(2021-04-21). A just verdict, but far from justice. peoplesparty.org 
A taste of justice. Justice served on Derek Chauvin. Guilty on all three counts. Bail revoked. It was a quick verdict. Yet it is so rare that police officers are convicted — one in 2,000 over the last 15 years for killings by police. It doesn't bring George Floyd back. But, hopefully, it will give pause to some police who think they can kill with impunity. Six white jurors, six people of color, united on what they saw in those nine minutes of horrifying video. | If it wasn't for the video, made by an outraged bystander, Chauvin would not be behind bars now. But not for Breonna Taylor, not for Tamir Rice, no…
(2021-04-21). Comply Or Die: The Only Truly Compliant Person In A Police State Is A Dead One — OpEd. eurasiareview.com Americans aren't dying at the hands of police because of racism. | For that matter, George Floyd didn't die
(2021-04-21). Headlines for April 21, 2021. democracynow.org Jury Finds Derek Chauvin Guilty on All Counts for Murdering George Floyd, Police Shoot Dead 16-Year-Old Ma'Khia Bryant in Columbus, Ohio, Judge Denies Dismissal of Prison Sentence for Officer Who Shot and Killed Walter Scott in 2015, India Faces COVID "Storm"; AMLO Gets COVID Vaccine; U.S. Warns Against Travel to 80% of Globe, Johnson & Johnson Resumes European Rollout After Regulator Says Benefits Outweigh Blood Clot Risk, AOC and Sen. Markey Reintroduce Green New Deal as Biden Sets Ambitious Emissions Target, Idriss Déby's Son Named Interim Leader Following Chadian President's Death, Journalists in Over 100 Cou…
(2021-04-21). Afghanistan's Green Future? ips-dc.org Everyone has a different Doomsday scenario for Afghanistan once U.S. and NATO troops withdraw by September 11. | The Taliban will take over and reimpose their repressive social agenda. Al-Qaeda will multiply rapidly and again become a global threat. Rival warlords will split apart the country. Another wave of Afghan refugees will overwhelm Europe. | And then there's the scenario in which China basically takes over the country, or at least the most sought-after parts of the country: the resources that lie beneath Afghan soil. | "Afghanistan is one of the richest mining regions in the world, holding untapped minera…
(2021-04-21). 34 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan: MoD statement. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) —Afghanistan Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday that 34 Taliban fighters were killed and 10 others were wounded in clashes with government forces in the past 24 hours.
(2021-04-21). Bounties? What Bounties? strategic-culture.org When truth is marginalized, the fringe is the only place where it's to be found. | So it looks like Russia didn't pay the Taliban to kill U.S. soldiers after all. | Last summer, the New York Times announced in a front-page
(2021-04-21). US Has No Moral Standing to Criticize Russia or China. counterpunch.org 
President Joe Biden and his Secretary of State Antony Blinken are worried about Russian Putin critic and presidential aspirant, currently in a Russian prison after conviction on charges of skipping bail and leaving the country and other charges, being abused and at risk of dying in jail. That threat may or may not be real,
(2021-04-21). Brazil may reach 1 million COVID-19 casualties by October 2021. peoplesdispatch.org 
Brazil could reach the figure of one million deaths from COVID-19 by October 2021 if there continues to be high levels of mobility in the national territory, emergence of new variants, and slow vaccination process, according to a study conducted by Russian social scientist Alexei Kouprianov*. | Currently, there are some 14 million infected in the country, which represents 40% of the cases in the region. More than 378,000 have already died from the disease. The
(2021-04-21). The Saudi Lobby Moves From K Street to Main Street. counterpunch.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
(2021-04-21). Russia's daily COVID-19 infections drop to lowest since late September. ecns.cn Russia logged 8,164 coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the lowest daily increase since Sept. 28, bringing the nationwide count to 4,718,854, the country's monitoring and response center said Tuesday.
(2021-04-21). 32 Taiwan compatriots vaccinated against COVID-19 in Fuzhou. ecns.cn The first batch of 32 Taiwan compatriots living in Fuzhou, south China's Fujian Province on Monday received COVID-19 vaccinations free of charge via "Tailutong," a cross-Straits app for Taiwan compatriots working or living in the mainland.
(2021-04-21). Cambodian PM greatly values China's role in global fight against COVID-19. ecns.cn Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Tuesday said he greatly valued China's leading role in helping other countries to prevent and combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2021-04-21). COVID-19 daily death toll in Iran at 388. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — The number of daily deaths from the coronavirus pandemic in Iran stood at 388 with the total death toll surpassed 67,910 on Wed.
(2021-04-21). US Resumption Of Foreign Aid To The Palestinians — Analysis. eurasiareview.com By Jim Zanotti and Rhoda Margesson* | On April 7, 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the Biden Administration's plan to resume various forms of aid to the Palestinians that had been discontinued under the Trump Administration. Separately in March, the Biden Administration allocated $15 million in International Disaster Assistance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) response needs and emergency food assistance in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. | Secretary Blinken's statement and other documents indicate that the Administration plans to provide: | $75 million in bilateral Economic Support Fund…
(2021-04-21). Biden's Big Spending Plans Won't Revive The Economy — Analysis. eurasiareview.com By Frank Shostak* | On March 11, 2021, US president Biden introduced his $1.9 trillion covid-19 stimulus plan. The president also announced a plan of more than $2 trillion to rebuild US infrastructure, which includes repairing roads and bridges, as well as expanding access to long-term care services under Medicaid, building schools, and expanding internet access across the US. | It is commonly accepted that during difficult economic times the government should run large budget deficits in order to keep the economy going. This is because when overall demand in the economy weakens, the government should step in…
(2021-04-21). Could Malaysia's Fake News Ordinance Stifle Public Debate? — Analysis. eurasiareview.com By Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani* | On 12 January 2021, Malaysia's king, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, announced a nationwide state of emergency that will last until 1 August 2021. That same day, the Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced the imposition of stricter movement controls in states most badly affected by COVID-19. The Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 was gazetted on 14 January 2021. | On 12 March, the Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance 2021 followed, taking action against the spread of fake news across video, written and audio platforms. The ordinance raises concerns abou…
(2021-04-21). Simple Oral Hygiene Could Help Reduce COVID-19 Severity. eurasiareview.com COVID-19 could pass into people's lungs from saliva with the virus moving directly from mouth to bloodstream – particularly if individuals are suffering from gum disease, according to new research. | Evidence shows that blood vessels of the lungs, rather than airways, are affected initially in COVID-19 lung disease with high concentrations of the virus in saliva and periodontitis associated with increased risk of death. | The researchers propose that dental plaque accumulation and periodontal inflammation further intensify the likelihood of the SARS-CoV-2 virus reaching the lungs and causing more severe cases…
(2021-04-21). Fratelli Tutti And The Great Reset — OpEd. eurasiareview.com Pope Francis on 3 Oct 2020 released at a ceremony at the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi his latest encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti. | Less than four months previously, Klaus Schwab and his co-author Thierry Malleret launched Covid-19: The Great Reset at Davos, under the auspices of the World Economic Forum (WEF). | In some ways their authors might appear to share a common worldview. Schwab ¥s 2020 Manifesto, The Universal Purpose of a Company, is studded with phrases borrowed from the social doctrine of the church. Regarding Covid, The Great Reset writes that the storm will accelerate disturbing trends t…
(2021-04-21). 20,000 people to receive COVIran Barakat vaccine next week. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — The main researcher working on producing anti-Covid-19 vaccine dubbed COVIran Barakat said Wednesday that as many as 20,000 will start receiving the Iranian-made vaccine starting from next week.
(2021-04-21). Russia Threatens Ukraine? Biden Has Transformed Russia's Border with Ukraine into A Dangerous Hot Spot. globalresearch.ca Throughout its 30 year history, the Russian Federation never attacked or …
(2021-04-21). Xinjiang Native Speaks Out: "Western Media Jeopardizing Uyghurs Interests" orinocotribune.com Dan Cohen speaks with Gordon Gao, an ethnic minority and native of Xinjiang native on the realities of life in Xinjiang, Western media coverage and US-China tensions. | WASHINGTON — 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…
(2021-04-21). Putin, Navalny, and the left: The coming political crisis in Russia. zcomm.org Interview on the tectonic shifts taking place in Russian politics—and what Western media gets wrong about Russia…
(2021-04-21). Biden isn't Ending the Afghanistan War, he's Privatizing it: Special Forces, Pentagon Contractors, Intelligence Operatives will Remain. orinocotribune.com 
By Jeremy Kuzmarov — Apr 16, 2021 | 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 not ending it. | On April 14, President Joe Biden announced that he would end the U.S.'s longest war and withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. | Over 6,000 NATO troops will also be withdrawn by that time. | "War in Afghanistan was…
(2021-04-21). Ramadan Brings No Relief for Yemen as Saudis Block Chairties and Turks Unleash Foreign Mercanaries. mintpressnews.com 
Just as it transferred mercenaries from Syria to the conflict zones in Libya and Azerbaijan, Turkey — the financial and spiritual capital of the Muslim Brotherhood — is now doing the same in Yemen's oil-rich Marib.
(2021-04-21). Vietnam at The Movies, 2020-21. counterpunch.org 
So, what do you think is going on? My friend was asking about the spate of new films about the war in Vietnam and the opposition to it. Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods story of four veterans who return to Vietnam to dig for treasure and the body of their "fifth," both left buried there,
(2021-04-21). Pentagon adds Africa to Global battleground with China and Russia. mronline.org 
General Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and General Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, are scheduled to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 22. | April 21, 2021 | Newswire…
(2021-04-21). Washington is Spoiling for a new Cold War with China, but this Ambition needs a Reality Check. juancole.com 
( Tomdispatch.com ) — Like his immediate predecessor, Joe Biden is committed to a distinctly anti-China global strategy and has sworn that China will not "become the leading country in the world, the wealthiest country in the world, and the most powerful country in the world… on my watch." In the topsy-turvy universe created by …
(2021-04-21). An "Accumulation fo Anger" in Putin's Russia: an Interview With Boris Kagarlitsky. counterpunch.org 
The actual loss of jobs was not that catastrophic in the long run, because quite a few migrant workers had to be thrown out of Russia. So, while the total loss of jobs was impressive, the actual loss of jobs for Russian citizens was not that catastrophic; a lot of that price had to be paid by people in Central Asia, by the immigrant and migrant workers who lost their jobs. Actually (this is very interesting), it ended up creating a kind of division between those who wanted to remain as immigrants and would do whatever they could to stay over, and those who made the personal decision to leave Russia and had to fig…
(2021-04-21). Caracas-Moscow: Conviasa's New Non-Stop Commercial Passenger Flight. orinocotribune.com 
Venezuela's National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) reported this Monday, April 18, through a statement, that during this week of radical quarantine defined by the National Executive, commercial air routes to various international destinations continue, including the Russian Federation as a new destination. The Russian embassy reported this first on March 25, when it announced the resumption of the direct route between Caracas and Moscow with a frequency of two flights per week. | The long-range route was approved by the Putin government and will be serviced by the Venezuelan state-owned airline, Conviasa.
(2021-04-21). Kalashnikov: the amateur inventor who shot to global fame. dissidentvoice.org 
AK-47: Kalashnikov (2020) is a biographical film about Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov (1919—2013), the inventor and designer of the AK-47 automatic rifle. This Russian film, released in February of last year, follows the young Kalashnikov as he is bombarded by Germans during WWII and is interspersed with flashbacks of his childhood. Disturbed by the failure of …
(2021-04-21). Personal Dispute Sparked Heavy Clashes Between Government Forces, SDF In Syria's Al-Qamishli (Videos). southfront.org 
Screen grab from a video released by the Hawar News Agency (ANHA). | Late on April 20, heavy clashes broke out between the pro-government Syrian National Defense Forces (NDF) and Asayish, the security wing of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeastern Syrian city of al-Qamishli. | Asayish claimed that NDF forces attacked one of its checkpoints near the Tayy district in the city. An officer known as Ahmad Hajji was killed and four others were injured in the incident. Asayish responded by launching a lar…
(2021-04-21). First Of Many To Come: US Supply Convoy Attacked In Northeastern Syria (Photos). southfront.org 
Illustrative image | On April 20, a convoy moving supplies and vehicles for the US-led coalition in northeastern Syria came under attack. | The convoy, which was escorted by units from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), was targeted with an improvised explosive device (IED) in the town of al-Sabhah in southeastern Deir Ezzor. The supply convoy was on its way to the Omar oil fields, where US forces maintain a large presence. | As a result of the attack, a pickup of the SDF was damaged. Furthermore, two civilians,…
(2021-04-21). Russia's Yasen-M Nuclear Submarine To Be Able To Salvo Launch Cruise Missiles. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Russia's Project 885M (Yasen-M) nuclear-powered submarines will be able to salvo-launch Kalibr-PL and Oniks cruise missiles, TASS In November 2020, "the Kazan made a salvo during state trials, which confirmed the possibility of such launches," the source said…
(2021-04-21). Military Situation In Syria On April 21, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 21, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 39 times: 23 — in Idlib province, 12 — in Latakia province, 4 — in Hama province | On April 20, a SAA armored military vehicle was targeted by an IED blast in the north of Daraa. No casualties were reported | On April 20, an IED blast targeted trucks carrying logistical aid for the US Coalition passing from the al-Omar field road | On April 21, clashes betwe…
(2021-04-21). Saudi Crown Prince Supported Israeli "Scheme" For Jordan Coup: Report. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman allegedly backed an Israeli "scheme" to overthrow Jordanian King Abdullah II in exchange for the guardianship of al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem. | Lebanon's Al Akhbar newspaper, quoting a Jordanian security official, said that the coup attempt against King Abdullah II was a "scheme" involving Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. | According to the unnamed official, Israel planned the…
(2021-04-21). Large Explosion At Sensitive Israeli Defense Factory. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 21st, a large explosion took place in a defense factory in Israel. | The explosion seems to have occurred during a routine test at the advanced weapons factory which houses various types of missiles. | Officials may have underestimated the collateral damage of the test, which led to the explosion. | The factory is located in central Israel, and in proximity to residential areas. Civilians documented the mushroom cloud. | Senior defense officials are now investigating what went wro…
(2021-04-21). U.S. Falling Behind China And Russia In Terms Of Nuclear Arsenal: STRATCOM. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The Chinese nuclear capability is improving at an incredible pace, and could soon be useable in actual conflict, Adm. Charles Richard, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command warned. | He told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he had just ordered all briefs on Beijing's nuclear weapons contain no intelligence information vetted more than one month earlier "because it's probably out of date" that quickly. | Richard testified that China is capable of accurately deployi…
(2021-04-21). Syrian Army Uncovered Loads Of Weapons, Ammunition In Eastern Homs (Photos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image. | Syrian authorities have uncovered loads of weapons and ammunition in the eastern countryside of Homs, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on April 21. | The weapons and ammunition were uncovered by the Syrian military and security forces in the course of combing and search operations in the region. | The weapons included: | 264 assault rifles; | 3 mortar cannons; | 221 mortar shells along with 450 fuze; | 110 ammunition boxes of different cali…
(2021-04-21). Syrian Presidential Elections: Assad Files To Run For Third Term Despite Criticism. southfront.org 
Syrian President Bashar Assad. FILE IMAGE: Michael Klimentiev/TASS | On April 21, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad submitted documents to run for a third term in an election scheduled for May 26. | The news was announced by Hammouda Sabbagh, the Speaker of Syrian People's Assembly. Under Syria's electoral laws, al-Assad, like all other candidates, needs the support of at least 35 members of the People's Assembly to officially enter the presidential race. | President al-Assad was the sixth to file for the upcoming presidential…
(2021-04-21). US Handed Over 55 Armored Vehicles, Trucks To Lebanese Military (Photos). southfront.org 
Official logo of the Lebanese Armed Force, source: lebarmy.gov.lb | On April 21, the US embassy in Lebanon announced the delivery of dozens of armored vehicles and trucks to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). | In a statement posted on Twitter, the embassy said that the shipment, which arrived in Beirut Port on April 15, is meant to "protect" Lebanon's border."On April 15, a US-flagged ship docked at the Port of Beirut to deliver 55 armored vehicles worth $13 million, which will enable LAF units to better defend and pro…
(2021-04-21). Military Situation In Iraq On April 21, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 20, ISIS attacked PMU positions in north of Khanaqin area | On April 21, a soldier was killed and 3 others were wounded in an explosion targeting an army patrol in Jalawla district | On April 20, ISIS claimed responsibility for an attack on two Iraqi army posts in the village of Al-Hitawiyin in the Al-Azim region | On April 20, the PMU carried out a security operation south of Samarra | On April 20, Kurdistan Security Service reportedly captured 22 terrorists…
(2021-04-21). Mixed Sight: New Zealand, the Five Eyes and China. southfront.org 
U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Michael Mathews | Written by Dr. Binoy Kampmark. | The Five Eyes arrangement between the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand has always resembled a segregated, clandestine club. Focused on the sharing of intelligence between countries of supposedly like mind, it has shown that even its own citizens cannot be guaranteed protection from the zeal of surveillance. | In recent years, the club has become a font of other intentions, nudging beyond the group's original remit.
(2021-04-21). Statement supporting the Syrian people. workers.org 
The following introduction and statement was issued by the United National Antiwar Coalition April 14: Pro-Western Syrian exiles have initiated a statement supported by a number of "progressive" individuals and organizations. The statement is titled,"Erasing people through disinformation: Syria and the 'anti-imperialism' of fools." In this statement, which supports the . . . |
(2021-04-21). The Heat: Boao Forum for Asia. america.cgtn.com 
Chinese President Xi Jinping talks geopolitics, cooperation and trade at the return of the Boao Forum for Asia conference.
(2021-04-21). Are Republicans Breaking Up With Big Business? Don't Hold Your Breath. truthout.org 
Mitch McConnell doesn't seem to be adjusting well to the new limits of his power, following his ouster from the majority leader seat last November. A once nigh-omnipotent power broker, McConnell has now found his influence diminished to the point that he's yelling strange things at stranger targets. He spent a chunk of last week unspooling some doozies directed at corporate America, which has long been a close ally of the Republican Party. | The trouble began in Georgia, a state whose GOP officials we…
(2021-04-21). World experts say China offers inspiration for global sustainable development. ecns.cn China can offer other countries inspirations and opportunities for cooperation in building a sustainable post-pandemic world, officials from international organizations, scholars and business leaders have said.
(2021-04-21). Xi calls for strengthening global governance at BFA annual conference. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on all countries in Asia and beyond to answer the "call of our times," defeat the pandemic through solidarity, strengthen global governance, and keep pursuing a community with a shared future for mankind.
(2021-04-21). RCEP heralds confidence in economic globalization: experts. ecns.cn The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, inked at a time when the world is mired in headwinds of pandemic and anti-globalization sentiments, heralds new confidence in economic globalization, experts said at a sub-forum of the high-profile Boao Forum for Asia annual conference.
(2021-04-21). China's Record First Quarter Fuels Strong Expansion In 2021 — Analysis. eurasiareview.com China's first quarter record performance will accelerate momentum in China and support recovery in the US and global economic prospects — as long as unwarranted geopolitical tensions remain in check. | A year ago, China's first quarter plunge was -6.8 percent, due to the pandemic effect. In the West, it was widely seen as the "end of China's growth story." | Instead, in early February 2020 I predicted
(2021-04-21). Iran, Pakistan agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 22 (MNA) — Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and regional coordination on Afghanistan, Palestine, multilateralism and fighting anti-Muslim bigotry.