2020-01-19: News Headlines

RT (2020-01-19). Maduro says time for direct talks with Trump, blames Pompeo & co for US 'failure' in Venezuela. rt.com Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said he is open to talks with US President Donald Trump in the hope of repairing ties with the US, while blaming Trump's hawkish advisers for feeding him a distorted narrative. | In an interview with the Washington Post, published on Saturday, Maduro said that he would like to sit down with his US counterpart, suggesting that both countries would benefit from rapprochement based on mutual respect. | If there's respect between governments, no matter how big the United States is, and if there's a dialogue, an exchange of truthful information, then be sure we can create a n…

John Catalinotto (2020-01-17). In Venezuela, reactionary Guaidó humiliated by assembly defeat. workers.org The self-appointed "interim president" of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, received a humiliating setback in that country's National Assembly vote on Jan. 5. He was deposed as leader of the parliamentary body. Throughout 2019, Guaidó served as the designated puppet of U.S. imperialism in Venezuela. He made five attempts with a reactionary, . . . | Continue reading In Venezuela, reactionary Guaidó humiliated by assembly defeat at Workers.org

Staff (2020-01-17). What Really Happened With Venezuela's Parallel President? therealnews.com Media reports and the Trump administration presented a very one-sided version of the election of Venezuela's National Assembly leadership, presenting it as a coup. But who is trying to overthrow whom?

Eds. (2020-01-17). In Commune: Altos de Lídice. mronline.org This video was made recently about the Altos de Lidice Commune in Caracas. We were there. | Source

Staff (2020-01-17). Interpretation Crisis at the Border Leads to Deportation of Mayan-Language Speakers Seeking Refuge. democracynow.org As the U.S. continues to use hostile policies to stop people from seeking refuge and asylum in the United States, we look at a key problem that is preventing migrants from getting due process, and in many cases getting them deported: inadequate interpretation for indigenous asylum seekers who speak Mayan languages. Guatemala has a population of 15 million people, and at least 40% of them are indigenous. In the past year, a quarter of a million Guatemalan migrants have been apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border. At least half of them are Mayan. Many speak little or no Spanish. This is the focus of a new report in…

Staff (2020-01-17). At US Border, Inaccurate Mayan-Language Interpretation Can Lead to Deportation. truthout.org As the U.S. continues to use hostile policies to stop people from seeking refuge and asylum in the United States, we look at a key problem that is preventing migrants from getting due process, and in many cases getting them deported: inadequate interpretation for indigenous asylum seekers who speak Mayan languages. Guatemala has a population of 15 million people, and at least 40% of them are indigenous. In the past year, a quarter of a million Guatemalan migrants have been apprehended at the U.

Ben Norton (2020-01-17). Brazil's far-right government backed terror plot against Venezuela, top newspaper reveals. thegrayzone.com Brazil's extreme Bolsonaro government backed an attack on Venezuela in a plot to overthrow its elected president. The shocking terror…

Ajamu Baraka (2020-01-17). Trump Prosecutors Make Move to Ensure that Embassy Protectors are Convicted. counterpunch.org As the trial approaches, the lawyers for the Trump Administration's prosecution of the four Venezuelan Embassy Protectors who were arrested last May are asking the court to make sure the jury is kept ignorant about the facts and circumstances surrounding the actions of the protectors. In a recently filed motion by government lawyers, state prosecutors More

teleSUR (2020-01-17). 'Latin America in Constant Siege from US': Venezuela's FM. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza warned Friday that the United States maintains a permanent siege against Latin America and the Caribbean because it wants to seize its natural resources and implement governments that respond to its domination interests. | RELATED: | Venezuela, China Have Signed More Than 500 Bilateral Agreements | "The region is a constant target of attempted coups, destabilization, terrorism, communicational war, economic, commercial and bankin…

teleSUR (2020-01-17). Venezuela, China Have Signed More Than 500 Bilateral Agreements. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza highlighted Friday that to date Venezuela and China have signed more than 500 bilateral cooperation agreements, many of them converted into projects. | RELATED: | 'Protecting TeleSUR Is Protecting the Peoples' Voice' Villegas | "We have come to reinforce this comprehensive strategic partnership, to check that it goes well, where we should strengthen, where it is necessary to rectify, accelerate or deepen," Arreaza expressed while…

news.un (2020-01-17). Haiti earthquake victims honoured at UN, with pledge to safeguard the nation's future. news.un.org More than 200,000 Haitians who perished in the devastating earthquake which struck the island nation ten years ago, were honoured in a solemn ceremony of remembrance at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, along with 102 staffers who died — the single greatest loss of life in the Organization's history.

The Canary (2020-01-17). World's rarest ducks breed in the wild on Madagascan lake. thecanary.co The world's rarest ducks have bred in the wild, reaching a milestone in a project to establish a new population sooner than expected, conservationists have said.With a speed that has surprised scientists, Madagascar pochards that were bred and reared in captivity and released a year ago on Lake Sofia, in the north of the African island nation, have produced ducklings.A total of 12 Madagascar pochard ducklings — two broods of eight and four baby birds — have been sighted on the remote lake where 21 of the birds known locally as "Fotsimaso" were released in December 2018.A total of 12 ducklings have been…

Colin Todhunter (2020-01-17). Challenging the Flawed Premise Behind Pushing GMOs into Indian Agriculture. globalresearch.ca A common claim is that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are essential to agriculture if we are to feed an ever-growing global population. Supporters of genetically engineered (GE) crops argue that by increasing productivity and yields, this technology will also help …

W. T. Whitney (2020-01-17). Mexico Takes Action on Coup in Bolivia and on CELAC. counterpunch.org Mexico's government intervened recently in two difficult situations beyond its borders. One is turmoil in Bolivia following a U.S. — assisted coup. The other is about renewing the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). At issue there is regional integration and independence. Bolivian President Evo Morales was forced out of office on November More

Staff (2020-01-16). We Can't Be Silent Anymore: Rev. Barber & Poor People's Campaign Push Presidential Debate on Poverty. democracynow.org As the final Democratic debate ahead of the Iowa caucuses took place Tuesday night in Des Moines, Iowa, more than 100 protesters gathered outside the debate venue at Drake University to demand a televised presidential debate on poverty. Led by Reverend William Barber, demonstrators carried a coffin to honor the 250,000 people who die every year from the impacts of poverty. According to the Poor People's Campaign, 140 million Americans — over 43% of the population — can't pay basic living expenses. In Iowa, 630,000 workers — 45% of the state's workforce — make less than $15 an hour. We're j…

Igor Kopelnitsky (2020-01-15). Puerto Rico: Left in the Dark. thenation.com | Powerless, they struggle with a failing infrastructure and insufficient government support.

Ramzy Baroud (2020-01-15). Sealed Off and Forgotten: What You Should Know About Israel's West Bank "Firing Zones" mintpressnews.com Throughout the 1970s, the Israeli military declared roughly 18% of the West Bank as "firing zones," effectively wresting control from the local Palestinian population.

Staff (2020-01-15). In First All-White Democratic Debate, CNN Didn't Ask a Single Question About Immigration. democracynow.org As the federal government plans to divert an additional $7.2 billion from the military budget for the construction of President Trump's promised border wall, and tens of thousands of asylum seekers from Central America, the Caribbean and other regions are stranded throughout the U.S.-Mexico border, CNN moderators failed to question Democratic presidential candidates on border and immigration issues. We speak to Julio Ricardo Varela, co-host of the Latinx political podcast "In the Thick" and founder of Latino Rebels. "Anyone who thinks that a wall is going to protect us, the statistics aren't there. … But that i…

Ricardo Vaz (2020-01-15). Venezuela: Oil Output Stabilizes as Government Eyes Foreign Investment. venezuelanalysis.com The Maduro government is reportedly looking to offer greater advantages to private companies in joint oil ventures.

news.un (2020-01-15). Sudan: Lives of traumatized, displaced women in West Darfur under threat. news.un.org Ongoing instability in Sudan's West Darfur region has left the lives, health and safety of thousands of women hanging in the balance, according to the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA.

Staff (2020-01-14). Puerto Rico Earthquakes Set Hurricane Recovery Back as Trump Denies Aid. therealnews.com The U.S. territory was hit with two major earthquakes and hundreds of aftershocks, but local and national politics are still getting in the way of real help for the people of Puerto Rico.

Lucas Koerner (2020-01-14). US Sanctions Venezuela's New Parliament Leader, Senior Opposition Lawmakers. venezuelanalysis.com The legislature's new opposition leadership "categorically" rejected the sanctions.

Ben Norton (2020-01-13). Under US pressure, social media companies censor critical content and suspend Venezuelan, Iranian, and Syrian accounts. thegrayzone.com As the US escalates its hybrid wars, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are suspending accounts and censoring content that conflicts with…

Paul Dobson (2020-01-13). Venezuela Blames Sanctions After UN Voting Right Suspended. venezuelanalysis.com Venezuela, which has one of the highest UN contribution rates in the region, has not paid its dues since 2018.

news.un (2020-01-12). UN committed to helping Haiti build better future, says Guterres, marking 10-year anniversary of devastating earthquake. news.un.org On 12 January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude quake struck Haiti, devastating its capital, Port-au-Prince. About 220,000 people were reportedly killed, among them, 102 UN staff who lost their lives when the building housing the stabilization mission there, known as MINUSTAH, collapsed. Some 300,000 people were injured and 1.5 million become homeless during the 35-second-long tremor.

Anya Parampil (2020-01-11). Juan Guaidó's Top 5 Fails. thegrayzone.com Red Lines host Anya Parampil and Diego Sequera, an investigative journalist with the Venezuelan website Misión Verdad, reflect on Juan…

pip.hinman (2020-01-10). Venezuela: Guaido installs parallel parliament, US threatens more sanctions. greenleft.org.au Venezuela Ricardo VazIssue 1248 Venezuela Juan Guaido US Vice President Mike PenceJanuary 10, 2020Opposition leader Juan Guaido installed a "parallel" parliament in Caracas on January 7. | The…

Susan Price (2020-01-10). Cuba found to be the most sustainably developed country in the world. greenleft.org.au sustainability Matt TrinderIssue 1248 Cuba sustainable development agroecology Cuban RevolutionJanuary 10, 2020Cuba is the m…

Lucas Koerner (2020-01-10). For Western Press, the Only Coup in Venezuela Is Against Guaidó. fair.org The Washington Post ( 1/5/20) described Venezuelan lawmakers voting against someone other than Washington's chosen candidate to head the assembly as "sedition within the opposition." | The international corporate media have entered crisis mode following the replacement of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as head of the country's National Assembly. | In headline after headline, Venezue…

Anya Parampil (2020-01-09). The end of Juan Guaidó: Venezuelan coup leader rejected by country's opposition. thegrayzone.com Red Lines host Anya Parampil breaks down recent events in Venezuela, after US-backed coup leader Juan Guaidó was replaced as…

Leonardo Flores (2020-01-09). This might be the final episode of Juan Guaidó's surreal Venezuela regime-change reality show. thegrayzone.com The farcical scene of Juan Guaido attempting to break into Venezuela's National Assembly as its members voted him out was…

Ricardo Vaz (2020-01-08). Venezuela: Guaido Installs Parallel Parliament After Washington Threatens More Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com The Trump administration is reportedly mulling sanctions against opposition deputies who voted against Guaido.

Frank Black (2020-01-07). Greasing the Gears of the Armageddon Engine – Reporting on 'Wexit' shows how not to cover extremist movements. fair.org by Frank Black | Remember how most reporters covered that Canadian Islamic separatist movement? | You know the one: It wanted to seize control of the entire provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, along with their oil fields, and create a republic with its own national borders, constitution, laws, and military. Its two main leaders accused Justin Trudeau's Liberal government of promoting pedophilia and trying to eliminate the Muslim population of Canada; one was a "journalist" with few if any searchable publications, and the other was a former RCMP officer convicted of threatening his wife, and who ran a lobby gro…

Paul Dobson (2020-01-06). Venezuelan Government and Opposition Fraction Announce Release of 14 'Political Prisoners'. venezuelanalysis.com The National Roundtable for Peaceful Dialogue also offered its backing to the new National Assembly president, Luis Parra.

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2020-01-05). Venezuela: Guaido Replaced as Parliament Head in Disputed Vote. venezuelanalysis.com Pro-Guaido opposition lawmakers have rejected the vote, forming a parallel parliament with US and international right-wing support.

ANSWER Coalition (2020-01-03). NOTICIA de URGENCIA: Trump comienza la guerra contra Irán: Todos a las marchas, Sábado, 4 de enero, Día Nacional de Acción. liberationnews.org La administración Trump y el Pentágono se han movido para comenzar una guerra con Irán asesinando a Qassem Soleimani, el principal líder militar de ese país.

Partido por Socialismo y Liberación (2020-01-02). Cuba: 61 años de victoria socialista. liberationnews.org El Partido por el Socialismo y la Liberación saluda a Cuba por su ejemplo estelar de lucha, resistencia y victoria.

Party for Socialism and Liberation (2020-01-01). Cuba: 61 years of socialist victory. liberationnews.org Exactly 61 years ago today, Cubans poured into the streets to cheer the triumph of the Rebel Army led by Fidel Castro.

Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-23). Venezuela Repels 'Terrorist' Attack on Military Bases, 1 Soldier Dead. venezuelanalysis.com The assailants stormed several military installations before being engaged by the Venezuelan army.

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 Read more…

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

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 Read more…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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