(2021-04-18). How to Make a Gulf Monarchy All-American. tomdispatch.com 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 senators from oil-producing states turned their ire directly on Saudi Arabia. Forget that civil war in Yemen — what about fossil-fuel profits here at home? To address their concerns, Ambassador Bandar Al-Saud agreed to speak with a group of them in a March 18th conference call [mda…
(2021-04-18). Third Pfizer Jab 'Likely' Needed Within 12 Months. eurasiareview.com The head of Pfizer has said that people will "likely" need a third dose of his company's Covid-19 shot within six to 12 months of vaccination, while defending the relatively higher cost of the jab, Al Jazeera CEO Albert Bourla also said annual vaccinations against the coronavirus may well be required. | "We need to see what would be the sequence, and for how often we need to do that, that remains to be seen," Bourla told broadcaster CNBC in an interview aired on Thursday, April 15.
(2021-04-18). The Catholic Reconquista in Spain outlawed Islam in 1502, but Secret Muslims kept their culture — and Cuisine — Going. juancole.com 
By Aleks Pluskowski, Guillermo García-Contreras Ruiz, and Marcos García García | — Granada, in southern Spain's Andalusia region, was the final remnant of Islamic Iberia known as al-Andalus — a territory that once stretched across most of Spain and Portugal. In 1492, the city fell to the Catholic conquest. In the aftermath, native Andalusians, who …
(2021-04-18). Ken Burns' and Lynn Novick's "Hemingway" counterpunch.org 
Why a Hemingway Doc Now? War and peace, fascism, anti-fascism, communism and anti-communism loomed large in the life and work of Ernest Hemingway. An ambulance driver in World War I who was badly wounded, he covered WWII as a journalist and reported on the defeat of Hitler and his henchmen. Also, he went to Spain
(2021-04-18). Syria Kurds hand over 34 orphans of Islamic State families to Russia. middleeasteye.net 
Syria Kurds hand over 34 orphans of Islamic State families to Russia | The children to be repatriated, aged between three and 14, were handed over to a delegation headed by the Russian president's envoy for children's rights | Sun, 04/18/2021 – 17: 31 | A soldier from the Syrian Democratic Forces stands guard at the al-Hol camp, a Kurdish-run displacement camp for relatives of IS jihadists…
(2021-04-18). Military Situation In Donetsk People's Republic On April 18, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The UAF shelled the 6/7 mine near Gorlovka with 120-mm artillery | The UAF shelled the village of Zheleznaya Balka with 82-mm artillery | The UAF shelled the Trudovskaya mine with 82-mm artillery | The UAF's 58th brigade shelled DPR positions on the outskirts of Donetsk city | UAF forces from Vodiane shelled the village of Leninskoe and Sakhanka with grenade launchers | An OSCE patrol noted the absence of 30 T-72 battle tanks and 4 M120-15 Hammer mortars from a…
(2021-04-18). Leaked Documents Revealed 11,000 Syrian Mercenaries Are Still Roaming In Libya. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | More than 11,000 Turkish-backed Syrian militants are still present in Libya despite the recent political settlement in the country, according to leaked official documents released by the Sky News Arabia on April 17. | According to the documents, a total of 11,609 Syrian militants are now in Libya. The number is double that provided by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). | So far, Turkey has withdrawn only 1,226 out of 12,835 militants of the so-called Syrian National Army from Libya.
(2021-04-18). Balance Of Power In The Black Sea: Will The Montreux Convention Prevail? southfront.org 
Illustrative image | Written by Brian Kalman exclusively for SouthFront. | The current deterioration of any hopes of a lasting "ceasefire" in the eastern Ukraine, have brought not only the long smoldering conflict back into the forefront of global media attention, but have also presented an opportunity for several geopolitical rivals to take advantage of the situation for their own perceived benefit. Russia responded rapidly to immediate signals from the Kiev government that it fully intended to explore yet ano…
(2021-04-18). Russian Warplanes Rain Hell On ISIS Terrorists In Central Syria. southfront.org 
FILE PHOTO: Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft before departing for its permanent base in Russia from Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. © Vadim Grishankin / Sputnik | On April 18, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) carried out a series of airstrikes on ISIS cells in the central region of Syria. | According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 70 airstrikes hit the central region. The airstrikes targeted the following areas: | The eastern countryside of Hama; | The outskirts of the town of Re…
(2021-04-18). The US-Russia Sanctions War: Symbolic, Substantive, or Strategic? globalresearch.ca The recently intensified "sanctions war" between the US and Russia has …
(2021-04-18). Biden to reverse Trump's White Supremacist, Sadistic near-ban on Refugees, but US still Lags, Sweden, Germany other OECD Countries. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — About one quarter of one percent (0.25 percent) of the US population consists of refugees — some 838,000. This minuscule number was too much for the white supremacist Trump administration, which drastically cut back refugee admissions from an average of 70,000 to 80,000 per year earlier in this century to …
(2021-04-18). The CIA Used To Infiltrate The Media. popularresistance.org Back in the good old days, when things were more innocent and simple, the psychopathic Central Intelligence Agency had to covertly infiltrate the news media to manipulate the information Americans were consuming about their nation and the world. Nowadays, there is no meaningful separation between the news media and the CIA at all. | Journalist Glenn Greenwald just highlighted an interesting point about the reporting by The New York Times on the so-called "Bountygate" story the outlet broke in June of last year about the Russian government trying to pay Taliban-linked fighters to attack US soldiers in Afghanistan.
(2021-04-18). 2021 Elections In Albania: Citizens Against The Mafia — OpEd. eurasiareview.com On April 25, 2021, the tenth parliamentary elections since the democratic changes will take place in Albania. | Once again the elections will be a confrontation between two leading coalitions. One is gathered around the Socialist Party (PS/S&D) and Prime Minister Edi Rama and the other is the opposition group led by the Democratic Party (PD/EPP) headed by Lulzim Basha, which includes the Movement for Socialist Integration (LSI) headed by Monika Kryemadhi. Some minor political parties will also participate in the elections. | The Westminster Foundation for Democracy believes that the party structure of the Soci…
(2021-04-18). Azerbaijan: President Ilham Aliyev Attends International Conference Held At ADA University — OpEd. eurasiareview.com On April 10 – 13, 2021, the ADA University hosted an international conference entitled: "New Vision for South Caucasus: Post-Conflict Development and Cooperation". In this historic event the President of Azerbaijan H. E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev has participated and delivered a keynote speech to the international audience that consisted of university leaders, international diplomats, experts in global affairs and renowned journalists. The Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) provided a media coverage to this international conference that has made significant contributions in understanding the current geopolitics of…
(2021-04-18). US President Joe Biden's Shameful Push for War with China and Russia. dissidentvoice.org One of the most delightful things about Americans is that they have absolutely no historical memory. — Zhou Enlai In the autumn of 1862, the governments of France and Great Britain proposed to Russia, in a formal but not in an official way, the joint recognition by European powers of the independence of the Confederate …
(2021-04-18). The End Of Made In China? — Analysis. eurasiareview.com By Mangesh Sawant | Democracies believed that China's political moderation would follow its economic liberalization. But contrary to political leaders and CEO expectations, China joined the liberal order for its own gains, seeking to displace the business advantages of democratic nations. The Made in China 2025 plan is being implemented through transfer of technology, IPR theft, and buying up strategic assets and hi-tech companies in Europe and beyond. | Since 1979, foreign companies have opened production lines on China's coastline. This led to unprecedented Chinese economic growth, but the growth seems to be…
(2021-04-18). Syrian Refugees In Germany Want Citizenship And Political Representation — Analysis. eurasiareview.com Even though Syrian refugees have been integrated relatively faster in Germany, social integration continues to be a challenge in the labour market.: | By Anchal Vohra* | Tareq Alaows, a Syrian who studied law and international affairs in Damascus, ended up as a refugee in Germany. Along with hundreds of thousands of others, Alaows protested against the Syrian government and called for an end to political repression, better education, and economic opportunities. But along with 5.5 million compatriots, he had to flee his home country. | Like the million-plus Syrian refugees in Europe, Alaows had hoped fo…
(2021-04-18). Berliners protest striking down of rent cap law by constitutional court. peoplesdispatch.org Housing rights groups and activists took to the streets after Germany's constitutional court struck down a law passed by the Berlin State government freezing rents at June 2019 levels for five years…
(2021-04-18). China sanctions Icelandic individual over Xinjiang. ecns.cn The Chinese embassy in Iceland on Friday announced sanctions against an Icelandic individual for spreading lies and disinformation on so-called human rights issues in China's Xinjiang without naming the person.
(2021-04-18). Confronting Russia in the High North: Pentagon acquires four new air, naval bases in Norway. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Confronting Russia in the High North: Pentagon acquires four new air, naval bases in NorwayRick Rozoff The U.S. and Norway have signed an updated military cooperation agreement that permits the American military to construct new facilities at three Norwegian airfields and a naval base. In the words of the Stars and Stripes report that related …
(2021-04-18). Confronting Russia in the High North: Pentagon Acquires Four New Air, Naval Bases in Norway. news.antiwar.com The U.S. and Norway have signed an updated military cooperation agreement that permits the American military to construct new facilities at three Norwegian airfields and a naval base. In the words of the Stars and Stripes report that related the development, the move "comes amid continuing concerns of Russian military activities along NATO's borders, including …
(2021-04-18). Syria condemns U.S. and NATO military drive to Russia's border as threat to world peace. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Syrian Arab News AgencyApril 18, 2021 Syria condemns Washington and NATO step of dispatching troops towards Russian border as serious threat to international peace and securityEdited by RR Syria demands U.S. compensate it for seven years of war and plundering A decade later: U.S., Turkey renew, intensify war in Syria Damascus — Syria has condemned the U.S.'s …
(2021-04-18). Bolton Says he's 'Proud' to be Barred from Entering Russia. orinocotribune.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton on Friday said he was "proud" to be barred from entering Russia after Moscow's decision to include him on a list of individuals who will be denied entry to the country. | "I have been named on a list of individuals barred from Russia in retaliation for sanctions," Bolton
(2021-04-18). Sunday Times: Britain To Deploy Two Warships to the Black Sea in Show of Force to Russia. news.antiwar.com The Sunday Times cites a Royal Navy source stating two British warships will enter the Black Sea next month as the newspaper put it, "tensions continue to rise between Ukrainian and Russian forces." As always with the Western press it is not indicated where and in what manner there have been tensions between Ukrainian and …
(2021-04-18). Escalate to Deescalate… Then Biden Takes Escalator Sideways. strategic-culture.org Washington must surely know that its escalations will be met with equal force from Russia and China, Finian Cunningham writes. | President Joe Biden wasn't expecting Russia's rapid slap back. He assumed, wrongly, that he could hit Moscow with a new round of sanctions (based on slanderous claims) and look as if he were chewing gum and acting the hard man. | Then slap. Russian responded immediately and firmly. Ten U.S. diplomats are to be expelled in a reciprocal response to Biden's executive order last week to expel Russian diplomats. | Laughably, the Biden administration was aghast at the Russian sanctions. A Sta…
(2021-04-18). Iran, Russia, Syria set up operational room to help Damascus. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — An operation room has been set up between Iran, Russia and Syria to provide lasting security for Iranian and Russian ships in the Mediterranean to deliver oil and food to Syria.
(2021-04-18). Syria condemns US, NATO dispatching troops to Russian border. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — Syria condemned the US and NATO step of dispatching more military forces towards Russian borders which would pose a threat to international peace and security.
(2021-04-18). 'JCPOA talks not easy but underway'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna said the JCPAO talks in Vienna are not easy but they are going on.
(2021-04-18). Iran's Parl. speaker emphasizes deepening ties with Serbia. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — In his meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakoviƒá in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasized the need for expanding cooperation between Iran and Serbia in various fields.
(2021-04-18). Ken Burns' and Lynn Novick's "Hemingway" counterpunch.org Why a Hemingway Doc Now? War and peace, fascism, anti-fascism, communism and anti-communism loomed large in the life and work of Ernest Hemingway. An ambulance driver in World War I who was badly wounded, he covered WWII as a journalist and reported on the defeat of Hitler and his henchmen. Also, he went to Spain
(2021-04-18). 90 years of the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic. peoplesdispatch.org Groups including the Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain (PCPE), Communist Youth of Peoples of Spain (JCPE), Red Roja, Communist Initiative and Workers Front (FO) participated in the mobilization on Wednesday.
(2021-04-18). US Treasury says no major trading partner manipulates currency. ecns.cn The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday said that no major trading partner of the United States meets the criteria as a currency manipulator, but Vietnam, Switzerland and China's Taiwan will be under enhanced monitoring for their currency practices.
(2021-04-17). A School for Spooks: The London University Department Churning Out NATO Spies. orinocotribune.com 
By Alan Macleod — Apr 16, 2021 | Alan Macleod uncovers the deep links between the British security state and the Department of War Studies at King's College London, responsible for training a large number of British, American, and European agents and defense analysts. | London — Last week, MintPress
(2021-04-17). Ireland: Study of COVID-19 Deaths. globalresearch.ca Objectives | The goal of this study is not to impress academics …
(2021-04-17). PM Sánchez Reaffirms Government Support For Spanish COVID-19 Vaccine. eurasiareview.com Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the installation of the pharmaceutical company HIPRA in Amer (Girona), where he saw first-hand the progress in the research for the vaccine against COVID-19 being performed by this Spanish multinational – one of the most advanced in its development in the country, which plans to hold clinical trials in June and produce 400 million doses in 2022. | Sánchez described the visit as "inspirational" and underlined that the government will continue to offer its full support in the hope of obtaining a Spanish vaccine against the virus. | Research and innovation, Sánchez arg…
(2021-04-17). US escalates in Ukraine battleground. thegrayzone.com With encouragement from his patrons in Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is escalating against Russia and provoking a harsh response Red Lines host Anya Parampil speaks with Moscow-based international affairs analyst Mark Sleboda about recent developments in Ukraine. Sleboda provides an in-depth explanation of the history leading to up to the current situation and analyses domestic factors in Ukraine that are pushing the country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to pursue a more bellicose posture towards Russia.
(2021-04-17). NATO nations train, arm Ukrainian military for war with Russia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com NATO nations train, arm Ukrainian military for war with RussiaRick Rozoff As the Ukrainian government and pro-government press is busily and dutifully terrorizing the domestic populace, and equally attempting to stampede the Western public into a "humanitarian intervention" moral panic, with headlines like Over 103,000 Russian troops currently stationed near border with Ukraine and Russia …
(2021-04-17). NATO Nations Train, Arm Ukrainian Military for War With Russia. news.antiwar.com As the Ukrainian government and pro-government press is busily and dutifully terrorizing the domestic populace, and equally attempting to stampede the Western public into a "humanitarian intervention" moral panic, with headlines like Over 103,000 Russian troops currently stationed near border with Ukraine and Russia deploys attack aircraft in occupied Crimea, it is also reporting on …
(2021-04-17). The Heat: U.S.-Asia issues. america.cgtn.com 
Talks on climate change take center stage, as China's President Xi Jinping pledges greater cooperation with France and Germany to tackle the effects of global warming. The leaders of China, Germany and France held a virtual meeting Friday with a commitment to work together on …
(2021-04-17). U.S. maneuvers threaten war with Russia. workers.org 
On April 9, the Turkish officials announced to Russian counterparts that Washington, as it must by treaty, had informed them that in the following week the U.S. would send two warships to the Black Sea, which also borders Russia and Ukraine. This is part of the extended framework of tension . . . |
(2021-04-17). Dozens dead as migrants' boat capsizes off Tunisia coast. middleeasteye.net 
Dozens dead as migrants' boat capsizes off Tunisia coast | UN calls for expanded state-led search and rescue operations as number of migrants leaving Tunisia for Europe triples | Sat, 04/17/2021 – 10: 09 | The bodies of migrants are recovered at a Tunisian port after a shipwreck in December 2020 (AFP) | At least 41 people, including a child, drowned when a boat capsized off the Tunisian co…
(2021-04-17). Things can only get better: F1 boss says Russian rookie Mazepin 'is trying too hard' after latest disasterclass. rt.com 
Russian Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin, 22, must "reduce" his accidents according to the boss of his Haas F1 team, Gunther Steiner, after the novice driver spun out TWICE during Friday's first practice at Imola. | Steiner's comments come after Mazepin spun out early in the FP1 session on Friday and later crashed into a barrier near the pit lane towards the end of the session, placing the young driver very much in the focus once again after he also crashed out early during his debut Formula 1 race in Bahrain in late March. | His erratic early showings led to some fans branding Mazepin as a "danger to himself a…
(2021-04-17). 'Amazing feeling': Russia's Andrey Rublev rolls into maiden Masters 1000 final in Monte Carlo. rt.com 
Andrey Rublev continued his strong start to the season as the rising Russian star swept past Norway's Casper Ruud in straight sets in Monte Carlo to book a first Masters 1000 final against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece. | Fresh from his sensational upset victory against 11-time champion Rafael Nadal on Friday, Rublev dug deep to overcome Norwegian surprise package Ruud, 6-3 7-5, at the Monte-Carlo Country Club after recovering from a break down in each set. | For Rublev it was a 24th victory this season, meaning the 23-year-old Russian has racked up a better record than any other player on the ATP tour thus far…
(2021-04-17). Oh, the irony: David Beckham's Inter Miami in hot water for breaking so-called 'Beckham Rule' with transfer of French star Matuidi. rt.com 
David Beckham's MSL franchise Inter Miami have found themselves in hot water amid reports that the club violated the so-called 'Beckham Rule' when the club signed 84-times capped France international Blaise Matuidi. | 2018 World Cup winner Matuidi traded Turin for Miami last August when he ended a three-season stint with Italian champions Juventus to become the latest big name import to Major League Soccer – but MLS chiefs announced Friday that the club are set to face sanctions after they were found to have broken the league's budget rules when they inked a deal with the experienced midfielder. | Also on rt.c…
(2021-04-17). Teen sensation Shcherbakova shines again as Russia wins first figure skating World Team Trophy ahead of USA & Japan (VIDEO). rt.com 
Teenage star Anna Shcherbakova guided her team home by winning the women's free skate as Russia claimed a first-ever figure skating World Team Trophy, comfortably seeing off the USA and hosts Japan. | Heading into the final day of competition in perfect position to take home the title, Russian world champions Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov added to their team's points haul by winning the pair's free skate in Osaka on Saturday. | It was then over to Shcherbakova and fellow star Elizaveta Tuktamysheva to complete the job as they finished first and third respectively in the women's free skate. | That p…
(2021-04-17). Tehran pushes back after Ukraine's security chief accuses Iran of intentionally shooting down passenger plane. rt.com 
Iran has warned Kiev against making unsubstantiated claims about the downing of a Ukrainian airliner last year, after its security chief suggested Tehran had attacked the plane on purpose. | Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a statement that it was regrettable that Ukrainian officials continue to make "vague political remarks" about the tragic incident. | Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down in January 2020 by an Iranian air defense unit shortly after departing from Tehran, killing all 176 passengers and crew on board. Iran's Civil Aviation Organization concluded last mont…
(2021-04-17). Russia's FSB security agency detains Ukrainian consul in St Petersburg, claims he was trying to collect 'secret data' from local. rt.com 
Russia's Federal Security Service has detained an official from the Ukrainian consulate in Saint Petersburg. The high-ranking diplomat was nabbed during a meeting with a Russian citizen who allegedly provided him with secret data. | The diplomat, identified as Alexander Sosonyuk, was arrested in Russia's second city on Friday, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Friday. The diplomat was detained while having "a meeting with a Russian citizen, during which he received secret information from law enforcement and FSB databases," the agency said in a statement. | "Such activity is incompatible with the stat…
(2021-04-17). Irish president sparks bitter Twitter war after lowering flag in honour of British Prince Philip. rt.com 
Ireland's president has lowered the country's flag to half mast to mark the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip, a move that angered Irish nationalists who were quick to remind about 800 years of British rule on the island. | As Philip was laid to rest in Windsor on Saturday, Irish President Michael D. Higgins ordered the Irish tricolour lowered to half-mast above his residence at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin's Phoenix Park. | The tricolour flying at half mast at àÅras an Uachtaráin today, to mark the death of Britain's Prince Philip.
(2021-04-17). West cited 'fake news' to justify bombing Syria, MEP tells RT after confronting 'compromised' OPCW chief over Douma report. rt.com 
MEP Mick Wallace has made no apologies for grilling OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias during a parliamentary session, telling RT that Arias seemed to be using the organization to back the West's interventionist agenda in Syria. | Arias addressed the European Parliament Subcommittee of Security and Defence on Thursday, an occasion that Wallace used to put some tough questions to the chief of the UN chemical weapons watchdog. | The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has repeatedly suggested that President Bashar Assad has deployed chemical weapons on his own people, allegations that have bee…
(2021-04-17). U.S. Instructors Spotted On Donbass Frontlines: Report. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | The press officer of the People's Militia of the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) Ivan Filiponenko claimed that instructors from the United States had taken part in the training of Ukrainian artillerymen in Eastern Ukraine. The claim was made during the daily briefing on April 17. | According to Filiponenko, the training of Ukrainian forces took place near the village of Pokrovske."The trainings of the UAF 40 separate artille…
