(2021-04-29). The US is trying to light the match of Islamic extremism in China's Xinjiang. peoplesdispatch.org The information war now conducted by the US against China centers on Xinjiang. Once again, the US uses longstanding problems—such as the rise of extremism in Central Asia (fueled to some extent by the US since the 1980s)—to create problems for its adversaries…
(2021-04-29). China Urges Australian Politicians to 'Shake Off the Cold War Mentality'. sputniknews.com Australia-China relations have been growing tense since Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged Beijing last year to allow an independent probe into the origins of COVID-19. This prompted a response from Beijing, leading to reciprocal economic sanctions.
(2021-04-29). Admitting Defeat in Afghanistan: American "State-Building" Fails Again. counterpunch.org 
So Rudyard Kipling's arithmetic came to pass after all. 'Strike hard who cares—shoot straight who can/ The odds are on the cheaper man.' The U.S. has thrown in the towel. Another 'superpower' is set to depart Afghanistan. The symbolic date of September 11 is meant to have a ring of finality to it. It should:
(2021-04-29). Headlines for April 29, 2021. democracynow.org Biden Urges Congress to Back Vast Expansion of Social Safety Net & New Taxes on Rich, India in Public Health Catastrophe as Deaths & Infections Reach New High, Hate Crimes Charges Filed Against Georgia Men in Ahmaud Arbery Murder, NC Judge Delays Release of Police Footage of Andrew Brown Jr. Shooting, Video: Chicago Police Shot Anthony Alvarez Dead as He Was Running Away, FBI Raid Rudy Giuliani's Home & Office, Mass Protests in Colombia Held to Protest Iván Duque & Proposed Tax Reform, U.S. Contractors Are Still Helping Maintain Saudi Warplanes Used in Yemen War, Israel Faces Call to Free Alaa al-Rimawi, Palestin…
(2021-04-29). New COVID-19 Variant, Linked to India's Record Wave of Infections & Deaths, Now Seen in 19 Countries. democracynow.org 
As India faces 1 million new COVID-19 infections every three days, we look at how more infectious variants have been linked to a spread in cases. The so-called India variant has now been detected in at least 19 countries. "This virus behaves differently now, in that it's much more infectious," says Dr. Priya Sampathkumar, an infectious disease physician at the Mayo Clinic.
(2021-04-29). The Modi Surge: COVID-19 Cases Overwhelm India's Healthcare System as Gov't Censors Critics. democracynow.org 
India has topped 18.3 million COVID-19 cases, after adding 1 million cases in just the past three days amid shortages in vital supplies and overwhelmed hospitals across the country. Makeshift mass cremation facilities have been set up in parks and parking lots, with rows of bodies being burned on funeral pyres. With hospitals overflowing, some patients have been turned away and left to deal with their infections on their own. "This is where Modi has led India," says Indian journalist Rana Ayyub, who says the prime minister "clearly has no plan" for dealing with the crisis ravaging the country's healthcare systems…
(2021-04-29). How Lifting Intellectual Property Restrictions Could Help World Vaccinate 60% of Population by 2022. democracynow.org 
As new coronavirus cases surge across India, overwhelming hospitals and crematories, calls are growing louder for wealthy countries to stop hoarding excess supply of COVID-19 vaccines and to loosen intellectual property restrictions preventing more countries from making their own vaccines. We speak with economist Jayati Ghosh and Congressmember Ro Khanna of California.
(2021-04-29). There Are No Winners In Afghanistan — OpEd. eurasiareview.com By Jeff M. Smith* | The U.S. has all the watches, but we have all the time." This quote, sometimes attributed to a captured Taliban fighter, is among the handful of now-famous anecdotes produced by the Afghan War. "The U.S. hasn't fought a 20-year war in Afghanistan. It has fought 20 one-year wars in Afghanistan," is another likely to make its way to the annals of history. | Similarly, for at least the past 10 years it seems there have been at least ten different debates on the U.S. role in Afghanistan: Should we stay? Should we go? Should we switch strategies? | In 2015, I weighed in on one of those debates,…
(2021-04-29). Biden, Recognition and the Armenian Genocide. counterpunch.org 
Attributing names to the brutal acts humans are capable of inflicting upon each other is never without problems. There are gradations of terror, hierarchies of atrocity and cruelty. In these, the pedants reign. Disputes splutter and rage over whether a "massacre" can best be described as a crime against humanity or a counter-measure waged with
(2021-04-29). Biden's first act of war hits 3 Countries. mronline.org 
Biden's Feb. 26 strike in Syria was a crime, and risks major war with three countries. | April 29, 2021 | Newswire…
(2021-04-29). Kill Anything That Moves: The Real American War in Vietnam Revisited. counterpunch.org 
The greatest purveyor of violence in the world today: my own government. — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., April 1967 Enough has been said, here and elsewhere, about the contents of the bestselling book Kill Anything That Moves: The Real American War in Vietnam (KATM) and the meticulous archival and field research on which it
(2021-04-29). Myanmar's communists speak out on the coup. mronline.org 
In the first of a two-part series KENNY COYLE interviews the Communist Party of Burma about the social and economic mismanagement of the military regime. | April 29, 2021 | Newswire…
(2021-04-29). Why Jerusalem is Sacred to Muslims, and why even the Emirates are Rebuking Israel for Persecuting Palestinians There. juancole.com 
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — The holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan began Monday, April 12, and for the succeeding week and a half there was trouble at Jerusalem's Damascus Gate. Muslim youth were used to gathering in the square in front of the the gate, which had been built by the Ottoman Sultan Suleyman …
(2021-04-29). 'Lest we forget': anti-war statue of Iraq veteran goes up in Margate. thecanary.co 
A statue of a young soldier has gone up in Margate. And it's quite different to most military statues. It depicts Daniel Taylor, a young anti-war Iraq veteran and campaigner who suffers from PTSD and has a powerful message for Britain's politicians. | The statue is named April is the Cruellest Month, after a T.S Eliot poem. It's the work of Iraqi-American artist
(2021-04-29). 'The future will belong to America!' Biden promises joint session of Congress in 1st speech since taking office. rt.com 
US President Joe Biden addressed both chambers of Congress, just ahead of his hundredth day in office, focusing on the progress his administration has made in delivering on its campaign promises, and making some new ones. | "We're in a competition with China and other countries to win the 21st Century," Biden declared, adding that the United States must and will prove to its adversaries that "democracy still works." | Can our democracy deliver on the most pressing needs of our people? Can our democracy overcome the lies, anger, hate and fears that have pulled us apart? America's adversaries — the autocrat…
(2021-04-29). Video Shows People Around the World Appalled by High US Health Care Costs. truthout.org 
"I couldn't have survived if I was in America." | That's what one woman She was just one of several people from around the world who participated in the Time…
(2021-04-29). Military Situation In Yemen On April 29 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The Liaison and Coordination Officers' Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 107 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah during the past 24 hours. | On April 28, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 15 airstrikes on the Sarwah area. | On April 28, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Majzar area. | On April 28, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Hazm area. | On April 28, Ansar Allah attacked King Khalid Airbase with a…
(2021-04-29). Peace Talks On Eastern Ukraine Failed To Establish "Easter Truce" In Donbass (Map Update). southfront.org 
Photo by Mykola Lazarenko/POOL | On April 28, a regular meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on the settlement of the conflict in Donbass took place via videoconference. Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE has failed to reach an agreement on the final text of a ceasefire agreement ahead the Orthodox Easter."After almost five hours of useless discussion between Kiev and representatives of the republics, no practical result has been achieved," the LPR said in a Telegram message. | According to the repr…
(2021-04-29). Military Situation In Syria On April 28, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 29, Russia On April 28, the Ansar Abu Bakr al-Siddiq group claimed responsibility for an attack on a Turkish military v…
(2021-04-29). Mike Pezzullo And Giving War A Chance. southfront.org 
One of Australia's two Canberra Class LHDs conducting exercises with a U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke Class DDG and Nimitz Class CVN. Although possible, it is hard to image Australia committing significant naval assets to a U.S. strike against China. Australia has far too much to lose and little to gain from such a scenario. | Written by Dr. Binoy Kampmark. | 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 atten…
(2021-04-29). Chinese Liaoning Aircraft Carrier Conducted Naval Drills Near Taiwan, Sailed Between Disputed Diaoyu Islands. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | The Liaoning aircraft carrier task group of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) reportedly crossed the Miyako Strait and passed near the disputed Diaoyu Islands on April 28th. | The picture shows the aircraft carrier Liaoning (Hull 16) and other vessels and fighter jets in the maritime parade conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in the S…
(2021-04-29). Dozen Killed In Heavy Clashes Between Kurdish Forces, Turkish-Backed Militants In Northern Aleppo. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | Late on April 28, heavy clashes broke out between Kurdish forces and Turkish-backed militants in the northern countryside of Syria's Aleppo. | The clashes took place in the outskirts of the villages of Kafr Khasher and Kafr Kalbin, which are located to the south of the Turkish-occupied town of Azaz. According to opposition sources, the clashes erupted when a group of Kurdish fighters attempted to infiltrate the defenses of Turkish-backed militants near Kafr Kalbin. | The sources said that the infiltrati…
(2021-04-29). SDF 'Dismantled' Six Remote-Controlled IEDs In Northern Deir Ezzor. southfront.org 
by: sdf-press.com | On April 29, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) uncovered six improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor. | In an official statement, the SDF said that the IEDs were first uncovered by the locals. All six IEDs were placed on a road near the town of al-Kasrah."The six IEDs, which were prepared for detonation, were dismantled without causing any human or material losses … The SDF is now investigating and searching for the people who planted the [IED…
(2021-04-29). Military Situation In Iraq On April 29, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 29, a logistical convoy of the US military was targeted by an IED attack in the Yusufiyah area. | On April 28, Iraqi groups attacked Balad Airbase with a suicide drone. | On April 29, clashes between Turkish Army and the PKK continued in the northern Iraq. | On April 29, a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt was shot dead by security forces in Kirkuk. | On April 29, the PMU and Iraqi Army started a security operation against ISIS in west of Mosul. | M…
(2021-04-29). The Show Goes On In Iraq: Two US Supply Convoys Attacked In Baghdad, Al-Anbar. southfront.org 
ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elisabet Freeburg | On April 29, two convoys transporting logistic supplies and equipment for the US-led coalition in Iraq came under attack. | The first convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) as it was passing in the district of Yusufiya near the capital, Baghdad. A new group calling itself the al-Sabiqun Battalion claimed responsibility for the attack. | The second convoy was targeted with IED in an unpacified part of the western province of al-Anbar. The perpet…
(2021-04-29). Combat Footage: PKK's Guided Missiles Destroyed Two Tanks In 'Secret' Turkish Base In Kurdistan. southfront.org 
Screen grab from the attack video. | On April 29, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced that his fighters had attacked a secret Turkish base near the village of Sheladize in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. | PKK fighters targeted two M60 battle tanks, which were parked in the base, with anti-tank guided missiles. The Kurdish guerrilla group released a video of the attack that took place on April 27. Both tanks received direct hits. |
(2021-04-29). Chinese peacekeeping medical team treat injured child in Lebanon. ecns.cn A Lebanese child was accidentally injured near the base of the 19th batch of Chinese peacekeeping medical detachment to Lebanon on Tuesday. The detachment provided medical assistance in time. Doctor He Guoping and nurse Li Li successfully performed debridement and suture operation for the injured.
(2021-04-29). "We Need Medicare for All": Video Shows People Worldwide Appalled by U.S. Healthcare System. peoplesparty.org (As seen on That's what one woman
(2021-04-29). Foreign Experts Assess Benefits Of Russia's Sputnik V Coronavirus Vaccine — Analysis. eurasiareview.com The Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia's sovereign wealth fund) announced that the Sputnik V vaccine demonstrated efficacy of 97.6%, based on the analysis of data on the infection rate of coronavirus among those in Russia vaccinated with both components of Sputnik V. | "The Ministry of Health of Russia maintains a register of persons who have been vaccinated, as well as citizens who have got infected with COVID as part of the Unified State Information System in Healthcare. Ac…
(2021-04-29). Situation Near Delhi Crematorium as COVID-19 Infections Break Records in India. sputniknews.com India has registered 379,257 new COVID-19 cases within the past 24 hours, marking the largest single-day increase since the beginning of the pandemic.
(2021-04-29). As Coronavirus Ravages India, Senate Dems Urge US Pharma Firms to Share Vaccine Tech. commondreams.org Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is leading a group of Democratic senators calling on U.S. Big Pharma firms to expand global Covid-19 vaccine access by sharing technology and lifting intellectual property barriers. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/free_the_vaccine.jpg …
(2021-04-29). Bangladesh approves proposal of producing Russian, Chinese COVID-19 vaccines. ecns.cn The Bangladeshi government on Wednesday gave the greenlight to a proposal of producing Chinese and Russian COVID-19 vaccines in the country.
(2021-04-29). Over 243 mln COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across China. ecns.cn More than 243.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered across China as of Wednesday, the National Health Commission said Thursday.
(2021-04-29). China slams EU report on COVID-19 disinformation. ecns.cn The Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) has slammed the European External Action Service (EEAS) for accusing China of disinformation regarding COVID-19. The mission said, "a disinformation report that has no factual basis is in itself an example of disinformation."
(2021-04-28). Decision on China jabs due soon. ecns.cn The World Health Organization will soon decide whether to give emergency approval for China's two main COVID-19 vaccines, WHO Assistant Director-General Mariangela Batista Galvao Simao has said.
(2021-04-29). Cambodia receives 3rd batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine. ecns.cn A plane carrying the third batch of China-donated Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine arrived in the capital of Cambodia Wednesday night.
(2021-04-28). China strengthens solidarity with its neighbors in fight against COVID-19. ecns.cn Foreign ministers from China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh held a meeting on coping with COVID-19 on Tuesday via video link.
(2021-04-29). India's Rajasthan chief minister tests positive for COVID-19. ecns.cn Chief Minister of India's western state of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot Thursday tested positive for COVID-19.
(2021-04-28). BioNTech CEO 'confident' vaccine will work against COVID variant found in India. ecns.cn BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin on Wednesday expressed his confidence in the effectiveness of the vaccine jointly developed by his company and the U.S. pharmaceutical firm Pfizer against the new coronavirus variant first found in India.
(2021-04-29). SDF 'Dismantled' Six Remote-Controlled IEDs In Northern Deir Ezzor. southfront.org by: sdf-press.com | On April 29, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) uncovered six improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor. | In an official statement, the SDF said that the IEDs were first uncovered by the locals. All six IEDs were placed on a road near the town of al-Kasrah."The six IEDs, which were prepared for detonation, were dismantled without causing any human or material losses … The SDF is now investigating and searching for the people who planted the [IED…
(2021-04-29). Unrest In Iraq's Kirkuk: Security Forces Foiled Suicide Attack, ISIS Mortars Hit Army Base (Photos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image. | On April 29, Iraqi security forces foiled a terrorist attack and killed a suicide bomber in the center of the northern province of Kirkuk. | In a statement, the Iraqi Security Media Cell said that security forces killed a suicide attacker wearing an explosive belt who attempted to enter the building of the Directorate of National Security in Kirkuk city."The incident inflicted light wounds on two guards," the statement reads. "The [attackers'] suicide belt blew up after bei…
(2021-04-28). India accounts for 38 pct of global COVID-19 case growth last week: WHO. ecns.cn As the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide has been on the increase for the ninth consecutive week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that India alone accounted for 38 percent of all infections.
(2021-04-29). Hong Kong reports zero new local infection of COVID-19. ecns.cn Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported Thursday no new local infection of COVID-19.The CHP said in a statement that there were 15 imported cases, taking Hong Kong's total tally to 11,770.
(2021-04-29). Russia's Expanding Footprint In The Middle East — OpEd. eurasiareview.com By Talmiz Ahmad* | Over the last month or so, the shadow of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has loomed large across the Middle East. In March, he visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He was soon back in the region, visiting Egypt and Iran on April 12-13. | Russia became a key player in the Middle East when it brought its armed forces into Syria in September 2015 to prevent externally sponsored regime change. Having achieved this fairly quickly, its diplomatic canvas has broadened to include all the regional states, with which it is building substantial ties in the areas of energy, economics and defe…
(2021-04-29). Ukrainian ultranationalist lobby flaunts influence over Biden, blocks top Russia expert's appointment. thegrayzone.com Demonstrating the power the ultranationalist Ukraine lobby has attained in Biden's Washington, the White House has withdrawn consideration of esteemed Russia specialist Matthew Rojansky Matthew Rojansky is the head of the Kennan Institute, a notable think tank at the US government-funded Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. Despite his well-established expertise on Russia and lengthy record of leadership on the issue, he has been judged "too soft" to work in the Biden White House. An increasingly influential element …
(2021-04-28). Putin pledges medical aid to India in phone call with Modi. ecns.cn Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday held a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pledging to offer emergency medical assistance to pandemic-battered India.
(2021-04-28). China expected to see 8.1% GDP growth in 2021. ecns.cn As the ongoing pandemic-related restrictions in many regions of the world will continually fuel demand for consumer goods, China's merchandise exports are expected to outperform imports in 2021.
(2021-04-29). Assailant in Kindergarten Knife Attack in Southern China Has Mental Disorder, Police Confirm. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The suspect who carried out the knife attack at a kindergarten in the city of Beiliu in southwestern China's Guangxi province has mental illness, local police said on Thursday.
(2021-04-29). A Clear Agenda To Save The WTO — Analysis. eurasiareview.com By Inu Manak* | The fate of the World Trade Organization (WTO) hangs in the balance after four years of assault by the Trump administration. But things are not as dismal as they appear. Turning the corner in 2021, the WTO has an opportunity to usher in a new era of trade cooperation. | To ensure the WTO remains fit for purpose, members should pursue changes in three areas: dispute settlement, negotiations and the WTO's monitoring function. | Rules are only as good as they are enforceable. WTO rules have taken a hit with the continued blocking of appointments to its Appellate Body by the United States. Since th…
