2022-01-19: News Headlines

_____ (2022-01-19). There Must Be a Response to the Risk of Biological Catastrophe Posed by US Military Laboratories. journal-neo.org In light of the civil disturbances which have swept across Kazakhstan, the risk of a biological catastrophe is growing because of secret US military laboratories in regions of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, which are potentially susceptible to sociopolitical unrest. Aside from the fact that the USA's development of delayed-action bioweapons in Kazakhstan is …

rebekah (2022-01-19). Report: Taxing the World's Richest Would Raise US $2.52 Trillion a Year. inequality.org

Fight Back (2022-01-19). Chicago: Community and labor organizations mobilize for voting rights. fightbacknews.org Chicago, IL – On Martin Luther King Jr Day, January 17, the family of Dr. King led a march for voting rights across Frederick Douglass bridge in Washington DC. At the same time, a coalition of over a dozen community organizations and labor unions organized a caravan of over 100 cars up King Drive in Chicago for the same purpose. Activists in both cities and across the country have voiced their support of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement (JLVRA) Act. | In a statement on the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression website, NAARPR executive director Frank Chapman…

Morteza Ahmadi Al Hashem (2022-01-19). Iran's exports to ECO member states up 52% in 9 months: IRICA. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 19 (MNA) — Spokesman for Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) said that country's exports of products to Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)'s member states registered a 52 percent growth in current year.

Staff (2022-01-19). Más de 1 400 mipymes en Cuba: øCómo avanza el desarrollo de los nuevos actores económicos? cubadebate.cu El 29 de septiembre del año pasado serían autorizadas por el MEP las primeras 35 mipymes en Cuba. Hoy ya suman 1 449 microempresas privadas y estatales. øCómo marcha el proceso de creación de los nuevos actores económicos? øCómo son los vínculos con las empresas estatales? øQué se debe mejorar? Para responder estas y otras interrogantes comparecieron en la Mesa Redonda la viceministra de Economía y Planificación, una directiva del Ministerio de Justicia, y dos emprendedores.

Haymarket Books (2022-01-19). Wednesday 1/19: US Labor on the Move: The Union Labor Fights Ahead in 2022. indybay.org Online event…

WSWS (2022-01-19). Australian teacher unions collaborate with school reopening drive amid record COVID infections. wsws.org The refusal of the union bureaucracy to defend the basic rights of teachers and school workers has never been as stark as it is now.

Labor Video Project (2022-01-19). Clover & The Class War In South Africa With GIWUSA President Mametlwe Sebei. indybay.org Five thousand workers at the Clover Dairy company in South Africa are fighting an Israeli billionaire family the Wertheim's who have taken over the company and have cut wages and threatened thousands of layoffs. South African unions are calling for an international day of solidarity at all Israeli consulates and embassies, South African embassies and consulates and all franchises of Coca-Cola…

WSWS (2022-01-19). Oxfam report reveals malignant dependency of the pandemic on capitalist inequality. wsws.org The Oxfam report "Inequality Kills," published on Monday, exposes the connection between the wealth accumulation of the billionaire elite and the deadly impact of the pandemic on masses of people internationally over the past two years.

WSWS (2022-01-19). David O'Sullivan's preliminary hearing held at Watford Employment Tribunal. wsws.org O'Sullivan said, "This case goes to the heart of what rights employees have to protect themselves in the pandemic, and how far they can go in pursuing those rights."

WSWS (2022-01-19). Anger, grief among autoworkers following COVID death of young Chicago Ford worker. wsws.org Workers who spoke out placed the blame of Caleb Dye's death on the unions, the auto companies and the profit system.

Sarah Hathway (2022-01-19). Omicron: As inequalities grow unions must fight back. greenleft.org.au Workers have been forced to bear the cost of the COVID-19 recession while corporations have raked in huge profits. Sarah Hathway argues that unions are in a good position to make demands on the state and bosses for protections.

WSWS (2022-01-19). Seattle-area concrete workers strike enters third month. wsws.org Across the metro area of Seattle, Washington, 330 concrete workers are striking for better wages and retirement benefits.

WSWS (2022-01-19). Turkish iron miners launch wildcat strike for wages and benefits. wsws.org These nonunion miners' wildcat strike is part of an emerging international movement of workers against rising living costs and deadly pandemic policies.

William Briggs (2022-01-19). Sub-Saharan Africa and the degeneration of capitalism. greenleft.org.au Africa ought to be the richest continent on Earth. Its natural resources alone make this a fact and yet it remains oppressed and prey to exploitation. William Briggs explains why.

Party for Socialism & Liberation (2022-01-19). Friday 1/21: Virtual Forum: The Crisis in SF Public Education. indybay.org Virtual event. Register here…

Angela Carr (2022-01-19). We need to step up the fight against inequality. greenleft.org.au Angela Carr is a union delegate, community services worker, housing justice campaigner and a Socialist Alliance candidate for the Victorian Senate. She says collectivist, socialist solutions are needed for the multiple crises we face.

Jacob Andrewartha (2022-01-19). Socialist Alliance 16th conference discusses collective pandemic response. greenleft.org.au Delegates and members across Australia took part in the 16th National Conference of the Socialist Alliance on January 15-16. Jacob Andrewartha reports.

Robert S. Becker (2022-01-18). How much crass irrationality can self-government stand? Can community wisdom offset howls for mob mayhem? nationofchange.org Trump-proof elections — with energized agendas, expanded voting, critical thinking and compassion Like delivery companies, food production, and all sorts of machinery, democratic self-government must work to be viable. That means spreading enough wealth, services (especially medical), housing, clothing and education to motivate enough key workers to sustain interwoven supply chains. Viability thus depends on …

Staff (2022-01-18). Former Ukrainian President Poroshenko's dramatic return to fight 'treason' charges. rt.com The case is the latest in a series of prosecutions brought against high-profile politicians | Petro Poroshenko, who served as the president of Ukraine until 2019, is facing an acrimonious criminal prosecution on a string of charges, including treason, which could see him put behind bars for more than a decade if convicted. | The former leader, who is also one of the country's wealthiest oligarchs, returned to the country on Monday to face the allegations. Poroshenko, who has amassed an estimated $1.6 billion fortune from industries such as confectionery, denies the claims and has branded the prosecution politi…

Dean Baker (2022-01-18). Is the US Economy Operating Above Its Capacity? cepr.net If we can get the pandemic under control, the supply problems we are now seeing (along with pretty much every other wealthy country) will dissipate over the course of the year.

ecns.cn (2022-01-18). China's power use surges 10.3 pct in 2021. ecns.cn China's electricity consumption, a key barometer of economic activity, went up 10.3 percent year on year in 2021, as the country's economy ended the year with a strong rebound despite sporadic epidemic resurgences.

teleSUR (2022-01-18). US Economy Has Never Worked Fairly for Black Americans: Yellen. telesurenglish.net U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Monday that the U.S. economy "has never worked fairly for Black Americans" and there is much more work needed to be done to narrow racial wealth gap. | RELATED: | "From Reconstruction, to Jim Crow, to the present day, our economy has never worked fairly for Black Americans – or, really, for any American of color," Yellen said in prepared remarks at the National Action Netw…

teleSUR (2022-01-18). Brazilian Public Employees Demand Wage Increases Amid Inflation. telesurenglish.net On Tuesday, thousands of public employees staged protests across Brazil to demand President Jair Bolsonaro index their salaries according to the current inflation rate. | RELATED: | Over 200,000 workers gathered in the Permanent National Forum of State Careers (FONACATE) ask that the salary increase not be less than 28 percent. Besides still being in a critical situation, the Brazilian economy closed 2021 with increases…

ecns.cn (2022-01-18). U.S. growth outlook in first quarter down to 3 pct amid inflation, Omicron concerns: WSJ. ecns.cn The outlook for U.S. economic growth in the first quarter of 2022 has been lowered to an annual rate of 3 percent amid concerns over inflation, Omicron and supply-chain constraints in the country, The Wall Street Journal has reported.

teleSUR -HIM (2022-01-18). ONU advierte sobre recuperación económica frágil y desigual. telesurtv.net La Onu estima que esta desaceleración en el crecimiento económico supondrá para 2022 un alza en la producción del 4%; mientras en 2023 será solo del 3.5%.

sputniknews (2022-01-18). Israeli Prime Minister Bennett Speaks on Second Day of 'Davos' Virtual 2022 WEF. sputniknews.com The World Economic Forum (WEF) summit which traditionally takes place in January in Davos, Switzerland is being held virtually this year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff (2022-01-18). Modi calls world to arms against crypto. rt.com Indian leader compares threat of cryptocurrencies to inflation and climate change | India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said all nations should unite in tackling the threats posed by cryptocurrencies, speaking virtually at the 2022 World Economic Forum's annual conference in Davos, Switzerland. | "Cryptocurrency is an example of the kind of challenges we are facing as a global family with a changing global order. To fight this, every nation, every global agency needs to have collective and synchronized action," Modi said in his address. | Modi compared crypto to major economic challenges like supply-chain dis…

sputniknews (2022-01-18). Netizens Mock PM Modi for Fumbling During World Economic Forum Address as Teleprompter Fails. sputniknews.com Prime Minister Modi on Monday addressed the World Economic Forum's Davos Agenda summit virtually, on the first day of the five-day event. He was joined by a host of other global leaders who will share their visions for the state of the world in 2022 in the coming days.

sputniknews (2022-01-18). Japanese PM Kishida Delivers Speech on Second Day of Davos 2022 WEF Virtual Event. sputniknews.com The World Economic Forum had previously postponed its annual in-person meeting in Davos due to the omicron coronavirus strain. A face-to-face meeting in Switzerland is expected to take place this summer.

Sam Pizzigati (2022-01-18). Worshiping Markets, Genuflecting to Grand Fortune. zcomm.org Today's 'utopians' have reserved heaven on Earth for the richest among us…

S. Arutchelvan (2022-01-18). Think of the many — don't worry for the few. greenleft.org.au Oxfam International revealed that Asia's billionaires have increased their wealth by 74% while 148 million others in the region have been pushed into poverty since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, writes S. Arutchelvan.

Jon Queally (2022-01-18). Billionaires 'had a terrific pandemic' while inequality killed millions: Oxfam. nationofchange.org Oxfam International's latest report on global inequality finds that while the 10 richest individuals in the world more than doubled their collective wealth since Covid-19 hit in 2020, the related result of this billionaire surge has been a deadlier and more prolonged pandemic for the rest of the world in which the incomes of 99 …

teleSUR (2022-01-18). Barbados To Hold First Elections Since Becoming A Republic. telesurenglish.net Over 230,600 Barbadians will go to the polls on Wednesday to participate in the first elections of Barbados as a republic after Prime Minister Mia Mottley cut its ties with the British monarchy on Nov. 29, 2021. | RELATED: | Currently, 108 candidates compete for the 30 seats in Parliament. Mottley's Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) nominated 30 candidates each, nine candidates are independent, and the remaining ones…

Fight Back (2022-01-18). UPS Teamsters demand MLK Day become paid holiday. fightbacknews.org Washington, DC – UPS Teamsters across the country mobilized on January 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day to demand UPS make MLK Day a paid holiday, end two-tier jobs, create more full-time jobs, and pay part-time employees a living wage. UPS Teamsters held parking lot rallies and gathered petition signatures at UPS warehouses. | "People forget that MLK was as strong an advocate for the labor movement as he was for the civil rights movement, and it's important that we honor MLK day to re-establish that legacy in the labor movement," said Emily Butt, a part-time package handler and steward from Lansing, Michigan…

WSWS (2022-01-18). Autoworkers describe horrible working conditions: "There are so many out because of COVID; we are operating with a serious skeleton crew" wsws.org With ranks thinned by sickness, the remaining workers are being forced to labor long hours as the automakers seek to extract every ounce of profit.

Staff (2022-01-18). øCómo se paga el combustible? cubadebate.cu En una nota publicada por la corporación tres días después de nuestro anterior reportaje, concluían estar "en disposición de colaborar, aportar y esclarecer los detalles relacionados, en función de hacer más clara y completa la información de referencia". Paradójicamente, en los servicentros visitados, los administradores y cajeros no ofrecieron información a Cubadebate, alegando que no estaban autorizados a hablar con la prensa.

teleSUR, DRL (2022-01-18). ONU alerta sobre deterioro de situación humanitaria en Myanmar. telesurtv.net ONU insta a que se permita un "acceso humanitario seguro y sin obstáculos" para que sigan las labores de ayuda en la zona.

Staff (2022-01-18). øCómo se paga el combustible? cubadebate.cu En una nota publicada por la corporación tres días después de nuestro anterior reportaje, concluían estar "en disposición de colaborar, aportar y esclarecer los detalles relacionados, en función de hacer más clara y completa la información de referencia". Paradójicamente, en los servicentros visitados, los administradores y cajeros no ofrecieron información a Cubadebate, alegando que no estaban autorizados a hablar con la prensa.

WSWS (2022-01-18). Oxfam report "Inequality Kills": Billionaires racked up wealth while millions died during the pandemic. wsws.org The latest briefing from the charity paints a devastating picture of the world capitalist order reporting that the unprecedented accumulation of wealth by the world's elite is contributing to the death of one person every four seconds.

Staff (2022-01-18). US helpless as oil prices climb higher. rt.com There is little left to do for the White House and other US decision-makers than sit and wait to see how the oil price game will play out | Despite the Biden administration's best attempts, oil prices are set to continue to climb this year, as many OPEC members are struggling with higher production quotas because of technical issues. | When President Joe Biden

Staff (2022-01-18). Crude hits 7-year high on low supply. rt.com Rising tensions in the Middle East adding to fuel supply worries | Oil prices surged more than $1 on Tuesday, reaching their highest levels since October 2014, amid hostilities in the United Arab Emirates. | Global benchmark Brent crude futures jumped $1.37, or 1.6%, to $87.85 a barrel by 7: 38 GMT. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose even more — by $1.71, or 2%, reaching $85.53 a barrel. | The oil market was reacting to news from the United Arab Emirates after reported attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement, sparking fears of supply disruptions. The Houthi group reportedly launched d…

teleSUR (2022-01-18). World Oil Consumption To Rise Despite Omicron: OPEC. telesurenglish.net In a monthly market analysis, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) assured that the Omicron strain expansion will not alter its forecast of a 4.3 percent increase in world crude oil consumption by 2022. | RELATED: | "Although the omicron variant may have an impact in the first half of 2022 due to containment measures and rising levels of hospitalization that affect the workforce, the world eco…

Staff (2022-01-18). Bitcoin may drop as crypto bubble pops — analyst. rt.com The rise and fall in Bitcoin value is akin to a 'financial mania,' Investco says | Top cryptocurrency Bitcoin could tumble below $30,000 this year as the air comes out of the crypto bubble, according to US investment firm Invesco's list of "improbable but possible" outcomes for 2022. | "The mass marketing of Bitcoin reminds us of the activity of stockbrokers in the run-up to the 1929 crash," Paul Jackson, Invesco's global head of asset allocation, said in a note on Monday as quoted by Business Insider. | "We think it is not too much of a stretch to imagine Bitcoin falling below $30,000 this year," Jackson said…

WSWS (2022-01-18). UK: Unite celebrates sell-out agreement at Stagecoach Yorkshire. wsws.org The declaration, "Unite wins Again — South Yorkshire bus drivers WIN fair pay," is laced with deceit. The headline figure of 10.7 percent hides a below inflation agreement, as it covers a two-year period until the end of 2023.

Norman Solomon (2022-01-18). Ominous history in real time: Where we are now in the USA. nationofchange.org This article is adapted from the new edition of Norman Solomon's book "Made Love, Got War," just published as a free e-book. The final big legislative achievement of 2021 was a bill authorizing $768 billion in military spending for the next fiscal year. President Biden signed it two days after the Christmas holiday glorifying the …

sputniknews (2022-01-18). Biden Spent About 28% of His First Year as President in Delaware, Report Suggests. sputniknews.com The US media constantly paid attention to the visits of now-former President Trump to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he liked to spend all his free time playing golf away from the spotlight, spending almost as much time on the fairway in four years as Obama did in eight.

_____ (2022-01-18). Where To Put Your World War III Investment Dollar. journal-neo.org Is US President Joe Biden taking notes from the Trump administration on jockeying defense stocks? The question has to be asked in view of American military industrial stocks getting boosted by all the play on the tensions in Europe. What other reason could there be for lighting the fuse on World War III? Let's take a …

jamanetwork (2022-01-18). The Referendum on Alcohol. jamanetwork.com In hearings before Congress, in the discussion of regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Department, in fact, in practically every discussion of prohibition, contradictory statements have been made as to the views of physicians on the value of alcoholic beverages as therapeutic agents. Several scientific organizations have adopted resolutions on the subject. So far as we know, however, no attempt has heretofore been made to ascertain, in a direct way, the opinions of any considerable number of physicians….

Rubin R. (2022-01-18). Regulation of 3D Printing at Health Care Facilities. jamanetwork.com Pandemic-related medical device shortages due to supply chain disruption have spurred hospitals, physicians' offices, and other health care facilities to rely on 3-dimensional (3D) printing to produce face shields, face mask holders, nasopharyngeal swabs, and ventilator parts from locally available materials.

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