(2021-01-11). Japan notifies WHO of new Covid-19 variant found in travelers arriving from Brazil. rt.com 
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it was notified by Japan about the detection of a new Covid-19 variant there, as the government extends the state of emergency declared to control the virus in Tokyo to other areas. | WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday that the Japanese health authorities had informed the UN health agency of the new strain at the weekend, after it was detected in four travelers from Brazil's Amazonas state. | The variant has 12 mutations, one of which has been found in the strains discovered in South Africa and the UK. The Brazilian Health Ministry said t…
(2021-01-11). Netanyahu government denies vaccine to Palestinians as it lauds mass rollout to Israelis. wsws.org Israel's COVID-19 vaccination program does not include the five million Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, which Israel has illegally occupied since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
(2021-01-11). Overwhelmed hospitals in Lebanon forced to treat Covid patients in cars. middleeasteye.net 
Overwhelmed hospitals in Lebanon forced to treat Covid patients in cars | The country has seen a surge in coronavirus in recent weeks, with many angry at the lax rules over Christmas | Mon, 01/11/2021 – 13: 41 | Patients in Beirut are treated in their cars, after a hospital ran out of beds (Screengrab/Facebook) | A video from Lebanon showing queues of patients waiting outside a hospital and being treated…
(2021-01-11). Covid-19: Palestine first in Middle East to register for Russian vaccine, says wealth fund. middleeasteye.net 
Covid-19: Palestine first in Middle East to register for Russian vaccine, says wealth fund | With delivery expected 'within a month', Russia's Sputnik V will be the first shipment of coronavirus vaccine for the Palestinians | Mon, 01/11/2021 – 13: 27 | A Palestinian health worker collects random swab samples from people to test for the coronavirus in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on 1…
(2021-01-11). Israel 'declined WHO request' to provide Covid-19 vaccine for Palestinian medics. middleeasteye.net 
Israel 'declined WHO request' to provide Covid-19 vaccine for Palestinian medics | Israeli authorities accused of 'racial discrimination' for refusing to provide Palestinians with jabs | Mon, 01/11/2021 – 13: 22 | An Israeli senior citizen receives his second Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in the northern coastal city of Haifa on 11 January 2021 (AFP) | An official at the World Health Organisatio…
(2021-01-11). Japanese prime minister declares state of emergency amid rapid spread of COVID-19. wsws.org The Suga government is using the state of emergency to cover up its own incompetence and refusal to take any real measures to address the pandemic.
(2021-01-11). Vietnam without deaths from COVID-19 in over three months. mronline.org 
Vietnam's death toll from COVID-19 has stood at 35 since last September, and none of those hospitalized due to this disease risks death, the Ministry of Health reported on Sunday.
(2021-01-11). "One State is a Game Changer" dissidentvoice.org As the US ruling elites have fully succumbed to Israel's political discourse on Palestine, the Israeli government of right-wing Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, may feel that it, alone, is capable of determining the future of the Palestinian people. This conclusion is, perhaps, gleaned from Israel's behavior in recent years and months. The expansion of illegal …
(2021-01-11). Palestine Prepares for Its First Elections in 15 Years. telesurenglish.net The Palestinian Central Elections Commission (PCEC) on Sunday started technical meetings over preparations for the first Palestinian general elections after a 15-year hiatus. | RELATED: | The PCEC Chairman Hana Nasser convened an online meeting with the Commission's members in the Gaza Strip to discuss the latest developments of the planned legislative and presidential elections. | During a meeting with Palestinia…
(2021-01-11). 'A Game Changer': Ilan Pappe and Awad Abdelfattah on the One Democratic State Campaign. mintpressnews.com 
"It is a game-changer which will force everyone in the region – and in the world – to look very differently at the Palestine Question." –Ilan Pappe…
(2021-01-11). Serious repercussions likely to follow US plan to designate Yemen combatants terrorists, UN warns. news.un.org The United States government's decision to designate Ansar Allah, more commonly known as the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, as terrorists, is likely to have "serious humanitarian and political repercussions", the UN spokesperson said on Monday.
(2021-01-11). The UN Convention on War Crimes should be applied to the United States. mronline.org 
Despite the measures taken by the international community to reinforce global security and protect civilians from the relentless increase in the number of armed conflicts, unjustified civilian casualties are not decreasing, and not only in the tinder box that is the Middle East, but also in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and even in Europe.
(2021-01-11). Starving Yemenis fearful of Houthi terror designation's consequences. middleeasteye.net 
Starving Yemenis fearful of Houthi terror designation's consequences | NGOs warn US move could affect vital aid and plunge 24 million people reliant on assistance into greater suffering | Mon, 01/11/2021 – 17: 18 | A woman holds a child suffering from malnutrition while sitting on a bed at a treatment centre in al-Sabeen Maternal Hospital in Sanaa (AFP) | Like millions of Yemenis, Abdul…
(2021-01-11). UAE open to normalising relations with Turkey, top diplomat says. middleeasteye.net 
UAE open to normalising relations with Turkey, top diplomat says | Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash says normalisation deal would 'respect mutual sovereignty', but also calls on Turkey to halt 'support to Muslim Brotherhood' | Mon, 01/11/2021 – 19: 50 | The UAE's foreign affairs minister, Anwar Gargash, said Turkey could 'recalibrate its relations with Arabs' if it were to cut off its 'suppo…
(2021-01-11). US begins process to establish consulate in disputed Western Sahara. middleeasteye.net 
US begins process to establish consulate in disputed Western Sahara | American ambassador to Morocco makes visit to Western Sahara port city of Dakhla | Mon, 01/11/2021 – 15: 29 | The US recognised Rabat's claim to Western Sahara on same day Morocco announced it would normalise ties with Israel (AFP) | The United States ambassador to Morocco began the process of establishing a consulate in the disputed territo…
(2021-01-11). Jordan teachers' union threatens escalation after renewed tensions with government. middleeasteye.net 
Jordan teachers' union threatens escalation after renewed tensions with government | Teachers decry the forced retirement of 62 colleagues, and accuse the government of attempting to eliminate the union | Mon, 01/11/2021 – 13: 05 | Public school teachers demonstrate and demand pay raises at the Professional Associations Complex in Amman on 3 October 2019 (AFP) | In the latest round of tensions,…
(2021-01-11). Syrian Refugees Excluded from Lebanese Labor Market. counterpunch.org 
When the civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, many Syrians fled across the western border to Lebanon. Thousands now live in Arsal, a remote town in the Bekaa valley, not far from the Syrian border. Lebanon, a country of 6 million, hosts a large refugee population estimated at 1.5 million. As the economic
(2021-01-11). China's Mission to Nepal Gains Traction. asia-pacificresearch.com …
(2021-01-11). Trump Admin's Terrorist Designation of Houthis in Yemen 'Reckless and Destructive'. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2021-01-11). Brazilian Lab to Produce Sputnik V for Sale in Latam. telesurenglish.net The Russian Sputnik V vaccine developers informed that a Brazilian laboratory will launch the drug's production and distribution throughout Latin America as of January 15. | RELATED: | The Brazilian Chemical Union company confirmed the news by announcing that it will produce 8 million doses per month in the first semester of 2021. | "On Monday, a company delegation will travel to Russia to finish validating the manufac…
(2021-01-11). Communist Party of the Philippines resurrects urban hit squads. wsws.org The CPP's resurrection of Sparrow Units is bound up with its efforts to seek bourgeois allies even as the ruling class as a whole is seeking the means to suppress unrest and secure a firm hold on power.
(2021-01-11). Boeing 737-500 crashes after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia. wsws.org The tragedy coincides with a $2.5 billion legal settlement between Boeing and the US Department of Justice ending a federal criminal investigation stemming from two crashes of Boeing's 737 Max 8 aircraft.
(2021-01-11). India to Go Ahead with Purchase of Russia S-400 Air Defense System Despite US Sanctions Threat. asia-pacificresearch.com …
(2021-01-11). Biden Chooses Iran Nuclear Deal Negotiator as His CIA Director. telesurenglish.net After serving as ambassador to Russia, Burns led the Obama administration's negotiations with Iran to reach the historic nuclear deal in 2015. | Burns currently serves as the president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, an international think-tank. | RELATED: | If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the first career diplomat to serve in…
(2021-01-11). End of the Saudi Blockade of Qatar: Will Syria Benefit from the "Renewed Gulf Unity"? globalresearch.ca With an end to the Qatar blockade and a possible rapprochement with Turkey, Saudi Arabia may soon move towards reconciliation with Syria. | The Persian Gulf states' opposition to Iran's role in the region, while limiting Turkey's influence, may bring Saudi …
(2021-01-11). US move to designate Houthis in Yemen as terrorist organization raises concern. peoplesdispatch.org The Houthis control a majority of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. Their designation as a terrorist organization will make it difficult for international agencies to engage with the group which could harm millions…
(2021-01-11). Storms of Protest in Washington and Hong Kong. globalresearch.ca The coverage of groups of people, described as mobs, rioters, or protestors depending on one's prejudice or adherence to accurate reporting, who "stormed" the Capitol in Washington and the Legislative Council in Hong Kong is revealing for how media and …
(2021-01-10). New coronavirus variant with similarities to UK & South Africa strains discovered in Japan. rt.com 
The Japanese Health Ministry said it has tracked down yet another variant of Covid-19 partly similar to the UK and South Africa strains, which are believed to be more contagious and linked to a spike in infections in Britain. | The mutant strain was found in four people who flew into Japan from Brazil. The passengers tested positive for Covid-19 in airport quarantine, the ministry said. | One of them was a man in his 40s, who showed no symptoms on arrival, but was later hospitalized with breathing difficulties. Another was a woman in her 30s who reported having a headache. A male, aged between 10 and 19, had f…
(2021-01-10). Algeria becomes first African nation to approve Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. rt.com 
Algeria is going to vaccinate its population against the coronavirus with Sputnik V after the Russian drug received official approval from the North African country's health authorities. | A registration certificate for Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac) vaccine was shared by the country's Ministry of Pharmaceutical Industry on Facebook. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which finances the development of the vaccine, also confirmed the news, saying that it was approved under the emergency use authorization. | Algiers and Moscow inked a deal for Sputnik V shortly before the New Year. The supplies of Russian…
(2021-01-10). Russia reports first case of mutated UK coronavirus variant. rt.com 
A new, more infectious variant of Covid-19, which was discovered in Britain in mid-December, has reached Russia, the country's wellbeing and consumer-rights watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, said. | The mutated strain was found in the samples taken from a Russian man who had returned from a trip to the UK before the New Year, Rospotrebnadzor's head Anna Popova told the Rossiya 1 channel on Sunday. | He didn't show symptoms of the disease and isn't contagious anymore. "The man was feeling and is currently feeling fine," Popova said. | The new Covid-19 variant has led in recent weeks to a spike in cases in Britain, par…
(2021-01-10). Israelis resume corruption protests against Netanyahu amid third Covid-19 lockdown. middleeasteye.net 
Israelis resume corruption protests against Netanyahu amid third Covid-19 lockdown | Protests taking place as trial approaches and with race on to deliver vaccine ahead of March election | Sun, 01/10/2021 – 14: 22 | Prime minister has centred focus on vaccination programme ahead of latest nationwide vote (Reuters) | Thousands of Israelis have restarted protests against Prime Minister Benja…
(2021-01-10). Public health expert warns that the UK needs a clear coronavirus strategy beyond the vaccine. thecanary.co The response to coronavirus (Covid-19) across the UK should be more proactive, a public health expert has warned. | Professor Devi Sridhar said there's currently "no clear strategy" in the UK other than "reactive lockdowns". Prof Sridhar is chairwoman of public health at Edinburgh University and an adviser to the Scottish government. | Each devolved administration is responsible for how it handles coronavirus. But all four are currently in lockdown following a spike in cases and deaths in the past six weeks. The spike has been caused, at least partially, by a new, more transmissible strain of the virus. | "Th…
(2021-01-10). Saturday 1/9: Fightback Town Hall Meeting On Palestine & The Attacks On Pacifica. indybay.org Meeting Registration | us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtc-ihrjsrGdyVPXpExBHN1Ltp-TPzQAis…
(2021-01-10). Artists And Academics Oppose Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement. popularresistance.org More than 150 artists and academics and over 20 trade unions, cultural organizations, student groups and indigenous collectives in Montréal are calling on the Canadian government to cancel the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement. | This community declaration of collective opposition to the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) was first launched in July 2020 as part of the global wave of protests to oppose a push by the extreme right wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu to formally annex the Jordan Valley, in the occupied Palestinian territory. | Specifically this statement is part of a series of ongoing loc…
(2021-01-10). U.S. shouldn't have double standards on weaponized protest movements. thealtworld.com 
Russian Deputy Envoy to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy made a powerful point on Twitter earlier this week when he asked, "Why do you call storming by protesters of the U.S. Capitol 'domestic terrorism' and similar and much more bloody events in Kiev in 2014 'revolution of dignity'?" | Many remember how America praised the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, which overthrew President Viktor Yanukovich, in the aftermath of a run-off vote. | In fact, not only did the U.S. politically support that infamous governmental reshuffle which forever changed the face of European history by consequently leading to Crimea's…
(2021-01-10). Erdogan's press office ditches WhatsApp as Ankara urges Turks to use domestic apps in fight against 'digital fascism'. rt.com 
The media office of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is reportedly shutting down its WhatsApp groups over privacy concerns. The move comes after Ankara called for a nationwide boycott of the Facebook-owned messaging app. | Starting on Monday, the office is switching over to encrypted messaging app BiP, which is developed by Turkish firm Turkcell, Bloomberg reported, citing internal messages posted to the WhatsApp groups. | The decision comes amid growing consternation over WhatsApp's plan to begin sharing personal data with its parent company, Facebook. The policy comes into effect on February 8, and use…
(2021-01-10). Turkish government calls on Turks to dump WhatsApp, switch to local apps. middleeasteye.net 
Turkish government calls on Turks to dump WhatsApp, switch to local apps | New terms of service led to privacy concerns while Turkey has blasted a UK-EU exemption from data-sharing changes | Sun, 01/10/2021 – 15: 50 | Logos of social networking websites displayed on a mobile phone's screen in Istanbul (AFP) | The Turkish government has called on its citizens to stop using WhatsApp and instead us…
(2021-01-10). Iraqi policeman shot dead, dozens wounded in Nasiriyah protests. middleeasteye.net 
Iraqi policeman shot dead, dozens wounded in Nasiriyah protests | Witnesses said security forces opened fire to disperse demonstrators from the city's Haboubi Square, after third consecutive day of protests | Sun, 01/10/2021 – 17: 41 | Iraqi protesters are pictured next to burning tyres during clashes with police during anti-government demonstrations in Nasiriyah, southern Iraq, on 10 Janu…
(2021-01-10). Palestinians Demonstrate Against Israeli Settlements in Kafr Thuluth Village. imemc.org 
Palestinian civilians held a demonstration, on Saturday, in Kafr Thuluth village, southeast of Qalqilia, in the northern occupied West Bank, in rejection of Israel's accelerated settlement expansion, the Palestinian Information Center reported. The participants marched from the center of the town, toward the Separation Barrier, built on Palestinian village lands, flying the national flag and …
(2021-01-10). Palestinian Family Forced to Demolish Section of Home in East Jerusalem. imemc.org 
A Palestinian family was forced to destroy a section of their home in Silwan town, on Friday, after the Israeli occupation authorities threatened to demolish the entire house, the Palestinian Information Center reported. Hatem al-Salaymeh, the homeowner, has been living in the home in the Ras al-Amud neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem, with his wife …
(2021-01-10). Iran nuclear deal: What happens next? peoplesdispatch.org Former Indian Ambassador M.K. Bhadrakumar and Newsclick's Prabir Purkayastha discuss what lies ahead in West Asia as a new US administration takes charge. Will the US return to following the provisions of the Iran nuclear deal? How are relations between key players in West Asia likely to develop? What will be the role of the United States?
(2021-01-10). Bahrain to Resume Air Traffic With Qatar on Monday – Reports. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Bahrain will reopen its airspace for Qatar-registered planes on Monday, the Bahrain News Agency reported, citing the country's civil aviation authority.
(2021-01-10). FROM THE FIELD: Laos villages transformed by solar power. news.un.org For people living off-grid in remote villages in Laos, solar energy offers a clean, sustainable way to bring electricity for all, and the promise to transform their lives.
(2021-01-09). WHO has received 13 Covid vaccine proposals for emergency use, expects to get full data on Russia's Sputnik V by end of this month. rt.com 
The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently assessing several vaccines to be promoted for emergency use across the world, including those made in Russia and China, one of its most senior officials revealed on Friday | The WHO has received 13 "valid proposals" for the possible emergency listing of Covid-19 vaccines since October, the assistant director-general for access to medicines and health products, Mariangela Simao, said at a press briefing. | "We have received, for example, the information from Sinopharm, we have finalized that in phase three trial and it is being authorized in some countries. We ar…
(2021-01-09). [World Report] Polio in Afghanistan: a changing landscape. thelancet.com Resurgent violence and the COVID-19 pandemic have set back polio programmes in Afghanistan. Sophie Cousins reports from Kandahar.
(2021-01-09). Indonesia: Soaring COVID-19 cases as government scrambles to roll out vaccine. wsws.org Contact tracing has been minimal and disorderly, while lockdowns have been resisted throughout, placing the full burden of the virus on the working class.
(2021-01-09). Infamous US Record during Covid-19 Pandemic. dissidentvoice.org 
A health worker conducts a nucleic acid test on a resident in Chengdu, in western China's Sichuan province, on December 8, 2020, after new Covid-19 cases were detected in the city. Almost from the start, China has responded rapidly to outbreaks. Photo: AFP / STR December 11, 2020, is another December day that should "live …
(2021-01-09). In India, pseudo-nationalism trumps science in vaccine clearance. peoplesdispatch.org The recent regulatory clearance given to an indigenous developed vaccine candidate in India is an example of vaccine nationalism at its worst and jettisoning of all the principles of an evidence-based, scientific approach…
(2021-01-09). Justice for victim of police killing in Ireland. peoplesdispatch.org In this episode of Around the World in 8 Minutes, we look at the campaign launched by the Sudanese Professionals Association to dissolve the notorious government-backed militia, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). We also look at the protests against the killing of George Nkencho by Irish police, as well as the killing of 9 indigenous leaders of the Tumandok community in the Philippines.
(2021-01-09). Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to