(2021-01-28). Beyond Slogans: Palestinians Need an Urgent, Centralized Strategy to Counter Israel in Africa. dissidentvoice.org 
Arab normalization with Israel is expected to have serious consequences that go well beyond the limited and self-serving agendas of a few Arab countries. Thanks to the Arab normalizers, the doors are now flung wide open for new political actors to extend or cement ties with Israel at the expense of Palestine, without fearing any …
(2021-01-28). New Zealand tops global Covid-19 management rankings. laprensalatina.com Sydney, Australia, Jan 29 (efe-epa).- New Zealand has topped the rankings of almost 100 countries and territories that have best managed the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an index published Thursday in Australia. The Oceanian country was followed by Vietnam and Taiwan in second and third place. The Covid Performance Index compares the response of governments …
(2021-01-28). Former Israeli army spy recruited by Labour should feel right at home. dissidentvoice.org The revelation this week that the British Labour Party recently appointed a former Israeli military spy to work in its headquarters, reporting to the office of leader Keir Starmer, is truly extraordinary in many different regards. It is hard to believe the Labour leadership did not know who Assaf Kaplan was or appreciate the likely …
(2021-01-28). Biden commits to US defense of Japan in maritime dispute. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- In a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday, United States President Joe Biden reaffirmed Washington's "unwavering commitment" to defending the Asian country under their joint security treaty. This includes a group of small islands in the East China Sea, which are administered by Tokyo and claimed by …
(2021-01-27). Tens of thousands in northwest Syria lose shelter after floods inundate camps. news.un.org Heavy rains and floods in north-west Syria has worsened the plight of tens of thousands of internally displaced persons, destroying their tents, food and belongings in the midst of winter, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday.
(2021-01-27). Tens of thousands in north-west Syria lose shelter after floods inundate camps. news.un.org Heavy rains and floods in north-west Syria has worsened the plight of tens of thousands of internally displaced persons, destroying their tents, food and belongings in the midst of winter, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday.
(2021-01-27). Different Models, Single Payer: Health Care for All. dsausa.org We often look to Canada as an example of how Single Payer Medicare for All (SP) could function in the United States. Like Medicare for people over 65 and people with disabilities, Canadian Medicare is federally funded. Unlike U.S. Medicare, each Canadian province or territory manages its own program. | But there is another model we look at less frequently: SP in Taiwan. There, the Ministry of Health and Welfare determines the global budget and negotiates fees for medical services and supplies and keeps administrative costs low for the National Health Insurance (NHI). Stakeholders are involved in the budget pro…
(2021-01-27). Movement for Black Lives Activists Respond to Biden's Orders on Racial Equity. truthout.org 
President Joe Biden was elected with massive support from people of color, and in his second week in office he issued four executive orders to advance what the White House calls his "racial equity" agenda. The orders aim to strengthen anti-discrimination policies in housing, end Justice Department contracts with private prison companies, reaffirm sovereignty of Native American tribes and combat xenophobia against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Biden's racial justice push comes as COVID-1…
(2021-01-27). "A Step Forward": Black Lives Matter Protests Forced Biden to Push Racial Equity, But More Is Needed. democracynow.org 
President Joe Biden was elected with massive support from people of color, and in his second week in office he issued four executive orders to advance what the White House calls his "racial equity" agenda. The orders aim to strengthen anti-discrimination policies in housing, end Justice Department contracts with private prison companies, reaffirm sovereignty of Native American tribes and combat xenophobia against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Biden's racial justice push comes as COVID-19 has devastated communities of color in the U.S., who are experiencing higher rates of infection, death and unemploymen…
(2021-01-27). Global and domestic tensions fuel moves to oust Australian Labor Party leader. wsws.org Plans to dump Albanese are intensifying as the worldwide COVID-19 catastrophe worsens, fuelling working class unrest internationally, and the incoming Biden administration steps up the US confrontation with China.
(2021-01-27). Saudi Arabia begins repatriation of detained workers to Ethiopia. middleeasteye.net 
Saudi Arabia begins repatriation of detained workers to Ethiopia | Ethiopian migrants said they were chained and forced to relieve themselves on the floor of their cells | Wed, 01/27/2021 – 11: 39 | Ethiopian officials hope to repatriate at least 1,000 workers every week and aim to increase that number (Screengrab) | Saudi Arabia has begun repatriating thousands of Ethiopians who have been held in detent…
(2021-01-27). UK Turns To 'Counterterror' Law To Repress Palestine Action. popularresistance.org Solidarity campaigners shut down an Israeli drone parts factory in the UK for several hours last week. | Three activists from Palestine Action were arrested outside the Elbit Systems factory in Shenstone in the Midlands on 18 January. This is the third time the factory has been hit in five months. | Red paint symbolizing the deaths of Palestinians was also sprayed across the factory front yard. In a Palestine Action video, an unnamed activist said she was "here today because Britain has been complicit in the colonization of Palestine since over 100 years ago with the Balfour Declaration." | Elbit is Israel's larg…
(2021-01-27). End of Anti-Russian Electioneering; Palestinian Funding Restored. indybay.org One week after the Inauguration, Pres. Biden called Pres. Putin to extend the START nuclear arms control treaty, due to expire 2/5/21. Pres. Biden's administration also announced restoration of relations with Palestine and aid to Palestinians.
(2021-01-27). China: Enemy Du Jour? But Why? counterpunch.org 
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States has not faced an existential threat—nothing to justify the trillions of dollars given to the Pentagon to maintain military predominance over the entire global community. The United States requires a foil for its foreign policy declarations and for maintaining the allegiance of the U.S. citizenry. Has China become that foil?
(2021-01-27). That Time when America was a Superpower before Trump surrendered to China. juancole.com 
( Tomdispatch.com ) — After four years of Donald Trump's fitful tenure, America is awakening from a long, troubled sleep to discover, like the fictional character Rip Van Winkle, that the world it once knew has changed beyond all recognition. In that classic American tale by Washington Irving published in 1819, an amiable but shiftless …
(2021-01-27). Historic farmers' parade takes center stage on India's Republic Day. peoplesdispatch.org 
On January 26, which is celebrated as India's Republic Day, tens of thousands of farmers rode into the capital New Delhi. Their demand: the withdrawal of three laws that were pushed through parliament in an undemocratic manner…
(2021-01-27). Incoming US envoy Thomas-Greenfield vows to 'stand with Israel' at UN. middleeasteye.net 
Incoming US envoy Thomas-Greenfield vows to 'stand with Israel' at UN | Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at confirmation hearing she would pressure normalising Arab countries to support Israel at UN | Wed, 01/27/2021 – 20: 14 | The nominee denounced BDS, saying the Palestinian-led movement 'verges on antisemitism' (AFP) | Incoming US envoy to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has pledged to shield Israel from what she c…
(2021-01-27). For Peace With North Korea, Biden Must End the US-South Korea Military Exercises. truthout.org 
One of the thorniest foreign policy challenges the Biden administration will need to face is a nuclear-armed North Korea. Talks between the U.S. and North Korea have been stalled since 2019, and North Korea has continued to develop its weapons arsenal, recently As a retired U.S. Army Colonel and U.S. diplomat with 40 years…
(2021-01-27). Airline pilots capture video of 'extremely bright UFO' during flight in Pakistan (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Two Pakistan International Airlines pilots have captured intriguing video footage of an "extremely bright UFO" during a domestic flight. The video has gone viral in Pakistan. | It emerged Wednesday that the pilots saw the strange object during a flight from Karachi to Lahore at around 4pm on January 23. The plane was travelling at an altitude of 35,000 feet when the sighting occurred. | "The UFO was extremely bright despite the presence of sunlight," the pilot One of the flight team beg…
(2021-01-27). Philippines' Duterte plans to take anti-communist campaign global. peoplesworld.org 
TORONTO—Progressive Filipino organizations in North America and Europe are warning that the government of Rodrigo Duterte is preparing to export its deadly campaign against left-wing activists to those regions. Duterte's "National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict" (NTF-ELCAC) was formed in December 2018 to implement what he calls a "whole nation approach" for …
(2021-01-27). Moscow issues hefty fines to US state-run media RFERL for failure to declare 'foreign agent' status on material aimed at Russians. rt.com 
Russia's national media watchdog has slapped a media outlet funded and controlled by the US Government with a large fine, after it was found to have failed to declare its links with Washington to audiences, as required by law. | Roskomnadzor, the country's press regulator,
(2021-01-27). 'Prying eyes': Fears over opening of Google Cloud region in Saudi Arabia. middleeasteye.net 
'Prying eyes': Fears over opening of Google Cloud region in Saudi Arabia | Critics warn against placing millions of users' information under jurisdiction of government known for surveillance | Wed, 01/27/2021 – 13: 56 | Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc, has been named as one of the anchor tenants for the new Saudi-based cloud services (Reuters) | Media monitoring groups have requested the immediate halting…
(2021-01-27). UAE activist Ahmed Mansoor being held in shocking conditions: HRW. middleeasteye.net 
UAE activist Ahmed Mansoor being held in shocking conditions: HRW | Report says poet held in solitary confinement since 2017 and that his trial in 2018 and subsequent appeals were a sham | Wed, 01/27/2021 – 09: 13 | Mansoor, a 51-year-old Emirati engineer, poet, and father of four was arrested in March 2017 in relation to his human rights advocacy in the UAE (YouTube) | Human Rights Watch (HRW) has published a…
(2021-01-27). Snipers, landmines, death: Life on Yemen's frontline. middleeasteye.net 
Snipers, landmines, death: Life on Yemen's frontline | Yemenis in Taiz tell MEE of the daily danger they face as conflict rages around their homes | Wed, 01/27/2021 – 14: 03 | "I lost happiness and a peaceful life," says Saleh al-Hajj, pictured with his son Rayan (MEE/Khalid al-Banna) | Almost every building is damaged. Dogs bark at anyone walking down the empty streets, and in the dist…
(2021-01-27). Saving the New START Arms Control Agreement between the US and Russia. globalresearch.ca The last remaining arms control agreement between Russia and the US expires on February 5 unless extended at the 11th hour. | Hardline Trump regime's arms control negotiator Marshall Billingslea rejected Vladimir Putin's good faith offer to extend it for another …
(2021-01-27). No Likely Change in US Dirty Business as Usual. Pro-Navalny Protests in Russia. globalresearch.ca Straightaway after replacing Trump by election theft, the illegitimately installed Biden/Harris regime targeted Russia, China, and domestic freedoms — the latter by inventing a domestic terrorist threat that doesn't exist except when state-sponsored. | It's an ominous sign for what's likely …
(2021-01-27). The 'Humanitarian' Left Still Ignores the Lessons of Iraq, Libya and Syria to Cheer on More War. counterpunch.org 
The instinct among parts of the left to cheerlead the right's war crimes, so long as they are dressed up as liberal "humanitarianism", is alive and kicking, as Owen Jones revealed in a column last week on the plight of the Uighurs at China's hands. The "humanitarian war" instinct persists even after two decades of
(2021-01-27). UK's handling of pandemic labelled 'system failure' by public health expert. thecanary.co 
There was a "system failure" in the UK's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, a public health expert has said.Professor Linda Bauld said the UK was underprepared for a virus like Covid-19, and Europe failed to learn from how south-east Asian countries responded to the pandemic.She said some of the decisions made in the UK "directly contributed" to the second wave, as she described the failure to ramp up contact tracing in March as a "fundamental mistake".Prof Bauld, professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, was speaking after the number of UK coronavirus deaths passed 100,000. | She told BBC Rad…
(2021-01-27). Erdogan says Islamophobia, xenophobia must stop. yenisafak.com The world should step up to say "stop" to Islamophobia and xenophobia which have multiplied in recent years through the use of digital platforms, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.His remarks came in a video message released on the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day."The International community should take action so that tragedies such as the Holocaust, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Cambodia do not recur," he said.Erdogan said that humanity is going through a difficult period, adding that the "racism virus" has become increasingly widespread along with the pandemic.He underlined th…
(2021-01-27). Turkey looks to be developer of next-gen technologies. yenisafak.com Turkey is looking to be the developer of cutting-edge technologies, not just a market, the country's industry and technology minister said on Wednesday."Our target is clear: to be one of the leading countries of the Fourth Industrial Revolution as a developer, not the market, of next-generation technologies," Mustafa Varank told a virtual conference held by the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD).Noting that the coronavirus outbreak triggered a digital transformation in various sectors, from industry to health, Varank said: "Throughout the pandemic, we showed an exemplary performance in the digita…
(2021-01-27). Nepal rolls out Covid-19 vaccination campaign. laprensalatina.com Kathmandu, Jan 27 (efe-epa).- Nepal on Wednesday launched its national vaccination campaign against the new coronavirus, a completely free process which is expected to cover 72 percent of the country's around 30 million residents within the next three months. Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the campaign through videoconferencing from his residence, announcing that …
(2021-01-27). Iran COVID-19 update: 91 deaths, 6,608 cases in 24 hours. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 27 (MNA) — The Iranian Health Ministry has confirmed 6,608 COVID-19 infections and 91 deaths due to the disease in the past 24 hours.
(2021-01-27). VIDEO: Clashes in occupied territories over COVID restriction. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 27 (MNA) — Ultra-Orthodox Jewish demonstrators clashed with Israeli regime police as authorities faced new difficulties in enforcing coronavirus restrictions among the occupied land's religious communities.
(2021-01-27). China Using 'Accurate' Anal Swabs to Test for COVID-19, Report Says. sputniknews.com Although many have deemed a nasal COVID-19 test as uncomfortable, there is perhaps another option that is arguably even more so, but, notably, in equal measure conclusive.
(2021-01-27). 'Military grenades' injure 9 soldiers during clashes with anti-lockdown protesters in Lebanon's Tripoli. rt.com 
At least nine Lebanese soldiers have been injured in Tripoli, one critically, by a grenade attack, in a third consecutive night of clashes during protests against ongoing Covid restrictions and the country's economic crisis. | Lebanon's Internal Security Forces said in a statement that "the grenades that were fired at the officers were military grenades" and were not Molotov cocktails. The incident occurred as protesters attempted to force their way into the building housing the Governorate of North Lebanon. | "We warn that we will deal with the attackers with severity and decisiveness, using all available mea…
(2021-01-27). Israel worried by US plans to lift ICC sanctions. yenisafak.com Israel has voiced concern over US plans to lift sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the former administration of Donald Trump, according to local media on Wednesday. | The Jerusalem Post newspaper said Washington, by this move, would allow ICC's Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to open a full investigation into suspicions of Israeli war crimes against Palestinians. | The daily warned that the ICC investigation could "come with arrest warrants for prominent Israeli military and diplomatic officials, past and present". | "We would hope that we can find common ground with the incoming admin…
(2021-01-27). B'Tselem's historic declaration, "A Regime of Jewish Supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea: This is Apartheid" juancole.com ( Middle East Monitor ) — "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 …
(2021-01-27). Taliban reject US treasury report over Al Qaeda links. laprensalatina.com Kabul, Jan 27 (efe-epa).- The Taliban on Wednesday rejected a report by the United States Treasury Department claiming that Al Qaeda was gaining strength in Afghanistan with the collaboration and protection of the Taliban. "We strongly reject this report. The report has been compiled by partisan and warmongering circles based on false information," Taliban spokesperson …
(2021-01-27). Taliban leaders determined to fight US: Shamkhani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 27 (MNA) — In a tweet on Wed. after meeting with Taliban delegation in Tehran, Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said leaders of the group are determined to fight the United States.
(2021-01-27). B'nai B'rith Smears Leading Palestine Solidarity Activist. dissidentvoice.org 
Recently Israel's largest human rights organization concluded the country was run based on a regime of Jewish supremacy. B'Tselem wasn't only referring to the occupied West Bank but an "apartheid" system in place from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. A week after B'Tselem's report was released, one of Canada's leading lobbyists for the …
(2021-01-27). Rewriting history? Newsweek edits 2015 story to align with disputed claim that GOP Sen. Tom Cotton lied about his military record. rt.com 
Newsweek has been accused of tinkering with its past reporting in order to lend weight to controversial accusations that Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) misrepresented his military service while running for Congress. | The outlet ran a piece last week in which it highlighted claims that Cotton had wrongfully described himself as a former US Army Ranger during his first election campaign in 2012. Salon was the first to push the allegation, reporting that Cotton had wrongfully attributed himself to be a part of the elite unit during his tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rather, the Arkansas senator had attended a t…
(2021-01-27). Biden administration freezes US arms sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE. middleeasteye.net 
Biden administration freezes US arms sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE | The White House is reviewing recent weapons transactions approved by former President Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported | Wed, 01/27/2021 – 15: 43 | The arms sale to the UAE includes American-made F-35 jets and killer drones (AFP/File photo) | The Biden administration has issued a temporary freeze on pending arms sales to Saudi Arabia and…
(2021-01-27). Being on Parler & Gab apparently cost New York literary agency employee her job… after one Twitter complaint. rt.com 
Internet commenters have decried the rise of social justice-fueled intolerance, after a woman was purportedly fired from her job simply for having accounts on conservative-leaning social media platforms. | Colleen Oefelein, an associate literary agent with the New York City-based Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, was sacked after her boss learned that she owned accounts on Gab and Parler. The agency's owner, Jennifer DeChiara, publicly announced on Twitter that the firm had dropped Oefelein after making the "distressing" discovery. | "We do not condone this activity, and apologize to anyone who has been affe…
(2021-01-27). US freezes sales of missiles to Saudi Arabia and F-35s to UAE as it reviews Trump-era arms deals. rt.com 
The US has temporarily frozen some pending arms sales to allied states while the Biden administration reviews weapons deals agreed under President Donald Trump, according to officials at the State Department. | The move affects precision-guided missiles sold to Saudi Arabia and F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), among other deals not identified by the State Department. | American arms manufacturers Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin both have contracts with the two Arab nations. | "This is a routine administrative action typical to most any transition, and demonstrates the Administrati…
(2021-01-27). After agreeing New START extension, Moscow warns treaty may not last long if US attempts to 'undermine Russia's national security'. rt.com 
A day after Moscow and Washington agreed on a long-awaited extension to the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty, a senior Russian diplomat has warned that the deal may not hold up if the US acts improperly. | Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned Washington against any "destructive action" or attempts to "undermine Russia's national security," noting that it could lead to Moscow deciding on "withdrawal from the treaty." | "All stipulations, all statements, all elements [about the right to withdraw] from the 2011 ratification remain in force," Ryabkov said. On W…
(2021-01-27). Russian-American Relations Under Biden: More of the Same Except for One Thing. globalresearch.ca Russian-American relations will remain just as bad under Biden as they were under Trump except for the 46th President's desire to extend the New START for another five years as part of an implied nuclear detente with Moscow after his …
(2021-01-27). Extension of START 'step in right direction': Putin. yenisafak.com Russian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday said the extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between Russia and the US is a "step in the right direction."He told the World Economic Forum's virtual Davos Agenda 2021 that he had a phone call with newly elected US President Joe Biden, adding: "[START's extension] is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. Still, disagreements continue to intensify. As we all know, the inability to resolve such disagreements triggered a catastrophic Second World War in the 20th century."The Biden administration earlier said Washington wants a five-year extensio…
(2021-01-27). Novartis Turkey wins Global Top Employer award. yenisafak.com The company was also certified the top employer in Europe and Turkey for the fourth time in a row by meeting criteria of "talent strategy, talent acquisition, workforce planning, on-boarding, learning and development, leadership development, career and succession management, compensation and benefits, diversity, inclusion and culture," according to a statement from Novartis Turkey on Wednesday.Novartis Turkey is among 16 global top employers certified for their excellence in employee conditions by Top Employers Institute, a global authority on recognizing excellence in people practices.Avinash Potnis, managing di…
(2021-01-27). Turkey issues arrest warrants for 3 ex-generals under terror probe. yenisafak.com Turkish prosecutors on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for four suspects, including three former brigadiers, over alleged links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey.Authorities in the capital Ankara launched the investigation after being notified by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) on three retired brigadier generals and a "covert imam" thought to be affiliated to FETO, according to a statement by the prosecutors' office.The suspects had been in contact with other members of the armed terror group via payphones and other means in Ankara and…
(2021-01-27). Turkey to bolster Afghanistan's transportation system. yenisafak.com Turkey and Afghanistan will sign a memorandum of understanding on Thursday for cooperation in research and development activities in the fields of motorways, railways and aviation, an official said.Turkey's Transport Minister Adil Karaismailoglu said in a statement after a meeting on Wednesday with his Afghan counterpart Kudretullah Zeki that Ankara will support infrastructure projects in the war-torn country."We are willing to undertake the necessary procedures to increase the possibility of rail transport between our countries and to create new cooperation opportunities," Karaismailoglu said.He added: "We are d…
