(2023-05-20). Obituary] Zafrullah Chowdhury. thelancet.com Surgeon, public health activist, and champion of health equity. Born on Dec 27, 1941 in what is now Raozan, Bangladesh, he died from chronic kidney disease complications on April 11, 2023 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, aged 81 years.
(2023-05-20). Delegation from U.S. reports "The Cuban Communist Party supports progress for LGBTQ people" fightbacknews.org Havana, Cuba – In a rose and butter-yellow building held up by Greek columns, Cuba's LGBTQ activists work every day to advance equality. This building, formerly someone's mansion and now repurposed by the socialist government, houses the National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX). | From May 7 to 14, an LGBTQ delegation from the U.S. got to meet with CENESEX organizers, health workers and other public servants. | CENESEX helped organize hundreds of neighborhood meetings to debate and amend the new Families Code, covered in our last delegation report. The law went through 25 drafts to account for commentary from…
(2023-05-20). Editorial] The death penalty: a breach of human rights and ethics of care. thelancet.com "The death penalty is, in our common experience, an atavistic relic from the past that should be shed in the 21st century", said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Tàºrk in April, 2023, during the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council. The death penalty has existed since the Code of Hammurabi, with its history seeped in politics and discrimination. Physicians have been involved throughout this history. In the eyes of the public, the medicalisation and very involvement of physicians renders execution palatable, eroding any natural sense of abhorrence.
(2023-05-20). Common Good A Big Subject In Oakland Schools Strike. popularresistance.org The 3,000 teachers and support staff of the Oakland Education Association walked out May 4, shutting down all 85 elementary, middle, and high schools. | Community support was immediate and widespread—parents were already familiar with the cuts the district had inflicted or proposed. Many donated food and joined our picket lines to walk, dance, and chant in solidarity. | Eighty-eight percent of teachers had voted to strike, after it became clear that our demands were not being taken seriously at the negotiating table. | The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) had stonewalled us—delaying meetings, fa…
(2023-05-20). Xiaodu rolls out AI-powered education smartphone, targeting niche market. ecns.cn Xiaodu Technology, the smart speaker unit of Chinese tech heavyweight Baidu Inc, has officially released its education-oriented smartphone equipped with an artificial intelligence-powered large language model that is targeted at students, in a bid to carve out a niche in the world's largest smartphone market.
(2023-05-21). Circumventing the blockade: Pueblo a Pueblo builds grassroots food sovereignty (Part II). mronline.org 
An organization that brings together rural producers with urban consumers breaks with the dictates of the market.
(2023-05-21). The Ukraine Refugee Question. popularresistance.org Last Saturday the Washington Post published an exposé of classified American intelligence documents showing that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, working behind the back of the Biden White House, pushed hard earlier this year for an expanded series of missile attacks inside Russia. The documents were part of a large cache of classified materials posted online by an Air Force enlisted man now in custody. A senior official of the Biden administration, asked by…
(2023-05-20). Department of Error] Department of Error. thelancet.com Ashorn P, Ashorn U, Muthiani Y, et al. Small vulnerable newborns—big potential for impact. Lancet 2023; 401: 1692—706—In this Series, Sufia Askari's degree should have been MPH. This correction has been made to the online version as of May 18, 2023, and the printed version is correct.
(2023-05-20). China's peace in West Asia. mronline.org 
The Chinese-brokered agreement emerged in retaliation to the U.S. as the latter continues to wage a series of provocations aimed at destabilizing China's domestic stability with regard to Taiwan.
(2023-05-20). Discussing ecology and entropy. mronline.org 
Workers' Liberty organises a monthly Marxist ecology reading group. This month they discussed a chapter on "Entropy and ecological economics" from 'Marxism and Ecological Economics' by Paul Burkett.
(2023-05-20). Leaked recordings expose shocking state corruption in 'U.S. governed' Moldova. mronline.org 
The Grayzone has obtained video recordings of well-connected figures within Moldova's political and business community openly testifying to rank corruption within the country's government and economy, while outlining schemes to enrich Western investors for an appropriate fee.
(2023-05-20). The ongoing Nakba means ongoing resistance. mronline.org 
The "ongoing Nakba" means that the Zionist drive to expel and eliminate the Palestinian people continues to this day. That is why Palestinian resistance to Zionism will remain as long as Zionism exists.
(2023-05-20). The splendor of a thousand suns: Hiroshima and imperial forgetfulness. mronline.org 
Joe Biden's visit to Hiroshima in the framework of the G7 once again brings to the surface the cynical memory of an empire that 78 years ago unleashed the power of "a thousand suns" on a defenseless population.
(2023-05-20). In Video: Large Blast Rocks Northern Iraq Gas Pipeline. southfront.org 
Screengrab, via Youtube. | Late on May 19, a mysterious blast rocked a natural gas pipeline in the northern Iraqi province of Kirkuk causing a massive fire. | The pipeline is reportedly operated by Iraq's North Oil Company. The blast took place near the town of Bajwan, a few kilometers to the north of Kirkuk city. Video footage that surfaced online showed a massive fire that erupted after the blast. | Civil defense in Kirkuk said in a statement that the fire was quickly put down, a…
(2023-05-20). FRSO Labor Commission: Statement on the Teamster/UPS contract negotiations. fightbacknews.org The 2023 Teamster/UPS Contract negotiations are here and every class in the U.S. is watching them like a hawk. Workers want to see a serious blow struck against a massive corporation and the ruling class wants to see an increasingly militant labor movement put down. The last time we saw a showdown like this at UPS was in 1997 when the Teamsters under Ron Carey struck and defeated the company. Every contract negotiation after that was increasingly weak and concessionary as the next Teamster president, Hoffa Jr., would talk tough, sell short and declare victory. This culminated with the historic betrayal of 2018 wh…
(2023-05-21). 'We Do Not Need a School for Assassins': Hours of Public Comment Unanimously Against 'Cop City'. scheerpost.com 
By Alex Binder / Unicorn Riot Atlanta, GA — Hundreds of Atlantans spoke out against the proposed authorization of $33.5 million taxpayer dollars for the Atlanta Police Foundation to fund the construction of 'Cop City' during the public comment section at city council on Monday. The council is expected to vote on the funding on June 5. …
(2023-05-21). Griegos emiten su voto para renovar el parlamento. telesurtv.net El padrón electoral está compuesto por un total de 9.813.595 ciudadanos, que deberán escoger a los nuevos diputados de listas presentadas por 35 partidos políticos.
(2023-05-21). Milwaukee: Fire and Police Commission bend to police, suspend policy on release of video footage during Republican National Convention in July 2024. fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement by the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024. | A fight is underway in Milwaukee over Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 575, which forces the police to release video of police crimes in a timely manner. This is a policy won after two years of dedicated organizing by the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, a coalition partner, and affected Milwaukee families. The SOP is already under attack by the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) and Wisconsin GOP leaders in Madison, but now the Fire and Police Commission (FPC) has voted as of T…
(2023-05-20). The splendor of a thousand suns: Hiroshima and imperial forgetfulness. mronline.org Joe Biden's visit to Hiroshima in the framework of the G7 once again brings to the surface the cynical memory of an empire that 78 years ago unleashed the power of "a thousand suns" on a defenseless population.
(2023-05-20). In Video: Large Blast Rocks Northern Iraq Gas Pipeline. southfront.org Screengrab, via Youtube. | Late on May 19, a mysterious blast rocked a natural gas pipeline in the northern Iraqi province of Kirkuk causing a massive fire. | The pipeline is reportedly operated by Iraq's North Oil Company. The blast took place near the town of Bajwan, a few kilometers to the north of Kirkuk city. Video footage that surfaced online showed a massive fire that erupted after the blast. | Civil defense in Kirkuk said in a statement that the fire was quickly put down, a…
(2023-05-20). FRSO Labor Commission: Statement on the Teamster/UPS contract negotiations. fightbacknews.org The 2023 Teamster/UPS Contract negotiations are here and every class in the U.S. is watching them like a hawk. Workers want to see a serious blow struck against a massive corporation and the ruling class wants to see an increasingly militant labor movement put down. The last time we saw a showdown like this at UPS was in 1997 when the Teamsters under Ron Carey struck and defeated the company. Every contract negotiation after that was increasingly weak and concessionary as the next Teamster president, Hoffa Jr., would talk tough, sell short and declare victory. This culminated with the historic betrayal of 2018 wh…
(2023-05-21). 'We Do Not Need a School for Assassins': Hours of Public Comment Unanimously Against 'Cop City'. scheerpost.com By Alex Binder / Unicorn Riot Atlanta, GA — Hundreds of Atlantans spoke out against the proposed authorization of $33.5 million taxpayer dollars for the Atlanta Police Foundation to fund the construction of 'Cop City' during the public comment section at city council on Monday. The council is expected to vote on the funding on June 5. …
(2023-05-21). Griegos emiten su voto para renovar el parlamento. telesurtv.net El padrón electoral está compuesto por un total de 9.813.595 ciudadanos, que deberán escoger a los nuevos diputados de listas presentadas por 35 partidos políticos.
(2023-05-21). Milwaukee: Fire and Police Commission bend to police, suspend policy on release of video footage during Republican National Convention in July 2024. fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement by the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024. | A fight is underway in Milwaukee over Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 575, which forces the police to release video of police crimes in a timely manner. This is a policy won after two years of dedicated organizing by the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, a coalition partner, and affected Milwaukee families. The SOP is already under attack by the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) and Wisconsin GOP leaders in Madison, but now the Fire and Police Commission (FPC) has voted as of T…
(2023-05-21). 25-27 May, Geneva: Exhibition of Palestinian resistance posters by Marc Rudin. samidoun.net 
As part of the action days for the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, Secours Rouge Geneva, in collaboration with Samidoun, is organizing an exhibition of posters by Marc Rudin. The Swiss revolutionary artist and internationalist who died last April was part of the Palestinian liberation struggle for years. His political posters were published by Palestinian …
(2023-05-21). How to Destroy Russia. 2019 Rand Corporation Report: "Overextending and Unbalancing Russia" globalresearch.ca Force the adversary to expand recklessly in order to unbalance him, and then destroy him. This is not the description of a judo hold, but a plan against Russia elaborated by the Rand Corporation, the most influential think tank in the USA.
(2023-05-21). Los Angeles Valley College perpetuated wage theft against students on Julie Su's watch. indybay.org Wage theft is a crime. In 2013, Secretary of Labor Julie Su formed a criminal investigation agency to stamp it out in California and put the bad guys in handcuffs. That didn't stop the Grant Director at Los Angeles Valley College, serving the Van Nuys, North Hollywood and East San Fernando Valley, from perpetuating it against low-income students.
(2023-05-21). Banko Brown Murder & License To Kill: SF Press Conference At DA Brook Jenkins Office. indybay.org The murder of Banko Brown by a Walgreen security guard in San Francisco and the failure to prosecute by the District Attorney Brook Jenkins backed up by Mayor London Breed has led to fury among people in San Franicsco. Many Democratic Party officials organized a rally at Jenkins office to protest and call for prosecution. There are over 61 billionaires in San Francisco and speakers charged that there is massive ethnic cleansing going on in San Francisco with Blacks being driven out of San Francisco by a Black Mayor, District Attorney and police chief. | There is also a campaign to drive Black workers from their p…
(2023-05-21). Protest Over CA AG Rob Bonta's Refusal To Prosecute O'Neil's Killer. indybay.org There was a protest at the San Francisco Hall of Justice and courts against the decision by California Attorney General Rob Bonta not to protest the killer of Keito O'Neil.
(2023-05-21). Congreso peruano autoriza ingreso de tropas estadounidenses en el país. cubadebate.cu El Congreso de Perú autorizó el arribo al país de elementos de las fuerzas armadas estadounidenses para labores de cooperación y entrenamiento a militares y policías de la nación andina. Lo hizo con una votación de 70 votos a favor, 33 en contra y cuatro abstenciones. Las tropas operarán entre el 1ro de junio y el 31 de diciembre.
(2023-05-21). Thursday 6/1: Jail Former SF Fed Member & Silicon Valley CEO Gregory Becker! Bankers Out Of Fed Reserve. indybay.org San Francisco Federal Reserve | 101 Market St. | San Franciso…
(2023-05-21). NSW health workers, teachers push Labor to cancel pay cap. greenleft.org.au The NSW Health Services Union has stepped up its industrial campaign, demanding the new Labor government grant pay rises to its paramedics and other ancillary hospital staff. Jim McIlroy reports.
(2023-05-21). Mayo Clinic study suggests improved time efficiency, accuracy with AI-automated head and neck radiotherapy model. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — A study conducted by Mayo Clinic suggests artificial intelligence could potentially improve time efficiency and standardization for radiation therapy planning in patients with head and neck cancers. The validation study, published in Frontiers in Oncology, evaluated the efficiency of an algorithm trained by Mayo Clinic and developed in collaboration with Google Health. Radiation therapy planning for head and neck cancers requires a heavy time investment from multiple specialty areas due to the…
(2023-05-21). Celebran homenaje póstumo a intelectual cubano Iroel Sánchez. telesurtv.net Sánchez era reconocido por su activa labor como dirigente cultural, periodista, analista político, escritor, editor y realizador audiovisual.
(2023-05-20). President Maduro: Government and Workers Have to Recover Productivity Together. orinocotribune.com 
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, explained that the ministers of the government have to work together with the Workers' Productive Councils (CPTT) to recover total productivity of all companies in the country. | On Thursday, May 19, during a meeting with the CPTT of the industrial sector in Carabobo state, President Maduro instructed his cabinet to work to bring investments to recover the productive activity of the strategic companies of the Workers' Productive Councils. | The president tasked Labor Minister Francisco Torrealba, Minister of Industries Hipólito Abreu, and Vice President Delcy Rodríguez…
(2023-05-20). Durham report shows Democrats fabricated anti-Russia intelligence during 2016 elections. wsws.org The long-awaited report by Special Counsel John Durham demonstrates that the Democratic Party, the 2016 election campaign of Hillary Clinton and the FBI collaborated in concocting intelligence that Donald Trump was colluding with the Russian government.
(2023-05-20). A year of Australia's Labor government: Militarism, austerity and "let it rip" mass death. wsws.org More rapidly than any recent government, the Labor administration has implemented a program of reaction all down the line, including escalating Australian involvement in US plans for war with China, an offensive on social spending and homicidal COVID policies.
(2023-05-20). Ghana grateful for Cuban doctors ¥ 40-year professionalism. plenglish.com Accra, May 20 (Prensa Latina) Since the Cuban medical collaboration in Ghana started off back in 1983, we ¥ve ever received an unfavorable view about any doctor and I am proud of that, according to Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, director of External Cooperation at Ghana ¥s Health Ministry.
(2023-05-20). Starbucks Union Workers Have A New Strategy To Win A First Contract. popularresistance.org It's a truism in labor circles that winning a first contract can be even more difficult than winning a union election. The ongoing year-plus battle between Starbucks and its unionizing baristas is proving that adage correct. | According to data from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), as of May 10, workers had won union elections at 308 Starbucks stores since December 2021‚Äâ—‚Äâyet not a single shop has come close to reaching a first contract. (Each Starbucks that has unionized is legally a separate bargaining unit organized into Workers United, an SEIU affiliate.)…
(2023-05-20). Correspondence] Addressing the issue of a depleting health workforce in sub-Saharan Africa. thelancet.com Health-care workers have a crucial role in improving health outcomes, and their migration has harmed the quality of health services in sub-Saharan Africa. The region has 25% of global diseases,1 and only 3% of health workers globally, highlighting a severe shortage of skilled professionals to tackle high rates of mortality. The main reasons for migration are poor working conditions, low remuneration, and a scarcity of career development opportunities. Insecurity and high crime rates also contribute to migration in countries such as South Africa.
(2023-05-20). Berkeley Urban Ore Workers Win IWW Union Election. popularresistance.org
(2023-05-20). The real trade union barons. thecommunists.org This article is reproduced from the Class Consciousness Project, with thanks. ***** The British media, almost in totality, would have us believe that, when there are periods of class struggle the likes of which we are currently seeing in this country, poor downtrodden workers are being led by the nose and deprived of their wages …
(2023-05-20). Stop the attempt by the UAW to shut down the Clarios strike! Workers have a right to know what's in the contract! wsws.org UAW officials announced Friday that they had reached a tentative agreement with Clarios and have scheduled a meeting and ratification vote for Monday morning.
(2023-05-20). Lessons of the 1984-1985 AP Parts strike in Toledo. wsws.org The 285-day strike by Toledo AP Parts workers was the longest in the history of the city and bears important lessons for autoworkers today.
(2023-05-20). California UPS driver describes conditions ahead of July 31 strike deadline. wsws.org With the contract for 340,000 UPS workers set to expire July 31, workers at the logistics giant are determined to win back decades of concessions given up to the company.
(2023-05-20). Doctors Win Benefits At Two Queens Hospitals After Near Strike. popularresistance.org During the first wave of Covid-19, Queens hospitals were on the frontlines of the pandemic. Although they were celebrated as essential workers, some first-year physician residents were only making between $15 and $17 an hour while they routinely worked 80-hour weeks. | Nearly three years later, about 300 resident physicians and fellows at Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals have won a new contract after threatening to walk off the job if their demands for better wages and improved working conditions were not met.
(2023-05-21). Unión Eléctrica estima que no ocurran afectaciones por déficit de capacidad de generación. cubadebate.cu La Unión Eléctrica estima para el horario pico nocturno de este domingo una disponibilidad de 2 760 MW y una demanda máxima de 2 600 MW, para una reserva de 160 MW. De mantenerse las condiciones previstas, no se pronostica afectación en este horario por déficit de capacidad de generación.
(2023-05-21). Cuba mourns death of writer Anton Arrufat. plenglish.com Havana, May 21 (Prensa Latina) The president of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), Luis Morlote, lamented the death of renowned poet, narrator and playwright Anton Arrufat, National Literature Award winner, at the age of 87 in Havana on Sunday.
(2023-05-20). Perspectives] Feeling ecstatic in Shakespeare. thelancet.com Today, we typically associate the term ecstasy with feelings of intense happiness and delight, an experience of being temporarily outside ourselves in the way that the term etymologically suggests—from the Greek ekstasis. But ecstasy has a more complicated history. In its early form, it was an experience of drunken frenzy, where worshippers of Dionysus (the Greek god of wine, theatre, and ecstasy, later the Roman god Bacchus) would lose themselves in intoxicating worship. At its best, ecstatic experience could facilitate a moment of inspired, prophetic clarity or union with the divine.
(2023-05-20). Battery Jobs Must Be Good-Paying Union Jobs, Says New UAW President. popularresistance.org
(2023-05-20). Union calls off New York resident physicians' strike at last minute. wsws.org The Committee of Interns and Residents announced a tentative agreement that will maintain poverty wages for its members at Jamaica and Flushing hospitals, who work as many as 80 hours per week.
(2023-05-20). Communist parties discuss ideas at meeting in Geneva (+Photo). plenglish.com 
Geneva, Switzerland, May 20 (Prensa Latina) Representatives of the communist parties of Nicaragua, Cuba, Türkiye, Uruguay, Italy, Portugal, Sri Lanka and South Korea participated today in this city in a meeting to discuss political work in those countries.
(2023-05-21). Storming In: Struggle in Atlanta Against Cop City Continues Despite Repression. itsgoingdown.org Report from Atlanta, as demonstrations continue against the Cop City project in the face of ongoing repression. On May 15th, around 500 people assembled in the atrium of the Atlanta City Hall. To date, this is the largest local participation in a protest (fundraisers, concerts, parties, etc. not included) for the movement to defend Weelaunee…
(2023-05-21). Shutting Down The Israeli Arms Industry. popularresistance.org Even as Israel's war against Palestine continues unabated, a new movement has arisen in the United Kingdom, challenging the Israeli war machine — and it has been winning some impressive victories. | Founded in 2020, Palestine Action is a grassroots activist movement that seeks to end British complicity in Israeli war crimes by shutting down arms manufacturing sites across the U.K. Today, Lowkey welcomes back Palestine Action co-founder Huda Amori to talk about the rise of her organization that has taken the country by storm and has weapons manufacturers fleeing. Born in the U.K., Amori is a Palestinian-Iraq…
(2023-05-20). World Report] Palestinians continue to face barriers to health. thelancet.com WHO says that occupation, political divisions, fragmentation, blockade, and obstacles to movement continue to limit access to health services. Sharmila Devi reports.
(2023-05-20). 1500 Scientists Say "Climate Change Not Due to CO2" — The Real Environment Movement Was Hijacked. globalresearch.ca
(2023-05-21). US Proxies Win Thai Elections — US-Chinese Tensions Set to Grow. orinocotribune.com By Brian Berletic — May 17, 2023 | In a development that will surely impact growing US-Chinese tensions, US-backed opposition parties have won Thailand's May 14, 2023, general elections. | A US-backed client regime taking power in Thailand will impact China's Belt and Road Initiative, threaten bilateral trade and tourism, and perhaps even undermine regional security. This is particularly so should Thailand now begin working more closely with Washington over matters in the South China Sea, over Taiwan, or a number of other points of contention the US seeks to use to unify the region against Beijing, but that…
(2023-05-21). (W.E. Talk) Writer Alai: Why is language the most important element in literature?>. ecns.cn This year marks the 40th anniversary of Alai's literary creation. In the past forty years, this Tibetan writer from the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan has been working tirelessly on his works, reviewing the rise and fall of the native chieftain system in When The Dust Settles, reflecting on the relationship between humans and the ecology of the plateau in The Mushroom Circle, and depicting the trauma and redemption in the Wenchuan earthquake in the Story in the Clouds. His works have been translated and introduced to the West in large numbers, winning heavyweight literary awards such as th…
(2023-05-21). Fascism Is Rising, But It Does Not Have to Be Our Future. truthout.org Most organizers are exhausted, striving to balance the impossible load of community crises, family crises and urgent campaigns. Addressing long-term visionary campaign work can feel particularly challenging in these times of increased attacks from the right. Organizers are reeling within a political terrain where the left is working to preserve reproductive justice and bodily autonomy… |
(2023-05-21). The silent liver disease experts warn is on the rise among Hispanics and children. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Two months after his liver transplant, Juan Silva with his wife, Gisela Juan and Gisela Silva have a lot to smile about these days. One reason why, they are back to enjoying home-cooked together. "Oh man, I can eat more now," says Juan. "Before I didn't want to eat anything because it would mess up my stomach and stuff because something wasn't working right." That led Juan to his doctor's office where a series of…
(2023-05-20). San Diego educators and staff rally after a year of working without a contract. wsws.org Educators expressed a strong desire to fight against deteriorating conditions, including spiraling class sizes, high turnover, poorly maintained infrastructure and inadequate COVID-19 safety measures.
(2023-05-20). G7: Indian Diplomacy in Overstretch. libya360.wordpress.com M. K. Bhadrakumar G7 Summit leaders at "working lunch" session, Japan, 19 May, 2023 The Foreign Secretary's special briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Asia-Pacific tour (May 19-24) dovetailed skilfully into three summit meetings, and brings to mind an institution of the Middle Ages known as the "wandering minstrels". Wealthy people used to employ minstrels to entertain…