2021-03-13: News Headlines

Wayne Nealis (2021-03-13). Floyd family gets $27M settlement; activists say 'no substitute for change'. peoplesworld.org MINNEAPOLIS—By a unanimous vote of the Minneapolis City Council Friday, the city agreed to pay a $27 million settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit brought by the George Floyd family. According to media reports, it is the largest pre-trial settlement in U.S. history. The settlement was announced as the first week of jury selection was …

Juan Cole (2021-03-13). Celebrating our Declaration of Independence from Covid with Poetry of Omar Khayyam. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — President Biden on Thursday expressed the expectation that the vaccination of the US population will have proceeded to the extent by July 4 that we can look forward to small gatherings of friends and family then. The calculation is that when 70% of the population is inoculated, the virus will …

The Conversation (2021-03-13). Defeating Climate Denialism by showing People how they will Win by Greening Society. juancole.com By Sarah Sharma and Matthew Hoffmann | — Canada and the United States are suddenly steeped in policy proposals to aggressively cut carbon emissions. In the face of a climate emergency and on the heels of numerous climate disasters, this is welcome news indeed. In the U.S., the newly minted Biden administration has unleashed a …

Medea Benjamin, Nicolas J. S. Davies (2021-03-13). Ten Problems With Biden's Foreign Policy and One Solution. dissidentvoice.org The Biden presidency is still in its early days, but it's not too early to point to areas in the foreign policy realm where we, as progressives, have been disappointed — or even infuriated. There are one or two positive developments, such as the renewal of Obama's New START Treaty with Russia and Secretary of …

mgrochowski (2021-03-13). Haiti in Revolt: The Struggle for Democracy in the Neoliberal Era. dsausa.org Backed by the Biden administration, the neoliberal government of Jovenel MoàØse has led to economic disparity, injustice, and terror for the working people of Haiti. Nationwide demonstrations have erupted in the recent months in reaction to failed neoliberal policies, many of which have been met with suppression and state violence. Haiti's struggle for democracy illuminates…

Medea Benjamin, Nicholas J.S. Davies (2021-03-13). Ten Problems With Biden's Foreign Policy — and One Solution. juancole.com ( Code Pink ) — The Biden presidency is still in its early days, but it's not too early to point to areas in the foreign policy realm where we, as progressives, have been disappointed—or even infuriated. There are one or two positive developments, such as the renewal of Obama's New START Treaty with Russia …

Medea Benjamin (2021-03-13). Biden's Foreign Policy: Ten Problems, One Solution. progressive.org Progressives have reason to be disappointed to see Biden following in the steps of Obama and Trump.

mgrochowski (2021-03-13). Eyes on ICE: Truth and Reconciliation Forum. dsausa.org The Immigrants' Rights Working Group, Afrosocialists and Socialists of Color Caucus, and MiJente invite you to participate in a virtual Truth and Accountability Forum on Thursday, March 25 @ 8pm eastern/5pm pacific. President Biden issued a Day 1 memo calling for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a 100 day review of its…

_____ (2021-03-13). China, Iran, And North Korea Seek Support At The UN Against Unilateral Force. popularresistance.org New York City – China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and others are seeking support for a coalition to defend the United Nations Charter by pushing back against the use or threat of force and unilateral sanctions, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday. | The move by 16 countries and the Palestinians to create such a group comes as U.S. President Joe Biden's new administration boosts its multilateral engagement and with allies, reversing former President Donald Trump's favored unilateral approach as he focused on an "America First" policy. | Biden has also pledged to take on China at the United Nations, wh…

Jeremy Kuzmarov (2021-03-13). What's behind the Biden Administration's new $100 billion nuclear missile system? mronline.org MR Online

Andrew J. Bacevich (2021-03-13). On Shedding an Obsolete Past. zcomm.org Sadly, Joe Biden and his associates appear demonstrably incapable of exchanging the history that they know for a history on which our future may well depend…

Jeremy Brecher (2021-03-13). The Great Depression and the Coronavirus Depression. zcomm.org The fate of Biden's "Build Back Better" proposals—and of hard-hit working people throughout the country—may depend not just on officeholders in Washington but on the action of ordinary people in response to today's multiple crises.

Anand Naidoo (2021-03-13). The Heat: Biden pledges vaccines for all Americans by May. america.cgtn.com After a year of unimaginable loss, U.S. President Biden says every American will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine in the next two months.

_____ (2021-03-13). What Keeps Canada Safe at Night? Joe Biden? strategic-culture.org By Peter Van BUREN | We know what keeps America safe at night — rough men on the walls stand ready to visit violence on those who would do us harm, duh. But what about Canada? Or say, Cambodia or Bolivia? | This is by way of trying to figure out why Joe Biden bombed Syria and derailed the resumption of the Iran

_____ (2021-03-13). Biden Lags Well Behind Obama in U.S.-Cuban Diplomacy. strategic-culture.org How will Biden determine what and who is good for Cuba, and why not leave the decision to the Cuban government and the people? | In its typical, belligerent style, the Trump administration signed off its tenure with some last minute amendments. Returning Cuba to the

yenisafak (2021-03-13). Indian premier holds 'fruitful' 4-nation meeting. yenisafak.com In his opening remarks at the virtual meeting, Modi said, "We are united by our democratic values.""[..] our commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Our agenda today, covering areas like vaccines, climate change and emerging technologies — make the Quad, a force for global good," he said.Quad comprises the US, Japan, Australia and India.Stating that Quad "has come of age", Modi said that it "will remain an important pillar of stability in the region."In multiple tweets later on Friday, Modi said he had a "fruitful discussion" with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison an…

yenisafak (2021-03-13). Biden pushes 'free and open' Pacific in China counter. yenisafak.com A "free and open Indo-Pacific is essential," US President Joe Biden said Friday in a near-certain reference to an increasingly assertive China.Biden made the remarks during a historic meeting of the leaders of Japan, India and Australia, a group formally known as the Quad. Friday's session marks the first leader-level meeting since its inception in what is a sign of its growing importance."The United States is committed to working with you, our partners, and all of our allies in the region to achieve stability," Biden said in opening remarks as the virtual meeting began. "The Quad is going to be vital in our coop…

Mark Aguirre (2021-03-13). Las contradicciones de Joe Biden. globalizacion.ca øPor qué deja impune al asesino Mohammed bin Salman? | Nota edición: La impunidad dada al asesino de Khashoggi por el gobierno de Biden es la expresión de la degradación moral que está acompañando la decadencia de un Imperio. | * | El…

RT (2021-03-13). Party's over: South Dakota's request for July 4th fireworks on Mount Rushmore DENIED over health & environment concerns. rt.com A repeat of last year's large-scale celebration at Mount Rushmore, headlined by then-President Donald Trump, is apparently not going to happen this year, after a federal agency refused a request for a fireworks display. | National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Herbert Frost said in a letter seen by the Hill that the agency was "unable to grant a request" to stage fireworks at the memorial due to "potential risks to the park itself and to the health and safety of employees and visitors." | Frost also cited opposition by "many tribal partners" of the park to the sight of fireworks, and noted that while th…

RT (2021-03-13). US judge temporarily removes China's Xiaomi from Trump-era blacklist. rt.com A US judge has temporarily removed Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi from a Trump-era blacklist prohibiting American investment in "Communist Chinese military companies." | The ruling was announced by US District Judge Rudolph Contreras in Washington on Friday. The judge argued that the US Departments of Defense and Treasury "have not made the case that the national security interests at stake here are compelling," issuing a preliminary injunction removing Xiaomi from the blacklist. | Xiaomi was hit with the ban as then-President Donald Trump took a fresh series of hostile moves against China during his last day…

Deirdre Benavides (2021-03-13). Right-wing Texas college president assaults free speech, ignores COVID. liberationnews.org Matkin, who according to college records could receive a salary as high as $1 million, recently decided not to renew the contracts of three faculty members who have been vocal about unsafe work conditions during COVID-19.

G. Dunkel (2021-03-13). The governor of Texas, Neanderthals and COVID-19. workers.org The governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, made a surprise announcement March 2 in Lubbock, a city of 200,000 people in West Texas. All state mandates to combat the spread of COVID-19 were being lifted. Counties and municipalities cannot require basic public health policies to limit the spread of disease after March . . . |

yenisafak (2021-03-13). Turkish Cargo carries UNICEF-supplied COVID-19 vaccines. yenisafak.com Turkish Cargo, a subsidiary of the national flag carrier Turkish Airlines, has carried coronavirus vaccines and other medical equipment supplied by UNICEF across the world."As the air cargo brand that utilizes the widest flight network of the world, Turkish Cargo shoulders an important mission in the fight against the pandemic," it said in a press release on Saturday.The firm has carried 1.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, which were procured from India by UNICEF, from India's Mumbai to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.It also carried hundreds of thousands of syringes from Barcelona t…

RT (2021-03-13). 'It could have been prevented': Relatives of NY nursing home victims tell RT they hold Cuomo responsible for their deaths. rt.com New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is at fault for the state's disastrous nursing home policies amid the Covid-19 crisis, relatives of care home patients who succumbed to the virus told RT, voicing hopes for accountability. | Grace Colucci, whose elderly father passed away following a 20-day stint in a New York nursing home for physical rehabilitation, told RT's Colon Bray that she and other family members were unable to contact her dad during his stay due to pandemic restrictions, and that he emerged from the home with "very severe symptoms" of what later was confirmed to be Covid-19. | "We were not able to have…

MEE, agencies (2021-03-13). Jordan: Health minister submits resignation after Covid-19 patients die of oxygen shortage. middleeasteye.net Jordan: Health minister submits resignation after Covid-19 patients die of oxygen shortage | An investigation is underway to determine what led to shortage of oxygen in state-run hospital | Sat, 03/13/2021 – 12: 40 | Jordan's King Abdullah II visiting a room during the inauguration of the health ministry's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed field hospital for Covid-19 patients in Aqaba on 24 January…

_____ (2021-03-13). The Southern Tenant Union Playbook. popularresistance.org Despite an eviction moratorium that was intended to keep people housed during the pandemic, landlords filed more than 95,000 evictions in just eight major cities across the South last year. With the passing of the most recent stimulus bill, Senate Democrats approved more than $45 billion in rental and mortgage assistance, but it won't be enough to stave off what housing advocates call the "tsunami of evictions" still to come. | But the fight to keep people housed didn't begin when the country shut down, and it won't end when people can safely dine in restaurants. | The solution to the current crisis requires nove…

Eds. (2021-03-13). Human rights report on the Lasalin massacre. mronline.org MR Online

Dave Welsh (2021-03-13). San Francisco: Haitian community denounces murderous coup regime. workers.org San Francisco — Waving Haitian flags, a crowd of 80 demonstrated March 1 to mark the anniversary of the bloody U.S.-backed coup d'etat in 2004 that overthrew the popular government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The beloved former president was kidnapped and flown to Africa on a U.S. military plane, beginning a . . . |

Nyan Aung (2021-03-13). February revolution in Burma. mronline.org MR Online

Eds. (2021-03-13). Lula's right to run for president of Brazil restored in major victory for people's movemen. mronline.org MR Online

Shaheen Rahman (2021-03-13). Sarah Everard vigil cancelled. ukhumanrightsblog.com Reclaim These Streets v Metropolitan Police Sarah Everard, a 33 year old woman living in London, was walking home from a friend's house at around 9pm on Wednesday 3rd March 2021 when she disappeared without trace. In the days that followed, public appeals for information and press coverage ensured that the case was widely discussed. A …

Jupiter Brown (2021-03-13). Knoxville, TN, activists present 'award' to city's top evictor. liberationnews.org When activists arrived at the housing complex owned by Robert Greene, the residents who lived there came out of their homes and cheered the protesters on — a visible sign of how urgently these demands speak to working class people.

Martin Hart-Landsberg (2021-03-13). Black Lives Matter protests are saving lives. mronline.org MR Online

Birrion Sondahl (2021-03-13). Perilous Journey — My Experiences as a Delegate Inside the Democratic Party. realprogressives.org "I have lived inside the belly of the Monster and know him from within." Cuban revolutionary Jose Marti | I only spent a brief time inside the Democratic Party as an elected delegate for Bernie Sanders in 2020, but it was enough to determine that the monster is indeed irreformable. My delegate journey exposed me to the gross incompetence and corruption within the party. The following reflects my personal experience as a delegate from Colorado's Congressional District 2. My conclusion from these few months is there is no path forward inside the Democratic Party. This should be no surprise at all, as…

RT (2021-03-13). Politically homeless? Sarah Silverman says she doesn't want to be associated with 'elitist' Democratic Party anymore. rt.com Comedian and cancel culture opponent Sarah Silverman has expressed uncertainty about her affiliation with the Democratic Party, eliciting cheers from pundits who hailed the breakup as long overdue. | In a video posted to Instagram, Silverman confessed that she found the Democrats to be too uncompromising and self-righteous for her liking. | "It's the absolutist-ness of the party I am in that is such a turnoff to me. It's so f****** elitist. You know, for something called 'progressive', it allows for zero progress." | She added that after reflecting on the issue, she feels like she doesn't want to be "associate…

RT (2021-03-13). Scammer charged with money laundering & wire fraud after bilking $450k from donors for fake Black Lives Matter charity, DOJ says. rt.com A fraudster has been indicted on federal charges for his alleged role in swindling hundreds of thousands of dollars from donors who thought they were giving to a Black Lives Matter group, instead pocketing the funds for himself. | Ohio man Sir Maejor Page, 32, was slapped with four federal counts this week, the DOJ announced in a

RT (2021-03-13). 'Largest investigation in American history': 100+ people to be charged in storming of US Capitol, court filings say. rt.com At least another hundred people connected to the January 6 storming of the US Capitol are expected to be charged with a variety of crimes, according to prosecutors. | "The investigation continues and the government expects that at least one hundred additional individuals will be charged," claimed the prosecutors in court filings first

RT (2021-03-13). 'The Bachelor' host who was 'canceled' after defending contestant hounded by 'woke police' won't return for next season. rt.com Fans of Chris Harrison were saddened to learn that he will not be hosting the upcoming season of 'The Bachelorette'. Harrison stepped down from the show amid a controversy surrounding an allegedly racist contestant. | Harrison, who went on leave from 'The Bachelor' in mid-February after taking heat for defending one of the participants from accusations of racism, will not be part of the next season of 'The Bachelorette', the gender-swapped version of the show. ABC Entertainment and Warner Horizon confirmed earlier speculation that this would be the case in a statement, saying that former contestants Tayshia Ad…

RT (2021-03-13). Key 'Oath Keeper' granted pretrial release as prosecutors find no evidence of wide-ranging conspiracy to storm Capitol. rt.com A US judge has ordered the release of retired Navy officer Kenneth Caldwell, accused of being part of an Oath Keepers militia plot to invade the Capitol, pending trial, as no evidence to back the conspiracy claims has turned up. | Judge Amit Mehta said that Caldwell did not enter the Capitol building, nor was there direct evidence of him trying to force his way in. | "There are no text messages, communications by him, that speak to entering a building or trying to enter the building. And ultimately, he did not enter the building," Mehta said, as he ordered the 65-year-old's release from jail. Because he did no…

RT (2021-03-13). US declares Huawei threat to national security, pouring cold water on Beijing's hopes for reset with Washington. rt.com The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has deemed Chinese telecom giant Huawei a threat to US national security, maintaining pressure on Beijing that some believed could ease under the new Biden administration. | The FCC announced on Friday that the firm, as well as four other Chinese companies, pose "an unacceptable risk to US national security or the security and safety of US persons." | The regulator's acting chief, Jessica Rosenworcel, said that the move would help "restore trust" in US communications networks. She did not explain what specific actions would be taken against the Chinese companies. Hua…

MEE staff (2021-03-13). Syria's first lady faces possible prosecution and loss of UK citizenship. middleeasteye.net Syria's first lady faces possible prosecution and loss of UK citizenship | Britain's Metropolitan police have opened a preliminary investigation into allegations that Asma al-Assad incited war crimes | Sat, 03/13/2021 – 22: 19 | British-born Asma al-Assad has been under EU and US sanctions since 2012 (AFP) | London's Metropolitan police have opened a preliminary investigation into allegations that Asma al-Assa…

MEE staff (2021-03-13). Israeli settlers attack Palestinian family in West Bank farmland. middleeasteye.net Israeli settlers attack Palestinian family in West Bank farmland | The parents of eight children have been hospitalised after settlers threw rocks at them | Sat, 03/13/2021 – 10: 33 | The father of the Alyan family carried by Israeli soldiers after being attacked by settlers (Courtesy of the Alyan family) | Israeli settlers, some masked and equipped with batons, attacked a Palestinian family in the South Hebro…

MEE, agencies (2021-03-13). Morocco extradites Saudi-Australian national to Riyadh. middleeasteye.net Morocco extradites Saudi-Australian national to Riyadh | Relatives and rights groups had warned that Osama Hasani could face torture if sent to Saudi Arabia | Sat, 03/13/2021 – 14: 28 | Saudi-Australian dual national Osama al-Hasani was arrested on 8 February while visiting his newborn child in Morocco (Twitter) | Moroccan authorities have extradited Saudi-Australian dual national Osama al…

MEE, agencies (2021-03-13). Iran says Israel likely behind attack on container ship in Mediterranean. middleeasteye.net Iran says Israel likely behind attack on container ship in Mediterranean | Ship was hit by 'an explosive object' which caused a small fire, but no one on board was hurt in incident on 10 March | Sat, 03/13/2021 – 16: 01 | Iranian-flagged container ship Shahr e Kord at Haydarpasa port in Istanbul, Turkey on 13 December 2019 (Reuters) | Israel is highly likely to have been behind an attack i…

Dean Baker (2021-03-13). National Public Radio Makes Stuff Up to Tell a Story About Interest Rates and Budget Deficits. cepr.net A story on All Things Considered last night told listeners: "In the early '90s, President Bill Clinton's administration was troubled by this looming problem. Year after year, both government deficits and interest rates were going up. Here's one of his top economic advisers, Laura Tyson. "LAURA TYSON: 'And then he said, oh, my goodness, if …

Manlio Dinucci (2021-03-13). U.S. calls Europe to arms against China, Russia. workers.org The author's Art of War column published in the Italian web daily, Il Manifesto, March 9. Translation: John Catalinotto. The EU-China Agreement on investments, signed Dec. 30 by the European Commission, may be rejected by members of the European Parliament on the grounds that Beijing violates human rights. This is . . . |

Ralph Nader (2021-03-13). Perfidy Meets Putty: Congressional Democrats Betray Voters. dissidentvoice.org Do you remember the promises made by the Democratic Party's presidential and Congressional candidates on universal health insurance? You can forget their pledges and somber convictions now that your votes put the Democrats in charge of the House and the Senate. The Democrats' leaders are abandoning their promises and retreating into a cowardly corporatist future. …

_____ (2021-03-13). Texas County Got Rid Of Cash Bail For Minor Crimes. popularresistance.org Eager to resolve a federal civil rights lawsuit, Texas' most populous county over the past two years has stopped requiring most people accused of low-level crimes from putting up cash to get out of jail on bond. | Tens of thousands of people accused of misdemeanors not involving some specific circumstances, like domestic abuse or previous bond violations, have been freed without cost while awaiting trial. | Letting them out does not appear to increase the chances they will be arrested for new crimes, according to researchers who have been tracking changes made to the Harris County misdemeanor bail system. In fact…

Susana Soto (2021-03-13). Sunday 3/21: Hike at Lake Chabot. indybay.org Where: 17936 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley, California 94546 | When: Sunday, March 21st, 9am…