(2021-04-20). Despite Hawks Seeking new Cold War, the US and China can only Confront Climate Emergency by Cooperating. juancole.com ( China Dialogue ) — They say don't mess with Texas, but Mother Nature didn't get the memo. A surprise winter storm killed at least 111 people in March, when rolling blackouts left several million Texans without power for several freezing days. Their misery came just a few years after Hurricane Harvey put a US$125 …
(2021-04-20). What the U.S. Could've Done With the $2 Trillion Spent on the Afghanistan War. scheerpost.com YouTube] By Juan Cole / Informed Comment The Costs of War Project at Brown University has just brought out a new report on Afghanistan. The September 11, 2001 attacks were launched from Khost and Qandahar in Afghanistan by al-Qaeda, though it is not clear that this organization of Arab expatriates informed their Taliban hosts of what they were planning. The operation involved hijacking commercial… |
(2021-04-20). How To Make A Gulf Monarchy All-American. popularresistance.org Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the U.S., was on the hot seat. In early March 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic swept the world, oil prices collapsed and a price war broke out between Saudi Arabia and Russia, leaving American oil and gas companies feeling the pain. As oil prices plummeted, Republican senators from oil-producing states turned their ire directly on Saudi Arabia. Forget that civil war in Yemen — what about fossil-fuel profits here at home? | To address their concerns, Ambassador Bandar Al-Saud agreed to speak with a group of them in a March 18th conference call [m…
(2021-04-20). 'Do Not Travel': Citing Covid-19, State Department updating advisory for 80% of the WORLD. rt.com 
Citing "unprecedented risk" from the Covid-19 pandemic, the State Department is urging Americans to reconsider going abroad and is updating its travel advisory to the highest, Level 4 warning for most of the planet. | On Monday, Foggy Bottom announced that it will be updating the travel advisory during the week, to "better reflect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) science-based Travel Health Notices," which will result in the number of places at 'Level 4: Do Not Travel' increasing to "approximately 80% of countries worldwide." | The State Department just announced it will issue "Level 4: D…
(2021-04-20). Michigan's lockdown-championing Gov. Whitmer traveled to Florida after warning residents to avoid spring break trips. rt.com 
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited Florida last month, according to local media, in time to warn constituents against enjoying the sun in the Covid rulebreaker's paradise. Her staff passed it off as a family visit. | Florida repealed its coronavirus dictates late last year, while Michigan's remain in full force. The mask-loving state leader continues to (publicly) warn those in her own state against travel, but her true loyalties are less border-bound than it seems. It was also revealed that at least two of Whitmer's senior advisers left Michigan for "spring break," apparently shrugging off their boss'
(2021-04-20). Scientists Warn of 'Vaccine Treadmill' as Vaccine Makers Gear Up for COVID Booster Shots. globalresearch.ca Vaccine makers are
(2021-04-20). President Maduro: US Escalates War, Prevents Vaccine Sales to Venezuela. orinocotribune.com The Venezuelan president denounced threats by the US towards COVID-19 vaccine distribution companies, preventing them from trading with the Bolivarian Republic. | "They have gone so far as to threaten the companies that distribute vaccines with sanctions, if they sell vaccines to Venezuela… Washington has escalated its war against the country," said Nicolás Maduro on Sunday, April 18, during a televised speech. | However, the president said, Venezuelan authorities continue to manage the doses they've acquired to combat the pandemic, despite the illegal economic and commercial blockade by the United States and E…
(2021-04-20). 'Western Media Jeopardizing Uyghurs Interests'. popularresistance.org Dan Cohen speaks with Gordon Gao, Director of Strategic Research at Tsinghua University Endowment Fund in Beijing and a native of Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Gao discusses growing up as a Mongolian ethnic minority in XUAR, and how the propaganda war against China hurts Uyghur interests, but will ultimately backfire on the United States. Gao and Coden also discuss the U.S.-China artificial intelligence arms race as well as the comparative strengths of the two countries.
(2021-04-20). Berlin: Protests Against End Of 'Rent Cap' And Real Estate Swindlers. popularresistance.org The repeal of the Berlin "rent cap" by the Supreme Court means massive rent increases, arrears payments and poverty for hundreds of thousands of people. The ruling, which exacerbates homelessness amid the coronavirus crisis, has a signal effect for the whole of Germany and is emblematic of the inhuman enrichment policies of the ruling elites in Germany and Europe. | Balakrishnan Rajagopal, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to housing, spoke on Twitter on Thursday of a "deeply disturbing judgment" and, referring to the pandemic, warned, "The German government still has an international legal obligation to respect…
(2021-04-20). Mass Shooting at Indianapolis FedEx Warehouse "Follows Pattern of Violence Against Sikhs" Nationwide. democracynow.org 
As the Sikh community in Indianapolis and across the United States is in mourning after a gunman killed eight people at a FedEx facility last week, where four of the victims are Sikh, we speak with Simran Jeet Singh, scholar, activist and senior fellow for the Sikh Coalition, which is calling for a full investigation into the possibility of racial or ethnic hatred as a factor in the killings in Indianapolis. A majority of the workers at the warehouse are Sikh, and while authorities have not shared evidence Brandon Hole was targeting Sikh workers when he attacked the FedEx facility, police revealed Monday they pre…
(2021-04-20). The Family of FedEx Mass Shooter Warned Police About Him. How Did He Still Manage to Buy His Guns? democracynow.org 
Authorities in Indianapolis say the mother of Brandon Hole, the former FedEx employee who shot and killed eight people at a company facility last Thursday, called police in 2020 to say her son might commit "suicide by cop," prompting them to seize his pump-action shotgun. But officials say they did not push for Hole to have a hearing under Indiana's "red flag" law, which allows police or courts to seize guns from people who show warning signs of violence. "The very thing that the law is designed to prevent — going and buying a new gun — was not even ever sought," says Nick Suplina, managing director f…
(2021-04-20). Headlines for April 20, 2021. democracynow.org Jury Begins Deliberations in Derek Chauvin Murder Trial, Thousands Protest in Minnesota as Derek Chauvin Murder Trial Wraps Up, U.N. Warns Planet Is "On the Verge of the Abyss" from Relentless Climate Change, Hundreds of Climate Scientists Warn Against Criminalizing Peaceful Protests, White House Holds Virtual Climate Summit as U.S. and China Pledge Cuts to Emissions, Migrant Workers Flee India's Capital Ahead of Lockdown as Coronavirus Cases Soar, Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Joins Fight for Vaccine Equity, President Biden Urges All U.S. Residents 16 and Over to Get Vaccinated, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Can…
(2021-04-20). Bolivia's Fight for Food Sovereignty. orinocotribune.com 
Food security and food sovereignty are perhaps the most important issues facing Latin America and its campesino farmers. Being able to produce what one consumes is key in reducing poverty and guarding against hunger and external economic shocks. Since 2006, Bolivia has made it a priority. Evo Morales came through the ranks of the campesino social movements and was keenly aware of the poverty and other challenges facing the rural areas. After huge investments in rural communities, Bolivia now produces 95% of what it consumes. | To understand this issue and how Bolivia is grappling with it, Kawsachun News spoke exc…
(2021-04-20). HFPA, group behind Golden Globes, denounces ex-president for reportedly sending email equating BLM to Manson cult. rt.com 
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which awards the Golden Globes, has condemned its eight-term president Philip Berk for reportedly circulating an email that accused BLM of racism and compared it to the Manson murders. | According to the Los Angeles Times, Berk sent an email to the association's staff and members on Sunday which contained a post that called Black Lives Matter a "racist hate movement" and described its co-founder Patrisse Cullors as "self-proclaimed 'trained Marxist.'" | The paper said the text in the email appears to have been taken from an article originally published on conservative c…
(2021-04-20). Venezuela secures aid from UN food programme. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 20 (MNA) — Venezuelan President Maduro announced that his country has signed several agreements with the UN World Food Programme (WFP).
(2021-04-20). Make aid to Israel conditional on protecting Palestinian human rights, say Sanders, Warren. peoplesdispatch.org Successive US governments, irrespective of the ruling party, have been providing billions of dollars in aid to Israel each year. Israel has been accused of using the money to sustain its occupation of Palestine…
(2021-04-20). Abby Martin — Uganda Dictatorship: Imperialism's Pearl of Africa. theanalysis.news 
| | | | (2021-04-20). Talk World Radio: Matt Hoh on Afghanistan and Why to Really End the War. warisacrime.org 
Talk World Radio is recorded as audio and video on Riverside.fm. Here is this week's video and all the videos on Youtube. Matthew Hoh is a Senior Fellow with the Center for International Policy and a member of the Eisenhower Media Network (EMN), as well as a member of the Advisory Board of World BEYOND …
(2021-04-20). Shocking Omissions: Capitalism's Conscience: 200 Years of The Guardian. dissidentvoice.org 
Long before 'the propaganda model' flew off Edward Herman's keyboard and into Manufacturing Consent, the book he co-authored with Noam Chomsky, Leo Tolstoy had captured the essence of non-conspiratorial conformity: One man does not assert the truth which he knows, because he feels himself bound to the people with whom he is engaged; another, because …
(2021-04-20). Cape Verde Trends in Venezuela Due to Contradiction Between Alex Saab Case & Election. orinocotribune.com 
The ruling party of Cape Verde won the parliamentary elections on Sunday. The event was attended by international observers from ECOWAS, the organization that ordered the release of Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab through its court. | Cape Verde's government did not recognize the ECOWAS resolution, though it should ostensibly abide by it. Analysts say they have not done so due to pressure from the US regime. | This situation, in which the government of Cape Verde invited electoral observers of ECOWAS, but does not comply with their judicial decisions, triggered a widespread reaction by Venezuelans on social media n…
(2021-04-20). San Francisco students hold 'Action Towards Change' rally against anti-Asian racism. liberationnews.org 
The rally was led by youth whose speeches consisted of calls to action, solidarity in organizing, and self-written poems.
(2021-04-20). Vietnam, Afghanistan, Yemen: What is all this needless death for? therealnews.com 
President Biden announced an end to the U.S. war in Afghanistan, but what does that actually mean? What was it all for? Then, we talk with a Yemeni-American activist about their hunger strike against U.S. support for the catastrophic war in Yemen.
(2021-04-20). 'The Trial of the Chicago 7': The whole world is still watching. peoplesworld.org 
There are many reasons to see Aaron Sorkin's Academy Award-nominated film The Trial of the Chicago 7. Writer-director Sorkin has gifted us with a well-written, often well-acted lesson in history and political philosophy. Although the focus is on ideas, heartfelt emotions, and wry humor leaven Sorkin's filmic advertisement for organizing for social change. Chicago 7 …
(2021-04-20). Elon Musk draws flak after claiming data logs clear Tesla's 'Autopilot' of blame in fatal 'driverless' vehicle crash. rt.com 
Elon Musk has sparked a row after suggesting that Tesla's in-house checks had shown its controversial 'Autopilot' driver assistance feature was not responsible for a fiery 'driverless' vehicle crash in Texas that left two dead. | Law enforcement authorities are expected to serve warrants to the carmaker on Tuesday to secure data logs from the accident, according to a Reuters On Saturday night, the fully electric 2019…
(2021-04-20). Oscars ceremony demands guests mask up — but only when camera's OFF. rt.com 
The annual Academy Awards will spare visitors the mask mandate during the main ceremony, but stars and viewers who step outside must don the mask for commercials and jump through plenty of hoops to participate. | Unlike the Grammys, the Oscars on Sunday will be held mostly mask-free at Los Angeles' Union Station, media revealed on Monday. However, those in the audience will be required to put their face coverings back on during commercial breaks and as they "cycle" through two outdoor courtyards — choreographed movement that is apparently part of a social distancing mandate for the nevertheless atypically…
(2021-04-20). Richard Dawkins stripped of 'humanist of the year' award after inviting discussion on transgender issues in tweet. rt.com 
The American Humanist Association has withdrawn its top honor from evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins over a tweet calling for dialogue on transgender issues, accusing the atheist speaker of "demeaning marginalized groups." | The organization said Dawkins had recently implied that "the identities of transgender individuals are fraudulent, while also simultaneously attacking Black identity as one that can be assumed when convenient," noting he would be stripped of an award granted to him some 25 years ago. It declined to specify the offending comment. | "Regrettably, Richard Dawkins has over the past severa…
(2021-04-20). Biden hopes Chauvin jury will reach 'RIGHT VERDICT' after calling George Floyd's family. rt.com 
US President Joe Biden has said he is praying for the "right verdict" in the case of the Minnesota police officer charged with killing George Floyd, even after the judge urged public officials to stop talking about the case. | Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Biden said he had phoned Floyd's family the day before, waiting until the jury was sequestered to begin deliberations in the case. | "They're a good family and they're calling for peace and tranquility no matter what that verdict is," Biden said. "I'm praying the verdict is the right verdict. It's overwhelming, in my view. I wouldn't say that unless th…
(2021-04-20). Israel and Its Unlikely Arab Friends. strategic-culture.org 
In 2020, Israel, supported by the United States, began a diplomatic offensive in the Arab world. The goal is evident: containing Iran. As U.S. author Eric Margolis writes, the countries that sign peace agreements with Israel, are "so frightened of neighboring Iran that they would happily have opted for Israeli rule rather than welcome the angry, unforgiving Iranians".
(2021-04-20). Military Situation In Yemen On April 20, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The Liaison and Coordination Officers' Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 152 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah during the past 24 hours | On April 19, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 7 airstrikes on the Sarwah area | On April 19, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted an airstrike on the Khab and Shaaf area | On April 20, Ansar Allah attacked Abha Airport with a Qasef 2K drone | On April 20, clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continued…
(2021-04-20). An Expert Guide To Pick The Best Bitcoin Trading Software! southfront.org 
SPONSORED POST | Illustrative image | Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that is based on blockchain technology. It is getting more popular because it allows people to earn money by trading it at varying rates over the Internet. There is a lot of bitcoin trading software available that you can use to make easy money and get rich. But it is a bit confusing to choose the best one out of so many options. So, some of the imperative tips that you need to follo…
(2021-04-20). Military Situation In Syria On April 20, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 19, a Turkish military convoy entered Syrian territory from Kafr Lussin border crossing | On April 19, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Deir Sunbul, Sarjah and Bainin | On April 19, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Ziyara and Sarmaniyah | On April 19, intra clashes between Turkish-backed forces were reported in the town of Raas al-Ain | On April 19, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled SDF positions…
(2021-04-20). Katherine Angel, 'Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again: Women and Desire in the Age of Consent'. mronline.org 
Katherine Angel's intervention into post-feminist discourse fits the script of recent events and sits at what's hopefully the tail end of post-feminist discourse, otherwise known as 'the sex wars'. | April 20, 2021 | Review…
(2021-04-20). FedEx Warehouse Shooting Follows Pattern of Violence Against Sikhs Nationwide. truthout.org 
Image Credit: Jenna Watson/USA Today Network | As the Sikh community in Indianapolis and across the United States is in mourning after a gunman killed eight people at a FedEx facility last week, where four of the victims are Sikh, we speak with Simran Jeet Singh, scholar, activist and senior fellow for the Sikh Coalition, which is calling for a full investigation into the possibility of racial or ethnic hatred as a factor in the killings in Indianapolis. A majority of the workers at the warehou…
(2021-04-20). Has the Biden Administration Quietly Given Up on Recognizing Juan Guaidó as the President of Venezuela? orinocotribune.com By Les Blough — Apr 11, 2021 | Has the Biden administration quietly given up on recognizing Juan Guaidó as the President of Venezuela? | Not yet, but they will. They know they picked the wrong horse for destabilization and "regime change" but they have to find a way to dump him while saving face. | Venezuelans, including the opposition, have no love for out-and-out traitors. Poor "Juanito" ("Little John", as he's known here) has found himself in a very very dark place, despised by his fellow citizens, impossible to show his face in the streets anymore, directly responsible for many deaths when grandstanding…
(2021-04-20). UN Security Council Open Debate: Chinese FM calls for peaceful approach to international issues. ecns.cn Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on the international community to uphold the United Nations Charter and not to interfere in other countries' internal affairs. He spoke on Monday via video, at a UN Security Council High-Level Open Debate.
(2021-04-20). Make Aid To Israel Conditional On Protecting Palestinian Rights. popularresistance.org The US Democratic party's leading senators and last year's presidential aspirants, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, on Monday, April 20 called on the Joe Biden administration to use the billions of dollars of aid given to Israel to pressurize it to protect Palestinian human rights and work for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The senators were speaking at the conference of J Street, a "pro-Israel, pro-peace" lobbying group in the US. | Both Sanders and Warren, speaking separately, asked for putting conditions on the military aid to Israel. They argued that the US aid is used by Israel to prolong its occ…
(2021-04-20). Inflation in Venezuela Slows Down to 16.1% in March. orinocotribune.com Caracas, April 19, 2021 (OrinocoTribune.com).- Inflation in Venezuela reached 16.1% in March, according to According to data released on Saturday night by the Venezuelan institute, accumulated inflation for the first three months of 2021 reached 127.8%, after t…
(2021-04-20). World Food Programme reaches deal to supply food to 185,000 children in Venezuela. news.un.org The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has signed an agreement with the Government of Venezuela to begin operations to provide the most vulnerable children in the South American country with nutritious school meals, it announced on Tuesday.
(2021-04-20). EU Walks Back Claim of 150,000 Russian Troops Near Ukraine Border. news.antiwar.com The European Union had to correct a claim made by its foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, concerning Russian troops near the Ukrainian border. Borrell told reporters on Monday that
(2021-04-20). Several Dozen US Fighter Jets Land in Poland for Air Combat Drills. news.antiwar.com U.S. Air Force and Polish government sources confirm that American F-15 and F-16 fighter jets have arrived in Poland for joint exercises with host country aircraft; as a Radio Poland report phrases it, "amid concerns over a Russian troop build-up on the border with neighbouring Ukraine." The exercises are preplanned though the message they send …
(2021-04-20). Philippines' Duterte Says He Would Send Navy to Assert South China Sea Claims. news.antiwar.com Over the past few weeks, tensions have been high between the Philippines and China due to the presence of Chinese vessels near Whitson Reef, a disputed area in the South China Sea. Philippine officials have accused Beijing of massing a "maritime militia," while China insists the vessels are fishing boats. | On Monday,
(2021-04-20). Israel's Cabinet Concerned US Wants an Iran Deal 'At All Costs'. news.antiwar.com Israel continues to express its opposition to the Biden administration rejoining the 2015 Iran nuclear deal known as the JCPOA. "The Americans want a deal at all costs and the Iranians know it," one minister said at the meeting. The minister told…
(2021-04-20). Following US, EU to Boost Presence in Indo-Pacific to Counter China. news.antiwar.com The European Union is following the US and looking to EU foreign ministers released a statement on the strategy. Borrowing language from the US, the ministers said the EU should "reinforce its strategic focus, presence and actions in the Indo-Pacific … based on the promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights and intern…
(2021-04-20). Iran's Uranium Enrichment Doesn't Get Them Close to Making a Bomb. news.antiwar.com Iran's Uranium Enrichment Doesn't Get Them Close to Making a Bomb | 60% enrichment is a new accomplishment, but still well short of weapons-grade…
(2021-04-20). Russia: 200 Militants Killed in Airstrikes in Eastern Syria. news.antiwar.com Russian Admiral Alexander Karpov has This area is known to be one of those awash in ISIS holdouts. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says that ISIS had claimed to have killed two Russian soldiers in the area, speculating that this is why Russia hit them. | Admiral Karpov reported that in addition to 200 killed, the airstrikes destroyed 24 ve…
(2021-04-20). Iraq PM: Progress Made on US Troop Pullout. news.antiwar.com In a meeting with military officers, Iraqi PM Mustafa Kadhimi reported that his government has been successful in "imposing legal and time-based mechanisms" on the pullout of US and other coalition forces from Iraq. | Kadhimi The U…
(2021-04-20). Tomgram: Dilip Hiro, Who's Rising and Falling on Planet Earth? warisacrime.org This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Here's the strange thing: these days, you would think that China was "rising" to potentially top great-power status out of nowhere, out of nothing (unlike the United States). Historically speaking, however, America is the great-power newcomer on this …
(2021-04-20). "A Sign of Progress": How a Tiny Corporate Media Clique Inverted Reality During Brazil's 2016 Coup. orinocotribune.com By Brasil Wire — Apr 17, 2021 | On the fifth anniversary of Dilma Rousseff's impeachment, the role foreign media played in propagandising for it still warrants further investigation. | Little of international media coverage of Brazil's 2016 coup and its centrepiece, the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, has dated well. But one opinion piece in US newspaper the New York Times stands out as emblematic of the inverted reality being presented to the world, as Brazil's first female president was facing a right-wing plot to remove her and her progressive government from office. | Written by Op-Ed contributo…
(2021-04-20). Neither the Israeli Elections Nor the Palestinian Elections Are About Democracy. globalresearch.ca Chances are, you are unaware that Palestinian elections are in the …
(2021-04-20). Zero Mainstream Coverage Today of the Foiled, U.S. Backed Plot to Assassinate Belarus President Lukashenko. globalresearch.ca In his last book "War with Russia?" my friend and colleague …