Daily Archives: December 15, 2019

2019-12-15: News Headlines

teleSUR (2019-12-15). ALBA-TCP Ratified Integration of Latin American and Caribbean Peoples. telesurenglish.net With cultural expressions and interventions by heads of State and delegates from Latin American and Caribbean nations, the XVII Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America — Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) ends with a political-cultural ceremony. | RELATED: , ALBA-TCP to Speed Formation of a 'Peace Zone' in Latin America | Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro highlighted the integrationist work of the organization (ALBA-TCP) in the region, "the idea of co…

teleSUR,la (2019-12-15). FARC Demands Colombia's Duque Provide Security for Ex-Fighters. telesurenglish.net The Common Revolutionary Alternative Force ( FARC ) party sent a letter to the President of Colombia, Iván Duque, in which they demanded the implementation of the Peace Agreement and specifically his third point on security for communities and ex-combatants in the process of reinstatement. | RELATED: | Colombians Protest Against Tax Reform in Front of Congress | The letter was sent after the murder of ex-combatant Manuel González (aka Jair Cartagena), who was shot near the Román Ru…

teleSUR (2019-12-15). Venezuela to Relaunch PetroCaribe Program in 2020. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro announced the relaunch of the PetroCaribe program in the first half of 2020 during the 17th summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of America (ALBA-TCP) in Cuba Saturday. | RELATED: , ALBA-TCP Ratified Integration of Latin American and Caribbean Peoples | "We have decided to relaunch with great force for the first half of the year 2020, the PetroCaribe project, the Miracle Mission and ALBA Cultural (…) ALBA has demonstrated…

Ben Norton (2019-12-14). Gobierno de EEUU retira los cargos falsos contra periodista Max Blumenthal. thegrayzone.com El gobierno estadounidense desistió la causa basada en falsas acusaciones de agresión contra el editor de The Grayzone Max Blumenthal…

IMEMC & Agencies (2019-12-14). Israeli Forces Injure Several Palestinians at Protests in West Bank and Gaza. imemc.org Dozens of Palestinian protesters were reportedly wounded while others were arrested during the Israeli crackdown on weekly peaceful protests along the separation fence in Gaza, and throughout the West Bank. Israeli soldiers injured five with live ammunition, wounding one seriously, shot 4 protestors with rubber-coated metal bullets, and caused dozens …

William T. Hathaway (2019-12-14). The Mother of Us All: Ancient India's Vedic Civilization. dissidentvoice.org Researchers have determined that the Vedic culture of India was the first global civilization. They have uncovered archeological and historical evidence indicating that the society which began millennia ago in the Indus Valley grew to encompass all of South Asia, then spread peacefully to many parts of the world. Science and technology in ancient India …

teleSUR (2019-12-14). Venezuelan Government Denounces Right-Wing Terrorist Plan. telesurenglish.net Venezuelan Communication Minister, Jorge Rodriguez, revealed Saturday details of a terrorist operation that was intended to be perpetrated against the Gran Mariscal Sucre Headquarters and the Zonal Command No. 53 of the Bolivarian National Guard in the state of Sucre. | RELATED: , Colombia: TIAR Ministers to Plan New Actions Against Venezuela | This operation was carried out by members of the right-wing party, 'Voluntad Popular,' led by Leopoldo Lopez and Juan Guaido, and organize…

teleSUR (2019-12-14). Venezuela: Maduro Attends Anti-Neoliberal ALBA Summit in Cuba. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro attends the 17th summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of America (ALBA-TCP), which is taking place in Havana, Cuba, on Saturday. | RELATED: | Venezuelan Oil Production Sets Historical Record in November | "At such a complex time for Latin America and the Caribbean, this ALBA summit brings a message of ho…

teleSUR (2019-12-13). UN Renews Agency Helping Palestinian Refugees in Defiance of US. telesurenglish.net With 169 votes in favor, nine abstentions, and two votes against, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Friday extended the mandate for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) until June 30, 2023. | RELATED: | Palestinians Strike Against Israeli Settlement Plan in Hebron | "The General Assembly… expresses special commend…

Vijay Prashad (2019-12-13). If you want peace, you get war; if you want war, you get rich. mronline.org A quarter century ago, Victoria Sandino Palmera joined the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People's Army (FARC-EP). She had previously been a militant in the Communist Party and—when FARC-EP was above ground in the 1990s—joined the Patriotic Pole. But the repression of what she calls the 'traditional oligarchy' sent her back to the jungle over and […] | Source

Saad Hafiz (2019-12-13). Pakistan Must Face Its Past. counterpunch.org I have often wondered if Pakistan would have been a better country and South Asia a more peaceful region if the crisis that led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 had been handled differently. As we know that did not happen when Pakistani forces went to war to prevent the secession of East Pakistan. More

news.un (2019-12-13). A year on from Yemen talks breakthrough, top UN Envoy hails 'shift' towards peace, despite setbacks. news.un.org When warring parties in Yemen met in a renovated castle outside the Swedish capital last December for UN-brokered talks, they showed that perhaps there could be a way out of brutal conflict and the world's worst humanitarian crisis, the UN Special Envoy for the country said this week.

REZA FIYOUZAT (2019-12-13). An Outrageous Proposal: Peace Boats to Iran. counterpunch.org Tis the season! Season of giving. I've been receiving numerous emails daily this past month from organizations that sponsored one or more of the hundred or so petitions I signed this past year. "Will you donate to save the wolves?" "Help us to save the arctic!" "Donate now to ensure our water is clean!" "Donate More

Staff (2019-12-13). Headlines for December 13, 2019. democracynow.org Conservative Party Wins Landslide Victory in U.K. Elections, House Judiciary Committee to Vote on 2 Articles of Impeachment Today, Algeria: Thousands Protest Thursday's Presidential Election, Aung San Suu Kyi Asks ICJ to Drop Genocide Case Against Burma, India: Police Kill 2 People in Assam Amid Protests over Citizenship Bill, Thousands of Iraqis Gather in Tahrir Sq. to Demand Protest Movement Remain Peaceful, France: Unions Remain on Strike and Vow to Continue During Holiday Season, Thousands Take to Streets in Hong Kong, DHS Memo Reveals How ICE's Inadequate Medical Care Contributed to 4 Deaths, Trump Attacks 1…

Miguel Salazar (2019-12-12). Colombia's Peace Deal Paved the Way for Its Historic Protests. thenation.com Colombia's Peace Deal Paved the Way for Its Historic Protests…

Alan Macleod (2019-12-11). Majority of Mexicans See United States as Greatest Threat, New Poll Shows. mintpressnews.com This is not the first time that a US-based outfit has concluded that the US government is a menace to other countries. A 2014 survey of world public opinion found that the United States was overwhelmingly considered the greatest threat to world peace.

Alan MacLeod (2019-12-09). 'Sexy tricks': How journalists demonize Venezuela's socialist government, in their own words. thegrayzone.com Journalists revealed to me the tactics they use to sell stories painting Venezuela as a socialist dystopia. One described himself…

Staff (2019-12-09). Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron & BP Could Be Legally & Morally Liable for Climate Crisis in Philippines. democracynow.org The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines has just determined that 47 major companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP and Total, could be found legally and morally liable for human rights harms to Filipinos resulting from climate change. The commission found the companies could be held accountable under civil and criminal laws. Climate activists have hailed the decision as a landmark victory for climate justice. According to Greenpeace, this marks the first time big polluting companies have been found responsible for human rights harms resulting from the climate crisis. We speak to Yeb Saño, exe…

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 …

Peace Action (2019-07-11). Peace Action Endorses 'the Squad' — Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pressley and Tlaib for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — July 11, 2019 — Peace Action, the nation's largest grassroots peace organization, has endorsed four progressive champions for the House of Representatives in the 2020 election, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for New York's 14th district, Rep. Ilhan Omar for Minnesota's 5th district, Rep. Ayanna Pressley for Massachusetts' 7th district, and Rep. Rashida Tlaib …

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 …

Paul Kawika Martin (2019-06-20). Senate Votes to Block Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 20, 2019 — In response to the Senate voting to block arms sales involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "When Trump vetoed legislation earlier this year to end U.S. involvement …

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. …

Paul Kawika Martin (2019-06-19). House Casts Historic Vote to Repeal Authorization for Endless War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 19, 2019 — In response to the House of Representatives passing H.R. 2740 (Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Legislative Branch, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2020), which includes language to repeal the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) eight months after …

2019-12-15: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

FARC Demands Colombia's Duque Provide Security for Ex-Fighters
teleSUR,la | telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-15
The Common Revolutionary Alternative Force ( FARC ) party sent a letter to the President of Colombia, Iván Duque, in which they demanded the implementation of the Peace Agreement and specifically his third point on security for communities and ex-combatants in the process of reinstatement. | RELATED: | Colombians Protest Against Tax Reform in Front of Congress | The letter was sent after the murder of ex-combatant Manuel González (aka Jair Cartagena), who was shot near the Román Ru…
telesurenglish.net/news/FARC-Demands-Colombias-Duque-Provide-Security-for-Ex-Fighters-20191215-0006.html

ALBA-TCP Ratified Integration of Latin American and Caribbean Peoples
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-15
With cultural expressions and interventions by heads of State and delegates from Latin American and Caribbean nations, the XVII Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America — Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) ends with a political-cultural ceremony. | RELATED: , ALBA-TCP to Speed Formation of a 'Peace Zone' in Latin America | Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro highlighted the integrationist work of the organization (ALBA-TCP) in the region, "the idea of co…
telesurenglish.net/news/ALBA-TCP-Ratified-Integration-of-Latin-American-and-Caribbean-Peoples-20191215-0002.html

Venezuela to Relaunch PetroCaribe Program in 2020
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-15
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro announced the relaunch of the PetroCaribe program in the first half of 2020 during the 17th summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of America (ALBA-TCP) in Cuba Saturday. | RELATED: , ALBA-TCP Ratified Integration of Latin American and Caribbean Peoples | "We have decided to relaunch with great force for the first half of the year 2020, the PetroCaribe project, the Miracle Mission and ALBA Cultural (…) ALBA has demonstrated…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-to-Relaunch-PetroCaribe-Program-in-2020-20191215-0010.html

Gobierno de EEUU retira los cargos falsos contra periodista Max Blumenthal
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-14
El gobierno estadounidense desistió la causa basada en falsas acusaciones de agresión contra el editor de The Grayzone Max Blumenthal…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/14/gobierno-eeuu-retira-cargos-max-blumenthal-venezuela/

The Mother of Us All: Ancient India's Vedic Civilization
William T. Hathaway | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-12-14
Researchers have determined that the Vedic culture of India was the first global civilization. They have uncovered archeological and historical evidence indicating that the society which began millennia ago in the Indus Valley grew to encompass all of South Asia, then spread peacefully to many parts of the world. Science and technology in ancient India …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/12/the-mother-of-us-all-ancient-indias-vedic-civilization/

Israeli Forces Injure Several Palestinians at Protests in West Bank and Gaza
IMEMC & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-14
Dozens of Palestinian protesters were reportedly wounded while others were arrested during the Israeli crackdown on weekly peaceful protests along the separation fence in Gaza, and throughout the West Bank. Israeli soldiers injured five with live ammunition, wounding one seriously, shot 4 protestors with rubber-coated metal bullets, and caused dozens …
imemc.org/article/israeli-forces-injure-several-palestinians-at-protests-in-west-bank-and-gaza/

Venezuela: Maduro Attends Anti-Neoliberal ALBA Summit in Cuba
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-14
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro attends the 17th summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of America (ALBA-TCP), which is taking place in Havana, Cuba, on Saturday. | RELATED: | Venezuelan Oil Production Sets Historical Record in November | "At such a complex time for Latin America and the Caribbean, this ALBA summit brings a message of ho…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-Maduro-Attends-Anti-Neoliberal-ALBA-Summit-in-Cuba-20191214-0002.html

Venezuelan Government Denounces Right-Wing Terrorist Plan
telesurenglish.net | 2019-12-14
Venezuelan Communication Minister, Jorge Rodriguez, revealed Saturday details of a terrorist operation that was intended to be perpetrated against the Gran Mariscal Sucre Headquarters and the Zonal Command No. 53 of the Bolivarian National Guard in the state of Sucre. | RELATED: , Colombia: TIAR Ministers to Plan New Actions Against Venezuela | This operation was carried out by members of the right-wing party, 'Voluntad Popular,' led by Leopoldo Lopez and Juan Guaido, and organize…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuelan-Government-Denounces-Right-Wing-Terrorist-Plan–20191214-0006.html

If you want peace, you get war; if you want war, you get rich
Vijay Prashad | mronline.org | 2019-12-13
A quarter century ago, Victoria Sandino Palmera joined the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia–People's Army (FARC-EP). She had previously been a militant in the Communist Party and–when FARC-EP was above ground in the 1990s–joined the Patriotic Pole. But the repression of what she calls the 'traditional oligarchy' sent her back to the jungle over and […] | Source…
mronline.org/2019/12/13/if-you-want-peace-you-get-war-if-you-want-war-you-get-rich/

Pakistan Must Face Its Past
Saad Hafiz | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-13
I have often wondered if Pakistan would have been a better country and South Asia a more peaceful region if the crisis that led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 had been handled differently. As we know that did not happen when Pakistani forces went to war to prevent the secession of East Pakistan.
counterpunch.org/2019/12/13/pakistan-must-face-its-past/

A year on from Yemen talks breakthrough, top UN Envoy hails 'shift' towards peace, despite setbacks
news.un.org | 2019-12-13
When warring parties in Yemen met in a renovated castle outside the Swedish capital last December for UN-brokered talks, they showed that perhaps there could be a way out of brutal conflict and the world's worst humanitarian crisis, the UN Special Envoy for the country said this week.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053431

An Outrageous Proposal: Peace Boats to Iran
REZA FIYOUZAT | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-13
Tis the season! Season of giving. I've been receiving numerous emails daily this past month from organizations that sponsored one or more of the hundred or so petitions I signed this past year. "Will you donate to save the wolves?" "Help us to save the arctic!" "Donate now to ensure our water is clean!"
counterpunch.org/2019/12/13/an-outrageous-proposal-peace-boats-to-iran/

Colombia's Peace Deal Paved the Way for Its Historic Protests
Miguel Salazar | thenation.com | 2019-12-12
Colombia's Peace Deal Paved the Way for Its Historic Protests…
thenation.com/article/colombia-strikes-duque/

Majority of Mexicans See United States as Greatest Threat, New Poll Shows
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-11
This is not the first time that a US-based outfit has concluded that the US government is a menace to other countries. A 2014 survey of world public opinion found that the United States was overwhelmingly considered the greatest threat to world peace.
mintpressnews.com/mexico-united-states-greatest-threat-poll-shows/263358/

'Sexy tricks': How journalists demonize Venezuela's socialist government, in their own words
Alan MacLeod | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-09
Journalists revealed to me the tactics they use to sell stories painting Venezuela as a socialist dystopia. One described himself…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/09/sexy-tricks-journalists-demonize-venezuela-anatoly-kurmanaev/

Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron & BP Could Be Legally & Morally Liable for Climate Crisis in Philippines
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-09
The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines has just determined that 47 major companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP and Total, could be found legally and morally liable for human rights harms to Filipinos resulting from climate change. The commission found the companies could be held accountable under civil and criminal laws. Climate activists have hailed the decision as a landmark victory for climate justice. According to Greenpeace, this marks the first time big polluting companies have been found responsible for human rights harms resulting from the climate crisis. We speak to Yeb Saño, exe…
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/9/shell_exxonmobil_chevron_bp_could_be