Daily Archives: 2019-08-16

2019-08-16: News Headlines

Evaggelos Vallianatos (2019-08-16). The War on Nature. counterpunch.org Ancient Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Chinese and Indians respected or worshipped several gods. Those gods were usually forces of nature, which opened the mind, eyes and hearts of human beings to the mysteries, beauty and truth of the natural world. The vast human majorities of the ancient world were peasant farmers and shepherds who cultivated More

Yoav Litvin (2019-08-16). Israel Fears a Visit by Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. counterpunch.org On July 16, Somali-American Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, together with Representatives John Lewis and Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib, introduced bill HR-496 which is meant to affirm Americans' "right to participate in boycotts in pursuit of civil and human rights at home and abroad, as protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution". Though not explicitly mentioned, HR-496 is at least More

Nikos Konstandaras (2019-08-16). The Truth Behind the Assassination of the South African PM. thenation.com The Truth Behind the Assassination of the South African PM…

WSWS (2019-08-16). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org More workers at Ryanair have voted to strike as the job action by Portuguese delivery drivers continues and Kenyan public sector workers are set to walk out Tuesday.

Khubaka, Michael Harris (2019-08-16). Inaugral Teff Day helps prepare for California Addis Ababa Sister State. indybay.org "California Grown" Teff Field Trials – A Taste of Africa at UC Davis will showcase the global commercial opportunity of our ancient super grain of antiquity.

Sarah Abed (2019-08-16). Fewer Banks in African American Neighborhoods Contribute to the U.S. Racial Wealth Gap. globalresearch.ca A new study published by McKinsey & Co on Tuesday found that one of the contributing factors to the U.S. racial wealth gap is the lack of banks in predominantly African American communities. Lack of access to mainstream financial services …

Ralph Nader (2019-08-16). With the Boeing 737 MAX Grounded, Top Boeing Bosses Must Testify Before Congress Now. counterpunch.org Two Boeing 737 MAX crashes, one in Indonesia last October and one in Ethiopia this past March, took a combined 346 lives. Steady scrutiny by the media reported internal company leaks and gave voice to sidelined ex-Boeing engineers and aerospace safety specialists. These experts have revealed that Boeing's executives are responsible because they chose to use an unstable structural More

Betsey Piette (2019-08-15). People's Power stops a modern-day lynching. workers.org A massive phone protest by people from around the world and calls for direct protests forced the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to back down from carrying out the state's latest attempt to kill MOVE 9 member Delbert Orr Africa. For over a week all communication between Orr Africa and his . . . | Continue reading People's Power stops a modern-day lynching at Workers.org

Abayomi Azikiwe (2019-08-15). Sudan's "Constitutional Declaration" Leaves Out Key Political Forces. Attempted Military Coups and Regional Intrigue. globalresearch.ca Members of the Sudanese Professional Association (SPA), a leading organization within the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), announced on August 9 that they would have no representatives in the soon to be created transitional government. | This report comes in …

United Nations (2019-08-15). Terrorism survivors: Forced to farm, fish, fight, 'they slaughtered three of my friends'. un.org To mark next week's International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, UN News travelled to Chad and the Far North region of Cameroon in West Africa earlier in the year, to interview people who have personal stories to tell about how terrorism has shattered their lives.

Ralph Nader (2019-08-14). With the Boeing 737 MAX Grounded, Top Boeing Bosses Must Testify Before Congress Now. dissidentvoice.org Two Boeing 737 MAX crashes, one in Indonesia last October and one in Ethiopia this past March, took a combined 346 lives. Steady scrutiny by the media reported internal company leaks and gave voice to sidelined ex-Boeing engineers and aerospace safety specialists. These experts have revealed that Boeing's executives are responsible because they chose to …

United Nations (2019-08-14). Wednesday's Daily Brief: Help for Venezuelans, Burundi Ebola vaccine drive, Paraguay poison probe urged, talking disarmament in Geneva, Libya violence down. un.org Our main stories today cover: Scaled-up assistance for Venezuelans; Ebola vaccinations for Burundi health workers; reports of civilian deaths following an Afghan-sponsored security operation; agrochemical spray probe urged in Paraguay; Libya violence abates during truce, and disarmament conference's first woman chief urges Governments to "overcome their differences".

United Nations (2019-08-14). 'Palpable reduction' in violence following Eid truce says Libya Mission, as UN investigates deadly bombing which left 3 staff dead. un.org A UN call for a humanitarian truce over this week's Eid al-Adha religious holiday led to a "palpable reduction" of violence around the embattled capital of Tripoli, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said in a statement released on Wednesday.

United Nations (2019-08-14). Terrorism survivors: 'The terrorists killed many people in front of us'. un.org To mark the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, on 21 August, UN News travelled to Chad and the Far North region of Cameroon in West Africa earlier this year, to interview people who have personal stories to tell, about how terrorism has shattered their lives.

United Nations (2019-08-13). UN warns of spike in grave violations against children in Mali as 'the new normal'. un.org Voicing great concern over a sharp increase in the killing and maiming of children in Mali due to ongoing fighting and instability, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and partners on Tuesday, called on all warring parties to stop attacks and "keep them out of harm's way".

Sarah Farley (2019-08-12). Shot in the back: Colorado Springs police kill De'Von Bailey, community fights cover-up. liberationnews.org On Aug. 3, 19-year-old De'Von Malik Bailey was shot in the back as he fled from two Colorado Springs police officers.

Aída Chávez (2019-08-12). Former Beto O'Rourke Organizers Rally Behind New Texas Senate Candidate. theintercept.com In April, Becky Bond and Zack Malitz left Beto O'Rourke's staff, less than a month after they'd helped the former Senate candidate rake in $6 million in the first day of his presidential campaign. It was seen, at the time, as a strategic shift for O'Rourke — away from the "big organizing" vision that drove his unexpectedly impactful 2018 Senate run. Now, Social Practice, the firm created by Bond and Malitz, who also worked on Sen. Bernie Sanders's 2016 campaign for president, is turning its "big organizing" vis…

United Nations (2019-08-11). FROM THE FIELD: 'Eco-warriors' fight climate change in South Africa. un.org Schools in South Africa have been designating students as "eco-warriors" as part of an initiative supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), to drive environmental and climate change awareness amongst the young and old in their communities.

United Nations (2019-08-10). Three UN workers killed following Benghazi car bomb attack, as Security Council meets in emergency session, honours their 'ultimate sacrifice'. un.org Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday condemned a car bomb attack in front of a shopping mall in the Libyan city of Benghazi, which left three UN workers dead, and three others injured, with dozens of civilians also wounded.

Maryam Saleh (2019-08-09). The Sharpest Lens on the Arab World Belongs to the Arab Women Reporting There. theintercept.com "Our Women on the Ground," a new anthology of essays, brings much-needed nuance to coverage of the Middle East and North Africa.

United Nations (2019-08-09). Friday's Daily Brief: Indigenous Peoples' Day, Yemen food aid, IDs for Rohingya, protect fleeing Malians, Nagasaki Peace Ceremony. un.org Our main stories: 'Promote' indigenous peoples' languages urges Guterres; WFP resumes Yemen food aid; 500,000 Rohingya ID cards issued; Malians fleeing violence need protection; Nagasaki Peace Ceremony message…

United Nations (2019-08-08). Thursday's Daily Brief: Climate crisis and food risks, fresh violence threat for millions of Syrians, calls for calm in Kashmir. un.org Thursday's top stories: food security risk from climate crisis, fresh violence threat for millions of Syrians, UN chief urges "maximum restraint" in Jammu and Kashmir, calls for investigations into "brutal abduction" of Libyan politician.

Staff (2019-08-07). "Toni Morrison Will Always Be with Us": Angela Davis, Nikki Giovanni & Sonia Sanchez Pay Tribute. democracynow.org Toni Morrison, one of the nation's most influential writers, died this week at the age of 88 from complications of pneumonia. In 1993, Morrison became the first African-American woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. She also won a Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for her classic work "Beloved." Much of Morrison's writing focused on the Black female experience in America, and her writing style honored the rhythms of Black oral tradition. Her work was deeply concerned with race and history, especially the sin of transatlantic slavery and the potentially restorative power of community. In 2012, President Obama awar…

Staff (2019-08-07). Headlines for August 7, 2019. democracynow.org Dems and Grieving Communities Voice Resistance to Trump Visits to El Paso and Dayton, FBI Investigating Gilroy Mass Shooting as Domestic Terror, Dems Call on Congressional Leaders to Pass Bills Addressing White Supremacy, Civil Rights Groups Rally Against Gun Violence and White Supremacy at White House, Walmart Workers Plan Walkout to Protest Gun Sales, Toni Morrison, Visionary Author and Nobel Laureate, Dies at 88, Nigerian Journalist and Political Activist Omoyele Sowore Arrested After Calling for Revolution, U.S Warns Turkey Against Syria Attacking Kurdish Forces in Syria, 25% of World's Population Under "Extr…

CounterSpin (2019-06-14). Sandy Cioffi on Nigerian Oil, Riki Ott Looking Back at Exxon Valdez Spill. fair.org Media…

2019-08-16: Social Media Postees

Israel Fears a Visit by Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib
Yoav Litvin | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-16
On July 16, Somali-American Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, together with Representatives John Lewis and Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib, introduced bill HR-496 which is meant to affirm Americans' "right to participate in boycotts in pursuit of civil and human rights at home and abroad, as protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution". Though not explicitly mentioned, HR-496 is at least…
counterpunch.org/2019/08/16/israel-fears-a-visit-by-ilhan-omar-and-rashida-tlaib/

The War on Nature
Evaggelos Vallianatos | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-16
Ancient Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Chinese and Indians respected or worshipped several gods. Those gods were usually forces of nature, which opened the mind, eyes and hearts of human beings to the mysteries, beauty and truth of the natural world. The vast human majorities of the ancient world were peasant farmers and shepherds who cultivated…
counterpunch.org/2019/08/16/the-war-on-nature/

With the Boeing 737 MAX Grounded, Top Boeing Bosses Must Testify Before Congress Now
Ralph Nader | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-16
Two Boeing 737 MAX crashes, one in Indonesia last October and one in Ethiopia this past March, took a combined 346 lives. Steady scrutiny by the media reported internal company leaks and gave voice to sidelined ex-Boeing engineers and aerospace safety specialists. These experts have revealed that Boeing's executives are responsible because they chose to use an unstable structural…
counterpunch.org/2019/08/16/with-the-boeing-737-max-grounded-top-boeing-bosses-must-testify-before-congress-now/

The Truth Behind the Assassination of the South African PM
Nikos Konstandaras | thenation.com | 2019-08-16
The Truth Behind the Assassination of the South African PM…
thenation.com/article/hendrik-verwoerd-assassination-dimitri-tsafendas/

Inaugral Teff Day helps prepare for California Addis Ababa Sister State
Khubaka, Michael Harris | indybay.org | 2019-08-16
"California Grown" Teff Field Trials – A Taste of Africa at UC Davis will showcase the global commercial opportunity of our ancient super grain of antiquity.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/08/15/18825503.php

Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
wsws.org | 2019-08-16
More workers at Ryanair have voted to strike as the job action by Portuguese delivery drivers continues and Kenyan public sector workers are set to walk out Tuesday.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/08/16/work-a16.html

Fewer Banks in African American Neighborhoods Contribute to the U.S. Racial Wealth Gap
Sarah Abed | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-16
A new study published by McKinsey & Co on Tuesday found that one of the contributing factors to the U.S. racial wealth gap is the lack of banks in predominantly African American communities. Lack of access to mainstream financial services …
globalresearch.ca/fewer-banks-african-american-neighborhoods-contribute-u-s-racial-wealth-gap/5686556

People's Power stops a modern-day lynching
Betsey Piette | workers.org | 2019-08-15
A massive phone protest by people from around the world and calls for direct protests forced the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to back down from carrying out the state's latest attempt to kill MOVE 9 member Delbert Orr Africa. For over a week all communication between Orr Africa and his . . . | Continue reading People's Power stops a modern-day lynching at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/08/15/peoples-power-stops-a-modern-day-lynching/

Sudan's "Constitutional Declaration" Leaves Out Key Political Forces. Attempted Military Coups and Regional Intrigue
Abayomi Azikiwe | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-15
Members of the Sudanese Professional Association (SPA), a leading organization within the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), announced on August 9 that they would have no representatives in the soon to be created transitional government. | This report comes in …
globalresearch.ca/sudans-constitutional-declaration-leaves-out-key-political-forces-attempted-military-coups-and-regional-intrigue/5686446

Terrorism survivors: Forced to farm, fish, fight, 'they slaughtered three of my friends'
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-15
To mark next week's International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, UN News travelled to Chad and the Far North region of Cameroon in West Africa earlier in the year, to interview people who have personal stories to tell about how terrorism has shattered their lives.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1044261

With the Boeing 737 MAX Grounded, Top Boeing Bosses Must Testify Before Congress Now
Ralph Nader | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-08-14
Two Boeing 737 MAX crashes, one in Indonesia last October and one in Ethiopia this past March, took a combined 346 lives. Steady scrutiny by the media reported internal company leaks and gave voice to sidelined ex-Boeing engineers and aerospace safety specialists. These experts have revealed that Boeing's executives are responsible because they chose to …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/08/with-the-boeing-737-max-grounded-top-boeing-bosses-must-testify-before-congress-now/

Wednesday's Daily Brief: Help for Venezuelans, Burundi Ebola vaccine drive, Paraguay poison probe urged, talking disarmament in Geneva, Libya violence down
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-14
Our main stories today cover: Scaled-up assistance for Venezuelans; Ebola vaccinations for Burundi health workers; reports of civilian deaths following an Afghan-sponsored security operation; agrochemical spray probe urged in Paraguay; Libya violence abates during truce, and disarmament conference's first woman chief urges Governments to "overcome their differences".
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1044231

'Palpable reduction' in violence following Eid truce says Libya Mission, as UN investigates deadly bombing which left 3 staff dead
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-14
A UN call for a humanitarian truce over this week's Eid al-Adha religious holiday led to a "palpable reduction" of violence around the embattled capital of Tripoli, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said in a statement released on Wednesday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1044201

Terrorism survivors: 'The terrorists killed many people in front of us'
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-14
To mark the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, on 21 August, UN News travelled to Chad and the Far North region of Cameroon in West Africa earlier this year, to interview people who have personal stories to tell, about how terrorism has shattered their lives.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1044191

UN warns of spike in grave violations against children in Mali as 'the new normal'
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-13
Voicing great concern over a sharp increase in the killing and maiming of children in Mali due to ongoing fighting and instability, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and partners on Tuesday, called on all warring parties to stop attacks and "keep them out of harm's way".
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1044151

Shot in the back: Colorado Springs police kill De'Von Bailey, community fights cover-up
Sarah Farley | liberationnews.org | 2019-08-12
On Aug. 3, 19-year-old De'Von Malik Bailey was shot in the back as he fled from two Colorado Springs police officers.
liberationnews.org/shot-in-the-back-colorado-springs-police-kill-devon-bailey-community-fights-cover-up/

Former Beto O'Rourke Organizers Rally Behind New Texas Senate Candidate
Aída Chávez | theintercept.com | 2019-08-12
In April, Becky Bond and Zack Malitz left Beto O'Rourke's staff, less than a month after they'd helped the former Senate candidate rake in $6 million in the first day of his presidential campaign. It was seen, at the time, as a strategic shift for O'Rourke — away from the "big organizing" vision that drove his unexpectedly impactful 2018 Senate run. Now, Social Practice, the firm created by Bond and Malitz, who also worked on Sen. Bernie Sanders's 2016 campaign for president, is turning its "big organizing" vis…
theintercept.com/2019/08/12/texas-progressive-senate-candidate/

FROM THE FIELD: 'Eco-warriors' fight climate change in South Africa
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-11
Schools in South Africa have been designating students as "eco-warriors" as part of an initiative supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), to drive environmental and climate change awareness amongst the young and old in their communities.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1044101

Three UN workers killed following Benghazi car bomb attack, as Security Council meets in emergency session, honours their 'ultimate sacrifice'
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-10
Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday condemned a car bomb attack in front of a shopping mall in the Libyan city of Benghazi, which left three UN workers dead, and three others injured, with dozens of civilians also wounded.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1044111

The Sharpest Lens on the Arab World Belongs to the Arab Women Reporting There
Maryam Saleh | theintercept.com | 2019-08-09
"Our Women on the Ground," a new anthology of essays, brings much-needed nuance to coverage of the Middle East and North Africa.
theintercept.com/2019/08/09/arab-women-journalists-book/

Friday's Daily Brief: Indigenous Peoples' Day, Yemen food aid, IDs for Rohingya, protect fleeing Malians, Nagasaki Peace Ceremony
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-09
Our main stories: 'Promote' indigenous peoples' languages urges Guterres; WFP resumes Yemen food aid; 500,000 Rohingya ID cards issued; Malians fleeing violence need protection; Nagasaki Peace Ceremony message…
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1044081

Thursday's Daily Brief: Climate crisis and food risks, fresh violence threat for millions of Syrians, calls for calm in Kashmir
United Nations | un.org | 2019-08-08
Thursday's top stories: food security risk from climate crisis, fresh violence threat for millions of Syrians, UN chief urges "maximum restraint" in Jammu and Kashmir, calls for investigations into "brutal abduction" of Libyan politician.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/08/1043971

"Toni Morrison Will Always Be with Us": Angela Davis, Nikki Giovanni & Sonia Sanchez Pay Tribute
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-08-07
Toni Morrison, one of the nation's most influential writers, died this week at the age of 88 from complications of pneumonia. In 1993, Morrison became the first African-American woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. She also won a Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for her classic work "Beloved." Much of Morrison's writing focused on the Black female experience in America, and her writing style honored the rhythms of Black oral tradition. Her work was deeply concerned with race and history, especially the sin of transatlantic slavery and the potentially restorative power of community. In 2012, President Obama awar…
www.democracynow.org/2019/8/7/remembering_toni_morrison