Daily Archives: February 15, 2021

2021-02-15: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these ‘POSTEES’ on social media! (Copy the text of the postee below, then paste it on social media and the story images will also appear.)

Lobbying for Gain: Nick Warner and Australia’s Revolving Door
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2021-02-15
Governments have an almost crippling trouble appreciating conflicts of interest. Since tentacle-heavy lobby groups decided to move into the world’s capitals to make the case for their clients, the revolving door has become the sickening feature of politics. Former bureaucrats, public service officials and elected representatives find few problems with joining the very lobby groups …
dissidentvoice.org/2021/02/lobbying-for-…

US, OAS, Colombia try to steal Ecuador’s election from popular socialist candidate, while spreading fake news
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2021-02-15
The US State Department is pushing a politicized vote recount, overseen by the coup-sponsoring OAS, after socialist Andrés Arauz won Ecuador’s election in a landslide. Meanwhile Colombia’s ex-president warns his country’s “radical right” is “interfering” with “slander” and a “dirty game.” GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR — A popular socialist candidate, Andrés Arauz, won the first round of Ecuador’s historic presidential election by a landslide on February 7. The leftist’s overwhelming victory prompted the US State Department, the right-wing government of neighboring Colombia, …
thegrayzone.com/2021/02/15/us-oas-colomb…

US, OAS, Colombia try to steal Ecuador’s election from popular socialist candidate, while spreading fake news
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2021-02-15
The US State Department is pushing a politicized vote recount, overseen by the coup-sponsoring OAS, after socialist Andrés Arauz won Ecuador’s election in a landslide. Meanwhile Colombia’s ex-president warns his country’s “radical right” is “interfering” with “slander” and a “dirty game.” GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR — A popular socialist candidate, Andrés Arauz, has won the first round of Ecuador’s presidential election by a landslide on February 7. The triumph by Arauz prompted the US State Department, the right-wing government of neighboring Colombia, …
thegrayzone.com/2021/02/15/us-oas-colomb…

Despite mass deaths, Poland ends lockdown
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
The Polish government is gradually ending its lockdown, even though the pandemic is still raging and hundreds are dying every day from COVID-19.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/pola…

US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 5,333 workers died on the job in 2019, or one every 99 minutes
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
The BLS report shows three consecutive years of increasing worker fatality rates in the US, even before the coronavirus pandemic.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/bls-…

US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 5,333 workers died on the job in 2019, or one every 99 minutes
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
The BLS report shows three consecutive years of increasing worker fatality rates in the US, even before the coronavirus pandemic.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/bls-…

New Music Releases By Lynda Carson Includes The Pandemic Blues, And 7 Other Songs
Lynda Carson | indybay.org | 2021-02-15
The music being posted here was recorded recently on a wonderful 13 year old iMac computer seen in the photo, with an old wood carving overhead of the winged goddess Dadari, which is a wood carving that is well over 100 years old from the island of Bali.
indybay.org/newsitems/2021/02/14/1884005…

Despite mass deaths, Poland ends lockdown
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
The Polish government is gradually ending its lockdown, even though the pandemic is still raging and hundreds are dying every day from COVID-19.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/pola…

“Shame on You, New York Times!” Scientists Speak Out Over Media Disinformation on China
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2021-02-15
ATexas teenager has been forced to use her entire college savings to prevent her single mother from being evicted after she lost her job amid a raging pandemic. Alondra Carmona of Houston made the appeal on crowdfunding site GoFundMe, noting that she had been accepted into prestigious New York university Barnard College, but that she used the money she had saved for tuition in order to save her mother. | Some of the world’s top scientists are condemning The New York Times for what they describe as a highly misleading hit job…
mintpressnews.com/shame-on-you-new-york-…

Is Biden Committing Diplomatic Suicide Over the Iran Nuclear Agreement?
Medea Benjamin | zcomm.org | 2021-02-15
Can Biden’s America be part of the solution? After only three weeks in office, surely it can’t be too late. But the ball is in his court, and the whole world is watching…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/is-biden-committin…

Chris Hedges: Cancel Culture, Where Liberalism Goes to Die
Editor | scheerpost.com | 2021-02-15
By Chris Hedges / Original to ScheerPost The Rev. Will Campbell was forced out of his position as director of religious life at the University of Mississippi in 1956 because of his calls for integration. He escorted Black children through a hostile mob in 1957 to integrate Little Rock’s Central High School. He was the only white person that was invited to be part of the group that founded Martin… | Source…
scheerpost.com/2021/02/15/hedges-cancel-…

On Contact: Boxing White Supremacy
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2021-02-15
On the show this week, Chris Hedges talks to Professor Gerald Horne about the importance of boxing in the shattering of white supremacy. Professor Horne’s new book is ‘The Bittersweet Science: Racism, Racketeering and the Political Economy of Boxing’.
popularresistance.org/on-contact-boxing-…

Create a Legacy with Medicare For All!
David Soll | realprogressives.org | 2021-02-15
Legacy means everything to a leader, especially U.S. presidents. From Franklin D. Roosevelt giving us the New Deal, a series of public works projects, financial reforms and regulations to Lyndon B. Johnson giving us Medicare health insurance for the elderly, and Medicaid for the poor. From President Barack Obama showing us Medicare For All was popular enough to help lead him to his eventual nomination to presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders forcing Medicare for all upon our national consciousness. What might President Joe Biden’s legacy be? | Over the past decade, I have done my homework and written f…
realprogressives.org/create-legacy-m4a/

Louisville Is Failing Homeless People This Winter
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2021-02-15
As much of Louisville remains under a layer of ice and with another winter storm on the way, the city is doing nothing to keep alive its homeless population, several advocates contended Saturday evening. | Leaders from local homeless outreach organizations spoke in front of Hotel Louisville Saturday night, demanding city leaders address what they called a humanitarian crisis. | Donny Greene, co-founder of Feed Louisville, said the city has given excuses for not helping people left outside in the below-freezing temperatures, contending there is no shelter space available. | “The truth of the matter is the city is…
popularresistance.org/louisville-is-fail…

UN Special Rapporteur Blasts ‘Devastating’ and ‘Illegal’ US and EU Sanctions against Venezuela
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2021-02-15
UN Human Rights expert Alena Douhan called for sanctions to be lifted and revised.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/15123

US-Indian Strategic Construct of Western Indian Ocean Runs into Headwinds
M. K. Bhadrakumar | asia-pacificresearch.com | 2021-02-15
asia-pacificresearch.com/us-indian-strat…

Preliminary findings of the visit to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights
Eds. | mronline.org | 2021-02-15
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Ms. Alena Douhan, visited the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from 1 to 12 February 2021. She thanks the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for enabling and supporting her visit to the country. The purpose …
mronline.org/2021/02/15/preliminary-find…

The Centers of Global Capitalism Are Migrating Away From the U.S., Europe and Japan
Richard D. Wolff | counterpunch.org | 2021-02-15
The blunt truth of modern economic development is this: capitalism is leaving its old centers and relocating to its new centers. About this leaving we can and should borrow the phrase: this changes everything.
counterpunch.org/2021/02/15/the-centers-…

“Stop Interfering in Our Lives”: Haitians Protesters Condemn US Support for Dictator
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2021-02-15
Protests in Haiti have led to hundreds of deaths yet have drawn little attention in the west, thanks in large part to its strongman leaders’ continued loyalty to the United States.
mintpressnews.com/haiti-protesters-anger…

Elections in Ecuador — The Fight Against Neoliberalism
Yanis Iqbal | zcomm.org | 2021-02-15
Please Help ZNet Photo by max.ku/Shutterstock Ecuador’s leftist candidate Andrés Arauz has won the first round of the country’s presidential elections held on 7 February, 2021, garnering 31.5% of the vote. An economist and former minister in socialist president Rafael Correa’s government, he has led the ticket for the Union for Hope coalition — what Read…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/elections-in-ecuad…

Amazon Hired Anti-Union Consultant to Fight Alabama Organizing
Lee Fang | zcomm.org | 2021-02-15
The head of the Center for Independent Employees is paid $3,200 per day to thwart what could become Amazon’s first unionized facility in the U.S.
zcomm.org/znetarticle/amazon-hired-anti-…

Why Amazon is fighting so hard to stop warehouse workers from unionizing
Sonali Kolhatkar | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-02-15
Workers at one of Amazon’s warehouses are deciding whether or not to join a union. Amazon’s union-busting efforts indicate just how important the vote is…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/02/15/why-amazo…

Why Amazon Is Fighting So Hard to Stop Warehouse Workers From Unionizing
Sonali Kolhatkar | counterpunch.org | 2021-02-15
Thousands of warehouse workers at an Amazon plant in Bessemer, Alabama, are at the center of a potentially game-changing union vote taking place right now. On February 8, the warehouse workers were sent ballots by mail to decide over the next seven weeks if they want to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). Just…
counterpunch.org/2021/02/15/why-amazon-i…

Dr. Hanan Ashrawi on the Future for Palestine
CP Editor | counterpunch.org | 2021-02-15
counterpunch.org/2021/02/15/dr-hanan-ash…

Palestine: Lawyers rally against ‘intrusion on judiciary’ after controversial decrees
Shatha Hammad | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Palestine: Lawyers rally against ‘intrusion on judiciary’ after controversial decrees | Ex-judges join the sit-ins to condemn ‘power-hungry moves’ by the Palestinian Authority in the absence of a parliament | Shatha Hammad | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 09: 51 | Lawyers and former judges call for protection of judicial independence, outside the Palestinian Legislative Council in Ramallah on 9 February (MEE/Shatha Hammad) | T…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestine-law…

Venezuela to Resume Face-to-Face Classes Partially in March
telesurenglish.net | 2021-02-15
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro Sunday informed that his country will partially resume face-to-face classes as of March complying with “all necessary health measures to prevent contagion.” | RELATED: | Venezuela Denounces Obstacles To Access COVID-19 Vaccines | “The return to the classroom will be carried out under a strict biosecurity protocol to preserve students’ health,” Maduro highlighted, adding that the vaccination campaign will kick off in the next few days. | In early…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-to-Res…

Australian COVID-19 vaccine roll-out still uncertain
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
As distribution problems mount around the world, Australia is still weeks away from receiving its first doses.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/vacc…

CDC’s politically motivated guidelines fuel media campaign to reopen US schools
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
The weeks-long propaganda campaign falsely claiming that schools are not vectors for the spread of COVID-19 now has the full imprimatur of the CDC.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/scho…

Germany Will Not Reject Russian Vaccine if Authorized by the EU
telesurenglish.net | 2021-02-15
The German Federal Government spokesperson Steffen Seibert on Monday announced that his country will not reject Russian and Chinese COVID-19 vaccines if the European Union (EU) allows its use. | RELATED: | Venezuela to Receive 100,000 Doses of Sputnik V Vaccine | He pointed out that it does not matter where the vaccine is produced if it is certified by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorized by the European Commission (EC). | “If the Russian or any other vaccine complie…
telesurenglish.net/news/Germany-Will-Not…

Using Herd Immunity Myth to Justify COVID Vaccines for Kids Is Deceptive — and Dangerous
Children’s Health Defense | globalresearch.ca | 2021-02-15
All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the “Translate Website” drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | During the first six weeks of the coronavirus vaccine rollout among …
globalresearch.ca/using-herd-immunity-my…

Online workers in Serbia continue protest against unscrupulous taxation
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-02-15
The Serbian tax administration has asked online workers who earn income from abroad to pay taxes and interest contributions for the past five years. A majority of these online workers are freelancers, including students and youth distressed by the COVID-19 crisis…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/02/15/online-wo…

Peru: Chancellor Resigns Due to a COVID-19 Vaccination Scandal
telesurenglish.net | 2021-02-15
Peru’s Foreign Affairs Minister Elizabeth Astete on Sunday resigned from her post after it was known that she had been vaccinated. She is not, however, in the groups at risk that should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. | RELATED: | Peru: Health Minister Resigns After Vizcarra’s Vaccination | President Francisco Sagasti accepted her resignation after she admitted having received the first dose on Jan. 22, 2021. | “I am outraged and furious about this situation, which jeopardizes the enor…
telesurenglish.net/news/Peru-Chancellor-…

CDC’s politically motivated guidelines fuel media campaign to reopen US schools
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
The weeks-long propaganda campaign falsely claiming that schools are not vectors for the spread of COVID-19 now has the full imprimatur of the CDC.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/scho…

British government jails migrants as “people smugglers,” excludes and mistreats child migrants
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
The continued pursuit by the Conservative government of a “hostile environment” for those seeking shelter in the UK is devoid of any decency and boundaries…
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/chan…

Mexican Authorities Rescue 108 Migrants Near US Border
telesurenglish.net | 2021-02-15
Mexico’s National Guard officers Sunday rescued 108 Central American migrants, who were crammed into a truck heading for the U.S. border. | RELATED: | Mexico To Get 24 Million Doses of Russia’s Sputnik V Vaccine | The National Institute of Migration (INM) reported that authorities noticed a truck attached to a semi-trailer traveling on the Monterrey-Reynosa highway, in the General Bravo municipality, Nuevo Leon state. | The agents intercepted the truck before it entered a security…
telesurenglish.net/news/Mexican-Authorit…

British government jails migrants as “people smugglers,” excludes and mistreats child migrants
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
The continued pursuit by the Conservative government of a “hostile environment” for those seeking shelter in the UK is devoid of any decency and boundaries…
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/chan…

Teachers from Maryland’s Eastern Shore speak out against school reopenings
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
Three teachers from the Eastern Shore of Maryland recently spoke to the World Socialist Web Site Educators Newsletter about the reopening of schools and their reasons for joining the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee. Their names have been changed to protect them from retaliation by both their school system and union.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/east…

Teachers from Maryland’s Eastern Shore speak out against school reopenings
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
Three teachers from the Eastern Shore of Maryland recently spoke to the World Socialist Web Site Educators Newsletter about the reopening of schools and their reasons for joining the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee. Their names have been changed to protect them from retaliation by both their school system and union.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/east…

Oil prices hit 13-month high with demand optimism
yenisafak.com | 2021-02-15
Oil prices on Monday jumped to their highest level in 13 months with increasing hopes of a speedier oil demand recovery, with rising tensions in the Middle East and optimism over the $1.9 trillion US stimulus check.International benchmark Brent crude was trading at $63.51 per barrel at 0702 GMT with a 1.72% increase after closing Friday at $62.43 a barrel. This is the highest price since Jan. 22 when it was trading at $64.58.Reaching its highest level since Jan. 8 when it traded at $65.65, American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased by 2.15% to $60.75 per barrel at the same time relative to end-of-…
yenisafak.com/en/economy/oil-prices-hit-…

Vaccinations and Stimulus Packages Won’t Mend the Economy
Shawgi Tell | dissidentvoice.org | 2021-02-15
The social and economic destruction engulfing the U.S. and dozens of other countries remains out of everyone’s control and more chaos, instability, and insecurity now mark the global landscape. The ruling elite have repeatedly shown their inability to tackle any serious problems effectively. They are at a loss for how to deal with current problems …
dissidentvoice.org/2021/02/vaccinations-…

#ReleaseDishaRavi: Global Outrage After India Arrests Climate Activist Over Farmer Protest Toolkit Shared by Greta Thunberg
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2021-02-15
Ravi’s arrest “is an unprecedented attack on democracy,” said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. “Supporting our farmers is not a crime.” | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/news/2021/02/15/release…

#ReleaseDishaRavi: Global Outrage After India Arrests Climate Activist Over Farmer Protest Toolkit Shared by Greta Thunberg
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2021-02-15
Ravi’s arrest “is an unprecedented attack on democracy,” said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. “Supporting our farmers is not a crime.” | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/news/2021/02/15/release…

Protests in India over arrest of climate activist
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2021-02-15
Scores of people have demonstrated in the Indian cities of Bengaluru and Mumbai after a climate activist was arrested for circulating a document on social media supporting months of massive protests by farmers. | Disha Ravi was arrested in Bengaluru on Saturday. | Police said at a news conference on Monday that the document spread misinformation about the farmer protests on the outskirts of New Delhi and “tarnished the image of India”. | They say Ravi shared the document with Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, who tweeted it earlier this month. | Activists hold placards demanding the release of Indi…
thecanary.co/global/world-news/2021/02/1…

UK hotel quarantine starts for arrivals from high-risk countries
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
London, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- All citizens and permanent residents of the United Kingdom returning from high-risk countries to England will have to undergo a mandatory hotel quarantine starting Monday in a bid to curb the spread of new variants of the coronavirus pandemic. The UK government has released a “red list” that has 33 countries …
laprensalatina.com/uk-hotel-quarantine-s…

Japan’s GDP posts first contraction since 2009 over Covid-19
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Tokyo, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 4.8 percent year-on-year in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, marking its first contraction since the 5.7 percent decline it registered in 2009, the government said Monday. During the last quarter of the year between October and December, the Japanese economy grew …
laprensalatina.com/japans-gdp-posts-firs…

Virologists call for total confinement in Italy
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Rome, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Italian experts including the health minister’s consultant on the pandemic Walter Ricciardi on Monday said the new government led by economist Mario Draghi should enforce a lockdown for at least one month to curb the rapid spread of the so-called United Kingdom variant of the coronavirus, which is more virulent than …
laprensalatina.com/virologists-call-for-…

Thailand’s economy shrank 6.1 percent in 2020
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Bangkok, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Thailand’s economy shrank 6.1 percent in 2020, its largest contraction in two decades amid a halt in tourism and exports caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to data released by the government on Monday. Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 4.2 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of last year …
laprensalatina.com/thailands-economy-shr…

Married couples coming to therapy on rise during pandemic in Turkey
yenisafak.com | 2021-02-15
Therapist Gunes Kucuk told Anadolu Agency that the pandemic impacted married and unmarried couples from different angles and at different levels.”As this process continued, somatic conditions such as anxiety disorders, panic attacks, depression, acute stress disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder began to be seen more,” said Kucuk.Mentioning that families were affected at different levels according to their cultural, structural, social, and economic status within themselves, she told the agency that families with “strong social support were stronger in coping with the process despite everything.””Families w…
yenisafak.com/en/news/married-couples-co…

Australia, New Zealand receive first vaccine shipments
yenisafak.com | 2021-02-15
The first shipment of Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccines arrived in Australia and New Zealand on Monday, officials said.Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that over 142,000 doses of the vaccine arrived at Sydney Airport in a major development in the country’s response to the pandemic.”This is the first shipment of 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine the Government has secured as part of Australia’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy,” Morrison said in a statement issued by the office of the prime minister.The country will roll out vaccines on Feb. 22, the premier said, adding: “Once the final…
yenisafak.com/en/life/australia-new-zeal…

Lancet Report: 40% of U.S. COVID Deaths Were Preventable. The Country Needs Universal Healthcare Now
Staff | democracynow.org | 2021-02-15
As the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 approaches half a million, a new report says nearly 40% of the deaths were avoidable. By comparing the pandemic in the U.S. to other high-income nations, the medical journal The Lancet found significant gaps in former President Donald Trump’s “inept and insufficient” response to COVID-19, as well as decades of destructive public policy decisions. One of the report’s recommendations is reforming the system to a single-payer model like Medicare for All, which President Joe Biden has so far rejected in favor of bolstering the Affordable Care Act. “The Affordable Care Act still le…
www.democracynow.org/2021/2/15/lancet_re…

Migrating online: The digital tools preparing refugees and migrants with an economic lifeline
news.un.org | 2021-02-15
Whilst the global economy has taken a battering during the COVID-19 pandemic, online commerce has thrived. A UN-supported initiative is helping refugees and migrants around the world to access the tools and customers they need to build their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/02/1…

Big Pharma Must Share Their Vaccine Knowledge and Technology With the World—Now
Stephen Cockburn | commondreams.org | 2021-02-15
To stop the global pandemic, rich countries need to stop hoarding vaccines. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/views/2021/02/15/big-ph…

Big Pharma Must Share Their Vaccine Knowledge and Technology With the World—Now
Stephen Cockburn | commondreams.org | 2021-02-15
To stop the global pandemic, rich countries need to stop hoarding vaccines. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/views/2021/02/15/big-ph…

Pandemic-Fueled Alcohol Abuse Creates Wave of Hospitalizations for Liver Diseas
Eli Cahan | zcomm.org | 2021-02-15
As the pandemic sends thousands of recovering alcoholics into relapse, hospitals across the country have reported dramatic increases in alcohol-related admissions for critical diseases like alcoholic hepatitis and liver failure…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/pandemic-fueled-al…

Is Biden Committing Diplomatic Suicide Over the Iran Nuclear Agreement?
Medea Benjamin, Nicolas J.S. Davies | commondreams.org | 2021-02-15
American neocons and hawks, including those inside his own administration, appear to be flexing their muscles to kill Biden’s commitment to diplomacy at birth, and his own hawkish foreign policy views make him dangerously susceptible to their arguments. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/views/2021/02/15/biden-…

Is Biden Committing Diplomatic Suicide Over the Iran Nuclear Agreement?
Medea Benjamin, Nicolas J.S. Davies | commondreams.org | 2021-02-15
American neocons and hawks, including those inside his own administration, appear to be flexing their muscles to kill Biden’s commitment to diplomacy at birth, and his own hawkish foreign policy views make him dangerously susceptible to their arguments. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/views/2021/02/15/biden-…

Chris Hedges: Cancel Culture, Where Liberalism Goes to Die
Chris Hedges | mintpressnews.com | 2021-02-15
Elites and their courtiers who trumpet their moral superiority by damning and silencing those who do not linguistically conform to politically correct speech are the new Jacobins.
mintpressnews.com/chris-hedges-cancel-cu…

Chris Hedges: Cancel Culture, Where Liberalism Goes to Die
AARON | peoplesparty.org | 2021-02-15
Elites and their courtiers who trumpet their moral superiority by damning and silencing those who do not linguistically conform to politically correct speech are the new Jacobins, writes Chris Hedges.: | (As seen on Scheerpost) — The Rev. Will Campbell was forced out of his position as director of religious life at the University of Mississippi in 1956 because of his calls for integration. He escorted Black children through a hostile mob in 1957 to integrate Little Rock’s Central High S…
peoplesparty.org/cancel-culture-where-li…

‘Nothing can justify terror’: Germany on PKK massacre
yenisafak.com | 2021-02-15
The German government on Monday expressed condolences over the massacre of 13 Turkish citizens by the terror group PKK in northern Iraq, saying no such action could be justified.”We would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims,” Foreign Ministry deputy spokeswoman Andrea Sasse told a news conference in Berlin.”Nothing can justify terror. International humanitarian law must be fully respected in armed conflicts,” she added.The Turkish nationals, who had been held captive for several years by the PKK, were executed by the group in Gara, northern Iraq over the weekend, during Tu…
yenisafak.com/en/news/nothing-can-justif…

‘We Must Get to the Truth’: Pelosi Announces Far-Reaching Probe Into Insurrection Incited by Trump
Jon Queally, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2021-02-15
“To protect our security, our next step will be to establish an outside, independent 9/11-type Commission,” said House Speaker. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/news/2021/02/15/we-must…

Trump Acquitted of Phony Charge as Expected
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2021-02-15
All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the “Translate Website” drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | It’s all over but…
globalresearch.ca/trump-acquitted-phony-…

Europe Will Redefine Itself Despite Political Shift in the US
Ramzy Baroud | counterpunch.org | 2021-02-15
Despite the long-awaited political change in Washington as Democratic President, Joe Biden, has officially become the 46th President of the United States, Europe is unlikely to resume its previously unhindered reliance on its trans-Atlantic partner. The four years of Donald Trump were rife with tension and strife between the US and Europe — in fact,…
counterpunch.org/2021/02/15/europe-will-…

Karen Lewis, former president of the Chicago Teachers Union, dies at 67
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
Lewis’ death prompted an outpouring of sympathy and praise from the corporate media, fellow union officials and the Democratic Socialists of America, but a closer examination of her record tells a very different story.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/chic…

Karen Lewis, former president of the Chicago Teachers Union, dies at 67
wsws.org | 2021-02-15
Lewis’ death prompted an outpouring of sympathy and praise from the corporate media, fellow union officials and the Democratic Socialists of America, but a closer examination of her record tells a very different story.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/15/chic…

Israel stops entry of Covid-19 vaccine into blockaded Gaza
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Jerusalem/Gaza, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Israel on Monday blocked the entry of the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines to the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian National Authority said. “The Israeli occupation authorities today prevented entry of coronavirus vaccines” to the enclave, the first lot of 2,000-doses out of 10,000 that Palestinian authorities have been allocated from Russia, …
laprensalatina.com/israel-stops-entry-of…

‘We will not be canceled’: Social media platform Parler RELAUNCHES after being axed by Big Tech following Capitol riots
rt.com | 2021-02-15
Social media app Parler is back online after being booted off the servers of Amazon Web Services last month in the wake of the Capitol riots, after it was accused of allowing threats of violence to be shared on the platform. | …
rt.com/usa/515637-parler-relaunches-big-…

Saturday 2/20: SF Solidarity Action: Victory To Bessemer Amazon Workers-Stop Bezos Union Busting
UFCLP | indybay.org | 2021-02-15
Whole Foods 24th St. Store | 3950 24th St. | San Francisco…
indybay.org/newsitems/2021/02/14/1884004…

Conservative Lawyer Bruce Fein: Trump’s Acquittal Gives Future Presidents License to Break the Law
Staff | democracynow.org | 2021-02-15
As the Senate votes to acquit former President Donald Trump for inciting the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, we speak with constitutional lawyer and former Reagan administration official Bruce Fein, who says the insurrection was not just an attack on the U.S. Capitol, but “an effort, basically, to destroy the rule of law and the Constitution itself.” Fein says failure to convict Trump will give license to future presidents to break the law. “It really is quite frightening that now we have a precedent that says a president has the right to do anything he wants, that he wishes to, without sanction,” he…
www.democracynow.org/2021/2/15/bruce_fei…

Trump Acquitted in Senate Impeachment Trial After Lawmakers Refuse to Call Witnesses
Staff | democracynow.org | 2021-02-15
The Senate voted 57 to 43 to convict Donald Trump for inciting the January 6 insurrection, but the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to find the former president guilty. Seven Republicans voted with Democrats to convict, making it the most bipartisan impeachment trial verdict ever. House impeachment managers did not include any witnesses, after Republicans threatened to prolong the trial for weeks or even months and grind other congressional business to a halt if witnesses were called to testify. Instead, a single statement by Congressmember Jaime Herrera Beutler was entered into the record before…
www.democracynow.org/2021/2/15/senate_im…

Justice Reform Coalition Urges Biden to Pardon All Non-Violent Marijuana Convictions
Andrea Germanos, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2021-02-15
commondreams.org/sites/default/files/sty…

‘Biggest Risk’ for Democrats on Minimum Wage, Says Top Sanders Aide, Is Not Raising It to $15
Andrea Germanos, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2021-02-15
With the White House and legislative branch under their control, says Warren Gunnels, Democrats “must win” fight on behalf of working people. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/news/2021/02/15/biggest…

Turkey bids farewell to citizens massacred by PKK
yenisafak.com | 2021-02-15
Funeral services are being held across Turkey on Monday for citizens martyred by PKK terror group in northern Iraq, with attendees chanting slogans against terrorists.Gendarmerie Private Suleyman Sungur, 27, was laid to rest in his hometown in the southeastern Siirt province.His mother Sirin and father Salih were present in the ceremony, which was attended by the provincial gendarmerie commander, Gen. Arif Cetin, as well as many other officials and citizens.Following the funeral prayer, citizens chanted slogans against the PKK terror group, calling for an end to it.On Sunday, Turkish National Defense Minister Hul…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-bids-farewe…

The Gulf War 30 Years Ago: Memories From a Shelter in Baghdad
Patrik Paulov | commondreams.org | 2021-02-15
On February 13, 1991, a horrific massacre took place in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. The U.S. coalition bombed a shelter and killed more than 400 people. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/views/2021/02/15/gulf-w…

Same as the Old Boss, Julian Assange Edition
Thomas Knapp | counterpunch.org | 2021-02-15
On February 9, the US Justice Department announced that US President Joe Biden, as in so many other areas, intends to serve Donald Trump’s second term when it comes to persecuting heroes guilty of exposing US war crimes and embarrassing American politicians. As Trump’s presidency drew to an end, some activists held out hope that…
counterpunch.org/2021/02/15/same-as-the-…

Jordan starts Covid-19 vaccinations for refugees at Zaatari camp
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Amman, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Jordan on Monday started vaccinating Syrian refugees living in the Zaatari camp, becoming one of the first countries in the world to include refugees in its coronavirus vaccine rollout, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Monday. Lilly Carlisle, the spokesperson of the UNHCR in Jordan, told Efe that the Jordanian …
laprensalatina.com/jordan-starts-covid-1…

Another South Korean religious group investigated over Covid-19 outbreak
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Update 1: Adds case of cat testing positive Seoul, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- South Korean police searched the headquarters of a missionary organization Monday for being behind an outbreak of Covid-19, a new case in the country of a Christian group being accused of violating health emergency laws. Authorities stormed the International Mission headquarters in Daejeon …
laprensalatina.com/another-south-korean-…

Vaccination plan enters a new stage in England
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
London, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- England’s Covid-19 jab rollout entered a new stage Monday as authorities began administering vaccines to people over 65 and the clinically vulnerable. More than 15 million people had already been given the first dose of the vaccine in the UK. Health authorities established an initial phase in the rollout made up …
laprensalatina.com/vaccination-plan-ente…

Mexican president calls for urgent UN meeting over vaccine hoarding
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Mexico City, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Monday that the United Nations should convene an “urgent meeting” to deal with the problem of “hoarding” anti-Covid vaccine, claiming that the countries with laboratories that manufacture the several vaccines are doing so. “It’s something that the UN should look at. It has …
laprensalatina.com/mexican-president-cal…

Colombia to receive 1st batch of Covid-19 vaccines on Monday
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Bogota, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- An initial batch of 50,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner, biotechnology company BioNTech, will arrive in Colombia on Monday afternoon, President Ivan Duque said in a nationwide address. That Andean nation has lagged behind some of its regional neighbors, including Mexico …
laprensalatina.com/colombia-to-receive-1…

Muted Carnival celebrations amid national Covid lockdown
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Duesseldorf, Germany, Feb 15 (epa-efe).- Annual carnival celebrations in Germany, which ordinarily would see tens of thousands of people in fancy dress throng city centers for parades, have been cancelled in 2021 because of the nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus. Rose Monday, normally the climax of the week-long celebration, was a muted …
laprensalatina.com/muted-carnival-celebr…

Another South Korean religious group investigated over Covid-19 outbreak
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Seoul, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- South Korean police searched the headquarters of a missionary organization Monday for being behind an outbreak of Covid-19, a new case in the country of a Christian group being accused of violating health emergency laws. Authorities stormed the International Mission headquarters in Daejeon city (about 165 kilometers south of Seoul), Yonhap …
laprensalatina.com/another-south-korean-…

‘Nothing to investigate’: Cuomo blames Covid-19 nursing home deaths on staff, calls accusations against him ‘conspiracy theories’
rt.com | 2021-02-15
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has finally addressed allegations his administration was underreporting Covid-19 nursing home deaths, which he unequivocally denied, but still passing plenty of blame around. | In a Monday press conference, Cuomo attempted to offer answers to looming questions. The governor has been under fire from critics for days after top staffer Melissa DeRosa appeared to confirm allegations that the administration was hiding nursing home deaths to protect itself from criticism over a highly-controversial March 25 order that forced nursing home facilities to accept positive Covid-19 patients. | ”
rt.com/usa/515652-andrew-cuomo-nursing-h…

Turkey to start sharing additional local COVID-19 data
yenisafak.com | 2021-02-15
Turkey will start Monday to share the seven-day averages of new novel coronavirus cases in each of the country’s provinces.The figures will be released online and updated in real time by the country’s Health Ministry.Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced plans for the decision in a press conference last week following a meeting of the country’s Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board in the capital Ankara.”Thus, our Provincial Public Health Councils will be able to take decisions regionally when necessary. We’re now moving to a period where regional work also can be carried out for a plannable future.”Local acti…
yenisafak.com/en/life/turkey-to-start-sh…

Schools reopen with focus on health safety in S.Africa
yenisafak.com | 2021-02-15
Schools in South Africa started reopening Monday for the beginning of the 2021 academic year, after a delay by weeks due to the second wave of the coronavirus.Schools had been shut in South Africa since December and were expected to reopen late last month, but the opening was delayed by a fortnight due to a surge in COVID-19 infections.Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said the education sector has lost 1,169 educators as a direct result of COVID-19 and the top priority in reopening of schools is emphasis on health and safety of teachers, learners and staffers.”We will continue to maintain the delicate bal…
yenisafak.com/en/world/schools-reopen-wi…

Downward COVID-19 trend shows ‘simple public health measures work’ — UN health chief
news.un.org | 2021-02-15
The number of reported cases of COVID-19 globally has declined for the fifth consecutive week, the head of the UN health agency said on Monday, underscoring that “simple public health measures work, even in the presence of variants”.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/02/1…

Independence movement majority grows in Catalonia as Socialists win at polls
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Barcelona, Spain, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- The independence movement increased its majority in the regional elections in Catalonia on Sunday, despite a narrow win by the Socialist Party. The ultra-right, which had been non-existent in the Catalan parliamentary and political scene, burst into fourth place. More than 5 million Catalans were called to participate in atypical …
laprensalatina.com/independence-movement…

The Fascist ‘Big Lies’ — Deceptive Names Are Back
_____ | strategic-culture.org | 2021-02-15
We should remain vigilant against the far-right, which continues to misappropriate the historical and traditional names of the parties of labor, the popular masses, equality, and progressivism, Wayne Madsen writes. | From 1920 to 1945, the formal name of the German Nazi Party was the National Socialist German Workers’ Party, abbreviated NSDAP in German. Despite its name, there was nothing even remotely “socialist” or “workers” related about the Nazi Party. Its very foundation was t o combat the influence of labor unions, particularly those closely-linked to the Socialists or Communists. Socialist ideology, whethe…
strategic-culture.org/news/2021/02/15/th…

Expose the Insurrection Financiers
Sarah Anderson | counterpunch.org | 2021-02-15
Throughout his scorching indictment of President Trump, lead impeachment manager Jamie Raskin wove in quotes from eminent historic minds, including this one from his late father, Institute for Policy Studies co-founder Marcus Raskin: “Democracy needs a ground to stand on and that ground is the truth.” Raskin’s trial team exposed a great deal of truth…
counterpunch.org/2021/02/15/expose-the-i…

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala becomes first woman, African to lead WTO
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Geneva, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was on Monday appointed as the World Trade Organization’s new director-general, becoming the first woman and first African citizen to lead the global institution that regulates international commerce. Okonjo-Iweala, who is from Nigeria but also holds United States citizenship, will officially take over from Brazilian Roberto Azevedo on 1 …
laprensalatina.com/ngozi-okonjo-iweala-b…

Nadal, Barty reach Aussie Open quarters in straight sets
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Melbourne, Australia, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Spain’s Rafael Nadal made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open men’s tournament after winning his fourth-round match against No. 18 seed Fabio Fognini by 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. “Against a player such as Fabio you have to be worried at all times. For me it is better to play during the …
laprensalatina.com/nadal-barty-reach-aus…

Memphis Police, Shelby Co. Deputies Using Inclement Weather Crash Policy
Rafael Figueroa | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) — The Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is enforcing their Inclement Weather Policy for accidents. Here are the steps you should follow if there is only minor damage and no injures or alcohol involved. Drivers should exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information, and tag numbers of the vehicles …
laprensalatina.com/memphis-police-shelby…

Zuma could face prison sentence after corruption inquiry no-show
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Johannesburg, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Former South African president Jacob Zuma could be facing a prison term after he failed to appear before a commission investigating corruption allegations, the head of the inquiry said on Monday. “It is a pity that Mr Zuma has decided not to appear before the commission today, in defiance of the …
laprensalatina.com/zuma-could-face-priso…

Cold snap brings heavy snowfall, frigid temperatures to Greece
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Athens, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Greece on Monday found itself in the grips of a cold-weather front that has brought hurricane-force winds, freezing temperatures and the heaviest snowfall in recent decades. The country’s Civil Protection department said parts of central and northern Greece registered the heaviest snowfall in 20 years and that the adverse weather had …
laprensalatina.com/cold-snap-brings-heav…

Myanmar protesters take to militarized streets after internet blackout
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
(Update 1: Updates head, pars 1-2, adds Suu Kyi hearing pars 3-4, minor edits) Yangon, Myanmar, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Myanmar residents on Monday resumed their protests against the military junta that seized power two weeks ago, emerging from a long night during which the country’s internet was shut down and armored vehicles appeared in the …
laprensalatina.com/myanmar-protesters-ta…

Border controls with Czechia, Austria necessary, German gov’t says
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Berlin, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- The German government on Monday said border controls with the Czech Republic and Austria were justified, despite long delays and heavy criticism from neighboring countries. Germany has had controls on its land borders with its two neighbors since Sunday, which has limited free movement within the Schengen zone and affected economic …
laprensalatina.com/border-controls-with-…

Bangladesh resumes Rohingya refugees transfer to remote island
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Dhaka, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Bangladeshi authorities on Monday began transferring over 3,000 Rohingya refugees to a remote island in the Bay of Bengal in the fourth phase of a controversial plan from congested camps in Cox’s Bazar in the country’s southeast. “We have started transferring 2,014 refugees today from Chittagong to Bhasan Char,” which was …
laprensalatina.com/bangladesh-resumes-ro…

Spanish soccer player faces possible sanction in Indian league for biting
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
New Delhi, Feb 15 (efe-epa)- Chennaiyin FC of the Indian Super League has filed an official complaint against Spanish player Edu Bedia, who plays as midfielder for Goa FC, for allegedly biting one of its players during a match over the weekend. The incident occurred on Saturday when Chennaiyin FC midfielder Deepak Tangri fell on …
laprensalatina.com/spanish-soccer-player…

Russia successfully launches Progress MS-16 cargo ship for ISS
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Moscow, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Russia on Monday successfully launched the Progress MS-16 cargo ship bound for the International Space Station (ISS), the Roscosmos space agency reported. The freighter was launched by a Soyuz-2.1 rocket from Site 31 at Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Progress MS-16 is carrying nitrogen reserves for the station’s atmosphere and materials …
laprensalatina.com/russia-successfully-l…

Injury-ravaged Liverpool travel to Hungary for Round of 16 clash vs Leipzig
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
(Update 1: Adds Klopp quotes) Sports Desk, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- A Liverpool team severely depleted by injuries, especially in defense, travels to RB Leipzig for the Champions League Round of 16 first leg match on Tuesday. The game will not be played in Leipzig, however, but in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, after the English side …
laprensalatina.com/injury-ravaged-liverp…

UN: 65 activists, reporters killed in 3 years in Afghanistan
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Kabul, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- At least 65 human rights activists and media professionals have been killed in Afghanistan in the last three years, a growing trend that has led to several others leaving their profession or the country, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said Monday. According to the latest report by the UN …
laprensalatina.com/un-65-activists-repor…

Koeman says Pique, out since November, could return against PSG
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Barcelona, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman said he may start defender Gerard Pique for Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg match against Paris Saint Germain. The veteran center back has been sidelined with a knee injury since November. “Gerard is doing all right. He has been training for four or …
laprensalatina.com/koeman-says-pique-out…

Harsh jail sentence over drug use spurs legalization debate in Tunisia
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Tunis, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Three young Tunisians have received a 30-year prison sentence for possessing and using cannabis, a ruling that has sparked a nationwide debate over the drug use law in the country. The unprecedented prison sentence has led to mutual understanding between both civil society groups and politicians, who seem to agree that …
laprensalatina.com/harsh-jail-sentence-o…

At least 1 dead, others injured in large Haiti protests
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Port-au-Prince, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- At least one man died Sunday and another was shot during a large protest in the Haitian capital called to demand the resignation of President Jovenel MoàØse. Security forces were stationed at Delmas 60 area, where they responded with live fire and tear gas to protesters who threw stones and a …
laprensalatina.com/at-least-1-dead-other…

Myanmar protesters re-emerge onto militarized streets after internet blackout
Online News Editor | laprensalatina.com | 2021-02-15
Yangon, Myanmar, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Myanmar’s internet was restored on Monday morning after a nationwide blackout overnight and as protesters resumed their demonstrations against the military junta that took power on Feb. 1. In Yangon, protesters held up placards outside the Central Bank alongside military tanks and vehicles as soldiers set up barricades. Troops and …
laprensalatina.com/myanmar-protesters-re…

Majority of Americans want 3rd party as support for idea PEAKS amid disappointment in both Democrats and Republicans — poll
rt.com | 2021-02-15
A new Gallup poll has found support for a major third political party steadily rising as more people than ever refer to themselves as Independents while Republicans and Democrats are dropping in approval. | Just last September, Gallup research showed that 57 percent of US adults wanted a third major option at the polls because the Republican and Democrat “parties do such a poor job representing the American people.” The latest poll has seen that majority rise to 62 percent support. | On top…
rt.com/usa/515647-third-party-gallup-pol…

‘You’ve won’: 1619 Project creator who doxxed conservative reporter ‘taking a break’ from Twitter over abuse
rt.com | 2021-02-15
New York Times reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones is “taking a break” from Twitter, claiming she has been consistently harassed on the platform after she doxxed a conservative journalist who asked her about old controversial tweets. | “I know I haven’t always exemplified grace on here,” Hannah-Jones, who is behind the Times’ controversial 1619 Project, tweeted on Sunday, possibly referring to a post from last week in which she doxxed a conservative reporter. | Hannah-Jones went on to lash out at conservative journalists, who have been her main critics, and claimed she has been harassed consistently on Twitter. | My…
rt.com/usa/515642-nikole-hannah-jones-tw…

Sean Penn mocked for ‘religious ignorance’ after he calls Satan ‘Satin’ and assumes protestants follow the Vatican
rt.com | 2021-02-15
Hollywood actor and liberal activist Sean Penn was ridiculed on social media after he appeared to assume evangelical Protestants are led by the Vatican, and referred to Satan as “Satin.” | “Evangelical leaders should themselves be impeached by the Vatican if they themselves don’t follow Nikki Haley’s lead & clearly state they should not have followed Satin into the bowels of hell. But, perhaps they are too busy at sex parties,” tweeted Penn on Saturday, seemingly frustrated at the lack of evangelical leaders who hav…
rt.com/usa/515592-sean-penn-ridiculed-re…

Kids YouTube channel warns world would suffer if Bill Gates ‘disappeared’ in BIZARRE VIDEO praising ‘respected billionaire’
rt.com | 2021-02-15
An ‘educational’ YouTube channel targeting children has released a creepy video warning its young viewers that the world would become a much worse place if Microsoft founder Bill Gates and other billionaires disappeared. | In the bizarre video titled ‘What if Bill Gates Disappeared?’ and labeled with the hashtags #kids, #children, and #education, the narrator cautions that if Gates disappeared, “a highly respected billionaire will be missed by many.” | Released in January, but only gaining attention in recent days, the animation shows two cartoon men labeled as ‘Clean Energy’ and ‘Doctors Association’, crying…
rt.com/usa/515616-kids-youtube-channel-b…

‘We the People’ gone and no one noticed: Biden removes Obama-era petition tool to thunderous media silence
rt.com | 2021-02-15
President Joe Biden has gone beyond purging the legacy of Donald Trump to scrub that of Barack Obama too, taking down the White House petitions page. The media was too busy gushing over his Valentine’s Day display to notice. | All links to ‘We the People,’ the petition page launched out by the Obama administration in 2011, now redirect to the main White House website. Neither the ‘Contact’ nor ‘Get Involved’ links, which used to lead to it, do so anymore. Apparently, this has been the case since January 20, when the Biden administration t…
rt.com/usa/515648-biden-white-house-peti…

Gagging opponents is not unity, conservative reporter who was shoved & rubbed with dirty diaper at BLM rally tells RT
rt.com | 2021-02-15
Days after the Capitol Hill riot, a conservative journalist was assaulted and harassed at a BLM rally in New York. Her ordeal shows how people sharing their political beliefs in today’s America risk physical harm, she told RT. | Tara Anne Szczepanski, 33, is a Polish-American political commentator and independent reporter. On January 10, she attended a small protest in Madison Square Park where Black Lives Matter (BLM) activists accosted her after she started filming them. | “The mob turned against me after recognizing that I am a Trump supporter,” she told RT. “With the hatred that is going on currently in Am…
rt.com/usa/515581-blm-diaper-attack-jour…

Trump critics rage against ‘American Idol’ for ‘rehabbing’ Kellyanne Conway after her daughter auditions
rt.com | 2021-02-15
Former White House official Kellyanne Conway appeared on ‘American Idol’ to support her 16-year-old daughter Claudia, but the moment is being slammed for giving a positive image to the Trump ally. | Claudia Conway was accompanied during her audition for ‘Idol’ by her father, vocal Trump critic George Conway, but her mother appeared via video chat before and after to show support for her. | “Remember, honey. Winners are people who are willing to lose,” she said at one point to Claudia, who made it to the next round of auditions after performing both Rihanna’s ‘Love on the Brain’ and Adele’s ‘When We Were Young’…
rt.com/usa/515633-kellyanne-conway-ameri…

Texas implements rolling blackouts as state hit with most extreme snow & ice in years (VIDEOS)
rt.com | 2021-02-15
Many Texans have been left without power as the state is being hit with freezing temperatures and extreme snow and ice. Rolling blackouts have been implemented to help conserve an exhausted grid. | The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) called an “energy emergency alert three” early Monday, which includes rolling outages for not only homes, but businesses and city infrastructure. ERCOT warned residents that even traffic lights could be down during the blackouts. | has declared an EEA 3. Energy conservation is critical. Rotating outages are underway to reduce demand on the electric system. We urge Te…
rt.com/usa/515626-texas-power-outages-we…

Minneapolis releases $6.4mn to police to hire new recruits, as depleted force struggles with soaring crime after calls to defund
rt.com | 2021-02-15
The Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to give police an extra $6.4 million in funding to hire new officers amid a steep increase in violent crime. Dozens of officers quit or went on leave after the George Floyd protests. | The City Council voted on Friday to greenlight the release of funds from a Public Safety Staffing Reserve Fund which was set up last year. Police called on lawmakers to boost their budget, citing a lack of officers to deal with the wave of violent crime, as the number of people suffering gunshots wounds grew 250 percent in the first three weeks of the year compared to last year. The…
rt.com/usa/515571-minneapolis-police-ext…

“Why can’t you be normal?”: How the neurodivergent are mocked for being different
Matthew Rozsa | salon.com | 2021-02-15
Being autistic is not a choice — and telling autistic people to act “normally” is not productive nor nice…
salon.com/2021/02/15/why-cant-you-be-nor…

Saudi woman handed death penalty for murder of Bangladeshi maid
Areeb Ullah | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Saudi woman handed death penalty for murder of Bangladeshi maid | Abiron Begum Ansar was beaten to death by her employers in Riyadh | Areeb Ullah | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 12: 29 | Ansar’s family said her body was ‘unrecognisable’ when it was repatriated back to Bangladesh seven months after her murder (Supplied) | A criminal court in Riyadh on Sunday handed a Saudi national the death penalty for the murder of a Bangladeshi…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-…

Turkey: Hundreds arrested after PKK’s execution of 13 hostages
Ragip Soylu | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Turkey: Hundreds arrested after PKK’s execution of 13 hostages | Erdogan lashes out at United States for allegedly providing Kurdish militants with weapons | Ragip Soylu | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 13: 48 | The funerals of three Turkish military personnel killed in Iraq, at the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque, Ankara, on 12 February 2021 (AFP) | Turkey on Monday announced the detention of 718 people suspected of having links to the…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-pkk-ex…

Israeli missile strikes ‘kill six non-Syrian militia fighters’ near Damascus
MEE and agencies | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Israeli missile strikes ‘kill six non-Syrian militia fighters’ near Damascus | Syria’s army said it intercepted a ‘sizeable’ number of the missile strikes over Damascus | MEE and agencies | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 07: 14 | Israeli officials said their forces struck 500 military targets in Syria in 2020, many of them Iranian-backed (AFP) | Israeli missile strikes against several targets in Syria killed at least six…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/Israel-syria-…

Saudi national handed death penalty for murder of Bangladeshi woman
Areeb Ullah | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Saudi national handed death penalty for murder of Bangladeshi woman | Abiron Begum Ansar was beaten to death by her employers in Riyadh | Areeb Ullah | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 12: 29 | Ansar’s family said her body was ‘unrecognisable’ when it was repatriated back to Bangladesh seven months after her murder (Supplied) | A criminal court in Riyadh on Sunday handed a Saudi national the death penalty for the murder of a Banglad…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-…

Trump wanted to ‘take out’ Syria’s President Assad, former adviser claims
MEE staff | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Trump wanted to ‘take out’ Syria’s President Assad, former adviser claims | KT McFarland, who served as deputy national security adviser, said the former president was enraged after seeing pictures of suspected sarin gas attack | MEE staff | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 16: 16 | The Trump administration responded to the 2017 gas attack by firing dozens of cruise missiles at a Syrian air base where the gas was allegedly housed (AFP)…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/trump-assassi…

Syrian army ‘intercepted’ Israeli missile strike over Damascus
MEE and agencies | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Syrian army ‘intercepted’ Israeli missile strike over Damascus | Damascus did not specify the number of casualties or targets struck by Israel | MEE and agencies | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 07: 14 | Israeli officials said it had struck 500 Iranian targets inside Syria in 2020 (AFP) | Syria on Monday said it had intercepted Israeli missiles flying over Damascus as Israel continues to target Iranian military outposts…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/syrian-army-i…

Iran denies ownership of seized oil tanker, tells Washington to ‘stop acts of piracy’
MEE staff | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Iran denies ownership of seized oil tanker, tells Washington to ‘stop acts of piracy’ | United States seized Liberian-flagged tanker earlier this month, forcing ship to anchor outside Texas port | MEE staff | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 16: 13 | The US Justice Department on 14 August 2020 confirmed it had seized fuel cargo aboard four tankers sent by Iran to crisis-wracked Venezuela (AFP/File photo) | The seizure of a cargo of oil…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-denies-o…

Backlash in Morocco as Algerian show features puppet of King Mohammed VI
Nadda Osman | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Backlash in Morocco as Algerian show features puppet of King Mohammed VI | Supporters of the 57-year-old monarch decry his satirical depiction as a ‘red-line’ | Nadda Osman | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 13: 43 | A puppet of the Moroccan king is quizzed about controversial topics on an Algerian show on 13 February 2021 (Screengrab/YouTube) | A satirical show broadcast on the Algerian Echorouk channel on Saturday has provoked ang…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/morocco-alger…

Houthis claim fresh drone strikes on Saudi airports
MEE staff | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Houthis claim fresh drone strikes on Saudi airports | The alleged attacks on Jeddah and Abha come amid a surge in violence as Yemeni movement pursues offensive in Marib | MEE staff | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 16: 33 | Smoke billows during clashes between forces loyal to Yemen’s Saudi-backed government and Houthi rebel fighters in al-Jadaan area about 50 kilometres northwest of Marib in central Yemen (AFP) | Houthi drones struck t…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-…

Iran will block snap IAEA inspections if nuclear deal terms not met
MEE and agencies | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Iran will block snap IAEA inspections if nuclear deal terms not met | Tehran’s move is seen as a challenge to Joe Biden’s attempt to revive the Iranian nuclear deal | MEE and agencies | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 10: 16 | An Iranian flag flies outside the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna (AFP/File photo) | Iran said on Monday that it will not allow snap inspections from the UN nuclear watchdo…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-nuclear-…

‘Baseless allegations’: Iran denies plotting to attack UAE embassy in Ethiopia
MEE staff | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
‘Baseless allegations’: Iran denies plotting to attack UAE embassy in Ethiopia | Tehran rubbishes US and Israeli claims it was behind foiled attack, saying ‘neither Ethiopia nor the Emirates said anything about Iranian interference’ | MEE staff | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 18: 55 | Ethiopian authorities arrested 15 people in an alleged plot to attack UAE’s embassy in Addis Ababa (AFP/File photo) | Iran has denied US and Israeli cl…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-behind-f…

Feud between Congressman and UAE ambassador to US escalates online
MEE staff | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Feud between Congressman and UAE ambassador to US escalates online | Congressman Ro Khanna calls for release of Yemeni journalist Adel al-Hasani after war of words with Yousef al-Otaiba | MEE staff | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 19: 25 | Congressman Ro Khanna first introduced a resolution to end US support for Saudi-led war in Yemen in September 2017 (AFP/File photo) | US Congressman Ro Khanna has called on the UAE to help secure th…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/feud-between-…

Leading Palestinian poet Mourid Barghouti dies aged 77
Mustafa Abu Sneineh | middleeasteye.net | 2021-02-15
Leading Palestinian poet Mourid Barghouti dies aged 77 | The poet spent most of his life in exile in 46 houses in three continents, as he told Middle East Eye in 2019 | Mustafa Abu Sneineh | Mon, 02/15/2021 – 10: 49 | Barghouti was born in the village of Deir Ghassaneh, near Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank in 1944 (social media) | The leading Palestinian poet and novelist Mourid Al-Barghouti has di…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/leading-pales…

Russia welcomes China’s offer to return US to JCPOA
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov says Moscow welcomes China’s offer to hold a multilateral meeting to return the United States to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPCOA).
en.mehrnews.com/news/169982/Russia-welco…

Two people arrested on gun charges outside WH: Report
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Two people, one of whom said they were there to meet with the president, approached US Secret Service officers outside the White House Saturday and were arrested after admitting to having weapons.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169999/Two-people-a…

Iran, Tajikistan to expand coop. on labor market, employment
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The Director-General of International Affairs of Ministry of Cooperative, Labour and Social Welfare said that Iran and Tajikistan will expand relations in the fields of work, employment and technical and vocational education.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169986/Iran-Tajikis…

Early spring blossoms in N Iran
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
BANDAR ANZALI, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Around one month remaining to the start of spring (March 21) and the new Iranian year, many trees in the northern city of Bandar Anzali in Gilan province, have produced blossoms.
en.mehrnews.com/photo/169967/Early-sprin…

US building new military base at Iraq-Syria-Turkey triangle
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The US-led Coalition is building another base military base at the Iraq-Syria-Turkey triangle in the Ain Dewar area in Al-Hasakah countryside.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169990/US-building-…

Breathtaking scenery of Meighan Wetland in central Iran
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
ARAK, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Meighan Wetland in Markazi province is one of the most important wetlands in Iran, and its diverse wildlife and desert nature have given a special effect to this wetland.
en.mehrnews.com/photo/169988/Breathtakin…

Iran informs IAEA of suspending its JCPOA voluntary actions
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iran’s permanent ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna said that Tehran has informed the IAEA of suspending its voluntary actions under the Nuclear Deal.
en.mehrnews.com/news/170001/Iran-informs…

Yemeni army launches drone attacks on 2 Saudi airports
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The Yemeni army targeted Abha and Jeddah airports in Saudi Arabia in drone strikes on Monday.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169991/Yemeni-army-…

Iran, Russia, Turkey to hold another round of Astana talks
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iran, Russian, and Turkey will reportedly hold another round of Astana Peace talks in Sochi to evaluate the Syrian Constitutional Committee.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169993/Iran-Russia-…

Iran, Qatar discuss bilateral relations, regional coop
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met and held talks with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Tehran on Mon. to discuss bilateral talks and regional developments.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169998/Iran-Qatar-d…

Iran has won as a power in West Asia: Leader’s advisor
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Top Military Aide to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that Iran has succeeded as a power in West Asia, and a clear sign of that in the near future is the withdrawal of the US terrorist army from the region.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169984/Iran-has-won…

Iran FM spokesman’s weekly presser
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh held a press conference on Monday morning, where he answered questions on a wide range of topics.
en.mehrnews.com/photo/169978/Iran-FM-spo…

Iranian FM hold talks with Qatari counterpart
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held a meeting with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Tehran on Monday.
en.mehrnews.com/photo/169995/Iranian-FM-…

Iraqi group launches missile attack on Turkish military base
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The Iraqi Islamic Resistance Group “Ashab al-Kahf” announced a rocket attack on a Turkish military base in Mosul.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169992/Iraqi-group-…

Iran fully committed to Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE)
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — In a meeting with visiting Qatari FM, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said, “Iran believes that peace and stability in the region will be achieved with the cooperation and collaboration of countries in the region ONLY.”
en.mehrnews.com/news/170000/Iran-fully-c…

Iran to definitely respond to Zionist’s mischievous acts
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — IRGC Spokesman General Ramezan Sharif said the Islamic Republic will definitely respond to the Zionist regime’s mischievous acts.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169989/Iran-to-defi…

US military convoy targeted in Baghdad
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Iraqi sources reported that a US military convoy has been targeted in Baghdad on Monday.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169994/US-military-…

Ankara summons US ambassador to Turkey
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — Media sources reported that the Turkish Foreign Ministry has summoned the US ambassador to Ankara for commenting on the killing of Turkish citizens in Iraq.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169996/Ankara-summo…

Iran, Turkey mull over boosting ‘tourism’ in post-corona era
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2021-02-15
TEHRAN, Feb. 15 (MNA) — The fifth meeting of the Joint Technical Committee for Tourism Cooperation between Iran and Turkey was held through video conference.
en.mehrnews.com/news/169977/Iran-Turkey-…

Opening the CIA’s Can of Worms
Edward Curtin | globalresearch.ca | 2021-02-15
“The CIA and the media are part of the same criminal conspiracy,” wrote Douglas Valentine in his important book, The CIA As Organized Crime. | This is true. The corporate mainstream media are stenographers for the national security state’s ongoing | …
globalresearch.ca/opening-the-cias-can-o…

The Omnipotent Power to Assassinate
Jacob G. Hornberger | globalresearch.ca | 2021-02-15
All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the “Translate Website” drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | It goes without saying that the Constitution called into existence a …
globalresearch.ca/omnipotent-power-assas…

Substance of Trump’s Impeachment Is Not in Dispute, Biden Says
telesurenglish.net | 2021-02-15
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday said that though most Republican senators voted to acquit former President Donald Trump of inciting insurrection leading to the deadly violence on Capitol on Jan. 6, the “substance of the charge” in the impeachment trial was not in dispute. | RELATED: | US Senate Votes as Constitutional Trump’s Second Impeachment | “Even those opposed to the conviction, like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, believe Donald Trump was guilty of a ‘disgraceful…
telesurenglish.net/news/Substance-of-Tru…

Yemen rebels claim drone attacks on 2 Saudi airports
yenisafak.com | 2021-02-15
Rebel spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement that Houthi drones were fired towards the Abha International Airport and the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah province.”The strike was accurate,” he claimed, adding that flights at the airports were suspended for two hours following the attacks.There was no comment from the Saudi-led coalition on the claim.The rebel movement regularly announces rocket and drone attacks on Saudi territories, saying they are a reaction to the Saudi-led coalition’s assault on Yemen.Yemen has been wracked by violence and instability since 2014, when Houthi rebels captured…
yenisafak.com/en/world/yemen-rebels-clai…