(2021-01-29). Will US policy on Palestine and Israel change under Biden? Florida students take on prison slave labor. therealnews.com 
When it comes to U.S. policy on Palestine and Israel, the Biden administration has sent some mixed and not-so-mixed signals. Also, student organizers are forcing the University of Florida to end its use of unpaid prison labor.
(2021-01-29). Syria floods: Humanitarians working 'round the clock' to provide urgent relief. news.un.org Humanitarian staff have been working "round the clock" to reopen access roads and provide emergency relief from the disastrous impact that recent floods have unleased on displaced people living in camps in northwest Syria, the UN's deputy humanitarian coordinator there said on Friday.
(2021-01-29). 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.
(2021-01-29). B'Tselem's Historic Declaration: Israel's Open War on Its Own Civil Society. dissidentvoice.org 
"A Regime of Jewish Supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea: This is Apartheid," was the title of a January 12 report by the Israeli rights group B'Tselem. No matter how one is to interpret B'Tselem's findings, the report is earth-shattering. The official Israeli response merely confirmed what B'Tselem has stated in no uncertain …
(2021-01-29). B'Tselem's Historic Declaration: Israel's Open War on Its Own Civil Society. counterpunch.org "A Regime of Jewish Supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea: This is Apartheid," was the title of a January 12 report by the Israeli rights group B'Tselem. No matter how one is to interpret B'Tselem's findings, the report is earth-shattering. The official Israeli response merely confirmed what B'Tselem has stated in no
(2021-01-29). Headlines for January 29, 2021. democracynow.org South African Coronavirus Variant Detected in U.S. for First Time, Novavax Vaccine Cut COVID-19 Cases by 90 Percent in Trial But Lagged Against South African Variant, President Biden Expands Affordable Care Act Enrollment Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, U.S. Economy Shrank by 3.5% in 2020 as Pandemic Took Hold , "Brazen, Entitled, Dangerous": Capitol Rioter Who Looted House Speaker's Office Denied Bail, House Speaker Blasts GOP for Assigning Racist Conspiracy Theorist to House Education Committee, House GOP Leader Signals Devotion to Trump as Lawmakers Target Rep. Liz Cheney Over Impeachment Vote, Indian Farmworkers Call…
(2021-01-29). Unholy trinity: Courts, governors, legislators refuse to prevent COVID-19 deaths in prisons. workers.org 
By Wesley Massey The writer is an incarcerated worker in Indiana, Pa. COVID-19 has exposed the "cancel culture" in the American prison system in relation to how prisoners are treated like chattel. Prisons and their administrations have been given carte blanche authority to govern themselves on how they treat prisoners . . . |
(2021-01-29). Sri Lanka online public meeting: Build workers' action committees to win health workers' rights! wsws.org All health workers are invited to participate in this vital online meeting on February 7 to discuss how to protect ourselves and other workers from the danger of COVID-19 infections and to defend our rights.
(2021-01-29). Covid-19: UK bans direct flights from UAE, shutting world's busiest route. middleeasteye.net 
Covid-19: UK bans direct flights from UAE, shutting world's busiest route | UAE added to travel ban list over worries over spread of more contagious Covid-19 variant first identified in South Africa | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 07: 43 | On its website, Emirates said it would suspend all UK passenger flights from 13: 00 GMT on Friday, when the ban takes effect (AFP) | Britain is banning direct passen…
(2021-01-29). Covid-19: UK bans direct flights from UAE, shutting world's busiest international route. middleeasteye.net Covid-19: UK bans direct flights from UAE, shutting world's busiest international route | UAE added to travel ban list over worries over spread of more contagious Covid-19 variant first identified in South Africa | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 07: 43 | On its website, Emirates said it would suspend all UK passenger flights from 13: 00 GMT on Friday, when the ban takes effect (AFP) | Britain is banning…
(2021-01-29). Enemy is within House of Representatives: Pelosi. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 29 (MNA) – The Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi told reporters Thurs. that she was concerned about the safety of the lawmakers.
(2021-01-29). The Republican Party's Iran-Level Superstitious Anti-Semitism: Greene claimed Jewish Space Laser started Cali Wildfires. juancole.com 
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — Golnaz Esfandiari reports on controversies currently roiling Tehran over the belief in supernatural beings, genies (jinn or djinn), among the country's ruling ayatollahs. Esfandiari writes, that Iran's clerical Leader recently said, "There are enemies from among both genies and human beings, and they help one another. The security services of …
(2021-01-29). Biden administration shifts focus from Middle East to confronting China: Report. middleeasteye.net 
Biden administration shifts focus from Middle East to confronting China: Report | National Security Council has reorganised with more resources and staff dedicated to Asia, Politico reports | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 18: 12 | Biden, then vice president, toasts Chinese President Xi Jinping during state luncheon in 2015 (AFP/File photo) | The Biden administration has reoriented its foreign policy priorities with a new…
(2021-01-29). Israeli embassy in India's New Delhi rocked by nearby explosion. middleeasteye.net 
Israeli embassy in India's New Delhi rocked by nearby explosion | Delhi Police said the low-intensity blast occurred at 5.05pm local time around 150 metres away from the embassy | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 13: 54 | Police cordon off an area at a street after an explosion near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi (AFP) | An explosion near the Israeli embassy in the Indian capital of New Delhi damaged three vehicles, but no…
(2021-01-29). Iran pursues German companies that gave Saddam Hussein chemical weapons. peoplesworld.org 
Iran vowed on Wednesday to take action against German companies for supplying the former Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein with chemical weapons. Ismail Baqai Hamaneh, Tehran's representative at the United Nations in Geneva , told the UN-linked Conference on Disarmament: "Iran will never back down from pursuing Germany's crime of arming Saddam with chemical weapons." …
(2021-01-29). We should all be outraged, but outrage is not a strong enough word. mronline.org 
Someday the world will be free of the coronavirus. Then, we will glance backward at these years of misery inflicted by virions with spike proteins that have struck down millions of people and held social life in its grip.
(2021-01-29). Islamic State 'deputy caliph' killed in Iraq, PM Kadhimi says. middleeasteye.net 
Islamic State 'deputy caliph' killed in Iraq, PM Kadhimi says | Intelligence-led operation that killed Abu Yaser al-Issawi comes a week after IS claimed deadliest Iraq attack in three years
| Fri, 01/29/2021 – 10: 15 | A photo circulating online purportedly shows Abu Yaser al-Issawi (Twitter) | Iraqi security forces have killed the country's top Islamic State (IS) commander, who had cl…
(2021-01-29). U.S. empire wages 30-year war against Iraq. workers.org 
From the perspective of the world's youth, U.S. imperialism has been waging war on Iraq their entire lives. Iraqi children born the same year as the start of the Gulf War, who should be approaching their 31st birthdays, were killed by U.S.-imposed sanctions or bombs. This 30-year war shaped the . . . |
(2021-01-29). #STANDWITHISSA: Issa Amro Stood Against Israel's Settler State and is About to Pay a Heavy Price. mintpressnews.com 
Anyone familiar with the Israeli occupation and the violence of the settlers would find the following story impossible and unthinkable, however, Issa Amro was able to pull it off.
(2021-01-29). Pro-Israel Instagram page provokes ridicule over questions to 'anti-Zionists'. middleeasteye.net 
Pro-Israel Instagram page provokes ridicule over questions to 'anti-Zionists' | Jewish Perspective account asks people if they are projecting 'Western standards' onto Israel or 'speaking over Zionists' | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 11: 45 | Comments on…
(2021-01-29). Philippines: International pressure to investigate Duterte crimes against humanity. mronline.org 
If a United Nations report wouldn't suffice, an international commission wants to prove there is a practical way justice will be assured and perpetrators of human rights violations in the Philippines be held accountable. The Independent International Commission of Investigation into Human Rights Violations in the Philippines or INVESTIGATE PH had a global launch Thursday, …
(2021-01-29). Italy blocks arms exports to Saudi Arabia and UAE. middleeasteye.net 
Italy blocks arms exports to Saudi Arabia and UAE | Campaigners said the decision would block 12,700 bombs bound for Riyadh and Abu Dhabi | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 11: 21 | Campaigners described the decision to block arms sales as 'historic' (Screengrab) | Italy has stopped arms exports to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates after concerns were raised that Italian weapons could be used to kill civilians…
(2021-01-29). Vietnam Communist Party to hold 13th National Congress. workers.org 
Jan. 25 — The Communist Party of Vietnam is holding its 13th National Party Congress this week — a culmination of hundreds of meetings and discussions that have taken place throughout the country and at all levels of the party. It will evaluate the socioeconomic development strategies of the previous . . . |
(2021-01-29). Who is Alexei Navalny? Behind the myth of the West's favorite Russian opposition figure. thegrayzone.com Despite facing repression, Alexei Navalny is no hero. Russian writer Katya Kazbek reveals the Western-backed opposition figure's real history. This interview was originally published at Royce Kurmelovs' Raising Hell Substack newsletter and republished with permission. Compressed into a two-minute soundbite, the story of Alexei Navalny and the recent protests that have erupted across Russia seems simple enough. The Russian opposition figure who recently survived an attempt on his life — an alleged poisoning delivered via Novichok-laced pants — was arrested and convicted …
(2021-01-29). US's plans to restore aid to Palestinians 'fully comply with law', Biden team says. middleeasteye.net 
US's plans to restore aid to Palestinians 'fully comply with law', Biden team says | Trump-era legislation will not obstruct plans to restore aid to Palestinians or re-open diplomatic missions, State Department says | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 16: 42 | Palestinian man outside UN's Palestinian refugee agency in Gaza City (AFP/File photo) | Resuming US aid to Palestine will not violate legislation against US funds being…
(2021-01-29). If US Foreign Policy Toward Palestine Is Any Indication, "Trump Is Here to Stay" globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles including the E-Book can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | As I watch the unfolding political drama of …
(2021-01-29). Venezuela: United States Goal Is To Support A 'Transition'. popularresistance.org "The goal of the United States is to support a democratic, peaceful transition in Venezuela through free and fair elections," said White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday, January 26, reading from notes she carried with her. | The spokeswoman for the new US administration answered a question from a journalist by adding "the President has always been very clear that the approach towards Venezuela is to address the humanitarian situation, give support to the Venezuelan people, and revitalize multilateral diplomacy." During her comments, she said that measures will continue to be taken to prosecute those al…
(2021-01-29). How to Do 'Regime Change' Correctly: a Blueprint for the Biden Administration. strategic-culture.org By Sasan FAYAZMANESH | In my college years, as a member of the Iranian Students Association, one of my political tasks was to dispatch progressive American attorneys to Iran to investigate human rights abuses by the Shah, including torture and murder of political prisoners. These trips and the subsequent reports submitted by the attorneys were often successful in reducing the pain and suffering of prisoners of conscience, since the Shah was cognizant of his image abroad. Afterall, he was a creature of the West and dependent on it. He owed his throne to the 1953 American-British backed coup and was nurtured by the…
(2021-01-29). Citizen mistrust, govt caution stop COVID-19 vaccine in Japan. laprensalatina.com By Antonio Hermosín Gandul Tokyo, Jan 29 (efe-epa).- Japan's distrust and the government's caution have so far stopped COVID-19 vaccinations in the country, which will try to immunize its population against the clock before the Tokyo Olympics. The Japanese Executive intensified efforts to prepare the inoculation of its 125.6 million inhabitants this week from the …
(2021-01-29). Japan's annual unemployment rate rises for first time in 11 years. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Jan 29 (efe-epa).- The average annual unemployment rate in Japan rose in 2020 to 2.8 percent, the first increase in 11 years and attributed to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to data released Friday by the government. The 2020 figure was up 0.4 percent from the previous year when the average annual …
(2021-01-29). Vietnam's new Covid-19 outbreak dampens congress celebrations. laprensalatina.com Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Jan 29 (efe-epa).- After going almost two months without any community Covid-19 cases, Vietnam has recorded 93 in the last two days, overshadowing the celebratory atmosphere of the Communist Party congress in Hanoi. Since Monday, delegates have gathered in the capital to select the leadership of the country for the …
(2021-01-29). Over 12M visitors flocked to Turkey's online museums. yenisafak.com Over 12 million people visited Turkey's 32 museums and archaeological sites in the first 10 months of 2020 through the government's digital platform, tourism officials announced on Friday.Turkey's Culture and Tourism Ministry unveiled a digital portal of museums and historical sites on March 25, 2020, after the COVID-19 outbreak, which hit the tourism industry hard.The museums and archaeological sites, which host millions of rare works of culture and art, have been made accessible to visitors through a virtual environment at sanalmuze.gov.tr, according to the officials.Virtually the most visited is the Gobeklitep…
(2021-01-29). At least 4 killed in COVID-19 hospital fire in Romania. yenisafak.com At least four people were killed in a fire at a hospital in the Romanian capital Bucharest on Friday, local media reported.The fire broke out at the Matei Bals Hospital, one of the city's largest hospitals where COVID-19 patients are treated.Some 102 people were evacuated from the hospital, according to the Romanian news agency Agerpres.Bucharest prosecutors opened an investigation to search the cause of the fire, said Agerpres.
(2021-01-29). Russia reports 19,238 new COVID-19 cases, 534 deaths. yenisafak.com The country's total number of cases passed 3.81 million, while 72,185 people lost their lives to COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.Some 26,204 people recovered from the virus and the total recoveries exceeded 3.25 million.Meanwhile, the Education Ministry said universities will begin face-to-face education on Feb. 8 depending on the epidemiological situation of their region.COVID-19 measures will also be applied in the universities, it added.
(2021-01-29). Turkey to fine vendors selling food at high prices, says Erdogan. yenisafak.com Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that heavy fines will be imposed on vendors selling food at high prices.Those who are responsible for high food prices will face heavy penalties, Erdogan said in a speech after Friday prayer in Istanbul.He said that the government will continue supporting small businesses during the pandemic."The decline in the number of casualties makes me very hopeful," Erdogan stated.He added that he hoped to overcome the negative developments stemming from the new variants of COVID-19.As of Thursday, Turkey had registered a total of 25,605 deaths due to the coronavirus, w…
(2021-01-29). Marjorie Taylor Greene Has Long Used Racism, Anti-Semitism to Get Famous. truthout.org 
Just days before Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene faced a fresh round of calls to resign from Congress after CNN reported that her Facebook page had endorsed calls to execute top Democrats in 2018, the Republican from Georgia was starting her own social media buzz around articles of impeachment she filed against President Joe Biden. | Greene
(2021-01-29). Iran's foreign minister condemns US sanctions on Turkey. middleeasteye.net 
Iran's foreign minister condemns US sanctions on Turkey | Javad Zarif calls for lifting of sanctions in Iran and Turkey at press conference in Istanbul | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 09: 12 | Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu welcomes his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif before their meeting at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul (AFP) | Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has condemne…
(2021-01-29). Turkish-Russian centre monitoring Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire due to open. middleeasteye.net 
Turkish-Russian centre monitoring Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire due to open | Turkey's Hulusi Akar said Turkish personnel would work at the centre to oversee the maintenance of a ceasefire that ended six weeks of fighting | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 15: 40 | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attending a military parade marking Azerbaijan's victory against A…
(2021-01-29). Biden extends deportation protection for Syrians in US. middleeasteye.net 
Biden extends deportation protection for Syrians in US | Department of Homeland Security says it will also allow 1,800 additional Syrians to apply for protected status for first time | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 20: 48 | Protected status is granted to those who come to US amid natural disasters, wars or events making them unable to return to home countries (AFP/File photo) | The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ha…
(2021-01-29). Biden appoints Rob Malley as Iran envoy despite backlash from hawks. middleeasteye.net 
Biden appoints Rob Malley as Iran envoy despite backlash from hawks | Conservatives and foreign-policy hawks have voiced opposition to Malley, veteran diplomat who helped negotiate Iran nuclear deal | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 17: 56 | Biden administration taps Robert Malley, who served on Obama's negotiating team for Iran nuclear deal, as its new top envoy for Iran (AFP) | US President Joe Biden on Friday appointed Rob…
(2021-01-29). Signal is blocked in Iran and no one will admit to ordering it. middleeasteye.net 
Signal is blocked in Iran and no one will admit to ordering it | Restrictions on messaging app placed after huge migration from WhatsApp, as government and judiciary blame each other for decision | Fri, 01/29/2021 – 15: 01 | Iranian women use mobile phones West of Tehran (Reuters) | Like many people across the globe, Iranians have been spooked by WhatsApp's recent announcement that it woul…
(2021-01-29). India predicts GDP to slump 7.7 percent this year, rebound sharply in 2021-22. laprensalatina.com New Delhi, Jan 29 (efe-epa).- The Indian finance ministry on Friday estimated that the country's gross domestic product would decline by 7.7 percent in the current fiscal year — set to end in March 2021 — followed by an 11 percent jump in the financial year 2021-22. "India's GDP is estimated to contract by 7.7 …
(2021-01-29). Being denied care for wife, Chinese activist starts hunger strike. laprensalatina.com Beijing, Jan 29 (efe-epa).- A Chinese activist started a hunger strike Friday to protest the country's authorities for barring him from travel to the United States, where his wife is receiving chemotherapy. The China Human Rights Lawyers Support Group (CHRLCG) told EFE that security agents prevented Yang Maodong, or Guo Feixiong, from boarding a Thursday …
(2021-01-29). Spanish shuttler Carolina Marin drops 1st match of 2021. laprensalatina.com Sports Desk, Jan 29 (efe-epa).- Spanish badminton great and reigning Olympic women's singles champion Carolina Marin fell to rising South Korean teenage star An Se-young 21-16, 14-21, 21-19 in round-robin action Friday at the World Tour Finals, yet she still finished runner-up in her group and will battle for the title this weekend. The 27-year-old …
(2021-01-29). China won't recognize British overseas passports issued to Hong Kongers. laprensalatina.com Shanghai, China, Jan 29 (efe-epa).- China will not recognize British overseas passports from Sunday, when the United Kingdom will begin to accept applications from Hong Kongers, who are offered residence and residence permits to work for five years. At his daily press conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said "China will stop recognizing the British …
(2021-01-29). Joshua Wong pleads guilty to Hong Kong anti-mask protest charges. laprensalatina.com By Shirley Lau Hong Kong, Jan 29 (efe-epa).- Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, currently in jail, appeared in a court Friday and pleaded guilty to charges related to a street protest held during the height of the city's pro-democracy movement in 2019. The 24-year-old, and renowned activist Koo Sze-yiu, 74, were accused of taking …
(2021-01-29). Bangladesh transfers more than 1,700 Rohingya refugees to remote island. laprensalatina.com Dhaka, Jan 29 (efe-epa).- Bangladesh on Friday began transferring more than 1,700 Rohingyas to a remote island in the Bay of Bengal in the third phase of relocation from congested camps in Cox's Bazar in the country's south east, authorities said. Mohammad Shamsuddoha, Bangladesh's Refugees, Relief and Repatriation commissioner, told EFE that the refugees were …
(2021-01-29). Indian farmers hold '10,000 tractor rally' against Modi's farm bill. greenleft.org.au Indian farmers, who have been protesting for the past two months, have again made a stand against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's agenda to privatise and corporatise the agricultural sector, reports Gauri Gandbhir.
(2021-01-29). China invalidates British National Overseas passports. yenisafak.com China on Friday announced to invalidate British National Overseas (BNO) passports."China will no longer recognize so-called BNO passports as valid travel documents and identity certificates, starting Jan. 31," China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian told a news conference in Beijing.The move comes after the UK announced to issue special BNO visas to Hong Kongers from Sunday, allowing them to live and work in the country and eventually apply for British nationality."Despite the fact that it has been 24 years since Hong Kong returned to the motherland [China], the UK has blatantly broken its commitment by in…
(2021-01-29). New START Extension a Step in Right Direction. strategic-culture.org There is no guarantee of successful outcome. But at the very least there must be a commitment to work together and to dialogue. Thus, New START is a step in the right direction. | The agreement this week by the United States and the Russian Federation to extend the New START arms control treaty is a symbolic step of reengagement by both sides. That has to be welcomed. | Bilateral relations have deteriorated so badly in recent years that if the treaty was allowed to expire — as it was slated to do next week — then the world was facing the danger of a new, destructive nuclear arms race. The US had alrea…