(2018-07-23). The Trump Doctrine Is a Suicide Mission. alternet.org 
He is systematically drilling into the very foundations of U. S. power. | As presidencies approach their midpoints, pundits begin the inevitable search for that elusive creature: the doctrine. It's often a quixotic quest, since presidents rarely boil down their foreign-policy visions — if they even have them — to some pithy essence. Then there's Donald Trump. Conjuring up the current president's foreign-policy doctrine is like arguing that. . .
(2018-07-22). The Arrest of Julian Assange Appears Near. truthdig.com The Intercept is reporting that Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno is in London to "finalize an agreement under which Ecuador will withdraw its asylum protection of Julian Assange," exposing him to British arrest.
(2018-07-22). Why Unarmed Civilian Protection Is the Best Path to Sustainable Peace. truthout.org 
The first image that often comes to mind when one thinks of peacekeeping, especially within the frame of the United Nations, is that of the blue helmets: armed soldiers gathered from member states who are then strategically deployed in conflict areas. | There are over 90,000 armed UN peacekeepers working around the world today — from Haiti to Lebanon to Kosovo to Darfur — who are generally isolated from the communities they are meant to protect. They engage from the outside, with soldiers often patrolling in vehicles and retreating at the end of the day to compounds of rarefied security. | This drastically reduces the ability of traditional peacekeepers to know and respect local people; without this understanding, trust is weakened and the kind of clear and open communication needed for sustained peace is undermined. A recent UN report exploring ways to…
(2018-07-22). Over 1,000 Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Courtyards (VIDEO). imemc.org More than 1,000 Israeli settlers in consecutive groups, on Sunday morning, stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy protection by the Israeli forces, entering it from the Magharba Gate. This follows a night of provocations on the Old City of Jerusalem, by Israeli settlers who raided its streets and carried […]…
(2018-07-22). The Iraq Report: Basra's Fury Spreads to Baghdad as New Protests Erupt. globalresearch.ca Note to readers: please click the share buttons above | For more than a fortnight the fires of fury have been stoked in the oil-rich and Shia-majority south of Iraq after the government was accused of doing nothing to alleviate a …
(2018-07-22). Russophobia digest: 5 top Russia scares launched by MSM this week. rt.com 
Russia has lately been accused of numerous deadly sins, as politicians and media throw around scary-sounding but unverified stories and opinions. To help you plot a course in the roiling sea of Russophobia, RT has compiled a list.
(2018-07-21). Khamenei Backs Suggestion To Block Gulf Oil Exports If Own Sales Stopped. iranian.com Iran's supreme leader on Saturday backed President Hassan Rouhani's suggestion that Iran may block Gulf oil exports if its own exports are stopped, according to his official website. "(Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) said remarks by the president … that 'if Iran's oil is not exported, no regional country's oil will be exported,' were important remarks that […]
(2018-07-21). Global warming will increase the severity of hurricanes. wsws.org Superstorms like Hurricane Harvey are now predicted to occur once every 16 years, rather than once every 100 years.
(2018-07-21). Mexico: Goodyear fires workers for forming independent union. wsws.org About 50 workers were fired in retaliation for a strike action that took place in April against the company's "protection union" contract.
(2018-07-21). Washington D.C. transit union calls for "cooling off period" after Metro workers overwhelmingly vote to strike. wsws.org The struggle for decent pay, job protections and high quality benefits be removed from the hands of the ATU bureaucrats immediately.
(2018-07-20). Farmworkers say new Oregon pesticide standards only benefits growers. peoplesworld.org 
SALEM, Ore.— Oregon's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OROSHA) has announced the adoption of two new administrative rules on farmworker safety. The adoption of these rules comes amid concerns that the Trump administration will weaken a key Worker Protection Standard for farmworkers which was adopted in 2015, and as the state's growers face possible losses in income due to new tariffs, global warming, and a labor shortage brought on by Trump's immigration policies. | Ramon Ramirez, a leader of PCUN. | Bob Rossi / PW | In an interview with People's World, Ramon Ramirez, a farmworker leader in Oregon and a strong regional and national advocate for workers' rights, was quick to point out that "the rule changes favor the growers rather than the people who pick the crops. We are disappointed with Oregon OSHA, and our union, Pineros y…
(2018-07-20). Brett Kavanaugh Would be a Disaster for the Climate. counterpunch.org Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh isn't just a likely vote against Roe, or an enabler of brash executive authority. He's also a vocal supporter of a conservative legal "philosophy" that's designed to block action on climate change. Kavanaugh's record on environmental issues is appalling. As a D.C. appeals court judge, he argued against the EPA's authority to More
(2018-07-20). Climate Change is Proving Worse Than We Imagined, So Why Aren't We Confronting its Root Cause? counterpunch.org June 23 marked the 30th year anniversary of NASA climate scientist James Hansen's presentation on global warming to the U.S. Congress. In his address Hansen argued that climate change — long predicted by scientists, was now here, and that it would get steadily worse. Since Hansen's testimony, study after study has proven that climate change has become More
(2018-07-20). Trudeau's Youth Council Outraged by Kinder-Morgan Bailout. therealnews.com 
Youth played a significant role in Trudeau's 2015 election, now many are denouncing his decision to save the Kinder-Morgan oil pipeline and his lack of commitment to reduce carbon emissions
(2018-07-20). Trump Admin Closes Venezuela Sanctions Loophole in Favour of US Bondholders. venezuelanalysis.com The measure opens the way for seizures of Venezuela's US-based oil assets should the Maduro government default on PDVSA bond payments.
(2018-07-20). Glimmers of Economic Recovery amid Mixed Reports about Venezuelan Oil Production. venezuelanalysis.com Lower levels of oil production have been reportedly offset by rising prices and reduced domestic consumption.
(2018-07-20). Russia 'helpful' in enforcing sanctions on North Korea — Pompeo. rt.com 
Moscow has been actively contributing to the process of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, particularly by enforcing sanctions on Pyongyang, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told journalists. |
(2018-07-19). Trump Nominee for CFPB Admits in Hearing She Has No Background in Consumer Protection or Financial Regulation. theintercept.com Kathy Kraninger, an Office of Management and Budget official, skirted around her qualifications and past work at her confirmation hearing Thursday.
(2018-07-19). Youth Demand that Adults Stop Destroying the Planet. therealnews.com 
Sick of inaction on climate change, youth are organizing the Zero Hour Climate March to get dirty money out of politics and fight for climate justice
(2018-07-19). Action Alert: Tell NYT Not to Present Center-Right as 'Left'. fair.org 
The New York Times ( 7/17/18) brings you the views of the whole political spectrum—as defined by the New York Times. | The New York Times, despite its above-the-fray self-image, is one of most overtly ideological institutions on earth. Its primary editorial purpose—as laid out by its own opinion page editor earlier this year (James Bennett: "We are in favor of capitalism"—FAIR.org, 3/1/18)—is to defend the unimpeachable virtues of capitalism. As such, whoever the Times holds up as "the left"—in its sourcing and in its hiring practices (FAIR.org, 4/20/17)—has to first and foremost accept the primacy of the market and the broader virtue of a US-run global order that promotes this particular ideology. | Even so, when Times reporter Jennifer Jett ( 7/17/18) wanted to recap reactions—"from the right and left"—to Donald Trump's recent summit with Russian President Vladimir…
(2018-07-19). Niger: Wrongly prosecuted human rights defenders must be immediately and unconditionally released. amnesty.org Authorities in Niger must end prosecution proceedings against a group of human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in the country and ensure their immediate and unconditional release, 10 human rights organisations including Amnesty International, Tournons la Page, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (FIDH-OMCT) and Front Line Defenders said ahead of the verdict in their trial, due next Tuesday.
(2018-07-18). Singapore: Drop charges against peaceful activists and politician. amnesty.org Amnesty International calls on the Singapore government to drop contempt charges against peaceful activist, Jolovan Wham and politician John Tan following a hearing at the High Court on 17 July 2018. The charges against both individuals are the first use of the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act to suppress freedom of expression. Charges have also been brought against local artist and activist Seelan Palay for a peaceful protest he staged outside Parliament, further evidence of the country's ongoing crackdown on dissent.
(2018-07-17). The U.S. and Canada Are Preparing for a New Standing Rock Over the Trans Mountain Tar Sands Pipeline. theintercept.com 
Managing the perceived security threat of Indigenous-led anti-pipeline movements has become a priority on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border.
(2018-07-17). Headlines for July 17, 2018. democracynow.org Standing Next to Putin, Trump Lashes Out at Intelligence Agencies, Judge Orders 1-Week Halt to Deportation of Reunified Migrant Families, Israel Tightens Blockade of Gaza, Passes Bill to Ban Critical Groups in Schools, Protests Continue in Oil-Rich Region of Southern Iraq, Egypt Passes Law to Give Military Officers Immunity for 2013 Killing of Protesters, Organization of American States: Death Toll in Nicaragua Rises to 273, Amazon Workers in Germany, Poland & Spain Strike to Protest Working Conditions, Uber Under Federal Investigation for Gender Discrimination, NYC Tenants Say Kushner Co. Harassed Them into Leav…
(2018-07-17). Miracle or hoax? US church believes Virgin Mary statue is 'weeping' rose-scented oil. rt.com 
The Catholic Church is investigating after reports that a Virgin Mary statue in the US is crying 'tears' of rose-scented oil. The church will now try to figure out if is a hoax, however nothing seems amiss with the bronze statue.
(2018-07-12). Venezuela's Defunct National Assembly Attempts to Privatise Oil Industry. venezuelanalysis.com Grassroots movements have frequently denounced de facto back-door privatisation in PDVSA.
(2018-07-10). Trump Head Fakes to Center, Emails Base to Say Kavanaugh is Hard Right. progressive.org Ah yes, heading back to the good ol' days when the Constitution's "equal protection" language somehow co-existed with Jim Crow and women not being able to vote or hold office.
(2018-07-05). China Approves US$5Bn Loan for Venezuelan Oil Development. venezuelanalysis.com Venezuelan officials said Chinese cooperation opens up alternative networks outside the sanctions of the United States.