Monthly Archives: December 2020

2020-12-08: News Headlines

Lyn Neeley (2020-12-09). Venezuelan court convicts the CITGO Six. workers.org Venezuela's Supreme Court sentenced six top CITGO oil executives to prison for corruption, embezzlement, money laundering and conspiracy on Nov. 26. The former executives went behind the back of the Venezuelan state and signed an agreement with two U.S. based-international financial companies — for which they were detained in Nov. . . . |

news.un (2020-12-08). Independent UN expert calls for Julian Assange's release, cites prison's COVID outbreak. news.un.org Amid a COVID-19 outbreak at London's Belmarsh prison, an independent UN expert appealed to British authorities on Tuesday to release Julian Assange or to place him under guarded house arrest during extradition proceedings to the United States.

teleSUR (2020-12-08). Assange Is Exposed To a High COVID-19 Risk in Belmarsh Prison. telesurenglish.net The UN rapporteur against torture Nils Melzer on Tuesday called on the British authorities for the immediate release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, following a serious COVID-19 outbreak in the prison where he is located. | RELATED: | The rapporteur noted that 65 of the 160 inmates at London's Belmarsh Prison, where Assange has been held since May 2019, have tested positive for COVID-19. | "Assange is not convicted or threatens anyone. Therefore, his pro…

Aaron Mate (2020-12-08). OPCW Executives Praised Whistleblower and Criticized Syria Cover-up, Leaks Reveal. globalresearch.ca Exclusive: Documents obtained by The Grayzone show that OPCW executives privately criticized the manipulation of a Syria chemical weapons probe, and supported a dissenting veteran inspector. One official, however, feared helping the "Russian narrative." These private admissions further expose the …

Staff (2020-12-08). Texas AG Sues 4 States, Asking Supreme Court to Toss Out Election Results. truthout.org Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing four states over their 2020 presidential election results, submitting his complaint directly to the United States Supreme Court with hopes that justices will invalidate legitimate votes by residents in those states on the baseless and unsubstantiated argument that election fraud took place. |

jamanetwork (2020-12-08). A Supreme Court's Pronouncement Against the Fly. jamanetwork.com (Williams v. Sweet (Me.), 110 Atl. R. 316)…

Media Lens (2020-12-08). Stuck in a Lift with John Pilger: News and How to Use It by Alan Rusbridger. dissidentvoice.org Noticing the way journalists seemed unable to resist commenting on our work, even if it was just to slag us off, Glenn Greenwald tweeted us in 2012: 'You are really deeper in the heads of the British establishment-serving commentariat than anyone else — congrats.' ((Greenwald, Twitter, 12 September 2012.)) If that was true then, our relationship …

Ralph Nader (2020-12-08). Action for Change Starts in Congress. counterpunch.org We know their names! We've given immense power to Five Hundred and Thirty-Five People to do good or bad. One Hundred Senators and Four Hundred and Thirty-Five Representatives. Unfortunately, some 1500 corporations control most Members of Congress. Think about all the dreams for a better world that could come to be realized if our elected officials

MEE staff (2020-12-08). Saudi Arabia's MBS files motion to dismiss 'Tiger Squad' hit-job lawsuit in US court. middleeasteye.net Saudi Arabia's MBS files motion to dismiss 'Tiger Squad' hit-job lawsuit in US court | Ex-Saudi intelligence official Saad al-Jabri filed the suit earlier this year, alleging that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attempted to have him killed in 2018 | Tue, 12/08/2020 – 17: 12 | Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrives at the Future Investment Initiative FII conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh on 24 Oc…

Reagan M. Sova (2020-12-07). US, UK Governments Should Free Julian Assange. globalresearch.ca In Steven Spielberg's 2017 historical thriller…

Nancy Carolina Graterol (2020-12-07). What's At Stake in Julian Assange's Extradition Trial. thenation.com What's At Stake in Julian Assange's Extradition Trial…

Aaron Maté (2020-12-07). OPCW executives praised whistleblower and criticized Syria cover-up, leaks reveal. thegrayzone.com Exclusive: Documents obtained by The Grayzone show that OPCW executives privately criticized the manipulation of a Syria chemical weapons probe, and supported a dissenting veteran inspector. One official, however, feared helping the "Russian narrative." These private admissions further expose the public whitewash of the Douma cover-up, and undermine the ongoing attacks on the whistleblowers who challenged it. Since the explosive revelation that an investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in Syria was manipulated, a smear …

_____ (2020-12-07). US Congress And Corporate Media Claim Venezuela's Government Threatened To Starve Non-Voters. popularresistance.org Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US corporate media declared Venezuela's legislative elections a "sham" before results were even announced, opening a new front in the propaganda war on the besieged country and its leftist government. | Among the most blatant distortions deployed against President Nicolas Maduro's United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) was a claim first advanced by Leopoldo López, the far-right, US-backed opposition leader who recently fled to Spain. | On Twitter, López tweeted a deceptively edited clip of Constituent Assembly President Diosdado Cabello addressing an election rally, and accu…

commondreams (2020-12-07). Supreme Court Again Rejects Challenge to Trans-Affirming School Policies. commondreams.org ______________________________…

_____ (2020-12-07). US Congress and corporate media deploy massive lie, claiming Venezuela's gov't threatened to starve non-voters. strategic-culture.org Max BLUMENTHAL, Anya PARAMPIL | Spun out by the US Congress and Wall Street Journal, the cynical deception is part of an assault on Venezuela's legislative election, in which even opposition politicians were sanctioned for participating. | Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US corporate media Among the most blatant distortions deployed against…

teleSUR (2020-12-07). FM Arreaza Rejects US Claims of Fraud at Venezuelan Elections. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza Sunday rejected the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's statements about an alleged "fraud" at the National Assembly elections. | RELATED: | "Pompeo must accept that the policy towards the Bolivarian nation has failed. According to President Donald Trump, the fraud was committed in the U.S. elections," Arreaza tweeted, alluding to the claims of the White House leader after…

David Edwards (2020-12-07). Stuck In A Lift With John Pilger — 'News And How To Use It' by Alan Rusbridger. zcomm.org Pilger tells the unfiltered, uncompromised truth about the foundations of power. His focus is on speaking up for the victims of power, not on serving power…

RT (2020-12-07). OPCW director worried truth about Syria 'chemical attack' report would feed 'Russian narrative'. rt.com While praising the OPCW whistleblower's integrity and professionalism, one director worried that seeking truth about the altered report on a "chemical attack" in Syria might help Russia, which he denounced as the enemy. | "I fear there is little one can do, since the report is final and out — unless one wants to feed in the Russian narrative and that I would never do, as they really are not bona fide friends of this organization, that's for sure," was the message of a director to Dr. Brendan Whelan, one of the whistleblowers who challenged the 'interim' report by the Organization for the Prohibition of Ch…

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Iraqi forces arrest ISIL element in Kirkuk province. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — The Iraqi forces have arrested the intelligence chief of the ISIL terrorists in the Northern Province of Kirkuk.

Andrea Germanos (2020-12-04). "You Alone Can Save His Life": Snowden Urges Trump to Pardon Assange. theantimedia.com He's right, you know..

2020-12-07: News Headlines

Aaron Maté (2020-12-07). OPCW executives praised whistleblower and criticized Syria cover-up, leaks reveal. thegrayzone.com Exclusive: Documents obtained by The Grayzone show that OPCW executives privately criticized the manipulation of a Syria chemical weapons probe, and supported a dissenting veteran inspector. One official, however, feared helping the "Russian narrative." These private admissions further expose the public whitewash of the Douma cover-up, and undermine the ongoing attacks on the whistleblowers who challenged it. Since the explosive revelation that an investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in Syria was manipulated, a smear …

commondreams (2020-12-07). Supreme Court Again Rejects Challenge to Trans-Affirming School Policies. commondreams.org ______________________________…

_____ (2020-12-07). US Congress And Corporate Media Claim Venezuela's Government Threatened To Starve Non-Voters. popularresistance.org Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US corporate media declared Venezuela's legislative elections a "sham" before results were even announced, opening a new front in the propaganda war on the besieged country and its leftist government. | Among the most blatant distortions deployed against President Nicolas Maduro's United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) was a claim first advanced by Leopoldo López, the far-right, US-backed opposition leader who recently fled to Spain. | On Twitter, López tweeted a deceptively edited clip of Constituent Assembly President Diosdado Cabello addressing an election rally, and accu…

RT (2020-12-07). OPCW director worried truth about Syria 'chemical attack' report would feed 'Russian narrative'. rt.com While praising the OPCW whistleblower's integrity and professionalism, one director worried that seeking truth about the altered report on a 'chemical attack' in Syria might help Russia, which he denounced as the enemy. | "I fear there is little one can do since the report is final and out — unless one wants to feed in the Russian narrative and that I would never do as they really are not bona fide friends of this organization, that's for sure," was the message of one director to Dr. Brendan Whelan, one of the whistleblowers who challenged the 'interim' report by the Organization for the Prohibition of Ch…

David Edwards (2020-12-07). Stuck In A Lift With John Pilger — 'News And How To Use It' by Alan Rusbridger. zcomm.org Pilger tells the unfiltered, uncompromised truth about the foundations of power. His focus is on speaking up for the victims of power, not on serving power…

_____ (2020-12-07). US Congress and corporate media deploy massive lie, claiming Venezuela's gov't threatened to starve non-voters. strategic-culture.org Max BLUMENTHAL, Anya PARAMPIL | Spun out by the US Congress and Wall Street Journal, the cynical deception is part of an assault on Venezuela's legislative election, in which even opposition politicians were sanctioned for participating. | Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US corporate media Among the most blatant distortions deployed against…

Nancy Carolina Graterol (2020-12-07). What's At Stake in Julian Assange's Extradition Trial. thenation.com What's At Stake in Julian Assange's Extradition Trial…

Reagan M. Sova (2020-12-07). US, UK Governments Should Free Julian Assange. globalresearch.ca In Steven Spielberg's 2017 historical thriller…

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-07). Iraqi forces arrest ISIL element in Kirkuk province. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) — The Iraqi forces have arrested the intelligence chief of the ISIL terrorists in the Northern Province of Kirkuk.

Max Blumenthal (2020-12-06). US Congress and corporate media deploy massive lie, claiming Venezuela's gov't threatened to starve non-voters. thegrayzone.com Spun out by the US Congress and Wall Street Journal, the cynical deception is part of an assault on Venezuela's legislative election, in which even opposition politicians were sanctioned for participating. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US corporate media declared Venezuela's legislative elections a "sham" before results were even announced, opening a new front in the propaganda war on the besieged country and its leftist government. Among the most blatant distortions deployed against President Nicolas Maduro's United Socialist Party …

Mary Elizabeth Williams (2020-12-06). Catholics will control two branches of government. What does that mean for American Christianity?>. salon.com The Supreme Court, and the incoming president, are testing their faith…

Dave Markland (2020-12-06). Review of Hensman's 'Indefensible'. zcomm.org Defense of the Easily Defensible By Dave Markland In 2018 Haymarket Books published Rohini Hensman's Indefensible: Democracy, Counter-revolution and Anti-imperialist Rhetoric. Its focus is on left journalists and analysts like John Pilger and the late Edward S. Herman who have committed the inexcusable sin of being overly suspicious of United States foreign policy. Many readers

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-06). Terrorists used AI to assassinate Martyr Fakhrizadeh. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 06 (MNA) — Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps disclosed some details of Martyr Mohsen Fakhrizadeh's assassination by the Zionist regime, which included the use of artificial intelligence.

David Bacon (2020-12-05). Will the Supreme Court Overrule Farmworker Union Rights? zcomm.org "The federal government has excluded farmworkers from all labor law protections under the National Labor Relations Act for 85 years"

RT (2020-12-05). Ex-CIA head Brennan wrong to call Iranian scientist killing 'criminal,' US also carried out such actions, ex-Mossad chief tells RT. rt.com Criticism of the killing of a senior Iranian military researcher voiced by the ex-head of the CIA seems misplaced considering that his chief Barack Obama ordered targeted assassinations himself, a former Mossad head believes. | Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was gunned down last week in what

_____ (2020-12-05). So We're Already at the 'Chinese Super Soldiers' Part of the Propaganda Campaign. strategic-culture.org Caitlin JOHNSTONE | "What we know is that the nation's top intelligence official says that the US has evidence that China is conducting biological experiments on its soldiers to enhance their capabilities," said "I was somewhat skeptical about this claim, but whe…

_____ (2020-12-05). How Israel Deployed an Intelligence Deception to Justify Killing Scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. strategic-culture.org Gareth PORTER | Israel's Mossad has spent years on a propaganda campaign aimed at convincing the world Iran possessed a nuclear weapons program — and legitimizing its assassinations of Iranian academics. | The Israeli assassination of Iranian defense official Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is being treated as a triumph of Israeli intelligence, with ubiquitous references in the New York Times and other major media outlets to the killing of

Ralph Nader (2020-12-05). The Road to a More Just Society Runs Through Congress. commondreams.org Think about all the dreams for a better world that could come to be realized if our elected officials worked for the big majority of Americans instead of for Big Business interests. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/congress_5.jpg

Bay Action 2 Free Assange (2020-12-05). Friday 12/11: Zoe Lofgren Support US HR 1175/1162: Drop Charges Against Assange & Snowden. indybay.org Zoe Lofgren's Congressional Office | 635 North First Street | San Jose, CA 95112…

Bay Action2 Free Assange (2020-12-05). Thursday 12/10: Nancy Pelosi Support US HR 1175/1162: Drop Charges Against Assange & Snowden. indybay.org Nancy Pelosi's house – contact organizer for details or please show up if you know location…

WSWS (2020-12-05). FBI gathered US website visitor logs under the post-9/11 PATRIOT Act. wsws.org As debate resumes in Washington, D.C. over renewal of special provisions of the PATRIOT Act, a series of letters released by the New York Times shows that US law enforcement and intelligence agencies are continuing to carry out electronic surveillance of the public.

Andrea Germanos (2020-12-04). "You Alone Can Save His Life": Snowden Urges Trump to Pardon Assange. theantimedia.com He's right, you know..

Project Censored (2020-12-01). #2. Monsanto "Intelligence Center" Targeted Journalists and Activists. projectcensored.org The agricultural giant Monsanto—which the German pharmaceutical corporation Bayer acquired in 2018—created an "intelligence fusion center" in order to "monitor and discredit" journalists and activists, Sam Levin reported for the Guardian…