(2021-05-12). Biden Administration Blocking UN Cease-Fire Statement As Israel Bombs Gaza. popularresistance.org The Biden administration is reportedly blocking the release of a United Nations Security Council statement calling for an immediate cease-fire as Israel continues its devastating assault on the occupied Gaza Strip, killing dozens of Palestinians and injuring hundreds more. | According to Reuters, which cited anonymous diplomats and sources familiar with the Biden administration's strategy, the United States is "delaying" the U.N. Security Council's "efforts to issue a public statement on escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinians because it could be harmful to behind-the-scenes efforts to end the vio…
(2021-05-12). Headlines for May 12, 2021. democracynow.org At Least 50 Palestinians Killed as Israeli Attacks Continue; Protests Call Out Israeli Crimes, Red Cross Warns COVID Cases "Exploding" in Asia as India Continues to Break New Records, Algeria Moves to Ban Unauthorized Protests as Pro-Democracy Movement Gains Steam, French Court Tosses Lawsuit from Agent Orange Victim Against Chemical Companies, Family of Andrew Brown Jr. Views More Footage of Police Killing, Confirms Shooting Was Unjustified, Ahmaud Arbery's Killers Plead Not Guilty to Federal Hate Crimes, Arizona Passes Law to Cut Voters from Early Mail-in Voting List, Liz Cheney Delivers Scathing Rebuke as GOP…
(2021-05-12). Biden Administration Reportedly Blocking UN Cease-Fire Statement as Israel Bombards Gaza. commondreams.org "The violence in Israel and Gaza must end," said U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman. "Congress and President Biden must act immediately. No one wins with war." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/biden_israel_ceasefire_gaza.jpg …
(2021-05-12). US Refuses to Condemn Israeli Airstrikes That Killed Palestinian Children. news.antiwar.com Unsurprisingly, Biden administration officials have failed to condemn Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that killed Palestinian children.
(2021-05-12). Uprising Across the Global South. orinocotribune.com 
By Nicholas Ayala — May 11, 2021 | For the past week massive uprisings in Colombia have captured international attention. The scale of the unrest has been so large and vocal that long-time allies to the Duque regime have been forced to speak up. The US released a statement saying "citizens in democratic countries have the unquestionable right to protest peacefully" but that "Violence and vandalism is an abuse of that right." After claiming that the protesters were guilty of some of the violence they then stated "we continue to support the Colombian government's efforts to address the current situation" and t…
(2021-05-12). No, Biden's Not Banning Burgers – But Meat is a Real Climate Problem. indybay.org This article goes into detail about the misconceptions created by right winged politicians in regards to Biden's expectation to meet the Green New Deal.
(2021-05-12). Venezuela to Hold Regional Elections as Opposition Groups Signal Intent to Participate. venezuelanalysis.com President Nicolás Maduro said US-backed Juan Guaidó's call for dialogue was a desperate attempt to avoid being marginalized.
(2021-05-12). Friday 5/21: Anti-Chevron Day Protest at Richmond Refinery. indybay.org Chevron Richmond Refinery, | Castro St. entrance — Street parking in Point Richmond (the other side of I-580); please allow up to 15 minutes to walk to the gate.
(2021-05-12). Mayo Clinic again receives top honors for high-quality patient care. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — Eleven? hospitals across?Mayo Clinic?received star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Overall Hospital Quality. Six of the 11 hospitals earned five stars — the best score possible. The national average is 3 of 5 stars. The star rating provides patients with information about multiple dimensions of quality …
(2021-05-12). Vaccine Production and Open Source Technology. counterpunch.org Since the Biden administration announced its decision to support a motion at the WTO to waive patent rights on vaccines for the duration of the pandemic, we have been deluged with statements by experts telling us that this cannot possibly increase vaccine production. The argument is that everyone who can produce vaccines is already producing
(2021-05-12). Biden's talk of vaccine IP waiver is political theater. zcomm.org America's Left and developing nations ravaged by the pandemic back the proposal but developed world drug manufacturers balk…
(2021-05-12). Economics of the new cold war and US 'super imperialism' with economist Michael Hudson. thegrayzone.com The Grayzone's Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton interview world-renowned economist Michael Hudson on his concept of American "super imperialism" and the economics of the new cold war on China and Russia. In this wide-ranging discussion on the Moderate Rebels podcast, Hudson addresses US sanctions on Venezuela and Iran, the policies of the Joe Biden administration, Beijing's economic model, cryptocurrencies, and dedollarization — the potential end to the dollar as the global reserve currency. Transcript Ben Norton 0: 03 Hello everyone, I'm …
(2021-05-12). Why the Pentagon Budget Never Goes Down: Joe Biden's First 100 Days Were a Pentagon Prize. juancole.com 
By Mandy Smithberger | — ( Tomdispatch.com) — The first 100 days of President Joe Biden's administration have come and gone. While somewhat exaggerated, that milestone is normally considered the honeymoon period for any new president. Buoyed by a recent election triumph and inauguration, he's expected to be at the peak of his power when …
(2021-05-12). Biden budget would give $1.3 billion more to the Israeli military than to the global climate response. therealnews.com 
According to Left Flank Veterans, a group of anti-war veterans, Biden's spending priorities indicate that the president thinks "preserving apartheid is more important than fighting climate change."
(2021-05-12). Republicans Woke Up and Chose Violence, Jazzy Jeff'd Liz Cheney From Her Leadership Position. theroot.com 
Let's play a game for a second. |
(2021-05-12). "Super Thursday" Elections in the UK. counterpunch.org 
Labour's most prominent defeat was in the election for a new MP for Hartlepool. Labour held this seat since it was created in 1974 (including 2017 and 2019, when Jeremy Corbyn was party leader), but the Tories won Hartlepool after a 16-point swing— notwithstanding 11 years of Tory austerity, and a Tory leader who is a proven liar with a long-standing reputation for sleaze and corruption.
(2021-05-12). Labour MP Nadia Whittome nails the reason Boris Johnson wants to introduce voter ID. thecanary.co 
The government has been slammed over its plans to introduce laws that will require voters to take an extra step at election time to make their voices heard. | This is part of the government's The plans, which will require voters to have a form of ID, have been criticised for making it more difficult for people to use their right to vote. Labour MP Nadia Whittome nailed why the Tories want to introduce the measures…
(2021-05-12). Venezuela's popular Democracy under siege: A conversation with Elías Jaua. mronline.org 
Chavez's former Vice President and long-time minister talks about the internal dynamics of the Bolivarian process. | May 12, 2021 | Exchange…
(2021-05-12). Philly DA Larry Krasner Fights for Reelection Amid Police Union Attacks on His Reform Agenda. democracynow.org 
As Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner attempts to overhaul the city's criminal justice system, he faces a Democratic primary election next week against Carlos Vega, a former homicide prosecutor who is one of three dozen veteran prosecutors fired by Krasner when he took office in 2018. We speak with Linn Washington, a journalist who has covered Philadelphia's criminal justice system for decades, who says powerful forces, including the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police, have unfairly "tarred" Krasner for his reforms. "The FOP represents the very worst of the regressive approach to the criminal justic…
(2021-05-12). "Mass Supervision": How Restrictive Probation & Parole Systems Land People Behind Bars for Decades. democracynow.org 
In Pennsylvania, more than half of incarcerated people are jailed due to probation violations. We speak with formerly incarcerated activist LaTonya Myers, who says probation and parole, rather than being a stepping stone to freedom, act as a "streamline to mass incarceration," with punitive rules landing people back behind bars for minor violations. Myers helps people arrested navigate the bail review system as support coordinator with the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund and is featured in the new PBS documentary series "Philly D.A." about Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's attempts to reform the cri…
(2021-05-12). Can the Criminal Justice System Be Reformed? PBS Series "Philly D.A." Follows Larry Krasner's Efforts. democracynow.org 
Four years ago, the longtime civil rights attorney Larry Krasner shocked the political establishment in Philadelphia by being elected district attorney. Now he faces a tough reelection next week. We delve into his record as captured in a new eight-part series by PBS "Independent Lens" that follows how Krasner, who had sued the Philadelphia Police Department 75 times during his career, ran on a platform of ending mass incarceration and has fought to overhaul the DA's Office. "Is change possible in an institution like this?" asks series co-creator Ted Passon. "Why or why not?" We also speak with co-creator Nicole S…
(2021-05-12). Duque's Lightning Visit to Cali & the Stark Contrast with How He Addressed Venezuelans. orinocotribune.com The president of Colombia, Iván Duque, made a lightning visit early morning on Monday, May 10, to the city of Cali, the epicenter of the protests that have been going on in Colombia since April 28. The president stayed in Cali for hardly four hours to meet with the security council established there in the aftermath of the paramilitary attacks perpetrated against an indigenous minga [community reunion]. | On May 9, Duque was emphatic that he had no intention of visiting the capital of Valle del Cauca department; however, eventually he yielded to the pressure from the members of his Democratic Center party. At 3: 4…
(2021-05-12). Appleton, WI: Fox Valley communities celebrate May Day. fightbacknews.org Appleton, WI – On May 1, over 40 people gathered in downtown Appleton at Houdini Plaza to commemorate International Workers' Day, or May Day. There were speeches from multiple local organizations. The Appleton Students for a Democratic Society, Wisconsin Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Sunrise Appleton, Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, AFT Local 6511, Wisconsin Bail Out People Movement, and United Action Oshkosh joined together for this important holiday. | Union power, indigenous rights, ending corporate greed, smashing capitalism and celeb…
(2021-05-12). Can President Biden's planned Waiving of Covid Vaccination Patents: begin a grassroots movement against Big Pharma? juancole.com Southwest Harbor, Maine (Special to Informed Comment) — When the Biden Administration announced it would no longer oppose suspension of Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) standards regarding production of COVID vaccines and therapies, there was joy in the world health lobby and anguish in the big pharma camp. Understandable as these reactions …
(2021-05-12). Congresswoman Jayapal Misses the Mark by Saying Biden Deserves an 'A' Grade. counterpunch.org It's the job of progressive advocates and activists to tell inconvenient truths, without sugarcoating or cheerleading. To effectively confront the enormous problems facing our country and world, progressives need to soberly assess everything — good, bad and mixed. Yet last week, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Pramila Jayapal, made headlines when she graded
(2021-05-12). Congresswoman Jayapal Misses the Mark. indybay.org No way does Biden deserve an "A"
(2021-05-12). Worse Than the Dreyfuss Affair: the Persecution of Julian Assange. counterpunch.org It may appear unnecessary to repeat the truism that democracy depends on transparency and accountability, and yet, how often has the democratic order been betrayed by our leaders in the recent past? How often have the media abandoned their watchdog function, how often have they simply accepted the role of an echo-chamber for the powerful,
(2021-05-12). The Left Unites in Peru: Pedro Castillo Gains the Support of Verónika Mendoza. orinocotribune.com By Carlos Noriega — May 9, 2021 | Four weeks before the June 6 run-off election, the Peruvian left have united and close to an agreement to promote a "government of change" headed by the professor and trade unionist Pedro Castillo, who is facing the right-wing Keiko Fujimori, daughter and political heir of the imprisoned ex-dictator Alberto Fujimori.The Peru Libre party, which defines itself as Marxist-Leninist and is running Castillo's candidacy, and the progressive coalition Together for Peru, which in the first round had Verónika Mendoza as its candidate, have signed a political pact to support Castillo's…
(2021-05-13). Pentagon Not Clear on Regional Troop Presence Plans After Afghanistan Pullout. news.antiwar.com Since President Biden announced his plans to pull combat troops out of Afghanistan, US military officials have said they plan to keep assets in the region so the US could maintain the ability to bomb targets in the country. But it's not clear where US forces could be deployed. | David Helvey, acting assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs, "T…
(2021-05-12). WATCH: Bernie Sanders Holds Hearing on Pentagon 'Waste, Fraud, and Cost Overruns'. commondreams.org "The Pentagon remains the only agency in the federal government that cannot pass an independent audit. Not acceptable." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-12308185091_0.jpg …
(2021-05-12). Corporate media oppose Afghan control of Afghanistan. nationofchange.org Establishment reporting over the future of Afghanistan after Biden's announcement demonstrated the imperialist mindset of corporate journalists.
(2021-05-12). Estados Unidos: øPunto final en Afganistán? globalizacion.ca El discurso ofrecido por Joseph Biden con motivo del cumplimiento de sus cien primeros días de gobierno fue copioso —y sorprendente— en materia de política nacional, pero escaso en el rubro de política internacional. Uno de los temas que tocó…
(2021-05-12). Sunrise Says Biden Must 'Act Urgently' on Infrastructure, Avoid 'Performative Negotiations' With GOP. commondreams.org "Biden can't get distracted by this false idea of bipartisanship when there's so much at stake." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/biden_gop_infrastructure_negotiation.jpg …
(2021-05-12). Pakistan Rules Out Hosting US Military After Afghanistan Withdrawal. news.antiwar.com Since President Biden Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan has adopted a policy that allows it to become "only partners in peace" and not join any future US war. | "No sir, we do…
(2021-05-12). Chuck Schumer: 'I Believe That Democracy Is at Risk and We Cannot Fail'. thenation.com Chuck Schumer: 'I Believe That Democracy Is at Risk and We Cannot Fail'
(2021-05-12). Democrats Face Existential Choice: Kill Filibuster or Watch Democracy Die. zcomm.org "This is about to move from an abstract conversation about Senate rules to a very clear choice for Senate Democrats: Protect the 'Jim Crow' filibuster or protect American democracy—they won't be able to do both."
(2021-05-12). GOP Ouster of 'Xenophobic Extremist' Liz Cheney Called 'Flashing Red Danger Sign' for Democracy. commondreams.org "Political parties that promote lies and propaganda are setting their countries up for authoritarianism and fascism," warned Rep. Jamie Raskin after Rep. Liz Cheney's demotion by House GOP lawmakers. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/cheney_2.jpg …
(2021-05-12). 660+ Groups Call on Democrats to 'Reject Gas and Other False Climate Solutions' for Clean Energy Standard. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/solar_photovoltaic_panel_china.jpg …
(2021-05-12). Colombia, una democracia paramilitar (I). globalizacion.ca Dos años antes del nacimiento de las FARC, en febrero de 1962 el teniente general William Yarborough promovió la idea de los grupos paramilitares "entrenadas de forma clandestina para la represión" en América Latina como forma de combatir a los…
(2021-05-12). Cheney vs. Stefanik Isn't About Loyalty to Donald Trump. thenation.com Cheney vs. Stefanik Isn't About Loyalty to Donald Trump…
(2021-05-12). Shareholders Push To End Secret Political Spending. popularresistance.org Popular Information focuses a lot of attention on the activities of corporate PACs, even though the dollar figures involved are relatively small. Corporate PACs can contribute a maximum of $5,000 per election to a federal candidate. For a typical candidate that has a primary and general election, that's $10,000 per cycle. | So why do we spend so much time tracking this spending? | Because corporate PACs are one of the few aspects of corporate political spending that is fully transparent. All of the money donated by corporate PACs to federal candidates is reported to the FEC. Things are a bit more complex on the s…
(2021-05-12). Election in Syria proves failure of Westerners: envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) — Syrian Ambassador to Tehran Shafiq Dayoub says holding of election in Syria bears a clear message to Western and Arab countries.
(2021-05-12). Registration of presidential candidates going on for 2nd day. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) — Registration of candidates for the upcoming presidential election is continuing for the second day in Tehran.
(2021-05-12). 2nd day of presidential candidates registration. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) — Registration of candidates for the upcoming presidential election is continuing for the second day in Tehran on Wed.
(2021-05-12). 120+ Retired US Generals and Admirals Pen 'Disturbing' Letter Parroting Trump Election Lies. commondreams.org "This should bust the myth that generals automatically deserve our respect," said Joe Cirincione of the Quincy Institute. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/retired_generals_trump_0.jpg …
(2021-05-12). Senate Votes to Repeal Trump-Era Rule That Helps Predatory Lenders Trap Vulnerable People in Debt. commondreams.org Consumer advocates say Trump's gift to payday lenders is "doing active harm right now, defending a predatory business model that destroys small businesses, homes, and lives." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/trump_payday_lenders.jpg …
(2021-05-11). Friday 5/21: Anti-Chevron Day Protest at Richmond Refinery. indybay.org Chevron Richmond Refinery, | Castro St. entrance — Street parking in Point Richmond (the other side of I-580); please allow up to 15 minutes to walk to the gate.
(2021-05-11). Mayo Clinic again receives top honors for high-quality patient care. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — Eleven? hospitals across?Mayo Clinic?received star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Overall Hospital Quality. Six of the 11 hospitals earned five stars — the best score possible. The national average is 3 of 5 stars. The star rating provides patients with information about multiple dimensions of quality …
(2021-05-11). It Is Imperative We Fix the Gaping Holes in Medicare. commondreams.org "The lack of benefits for hearing, dental and vision has severe consequences for worsening a whole host of other medical conditions," writes Bernie Sanders and Pramila Jayapal. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/medicareee-1.jpg …
(2021-05-11). Why the Pentagon Budget Never Goes Down. tomdispatch.com The first 100 days of President Joe Biden's administration have come and gone. While somewhat exaggerated, that milestone is normally considered the honeymoon period for any new president. Buoyed by a recent election triumph and inauguration, he's expected to be at the peak of his power when it comes to advancing the biggest, boldest items on his agenda. And indeed, as far as, say, infrastructure or pandemic vaccination goals, Biden has delivered in a major way. Blindly funding the Pentagon and its priorities in the stratospheric fashion that's become the essence of Washington has, however, proven another matter…
(2021-05-11). UN denounces attack on peacekeepers in DR Congo. news.un.org The United Nations Security Council strongly condemned Monday's attack on the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in which one Malawian blue helmet was killed.
(2021-05-11). Security Council denounces attack on peacekeepers in DR Congo. news.un.org The United Nations Security Council strongly condemned Monday's attack on the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in which one Malawian blue helmet was killed.
(2021-05-11). Petition from Rep. Rashida Tlaib to Stop US/Israeli War Crmes. indybay.org Sign now to call on the U.S. State Department and Department of Defense: Demand an end to Israel's forced displacement of Palestinians from East Jerusalem. See actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-now-to-call-on-the-us-state-department-and-department-of-defense-demand-an-end-to-israels-forced-displacement-of-palestinians-from-east-jerusalem…
(2021-05-11). Headlines for May 11, 2021. democracynow.org Israeli Airstrikes Kill 26 Palestinians in Gaza, Including 9 Children, Bodies of Indian COVID-19 Victims Found on Banks of Ganges River, World Health Organization Chief Blasts "Shocking Global Disparity" in Vaccine Access, U.S. Drug Regulator Clears Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine for Use in Children 12 and Older, Democrats Urge President Biden to Lift Iran Sanctions and Return to 2015 Nuclear Deal, Colombian President Warns Indigenous Protesters Amid Mounting Attacks by Vigilantes, Mother's Day Marchers Demand Mexican Government Take Action to Find Missing Children, Moroccan Authorities Raid Home of Western Sahara Ind…
(2021-05-11). Israel Kills Dozens in Gaza While Imposing "Constant War" on Palestinian Residents of Jerusalem. democracynow.org 
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed at least 26 Palestinians, including nine children, as tension in the region has escalated sharply. Hundreds were also injured by Israeli forces Monday when they stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam. Hamas responded by firing hundreds of rockets into Israel, which reportedly caused dozens of injuries but no deaths. The tension in Jerusalem has been mounting for weeks as Palestinians have been organizing to block Israel from forcibly evicting dozens of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood to give their homes to Jewish settlers. The United Natio…
(2021-05-11). Sanders Says US Must Call for Cease-Fire and End to 'Provocative and Illegal Settlement Activity' by Israel. commondreams.org "The United States must call for an immediate cease-fire and an end to provocative and illegal settlement activity," says Sen. Bernie Sanders. "And we must also recommit to working with Israelis and Palestinians to finally end this conflict." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gaza_2021.jpg …
(2021-05-11). State Dept Spokesperson Under Fire for 'Spineless' Refusal to Condemn Israel's Killing of Children in Gaza. commondreams.org "This unsurprising response is devoid of empathy and concern for human suffering," said Rep. Ilhan Omar. "He can't even condemn the killing of children." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/ned_price_gaza.jpg …
(2021-05-11). Uprising Across the Global South. libya360.wordpress.com Nicholas Ayala For the past week massive uprisings in Colombia have captured international attention. The scale of the unrest has been so large and vocal that long-time allies to the Duque regime have been forced to speak up. The US released a statement saying "citizens in democratic countries have the unquestionable right to protest peacefully" but that…
(2021-05-11). Andrew Yang [kee]: Champion of Memes, Math and Murder. mintpressnews.com 
WASHINGTON (Substack //
(2021-05-11). Daniel Jadue, the Communist mayor determined to end Chile's neoliberal nightmare. peoplesworld.org 
Working and marginalized people in Chile can now see possibilities of relief from the political grief of decades. A new constitution is in the works. And Daniel Jadue, author of an astonishingly progressive program as mayor of Recoleta municipality, a commune in the north of Santiago Province, is a presidential candidate. The election is set …
(2021-05-11). Need a Ride? Biden Administration Partners With Uber and Lyft to Give Free Rides to Vaccination Sites. theroot.com 
Now that vaccines are becoming more widely available, we have a genuine shot at being able to move into a new normal sooner rather than later. For some though, simply getting to a vaccination site can be an obstacle unto itself. To help combat that problem, the Biden Administration has partnered with Uber and Lyft to…
(2021-05-11). "Harm Is Still Being Done": 36 Years After MOVE Bombing, Misuse of Children's Remains Reopens Wounds. democracynow.org 
This week marks the 36th anniversary of the day the city of Philadelphia bombed its own citizens. On May 13, 1985, police surrounded the home of MOVE, a radical Black liberation organization that was defying orders to vacate. Police flooded the home with water, filled the house with tear gas, and blasted the house with automatic weapons, all failing to dislodge the residents. Finally, police dropped a bomb on the house from a helicopter, killing 11 people, including five children. The fire burned an entire city block to the ground, destroying over 60 homes. But the tragedy didn't end on that day. We look at how P…
(2021-05-11). Warren, Sanders Propose Permanently Expanding Food Stamps to College Students. truthout.org 
Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) are leading an effort to permanently expand college students' access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, which helps provide food to people with low incomes. | The lawmakers introduced a bill on Tuesday that would help address food insecurity among college students by permanently extending the current expansion to SNAP that gives more college students access for the duration of the…
(2021-05-11). Despite Weeks of Union-Busting, Workers at Imperfect Foods Vote to Unionize. truthout.org 
Drivers at Imperfect Foods, a climate-conscious grocery delivery service, have voted to unionize after weeks of being manipulated and intimidated by union-busting consultants hired by the company's management. The official tally was delayed by a company objection to an April vote, which the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) overruled on May 7, thereby certifying the election. It's a victory for 80 of the company's 1,500 total workers — delivery drivers in California and Nevada —…
(2021-05-11). Biden Seeks Bipartisanship Even as McConnell Admits GOP Only Wants Obstruction. truthout.org 
President Joe Biden is meeting with top lawmakers from both parties this week in search of bipartisan support for his jobs and infrastructure plan. Meanwhile, frustrated progressives are urging Democrats to use their slim majority in Congress to bypass Republican opposition and deliver results to voters ahead of the 2022 midterm election season. | Biden is scheduled to host his first White House meeting on Wednesday with the "big four" congressional leaders: Republican House Minority Leader…
(2021-05-11). Over 50 Democrats Support $8 Billion Fund for USPS to Electrify Its Fleet. truthout.org 
Over 50 House Democrats have signed on to a letter urging the White House and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to consider a proposal to allocate $8 billion in funds for the United States Postal Service (USPS) so that it can get a jump start on electrifying its fleet of mail trucks. | The agency had outlined a plan costing
(2021-05-11). Biden's First Immigration Court Picks Are All Judges Selected Under Trump. truthout.org 
Immigration advocates sounded the alarm after the Biden administration's first list of new immigration court picks was filled entirely by judges selected under former President Donald Trump. | The Justice Department last week released a
(2021-05-11). GOP Lawmaker Claims Only 5 Republicans in the House Actually Buy Trump's Lies. truthout.org 
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican congressman from Illinois and an anomaly within his party for his frequent criticisms of former President Donald Trump, said this week that most GOP members within the House of Representatives don't actually believe the election fraud lies that Trump has pushed since losing the presidential race last fall. | Speaking to CNN's Jake Tapper about the issue, Kinzinger explained that most Republicans in Congress who peddle Trump's falsehoods (in which the former p…
(2021-05-11). Why Biden's Vaccine IP Waiver is Political Theatre. counterpunch.org 
India's Ministry of External Affairs has welcomed the statement of the US government of 5th May announcing their support for a relaxation in the norms of the agreement on TRIPS, to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines for developing countries. Delhi is "hopeful that with a consensus based approach, the waiver can be approved quickly at the WTO." But is the optimism warranted?
(2021-05-11). The Heat: U.S. politics and Biden's agenda. america.cgtn.com 
President Biden pushes ahead with his U.S. domestic agenda. But what can he accomplish?
(2021-05-11). The Pursuit of National Liberty Should not be Handed Over to Toxic Populists and Demagogues. counterpunch.org 
Sending the royal navy to Jersey to confront the French was a suitable overture to elections in Britain dominated by populist nationalism of differing variants. Boris Johnson promised "unwavering support" for the island's government, a pledge it may find less than reassuring. In Paris, President Macron was likewise beating the patriotic drum, using the bicentenary of the death of Napoleon to praise "the child from Ajaccio who became master of Europe".
(2021-05-11). Syria and Russia Won the War, But America Legitimizes Ongoing Looting. strategic-culture.org 
The Syrian people are well aware that they must persist in defying Western aggression if they are to avoid the total collapse inflicted on Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya by the Americans and their accomplices. | Irish peace activist Dr Declan Hayes explains what's at stake in Syria's forthcoming presidential election this month. He predicts incumbent President Bashar al-Assad will win re-election from having strong popular support because the Syrian people view this defiance as their best way to repel the American-led NATO covert war on their nation. The covert war for regime change has been defeated in the battlefi…
(2021-05-11). Eternal War and Austerity: The Hell that Imperialist Propaganda Demands us to Accept. orinocotribune.com By Rainer Shea — May 8, 2021 | The narrative managers of U.S. imperialism don't want us to think about the mounting evidence that an alternative to our current socio-political system exists. They don't want us to think about how over 800 Chinese million people have been lifted out of poverty in the last generation due due to China's socialist workers democracy, or about the successes that the five Marxist-Leninist countries have had in fighting Covid-19 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or how a multi-polar world order is emerging which is diminishing the deadly reach of the U.S. empire, or how a new wa…
(2021-05-11). Migrant Children Held in Mass Shelters With Little Oversight. latinorebels.com The Biden administration is holding tens of thousands of asylum-seeking children in an opaque network of some 200 facilities that The Associated Press has learned spans two dozen states and includes five shelters with more than 1,000 children packed inside.
(2021-05-11). Congresswoman Jayapal Misses the Mark. indybay.org No way does Biden deserve an "A"
(2021-05-11). Hunger Strike Exposes Biden's Drive To Increase US Oil Exports. popularresistance.org The Biden administration claims to care about the climate crisis but it is currently allowing a dredging project to proceed in the Matagorda shipping channel to open the way for crude oil exports in Texas. Not only will this drive a surge in oil extraction, but it will also increase mercury pollution by digging in a Superfund site left by the aluminum company, Alcoa. The project will decimate the struggling local fishing industry. To stop this project, veteran activist and shrimper, Diane Wilson has been on a hunger strike since April 7. Clearing the FOG speaks with Diane about her current hunger strike and her l…
(2021-05-11). The True Meaning of the Afghan 'Withdrawal'. thenation.com The True Meaning of the Afghan 'Withdrawal'
(2021-05-11). Democratic Party Leaders Call on Biden to Lift Sanctions and Return to Iran Deal. news.antiwar.com Democratic Party leaders "Lifting Trump's bad-faith sanctions — which he explicitly imposed on Iran in order to make a return to the JCPOA next-to-impossible — should not be treated as a…
(2021-05-11). Joe Biden's First 100 Days Were a Pentagon Prize. scheerpost.com U.S. Secretary of Defense / CC BY 2.0] By Mandy Smithberger / TomDispatch The first 100 days of President Joe Biden's administration have come and gone. While somewhat exaggerated, that milestone is normally considered the honeymoon period for any new president. Buoyed by a recent election triumph and inauguration, he's expected to be at the peak of his power when it comes to advancing the biggest… |
(2021-05-11). Climate Experts Applaud as US Government Approves Largest Offshore Wind Farm in Nation's History. commondreams.org "The U.S. offshore wind journey is now well and truly underway," said the Union of Concerned Scientists as the Biden administration approved a large-scale wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/windturbines_0.jpg …
(2021-05-11). Will Biden Have Blood on His Hands in Afghanistan? counterpunch.org President Biden has announced that America's forever war in Afghanistan is finally coming to an end. He says that U.S. forces will exit the country by next September 11. That's a good thing. And it is long overdue. But there is one big problem with Biden's timetable: It violates an agreement that the U.S. government
(2021-05-11). Tomgram: Mandy Smithberger, Joe Biden's Pentagon Honeymoon. warisacrime.org This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Strange, isn't it? Our secretary of state emphatically claims that China has been acting "more aggressively abroad" and behaving "increasingly in adversarial ways." No, he insists, we're not exactly at the edge of a new cold war or …
(2021-05-11). Decrying Global Violence, Jamaal Bowman Says 'White House Must Act'. commondreams.org Calling on the Biden administration to work for peaceful solutions to global conflicts, Rep. Jamaal Bowman says his "heart is breaking for people around the world experiencing oppression and hurt." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/bowman-2.jpg …
(2021-05-11). Chinese Scholars Say Biden's China Policy Is More Similar to Trump's Than Expected. news.antiwar.com A group of Chinese foreign policy scholars said at a seminar reviewing President Biden's first 100 days in office "Judging from Biden's first 100 days, there is more continuity than the changes that we expected. The Biden administration also has a more focused and systematic approach," said Ni Feng, head of the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, according to The S…
(2021-05-11). Biden Budget Would Send $1.3 Billion More to Israeli Military Than to Global Climate Programs: Analysis. commondreams.org A group of anti-war veterans said President Joe Biden's spending priorities indicate that he thinks "preserving apartheid is more important than fighting climate change." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/israel_violence.jpg …
(2021-05-11). Harvey Milk Students Protest at Castro Safeway After Racial Profiling Incident. indybay.org After a Black 11-year-old boy was falsely accused of stealing a sandwich at a Castro neighborhood Safeway, security guards detained him even though he showed his receipt. Fellow students at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academic Elementary, with help from parents and staff, marched on the Safeway and demonstrated in front of the store.
(2021-05-11). European Union Foreign Ministers: Venezuela's New CNE a 'First Step'. orinocotribune.com The European Union's Foreign Affairs Ministers consider the new National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela appointed by Parliament as "one step among others" towards elections that the "international community" considers democratic. European former colonial powers usually consider themselves as the "international community." | "The National Council is one step among others that will have to come in order to be able to hold elections with democratic guarantees at the regional, local level, and of course, at the presidential level," said Arancha González Laya, Spain's Foreign Minister, summarizing "the sentiment…
(2021-05-11). United States: Republicans step up racist, anti-democratic attacks. greenleft.org.au The Republican Party is waging a war on the movement for Black rights, while Donald Trump cheers on, writes Malik Miah.
(2021-05-11). Radical May: Changing the world through progressive media. dsausa.org Featuring left-wing luminaries from across the globe, Radical May is sure to have something in its program for anyone and everyone who identifies as a member of the international Left.
(2021-05-11). Arizona State Legislature Passes Anti-Voter, Anti-Democracy Bill Targeting Communities of Color. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2021-05-11). Report reveals major corporations are funding lawmakers behind anti-democracy bills. nationofchange.org "It is now more urgent than ever to build a just transition away from fossil fuels and fight off attacks against protest and our freedom to vote, so that we can have a planet our communities can thrive on."
(2021-05-11). Left Says Senate Democrats Face Existential Choice: Kill Filibuster or Watch Democracy Die. commondreams.org "This is about to move from an abstract conversation about Senate rules to a very clear choice for Senate Democrats: Protect the 'Jim Crow' filibuster or protect American democracy—they won't be able to do both." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/for_the_people_act_0.jpg …
(2021-05-11). Communists on Queen's Speech: 'Tory talk can't be trusted'. challenge-magazine.org "When a Boris Johnson government talks about renewing and strengthening democracy, it's time to count the spoons." | "The legislative programme outlined in the Queen's Speech is a minefield for democratic liberties with plenty of traps for the leadership of the Labour Party. Even more significantly, it refuses to address Britain's rising levels of family poverty and the failure to prepare for an…
(2021-05-11). Job market stumbles in April. fightbacknews.org San José, CA – On Friday, May 7, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that businesses added 266,000 workers. This was only one-quarter of the additional 1 million jobs that economists had predicted. This left the economy down more than 8 million jobs from February of 2020, right before the economic crisis started. At the current rate it will take the economy more than two and half years to gain back the lost jobs Women have been harder hit by the recession, and the gap with men widened in April as all of the net new jobs went to men. | The weak jobs report unleashed a flood of claims by the Republicans that fed…
(2021-05-11). Job market stumbles in April. fightbacknews.org San José, CA – On Friday, May 7, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that businesses added 266,000 workers. This was only one-quarter of the additional 1 million jobs that economists had predicted. This left the economy down more than 8 million jobs from February of 2020, right before the economic crisis started. At the current rate it will take the economy more than two and half years to gain back the lost jobs Women have been harder hit by the recession, and the gap with men widened in April as all of the net new jobs went to men. | The weak jobs report unleashed a flood of claims by the Republicans that fed…
(2021-05-11). Virginia's Shrunken GOP Electorate Finally Picks a Nominee for Governor. thenation.com Virginia's Shrunken GOP Electorate Finally Picks a Nominee for Governor…
(2021-05-11). Republicans Love Hypocrites, and Elise Stefanik Is the Hypocrite Du Jour. thenation.com Republicans Love Hypocrites, and Elise Stefanik Is the Hypocrite Du Jour…
(2021-05-11). 9 of 9 GOP Senators Agree That Voters Waiting in Line Should Not Be Given Food or Water. commondreams.org "Republicans would rather have you starve than vote," said one critic. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-13063543331.jpg …
(2021-05-11). The Political Party of the Big Lie. counterpunch.org "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." — Hamlet," Act 1, Scene IV The boy who cried wolf would feel right at home in the Republican Party. The lying, the hypocrisy is staggering in their audacity, in the capacity of many Republicans to act without conscience, without shame, without honor. They are violating trust and
(2021-05-11). GOP: We Just May Be the Lunatics You're Looking For. commondreams.org "The once-upon-a-time party of Honest Abe," writes columnist Michael Winship, "has decided that reality is a worn-out concept that just gets in the way of their obeisance to the 'say anything' madness of Trump." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/kevin_mccarthy_insane_republicans.png …
