2020-01-02: News Headlines

Eds. (2020-01-02). Social program meets goal, delivers 3 million homes. mronline.org The new goal of the social housing program is to deliver at least 500,000 new dwellings in 2020. | Source

The Grayzone (2020-01-02). Top 20 The Grayzone stories of 2019: From Venezuela coup attempt to Russiagate delusions, information warfare to new cold war. thegrayzone.com 2019 was a big year for The Grayzone. We traveled the world and broke many stories, exposing the empire's schemes…

teleSUR (2020-01-02). 'Venezuela Moves Towards a Thriving Economy' President Maduro. telesurenglish.net During an interview granted on Wednesday, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro assessed the year 2019 and made a socio-political and economic prospect for 2020. | RELATED: | Latin America: A Decade in Review | "We had to regulate public spending and prioritize every single dollar available to buy medicine, food, and vital supplies," Maduro said. | "The economy started to self-regulate. Private sector doll…

yenisafak (2020-01-02). Hillary Clinton appointed chancellor of Queen's University Belfast. yenisafak.com Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was appointed chancellor of Queen's University Belfast on Thursday, taking up the mainly ceremonial role in Northern Ireland where the peace process was one of the greatest successes of her husband's presidency.The 2016 U.S. presidential candidate becomes the first female chancellor of the 175-year-old university.During her time as Secretary of State from 2009-2013, Clinton visited Belfast to support the fragile 1998 Good Friday peace accord, which Bill Clinton helped broker and which largely ended 30 years of violence between Catholic nationalists seeking union with…

Gershon Baskin (2020-01-02). A Palestinian Mandela and an Israeli de Klerk. zcomm.org Barghouthi is a patriotic Palestinian leader and he is someone who supported peace with Israel and recognizing Israel's right to exist. It would be wise to begin engaging him in prison as a legitimate leader of his people…

teleSUR (2020-01-01). Haiti Marks Independence Anniversary Day Amid Deepening Crisis. telesurenglish.net Haiti celebrated Wednesday its 216th independence day in the midst of political turmoil and a profound social and economic crisis. | RELATED: | Hundreds of Haitian Children Fathered, 'Left in Misery' by UN Peacekeepers: Report | The government of President Jovenel Moise has been facing nationwide protests calling for its removal after scandals emerged involving the head of state along with other officials in cases of severe corruption, and after fuel shortages, dwindling f…

IMEMC News (2020-01-01). Peace Bridge, Derry City, Ireland, December. imemc.org By Niall àì Brolcháin — IMEMC News: The Derry branch of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) held their annual New Year's Eve vigil on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, on Derry's famous Peace Bridge to stand in solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters in their fight for freedom, justice, and equality. …

teleSUR (2020-01-01). Chileans Ring In New Year With Large Protest Against Regime. telesurenglish.net Thousands of Chileans filled the area around Plaza Dignidad in Santiago, Chile, to ring in the New Year with a massive demonstration against police repression. | RELATED: | Chile: 6 Military Police Detained for Sexual Abuse in Protests | According to reports, the protesters began 2020 with a massive dinner at Plaza Italia, renamed 'Dignity', under the slogan "New Year With Dignity." The day of celebrations and peaceful demonstration featured live music by various artists. | How…

Vijay Prashad (2019-12-31). India's Democracy is Facing an Existential Threat. counterpunch.org Peaceful protests have been taking place across India. Every public event seems to be transformed into a demonstration against not only these laws, but the government itself. In Kolkata — from where I write these words — the annual Rainbow Pride Walk combined Gay Pride with opposition to these laws. Signs at the march read, 'No CAA' and 'No to Fascism.' The Indian flag — not often seen at these events — was everywhere, a symbol of the fight over how 'India' should be understood. More

Peoples Dispatch (2019-12-31). Darfur peace process suffers a jolt following violent clash. peoplesdispatch.org Peace negotiations between Sudan's government and armed groups was halted after a clash in West Darfur that saw the death of eight people and left several others injured. Many have gone missing…

Prof. Ociel Alí López (2019-12-31). Crisis and Critique: Venezuela, a Paradox of Stability? globalresearch.ca For Venezuelans, the start of 2019 was perhaps the tensest moment in the past seventeen years. Unlike the political violence of 2017 and the electoral abstention drama of 2018, we faced a real scenario of foreign military intervention in Venezuela. …

news.un (2019-12-30). Sudan: UN mission envoy commends signing of Darfur framework agreement. news.un.org The joint chief mediator for the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, UNAMID, welcomed on Monday a framework agreement between the Transitional Government of Sudan and the Darfur armed movements that was signed during peace talks in Juba, South Sudan, on Saturday.

Alan Macleod (2019-12-27). Pro-Coup Venezuelan Soldiers Who Fled to the US Now Locked Up in ICE Detention Center. mintpressnews.com In an ironic twist worthy of an Alanis Morissette song, participants in U.S.-backed coup are now in an ICE detention camp.

Staff (2019-12-26). Headlines for December 26, 2019. democracynow.org Murkowski "Disturbed" by McConnell's "Coordination" with White House for Impeachment Trial, Trump Attacks Windmills with a Series of False Claims, The Intercept: Bloomberg Used Prison Labor to Make 2020 Campaign Calls, Thousands of Syrian Civilians Flee Government Offensive in Idlib, 35 Civilians Killed in Attack in Burkina Faso, China Calls on U.S. to Take "Concrete Steps" Toward Peace with North Korea, At Least 21 Killed as Typhoon Phanfone Slams into the Philippines, U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Recalled After Criticizing Criminalization of Homosexuality, Evo Morales Vows to Return to Bolivia by Next Christmas, H…

Staff (2019-12-24). Headlines for December 24, 2019. democracynow.org House Could Bring Additional Articles of Impeachment Against Trump, Boeing Fires CEO Dennis Muilenburg over 737 MAX Jet Controversy, NYT: Pentagon May Withdraw U.S. Troops from West Africa, Syria: Up to 100,000 Civilians Forced to Flee Intensification of Fighting in Idlib, Asian Leaders Urge U.S. & North Korea to Move Toward Peace, Report: Canadian Police Were Prepared to Use Lethal Force Against Indigenous Land Defenders, Trump Met with Accused War Criminal Eddie Gallagher, Nigerian Man Dies in ICE Custody in Maryland, Colorado Governor Pardons Woman Who Took Sanctuary to Fight Her Deportation, Former Black Pant…

Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-23). Venezuela Repels 'Terrorist' Attack on Military Bases, 1 Soldier Dead. venezuelanalysis.com The assailants stormed several military installations before being engaged by the Venezuelan army.

Joe Emersberger (2019-12-20). Notes on a private TV newscast in Bolivia. The contrast with Venezuela is clear as day. zcomm.org In August, I took detailed notes a news broadcast on one of Venezuela's largest TV networks. I summarized these notes in an interview I did with the Real News Network making the point that Venezuela's private media (which reaches 60-90% of households) is remarkably free — most especially when you consider the US is openly Read more…

The Mind Unleashed (2019-12-19). UN Peacekeepers Fathered Hundreds of Babies With Girls in Haiti as Young as 11. theantimedia.com Girls as young as 11 were impregnated by peacekeepers and left "in misery" to raise their children alone.

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-18). Venezuela: Guaido Introduces Remote Voting in Bid to Secure Reelection. venezuelanalysis.com The opposition leader has been under fire amid recent scandals.

The Grayzone (2019-12-17). US Venezuelan embassy protectors denied right to fair trial. thegrayzone.com Four US activists protecting Venezuela's embassy in Washington, DC face prison time after the Trump administration illegally arrested them. And now…

Anya Parampil (2019-12-16). Why Elliott Abrams is Smurf villain Gargamel. thegrayzone.com Trump Administration Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abram is not only the spitting image of Gargamel; the Smurfs are a…

Paul Dobson (2019-12-16). ALBA Summit: Venezuela Promises to Relaunch PetroCaribe in 2020. venezuelanalysis.com Heads of state also pledged to bolster various regional social programs including the Miracle Mission and Latin American Medical Schools.

Joe Emersberger (2019-12-16). Francisco Rodriguez answers some questions I asked about Venezuela. zcomm.org Venezuelan economist Francisco Rodriguez, formerly of Torino Economics, answered a few questions of mine about his country. He was the economic adviser to Henri Falcon, the second place finisher in the May 2018 presidential election. His updated estimate for 2019 is that Venezuela's real GDP will contract by 25% . That's horrific, but less severe Read more…

Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-11). Venezuela Oil Production Continues Slow Recovery. venezuelanalysis.com According to state oil company PDVSA, production is again approaching one million barrels per day.

Paul Dobson (2019-12-09). Venezuela's Civilian Militia Surpasses Target, Reaches 3.3 Million Members. venezuelanalysis.com The body is due to be legally incorporated into the Armed Forces as a "combat unit."

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-05). Venezuela: Guaido Embattled as Opposition Splits over New Corruption Scandal. venezuelanalysis.com The latest scandal has further called into doubt Guaido's credibility as leader of the opposition.

Lucas Koerner (2019-12-04). TIAR Countries Blacklist Top Venezuelan Officials as US Slaps New Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Venezuela of "hijacking" mass anti-neoliberal protests in "our own backyard."

Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-04). Red Cross Chief: Venezuela Aid Being Politicized to 'Destabilize the Country'. venezuelanalysis.com Francesco Rocca slammed the underfunding of aid programs as a problem of "political will."

Paul Dobson (2019-12-02). Venezuela's PDVSA Secures Temporary Lease Extension for Curacao Refinery. venezuelanalysis.com Despite the extension, refinery owners are looking to end the 34-year cooperation under pressure from US sanctions.

Lucas Koerner (2019-11-28). US Vows to 'Reinforce' Sanctions, Accuses Venezuela and Cuba of Stirring Regional 'Strife'. venezuelanalysis.com Elliott Abrams reiterated support for Guaido and denied that sanctions are damaging the Venezuelan economy.

Paul Dobson (2019-11-25). Venezuela Unveils First Gold Processing Complex in Mining Arc. venezuelanalysis.com While already operational, the complex will reportedly be the 5th largest in the continent upon completion.

Lucas Koerner (2019-11-21). Colombia's US Ambassador Advocates 'Covert Actions' Against Venezuela in Leaked Audio. venezuelanalysis.com Top Colombian officials acknowledged failure of regime change in Venezuela and total disarray in Washington.

Paul Dobson (2019-11-18). Venezuelans Protest Bolivia Coup After Diplomatic Break. venezuelanalysis.com The de facto government in La Paz has broken relations with Caracas and recognised Guaido.

Lucas Koerner (2019-11-14). Venezuelan Embassy Attacked in Brazil. venezuelanalysis.com Bolsonaro denied any prior knowledge of the attack.

Ricardo Vaz (2019-11-14). Venezuelan Oil Output Sees Modest Rise in October: OPEC. venezuelanalysis.com Reviving production has led Chevron convert a blending plant back to a crude upgrader for export of heavier grades.

Paul Dobson (2019-11-11). Venezuela Condemns Bolivia Coup d'État. venezuelanalysis.com Government forces and grassroots movements are holding vigils across the country in support of Evo Morales.

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, …

Ricardo Vaz and Lucas Koerner (2019-11-06). US Authorizes Tax Payments to Maduro Gov't, Sanctions Five More Venezuelan Officials. venezuelanalysis.com Washington has eased some of the restrictions imposed under its recent Venezuela embargo.

Paul Dobson (2019-11-04). Venezuela, El Salvador Break Relations as Maduro Applauds 'New Anti-Neoliberal Wave'. venezuelanalysis.com Guatemala's president-elect has similarly pledged to break with the Maduro government upon assuming office in January.

Ricardo Vaz (2019-11-01). Venezuelan Leftist Parties and Unions Stage Protest, Demand Gov't Answers. venezuelanalysis.com Dozens of activists demanded better wages and respect for collective bargaining rights.

Ricardo Vaz (2019-10-30). Venezuela: Opposition Demands Bond Annulment, Gov't Grants Rosneft Tax Breaks. venezuelanalysis.com Rosneft will reportedly invest in natural gas production in Venezuela.

Paul Dobson (2019-10-28). Venezuela Applauds Regional Leftist Victories. venezuelanalysis.com Caracas rejoiced at the "defeat of the IMF" in elections in Argentina, Uruguay, and swathes of Colombia this Sunday.

Lucas Koerner (2019-10-23). US Renews Chevron License as European Refiner Cuts Venezuela Ties over Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com Finnish-Venezuelan refiner Nynas is one of PDVSA's few remaining cash buyers.

Paul Dobson (2019-10-21). Venezuela Government Hosts International Commune Congress. venezuelanalysis.com Maduro affirmed that popular power is "the soul" of the Bolivarian project.

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2019-10-19). BCV: Venezuelan Economy Contracted by 23.7 Percent in First Trimester of 2019. venezuelanalysis.com The Venezuelan Central Bank also released inflation figures for the first time in six months.

Ricardo Vaz (2019-10-17). Venezuela Elected to UN Human Rights Council. venezuelanalysis.com The Maduro government was elected to a three-year term with backing of 105 out of 195 UN member-states.

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 …