Monthly Archives: October 2020

2020-10-19: News Headlines

yenisafak (2020-10-19). Venezuela congrats Bolivia's Arce as he claims victory. yenisafak.com Venezuela's president on Monday congratulated the Bolivian left-wing presidential hopeful Luis Arce as he claimed victory in Sunday's poll."Great victory! The united and conscious Bolivian people defeated the coup against our brother [former President] Evo [Morales] with their votes," Nicolas Maduro said on Twitter."Congratulations to President-elect Luis Arce, Vice President David Choquehuanca and our South Indian Chief @evoespueblo. Jallalla Bolivia!" he added.Jallalla, or long live, is an expression for jubilation in Aymara — an indigenous nation to which Morales belongs.Exit polls showed that the Movement fo…

Paul Dobson (2020-10-19). Venezuela Welcomes 'Return to Democracy' in Bolivia. venezuelanalysis.com Progressive Luis Arce won the elections, putting an end to the de facto presidency of the Washington-backed Jeanine Añez.

Lee Schlenker (2020-10-19). The War on Cuba and Venezuela. counterpunch.org Why are Havana's food markets so empty? For the Cuban people, the U.S. War on Venezuela stands out as a clear culprit contributing to these daily frustrations and hardships. "Right now fewer trucks are coming in. Less merchandise too. And the quality isn't the same because a lot of the products are rotting the fields

yenisafak (2020-10-19). Europe braces for second COVID-19 wave with tough measures. yenisafak.com The European countries are taking new measures to stem the spread of coronavirus as the rising daily cases triggered fears of a second wave. Belgium was hit hard by the COVID-19, according to data released by the country's health authorities on Monday.Between Oct. 9 and 15, an average of 7,876 new infections a day were reported, an increase of 79% from the previous week.In the country with a population of 11.4 million, the total number of cases increased to 222,253 since the beginning of the pandemic, while 10,413 people died.Speaking to Belgian broadcaster RTL, Frank Vandenbroucke, the federal minister, said the…

Julia Conley, staff writer (2020-10-19). Amid US Sanctions, Venezuelan Oil Tanker at Risk of Spilling 1.3 Million Barrels and Devastating Caribbean Ecosystems. commondreams.org The companies that own a Venezuelan oil vessel that's been positioned of the country's coast for nearly two years called on the U.S. to give a "green light" to unload 1.3 million barrels of oil after local environmental advocates expressed alarm over the recent tilted appearance of the boat. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/screen_shot_2020-10-19_at_1.50.40_pm.jpg

_____ (2020-10-18). Bolivia Elections: All You Need To Know. popularresistance.org Bolivia – According to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, over 7.031.294 people are expected to vote out of the country's estimated population of 11.428.245 citizens. | On October 18, the Plurinational State of Bolivia will carry its first presidential elections after a coup that forced former left-wing Indigenous president Evo Morales to resign on November 10, 2019. Following the coup, Bolivia has faced continued turmoil, political instability, and killings and persecution of progressive leaders promoted by the de facto government of Jeanine Àñez, who tried to change the election date several times to cling to powe…

Joe Emersberger (2020-10-18). Latest UN report on Venezuela is not remotely honest (Part 2). zcomm.org On September 15, UN investigators ( the so called "Mission") published a 411 page report about the human rights situation in Venezuela.[1] Part 1 of my analysis of the report focused on its gross dishonesty about opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. The Mission reviewed his career since 2000 but never mentioned his proud participation in coup

sputniknews (2020-10-18). Maduro Says Venezuela Received Thousands of Doses of Coronavirus Treatment From Russia. sputniknews.com LA PAZ (Sputnik) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says thousands of doses of a coronavirus treatment have arrived from Russia.

Susan Price (2020-10-18). Venezuela: Could rebellion in the ranks spell trouble for Maduro? greenleft.org.au Venezuela is no stranger to protests. But, unlike other recent protests, today the country is witnessing a wave of "protests of the poor" driven by the difficult situation people face, reports Federico Fuentes.

Susan Price (2020-10-18). Venezuela: Could rebellion in the ranks signal end of Maduro? greenleft.org.au Venezuela is no stranger to protests, registering thousands of demonstrations, rallies and strikes each year, reports Federico Fuentes. However, the country is witnessing a rise in protests of the poor, driven by the difficult situation people face.

Steven Sahiounie (2020-10-18). Will the Mediterranean Sea Save Lebanon from Drowning in Debt? globalresearch.ca The Lebanese population faces between six to twelve hours of electricity cuts per day, and in some rural areas, there is simply no electricity provided by the government grid. Amid the backdrop of decrepit infrastructure, government corruption, devalued currency, and …

_____ (2020-10-17). Bolivia: First Election Since US-Backed Coup Creates Divisions. popularresistance.org Eleven months after a U.S-backed military coup overthrew the democratically elected Evo Morales and his Movement to Socialism (MAS) party, Bolivians will go to the polls on Sunday, offering them a chance to repudiate the coup government of Jeanine Añez, who has ruled the country since last November. | The last year has been a period of constant political struggle, as the self-described "interim government" has fought to impose its rule on a rebellious population, attempting to bring sweeping changes to the Andean state.

GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators (2020-10-17). [Global Health Metrics] Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990—2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. thelancet.com As disability becomes an increasingly large component of disease burden and a larger component of health expenditure, greater research and development investment is needed to identify new, more effective intervention strategies. With a rapidly ageing global population, the demands on health services to deal with disabling outcomes, which increase with age, will require policy makers to anticipate these changes. The mix of universal and more geographically specific influences on health reinforces the need for regular reporting on population health in detail and by underlying cause to help decision makers to identi…

GBD 2019 Demographics Collaborators (2020-10-17). [Global Health Metrics] Global age-sex-specific fertility, mortality, healthy life expectancy (HALE), and population estimates in 204 countries and territories, 1950—2019: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. thelancet.com Over the past 20 years, fertility rates have been dropping steadily and life expectancy has been increasing, with few exceptions. Much of this change follows historical patterns linking social and economic determinants, such as those captured by the GBD Socio-demographic Index, with demographic outcomes. More recently, several countries have experienced a combination of low fertility and stagnating improvement in mortality rates, pushing more populations into the late stages of the demographic transition.

WSWS (2020-10-16). Trump administration tipped off wealthy investors about coronavirus while it downplayed threat in public. wsws.org The revelations reveal the overriding concern of the US government was the protection of the financial aristocracy at the expense of the health and safety of the population.

Orinoco Tribune (2020-10-16). Victory for Cuba at the UN Human Rights Council. globalresearch.ca Today Cuba obtained a new and resounding victory in the UN Human Rights Council, gaining election to the body for the 2021-2023 period. | Despite the aggressive campaign by the United States against the Cuban candidacy for the Council, the General …

Anindya S. Bhattacharjee, Samir V. Joshi, Shilpa Naik, Shashikala Sangle, Nixon M. Abraham (2020-10-16). [Research Paper] Quantitative assessment of olfactory dysfunction accurately detects asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers. thelancet.com Compromised olfactory fitness can serve as a strong basis for identifying asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. Detailed design specifications and protocols provided here should enable the development of a sensitive, fast, and economical screening strategy that can be administered to large populations to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19.

Shuai Wang, Apoorva Jayarangaiah, Mariuxi Malone, Tarek Elrafei, Lewis Steinberg, Abhishek Kumar (2020-10-16). Risk of hepatitis B reactivation and cytomegalovirus related infections with Mogamulizumab: A retrospective study of international pharmacovigilance database. thelancet.com A signal has been identified between Moga exposure and hepatitis B reactivation as well as CMV related infection. A consideration in future studies should be placed on determining the relationship and investigating the need for pre-treatment screening, close monitoring, and utilization of prophylaxis in this population-based on pre-treatment risks.

teleSUR (2020-10-15). Venezuela Starts Clinical Trials of Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro informed his nation that 2,000 volunteers are already participating in the clinical trials of Sputnik, the Russian COVID-19 vaccine. | RELATED: | "The Russian vaccine is here and the tests have already begun… In addition, thousands of Chinese vaccines will come to the country," Maduro said during a program broadcast by Venezolana de Television on Wednesday. | In the first half of 2…

_____ (2020-10-15). Workers Tried To Blow The Whistle On COVID19 Hazards. popularresistance.org As soon as the coronavirus pandemic began, workers across the country flooded federal and state offices with complaints that their employers weren't protecting them from the health threat. The concerns have continued to pour into workplace safety agencies for seven months, totaling nearly 40,000 as of Thursday. | It turns out the allegations have been a flashing warning sign all along, according to a new working paper published by the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies. The analysis of data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration shows that a rise in workers' safety complaints ha…

2020-10-18: News Headlines

Joe Emersberger (2020-10-18). Latest UN report on Venezuela is not remotely honest (Part 2). zcomm.org On September 15, UN investigators published a 411 page report about the human rights situation in Venezuela.[1] Part 1 of my analysis of the report focused on its gross dishonesty about opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. The report reviewed his career since 2000 but never mentioned his proud participation in coup attempts, in particular the briefly

_____ (2020-10-17). Bolivia: First Election Since US-Backed Coup Creates Divisions. popularresistance.org Eleven months after a U.S-backed military coup overthrew the democratically elected Evo Morales and his Movement to Socialism (MAS) party, Bolivians will go to the polls on Sunday, offering them a chance to repudiate the coup government of Jeanine Añez, who has ruled the country since last November. | The last year has been a period of constant political struggle, as the self-described "interim government" has fought to impose its rule on a rebellious population, attempting to bring sweeping changes to the Andean state.

GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators (2020-10-17). [Global Health Metrics] Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990—2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. thelancet.com As disability becomes an increasingly large component of disease burden and a larger component of health expenditure, greater research and development investment is needed to identify new, more effective intervention strategies. With a rapidly ageing global population, the demands on health services to deal with disabling outcomes, which increase with age, will require policy makers to anticipate these changes. The mix of universal and more geographically specific influences on health reinforces the need for regular reporting on population health in detail and by underlying cause to help decision makers to identi…

GBD 2019 Demographics Collaborators (2020-10-17). [Global Health Metrics] Global age-sex-specific fertility, mortality, healthy life expectancy (HALE), and population estimates in 204 countries and territories, 1950—2019: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. thelancet.com Over the past 20 years, fertility rates have been dropping steadily and life expectancy has been increasing, with few exceptions. Much of this change follows historical patterns linking social and economic determinants, such as those captured by the GBD Socio-demographic Index, with demographic outcomes. More recently, several countries have experienced a combination of low fertility and stagnating improvement in mortality rates, pushing more populations into the late stages of the demographic transition.

RT (2020-10-16). Russian population to fall by 1.2 million by 2024, wiping around 1% off the country's total, says latest government estimates. rt.com The population of Russia is predicted to drop by 352,500 people this year, and could be reduced by a total of 1.2 million come 2024. The latest figures are a major revision of the 2020 dip of only 158,000 projected in August.

WSWS (2020-10-16). Trump administration tipped off wealthy investors about coronavirus while it downplayed threat in public. wsws.org The revelations reveal the overriding concern of the US government was the protection of the financial aristocracy at the expense of the health and safety of the population.

Orinoco Tribune (2020-10-16). Victory for Cuba at the UN Human Rights Council. globalresearch.ca Today Cuba obtained a new and resounding victory in the UN Human Rights Council, gaining election to the body for the 2021-2023 period. | Despite the aggressive campaign by the United States against the Cuban candidacy for the Council, the General …

Anindya S. Bhattacharjee, Samir V. Joshi, Shilpa Naik, Shashikala Sangle, Nixon M. Abraham (2020-10-16). [Research Paper] Quantitative assessment of olfactory dysfunction accurately detects asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers. thelancet.com Compromised olfactory fitness can serve as a strong basis for identifying asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. Detailed design specifications and protocols provided here should enable the development of a sensitive, fast, and economical screening strategy that can be administered to large populations to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19.

teleSUR (2020-10-15). Brazil Carried Out War Games on the Border With Venezuela. telesurenglish.net During the visit of the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Brazil in September, President Jair Bolsonaro's administration conducted war drills in the jungles of the state of Amazonas on the border with Venezuela. | RELATED: | The military games cost US$1.1 million, involved 3,600 men, and carried out the launching of artillery rockets with a range of 80 kilometers. | Under the Access to Information Law, the loc…

teleSUR (2020-10-15). Venezuela Starts Clinical Trials of Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro informed his nation that 2,000 volunteers are already participating in the clinical trials of Sputnik, the Russian COVID-19 vaccine. | RELATED: | "The Russian vaccine is here and the tests have already begun… In addition, thousands of Chinese vaccines will come to the country," Maduro said during a program broadcast by Venezolana de Television on Wednesday. | In the first half of 2…

Manuela Solé (2020-10-15). Venezuela's Maduro Vows to Train More Doctors as Covid Numbers Recede. venezuelanalysis.com A Chinese Covid-19 vaccine will soon arrive in the nation for clinical trials.

Ricardo Vaz (2020-10-15). Venezuela: Oil Production Shows Modest Uptick as Gov't Seeks Foreign Investment. venezuelanalysis.com The country's new "anti-blockade law" looks to boost conditions for foreign investors.

WSWS (2020-10-15). Former Chilean Health Minister charged with falsifying COVID-19 figures. wsws.org The ultra-right government of billionaire President Piñera criminally mishandled the pandemic, inflicting suffering upon the most oppressed layers of the population.

news.un (2020-10-15). Social protection coverage in Asia and the Pacific 'riddled with gaps'. news.un.org More than half the population of the vast Asia and Pacific region lack any social protection coverage, leaving populations vulnerable to ill-health, poverty, inequality and social exclusion, a new UN report has found.

Gerry Mohan (2020-10-15). Most Germans Want US Military to Leave the Country. zcomm.org Unlike their elected riulers, most Germans don't want to be part of the nuclear 'theater' Trump, once again doing the right thing for the wrong reasons, wants to pull US troops out of Germany because Germany doesn't spend enough on "defence". The German population tend to like it but don't like his reasons. And, as

_____ (2020-10-15). The US Is On A Path To War With China. popularresistance.org It was gripping , stunning testimony. Before congress, a 15 year old volunteer nurse, Nayirah, struggled to compose her trembling voice, barely holding back tears, as she testified that marauding soldiers had thrown babies out of incubators in a hospital, leaving them to die on the floor. | Later, Amnesty International confirmed authoritatively that 312 babies had been killed this way[i]. All the news agencies ran with the story, and the country and congress were in a total uproar. | There was only one problem: it was completely, utterly, totally fraudulent.

_____ (2020-10-15). Workers Tried To Blow The Whistle On COVID19 Hazards. popularresistance.org As soon as the coronavirus pandemic began, workers across the country flooded federal and state offices with complaints that their employers weren't protecting them from the health threat. The concerns have continued to pour into workplace safety agencies for seven months, totaling nearly 40,000 as of Thursday. | It turns out the allegations have been a flashing warning sign all along, according to a new working paper published by the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies. The analysis of data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration shows that a rise in workers' safety complaints ha…

Ramona du Houx (2020-10-15). In CA, Latino farming communities hardest by COVID-19 and environmental injustice. indybay.org The California Latino community has been disproportionately infected by the coronavirus. Latinos make up 39 percent of the population in the state, but account for 56 percent of COVID-19 infections and 46 percent of deaths. That's three times the rate as Whites. State officials say, many employers have not reliably provided protective equipment to workers or implemented social distancing or mask wearing rules. This is systemic racism. Too often, they live in neighborhoods that are located near oil industry operations in California, one of America's top crude oil and gas producing states. Gov. Newsom needs to addr…

Howard Lisnoff (2020-10-14). So Long, Sister Ardeth Platte, Anti-Nuclear Activist. counterpunch.org Sister Ardeth Platte, a Dominican nun and antinuclear protester, died ("Ardeth Platte, Dominican Nun and Antinuclear Activist, Dies at 84," New York Times, October 8, 2020) during the night or early morning of the first presidential debate. When Sister Ardeth broke into a nuclear missile facility in Colorado, she recited "Oh God, help us to be

Eds. (2020-10-14). Exposing Trump's deadly sanctions on Venezuela. mronline.org KEN LIVINGSTONE looks in-depth at the story of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela.