(2021-03-13). Blinken calls Taiwan 'country'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 13 (MNA) — The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken used the word "country" when he mentioned Taiwan during a congressional hearing this week.
(2021-03-13). [Department of Error] Department of Error. thelancet.com Commissioners of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission, Task Force Chairs and members of the Lancet COVID-19, Commission, Commission Secretariat and Staff of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission. Priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic at the start of 2021: statement of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission. Lancet 2021; 397: 947—50—In this Comment, the role and affiliation for George Laryea-Adjei has been corrected to, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, Ghana. This correction has been made to the online version as of March 11, 2021, and the printed version is correct.
(2021-03-13). Turkey's importance in its region 'too obvious to overlook'. yenisafak.com Turkey's place as a regional power cannot be denied as to its importance in the region's stability and prosperity is "too obvious to overlook," according to French historian and political scientist Maxime Gauin.This was one of many observations proffered by Gauin, a senior researcher at the Center for Eurasian Studies (AVIM) in Turkey's capital Ankara, in an interview with Anadolu Agency on Monday.His research focuses on contemporary aspects of situation in Armenia and Turkish-French relations.He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Bordeaux and Paris before earning his doctorate in history fro…
(2021-03-13). Leaving Afghanistan By May 1? popularresistance.org Will the U.S. military ever leave Afghanistan? The answer appears to be no. When the U.S. military comes it stays. It's been in Germany since the 1940s, and now has expanded, with its attack dog, NATO, from there throughout Eastern Europe to menace Russia. The Afghan adventure has so far lasted 20 years and cost two trillion dollars. Afghanistan provides a convenient, imperial base from which to threaten China. The U.S. military, realistically, will never want to give that up. | Trump left office with plans in place for the remaining 2500 U.S. troops to depart Afghanistan by May 1. Not a word about the 18,000 con…
(2021-03-13). China, Iran, And North Korea Seek Support At The UN Against Unilateral Force. popularresistance.org New York City – China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and others are seeking support for a coalition to defend the United Nations Charter by pushing back against the use or threat of force and unilateral sanctions, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday. | The move by 16 countries and the Palestinians to create such a group comes as U.S. President Joe Biden's new administration boosts its multilateral engagement and with allies, reversing former President Donald Trump's favored unilateral approach as he focused on an "America First" policy. | Biden has also pledged to take on China at the United Nations, wh…
(2021-03-13). Beijing's Decades-Long Policies In Xinjiang. popularresistance.org Central to China's rise as a global power are the attempts to increase its influence over Xinjiang, the country's biggest and most mineral rich region. Xinjiang has been part of Chinese territory since the mid-18th century, longer than the existence of the United States, and this province at just over 640,000 square miles, is equal to two-thirds the size of continental Europe. Unlike Europe, however, Xinjiang is sparsely populated with just over 20 million people while it contains rare and iconic species like snow leopards, bears and wolves. | In 2019 Beijing oversaw the production of five million tons of cotton…
(2021-03-13). U.S. calls Europe to arms against China, Russia. workers.org 
The author's Art of War column published in the Italian web daily, Il Manifesto, March 9. Translation: John Catalinotto. The EU-China Agreement on investments, signed Dec. 30 by the European Commission, may be rejected by members of the European Parliament on the grounds that Beijing violates human rights. This is . . . |
(2021-03-13). UK accuses China of non-compliance with joint treaty over HK election reform. laprensalatina.com London, Mar 13 (efe-epa).- The United Kingdom's government on Saturday said Beijing's decision to overhaul Hong Kong's electoral system was a further breach of the joint agreement underpinning handover of the former British colony. UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the government considered the Chinese government to be in a state of "ongoing non-compliance" with …
(2021-03-13). Biden pushes 'free and open' Pacific in China counter. yenisafak.com A "free and open Indo-Pacific is essential," US President Joe Biden said Friday in a near-certain reference to an increasingly assertive China.Biden made the remarks during a historic meeting of the leaders of Japan, India and Australia, a group formally known as the Quad. Friday's session marks the first leader-level meeting since its inception in what is a sign of its growing importance."The United States is committed to working with you, our partners, and all of our allies in the region to achieve stability," Biden said in opening remarks as the virtual meeting began. "The Quad is going to be vital in our coop…
(2021-03-13). US judge temporarily removes China's Xiaomi from Trump-era blacklist. rt.com 
A US judge has temporarily removed Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi from a Trump-era blacklist prohibiting American investment in "Communist Chinese military companies." | The ruling was announced by US District Judge Rudolph Contreras in Washington on Friday. The judge argued that the US Departments of Defense and Treasury "have not made the case that the national security interests at stake here are compelling," issuing a preliminary injunction removing Xiaomi from the blacklist. | Xiaomi was hit with the ban as then-President Donald Trump took a fresh series of hostile moves against China during his last day…
(2021-03-13). China, Sri Lanka caught in a 'doormat' issue. laprensalatina.com Colombo, Mar 13 (efe-epa).- The sale of Chinese-produced non-slip doormats depicting the Sri Lanka national flag has caused a diplomatic stir. The incident prompted the Sri Lankan embassy in Beijing to raise the issue with the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs. It urged officials to take action to prevent the production of doormats and similar …
(2021-03-13). No More Fukushimas! SF Speak Out On 10th Anniversary Of NUKE Melt-downs. indybay.org On the tenth anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear meltdowns of three reactors a rally was held at the San Francisco Japanese consulate. Speakers reported on the conditions of the people of Fukushima and the continued Japanese government Suga administration plans to open up more reactors and also hold the Olympics in the midst of the Covid pandemic.
(2021-03-13). Turkish Cargo carries UNICEF-supplied COVID-19 vaccines. yenisafak.com Turkish Cargo, a subsidiary of the national flag carrier Turkish Airlines, has carried coronavirus vaccines and other medical equipment supplied by UNICEF across the world."As the air cargo brand that utilizes the widest flight network of the world, Turkish Cargo shoulders an important mission in the fight against the pandemic," it said in a press release on Saturday.The firm has carried 1.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, which were procured from India by UNICEF, from India's Mumbai to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.It also carried hundreds of thousands of syringes from Barcelona t…
(2021-03-13). 'It could have been prevented': Relatives of NY nursing home victims tell RT they hold Cuomo responsible for their deaths. rt.com 
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is at fault for the state's disastrous nursing home policies amid the Covid-19 crisis, relatives of care home patients who succumbed to the virus told RT, voicing hopes for accountability. | Grace Colucci, whose elderly father passed away following a 20-day stint in a New York nursing home for physical rehabilitation, told RT's Colon Bray that she and other family members were unable to contact her dad during his stay due to pandemic restrictions, and that he emerged from the home with "very severe symptoms" of what later was confirmed to be Covid-19. | "We were not able to have…
(2021-03-13). Knoxville, TN, activists present 'award' to city's top evictor. liberationnews.org 
When activists arrived at the housing complex owned by Robert Greene, the residents who lived there came out of their homes and cheered the protesters on — a visible sign of how urgently these demands speak to working class people.
(2021-03-13). Human rights report on the Lasalin massacre. mronline.org 
MR Online
(2021-03-13). The governor of Texas, Neanderthals and COVID-19. workers.org 
The governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, made a surprise announcement March 2 in Lubbock, a city of 200,000 people in West Texas. All state mandates to combat the spread of COVID-19 were being lifted. Counties and municipalities cannot require basic public health policies to limit the spread of disease after March . . . |
(2021-03-13). Celebrating our Declaration of Independence from Covid with Poetry of Omar Khayyam. juancole.com 
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — President Biden on Thursday expressed the expectation that the vaccination of the US population will have proceeded to the extent by July 4 that we can look forward to small gatherings of friends and family then. The calculation is that when 70% of the population is inoculated, the virus will …
(2021-03-13). Black Lives Matter protests are saving lives. mronline.org 
MR Online
(2021-03-13). Defeating Climate Denialism by showing People how they will Win by Greening Society. juancole.com 
By Sarah Sharma and Matthew Hoffmann | — Canada and the United States are suddenly steeped in policy proposals to aggressively cut carbon emissions. In the face of a climate emergency and on the heels of numerous climate disasters, this is welcome news indeed. In the U.S., the newly minted Biden administration has unleashed a …
(2021-03-13). San Francisco: Haitian community denounces murderous coup regime. workers.org 
San Francisco — Waving Haitian flags, a crowd of 80 demonstrated March 1 to mark the anniversary of the bloody U.S.-backed coup d'etat in 2004 that overthrew the popular government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The beloved former president was kidnapped and flown to Africa on a U.S. military plane, beginning a . . . |
(2021-03-13). Sarah Everard vigil cancelled. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
Reclaim These Streets v Metropolitan Police Sarah Everard, a 33 year old woman living in London, was walking home from a friend's house at around 9pm on Wednesday 3rd March 2021 when she disappeared without trace. In the days that followed, public appeals for information and press coverage ensured that the case was widely discussed. A …
(2021-03-13). Floyd family gets $27M settlement; activists say 'no substitute for change'. peoplesworld.org 
MINNEAPOLIS—By a unanimous vote of the Minneapolis City Council Friday, the city agreed to pay a $27 million settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit brought by the George Floyd family. According to media reports, it is the largest pre-trial settlement in U.S. history. The settlement was announced as the first week of jury selection was …
(2021-03-13). What's behind the Biden Administration's new $100 billion nuclear missile system? mronline.org 
MR Online
(2021-03-13). February revolution in Burma. mronline.org 
MR Online
(2021-03-13). On the picket line. workers.org 
Bosses retaliate against Hunts Point workers Business retaliation against union organizing is nothing new. Weak laws and minimal fines embolden corporations like Amazon to hire strikebreaking law firms to intimidate workers into voting down attempts to unionize their workplace. Workers who strike or successfully organize face the threat of losing . . . |
(2021-03-13). Lula's right to run for president of Brazil restored in major victory for people's movemen. mronline.org 
MR Online
(2021-03-13). Right-wing Texas college president assaults free speech, ignores COVID. liberationnews.org 
Matkin, who according to college records could receive a salary as high as $1 million, recently decided not to renew the contracts of three faculty members who have been vocal about unsafe work conditions during COVID-19.
(2021-03-13). Ten Problems With Biden's Foreign Policy and One Solution. dissidentvoice.org 
The Biden presidency is still in its early days, but it's not too early to point to areas in the foreign policy realm where we, as progressives, have been disappointed — or even infuriated. There are one or two positive developments, such as the renewal of Obama's New START Treaty with Russia and Secretary of …
(2021-03-13). Perilous Journey — My Experiences as a Delegate Inside the Democratic Party. realprogressives.org 
"I have lived inside the belly of the Monster and know him from within." Cuban revolutionary Jose Marti | I only spent a brief time inside the Democratic Party as an elected delegate for Bernie Sanders in 2020, but it was enough to determine that the monster is indeed irreformable. My delegate journey exposed me to the gross incompetence and corruption within the party. The following reflects my personal experience as a delegate from Colorado's Congressional District 2. My conclusion from these few months is there is no path forward inside the Democratic Party. This should be no surprise at all, as…
(2021-03-13). Party's over: South Dakota's request for July 4th fireworks on Mount Rushmore DENIED over health & environment concerns. rt.com 
A repeat of last year's large-scale celebration at Mount Rushmore, headlined by then-President Donald Trump, is apparently not going to happen this year, after a federal agency refused a request for a fireworks display. | National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Herbert Frost said in a letter seen by the Hill that the agency was "unable to grant a request" to stage fireworks at the memorial due to "potential risks to the park itself and to the health and safety of employees and visitors." | Frost also cited opposition by "many tribal partners" of the park to the sight of fireworks, and noted that while th…
(2021-03-13). The Heat: Biden pledges vaccines for all Americans by May. america.cgtn.com 
After a year of unimaginable loss, U.S. President Biden says every American will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine in the next two months.
(2021-03-13). National Public Radio Makes Stuff Up to Tell a Story About Interest Rates and Budget Deficits. cepr.net 
A story on All Things Considered last night told listeners: "In the early '90s, President Bill Clinton's administration was troubled by this looming problem. Year after year, both government deficits and interest rates were going up. Here's one of his top economic advisers, Laura Tyson. "LAURA TYSON: 'And then he said, oh, my goodness, if …
(2021-03-13). Jordan: Health minister submits resignation after Covid-19 patients die of oxygen shortage. middleeasteye.net 
Jordan: Health minister submits resignation after Covid-19 patients die of oxygen shortage | An investigation is underway to determine what led to shortage of oxygen in state-run hospital | Sat, 03/13/2021 – 12: 40 | Jordan's King Abdullah II visiting a room during the inauguration of the health ministry's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed field hospital for Covid-19 patients in Aqaba on 24 January…
(2021-03-13). Morocco extradites Saudi-Australian national to Riyadh. middleeasteye.net 
Morocco extradites Saudi-Australian national to Riyadh | Relatives and rights groups had warned that Osama Hasani could face torture if sent to Saudi Arabia | Sat, 03/13/2021 – 14: 28 | Saudi-Australian dual national Osama al-Hasani was arrested on 8 February while visiting his newborn child in Morocco (Twitter) | Moroccan authorities have extradited Saudi-Australian dual national Osama al…
(2021-03-13). Iran says Israel likely behind attack on container ship in Mediterranean. middleeasteye.net 
Iran says Israel likely behind attack on container ship in Mediterranean | Ship was hit by 'an explosive object' which caused a small fire, but no one on board was hurt in incident on 10 March | Sat, 03/13/2021 – 16: 01 | Iranian-flagged container ship Shahr e Kord at Haydarpasa port in Istanbul, Turkey on 13 December 2019 (Reuters) | Israel is highly likely to have been behind an attack i…
(2021-03-13). Israeli settlers attack Palestinian family in West Bank farmland. middleeasteye.net 
Israeli settlers attack Palestinian family in West Bank farmland | The parents of eight children have been hospitalised after settlers threw rocks at them | Sat, 03/13/2021 – 10: 33 | The father of the Alyan family carried by Israeli soldiers after being attacked by settlers (Courtesy of the Alyan family) | Israeli settlers, some masked and equipped with batons, attacked a Palestinian family in the South Hebro…
(2021-03-13). Syria's first lady faces possible prosecution and loss of UK citizenship. middleeasteye.net 
Syria's first lady faces possible prosecution and loss of UK citizenship | Britain's Metropolitan police have opened a preliminary investigation into allegations that Asma al-Assad incited war crimes | Sat, 03/13/2021 – 22: 19 | British-born Asma al-Assad has been under EU and US sanctions since 2012 (AFP) | London's Metropolitan police have opened a preliminary investigation into allegations that Asma al-Assa…
(2021-03-13). Key 'Oath Keeper' granted pretrial release as prosecutors find no evidence of wide-ranging conspiracy to storm Capitol. rt.com 
A US judge has ordered the release of retired Navy officer Kenneth Caldwell, accused of being part of an Oath Keepers militia plot to invade the Capitol, pending trial, as no evidence to back the conspiracy claims has turned up. | Judge Amit Mehta said that Caldwell did not enter the Capitol building, nor was there direct evidence of him trying to force his way in. | "There are no text messages, communications by him, that speak to entering a building or trying to enter the building. And ultimately, he did not enter the building," Mehta said, as he ordered the 65-year-old's release from jail. Because he did no…
(2021-03-13). Leaving Afghanistan by May 1? Alas, Not Likely. strategic-culture.org By Eve OTTENBERG | Will the U.S. military ever leave Afghanistan? The answer appears to be no. When the U.S. military comes it stays. It's been in Germany since the 1940s, and now has expanded, with its attack dog, NATO, from there throughout Eastern Europe to menace Russia. The Afghan adventure has so far lasted 20 years and cost two trillion dollars. Afghanistan provides a convenient, imperial base from which to threaten China. The U.S. military, realistically, will never want to give that up. | Trump left office with plans in place for the remaining 2500 U.S. troops to depart Afghanistan by May 1. Not a word a…
(2021-03-13). Scammer charged with money laundering & wire fraud after bilking $450k from donors for fake Black Lives Matter charity, DOJ says. rt.com 
A fraudster has been indicted on federal charges for his alleged role in swindling hundreds of thousands of dollars from donors who thought they were giving to a Black Lives Matter group, instead pocketing the funds for himself. | Ohio man Sir Maejor Page, 32, was slapped with four federal counts this week, the DOJ announced in a
(2021-03-13). Key 'Oath Keeper' granted pretrial release as prosecutors find no evidence of wide-ranging conspiracy to storm Capitol. rt.com A US judge has ordered the release of retired Navy officer Kenneth Caldwell, accused of being part of an Oath Keepers militia plot to invade the Capitol, pending trial, as no evidence to back the conspiracy claims has turned up. | Judge Amit Mehta said that Caldwell did not enter the Capitol building, nor was there direct evidence of him trying to force his way in. | "There are no text messages, communications by him, that speak to entering a building or trying to enter the building. And ultimately, he did not enter the building," Mehta said, as he ordered the 65-year-old's release from jail. Because he did no…
(2021-03-13). 'The Bachelor' host who was 'canceled' after defending contestant hounded by 'woke police' won't return for next season. rt.com 
Fans of Chris Harrison were saddened to learn that he will not be hosting the upcoming season of 'The Bachelorette'. Harrison stepped down from the show amid a controversy surrounding an allegedly racist contestant. | Harrison, who went on leave from 'The Bachelor' in mid-February after taking heat for defending one of the participants from accusations of racism, will not be part of the next season of 'The Bachelorette', the gender-swapped version of the show. ABC Entertainment and Warner Horizon confirmed earlier speculation that this would be the case in a statement, saying that former contestants Tayshia Ad…
(2021-03-13). Politically homeless? Sarah Silverman says she doesn't want to be associated with 'elitist' Democratic Party anymore. rt.com 
Comedian and cancel culture opponent Sarah Silverman has expressed uncertainty about her affiliation with the Democratic Party, eliciting cheers from pundits who hailed the breakup as long overdue. | In a video posted to Instagram, Silverman confessed that she found the Democrats to be too uncompromising and self-righteous for her liking. | "It's the absolutist-ness of the party I am in that is such a turnoff to me. It's so f****** elitist. You know, for something called 'progressive', it allows for zero progress." | She added that after reflecting on the issue, she feels like she doesn't want to be "associate…
(2021-03-13). 'Largest investigation in American history': 100+ people to be charged in storming of US Capitol, court filings say. rt.com 
At least another hundred people connected to the January 6 storming of the US Capitol are expected to be charged with a variety of crimes, according to prosecutors. | "The investigation continues and the government expects that at least one hundred additional individuals will be charged," claimed the prosecutors in court filings first
(2021-03-13). US declares Huawei threat to national security, pouring cold water on Beijing's hopes for reset with Washington. rt.com 
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has deemed Chinese telecom giant Huawei a threat to US national security, maintaining pressure on Beijing that some believed could ease under the new Biden administration. | The FCC announced on Friday that the firm, as well as four other Chinese companies, pose "an unacceptable risk to US national security or the security and safety of US persons." | The regulator's acting chief, Jessica Rosenworcel, said that the move would help "restore trust" in US communications networks. She did not explain what specific actions would be taken against the Chinese companies. Hua…
(2021-03-13). Turkey parliament head denies European Parliament claim. yenisafak.com "We reject the uninformed, unfounded, and malicious allegations against our country" adopted by the European Parliament's General Assembly on the 10th anniversary of the Syrian conflict, Mustafa Sentop said on Twitter.Since the war began, Turkey extended its hand to millions of refugees from Syria and became the voice of refugees as part of its loyalty to humanitarian values, Sentop added.While fighting terrorism, Turkey will continue to contribute to efforts for a political solution to the Syrian conflict on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, he said.It is also regrettable that the European Parlia…
(2021-03-13). Business circles welcome Turkey's new economic reforms. yenisafak.com Business representatives have expressed their appreciation for Turkey's new economic reform package aimed at boosting investment, production, jobs, and exports.Announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday, the package included several measures such as reducing foreign exchanges' share in total debt stock and establishing new mechanisms — Healthcare Industries Presidency, Software and Hardware Industries Presidency, Economic Coordination Council, and Financial Stability Committee.It also highlighted accountability, saving and transparency for economy administration in the coming period.Abdurrahman Kaan,…
(2021-03-13). Ten Problems With Biden's Foreign Policy — and One Solution. juancole.com ( Code Pink ) — The Biden presidency is still in its early days, but it's not too early to point to areas in the foreign policy realm where we, as progressives, have been disappointed—or even infuriated. There are one or two positive developments, such as the renewal of Obama's New START Treaty with Russia …
(2021-03-13). [World Report] Health in Syria: a decade of conflict. thelancet.com 10 years have passed since the conflict in Syria began. Experts warn that the outlook is bleak as the decimated health system faces COVID-19. Sharmila Devi reports.