2020-05-12: News Headlines

Staff (2020-05-12). Trump Is Using COVID-19 As An Excuse To Let Polluters Destroy The Earth. therealnews.com Trump's former coal lobbyist EPA administrator is letting oil, gas, and coal take advantage of the global pandemic.

RT (2020-05-12). 'Is it Kylie Jenner?' Mexico star accidentally posts NAKED snaps with topless model (PHOTOS). rt.com LA Galaxy midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos posted a naked photo of himself and 21-year-old Greek-Ecuadorian model Amanda Trivizas on Instagram, swiftly deleting the racy shot from his story after fans had captured the evidence. | Trivizas kissed Dos Santos's shoulder between the sheets in the saucy photo seen by some of the former Barcelona player's following of more than 2.3 million on the site, where Trivizas leaves little to the imagination for her audience of more than 823,000. | The Los Angeles-based model has been linked to American playboy Dan Bilzerian but said she could not talk about her relationship w…

W. T. Whitney Jr. (2020-05-12). U.S. hand in recent assaults on Cuba, Venezuela. peoplesworld.org 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" — who actually "defend health care as a human right," according to Cuba's foreign …

Betsey Piette (2020-05-12). Sanctions = Health terrorism. workers.org 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 . . . |

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-12). Duque used Colombia's peace funds to pay for presidential approval poll. colombiareports.com Colombia's President Ivan Duque used money meant for the implementation of peace policies to pay for a poll over public approval of his peace policy, local media reported on Monday….

teleSUR (2020-05-12). Bolivia Police Repress Protesters That Can't Afford Lockdown. telesurenglish.net Hundreds of people were violently repressed by security forces Monday in the Bolivian K'ara K'ara community located in Cochabamba city, as they took to the streets to demand that the de facto government eases the COVID-19 lockdown as they cannot afford it anymore. | RELATED: | Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators fiercely attacked by the police and army who did not hesitate to use tear gas and rubber bullets, inj…

teleSUR (2020-05-12). Bolivia: Inmates Riot Due to COVID Outbreak in Prison. telesurenglish.net 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: | 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…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-12). Colombia considering guaranteed minimum income as famine looms. colombiareports.com 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…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-12). Colombia's farmers claim government lifting import tariffs puts domestic food production at risk. colombiareports.com Colombia's farmers' organizations said Monday that an emergency decree lifting import tariffs on corn and soy is threatening domestic food production. The organizations called on the State Council to declare…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-12). Colombia considering guaranteed minimum income as famine looms. colombiareports.com 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…

Maria Paez Victor (2020-05-12). What If Armed Terrorists Threatened the Prime Minister of Canada? counterpunch.org 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 — let's call it Statesland — intent on taking over

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

Eds. (2020-05-11). U.S. ratchets up Hybrid Warfare in Venezuela. mronline.org Nino Pagliccia examines the recent mercenary incursion into the Venezuelan territory.

teleSUR (2020-05-11). US-Based Advisers From Guaido's Team Quit Over Foiled Coup Plot. telesurenglish.net 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: | 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…

Jessica Corbett (2020-05-11). Fears of Bolsonaro's Threat to the Amazon Realized as New Data Shows Rainforest Destruction Up 55%. globalresearch.ca "Bolsonaro is not only turning a blind eye as land grabbers, illegal loggers, and miners continue to plunder Indigenous territories during the pandemic, he plans to make things easier for them." | *** | Greenpeace on Friday warned of far-right Brazilian President …

teleSUR (2020-05-11). Bolivia: Citizens Protest Against De Facto Government. telesurenglish.net Bolivian citizens protested in many cities on Monday against coup-born government and its health crisis management. | RELATED: | Residents of El Alto, Cochabamba, La Paz, and other cities demonstrated in the streets demanding Jeanine Añez's removal from office. Protesters manifested their discontent with the de facto administration by calling for the removal of the regime and their financial backers | Protesters also…

Fight Back (2020-05-11). Tampa Bay SDS demands justice for Ahmaud Arbery. fightbacknews.org "Trayvon Martin, Emmett Till. How many Black lives will you kill?" This was one of many chants heard across downtown Tampa on Saturday, May 9, as protesters gathered to demand justice for Ahmaud Arbery. The South Georgia resident was murdered by two white supremacist vigilantes, father and son Gregory and Travis McMichael, while he out for a jog. | Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), along with members of the community, parked outside the Sam M. Gibbons Federal Courthouse to participate in the socially-distanced protest. After the protesters were forced to leave by the building's security, the ral…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-05-11). 6 months after the civic-military coup in Bolivia, Evo Morales denounces setbacks. peoplesdispatch.org Former Bolivian President Evo Morales pointed out that "fascism and racism have been reborn" in Bolivia and that "the de-facto government itself is promoting inequality"

Paul Craig Roberts (2020-05-11). Brazilian Interview with PCR Concerning Brazil's Economic Policy. thealtworld.com There are long pauses on the questions, first given in Portuguese and then in English, that suggest the video is frozen. Apparently this is to accommodate slow readers, so just be patient. | Click the arrow and the interview will begin. |

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-11). Bolsonaro Is Facilitating U.S. Intervention in Latin America. strategic-culture.org 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 In retaliation for suggesting health measures to avoid the pandemic spreading, Bo…

imperial.ac.uk (2020-05-11). Coronavirus 'not yet under control' in Brazil, scientists warn. imperial.ac.uk The coronavirus epidemic in Brazil is not yet under control according to a report from Imperial researchers.

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-11). Colombia's military to surrender illegal spying evidence to prosecution. colombiareports.com Colombia's defense minister said Sunday that the military will provide the prosecution with evidence against 13 of its members who allegedly took part in the illegal spying on journalists, NGO's,…

teleSUR (2020-05-11). Colombia: Avianca Airlines Declares Bankruptcy Due to COVID-19. telesurenglish.net Colombian airline Avianca announced Sunday that they are declaring bankruptcy after an 80% income drop due to the health crisis. | RELATED: | 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…

teleSUR (2020-05-11). UN Condemns Killings of Ex-FARC, Social Leaders in Colombia. telesurenglish.net The United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia condemned Saturday the murder of the 24th ex-combatant of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), expressing its "concern" over the systematic killings. | RELATED: | The Revolutionary Alternative Force for the Commons (FARC) party denounced that Wilder Marin's body was found "wrapped in a burning mattress" in the northwestern municipality of Bello. | The demobilized ex-combatant…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-11). Colombia fails to regulate local coronavirus lockdown exemption plan. colombiareports.com Colombia's health ministry failed to publish regulation that would allow mayors to request exemption from national lockdown measures on Monday as promised last week. The regional relaxation of lockdown measures…

Adriaan Alsema (2020-05-11). ICC looking into Colombia's private sector terrorism support: report. colombiareports.com The International Criminal Court (ICC) is looking into Colombia's private sector's ties to paramilitary groups, newspaper El Tiempo reported on Sunday. The daily received a March 10 report from the…

Susan Price (2020-05-12). Ecuador's neoliberal war on public sector worsens COVID-19 catastrophe. greenleft.org.au

sputniknews (2020-05-12). WHO Says US and Brazil Failed to Take Warnings About Virus Outbreak Seriously From the Start. sputniknews.com The United States has the highest number of coronavirus cases globally, the only country reporting seven-digit numbers of infections. Brazil is also one of the 10 most infected nations according to the WHO. Its President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly dismissed the virus as just a "flu".

sputniknews (2020-05-12). Russia to Consider Caracas' Request for Help in Probe of Invasion If Asked – Lavrov. sputniknews.com 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 (2020-05-12). US Mercenaries Went Ahead With Venezuela Invasion Despite Being Outed on TV Weeks Earlier — Video. sputniknews.com The fallout continues from 'Operation Gideon', the brazen May 3-4 attempt by a US security contractor to invade Venezuela, kidnap its president and take him back to the United States. The White House remains in damage control mode, denying any responsibility for the plot while seeking to bring the captured US mercenaries involved back home.

Musuk Nolte, The Nation, Magnum Foundation (2020-05-11). Covid-19 Is Forcing an Exodus From Peru's Cities. thenation.com Musuk Nolte, The Nation, Magnum Foundation Covid-19 Is Forcing an Exodus From Peru's Cities…

Leonardo Flores (2020-05-11). Botched Infiltration of Venezuela Leaves Guaidó Tainted Beyond Repair. commondreams.org 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

Leonardo Flores (2020-05-11). The Botched Infiltration of Venezuela Leaves Guaidó Tainted Beyond Repair. mintpressnews.com 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.

teleSUR (2020-05-11). Venezuela Captures 14 Mercenaries in the Last 24 Hours. telesurenglish.net Venezuelan State Security Forces captured In the last 24 hours a total of 14 mercenaries involved in an armed maritime incursion. | RELATED: | "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…

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

teleSUR (2020-05-10). Iran Slams Failed US Incursion to Overthrow Venezuelan Leader. telesurenglish.net 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: | 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…

Howie Hawkins (2020-05-10). Fight COVID-19 Not Venezuela. dissidentvoice.org 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 …

teleSUR (2020-05-10). Chile Records Highest Number of COVID-19 Cases in 24 Hours. telesurenglish.net The Chilean Health Minister, Jaime Mañalich, reported on Sunday that in the South American country 1,647 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in 24 hours, representing the largest daily increase recorded since the pandemic began. | RELATED: | Of the 1,647 cases accounted for, 1,406 are symptomatic and 241 did not report any signs. With that total figure, Chile reaches 28,866 cases nationwide. | In Chile, the largest previou…

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

teleSUR (2020-05-10). 3 Mercenaries Arrested in Venezuela With Ties to Foiled Coup. telesurenglish.net 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: | 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.

Faranak Bakhtiari (2020-05-10). World's Women in Mathematics Day: Mirzakhani, a genius who shattered stereotypes. iranian.com The second year of World's Women in Mathematics Day will be celebrated through video conferencing on May 12, which is the birthday of late Maryam Mirzakhani, the Iranian-born genius mathematician who shattered stereotypes about women's ability in mathematics. At 2018 World Meeting for Mathematics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Iranian Mathematical Society proposed designating …

RT (2020-05-09). No options: The choice between Trump & Biden is meaningless & proves US democracy is a 'sham,' Roger Waters tells RT. rt.com With US President Donald Trump preparing to square off with presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the 2020 race, Americans might as well be choosing between Orwell and Huxley, Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters told RT. | Though the current US president is a "failed landlord" who somehow managed to become "the most powerful man in the Western world," Biden, his likely rival, does not present a better option, Waters said in an interview with Rafael Correa, the former president of Ecuador who now hosts a show on RT Spanish. | "There's no choice to be made by the American people, this is why the idea that t…

The Lancet (2020-05-09). [Editorial] COVID-19 in Brazil: "So what?" thelancet.com The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic reached Latin America later than other continents. The first case recorded in Brazil was on Feb 25, 2020. But now, Brazil has the most cases and deaths in Latin America (105‚Äà222 cases and 7288 deaths as of May 4), and these are probably substantial underestimates. Even more worryingly, the doubling of the rate of deaths is estimated at only 5 days and a recent study by Imperial College (London, UK), which analysed the active transmission rate of COVID-19 in 48 countries, showed that Brazil is the country with the highest rate of transmission (R0…

Barbara Fraser (2020-05-09). [World Report] Chile plans controversial COVID-19 certificates. thelancet.com Chile's contentious scheme to provide certification of past COVID-19 infection is aimed at reassuring patients about the risk of reinfection or infecting others. Barbara Fraser reports.

Anya Parampil (2020-05-08). Silvercorp co-founder speaks with The Grayzone: What did State Department know about failed Venezuela invasion? thegrayzone.com The Grayzone speaks to Drew White — a close friend and business partner of Silvercorp mercenary firm founder and failed…

Staff (2020-05-08). Climate Crisis: False Techtopia, Tariffs Accounting, Orphan Wells, And The Dead Cow. therealnews.com Recent studies debunk the false techtopianism in climate science models, U.S. import tariffs failed climate accounting, and Argentina's shale industry is flailing. As fracking goes bust, what happens to orphaned wells?

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

Staff (2020-05-07). Profiting from the Pandemic: Will Pharmaceutical Giants Use Patents to Limit Access to COVID Drugs? democracynow.org As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide approaches 4 million and the pandemic could be with us for months or years, we look at who can access drugs like remdesivir, being developed by pharmaceutical giant Gilead, which has the patent for the drug and is poised to make massive profits. We look at how much drugs like remdesivir will cost, and who can access them, with writer Achal Prabhala, coordinator of the AccessIBSA project, which campaigns for access to medicines in India, Brazil and South Africa.

Staff (2020-05-07). Headlines for May 7, 2020. democracynow.org U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Tops 73,400 as 41 States Begin Reopening | , White House Shelves Guidelines on Reopening, as Experts Warn U.S. Failing to Stem COVID-19 Deaths, Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. Children Going Hungry as Unemployment Surges to Great Depression Levels, State Budget Cuts Loom as Trump Rails Against "Blue State Bailouts" | , United Nations Seeks $6.7 Billion for Coronavirus Aid to Poor Countries | , EU Warns Pandemic Economic Recession Will Be Worst in History | , Closing Ceremony of Spanish Coronavirus Field Hospital Marred by Tightly Packed Crowds, Venezuelan TV Airs Video of Arrested U.S. Mercenary Co…

Lucas Koerner (2020-05-07). Guardian Blames Trump's Murderous US Exceptionalism on Hugo Chávez. fair.org 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 …