Monthly Archives: March 2021

2021-03-02: News Headlines

Mirmirani P, Fu J. (2021-03-02). Hair Loss Diagnosis and Treatment in Primary Care. jamanetwork.com This JAMA Insights Clinical Update reviews the differential diagnosis, patterns, evaluation, and management of the most common causes of nonscarring hair loss, including male pattern balding, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-02). Lifting US sanctions, only way to revive JCPOA: Pres. Rouhani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 02 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that lifting sanctions imposed by the United States against Islamic Republic of Iran is the only way to salvage and revive Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-02). 'Ava' to go on screen at US, UK film festivals. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 02 (MNA) — Iranian short film 'Ava' directed by Sasan Karimi will take part in two international film festivals in the US and the UK.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-02). COVID-19 death toll mounts to 60,267 in Iran: official. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 02 (MNA) — Some 86 more Iranians died of coronavirus over the past 24 hours and 1,406,845 people out of a total of 1,648,174 infected with the coronavirus have survived and recovered, according to Health Ministry.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-02). Iran stresses development of technological coop. with Syria. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 02 (MNA) — In a meeting with the Syrian Minister of Industry Ziad Sabbagh in Damascus, Iran's Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari underscored the development of technological cooperation between the two sides.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-02). Terror group launches operation in SE Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 02 (MNA) — Jeish al-Adl terror group has launched an operation against unarmed civilians in Saravan County in Southeast Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-02). Makran helicopter carrier provided great capacity for Navy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 02 (MNA) — Deputy Iran's Navy Commander for Coordination said that Makran helicopte carrier has created various support capacities for the independent presence of country's naval combat, intelligence and operational fleets in high seas.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-02). ŸéAbove 700 kg of illicit drugs busted in Iran's Saravan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 02 (MNA) — The Sistan and Baluchestan border commander announced the confiscation of more than 700 kg of opium in Sravan county.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-02). Iran seeking to shape new 'tech diplomacy' in world. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 02 (MNA) — Startups are Iran's powerful defense against international sanctions, VP Sattari said and added that technology diplomacy is a new form of diplomacy that Iran seeks to shape in the world.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-02). Macron to hold phone talk with Iranian counterpart over JCPOA. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 02 (MNA) — Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Office for Communications and Information said that French President Emmanuel Macron will hold phone talk with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani over JCPOA.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-02). US accuses Iran of escalating tensions in Yemen. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 03 (MNA) — Without referring to Saudi aggression against Yemen, the US Secretary of State claimed in a statement that Iran has escalated tensions in the country.

RT (2021-03-02). WATCH Iranian missiles rain down on US base in Iraq following Soleimani assassination in newly declassified VIDEO. rt.com The Pentagon has declassified never-before-seen drone footage showing a barrage of Iranian missiles pounding an American airbase in Iraq last year, launched in response to the US kill strike on Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. | US Central Command released the declassified footage to CBS for a '60 Minutes' segment over the weekend, in which six Qiam 1 missiles are seen raining down on the Ayn al-Asad airbase, which houses US troops in Iraq's western Anbar Province. | Filmed in grainy infrared, the brief annotated video shows incoming missiles as they slam into aircraft maintenance hangars and other base facil…

MEE staff (2021-03-02). US sanctions Houthi commanders in Yemen for 'worsening humanitarian crisis'. middleeasteye.net US sanctions Houthi commanders in Yemen for 'worsening humanitarian crisis' | In announcing sanctions, Washington also rebuked Iran's 'involvement' in protracted conflict | Tue, 03/02/2021 – 17: 24 | Houthi supporters in Sanaa protest against blockade imposed on Yemen by Saudi-led coalition, 26 February (AFP) | The Biden administration imposed sanctions on two Houthi commanders on Tuesday, accusing the Yemeni…

Trita Parsi (2021-03-02). Biden "Illegally" Bombs Iranian-Backed Militias in Syria. zcomm.org Jeopardizes Nuclear Talks with Tehran…

_____ (2021-03-02). Biden's Syria Attack: An Actual Impeachable Offense. strategic-culture.org By Ron PAUL | Last Thursday President Biden continued what has sadly become a Washington tradition: bombing Syria. The President ordered a military strike near the Iraqi-Syrian border that killed at least 22 people. The Administration claims it struck an "Iranian-backed" militia in retaliation for recent rocket attacks on US installations in Iraq. | As with Presidents Obama and Trump before him, however, Biden's justification for the US strike and its targets is not credible. And his claim that the US attack would result in a "de-escalation" in the region is laughable. You cannot bomb your way toward de-escalatio…

Staff (2021-03-02). Black People Face Higher COVID Infections & Deaths. Should They Have Lower Age Cutoffs for Vaccines? democracynow.org As the U.S. vaccine rollout continues to expand, health justice advocates worry about a racial gap in vaccinations. Black communities have been hard hit by the pandemic, but rates of vaccination in communities of color lag behind largely white communities across the country. Dr. Oni Blackstock, a primary care and HIV physician, argues that age cutoffs should be lowered or removed for Black people in order to speed up inoculations, noting that Black Americans are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 as white Americans and also dying at rates similar to those of white Americans who are 10 years older. "These fixed-…

Staff (2021-03-02). Anti-Choice Forces Use Pandemic to Slash Abortion Access in Preview of Post-Roe v. Wade World. democracynow.org We look at how people across the U.S. have struggled to access abortions during the pandemic with reporter Amy Littlefield, who says that even before the COVID-19 outbreak, many states had restrictions, including three-day waiting periods and counseling sessions filled with misinformation. Then, many tried to use the pandemic as a pretext for banning abortion as a nonessential service. "Texas, in the early weeks of the pandemic, sort of gave us a dress rehearsal for what it could look like when states try to ban abortion entirely," says Littlefield. "We saw how half a century worth of attempts to whittle away at…

RT (2021-03-02). Amazon revises new app logo after users liken it to Adolf Hitler's smirk. rt.com Amazon quietly changed the design of its app logo after social media users claimed the image of a box with tape on it bears a resemblance to Nazi Germany's dictator, Adolf Hitler. | The original logo, which Amazon rolled out in January, was meant to portray a brown Amazon box with a piece of jagged tape above the company's iconic smile icon. The combination of the smile and tape, however, ended up vaguely resembling Hitler's infamous toothbrush moustache. | Amazon's revised version of the logo has ditched the jagged tape for a more square piece of tape with a folded corner. | lmao I completely missed that amaz…

Staff (2021-03-02). Faith without workers is dead. therealnews.com Working in the Church is a lot like working for other nonprofits, according to Rev. Lindsey Joyce. The work is fulfilling, but it can also be exploitative, and we need to talk about it.

John Feffer (2021-03-02). The Claudius Presidency? counterpunch.org Caligula was by all accounts a nasty piece of work. During the nearly four years that he ruled over the Roman empire in the first century CE, Caligula was notorious for sexual predation and extravagant spending. Never one to sell himself short, he proclaimed early on that he was a god. He held the Senate

Robert Penner (2021-03-02). Struggle for justice forces reopening of two cases of police violence in Milwaukee. liberationnews.org The cases of Christopher Davis, killed by Milwaukee Deputy Juan Ortiz, and Jay Anderson, killed by Wauwatosa officer Joseph Mensah, have been re-opened in the Milwaukee area.

E.L. Melrose (2021-03-02). Erie, PA: Residents skeptical towards corporation's 'green' promises. liberationnews.org The plight of this area has left the door open to the opportunism of "green" industry and it is currently being courted by International Recycling Group (IRG).

Phil Knight (2021-03-02). Yellowstone Wasn't Saved by Chance. counterpunch.org Yellowstone National Park, the original "Best American Idea", turns 149 on March 1 this year. We tend to take for granted that we have lots of great national parks and that ones like Yellowstone are protected. But Yellowstone was the first national park and we almost lost that wonderland. In the 1870s and '80s, opportunists

Berry Craig (2021-03-02). Biden just proved to workers that he's got our backs. peoplesworld.org Going on 86 years ago, Franklin D. Roosevelt made the most pro-union statement ever uttered by an American president. Joe Biden just broke FDR's record. Said the 46th president in a video posted to Twitter: "…Workers in Alabama and all across America are voting on whether to organize a union in their workplace. This is vitally important—a vitally …

Ben Cowles (2021-03-02). At least 15 refugees dead in Mediterranean shipwreck. peoplesworld.org At least 15 people drowned in the central Mediterranean at the weekend while attempting to flee Libya, though the death toll could have been much higher if civilian rescuers had not intervened. Activist network Alarm Phone received a distress call early yesterday morning from a rubber boat carrying about 125 people. The boat was deflating, …

Climate Nexus (2021-03-02). Sky-high levels of fracking chemicals detected in children's bodies. peoplesworld.org While the hazards of fracking to human health are well-documented, first-of-its-kind research from Environmental Health News shows the actual levels of biomarkers for fracking chemicals in the bodies of children living near fracking wells far higher than in the general population. The research fills a gap in the science between the health harms experienced by …

The Conversation (2021-03-02). Decline of Coal shows Gov't Policy, Renewables crucial to Reducing Carbon Emissions: The Market isn't Enough. juancole.com By David Drake and Jeffrey York | — The big idea People often point to plunging natural gas prices as the reason U.S. coal-fired power plants have been shutting down at a faster pace in recent years. However, new research shows two other forces had a much larger effect: federal regulation and a well-funded activist …

Jim Soliz (2021-03-02). Congressional Republicans Kevin McCarthy, Mike Garcia met with protests. peoplesworld.org SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Planned protests against two Congressional Republicans from Southern California, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (23rd C.D.) and Rep. Mike Garcia (25th C.D.) took place as scheduled on Fri., Feb. 26. The actions took place in the cities of Santa Clarita, Lancaster, and Bakersfield, three bulwarks of the far right in California, as …

Margaret Flowers (2021-03-02). Small Acts Can Become A Power No Government Can Suppress. dissidentvoice.org The American Rescue Plan (ARP) was passed in the House this past week and now heads to the Senate, where it will no doubt be changed before it becomes law some time in mid-March. The current unemployment benefits expire on March 14. While we don't know what the final bill will look like, at least …

E.L. Melrose (2021-03-02). Erie, PA: Residents skeptical towards corporation's "green" promises. liberationnews.org The plight of this area has left the door open to the opportunism of "green" industry and it is currently being courted by International Recycling Group (IRG).

Patrick Cockburn (2021-03-02). ISIS and the UK: the Case of Shamima Begum. counterpunch.org A former Isis fighter once complained to me that western volunteers who travelled to the so-called Islamic State in northeastern Syria were a burden because they did not speak Arabic, had no military experience, knew little about Islam and had often come because they were bored or unhappy at home. He said that their main

James Bovard (2021-03-02). The Afghanization of American Democracy? counterpunch.org Acrimony and recriminations continue to swirl around the 2020 presidential election. Three out of four Republicans believe that there was "widespread fraud" in the election, while Democrats have sought to turn into criticisms of the election into a "Big Lie" heresy against democracy. Senior congressional Democrats are pressuring the nation's largest cable providers to cease carrying conservative networks such as Fox News that raised too many questions about Biden's victory.

Binoy Kampmark (2021-03-02). War Mongering for Artificial Intelligence. counterpunch.org The ghost of Edward Teller must have been doing the rounds between members of the National Commission on Artificial Intelligence. The father of the hydrogen bomb was never one too bothered by the ethical niggles that came with inventing murderous technology. It was not, for instance, "the scientist's job to determine whether a hydrogen bomb

Joe Sims (2021-03-02). Getting it right on Hampton, the Panthers, and 'Judas and the Black Messiah'. peoplesworld.org The young freedom fighters of the Black Panther Party, as brilliantly portrayed in the film Judas and the Black Messiah, were most certainly "uncompromising," as described in Brian W. Major's recent People's World review. The recently released film, directed by Shaka King and starring Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfiel, Dominique Fishback, and Martin Sheen, unfolds a …

Editor (2021-03-02). Raise the minimum wage to $15 — at least! workers.org A $15-per-hour minimum wage cannot be included in the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill proposed by Congressional Democrats. So ruled the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth McDonough, on Feb. 25. This unelected official called it "irrelevant to budget legislation." This edict is a brutal blow to millions of struggling workers. Nevertheless, the . . . |

PAI (2021-03-02). Senate Democrats pull $15 wage from rescue package; progressives target filibuster. peoplesworld.org WASHINGTON—The Senate's barely ruling Democrats apparently have given up for now on raising the minimum wage, but the nation's unions, the New Poor People's Campaign, and their allies haven't. By a 219-212 vote after midnight on Feb. 27, the Democratic-run House approved the $1.9 trillion economic aid bill, called the American Rescue Plan. It includes …

Sam Pizzigati (2021-03-02). The Average American Pay Tax on Half of Their Wealth, Shouldn't Rich Americans? counterpunch.org Might the United States, home to the world's wealthiest people, sometime soon sport a tax on wealth? Media outlets the nation over have begunspeculating on just that question. But many of these reflections are missing the point: The United States already has a wealth tax. We call this already existing levy the "property tax," and

Anand Naidoo (2021-03-02). The Heat: U.S. immigration reform. america.cgtn.com U.S. President Joe Biden pursues immigration reform as his first major legislative initiative. But can he deliver?>

Aaliyah Harris (2021-03-02). In conversation with Rianna Patterson about dementia and her new documentary. thecanary.co According to

Editor (2021-03-02). Digamosle a Biden: °Deja de bombardear Siria! workers.org La administración de Biden solo tardó 36 días en el cargo para mostrar al mundo, a través de un bombardeo en Siria, que es beligerante, agresivo y empeñado en la guerra. Solo hubo un breve respiro de las viles palabras y acciones de Trump. Ahora tenemos que enfrentar los viles . . . |

Ian Cobain (2021-03-02). Labour faces legal challenge over recruitment of former Israeli spy. middleeasteye.net Labour faces legal challenge over recruitment of former Israeli spy | British Palestinian party member says ex-military intelligence officer's 'social listening' role raises questions about data security | Tue, 03/02/2021 – 12: 04 | Labour leader Keir Starmer has been criticised by other senior party figures over the appointment (Reuters) | The UK Labour Party is facing a legal challenge over its decision t…

RT (2021-03-02). Dr. Anthony Fauci publicly opposes delaying second doses of Covid vaccines to inoculate more people. rt.com Dr. Anthony Fauci has disagreed with calls to delay the second dose of Covid-19 jabs to inoculate more Americans, rejecting the strategy adopted by the UK government and others to speed up their vaccine rollout. | America's top infectious disease official made the comments to the Washington Post, as he said the United States must stick to its current two-dose strategy for both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. | Fauci warned that, while delaying second doses of the vaccines could allow health officials to provide more individuals with their first dose, it also presents risks, such as leaving people wit…

RT (2021-03-02). Italy shuts all schools in Covid-19 hotspots, toughens travel rules until after Easter amid spread of variants. rt.com The Italian government has ordered all schools to close in the areas with the highest Covid-19 infection rates as part of a series of new measures set to last until after Easter amid the threat of more contagious viral variants. | On Tuesday, Italy's new prime minister Mario Draghi signed an emergency decree that will see public health measures tightened in so-called 'red zones' from March 6 to April 6. | Under a new

RT (2021-03-02). 'Mass murder' and 'reckless': Texas ending mask mandates triggers Democrat meltdown. rt.com The announcement by Governor Greg Abbott that Texas will fully reopen next week is drawing backlash from mask mandate champions such as his California colleague Gavin Newsom and other Democrats — and counter-backlash as well. | Abbott marked the anniversary of the 1836 Texan independence on Tuesday by announcing that the state will reopen "100 percent" by next week in order to "restore livelihoods and normalcy." | Also on rt.com | | While Covid-19 has not disappeared,…

RT (2021-03-02). New York Governor Cuomo faces THIRD sexual harassment accuser after state AG announces probe into prior allegations. rt.com Yet another woman has come forward to accuse New York Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, becoming the third to go on record with similar charges after the state's attorney general signaled she would open an investigation. | Anna Ruch, a former staffer in the Barack Obama administration and a member of Joe Biden's 2020 campaign team,

RT (2021-03-02). Newsweek forced to admit Buffalo schools teaching kids to blame 'all white people' is true, not 'HALF-TRUE' in big fact-check FAIL. rt.com After public schools in Buffalo, New York have been called out for blaming "all white people" for perpetuating systematic racism, "fact-checkers" tried to disprove it — only to be left red-faced when confronted with evidence. | Journalist Chris Rufo has been vindicated after fact-checkers accused him of misreporting the contents of a Black Lives Matter-themed curriculum being employed at Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) last month. The magazine quietly confirmed that BPS was, in fact, teaching its students to blame all white people for the suffering of others. | While Rufo showed the curriculum claimed that…

RT (2021-03-02). No fake Trump supporters or Antifa behind Capitol riot, FBI director testifies — adds agency must GROW amid domestic terror threat. rt.com FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Senate the "domestic terrorism" at the heart of the US Capitol riot has been "metastasizing" for years, but there is no evidence of involvement from Antifa or fake Donald Trump supporters. | In a Tuesday hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Wray made it clear he believed the January 6 riot was an example of "domestic terrorism," an issue he sees as an increasing problem in the US. | "January sixth was not an isolated event. The problem of domestic terrorism has been metastasizing across the country for a long time now and it is not going away anytime soon,"

RT (2021-03-02). Former CIA director John Brennan 'embarrassed to be a WHITE MALE'… and critics agree they're embarrassed he's a white male too. rt.com John Brennan, the former CIA director and perjurer who's now an MSNBC contributor, apparently found a point on which he and his conservative critics can agree: Both sides are ashamed that he's a white male. | Responding to an MSNBC discussion on Monday about Republican claims regarding the January 6 Capitol riot, Brennan said, "I'm increasingly embarrassed to be a white male these days, in light of what I see of my other white males saying." | John Brennan should be ashamed to be John Brennan

RT (2021-03-02). Texas gov lifts mask mandate & OKs businesses to operate at 100% capacity. rt.com Texas Governor Greg Abbott has lifted many of the Covid-19 restrictions in his state, permitting businesses to operate at 100-percent capacity starting March 10 and repealing the requirement for people to wear face coverings. | Abbott delivered the "exciting news" during a speech to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, informing the assembled small business and community leaders that the mask mandate — in place since July — was no more. | "We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent," Abbott said in a statement on Tuesday — Texas' Indepe…

_____ (2021-03-02). Billionaire Wealth, U.S. Job Losses and Pandemic Profiteers. strategic-culture.org Check back for our regular updates on U.S. unemployment and billionaire wealth during the pandemic emergency. | By Chuck COLLINS | February 24, 2021 Update: US Billionaire Wealth Grows $1.3 trillion Since Mid-March 2020. | As the US crosses the threshold of half a million deaths from the Covid pandemic, the nation's billionaires continue to reap extraordinary financial gains. After 11 months of pandemic misery, where millions have lost their jobs, health and wealth, total US billionaire wealth increased $1.3 trillion since mid-March, 2020, an increase of 44 percent. | As of the market close on Friday, February…

2021-03-01: News Headlines

_____ (2021-03-01). Venezuela And Iran Deepen Alliance With 'Perfect Trips'. popularresistance.org The Venezuelan government is shipping jet fuel to Iran as part of cooperation to tackle its gasoline and diesel shortages in the South American country. | According to Reuters, state oil company PDVSA and its Iranian counterpart NIOC have agreed to a swap deal that sees Tehran ship gasoline to Caracas, with the vessels carrying jet fuel in the opposite direction. Venezuela currently has a glut of the latter, with air traffic all but ground to a halt during the Covid-19 pandemic. | The agreement is described as a "perfect trip" in the maritime industry as the tankers travel fully loaded in both directions. | Oil e…

sputniknews (2021-03-01). Tehran Says US Should Lift Anti-Iranian Sanctions Before Talks on Restoring Nuclear Deal. sputniknews.com Washington previously stated that the US is "ready to reengage in meaningful diplomacy to achieve a mutual return to compliance with [the deal's] commitments".

RT (2021-03-01). Paige Spiranac sermonises about being 'more real on social media' as golf stunner backs Max Homa over Tiger Woods tribute backlash. rt.com Golf stunner Paige Spiranac has hit out at fans who criticized Max Homa for not taking part in the "red-and-black" tribute to Tiger Woods following his severe injuries in a high speed car accident outside of Los Angeles last week. | Several top golfers, including Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Tommy Fleetwood, donned red and black gear in tribute to Woods' trademark colors at Sunday's final round of the WGC Championships event in Florida, with Woods himself later tweeting that he was "touched" at the wide-ranging gesture from several members of the field. | However, there are many sides to social media — and…

MEE staff (2021-03-01). Top US Senate Republicans warn Biden against reviving Iran deal. middleeasteye.net Top US Senate Republicans warn Biden against reviving Iran deal | Leading Republicans on national security-related committees urge White House to engage Congress, Israel and Gulf partners on Iran | Mon, 03/01/2021 – 17: 12 | The letter was signed by key Senate Republicans, including (L-R) Jim Risch, Marco Rubio and Jim Inhofe (AFP/File photos) | Top US Senate Republicans have warned President Joe Biden against…

_____ (2021-03-01). Has Israel Been Out-foxed? strategic-culture.org Reactivating the JCPOA has drawn some A top Russian official, last weekend, said something which pinpoints the times we are living today. It may seem a throwaway remark, but behind it, just out of sight, lies something profound. He said that the JCPOA, (for very many, and not just for Iran), had become the prime symbol of how the rules-based global order is used precise…

news.un (2021-03-01). UN's nuclear watchdog agency will not be 'bargaining chip' in Iran nuclear deal. news.un.org The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency told journalists on Monday that inspections in Iran should not be used as a "bargaining chip" to revive a troubled nuclear deal.

Staff (2021-03-01). Biden "Illegally" Bombs Iranian-Backed Militias in Syria, Jeopardizing Nuclear Talks with Tehran. democracynow.org The Biden administration is facing intense criticism from U.S. progressives after carrying out airstrikes on eastern Syria said to be targeting Iranian-backed militia groups. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports at least 22 people died. The Pentagon called the assault a response to recent rocket attacks on U.S. forces in northern Iraq. Those attacks came more than a year after Iraq's parliament voted to expel U.S. troops — an order ignored by both the Trump and Biden administrations. "Very quickly the Biden administration is falling into the same old patterns of before, of responding…

MEE, agencies (2021-03-01). Iran says not behind blast on Israeli-owned ship. middleeasteye.net Iran says not behind blast on Israeli-owned ship | Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu has accused Tehran of attacking the ship in the Gulf of Oman last week | Mon, 03/01/2021 – 08: 01 | This picture taken on February 28, 2021 shows a view of the Israeli-owned Bahamian-flagged MV Helios Ray cargo ship docked in Dubai's Mina Rashid (Port Rashid) cruise terminal (AFP) | Iran strongly rejects I…

MEE, agencies (2021-03-01). Iran says it is not behind blast on Israeli-owned ship. middleeasteye.net Iran says it is not behind blast on Israeli-owned ship | Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu has accused Tehran of attacking the ship in the Gulf of Oman last week | Mon, 03/01/2021 – 08: 01 | The Israeli-owned Bahamian-flagged MV Helios Ray cargo ship docked in Dubai's Mina Rashid cruise terminal on 28 February (AFP) | Iran strongly rejects Israel's claim that Tehran was behind a blast aboa…

RT (2021-03-01). Tehran rejects Netanyahu's accusations over explosion of vessel in Gulf of Oman and is 'closely monitoring' Israeli actions. rt.com Tehran has dismissed claims made by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu that Iran was behind an attack on an Israeli merchant ship in the Gulf of Oman last Thursday, adding that security in the region is just as important for Iran. | "The Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman are Iran's immediate security areas," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters on Monday, adding that Tehran would not allow these priorities to be undermined by Israeli accusations. | Khatibzadeh lambasted Israel for its "incorrect" claims that Iran was behind last Thursday's attack on the vessel. | Not only do we strongly reject…

Staff (2021-03-01). Biden Jeopardizes Nuclear Talks With Iran by Bombing Militias in Syria. truthout.org Image Credit: 2021 Maxar Technologies (photo left) | The Biden administration is facing intense criticism from U.S. progressives after carrying out airstrikes on eastern Syria said to be targeting Iranian-backed militia groups. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports at least 22 people died. The Pentagon called the assault a response to recent rocket attacks on U.S. forces in northern Iraq. Those attacks came more than a year after Iraq's parliament voted to expel U.S. troops [mda…

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Iran-Europe Business Forum step toward developing trade ties. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — Spokesman for EU Foreign Policy Chief said that Iran-Europe Economic Forum is a step towards developing and expanding bilateral trade relations.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Intl. Conference on Karabakh conflict in Qom. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — On Monday the International conference about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was held with the presence of domestic and international experts in the central city of Qom, Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). US must lift all sanctions against Iran: Chinese FM spox. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin reiterated that the United States must lift all sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Azerbaijan won't forget Iran's support in Karabakh wars: Amb. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Tehran said the people of his country will never forget Iran's support in the first and second Karabakh war.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Karabakh liberation should lead to deeper regional unity. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — Head of Iran's Islamic Seminaries referred to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia and expressed hope that the liberation of the disputed region will lead to a deeper regional unity.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Cross-border sanctions should not impact Iran-Europe ties. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — Director General of Western Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran said the foundations of Iran-Europe trade relations should not be affected by cross-border sanctions.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). IAEA Director makes claims on Iran's nuclear program. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi claimed that traces of uranium material have been found in an unreported site in Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Iran Army Air Force receives military aircraft, helicopters. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — The Ministry of Defense has delivered dozens of aircraft, helicopters, and jet engines to the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) in line with the plans to boost the force's combat power.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). E3 seeking to condemn Iran in Board of Governors. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — E3 is pressing ahead with a US-backed plan for a resolution against Tehran, despite Russian and Iranian warnings of serious consequences.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). CAS rejects IJF claims, orders to remove Iran Judo suspension. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced that it has issued a ruling in favor of Iran regarding the case of Iran judo suspension.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Intl. Conference on Karabakh conflict opens in Qom. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — The central Iranian city of Qom is holding an international conference about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with the presence of domestic and international experts.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Efforts to pass anti-Iranian resolution threaten diplomacy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister described any efforts to pass anti-Iranian resolution in IAEA Board of Governors as unconstructive.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). United States to kneel before Iranian nation: Rouhani. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — The Iranian President noted that the United States will kneel before the Iranian people and will have to lift oppressive sanctions.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Negotiation proposal not compatible with threat of resolution. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — A Russian diplomat says the principle of European Union offer to negotiate with Iran is good but such an invitation is incompatible with the threat of adopting an anti-Iranian resolution.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). US exit most important move in restoring security to region. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — Deputy Coordinator of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces said that expulsion of the United States is the most important step in restoring security and stability in the region.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). 1.4 ton of narcotics busted in Iran's South Khorasan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 02 (MNA) — The South Khorasan police commander announced the confiscation of 1,400 kilograms of opium during six police operations in the province.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Iran, Azerbaijan enjoy great capacities to boost mutual ties. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the Islamic Republic and the Republic of Azerbaijan enjoy great capacities to boost their bilateral relations in different fields.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Washington must pay $1.3mn of damages to IRIB. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 02(MNA) — According to the latest verdict of Iran—US Claims Tribunal, Washington is obliged to pay $1.3 million of damage to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)…

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Iran COVID-19 update: 8,510 cases, 108 deaths in 24 hours. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — The Iranian Health Ministry has confirmed 8,510 COVID-19 infections and 108 deaths due to the disease in the past 24 hours.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Language of accusations, threats not effective against Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — Addressing European signatories to JCPOA, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman asserted that the language of accusations and threats is not a language that works against Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Armed Forces receive overhauled aircraft. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — In a ceremony attended by the Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami, overhauled helicopters and airplanes were delivered to the Armed Forces on Monday.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). Iran to unveil innovation center in Syria. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — Iran's Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari is scheduled to visit Syria and unveil Iran's innovation center in Damascus.

Mehr News Agency (2021-03-01). 'Self reliance' of Iran Armed Forces defeated enemy pressures. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) — Iran Armed Forces were able to defeat the enemy with three strategies of relying on domestic power, optimizing defense equipment, and building home-made weapons, the Iranian Defense Minister stressed.

MEE, agencies (2021-03-01). Khashoggi murder: Fiancee demands punishment for Saudi prince 'without delay'. middleeasteye.net Khashoggi murder: Fiancee demands punishment for Saudi prince 'without delay' | A CIA report has accused Mohammed bin Salman of approving Khashoggi's murder, but Washington stopped short of sanctioning him | Mon, 03/01/2021 – 08: 36 | Hatice Cengiz says 'there is no longer any political legitimacy' for Mohammed bin Salman after US intelligence report concluded he authorised the murder of J…

Julian Pecquet (2021-03-01). Release of Khashoggi report sparks new push to punish Saudi crown prince. middleeasteye.net Release of Khashoggi report sparks new push to punish Saudi crown prince | Advocacy groups start campaigning for sanctions against Mohammed bin Salman and deep reforms inside the kingdom | Mon, 03/01/2021 – 21: 31 | A demonstrator dressed as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with blood on his hands protests outside Saudi embassy in Washington DC on 10 October 2018 (AFP/File photo) | Any hopes Sau…

Editor (2021-03-02). Raise the minimum wage to $15 — at least! workers.org A $15-per-hour minimum wage cannot be included in the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill proposed by Congressional Democrats. So ruled the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth McDonough, on Feb. 25. This unelected official called it "irrelevant to budget legislation." This edict is a brutal blow to millions of struggling workers. Nevertheless, the . . . |

RT (2021-03-02). US won't share Covid-19 vaccines with Mexico as Americans must be inoculated first — White House. rt.com The Biden administration has rejected the idea of sharing Covid-19 vaccines with the hard-hit neighbor Mexico, White House press-secretary Jen Psaki said, adding that it can only be discussed after all Americans get their shots. | "The administration's focus is on ensuring that every American is vaccinated. And once we accomplish that objective we're happy to discuss further steps," Psaki said when asked about possible vaccine sharing during a briefing on Monday. | The comments came hours before the virtual meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. | Also…

Betsey Piette (2021-03-02). Protest demands freedom for Mumia, suffering COVID symptoms. workers.org Political prisoner and Black journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal began experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, including difficulty breathing, Feb 26. Hearing this news, his family and supporters called a protest. Less than 24 hours later, about 70 people turned up outside the office of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner to call for Abu-Jamal's immediate . . . |

RT (2021-03-02). Johnson & Johnson's newly-approved Covid vaccine met with pushback as Catholic diocese condemns it for 'ties to abortion cells'. rt.com As Johnson & Johnson rolls out its freshly approved Covid-19 vaccine in the US, it faces a religious controversy as the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans has labeled it "morally compromised" over links to abortion cells. | Catholics are advised not to receive the vaccine because Johnson & Johnson used cell lines derived from decades-old abortions in both testing and production of the new product, the Archdiocese Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have utiliz…

Margaret Flowers (2021-03-02). Small Acts Can Become A Power No Government Can Suppress. dissidentvoice.org The American Rescue Plan (ARP) was passed in the House this past week and now heads to the Senate, where it will no doubt be changed before it becomes law some time in mid-March. The current unemployment benefits expire on March 14. While we don't know what the final bill will look like, at least …

E.L. Melrose (2021-03-02). Erie, PA: Residents skeptical towards corporation's "green" promises. liberationnews.org The plight of this area has left the door open to the opportunism of "green" industry and it is currently being courted by International Recycling Group (IRG).

Editor (2021-03-02). Digamosle a Biden: °Deja de bombardear Siria! workers.org La administración de Biden solo tardó 36 días en el cargo para mostrar al mundo, a través de un bombardeo en Siria, que es beligerante, agresivo y empeñado en la guerra. Solo hubo un breve respiro de las viles palabras y acciones de Trump. Ahora tenemos que enfrentar los viles . . . |

Robert Penner (2021-03-02). Struggle for justice forces reopening of two cases of police violence in Milwaukee. liberationnews.org The cases of Christopher Davis, killed by Milwaukee Deputy Juan Ortiz, and Jay Anderson, killed by Wauwatosa officer Joseph Mensah, have been re-opened in the Milwaukee area.

RT (2021-03-02). Attempt at civil discourse on 'Wokeism' ends in Clubhouse room 'coup,' Jewish prof shut down as 'SPICY WHITE' & demands for CASH. rt.com Evolutionary biologist Bret Weinstein had to relive his Evergreen College moment whe he was attacked from all sides in a Clubhouse room hijacked by hostile "anti-racist" mob aghast at the idea of white people discussing "wokeism." | The room, dubbed "Is Clubhouse Obsessed with 'Wokeism'?" was created by independent journalist Michael Tracey, who said he thought the Clubhouse chats "almost inevitably evolve into a discussion of 'woke-ism'… but there's seldom anyone in the room who identifies enough with the ideology to give a defense of it." | His attempt to create a safe space for a civil discourse and let b…

RT (2021-03-02). Twitch reverts back to 'women' after tweet celebrating 'Womxn's History Month' savaged online. rt.com Streaming platform Twitch has returned to the conventional spelling for "women" after its social media post hailing "Womxn's History Month" — avoiding any "gender-binary language" — backfired and angered critics on all sides. | Though the company took to Twitter on Monday to inform users that "March is Womxn's History Month," using an alternative styling of "women" in a bid to include non-binary gender identities, it made an abrupt about-face just a few hours later, announcing that it would revert back to the standard spelling. | "While we originally wanted to use a word that acknowledges the short…

RT (2021-03-02). 'We have to DO STUFF NOW': Biden adviser says White House to start redressing systemic racism, not just wait for reparations study. rt.com President Joe Biden will push ahead on making amends for America's "systemic racism," creating more opportunities for black people right away rather than waiting for a reparations study, a White House adviser said. | "We don't want to wait on a study," Cedric Richmond, director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, said in an 'Axios on HBO' | White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed on February 17 that Biden s…

RT (2021-03-02). Former CIA director John Brennan 'embarrassed to be a WHITE MALE'… and critics agree they're embarrassed he's a white male. rt.com John Brennan, the former CIA director and perjurer who's now an MSNBC contributor, apparently found a point on which he and his conservative critics can agree: Both sides are ashamed that he's a white male. | Responding to an MSNBC discussion Monday about Republican claims regarding the January 6 Capitol riot, Brennan said, "I'm increasingly embarrassed to be a white male these days, in light of what I see of my other white males saying." | John Brennan should be ashamed to be John Brennan

Devin Cole (2021-03-02). Nadezhda Krupskaya: Bolshevik revolutionary and educator. workers.org Feb. 14 is the birth date of Nadezhda Krupskaya — Bolshevik revolutionary, educator and library advocate. Although born to a formerly aristocratic family, her family had descended into poverty, which led her to study Marxism. She joined the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party in 1903. Nadezhda Krupskaya In 1905, Krupskaya . . . |

Online News Editor (2021-03-01). IAEA says inspections key to returning to Iran nuclear deal. laprensalatina.com Vienna, Mar 1 (efe-epa).- The chief of the UN-backed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday said international inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities are essential and should not be an obstacle to any talks on the nuclear agreement that Tehran signed with six world powers in 2015. In a press conference held after the IAEA …