Daily Archives: May 27, 2020

2020-05-27: News Headlines

Vijay Prashad (2020-05-27). Why Iran's Fuel Tankers for Venezuela Are Sending Shudders Through Washington. zcomm.org At the United Nations China has been outspoken against the regime change policy driven by the United States against both states. It has been this Chinese shield that enabled the tankers to go through what is effectively a U.S. naval blockade of Venezuela…

Ron Skolnik (2020-05-27). Israel: A farewell to Labor, the peace and partial-annexation party. peoplesworld.org On April 26, the Central Committee of Israel's Labor Party voted (online, of course) to endorse Binyamin Netanyahu as prime minister. In doing so, the party lent its hand to the installation of a government that is poised to unilaterally annex West Bank territory this summer and perhaps deliver the knockout punch to the two-state …

Ramzy Baroud (2020-05-27). Why Does Israel Celebrate Its Terrorists: Ben Uliel and the Murder of the Dawabsheh Family. counterpunch.org Israeli media and Zionist apologists everywhere are busy whitewashing Israel's globally-tattered image using the rare indictment of an Israeli terrorist, Amiram Ben Uliel, who was recently convicted for murdering the Palestinian Dawabsheh family, including an 18-month-old toddler in the town of Duma, south of Nablus. The conviction of Ben Uliel by an Israeli three-judge court

Steve Sweeney (2020-05-27). Venezuela brands U.S.-backed Citgo sale 'an act of modern piracy'. mronline.org Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez last year branded the move an "organised crime that violates international law.

Ricardo Vaz (2020-05-27). Iranian fuel tanker reaches Venezuela, defying U.S. threats. mronline.org The five Iranian tankers are estimated to carry enough gasoline to supply Venezuela for 50 days.

Kathy Durkin (2020-05-27). Iran-Venezuela solidarity breaks U.S. blockade. workers.org In an act of solidarity, Iran is sending a fleet of five tankers carrying 1.53 million barrels of needed gasoline and related fuel products to Venezuela. On May 23 and 25, the first two ships traveled through the Caribbean Sea and entered Venezuelan territorial waters with a Venezuelan naval and . . . |

news.un (2020-05-27). UN agencies welcome donor pledges for Venezuelan refugees and migrants. news.un.org The UN refugee and migration agencies have welcomed $2.79 billion pledged by donors at a solidarity conference aimed at supporting Venezuelans who fled the protracted crisis in their country for host communities across the region.

Gloria La Riva (2020-05-26). Defying U.S. sanctions, first Iranian tanker reaches Venezuela. liberationnews.org The enhanced U.S. military presence in Caribbean waters did not deter Iran as the first of its five giant tankers full of gasoline and refinery supplies reached Venezuela's waters late Saturday, May 23.

Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers (2020-05-26). Venezuela And Iran Show Solidarity Can Overcome US Empire. dissidentvoice.org Commemorating 100,000 COVID-19 Deaths The official milestone of 100,000 dead in the United States from COVID-19 is near. This figure is certainly an undercount as thousands of deaths from COVID-19 are not being recorded. Before our weekly news analysis, we pause to commemorate those deaths. The US, with 4 percent of the world's population, has 28 percent of …

Gloria La Riva (2020-05-26). Desafiando las sanciones de EEUU, primer buque iraní llega a Venezuela. liberationnews.org La presencia militar de los Estados Unidos en aguas del Caribe no disuadió a Irán mientras el "Fortuna", el primero de sus cinco gigantes buques petroleros llenos de gasolina y suministros de refinería llegó a las aguas de Venezuela el sábado 23 de mayo.

Steve Sweeney (2020-05-26). U.S. judge allows sale of Venezuela's stolen CITGO refineries. peoplesworld.org Venezuela has accused Washington of modern piracy after a judge ruled that the sale of U.S.-based CITGO refineries could go ahead. The company, a subsidiary of the Venezuelan state-owned PDVSA, has been embroiled in a decade-long dispute with former Canadian mining firm Crystallex, which is set to collect a bumper $1.4 billion. It is now …

Telesur (2020-05-26). Italy Recommends Cuban Medical Brigade for Nobel Peace Prize. globalresearch.ca Italian authorities, ecclesiastic representatives, and social organizations acknowledged on May 23 Cuban efforts to face COVID across the country. | The Secretary of Health and Welfare of the government of the Lombardy region, Giulio Gallera, and the president of the …

Terrace (2020-05-26). Special Edition: Sanctioned Countries Speak Out On COVID-19. popularresistance.org On May 9, 2020, the Sanctions Kill coalition based in the United States held the first in a series of webinars on the United States' illegal economic coercive measures imposed on 39 countries and one-third of the global population. This webinar featured representatives from six countries: Cuba, Zimbabwe, Nicaragua, Syria, Venezuela and Iran. Each of these targeted countries shares common struggles to maintain their sovereignty and provide basic necessities for their people while trying to build new forms of governance in the face of aggression and interference from the United States. It is rare to hear directly f…

Elijah J. Magnier (2020-05-26). The Persian Rug Weaver Strikes in the US Backyard Through Venezuela. globalresearch.ca Iranian tankers were 2200 km from the US coast when the Iranian-flagged "Fortune", followed by "Forest", entered Venezuelan waters, challenging the US embargo and the US's threats. The Islamic Republic was broadcasting loud and clear a strong message. | The first …

Elijah Magnier (2020-05-25). El tejedor de alfombras persa ataca en el patio trasero de los Estados Unidos via Venezuela. thealtworld.com Los tanqueros estaban a 2.200 kilómetros de la costa de los Estados Unidos cuando el "Fortune", bajo bandera iraní, entró en aguas venezolanas, desafiando el embargo y las amenazas. La República Islámica estaba enviando un mensaje en todas las direcciones. | El primer mensaje fue despachado a la administración estadounidense luego de que líderes árabes y del golfo verbalizaron un mensaje a los líderes iraníes: "Washington está determinada a detener los tanqueros que navegan hacia Venezuela". Irán respondió a todos los mensajes recibidos diciendo que "sus tanqueros navegarán a Venezuela y si alguno de ellos es int…

Elijah Magnier (2020-05-25). The Persian rug weaver strikes in the US's backyard through Venezuela. thealtworld.com Iranian tankers were 2200 km from the US coast when the Iranian-flagged "Fortune", followed by "Forest", entered Venezuelan waters, challenging the US embargo and the US's threats. The Islamic Republic was broadcasting loud and clear a strong message. | The first message was dispatched to the US administration after Gulf and Arab Leaders conveyed a direct message to the Iranian leaders: "Washington is determined to stop the Iranian tankers sailing to Venezuela". Iran responded to all messages received that "its five tankers will sail to Venezuela and if any of these tankers is intercepted, Iran will respond in th…

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.

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 …

Elijah J. Magnier (2020-05-26). Tankers to Venezuela Are Part of Iranian Strategy to Mess With Trump in an Election Year as Payback for Soleimani. anti-empire.com Editor's note: Very interesting information. This helps explain why the Imperial navy has been conducting
| Iranian tankers were 2200 km from the US coast when the Iranian-flagged "Fortune", followed by "Forest", entered Venezuelan waters, challenging the US embargo and the US's threats. The Islamic Republic was broadcast…

ahtribune (2020-05-26). Why Did Russia Refuse Venezuela's Request but Iran Accepted It? ahtribune.com Iranian tankers were 2200 km from the US coast when the Iranian-flagged "Fortune", followed by "Forest", entered Venezuelan waters, challenging the US embargo and the US's threats. The Islamic Republic was broadcasting loud and clear a strong message. | The first message was dispatched to the US administration after Gulf and Arab Leaders conveyed a direct message to the Iranian leaders: "Washington is determined to stop the Iranian tankers sailing to Venezuela". Iran responded to all messages received that "its five tankers will sail to Venezuela and if any of these tankers is intercepted, Iran will respond in…

Ruth Robertson (2020-05-27). Memorial Day Peace Caravan/Demonstrators Drive to Donate to Homeless in San Jose. indybay.org On May 25, a Peace Caravan of activists drove in decorated cars through the streets of San Jose to demand human rights to health, housing, education, a living wage and all the components of a dignified life. The colorful caravan of about a dozen cars ended their protest at a homeless encampment where they made a donation and received thanks from Scott Wagers who serves and ministers to the city's unhoused.

Staff (2020-05-26). COVID Isn't a "Peacemaker." Expect the Pentagon to Modify Warfare — Not End It. truthout.org Covid-19, an ongoing global human tragedy, may have at least one silver lining. It has led millions of people to question America's most malignant policies at home and abroad. | Regarding Washington's war policies abroad, there's been

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 (2020-05-27). Iran-Venezuela trade has nothing to do with US: Rouhani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 27 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani highlighted that the United States has no right to intervene in legal trades between independent states.

Stephen Lendman (2020-05-27). Iran and Venezuela: Standing Tall Against Imperial USA. globalresearch.ca If all nations operated like Iran and Venezuela, world peace and stability would replace endless wars of aggression against nations threatening no one. | If countries worldwide refused to subordinate their sovereign rights to US interests, its imperial scourge would be …

Joe Emersberger (2020-05-27). In 2007, acclaimed US physician Paul Farmer pushed for Cuban Medical Brigades to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. zcomm.org Today Code Pink is making a push for that. It would be a lock in a civilized world. Click below to here to read Farmer's letter. In it, he glowingly sums up his decades of working closely with Cuban doctors in Haiti.

Terrace (2020-05-27). Making Peace An Election Issue. popularresistance.org In this series of interviews by the United National Antiwar Coalition, Joe Lombardo speaks with Margaret Kimberley who is an author, editor of Black Agenda Report and coordinating committee member of Black Alliance for Peace. She speaks about the Black Alliance for Peace's campaign to make peace an election issue. The demands include cutting military spending, losing military bases, stopping sanctions and ending militarism domestically. Margaret Kimberley explains why this is an important issue and what people can do to support the campaign.

Danny Sjursen (2020-05-26). The Coming of a Social-Distancing Version of War. commondreams.org The spread of Covid-19 has offered a rare opportunity to raise questions, challenge frameworks, and critically consider what "ending" war might even mean for this country.(Photo: Erich Ferdinand/flickr/cc) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/peace_sign_0_0.jpeg

news.un (2020-05-25). Women peacekeepers from Brazil and India share UN military gender award. news.un.org For the first time, the UN Military Gender Advocate award has been awarded to two UN peacekeepers: Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo, a Brazilian Naval officer, and Major Suman Gawani, of the Indian Army.

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 (2020-05-06). 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). 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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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.

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.