(2021-04-15). Online events with Naomi Klein, Chomsky, Jeremy Corbyn, Angela Davis & many others. indybay.org Here are some 2 dozen online events taking place over the next few weeks (and starting tomorrow, Wednesday, April 14), featuring people such as Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky, Jeremy Corbyn, Vandana Shiva, Angela Davis, Dave Zirin, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, and many others. | These events are hosted from various locations all across the country, as well from Canada and the UK (however, the listed times are all for our "Pacific time zone"). Of course, feel free to share this info with others who might be interested in it.
(2021-04-15). Contrary to What Biden Said, U.S. Warfare in Afghanistan Is Set to Continue. zcomm.org No matter what the White House and the headlines say, U.S. taxpayers won't stop subsidizing the killing in Afghanistan until there is an end to the bombing and "special operations" that remain shrouded in secrecy…
(2021-04-15). Network of Private and Public Pharmacies Already Has Carvativir for Sale. orinocotribune.com 
This Wednesday, April 14, Venezuelan Minister for National Commerce, Eneida Laya, informed about the beginning of the commercial sale of the antiviral Carvativir, and that people will be able to purchase up to 4 units in different public and private pharmacies nationwide. | "On the instructions of President Nicolás Maduro, Carvativir is distributed in all the private pharmacy chains in the country, as well as in the public network. Sales of the drug are controlled. The purchase limit is 4 units per person and there is a data record when making the purchase in order to prevent possible resale," said Laya. | Variou…
(2021-04-15). Afghanistan's socialist years: The promising future killed off by U.S. imperialism. peoplesworld.org 
In the mid-1970s and early '80s, People's World correspondent Marilyn Bechtel was editor of the bimonthly magazine, New World Review. She visited Afghanistan twice, in 1980 and 1981. The article below first appeared in our pages on Oct. 6, 2001—the day before the U.S. launched its war in Afghanistan—under the headline, "Afghanistan: Some overlooked history." …
(2021-04-15). Cut the Defense Budget: Rep. Khanna on Bloated Pentagon Spending, Ending War in Yemen, UAE Arms Deal. democracynow.org 
Congressmember Ro Khanna of California says hundreds of billions of dollars in annual defense spending could be better used on diplomacy, humanitarian aid, public health and other initiatives. He's one of 50 House Democrats who signed a letter to President Joe Biden in March urging a "significantly reduced" Pentagon budget, which has grown to over $700 billion. "The Pentagon increases make no sense," says Khanna. "If you're ending the forever war in Afghanistan … then why are we increasing, at the same time, the defense budget?" Khanna also discusses the Saudi-led, U.S.-backed war in Yemen, a major U.S. arms de…
(2021-04-15). "A Courageous Decision": Rep. Ro Khanna Praises Biden's Plan to End the "Forever War" in Afghanistan. democracynow.org 
Democratic Congressmember Ro Khanna says President Joe Biden's plan to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan is a "courageous" decision. "I'm very glad that we have a president who has finally recognized that this is not a militarily winnable war," says Khanna. President Biden announced this week he plans to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, bringing the longest war in U.S. history to a close. Khanna says he is open to a U.N. peacekeeping force, as some have suggested, to ensure Afghanistan does not fall into deeper chaos once American troops leave. "Wi…
(2021-04-15). Amazon Workers' Defeat: The Trusts Are Back. counterpunch.org 
On Friday, April 9th, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union was defeated in its effort to organize Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, AL. The union accuses Amazon of unfairly interfering with the vote and plans to appeal. However disappointing is the Amazon defeat, it signals something more telling. During the fin de siècle and the early-20th century, large corporations cornered whole segments of America's economy using predatory pricing, exclusivity deals and other anti-competitive practices to undercut smaller local businesses. And numerous strikes were defeated, often leading striking workers inj…
(2021-04-15). Amazon Workers Defeat: The Trusts Are Back. counterpunch.org On Friday, April 9th, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union was defeated in its effort to organize Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, AL. The union accuses Amazon of unfairly interfering with the vote and plans to appeal. However disappointing is the Amazon defeat, it signals something more telling. During the fin de siècle and the early-20th century, large corporations cornered whole segments of America's economy using predatory pricing, exclusivity deals and other anti-competitive practices to undercut smaller local businesses. And numerous strikes were defeated, often leading striking workers inj…
(2021-04-15). Woke Virus: COVID Is Sustainable, Equitable, Inclusive, Racially Unbiased and Climate Aware. globalresearch.ca Did you know that SARS-CoV-2 is a woke virus? | Did you …
(2021-04-15). From Luxury Condo in Madrid, Leopoldo López Repeats US Talking Points on Colombian Paramilitary Violence in Apure. orinocotribune.com A new media and political attack regarding the events in Apure state was launched by the fugitive from Venezuelan justice Leopoldo López. He stated that the military action of the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) against Colombian narco-paramilitary gangs on the border with Colombia "does not have as its objective the defense of the Venezuelan territory—as established in Article 15 of Venezuelan Magna Carta—but that of participating in a conflict between narco-guerrillas," an accusation that aligns with those of certain Colombian authorities, in favor of their anti-Venezuelan and pro-US interest…
(2021-04-15). Golpe de abril en Venezuela, guerra mediática desde Europa. globalizacion.ca Al analizar algunos elementos clave del golpe de abril 2002, queda claro por qué es legítimo considerar a la Venezuela bolivariana como un paradigma del siglo XXI, un laboratorio que va más allá de la realidad venezolana. | El haber podido…
(2021-04-15). Media Concern Trolling About Afghanistan Withdrawal Again. orinocotribune.com 
Caitlin Johnstone — Apr 11, 2021 | " "Concerns are mounting from bipartisan US lawmakers and Afghan women's rights activists that the hard-won gains for women and civil society in Afghanistan could be lost if the United States makes a precipitous withdrawal from the country," CNN tells us. | What follows is yet another concern-trolling empire blog about why US troops need to stay in Afghanistan, joining recent others geared toward the same end lik…
(2021-04-15). Biden and Afghanistan: Never, Ever Trust Us. counterpunch.org In February 2020, US President Donald Trump announced a peace deal with the Taliban, giving US forces 15 months to get out of Afghanistan. Nearly a year later, with the withdrawal nearly complete and only 2,500 US armed forces members remaining on Afghan soil, incoming President Joe Biden took the oath of inauguration and instantly
(2021-04-15). Biden Administration's September 11 Withdrawal Plan Violates Peace Agreement. popularresistance.org Members of the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) criticized U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement Wednesday that he would pull troops from Afghanistan on September 11, 2021, thereby violating a key component of a peace agreement negotiated by the previous administration. | A September 11 withdrawal—landing on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attack—reinforces the false impression that the Taliban government had something to do with the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. | BAP is concerned the attempt to move the date of U.S. withdrawal past the agreed-upon May 1 deadline will give hardli…
(2021-04-15). As Biden Announces US will Leave Afghanistan, what Forces will Shape its Future? juancole.com 
By Catesby Holmes | — The United States will bring home its over 3,000 remaining soldiers in Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021, delaying its planned withdrawal for five months in an effort to bolster faltering peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgent group. The new troop withdrawal date is symbolic, marking the 20th …
(2021-04-15). Taliban Says Biden's Decision Breaks Doha Agreement, Threatens 'Countermeasures'. news.antiwar.com The Taliban "This decision is a clear violation of the Doha Agreement and non-compliance with its commitments," the Taliban statement says. The group called on other countries to pressure the US into living up to its end of the agreement and leave by May 1st. | "As this agreement was signed in the presence of United Nations and repre…
(2021-04-15). Taliban Promises 'Nightmare' For US Troops in Final Months of Afghanistan War. news.antiwar.com Since President Biden is breaking the US-Taliban peace deal by pushing back the May 1st withdrawal deadline to September 11th, the Taliban said it is ready to attack US troops again and turn the final months of Washington's almost twenty-year-old war into a "nightmare." | Mullah Salih Khan, a Taliban commander in the Helmand Province, told
(2021-04-15). Oil Output Remains Steady as PDVSA Eyes Fuel Production Boost. venezuelanalysis.com PDVSA is reportedly prioritizing diluent and light crude for its recovering fuel refineries.
(2021-04-15). What Does Biden's Decision to Withdraw From Afghanistan Mean? thenation.com What Does Biden's Decision to Withdraw From Afghanistan Mean?
(2021-04-15). NED-Funded Uyghur Separatist Network and CAIR Director Rally Around Cold War Propaganda. mintpressnews.com 
At a March 30 demonstration at the Chinese Embassy, the U.S.-funded Uyghur Separatist Network was joined by prominent Muslim figures. "Behind The Headlines" correspondent Dan Cohen spoke to participants and examined their claims.
(2021-04-15). The Clandestine War on Africa: France's Endgame in Mali. counterpunch.org 
In a recent report, the United Nations Mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA, concluded that, on January 3, French warplanes had struck a crowd attending a wedding in the remote village of Bounti, killing 22 of the guests. According to the findings, based on a thorough investigation and interviews with hundreds of eyewitnesses, 19 of
(2021-04-15). The Brutes Haven't All Been Exterminated. counterpunch.org Sometimes I struggle to explain why none of the endless wars can ever be ended. Are they just too profitable? Is the propaganda self-fulfilling and self-believing? Is the bureaucratic inertia that powerful? No combination of semi-rational motivations ever seems sufficient. But here's a potentially relevant fact: there are still people alive in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria,
(2021-04-15). Colombia: A Glimpse Into a Sad Reality. orinocotribune.com By Alice Loaiza — Apr 5, 2021 | When people ask me if it is safe to visit Colombia, I always answer that it is fine if you don't speak Spanish and stay on the well-guarded tourist trail. But you will never see the reality of one of the poorest countries in Latin America. You will never see the mass displacement of communities or the murders committed by paramilitaries and military or the police beating people in the streets. | Indepaz, a Colombian peace organization, recorded eleven massacres in 2021. One of the last was in the small town of Tarazá, Antioquia, where three young men were gunned down by the Go…
(2021-04-15). Increasing Pentagon Budget as US Pulls Out of Afghanistan Makes Little Sense. truthout.org 
Congressmember Ro Khanna of California says hundreds of billions of dollars in annual defense spending could be better used on diplomacy, humanitarian aid, public health and other initiatives. He's one of 50 House Democrats who signed a letter to President Joe Biden in March urging a "significantly reduced" Pentagon budget, which has grown to over $700 billion. "The Pentagon increases make no sense," says Khanna. "If you're ending the forever war in Afghanistan … then why are we increasing, at…
(2021-04-15). March 11, 2011: Fukushima: A Nuclear War without a War: The Unspoken Crisis of Worldwide Nuclear Radiation. globalresearch.ca Unimaginable" levels of radiation still prevail. In the words of Dr. Helen Caldicott, "one millionth of a gram of plutonium, if inhaled can cause cancer". If not duly addressed, the continued dumping of highly radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean constitutes a potential trigger to a process of global radioactive contamination.
(2021-04-15). Ramsey Clark dies: an Attorney General who turned against imperialism. mronline.org 
Ramsey Clark, former U.S. Attorney General and renowned international human-rights attorney who stood against U.S. military aggression worldwide, died peacefully April 9 at his home in New York City, surrounded by close family. He was 93 years old. | April 15, 2021 | Newswire…
(2021-04-15). St. Vincent & Grenadines faces power outages and water shortages as volcanic eruptions continue. peoplesdispatch.org 
In the past week, at least five massive explosions occurred spewing portentous plumes of ash and smoke into the atmosphere and covering the island with a thick layer of volcanic dust. The ashfall has reached the neighboring countries Barbados, Saint Lucia and Grenada. Scientists have warned that these explosions could continue for months…
(2021-04-15). The end of the war in Afghanistan? liberationnews.org 
President Joe Biden announced that he plans to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021.
(2021-04-15). Is ISIS Back To Turkish-Occupied Al-Bab? Two Policemen Killed In Separate Attacks. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | On April 15, unidentified gunmen assassinated two members of the Free Syrian Police in the Turkish-occupied town of al-Bab in northern Aleppo. | The first casualty was 1st Lt. Khalid al-Khatib. Two gunmen riding a motorcycle shot and killed the police officer in al-Bab. Al-Khatib, also known as "Abu Jamal," is originally from the town of Marea. According to opposition sources, he fought with the Free Syrian Army in the early years of the war. | The second casualty was policeman Mohamad Juma'a. His bod…
(2021-04-15). Military Situation In Donetsk People's Republic On April 15, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The UAF's 58th Brigade fired mortars and small arms at Donetsk. One Civilian was killed | The UAF fired small arms in the direction of the village of Lozovoe | The UAF deployed more weapons and military hardware to the village of Orlovka | A Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system and two self-propelled Shilka anti-aircraft guns were deployed to Chernenko | Towed artillery and anti-aircraft guns were deployed near the village of Lomakino, near Mariupol | DPR forc…
(2021-04-15). Military Situation In Syria On April 15, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 15, SDC denied all the information about the withdrawal of the Russian forces from their observation points in the Tal Rafaat area | On April 15, an IED blast was reported in Idlib city. | On April 14, 2 Turkish-backed militants were killed and two others wounded by unknown gunmen attack on a Turkish-backed Levant Front group headquarter in Afrin region | On April 14, SDF arrested 4 ISIS suspects in the Shahil area | On April 14, an explosion were reported in…
(2021-04-15). Russia Deploys Su-34 Jets To Black Sea Region, US Not To Send It's Warships There. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 13th, it appeared that Russia had deployed its 559th Fighter Bomber Aviation Regiment, equipped with SU-34 jets deployed to the Black Sea region. | #Ukraine | As I said yesterday, the moment we see fixed wing assets being redeployed, we've got a serious issue. | Well it seems that time has come, the 559th Fighter Bomber Aviation Regiment equipped with SU-34s have been deployed to the Black Sea region. | Very concerning. (2021-04-15). Mysterious Drone Strike Hit Western Idlib. southfront.org 
A fully armed MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle taxis down the runway at an air base in Afghanistan on its way to another wartime mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson) | Late on April 14, a large explosion was reported in the western outskirts of Idlib city, the center of the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib. | While some opposition sources played down the explosion, others, including the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said the explosion was the result of a dr…
(2021-04-15). Biden calls for de-escalation of tensions with Russia after placing sanctions over unproven charges of hacking & election meddling. rt.com 
US President Joe Biden called for "dialogue and diplomatic process" with Russia, after ordering sanctions against Moscow for allegedly being behind the SolarWinds hack and interfering in "sacred" elections and American democracy. | Biden told reporters at the White House on Thursday afternoon that he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of the impending sanctions during their recent phone call, calling it a "proportionate" US response to what Russia allegedly did. | We concluded that they had interfered in the election and the SolarWinds was totally inappropriate. | Russia has denied any interference in the…
(2021-04-15). Mosul: Egyptian team wins Unesco bid to rebuild Iraq's Great Mosque of al-Nuri. middleeasteye.net 
Mosul: Egyptian team wins Unesco bid to rebuild Iraq's Great Mosque of al-Nuri | The mosque was destroyed in 2017 just as Iraqi forces made a final push to recapture the area | Thu, 04/15/2021 – 20: 55 | An Iraqi worker clears rubble during the reconstruction of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul's war-ravaged old town, on 15 December 2019 (AFP/File photo) | A group of Egyptian architects has won a global Un…
(2021-04-15). Stand With Haiti! A Call For Solidarity. popularresistance.org Above photo: Black Alliance for Peace. This statement, written by Haiti Action Committee and signed by over 60 organizations, commemorates the 10th anniversary of the return to Haiti of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and First Lady Mildred Aristide. It calls for support of the resistance by the Haitian people to the US-backed dictatorship of Jovenel …
(2021-04-15). How Can Hate Speech, Conspiracy Theories, etc., be Banned on Social Media? zcomm.org As social media sites continue to ban or suspend users who are posting misinformation that endangers public health or incites violence toward others, such as hate speech, the Supreme Court is more likely to be drawn into that discussion…
(2021-04-15). After Election, Israel Turns Attention To De-Arabization Of The Zionist State. popularresistance.org Jerusalem – As these words are being typed, The Holy Month of Ramadan is about to begin and I want to begin by wishing my Muslim brothers and sisters, friends, and all Muslims around the world Ramadan Karim. I was born and raised in Jerusalem, which has been an Arab and Muslim city for over 1,500 years. The sight of this beautiful ancient city during Ramadan is unforgettable. The lights and decorations, the festivities, and the families enjoying all of this are heartwarming. | Sadly, since the Zionist invasion of Palestine 73 years ago, and particularly since the savage conquest of the Old City 54 years ago, this…
(2021-04-15). In honor of William Ramsey Clark. fightbacknews.org I wish to convey my sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of my friend and legal counsel William Ramsey Clark who passed away last April 9, 2021. I have the highest regard for him as a champion of human rights, a staunch defender of the people's right to national and social liberation, a fierce advocate of just peace and a resolute opponent to the imperialist policies and wars of aggression of the US. | While he was US Attorney General under the Johnson administration, he was well known for standing up for civil liberties and civil rights, fighting against racial segregation and discriminati…
(2021-04-15). How Biden And Suga Can Seize Their Summit With Digital Trade — OpEd. eurasiareview.com President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will meet in Washington this week as both the United States and Japan show the world that alliances are back. But despite touting the U.S.-Japan Alliance as the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, both countries walk a fine line when it comes to trade. That's why both leaders should commit to using the existing U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement as a template to expand free and open digital trade among both countries' partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific with a regional digital trade agreement. | This is a critical inflection point for…
(2021-04-15). Biden Faces Resistance On Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan — OpEd. eurasiareview.com President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday of a complete withdrawal of United States from Afghanistan by 11th September this year. The announcement aims at closing the longest war of the United States. | However, many analysts, even within the US, remain skeptical of sustainable peace in Afghanistan, which has reduced to rudiments in two decades of fighting. | As officials disclosed Biden's pullout plans, the US intelligence community renewed deep concerns about the outlook for the US-backed government in Kabul, which is clinging to an eroding stalemate. | "The Afghan government will struggle to hold the Talib…
(2021-04-15). Haiti: Archbishop Demands Release Of Abducted Catholics. eurasiareview.com The Archbishop of Port-au-Prince has called for the release of 10 people who were kidnapped in Haiti on Sunday and are being held for ransom. | "We demand security and peace for all missionaries and all people,"Archbishop Max Mesidor said. "We demand the immediate and unconditional release of our detained brothers and sisters." | Five priests, two nuns, and three laypeople were abducted at Croix-des-Bouquets, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, April 11. According to local news, they were taken while on the way to attend the installation of a parish priest. | According to Haitian media, the "400 Mawozo" gang admitted…
(2021-04-15). India-Pakistan Recent Rapprochement: Prospects Of Peace In South Asia — OpEd. eurasiareview.com Since the last two years, in particular, the prevalent security environment of South Asia has become more complex and the region has become even more vulnerable to conflicts. This is primarily because of the Indian politico-strategic adventurism and its continuous desire to dominate the escalation dynamics of the region. It all started with the Pulwama attack of In the pretext of its brinkmanship of so-called surgical strikes, India behaved very aggressively and report…
(2021-04-15). Monday 4/19: San Francisco Car Caravan: Justice on the Job for Fast-food Workers Now! indybay.org Starting point: 1335 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94115-4232 | Masks and Social Distancing Required; Peaceful Car Caravan…
(2021-04-15). Greenpeace expert: Japan's decision must be overturned. ecns.cn Dumping contaminated wastewater into the sea may be the cheapest way for Japan to deal with its troubles of Fukushima nuclear plant, but the Japanese government's decision completely disregards the human rights and interests of the people in Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region, said Shaun Burnie, a senior nuclear specialist with Greenpeace East Asia.
(2021-04-15). Leaked Emails Reveal US Pressure on the UK not to Release Venezuelan Gold. orinocotribune.com The United States Department of State would have pressured the British Foreign Office to retain the frozen Venezuelan gold valued at almost $2 billion, which is sequestered by the Bank of England. | This information was relayed by independent UK journalist, John McEvoy, who through his Twitter account, released some emails that show the reality of the event. In one of these, for example, a response from the British Foreign Office was shown. It states that "the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) of the United States recognizes the need to protect information, which could harm relations between the UK and other stat…
(2021-04-15). Leaked Emails Reveal US Pressure on UK not to Release Venezuelan Gold. orinocotribune.com The US State Department may have pressured the British Foreign Office to retain the frozen Venezuelan gold valued at almost $2 billion, which is being held by the Bank of England. | This information was relayed by independent UK journalist, John McEvoy, who through his Twitter account, released some emails demonstrating the reality of the event. In one of these mails, for example, a response from the British Foreign Office was shown. It states that "the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) of the United States recognizes the need to protect information, which could harm relations between the UK and other states if d…
(2021-04-15). An Unannounced Rupture in Venezuelan Politics. zcomm.org What clearly sets the Venezuelan people apart from most other peoples in the world is the recent memory of having participated in politics and of having had a government intervening on their behalf.
(2021-04-15). US Intelligence Walks Back Claim Russia Paid Bounties for US Troops in Afghanistan. news.antiwar.com Since The New York Times "The United States intelligence community assesses with low to moderate confidence that Russian intelligence office…
(2021-04-15). US Cancels Deployment of Warships to Black Sea. news.antiwar.com The US has canceled a planned deployment of two US Navy destroyers to the Black Sea, The US frequently sends warships into the Black Sea, but the planned deployment that Turkey announced last week would have come against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the region between Russia and Ukraine. On Tuesday, According…