(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). HRW Attacks Venezuela Again: Lies and Interference in Apure Case. orinocotribune.com 
The
(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). 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). 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). 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). Tax reform plans to be revised over massive protests. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 01 (MNA) — At least 209 police officers have been injured and 185 activists detained during the two-day protests against a tax reform proposal in Colombia, the country's police said.
(2021-05-01). Animal Liberation Conference in September. indybay.org The Animal Liberation Conference brings together the most dedicated animal rights activists from around the world and empowers them to take bold, collective action to achieve revolutionary social and political change for animals.
(2021-05-01). Serious films about serious things—This Is My Desire (Nigeria), Radiograph of a Family (Iran), Poppy Field (Romania). wsws.org There were some well-made and thoughtful films screened at the recent San Francisco film festival, which give one some hope.
(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). 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). 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). Saudi envoy's official UK residence targeted by arsonists. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 01 (MNA) — The Saudi Ambassador's official London residence was targeted by arsonists today who set fire to the front of the multi-million-pound building before police arrested two men after a struggle.
(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). 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). Venezuela Places Six Citgo Petrol Executives Under House Arrest. sputniknews.com The news comes as Biden administration officials have reportedly met to review their policy toward Venezuela.
(2021-04-30). Labor and culture unite for virtual May Day concert at HotHouse. peoplesworld.org 
CHICAGO—Celebrate International Workers Day with a HotHouse special online cultural program featuring Jon Langford & Sally Timms, Marvin Tate, and Bill MacKay, plus shout-outs from activists in the labor movement. Jon Langford and Sally Timms have been performing together in and around U.K. Punk Rock band the Mekons since the early 1980s. This acoustic duo …
(2021-04-30). Ten PDVSA Officials Arrested for Diversion of Diesel and Gasoline in Maracaibo. orinocotribune.com 
In the past few hours ten officials, including carriers and managers, of Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA were arrested for diversion of diesel and premium gasoline at the Bajo Grande refinery and distribution plant, located in the city of Maracaibo (Zulia state). This was communicated to the country on Thursday, April 29, in the weekly press conference by the Attorney General of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab. | "The investigation was initiated by virtue of a complaint lodged by the manager of Comprehensive Security of Operations and the International Trade and Supply Market. It was determined that there…
(2021-04-30). Iranian-Affiliated Commander Killed In Drone Strike Near Syrian-Iraqi Border: Monitoring Group. southfront.org 
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson | An Iranian-affiliated commander was killed as a result of a drone strike on the eastern Syrian governorate of Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on April 29. | The strike targeted a house and military vehicle in the town of al-Sayyal, which is located around 20 km to the north of the al-Bukamal border crossing with Iraq."The attack resulted in the death of a commander of a non-Syrian nationality and the injury of five militiamen,…
(2021-04-30). Iranian Foreign Minister Says Tehran Supports Yemen Ceasefire Negotiations. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 28th, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that he supported ceasefire negotiations in Yemen. | He said that in a meeting with Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam in Oman.During the talks, Zarif "once again stressed our country's view regarding the political solution being the only solution to the crisis of Yemen", the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. | The Minister "emphasised our country's support for a ceasefire and Yemeni-Yemeni talks", it added. | In his m…
(2021-04-30). Iranian Foreign Minister Says Tehran Supports Yemen Ceasefire Negotiations. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On April 28th, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that he supported ceasefire negotiations in Yemen. | He said that in a meeting with Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam in Oman.During the talks, Zarif "once again stressed our country's view regarding the political solution being the only solution to the crisis of Yemen", the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement. | The foreign minister "emphasised our country's support for a ceasefire and Yemeni-Yemeni talks", it added.
(2021-04-30). Central Syria: Russian Airstrikes Killed More Than 50 Terrorists In Past Month. southfront.org 
File image. | More than 50 terrorists of ISIS had been killed in central Syria over the past month as a result of airstrikes carried out by the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on April 30. | According to the London-based monitoring group, Russian warplanes carried out at least 1,260 airstrikes on ISIS cells in central Syria."SOHR activists documented the death of 59 ISIS members and the injury of 38 others due to over 1,260 Russian airs…
(2021-04-30). Why Does Washington Keep Punishing Cuba? counterpunch.org 
According to the geopolitical analysis site STRATFOR, sanctions are "a coercive tool to compel a targeted entity to adjust its behaviour" and can be effected in a number of ways and, indeed, applied for very different reasons. An intriguing aspect of sanctions' imposition is that some of these reasons are not intended primarily to alter the target's behaviour
(2021-04-30). US Senators Introduce Bill to Continue Theft of Venezuelan Resources. orinocotribune.com The US government is formulating another mechanism to continue stealing Venezuelan resources abroad. | This week, two US senators, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, who are associated with lobbies of the Venezuelan extreme right in the United States, introduced a bill at the US Senate, called Preserving Accountability for National Assets Act of 2021 (PANA Act). As Ted Cruz explained in an article on his webpage, "this bill would take assets seized from individuals connected to the Chávez and Maduro regimes that are convicted of corruption and place them in a 'Venezuela Restoration Fund' to be used by the State Department…
(2021-04-30). Anti-Chavista Capriles Enrages Social Media By Offering Condolences for Aristóbulo Isturiz's Death. orinocotribune.com Venezuelan opposition politician Henrique Capriles was attacked on social media networks, awakening the hatred of his opponents after he expressed words of condolence on Twitter following the physical departure of the revolutionary leader Aristóbulo Istúriz. | The spokesman of the ultra-right, who for years has stood rigidly against Commander Hugo Chávez, and now against President Nicolás Maduro, is remembered by many Venezuelans for the invitation he made to his followers to "unload all their anger" after not recognizing his defeat by Maduro in the 2013 presidential elections. | Now, that "anger" has turned agai…
(2021-04-30). IG Report Finds Trump Aid to Venezuela Was Aimed at Toppling Maduro. commondreams.org A new report from USAID's inspector general shows Trump-era U.S. aid to Venzuela was at least partially motivated by a desire for regime change. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2021-04-30). Entry of passengers from eastern borders halted due to COVID. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 30 (MNA) — Spokesman for the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) said that entry of Pakistani and Afghan passengers and also other nationals from eastern borders into the country was completely prohibited.
(2021-04-30). Iran to start public COVID-19 vaccination as of June 'Likely'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 30 (MNA) — A member of the National Coronavirus Combat and Prevention Headquarters revealed that the country will kick off the mass vaccination of people against COVID-19 as of June.
(2021-04-30). Headlines for April 30, 2021. democracynow.org India COVID Cases Continue to Soar as Arundhati Roy Decries "Crime Against Humanity", Deaths Soar in Latin America; Brazil COVID Death Toll Tops 400,000, 44 Ultra-Orthordox Jews Die in Stampede at Religious Site, Abbas Postpones Palestinian Elections, USAID Watchdog Criticizes Trump's Politicization of Aid to Venezuela, Thousands Flee into Thailand as Burmese Junta Launches Airstrikes Near Border, Florida Approves Sweeping Voter Suppression Bill, West Virginia, Florida & Texas Bills Target Trans Youth, Biden Vows to Close Private Detention Centers in Response to Georgia Protesters, Right-Wing Extremists Face New…
(2021-04-30). Cuba Offers Its COVID-19 Vaccines to Eurasian Countries. telesurenglish.net Cuba's Prime Minister Manuel Marrero announced that his nation is willing to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). | RELATED: | "Given the incidence of COVID-19 in our countries, the high prices of vaccines, and estimates that it would take 21 years to immunize the world population, we reiterate our willingness to support the EEU states in the fight against this pandemic with our vaccines,"
(2021-04-30). Did Jeremy Scahill's Analysis Fumble the Ball in Its Indictment of Joe Biden as an "Empire Politician"? covertactionmagazine.com The Intercept series on Biden is marred by omissions and even State Department disinformation. Known for his exposés of Blackwater and the U.S. dirty wars in the Middle East, The Intercept reporter Jeremy Scahill's latest blockbuster is a series on Joe Biden's history as an "empire politician." The series is impressive and informative, however, it …
(2021-04-30). Did Jeremy Scahill's Analysis Fumble the Ball in Its Indictment of Joe Biden as an "Empire Politician"? covertactionmagazine.com The Intercept series on Biden is marred by omissions and even State Department disinformation. Known for his exposés of Blackwater and the U.S. dirty wars in the Middle East, The Intercept reporter Jeremy Scahill's latest blockbuster is a series on Joe Biden's history as an "empire politician." The series is impressive and informative, however, it …
(2021-04-30). Reporting from Around the World, Reese Erlich Was a Beacon of Independent Journalism. indybay.org He challenged "the basic assumptions of empire"
(2021-04-30). Why Delivery Workers Across The Planet Are Rising Up. popularresistance.org On February 22, 2019, at 6 pm, a car crashed into Servio Hernández's motorcycle. Hernández, a Venezuelan migrant in Chile, was hit while he was in the middle of making a delivery for PedidosYa, a branch of the German multinational company Delivery Hero. When Hernández arrived at the hospital, the first thing he did was ask the medical staff to let his supervisor know about the accident. "There is nothing we can do for him," the supervisor told the doctor. The supervisor turned off his phone and blocked Hernández from being able to access the PedidosYa app. | Servio Hernández is one of the millions of workers arou…
(2021-04-30). Undocumented Immigrants and Allies Risk Arrest, Deportation to Protest Biden's First 100 Days Without Sufficient Action on Immigration. latinorebels.com Immigrant rights activists —including undocumented immigrants risking deportation— are protesting President Biden's 100 days in office and what they call "the Democratic Party's broken promises to the immigrant community" with a direct action in Washington, D.C., on Friday.
(2021-04-30). José Gregorio The 'Doctor of the Poor' Beatified in Caracas. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Catholic Church beatified on Friday Jose Gregorio Hernandez, a scientist who was popularly known as the "Doctor of the Poor" due to his humanitarian work during his lifetime between 1864 and 1919. | RELATED: | At least 150 people attended the ceremony as a large portrait of José Gregorio Hernández was unveiled on one side of the altar inside San Juan Bautista temple. The Catholic authorities thanked Pop…
(2021-04-30). The 'Doctor of the Poor' To Be Beatified Today in Venezuela. telesurenglish.net Venezuela will hold the beatification ceremony of Jose Gregorio Hernandez, a scientist who was popularly known as the "Doctor of the Poor" due to his humanitarian work during his lifetime between 1864 and 1919. | RELATED: | "Hernandez's beatification is a special blessing from God for Venezuela. It Invites us to be more supportive with each other, so we can revive and reborn after the pandemic," Pope Francis told t…
(2021-04-30). Apure: Transition to a Conventional War? orinocotribune.com By Anahi Arizmendi — Apr 28, 2021 | The situation in the state of Apure is part of a strategy to measure the operational capacity of the FANB, to destabilize the central states of the country, and advance in the preparation of the military forces of the United States and Colombia for a regular war against Venezuela, as analyzed by Congressman General Gerardo Márquez, member of the National Directorate of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and Fernando Rivero, lawyer and Master in Philosophy of War. | Alert along the border | Since the attempted incursion of Colombian irregular groups in March of this ye…
(2021-04-30). Ecosocialist bookshelf: Activist fuel. greenleft.org.au Ian Angus introduces seven new books for activists.
(2021-04-30). The dirty campaign underlying Ecuador's 'free and fair' election. greenleft.org.au 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, write Medea Benjamin and Leonardo Flores.
(2021-04-30). As Biden Makes Progress on the Domestic Front, He Barely Gets a Passing Grade on Foreign Policy. commondreams.org "On the foreign policy front, many progressives are surprised and disappointed at how little has changed." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2021-04-30). West Papua: Crackdown feared following Indonesian intelligence chief's death. greenleft.org.au West Papua solidarity activists fear an escalation of violence in West Papua, reports Susan Price.
(2021-04-30). Malaysia: Lynas' plan for permanent radioactive waste dump rejected. greenleft.org.au Environmental activists and local residents have been waging a long-running campaign against a toxic rare-earths refinery in Malaysia run by Lynas Rare Earths, an Australian corporation, reports Peter Boyle.
(2021-04-30). Animal Liberation Conference in September. indybay.org The Animal Liberation Conference brings together the most dedicated animal rights activists from around the world and empowers them to take bold, collective action to achieve revolutionary social and political change for animals.
(2021-04-30). Mumia Abu-Jamal Supporters March in Oakland. indybay.org Remembering that the Black Panther Party started off with police-watching patrols, activists marched and rallied in Oakland on April 24 with their call, "Free Mumia!" Earlier in the week, a group of UN human rights experts expressed serious concerns over his treatment and wellbeing and called on authorities to urgently address the situation.