Monthly Archives: April 2021

2021-04-19: News Headlines

Jason Ditz (2021-04-19). At Least 70 Killed as Yemen Fighting Rages in Maarib, Taiz. news.antiwar.com Fighting continues to rage in Yemen, with the Houthi movement both trying to consolidate gains near Maarib, and trying to push for new opportunities around the contested city of Taiz, Over the past few days, reports are that the Houthis made gains near Maarib, along the northwestern routes which they have been contesting. At least 42 more were killed in fighting over the weekend, but without any apparent new gains. | Meanwhile in Taiz, the Houthis are testing defenses…

RT (2021-04-19). YouTube CEO wins 'Free Expression Award' sponsored by YouTube, then boasts how platform censors content creators. rt.com Susan Wojcicki, the CEO of Google's video platform YouTube, was awarded the Freedom Forum Institute's 'Free Expression Award' on Friday in a ceremony sponsored by her own company — despite YouTube's track record of censorship. | In the digital awards ceremony, YouTube video creator Molly Burke praised Wojcicki as a free speech leader before the YouTube CEO detailed in her acceptance speech how much the platform censors its users. | "The freedoms we have, we really can't take for granted," Wojcicki declared, adding that "we really have to make sure we're protecting them in every way possible." | Wojcicki,…

Juan Cole (2021-04-19). US spent $2.261 Trillion on Afghanistan War, in which ~240,000 Have Died; We could have Greened Half the Grid Instead. juancole.com Ann Arbor (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 …

Vijay Prashad (2021-04-19). Why Xinjiang is emerging as the epicenter of the U.S. Cold War on China. mronline.org The U.S. government's information warfare against China has produced the "fact" that there is genocide in Xinjiang. Once this has been established, it helps develop diplomatic and economic warfare. | April 19, 2021 | Newswire…

Staff (2021-04-19). Venezuela Reports 1,287 New COVID-19 Cases on Sunday. orinocotribune.com Vice President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, heading the working meeting with the presidential team for the prevention and control of COVID-19, this Sunday, April 18, reported that 1,287 new COVID-19 infections from community transmission were registered in the past 24 hours. Caracas was afflicted with the highest number of cases with 162, followed by Yaracuy with 157, and Anzoátegui with 150. | "We are ending the week of flexibility and we must maintain prevention measures," said Rodríguez. "This graph explains the reasons for the measures taken by President Maduro and the positive aspects of these timely actio…

Juan Cole (2021-04-19). The Saudi Lobby is Coming for You, Small Town America. juancole.com By Ben Freeman, Brian Steiner and Leila Riazi | — ( Tomdispatch.com) — 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 …

Mark Gruenberg (2021-04-19). Alabama Amazon battle continues: Union to file labor law challenge. peoplesworld.org BESSEMER, Ala. (PAI)—The battle over unionizing the big Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., continued as the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union announced last week that it would officially file labor law-breaking charges against the monster retailer and package firm, following RWDSU's election loss in the plant there. If the National Labor Relations Board agrees …

Prabir Purkayastha (2021-04-19). Why the U.S. shouldn't play games with cyberwarfare as its power declines. mronline.org Two major cyberhacks—of 'SolarWinds' and 'Microsoft Exchange Server'—have affected a whole range of computer systems worldwide. Both are supply chain hacks, meaning that they appeared to be routine software upgrades for particular components in these systems instead of inserted malicious codes. | April 19, 2021 | Newswire…

Carlos Arellán (2021-04-19). Guaidó's Gag: He Names New Board of Directors at Telesur — They Treat Him as Crazy. orinocotribune.com Juan Guaidó added another farcical episode to the drama of his mock interim government by announcing that he has overhauled the executive board of Telesur. | This "decision" was funny enough to elicit a response from Venezuelan Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs for Latin America, Rander Peña, who wrote simply: "today's joke." Peña was followed by Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza, who facetiously call the former deputy's imaginary television station "TeleNarniaNorte." | Guaidó, US puppet for destabilizing Venezuela, announced that those in charge of running the Telesur parallel project will be Roberto Marrero…

The Canary (2021-04-19). Race report 'attempts to normalise white supremacy' — UN human rights experts. thecanary.co A controversial report into racial disparities attempts to "normalise white supremacy" and the Government should reject its findings, human rights experts from the UN have warned. | The UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent said it "categorically rejects and condemns" the findings of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities ( The Government-commissioned report said racism is a "real force" but that Britain is no longer a country where the…

Staff (2021-04-19). Cops Have Brutalized Chicago's Latinx Community for Decades; Adam Toledo, 13, Is the Latest Victim. democracynow.org As protests continue in Chicago and nationwide over the police killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, we get an update from community activist and independent journalist Mateo Zapata, who says, "People in Chicago are just tired of seeing Black and Brown youth murdered by police." Released bodycam video showed Adam had his hands up in the air when he was shot by an officer. We also speak with Rutgers professor Lilia Fernández, who studies Latino Chicago history and says police brutality toward this community is "not a new phenomenon" and goes back many decades. "Adam Toledo would not be dead today if he were white, i…

alexander (2021-04-19). Denouncing Sinophobia, the New Cold War, and Anti-Asian Hate. dsausa.org In March, the DSA International Committee released a statement that "condemns in strongest terms the Sinophobia and the push for a Cold War with the People's Republic of China that have been encouraged by United States political elites." It adds that "Joe Biden accused the Trump administration of being

Anonymous007 (2021-04-19). The UK Sends Two Warships To Black Sea, As Russia Sends Dozens For Military Exercise. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On April 17, detachment of ships of the Russian Caspian Fleet passed under the Crimean bridge across the Kerch Strait and entered the Black Sea, while earlier it was reported that Russia relocated Su-25SMZ attack aircraft to Crimea. | This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. | It is reported that among the 15 warships of the Caspian Flotilla there are 3 artillery and 8 landing boats, as well as support vessels. | The ships entered the Black Sea allegedly as par…

Anonymous007 (2021-04-19). Syria To Hold Presidential Elections, "Moderate Opposition" Calls Them "Farce" southfront.org Click to see full-size image | Syria is to hold presidential elections on May 26th, this is the second election to be held since war began. | The announcement was made by the Syrian parliament speaker on April 18th. | Syrians abroad will be "able to vote at embassies" on May 20th, Hammouda Sabbagh said in a statement, adding that prospective candidates could hand in their applications starting from April 19th."I call on Syrians to exercise their right to elect the president," said the Speaker, Hammouda Sabbagh, after parliame…

Anonymous007 (2021-04-19). The UK Sends Two Warshpis To Black Sea, As Russia Sends Dozens For Military Exercise. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On April 17, detachment of ships of the Russian Caspian Fleet passed under the Crimean bridge across the Kerch Strait and entered the Black Sea, while earlier it was reported that Russia relocated Su-25SMZ attack aircraft to Crimea. | This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. | It is reported that among the 15 warships of the Caspian Flotilla there are 3 artillery and 8 landing boats, as well as support vessels. | The ships entered the Black Sea allegedly as par…

Anonymous007 (2021-04-19). The UK Sends Two Warshpis To Black Sea, As Russia Sends 15 For Military Exercise. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | A detachment of ships of the Russian Caspian Fleet passed under the Crimean bridge across the Kerch Strait and entered the Black Sea, while earlier it was reported that Russia relocated Su-25SMZ attack aircraft to Crimea. | This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. | It is reported that among the 15 warships of the Caspian Flotilla there are 3 artillery and 8 landing boats, as well as support vessels. | The ships entered the Black Sea allegedly as part of a cont…

Anonymous007 (2021-04-19). Military Situation In Yemen On April 19, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org Click to see full-size image | The Liaison and Coordination Officers' Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 157 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah during the past 24 hours | On April 18, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 5 airstrikes on the Sarwah area | On April 18, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Haradh area | On April 18, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted an airstrike on the Madghal area | On April 19, clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces c…

Anonymous007 (2021-04-19). Military Situation In Syria On April 19, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On April 19, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 33 times: 15 — in Idlib province, 12 — in Latakia province, 5 — in Hama province, 1 in Aleppo province | On April 18, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled SDF positions near Ain Issa | On April 18, US forces conducted a military patrol in the vicinity of the city of al-Malikiyah | On April 18, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in…

Areeb Ullah (2021-04-19). European Super League: Turkish football union condemns launch. middleeasteye.net European Super League: Turkish football union condemns launch | Turkish Union of Clubs criticises launch of European Super League warning it could destroy 'heart and soul' of football | Mon, 04/19/2021 – 11: 29 | The coronavirus pandemic has further compounded the economic woes of Turkey's major football clubs (AFP) | Turkish football condemned plans by major clubs in Europe to launch a new European Supe…

Pan Africanism Today Secretariat (2021-04-19). How profits are maximized at the expense of workers' lives in South Africa. peoplesdispatch.org "I am angry. We should be fighting against economic exploitation but instead we are fighting for basic things like health and safety," declared a worker participating in a recent shop steward induction workshop organized by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa). Pan Africanism Today spoke to Vuyolwethu Toli, Numsa Education Officer at Jack Charles Bezuidenhout (JC Bez) Region, about the ongoing struggles and deficiencies of occupational health and safety practices in South African workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. | Pan Africanism Today: What are the most common occupational health pr…

Peoples Dispatch (2021-04-19). Syria to hold presidential elections in May. peoplesdispatch.org The elections will be held on May 26 amid a deteriorating economic situation, badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic sanctions imposed by the US and the European Union and the decade of war in the country…

news.un (2021-04-19). World on the verge of climate 'abyss', as temperature rise continues: UN chief. news.un.org The Earth's temperature continues to rise unabated, with 2020 being one of the three warmest years on record, as extreme weather events combine with the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting millions.

Gateway House (2021-04-19). The 1918 Flu: India's Worst Pandemic — Analysis. eurasiareview.com The 20th century's worst pandemic — Spanish Flu — erupted in March 1918 in Camp Funston (Kansas, U.S.) during the Great War. Much like Covid-19 it spread globally at an astonishing pace. Its Second Autumnal Wave took about 30 million lives in four months, half of those in India. It's sheer virulence and high mortality makes this virus the correct analogy for Covid-19: | By Sifra Lentin* | Death arrived in many forms in 1918. India was laid low by famines made worse by First World War requisitions of food grains from the Subcontinent, endemic cholera, typhoid and small-pox outbreaks, miasmic…

Staff (2021-04-19). Headlines for April 19, 2021. democracynow.org Police Brutalize Protesters in Minneapolis as Chauvin Trial Moves Toward Verdict, Protests Continue in Chicago over Police Killing of 13-Year-Old Adam Toledo, Florida Poised to Pass "Anti-Riot" Bill, Criminalizing Dissent & Blocking Cuts to Police Budgets, Four of the Indianapolis Mass Shooting Victims Were from Sikh Community; Gunman Bought Arms Legally, Mass Shootings in Texas, Wisconsin Claim at Least 6 Lives in One Day, Globe Tops 3 Million COVID Deaths as India and Brazil Struggle to Contain Devastating Surges, CDC to Issue Guidance for J&J Vaccine After Pause over Blood Clot Reports, Alexei Navalny Transfer…

WSWS (2021-04-19). Left Voice on the RWDSU debacle at Amazon: A lawyers' brief for union executives. wsws.org The rejection of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) by Amazon workers at the Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse has been followed by pathetic excuse-making.

Moderator (2021-04-19). Hedges: The Unraveling of the American Empire. scheerpost.com By Chris Hedges / Original to ScheerPost America's defeat in Afghanistan is one in a string of catastrophic military blunders that herald the death of the American empire. With the exception of the first Gulf War, fought largely by mechanized units in the open desert that did not — wisely — attempt to occupy Iraq, the United States political and military leadership has stumbled from one military… |

Staff (2021-04-19). 'A Slap to WHO': Scientists Demonstrate 'Strong and Consistent' Evidence of Airborne Coronavirus Transmission (The Lancet). orinocotribune.com Although other mechanisms of transmission "may also contribute," the team suggests that airborne transmission is dominant and urges healthcare authorities to act accordingly and "without further delay." | There is "strong and consistent" evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is predominantly airborne, so public health authorities must act accordingly and "without further delay," warns a new article by an international group of scientists published in Although other routes of contagion "may…

Juan Cole (2021-04-19). We Could Have Greened Half the US Electrical Grid With $2.26 Wasted on Afghan War. commondreams.org Much of the money spent in Afghanistan was wasted and disappeared into a fog of corruption. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/afghan_4_0.jpg

WSWS (2021-04-19). Chicago police crackdown on protests over police murder of 13-year-old Adam Toledo. wsws.org In scenes reminiscent of the protests that unfolded across the US in the wake of the police murder of George Floyd last summer, police were caught on video brutally attacking peaceful protesters at a rally Friday night.

WSWS (2021-04-19). Chicago police crack down on protests over police murder of 13-year-old Adam Toledo. wsws.org In scenes reminiscent of the protests that unfolded across the US in the wake of the police murder of George Floyd last summer, police were caught on video brutally attacking peaceful protesters at a rally Friday night.

news.un (2021-04-19). UN chief highlights key role of Asian regional bloc in ending Myanmar crisis. news.un.org UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Monday for leaders in Asia to bolster efforts towards finding a peaceful solution to the bloody crisis in Myanmar, sparked by the military coup in February.

Haleema Zia* (2021-04-19). The Blurring Of War And Peace: Hybrid Warfare — Analysis. eurasiareview.com In the past few decades, there has been a recurring debate on the division between war and peace. The cold war between U.S. and the Soviet Union and post-war phenomenon of hybrid warfare has emphasized the International Relations experts and military domains that the world politics cannot be only studied and seen through the lens of war and peace. The most recent NATO summit declaration explains that different nations are facing amplified pressure from state and non-state actors who are using hybrid techniques to create uncertainty and blue the line between peace, conflict and crisis. (1) Hybrid warfare is a v…

Black Catholic Messenger, CUBL (2021-04-19). Sunday 4/25: Enough is Enough! Community March & Rally for Black Lives in San Jose. indybay.org Downtown San Jose: Meet up at Plaza De Cesar Chavez, 1 Paseo De San Antonio, then March to San Jose City Hall, 200 200 E. Santa Clara Street for Rally | Masks and Social Distancing Required; Peaceful Protest…

Jason Ditz (2021-04-19). US Warns Israeli Attacks Interfering With Iran Nuclear Deal. news.antiwar.com The Biden Administration The current round of Vienna talks opened concurrently with the Israeli sabotage, and the US says they are worried that Israel will derail these talks with its activities. The US seems interested in distancing itself from the incident. | It seems fair to accuse Israel of trying to sabotage the process, as they've been publicly unhappy ab…

WSWS (2021-04-19). Natural Light from Hungary: What war and barbarism do to a human face. wsws.org Natural Light (Természetes fény) is an anti-war film of a special kind. It is set in the Second World War but has a more universal significance.

Sonali Kolhatkar (2021-04-19). Daunte Wright's Killing Makes the Case for Shrinking Police Budgets. counterpunch.org Three weeks into the Minneapolis trial of Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd, a white police officer in the neighboring suburb of Brooklyn Center killed a young Black man named Daunte Wright and illustrated in tragic terms just how law enforcement remains engaged in a racist war on Black America in spite of

WSWS (2021-04-19). Biden and Suga ramp up confrontation with China over Taiwan. wsws.org The Biden administration is deliberately raising tensions with China over Taiwan—potentially the most dangerous flashpoint for war in Asia.

WSWS (2021-04-19). Hospitals in Germany on the brink of collapse. wsws.org Although coronavirus infections are rising dramatically and scientists and doctors are urgently warning of an overload of the health system, the federal and state governments continue their unscrupulous profits-before-lives policy.

Center For Biological Diversity (2021-04-19). New Study: Undisclosed Inert Ingredients in Some Popular Roundup Products Found to be Highly Toxic to Bumblebees. globalresearch.ca Popular herbicide products widely available at hardware and garden stores contain …

Bill Sardi (2021-04-19). Cyber Polygon, the WEF's Cyber Warfare Game: Simulation of Cyber Attack on the Supply Chain and Global Economic System. globalresearch.ca Click …

Patrick Martin (2021-04-19). The US War in Afghanistan: A Historic Crime. globalresearch.ca US President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that the American military …

Rick Rozoff (2021-04-19). Norway: 40,000 troops in Arctic to train for "larger global conflict involving Russia in the North-Atlantic" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Norway: 40,000 troops in Arctic to train for "larger global conflict involving Russia in the North-Atlantic"Rick Rozoff The Barents Observer reports that next year's Cold Response war games in northern Norway will include the participation of 40,000 troops. The biennial exercise has been conducted since 2006 when 10,000 military personnel were involved. The last iteration …

Bill Sardi (2021-04-19). Cyber Polygon, the WEF's Cyber Warfare Game: Simulation of Cyber Attack on the Supply Chain and Global Economic S ystem. globalresearch.ca Click …

WSWS (2021-04-19). France joins "Asian Quad" Indian Ocean naval drills, threatening China. wsws.org These drills highlight mounting war tensions as the Biden administration takes office and calls on the European Union (EU) to support it against China.

Tom Engelhardt (2021-04-19). Tomgram: Steiner, Riazi, and Freeman, A Message from the Saudi Lobby. warisacrime.org This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Some things just never seem to end. What came to mind was the way in which, during administration after administration, the Saudis and other foreign powers have poured money into Washington to ensure that their governments and their …

Susan Price (2021-04-19). United States: Biden rules out re-engagement with Cuba, for now. greenleft.org.au President Biden's reluctance to make any immediate changes in US policy toward Cuba is more than anything the result of domestic politics, writes Ian Ellis-Jones.

IFIMES (2021-04-19). Opportunities And Threats Of Iran's Return To 2015 Nuclear Deal — Analysis. eurasiareview.com There were some conflicting speculations regarding the position of US President Joseph Biden's administration on Iran's nuclear program, as optimists believed the new President would return to the nuclear deal as soon as he entered the White House, while pessimists announced that the decision to return to that deal would be very difficult if not impossible under the conditions agreed with President Barack Obama in October 2015. Many things have changed during Donald Trump's tenure as president, as have many attitudes towards the nuclear deal, which today requires that the details of the deal be reconsidered an…

Shabbir H. Kazmi (2021-04-19). Is US Opposition To Rampal Coal Plant Due To Love For Sundarbans Or To Keep India Away? — OpEd. eurasiareview.com During his six-hour trip to Dhaka on April 9, 2021, US President Joe Biden's special envoy for climate change, John Kerry, bluntly raised the Rampal coal based plant issue during his official talks with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen. | However, Kerry didn't raise this issue in his talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He did say in a general way that coal-fired power plants are one of the main causes of environmental damage. He drew attention to the US opposition to coal-fired power plants. | John Kerry raised the Rampal issue again towards the end of the talks. "Can I ask an outrageous question? Can you…

Eurasia Review (2021-04-19). Eni Strengthens Presence In Emirate Of Ras Al Khaimah With Award Of Onshore Block 7. eurasiareview.com Eni, through its subsidiary Eni RAK, has been awarded Block 7 located in the onshore of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. The Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement was signed between the Chairman of Eni RAK, Fuad Krekshi, and the Chief Executive of the Ras Al Khaimah Petroleum Authority, Nishant Dighe, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. | Block 7 covers an area of 430 km2 onshore Ras Al Khaimah. Eni RAK will act as Operator of the Block with a 90% participating interest and Ras Al Khaimah's National Oi…

William Donohue (2021-04-19). Maxine Waters Leads The War On Cops — OpEd. eurasiareview.com Over the past year, there has been an explosion in anti-police rhetoric and behavior, much of it violent. Indeed, the cops are under siege in many American cities. Now Rep. Maxine Waters has

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Staff (2021-04-18). Democrat Opposed to the PRO Act Was Showered With Cash From Amazon Executives. truthout.org Tactics used by Amazon to defeat the union organizing drive at the company's Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse have highlighted the need for Democrats to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act). The legislation is a sweeping proposal that would implement the strongest protections for workers since 1935, when collective bargaining itself was first given legal protection in the United States. | If signed into law, the PRO Act would impose tougher restrictions on management during un…

Staff (2021-04-18). COVID Profiteering Exposes the Need to Make Marxism Accessible to All. truthout.org The pandemic has upended ideas about economic ideology almost as much as it has upended the economy itself. There has been a massive shift of wealth toward billionaires and corporate giants like Amazon, at the expense of workers suffering the most sudden and severe wave of unemployment and impoverishment since the Great Depression. But there has also been paradigm-shifting federal stimulus legislation that has massively (if temporarily) expanded unemployment insurance and anti-poverty funding. Meanw…

José A. Amesty R. (2021-04-18). Estados Unidos y Colombia: Desean más y más narcóticos. globalizacion.ca El conflicto armado, iniciado al menos, desde el 21 de marzo 2021 entre Colombia y Venezuela, más exactamente entre la Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana FANB y grupos paramilitares narcotraficantes de Colombia (no el ejército regular colombiano), (llamado por el gobierno…

Andrew Korybko (2021-04-18). The US-Russia Sanctions War: Symbolic, Substantive, or Strategic? globalresearch.ca The recently intensified "sanctions war" between the US and Russia has …

Andy Kroll (2021-04-18). How to Make a Gulf Monarchy All-American. tomdispatch.com 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 [mda…

Jonah Raskin (2021-04-18). Ken Burns' and Lynn Novick's "Hemingway" counterpunch.org Why a Hemingway Doc Now? War and peace, fascism, anti-fascism, communism and anti-communism loomed large in the life and work of Ernest Hemingway. An ambulance driver in World War I who was badly wounded, he covered WWII as a journalist and reported on the defeat of Hitler and his henchmen. Also, he went to Spain

Staff (2021-04-18). Minister for Defense: 'Venezuela Has Transformed the Siege into an Opportunity for Innovation'. orinocotribune.com The Venezuelan Minister for Defense, Chief General Vladimir Padrino López, said this Saturday, April 17, that Venezuela has transformed the siege into an opportunity to innovate and test its own solutions. | One of the areas in which this stubborn determination not to give up is revealed is the military field. |

Staff (2021-04-18). Minister for Defense: 'Venezuela Has Transformed the Siege into an Opportunity for Innovation'. orinocotribune.com The Venezuelan Minister for Defense, Chief General Vladimir Padrino López, said this Saturday, April 17, that Venezuela has transformed the siege into an opportunity to innovate and test its own solutions. | One of the areas in which this stubborn determination not to give up is revealed is the military field. |

Yves Smith (2021-04-18). Michael Hudson: America's neoliberal financialization policy vs. China's industrial socialism. mronline.org Nearly half a millennium ago Niccolo Machiavelli's The Princedescribed three options for how a conquering power might treat states that it defeated in war but that "have been accustomed to live under their own laws and in freedom. | April 18, 2021 | Newswire…

Alan MacLeod (2021-04-18). Support the Tropes. orinocotribune.com By Alan Macleod — Apr 9, 2021 | How media language encourages the left to support wars, coups and intervention | In an earlier piece (FAIR.org, Some level of buy-in, or at least a hesitancy to resist, among the United States' more left-leaning half is necessary to ensure that US interventions are carried out with a minimum of dome…

Anonymous669 (2021-04-18). Russian Warplanes Rain Hell On ISIS Terrorists In Central Syria. southfront.org FILE PHOTO: Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft before departing for its permanent base in Russia from Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. © Vadim Grishankin / Sputnik | On April 18, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) carried out a series of airstrikes on ISIS cells in the central region of Syria. | According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 70 airstrikes hit the central region. The airstrikes targeted the following areas: | The eastern countryside of Hama; | The outskirts of the town of Re…

Anonymous669 (2021-04-18). Barrage Of Rockets Hit Base Hosting US Troops In Central Iraq. southfront.org Illustrative image. | Late on April 18, a barrage of rockets struck Balad Air Base which is located 64 km to the north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. | The RT TV said that three rockets landed in the base. However, Reuters reported that the number of rockets was at least five. From its side, the Sabereen News channel on Telegram claimed that six rockets were actually used in the attack. | US troops are known to be present in the air base, where F-16 warplanes are also deployed. The base also hosts a headquarters of American Sa…

Anonymous103 (2021-04-18). Czechs Are Played In Geopolitical Chess Game. southfront.org Illustrative image | The Russian Foreign Ministry declared 20 Czech diplomats personae non-gratae. They must leave Russia before April 20. The decision was made after Czech officials expelled 18 diplomats to Moscow. | On April 17, citing allegations of the involvement of the Russian intelligence in a blast at a military depot in the Czech Republic that took place in 2014, the Czech government ordered 18 Russian diplomats out of the country during 48 hours. Initially, the blast was thought to be an accident. The Czec…

Anonymous669 (2021-04-18). In Video: Iraqi Security Forces Thwarted Terrorist Attack In Al-Anbar. southfront.org Screen grab from the attached video. | On April 17, Iraqi security forces thwarted a terrorist attack with a booby-trapped vehicle in the western province of al-Anbar."According to confirmed information, a force from the 4th Brigade and the 1st Intelligence Division in the Anbar Operations Sector detonated an abandoned vehicle al-Taba'at airport, which is located west of the H3 base in al-Anbar," the Iraqi Security Media Cell said in a statement. | According to the statement, the booby-trapped vehicle was being prepared for a…

MEE, agencies (2021-04-18). Lebanon's energy minister blames fuel shortages on smuggling to Syria. middleeasteye.net Lebanon's energy minister blames fuel shortages on smuggling to Syria | Raymond Ghajar says smugglers are selling subsidised Lebanese fuel in Syria at triple the price | Sun, 04/18/2021 – 11: 01 | Many Syrians prefer to buy smuggled Lebanese fuel, at a mark-up of up to $25 per tank, instead of sometimes waiting for upwards of six hours for minimal fuel through official channels (AFP) | Soa…

RT (2021-04-18). Man who was pulled over for running a red light attacks NYPD officers with chemicals & Molotov cocktail (VIDEO). rt.com A routine traffic stop in Brooklyn went awry after a driver attacked NYPD officers with chemicals and a Molotov cocktail. The suspect was detained after a brief chase. | The suspect, identified by local media as Lionel Virgile, was stopped by the cops on Saturday after running a red light. | Bodycam footage released by the NYPD shows an officer approaching Virgile's car and asking for his license and registration. The man answers that he doesn't have the documents, and begins to open the driver's side door. Virgile then lunges towards the cop as he throws a clear liquid on his face. It's unclear what the liqui…

C.J. Polychroniou (2021-04-18). Rescuing the Planet Is Still Possible: The Case for a Global Green New Deal. commondreams.org It is irrational to rely on capitalist solutions to global warming when it is capitalism itself that has led us towards the current path of a climate catastrophe. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/california_0.png

Rick Rozoff (2021-04-18). Syria condemns U.S. and NATO military drive to Russia's border as threat to world peace. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Syrian Arab News AgencyApril 18, 2021 Syria condemns Washington and NATO step of dispatching troops towards Russian border as serious threat to international peace and securityEdited by RR Syria demands U.S. compensate it for seven years of war and plundering A decade later: U.S., Turkey renew, intensify war in Syria Damascus — Syria has condemned the U.S.'s …

David Perez (2021-04-18). An Epidemic of Low Expectations. dissidentvoice.org Years ago, I was sitting in a café with my rabble-rousing friend James, both of us gnawing our teeth over the myriad difficulties facing the peace and social justice movement in the United States. We cited the usual suspects that stood in the way of progress: the entrenched corporate and financial elite; the embedded Pentagon …

otowenh (2021-04-18). The Myth of Peace in the Middle East: Deconstructing the Naturalization Narrative. orinocotribune.com This critical essay deconstructs the political narrative surrounding the naturalization agreements that have occurred between some Arab countries and Israel, formally known as the Abrahamic Accords or Jared Kushner's plan for peace in the Middle East. It offers unique perspectives and analysis of these accords and their true geopolitical intentions. Primarily, it argues how the peace promised by these newly established ties remains just a myth as it explores the true objectives behind them. Interestingly enough, it also highlights the true goals behind the U.S mediation in these Accords. | The Palestinian-Israeli…

Black Catholic Messenger, CUBL (2021-04-18). Sunday 4/25: Enough is Enough! Community March & Rally for Black Lives in San Jose. indybay.org Downtown San Jose: Meet up at Plaza De Cesar Chavez, 1 Paseo De San Antonio, then March to San Jose City Hall, 200 200 E. Santa Clara Street for Rally | Masks and Social Distancing Required; Peaceful Protest…

Staff (2021-04-18). Pakistan urges coop with Iran to set up peace in Afghanistan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — At the threshold of his visit to Iran, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi placed special emphasis on cooperating and collaborating with the Islamic Republic of Iran for establishing peace in Afghanistan.

Staff (2021-04-18). Syria condemns US, NATO dispatching troops to Russian border. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — Syria condemned the US and NATO step of dispatching more military forces towards Russian borders which would pose a threat to international peace and security.

Mary Hladky (2021-04-18). The US Did Not Bring Peace, Democracy, or Freedom to Afghanistan. commondreams.org Twenty years of war and U.S. interference have brought no long-term, positive gains in Afghanistan. War is not the answer—not in Afghanistan, Iraq, or Syria. Peace must be our demand. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/troops_1.jpg

Daniela Jimenez (2021-04-18). SOUTHCOM Prepares for New Military Drills in Guyana — New Provocation Against Venezuela. orinocotribune.com A new threat against Venezuela may be brewing at the Final Planning Conference for the Tradewinds military exercise, which is supposedly aimed at improving multinational security in the Caribbean, sponsored by the Southern Command of the United States. The exercise will take place in June at various locations in Guyana, a country with which Venezuela has a dispute over the Essequibo territory. | Information on Tradewinds2021 was released by the US embassy in Guyana through its official website. It stated that "all training venues provide opportunities to develop the capacity of joint partner nations, combined and…

Rick Rozoff (2021-04-18). Sunday Times: Britain To Deploy Two Warships to the Black Sea in Show of Force to Russia. news.antiwar.com The Sunday Times cites a Royal Navy source stating two British warships will enter the Black Sea next month as the newspaper put it, "tensions continue to rise between Ukrainian and Russian forces." As always with the Western press it is not indicated where and in what manner there have been tensions between Ukrainian and …

Rick Rozoff (2021-04-18). Confronting Russia in the High North: Pentagon Acquires Four New Air, Naval Bases in Norway. news.antiwar.com The U.S. and Norway have signed an updated military cooperation agreement that permits the American military to construct new facilities at three Norwegian airfields and a naval base. In the words of the Stars and Stripes report that related the development, the move "comes amid continuing concerns of Russian military activities along NATO's borders, including …

John Stanton (2021-04-18). US President Joe Biden's Shameful Push for War with China and Russia. dissidentvoice.org One of the most delightful things about Americans is that they have absolutely no historical memory. — Zhou Enlai In the autumn of 1862, the governments of France and Great Britain proposed to Russia, in a formal but not in an official way, the joint recognition by European powers of the independence of the Confederate …

_____ (2021-04-18). Why Xinjiang Is Emerging As The Epicenter Of The US Cold War On China. popularresistance.org On March 22, 2021, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken authorized sanctions against Wang Junzheng, the secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Committee of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), and Chen Mingguo, director of the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau (XPSB). These sanctions, Blinken said, have been put in place against Wang Junzheng and Chen Mingguo because they are accused of being party to "genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang." The US Treasury Department followed suit with its own sanctions. | Both Wang Junzheng and Chen Mingguo responded by condemning these sanctions th…

_____ (2021-04-18). Biden Isn't Ending The Afghanistan War, He's Privatizing It. popularresistance.org Above photo: US troops in Afghanistan. Department of Defense. Special Forces, Pentagon contractors, intelligence operatives will remain. Over 18,000 Pentagon contractors remain in Afghanistan, while official troops number 2,500. Joe Biden will withdraw this smaller group of soldiers while leaving behind US Special Forces, mercenaries, and intelligence operatives — privatizing and downscaling the war, but …

Edward Curtin (2021-04-18). Denying the Demonic. globalresearch.ca RNA inoculations, misnamed vaccines. People are lined up for them now as they are being told incessantly to "get your shot." The RNA inoculations are not vaccines. To call them vaccines is linguistic mind control.

Narda Zacchino (2021-04-18). The Extraordinary Rendition of Japanese Latin Americans During World War II. scheerpost.com By Diana Morita Cole / Original to ScheerPost In 2017, Isamu "Art" Shibayama testified before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States, marking a milestone in a 74-year journey that began when the United States government kidnapped him and more than 2,260 persons of Japanese ancestry from Latin America during World War II. When he was only 13… |

ecns.cn (2021-04-18). 50th anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy marked in Japan. ecns.cn An international symposium has been held in the Japanese city of Nagoya to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ping-Pong Diplomacy, with participants looking forward to promoting the sound development of China-U.S. and China-Japan relations through sports exchanges.

Kanbawza Win (2021-04-18). The Clarian Call Of The People Of Burma — OpEd. eurasiareview.com When will the free world listen to the clarion call of the people of Burma, who have made 730 supreme sacrifices, 3,152 detained and over 870 arrest warrants issued, not to mention the 40 children killed (as according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners)? The entire country of 55 million plus people are ardently appealing to the arsenals of democratic countries, knowing full well that the leading authoritarian countries are pouring more oil on this burning inferno, not only by using their veto powers at the UN Security Council but also by supplying more lethal heavy weapons to use it on its o…

Eurasia Review (2021-04-18). A New Super-Earth Detected Orbiting A Red Dwarf Star. eurasiareview.com In recent years there has been an exhaustive study of red dwarf stars to find exoplanets in orbit around them. These stars have effective surface temperatures between 2400 and 3700 K (over 2000 degrees cooler than the Sun), and masses between 0.08 and 0.45 solar masses. | In this context, a team of researchers led by Borja Toledo Padrón, a Severo Ochoa-La Caixa doctoral student at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), specializing in the search for planets around this type of stars, has discovered a super-Earth orbiting the star GJ 740, a red dwarf star situated some 36 light years from the Earth.

Eurasia Review (2021-04-18). Alpine Plants Are Losing Their White 'Protective Coat'. eurasiareview.com Snow cover in the Alps has been melting almost three days earlier per decade since the 1960s. This trend is temperature-related and cannot be compensated by heavier snowfall. By the end of the century, snow cover at 2,500 meters could disappear a month earlier than today, as simulations by environmental scientists at the University of Basel demonstrate. | Global warming demands huge adjustments in tourism, hydropower generation and agriculture in alpine areas. But the fauna and flora also have to adapt to rising temperatures. By the end of the century, continuous snow cover for 30 days below 1,600 meters is ex…

VOA (2021-04-18). No Guarantees On Afghanistan After Troop Pullout, Says Top Biden Aide. eurasiareview.com By Ken Bredemeier | No one can say with any certainty what will happen in Afghanistan once U.S. President Joe Biden withdraws the remaining 2,500 to 3,500 U.S. troops by September 11 to end the country's longest war, a top White House official said Sunday. | "I can't make any guarantees about what will happen inside the country. No one can," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told the "Fox News Sunday" show. | "All the United States could do is provide the Afghan security forces, the Afghan government and the Afghan people resources and capabilities, training and equipping their forces, provid…

Staff (2021-04-18). 'Benjamin' wins at Kwetu Intl. FilmFest. in Tanzania. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — Iranian animation 'Benjamin' directed by Mohsen Enayati has won two main awards at Kwetu International Animation Film Festival (KIAFF) in Tanzania.

Staff (2021-04-18). Britain to dispatch 2 warships to Black Sea in May. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — Two British warships will peel off in May from the Royal Navy's carrier task group in the Mediterranean and sail through the Bosphorus into the Black Sea.

John Miksad (2021-04-18). Ten Reasons to Oppose Militarism & War on Earth Day. zcomm.org The U.S. military emits more greenhouse gas emissions than 150 nations…

_____ (2021-04-17). So Now The Left Likes Guns, Perhaps They Always Have? strategic-culture.org If you give people the freedom to have rope, on occasion someone will hang themselves with it, that is just the way the world works. | After a few years of racial violence, protesting that many consider rioting and parts of American cities being set ablaze in the runup to the big 2020 election, the Left may be rethinking its attitude towards guns… well at least for the moment while they need them. An interesting look at the rise of "Socialist" gun ownership in America by

Anya Parampil (2021-04-17). US escalates in Ukraine battleground. thegrayzone.com With encouragement from his patrons in Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is escalating against Russia and provoking a harsh response Red Lines host Anya Parampil speaks with Moscow-based international affairs analyst Mark Sleboda about recent developments in Ukraine. Sleboda provides an in-depth explanation of the history leading to up to the current situation and analyses domestic factors in Ukraine that are pushing the country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to pursue a more bellicose posture towards Russia.

RT (2021-04-17). Biden finally 'admits' to border CRISIS, says US couldn't manage migrant surge & boosting refugee flow at same time. rt.com President Joe Biden has finally referred to the record influx of illegal immigrants at the US-Mexico border as a "crisis" and acknowledged that the situation has undermined his plans to admit more refugees from around the world. | "The problem was that the refugee part was working on the crisis that ended up on the border with young people. We couldn't do two things at once," Biden told reporters on Saturday after playing a round of golf in Wilmington, Delaware. "And now we're going to increase the numbers." | Biden on refugee cap (and refers to the situation at the border as a "crisis"): "The problem was that…

RT (2021-04-17). Biden finally 'admits' to border CRISIS, says US couldn't manage migrant surge & boost refugee flow at same time. rt.com President Joe Biden has finally referred to the record influx of illegal immigrants at the US-Mexico border as a "crisis" and acknowledged that the situation has undermined his plans to admit more refugees from around the world. | "The problem was that the refugee part was working on the crisis that ended up on the border with young people. We couldn't do two things at once," Biden told reporters on Saturday after playing a round of golf in Wilmington, Delaware. "And now we're going to increase the numbers." | Biden on refugee cap (and refers to the situation at the border as a "crisis"): "The problem was that…

_____ (2021-04-17). A Worldwide Workers' Revolt Against Amazon Has Begun. popularresistance.org The union drive at Amazon's 885,000-square-foot warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, failed. But the historic campaign nabbed global headlines and added fuel to ongoing workers' revolts across the world. | Strikes by Amazon workers in Italy, Germany and India are coalescing into an international struggle against the world's fourth-most valuable company and its grueling working conditions and intensive surveillance. | Since the dawn of capitalism, bosses have found innovations to oversee and extract more work from the overstressed bodies of their labor force. But Amazon's minute surveillance of workers‚Ä&aci…

WorkWeek (2021-04-17). WorkWeek Bessemer Amazon Lessons, Hanging Noose At USF, Labor & Brazil Pandemic & Zinn. indybay.org WorkWeek reports on the lessons of the Bessemer Amazon union election, the hanging noose at USF and the pandemic in Brazil and labor. Last WorkWeek hears a past presentation by labor historian Howard Zinn on the hidden history of the US working class.

William Camacaro (2021-04-17). Ramsey Clark: An Essential Voice of Dissidence from the Center of US Power. orinocotribune.com By William Camacaro — Apr 14, 2021 | "There will be some who will remember Ramsey Clark as an outsider. There are many more who remember him as a friend of justice, the oppressed, the exploited, and the rule of law. Perhaps he himself would like to be remembered merely as someone who used the law to help others." | Curtis Doebbler, International Law Attorney | During the heat of the Gulf War under the George H. W. Bush administration, I had the opportunity in New York to meet an extraordinary human being: Ramsey Clark. It was an event to protest the State Department and Pentagon's arrogantly labeled "Operati…

Rick Rozoff (2021-04-17). NATO Nations Train, Arm Ukrainian Military for War With Russia. news.antiwar.com As the Ukrainian government and pro-government press is busily and dutifully terrorizing the domestic populace, and equally attempting to stampede the Western public into a "humanitarian intervention" moral panic, with headlines like Over 103,000 Russian troops currently stationed near border with Ukraine and Russia deploys attack aircraft in occupied Crimea, it is also reporting on …

Staff (2021-04-17). Venezuela Expands Operations Against Colombian Paramilitary Gangs. orinocotribune.com Venezuela has expanded military operations in the border state of Apure to capture Colombian narco-paramilitary groups and eliminate foreign aggression. | "We are stepping up operations in Apure state (bordering Colombia) to guarantee internal order and for the capture of armed Colombian drug traffickers and their collaborators in the area," declared the Strategic Operational Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Force (CEOFANB) account on Friday, April 16. | In this sense, the command emphasized in a post on its official Twitter account that the military will continue actions aimed at eliminating foreign aggr…

Staff (2021-04-17). Venezuelan Army to Begin Clearing Mines in Apure State near Colombian Border. orinocotribune.com Major General Domingo Hernández Lárez, general commander of the Bolivarian Army, reported on his Twitter account that a military team has already been deployed to begin demining in the state of Apure, suffering from Colombian narco-paramilitary violence that included landmines planted to cause terror among local residents. | The minesweeper, the commander wrote, is an armored unit designed by Army engineers, dubbed the "patrol alligator." | El barremina diseñado por los ingenieros de combate del Ejército Bolivariano está listo para ir al Alto Apure e iniciar el desminado en nuestro territorio nacional del Alto Ap…

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