(2021-12-13). Headlines for December 13, 2021. democracynow.org Biden Declares Major Federal Disaster in KY; 100+ Feared Dead After Tornadoes Rip Through 8 States, U.S. Health Officials Say Boosters Could Curb Winter COVID Surge as NY Tightens Mask Rules, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Tests Positive for COVID-19, Over Half a Billion People Faced Extreme Poverty Due to Healthcare Costs During Pandemic, SCOTUS Says Providers Can Sue over Texas Abortion Law But Limits Scope and Keeps Ban in Place, Gov. Gavin Newsom Says He Will Use Texas Abortion Ban as Model for CA Gun Control Laws, NYT: Secret Unit Launched 10,000s of Strikes Against ISIS, Killing Syrian Civilians in…
(2021-12-13). Hedges: The Execution of Julian Assange. scheerpost.com 
Original illustration by Mr. Fish, "Mind Games." | By Chris Hedges / Original to ScheerPost | Let us name Julian Assange's executioners. Joe Biden. Boris Johnson. Scott Morrison. Theresa May. Lenin Moreno. Donald Trump. Barack Obama. Mike Pompeo. Hillary Clinton. Lord Chief Justice Ian Burnett and Justice Timothy Victor Holroyde. Crown Prosecutors James Lewis, Clair Dobbin and Joel Smith. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser. Assistant US Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia Gordon Kromberg. William Burns, the director of the CIA. Ken McCallum, the Director General of the UK Security Service or MI5. | Let…
(2021-12-13). Justice denied: the judicial kidnapping of Julian Assange. greenleft.org.au The ruling to allow Julian Assange's extradition to the United States is based on fraudulent "assurances" scrabbled together by the Biden administration when it looked in January like justice might prevail, writes John Pilger.
(2021-12-13). Paper Tiger Imperialism and the US-Beijing Boycott. libya360.wordpress.com Miguel Garcia On Monday, December 6, 2021, the United States government announced they would not be sending government officials to the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022. The diplomatic boycott is the latest move by Washington and the Biden administration in their all-out-blitz smear campaign against the People's Republic of China. White House…
(2021-12-13). Honduras: Xiomara Castro Announces Inauguration Date January 27. telesurenglish.net The president-elect of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, announced this Sunday that she will be sworn in and take office on January 27, 2022. | In a message disseminated through social networks, the representative of the leftist party Libertad y Refundación (Libre) informed that the former prosecutor and deputy for that political party, Jari Dixon, will coordinate the transfer of power. | RELATED: | Together with the former m…
(2021-12-13). NATO's Indo-Pacific Expansion to Tackle China. journal-neo.org 
The most recent US decision to do a 'diplomatic boycott' of winter Olympics in Beijing has caused a new low in the US-China bi-lateral relations. The decision to boycott has firmly established the drastic failure of the US-China summit that Biden had only recently called to sort out some of the outstanding issues facing their …
(2021-12-13). Ten contradictions that plague Biden's 'Democracy Summit'. mronline.org 
Biden hopes to secure his place at the head of the "Free World" table by coming out as a champion for human rights and democratic practices worldwide.
(2021-12-13). Estados Unidos: øCuál democracia? globalizacion.ca El presidente Joe Biden inauguró un encuentro virtual sobre democracia en el que se dieron cita representantes de más de un centenar de gobiernos, algunos tan cuestionablemente democráticos como Pakistán, Brasil y Turquía; Taiwán, un país legalmente inexistente, además de …
(2021-12-13). Whales Will Save the World's Climate—Unless the Military Destroys Them First. independentmediainstitute.org The U.S. military is famous for being the single largest consumer of petroleum products in the world and the largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Its carbon emissions exceed those released by "more than 100 countries combined." Now, with the Biden administration's mandate to slash carbon emissions "at least in half by the end of the …
(2021-12-13). Biden vs. Maduro: øCambio de ruta? globalizacion.ca El reconocimiento del gobierno de Nicolás Maduro como representante legítimo de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela por la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas y las contradicciones emergentes dentro de los sectores más extremistas del antichavismo, exhiben el fracaso de…
(2021-12-13). La férrea determinación de la gente común de construir un mundo extraordinario. globalizacion.ca El presidente de Estados Unidos, Joe Biden, ha convocado a 111 países para que asistan a su Cumbre por la Democracia los días 9 y 10 de diciembre, que finalizará el Día de los Derechos Humanos. "Damos la bienvenida a…
(2021-12-13). "This Isn't a Natural Disaster": Climate Scientist Michael Mann on Deadly Tornadoes in 8 States. democracynow.org 
At least 100 people are feared dead after 30 deadly tornadoes devastated towns in eight states, from Kentucky to Arkansas, in a supercell thunderstorm that raged more than 200 miles, leaving behind scenes some compared to a war zone. President Biden has declared a major federal disaster and called for an investigation into the role climate change played in the storms. We speak to climate scientist Michael Mann about the role of climate change in the storms and climate denialism among Republican leaders. "Make no mistake, we have been seeing an increase in these massive tornado outbreaks that can be attributed to…
(2021-12-13). Danny Shaw on Honduras & Venezuela Elections + Movements in Haiti. towardfreedom.org Danny Shaw reported back on the Venezuela elections and his latest journey to meet with the movements in Haiti during Toward Freedom's December 2, 2021 webinar.
(2021-12-13). Moussa Ibrahim: Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi Has the Widest Support Heading into Libyan Elections. libya360.wordpress.com We speak to Moussa Ibrahim, the former spokesperson for late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. He discusses the overturning of the decision banning Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi (the son of Muammar Gaddafi) from running in the Libyan Presidential elections, current polling for the elections and why he believes the polls are wrong, why Saif Al-Islam is the…
(2021-12-13). 'I Defend Social Equity': Chilean Presidential Candidate Boric. telesurenglish.net With less than 7 days to go until the second round of the presidential elections, the "Approve Dignity" coalition candidate Gabriel Boric is consolidating himself as the politician who represents the desire for change in Chilean society. | RELATED: | Born in 1986 in Punta Arenas City, Boric joined the "Autonomous Left" organization and was elected the Chilean University Student Federation (FEH) councilor in 2008 w…
(2021-12-13). Colombia: Commons Party Presents 21 Candidates For Senators. telesurenglish.net On Sunday, Colombia's Commons Party (PC) presented 21 candidates for senators to contest in the 2022 elections. Whatever the results of the vote, the 2016 Peace agreement signed between the Colombian State and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) secures this party 10 seats in the Senate. | RELATED: | "Our list of candidates has gender parity and is representative since it comprises politicians from 20…
(2021-12-13). Tunisian President Announces Referendum and Elections for 2022. telesurenglish.net President Kais Saied announced on Monday that Tunisia would hold a constitutional referendum next July, months after he seized broad powers in moves his opponents called a coup. | In a national address, President Saied announced that parliament will remain suspended until fresh elections are held a year from now on December 17, 2022 and that there will be a national referendum on July 25 after public consultations next month.
(2021-12-13). "You can feel it, Lula president": crowd welcomes former president in Buenos Aires. peoplesdispatch.org The presence of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva marked the return to the streets of the Day of Democracy mobilization in Buenos Aires on Friday November 10. The event began at 3pm in the historic Plaza de Mayo, a symbol of the struggle for human rights. With the slogan "Democracy forever", the mobilization gathered thousands of people. | Lula arrived in the country especially for the occasion. On the same stage where former Uruguayan president Pepe Mujica spoke, followed by vice-president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and president Alberto Fernández, Lula listed the achievements of the so-called "deca…
(2021-12-13). The Laura Flanders Show: A New Cooperative Business Model. roarmag.org This New Cooperative Business Model Could Change Everything: | Many of the world's most successful businesses began as someone's good idea. But the path from startup to conventional financial success typically involves going public, prioritizing shareholders' interests and ultimately selling to a giant conglomerate whose intentions are far from the original mission of the business's founders. | In this episode, Laura interviews guests who say this conventional path of success is desperately in need of an overhaul. Why must new and innovative ideas come to market through old and undemocratic platforms? Wha…
(2021-12-13). Unionization vote passes at Starbucks in Buffalo, New York. wsws.org Despite the small number of workers involved, the unionization drive has drawn substantial attention in the national press and from top Democratic Party politicians.
(2021-12-13). "A Bigger Picture": Ugandan Activist Vanessa Nakate on Bringing New Voices to the Climate Fight. democracynow.org 
We go to Kampala, Uganda, to speak to climate activist Vanessa Nakate on the occasion of her first book being published, "A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis." In an extended interview, she describes the challenges of being a young Ugandan woman from a continent that contributes less than 4% of the world's carbon emissions yet suffers the worst consequences of the climate crisis and is often ignored by the Global North. "There won't be climate justice if specific groups of people are being left behind," says Nakate, founder of the Africa-based Rise Up Movement. "We are fa…
(2021-12-12). Whistleblower Network on Assange. indybay.org " If the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is still to be worth anything, all politicians in Western liberal democracies must stand up and speak out. Those who – quite rightly – stand behind Alexei Nawalny must also stand up for Julian Assange. The credibility of our rule of law is at stake here. "
(2021-12-12). U.S. moves to support anti-China, destabilizing forces in Hong Kong doomed to fail: commissioner's office of Chinese foreign ministry. ecns.cn The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Friday condemned and firmly rejected the so-called "Summit for Democracy" held by the United States and its invitation of Nathan Law Kwun-chung, which set a stage for him to peddle fallacies against China and Hong Kong.
(2021-12-12). Chinese envoy rails against U.S. for 'weaponizing' democracy. ecns.cn Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Friday lambasted the United States for initiating a so-called "Summit for Democracy" that creates division across the globe.
(2021-12-12). U.S.-held "Summit for Democracy" thwarts democracy under pretext of democracy: Chinese FM spokesperson. ecns.cn The so-called "Summit for Democracy", held by the United States recently, sought to thwart democracy under the pretext of democracy, incite division and confrontation, and undermine the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Saturday.
(2021-12-12). Comicomment: What's behind American democracy. ecns.cn When the U.S. holds high the flag of "democracy," it should first reflect on its notorious records marked in the history. His followers should also sharpen their eyes at the dollar-dominated interests behind its motivation and stop being fooled.
(2021-12-12). White House Hosts Democracy Summit and Highlights Global Anti-Corruption Commitments. indybay.org More than 100 leaders showcase initiatives to counter dictatorships, fight corruption and promote human rights at a virtual summit the White House hosts December 9-10.
(2021-12-12). Biden to Putin: U.S. to deploy troops to nine NATO eastern flank states if Russia intervenes in Ukraine. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com From TASS. Four of the Bucharest Nine nations (all NATO members) have land and two more sea borders with Russia. All are former members of the Warsaw Pact, dissolved thirty years ago, and three of those are former Soviet republics. To be recalled the next time you read about so-called red lines in regard to …
(2021-12-12). Biden rejects US deploying of ground forces to Ukraine. en.mehrnews.com The possibility of sending US ground combat troops to Ukraine against Russia has been never on the table, US President said, claiming that he warned Russia on any military move against Ukraine.
(2021-12-12). Weapons Industry Is Jubilant About Biden's Nominee For Arms Buyer. popularresistance.org LaPlante is being poached directly from the military industry that is praising him, which he entered after serving in an acquisitions role under the Obama administration, where he was known for shepherding through major (and controversial) programs, such as the acquisition of the F‚Äë35 fighter jet. | By moving from government to industry, then back to government (should the Senate confirm him), all while the weapons industry cheers, LaPlante has spun through a well-trodden revolving door‚Äâ—‚Äâa career trajectory that is entirely routine, but nonetheless sc…
(2021-12-12). The U.S. Military Budget as a Mushroom Cloud. tomdispatch.com Where are you going to get the money? That question haunts congressional proposals to help the poor, the unhoused, and those struggling to pay the mortgage or rent or medical bills, among so many other critical domestic matters. And yet — big surprise! — there's always plenty of money for the Pentagon. In fiscal year 2022, in fact, Congress is being especially generous with $778 billion in funding, roughly $25 billion more than the Biden administration initially asked for. Even that staggering sum seriously undercounts government funding for America's vast national security state, which, since it gobb…
(2021-12-12). Biden signs bill to fast-track process to raise debt limit. ecns.cn U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday signed a bill to fast-track the process to raise the federal government's debt limit and avoid a potential default.
(2021-12-12). Why Biden is Likely right that the Climate Emergency is partly to blame for massive Tornadoes. juancole.com 
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — The string of horrific tornadoes generated by unrelenting thunderstorms over hundreds of miles in the southeast and midwest of the US has likely left over a hundred dead, and has wiped out portions of small towns. As with any extreme weather event, it is natural to ask whether it is …
(2021-12-12). WEEKEND READER: The Biden Conundrum. dailyposter.com 
(2021-12-12). Saudi Arabia Arms Sale Is One of Biden's Many Militaristic Actions in First Year. truthout.org 
Given the brutish approach of his predecessor, many expected President Joe Biden to shift away from the worst practices in U.S. foreign policy and at the border in the previous four years. Indeed, in the first weeks of his presidency, the Biden administration signaled changes. In Secretary of State Antony Blinken's first press briefing, the State Department announced that it was reviewing weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — which have led the catastroph…
(2021-12-12). Another Bloody Day Under the Biden Immigration Regime. strategic-culture.org Sadly, I don't mean "bloody" in the informal British sense. | By Bradley DEVLIN | America's current immigration regime, created and willed into being by our elites, simply manned at the moment by the Biden administration, finds itself morally responsible for yet another tragedy. | A thought that might jump into someone's mind is the conditions in migrant detention facilities have led to an untold number of deaths. Substitute "Biden" for "Trump" in that first sentence, and it sounds exactly like allegations you heard hurled at the Trump administration from 2018 on. (Remember "kids in cages"?) But, while conditions…
(2021-12-12). November Elections in Latin America Panel: A South to North Perspective. orinocotribune.com Caracas, December 4, 2021 (OrinocoTribune.com)—On November 29, Orinoco Tribune, within the framework of its third anniversary celebration, organized a panel with experts about the very busy electoral schedule in Latin America during the month of November. These included presidential and parliamentary elections held in Nicaragua on November 7, followed by parliamentary elections in Argentina seven days later, and then regional and municipal elections in Venezuela and presidential elections in Chile one week after that, and presidential and regional elections in Honduras on November 28. We added Mexico to the…
(2021-12-12). Palestine Records 64.7% Turnout in Local Elections' First Round. telesurenglish.net Palestine's Central Election Committee reported a 64.7 percent turnout in the first phase of municipal elections held Saturday in the West Bank. | RELATED: | Independent candidate lists won more than 70 percent of council seats while over 29 percent of the remaining council seats went to tradition…
(2021-12-12). The Confused Superpower: A Year After America's Elections. moderndiplomacy.eu By virtue of its combined power capabilities, the United States continues to occupy a central place in international politics, and developments inside the country inevitably become the most important factor in world affairs. Even if we deny the significance of what is happening inside this huge "billiard ball", the transformations taking place there inevitably affect …
(2021-12-12). Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez Celebrate Starbucks Workers' Historic Union Victory. zcomm.org Progressive lawmakers are celebrating after Starbucks workers in Buffalo triumphed over nearly insurmountable odds to form the company's first-ever union…
(2021-12-12). When Trump talks about destruction of Israel. en.mehrnews.com Donald Trump acknowledged that he supported Netanyahu's claim of annexing the Golan Heights to the occupied territories and played a role in Netanyahu's victory in the last two years.
(2021-12-12). American-style democracy not a beacon, says Bangladeshi politician. ecns.cn The American-style democracy can't be considered as a "beacon of democracy" for the world, a Bangladeshi political veteran has recently said.
(2021-12-12). Calderon Berti: G4 Cannot Have Monopoly on Power. orinocotribune.com Humberto Calderon Berti, former Venezuelan "ambassador" to Colombia illegally appointed by Juan Guaidó, have made some new and controversial statements in a recent interview, calling for an end to the G4 monopoly, which reveals, among other things, the internal contradictions within the hard right opposition platform. G4 is the group of hard core extreme right political parties of Venezuela that have supported the failed US "Guaido project," and comprises the parties Popular Will, Democratic Action, Un Nuevo Tiempo, and Justice First. | Berti is known for making public the theft of "humanitarian aid" money in 201…
(2021-12-12). Geopolitics and strategy drive Greece-US relations. moderndiplomacy.eu A new era has unfolded in Greece-United States relations that are based on common democratic values and shared interests. The bilateral relationship is strategic, multifaceted and is bound to expand in the years to come. The promotion of a solid defense cooperation and the support of a secure East Mediterranean constitute major pillars of the …
(2021-12-12). Now in Power, Key Anti-War Democrats Soften on Saudi War in Yemen. zcomm.org This week, Democrats eschewed opportunities to stop U.S. maintenance of Saudi warplanes and halt a missile sale to the kingdom…
(2021-12-12). Leidesdorff Center ready as we #BuildBackBetter. indybay.org Discover the Golden Legacy of the African Founding of California…
(2021-12-12). Kwanzaa: Exploring the Origins of Agriculture as we BuildBackBetter. indybay.org Central to our remembering, reflection and recommitment to our Kwanzaa Holiday Celebration is a renaissance of Black Agriculture in the "Greatest Garden in the World." Womanity is our theme for 2022, assigned by Queen Mother and we begin the journey.
(2021-12-12). Ghana's President Addresses National Black Caucus of State Legislators. indybay.org Soon our amazing California Golden Legacy, past, present and future will utilize Ghana as an essential destination for joint mutual benefit. Ghana, represents well the African Continental Free Trade Area, Our California team on the ground helping restore Agriculture as the foundation of our culture. Stay tuned MLK Weekend 2022 in Atlanta our10th Annual Pan African Global Trade and Investment Conference will keep the ball rolling in a good way. Matunda Ya Kwanza…
(2021-12-12). Stop Normalizing Islamophobia: Hateful attacks on Ilhan Omar and other Muslims should be forcefully condemned. juancole.com By Farrah Hassen | — ( Otherwords.org) — In her latest act of demonizing Muslims, Rep. Lauren Boebert recently insinuated at multiple events that Rep. Ilhan Omar could have been a suicide bomber because of her Islamic faith. This might be business as usual for the Colorado Republican. But for Muslim Americans like myself, it's …