(2024-02-17). Nicaragua: Holding Countries Accountable Without War Or Sanctions. popularresistance.org I was 13 years old the day I got braces on my teeth and the United States bombed Baghdad, launching the "first" Iraq war. | "Today, Wednesday the 16th of January 1991, we had just gotten out of the dentist's office and Mom told me the news," I wrote in my journal. "She started saying, 'Oh my God!' and I was silent, wanting to cry and throw up." | My 8th grade class organized a "speak out" in the school library. The students sat cross-legged on the carpet and took turns struggling to express our feelings through the tangle of meaningless phrases we'd heard adults around us using. One of my classmates stood up to s…
(2024-02-17). Social crisis underlies Pakistan's election upset. mronline.org 
Pakistan's stalemated election showed that its ruling class is unable to contain the cascading social crisis in the country, but a genuine alternative is lacking, argues John Clarke.
(2024-02-17). MENA Sports Wrap: Saudi racks up a major snooker tournament. newarab.com 
Saudi Arabia is centre stage for this week's MENA sports wrap, with an inside look into life for foreign Saudi Pro League footballers and the announcement of a new major snooker tournament in Riyadh. | The Kingdom to host 'quadruple' crown event. | Saudi Arabia will host the world's "fourth masters" this year after signing a ten-year deal with the World Snooker Tour (WTA), as the kingdom looks to build on a foray into the sport with another The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will be t…
(2024-02-17). Pakistan's misery continues. cadtm.org
(2024-02-17). Indonesia: still in the shadow of Suharto. cadtm.org
(2024-02-17). Kuwait dissolves parliament as political crisis persists. newarab.com 
The official KUNA news agency said a "royal decree was issued to dissolve the national assembly" elected last June following a proposal by the prime minister that was approved by cabinet. | The royal decree carried by KUNA accused parliament of co…
(2024-02-17). The Letter Writer: Awkward rom-com takes shine off old Dubai. newarab.com 
In The Letter Writer, first-time writer-director Layla Kaylif offers a romantic glimpse of Dubai It's 1965 and between the sandy-coloured buildings that match its desert surroundings, the people live a far more modest life than today — but these aren't simpler times. | "Kaylif certainly serves up an amusing enough set-up for a romantic romp, but she's cooking with too many narrative ingredients and little cinematic finesse" | Dubai: Before the glitz and glamo…
(2024-02-17). Beirut judge charges Nissan employees for 'stealing' Ghosn documents. newarab.com 
A Lebanese judge has charged four Nissan employees with the theft of documents and devices from the A lawyer for the company told AFP the legal action was "unlawful" and that the company would seek to have the charges thrown out. | The Beirut judge has decided to prosecute "four senior Nissan officials" of Japanese, Spanish, French…
(2024-02-17). Senior official says he helped rig Pakistan elections. newarab.com 
A senior bureaucrat said on Saturday he helped rig Liaqat Ali Chattha, commissioner of the garrison city of Rawalpindi, where the There have been widespread allegations of rigging after authorities switched off the count…
(2024-02-17). Jordan King Blasts Biden To His Face. youtu.be
(2024-02-17). Sri Lanka and Maldives: Battle grounds for geo-political rivalry in the Indian Ocean. wsws.org While the Sri Lankan government has welcomed an Indian submarine and blocked a Chinese research vessel visit, the new Maldives administration has opened its ports to Chinese vessels.
(2024-02-17). Jail term halved for former Malaysian prime minister. wsws.org While the government denies any involvement in the decision, the partial pardon is a cynical attempt by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to maintain the support of UMNO for his fragile ruling coalition.
(2024-02-17). Correspondence] Small vulnerable newborns in Nepal: the need for data. thelancet.com The Lancet Series on small vulnerable newborns (SVNs) highlights a key issue in Nepal and across low-income and middle-income countries: the inconsistent data impede the ability of health systems to deliver care proactively and proportionately. We would like to share the complexities of the current system in Nepal and suggested solutions.
(2024-02-17). Perspectives] Monica Bertagnolli: Director of the National Institutes of Health. thelancet.com Monica Bertagnolli, the new Director of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), brings unique experience to this leadership role: as a surgical oncologist, an NIH-funded researcher, a cancer patient, and a participant in an NIH clinical trial. She is also the first surgeon and only the second woman to take the helm at the NIH. And she may be the only NIH Director who grew up on a US sheep and cattle ranch, which her family has run in central Wyoming for three generations.
(2024-02-17). Correspondence] Economic crises and cancer care in Pakistan—timely action saves lives. thelancet.com Cancer treatment is often ignored during economic crises; Sri Lankans are still striving to stabilise their health-care system.1 Currently, the health systems in low-income and middle-income countries are least prepared to operate independently in emergencies and combat global cancer inequities. Alarmingly, in Pakistan, political turmoil has contributed to a catastrophic decline in the economy and looming bankruptcy.2 Being the world's fifth most populous country (with a population of >232 million people), due to depleting reserves, rising inflation, and calamitous recent floods, the value of currency in Pakis…
(2024-02-17). Diversity science researcher achieving goal of making difference in people's lives. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org From the time she was a young woman, Gladys Asiedu, Ph.D., knew she wanted to help people. Her path to achieving that goal began in Ghana. Learn about her journey and the difference she is making as a diversity science researcher. Gladys Asiedu, Ph.D., always knew she wanted to make a difference in people's lives. A steady focus on that altruistic goal would ultimately lead her to Mayo Clinic. As a child in Ghana in…
(2024-02-17). Hong Kong fans to get 50% refund for Messi no-show match. ecns.cn Thousands of soccer fans, some of whom had reportedly paid up to HK$5,000 ($639) to watch an exhibition match in Hong Kong in which Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi failed to play, can get a 50-percent refund on their tickets.
(2024-02-17). International experts expect the Chinese economy to flourish with more technological breakthroughs | Spring Festival Goes Global. ecns.cn As the world celebrates the coming of the Year of the Dragon, global experts send their greetings. Rana Mitter, ST Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School, expects the Chinese economy to prosper in the years to come by opening markets, maintaining regional stability, and deepening cooperation.
(2024-02-17). Chinese New Year fireworks light up Hong Kong. ecns.cn After a four-year hiatus since 2020, a Lunar New Year fireworks display once again lit up the night sky of Victoria Harbor of Hong Kong Sunday."ÄÄ…
(2024-02-17). Represión policial deja dos muertos y 25 heridos en India. telesurtv.net La violencia fue provocada por la orden de suspensión liberada por un agente de Policía contra otro agente de la comunidad Kuki, tras ser acusado de aparecer en redes sociales fotografiado junto a lo que parecían "malhechores armados".
(2024-02-17). Protests break out in Karachi over alleged ballot rigging. presstv.ir Despite PTI-backed candidates leading in Pakistan's election race, the party's supporters stage a protest outside the Election Commission in Karachi lamenting state interference in the polling process.
(2024-02-17). Pakistan city shuts down in protest over alleged vote rigging. presstv.ir Shops and public transport services in Pakistan's Quetta came to a standstill on February 13.
(2024-02-17). Protesters stage sit-in in Pakistan's Quetta against 'rigged' election. presstv.ir Protesters gather in the Pakistani city of Quetta for a sit-in, adding to this week's demonstrations against election results.
(2024-02-17). Indian police fire tear gas at farmers as protests enter 4th day. presstv.ir Indian police fired tear gas at farmers demanding higher prices for their crops on Friday, as the protests entered their fourth day…
Displaced Syrians living in the Described as a "massive outdoor prison", the Al-Hol camp sits in northeast Syria, close to the border of Iraq. Some 40,000 people have been detained in the camp since 2018 following displacement during fighting between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Islamic State (IS…
The US House of Representatives passed The Assad Anti-Normalisation Act was adopted with 389 votes in favour and 32 against, which means it will now move to the Senate for another vote. If adopted, it will need to be signed by President Joe Biden before becoming law. | "As a humanitarian organization that has worked on this bill since the inception of its idea, we are proud to see legislation that holds the Assa…
In the last few years, The much talked about 'tsunami' of followers of 
The Iraqi Integrity Commission has launched an investigation into corruption allegations linked to the UN's work in Iraq, following accusations of bribery published earlier this month by British newspaper The announcement was made on the Commission's official Facebook The Guardian report alleged UN empl…