2021-02-12: News Headlines

Rob Urie (2021-02-12). Neoliberalism and Its Discontents. counterpunch.org While the recent election provides brief respite from the non-stop antagonism of the prior four years, few of the background problems that currently plague the West are likely to be addressed through existing political channels. In contrast to the American tendency, this isn't a matter of the character defects of elected officials.

Ron Jacobs (2021-02-12). Lying Lawyers and Butt-kissing Senators: The First Days of Trump's Second Impeachment Trial. counterpunch.org The week began with the death of George Shultz. It reminded me of the 1980s when ol' Shultzie was the face of Reagan's murderous wars against the people of El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala. A friend who just finished a career in the foreign service reminded me that Shultz was a true diplomat. He's right,

Adam Khalil (2021-02-12). As Israel decries ICC investigation, Hamas readies its defence. middleeasteye.net As Israel decries ICC investigation, Hamas readies its defence | International Criminal Court's prosecutor has warned that Palestinian factions will be probed for war crimes and abuses | Fri, 02/12/2021 – 11: 30 | The Iron Dome anti-missile system fires an interceptor missile as rockets are launched from Gaza towards Israel near the southern city of Sderot (Reuters) | In stark contrast to Israel, the Pal…

Jeffrey St. Clair (2021-02-12). Roaming Charges: Scene of the Crimes. counterpunch.org The US Senate is one of the few juries in America where the presumption of innocence is actually institutionalized, to the point where many of the jurors have publicly announced their intention to acquit before the trial even began. Contrast with this with death penalty cases, where citizens who have a moral or religious objection to the death penalty can be automatically evicted from the jury pool. If all trials where conducted according to senate rules, we'd be much closer to decarcerating America.

Staff (2021-02-12). Ralph Nader: Biden Must Hold Boeing Accountable for Deaths Due to Faulty Planes. truthout.org Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and…

MEE and agencies (2021-02-12). Oman content with current Israel relationship, foreign minister says. middleeasteye.net Oman content with current Israel relationship, foreign minister says | Badr al-Busaidi also says Muscat is ready to help with rescuing Iran's 2015 nuclear deal | Fri, 02/12/2021 – 08: 24 | Busaidi was appointed as foreign minister in August after Oman's new Sultan Haitham delegated the position away from his own portfolio (AFP) | Oman is satisfied with its current relationship with Israel,…

Staff (2021-02-12). Ralph Nader on Corporate Crime, Holding Boeing Accountable for 737 MAX Deaths & Biden's First Weeks. democracynow.org Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and hold Boeing fully accountable. "This is just another example of giant companies getting away with their corporate criminal…

Staff (2021-02-12). Where Are the Witnesses? Ralph Nader Says Democrats' Impeachment Case Is "Prescription for Defeat" democracynow.org As the historic Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump continues, we speak with longtime consumer advocate, corporate critic and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, who says Democrats have set themselves up for defeat by rushing proceedings and failing to call witnesses — including Trump himself. "The narrow approach of the articles of impeachment keep the Democrats from having a full hand," says Nader. "They have like 10 arrows in their quiver and they're using one or two."

Ben Norton (2021-02-11). Biden admin smears Nicaragua as 'dictatorship' for forcing US-funded, coup-plotting NGOs to register as foreign agents. thegrayzone.com Nicaragua's elected leftist government passed a law requiring NGOs funded by outside governments to register as foreign agents, so a CIA agent-turned-Biden State Department spokesman smeared it as "driving toward dictatorship" — despite the policy's similarity to US legislation. Since Nicaragua's socialist Sandinista Front returned to power through democratic elections in 2006, the United States government has poured many millions of dollars into right-wing opposition groups in the Central American country. These US-funded NGOs have aimed to destabilize the government …

Tortilla con Sal (2021-02-10). A Conversation With the President of Wangki Twi Tasba Raya. telesurenglish.net Nicaragua's Revista Tortilla con Sal spoke with Lejan Mora, president of Wangki Twi / Tasba Raya Indigenous Territorial Government, in the Municipality of Waspam, Rio Coco, the people is defending itself against the usurpation of its lands. TeleSUR shares the full interview. | RELATED: | -Can you explain to us a little about the origin of the problem of the so-called land invasions. | In our country, in the area where…

Ian Cobain (2021-02-10). Aid charity facing scrutiny over payments to armed opposition group. middleeasteye.net Aid charity facing scrutiny over payments to armed opposition group | Relief International, which operates in countries across the Middle East, suspended from receiving funding by USAID | Wed, 02/10/2021 – 08: 53 | A Syrian girl looks into a room at a school run by Relief International in Al Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, near the border with Syria, in 2017 (Reuters) | A global aid charity that works exten…

yenisafak (2021-02-10). 'Turkey supports unity, prosperity, security of Gulf'. yenisafak.com Turkey's foreign minister reiterated on Wednesday that Ankara supports the unity, prosperity and security of the Gulf region."[…]We are ready to work closely with Oman and all other Gulf countries on issues regarding our region," Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint news conference with his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood al-Busaidi, in Muscat.Saying that the two countries will further improve political, economic and commercial relations despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Cavusoglu hailed Oman's neutral and independent foreign policy. "Oman is a voice of reason and wisdom in the region.""Turkey is the…

teleSUR (2021-02-10). El Salvador: Lawmakers Urge President Bukele's Impeachment. telesurenglish.net Salvadoran lawmakers Tuesday requested an impeachment trial against President Nayib Bukele over his possible mental incapacity. | RELATED: | The request came a year after Bukele stormed Congress with Armed Forces members to put pressure on lawmakers to approve a US$109 million loan requested from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE). | "We cannot uplift a country that is rushing down an abys…

Prof. Ociel Alí López (2021-02-10). Crisis & Critique: A Trumpist Hangover Prevails in Venezuela. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | Elliot Abrams has gone missing in the last few days. He …