(2020-12-31). The Great 2020 Seasonal Flu/Influenza Disappearing Act. globalresearch.ca According to the WHO, seasonal flu/influenza practically disappeared this year in the southern hemisphere. | "In tropical South America, there were no influenza detections…" | "Globally… influenza activity remained at lower levels than expected for this time of the year." | Lower …
(2020-12-31). Officials from Bolivia's Coup Regime Will Be Put on Trial. telesurenglish.net Bolivian authorities will investigate members of Jeanine àÅñez's executive, involved in these acts of corruption in the middle of the quarantine against the pandemic, Minister of Justice Iván Lima assured. | RELATED: | The official pointed out there is no documentation to withstand such acquisitions, about which some processes remain open, such as one referring to the purchase of some 300 defective respirators.
(2020-12-31). Covid-19 vaccination still weeks away in hard-hit Brazil. laprensalatina.com By Alba Santandreu Sao Paulo, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- Brazil, which is second only to the United States in deaths from Covid-19, is entering 2021 without a firm date for the arrival of vaccines amid numbers indicating that the dreaded second wave of the pandemic has arrived. Mass vaccination is already underway in several Latin American …
(2020-12-31). Venezuela: Top Court Supports New Parliament's Inauguration. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ) Wednesday ruled to void a legislative reform submitted by opposition lawmakers of the outgoing Parliament, which sought to prevent the inauguration of a new legislative period set to begin on January 5. | RELATED: | The TSJ ruling responds to an appeal requesting a mandate extension of the 2015 Parliament which is currently in contempt and is set to end with the installation in…
(2020-12-31). The Death Of Democracy In Brazil. popularresistance.org The dismantling of Brazil's democracy, which culminated in the jailing of former president Lula Da Silva as he looked certain to be reelected, is the subject of a new English-language investigative podcast. | Cícero Ezequiel Filho lay beneath the sweltering sun of Brazil's capital, Brasilia. He wore khaki shorts, John Lennon glasses and a long white beard, which stretched far below his chin and over a red long-sleeved shirt with the face of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the front. | When I met him in August 2018, Cícero had been outside Brazil's Supreme Court for two weeks. He refused to eat until…
(2020-12-31). The Future Will Only Contain What We Put into It Now. dissidentvoice.org 
Image in homage of Bolivian people's resistance by Tings Chak (China) Towards the end of November, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres addressed the German Bundestag to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN). At the heart of the UN is its Charter, the treaty that binds nations together in a global project, …
(2020-12-31). When Bolivians defeated U.S. imperialism with democracy. mronline.org 
The resounding victory of the MAS presidential ticket in the elections held on October 18 came after a year of struggle against the U.S.-backed coup regime.
(2020-12-31). Mexico Is Set to Receive Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine in March. telesurenglish.net Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) Wednesday informed that his country will receive the first doses of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine made by the United Kingdom-based AstraZeneca company and the Oxford University. | RELATED: | On Tuesday, the U.K. approved Mexico and Argentina to use the vaccine to immunize their people. Four months ago, British authorities also allowed both countries to produce the drug and distribute it in…
(2020-12-31). Brazil suffers 1,194 Covid deaths, largest one-day toll in 4 months. laprensalatina.com Rio de Janeiro, Dec 30 (efe-epa).- Over the past 24 hours, Brazil has registered 1,194 deaths from Covid-19, the highest one-day death toll from the coronavirus since Sept. 1, when 1,215 people died. The total number of Covid-19 deaths in the South American giant is now approaching 194,000, according to figures released Wednesday by the …
(2020-12-31). President Arce Encourages Use of Traditional Indigenous Medicine. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's government is encouraging the use of traditional medicine, in addition to more orthodox approaches, as a means to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as the country prepares for the arrival of the Sputnik V vaccine acquired from Russia. | RELATED: | President Luis Arce noted the benefits reported by Bolivians in rural areas, many of which experienced no major COVID-19 outbreak, in contrast with the city of Santa…
(2020-12-31). Ecuador: 799 Observers to Monitor the 2021 Elections. telesurenglish.net Ecuador's National Electoral Council (CNE) approved 799 people who will participate as national observers to the elections set to take place on Feb. 7. | RELATED: | CNE officials noted that 789 citizens, two foreigners residing in the country, and eight Ecuadorians residing abroad, were selected as observers, while 139 media were qualified as electoral promotion providers. | A plan was also approved for the "out-of-country voting…
(2020-12-31). President Duque Authorizes First Fracking Project in Colombia. telesurenglish.net The Association Against Fracking in Colombia rejected a US$ 76 million contract signed between the National Hydrocarbons Agency (NHA) and the Colombian oil company Ecopetrol to start fracking practices in the country. | RELATED: | Once the environmental licenses are obtained, Ecopetrol will launch the Kale project which will use the hydraulic fracking technique in Puerto Wilches, in the Santander department. | Drilling wil…
(2020-12-31). US Blockade Prevents Venezuela From Funding COVAX. popularresistance.org Venezuela's Health Minister Carlos Alvarado on Sunday said that the economic blockade imposed by the United States is preventing his country from funding the COVAX initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO). | He recalled that his country offered to place US$18 million into the COVAX fund, but as a result of the U.S. blockade, Venezuela has not "been able to free those resources to pay the fund." | Alvarado added that the U.S. sanctions have affected other vaccination programs previously conducted through the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) revolving fund. | "We have not been able to pay the re…
(2020-12-31). Argentina: 'Ground-breaking' new abortion law crucial to ending gender discrimination — UN experts. news.un.org The year drew to a close in Argentina with "a ground-breaking law" that legalizes abortions up to 14 weeks of pregnancy, in a move that independent UN rights experts called on Thursday, "a crucial step in eliminating discrimination against women and girls".
(2020-12-31). Argentinian government expects rapid implementation of abortion law. laprensalatina.com Buenos Aires, Dec 31 (efe-epa).- Argentina will rapidly implement the newly approved law to legalize abortion to ensure greater reproductive rights reach women in the Latin American country, a top government official has said. Vilma Ibarra, the legal and technical secretary of the Argentinian government, said the preparatory stage for the amendment of the law …
(2020-12-30). Argentina 2nd to approve Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab, as EU expected to soon follow suit. rt.com 
The coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca was approved by Argentina on Wednesday, the second nation to greenlight the jab after the UK. | The vaccine has been awarded emergency use authorization for one year, It added that access to the jab will only be permitted by prescri…
(2020-12-30). Bolivia signs contract to purchase 2.6 million doses of Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine. rt.com 
Bolivia has become the third Latin American nation to strike an agreement with Russia's Direct Investment Fund for supplies of its Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19. Under the deal, La Paz will receive 2.6 million doses. | The contract between the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Bolivia's Health Supply Center (CEASS) was signed during a videoconference, in which Bolivian President Luis Arce took part. | The president praised Sputnik V in a Twitter
(2020-12-30). Bolivia signs contract to purchase 2.6mn doses of Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine. rt.com Bolivia has become the third Latin American nation to strike an agreement with Russia's Direct Investment Fund for supplies of its Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19. Under the deal, Bolivia will receive 2.6 million doses. | The contract between the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Bolivia's Health Supply Center (CEASS) was signed during a videoconference, which was also attended by Bolivian President Luis Arce. | The president praised Sputnik V in a Twitter
(2020-12-30). An exclusive look inside Iran's supermarket in Venezuela. thegrayzone.com Red Lines host Anya Parampil visits Megasis, an Iranian supermarket which recently opened in Caracas, Venezuela, and explores cooperation between Tehran and Caracas against the US economic blockade. The Grayzone's Anya Parampil provides an exclusive look inside a superstore which the US government and corporate media have condemned and attempted to link to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. She also speaks with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza about how increased cooperation between Tehran and Caracas is improving the material …
(2020-12-30). Coronavirus vaccination gets under way in Argentina. laprensalatina.com Buenos Aires, Dec 29 (efe-epa).- Health care workers were at the head of the line Tuesday as Argentina began Covid-19 vaccination using Sputnik V, developed by Russia's Gamaleya Research Institute, amid concerns about a second wave of infections in the South American country that has already lost nearly 43,000 lives to Covid-19. "It is a …
(2020-12-30). Chile Confirms Its First Case of the UK COVID-19 Strain. telesurenglish.net Chile's Health Under-Secretary Paula Daza Tuesday confirmed one case of British COVID-19 variant. | RELATED: | The new strain (SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01) was detected in a Chilean woman who arrived in the country on December 22 from Spain. She had previously traveled to London and Dubai. | The woman, who is asymptomatic, was quarantined in the city of Panguipulli located in the Los Rios region, along with her closest contacts. | Daza al…
(2020-12-30). Legislator Nicolas Maduro Guerra Receives Second Sputnik V Dose. telesurenglish.net Deputy-elect to the National Assembly, and legislator of the National Constituent Assembly Nicolas Ernesto Maduro Guerra, received his second dose of the Russian vaccine against COVID-19, Sputnik V on Wednesday. | RELATED: | The son of the Venezuelan President was one of the first citizens in his country to be administered the initial doses of Sputnik V as part of the third phase of the clinical trial, which has hundreds of vol…
(2020-12-30). Puebla Group's Plea to US & EU: Release Venezuela's Funds. telesurenglish.net The Puebla Group (Grupo de Puebla) has penned a statement demanding the release of Venezuela's financial resources by the U.S., EU and European countries to ensure that citizens have access to the vaccine against COVID-19. | RELATED: | The statement signed by 32 progressive political leaders of Latin America and Spain notes the retention of billions of dollars in assets belonging to the Venezuelan people. While th…
(2020-12-30). US Backs Guaido's Farce Extending Protection on CITGO. telesurenglish.net New York Court Tuesday accepted a request from the Venezuelan opposition to protect Citgo Petroleum Corporation, a decision that shows Washington's support for Juan Guaido. | RELATED: | Citgo is a subsidiary of the state-owned Oil of Venezuela (PDVSA) and the leading supplier of gasoline, lubricants, and petrochemicals in the U.S. | U.S. Judge Katherine Polk Failla ruled in favor of the measure that bars Bono PDVSA…
(2020-12-30). Peruvian Workers Are Dissatisfied With the New Agrarian Law. telesurenglish.net Hundreds of Peruvians Wednesday blocked the Pan-American highway in the Viru province to reject the new agricultural law. | RELATED: | They deployed vehicles, rocks, and torches on the highway to demand the law to establish a wage increase for the agricultural sector. | The new law, which was passed by Congress on Tuesday, "does not consider our needs. Protests and roadblocks will continue until our demands are con…
(2020-12-30). Bolivia: President Arce Appoints New Top Military Command. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's President Luis Arce on Tuesday appointed a new Military Command and called on the top officials to rebuild the people's confidence after the violent post-electoral events that took place in November 2019. | RELATED: | He appointed Cesar Vallejos as the new Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief and Augusto Garcia as General Staff Chief.
(2020-12-30). Brazil: Bolsonaro's Remarks Targeting Rousseff Spark Critics. telesurenglish.net Brazil's former President Dilma Rousseff (2011-2016) on Tuesday condemned spiteful comments made by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro who discarded acts of torture committed against her during the dictatorship's rule (1964-1985). | RELATED: | Previously, through a video posted on social networks, Bolsonaro cast doubts on acts of torture committed against Rousseff during her years of imprisonment and requested an X-ray sho…
(2020-12-30). Argentina's Senate Passes Safe Abortion Law. telesurenglish.net Argentina's Senate Wednesday passed the Safe Abortion Law after a 12-hour session, in a victory for the women's movement that has been fighting for this right for over five decades. | RELATED: | "We are living in a historical moment. Our struggle has become law," members of the Campaign for Free, Legal and Safe Abortion Rights said. | This morning, the green color that identifies the battle for safe abortion rights in the c…
(2020-12-30). Abortion legalization marks historic win for feminist movements in Argentina. peoplesdispatch.org Thousands who had gathered in front of the Argentine Congress erupted in mass celebrations as the Senate voted in favor of the Bill approving the voluntary termination of pregnancy…
(2020-12-30). Argentina Passes Bill to Legalize Abortion. truthout.org Thousands of women gathered in Buenos Aires erupted with joy early Wednesday after Argentina's Senate voted to approve legislation that would legalize abortion, the culmination of a The bill permitting elective abortions up to the 14th week of a pregnancy passed by a vote of 38 to 29, and President Alb…
(2020-12-30). Brazilian graffiti phenom Thales Pomb inspired by Goya, the color blue. laprensalatina.com By Antonio Torres del Cerro Sao Paulo, Dec 30 (efe-epa).- He paints a 35-meter (115-foot) mural with the same care he gives to an oil portrait. The color blue inspires him, and the work of Spain's Francisco Goya is in the forefront of his artistic references. His name is Thales Fernando "Pomb," he's 31 and …
(2020-12-30). Argentina waiting tensely to learn if Senate approves abortion law. laprensalatina.com By Rodrigo Garcia Buenos Aires, Dec 29 (efe-epa).- Argentines are waiting with bated breath in the coming hours to find out whether the Senate approves a bill legalizing abortion up until the 14th week of pregnancy, which although it is being supported by the government is sparking differences between government backers and the political opposition, …
(2020-12-30). Bolivia Will Acquire 5.2 Million Doses of the Sputnik V Vaccine. telesurenglish.net Bolivia becomes the third country in the region to acquire the Russian vaccine Sputnik V for free in its population. | The Government of Bolivia signed this Wednesday an agreement with Russia to acquire 5.2 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus. | RELATED: | During the signing ceremony of the agreement, carried out via videoconference, President Luis Arce stated that the acquisition of the…
(2020-12-29). Argentina Kicks off COVID-19 National Vaccination Campaign. telesurenglish.net Argentina's COVID-19 vaccination campaign began on Monday, following a national operation to distribute 300,000 doses of the Russian vaccine across the country. | RELATED: | Subnational governments offered details on the vaccination plan in each district. In Buenos Aires, the Sputnik V vaccine will be applied to health personnel at 110 hospitals in 89 municipalities. | "After so many months of the pandemic, we…
(2020-12-29). When Bolivians defeated US imperialism with democracy. peoplesdispatch.org 
[Peoples Dispatch brings you a series of articles and videos on 2020, a momentous year that saw humanity face unprecedented challenges. The beacon of hope remained the historic resistance mounted by people's movements, and the care and solidarity they epitomized, proving yet again that our collective struggles alone can dismantle and end oppression] | As 2019 ended, Bolivia faced the grim reality of life under a US-backed coup d'état, the advances of over a decade under threat. However, within a year, with their firm conviction and tireless resistance, millions of Bolivians defeated imperialism with democracy in…
(2020-12-29). Recidivist Criminal and Constitutional Outlaw Trump Rushes to Pardon Criminal Lawbreakers. counterpunch.org 
Serial lawbreaker Donald J. Trump is embarking on the most sordid presidential pardon spree in American history. He has already pardoned convicted crooks, thieves, and violent outlaws. Trump's pardon lawyers are frantically assembling more MAGA besotted individuals and groups to be pardoned wholesale. The number may climb into the hundreds. The queue is long. Trump
(2020-12-29). Russia's FSB dismantles international drug smuggling ring, seizes $13.6 million worth of drugs in joint operation with US (VIDEO). rt.com 
In a rare collaborative effort, elite Russian and American law enforcement officials have busted a transnational criminal gang smuggling cocaine from South America to Europe, seizing 330 kilograms of the illegal drug. | The drug smuggling chain was busted as a result of a "months-long multi-stage international operation," Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that the first members of the gang were detained as early as in May. The operation was conducted together with the US Justice Department's Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS). | "In close cooperation with in…
(2020-12-29). Russia's FSB dismantles international drug smuggling ring, seizes $13.6mn worth of drugs in joint operation with US (VIDEO). rt.com In a rare collaborative effort, Russian and American law enforcement officials have busted a transnational criminal gang smuggling cocaine from South America to Europe, seizing 330 kilograms of the drug. | The drug smuggling chain was busted as a result of a "months-long multi-stage international operation," Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that the first members of the gang were detained as early as in May. The operation was conducted together with the US Justice Department's Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS). | "In close cooperation with international pa…
(2020-12-29). Argentina launches Covid-19 immunization campaign using Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. rt.com 
Argentina has launched a nationwide campaign to vaccinate the public against Covid-19, deploying 300,000 doses of Russia's pioneering Sputnik V vaccine. Medics are the primary recipients. | The first shipment of the vaccine arrived in Argentina last Thursday. On Tuesday, it commenced vaccinations in 23 provinces and in the city of Buenos Aires, local media reported. Most of the doses are meant for frontline workers — doctors and nurses working with Covid-19 patients in hospitals. Dr. Francisco Traverso, who works at the Posadas Hospital in the capital was the first to get the vaccine to the applause of hi…
(2020-12-29). Uruguay: Circus Artists Demand Work Amid New COVID-19 Measures. telesurenglish.net Dozens of Uruguayan circus companies demanded jobs during the summer period, after President Luis Lacalle's administration prevented them from performing due to the new anti-COVID-19 measures. | RELATED: | "Summer is the time of greatest demand for the sector. We claim our right to work," the artists stated as they called "extremist and unilateral" the new health policies. | In a statement released through social networks, th…
(2020-12-29). Workers Struggles: The Americas. wsws.org Air traffic controllers in Peru held a three-day strike over the Christmas holiday to protest lack of COVID protection, while Ecuador police attacked workers occupying the Explocen mining explosives plant south of Quito.
(2020-12-29). Argentina prepares to roll out Sputnik Covid-19 vaccine. laprensalatina.com Buenos Aires, Dec 28 (efe-epa).- Argentina mobilized Monday to distribute 300,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to hospitals in each of the 34 provinces amid concerns about a second wave of infections in the South American country that has already lost nearly 43,000 lives to Covid-19. The operation was on track "to initiate …
(2020-12-29). Argentina starts nationwide COVID-19 vaccinations. peoplesdispatch.org On December 24, the South American nation received the first 300,000 doses out of a total order of over 10 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. In the first round it has prioritized the health workers for the administration of the vaccine.
(2020-12-29). 'Laboratories Should Rush To Sell Vaccines' Bolsonaro Says. telesurenglish.net Brazil's President Bolsonaro downplayed the absence of a mass vaccination plan and blamed COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers for not approaching the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) to offer their products. | RELATED: | "Brazil has 210 million inhabitants. It is a huge consumer market. Laboratories are the ones that should be interested in selling the vaccine. Why then don't they present the documentatio…
(2020-12-29). Bolivia's Govt Grants 20% of the Budget to Health and Education. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's President Luis Arce on Monday enacted three laws that will allocate 20 percent of the 2021 budget to the health and education sectors. | RELATED: | "We are focused on achieving greater social justice after the recession left by the coup-born regime led by Jeanine Añez. Everything is pointing to an economy with better indicators in 2021," Arce said. | On Monday, the government promoted the General State Budget Laws (PGE) 2021, the Gre…
(2020-12-29). Colombia: Workers Unions Reject Minimum Wage Increase for 2021. telesurenglish.net Colombia's Workers Central Union (CUT) on Tuesday rejected the 2021 minimum wage increase set at 3.5 percent and called it "humiliating." | RELATED: | "To tell a worker that they increased US$0.29 a day is a humiliation…is a humiliating increase in the minimum wage compared to the 5.2 percent in congressmen's wage," CUT President Diogenes Orjuela said. | Including a transportation subsidy, the monthly minimum wage will shift from US…
(2020-12-29). Argentineans to Hold Vigil in Support of Safe Abortion Bill. telesurenglish.net Argentina's feminist movements Tuesday called for a vigil in front of Congress to accompany the Senate vote on the Safe Abortion bill. | RELATED: | The vote, which will begin on Tuesday afternoon and end on Wednesday morning, will also be accompanied by anti-abortion demonstrations. | The square in front of the Congress will be divided with a fence. The left side will be set for women's rights activists, while the right si…
(2020-12-29). Chile Experienced an Increase in Femicides in 2020. telesurenglish.net Chile's Network for No Violence Against Women (CN) warned of the increase of femicides tallies in the country, reporting 56 cases so far this year. | RELATED: | The CN highlighted that current femicide figures are higher than those recorded in 2019 when 45 assassinations were reported. The crimes were committed in 14 of the country's 16 regions. | Most of the victims were between 24 and 30 years old, while 65 perc…
(2020-12-29). Peru: Keiko Fujimori To Take Part in the Presidential Election. telesurenglish.net Peru's Superior Court ruled out a request by the Prosecutor's Office to disqualify the right-wing party Popular Force (FP) led by Keiko Fujimori for alleged illegal contributions received from the Brazilian company Odebrecht. | RELATED: | Judge Victor Zuñiga took the decision whi…
(2020-12-29). Diego Costa pens early end to Atlético Madrid contract. laprensalatina.com Madrid, Dec 29 (efe-epa).- Diego Costa has ended his contract with Atlético Madrid six months after expressing his desire to leave for personal reasons, the club confirmed Tuesday. The Spanish-Brazilian striker, who plays for Spain, has officially been an Atlético player in three stints spanning 2007-2020. In that time he also plied his trade with …