Top Iranian commander mocks Washington as US armed forces on alert for American attackers during Biden’s inauguration

Iran’s most senior general has ridiculed the US after American armed forces and the national guard were brought in to protect Washington from any further violence during the week of Joe Biden’s inauguration as president. … Read More >Top Iranian commander mocks Washington as US armed forces on alert for American attackers during Biden’s inauguration

‘Deepest concerns’: South Africa Covid-19 variant binds more easily to human cells, making it more infectious, govt adviser says

The so-called South Africa Covid-19 variant binds more easily to human cells with a stronger mechanism, allowing it to spread more easily between its human hosts, the government’s advising chief epidemiologist said on Monday. … Read More >‘Deepest concerns’: South Africa Covid-19 variant binds more easily to human cells, making it more infectious, govt adviser says

CrossTalk Bullhorns, QUARANTINE EDITION: Patriot Act 2.0

It seems inevitable there will be new security regulations passed into law in the wake of the events on Capitol Hill. The original Patriot Act was made law to legitimize the so-called War on Terror. Will the Patriot Act 2.0 focus on ‘domestic terror’? And, how will the US engage the EU once Joe is in office? … Read More >CrossTalk Bullhorns, QUARANTINE EDITION: Patriot Act 2.0

Turkey slaps Twitter, Periscope & Pinterest with advertising bans, vows to fight ‘digital fascism’

Ankara has imposed advertising bans on Twitter, Periscope and Pinterest over their failure to comply with the country’s new social media law that requires foreign companies to have an official representative in Turkey. … Read More >Turkey slaps Twitter, Periscope & Pinterest with advertising bans, vows to fight ‘digital fascism’

‘Global pandemic alert system not fit for purpose’: WHO report critical of China’s & its own responses to Covid crisis

China, other governments and the WHO itself didn’t act fast and decisively enough against the novel coronavirus, allowing it to become a pandemic, an interim report by an independent WHO panel on the handling of the crisis states. … Read More >‘Global pandemic alert system not fit for purpose’: WHO report critical of China’s & its own responses to Covid crisis

Guatemalan police start clearing US-bound migrant caravan camp after violent clashes (VIDEOS)

Police in Guatemala have started breaking up a caravan of hundreds of mostly Honduran migrants who had camped on a street while trying to reach the US, after their journey was halted by officials, migration authorities have said. … Read More >Guatemalan police start clearing US-bound migrant caravan camp after violent clashes (VIDEOS)

2 people in India die after receiving Covid jab as Bharat Biotech says vaccine too risky for some

Two people have died after being administered Covid-19 shots in India, but the government insists that the jabs are not to blame. Meanwhile, one drug manufacturer has advised some groups to forgo the vaccine. … Read More >2 people in India die after receiving Covid jab as Bharat Biotech says vaccine too risky for some

Germany considers extended lockdown as new Covid-19 variants emerge, Merkel spokesperson warns of ‘risk of mutation’

The German government is considering the extension of the country’s lockdown into February following the detection of new variants of Covid-19 and persistently high numbers of infections. … Read More >Germany considers extended lockdown as new Covid-19 variants emerge, Merkel spokesperson warns of ‘risk of mutation’

New Japanese PM hints at end to dispute with Russia over Kuril Islands that’s kept the two countries technically at war since 1945

Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s new prime minister, has told his country’s parliament that an end to its long-running territorial row with Russia might soon be in sight, potentially signaling closer ties between the two nations. … Read More >New Japanese PM hints at end to dispute with Russia over Kuril Islands that’s kept the two countries technically at war since 1945

Russian snipers train for frosty fights in minus 35 degrees amid wider plans to increase Arctic warfare capabilities

Setting their sights on a conflict at the very end of the world, Russia’s marksmen have staged a series of training exercises in freezing temperatures, hitting targets at long range and concealing themselves in snow drifts. … Read More >Russian snipers train for frosty fights in minus 35 degrees amid wider plans to increase Arctic warfare capabilities