2021-04-02: News Headlines

Raul Diego (2021-04-02). Biden Picks Kamala Harris to Carry the Carrot and Stick in Central America. orinocotribune.com By Raul Diego — Mar 31, 2021 | With Kamala Harris now riding herd, the stage is set for a massive tech overhaul of the migrant crisis. | WASHINGTON — The White House

Vijay Prashad (2021-04-02). Despite US Dirty Tricks, Bolivia is Finding a Way to Stay Independent. orinocotribune.com By Vijay Prashad — Mar 30, 2021 | Sentiments in Bolivia for and against the coup d'etat of November 2019 are predictably along class lines. Those from more affluent sections felt that the socialist policies of the government of President Evo Morales (which was in power from 2006 to 2019) were eating into their authority. But these sections could not oust Morales at the ballot box because his policies of redistribution were wildly popular among the mass of the population. Morales won three elections, each of them with a decisive mandate: winning 53.74 percent in 2005, 64.08 percent in 2009, and 61.36 percent…

_____ (2021-04-02). Despite US' Dirty Tricks, Bolivia Is Finding A Way To Stay Independent. popularresistance.org Sentiments in Bolivia for and against the coup d'etat of November 2019 are predictably along class lines. Those from more affluent sections felt that the socialist policies of the government of President Evo Morales (which was in power from 2006 to 2019) were eating into their authority. But these sections could not oust Morales at the ballot box because his policies of redistribution were wildly popular among the mass of the population. Morales won three elections, each of them with a decisive mandate: winning 53.74% in 2005, 64.08% in 2009, and 61.36% in 2014. | Pressure to prevent Morales from running in the e…

Editor (2021-04-02). Biden: øQuién es el asesino? workers.org El 18 de marzo, el presidente estadounidense Joe Biden llamó "asesino" al presidente ruso Vladimir Putin. Dado que nadie ha retirado este insulto gratuito, suponemos que no fue una metedura de pata de Biden. Por el contrario, indica un aumento de la hostilidad de Estados Unidos hacia Rusia, al igual . . . |

Michael T. Klare (2021-04-02). Stumbling into War? Could the U.S. and China Face an Unintended Blowup in the Western Pacific in the Biden Years? juancole.com ( Tomdispatch.com) — The leaders of China and the United States certainly don't seek a war with each another. Both the Biden administration and the regime of Chinese President Xi Jinping view economic renewal and growth as their principal objectives. Both are aware that any conflict arising between them, even if restricted to Asia and …

_____ (2021-04-02). Drone Whistleblower Charged With Violating Espionage Act Pleads Guilty. popularresistance.org Daniel Hale, who blew the whistle on the United States government's targeted assassination program that includes drones, pled guilty to transmitting and retaining "national defense information" in violation of the Espionage Act. | The guilty plea by Hale makes him the first whistleblower to be convicted under the Espionage Act during President Joe Biden's administration. | A change of plea hearing was held on March 31 in the Eastern District of Virginia, around a week before Hale was scheduled to go to trial. | Judge Liam O'Grady permitted Hale to remain under supervision by a probation officer until sentencing o…

Rick Rozoff (2021-04-02). CrossTalk: Democracy vs autocracy. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com CrossTalkApril 2, 2021 Democracy vs autocracy Historically speaking, the Cold War was a great ideological confrontation. Western liberalism vs Soviet communism. According to Joe Biden, the great geopolitical struggle of our time is democracy vs autocracy. For Biden, we are in another great ideological struggle. But there is a difference: the West, particularly the US, …

Mary Frances Berry (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

Richard C. Gross (2021-04-02). Republicans Intent on Destroying Democracy. counterpunch.org More than anything, every attempted liberal or progressive advance this country makes toward helping people will depend on one thing only: voter turnout. It proved its worth in the last presidential election when 81 million people dumped a madman and put Joe Biden in the White House. As for the conservative Republican Party, it seems

Jim Hightower (2021-04-02). Are You a "Low Quality" Voter? counterpunch.org Hey, you, get away from those polling places! We don't want your kind here! Scram! That's a stupid, shameful, and ultimately self-defeating political message, yet it's being pushed as the official anti-voter electoral strategy of Republicans. Admitting that they can't get majorities to vote for their collection of corporate lackeys, conspiracy theorists, and bigoted old

Ramzy Baroud (2021-04-02). The Missing Lessons From Israel's Latest Elections. counterpunch.org A 'major setback' was the recurring term in many news headlines reporting on the outcome of Israel's general elections of March 23. While this depiction specifically referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to secure a decisive victory in the country's fourth elections in two years, this is only part of the narrative. Certainly,

Ramzy Baroud (2021-04-02). Kafkaesque Politics: The Missing Lessons from Israel's Latest Elections. dissidentvoice.org A 'major setback' was the recurring term in many news headlines reporting on the outcome of Israel's general elections of March 23. While this depiction specifically referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to secure a decisive victory in the country's fourth elections in two years, this is only part of the narrative. Certainly, it …

Dave DeCamp (2021-04-02). Report: Palestinian Authority President Refused Call With Blinken. news.antiwar.com Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas refused to accept a phone call from Secretary of State Antony Blinken in February, So far, an Abbas-Biden call has not happened. Meanwhile, President Biden has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu twice since he was elected. The two leaders spoke in a congratulatory call after Biden's November victory and once…

Michael T. Klare (2021-04-02). Stumbling into War? zcomm.org Could the U.S. and China Face an Unintended Blowup in the Western Pacific in the Biden Years?>

Anonymous103 (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"

Staff (2021-04-02). Headlines for April 2, 2021. democracynow.org Ex-Supervisor Says Derek Chauvin's Fatal Restraint of George Floyd Violated Use-of-Force Policies , Texas Senate Passes Republican-Led Voter Suppression Bill, Texas Rangers Baseball Stadium to Open at Full Capacity Despite Surging Coronavirus Cases, U.N. Warns Burma Headed for Civil War as Military Junta Continues Brutal Crackdown, At Least 51 Dead, Dozens More Injured in Taiwan Train Crash , Arizona ICE Jail Violated Prisoners' Rights and Failed to Prevent COVID-19 Outbreak, Biden Holds First Cabinet Meeting as Debate over Infrastructure Plan Continues, Unemployment Claims Rise as Pandemic Recovery Remains Uneve…

Staff (2021-04-02). Brazil Diplomat Celso Amorim on Bolsonaro, Lula & Why Biden's Foreign Policy Is So "Disappointing" democracynow.org As the number of COVID-19 cases surges in Brazil, the country is also facing a major crisis on the political front. The heads of Brazil's Army, Navy and Air Force all quit in an unprecedented move, a day after far-right President Jair Bolsonaro ousted his defense minister as part of a broader Cabinet shake-up. The developments have alarmed many in Brazil who believe Bolsonaro, who is a former Army captain, will install ultra-loyalists to the military posts to consolidate his power ahead of next year's election, when he is expected to be challenged by former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro is trying…

Staff (2021-04-02). Will Georgia's Voting Law Be Repealed as Big Business Joins Critics Opposing "Jim Crow" Suppression? democracynow.org Activists are demanding accountability from Georgia-based companies in opposing a law that heavily restricts voting rights in the state, which many are calling the worst voter suppression legislation since the Jim Crow era. While some companies, including Coca-Cola and Delta, have weighed in on the Republican-backed crackdown on voting rights, Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter, says voicing opposition is not enough. "We're calling for a repeal of this voter suppression law, and we're asking these companies to divest future support that they've given," Albright says. "Stand b…

Labor Video Project (2021-04-02). Mumia Abu-Jamal On Pacifica With Noelle Hanrahan. indybay.org Pacifica's Covid, Race & Democracy interviews journalist Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio about how she helped bring Mumia Abu-Jamal to the airwaves of Pacifica.

Michael T. Klare (2021-04-02). Are the US and China Stumbling Into War? thenation.com Are the US and China Stumbling Into War?

WSWS (2021-04-02). Honduras, Guatemala break up migrant caravan at behest of Biden administration. wsws.org On Tuesday, US Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to Guatemala's president as Honduran and Guatemalan security forces cracked down on a new migrant caravan.

teleSUR (2021-04-01). Peru Saw Last Presidential Debate Ahead of April 11 Elections. telesurenglish.net Peru's National Elections Jury (JNE) Wednesday concluded the last presidential debate, an event in which six candidates presented their promises to tackle the pandemic and corruption. | RELATED: | The debate was attended by Rafael Lopez(Popular Renovation), Yonhy Lescano (Popular Action), Julio Guzman (Purple Party), Daniel Salaverry (We Are Peru), Rafael Santos (Safe Homeland), and Ciro Galvez (United National Rebi…

orinocotribune (2021-04-01). Piñera's Elections-Postponement Maneuver Passes in Lower House of Parliament 'Due to Coronavirus'. orinocotribune.com This Wednesday, March 31, the Chamber of Deputies of the Chilean Congress approved the constitutional reform presented by President Sebastián Piñera to postpone until May 15 and 16 the elections scheduled for April 10 and 11 in the South American country," due to the Covid-19 pandemic." | In those elections the new governors, mayors and councilors of the country will be elected, as well as the members of the Constitutional Assembly, who will be in responsible for drafting the new Constitution of the country, reported RT. | In case a second round is necessary in the elections of governors, the approved initiative…

Marilyn Bechtel (2021-04-01). Justice bills progressing in California legislature. peoplesworld.org Coursing their way through the California legislature's committee process are a number of measures aimed at improving the state's handling of justice issues — some introduced in the current session and others reintroduced after they were trapped in last year's COVID-related end-of-session logjam. Among new measures is Senate Bill 271, the Sheriff Democracy and Diversity …

Adam Rissien (2021-04-01). The Forest Service's Logging Program is Undercutting Grizzly Bear Recovery. counterpunch.org President Biden's commitment to conserve 30% of U.S. land and ocean by 2030 offers hope that major changes could soon be on the horizon for federal agencies in charge of managing public lands. That is good news for imperiled species in the northern Rockies. The region contains some of the last vestiges of intact wildlife

The Conversation (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 …

Bill Quigley (2021-04-01). Peoples Coalition Helps Elect New Orleans Progressive Prosecutor. counterpunch.org On December 5, 2020, New Orleans elected its first ever progressive District Attorney. Jason Williams, who was a criminal defense lawyer for over 20 years before being elected, replaced former DA Leon Cannizzaro, described by New Orleans papers as a traditional tough on crime prosecutor. An unprecedented coalition of grassroots justice organizations came together over a year before the election, as The Peoples DA Coalition, to help make it happen.

Amanda Mills (2021-04-01). Biden's American Jobs Plan met with criticism from progressive activists and environmentalists. nationofchange.org "There are a lot wins for us in this package. Despite those wins, the plan lacks a commitment to the full scale of transformation that is needed of our economy."

John Feffer (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, …

Wafica Ibrahim (2021-04-01). Cuba, Biden, and the Romantic Interlude. orinocotribune.com By Wafica Ibrahim — Mar 28, 2021 | For those who dreamed of an idyl between the United States and Cuba after Joe Biden's victory was confirmed in the U.S. elections, reality is starting to show the confrontational and interventionist nature of the U.S. establishment, once again. | As is the custom in "liberal democracies," after tallying up the final vote totals, the electoral campaign and its promises are left behind. Although in rallies and interviews, Biden may have promised indifferently to change policy toward Cuba and to return to the progress made by Barack Obama, the reality is that, with respect to…

WSWS (2021-04-01). Biden unveils infrastructure plan tied to corporate tax hike. wsws.org Despite overblown rhetoric, the $2.25 trillion plan, stretched out over 8—10 years, would not represent any fundamental change in the direction of American capitalism.

teleSUR (2021-04-01). GLOBALink: Biden Unveils Major Infrastructure Plan Amid Opposition To Tax Hike. telesurenglish.net U.S. President Joe Biden unveils a 2-trillion-USD infrastructure investment plan, touting it as a "once-in-a-generation" investment in the country. The proposal is widely welcomed by Democratic lawmakers, but lashed out by the Republicans…

Johanna Kichton (2021-04-01). People's Action Member Orgs Mobilize to Call On Congress to Pass Transformational Recovery Package. peoplesaction.org As President Biden Announced American Jobs Plan, Grassroots Activists Took Action Across the Country to Urge Congress Pass $10 Trillion Package Addressing Climate, Care, Jobs, and Justice Contact: Johanna Kichton, press@peoplesaction.org, 240.206.1145 WASHINGTON, D.C.—People's Action member organizations across the country yesterday called on Congress to pass a transformational economic recovery and infrastructure package, like the …

Guido Risso (2021-04-01). Vacunas: øUn bien de la Humanidad o un negocio de los grandes laboratorios? globalizacion.ca Pandemia, millones de vidas arrasadas, familias destruidas y la vacuna es un negocio de los grandes laboratorios. El constitucionalismo moderno, los derechos humanos y las democracias crujen ante esta situación. Es moralmente inadmisible que, en medio de una crisis sanitaria…

teleSUR (2021-04-01). Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi Faces New Charges. telesurenglish.net Myanmar's elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was charged with breaking the "officials secret law," her lawyers reported on Thursday. This is the most serious accusation against Suu Kyi, and the conviction could be a prison sentence of up to 14 years. | RELATED: | Aung San Suu Kyi's chief lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told Reuters that the leader and three deposed members of her cabinet were charged in a Yangon court last week, but the…

Editor2 (2021-04-01). Subnational Elections in Bolivia: Another Vote of Confidence for MAS Party. orinocotribune.com By Peoples Dispatch — Mar 28, 2021 | The 240 out of the 336 elected mayors and 3 of the 5 elected governors in Bolivia belong to the ruling government of the progressive Movement Towards Socialism party | The results of the subnational elections held in Bolivia on March 7 confirm the faith of the Bolivian people in the ruling government of the progressive Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party and its transformation project. According to the results of the departmental, regional and municipal elections released on March 22, the MAS is the only party that has a broad presence in all the nine departments of th…

_____ (2021-04-01). Tens Of Millions In Florida Properties Linked To Ecuadorian Candidate. popularresistance.org In March 2017, ahead of Ecuador's second-round presidential election, CEPR reported that Florida-based shell companies linked to then-candidate Guillermo Lasso owned 144 properties in Broward and Miami-Dade counties valued at over $30 million. In that election, voters approved a referendum barring politicians and civil servants from holding assets in tax havens and giving them one year to divest or transfer their holdings. Though Florida is not included among the list of tax havens, it is considered a "low tax jurisdiction," which authorities will handle on a case-by-case basis. | Four years later, Ecuador is aga…

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2021-04-01). Indigenous Youth Take to DC Streets With Demands to #ShutDownDAPL and #StopLine3. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/line3-dapl-biden.jpg

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2021-04-01). Biden's $100 Billion Broadband Plan Hailed as Crucial Effort to Close 'Digital Divide'. commondreams.org "President Biden's $100 billion infrastructure plan acknowledges an important fact about broadband today—it is an essential service, like water and electricity, and our public policy should reflect that fact." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/broadband-biden.jpg

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2021-04-01). 'Shocking' April Fools' Day Study Shows 'When Hungry People Obtained More Food, They Were Less Hungry'. commondreams.org "It turns out that people are actually in poverty mostly because they are not paid enough for their work to be able to afford rent, food, and other necessities of living." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/biden-food-aid-boost_0.jpg

Brett Wilkins, staff writer (2021-04-01). GOP Attack on Democracy Surges as Texas Voter Suppression Bill Passes Senate. commondreams.org "It's clear that the Republican Party believes the only way they can win future elections is to keep millions of Americans from casting their ballots." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/voter_suppression.jpg

Brett Wilkins, staff writer (2021-04-01). 'Threat to Democracy': Brazil's Bolsonaro Faces Growing Calls to Resign. commondreams.org "We have a president who is trying to pressure the armed forces into serving his coup-mongering, authoritarian delusions," said one elder statesman as lawmakers pursue impeachment. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/brazil_2.jpg

Ken Klippenstein (2021-04-01). Amazon's Twitter Army Was Handpicked for "Great Sense of Humor" zcomm.org Amazon ambassadors were trained to defend Jeff Bezos and clap back at Bernie Sanders under a program codenamed "Veritas"

Robert C. Koehler (2021-04-01). Can Biden End the Endless Wars and Learn to Wage Peace? commondreams.org Militarism is embedded in the infrastructure of the nation state. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/nowar_6.jpg

Michael T. Klare (2021-04-01). Chinese and American Leaders Are Playing a Game of Chicken That Couldn't Be More Dangerous. commondreams.org Could the U.S. and China face an unintended blowup in the western Pacific in the Biden years? | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/china_1.jpg

commondreams (2021-04-01). Lawsuit Launched to Protect 10 Species Left in Regulatory Purgatory by Trump Administration. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Jason Ditz (2021-04-01). US Envoy Meets Taliban, Seeks Longer Troop Presence. news.antiwar.com With the Biden Administration continuing to talk down the May 1 deadline date for leaving Afghanistan, Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has met with Taliban leaders to discuss possible dates later in 2021. | Reports are that Khalilzad At any rate, the Taliban is pushing for the release of some 7,000 prisoners being held in Afghanistan, and wants to b…

repost (2021-04-01). Stop the assault on KPFA & Pacifica! indybay.org If you are a member of KPFA you can vote down the latest attempt to replace KPFA/Pacifica's democratic bylaws and replace them with a set which will allow a small group to privatize them. But to vote No in this referendum, and preserve democratic governance, you must be an annual member before April 7 of this year and last. It's easy.

RT (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…

RT (2021-04-01). Top ultra-Orthodox rabbi says Arabs will be better coalition partners than Israeli left. rt.com A senior Haredi rabbi has reportedly given his backing to a potential Israeli government alliance with the United Arab List party, which has now become a potential kingmaker after Israel's inconclusive election this March. | Chaim Kanievsky, who is considered a leading authority in the Jewish Orthodox community, gave an affirmative answer when asked by Israeli outlet News 12 about the possibility of the Israeli right forming a coalition with Israeli Arab parties. | The 93-year-old cleric and spiritual leader of the United Torah Judaism party pointed out that the ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities were alike i…

John Nichols (2021-04-01). Biden's 'Transformative' Plan Redefines Infrastructure to Include Caregiving. thenation.com Biden's 'Transformative' Plan Redefines Infrastructure to Include Caregiving…

John Nichols (2021-04-01). Biden's 'Transformative' Plan Redefines 'Infrastructure' to Include Caregiving. thenation.com Biden's 'Transformative' Plan Redefines 'Infrastructure' to Include Caregiving…

Jon Skolnik (2021-04-01). Progressives say Biden infrastructure bill isn't big enough: "We can't go back to business as usual" salon.com "This is not nearly enough," Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez says…

Zachary Petrizzo (2021-04-01). Fox News host Tucker Carlson smears AOC as a "low-IQ race-baiter" over her immigration stance. salon.com During an "Outnumbered" segment, Carlson talked at length about why "no one should care what she thinks"

Amanda Marcotte (2021-04-01). Biden's infrastructure bill is popular — so Republicans are trying to make it a culture war fight. salon.com Green buildings and electric cars are the new Potato Head and Dr. Seuss in this round…

Zachary Petrizzo (2021-04-01). Why hasn't Biden fired Sebastian Gorka from Trump-appointed education post? salon.com Trump's hotheaded former aide has far-right views and a dubious PhD. Has the Biden White House noticed he's there?>

Zachary Petrizzo (2021-04-01). QAnon fans flock to Matt Gaetz's defense, despite claims of sexual misconduct. salon.com QAnon followers claim to believe in a massive sex-trafficking scheme — but not one involving a leading Trumper…

Chauncey DeVega (2021-04-01). Trumpers on the rehab trail: Does America just want to forget this happened?>. salon.com Instead of facing disgrace, Trump regime officials are now deemed respectable. That's no way to defeat fascism…

Staff (2021-04-01). Headlines for April 1, 2021. democracynow.org Witness in Derek Chauvin Murder Trial Breaks Down After Viewing Footage of George Floyd's Killing, Four Killed as Gunman Opens Fire on Office Complex in Orange County, California, Biden Defends Infrastructure Plan as Progressives Push for $10 Trillion to Fight Climate Crisis, Wisconsin Supreme Court Voids Governor's Mask Mandate as COVID-19 Cases Rise Across U.S., Brazil's Cemeteries Hold Nighttime Funerals as COVID-19 Deaths Reach New Highs, Yemen Receives First COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments as Doctors Report Surge in Cases, Global Deforestation Increased by 12% in 2020 with Amazon Most Severely Affected, U.S. Cour…

teleSUR (2021-04-01). Biden Orders Removal of Missiles, Forces Around Persian Gulf. telesurenglish.net A report issued last Thursday by the Wall Street Journal cites officials from the Pentagon indicating that President Biden has issued orders to remove Patriot anti-missile systems, miscellaneous military hardware, and troops from the area of the Persian Gulf, to deploy them elsewhere to be used against Russia and China, two countries which the Pentagon sees as its primary global competitors. | RELATED: | According to the report,…

Anonymous007 (2021-04-01). Biden Unveils $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan, Featuring $180Bn For Military Technologies. southfront.org Click to see full-size image | On March 31st, US President Joe Biden revealed his infrastructure plan. | It includes $180 billion in new research and development spending on emerging technologies expected to define the coming decades and drive military innovation. | The American Jobs Plan totals $2 trillion in new spending over a decade through corporate tax increases. It mostly addresses concerns that a lack of federal investment in research and development risks the U.S. seceding the position of the…

Anonymous767 (2021-04-01). The Saker: "Understanding Anti-Putin PSYOPs: Preparing For War" southfront.org ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE | Written by The Saker; Originally appeared at Intro: cause vs pretext | It is not an exaggeration to say that in the mythology of the AngloZionist Empire Putin is something akin to Satan or, at least, that he is a kind of "Sauron" who is the epitome of evil. And, we all heard that recently, Biden, in a recorded interview, declared that Putin is "a killer". When given a chance to soften…

Staff (2021-04-01). Brazil in Crisis: COVID Deaths Soar & Hospitals Overflow Amid Unprecedented Political Upheaval. democracynow.org Brazil now accounts for about a quarter of all COVID-19 daily deaths worldwide, more than any other country, and its overall death toll of more than 310,000 is surpassed only by the United States. Far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faces intense pressure to abandon his opposition to vaccinations, lockdowns and mask-wearing. Dr. Miguel Nicolelis, professor of neurobiology at Duke University and former coordinator of the largest scientific COVID-19 task force in Brazil, says Bolsonaro "has played on the side of the virus" by opposing any efforts to control the outbreak. "Since the beginning, he downplayed…

Staff (2021-04-01). "Check His Pulse": In Derek Chauvin Trial, Outraged Bystanders Describe Witnessing George Floyd Death. democracynow.org Jurors in Minneapolis heard another series of dramatic testimonies during the third day of the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for killing George Floyd. A teenage clerk named Christopher Martin at the Minneapolis convenience store outside which Floyd was killed told jurors during questioning that he felt guilty for reporting the fake $20 bill to his manager, who called the police on George Floyd. Jurors also heard a recording of Charles McMillian, who witnessed George Floyd's death last year, approaching Chauvin to say, "I don't respect what you did," as Floyd's body was being load…

Staff (2021-04-01). "The System of Policing Is on Trial": Derek Chauvin Murder Case Is About More Than Just George Floyd. democracynow.org After the third dramatic day in the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, we speak with Mel Reeves, who has been following the case as community editor at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, the oldest Black-owned newspaper in the state. Reeves discusses the testimony heard so far, and juror selection, and says more is at stake than just what happened to George Floyd. "It is political. The system of policing is on trial," says Reeves. "You can see now how the police operate when they run into Black people." We also speak with Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change, who says the…

Daniel Pike (2021-04-01). The political future of the United States is in the hands of the elderly. indybay.org The struggle for the presidency of the United States in the 2020 elections mercilessly exposed one very spicey feature of American politics – the key positions on the country's political Olympus were captured and firmly held by people over 70 years old.

Dave DeCamp (2021-04-01). Report: Biden Reducing Military Forces in Saudi Arabia. news.antiwar.com According to The report said the US has removed at least three Patriot antimissile batteries from t…

Staff (2021-04-01). We Need Diplomacy, Not War. Time to Ramp Up the Pressure on Biden. truthout.org Two tidbits of note regarding the United States and its well-fed war machine, the first regarding a familiar problem child: the

Staff (2021-04-01). Biden May Be Exploring $50K Student Loan Cancellation, Hints His Chief of Staff. truthout.org President Joe Biden is exploring the possibility of canceling student loan debt of up to $50,000 per debtor, his chief of staff Ron Klain said on Thursday. Biden has asked Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to compile a memo detailing how he could legally do so as president. | "He asked his secretary of education — just put on the job a few weeks — once he got on the job to have his department prepare a memo on the president's legal authority. Hopefully, we'll see that in the nex…

Staff (2021-04-01). Three Fundamentalisms Are Driving the Resurgence of Fascist Politics in the US. truthout.org A right-wing extremist ideology has taken hold of the Republican Party, and the United States has become a locus for the revitalization of white supremacy, the normalization of state violence, the reproduction of the carceral state and staggering forms of economic inequality. | The United States is also serving as a toxic model for making oppressive forms of education central to a politics that undercuts the capacity for producing critical and engaged citizens while normalizing the unthinkable…

Staff (2021-04-01). Coca-Cola and Delta Only Opposed Georgia Election Bill After Public Backlash. truthout.org This week, both Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines released statements condemning the

Aviva Chomsky (2021-04-01). Biden's Plan for Central America Is a Smokescreen. thenation.com Biden's Plan for Central America Is a Smokescreen…

Shamus Cooke (2021-04-01). The PRO Act: Labor's Catalyst or Political Stunt? counterpunch.org "I urge Congress to send the PRO Act to my desk so we can summon a new wave of worker power and create an economy that works for everyone." — President Biden, March 9th 2021 "The Employee Free Choice Act will pass by the end of the year" — Vice President Biden at Pittsburg Labor

teleSUR (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…

Updated: 2021-04-02 16:22 | 12:22 EST | 74 | 0 | 53 | 21 | 0