2021-04-21: News Headlines

Staff (2021-04-21). We Need to Abolish the Police and End Militarized Occupations of Our Cities. truthout.org The police murder of George Floyd added jet fuel to a nationwide push to defund the police. We go to Minneapolis to speak with Kandace Montgomery, co-executive director of Black Visions Collective, about their response to the guilty verdict for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd and an update on the push to divest from Minneapolis police and invest in communities. | TRANSCRIPT: | This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form. | AM…

Staff (2021-04-21). Black Visions Collective: We Need to Abolish the Police & End Militarized Occupations of Our Cities. democracynow.org The police murder of George Floyd added jet fuel to a nationwide push to defund the police. We go to Minneapolis to speak with Kandace Montgomery, co-executive director of Black Visions Collective, about their response to the guilty verdict for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd and an update on the push to divest from Minneapolis police and invest in communities.

Workers World Party (2021-04-21). Following the Chauvin verdict/Stay in the streets! Abolish the police! workers.org Workers World Party expresses its solidarity with the family of George Floyd, along with the Minneapolis community and anti-racist activists everywhere, who understandably applaud the three guilty verdicts against the racist, white, killer cop, Derek Chauvin, who wantonly lynched Floyd May 25, 2020. Chauvin was found guilty today, April 20, . . . |

Workers World Party (2021-04-21). Following the Chauvin verdict: Stay in the streets! Abolish the police! workers.org Workers World Party expresses its solidarity with the family of George Floyd, along with the Minneapolis community and anti-racist activists everywhere, who understandably applaud the three guilty verdicts against the racist, white, killer cop, Derek Chauvin, who wantonly lynched Floyd May 25, 2020. Chauvin was found guilty today, April 20, . . . |

Ben Freeman, Ben Steiner — Leila Riazi (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

Staff (2021-04-21). COVID-19 daily death toll in Iran at 388. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — The number of daily deaths from the coronavirus pandemic in Iran stood at 388 with the total death toll surpassed 67,910 on Wed.

Kamal Iranidoost (2021-04-21). 20,000 people to receive COVIran Barakat vaccine next week. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — The main researcher working on producing anti-Covid-19 vaccine dubbed COVIran Barakat said Wednesday that as many as 20,000 will start receiving the Iranian-made vaccine starting from next week.

Dave Lindorff (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,

Kamal Iranidoost (2021-04-21). 34 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan: MoD statement. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) —Afghanistan Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday that 34 Taliban fighters were killed and 10 others were wounded in clashes with government forces in the past 24 hours.

ANSWER Coalition (2021-04-21). Sunday 4/25: San Francisco Caravan: Say NO to the U.S. Blockade of Cuba! indybay.org gather at 11: 30am at 1875 Marin Street, San Francisco…

Staff (2021-04-21). Venezuela's Attorney General Requests Extradition of Leopoldo López from Spain. orinocotribune.com Venezuela's Public Ministry initiated a formal request to the kingdom of Spain to return Leopoldo López to Venezuela through an extradition process. This statement was made before the 5th Execution Court of the Metropolitan Area of Caracas, which sent the file to the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, according to its accounts. | The extradition request is related to López's alleged participation in Operation Gideón, a project aimed at overthrowing the government of President Nicolás Maduro, a judicial source said. This plan was launched on May 3, 2020, but…

Staff (2021-04-21). UK Plot to Steal Venezuelan Gold Revealed. orinocotribune.com A conspiracy that took place in 2019 involving the former Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, and UK Minister of State for the Americas, Alan Duncan, with the intention of retaining the gold belonging to Venezuela held in the Bank of England (BofE), has been uncovered. | The information was disclosed by Bloomberg journalist Javier Blas, who recounted how, in a telephone conversation with Carney, Duncan presented him with legal arguments for denying that President Nicolás Maduro was the rightful president of Venezuela, and thus seizing the $2 billion worth of Venezuelan gold reserves in the Bank of Engla…

José Luis Granados Ceja (2021-04-21). Venezuela Secures Deal with UN's World Food Programme to Supply Food to 1.5 Million Children. venezuelanalysis.com The deal was welcomed by a wide array of political actors, including opposition leader Juan Guaidó and US officials.

Ahmed Abdulkareem (2021-04-21). Ramadan Brings No Relief for Yemen as Saudis Block Chairties and Turks Unleash Foreign Mercanaries. mintpressnews.com Just as it transferred mercenaries from Syria to the conflict zones in Libya and Azerbaijan, Turkey — the financial and spiritual capital of the Muslim Brotherhood — is now doing the same in Yemen's oil-rich Marib.

Shelley Ettinger (2021-04-21). San Antonio activists take on phony cop 'unions'. workers.org San Antonio — Black Lives Matter activists in San Antonio came out April 16 and 17 to demand an end to police killings of Black and Brown people, nationally and locally. The first demonstration, sponsored by the San Antonio Coalition for Police Accountability, Fix SAPD and others, was focused on . . . |

Steve Lalla (2021-04-21). In Defense of the Revolution: Cuba's Historic Victory over Imperialism at Playa Girón. dissidentvoice.org "For progressives and anti-imperialists all over the world, the mention of the Bay of Pigs—known in the Spanish-speaking world as Playa Girón—evokes joy and celebration," wrote Carmelo Ruiz. "The United States, an empire accustomed to imposing itself even in the farthest corners of the world, could not prevail and enforce its will on an island …

Stephanie Hedgecoke (2021-04-21). Cuban unions build socialism. workers.org Member, Communication Workers Local 14156 What are the differences between unions in capitalist countries and socialist countries? What is labor's role in a socialist country? I first became a supporter of socialist Cuba as a labor activist in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I learned about Cuba's unions in . . . |

Zoe PC (2021-04-21). Communist Party of Cuba concludes 8th Party Congress with new elected leadership. peoplesdispatch.org During the four day congress, delegates discussed the key challenges facing the island-nation and who will be in charge of taking the country forward.

Staff (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.

Daniela Jimenez (2021-04-21). PDVSA's Monómeros in Colombia may be Overproducing Urea for Pablo Escobar's 'Partners'. orinocotribune.com Venezuelan opposition deputy José Brito, president of the Special Committee appointed to investigate the events perpetrated by previous National Assembly board during the 2016-2020 term, determined that advanced investigations indicate that the Venezuelan company Monómeros, belonging to stated-owned Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), is used for the benefit of Colombian drug trafficking. | Monómeros, based in Colombia, and CITGO, based in the US, are among the assets seized by the United States government in collusion with former Venezuelan deputy Juan Guaidó in their failed 2019 attempt to oust the legitimate gover…

Anonymous007 (2021-04-21). Saudi Crown Prince Supported Israeli "Scheme" For Jordan Coup: Report. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman allegedly backed an Israeli "scheme" to overthrow Jordanian King Abdullah II in exchange for the guardianship of al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem. | Lebanon's Al Akhbar newspaper, quoting a Jordanian security official, said that the coup attempt against King Abdullah II was a "scheme" involving Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. | According to the unnamed official, Israel planned the…

a guest author (2021-04-21). 'No good cops in a racist system'. workers.org By Anneliese Bienko Buffalo, N.Y. Buffalo's first anti-police demonstration of the year was held April 16. The action, called by Workers World Party, drew activists from across the left to demand police abolition and stand in solidarity with Minneapolis in the wake of Daunte Wright's murder. Speakers addressed the police . . . |

Staff (2021-04-21). Iran, Pakistan agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 22 (MNA) — Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and regional coordination on Afghanistan, Palestine, multilateralism and fighting anti-Muslim bigotry.

Dave DeCamp (2021-04-22). Pompeo Joins House Republicans to Unveil Iran Sanctions Bill. news.antiwar.com Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo The legislation, titled

Editor2 (2021-04-21). Yemen's Defense Ministry: Liberation of Ma'rib Closer Than Ever. orinocotribune.com Yemen's Defense Ministry says the Yemeni armed forces and allied Popular Committees fighters are set to encircle Ma'rib from the western and southern fronts in preparation for entering the strategic city. | Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television network on Monday cited the Sana'a-based ministry as saying that the armed forces are tightening their grip on al-Balaq al-Qebali mountain range, which overlooks the Ma'rib Dam to the north and Tala al-Hamra in Sarwah district to the west of Ma'rib. | The Yemeni forces have taken control of Homma al-Hajily district and moved the battle to al-Touma al-Olia and al-Touma al-Sofla,…

Staff (2021-04-21). US welcomes Iran's role in Yemen: Envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 22 (MNA) — US Ambassador to Yemen Tim Lenderking said that his country welcomes Iran's role in ending war in Yemen.

Jason Ditz (2021-04-21). Battle for Yemen's Maarib Derailing US Peace Efforts. news.antiwar.com US efforts to try to get a ceasefire and some peace talks going in Yemen The US has been pushing for a ceasefire since March, and is keen to no longer be involved in that war. The Saudis have at least been open to a settlement, and the Houthis seemingly were too. Then fighting in Maarib escalated to the point that the Houthis seemed to have a real chanc…

Dave DeCamp (2021-04-21). Biden's Yemen Envoy Claims He Doesn't Know if the US Is Still Supporting Saudi Military Operations. news.antiwar.com Tim Lenderking was appointed by President Biden as a special envoy to find a diplomatic solution to the war in Yemen. But on Wednesday, "I'm not totally in that information loop, congressman, so I can't really speak to that," Lenderking said when asked by Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) if the US is currently supporting Saudi military operations in Yemen. "I do think that we need to ma…

Kamal Iranidoost (2021-04-21). Trade at Pishin-Mand Crossing between Iran, Pakistan resumes. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — The Pishin-Mand Border Crossing between Iran and Pakistan resumed activities during a ceremony attended by Iranian and Pakistani officials on Wednesday.

Kamal Iranidoost (2021-04-21). GOP introduces largest package of Iran sanctions in Congress. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — The Republicans in the US Congress unveiled on Wednesday what they described as the largest package of Iran sanctions in history, US media reported.

Staff (2021-04-21). Anti-Iranian maximum pressure policy total failure. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna believes Maximum pressure policy totally failed and just prompted the development of the Iranian nuclear program beyond 2015 parameters.

Kamal Iranidoost (2021-04-21). EU lawmaker highlights Iran's role in fighting ISIL in Iraq. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — A member of the European Parliament said when the ISIL terrorist group was advancing in Iraq the previous Obama administration refused to help Baghdad while Iran came to aid.

Staff (2021-04-21). Fire Fighters having a different Iftar at fire station. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 22 (MNA) — During the holy month of Ramadan, Iranian firefighters, who are on standby, break their fast at their fire station, sitting around the iftar table with their colleagues.

Staff (2021-04-21). US film fest to host 'Metamorphosis in the Slaughterhouse'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — Iranian film 'Metamorphosis in the Slaughterhouse' directed by Javad Daraei will be participating in Riverside International Film Festival.

Staff (2021-04-21). Iran register $36.5bn foreign trade with neighbors. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — In the last Iranian calendar year, the country could have $36.5-billion foreign trade with its neighbors.

Hamid Enayat (2021-04-21). Iran's Fundamentalist Regime Is A Threat To All Religions — OpEd. eurasiareview.com As descendants of Abraham, we are all brothers and sisters. That is why we should all be united against the Iranian theocracy. Just as it unleashed the coronavirus against the defenseless population inside Iran, Tehran's mullahs also want to infect the world with the virus of fundamentalism. We should build the necessary antibodies to resist it. | Jesus Christ was to heal the "broken-hearted." And God says in the Quran that Muhammad was sent to break the chains of humanity and to lift the heavy burden on them. | This emancipating spirit is the essence of the teachings of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Their differ…

Middle East Monitor (2021-04-21). Israeli Intelligence Chiefs Assess that Biden, Iran will Rejoin Nuclear Deal; Netanyahu wants to Stop it. juancole.com By Motasem A Dalloul | — After two weeks of deliberations in Vienna about reactivating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal with Iran, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell told reporters on Monday that, "There is a real goodwill on both parts to reach an agreement." He pointed out that the …

Staff (2021-04-21). Iran to receive 6th batch of Russian 'Sputnik V' vaccine. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — The 6th consignment of the Russian 'Sputnik V' vaccine will be forwarded to the Islamic Republic of Iran from Moscow which includes 100,000 doses.

Kamal Iranidoost (2021-04-21). VIDEO: Tehran to receive batch of Russian Sputnik V tomorrow. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — The sixth consignment of Russian Sputnik V vaccines will be dispatched to Iran tomorrow. This batch contains 100,000 doses of the Russian-made vaccine.

Staff (2021-04-21). VIDEO: Inhalation of first dose of Razi COV-Pars vaccine. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) — On Wednesday, two Iranian volunteers received the first doses of the Razi COV-Pars vaccine that can be inhaled.

Dave DeCamp (2021-04-21). Iran's Rouhani Says 60% to 70% of Issues Resolved in Vienna Talks. news.antiwar.com Iranian President Hasan Rouhani spoke positively of the indirect talks with the US that have been ongoing in Vienna aimed at reviving the JCPOA and "The negotiations have achieved 60 to 70 percent progress," Rouhani said on Tuesday. "If the Americans act honestly, we will reach a conclusion in little time." | Diplomats representing Iran and the remaining participants of the JCPOA — China, Russia, the UK, France, and Germany — met in Vienna on Tuesday…

Dave DeCamp (2021-04-21). US and Israel at Odds Over Iran Talks. news.antiwar.com Tensions are rising between the Israeli government and the Biden administration over talks that have been ongoing in Vienna aimed at reviving the Iran nuclear deal, The US and Israel have been holding strategic talks on Iran policy through a forum headed by each country's national security advisor. Israeli officials told Axios that during recent talks, Israeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat felt the US is not showing "sufficient consider…

Dave DeCamp (2021-04-21). Report: Israel Backing Down on Some Iran Nuclear Deal Demands. news.antiwar.com According to a report from Israeli TV, The report said Israel is now pushing for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to have more powers in Iran. Israel's Mossad chief Yossi Cohan, National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, and Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi are expected to travel to Washington next week to lob…

Ben Freeman, Brian Steiner, Leila Riazi (2021-04-21). The Saudi Lobby Moves from K Street to Main Street. thenation.com Ben Freeman, Brian Steiner, Leila Riazi The Saudi Lobby Moves from K Street to Main Street…

Editor2 (2021-04-21). SINCO: The Digital Project That Interconnects the People's Power in Venezuela. orinocotribune.com By Mauricio Montes — Apr 19, 2021 | The Communal Integration System, SINCO, is an electronic government platform developed for direct and collective communication of social organizations in Venezuela. It is the Venezuelan experience based on the creation of Cybersyn in Chile, in 1972, when Salvador Allende defined a new State and a new government for that nation based on the ideal of the Chilean revolution. | Cybersyn or SINCO project is recognized as an antecedent of today's Internet; however, the invention of the British expert in management, known as the father of cybernetics, Stafford Beer, put at the se…

Staff (2021-04-20). Miguel Díaz-Canel Elected First Secretary of Cuba's Communist Party. orinocotribune.com Havana, April 19 (Prensa Latina).- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) today elected the President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel, as first secretary of the leading political organization of the Caribbean nation. | In its first plenary meeting, the new Central Committee—elected one day earlier by the delegates to the 8th Congress of the PCC—also elected the members of the Political Bureau [Politburo] and the Party Secretariat. | Díaz-Canel will hold the position held by Army General Raúl Castro—exemplar of the historic Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro—whose l…

teleSUR (2021-04-20). Activists Reject Mining On "National Day of the Indigenous" telesurenglish.net At least 100 Indigenous people from six Brazilian states demonstrated on Monday in Brasilia against a government bill to legalize mining on their territory. This, as the latest study by the National Committee in Defense of Territories Against Mining, indicates that illegal gold mining in the Amazon has increased amid the COVID-19 pandemic. | RELATED: | The so-called Bill 191 was discarded by Congress in June 2020. Sti…

Medea Benjamin, Leonardo Flores (2021-04-20). The Dirty Campaign Underlying Ecuador's "Free and Fair" Election. counterpunch.org Ecuador's April 11 election that led to a 5-point victory by conservative banker Guillermo Lasso over progressive candidate Andrés Arauz was not what it appeared to be. On the surface, it was a surprisingly clean and professional election, as our CODEPINK official observer delegation witnessed. But a fraud-free process for casting and counting ballots does

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