2020-05-25: News Headlines

Stephen Lendman (2020-05-25). First of Five Iranian Tankers Docks in Venezuela Without Incident. globalresearch.ca First some facts about international maritime law. | No nation may interfere in the right of other states to engage in international trade. | No nation may enact legislation, regulations, or take other actions that contravene international agreements, treaties, or a body …

Jed Lehman (2020-05-25). Remembering Toronto Peace Activist Michael Lucas. globalresearch.ca Michael Lucas (born Lukac in Vysna Jablonka in eastern Slovakia) died on May 4, 2020 in Toronto. Lucas, (born on March 7, 1926) was a political activist, author, advocate of peace and socialism. | His family stated in his obituary: | "An …

Matthew Rothschild (2020-05-25). Remembering Slain Peace and Justice Activists on This—and Every—Memorial Day. commondreams.org On this Memorial Day, and all the days to come, let's remember the peace and justice activists—including Rachel Corrie—who died while demanding a better world. (Photo: Denny Sternstein/AP) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/corrie_militarywithheld.jpg

Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (2020-05-25). VIPS Memo: To the President—Avoid Hostilities Over Iranian Fuel Shipment to Venezuela. globalresearch.ca MEMORANDUM FOR: The President | FROM: Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) | SUBJECT: Avoiding Hostilities Over Iranian Fuel Shipment to Venezuela | Mr. President: | Recent U.S. rhetoric and actions against Venezuela — most immediately regarding Iran's shipping of gasoline desperately needed during …

Ricardo Vaz (2020-05-25). US Blocks UNSC Draft Resolution Denouncing Paramilitary Incursion into Venezuela. globalresearch.ca The United States rejected a Russia-proposed UN Security Council (UNSC) draft condemning a recent coup attempt in Venezuela. | During a virtual session of the UNSC on Wednesday, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy presented a

Paul Dobson (2020-05-25). Venezuelan Government Seizes AT&T Assets, Looks to Re-establish DirecTV Cable Service. venezuelanalysis.com The Texas-based multinational abandoned the country last week citing legal pressure caused by US sanctions.

Ricardo Vaz (2020-05-24). Iranian Fuel Tanker Reaches Venezuela, Defying US Threats. venezuelanalysis.com The five Iranian tankers are estimated to carry enough gasoline to supply Venezuela for 50 days.

news.un (2020-05-23). Policing the pandemic: how UN Police are maintaining law, order, and public health. news.un.org In several countries afflicted by years of armed conflict, The UN assists with law and order issues, including policing expertise. This work is being challenged, as never before, by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this interview with UN News, Luis Carrilho, head of the UN Police Division, describes how the virus is affecting the ability of his colleagues to keep the peace.

Paul Kawika Martin (2020-05-12). Action Alert: Call Your Rep to Cut Pentagon Spending. peaceaction.org ‚òéÔ∏èüó£Call your Reps. to ‚úÇ Pentagon spending Over the last few weeks, we've alerted you that the Pentagon is trying to direct funds for COVID-19 relief into its own bloated coffers. In the last three years alone — during a time of relative peace — we have already increased annual Pentagon spending by more than …

Jeff Jurgens (2020-05-06). U.S. Reverses Policy On Use of Landmines. peaceaction.org On May 6, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) headed a congressional oversight letter with 107 other members of Congress to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper expressing disappointment to the Trump Administration's reversal of the policy limiting the use of antipersonnel landmines to the defense of South Korea, and seeking answers to …

Jeff Jurgens (2020-04-30). Take Action: Keep COVID Stimulus $$ Away From the Pentagon. peaceaction.org Congress is putting together additional and much needed stimulus packages in response to COVID-19. That's the good news. The bad news is that the Pentagon is trying to weasel billions of dollars out of these stimulus bills! All just to keep the mega-profits rolling for weapons dealers and the military-industrial complex. As people here at …

Jeff Jurgens (2020-04-30). U.S. Organizations React to Global Military Spending Report. peaceaction.org Joint Statement: U.S. organizations react to global military spending report April 27, 2020 Our diverse group of 39 think-tanks, non-profits, faith-based organizations, and advocacy groups based in the United States find the exorbitant amount of money spent on militaries worldwide to be an irresponsible and harmful use of global wealth. The Global Military Expenditures Report …

Jon Rainwater (2020-04-23). A Myriad of Ways to Wage Peace During These Times. peaceaction.org As we shelter in our homes to protect ourselves from this global pandemic, we wanted to share some of the many ways you can remain active and impactful in the work for a more peaceful world. Peace Action has long been a leader in organizing international conferences, marches, and rallies around the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty …

Lilly Dragnev (2020-03-20). Peace Action Supports Wyden-Klobuchar Bill to Protect Democracy and Ensure Safe Elections. peaceaction.org Statement of Jon Rainwater, Executive Director, Peace Action, on the introduction of the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act (NDEBA) by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). This bill would help ensure that elections can take place in a safe and secure way throughout the pandemic and beyond. March 19, 2020 Peace Action …

Lilly Dragnev (2020-03-13). Latest U.S. Military Strikes Are as Reckless as they are Cruel. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — March 12, 2020 — In response to reports that the U.S. has carried out five airstrikes on Iranian-backed militia sites in Iraq, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement: "At a time of one of the greatest global challenges of our lifetimes, it is shocking that the Trump …

Venezuela Analysis (2020-02-06). Embassy Protection Collective: "We Are Not the Ones Who Violated the Law" theantimedia.com In this exclusive interview, VA talks to the activists who defended the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC ahead of their trial.

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-23). To Understand Iran's 150-Year Fight, Follow the Trail of Blood and Oil. strategic-culture.org This past Sunday, April 17th, a dispute between Iran and the U.S. occurred over the U.S.' decision to increase its military presence in Caribbean and Eastern Pacific waters, with the purported reason being a counter-narcotics campaign. | Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres this past Sunday, that the real purpose for this move by the U.S. is to "intervene and create disruption in the transfer of Iran's fuel to Venezuela." In the same letter, Zarif expressed concern over "the United States' intention to consider dangerous, unlawful and provocative measure…

RT (2020-05-25). 'Something like 10 principles': After 'solving' Israel/Palestine conflict & coronavirus, Kushner 'turned loose' on GOP platform. rt.com White House adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner reportedly wants to shrink the 56-page Republican Party platform to a one-page "mission statement." After Middle East peace and Covid-19, this should be a cinch. | Kushner has been leading the charge to downsize the sprawling document over the past six months, Axios reported on Sunday. The silver-spoon scion has been ruffling feathers within the Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign alike in his quest to whittle the platform down to "something like the 10 principles we believe in," two sources confirmed to the outlet. | Also on rt.com

en.mehrnews (2020-05-25). 'Wisdom still alive in parts of US', says envoy after Iran tankers reach Venezuela. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 25 (MNA) — Iranian envoy to Venezuela, Hojjatollah Soltani, in a tweet on Monday said the fact that the US has expressed no aggression against the Iranian tankers carrying fuel to Venezuela proves Americans' reasonability.

Common Dreams staff (2020-05-23). Iran Warns US Not to Interfere with Venezuelan Oil Flotilla. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/iranian-oil-tanker.jpg

Jeff Jurgens (2020-05-07). Once Again Trump Scoffs Congressional War Powers with Republican Help. peaceaction.org Once Again Trump Scoffs Congressional War Powers with Republican Help Washington, D.C. — May 7, 2020 — In response to the veto by President Trump yesterday of a bill (S.J.Res.68) to reclaim congressional war powers in regards to Iran and the anticipated failure today of the Senate override vote, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for …

Jeff Jurgens (2020-04-15). Peace During Pandemic — Support the Global Ceasefire. peaceaction.org "The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war." That's is what United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres exclaimed as he delivered an appeal to warring parties around the world to lay down arms in a global ceasefire. The United States, which is currently engaged in war hostilities on nearly every continent of the world, …

Paul Kawika Martin (2020-03-11). Congress Sends Bipartisan Bill to Trump Rebuking Iran War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — March 11, 2020 — In response to the House passing the bipartisan bill — S.J.Res.68 — that would thwart President Trump from going to war with Iran and end any current hostilities, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "Both chambers and …

Strategic Culture (2020-02-08). US Deploys 'Mini-Nukes' in Deplorable Threat to World Peace. theantimedia.com These so-called "mini-nukes" represent—despite the diminutive-sounding name—an increased risk of nuclear war.