(2021-01-24). Asian, Black Patients More Likely to Die of COVID-19, Claims Study Probing Ethnicity-Linked Outcomes. sputniknews.com As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rack up a death toll across the globe, with governments rolling out vaccination programmes in an effort to stop the spread of the respiratory disease, extensive research continues to probe the plethora of factors that are behind the different outcomes of the infection among diverse populations.
(2021-01-24). UAE, Bahrain rulers on hunting trip to Pakistan amid Covid-19 pandemic: Reports. middleeasteye.net 
UAE, Bahrain rulers on hunting trip to Pakistan amid Covid-19 pandemic: Reports | Visit comes after deterioration in UAE relations with Islamabad heightened by differences over ties with Israel | Sun, 01/24/2021 – 12: 34 | Hunters kill the houbara bustard for sport and also because its meat is supposed to have aphrodisiac qualities (AFP) | The crown prince of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain's king a…
(2021-01-24). Pirates kill sailor, kidnap 15, in attack on Turkish-owned ship off Nigeria. middleeasteye.net 
Pirates kill sailor, kidnap 15, in attack on Turkish-owned ship off Nigeria | Crew hide for six hours before attackers break into safe area of the cargo vessel | Sun, 01/24/2021 – 11: 38 | Nigerian special forces sail to intercept pirates during a multinational maritime exercise involving 33 countries off the coast of Lagos on 20 March 2019 (AFP) | Armed pirates attacked a Turkish cargo sh…
(2021-01-24). Israel allows US to deploy Iron Dome missile defence system in the Gulf: Report. middleeasteye.net 
Israel allows US to deploy Iron Dome missile defence system in the Gulf: Report | Israeli officials refuse to reveal in which countries the system will be deployed, according to Israeli newspaper | Sun, 01/24/2021 – 11: 21 | Report of US deal on Iron Domes comes against backdrop of Israel's normalisation accords with the UAE and Bahrain (AFP) | The United States is expected to soon begin deploying the Israeli-…
(2021-01-24). Israeli Colonists Attack Palestinian Journalists Near Hebron. imemc.org 
A group of fanatic illegal Israeli colonists attacked, on Saturday evening, Palestinian journalists who were documenting their seriously escalating violations, near Susiya illegal colony, south of Hebron city, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank. The WAFA Palestinian News Agency said the colonists attacked two of its journalists, identified as Mashhour al-Wihwah and …
(2021-01-24). Worker Dies After Soldiers Fired Gas Bombs, And Chased Palestinians Near Tulkarem. imemc.org 
A Palestinian worker died, on Sunday morning, near the illegal Annexation Wall, in Far'un village, south of the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, after the soldiers chased many Palestinians and fired gas bombs at them. Palestinian medical sources said Fuad Sabti Jouda, 48, from Iraq at-Tayeh village, east of the northern West Bank city …
(2021-01-24). Israeli Colonists Close Main Junction Near Bethlehem. imemc.org 
Many illegal fanatic Israeli colonists closed, on Saturday evening, the Gush Etzion Junction, south of Bethlehem, south of occupied Jerusalem in the West Bank, blocking Palestinian traffic. Eyewitnesses said the colonists gathered at the junction while carrying Israeli flags and chanting anti-Arab slogans. They added that the colonists blocked all Palestinian traffic on the main …
(2021-01-24). Soldiers Abduct Three Palestinians, Detonate Their Car, Near Jenin. imemc.org 
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Sunday at dawn, three Palestinians, and detonated their car, near Jenin, in northern West Bank. Montaser Sammour, the head of the Jenin office of the Palestinian Prisoners' Society (PPS) said the soldiers invaded Qabatia town, south of the city, before abducting Ahmad Abu ar-Rob, Jihad Abu ar-Rob, and Majdi Kamil. Sammour …
(2021-01-24). Why is False News about Iran All Right? No, Khamenei didn't Threaten Trump on Golf Course, and no, his Twitter account wasn't Banned. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — No, Ayatollah Ali Khameni's twitter account did not carry an image of Donald Trump being droned on a golf course, and no, his twitter account was not canceled. A small twitter account run by unknown persons with only 8,000 followers posted the image of someone (it wasn't a picture of …
(2021-01-24). China Authorises Coast Guard to Fire on Foreign Vessels as US Sends Carrier Strike Group to Region. sputniknews.com On Sunday, a US carrier strike group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt entered the South China Sea for "routine operations." Earlier, Japan issued a rebuke of China's claims in the strategic body of water. The Pentagon reciprocated by promising to protect the Senkakus — the East China Sea islands controlled by Tokyo but also claimed by Beijing.
(2021-01-24). Kremlin Spokesman Blasts US Embassy for Statements About Unauthorised Protests in Russia. sputniknews.com PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKIY, Russia (Sputnik) – Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described the statements by the US embassy on Saturday's unauthorised protests in Russia as interference in the country's domestic affairs.
(2021-01-24). Monday 1/25: Yemen Car/Bike Caravan-Global Day of Action. indybay.org Meet at 444 Spear St…
(2021-01-24). Why Calling Israel An Apartheid State Is Not Enough. popularresistance.org B'Tselem, a leading human rights group in Israel, recently released a report concluding that Israel is an apartheid state, with a regime of Jewish supremacy stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. | The report found that Israel meets the definition of apartheid under international law, which defines apartheid as "inhuman acts committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one racial group of persons over any other racial group of persons and systematically oppressing them". | The report received widespread international media attention and was described as a "watershed"
(2021-01-24). US Never Ending Wars: Thirty Years Ago, America's "First War" against Iraq. globalresearch.ca Thirty years ago. The so-called "Gulf War" (Iraq War I) was launched against Iraq on January 17, 1991. | Extensive crimes against humanity have been committed. | On January 16, President George H. Walker Bush announced the start of what was called …
(2021-01-24). Europe concerned over detention of protesters in Russia. yenisafak.com The EU and European countries on Saturday raised their concern over the detention of people in Russia protesting the arrest of Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny.Tens of thousands of people on Saturday gathered in Russia to protest Navalny's detention, demanding his immediate release.Many people supporting Navalny were detained in the country while police intervened the protestors harshly."Following unfolding events in #Russia with concern. I deplore widespread detentions, disproportionate use of force, cutting down internet and phone connections," Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, said on Twi…
(2021-01-24). Twelve Hashd al-Shaabi members killed in Daesh attack. yenisafak.com Militia group commander Abu Alia al-Hasnawi was among those killed by the 22nd Brigade in the attack. Iraq Joint Operations Command extended condolences for the killing of the commander.At least 32 people were killed Thursday in twin suicide bombings claimed by Daesh/ISIS in Baghdad.
(2021-01-24). Groups call for focus on Rohingya education in Bangladesh. yenisafak.com A collective of rights groups and civil society organizations has called for greater focus on education of Rohingya refugees and rehabilitation of academic institutes in areas where they are being hosted in Bangladesh."Although Rohingya children aged 6-14 years have been included in the non-formal education program initiated by the government of Bangladesh and various organizations, 83% of adolescents and youth aged 15-24 years do not participate in any education program," Cox's Bazar CSO-NGO Forum said in a statement on Saturday.The southeastern Bangladeshi city of Cox's Bazar is home to over 1.2 million Rohingy…
(2021-01-24). Kuwaiti ruler reappoints ex-premier to form new gov't. yenisafak.com Kuwait's Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Sunday reassigned the nation's caretaker prime minister to form a new government, according to the official KUNA news agency.The reappointment came six days after Sabah Al-Khaled al-Sabah tendered his government's resignation on Jan. 18 after a dispute with parliament.Several ministers in the previous government tendered their resignations en masse two weeks ago, after lawmakers sought to grill the premier over what they described as "constitutional violations."*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara…
(2021-01-24). Israel is an apartheid state, says B'Tselem. zcomm.org Time to ditch the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism?
(2021-01-24). Double Suicide Bombing: Baghdad Blast Responsibility in Question. globalresearch.ca A deadly double suicide bombing ripped through a second-hand clothing market in Tayaran Square, located in Bab Al-Sharqi commercial district of Baghdad on Thursday. Hassan Mohammed Al-Tamimi, Iraq's Health Minister, said at least 32 people were killed and 110 others …
(2021-01-24). A Classic Example of Biased Political Reporting. dissidentvoice.org The Sydney Morning Herald has always been regarded as a reasonably responsible newspaper. Although editorially it was generally a supporter of the misnamed Liberal Party, its opinion pieces generally try to pursue an open mind. Its editorial commentary of course generally favoured one side of the political divide rather than the other. The writers were …
(2021-01-24). The Illusion of Democracy: Power and Secrecy. globalresearch.ca In 2003, millions of people protested against the invasion of Iraq. If Britain and the US had genuine democracies, where the views of ordinary people matter, the invasion, slaughter and torture in Iraq would not have happened. Our governments ignored …
(2021-01-24). Iraq: Biggest Corruption Scandal in History. globalresearch.ca In her article "Iraq's century of humiliation in the globalised age", Aneela Shahzad writes: | "In May 2020, the Special Representative of Secretary General for the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq announced that the poverty rate in Iraq would double to …
(2021-01-23). Echoes of Afghanistan: We need to talk about the UK troops in Mali. thecanary.co 
Over 300 UK troops have been deployed to Mali under a UN mandate. The situation is volatile, the mission is confused, and serious questions have been raised about equipment. Yet very little had been said in the press. The troops were deployed without much fanfare and the UK media has said remarkably little about the mission | Mali conflict | The conflict in Mali has been ongoing since 2012 with the French — a former colonial ruler — intervening militarily in
(2021-01-23). 30 years ago/U.S. imperialism provoked war with Iraq. workers.org 
Published Jan. 15 in Il Manifesto. Translation: John Catalinotto. At 2: 20 a.m. on Jan. 17, 1991 (Gulf time), U.S. helicopters penetrated Iraqi territory, destroying two radar stations with Hellfire missiles. Immediately afterwards, Tomahawk cruise missiles and F-117A stealth fighters struck other nerve centers, blinding the air defenses of the capital. . . . |
(2021-01-23). Kadhimi responds to Baghdad attack by sacking security officials and angering rivals. middleeasteye.net 
Kadhimi responds to Baghdad attack by sacking security officials and angering rivals | Opponents and allies alike tell MEE the Iraqi prime minister appears to be using terror attack to cement control of the security services | Sat, 01/23/2021 – 18: 25 | A man mourns at the coffin of a man killed in a twin suicide bombing attack in a central Baghdad market, at a funeral in Najaf (Reuters) | Th…
(2021-01-23). Eleven Iraqi fighters killed in IS attack: Security sources. middleeasteye.net 
Eleven Iraqi fighters killed in IS attack: Security sources | Members of the Hashd al-Shaabi force ambushed near Tikrit just two days after Islamic State suicide bombing in Baghdad market killed 32 | Sat, 01/23/2021 – 21: 06 | An Iraqi Hashd al-Shaabi fighter inspects the site of an IS attack on a unit of the paramilitary force in Mukaishefah, 180km north of Baghdad, 3 May 2020 (AFP) | At…
(2021-01-23). Explosion heard in Riyadh as Saudi Arabia intercepts 'hostile target'. middleeasteye.net 
Explosion heard in Riyadh as Saudi Arabia intercepts 'hostile target' | Capital's King Khaled International Airport reports number of flight delays, but unclear if these were linked to incident | Sat, 01/23/2021 – 14: 38 | It is rare for drones and missiles launched by the Houthis to reach Riyadh, about 700km from the Yemeni border (File pic/AFP) | Saudi Arabia intercepted a "hostile targe…
(2021-01-23). Turkish appeals court overturns acquittals in Gezi trial. middleeasteye.net 
Turkish appeals court overturns acquittals in Gezi trial | Court documents say some evidence not included in reasoning for surprise original verdicts over 2013 protests | Sat, 01/23/2021 – 13: 14 | Osman Kavala has remained in jail over charges related to a failed 2016 coup attempt despite the European Court of Human Rights calling for his release (AFP) | A Turkish appeals court has overtu…
(2021-01-23). Israel Shows No Moral Tenet: Justice for Mohammed El-Halabi. dissidentvoice.org 
Israel's continued treatment of Palestinian political prisoners is unconscionable. Mohammed El Halabi, an aid worker from Gaza, has been in prison for four years while he awaits his trial; this is nothing short of cruel absurdity. He has been forced before the court over 150 times, many of those appearances secret, without word of when …
(2021-01-23). Dozens Of Palestinians Injured In Beit Hanoun Explosion. imemc.org 
Updated: The Interior Ministry in Gaza has reported that dozens of Palestinians were injured, on Saturday morning, in an explosion, east of Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza. The Ministry said the causes of the explosion are still under investigation and added that the medics moved at least 27 Palestinians to the Indonesian Hospital, in northern …
(2021-01-23). Palestinian Villagers Foil Attack By Israeli Colonists South Of Nablus. imemc.org 
Palestinian villagers of the al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, managed to foil an attack by a group of illegal Israeli colonists, who attempted to invade their community. The WAFA Palestinian News Agency said the residents noticed the colonists gathering near the entrance of the village, before they started …
(2021-01-23). Israeli Military Attacks Palestinian Protesters in Kufur Qaddoum. imemc.org 
Israeli soldiers attacked the weekly Friday protest in Kufur Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilia in the northern part of the West Bank. The soldiers used tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets to attack the demonstrators. One teen was shot in the hand by a rubber-coated steel bullet and had to be taken to a nearby …
(2021-01-23). Can Biden roll back Trump's escalation and end catastrophic Yemen War? juancole.com 
The Biden Administration has a chance to undo a disastrous label and open the door for peace. ( 48hills.org) — One day before the Inauguration, the Trump Administration added Yemen's Houthi movement to a list of foreign terrorist organizations. It was just the latest, desperate attempt to hamstring President Joe Biden's promise to end the …
(2021-01-23). Anger grows within Labour over role of ex-Israeli military intelligence official. mronline.org 
Senior figures raise concerns over appointment of Assaf Kaplan, who formerly served in unit accused of blackmailing Palestinian civilians.
(2021-01-23). Palestinian Journalist Released After Seven Months in Prison Without Charges. imemc.org 
Israeli military authorities, which govern the Palestinians in the West Bank under martial law, released Palestinian journalist Mujahed al-Saadi Friday after he was imprisoned for seven months without charges. Al-Saadi was held in so-called 'administrative detention', a euphemism used by Israeli authorities used when they hold Palestinians for extended periods with no charges against them. He …
(2021-01-23). Israeli Colonists Attack Palestinian Homes Near Hebron. imemc.org 
Many fanatic Israeli colonists, illegally squatting on Palestinian lands, attacked Palestinian homes, on Friday afternoon, in the Tawamin community, east of Yatta town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Local sources said the colonists attacked the homes, and tried to invade them, before the locals intercepted them. They added that the colonists …
(2021-01-23). Israeli Army Injures Fifteen Palestinians Near Nablus. imemc.org 
Israeli soldiers attacked, Friday, the nonviolent procession in Beit Dajan village, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and injured sixteen Palestinians, in addition to causing dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation. The Palestinians marched from the village heading towards their lands, where illegal Israeli colonists installed an outpost, three months …
(2021-01-23). Several Palestinians Injured In Beit Hanoun Explosion. imemc.org The Interior Ministry in Gaza has reported that many Palestinians were injured, on Saturday morning, in an explosion, east of Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza. The Ministry said the causes of the explosion are still under investigation and added that the medics moved eight Palestinians to the Indonesian Hospital, in northern Gaza. The explosion caused …
(2021-01-23). Biden's own Moderates and Hardliners Battle it Out on reviving Iran Nuclear Deal. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — Two and a half days into the Biden administration, it is already clear that the Problem of Iran is going to loom large over its foreign policy. There are already hard liners and moderates in the Biden team, just as there are in Iran. The first few Biden appointments, Antony …
(2021-01-23). Immortal Wins: India Defeats Fortress Australia. dissidentvoice.org It was never meant to be like this. After the Indian cricketing team met misery and disaster in the first test match at Adelaide, registering a paltry 36 in its second innings, little hope was had for the touring side. Australia threatened rout and massacre. The Border-Gavaskar trophy seemed within the home side's grasp. And …
(2021-01-23). [Obituary] Suhaila Siddiq. thelancet.com Afghan Public Health Minister, surgeon, and lieutenant general. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, she died there on Dec 4, 2020, after reportedly contracting COVID-19. She was believed to be in her early 80s.
(2021-01-23). [World Report] India begins COVID-19 vaccination amid trial allegations. thelancet.com Trial participants in Bhopal say that they could not read consent forms and have not been able to report adverse events. Anoo Bhuyan reports from Bhopal.
(2021-01-23). Thailand's Billionaire-led Opposition Lie about Vaccine Prices. thealtworld.com The US-backed billionaire-led opposition in Thailand has continued to attack the Thai government over its COVID-19 response despite Thailand's response being among the best in the world. | Now the opposition is lying about the costs of AstraZeneca's vaccines and about the nature of the deal made with the Thai government for vaccines, technology transfers, and the manufacturing of vaccines in Thailand. | References: | Twitter — Pannika Wanich @Pannika_FWP: | BBC — Covi…
(2021-01-23). Russia ends COVID-19 restrictions in major cities. wsws.org Having witnessed a small drop-off in infections and hospitalizations, Moscow and Saint Petersburg are now ending the very restrictions that fueled these improvements.
(2021-01-23). Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
(2021-01-23). Video: Sen. Rand Paul Challenges New Sec. of State over Regime Change in Syria. globalresearch.ca U.S. Senator (Kentucky) Rand Paul recently challenged the new Secretary of State nominee Anthony Blinken on his history of pushing regime change in the Middle East and North Africa. | Sen. Paul began his argument by questioning Blinken's role in the …
(2021-01-23). Tuesday 2/16: Rashid Khalidi & Nora Barrows-Friedman: Hundred Years War on Palestine. indybay.org Online webinar…
(2021-01-23). Some 140,000 Chickens to Be Culled in Japan's Toyama Prefecture Over Bird Flu — Reports. sputniknews.com TOKYO (Sputnik) — Some 140,000 chickens will be exterminated in the western Japanese prefecture of Toyama over an outbreak of bird flu, Japanese media reported on Saturday.
(2021-01-23). Biden's Secretary Of State Praises Trump's Achievements On Israel. popularresistance.org A new administration has taken over Washington with talk of justice, respect and diversity. However, when it comes to Israel-the news isn't so encouraging. | Joe Biden's foreign policy team says it wants to return to the Iran deal, but reassures the Israel lobby that that won't happen any time soon, and when it comes to actual Palestinian rights or freedom (the "peace process"), it clearly wants as little friction with the Israeli government and Israel's friends in Washington as possible. I watched all 4-1/2 hours of Tony Blinken's testimony to Senate Foreign Relations (help!), and he never mentioned occupation,…
