PKK/YPG terrorists kill 5 civilians in Syria
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-19
The terror group PKK/YPG killed five civilians, including three children, with a car bomb attack in Ras al-Ayn, northern Syria near Turkey's border, said Turkey's Defense Ministry on Thursday.In a statement, the ministry said the terror group targeted civilians in the village of Tell Halaf in the Ras al-Ayn province.Ras al-Ayn is within the area of Turkey's Operation Peace Spring, launched on Oct. 9 to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River to secure Turkey's borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria's territorial integrity.Since then, Turkey reache…
yenisafak.com/en/news/pkk-ypg-terrorists-kill-5-civilians-in-syria-3507827

Iran and US both undermining nuclear deal says UN political affairs chief
news.un.org | 2019-12-19
Both Iran and the United States have been putting strain on the groundbreaking 2015 deal to monitor Iran's nuclear programme, which remains a "cornerstone of international peace and security", said the UN's political affairs chief on Thursday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1054071

UN Peacekeepers Fathered Hundreds of Babies With Girls in Haiti as Young as 11
The Mind Unleashed | theantimedia.com | 2019-12-19
Girls as young as 11 were impregnated by peacekeepers and left "in misery" to raise their children alone.

UN Peacekeepers Fathered Hundreds of Babies With Girls in Haiti as Young as 11

With ceasefire deal, Sudan is one step closer to peace
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-19
On Tuesday, December 17, the transitional government of Sudan agreed to cease hostilities in the States of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, in a deal reached with the Malik Agar-led faction of the armed rebel group, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N). The government also agreed to open corridors for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the populations of the two States. | The development comes as a welcome step towards accomplishing one of the most important tasks set before the transitional government — to put an end to the civil war ongoing in the two States since 2011, which has left over 1…
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/19/with-ceasefire-deal-sudan-is-one-step-closer-to-peace/

A Scorched Earth Christmas is No Gift
George Ochenski | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-19
For millennia, humans have celebrated the end of the year under any number of names, from Saturnalia to Christmas. Those in the northern hemisphere see the long, dark days begin to lengthen and brighten, lifting spirits as the New Year approaches. But this year, the idea of peace on Earth, good will toward all seems…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/19/a-scorched-earth-christmas-is-no-gift/

There should be Hikiwake: Putin describes solution for Russia-Japan island dispute in Judo terms
rt.com | 2019-12-19
Absence of a peace treaty after WWII remains the major issue in Russian-Japanese relations. While there's no solution for it, Moscow would prefer a "draw," President Vladimir Putin said using a Judo term for the possible outcome. | "Is there a decision? So far, no. But, what's the most important, we desire to find it," Putin told reporters on Thursday, during his end-of-year press conference. | "And it might come in very different forms. I've said it once — and the Japanese liked it — it should be a 'hikiwake,' a draw, if we can speak in Judo terms." | The Russian president is an avid practitioner of…
rt.com/news/476440-putin-judo-japan-hikiwake/

Venezuela: Guaido Introduces Remote Voting in Bid to Secure Reelection
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-18
The opposition leader has been under fire amid recent scandals.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14749

Wednesday's Daily Brief: Global Refugee Forum, Venezuela human rights, breast cancer hopes
news.un.org | 2019-12-18
Our top stories for Wednesday include: First Global Refugee Forum ends in Geneva; Venezuela misery on multiple fronts, outlined by UN rights chief; and a breast cancer update that could make treatment affordable for millions more women.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053971

Misery for Venezuelans continues ahead of 2020 elections: UN rights chief Bachelet
news.un.org | 2019-12-18
Demonstrations in Venezuela must be allowed to take place ahead of elections in 2020, the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Wednesday, citing continued reports of harassment, threats, and detention by intelligence services and security forces.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053791

Only 'concrete action' will stop fraying of Israel-Palestine peace prospects
news.un.org | 2019-12-18
Obstacles to any lasting deal between Israel and Palestine continue to mount, the UN's Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told Security Council members on Wednesday, and only "concrete action" towards a two-State solution will change that dynamic.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053841

US Venezuelan embassy protectors denied right to fair trial
The Grayzone | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-17
Four US activists protecting Venezuela's embassy in Washington, DC face prison time after the Trump administration illegally arrested them. And now…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/16/venezuelan-embassy-defenders-denied-right-fair-trial/

South Sudan: political will needed to form a unified government, on the road to peace
news.un.org | 2019-12-17
Extending the deadline for the establishment of a unity government in South Sudan has helped maintain a ceasefire but also disillusioned many citizens, the Security Council heard on Tuesday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053751

"A Spectacular Fall from Grace": Aung San Suu Kyi Denies Burmese Genocide of Rohingya at The Hague
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-12-17
Burma's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has asked the U.N. International Court of Justice to drop the genocide case against Myanmar, formerly Burma. Suu Kyi is a Nobel Peace Prize winner who spent over a decade fighting against the Burmese military, which she is now defending. Last week, Suu Kyi appeared in person at the court to dispute the charges and called the allegations of genocide against Rohingya Muslims "incomplete and misleading." The Burmese military killed and raped thousands of Rohingya and forced more than 700,000 to flee into neighboring Bangladesh in a brutal army crackdown in 2017. Gambia brough…
www.democracynow.org/2019/12/17/aung_san_suu_kyi_burma_rohingya

Peace will be 'paramount' issue for incoming Afghan Government: UN mission chief
news.un.org | 2019-12-16
The search for peace will remain of "paramount importance" to Afghanistan as the country awaits the outcome of the recent presidential election, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Monday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053621

Why Elliott Abrams is Smurf villain Gargamel
Anya Parampil | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-16
Trump Administration Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abram is not only the spitting image of Gargamel; the Smurfs are a…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/16/elliott-abrams-smurf-villain-gargamel/

ALBA Summit: Venezuela Promises to Relaunch PetroCaribe in 2020
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-16
Heads of state also pledged to bolster various regional social programs including the Miracle Mission and Latin American Medical Schools.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14745

Francisco Rodriguez answers some questions I asked about Venezuela
Joe Emersberger | zcomm.org | 2019-12-16
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 Read…
zcomm.org/zblogs/francisco-rodriguez-answers-some-questions-i-asked-him-about-venezuela/

Gobierno de EEUU retira los cargos falsos contra periodista Max Blumenthal
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2019-12-14
El gobierno estadounidense desistió la causa basada en falsas acusaciones de agresión contra el editor de The Grayzone Max Blumenthal…
thegrayzone.com/2019/12/14/gobierno-eeuu-retira-cargos-max-blumenthal-venezuela/

The Mother of Us All: Ancient India's Vedic Civilization
William T. Hathaway | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-12-14
Researchers have determined that the Vedic culture of India was the first global civilization. They have uncovered archeological and historical evidence indicating that the society which began millennia ago in the Indus Valley grew to encompass all of South Asia, then spread peacefully to many parts of the world. Science and technology in ancient India …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/12/the-mother-of-us-all-ancient-indias-vedic-civilization/

Venezuela Oil Production Continues Slow Recovery
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-11
According to state oil company PDVSA, production is again approaching one million barrels per day.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14744

Peaceful rally in solidarity with terminated workers dispersed by police
Liberation Staff | liberationnews.org | 2019-12-09
On Black Friday, Nov. 29, across the United States, members of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees and their allies responded to a national call to action from the union.
liberationnews.org/peaceful-rally-in-solidarity-with-terminated-workers-dispersed-by-police/

Venezuela's Civilian Militia Surpasses Target, Reaches 3.3 Million Members
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-09
The body is due to be legally incorporated into the Armed Forces as a "combat unit."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14742

Venezuela: Guaido Embattled as Opposition Splits over New Corruption Scandal
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-05
The latest scandal has further called into doubt Guaido's credibility as leader of the opposition.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14739

TIAR Countries Blacklist Top Venezuelan Officials as US Slaps New Sanctions
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-04
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Venezuela of "hijacking" mass anti-neoliberal protests in "our own backyard."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14737

Red Cross Chief: Venezuela Aid Being Politicized to 'Destabilize the Country'
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-04
Francesco Rocca slammed the underfunding of aid programs as a problem of "political will."
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14738

Venezuela's PDVSA Secures Temporary Lease Extension for Curacao Refinery
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-02
Despite the extension, refinery owners are looking to end the 34-year cooperation under pressure from US sanctions.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14736

American Indian Movement West: No to Bolivia coup! Hands off Venezuela, Cuba!
American Indian Movement West | liberationnews.org | 2019-12-01
"We declare our full solidarity and support to the heroic resistance of the Indigenous people against the fascist coup. While there is struggle, victory is assured."
liberationnews.org/american-indian-movement-west-no-to-bolivia-coup-hands-off-venezuela-cuba/

US Vows to 'Reinforce' Sanctions, Accuses Venezuela and Cuba of Stirring Regional 'Strife'
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-11-28
Elliott Abrams reiterated support for Guaido and denied that sanctions are damaging the Venezuelan economy.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14734

Venezuela Unveils First Gold Processing Complex in Mining Arc
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-11-25
While already operational, the complex will reportedly be the 5th largest in the continent upon completion.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14731

Colombia's US Ambassador Advocates 'Covert Actions' Against Venezuela in Leaked Audio
Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-11-21
Top Colombian officials acknowledged failure of regime change in Venezuela and total disarray in Washington.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14728

Venezuelans Protest Bolivia Coup After Diplomatic Break
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-11-18
The de facto government in La Paz has broken relations with Caracas and recognised Guaido.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14725

US Says Israeli Settlements Are Legal, 23 Killed In Bolivia As Violent Coup Ignored & Venezuela Flop
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-11-18
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (11/18/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/us-says-israeli-settlements-are-legal-23-killed-in-bolivia-as-violent-coup-ignored-venezuela-flop/