2021-02-05: News Headlines

Ralph Nader (2021-02-05). The Struggle Inside Senator Mitch McConnell's Brain. counterpunch.org Since 2015, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell has ruled the Senate with an iron hand, describing himself as "the Guardian of Gridlock." He was Senator "NO," except for confirming over 200 mostly corporatist federal judges. Now comes a new challenge for Mitch McConnell as he leads 49 other Republican Senators, twenty of whom are up

Caitlin Johnstone (2021-02-05). You're Not A Radical, You're Just Sane. thealtworld.com In response to rumors that Bernie Sanders foreign policy advisor Matt Duss may be playing some role in the Joe Biden State Department, bloodthirsty psychopath Nikki Haley Which is of course ridiculous. Taken as a whole Biden's im…

_____ (2021-02-05). The Economist: Democracy Index ranking for Britain rises!! truepublica.org.uk By TruePublica: The 2020 Democracy Index from the Economist Intelligence Unit found that democracy had deteriorated in all seven regions of the world for the first time since 2010, driven by government measures to address the Covid-19 emergency. And while the biggest regressions were in authoritarian regions, the report said that — "the removal of …

Juan Cole (2021-02-05). Republicans in Congress engage in hateful Islamophobia to defend their Islamophobe, Greene. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — In attempting to defend Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican Far Right (a.k.a. the Republican Party) has actually just taken her own as a role. They are performing Greene. Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) introduced a bill to strip Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) of her seat on the Foreign Affairs committee. Omar, …

Ted Rall (2021-02-05). It's Not Too Early to Criticize Joe Biden. counterpunch.org Censorship in mainstream corporate American media outlets is subtle. It's not so much that they spin the truth. It's that they omit pertinent facts and exclude relevant points of view. So it is with politics. Among the tools available to messaging and framing experts is "flooding the field" — dominating the news with a blizzard

Dave Lindorff (2021-02-05). Back to Cold War 2.0. counterpunch.org A fawning liberal media and a passel of well-endowed 'peace' organizations like Plowshares and Council for a Livable World and self-described "progressive" organizations like MoveOn have been hailing Biden's cabinet picks, many of them veterans of the Obama administration, claiming they will steer the US in a new direction under which diplomacy, not bluster and

Eve Ottenberg (2021-02-05). About Those Executive Orders… counterpunch.org A strange stasis now characterizes U.S. foreign affairs, while on the domestic front, Biden roars ahead. As of January 29, he had signed 42 executive orders. Not one addresses what the U.S. does abroad. True, Biden made the superb move of resuming negotiations over the START nuclear treaty with Russia, and he rejoined the Paris Accords and the World Health Organization. But otherwise, quiet blankets the foreign policy landscape.

Conn Hallinan (2021-02-05). China's Sea of Conflict. counterpunch.org Biden 's administration faces a host of difficult problems, but in foreign policy its thornist will be its relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC). How it handles issues of trade, security and human rights will either allow both countries to hammer out a working relationship or pull the US into an expensive–and unwinnable–cold war that will shelve existential threats like climate change and nuclear war.

Jeffrey St. Clair (2021-02-05). Roaming Charges: Xenophobia With a Human Face. counterpunch.org + As the Biden administration announced its intention to leave in place Trump's border rules "for now," it might be worth recalling when Biden's campaign manager derisively quipped that they didn't see Hispanics as part of their "path to victory." + 5500 children were separated at the border in the last four years, at least 628 of them

RT (2021-02-05). Wisconsin governor reimposes Covid-19 mask mandate after Republican-led legislature votes to repeal it. rt.com Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin, a Democrat, issued a new statewide mask order an hour after the Republican-majority legislature voted to repeal his previous one saying he lacked the authority. | "If the legislature keeps playing politics and we don't keep wearing masks, we're going to see more preventable deaths, and it's going to take even longer to get our state and our economy back on track," Evers said on Thursday, announcing the order. | Since the beginning of this pandemic, I promised I would: | 1Ô∏è‚É£never play politics with your health | 2Ô∏è&sb…

RT (2021-02-05). 'We gotta have them speaking about reparations': Rapper Ice Cube set to meet with Biden as US president vows 'racial equity'. rt.com As Joe Biden promises to make racial justice a top priority for his administration, rapper Ice Cube has revealed that he could soon be meeting with the US president to discuss reparations for black Americans. | In a radio interview, the iconic musical artist and actor revealed that Biden's team had reached out to him and that plans are in motion for a White House visit later this month. He said that while he recognizes that the new administration is "really into helping all minorities," Biden needed to back up his words by enacting "specialty programs." | "You know me, I'm all about reparations. It seems like…

RT (2021-02-05). 'America is back!' Biden talks 'tough' on Russia and China, vows to reclaim 'moral leadership & defend democracy'. rt.com In his first major foreign policy address, President Joe Biden vowed to confront the enemies of 'democracy' globally, while seeking to reclaim America's 'moral credibility' and leadership in LGBT and climate change issues. | Speaking at the State Department headquarters in the nation's capital on Thursday, Biden outlined his foreign policy vision in a 20-minute address, laying out a sprawling list of priorities for his administration, among them countering supposed US "adversaries." | "American leadership must meet this new moment of advancing authoritarianism, including the growing ambitions of China to rival…

yenisafak (2021-02-05). UN Security Council urges democratic return in Myanmar. yenisafak.com The UN Security Council voiced "deep concern" Thursday at the situation in Myanmar after the military overthrew the civilian government and jailed political and civil society leaders.The council decided what it said was the "arbitrary" detentions of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, as well as the military's unilateral imposition of a state of emergency. It called for the "immediate release" of all those swept up in military raids and urged a return to democratic norms."The members of the Security Council emphasized the need for the continued support of the democratic transition in Myanma…

Online News Editor (2021-02-05). Myanmar arrests prominent political leader, close aide of Suu Kyi. laprensalatina.com Yangon, Myanmar, Feb 5 (efe-epa).- Police in Myanmar arrested one of the main leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party and close aide of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, five days after a military coup. Win Htein was arrested after midnight at his daughter's house in Yangon, the country's former capital and …

Kathy Fairfax (2021-02-05). Climate targets require plans, which is why Morrison doesn't want them. greenleft.org.au Pressure from the Biden administration's pledges on swift climate change action seems to have pushed Scott Morrison to mention he indeed has a plan to reduce emissions, writes Pip Hinman.

Conn M. Hallinan (2021-02-05). Biden's Top Foreign Policy Challenge: Avoiding a Cold War with China. juancole.com Taiwan and the South China Sea are the likeliest points of conflict — but conflict is not an option. ( Foreign Policy in Focus) — President Joe Biden's administration faces a host of difficult problems, but in foreign policy its thorniest will be its relations with the People's Republic of China. How the new administration …

Charlotte Dennett (2021-02-05). The Origins of Trump's Attempted Coup. counterpunch.org A Conversation with Buzzflash founder Mark Karlin As the DC drama heats up over the level of Trump's involvement in the January 6 insurrection, it is imperative to pay attention to the Investigative journalists who have been tracking and revealing Republican skullduggery long before the Age of Trump, going as far back to the Clinton

oneworld.press (2021-02-05). Can Former President Trump Really Save The GOP?>. oneworld.press Even if all goes according to plan, then the only way that Trump can convince the MAGA members to remain loyal to the GOP is to focus almost exclusively on their hatred for the Democrats since he can no longer appeal to them from his earlier anti-establishment angle after allying with the RINOs.

Dan Bacher (2021-02-05). California's Bulldozer 'Restoration': From the Ballona Wetlands to the Delta. indybay.org "Our Governor's cabinet members just announced a series of initiatives that support 'Nature Based Solutions' to counter climate change. So, how does Governor Newsom justify a project to bulldoze and excavate more than 2.5 million cubic yards of soil, paving the way for a new fossil fuel infrastructure for the aging gas storage field under this ecological reserve?" asked attorney Bryan Pease.

_____ (2021-02-04). Migrant Deportations Continue Despite Biden's Policies. popularresistance.org The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to deport migrants despite president Joe Biden's 100-day moratorium on deporting most people in the U.S. without authorization. This decision was barred by a federal judge in Texas last week. | During the first days of Biden's administration, ICE has deported hundreds of immigrants, including 269 people, to Guatemala and Honduras last Friday. The agency has been accused of violating human rights as a coalition of immigrant groups denounced that Cameroonian asylum seekers were tortured to be forced to approve their deportations.

_____ (2021-02-04). 111 NGOs Call On Biden To Close Guantánamo. popularresistance.org On February 2, more than a hundred non-governmental organizations joined a letter led by the Center for Constitutional Rights and the Center for Victims of Torture, urging President Joe Biden to close the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba and end indefinite military detention. The letter is signed by organizations ranging from those working to end anti-Muslim discrimination and torture to immigrant rights organizations and organizations working broadly on civil rights, civil liberties, and racial justice at the national and local level. It emphasizes the devastating and ongoing consequences of the prison, including…

Alex Lawson (2021-02-04). The So-Called Moderna Vaccine Is a Publicly Funded Miracle. counterpunch.org The so-called "Moderna" vaccine is a miracle of science. It is nearly 100 percent effective at preventing serious illness and death. By vaccinating the world, we can end the COVID-19 pandemic and save millions of lives. The only problem? We don't have nearly enough doses. But there's a solution: If the Biden administration allowed generic manufacturers, not

Workers World Party (2021-02-04). PDF of February 4 issue. workers.org Download the 12-page PDF. BAmazon Union Which side are you on? GM 1937, Amazon 2021 NFL union solidarity ALSO: Drug homicide law kills; Laundry workers victory; Georgia plant deaths; Biden and immigration; Neutralize the fascists. Editorial: Demonizing China. The legendary Cicely Tyson. GLOBAL: China gains; India strikes continue; Mali protests. . . . |

Staff (2021-02-04). In Push for Global Vaccine Equity, US AIDS Program PEPFAR Offers Blueprint. truthout.org As the U.S. COVID death toll tops 450,000, the Biden administration is attempting to ramp up its vaccination campaign to slow the spread of new coronavirus variants. Meanwhile, health experts warn any vaccination progress in the United States will be threatened without global vaccine equity. "We need to, as quickly as possible, expand access to the vaccines, both in this country, in the United States, as well as around the world," says Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, director of the ICAP at Columbia University…

Staff (2021-02-04). "Viruses Know No Borders": In Push for Global Vaccine Equity, U.S. AIDS Program Offers Blueprint. democracynow.org As the U.S. COVID death toll tops 450,000, the Biden administration is attempting to ramp up its vaccination campaign to slow the spread of new coronavirus variants. Meanwhile, health experts warn any vaccination progress in the United States will be threatened without global vaccine equity. "We need to, as quickly as possible, expand access to the vaccines, both in this country, in the United States, as well as around the world," says Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, director of the ICAP at Columbia University and professor of epidemiology and medicine at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. She argues that the U.S.

Daniel Chaitin (2021-02-04). Biden's COVID Guy Says Doubling Face Diapers Could Increase Virus Spread. anti-empire.com An infectious disease expert says wearing two face masks may increase the chances of getting infected by COVID-19. | Michael Osterholm, who was a member of the Biden Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board, gave a second opinion after Dr. "When we talk about double masking, remember what we're really talking about is just trying to prevent th…

Ali Harb (2021-02-04). Biden ends US support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen. middleeasteye.net Biden ends US support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen | War in Yemen 'has to end', Joe Biden says in first foreign policy-focused address as president | Thu, 02/04/2021 – 17: 01 | Conflict in Yemen is world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to UN (Reuters/File photo) | US President Joe Biden announced the end of US support for a Saudi-led coalition that is waging war in Yemen, in a major policy reversal from…

teleSUR (2021-02-04). US Cuts Support to Saudis, Freezes Arms Sales Over Yemen Crisis. telesurenglish.net The United States has announced an end to the Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen, citing how the bombing campaign has led to the world's worst humanitarian crisis. | The announcement came during a visit of Joe Biden to the State Department on Thursday, one of the multiple drastic foreign policy shifts made since his January 20th inauguration. | RELATED: | "This war has to end," Biden said. "And to underscor…

RT (2021-02-04). Biden ending US 'support for offensive operations' in Yemen doesn't mean actual end to war, skeptics caution as activists rejoice. rt.com While peace activists cheered the news that the US will be ending its support for Saudi-led "offensive operations" in Yemen, that's a far cry from actually ending the six-year war that began with Barack Obama's tacit blessing. | National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan previewed the Yemen announcement ahead of President Joe Biden's major foreign policy speech on Thursday, telling reporters the decision "extends to the types of offensive operations that have perpetuated a civil war in Yemen that has led to a humanitarian crisis," and that it does not apply to US operations against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsu…

Andrew Korybko (2021-02-04). There's No Secret Chinese Hand In Myanmar's State Of Emergency. thealtworld.com The People's Republic isn't involved in the Tatmadaw's state of emergency, but falsely claiming otherwise is yet another attempt by self-interested forces to pressure Biden into continuing Trump's anti-Chinese policies. | American media has gone wild speculating about a secret Chinese hand in Myanmar's recent decision to announce a year-long state of emergency. The country's military, known as the Tatmadaw, detained members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) on Monday in response to what it claimed was their refusal to seriously consider its concerns about November's contested elections. The Tatmadaw lega…

Staff (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…

William Astore (2021-02-04). A Multipoint Plan to End War as We Know It. counterpunch.org When it comes to war, if personnel is policy, America is yet again in deep trouble. As retired Army Major Danny Sjursen recently pointed out, when it comes to foreign policy, President Joe Biden's new cabinet and advisers are well stocked with retired generals, reconstituted neocons, unapologetic hawks, and similar war enthusiasts. Biden himself has

Staff (2021-02-04). Warren, Schumer Introduce Resolution to Cancel $50K in Student Loan Debt. truthout.org On Thursday, Senators Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) announced that they would be reintroducing a proposal to call on President Joe Biden to cancel $50,000 in student loan debt. | The lawmakers said that Biden, who signed an executive order to

MEE staff (2021-02-04). Biden urged to hold Israel accountable over home demolitions. middleeasteye.net Biden urged to hold Israel accountable over home demolitions | Progressive Jewish group J Street says if US president is serious about backing two-state solution he must investigate Israel's use of US aid, equipment and weapons contracts | Thu, 02/04/2021 – 20: 40 | Israeli excavators demolish Palestinian house in southern outskirts of Hebron in occupied West Bank on 3 February (AFP/File photo) | A left-leanin…

Sean Collins (2021-02-04). The Imperial Capital Is Now Occupying Itself. anti-empire.com The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a national terrorism bulletin yesterday, warning that extremists 'may be emboldened' by the Just consider how extraordinary these measures are. This is the first-ever DHS terrorism bulletin that targets domestic American citizens. The Biden administra…

Matt Bruenig (2021-02-04). Romney's Child Allowance Improves on Biden Proposal. peoplespolicyproject.org Mitt Romney released a The maximum benefit for any given family would be $15,000 per year, which effectively means that benefits are capped at 3.5 to 5 children depending on their ages. The benefit…

The Socialist Program (2021-02-04). The Real Story: Biden Targets China. liberationnews.org Will the U.S. continue under Biden to push towards confrontation with China?>

Ali Harb (2021-02-04). Biden will end US support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen. middleeasteye.net Biden will end US support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen | Top aide to US president confirms he will formally announce ending American assistance for 'offensive operations in Yemen' later on Thursday | Thu, 02/04/2021 – 17: 01 | US President Joe Biden will announce the end of US support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in a major policy reversal from the previous administration that may alter the course of th…

Al Neal (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, …

Staff (2021-02-04). Presidential Approval Is the Highest It's Been Since 2009, Poll Shows. truthout.org A new poll of 1,055 adults by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has found that President Joe Biden is enjoying his "

The Conversation (2021-02-04). Top Three Ways Solar Power can Help Low-Income Families. juancole.com By Galen Barbose, Eric O'Shaughnessy, and Ryan Wiser | — Until recently, rooftop solar panels were a clean energy technology that only wealthy Americans could afford. But prices have dropped, thanks mostly to falling costs for hardware, as well as price declines for installation and other "soft" costs. Today hundreds of thousands of middle-class households …

_____ (2021-02-04). The Failings Of Unemployment Insurance Are By Design. popularresistance.org Our unemployment insurance system has failed the country at a moment of great need. With tens of millions of workers struggling just to pay rent and buy food, Congress was forced to pass two emergency spending bills, providing one-time stimulus payments, special weekly unemployment insurance payments, and temporary unemployment benefits to those not covered by the system. And, because of their limited short-term nature, President Biden must now advocate for a third. | The system's shortcomings have been obvious for some time, but little effort has been made to improve it. In fact, those shortcomings were baked in…

teleSUR (2021-02-04). President Biden Softens Trump's Immigration Policy. telesurenglish.net U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday issued orders to reverse the anti-immigrant agenda of Donald Trump's administration (2017-2021). | RELATED: | The new rules aim to achieve a "fair, safe, and orderly immigration system that keeps families together," said a White House official, as reported by EFE. | One of the orders stops children's separation from their parents and creates a task force whose mission will be to…

WSWS (2021-02-04). Hundreds already deported from the US under Biden despite executive orders. wsws.org Deportations of immigrants and refugees have continued under the new Democratic administration despite cosmetic changes to Trump era policies.

Online News Editor (2021-02-04). New York restaurants eagerly await arrival of Covid-19 vaccines. laprensalatina.com New York, USA, Feb 4 (efe-epa).- New York's bars and restaurants — once the beating heart of the Big Apple but which have been shut because of the pandemic — are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Covid-19 vaccines after mayor Bill de Blasio announced that their workers are now eligible to be vaccinated. On a …

The Babylon Bee (2021-02-04). Democrats Announce It Is Safe to Reopen Now That Federal Government Has Tested Negative for Trump. anti-empire.com U.S.—Democrat leaders around the country are declaring it is now safe to reopen since the federal government's tests have come back negative for Trump. | "The key indicator we were looking for before we could begin the reopening process was that Trump wasn't president," said Governor Gavin Newsom. "While we are at the worst point yet in this pandemic, it now makes sense to open– even though the science said the exact opposite last year when it was comparably mild. Because now, all the tests are indicating we have tested negative for Trump." | Governor Cuomo agreed, saying that all his key science experts -…

WSWS (2021-02-04). Wall Street Journal demands Biden crack down on Chicago teachers. wsws.org In a statement by its editorial board Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal angrily criticized President Biden for being too soft on Chicago teachers, who are defying Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot's order to resume in-person classes as the pandemic continues to spread in the city.

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2021-02-04). Bernie Sanders Says Biden Decision on Yemen a Tribute to 'So Many Activists Over the Years'. commondreams.org "Yemen needs food, medicine, and healthcare—not bombs and blockades," said Sanders. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/bernie-yemen.jpg

B. Nimri Aziz (2021-02-04). Power Games All Over the Place. counterpunch.org "Stop Mitch McConnell!" screams yet another message to my inbox. Wait a minute. I understood that the power Mitch McConnell wielded over the Senate (and the nation), thwarting all attempts at progressive reform and adequate Covid relief, ended two weeks ago. Where are Georgia's Democratic victories that leveled the playing field? That 50-50 party share

Jake Johnson (2021-02-04). 'So utterly disingenuous': Republicans file slew of unrelated amendments as Dems push ahead with Covid relief. nationofchange.org "If the GOP actually wanted to provide Covid relief, they'd introduce amendments to do so. Instead they're going to introduce what they believe are gotcha amendments to try to trip up Dems."

Staff (2021-02-04). Mass Rapes. Sweeping Surveillance. Forced Labor. Exposing China's Crackdown on Uyghur Muslims. democracynow.org China faces widespread condemnation following a BBC report about the mass rape and sexual torture of Uyghur women and other Muslims detained in the province of Xinjiang. Women who spoke with the BBC described gang rapes, routine sexual torture using electrocution tools, forced sterilizations and men outside the prison camps paying for access to the detainees. China has rejected the report as "wholly without factual basis" and claims its mass detention of Muslim minorities is part of a "vocational training" program to counter extremism. Meanwhile, The Intercept has obtained a massive police surveillance database u…

Staff (2021-02-04). Headlines for February 4, 2021. democracynow.org CDC Director Warns Coronavirus Variants Could Reverse Drop in Caseload, Education Secretary Nominee Favors Return to In-Person Classes, Supports Trans Athletes, Senate Agrees to Power-Sharing Deal That Leaves Democrats in Control of Committees, Republican Leader Won't Punish Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene over Racist and Violent Rhetoric, 100s of Congressional Aides Call on Senate to Convict Trump and Bar Him from Holding Office, Canada Designates Proud Boys as a Terrorist Group, Prosecutors Seek Rearrest of Kyle Rittenhouse, Wisconsin Teen Charged with Killing 2 Protesters, Tigray Opposition Say 52,000+ Killed in C…

commondreams (2021-02-04). Biden-Harris End Support of Yemen War; NGOs Demand End to All Arms Sales and Increased Humanitarian Aid. commondreams.org ______________________________…

RT (2021-02-04). AOC compared to Jussie Smollett after her 'near-death' riot experience revealed as hiding from POLICE in office OUTSIDE Capitol. rt.com Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is being compared to the actor who staged an attack on himself, after her account of fearing for her life during the January 6 riot was fact-checked, exposing that she wasn't in the Capitol building. | The hashtags #AlexandriaOcasioSmollett, along with #AOCLied, trended on Wednesday, following a fact-check of AOC's (D-New York) Instagram livestream two days prior by OAN journalist Jack Posobiec. During her emotional one-and-a-half-hour-long talk, Ocasio-Cortez admitted that she was not in the Capitol building during the riot to begin with, but continued to claim that she experienced a…

Staff (2021-02-04). AOC Blasts GOP Lawmaker for Her "Deeply Cynical" About Face on Events of Jan. 6. truthout.org On Tuesday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) recounted the events of January 6, when Donald Trump supporters broke into the Capitol building demanding that Congress overturn the votes of the presidential election and declare Trump president. | Ocasio-Cortez, in

Brett Wilkins, staff writer (2021-02-04). 'It Was That Bad. It's Actually Worse': Ocasio-Cortez Hits Back After Republicans Challenge Her Capitol Attack Story. commondreams.org "You previously told reporters yourself that you barricaded in your office, afraid you'd be hurt," the New York congresswoman told one of her Republican colleagues. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/aoc_14.jpg

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2021-02-04). New Bill From Blumenauer, Ocasio-Cortez, and Sanders Demands Biden Declare a National Climate Emergency. commondreams.org The Sunrise Movement's executive director called it "a good sign that our leaders are finally understanding what young people and climate activists have been shouting from the rooftops for years." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-1228419561_0.png

Fight Back (2021-02-04). Tallahassee demands affordable housing from City Commission. fightbacknews.org Tallahassee, FL – On January 13, activists with the Tallahassee Community Action Committee attended the Tallahassee City Commission's annual retreat. While much of the retreat featured city leaders applauding each other for their great work, there were some moments that touched on the people's concerns regarding affordable housing and redevelopment initiatives on the majority-Black Southside. | After a discussion of the city's efforts to invest in Southside, the newly-elected Democratic Socialists of America-backed commissioner Jack Porter asked for clarification as to why the Southside of Tallahassee has been so…

Fight Back (2021-02-04). Tallahassee demands affordable housing from City Commission. fightbacknews.org Tallahassee, FL – On January 13, activists with the Tallahassee Community Action Committee attended the Tallahassee City Commission's annual retreat. While much of the retreat featured city leaders applauding each other for their great work, there were some moments that touched on the people's concerns regarding affordable housing and redevelopment initiatives on the majority-Black Southside. | After a discussion of the city's efforts to invest in Southside, the newly-elected Democratic Socialists of America-backed commissioner Jack Porter asked for clarification as to why the Southside of Tallahassee has been so…

Juan Cole (2021-02-04). After Years of Outrage Politics, RepubliQans Have Surrendered to the Neo-Nazi Conspiracy Theorists. commondreams.org The House Republicans have experienced an embarrassing loss of spine, which has reduced them to floundering slugs, because Trump is still the leader of their party and he supports Greene. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/mtg.jpg

RT (2021-02-04). Biden ends US backing for Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, but America will continue to 'help Riyadh against Iranian-supplied forces'. rt.com The US military will stop supporting attacks carried out by the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen, President Joe Biden has confirmed, though America will continue to support Riyadh in "defending its sovereignty." | Speaking in a televised address from the State Department on Thursday, Biden said Washington's focus was on finding a diplomatic solution to the war in Yemen and lend its support to restoring the "long-dormant peace talks." | However, it remains to be seen what practical effect the shift will have on the dynamic of the years-long conflict and America's role there. While the decision…

RT (2021-02-04). Progressive journalist Jordan Chariton regrets calling for social media bans after 'seeing Silicon Valley's censorship onslaught'. rt.com After some of his own videos were pulled by YouTube, progressive reporter Jordan Chariton has had a change of heart about Big Tech's crackdown on extremist content, arguing that it's a pretext to purge all alternative views. | In a series of tweets, the popular pundit and co-founder of Status Coup News revealed that footage of the January 6 Capitol riots had been yanked from his YouTube channel, apparently for violating the platform's policies against "spam and deceptive practices." The video's deletion followed a similar incident in which a livestream of a right-wing rally held several days before Joe Biden's…

RT (2021-02-04). Biden ends US backing for Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, but America will continue to 'help Riyadh against Iranian-supplied forces'. rt.com The US military will stop supporting attacks carried out by the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen, President Joe Biden has confirmed, though America will continue to support Riyadh in "defending its sovereignty". | Speaking in a televised address from the State Department on Thursday, Biden said Washington's focus was on finding a diplomatic solution to the war in Yemen and lend its support to restoring the "long-dormant peace talks." | However, it remains to be seen what practical effect the shift will have on the dynamic of the years-long conflict and America's role there. While the decision…

RT (2021-02-04). House tells Trump he'll 'PROVE' own guilt by not testifying at impeachment trial — but Trump still REFUSES. rt.com Democrats seeking to impeach the former US president Donald Trump have asked him to testify at his Senate trial and threatened him if he refuses, after his lawyers challenged the charges and the trial itself as illegitimate. | In a letter emailed Thursday to Trump's attorneys Bruce Castor and David Schoen, the lead House impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) noted that they denied "factual allegations" and "attempted to put critical facts at issue notwithstanding the clear and overwhelming evidence of your constitutional offense." | üö®HOUSE MANAGERS ASK TRUMP TO TESTIFY &#6…

RT (2021-02-04). UN Security Council 'deeply concerned' at Myanmar military coup, calls for release of leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi. rt.com The United Nations Security Council has expressed its "deep concern" at the military coup in Myanmar and has called for the release of all detainees, including State Counsellor Aung Sang Suu Kyi, who was detained on Monday. | "The members of the Security Council emphasized the need for the continued support of the democratic transition in Myanmar," the 15-member council said in a joint statement. | "They stressed the need to fully uphold democratic institutions and processes, refrain from violence, and fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law." | Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi is…

Staff (2021-02-04). Sanders Slams GOP for $1.9 Trillion Gift to Rich in First Speech as Budget Chair. truthout.org In his first speech on the Senate floor since officially becoming chairman of the chamber's budget committee on Wednesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders reminded Republican senators complaining about the Democratic majority's effort to pass coronavirus relief

Staff (2021-02-04). Have Democrats Finally Realized That Power Is Only Real If You Use It? truthout.org A funny thing happened this week. President Biden and the Democratic Party realized they have actual power. Wait, there's more: They don't appear to be afraid of using it. Wait, it gets even better: They don't seem to care if Republicans say mean things about them — they're gonna do their thing and look out below. After decades of watching Democrats cower before the slashing rhetoric of Republicans, it is an amazing thing to see. | In this instance, "their thing" is to seek the passage via rec…

Shannon Osaka (2021-02-04). With new bill, Sanders and AOC press Biden to declare a 'climate emergency'. peoplesworld.org In his first 15 days in office, President Joe Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, pledged to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies from the federal government, and started the process of unwinding Trump's disastrous environmental legacy. And now a trio of Democratic lawmakers wants President Biden to declare a "climate emergency" as soon as possible. Representative Earl Blumenauer of …

commondreams (2021-02-04). Codepink Applauds Biden's Decision to End U.S. Support for the War on Yemen. commondreams.org ______________________________…

yenisafak (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…

Jeff Bryant (2021-02-04). We Need a Democratic Approach to Reimagining Schools. zcomm.org Asking People, Not Billionaires and Ideologues, What They Want…

Online News Editor (2021-02-04). US to end support for Saudi offensive operations in Yemen. laprensalatina.com Washington, Feb 4 (efe-epa).- President Joe Biden plans to end US support for offensive operations in Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition that has been waging war on the impoverished nation for nearly six years, the White House national security adviser said Thursday. The president will announce the change later Thursday in his first major speech …

Online News Editor (2021-02-04). Myanmar military cuts Facebook access as public opposition to coup grows. laprensalatina.com (Update 1: Adds Egeland comments.) Yangon, Feb 4 (efe-epa).- Facebook access in Myanmar was restricted Thursday after the military junta ordered telecommunications providers to block the social network, and as public opposition to the coup grew. The move to block Facebook came after the military seized power from the elected government on Monday. "All mobile …

Online News Editor (2021-02-04). Myanmar military government cuts Facebook access. laprensalatina.com Yangon, Feb 4 (efe-epa).- Facebook access in Myanmar was limited Thursday after the military junta ordered telecommunications providers to block the social network. The move comes after the military seized power on Monday in a bloodless coup. "All mobile operators, international gateways and internet service providers in Myanmar received a directive on 3 February 2021 …

_____ (2021-02-04). Opposition To Line 3 Mounts. popularresistance.org Saint Paul, MN — Around 600 people gathered in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 29, calling on President Biden to revoke permits for the Line 3 tar sands oil pipeline project. The protest billed as 'Protect the Water, Revoke the Permits' started at Kellogg Park and marched into downtown to the local Army Corps of Engineers' office to demand federal water crossing permits be rescinded. Direct actions halting construction of the new pipeline continue to take place as opposition Line 3 grows. Friday morning in Northern Minnesota, two water protectors locked down to each other between three concrete barrels bloc…

Kenny Stancil, staff writer (2021-02-04). 'The Q Party Is Born!': Progressives Slam GOP for Giving Marjorie Taylor Greene Standing Ovation Instead of Discipline. commondreams.org "The Republican Party backed Greene's run for Congress. Party bigwigs campaigned for her. The party faithful apparently would be happy to make Greene president in the future. They are now the RepubliQan Party." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/mtg_2.jpg

Kenny Stancil, staff writer (2021-02-04). 'A Day Peace Activists… Have Been Waiting For': Biden Vows to Curb US Support for Saudi-Led War on Yemen. commondreams.org "This decision is the result of years of activism from Yemeni Americans and grassroots activists all over the world. Congrats to lovers of peace everywhere who know #YemenCantWait." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/yemen_shrapnel.jpg

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2021-02-04). Top Democrats in Congress Call On Biden—'With the Stroke of a Pen'—to Cancel Up to $50,000 in Student Debt. commondreams.org Sens. Warren and Schumer, along with Rep. Pressley, are leading the push for the president to "lift this impossible burden" on borrowers. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-12309704591.jpg

Jake Johnson, staff writer (2021-02-04). 'Politically It's Suicidal': Frustration Grows as Biden Entertains Narrower Eligibility for $1,400 Checks. commondreams.org "Let's be really, really clear. Doing this will cost Democrats control of the Congress in 2022 and the White House in 2024… It is a colossally bad idea." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-13001530661.jpg

commondreams (2021-02-04). As Biden Ends Support to Conflict in Yemen, Arms Flows Must Also be Stopped. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Mitchell Zimmerman (2021-02-04). More Partisanship, Not Less: Democrats Shouldn't Compromise Their Solutions to Pander to a GOP That Is Part of the Problem. commondreams.org There can be no reasonable compromise between those determined to confront the crises America faces and those who deny that the problems exist—and have indeed aggravated them. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/shutterstock_1779006512-980×865.jpg

commondreams (2021-02-04). Congressional Bill Urges Biden to Declare Climate Emergency. commondreams.org ______________________________…

news.un (2021-02-04). Elections vital to building democratic Palestinian State: UN chief. news.un.org Elections this year in the Occupied Palestinian Territories will be "a crucial step" towards Palestinian unity, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday.

news.un (2021-02-04). Security Council calls for release of Aung San Suu Kyi, pledging 'continued support' for Myanmar's democratic transition. news.un.org The UN Security Council issued a press statement on Thursday expressing "deep concern" over the military takeover in Myanmar, calling for the immediate release of the country's elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and President Win Myint.

sputniknews (2021-02-04). First US Navy Warship Passes Taiwan Strait Since Biden Assumed Office. sputniknews.com While officially adhering to the "One China" policy, the US has provided up to $13 billion in arms to the island state in the past four years, including missiles capable of hitting targets around the Taiwan Strait, and frequently conducts what it calls "freedom of navigation" operations in the region.

sputniknews (2021-02-04). US Priest Under Fire for Performing 'Exorcism' on Capitol During Riots. sputniknews.com Former US president Donald Trump loyalists on January 6 breached the Capitol building in Washington, DC, to protest against the certification of the Electoral College and to challenge the confirmation of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election.

Jon Levy (2021-02-04). Biden Administration Accused of Supporting Apartheid. Chagos Islands and US Military Base in Diego Garcia. 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 United Nations General Assembly, African Union, and International Court of …

Abdel Bari Atwan (2021-02-04). Reviving the Iran nuclear deal. thealtworld.com Tehran doesn't trust US commitments any longer, it wants to see concrete steps | Direct talks may not have officially started between Iran and the Biden administration about reviving the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal. But negotiations are well underway through the media and statements from both sides intended to convey coded messages to the other. Their substance is not hard for seasoned observers to decipher. | The big question being addressed at present is which side will flinch first in the escalating diplomatic standoff. Will Iran make the opening move by submitting to US demands to resume compliance with the JCPOA…

Elijah Magnier (2021-02-04). Is the US prepared to come down from the tree and return to the Iranian Nuclear Deal? thealtworld.com The US administration intensified its contacts with its allies in the Middle East to de-escalate the tension Donald Trump created in his last weeks in office. Indirect messages have reached Iran from Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and most recently from Iraq saying that the US has the intention of honouring its commitment and wishes to return to the 2015 deal that was revoked by Trump in 2018 (- it had already responded "positively" last year by rejecting Trump's attempt to strike a deal in his final days of office). Iran did receive the messages and Tehran also responded by sending positive signals to US President Biden vi…

teleSUR (2021-02-04). Ecuador: European Observer Expects Smooth Election Day. telesurenglish.net European Left Party Vice-President Maite Mola believes that the problems between the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the Electoral Disputes Tribunal (TCE) will not affect the transparency of the presidential elections to be held in Ecuador on February 7. | RELATED: | She considers that the quality of the democratic process should be guaranteed by both the boards where citizens cast their vote and 24 provincial b…

OtherWords (2021-02-04). As a Muslim American, I'm heartened Biden Repealed Muslim Ban: But Rampant Islamophobia is Undiminished. juancole.com By Domenica Ghanem | ( Otherwords.org ) — President Joe Biden has repealed the Muslim ban. As the news rolled in, I remembered how I felt four years ago, when the Trump administration first announced its intention to ban people from from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the country. The feeling wasn't incredulity. I distinctly …

Matt Sedlar (2021-02-04). Work Should Pay: A $15 an Hour Minimum Wage Is a Start. cepr.net Lancaster Online (PA), February 4, 2021 InsideSources, February 4, 2021 See original article online President Biden has proposed raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025. This has led to the predictable cries of economic disaster from business organizations and right-wingers more generally. The standard argument against raising the minimum wage is not …

teleSUR (2021-02-04). US House Democrats Ask Trump To Testify for Senate Trial. telesurenglish.net On Thursday, U.S. House Democrats asked former President Donald Trump to testify under oath for the Senate impeachment trial set to start next week. | House impeachment managers have sent a letter to the Trump team, requesting Trump testify as early as next Monday and no later than next Thursday, according to local media reports. | RELATED: | Democratic House lawmaker Jamie Raskin, a former constitutional law professor, wrote in the lette…

oneworld.press (2021-02-04). There's No Secret Chinese Hand In Myanmar's State Of Emergency. oneworld.press The People's Republic isn't involved in the Tatmadaw's state of emergency, but falsely claiming otherwise is yet another attempt by self-interested forces to pressure Biden into continuing Trump's anti-Chinese policies.

WSWS (2021-02-04). Behind Donald Trump's grant of clemency for corrupt former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. wsws.org The alignment of the interests of the felon Kilpatrick with the fascistic Trump says much about the decay of American capitalism and the descent of both the Democrats and Republicans into political reaction and open criminality.

Matt Sedlar (2021-02-04). Even After the Cabinet Selections, Personnel Is Policy. cepr.net The American Prospect See article on original site Recent nominations and appointments by President Biden have given progressives enough reason to feel cautiously hopeful about the shape of the administration. Some high-profile losses aside (We meet again, Tom Vilsack), most of Biden's early picks for senior cabinet jobs and top advisers are to the left …

Scott Ritter (2021-02-04). Why the Biden Administration Has Set Itself Up for Failure on the Iran Nuclear Deal. 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). | *** | By laying out unrealistic demands to Iran and engaging in fearmongering …

WSWS (2021-02-04). Trump and January 6: The evidence of a planned political coup. wsws.org The impeachment brief from the House of Representatives lays out a devastating case against Trump, but the Democrats deliberately conceal the role of leading Republicans as Trump's accomplices.

Staff (2021-02-03). Jeff Bezos to Quit as CEO, But Amazon's "Predatory Business Model" Will Continue Unless Lawmakers Act. democracynow.org Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has announced he will step down as CEO and move into a new role as executive chairman later this year, giving up the reins after nearly three decades during which he grew Amazon from an online book retailer into a sprawling business empire and became one of the world's richest people in the process. Andy Jassy, the head of the company's cloud computing division, is set to take over the top job, but Bezos will continue to be the largest Amazon shareholder and remain on the board of directors. The news comes as calls continue to mount for lawmakers to break up Amazon and other tech giants.

Ryan Cristián (2021-02-03). Biden's New "In-Home Test" Will Drive COVID Illusion & Masks Are Making You Sick, While Not Working. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (2/3/21). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth