(2020-08-23). FROM THE FIELD: Ugly veggies in Kenya destined for lunch not landfills. news.un.org Hundreds of tons of fresh and edible vegetables which are typically dumped because they do not meet the aesthetic requirements for export are ending up on the plates of hungry Kenyan students thanks to the UN's World Food Programme (WFP).
(2020-08-23). Protecting people from conflict, cyclones and COVID-19 in Mozambique: a UN Resident Coordinator blog. news.un.org By the UN Resident Coordinator Myrta Kaulard, Laura Tomm-Bonde, IOM Chief of Mission and Samuel Chakwera, UNHCR Resident Representative, all based in Mozambique.
(2020-08-23). Saudi-led coalition intercepts rebel drone from Yemen. yenisafak.com The Saudi-led coalition said on Sunday it had intercepted an explosives-laden drone fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels towards Saudi Arabia.Coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki said the drone was shot down over Yemen, without giving any further details, according to the Saudi SPA news agency.On Saturday, the coalition said it had destroyed a bomb-laden drone ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels towards the kingdom.Meanwhile, the Houthi group accused the Saudi-led coalition of dropping cluster bombs over the Bajil district in the western al-Hudaydah province.The news was carried by the Houthi-run Al-Masira tel…
(2020-08-22). Ceasefire in Libya will be key for region. peoplesdispatch.org The declaration of a ceasefire in war-torn Libya has raised hopes that a political solution can be reached and years of hostility ended. The war in Libya and the possible peace has great regional significance too.
(2020-08-22). UN Invites Libyan Tribes to Participate in Crisis Settlement, Country's Elders Council Official Says. sputniknews.com BENGHAZI (Sputnik) – Libyan tribes have been invited to participate in the political process on the Libyan crisis settlement by the United Nations, Senussi al-Haleeq, the deputy chairman of the Supreme Council of Libyan Sheikhs and Elders, which supports the Libyan National Army, said on Saturday.
(2020-08-22). A Sudanese political evacuee's views on Britishness and the 'refugee crisis'. thecanary.co Somewhere in Sudan, in the latter half of the 1990s, a warrant was issued to arrest and charge one Gamal el-Din Khougali with conspiracy and crimes against the government. The successful businessman and political activist's 'crimes' were organising awareness campaigns and producing material critical of the now ousted The inf…
(2020-08-22). [Articles] The Community-Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) cluster randomised trials in Mozambique, Pakistan, and India: an individual participant-level meta-analysis. thelancet.com The CLIP intervention did not reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes. Future community-level interventions should expand the community health worker workforce, assess general (rather than condition-specific) messaging, and include health system strengthening.
(2020-08-21). As Burkina Faso grapples with COVID-19, new UN data reveals 'alarming deterioration' in food security. news.un.org An estimated 3.3 million people in Burkina Faso are facing acute food insecurity, two United Nations agencies warned on Friday.
(2020-08-21). Libyan warring factions announce immediate ceasefire, to be followed by national elections. peoplesdispatch.org Both the Government of National Accord and the House of Representatives which supports the Libyan National Army made announcements indicating an end to all hostilities, as well as the demilitarization of the cities of Sirte and Al-Jufrah…
(2020-08-21). Amid French occupation pro-imperialist coup topples Malian president KeàØta. wsws.org The coup leaders exploited growing anger among workers and youth at KeàØta, but then declared they would support France's neo-colonial occupation of their country.
(2020-08-21). Pro-imperialist coup topples Malian President KeàØta. wsws.org The coup leaders exploited growing anger among workers and youth at KeàØta, but then declared they would support France's neo-colonial occupation of their country.
(2020-08-21). Sudanese refugee drowns attempting to cross English Channel. wsws.org Family members say the victim had his claim for asylum in France refused, and risked the dangerous sea crossing seeking a better life.
(2020-08-21). 3 Iranian hostages held by Somali pirates released. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 21 (MNA) — Three Iranian fishermen who were taken hostage by Somali pirates five years ago and released this week, arrived in Tehran on Friday.
(2020-08-21). Libyan government calls for cease-fire. yenisafak.com The Libyan government on Friday announced a cease-fire and ordered the military to stop all combat operations.The Tripoli-seated Government of National Accord said that the "cease-fire requires the areas of Sirte and al-Jufra to be demilitarized within security arrangements."It called for presidential and parliamentary elections in March.For his part, Aguila Saleh, speaker of pro-Khalifa Haftar Libyan parliament, called on all parties for immediate cease-fire.He said the truce will make Sirte a temporary seat for a new presidential council to be guarded by police forces from various regions in the country.UN welc…
(2020-08-21). Five Ways Coronavirus Is Deepening Global Inequality. commondreams.org A stranded mother carries her child by a road with little traffic as she awaits transport to get into the central business district of Harare, Zimbabwe on June 2, 2020. (Photo: Jekesai Njikizana/AFP via Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/5-ways-inequality.jpg …
(2020-08-20). Headlines for August 20, 2020. democracynow.org Kamala Harris Accepts Democratic Party's Nomination for Vice President, Hundreds of Wildfires Choke California, as Coronavirus Sidelines Prisoner Firefighters, U.S. Records Nearly 1,300 New Coronavirus Deaths as PPE Shortages Persist, NYC Teachers' Union Threatens Strike If Schools Reopen Without Safety Measures, New Zealand Deploys Troops to Enforce Quarantine; Zambian Vice President Positive for Coronavirus, Emails Reveal Swedish Epidemiologist Urged Coronavirus Spread to Attain Herd Immunity, Iran's Official COVID-19 Death Toll Passes 20,000 as Trump Pushes for New Sanctions, European Union Readies Sanctions A…
(2020-08-20). Global South Calls For Sanctions On Apartheid Israel. popularresistance.org Israel's decades-old regime of apartheid and theft of Palestinian land is continuing unabated. Reports that Israel is "suspending" formal annexation are a smokescreen for continued colonisation and piecemeal ethnic cleansing of Indigenous Palestinians. | Around the world, advocates for justice are pushing back.The Global South response, initiated by South African civil society, brings together notable figures, intellectuals, policy makers, civil society leaders and experts from Africa, Latin America and Asia, in a joint effort to promote lawful sanctions on Israel to end its decades-old oppression of the Palestin…
(2020-08-20). Arms in the air? UAE-Israel peace deal kickstarts long-stalled F-35 purchase from Washington. rt.com 
The UAE-Israeli peace deal could sprout into a lucrative arms contract, as the UAE's foreign minister said it had removed the obstacles for purchasing F-35 fighters from the US. Washington said such a deal is already under review. | Formal normalization of ties with Tel Aviv should remove "any hurdle" in the path of the potential new arms deal with the US, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said Thursday. | "We have legitimate requests … We ought to get them … the whole idea of a state of belligerency or war with Israel no longer exists," Gargash told the NATO-sponsored pro-war Atl…
(2020-08-20). Zambian Socialist Party Secretary General Cosmas Musumali released from detention. peoplesdispatch.org Musumali was arrested along with nearly 30 other party workers while conducting a meeting. With the parliamentary elections only a month away, the ruling Patriotic Front has been cracking down on mobilizations and meetings by the opposition…
(2020-08-20). The Hariri Assassination: Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) Verdict. Fake Justice on Behalf of Israel. globalresearch.ca In May 2007, Security Council Resolution 1757 established the STL "on the outskirts of the Hague." | Ten SC members voted "yes," none "no," Russia, China, South Africa, Indonesia, and Qatar abstaining. | Five judges were involved in proceedings, Judge David Re…
(2020-08-20). Algerian journalist Abdelkrim Zeghileche faces prison term for "undermining national unity" peoplesdispatch.org Abdelkrim Zeghileche, an active supporter of the Hirak protests, has been in pre-trial detention since June 23 and his trial is expected to begin in a few days. He faces a three-year prison term if convicted…
(2020-08-20). Algerian journalist Abdulkrim Zeghileche faces prison term for "undermining national unity" peoplesdispatch.org Abdulkrim Zeghileche, an active supporter of the Hirak protests, has been in pre-trial detention since June 23 and his trial is expected to begin in a few days. He faces a three-year prison term if convicted…
(2020-08-20). Egyptians stand up against sexual violence. peoplesdispatch.org A case against a rich alleged rapist has sparked outrage across the country, leading to an amendment to legislation to conceal the identities of survivors — but is it enough?
(2020-08-20). Somalia at a critical juncture, as federal, state leaders, meet to break election impasse. news.un.org With elections slated for November delayed due to COVID-19, Somalia is at a critical juncture, the top United Nations official in the country told the Security Council on Thursday, pressing federal and state leaders to agree on voting modalities, and bolster the capacity of forces which are meant to assume full control of national security, next year.
(2020-08-20). Mali coup: Democratic order must be restored 'as fast as possible'. news.un.org The UN on Thursday called for the "constitutional and democratic order" to be restored as soon as possible across Mali, following the military coup, and reiterated a call to respect the rule of law, and refrain from violence.
(2020-08-20). Mauritius oil spill highlights importance of global maritime laws: UN trade body. news.un.org The devastating oil spill off the east coast of Mauritius has highlighted the need for global adoption of international legislation that govern the seas and protect small island states and their vulnerable marine ecosystems against ship pollution, UN trade body UNCTAD has stated.
(2020-08-20). Tensions rise as Zimbabwe's economy implodes. wsws.org There is widespread speculation about a possible coup to depose President Mnangagwa.
(2020-08-20). 'Efforts to block Turkish energy ships will pay price'. yenisafak.com Anybody who tries to block Turkish energy exploration in its coastal waters will regret it, said the head of a Turkish political party on Thursday."Anyone who dares to confront our navy and research ships in the [Eastern] Mediterranean or the Aegean will pay the heaviest price," Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said in a written statement.Bahceli reiterated that Turkey's rightful actions are in line with international law, adding that they "upended global plans."Greece, France, Egypt, and other countries have moved to deprive Turkey of Mediterranean energy resources and box it in,…
(2020-08-20). Turkey's Central Bank keeps interest rates steady. yenisafak.com The decision was announced in a statement following the bank's eighth Monetary Policy Committee (MCP) meeting of 2020."The gradual normalization of pandemic-specific financial measures and recent tightening steps taken in liquidity management are judged to support macrofinancial stability," said the bank statement.Saying that uncertainties over domestic and external demand conditions remain significant, the bank stressed that it will continue with liquidity measures.In recent weeks the bank has taken several steps to tighten liquidity conditions to support the Turkish lira such as halving the overnight borrowing…
(2020-08-20). Turkey helps South Sudan produce face masks. yenisafak.com Turkey's state-run aid agency TIKA has provided South Sudan sewing machines and cloth rolls for making masks to help it respond better to the coronavirus pandemic.The 30 sewing machines, and 1,000-meter cloth roll will help in the production of about 15,000 face masks, the Turkish ambassador to South Sudan said while handing them over to the Ministry of Labor in the capital Juba on Thursday."We are ready to support South Sudan whenever needed," Tugrul Biltekin said."We are working closely with the South Sudanese government, and have divided our aid into five phases. This is the last phase, to provide masks," he s…
(2020-08-20). Stop the Police Surveillance State Too. commondreams.org "In response to a loss of funding, police departments are likely to consider shifting from more expensive, racist, human policing to more cost-efficient, racist, technology-driven policing," writes the authors. (Photo: Jim Gehrz/The Star Tribune/AP) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/police_1_0.jpeg …
(2020-08-20). Replacing Hunger with Malnutrition. commondreams.org Farmers in Zimbabwe prepare fields to grow maize. (Photo: David White, Oxfam) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/southernafrica.jpg …
(2020-08-19). Headlines for August 19, 2020. democracynow.org Joe Biden Formally Wins Democratic Presidential Nomination, Postmaster General Promises to Suspend Service Cuts Until After Election, Notre Dame Cancels In-Person Classes Amid COVID-19 Outbreak Linked to Party, Coronavirus Death Toll from U.S. Prisons and Jails Tops 1,000, World Health Organization Says Young People Are Driving Coronavirus Outbreaks, Malian President Deposed in Military Coup Following Weeks of Protests, Senate Intelligence Committee Alleges Trump Campaign Associate Was Russian Agent, Far-Right Activist, Banned from Twitter over Racism, Wins Florida House GOP Primary, RNC to Feature St. Louis Coup…
(2020-08-19). 'The rich should not be given priority' for Covid-19 vaccine, Pope Francis says, urges against return to 'normality' of inequality. rt.com 
Pope Francis has called on rich countries not to hoard any coronavirus vaccine and asked them to only give pandemic-related bailouts to companies committed to protecting the environment and helping the most needy. | "It would be sad if the rich are given priority for the Covid-19 vaccine. It would be sad if the vaccine becomes property of this or that nation, if it is not universal and for everyone," Francis said during his weekly general audience on Wednesday. | The pontiff also said that the world should not return to normality after the pandemic if 'normal' means social injustice and the degradation of the…
(2020-08-19). AOC Slams NBC News for "Malicious and Misleading" Tweet About Her DNC Appearance. truthout.org Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) criticized NBC News on Wednesday morning in response to the network's misleading tweet regarding a nomination statement she had made at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) the night before. |
(2020-08-19). UAE- Israel 'peace' deal is a dagger aimed at Palestinians. liberationnews.org 
By Joyce Chediac On Aug 13, Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed to end decades of hostility and normalize relations. The agreement was brokered by, and announced by President Trump, who called it, "a significant step towards building a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Middle East." Nothing could be further from the truth. This …
(2020-08-19). President of Mali resigns following military take over. peoplesdispatch.org 
The coup was in response to the protests going on for the last few months in the country demanding the resignation of the president, widespread reforms and the expulsion of French troops from the country…
(2020-08-19). 16-year-old boy found dead on beach after disappearing at sea, says French minister. thecanary.co 
A 16-year-old Sudanese boy who disappeared at sea has been found dead on a beach near Calais, a French minister has said. | Marlene Schiappa, who is in charge of citizenship in France's government, said the teenager was found on the beach of Sangatte on Wednesday morning. | The tragedy comes as a record number of the perilous journeys across the Channel have been attempted during the recent hot weather. | @GDarmanin contre les passeurs qui profitent de la détresse d'êtres humains ! | — MarleneSchiappa (@MarleneSchiappa) (2020-08-19). Tearing Down the Idols of Colonialism: Why Tunisia, Africa Must Demand French Apology. zcomm.org Tunisia, and many African countries, must demand a French apology. By doing so, they declare "loudly and intelligibly" that they are finally free from the "white man's (selfish and racist) values," and that they truly see themselves as equal…
(2020-08-19). Libya to Export Only Oil Accumulated in Terminals, LNA Says. sputniknews.com CAIRO (Sputnik) – Libya, following the resumption of the operation of oil facilities, will export only oil accumulated in port terminals, crude produced at deposits will not be exported, Libyan National Army spokesman Major General Ahmad al-Mismari said.
(2020-08-19). Malian Opposition Vows to Cooperate With Coup Leaders on Transition Period — Reports. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Malian opposition has promised to cooperate with the leaders of the coup on organizing the transition period in the country, local media reported.
(2020-08-19). Joe Biden nominated to take on Donald Trump. thecanary.co Democrats have formally nominated Joe Biden as their 2020 presidential nominee, as party officials and activists gave the former vice president their overwhelming support to take on Donald Trump. | The moment marked a political high point for Biden, who had sought the presidency twice before and is now cemented as the embodiment of Democrats' desperate desire to defeat Trump in autumn. | The roll call of convention delegates formalised what has been expected for months since Biden took the lead in the primary elections' chase for the nomination. | It came as he worked to demonstrate the breadth of his coalition f…
(2020-08-19). Mali: Coup leaders pledge 'credible' elections. yenisafak.com Leaders of a military coup in Mali vowed to hold "credible" elections in a statement announced on national television on Wednesday.The coup leaders, who pushed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to resign, have also announced the creation of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) to oversee a political transition.The committee affirmed its intention to set up a civil political transition that will lead to elections "in a reasonable delay", according to a statement read on national television ORTM by Col.-Maj. Ismael Wague, spokesman for the CNSP.He also announced an intention to respect inter…