2021-03-25: News Headlines

_____ (2021-03-25). US Escalates New Cold War As Diplomatic Gloves Come Off. popularresistance.org The new Cold War has escalated over the past week as U.S. attempts to dominate both China and Russia backfired in embarrassing fashion for the Biden administration. Behind The Headlines' Dan Cohen is joined by "Silk and Steel" podcast host Carl Zha to discuss the diplomatic fiasco, how U.S. intelligence and media cornered Biden into denouncing Russia, and the Quad Alliance's political contradictions.

Juan Cole (2021-03-25). A New History of the Prophet of IslamÔ∑∫ — Juan Cole interviewed by Hamza Yusuf. juancole.com Juan Cole interviewed by Hamza Yusuf at Renovatio about the book: Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires Available at Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor And Hachette And Barnes and Noble And Amazon Renovatio writes: Can those working in the field of modern academic historical method contribute to new ways of viewing an …

_____ (2021-03-25). National Day Of Action March 27: Stop Anti-Asian Violence. popularresistance.org The ANSWER Coalition stands in solidarity with the Asian community in the midst of the horrific, racist and misogynist massacre that took place in Atlanta on March 16th. Six Asian women were among the eight shot to death at point blank range. | The alarming rise in hate crimes over the past year correlates to an increasingly hostile U.S. foreign policy towards China. The opportunistic scapegoating of China during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the intensity by which China is deemed the enemy and adversary of the United States, has driven a widespread Sinophobic sentiment nationally.

Andreína Chávez Alava (2021-03-25). Venezuela Welcomes UN Resolution Calling to Eliminate Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com Calls for sanctions relief are also gaining steam in Washington DC.

Albert Bender (2021-03-25). Interior Secretary Haaland already taking giant steps forward for Native America. peoplesworld.org The confirmation on March 15, and the swearing in ceremony on March 18, of dauntless Native American standard-bearer Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI) is truly historic for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is that historically the DOI functioned as an arm of outright genocide in …

Jim McMahan (2021-03-25). For over a century and a half: Chinese workers abused and superexploited in U.S. workers.org Chinese railroad workers in 1869. The six Asian spa workers murdered in Atlanta March 16 were low-wage workers. They were not respected by capitalism. Their deaths came on a surge of anti-Asian violence. Anybody with an honest view of the U.S. wars against Korea and Vietnam is familiar with anti-Asian . . . |

Alan Macleod (2021-03-25). After 10 Years of Civil War in Syria, US (Quietly) Declares Defeat but Won't Go Home. mintpressnews.com After a decade of bombing, invasions, exoduses and economic strife, it is clear that there are precious few winners in the Syrian Civil War — or from the rest of the Arab Spring, for that matter.

Raul Diego (2021-03-25). US, Lobbyists and Arm Dealers Scramble to Reposition Amid Impending Saudi Defeat in Yemen. mintpressnews.com Recent developments in the Yemen war are increasingly pointing to the possibility that Biden's ostensible moves towards peace may simply be an attempt to control the narrative and save face around what is looking like yet another defeat in the long-running American-sponsored global war on terror.

Andy Kroll (2021-03-25). Moving on from the War on Terror? tomdispatch.com In the first two months of Joe Biden's presidency, you could feel the country holding its breath. Sheltered in place, hidden behind masks, unsure about whether to trust in a safe-from-pandemic future, we are nonetheless beginning to open our eyes collectively. As part of this reemergence, a wider array of issues — those beyond Covid-19 — are once again starting to enter public consciousness. Domestically, attempts to repress (or preserve) voting rights have been consuming activists and dominating headlines, along with this country's missing infrastructure and a need to raise the minimum wage. The fore…

FM Shakil (2021-03-25). In a Shift, Pakistan Suing for Peace with India. asia-pacificresearch.com

_____ (2021-03-25). Venezuelan Women Endure The 'Sanctions' With Their Bodies. popularresistance.org On February 20, the New York Times published an article titled "Venezuelan Women Lose Access to Contraception, and Control of Their Lives." This article attempts to distort reality, as it completely ignores the siege and aggressions the Venezuelan people currently subjected to. | For greater context, we should note that in 2012, Venezuela granted completely free access to safe and quality contraceptives, reaching a coverage of 22.16% in the national public health system. Access was nearly universal both due to the purchasing power of Venezuelans at the time and because both private and public health networks were…

teleSUR (2021-03-25). Venezuela To Face Strongly Any Territorial Breach From Colombia. telesurenglish.net Venezuela ratified its commitment towards the protection of its territories in the border areas near Colombia where irregular armed groups have attempted violent actions against the population. | RELATED: | "It is a proven fact that the Colombian state has abandoned its borders and gives a tacit consent to criminal groups' actions in borders area," Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Ministry stated. | It also condemned that these…

Peoples Dispatch (2021-03-25). Argentina withdraws from Lima Group and condemns blockade of Venezuela. peoplesdispatch.org The Argentine government rejected the isolation policies promoted by the Lima Group against Venezuela and proposed to promote an inclusive dialog to help the country solve its internal conflicts…

Amy Goodman (2021-03-25). How the NRA's radical anti-gun-control ideology became GOP dogma & still warps debate. nationofchange.org "The NRA's ideology is something that they've convinced the overwhelming majority of elected officials in the GOP, especially on the national level, to believe."

Carmen Rodríguez (2021-03-25). Government-Inspired Attacks on Female Journalists in El Salvador are Increasing. counterpunch.org Journalism in El Salvador is experiencing levels of hostility not seen since the 80's, during the country's bloody civil war. Threats, persecution, and false accusations against journalists are increasing in a country that paid for its young and fragile democracy with over 75 thousand lives. For the first time in the 29 years since the

Fight Back (2021-03-25). Minnesota: Hennepin County union members win reinstatement of fired chief steward. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – On March 10, AFSCME Local 2822 and its Co-chief Steward Regina Kittrell won an astonishing victory. Kittrell will be fully reinstated in her position and provided with back pay retroactive to her dismissal, effective January 8. This comes on the heels of an aggressive union campaign that combined community outreach and union solidarity with the union grievance process. | Kittrell was dismissed as the result of an investigation in September regarding an email petition she helped organize in July as part of an effort to ensure her employer followed Governor Tim Walz's order supporting remote work…

An Thuy Nguyen (2021-03-25). On a Quilt of Oppression and Injustice: From the Vietnam War to the Murder of Asian-American Women. juancole.com An Thuy Nguyen | — Orono, Maine (Special to Informed Comment) — The deadly mass shooting on March 16 targeting Asian American women working at massage parlors in Atlanta, GA is neither a tragic happenstance, nor an isolated case of a (sexually) frustrated white man having "a really bad day" — as in the words …

_____ (2021-03-25). Congress Given Specific Path To Cut Pentagon Budget By $80 Billion. popularresistance.org A coalition of more than 25 groups representing a range of political perspectives sent a letter Wednesday to key congressional committees with specific suggestions for slashing the Pentagon's budget by roughly $80 billion—savings that progressives say could be redirected from war to address pressing human needs. | "Well-researched analysis from experts across the ideological spectrum show[s] that the Pentagon can dramatically reduce its spending, meet today's national security challenges, and continue supporting our troops and their families," the letter (pdf) reads.

Jason Ditz (2021-03-25). Iraq Military: 27 ISIS Killed in Two Week Offensive. news.antiwar.com The Iraqi military has reported the completion of a two-week offensive against ISIS targets in Nineveh Province, The offensive was not widely reported on at the time, and appears to have relied heavily on airstrikes, with the military reporting 312 airstrikes as responsible for most of the bombardment. | The military suggested a substantial but as yet unreported death toll from the airstrikes, saying they'd killed an unknown number in the…

Jason Ditz (2021-03-25). Iran Warns IAEA Chief's Comments Damage Credibility of Process. news.antiwar.com While Iran and the IAEA seemed to be on good terms in recent months, a split is starting to emerge from weekend comments by IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, who is seeking "very technical discussions" on undeclared Iranian uranium, and sites that are not listed in the official documentation. | Israel, and subsequently the US, have long accused Iran of having secret sites, but so far have not come up with solid evidence any of this has happened, and have mostly sent the IAEA to repeatedly search through an old carpet factory, finding what appeared to be trivial amounts of unprocessed uranium, hardly definitive of anyt…

Lawrence Hamm, reposted by the Jamal Journal (2021-03-25). Newark NJ's P.O.P. letter for Mumia Abu-Jamal to PA Gov. Tom Wolf. indybay.org This March 17 letter to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal was written by Lawrence Hamm, Chair of the People's Organization for Progress (POP), based out of Newark, New Jersey. POP is one of the organizers for the upcoming Friday, March 26 Mumia Protest at 12 NOON, beginning at Newark City Hall and March to DA Honig's Office.

MEE staff (2021-03-25). Saudi-led coalition has carried out at least 22,766 air raids in Yemen: Report. middleeasteye.net Saudi-led coalition has carried out at least 22,766 air raids in Yemen: Report | New data shows the number of air raids fell drastically following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi | Thu, 03/25/2021 – 20: 20 | Since 2015, the Saudi-led coalition has carried out a daily average of at least 10 air raids in Yemen, according to the Yemen Data Project (AFP) | Newly released data has found that the Saud…

MEE correspondent (2021-03-25). Yemen war: Six ways people have adapted their lives after six years of conflict. middleeasteye.net Yemen war: Six ways people have adapted their lives after six years of conflict | Amid a loss of basic services, Yemenis have had to swap houses for tents, gas for firewood and jobs for aid | Thu, 03/25/2021 – 10: 40 | Nujood Salem, a mother of four children, has been forced to use firewood instead of gas to cook her food (All photos by Khalid Al-Banna/MEE) | As Yemen marks the sixth an…

MEE correspondent (2021-03-25). Suez Canal: Egypt says blockage to end soon amid fears of knock-on effects. middleeasteye.net Suez Canal: Egypt says blockage to end soon amid fears of knock-on effects | Meanwhile, experts warn that an extended crisis could partially threaten energy supplies around the world and force international maritime lines to seek alternative routes | Thu, 03/25/2021 – 15: 26 | An Egyptian official checking the operation trying to free Taiwan-owned cargo MV Ever Given lodged sideways and…

MEE correspondent (2021-03-25). Suez Canal: Dislodging the Ever Given could take 'weeks', says salvage company. middleeasteye.net Suez Canal: Dislodging the Ever Given could take 'weeks', says salvage company | Experts warn delays could threaten energy supplies around the world and force international maritime lines to seek alternative routes | Thu, 03/25/2021 – 15: 26 | An Egyptian official checking the operation trying to free Taiwan-owned MV Ever Given, which is lodged sideways and impeding all traffic through…

Pip Hinman (2021-03-25). Moreland council to fly Aboriginal flag at half-mast. greenleft.org.au Moreland City Council has voted to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at half-mast each year on January 26 and National Sorry Day on May 26, reports Jacob Andrewartha.

Staff (2021-03-25). Yemen Enters 7th Year of U.S.-Backed, Saudi-Led War That Caused the World's Worst Humanitarian Crisis. democracynow.org As the world's worst humanitarian crisis enters its seventh year in Yemen, we look at the toll of the U.S.-backed, Saudi-led air war. A new report by the Yemen Data Project summarizing the impact of air raids over the past six years finds the bombing campaign has killed almost 1,500 civilians every year on average, a quarter of them children. Journalist Iona Craig, who heads up the Yemen Data Project, says there have been almost 23,000 air raids since the war began in 2015. "We're still seeing mass civilian casualty events," says Craig. "We're still seeing a large number of airstrikes on residential areas and, of…

Dr. Paul Craig Roberts (2021-03-25). Sowing The Seeds of War. China and Russia's Lack of Trust. "Washington's Hegemonic Aspirations Could Result in a Devastating War" globalresearch.ca China Is Losing Patience with Washington. "You wouldn't like me when …

Jonathan Cook (2021-03-25). We are Living Through a Time of Fear — Not Just of the Virus, But of Each Other. counterpunch.org Welcome to the age of fear. Nothing is more corrosive of the democratic impulse than fear. Left unaddressed, it festers, eating away at our confidence and empathy. We are now firmly in a time of fear — not only of the virus, but of each other. Fear destroys solidarity. Fear forces us to turn inwards

Gayle Greene (2021-03-25). The Country Moves Forward, Education Falls Back. zcomm.org What test scores measure is family income; they correlate so closely that there's a term for it—the zip code effect…

RT (2021-03-25). Pyongyang says it fired NEW tactical guided missile as it ramps up testing with a flurry of launches. rt.com North Korea has said it test-fired an upgraded tactical guided missile, which South Korean and Japanese military earlier described as a short-range ballistic missile. The launch was Pyongyang's second in a week. | The test-fire was carried out on Thursday, according to the state-affiliated KNCA, | Two of the new munitions were tested, which are said to use improved solid fuel engines and heavier warheads weighing 2.5 tons. | The projectiles "accurately hit the target set in waters 600 kilometers off the east coast of Korea," the report said, adding that the test was overseen by Ri Pyong Chol, a member of the p…

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-25). Japan Says North Korea Launched Two Ballistic Missiles. news.antiwar.com Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga On Tuesday,

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-25). Biden Vows 'Response' If North Korea Chooses to 'Escalate'. news.antiwar.com When asked about North Korea's latest missile tests at his first press conference, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga UN Resolution 1718 sanctioned North Kore…

Brahna Yassky (2021-03-25). Gathering, grief and the pandemic Passover. salon.com We are still in the desert of COVID, traveling towards the time when we can laugh, hug & eat in the same room again…

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-25). Israeli-Owned Ship Hit With Missile in Gulf of Oman. news.antiwar.com According to Israeli media reports, an Israeli-owned ship

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-25). The Netherlands Is Spending Millions to Expand a US Army Weapons Depot. news.antiwar.com The Netherlands is planning to spend more than $40 million to expand a US Army weapons depot that is located in the country, The depot, located in the Dutch city of Eygelshoven, was established in 2016. The Army has multiple depots across Europe where has weapons and other military hardware stored that can be accessed quickly for exercises or during a crisis. | According to the report, the Eygelshoven depot has 450,000 square feet of warehouse storage space and 50,000 square feet of paved storage for heavy vehicles. The de…

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-25). US Army Revamping How it Positions Forces to Face China and Russia. news.antiwar.com The US Army is planning "China and Russia continu…

Prof Michel Chossudovsky (2021-03-25). Anthony Blinken at NATO Summit: Nord Stream 2 Is "Bad for Europe", "Bad for the US" globalresearch.ca U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was categorical; At the NATO …

Kaleem Hawa (2021-03-25). The Debt We Owe Edward Said. thenation.com The Debt We Owe Edward Said…