(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 …
(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
(2020-12-08). Egypt, UAE welcome Kuwaiti efforts to settle Gulf diplomatic crisis with Qatar. middleeasteye.net 
Egypt, UAE welcome Kuwaiti efforts to settle Gulf diplomatic crisis with Qatar | Cairo says it hopes move will 'reveal a complete solution', in first comments since reports of possible reconciliation | Tue, 12/08/2020 – 12: 14 | Egyptian-Qatari relations have worsened since President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power in 2014 (AFP) | Egyptian and Emirati officials have welcomed Kuwaiti efforts to settle the di…
(2020-12-08). Turkey threatens 'grave consequences' after east Libyan forces seize its ship over alleged arms smuggling. rt.com 
Ankara has condemned the seizure of a Turkish vessel in the Mediterranean by forces from east Libya, promising a robust response to the interception and calling for the ship to be allowed to continue its journey. | "Targeting Turkish interests in Libya will have grave consequences, and these elements (who target Turkish interests) will be viewed as legitimate targets," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. | The ministry "strongly condemned" the move, stressing that the vessel should be allowed resume its planned voyage "immediately," and adding that the ship had been fined and the crew…
(2020-12-08). Trump Exits Somalia. counterpunch.org These are things that might have been done earlier. During the last, flickering days of the Trump administration, activity is being witnessed across countries which have a US troop presence. Numbers are being reduced. Security wonks are getting the jitters. Is the imperium shrinking? Will President elect Joe Biden wake up and reverse the trend?
(2020-12-08). UK deploys troops to Mali. wsws.org Earlier this year, Mali witnessed months of protests against the French occupation, launched in 2013, and the ethnic massacres between rival militias that Paris tolerates, and uses to divide and rule the country.
(2020-12-08). Either back Resistance or normalization, no third choice. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah Resistance Movement in Lebanon said the move by some Arab countries to normalize ties with the Israeli regime is a clear betrayal of the Palestinian cause.
(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). Egypt's new crackdown on powerful businessmen sparks criticism. middleeasteye.net 
Egypt's new crackdown on powerful businessmen sparks criticism | The arrest of the owner of a major chain of stores in Egypt follows a pattern of arrests of influential businessmen once allied with the Sisi government | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 13: 33 | Sayed Sowerky's Al-Tawhid wel Noor stores, selling household items and clothing, are found across Egypt (Screengrab/Social media) | The arrest of a prominent Eg…
(2020-12-07). Macron and Sisi at odds over free speech & Prophet Mohammed cartoons during Egyptian leader's French trip. rt.com 
Egypt's president has spoken of his belief in the "sacred" nature of religion during a discussion about free speech and the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed at a media event with France's Emmanuel Macron. | The French leader and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi held a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace during a state visit by the Egyptian president on Monday. | While the two praised one another for their efforts in challenging Islamic extremism, they also expressed opposing views on the role of religion and free speech, stemming from the circulating of controversial cartoons depict…
(2020-12-07). France's weapons sales to Egypt won't be conditioned on human rights: Macron. middleeasteye.net 
France's weapons sales to Egypt won't be conditioned on human rights: Macron | Despite criticism from rights groups for hosting Sisi, the French leader said the two countries were 'united' in building 'a space of civilisation' | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 13: 30 | French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Elysee Palace in Paris on 7 December 2020 (Reut…
(2020-12-07). Arabic press review: Family of Egypt's Mubarak to sue EU over 'illegal sanctions'. middleeasteye.net 
Arabic press review: Family of Egypt's Mubarak to sue EU over 'illegal sanctions' | Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia prepares for reconciliation with Qatar, Bashir's health deteriorates in jail, and video of Egyptian man throwing cash from balcony goes viral | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 16: 38 | Gamal Mubarak (seen to right of his late father Hosni) said he will sue the Council of the European Union after winning…
(2020-12-07). Turkey condemns seizure of vessel by Haftar's forces in Libyan waters. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey condemns seizure of vessel by Haftar's forces in Libyan waters | LNA spokesman says Jamaican-flagged vessel did not respond to calls for communication before it was captured | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 23: 02 | Self-proclaimed LNA forces in the eastern city of Benghazi, 1 November 2020 (AFP/File photo) | Turkey condemned on Tuesday the interception of one of its ships by eastern-based Libyan forces in the Medit…
(2020-12-07). Haftar's forces intercept Turkish ship in Libya waters: Spokesman. middleeasteye.net Haftar's forces intercept Turkish ship in Libya waters: Spokesman | LNA spokesman says Jamaican-flagged vessel did not respond to calls for communication before it was captured | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 23: 02 | Self-proclaimed LNA forces in the eastern city of Benghazi, 1 November (AFP/File photo) | Forces loyal to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar have intercepted a Turkish ship off the North African country…
(2020-12-07). Haftar's forces intercept Turkish ship in Libya waters, says spokesman. middleeasteye.net Haftar's forces intercept Turkish ship in Libya waters, says spokesman | LNA spokesman says Jamaican-flagged vessel did not respond to calls for communication before it was captured | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 23: 02 | Self-proclaimed LNA forces in the eastern city of Benghazi, 1 November (AFP/File photo) | Forces loyal to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar have intercepted a Turkish ship off the North African co…
(2020-12-07). As Sisi meets Macron, Egypt renews detention of human rights activist. middleeasteye.net 
As Sisi meets Macron, Egypt renews detention of human rights activist | A number of detained members of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights were released last week, but Zaki remains in custody pending similar charges | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 10: 39 | Patrick George Zaki has been in custody since 7 February upon his return from Italy, where he had been living and studying (Twitter) | A l…
(2020-12-07). France's weapons sales to Egypt won't be conditioned on human rights, says Macron. middleeasteye.net France's weapons sales to Egypt won't be conditioned on human rights, says Macron | Despite criticism from rights groups for hosting Sisi, the French leader said the two countries were 'united' in building 'a space of civilisation' | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 13: 30 | French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Elysee Palace in Paris on 7 December 2020…
(2020-12-07). Why Jeh Johnson Would Be a Better Defense Secretary Than Mich√®le Flournoy. commondreams.org Flournoy has repeatedly demonstrated throughout her career, both in her official Pentagon positions in the Clinton and Obama administrations and in her published writings and statements, that she actually believes in the normalization of war. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/img_0793.jpg …
(2020-12-07). 'Quickly restore the rule of law' in Ethiopia's Tigray, urges Guterres. news.un.org The UN Secretary-General said on Monday it was "essential to quickly restore the rule of law" in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray, where Government forces and those loyal to the ruling Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) have been engaged in fighting for more than a month.
(2020-12-07). Ghana Holds Elections for President, Parliament Amid Accusations of 'Flawed' Process. sputniknews.com Ghanaians headed to the polls on Monday to select their legislative representatives and head of state, although one of the candidates recently threatened to reject the results if fraudulent practices are found in the country's Electoral Commission.
(2020-12-07). The Polisario Front Asks the African Union To Sanction Morocco. telesurenglish.net The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) President and Polisario Front Secretary, Brahim Ghali, called on the African Union (AU) to apply sanctions to Morocco for its occupation of Western Sahara and to adopt greater forcefulness to stop its expansionist practices. | RELATED: | "The African Peace and Security Council must decisively take a firm stance in the face of aggression against the Saharawi people," Ghali said during the 14…