(2020-12-22). Israel's Genocide in Gaza Goes Uninterrupted, But Is Europe Finally Taking Notice? mintpressnews.com 
A long and cruel siege, constant Israeli attacks resulting in the killing of countless civilians, destruction of homes and infrastructure, extreme poverty, and trauma remain the daily bread of Palestinians in Gaza.
(2020-12-22). US Congress comes up with new COVID relief plan, but leaves much to be desired. peoplesdispatch.org The relief package will be the second-largest of its kind since the passing of the CARES Act in March, but is too little and too late for millions who have been pushed closer to poverty and instability by the pandemic…
(2020-12-22). In a pandemic, why are cities still making it hard for people to get utilities? mronline.org 
With the continuing pandemic—and expiring housing and unemployment benefits across the country—millions of people may have their utilities cut off soon.
(2020-12-22). A Social Medicine Team for Emergency Department Patients With High Psychosocial Burden. jamanetwork.com This JAMA Performance Improvement article describes experience at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital with an emergency department social medicine (EDSM) team to facilitate care of ED patients with low-acuity medical illnesses and complex psychosocial comorbidities (homelessness, mental illness, substance use, poverty).
(2020-12-22). In Luxembourg workers of clothing-retail company H&M protest against reduction in year-end bonus. peoplesdispatch.org Swedish clothing-retail brand Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) in Luxembourg decided to reduce the workers' year-end bonus, equivalent to the two months of partial unemployment caused by the lockdown between March and May…
(2020-12-22). Newly released wage data documents 40-year wealth redistribution to top 0.1 percent. wsws.org Social Security Administration data analyzed by the Economic Policy Institute shows the steady upward redistribution of wealth from the working class to the highest tier of income earners over the past 40 years, a trend that continued in 2019.
(2020-12-21). Congress Finalizes A COVID-19 Relief Bill. popularresistance.org Washington, DC – Congressional leaders agreed Sunday on a nearly $900 billion economic aid package to extend federal unemployment payments and forgivable loans for small businesses, and to give direct cash payments to many Americans. | The leaders — under increasing pressure from constituents and rank-and-file lawmakers, and confronted with both a slowing economy and surging coronavirus infections and related deaths — are racing to pass it into law before millions of Americans lose their financial lifeline. The final text of the aid package, the second largest in U.S. history, was expected to become a…
(2020-12-21). Bloomberg Is Concerned that Janet Yellen's Dollar Policy May Lessen Wealth Inequality. cepr.net 
You don't have to look far, it's literally the first sentence in a Bloomberg piece on dollar policy under incoming Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. "Janet Yellen once touted the benefits of a weaker greenback for exports, but as the incoming Treasury secretary, she faces pressure to return the U.S. to a "strong-dollar" policy — and …
(2020-12-21). Chart of the day. mronline.org 
Both the number of initial unemployment claims for unemployment compensation and the number of continued claims for unemployment compensation are once again on the rise, signaling a worsening of the Pandemic Depression.
(2020-12-21). Today is Stalin's birthday. fightbacknews.org December 21 marks the birthday of Joseph Stalin, leader of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953. | Though reviled in the West, Stalin oversaw the period of socialist construction in the USSR. Under his leadership the country abolished illiteracy, unemployment, homelessness, and put an end to Russia's centuries-long history of famines. Under the leadership of Stalin, the USSR played a key role in turning back the tide of fascism and the defeat of Nazi Germany. This victory was not just a victory for the Soviet Union and socialism, but a victory for the peoples of the world…
(2020-12-21). Justice Democrats, Sunrise Movement Applaud Latest Economic Council Picks by Biden as 'Major Win'. commondreams.org Progressives on Monday applauded President-elect Joe Biden's selection of three new economic advisers who are expected to "prioritize the fight against structural inequality in our economy and democracy," including a former economic policy director to Sen. Elizabeth Warren. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-1230050958_1.jpg …
(2020-12-20). Tackling the Infrastructure and Unemployment Crises: The "American System" Solution. globalresearch.ca A self-funding national infrastructure bank modeled on the "American System" of Alexander Hamilton, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt would help solve not one but two of the country's biggest problems. | Millions of Americans have joined the ranks of the …