Daily Archives: March 20, 2021

2021-03-20: News Headlines

Anand Naidoo (2021-03-20). The Heat: China-U.S. talks conclude in Alaska. america.cgtn.com Chinese and U.S. officials have concluded their talks in Anchorage, Alaska after a strong and frank exchange. But, did the two economic superpowers find any common ground? The meetings, involving top diplomats from Beijing and Washington, saw fiery exchanges Thursday before the cameras. Relations between …

RT (2021-03-20). Bill Gates urges fans to eat synthetic meat to save planet, dismisses 'crazy conspiracies' about vaccines & 5G in Reddit AMA. rt.com Microsoft founder Bill Gates brushed away "crazy" conspiracy theories about himself, 5G and coronavirus vaccines during an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit, where he promoted his new book and sung the praises of synthetic meat. | Gates

_____ (2021-03-20). Biden Continues Conflict With China Through The Quad. popularresistance.org On March 12, the heads of government of four countries, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, and US President Joe Biden, met for a virtual meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, better known as the Quad. | Modi's opening remarks illustrate the emptiness of the public agenda; he called the Quad "a force for global good" with no details beyond a list of areas of collaboration ("vaccines, climate change and emerging technologies"). There was no direct mention of China during the meeting. | In the details relating to the launch…

Liberation Staff (2021-03-20). Cuba launches Phase 3 test of COVID vaccine, the first produced in Latin America. liberationnews.org Despite the most severe blockade conditions imposed by the U.S. government, Cuba's biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries have made outstanding achievements in the campaign to overcome COVID-19.

Zhenyu He, Lili Ren, Juntao Yang, Li Guo, Luzhao Feng, Chao Ma, Xia Wang, Zhiwei Leng, Xunliang Tong, Wang Zhou, Geng Wang, Ting Zhang, Yan Guo, Chao Wu, Qing Wang, Manqing Liu, Conghui Wang, Mengmeng Jia, Xuejiao Hu, Ying Wang, Xingxing Zhang, Rong Hu, Jingchuan Zhong, Jin Yang, Juan Dai, Lan Chen, Xiaoqi Zhou, Jianwei Wang, Weizhong Yang, Chen Wang (2021-03-20). [Articles] Seroprevalence and humoral immune durability of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Wuhan, China: a longitudinal, population-level, cross-sectional study. thelancet.com 6 ∑92% of a cross-sectional sample of the population of Wuhan developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, with 39 ∑8% of this population seroconverting to have neutralising antibodies. Our durability data on humoral responses indicate that mass vaccination is needed to effect herd protection to prevent the resurgence of the epidemic.

Richard Strugnell, Nancy Wang (2021-03-20). [Comment] Sustained neutralising antibodies in the Wuhan population suggest durable protection against SARS-CoV-2. thelancet.com SARS-CoV-2 infections were first reported in Wuhan, China, in 2019,1 and quickly became a global pandemic, as declared on March 11, 2020.2 SARS-CoV-2 is highly infectious3 and COVID-19 is variable in its presentation, with many infected individuals, as detected by viral nucleic acid screening, being asymptomatic.

RT (2021-03-20). VP Harris calls out people with 'biggest pulpits spreading hate' during Atlanta visit following spa parlors massacre. rt.com Kamala Harris made a not-so-subtle jab at ex-President Trump as she decried a surge a violence against Asian Americans. Trump and his supporters are accused of fueling hate in their attempts to blame China for Covid-19. | US Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden visited Atlanta, Georgia on Friday as part of their tour across the nation to promote the economic stimulus package and vaccination campaign successes. However, a spree of gun violence on Tuesday, which left eight people killed, six of them Asian American women, threw a wrench in the pre-planned trip's schedule. | Speaking after meeting…

RT (2021-03-20). Texas governor shreds Biden for 'inhumane' facilities for migrant kids, opens probe into Covid outbreak & lack of drinking water. rt.com Texas Governor Greg Abbott has opened a probe into conditions at detention centers for underage migrants, one of which faces a Covid-19 outbreak, blasting President Biden for his handling of a "humanitarian crisis" at the border. | "The Biden Administration has been an abject failure when it comes to ensuring the safety of unaccompanied minors who cross our border," Abbott said in a

Eds. (2021-03-20). Why are hate crimes against Asian Americans on the rise? mronline.org Largely missing from this ongoing discussion is the role of the police and the capitalist state. The media has done an excellent job at depicting these violent acts as interpersonal and individual attacks. | Newswire…

Sophia Purdy-Moore (2021-03-20). MPs and campaigners demand the home secretary stops police clamping down on protests. thecanary.co Campaigners, MPs, and peers have Protecting the right to protest: | The letter was organised by Liberty and Big Brother Watch. It calls on the home secretary to provide guidance for police on how to facilitate protests during the pandemic. And it also asks for

Brandon Scharles, Julio Cesar Gumeta Ramos (2021-03-20). Milwaukee protesters demand justice for police killing victim Joel Acevedo. liberationnews.org On March 5, several dozen activists and community members gathered at Kosciuszko Park, going door-to-door in the neighborhood where Acevedo was killed, to inform the public about the upcoming trial.

Eds. (2021-03-20). At least six killed after factory owner calls in military in Hlaing Tharyar. mronline.org Police publicly executed a woman who was the leader of the workers. | Newswire…

Alan MacLeod (2021-03-20). Financial press fears Brazilians will be allowed to elect president of their choice. mronline.org The Brazilian Supreme Court this month dismissed all charges against former President Luis Inacio "Lula" da Silva. A towering figure in national politics, Lula was the country's president for eight years between 2003 and 2011. | Newswire…

Greg Plancich (2021-03-20). Neoliberal Seattle mayor rejects federal funding, threatens eviction from hotel shelters to 130 people. liberationnews.org The housing crisis in Seattle and the rest of the country is a symptom of capitalism, where homes are built for profit and not shelter.

Robert Hunziker (2021-03-20). Nuclear Fuel Buried 108 Feet from the Sea. dissidentvoice.org San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (Credit: Nuclear Regulatory Commission) The most toxic substance on Earth is separated from exposure to society by Ω" of steel encased in a canister. — Paul Blanch, registered professional engineer, US Navy Reactor Operator/Instructor That eye-opener comes from renowned nuclear expert Paul Blanch in reference to spent fuel rods removed …

The Conversation (2021-03-20). Racism is behind anti-Asian American violence, even when it's not a hate crime. juancole.com By Pawan Dhingra | — Over the past year, attacks on Asian Americans have increased more than 150% over the previous year, including the March 16 murders of eight people, including six Asian American women, in Atlanta. Some of these attacks may be classified as hate crimes. But whether they meet that legal definition or …

ANSWER Coalition (2021-03-20). National Day of Action March 27: Call It What It Is, a Hate Crime! Stop Anti-Asian Violence, Stop China-Bashing! liberationnews.org The following national call to action was issued by the ANSWER Coalition Join the Sat. March 27 National Day of Action! Endorse the national day of action here Organize an event in your city — register your event here Find local actions in your city: San Francisco, CA 11 AM — 12 PM — A …

Jay Janson (2021-03-20). Britain Threatens Humanity with Nuclear Winter without Explaining Why It Foresees War. dissidentvoice.org Both before the First World War and before the Second World War, the world public basically simply watched the arms build up and other preparations for war. This lackadaisical blandly interested public attitude seems to be present again. Criminally insane investors in war openly race forward with the inventing and manufacturing of ever new and …

Dean Baker (2021-03-20). Cheap Fun Department: Job Growth Under Trump and Biden. cepr.net Okay, I'll admit that this is stupid, but you know damn well if the situation were reversed the Republicans would have this comparison all over the place. We don't even have to speculate. When President Obama assumed office with an economy in free fall from the collapse of the housing bubble, the Republicans were quick …

_____ (2021-03-20). Make Way for Kamala Harris, the Deep State's Dream President. strategic-culture.org With Biden barely aware of his surroundings, it is mere child's play to foist Harris into the leadership role | In what may become the most unexpected and, perhaps, unwanted political comebacks in American political history, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who never inspired much confidence on the 2020 presidential campaign trail, may soon find herself, through default, the next president of the United States. Should the world start praying for Joe Biden's continued good health? | As U.S. President Joe Biden enters the ninth week of his 'shadow presidency' without a single press conference under his belt, whil…

Global Research (2021-03-20). Advierten de que en 20 años se duplicó el endeudamiento de América Latina. globalizacion.ca Eric Toussaint y Milan Rivié, especialistas del Comité para la Abolición de las Deudas Ilegítimas (CADTM) señalaron que en los últimos años se asistió a un aumento espectacular del stock y del servicio de la deuda en la región. | ´En…

MEE staff (2021-03-20). Khashoggi: Pro-democracy group serves Saudi crown prince with murder complaint. middleeasteye.net Khashoggi: Pro-democracy group serves Saudi crown prince with murder complaint | Lawsuit seeks compensation for damage caused to journalist's fiancee and US-based Democracy for the Arab World Now | Sat, 03/20/2021 – 10: 51 | Saudi Arabia denies that Mohammed bin Salman had any role in Khashoggi's murder (AFP) | The fiancee of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the pro-democracy organisation he established…

RT (2021-03-20). Revenge of the stairs: White House dismisses Biden stumble as minor mishap in windy weather, but some jokingly blame Kremlin. rt.com Critics of Joe Biden had a field day after his awkward boarding of the Air Force One, bringing up his past mockery of Donald Trump's mobility issues. But some say (in jest) Joe should blame the Kremlin rather than strong winds.

RT (2021-03-20). Ex-president Bush, the man who waged brutal never-ending wars, claims Capitol riot left him 'disgusted'. rt.com Former US president George W. Bush claimed that despite the jaw-dropping violence unleashed by his own policies in Afghanistan and Iraq, he was left "sick to my stomach" by the January 6 raid on the US Capitol. | Admitting he "can't remember what [he] was doing" at the time he learned Trump supporters were swarming the Capitol building, Bush told the Texas Tribune he became physically ill "to see our nation's Capitol being stormed by hostile forces" in an interview conducted last month and published on Thursday as part of the SXSW 2021 festival. | While the vast majority of January's demonstrators were unarmed…

RT (2021-03-20). Parody video showing Trump knocking Biden down Air Force One stairs could lead to ASSASSINATION attempt, MSNBC analyst says. rt.com MSNBC regular Malcolm Nance has suggested that Donald Trump Jr. tweeting a parody video of his father using a golf ball to make Joe Biden fall on the steps to Air Force One "mainstreams the potential for danger." | Following Biden's already infamous falling spell on the steps to Air Force One this week, a parody video was quickly made and spread around social media that humorously shows former President Donald Trump to be the culprit behind the physical blunder after he hits a golf ball a tad too far. | Donald Trump Jr. was one of many users to share the video on Twitter, and a number of people believe this co…

RT (2021-03-20). New York Times used 'deceptive disinformation' to smear Project Veritas, acted with 'reckless disregard' and 'malice', judge rules. rt.com A defamation suit from Project Veritas against the New York Times is moving forward, as a judge has ruled the newspaper posed opinion as fact in their coverage of the conservative news outlet. | A New York Supreme Court judge handed Veritas, known for its undercover and whistleblowing videos, a big "win" this week, allowing a defamation suit against the paper and two reporters to proceed forward. | In the ruling denying a motion to dismiss the suit, the Times was accused of acting with "actual malice" and "reckless disregard" in multiple articles covering a 2020 video report from Veritas on alleged illegal vot…

Eds. (2021-03-20). WSJ rage at 'woke' China foreshadows new redbaiting of social justice activists. mronline.org The Wall Street Journal editorial board has accused a major Chinese newspaper, and by extension the People's Republic of China, of exploiting progressive rhetoric around racial justice to create division in the United States. | Newswire…

MEE, agencies (2021-03-20). Ten Iranian nationals charged with evading US sanctions. middleeasteye.net Ten Iranian nationals charged with evading US sanctions | Eight men and two women accused of disguising $300m in transactions, including the purchase of two oil tankers | Sat, 03/20/2021 – 15: 43 | Prosecutors say the scheme dates back to 1999, when some of the defendants opened a business in Los Angeles, which was allegedly used to illegally funnel US dollars to Iran (AFP) | Prosecutors i…

MEE, agencies (2021-03-20). Turkey: Erdogan sacks another central bank chief after sharp rate hike. middleeasteye.net Turkey: Erdogan sacks another central bank chief after sharp rate hike | Naci Agbal, in post for less than five months, replaced by Sahap Kavcioglu, who had criticised his tight monetary policy | Sat, 03/20/2021 – 11: 28 | Naci Agbal had won market praise by aggressively raising interest rates (Reuters) | President Recep Tayyip Erdogan abruptly sacked Turkey's central bank chief on Saturda…

MEE, agencies (2021-03-20). Anger as Turkey quits European treaty on violence against women. middleeasteye.net Anger as Turkey quits European treaty on violence against women | President's decision to leave Istanbul Convention described as 'deplorable' amid growing cases of femicide in the country | Sat, 03/20/2021 – 09: 45 | A protest against Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, an international accord designed to protect women, in Ankara, 20 March 2021 (Reuters) | Thousands protested…

MEE staff (2021-03-20). Saudi Arabia's Adel al-Jubeir confirms no normalisation deal with Israel. middleeasteye.net Saudi Arabia's Adel al-Jubeir confirms no normalisation deal with Israel | Minister of state for foreign affairs also says kingdom has made 'great strides' with regards to human rights | Sat, 03/20/2021 – 12: 45 | Jubeir, left, said relations with the United States were unlikely to change under President Joe Biden (AFP) | Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia's minister of state for foreign affairs, has said his countr…

MEE, agencies (2021-03-20). Libya orders investigation after bodies found in Benghazi. middleeasteye.net Libya orders investigation after bodies found in Benghazi | New prime minister says a cover-up could not be tolerated after bodies of more than a dozen people found shot dead | Sat, 03/20/2021 – 15: 50 | The main western and eastern factions that split apart in 2014 have publicly accepted Dbeibeh's government (Reuters) | Libya has ordered an investigation after more than a dozen bodies wer…

Dean Baker (2021-03-20). New York Times Debates When It Will Tell Readers that China Has the World's Largest Economy. cepr.net That seems to be the implication of a David Sanger piece commenting on the state of U.S. relations with Russia and China. At one point Sanger notes that China is a rising economic power: "Economists debate when the Chinese will have the world's largest gross domestic product — perhaps toward the end of this decade" …

Xulio Ríos (2021-03-20). Estados Unidos y China: De Hawái a Alaska. globalizacion.ca El interés de la cumbre que EEUU y China celebrarán en Alaska los días 18 y 19 de marzo se centra en saber si hay o no fundamento para atisbar un relativo deshielo en la relación bilateral. Un encuentro similar,…