(2021-05-01). In 2018 the US Was at War With Uyghur Terrorists. Now It Claims They Don't Even Exist. mintpressnews.com 
With China now in the U.S. crosshairs, the ETIM has moved from being an adversary to being a potential asset.
(2021-05-01). Taliban Protected US Bases From Other Groups After Peace Deal Was Signed. news.antiwar.com According to The officials said the Taliban wanted to show a sign of good faith to the US that they would not allow groups like al-Qaeda to gain a foothold in the country after the US left. The report said the Ta…
(2021-05-01). Afghans Who Work for the Pentagon Fear US Will Leave Them Behind. news.antiwar.com As the US starts pulling combat troops from Afghanistan, locals who have worked for the occupation forces are According to Unsurprisingly, the Taliban has threatened many of th…
(2021-05-01). Were Humanity's Oldest Monumental Religious Sites Erected in NW Saudi Arabia? 1,000 'Rectangles' Older than Stonehenge. juancole.com 
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — ( Hugh Thomas and a team of Australian researchers have just published a groundbreaking article in the journaly Antiquity describing their research into the mysterious "Rectangles" (mustatƒ´l) dotting Northwest Arabia. This region lies due south of Israel-Palestine and Jordan. Rectangles. h/t 'Antiquity.' The Rectangles date from roughly 7,500 years before …
(2021-05-01). Were Humanity's Oldest Monumental Religious Sites Erected in NW Saudi Arabia? 1,000 'Rectangles' Older than Stonehenge. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — Hugh Thomas and a team of Australian researchers have just published a groundbreaking article in the journal Antiquity describing their research into the mysterious "Rectangles" (mustatƒ´l) dotting Northwest Arabia. This region lies due south of Israel-Palestine and Jordan. Rectangles. h/t 'Antiquity.' The Rectangles date from roughly 7,500 years before present, …
(2021-05-01). COVID-19 in India—profits before people. mronline.org 
Jayati Ghosh explains why more than a third of a million COVID-19 cases are being reported in India daily—and what that says about our world. | May 1, 2021 | Newswire…
(2021-05-01). India Fails to Rollout PM Modi-Backed COVID Vaccine Drive For 18-45 Year-Olds Amid Widespread Crunch. sputniknews.com India announced on 19 April that it would inoculate people aged 18-45 starting 1 May under its 'Liberalised and Accelerated Phase 3 Strategy'. The two vaccine manufacturers have been asked to supply 50 percent of their production to the federal government, with the remaining 50 percent to be handed over to the state authorities.
(2021-05-01). 3rd clinical trial phase of jointly-produced Cov-19 vaccine. en.mehrnews.com HAMEDAN, May 01 (MNA) — The 3rd clinical trial phase of joint anti-Covid-19 vaccine made by the Iranian Pasteur Institute and Cuban Finlay Institute began on Saturday morning in Hamedan Medical Sciences University in western Iran.
(2021-05-01). COVID in India. zcomm.org The Covid situation in India, and Delhi in particular, is absolutely dire…
(2021-05-01). COVID-19 'vaccine equity in action' in the Maldives: a UN Resident Coordinator blog. news.un.org The roll-out of vaccinations to prevent COVID-19 infections rising in the Maldives is a good example of "vaccine equity in action" according to Catherine Haswell, the UN Resident Coordinator for the Indian Ocean island nation.
(2021-05-01). [World Report] Experts criticise India's complacency over COVID-19. thelancet.com Mass gatherings have been permitted as cases soar and patients die, while experts criticise a lack of planning and flexibility in the COVID-19 response. Anoo Bhuyan reports from New Delhi.
(2021-05-01). Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
(2021-05-01). Twitter Censors Peer Reviewed Mask Study. globalresearch.ca Prashant Bhushan, an advocate-on-record for the Supreme Court of India, …
(2021-05-01). Dozens killed in crush at Israeli religious festival. wsws.org Despite warnings from Israeli health officials that the mass celebrations could become a super spreader event, the authorities allowed the event to go ahead. It was the largest gathering since the start of the pandemic.
(2021-05-01). Bottom-up Politics: Grassroots Activism Behind Pro-Palestine Shift in the US. commondreams.org Grassroots activism is behind the pro-Palestine shift in the US, writes Ramzy Baroud. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/grassroos-activism-pro-palestine-shift.jpg …
(2021-05-01). Palestinian uprising beats back Israeli terrorism in East Jerusalem. liberationnews.org 
On April 22, members of Lehava, an Israeli version of the KKK, led a violent rampage of around 300 through East Jerusalem and tried to enter the old city via the Damascus Gate.
(2021-05-01). Canceling the Palestinian Elections Is Patronizing, Unjust—and Dangerous. orinocotribune.com 
By Muhammad Shehada — Apr 26, 2021 | Israel and the Biden administration back the superannuated, autocratic Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' attempts to walk back his decision to hold elections later this month. But canceling the vote has catastrophic risks. | No one really thought Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas would set a date for general elections, after 15 years of indefinite procrastination. | But his formal decree last January surprised and puzzled Palestinians and observers alike, not least when the big three threats to the status quo—Trump's unconstrained assault on the Pales…
(2021-05-01). Palestinians Called Israel an Apartheid State Decades ago. orinocotribune.com 
By Asa Winstanley — Apr 28, 2021 | In 1965, Syrian-Palestinian academic and diplomat Fayez Sayegh wrote a It is a model of clarity and precision. The fact that most of what it explai…
(2021-05-01). A Brief History of Israeli Interventionism in Lebanon. dissidentvoice.org 
Israel has a long-standing interest in Lebanon. These interests have periodically manifested themselves in bloody attacks against the small Arab state. Two important sources on the Zionist plans for Lebanon are the diary of Moshe Sharett, who was the Prime Minster of Israel in 1954-1955 and who was considered a "soft Zionist", and Livia Rokach's "Israel's …
(2021-05-01). The New Cold War US-Japanese Summit. orinocotribune.com 
By Joseph Gerson — Apr 27, 2021 | Joseph Gerson comments on the meeting that just took place in Washington between the leaders of the U.S. and Japan. | Amidst the national fixation on the outcome of the trial of George Floyd's murderer and political jockeying over the president's mega infrastructure proposal, the significance of President Joe Biden's first new Cold War summit with a foreign leader was lost to most Americans. In politics, symbolism is often substance, and such was the case when the U.S. and Japanese heads of state convened to demonstrate their common military, economic, diplomatic and scienti…
(2021-05-01). Military Situation In Yemen On May 1, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The Liaison and Coordination Officers' Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 210 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah during the past 24 hours | On April 30, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 7 airstrikes on the Sarwah area | On April 30, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Kitaf area | On April 30, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted an airstrike on the Haradh area | On May 1, clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continued…
(2021-05-01). Escalation In Greater Idlib: Militants Targeted Syrian Troops, Destroyed Tank Near Kafr Nabl. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | Militants in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib continue to violate the ceasefire in the region, which was brokered by Russia and Turkey last year. | On April 30, militants of the al-Fateh al-Mubeen Operations Room, that's led by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), attacked Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positons near the town of Kafr Nabl in the southern countryside of Idlib. | The militants targeted SAA troops with heavy machine guns. Moreover, a battle tank was struck by…
(2021-05-01). Russian ¥Flash Bombs' Hit Militants Preparing To Attack Turkish Forces In Northern Syria (Video). southfront.org 
A Russian Su-24 takes off on a combat mission at Hemeimeem airbase, Syria, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. IMAGE: AP PHOTO/VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV | The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have targeted militants preparing to attack Turkish forces in Syria's northern region, According to the outlet, the VKS quickly took action after receiving information indicating that the militants were about to launch two attacks on Turkish forces in the northern countryside of…
(2021-05-01). Military Situation In Syria On May 1, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On May 1, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 36 times: 17 — in Idlib province, 11 — in Latakia province, 6 — in Hama province, 2 — in Hama province | On April 30, clashes between the YPG and Turkish-backed forces were reported west of al-Bab | On April 30, the US forces conducted a military patrol in the vicinity of the Malekiyah | On April 30, the artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled YPG position…
(2021-05-01). Syrian Army To Storm Town On Separation Line With Israel — Reports. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is preparing to storm the town of Umm Batnah that is located in al-Quneitra countryside, near the separation of forces line with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Syrian sources reported on May 1. | The decision to launch an operation inside the town was taken following a fierce attack on a checkpoint of government forces. | The checkpoint, which is located near Umm Batnah, was attacked by unidentified gunmen late on April 30. A number of Syrian service members were re…
(2021-05-01). Israel Warns Of War With Iran If Nuclear Deal Result Unsatisfactory. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 29th, Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen said that war could begin with Iran, if the results of the US-Iran negotiations on the Nuclear Deal are not satisfactory for Tel Aviv."A bad deal will send the region spiralling into war." | "Anyone seeking short-term benefits should be mindful of the longer-term," he said. "Israel will not allow Iran to attain nuclear arms. Iran has no immunity anywhere. Our plan…
(2021-05-01). Progress In Vienna Talks: Iran's Top Negotiator Says US Is Ready To Lift Some Sanctions. southfront.org 
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran. Image source: Iranian Presidency office/EPA-EFE | The ongoing talks in Vienna between the US and Iran to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, commonly known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), are finally seeing some progress. | On May 1, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbass Araghchi, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, revealed that there is an agreement on lifting US sanctioned off some Iranian individuals and institutions. | After attending…
(2021-05-01). Massive Car Bomb Blast Leaves At Least 27 Dead In Afghanistan's Logar Province. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 30th, At least 27 people were killed and dozens more were injured. | Initially, Interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said 21 people had been killed and 91 wounded and that a rescue and recovery operation was continuing. | A provincial health official said just over 60 injured peop…
(2021-05-01). Saudi Military Intercepted 'Hostile Aerial Target' Near Key Coastal City. southfront.org 
Illustrative image, source: the Houthis media wing | On May 1, the Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted a "hostile aerial target" that was flying over the Kingdom's western coast. | In a statement, the coalition claimed that the target was heading towards Jeddah, one of Saudi Arabia's largest cities. A number of sensitive military and civilian facilities are located near the city. | The Saudi-led coalition did not provide any details about the incident. Usually, the coalition blames the Houthis (Ansar…
(2021-05-01). Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin Says Next Major War Will Be 'Very Different'. sputniknews.com According to Austin, he has spent most of the past two decades "executing the last of the old wars", amid the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
(2021-05-01). Blinken Says Its Time for Regional Countries to Worry About Afghanistan. news.antiwar.com After almost 20 years of disastrous war, US officials somehow hold the view that they have been a stabilizing force in Afghanistan while regional countries have done little to help. | "No one has an interest in renewed civil war in Afghanistan, certainly t…
(2021-05-01). It's Time to Return Incirlik & Kurecik Bases to Turkey, Reconsider Relations With US, Observer Says. sputniknews.com Turks have taken to the streets in Istanbul, Ankara, Adana, and other cities to protest against Joe Biden recognising the events of 1915 as an Armenian genocide. The demonstrators called upon the Turkish authorities to end the US military's use of the Incirlik Air Base and Kurecik Radar Station in southern Turkey.
(2021-05-01). Cuba concede gran importancia a las relaciones de cooperación con la Unión Económica Euroasiática. globalizacion.ca Intervención del primer ministro de la República de Cuba, Manuel Marrero Cruz, en la Reunión del Consejo Intergubernamental Euroasiático. | Excelentísimo señor Askar Mamin, Primer Ministro de la República de Kazajstán, | Excelentísimo señor Mijaíl Mishustin, Presidente del Gobierno de la Federación…
(2021-05-01). Saturday 5/1: 46 Years After the End of the Vietnam War: A Conversation About Empathy & Healing. indybay.org Zoom…
(2021-05-01). UN calls for return to democracy and an end to violence in Myanmar. thecanary.co The UN Security Council has again demanded the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. It's also demanded the release of all detainees including Aung San Suu Kyi. | Moreover, the body has strongly backed calls by South-East Asian nations for an immediate cessation of violence. And for the commencement of talks as a first step towards a solution following the 1 February military coup. | Difficulties: | The council's press statement followed a briefing by the UN's senior envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener. She said the demand for democracy by the country's people had created "unexpected difficulties"
(2021-05-01). US temporarily suspends arms embargo on Azerbaijan: report. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 01 (MNA) — The United States has approved a waiver extension for Section 907 to authorize direct US aid to the Azerbaijani government.
(2021-05-01). Advanced Weapons Able to 'Destroy US Satellites' Developed by Adversaries, Warns Space Chief. sputniknews.com Previously, the annual threat assessment report of the US Intelligence community released on 13 April cited a diverse array of threats, magnified by rapidly evolving technology, and warned of the broad national security challenges posed by China and Russia.
(2021-05-01). Tehran, Washington Reportedly Agree on Lifting of Sanctions Against Iran's Oil, Banking Sectors. sputniknews.com On Thursday, US media reported that the Biden administration was considering a "near wholesale rollback" of Trump-era Iran sanctions related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in a bid to end the months-long standoff over which side makes concessions first to restore the nuclear agreement to full working order.
(2021-05-01). IRGC dismantles hostile group in NW Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 01 (MNA) — IRGC intelligence forces in East Azarbaijan province dismantled a rancorous group dubbed 'Haboot-e Iran'.
(2021-05-01). Iranian, Iraqi officials discuss electricity cooperation. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May. 01 (MNA) — The Iranian Deputy Energy Minister has held a meeting with the Iraqi Electricity Minister in Tehran to discuss the development of relations and cooperation in the field of electricity supplies.
(2021-05-01). Agreement on delisting sanctioned individuals, institutions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May. 01 (MNA) — The top Iranian nuclear negotiator said after the 3rd round of Vienna talks on reviving JCPOA that there is an agreement on delisting sanctioned individuals and institutions, adding that the talks are continuing.
(2021-05-01). Americans' signatures not to guarantee sanctions removal. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 01 (MNA) — Signatures of US officials are no longer enough to guarantee to lift of the sanctions, an Iranian lawmaker said, adding, "We need to verify to make sure that the sanctions are completely lifted by the United States."
(2021-05-01). Karateka Rozita Alipour fighting for bronze medal. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May. 01 (MNA) — The Iranian female karateka Rozita Alipour will fight a rival from Turkey on Sunday to win the bronze medal at the 2021 Karate 1-Premier League Lisbon.
(2021-05-01). 'Road to Yalta': The Grand Finale of WWII Soviet Songs Festival. sputniknews.com The finalists perform songs from the World War II-era USSR, in the languages of their home countries.
(2021-05-01). Saudi prince bans his brother from leaving Saudi Arabia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 01 (MNA) — An informal source reported that the Saudi Crown Prince has banned his brother from leaving the country.
(2021-05-01). [World Report] Outcry over persecution of health workers in Myanmar. thelancet.com Doctors in Myanmar report "terrifying" arrests and abductions, prompting calls for stronger international condemnation. Megan Tatum reports.
(2021-04-30). Dozens Dead, Hundreds Injured In Tajik-Kyrgyz Border Escalation (VIDEOS). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 29th, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan blamed each other for cross-border shelling and clashes that left dozens dead and injured in a conflict over water. | The conflict began on April 28th. | Tensions along the border in the two Central Asian countries is not uncommon. | Troops from the two countries exchanged gunfire for most of the day around a water supply facility near the village of Kok-Tash in western Kyrgyzstan on the border with Tajikistan. | Initially, Kyrgyzstan said that…
(2021-04-30). At Least 44 Dead After Crush And Stampede At Israeli Religious Festival (VIDEO). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | In the early hours of April 30th, at least 44 people were crushed to death in a stampede at an over-crowded religious bonfire festival in Israel. | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a "heavy disaster". | The stampede happened as tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews thronged to the Galilee tomb of 2nd-century sage Rabbi Shim Bar Yochai for annual Lag B'Omer commemorations that include all-night prayer, mystical songs and dance. | Witnesses said people were asphyxiated or t…
(2021-04-30). At Least 44 Dead After Crush And Stampede At Israeli Religious Festival (VIDEO). southfront.org Click to see full-size image | In the early hours of April 30th, at least 44 people were crushed to death when crush took place and a stampede broke out at an over-crowded religious bonfire festival in Israel. | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a "heavy disaster". | The stampede happened as tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews thronged to the Galilee tomb of 2nd-century sage Rabbi Shim Bar Yochai for annual Lag B'Omer commemorations that include all-night prayer, mystical songs and dance. | Witnesses…
(2021-04-30). Giving War With China a Chance. counterpunch.org Those madly titillated by conflict have become bolder of late in the corridors of the isolated Australian capital. In such spaces, insanity can be nurtured with a sickening attention to detail, much of it fictitious. One of the most powerful bureaucrats of the Australian Public Service has made a contribution to a war dance he