(2021-04-23). Russia's Red Lines, Weaponizing Ukraine for War. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 51 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | Ukraine is a virtual US military base along Russia's border — …
(2021-04-23). A bit of hope that doesn't come from Miami. mronline.org 
After twenty years, the United States government—and the forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)—will depart from Afghanistan. They said that they came to do two things: to destroy al-Qaeda, which had launched an attack on the United States on 11 September 2001, and to destroy the Taliban, which had given al-Qaeda a base. | April 23, 2021 | Newswire…
(2021-04-23). Climate 'Tipping Points' Need Not Be End Of World. eurasiareview.com The disastrous consequences of climate "tipping points" could be averted if global warming was reversed quickly enough, new research suggests. | Once triggered, tipping points may lead to abrupt changes such as the dieback of the Amazon rainforest or melting of major ice sheets. | Until now, crossing these thresholds has been assumed to be a point of no return, but the new study – published in the journal Nature – concludes that thresholds could be "temporarily exceeded" without prompting permanent shifts. | The research team, from the University of Exeter and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), s…
(2021-04-23). Headlines for April 23, 2021. democracynow.org Biden Pledges to Halve U.S. Emissions Compared to 2005 Levels as Virtual Climate Summit Opens, House Committee Hears Testimony on Role of Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Preventing Climate Action, New York City Sues Big Oil over Decades of False Advertising About Climate Crisis, India Posts World Record Coronavirus Case Count for Second Consecutive Day, South Africa Resumes Use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine, Study Confirms Elevated Risk of COVID-19 for Expectant Mothers and Babies, House Votes to Make "Washington, Douglass Commonwealth" the 51st State, Senate Passes Bill Targeting Anti-Asian Hate Crimes, Pro-Tru…
(2021-04-23). Protests demanding vaccines sweep pandemic-ravaged India. peoplesworld.org 
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) supporters are staging demonstrations across pandemic ravaged India demanding adequate supplies of COVID-19 vaccines and life-saving medicines for government hospitals. The party is calling for universal mass vaccination across India, funded by the central government. It accused the government of trying "to absolve itself of the colossal health crisis that …
(2021-04-23). Scandalous Tape Of Palestinian President Cursing China, Russia, US & All Arab States Leaked Online. southfront.org 
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressing the Arab League in Cairo on Saturday, via APF. | On April 22, a tape of Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine and the leader of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), cursing China, Russia, the US and all Arab states surfaced online. | The tape was reportedly recorded during Fatah Central Committee meeting, which was held on April 19. The source of the leak is yet to be determined. | In the short tape, one of the attendees informs Abbas tha…
(2021-04-23). India ravaged by COVID-19 pandemic—a global catastrophe. wsws.org What stands in the way of mobilizing the world's resources to fight the pandemic are the profit and predatory geopolitical interests of the rival national-based capitalist cliques.
(2021-04-23). Capitalism as a Suicide Cult. counterpunch.org 
From the launch of the U.S. war against Iraq to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic there were over four million 'excess deaths' in the U.S., deaths over and above the rates experienced in other rich nations. Given the class distribution of longevity— the rich live a full decade longer than the poor on average, these excess deaths were overwhelmingly concentrated amongst those cast aside by neoliberal economic policies.
(2021-04-23). China to enhance anti-pandemic cooperation with Brunei, says Chinese FM. ecns.cn Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday that China is ready to deepen cooperation with Brunei in fighting COVID-19, support Brunei in carrying out vaccination and help it overcome the pandemic at an early date.
(2021-04-23). Italian analysts see Boao Forum as increasingly important platform. ecns.cn The 2021 annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) is a strong sign that business in China is returning to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic, Italian analysts said, seeing the event "fundamental" for European entities looking to do business in China.
(2021-04-23). China ready to strengthen vaccine cooperation with Thailand: FM. ecns.cn China is ready to strengthen vaccine cooperation with Thailand and help the Southeast Asian country completely beat the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday.
(2021-04-23). Hong Kong's business sentiment improves amid abating COVID-19: survey. ecns.cn The overall business sentiment improved in Hong Kong alongside the receding COVID-19 pandemic locally, an official survey showed on Friday.
(2021-04-23). Video: Divide & Rule: The Plan of the 1% to Make You Disposable. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 51 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | Vandana Shiva (born 5 November 1952) is an Indian scholar, environmental …
(2021-04-23). Syrian Missile strikes Near Israel's Nuclear Facility at Dimona, Which could have Turned into a Dirty Bomb. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — The Israeli site i24 reports that on early Thursday morning, a Syrian missile slammed into the desert very near to the Israeli nuclear reactor at Dimona, which Israeli authorities have used to produce an arsenal of an estimated two hundred nuclear bombs. Air raid sirens sounded in southern Israel. Explosions …
(2021-04-23). Afghanistan Under the Taliban: It Won't Be Like Last Time. counterpunch.org We've been in Afghanistan 20 years, Joe Biden's generals told him. All we need is a little more time. The president overruled them, ordering a complete withdrawal of American troops by September 11th. Madiha Afzal and Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution articulate the opposition to Biden's decision to call it quits. Remove the U.S.
(2021-04-23). Afghanistan's Green Future? counterpunch.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
(2021-04-23). Taliban Says It's 'Too Early' to Know if They Will Start Attacking the US. news.antiwar.com The Taliban "It's too early for these issues, nothing can be said about the future,"
(2021-04-23). Gun Violence Starts At The Top — OpEd. eurasiareview.com If the state reserves the right to commit mass murder no one should be surprised that the people follow suit. | Mass shootings happen with appalling regularity in the United States. It is bad enough that recent shootings took place in Atlanta, Boulder, and Indianapolis, but the horror is always followed by the same useless faux debates. Half the population wants to limit gun ownership, the other half doesn't and continues a gun buying spree to prove their point. Politicians pretend to take action, victims are mourned, thoughts and prayers are uttered, and the cycle repeats itself with the next awful event. | W…
(2021-04-23). 'Stunning Photo': Indian Outfit Demands Expulsion of WaPo Bureau Chief for 'Mocking' COVID Deaths. sputniknews.com Facing a surge in COVID infections, Indian authorities are grappling with shortage of medicine and equipment. Amid rising domestic anger, a tweet by Washington Post bureau chief Annie Gowen describing an aerial photograph of burning pyres of bodies as "stunning" has hit a raw nerve among many Indians, who say…
(2021-04-23). Indian Government to Provide Free Rations for 800 Mln People Over Two Months Amid COVID Surge. sputniknews.com India has been witnessing record numbers of COVID cases on a daily basis for the past two weeks, forcing several states, including Delhi and Mumbai, to impose lockdowns.
(2021-04-23). Pregnant Women With COVID-19 Face High Mortality Rate. eurasiareview.com In a worldwide study of 2,100 pregnant women, those who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy were 20 times more likely to die than those who did not contract the virus. | UW Medicine and University of Oxford doctors led this first-of-its-kind study, published in JAMA Pediatrics. The investigation involved more than 100 researchers and pregnant women from 43 maternity hospitals in 18 low-, middle- and high-income nations; 220 of the women received care in the United States, 40 at UW Medicine. The research was conducted between April and August of 2020. | The study is unique because each woman affected by COVID-…
(2021-04-23). Texas Ended Lockdowns And Mask Mandates: Now Locked-Down States Are Where Covid Is Growing Most — OpEd. eurasiareview.com By Ryan McMaken* | Early last month, Texas governor Greg Abbott announced he would end the state's mask mandate and allow most businesses to function at 100 percent capacity. | The response from the corporate media and the Left was predictable. California governor Gavin Newsom
(2021-04-23). China's Wuhan sees GDP up more than half. ecns.cn The central Chinese city of Wuhan, hit hard by the COVID-19 epidemic early last year, notched up about 58.4 percent of GDP growth in the first quarter of 2021.
(2021-04-23). Global investors confident in China's growth. ecns.cn Chinese equities have become even more attractive to global investors as the nation's robust economic recovery backed by a strong domestic market provides a stable and predictable environment amid COVID-19-related global uncertainties, top asset managers said.
(2021-04-23). Brazil grants permission for clinical trial of new Chinese vaccine. ecns.cn Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has authorized clinical trials of a new COVID-19 vaccine developed by China's Sichuan Clover Biopharmaceuticals, according to official statement, Reuters reported on Monday.
(2021-04-23). China says it's discussing COVID-19 help with India. ecns.cn China on Friday reaffirmed its promise to help India combat COVID-19 and the two sides are currently discussing the matter, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily press briefing.
(2021-04-23). Guangzhou starts free COVID-19 vaccinations for Taiwan compatriots. ecns.cn Free and voluntary COVID-19 vaccinations for Taiwan compatriots began in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province on Thursday.
(2021-04-23). Japan declares COVID-19 state of emergency in Tokyo, Osaka region. ecns.cn Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday declared a state of emergency over COVID-19 in the national capital Tokyo and the western prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo.
(2021-04-23). Two-week lockdown imposed in Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk city to curb COVID-19. ecns.cn A two-week stay-at-home lockdown was imposed in Cambodia's coastal city of Preah Sihanouk on Friday in efforts to curb a surge in the local COVID-19 cases.
(2021-04-23). Iran COVID-19 update: 22,904 cases, 380 deaths. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 23 (MNA) — The total number of people infected with the coronavirus in Iran during the last 24 hours has reached 22,904 as 380 more Iranians have died from the disease.
(2021-04-23). Japan declares COVID emergency with Olympics 3 months away. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 23 (MNA) — Japan on Friday declared a new state of emergency for Tokyo and three other prefectures.
(2021-04-23). The Imperialist Origins of Saudi Arabia. dissidentvoice.org 
Why is Saudi Arabia, a Sunni absolute monarchy, enthusiastically supported by the West, considered a global promoter of "democracy"? This question is rarely asked. The apparent mismatch between liberal democracy and religious fundamentalism is hastily airbrushed when the matter is about oil trade and arms deals. This attitude is not an expression of mere hypocrisy …
(2021-04-23). Revolution and counter-revolution in Myanmar. mronline.org 
Counter-revolutionary violence has reached new heights in Myanmar, as the Tatmadaw (the country's military) attempts to terrorise a nationwide uprising into submission. | April 23, 2021 | Newswire…
(2021-04-23). West-Backed Color Revolution a 'Top Threat' to China's National, Political Security. orinocotribune.com 
By Yang Sheng and Chen Qingqing — Apr 15, 2021 | The sixth National Security Education Day falls on Thursday, with the Chinese national security agency releasing a series of cases related to the threat against China's political security. Experts on international intelligence and security said under the intensifying China-US competition, foreign hostile forces have increased efforts to target the political security of China rather than merely conducting regular espionage activities. | The law enforcement cases released by relevant national security agencies this year are different from the past, which specifi…
(2021-04-23). Campaign to Oppose Israeli Military Recruitment in Canada Receives Boost. dissidentvoice.org 
The campaign to oppose illegal Israeli military recruitment in Canada has received a significant boost. A parliamentary petition calling for an investigation into IDF recruitment has quickly surpassed the number of signatures required to be presented in the House of Commons. Submitted by Rabbi David Mivasair and sponsored by NDP MP Matthew Green, the petition …
(2021-04-23). Houthi Drones Targeted Aramco Facility, King Khalid Air Base In Saudi Arabia. southfront.org 
Illustrative image, source: the Houthis media wing | Early on April 23, the Houthis (as Ansar Allah is known) carried out a drone attack on targets in the southern Saudi provinces of Jizan and 'Asir. | The Yemeni group targeted a facility of Saudi oil giant Aramco in an unspecified part of Jizan with a Samad-3 suicide drone. At the same time, the group targeted King Khalid Air Base in 'Asir with two Qasef-2K drones. | Later in the morning, a third Qasef-2K drones was launched by the Houthis at a "military installation"
(2021-04-23). Satellite Images: Israel Wiped Out Syrian Air-Defense Base Responsible For Recent Missile Incident. southfront.org 
The "Adir" jets first flight in Israel. Pictured: "Adir" jet and F-16I "Sufa". Photo by: Maj. Ofer | The Israeli military had wiped out the Syrian air-defense base responsible for the The base, which is located near the town of al-Dumayr around 35 km to the east of the capital, launched an S-200 anti-aircraft…
(2021-04-23). Israel Takes Part In Greek Military Exercise, Signs Defense Procurement Deal. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 20th, Israeli and UAE fighter jets took part in a joint military exercise hosted by Greece. | This is not the first time that Israeli and Emirati pilots have flown together, they both participated in a similar Greek-led exercise in 2017 and an American drill in 2016. | Seven countries joined Greece in its Iniohos exercise this year: Cyprus, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, France, the United States, Spain and Canada. The exercise kicked off on Sunday and was sche…
(2021-04-23). Israel Seeks An Unchecked Nuclear Monopoly: Ex-Senate Candidate. southfront.org 
A former U.S. Senate Mark Dankof | Interview with Mark Dankof. Originally published at the A former U.S. Senate candidate says Israel resorts to assassination and sabotage because it needs an unchecked nuclear monopoly in West Asia."This demonic agenda involves the need for an unchecked nuclear monopoly in the Middle East (West Asia) and one not under the scrutiny of the Non-Proliferation Tre…
(2021-04-23). Japanese Militarism Redux: Russian Connection. southfront.org 
Ronin right and left. "Employed" samurai in middle.Popular TV actors in Edo Period drama | Submitted by Japan fought three wars with Russia in the 20th Century. It won one in 1905, and lost two. It was Russia that drove the Japanese Army from China, in a short, sharp campaign. The Japanese haven't forgotten that. Russia has won respect. The Chinese, by contrast, are still regarded as inferior. | The extreme Japanese rig…
(2021-04-23). Four Soldiers, Intelligence Officers Killed Or Injured In New Wave Of Attacks In Daraa. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | On April 22, four Syrian soldiers and intelligence officers were killed or wounded in two new separate attacks in the southern governorate of Daraa. | In the first attack, unidentified gunmen opened fire at two soldiers of the Syrian Arab Army 4th Division while they were passing on a road between the towns of Tell Shihab and Muzayrib in western Daraa. One of the soldiers died on the sport, while the other was wounded. Both victims are natives of Daraa. | Th…
(2021-04-23). ISIS Shared Summery Of Its Attacks In Iraq, Western Africa In Last Ten Days. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | On April 22, ISIS news agency Amaq released an infographic summarizing the group's attacks in Iraq and West Africa over the last ten days, which were the first quarter of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan. | According to the infographic, ISIS cells carried out 40 operations in Iraq, including the April 15 car bomb attack in Sadr city in the capital Baghdad and the April 17 raid on three positions of the Iraqi military and tribal forces near al-Hliwah Aiport in Kirkuk. | As a result of the attacks: | 7…
(2021-04-23). Rocket Attack Hit Victoria Base In Baghdad International Airport (Photos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image, Source: RT | Late on April 22, three rockets were launched at the US military's Victoria Base in Baghdad International Airport in the Iraqi capital. | An unnamed Iraqi security source told the RT TV that three rockets had missed their targets, landing in the vicinity of the US base. According to the source, the rocket attack didn't result in any material of human losses."The rockets landed in the vicinity of the base in an area devoid of military or civilian installations and personnel," the sour…
(2021-04-23). Reflections on Genocide as the Ultimate Crime. counterpunch.org 
The misuse of the word genocide is disdainful toward relatives of the victims of the Armenian massacres, the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide — and as well a disservice to both history, law, and the prudent conduct of international relations. We already knew that we were adrift in an ocean of fake news. It is far more dangerous to discover that we are also at risk of being immersed in the turbulent waters of "fake law". We must push back with a sense of urgency. Such a development is not tolerable.
(2021-04-23). Bursting Pantsirs, Falling Bayraktars: Turkish-Russian Virtual War. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 22nd, Turkish defense company Roketsan released a video hyping up its Akƒ±ncƒ± UAV. | The video shows the drone use a MAM-T smart bomb, which hits a Russian Pantsir-S1 in a desert setting and destroys it. | Apparently, this is a kind of response to a video report on Russian TV, in which Russian "Lancets" destroy Turkish drones. | On April 18th, The Turkish media drew attention to the fact that in a report on military developments aired on the stat…
(2021-04-23). Ankara Tense Ahead Of Biden's Expected Recognition Of Armenian Genocide. eurasiareview.com Tensions between Washington and Ankara may be further strained on Saturday when US President Joe Biden is expected to become the first US leader to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915 onward. | The massacre of around 1.5 million Armenians in the early 20th century was formally recognized as genocide by the US Senate in 2019, but then-President Donald Trump did not follow suit. | April 24 is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, and ahead of Saturday's annual commemoration, this much-anticipated move is now a major concern for Ankara, and likely to inflame an already tense relationship. Turkey denie…
(2021-04-23). Some US Military Equipment Beginning to Be Shipped Out of Afghanistan, Reports Say. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Some US military equipment is starting to be shipped out of Afghanistan as part of the Biden administration's decision to withdraw all American forces on the ground by 1 May, CNN reported on Friday citing three defence officials.
(2021-04-23). Top General Expresses 'Concern' Over Afghanistan Withdrawal. news.antiwar.com The head of US Central Command "My concern is the ability of the Afghan military to hold the ground that they're on now without the support that they've been used to for many years," Gen. Frank McKenzie told the Senate Armed Services Committee. In particular, McKenzie said he was concerned about the "ability of the Afghan air force to fly" a…
(2021-04-23). Tensions Along Russian-Kazakhstan Border Over Territorial Shifts In Russia's Favor Growing — OpEd. eurasiareview.com Both the Russian and Kazakhstan governments agree that the way in which the border between their two countries was marked after the 2013 agreement about it was incorrect and that border posts, put up in the intervening time, need to be shifted from a few meters to a few kilometers into land that Kazakhs had come to view as theirs. | Russian officials have now begun that process, and at least some Kazakhs in the area over the past ten days have come to view their actions as both illegal and threatening. Adding fuel to the fire, several Kazakh nationalists have posted stories on line that there have been violent…
(2021-04-23). Government To Blame For Iran's Deepening Recession — OpEd. eurasiareview.com By Dr. Majid Rafizadeh* | When the Iranian authorities boast about Iran's "resistance economy," they are attempting to hide the fact that the government's economic problems have deepened to a dangerous level. | Iran's official reserves dropped to a record low of $4 billion last year, down from $122.5 billion just two years earlier. This has partially contributed to the devaluation of the currency. Iran's currency was trading at about 30,000 rials to the US dollar in 2018, compared to approximately 240,000 now. | In the last two years, many companies have gone bankrupt as the government continues to increase it…