(2021-12-22). Finance capital and the COVID-19 pandemic. wsws.org Since the interventions by central banks, led by the Fed, into financial markets, starting in March 2020, they have been buying financial assets at the rate of $800 million per hour.
(2021-12-22). US blockade restricts Cuban economic growth. indybay.org Havana, Dec 16 (Prensa Latina) The intensified economic, financial and commercial blockade of the United States constitutes one of the factors that imposes the most restrictions on the development of Cuban economy, experts on the subject agreed here today.
(2021-12-22). China's growth likely to moderate next year, World Bank says. ecns.cn China's economic growth is projected to moderate to 5.1 percent in 2022, after achieving 8 percent this year as predicted.
(2021-12-22). Taiwan export orders from mainland, Hong Kong up 25.3 pct in November. ecns.cn Taiwan companies received export orders from the mainland and Hong Kong worth 16.08 billion U.S. dollars in November, an increase of 25.3 percent year on year, the island's economic affairs department said.
(2021-12-22). Boric Win in Chile Is "Huge Victory" for Social Movements. zcomm.org Boric has vowed to fight for progressive social reforms and overhaul the neoliberal economic policies left by the U.S.-backed dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet…
(2021-12-22). The "Selling" of Degrowth. zcomm.org Can those who advocate hitting the brakes on economic growth get their message across before it's too late?>
(2021-12-22). Cuba prevé recuperación económica y crecimiento del PIB en 2022. telesurtv.net Transformar el sistema empresarial estatal, sujeto principal del modelo económico, es un desafío en la gestión gubernamental cubana.
(2021-12-22). Major countries should shoulder responsibilities amid Omicron surges: Chinese ambassador. ecns.cn Major countries must shoulder their responsibilities, take the lead to provide COVID-19 vaccines for low-and middle-income countries, and help them foster production capacity as the Omicron variant is rapidly spreading around the globe.
(2021-12-22). Inner West Council result shows strong mood for change. greenleft.org.au There is a strong mood for progressive change in the inner west, as the demerger vote and swings to Greens and Labor show. Andrew Chuter reports.
(2021-12-22). STOP FCMAT Attack On Oakland Public Schools! OEA, Community & Pols Oppose $90 M In Cuts. indybay.org The Oakland Education Association, politicians and community organizations spoke out against the demands of the FCMAT for $90 million in cutbacks in the public schools or the district would be put under trusteeship.
(2021-12-22). U.S. Labor Unions on the March in 2021 After Years of Decline. zcomm.org Workers went on strike and pushed union drives in record numbers after corporations made giant pandemic profits…
(2021-12-22). How Labor Can Stop 'The Privatization of Everything'. zcomm.org Review of The Privatization of Everything: How The Plunder of Public Goods Transformed America and How We Can Fight Back…
(2021-12-22). Cifra de muertos tras naufragio en Madagascar ascienden a 64. telesurtv.net El presidente Andry Rajoelina decretó un día de duelo nacional por las víctimas del naufragio y las labores de rescate.
(2021-12-22). Low Wages and Exploitative Conditions Are Sparking Graduate Student Strikes. zcomm.org The will to collective action now reemergent on the campus represents a path toward reversing the trends of exorbitant tuition, an exploited contingent labor pool and the concentration of power in administrative hands…
(2021-12-22). No 'forced labor' in Xinjiang: A revealing trip to U.S.-sanctioned silicon factory. ecns.cn The vast expanses of Gobi deserts in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are normally devoid of life, yet this is where numerous tall futuristic iron structures glow in the dark throughout the night.
(2021-12-22). Vaccinating 200 million Americans. zcomm.org The Commonwealth Fund finds that without Biden's vaccination drive, a million and a half Americans would have died this year…
(2021-12-22). The true costs of capitalist wealth. indybay.org What drives the capitalist mode of production is the endless compulsion to increase abstract wealth, or, put more simply, the compulsion to turn money into more money… Society is richer than it knows, because it does not take all kinds of wealth factors into account in GDP.
(2021-12-22). Inflation soars to record level as UK wages stagnate. wsws.org The Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation, considered to be more accurate as it includes factors such as mortgage payments, rose to 7.1 percent last month, its highest level in more than 30 years.
(2021-12-22). COVID-Omicron is Killing Christmas — And Beyond. Financial Crash, Inflation, Digitization. globalresearch.ca Omicron, a so-called covid-variant, has never been isolated. Whatever the current narrative — 193 UN member governments tell you in lockstep, what the mainstream media tell you in lockstep — and what the majority in the street of the 193 …
(2021-12-22). Surprise Protests at War Profiteers Boeing and Lockheed Martin in Silicon Valley. indybay.org Noisy visitors descended on two of the "Big 5" war companies in Menlo Park and Palo Alto on December 10. Members of CodePink, the Raging Grannies, Bay Area Sunrise Movement, Vigil for Democracy, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and others joined in protest. Activists delivered messages demanding the war profiteers transition to life-enhancing business instead of making a killing on killing.
(2021-12-22). China develops complete BDS industrial chain. ecns.cn China has developed a complete industrial chain of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), according to the China Satellite Navigation Office (CSNO).
(2021-12-22). SouthFront Race For Survival! southfront.org 
DEAR FRIENDS, | : | we appeal to all our readers and viewers, to our constant supporters!: | In the current difficult conditions, we are forced to act as being in a besieged fortress. Without your regular participation in SF life, our activities will be stopped. | We stay still to save the vestiges of freedom of speech and to show you the real face of the world most dangerous crises. | Though, we are still in the crosshairs, and without your regular support, SouthFront is done for. | Today, you can send your donations via BTC or Bitcoincash. | In order to support the activities of SouthFront throu…
(2021-12-22). Destruction of the Soviet Union: a Crime Without Statute of Limitations. orinocotribune.com 
Statement of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the United Communist Party of Russia (OKP) in connection with the 30th anniversary of the unconstitutional liquidation of the USSR in December 1991. | In December 1991, the largest state on the planet, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the first ever socialist state of workers and peasants, disappeared from the political map of the world. | In the context of the general crisis of Gorbachev's "perestroika" policy, few people paid attention to the blatant violation of all conceivable and inconceivable constitutional procedures during the "dissolution" of…
(2021-12-22). Chants in the Night — We Won't Give Up without a Fight! indybay.org December 1 was a day of many demos in the SF Bay Area to demand that the Supreme Court protect Roe v. Wade. In San Francisco at Market and Powell, the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) hosted a rally. In this video, organizer Mei Mei with PSL speaks following enthusiastic rounds of chanting.
(2021-12-21). The Pentagon's 20-year killing spree has always treated civilians as expendable. nationofchange.org Overall, military spending accounts for about half of the federal government's total discretionary spending — while programs for helping instead of killing are on short rations for local, state and national government agencies.
(2021-12-21). The Transition from Matriarchy to Patriarchy 101: (My best attempt!). anchor.fm In this episode I do my best to explain just that, through historical and dialectical materialist analysis and an understanding of political-economic development in human history I try to show how the transition from traditional Matriarchal societies developed into Patriarchal ones. If I missed anything or spoke too little about something, please tell me! Also check out "The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State" by Engels, plus a recent episode of Probably Cancelled Podcast with an interview by Michael Parenti titled, "Male Terrorism and the Political Economy of Sex Oppression". Hope you enjoy th…
(2021-12-21). Despite Manchin's blow to Build Back Better, Biden boosts fuel economy standards to fight climate change. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a major step to fight climate change, the Biden administration is raising vehicle mileage standards to significantly reduce emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases, reversing a Trump-era rollback that loosened fuel efficiency standards. A final rule issued Monday would raise mileage standards starting in the 2023 model year, reaching a projected industry-wide target of …
(2021-12-21). Unions Are Not Only Good For Workers. popularresistance.org We know that unions promote economic equality and build worker power, helping workers to win increases in pay, better benefits, and safer working conditions. | But that's not all unions do. Unions also have powerful effects on workers' lives outside of work. | In this report, we document the correlation between higher levels of unionization in states and a range of economic, personal, and democratic well-being measures. In the same way unions give workers a voice at work, with a direct impact on wages and working conditions, the data suggest that unions also give workers a voice in shaping their communities. Wher…
(2021-12-21). Xi extends congratulations on 40th anniversary of Xiamen SEZ. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Xiamen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in east China's Fujian Province.
(2021-12-21). EU court rules on business rights in light of exploding costs for ditching Iran deals. rt.com 
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg has ruled that companies based in the EU can cancel contracts with Iranian organizations if upholding the original deal would lead to "disproportionate economic loss." | On Tuesday, the ECJ set a precedent by
(2021-12-21). Regional governor bans all foreigners from driving taxis. rt.com 
The leader of Russia's Tyumen region has issued a decree completely banning all foreigners from working in the public transport system, in a move that will force taxi and bus companies to only hire drivers with a Russian passport. | The move follows announcements made by the heads of other regions, such as Moscow, where the mayor recently announced that it was developing a plan to eliminate migrant labor in the construction industry. | Like construction, taxi-driving is popular with many economic migrants in Russia due to the lack of any professional qualification and ease of finding a job. In Tyumen, where th…
(2021-12-21). Next Phase In US Economic And Political Crisis Begins. popularresistance.org Months ago this writer predicted that Senator Manchin would never support Biden's 'Build Back Better' Bill and was simply engaging in 'bad faith bargaining' to string the Democrats along. Manchin's goal was to get the Democrat leadership—Biden, Pelosi, Durbin, Shumer et. al.—to reduce their proposals, which they conveniently did, on repeated occasions. | But Manchin's real objective has always been to shit can the bill, in order to prevent the necessity of raising taxes on corporations and investors in order to pay for it. To borrow a phrase: "It's the Tax Cuts, Stupid!". | The taxes involved in the B…
(2021-12-21). UK Tesco workers—reject USDAW-Unite pay sellout! wsws.org USDAW and Unite are recommending workers call off their offensive and accept an effective pay cut in conditions in which they occupy a powerful economic position and confront the serious dangers of COVID-19 in the workplace.
(2021-12-21). Gabriel Boric Win in Chile Is "Huge Victory" for Social Movements That Fought Off Far-Right Threat. democracynow.org 
Former student activist and leftist Gabriel Boric will become Chile's youngest president after easily defeating the far-right candidate José Antonio Kast with over 55% of the vote. Boric has vowed to fight for progressive social reforms and overhaul the neoliberal economic policies left by the U.S.-backed dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. We speak with Chilean writer Pablo Abufom and feminist activist Javiera Manzi, who say Boric's victory signals an opening for progressive policy in Chile and Latin America more broadly.
(2021-12-21). Iran's trade with EAEU records 73% growth in 8 months: IRICA. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Spokesman for the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) said that Iran's trade with Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)'s member states in the first eight months of the current Iranian year saw a 73% increase.
(2021-12-21). The Year in Inequality in 10 Charts: Our Economic and Racial Divides grew Wider in 2021. juancole.com Blogging Our Great Divide by Sarah Anderson Brian Wakamo | — A year ago we had such high hopes. We expected the Covid vaccine rollout to bring a swift end to the pandemic, opening a window for pushing bold solutions to the long-standing economic, racial, and gender divides that had grown even wider under Covid. …
(2021-12-21). Social Movements in Chile Fend Off Far Right Threat With Gabriel Boric's Victory. truthout.org 
Former student activist and leftist Gabriel Boric will become Chile's youngest president after easily defeating the far-right candidate José Antonio Kast with over 55% of the vote. Boric has vowed to fight for progressive social reforms and overhaul the neoliberal economic policies left by the U.S.-backed dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. We speak with Chilean writer Pablo Abufom and feminist activist Javiera Manzi, who say Boric's victory signals an opening for progressive policy in…
(2021-12-21). Senior Economist At Moody's, Mark Zandi: I'm Lowering My Economic Forecast For US Due To Omicron Variant. moguldom.com Moody's Analytics is expected to downgrade its U.S. economic forecast by as much as one percentage point in the coming days due to the double blow from the intensifying pandemic and Sen. Joe Manchin's opposition to President Joe Biden's signature Build Back Better legislation. Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody's Analytics, told CNN on Monday that …
(2021-12-21). Cuba proyecta continuar su gradual recuperación económica en 2022 y espera un crecimiento del 4 por ciento de su PIB. cubadebate.cu La economía cubana proyecta continuar su gradual recuperación en 2022 y alcanzar un crecimiento del PIB, a precios constantes, en el entorno del 4%, para lo cual resulta clave el control de la pandemia, dijo este martes Alejandro Gil Fernández, vice primer ministro y ministro de Economía y Planificación, a diputados reunidos en el Palacio de Convenciones de La Habana.
(2021-12-21). Want to Know How to Beat COVID? Look at China. orinocotribune.com By Scott Scheffer — Dec 17, 2021 | The world is now nearing the end of the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States has the highest death toll in the world — 823,390 as of Dec. 16. | With all the scientific resources available, and billions of dollars in the vaults of the richest capitalist class in history, the U.S. should have been able to succeed in a vaccination campaign and treat everyone before they were infected. Vaccines should have made their way throughout the world, including the global south where the challenges of poverty magnify the horrors of the pandemic. | Instead, the W…
(2021-12-21). Price increases for food and other basic necessities to squeeze Canadian workers' already hard-pressed incomes. wsws.org The rising cost of foodstuffs is especially devastating for workers and their families, many of whom struggle to put food on the table, never mind the foods necessary for a healthy and balanced diet.
(2021-12-21). LABOUR live at Metabolic Rift. mronline.org 
Titled Metabolic Rift, the month-long event series combined both an exhibition spread across Berlin's Kraftwerk venue and a series of concerts that captured the spirit of Berlin through site-specific interventions and live performance.
(2021-12-21). Beijing Takes 'Reciprocal Countermeasures' in Response to US Anti-China Sanctions Over Uyghur Issue. sputniknews.com Earlier this month, the US slapped a new package of sanctions on China, alleging that Beijing has been using the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang Province as forced labour, claims the Chinese government rejects.
(2021-12-21). New Zealand: More bodies photographed after sealing of Pike River mine. wsws.org The announcement underlines the criminality of the Labour Party government's decision to permanently seal the mine, preventing the 29 bodies being recovered and the 2010 disaster properly investigated.
(2021-12-21). Hospitality workers on strike in Cambodia's biggest casino. peoplesdispatch.org Despite pressure from authorities, more than 1,300 workers in Phnom Penh's NagaWorld have been on strike against mass lay-offs and wage cuts. The entire leadership of the Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld is among those laid off…
(2021-12-21). Rally for Amazon workers! Dec. 22, New York City. workers.org 
New York City Amazon union organizing is accelerating, as Staten Island Amazon workers refile for union election. On Dec. 22 the Amazon Labor Union will resubmit its petition for a union vote at the facility, known as JFK8, to the National Labor Relations Board. Workers will hold a lunchtime walkout . . . |
(2021-12-21). Who Might Strike in 2022? Hundreds of Big Contracts Will Be Up. popularresistance.org Workers are already sensing their increased leverage in a tight labor market. They'll be feeling the squeeze of record inflation while their employers rake in profits. There's every reason to hold the line against concessions, or to win back what they gave away before. | A Bloomberg analysis in November found that nearly 200 large union contracts (covering at least 1,000 workers) would expire between then and the end of 2022. Together these contracts cover 1.3 million workers—and there are hundreds of thousands more covered under the hundreds of smaller contracts that are also expiring. Here are some of the…
(2021-12-21). SF UESF Teachers & Supporters Demand No Cuts In the Class & Rally Against At SFUSD HQ. indybay.org Hundreds of teachers, students and supporters of public education rallied at the SFUSD offices to protest the proposed $125 million dollar budget cuts.
(2021-12-21). Gas Futures Prices in Europe Top $2,000 per 1,000 Cubic Meters for 1st Time. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Gas futures prices in Europe on Tuesday topped record $2,000 for 1,000 cubic meters minutes after breaking another record of $1,937.
(2021-12-21). Turkish dollar? Erdogan's new financial investment tool explained. middleeasteye.net 
Turkish dollar? Erdogan's new financial investment tool explained | Scheme has put a sudden stop to the lira's meltdown, but concerns are high that it will also create huge public debt and more inflation | Tue, 12/21/2021 – 08: 25 | Is Erdogan's new investment tool a 'veiled interest rate hike'?, 7 December 2021 (AFP) | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's unveiling of a new lira investment instrumen…