Monthly Archives: February 2021

2021-02-14: News Headlines

_____ (2021-02-14). How One Tiny Country Is Beating The Pandemic And Climate Change. popularresistance.org The small Himalayan country of Bhutan, mainly known for measuring national happiness instead of GDP, is the only carbon-negative country on the planet. Believe it or not, it has only had one single death from COVID-19. Is that a coincidence? | Madeline Drexler's new article in the Atlantic, "The Unlikeliest Pandemic Success Story," dives into the reasons that Bhutan has managed to fare so well against the novel coronavirus while rich countries and middle-income have struggled to keep it in check. The tiny developing country, landlocked between India and Tibet, wasn't exactly set up for success. It began 2020 with…

Ralph Nader, Bruce Fein (2021-02-14). Democrats' Shameful Cave. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/gettyimages-12923215461.jpg

yenisafak (2021-02-14). Greener | pastures for Pakistan: PM shares stunning before and after photos of | tree scheme. yenisafak.com The world has been scrambling to find new strategies in a bid to fend off the novel coronavirus, however, another calamity, which might bring more destructive consequences than the virus itself, seems to be lurking just around the corner.For many years now, thousands of scientists and environmentalists have been giving humanity stark warnings about the risks of climate change, urging authorities and the global community to take concrete steps to protect our world.Following intensifying warnings, some countries have launched new green schemes and climate adaptation plans.Pakistan, which suffers from smog pollution…

yenisafak (2021-02-14). Over 100 injured in powerful Japan earthquake. yenisafak.com Over 100 injuries were reported after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit northeastern Japan on Saturday, according to local media Sunday."Injuries were reported in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures and six others, including Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama, all neighboring Tokyo. The quake was felt in several other areas including the capital," the Kyodo News Agency said, adding that there have been no deaths attributed to the earthquake.It also said there was no tsunami following the disaster.The Japan Meteorological Agency said the powerful tremor off Fukushima occurred at 11.07 p.m. local time (1407GMT) 60 kilometers (3…

commondreams (2021-02-14). Climate Activists Nationwide Take "Polar Bear Plunge" to Push Congress to Adopt President Biden's Plan for 100% Clean Electricity By 2035. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Jake Johnson, staff writer (2021-02-14). GOP Refusal to Convict Trump Is 'A Clarion Call for Eliminating the Filibuster,' Says Ro Khanna. commondreams.org "Dear centrist Democrats, you couldn't even get 10 GOP votes to convict the guy who sent a mob to kill you all. You think you can get them to vote on issues like immigration/climate? Come on," said one progressive activist. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-12310903051.jpg

Online News Editor (2021-02-14). Lapland town goes viral with Summer Olympics bid to raise climate awareness. laprensalatina.com Helsinki, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- The remote town of Salla in Finland's northernmost Lapland region has gone viral with a fake bid to host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games, a comical gag with a serious message on the perils of the climate crisis. The video campaign titled "Save Salva. Save the Planet" has garnered over 250 …

Online News Editor (2021-02-14). At least 100 injured after strong earthquake rattles northeast Japan. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Feb 14 (efe-epa).- At least 100 people were injured after a magnitude-7.3 earthquake struck northeast Japan, local news agency Kyodo reported Sunday. However, no serious injuries have been reported. Most of those hurt were from the Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures and sustained their injuries due to falling objects, landslides and fires. The epicenter of …

RT (2021-02-13). 'Zombie mink' to hit Poland next? Transmissible Covid-19 strain found in Polish region, officials mull response. rt.com Poland said that the coronavirus found in local mink can be transmitted to humans and vice versa. Millions of animals were previously culled and buried in Denmark, which prompted fears of groundwater contamination. | The research "clearly shows" that "this virus can spread from mink to humans and vice versa," the country's agriculture ministry said in a statement on Saturday. | Officials said the new data came from a genetic study on minks from a farm in the Kartuzy district of northern Poland. The presence of the coronavirus in the animals was confirmed last month. | The ministry added that the virus found in…

_____ (2021-02-13). #DefundLine3: Stopping This Pipeline Is A Matter Of Justice. popularresistance.org The fight to stop the Line 3 tar sands pipeline is about justice for the land. It's about justice for the water. Justice for Anishinaabe people whose culture and way of life it threatens. Justice for people all over the world who are being impacted by the climate crisis. | That's why I am excited to announce that, this week, we launched a major new campaign: #DefundLine3. You can click here to take the first action as part of this campaign. | Back in 2016, I helped to launch #DefundDAPL. As Indigenous Water Protectors were being brutalized by racist, militarized police‚Äïshot with rubber bullets,…

RT (2021-02-13). Deforestation actually COOLS parts of the US, says bombshell new report from NASA. rt.com Startling new NASA-funded research indicates that, contrary to popular wisdom, deforestation in the US does not always cause planetary warming and may, in fact, cool the climate, depending on the area involved. | The bombshell The peer-reviewed study will likely have far-reaching implications for policy and land management efforts across the US and beyond. | Using state-of-the-art…

Staff (2021-02-13). New Study Says Appalachian Fracking Boom Has Done Little for Local Economies. truthout.org Appalachia's fracking boom has failed to deliver on promises of jobs and benefits to local economies, according to a new study. | The

RT (2021-02-13). Blatant sexism or cultural norm? Fans react as Qatari royal SNUBS handshake with female official at Club World Cup ceremony. rt.com A Qatari royal has come under fire online after he appeared to snub two female officials during the FIFA Club World Cup trophy presentation this week. But was the move an example of racist behaviour or just a cultural norm? | Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani failed to acknowledge officials Edina Alves Batista and Neuza Back with the same fist-bump he afforded to male officials at the presentation of the Club World Cup trophy to Bayern Munich, who beat Mexican side El Tigres 1-0 in Thursday's final. | The member of the Qatari royal family, who was joined at the presentation by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, do…

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-13). A powerful 7.1 magnitude quake hits Japan's Fukushima. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (MNA) — A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit the city of Fukushima.

Online News Editor (2021-02-13). Strong earthquake rattles northeast Japan. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Feb 13 (efe-epa).- A magnitude-7.3 earthquake was felt in the northeastern coastal prefecture of Fukushima late Saturday, but Japanese authorities ruled out the risk of a tsunami and said they had no reports of fatalities. The quake struck at 11: 08 pm (14: 08 GMT) off the coast of Fukushima, where a magnitude-9.0 temblor and subsequent …

Zach Conti (2021-02-13). Global Economic Recovery, Debt, Climate, Vaccines Top G7 Finance Agenda. indybay.org Japan Says Accessing Global Reserve Funds Discussed…

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2021-02-12). 500+ Scientists Demand Stop to Tree Burning as Climate Solution. commondreams.org "Companies are shifting fossil energy use to wood, which increases warming, as a substitute for shifting to solar and wind, which would truly decrease warming." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/end-biomass-subsidies-500-scientists.jpg

Staff (2021-02-12). Where Are the Witnesses? Ralph Nader Says Democrats' Impeachment Case Is "Prescription for Defeat" democracynow.org As the historic Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump continues, we speak with longtime consumer advocate, corporate critic and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, who says Democrats have set themselves up for defeat by rushing proceedings and failing to call witnesses — including Trump himself. "The narrow approach of the articles of impeachment keep the Democrats from having a full hand," says Nader. "They have like 10 arrows in their quiver and they're using one or two."

Staff (2021-02-12). Ralph Nader on Corporate Crime, Holding Boeing Accountable for 737 MAX Deaths & Biden's First Weeks. democracynow.org Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and hold Boeing fully accountable. "This is just another example of giant companies getting away with their corporate criminal…

Online News Editor (2021-02-12). Modi hardens nationalist stance amid pressure on Twitter over criticism. laprensalatina.com By David Asta Alares New Delhi, Feb 12 (efe-epa).- The recent support offered by celebrities like Rihanna and Greta Thunberg on Twitter to the Indian farmers' months-long protests against liberalization of agriculture has raised the heckles of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which has alleged that there is an international conspiracy to defame the country. …

Staff (2021-02-12). Ralph Nader: Biden Must Hold Boeing Accountable for Deaths Due to Faulty Planes. truthout.org Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and…

Rebecca Gordon (2021-02-12). Climate Change Isn't the Only Fire We Should Be Worried About. thenation.com Climate Change Isn't the Only Fire We Should Be Worried About…

Patrick Bond (2021-02-12). Will the Biden Plan Prevent Climate Catastrophe? zcomm.org The Biden climate plan has important reforms, but can't reach the stated targets with market mechanisms and carbon capture high tech…

Ashley Curtin (2021-02-12). Bank of America commits to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. nationofchange.org "Investors applaud Bank of America's commitment to transition to a more sustainable business model and reduce the growing climate impacts of its financing activities."

Peninsula Open Space Trust (2021-02-12). Tuesday 3/9: Michael E. Mann Talks Climate Resilience Strategy in POST Environmental Lecture Series. indybay.org Virtual Event…

Center for Biological Diversity (2021-02-12). Thursday 2/18: 'To Kid or Not to Kid': Film Discussion on Family Planning, Child-Free & Climate Emergency. indybay.org Virtual film viewing on demand; Discussion online via Zoom on Feb. 18…

Alan MacLeod (2021-02-11). Head of Strategic Command: U.S. must prepare for "very real possibility" of nuclear war with China. mronline.org In an era when international cooperation in the face of pandemics and climate change is essential, the world appears to be racing towards a new Cold War, and unfortunately, few except the military top brass are talking about it.

Paul Jay (2021-02-11). Will the Biden Plan Prevent Climate Catastrophe? — Patrick Bond. theanalysis.news The Biden climate plan has important reforms, but can't reach the stated targets with market mechanisms and carbon capture high tech. Patrick Bond gives a sweeping look at the climate crisis on theAnalysis.news with Paul Jay.

Rebecca Gordon (2021-02-11). The Fire Next Time: Climate Change, the Bomb, or the Flame of Hope? counterpunch.org If you live in California, you're likely to be consumed on occasion by thoughts of fire. That's not surprising, given that, in last year alone, actual fires consumed over four and a quarter million acres of the state, taking with them 10,488 structures, 33 human lives, and who knows how many animals. By the end

Climate Nexus (2021-02-11). Chevron refinery dumps oil into San Francisco Bay. peoplesworld.org A Chevron oil refinery in Richmond, California dumped an estimated 600 gallons of petroleum into San Francisco Bay Tuesday. The leak was not detected until an oil sheen on the water near the refinery was noticed around 3 p.m. Many local residents complained of the fumes from the spill, which eventually washed up on shore. "It …

Pip Hinman (2021-02-11). Australia fails on sustainable development, climate action. greenleft.org.au It may seem a surprise to learn that Australia's sustainable development is currently ranked very low compared to other OECD countries, writes Patrick McDonald.

Online News Editor (2021-02-11). Bayern Munich top Mexico's Tigres 1-0 to win Club World Cup. laprensalatina.com Sports Desk, Feb 11 (efe-epa).- Bayern Munich defeated Tigres UANL 1-0 Thursday in the final of the Club World Cup in Doha, hoisting the trophy for the second time in the 18 editions of the tournament. The Champions League holders dominated possession, 58 percent to 42 percent, and put eight shots on target to just …

_____ (2021-02-11). Trade Unionists And Ecologists Demand A Just Transition Towards Less Air Traffic. popularresistance.org London/Vienna – Today, the UK trade union PCS and the global network Stay Grounded published together a paper entitled "A Rapid and Just Transition of Aviation – Shifting towards Climate-Just Mobility". Tahir Latif, PCS Aviation Group President, says: "This paper clearly shows: the aviation workforce needs to accommodate the urgent requirement for a reduction in flying. This is imperative to avoid climate catastrophe. We need to retain job security through retraining and redeployment into jobs, some within aviation and some in other sectors, that help to restore the planet, not destroy it."

Tina Gerhardt (2021-02-11). How Biden Can Tackle the Climate Crisis. progressive.org Joe Biden has promised to ensure climate justice, but will his administration rise to the challenge?

2021-02-13: News Headlines

_____ (2021-02-13). #DefundLine3: Stopping This Pipeline Is A Matter Of Justice. popularresistance.org The fight to stop the Line 3 tar sands pipeline is about justice for the land. It's about justice for the water. Justice for Anishinaabe people whose culture and way of life it threatens. Justice for people all over the world who are being impacted by the climate crisis. | That's why I am excited to announce that, this week, we launched a major new campaign: #DefundLine3. You can click here to take the first action as part of this campaign. | Back in 2016, I helped to launch #DefundDAPL. As Indigenous Water Protectors were being brutalized by racist, militarized police‚Äïshot with rubber bullets,…

Staff (2021-02-13). New Study Says Appalachian Fracking Boom Has Done Little for Local Economies. truthout.org Appalachia's fracking boom has failed to deliver on promises of jobs and benefits to local economies, according to a new study. | The

Mehr News Agency (2021-02-13). A powerful 7.1 magnitude quake hits Japan's Fukushima. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (MNA) — A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit the city of Fukushima.

Zach Conti (2021-02-13). Global Economic Recovery, Debt, Climate, Vaccines Top G7 Finance Agenda. indybay.org Japan Says Accessing Global Reserve Funds Discussed…

Online News Editor (2021-02-13). Strong earthquake rattles northeast Japan. laprensalatina.com Tokyo, Feb 13 (efe-epa).- A magnitude-7.3 earthquake was felt in the northeastern coastal prefecture of Fukushima late Saturday, but Japanese authorities ruled out the risk of a tsunami and said they had no reports of fatalities. The quake struck at 11: 08 pm (14: 08 GMT) off the coast of Fukushima, where a magnitude-9.0 temblor and subsequent …

Staff (2021-02-12). Where Are the Witnesses? Ralph Nader Says Democrats' Impeachment Case Is "Prescription for Defeat" democracynow.org As the historic Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump continues, we speak with longtime consumer advocate, corporate critic and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, who says Democrats have set themselves up for defeat by rushing proceedings and failing to call witnesses — including Trump himself. "The narrow approach of the articles of impeachment keep the Democrats from having a full hand," says Nader. "They have like 10 arrows in their quiver and they're using one or two."

Staff (2021-02-12). Ralph Nader on Corporate Crime, Holding Boeing Accountable for 737 MAX Deaths & Biden's First Weeks. democracynow.org Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and hold Boeing fully accountable. "This is just another example of giant companies getting away with their corporate criminal…

Staff (2021-02-12). Ralph Nader: Biden Must Hold Boeing Accountable for Deaths Due to Faulty Planes. truthout.org Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and…

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2021-02-12). 500+ Scientists Demand Stop to Tree Burning as Climate Solution. commondreams.org "Companies are shifting fossil energy use to wood, which increases warming, as a substitute for shifting to solar and wind, which would truly decrease warming." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/end-biomass-subsidies-500-scientists.jpg

Online News Editor (2021-02-12). Modi hardens nationalist stance amid pressure on Twitter over criticism. laprensalatina.com By David Asta Alares New Delhi, Feb 12 (efe-epa).- The recent support offered by celebrities like Rihanna and Greta Thunberg on Twitter to the Indian farmers' months-long protests against liberalization of agriculture has raised the heckles of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which has alleged that there is an international conspiracy to defame the country. …

Patrick Bond (2021-02-12). Will the Biden Plan Prevent Climate Catastrophe? zcomm.org The Biden climate plan has important reforms, but can't reach the stated targets with market mechanisms and carbon capture high tech…

commondreams (2021-02-12). Global Economic Recovery, Debt, Climate, Vaccines Top G7 Finance Agenda. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Rebecca Gordon (2021-02-12). Climate Change Isn't the Only Fire We Should Be Worried About. thenation.com Climate Change Isn't the Only Fire We Should Be Worried About…

Ashley Curtin (2021-02-12). Bank of America commits to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. nationofchange.org "Investors applaud Bank of America's commitment to transition to a more sustainable business model and reduce the growing climate impacts of its financing activities."

Center for Biological Diversity (2021-02-12). Thursday 2/18: 'To Kid or Not to Kid': Film Discussion on Family Planning, Child-Free & Climate Emergency. indybay.org Virtual film viewing on demand; Discussion online via Zoom on Feb. 18…

Peninsula Open Space Trust (2021-02-12). Tuesday 3/9: Michael E. Mann Talks Climate Resilience Strategy in POST Environmental Lecture Series. indybay.org Virtual Event…

Alan MacLeod (2021-02-11). Head of Strategic Command: U.S. must prepare for "very real possibility" of nuclear war with China. mronline.org In an era when international cooperation in the face of pandemics and climate change is essential, the world appears to be racing towards a new Cold War, and unfortunately, few except the military top brass are talking about it.

Rebecca Gordon (2021-02-11). The Fire Next Time: Climate Change, the Bomb, or the Flame of Hope? counterpunch.org If you live in California, you're likely to be consumed on occasion by thoughts of fire. That's not surprising, given that, in last year alone, actual fires consumed over four and a quarter million acres of the state, taking with them 10,488 structures, 33 human lives, and who knows how many animals. By the end

Climate Nexus (2021-02-11). Chevron refinery dumps oil into San Francisco Bay. peoplesworld.org A Chevron oil refinery in Richmond, California dumped an estimated 600 gallons of petroleum into San Francisco Bay Tuesday. The leak was not detected until an oil sheen on the water near the refinery was noticed around 3 p.m. Many local residents complained of the fumes from the spill, which eventually washed up on shore. "It …

Paul Jay (2021-02-11). Will the Biden Plan Prevent Climate Catastrophe? — Patrick Bond. theanalysis.news The Biden climate plan has important reforms, but can't reach the stated targets with market mechanisms and carbon capture high tech. Patrick Bond gives a sweeping look at the climate crisis on theAnalysis.news with Paul Jay.

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2021-02-11). Study Warns Emissions Cuts Must Be 80% More Ambitious to Meet Even the Dangerously Inadequate 2 ∞C Target. commondreams.org "And as if 2 ∞C rather than 1.5 ∞C was acceptable," responded Greta Thunberg, calling the findings further evidence "that our so-called 'climate targets' are insufficient."

Pip Hinman (2021-02-11). Australia fails on sustainable development, climate action. greenleft.org.au It may seem a surprise to learn that Australia's sustainable development is currently ranked very low compared to other OECD countries, writes Patrick McDonald.

_____ (2021-02-11). Trade Unionists And Ecologists Demand A Just Transition Towards Less Air Traffic. popularresistance.org London/Vienna – Today, the UK trade union PCS and the global network Stay Grounded published together a paper entitled "A Rapid and Just Transition of Aviation – Shifting towards Climate-Just Mobility". Tahir Latif, PCS Aviation Group President, says: "This paper clearly shows: the aviation workforce needs to accommodate the urgent requirement for a reduction in flying. This is imperative to avoid climate catastrophe. We need to retain job security through retraining and redeployment into jobs, some within aviation and some in other sectors, that help to restore the planet, not destroy it."

Online News Editor (2021-02-11). Bayern Munich top Mexico's Tigres 1-0 to win Club World Cup. laprensalatina.com Sports Desk, Feb 11 (efe-epa).- Bayern Munich defeated Tigres UANL 1-0 Thursday in the final of the Club World Cup in Doha, hoisting the trophy for the second time in the 18 editions of the tournament. The Champions League holders dominated possession, 58 percent to 42 percent, and put eight shots on target to just …

Tina Gerhardt (2021-02-11). How Biden Can Tackle the Climate Crisis. progressive.org Joe Biden has promised to ensure climate justice, but will his administration rise to the challenge?

Phil Doe (2021-02-11). Colorado's Fracking Secessionists. counterpunch.org Oh no, Colorado's Weld County wants to move north again. According to the associated press, Colorado's Weld County, the state's fracking epicenter, has once again had enough of us freedom-hating scoundrels living to the south of them. They're tired of our belly aching about air quality. If you want pickups and diesel fuel, you gotta

Rayhan Uddin (2021-02-10). Al-Ahly players removed from squad after shaking hands with exiled star Aboutrika. middleeasteye.net Al-Ahly players removed from squad after shaking hands with exiled star Aboutrika | Mahmoud Kahraba and Hussein el-Shahat to miss Club World Cup match for breaching Covid-19 regulations by greeting former star | Wed, 02/10/2021 – 13: 52 | Exiled Egyptian football star Mohamed Aboutrika attends a match between former team Al Ahly and Bayern Munich in the Qatari city of Al-Rayyan (Reuters) | Two Al Ahly…

Mitchell Ferman (2021-02-10). Texas lawmakers have denounced Biden's energy moves, but experts say they could benefit the state. salon.com A global push toward a cleaner climate and safer environment has not kept Texas lawmakers from criticizing Biden…