Seemorerocks: Global headlines

The Israel Lobby’s Hidden Hand in the Theft of Iraqi and Syrian Oil
The outsized role of U.S. Israel lobby operatives in abetting the theft of Syrian and Iraqi oil reveals how this powerful lobby also facilitates more covert aspects of U.S.-Israeli cooperation and the implementation of policies that favor Israel.

US Has Sent 600 Trucks to East Syria in Two Months to ‘Secure Oilfields’

## Solutions ##
Solar Dehydrator: A Very Appropriate Technology

## Environment/health ##

'It's 100 percent not safe': Vaping increases risk of chronic lung disease by 30%, according to new study

Far from U.S. epidemic, ‘the other opioid crisis’ rages in vulnerable countries

Does clothing made from water bottles make a difference? (video)

Climate inaction will turn into ‘survival of the richest’: UN chief

Heavily logged tropical forests may never recover

## Intelligence/security/internet/cyberwar ##
'I Slept With My Gun': What It's Like to Get Your Ring Camera Hacked

Max Blumenthal Says He Is A "Cynical Salesperson Posing As Journalist". He Is Right.

Doctors Issue Urgent Australian Appeal to Save Julian Assange

Telefonica to drastically reduce Huawei kit for its core 5G network

With or without Huawei? German coalition delays decision on 5G rollout

Pentagon Dismisses Afghanistan Papers: Look Forward, Not Back
Pentagon officials are continuing to react dismissively to questions about the Afghanistan Papers, and the revelation that the Pentagon systematically lied about the state of the war. This is leading the experts to conclude that the Pentagon does not intend to change its policies.

## Propaganda/censorship/fake news/alternative facts ##
Media Suppressed Evidence Of The OPCW's 'Chemical Attack' Manipulations - There Is Now More Of It

Deluge Of New Leaks Further Shreds The Establishment Syria Narrative

## Systemic breakdown/collapse/unsustainability ##
SC Armories are Crumbling, Vulnerable to Terrorists, Putting Soldiers at Risk

## Japan ##
Japan December factory activity shrinks for eighth month, output slump worsens: flash PMI

Japan Extends Lead Over China As Biggest Foreign Holder Of US Treasurys

Japan to launch intelligence-gathering satellite in January
The device will join Japan’s seven other reconnaissance satellites believed to be utilized for such purposes as monitoring developments at North Korean missile sites.

Japan to tighten screws on tech giants to ensure transparency

Japan's Biggest Banks Are Having Second Thoughts About Lending To SoftBank After WeWork Debacle

## China ##
China’s rural banks struggling under pressure of overdue loans as slow growth, trade war take their toll

Factbox: Beijing statements on trade deal differ from those of U.S. on imports, timing

China's next gambit to save its economy will export dystopia worldwide

First made-in-China aircraft carrier, the Shandong, officially enters service

## UK ##
Estranged students: 'Homeless' in the holidays

Head of UK Israel Lobby Group Announces Gov’t Plan To Ban Boycotting Israel
After an election dogged by the weaponization of anti-Semitism, the victorious UK conservative party has announced a new legislative push that would prevent the public sector from working with any individual or organization that supports a boycott of Israel’s government.

Boris Johnson to pass law banning anti-Israel boycott, official says

Julian Assange’s extradition fight could turn on reports he was spied on for CIA

## US ##
Failing U.S. Pension System May Need Federal Bailout to Survive
The Military’s Sci-Fi Fantasy for the Super Bowl of Wars
The Marines are emulating 'Ender’s Game' and the Army is dreaming of 'Starship Troopers.' The taxpayer should be looking for an exit.

Monetary Looting

OK Boomer, OK Fed
Eventually the younger generations will connect all the economic injustices implicit in 'OK Boomer' with the Fed.

College Enrollment Skids for 8th Year in a Row in 2019, But Student Loans Skyrocket. What Gives?

More borrowers are getting rejected for auto loans

Medical debt is making it harder for some Americans to get mortgages

America’s Two-Headed One Party System

US Expelled Two Chinese Diplomats After They Drove onto a Norfolk Military Base

China’s Dangerous Chokehold on Our Medicines
How bad is it? If Beijing turned off the spigot today, pharmacy shelves would be empty within months.

Supreme Court refuses to consider cities' efforts to prosecute the homeless for sleeping outside