Trump Sends Gunnboats to Venezuela While World Partners to Fight Pandemic
Vijay Prashad | zcomm.org | 2020-04-04
The indictment against Venezuelan officials is bizarre. There is no footprint for it in any DEA document that is available…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/trump-sends-gunnboats-to-venezuela-while-world-partners-to-fight-pandemic/

Trump sends gun boats to Venezuela while the World partners to fight a deadly pandemic
Vijay Prashad | mronline.org | 2020-04-04
On April's Fools Day, U.S. President Donald Trump gave a press conference where he announced a new "counter-narcotics effort" by U.S. Southern Command. "We're deploying additional Navy destroyers, combat ships, aircrafts and helicopters, Coast Guard cutters…doubling our capabilities in the region," he said…
mronline.org/2020/04/04/trump-sends-gun-boats-to-venezuela-while-the-world-partners-to-fight-a-deadly-pandemic/

Nepal: Masses confront enormous hardships from coronavirus pandemic
wsws.org | 2020-04-04
Nepal's government has made no serious effort to ensure that the country's overwhelmingly poor population will have daily essentials, medicine and health safety equipment.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/04/04/nepa-a04.html

Amid war threats, Washington blocks UN resolution demanding end to sanctions
wsws.org | 2020-04-04
The Trump administration has brushed aside calls for an end to punishing sanctions against Venezuela and Iran, threatening both countries with military aggression.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/04/04/unsa-a04.html

'We Will Not Sit Back and Let Transit Workers Be Treated Like Cannon Fodder'
John Nichols | thenation.com | 2020-04-04
'We Will Not Sit Back and Let Transit Workers Be Treated Like Cannon Fodder'…
thenation.com/article/activism/public-transportation-worker-covid/

Spain records 809 more deaths, lowest figure this week
yenisafak.com | 2020-04-04
Spain recorded the lowest daily deaths of this week on Saturday, the country's Health Ministry said.With 809 more fatalities in the last 24 hours, the death toll in the country stands at 11,744.Additionally, 7,026 new cases were confirmed, bringing the tally to 124,000.Only Italy has a death toll higher than Spain with over 14,600 reported fatalities.Yet with Italy's population of 60 million and Spain's population of 46 million, Spain has almost reached the same proportional mortality as its Mediterranean neighbor.Spain also surpassed Italy in the number of confirmed cases in a day. Only the United States has rep…
yenisafak.com/en/world/spain-records-809-more-deaths-lowest-figure-this-week-3515958

Ex UN anti-narcotics chief & mob expert says US Treasury running 'mafia racket' against Venezuela
Anya Parampil | thegrayzone.com | 2020-04-03
Pino Arlacchi, the former Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Prevention, says US is behaving…
thegrayzone.com/2020/04/03/un-narcotics-mob-treasury-running-mafia-venezuela/

'Overwhelmed' health systems have little room for sick refugees, migrants, UN agencies warn
news.un.org | 2020-04-03
Four prominent United Nations system entities have called on countries to protect refugees, migrants, stateless persons and those forcibly displaced by disasters and conflict

Anti-war leaders condemn Trump's war moves against Venezuela
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-04-03
Minneapolis, MN

How the US is using coronavirus to push regime change in Venezuela
Peter Bolton | thecanary.co | 2020-04-03
Ever since the Trump administration launched a coup attempt against the democratically-elected government of Venezuela in January 2019, the country's civilian population has been suffering under a brutal sanctions regime. Amidst the coronavirus outbreak, Venezuelans are now at even greater risk given that the government is hamstrung by what has essentially morphed into a full-blown economic blockade. | But having so far failed in its 'regime change' effort, the Trump administration has now…
thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2020/04/03/how-the-us-is-using-coronavirus-to-push-regime-change-in-venezuela/

Mexico: Chiapas Natives Vulnerable to COVID-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-03
Mexican native communities in the southern state of Chiapas lack of potable water while facing the sanitary crisis due to COVID-19. | RELATED: | Mexico: Migrant Population Vulnerable to the COVID-19 | The National Humans Rights Commission in Mexico informed about this situation and referred to the precarious sanitation services in the region. According to the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (Coneval), Chiapas is one of the poorest Mexican states. | In the…
telesurenglish.net/news/-mexico-chiapas-natives-vulnerable-to-covid19-20200403-0005.html

The United States to Lose 7 Percent of Its Domestic Product
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-03
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) forecasts that the United States might experience a 12 percent unemployment rate and a 7 percent loss of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the end of this year's second quarter. | RELATED: | The US Transition Plan for Venezuela Is a Mockery, Russia Says | …
telesurenglish.net/news/The-United-States-to-Lose-7-Percent-of-Its-Domestic-Product-20200403-0003.html

Despite pandemic, U.S. government threatens intervention in Venezuela
W. T. Whitney Jr. | peoplesworld.org | 2020-04-03
peoplesworld.org/article/despite-pandemic-u-s-government-threatens-intervention-in-venezuela/

Puebla's Group Condemns US Military Move To Venezuelan Coast
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-03
The Puebla Group denounced on Friday the deployment of military forces at the Venezuelan maritime borders by the United States under the pretext of the war on drugs. | RELATED: | The US Transition Plan for Venezuela Is a Mockery, Russia Says | The group of leftist leaders rejected the use of force and threat against Venezuela, saying the U.S. move vi…
telesurenglish.net/news/Pueblas-Group-Condemns-US-Military-Move-To-Venezuelan-Coast-20200403-0013.html

High Population Density Challenge for Gazans to Fight COVID-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-02
Challenges and deep concerns are growing in the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip to fight COVID-19 and prevent it from spreading in the densely populated coastal enclave that Hamas movement has been ruling since 2007. | RELATED: | First COVID-19 Death in West Bank, Gaza Prepares for the Worst | Experts warned that the narrow alleys and the overcrowded rickety homes that stick to each other in the eight densely populated refugee camps in the Gaza Strip may make it difficult t…
telesurenglish.net/news/High-Population-Density-Challenge-for-Gazans-to-Fight-COVID-19–20200402-0017.html

Chile: Health Minister Dismisses Total Quarantine
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-02
Chilean Health Minister Jaime Mañalich opposes to decree a total quarantine due to COVID-19. The South American nation is under a medical emergency because of the virus spreading. Mañalich ordered quarantine only to retirement homes due the seniors' condition as a vulnerable population. | RELATED: | Chile: Young Fighter's Day Protests Begin Despite Curfew | The functionary declared to local media: "The possibility of having a total quarantine, that is, the whole country being paralyzed for…
telesurenglish.net/news/chile-health-minister-dismisses-total-quarantine-20200402-0011.html

Second Medical Flight Arrives in Argentina From Cuba
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-02
The Cuban Aviation airline transported some 207 Argentines on the second medical evacuation flight in order to return residents of the South American nation to their homes. | RELATED: | Spain: Catalonia Wants Cuban Health Workers to Fight COVID-19 | The Argentine ambassador in Havana, Javier Figueroa, expressed that this is only possible thanks to the dedication of many people in Buenos Aires and in the Cuban capital, passing through various local authorities and national laborat…
telesurenglish.net/news/Second-Medical-Flight-Arrives-in-Argentina-From-Cuba-20200402-0010.html

Cuba Suspends International Passenger Flights
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-02
Cuba suspended international flights on Thursday to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, local media reported. | Airports remain open for cargo flights and humanitarian operations, the Minister of Public Transportation Eduardo Rodriguez said. | RELATED: | Spain: Catalonia Wants Cuban Health Workers to Fight COVID-19 | Ships and other vessels in Cuban territorial waters have been asked to withdraw, he said, as officials step up efforts to mitigate the epidemic. | Cubans have b…
telesurenglish.net/news/Cuba-Suspends-International-Passenger-Flights-20200402-0012.html

'People Should Not Be Forced to Put Their Lives on the Line to Vote'
John Nichols | thenation.com | 2020-04-02
'People Should Not Be Forced to Put Their Lives on the Line to Vote'…
thenation.com/article/politics/wisconsin-democratic-primary/

'Working round the clock' to aid Venezuelan refugees and migrants during COVID-19 pandemic: UN agencies
news.un.org | 2020-04-01
Two United Nations agencies came together Tuesday to urge the international community not to overlook the on-going plight of millions of refugees and migrants from Venezuela, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread around the world.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/04/1060862

Pompeo's 'transition' plan tells Venezuela to suffer into submission
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2020-04-01
Declaring that "Nicolas Maduro will never again govern Venezuela," Mike Pompeo unveils a so-called "transition" plan that tells Venezuelans to…
thegrayzone.com/2020/04/01/pompeos-transition-plan-tells-venezuela-to-suffer-into-submission/

Coronavirus Aid for Regime Change: Washington's 13 Point Plan for Venezuela
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-04-01
The State Department released what it called its "democratic transition framework for Venezuela" yesterday; a 13-point plan for the removal of Nicolas Maduro and a radical overhaul of the country's political system. The principal and most fundamental change Washington proposes is to "restore all powers to the National Assembly," the one branch of government the right-wing pro-U.S. opposition coalition currently holds. This would place the entire country under the…
mintpressnews.com/coronavirus-aid-washington-gives-venezuela-ultimatum/266298/

Protecting the Caribbean's most vulnerable people in the face of COVID-19: A UN Resident Coordinator blog
news.un.org | 2020-04-01
The United Nations is working closely with governments in the Caribbean to protect the region's most vulnerable people from the impact of the deadly coronavirus, COVID-19. For this latest in our occasional series, Didier Trebucq, United Nations Resident Coordinator to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, explains what action they are taking in that region.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/04/1060842

COVID-19: Czech Roma community faces up to mask challenge
news.un.org | 2020-04-01
When face masks stocks began running low in the Czech Republic, minority communities, including the country's Roma population, were quick to respond, rallying to make fresh supplies, with the aim of slowing the spread of COVID-19.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/04/1060802

Coronademic: Venezuela's drives obstructed
Farooque Chowdhury | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-04-01
The entire human world is fighting to defeat a demon today. It's coronademic

Southcom boosts US military presence in Latin America, citing China, Russia 'threats'
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-31
Southern Command is ramping up the US military presence in Latin America to counter China, Russia, and Venezuela, after signing…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/30/southcom-latin-america-china-russia-threats-brazil/

Brazil's ex-President Lula on Venezuela: Maduro is democratic, Guaidó should be in prison, US blockade kills civilians
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-31
In comments ignored by English-language media, Lula da Silva slammed the US coup attempt against Venezuela, calling Nicolás Maduro a…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/30/brazil-lula-maduro-guaido-us-blockade/

Meet the Americans Studying Medicine on the Cuban Government's Dime
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-31
The Cuban government has been paying Americans through a little known program to study medicine in order to return to the United States and serve underprivileged communities.
mintpressnews.com/meet-americans-studying-medical-school-cuba/266223/

"Housing Is Health": Calls Grow for California to Give Vacant Homes to Unhoused People Amid Pandemic
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-03-30
We look at the crisis of homelessness during the coronavirus pandemic in California, where the number of cases has passed 6,000 with 132 deaths. The entire state has been ordered to shelter in place, leaving the state's massive unhoused population extremely vulnerable. As the state braces for a surge in cases, tens of thousands of people are living on the streets. A recent study estimates that nearly 2,600 unhoused people will need to be hospitalized for the virus in Los Angeles alone

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

[Correspondence] Adoption of COVID-19 triage strategies for low-income settings
Rodgers R Ayebare, Robert Flick, Solome Okware, Bongomin Bodo, Mohammed Lamorde | thelancet.com | 2020-03-11
Despite major advances in epidemic preparedness, Africa remains uniquely susceptible to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). According to the Infectious Disease Vulnerability Index,1 22 of the 25 countries most susceptible to an infectious disease outbreak are in Africa. The high prevalence of HIV, tuberculosis, and other pathogens might potentiate the severity of COVID-19 and contribute to diagnostic uncertainty. Health-care systems and human resources are already spread thin. And although the young age of the population (with more than half aged younger than 20 years) might prove protective, it also means…
thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30114-4/fulltext?rss=yes

[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