(2021-02-04). How the Covid-19 pandemic impacted migration through the Mediterranean. middleeasteye.net 
How the Covid-19 pandemic impacted migration through the Mediterranean | While the European Union boasts of low numbers attempting the treacherous journey in 2020, migrants and rescue organisations paint a different picture | Thu, 02/04/2021 – 11: 21 | People rescued at sea sit on the deck of the Ocean Viking rescue ship, operated by French NGO, SOS Mediterranee, in the Mediterranean Sea o…
(2021-02-04). Portugal records worst rate of Covid-19 cases in the world. wsws.org In a de facto warning to the working class throughout Europe, experts estimate the British variant accounts for up to 40 percent of all new cases.
(2021-02-04). A better future after COVID-19. indybay.org The costs of the crisis must be paid out of large private fortunes and through the taxation of speculative capital on the financial markets. The billions of euros in dividends that companies will have to pay to their shareholders on the basis of profits generated in 2019 must not be distributed. Instead, these funds must be used to tackle the crisis.
(2021-02-04). Pelosi Calls McCarthy a Member of the "Q" Party After Failure to Act on Greene. truthout.org 
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) referred to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) as a member of the "Q" political party after House Republicans failed to take any action against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia). | Pelosi released the statement following news that the Republican caucus would not remove Greene, a supporter of QAnon, from the House Budget and Education panels. Greene has been criticized for espousing anti-Semitism and conspiracies, includin…
(2021-02-04). The Digital Police State Is Being Institutionalized Throughout the Western World. thealtworld.com This report sounds like science fiction, but it comes from a credentialed source and is posted on a respected website. If correct, the only possible conclusion is that a police state is being institutionalized throughout the Western world and perhaps all of the world. If correct, the report certainly validates my conclusion that the digital revolution is the worst disaster ever to befall humanity, and it validates my conclusion that no Western government represents the people. PCR | Implanted "Vaccine Package" ID: Germany's Parliament Has Ratified GAVI's Digital "Agenda ID2020" | By Peter Koenig, Global Research…
(2021-02-04). First week of Black History Month: Stacey Abrams, BLM nominated for Nobel Peace Prize. peoplesworld.org 
It seems more than fitting that in the first week of Black History Month Stacey Abrams has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. Abrams, whose on-the-ground work is credited with boosting voter turnout during the 2020 elections, helping then-presidential candidate Joe Biden secure an historic win in Georgia, was nominated by Lars Haltbrekken, …
(2021-02-04). The Heat: Russia politics. america.cgtn.com 
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny sentenced to jail in a move criticized by western nations. How will his arrest impact U.S.-Russia relations?>
(2021-02-04). Exports from Turkey to Saudi Arabia plummet by 92 percent amid unofficial boycott. middleeasteye.net 
Exports from Turkey to Saudi Arabia plummet by 92 percent amid unofficial boycott | Drop comes after Riyadh targeted Turkey's economy last year over Turkish indictments related to Jamal Khashoggi murder | Thu, 02/04/2021 – 12: 01 | A woman holds a packet of Turkish labneh (strained yogurt) while shopping at a supermarket in Riyadh (AFP) | An unofficial Saudi boycott against Turkish goods reduced Turkey's…
(2021-02-04). Iranian press review: Health officials reject Russia's Covid-19 vaccine. middleeasteye.net 
Iranian press review: Health officials reject Russia's Covid-19 vaccine | Meanwhile, Tehran hosts Taliban to talk about US-brokered Afghan peace deal, and the Islamic Republic is said to be eying the Caucasus to bypass US sanctions | Thu, 02/04/2021 – 11: 22 | A woman receives an injection during the first trial phase of a locally-made vaccine for Covid-19 in Iran's capital Tehran on 29…
(2021-02-04). Saudi Arabia and Iran among leaders of 'transnational repression', says watchdog. middleeasteye.net 
Saudi Arabia and Iran among leaders of 'transnational repression', says watchdog | Freedom House accuses both countries of threatening the lives of their citizens living abroad | Thu, 02/04/2021 – 17: 26 | Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018 (AFP) | International watchdog Freedom House has accused Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey of interfering in the…
(2021-02-04). Belgium court sentences Iranian envoy to 20 years in jail over Paris bomb plot. middleeasteye.net 
Belgium court sentences Iranian envoy to 20 years in jail over Paris bomb plot | Antwerp trial was the first of an Iranian official for suspected terrorism in Europe since Iran's 1979 revolution | Thu, 02/04/2021 – 14: 08 | A heavily armed policeman stands outside the courthouse in Antwerp (AFP) | An Iranian diplomat accused of planning to bomb a meeting of an exiled opposition group was s…
(2021-02-04). Two S. Africa, one Brazil variant detected in Turkey. yenisafak.com Two Turkish citizens have contracted the South African variant of the coronavirus while one has contracted the Brazilian variant, the country's health minister said Wednesday.Moreover, 196 cases of the UK virus strain have been detected in the country, Fahrettin Koca said.The patients have been isolated, he added.In the wake of rising cases once again, the measures against the pandemic will continue full throttle, he said.The vaccination of citizens over 65 and the second group will commence after safety tests are completed, Koca said.So far, 2.4 million people in the country have been vaccinated with vaccination…
(2021-02-04). At least 24 irregular migrants held in Turkey. yenisafak.com At least 24 irregular migrants were held in different parts of Turkey on Thursday, sources said.Nine Iranian nationals were held in the Beyazkoy district of the northwestern Tekirdag province, close to the border with Greece.They were found on a bus stopped for a check by gendarmerie personnel, said the sources, asking not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.The vehicle's driver, a Turkish national identified by the initials I.O., was arrested.In the central Nigde province, 15 Syrian nationals were held after police teams stopped and searched a bus on a highway connecting southeast Turkey to…
(2021-02-04). Georgia to allow in Turkish nationals without vaccines. yenisafak.com Georgia on Wednesday added Turkey to its list of countries whose unvaccinated nationals would be allowed into the country with just a negative novel coronavirus test result.Natia Turnava, the country's minister of economy and sustainable development, said that Turkish nationals with a negative PCR test result would not need a vaccine report to be allowed to travel to Georgia.Turnava said that with the decision, international flights would increase and bring more tourists to the country, adding that this would have positive effects on the markets.The Georgian government decided on Jan. 29 that only citizens of EU…
(2021-02-04). Entry of Russian Sputnik V into Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 04 (MNA) — The first batch of the Russian V vaccine to immunize against the coronavirus arrived at Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport on Thursday.
(2021-02-04). [Research Paper] Outcome trends in people with heart failure, type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease in the UK over twenty years. thelancet.com In a cohort of people with new onset HF, hospitalisations and deaths are high in patients with T2D or CKD, and worst in those with both comorbidities. Whilst outcomes have improved over time for patients with HF and comorbid T2D, similar trends were not seen in those with comorbid CKD. Strategies to prevent and manage CKD in people with HF are urgently needed.
(2021-02-04). Turkey 'neutralizes' 5 YPG/PKK terrorists in N.Syria. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces "neutralized" five YPG/PKK terrorists in a protected area across Turkey's southern border with Syria, the National Defense Ministry announced Thursday.The terrorists were trying to infiltrate the area of Turkey's cross-border anti-terror operations — Peace Spring and Euphrates Shield — to disrupt peace and security in the region, the ministry said on Twitter, adding that they had also opened harassing fire.Turkish authorities use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-ter…
(2021-02-04). 'New constitution debates in Turkey are exciting'. yenisafak.com Turkey's parliament speaker has said new constitution debates in the country are exciting for him."It will be correct to involve all political parties represented in the parliament while debating a new constitution," Mustafa Sentop told Turkish news channel CNN Turk on Wednesday.Sentop noted that a new constitution should not be made based on the seat numbers of the parties in the Turkish parliament.The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party in the parliament holds 289 seats, while the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) 48 seats.MHP cooperates with the ruling AK Party under their People's Alliance, formed ahead…
(2021-02-04). Borsa Istanbul up at Thursday open. yenisafak.com Turkey's benchmark stock index opened at 1,537.6 points on Thursday, up 0.27% or 4.10 points from the previous close.Borsa Istanbul's BIST 100 index closed Wednesday at 1,533.55 points, up 1.46%, with a daily trading volume of 30.1 billion Turkish liras (nearly $4.20 billion).The US dollar/Turkish lira exchange rate rose to 7.1700 as of 9: 30 a.m. local time (0630GMT), from 7.1600 at the previous close.The euro/Turkish lira exchange rate rose to 8.6200 from 8.6100, while one British pound traded for 9.7700 Turkish liras, down from 9.7800.One barrel of Brent crude oil sold for around $58.89 as of 10 a.m. local time…
(2021-02-04). Turkey's population tops 83.6M in 2020. yenisafak.com Turkey's population exceeded 83.6 million as of 2020-end, with a 0.55% rise on an annual basis, the Turkish statistical authority said on Thursday.The Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) data showed that the population residing in Turkey last year increased by 459,365 people compared to the previous year."Male population was 41,915,985 people and female population was 41,698,377 people," the institute said.The share of men in the total population was 50.1%, while women made up 49.9%, according to TurkStat.Official data said annual population growth rate was 0.55% in 2020, down from 1.39% in 2019.
(2021-02-04). One more sit-in family to embrace abducted child in Turkey. yenisafak.com A family protesting the YPG/PKK terrorist group for abducting their child in southeastern Turkey received news Thursday that they would soon be reunited.Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu announced that one of five terrorists who surrendered to Turkish authorities Wednesday was the child of a family taking part in a months-long sit-in outside the office of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which the government accuses of having links to the YPG/PKK terror group.The protest began on Sept. 3, 2019, in Diyarbakir province when three mothers said their children had been forcibly recruited by YPG/PKK terrorists.Saade…
(2021-02-04). Putin Explains Why We Need New Economic Policies. popularresistance.org The President of Russia Vladimir Putin has given a great speech to the Davos 2021 online forum organized by the World Economic Forum. As usual it created little echo in the 'western' media. | Putin sees a new danger of large international conflicts. Economic imbalances have caused socio-political problems in many countries which, when externalized, can lead to international conflicts. | To solve this one has to reject the laissez faire doctrines that caused the economic imbalances. The nation states must intervene more in their economies. The people must be seen as the ends, not the means of such economic policy.
(2021-02-04). Outgoing PM Conte urges Draghi not to form technocrat government. laprensalatina.com Rome, Feb 4 (efe-epa).- The outgoing prime minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, said Thursday that he hopes Mario Draghi forms a political government instead of one composed of technocrats. The former president of the European Central Bank, who has been tasked by Italian President Sergio Mattarella to form an "emergency" government, began discussions with the …
(2021-02-04). Turkey's paralympic swimmers with hopes set on Tokyo. laprensalatina.com Istanbul, Feb 4 (efe-epa).- An Olympic pool on the outskirts of Istanbul provides a training hub for Turkish swimmers whose sights are firmly set on competing at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games this year. Three of the six competitors set to travel to Japan train at the pool alongside around 20 other swimmers with different …
(2021-02-04). Support the struggle of Chicago teachers against the unsafe opening of schools! wsws.org The rank-and-file education safety committees in Germany and the UK have adopted the following statement of solidarity with the protesting teachers in Chicago.
(2021-02-04). Workers protest closure of Matosinhos refinery in Portugal. peoplesdispatch.org Portuguese energy supplier group Galp Energia has announced the closure of a crude oil refinery owned by its subsidiary Petrogal in Matosinhos, which is likely to affect over a thousand jobs…
(2021-02-03). What Explains COVID's East-West Divide? counterpunch.org 
COVID-19 has been ruthless in choosing winners and losers around the world. The obvious "losers" have been those countries led by right-wing nationalists: Brazil, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, and (until recently) the United States. These five countries are responsible for more than half of the world's coronavirus infections and nearly half the deaths. Just
(2021-02-03). Western media smeared Moscow's Covid-19 vaccine efforts but new trial data now has countries queuing for Sputnik V Covid-19 jab. rt.com 
Clinical trial data published in The Lancet medical journal this week shows the Russian-made Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine works for more than nine in 10 people, making it among the most efficacious jabs available. | The formula has been at the center of a fierce information war, with a number of commentators casting aspersions on the evidence that underpinned Russia's decision to urgently register it in August last year. However, it appears that the final word on subject lies with the scientists who published their results on Tuesday. | More than 91 percent of those given the vaccine were estimated to have de…
(2021-02-03). Implanted "Vaccine Package" ID: Germany's Parliament Has Ratified GAVI's Digital "Agenda ID2020" globalresearch.ca Alarming News. In Germany the Parliament (Bundestag) ratified on 29 January 2021, the implementation of Agenda ID2020. | This is a centralized general electronic data collection of every citizen to which every government agency, police — and possibly also the private …
(2021-02-03). Meet the fascists' favorite members of Congress. liberationnews.org 
Photo: Marjorie Taylor Greene being sworn into office by House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy Less than one month into its new session, the House of Representatives is faced with the question of whether or not to expel one of its own — Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia's 14th District. Rep. Greene's embrace of racist conspiracy …
(2021-02-03). Seis trabajadores mueren en la planta de procesamiento avícola de Georgia. peoplesworld.org 
 …
(2021-02-03). November 17th, 1973 and the Legacy of State Terror. dissidentvoice.org 
In a prison hospital in Athens, Greece, a man named Dimitris Koufontinas lies unconscious most of the time. Almost a month into a water-only hunger strike, one of his tremendously weakened organs could fail, and he could die at any moment. As always, there's a lot happening in the world. Ongoing wars between countries, civil …
(2021-02-03). TikTok agrees to Italy's request to block underage users, after 10yo girl dies in social media challenge. rt.com 
TikTok has reached an agreement with Italian data protection regulators to block underage users there from using its app, after a 10-year-old girl died in Palermo in a failed attempt at a dangerous social media challenge. | In January, the Italian authorities launched an investigation into children using social media platforms, after a young girl who had attempted the so-called 'choking' challenge died. The trend, which had been circulating on TikTok, saw participants restrict their oxygen in an attempt to secure a high. | The state filed a legal notice against TikTok back in December, prior to the young girl'
(2021-02-03). Russian Strike Jet Flies Low Past US Destroyer in the Black Sea. anti-empire.com 
A Russian warplane conducted a low pass near the USS Donald Cook on Sunday in the Black Sea, where the Navy has dispatched three ships for exercises. | The Sukhoi Su-24 fighter-bomber screeched past the U.S. destroyer while it was operating in international waters, the U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet said in a statement. | The Navy said it operates in the Black Sea to reassure allies in the region and "ensure security and stability." | USS Donald Cook is operating alongside the destroyer USS Porter and USNS Laramie, which is refueling the warships during operations. | Refueling at sea is fundamental for the Navy, but doing…
(2021-02-03). Turkey: Twitter labels minister's 'LGBT deviants' post hateful amid university protest. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey: Twitter labels minister's 'LGBT deviants' post hateful amid university protest | Interior minister angered over picture mixing LGBT symbols and Islamic images during protests against Istanbul rector's appointment | Wed, 02/03/2021 – 08: 19 | Police detained 159 students on Monday after breaking up a group planning an all-night vigil outside the rector's office (AFP) | Intensifying…
(2021-02-03). "Finland must break away from the EU's common security and defense policy" peoplesdispatch.org J.P. Và§isà§nen, chairman of the Communist Party of Finland (SKP), talks about the policies of the government of Sanna Marin at the time of the pandemic, as well as its foreign policies…
(2021-02-03). Russian journalist Sergey Smirnov jailed for 25 days on charges of inciting people to attend pro-Navalny protests. rt.com 
The editor of Moscow-based news website Mediazona, founded by members of the Pussy Riot punk band, has been handed 25 days behind bars for promoting demonstrations in support of imprisoned opposition figure Alexey Navalny. | On Wednesday, the Tverskoy Court in Moscow read out the sentence for charges relating to repeated violation of a ban on holding mass events. Protests and other unauthorized public gatherings are banned in the capital, and many other Russian regions, under rules aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19. The charges could have carried up to 30 days in prison. | Mediazona claims that Smirnov w…
(2021-02-03). The Struggle Inside Senator Mitch McConnell's Brain. commondreams.org Allowing the Trumpian half of his brain to overpower his judgment and vote to acquit Dangerous Donald would spell disaster for the Republican Party (assuming the Democratic Party doesn't go to sleep as it did after Obama's win in 2008). | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/mcconnell_biden_0.jpg …
(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…
(2021-02-03). Italy 'eagerly waiting' for EU to register Sputnik V vaccine, head of group promoting Russian-Italian ties tells RT. rt.com 
Italy is interested in the swift approval of Sputnik V by the EU and may not only purchase but could also produce the Russian vaccine, Antonio Fallico, the head of the Conoscere Eurasia Association, told RT. | "We're eagerly waiting for [the European Medicines Agency] to register [the Russian vaccine against the coronavirus]," Fallico said on Wednesday. Moscow lodged its application with the EU watchdog in late January. | Earlier, Undersecretary of Italy's Health Ministry Sandra Zampa
(2021-02-03). Macron: AstraZeneca Vaccine Seems 'Quasi-Ineffective' for Over-65s. anti-empire.com 
French President Emmanual Macron said Friday the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine appeared to be "quasi-ineffective" on people older than 65 — just hours before the EU's drugs regulator "The real problem on AstraZeneca is that it doesn't work the way we were expecting it to," Macron told a group of reporters, including POLITICO, in Paris. "We're waiting for the EMA [European Medicines Agency] results, but today everything points to thinking it is quasi-ineffective on pe…
(2021-02-03). Rights groups condemn Turkey's 'illegal' transfers of detainees out of Syria. middleeasteye.net 
Rights groups condemn Turkey's 'illegal' transfers of detainees out of Syria | Sixty-three Syrian Arabs and Kurds have been transferred to Turkey over suspected links to 'terrorist' organisations | Wed, 02/03/2021 – 12: 03 | Turkey-backed Syrian rebels take part in a military exercise in Ghandoura, in the northeastern countryside of Syria's Aleppo province, on 14 January 2021 (AFP) | Human rights groups have c…
(2021-02-03). 'Victory': Iran hails UN court decision to hear case against US sanctions. middleeasteye.net 
'Victory': Iran hails UN court decision to hear case against US sanctions | International Court of Justice says it has jurisdiction to take on Iran's case challenging US over Trump-era sanctions | Wed, 02/03/2021 – 16: 36 | Zarif asked European Union to coordinate synchronised return of Washington and Tehran to nuclear deal (AFP) | Iran's foreign minister hailed a decision by the UN's top court on Wednesday th…
(2021-02-03). 'Victory': Iran hails UN court decision to hear case over US sanctions. middleeasteye.net 'Victory': Iran hails UN court decision to hear case over US sanctions | International Court of Justice says it has jurisdiction to take on Iran's case against US over Trump-era sanctions | Wed, 02/03/2021 – 16: 36 | Zarif asked the European Union to coordinate a synchronised return of Washington and Tehran to the nuclear deal (AFP) | Iran's foreign minister hailed a decision by the UN's top court on Wednesday…
(2021-02-03). US 'freezing' Trump plan to withdraw 12,000 troops from Germany while Pentagon reviews policy — general. rt.com 
The US will halt its planned withdrawal of 12,000 troops from Germany while the Pentagon conducts a review of the Trump-era plans, the head of the US European Command said on Wednesday. | The plans have been "put on freeze" while new US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, is "in the process of conducting a very thorough review" of the policy, Air Force General Tod Wolters told reporters, without giving a timeframe for the audit. | The planned drawdown included relocating the US European Command from the city of Stuttgart to Belgium and returning the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, currently based in the German town of V…
(2021-02-03). Canadian government designates 'Proud Boys' as terrorist group. rt.com 
Canada has designated the group 'Proud Boys' as a terrorist entity, following a parliamentary resolution blaming the "white supremacist" group of organizing the January 6 riot at the US Capitol. | 'Proud Boys' were among the thirteen groups designated on Wednesday by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, under the category of "ideologically motivated violent extremism." | No matter their ideological motivation, these groups are "all hateful, intolerant… and dangerous," Blair said. | The Proud Boys were listed alongside Atomwaffen Division, The Base, the "Russian Imperial Movement," five Islamic State (IS, forme…
(2021-02-03). Washington joins crusade against free speech, backs Ukrainian crackdown on opposition media as EU & Zelensky's dad voice concerns. rt.com 
The US has waded into a row over media censorship in Ukraine, backing a ban on opposition TV channels as both the EU and President Volodymyr Zelensky's own father expressed grave concerns over the impact on free speech. | In a statement issued on Twitter Wednesday, the American embassy in Kiev wrote that it "supports efforts yesterday to counter Russia's malign influence." It described the shuttering of broadcasters as "in line with [Ukrainian law], in defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity." | The US supports üá∫üᶠefforts yesterday to counter Ru…
(2021-02-03). Ukraine ace Yastremska vows to clear name as appeal against provisional doping ban is REJECTED — despite her flying to Aus Open. rt.com 
Ukrainian world number 29 Dayana Yastremska has had her appeal against a provisional doping suspension dismissed, meaning she will be unable to play at the upcoming Australian Open despite flying all the way to Melbourne. | Yastremska, 20, had jetted into Melbourne from Dubai on a special charter flight in mid-January in the hopes that her provisional suspension would be overturned in time for the start of action in the year's opening Grand Slam on February 7. | The suspension had been imposed after Yastremska failed an out-of-competition doping test in November when a prohibited substance, mesterolone metabol…
(2021-02-03). Turkey's Erdogan labels student protesters 'terrorists', vows crackdown on demonstration after university appointment outcry. rt.com 
The Turkish president has denounced demonstrators as "terrorists" as educators and students alike protested against the controversial appointment of a government loyalist to head Istanbul's most prestigious university. | "I do not accept these youngsters, who are members of terrorist groups, as sharing our country's national and moral values," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a video address. | "Are you students… or are you terrorists who try to raid the office of the rector and occupy it?" he continued. | Erdogan's appointment of Melih Bulu, an academic and former political candidate, as recto…
(2021-02-03). Top Turkish, Norwegian diplomats discuss relations. yenisafak.com Turkish and Norwegian foreign ministers on Wednesday met virtually and discussed bilateral relations, regional and global developments.In a Twitter post, Turkey's Mevlut Cavusoglu said he discussed bilateral relations and recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh, Syria, Libya, the US, and the East Mediterranean with his Norwegian counterpart Eriksen Soreide.Turkey and Norway maintained its "bilateral trade volume despite the pandemic," Cavusoglu noted, and wished "further cooperation in every field, particularly energy."Meanwhile, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in a Twitter post that Soreide had a "good and f…