Daily Archives: December 7, 2019

2019-12-07: News Headlines

Sandra Rambler (2019-12-07). 'Apaches Standing Strong to Defend Sacred Oak Flat from Mining' by Sandra Rambler. indybay.org Apaches arise to defend their sacred Oak Flat, as the racism and greed of Arizona Congressmen and Resolution Copper target their water and ceremonial place for mining.

IMEMC & Agencies (2019-12-07). Palestinian President Commends US Congress for Support. imemc.org The Palestinian Presidency applauded the US Congress, on Friday, for supporting the two-state solution and rejecting the annexation of occupied Palestinian land, the Palestinian News and Info Agency reported. President Abbas praised congress for their solidarity against Israel's settlement policy, the fait accompli, and for recognizing the aspirations of the …

Moms 4 Housing (2019-12-07). Moms 4 Housing Responds to Eviction Notice from Wedgewood Inc. indybay.org 2928 Magnolia Street | Oakland…

RT (2019-12-07). Establishment would 'never accept' Russia in NATO, but why would Russia join anyway, even if invited? rt.com What if Russia became part of NATO upon Trump's invite? Sounds unthinkable given the Western elites' mentality, but that's how a German paper sees warming up ties with Moscow — and sends "a signal of despair," analysts told RT. | Never free of discord, relations between Moscow and the North Atlantic bloc are now at their lowest point in decades. Since the 2014 Ukrainian crisis, NATO has singled out Russia as one of its official adversaries, and not a single month passes without reports on NATO making power moves in Eastern Europe — to which Russia responds in kind. | It seems that the animosity will…

Anadolu Agency (2019-12-07). Muhammad breaks into top 10 of US baby names in 2019. iranian.com Muhammad has, for the first time, broken into the top 10 names given by parents to their male children in the U.S., according to data recently released by a parenting firm that tracks the information. Muhammad had long climbed in BabyCenter's annual list, and its rounding out of the latest top 10 is due in …

Brenda Norrell (2019-12-07). 'No Spiritual Surrender: A Dedication to the Standing Rock Movement' Photos of Resilience. indybay.org Photojournalist Ryan Vizzions photos of Standing Rock Water Protectors in the camps and on the frontlines have appeared around the world. Vizzions' new book chronicles the resilience and resistance of Water Protectors and the militarized police they faced, with forwards by Joye Braun, Cheyenne River Lakota, and Pte San Wastewin, Hunkpapa Lakota.

RT (2019-12-07). Qatar forced into late stadium switch for FIFA Club World Cup. rt.com Liverpool's opening game at this month's Qatar FIFA Club World Cup has received a last-minute venue switch after original host Education City Stadium was deemed unsuitable to stage matches. | The Khalifa International Stadium will instead host three additional games, with final completion on the building of Education City Stadium now expected in early 2020. The decision comes as the initial venue wasn't ready to stage test events in advance of the tournament. | "Liverpool FC can confirm we have been informed by FIFA that our two matches in the FIFA Club World Cup will now be played at Khalifa International Sta…

WSWS (2019-12-07). Canadian parliament reconvenes following formation of Liberal minority government. wsws.org The initial actions of the new government underscore that Trudeau's second term will be characterized by a further turn to the right on foreign and domestic policy, and an intensified reliance on the unions and NDP for "progressive" cover.

WSWS (2019-12-07). Harvard University retaliates against striking graduate students. wsws.org Several academic departments have informed graduate student teaching staff that they are responsible for reporting whether they are working, and that those who are striking should not expect to be paid.

Staff (2019-12-07). Federally Funded Health Researchers Report Millions in Conflicts of Interest. truthout.org The database of disclosures reported to the National Institutes of Health, which has not been made public before, details the financial relationships of researchers at universities, hospitals and nonprofit organizations. These outside interests range from stock holdings in companies that may benefit from the outcome of research to payments for royalties, consulting work and speaking engagements. The total value of the conflicts is likely much higher than $188 million, in part because 44% of…

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2019-12-07). 'We Were Proven Right,' Says AOC After Amazon Expands in New York Without Taking Billions in Public Cash. commondreams.org "Maybe the Trump admininistration should focus more on cutting public assistance to billionaires instead of poor families." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/aoc-nyc-amazon.jpg

RT (2019-12-07). 'One of the greatest individual goals you will see': South Korean star Son Heung-min scores SENSATIONAL solo goal (VIDEO). rt.com Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min scored a sensational solo goal as he dribbled from his own 18-yard box to slot home against Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday. | The South Korean forward collected the ball deep in his own half before setting off at pace, slaloming through a mass of claret shirts before finishing coolly past Burnley 'keeper Nick Pope to put Spurs 3-0 up. | The effort was declared an instant goal of the season winner on social media, where pundit Gary Lineker hailed it as "one of the greatest individual goals you will ever see." | Wow. Son has just scored one of the greatest individu…

WSWS (2019-12-07). The way forward for the mass strike in France. wsws.org The working class faces a fight to bring down the Macron government, drawing into struggle ever broader layers of workers and youth in France and internationally.

RT (2019-12-07). Iran swaps American scholar tried on espionage charges for its scientist held by US. rt.com An Iranian scientist arrested in the US for violating sanctions and an American Princeton scholar held on espionage charges by the Islamic Republic each returned home as part of a prisoner swap between Tehran and Washington. | Both sides rejoiced at the return of their citizens earlier on Saturday, shortly after the news broke. "Glad that Professor Massoud Soleimani and Mr. Xiyue Wang will be joining their families shortly," Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted. | The diplomat later posted a photo of him and Soleimani — a stem cell scientist detained in Chicago last year for trying to buy…

some anarchists (2019-12-07). Water Is Life: Graffiti painted in solidarity with water protectors fighting Line 3. indybay.org In solidarity with water protectors fighting to stop Line 3 on stolen Dakota land, we set out to redecorate the city; transforming their drab walls into canvas for our messages.

WSWS (2019-12-07). Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

The Canary (2019-12-07). Corbyn dismisses controversy surrounding leaked NHS documents as 'nonsense'. thecanary.co Jeremy Corbyn has dismissed as "nonsense" the controversy surrounding the source of leaked documents used by Labour as proof the Tories are planning to sell the NHS.The Labour leader insisted the dossier was real after social media platform Reddit claimed the documents were disclosed as "part of a campaign that has been reported as originating from Russia".Corbyn used the leaked papers as evidence that the government was at an advanced stage of negotiations with the US to open up the health service to American pharmaceutical companies. Asked about the claims during a campaign visit to Barry, South Wales Corbyn to…

Sue Sturgis (2019-12-07). Big Energy Front Group Launches Push for Troubled Atlantic Coast Pipeline. commondreams.org The Consumer Energy Alliance, an industry front group, is pressing for the controversial and legally imperiled Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The group was led by Michael Whatley (left), an energy industry lobbyist, until June when Whatley stepped down to take over as chair of the N.C. Republican Party. It's now led by energy industry lobbyist David Holt (right). (Photos via HBW Resources.) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/front-group-atlantic-coast-pipeline.jpg

Staff (2019-12-07). Terror Links Probed in Florida Naval Base Shooting; 10 Saudi Students Held. truthdig.com The student who killed 3 people in Pensacola had watched videos of mass shootings with three others earlier in the week, U.S. official says.

Peter Koenig (2019-12-07). NATO is "Brain Dead". Institutionalized Killing as the "New Normal" globalresearch.ca NATO has institutionalized killing as the new normal. And in order to maintain this 'eternal war on terror' that sustains the US economy, we need ever-so-often a 'fake' terror attack — to keep the fear alive, to keep the arms flowing, …

Art Persyko (2019-12-07). Celebrate Human Rights Day in S.F. at City Hall! indybay.org San Francisco City Hall east steps (address: 1 Carlton B Goodlett Place, which is the name of Polk Street on that block)…

TATIA (2019-12-07). Flashmob against femicide: "Rapist in your way" from Chile. indybay.org SF Ferry Building (near Embarcadero BART)…

RT (2019-12-07). 'Nuke aimed at Iran'? Tehran raises alarm after Israel test-fires mystery rocket in broad daylight. rt.com As the world is abuzz with speculation over Israel's shadowy "rocket propulsion system" test, Tehran bluntly claimed that the projectile it fired from a base south of Tel Aviv was actually a nuclear-capable missile aimed at Iran. | "Israel today tested a nuke-missile, aimed at Iran," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested in a tweet posted on Friday evening.

Khubaka, Michael Harris (2019-12-07). Matunda Ya Kwanza: Our "California Grown" Pan African Celebration of Life. indybay.org In Dr. Maulana Karenga's own words he says, "The origin of Kwanzaa on the African continent are in the agricultural celebrations called the 'first fruits' celebrations and to a lesser degree the full or general harvest celebration. 2019 Sacramento Kwanzaa and California State Capitol Kwanzaa continues our journey toward expanding California Pan African Global Trade and Investment.

WSWS (2019-12-07). Australian governments reject calls for removal of armed police from Aboriginal settlements. wsws.org With about 30 percent of its population being indigenous, the Northern Territory is Australia's most heavily-policed state or territory.

Staff (2019-12-07). Bankrupt PG&E Makes $13.5 Billion Deal With California Wildfire Victims. truthdig.com LOS ANGELES—Pacific Gas and Electric announced Friday it has reached a tentative $13.5 billion settlement resolving all major claims related to the deadly, devastating Northern California wildfires of 2017-2018 that were blamed on its outdated equipment and negligence. | The utility says the deal, which still requires court approval, represents a key step in leading it out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. | The deal is expected to resolve all claims arising from a series of deadly 2017 Northern California wi…

RT (2019-12-07). 'We can make a deal together': Trump thanks Iran for 'very fair negotiation' that led to prisoner swap. rt.com In a reprieve from the usual bellicose rhetoric, President Donald Trump thanked the leaders of Iran for swapping an American prisoner with a detained Iranian scientist. Senior officials, however, told a different story. | Princeton scholar Xiyue Wang left Iran for the US on Saturday morning, while Iranian Scientist Massoud Soleimani returned to Tehran from America. Wang had been in Iranian custody since 2016 and was serving a ten-year term on espionage charges, while Soleimani was arrested in Chicago last year for sanctions violations and was awaiting trial. | The prisoner exchange came after weeks of negotiat…

RT (2019-12-07). 'People are flushing toilets 10 times': Trump mulls pouring conservation rules down the drain & Twitter cannot hold it. rt.com President Donald Trump is taking aim at water efficiency laws, arguing that they paradoxically encourage waste due to weak water pressure. He vowed to seek "commonsense" solutions to America's toilet troubles. | Despite ongoing Democratic impeachment efforts in Washington, a trade row with Beijing and another war of words heating up with Iran, the president took time on Friday to address a problem much closer to home — perhaps lurking in your very own bathroom. | "We have a situation where we're looking very strongly at sinks and showers, and other elements of bathrooms," the president said. "You turn on…

Edward J. Martin (2019-12-07). The Origins of Democratic Socialism: Robert Owen and Worker Cooperatives. dissidentvoice.org Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) — and its two predecessor organizations, the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (DSOC) and the New American Movement (NAM) — emerged in the early 1970s, during a long-term rightist movement in the United States. The DSA's contribution to the American Left was its new founded identity as a radical organization born …

RT (2019-12-07). Satanic Temple members say 'HELL NO' to discrimination after American Airlines forces woman to change 'HAIL SATAN' shirt. rt.com Backers of the Satanic Temple are raising hell after American Airlines forced a Florida woman to change out of a shirt proclaiming "Hail Satan," threatening to remove her from the flight over its "offensive" message. | Key West resident Swati Runi Goyal was awaiting takeoff aboard a flight headed for Las Vegas on the day before Halloween — known in some regions as "Devil's Night" — when an American Airlines crew member approached her demanding an immediate wardrobe change. | "The gentleman asked me if I understood what 'offensive' meant," Goyal told the New York Post. "I said, 'I'm a foreign-born min…

WSWS (2019-12-07). Northern Virginia transit worker strike spreads as 600 Fairfax Connector workers join 130 Metrobus workers on strike against Transdev. wsws.org The ATU is seeking to limit the Fairfax Connector strike as much as possible, stating that the strike is over "unfair labor practices" and "bad faith bargaining" committed by the Company. It has offered no official demands.

Staff (2019-12-07). New Orleans Activists Clash With Sheriff Over Jail Expansion. truthout.org New Orleans — Back in 2010, New Orleans Sheriff Marlin Gusman asked the city government for a 6,000-bed jail to replace buildings damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The proposal faced backlash in a city notorious for the conditions in its jail and the brutality of its criminal legal system. In 2015, a new jail opened with only 1,438 beds. | Gusman continues to push for a bigger jail, and the backlash continues. After receiving a proposal from Gusman earlier this year that would have significantly increased…

David Swanson (2019-12-07). West Point Professor Builds a Case Against the U.S. Army. dissidentvoice.org West Point Professor Tim Bakken's new book The Cost of Loyalty: Dishonesty, Hubris, and Failure in the U.S. Military traces a path of corruption, barbarism, violence, and unaccountability that makes its way from the United States' military academies (West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs) to the top ranks of the U.S. military and U.S. governmental policy, …

Bryan Bowman (2019-12-07). Grace Blakeley: The World Must be Saved from Financialization. indybay.org Even when times are good, the many have been largely excluded from the success enjoyed by the few. Where many see a strong economy today, Grace Blakeley sees not only the early indicators of an inevitable recession, but the "death throes" of an entire economic model that is crumbling before our eyes. She warns of a bleak future but also offers a hopeful alternative vision.

IMEMC & Agencies (2019-12-07). Body of Palestinian Teen 'Arrested' by Israel Returned Home After 355 Days. imemc.org Tareq Hajjaj for Middle East Eye Mystery surrounds the death of Emad Khalil Ibrahim Shahin, 17, who was arrested on November 4, 2018, for breaching the Israeli fence between Gaza and Israel. Having slipped through Israel's security fence, Emad Khalil Ibrahim Shahin and his friends sneaked into an abandoned barracks …

Revolution Books (2019-12-07). Holiday Open House(s) at Revolution Books – In dangerous times, you need Revolution Books. indybay.org Revolution Books, 2444 Durant Ave. Berkeley CA 94704…

RT (2019-12-07). Will 'get Brexit done' ever end? Johnson hits back at haters mocking his campaign slogan with… more Brexit mantra! rt.com Boris Johnson has been lampooned for repeatedly recycling his Brexit slogan during a debate with Labour's Jeremy Corbyn. Unfazed by his critics, the Tory leader has continued to flood Twitter with his polarizing campaign mantra. | The British Prime Minister locked horns with Corbyn during Friday's BBC debate. While discussing a range of issues, Johnson often steered the conversation back to his rallying cry, "get Brexit done." | According to the BBC, he used the slogan no less than ten times over the course of the evening. He somehow managed to work the pledge into almost every issue, including how rude behavi…

Khubaka, Michael Harris (2019-12-07). 2019 Sacramento Kwanzaa: A Special Karamu Celebration. indybay.org The notion of "potluck" Kwanzaa in the 21st Century is a challenging local tradition that should not be a salient notion or limiting factor toward embracing Umoja year round and throughout the Kwanzaa season, Matunda ya Kwanza.

RT (2019-12-07). 'Staged!': Fight fans react as MMA veteran Tito Ortiz gets into shoving match with pro wrestler Alberto 'El Patron' (VIDEO). rt.com Former UFC champion Tito Ortiz, 44, is showing no sign of letting his advanced age affect his will to win as he engaged in a weigh-in pushing match with pro wrestler Alberto 'El Patron' Rodriguez ahead of their fight on Saturday.

Norman Solomon (2019-12-07). Kerry's Endorsement of Biden Fits: Two Deceptive Supporters of the Iraq War. indybay.org Character and Experience… in Mass Slaughter…

Middle East Monitor (2019-12-07). Israeli minister calls for Western-Arab alliance against Iran. iranian.com sraeli foreign minister, Israel Katz, called on Thursday for a Western-Arab alliance headed by the US against Iran, in order to curb its missile development and "aggression". This call came following a letter sent by France, Germany and the UK to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warning that "Iran's developments of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles" violates a …

Party for Socialism and Liberation (2019-12-07). Eyewitness Iran: Uncovering the Media Lies. indybay.org 2969 Mission St., near 26th St.

Andrew Korybko (2019-12-07). CPEC and Pakistan's "Pivot To Africa" globalresearch.ca Last week's Africa Envoys' Conference in Islamabad saw Pakistani diplomats brainstorming the best ways for their country to pivot to the eponymous continent, with the key takeaways being to prioritize military diplomacy and entrepreneurial engagement along what could prospectively be …

The Canary (2019-12-07). White House to shun hearing suggesting Trump knows he's likely to be impeached. thecanary.co The White House has said it will not participate in the House Judiciary Committee's next impeachment hearing, in another sign Donald Trump has accepted he is likely to be impeached by the House.The decision came in a letter from White House counsel Pat Cipollone ahead of a deadline set by the Democratic chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York.The two-paragraph letter did not expressly state the White House's refusal to participate. But a senior administration official told the Associated Press after the two-paragraph letter was released that that was the point it was intende…

WSWS (2019-12-07). Australian cities bathed in smoke from hundreds of bushfires. wsws.org Fires in four states have destroyed homes and caused hazardous air pollution.

WSWS (2019-12-07). Workers must adopt a socialist internationalist program to oppose Sri Lanka's authoritarian, communalist Rajapakse regime. wsws.org Rajapakse's aim is to secure the two-thirds parliamentary majority necessary to repeal a key constitutional amendment and give the president sweeping authoritarian powers.

WSWS (2019-12-07). Vote "no" on the FCA contract! Form rank and file committees to oppose UAW sellout! wsws.org The United Auto Workers is seeking to ram through a sellout contract at Fiat Chrysler which will lay the basis for the expanded use of temporary workers, further attacks on health care and integrate the union even more closely with corporate management.

WSWS (2019-12-07). South Florida UPS driver, motorist killed in reckless police shootout in rush hour traffic. wsws.org At least nineteen police officers fire 200 rounds into a UPS delivery truck which had been hijacked after a jewelry store heist, killing the driver, the two carjackers and an nearby motorist.

Dan Gettinger (2019-12-07). Turkey's Military Drones: An Export Product that's Disrupting NATO. globalresearch.ca Just over a decade ago, the prototype of an unmanned aircraft that would become the Bayraktar TB2 took off for its maiden flight at Sinop Airport on the Black Sea. There were few signs then that the mid-sized, twin-boom aircraft …

Paul Antonopoulos (2019-12-07). 70th NATO Anniversary Shows Alliance Is More Divided than Ever. globalresearch.ca When U.S. President Donald Trump cancels a NATO press conference because the other NATO leaders are mocking him, you know that something is wrong. At the historic NATO Summit to commemorate 70 years of NATO earlier this week, the …

2019-12-07: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

Sandra Rambler (2019-12-07). 'Apaches Standing Strong to Defend Sacred Oak Flat from Mining' by Sandra Rambler. indybay.org Apaches arise to defend their sacred Oak Flat, as the racism and greed of Arizona Congressmen and Resolution Copper target their water and ceremonial place for mining.

IMEMC & Agencies (2019-12-07). Palestinian President Commends US Congress for Support. imemc.org The Palestinian Presidency applauded the US Congress, on Friday, for supporting the two-state solution and rejecting the annexation of occupied Palestinian land, the Palestinian News and Info Agency reported. President Abbas praised congress for their solidarity against Israel's settlement policy, the fait accompli, and for recognizing the aspirations of the …

Moms 4 Housing (2019-12-07). Moms 4 Housing Responds to Eviction Notice from Wedgewood Inc. indybay.org 2928 Magnolia Street | Oakland…

RT (2019-12-07). Establishment would 'never accept' Russia in NATO, but why would Russia join anyway, even if invited? rt.com What if Russia became part of NATO upon Trump's invite? Sounds unthinkable given the Western elites' mentality, but that's how a German paper sees warming up ties with Moscow — and sends "a signal of despair," analysts told RT. | Never free of discord, relations between Moscow and the North Atlantic bloc are now at their lowest point in decades. Since the 2014 Ukrainian crisis, NATO has singled out Russia as one of its official adversaries, and not a single month passes without reports on NATO making power moves in Eastern Europe — to which Russia responds in kind. | It seems that the animosity will…

Anadolu Agency (2019-12-07). Muhammad breaks into top 10 of US baby names in 2019. iranian.com Muhammad has, for the first time, broken into the top 10 names given by parents to their male children in the U.S., according to data recently released by a parenting firm that tracks the information. Muhammad had long climbed in BabyCenter's annual list, and its rounding out of the latest top 10 is due in …

Brenda Norrell (2019-12-07). 'No Spiritual Surrender: A Dedication to the Standing Rock Movement' Photos of Resilience. indybay.org Photojournalist Ryan Vizzions photos of Standing Rock Water Protectors in the camps and on the frontlines have appeared around the world. Vizzions' new book chronicles the resilience and resistance of Water Protectors and the militarized police they faced, with forwards by Joye Braun, Cheyenne River Lakota, and Pte San Wastewin, Hunkpapa Lakota.

RT (2019-12-07). Qatar forced into late stadium switch for FIFA Club World Cup. rt.com Liverpool's opening game at this month's Qatar FIFA Club World Cup has received a last-minute venue switch after original host Education City Stadium was deemed unsuitable to stage matches. | The Khalifa International Stadium will instead host three additional games, with final completion on the building of Education City Stadium now expected in early 2020. The decision comes as the initial venue wasn't ready to stage test events in advance of the tournament. | "Liverpool FC can confirm we have been informed by FIFA that our two matches in the FIFA Club World Cup will now be played at Khalifa International Sta…

WSWS (2019-12-07). Canadian parliament reconvenes following formation of Liberal minority government. wsws.org The initial actions of the new government underscore that Trudeau's second term will be characterized by a further turn to the right on foreign and domestic policy, and an intensified reliance on the unions and NDP for "progressive" cover.

WSWS (2019-12-07). Harvard University retaliates against striking graduate students. wsws.org Several academic departments have informed graduate student teaching staff that they are responsible for reporting whether they are working, and that those who are striking should not expect to be paid.

Staff (2019-12-07). Federally Funded Health Researchers Report Millions in Conflicts of Interest. truthout.org The database of disclosures reported to the National Institutes of Health, which has not been made public before, details the financial relationships of researchers at universities, hospitals and nonprofit organizations. These outside interests range from stock holdings in companies that may benefit from the outcome of research to payments for royalties, consulting work and speaking engagements. The total value of the conflicts is likely much higher than $188 million, in part because 44% of…

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2019-12-07). 'We Were Proven Right,' Says AOC After Amazon Expands in New York Without Taking Billions in Public Cash. commondreams.org "Maybe the Trump admininistration should focus more on cutting public assistance to billionaires instead of poor families." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/aoc-nyc-amazon.jpg

RT (2019-12-07). 'One of the greatest individual goals you will see': South Korean star Son Heung-min scores SENSATIONAL solo goal (VIDEO). rt.com Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min scored a sensational solo goal as he dribbled from his own 18-yard box to slot home against Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday. | The South Korean forward collected the ball deep in his own half before setting off at pace, slaloming through a mass of claret shirts before finishing coolly past Burnley 'keeper Nick Pope to put Spurs 3-0 up. | The effort was declared an instant goal of the season winner on social media, where pundit Gary Lineker hailed it as "one of the greatest individual goals you will ever see." | Wow. Son has just scored one of the greatest individu…

WSWS (2019-12-07). The way forward for the mass strike in France. wsws.org The working class faces a fight to bring down the Macron government, drawing into struggle ever broader layers of workers and youth in France and internationally.

RT (2019-12-07). Iran swaps American scholar tried on espionage charges for its scientist held by US. rt.com An Iranian scientist arrested in the US for violating sanctions and an American Princeton scholar held on espionage charges by the Islamic Republic each returned home as part of a prisoner swap between Tehran and Washington. | Both sides rejoiced at the return of their citizens earlier on Saturday, shortly after the news broke. "Glad that Professor Massoud Soleimani and Mr. Xiyue Wang will be joining their families shortly," Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted. | The diplomat later posted a photo of him and Soleimani — a stem cell scientist detained in Chicago last year for trying to buy…

some anarchists (2019-12-07). Water Is Life: Graffiti painted in solidarity with water protectors fighting Line 3. indybay.org In solidarity with water protectors fighting to stop Line 3 on stolen Dakota land, we set out to redecorate the city; transforming their drab walls into canvas for our messages.

WSWS (2019-12-07). Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

The Canary (2019-12-07). Corbyn dismisses controversy surrounding leaked NHS documents as 'nonsense'. thecanary.co Jeremy Corbyn has dismissed as "nonsense" the controversy surrounding the source of leaked documents used by Labour as proof the Tories are planning to sell the NHS.The Labour leader insisted the dossier was real after social media platform Reddit claimed the documents were disclosed as "part of a campaign that has been reported as originating from Russia".Corbyn used the leaked papers as evidence that the government was at an advanced stage of negotiations with the US to open up the health service to American pharmaceutical companies. Asked about the claims during a campaign visit to Barry, South Wales Corbyn to…

Sue Sturgis (2019-12-07). Big Energy Front Group Launches Push for Troubled Atlantic Coast Pipeline. commondreams.org The Consumer Energy Alliance, an industry front group, is pressing for the controversial and legally imperiled Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The group was led by Michael Whatley (left), an energy industry lobbyist, until June when Whatley stepped down to take over as chair of the N.C. Republican Party. It's now led by energy industry lobbyist David Holt (right). (Photos via HBW Resources.) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/front-group-atlantic-coast-pipeline.jpg

Staff (2019-12-07). Terror Links Probed in Florida Naval Base Shooting; 10 Saudi Students Held. truthdig.com The student who killed 3 people in Pensacola had watched videos of mass shootings with three others earlier in the week, U.S. official says.

Peter Koenig (2019-12-07). NATO is "Brain Dead". Institutionalized Killing as the "New Normal" globalresearch.ca NATO has institutionalized killing as the new normal. And in order to maintain this 'eternal war on terror' that sustains the US economy, we need ever-so-often a 'fake' terror attack — to keep the fear alive, to keep the arms flowing, …

Art Persyko (2019-12-07). Celebrate Human Rights Day in S.F. at City Hall! indybay.org San Francisco City Hall east steps (address: 1 Carlton B Goodlett Place, which is the name of Polk Street on that block)…

TATIA (2019-12-07). Flashmob against femicide: "Rapist in your way" from Chile. indybay.org SF Ferry Building (near Embarcadero BART)…

RT (2019-12-07). 'Nuke aimed at Iran'? Tehran raises alarm after Israel test-fires mystery rocket in broad daylight. rt.com As the world is abuzz with speculation over Israel's shadowy "rocket propulsion system" test, Tehran bluntly claimed that the projectile it fired from a base south of Tel Aviv was actually a nuclear-capable missile aimed at Iran. | "Israel today tested a nuke-missile, aimed at Iran," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested in a tweet posted on Friday evening.

Khubaka, Michael Harris (2019-12-07). Matunda Ya Kwanza: Our "California Grown" Pan African Celebration of Life. indybay.org In Dr. Maulana Karenga's own words he says, "The origin of Kwanzaa on the African continent are in the agricultural celebrations called the 'first fruits' celebrations and to a lesser degree the full or general harvest celebration. 2019 Sacramento Kwanzaa and California State Capitol Kwanzaa continues our journey toward expanding California Pan African Global Trade and Investment.

WSWS (2019-12-07). Australian governments reject calls for removal of armed police from Aboriginal settlements. wsws.org With about 30 percent of its population being indigenous, the Northern Territory is Australia's most heavily-policed state or territory.

Staff (2019-12-07). Bankrupt PG&E Makes $13.5 Billion Deal With California Wildfire Victims. truthdig.com LOS ANGELES—Pacific Gas and Electric announced Friday it has reached a tentative $13.5 billion settlement resolving all major claims related to the deadly, devastating Northern California wildfires of 2017-2018 that were blamed on its outdated equipment and negligence. | The utility says the deal, which still requires court approval, represents a key step in leading it out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. | The deal is expected to resolve all claims arising from a series of deadly 2017 Northern California wi…

RT (2019-12-07). 'We can make a deal together': Trump thanks Iran for 'very fair negotiation' that led to prisoner swap. rt.com In a reprieve from the usual bellicose rhetoric, President Donald Trump thanked the leaders of Iran for swapping an American prisoner with a detained Iranian scientist. Senior officials, however, told a different story. | Princeton scholar Xiyue Wang left Iran for the US on Saturday morning, while Iranian Scientist Massoud Soleimani returned to Tehran from America. Wang had been in Iranian custody since 2016 and was serving a ten-year term on espionage charges, while Soleimani was arrested in Chicago last year for sanctions violations and was awaiting trial. | The prisoner exchange came after weeks of negotiat…

RT (2019-12-07). 'People are flushing toilets 10 times': Trump mulls pouring conservation rules down the drain & Twitter cannot hold it. rt.com President Donald Trump is taking aim at water efficiency laws, arguing that they paradoxically encourage waste due to weak water pressure. He vowed to seek "commonsense" solutions to America's toilet troubles. | Despite ongoing Democratic impeachment efforts in Washington, a trade row with Beijing and another war of words heating up with Iran, the president took time on Friday to address a problem much closer to home — perhaps lurking in your very own bathroom. | "We have a situation where we're looking very strongly at sinks and showers, and other elements of bathrooms," the president said. "You turn on…

Edward J. Martin (2019-12-07). The Origins of Democratic Socialism: Robert Owen and Worker Cooperatives. dissidentvoice.org Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) — and its two predecessor organizations, the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (DSOC) and the New American Movement (NAM) — emerged in the early 1970s, during a long-term rightist movement in the United States. The DSA's contribution to the American Left was its new founded identity as a radical organization born …

RT (2019-12-07). Satanic Temple members say 'HELL NO' to discrimination after American Airlines forces woman to change 'HAIL SATAN' shirt. rt.com Backers of the Satanic Temple are raising hell after American Airlines forced a Florida woman to change out of a shirt proclaiming "Hail Satan," threatening to remove her from the flight over its "offensive" message. | Key West resident Swati Runi Goyal was awaiting takeoff aboard a flight headed for Las Vegas on the day before Halloween — known in some regions as "Devil's Night" — when an American Airlines crew member approached her demanding an immediate wardrobe change. | "The gentleman asked me if I understood what 'offensive' meant," Goyal told the New York Post. "I said, 'I'm a foreign-born min…

WSWS (2019-12-07). Northern Virginia transit worker strike spreads as 600 Fairfax Connector workers join 130 Metrobus workers on strike against Transdev. wsws.org The ATU is seeking to limit the Fairfax Connector strike as much as possible, stating that the strike is over "unfair labor practices" and "bad faith bargaining" committed by the Company. It has offered no official demands.

Staff (2019-12-07). New Orleans Activists Clash With Sheriff Over Jail Expansion. truthout.org New Orleans — Back in 2010, New Orleans Sheriff Marlin Gusman asked the city government for a 6,000-bed jail to replace buildings damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The proposal faced backlash in a city notorious for the conditions in its jail and the brutality of its criminal legal system. In 2015, a new jail opened with only 1,438 beds. | Gusman continues to push for a bigger jail, and the backlash continues. After receiving a proposal from Gusman earlier this year that would have significantly increased…

David Swanson (2019-12-07). West Point Professor Builds a Case Against the U.S. Army. dissidentvoice.org West Point Professor Tim Bakken's new book The Cost of Loyalty: Dishonesty, Hubris, and Failure in the U.S. Military traces a path of corruption, barbarism, violence, and unaccountability that makes its way from the United States' military academies (West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs) to the top ranks of the U.S. military and U.S. governmental policy, …

Bryan Bowman (2019-12-07). Grace Blakeley: The World Must be Saved from Financialization. indybay.org Even when times are good, the many have been largely excluded from the success enjoyed by the few. Where many see a strong economy today, Grace Blakeley sees not only the early indicators of an inevitable recession, but the "death throes" of an entire economic model that is crumbling before our eyes. She warns of a bleak future but also offers a hopeful alternative vision.

IMEMC & Agencies (2019-12-07). Body of Palestinian Teen 'Arrested' by Israel Returned Home After 355 Days. imemc.org Tareq Hajjaj for Middle East Eye Mystery surrounds the death of Emad Khalil Ibrahim Shahin, 17, who was arrested on November 4, 2018, for breaching the Israeli fence between Gaza and Israel. Having slipped through Israel's security fence, Emad Khalil Ibrahim Shahin and his friends sneaked into an abandoned barracks …

Revolution Books (2019-12-07). Holiday Open House(s) at Revolution Books – In dangerous times, you need Revolution Books. indybay.org Revolution Books, 2444 Durant Ave. Berkeley CA 94704…

RT (2019-12-07). Will 'get Brexit done' ever end? Johnson hits back at haters mocking his campaign slogan with… more Brexit mantra! rt.com Boris Johnson has been lampooned for repeatedly recycling his Brexit slogan during a debate with Labour's Jeremy Corbyn. Unfazed by his critics, the Tory leader has continued to flood Twitter with his polarizing campaign mantra. | The British Prime Minister locked horns with Corbyn during Friday's BBC debate. While discussing a range of issues, Johnson often steered the conversation back to his rallying cry, "get Brexit done." | According to the BBC, he used the slogan no less than ten times over the course of the evening. He somehow managed to work the pledge into almost every issue, including how rude behavi…

Khubaka, Michael Harris (2019-12-07). 2019 Sacramento Kwanzaa: A Special Karamu Celebration. indybay.org The notion of "potluck" Kwanzaa in the 21st Century is a challenging local tradition that should not be a salient notion or limiting factor toward embracing Umoja year round and throughout the Kwanzaa season, Matunda ya Kwanza.

RT (2019-12-07). 'Staged!': Fight fans react as MMA veteran Tito Ortiz gets into shoving match with pro wrestler Alberto 'El Patron' (VIDEO). rt.com Former UFC champion Tito Ortiz, 44, is showing no sign of letting his advanced age affect his will to win as he engaged in a weigh-in pushing match with pro wrestler Alberto 'El Patron' Rodriguez ahead of their fight on Saturday.

Norman Solomon (2019-12-07). Kerry's Endorsement of Biden Fits: Two Deceptive Supporters of the Iraq War. indybay.org Character and Experience… in Mass Slaughter…

Middle East Monitor (2019-12-07). Israeli minister calls for Western-Arab alliance against Iran. iranian.com sraeli foreign minister, Israel Katz, called on Thursday for a Western-Arab alliance headed by the US against Iran, in order to curb its missile development and "aggression". This call came following a letter sent by France, Germany and the UK to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warning that "Iran's developments of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles" violates a …

Party for Socialism and Liberation (2019-12-07). Eyewitness Iran: Uncovering the Media Lies. indybay.org 2969 Mission St., near 26th St.

Andrew Korybko (2019-12-07). CPEC and Pakistan's "Pivot To Africa" globalresearch.ca Last week's Africa Envoys' Conference in Islamabad saw Pakistani diplomats brainstorming the best ways for their country to pivot to the eponymous continent, with the key takeaways being to prioritize military diplomacy and entrepreneurial engagement along what could prospectively be …

The Canary (2019-12-07). White House to shun hearing suggesting Trump knows he's likely to be impeached. thecanary.co The White House has said it will not participate in the House Judiciary Committee's next impeachment hearing, in another sign Donald Trump has accepted he is likely to be impeached by the House.The decision came in a letter from White House counsel Pat Cipollone ahead of a deadline set by the Democratic chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York.The two-paragraph letter did not expressly state the White House's refusal to participate. But a senior administration official told the Associated Press after the two-paragraph letter was released that that was the point it was intende…

WSWS (2019-12-07). Australian cities bathed in smoke from hundreds of bushfires. wsws.org Fires in four states have destroyed homes and caused hazardous air pollution.

WSWS (2019-12-07). Workers must adopt a socialist internationalist program to oppose Sri Lanka's authoritarian, communalist Rajapakse regime. wsws.org Rajapakse's aim is to secure the two-thirds parliamentary majority necessary to repeal a key constitutional amendment and give the president sweeping authoritarian powers.

WSWS (2019-12-07). Vote "no" on the FCA contract! Form rank and file committees to oppose UAW sellout! wsws.org The United Auto Workers is seeking to ram through a sellout contract at Fiat Chrysler which will lay the basis for the expanded use of temporary workers, further attacks on health care and integrate the union even more closely with corporate management.

WSWS (2019-12-07). South Florida UPS driver, motorist killed in reckless police shootout in rush hour traffic. wsws.org At least nineteen police officers fire 200 rounds into a UPS delivery truck which had been hijacked after a jewelry store heist, killing the driver, the two carjackers and an nearby motorist.

Dan Gettinger (2019-12-07). Turkey's Military Drones: An Export Product that's Disrupting NATO. globalresearch.ca Just over a decade ago, the prototype of an unmanned aircraft that would become the Bayraktar TB2 took off for its maiden flight at Sinop Airport on the Black Sea. There were few signs then that the mid-sized, twin-boom aircraft …

Paul Antonopoulos (2019-12-07). 70th NATO Anniversary Shows Alliance Is More Divided than Ever. globalresearch.ca When U.S. President Donald Trump cancels a NATO press conference because the other NATO leaders are mocking him, you know that something is wrong. At the historic NATO Summit to commemorate 70 years of NATO earlier this week, the …