(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). Philippines: Mark the 50th anniversary of the Diliman Commune. fightbacknews.org Fight Back New Service is circulating the following February 1 statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines. | Today we mark the 50th anniversary of the Diliman Commune, a 9-day uprising of the students of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. The Diliman Commune was part of the widespread strikes and protest actions against oil price increases, imperialist control of the economy and police brutality under the Marcos regime. | The student uprising was part of the continuum of the surging national democratic mass movement of students and workers from the previous decade. It broke out…
(2021-02-01). Inauguration of projects at Mehrabad Airport. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 01 (MNA) — The ceremony to inaugurate a number of projects at Mehrabad Airport projects was held on Sunday morning in the presence of Iranian Road Minister Mohammad Eslami at Mehrabad Airport.
(2021-02-01). Navalny supporters keep the pressure on Putin in new wave of protests. laprensalatina.com By Celine Aemisegger Moscow, Jan 31 (efe-epa).- Supporters of Alexei Navalny on Sunday kept the pressure on President Vladimir Putin by turning out for large protests all across Russia to demand the release from jail of the opposition leader and to express their indignation with the country's economic and social situation, and they did so …
(2021-01-31). Israel to give few Covid-19 vaccines to Palestinians amid 'apartheid' accusations. middleeasteye.net 
Israel to give few Covid-19 vaccines to Palestinians amid 'apartheid' accusations | Israel's defence ministry says it agreed to transfer 5,000 vaccines to Palestinian medical workers | Sun, 01/31/2021 – 11: 46 | A Maccabi Health vaccination centre worker administers the Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine in the Givatayim mall parking lot, Tel Aviv, on 26 January 2021 (AFP) | Israel said on S…
(2021-01-31). Israeli Scientists make Strides toward Recyclable Perovskite Solar Panels. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — Solar panels have plummeted 80% in price during the past decade, but they are still relatively expensive and depend on mined silicon. They are also a big waste challenge, since they aren't recyclable and they have toxic chemicals in them. Silicon panels last up to 30 years, but gradually lose …
(2021-01-31). Israeli soldiers kill young Palestinian near West Bank settlement. middleeasteye.net 
Israeli soldiers kill young Palestinian near West Bank settlement | Man shot dead after allegedly attempting to use 'a stick with three knives' to attack officers near a West Bank settlement | Sun, 01/31/2021 – 10: 18 | The Israeli settlement of Efrata, on the southern outskirts of Bethlehem, with a sign on the Rd60 highway indicating the route to the settlement block of Gush Etzion, in the occupied West Bank,…
(2021-01-31). Biden's Hawkish Foreign Policy Could Derail Moves to Fight Austerity. truthout.org 
In his first days in office, President Joe Biden has signaled a willingness to disavow austerity policies and expand public benefits, sparking cautious optimism about whether his administration could succeed in minimizing damage done by the coronavirus pandemic. | But Biden is at risk of repeating similar mistakes made by President Lyndon B. Johnson, who promised more relief to the poor than he could deliver because of his decision to escalate conflict in Vietnam. | In 1964, Johnson won the presidenti…
(2021-01-31). Democrats, You PROMISED Survival Checks NOW! realprogressives.org 
On January 5 there was a special election held in Georgia where the two running Democrats ultimately won. How were they able to pull it off? No, the election was not stolen by Russia, China, Venezuela, or little green men. It was won because the Democrats promised the American people relief in the form of immediate distribution of $2000 survival checks! | These words were verbatim, by then Senate candidate Jon Ossoff, during an interview just days before the election,"We will be able to pass $2,000 dollar stimulus checks for the people next week when we win these races in Georgia and get economic relief direct…
(2021-01-31). Pandemic claims 35 lives in Libya. yenisafak.com The coronavirus pandemic claimed 35 lives in Libya and caused one fatality in Bahrain on Sunday.Libya's National Center for Disease Control said in a statement that the COVID-19 sickened 981 people over the past 24 hours, while 1,349 patients recovered.The country's count now rose to 118,631 cases, including 1,877 deaths, and 98,706 recoveries.In Bahrain, the Health Ministry said the Gulf state's death tally rose to 373 after one patient had died from the virus, while 655 new infections were registered.The country's nationwide count now stood at 102,626 cases and 98,160 recoveries.Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic…
(2021-01-31). Thousands break Israel's Covid rules to attend ultra-Orthodox rabbi's funeral. laprensalatina.com Jerusalem, Jan 31 (efe-epa).- Thousands of people broke Israel's coronavirus rules on mass gatherings Sunday to attend the funeral of an ultra-Orthodox rabbi who died overnight of Covid-19. The funeral for Rabbi Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik, who died aged 99, took place in western Jerusalem. Thousands of young ultra-Orthodox mourners, many without protective facemasks, gathered around …
(2021-01-31). Cellebrite: Israel's Good Cyber Cop Is Big Tech's Backdoor to Breaching Your Privacy. strategic-culture.org 
Israeli digital forensics company Cellebrite has been quietly providing law enforcement agencies with the tools to retrieve data from any device for years, but they want you to know they're on the right side of the law. | By Raul DIEGO | Privacy and security have long-been one of the top selling points for iOS devices in the interminable marketing fracas between Apple and its competitors, with fancy additions to their suite of protection features like fingerprint scanning and facial recognition. Android devices, by contrast, always seemed to lag behind in the personal encryption space, but have caught up fairly r…
(2021-01-31). String of car bombs kills 20 people in Turkish-held north Syria. middleeasteye.net 
String of car bombs kills 20 people in Turkish-held north Syria | The attacks left at least 14 civilians dead, including four children, and scores wounded | Sun, 01/31/2021 – 14: 18 | Rescue workers extinguish a fire caused by an explosion in the town of Azaz, in rebel-controlled northern countryside of Syria's Aleppo province, on 31 January 2021 (AFP) | Three car bombs killed at least 20 people…
(2021-01-31). 'There will be no full withdrawal': Troops to remain in Afghanistan past Trump-set deadline — report. rt.com 
According to a new report citing senior North American Treaty Organization (NATO) commanders, coalition forces will not be leaving Afghanistan by May, a deadline Donald Trump hoped to meet as president. | "There will be no full withdrawal by allies by April-end," one NATO official told Reuters. | According to the source, "conditions have not been met" to justify a full-scale withdrawal, and the new administration will likely present "tweaks in policy." | "With the new US administration, there will be tweaks in the policy, the sense of hasty withdrawal which was prevalent will be addressed and we could see a mu…
(2021-01-31). Two civilians killed, 14 others injured in Afghanistan Faryab. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 31 (MNA) — A spokesman for Faryab Police Command in Afghanistan said that two civilians were killed and 14 others were wounded in a Taliban mortar attack in this province.
(2021-01-31). Iran's Zarif meets Taliban, calls for inclusive gov't. yenisafak.com Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Sunday called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, during talks with a visiting Taliban delegation in Tehran.Speaking during the meeting, Zarif said the formation of an all-inclusive government in Afghanistan must see the participation of all ethnic and political groups in the war-ravaged country."Political decisions cannot be made in a vacuum, and the formation of an all-inclusive government must take place in a participatory process and by taking into account fundamental structures, institutions and laws, such as the Constitution (of Afghanistan),"
(2021-01-31). India expected to increase public spending in post-pandemic budget. laprensalatina.com New Delhi, Jan 31 (efe-epa).- Economists and experts expect the Union Budget of India, set to be presented by the government on Monday, to include greater public spending with a special emphasis on the health sector in order to rescue the country's economy. In its annual economic survey released on Friday, the Indian finance ministry …
(2021-01-31). VP inaugurates Chlorine company in Khuzestan. en.mehrnews.com SHUSHTAR, Jan. 31 (MNA) — Iranian First Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri inaugurated a Chlorine company in Shushtar County, southwestern Khuzestan Province.
(2021-01-31). Iran reports to IAEA on Strategic Action Plan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 31 (MNA) — Iran's permanent ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna said that the reasons for adopting the "Strategic Action Plan" has been reported to the IAEA and member states.
(2021-01-31). Foreign troops to stay in Afghanistan longer than expected. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 31 (MNA) — International troops reportedly plan to stay in Afghanistan beyond the May deadline.
(2021-01-31). Islamic Revolution disrupted world's bipolar system. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 31 (MNA) — Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) said that Islamic Revolution disrupted the structure of bipolar system in the world.
(2021-01-31). Italian Cefalù Film Fest to host 3 Iranian short films. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 31 (MNA) — Three Iranian short films "The Blackout", "My Father" and "Mostafa" will participate in the Italian Cefalù Film Festival.
(2021-01-31). Iran to rebuild Al-Biruni tomb in Afghanistan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 01 (MNA) — Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage ordered for necessary coordination with Afghanistan for the reconstruction of the tomb of Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni, an Iranian scientist and mathematician, in Ghazni, Afghanistan.
(2021-01-31). US military convoy targeted in Babil province. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 31 (MNA) — Iraqi sources reported that a US logistics convoy has been targeted in Babil province on Sunday.
(2021-01-31). Iran-Iraq relations to be further developed. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 31 (MNA) — Adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution for International Affairs said that relations between Iran and Iraq will be further developed.
(2021-01-31). India's Ruling Party Called Out for Sharing 'Doctored' Video on Benefits of New Farm Laws. sputniknews.com The "doctored" video shared by Sambit Patra, a spokesperson of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), gives the impression that an opposition leader backs Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new farm laws, which have triggered massive protests across the country. Twitter has flagged the video as a result.
(2021-01-31). Children among dead following bomb attacks in northern Syria. news.un.org Several people, including four children, are reported dead, with many more injured, following a weekend of deadly bomb attacks in towns in northern rural Aleppo, Syria.
(2021-01-31). Fair Finance: The women entrepreneurs lifting communities out of poverty. news.un.org Helping women start and grow businesses in the world's poorest countries is a path to lifting them and their families out of poverty, the high-profile businesswoman, and new UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Goodwill Ambassador Sonia Gardner, has told UN News, in the second of our two part series this weekend, on the role the financial sector can play in reducing inequality.
(2021-01-31). Israeli forces kill Palestinian in occupied West Bank. yenisafak.com Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian in an alleged stabbing attack in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to the Israeli army.A military statement said a Palestinian armed with three knives connected to a stick allegedly attempted to stab soldiers at Gush Etzion Junction south of Bethlehem.The army said the attacker was neutralized. No injuries were reported among Israeli soldiers.The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that a Palestinian was martyred by Israeli fire south of Bethlehem.Local residents said the Palestinian was injured and left bleeding to death.On Tuesday, Israeli forces shot dea…
(2021-01-31). Delegation from Yemen separatists flies to Russia. yenisafak.com A high-level delegation from the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen flew to Moscow on Sunday for talks with Russian officials.The delegation, led by STC chairman Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, will hold talks with government officials and members of the Russian parliament on a host of files, the STC said in a statement, without elaborating.The STC, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said the visit comes upon an invitation from the Russian government.Formed in 2017, the STC controls large areas of southern Yemen, including the temporary capital Aden and Socotra province.However, the Yeme…
(2021-01-31). Ten people killed in terror attacks in N.Syria. yenisafak.com A bomb mounted on a vehicle was detonated in Azaz town.Four people were killed and 20 others wounded in the attack.Shortly after, another explosion in a checkpoint five kilometers (3.1 miles) east of al-Bab town killed six and wounded four people.It is feared that the number of casualties may increase.* Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara…
(2021-01-31). Thousands detained in Russia amid fresh pro-Navalny protests. laprensalatina.com (Update 1: Adds detail) Moscow, Jan 31 (efe-epa).- Russian police detained thousands of protesters across the country on Sunday amid demonstrations in support of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was detained after he returned to Russia earlier this month from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning. OVD-Info, which specializes in tracking police …
(2021-01-31). Hundreds detained in Russia ahead of fresh pro-Navalny protests. laprensalatina.com Moscow, Jan 31 (efe-epa).- Russian police detained hundreds of protesters across the country on Sunday ahead of demonstrations in support of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was detained after he returned to Russia earlier this month from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning. OVD-Info, which specializes in tracking police detentions in Russia, …
(2021-01-31). Iran Slams Macron's Proposal to Revise Nuke Deal, Says Agreement, Parties Not Up for Renegotiation. sputniknews.com This week, the French president proposed including Riyadh in the nuclear deal, suggesting that negotiators had made a mistake by not including regional powers in the nuclear talks, and warning that time was running out to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Tehran maintains it has no ambitions in that direction.
(2021-01-31). Indian PM Modi Breaks Silence on Republic Day Farmer Violence: Shocked at 'Insult' to National Flag. sputniknews.com The very claim that the Indian tricolour was "insulted" for being removed from a flagpole at New Delhi's Red Fort and replaced with a Sikh religious flag has been disputed by Indian fact-checkers.
(2021-01-31). Iranian Official Quashes Rumour That Israeli F-35s Set Off Air Raid Sirens in Tehran. sputniknews.com Air raid sirens were heard wailing in Tehran on Friday night, spooking local residents and prompting the spread of a number of theories online about what could have caused the incident. The last time sirens were activated was during the Iran-Iraq War, which saw Iraqi forces lobbing missiles, some armed with chemical munitions, into Iranian cities.
(2021-01-31). VVPD Targets Mutual Aid Event, Arrests and Assaults Activists. indybay.org Vacaville Police Department targeted a local mutual aid event, and made a targeted arrest of the same Black woman they have targeted for months. Four arrests were made, leading to several injured. Three short videos are attached that depict these violent arrests.
(2021-01-31). Filipino activist groups prepare for judicial hearings on draconian anti-terror law. peoplesdispatch.org On Friday, activist groups held a 'send-off' event for the legal team which has faced threats from a military official. The event was held at the University of the Philippines – Diliman which has borne the brunt of red-tagging by the Duterte government…
(2021-01-30). As World Demands Peace and Aid for Yemen, Biden Told to 'End Every Aspect of This War'. indybay.org Over 385 groups from across the globe are calling for an immediate halt to the U.S.-backed Saudi coalition's relentless attack—an armed conflict that is only intensifying the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe. | Photo: In San Francisco, speakers addressed a rally on January 25 in front of the Federal Building. Terry Scussel, Pro Bono Photo. Please credit the photographer.
(2021-01-30). Brazilian Workers Party, pseudo-lefts use COVID-19 vaccination disputes to cover up herd immunity policy. wsws.org Brazil's vaccination debacle has fueled ruling class divisions regarding the attitude towards US imperialism and China as all factions rally behind a herd immunity policy.
(2021-01-30). The COVID-19 Pandemic Can't Be Managed—It Has to Be Eradicated. zcomm.org Americans are unlikely to return to the pre-pandemic normal that Chinese residents now enjoy simply because we are not trying to eliminate the virus like China did…
(2021-01-30). Doctors puzzled as to why coronavirus is affecting some women's menstrual cycles. salon.com "I got nervous because I thought I was actually miscarrying," one COVID-positive woman said…
(2021-01-30). Algeria begins Covid-19 campaign with Russian vaccine. middleeasteye.net 
Algeria begins Covid-19 campaign with Russian vaccine | Algeria says it is trying to get enough vaccines to cover the whole country | Sat, 01/30/2021 – 22: 18 | An Algerian health worker holds up a vial of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine (AFP) | Algeria launched its coronavirus vaccination campaign on Saturday with the newly arrived first shipment of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. | The campaign…
(2021-01-30). Israeli Archeologists find 7th Century Mosque and Evidence of Tolerance in Early Islam at Tiberias. juancole.com 
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — Israeli archeologists have made two extremely important finds recently that have implications for our image of early Islam. Katia Cytryn-Silverman, an Israeli archeologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has concluded that the remains of a mosque in Tiberias, on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee, is seventh …
(2021-01-30). Creating conditions for 'lasting peace': Joint Russian-Turkish peace monitoring center starts work in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh. rt.com 
A joint monitoring center has been opened by Russia and Turkey in the Nagorno-Karabakh region disputed by Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is tasked with recording all truce violations and contacting both sides if necessary. | The center has been established in the eastern part of the disputed Karabakh region, control over which as been handed over to Baku under the terms of the Moscow-brokered armistice signed in November 2020. Both Russia and Turkey would send 60 soldiers each to serve at the center. | The opening ceremony was attended by the Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov as well Russian and Turkish d…
(2021-01-30). Liquid nitrogen leak kills six poultry workers in Gainesville, Georgia. liberationnews.org 
An hour drive north of Atlanta, Gainesville is home to the poultry packing capital of the U.S.
(2021-01-30). Kosovo to establish diplomatic relations with Israel on 1 February. middleeasteye.net 
Kosovo to establish diplomatic relations with Israel on 1 February | Move may pave way to becoming first Muslim-majority country to open an embassy in Jerusalem | Sat, 01/30/2021 – 10: 55 | Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Relations Meliza Haradinaj Stubla described the move as "historic" (Screengrab) | Kosovo and Israel will formally establish diplomatic relations via a virtual ceremony on Mo…
(2021-01-30). After 15-year wait, Palestinian elections face new obstacles following law amendments. middleeasteye.net 
After 15-year wait, Palestinian elections face new obstacles following law amendments | Doubt cast on objective behind recent presidential decrees that might threaten first elections since 2006 | Sat, 01/30/2021 – 11: 22 | Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh (C, front row) and representatives of Palestinian factions gather at the Palestinian embassy in Beirut on 3 September 2020 for video conference talks with Pa…
(2021-01-30). UAE to grant citizenship to select professional expats in rare Gulf policy. middleeasteye.net 
UAE to grant citizenship to select professional expats in rare Gulf policy | Government says change aims at 'appreciating the talents and competencies' in UAE and 'attracting more bright minds' | Sat, 01/30/2021 – 09: 34 | The UAE is home to at least 9.9 million people, with the vast majority being expatriate workers and only 1.4 million Emirati citizens (Reuters) | The United Arab Emirate…
