[World Report] Venezuelan migrants "struggling to survive" amid COVID-19
Joe Parkin Daniels | thelancet.com | 2020-03-28
Humanitarian organisations are concerned that border closures and health-care shortages are amplifying the challenges posed by COVID-19. Joe Parkin Daniels reports from Bogotá.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30718-2/fulltext?rss=yes
[Editorial] Learning the lessons of Chernobyl: time is running out
The Lancet | thelancet.com | 2020-03-28
Unit number 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded on April 26, 1986, causing radiation injuries to hundreds of people within a couple of weeks. High levels of radiation affected clean-up workers (liquidators) involved in the emergency response, more than 500‚Äà000 liquidators involved in later decontamination and containment, and the general population in the surrounding Soviet states. 116‚Äà000 people were evacuated, 220‚Äà000 were permanently relocated, and a 30 km exclusion zone still exists around the plant.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30687-5/fulltext?rss=yes
'No new patients until release': WATCH staff protest KIDNAPPING of Haiti hospital chief as Covid-19 takes root in country
rt.com | 2020-03-28
The chief surgeon and director at one of Haiti's major hospitals was kidnapped on his way into work, triggering protests from the facility's staff, who have refused to take any new patients until the doctor is freed. | The surgeon, Dr Jerry Bitar, was abducted soon after leaving his home for the Bernard Mevs hospital in Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince on Friday, an administrator at the facility told Reuters. Crowds gathered outside the hospital to demand Bitar's release, chanting slogans and declining treatment for any new arrivals. | "Hospital staff decided not to take any new cases for the time being," sai…
rt.com/news/484336-haiti-hospital-kidnapping-coronavirus/
Nearly 19,000 pandemic deaths in Europe as savaged health care systems are overwhelmed
wsws.org | 2020-03-28
The COVID-19 pandemic is preying on Europe's 500 million-plus population whose health care services have been decimated by years of government austerity and private sector looting.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/28/euro-m28.html
Indian Gov't Extends Relief to Migrant Labourers on 'Longest March' Amid Coronavirus Lockdown
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-28
New Delhi (Sputnik): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a three-week lockdown in the country earlier this week in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The federal government has also rolled out a $22.36 billion economic relief package for the poorer sections of the population.
sputniknews.com/india/202003281078740736-indian-govt-extends-relief-to-migrant-labourers-on-longest-march-amid-coronavirus-lockdown/
Migrants in Hawaii care for the elderly, the aloha way
news.un.org | 2020-03-27
Migrants are playing an increasingly important role in the provision of health care around the world. The number of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who move from developing countries to take up posts in developed countries is expected to rise as the global population of older persons and children continues to grow.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/03/1060152
With a Quarter of the World's Population Under US Sanctions, Countries Appeal to UN to Intervene
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-27
Eight countries, representing around one-quarter of all humanity, say that Washington's actions are undermining their response to the COVID–19 pandemic sweeping the planet.
mintpressnews.com/coronavirus-quarter-worlds-population-under-us-sanctions-appeal-to-un/266096/
Colombia: Two COVID-19 Cases Among Native Population
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-27
The Indigenous Organization of Colombia reported March 25, two positive Covid-19 cases among the aboriginal population. So far, 250 indigenous people are said to be in overcrowded conditions. | RELATED: | Venezuela's Top Prosecutor Files Charges Against Conspirators | These events occur after the claims of the indigenous population in the face of the indifference of President Ivan Duque because of their vulnerability to the virus. Both cases belong to the Yukpa ethnicity in the…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-two-covid-19-positive-cases-among-native-population-20200327-0007.html
Expert: Cuban Health System's Strength Against COVID-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-27
Cuba's health system is capable of facing the challenge posed by the coronavirus SARS Cov-2, which causes Covid-19 disease, said here today Marylin Celestrin, master in infectious diseases. | RELATED: | Over 45 Countries Ask Cuba for Interferon to Treat Covid-19 | 'Despite the limitations imposed by the U.S. blockade policy, our country is capable of dealing with the pandemic with a public health system that reaches all the population, free of charge,' Celestrin told Prensa Latina. | She…
telesurenglish.net/news/Expert-Cuban-Health-Systems-Strength-Against-COVID-19-20200327-0013.html
UNFPA advocates for women, girls suffering unseen impacts of COVID-19 pandemic
news.un.org | 2020-03-27
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is pledging support for those suffering from invisible impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including women and girls whose access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health care may be disrupted.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/03/1060512
PA's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seeks Protection of Palestinian Population
Rami Almeghari | imemc.org | 2020-03-27
The Palestinian Authority's (PA) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday, called on the international community to provide protection for the Palestinian people, amidst growing concerns over the widely-spread Coronavirus worldwide, including the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel. The call came in response to a recent series of attacks, carried out …
imemc.org/article/pas-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-seeks-protection-of-palestinian-population/
Over 45 Countries Ask Cuba for Interferon to Treat Covid-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-27
Outlet Granma reported that over 45 nations have requested Cuba for Interferon Alpha 2b Human Recombinant supplies given that this drug is effective in treating Covid-19 patients. | RELATED: | Cuba: FM Denounces US Defamation of Cuban Medical Collaboration | Interferon is produced by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), a Cuban institution that enjoys prestige in the international scientific community. | Created in the 1980s, this drug ha…
telesurenglish.net/news/more-than-40-nations-ask-cuba-for-interferon-alpha-b-20200327-0004.html
Covid-19: UN Chief Appeals for Solidarity With Developing World
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-27
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday appealed for solidarity with developing countries in stemming the COVID-19 pandemic. | He argued that the international community will be helping itself by helping developing countries deal with the crisis. | RELATED: | US Senators Request to Ease Sanctions Against Venezuela, Iran | If one looks at what has happened until now with COVID-19, the main crisis, with one or two exceptions, has occurred in countries that have huge capacit…
telesurenglish.net/news/Covid-19-UN-Chief-Appeals-for-Solidarity-With-Developing-World-20200327-0011.html
US Senators Request to Ease Sanctions Against Venezuela, Iran
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-27
U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy and 10 other lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin urging them to alleviate the sanctions that the U.S. keeps against Iran and Venezuela amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. | RELATED: | The U.S. Harasses Venezuela Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic | "We are writing to express…
telesurenglish.net/news/US-Senators-Request-to-Ease-Sanctions-Against-Venezuela-Iran-20200327-0002.html
As the World tackles the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. raises the pressure on Venezuela
Vijay Prashad | mronline.org | 2020-03-26
In a press conference on March 26, it was almost comical how little evidence the U.S. Department of Justice provided when it accused Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro and several of the leaders of his government of narco-trafficking. The U.S. offered $15 million for the arrest of Maduro and $10 million for the others. Maduro, U.S. …
mronline.org/2020/03/26/as-the-world-tackles-the-covid-19-pandemic-the-u-s-raises-the-pressure-on-venezuela/
Venezuela's Coronavirus response might surprise you
Leonardo Flores | mronline.org | 2020-03-26
Within a few hours of being launched, over 800 Venezuelans in the U.S. registered for an emergency flight from Miami to Caracas through a website run by the Venezuelan government. This flight, offered at no cost, was proposed by President Nicolás Maduro when he learned that 200 Venezuelans were stuck in the United States following …
mronline.org/2020/03/26/venezuelas-coronavirus-response-might-surprise-you/
Rogue General Admits Plot Against Venezuela From Colombia
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-26
The former major general of the Venezuelan Army, Cliver Alcala Cordones, confessed that he organized from Colombia the plan denounced by the Venezuelan government this Wednesday that foresaw a series of selective murders, including that of President Nicolas Maduro. | RELATED: | The U.S. Harasses Venezuela Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic | Alcala Cordones was identified as the coordinator of all efforts to commit terrorist acts and assassinations against Venezuela, which would be carried…
telesurenglish.net/news/Rogue-General-Admits-Plot-Against-Venezuela-From-Colombia-20200326-0018.html
PCHR Calls upon Palestinian Government to Find Mechanisms to Protect and Support the Poor and Low-Income Families in light of the State of Emergency in the Gaza Strip
PCHR | imemc.org | 2020-03-26
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) follows up on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip in light of the state of emergency announced to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). PCHR warns of catastrophic deterioration in the living conditions of the Gaza Strip population if the state of …
imemc.org/article/pchr-calls-upon-palestinian-government-to-find-mechanisms-to-protect-and-support-the-poor-and-low-income-families-in-light-of-the-state-of-emergency-in-the-gaza-strip/
Bolivia: TSE Gives Possible Date for Presidential Elections
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-26
Bolivia's Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced a possible date for the next presidential elections. The elections were supposed to be held on May 3, but were postponed due to the threat of Covid-19. | RELATED: | Bolivian Regime Rejects Cuba's Offer to Help Fight Coronavirus | On its official Twitter profile, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal published a statement announcing the date of the elections between Sunday, June 7 and Sunday, September 6, 2020. | According to t…
telesurenglish.net/news/bolivia-tse-gives-possible-date-for-presidential-elections-20200326-0010.html
Venezuela: U.S. blocks flights to repatriate citizens amid COVID-19
teleSUR Desk | mronline.org | 2020-03-26
Arreaza reiterated that the request for humanitarian flights responds to a request made by Venezuelans themselves to the Venezuelan Attention System in the United States.
mronline.org/2020/03/26/venezuela-u-s-blocks-flights-to-repatriate-citizens-amid-covid-19/
Media Struggle to Defend Washington's Cruelty Toward Venezuela and Iran as Coronavirus Spreads
Joe Emersberger | fair.org | 2020-03-25
AP (New York Times, 3/17/20) accepts the IMF's excuse that lack of "clarity" over Venezuela's "rightful leader" prevents it from giving the country coronavirus aid–even though in 2002, the IMF rapidly offered aid to a short-lived coup government. | An Associated Press article (New York Times, 3/17/20) headlined "IMF Rejects Maduro's Bid for Emergency Loan to Fight Virus" declared: The r…
fair.org/home/media-struggle-to-defend-washingtons-cruelty-toward-venezuela-and-iran-as-coronavirus-spreads/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=media-struggle-to-defend-washingtons-cruelty-toward-venezuela-and-iran-as-coronavirus-spreads
"People Go Before Money. This Is About Saving Lives," Says San Juan Mayor on Pandemic in Puerto Rico
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-03-25
Puerto Rico announced a record $787 million financial package to fight the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic Monday, as the island's death toll hits two with 39 cases reported. The pandemic follows a series of devastating earthquakes in Puerto Rico earlier this year and comes as the island continues to deal with fallout from Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico's infrastructure and killed at least 3,000. "One of the things that I think is evident is that with the Trump administration and FEMA, we have to continue to remind them, time and time again, that we are people and that we deserve to be…
www.democracynow.org/2020/3/25/puerto_rico_coronavirus_carmen_yulin_cruz
Venezuela's Coronavirus Response Might Surprise You
Leonardo Flores | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-25
Unlike in the United States where coronavirus treatment can cost up to $35,000 and where Trump seems more concerned about the economy than about peoples' lives, Venezuela is handling the crisis by placing value in health over profits.
mintpressnews.com/venezuelas-coronavirus-response-might-surprise-you/266036/
After expelling Cuban doctors, Brazil requests their help to fight COVID-19
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-03-25
Healthcare Latin America & the Caribbean Ben NortonIssue 1258 Brazil COVID-19 Cuban doctorsMarch 25, 2020The coronavirus pandemic ha…
greenleft.org.au/content/after-expelling-cuban-doctors-brazil-requests-their-help-fight-covid-19
Cuba saves Italians from coronavirus despite US blockade
Anya Parampil | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-24
Red Lines host Anya Parampil provides a coronavirus update, highlighting the heroic work of Cuban doctors who have traveled to…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/24/cuba-italians-coronavirus-us-blockade/
"Humanitarian Solidarity": Even Under U.S. Sanctions, Cuba Sends Doctor Brigade to Italy and More
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-03-24
As Italy's death toll soars past 6,000, Cuba has sent medical brigades to combat COVID-19. Cuba has also deployed doctors to Venezuela, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Suriname and Grenada. "The arrival of a medical brigade from Cuba to Italy is pretty historic. You have a leading European nation accepting support in the form of a medical team from a small Caribbean island," says our guest, Peter Kornbluh, director of the Cuba Documentation Project at the National Security Archive at George Washington University. "It just goes to the history of Cuba's deep and long-lasting commitment to humanitarian solidarity with other cou…
www.democracynow.org/2020/3/24/cuba_medical_diplomacy_italy_coronavirus
King David's Ancient Road: How Israeli Archaeologists Are Aiding the Theft of Silwan
Miko Peled | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-24
Claiming "science" as their reason and in total disregard for the wellbeing of the population, tunnels are dug under Palestinian homes in Silwan, destroying foundations and forcing residents to flee.
mintpressnews.com/how-israel-archeologists-aiding-theft-silwan/266005/
Expert: US sanctions on Iran, Venezuela during pandemic could be genocidal
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-20
Intensified US sanctions on Iran, Venezuela during the COVID-19 pandemic could amount to genocide, a former UN expert warns. Iran…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/20/expert-us-sanctions-on-iran-venezuela-during-pandemic-could-be-genocidal/
[Correspondence] Future of Chernobyl research: the urgency for consolidated action
Evgenia Ostroumova, Joachim Schàºz, Ausrele Kesminiene | thelancet.com | 2020-03-18
The Chernobyl nuclear disaster on April 26, 1986, continues to create fears and myths about its health consequences, as shown by the large response to a top-rated HBO miniseries devoted to the tragic event. Risk assessments range from recognising an increase in thyroid cancer incidence in exposed children and adolescents (becoming one of the single most established long-term health effects of the Chernobyl disaster on the general population), to claims of hundreds of thousands of deaths due to the accident.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30675-9/fulltext?rss=yes
No, Venezuela does not have a six child per family policy
Joe Emersberger | zcomm.org | 2020-03-13
I respect UK journalist Andrew Buncombe. As I noted for FAIR last year, he was one of the few corporate journalists who reported on a study linking Trump's financial sanctions on Venezuela to thousands of deaths by the end of 2018. Since 2018, Trump has repeatedly intensified the sanctions and threatened Venezuela with military action, Read…
zcomm.org/zblogs/no-venezuela-does-not-have-a-six-child-per-family-policy/
Julio López Varona on Puerto Rico's Disaster Capitalism
CounterSpin | fair.org | 2020-03-13
Media…
fair.org/home/julio-lopez-varona-on-puerto-ricos-disaster-capitalism/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=julio-lopez-varona-on-puerto-ricos-disaster-capitalism
[Comment] Patchy progress on the ICPD: are we asking the right questions?
Dorothy Shaw | thelancet.com | 2020-03-09
The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda, set in 1994 in Cairo and revisited 25 years later in Nairobi in 2019, included goals for equitable education of women, reduction of infant and child mortality, reduction of maternal mortality, and access to reproductive and sexual health services, including family planning, through its well known Programme of Action.1 The ICPD was ground-breaking in recognising the benefits that empowerment of women and girls would have for themselves, their families, and, ultimately, their countries.
thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30080-2/fulltext?rss=yes
[Comment] Getting to zero in the DR Congo Ebola outbreak
Ranu S Dhillon, Devabhaktuni Srikrishna, Gerardo Chowell | thelancet.com | 2020-03-09
Any plan to stop the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo must be based on a quantitative understanding of the proportion of the at-risk population that needs to be protected by effective control measures for transmission to decline sufficiently and quickly enough for the outbreak to end.
thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30056-6/fulltext?rss=yes