(2021-07-23). It's Time to End the U.S. War on Syria, Not Restart It. counterpunch.org The Biden administration's ending of a 20 year war in Afghanistan is a good sign but its airstrikes in Iraq and Syria last month are a bad sign. These airstrikes highlight the US military's ongoing, but underreported, deployment to Syria. In May, the AP claimed President Biden would soon put a stop to a US
(2021-07-23). Lockdown imposed on millions of children as Philippines battles soaring Covid cases. rt.com 
The Philippines government has issued a stay-at-home order for millions of children aged five to 17, just weeks after Manila lifted a ban on minors at public gatherings, as the country battles soaring Covid cases. | The measure was announced on Friday by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque as the "more infectious and deadly" Delta variant spreads throughout the country, sending case numbers soaring and putting hospitals under severe strain. | The stricter Covid regulations have been imposed on four provinces, as well as on the region surrounding the national capital, in an attempt to limit the further spread…
(2021-07-23). Why U.S. Policy Toward Nicaragua Isn't Working. counterpunch.org After the U.S.-Russian summit in June, there was no apparent irony in President Biden's response to a question about electoral interference. "Let's get this straight," he said. "How would it be if the United States were viewed by the rest of the world as interfering with the elections directly of other countries, and everybody knew
(2021-07-23). Putin's strategic partner Turkey blasts him over Libya, echoing AFRICOM accusation. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Daily SabahJuly 23, 2021 'Regular Russian troops stationed in Libya' [T]here will be no future for freedom, democracy, or human rights "in regions where Putin maintains military bases, trades his veto power for influence and engages in media and electoral sabotage." Russia has been one of the biggest supporters of the putschist Gen Khalifa Haftar …
(2021-07-23). Bianca Nozaki-Nasser on Anti-Asian Bias. fair.org 
New York Times ( This week on CounterSpin: A June New York Times
(2021-07-23). West working to create 'belt of instability' around Russia by turning 'brother against brother,' says Moscow's top diplomat Lavrov. rt.com 
A wedge is being driven between Russia and its neighbors, with the West demanding that countries across Eastern Europe and Asia turn on Moscow in order to gain acceptance, Moscow's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed. | Speaking at a webinar on international relations on Friday, the veteran diplomat accused the US and its allies in Europe of "trying to form a belt of instability around us." This he said, is "forcing our closest neighbors, our brotherly peoples, to make a choice — either you are with the West, or you are with the Russian Federation." | According to him, hostile foreign powers want "
(2021-07-23). South Korea: NATO's global partner in East Asia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com South Korea participated in the recently-concluded 32-nation Sea Breeze NATO air and naval warfare exercise in the Black Sea, where it was joined by fellow Asia-Pacific nations and NATO Partners Across the Globe members Australia, Japan and Pakistan. NATO welcomes stronger cooperation with the Republic of Korea NATO officials welcomed Mr. Kyung-Hyup Kim, Chairman of …
(2021-07-23). NATO states thwart China, Russia in UN High Representative for Bosnia appointment. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Russian diplomat castigates new pick for UN High Representative for BiH Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed out that, in accordance with Appendix 10 to the 1995 Dayton Agreement, the UN Security Council must approve each new High Representative for BiH The diplomat expressed regrets that the Russian-Chinese draft resolution on Schmidt's appointment was not …
(2021-07-23). The Schnacke Affidavit: U.S. Admission of Offensive Germ Warfare Capability During the Korean War. counterpunch.org True crime devotees are familiar with the concept of the "cold case," which Oxford Languages defines as "an unsolved criminal investigation which remains open pending the discovery of new evidence." Allegations from China and North Korea that the U.S. used biological weaponry (BW) during the Korean War is an example of just such a cold
(2021-07-23). Player or pawn? Luke Harding's Russiagate 'scoop'. nationofchange.org The reporter's involvement in the persecution of Assange alone would be enough to make people question his honesty.
(2021-07-23). The Scorecard: Introducing the Cleveland Guardians baseball team. peoplesworld.org 
The day many Native American and Indigenous baseball fans have been waiting for—fighting for—finally arrived. Cleveland's Major League Baseball team, known as the "Indians" since 1915, will now be called the Guardians. The ballclub made the long-awaited announcement Friday morning on Twitter with a video narrated by actor Tom Hanks. Thus, ending months, if not, years' worth …
(2021-07-23). Iran opens new Oil Port on Gulf of Oman to avoid narrow Straits of Hormuz and to Avoid US Sanctions. juancole.com 
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — According to Al Jazeera, on Thursday, Iran announced the opening of a new petroleum export terminal near the port of Jask on the Gulf of Oman, which will allow its vessels to avoid what Iranians refer to as the Persian Gulf and its narrow outlet, the Strait of Hormuz. Although …
(2021-07-23). Israelis prevent political prisoner from attending daughter's funeral. workers.org 
The latest cruelty the Israeli state inflicted on the Jarrar family followed the tragic and untimely death of Suha Jarrar at 31 years old at her home in Ramallah July 11. Despite international pleas for Khalida Jarrar, elected representative of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), to . . . |
(2021-07-23). 25 July, Online Event: Open Forum — The Current Palestinian Uprising and the Path Forward to Liberation. samidoun.net 
Sunday, July 25 11 am Pacific, 2 pm Eastern. Register to join online: bit.ly/masarforum1 With the recent surge in mobilizations across historic Palestine and the diaspora, we invite you to join us in an open discussion concerning the current political moment facing the Palestinian struggle following recent confrontations with the Zionist entity and against the Palestinian Authority. Through this forum, we hope to exchange experiences concerning mobilizations within the North American scene, discuss what is needed to build a path forward for our work, and explore the necessary conditions for an alternative…
(2021-07-23). Washington Beats the Drum of Regime Change, but Cuba Responds to Its Own Revolutionary Rhythm. popularresistance.org Sovereign regionalism is not alien to the Caribbean, which has made four attempts to build a platform: the West Indian Federation (1958-1962), Caribbean Free Trade Association (1965-1973), Caribbean Community (1973-1989), and CARICOM (1989 to the present). What began as an anti-imperialist union has now devolved into a trade association that attempts to better integrate the region into world trade. The politics of the Caribbean are increasingly being drawn into the orbit of the US.
(2021-07-23). New war brewing: three Armenian soldiers shot by Azerbaijani invaders. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com See: Azerbaijan's defense chief tells commanders, troops to be ready for new war Three soldiers wounded as Azerbaijani forces open fire at Armenian positions in Gegharkunik — Defense Ministry Three Armenian servicemen were injured after the Azerbaijani troops opened fire at the Armenian positions stationed in the Gegharkunik section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on Friday …
(2021-07-23). Family of woman killed by Arlington, Texas police in 2019 sue city, officer for wrongful death. wsws.org Former officer Ravinder Singh also faces a potential slap-on-the-wrist sentence with a two-year negligent homicide charge in the killing of Maggie Brooks during a welfare check.
(2021-07-23). One Step Forward, Two Steps Back in the Struggle Against Anti-Democratic Corporate Trade Rules. ips-dc.org Pakistan is the latest country to reject the system that allows private investors to sue governments in international tribunals. But Ecuador is back-tracking and the lawsuits continue to proliferate.
(2021-07-23). U.S. bombs four countries in 25 days. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Afghanistan Somalia Syria Iraq…
(2021-07-23). Russian Reconciliation Center Claims Syrian Air Defense Intercepted All Missiles In Recent Israeli Attack. southfront.org 
Illustrative image. | The Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces (SyAADF) intercepted and shot down all missiles launched by Israeli warplanes during the July 22 attack on Homs, deputy head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria, Rear Admiral Alexander Vadim Kulit, announced on July 23. | "Two Israeli F-16 fighter jets launched four guided missiles from Lebanese airspace at positions in the governorate of Homs between 1: 11 and 1: 19 am on July 22." Kulit said, adding that "all four missiles were destroyed by Buk-M2E syste…
(2021-07-23). The TPLF Attack on Ethiopia Contains the Accumulated Evil of the War. libya360.wordpress.com Ann Garrison The western nations that Ethiopia previously kow-towed to claim national government forces attacked Tigrayan troops first, when precisely the opposite occurred. "The US and its allies haven't even been able to get past the first step—UN Security Council censure—with regard to Syria, then Burundi, and now, Ethiopia." "War is essentially an evil thing….
(2021-07-23). Israel Hit Northern Lebanon Villages During Overnight Attack on Syria. news.antiwar.com Overnight, Israeli warplanes carried out an attack against Syria's al-Qusayr, and as is so often the case, they attacked Syria from Lebanese airspace. Beyond that, Israel appears to have hit several villages in northern Lebanon as well, with locals reporting blasts in several areas during the night. One of the biggest hit the village of Lehfed, creating a 15 meter crater. | The locals in Lehfed reported it was lucky that the rocket hit the rocks, notin…
(2021-07-23). "COVID Games" Begin in a Fearful Japan as Olympic Committee Prioritizes "Profits Over All Else" democracynow.org 
As the Summer Olympics begin in Tokyo after the International Olympic Committee pushed forward during a pandemic despite widespread opposition in Japan, we speak with a protester outside the Olympic stadium and former Olympic athlete Jules Boykoff. "The people have been frustrated actually ever since the awarding of the Olympics in 2013," says Satoko Itani, associate professor of sports, gender and sexuality at Kansai University. "The vast majority of Japanese people don't want these games." Boykoff argues the "saga in Tokyo has exposed an International Olympic Committee that openly disrespects the will of locals…
(2021-07-23). Urgent Plea by Doctors to India's PM: Halt Roll-Out of COVID-19 Vaccines Now. dissidentvoice.org Indian Doctors for Truth (IDT) have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressing the importance of an urgent need to stop the overzealous universal vaccination drive against COVID-19. Twenty doctors have signed the letter and highlight numerous scientific data about immunity achieved by the Indian population among both adults and children in light of the …
(2021-07-23). Headlines for July 23, 2021. democracynow.org Tokyo Olympics Kick Off Amid COVID Surge, Protests; Italy Unveils New Pass for Vaccinated People, Missouri Hospital Worker Warns COVID Surge Will Get Worse; 20% of L.A.'s Cases Are Vaccinated People | , U.S. Imposes New Cuba Sanctions as 400+ Noted Activists, Political Figures Call for End to Embargo, Rep. Hank Johnson, Prominent Black Voting Rights Advocates Arrested at Pro-Democracy Demonstration, Indian Farmworkers Renew Protests Against Neoliberal Agricultural Reforms, South Africa Updates Death Toll from Unrest to at Least 337 People, 20 Refugees Likely Dead After Mediterranean Shipwreck, U.S. Launches Airst…
(2021-07-23). Current Political-Economic Crisis In Lebanon Could Escalate Into New Conflict. southfront.org 
Illustrative ImageHezbollah remains the most powerful militia, with great social penetration. | Written by Uriel Araujo, researcher with a focus on international and ethnic conflicts. | Last week, Sa'ad Hariri quit as Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate after a meeting with President Michel Aoun. The former was designated in October 2020 to assemble a new government. Many people hoped that after 10 months of negotiations a compromise would be reached to form a new government. After all, it's been almost a year sinc…
(2021-07-23). Taliban Demand President Ashraf Ghani's Resignation, As Reports Surface Of Beheaded Translator For U.S. Army. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On July 22nd, the Taliban reportedly said that it was necessary for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to resign. | This is a prerequisite peace in Afghanistan and a ceasefire. To achieve it, a new government needs to be formed, without Ghani, according to a report by the AP. | Suheil Shaheen, a spokesman for the Taliban's political office in Qatar, told the agency that the Taliban "do not believe in a monopoly of power" because previous Afghan governments that sought to do so were not "succes…
(2021-07-23). Tokyo's Pandemic Games Open. dissidentvoice.org The auguries are not good for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Resignations have filled the ledger, including Japanese composer Keigo Oyamada, organising committee president Yoshiro Mori and the creative director Hiroshi Sasaki. Then there is the lamentable behaviour of the authoritarian International Olympic Committee and the obsequious conduct of the Suga government. The continued prospect of …
(2021-07-23). WSJ: US combat forces to withdraw from Iraq by yearend. en.mehrnews.com According to the Wall Street Journal, Iraq and the US will soon agree on the withdrawal of US combat forces from the west Asian country.
(2021-07-23). Mayo Clinic Minute: Skin cancer concerns for people with darker skin. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. will have skin cancer during their lives. And it affects all skin colors. Reporter Jason Howland explains in today's Mayo Clinic Minute. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/umD3Cqs91cY Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1: 18) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script. Forty percent of all cancers in Caucasians…
(2021-07-23). Afghanistan: Turkey's springboard for penetrating Central, South Asia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com [An Afghan report from yesterday stated Abdul Rashid Dostum left Turkey, where he allegedly went for medical attention, and has returned to northern Afghanistan, which he's referred to as South Turkestan. He boasted of having obtained new Turkish arms.] Mustafa ≈ûentop [Turkish parliament speaker] and Mir Rahman Rahmani, the speaker of Afghanistan's House of the …
(2021-07-23). The United States Underestimates China's Economic Challenge at Its Own Peril. zcomm.org Ratcheting up demonizations of China seems a poor and likely counterproductive response…
(2021-07-23). Beijing Accuses London of 'Flexing Muscles at China' Amid UK Plans to Send Warships to Indo-Pacific. sputniknews.com In March, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled the country's new foreign policy review, which, among other things, obliges London to "better understand and respond to the systemic challenge that China poses".
(2021-07-23). Why Did Netanyahu Vote Against a Racist Law He Wholly Embraces? counterpunch.org On July 6, the Israeli Knesset failed to renew the Citizenship and Entry Law that prohibits family unification among Palestinians. This is good news. But the suspension of the law was accomplished for all of the wrong reasons. Racist to the core, this apartheid law not only bars Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza
(2021-07-23). U.S. Regime Change Echos in the Caribbean. strategic-culture.org 
Today, crisis is the hour in the region, writes Vijay Prashad, with an eye on Port-au-Prince and Havana. | By Vijay PRASHAD | In 1963, the Trinidadian writer CLR James released a second edition of his classic 1938 study of the Haitian Revolution, The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution. | For the new edition, James wrote an appendix with the suggestive title "From Toussaint L'Ouverture to Fidel Castro." In the opening page of the appendix, he located the twin revolutions of Haiti (1804) and Cuba (1959) in the context of the West Indian islands: "The people who made them, the probl…
(2021-07-23). Redeem American Ideals: US Government Must End the Political Prosecution of Julian Assange. counterpunch.org On July 3, 2020, Julian Assange will turn 50 years old, spending his third birthday behind bars. The WikiLeaks publisher has been held without any formal charges alongside criminals and terrorists inside London's high-security prison for exposing the US government's war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. On January 4, 2021, the British Judge Vanessa Baraitster
(2021-07-23). 23 July and 30 July, Online Events: Educational Events on Anti-Zionism and Settler Colonialism in Palestine. samidoun.net 
Friday, 23 July 2: 00 Pacific time (5 pm Eastern time) Register on Zoom: zoom.us/j/98484693291?pwd=am5BMmtVK1F6b09jTVNzdUJCSEM1Zz09 Anti-Semitism — What it Is and Isn't, Understanding the Difference between Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism Friday, 30 July 2: 00 Pacific time (5 pm Eastern time) Register on Zoom: sfu.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Ikcuqqrj4pH9MH74_emp6ddMP5vb52T03y Settler Colonialism in Palestine: History and Investigation of Colonial Aggression. More info: www.facebook.com/RISE.SFU/posts/2975027269481431 These events have been organized by supporters of IJV — Youth Bloc,…
(2021-07-23). Protests In Greater Idlib Around Turkish Military Posts (Videos). southfront.org 
A Turkish army tank stationed near the Syrian border, in Suruc, Turkey, Sept. 3, 2016. (AP Photo) | On July 22, angry locals gathered around a number of Turkish military posts in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib to protest against what they called "ceasefire violations" by Syrian government forces. | The protesters, numbered in the hundreds, burned dozens of tires on the gates of Turkish posts and chanted against the ceasefire that was brokered by Russia and Turkey on March 5 of last year. | In the last…
(2021-07-23). Russia Prepares For Its Main Naval Day Parade (Photos, Maps, Videos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On the eve of the Day of the Russian Navy, which is traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday of July [July 25, 2021], a new multimedia section dedicated to the upcoming fifth Main Naval Parade has been opened on the website of the Russian Defence Ministry."The main naval parade will be held in St. Petersburg on the Navy Day on July 25 in the year of the 325th anniversary of the Russian Fleet. Naval parades will also be held in Severomorsk, Baltiysk, Sevastopol, Kaspiysk, Vladivosto…
(2021-07-23). Saturday 7/24: Protest US financed oppression in Palestine/Israel. indybay.org Corner of Water and Ocean Streets; Santa Cruz…
(2021-07-23). [Research Paper] A prospective observational safety study on ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 corona virus vaccine (recombinant) use in healthcare workers- first results from India. thelancet.com COVISHIELD carries an overall favourable safety profile with AEFI rates much less than reported for other adenoviral vaccines. Females, those with hypertension, individuals with history of allergy and hypothyroidism may need watchful vaccine administration. This being an interim analysis and based on healthcare workers who may not reflect the general population demographics, larger inclusive studies are warranted for confirming the findings.
(2021-07-23). Landslides in India Kill 100+ as Monsoon Rains Pummel Nation. commondreams.org "I came to believe that the policy of drone assassination was being used to mislead the public that it keeps us safe… I began to speak out, believing my participation in the drone program to have been deeply wrong."
(2021-07-23). Sharing Mayo Clinic: Every day you don't lose, you are winning. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Jennifer Summers, who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, says that with her disease, she counts every day there isn't a loss as a good day. She credits her faith and her care team at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse with keeping her moving forward with a positive outlook. This article is written by Mayo Clinic Staff. Jennifer Summers, is an optimistic, articulate woman. The 35-year-old enjoys crafting, spending time with her close-knit…
(2021-07-23). Significant response to Sri Lankan meeting demanding release of jailed poet Ahnaf Jazeem. wsws.org The 26-year-old poet from Sri Lanka's Muslim minority has been arbitrarily detained for more than a year without any formal charges under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act.