Daily Archives: August 4, 2020

2020-08-04: News Headlines

Yanis Iqbal (2020-08-04). The Tyranny of Lithium Extraction in Argentina. globalresearch.ca In the middle of a raging Covid-19 pandemic, Argentina has decided to accelerate the lithium mining sector. This intensification is occurring as a part of the larger expansion of Argentinean extractivism wherein the country has

Peoples Dispatch (2020-08-04). Indefinite strike begins in Bolivia against postponement of general elections. peoplesdispatch.org Over 24 major interdepartmental and inter-provincial highways and roads have been blocked by protesters to demand compliance with the decision to hold elections on September 6 in Bolivia…

Sharon Guynup (2020-08-03). Brazilian Amazon Drained of Millions of Wild Animals by Criminal Networks: Report. globalresearch.ca The Brazilian Amazon is hemorrhaging illegally traded wildlife according to a

Ollie Vargas (2020-08-03). While Bolivia's coup regime lets its citizens die, Cuba has nearly defeated Covid-19. thegrayzone.com A dispatch from Bolivia shows the staggering human toll of the military coup, as an incompetent US-backed regime leaves impoverished…

Paul Dobson (2020-08-03). Blacklisted Iranian Consortium Defies US to Open Caracas Superstore. venezuelanalysis.com Venezuelan and Iranian officials claim the commercial deal is part of a "win-win" relationship between the sanctioned countries.

Ilya Tsukanov (2020-08-03). US Blasts Venezuela-Iran 'Alliance of Pariah States'. globalresearch.ca The new grocery store, which features over 2,000 products from Iran, was made possible after the Islamic Republic sent half a dozen cargo ships carrying fuel, food, medical supplies and spare parts for Venezuela's oil industry to the South American …

S. Brian Willson (2020-08-03). Nicaragua Targeted for US Overthrow in 2020-21. globalresearch.ca The USA failed State continues to seek destruction of Nicaragua (among other nations such as Venezuela, Cuba, Syria and Iran, who refuse to obey US demands for neoliberal privatization that enrich the already rich. | Introduction | George Washington, who waged …

commondreams (2020-08-03). Thousands at Risk of COVID-19 Escalating in ICE "Superspreader" Detention Centers as US States Hit Highest Daily Records—and ICE Deportation Flights Into Central and South America Continue. commondreams.org ______________________________…

_____ (2020-08-02). Are Russia And US Different When It Comes To Election Meddling? popularresistance.org On this week's installment of "Scheer Intelligence," Robert Scheer challenges guest David Shimer on the fundamental conclusions of his new book, "Rigged: America, Russia and 100 Years of Covert Electoral Interference," regarding the "intentions" for US covert operations versus those of the Soviet Union/Russia. | Excerpted and lauded in the New York Times and elsewhere in the mainstream media, "Rigged" outlines covert operations in various countries by both nation-states, including American interference in 1970s Chile and post-World War II Italy, among others, but has been best reviewed for its deep dive into Russ…

Peter Bolton (2020-08-01). The Venezuelan government's latest move exposes the falsehoods in the US narrative. thecanary.co Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro recently But you wo…

RT (2020-08-01). Next-level protection: Anti-Covid HELMET uses space technologies to stop virus in its tracks (VIDEO). rt.com Forget about face masks, engineers from Colombia have designed a special helmet similar to those used by astronauts to work as a protection bubble against the coronavirus infection. | The futuristic headgear is intended for use by people who are most vulnerable and who "really live their daily lives with a lot of risk" of getting sick, aeronautical engineer, Andres Felipe Giraldo, told RT's Ruptly video agency. | Yet, according to the helmet's co-creator, Ricardo Andres Conde, it will also fit "anyone who wants to protect him or herself" from the disease, which has already infected around 296,000 and killed ov…

Ricardo Vaz (2020-08-01). Venezuela Requests Extradition of Former Oil Minister. venezuelanalysis.com Rafael Ramirez has been accused of corrupt dealings during his tenure as oil minister.

Walden Bello (2020-08-01). Could the Duterte Regime Be COVID-19's Next Victim? zcomm.org Like Trump in the U.S. and Bolsonaro in Brazil, the Philippine strongman's utter failure to contain COVID-19 may kneecap his authoritarian ambitions…

WSWS (2020-08-01). As COVID-19 ravages Brazil, governments promote homicidal reopening of schools. wsws.org The attempt by big business politicians to reopen schools in the country faces massive opposition from educators and working-class families.

_____ (2020-08-01). Bolivians Reject Postponement Of Elections With Massive Mobilizations. popularresistance.org Organizations and trade unions from diverse sectors in Bolivia joined the call to mobilize today, on July 28, against…

_____ (2020-08-01). When Corporate Power Is Your Real Government, Corporate Media Is State Media. strategic-culture.org Caitlin JOHNSTONE | astonishingly horrible article the other day titled "Latin America Is Facing a 'Decline of Democracy' Under the Pandemic" accusing governments like Venezuela and Nicaragua of exploiting Covid-19 to quash opposition and oppress democracy. | The article sources its jarringly propagandistic claims in multiple US government-funded narrative management operations like the Wilson Center and the National Endow…

yenisafak (2020-08-01). Kuwait bans flights to 31 'high risk' countries due to coronavirus. yenisafak.com Kuwait has banned until further notice commercial flights to 31 countries it said that it regarded as high risk due to the spread of the coronavirus, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said on Saturday.The countries include India, Pakistan, Egypt, the Philippines, Lebanon and Sri Lanka, which all have large numbers of expatriates in Kuwait. The list also includes China, Iran, Brazil, Mexico, Italy and Iraq.The ban was announced the same day Kuwait began a partial resumption of commercial flights. The authorities have said Kuwait International Airport would run at about 30% capacity from Saturday, gradually…

Staff (2020-07-31). EU Shares Blame For Amazon's Destruction, Research Shows. therealnews.com EU countries are responsible for promoting deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions in the Brazilian Amazon by importing and consuming agricultural products contaminated with illegal deforestation, new research has found. | Published in research journal In a classic example of doublespeak, the EU has also been vocal about boycotting products from Brazil over spiking deforestati…

Staff (2020-07-31). Headlines for July 31, 2020. democracynow.org U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Top 1,000 for Fourth Consecutive Day, U.S. Economy Recorded Worst Quarterly Drop on Record as Coronavirus Spread, New Orleans Protesters Block Eviction Court Proceedings as Rent Comes Due, Brazil's First Lady Tests Positive for COVID-19 as Deaths Top 91,000, Coronavirus Cases Spike in European Countries that Lifted Lockdowns, Donald Trump Suggests Election Delay, Sparking Bipartisan Outrage, U.S. Postal Delays Spark Fears Over Mail-In Ballots in November Election, Civil Rights Icon and Georgia Congressmember John Lewis Laid to Rest, Herman Cain, Co-Chair of Black Voices for Trump, Dies of…

CounterSpin (2020-07-31). Alex Main on Bolivia Coup, Carol Anderson on Voter Suppression. fair.org Media…

Yanis Iqbal (2020-07-31). Peru's corporate-controlled health system crumbling under stress of COVID-19. peoplesworld.org On March 11, Peru declared a 90-day national sanitary emergency to deal with the emerging coronavirus crisis. Subsequently, the country announced a total lockdown beginning from March 16. But despite implementing one of the earliest and strictest COVID-19 containment regimes in Latin America, Peru has become trapped in the turmoil of rising COVID-19 cases. With …

RT (2020-07-31). Argentina extends lockdown until August 16 as coronavirus cases rise. rt.com Argentina will extend a mandatory lockdown until August 16 as its coronavirus cases continue to rise, President Alberto Fernandez said on Friday. The lockdown, which has been the strictest in the capital Buenos Aires, was due to expire on Sunday. | The South American nation has seen its caseload spike in recent weeks and recorded a record daily tally on Thursday with 6,377 new cases. There are now 185,373 confirmed cases and 3,466 deaths, Reuters reported. | "The big problem that we have had in the last 15 days is that we relaxed, we felt that it was contained," Fernandez said. Argentina has been under lockdow…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-07-31). "The people of Bolivia will no longer be intimidated" peoplesdispatch.org Bolivian journalist Ollie Vargas talks about the massive protests that have broken out in the country following the authorities' decision to postpone the presidential elections yet again…

teleSUR (2020-07-31). Venezuela Requests Italy To Extradite Former PDVSA President. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) declared admissible the extradition request submitted to Italy against PDVSA former president Rafael Ramirez. | RELATED: | Ramirez must return to Venezuela to be subjected to criminal proceedings, for the alleged commission of fraudulent embezzlement and evasion of the bidding procedure. | In the request, Venezuelan authorities committed to judging Ramírez only for…

teleSUR (2020-07-31). Argentina Prolongs Quarantine Until August 16. telesurenglish.net Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez Friday announced that the quarantine will be extended until August 16. This announcement was made after this country recorded its highest COVID-19 infection figures on Thursday. | RELATED: | "The virus is increasingly circulating in the country. This new measure is an effort to reduce the infections," Fernandez explained. | Over the last 24 hours, Argentina recorded 153 deaths and 6,37…

teleSUR (2020-07-31). Bolivian Workers Ratify Call For Mobilizations On August 3. telesurenglish.net The Bolivian Workers' Union (COB) and the traditional coca growers farmers of the Tropic of Cochabamba ratified this Thursday an indefinite general strike for August 3, after meeting with the Full Chamber of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE). | RELATED: | Although they stated that dialogue is not closed, the executive secretary of COB Juan Carlos Huarachi said that the call for the protests has been made and is the decision of a city c…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-07-31). Brazilian unions reject return to classes without safe conditions. peoplesdispatch.org Brazilian educational and healthcare workers took to the streets on July 29 to denounce the decision by the state government to return to in-person classes while the pandemic rages on…

teleSUR (2020-07-31). Brazil: COVID-19 Cases Increase, Bolsonaro Tours Country. telesurenglish.net According to the Ministry of Health's daily report, the country registered 91,263 deaths, while the total number of infections rose to 2,610,102 cases. | RELATED: | After testing positive three times, President Jair Bolsonaro announced Thursday he is taking antibiotics for a lung infection and continues to downplay social distancing measures while resuming his work schedule. | He also said that his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, test…

teleSUR (2020-07-31). WHO Reports Record Daily Rise In Global Covid-19 Cases. telesurenglish.net The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases, with the worldwide total rising by 292,527 on Friday. | RELATED: | According to a daily report, the most significant increases were from the United States, Brazil, India, and South Africa. The four countries have dominated global headlines with large outbreaks, while India recorded its highest daily infection rate, with more th…

teleSUR (2020-07-31). Chile Records The Highest Unemployment Rate In A Decade. telesurenglish.net Chile reached the highest overall unemployment rate in a decade amid the COVID-19 pandemic, 12.2 percent, the National Statistics Office (INE) revealed on Friday. | RELATED: | According to the institution during the second quarter of this year, from April to June, the number of unemployed people soared to 996.900, an increment of 299.100 compared to the same period in 2019. | "The national unemployment rate was 12.2 pe…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-07-31). 212 Land Defenders were killed in 2019. peoplesdispatch.org A recent report shows that 2019 was the most dangerous year for land defenders with over 200 activists being murdered this year. Colombia and the Philippines were the worst affected.

teleSUR (2020-07-31). Ecuador: Prohibition And Curfew In 18 Provinces Amid Covid-19. telesurenglish.net The National Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) established as of Friday, July 31, a new curfew in Quito, the capital, and the cantons of 18 of 24 provinces of Ecuador to prevent the spread of Covid-19. | RELATED: | As reported by El Comercio newspaper, the restriction on the movement of people was extended by the EOC in the face of the spread of Covid-19, which on Friday exceeded 85 000 cases in the country. | Acco…

Jack Delaney (2020-07-31). "Operation Gideon": The Amphibious Assault against Venezuela. globalresearch.ca On May, 3, U.S. mercenaries and the

teleSUR (2020-07-31). Venezuela Comes to an Agreement With PAHO to Fight COVID-19. telesurenglish.net Venezuela ¥s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez Thursday reported the signing of an agreement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to access resources to fight COVID-19. | RELATED: | "We have had the possibility of having US$10 million to take care of our doctors, health personnel, and COVID-19 patients," Rodriguez said. | She explained that the Presidential Commission for the Prevention and Attention of C…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-07-30). Chile's trade union center calls for a national protest against Piñera's government. peoplesdispatch.org The United Center of Workers of Chile (CUT) rejected the national government's actions that are leading the workers to bear the costs of the current crisis…