2019-12-31: News Headlines

Staff (2019-12-31). Militiamen Breach U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; Trump Blames Iran. truthdig.com BAGHDAD — Dozens of Iraqi Shiite militiamen and their supporters broke into the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on Tuesday, smashing a main door and setting fire to a reception area, angered over deadly U.S. airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed militia. U.S. guards fired tear gas and palls of smoke rose over the grounds. | An Associated Press reporter at the scene saw flames rising from inside the compound and at least three U.S. soldiers on the roof of the main embassy building. There was a fire at the reception area near the compound's parking lot but it was unclear what had caused it. A man on a loudspe…

Organizing Committee of March 11 Anti-Nuclear (2019-12-31). No Nuclear Weapons and Power Plants! All Out March 11, 2020. indybay.org On January 11, 2020 there will be an action in Koriyama near Fukushima to protest the Olympics in Japan and against nuclear power and nuclear weapons.

Middle East Eye (2019-12-31). Iraq Protesters Attack US Embassy over Air Strikes. globalresearch.ca Thousands of protesters attacked the US embassy in the Iraqi capital on Tuesday in anger at American air strikes in Iraq and Syria that killed more than two dozen Iran-backed militia fighters at the weekend. | The demonstrators marched through checkpoints …

Stephen Lendman (2019-12-31). US Middle East Forever Wars. globalresearch.ca Iraqis suffered from direct and indirect US aggression since Jimmy Carter's orchestrated Iran/Iraq war in the 1980s. | Eight years of bloody fighting produced stalemate. Then came GHW Bush's 1991 Gulf War on Iraq, followed by years of genocidal sanctions, Bush …

teleSUR (2019-12-31). 'China's GDP to Reach $14.37 Trillion in 2019', President Xi. telesurenglish.net During the New Year speech delivered on Tuesday, China's President Xi Jinping reviewed the economic, social, political, and scientific achievements of his country and announced that over 10 million people were lifted out of poverty in 2019. | RELATED: | China, Russia, Iran Hold Drills at The 'Maritime Safety Belt' | "Thanks to our steady pursuit of high-qualit…

WSWS (2019-12-31). Washington escalates Mideast war threat with strikes on Iraq, Syria. wsws.org Sunday's airstrikes are part of an increasingly reckless US imperialist intervention in the region directed against Iran.

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-31). US Gov's "Iran Rocket" False Flag Falls Apart In Less Than 24hrs, As The World Sees Right Through It. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/30/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

yenisafak (2019-12-31). Afghan refugee living in Turkey, pursuing dream of becoming doctor. yenisafak.com An Afghan boy taken under state protection by Turkey dreams of becoming a doctor someday."Becoming a doctor is my lifelong dream. Turkey has become my second home by giving this chance to me," Ayed Mohamed Mousa said.Two years ago, the 17-year-old was detained by Turkish security forces as he attempted to cross the Turkish border to Europe.He was taken under state protection as he was a minor.Moussa recalled being born in a poor family that migrated to Iran from Afghanistan in the pursuit of a better life.Next, they wanted to cross to Turkey and onward to Europe.But things did not go as planned. Only Moussa was a…

yenisafak (2019-12-31). Trump blames Iran for 'orchestrating' attack on US embassy in Iraq. yenisafak.com U.S. President Donald Trump blamed Iran on Tuesday for "orchestrating" an attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad and said he will hold Tehran responsible."Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible. In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified," Trump said in a Twitter post.The U.S. State Department and White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the American ambassador and other embassy staff ha…

RT (2019-12-31). Germany shuts Philippsburg nuclear plant as it phases out atomic energy. rt.com Germany is shutting down one of its seven remaining nuclear power plants as part of a planned phase-out of atomic energy production by the end of 2022. | Utility company EnBW has said it will take the Philippsburg Nuclear Power Plant off the grid at 7pm (18: 00 GMT) on Tuesday. The plant's license to operate expires at midnight. | Under its "energy transition" plan, Germany aims to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources over the coming decades. Earlier this year, the government agreed to stop producing electricity from coal-fired plants by 2038 at the latest. | Proponents of nuclear power argue that…

RT (2019-12-31). Trump blames Iran for Baghdad embassy attack, promises US will 'always' respond strongly. rt.com President Donald Trump has blamed Iran for bombing a coalition base and orchestrating the storming of the US Embassy in Baghdad, as Iraqis rage at American airstrikes on militias in the country. | "Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many," the president tweeted on Tuesday. "We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible." | Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsib…

WSWS (2019-12-30). Iran, Russia and China hold joint naval drills in Indian Ocean amid US war threats. wsws.org The exercises are a signal that a US-led war targeting Iran could rapidly escalate into a global conflict involving the major nuclear powers.

teleSUR (2019-12-30). Iraq Warns US Of Strained Relations After Overnight Strikes. telesurenglish.net One of the paramilitary leaders of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces has warned the U.S. that they will issue a strong response to the latest provocation, which was carried out on Sunday evening. | RELATED: | US Aircraft Bombs Base of Iranian-Backed Forces in Iraq | The attack, which was killed as many as 25 people, targeted the bases of Kata'ib Hezbollah, one of the largest factions in the Popular Mobilization Forces. | The leader of Kata'ib Hezbollah, Jamal Ja'afar Ibrahimi (AKA A…

Staff (2019-12-30). Iraqi Prime Minister Condemns US Airstrikes and Threats to Iran. truthout.org Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi on Sunday accused the Trump administration of violating his nation's sovereignty and further heightening tensions in the region after the U.S. bombed several targets in Iraq and Syria, killing at least 25 fighters and injuring dozens more. | "We have previously confirmed our rejection of any unilateral action by the coalition forces or any other fo…

WSWS (2019-12-30). Japan to deploy military forces to aid US operations against Iran. wsws.org Tokyo's decision is part of its efforts to remilitarize and normalize overseas military action in violation of Article 9 of its constitution.

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-30). US Gov Bombs Iraq & Syria Citing Baseless Claims That Iran Fired ROCKETS At US Locations. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/29/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Julia Conley, staff writer (2019-12-30). Fukushima Reactor Cleanup Delayed by Five Years as Japanese Public Demands End to Nuclear Energy. commondreams.org The Japanese government said Friday it would delay for a fourth time the removal of spent fuel from two of the reactors at the Fukushima Daichii nuclear power plant, causing concern that the cleanup of one of the worst nuclear disasters in history is happening at a dangerously slow pace. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/16329375678_a63c9b9c19_o1.jpg

RT (2019-12-30). Kim Jong-unbelievable: Trump's national security adviser forgets how to say North Korean leader's name. rt.com President Trump's national security adviser is a trusted source of counsel when dealing with adversaries like North Korea. Surprisingly, knowing the name of the North Korean leader doesn't seem to be a job requirement. | Despite a series of high-profile meetings between President Donald Trump and chairman Kim Jong-un, tensions between the US and North Korea are returning to old highs. Pyongyang wants Washington to drop its calls for denuclearization, and Kim has given the US a year-end deadline to meet this request, while issuing cryptic threats of a "christmas gift" for America. | Against this background, Nat…

RT (2019-12-30). 'Strikes successful, other options discussed': Esper & Pompeo brief Trump on 'anti-Iran' raids in Iraq & Syria. rt.com Top national security advisers told President Donald Trump that the air raids against Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria were a total success — and briefed him on 'other' ways to punish Iran for the alleged attacks on US interests. | "We will not stand for the Islamic Republic of Iran to take actions that put American men and women in jeopardy," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared, standing beside Defense Secretary Mark Esper at a press event at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. | Also on rt.com | | US strikes Kataib Hezbollah HQ in Iraq, Syria | The…

teleSUR (2019-12-29). US Aircraft Bombs Base of Iranian-Backed Forces in Iraq. telesurenglish.net The U.S. military carried out a new attack against the Iranian-backed forces in Iraq's Al-Anbar province, the Popular Mobilization Forces announced on Sunday. | RELATED: | Iraqi Parliament Approves New Electoral Law, Deadlock Persists | In a statement via their official Twitter account, the Popular Mobilization Forces said, "U.S. planes bombed sites belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces in western Al-Anbar." | The Pentagon has since confirmed the strikes as well, claimin…

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-29). US Military Contractors Exposed For Paying Taliban At US Gov Instruction & Iran False Flag Continues. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/28/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Staff (2019-12-27). Headlines for December 27, 2019. democracynow.org In Confidential Videos, Navy SEALs Say Gallagher Was "Toxic" & "Freaking Evil", Hospitals & Health Clinics Shuttered by Heavy Bombing in Idlib, Syria, Japan to Deploy Destroyer to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions in Gulf of Oman, Nigerian-American Journalist Omoyele Sowore Released from Prison, In India, Protests Rage Against "Anti-Muslim" Citizenship Law, Netanyahu Staves Off Party Leadership Challenge Ahead of General Election, Mexico to Bring Complaint Against Bolivia's Interim Government to ICJ, Congolese Asylum Seeker Died in Border Patrol Custody on Christmas Day, Los Angeles Prosecutors Consider Filing Cri…

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-27). Israel Bombs Gaza For Xmas, Israel Threatens To Attack All Helping Iran & Saudis Bomb Yemen Market. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/26/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

RT (2019-12-24). You better watch out… US military tracks Santa and North Korean 'gifts'. rt.com With much of the world awaiting North Korea's promised "Christmas gift" for the US, NORAD is busy tracking both missile tests and Santa's journey around the world. Let's hope the two don't get mixed up, netizens joked. | 'Tis the season to be on the lookout for intercontinental ballistic missiles. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un promised a "Christmas gift" for the United States earlier this month, should Washington not back down from its demand for him to abandon his nuclear program. Resurrecting the nickname "Rocket Man" for Kim, US President Donald Trump has refused to give in and it remains to be seen wheth…

Staff (2019-12-23). Headlines for December 23, 2019. democracynow.org White House Halted Ukraine Aid 91 Minutes After Trump & Zelensky Phone Call, U.S. Considering Plan to Deport Mexican Asylum Seekers to Guatemala, WaPo: White House Pushes to Use Migrant Children to Ensnare Parents, Saudi Arabia Sentences 5 People to Death for Khashoggi's Murder, ICC Takes Step to Investigating Israel for War Crimes, India: Protests Continue as Modi Defends "Anti-Muslim" Citizenship Law, Iraq: Thousands Demand Appointment of Independent Prime Minister, Reuters: Up to 1,500 Dead in Iran's Bloody Crackdown Against Nov. Protests, Pentagon: U.S. Soldier Killed in Afghanistan, French Unions Continue St…

Lawrence Wittner (2019-12-22). Americans Are Ready for a Different Approach to Nuclear Weapons. zcomm.org Although today's public protests against nuclear weapons can't compare to the major antinuclear upheavals of past decades, there are clear indications that most Americans reject the Trump administration's nuclear weapons policies. Since entering office in 2017, the Trump administration has withdrawn the United States from the nuclear agreement with Iran, scrapped the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Read more…

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-21). ICC To Investigate Israeli Government War Crimes & UN Again Contradicts US Claims Of Iran "Proof" thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/20/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-20). Israel Bombs Gaza, 2020 NDAA's Israel Focus, Iran Excuse Now In Afghanistan & West Bank Take Over. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/19/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Activist Post (2019-12-16). US Gov Claims "Thousands" Killed In Iran Based On Unvetted, Unconfirmed Video Sent By [REDACTED]. thelastamericanvagabond.com It must be coincidence that all of the regimes mentioned in a memo given to General Wesley Clark have been toppled … except Iran, the final mention. US Shocks With Inflated Claim Of 1,000 Iranian Protesters "Murdered" By Regime is the headline that highlights the latest narrative to drum up support for an invasion — and …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-15). US Threatens To Attack Iran Over Rockets Fired In Iraq & Assange Blocked From Seeing Key Evidence. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/14/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-13). UN Counters US Claims Of "Proof" Iran Attacked Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu Impunity & Turkey Sanctions. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/12/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-12). Trump Signs EO Saying Judaism Is Now A Nationality, New Toothless NDAA Allows Yemen & Iran Wars. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/11/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-11). US Accuses Iran Of "Increasingly Sophisticated" ROCKET Attacks, Clinton Meddling & Afghan Implosion. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/10/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-09). Iran False Flag, Bolivia's Coup Gov Seeks Israel's Help, Israel's Been In Yemen 'Since Day One'. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/8/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-08). Israel Bombs Gaza, Israeli Bot Group Caught Spreading Hate & US Admits Houthis Not "Iran Proxy" thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/7/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-07). US Claims "Fresh Intelligence" Of Iran Attacks Yet Provides Zero Evidence — MSM Blindly Regurgitates. thelastamericanvagabond.com Here we go again with "fresh intelligence" to justify the continued sanctions and destabilization of Iran. It's a plan that has been well documented even by their own writings (See Which Path to Persia? — 2009). Of course, complicating U.S. foreign policy is the involvement of Israel. The Last American Vagabond covers the latest political posturing, distortion, and general …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-06). The US Is Manufacturing A War With Iran Under Cover Of The Impeachment Distraction. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/5/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Mina Khanlarzadeh (2019-12-06). Anti-Imperialism As An Intellectual Trap. zcomm.org The US-led economic sanctions have caused a great deal of death and destruction in Iranian society, and the IMF policies in Iran, similar to other developing countries, have resulted in a widening of the class gap, poverty, severe marginalization of the peripheries, and a lowering of living standards. Yet, the US sanctions together with IMF Read more…

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-05). CNN Says US Has "Fresh Intelligence" Of Iran Prepping Attack But Can't Show It & More NYT Propaganda. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/4/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Kathy Kelly (2019-12-02). Trident is the Crime. zcomm.org The U.S. nuclear weapon arsenal creates anguish, fear and futility worldwide. Yet "holy ground" exists as activists work toward abolition of nuclear weapons…

Jon Rainwater (2019-11-07). Take Action — Some actual, SANE legislation. peaceaction.org Trump has plans to spend nearly $2 TRILLION over the next 30 years on unneeded and unnecessary nuclear weapons and delivery systems. This makes no sense. This is insane. That's nearly $100 million wasted every day for thirty years on weapons we are supposed to be getting rid of. To put that amount in perspective, …

Jon Rainwater (2019-09-25). Take Action to Avoid War with Iran. peaceaction.org photo credit Dear Groundswell Readers, We have to keep pushing Congress this week if we want to avoid war with Iran. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said recently that the U.K. might join a U.S.-led military effort in the Gulf. When other nations step up to join the "coalition of the willing" it's often a bad sign. …

Paul Kawika Martin (2019-07-18). Diplomacy Instead of a Disaster in Iran. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — July 18, 2019 — In response to reports of the U.S. shooting down an Iranian drone, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "Because of the Trump administration's policy of maximum provocation towards Iran, America stands on the precipice of another blunderous …

Paul Kawika Martin (2019-06-28). Most Senators Oppose War with Iran Without Congressional Approval. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 28, 2019 — In response to the Senate voting 50-40 in favor of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to block funding for military action against Iran without congressional approval, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "Because …

Peace Action (2019-06-25). Peace Action Endorses Ilhan Omar for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 25, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Ilhan Omar for Congress in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …

Peace Action (2019-06-24). Peace Action Endorses Kara Eastman for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 24, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Kara Eastman for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …

Jon Rainwater (2019-06-20). Striking Iran Now Could Spark a Major War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 20, 2019 — In response to reports that the Trump administration is considering strikes on Iran in response to the downing of a U.S. surveillance drone, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement: "The United States has stumbled into a perilous situation. If, for example, the U.S. …