(2021-01-06). Arabic press review: Regional media reacts to end of Qatar blockade. middleeasteye.net 
Arabic press review: Regional media reacts to end of Qatar blockade | How has Middle East media interpreted Tuesday's deal ending Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE's embargo on Doha? | Wed, 01/06/2021 – 12: 01 | GCC secretary general Abdullatif al-Zayani and Bahraini diplomat Hamad Al-Amer, right, at a press conference in 2013 (AFP) | Bahraini diplomat attacks Gulf reconciliation:…
(2021-01-06). Indonesia to enforce fresh restrictions amid surge in Covid-19 cases. laprensalatina.com Jakarta, Jan 6 (efe-epa).- Indonesia on Wednesday announced fresh physical distancing measures and other restrictions for two weeks on the island of Java — the most populated in the archipelago — and Bali, a popular tourist destination, amid a surge in cases of the new coronavirus. Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said that between Jan. …
(2021-01-06). India's Covid-19 death toll crosses 150,000. laprensalatina.com New Delhi, Jan 6 (efe-epa).- India had by Wednesday registered 150,114 deaths due to the new coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic, including 226 within the last 24 hours, although the rate of mortalities and fresh infections has been steadily declining in the country of over 1.3 billion people. India, which has registered over …
(2021-01-06). Record Covid infection numbers in Japan ahead of state of emergency. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Jan 6 (efe-epa).- Japan reported more than 5,000 new daily Covid-19 infections for the first time on Wednesday, the majority of which were in Tokyo, which is also seeing record levels of infections. The central government is finalizing the declaration of a new state of health emergency amid the spiralling contagion. The number of …
(2021-01-06). A prominent ISIL leader arrested in S Baghdad. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 06 (MNA) — The Iraqi intelligence service announced on Wednesday the arrest of a prominent leader of the ISIL terrorist group in the south of Baghdad.
(2021-01-06). Egypt says it will open its airspace with Qatar. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 06 (MNA) — Egypt will open its airspace with Qatar, but the implementation will be contingent on the fulfillment of Egyptian requirements.
(2021-01-06). US not want Iraqi Army to be strong: Al-Fatah Alliance member. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 06 (MNA) — A member of Iraqi Al-Fatah (Conquest) Alliance member Muhammad Karim al-Baldawi said that the United Sates does not want Iraqi Army to be strong and powerful.
(2021-01-06). How the System Kept Failing the Only Woman on Federal Death Row. thenation.com How the System Kept Failing the Only Woman on Federal Death Row…
(2021-01-06). FROM THE FIELD: Port explosion which 'burnt hearts' of Beirut residents. news.un.org Five months on from the devastating port explosion that killed over 200 people, and injured thousands more, the UN has invited Beirut residents to share their hopes and fears for the future of the city, and for Lebanon, which remains in crisis.
(2021-01-06). YouTube blocks rap video in Thailand referencing the monarchy. laprensalatina.com Bangkok, Jan 6 (efe-epa).- YouTube on Wednesday had blocked the music video of a song by the Thai group Rap Against Dictatorship in Thailand. The song has references to the monarchy, which is protected by the country's laws with harsh jail sentences. "We're still confused why (our music video) was hidden, since the government agencies …
(2021-01-06). Hazaras protest in Pakistan over killing of 11 miners of the community. laprensalatina.com Islamabad, Jan 6 (efe-epa).- Thousands of members of Pakistan's minority Hazara Shia community on Wednesday continued their protests for the fourth consecutive day demanding justice over the killing of 11 members of the community in southwestern parts of the country on Sunday, claimed by the Islamic State terror group. Around 4,500 protesters have blocked a …
(2021-01-06). Hong Kong police arrests dozens of opposition politicians, activists. laprensalatina.com Beijing, Jan 6 (efe-epa) — Hong Kong's police on Wednesday arrested several pro-democracy lawmakers and and dozens of other politicians and activists for their alleged violation of the contentious national security law, public broadcaster RHTK reported. Many of the opposition politicians, including several former lawmakers, were arrested for their participation in primaries in July ahead …
(2021-01-06). Indonesia's Merapi volcano expels rivers of incandescent lava. laprensalatina.com Jakarta, Jan 6 (efe-epa).- The Mount Merapi volcano, located in the central region of the Indonesian island of Java, expelled rivers of incandescent lava late Tuesday and recorded an increase in activity that has prompted local authorities to raise the volcano's alert level. The eruption, accompanied by small earthquakes lasting more than two minutes, caused …
(2021-01-06). Kim Jong-un calls for better self-reliance at start of N Korean congress. laprensalatina.com Seoul, Jan 6 (efe-epa).- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Tuesday at the beginning of the country's congress that strengthening its own capacities is the way to overcome economic "difficulties" facing the impoverished nation, state media reported. In an unusual gesture for the regime, Kim said in a speech published by KCNA agency and the …
(2021-01-06). Kim admits North Korea struggling with economic hardships. laprensalatina.com (Update 1: Includes Kim's speech, edits throughout) By Andrés Sánchez Braun Seoul, Jan 6 (efe-epa).- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned that the country was facing economic hardships as he admitted during a congress of the ruling Workers' Party that the five-year plan had fallen "way short of the set objectives." In his address …
(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). Sri Lanka prison massacre autopsy confirms victims were shot. wsws.org After the bloodbath, the Rajapakse government is taking further measures to tighten the repressive conditions in prisons.
(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). 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). 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). Saudi Arabia and Qatar end years-long row with border reopening, resumption of ties. rt.com 
Full ties have been restored between Saudi Arabia and Qatar after hugs were exchanged between leaders of the two nations at the annual Gulf Cooperation Council summit on Tuesday, ending their three-year-diplomatic dispute. | Riyadh and its allies, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, have agreed to resume relations with Doha, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud told a news conference. | It follows the announcement by Kuwait — a mediator of the talks — on Monday that the four Arab nations would reopen their land, sea and air borders with Qatar. | The countries had cut Qatar…
(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). COVID-19 spreads at Allison Transmission auto parts plant in Indiana. wsws.org New cases of COVID-19 have been accelerating in recent weeks at the Indianapolis, Indiana plant, according to data shared by workers.
(2021-01-05). Brazil Detects Its First Two Cases of the UK Coronavirus Strain. telesurenglish.net Brazil's health authorities Monday confirmed in Sao Paulo the first two cases of patients infected by the new British COVID-19 strain. | RELATED: | The state-owned Adolfo Lutz Institute's Strategic Laboratory confirmed the cases after performing the genetic sequencing of samples sent by Sao Paulo's DASA private laboratory. | A 25-year-old woman is one patient affected by the new strain. She was infected after having contact wi…
(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). 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). Iraqi army thwarts ISIL attacks on north of Baghdad. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — Iraqi army forces thwarted an operation by ISIL takfiri terrorists to attack Tarmiyah in the north of Baghdad.
(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). 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). S.Korea seeking release of tanker through diplomatic efforts. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) — In reaction to the seizure of a South Korean flagged tanker in the Persian Gulf, the country's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said that she seeks the release of the tanker and its crew through diplomatic efforts.
(2021-01-05). Syria: 'Identified gaps, inconsistencies' raise questions over elimination of chemical weapons. news.un.org "Identified gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies" that remain unresolved, have brought into question the true extent of the elimination of chemical weapons during Syria's bloody conflict, the UN disarmament chief told the Security Council in her briefing on Tuesday.
(2021-01-05). Saudi Arabia thanks Kuwait, US for bridging gap with Qatar as summit begins. laprensalatina.com Riyadh, Jan 5 (efe-epa).- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman on Tuesday said he was grateful to Kuwait and the United States for their role in the recent reconciliation between several Gulf nations and Qatar. The Crown Prince made the remarks as he inaugurated the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Riyadh. "We express great …
(2021-01-05). Al-Attiyah, Price win 3rd stage of Dakar Rally. laprensalatina.com Sports Desk Jan 5 (efe-epa).- Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota Gazoo Racing) and Australia's Toby Price (Red Bull KTM) in cars and motorbikes, respectively, won the third stage of the Dakar Rally, but even with two victories under their wheels they failed to lead the general standings, on a bad day for Spain's Carlos Sainz, who …
(2021-01-05). Arab quartet restores relations with Qatar after years-long blockade. laprensalatina.com Riyadh, Jan 5 (efe-epa).- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt fully restored diplomatic relations with Qatar as of Tuesday following a three-and-a-half-year blockade after they had accused Doha of sponsoring terror. "What happened today is a complete end to the disputes and the complete recovery of diplomatic relations, which will apply to …
(2021-01-05). Family of Slain Memphis Woman Files Suit Against Law Enforcement Agencies. laprensalatina.com MEMPHIS, TN (WREG) — A year after her death, a family has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. The family of Sabrina Nguyen alleges the agencies didn't do enough to protect her from her ex-boyfriend, and they believe she would still be here today had …
(2021-01-05). Woman, Child Killed After Fall From Tennessee Interstate Overpass. laprensalatina.com MADISON COUNTY, TN (WKRN) — A 26-year-old Memphis woman and a child are dead after falling from an interstate overpass in Madison County early Monday morning. The Madison County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded just after midnight to a crash at the Shell Station on Law Road, just south of exit 93 on Interstate 40 …
(2021-01-04). US presence in West Asia has come to its ending days: IMN. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) — The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) issued a statement on the occasion of 1st martyrdom anniversary of Gen. Soleimani, stating that US presence in West Asia has reached its ending days.
(2021-01-04). Japan considers declaring state of emergency in Tokyo area. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Jan 4 (efe-epa).- Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Monday that the government was considering declaring another state of emergency in Tokyo and the surrounding areas due to the continued rise of Covid-19 cases that have piled up the pressure on the country's healthcare system. The emergency declaration, if announced, would affect the capital …
(2021-01-04). The Global angle to the Farmer protests. mronline.org 
The farmers' movement for the repeal of the three farm laws which affect them closely but have been rammed through without consulting them, has now entered its second month.
(2021-01-04). A new year poem for Latin America, 'La Paciente'. peoplesworld.org 
Latin America lies on a hospital gurney after yet another amputation She trembles in shock from her Brazilian breast to her Andean rump The Mexican Gulf traces the profile of her head, thrown back in agony Her "Indian" hair has shaken loose from its mountainous comb of bone So that the thick braid of Central …
(2021-01-04). London police hassle old woman for feeding birds, tell her to 'DISPERSE' because of Covid-19 restrictions. rt.com 
Feed the birds, tuppence a bag? Not in the new UK coronavirus lockdown. A video circulating on social media shows an elderly woman, who was feeding bread to pigeons, being told by London police to 'disperse.' | The video, which was posted on YouTube late Sunday, shows an old woman with a pushcart feeding the birds near London's Marble Arch. Two police stand near the woman and her grey-bearded male companion, and one of the officers urges them to leave the area voluntarily because of restrictions on gathering. | "Feeding the birds, and getting hassled," says an onlooker filming the encounter from behind the…
(2021-01-04). Tripoli academy still reeling a year after UAE attack in Libya. middleeasteye.net 
Tripoli academy still reeling a year after UAE attack in Libya | Survivors call for justice and relive painful memories of the drone strike on a military college that killed 26 unarmed youths | Mon, 01/04/2021 – 10: 39 | Brigadier General Khaled Ali Ahmed bin Omar stands at the site of the drone strike in a military academy in Tripoli (MEE/Daniel Hilton) | The blast hole has been filled in, the con…
(2021-01-04). Saudi Arabia agrees to end blockade on Qatar, open airspace and land border. middleeasteye.net 
Saudi Arabia agrees to end blockade on Qatar, open airspace and land border | Kuwait's foreign minister announces preliminary agreement in a major step towards resolving the Gulf crisis | Mon, 01/04/2021 – 18: 45 | Saudi Arabia has lifted its land and air blockade on Qatar in a major step towards ending a Gulf rift that started more than three years ago when Riyadh and its allies imposed a siege on Doha. | Ku…
(2021-01-04). Top Turkish university scandalised by Erdogan's pick of new president. middleeasteye.net 
Top Turkish university scandalised by Erdogan's pick of new president | Appointment of a pro-government head of Bogazici University sparks widespread condemnation and clashes with the police | Mon, 01/04/2021 – 14: 49 | Bogazici University students hold a banner which reads 'We don't want a [government appointed] president' in a protest held on 4 January 2020 in Istanbul (MEE/Ragip Soylu) | A row over Tu…
(2021-01-04). More Than 100 Doctors Who Fought COVID in Kuwait Return to Cuba. telesurenglish.net One hundred members of the Henry Reeve internationalist medical brigade returned to Cuba today after seven months of collaborating with Kuwait's health personnel in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic. | RELATED: | The Cuban specialists worked in eight public hospitals (Hospital Al Jaber, Adan, Mubarach, Ibn Sina, Farwaniya, Jahra, Amiri, and the Field Hospital), where they attended 33,753 patients and performed 374,680 nursin…
(2021-01-04). Singapore's GDP posts worst-ever contraction of 5.8 percent. laprensalatina.com Bangkok, Jan 4 (efe-epa).- Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 5.8 percent during 2020, its worst contraction since independence from Malaysia in 1965, weighed down by the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the fourth straight quarter of decline of the GDP of the city-state, whose economy is in recession. The last …
(2021-01-04). India: Citizens Block Road To Protest Roof Collapse. telesurenglish.net Hundreds of people on Monday protested against the Ghaziabad municipality, which they blame for the collapse of a roof at a crematorium that caused 24 deaths and 18 people injured. | RELATED: | The accident occurred in Muradnagar town, Uttar Pradesh state, on Sunday when dozens of people were sheltering from the rain under a shed. The roof collapse appears to have been caused by the negligence of municipal officials…
(2021-01-04). The Raging 2020s. Soleimani Geopolitics, One Year On. globalresearch.ca One year ago, The assassination of Maj Gen Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq's …
(2021-01-04). Autoworker crushed to death at Marion Stamping Plant in Indiana. wsws.org Mark McKnight, a highly skilled and careful worker, was 57 years old. Everybody liked him, a co-worker commented, "the nicest guy you could ever meet."
(2021-01-04). Iraqis demand withdrawal of US troops on anniversary of killing of Soleimani, al-Muhandis. peoplesdispatch.org Thousands of protesters gathered at Tahrir square in Baghdad after marching to the highway leading to the airport where Soleimani and Muhandis were killed last year. They demanded the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq…