Daily Archives: February 23, 2020

2020-02-23: News Headlines

sputniknews (2020-02-23). Russia Will Not Host New Libya Peace Conference — Senior Diplomat. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia does not plan to host a global conference on Libyan peace and expects warring parties to act on the commitments made in Berlin, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Sunday.

teleSUR (2020-02-22). Washington Still Pondering a Naval Blockade Against Venezuela. telesurenglish.net The digital media Zero Hedge (ZH) Saturday published information holding that that the United States keeps on considering military actions as an option to overthrow RELATED: | More specifically, despite all the previous failed attempts to destabilize…

teleSUR (2020-02-22). Venezuela's Yulimar Rojas Set Triple Jump World Record: 15.43 m. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's 24-year-old athlete Yulimar Rojas Friday set a new triple jump indoor world record in Madrid, Spain, with a 15.43-meter mark. | RELATED: | This result was expected as she is not a rookie in athletics. She has already been twice the triple jump world champion and is the current Olympic runner-up in this specialty. | In Madrid, Rojas executed the best jump in the history of indoor athletics, reaching 15 meters…

Alan Macleod (2020-02-21). As Media Amplifies Unrest in Venezuela and Beyond, Millions Are Quietly Revolting in Colombia. mintpressnews.com Despite protests of historic proportions fueled by anger over corruption and a brutal right-wing crackdown, the unrest in Colombia has garnered remarkably little international media attention compared to Venezuela.

Hamzah Akhtar and Kay Glover (2020-02-21). Freedom of movement is a fundamental freedom and there is an alternative to borders. thecanary.co This is a guest post from Hamzah Akhtar and Kay Glover who are activists with Our Future Now and helped organise the Imagine if, through no fault of your own, you were no longer able to make a livelihood because of the destructive effects of climate change. Imagine if you weren't able to live a peaceful life because of conflict ravaging your country. Perhaps you were a farmer who could no longer have goats graze on the land because of the p…

If Americans Knew (2020-02-21). Trump-Kushner "Peace" Plan ignores elephants in the room: Israel created this mess. imemc.org The Trump-Kushner "Peace" Plan is slick and businesslike, with an aura of objectivity and balance — but it is exactly the opposite, and something about it stinks. by Kathryn Shihadah There is a giant herd of elephants circling the Trump-Kushner Peace Plan, and they're not going away. The fragrance of …

teleSUR (2020-02-21). Uruguay: Lacalle's Investiture Ceremony Alined With US Biases. telesurenglish.net Uruguay's President-elect Luis Lacalle decided not to invite the diplomatic representatives of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua to his investiture ceremony on March 1rst. | RELATED: | "We have taken the decision not to invite the governments of Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua to my inaugural ceremony. It's my decision," Lacalle said. | He alleged that those countries violate the Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS), which…

teleSUR (2020-02-21). Venezuelan Parliament Reinstates Committee to Choose New CNE. telesurenglish.net The deputies of the Bloque de la Patria and of the Venezuelan opposition in the National Assembly announced that the period of nominations for the Preliminary Commission that will choose the members of the new National Electoral Council (CNE) will soon be over. | RELATED: | The preliminary committee was installed last December, but the elections of the new directive of the National Assembly on January 5th and the refu…

Lucas Koerner (2020-02-21). EXCHANGE: Left Media and Venezuela. mronline.org The sociologist never levels the "authoritarian" charge against his own government, despite the United States' murderous lawlessness at home and abroad—mass deportations, illegal wars, serial police killings, etc.—all in the absence of any credible external threat. |

Richard Moser (2020-02-21). One Winning Way to Build the Peace Movement and One Losing Way. counterpunch.org Q. What cloaks the empire and turns a mighty movement into a mirage? A. Narrow partisan politics. When anti-war activism plays second-fiddle to "follow the leader" the chosen champion and the opposing villian loom so large that they become the main focus of attention obscuring the empire and dumbing the movement down. But, build independent

Stephen Lendman (2020-02-21). Russia and Turkey, "Allies" Fighting One Another: On Opposite Sides of the War on Syria. globalresearch.ca US forever war in Syria shows no signs of ending because restoration of peace and stability to the country would be a major strategic blow to Washington's aim for controlling the Middle East — NATO and Israel serving as junior …

Alan Macleod (2020-02-21). Venezuelan Embassy in Washington Reopens Under Watch of Anti-Maduro Thugs. mintpressnews.com The new embassy is a microcosm of Juan Guaidó's attempted premiership; backed by the U.S. but existing only in theory, with the Maduro government still holding office.

news.un (2020-02-20). Central African Republic: Security Council reflects on peace deal anniversary. news.un.org One year after the signing of a peace deal in the Central African Republic (CAR), State authority is being extended throughout the country, violence against civilians has decreased, and an inclusive Government remains in place, the UN Security Council heard on Thursday.

pip.hinman (2020-02-20). The climate crisis and the need for peace. greenleft.org.au

Susan Price (2020-02-20). Venezuela files ICC lawsuit over US sanctions. greenleft.org.au

John Perry (2020-02-19). While Nicaragua returns to peace, media and international NGOs conjure epidemic of violence with dubious reporting. thegrayzone.com Media bias against Nicaragua's Sandinista government is unremitting, and international NGOs are feeding it by misreporting a violent land dispute…

news.un (2020-02-19). Amid 'devastating scale' of suffering in Syria's north-west, UN Security Council urged to find political way forward. news.un.org With progress stalled on both the peace and political fronts in Syria, UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen urged ambassadors in the Security Council on Wednesday to "put their weight" into finding a solution to end nearly nine years of conflict.

news.un (2020-02-18). Hope for 'long-elusive progress' in negotiating peace in eastern Ukraine. news.un.org Marking the fifth anniversary of the 2015 Minsk II agreement, the UN political chief told the Security Council on Tuesday, that along with the Minsk Protocol and the Minsk memorandum, it remains "the only agreed framework" for a negotiated, peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Leonardo Flores (2020-02-15). Mistrial in Trump admin's biased case against Venezuelan embassy protectors is win for sovereignty. thegrayzone.com The Trump administration's case against Venezuelan embassy protectors was severely biased, but ended up with a hung jury. The mistrial…

Paul Kawika Martin (2020-02-13). Peace Action: Senate Reclaims War Powers to Thwart Iran War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — February 13, 2020 — In response to the Senate 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: "It's about time …

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.

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.

CounterSpin (2020-01-31). Omar Baddar on Israel/Palestine 'Peace' Plan, Rainey Reitman on Greenwald Persecution. fair.org MP3 Link This week on CounterSpin: It is strange to think that you could create a plan to shape the relationship between two entities, in consultation with one but not the other, and then not just declare it, yourself, a "win-win," but also say to the unconsulted party, "You better take it, or else." Yet …

Jon Rainwater (2020-01-31). House Votes to Rein in Trump's Iran War Powers While Ending Endless Wars. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — January 30, 2020 — In response to two high-profile war powers votes on the House floor today, Peace Action released the following statement: "Our nation's endless wars are on autopilot, with Trump fitfully grabbing the steering wheel until his attention wanders somewhere else. Today's votes are a step toward Congress reclaiming its …

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 …

2020-02-23: Social Media Postees

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

Venezuela's Yulimar Rojas Set Triple Jump World Record: 15.43 m
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-22
Venezuela's 24-year-old athlete Yulimar Rojas Friday set a new triple jump indoor world record in Madrid, Spain, with a 15.43-meter mark. | RELATED: | Bryant's Death Sparks Brazilian Campaign Against Homophobia | This result was expected as she is not a rookie in athletics. She has already been twice the triple jump world champion and is the current Olympic runner-up in this specialty. | In Madrid, Rojas executed the best jump in the history of indoor athletics, reaching 15 meters…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuelas-Yulimar-Rojas-Set-Triple-Jump-World-Record-15.43-m-20200222-0001.html

Washington Still Pondering a Naval Blockade Against Venezuela
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-22
The digital media Zero Hedge (ZH) Saturday published information holding that that the United States keeps on considering military actions as an option to overthrow Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. | RELATED: | Maduro Announces Measures to Defend Venezuela's Oil Industry | More specifically, despite all the previous failed attempts to destabilize…
telesurenglish.net/news/Washington-Still-Pondering-a-Naval-Blockade-Against-Venezuela-20200222-0003.html

Freedom of movement is a fundamental freedom and there is an alternative to borders
Hamzah Akhtar and Kay Glover | thecanary.co | 2020-02-21
This is a guest post from Hamzah Akhtar and Kay Glover who are activists with Our Future Now and helped organise the Freedom of Movement 2.0 conference attended by The Canary. | Imagine if, through no fault of your own, you were no longer able to make a livelihood because of the destructive effects of climate change. Imagine if you weren't able to live a peaceful life because of conflict ravaging your country. Perhaps you were a farmer who could no longer have goats graze on the land because of the p…
thecanary.co/opinion/2020/02/21/freedom-of-movement-is-a-fundamental-freedom-and-there-is-an-alternative-to-borders/

Trump-Kushner "Peace" Plan ignores elephants in the room: Israel created this mess
If Americans Knew | imemc.org | 2020-02-21
The Trump-Kushner "Peace" Plan is slick and businesslike, with an aura of objectivity and balance

Venezuelan Embassy in Washington Reopens Under Watch of Anti-Maduro Thugs
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-02-21
The new embassy is a microcosm of Juan Guaidó's attempted premiership; backed by the U.S. but existing only in theory, with the Maduro government still holding office.
mintpressnews.com/copy-of-venezuelan-embassy-washington-reopens/265111/

Technology Kicks China-LatAm Cooperation Into High Gear
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-21
"I was surprised by the service," Chilean Cristobal Velasquez recently said of Chinese ride-hailing app Didi, which in a short time has gained a firm foothold in Latin America. | "While it's a relatively new app (here), it has spread quickly in (Chile's capital) Santiago and throughout the whole country," offering a "safe and economical" alternative to standard ride-sharing services, said Velasquez. | RELATED: | China: 'Venezuelan Oil Sales Are Legal and Should Be Respected' |
telesurenglish.net/news/Technology-Kicks-China-LatAm-Cooperation-Into-High-Gear-20200221-0014.html

Venezuelan Parliament Reinstates Committee to Choose New CNE
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-21
The deputies of the Bloque de la Patria and of the Venezuelan opposition in the National Assembly announced that the period of nominations for the Preliminary Commission that will choose the members of the new National Electoral Council (CNE) will soon be over. | RELATED: | Maduro Announces Measures to Defend Venezuela's Oil Industry | The preliminary committee was installed last December, but the elections of the new directive of the National Assembly on January 5th and the refu…
telesurenglish.net/news/venezuelan-parliament-reinstates-committee-to-choose-new-cne-20200220-0024.html

As Media Amplifies Unrest in Venezuela and Beyond, Millions Are Quietly Revolting in Colombia
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-02-21
Despite protests of historic proportions fueled by anger over corruption and a brutal right-wing crackdown, the unrest in Colombia has garnered remarkably little international media attention compared to Venezuela.
mintpressnews.com/media-silent-millions-quietly-protest-colombia/265096/

Uruguay: Lacalle's Investiture Ceremony Alined With US Biases
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-21
Uruguay's President-elect Luis Lacalle decided not to invite the diplomatic representatives of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua to his investiture ceremony on March 1rst. | RELATED: | Lacalle Looks to Turn Uruguay Into Tax Haven Again | "We have taken the decision not to invite the governments of Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua to my inaugural ceremony. It's my decision," Lacalle said. | He alleged that those countries violate the Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS), which…
telesurenglish.net/news/lacalle-excludes-cuba-venezuela-and-nicaragua-from-his-assumption-of-office-20200221-0005.html

Russia and Turkey, "Allies" Fighting One Another: On Opposite Sides of the War on Syria
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-21
US forever war in Syria shows no signs of ending because restoration of peace and stability to the country would be a major strategic blow to Washington's aim for controlling the Middle East

One Winning Way to Build the Peace Movement and One Losing Way
Richard Moser | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-21
Q. What cloaks the empire and turns a mighty movement into a mirage? A. Narrow partisan politics. When anti-war activism plays second-fiddle to "follow the leader" the chosen champion and the opposing villian loom so large that they become the main focus of attention obscuring the empire and dumbing the movement down. But, build independent…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/21/one-winning-way-to-build-the-peace-movement-and-one-losing-way/

EXCHANGE: Left Media and Venezuela
Lucas Koerner | mronline.org | 2020-02-21
The sociologist never levels the "authoritarian" charge against his own government, despite the United States' murderous lawlessness at home and abroad–mass deportations, illegal wars, serial police killings, etc.–all in the absence of any credible external threat. | Source…
mronline.org/2020/02/21/left-media-and-venezuela-an-exchange/

Central African Republic: Security Council reflects on peace deal anniversary
news.un.org | 2020-02-20
One year after the signing of a peace deal in the Central African Republic (CAR), State authority is being extended throughout the country, violence against civilians has decreased, and an inclusive Government remains in place, the UN Security Council heard on Thursday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/02/1057731

The climate crisis and the need for peace
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-20
war Climate Nick DeaneIssue 1254 Australia climate refugees weapons militaryFebruary 2…
greenleft.org.au/content/climate-crisis-and-need-peace

Venezuela files ICC lawsuit over US sanctions
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-20
international solidarity Paul DobsonIssue 1254 Venezuela ICC International Court of Justice US blockadeFebruary 20, 202…
greenleft.org.au/content/venezuela-files-icc-lawsuit-over-us-sanctions

While Nicaragua returns to peace, media and international NGOs conjure epidemic of violence with dubious reporting
John Perry | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-19
Media bias against Nicaragua's Sandinista government is unremitting, and international NGOs are feeding it by misreporting a violent land dispute…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/19/nicaragua-peace-media-international-ngos-violence-reporting/

Amid 'devastating scale' of suffering in Syria's north-west, UN Security Council urged to find political way forward
news.un.org | 2020-02-19
With progress stalled on both the peace and political fronts in Syria, UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen urged ambassadors in the Security Council on Wednesday to "put their weight" into finding a solution to end nearly nine years of conflict.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/02/1057681

Hope for 'long-elusive progress' in negotiating peace in eastern Ukraine
news.un.org | 2020-02-18
Marking the fifth anniversary of the 2015 Minsk II agreement, the UN political chief told the Security Council on Tuesday, that along with the Minsk Protocol and the Minsk memorandum, it remains "the only agreed framework" for a negotiated, peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/02/1057661

Mistrial in Trump admin's biased case against Venezuelan embassy protectors is win for sovereignty
Leonardo Flores | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-15
The Trump administration's case against Venezuelan embassy protectors was severely biased, but ended up with a hung jury. The mistrial…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/14/mistrial-trump-case-venezuelan-embassy-protectors/

Solidarity activists report on visit to Venezuela
Fred_F | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-14
international solidarity Chris SleeIssue 1253 Australia Venezuela MelbourneFebruary 14, 2020Three solidarity activists who recently returned from Venezuela addressed a meeting organised by the Ve…
greenleft.org.au/content/solidarity-activists-report-visit-venezuela

Peace Action: Senate Reclaims War Powers to Thwart Iran War
Paul Kawika Martin | peaceaction.org | 2020-02-13
Washington, D.C.

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

US Deploys ‘Mini-Nukes’ in Deplorable Threat to World Peace

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

Embassy Protection Collective: "We Are Not the Ones Who Violated the Law"

Omar Baddar on Israel/Palestine 'Peace' Plan, Rainey Reitman on Greenwald Persecution
CounterSpin | fair.org | 2020-01-31
MP3 Link This week on CounterSpin: It is strange to think that you could create a plan to shape the relationship between two entities, in consultation with one but not the other, and then not just declare it, yourself, a "win-win," but also say to the unconsulted party, "You better take it, or else." Yet …
fair.org/home/omar-baddar-on-israel-palestine-peace-plan-rainey-reitman-on-greenwald-persecution/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=omar-baddar-on-israel-palestine-peace-plan-rainey-reitman-on-greenwald-persecution

House Votes to Rein in Trump's Iran War Powers While Ending Endless Wars
Jon Rainwater | peaceaction.org | 2020-01-31
Washington, D.C.