Security Culture and a New Day in Portland
Saskia Hostetler Lippy | zcomm.org | 2021-01-06
For there to be true peace we need an end to secrecy, to toxic security culture, to violence. Come out of the shadows and let's speak face to face, as humans do…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/security-culture-and-a-new-day-in-portland/
UN chief welcomes declaration on resolving the 'Gulf rift'
news.un.org | 2021-01-06
The United Nations Secretary-General has welcomed the al Ula declaration on "solidarity and stability", announced at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit on Tuesday, aimed at strengthening peace and prosperity in the region.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/01/1081452
Venezuela Elections: A key victory for anti-Imperialist Movement in Latin America
Alison Colette Bodine | mronline.org | 2021-01-06
The people of Venezuela have dealt another decisive blow against U.S. domination in Latin America. The successful continuity of two decades of Venezuelan Bolivarian revolutionary process has turned Venezuela into the backbone of the Latin American anti-imperialist and revolutionary movement.
mronline.org/2021/01/05/venezuela-elections-a-key-victory-for-anti-imperialist-movement-in-latin-america/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=venezuela-elections-a-key-victory-for-anti-imperialist-movement-in-latin-america
We Are at War
Peter Koenig | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-06
We are at war. Yes. And I don't mean the West against the East, against Russia and China, nor the entire world against an invisible corona virus. | No. We, the common people, are at war against an ever more authoritarian …
globalresearch.ca/we-are-at-war-2/5733672
The war on China
Eds. | mronline.org | 2021-01-06
The propaganda surrounding COVID-19 and China's response is only the latest escalation in a long term geopolitical strategy by U.S. imperialism to destroy it. Few people on the left or the socialist movement in the imperial core have been paying attention to the historic breakup of the U.S.-China relationship.
mronline.org/2021/01/06/the-war-on-china/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-war-on-china
Welsh NHS chief warns Covid-19 patient numbers could double from first wave
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2021-01-06
The number of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in Welsh hospitals could soon be double that seen during the first wave of the pandemic, the country's NHS chief executive has warned.Dr Andrew Goodall said Wales's health system was under "immense pressure", with critical care units operating at 140% of normal capacity. Two health boards are dedicating almost half their beds to patients with the virus.Almost 2,800 people are in Welsh hospitals with Covid-19-related illness. That's an increase of 4% in just a week, and the highest number on record following a surge in transmissions over the last fortnight.More dif…
thecanary.co/discovery/news-discovery/2021/01/06/welsh-nhs-chief-warns-covid-19-patient-numbers-could-double-from-first-wave/
Environmental Capitalism and Climate Change Wars: Australia in 2000
Binoy Kampmark | counterpunch.org | 2021-01-06
The Australian was convinced. "Australia could have avoided two decades of climate change wars had the Howard government pushed ahead with its majority view of an emissions trading scheme (ETS), newly released documents reveal." Historian Chris Wallace is not as unequivocal in this assertion, but nonetheless observes in The Conversation that…
counterpunch.org/2021/01/06/environmental-capitalism-and-climate-change-wars-australia-in-2000/
Raphael Warnock ran for the Senate from Ebenezer Baptist Church
Juan Cole | zcomm.org | 2021-01-06
What that means to American History…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/raphael-warnock-ran-for-the-senate-from-ebenezer-baptist-church/
Wealth Inequality Virus Spikes During the Last Days of 2020
Rick Baum | counterpunch.org | 2021-01-06
As of December 23, the combined wealth of the ten wealthiest was needed to reach the "magic" sum of one trillion dollars. As of December 31, the combined wealth of the nine wealthiest is now more than a trillion. This change was helped by Warren Buffet's loss for the year shrinking during the last eight days of the year from $4.62 billion to $1.62 billion, and Musk's wealth increasing another $15 billion.
counterpunch.org/2021/01/06/wealth-inequality-virus-spikes-during-the-last-days-of-2020/
Democrats set to secure historic win in Georgia's senate run-offs
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-06
While Democratic candidates leading by a significant margins over the Republican incumbents, the two seats will tilt the balance of power in the US Senate towards the Democrats…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/06/democrats-set-to-secure-historic-win-in-georgias-senate-run-offs/
21-year-old college student elected Mayor of Kerala Capital
Eds. | mronline.org | 2021-01-06
Ms Rajendran had won from the Mudavanmughal ward of the city corporation, bagging 2,872 votes, 549 more than the rival Congress candidate.
mronline.org/2021/01/06/21-year-old-college-student-elected-mayor-of-kerala-capital/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=21-year-old-college-student-elected-mayor-of-kerala-capital
Iran's software dominance to be next slap to arrogant power
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-01-06
TEHRAN, Jan. 06 (MNA) — IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmaeil Ghaani said Iran's next slap to the arrogant power, the US, would be the Islamic Republic's dominance in the software sector.
en.mehrnews.com/news/168161/Iran-s-software-dominance-to-be-next-slap-to-arrogant-power
Americans recent actions in region 'psychological warfare'
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-01-06
TEHRAN, Jan. 06 (MNA) — President's Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi considers the recent actions of the US in the region as psychological warfare.
en.mehrnews.com/news/168166/Americans-recent-actions-in-region-psychological-warfare
Iran warns IAEA over Israelis' covert nuclear program
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-01-06
TEHRAN, Jan. 06 (MNA) — Iran has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency over the Israeli regime's unlawful and clandestine nuclear activities.
en.mehrnews.com/news/168178/Iran-warns-IAEA-over-Israelis-covert-nuclear-program
Kim admits North Korea struggling with economic hardships
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-01-06
(Update 1: Includes Kim's speech, edits throughout) By Andrés Sánchez Braun Seoul, Jan 6 (efe-epa).- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned that the country was facing economic hardships as he admitted during a congress of the ruling Workers' Party that the five-year plan had fallen "way short of the set objectives." In his address …
laprensalatina.com/kim-admits-north-korea-struggling-with-economic-hardships/
2021 begins with more assassinations in Colombia
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-05
The humanitarian tragedy in Colombia continues into 2021. In the first four days of this year, two social leaders, two former combatants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and a family member of an ex-combatant have been assassinated in the country. | The Common Alternative Revolutionary Forces (FARC) political party denounced the murder of former guerrilla fighter Duván Arled Galíndez Nadia on January 3. The party was created as part of the peace agreements signed by the insurgent group and the national government in…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/05/2021-begins-with-more-assassinations-in-colombia/
"Medical Apartheid": Israeli Vaccine Drive Excludes Millions of Palestinians in Occupied Territories
Staff | democracynow.org | 2021-01-05
Israel has administered COVID-19 vaccines faster than any country in the world, with more than 14% of Israelis receiving vaccines so far. Despite the fast rollout, human rights groups are expressing alarm over Israel's decision not to vaccinate Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, where about 1,500 people have died during the pandemic. Israel has defended its actions citing the Oslo Peace Accords, which put Palestinian authorities in charge of healthcare in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestinian officials are facing a number of hurdles in launching their own vaccine campaign, including a shortage of mone…
www.democracynow.org/2021/1/5/israel_vaccines_palestinian_territories_mustafa_barghouti
'Hands on trigger': Iran ready to counter any threat
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-01-05
TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Reacting to Trump's adventurism in the region, a top Iranian commander said the country's armed forces are ready to counter any external threat that aims to undermine the Islamic Republic's peace and security.
en.mehrnews.com/news/168133/Hands-on-trigger-Iran-ready-to-counter-any-threat
Afghan negotiators leave for 2nd round of talks in Doha
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-01-05
Kabul, Jan 5 (efe-epa).- The Afghan government negotiators on Tuesday left for Doha where they will hold the second round of peace talks with Taliban leaders after a three-week pause. The two sides are expected to discuss a nationwide ceasefire among other topics during the parleys in Qatar to broker an end to two decades …
laprensalatina.com/afghan-negotiators-leave-for-2nd-round-of-talks-in-doha/
Trump repeats election fraud claims in Georgia rally for crucial Senate races
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-01-05
By Lucia Leal Washington, Jan 5 (efe-epa).- President Donald Trump turned a campaign rally for two critical Senate runoffs in Georgia into an act of defense as he reiterated his debunked claims of fraud in the Nov.3 presidential election and veiled threats on the peaceful transfer of power in the United States. Both Trump and …
laprensalatina.com/trump-repeats-election-fraud-claims-in-georgia-rally-for-crucial-senate-races/
Josh Hawley claims family was terrorized by "antifa scumbags" in peaceful "vigil" at his home
Igor Derysh | salon.com | 2021-01-05
Video shows about 15 protesters holding candles and signs and making speeches over a bullhorn…
salon.com/2021/01/05/josh-hawley-claims-family-was-terrorized-by-antifa-scumbags-at-peaceful-vigil-outside-his-home/
Central African Republic: Respect final results of the election, UN and partners urge
news.un.org | 2021-01-05
Senior officials from the United Nations and regional organizations have called on all political actors in the Central African Republic (CAR) to respect the final results of the recent presidential elections, and to settle any disputes peacefully and in accordance with the country's laws.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/01/1081362
"It's not as bad as Iwo Jima, I suppose": The Julian Assange Extradition Verdict
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2021-01-05
The barrister-brewed humour of Edward Fitzgerald QC, one of the solid and stout figures defending a certain Julian Assange of WikiLeaks at the Old Bailey in London, was understandable. Time had worn and wearied the parties, none more so than his client. Fitzgerald had asked for water, but then mused that its absence could hardly …
dissidentvoice.org/2021/01/its-not-as-bad-as-iwo-jima-i-suppose-the-julian-assange-extradition-verdict/
"It's not as bad as Iwo Jima, I suppose": The Julian Assange Extradition Verdict
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-05
The barrister-brewed humour of Edward Fitzgerald QC, one of the solid and stout figures defending a certain Julian Assange of WikiLeaks at the Old Bailey in London, was understandable. Time had worn and wearied the parties, none more so than …
globalresearch.ca/its-not-as-bad-as-iwo-jima-i-suppose-the-julian-assange-extradition-verdict/5733583
The Julian Assange Extradition Verdict
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-05
The barrister-brewed humour of Edward Fitzgerald QC, one of the solid and stout figures defending a certain Julian Assange of WikiLeaks at the Old Bailey in London, was understandable. Time had worn and wearied the parties, none more so than …
globalresearch.ca/its-not-as-bad-as-iwo-jima-i-suppose-the-julian-assange-extradition-verdict/5733583
Julian Assange wins victory as extradition denied
Gloria La Riva | liberationnews.org | 2021-01-05
The U.S. government has pursued Assange since at least 2012, for his work exposing hundreds of thousands of U.S. military and intelligence documents and video that show outright war crimes, included targeted murders of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan.
liberationnews.org/julian-assange-wins-victory-as-extradition-denied/
Assange Wins. The Cost: Press Freedom Is Crushed
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2021-01-05
The unexpected decision by Judge Vanessa Baraitser to deny a US demand to extradite Julian Assange, foiling efforts to send him to a US super-max jail for the rest of his life, is a welcome legal victory, but one swamped by larger lessons that should disturb us deeply. | Those who campaigned so vigorously to keep Assange's case in the spotlight, even as the US and UK corporate media worked so strenuously to keep it in darkness, are the heroes of the day. They made the price too steep for Baraitser or the British establishment to agree to lock Assange away indefinitely in the US for exposing its war crimes and its…
popularresistance.org/assange-wins-the-cost-press-freedom-is-crushed/
"Every journalist should be concerned about what was said today in court. Because the political arguments provided by the United States were upheld by the British judicial system"
wsws.org | 2021-01-05
Assange's closest associates hailed the court's decision as a victory but warned that the fight to secure his freedom was far from over.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/05/cour-j05.html
Chris Hedges: The Empire Is Not Done With Julian Assange
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2021-01-05
Shortly after WikiLeaks released the Iraq War Logs in October 2010, which documented numerous US war crimes — including video images of the gunning down of two Reuters journalists and 10 other unarmed civilians in the Collateral Murder video, the routine torture of Iraqi prisoners, the covering up of thousands of civilian deaths and the killing of nearly 700 civilians that had approached too closely to US checkpoints — the towering civil rights attorneys Michael Ratner and Len Weinglass, who had defended Daniel Ellsberg in the Pentagon Papers case, met Julian Assange in a studio apartment in Central L…
popularresistance.org/chris-hedges-the-empire-is-not-done-with-julian-assange/
The Art of Losing–3 Poems for the COVID-19 Pandemic
Campo R, New E. | jamanetwork.com | 2021-01-05
This Arts and Medicine essay features 3 poems–Elizabeth Bishop's "One Art," Marilyn Chin's "Hospital in Oregon," and Edward Hirsch's "What the Last Evening Will Be Like"–as sources of wisdom and insight in the turmoil and pain of the COVID-19 pandemic.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2774325
One in 50 people in England has Covid-19, health chief reveals, also warning of further restrictions NEXT winter
rt.com | 2021-01-05
An average of one in 50 people in England has Covid-19, the government said on Tuesday, the country's first day of its new national lockdown in response to the rapidly spreading new virus variant driving record infection rates. | England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty revealed the grim data, as he warned that the new form of the virus discovered in London and the south of England is now "taking off" across the country, saying "one in 50 is really quite a large number indeed." | The figure is equivalent to about one million people. | In London, as many as one in 30 had the virus between December 27 and Ja…
rt.com/uk/511614-uk-covid-further-restrictions/
"I intend to reconcile the Venezuelans"
Nicolas Maduro | zcomm.org | 2021-01-05
Interview on domestic policy, economics, and international policy…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/i-intend-to-reconcile-the-venezuelans/
Who to believe about Venezuela's election? Firsthand observation or PBS Newshour?
Rick Sterling | dissidentvoice.org | 2021-01-05
In early December I travelled to Venezuela to be an election observer at their national assembly election. I was part of a group of eight persons from Canada and US organized by CodePink. There were about two hundred international observers in total, including the Latin American Council of Electoral Experts. I have previously been an official …
dissidentvoice.org/2021/01/who-to-believe-about-venezuelas-election-firsthand-observation-or-pbs-newshour/
Who to Believe about Venezuela's Election? US Meddling
Rick Sterling | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-05
In early December I travelled to Venezuela to be an election observer at their national assembly election. I was part of a group of eight persons from Canada and US organized by CodePink. There were about two hundred international observers …
globalresearch.ca/who-to-believe-about-venezuelas-election-us-meddling/5733618
Debating Maoism in Contemporary China
Elizabeth Perry | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-05
Xi Jinping's frequent references to Mao Zedong, along with Xi's own claims to ideological originality, have fueled debate over the significance of Maoism in the PRC today. | The discussion recalls an earlier debate, at the height of the Cold War, …
globalresearch.ca/debating-maoism-in-contemporary-china/5733609
Diversity in Medical Schools–Need for a New Bold Approach
Yancy CW, Bauchner H. | jamanetwork.com | 2021-01-05
In this issue of JAMA, Montgomery Rice details the wrenching history of Black men and women and medical education and the many challenges still thwarting the long-standing goal of increasing diversity in US medical schools. From her purview as dean at Morehouse School of Medicine, she offers unique insights and specifically illuminates the failure to increase the enrollment of Black medical students, especially at new medical schools, many of which have explicitly adopted diversity as a foundational pillar of contemporary mission statements. As a consequence, the medical schools serving historically Black college…
jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2774666
Venezuela Elections: A Key Victory for Anti Imperialist Movement in Latin America
Alison Bodine | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-05
The people of Venezuela have dealt another decisive blow against U.S. domination in Latin America. On December 6, 2020, more than 6.2 million Venezuelans voted for a new National Assembly in what was Venezuela's 25 election in the 21 | …
globalresearch.ca/venezuela-elections-a-key-victory-for-anti-imperialist-movement-in-latin-america/5733580
Kenosha, WI: Rally, march demands justice for Jacob Blake 1 day before DA's verdict
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2021-01-05
Kenosha, WI – Activists from multiple southeastern Wisconsin organizations gathered Monday, January 4, blocks from downtown Kenosha, to hear from Jacob Blake's family and demand justice. The gathering came together in response to the upcoming decision from Kenosha District Attorney Michael Graveley on whether Rusten Sheskey will be charged with any kind of crime. Sheskey is the officer who shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times in August, which sparked a week of protest in Kenosha and surrounding areas. | Protesters stopped along the way to hand out handwarmers to fight the cold and hear from Jacob Blake's fami…
fightbacknews.org/2021/1/5/kenosha-wi-rally-march-demands-justice-jacob-blake-1-day-da-s-verdict
Kenosha, WI: Rally, march demands justice for Jacob Blake 1 day before DA's verdict
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2021-01-05
Kenosha, WI – Activists from multiple southeastern Wisconsin organizations gathered Monday, January 4, blocks from downtown Kenosha, to hear from Jacob Blake's family and demand justice. The gathering came together in response to the upcoming decision from Kenosha District Attorney Michael Graveley on whether Rusten Sheskey will be charged with any kind of crime. Sheskey is the officer who shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times in August, which sparked a week of protest in Kenosha and surrounding areas. | Protesters stopped along the way to hand out handwarmers to fight the cold and hear from Jacob Blake's fami…
www.fightbacknews.org/2021/1/5/kenosha-wi-rally-march-demands-justice-jacob-blake-1-day-da-s-verdict
Google workers organize innovative new type of union with CWA
Mark Gruenberg | peoplesworld.org | 2021-01-05
Using innovations to attract their colleagues–everyone from software engineers to outside "contractors"–a committed group of Google workers has taken on the task, aided and encouraged by the Communications Workers of America, of organizing the high-tech behemoth. And its size and reach means they're working around the restrictions U.S. labor law puts on organizing drives, Chewy …
peoplesworld.org/article/google-workers-organize-innovative-new-type-of-union-with-cwa/
Venezuela's new National Assembly takes office today
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-05
The inauguration of the new congress marks the end of the body's submission to the US imperialism and the return of the revolutionary legacy of Simón Bolívar and Hugo Chávez…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/05/venezuelas-new-national-assembly-takes-office-today/
Hemming and Hawing: Our Exceptionally Unexceptional Future
Negin Farsad | progressive.org | 2021-01-05
Looking forward to 2021 . . . when politics are boring again.
progressive.org/magazine/exceptionally-unexceptional-future-farsad/
'Better than Neil Armstrong' wins at Italian filmfest
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-01-05
TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Iranian short film 'Better than Neil Armstrong' has won two awards at the sixth edition of Via Dei Corti film festival in Italy.
en.mehrnews.com/news/168128/Better-than-Neil-Armstrong-wins-at-Italian-filmfest
'Be ready for war at any second': Chinese president to Army
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-01-05
TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — In his first order of the new year to the country's armed forces, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the need for "full-time combat readiness".
en.mehrnews.com/news/168135/Be-ready-for-war-at-any-second-Chinese-president-to-Army
Iraqi army thwarts ISIL attacks on north of Baghdad
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-01-05
TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Iraqi army forces thwarted an operation by ISIL takfiri terrorists to attack Tarmiyah in the north of Baghdad.
en.mehrnews.com/news/168095/Iraqi-army-thwarts-ISIL-attacks-on-north-of-Baghdad
How an Austrian and British Malthusian Brainwashed a Generation of Americans
Matthew Ehret-Kump | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-05
The creation of false opposites has been a long-standing obstacle to human progress. | From the ancient pleasure-seeking Epicureans who argued against the logic-heavy Stoics of ancient Rome to the war of "salvation through faith vs works" that schismed western Christianity, …
globalresearch.ca/how-an-austrian-and-british-malthusian-brainwashed-a-generation-of-americans/5733615
New speaker of Venezuela's congress vows to promote "great national dialogue"
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-01-05
Caracas, Jan 5 (efe-epa).- The new head of Venezuela's unicameral legislature said Tuesday he will promote a "great national dialogue" that includes all sectors of the crisis-ridden South American nation. Jorge Rodriguez said the goal is to achieve reconciliation in a country where the US-aligned opposition has long refused to accept the legitimacy of its …
laprensalatina.com/new-speaker-of-venezuelas-congress-vows-to-promote-great-national-dialogue/
Jerusalem's Orthodox church accused of selling off land for 'settlement belt'
Qassam Muaddi | middleeasteye.net | 2021-01-05
Jerusalem's Orthodox church accused of selling off land for 'settlement belt' | If sold, the land would connect Bethlehem-area Gilo settlement to Jerusalem, a leading Palestinian Christian grassroots group warns | Qassam Muaddi | Tue, 01/05/2021 – 15: 56 | Jerusalem's Patriarch Theophilos III leads Christmas midnight mass for the Greek Orthodox in Bethlehem on 7 January 2018 (AFP/File photo) | The Orthodox patriar…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/jerusalem-orthodox-church-property-israeli-settlers
My Recent Experience with Immigration Control Tyranny
Jacob Hornberger | counterpunch.org | 2021-01-05
Over Christmas, I visited my hometown of Laredo, Texas, which is situated on the U.S.-Mexico border. As I was leaving the city and driving north on IH35 toward San Antonio, I was reminded of the tyranny that comes with a system of immigration controls. The tyranny came in the form of a domestic–i.e., inside the…
counterpunch.org/2021/01/05/my-recent-experience-with-immigration-control-tyranny/
Jerusalem's Orthodox church accused of selling off land for 'settlement belt'
Qassam Muaddi | middleeasteye.net | 2021-01-05
Jerusalem's Orthodox church accused of selling off land for 'settlement belt' | If sold, the land would connect Bethlehem-area Gilo settlement to Jerusalem, a leading Palestinian Christian grassroots group warns | Qassam Muaddi | Tue, 01/05/2021 – 15: 56 | Jerusalem's Patriarch Theophilos III leads Christmas midnight mass for the Greek Orthodox in Bethlehem on 7 January 2018 (AFP/File photo) | The Orthodox patriar…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/new-deal-sell-orthodox-church-property-israeli-settlers-sparks-uproar