(2021-12-08). A One-Sided Narrative: U.S. Press Focuses on "Russian Aggression" While Ignoring U.S. Escalation. democracynow.org 
During a virtual summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Biden threatened to impose new economic sanctions and other measures if Russia invades Ukraine. The talks were held amid growing tension between the two countries over the expansion of NATO in Eastern Europe and Russia's deployment of tens of thousands troops along the border of Ukraine. Editorial director and publisher at The Nation Katrina vanden Heuvel says the U.S. has a "one-sided narrative" of the Russia-Ukraine conflict that neglects to acknowledge its own role in escalating tensions. "This [t…
(2021-12-08). The case of Peng Shuai and U.S. hypocrisy — a WW commentary. workers.org 
U.S. and Western imperialism are super-obsessed with finding any angle to demonize and smear the People's Republic of China, politically, economically and culturally. A main strategy for these anti-communist attacks on China has been accusations of so-called human rights abuses. Peng Shuai For example, President Joe Biden has gone on . . . |
(2021-12-08). China Condemns US Attempt To Disrupt Beijing Olympics. popularresistance.org On Monday, the current U.S Joe Biden administration confirmed it would not be sending any government officials to the Beijing Olympics. In response, the Chinese Foreign Minister declared the move a statement of ideological prejudice. Jen Psaki, Press Secretary for the White House alleged as the reason for this diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics, supposed crimes against humanity committed by Chinese authorities and abuses of human rights.
(2021-12-08). Egyptian court grants provisional release to human rights researcher Patrick George Zaki. peoplesdispatch.org Zaki was arrested in February 2020 after returning to Egypt from Italy where he was studying at the University of Bologna. He has since spent 22 months in pre-trial detention on various charges…
(2021-12-08). Amid talks to revive nuclear deal, US imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian entities and officials. peoplesdispatch.org The fresh sanctions were imposed citing alleged human rights violations. Iran and at least one other signatory to the nuclear deal have stated that such moves raise serious questions about the Biden administration's seriousness to revive the deal…
(2021-12-08). The crisis of international law. moderndiplomacy.eu The idea of promoting the human rights agenda in the image and likeness of the Western countries' principles — as the repositories of Absolute Truth — is counterproductive and directly harmful in the Near and Middle East and Central Asia, as it does not consider the historical experience of these geopolitical regions. Moreover, many experts …
(2021-12-08). The US boycott of the Beijing Olympics: A murderous state speaks of "human rights" wsws.org In boycotting the Winter Olympics in Beijing, US President Joe Biden is pointing his finger at China from atop a mountain of corpses.
(2021-12-08). Pakistan slips on a slippery slope of religious militancy. moderndiplomacy.eu Pakistani political and military leaders have vowed to eradicate ultra-conservative religious extremism that drove a mob to torture, brutally lynch a Sri Lankan national, and burn his body in the eastern city of Sialkot. Some 900 cases have been filed with police and 235 people arrested in connection with the killing. "Let me make this …
(2021-12-08). Indigenous women lead march on Otay Mesa Detention Center. liberationnews.org 
Featured image: The crowd gathered outside the Otay Mesa Detention Center. Liberation photo…
(2021-12-08). 5 Things to Know About Lovett Fort-Whiteman: The Black Communist Who Was Taken To The Gulag in Russia. moguldom.com Lovett Fort-Whiteman was considered the first American-born Black Communist and first African American to receive training at Communist International in Moscow. Communist International (also known as Comintern) was an international organization founded in 1919 that advocated global communism. Despite his devotion to communism, Fort-Whiteman, a political and civil rights activist, spent the end of his …
(2021-12-08). Unapologetic support for abortion rights must be a pillar of the Left. mronline.org 
This week the Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization—the case that will determine the fate of Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban, and more broadly, the fate of Roe v. Wade.
(2021-12-08). This Holiday Season, Be Our Santa! Support Global Research. globalresearch.ca We are into the second year of this whole COVID-19 pandemic and instead of normalcy, "democratic governments" are sleep-walking into tyranny. People are stripped of their rights and freedoms. Those who resist the globalist agenda of mass vaccination suffer from …
(2021-12-08). Progressives Ask Why Deal to Pass Debt Ceiling Can't Be Used for Voting Rights. truthout.org 
Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have reached an agreement on the debt limit, subverting the economic disaster that would have taken place if the United States government were to default on its debts for the first time. | The proposed workaround would temporarily bypass Republicans' ability to filibuster Democrats on the debt ceiling vote — leaving many progressive advocates questioning why the measure can't be taken for other critical issues, like voting protections and reprodu…
(2021-12-08). Sri Lankan educators defend Lisa Diaz. wsws.org The Teachers-Students-Parents Safety Committee (TSPSC) in Sri Lanka condemns the threatening of Lisa Diaz in Britain with prosecution and the Family Court over her daughter's school attendance. These actions must be denounced by parents, teachers and students all over the world as they are a major attack on fundamental democratic rights and the basic parental instinct to protect one's children.
(2021-12-08). Compassion Is Not a Crime: Animal Rights Activist Avoids Jail After Conviction for Baby Goat Rescue. democracynow.org 
Animal rights activist Wayne Hsiung has been convicted on felony charges of burglary and larceny for removing a sick baby goat from a goat meat farm in North Carolina in 2018. Hsiung is the co-founder of the animal rights organization Direct Action Everywhere. He was given a suspended sentence and 24 months probation. He describes how the prosecutor in the case hugged him at the end of the trial and says the case revolves around a simple question: "Are the living creatures of this Earth property or are they living creatures that deserve some form of dignity and respect?"
(2021-12-08). Chilean Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage, Initiative One Step Away from Becoming Law. orinocotribune.com On Tuesday, December 7, the Chilean Senate voted in favor of marriage equality. For this to become law, the initiative still needs to complete a final step—approval in the Chamber of Deputies. The law has been expected for years by Chile's LGBTIQ+ community. | Currently, the only legal procedure in force in Chile, that can legally bind same-sex couples is the Civil Union Agreement, which was approved in 2015, and which grants all of the rights stipulated by marriage, except the possibility of adoption and the filiation rights for the children of same-sex couples. This will change if the new initiative becom…
(2021-12-08). Students in Arizona Launch Hunger Strike to Pass Freedom to Vote Act. truthout.org 
This article was produced by Election reform legislation is stymied in the U.S. Senate, where three major voting rights bills this year have been blocked from advancing to a debate by Republican filibusters. | In Arizona, a grou…
(2021-12-08). Biden threatens economic sanctions and a repositioning of NATO troops in meeting with Putin. wsws.org The meeting was preceded by threats against Russia from Biden and Germany's new Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and took place amidst the drum beat of war propaganda in the American and European press.
(2021-12-07). Biden Threatens "Killer" Putin With 'Strong Response' Over Ukraine Build-Up. strategic-culture.org 
Notably, the US is only threatening to sanction Russia or move more troops into the region as opposed to intervening militarily to fight the Russians. In earlier statements, Biden and other US officials have been vague about what Washington's response to a Russian invasion would be, warning "consequences" and committing to Ukraine's "sovereignty."
(2021-12-07). Headlines for December 7, 2021. democracynow.org Justice Department Sues Texas Over Political Maps That Diminish Power of Voters of Color, New York City Announces First-in-Nation Vaccine Mandate For Private Employers, Biden Meets Putin as Russian Troops Mass on Ukraine Border, Russia and India Agree to Deepen Military Ties, Haitian Kidnappers Release 3 More Missionaries, 12 Remain Hostages, Civil Rights Office's Warnings Over Haiti Deportations Went Ignored by DHS and ICE , Biden Administration Reinstates and Expands Trump-Era "Remain in Mexico" Policy, Trump-era Oil & Gas Drilling Boom Continues Under Biden, Despite Campaign Pledge , Top Mike Pence Aide Will C…
(2021-12-07). ECHR rules on Poland refugee pushbacks. rt.com 
Asylum seekers who successfully made it across the Belarusian border and into Poland must not be expelled and cannot legally be returned, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled, following a complaint by 198 migrants. | The ruling follows last month's massive growth in the number of refugees on the Belarus-Poland border. The migrant crisis began earlier this year, with people, mainly from the Middle East, flocking to Minsk in an attempt to cross over into the EU. The situation escalated on November 6, when several thousand asylum seekers marched together to the border. Some of them tried to enter P…
(2021-12-07). Biden Restarts & Expands Trump-Era "Remain in Mexico" Policy Despite Widespread Abuse, Kidnappings. democracynow.org 
In a controversial move, the Biden administration has resumed and expanded the Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy that forces non-Mexican asylum-seekers who arrive at the southern U.S. border to wait in Mexico while their cases are resolved in U.S. courts — a process that can take months or even years. We speak with Kennji Kizuka, associate director of research and analysis for refugee protection at Human Rights First, who documented how this puts asylum seekers in grave danger.
(2021-12-07). 'Keep Politics Out Of Olympics' International Community Demands. telesurenglish.net As China is to welcome with open arms athletes from all over the world to the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the White House announced a so-called "diplomatic boycott" of the Games on Monday under the pretext of human rights. | RELATED: | The move is a pure political provocation. Underneath Washington's groundless accusation against China is its intention to serve its self-interests at the expense of the athletes. Such a plot g…
(2021-12-07). Two killed in shooting at Moscow government building. rt.com 
Two people have been killed and a further four injured after a man opened fire in a Moscow government facility used by Russian citizens for processing official documents. | Writing on Twitter, the city's Mayor Sergey Sobyanin explained that the shooter had been detained. | "I offer my condolences to the victims and the families of the victims," he wrote. "Doctors are doing their best to help the wounded." | Read more | | Th…
(2021-12-07). International Call For New Year's Eve Noise Demonstrations — in English, Español, Português, ŒïŒªŒªŒ∑ŒΩŒπŒ∫Œ¨, Franàßais & Deutsch. itsgoingdown.org English — Español — Português — Ελληνικά — Français — Deutsch Call from New York City Anarchist Black Cross for yearly New Year's Eve noise demonstrations outside of jails, detention centers and prisons. This is a call for a night of strong solidarity with those imprisoned by the state. Historically, New Year's Eve is…
(2021-12-07). Protest demands full access, equal rights on International Day of People with Disabilities. workers.org 
New York City The worldwide struggle by people with disabilities for equal rights led the United Nations to establish the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3, 1992. The IDPD website stresses that this holiday in 2021 should be used to recognize that people with disabilities are amongst . . . |
(2021-12-07). Philadelphia rally defends abortion justice. workers.org 
On Dec. 1 as the U.S. Supreme Court was hearing arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization — the most consequential abortion rights case since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 — women, other gender-oppressed people and allies rallied at Temple University in Philadelphia. Philadelphia, Dec. 1. WW . . . |
(2021-12-07). Unorthodox Covid Views and Medical Regulation — Richard Smith. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
White v General Medical Council [2021] EWHC 3286 (Admin) (03 December 2021) A case in which the High Court reminds the regulator of requirements for imposing curbs on free speech. Dr Samuel White is a GP. Earlier this year he posted a seven minute video on Instagram explaining that he had resigned from his job …
(2021-12-07). England And Wales's Police Bill Threatens Anyone With A Cause. popularresistance.org Just over a year ago, disturbing reports began trickling out: the British government was preparing an attack on the right to protest in England and Wales. The right through which we won many of the things we take for granted today — from voting rights to marriage equality — which allows all of us to stand up against injustice. Now we know the government is taking a sledgehammer to this right, smashing everyone's ability to stand up to power. | In February, we at Liberty obtained proof that a bill was coming that intended to retain lockdown-like restrictions on our protest rights. Throughout the pandem…
(2021-12-07). Rally held in Sydney against Morrison government's push to dilute LGBT+ rights. peoplesdispatch.org Activists have opposed the conservative Liberal-National coalition government's attempts to push through the Religious Discrimination Bill that dilutes the existing anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in faith-based schools and institutions…
(2021-12-07). Abolish the Supreme Court! Fight Back to Defend Women's Rights! liberationnews.org 
Brian Becker, Esther Iverem, Nicole Roussell and Walter Smolarek discuss how the ultra-right wing majority on the Supreme Court is poised to eviscerate Roe v. Wade, but a movement to fight back against this assault on women's rights is growing…
(2021-12-07). Abortion Rights Advocates Want to Hear More From Biden Than Just Euphemisms. truthout.org 
This story was originally published by The Supreme Court appears poised to
(2021-12-07). Venezuela's Oil Production Reaches 930,000 Barrels per Day Peak in December's First Week. orinocotribune.com 
Venezuela's state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) achieved a total oil production of 930,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the first week of December. The level approaches PDVSA's forecast of one million bpd by the end of the year, as detailed in an internal PDVSA report. The nation's oil industry, in addition to millions of Venezuelan citizens, have seen their livelihoods damaged by illegal coercive measures (or "sanctions") issued by the United States and Europe in an attempt to oust President Nicolas Maduro. | The level of production was reached due to the efforts of exploration and production workers…