(2021-01-05). "This Is Voter Suppression": 198,000 Georgia Residents Were Illegally Purged from Voter Rolls. democracynow.org 
As voters in Georgia cast their ballots in two key runoff races that will determine control of the U.S. Senate, voting rights activists fear many eligible voters will be turned away at the polls. Georgia has been called "ground zero" for Republican voter suppression efforts in the U.S., and in September the ACLU of Georgia revealed 198,000 voters had been wrongly purged from the voting rolls. We air a report into voting in Georgia by investigative journalist Greg Palast, narrated by the actress Debra Messing, and speak with voting rights activist LaTosha Brown, co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund. "I think…
(2021-01-05). "Medical Apartheid": Israeli Vaccine Drive Excludes Millions of Palestinians in Occupied Territories. democracynow.org 
Israel has administered COVID-19 vaccines faster than any country in the world, with more than 14% of Israelis receiving vaccines so far. Despite the fast rollout, human rights groups are expressing alarm over Israel's decision not to vaccinate Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, where about 1,500 people have died during the pandemic. Israel has defended its actions citing the Oslo Peace Accords, which put Palestinian authorities in charge of healthcare in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestinian officials are facing a number of hurdles in launching their own vaccine campaign, including a shortage of mone…
(2021-01-05). FROM THE FIELD: Weathering a tourist downturn in Kyrgyzstan. news.un.org The residents of a small traditional village high in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, which once attracted a steady stream of visitors, are learning how to adapt to the reality of a world where the COVID-19 pandemic has all but frozen out the opportunities provided by tourism.
(2021-01-05). Filipino lawmakers and activists demand inquiry into recent killings of Indigenous leaders. peoplesdispatch.org Legislators of the left-wing Makabayan bloc have called for an investigation by the Philippines House of Representatives into the recent mass killings of Tumandok community leaders on December 30…
(2021-01-05). A New Year's Wish: Let's Remove Israel from American politics. globalresearch.ca There has been one good thing about the COVID-19 virus — for the first time many among the general public are beginning to ask why a rich country like Israel should be getting billions of dollars from the United States …
(2021-01-05). Iran detects first UK variant of COVID-19. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Iran has registered its first case of a highly contagious coronavirus variant that emerged in Britain.
(2021-01-05). Daily deaths turned two-digit after some 6 months. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — The Iranian Health Ministry reported double-digit Covid-19 deaths in the country, confirming 6,113 COVID-19 infections and 98 deaths due to respiratory disease in the past 24 hours.
(2021-01-05). Iran ready to test advanced generation of COVID-19 vaccine. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Virology Research Director of Pasteur Institute of Iran said the the country is ready to enter human test in advanced generation of coronavirus, COVID-19, vaccine.
(2021-01-05). [Commentary] Vaccinating cassandra. thelancet.com Receiving the first of two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was a more emotional experience than I anticipated. I'm a vaccinologist co-leading a team of scientists developing a potential recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine for global health [1]. Vaccine production, manufacture, and distribution is led by Biological E (BioE) in India where it is being widely tested, with the aspirational goal that it might fill an urgently needed gap in low-cost COVID-19 vaccines for low- and middle-income countries [2].
(2021-01-05). The Legacy of General Qassem Soleimani: A Woman's Perspective. mintpressnews.com 
Zohreh Kharazmi interviews the wives of Quds Force soldiers killed fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria on what Qassem Soleimani means to them and what his death represents for Iranians.
(2021-01-05). Julian Assange wins victory as extradition denied. liberationnews.org 
The U.S. government has pursued Assange since at least 2012, for his work exposing hundreds of thousands of U.S. military and intelligence documents and video that show outright war crimes, included targeted murders of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan.
(2021-01-05). India's Farm Crisis: "Farming is Our Religion, We Love to Feed People'. counterpunch.org 
"Gharo jao rajj ke, kaam hoga gajj ke [If you leave the house with a stomach full of food, you will ace your mission]." That's Bilawal Singh's simple philosophy of running a langar for protesting farmers at Shahjahanpur. "This government is used to dealing with hungry protestors," he continues, speaking in Punjabi. "Let's see how
(2021-01-05). Jerusalem's Orthodox church accused of selling off land for 'settlement belt'. middleeasteye.net 
Jerusalem's Orthodox church accused of selling off land for 'settlement belt' | If sold, the land would connect Bethlehem-area Gilo settlement to Jerusalem, a leading Palestinian Christian grassroots group warns | Tue, 01/05/2021 – 15: 56 | Jerusalem's Patriarch Theophilos III leads Christmas midnight mass for the Greek Orthodox in Bethlehem on 7 January 2018 (AFP/File photo) | The Orthodox patriar…
(2021-01-05). Qatar blockade: Saudi deal raises questions about prisoners, flight paths and bots. middleeasteye.net 
Qatar blockade: Saudi deal raises questions about prisoners, flight paths and bots | As Saudi Arabia declares the lifting of the three-year land and air blockade on its Gulf neighbour, many issues remain to be resolved | Tue, 01/05/2021 – 14: 05 | Many people have raised questions on what the end of the Saudi blockade will mean for prisoners, flight paths and the Saudi bot network (Screengrab/social medi…
(2021-01-05). An Israeli Settler I Want to Live Beside. counterpunch.org 
Imagine, God forbid, that you and a friend are being rushed into a hospital emergency room by a life-support ambulance team. One of you is still living; the other died at the scene. The horrific event that brought you both to this point was perpetrated in broad daylight, creating a public and angry outcry. The
(2021-01-05). Afghan negotiators leave for 2nd round of talks in Doha. laprensalatina.com Kabul, Jan 5 (efe-epa).- The Afghan government negotiators on Tuesday left for Doha where they will hold the second round of peace talks with Taliban leaders after a three-week pause. The two sides are expected to discuss a nationwide ceasefire among other topics during the parleys in Qatar to broker an end to two decades …
(2021-01-05). Pakistan's top court orders reconstruction of Hindu temple razed by Islamists. laprensalatina.com Islamabad, Jan 5 (efe-epa).- The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday ordered the reconstruction of a temple of the marginalized Hindu minority that had been destroyed by an Islamist mob last week, after which more than a hundred people have been arrested and 92 police officers suspended over the incident. "The Chief Justice (Gulzar Ahmed) …
(2021-01-05). Iran's decision to raise uranium enrichment level is expected, say Russia, China. peoplesdispatch.org Iran announced on Monday that it has started enriching uranium to up to 20% as per the law passed by its parliament in November and according to the provisions of the 2015 nuclear deal…
(2021-01-05). Full Spectrum Dominance: UN General Assembly Voting Reveals the Truth. globalresearch.ca The final most important UN General Assembly resolutions were just voted on in December, and, the voting is incredibly significant. The United States (and Israel or Ukraine) opposed almost every constructive resolution just adopted. It is truly shameful, and although …
(2021-01-05). Brutal Human Rights Abuses: Torture, Sanctions and Failure to Address "Economic Rights" globalresearch.ca "Wrong things are done in the name of Islam, worse things are being done in the name of democracy and human rights" (Dr. Mohamed Mahathir, former Malaysian Prime Minister(1)) | Torture — Legal Black Holes | Some philosophers have suggested that …
(2021-01-05). Debating Maoism in Contemporary China. globalresearch.ca Xi Jinping's frequent references to Mao Zedong, along with Xi's own claims to ideological originality, have fueled debate over the significance of Maoism in the PRC today. | The discussion recalls an earlier debate, at the height of the Cold War, …
(2021-01-05). US coalition convoy attacked in Iraq's Saladin again. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Another US coalition logistics convoy was targeted by a roadside bomb on Tuesday morning in Saladin province.
(2021-01-05). Iran's nuclear steps reversible if all implement commitments. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Iran's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations said that nuclear steps will be reversed upon full implementation of JCPOA commitments by all.
(2021-01-05). FM Zarif congratulates end of diplomatic crisis in Qatar. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed the end of the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and four besieging countries.
(2021-01-05). Iran's 20% uranium enrichment not a violation of NPT: Russia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Russian Foreign Ministry showed a reaction to Iran's enrichment of uranium up to 20 percent, stating that Iran's 20% enrichment of uranium is not a violation of Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
(2021-01-05). Iran opted for JCPOA-free economy: Araghchi. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — A senior Iranian diplomat urged Western countries to stop the delusion that they can set conditions for the lifting of sanctions as Iran has opted for a JCPOA-free economy.
(2021-01-05). Front pages of Iran's English-language dailies on Jan. 05. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Here are the front pages of Iran's English-language dailies on Tuesday, January 5.
(2021-01-05). Ali Karimi joins Qatar's Al Duhail on loan. en.mehrnews.com Tehran, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Iranian midfielder Ali Karimi has joined Al Duhail on loan till the season end.
(2021-01-05). Iran's Army 1st large-scale drone combat exercise kicks off. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — The first large-scale drone combat exercise of Iran's Army kicked off in Semnan on Tue. with the participation of hundreds of UAVs used by Army's Ground Force, Air Force and Navy.
(2021-01-05). Headlines of Iranian Persian dailies on January 5. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Mehr News takes a look at the headlines of Iran's Persian-language dailies on Tuesday, January 5.
(2021-01-05). '20% enrichment no violation of Iran's intl. obligations'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — The Chairman of the Russian Friendship Society with Arab Countries believes that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not violated any of its international obligations by achieving 20% uranium enrichment.
(2021-01-05). Attacking distant targets main goal of drone combat exercise. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Deputy Chief of Operations of Iran's Army said that attacking faraway targets is one of the main goals of large-scale drone combat exercise drill.
(2021-01-05). Late Ayat. Mesbah Yazdi also famous among Sunnis: Zakzaki. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaki, Leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), hailed salient characteristics of senior Iranian cleric late Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, saying the Ayatollah was famous not only among Shias but also Sunnis.
(2021-01-05). Seoul reviewing diplomat visit to Tehran after tanker seizure. en.mehrnews.com Tehran, Jan. 05 (MNA) — A South Korean official said the Foreign Ministry of the country is reviewing its diplomat's visit to Tehran following the seizure of its tanker by Iran due to repeated violations of environmental laws.
(2021-01-05). Pakistan vows strong counter-narcotics coop. with Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Pakistan's Minister for Narcotics Control Ijaz Ahmed Shah welcomed Iran's bilateral and regional initiatives to combat drug trafficking and pledged to further strengthen Islamabad's cooperation with Tehran.
(2021-01-05). 'Better than Neil Armstrong' wins at Italian filmfest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Iranian short film 'Better than Neil Armstrong' has won two awards at the sixth edition of Via Dei Corti film festival in Italy.
(2021-01-05). Oil, gas industry suffered most pressure under US sanctions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Iran's First Vice President Es'hagh Jahangiri said the Iranian oil and gas industry suffered the most pressure under the US embargo period.
(2021-01-05). 'Hands on trigger': Iran ready to counter any threat. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Reacting to Trump's adventurism in the region, a top Iranian commander said the country's armed forces are ready to counter any external threat that aims to undermine the Islamic Republic's peace and security.
(2021-01-05). Japan expresses concern over Iran moves on uranium enrichment. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Japan's top government spokesman on Tuesday said the country was deeply concerned about Iran's latest announcement of a resumption of 20% uranium enrichment.
(2021-01-05). US creates chaos in international relations: Russia. en.mehrnews.com Tehran, Jan. 06 (MNA) — Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the United States has created chaos in international relations by its norm-breaking actions.
(2021-01-05). EU says Nuclear Deal still in place. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — EU announced on Tuesday that despite Iran's decision to enrich uranium by 20 percent, other commitments under the JCPOA are still in place.
(2021-01-05). US renews waiver for Iraq to import Iranian gas, electricity. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — An Iraqi official said that Washington has extended a waiver for Baghdad to resume importing Iran's electricity and gas for three more months.
(2021-01-05). VIDEO: Iran Army's 1st large-scale drone combat drill. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) —The first large-scale drone combat exercise of Iran's Army kicked off in Semnan on Tue. with the participation of hundreds of UAVs used by Army's Ground Force, Air Force and Navy.
(2021-01-05). Tehran ahead of Tel Aviv in missile production: Ex-Zionist PM. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Acknowledging Iran's capabilities, Former Zionist regime Prime Minister Ehud Barak said that Iran is ahead of Israel in producing missiles and enriching uranium.
(2021-01-05). Iran inks contract with Afghanistan on rail export. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Islamic Republic of Iran signed an agreement for export of rail to neighboring Afghanistan.
(2021-01-05). S. Korean delegation to negotiate release of ship in Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — A South Korean delegation is to pay a visit to Iran to negotiate the release of a Korean oil tanker seized by the IRGC.
(2021-01-05). US moves 60 ISIL forces to base on Syrian-Jordanian border. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — The US occupation forces moved scores of ISIL terrorists from several prisons in Hasaka governorate to their illegal base in al-Tanf on the Syrian-Jordanian border.
(2021-01-05). Beijing reacts to 20% uranium enrichment by Tehran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman called on all JCPOA parties to remain exercise restraint after Iran's announcement over the start of 20% uranium enrichment.
(2021-01-05). Pakistan committed to cooperating with Iran on border issues. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Pakistan's Minister of Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said that Islamabad is committed to cooperating closely with Iran on border issues and the fight against drug trafficking.
(2021-01-05). Iran Army's large-scale drone drill. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — The Iranian Army launched a large-scale drone drill in Semnan province on Tuesday. The drill is attended by Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Army Chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi.