(2020-05-30). In the West: Propaganda, Hysteria and Truly Foul Breath! dissidentvoice.org If it wasn't so tragic, it would be laughable: the political brigands in North America and Europe are fuming, spitting and rolling their eyes upwards towards the ceiling. They are pointing fingers in all directions, shouting incoherently "China!", "Russia!", "Venezuela and Cuba!", "Iran!"; "You, You, YOU!". China and Russia are quietly building a new world, …
(2020-05-30). [Perspectives] A call for food system change. thelancet.com In shutting down entire societies, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fundamental inequities and inadequacies of market-driven economies that prioritise profits over human welfare. Inequities show up in businesses that furlough employees while paying high salaries and bonuses to executives. They are also revealed by the dependence of food systems on poorly paid workers and cheap global supply chains. The COVID-19 crisis demonstrates how current food systems fail to protect populations from hunger and diet-influenced non-communicable diseases and why the poor, disenfranchised, discriminated against, and chronic…
(2020-05-30). [Editorial] COVID-19 in Africa: no room for complacency. thelancet.com Despite over 100‚Äà000 confirmed cases and infections in every country, the passage of COVID-19 through the African continent remains somewhat enigmatic. High numbers of deaths were expected in the region due to fragile health systems, lack of access to preventive measures, barriers to testing, and potentially vulnerable populations. But, according to WHO, Africa is the least affected region globally, with 1 ∑5% of the world's reported COVID-19 cases and 0 ∑1% of the world's deaths. Although comparisons are inaccurate, mortality rates have been lower compared with outbreaks of similar si…
(2020-05-30). Pandemic intensifies social crisis in New Zealand. wsws.org More than a third of the population is in financial difficulty, as the Ardern Labour Party-led coalition government presides over tens of thousands of job cuts.
(2020-05-29). The Only Way to Save Grizzlies: Connect Their Habitats. counterpunch.org 
Linkages, biological corridors, demographic connectivity or intervening areas. These are the lands outside and between the Grizzly Bear Recovery Areas in the Northern Rockies. Over the past 20 years grizzly bears have begun to recolonize this historic habitat, increasing the possibilities of linking genetically isolated populations and reestablishing a breeding population in the vast Bitterroot
(2020-05-29). An Impending Crisis: COVID-19 in Haiti, Ongoing Instability, and the Dangers of Continued U.S. Deportations. cepr.net Prepared remarks by Jake Johnston to Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson's forum on COVID-19 and ICE's deportation of detainees to Haiti First, I want to thank Congresswoman Wilson for convening this forum and for her leadership on this issue. The introduction of legislation mandating a halt to these deportations is a concrete and necessary step. I'd …
(2020-05-29). Blaming the COVID-19 Pandemic on Too Many Humans: a Critique of Overpopulation Ideology. counterpunch.org A world gripped by a deadly virus has precipitated a deluge of punditry claiming to have found the primal cause of the pandemic. In a recent article Anthony Judge, for example, claims to have tapped into "the collective subconscious" to blame what he calls overpopulation. How well does this claim hold up? Mr. Judge is concerned
(2020-05-28). Latin America and Caribbean: Millions more could miss meals due to COVID-19 pandemic. news.un.org Some 14 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean could experience severe food insecurity this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to projections released on Thursday by the World Food Programme (WFP).
(2020-05-28). Venezuela Cuts Back Oil Production, Mulls Gasoline Price Hike. venezuelanalysis.com Four Iranian tankers carrying fuel and additives have arrived in recent days.
(2020-05-26). Ondansetron Use in Pregnancy and Congenital Malformations. jamanetwork.com To the Editor Dr Huybrechts and colleagues conducted a population-based cohort study of intravenous ondansetron use during pregnancy and congenital malformations and found no association.
(2020-05-26). Ondansetron Use in Pregnancy and Congenital Malformations—Reply. jamanetwork.com In Reply Ms Saban and colleagues raise questions about treatment with intravenous ondansetron in our cohort study of congenital malformations. We reported an adjusted relative risk (RR) of oral clefts of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.63-1.43) for intravenous ondansetron and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.03-1.48) for oral ondansetron in an earlier publication. Although the point estimate is lower for intravenous ondansetron compared with oral ondansetron, the 95% CI was wide, with an upper limit similar to that for oral ondansetron. Although the increase in risk was statistically significant for oral ondansetron and was not for intravenous o…
(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.
(2020-05-30). Tehran, Caracas prove US sanctions' demise. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 30 (MNA) — Referring to the arrival of Iranian oil tankers to Venezuela this week, in a report on Saturday, an American newspaper admitted that US sanctions on the two countries have so far had little impact on their policies.
(2020-05-29). US Military To Fight Drug Trafficking In Colombia Along Venezuela Border. popularresistance.org A US brigade of special anti-drug units will arrive in Colombia in support of an operation announced by Washington in April that actually seeks to deploy military forces in the country's border states with Venezuela. | The US Embassy in Colombia announced in a statement that a Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) will travel to Colombia under the guise of helping it in its fight against drug trafficking. | The mission will begin in early June, extend over several months, and focus its efforts on the Zonas Futuro, as delimited by the Colombian government. | The Zonas Futuro cover 2.4 percent of Colombian terri…