(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). "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). 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). 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). World Health Organization warns of Omicron "tsunami" wsws.org "Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
(2021-12-15). The Omicron Shame: Why is the World Punishing Instead of Helping Africa? dissidentvoice.org 
The decision by several governments across the globe to institute travel bans on seven African countries, starting on November 27, due to the discovery of a new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, was perceived to be hasty in the eyes of some and fully justifiable on medical grounds, in the view of others. However, the matter is …
(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). 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). 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 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). 100 Million Americans See US Healthcare System as 'Expensive' or 'Broken'. zcomm.org One in 20 survey respondents—representing 12.7 million people—said a friend or family member died over the past year after not receiving treatment because they couldn't afford it…
(2021-12-15). Health Care's Rotating Villain. dailyposter.com 
(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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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…
(2021-12-14). 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). The Creeping Privatization Of Medicare. popularresistance.org In the early 1970s, Senator Ted Kennedy and Congresswoman Martha Griffiths introduced Medicare for All legislation in the Congress. | It could have passed but for the efforts of a doctor from Minnesota by the name of Paul Elwood. | Elwood believed that unless the Republicans did something to control health care costs, Medicare for All single payer would soon become the law of the land. | So in February 1970, Elwood traveled to Washington, D.C. and met with officials in Richard Nixon's administration to present his proposal for what he called health maintenance organizations (HMOs). | The seeds for a managed care…
(2021-12-14). Belarus To Purchase Cuban Medicines for Agricultural Supplies. telesurenglish.net Belarus will purchase medicines from pharmaceutical organizations in Cuba and, in exchange, supply agricultural machinery, automobiles and spare parts to the Caribbean nation, according to a decree of President Alexander Lukashenko published Monday on the national legal website. | The purchases were made within the framework of the annual plan of centralized state purchases of medicines authorized through Belarus' federal budget.
(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). Workers At Warren General Hospital Vote To Strike. popularresistance.org Workers at Allegheny Health Network affiliate Warren General Hospital voted Saturday to strike, straining already fragile medical resources in rural northwest Pennsylvania. | The 114 nurses and health care workers, who are members of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, issued a 10-day strike notice at the 87-bed hospital — the only acute care facility in the county. | The labor agreement with workers expired in September, and negotiations were scheduled to continue Monday, hospital CEO Rick Allen said. | The hospital has offered pay increases of 4.2% to over 16%, plus enha…
(2021-12-14). Strike Wave in the U.S.? Labor Historian Nelson Lichtenstein on Union Drives & Worker Revolts. democracynow.org 
As unionizing efforts have taken the U.S. by storm, we look at the history of the U.S. labor movement and how unions have acted as a bulwark against corporate power. Worker organizing at Starbucks, Kellogg's and Amazon shows that unions help enforce health and safety measures and protect workers who speak out. "A working-class consciousness ebbs and flows," says Nelson Lichtenstein, director of the Center for the Study of Work, Labor, and Democracy at the University of California, Santa Barbara. "A union is a way of capturing that consciousness and making it the law of the land."
(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). Australia: Evan Blake speaks at Committee for Public Education online meeting. wsws.org Blake reported on the spread of the Omicron variant internationally, the new dangers it represents and the significance of the Global Workers Inquest initiated by the WSWS.
(2021-12-14). UK government announces first confirmed Omicron variant death in the world. wsws.org Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted it was time to "set aside the idea" that the variant is milder than previous strains of the virus.
(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). Researchers Afraid to Publish Vaccine Heart Inflammation Study & Risk Funding Loss from Big Pharma. globalresearch.ca To receive Global Research's Daily Newsletter (selected articles), Visit …
(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). 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). 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). 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). 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). New poll shows how dissatisfied Americans are with US healthcare system. nationofchange.org "It's been decades in the making after failed promises by elected officials to do something to help Americans suffering at the hand of high prices for healthcare and prescription drugs."
(2021-12-14). Biden Campaigned on Climate. Where's the Bold Action? truthout.org 
Millions of years of evolution have graced birds with a wealth of healthy instincts. They have mastered the art of flight, and many species fly thousands of miles when the seasons change, unerringly returning time and again to a distant refuge where the weather is calm. More than anything, though, birds know better than to shit in their own nest. This is an instinct the president of the United States has yet to develop, and the whole wide world may come to pay a brutal price for it. | November's COP 26 international e…
(2021-12-14). As COVID-19 surges, France's Révolution Permanente attacks public health measures. wsws.org By opposing necessary health measures, the pseudo-left Révolution Permanente website aligns itself with the policies of Emmanuel Macron's government.
(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). Essential healthcare workers walkout in South Australia, demand workplace safety. peoplesdispatch.org 
Over a 100 workers staged a walkout in a one-day strike action on December 14, the second to hit major hospitals in South Australia this month. Workers have complained of serious understaffing in State hospitals and unsafe work practices…
(2021-12-14). More than half a billion people pushed into extreme poverty due to health care costs. moderndiplomacy.eu New evidence compiled by the World Health Organization and the World Bank shows that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to halt two decades of global progress towards Universal Health Coverage. The organizations also reveal that more than half a billion people are being pushed or pushed further into extreme poverty because they have to pay …
(2021-12-14). Support the Turkish health care workers' strike movement! wsws.org This strike movement, amid a raging pandemic, is internationally significant and deserves support from all sections of the working class.
(2021-12-14). Survey Finds Sharpest Decline in Public Opinion About Health Care in the US. truthout.org 
The largest survey of its kind since the start of the Covid-19 crisis found that 38% of respondents — representing around 100 million Americans — characterized the for-profit U.S. healthcare system as either "expensive" or "broken," an indication that the pandemic has markedly shifted public opinion. | Gallup and West Health, the two organizations behind the new survey out Tuesday, began the polling process by asking respondents to concisely describe the U.S. healthcare system in t…
(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). Selected Articles: The Prevailing Corona Nonsense Narrative. globalresearch.ca Dear Readers, | We thank you for your support. | Amongst our most important articles. | A review of Pfizer's "Confidential Report" released as a result of Freedom of Information (FOI), entitled Bombshell Document Dump on Pfizer Vaccine Mandate. | An important statement by …
(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). A new transport agenda to carry Asia and the Pacific towards sustainable development. moderndiplomacy.eu Transport ministers from across Asia and the Pacific are meeting this week to consider a potentially transformational agenda for how people and goods are moved around the region and across the globe. Pre-COVID-19 transport connectivity weaknesses in the Asia-Pacific region became even more apparent during the pandemic: landlocked developing countries, least developed countries and small …