(2020-02-29). Russia, Turkey reaffirm commitment to deescalate Idlib hostilities — Moscow. rt.com 
Russian and Turkish diplomats, who held consultations in Ankara on the unfolding crisis in Syria's Idlib province, have reaffirmed their nations' commitments to deescalate the hostilities, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Both sides also agreed "to continue fighting against terrorist forces as designated by the UN Security Council" and to protect the civilian population, the statement said. | The talks in Ankara have been held amid a major escalation in northwestern Syria, where dozens of Turkish troops have been killed by Syrian forces amid an ongoing counter-terrorism offensive. Ankara demanded the withdra…
(2020-02-29). Cuban Foreign Minister Denounces Measures Against Western Union. telesurenglish.net Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez today called as interference the suspension of remittances to the Antillean nation through Western Union from all countries, except the United States. | RELATED: | The new regulation violates the sovereignty of third states and reinforces the extraterritorial component of Washington's inhuman policy against the island, said the head of Cuban diplomacy on Twitter. | This measure against the Western Uni…
(2020-02-29). ILPS holds anti-imperialist study on sanctions. fightbacknews.org New York, NY – On February 27, around two dozen people filled Project Reach in Chinatown for the International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS) study and discussion on sanctions and imperialism. | This study was in coordination with the Sanctions Kill campaign that was begun by several anti-war groups in the United States late in 2019. The Sanctions Kill campaign wants to raise the issue of sanctions and how the U.S. government uses them to carry out its imperialist agenda without ever dropping a bomb. Currently, one third of the world's population is living under sanctions and those sanctions are responsible f…
(2020-02-28). "We Want Democracy!" Mass Protests Continue in Dominican Republic After Local Elections Suspended. democracynow.org 
Thousands in the Dominican Republic took to the streets of the capital Santo Domingo Thursday to protest the abrupt suspension of local elections earlier this month and to commemorate the country's Independence Day. Protests have been ongoing since February 16, after the government suspended the municipal elections four hours after voting began, alleging there were "technical glitches" in the electronic ballot machines used. The machines were previously used in October 2019, and they cost the Dominican government $19 million. The Dominican people believe the alleged technical glitch is just an attempt by the ruli…
(2020-02-28). Thousands Are Taking the Streets to Protest Suspension of Dominican Elections. truthout.org Thousands in the Dominican Republic took to the streets of the capital Santo Domingo Thursday to protest the abrupt suspension of local elections earlier this month and to commemorate the country's Independence Day. Protests have been ongoing since February 16, after the government suspended the municipal elections four hours after voting began, alleging there were "technical glitches" in the electronic ballot machines used. The machines were previously used in October 2019, and they cost the D…
(2020-02-28). Here's why Bernie Sanders was spot on with his comments about Cuba. thecanary.co Bernie Sanders has recently come Red-baiting tactics: | On 23 February, Sanders said it's "unfair to simply say everything is bad" about the Cuban Revolution. Republicans and establishment Dem…
(2020-02-28). Bernie Sanders Was Right About the Cuban Literacy Campaign. truthout.org The corporate media have long been looking for ways to discredit Bernie Sanders, and they settled on a surprising statement he made in the 1980s during his tenure as mayor of Burlington when he said, "We have a lot to learn from Cuba." | Now, they have latched onto a statement he made about Cuba during an interview on "60 Minutes" after winning the Nevada caucuses: "We're very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba but you know, it's unfair to simply say everything is bad," Sanders said. "When Fidel Castr…
(2020-02-28). If Venezuelan Embassy Protectors Are Retried, Jury Should Hear About US Crimes. globalresearch.ca On February 28, federal prosecutors will announce whether they plan to retry four people who spent 37 days in the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C.,
(2020-02-28). Cuba Defies US Blockade with Booming Tattoo Trade. telesurenglish.net The humming of tattoo machines fills the second floor of the Cuban Art Factory (FAC) in Havana in which participated hundreds of attendees at Pura Aguja, the first multidisciplinary body art event in Cuba. | RELATED: | The former oil factory converted into a cultural center welcomes some 30 artists from across the island for three days, together with guests from Mexico and the United States who offer live demonstrations of tattoos…
(2020-02-28). U.S. Blockade Hinders Organ Transplant Process in Cuba. telesurenglish.net Cuba's physician Julio Cesar Sierra Friday denounced that the United States blockade against his country is hurting the population that needs vital organ transplants. | RELATED: | "The blockade prevents Cuba from acquiring the essential resources for the successful development of transplant processes on the Island," the transplant coordinator condemned. | According to Sierra, resources such as medicines, reagents, and other sup…
(2020-02-28). Guyana Goes to the Polls Hoping to End Its Political Crisis. telesurenglish.net Guyana's oil boom will influence the results of the March 2 elections, which are called to end the long period of political instability and stagnation that the South American country has been experiencing since 2018. | RELATED: | The Guyanese people have been waiting for this day since their president David Granger received a motion of no confidence against him, which was validated by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ…
(2020-02-28). Switzerland Suspends Public Events to Contain Covid-19 Outbreak. telesurenglish.net Switzerland's Federal Council Thursday declared that the country is in a "special situation" and announced measures to contain the progress of COVID-19, a disease that has affected 15 people in this European country. | RELATED: | "The Federal Council is aware that its decision has important consequences for the population but it will allow its effective protection," the Swiss authorities said and added t…
(2020-02-26). USF students rally against racist administration. fightbacknews.org Tampa, FL – On February 25, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a Black Students Matter rally on campus to bring attention to the racist admissions practices that the administration at the University of South Florida (USF) engages in. | Enrollment of Black students at USF has been declining for years and the percent of Black students at USF was the lowest it's been in the past decade last semester (fall 2019), at 9.4%. This is especially alarming considering that in the Tampa Bay area, where USF is located, Black people comprise 24% of the population. | "We understand how schools like USF parta…
(2020-02-25). Bernie Sanders's Key to Success in Democratic Primary? Organizing in Black & Latinx Communities. democracynow.org 
Senator Bernie Sanders's campaign continues to ride the wave of its decisive victory Saturday in the Democratic presidential caucuses in Nevada. Sanders's win came with support from young voters, union members and Latinx voters, who strengthened his status as Democratic presidential front-runner. He won 73% of the Latino vote in Nevada, a remarkable victory that supporters hope will bode well heading into Super Tuesday and beyond. Through March 17, the Democratic primary calendar will run through seven of the 12 states where Latinx communities constitute at least 10% of the total eligible voting population. | We…
(2020-02-25). Headlines for February 25, 2020. democracynow.org Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty of Rape, 2020 Democratic Candidates Gear Up for Debate as More Damning Comments by Bloomberg Surface, Bernie Sanders Defends Praise for Fidel Castro's Literacy Program, Protests in India Kill At Least 7 as Trump Continues Visit, Former Egyptian Dictator Hosni Mubarak Dies, U.K. Court Opens Deliberations on Julian Assange's Extradition Case, As Coronavirus Spreads Around the Globe, White House Requests Emergency Funding, China Sentences Bookseller Critical of Chinese Government to 10 Years in Prison, Clashes Between Haitian Police and Soldiers Leave One Dead as Anti-Gov't Protests Rag…
(2020-02-25). One in three Venezuelans not getting enough to eat, UN study finds. news.un.org Hyperinflation in Venezuela means that roughly one-third of the population — more than nine million people — do not get enough to eat and are in need of assistance, according to estimates published on Tuesday by the World Food Programme (WFP).
(2020-02-25). Reality check on Wall Street. fightbacknews.org San José, CA – U.S. stocks got a reality check on Monday, February 24, with the Dow falling more than 1000 points, or 3.5%. The NASDAQ index, with a heavy representation of technology company stocks, fell a bit more, while the broadest measure of the stock market, the S&P 500 fell a bit less. | Almost all the news blamed the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). While China's firm measures, including locking down virtually the entire province of Hubei, appear to be taking effect as the number of infections seem to be leveling off. Hubei has a population of some 70 million and is where the epicenter of the vir…
(2020-02-24). "A Stupendous Victory": Bernie Sanders Wins Nevada After Heavy Organizing in Latinx Communities. democracynow.org 
Senator Bernie Sanders scored a decisive victory Saturday in the Democratic presidential caucuses in Nevada, riding a wave of support from young voters, union members and Latinx voters, who strengthened his status as front-runner. His win shows the potential for the nation's largest minority group to reshape the next stage of the Democratic presidential race. In the next four weeks, six more of the 12 states with a large Latinx population will vote in the Democratic primary. On Super Tuesday, Texas, California and Colorado go to the polls. Arizona, Florida and Illinois will vote on March 17. We speak with Erika A…
(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.
(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
(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