The United States has freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in exchange for the release of imprisoned 10 Americans December 20, 2023
Comprehensive coverage of the day\u2019s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice.\nVenezuelan President Nicol\xe1s Maduro\n\nThe United States has freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicol\xe1s Maduro in exchange for the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in the South American country and the extradition of a fugitive defense contractor.\nThe United Nations Security Council has failed for a third time to pass a Gaza ceasefire resolution, even as the death toll reaches the grim milestone of 20,000. U.S. officials state that they want any resolution to include wording that condemns Hamas and affirms Israel\u2019s right to defend itself. Negotiations over a resolution continue, while in Washington, lawmakers and the White House are engaged in their own negotiations over an aid package for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.\nIn a year-end news conference Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he\u2019s confident his country will get the proposed package of aid currently stalled in Washington. The Pentagon says money for Ukraine will run out at the end of the year.\nThe Justice Department today announced that it\u2019s suing a Houston-based land developer for allegedly targeting Hispanic home buyers with false statements, misleading advertising and predatory lending.\nChallengers are telling a federal judge that Georgia Republican state lawmakers\u2019 new voting districts don\u2019t cure illegal vote dilution and should be rejected.\nWorkers at fast-food locations across the Bay Area went on strike to demand their companies address dangerous conditions onsite, including broken building services and a string of violent robberies.\nLawmakers, homeless advocates, and other community members came together to commemorate the homeless individuals who died in the city of San Jose this year.\n\nThe post The United States has freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicol\xe1s Maduro in exchange for the release of imprisoned 10 Americans \u2013 December 20, 2023 appeared first on KPFA.