FMC to investigate Spain’s refusal to handle US freight

FMC to investigate Spain’s refusal to handle US freight

Outgoing Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel told Seatrade Maritime News that yesterday’s FMC meeting debate and vote ended in agreement that there should be an investigation into whether Spain’s reticence to handle US cargo involved violations of international agreements.

Bentzel pointed out that these contracts can be for the carriage of all sorts of cargo, not just weapons, “including humanitarian aid, in support of the Gazan population.”

Previously:

Spain to Block Maersk Ships Bound to Israel After Pressure From Activists

Spain to Block Maersk Ships Bound to Israel After Pressure From Activists

The Spanish government has announced it will block two ships—Denver and Seletar—operated by shipping giant Maersk and carrying military cargo bound for Israel, from docking at the port of Algeciras. This decision comes just days after the Mask off Maersk campaign released a report exposing the company’s regular use of the Spanish port for transferring cargo that enables the ongoing genocide against Palestinians, despite Spain’s stated arms embargo.

Spain to Block Maersk Ships Bound to Israel After Pressure From Activists

Civil War in Donbass 10 Years On

By Kit Klarenberg | Global Delinquents | July 8, 2024

July 1st marked the 10th anniversary of a brutal resumption of hostilities in the Donbass civil war. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it passed without comment in the Western media. On June 20th 2014, far-right Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called a ceasefire in Kiev’s “anti-terrorist operation”. Launched two months prior following vast protests, and violent clashes between Russian-speaking pro-federal activists and authorities throughout eastern Ukraine, the intended lightning strike routing of internal opposition to the Maidan government quickly became an unwinnable quagmire.

Civil War in Donbass 10 Years On

Related:

Euromaidan 2014 – Orange Revolution – War in Donbass

Did The Defense Industry Really Give More To Bernie Sanders Than Any Other 2020 Candidate?!

Despite his frequent votes against defense bills, Senator Bernie Sanders has collected more presidential campaign contributions from defense industry sources than any other candidate, including Donald Trump. That’s according to data on 2020 funding at the OpenSecrets.org website, which is sponsored by the Center for Responsive Politics.

[12-2019] Defense Industry Gives More To Bernie Than Any 2020 Candidate (originally published at American Conservative)

Links to “Amy Klobuchar”, not “Bernie Sanders”?! According to OpenSecrets, Joe Biden received the most from the MIC. Donald Trump came in second, with Bernie Sanders in third place. OpenSecrets doesn’t distinguish between employers and employees!?*

H/T: Stephen Gardner’s interview with Winslow T. Wheeler

Related:

*Top 20 Recipients (Joe Biden and Donald Trump):

METHODOLOGY: The numbers on this page are based on contributions from PACs and individuals giving $200 or more.

Read More »

What Israel’s Controversial Judicial Overhaul Means for Palestinians

What Israel’s Controversial Judicial Overhaul Means for Palestinians (archived)

For Palestinians, many of whom will have watched yesterday’s events from the sidelines, the judicial overhaul only stands to accelerate what has already been a worsening situation. The last couple of years have seen a major uptick in violence in the occupied territories, marked by deadly military raids and settler rampages. 2022 was the deadliest year for Palestinians in nearly two decades, and this year appears on course to beat that record. “The trends that we’re seeing have become much worse,” says Zonszein. “The reality on the ground for Palestinians was bad before [the judicial overhaul], and it’s bad now.”

The Tragic Reality of Rachel Corrie’s Death

Twenty years ago on March 16, the world got a tragic glimpse into what the state of Israel was going to become. Given the green light in the Oval Office by President George W. Bush, then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon – “a man of peace,” Bush said at the time – started the now-inevitable march to apartheid and the murderous treatment of the Palestinians against whom the main battle would be waged.

The Tragic Reality of Rachel Corrie’s Death

Related:

Twenty years later, Rachel Corrie lives

Rachel Corrie – 20 Years: A message from Rachel’s Parents

Facebook’s news censorship in Australia: A battle between monopolies

Facebook’s news censorship in Australia: A battle between monopolies

However, socialists and progressives in the country are wary of taking any sides in what they see as a battle between monopolies. Media outlets owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp hold a monopoly of over 70% of the national print readership. Murdoch is also one of the biggest advocates of the bargaining code, which has also inspired other media corporations around the world.