(2021-05-05). US Actor Steven Seagal Presents Maduro With Samurai Sword During Visit to Venezuela. sputniknews.com American actor, producer and musician Steven Seagal, who received Russian citizenship in 2016 and was subsequently appointed as a Russian special envoy for humanitarian liaison with the US, is also a widely-renowned aikido ace.
(2021-05-05). Venezuela Begins Clinical Trials of Russian EpiVacCorona Vaccine—Russian Ambassador First to be Vaccinated. orinocotribune.com 
Venezuela officially began clinical trials of Russian vaccine EpiVacCorona, as the Russian ambassador to Caracas, Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov, became the first volunteer to receive a dose of the COVID-19 immunization drug. | The start of clinical trials was reported by the Executive Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, who noted that the vaccine simulates small fragments of the virus; this strengthens the immune system of recipients to prevent COVID-19. | "Thus begins the process of applying the vaccine candidate EpiVacCorona to combat COVID-19 in the country," said Rodríguez, "a vaccine developed by Russia that is advan…
(2021-05-05). US Visits to Middle East Fuel Speculation Over Iran Deal. news.antiwar.com Although Biden officials are downplaying the progress made by indirect negotiations with Iran aimed at reviving the nuclear deal, a wave of diplomatic activity and US visits to the Middle East is Several US officials
(2021-05-04). May Day: For a living, united and victorious homeland. en.cubadebate.cu "Congratulations workers! What has been done to survive the pandemic under a tightened blockade, and nonetheless advancing, is monumental. A hard-working, creative people like ours deserves a great tribute," tweeted Party First Secretary and President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, May 1, who attended a simple commemoration of International Workers Day at Havana's José Martí Plaza de la Revolución, with reduced participation given the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2021-05-04). Mexico's Zapatistas to Visit Spain 500 Years After Conquest. latinorebels.com ALTAMIRANO, Mexico (AP) — The Indigenous rebels of the Zapatista movement said last week that they are planning to send a delegation by canoes on a trip to "invade" Spain in May and June as Mexico marks the anniversary of the 1519-1521 Spanish Conquest.
(2021-05-04). Houthi Advances and Secret Saudi-Iranian Talks Prompt New Conciliatory Tone from Saudis. mintpressnews.com Bin Salman's half-hearted appeal for peace, which allegedly included demands that the Houthis drop their alliance with Iran and abandon support for the Palestinian cause, did little to convince Ansar Allah's leadership to ease the pressure on the Kingdom.
(2021-05-04). Recognizing Lies about Latin America: Seven Tips. dissidentvoice.org 
Headlines from two major Venezuelan newspapers (Photo Credit: Laura Wells) Even when we're being lied to by almost every available source across the media and political spectrum, we can still become better lie detectors. A focus on lies about Latin America is important because we do care about how the US treats other people, and …
(2021-05-04). Between the Lines: Congressional Report Finds US Sanctions to Blame for Venezuela Crisis. mintpressnews.com 
If the U.S. government's propaganda is correct that the current crisis is due to Maduro's mismanagement and corruption, then illegal and inhumane sanctions would not be needed to dislodge the "regime."
(2021-05-04). Government Report Documents US Responsibility for Venezuela's Humanitarian Dilemma. counterpunch.org 
In January 2019 the US and its allies ceased to recognize Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate president after then National Assembly leader Juan Guaidó, who had never run for national office, "announced he was willing to serve as interim president." Guaidó's coup attempts are euphemistically described as "high-profile but ultimately unsuccessful efforts to encourage security forces to abandon Maduro."
(2021-05-04). Squad & Co: Unite as a Block to Downsize Biden's Military Budget. globalresearch.ca A month before the vote on the federal …
(2021-05-04). JCPOA Nuclear Talks: An Exercise in Futility? globalresearch.ca Reported JCPOA nuclear talks progress in Vienna — between Iran, E3 …
(2021-05-04). Squad & Co: Unite as a block to downsize Biden's military budget. nationofchange.org This is the moment to demand a substantial cut in military spending that defunds new nuclear weapons.
(2021-05-04). Squad & Co: Unite as a Block to Downsize Biden's Military Budget. counterpunch.org 
A month before the vote on the federal budget, progressives in Congress declared, "We've studied President Biden's proposed $753 billion military budget, an increase of $13 billion from Trump's already inflated budget, and we can't, in good conscience, support this." Now that would be a show stopper, particularly if they added, "So we have decided
(2021-05-04). Squad & Co: Unite as a Block to Downsize Biden's Military Budget. dissidentvoice.org 
Photo credit: ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) Imagine this scenario: A month before the vote on the federal budget, progressives in Congress declared, "We've studied President Biden's proposed $753 billion military budget, an increase of $13 billion from Trump's already inflated budget, and we can't, in good conscience, support this." Now that would …
(2021-05-04). Squad & Co: Unite as a Block to Downsize Biden's Military Budget. zcomm.org This is the moment to demand a substantial cut in military spending that defunds new nuclear weapons…
(2021-05-04). Sixth Shipment of Sputnik V: Venezuela Already has 1.48 Million Doses. orinocotribune.com 
This Monday, May 3, the sixth shipment of Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Venezuela, unloaded from a plane of national airline Conviasa that landed at Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport, in the state of La Guaira. This sixth shipment contained 50,000 doses, and brings the total of doses in the hands of Venezuela's government to 1.48 million doses, between China's Vero Cell and the Russian Sputnik V. | In addition, the Ministry of Health announced an expansion of the Venezuelan immunization plan that began on February 18 with Sputnik V. | Venezuelan Minister of Health, Carlos Alvarado, pe…
(2021-05-04). Two Russian Military Strongholds Established In Armenia On Azerbaijani, Iranian Borders. southfront.org 
Russian peacekeepers in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Source: Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS | Two new strongholds of the 102nd Russian military base in the Syunik region, bordering on Azerbaijan and Iran, in the south of Armenia. The announcement was made by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on May 3."This is an additional security guarantee not only for the Syunik region but for Armenia," Pashinyan was quoted as saying. | "The external security system of Armenia was not changed either before the war…
(2021-05-04). Senior Diplomat Dead In Fall From High-Rise Building In Tehran. southfront.org 
Mural on the American Embassy in Iran. (Credit: Phillip Maiwald) | The Iranian police have announced an investigation into the death of a high-ranked Swiss diplomat whose body was found at the foot of a tower block in Tehran on May 4th. The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed an employee at its embassy in Iran had died in an accident. | "Specialised police units are in the process of examining" the circumstances around the death of the "51-year-old Swiss citizen employed by the Swiss embassy in Tehran", the national police said…
(2021-05-04). The Values Of Democracy: Latvian Gay Man Dies After Being Burned Alive. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 28th, a 29-year-old Latvian medical assistant died of severe burns in the small, idyllic, historical city of Tukums, Latvia. | 29-year-old Normunds Kindzulis suffered burn wounds over 85 percent of his body after he was found engulfed in flames on his front doorstep. | He was allegedly set ablaze by his neighbors for being homosexual, in the bastion of democracy and human rights that stands against the evil "Russian Empire" alongside the other Baltic states — Latvia.
(2021-05-04). Colombia an Imperial Beachhead: The War of the Colombian Oligarchy and Duque against Venezuela. libya360.wordpress.com Mison Verdad Colombian President, Iván Duque, participates in a military promotion ceremony in Bogotá (Photo: EFE) One year after it sought to invade Venezuela and capture President Nicolás Maduro with Operation Gideon, the Colombian government continues to participate in conspiracies planned in Washington to bring about regime change in Caracas. Since 2018, when the attempted…
(2021-05-04). Iran COVID-19 update: 20k infections, 344 deaths. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 04 (MNA) — According to the Iranian Health Ministry, 20,150 new COVID-19 infections have been detected across the country in the past 24 hours.
(2021-05-04). Courts Can No Longer Protect Companies Over Climate Flak. popularresistance.org United Kingdom – Last month, six people stood trial in Southwark Crown Court, charged with causing criminal damage to Shell's London headquarters on April 15, 2019. The trial received little coverage at the time: although all six pleaded not guilty, it appeared to be an open and shut case. That the building was damaged was not in doubt; nor was the identity of the perpetrators. | But then, surprisingly, all six Extinction Rebellion activists were acquitted. This verdict deserves attention as it raises big questions about how far the law can protect companies that do not take real action to deal with the climate e…
(2021-05-04). White Solidarity Activists Take Over the Block of Racist Cop Callers in Alameda, California. indybay.org No More Klan-ameda Kop Kallers!
(2021-05-04). Iran's nuclear deal is crucial for peace in Yemen. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 04 (MNA) — The US Democrat Senator Chris Murphy has said during a visit to Jordan, that Iran nuclear deal with world powers is very important for peace in Yemen.
(2021-05-04). Casualties of Riyadh-affiliated forces in Ma'rib hit 120. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 04 (MNA) — Supported by Saudi-led coalition, the forces of the resigned Yemeni government launched an operation in Ma'rib, however, they faced a heavy defeat.
(2021-05-04). Release jailed dissident on medical grounds, UN experts urge Iran. news.un.org United Nations independent human rights experts, on Tuesday, called on Iranian authorities to immediately release a political activist, said to be at risk of severe health complications and even death, if not provided with appropriate medical care.
(2021-05-04). Iran, US 'May Be Nearing' Nuclear Deal as Vienna Talks Continue Amid 'Flurry of Diplomatic Contacts'. sputniknews.com Last week, Iranian media outlets claimed Tehran and Washington had reached an agreement in principle on lifting the majority of US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
(2021-05-04). Swiss Foreign Ministry Confirms Female Diplomat's Death 'in a Fatal Accident' in Tehran. sputniknews.com Earlier on Tuesday, the semi-official Iranian news agency ILNA reported that the 52-year-old was the second-highest ranked employee at the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, living on the 18th floor of the building from which she fell to her death.
(2021-05-04). MP calls on Iranian negotiators to adhere Leader's guidelines. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 04 (MNA) — Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee called on the Iranian negotiation team to put the guidelines of the Leader on their agenda in the Vienna talks so as to achieve results.
(2021-05-04). Waiving nuclear-related sanctions in JCPOA nothing new. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 04 (MNA) — Executive Director of US Arms Control Association, Daryl G. Kimball, believes that it is not something new at this point that the Biden administration is prepared to waive the nuclear-related sanctions identified in the JCPOA.
(2021-05-04). Briefing on Iran's daily developments. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 04 (MNA) — The following are the Islamic Republic of Iran's latest developments in the last 24 hours.
(2021-05-04). Borrell urges on seizing chance to advance US return to JCPOA. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 04 (MNA) — The EU Foreign Policy Cheif stressed the need to use the current opportunity to advance towards the return of the US to the JCPOA while referring to an important discussion about Iran at the G7 summit in London.
(2021-05-04). 51-year-old Swiss embassy staff falls from a tower in Tehran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 04 (MNA) — According to the spokesman of Iran's National Emergency Medical Service Organization, a 51-year-old woman fell from a tower in the Kamranieh neighborhood, Northen Tehran.
(2021-05-04). An armed band dismantled by IRGC in E Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 04 (MNA) —According to the public relations of the IRGC's Quds base, a band of armed miscreants has been dismantled in Sistan and Baluchestan province.
(2021-05-04). US Officials in Middle East to Tamp Down Concern Over Iran Deal. news.antiwar.com With the Biden administration engaged in talks that could revive the Iran nuclear deal, US allies in the Middle East that are against the agreement are concerned. Besides Israel, Arab allies like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are also opposed to a revival of the JCPOA. | To tamp down these concerns
(2021-05-04). Saudi Delegation Meets With Syrian President in Damascus – Reports. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A delegation from Saudi Arabia visited the Syrian capital of Damascus and met with President Bashar Assad, the UK-based Arab newspaper Rai Al-Youm reported on Tuesday, citing senior diplomatic sources in Damascus.
(2021-05-04). Saudi Aramco Net Income Grew 30% in Q1 Year-on-Year. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco on Tuesday announced gaining $21.7 billion in net income in the first quarter of 2021, a 30 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
(2021-05-04). Managing Saudi-US Relations After Crown Prince's Interview — OpEd. eurasiareview.com By Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg* | It was a good move by the US to send a high-level delegation to Riyadh just a few days after Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman commented on his country's relationship with the Biden administration. The US envoys met with officials on Monday and sought to clarify the administration's "recalibration" of its policy with the region. What is needed now is to translate these new understandings into concrete measures to lead the way during the coming years. Time is of the essence, as any delay would create a vacuum that could be exploited by adversaries or lead to misunde…
(2021-05-04). Can Guantánamo Ever Be Shut Down? tomdispatch.com The Guantánamo conundrum never seems to end. Twelve years ago, I had other expectations. I envisioned a writing project that I had no doubt would be part of my future: an account of Guantánamo's last 100 days. I expected to narrate in reverse, the episodes in a book I had just published, The Least Worst Place: Guantánamo's First 100 Days, about — well, the title makes it all too obvious — the initial days at that grim offshore prison. They began on January 11, 2002, as the first hooded prisoners of the American war on terror were ushered off a plane at that American military base on the island of Cuba…
(2021-05-04). Venezuela's Office of the Prosecutor General Presents Report on Operation Gideon. orinocotribune.com On May 3, one year after the failed Operation Gideon in which mercenaries tried to enter Venezuelan territory to attack Venezuelan institutions, the Public Ministry presented a report on the actions taken by the Venezuelan state to punish terrorism and mercenary invasion attempts. | To date, the Prosecutor's Office has requested 114 arrest warrants and 33 search warrants. Likewise, the Prosecutor General, Tarek William Saab, reported through his Twitter account the apprehension in flagrante of 34 subjects involved and 51 others on arrest warrants—a total of 85 people nationwide brought before the 4th Contro…
(2021-05-04). Venezuela — Mitos monetaristas sobre los salarios. globalizacion.ca El salario mínimo legal en Venezuela cubre el 0,65% de lo que básicamente necesita el trabajador para producir y mantener su fuerza de trabajo. Tomando en cuenta el reciente incremento de Bs 7.000.000, equivale a 0,045 petros. La canasta alimentaria…
(2021-05-04). Operation Gideon: One Year After Defeated Mercenary Invasion Contracted by Guaidó & Co. orinocotribune.com On May 3, 2020, the Venezuelan authorities neutralized the mercenary invasion known as Operation Gideon. | The incursion was plotted and organized in Colombia, with mercenaries who left there in speedboats to try to enter Venezuelan territory through the beaches of the central states of La Guaira and Aragua. | The mission was to carry out attacks on military bases and strategic utility services, and to conduct selective assassinations of members of the government. | The plan was the result of a criminal contract for political purposes which involved deserting Venezuelan military personnel, US instructors, drug-tr…
(2021-05-03). Washington's Green Branches in Europe. strategic-culture.org 
The German Green Party has a chance to join a ruling coalition in September's election, after turning its back on its roots, to root for Washington. | By Diana JOHNSTONE | The core of the American empire is its domination of Europe, directly through NATO and indirectly through a web of treaties, institutions and elite organizations which develop policy consensus and select upcoming leaders in European countries. Pervasive American influence has caused drastically deteriorating relation between Western European countries and Russia. | Russia is a great nation with an important place in European history and culture…
(2021-05-03). Sunday: Venezuela Reports 1,202 New COVID-19 Cases, 17 Deaths & 91% Recovery Rate. orinocotribune.com This Sunday, May 2, Venezuela reported 1,202 new COVID-19 cases, all of them of community transmission, within the past 24 hours. In addition, the Caribbean country regretfully announced the death of 17 people. The news was presented by Minister of Health Carlos Alvarado in a special televised broadcast. Alvarado also recalled that as of this Monday, May 3, until May 10, a week of radical quarantine begins, according to the 7+7 reopening scheme implemented by the national Executive for responsible control of the pandemic. | With this report, Venezuela reached 200,067 total infections, and 2,172 deaths from the vi…
(2021-05-03). Venezuelan Trade Unions, Left Parties Blast 'Pyrrhic' May 1 Wage Increase. venezuelanalysis.com The new $2.50 monthly minimum salary represents a 1,650% interannual increase but falls short of matching yearly inflation rates of around 4,000%.
(2021-05-03). àöltimas Noticias Survey: Bolívar Continues to Dominate Payment Methods in Venezuela. orinocotribune.com 
It is quite common to hear that Venezuela has been "dollarized" and that the sovereign currency bolívar is "no longer economically worth anything." Many of the formal and informal trade prices are set in dollars, although products can be paid and purchased both in bolívars as well as in foreign currencies. The government, however, claims that in Venezuela there will never be a dollarization of the economy and that what actually exists is a set of "mechanisms of economic war and resistance that push to exchange products in other currencies and cryptocurrencies." | What is the real proportion of this phenomenon? So…
(2021-05-03). Yi Sang's Global Poetry. thenation.com 
| Through his synthetic and surrealist style, the Korean poet helped chart an alternate path of internationalism in an age of empire.
(2021-05-03). The Squad & Co: Unite as a Block to Downsize Biden's Military Budget. mintpressnews.com Now is the time for progressive congressional luminaries such as the Squad's AOC, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Presley to unite with Congressional Progressive Caucus to put their feet down and stand as a block against a bloated military budget.
(2021-05-03). The Real Story: The U.S. & Israeli War against Iran. answercoalition.org  …
(2021-05-03). Car caravans around U.S. demand end to the blockade on Cuba. answercoalition.org  …