(2021-12-23). Headlines for December 23, 2021. democracynow.org South Africa Says Omicron Coronavirus Surge Has Peaked, WHO Warns Blanket Booster Programs Divert Vaccine Supply, Prolonging Pandemic, FDA Approves COVID-19 Pill; Most Monoclonal Antibody Treatments Fail Against Omicron, New York Coronavirus Cases Surge to Record High; Supreme Court to Weigh Vaccine Mandates, Proud Boys Member Pleads Guilty to Capitol Riot Conspiracy, Will Cooperate with FBI, FBI Undercover Teams Infiltrated Portland Racial Justice Protests, U.S. Relaxes Limits on Aid as Afghanistan Faces Dire Humanitarian Crisis, U.N. Calls for Probe into Reports That Sudanese Security Forces Raped Anti-Coup Pro…
(2021-12-23). The Vienna Talks are at a Difficult Stage. journal-neo.org 
As the complex Vienna talks and desperate disputes among their participants proceed, unconcealed threats against Iran are heard from Tel Aviv several times a day. The growing hysteria and multiplication of Israeli military threats against Tehran suggest that the Israeli regime has forgotten that Iran is a powerful state with a modern, well-equipped army and …
(2021-12-23). A painful year for Gaza's patients. electronicintifada.net Israel has blocked entry of spare parts for medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2021-12-23). Palestinian student receives death threats, FBI visit. electronicintifada.net University of Southern California has done little to protect against targeted smear campaigns by Israel lobby groups.
(2021-12-23). Palestinian Young Man Killed by Israeli Soldiers in West Bank. telesurenglish.net A Palestinian young man was killed on Wednesday night by Israeli soldiers near the West Bank city of Ramallah, medics and eyewitnesses said. | RELATED: | Mohammed Abbas, 26, from al-Ama'ri refugee camp near Ramallah, was shot in the back by Israeli soldiers on the outskirts of the refugee camp, and died shortly after being brought to Ramallah Hospital. | Eyewitnesses said intensive gunfire was heard on the outskirts of the r…
(2021-12-23). D.C. Police Closely Watched Anti-Racist Groups for Years. splcenter.org The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department's Intelligence Bureau (IB) closely watched Black-led organizations and anti-racist groups for years while ignoring the growing far-right threat, according to Hatewatch's review of leaked documents. Experts say this is in line with broader law enforcement attitudes toward such groups.
(2021-12-23). Pentagon Clamps Down on Extremism & White Supremacy After Dozens of Jan. 6 Rioters Had Military Ties. democracynow.org 
The Pentagon has announced new rules to slow the spread of extremism in the military, one of which will discipline soldiers for liking or resharing white nationalist and other extremist content on social media. The Pentagon announcement comes just two weeks before the first anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, where more than 80 of the 700 individuals charged with the attack had ties to the U.S. military. Director of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project Susan Corke says these rule changes are welcomed by her organization but don't go far enough to stop extremism in the armed forces. "It sh…
(2021-12-22). Hundreds of Antifascists Shut Down Far-Right Rally in Toronto. itsgoingdown.org 
Report back on antifascist mobilization in so-called Toronto that successfully shut-down far-Right rally. Originally posted to North Shore Counter-Info. On December 18th, a coalition of anti-fascists/anti-racists consisting of leftist organizations, labour unions, and concerned community members, gathered at University X (the school originally named after the genocidal, Egerton Ryerson who played a crucial role in…
(2021-12-22). Trump announces event to celebrate one-year anniversary of the violent January 6 attack on Capitol Hill. wsws.org In a brief statement, the former president reiterated his false claims that the 2020 presidential election was "rigged" and that the storming of Capitol by fascist militia members was a "completely unarmed protest."
(2021-12-22). Haitian Asylum Seekers Sue U.S. Government for "Anti-Black Racism Within the Immigration System" democracynow.org 
A group of 11 Haitian asylum seekers is suing the Biden administration, accusing the U.S. government of physical abuse, racial discrimination and other rights violations when they were forced to shelter under a bridge in Del Rio, Texas. The class-action lawsuit comes after images of Border Patrol agents whipping Haitian asylum seekers from horseback went viral in September, drawing outrage from rights groups. The plaintiffs in the case are also demanding the U.S. government allow the return of the thousands of Haitian asylum seekers deported from the Del Rio encampment. Guerline Jozef, co-founder and executive di…
(2021-12-22). Haitian Asylum Seekers Sue US Government for Racial Discrimination. truthout.org 
Image Credit: USA Today Network/Reuters | A group of 11 Haitian asylum seekers is suing the Biden administration, accusing the U.S. government of physical abuse, racial discrimination and other rights violations when they were forced to shelter under a bridge in Del Rio, Texas. The class-action lawsuit comes after images of Border Patrol agents whipping Haitian asylum seekers from horseback went viral in September, drawing outrage from rights groups. The plaintiffs in the case are also demanding the U.S.
(2021-12-22). Finland bill would outlaw Israeli settlement goods. electronicintifada.net "Palestinians are suffering from the longest occupation in modern history," says lawmaker.
(2021-12-22). Protesters against Israeli ambassador exonerated by university. electronicintifada.net London School of Economics says "no evidence whatsoever of protestors having broken the law."
(2021-12-22). Israel codifies shoot-to-kill policy against Palestinians. electronicintifada.net Troops permitted to shoot at people who throw rocks or Molotov cocktails at civilian cars.
(2021-12-22). "Previously Unknown Massacres": Why is Israel Allowed to Own Palestinian History? dissidentvoice.org 
Haaretz's investigative report — 'Classified Docs Reveal Massacres of Palestinians in '48 — and What Israeli Leaders Knew' — is a must-read. It should be particularly read by any person who considers himself a 'Zionist' and also by people who, for whatever reason, support Israel, anywhere in the world. "In the village of Al-Dawayima (…), troops …
(2021-12-22). Turkey on the lookout for allies. moderndiplomacy.eu The scaling down of the US presence in the Middle East and the possible strengthening of Iran's positions following the lifting of the American sanctions are forcing the leading regional powers to reset their relations with their neighbors. Above all, with Israel, the existential enemy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), and with Syria, …
(2021-12-22). Headlines for December 22, 2021. democracynow.org Biden Announces New Measures, Defends Vaccine Mandates, Amid Omicron Surge, TX Man Is 1st Omicron-Linked U.S. Death; States Announce Incentives, New Rules to Fight Surge, Rep. Barbara Lee, Govs. Hogan and Walz Announce Breakthrough COVID Infections, U.S. Military to Announce Highly Effective COVID Vaccine, Israel Rolling Out 4th Dose of COVID Vaccine; France Expected to Reach 100,000 New Cases Per Day, Oxfam Files Complaint Against Moderna; EU Approves Novavax COVID Vaccine, Biden Says There Is Still Hope for Build Back Better as Mining Union Urges Manchin to Support Bill, Kellogg's Workers End 11-Week Strike Aft…
(2021-12-22). Film on sperm smuggling misrepresents Palestine's prisoners. electronicintifada.net Truth of prison life is more powerful than fiction.
(2021-12-22). COVID-19 death of student propels teachers' walkout. workers.org 
Philadelphia The Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down a school mask mandate imposed by the Commonwealth at the beginning of the 2021 school year on Dec. 10. The court's ruling left it up to each school district to set policy. Three days later, Alayna Thach, a beloved 17-year-old student at Aspira . . . |
(2021-12-22). Venezuela Denounces 'Irrational' Judgment of British Supreme Court (Venezuelan Gold Case). orinocotribune.com The government of Venezuela, through a statement issued on Monday, December 20, expressed its strong rejection of the illegal and biased verdict issued by the United Kingdom's Supreme Court of Justice preventing the Venezuelan government from recovering its international reserves deposited in the Bank of England (BoE). | The statement, which was posted on social media by Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Félix Plasencia, states: "The Supreme Court of Justice of the United Kingdom has been subordinated to the mandate of the British Executive, leaving in evidence the absence of separation of branches of the g…
(2021-12-22). California to be an abortion sanctuary state. america.cgtn.com 
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on a landmark 1973 decision that has guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion for nearly 50 years. Many rights groups have called on California to prepare for the influx of millions of women from other states who may need assistance. …
(2021-12-22). Nicaragua's evidence-based democracy threatens U.S. oppression domestically and abroad. mronline.org 
Despite Washington's best effort to derail Nicaragua's electoral process through hybrid warfare, strong voter turnout resulted in a decisive victory by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), and the reelection of President Daniel Ortega with 75.92% of the votes cast. Nicaragua's non-partisan, independent Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) reported on Monday, November 8th that 65.23% of …