Daily Archives: December 9, 2020

2020-12-09: News Headlines

Fight Back (2020-12-09). Big win for Venezuela's PSUV, assurance for President Maduro. fightbacknews.org In a compelling victory, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and its allies won 68% of the vote for the Venezuelan National Assembly on December 6. This strengthens the position of President Nicolas Maduro and buries any hope the U.S. had of installing a right-wing pretender in office. | The PSUV and its allies will now take 189 of 277 seats in the National Assembly. Rightist opposition parties won only 28% of the vote and lost control of the body, which functions like a senate. Despite U.S. corporate media claiming the right-wing opposition boycotted the election, there was very public campaigning by…

Lyn Neeley (2020-12-09). Venezuelan court convicts the CITGO Six. workers.org Venezuela's Supreme Court sentenced six top CITGO oil executives to prison for corruption, embezzlement, money laundering and conspiracy on Nov. 26. The former executives went behind the back of the Venezuelan state and signed an agreement with two U.S. based-international financial companies — for which they were detained in Nov. . . . |

A Guest Author (2020-12-09). Embassy Protection Collective help monitor Venezuelan elections. workers.org By Jose Szepara On Dec. 6, Venezuelans will turn out to vote in the country's National Assembly elections, and the world waits with bated breath as observers from all over the world wait for the final results. Election monitoring groups have made their way to Venezuela to act as impartial . . . |

Staff (2020-12-09). People's Vaccine: Calls Grow for Equal Access to Coronavirus Vaccine as Rich Countries Hoard Supply. democracynow.org While the United States, Britain and other wealthy countries race to vaccinate their populations against the coronavirus, a new report finds that as much as 90% of the population in dozens of poorer countries could be forced to wait until at least 2022 because wealthy countries are hoarding so much of the vaccine supply. A growing movement is calling for the development of a people's vaccine and the suspension of intellectual property rights to expand access. We speak with Dr. Mohga Kamal-Yanni, a policy adviser to the People's Vaccine Alliance, and Achal Prabhala, a public health advocate and coordinator of the…

Eds. (2020-12-09). Venezuela's PSUV retakes control of National Assembly despite low turnout. mronline.org With 99 percent of the votes counted, the PSUV has won 68 percent with a 30.5 percent participation rate.

_____ (2020-12-09). Elections And The Path To Socialism In Venezuela. popularresistance.org On December 6, Venezuelans elected a new National Assembly with a left political majority. This election, which was well-run and legitimate despite what the imperialist media and countries say, reconstitutes the Venezuelan parliamentary body with participation from both the ruling and opposition parties. It marks the end of an era during which the National Assembly was a tool of the right wing agenda and US regime change efforts. To facilitate understanding of the current election and political climate in Venezuela, Vijay Prashad of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research and Paul Dobson of Venezulanalysis…

Manlio Dinucci (2020-12-09). How to Get Saved from COVID-19 Under Nuclear Bombs. globalresearch.ca FEMA — the United States Government Emergency Management Federal Agency — updated instructions to the population on how to behave in the event of a nuclear attack. The new instructions, provided by the Ready Campaign, keep in mind the Covid-19 …

teleSUR (2020-12-09). Venezuela: New Parliament Needs To Solve a Way Out To Sanctions. telesurenglish.net Over 6 million 200 thousand voters headed to the polls in Venezuela's parliamentary elections that took place under a climate of normality and total transparency as reported by international observers on December 6. | RELATED: | With 98.63 percent of the electoral records transmitted by the National Electoral Council (CNE) on Monday, the Great Patriotic Pole (GPP) coalition secured a majority in the new Parliame…

Jake Johnston (2020-12-09). Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to Hold Hearing on Haiti. cepr.net The follow is a guest post from the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti. On Thursday, December 10, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will hold a hearing on pervasive impunity and a lack of judicial independence in Haiti. The event will be broadcast live here. The Commission, a quasi‚Äêjudicial body of the …

Peoples Dispatch (2020-12-09). 10 Iranian ships are on their way to Venezuela with fuel. peoplesdispatch.org According to reports, a fleet of 10 Iranian ships is carrying millions of barrels to help Venezuela deal with shortages in the domestic market. The ships will carry Venezuelan crude during their return journey…

Margaret Flowers (2020-12-08). Venezuela Votes to End Neocolonialism, Create Its Own Path. dissidentvoice.org On December 2, the Embassy Protection Collective (EPC) members, who were arrested in May 2019 when the United States illegally invaded the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, DC, completed their probation, ending the risk of the 30 days in prison that was being held over their heads. I am one of the four who were arrested. …

Sergio Ferrari (2020-12-08). Cuba: A sign of hope for impoverished countries. peoplesworld.org Just a few days before commercial flights with Cuba were reestablished, in the middle of November, the Swiss physician and professor Franco Cavalli traveled to that Caribbean nation. He is president of MediCuba Europe, an important network of healthcare NGOs with a presence in 13 countries. He is also one of the first European scientists …

Joshua Hanks (2020-12-08). China replacing U.S. as world's leading scientific power. workers.org The first day of December saw two major scientific events: the Arecibo observatory in Puerto Rico collapsed, and China's Chang'e 5 spacecraft landed on the moon. These two events are the latest developments in the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and China — a new Cold War being fought on . . . |

The Canary (2020-12-08). Six reasons why the coronavirus pandemic will not be over soon. thecanary.co The coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination programme has started in the UK but the public has been warned that the pandemic is not over yet.Coronavirus restrictions could still be in place for weeks and months to come as the NHS, regulators, scientists and, manufacturers take on the challenge of rolling out vaccines for the country's population.Here are some of the reasons why life still won't be returning to normal soon: 1. Millions of vaccine doses are yet to be deliveredA phial of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine concentrate is transported from storage ready for use at Guy's Hospital in London (Victoria Jone…

Elijah Magnier (2020-12-08). Venezuela, a population difficult to defeat: Lessons for the Middle East. thealtworld.com At the "Escuela Técnica Comercial Manuel Palacio Fajardo De Caracas Venezuela" in an area called 23 Enero, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza came to vote. The people of the neighbourhood stood in line waiting their turn after being disinfected by the sanitary officers. A few guards were in the background, not interfering with the self-organisation of the population. The Minister Arreaza was later joined by the daughter of Comandante Hugo Chavez, Maria Gabriel, who also came to vote at the same school where the late Chavez used to vote. | It is indeed a normal scene here to see people from all walks of…

Media Lens (2020-12-08). Stuck in a Lift with John Pilger: News and How to Use It by Alan Rusbridger. dissidentvoice.org Noticing the way journalists seemed unable to resist commenting on our work, even if it was just to slag us off, Glenn Greenwald tweeted us in 2012: 'You are really deeper in the heads of the British establishment-serving commentariat than anyone else — congrats.' ((Greenwald, Twitter, 12 September 2012.)) If that was true then, our relationship …

Ralph Nader (2020-12-08). Action for Change Starts in Congress. counterpunch.org We know their names! We've given immense power to Five Hundred and Thirty-Five People to do good or bad. One Hundred Senators and Four Hundred and Thirty-Five Representatives. Unfortunately, some 1500 corporations control most Members of Congress. Think about all the dreams for a better world that could come to be realized if our elected officials

Stephen Lendman (2020-12-08). Bolivarian Social Democracy Triumphs in Venezuelan National Assembly Elections. globalresearch.ca On Sunday, Venezuelans voted to elect 277 National Assembly members for five-year terms from January 5, 2021 to January 5, 2026. | An unprecedented total of 14,400 candidates from 107 political parties ran for office. | Two Bolivarian blocs were heavy favorites …

Mike Whitney (2020-12-08). The COVID-19 Vaccine; Is the Goal Immunity or Depopulation? globalresearch.ca "There is absolutely no need for vaccines to extinguish the pandemic… You do not vaccinate people who aren't at risk from a disease. You also don't set about planning to vaccinate millions of fit and healthy people with a vaccine …

imperial.ac.uk (2020-12-08). Three quarters of Brazilian Amazon have been infected with COVID-19 since March. imperial.ac.uk Three quarters of the population of Manaus in Brazil's Amazon have been infected with coronavirus since the city's first outbreak in March.

Vahia IV, Jeste DV, Reynolds CF, III. (2020-12-08). Older Adults and the Mental Health Effects of COVID-19. jamanetwork.com This Viewpoint summarizes evidence suggesting that, counter to expectation, older adults as a group may be more resilient to the anxiety, depression, and stress-related mental health disorders characteristic of younger populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abbasi J. (2020-12-08). Using Smartwatch Data to Detect COVID-19 Cases Early. jamanetwork.com Early this year, investigators at the Scripps Research Translational Institute found that resting heart rate and sleep data from wearable sensors could predict population-level trends in influenza-like illness. Now, a new study from the same team suggests that wearable sensor data combined with self-reported symptoms might aid in the early detection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Mehr News Agency (2020-12-08). MP hails Venezuelan's 'transparent' Assembly elections. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) — Felicitating Venezuelans for their successful election, Iranian MP Amouei hailed Arreaza, the former Vice President of Venezuela for his cooperation and hospitality toward the Iranian nation.

Zoe PC (2020-12-08). Venezuelan elections: What lies ahead? peoplesdispatch.org The legislative elections in Venezuela saw the ruling Great Patriotic Pole emerge victorious. The new Assembly has a number of challenges with far right-wing sections under Juan Guaidó continuing to foment discontent, and the country facing an economic crisis…

Ireland University Student (2020-12-07). Ireland and U.S. Imperialism. mronline.org When discussing Ireland's role in imperialism today it is vital to highlight the role Ireland plays in assisting the U.S. to extract profits from 'poorer nations'. That is to say nations that have abundant natural resources that the mass of the local population do not get to reap the benefits of.

MEE staff (2020-12-07). Haftar's forces intercept Turkish ship in Libya waters: Spokesman. middleeasteye.net Haftar's forces intercept Turkish ship in Libya waters: Spokesman | LNA spokesman says Jamaican-flagged vessel did not respond to calls for communication before it was captured | Mon, 12/07/2020 – 23: 02 | Self-proclaimed LNA forces in the eastern city of Benghazi, 1 November (AFP/File photo) | Forces loyal to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar have intercepted a Turkish ship off the North African country…

Alan Macleod (2020-12-07). US Media, Pols Rage After Venezuelans Defy US Empire to Re-elect Socialists. mintpressnews.com Despite the fact that the election was overseen by over 4,500 international observers, US pols and media pundits alike labeled it a sham before it even took place.

Paul Dobson (2020-12-07). Venezuela's PSUV Retakes Control of National Assembly Despite Low Turnout. venezuelanalysis.com With 99 percent of the votes counted, the PSUV has won 68 percent with a 30.5 percent participation rate.

David Edwards (2020-12-07). Stuck In A Lift With John Pilger — 'News And How To Use It' by Alan Rusbridger. zcomm.org Pilger tells the unfiltered, uncompromised truth about the foundations of power. His focus is on speaking up for the victims of power, not on serving power…

news.un (2020-12-07). Prioritize health workers, at-risk groups, for COVID-19 vaccines: WHO chief. news.un.org As countries plan to roll out COVID-19 vaccines in the coming days, weeks and months, health workers and other at-risk populations should be prioritized for vaccination, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

WSWS (2020-12-07). One-quarter of Macomb County Jail inmates test positive for coronavirus. wsws.org The county as a whole has had more than 39,000 cases throughout the year, equal to nearly 4.5 percent of the entire population.

2020-12-09: Social Media Postees

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Big win for Venezuela's PSUV, assurance for President Maduro
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-12-09
In a compelling victory, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and its allies won 68% of the vote for the Venezuelan National Assembly on December 6. This strengthens the position of President Nicolas Maduro and buries any hope the U.S. had of installing a right-wing pretender in office. | The PSUV and its allies will now take 189 of 277 seats in the National Assembly. Rightist opposition parties won only 28% of the vote and lost control of the body, which functions like a senate. Despite U.S. corporate media claiming the right-wing opposition boycotted the election, there was very public campaigning by…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/12/9/big-win-venezuela-s-psuv-assurance-president-maduro

Elections And The Path To Socialism In Venezuela
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2020-12-09
On December 6, Venezuelans elected a new National Assembly with a left political majority. This election, which was well-run and legitimate despite what the imperialist media and countries say, reconstitutes the Venezuelan parliamentary body with participation from both the ruling and opposition parties. It marks the end of an era during which the National Assembly was a tool of the right wing agenda and US regime change efforts. To facilitate understanding of the current election and political climate in Venezuela, Vijay Prashad of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research and Paul Dobson of Venezulanalysis…
popularresistance.org/elections-and-the-path-to-socialism-in-venezuela/

People's Vaccine: Calls Grow for Equal Access to Coronavirus Vaccine as Rich Countries Hoard Supply
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-12-09
While the United States, Britain and other wealthy countries race to vaccinate their populations against the coronavirus, a new report finds that as much as 90% of the population in dozens of poorer countries could be forced to wait until at least 2022 because wealthy countries are hoarding so much of the vaccine supply. A growing movement is calling for the development of a people's vaccine and the suspension of intellectual property rights to expand access. We speak with Dr. Mohga Kamal-Yanni, a policy adviser to the People's Vaccine Alliance, and Achal Prabhala, a public health advocate and coordinator of the…
www.democracynow.org/2020/12/9/coronavirus_vaccine_access

Venezuelan court convicts the CITGO Six
Lyn Neeley | workers.org | 2020-12-09
Venezuela's Supreme Court sentenced six top CITGO oil executives to prison for corruption, embezzlement, money laundering and conspiracy on Nov. 26. The former executives went behind the back of the Venezuelan state and signed an agreement with two U.S. based-international financial companies — for which they were detained in Nov. . . . | Continue reading Venezuelan court convicts the CITGO Six at Workers.org
workers.org/2020/12/53118/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=venezuelan-court-convicts-the-citgo-six

Embassy Protection Collective will help monitor Venezuelan elections
| workers.org | 2020-12-09
By Jose Szepara On Dec. 6, Venezuelans will turn out to vote in the country's National Assembly elections, and the world waits with bated breath as observers from all over the world wait for the final results. Election monitoring groups have made their way to Venezuela to act as impartial . . . | Continue reading Embassy Protection Collective will help monitor Venezuelan elections. at Workers.org
workers.org/2020/12/53114/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=embassy-protection-collective-will-help-monitor-venezuelan-elections

Embassy Protection Collective help monitor Venezuelan elections
| workers.org | 2020-12-09
By Jose Szepara On Dec. 6, Venezuelans will turn out to vote in the country's National Assembly elections, and the world waits with bated breath as observers from all over the world wait for the final results. Election monitoring groups have made their way to Venezuela to act as impartial . . . | Continue reading Embassy Protection Collective help monitor Venezuelan elections at Workers.org
workers.org/2020/12/53114/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=embassy-protection-collective-will-help-monitor-venezuelan-elections

How to Get Saved from COVID-19 Under Nuclear Bombs
Manlio Dinucci | globalresearch.ca | 2020-12-09
FEMA — the United States Government Emergency Management Federal Agency — updated instructions to the population on how to behave in the event of a nuclear attack. The new instructions, provided by the Ready Campaign, keep in mind the Covid-19 …
globalresearch.ca/how-get-saved-covid-19-under-nuclear-bombs/5731682

Some Countries May Not Have COVID Vaccine Until 2022 as Richer Ones Hoard Supply
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-12-09
While the United States, Britain and other wealthy countries race to vaccinate their populations against the coronavirus, a new report finds that as much as 90% of the population in dozens of poorer countries could be forced to wait until at least 2022 because wealthy countries are hoarding so much of the vaccine supply. A growing movement is calling for the development of a people's vaccine and the suspension of intellectual property rights to expand access. We speak with Dr. Mohga Kamal-Ya…
truthout.org/video/some-countries-may-not-have-covid-vaccine-until-2022-as-richer-ones-hoard-supply/

10 Iranian ships are on their way to Venezuela with fuel
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-12-09
According to reports, a fleet of 10 Iranian ships is carrying millions of barrels to help Venezuela deal with shortages in the domestic market. The ships will carry Venezuelan crude during their return journey…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/12/09/10-iranian-ships-are-on-their-way-to-venezuela-with-fuel/

Venezuela: New Parliament Needs To Solve a Way Out To Sanctions
telesurenglish.net | 2020-12-09
Over 6 million 200 thousand voters headed to the polls in Venezuela's parliamentary elections that took place under a climate of normality and total transparency as reported by international observers on December 6. | RELATED: | Venezuela: Constituent Assembly Will Cease Functions This Month | With 98.63 percent of the electoral records transmitted by the National Electoral Council (CNE) on Monday, the Great Patriotic Pole (GPP) coalition secured a majority in the new Parliame…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-New-Parliament-Needs-To-Solve-a-Way-Out-To-Sanctions-20201209-0002.html

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to Hold Hearing on Haiti
Jake Johnston | cepr.net | 2020-12-09
The follow is a guest post from the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti. On Thursday, December 10, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will hold a hearing on pervasive impunity and a lack of judicial independence in Haiti. The event will be broadcast live here. The Commission, a quasi‚Äêjudicial body of the …
cepr.net/inter-american-commission-on-human-rights-to-hold-hearing-on-haiti/

Venezuela's PSUV retakes control of National Assembly despite low turnout
Eds. | mronline.org | 2020-12-09
With 99 percent of the votes counted, the PSUV has won 68 percent with a 30.5 percent participation rate.
mronline.org/2020/12/09/venezuelas-psuv-retakes-control-of-national-assembly-despite-low-turnout/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=venezuelas-psuv-retakes-control-of-national-assembly-despite-low-turnout

Guaido Threatens to Use Force to Overthrow President Maduro
telesurenglish.net | 2020-12-08