Global wildlife trading body under fire over highly questionable Asian elephant exports
Tracy Keeling | thecanary.co | 2021-01-07
2020 was a bumpy year for the wildlife trade and the UN body that is meant to oversee the buying and selling of wild lives on an international level. The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is widely believed to have originated in this trade. As a result, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) h…
thecanary.co/exclusive/2021/01/07/global-wildlife-trading-body-under-fire-over-highly-questionable-asian-elephant-exports/
Re-Plug: 28 Protests in 22 days! Kranti ka Naqsha (Mapping the Revolution) Brings the Latest Updates
Sabrangindia | asia-pacificresearch.com | 2021-01-07
asia-pacificresearch.com/re-plug-28-protests-in-22-days-kranti-ka-naqsha-mapping-the-revolution-brings-the-latest-updates/5629723
'Irresponsible and inhumane' Home Office continuing with deportations despite lockdown
Joe Glenton | thecanary.co | 2021-01-07
The Home Office plans to press forward with the deportation of up to 60 people despite a full national lockdown and a massive spike in coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in the UK. | The Independent newspaper reported on 6 January that two flights were set to leave in the next week despite current restrictions. One is bound for Romania, the other for Poland. | "Irresponsible and inhumane": | New lockdown rules say that people cannot leave their homes or travel abroad except wh…
thecanary.co/trending/2021/01/07/irresponsible-and-inhumane-home-office-continuing-with-deportations-despite-lockdown/
"Americans Are Now Getting a Mild Taste of Their Own Medicine" of Disrupting Democracy Elsewhere
Staff | democracynow.org | 2021-01-07
World leaders reacted in horror over the storming of the U.S. Capitol, with the U.N. secretary-general calling on political leaders to demand their followers refrain from violence. Leaders of the U.K., New Zealand, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, France, Germany, NATO and the European Council called for a peaceful transfer of power to Joe Biden. Investigative journalist Allan Nairn looks at what steps Trump may take next, and says despite protestations from President-elect Joe Biden and others that the insurrection was "not who we are," the U.S. has a long track record of disrupting democratic processes elsewher…
www.democracynow.org/2021/1/7/us_foreign_election_interference_allan_nairn
New book: Indonesia was model for anti-communist massacres, U.S. complicity
W. T. Whitney Jr. | peoplesworld.org | 2021-01-07
U.S imperialism was on a roll in the mid-20th century as Cold War problems were emerging. These included U.S.-Soviet conflict, nuclear-war fears, the Korean and Vietnam wars, domestic anti-communism, and Indonesia. Having thrown off Dutch colonial rule, that country led by President Sukarno was in the vanguard of nations striving to steer clear of both …
peoplesworld.org/article/new-book-indonesia-was-model-for-anti-communist-massacres-u-s-complicity/
New book: Indonesia was model for anti-communist massacres, U.S. complicity
W. T. Whitney Jr. | peoplesworld.org | 2021-01-07
U.S imperialism was on a roll in the mid-20th century as Cold War problems were emerging. These included U.S.-Soviet conflict, nuclear-war fears, the Korean and Vietnam wars, domestic anti-communism, and Indonesia. Having thrown of Dutch colonial rule, that country led by President Sukarno was in the vanguard of nations striving to steer clear of both …
peoplesworld.org/article/new-book-indonesia-was-model-for-anti-communist-massacres-u-s-complicity/
Qatar and GCC Detente? In the Wake of a Three Year Blockade Imposed by Saudi Arabia
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-07
The unexpected detente between Qatar and its GCC partners saw the full restoration of political ties between them following the end of the over three-year-long blockade against the peninsular nation, but speculation remain about the future of their reconciliation considering …
globalresearch.ca/gcc-detente-facts-analysis-forecasts/5733829
UAE to resume trade and travel with Qatar within a week
MEE and agencies | middleeasteye.net | 2021-01-07
UAE to resume trade and travel with Qatar within a week | Emirati foreign minister said restoring full diplomatic relations would take time as trust issues linger | MEE and agencies | Thu, 01/07/2021 – 12: 13 | UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum signing a document during the opening session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in the Saudi city of al-Ula, 5 January 2021 (AFP)…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/uae-qatar-trade-travel-gcc-rift
Saudi Arabia: UN rights expert welcomes 'positive first step' toward détente in Gulf
news.un.org | 2021-01-07
Saudi Arabia's action in lifting sanctions against Qatar is a "positive first step" towards normalized relations in the Gulf region, a UN independent human rights expert said on Thursday, urging the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt to follow suit.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/01/1081612
Sri Lankan president orders all state employees to commit to his election manifesto
wsws.org | 2021-01-07
These preparations of Rajapakse are aimed at cementing his autocratic rule and taking on the working class.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/07/slpr-j07.html
In "Pieces of a Woman," Vanessa Kirby survives the worst in a heartbreaking, measured performance
Gary M. Kramer | salon.com | 2021-01-07
Kornél Mundruczó's film addresses the fragmentation of a life after losing a child at birth…
salon.com/2021/01/07/pieces-of-a-woman-review-netflix/
[Research Paper] Descriptive epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Karnataka state, South India: Transmission dynamics of symptomatic vs. asymptomatic infections
Narendra Kumar, Shafeeq K. Shahul Hameed, Giridhara R. Babu, Manjunatha M. Venkataswamy, Prameela Dinesh, Prakash Kumar BG, Daisy A. John, Anita Desai, Vasanthapuram Ravi | thelancet.com | 2021-01-06
Our findings indicate that both asymptomatic and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 cases transmit the infection, although symptomatic cases were the main driving force within the state during the beginning of the pandemic. Considering the large proportion of asymptomatic cases, their ability to spread infection cannot be overlooked. Notwithstanding the limitations and bias in identifying asymptomatic cases, the findings have major implications for testing policies. Active search, early testing and treatment of symptomatic elderly patients with comorbidities should be prioritized for containing the spread of COVID-19 and red…
thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(20)30461-2/fulltext?rss=yes
Deadly car bomb attacks 'tragic reminder' of price civilians pay in Syria
news.un.org | 2021-01-06
The killing of civilians in separate car bomb attacks in northern Syria on Saturday has been condemned by top UN humanitarian officials for the country.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/01/1081512
Citing 'Open Sedition,' Rep. Ilhan Omar Vows Trump Impeachment Resolution
Brett Wilkins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2021-01-06
"Today, I watched as armed terrorists stormed the United States Capitol," the Minnesota congresswoman wrote. "We should not mince words about what this was: a coup attempt." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/barb.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2021/01/06/citing-open-sedition-rep-ilhan-omar-vows-trump-impeachment-resolution?cd-origin=rss
Citing 'Open Sedition,' Rep. Ilhan Omar Vows Trump Impeachment Resolution
Brett Wilkins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2021-01-06
"Today, I watched as armed terrorists stormed the United States Capitol," the Minnesota congresswoman wrote. "We should not mince words about what this was: a coup attempt." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/barb.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2021/01/06/citing-open-sedition-rep-ilhan-omar-vows-trump-impeachment-resolution?cd-origin=rss
Arabic press review: Regional media reacts to end of Qatar blockade
Mohammad Ayesh | middleeasteye.net | 2021-01-06
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? | Mohammad Ayesh | 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:…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/qatar-blockade-bahrain-arab-media-reacts
FROM THE FIELD: Port explosion which 'burnt hearts' of Beirut residents
news.un.org | 2021-01-06
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.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/01/1081462
How the System Kept Failing the Only Woman on Federal Death Row
Victoria Law | thenation.com | 2021-01-06
How the System Kept Failing the Only Woman on Federal Death Row…
thenation.com/article/society/lisa-montgomery-execution-federal/
FROM THE FIELD: Weathering a tourist downturn in Kyrgyzstan
news.un.org | 2021-01-05
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.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/01/1081372
[Commentary] Vaccinating cassandra
Peter J Hotez | thelancet.com | 2021-01-05
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].
thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(20)30455-7/fulltext?rss=yes
COVID-19 spreads at Allison Transmission auto parts plant in Indiana
wsws.org | 2021-01-05
New cases of COVID-19 have been accelerating in recent weeks at the Indianapolis, Indiana plant, according to data shared by workers.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/05/alli-j05.html
Brazil Detects Its First Two Cases of the UK Coronavirus Strain
telesurenglish.net | 2021-01-05
Brazil's health authorities Monday confirmed in Sao Paulo the first two cases of patients infected by the new British COVID-19 strain. | RELATED: | Brazil to Import 2 Million Doses of AstraZeneca Vaccine | 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…
telesurenglish.net/news/Brazil-Detects-First-Two-Cases-of-British-COVID-19-Strain-20210105-0005.html
Filipino lawmakers and activists demand inquiry into recent killings of Indigenous leaders
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-05
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…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/05/filipino-lawmakers-and-activists-demand-inquiry-into-recent-killings-of-indigenous-leaders/
Sri Lanka prison massacre autopsy confirms victims were shot
wsws.org | 2021-01-05
After the bloodbath, the Rajapakse government is taking further measures to tighten the repressive conditions in prisons.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/05/pris-j05.html
Saudi Arabia and allies restore full diplomatic relations with Qatar
MEE staff | middleeasteye.net | 2021-01-05
Saudi Arabia and allies restore full diplomatic relations with Qatar | Final declaration contained no details of deal, but comes two weeks before President-elect Joe Biden takes office | MEE staff | Tue, 01/05/2021 – 17: 43 | "> | Saudi Arabia and its three Arab allies agreed to restore full ties with Qatar on Tuesday, ending a three-and-a-half year-long blockade against the gas and oil-rich n…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/qatar-blockade-saudi-arabia-and-allies-agree-full-return-ties-doha
Qatar blockade: Saudi deal raises questions about prisoners, flight paths and bots
Nadda Osman | middleeasteye.net | 2021-01-05
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 | Nadda Osman | 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…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/qatar-blockade-saudi-arabia-end-questions-flights-bots
Syria: 'Identified gaps, inconsistencies' raise questions over elimination of chemical weapons
news.un.org | 2021-01-05
"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.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/01/1081412
Mexico and Four Other Countries Join the UN Security Council
telesurenglish.net | 2021-01-05
Mexico, India, Ireland, Kenya, and Norway on Monday began to assume responsibilities as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). | RELATED: | For Fifth Time, Cuba Elected Member of UN Human Rights Council | While their two-year term officially started on Jan. 1, Monday is the first working day of the council for 2021 after the Christmas and New Year break. A flag installation ceremony was held to mark the start of their responsibilities. | Kazakh UN a…
telesurenglish.net/news/Mexico-and-Four-Other-Countries-Join-the-UN-Security-Council-20210105-0006.html