This following is based on a report published by Orlando Avendaño, editor in chief of anti-Maduro and politically right wing newspaper the PanAm Post. This and the inclusion of other information in this article by Dan Cohen (The Greyzone 17 June 2019), makes for an explosive revelation of corruption in the camp of the Guaido opposition camp. It seems the exposure is building the friction that already exists within the opposition camp. Dan Cohen is a journalist and was the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Killing Gaza. Continue reading Venezuela opposition leader and self-procliamed president’s subordinates caught in corruption scandal →

As the United states beats up the aggressive language against Iran and tightens the sanctions stranglehold, much of the world is becoming increasing nervous and even many of the nations traditionally close to the United States remain unconvinced. For example, Europe looks for ways to sidestep the sanctions and cautions the drive to war. And there is the accusation that Iran attacked those Saudi oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. Jon Stone, Europe Correspondent for the Independent writes, that Europe is far from convinced and has called for more evidence. This marks a major failure of the effort to build a coalition of nations, to wage war on the presented enemy. Continue reading Spectre of Iraq War and intelligence misuse raised at EU council meeting →

By Nick Aspinwall (FP 10 June 2019). The author writes about the murderous policy of the President of the Philippines, using murder as a means for taking out those he sees as political problems. The style began on a claim of the need to clean the streets of drug dealers and users, but soon spread much more widely than this. The Australian government continues to train and aid the armed forces of the Philippines. Continue reading Duterte turns death squads on political activists →

Below is a letter of support sent by the Peace and Justice are Union Business Working Group of the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN), to dock workers in the Italian port at Genoa and their union the CGIL. They went on strike on 20 May and refused to load weapons destined for Saudi Arabia, to be used in the ongoing attacks on the population of Yemen.

With the support of the local community, they sent a letter to the Italian government, calling it to “open the ports to people and close them to weapons.” The campaign is ongoing. The Saudi freighter Bahri Yanbu was forced to leave.

We won’t be complicit

Video from Click Heart TV

Similar action has been taken at Le Havre Port in France, and the same ship was forced to turn around and leave there as well. Action in the two ports has set an example, that could be repeated in other ports around the world.

Action taken at Le Havre Port in France

A reply from Italy has also been reproduced below.

To Genoa Port dock workers and their union CGIL – Italy

The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) sends warm greetings on your historic act of solidarity with the people of Yemen by refusing to load weapons on Saudi Arabian Freighter Bahri Yanbu to be used in the brutal war against the people of Yemen.

The strike by the Genoa dock workers and your declaration “We will not be complicit with the civilian deaths in Yemen” inspires and gives hope and confidence to millions of people around the world campaigning for peace and justice and against wars of aggression and profiteering by the multinational weapons corporations.

Your successful strike action showed the collective strength of workers and communities working together to stop predatory wars.

We in Australia are also campaigning against the export of arms to Saudi Arabia and our government’s subservience to US global military agendas and multinational weapons corporations.

We stand in solidarity with you and the people of Yemen.

The reply from the Ufficio Internazionale of the CGIL

 Dear friends,

On behalf of my union, FILT-CGIL, I would like to thank you for your warm solidarity letter.

We shared your letter with our dockers all over Italy and it has been really appreciated!

International solidarity is one of the fundamental values in our action, and we would like to return your message by wishing you success for the important and challenging tasks in which you are engaged.

Thank you so much!

In solidarity

How the Saudis ended up with so many American weapons

Video from Vox

By Adam Carlton

The more I hear about what is being thrown against Julian Assange, the angrier I get. Not one, but possibly three politically driven show trials are under way. Continue reading Assange hit by persecution on three fronts →

by Joe Montero

Obviously and intentionally breaking international law, specifically the Vienna Convention, as well as US law, the Trump administration ordered the raiding and takeover of the Venezuelan embassy in Washington. The State Department carried out the task. Continue reading US authorities invade Venezuela’s embassy in Washington →

By Jim Hayes

This week, Torres Strait Islanders brought the first climate change litigation action against the Australian federal government, for its failure to act appropriately over global warming and the threat that this poses to their homeland. Continue reading Torres Straight Islanders take government to court over climate change →

By Adam Carlton

The United States political leadership is once again playing s dangerous game, posing a significant threat to the world, as it builds the naval presence at the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, to put pressure on Iran. Continue reading Confrontation with Iran is a diversion from and product of failing US policy →

By Joe Montero

Since the Juan Guaido debacle in Venezuela, reports coming from the Guaido opposition and its backers in Washington, that beggar belief. Continue reading Telling the truth about Venezuela and acting accordingly →