(2022-01-23). Impose 1% surcharge on richest 10% Indians to reduce inequality: Oxfam India. peoplesdispatch.org A 4% wealth tax on 98 richest families can take care of the ministry of health and family welfare for more than two years…
(2022-01-23). Study reveals which alcoholic drink is best at preventing Covid. rt.com 
Researchers have established a connection between alcohol consumption and Covid-related risks | A team of Chinese scientists has analyzed the association between consumption of various alcoholic beverages and Covid-related risks, bringing some exciting news for wine lovers and disappointment for beer fans. | The researchers, from Shenzhen Kangning Hospital and Southwest Hospital, reviewed 473,957 subjects with an average age of 69 from the UK Biobank database, including 16,559 Covid-positive individuals. They divided them into groups by drinking status (non-drinker, former drinker, and current drinker) and by…
(2022-01-23). Study reveals which alcoholic drink is best at preventing Covid. rt.com Researchers have established a connection between alcohol consumption and Covid-related risks | A team of Chinese scientists has analyzed the association between consumption of various alcoholic beverages and Covid-related risks, bringing some exciting news for wine lovers and disappointment for beer fans. | The researchers, from Shenzhen Kangning Hospital and Southwest Hospital, reviewed 473,957 subjects with an average age of 69 from the UK Biobank database, including 16,559 Covid-positive individuals. They divided them into groups by drinking status (non-drinker, former drinker, and current drinker) and by…
(2022-01-23). Secret of 'microwave weapons' targeting US diplomats revealed. rt.com 
The rise and fall of 'Havana Syndrome' is a story of lazy assumptions and sloppy reporting | US diplomats and security officials suffering from a spate of unexplained health problems were victims of Russian microwave weapons, we were told time and time again. But now the CIA admits Moscow wasn't actually behind "Havana Syndrome." The story fits a disturbingly familiar pattern of misinformation. | With each passing week, the list of discredited allegations against Russia grows and grows. Time and time again, Western governments and the media have sprung into action to inform us of some new evil plot, only to ba…
(2022-01-23). Secret of 'microwave weapons' targeting US diplomats revealed. rt.com The rise and fall of 'Havana Syndrome' is a story of lazy assumptions and sloppy reporting | US diplomats and security officials suffering from a spate of unexplained health problems were victims of Russian microwave weapons, we were told time and time again. But now the CIA admits Moscow wasn't actually behind "Havana Syndrome." The story fits a disturbingly familiar pattern of misinformation. | With each passing week, the list of discredited allegations against Russia grows and grows. Time and time again, Western governments and the media have sprung into action to inform us of some new evil plot, only to ba…
(2022-01-23). Prime minister cancels wedding due to Omicron curbs. rt.com 
'Such is life,' New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern said as she announced the decision | New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern has called off her wedding as the island nation is set to introduce the highest 'red light' restrictions in order to stem the spread of the super-mutant Omicron variant of Covid-19. | With the country about to tighten anti-coronavirus measures from 11.59pm on Sunday, its prime minister announced she had canceled her upcoming wedding celebration. | Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford, who have a daughter together, were planning to officially tie the knot later in summer. New Zealand is in the south…
(2022-01-23). Prime minister cancels wedding due to Omicron curbs. rt.com 'Such is life,' New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern said as she announced the decision | New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern has called off her wedding as the island nation is set to introduce the highest 'red light' restrictions in order to stem the spread of the super-mutant Omicron variant of Covid-19. | With the country about to tighten anti-coronavirus measures from 11.59pm on Sunday, its prime minister announced she had canceled her upcoming wedding celebration. | Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford, who have a daughter together, were planning to officially tie the knot later in summer. New Zealand is in the south…
(2022-01-23). 'Variant Under Investigation': What is Known About Omicron BA.2. sputniknews.com Earlier this week, virologist Tom Peacock of Imperial College London tweeted that as far as Omicron BA.2 is concerned, "very early observations from India and Denmark suggest there is no dramatic difference in severity compared to BA.1".
(2022-01-23). Billionaires Invested In Animal Agony, Climate Extreme Causation & Human Disease. indybay.org More and more are getting out of cattle ranching as vegan product | sales skyrocket and animal flesh becomes more and more expensive. | Some are still invested in the animal suffering, human disease, | deforestation and climate extremes caused by raising animals for…
(2022-01-23). Billionaires Invested In Animal Agony, Climate Extreme Causation & Human Disease. indybay.org More and more are getting out of cattle ranching as vegan product | sales skyrocket and animal flesh becomes more and more expensive. | Some are still invested in the animal suffering, human disease, | deforestation and climate extremes caused by raising animals for…
(2022-01-23). Lung cancer: It is about more than smoking. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org World Cancer Day is February 4 ROCHESTER, Minn.— World Cancer Day is February 4 and that makes this the ideal time to talk about lung cancer and smoking. Internationally, lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths and the World Health Organization estimates that 90% of cases could be prevented by eliminating tobacco use. People who smoke are at the greatest risk. Smokeless tobacco is also associated with lung cancer. And lung cancer…
(2022-01-23). Over 2.96 bln COVID-19 vaccine doses administered on Chinese mainland. ecns.cn Over 2.96 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered on the Chinese mainland as of Saturday, data from the National Health Commission showed Sunday.
(2022-01-23). Chinese mainland records 23 new local COVID-19 cases. ecns.cn The Chinese mainland recorded 23 locally transmitted COVID-19 infections on Friday, the National Health Commission said Saturday.
(2022-01-23). 1,000s of unvaccinated NHS staff may be fired later than expected. rt.com 
Prime Minister Boris Johnson allegedly fears a coup if he goes too far with his Covid-19 policies | The UK government's threat to fire unvaccinated National Health Service (NHS) staff is likely to be delayed amid fears of a Conservative Party revolt against Prime Minister Boris Johnson, according to The Telegraph. | The NHS vaccine mandate will probably be "kicked down the road" and delayed by six months, though not scrapped altogether, an unnamed government source
(2022-01-23). Chinese mainland records 19 new local COVID-19 cases. ecns.cn The Chinese mainland recorded 19 locally transmitted COVID-19 infections on Saturday, the National Health Commission said Sunday.
(2022-01-23). 1,000s of unvaccinated NHS staff may be fired later than expected. rt.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson allegedly fears a coup if he goes too far with his Covid-19 policies | The UK government's threat to fire unvaccinated National Health Service (NHS) staff is likely to be delayed amid fears of a Conservative Party revolt against Prime Minister Boris Johnson, according to The Telegraph. | The NHS vaccine mandate will probably be "kicked down the road" and delayed by six months, though not scrapped altogether, an unnamed government source
(2022-01-23). More signs of economic weakness showing up. fightbacknews.org San José, CA – On Thursday, January 20, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that the number of new claims for unemployment insurance rose for the second week in row, to more than 280,000 for the week of January 10-15. This is up almost 40% from the beginning of January. While much of this may be caused by the spike in COVID-19, there have been other signs of economic weakness that started to show up in December. | Signs of economic weakness and growing concerns about rising interest rates also slammed the stock market last week. For the second week in a row, stocks fell. The U.S. central bank, the Federal Reser…
(2022-01-23). Vaccine Protests Hit Brussels as Coronavirus Numbers Peak in Belgium. sputniknews.com Despite registering 70,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day last week, Belgium has eased pandemic restrictions slightly.
(2022-01-23). Pfizer CEO paints 'ideal' future of Covid vaccination. rt.com 
Albert Bourla hopes the idea of annual vaccinations will be far easier to sell to the public | The CEO of Pfizer has tried to appease vaccine skeptics with an idea of Covid-19 booster shots only once a year — instead of every few months — all while attacking the most vocal anti-vaxxers as "criminals" who "profit from circulating misinformation." | In a series of interviews with Israeli TV channels, Albert Bourla
(2022-01-23). Pfizer CEO paints 'ideal' future of Covid vaccination. rt.com Albert Bourla hopes the idea of annual vaccinations will be far easier to sell to the public | The CEO of Pfizer has tried to appease vaccine skeptics with an idea of Covid-19 booster shots only once a year — instead of every few months — all while attacking the most vocal anti-vaxxers as "criminals" who "profit from circulating misinformation." | In a series of interviews with Israeli TV channels, Albert Bourla
(2022-01-23). Protestan en Francia contra el pase de vacunación anticovid. telesurtv.net Hubo marchas contra la obligatoriedad de portar el pase de vacunación y otras medidas adoptadas para frenar la Covid-19.
(2022-01-23). Dos estados brasileños posponen para abril desfile de samba. telesurtv.net Asimismo reiteraron los responsables que la decisión fue tomada ante la pandemia de la Covid-19 en Brasil.
(2022-01-23). Beijing district conducts mass nucleic acid testing. ecns.cn Fengtai, one of 16 districts of Beijing Municipality, on Sunday started district-wide nucleic acid testing as local COVID-19 cases have been reported recently, local authorities said.
(2022-01-23). Avanzan en Cuba ensayos del candidato vacunal anticovid Mambisa. telesurtv.net El fármaco anticovid Mambisa es el primero para uso nasal en iniciar estudios clínicos en humanos en el mundo.
(2022-01-23). Thousands Protest Against Coronavirus Restrictions in Germany's Hamburg – Reports. sputniknews.com BERLIN (Sputnik) – Several thousand people have participated in protests against coronavirus restrictions in Hamburg, German media report.
(2022-01-22). Graduate students at University of Oregon walk out for safe working conditions. wsws.org Graduate workers at the University of Oregon staged a walkout to protest inadequate measures to protect them against the Omicron surge.
(2022-01-22). As deaths from Omicron surge across Canada, opposition mounts to in-person learning. wsws.org The growth of anger and opposition is being driven by the ruling elite's utter indifference to a dramatic acceleration of hospitalizations and deaths. On Friday, Canada's Public Health Agency reported the fourth-highest daily death tally since the pandemic began.
(2022-01-22). Escalating COVID-19 cases and deaths as Omicron enters Fiji. wsws.org The current wave has coincided with the reckless decision by the government to open the country's borders to international travel on December 1.
(2022-01-22). Outbreak effectively controlled in Tianjin. ecns.cn The outbreak of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 has been effectively controlled in Tianjin, a senior official said on Friday. But relevant departments will not let their guard down, and residents, too, should not be careless, Gu Qing, deputy secretary general of Tianjin municipality, said at news conference.
(2022-01-22). Withholding vaccine safety data 'morally indefensible,' medical journal says. rt.com 
The British Medical Journal criticized Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers for 'reaping vast profits' without proper independent scrutiny | The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has urged public health regulators and pharma majors to immediately release all raw data from Covid-19 vaccine trials for independent scrutiny, arguing that "complete data transparency" was a matter of "public interest." | Branding Big Pharma as "the least trusted industry," a recent op-ed by BMJ editors stated that it was "morally indefensible" that this information remains inaccessible to doctors, researchers and the public, despite the globa…
(2022-01-22). [Correspondence] Long COVID and self-management. thelancet.com People with COVID-19 often have symptoms in the long term (ie, long COVID), including fatigue, breathlessness, and neurocognitive difficulties.1 The disease mechanisms causing long COVID are unknown, and there are no evidence-based treatment options. Clinical guidelines focus on symptom management, and various treatment options are being evaluated.1 The scarcity of advice has often left people with long COVID feeling isolated and frustrated in their search for therapies.
(2022-01-22). [Comment] Peanut oral immunotherapy in very young children. thelancet.com Peanut oral immunotherapy is a disease-modifying treatment to raise the peanut quantity necessary to trigger an allergic reaction. Among children older than 4 years undergoing peanut oral immunotherapy, nearly 75—80% achieve desensitisation, although few gain lasting protection (eg, remission) after discontinuing oral immunotherapy.1 Efficacy is balanced by an increased risk of treatment-associated anaphylaxis versus peanut avoidance, a preference-sensitive consideration manageable in partnership with a supervising allergist.
(2022-01-22). [Comment] Gene therapy offers new hope for children with metachromatic leukodystrophy. thelancet.com Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a rare, progressive lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding arylsulfatase A (ARSA), causing disease in the central and peripheral nervous systems. MLD presents in toddlers (late infantile disease) or in children (juvenile disease) with gait disturbances, loss of developmental milestones, and cognitive decline, leading to death in childhood. It is frequently not diagnosed until the later symptomatic phase when it is too late to intervene.
(2022-01-22). [Correspondence] Recognising Italy's mistakes in the public health response to COVID-19. thelancet.com The Day of the Dead in Italy this year was not only a time for remembrance but also for demanding justice for lives lost to COVID-19. On Nov 2, 2021, members of the #Sereni (also known as Serene and Always United) Association demonstrated in Rome against institutional omerta (ie, law of silence) and for the restoration of a parliamentary commission to examine the management of the epidemic. This event followed 520 complaints that were filed by the association 4 months earlier against the national government, the Ministry of Health, and Lombardy region administrators.
(2022-01-22). An Interview with Kamau Franklin Of Community Movement Builders. popularresistance.org Well simply put I think his policies, as predicted by any serious left analysis, have continued the terrible predicament of Black life in america. Biden by his own admission was a moderate and was not destined to do anything particularly helpful for the larger collective Black community. His inability to direct his own party to pass his signature legislation, Build Back Better, is a clear indication of how weak he is politically. His refusal to challenge to do anything on voting rights, to extend the housing moratorium to expand healthcare, to cancel student loans, and lastly to have a coherent national policy on…
(2022-01-22). Corporate Multilateralism Deals More Blows To Right To Health. popularresistance.org It is no news that transnational corporations have effectively infiltrated institutions such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Still, according to a new report published by the People's Working Group on Multistakeholderism (PWGM), their influence has now edged towards a breaking point. The Transnational Institute (TNI), the People's Health Movement (PHM), Public Services International (PSI), and other organizations members of the working group have warned that surpassing this point will make it even more difficult to reclaim power from corporations, and that will have an effect o…
(2022-01-22). Chinese mainland records 23 new local COVID-19 cases. ecns.cn The Chinese mainland recorded 23 locally transmitted COVID-19 infections on Friday, the National Health Commission said Saturday.
(2022-01-22). [World Report] "I am disabled, it doesn't mean I have no dignity" thelancet.com In India, women with disabilities face significant barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health care. Priti Salian reports from Bangalore.
(2022-01-22). Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia. wsws.org India: Telangana teachers oppose forced transfers; Pakistani police attack health workers in Balochistan; South Korean parcel delivery workers strike; Sunbus drivers hold three-day strike in Queensland…
(2022-01-22). [Correspondence] The COVID-19 response in Hong Kong. thelancet.com Richard Horton1 and the Editors2 have repeatedly called for closer collaborations in global health. China has been taking decisive, albeit difficult, measures to prevent and manage outbreaks in diverse settings, from city epicentres to rural clusters. Although these policies might be draconian, they resulted in community solidarity and success; with one prerequisite to both solidarity and success being transparency embraced by both the government and the health profession.
(2022-01-22). Lung cancer: It is about more than smoking. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org World Cancer Day is February 4 ROCHESTER, Minn.— World Cancer Day is February 4 and that makes this the ideal time to talk about lung cancer and smoking. Internationally, lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths and the World Health Organization estimates that 90% of cases could be prevented by eliminating tobacco use. People who smoke are at the greatest risk. Smokeless tobacco is also associated with lung cancer. And lung cancer…
(2022-01-22). [Correspondence] Intersectionality and developing evidence-based policy. thelancet.com It is reassuring to see that ministers in the UK are formally acknowledging how people from minority ethnic (ie, defined here as all ethnicities other than White British) backgrounds have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. However, crucial gaps exist in the collection, analysis, and translation of data to assess the effects of multiple intersecting factors on individuals and communities. The Science and Technology Committee and Health and Social Care Committee report, Coronavirus: lessons learned to date,1 dedicates thirteen paragraphs to how ethnicity ties into disparities and makes five recommendatio…
(2022-01-22). Australia's COVID explosion shows workers must fight for global elimination of the virus. wsws.org The shift in the world situation finds sharp expression in countries that previously suppressed transmission with public health measures, but have since adopted the "live with the virus" program with disastrous results.
(2022-01-22). Ethiopia receives additional 2.2 mln doses of Chinese-donated COVID-19 vaccines. ecns.cn The Chinese government on Thursday donated an additional 2.2 million doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines to Ethiopia, giving a boost to the East African nation's vaccination efforts.
(2022-01-22). NFL star Rodgers hits out at Biden amid vaccine row. rt.com 
Aaron Rodgers has slammed Joe Biden after the US President was critical of the quarterback's vaccine stance | Rodgers, whose Packers team are the bookies' favorites to win next month's Super Bowl, was the recipient of widespread criticism late last year after admitting that he was unvaccinated against Covid-19 despite telling reporters some months prior that he was "immunized" against the virus. | This led to a fine issued by the NFL – but also to Rodgers being seen by some as something on an anti-vaxx pariah, especially after he revealed that he had treated a Covid infection with a host of alternative remedie…
(2022-01-22). Capitalists Only 'Trust The Science' When It Suits Their Agenda. popularresistance.org During the Trump presidency, slogans like "Facts Matter" and "#BelieveTheScience" abounded. The idea was that, unlike the outright denial espoused by Republicans, Democrats recognize basic scientific truths about the world, such as the existence of climate change and the dangers of Covid-19. Because they "take science seriously," it's implied, Democrats will propose and enact more scientifically-informed policies. It's been a year since Joe Biden took office on the promise that his respect for science would manifest in more rational policy solutions. So, now is a good time to ask: how's that going? | "Follow the…
(2022-01-22). Capitalists Only 'Trust The Science' When It Suits Their Agenda. popularresistance.org During the Trump presidency, slogans like "Facts Matter" and "#BelieveTheScience" abounded. The idea was that, unlike the outright denial espoused by Republicans, Democrats recognize basic scientific truths about the world, such as the existence of climate change and the dangers of Covid-19. Because they "take science seriously," it's implied, Democrats will propose and enact more scientifically-informed policies. It's been a year since Joe Biden took office on the promise that his respect for science would manifest in more rational policy solutions. So, now is a good time to ask: how's that going? | "Follow the…
(2022-01-22). Night Was Young? No 10 Party Reportedly Continued Until 1 AM on Eve of Prince Philip's Funeral. sputniknews.com The "partygate" scandal, in which Prime Minister Boris Johnson is embroiled, shows no sign of slowing in the UK as time is ticking for the release of senior civil servant Sue Gray's report on the alleged No 10 social gatherings held between 2020 and 2021 amid strict COVID rules.
(2022-01-22). Bay Area Transit Workers Organize. zcomm.org The rank-and-file organizers and newly engaged members are now looking ahead to flexing their muscle in Covid safety fights and contract campaigns in 2022…
(2022-01-22). Las 3 del día: øQué fue noticia este 21 de enero? (+ Podcast). cubadebate.cu Como cada día, hoy les estaremos comentando cuáles fueron las noticias más destacadas de este 21 de enero en Cubadebate. Dale play y escucha sobrela covid-19, la vacunación con Abadala y Mambisa en convalecientes y el gabinete escogido por el presidente electo de Chile.