(2021-04-02). Belgium Must Lift 'All COVID-19 Measures' within 30 Days, Brussels Court Rules. globalresearch.ca The Belgian State has been ordered to lift "all coronavirus measures" …
(2021-04-02). Rebuttal Letter to European Medicines Agency (EMA) from Doctors for COVID Ethics. globalresearch.ca Emer Cooke, Executive Director, European Medicines …
(2021-04-02). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org 2,000 Amazon workers at five German fulfilment centres in four-day pay strike; one-day general strike of Belgian private sector workers against 0.4 percent pay rise cap; 2,000 coal miners' strike in Bosnia and Herzegovina over months of unpaid and inconsistent wages; French primary school teachers to walk out over school reopenings…
(2021-04-02). Letters From Minsk: Echoes of Munich Over Wroclaw, Poland. counterpunch.org 
This is the fourth in a series about train and bicycle rides from Switzerland to Belarus, in those carefree days before pandemic lockdowns. My Wroclaw train dropped me at the main station just outside the downtown in the middle of the afternoon, when chilly winds off the central European plains were whipping around the cobblestoned
(2021-04-02). Is the Long War Finally Ending? counterpunch.org 
In October 1944, with the end of World War II in sight, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin passed a note back and forth to each other at a conference in Moscow. On the piece of paper, Churchill had assigned percentages to several Eastern European countries. Stalin amended the numbers, and Churchill agreed. The deal remained
(2021-04-02). "Defender Europe 21": The US Militarization of the Balkans. A Threat Against Russia and Serbia? globalresearch.ca Twenty two Years Ago. 24 March 2021 marks the commemoration of …
(2021-04-02). Speaking Out for Women of Color Nominees. counterpunch.org Women know that our progress is often characterized by two steps forward, one step back. For women of color, the obstacles are even greater. And so, as the Biden-Harris administration makes a groundbreaking effort to nominate more women of color to high-level positions, the backlash has been swift and vicious. Anyone watching cable news will
(2021-04-02). NATO appoints Turkey to lead drive into the Middle East and Asia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com NATO appoints Turkey to lead drive into the Middle East and AsiaRick Rozoff On the first of the year the North Atlantic Treaty Organization transferred command of the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) to Turkey. On March 30 NATO turned over its current mission in Afghanistan to Turkish Brigadier General Selàßuk Yurtsizoƒülu. …
(2021-04-02). Germany's Political Crisis and the Future of Nord Stream 2. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Written by J.Hawk exclusively for SouthFront. | In a Blinken of an Eye: | The Biden Administration entered the White House accompanied by hopes that it would return to some kind of normal in its relations with the European Union. While Biden, unlike Obama, would not score a Nobel Peace Prize solely for his existence, his victory was warmly welcomed in capitals around Europe as a sign that liberalism would vanquish populism ushering in a new era of "business as usual"
(2021-04-02). Kiev Scrambles To Justify The Incoming Storm. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The Kiev government is going to great lengths to attempt and justify its incoming attempts at escalating the situation in Eastern Ukraine and towards Crimea. | On April 1st, but not as a joke, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow is trying to put pressure on Kiev by amassing its military forces along the Russian-Ukrainian border.In a Facebook post, Zelensky noted he would highlight two points in the issue of war and peace. "First of all, it's about Donbas. Indeed, escala…
(2021-04-02). Problems Plague Turkey's Proxy Coalition In Syria. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | Several problems continue to plague the so-called Syrian National Army (SNA), Turkey's main proxy coalition in Syria. | The SNA was formed in 2017 by a number of Turkish-backed factions. Today, the coalition rules Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeastern Syria. The coalition is also present in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib. | On April 1, the Suleyman Shah Division, one of the largest SNA factions, announced its defection from the coalition's 1st Brigade. The group…
(2021-04-02). Beirut explosion: Germany to propose port reconstruction with 'strings attached'. middleeasteye.net 
Beirut explosion: Germany to propose port reconstruction with 'strings attached' | Multi-billion-dollar proposal aimed at enticing Lebanese politicians to form a government capable of warding off financial collapse | Fri, 04/02/2021 – 10: 31 | Eight months after the port disaster, many Lebanese who lost family, homes or businesses are still awaiting the results of an investigation into the…
(2021-04-02). US and Iran Agree to Indirect Talks to Revive Nuclear Deal. news.antiwar.com Negotiations on how to bring the US back into compliance with the Iran nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, will begin in Vienna next week. While US and Iranian officials will attend the talks, The decision to meet in Vienna was decided on Friday during virtual talks between Iran and officials representing the remaining JCPOA participants; Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany. | The EU
(2021-04-02). Nord Stream 2 Operator Warns Warships and Planes Threaten the Russia-Germany Pipeline Project. news.antiwar.com A senior official from Nord Stream 2 AG, the project company leading the Nord Stream 2 Russia to Germany natural gas pipeline project, "Higher activity of naval vessels, airplanes and helicopters and civilian vessels of foreign states is observed in the work area after restarted construction of the offshore segment of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, whose actions are often clearly provocative," said Nord Stream…
(2021-04-02). WHO: Europe's vaccination plan is 'unacceptably slow'. peoplesworld.org 
LONDON (AP) — European nations' immunization campaigns against COVID-19 are "unacceptably slow" and risk prolonging the pandemic, a senior World Health Organization official said Thursday. Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO's regional director for Europe, said vaccines "present our best way out of this pandemic," but noted that to date, only 10% of Europe's population has received …
(2021-04-02). "Global Britain": Flying Flags, Banging War Drums and Going Down the Nuclear Plughole. counterpunch.org Many Britons are in despair about the direction their country has taken under the fraud Boris Johnson. But there are not yet enough of them to make any difference. The United Kingdom is in a dire condition, socially and economically, and as with other countries has a major crisis on its hands in having to
(2021-04-01). Macron rejects calls for strict lockdown as COVID-19 surges in France. wsws.org In a prime-time speech, President Emmanuel Macron rejected medical authorities' urgent pleas for a strict lockdown to keep hospitals from being totally swamped.
(2021-04-01). France Imposes Partial Lockdown To Halt COVID-19 Resurgence. telesurenglish.net To slow down the coronavirus spread, schools in France will be closed for three weeks and restriction on people's movement will be extended to the whole territory, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday evening. | RELATED: | Starting from Monday, students, except the children of medics, will move to remote learning for one week before going on a two-week holiday. Thereafter, the country's nurseries and primary schools will…
(2021-04-01). Six Megaprojects Are Poised to Turn Poland Into a Regional Economic Powerhouse. globalresearch.ca Poland is poised to become a regional economic powerhouse upon the …
(2021-04-01). Amazon workers in Germany strike for binding collective agreements. peoplesdispatch.org Workers of six Amazon warehouses in Germany went on a 4 day strike demanding an increase in wages and to recognize binding collective agreements for the retail sector…
(2021-04-01). Biden's Commitment to powering 20 mn Homes with Offshore Wind is a US Energy Revolution. juancole.com 
By Erin Baker and Matthew Lackner | — The United States' offshore wind industry is tiny, with just seven wind turbines operating off Rhode Island and Virginia. The few attempts to build large-scale wind farms like Europe's have run into long delays, but that may be about to change. The Biden administration announced on March …
(2021-04-01). The US lost the Afghanistan War and is finally Leaving, but can Biden win the Peace? juancole.com ( Foreign Policy in Focus) — In October 1944, with the end of World War II in sight, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin passed a note back and forth to each other at a conference in Moscow. On the piece of paper, Churchill had assigned percentages to several Eastern European countries. Stalin amended the numbers, …
(2021-04-01). Syria Calls US and EU Blockade Economic Terrorism. telesurenglish.net On Thursday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry rejected the United States and the European Union's unilateral coercive measures, described as collective punishment and economic terrorism. | RELATED: | Through letters sent to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, and the President of the Security Council, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said that the imposition of sanctions has remained intact…
(2021-04-01). Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Borisov: Cuba Is a "Key Partner" telesurenglish.net On Thursday, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said that Cuba is a "key partner" in Latin America as representatives from both countries meet in Havana for the Russian-Cuban intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation. | RELATED: | "Cuba is our key partner and reliable ally in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean. We appreciate the strategic nature of Russian-Cuban…
(2021-04-01). Haitians March On Canadian Embassy. popularresistance.org People everywhere around the world love and respect Canadians, or so we're told. So how do you explain what's going on in Haiti? | On Sunday protesters in Port-au-Prince marched on the Canadian Embassy. "Madame Boukman — Justice 4 Haiti" posted a video to Twitter showing police in front of Canada's diplomatic representation in Haiti. Madame Boukman quoted two men waving a Russian flag saying, "Long live Russia. Canada go home." (In an indirect criticism of US/Canadian backing for dictator Jovenel MoàØse, Russia's Foreign Affairs Minister recently said they were concerned about "political instability"
(2021-04-01). Video: A Spring Promise of War Dawns in Eastern Ukraine. globalresearch.ca After months of preliminary talks, attempts at provocation and political preparations …
(2021-04-01). Selected Articles: "Defender-Europe": US Army Arrives. globalresearch.ca 
By Not everything in Europe is paralyzed by the anti-Covid lockdown: in fact, the mammoth annual exercise of the US Army, Defender-Europe, which until June mobilized on European territory, …
(2021-04-01). Even Terrorists Don't Want AstraZeneca Vaccine. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On March 30th, al-Shabaab terrorists issued a statement rejecting the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for Somalia. | They cited its 'ineffective and adverse' side effects. | A statement released by the group warned Somalis against administering the AstraZeneca vaccine saying it is "deadly and unsafe." | The statement linked the recent move by dozens of countries including European nations like Germany, Italy and France to reject the vaccine becau…
(2021-04-01). France Hands Over Anti-Tank Guided Missiles To Lebanese Army (Photos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image. Source: lebarmy.gov.lb | On March 31, France handed over a shipment of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and other military equipment to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). | The equipment was handed over in a ceremony attended by the deputy chief of staff for equipment Brig. Gen. Ziad Nasr representing LAF Commander-in-Chief Gen. Joseph Aoun, the French Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Grillo and the French military attaché, Col. Fabrice Chapelle. | Depuis 2017, la a cédé à titre gracieux po…
(2021-04-01). Hunting ISIS: Syrian Government Forces Kick Off Operation In Deir Ezzor With Russian Support (Video). southfront.org 
ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Sputnik/Mikhail Alaeddin | On April 1, Syrian government forces kicked off a large-scale combing operation in the southern and western Deir Ezzor countryside. | According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the National Defense Forces and the Palestinian al-Quds Brigade are leading the operation which is backed by the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). | Government forces are combing the outskirts of the town of al-Mayadin, from the area of al-Banja all the way to the area of Fayda…
(2021-04-01). Behold The Chinese Type 100-Class "God Of Submarines" southfront.org 
Source: navalnews.com | Chinese submarine, identified as the Type-100 Class is reportedly contesting Russian Navy's mighty Pr.941 Typhoon Class submarine as the largest ever built. | This was The new submarine is reportedly armed with 48 Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs). It can also carry massive nuclear-powered nuclear-armed autonomo…
(2021-04-01). U.S. State Department Lists Ukraine's Plentiful Human Rights Abuses In 2020. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On March 31st, the US Department of State released its annual Country Reports on Human Rights. | It renewed its report on US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken presented the 45th annual report. | It turns out…
(2021-04-01). France must investigate its potential war crime in Mali, activists demand. middleeasteye.net 
France must investigate its potential war crime in Mali, activists demand | French defence ministry has disputed UN's findings that it bombed a wedding party in January | Thu, 04/01/2021 – 17: 33 | According to Minusma, the UN mission in Mali, a French air strike killed 19 civilians in the Malian village of Bounti on 3 January, 2021 (AFP) | Human rights activists are demanding France open an investigation into…
(2021-04-01). Turkey exporters re-routing products to avoid Saudi boycott, say traders. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey exporters re-routing products to avoid Saudi boycott, say traders | Turkish officials have told MEE that Riyadh declared an unofficial blockade on Turkish goods in response to 'hostility' from Ankara | Thu, 04/01/2021 – 14: 42 | The Cosco Shipping Danube, a container ship of the China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), sails in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea, in Istanbul (Reuters) | Tur…
(2021-04-01). The "Defender-Europe". US Army Arrives. globalresearch.ca Not everything in Europe is paralyzed by the anti-Covid lockdown: in …
(2021-04-01). US Affirms 'Unwavering Support' for Ukraine Amid Russia Tensions. news.antiwar.com Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart on Thursday and expressed Washington's "unwavering" support for Kyiv amid tensions with Russia. According to a readout of the call, Austin "reaffirmed unwavering US support for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations." He also condemned what he called "Russian aggression." Secretary of State Antony …
(2021-04-01). WHO criticizes Europe for 'unacceptably slow' rollout of Covid-19 vaccines and 'prolonging the pandemic'. rt.com 
The World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled Europe's rollout of Covid-19 vaccines as "unacceptably slow," warning delays are "prolonging the pandemic" and described a surge in new infections in the region as "worrying." | The WHO statement from its top leadership in Europe on Thursday came after most countries reported increased coronavirus cases and deaths over the past seven days. Last week, Europe recorded 1.6 million new Covid-19 infections and close to 24,000 deaths. It is the world's second-worst affected region with nearly 1 million deaths and 45 million infections since the pandemic began. | "Vacci…
(2021-04-01). Optimistic health minister says France may reach Covid peak in '7 to 10 days,' as PM warns third wave is 'hitting us hard'. rt.com 
France's health minister has registered his optimism that the country will reach the peak of the epidemic within 10 days and that things will look a lot better in May, but the PM's assessment remains grim. | Speaking on Thursday to France Inter radio, Minister of Health Olivier Véran said he was confident that the measures announced by President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday would have "a strong impact on the epidemic dynamic," adding that there was no reason to think anything to the contrary. | It takes between seven and ten days for measures to be effective… we could have reached the epidemic peak i…
(2021-04-01). Russian diplomats reveal 'acute shortage' of essentials in North Korea caused by Covid-19 restrictions, embassies almost empty. rt.com 
Diplomats serving in North Korea are enduring a shortage of goods and a lack of medicine, as restrictions to battle the Covid-19 pandemic have caused the already-secretive country to isolate itself even more than before. | Writing on Facebook, the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang revealed that 38 foreign nationals have recently left their diplomatic missions in the country, with representatives from the likes of the UK, Brazil, and Germany also flying home. | "The exodus of foreigners will continue," an embassy statement read. "There are now hardly any foreigners left — fewer than 290 in all. One can understa…
(2021-04-01). German care association calls for urgent Covid-19 lockdown as country risks running out of ICU beds. rt.com 
The German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DIVI) has called on the government to urgently implement a two-week Covid-19 lockdown, as the country's health systems risk hitting capacity. | Speaking to the Rheinische Post, the scientific head of the DIVI, Christian Karagiannidis, warned that if the current rate of admission to intensive care units continues, Germany "will reach the regular capacity limit in less than four weeks." | We are not overexaggerating. Our warnings are driven by the figures. | Alongside the DIVI's demand for at least a two-week lockdown, Karagianni…
(2021-04-01). US telecoms giant Verizon signs first private 5G deal in Europe, will provide service to UK port. rt.com 
Verizon has announced the deployment of a 5G mobile network in the Port of Southampton, under its first private contract in Europe — a move that has been hailed as a "fantastic milestone" by the UK's leading port operator. | One of the largest in the UK, Southampton Port is one of 21 under the jurisdiction of Associated British Ports (ABP). It processes some £40 billion in exports every year — and now it's set to become the first mainland British port to operate with a private 5G network. Verizon says it will provide the port with "a secure, low-latency private network connection." | ABP descr…
(2021-04-01). EU 'Foreign Minister' Borrell claims Russia chose 'aggression' instead of diplomacy when it 'humiliated' him during Moscow visit. rt.com 
The expulsion of some European diplomats during a formal EU visit to Russia was an aggressive act and contrary to the principles of diplomacy. That's according to Josep Borrell, the bloc's High Representative for Foreign Affairs. | The Spanish eurocrat took a now-infamous visit to Moscow in February, his first to the country in three years. During the trip, he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as representatives of some civil society groups. | However, while Borrell was in the country, Moscow decided to expel diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden after it was determined they particip…
(2021-04-01). Russia to make Northern Sea Route cheaper than Suez Canal as country seeks to benefit from Ever Given blockage & climate change. rt.com 
The Russian government is making plans to turn the Northern Sea Route into an alternative to the Suez Canal, with the country's deputy prime minister revealing that state subsidies could be used to reduce transportation costs. | The 3,500-mile shipping route stretches almost the entire length of Russia, and, in recent years, has become a commercially viable path for vessels to take, as the Arctic's melting icecaps open up spaces for large ships to pass through. It is also significantly faster for transit from East Asia to Europe than the traditional route through the Suez Canal. | In 2017, for the first time e…
(2021-04-01). Her Majesty's useful idiot? Integrity Initiative-linked Scots Nats MP demands London spy agencies probe Russian 'disinformation'. rt.com 
The British Parliament's most enthusiastic Russia-basher wants UK intelligence services to formally instruct MPs on alleged "foreign propaganda." His odd biography for an SNP representative and deep state links make it notable. | Stewart McDonald's interest in Russia is quite remarkable. Until 2018, he showed little or no interest in the country at all, but then, following an opaquely funded and organized jolly to Ukraine, he suddenly transformed into an ardent opponent of Moscow. He also became a passionate supporter of the British establishment position on foreign policy. Perhaps it was the chicken Kiev that…
(2021-04-01). We aren't refusing new talks with NATO, Russian FM Lavrov insists, 'but we don't just want to sit there and hear about Ukraine'. rt.com 
Moscow has rejected claims that it is unwilling to participate in talks with NATO, arguing instead that it would be eager to hold a summit, but only if it sticks to topics that are actually within the US-led military bloc's remit.
(2021-04-01). Warships & submarines entering zone of Nord Stream 2 pipeline in 'planned & prepared provocations' to obstruct work, says operator. rt.com 
With the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline nearing completion and US sanctions against contractors failing to stop its construction, its operator has reported an increased "provocative" activity of warships in the area. | According to Moscow news agency TASS, Nord Stream 2 AG's branch director, Andrey Minin, claimed that the last three months have seen a growth in military presence in the area. | "After the resumption of Nord Stream 2 offshore construction in January 2021, there has been an increase in activity of military ships, planes, and helicopters, as well as civilian ships of foreign countries, w…
(2021-04-01). Controversial Russian mercenary group linked to 'grave human rights abuses' in Central African Republic, new UN probe claims. rt.com 
A UN team has alleged that a controversial private military contractor, brought in by the embattled government of the Central African Republic, is behind a series of troubling and violent attacks in the civil-war-wracked nation. | The working group tasked with assessing the situation in the Central African Republic announced on Tuesday that its members were "deeply disturbed" by a purported link between the mercenaries from the Russian 'Wagner Group' of paramilitaries and potential "grave human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law." | The company's contractors have been operating alon…
(2021-04-01). Spanish stargazers discover a new hidden structure in the Milky Way, with clues to the building blocks of our DNA. rt.com 
Spanish astronomers say they have completed the most accurate picture yet of the Milky Way and have discovered a huge new hidden structure made up of massive blue stars spanning 10,000 light-years. | Astronomers had already known that the Milky Way consists of great spiral arms of stars, but the scientists from Spain's Centro de Astrobiología (CAB) put together the most detailed map yet of the Orion arm, where our solar system is, along with those of Perseus at the outer edge of the Milky Way, and Sagittarius, located towards the center of our galaxy. | They were able to detect the previously unknown re…
(2021-04-01). EU Agrees to Mediate with Biden on Cuba Terrorism Designation. telesurenglish.net According to the Cuban lawmaker Machado on Twitter, "Cuba does not sponsor or encourage terrorism. We nurture peace, solidarity, and collaboration among peoples." | RELATED: | The statement was made after the favorable response given on Wednesday by Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, to mediate with the U.S. gover…
(2021-04-01). Urgent Open Letter from Doctors and Scientists to the European Medicines Agency regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Concerns. globalresearch.ca Emer Cooke, Executive Director, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands…