(2021-03-16). Biden's Neoliberal Rescue Of For-Profit Health System Proves We Need Medicare For All. popularresistance.org President Biden, the Democratic Party and America's neoliberal vision of world order is rooted in an economic philosophy of privatization and financialization. To assure privatization goals of the 1% oligarchs, distinguished economist Michael Hudson writes that this is achieved by "conquering the brains of a country by shaping how people think. If you can twist their view into unreality economics, to make them think you are there to help them and not to take money out of them, then you've got them hooked." To maintain corporate control of U.S. health care insurance, our system is privatized and unregulated. Priva…
(2021-03-16). Perfidy Meets Putty — Congressional Democrats Betray Voters. counterpunch.org 
Do you remember the promises made by the Democratic Party's presidential and Congressional candidates on universal health insurance? You can forget their pledges and somber convictions now that your votes put the Democrats in charge of the House and the Senate. The Democrats' leaders are abandoning their promises and retreating into a cowardly corporatist future.
(2021-03-16). Most Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 Have Lasting Symptoms. jamanetwork.com Three-quarters of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still had at least 1 symptom 6 months after they became ill, according to recently published follow-up research.
(2021-03-16). 2020 Revealed How Poorly the US Was Prepared for COVID-19—and Future Pandemics. jamanetwork.com It was not obvious when 2020 began what a grim year it would turn out to be. The first reported US case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was on January 19, 2020, in a man who had returned from Wuhan, China, 4 days earlier. The next day, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started screening at 3 major airports hosting international travelers (John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport). The first cases that were not related to travel were confirmed on February 26 and 28, 2020, signaling that COVID-19 was not limited to cases…
(2021-03-16). International Alert Message about COVID-19. United Health Professionals. globalresearch.ca We are more than 1,500 members (including professors of medicine, intensive care physicians and infectious disease specialists) from more than 30 countries. The lockdown has not only killed people, it has destroyed physical and mental health, economy, education and other aspects of social life.
(2021-03-16). Japan PM receives Covid-19 shot ahead of US visit. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Mar 16 (efe-epa).- Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga Tuesday received the first of the two doses of the anti-Covid-19 vaccine in the run-up to his meeting with President Joe Biden in the United States next month. Medics gave Suga a Pfizer vaccine dose, the only one currently approved in the country. The prime minister …
(2021-03-16). Mumia Abu-Jamal's Health Emergency: The Only Treatment is Freedom. zcomm.org On Feb. 27, Mumia Abu-Jamal telephoned Pam Africa (coordinator of the uncompromising International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal) to report his COVID symptoms, telling her that his breathing felt "like an elephant sitting on his lungs."
(2021-03-16). South Sudanese 'one step away from famine', as UN launches humanitarian response plan. news.un.org As hunger levels continue to deepen in South Sudan due to a combination of violence, climate change and COVID-19, the 2021 South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan was launched on Tuesday aiming to reach 6.6 million people — including 350,000 refugees – with life-saving assistance and protection.
(2021-03-16). COVID-19 Vaccine Tested on Babies and Pregnant Women. globalresearch.ca Pharmaceutical and medical device giant Johnson & Johnson, Inc. (J&J) announced …
(2021-03-16). Biden calls on local preachers & doctors to promote vaccines… dismissing Fauci's appeal for Trump to help get skeptics on board. rt.com 
President Joe Biden apparently doesn't share his chief Covid-19 adviser's view that Donald Trump would be a "game changer" in promoting vaccines, instead saying local church leaders and doctors would have the biggest impact. | "The thing that has more impact than anything Trump would say to the MAGA folks is what the local doctor, what the local preacher, what the local people in the community say," Biden said on Monday of the advice he's getting from staffers. "So I urge all local docs and ministers and priests to talk about why, why it's important to get that vaccine, and even after that until everyone is, i…
(2021-03-16). NY State Senator Alessandra Biaggi Says Cuomo Has Abused His Power for Years & Must Resign. democracynow.org 
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is refusing to step down despite growing calls for his resignation after multiple accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct, as well as his cover-up of thousands of COVID-19 nursing home deaths. Alessandra Biaggi, a New York state senator representing parts of the Bronx and Westchester, says it's long past time for Cuomo to go and that the many scandals surrounding the governor reveal a consistent pattern. "The governor has not only abused his position of power, but he has used it in a way that is political and as a way to have the executive branch essentially protect himself…
(2021-03-16). Review of Trump Era CDC Guidance Confirms Political Manipulation of Agency's Covid Response. commondreams.org "The Trump administration put politics over people's lives." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2021-03-16). Test and Trace is the Dead Elephant in the Room. counterpunch.org 
As Britain enters a post-pandemic era, its struggle with Covid-19 reveals a country that is a complicated mix of strengths and weaknesses. On the one hand, Britain has developed, manufactured and distributed effective vaccines quicker than any other nation. On the other, it has constructed the biggest gravy train in British history, one that pays
(2021-03-16). Vanity Fair accuses Trump of KILLING 400,000 people with Covid, Trump supporters want to see the mag sued. rt.com 
Vanity Fair is seemingly holding Donald Trump responsible for murdering 400,000 Americans with Covid-19. Needless to say, there's no mention of Andrew Cuomo or Joe Biden. Some suggested a libel suit might teach the mag a lesson. | The story begins with Jared Kushner, son-in-law and adviser to the former president, who on Monday
(2021-03-16). Another Six European Nations Hit Pause on Astrazeneca Vaccine. telesurenglish.net France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, and Cyprus on Monday suspended the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine over blood clot concerns. | RELATED: | They described the move as a precautionary measure pending a decision by the European Medicines Authority (EMA), which had greenlighted the use of the vaccine in the European Union (EU) on Jan. 29. | "The EMA is to give its opinion tomorrow afternoon. The decision that…
(2021-03-16). COVID-19 mRNA "Vaccines" Are "Gene Therapy" globalresearch.ca As calls for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination grow around the world, it's …
(2021-03-16). Trump and Biden Playing Politics: The COVID-19 "Experimental Vaccines" which are "Killing and Injuring People" globalresearch.ca So which American president is going to take full credit for …
(2021-03-16). Matters of Communication: Handelsblatting the Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine. counterpunch.org The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is fast becoming a subject of notoriety. First, will States obtain it? Second, will they use it? The first answer has generally been affirmative, given the vaccine's ease of storage and relative cheapness. The second is becoming increasingly difficult. Orders have been made and supplies — some of them anyway —
(2021-03-16). AstraZeneca vaccine doubts threaten inoculation drives in Americas. laprensalatina.com International Desk, Mar 15 (efe-epa).- Growing doubts about AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine have threatened the inoculation drives in the Americas, especially in countries with a small portfolio of jabs and dependent on doses from the Anglo-Swedish pharma company. On Monday, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain decided to suspend the vaccine distribution developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford …
(2021-03-16). China approves new Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use. laprensalatina.com Beijing, Mar 16 (efe-epa).- China has given an emergency use approval for a new Covid-19 vaccine, local media reported on Tuesday. The recombinant protein subunit vaccine is the first of its kind to be authorized for clinical use in the Asian country. The vaccine, developed jointly by Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical and the Chinese Academy of …
(2021-03-16). Headlines for March 16, 2021. democracynow.org WHO Urges Continued Use of AstraZeneca Vaccine as Countries Suspend Jabs over Blood Clot Fears, U.S. Air Travel Hits Highest Pace Since Start of Pandemic , 440 Tesla Workers Tested Positive for Coronavirus After CEO Elon Musk Defied Plant Closure Order, Senate Confirms Deb Haaland as First Native American Cabinet Secretary, Biden Admin to Detain Thousands of Teenage Asylum Seekers in Dallas Convention Center, Rep. Ilhan Omar Leads Congressional Call to End ICE Contracts with Local Jails , Two Charged with Assaulting Capitol Police Officer Who Died After Jan. 6 Insurrection, Police Begin Scaling Back Massive Secur…
(2021-03-16). US Department Of Health Pressured Brazil Into Rejecting Sputnik V. popularresistance.org The developers of the Russian vaccine against the coronavirus have condemned the actions of the American authorities and stressed that nations should be fighting as a united front against the pandemic. | The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has admitted in its annual report that it used "diplomatic relations" in order to force Brazil, one of the worst-hit countries in terms of the pandemic, to reject authorisation of the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V. | The American authorities put their actions down to the need to "mitigate efforts" by Russia to boost its "influence" in the region, which,…
(2021-03-16). Helping Manufacturers Navigate Novel Coronavirus Variants. jamanetwork.com The FDA is developing guidance for manufacturers of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines to aid their response to emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants, Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock, MD, said in a statement.
(2021-03-16). Misinformation, public distrust hampering Ukraine's sluggish vaccine campaign. laprensalatina.com Kiev, Mar 16 (efe-epa).- Ukraine's coronavirus vaccination campaign has been delayed and hampered by issues accessing the jabs, public distrust and misinformation, a mix that has meant 62,000 Ukrainians — only 0.15 percent of the total population — have been inoculated. The health ministry insists that the rollout, which began on February 24, is going …
(2021-03-16). Boston School Bus Drivers Union blasts bosses' reopening schemes. workers.org 
In direct confrontation with the U.S. ruling class' monolithic drive to "reopen" schools and businesses, even as the pandemic continues to rage, Boston School Bus Drivers picketed their employer, Transdev, March 9. They gave voice to the outrage of frontline workers over this dangerous gamble with the lives of both . . . |
(2021-03-16). When Public Officials Get Rented Out by Corporate Power, the People Lose. counterpunch.org Vivek Murthy, President Biden's nominee for surgeon general, joined the likes of Amazon and AstraZeneca to take advantage of the pandemic to become noticeably richer. Murthy, who previously served as surgeon general in the Obama administration, has made over $2.6 million selling his public health expertise to embattled corporations desperate to resume business as if
(2021-03-16). New York Boricua Resistance: No International Working Women's Day without trans women. workers.org 
This statement was co-written by Alicia Rodriguez and Gabriela Malespin of New York Boricua Resistance and presented by Malespin during the March 13 webinar sponsored by New York City-based International Working Women's Day Coalition. The webinar was entitled "Women and oppressed-gender workers rise up: The real pandemic is capitalism. The . . . |
(2021-03-16). New Haven Bus Drivers Stage Sickout to Demand Vaccines. zcomm.org Life-saving vaccines should be mass-produced by every available lab that has the equipment to do so with the entire process run by and for workers, with essential workers who are working outside the home and the elderly first in line…
(2021-03-16). Vaccine nationalism: Poor countries wait while profits roll in for pharma giants. peoplesworld.org 
On Jan. 18 this year, the head of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed that 25—yes, just 25 doses—had been administered across all the poorest countries, compared with 39 million doses in wealthier ones. He said the world was on the edge of a "catastrophic moral failure." Dr. Tedros criticized pharmaceutical companies …
(2021-03-16). Germany postpones vaccine summit as cases surge. laprensalatina.com Berlin, Mar 16 (efe-epa).- The German government on Tuesday postponed a planned videoconference to discuss the state of the country's vaccination campaign while it awaits the results of an inquiry by the European Medicines Agency into whether the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe. Germany is one of a number of EU countries to halt use of …
(2021-03-16). Thailand restarts AstraZeneca vaccine rollout amid side effect fears. laprensalatina.com Bangkok, Mar 16 (efe-epa).- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and other ministers of his government received the first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine Tuesday after delaying its rollout amid side effect fears. "Today, I am boosting confidence for the general public," Prayuth said. Thailand has launched its massive vaccination campaign to inoculate some 30 million …
(2021-03-16). Blood-drenched Bolivian coup leader in prison. liberationnews.org 
Photo: Demonstration in Fresno, California in solidarity with the Bolivian people's struggle against the coup Bolivian coup leader and former self-proclaimed president Jeanine àÅñez, was arrested on Saturday in the department of Beni, where she was found hiding in a box to avoid detection from authorities. Earlier today, àÅñez made her first appearance in front …
(2021-03-16). The Crushing Environmental Burden of Greek Tourism. counterpunch.org 
Tourism is the heavy industry of Greece. It annually earns a fourth of the country's income. The pestilence year 2020, however, was bad for Greek tourism. In 2020, some 70 percent fewer tourists visited the country. This drastic decline meant less money for debt trapped Greece. Compared to 2019, tourist receipts in 2020 dropped by 78.2 percent.
(2021-03-16). Re B: soldiers and the criminal process in Northern Ireland. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
Re B's application [2020] NIQB 76 was a challenge to a decision to prosecute a soldier for offences going back to 1972. Part of the small but politically divisive cohort of prosecutions arising out of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Re B provides a classic example of how courts approach the issue of fairness in …
(2021-03-16). University Spiralists and Aca-Zombies. counterpunch.org 
As in many places where the ideology of neoliberalism holds sway, universities have been contaminated with the self-invented business imperatives of neoliberalism. For the better part of the last forty years, the conversion of universities from places where academics and students wanted to go to learn because knowledge was good to have into places to
(2021-03-16). Day of the Drone. counterpunch.org 
In the aftermath of the recent war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, drone warfare is being touted as the latest breakthrough in military technology, a "magic bullet" that makes armored vehicles obsolete, defeats sophisticated anti-aircraft systems, and rout entrenched infantry. While there is some truth in the hype, one needs to be especially wary of military "game changers," since there is always a seller at the end of the pitch.
(2021-03-16). 8M: For a revolutionary feminism, which is not a cover photo but a struggle against all exploitation. mronline.org 
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(2021-03-16). $1.9 Trillion stimulus bill: relief or ripoff? workers.org 
These slightly edited remarks were made during Workers World Party's March 11 webinar, "Stimulus Bill — Relief or Ripoff?" moderated by Ted Kelly, WWP-Philadelphia. Ted Kelly. Credit: WW PHOTO Ted Kelly: The U.S. Congress passed a bipartisan stimulus bill on March 6. Tonight's roundtable with young revolutionary workers from Workers . . . |
(2021-03-16). Court rejects vote recount claimed by Yaku Perez. mronline.org 
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(2021-03-16). Jordan: Tens of thousands at risk of prison over unpaid debt. middleeasteye.net 
Jordan: Tens of thousands at risk of prison over unpaid debt | A new report reveals that people unable to repay their loans face harsh treatment and prison sentences | Tue, 03/16/2021 – 14: 24 | An increasing number of Jordanians end up in prison each year for failing to repay their loans (Reuters) | A report published on Tuesday has raised concerns over the increasing number of Jordanians who end up in…
(2021-03-16). Senate makes history with vote confirming Haaland as first Native American Interior secretary. juancole.com 
By Sarah Oven | — (Cronkite News) — (WASHINGTON — The Senate Monday confirmed New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as the next Interior secretary, a historic vote that makes her the first Native American to head a Cabinet agency. The confirmation came over the objection of Senate Republicans, particularly those representing Western states dependent on …
(2021-03-16). What is Ramadan? Essential Information for Students and Teachers. juancole.com 
This FAQ was distributed by Samer Ali, Director of the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies at the University of Michigan, but it is useful for any campus and any community with a Muslim minority. RAMADAN 2021 AT U-M This Winter Semester, around finals, many Muslims at U-M will abstain from food and …
(2021-03-16). Centennial Mountain Heli-Skiing. counterpunch.org 
On Friday, March 12th, Ashton/Island Park District Ranger Liz Davy withdrew the possibility of a permit to allow helicopter skiing in a portion of the Centennial Mountains on the Idaho side of the range for the following reasons: + Research indicates use of helicopters has significant negative impacts to denning grizzly bears, a threatened species.
(2021-03-16). Maine Medical Center nurses want a union, need support. peoplesworld.org 
PORTLAND, Me. — Nurses at Maine Medical Center (MMC) in Portland, the region's pre-eminent referral center, have taken steps to organize a union. On their behalf, the Maine State Nurses Association (MSNA) in January petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to authorize a secret vote on forming a union for the hospital's 1600 nurses. Ballots …
(2021-03-16). Biden's retaliatory cyberattacks against Russia are folly. mronline.org 
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(2021-03-16). Defense argues Floyd family settlement prejudices potential jury in Chauvin trial. peoplesworld.org 
MINNEAPOLIS—As had been expected, Erik Nelson, Derek Chauvin's attorney raised questions Monday regarding the timing and impact of the city's $27 million civil settlement with the Floyd family that was announced Friday. Typically, such settlements are announced after the conclusion of a criminal trial. Nelson argued that such pretrial publicity can have prejudicial effect on …
(2021-03-16). Poor People's Campaign takes voting rights drive to state capitals. peoplesworld.org 
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(2021-03-16). After the insurrection, America's far-right groups get more extreme. juancole.com 
By Matthew Valasik and Shannon Reid | — As the U.S. grapples with domestic extremism in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, warnings about more violence are coming from the FBI Director Chris Wray and others. The Conversation asked Matthew Valasik, a sociologist at Louisiana State University, and Shannon E. …
(2021-03-16). India's Right-Wing Government is So Hungry for Profit It Will Risk a Famine for the Country. counterpunch.org 
India's right-wing government has been deploying all the modern tools of repression against a historic farmers' protest. Much is at stake. For the people of India, their agricultural system is about to get far more precarious. For its farmers, ruin, and bankruptcy for millions, is all but guaranteed. For the government of Narendra Modi and
(2021-03-16). Race reductionism: Neocolonialism and the ruse of "Chinese privilege" mronline.org 
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