(2021-04-19). Vienna talks reveal Biden team's attachment to sanctions that would torpedo Iran deal. thegrayzone.com Biden's foreign policy team refuses to relieve Iran from sanctions illegally imposed by the Trump administration, setting the stage for the collapse of negotiations and a major crisis. The Biden administration signaled once again at the April 9 Vienna meeting on the Iran nuclear deal that it intends to maintain Trump-era Iran sanctions in an effort to win political and military concessions going well beyond the original deal itself. Team Biden continued to insist during the conference that Iran return …
(2021-04-18). At UN, Aaron Maté debunks OPCW's Syria lies and confronts US, UK on cover-up. thegrayzone.com In remarks to the UN Security Council, Aaron Maté of The Grayzone debunks the OPCW's lies about its Syria cover-up scandal and challenges the US and UK on their role. Speaking to the United Nations Security Council, Aaron Maté of The Grayzone takes apart the OPCW's excuses for refusing to address the organization's Syria cover-up scandal. OPCW inspectors found no evidence to support allegations of a Syrian government chemical weapons attack in the city of Douma in April 2018. But …
(2021-04-18). The CIA Used To Infiltrate The Media. popularresistance.org Back in the good old days, when things were more innocent and simple, the psychopathic Central Intelligence Agency had to covertly infiltrate the news media to manipulate the information Americans were consuming about their nation and the world. Nowadays, there is no meaningful separation between the news media and the CIA at all. | Journalist Glenn Greenwald just highlighted an interesting point about the reporting by The New York Times on the so-called "Bountygate" story the outlet broke in June of last year about the Russian government trying to pay Taliban-linked fighters to attack US soldiers in Afghanistan.
(2021-04-19). In Toulouse, a Palestine Stand for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners. samidoun.net 
The following report is largely translated from the French at Collectif Palestine Vaincra: On Saturday, 17 April, Palestinian Prisoners' Day, the Collectif Palestine Vaincra organized a Palestine stand near the exit of the Jean Jaurès metro station in Toulouse, France. This event took place as part of the International Week of Action for Palestinian Prisoners, organized by Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network. For over two hours, the Collectif organized an information booth, distributed hundreds of leaflets on Palestinian prisoners, discussed with passers-by, played Palestinian music and presented sev…
(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 …
(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…
(2021-04-18). 'We've got to get more confrontational!' Rep. Maxine Waters shows up in Brooklyn Center, slams curfew & leaves before it kicks in. rt.com 
Congresswoman Maxine Waters made a sudden appearance in Brooklyn Center, the hotspot of week-long protests over the killing of Daunte Wright, 20, all but encouraging the crowd to defy an emergency curfew imposed by the city. | Hundreds of protesters rallied outside Brooklyn Center, Minnesota police station for the seventh day in a row on Saturday, when US Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) showed up around 10: 30pm to address the crowd with a brief and emotional speech. | With less than 30 minutes before yet another emergency curfew was due to come into effect, journalists at the scene asked Maxine about the r…
(2021-04-19). India hit by tsunami of COVID-19 infections as daily new cases surpass 250,000. wsws.org The surge in infections is a direct result of the Modi government's policy of reopening the economy to boost corporate profits and its deliberate downplaying of the pandemic threat.
(2021-04-19). Russia Holds The Key To India's Eurasian Policy — Analysis. eurasiareview.com By Lt Gen (Dr) Yash Malhotra (retd)* | A recent op-ed piece in the Washington Post (13 March 2021), written jointly by the Quad leaders, President Joe Biden of the US, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi, Scott Morrison and Yashihide Suga of India, Australia and Japan respectively, morphs the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD or the Quad) to a "Quad Framework" hailed by Modi as a "force for global good". | It inter alia includes climate change, critical and new technologies, and handling of Covid-19 pandemic, while remaining committed to: "…. a shared vision for an Indo-Pacific Region that is free, open, resili…
(2021-04-19). Coronavirus Strikes Papua New Guinea — OpEd. eurasiareview.com There was a time when it seemed Papua New Guinea had managed to dodge a bullet. Instances of SARS-CoV-2 were minimal, along with its disease, COVID-19. Through 2020, the country of eight million people recorded a mere 900 cases. The World Health Organization
(2021-04-19). Over 189 mln COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across China. ecns.cn Nearly 189.81 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered across China as of Saturday, the National Health Commission said Sunday. Enditem…
(2021-04-19). China in action to make COVID-19 vaccines global public good. ecns.cn Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said Friday that China is fulfilling its solemn commitment to make COVID-19 vaccines a global public good with practical actions.
(2021-04-19). Taiwan people get access to vaccine in Guangdong. ecns.cn Guangdong province, with its many Taiwan compatriots, is offering those from the island the same treatment as their counterparts on the Chinese mainland when it comes to vaccination against COVID-19.
(2021-04-19). Casual manner, double mutant variant aggravate COVID-19 situation in India. ecns.cn India is at present reeling under the second COVID-19 wave, with over 200,000 new cases being registered each day recently and the national tally feared to cross the 15-million mark early next week.
(2021-04-19). Asian economies should brace for opportunities and handle deficits: Boao annual reports. ecns.cn Despite being hard hit by COVID-19, Asia's economies have recovered well compared to the rest of the world. However there remain challenges in maintaining sustainable development, according to two reports released by the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) on Sunday.
(2021-04-19). US Investment Rises In India Despite COVID-19, While Japan Sees Decrease: Digital Transformation Paved The Way — Analysis. eurasiareview.com While American investors were upbeat in India, despite Covid 19 ravaging the economy, Japanese investors slipped into coma. Both are among the five top foreign investors in India. While US investment in India surged by 297.2 percent in 2020 over the preceding year, Japanese investment fell by 59.4 percent during the same period. In 2019, investment from the USA and Japan were neck-to-neck, with a marginal increase of USA investment over that of Japan. | The truth behind the paradox is the USA's challenge to bid India's new age economy, driven by the digital economy. India announced 1 trillion of economic value…
(2021-04-19). Vigil held in Tallahassee, FL for victims of Atlanta shooting. fightbacknews.org Tallahassee, FL – On April 17, around 50 people from the Tallahassee community gathered at the Florida State University's HCB Building to commemorate the eight victims from the recent Atlanta shooting and speak out on Asian American oppression. | The Tallahassee Community Action Committee (TCAC), along with various other local Asian American organizations such as InterVarsity, FSU's Asian American Student Union, Asian Coalition of Tallahassee, and FSU's Filipino Student Association spoke out at the event. | Co-organizer Tina Lu, representing InterVarsity, stated "we wanted to organize this event so that Asian Ame…
(2021-04-19). Scholars Support US Recognition Of Moroccan Sovereignty Over Western Sahara — OpEd. eurasiareview.com In a strategic move, the US decided to recognize Morocco's sovereignty over Moroccan Sahara, or Western Sahara, in December 2020 and fully endorse Morocco's autonomy plan as a viable solution to the 46-year-old conflict. | A virtual event was recently organized by the New York City Bar Association (NYCBAR) with the theme "Should President Biden endorse former President Trump's decision to recognize Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara?" | Several top American scholars strongly supported Washington's 2020 decision over Moroccan Sahara at the one-day webcast on April 14. | Speaking at the webcast, Elliott A…
(2021-04-19). Tightening The Noose Around Syria — OpEd. eurasiareview.com The US – with the help of Israel – has been repeatedly Arnous revealed that seven tankers, some of them coming…
(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…
(2021-04-19). Africans Reject Demands To End Fossil Fuel Use — OpEd. eurasiareview.com Africans need strategies that support economic development, jobs, access to energy: | As
(2021-04-19). The Problem With 'Just Do What The Cops Say And You Won't Get Hurt' — OpEd. eurasiareview.com By Ryan McMaken* | New evidence has emerged in the case of 73-year old Karen Garner, an eighty-pound woman with dementia and sensory aphasia. Newly released In June 2020, Garner, had apparently attempted to leave a Walmart in Loveland, Colorado, with a bag full of small items, but was confronted by store staff. She left empty handed, and may have simply forgotten to pay. | Minutes later, Garner…
(2021-04-19). Indian Muslim Clerics' Call For Action To Overcome Vaccine Hesitation During Ramadan — Analysis. eurasiareview.com Enforcing a sense of discipline among 170 million people, sharply divided on sectarian and linguistic lines, is never an easy task as it requires voluntary compliance. | By Naghma Sahar and Rasheed Kidwai | The Islamic month of fasting — Ramzan or Ramadan, began in India on Wednesday, 14 April 2021, fuelling apprehension that that the holy month meant for prayers and spirituality, may lead to vaccine hesitancy. This calls for instant action from the Muslim religious clergy so that the ongoing vaccination roll-out is not impeded. | Taking a lead of sorts, the president for the affairs of the Grand Mosque…
(2021-04-19). Asia should be major engine for sustainable global recovery: report. ecns.cn Asia should be a major engine for sustainable global recovery, according to a report released by the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Sunday.
(2021-04-19). Over 2,600 delegates to attend Boao Forum for Asia annual conference. ecns.cn Over 2,600 delegates, including government officials, entrepreneurs and scholars from over 60 countries and regions, are expected to attend the 2021 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference in person, authorities said at a press conference Sunday.
(2021-04-19). China's 2021 box office exceeds 3 bln USD. ecns.cn China's 2021 box office revenue exceeded 20 billion yuan (3 billion U.S. dollars) as of Sunday, almost equal to the total ticket sales for the whole of 2020.
(2021-04-19). China urges US, Japan to stop meddling in China's domestic affairs. ecns.cn China on Saturday urged the United States and Japan to immediately stop meddling in China's domestic affairs and harming Chinese interests.
(2021-04-19). China, U.S. issue joint statement on climate change. ecns.cn China and the United States have issued a joint statement on coping with climate change after talks in Shanghai.
(2021-04-19). China's economic growth off to encouraging start. ecns.cn China's economic growth has embraced an encouraging start in the first quarter of the year (Q1) and has a bright outlook, said an industry leader in an interview with Xinhua.
(2021-04-19). China sanctions Icelandic individual over Xinjiang. ecns.cn The Chinese embassy in Iceland on Friday announced sanctions against an Icelandic individual for spreading lies and disinformation on so-called human rights issues in China's Xinjiang without naming the person.
(2021-04-19). China pledges targeted policies, necessary support for economic recovery. ecns.cn China will maintain necessary support for economic recovery and implement targeted structural tax cuts and other measures to consolidate its growth momentum, the country's top economic planner pledged on Monday.
(2021-04-19). Rare ibises spotted in south China. ecns.cn A pair of glossy ibises, rare birds once thought extinct in China, have recently been spotted on the shores of south China's Fujian Province.
(2021-04-19). China approves investment projects worth 6.96 bln USD in Q1. ecns.cn China's top economic planner approved 16 fixed-asset investment (FAI) projects in the first quarter, with combined investment totaling 45.4 billion yuan (about 6.96 billion U.S. dollars), official data showed Monday.
(2021-04-19). 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.
(2021-04-19). Eradicating national security threats allows Hong Kong to enter new era of good governance: HKSAR gov't official. ecns.cn Matthew Cheung, chief secretary for administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, said on Sunday that by eradicating threats to national security and improving the electoral system, Hong Kong is entering a new era of good governance.
(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…
(2021-04-19). Steppe fire in eastern Mongolia completely extinguished. ecns.cn A steppe fire in eastern Mongolian province of Sukhbaatar was completely extinguished early Monday morning, according to the provincial emergency management department.
(2021-04-19). Pesticide DDT Linked to Increased Breast Cancer Risk Generations after Exposure. globalresearch.ca A woman's exposure to the pesticide DDT during pregnancy can increase …
(2021-04-19). Russia expels 20 Czech diplomats in retaliation. ecns.cn The Russian Foreign Ministry said Sunday that it is expelling 20 staffers of the Czech embassy in Moscow in response to the expulsion of 18 Russian diplomats from the Czech Republic..
(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 through 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…
(2021-04-18). 'We can and should get out earlier': Trump slams Biden for using September 11 as Afghanistan withdrawal date. rt.com 
Donald Trump has blasted President Joe Biden for not sticking to the former administration's May 1 withdrawal from Afghanistan and using the September 11 anniversary instead. | "I wish Joe Biden wouldn't use September 11 as the date to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan, for two reasons," Trump said in a Sunday statement. | The first, Trump says, is that the US "can and should get out earlier." | "Nineteen years is enough, in fact, far too much and way too long. I made early withdrawal possible by already pulling much of our billions of dollars of equipment out and, more importantly, reducing our military pr…
(2021-04-18). 'We can and should get out earlier': Trump slams Biden for using September 11 as Afghanistan withdrawal date. rt.com Donald Trump has blasted President Joe Biden for not sticking to the former administration's May 1 withdrawal from Afghanistan and instead using the September 11 anniversary instead. | "I wish Joe Biden wouldn't use September 11th as the date to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan, for two reasons," Trump said in a Sunday statement. | The first, Trump says, is that the US "can and should get out earlier." | "Nineteen years is enough, in fact, far too much and way too long. I made early withdraw possible by already pulling much of our billions of dollars of equipment out and, more importantly, reducing our mil…
(2021-04-18). Syrian presidential elections slated for next month slammed as 'farce'. middleeasteye.net 
Syrian presidential elections slated for next month slammed as 'farce' | Western powers call for a boycott of the 26 May poll which comes amid a crushing economic crisis | Sun, 04/18/2021 – 13: 58 | Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's opponents say the election will not be fair (AFP) | A presidential election announced by Syria on Sunday for next month has been dismissed as a "theatrical fa…
(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…
(2021-04-18). Syria Kurds hand over 34 orphans of Islamic State families to Russia. middleeasteye.net 
Syria Kurds hand over 34 orphans of Islamic State families to Russia | The children to be repatriated, aged between three and 14, were handed over to a delegation headed by the Russian president's envoy for children's rights | Sun, 04/18/2021 – 17: 31 | A soldier from the Syrian Democratic Forces stands guard at the al-Hol camp, a Kurdish-run displacement camp for relatives of IS jihadists…
(2021-04-18). Israel and Greece sign record defence deal. middleeasteye.net 
Israel and Greece sign record defence deal | Announcement followed meeting in Cyprus on Friday of the UAE, Greek, Cypriot and Israeli foreign ministers, who agreed to deepen cooperation between their countries | Sun, 04/18/2021 – 19: 09 | Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz says partnership between two countries will 'deepen on the defence, economic and political levels' | Israel and Gree…
(2021-04-18). Earthquake hits Iranian province housing nuclear power plant. middleeasteye.net 
Earthquake hits Iranian province housing nuclear power plant | Five people reported injured in quake centred 100km from the Bushehr nuclear complex located on country's Gulf coast | Sun, 04/18/2021 – 12: 56 | An Iranian government official said there were no reports of damage at the Bushehr nuclear complex (AFP) | A magnitude 5.9 earthquake on Sunday struck Iran's southern province of Bush…
(2021-04-18). Iran and Saudi Arabia held direct talks in Baghdad to repair rivalry: Report. middleeasteye.net 
Iran and Saudi Arabia held direct talks in Baghdad to repair rivalry: Report | Iraq's prime minister acted as a 'bridge' between the two regional powers, according to the Financial Times | Sun, 04/18/2021 – 09: 42 | Iraq's prime minister held talks with Saudi Arabia's crown prince during a visit to Riyadh, just over a week before hosting the Saudi-Iran talks, according to the FT (Reuters)…
(2021-04-18). Iraq: Five wounded in rocket attack on base hosting Americans. middleeasteye.net 
Iraq: Five wounded in rocket attack on base hosting Americans | Attack targeted Balad air base north of Baghdad, injuring two foreign contractors and three Iraqi soldiers, and came as US resumes 'strategic dialogue' with Iraqi government | Sun, 04/18/2021 – 19: 49 | An F-16 fighter jet on the tarmac at Iraq's Balad air base, north of the capital Baghdad, in July 2015 (AFP) | Five rockets o…
(2021-04-18). Balance Of Power In The Black Sea: Will The Montreux Convention Prevail? southfront.org 
Illustrative image | Written by Brian Kalman exclusively for SouthFront. | The current deterioration of any hopes of a lasting "ceasefire" in the eastern Ukraine, have brought not only the long smoldering conflict back into the forefront of global media attention, but have also presented an opportunity for several geopolitical rivals to take advantage of the situation for their own perceived benefit. Russia responded rapidly to immediate signals from the Kiev government that it fully intended to explore yet ano…