Daily Archives: December 3, 2020

2020-12-03: News Headlines

Staff (2020-12-03). A Massacre in Lagos: Nigerian Military Forced to Admit It Fired Live Rounds at Peaceful Protesters. democracynow.org A CNN investigation has exposed the Nigerian Army's role in a deadly attack on protesters in the capital city of Lagos in October, when soldiers opened fire on protesters gathered at Lekki toll gate, a key roadway and protest site. At least 12 people were killed in the massacre, which the Army initially denied, and capped weeks of demonstrations against the notorious Nigerian police unit known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, or SARS. Senior CNN international correspondent Nima Elbagir says the massacre "had a chilling effect" on the protest movement and enraged many Nigerians. "We kept hearing from these famil…

Ricardo Vaz (2020-12-03). Venezuela, China Condemn US Sanctions Against Tech Company. venezuelanalysis.com Beijing reiterated its support for Venezuelan sovereignty.

Junaid S. Ahmad (2020-12-03). Pakistan Pressured by Saudi Arabia and UAE to Recognize and Accept the State of Israel. globalresearch.ca Putting aside the relics of past Cold War theatrics, Pakistan has been consistently struggling to advance peace and justice in the world. The struggle though has intensified. Pakistan currently experiences unprecedented pressure from the conservative Gulf monarchies of Saudi Arabia …

_____ (2020-12-02). Embassy Protection Collective Members Mark End Of Federal Probation. popularresistance.org Washington, DC — Today, three of the four members of the Embassy Protection Collective, Adrienne Pine, David Paul and Margaret Flowers, who stayed in the Venezuelan Embassy last year to stop its illegal handover to coup leaders, are finished with their six-month probation and 30-day suspended sentence. The fourth member of the collective, Kevin Zeese, died unexpectedly in September. | The three collective members are traveling to Venezuela to serve as official election observers for the National Assembly election to be held on December 6, 2020.

Gloria La Riva (2020-12-02). Venezuela's anti-blockade law and the Dec. 6 elections. liberationnews.org Progressive forces mobilize nationwide to win back the assembly from right-wing politicians who won the majority in December 2015.

W. T. Whitney (2020-12-02). US Plot Relying on Extradition Targets Peace in Colombia. counterpunch.org For 50 years Colombian governments and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) fought a civil war; 200,000 lives were lost. After four years of negotiations, the two sides signed a peace agreement that took effect in November 2016. Now the agreement is in trouble, mainly at the hands of rightwing extremists led by former

W. T. Whitney (2020-12-02). US Plot Relying on Extradition Targets Peace in Colombia. counterpunch.org For 50 years Colombian governments and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) fought a civil war; 200,000 lives were lost. After four years of negotiations, the two sides signed a peace agreement that took effect in November 2016. Now the agreement is in trouble, mainly at the hands of rightwing extremists led by former

Gloria La Riva (2020-12-02). La Ley Antibloqueo de Venezuela y las elecciones el 6 de diciembre. liberationnews.org Las fuerzas progresistas se están movilizando en todo el país para recuperar la asamblea de los políticos de derecha que obtuvieron la mayoría en diciembre de 2015.

_____ (2020-12-02). Is the U.S. Actually a 'Police State'? strategic-culture.org Eric ZUESSE | Is the phrase "police state" anything more than propaganda that a government uses against a foreign government that it wants to overthrow — such as the U.S. did against Iraq before invading it in 2003, and against Libya and Syria since 2011, and against Venezuela since 2012, and against Ukraine since 2013, and in all instances destroyed those countries, allegedly to 'bring democracy and human rights and the rule of law, and fight against corruption' there (as if that were honestly the intention)? | The phrase "police state" is used propagandistically to denigrate a foreign nation that one's ow…

news.un (2020-12-02). Climate Action: It's time to make peace with nature, UN chief urges. news.un.org The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has described the fight against the climate crisis as the top priority for the 21st Century, in a passionate, uncompromising speech delivered on Wednesday at Columbia University in New York.

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-02). Iran extends hand of friendship to regional countries: envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 02 (MNA) — Stating that Iran's strategy is one of cooperation, peace and friendship, the country's Ambassador to Muscat said that Iran has extended a hand of friendship to the countries of the region.

John Pilger (2020-12-01). "I spoke to impoverished families in 1975 and little has changed since then" dissidentvoice.org A British family from the film Smashing Kids, 1975. Photograph: John Garrett John Pilger interviewed Irene Brunsden in Hackney, east London about only being able to feed her two-year-old a plate of cornflakes in 1975. Now he sees nervous women queueing at foodbanks with their children as it's revealed 600,000 more kids are in poverty …

W. T. Whitney Jr. (2020-12-01). U.S. extradition plot targets peace in Colombia. peoplesworld.org &nbsp…

RT (2020-12-01). Berlin warns against 'rash actions' in Afghanistan, says further troop withdrawal must be linked with peace talks. rt.com The German foreign minister has called on the NATO alliance to carefully consider the impact that further troop withdrawals from Afghanistan would have on the peace process, warning against reckless actions. | Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members must be cautious not to jeopardize the peace process in Afghanistan by withdrawing troops prematurely. | "As NATO partners, we want to ensure that we tie further troop reductions in Afghanistan to clear conditions," he said. | Maas was speaking ahead of a virtual meeting with his NATO colleagues in which tr…

W. T. Whitney Jr. (2020-12-01). U.S. extradition plot targets peace in Colombia. peoplesworld.org &nbsp…

Eds. (2020-12-01). Parliamentary Elections in Venezuela: All you need to know. mronline.org For the first time in recent history, Venezuela's left is divided. Will this disrupt the PSUV's plans to retake control of the National Assembly?>

RT (2020-12-01). Berlin warns against 'rash actions' in Afghanistan, says further troop withdrawal must be linked with peace talks. rt.com The German foreign minister has called on the NATO alliance to carefully consider the impact that further troop withdrawals from Afghanistan would have on the peace process, warning against reckless actions. | Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members must be cautious not to jeopardize the peace process in Afghanistan by withdrawing troops prematurely. | "As NATO partners, we want to ensure that we tie further troop reductions in Afghanistan to clear conditions," he said. | Maas was speaking ahead of a virtual meeting with his NATO colleagues in which tr…

Junaid S. Ahmad (2020-12-01). Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) Calls Upon Government of Pakistan to Refrain from Recognizing Israel. globalresearch.ca Dear friends, sisters, brothers, and comrades in the struggle for peace and justice: | We hope this finds all of you well and safe. | The Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC)-Pakistan is deeply distressed at the way in which the US and the …

_____ (2020-12-01). Fuel Shortages In Venezuela. popularresistance.org Fuel shortages have become of the main issues in Venezuela. The mainstream media, always on board the regime change bandwagon, is keen to report that "the country with the world's largest oil reserves" has no fuel, but not so much on the causes behind it. | Under the weight of punishing US sanctions, state oil company PDVSA has seen production fall dramatically and fuel refining has been especially hit. | In our most recent joint production with Tatuy Tv, we look at the causes and consequences of fuel shortages in Venezuela.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-01). Anti-imperialists petition EU to recognize Venezuelan elections. peoplesdispatch.org Members of the European Network of Solidarity with Venezuela turned in a petition calling for the European Union to recognize the upcoming Venezuelan elections. The petition was signed by prominent left-wing public figures and leaders from Europe and Latin America and had more than 3,500 signatures from over 30 nations. It is part of an international campaign against regime change attempts in the Latin American nation. Venezuela is scheduled to hold its parliamentary election on December 6, the first since the abortive attempt to overthrow the government in January 2019. | The petitioners have asked the EU leader…

sputniknews (2020-12-01). 'I'm Just Gonna Sleep': Golden Retriever Puppy Naps, Ignoring Mischievous Siblings. sputniknews.com It is often said that siblings can be the most irritating creatures on Earth. They might love you and everything, but won't let you be at peace or rest.

sputniknews (2020-12-01). Venezuela Denounces US Sanctions Against CEIEC, Foreign Ministry States. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Caracas considers the recent US sanctions against the China National Electronic Import-Export Company (CEIEC) an attempt to destabilize the situation ahead of elections, according to a Venezuelan Foreign Ministry statement.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-01). US sanctions Chinese telecom firm for links with Venezuela's CANTV. peoplesdispatch.org The United States has imposed sanctions on a major Chinese tech firm, China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC), for conducting business with Venezuela. The sanctions were announced on November 30, Monday, by the US Treasury Department. The move is based on allegations that the CEIEC is assisting the Venezuelan government to "suppress" dissent. | The allegations come in light of Venezuelan government-run telecom firm CANTV blocking certain websites and platforms linked with pro-coup and pro-Guaido groups. The US government stated that the contract with the CEIEC has assisted in the supposed…

sputniknews (2020-12-01). Neighbours to Planned Memorial for Anders Breivik's Victims Fear Traumatising 'Terror Tourism'. sputniknews.com The 2011 terrorist act by Anders Behring Breivik that left 77 dead, the bloodiest in the country's peacetime history, has left a deep scar on the Norwegian psyche.

news.un (2020-12-01). INTERVIEW: Economic and Social Council 'vital to promote global peace and global cooperation'. news.un.org Munir Akram wears two hats. He is Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN and was elected on 23 July as the 76th President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); one of the three main bodies that provide the backbone of the United Nations.

teleSUR (2020-12-01). Venezuela Submits Report to Meet the Hague Court's Requests. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Public Ministry delivered Monday a report to respond to the requests issued by the Prosecutor Office of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in October this year. | RELATED: | Attorney General Tarek William Saab noted that the "extensive report" was submitted "in time and form" in order to meet the call voiced by the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) chairwoman Fatou Bensouda. | He also reiterated his go…

Black Alliance for Peace (2020-12-01). U.S. Centrism: The Radical Betrayal of Global Solidarity. globalresearch.ca "… Somebody must say to America, America if you have contempt for life, if you exploit human beings by seeing them as less than human, if you will treat human beings as a means to an end, you thingafy those …

teleSUR (2020-12-01). Venezuela Rejects US Harassment Against Chinese Tech Company. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza called harassment the new U.S. sanctions against China Corporation of Electronic Imports and Exports (CEIEC), which provides telecommunications services in the Latin American country. | RELATED: | "We denounce the U.S. government's coercive measures which were imposed to affect projects in favor of the Venezuelan people ahead of the parliamentary elections," Arreaza tweeted. | On Mond…

sputniknews (2020-12-01). Beijing Urges US to Lift All 'Illegal Sanctions' Amid Venezuela-Related Restrictions on Chinese Firm. sputniknews.com Washington blacklisted the China National Electronic Import-Export Company (CEIEC) for aiding the Venezuelan government, vowing to block all transactions with the firm or any entity that owns a 50 percent or higher stake in it.

teleSUR (2020-12-01). Ecuador: Mayors Took to the Streets to Reject Budget Cuts. telesurenglish.net At least 80 mayors from several cities of Ecuador peacefully gathered in the capital Quito on Tuesday to demand President Lenin Moreno observe the agreements on Budget plans between the municipalities and the national government. | RELATED: | The mobilization was called by the Association of Municipalities of Ecuador (AME), which claimed the Executive branch has not respected the agreements with the town halls by cutt…

teleSUR (2020-11-30). US Sanctions Chinese Tech Firm for Having Ties With Venezuela. telesurenglish.net The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday sanctioned China Corporation of Electronic Imports and Exports (CEIEC) for allegedly supporting Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro to "undermine democracy" in his country. | RELATED: | An official statement argues that the Chinese technology company would give the Bolivarian government software to restrict citizens' access to the Internet and monitor their actions on the netw…

Staff (2020-11-30). A Trap? Why Assassination of Top Iranian Nuclear Scientist Could Tie Biden's Hands in Future Talks. democracynow.org Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated Friday while driving on a highway outside Tehran. Iran accuses Israel of orchestrating the killing, which is the latest in a string of assassinations targeting scientists involved with Iran's nuclear program. Between 2010 and 2012, four Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated, and analysts say Fakhrizadeh's death was designed to make it harder for President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran when he takes office. Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. "Israel has always denied…

Staff (2020-11-30). A Trap? Why Assassination of Top Iranian Nuclear Scientist Could Tie Biden's Hands in Future Talks. democracynow.org Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated Friday while driving on a highway outside Tehran. Iran accuses Israel of orchestrating the killing, which is the latest in a string of assassinations targeting scientists involved with Iran's nuclear program. Between 2010 and 2012, four Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated, and analysts say Fakhrizadeh's death was designed to make it harder for President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran when he takes office. Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. "Israel has always denied…

Greta Anderson (2020-11-30). What Does Coexistence with Large Carnivores Actually Mean? counterpunch.org In Mexican wolf country, ranchers and agencies bandy about the word 'coexistence' as if it means an end to conflict between humans and lobos. If only that were true, and that the playing field were somehow level. Let us review, shall we? Coexistence: 1: to exist together or at the same time 2: to live in peace

Greta Anderson (2020-11-30). What Does Coexistence with Large Carnivores Actually Mean? counterpunch.org In Mexican wolf country, ranchers and agencies bandy about the word 'coexistence' as if it means an end to conflict between humans and lobos. If only that were true, and that the playing field were somehow level. Let us review, shall we? Coexistence: 1: to exist together or at the same time 2: to live in peace

Paul Dobson (2020-11-30). Venezuelan Government Privatises State-run AgroPatria. venezuelanalysis.com Maduro also requested private sector help in finishing an abandoned rail construction project from 2002.

Alejandra Garcia (2020-11-30). Hostilities Won't Stop Venezuela's Upcoming Elections. telesurenglish.net The international campaign of discredit against the Venezuelan electoral process, encouraged by the U.S. and the European Union (EU), gains strength one week ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for December 6. | RELATED: | "Chavism won't guarantee biosecurity measures," "The voting machines will fail," "Maduro seeks to settle his government after the parliamentary elections," are some headlines shown by the Miami-Bogota-Ma…

_____ (2020-11-30). Upcoming Venezuelan Election Is Another Rejection Of US Imperialism. popularresistance.org On December 6, Venezuelans will vote for a new National Assembly. Just as it has done for the past twenty years, the United States is interfering in the election process and has already falsely claimed the elections are rigged. The last National Assembly election in 2015 was marred by a vote-buying scheme in one remote region. Upon an order from the Supreme Court to redo those races, right-wing parties refused, putting the entire National Assembly in contempt of court. Latin American policy analyst, Leonardo Flores, joins me to speak about this election and the impacts of the US' efforts to interfere and overthro…

_____ (2020-11-30). Venezuela Calls On UNSC To Reject Unilateral Sanctions. popularresistance.org "All countries suffering from this type of aggression inflicted by economic means must cooperate to put an end to the suffering of our peoples," Ambassador Moncada stressed. | Speaking at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday, Venezuela's Ambassador Samuel Moncada proposed the formation of an "International Alliance Against Unilateral Coercive Measures" to halt the crimes against humanity committed by the U.S. government, which keeps arbitrary economic sanctions against 29 countries.

Mehr News Agency (2020-11-30). Silence in face of terrorist acts threatening peace in region. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Nov. 30 (MNA) — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in a message to the UN Secretary General António Guterres on Monday said that silence in the face of terrorist acts threatens peace and security in the region.

_____ (2020-11-30). Venezuela Sentences Former Citgo Executives For Corruption. popularresistance.org Merida – Six former oil executives were sentenced for corruption on Thursday by a Venezuelan court. | They were detained in November 2017 in Caracas on charges of embezzlement, money laundering and conspiracy at state oil company PDVSA's US subsidiary, Citgo. | Attorney General Tarek William Saab stated at the time that the accused had signed contracts without government permission which "jeopardized the country's assets." Refinancing plans with Frontier Group Management and Apollo Global Management allegedly had draconian conditions and offered the company itself as collateral.

Jeff Jurgens (2020-11-20). Warnock For Congress. peaceaction.org Peace Action Endorses Rev. Raphael Warnock Sign up to phonebank for Rev. Warnock Donate to Rev. Raphael Warnock While the presidential race is thankfully over, control of the Senate remains at stake, and will comedown to the results of a special election this January in Georgia. The Senate has been a graveyard for pro-peace legislation …