(2020-06-02). Nobel Peace Prize Campaign for Cuban Physicians grows across the globe. peoplesdispatch.org 
Cuban doctors' solidarity, once again, has gained international attention. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 1,800 Cuban healthcare professionals have been sent to dozens of countries. In response to the initiative, a Nobel Peace prize campaign to honor the physicians have been gaining more support each day. | Launched by the French organization "
(2020-06-02). Colombia: Senators to Debate Cuban Role in Peace Agreement. telesurenglish.net Colombian Senators Ivan Cepeda and Antonio Sanguino will lead today a political debate to analyze Cuba's role in the country's peace processes and the aggressions of Ivan Duque's Government against the Antillean nation. | RELATED: | The Senate's Second Committee debate aims to make Colombia's Government accountable for the State's international obligations in the face of the peace talks. | They will also analyze the agreements and their implementation,…
(2020-06-02). Cuba and FAO Sign Deal for Agricultural Resilience Project. telesurenglish.net Cuba's Agriculture Ministry (MINAG) and the Food and Agriculture Organization for United Nations (FAO) Monday signed an agreement for climate-changing confrontation in the agricultural field in the Caribbean island. | RELATED: | "This project constitutes an important contribution to Cuba's efforts t…
(2020-06-02). Nicaragua — False Witness, False Memory. COVID-19 and Nicaragua's Community Approach to Health Care. globalresearch.ca On Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. The standard Western canonical sources of record, namely international institutions, non-governmental organizations and media outlets, practically universally contend that all three countries are authoritarian or even tyrannical regimes, denying their peoples' basic democratic rights. The …
(2020-06-02). New Study Warns of Dire Human Impacts if Wildlife Extinction Crisis Continues. globalresearch.ca A scientific study published today concludes that natural life-support systems crucial to the survival of humanity could collapse if action isn't taken to save wildlife populations. | The study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences examined 29,400 species of …
(2020-06-02). US Sanctions Shipping Companies, Torpedoes Venezuela Oil-for-Food Deal. venezuelanalysis.com Washington is cracking down on swap deals that provide Venezuela with food, fuel and other vital imports in exchange for crude oil.
(2020-06-01). The UN's Anti-Poverty Proposal for Latin America: A "Basic Emergency Income" cepr.net The economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis on Latin America could be potentially devastating, according to a new Special Report by the UN's Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). The report, based on the available data in mid-April, has estimated a -5.3 percent drop for the region's GDP growth in 2020 — …
(2020-06-01). An Impending Crisis: COVID-19 in Haiti, Ongoing Instability, and the Dangers of Continued U.S. Deportations. counterpunch.org 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
(2020-06-01). Public Health Interventions for Lowering Dietary Sodium Intake. jamanetwork.com The link between dietary sodium intake and hypertension has been well established, with reductions in dietary sodium intake being associated with decreases in blood pressure and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization recommends reducing sodium intake (limit sodium intake to <5 g [87 mmol] per day for adults) as one of the most cost-effective measures that countries can take to improve general population health outcomes.
(2020-06-01). Venezuela Inaugurates New Fuel System, Increases Local Production. venezuelanalysis.com The new model features dual prices, dollar payments and private import permits, ending the state's 50-year monopoly on fuel supply.
(2020-06-01). US Tankers in Persian Gulf Will Not be Safe If Iranian Oil Shipments Seized: Political Analyst. globalresearch.ca A Canadian political analyst said the US is well aware that its oil tankers that are freely moving in the Persian Gulf would be exposed to retaliation if it attempts to seize Iranian oil shipments carrying fuel to Venezuela. | ***…
(2020-06-01). Venezuela: FM Denounces US Pressure Against Mexican Aid Company. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza, Sunday denounced the U.S. government's influence over the Mexican company Libre Abordo and Schlager Business Group's bankruptcy. | RELATED: | "Given the illegal and criminal pressures by the U.S. government, the Mexican firm that swapped Venezuelan oil for food and humanitarian supplies declared bankruptcy. This is how Washington violates human rights in Venezuela and free trade's rights," Arreaza tw…
(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). [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). [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…
(2020-05-28). 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.
(2020-05-27). In 2007, acclaimed US physician Paul Farmer pushed for Cuban Medical Brigades to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. zcomm.org Today Code Pink is making a push for that. It would be a lock in a civilized world. Click below to here to read Farmer's letter. In it, he glowingly sums up his decades of working closely with Cuban doctors in Haiti.
(2020-05-26). Desafiando las sanciones de EEUU, primer buque iraní llega a Venezuela. liberationnews.org 
La presencia militar de los Estados Unidos en aguas del Caribe no disuadió a Irán mientras el "Fortuna", el primero de sus cinco gigantes buques petroleros llenos de gasolina y suministros de refinería llegó a las aguas de Venezuela el sábado 23 de mayo.
(2020-05-26). Defying U.S. sanctions, first Iranian tanker reaches Venezuela. liberationnews.org The enhanced U.S. military presence in Caribbean waters did not deter Iran as the first of its five giant tankers full of gasoline and refinery supplies reached Venezuela's waters late Saturday, May 23.
(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). Headlines for May 26, 2020. democracynow.org U.S. Nears 100,000 Deaths from COVID-19 as Trump Shuns Face Masks, Goes After Democrats on Twitter, Trump Threatens to Pull RNC Out of North Carolina If Dem Governor Refuses to Allow Packed Crowds, Second Immigrant in ICE Jail Dies from COVID-19, U.S. to Deport Haitian Death Squad Leader and COVID-Positive Haitians Amid Pandemic, U.S. Restricts Travel from Brazil as It Becomes Second Most Infected Country, South American Nations Experience Mounting Cases as New Epicenter of the Pandemic, Boris Johnson Faces Pressure over Reopening Country and Lockdown-Flouting Adviser, WHO Suspends Tests of Hydroxychloroquine as…
(2020-06-02). Covid-19 death rates in England HIGHER among ethnic minorities — Public Health England report. rt.com 
Covid-19 mortality rates among BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) people in England are higher than for the white population, with black people most likely to contract the deadly disease, according to an official report. | A review of "Disparities in the risk and outcomes of Covid-19" was finally The government-led inquiry found that black people wer…
(2020-06-02). 300 asymptomatic Covid-19 cases found in Wuhan, after it screens entire population. rt.com 
The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus originated, has tested almost 10 million people for Covid-19. No active cases of the disease were recorded, but 300 people were identified as asymptomatic infection carriers. | Since the launch of centralized nucleic acid testing on May 14, over 90 percent of Wuhan's population has been tested. According to the city authorities, 300 symptomless carriers were discovered and ordered to self-quarantine. | Read more | | While asympt…
(2020-06-02). As Halal industry grows in India, many are concerned about its 'discriminatory' effect. rt.com 
Halal goods are gaining an increased market share in India, which has one of the world's largest Muslim populations. However, over the last year or so, many in India have started speaking out against the 'Halal industry.' | The latter refers to the set of business processes revolving around Halal certifications. Halal certificates are issued by various Muslim organizations across the world where products are marked 'Halal' and are fit and permissible to be used or consumed by a Muslim. | The certificates are provided to not only food products but also to many lifestyle products too, such as beauty products and…
(2020-06-02). Fuel export to Venezuela 'within framework of intl. regulations': Brig. Gen. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jun. 02 (MNA) — Deputy Chief of Sarallah Headquarters Brigadier General Esmail Kosari on Tue. said that Iran's export of gasoline to the Bolivarian country of Venezuela has been made within the framework of international rules and regulations.
(2020-06-02). George Floyd Protests Highlight Social Injustice, 'Endemic' Racial Bias in US, UN Official Says. sputniknews.com For a week now US cities have been rocked by large-scale protests against police brutality, negligence towards the black population, and those of colour following unarmed African American resident of Minneapolis, George Floyd, being killed by the police.
(2020-06-02). Is the Republican Party Fascist? mronline.org 
Donald Trump is the culmination of how the Republican Party has been developing for years. Together they threaten to establish an authoritarian state in the service of big capital. They endanger the lives, health, and living standards of the working class and the rest of the population. But supporting the Democratic Party is not the …
(2020-06-01). White Supremacist Infiltration Of US Police Forces. popularresistance.org The term "systemic racism" does not mean that individuals who operate within the system are generally racists. Instead, it means the institutions we have in place produce racially disparate effects on minority populations. And, in that regard, there are well-documented empirical studies of systemic racism in law enforcement agencies—including the use of policies like stop and frisk and disparate rates of policing activities including traffic stops, searches of motorists during traffic stops, levels of respect shown during stops, misdemeanor arrests, marijuana arrests, use of SWAT teams, individuals jailed f…
(2020-06-01). The Frontlines Of Venezuela's Fight Against COVID-19. popularresistance.org Since the emergence of COVID-19 in December of last year, when it became evident that this would be a global pandemic, epidemiologists made it clear that in the fight against the new coronavirus the key would be to flatten the curve. To do so, two very important factors should be taken into account: reducing the contagion rate and increasing the capacity of the healthcare system. In other words, the objective is to flatten the curve to a level that allows a reinforced healthcare system to attend to all the cases. | That is why, early on, the Venezuelan government decided to adopt strategies that would tend to fla…
(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…
(2020-05-25). Venezuelan Government Seizes AT&T Assets, Looks to Re-establish DirecTV Cable Service. venezuelanalysis.com The Texas-based multinational abandoned the country last week citing legal pressure caused by US sanctions.
(2020-05-24). Iranian Fuel Tanker Reaches Venezuela, Defying US Threats. venezuelanalysis.com The five Iranian tankers are estimated to carry enough gasoline to supply Venezuela for 50 days.
(2020-05-22). Cuba has maintained a lower infant morality rate than Canada since 2009. zcomm.org According to UNICEF's latest figures which can be downloaded here. I should add that UN agencies like UNICEF are not biased in favor of states like Cuba that the US has been trying to destroy for decades.
(2020-05-21). Trump Claims to Have Venezuela 'Surrounded' as Iranian Tankers Approach. venezuelanalysis.com Venezuela's armed forces will escort the vessels upon reaching territorial waters.
(2020-05-21). US Blocks UNSC Draft Resolution Denouncing Paramilitary Incursion into Venezuela. venezuelanalysis.com Russia, China and other countries criticized violations of Venezuelan sovereignty.
(2020-05-20). AT&T Shuts down DirecTV in Venezuela over Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com The National Assembly will investigate the "rash decision" that affects 600 workers and two million households.
(2020-05-20). Venezuela Sues UK over Frozen Gold Reserves, Loses CITGO Appeal. venezuelanalysis.com The US $1 billion worth of gold would be used in the fight against COVID-19.
(2020-05-18). Disgraceful yet illuminating reactions to the 2002 coup that briefly ousted Hugo Chavez: IACHR, CPJ and RSF. zcomm.org The Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) The IACHR claimed in 2009 report on Venezuela that its reaction to the "the attempted coup d'état [of 2002] was immediate and decisive" and that it "warned that these acts constituted an interruption of the constitutional order as defined in the Democratic Charter." The evidence it offered
(2020-05-18). Iran Sends Fuel Tankers to Venezuela, Vows 'Decisive Response' to US Threats. venezuelanalysis.com Crippling US sanctions have caused severe fuel shortages in the Caribbean nation.
(2020-05-18). Venezuela Sees COVID-19 Surge as Returning Migrants Surpass 40,000. venezuelanalysis.com Authorities say that 75 percent of recent cases have been "imported."
(2020-05-17). Attempts to whitewash the military coup of April 2002 in Venezuela. zcomm.org Given the overwhelming support opposition voices have been given in western media since Hugo Chavez was first elected in 1998, it is unsurprising that some would have had the audacity to attempt at least a partial whitewash of what the opposition and its foreign allies did in April of 2002. I'll address some of those
(2020-05-17). Venezuela: Guaido's Leadership in Question Following Failed Coup Attempt. venezuelanalysis.com A letter from Silvercorp's lawyers demanding payment has cast doubt on Guaido's denials of involvement in a recent paramilitary operation.
(2020-05-17). [Letter] Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing surgeries during the incubation period of COVID-19 infection. What are the implications for the commencement of elective surgery? thelancet.com …
(2020-05-15). [Correspondence] Health inequity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cry for ethical global leadership. thelancet.com Widespread reports of disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among already vulnerable communities worldwide, from New York City to New Orleans and Chicago, to the shocking pictures of bodies lying in the streets in Ecuador, represent a prelude of the impact in low-income and middle-income countries, home to more than 80% of the world's population. Disadvantaged people are at higher risk of infection and death from COVID-19, and they have less access to care due to systems that treat health as a commodity and not a human right.