 56 appearances for the Californian club, but despite his advancing years it seems that his time at the top level of the club game isn't over just yet after respected Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano reported that the Swede, 38, is on the verge of making his Milan return. | Al…
(2019-12-26). In Christmas Night Twitter Eruption, Trump Questions Why House Is 'Allowed to Impeach the President'. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/donald_trump_20.jpg …
(2019-12-26). Americans are Ready for a Different Approach to Nuclear Weapons. counterpunch.org Although today's public protests against nuclear weapons can't compare to the major antinuclear upheavals of past decades, there are clear indications that most Americans reject the Trump administration's nuclear weapons policies. Since entering office in 2017, the Trump administration has withdrawn the United States from the nuclear agreement with Iran, scrapped the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia, and More
(2019-12-26). Bolsonaro Says He Had Partial Memory Loss From Bathroom Fall. telesurenglish.net Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday night that he briefly lost his memory after falling at his presidential residence in Brasilia, the capital, earlier this week. | RELATED: | Brazil: Comedians Attacked by Militia After Film on 'Gay Jesus' | The president's office disclosed on Monday that Bolsonaro, 64, had suffered a fall and was taken to a hospital Monday night for a brain scan, which detected no abnormalities. Bolsonaro spent the night in the hospital a…
(2019-12-26). Daily Life in Syria. The Eyes of the Syrian People. globalresearch.ca Life in Aleppo is quite far from calling it "safe". Concerning the western part of Aleppo, everyday we get missiles originally from Aleppo countryside which is under the terrorists control. | It is not easy to live under their mercy! Personally …
(2019-12-26). Unhoused Wood Street Residents Deliver Demands and Holiday Care Package to Schaaf's Home. indybay.org Wood Street residents and allies personally delivered a letter of demands — and a holiday care package on behalf of unhoused folks across Oakland — to mayor Libby Schaaf at her posh Oakmore estate on December 19.
(2019-12-26). Navalny aide who wanted to see US tanks in Moscow is conscripted into military service, sent to Artic. rt.com 
An ally of Russian opposition figure Aleksey Navalny has been drafted into military service and deployed to a desolate Arctic island. Navalny has called the move an act of kidnaping orchestrated by the Russian president himself. | Ruslan Shaveddinov is part of Navalny's extended 'inner circle', working as an organizer and a host at the opposition activist's web-based TV channel. On Tuesday his boss announced he'd gone missing. Shortly afterwards Shaveddinov's whereabouts became known — he has been conscripted into military service and sent to the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. | The development was hardly a s…
(2019-12-26). Libya 'will ask' for Turkey's support if Tripoli war escalates, minister says, Erdogan ready to send troops. rt.com 
Libya's internationally recognized government will officially request military support from Turkey if the war over the capital escalates, the Tripoli-based interior minister said on Thursday. | "If the situation escalates then we have the right to defend Tripoli and its residents," Reuters quoted Fathi Bashagha as telling reporters in Tunis. Eastern forces loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar have been trying to take Tripoli since April. | Earlier on Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara would send troops to Libya as soon as next month as it had received a request from Tripoli. | "Since the…
(2019-12-26). Russian opposition activist Navalny refutes reports of his arrest. rt.com 
Russian opposition activist Aleksey Navalny has refuted reports of his arrest during a raid on the headquarters of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) in Moscow on Thursday. | His spokesman, Kira Yarmysh, tweeted earlier that Navalny was "forcibly detained and taken away," adding that "he did not resist." Lawyers were present at the office during the search, she said. | However, Navalny later clarified that nobody was detained at the FBK. It was not immediately clear why the search had been initiated. Russian law enforcement agencies have not commented on the raid so far.
(2019-12-26). 'My dog died, and my dog is family': Upset Jose Mourinho reveals faithful pet passed away during Christmas period (VIDEO). rt.com 
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has revealed during an interview prior to Thursday's Premier League game with Brighton that his family dog, Leya, passed away during the Christmas period. | It seems likely that it may have been a forlorn Christmas in the Mourinho household this year after he admitted his sorrow at the loss of his dog during a televised interview early on Thursday in advance of the fixture, which Spurs won 2-1 thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Dele Alli. | Asked by presenter Jim Rosenthal if he had enjoyed his Christmas, Mourinho responded with the grim news of his family's loss. | "To be honest,…
(2019-12-26). Birds shit on Dyers Campaign Billboards. indybay.org Former Fresno Police Chiefs Billboards shit on by huge birds.
(2019-12-26). San Francisco Action In Support Of French Strikers. indybay.org Photo: Leon Kunstenaar | Extent of Macron's attack on working class revealed. | For labor, its getting personal against him.
(2019-12-26). Sanders Polling Surge Forces Democratic Establishment to Take Him Seriously. truthout.org Sen. Bernie Sanders' recent surge in national and early-state polls, enthusiastic progressive base, and resilience in the aftermath of his heart attack have reportedly forced some within the Democratic establishment who were previously dismissive of the Vermont senator to concede — both in private and in public — that he could ultimately run away with the party's presidentia…
(2019-12-26). Turkey to own patent rights to upcoming auto. yenisafak.com Turkey will own the intellectual and industrial property rights of its first indigenous car, the Turkish industry and technology minister said on Thursday.The car prototype will be unveiled on Friday in the industrial province of Kocaeli, Mustafa Varank noted."With this ceremony, we will also open officially the Gebze Information IT Valley, which will be the technology base of our country," the minister said.He said that with the prototype, Turkey will achieve its two targets — owning a global brand and creating a billion-dollar enterprise.In June 2018, five Turkish industry giants; Anadolu Group, BMC, Kok Group…
(2019-12-26). The Afghanistan Papers Are a Case Study in Colonial Propaganda. truthdig.com In an earlier article (FAIR.org, 12/18/19) regarding the Washington Post's Afghanistan Papers ( 12/9/19), I discussed how…
(2019-12-26). Fast Food Nations and Global Nutrition. globalresearch.ca Daniel Maingi works with small farmers in Kenya and belongs to the organisation Growth Partners for Africa. He remembers a time when his family would grow and eat a diversity of crops, such as mung beans, green grams, pigeon peas …
(2019-12-26). Yes, Food Is Grown in Sewage Waste. That's a Problem. truthout.org You may not realize it but some foods you eat may have been grown in soil containing toxic sewage wastes. Labeling is not required. | In 2019, about 60 percent of sewage sludge from 16,000 wastewater processing facilities in more than 160 U.S. cities has been spread on our soils — farmland and gardens, as well as schoolyards and lawns. | The U.S. Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) allows…
(2019-12-26). Corporate Media and 'Moderate' Democrats Are Defending the Oligarchy Against Bernie Sander. indybay.org Seeking "a more positive future" for the wealthy…
(2019-12-26). The Crimean Rail Bridge Will Contribute to the Peninsula's Economic Rejuvenation. globalresearch.ca The opening of the Crimean rail bridge completes Russia's physical connectivity initiative with the peninsula and will greatly contribute to rejuvenating its economy after the region languished in neglect for nearly two and a half decades under Ukrainian rule. | President …
(2019-12-26). Chile: 245 Houses Destroyed by Forest Fires. telesurenglish.net The number of houses burned down in the high zone of Valparaiso, Chile totaled 245 on Thursday. | RELATED: | Chile: Massive Forest Fire Hits Valparaiso, 80 Homes Affected | Valparaiso Governor Jorge Martinez noted that more than 1,000 people were victims of the fire, and the final results of the disaster will be disclosed on Sunday. | The official explained that the fire has not yet been controlled, although it no longer prese…
(2019-12-26). Trump Warns Syria, Russia, Iran Over Idlib Campaign. telesurenglish.net U.S. President Donald Trump took a shot at the governments of Syria, Iran, and Russia on Thursday, warning them against renewing their assault on the Idlib province. | RELATED: | Syria: Trump Administration Builds Military Base in Oil Field | Trump, who praised Turkey in the tweet, was relatively silent during Ankara's "Operation Peace Spring" in northeastern Syria, despite the fact it displaced thousands and killed and wounded many civilians. | "Russia, Syria, and Iran are kill…
(2019-12-26). Winter Shelter Suggestions for Community Action. indybay.org Here's the flyer version of a regularly updated series of suggestions I make when announcing my twice-weekly netcast show on Free Radio Santa Cruz at freakradio.org. The shows are archived as audible files at https: //www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html with content summarized at https: //huffsantacruz.org/wordpress/category/huff-communications/ .
(2019-12-26). 'A saboteur of international order': Beijing rebukes US over anti-China defense-spending law. rt.com 
Washington's own track record exposes it as a destructive force on the international stage, China's defense ministry has said, after the US adopted a law that addresses Chinese issues such as the Hong Kong protests and Huawei. | The defense ministry's spokesperson Wu Qian said that America's 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), recently adopted by the US, violates the 'One-China Policy' and is an open attempt to meddle in Chinese domestic affairs. | "The United States pursues unilateralism and protectionism," Wu stated, offering also a reminder of how the US under President Donald Trump has abandone…
(2019-12-26). Shooting drones: New Russian light anti-aircraft system makes it through final test (VIDEO). rt.com 
Russia's military has tested a new ultra-light anti-aircraft system, dubbed Gibka-S. The new vehicle passed the state trials with flying colors, knocking down mock targets with pinpoint accuracy. | Footage of the trials was released by Russia's Defense Ministry early on Thursday. The short video shows the Gibka-S vehicle firing missiles at several drone targets — and hitting all of them. | The light anti-aircraft system is basically a Russian Tigr armored car fitted with a state-of-art optical and electronic targeting system, as well as weaponry mount suitable for several man-portable anti-aircraft sys…