2020-01-24: News Headlines

RT (2020-01-24). Lee Camp straightens out 'sewage' NYT article that claims Russian bots 'sowed confusion' in South America (VIDEO). rt.com American comedian Lee Camp issued a scathing retort to a New York Times piece alleging that Russian bots stoked tensions in South America, jokingly noting that it would take several years to fully dissect the baseless report. | The host of Redacted Tonight marveled at how the piece, titled "As Protests in South America Surged, So Did Russian Trolls on Twitter, US Finds," was based on data provided by not-very-objective State Department 'analysts'. For Camp, this raised a number of obvious red flags. | He argued that, contrary to the US government-sourced piece, Washington and its cheerleaders in the media are…

Staff (2020-01-24). International Court of Justice Orders Burmese Authorities to Protect Rohingya Muslims from Genocide. democracynow.org In a major ruling, the U.N. International Court of Justice at The Hague has ordered Burma to "take all measures within its power" to protect Rohingya Muslims from genocide. The court issued the ruling Thursday, calling the 600,000 Rohingya remaining in Burma, also known as Myanmar, "extremely vulnerable" to military violence. The court ordered Burma to report regularly to the tribunal about its progress. The ruling is a sharp rebuke of Burma's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who last month asked the court to drop the genocide case against Burma. Suu Kyi is a Nobel Peace Prize winner who spent over a decade figh…

Staff (2020-01-24). Trump to Announce Peace Plan Giving Israel 'Everything It Wants'. truthdig.com President Donald Trump is expected to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Netanyahu's political rival Benny Gantz at the White House on January 28 to unveil the president's "Deal of the Century" peace deal for the Middle East. | Though the full plan has not been released, the deal reportedly delivers nearly all of Israel's demands in exchange for the possibility of maybe, someday recognizing a Palestinian state. | "Peace has nothing to do with it," said Haaretz journalist Amir Tibon. | t.co/NaOhr3QEZX | — Amir Tibon (@amirtibon) Ben Norton (2020-01-24). While Trump cuts food stamps, USAID bankrolls Venezuela regime change with half a billion in tax dollars. thegrayzone.com The Trump administration has spent $654 million in "aid" to try to overthrow Venezuela's government, including $435 million through USAID…

Yves Engler (2020-01-24). Canada's Justin Trudeau Toes the Imperial Line on Iran. dissidentvoice.org While the current Liberal government claims to be progressive and in favour of a rules-based international order, promotion of democracy and world peace, its actions regarding Iran demonstrate that the primary drivers of Canadian foreign policy remain US geo-political interests and the interests of the rich and powerful. (This previous article argues this has long been the …

Staff (2020-01-24). Headlines for January 24, 2020. democracynow.org Impeachment Managers Continue Opening Arguments in Trump's Senate Trial, 33 Million on Lockdown in Chinese Cities as Coronavirus Outbreak Spreads, Hundreds of Thousands of Iraqis March to Demand U.S. Troop Withdrawal, Trump Invites Israeli Leaders to White House for "Peace Plan" Unveiling, Mexican Soldiers Attack Central American Migrant Caravan, Arresting 800, U.S. to Send Ambassador to Bolivia After Coup That Ousted Evo Morales, Puerto Rican Protesters Demand Ouster of Gov. Wanda Vázquez, SC Official Switches Presidential Endorsement from Biden to Sanders, National Archives Replaces Doctored Women's March Photo…

sputniknews (2020-01-24). Muslim Cleric Issues Fatwa Against Bollywood Film Director for 'Showing Quran in Bad Light'. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): The Bollywood movie "Gul Makai", based on the story of the life and struggle of 22-year-old Pakistani Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, has drawn the ire of a Muslim cleric.

WSWS (2020-01-24). Germany: Left Party supports Libya conference and possible military deployment. wsws.org Although the conference was a meeting of imperialist brigands who discussed the military occupation of the resource-rich country and the redivision of the entire continent under the guise of peace, it was acclaimed by the Left Party.

Stephen Lendman (2020-01-24). Trump's "No-Peace/Peace Plan" for Palestine. Netanyahu/Gantz Invited to White House to Discuss "Deal of the Century" globalresearch.ca Leaked information shows Trump's so-called deal of the century is a one-sided scam, favoring Israel at the expense of fundamental Palestinian rights. | The so-called peace process is the greatest hoax in modern times, along with the US war OF terror …

Nino Pagliccia (2020-01-24). Venezuela Must Remain Vigilant and on Guard Against US Hybrid Warfare. counterpunch.org A meme circulating on social media shows the distraught gaze of Venezuela's opposition member Juan Guaidó with a caption that says in part, "he is not a head of State, he has no army, he has no ministers, he never participated in presidential elections, he was a 'guarimbero' [violent rioter] and he is called interim

Steve Sweeney (2020-01-24). Venezuela's "Guaido Threat": Safeguarding Telesur Is Our Obligation, Academics and Intellectuals. globalresearch.ca Attacks on Venezuelan TV station Telesur are an example of the "arrogance of the powerful" trying to stop people from hearing the truth, campaigners warned today. | Intellectuals and academics from across Latin America penned an open letter in support of …

Global Research News (2020-01-24). Selected Articles: Trump's "No-Peace/Peace Plan" for Palestine. globalresearch.ca By Leaked information shows Trump's so-called deal of the century is a one-sided scam, favoring…

Staff (2020-01-23). "The New Colossus": In New Play, Tim Robbins Tackles Immigration & Xenophobia. democracynow.org President Trump said Wednesday that he would expand his highly controversial travel ban, which already bars citizens from seven countries, most of which have Muslim-majority populations — Libya, Iran, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, North Korea and Venezuela — from entering the United States. Politico reports that the expanded ban could implement immigration restrictions on seven more countries: Belarus, Burma, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania, according to two sources. We speak with acclaimed actor, director and activist Tim Robbins, whose recent work has focused on immigration to the United S…

Lauren Smith (2020-01-23). An Epic Act of Resistance and Trial of Our Times. "The Venezuela Embassy Protectors Collective" globalresearch.ca On February 11th, four American peace activists, known as the

teleSUR (2020-01-23). Maduro: Venezuelan Opposition Has Only Created Threats to Peace. telesurenglish.net The president of Venezuela, RELATED: | During the anti-imperialist march to commemorate 62 years of the Popular Rebellion against the military dictatorship of Marcos…

Staff (2020-01-23). 'NewsHour' Host and Debate Moderator Jim Lehrer Dies at 85. truthdig.com NEW YORK — Jim Lehrer, longtime host of the nightly PBS "NewsHour" whose serious, sober demeanor made him the choice to moderate 11 presidential debates between 1988 and 2012, has died, PBS said Thursday. He was 85. | Lehrer died "peacefully in his sleep," according to PBS. He had suffered a heart attack in 1983 and more recently, had undergone heart valve surgery in April 2008. | For Lehrer, and for his friend and longtime partner Robert MacNeil, broadcast journalism was a service, with public understanding of events and issues its primary goal. | "We both believed the American people were not as stupid as…

teleSUR (2020-01-23). Guaido Has Links With Money Launderer Defended by Rudy Giuliani. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Communication Minister Jorge Rodriguez Thursday informed that international media have disclosed data on the links between RELATED: | In August 2019, Reut…

RT (2020-01-23). Defamation suit aims to stop Hillary and her 'powerful elite friends' from silencing patriotic Americans, Gabbard says. rt.com Suing Hillary Clinton for defamation is necessary in order to keep the former first lady and her powerful allies from smearing Americans who seek "peace and freedom" for all, Tulsi Gabbard has argued. | The Democratic presidential hopeful released a scathing statement in defense of her suit against Clinton, noting that the former secretary of state's attempt to smear her as "the favorite of the Russians" would have far-reaching consequences if left unchallenged. | "If Hillary Clinton and her allies can successfully destroy my reputation — even though I'm a war veteran and a sitting member of Congress &#15…

commondreams (2020-01-23). Greenpeace Climate Ranking Update: Steyer Passes Warren, Buttigieg Passes Biden, Bloomberg Enters Top 10. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Eoin Higgins, staff writer (2020-01-23). Netanyahu to Join Trump Next Week to Announce 'Deal of the Century' Peace Plan Giving Israel 'Everything it Wants'. commondreams.org "A lethal diversionary tactic at the expense of Palestinian rights and international law." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/trump-moves-embassy-jerusalem_0.jpg

Lucas Koerner (2020-01-22). How Western Left Media Helped Legitimate US Regime Change in Venezuela. fair.org In Jacobin ( It's been a year since Juan Guaidó began his US-anointed mandate as "interim president" of Venezuela. | Following the opposition leader's

IMEMC News & Agencies (2020-01-22). UN's Mladenov says Jordan Valley Annexation Would Have Devastating Effects. imemc.org Nickolay Mladenov, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, today, expressed concern regarding Israeli plans to annex the occupied Jordan Valley, stressing that such a step would have devastating effects on the region. "The annexation of some or all of Area C in the West Bank, if …

Fight Back (2020-01-22). Delegates arrive in Venezuela on eve of World Anti-Imperialist Congress. fightbacknews.org Caracas, Venezuela – Hundreds of delegates arrived in Caracas from around the world, January 21, the eve of the World Anti-Imperialist Congress. The Congress is being held January 22-24 in Caracas and is hosted by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Venezuela's governing party, which has been under sharp attack by U.S. imperialism. | The congress is bringing together a broad range of anti-imperialist organizations, movements and governments from around 100 countries. At the congress they will exchange views and experiences and will strategize about strengthening the struggle against U.S. imperia…

teleSUR (2020-01-22). Cuba Ratifies Solidarity With Venezuela. telesurenglish.net The member of the secretariat of the Communist Party of Cuba, Victor Gaute, today ratified the firm and unchanging solidarity of the island with the Bolivarian Revolution and President Nicolás Maduro. | RELATED: | During the inauguration of the World Anti-Imperialist Meeting held in Caracas, Gaute expressed that the Caribbean nation brings to this event a message of unity, cooperation and solidarity with Venezuela and all…

Fight Back (2020-01-22). Opening plenary kicks off World Anti-Imperialist Congress. fightbacknews.org Caracas, Venezuela – On January 22, hundreds of international delegates from 52 countries heard from leaders from Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and Brazil to kick off the World Anti-Imperialist Congress. | Starting with a professor from Syria who remarked that U.S. imperialism assassinated Iranian General Qassem Soleimani because the U.S. fears it is losing its grip on the Middle East, the crowd shouted "Viva Soleimani!" He added that, with the help requested by Syria from Russia, Iran and others, the Syrians have bravely declared "No pasarán!" | After the Syrian professor, an official from the Cuban Communist Party sha…

Fight Back (2020-01-22). Syrian ambassador to Venezuela with FRSO delegation. fightbacknews.org Caracas, Venezuela – Members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) delegation Sarah Martin and Jim Byrne, with Syrian Ambassador to Venezuela Khalil Bitar, attending World Anti-Imperialist Congress in Caracas.

news.un (2020-01-21). Lebanon: UN rights office calls for de-escalation of protest violence. news.un.org What had been largely peaceful demonstrations against Lebanon's Government in the capital Beirut grew increasingly violent over the weekend, sparking the concern of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

news.un (2020-01-21). Joint UN-Congolese strategy needed to address insecurity following deadly attacks. news.un.org Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the UN peacekeeping operation in the country, MONUSCO, are being urged to develop a comprehensive joint strategy to address insecurity in Beni territory, located in the east.

Fight Back (2020-01-21). FRSO Delegation Visits Bolivarian University of Venezuela. fightbacknews.org Caracas, Venezuela—A Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) delegation visited the Bolivarian University of Venezuela on January 20, speaking to political science classes. | "Students asked about the movements for change in our country. They definitely had the impression people are protesting Trump, and movements are growing stronger. They are excited that socialist ideas are becoming popular in the U.S.," said Brad Sigal, a delegation member from Minneapolis. | Sigal continued, "Many of the students are attending the university because of the Bolivarian Revolution and the opportunities it opens up fo…

RT (2020-01-20). Media, Hollywood paint Virginia rally as 'extremist' & violent despite its uneventful nature. rt.com Talking heads in the media and Hollywood tried to paint the pro-Second Amendment supporters in Richmond, Virginia as racist or potentially violent, creating a much gloomier image than the one that transpired in reality. | Folks walking around the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond with semi-automatic weapons strapped over their shoulders had anti-gun activists up in arms and concerned, but the pro-Second Amendment protest — which was against new anti-gun measures proposed by Governor Ralph Northam — ended up being quite peaceful. | 'Westworld' actor Jeffrey Wright was similarly bothered by the gun-…

Orlenys Ortiz (2020-01-20). Cómo Juan Guaidó perdió el control de la Asamblea Nacional en Venezuela. thegrayzone.com øNo entiendes lo sucedido el 5 de enero en la Asamblea Nacional de Venezuela? Echemos un vistazo cronológico al fracaso…

Fight Back (2020-01-20). Embassy Protectors speak out in Fort Lauderdale. fightbacknews.org Fort Lauderdale, FL — Over 60 people from South Florida's tri-county area gathered at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church of Fort Lauderdale to hear a panel and question-and-answer session featuring anti-war activists Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers. Zeese and Flowers are two of the four Embassy Protector activists who spent 37 days protecting international law and peace within the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, D.C. They are currently facing bogus federal charges brought by the Trump administration that, if convicted, would mean up to one year in prison and $100,000 fines each. | Also on th…

Tyler Durden (2020-01-19). Syrian Rebels Caught on Film Getting Transferred to Libya on Commercial Plane. theantimedia.com (ZH) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has continued warning that terrorist groups as well as a 'flood of refugees' will show up on Europe's shores if the Tripoli government were to fall to renegade General Khalifa Haftar, amid his continued offensive to control the Libyan capital. Erdogan's statement came a day before he heads to Berlin for a major peace conference …

Ben Norton (2020-01-17). Brazil's far-right government backed terror plot against Venezuela, top newspaper reveals. thegrayzone.com Brazil's extreme Bolsonaro government backed an attack on Venezuela in a plot to overthrow its elected president. The shocking terror…

Jon Rainwater (2020-01-08). In the ongoing crisis, Congress must rein in Trump's war powers. peaceaction.org As we feared, President Trump's reckless assassination of Iran's Gen. Soleimani resulted in escalation — direct Iranian missile attacks on two military bases in Iraq. It's painful to watch more violence in a country that has already suffered far too much from endless war. All parties in the US/Iran conflict must cease military action and …

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

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

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. …