(2019-12-30). Statistic of the Decade: The Massive Deforestation of the Amazon. truthout.org This year, I was on the judging panel for the Royal Statistical Society's International Statistic of the Decade. | Much like Oxford English Dictionary's "Word of the Year" competition, the international statistic is meant to capture the zeitgeist of this decade. The judging panel accepted nominations from the statistical community and the public at large for a statistic that shines a light on the decade's most pressing issues. | On Dec. 23, we…
(2019-12-30). 'Libya's Khalifa Haftar should be declared a war criminal'. yenisafak.com Libya's Foreign Minister Mohamed Taha Siala slammed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) due to its lack of action on Khalifa Haftar, who is attempting to overthrow the Tripoli government, calling for the east Libyan commander to be prosecuted as a war criminal.Haftar committed "crimes against humanity" when he bombed civilians in Zawiya and Tajoura two days ago, Siala said in a letter addressed to the council.In April, Haftar's forces launched a military campaign to capture Tripoli from the GNA but have so far failed to progress beyond the city's outskirts."We cannot comprehend the helplessness of the UNSC…
(2019-12-30). Brand new $850 million cruise ship MSC Grandiosa crashes into pier in Italy (VIDEOS, PHOTOS). rt.com 
The brand new MSC Grandiosa, one of the world's biggest cruise ships, crashed into a pier in Palermo, Italy, as it attempted to dock on Monday morning. | The luxury liner, which made its maiden voyage only last month, viciously scraped against a wall as it approached the docks on the island of Sicily at around 8: 30am. | Video footage showing the enormous vessel trying to dock captured the moment it walloped against the pier. The ship's horn can he heard blaring in the moments after the crash. | www.facebook.com/msccruisesfanclub1/photos/pcb.3255152707890350/3255161104556177/?type=3&theater | The imp…
(2019-12-30). 'Strikes successful, other options discussed': Esper & Pompeo brief Trump on 'anti-Iran' raids in Iraq & Syria. rt.com 
Top national security advisers told President Donald Trump that the air raids against Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria were a total success — and briefed him on 'other' ways to punish Iran for the alleged attacks on US interests. | "We will not stand for the Islamic Republic of Iran to take actions that put American men and women in jeopardy," US State Secretary Mike Pompeo declared, standing beside Defense Secretary Mark Esper at a press event at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. | Also on rt.com | | US strikes Kataib Hezbollah HQ in Iraq, Syria | The Pe…
(2019-12-30). The Tail Don't Wag the Dog: Israel and the United States. counterpunch.org The tail don't wag the dog, and the United States government was not somehow infiltrated and manipulated into supporting the capitalistic, ever-expansive, angry, and war-like successive governments in Israel, nor was it manipulated into supporting the right-wing Israeli settlers who undermined every attempt at peace any Israeli president ever made. The United States government did these More
(2019-12-30). 'Flow of global capital impossible to stop': Foreign investments in Russia expected to jump 70% this year despite sanctions. rt.com 
European companies have been investing in the Russian economy in ever-increasing numbers, says Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). | According to Dmitriev, EU states played a significant role in driving overall foreign investment into Russia, which has also increased significantly during the year. | "At the start of this year, I forecasted that foreign direct investments [FDI] to Russia would increase by over 50 percent [in 2019]; many raised questions about this figure‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã. Now we see that by the end of this year FDI wi…
(2019-12-30). The Main Result of the Impeachment Process. counterpunch.org The House Democrats have impeached the president, but the Senate will surely acquit him Thus the wistful plan to turn enough Republicans to make a difference won't work. Meanwhile, Trump's base has remained at around 42% throughout. The hearings appear to have consolidated the Trump base. Fundraising has reportedly "gone through the roof." In short, More
(2019-12-30). Taliban has 'no ceasefire plans' in Afghanistan — statement. rt.com 
The Taliban on Monday denied agreeing to any ceasefire in Afghanistan after rumors swirled of a potential deal that would see a reduction in fighting, AFP reported. | "In the past few days, some media have been releasing untrue reports about a ceasefire," the Taliban said in a statement, adding that it has no such plans. | Afghanistan is also struggling with an ongoing political dispute after officials announced preliminary results in the latest presidential elections that put President Ashraf Ghani on track to secure a second term. | The Taliban has refused to negotiate with his government, leading many to fe…
(2019-12-30). 2019 Wasn't Just About Trump. It Will Be Remembered for Global Resistance. truthout.org For the dominant media, the biggest political story of 2019 was undoubtedly the impeachment of President Trump. After all, impeachment is an all-consuming force on Capitol Hill, where the debate over Trump's dealings with Ukraine devolved into partisan blood sport over the past few months. Meanwhile, the world continues to turn, and it would be a disservice to the millions of people doing remarkable things to simply remember 2019 as the year the Trump Show finally aired its impeachment episode.
(2019-12-30). Bolivia Expels Mexican Ambassador Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Row. telesurenglish.net The de-facto regime of Jeanine àÅñez ordered the expulsion on Monday morning of the Mexican Ambassador, María Teresa Mercado, and two Spanish diplomats. The move was conveyed to the Mexican Ambassador by the Bolivian Foreign Minister, Karen Longaric, prior to the self-proclaimed president's announcement. | RELATED: | Cuban Hero Harry Villegas Survivor of Che's Guerrilla in Bolivia Dies | àÅñez explained at a press conference that her regime "has decided to oppose people pleasing" t…
(2019-12-30). 2020: The Year of the Oil Bankruptcies. globalresearch.ca A bankruptcy boom has hit the oil and gas industry, and it's just getting started. Investors have lost their appetite for shale, and energy debt has become among the least desirable in the market. | The industry has been teetering on …
(2019-12-30). Kim Jong-unbelievable: Trump's national security adviser forgets how to say North Korean leader's name. rt.com 
President Trump's national security adviser is a trusted source of counsel when dealing with adversaries like North Korea. Surprisingly, knowing the name of the North Korean leader doesn't seem to be a job requirement. | Despite a series of high-profile meetings between President Donald Trump and chairman Kim Jong-un, tensions between the US and North Korea are returning to old highs. Pyongyang wants Washington to drop its calls for denuclearization, and Kim has given the US a year-end deadline to meet this request, while issuing cryptic threats of a "christmas gift" for America. | Against this background, Nat…
(2019-12-30). 5 Ways to Prevent Corporations From Destroying Labor for Good. truthdig.com 
If we hope to create a more just and democratic society, we must ensure that new technologies don't exclusively benefit those at the top.
(2019-12-30). A Real Basket Case. thenation.com A Real Basket Case…
(2019-12-30). Iran, Afghanistan to link rail networks by March 2021. iranian.com Iran's Deputy Minister of Transport and Urban Development for Construction and Development of Railways, Ports and Airports said that Iran and Afghanistan's rail networks will be connected in near future, Mehr News Agency reported. According to Abbas Khatibi, the 139-Kilometer Khaf-Herat railway project which connects the rail networks of the two countries will come on …
(2019-12-30). The spooks' choice: Coup plotters and CIA agents fill Pete Buttigieg's list of national security endorsers. thegrayzone.com Why are so many intelligence veterans throwing their weight behind a young Indiana mayor with such a thin foreign policy…
(2019-12-30). Turkey's FM briefs opposition on Libya. yenisafak.com Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday met the main opposition party leader to discuss the upcoming parliament session on possible military deployment in Libya.Cavusoglu informed Kemal Kilicdaroglu of the Republican People's Party (CHP) about the motion to be submitted in the parliament when it opens after recess.The closed-door meeting lasted for 50 minutes, according to the party officials.Cavusoglu subsequently met the opposition Iyi Party leader to discuss the troop deployment bill. Erdogan has said the bill will be presented to parliament in early January.Speaking to reporters after the meeting…
(2019-12-30). Nestlé and the Privatization of Water: A Tale of Many Cities. globalresearch.ca On November 14th the Canadian group Wellington Water Watchers organized the "All Eyes on Nestlé" conference in the city of Guelph, Ontario, bringing together indigenous' peoples and citizens' movements fighting Nestlé's water takings from Canada, the US, France and Brazil. …
(2019-12-30). Screen Test: The 20 Best Films of 2019. counterpunch.org 1) Monos Director: Alejandro Landes 2) Sea of Shadows Director: Richard Ladkani 3) The Report Director: Scott Z. Burns 4) Her Smell Director: Alex Ross Perry 5) The Image Book Director: Jean-Luc Godard 6) Midsommar Director: Ari Aster 7) Booksmart Director: Olivia Wilde 8) Transit Director: Christian Petzold 9) Diego Maradona Director: Asif Kapadia 10) The More
(2019-12-30). UK Muslims demand investigation of Conservative Party's Islamophobia. wsws.org Johnson put racism and Islamophobia at the heart of his election campaign, pitting Indian Hindu voters against Pakistani Muslim voters.
(2019-12-30). Hasidic Jews injured in machete attack in Rockland County, New York. wsws.org The attack Saturday was the latest in a growing number of hate crimes occurring within a climate of racial tension encouraged by both Trump and the Democrats.
(2019-12-30). CODEPINK Statement in Response to the Hanukkah Stabbing Attack in Monsey, New York. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2019-12-30). Al Qaeda's Idlib Stronghold: The Battle to Liberate Syria's Idlib Province from US Supported Terrorists. globalresearch.ca Syria's Idlib province in the country's northwest borders Turkey. | Infested with US-supported jihadists, the Erdogan regime lets them move back and forth cross-border between both countries while pretending to oppose them — supplying them with heavy and other weapons, along …
(2019-12-30). The Future of Trade Deals. counterpunch.org Last week, to take some of the sting off his impeachment, Donald Trump was celebrating his trade deals as evidence of the great success of his presidency. Specially, he has touted his revised NAFTA, which the Democratic leadership agreed to, and his first round trade agreement with China. Neither deal is likely to have a More
(2019-12-30). Man fatally shoots 2 at church near Fort Worth, Texas, killed by parishioners. rt.com 
A man opened fire on worshippers at a Texas church service on Sunday, killing two people before he was shot dead by congregants who fired back, AP reported, citing police. | Authorities praised the two congregants who opened fire as part of a volunteer security team at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement. It was unclear if the two people who were killed were the two who shot at the gunman. | There were more than 240 parishioners in the church at the time of the shooting. White Settlement Police Department Chief J.P. Bevering said the gunman had sat down in a pew before getting up, taking out a sh…
(2019-12-30). Headlines for December 30, 2019. democracynow.org Man Stabs 5 Jewish Worshipers Celebrating Hanukkah at Rabbi's Home in New York, Gunman Shoots and Kills 2 Worshipers During Church Service in Texas, U.S. Launches Airstrikes in Iraq & Syria After U.S. Contractor Killed in Iraq, 250,000 People Flee Syrian Government Offensive in Idlib, Bombing Kills 79 in Mogadishu, Somalia, Taliban Agrees to Temporary Ceasefire in Afghanistan, 10 Killed in Strike on Military Parade in Southern Yemen, Politico: Democratic Party Insiders Now Think Sanders Could Win Nomination, WaPo: Giuliani Held Back-Channel Call with Maduro, France: Strikes Against Pension Overhaul Enter 25th Day…
(2019-12-30). Ukraine And Pro-Russian Separatists Complete Prisoner Swap. telesurenglish.net The Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have completed a full prisoner exchange, exchanging all remaining detainees from the five-year conflict. | RELATED: | 'Russia Rejects Deployment of Turkish Troops to Libya' Peskov | The Ukrainian presidency reported on Sunday in a facebook statement that "the mutual release o…
(2019-12-30). Australia: Julian Assange support group formed in Alice Springs. wsws.org The central Australian group points to the sort of formations workers and youth around the world need to establish in order to secure the release of Assange and Manning.
(2019-12-30). Indian police slap FINE on man from Priyanka Gandhi's scooter ride viral video. rt.com 
An Indian National Congress staffer who famously drove Priyanka Gandhi on a two-wheeler was given a fine for carrying his influential passenger without a helmet and breaching numerous traffic rules. | Priyanka Gandhi, the general secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) for Eastern Uttar Pradesh, had quite a day last Saturday. Her security was breached by an unknown petitioner at a party event, and she claimed she was then "mishandled" by police while making her way out. | Monday didn't bring any good news for her either. It emerged that the Uttar Pradesh traffic police issued a 6,100-rupee ticket…
(2019-12-30). The continuing struggle for justice for Berta Cáceres. peoplesdispatch.org 
Berta Cáceres was assassinated nearly four years ago by hitmen in her home in La Esperanza, Honduras, despite overwhelming evidence linking the most powerful families in Honduras to the crime, justice has yet to be served…
(2019-12-30). 'I know to some we all look alike, but…' Indian-born actress Padma Lakshmi trolls New Yorker for tagging her as Priyanka Chopra. rt.com 
Indian-American actress and TV host Padma Lakshmi took a jab at a gaffe by the New Yorker magazine, which in its special issue promo mistook her for another Indian celebrity, Priyanka Chopra. Or was that the NY Daily News? | "Thank you to the illustrious "@nydailynews" for the shoutout üòâ I know to some we all look alike, but…," wrote the 49-year-old celebrity model and TV host, sharing a screen-grab that shows her black-and-white portrait with Priyanka's Instagram account mistakenly tagged on it. | But while Lakshmi seemingly took no offence and reacted with playful sarcasm, ma…
(2019-12-30). Rex 84: FEMA's Blueprint for Martial Law in America. globalresearch.ca We are dangerously close to a situation where ~ if the American people took to the streets in righteous indignation or if there were another 9/11 ~ a mechanism for martial law could be quickly implemented and carried out under REX 84.
(2019-12-30). Battle to save Australian wildlife as bushfires rage. yenisafak.com A possum severely burnt by bushfires in Australia's Blue Mountains laps water from a bowl as her rescuer holds her gently in a towel, while at a nearby home a kangaroo with bandaged feet is rocked like a baby by another carer.As Australia battles wildfires that have razed more than 4 million hectares (10 million acres) across five states, volunteers are trying to save wild animals caught in the inferno.Australia's bushland is home to a range of indigenous fauna, including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, possums, wombats and echidnas. Officials fear that 30% of one koala colony on the country's northeast coast, or b…
(2019-12-30). New WikiLeaks Documents Expose Doctoring of Chemical Weapons Report to Justify 2018 US Attack on Syria. globalresearch.ca A fourth round of leaked internal documents from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was published by WikiLeaks Friday, further exposing the official report on an alleged 2018 chemical weapons attack in Douma—a suburb of Damascus then …
(2019-12-30). The Mount Sinai Scandal Shows Everything Wrong With US Health Care. truthout.org Left Voice speaks with a physician who has worked for several years in hospitals throughout New York City. With the physician's experience as a healthcare provider, they give a riveting account of everything that is wrong with the U.S. healthcare system and how capitalism creates these conditions. | What do you make of the recent scandal involving the Mount Sinai Emergency Department? | As a physician who has worked countless hours in Mount Sinai Hospital's emergency department (ED), the term "war zone…
(2019-12-30). Supreme court won't revive homeless camping ban. indybay.org The US supreme court decided on Monday that it will allow homeless people to sleep in public outdoor spaces.
(2019-12-30). Bill for troop deployment to Libya to be sent to Turkish parliament on Monday: FM. yenisafak.com The bill to allow the deployment of Turkish troops to Libya will be sent to the parliament today, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlàºt àáavu≈üoƒülu said on Monday.
(2019-12-30). Russia marks 'significant success' in ties with Turkey. yenisafak.com Russia's president marked "a significant success" in Turkish-Russian relations in his New Year greetings to his Turkish counterpart on Monday.According to the Kremlin website, Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the most often contacted counterpart for Vladimir Putin in 2019.In his address published on the Kremlin website, Putin noted that Turkey and Russia "had managed to achieve significant success in the implementation of mutually beneficial strategic projects, including in energy and military and technical cooperation."He said that in 2019 the two countries outlined "new prospective areas for the development of Russian-…
(2019-12-30). Police surround buildings after reports of shots fired near popular Berlin tourist spot Checkpoint Charlie. rt.com 
Berlin police say an operation is ongoing after gunshots were reportedly heard during an armed robbery of a cafe near the famous Checkpoint Charlie landmark in the German capital. | The incident took place at around 2pm local time, with shots apparently heard ringing out close to the famous Cold War era Berlin Wall crossing point, which is usually thronged with tourists. | Friedrichstraàüe auch dicht, das komplette Areal ist von der @polizeiberlin abgesperrt pic.twitter.com/Q8ALV9W6ES— Axel Lier…
(2019-12-30). Washington state legislator investigated for ties with violent far-right groups. wsws.org Representative Matthew Shea mobilized support for armed militia standoffs, and drafted a document of rules for militia-based war during his time in office.
(2019-12-30). Trudeau reaffirms Canada's support for Israeli aggression. wsws.org Canada's prime minister denounced a protest against a meeting meant to whitewash the crimes of the Israeli Defence Forces as "anti-Semitic."
(2019-12-30). Group Discussion: 2019-2020: The Year in Review and Preview‚Ä®. indybay.org NPML | 6501 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | (just North of Alcatraz Ave.)…
(2019-12-30). The Democrats' School Choice Problem. thenation.com The Democrats' School Choice Problem…
(2019-12-30). Iraqi PM Condemns 'Dangerous Escalation' as US Kills 25 With Airstrikes and Threatens Iran. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/pompeo_iran.png …
(2019-12-30). Onward, Christian Fascists. truthdig.com The greatest moral failing of the liberal Christian church was its refusal, justified in the name of tolerance and dialogue, to denounce the followers of the Christian right as heretics. By tolerating the intolerant it ceded religious legitimacy to an array of con artists, charlatans and demagogues and their cultish supporters. It stood by as the core Gospel message—concern for the poor and the oppressed—was perverted into a magical world where God and Jesus showered believers with material wealth and power. The white race, especially in the United States, became God's chosen agent. Imperialism and wa…
(2019-12-30). We Are the Majority; We Must Turn that into Power. globalresearch.ca Over the last decade, a national consensus has developed for a progressive left agenda on the economy, social services, the climate crisis and ending wars but the movement has not yet built the power to make that a reality. The …
(2019-12-30). Red No Matter Who. counterpunch.org We all know the question one is asked by liberal Democrats during the primary season. It is not: which candidate do you support? It is rather: will you vote for the Democratic candidate, no matter who it is? Now this presumes two unexpected assumptions, both of which are in support of Bernie Sanders. The first assumption is that you (common person) support Bernie Sanders. The second assumption is that even though this is true Bernie will not win the nomination (the system is not democratic). More
(2019-12-30). More nuclear energy for Turkey as Russia starts work on 2nd power unit for Akkuyu plant. rt.com 
The construction of a new power unit at the Russian-built Akkuyu nuclear power plant (NPP) in Turkey, the first of its kind in the country, is set to start in the first quarter of 2020. | "Works at the site have already begun… We may hold an official concrete pouring ceremony by March," Alexey Likhachev, director general of Russian nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, told journalists on Monday. | Also on rt.com | | Turkey vows to retaliate if US imposes sanctions on Russian gas pipeline | Pouring concrete at such sites usually mar…
(2019-12-30). Allseas has other jobs lined up for its ships after leaving Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline unfinished. rt.com 
Maritime construction firm Allseas has no plans to resume work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The Swiss-Dutch company bailed on the Russian energy project in fear of facing possible US sanctions. | The company suspended work on the underwater pipeline on December 21, shortly after US President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2020 fiscal year. The law envisions sanctions against companies involved in the construction of two major Russian gas pipelines, Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream. Firms are given 30 days to quit the projects or face US penalties. | Also on rt.com | | <...
(2019-12-30). Screen Test: The 20 Best Films of 2019. counterpunch.org I don't think 2019 was a particularly good year for film. But it wasn't noticeably worse than the last few years and there were a few surprises that made up for some pretty dull screen time, including Monos (Apocalypse Now meets Lord of the Flies meets Fitzcarraldo), the pervasive dissipation of Her Smell, the acerbic More