Daily Archives: March 11, 2021

2021-03-11: News Headlines

WSWS (2021-03-11). Rank-and-File Committees for Safe Education in Britain and Turkey support fight of WISAG workers at Frankfurt Airport. wsws.org This solidarity resolution was unanimously adopted at meetings of the Rank-and-File Committees for Safe Education in the United Kingdom and Turkey last weekend.

WSWS (2021-03-11). Memphis teacher speaks out about the unsafe return to in-person instruction. wsws.org Lisa, a teacher with over 25 years of experience, describes the failures caused by the rushed reopening of schools in Memphis.

WSWS (2021-03-11). Los Angeles teachers union endorses reckless tentative agreement to reopen schools. wsws.org Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) teachers union announced a tentative agreement Tuesday to begin reopening the second largest school district in the US by mid-April.

WSWS (2021-03-11). Letters of solidarity from British teachers and workers for Frankfurt WISAG workers at Frankfurt Airport. wsws.org The following are three more solidarity letters from the UK to the ground workers at Frankfurt Airport who went on hunger strike to defend their jobs.

Marina Wheeler QC (2021-03-11). India and the Rule of Law: In 2021, is India still a Liberal Democracy? ukhumanrightsblog.com Thank you all for joining the expert speakers for our webinar considering the question of whether India is still a Liberal Democracy on 11th March 2021 at 4.30 — 5.45pm. A recording will be made available after the event. Chair: Marina Wheeler QC Expert Panel: Dr Mukulika Banerjee (London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE)Dr …

Chuck Collins — Omar Ocampo (2021-03-11). Frist Family Leads Pandemic Profiteer Parade in Health Sector. counterpunch.org Not everyone is suffering during the pandemic. The Frist family of Tennessee are the founders and biggest shareholders of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), the largest for-profit hospital conglomerate in the U.S. Thomas F. Frist Jr. and his family have seen their personal wealth increase from $7.5 billion on March 18, 2020 to $15.6 billion

Rebecca Gordon (2021-03-11). Rethinking Employment in the Biden-Harris Era. counterpunch.org A year ago, just a few weeks before San Francisco locked itself down for the pandemic, I fell deeply in love with a 50-year-old. The object of my desire was a wooden floor loom in the window of my local thrift shop. Friends knowledgeable on such matters examined photos I took of it and assured

RT (2021-03-11). Covid has left Americans stressed, drinking more, sleeping less, and struggling with weight issues, psychologists say. rt.com A year of living through Covid has left many Americans drinking more, struggling with their weight and sleeping less — and parents, key workers, the young, and people of color are feeling the stress more. | The findings are detailed in a survey released on Thursday by the American Psychological Association (APA), which finds that Americans have been through a collective trauma that will adversely affect their physical and mental health for years to come. | The APA reported that 61% of Americans have experienced undesired changes in their weight since the pandemic started, gaining more than 13kg on averag…

RT (2021-03-11). Michigan health department hit with lawsuit over its refusal to share nursing home data amid comparisons to Cuomo's cover-up. rt.com A local reporter is suing Michigan's health department after it denied repeat requests for its nursing home data amid the Covid-19 outbreak, piling pressure on the government as lawmakers demand a probe into its pandemic response. | Journalist Charlie LeDuff launched a "Not only does…

_____ (2021-03-11). UN Rebuke of U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela Met With Stunning Silence. strategic-culture.org John MCEVOY | Alena Douhan, the UN special rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, The report laid bare how a years-long campaign of economic warfare has asphyxiated Venezuela's economy, crushing the government's ability to provide basic services both before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. | "The [Venezuelan] government's revenue was repor…

Special to People's World (2021-03-11). Kroger closes grocery stores to avoid COVID hazard pay for workers. peoplesworld.org LOS ANGELES—One of the most profitable corporations in the United States is threatening grocery workers' jobs in response to a new coronavirus-era hazard pay requirement. Reacting to a near-unanimous vote by the Los Angeles City Council requiring large grocery and drug chains to offer their front-line essential workers an additional $5 per hour for the …

Raul Diego (2021-03-11). Digital Health Pass: IBM and Moderna Hook Up to Capitalize on COVID Reset. globalresearch.ca Using what have already become clichéd industry buzzwords like "transparency," "trust," …

Michael Jansen (2021-03-11). Lebanon's Crises Ballooning as Politicians Bicker over Government Formation. globalresearch.ca Lebanon's political, economic and COVID crises are ballooning while politicians continue …

Staff (2021-03-11). U.S. & Other Wealthy Nations Block Effort to Waive Vaccine Patent Rights in Blow to Global South. democracynow.org The United States and other wealthy members of the World Trade Organization have blocked a push by dozens of developing countries to waive patent rights in an effort to boost production of COVID-19 vaccines for poor nations. The proposal by South Africa and India was supported by hundreds of civil society organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam and Amnesty International. Without the waiver, vaccine production will remain in the hands of only a few pharmaceutical companies. "Millions of us are basically going to have to wait for a vaccine, putting global immunity, as well as regional immunity, part…

RT (2021-03-11). Biden signs 'historic' $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, promises answers to press later. rt.com US President Joe Biden has signed the coronavirus relief bill, clearing the way for some Americans to get a one-time $1,400 check and giving billions to a number of other policy priorities. He left without taking questions. | In a brief photo opportunity at the White House on Thursday afternoon, Biden called the American Rescue Plan a "historic legislation" that is about "rebuilding the backbone of this country," and said it had broad support among all Americans. | He told the reporters gathered at the Oval Office that he will have "a lot more to say" in his address to the nation scheduled for Thursday evening…

RT (2021-03-11). 'The dysfunction goes up to Cuomo': Whistleblower says NY gov's order created Covid deathtraps at disabled group homes. rt.com New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is facing even more scrutiny as reports reveal group homes for developmentally disabled individuals were ordered by the state to accept positive Covid-19 patients, possibly leading to thousands of cases. | Of the nearly 35,000 people living in New York's group homes for disabled individuals, 552 have died from Covid-19 since last year and over 6,000 residents and workers have been infected with the virus, according to the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). | Many are now pointing to an April 10 directive from the Cuomo administration, which is s…

RT (2021-03-11). GOP senator ridiculed for taking credit for provision of Covid-19 relief bill he did NOT vote for, says he's 'entirely consistent'. rt.com Republican Senator Roger Wicker has taken heat online after he took credit for championing direct aid to the restaurant industry. The problem is, the assistance is included in a $1.9 trillion Covid-19 package that he opposed. | Wicker has been accused of trying to score political points on the back of the mammoth Covid-19 relief package passed by Congress on Wednesday after a drawn-out debate. The House voted predominantly along party lines, with Democratic Representative Jared Golden of Maine siding with all 210 Republicans to oppose the bill. | Shortly after the legislation was approved, Wicker extolled the…

MEE staff (2021-03-11). Covid-19: US, UK and EU's excess vaccines enough for 20 crisis-stricken countries. middleeasteye.net Covid-19: US, UK and EU's excess vaccines enough for 20 crisis-stricken countries | As many as 46 million people aged over 60 in these countries unlikely to be vaccinated this year, a new IRC report says | Thu, 03/11/2021 – 16: 31 | Israel has been accused of "vaccine apartheid" in the occupied Palestinian territories (AFP) | The number of excess Covid-19 vaccines secured by the United States, the United Kingd…

Doctors for COVID Ethics (2021-03-11). Urgent Open Letter from Doctors and Scientists to the European Medicines Agency regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Concerns. globalresearch.ca Emer Cooke, Executive Director, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands…

Doctors for COVID Ethics (2021-03-11). Urgent Open Letter from Doctors and Scientists to the European Medicines Agency regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Concerns. globalresearch.ca

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| Doctors for Covid Ethics: | To: | Emer Cooke, Executive Director, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands | 28 February 2021 | Dear Sirs/Mesdames, | FOR THE URGENT PERSONAL ATTENTION OF: EMER COOKE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EUROPEAN MEDICINES AGENCY | As physicians and scientists, we |

Doctors for COVID Ethics (2021-03-11). Doctors and Scientists Write to European Medicines Agency (EMA) Warning of COVID-19 Vaccine Dangers. globalresearch.ca A group of scientists and doctors has today issued an open …

DW (2021-03-11). Denmark Suspends Use of AstraZeneca COVID Vaccine. "Serious Cases of Blood Clots" globalresearch.ca The Danish Health Authority on Thursday

Doctors for COVID Ethics (2021-03-11). Video: Doctors and Scientists Write to European Medicines Agency (EMA) Warning of COVID-19 Vaccine Dangers. globalresearch.ca A group of scientists and doctors has today issued an open …

Stephen Lendman (2021-03-11). mRNA Vaccine Technology is "Hacking the Software of Life". Modifies the Human Genome. globalresearch.ca Since seasonal flu was renamed covid early last year, the largest-scale, …

Staff (2021-03-11). Despite Immigration Pledges, Biden Admin Detains Thousands of Unaccompanied Migrant Children. democracynow.org The Biden administration is struggling to address the flow of migrant children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border without their parents, many fleeing extreme violence, poverty and natural disasters in their home countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. News reports show more than 3,500 children were detained at the border in just the first nine days of March, with many being held longer than the legal limit of 72 hours. "We can call it a crisis. We can call it a surge," says Aura Bogado, senior investigative reporter at Reveal. "What we shouldn't call it is a surprise."

RT (2021-03-11). Feminist author condemned as 'anti-woman' after claiming stay-at-home mothers are bad examples for children. rt.com Author and lawyer Jill Filipovic came under fire online after she seemed to imply that stay-at-home mothers were setting a bad example for their children by not working. | In response to a story published by Slate, featuring a letter from a man who didn't want his wife to become a stay-at-home mother, Filipovic published a long series of Twitter posts supporting the position. | "I would have a really, really hard time being married to a spouse who chose not to work," she wrote, before asking, "What example are you setting when dad works for pay and mom does the care work at home? Lots of reasons not to want to…

RT (2021-03-11). Pelosi says Biden's 'humanitarian' approach to migration is based on 'love of children'. rt.com Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) came to President Joe Biden's defense as a surge of unaccompanied minors have reached the border and the administration has been accused of not being able to handle the situation. | "I trust the Biden administration's policy to be based on humanitarian and love of children rather than political points or red meat for their — for their Republican base," Pelosi said at a Thursday press conference. | Comparing Biden's administration favorably to Trump's when it comes to border policy was a point she hit multiple times, and one that has been echoed by White Hou…

Akram Al-Waara (2021-03-11). Israel's arrest of Palestinian children picking vegetables sparks outrage. middleeasteye.net Israel's arrest of Palestinian children picking vegetables sparks outrage | 'As a Palestinian father, this is one of your worst nightmares', father of two of five boys arrested in southern Hebron hills tells MEE | Thu, 03/11/2021 – 12: 03 | B'Tselem says Israeli forces arrested five Palestinian children in the West Bank on Wednesday (B'Tselem/Twitter) | A video of armed Israeli soldiers arrestin…

Ali Harb (2021-03-11). US congresswoman denounces 'disturbing' arrests of Palestinian children. middleeasteye.net US congresswoman denounces 'disturbing' arrests of Palestinian children | Betty McCollum vows to push that US military aid to Israel is not 'used in any way that violates the rights of any Palestinian' | Thu, 03/11/2021 – 01: 14 | B'Tselem says Israeli forces arrested five Palestinian children in the West Bank on Wednesday (B'Tselem/Twitter) | US Congresswoman Betty McCollum, a Democrat who has led efforts in Con…

Dr. Gary G. Kohls (2021-03-11). Important Statements on Impacts of Vaccination by Prominent Scientists, Scholars and Authors. globalresearch.ca "The great enemy of the truth is very often not the …

Fight Back (2021-03-11). Austin rally on opening day of trial of cop who murdered George Floyd. fightbacknews.org Austin, TX – Protesters gathered in front of the Capitol building to listen to speeches in solidarity with Minneapolis on March 8, the first day of Derek Chauvin's trial for the murder of George Floyd. | Organizers from Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) and Austin Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) denounced police violence and demanded justice for George Floyd, Jamar Clark, Philando Castile and countless others whose lives have been ended by police. | Jake Holtzman, speaker for FRSO, stated "At the end of the day, police are a tool of the ruling class to protect private property. We recognize tha…

Zero Hedge (2021-03-11). More Countries Adopt Vaccine Passports to 'Boost Tourism'. globalresearch.ca Airlines in the US are already in the process of leveraging …

Staff (2021-03-11). Lorraine Hansberry and Gwendolyn Brooks: Darlings of the white liberal establishment? therealnews.com On the 62nd anniversary of the Broadway premiere of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun," Dr. West and Professor Rose reflect on the Black literary tradition as they focus on the legacies of Lorraine Hansberry and Gwendolyn Brooks as revolutionaries and exemplars who are often misunderstood as the "darlings of the white liberal establishment."

Prensa Latina (2021-03-11). Displaced persons return home in Latakia, Syria. mronline.org MR Online

Ramzy Baroud (2021-03-11). Palestinian Elections Under Fire: An Impossible Democracy Dilemma. mintpressnews.com Between the nightly raids and crackdowns by the Israeli military and the political intrigues within the divided Fatah movement, one wonders if the elections, if they take place, will finally allow Palestinians to mount a united front in the struggle against Israeli occupation.

C.J. Atkins (2021-03-11). Neoliberalism's in trouble: A Marxist look at the American Rescue Act. peoplesworld.org After more than 40 years of dominating our economic and political life, the extreme free market capitalist ideology of neoliberalism is starting to show some serious cracks. "Trickle down" policies that have for decades shoveled money toward the top at the expense of the bottom are breaking down and giving way to a new willingness …

Eds. (2021-03-11). Top Pentagon commander requests astronomical sum of money to prepare for war with China. mronline.org MR Online

Dan Beeton (2021-03-11). How a Colombian Ex-President Went to Bat for Trump in Florida. cepr.net Latin Americans are used to the US government interfering in their politics. Over the years, the US has helped orchestrate a number of coups throughout the hemisphere, most notoriously the 1954 ouster of Guatemala's Jacobo àÅrbenz, and the 1973 military coup against Chile's Salvador Allende. But there are far more recent examples of meddling, including …

Alan MacLeod (2021-03-11). NATO video talks 'diversity, respect, embrace' but critics see through the wash job. mronline.org MR Online

WSWS repost (2021-03-11). Democratic Socialists of America campaigns for union-backed "PRO Act" indybay.org The PRO Act was crafted by Democrats on the House Education and Labor Committee to bolster union bureaucracies and facilitate the suppression of working-class struggles.

Eds. (2021-03-11). Top Pentagon commander requests astronomical sum of money to prepare for war with China. mronline.org A new U.S. war with China would threaten the world with unthinkable destruction. The danger of such a war cannot be ignored, it must be resisted.

Staff (2021-03-11). Amazon worker in Bessemer: 'We gonna win'. therealnews.com Darryl Richardson, one of the 5,800 warehouse workers at the Amazon fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama, talks about working conditions at Amazon, and about the historic union election currently underway.

Prensa Latina (2021-03-11). Displaced persons return home in Latakia, Syria. mronline.org Thousands of people displaced in the last eight years have returned to their towns liberated from terrorism in the coastal region of Latakia province, 337 kilometers north-west of Damascus.

Danny Haiphong (2021-03-11). Anti-Asian racism never stopped being an outgrowth of U.S. imperialism. mronline.org MR Online

Shabbir Manjee (2021-03-11). Hunger strike against General Iron ends with protests outside Chicago mayor's home. liberationnews.org General Iron currently operates in an affluent Northside neighborhood but has requested a permit from the city of Chicago to move their operations to a predominantly Latino neighborhood on the Southeast Side of Chicago.

Zandile Bangani (2021-03-11). Wits University protest: 'There was no threat to shoot'. peoplesdispatch.org The killing of Mthokozisi Ntumba by the South African Police Services (SAPS) marred the protest at the University of the Witwatersrand over financial exclusion. Ntumba, who wasn't part of the march, was killed when police shot without warning in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. It is unclear at this point whether they used live rounds or rubber bullets. | Minutes before he was killed, Ntumba had seen his doctor, Tebogo Sedibe, at the Myclinic Jorissen Medical Centre in Braamfontein. Sedibe, who was seeing another patient, did not witness the shooting but heard gunshots. "My assistant came through to ask me to help out…

John Wojcik (2021-03-11). Biden's Korea deal continues a dangerous U.S. foreign policy. peoplesworld.org Talks between the U.S. and South Korea are not encouraging to peace activists who want to see a new direction in U.S. foreign policy. It is clear that the Biden administration intends to continue keeping large numbers of troops stationed in that country, leaving unchanged a situation that has been going on since the Korean …

Husayn Karimi, Hersch Rothmel (2021-03-11). St. Vincent nurses strike to demand safe staffing in Worcester, Mass. liberationnews.org On March 8, nurses launched an indefinite strike to demand safe staffing and more affordable healthcare at a time when nurse to patient ratios have increased.

Chris Banks, S. Rodrigues (2021-03-11). Lula's right to run for president of Brazil restored in major victory for people's movement. liberationnews.org This week's legal breakthrough is a major step in wresting the country from the grips of Brazil's right wing elites.

Special to People's World (2021-03-11). African-American playwright August Wilson honored on 'forever' stamp. peoplesworld.org The 44th stamp in the Black Heritage series honors playwright August Wilson (April 27, 1945-October 2, 2005), the "the theater's poet of Black America," who brought fresh perspectives and previously unheard voices to the American stage. The stamp features an oil painting of Wilson based on a 2005 photograph. Behind Wilson, a picket fence alludes …