(2021-02-01). NYT's China syndrome. mronline.org 
Imagine a parallel world where the U.S. brought Covid under control in two months, while China still struggled with it, a year and hundreds of thousands of deaths later.
(2021-02-01). Headlines for February 1, 2021. democracynow.org CDC Orders Mask-Wearing on Public Transportation as Experts Urge Speedy Vaccination to Combat Variants, Johnson & Johnson Says One-Shot Vaccine Is Effective, Especially in Preventing Severe Cases, Major Racial Disparities Emerge in Vaccine Recipients as Latinx Deaths in L.A. Jump by 1,000%, Biden Meets with GOP Leaders to Discuss Stripped-Down Counter Bill to $1.9 Trillion Package, Burmese Military Stage Coup, Detain Aung San Suu Kyi, Police Arrest Over 5,100 in Pro-Navalny Protests Across Russia, Car Bomb Blasts Kill at Least 12 in Aleppo, Syria, U.N. Calls for Repatriation of 27,000 Children Stranded in al-Hol…
(2021-02-01). Putin and Navalny Both Represent Big Russian Capital — Alexander Buzgalin. theanalysis.news The recent protests in Russia were more about the failed economic policies of Putin than support for Navalny, whose program may be even worse than Putin's. The West loves Navalny because they think he will open Russia to U.S. finance capital. From Moscow, Prof. Alexander Buzgalin joins theAnalysis.news with Paul Jay.
(2021-02-01). China slams Canadian Embassy after staff member ordered customized shirts featuring Wuhan and bat patterns. rt.com 
Beijing has lodged an official complaint with the Canadian Embassy in China after reports emerged that a staff member ordered customized shirts featuring Wuhan and bat patterns in July 2020. | Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged the Canadian authorities to investigate the reports on Monday and take immediate action. Wang stressed that diplomatic and consular personnel stationed abroad in any country in the world should strictly abide by the Vienna Convention and local laws. | The Chinese side was shocked by this and has lodged solemn representations with the Canadian Embassy in China, reque…
(2021-02-01). Vaccine crime ring: Chinese police make 80 arrests & seize 3,000 saline-filled syringes. rt.com 
Dozens of people have been detained after Chinese police launched a crackdown on the manufacturing and selling of fake Covid-19 vaccinations. Authorities say the illicit trade has been going on for months. | Read more | | Law enforcement targeted crime rings in Beijing, as well as the eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Shandong, resulting in more than 80 arrests and the seizure of some 3,000 syringes filled with saline, state news agency Xin…
(2021-02-01). As EU falls behind on supplies of Covid-19 vaccines, German health minister entertains possibility of using Russia's Sputnik V. rt.com 
German Health Minister Jens Spahn has revealed that Berlin would be open to importing Covid-19 vaccines from Russia and China as the government looks to find ways to overcome the country's shortage of doses. | "Regardless of the country in which a vaccine is manufactured, if they are safe and effective, they can help cope with the pandemic," Spahn told Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. | The German minister's comments came before Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's permanent representative to the EU, revealed that Moscow is not only open to selling its Sputnik V vaccine but will also share information about how…
(2021-02-01). South Africa receives its first 1 million-dose batch of Covid-19 vaccine. rt.com 
The first coronavirus vaccine shipment to South Africa has arrived in the country, as it struggles with the continent's highest caseload alongside a more transmissible strain of the virus. | A plane carrying the vaccines touched down at OR Tambo international airport on Monday. The load of one million AstraZeneca jabs, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), were warmly welcomed, with President Cyril Ramaphosa and other high-ranking officials in attendance. | Late in January, the president
(2021-02-01). Scottish National Party backs potentially illegal plan to bump disabled and minority candidates to top of lists. rt.com 
The uber-woke Scottish National Party has voted to reserve spaces at the top of its list for electoral candidates who "self-identify" as disabled or minorities…even after being told that such a move is likely illegal. | The SNP's National Executive Committee (NEC) met on Sunday to decide which candidates would run in the country's parliamentary elections this May. The NEC voted in favour of reserving places atop the list for candidates from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds in four of the party's eight regional constituencies, and for disabled candidates in the other four. | Presumably, no…
(2021-02-01). Chinese investment in Haifa port could compromise US-Israel intelligence sharing: Report. middleeasteye.net 
Chinese investment in Haifa port could compromise US-Israel intelligence sharing: Report | A pro-Israel think tank expressed concern over Chinese investment in Israel, including proximity of Chinese company to US Sixth Fleet in Haifa | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 14: 15 | A general view of the city of Haifa and an Israeli military ship sailing in the Mediterranean Sea on 17 July 2019 (AFP)…
(2021-02-01). China rolls out carbon trading scheme in a bid to meet its ambitious 2060 neutrality goal. rt.com 
Beijing has officially rolled out its repeatedly delayed Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), aimed at reducing its greenhouse gas output. Beijing is expecting its emissions to peak before 2030 and become "carbon neutral" by 2060. | The scheme officially entered into force on Monday, covering some 2,260 power plants across the nation. Said plants contributed to around 40 percent of all the carbon dioxide emissions China produced last year. | At later stages, the ETS will also include other enterprises that produce a minimum of 24,000 tons of carbon equivalent a year. | The ETS scheme is founded on a market-based app…
(2021-02-01). China: Peacefully Forward into the Great Change. dissidentvoice.org 
On 25 January, during the first session of the virtual World Economic Forum (WEF), President Xi Jinping, in his address, stated clearly that China's agenda was to move forward in the World of Great Change, with its renewed policy of multilateralism, aiming for a multi-polar world, where nations would be treated as equals. China will …
(2021-02-01). Liquid nitrogen leak at Georgia poultry plant kills 6. peoplesworld.org 
GAINESVILLE, Ga, (AP) — A liquid nitrogen leak at a northeast Georgia poultry plant killed six people Thursday and sent 11 others to the hospital, officials said. At least three of those injured at the Foundation Food Group plant in Gainesville were reported in critical condition. Poultry plants rely on refrigeration systems that can include …
(2021-02-01). Death threat targeting Israeli ambassador found at site of India embassy blast. middleeasteye.net 
Death threat targeting Israeli ambassador found at site of India embassy blast | Letter addressed to Israel's ambassador to New Delhi, Ron Malka, warns him to 'count the days', and was signed by unknown group 'India Hezbollah' | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 18: 25 | Last Friday, a small explosion occurred near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi (AFP/File photo) | A death threat was found near the scene of a blast outside t…
(2021-02-01). REVEALED: How Kadhimi seized power by accusing Iraq's spymaster of foreign loyalties. middleeasteye.net 
REVEALED: How Kadhimi seized power by accusing Iraq's spymaster of foreign loyalties | The Falcons Cell is the most feared and respected intelligence unit in Iraq. By taking control, the prime minister now has access to information on all Shia armed factions | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 09: 30 | Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi gestures during a ceremony to mark the Iraqi armed forces century anniver…
(2021-02-01). Kosovo formally establishes ties with Israel, to open embassy in Jerusalem. middleeasteye.net 
Kosovo formally establishes ties with Israel, to open embassy in Jerusalem | In exchange for setting up mission in Jerusalem, Kosovo gets recognition from Israel, as it seeks to further legitimise independence from Serbia | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 21: 18 | In a ceremony held over Zoom, Israel's foreign minister and his Kosovar counterpart signed a joint declaration establishing ties (AFP) | Kosovo and Israel establi…
(2021-02-01). From former Soviet Kyrgyzstan comes new book on Lenin's 150th. peoplesworld.org 
Published to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lenin's birth and conceived in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan, Lenin 150 (Samizdat) is an outstanding collection of essays, poems, and photos. Lively, thought-provoking, and informative, its roots are in the ideas of a group of young communists living and working in Kyrgyzstan, a country which has …
(2021-02-01). Murder of Lebanese model Zeina Kanjo causes uproar online. middleeasteye.net 
Murder of Lebanese model Zeina Kanjo causes uproar online | Many have called for greater protection of women and improved domestic violence laws | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 13: 58 | Kanjo's death has been condemned online, with many calling for accountability (Screengrab/Twitter) | The murder of a Lebanese model, Zeina Kanjo, on Sunday evening has been condemned online, and reignited conversations about the prot…
(2021-02-01). Germany rejects France's call to halt construction on Nord Stream 2 pipeline over Navalny detention. rt.com 
Germany said it plans to complete the Russian-led Nord Stream 2 offshore gas pipeline project despite opposition from France over Moscow's jailing of opposition figure Alexey Navalny. | The stance of the German government "has not changed" in recent days, deputy government spokeswoman Martina Fietz said on Monday in Berlin, after France's secretary of state for Europe Clément Beaune asked Germany to halt the project. | A spokesman for Germany's Federal Foreign Office in Berlin told Die Welt that although the project is going ahead, the German government was aware of the French position and having a "ver…
(2021-02-01). Top Navalny aide asked alleged British spy for millions in funding, intelligence video released by Russia's FSB claims to reveal. rt.com 
Surveillance footage, recorded in the early 2010s, appears to show a close associate of Alexey Navalny seeking cash and intelligence from an alleged British spy and suggesting his anti-corruption work may benefit firms in London. | The tape, which was first reported by RT television on Monday, is said to have been filmed by the Federal Security Service (FSB) sometime in 2012 and allegedly shows a meeting between Vladimir Ashurkov and an employee of the British Embassy in Moscow. Ashurkov is the executive director of the FBK, Alexey Navalny's anti-corruption organization. | The person he met at a Moscow cafe wa…
(2021-02-01). Is Russia waking up? mronline.org 
The reasons behind the protest actions that began in Russia in January 2021, the social forces involved, and the possible consequences.
(2021-02-01). Ground control to major lawsuit? Dubai launches 'space court' to settle celestial corporate disputes. rt.com 
The UAE has staked its claim to the emerging market of space-based lawsuits, unveiling a global Courts of Space to get ahead of what it hopes will be a raft of new litigation as commercial activity in the celestial realm grows.
(2021-02-01). Blinken says partnership with Riyadh must be 'consistent' with US values. middleeasteye.net 
Blinken says partnership with Riyadh must be 'consistent' with US values | US secretary of state decries killing of Jamal Khashoggi as 'abhorrent', and says administration is reviewing blacklisting of Yemen's Houthis | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 18: 32 | In interview with NBC, Blinken says Riyadh is an 'important partner' but Washington is reassessing ties with kingdom (AFP) | US Secretary of State Antony Blinken decri…
(2021-02-01). Afghanistan War Exposed: An Imperial Conspiracy. popularresistance.org The perpetual occupation of Afghanistan has become so normalized and mostly serves as background noise to Americans -it's even jokingly referred to as the "forever war" – accepted as just a constant reality. A soldier dies now and again. A couple dozen civilians get killed in another bombing. It's never enough to stir the population to pressure Washington to stop it. The endless war drags on. | Abby Martin covers the whole truth about the Afghanistan War, from the CIA construct of the 80's through today's senseless stalemate. Two decades, three administrations, tens of thousands of lives; it's time to #EndTheFore…
(2021-02-01). UN human rights commissioner calls for probe into Sri Lanka's war crimes. wsws.org Bachelet's report comes amid US moves to present a new human rights resolution on Sri Lanka in order to pressure the Rajapakse regime in Colombo remain within Washington's geostrategic orbit.
(2021-02-01). UK Labour Party's Hiring of Former Israeli Spy Completes the Post-Corbyn Transformation. mintpressnews.com UK Labour is in the throes of a makeover as the new leader of the opposition taps a notorious Israeli Unit 8200 alumnus to lead its social media in the push for a 2024 victory.
(2021-02-01). Triple shock of US sanctions, oil price collapse and the pandemic decimates Iranian living standards. wsws.org The "hardline" faction around the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is attacking the faction around President Hassan Rouhani who negotiated the nuclear agreement with the Obama administration, amid indications that the Biden administration intends to continue enforcing the "maximum pressure" campaign of draconian sanctions and military provocations against Iran.
(2021-02-01). Strikes mount in Turkey against austerity and herd immunity policies. wsws.org The Turkish government's murderous response to the pandemic and the collapse of social conditions for millions are increasingly driving workers into struggle.
(2021-02-01). Vietnam's Communist Party sets course for post-pandemic recovery. peoplesdispatch.org The ruling Communist Party of Vietnam has set ambitious targets for boosting growth and economic expansion in the next five years as part of its economic recovery plan in…
(2021-02-01). Is Far-Right QAnon Conspiracy Theorist Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene the New Face of the GOP? democracynow.org 
Republicans face increasing pressure to strip Georgia Congressmember Marjorie Taylor Greene of her post on the House Education Committee. Greene was elected in November 2020 and is a far-right conspiracy theorist who has promoted QAnon, supported the execution of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and claimed the school shootings in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, and Parkland, Florida, were staged — as was the September 11 attack on the Pentagon. She also has a history of racist, anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic comments. Bee Nguyen, a Democratic state representative in Georgia, recently joined other lawmakers in signing a…
(2021-02-01). Americans 'responsible for violence in Afghanistan': Taliban. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 01 (MNA) — A Spokesman for the Taliban negotiating delegation in Doha Suhail Shaheen said that Americans are responsible for the spread of recent violence in Afghanistan.
(2021-02-01). Putin orders officials to prepare plans for creation of Russian Court of Human Rights as possible alternative to pan-European ECHR. rt.com 
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the country's Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice to assess the feasibility of creating a national court of human rights. He first expressed interest in the idea last year. | As things stand, Russia is a party to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), a body that is part of the Council of Europe. Membership of the court has been costly for Moscow, and in 2019 alone, the Ministry of Justice spent more than 1.1 billion rubles ($14 million) on 1,240 judgments. | An order published on the Kremlin website gives the Supreme Court, Russia's highest judicial bo…
(2021-02-01). NYT Scrutinizes Coronavirus Response in China Where Less Than 5,000 People Have Died in One Year While US Loses 3,250 People Per Day. commondreams.org Eighty-seven times as many people have now died from Covid-19 in the U.S. as in China, but in a puzzling attempt to undermine the notion that China's pandemic response has been better, the Times has recently highlighted that country's "efforts to hide its missteps"—and criticized it for sending excess vaccines to other nations. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/wuhan_2021.jpg …
(2021-02-01). Under the Current Rules, Vaccines Are Only Going To Rich Countries That Can Afford It. commondreams.org Despite Bill Gates' stated commitment to an equitable distribution of the Covid vaccine, he is refusing to back South Africa and India's calls for a waiver on patents. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/gates_2.jpg …
(2021-02-01). Israeli Health Official Says One in Ten People Vaxed for Coronavirus Can Still Be Infected. sputniknews.com Israel has become a world leader in vaccinations for SARS-Cov-2, with about 2.5 million of its nine million citizens receiving at least one of two required vaccine jabs by late January. Last week, Covid commissioner Dr. Nachman Ash complained that the protective effect of the first dose of Pfizer/BioNTech's preparation was lower than advertised.
(2021-02-01). Israel rolls out vaccine with promising results. laprensalatina.com Jerusalem, Feb 1 (efe-epa).- With more than 30 percent of its population vaccinated in just a month and a half, Israel — which has the highest ratio of Covid-19 vaccinations per capita — is the world's testing ground for how effective coronavirus vaccines are, although experts are also urging caution because of the unprecedented speed …
(2021-02-01). Japan plans to extend COVID-19 state of emergency in several regions. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Feb 1 (efe-epa).- The government of Japan is planning to extend the state of emergency imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in several regions of the country where the rate of new infections is high and is overwhelming their hospitals. The minister in-charge of the official response to Covid-19, Yasutoshi Nishimura, told a parliamentary …
(2021-02-01). India proposes to more than double health spending in new budget. laprensalatina.com New Delhi, Feb 1 (efe-epa).- India on Monday proposed to more than double its healthcare spending in its annual budget for 2021-22 with expectations to revive the economy that has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic. In her budget speech to the country's parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed to remove caps on foreign investment …
(2021-02-01). 50 House Democrats Back Resolution to Remove Marjorie Taylor Greene From Office. truthout.org 
Image Credit: Facebook: Marjorie Taylor Greene | Republicans face increasing pressure to strip Georgia Congressmember Marjorie Taylor Greene of her post on the House Education Committee. Greene was elected in November 2020 and is a far-right conspiracy theorist who has promoted QAnon, supported the execution of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and claimed the school shootings in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, and Parkland, Florida, were staged — as was the September 11 attack on the Pentagon. She al…
(2021-02-01). Arabic press review: Parental violence against children on the rise in Iraq. middleeasteye.net 
Arabic press review: Parental violence against children on the rise in Iraq | Meanwhile, a US diplomat says Washington has failed Syria, Egypt appoints convicted security director as senior state official, and Kuwait investigates entire embassy staff in Cuba over house-storming incident | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 13: 58 | Iraqi pupils wearing masks attend class on the first day of the new academic year…
(2021-02-01). Iran's Zarif says time for US to return to nuclear deal is 'not unlimited'. middleeasteye.net 
Iran's Zarif says time for US to return to nuclear deal is 'not unlimited' | Commenting on 'who complies first' impasse, Iranian foreign minister says Tehran has shown that it fulfils its promises, and Washington has not | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 22: 14 | Zarif says Iran could have built a nuclear weapon if it were seeking one (AFP/file photo) | Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned the United Sta…
(2021-02-01). Jared Kushner nominated for Nobel peace prize for brokering Israeli-Arab deals. middleeasteye.net 
Jared Kushner nominated for Nobel peace prize for brokering Israeli-Arab deals | Trump's son-in-law and his deputy Berkowitz have been nominated by a friendly attorney who defended the former president in his impeachment trial | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 06: 42 | Jared Kushner played a key role in brokering Israel's normalisation deals with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Moroccco (AF…
(2021-02-01). Kremlin dubs some protesters 'hooligans & provocateurs,' says appeal for US sanctions proves Navalny's team are 'foreign agents'. rt.com 
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has defended the police's decision to take tough measures to detain and disperse supporters of jailed opposition figure Alexey Navalny at rallies across the country over the weekend. | Speaking to journalists on Monday, Dmitry Peskov said that the demonstrations attracted "quite a large number of hooligans and provocateurs," which, he argued, explained the violent clashes with authorities. However, he added, the use of force had to be carefully monitored, even if it was necessary in the face of "illegal actions." | The Kremlin press secretary added that there was no…
(2021-02-01). Ukrainian President Zelensky admits he's 'angry' with Trump over leaked phone call, expresses hope Biden will help Kiev join NATO. rt.com 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized former US President Donald Trump for his move to release the transcript of an infamous 2019 phone call between the two leaders, calling the breach of privacy "totally wrong." | Speaking to US outlet Axios, Zelensky revealed the publication of the call made him a "little bit" angry. In his opinion, conversations between presidents should be kept secret and confidential. | "I think this is totally wrong," the president noted in the interview, recorded last week. "This was the first serious conversation between two presidents, between strategic partners. And i…
(2021-02-01). Former Russian President Medvedev calls Twitter 'politicized' platform, slams ban of Trump & claims site is biased towards Navalny. rt.com 
Twitter is a "politicized" website, involved with interference in foreign states. That's according to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who also attacked the platform for blocking former US President Donald Trump's account | Medvedev's comments come after Twitter, along with other social media networks, received blame for allowing Russian opposition figures to advertise protests. | According to the former leader, who now sits on the Russian Security Council, his acquaintance signed up to the popular social network and was immediately recommended to subscribe to Alexey Navalny. When joining Twitter, the…
(2021-02-01). 'Appalled': Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich sends personal message to players vowing support after racist abuse. rt.com 
Roman Abramovich has vowed to direct more funds to efforts to stamp out racism in football as the billionaire Chelsea owner offered his support following racist abuse directed at Blues defender Reece James. | James, 21, recently shared the vile abuse he has been subjected to online, demanding that "something needs to change." | Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford also spoke out over the weekend against abuse he has received, while teammates Anthony Martial and Axel Tuanzebe were targeted in recent days. | Elsewhere, a man was arrested after a racist message was sent to West Bromwich Albion midfielder…
(2021-02-01). Navalny press secretary Yarmysh is latest associate put under house arrest, gets two months over alleged role in opposition protes. rt.com 
Kira Yarmysh, a close ally of imprisoned opposition figure Alexey Navalny, will be confined to her home until late March, a court ruled on Monday, amid a wave of restrictions aimed at the organizers of nationwide protests. | Moscow's Basmanny Court ordered the activist to remain under house arrest until March 23 while charges are prepared by prosecutors. A spokesman for the judges told RIA Novosti that investigators had requested the "preventative measure" because of allegations that Yarmysh was involved in "creating the threat of mass disease" after crowds gathered to demonstrate for Navalny's release earlier…
(2021-02-01). 'Russiagate' lives on: Donald Trump was a Soviet spy recruited decades ago by KGB, according to conspiracy-loving Western media. rt.com 
Donald Trump's rise and fall as the most powerful man in the world was one of the shock stories of the century. However, explosive claims picked up by Western media now suggest there was a secret masterplan behind it all along.
(2021-02-01). Russia ramps up natural gas supplies to China via Power of Siberia mega-pipeline. rt.com 
Russian energy major Gazprom pumped more gas to China in January via the Power of Siberia pipeline than it had initially planned, boosting daily supplies by as much as 2.5 percent. | "The export of gas to China through the Power of Siberia gas pipeline continues to grow. Supplies regularly exceed Gazprom's daily contractual obligations," the company said in a statement, adding that the volume of gas delivery last month "was 2.9 times higher than in January 2020." | The 3,000km (1864 mile) cross-border pipeline started official deliveries of Russian natural gas to China in 2019. The so-called eastern route's ca…
(2021-02-01). A US HR institute calls for lifting Iran sanctions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 01 (MNA) — A US-based Human Rights Institute named "CODEPINK" called on the new US administration to lift sanctions imposed by US against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
(2021-02-01). Protest groups join forces to occupy Israeli arms company building. thecanary.co Demonstrators have blocked the entrance of a factory where they claim deadly arms are made. | Protesters from Palestine Action and Extinction Rebellion, armed with banners and red paint, said their early-morning raid on the Israeli-owned Elbit Ferranti factory in Oldham, Greater Manchester, is because they "will not accept an economy based on devastation, occupation and war". A press release from the two groups stated that: Activists from Palestine Action and Extinction Rebellion are occupying an Israeli-owned arms factory in Oldham, forcing the site to halt its production of deadly weapons. Several have blocked t…