(2021-02-15). Preliminary findings of the visit to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. mronline.org 
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Ms. Alena Douhan, visited the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from 1 to 12 February 2021. She thanks the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for enabling and supporting her visit to the country. The purpose …
(2021-02-15). US, OAS, Colombia try to steal Ecuador's election from popular socialist candidate, while spreading fake news. thegrayzone.com The US State Department is pushing a politicized vote recount, overseen by the coup-sponsoring OAS, after socialist Andrés Arauz won Ecuador's election in a landslide. Meanwhile Colombia's ex-president warns his country's "radical right" is "interfering" with "slander" and a "dirty game." GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR — A popular socialist candidate, Andrés Arauz, won the first round of Ecuador's historic presidential election by a landslide on February 7. The leftist's overwhelming victory prompted the US State Department, the right-wing government of neighboring Colombia, …
(2021-02-15). UN Special Rapporteur Blasts 'Devastating' and 'Illegal' US and EU Sanctions against Venezuela. venezuelanalysis.com UN Human Rights expert Alena Douhan called for sanctions to be lifted and revised.
(2021-02-15). Venezuela to Resume Face-to-Face Classes Partially in March. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro Sunday informed that his country will partially resume face-to-face classes as of March complying with "all necessary health measures to prevent contagion." | RELATED: | "The return to the classroom will be carried out under a strict biosecurity protocol to preserve students' health," Maduro highlighted, adding that the vaccination campaign will kick off in the next few days. | In early…
(2021-02-15). Elections in Ecuador — The Fight Against Neoliberalism. zcomm.org Please Help ZNet Photo by max.ku/Shutterstock Ecuador's leftist candidate Andrés Arauz has won the first round of the country's presidential elections held on 7 February, 2021, garnering 31.5% of the vote. An economist and former minister in socialist president Rafael Correa's government, he has led the ticket for the Union for Hope coalition — what
(2021-02-15). Peru: Chancellor Resigns Due to a COVID-19 Vaccination Scandal. telesurenglish.net Peru's Foreign Affairs Minister Elizabeth Astete on Sunday resigned from her post after it was known that she had been vaccinated. She is not, however, in the groups at risk that should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. | RELATED: | President Francisco Sagasti accepted her resignation after she admitted having received the first dose on Jan. 22, 2021. | "I am outraged and furious about this situation, which jeopardizes the enor…
(2021-02-15). Iran denies ownership of seized oil tanker, tells Washington to 'stop acts of piracy'. middleeasteye.net 
Iran denies ownership of seized oil tanker, tells Washington to 'stop acts of piracy' | United States seized Liberian-flagged tanker earlier this month, forcing ship to anchor outside Texas port | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 16: 13 | The US Justice Department on 14 August 2020 confirmed it had seized fuel cargo aboard four tankers sent by Iran to crisis-wracked Venezuela (AFP/File photo) | The seizure of a cargo of oil…
(2021-02-15). Colombia to receive 1st batch of Covid-19 vaccines on Monday. laprensalatina.com Bogota, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- An initial batch of 50,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner, biotechnology company BioNTech, will arrive in Colombia on Monday afternoon, President Ivan Duque said in a nationwide address. That Andean nation has lagged behind some of its regional neighbors, including Mexico …
(2021-02-15). Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala becomes first woman, African to lead WTO. laprensalatina.com Geneva, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was on Monday appointed as the World Trade Organization's new director-general, becoming the first woman and first African citizen to lead the global institution that regulates international commerce. Okonjo-Iweala, who is from Nigeria but also holds United States citizenship, will officially take over from Brazilian Roberto Azevedo on 1 …
(2021-02-15). Brazilian unions suppress workers' opposition to mass layoffs following Ford shutdowns. wsws.org The dismissal of 5,000 workers directly employed by Ford and the closing of its three remaining plants in Brazil will lead to the loss of another 119,000 jobs.
(2021-02-15). Trump Has Gone — Time to End US Sanctions on Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | The United States has an extensive sanctions programme affecting two dozen …
(2021-02-15). Brazilian teachers union and pseudo-left sabotage strike against Sà£o Paulo school reopenings. wsws.org The APEOESP teachers union has betrayed a week-long strike against the reopening of schools, proposing a deadly return to the classrooms.
(2021-02-15). GAO Report Findings Show that Biden Administration Should Scrap Trump's Economic Sanctions that Have Killed Tens of Thousands of People in Venezuela, CEPR Co-Director Says. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | A
(2021-02-15). Ecuador: Presidential Candidate Lasso Refuses Vote Recount. telesurenglish.net Ecuador's Creating Opportunities (CREO) Presidential candidate Guillermo Lasso on Sunday withdrew from the agreement reached with Pachakutik's candidate Yaku Perez on vote recount. | RELATED: | Previously, on Friday, the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced that the two candidates competing for second place had agreed that the votes for the Feb. 7 elections be fully counted in the Guayas province again. They…
(2021-02-15). Biden Administration Should Scrap Trump's Economic Sanctions that "Have Killed Tens of Thousands of People" in Venezuela, CEPR Co-Director Says. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | A
(2021-02-14). US Meddling In Ecuador's Historic Election And Fake NGO 'Left'. popularresistance.org Max Blumenthal speaks with Ben Norton, who is reporting from Ecuador, on the historic February 7 election, and how the US government, regime-change networks, and wealthy oligarchs are trying to prevent the return of the socialist Citizens' Revolution movement of former President Rafael Correa. We discuss the fake NGO "left," represented by coup-supporting pseudo-environmentalist candidate Yaku Pérez, and how a victory of leftist Andrés Arauz could help bring back the progressive, anti-imperialist Pink Tide in Latin America.
(2021-02-14). Football icon Diego Maradona's cell phones to be examined by investigators as part of 'manslaughter by medical negligence' probe. rt.com 
Two cell phones belonging to Argentina football superstar Diego Maradona are to be examined by investigators as they probe whether medical negligence was the determining factor in the icon's death last November. | A judge has approved the request by investigators to access two smartphones owned by Maradona prior to his death in a bid to confirm what part medical oversights could have played in the 1986 World Cup winner's passing last year. | According to Mail Online, the investigation is hoping to determine if Maradona had expressed any concerns about his health and the medical treatment he had been receiving…
(2021-02-14). Peru's health minister resigns amid vaccine row. yenisafak.com Peru's Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti stepped down from her post after it was revealed that the former president received the COVID-19 vaccine before it became widely available in the country, according to local media on Saturday.Following the news that Martin Vizcarra got the vaccine shot in October 2020, months ago the vaccine reached Peru, Mazzetti was criticized by Congress and she submitted her resignation to President Francisco Sagasti Friday night.Speaking on the issue, Sagasti thanked Mazzetti for her fight against the pandemic and said she was treated unjustly.Last week, the first batch of vaccines, cont…
(2021-02-14). Democrats' Shameful Cave. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/gettyimages-12923215461.jpg …
(2021-02-14). Argentina's former President Carlos Menem dies aged 90. laprensalatina.com Buenos Aires, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- Argentina's former president Carlos Menem, in office from 1989 to 1999, died on Sunday aged 90, sources inside Buenos Aires' Los Arcos hospital, where he was admitted on 15 December, confirmed to Efe. Menem was initially hospitalized for a prostate check but was diagnosed with a urinary infection that complicated …
(2021-02-14). Damning UN Report Urges The UK To Unfreeze Venezuelan Gold. popularresistance.org Alena Douhan is the United Nations' special rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. Douhan visited Venezuela on 1 February "to assess the impact of unilateral sanctions on the enjoyment of human rights by people living in Venezuela and any other affected people". | On 12 February, Douhan published her preliminary findings based on "extensive consultations with a wide range of interlocutors". The UN independent expert recognised the negative impact of coercive sanctions on human rights and urged European banks to "unfreeze assets of the Venezuela Central…
(2021-02-14). UN Special Rapporteur Urges US To Lift The Blockade Against Venezuela. popularresistance.org The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) on the effects of sanctions on human rights, Alena Douhan, held a press conference today before leaving Venezuela. Douhan detailed the impact of the United States' unilateral coercive measures on the Venezuelan people. | Douhan reported that the unilateral "sanctions" violate International Law. The conclusion followed Douhan's comprehensive report on damages caused by coercive measures implemented by Washington and its European partners against Venezuela, and specified that the final report will be presented to the UN in September 2021. Douhan urged the interlocut…
(2021-02-14). Former President of Argentina, Carlos Menem, Dead at 90. telesurenglish.net Former Argentine president Carlos Menem died this Sunday in a clinic in Buenos Aires at the age of 90, the press reported. | Menem, who was a senator for the Justicialist Party until his death, had been hospitalized several times in recent months. | Menem, who ruled Argentina for a decade, died this morning at the age of 90 in the Sanatorio Los Arcos. He was hospitalized due to a urinary infection, his ex-wife Zulema confirmed to Télam. | The Argentine president, Alberto Fernández, expressed his condolences to the Menem family on his Twitter account. | "With deep regret, I learned of the death of Carlos Saúl M…
(2021-02-13). Peru: Health Minister Resigns After Vizcarra's Vaccination. telesurenglish.net According to the local newspaper La República, Mazzetti decided to resign due to the constant criticism from parliamentarians after it became known that the former president Manuel Vizcarra (2018-2020) was vaccinated against the new coronavirus, the cause of COVID-19, before the vaccine became available to the general public. | RELATED; | Similarly, Mazzetti announced her resignation due to the criticism of the management…
(2021-02-13). 'My personality differentiates me': Mauro Icardi's wife Wanda Nara shows off body as she offers fans Valentine's Day love (VIDEO). rt.com 
Paris Saint-Germain striker Mauro Icardi's wife, Wanda Nara, has insisted that photo filters and being rich enough to afford surgery does not give her body confidence, posing in a tiny outfit to celebrate Valentine's Day. | Glamorous Nara runs her own cosmetics brand and is known for stripping off for racey social media posts, even lying on a balcony in a swimsuit in temperatures of minus six in Paris this week. | Now the selfie-loving showgirl has claimed that her life away from the camera, including acting as the former Argentina forward's agent, defines her more than her figure and photoshoots. | "Each woma…
(2021-02-13). 'I can't believe it, but yes': Boss Klopp admits Liverpool won't retain Premier League crown as Alisson HOWLER gifts Leicester win. rt.com 
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has conceded that his team will be unable to defend their Premier League trophy after his side slid to yet another self-inflicted defeat – thanks in part to the latest mistake by goalkeeper Alisson. | The usually sure-handed Brazil international has been uncharacteristically error-prone in recent weeks as the injury-ravaged Merseysiders' loss of form has not only all but ended their hopes of retaining their crown, but has now put their chances of finishing in the Champions League qualification positions at the business end of the Premier League table in serious jeopardy. | A success…
(2021-02-13). Rio de Janeiro's empty Sambadrome lights up in tribute to Covid victims. laprensalatina.com Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Feb 12 (efe-epa).- Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome will remain quiet and deserted between Friday and Ash Wednesday due to the cancellation of the world's most famous carnival parade amid the Covid-19 pandemic but will light up at night in tribute to the victims of the coronavirus. The light show, simulating a …
(2021-02-13). [Correspondence] COVID-19 in Brazil: far beyond biopolitics. thelancet.com Richard Horton1 proposed the importance of Foucault's biopolitics as a concept for understanding COVID-19. While praising his commentary, we would add that in countries like Brazil, COVID-19 is not only about the politics of the body, but about the politics of death.
(2021-02-13). UN envoy urges US, EU to stop sanctions against Venezuela. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (MNA) — A UN envoy called on the United States and European Union to lift sanctions against Venezuela, noting that such coercive measures have worsened the humanitarian crisis in the country.
(2021-02-13). Chile protests against police killing of street juggler turn violent. laprensalatina.com Santiago de Chile, Feb 13 (efe-epa).- A police van was set on fire as hundreds of people took to the streets in the Chilean capital on Friday in fresh protests against the killing of a street juggler in alleged firing by cops last week. The protesters in the central Plaza Italia in Santiago de Chile …
(2021-02-13). Bolivia and Cuba To Resume Pre-Coup Political and Trade Agenda. telesurenglish.net The authority informed the program 180, of Patria Nueva radio, that he recently held a virtual meeting with the Minister of Commerce of Cuba, with whom he agreed to invigorate bilateral ties. | RELATED: | "We are resuming the economic and commercial agenda and obviously the political relations are becoming quite dynamic again," informed the Vice Minister. | Viceministro
(2021-02-13). Neither Lenin, nor Moreno. strategic-culture.org The clear rejection by the Ecuadoran electorate of Moreno and everything he stands for is bound to perturb those who imagine that th–µse countries and their ancient peoples are squatters in their "back yard." | Few would dispute that Ecuador's misnamed outgoing president's mandate has been an unmitigated disaster. Curiously, it has turned out literally that both his names are in diametrical opposition to the political role he took it upon himself to play. The parents who idealistically named him after Lenin must be rolling over in their graves. While once opportunistically pretending to belong to the…
(2021-02-13). Ecuador: Electoral Council Announces Partial Recount Of Votes. popularresistance.org The National Electoral Council (CNE) of Ecuador informed this Friday that in 17 of the 24 provinces of the country there will be a partial recount of the votes cast in the presidential elections held last February 7, won by the Correa-backed candidate Andres Arauz. | This Friday, CNE magistrates, in the presence of electoral observers from the Organization of American States (OAS), held a meeting with presidential hopefuls Guillermo Lasso and Yaku Perez, who are in a technical tie for second place in the electoral process. | At the end of the meeting, the CNE issued a statement to inform of the agreements reached…
(2021-02-13). Who is behind the drive to reopen Sà£o Paulo's schools? wsws.org A handful of representatives of the most powerful lobbies operating in Brazil's richest state are concocting a "popular" basis for a policy aimed at restoring capitalist profits.
(2021-02-12). Ralph Nader on Corporate Crime, Holding Boeing Accountable for 737 MAX Deaths & Biden's First Weeks. counterpunch.org 
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(2021-02-12). Bolivia Approves Amnesty Law for Those Persecuted by Añez Gov't. telesurenglish.net The Bolivian parliament approved on Thursday the Amnesty and Pardon law for more than 1 000 persecuted by the government of Jeanine àÅñez, including former president Evo Morales. | RELATED: | Vice-President David Choquehuanca proclaimed the law with "the affirmative vote of the absolute majority of the Assembly," the official noticed. | ÔøΩÔøΩPor meses exigimos y gritamo…
(2021-02-12). Indigenous Peoples Improvise a COVID-19 Hospital in Manaus. telesurenglish.net In response to the inefficiency of the Brazilian authorities, the residents of the Manaus neighborhood "Tribes Park" (Parque das Tribos) set up their "Support Unit" (SU), a rudimentary field hospital to treat COVID-19 patients. | RELATED: | Despite the high number of COVID-19 cases, they are not being treated directly by the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (SESAI) because they reside in an urban area. | "
(2021-02-12). President Maduro Seeks Multilateral Mechanisms To Get Vaccines. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday said he was looking for an agreement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to create a fund to finance COVID-19 vaccines. | RELATED: | This agreement would seek to obtain US$300 million to purchase COVID-19 vaccines, a task that is currently very difficult due to the U.S. blockade on the country. | The Bolivarian leader made p…
(2021-02-12). Amazon Sars-Cov-2 Variant More Contagious, Minister Claims. telesurenglish.net Brazilian Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello has claimed that a SARS-CoV-2 mutation identified in the Amazon region be three times more contagious, although available COVID-1 vaccines can be effective against it. | RELATED: | "Thank God, we had clear news from the analysis that the vaccines still affect this variant. But it is more contagious. By our analysis, it is three times more contagious," the official said. | Técnico…
(2021-02-12). Vaccination To Help Revive Tourism in Chile's Easter Island. telesurenglish.net Residents of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) in this week are receiving the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines made in China. | RELATED: | This Chilean territory has seen zero coronavirus cases since March 2020, when local authorities barred the entry of tourists to curb the spread of the disease. | The move was effective, but potentially painful, cutting off the community's major source of income. Now residents hope the vaccine push w…
(2021-02-12). Indigenous Covid field hospital set up in crisis-riddled Manaus. laprensalatina.com Manaus, Brazil, Feb 12 (efe-epa).- Amid an oxygen crisis and the collapse of healthcare systems in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, residents of an indigenous neighborhood of Manaus, the regional capital, have set up a field hospital exclusively for the treatment of indigenous people with Covid-19. Because they live in an urban area, the native …
(2021-02-12). Ralph Nader on Corporate Crime, Holding Boeing Accountable for 737 MAX Deaths & Biden's First Weeks. democracynow.org 
Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and hold Boeing fully accountable. "This is just another example of giant companies getting away with their corporate criminal…
(2021-02-12). Where Are the Witnesses? Ralph Nader Says Democrats' Impeachment Case Is "Prescription for Defeat" democracynow.org 
As the historic Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump continues, we speak with longtime consumer advocate, corporate critic and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, who says Democrats have set themselves up for defeat by rushing proceedings and failing to call witnesses — including Trump himself. "The narrow approach of the articles of impeachment keep the Democrats from having a full hand," says Nader. "They have like 10 arrows in their quiver and they're using one or two."
(2021-02-12). Ralph Nader: Biden Must Hold Boeing Accountable for Deaths Due to Faulty Planes. truthout.org 
Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and…
(2021-02-12). UFC 258: Despite Dana White's theory he might soon be MMA's GOAT, Kamaru Usman has some way to go to be considered the best. rt.com 
Kamaru Usman could eclipse Georges St-Pierre's haul of 12 consecutive 170lb victories if he defends his crown against Gilbert Burns at UFC 258 but despite Dana White's praise, Usman must test himself further to be called the best. | 'The Nigerian Nightmare' takes on the third defense of his UFC welterweight title late on Saturday night when he faces former training partner and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu phenom Burns in the UFC 258 headliner in Las Vegas. | A win on for the reigning champ would be his 13th consecutive 170lbs victory since his debut with the UFC in 2015, marking him alone as having the lengthiest ru…
(2021-02-12). Chile stands tall as Latin America's vaccination rollout leader. laprensalatina.com Santiago, Feb 12 (efe-epa).- More than 1.5 million people have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose in Chile since a mass rollout began on Feb. 3. Those inoculation efforts make that country the undisputed leader in that category in Latin America and have earned it widespread praise globally. "Mass vaccination is the hope for …
(2021-02-12). Independent UN rights expert calls for unilateral sanctions to be dropped against Venezuela. news.un.org At the end of a two-week visit to Venezuela, an independent UN human rights expert noted on Friday that unilateral sanctions imposed on the country have exacerbated pre-existing crises, calling for them to be dropped.
(2021-02-12). Ander Herrera: Without Neymar, we lose a natural leader. laprensalatina.com Paris, Feb 12 (efe-epa).- Before confirming Neymar's absence for the Champions League Round of 16 game, Paris Saint-Germain's Ander Herrera wouldn't dare to say the French team was the favourite against Barcelona. But now, with the Brazilian star sidelined with an injury, Herrera acknowledges in an interview with Efe that PSG is missing "a leader." …
(2021-02-12). Bolivians Hold Their 'Oruro Carnival' in Virtual Ways. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's Oruro carnival has been traditionally celebrated with massive parties and parades. This year, however, it will be held virtually and with street performances designed to avoid mass gatherings. | Throughout the nation, dozens of virtual activities were promoted to mark the festivity, which was declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2001. | In La Paz city, authorities will promote online talks and concerts as well as exhibitions in public institutions. |
(2021-02-12). Dozens of Prominent Organizations and Academics Press Biden on Human Rights in Brazil. counterpunch.org Last week, the US Network for Democracy in Brazil (USNDB) delivered a white paper to the Biden White House, its "Recommendations on Brazil to President Biden and the New Administration." The wide-ranging document, covering issues such as the environment, human rights, and the rule of law, urges the new administration to make a fundamental break