(2024-01-05). Headlines for January 5, 2024. democracynow.org Gaza Death Toll Tops 22,600 as Israel Intensifies Attacks on Refugee Camps, Israel Hold Talks with African Nations as Officials Push "Voluntary Migration" from Gaza, Biden Administration Claims South Africa Genocide Case Against Israel Is "Meritless", Former Israeli Hostage Calls on Netanyahu to Declare a Ceasefire in Gaza, U.S. Admits Carrying Out Drone Strike in Baghdad Targeting Iran-Backed Militia Leader, Islamic State Takes Responsibility for Twin Blasts in Iran Near Tomb of Soleimani, Japan Earthquake Toll Rises to 94; Over 220 Still Missing, Al Sharpton Protests Outside Office of Bi…
(2024-01-05). Biden Sticks by Israel as Bloody War on Gaza Threatens to Expand. truthout.org The future of Israel's war on Gaza is uncertain, but the Biden administration says it will continue supporting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), even as the horrific war divides fellow Democrats and stokes fear that the United States is being pulled into a violent regional conflagration. The headlines this week did not ease this anxiety. Harking back to the brutal war in Iraq, a U.S. |
(2024-01-05). Weekly protests against Gaza genocide continue on New Year's Eve in Irvine, California. wsws.org Hundreds of demonstrators expressed outrage at Zionist barbarism and the Biden administration, chanting in both English and Arabic.
(2024-01-05). Biden Campaign Staffers Protest US Support for Israel's Gaza Onslaught. news.antiwar.com A group of 17 staffers for President Biden's 2024 re-election have signed onto an anonymous letter protesting the president's support for the Israeli slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza. "Complicity in the death of over 20,000 Palestinians, 8,200 of whom are children, simply cannot be justified," the letter reads. The staffers said President Biden was losing support …
(2024-01-05). 'I Cannot Be Quietly Complicit': Biden Official Resigns Over Gaza Assault. scheerpost.com 
(2024-01-05). Hamas And Arab Public Opinion. popularresistance.org US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, trying to appear sensitive, claim that Hamas does not speak for the Palestinian people. All along they have sought to portray the war on the Palestinian people as a war on Hamas. | More than 21,000 Palestinian have been murdered and the war ostensibly is still solely targeted against Hamas, according to U.S. and Israeli officials. | (Israel at least admits more than half the dead are not Hamas combatants, wildly exaggerating the number of Hamas fighters killed in order to camouflage genocide. Israel brags it has killed "only" over 10,000 Palestinian ci…
(2024-01-05). CNN Business names UAW President Shawn Fain "labor leader of the year" after sellout at Big Three. wsws.org Fain is being honored for services he has rendered to the American ruling class and the Biden administration.
(2024-01-05). Cuba's Humanitarian Crisis. popularresistance.org Nine years ago, on December 17, 2014, jubilation swept the through the city of Havana when Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro announced that they would normalize US-Cuban relations, after 55 years of hostility. Church bells rang, cars honked their horns, and people hugged each other in the streets. Today, the mood in the city is one of desperation. The economy is spiraling downward, and US policy is exacerbating the growing humanitarian crisis. | President Donald Trump's tough economic sanctions drastically reduced Cuba's foreign exchange earnings, and President Joe Biden has left most of those sanctions in…
(2024-01-05). Biden Must Not Trade Away the Right to Seek Asylum. scheerpost.com 
(2024-01-05). A Message to Israeli, U.S. and NATO Soldiers and Pilots: It's Genocide, "Disobey Unlawful Orders, Abandon the Battlefield" globalresearch.ca It is not through negotiations with Netanyahu & Biden, that we will be able to put an end to the genocide. What is required is a campaign which enables Israeli, U.S. & NATO combatants To Disobey Unlawful Orders…
(2024-01-05). Capitalism's Deepening Crisis and the Coming Fightback. counterpunch.org 
We are horrified to daily witness the monstrous deeds of a crisis-ridden world capitalism that knows no way out other than by inflicting new waves of catastrophe on the world's people. Today's US-backed and orchestrated Zionist genocide of the Palestinian people is but one more glaring example. But a broader assessment is essential. President Biden
(2024-01-05). Biden's Next Big Imperialist Climate Fail. counterpunch.org 
Who is the New York Times trying to kid with its recent news story titled "A Natural Gas Project is Biden's Next Big Climate Test"? The project in question, called "CP2," is a proposed $10 billion natural liquified gas export terminal that Venture Global wants to build on the Louisiana Gulf Coast. It cannot go forward until
(2024-01-05). The U.S. and Israel: Two Self-Proclaimed Chosen Countries in Need of Demythologizing. counterpunch.org 
The bro-hug between President Joseph Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 18, 2023, at Tel Aviv airport was more than just a friend welcoming his long-time buddy to his 'hood. It was also more than just two prominent statesmen hugging as diplomatic allies. For despite whatever tensions have arisen between the two
(2024-01-05). BNP declares 48-hour strike on election day, urges nationwide election boycott. muslimmirror.com By Muhammad Shoaib The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has called for a 48-hour strike on the day of the national election, starting from next Saturday at 6: 00 a.m. until Monday, January 8 at 6: 00 a.m. This announcement was made by the BNP senior joint secretary general in a virtual press conference yesterday. Additionally, BNP is …
(2024-01-05). BNP declares 48-hour strike on election day, urges nationwide election boycott. muslimmirror.com By Muhammad Shoaib The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has called for a 48-hour strike on the day of the national election, starting from next Saturday at 6: 00 a.m. until Monday, January 8 at 6: 00 a.m. This announcement was made by the BNP senior joint secretary general in a virtual press conference yesterday. Additionally, BNP is …
(2024-01-05). 2024 Year to See Elections in 70 Countries, Results to Have Global Impact. ummid.com 2024 will be a historic election year, when democracy will undergo a major test with elections in approximately 70 countries including the United States, India, Mexico and South Africa.
(2024-01-05). Florida Advocates Collect Enough Signatures to Get Abortion on 2024 Ballot. truthout.org Floridians Protecting Freedom, a campaign advocating for the inclusion of the right to abortion on the 2024 ballot, has successfully gathered 910,946 verified signatures in favor of the initiative, surpassing the number of signatures required for the measure to be included on the ballot. "Today is a big day for all Floridians! The Division of Elections is reporting that # |
(2024-01-05). Presidential Elections in 2024: Possible Impacts on The Latin American Political Landscape. orinocotribune.com By Ociel Alí López — Jan 4, 2024 | Six presidential elections will be held in the American continent in 2024 that may bring about significant changes for Latin America. | The first of these will take place in El Salvador on February 6. This election will have special connotation due to the probable re-election of the current president, Nayib Bukele, who has become a very prominent personality in regional politics for what he represents. Bukele, who has
(2024-01-05). Trump pardons promise the sleazy 'total immunity' escape-hatch that courts defy. nationofchange.org What smart primary candidates stumble into self-destructive mode, immune from knowing smart pandering from dumb pandering.
(2024-01-05). Foreign Govts Paid Trump Firms Millions While President: Report. latintimes.com Former US president Donald Trump's businesses received at least $7.8 million from foreign governments including China during his time in the White House, a congressional report claimed Thursday.
(2024-01-05). "Tip of the Iceberg": Dem Lawmaker Calls for Investigation Into Trump "Bribes" truthout.org Donald Trump reaping millions from business transactions with foreign governments while serving as president warrants further investigation into his family's dealings, a Democratic lawmaker argued on Friday. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," outlined what he called Trump and his family's acceptance of "bribes" from foreign governments… |
(2024-01-05). Assange's Rights and Press Freedom Hang in the Balance. counterpunch.org 
The deadline for Julian Assange's fight against extradition to the United States looms, as British judges will decide his case on February 21. Meanwhile, the American demand that Wikileaks publisher Assange stand trial in Virginia on trumped-up charges is what has kept this journalist locked up in Britain's maximum security Belmarsh jail for four years, and sequestered for refuge in the Ecuadoran embassy in London for seven years before that.
(2024-01-05). The Commonality of Megalomania. counterpunch.org 
The geopolitical bookends of my life may include existing with the megalomania and mendacity of two dangerous individuals: Adolf Hitler and Donald Trump. Hitler was the dominant force of the geopolitical environment in my first seven years, and now that I'm in my mid-eighties it is possible that Donald Trump will dominate my later years. I cannot explain why these depraved and pathetic excuses for human beings exercised so much influence and power over seemingly normal people in their countries, but the fact that they were able to prosper politically in socially and scientifically advanced states such as Germany…
(2024-01-05). Cuba's Government Analyzes and Responds to Economic Woes. counterpunch.org "Our joy is immense … We don't deceive ourselves thinking that everything ahead will be easy, when perhaps everything is going to be more difficult." That was Fidel Castro, hours after the victory of Cuba's Revolution. Difficulties were center stage 65 years later, at a plenary session of the Central Committee of Cuba's Communist Party
(2024-01-05). Top democrat-linked PR firm tapped by pro-Israel groups to control Gaza war narrative. mronline.org On December 6, it was announced with much fanfare that the 10/7 Project, a new "centralized communications operation to promote continued U.S. bipartisan support for Israel; push for accurate, complete coverage of the Israel-Hamas war," and achieve a "stronger" media "focus" on the victims of October 7's Al-Aqsa Flood would be launched, by a quintet …
(2024-01-05). "My Heart Is Still in Gaza": Palestinian Scientist Flees Israeli Bombs, Begs World to Stop Genocide. democracynow.org 
In Gaza, the death toll from Israel's 90-day bombardment has topped 22,600, with another 7,000 people reported missing and presumed dead. As the IDF intensifies its attacks on refugee camps in central and south Gaza — areas deemed by Israel to be safe zones — we speak with Mohammed Ghalayini, an air quality scientist and co-founder of Amplify Gaza Stories, who made the "impossible choice" to flee from Gaza to Britain, where he has dual citizenship. "It was really hard to imagine things getting any worse on any particular day, but they did keep getting worse," says Ghalayi…
(2024-01-05). "The IDF Should Not Exist": Meet Meital Yaniv, Former Israeli Soldier Turned Anti-Zionist Organizer. democracynow.org 
We speak with anti-Zionist organizer and former IDF soldier from Tel Aviv Meital Yaniv, who joined hundreds of Jewish activists and their allies to shut down the California state Capitol in Sacramento Wednesday to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and condemn the roughly $600 million in California taxes that is used annually for U.S. military aid to Israel. Yaniv recalls how they were raised "extremely Zionistic," their experience in the Israeli Air Force and eventual turn to fight for Palestinian rights. "What Israel is doing right now has nothing to do with antisemitism. What Israel is doing right no…
(2024-01-05). Ralph Nader on Stopping Gaza War & Why Suppression of Palestine Advocacy Is the Real Problem on Campus. democracynow.org 
Ralph Nader, longtime consumer advocate, corporate critic and four-time former presidential candidate, joins Democracy Now! to discuss Americans pushing the government to end "this genocidal war in Gaza," large donors influencing free speech and curriculum at universities, and his new book, The Rebellious CEO: 12 Leaders Who Did It Right.
(2024-01-05). Democracy Now! 2024-01-05 Friday. democracynow.org Headlines for January 05, 2024; "My Heart Is Still in Gaza": Palestinian Scientist Flees Israeli Bombs, Begs World to Stop Genocide; "The IDF Should Not Exist": Meet Meital Yaniv, Former Israeli Soldier Turned Anti-Zionist Organizer; Ralph Nader on Gaza Ceasefire & Why Suppression of Palestine Advocacy Is the Real Problem on Campus | Headlines for January 05, 2024; "My Heart Is Still in Gaza": Palestinian Scientist Flees Israeli Bombs, Begs World to Stop Genocide; "The IDF Should Not Exist": Meet Meital Yaniv, Former Israeli Soldier Turned Anti-Zionist Organizer; Ralp…
(2024-01-05). Australian media studies teacher denounces Gaza genocide and escalating attacks on democratic rights. wsws.org "Millions of people are shocked by what they see going on day after day in Gaza, but they need to understand the whole brutal history of the oppression and dispossession of Palestinian people." — Australian media studies teacher…
(2024-01-05). Israel cannot be a colonial power and a democracy. therealnews.com 
Israel's status as a bona fide democracy is often taken to be a self-evident truth, but a more critical look at the history and reality of Zionism calls this into question. After all, how can a democracy exist in a country constitutionally defined as an ethnostate that can only exist through the suppression and gradual elimination of its Others? Israeli historian Ilan Pappé joins The Chris Hedges Report for a discussion on Israel as an inherently colonial, and therefore anti-democratic, project. | Ilan Pappé is a professor with the College of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of Ex…
(2024-01-05). Ralph Nader on "The Rebellious CEO," His Upcoming 90th Birthday & Remembering Dr. Sidney Wolfe. democracynow.org Part 2 of our conversation with Ralph Nader, legendary consumer advocate, corporate critic and four-time former presidential candidate. He talks about his new book, The Rebellious CEO: 12 Leaders Who Did It Right, and the death of his longtime colleague Dr. Sidney Wolfe, who spent decades fighting the Food and Drug Administration and pharmaceutical industry and is credited with helping to force 28 dangerous medications off the market. | Part 2 of our conversation with Ralph Nader, legendary consumer advocate, corporate critic and four-time former presidential candidate. He talks about his new book, The Rebellious C…
(2024-01-05). Global minimum tax of 15% for multinational companies comes into force. pressenza.com Many major multinational companies must pay a global minimum tax of at least 15% on corporate profits for the first time. The historic tax reforms went into effect on Monday, nearly three years after 140 countries agreed to a new tax system, which is expected to increase tax revenues by $220 billion a year. | The United States is not currently participating in the reform despite having endorsed the agreement in 2021. | Countries that have implemented the 15% tax since 1 January include the UK, Australia, South Korea, Japan and Canada, as well as the European Union and countries known as tax havens, such as Irelan…
(2024-01-05). New Hampshire Democrats Join Republicans in Passing Anti-Trans Bills. truthout.org On January 4, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed two bills attacking LGBTQ rights — one that would permit discrimination against trangender people in public spaces and one that would ban gender-affirming procedures for trans youth. HB 396 would weaken the guarantee of equal protection under the law for LGBTQ people by permitting the state and educational institutions to discriminate… |
(2024-01-05). Is This The End Of The Monroe Doctrine? progressive.org Progressive Democrats are taking aim at the 200-year-old policy that justified U.S. interventionism.
(2024-01-05). New York Times backs far-right campaign to oust Harvard's President Gay. wsws.org The New York Times and the Democratic Party are complicit in the far-right take-down of Harvard University President Claudine Gay.
(2024-01-05). Presidente Maduro afirma que Venezuela registró crecimiento integral en la economía. telesurtv.net El gobernante venezolano hizo énfasis en iniciar el año legislativo de manera óptima bajo el marco de la democracia.
(2024-01-05). Culinary Workers Union hosts Democratic Party rally featuring VP Harris in Las Vegas. wsws.org Vice President Harris and Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su were welcomed at the Culinary Union Headquarters this week to bolster the lackluster casino agreements and deflect from the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
(2024-01-05). Kurdish leader: Turkey's attacks on Rojava weaken the fight against ISIS. greenleft.org.au 
Turkey carried out a devastating string of airstrikes on North East Syria (NES) over Chrsitmas, targeting civilian service facilities and infrastructure. The Rojava Information Center (RIC) spoke with Kurdish politician and former Syrian Democratic Council co-chair, Ilham Ahmed, about the latest attacks.
(2024-01-05). Sunday 2/4: 24th Annual Rosa Parks Day Celebration – Island Empire – San Bernardino, California. indybay.org Rosa Parks Memorial Building – Courtyard | San Bernardino, California…
(2024-01-05). Dashiell Hammett: from Pinkerton spy to proletarian writer. cpusa.org 
Note from the author: I first wrote this tribute to Dashiell Hammett for Political Affairs in 2013. Today, literally thousands of books are being banned from school and public libraries by right-wing vigilante groups and Republican-dominated state governments. Pen America, which catalogs such bans, found 3,362 instances of individual book bannings this year, affecting 1,557 unique titles in 33 states, a 33% increase over last year. Today, works dealing in any way with the history of Black Americans and racism, women's liberation and sexism, and especially LGBTQ equality have joined Marxism and Communism as tar…
(2024-01-05). China's 4th C919 aircraft conducts flight training in E China. ecns.cn The 4th C919 aircraft was delivered to China Eastern Airline and will conduct flight training at Taizhou International Airport in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province.
(2024-01-05). North and South Korea Fire Artillery Near Border. news.antiwar.com Following a series of provocative US and South Korean war games, North Korea responded by a major artillery drill. Pyongyang fired over 200 rounds in the direction of a disputed border group of South Korean islands. Seoul subsequently ordered the evacuation of residents of two islands. On Friday, North Korean forces fired artillery toward South …
(2024-01-05). North Korea Launches Intense Shelling in Yellow Sea; Seoul Answers with Live Fire Drills. latintimes.com Pyongyang launched more than 200 artillery rounds in the maritime buffer zone as bordering areas in the south were evacuated…