(2021-04-22). Prague's Call for EU "Solidarity Expulsions" Against Russian Diplomats Falls on Deaf Ears. globalresearch.ca The U.S. failed to impose new sanctions on Russia and expel …
(2021-04-22). Pfizer Says Identified Counterfeit COVID-19 Vaccines in Mexico, Poland — Reports. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The US pharmaceutical company Pfizer has identified fake doses of its vaccine against COVID-19 in Mexico and Poland, The Wall Street Journal reported.
(2021-04-22). Clashes Between SDF, NDF Renew In Al-Qamishli Despite Russian Efforts (Videos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image. | Clashes between the pro-government Syrian National Defense Forces (NDF) and Asayish, the security wing of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are still ongoing in the city of al-Qamishli in northeastern Syria. | The clashes came to a temporary halt on April 22 morning. A delegation of the Russian Military Police and the Syrian Arab Army met with representatives of Asayish in the Tayy district, where the clashes first broke out. | The two sides reportedly agreed on a ceasefire to de-esca…
(2021-04-22). New F-35 Program Contract Excludes Turkey. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 21st, Turkey's Anadolu Agency reported that the US and eight other countries have abolished the 2006 deal regarding the F-35 program and signed a new agreement that has excluded Turkey. | The state outlet cited an unnamed Pentagon official. | Washington removed Turkey from the F-35 Lightning II jet program in 2019, arguing that S-400 air missile systems acquired by Turkey could be used by Russia to covertly obtain classified details on the Lockheed Martin F-35 jets and is incompatible…
(2021-04-22). Military Situation In Syria On April 22, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 22, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 39 times: 6 — in Idlib province, 27 — in Latakia province, 1 — in Hama province | On April 22, Israeli warplanes attacked Damascus city with several missiles. SAA air defense systems reportedly intercepted a number of missiles. 4 SAA soldiers were wounded when an Air Defense Battery was hit | On April 21, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled SDF positi…
(2021-04-22). Israel Bombs Syria Twice In One Evening, After SAM Lands Near Dimona Nuclear Reator. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Just after midnight on April 21st, Israeli fighter jets carried out a series of strikes on unknown targets near Damascus. | They did so from the air above occupied Golan Heights. | Most of these were intercepted by Syrian Air Defense, but an errant missile landed in a field in southern Israel, near the nuclear center in Dimona. | The Israeli army said the missile landed in the Negev region and the air raid sirens were sounded in Abu Krinat, a village just a few k…
(2021-04-22). Israel Bombs Syria Twice In One Evening, After SAM Lands Near Dimona Nuclear Reactor. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | Just after midnight on April 21st, Israeli fighter jets carried out a series of strikes on unknown targets near Damascus. | They did so from the air above occupied Golan Heights. | Most of these were intercepted by Syrian Air Defense, but an errant missile landed in a field in southern Israel, near the nuclear center in Dimona. | The Israeli army said the missile landed in the Negev region and the air raid sirens were sounded in Abu Krinat, a village just a few k…
(2021-04-22). Fake News Reports. is Russia Preparing to Invade Ukraine? Zelensky Ready for War? globalresearch.ca When major media operate exclusively as press agents for wealth, power, …
(2021-04-22). Putin Condemns 'Regime Change' Attempts in Belarus and Venezuela. orinocotribune.com This Wednesday, April 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his annual message to the Federal Assembly of Russia in which he condemned the attempts to change governments by force, such as those that occurred in Belarus or Venezuela. | "You can have any opinion about, for example, the former president of Ukraine [Victor] Yanukovych or [President of Venezuela, Nicolás] Maduro (…) have any point of view about the president of Belarus, [Alexandr] Lukashenko, but the practice of organizing coups, plans for political assassinations, including those of high-ranking officials, exceed all limits," Putin said, as rep…
(2021-04-22). US Joins Past Empires In Afghan Graveyard. popularresistance.org An Afghan taxi-driver in Vancouver told one of us a decade ago that this day would come. "We defeated the Persian Empire in the eighteenth century, the British in the nineteenth, the Soviets in the twentieth. Now, with NATO, we're fighting twenty-eight countries, but we'll defeat them, too," said the taxi-driver, surely not a member of the Taliban, but quietly proud of his country's empire-killing credentials. | Now, after nearly twenty years of a war that has been as bloody and futile as all those previous invasions and occupations, the last 3,500 U.S. troops and their NATO brothers-in-arms will be coming home f…
(2021-04-22). Vienna Talks Reveal Biden Team's Attachment to Sanctions that Would Torpedo Iran Deal. orinocotribune.com By Gareth Porter — Apr 18, 2021 | Biden's foreign policy team refuses to relieve Iran from sanctions illegally imposed by the Trump administration, setting the stage for the collapse of negotiations and a major crisis. | The Biden administration signaled once again at the April 9 Vienna meeting on the Iran nuclear deal that it intends to maintain Trump-era Iran sanctions in an effort to win political and military concessions going well beyond the original deal itself. Team Biden continued to insist during the conference that Iran return to full compliance with the nuclear agreement without any reciprocal US…
(2021-04-22). Tomgram: Nina Burleigh, The Pandemic Memory Hole. warisacrime.org This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. World War I was, however faintly, still part of my life when I grew up in the Cold War years. I can remember being hoisted on my father's shoulders to see the aging American veterans of that global …
(2021-04-22). Progressives condemn Japan's decision to release contaminated water from Fukushima nuclear plant. peoplesdispatch.org The incumbent conservative government in Japan led by Yoshihide Suga has decided to release contaminated water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear reactors into the Pacific ocean…
(2021-04-22). Democrats Must Stop Sacrificing Good American Nuclear Jobs For Cheap Chinese Solar Panels — OpEd. eurasiareview.com The Biden Administration is
(2021-04-22). Iran Installs Advanced Uranium Enrichment Centrifuges in Natanz, Reports Say. sputniknews.com Iran has been partly violating the terms of its nuclear agreement, known as the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after it was abandoned by the US in 2018. Tehran and the European parties to the deal held negotiations to revive the JCPOA, but Washington has so far refused to remove sanctions from the Iranian economy.
(2021-04-22). Seoul: US Is Reviewing Peace Declaration That Would Officially End Korean War. news.antiwar.com The US is Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong said Moon's peace proposal would replace the 1953 Armistice and officially end the war. While Chung said the US was reviewing the proposal, he also said he believes the Biden administration might want to make progress towards "denuclearization" before signing it. | The Biden administration says it is conducting a review of its North Korea policy but has als…
(2021-04-22). Iran nuclear negotiator says Vienna talks 'progressive' despite difficulties. ecns.cn Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tuesday that the latest round of the talks in Vienna are "progressive" despite "the existing difficulties."
(2021-04-22). Israel Bombs Southern Syria After Missile Landed Near Nuclear Site. news.antiwar.com A new round of Israeli attacks on Syria took place Wednesday evening, after a Syrian air defense system was activated and fired at an Israeli warplane. The missile did not hit the plane, Israel's attacks centered on military targets in southern Syria, and they hit a number of Syrian air defense batteries. This is just the latest in common Israeli attacks on Syria, which leave Syria's air defenses constantly ready to try to defend sites. | Complicating matters were that Israel was bee…
(2021-04-22). A Biden-Putin Summit: Jaw-Jaw is Better than War-War. counterpunch.org On April 13, US president Joe Biden spoke by phone with Russian president Vladimir Putin, whom he has previously referred to, in pot/kettle fashion, as a "killer." During the call, Biden proposed a summit between the two in the near future. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Russian chess legend and political exile Garry Kasparov
(2021-04-22). Putin delivers annual State of the Nation address. ecns.cn Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual address to the Federal Assembly, or the State of the Nation address, in Moscow on Wedn…
(2021-04-22). Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Reveals Only Factor Deterring Western Politicians. sputniknews.com In a speech to lawmakers on Wednesday, President Putin compared those who seek to bully or intimidate Russia to the tiger Shere Khan and the jackal Tabaqui from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, and warned nations not to cross Moscow's "red lines." On Thursday, the Kremlin specified that these "red lines" are tied to Russia's national interests.
(2021-04-22). As British Warships Deploy to Black Sea, Putin Warns of Red Lines. strategic-culture.org The British are being told that they cannot just sail their warships into the Black Sea and rattle their sabers in Russia's face. Putin is telling the Brits and anyone else not to even think about getting that close. | Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning to countries trying to provoke military tensions, saying that his nation is drawing up red lines for defense. | Putin delivered the sharp
(2021-04-22). After West builds up war hysteria for weeks, Russian troops return to bases after drills end. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com After West builds up war hysteria for weeks, Russian troops to return to bases after drills endRick Rozoff The Russian defense minister confirmed today that troops deployed to the south and west of the country, Crimea and areas east of Ukraine, have completed what were described as surprise combat readiness checks and would return to …
(2021-04-22). Ukrainian Crisis has Root Causes in NATO Enlargement. orinocotribune.com By Shane Quinn — Apr 20, 2021 | Due to its location on the map between Russia and the EU-NATO states, the Ukraine or Ukraine has significant strategic importance as tensions there rise once more. The country is most commonly called "Ukraine" but, out of preference, the author will retain its less frequently used title of "the Ukraine". | Zbigniew Brzezinski, former US National Security Advisor (1977-1981) for president Jimmy Carter, wrote that Russian power would be diminished without control over the Ukraine, its western neighbour. | Brzezinski outlined of the Ukraine being "a new and important space on the…
(2021-04-22). Commander Says Africa Too Important For US To Ignore. eurasiareview.com By Jim Garamone | Africa is a fascinating continent of tremendous possibilities but also tremendous dangers, and the U.S. ignores the nations of Africa at its own peril, the commander of the U.S. Africa Command said during an interview. | "China and Russia don't ignore Africa, and that alone should say something," Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend said. | Africa has 13 of the 25 fastest growing economies in the world, Townsend said. In a time of climate change, Afri…
(2021-04-22). Russia Increases Its Defense, While U.S. Backs Down from Provoking World War III. globalresearch.ca The stooge-President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, appears to be trapped …
(2021-04-22). President Zelensky Says Ukraine 'Ready' For War With Russia. popularresistance.org Amid mounting tensions in the Black Sea region, President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on Tuesday night that Ukraine is "ready" for war with Russia. He warned that the country would "stand to the last man" in the event of a war. | Zelensky also signed a law allowing the Ukrainian army to mobilize its reservists without notice within 24 hours. Those avoiding the draft will be subject to criminal prosecution. The new law had been proposed by the Ukrainian General Staff. | Zelensky's aggressive declarations came amidst reports of growing NATO activity near Russia's borders. | On Wednesday, the Russian press reported…
(2021-04-22). For Lenin's 151st birthday, read his 'Letter to American Workers'. fightbacknews.org To mark the 151st birthday, April 22, of the outstanding revolutionary V.I. Lenin, Fight Back News Service is circulating his famous article 'Letter to American Workers.' | Comrades! A Russian Bolshevik who took part in the 1905 Revolution, and who lived in your country for many years afterwards, has offered to convey my letter to you. I have accepted his proposal all the more gladly because just at the present time the American revolutionary workers have to play an exceptionally important role as uncompromising enemies of American imperialism—the freshest, strongest and latest in joining in the world-wide…
(2021-04-22). After West Builds Up War Hysteria for Weeks, Russian Troops Return to Bases After Drills End. news.antiwar.com The Russian defense minister confirmed today that troops deployed to the south and west of the country, Crimea and areas east of Ukraine, have completed what were described as surprise combat readiness checks and would return to barracks starting tomorrow. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is quoted by government news agency TASS as saying: "I believe …
(2021-04-22). Russia asks 10 expelled U.S. diplomats to leave in month. ecns.cn The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday informed the U.S. Embassy in Moscow that 10 of its staffers must leave the country by the end of May 21 in tit-for-tat retaliation.
(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). Amid Nuclear Talks, 40 Groups Urge Biden to Lift Sanctions on Covid-Ravaged Iran. commondreams.org "By prioritizing humanitarian relief for Iran and other sanctioned states, President Biden can follow through on his campaign commitment and demonstrate that the U.S. can be a force for global good." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/iran_sanctions_2000x1047-2.png …
(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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). Putin Condemns Coup Attempts in Venezuela, Belarus, Ukraine. telesurenglish.net During his annual message to the Russian Federal Assembly, President Vladimir Putin recalled and condemned attempts to change governments by force in Belarus, Ukraine, and Venezuela. | RELATED: | He pointed out that the international community may have different opinions about Ukraine's former President Viktor Yanukovych or Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. However, "the practice of staging coups, plans for…
(2021-04-21). Sri Lanka And China Strike A Chord At Boao Forum — Analysis. eurasiareview.com Both struck an anti-West stance, with Gotabaya Rajapaksa calling for a new world order in which national sovereignty is respected and Xi Jinping calling for an end to the Cold War mentality. : | At the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia on Tuesday, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Chinese President Xi Jinping took swipes at the West, each reflecting his country's concerns vis-à -vis the West, though no country or group was named. | While the Lankan President sought from the Western powers respect for the sovereignty of independent States, Xi urged the West to shed its Cold War mental…
(2021-04-21). U.S. Strategic Command chief calls for nuclear upgrade aimed at China and Russia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com U.S. Strategic Command chief calls for nuclear upgrade aimed at China and RussiaRick Rozoff On April 20 Admiral Charles Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee alongside his colleague General James Dickinson, commander of U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM), in both open and closed hearings. Richard described his command, …
(2021-04-21). How Adam Became A Real Progressive. realprogressives.org A long time ago, a game was released for the PlayStation console. The game had a demo released through Pizza Hut, a short taste of this spy thriller, Metal Gear Solid. You play as Solid Snake, and your mission is to sneak through a base and stop a terrorist group from launching a nuclear missile. Upon playing the full version, instead of a full action thriller (although the game has plenty of this) you are instead treated to a thematic experience of pacifism, the folly of nuclear proliferation, genetics and eugenics, government corruption, and more. For a game where you kill plenty of people, these pacifist th…
(2021-04-21). US Strategic Command Chief Calls for Nuclear Upgrade Aimed at China and Russia. news.antiwar.com On April 20 Admiral Charles Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee alongside his colleague General James Dickinson, commander of U.S. Space Command SPACECOM), in both open and closed hearings. Richard described his command, which consists of 150,000 service members from all branches of the armed forces, as …