At least 80 dead, several kidnapped in Colombia after failed peace talks, official says – CBS News

  1. At least 80 dead, several kidnapped in Colombia after failed peace talks, official says  CBS News
  2. More than 80 people killed in Colombia as truce between rebel groups collapses  The Guardian
  3. Colombia: At least 39 killed in guerilla violence  DW (English)
  4. Colombia's president suspends peace talks with ELN rebels  Reuters Canada
  5. 'We Want Peace' Say Colombians Displaced By Fresh Guerrilla Violence  Barron's
Posted in Uncategorized

The world braces for Trump, hoping for the best, unprepared for the worst

His pick for secretary of state may have given measured assessment of world affairs, but ‘crazy’ Trump will call the shots

Western allies of the US are braced for the return of Donald Trump, still hoping for the best, but largely unprepared for what may prove to be a chaotic and disorientating worst.

The run-up to his inauguration has sent out a catherine wheel of signals as Trump turned up the volume on tariffs against Canada, China and Mexico, vowed to buy – and if not, invade – Greenland and the Panama canal, and used his leverage to press Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a Gaza ceasefire that the Israeli PM had resisted since May.

Continue reading...

Corbyn and McDonnell agree to police interview after pro-Palestine march

Former Labour leader and former shadow chancellor due to be interviewed under caution following protest in London

Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell were due to be interviewed under caution by police after a pro-Palestine march in central London on Saturday.

Nine people have been charged with public order offences after protesters allegedly breached conditions as they marched through the city, allegedly breaking through a police line in the process.

Continue reading...

Statue of Peru’s Spanish conqueror Pizarro restored to central Lima amid controversy

Statue returns near former spot 22 years after removal in apparent attempt to rehabilitate Francisco Pizzaro’s legacy

An imposing bronze statue of Francisco Pizarro, Peru’s Spanish conqueror, has been returned to a spot near its former location in Lima’s main square, 22 years after it was removed, in an apparent attempt to rehabilitate the conquistador’s controversial legacy.

Weighing 7 tonnes and standing 5 metres tall, the Italian Renaissance-inspired sculpture of Pizarro astride a horse with his sword drawn was re-inaugurated on Saturday as part of celebrations marking the 490th anniversary of the Peruvian capital city’s foundation.

Continue reading...

West Midlands teacher was ‘forced into hiding’ after doctored video alleged she made racist slur

Cheryl Bennett has been paid substantial damages after fake clip taken when she was canvassing for Labour was viewed millions of times

A teacher subjected to a torrent of abuse after doctored footage falsely alleged she used a racist slur while canvassing for the Labour party has said she was forced into hiding and feared it would ruin her career.

Cheryl Bennett, a PE teacher from Wednesbury in the West Midlands, was helping her colleague, Qasim Mughal, hand out Labour leaflets during the local elections in May last year when she was recorded on a household security camera.

Continue reading...

Biden posthumously pardons civil rights leader Marcus Garvey

Activist who was convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s influenced Malcolm X and other leader leaders

President Joe Biden on Sunday posthumously pardoned Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, who influenced Malcolm X and other civil rights leaders and was convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s. Also receiving pardons were a top Virginia lawmaker and advocates for immigrant rights, criminal justice reform and gun violence prevention.

Congressional leaders had pushed for Biden to pardon Garvey, with supporters arguing that Garvey’s conviction was politically motivated and an effort to silence the increasingly popular leader who spoke of racial pride. After Garvey was convicted, he was deported to Jamaica, where he was born. He died in 1940.

Continue reading...