(2021-12-07). U.S. Vowed to Help Prevent New Variants by Closing Global Vaccine Gap, But Plan's Funding Is Stalled. democracynow.org 
As the Biden administration faces increased pressure to address global vaccine inequity, USAID administrator Samantha Power announced a plan Monday for the United States to spend an additional $400 million to help increase vaccine access internationally. The move came days after Vanity Fair revealed a $2.5 billion plan to thwart Omicron-like variants has been stalled inside the Biden administration. We speak with reporter Katherine Eban, who broke the story, and says vaccines are piling up in countries that lack the health infrastructure to distribute them quickly. "The problem is shifting from not enough doses t…
(2021-12-07). Nicaragua's Evidence-Based Democracy Threatens US Oppression. popularresistance.org Despite Washington's best effort to derail Nicaragua's electoral process through hybrid warfare, strong voter turnout resulted in a decisive victory by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), and the reelection of President Daniel Ortega with 75.92% of the votes cast. Nicaragua's non-partisan, independent Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) reported on Monday, November 8th that 65.23% of 4.4 million eligible voters (16 years and older) participated in Sunday's election. Supporters attribute the FSLN's success to its ability to ensure peace and achieve socioeconomic & political objectives that strengthen…
(2021-12-07). Sudden toad invasion threatens humans and pets. rt.com 
Dozens of volunteers have been collecting highly toxic cane toads in the town of Chaotun in Taiwan in an attempt to contain their spread, while scientists remain puzzled by how these large amphibians found their way into the area. | "We hope to minimize the impact brought by the invasive species by collecting them to protect our own local species," a volunteer from the Taiwan Amphibian Conservation Society, Guava Tsai, told NBC News. | Originating from South and Central America, cane toads, whose poison can kill a human if it gets into the eyes or mouth, have long been an issue for Australia and the Philippine…