"Losing the Fabric of the City": COVID-19 Took Chicago Black Lives First & Exposed Structural Racism
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-05-12
We look at the coronavirus pandemic's disproportionate toll on African Americans through the story of Chicago's first 100 recorded deaths. A report by ProPublica found that 70 of the first 100 people to die were African American. Black people account for 30% of Chicago's population and 72% of COVID-19 deaths. We speak with ProPublica reporter Adriana Gallardo, who contributed to the report "COVID-19 Took Black Lives First. It Didn't Have To." She says the story paints a picture of "sophisticated structural racism" in Chicago.
www.democracynow.org/2020/5/12/chicago_70_black_people_dead_first

Cuba Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for Its Fight Against COVID-19
Orinoco Tribune | globalresearch.ca | 2020-05-12
The French organization Cuba Linda has recommended awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Cuban medical brigades for their efforts to eradicate COVID-19. | "The international community is witnessing the solidarity of health professionals who leave their country to provide services and | …
globalresearch.ca/cuba-nominated-nobel-peace-prize-fight-against-covid-19/5712594

U.S. hand in recent assaults on Cuba, Venezuela
W. T. Whitney Jr. | peoplesworld.org | 2020-05-12
Secretary of State Pompeo loudly condemns Iranian border guards who abused Afghans crossing into Iran. He castigates China's supposed failings with the COVID 19 pandemic. He and President Trump rail against dictatorship they see in Venezuela. They protest Cuba's "slave doctors"

Bolivia: Inmates Riot Due to COVID Outbreak in Prison
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-12
Bolivian police forces repressed May 11 an inmate riot in Palmasola prison, in Santa Cruz city. Convicts protested due to a Covid-19 outbreak among the prison population. | RELATED: | Bolivia De-Facto Govt Repress Protesters That Can't Afford More Lockdown | The authorities at the Palmasola penitentiary said two inmates who died last week after presenting respiratory distress. Local news media reported first deceased autopsy revealed he was COVID positive and was buried acco…
telesurenglish.net/news/bolivia-inmates-riot-due-to-covid-prison-outbreak-20200512-0002.html

Sanctions = Health terrorism
Betsey Piette | workers.org | 2020-05-12
A timely international webinar, sponsored by SanctionsKill.org on May 9, featured representatives from Cuba, Iran, Nicaragua, Syria and Venezuela, plus a statement from Zimbabwe addressing the deadly impact of U.S. sanctions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 1,000 people from nearly every continent, including multiple U.S. cities, viewed the event. The . . . | Continue reading Sanctions = Health terrorism at Workers.org…
workers.org/2020/05/48562/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sanctions-health-terrorism

Can We Simultaneously Oppose Bayer/Monsanto's Biotechnology and Support Cuba's Interferon Alpha 2B?
Don Fitz | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-05-12
Genetically engineered crops are a form of food imperialism. This technology allows mega-corporations like Bayer/Monsanto to patent seeds, lure farmers into buying them with visions of high yields, and then destroy the ability of small farmers to survive. Genetic engineering produces an artificial combination of plant traits which often results in foods with less nutritional …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/05/can-we-simultaneously-oppose-bayer-monsantos-biotechnology-and-support-cubas-interferon-alpha-2b/

Cuba to Begin Mass-Scale COVID-19 Testing
Telesur | globalresearch.ca | 2020-05-12
Dr. Francisco Durán, national director of Epidemiology of the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, reported on Sunday that a considerable part of the population will be given tests to detect possible positive cases of COVID-19. | Durán explained that a …
globalresearch.ca/cuba-begin-mass-scale-covid-19-testing/5712578

COVID-19 Took Chicago Black Lives First and Exposed Structural Racism
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-05-12
We look at the coronavirus pandemic's disproportionate toll on African Americans through the story of Chicago's first 100 recorded deaths. A report by ProPublica found that 70 of the first 100 people to die were African American. Black people account for 30% of Chicago's population and 72% of COVID-19 deaths. We speak with ProPublica reporter Adriana Gallardo, who contributed to the report "COVID-19 Took Black Lives First. It Didn't Have To." She says the story paints a picture of "sophisticated struct…
truthout.org/video/covid-19-took-chicago-black-lives-first-and-exposed-structural-racism/

America's Percentage of World's Coronavirus Cases Is Now Declining, but America's libertarian policies on coronavirus remain catastrophic
Andrey Areshev | strategic-culture.org | 2020-05-12
Eric ZUESSE | At the start of the day on May 2nd, the U.S. had 4.2% of the world's population and 33.3%, or one-third, of all coronavirus-19 cases. | At the start of the day on May 10th, the U.S. had 32.9% of cases. The decline from 33.3% to 32.9% is .4% down, or a decline of slightly over 1% of the 33.9%, in 8 days. It's virtually certain never to go down to the 4.2% of global coronavir…
strategic-culture.org/news/2020/05/12/americas-percentage-of-worlds-coronavirus-cases-is-now-declining/

Colombia considering guaranteed minimum income as famine looms
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-05-12
Almost half of Colombia's senators signed off on a proposal to urgently implement a guaranteed minimum income for more than 70% of the population. The radical proposal would temporarily guarantee…
colombiareports.com/?p=197522

Herd immunity for Covid-19 is a 'dangerous' concept says World Health Organisation
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-05-12
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has condemned the "dangerous" concept of herd immunity for Covid-19. | Herd immunity is an epidemiological term usually reserved to describe how the population as a whole is protected from a disease depending on the levels of people vaccinated. | For instance, when 90%-95% of the population is vaccinated against measles, this should be enough to protect others who are unable to get an inoculation

Colombia considering guaranteed minimum income as famine looms
Adriaan Alsema | colombiareports.com | 2020-05-12
Almost half of Colombia's senators signed off on a proposal to urgently implement a guaranteed minimum income for more than 70% of the population. The radical proposal would temporarily guarantee…
colombiareports.com/colombia-considering-guaranteed-minimum-income-as-famine-looms/

Shelter-in-Place and Internet Inequality: What's the Connection?
Beau Peters | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-05-12
Photo Source: Unsplash As most of the world is forced to stay home, internet and technology play essential roles in almost every aspect of the population's shelter-at-home lives. The internet keeps loved ones communicating and in touch, informs people of what's going on in the world, connects students to their teachers and professors, and provides …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/05/shelter-in-place-and-internet-inequality-whats-the-connection/

New study says herd immunity is a myth and countries relying on it, including Sweden, chose the wrong strategy
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Herd immunity may be an unrealistic tactic for dealing with Covid-19, new research has warned, calling into question the strategy of several countries

Russia becomes world's second hardest-hit country with 230,000+ confirmed Covid-19 cases, surpassing Spain & UK
rt.com | 2020-05-12
With 10,899 more coronavirus infections reported across the country on Tuesday morning, Russia now trails only the United States in terms of people known to have contracted Covid-19. | Nationwide, 232,243 confirmed cases have been discovered since the start of the outbreak, national disease response officials said. This figure is higher than those recorded by Spanish (227,436), British (224,332) and Italian (219,814) authorities. | However, it's worth noting that Russia has over twice the population of those countries and has carried out far more tests. | At the same time, Russia has had considerably fewer dea…
rt.com/russia/488419-russia-second-world-cases-coronavirus/

China to test ENTIRE POPULATION of Wuhan for Covid-19 after disease reemerges
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Chinese authorities plan to test all of Wuhan's 11 million residents for Covid-19 in a little over a week. After more than a month without newly-recorded cases, the disease has suddenly reappeared in the city. | All districts in the city were ordered to submit a plan on how they will conduct testing of all residents in their areas within 10 days, local media reported, citing a document from the authorities. The officials were told to prioritize the testing of vulnerable groups and places like residential compounds. | The measure was announced as a response to the six new locally-transmitted cases that were rec…
rt.com/news/488416-wuhan-mass-testing-china/

What If Armed Terrorists Threatened the Prime Minister of Canada?
Maria Paez Victor | counterpunch.org | 2020-05-12
Fortunately, Canada is not a country that has suffered continuous threats of coup d'etats as Venezuela has these last 21 years. The Motive Be that as it may, as a matter of clarification and discernment, let us imagine the following: suppose a powerful foreign power

Guaidó's mercenary hit contract on Venezuela's Maduro mirrors official US bounty, authorizes death squad killings
Alan MacLeod | thegrayzone.com | 2020-05-11
The leaked contract between Juan Guaidó and the Silvercorp USA mercenary firm closely resembles a DEA bounty placed on the…
thegrayzone.com/2020/05/10/guaido-mercenary-contract-venezuelas-maduro-us-bounty-death-squad/

US-Based Advisers From Guaido's Team Quit Over Foiled Coup Plot
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-11
United States-based advisers to lawmaker Juan Guaido quit Monday over the foiled May 3 coup attempt and their involvement in hiring mercenaries to carry out the plot aimed at assassinating Venezuela's government officials and president. | RELATED: | Guaido Behind Failed Operation Against Venezuela: Maduro | Right-wing strategist Juan Jose Rendon and Sergio Vergara confirmed their resignations in public letters after the Miami-based adviser to Guaido, admitted Tuesday of hiring U.S…
telesurenglish.net/news/US-Based-Advisers-From-Guaidos-Team-Quit-Over-Foiled-Coup-Plot-20200511-0014.html

In Haiti ICE is spreading COVID-19
G. Dunkel | workers.org | 2020-05-11
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency charged with deporting people from the United States, scheduled five deportations to Haiti on May 11 from the Pine Prairie Detention Center in Louisiana. The agency claims the five individuals have either tested positive for COVID-19 or show signs of having the disease. (Miami . . . | Continue reading In Haiti ICE is spreading COVID-19 at Workers.org…
workers.org/2020/05/48501/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=in-haiti-ice-is-spreading-covid-19

US continues deportation of Haitians tested positive of COVID-19
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-05-11
A group of over 100 Haitian nationals are set to be deported from the United States by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), on Monday, May 11. This is scheduled to happen despite requests from the Haitian government to wait until the spread of COVID-19 subsides. Among those being deported, at least five individuals are known to have tested positive for COVID-19 very recently. | The Haitian government panel assigned to direct the nation's pandemic response requested that the US government avoid deportations until the pandemic is contained. The presidential panel consisting of medical professionals and…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/05/11/us-continues-deportation-of-haitians-tested-positive-of-covid-19/

The US Keeps Trying, and Failing, to Deport a Former CIA Operative Back to Haiti
Raul Diego | mintpressnews.com | 2020-05-11
Emmanuel "Toto" Constant was supposed to board an ICE deportation flight along with 100 other Haitian nationals in what is the third such flight the Trump administration has carried out to Haiti in the last several weeks.
mintpressnews.com/us-trying-failing-deport-cia-operative-emmanuel-constant-haiti/267417/

Bolsonaro Is Facilitating U.S. Intervention in Latin America
Andrey Areshev | strategic-culture.org | 2020-05-11
While most countries across the world implemented measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro dismissed concerns of the spread and refused to consider measures to safeguard the population. So far Brazil has registered 53,000 cases and over 3,600 people have died from the virus. Scientists believe the spread in Brazil has reached over 1 million people. | In retaliation for suggesting health measures to avoid the pandemic spreading, Bo…
strategic-culture.org/news/2020/05/11/bolsonaro-is-facilitating-us-intervention-in-latin-america/

The Botched Infiltration of Venezuela Leaves Guaidó Tainted Beyond Repair
Leonardo Flores | mintpressnews.com | 2020-05-11
Given Guaidó's involvement, it is impossible for Washington to wash its hands of the plot. The Trump administration is responsible for giving him what little power he has, and therefore it is responsible for his actions.
mintpressnews.com/botched-coup-venezuela-leaves-juan-guaido-tainted-beyond-repair/267383/

U.S. ratchets up Hybrid Warfare in Venezuela
Eds. | mronline.org | 2020-05-11
Nino Pagliccia examines the recent mercenary incursion into the Venezuelan territory.
mronline.org/2020/05/11/u-s-ratchets-up-hybrid-warfare-in-venezuela/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=u-s-ratchets-up-hybrid-warfare-in-venezuela

Western Venezuela Rocked by Rolling Blackouts
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-11
Low water levels at hydroelectric dams, "terrorist sabotage" and damaged infrastructure have been blamed for the power cuts.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14873

Botched Infiltration of Venezuela Leaves Guaidó Tainted Beyond Repair
Leonardo Flores | commondreams.org | 2020-05-11
The townspeople of Chuao, Venezuela, being honored for their role in the capture of eight mercenaries. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/chuao_bolivar.jpg …
commondreams.org/views/2020/05/11/botched-infiltration-venezuela-leaves-guaido-tainted-beyond-repair?cd-origin=rss

Venezuela Captures 14 Mercenaries in the Last 24 Hours
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-11
Venezuelan State Security Forces captured In the last 24 hours a total of 14 mercenaries involved in an armed maritime incursion. | RELATED: | Three More Mercenaries Arrested in Venezuela With Ties to Foiled Coup Plot | "At the end of Sunday, three mercenaries were captured in the mountain town of San Miguel, in the parish of Carayaca, Vargas state," the Strategic Region of Integral Defense Capital of the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) reported on Monday on…
telesurenglish.net/news/venezuela-captures-14-mercenaries-in-the-last-24-hours-20200511-0001.html

Colombia: Avianca Airlines Declares Bankruptcy Due to COVID-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-11
Colombian airline Avianca announced Sunday that they are declaring bankruptcy after an 80% income drop due to the health crisis. | RELATED: | Venezuela Seizes Three Combat Boats With Colombian Navy Emblems | Avianca Holdings airline representatives published a communication announcing voluntary bankruptcy declaration to protect future operations. "Today our wings are closed so that tomorrow we can all continue to fly "tweeted Anko van der Werff, Avianca president. | The compa…
telesurenglish.net/news/colombia-avianca-airlines-declares-bankruptcy-due-to-covid-20200511-0005.html

Russia to Consider Caracas' Request for Help in Probe of Invasion If Asked – Lavrov
sputniknews.com | 2020-05-12
MOSCOW(Sputnik) – Russia will consider Venezuela's request for help in investigation of a naval incursion if it receives such request, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday .
sputniknews.com/world/202005121079281335-russia-to-consider-caracas-request-for-help-in-probe-of-invasion-if-asked—lavrov/

Western Venezuela Rocked by Rolling Blackouts
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-11
Low water levels at hydroelectric dams, "terrorist sabotage" and damaged infrastructure have been blamed for the power cuts.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14873

Despite Haitians Who Tested Positive for Covid-19 Given Last-Minute Reprieve, Dems Demand Total Moratorium on Deportations During Pandemic
Eoin Higgins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-05-11
"Deporting people to Haiti in the midst of a global pandemic is both inhumane and unsafe." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/ice_7.jpeg …
commondreams.org/news/2020/05/11/despite-haitians-who-tested-positive-covid-19-given-last-minute-reprieve-dems-demand?cd-origin=rss

Fight COVID-19 Not Venezuela
Howie Hawkins | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-05-10
The Keystone Cops have nothing on the rag-tag group of soldiers of fortune who failed earlier this week in their implausible plot to kidnap Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, trigger a military coup, and install the US puppet, Juan Guaidó, in the presidency. We know all about the hair-brained scheme due to a falling out of …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/05/fight-covif-19-not-venezuela/

Iran Slams Failed US Incursion to Overthrow Venezuelan Leader
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-10
The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejected the U.S.-led armed incursion into Venezuela, which was intended to assassinate Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. | RELATED: | Guaido Behind Failed Operation Against Venezuela: Maduro | Iran's Foreign Ministry called on Washington to stop meddling in the internal affairs of sovereign nations, now and forever, while also ending their inhuman blockade of these countries. | "The terrible report on the failed U.S.-led terrorist plo…
telesurenglish.net/news/Iran-Slams-Failed-US-Incursion-to-Overthrow-Venezuelan-Leader-20200510-0003.html

3 Mercenaries Arrested in Venezuela With Ties to Foiled Coup
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-10
Venezuela's government announced Sunday that its Special Forces apprehended three mercenaries with ties to the foiled May 3 plot in the northern state of Aragua, which borders Caracas. | RELATED: | Guaido Behind Failed Operation Against Venezuela: Maduro | The detainees were identified as First Lieutenant Jairo Betemy, Army Second Sergeant Franco Jonathan, and Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) First Sergeant Evan Rincon, who are now in the custody of the corresponding authorities.
telesurenglish.net/news/Three-More-Mercenaries-Arrested-in-Venezuela-With-Ties-to-Foiled-Coup-Plot-20200510-0005.html

[UPDATED] Venezuela Makes Fresh Arrests as Opposition Splinters over Failed Coup
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-10
Trump said the operation "was not a good attack," again denying any US involvement.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14869

Silvercorp co-founder speaks with The Grayzone: What did State Department know about failed Venezuela invasion?
Anya Parampil | thegrayzone.com | 2020-05-08
The Grayzone speaks to Drew White

'Humanitarian catastrophe' looms in Haiti, threatening years of progress as COVID-19 takes hold, ECOSOC group says
news.un.org | 2020-05-08
The COVID-19 outbreak could trigger a humanitarian catastrophe in Haiti, endangering many years of hard-won progress in the Caribbean nation, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) said on Friday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/05/1063612

Syria violence 'a ticking time-bomb that must not be ignored': UN human rights chief
news.un.org | 2020-05-08
As civilian casualties mount across Syria and human rights violations continue unabated, the UN rights chief expressed serious concern on Friday that some parties to the conflict, including ISIL terrorist fighters, may be using the COVID-19 pandemic as "an opportunity to regroup and inflict violence on the population".
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/05/1063562

What the Caucuses Taught me About Inequities in our Electoral System
Vivian Alana Caesar | aclu.org | 2020-05-08
Find the house, approach the door, ring the doorbell and wait with bated breath to see who will show on the other side

Guardian Blames Trump's Murderous US Exceptionalism on Hugo Chávez
Lucas Koerner | fair.org | 2020-05-07
What better time to vilify the popular former leader of a country under deadly US siege than a deadly pandemic? Such was clearly the reasoning of Guardian journalist Rory Carroll when he penned an op-ed headlined, "Blunder, Distraction, Denial: Trump Follows Chávez's Successful Template" (4/19/20). Seemingly immune to irony, Carroll compares Venezuela's late socialist …
fair.org/home/guardian-blames-trumps-murderous-us-exceptionalism-on-hugo-chavez/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=guardian-blames-trumps-murderous-us-exceptionalism-on-hugo-chavez

US Investigating Ex-Green Beret, Denies 'Direct' Involvement in Failed Venezuela Coup
Ricardo Vaz and Lucas Koerner | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-07
New documents confirm that the Venezuelan opposition signed a contract with Florida-based Silvercorp to kidnap President Nicolas Maduro.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14867

Our Vision for Equitable Marijuana Reform
aclu.org | 2020-05-07

| Legalizing marijuana, while vital, is not enough to remedy the harms of deca…
aclu.org/news/criminal-law-reform/our-vision-for-equitable-marijuana-reform

U.S. Mercenaries Captured in Venezuela After Failed Coup Attempt Compared to a "Bad Rambo Movie"
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-05-06
We look at an incredible story unfolding in Venezuela of a failed coup attempt. Did a former Green Beret mastermind it? Two Americans have been arrested in Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro claims the U.S. was behind the plot. "It looks like a bad Rambo movie, or a really bad telenovela," says Miguel Tinker Salas, author of "The Enduring Legacy: Oil, Culture, and Society in Venezuela." He notes that "the U.S. is seeking regime change … and the consequences for Venezuela could be very dire going forward."
www.democracynow.org/2020/5/6/venezuela_coup_attempt_miguel_tinker_salas

Horrifying Glimpse Into How DARPA Will "Save" You From COVID-19 & Venezuela Coup Tied Back To Trump
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2020-05-06
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (5/6/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/horrifying-glimpse-into-how-darpa-will-save-you-from-covid-19-venezuela-coup-tied-back-to-trump/

A Massive "COVID-19" Cover Up Is Underway & 'US Mercenaries' Caught In Venezuelan Coup Attempt
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2020-05-06
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (5/5/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/massive-covid-19-cover-up-underway-us-mercenaries-caught-venezuelan-coup-attempt/

Venezuela: Two US Citizens Captured in Botched Coup Attempt
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-05
Two former green berets were arrested in a second failed assault on Venezuelan shores on Monday.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14864

Paramilitary invasions in Venezuela: Made in USA
Nic de la Riva | liberationnews.org | 2020-05-05
Attempted invasion taken care of swiftly and efficiently by the Venezuelan government.
liberationnews.org/paramilitary-invasions-in-venezuela-made-in-usa/

Venezuela thwarts invasion attempts by mercenaries
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-05-05
Imperialism & war Kerry SmithIssue 1264 Venezuela Bolivarian revolution US Drug Enforcement Agency COVID-19May 5,…
greenleft.org.au/content/venezuela-thwarts-two-invasion-attempts-mercenaries

Venezuela: 45 Killed in Guanare Prison Riot
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-05-04
The government pledged to investigate the May 1 riot, which it described as an attempted breakout.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14863