Guaidó, Soleimani and the Middle East: Trump State of the Union
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-05
From immigration policies to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan… U.S. President Donald Trump's main talking points on international policy during his third annual presidential report, known as "The State of the Union," were part of his narcissistic speech to kick off his reelection campaign. | US President Trump Impeached By Democratic-led House of Reps | Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address on Tuesday in front of Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of t…
telesurenglish.net/news/guaido-soleimani-and-the-middle-east-key-points-from-trumps-speech-to-congress-20200205-0003.html

In State of the Union, Trump Celebrates Hate & Xenophobia While Touting "Great American Comeback"
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-05
President Trump delivered his third State of the Union address Tuesday night, just a day before the Republican-controlled Senate is expected to vote to acquit him in the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history. Trump's speech, which focused heavily on the economy and immigration, sounded at times like a campaign rally, with Republican lawmakers chanting "Four more years!" He never once mentioned his impeachment trial. Prior to the speech, Trump refused to shake House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's hand, and once the speech was over, Pelosi was seen on television ripping up her copy of Trump's remarks. She la…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/5/trump_sotu_2020

Roberto Lovato: Dems & GOP Share Same Playbook on Immigration, Foreign Policy & Corporate Domination
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-05
President Trump delivered his 2020 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. The speech reprised many of the themes of Trump's 2016 campaign, including demonization of immigrants. We continue our discussion with Lee Fang, investigative journalist at The Intercept, and Roberto Lovato, author of the forthcoming book "Unforgetting: A Memoir of Revolution and Redemption." About 10 Democrats skipped the speech and a few more walked out while it was in progress, but Lovato says the Democratic establishment doesn't differ with Trump on many key issues. "Nancy Pelosi may have ripped the speech…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/5/roberto_lovato_state_of_the_union

Publisher Agrees to Boost Latinx Representation After Backlash to Whitewashed Novel "American Dirt"
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-05
We look at the massive backlash and criticism against the novel "American Dirt" as a movement led by Latinx writers declares victory, demanding more representation in the publishing industry. Dignidad Literaria, or literary dignity, formed in response to the controversial immigration novel "American Dirt." The author, Jeanine Cummins, who is not Mexican, received a seven-figure advance for the book, and it was chosen for Oprah's Book Club. But its critics say "American Dirt" exploits and misrepresents Mexico and the experience of Mexican migrants. Critics also say the novel completely erases the voices of Central…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/5/american_dirt

'The best is yet to come'? Defiant Trump doubles down in campaign rally-style State of the Union speech
rt.com | 2020-02-05
Teased as "low key," US President Donald Trump's annual address to Congress was anything but, with several unprecedented symbolic gestures and a powerful assertion of American triumphalism that put his critics on the back foot. | Trump did not mention impeachment once in the 90-minute speech on Tuesday evening. Instead, he turned his persuasion skills up to eleven, painting a picture of America with a booming economy and infinite opportunities brought about by his administration, and contrasting that with Democrat proposals such as socialized healthcare and sanctuaries for illegal immigrants. | Amid the standa…
rt.com/usa/480089-trump-state-union-address/

'The best is yet to come'? Defiant Trump doubles down in campaign rally-style State of the Union speech
rt.com | 2020-02-05
Teased as "low key," US President Donald Trump's annual address to Congress was anything but, with several unprecedented symbolic gestures and a powerful assertion of American triumphalism that put his critics on the back foot. | Trump did not mention impeachment once in the 90-minute speech on Tuesday evening. Instead, he turned his persuasion skills up to eleven, painting a picture of America with a booming economy and infinite opportunities brought about by his administration, and contrasting that with Democrat proposals such as socialized healthcare and sanctuaries for illegal immigrants. | Amid the sta…
rt.com/usa/480089-trump-state-union-address/

UN rapporteur Nils Melzer exposes British government attempts to obstruct his defence of Assange
wsws.org | 2020-02-05
That the British government is simultaneously stonewalling Melzer's inquiries, and apparently conducting a behind-the-scenes campaign against him, underscores the flagrant illegality of the entire US-led vendetta against Assange.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/05/melz-f05.html

Iowa Fiasco Raises the Stakes for New Hampshire, Where Sanders Could Win Big
Norman Solomon | indybay.org | 2020-02-05
Corporate Democrats are ready to escalate…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/04/18830356.php

Libya is being torn apart by outsiders
Vijay Prashad | mronline.org | 2020-02-05
Ghassan Salamé is the head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. He took over this job in 2017, six years after the catastrophic NATO war on Libya. What Salamé inherited was a country torn into shreds, two governments in place–one in Tripoli and one in Tobruk–and one civil war that had too many […] | Source…
mronline.org/2020/02/05/libya-is-being-torn-apart-by-outsiders/

Libya Is Being Torn Apart by Outsiders
Vijay Prashad | zcomm.org | 2020-02-05
It is impossible for the UN to move an agenda if two important Western states who drove the NATO war against Libya in 2011 end up backing both sides; in fact, it is wrong to say that they back both sides, because by blocking condemnation of Haftar's war, they back Haftar…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/libya-is-being-torn-apart-by-outsiders/

Greenpeace protesters block BP headquarters on new boss's first day
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-02-05
Greenpeace members have blocked BP's headquarters with solar panels and oil barrels to mark the first day of the oil giant's new chief executive.Around 100 environmental activists took 500 solar panels to the central London building at 3am on Wednesday as Bernard Looney prepared to take up his new role.Some protesters sat underneath the solar panels after they were prevented from installing them on the pavements and roads near the office.Others locked themselves to oil barrels bearing the BP logo in front of the six doors around the building to stop staff from entering.Protesters blocked six entrances to BP's HQ…
thecanary.co/discovery/news-discovery/2020/02/05/greenpeace-protesters-block-bp-headquarters-on-new-bosss-first-day/

The Dramatic Fall of Chile as Latin America's Neoliberal Role Model
Ariela Ruiz Caro | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
After the outbreak of the most intense and massive social protests ever recorded in the history of Chile, on November 16 the government and most political parties signed an agreement to restore peace and public order and initiate a process to draft a new constitution. The protests, triggered by the rise in subway fares on…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/the-dramatic-fall-of-chile-as-latin-americas-neoliberal-role-model/

Unist'ot'en Day 31: We're Not Leaving
UnistotenCamp | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-05
We're not leaving. As Canada prepares to violently invade our lands, we have no fear. We are peacefully living on our lands and upholding our laws, as we always have. 31 days after Coastal Gaslink was evicted from Wet'suwet'en territory, RCMP helicopters circle the Unist'ot'en healing center several times a day. Busloads of police have …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/unistoten-day-31-were-not-leaving/

EU Rejects Trump Middle East Peace Plan, Annexation
Telesur | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-05
The European Union rejected Tuesday some of the proposals outlined by U.S. President Donald Trump for the Middle East, prompting an angry response from Israel, which has actively supported the U.S. plan. | Following deliberations of the 27 members, the European …
globalresearch.ca/eu-rejects-trump-middle-east-peace-plan-annexation/5702862

Duh, Jared! Who built the PA as a Police State?
Jonathan Cook | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-05
Maybe something good will come out of the Trump plan, after all. By pushing the Middle East peace process to its logical conclusion, Donald Trump has made crystal clear something that was supposed to have been obscured: that no US administration has ever really seen peace as the objective of its "peacemaking". The current White …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/duh-jared-who-built-the-pa-as-a-police-state/

Duh, Jared! So Who Built the PA as a 'Police State'?
Jonathan Cook | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-05
Maybe something good will come out of the Trump plan, after all. By pushing the Middle East peace process to its logical conclusion, Donald Trump has made crystal clear something that was supposed to have been obscured: that no US | …
globalresearch.ca/duh-jared-who-built-pa-police-state/5702889

Iran's Supreme Leader Says Trump's Peace Plan Will 'Die Soon'
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-05
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan for Middle East will "die soon." | RELATED: | Iran Keeps Ukraine's Plane Crash Investigation International | Using his official Twitter account, the Iranian Supreme Leader tweeted on Tuesday, "Trump's 'Deal of the Century' will die earlier than Trump himself." | Trump recently unveiled his plan promising to keep Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital, and proposes an indepen…
telesurenglish.net/news/Irans-Supreme-Leader-Says-Trumps-Peace-Plan-Will-Die-Soon-20200205-0001.html

'Deal of the Century' will die before Trump does, Iran's Khamenei tweets, dubbing the arrangement an 'American plot'
rt.com | 2020-02-05
US President Donald Trump's much-touted peace plan for Israel and Palestine will not outlive him, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said, after the deal was widely rejected throughout the Muslim world. | "The American plot of the 'Deal of the Century' will die before Trump dies," Khamenei wrote on his official Twitter account on Wednesday. | The American plot of the 'Deal of the Century' will die before Trump dies.– Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 5, 2020 | Khamenei vowed that Iran will continue "standing…
rt.com/news/480114-deal-century-dies-trump-khamenei/

The Trump Plan is Just a Cover for Israel's Final Land Grab
Jonathan Cook | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-05
The Trump "Vision for Peace" will never be implemented

Oakland: Reject the Cover-up! Protest Against Sham Impeachment Trial
RejectTheCoverup | indybay.org | 2020-02-05
Grand Lake Theater intersection, 3200 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/03/18830347.php

'Pete Buttigieg is the Juan Guaido of America': Lee Camp calls out conspiracy of 'intentional chaos' by Dem establishment
rt.com | 2020-02-05
Democratic Party insiders bankrolled the defective vote-counting app that has delayed the reporting of Iowa caucus totals so as to deny likely winner Bernie Sanders a 'bump' and let Pete Buttigieg claim victory, Lee Camp told RT. | The party's establishment wing and its mainstream media stenographers are colluding to memory-hole the disastrous Iowa caucus vote and prop up their preferred candidates, muscling Sanders out of the way to position Buttigieg as the front-runner, Camp said on his Moment of Clarity podcast on Tuesday. | Describing the exhaustive establishment links to the faulty vote-reporting app…
rt.com/usa/480083-camp-sanders-buttigieg-democrats-rigging/

Trump's 'Deal of the Century': Old Israeli Demands in a New Package
Ramzy Baroud | mintpressnews.com | 2020-02-05
Consisting of 80 pages, 50 of which are entirely dedicated to the plan's economic component, Trump's Deal of the Century is little more than a rehash of previous Israeli proposals that have already been rejected by Palestinians, writes Ramzy Baroud.
mintpressnews.com/trump-deal-of-the-century-palestinian-rights/264627/

Democrats' Wimpy Impeachment Has Made Trump Stronger Than Ever
Ted Rall | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
"Many Democrats fear that Trump may be laying an impeachment trap," Stephen Collins wrote for CNN last May.
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/democrats-wimpy-impeachment-has-made-trump-stronger-than-ever/

After Iowa, Does Bernie Have What It Takes?
Peter A. LaVenia | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
In his most famous work, The Prince, Machiavelli compared the behavior of a successful new prince to a fox and a lion: "The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves." Cersei Lannister, whom…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/after-iowa-does-bernie-have-what-it-takes/

Preserve the Sacred Lands of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
George Wuerthner | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
Wilderness designation preserves many values. Designated wilderness is a storehouse for carbon and insurance against climate change. Wilderness preserves critical wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors. Wilderness provides for clean water and clean air. And, of course, designated wilderness protects the scenery and ecosystem integrity that supports Montana's economy. However, there is yet another value preserved…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/preserve-the-sacred-lands-of-the-greater-yellowstone-ecosystem/

The Holocaust, the BBC and Antisemitism Smears
Jonathan Cook | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
Senior BBC news reporter Orla Guerin has found herself in hot water of an increasingly familiar kind. During a report on preparations for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp, she made a brief reference to Israel and an even briefer reference to the Palestinians. Her reporting coincided with Israel hosting world leaders last week at Yad Vashem, its Holocaust remembrance centre in Jerusalem.
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/the-holocaust-the-bbc-and-antisemitism-smears/

Left Election Strategy: Lesser Evil or Independent Left?
Howie Hawkins | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
A Response to Michael Albert's "Battle Strategically Everywhere" Michael Albert's safe states strategy says the Green presidential candidate should go into the battleground states to campaign for the Green program but then say vote for the Democratic ticket. Most people who hear that will wonder why the Greens are even bothering to campaign if they…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/left-election-strategy-lesser-evil-or-independent-left/

The Shame of Child Poverty in the Age of Trump
Rajan Menon | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
The plight of impoverished children anywhere should evoke sympathy, exemplifying as it does the suffering of the innocent and defenseless. Poverty among children in a wealthy country like the United States, however, should summon shame and outrage as well. Unlike poor countries (sometimes run by leaders more interested in lining their pockets than anything else),…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/the-shame-of-child-poverty-in-the-age-of-trump/

"Where's my Roy Cohn?"
Winslow Myers | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
At one point when he felt under siege by possible indictments and impeachable offenses, the president whined petulantly, "Where's my Roy Cohn?" The question became the title of a documentary on Cohn's life and career that made one feel after viewing like taking a long hot shower. Cohn blithely represented a number of high-ranking organized…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/wheres-my-roy-cohn/

Bolton's Battle With Government Censorship
Melvin Goodman | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
Former national security adviser John Bolton is about to learn that the government's pre-publication review process is little more than a violation of the First Amendment's free speech rights. Bolton's book, "The Room Where It Happened," which exposes the perfidy of the Trump administration's orchestrated extortion of the Ukrainian government, is scheduled for release in…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/boltons-battle-with-government-censorship/

In a Time of Increasing Polarization in Kashmir, Evoke Those Scholars and Saints Who Symbolized Pluralism
Nyla Ali Khan | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
On the annual Urs (birth anniversary) of Ameer-e-Kabir Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, I am reminded of those whose unshakable faith in providence provides them with an anchor in challenging times. I sincerely hope that I imbibe the faith with which my father reveres Ameer-e-Kabir, who is an integral part of the Kashmiri culture that I…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/in-a-time-of-increasing-polarization-in-kashmir-evoke-those-scholars-and-saints-who-symbolized-pluralism/

Teflon Lies and Mowing Lawns: The Afghanistan Papers
Binoy Kampmark | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
Afghanistan is a famous desert for empires, a burial ground which has consumed those in power who thought that extra fortification and trading most might benefit them. It remains a great, and somewhat savage reminder about those who suffer hubris, overconfidence and eagerness in pursuing their agendas. But the country has also served another purpose:…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/teflon-lies-and-mowing-lawns-the-afghanistan-papers/

How the World Ends: a Story
John Stanton | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
I'm writing this letter to myself. I need to talk to someone, even it is only my own self. I need to believe that what happened was real. All that I know of the past was learned by word-of-mouth histories from those who came before me and those few historians who remain now. Some matters…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/how-the-world-ends-a-story/

Retail Politics, Iowa Style
Tom Crofton | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
While watching the travesty in Washington the last few weeks I decided that my best action was to volunteer for change. The closest and most immediate opportunity was working for Bernie in Iowa. I signed up for canvassing in nearby Dubuque for caucus day. I received a request from a Bernie staff person on the…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/05/retail-politics-iowa-style/

In the Gloaming
Elliot Sperber | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-05
In the Gloaming The East River Seahorse is 18 feet long And black as a chess piece A knight

Hong Kong imposes 14-day quarantine on travelers arriving from mainland China
rt.com | 2020-02-05
Hong Kong will close two cruise terminals and put anyone coming from mainland China into compulsory quarantine for 14 days, its leader Carrie Lam said on Wednesday. The move is part of a fresh clampdown on contagion. | Lam said the measures were aimed at curbing the cross-border flow of people to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus, which originated on mainland China. Some medical staff have been on strike for the past three days, demanding a full border closure. There have been 21 confirmed cases in Hong Kong, according to Lam. | Passengers and crew on a cruise liner that docked in Hong Kong on Wednesday…
rt.com/newsline/480116-hong-kong-travelers-quarantine/

Overstaying his welcome? Trump spotlights Venezuela's Guaido in cringeworthy reminder of year-long 'interim presidency'
rt.com | 2020-02-05
US President Donald Trump shone an awkward spotlight on self-styled Venezuelan 'interim president' Juan Guaido sitting in his SOTU audience over a year of daydreaming about replacing Nicolas Maduro as the only 'legitimate leader.' | Trump introduced an embarrassed-looking Guaido to the SOTU audience as "a very brave man who carries with him the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of all Venezuelans." Declaring him the "true and legitimate president of Venezuela," Trump contrasted the fidgety self-appointed statesman to "socialist dictator" President Nicolas Maduro

telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-05
The new Coronavirus, first discovered in the Chinese city of Wuhan, does not yet have a unique name for all media and organizations to identify it equally. Meanwhile, American scientists dedicated to the study of disease names are evaluating possible alternatives. | RELATED: | Factbox: What We Know About the New Coronavirus in China | So far, most sources have…
telesurenglish.net/news/a-fast-outbreak-but-not-a-definitive-name-for-new-coronavirus-20200204-0022.html

Lavrov tours Latin America as Pentagon brands Russia, China as "malign actors"
wsws.org | 2020-02-05
Lavrov's three-nation visit to Latin America comes on the heels of a tour of former Soviet republics by US Secretary of State Pompeo dedicated to denouncing Russia and China.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/05/lavr-f05.html

Coronavirus outbreak disrupts global auto industry as carmakers shut down production in China
wsws.org | 2020-02-05
The shutdown of the auto industry in China due to the coronavirus outbreak is expected to have a major impact on the world economy, with no real timeline in sight for the resumption of production.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/05/cvau-f05.html

Coronavirus: China Fights Determinately While Others Smear
Andre Vltchek | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-05
China has been hit by coronavirus as if by a brick over the head; heavily and mercilessly. Instead of help, Beijing has received criticism, even verbal attacks. In spite of doing tremendous job fighting the epidemy, China is getting almost no tributes for its performance. Now Bangkok, Jakarta and other regional capital are in panic. …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/coronavirus-china-fights-determinately-while-others-smear/

WATCH: Bernie Sanders Responds to Trump's Third State of the Union Address
Common Dreams staff | commondreams.org | 2020-02-05
The Democratic presidential candidate spoke from an event in New Hampshire, just a day after the Iowa caucuses. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/bernie_sanders_student_loan_debt_1.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2020/02/04/watch-bernie-sanders-responds-trumps-third-state-union-address?cd-origin=rss

Exxon's Exploitative Oil Deal in Guyana Will Deprive the Country of Up to $55 Billion
Global Witness | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-05
Exxon's exploitative oil deal with Guyana will cause the country to lose up to US$55 billion, according to a new Global Witness investigation based on an OpenOil analysis. | The new report, Signed Away, shows how the oil major used | …
globalresearch.ca/exxon-exploitative-oil-deal-guyana-deprive-country-55-billion/5702868

News flash: Billionaires don't like socialism
Alan MacLeod | mronline.org | 2020-02-05
Big news, everyone! Billionaires don't like socialism. | Source…
mronline.org/2020/02/05/news-flash-billionaires-dont-like-socialism/

As Houthis Close in on Al-Qaeda in Yemen, US Drone Strikes Target its Leaders
Ahmed Abdulkareem | mintpressnews.com | 2020-02-05
MARIB, YEMEN

This Man Might Be the Stealth Star of the Impeachment Trial
Elie Mystal | thenation.com | 2020-02-05
This Man Might Be the Stealth Star of the Impeachment Trial…
thenation.com/article/politics/impeachment-trial-chaplain/

State of the Union: Trump Campaigns, Pelosi Rips Up Speech (Video)
Staff | truthdig.com | 2020-02-05
Standing before a Congress and nation sharply divided by impeachment, the president uses his address to extol a "Great American Comeback."
truthdig.com/articles/state-of-the-union-trump-campaigns-pelosi-rips-up-speech-video/

Beyond Contempt: How Liberals Can Communicate Across the Great Divide
Erica Etelson | indybay.org | 2020-02-05
Book on B, 1014 B St., Hayward…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/04/18830365.php

Take up the fight for international socialism! Join the IYSSE!
wsws.org | 2020-02-05
One month into 2020, the crisis of capitalism threatens youth with the danger of nuclear war, authoritarianism, climate catastrophe and worsening inequality. International socialism is the answer.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/05/auiy-f05.html

US Space Force conducts first ICBM launch after Moscow warned of threat of renewed arms race (PHOTOS)
rt.com | 2020-02-05
The newly-created US Space Force has test-fired a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time as Russia blasted it for "lowering the bar" on using nuclear weapons. | The unarmed land-based missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California shortly after midnight on Wednesday. It was the first such development test since the facility became part of the US Space Force, which was established as an independent military branch in late December. The US previously test-fired a missile of this type in October. | The Minuteman missiles are the key component of the US' land-…
rt.com/usa/480132-us-minuteman-icbm-test/