(2021-12-15). Cuba Hosts 20th ALBA-TCP Summit to Promote Regional Unity. orinocotribune.com The 20th Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) was inaugurated this Tuesday in Havana, Cuba, on the occasion of its 17th anniversary, to reaffirm regional unity and solidarity, and reject US interference in regional affairs. | Among other topics to be discussed are the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and the alliance's action program for the coming year. Its objective is to defend the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, approved in Havana in accordance with the 2nd Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbea…
(2021-12-15). UN: Drivers of Humanitarian Aids Trucks Held by Hijackers. telesurenglish.net UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that drivers of eighteen trucks of humanitarian aid are being hold by military groups in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia. | UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that drivers of eighteen trucks of humanitarian aid are being hold by military groups in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia. Dec. 13, 2021.
(2021-12-15). "These laws aim to keep us in the dark"—Australian SEP electoral members denounce new anti-democratic laws. wsws.org SEP electoral members speak on the link between Australia's party deregistration laws, the COVID-19 disaster and last week's British High Court ruling to extradite Julian Assange.
(2021-12-15). Headlines for December 15, 2021. democracynow.org U.S. Tops 800,000 COVID Deaths as Officials Around the World Warn of Omicron's Rapid Spread, House Votes to Hold Mark Meadows in Contempt; D.C. Sues Oath Keepers, Proud Boys over Insurrection, Judge Dismisses Trump Attempt to Shield Tax Docs from House; NY Probe into Trump Org. Continues, Another GOP Rep. Attacks Ilhan Omar as House Passes Anti-Islamophobia Bill, Congress Votes to Increase Debt Ceiling by $2.5 Trillion, Averting Default, UAE Suspends Talks with U.S. on $23 Billion Arms Sale, Presidents Putin and Xi Meet Amid Mounting Tensions with U.S., Belarusian Opposition Leader Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison…
(2021-12-15). Russia And Israel — A Double Standard In International Condemnation. popularresistance.org Over the past month, in a break from its usual focus on COVID-19, the Western mainstream media has dedicated a sizeable amount of coverage to unverified claims by unnamed US intelligence officials that the Russian Federation is planning an imminent military invasion of its western neighbour Ukraine — under the rule of the successive US-EU friendly governments of Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelensky since 2014, when the CIA-orchestrated Euromaidan colour revolution toppled the pro-Russian government of Viktor Yanukovych, following his November 2013 decision to suspend an EU trade deal in favour of pursuin…
(2021-12-15). The Omicron variant: Spread, lethality and prevention. peoplesdispatch.org Immunologist Dr. Satyajit Rath discusses what is known about the Omicron variant at this stage. Does it spread faster? Is it more lethal? How do prevailing vaccine inequities affect its transmission?
(2021-12-15). China plays a crucial role supporting progress and sovereignty in Latin America. mronline.org 
In the last two decades, economic links between Latin America and the People's Republic of China have been expanding at a dizzying rate.
(2021-12-15). UNGA President Says Vaccinating World New Year's Top Priority. telesurenglish.net On Tuesday, Abdulla Shahid, president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), said that his first goal for the New Year is to vaccinate the world and achieve vaccine equity. | RELATED: | "My top priority is going to be on vaccine. That is why I am convening this high-level meeting on Jan. 13. That is why I want to make my New Year resolution on vaccine," the UNGA president told reporters while responding to the question regarding his top pr…
(2021-12-15). Venezuela Receives more than 1.5 Million Sputnik Light Doses from Russia. orinocotribune.com 
On Monday, December 13, Venezuela received another shipment of Sputnik Light vaccine doses from the Russian Federation, which will be used in the Venezuelan government's mass vaccination program against COVID-19. | The new batch consists of more than 1.5 million Sputnik Light doses, which will be used as booster jabs for the elderly population in Venezuela. | The Deputy Minister of Resources, Technology and Regulation, which is under the Ministry of Health, Gerardo Briceño, received the shipment at the Maiquetía international airport. While at the airport, he informed that the supply coming in from Russia will re…
(2021-12-15). Activists 'march' to abolish Texas death penalty. workers.org 
By Workers World Houston bureau Houston, Texas Though virtual for a second year due to the pandemic, the 22nd Annual March and Rally to Abolish the Death Penalty on Dec. 4 in Texas kept the fighting spirit alive here in the killing capital of the U.S. Demonstrators at Texas annual . . . |
(2021-12-15). Jittery markets await central bank decisions. wsws.org Since the start of the pandemic trillions of dollars have been poured into financial markets by central banks, sending stock prices to record highs, but the rise of inflation is leading to increased instability.
(2021-12-15). Australian university union holds back industrial action. wsws.org The votes for strike action reflect the anger and disgust that has built up over the past two years as managements continue to exploit the COVID pandemic to eliminate tens of thousands of jobs.
(2021-12-15). The new West Side Story: A remaking of the Leonard Bernstein classic at war with itself. wsws.org The appearance of the new version is a much anticipated event. In the works for a number of years, Spielberg's film was shot and edited in 2019, but its opening was delayed a year by the pandemic.
(2021-12-15). Lisa Diaz, Sarah Saul condemn right-wing campaign to keep schools open amid surging pandemic. wsws.org Huge numbers of children, educators, their families and communities are suffering the consequences of this right-wing agenda. Omicron cases are being reported at school after school, leading to an increasing number of full or partial closures.
(2021-12-15). The only way to deal effectively with a pandemic is socialistic. moderndiplomacy.eu The two extremes of ideology are libertarianism (anarchy) versus government (socialism). (Pure embodiments of either are rare if not non-existent.) A democratic government represents the public; an aristocratic government represents the wealthiest 0.1% as its actual dictators and beneficiaries. The two types of libertarianism are: the pure form, in which everyone is free to destroy …
(2021-12-15). Sri Lankan port and free trade zone workers back global inquest into pandemic. wsws.org "No one is taking responsibility for the virus. It is not the people who should be held accountable, but the authorities who hold office."
(2021-12-15). Vietnam's Economic Policy and adaptation to COVID-19. moderndiplomacy.eu Vietnam which was seen as a success story in terms of countering COVID-19 is facing challenges with regard to re-invigorating its economy given the fact that the constraints related to international travel, trade and investment are still looming large on the horizon. As part of the initiative to provide the necessary support to the economy, …
(2021-12-15). Digital Technology Key to Supporting Thailand's Recovery from COVID-19. moderndiplomacy.eu After being severely hit by a surge of COVID-19 cases in the third quarter of 2021, Thailand's economic activity has subsequently rebounded and is expected to grow by 1.0 percent this year, according to the World Bank's latest Thailand Economic Monitor "Living with COVID in a Digital World" published today. Going forward, the adoption of …
(2021-12-15). "The emergency is over," declares Colorado Governor, as hospital system nears total collapse. wsws.org During an interview with Colorado Public Radio late last week, Democratic Governor Jared Polis doubled down on his declaration that he will not impose any statewide public health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
(2021-12-15). 17-year-old Philadelphia high school student dies from COVID-19. wsws.org Before catching COVID-19, Alayna Thach had circulated a petition at the school calling for outside learning and lunches to protect students from the deadly virus.
(2021-12-15). Nuevo hallazgo podría explicar por qué la ómicron puede transmitirse con mayor rapidez que variantes anteriores. cubadebate.cu La variante ómicron de la covid-19 contagia y se multiplica 70 veces más rápido en los bronquios humanos que la delta y que el virus original del SARS-CoV-2, comunicó este miércoles un equipo de investigación dirigido por científicos de la Universidad de Hong Kong (China).
(2021-12-15). COVID-19: Don't underestimate Omicron. moderndiplomacy.eu The Omicron variant is "probably" now present in most of the world's countries and it would be a mistake to dismiss the COVID-19 strain as "mild", said the head of the UN health agency (WHO) on Tuesday. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, told reporters from WHO headquarters in Geneva that the …
(2021-12-15). Johnson government hit by massive backbench rebellion opposing minimal COVID measures. wsws.org Yesterday's grotesque parliamentary debate was a warning of what is coming.
(2021-12-15). Kaiser workers: To prepare for our fight for safe staffing during Omicron, we must learn the lessons of the AHCU contract betrayal! wsws.org The Alliance of Health Care Unions may have succeeded in ramming through the latest concessions contract, but that does not change the fact that we still need a fully staffed health care system now to handle the impending surge of COVID-19 cases.
(2021-12-15). Pfizer Confirms High Efficacy Of COVID-19 Antiviral Pill. telesurenglish.net On Tuesday, Pfizer said final results show that its novel COVID-19 oral antiviral tablets could reduce risk of hospitalization or death by close to 90 percent for high-risk patients. | RELATED: | The results, based on an analysis of over 2,000 patients in a phase 2/3 trial, were consistent with the interim analysis announced in November 2021. The risk of hospitalization or death was reduced by 89 percent compared to…
(2021-12-15). Russia anticipates new COVID surge, even as deaths remain at record highs. wsws.org The country continues to experience extremely high daily COVID-19 infections and death, as the spread of the Omicron variant threatens yet another spike.
(2021-12-15). Omicron identified throughout the Southern US amid continuing child, educator deaths. wsws.org As Omicron is identified across the Southern US, at least 13 children in the region have officially died of COVID-19 in the past month while the media remain virtually silent.
(2021-12-15). Selected Articles: Towards Another Devastating Worldwide Crisis? The WEF's "Cyber Attack With Covid-like Characteristics". globalresearch.ca 
By In "normal" times, the practice of medicine has many challenges, some from within and some from outside the profession. If you let it, much of your daily practice …
(2021-12-15). How a virus transforms immune cells into cancer uncovered by researchers. imperial.ac.uk An international team have mapped how the HTLV-1 virus causes a rare leukaemia in some people, providing clues on how to stop it happening.
(2021-12-15). Libya: Mass Demonstrations Demand Elections Not Be Postponed. libya360.wordpress.com The Independent High Electoral Commission in Libya announced on Wednesday that it had handed over the final report on the stage of electoral appeals to elect the president, to the committee formed by members of the House of Representatives concerned with following up the electoral process, coinciding with the outbreak of demonstrations in different parts…
(2021-12-14). Headlines for December 14, 2021. democracynow.org Eight Killed by Tornado at Kentucky Factory Whose Workers Were Ordered to Remain on Site, Ice Sheet Holding Back Vast Antarctic Glacier Poised to Collapse Within Five Years, U.K. Reports First Death Linked to Fast-Spreading Omicron Coronavirus Variant, New York City to Require Proof of Vaccination for Kids 5 and Up to Enter Public Spaces, Pentagon Won't Punish Anyone over Kabul Drone Strike That Killed 10 Civilians, Sudanese Police Fire Tear Gas at Protesters Demanding End to Military Rule, Report: Colombian Police Killed at Least 11 People Protesting Police Brutality, Danish Ex-Minister Gets Prison for Illegally…
(2021-12-14). Who is Responsible for the Deteriorating Situation in Lebanon? journal-neo.org 
For many years, Lebanon was considered the safe haven of the Middle East plagued by wars, instability, and colored revolutions. Many have referred to the country as the Middle East's Switzerland, including investments in Lebanon's economy from countries of the region where the political crises were raging. The country's banks were especially valued, prosperous and …
(2021-12-14). "Vaccines: Truths, Lies, and Controversies." On the Basic Essay-Study of Dr. Peter Gotzsche. libya360.wordpress.com Damian Mazzotti "Vaccines: Truth, Lies, and Controversies" is a resounding essay that is very useful to all physicians and those involved in evaluating health policies (Peter C. Gotzsche, twitter.com/pgtzsche1, 2020, http: //www.fioritieditore.com/prodotto/vaccini-verita-bugie-e-controversie; 196 pages, euro 18). Peter Gotzsche has a unique professional experience gained from a double degree in Chemistry and Medicine. Through his collaborations and…
(2021-12-14). The Triumph of Financial Capital. mronline.org 
Financial capital, once cut loose from its original role as a modest helper of a real economy of production to meet human needs, inevitably becomes speculative capital geared solely to its own self-expansion. In earlier times no one ever dreamed that speculative capital, a phenomenon as old as capitalism itself, could grow to dominate a national economy, let alone the whole world. But it has.
(2021-12-14). Why Cuba has no anti-vaccine movement. workers.org 
By Marc Vandepitte and Toon Danhieux In the imperialist countries, honest skepticism about government handling of the COVID-19 crisis and the profit-driven decisions of pharmaceutical companies have allowed rightist and ultrarightist groups to mobilize sections of the population behind unscientific theories that harm public health. This article, published in dewereldmorgen.be . . . |
(2021-12-14). Italia To Extend COVID-19 'Emergency State' Until March. telesurenglish.net On Tuesday, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced that he will extend the duration of the national state of emergency until March 31, 2022, due to the soaring increase of COVID-19 contagions in his country, which reported 12,712 coronavirus cases and 98 related deaths in the last 24 hours. | RELATED: | "If we want to control coronavirus contagions amid the Omicron strain appearance, extending the state of emergency is indispensable," Dr…
(2021-12-14). Epidemic of Heart Disease Caused by COVID Vaccines and Related Stress. globalresearch.ca To receive Global Research's Daily Newsletter (selected articles), Visit …
(2021-12-14). One year of vaccines, but COVID pandemic rages on. wsws.org The COVID vaccines are a great scientific advance, but American society has failed to carry out the public health measures required to crush the pandemic.
(2021-12-14). Globalink | Nicaragua, China Have Many Opportunities in Health Cooperation: Minister. telesurenglish.net Nicaragua and China have many opportunities for comprehensive cooperation in the health sector. Nicaraguan Health Minister Martha Reyes has the details. | Staff members convey Chinese COVID-19 vaccine at an airport in Managua, Nicaragua, Dec. 12, 2021.
(2021-12-14). How African countries are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. imperial.ac.uk We take a deep dive into how three African nations have dealt with the pandemic so far, and how they are rolling out vaccine programmes.
(2021-12-14). Alix Mayer Is Vaccine Injured, but Not from the COVID Vaccine. globalresearch.ca To receive Global Research's Daily Newsletter (selected articles), Visit …
(2021-12-14). Vaccines Pose 7 Times Higher Death Risk than COVID for Young People, Japanese Experts Warn. globalresearch.ca To receive Global Research's Daily Newsletter (selected articles), Visit …
(2021-12-14). Argentina To Require COVID-19 Pass Starting January 1st. telesurenglish.net On Monday, President Alberto Fernandez' administration announced that people over 13 years of age must present the COVID-19 (CUIDAR) health pass to be able to attend events of high epidemiological risk as of January 1. | RELATED: | The complete COVID-19 vaccination certificate will be required to participate in public events that take place in open or closed spaces such as dance halls, party halls, and graduation tr…
(2021-12-14). Mandatory COVID Vaccination Suspended in Kenya. telesurenglish.net The High Court of Kenya has given the direction to suspend the Government's order to prevent the entrance of those who are not fully vaccinated to public places and services. | High court judge Antony Mrima suspends directive for Kenyans to get full Covid-19 vaccination by December 21 until case filed by a businessman is determined. Dec. 14, 2021.
(2021-12-14). Face mask litter increased almost 9,000% during first 7 months of pandemic, study finds. nationofchange.org "Despite millions of people being told to use face masks, little guidance was given on how to dispose of them or recycle them safely."
(2021-12-14). Report: Amazon Developing Monster Attack On Instacart With Its Own Same-Day Fresh Market Delivery Service. moguldom.com Amazon plans to compete with app-based grocery-ordering and food delivery giants Instacart, as well as other companies such as DoorDash and Uber in a push for a share of the fast-growing market that took off in 2020 during pandemic lockdowns. Already a force in the brick-and-mortar grocery store business, Amazon bought Whole Foods in 2017 …
(2021-12-14). Cuba defeats COVID-19 with learning, science, and unity. peoplesworld.org 
Education is central to Cuba's brand of socialism. The revolutionary government's dedication to scientific knowledge and healthcare for all shows up now as Cubans cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States is not so lucky. Cubans have wholeheartedly carried out masking, social-distancing, testing and quarantining. Cuba' s bio-medical research and production facilities created five …
(2021-12-14). Quebec authorities left long-term care residents to die in pandemic's first wave. wsws.org A report from the Quebec Ombudsman demonstrates that the province's CAQ government abandoned vulnerable seniors and lied to the public as COVID-19 ripped through nursing homes between March and June 2020.
(2021-12-14). China's Zero COVID policy proves that the elimination of COVID-19 is possible. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site published yesterday a submission to the Global Workers' Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic by a scientist on China's Zero COVID strategy that is essential to understanding what has happened over the past two years and what must be done to end the pandemic.
(2021-12-14). The Omicron Shame: Why is the World Punishing Instead of Helping Africa? zcomm.org Helping Africa in its critical fight against the pandemic should have been done in a more systematic fashion as part of an inclusive global strategy…