Daily Archives: February 3, 2021

2021-02-03: News Headlines

Pierre-Paul Bermingham (2021-02-03). France, Sweden, Poland, Germany, France: Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine Not for Elderly. anti-empire.com The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine should be prioritized for people younger than 65, according to recommendations by government advisory bodies in France and Sweden on Tuesday, while Poland set its threshold at 60. | "Currently available data for people aged 65 and over are limited by a small sample size and don't allow for a conclusion on the safety and the efficacy of the [AstraZeneca] vaccine for this population," the French national authority for health (HAS) said. "The [AstraZeneca] vaccine is therefore recommended preferentially for health professionals under 65 and people under 65." | The three countries join…

Online News Editor (2021-02-03). Chile kicks off mass vaccination campaign. laprensalatina.com Santiago, Feb 3 (efe-epa).- Chile on Wednesday kicked off a mass inoculation campaign after receiving a shipment of nearly 4 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech. The government's plan is to vaccinate the country's at-risk population — nearly 5 million people — between February and March and the …

Mette Nà∏rgaard, Erzsébet Horváth-Puhó, Priscila Corraini, Henrik Toft Sà∏rensen, Victor W. Henderson (2021-02-03). [Research Paper] Sleep disruption and Alzheimer's disease risk: Inferences from men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. thelancet.com During up to 21 years of follow-up, men with BPH had persistently higher risk of AD and all-cause dementia compared with men in the general population. Our results identify BPH as a common, potentially remediable disorder associated with dementia risk.

Rosa Miriam Elizalde (2021-02-03). The US Is Trying to Provoke a Soft Coup in Cuba. peoplesdispatch.org We are in the era of soft coups. Old-fashioned coups d'état and invasions get terrible press. The images of US troops invading the

The Xerces Society (2021-02-03). Western Monarch Population Closer to Extinction; Still no Federal or State Protection in Sight. indybay.org Population that winters along the California coast hit a low of less than 2,000 butterflies—a 99.9% decline since the 1980s. We must take action now to save the western monarch migration.

Ramona Wadi (2021-02-02). Aboriginal Historical Memory and 'Australia Day'. thealtworld.com The symbolic "Australia Day" celebrations should be juxtaposed against the normalised violations occurring against indigenous populations and their terrain, Ramona Wadi writes. | January 26 marks Australia Day in colonial narratives, when the British First Fleet arrived in 1788 to establish a penal colony on indigenous land. For the Aboriginal people, the annual commemoration is a reminder of the colonial invasion and its ramifications — the historical massacres, heritage theft, exploitation of history and a political system which to date discriminates against the indigenous. | Defying Covid restrictions, A…

Martha Grevatt (2021-02-02). GM 1937, Amazon 2021: Which side are you on? workers.org Bessemer, Alabama, sitting on the outskirts of Birmingham and with a population of 26,500 — about 75% African American — has become a central focus for the entire class struggle. Solidarity with the Flint Sit-down strike inside GM plants There, at Amazon warehouse BHM1, thousands of workers are fighting . . . |

The Conversation (2021-02-02). Israel faces legal — and practical — obligations for including Palestinians in vaccine success. juancole.com By Yara M. Asi | — As nations scramble to vaccinate populations against COVID-19, one country has been ahead of the rest: Israel. By late January, Israel had vaccinated more than 30% of its population — more than double or triple the rate of other high-income states like the U.S., the U.K., France and Germany. …

Wachterman MW, Sommers BD. (2021-02-02). Dying Poor in the US—Disparities in End-of-Life Care. jamanetwork.com The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has focused attention on stark disparities in the US, with higher rates of infections and deaths among lower-income populations and communities of color. Illness and death rates are not the only sources of health inequity in this country. There are also substantial differences in the care that patients with serious illnesses receive near the end of life that are based on race or socioeconomic status. Although pandemic-related efforts to improve equity rightfully focus on preventing death, in this and numerous other contexts, policy makers and clinicians should also…

Peter Koenig (2021-02-02). Bill Gates and the Depopulation Agenda. Robert F. Kennedy Junior Calls for an Investigation. globalresearch.ca Robert F Kennedy Jr, an avid Defender of Children's Rights and anti-vaccination activist, has launched a petition sent to the White House, calling for "Investigations into the 'Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation' for Medical Malpractice & Crimes Against Humanity"

_____ (2021-02-02). Aboriginal Historical Memory and 'Australia Day'. strategic-culture.org The symbolic "Australia Day" celebrations should be juxtaposed against the normalised violations occurring against indigenous populations and their terrain, Ramona Wadi writes. | January 26 marks Australia Day in colonial narratives, when the British First Fleet arrived in 1788 to establish a penal colony on indigenous land. For the Aboriginal people, the annual commemoration is a reminder of the colonial invasion and its ramifications — the historical massacres, heritage theft, exploitation of history and a political system which to date discriminates against the indigenous. | Defying Covid restrictions, A…

RT (2021-02-02). Bill Gates calls for global alert system and 'pandemic fire squads' for post-Covid-19 world. rt.com Social media users are recoiling at Bill Gates' call for a global disease alert system, questioning why a tech billionaire with no medical expertise or elected office is plotting what they fear could become a platform for tyranny. | The Microsoft co-founder, who ranks as the world's third-richest person, took to Twitter on Monday to make his pitch for a new system that he said would help prevent future pandemics. This would include "mega testing diagnostic platforms" that could test 20 percent of the population every week, Gates said in a video promoting his plans. He added that future treatments, such as mono…

Ren R, Zhang Y, Li Q, et al. (2021-02-02). Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections Among Persons Entering China From April 16 to October 12, 2020. jamanetwork.com This population epidemiology study characterizes trends in the prevalence of asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among international entrants testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at Chinese border checkpoints between mid-April and mid-October 2020.

Robert Inlakesh (2021-02-02). Does Iran's Government Persecute Its Christian Population? thelastamericanvagabond.com A report published last year by experts working at the United Nations has been repeatedly cited, especially throughout Right-Wing press in the United States, as proof that Iran persecutes its Christian population for practicing their faith. But are these charges true, or is there more to the story? Iran's constitution unequivocally protects the rights of

, Krist AH, Davidson KW, et al. (2021-02-02). USPSTF Recommendation: Screening for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis. jamanetwork.com This 2021 US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement recommends against screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in the general adult population (D recommendation).

Guirguis-Blake JM, Webber EM, Coppola EL. (2021-02-02). Screening for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis in the General Population. jamanetwork.com This systematic review to support the 2021 US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement on screening for carotid artery stenosis summarizes published evidence on the benefits and harms of screening and treatment of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in the general population.

Jin J. (2021-02-02). USPSTF Recommendation: Screening for Carotid Artery Stenosis. jamanetwork.com This JAMA Patient Page summarizes the US Preventive Services Task Force's 2021 recommendation not to screen for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in the general population.

Grant Molen (2021-02-02). White or Wealth Supremacy? realprogressives.org The Smith-Mundt Act of 1948 authorized the dissemination of US state department propaganda to foreign nations deemed a threat to American democracy. This act has been a useful tool for intelligence operatives who have repeatedly sought to stamp out populist revolutions in countries with access to valuable natural resources. Through the spread of propaganda and the arming of US aligned insurgency groups, the US has been able to foment confusion and discord in foreign populations resulting in unwinnable political battles, power struggles and weak leadership representing the working people's interests. In the pow…

Khatana SM, Venkataramani AS, Nathan AS, et al. (2021-02-02). Association Between Changes in Economic Prosperity and Cardiovascular Mortality Among Middle-aged US Adults. jamanetwork.com This population epidemiology study estimates the association between changes in county-level economic prosperity and changes in cardiovascular mortality in US adults aged 40 to 64 years between 2007-2011 and 2012-2016.

WSWS (2021-02-02). Workers Struggles: The Americas. wsws.org Workers in Haiti carried out a general strike February 1 and 2 against the increasingly authoritarian regime of President Jovenel MoàØse while teachers in Brazil's largest city have supported strike action against attempts to re-open schools.

Peoples Dispatch (2021-02-02). Haitians continue struggle against US-backed MoàØse regime. peoplesdispatch.org A new wave of protests began in Haiti on January 10 against US backed president Jovenel MoàØse and his attempt to extend his term in office till Feb 2022.

teleSUR (2021-02-01). Guaido Prevents the Use of Frozen Funds for Vaccines. anti-empire.com Jan 21 (teleSUR) — The former lawmaker rejected a proposal of the legitimate government to allocate gold blocked in the United Kingdom to anti-COVID-19 vaccines. | Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza denounced Wednesday that former opposition deputy Juan Guaidó rejected a proposal by the legitimate government of the South American nation to allocate 120 million dollars, illegally withheld in the United Kingdom, to the purchase of anti-Covid-19 vaccines. | In a message disseminated through the social network Twitter, Arreaza detailed that this maneuver constitutes "another proof of the cruelty of Guaid…

Paul Dobson (2021-02-01). Venezuela Backs Cuban Medical Brigades for Nobel Peace Prize. venezuelanalysis.com Havana and Caracas strengthened bilateral relations following a visit from Cuba's vice-prime minister.

_____ (2021-02-01). Afghanistan War Exposed: An Imperial Conspiracy. popularresistance.org The perpetual occupation of Afghanistan has become so normalized and mostly serves as background noise to Americans -it's even jokingly referred to as the "forever war" – accepted as just a constant reality. A soldier dies now and again. A couple dozen civilians get killed in another bombing. It's never enough to stir the population to pressure Washington to stop it. The endless war drags on. | Abby Martin covers the whole truth about the Afghanistan War, from the CIA construct of the 80's through today's senseless stalemate. Two decades, three administrations, tens of thousands of lives; it's time to #EndTheFore…

_____ (2021-02-01). Take Action To End The Economic War At Home And Abroad. popularresistance.org It is the same neoliberal economic system, white supremacy and disregard for human life that underlie sanctions abroad and at home. The current recession and pandemic have exposed this in a brutal way in the United States. The populations that are harmed the most are Indigenous peoples and communities of color. The United States government could have taken the effective steps of cancelling rent and debt, providing a monthly income and nationalizing healthcare that other countries took but instead passed laws that funneled wealth to the top while providing minimal relief to the majority.

Mohammad Ayesh (2021-02-01). Arabic press review: Parental violence against children on the rise in Iraq. middleeasteye.net Arabic press review: Parental violence against children on the rise in Iraq | Meanwhile, a US diplomat says Washington has failed Syria, Egypt appoints convicted security director as senior state official, and Kuwait investigates entire embassy staff in Cuba over house-storming incident | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 13: 58 | Iraqi pupils wearing masks attend class on the first day of the new academic year…

_____ (2021-02-01). US and Colombian govts supported botched invasion of Venezuela: Bombshell testimony from coup-plotter. strategic-culture.org A key coup-plotter in the May 2020 botched invasion of Venezuela said she met with FBI and DEA officials. She admitted Colombia's intelligence services were aiding them and "knew everything," adding that President Iván Duque and far-right political kingpin àÅlvaro Uribe helped. | By Ben NORTON | Awitness at the heart of the botched invasion of Venezuela in May 2020 has stated that the US and Colombian governments were involved in the regime-change operation. Coup-plotter Yacsy àÅlvarez said she met with officials from the FBI and DEA in Florida and informed them of their plans. | àÅlvarez also r…

sputniknews (2021-02-01). Venezuela to Consider Over 200 Investment Projects Under Anti-Sanctions Law, Maduro Says. sputniknews.com MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) – Since the adoption of the anti-sanctions law, the Venezuelan government has received over 200 investment applications from foreign investors, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said.

Online News Editor (2021-02-01). Restrictions eased across Italy amid warnings against complacency. laprensalatina.com Rome, Feb 1, (efe-epa).- Most of the Italian population on Monday had the chance to toast the easing of Covid-19 restrictions with a leisurely coffee or drink on a cafe terrace although some experts warned that pandemic could run out of control if people became complacent. As of Monday there are no regions classed as …

Online News Editor (2021-02-01). Israel rolls out vaccine with promising results. laprensalatina.com Jerusalem, Feb 1 (efe-epa).- With more than 30 percent of its population vaccinated in just a month and a half, Israel — which has the highest ratio of Covid-19 vaccinations per capita — is the world's testing ground for how effective coronavirus vaccines are, although experts are also urging caution because of the unprecedented speed …

oneworld.press (2021-02-01). Myanmar Needs International Support During Its State Of Emergency. oneworld.press The worst-case scenario would be if some governments refuse to recognize what happened and continue to regard Suu Kyi as the "State Counsellor". That could create a destabilizing situation somewhat resembling what's happening right now in Belarus and Venezuela where a handful of countries recognize opposition figures as those states' legitimate leaders after contested elections even though they don't hold any power in reality.

Alex Anfruns (2021-02-01). Cuba: Epicenter of Independence, Integration and Human Development. globalresearch.ca 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). | *** | The Cuban Revolution has given an extraordinary impetus to the desire …

Tanya Wadhwa (2021-02-01). Haitians intensify struggle against president Jovenel MoàØse. peoplesdispatch.org Haitian citizens, social movements, trade unions and opposition political parties are demanding the resignation of president Jovenel MoàØse, who seeks to extend his term of office until February 2022, which according to the constitution ends this February 7…

David Soll (2021-01-31). Democrats, You PROMISED Survival Checks NOW! realprogressives.org On January 5 there was a special election held in Georgia where the two running Democrats ultimately won. How were they able to pull it off? No, the election was not stolen by Russia, China, Venezuela, or little green men. It was won because the Democrats promised the American people relief in the form of immediate distribution of $2000 survival checks! | These words were verbatim, by then Senate candidate Jon Ossoff, during an interview just days before the election,"We will be able to pass $2,000 dollar stimulus checks for the people next week when we win these races in Georgia and get economic relief direct…

sputniknews (2021-01-31). Ireland Could Have 'Picked up the Batphone to Biden' to Force EU to U-Turn in COVID Jab Row With UK. sputniknews.com The European Union, which has been far outpaced by the UK in its race to inoculate its population, threatened to invoke Northern Ireland Brexit emergency powers to control the flow of COVID-19 vaccines into Britain on Friday, but was forced to backtrack on part of the announcement after an immediate backlash from London, Dublin and Belfast.