(2021-04-13). Headlines for April 13, 2021. democracynow.org Brooklyn Center Police Chief Claims Officer Mistook Gun for Taser in Killing of Daunte Wright, Prosecution Rests Case in Murder Trial of Minneapolis Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin, U.S. to Pause Use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Amid Reports of Rare Blood Clots, WHO Warns of Exponential Rise in COVID-19 Cases, COVID-19 Cases Surge in the Philippines as Duterte Appears in Public for First Time in Two Weeks, European Union Officials Consider Use of Russian COVID-19 Vaccine, Biden Admin Strikes Deals with Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala to Further Militarize Borders, As Volcano Erupts, Only Vaccinated Residents of St.
(2021-04-13). Right-Wing Attacks on Germany's Press. counterpunch.org 
In recent months attacks on press freedom have been on the rise throughout Germany. There has also been a sharp increase in violence against journalists. Assaults on the media in general have intensified massively in recent years, months and even weeks. This is especially true since the rise of the right-wing AfD and its street
(2021-04-13). Two Ukrainian, One LPR Soldiers Reportedly Killed in Donbass (Map Update). southfront.org 
Illustrative Image. Servicemen attend the funeral of a serviceman in Lviv | Since the beginning of this week, the situation in the Donbass region has significantly worsened. | According to the DPR National Militia, the Ukrainian forces committed 8 fire provocations, while the Ukrainian command claimed that DLPR forces violated ceasefire 17 times. | On April 13, the both sides of the military conflict in Eastern Ukraine reported deaths of their soldiers. | In it's daily update on the si…
(2021-04-13). Two Ukrainian, One LNR Soldiers Reportedly Killed in Donbass (Map Update). southfront.org Illustrative Image. Servicemen attend the funeral of a serviceman in Lviv | Since the beginning of this week, the situation in the Donbass region has significantly worsened. | According to the DPR National Militia, the Ukrainian forces committed 8 fire provocations, while the Ukrainian command claimed that DLPR forces violated ceasefire 17 times. | On April 13, the both sides of the military conflict in Eastern Ukraine reported deaths of their soldiers. | In it's daily update on the si…
(2021-04-13). Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu Responded To NATO Accusations. southfront.org 
Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspects the Hmeymim airbase in Syria, June 2016. Vadim Savitsky/TASS | Amid the on-going military escalation in Ukraine, there are more claims and demands from all sides involved in the conflict. While the Kiev's "Team" constantly accuses Russia in deploying its troops near the Ukrainian border, Moscow continues its large-scale exercises all over the country's territory. On April 13, Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu spoke out in response to all the threats and accusati…
(2021-04-13). Crimean MPs Call On The West To Explain Military Presence Along Russia's Borders. southfront.org 
Illustrative image. Click to see full-size image | On April 12th, Russian member of parliament from the Crimean region Mikhail Sheremet asked the collective West to explain its military presence at the borders of Russia. | He also said that the movements of Russian forces within Russia's borders are an entirely internal matter. | Earlier, the Foreign Ministers of the G7 countries and the High Representative of the EU said that the Russian military is active along the borders with Ukraine and in Crimea and called on…
(2021-04-13). Military Situation In Syria On April 13, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 12th, the Russian Reconciliation Center recorded 23 breaches of the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib, of which in the Idlib province — 10 attacks, in the Latakia province — 9 attacks, in the province of Aleppo — 2 attacks, in the province of Hama — 2 attacks. | On April 12, a car bomb exploded near a camp belonging to Turkish-backed forces south of Afrin | On April 12, a car bomb exploded south of the town Raas al-Ain. No casualties were…
(2021-04-13). Biden To Meet "Killer" Putin On Neutral Ground. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | During a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, US President Joe Biden invited his Russian counterpart to meet in the coming months in a "third country" to discuss the full range of issues in relations between the two states."They discussed a number of regional and global issues, including the intent of the United States and Russia to pursue a strategic stability dialogue on a range of arms control and emerging security issues, building on the extension of the New START Treaty. Pr…
(2021-04-13). Take Your Chance To Shape History! Join Our Ranks! southfront.org 
| | | (2021-04-13). If Armenians Want Revenge, Azerbaijan Will Destroy Them: President Ilham Aliyev. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 13th, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev gave a speech at the "New vision for South Caucasus: Post-conflict development and cooperation" international conference held at ADA University. | The speech could be viewed and listened to on Azerbaijan is ready to sign a peace agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh, but "does not see" readiness for similar steps in the st…
(2021-04-13). Saudi Arabia: Salvator Mundi 'endangered' on MBS superyacht, says report. middleeasteye.net 
Saudi Arabia: Salvator Mundi 'endangered' on MBS superyacht, says report | World's most expensive painting at risk of damage on crown prince's boat, as France-Saudi fallout over Da Vinci work continues | Tue, 04/13/2021 – 13: 19 | A visitor takes a picture of the Salvator Mundi at Christie's New York auction house in November 2017 (AFP/File photo) | The world's most expensive painting has been endange…
(2021-04-13). Lebanon: Half of families could struggle to afford iftar meal. middleeasteye.net 
Lebanon: Half of families could struggle to afford iftar meal | A new study has revealed an astronomical increase in price of basic Ramadan meals in Lebanon | Tue, 04/13/2021 – 16: 10 | A man checks a traditional Ramadan lantern at the start of the Muslim holy fasting month, in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon (AFP) | As the holy month of Ramadan begins, many families in Lebanon could struggle t…
(2021-04-13). Brexit problems, paramilitary gangs contribute to violence in Northern Ireland. peoplesworld.org 
BELFAST, Northern Ireland—The smell of petrol, burning rubber, and the dull thuds of brick against police riot shield walls have marred the streets across five cities and towns in Northern Ireland for over a week. Union loyalists and Irish Republicans have clashed with police, and the rioting has often involved children as young as 12, …
(2021-04-13). The Role Of Portuguese In The Decline Of Muslims In Maritime Trade — Analysis. eurasiareview.com 
European ruthlessness coupled with the Muslims' inability to keep pace with technology caused their downfall: | Muslims of Ceylon and peninsular India, who are ethnologically similar, were in the vanguard of maritime trade in South and South East Asia from the 3 rd., century BC till the emergence of the Portuguese and other European powers in the 16 th. Century. These Tamil-speaking Muslims of part Arab ancestry were trading peacefully in the region for centuries. But they were eventually outmaneuvered by European traders who were ruthless, armed, and technologically better equipped than the Muslims.
(2021-04-13). Khamenei's Misuse Of COVID-19 To Consolidate His Rule — opEd. eurasiareview.com 
While the Covid-19 epidemic still plagues the world and most countries have devoted almost all their energy, effort, and resources to fight the virus by vaccinating or quarantining all or parts of their country and population, Iran's situation is quite different. Most countries have even abandoned political considerations to obtain the vaccine from wherever possible and give priority to the welfare of their people. | For example, Germany and Austria, while members of the European Union, are independently negotiating the purchase of the Russian vaccine, and Italy has signed a contract to produce the Russian vac…
(2021-04-13). The Return of Northern Ireland as the Most Dangerous Open Wound in British Political Life. counterpunch.org 
On the night of 15 August 1969, a Protestant mob burst into the Catholic part of west Belfast and burned down houses in and around Bombay Street, forcing the Catholic population to flee. The pogrom had a traumatic impact on Catholics in Northern Ireland, delegitimising the authorities for tolerating or assisting the mob, and playing a key role in the creation of the Provisional IRA.
(2021-04-13). The Return of Northern Ireland as the Most Dangerous Open Wound in British Political Life. counterpunch.org 
On the night of 15 August 1969, a Protestant mob burst into the Catholic part of west Belfast and burned down houses in and around Bombay Street, forcing the Catholic population to flee. The pogrom had a traumatic impact on Catholics in Northern Ireland, delegitimising the authorities for tolerating or assisting the mob, and playing a key role in the creation of the Provisional IRA.
(2021-04-13). Sweden Axes Gates's Mad Global Warming Scheme. globalresearch.ca For more than a decade Bill Gates has funneled millions of …
(2021-04-13). Economic Impacts of Russia's Declining Population. globalresearch.ca Despite various official efforts, including regular payment of maternal capital to …
(2021-04-13). Western Media Eager to See Ukraine Use US-Supplied Weapons Against Russia. news.antiwar.com With tensions simmering in eastern Ukraine, US media outlets are happy to push the narrative that Russia is the aggressor and is preparing to invade its neighbor. These reports ignore the fact that the Donetsk and Lugansk republics in the eastern Donbas region declared independence from Ukraine back in 2014 in response to a US-backed coup. | Since 2014, the US has provided Ukraine with about $2 billion in military equipment and supported its fight against the Donetsk and Lugansk separatists. Supporting a war on Russia's border is an incredible provocation, but these facts are lost on the Western press, and som…
(2021-04-13). Taliban Won't Attend Turkey Conference If Held This Week. news.antiwar.com Weeks of expectation of the high-profile Istanbul conference had all suggested one of a handful of starting dates, all this week. With no decisions made, the Taliban spokesmen said they'd already told Turkey they couldn't attend, even if the conference started on Friday, but that they are open to attending if it happens at a later date. | The conf…
(2021-04-13). Data Leak Exposes Early COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacturing Hiccups. jamanetwork.com After a cyberattack late last year against the European Medicines Agency (EMA), anonymous emails dispatched a trove of classified documents to academics and journalists.
(2021-04-13). UK cancer patients more likely to die following COVID-19 than European patients. imperial.ac.uk Cancer patients from the UK were 1.5 times more likely to die following a diagnosis with COVID-19 than cancer patients from European countries.
(2021-04-13). Azerbaijan: We have created a new reality by shedding blood. Everyone should reckon with us today. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com The Turkish-directed onslaught by the armed forces of Azerbaijan (population of 10 million) against minuscule Nagorno-Karabakh (145,000) was one of the most atrocious acts of military aggression in modern times. It was also a NATO proxy war in the former Soviet Union/Russia. Baku: Multinational Turkic Council applauds Azerbaijani-Turkish war against Nagorno-Karabakh NATO appoints Turkey to …
(2021-04-13). Xinjiang port sees 1,500 trips by China-Europe freight trains this year. ecns.cn Alataw Pass, a major land port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has seen 1,500 China-Europe freight trains pass through this year, achieving the number 42 days earlier than in 2020, the customs authority said.
(2021-04-13). Tensions over the Arctic Are on the Rise. globalresearch.ca Much has been written recently on Russian military activities in its …
(2021-04-13). Facing the Facts of War with Russia. globalresearch.ca Conflict with Russia may be inevitable. Kiev's strident threats to resolve …
(2021-04-13). Russia deploys two armies, three airborne units to counter threat from 40,000 NATO troops on its border. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Russia deploys two armies, three airborne units to counter threat from 40,000 NATO troops on its borderRick Rozoff Major Russian officials today have warned of military threats posed by the U.S.-led thirty-nation North Atlantic Treaty Organization to its western border: its entire western border. And its northern one as well. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu …
(2021-04-13). Russia celebrates 60th anniversary of Gagarin space mission. ecns.cn Spectators watch a projection of Yuri Gagarin's portrait to mark the 60th anniversary of the first human space flight St Petersburg, Russia, April 12, 2021.
(2021-04-13). U.S. developing biological weapons near China, Russia borders, says Putin's adviser. ecns.cn Russian President Vladimir Putin's chief security adviser Nikolai Patrushev has accused the United States of experimenting with biological weapons in regions near the borders of China and Russia, according to Newsweek.
(2021-04-13). US Officials to Meet With NATO on Afghan Deployment. news.antiwar.com Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will participate in meetings with NATO officials in Brussels this week. Expectations are that they will talk up the usual buildups against Russia and other long-term interests. | Another focus though is Afghanistan, The Biden Administration has downplayed the idea of meeting the May…
(2021-04-12). Venezuelan National Assembly Consolidates Relations with Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva. orinocotribune.com 
On Sunday, April 11, a delegation of deputies from the National Assembly (AN) of Venezuela held a working meeting with the president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Duarte Pacheco and the secretary general, Martín Chungong, in Geneva, Switzerland, in order to strengthen relations at the parliamentary level. | The president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, informed about the meeting through his Twitter account, and added that the AN has made an official invitation to the IPU to visit Venezuela, so that "it learns the truth about Venezuela beyond mainstream media manipulation and cunning attacks."
(2021-04-12). Supply Of Russian Armed Forces In 2020-2021 (Part I). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Originally published at Western Military District: | In April 2020, a
(2021-04-12). Russian Warships Go To The Black Sea, As US Cargo Planes Fly To Kiev. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 11, locals shared online photos and videos of the warships of the Russian Caspian Flotilla in Rostov-on-Don region, near the town of Alexandrovka. According to the press service of the Southern Military District, more than 10 Russian assault landing vessels and gun-boats go from the Caspian to the Black Sea to participate in joint military exercises."According to the plan for passing the control check, the crews of the boats, in cooperation with the forces of the Black Sea Fl…
(2021-04-12). Russian Warships Go To The Black Sea, As US Cargo Plains Fly To Kiev. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On April 11, locals shared online photos and videos of the warships of the Russian Caspian Flotilla in Rostov-on-Don region, near the town of Alexandrovka. According to the press service of the Southern Military District, more than 10 Russian assault landing vessels and gun-boats go from the Caspian to the Black Sea to participate in joint military exercises."According to the plan for passing the control check, the crews of the boats, in cooperation with the forces of the Black Sea Fl…
(2021-04-12). Haiti: Bishops Condemn Kidnappings Of Catholic Priests, Nuns. eurasiareview.com 
Seven Catholic priests and nuns were kidnapped in Haiti on Sunday, and are being held for ransom. | The five priests and two nuns were abducted at Croix-des-Bouquets, a suburb of Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince. According to local news, they were taken while on the way to attend the installation of a parish priest. | According to Haitian media, the "400 Mawozo" gang admitted culpability for the kidnapping, and is demanding $1 million in ransom. | Two of the kidnapped, one priest and one nun, are citizens of France. | Church leaders in Haiti have condemned the kidnappings, and called for action to be taken ag…
(2021-04-12). Northern Dimension Forum Seeks To Boost Connectivity. eurasiareview.com 
On April 8, St Petersburg hosted the 12th Northern Dimension Forum. This forum, established in 2007, is a major annual corporate business event for cooperative policy and brings business directors and potential investors from Russia and the European Union including the Baltics, and Scandinavia. | The forum was organized by the Northern Dimension Business Council in cooperation with the Association of European Businesses, the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg State University and the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management. | This forum was devoted to the theme: "Connectivity now. Boosting flows of pe…
(2021-04-12). Brain Disease Transmitted By Tick Bites May Be Treatable. eurasiareview.com 
Tick-borne encephalitis is a disease just as nasty as it sounds. Once bitten by an infected tick, some people develop flu-like symptoms that resolve quietly but leave behind rampant neurological disease–brain swelling, memory loss, and cognitive decline. Cases are on the rise in Central Europe and Russia with some 10,000 incidents reported each year. Vaccines can provide protection, but only for a limited time. There is no cure. | Now a new study describes antibodies capable of neutralizing the virus transmitted by tick bites. These so-called broadly neutralizing antibodies have shown promise in preventing TB…
(2021-04-12). 'May there be peace': WATCH Yuri Gagarin's iconic speech on 1st anniversary of his space flight, now IN COLOR. rt.com 
On the 60th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's landmark trip around Earth, RT publishes unique footage of his speech from the first anniversary of this flight — renewed and colored using modern neural-network technologies. | "I am grateful to those who invested their hearts, souls, skills, and hard work to fulfill this great mission," Gagarin said in a speech that was first broadcast by Soviet television back in 1962, exactly one year after he became the first human ever to fly in space. | The first Soviet cosmonaut expressed his admiration for the Soviet scientists and engineers who made his flight possib…
(2021-04-12). Ireland's vaccine advisory body recommends halting use of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine in under-60s over blood clot risk. rt.com 
The Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca should only be given to people aged 60 and over, Ireland's vaccine advisory body has said, as the country becomes the latest to slap an age limit on the jab amid blood clot fears. | The Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical company's Vaxzevria vaccine is not recommended for the under-60s, including those with high-risk medical conditions or at risk of the virus, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) said on Monday. | Anyone who developed unusual blood clots with low platelets after their first dose of the jab should not be given a second, although people aged…
(2021-04-12). Solidarity Campaign in Europe to Send Medical Supplies to Cuba. telesurenglish.net Solidarity organizations and Cuban residents in European countries are engaged in a campaign to send a container to Cuba with various medical supplies, including immunization boosters against Covid-19, said Reynaldo Romero today, the project coordinator. | RELATED: | At the moment, Cuba solidarity associations in Belgium such as CubaBel and the Netherlands Cuba in my Soul are involved, as well as the Belgians Cubanismo, Los Amigos de Cuba, and the Coordinad…
(2021-04-12). India Approves Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine. telesurenglish.net India overtook Brazil to become the country with the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases worldwide after the United States, as it battles a second wave and only has given around 105 million doses to a population of 1.4 billion. | The RDIF, responsible for marketing Sputnik abroad, said the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) formally approved Sputnik V's use in the country. | RELATED: | A post on the Sputnik…
(2021-04-12). Housing activists in UK protest resumption of evictions. peoplesdispatch.org On April 10, the group Momentum, and housing rights activists took part in protests against the resumption of evictions in the United Kingdom. They condemned the rising number of evictions after the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions…
(2021-04-12). Prince Philip: An embittered defender of hereditary privilege. wsws.org His life was shaped by reaction against revolutionary tumult. The most consequential episode shaping Philip and his world view was the 1917 Russian Revolution, which overthrew Tsarism and established the world's first workers' state under the Bolsheviks. Europe's monarchies and the bourgeois order on which they rested trembled in response, fearing a similar fate. Philip never forgot this fear, or the reason for it.
(2021-04-12). In "third wave," coronavirus cases surging in France. wsws.org While the Macron government in France has implemented extremely limited and belated lockdown measures, a catastrophe is unfolding across the country and Europe.
(2021-04-12). Iran-EU Talks on Hold, After EU Slaps Fresh Sanctions on Iran. telesurenglish.net The spokesman for the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that Iran is considering counter-sanctions to the European Union in response to new bans imposed on several Iranian individuals and entities while suspending all talks with the bloc in various fields. | RELATED: | Saeed Khatibzadeh made the remarks on Monday after the European Union announced it had imposed sanctions ranging from trav…
(2021-04-12). EC Calls for Investigation Into Attack on Iran's Nuclear Plant. telesurenglish.net The European Commission (EC) called for clarification on who is behind the power outage that affected the uranium enrichment plant at Natanz in Iran. | RELATED: | "There has been no official attribution and there are several accusations that we are aware of, but it has to be clarified what happened and who is behind it," European External Action Service (EAS) spokesman Peter Stano said, adding that the incident co…
(2021-04-12). EU Sanctions Iranian Officials Amid Vienna Talks. news.antiwar.com While the European Union is trying to play the honest broker between the US and Iran to revive the nuclear deal, the bloc The EU sanctioned eight Iranian military and police officials. The measures mark the first time since 2013 that the EU slapped sanctions on Iran over alleged human rights abuses. The timing could damage the delicate indirect talks that are ongoing between the US and Ir…
(2021-04-12). Global Citizens' Assembly Planned To Address Climate Crisis. popularresistance.org London – People around the world will have a chance to deliberate about responses to climate change under plans to convene a "Global Citizens' Assembly" to inform U.N. talks in Glasgow next year, organisers said on Thursday. | The project aims to build on similar initiatives in countries such as Ireland, France and Canada, where citizens' assemblies have given politicians space to act by generating ambitious proposals on divisive issues. | "Young people are not just frustrated by rising temperatures and declining ecosystems. We're also frustrated by the constant recycling of outdated political solutions," said Su…
(2021-04-12). France Not To Use AstraZeneca for Second Dose for Patients. telesurenglish.net France's National Authority for Health (HAS) said that people under 55 who had received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine should complete their inoculation with a second jab of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine such as the one developed by Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. | RELATED: | It also recommended that the AstraZeneca vaccine should be administered only to people aged 55 years and over, following reports that blood clots affe…