(2021-08-13). Ukraine's new top commander meets with NATO special operations adviser. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com As the war drums beat louder near the Belarusian and Russian borders. Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny meets with adviser of NATO Representation to Ukraine Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Major General Valeriy Zaluzhny met with Major General (Retired) Michael Repass, Strategic Adviser on Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of the NATO …
(2021-08-13). Karabakh, Armenia, Russia confirm new attacks from Azerbaijan. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijan Continues Attacks on Armenia, Artsakh Azerbaijani forces continued their attacks on Armenian border positions in Yeraskh, as well as on Artsakh Defense Army positions on Thursday, the defense ministries of Armenia and Artsakh reported. Beginning at 5: 20 p.m. local time on Thursday, Azerbaijani forces opened fire on Armenian positions in the Yeraskh region of …
(2021-08-13). "It's Not So Bad In Afghanistan": Hypocritical Europe Not To Allow New Refugees. southfront.org 
Illustrative Image | The leading EU states have sent a letter to the European Commission calling not to halt the expulsion of illegal migrants back to Afghanistan, despite the ongoing crisis in the country. | Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, Greece and Belgium representatives (Interior Ministers or in charge of Migration) were among the signatories, who asked the European Commission to guarantee the forced return of certain Afghans."I have sent a letter to the European Commission calling for the…
(2021-08-13). Azerbaijan to buy billions more of Israeli arms for new war. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijan in Talks to Buy $2 Billion More Israeli Arms Citing fears [sic] of another war in Karabakh, Azerbaijan is reportedly in negotiations to purchase $2 billion more in weapons from Israel. The Israel Hayom (Today) news site reported on Thursday that Azerbaijan is negotiating to sign contracts with Israeli defense companies…. ….Baku is currently …
(2021-08-13). Azerbaijani tank units drill for next Caucasus war. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Tank units of the Azerbaijani army began intensive combat training The Azerbaijani army conducts intensive combat training with the participation of tank units.
(2021-08-13). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org ScotRail's Sunday pay strikes continue into seventh month joined by other rail disputes; Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency strike in Wales over COVID safety ongoing since April; Firefighters in Gironde, France strike for more resources as they share vehicles with ambulance service; Nigerian doctors' pay stoppage continues with some owed 19 months' arrears…
(2021-08-13). Striking railway workers in Germany: "The company wants to destroy our achievements" wsws.org WSWS reporters spoke to picketing railway workers about what the strike means for them.
(2021-08-13). NATO Space Centre gets first U.S. Space Force Guardian. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com The earth is not enough. First Space Guardian for NATO Space Centre Ramstein, Germany — The NATO Space Centre gained its first U.S. Space Force Guardian, when a key member of the team, Major Matthew Leines, officially transferred from the U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Space Force on 12 August 2021. **** In addition …
(2021-08-13). In support of sovereignty. mronline.org 
The dog-whistle calls of "Freedom for Cuba" that reverberated round the world on 11 July, emanating from a mix of forces in Cuba, which were carefully manipulated and crafted by the CIA and U.S. anti-Cuban forces abroad, shed a great deal of light not only on U.S. foreign policy hypocrisy but on left-wing hypocrisy and impotence, both here in Ireland and elsewhere.
(2021-08-13). Imperial women shortlisted for prestigious Rising Talents Award. imperial.ac.uk Three Imperial researchers have been shortlisted in the 2021 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science UK and Ireland Rising Talents award.
(2021-08-13). Online events with Amory Lovins, Lisa Wells, Mickey Huff, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, etc. indybay.org Here are some 18 online events taking place over the next week (and starting at 12 Noon today, August 11th), featuring people such as Jeremy Lent, Carol Anderson, Amory Lovins, Eyal Press, Lisa Wells, Mickey Huff, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, and many others. | These events are hosted from various locations all across the country, as well from Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Ireland (however, the listed times are all for our "Pacific time zone"). Of course, feel free to share this info with others who might be interested in it.
(2021-08-13). A health system for all of Ireland. peoplesdispatch.org In May 2021, the Campaign for an All-Ireland National Health Service organized an all-Ireland day of action, marking the 100-year anniversary of partition, the process by which the government of the United Kingdom divided the island into two separate political jurisdictions: Northern Ireland and Ireland. In Dublin, protesters met at the Department of Health to read out the demands of the Campaign. Activists held demonstrations at hospitals in Armagh, Belfast, Cork, Derry, Enniskillen, Galway, Letterkenny, Monaghan and Newry. According to campaigners, numbers were small due to the need to respect rules on social g…
(2021-08-13). Norway Confirms Everything Ready for Mexico Talks. orinocotribune.com The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway confirmed Norway's role in talks in Mexico with the Venezuelan government and the opposition, as agreed by all parties more than a year ago. In their role as mediator, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Twitter that "Norway confirms that the Government of Venezuela and the Unitary Platform of Venezuela are in the final phase of exploratory talks, with the aim of starting negotiations in Mexico facilitated by Norway." | Norway confirms that the Government of Venezuela and the Unitary Platform of Venezuela are in the final phase of exploratory talks, with the aim…
(2021-08-13). Stalin González Says He too is Ready for Mexico Talks. orinocotribune.com Stalin González, spokesman of the Venezuelan far-right, confirmed that he will be present in the dialogue process between representatives of the Bolivarian government and sectors of Venezuela's extreme right opposition, who will meet in Mexico under the auspices of governments such as Norway. | González expressed this through a series of posts on his Twitter account. In these posts, he stated the importance of joining the democratic route of the regional elections scheduled for November 21 to elect governors, mayors, and members of state legislative councils and city councils. | In this regard, he stated that "se…
(2021-08-13). Tomás Guanipa Leaves Guaidó and Joins Mexico Talks. orinocotribune.com Venezuelan anti-Chavista politician Tomás Guanipa announced on Wednesday, August 11, that he resigned from the former deputy, Juan Guaidó, to join the dialogue that will begin in Mexico between the Venezuelan government and the extreme right opposition. | Through his Twitter account, Guanipa reported that he will be the representative of the opposition party Primero Justicia (PJ) in the negotiations that will begin this Friday in Mexico. | For the opposition leader, the talks that will take place in Mexico, with Norway as mediator, represent a new challenge to reach an agreement between sectors of the country.
(2021-08-13). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: The COVID-19 delta variant has changed everything. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org A fourth COVID-19 surge is blanketing the U.S., and the delta variant is the culprit. "Where did this delta variant come from? It came from unvaccinated people getting infected in large numbers allowing the virus to continue mutating," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. In the past, a person with COVID-19 might infect two to four people. But with the delta variant, one person can infect…
(2021-08-13). Romania: NATO warplanes face off against Russia in Black Sea. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Romanian Airspace Battle Managers Visit NATO Air Policing Detachment Romanian Air Force controllers, visited Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base to meet the RAF pilots and personnel they work with during NATO Quick Reaction Alert sorties controlled from the Control Reporting Centre CRYSTAL. …Their meeting gave the Romanian AF personnel a greater understanding of how the RAF …
(2021-08-13). Cuba receives more than 41 tonnes of humanitarian aid from Russia. tass.com The shipment includes canned meat, corn flour and sunflower oil…
(2021-08-13). Russia Calls Alex Saab Situation Atrocious. orinocotribune.com The Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry, NT Lakhonin, drew attention to the illegal actions of Washington to extradite the special envoy of the Venezuelan Government Alex Saab to the United States. | In a
(2021-08-13). "Global threat": Ukraine to enlist "other nuclear powers" if Russia deploys nuclear arms to Crimea. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Kuleba: Russia's intention to deploy nuclear weapons in Crimea poses global threat "The issue of nuclear weapons is not a local or even a regional issue, it is a global issue, a global threat. Therefore, we will use all opportunities, including the influence of other nuclear powers on the Russian Federation, to curb such activity," …
(2021-08-13). Siberian Wildfires Bigger Than Sum Of Global Fires, Reached Geographic North Pole. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Smoke from massive wildfires in Russia's Siberia region has reached the geographic North Pole "for the first time in recorded history," according to NASA. | The forest blazes themselves are bigger than all the other wildfires currently burning in the world combined. | The U.S space agency published a photograph on August 7th from one of its satellites that shows the acrid blanket of smoke stretching more than 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers), from the Yakutia region in the…
(2021-08-13). Bus Explosion Leaves 1 Dead, 19 Injured In Russia's Voronezh. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On the evening of August 12th, a civilian bus exploded in Russia's Voronezh. | A total of 19 people were injured, one was killed, the press service of the Ministry of Health said."The victims were hospitalized in Voronezh hospitals with injuries of varying severity: the condition of three is assessed by doctors as serious, and eight people are in a state of moderate severity," the report says. | Another seven received outpatient care. |
(2021-08-13). Cold War 2.0: It's Liberalism VS Conservatism. southfront.org 
Illustrative ImageForget communism and capitalism, the new ideological conflict between Russia and the West is altogether different… | Written by Johanna Ross, a journalist based in Edinburgh, Scotland. | No-one would dispute that the decades-long Cold War between the USSR and the West was based on ideological competition. The difference in values between the two systems of capitalism and communism was too great to be reconciled. Yet having entered what is arguably a much more tense period in western…
(2021-08-13). Afghan crisis: historical background. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Excerpts from an article by Muhittin Ataman in today's Daily Sabah of Turkey. Who is responsible for the chaos in Afghanistan? Afghan territories served as a buffer zone between the British Empire and the Czarist Russia during the last quarter of the 1800s. To put it correctly, modern Afghanistan is an artificial creation of the …
(2021-08-13). Headlines for August 13, 2021. democracynow.org U.S. Begins Evacuating Afghanistan Embassy Staff as Taliban Seize Kandahar and Herat, China Closes Shipping Terminal over Single COVID-19 Case; Russia Logs Record Death Toll, FDA Approves Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose for Immunocompromised People, New Orleans, San Francisco to Require Vaccination Card or Negative Test for Indoor Venues, Four Teachers in Florida's Broward County Die of COVID-19 in One Day, Supreme Court Blocks Part of New York Eviction Moratorium Despite Worsening Pandemic, Israel to Resume Building Illegal Settlements in Occupied West Bank, Jewish American Leaders Demand AIPAC Apologize over Islamo…
(2021-08-13). A feminist foreign policy for Spain. zcomm.org Spain advocates for building a feminist foreign policy and is taking the first steps to do so. But where do you begin?>
(2021-08-13). Turkish NATO troops at Kabul airport "peace mission": envoy. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Ankara's presence at Kabul airport a peace mission: Envoy "This is a peace mission. This is in support of peace and stability," he [Afghan ambassador to Turkey Amir Mohammad Ramin] said, adding that Turkey's extended mission at the airport "will continue to have the support of the Government of Afghanistan, as well as the support …
(2021-08-12). Risks for Mexico in the Renegotiation of its FTA with the European Union. ips-dc.org To end neoliberalism and defend energy resources, Andres Manuel López Obrador must step up and avoid the inclusion of supranational arbitration mechanisms in a renegotiated FTA with the European Union.
(2021-08-12). Headlines for August 12, 2021. democracynow.org WHO Warns World Could Log 100 Million More COVID-19 Cases by 2022 , 200+ Scientists Ask Biden to Adopt "Wartime Footing" to Scale Up Vaccine Production, CDC Urges Pregnant People to Get Vaccinated; FDA to Approve Third Dose for Immunocompromised, Florida Asks U.S. Government for Hundreds of Ventilators Amid Its Worst COVID-19 Surge, California to Require K-12 Teachers and Staff to Get Vaccinated or Face Weekly Tests, Sen. Joe Manchin Has "Serious Concerns" About Democrats' $3.5T Spending Bill, Sen. Ted Cruz Filibusters Senate Bills on Gerrymandering, Campaign Finance & Voting, Sicily Sets Europe-Wide Temperature…
(2021-08-12). 'Rand Paul Must Resign': Republican's Wife Bought Stock in Company Behind Covid Drug in Feb. 2020. commondreams.org "Our ecosystem—one of the richest and most precious in Europe—is at risk," said one local official.
(2021-08-12). Sicily Reports Highest Temp Ever Recorded in Europe as Wildfires Scorch Mediterranean. commondreams.org "I know voter suppression anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere. Proud to shine a light on stories of everyday Texans and stand up for the promise of democracy."
(2021-08-12). "They could have warned us: Then we wouldn't have any dead people here!" wsws.org A WSWS reporting team spoke with residents of the Ahr Valley in Rhineland-Palatinate, where over 131 people lost their lives in last month's floods in Germany and other parts of Europe. Across Germany, nearly 200 died in the disaster.
(2021-08-12). Limits to Growth Now Undeniable and Inescapable. counterpunch.org When Europeans first landed on the North American continent it was "ripe for the picking," lush with forests, rivers, wildlife, fish and land as far as the eye could see. As for those already inhabiting those lands and waters, well, they were considered "savages" and their removal by whatever means necessary was a foregone conclusion.
(2021-08-12). The Taliban Takes Over Herat City Despite Fierce Resistance From Government Forces, Locals (Videos). southfront.org 
File image. | On August 12, the Taliban finally took over Herat, Afghanistan's largest city, according to the France-Press Agency (AFP). | An unnamed Afghan security official told the agency that government forces and administration officials had retreated from the northwestern city. | Afghan sources shared on social media several videos showing Taliban fighters at the center of Herat and near the city's main Police Headquarters. One of the videos shows dozens of prisoners who were released from Herat p…
(2021-08-12). [Research Paper] Antiphospholipid antibodies and neurological manifestations in acute COVID-19: A single-centre cross-sectional study. thelancet.com Our findings show that aPS/PT IgG is associated with COVID-19-associated ADEM. In contrast, aCL IgA and IgG are seen much more frequently in non-neurological hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Characterisation of antiphospholipid antibody persistence and potential longitudinal clinical impact are required to guide appropriate management.
(2021-08-12). We Need a Nationwide Vaccine Mandate. zcomm.org Measures like those France and New York City recently instituted are an appropriate tool for preventing impending and devastating mass death…
(2021-08-12). Train drivers began nationwide strike in Germany. wsws.org Engine drivers, train conductors and workshop engineers at Deutsche Bahn (DB) have begun a nationwide strike to defend themselves against wage cuts and growing work-related stress.
(2021-08-12). Police: Anti-Vax Nurse Gave 8,600 People Saline, Not Covid Vaccine. moguldom.com Thousands of people in Germany may have been injected with saline solution by an anti-vax nurse instead of receiving a covid-19 vaccination. Authorities are investigating a nurse's actions at a vaccination center in Friesland, near the North Sea coast. The harmless salt solution injections were given in March and April. Many of those affected were …
(2021-08-12). Secretary of State Blinken dresses down Polish NATO "allies" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Excerpts from today's Radio Poland report. Before the advent of the public relations industry the sort of relationship the U.S. and NATO maintain with Poland would have been described as that of a master to a satrapy, vassal, fiefdom, conquered province. Now the hapless Poles are referred to as NATO allies and Transatlantic partners. Note …
(2021-08-12). Workers of Paroc plant in Poland clinch victory after one week of strike. peoplesdispatch.org Following a week-long strike action, the workers of the Paroc Polska plant in Trzemeszno have won higher internship bonuses, increase in salary, and extension of employment contracts…
(2021-08-12). Russian kids' animation becomes world's most popular among pre-school children. rt.com 
The popular Russian children's animation show 'Masha and the Bear' has reportedly become one of the most globally demanded among its peers. | Competing for a pre-school audience against beloved shows like 'Peppa Pig' and 'PAW Patrol', the Russian animation featuring a lively mischievous girl and her protective animal guardian has taken the lead in global popularity ratings. The news came on Thursday from its creators, the studio Animacord, which cited the metrics of the media research agency Parrot Analytics. | The analytical company monitors interest in media products across various platforms, including those…
(2021-08-12). Russia Condemns US Groundless Accusations Against Alex Saab. telesurenglish.net On Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry condemned the situation facing the Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab, who has been arbitrarily detained in Cape Verde because of an extradition request to the United States. | RELATED: | "The practice of apprehending citizens of other countries… in third countries on trumped-up charges by U.S. law enforcement has become America's infamous 'calling card'," Deputy Director…
(2021-08-12). Moscow to boost relations with Tehran based on mutual respect. en.mehrnews.com Iran is Russia's friend and neighbor, and the country will continue to strengthen relations based on mutual respect, the RussianEmbassy said.
(2021-08-12). U.S.-Made GPS In Service With Russian Aerospace Forces In Syria. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) are using American-made GPS systems during their combat missions in Syria. | The revelation was made by Russian politician Soviet Air Force veteran Colonel Viktor Alksnis, on his Facebook page. | He drew attention to recently-released photographs of the cockpit of a Su-34 Fullback fighter-bomber in Syria. This is also the case of the Su-25SM3 fighter jets. | Experts later confirmed that the photo shows a U.S.-manufactured GPS receiv…
(2021-08-12). Daraa Rebels Attacked Syrian Army, Intelligence Posts Ahead Of Russian Delegation Visit (Videos, Photos). southfront.org 
Illustrative image. | Early on August 12, local fighters in the northern countryside of Daraa attacked positions of the Syrian military and intelligence. | The fighters attacked posts of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in the center of the town of Nawa with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Some fighters also targeted an army checkpoint located on the road leading to the nearby town of Tasil. | At the same time, local fighters in Jasim attacked the town's cultural center, where a force of the General Intellige…
(2021-08-12). Russia Proposes Joint Trial With Pfizer. telesurenglish.net The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) proposes to Pfizer a joint clinical trial to analyze the efficacy of both vaccines to tackle the impact of the latest COVID-19 variants. | RELATED: | "The so-called "heterologous immunization" method, which is, basically, a mix-and-match approach, may be applied in combining the Pfizer and Sputnik V to gain better overall immunization results," Russian agency Sputnik reported on…
(2021-08-12). U.S. Army missile defense system "to fight highly capable adversaries such as Russia and China" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com US Army's critical missile defense system will play role at Project Convergence The U.S. Army's critical missile defense system will play a small role at the service's major campaign of learning this fall — Project Convergence — in order to focus on the system's progress through a challenging initial operational test, the head of Army …
(2021-08-12). NATO triples spy plane flights in Black Sea near Russia's southern border. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com NATO's spy planes intensify flights over Black Sea threefold — Russian commanderThe aircraft performed 270 reconnaissance flights in 2019, about 530 in 2020 and over 560 since the start of this year in the southern area of responsibility, Commander of the Russian Southern Military District's 4th Air Force and Air Defense Army Nikolai Gostev informed …
(2021-08-12). Caveman mentality: Russian FM says U.S., NATO pander to "outright racist and neo-Nazi" Ukraine regime. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com West well aware of Crimea being part of Russia, says Russia's top diplomat "They are trying to pander to the outright racist and neo-Nazi actions and plans of the current Kiev regime just to disturb us," Sergey Lavrov noted "If our Western partners have to hide their complete awareness of reality behind the desire to …