(2019-04-23). Nothing to See Here: The U.S. Government Prevents Investigations Into War Crimes in Afghanistan. commondreams.org Thanks to the withdrawal of the International Criminal Court, this crime—and hundreds of others—will neither be properly documented nor will there be justice for the victims and survivors. (Photo: Sgt. Daniel P. Shook/ Afghanistan Media Operations Center/ DVIDSHUB/cc/flickr) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/helicopter.jpeg…
(2019-04-23). The Activists Quietly Struggling to Protect Venezuela's DC Embassy from a US-backed Coup. mintpressnews.com 
A dedicated group of activists has been living inside Venezuela's DC embassy for the past two weeks. hoping to halt a US-backed opposition takeover of the building.
(2019-04-23). Activists Protect DC Venezuelan Embassy from US-supported Coup. counterpunch.org 
An extraordinary chapter in the ongoing saga of Venezuela has been taking place, virtually unnoticed, at the Venezuela Embassy that lies in the heart of swanky Georgetown in Washington DC. A group of us, all activists opposed to the prospect of the Venezuelan opposition taking over the Embassy, have been living inside the building for More
(2019-04-23). Nicaragua's Dialogue: Official Delegation Calls for Calm. telesurenglish.net The Nicaraguan government's delegates to the national dialogue meetings explained Tuesday advances in the negotiation process with the political opposition and recalled that the people want peace, security, work and stability. | RELATED TO: | Nicaraguans Honor Student Killed By Right-Wing Protesters | "Our delegation will sit today at the Negotiation table as it has been doing all this time, namely, to talk, dialogue and seek peaceful solutions that benefit the people," Foreign Mini…
(2019-04-23). Protect women's rights 'before, during and after conflict' UN chief tells high-level Security Council debate. un.org Over the course of the past decade, there has been "a paradigm shift" in understanding the devastating impact of sexual violence in conflict on international peace and security, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council during a high-level debate on Tuesday.
(2019-04-23). Pentagon Claims 1,100 High Schools Bar Recruiters; Peace Activists Offer $1,000 Award If Any Such School Can Be Found. counterpunch.org UPDATE: Timothy Paul Jerzyk has added another $1,000 to the award, making a total of $2,000. According to statements in February by the Secretary of the Army, various U.S. high schools are barring military recruiters from access to students. The Secretary of the Navy this past December said that public school boards are keeping military recruiters out of More
(2019-04-23). Tuesday's Daily Brief: sexual violence in conflict, a malaria vaccine trial, updates on Libya, Ebola in DR Congo, Sri Lanka and Mali. un.org Here are our top stories for this Tuesday: a focus on conflict-related sexual violence at the Security Council, a groundbreaking trial for a malaria vaccine in Malawi, thousands seeking shelter in Libya's capital as fighting continues, concerns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the attack of an Ebola treatment centre, an update on the death toll of the Sri Lanka attacks, and the Security Council's condemnation of the killing of peacekeepers in Mali.
(2019-04-23). New CN Series: The Revelations of WikiLeaks: No. 1—The Video that Put Assange in US Crosshairs. consortiumnews.com "Collateral Murder" created a media sensation in 2010 and led to Chelsea Manning's imprisonment and to a DOJ investigation of Julian Assange, reports Elizabeth Vos. But the war crimes the video exposed got no one else in trouble. Consortium News today begins… Read more →
(2019-04-23). Johns Hopkins Students Enter Week 4 of Sit-In Protesting ICE Contracts & Plan for Armed Campus Cops. democracynow.org 
Students at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, have entered their 21st day of a sit-in occupation of their campus administration building to protest the university's plans for an armed police force on campus, as well as Johns Hopkins's contracts with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Students at Johns Hopkins are demanding the cancellation of contracts with ICE and a pledge to donate all money received from ICE to Baltimore's immigration defense fund. They're also demanding voluntary recognition for all workers wishing to unionize, and a student and faculty representative spot on the university'
(2019-04-23). Johns Hopkins Students Enter Week Three of Protesting ICE Contracts and Policing. truthout.org Students at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, have entered their 21st day of a sit-in occupation of their campus administration building to protest the university's plans for an armed police force on campus, as well as Johns Hopkins's contracts with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Students at Johns Hopkins are demanding the cancellation of contracts with ICE and a pledge to donate all money received from ICE to Baltimore's immigration defense fund. They're also demanding voluntary recognition for all workers wishing to unionize, and a student and faculty representative spot on the universi…
(2019-04-23). Bolsonaro: The First 100 Days. globalresearch.ca Near the end of the first 100 days of the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro — the first radical-right Brazilian president since the moderated transition from military dictatorship in 1985 to a democratic regime — the first meaningful protests, apart from …
(2019-04-23). What Revolutionaries in the Middle East Have Learned Since the Arab Spring. counterpunch.org 
Two very different political waves are sweeping through the Middle East and north Africa. Popular protests are overthrowing the leaders of military regimes for the first time since the failed Arab Spring of 2011. At the same time, dictators are seeking to further monopolise power by killing, jailing or intimidating opponents who want personal and More
(2019-04-23). Earth Day: How Can Climate Activists Fight Misinformation? therealnews.com 
Award-winning filmmaker Josh Fox talks about his new book, The Truth Has Changed, and how climate movements can—and must—fight misinformation campaigns…
(2019-04-23). French Ambassador Says Trump "Deal of the Century" Is DOA, Calls Israel 'Apartheid State'. globalresearch.ca "[Kushner] is so rational, and he is so pro-Israeli also, that he may neglect the point that if you offer the Palestinians the choice between surrendering and committing suicide, they may decide the latter. Somebody like Kushner doesn't understand that." …
(2019-04-23). The Conspiracy against Trump. globalresearch.ca The real "deplorable" in today's United States is the continuation of a foreign policy based on endless aggression to maintain Washington's military dominance in parts of the world where Americans have no conceivable interest. Many voters backed Donald J. Trump…
(2019-04-23). U.S. Hoped Putin Would be a 'Sober Yeltsin' — RAI with Stephen Cohen (3/5). therealnews.com 
After the fall of the Soviet Union, a dysfunctional and pro-American Russian President Yeltsin presided over the chaos of the 1990's; when Putin came to power, the West was very disappointed at the independent and nationalist character of the Putin led state and the demonization began — Stephen Cohen joins Paul Jay on Reality Asserts…
(2019-04-23). Mueller Documented Probable Cause that Trump Obstructed Justice. globalresearch.ca After a nearly two-year investigation, culminating in a 448-page report, Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Russia attempted to influence the 2016 election but found insufficient evidence to prove the Trump campaign conspired with Russia. Mueller did not decide, …
(2019-04-23). Trump's Latest Iran Sanctions Show an Unraveling of US Foreign Policy. therealnews.com 
Col. Lawrence Wilkerson says unilateral sanctions against Iran are illegal, and show the ascendancy of John Bolton; they intensify tension with China and threaten our international position…
(2019-04-23). Homeward LA sponsors 50 citywide events to alleviate homelessness. peoplesworld.org 
LOS ANGELES—Last year, over 10 days in April 2018, nearly 300 actors performed in 26 productions of monologues, based on stories from people who have been homeless. The productions were seen by nearly 2000 people in venues all around Los Angeles, raising approximately $55,000 for The Midnight Mission. This year, from April 26 to May …
(2019-04-23). The Monroe Doctrine is Back, and as the Latest US Attack on Cuba Shows, Its Purpose is to Serve the Neoliberal Order. counterpunch.org 
Though throughout his election campaign Trump expressed a preference for US isolationism and opposition to senseless war, once in office he appointed the very neoconservative war hawks he had earlier criticized for engineering such foreign debacles as the disastrous invasion of Iraq. His appointments to hemispheric policy posts have been the least encouraging, with figures such as the convicted criminal Elliot Abrams reemerging from obscurity to saber-rattle against traditional Latin American foes. Ever since Trump entered the White House, there has been a growing sense that the Monroe Doctrine is back. Now, that…
(2019-04-23). How TurboTax Routinely Dupes Its Customers. truthdig.com 
Did you know that if you make less than $66,000 a year, you can prepare and file your taxes for free? | Intuit and other tax software companies have spent millions lobbying to make sure that the IRS doesn't offer its own tax preparation and filing service. In exchange, the companies have entered into an agreement with the IRS to offer a "Free File" product to most America…
(2019-04-23). War crimes: Trump's assault on migrants. workers.org 
The fact that white supremacists are running the White House must alarm everyone not part of the ruling elite. This administration is carrying out policies that are attempting to destroy every gain the working class has ever made. It cares nothing about the destruction of the planet. It is reckless, . . . | Continue reading War crimes: Trump's assault on migrants at Workers.org
(2019-04-23). Portland, Ore.: Solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution. workers.org 
The Hands Off Venezuela Coalition in Portland, Ore., displayed banners and placards calling for "No Sanctions, No Coup, No Media Lies" over the I-5 freeway for two hours during heavy early morning commuting traffic on April 19. The largest banner read, "Trump and Dems wage war, We say No More." . . . | Continue reading Portland, Ore.: Solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution at Workers.org
(2019-04-23). What did the President know and what did he do? peoplesworld.org 
(2019-04-23). Ukraine's Voters Didn't Just Reject Nationalism, They Rejected Maidan, Bandera and the Revolution. mintpressnews.com 
On March 31, the International Election Observation Mission released a statement concluding their assessment of Ukraine's 2019 presidential election. In it, they wrote: Most previous ODIHR and Council of Europe's European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) recommendations that would bring the legal framework further in line with international obligations and standards, as well as good practice, including for the adoption of an election code that would consolidate and harmonize the various election laws, remain unaddressed." | To put it concisely, the 2019 Ukrainian election did not meet inter…
(2019-04-23). Comedian Zelenskiy Wins Ukrainian Presidency in Landslide. therealnews.com 
In a contest against incumbent Petro Poroshenko, the TV comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy won an overwhelming majority of 73%, signaling a hunger for real change in Ukraine…
(2019-04-23). Stephen King's IT: a 2019 Retrospective. counterpunch.org 
Some years ago, a study was carried out into the fears of young children in the night. Just before the lights were turned off and the children were ready for sleep they were each asked where they thought the monster was. The majority of little boys said they believed it was hiding in the cupboard. More
(2019-04-23). Crazy Uncle Joe and the Can't We All Just Get Along Democrats. counterpunch.org 
After eight years watching Bill Clinton hand Republicans what they wanted most (shredding regulations and the safety net) and then watching Barack Obama roll over on his back and expose his tummy— hoping Republicans would scratch it— nobody is in the mood for saying "We're all in this together." More
(2019-04-23). RoundUp Cancer Lawsuits Filed against Monsanto. globalresearch.ca Roundup lawsuits claim the weed killer caused several types of cancer like non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, b-cell lymphoma, leukemia, and others. | Monsanto faces 11,200+ Roundup lawsuits, including one in which the plaintiff received a jury award of $78.5 million in compensatory and …
(2019-04-23). Libya: Thousands seek shelter in health clinics from Tripoli fighting, UN warns. un.org Nearly three weeks since fighting began near the Libyan capital Tripoli, the UN health agency warned on Tuesday that "large numbers" of people are sheltering in medical clinics, while civilians continue to be killed or injured, and refugees and migrants remain exposed to clashes.
(2019-04-23). The Orchestration of Russophobia Is the Prelude to War. globalresearch.ca The Russian Embassy in Washington has prepared an accurate 121-page report, THE RUSSIAGATE HYSTERIA: A CASE OF SEVERE RUSSOPHOBIA. | Everyone should read this report. It documents the fake news, lies, violations of diplomatic standards and international law, and gratuitous …
(2019-04-23). Headlines for April 23, 2019. democracynow.org Sri Lankan Minister Says Easter Bombings Were Retaliation for NZ Mosque Attacks, Trump Admin to Ratchet Up Unilateral U.S. Sanctions on Iranian Oil, House Democrats Subpoena Former White House Counsel Don McGahn, Trump Sues to Quash Subpoena Requesting 10 Years of Financial Records, Sen. Kamala Harris Calls for Trump's Impeachment, Breaking from Democratic Leaders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren Proposes Canceling Student Loan Debt, Making Public Colleges Free, Supreme Court to Weigh Citizenship Question on 2020 Census, Supreme Court to Decide If LGBTQ Workers Are Protected by Civil Rights Act, Charges Dropped Against 3 A…
(2019-04-23). Video: Chemical Weapons Warehouse Exploded in Western Aleppo. globalresearch.ca A supposed chemical weapons warehouse of Al Qaeda affiliated Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) near the city of al-Atarib in western Aleppo exploded on April 20. According to pro-government sources, the warehouse was one of the sites where militants …
(2019-04-23). US Threatens To Veto UN Resolution That Helps Rape Victims. telesurenglish.net The U.S. delegation to the U.N. is threatening to veto a new resolution that aims to prevent rape from being used as a weapon of war, while also helping its victims, The Guardian reported Monday. | RELATED: | Bangladesh Schools Fight Sexual Harassment After Girl's Murder | U.N. special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, told The Guardian that their are fears this resolution won't pass because of the U.S. threats to veto this bill over the selection o…
(2019-04-23). Forgotten War Crimes: NATO's 1999 Attack on Serbia's State TV Headquarters "Wiped from the Record" globalresearch.ca This article was originally published in 2018 following its 19th anniversary. Slight modification is made below for its 20th anniversary. | Twenty years ago, on 23 April 1999, a NATO missile attack on Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) headquarters killed …
(2019-04-23). Sri Lanka Update: Death Toll Climbs to 321. telesurenglish.net A police spokesperson announced Tuesday that the death toll from the Sri Lanka terrorist attacks has now risen from 290 to 321 victims. | RELATED: | Sri Lanka Muslims Warned Officials About Group Behind Attack | The first memorial services for the victims of these heinous terrorist attacks are expected to take place on Tuesday. They will follow the three minutes of silence that will observed at 8.30 A.M. local time during which the flags on most government buildings will be lowe…
(2019-04-23). Trump Officials Want to Veto UN Measure Opposing Rape as Weapon of War. truthout.org In what critics denounced as the Trump administration's latest attack on women's rights across the globe, U.S. officials are reportedly threatening to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution seeking to end the use of rape as a weapon of war over its language on reproductive health. | According to the Guardian — which first reported on U.S. opposition to the measure late Monday — Trump officials are objecting to the…
(2019-04-23). Sen. Warren Just Stepped Up On Free College For All. commondreams.org Sen. Warren just unveiled her plan to eliminate tuition at all public two- and four-year college. (Photo: CNN) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/warren_6.jpeg…
(2019-04-23). A Few Comments on the recent PBS Series: Reconstruction: America After the Civil War. counterpunch.org The Civil War which ended in 1865, demolished slavery and emancipated four million human beings. What happened next in the South remains largely unknown to most Americans. In a recent poll of high school graduates, only 20 percent had even heard of Reconstruction, in part because history classes about this period invariably end with the More
(2019-04-23). The U.S. Is Blocking Investigations Into War Crimes in Afghanistan. truthdig.com This article was produced by Globetrotter, a project of the Independent Media Institute. | On April 12, 2019, the International Criminal Court said that it would not pursue a war crimes investigation against the U.S. military for its actions in Afghanistan. A very thick file was closed in The Hague. | Almost a decade ago, on February 12, 2010, U.S. Special Operations Forces arrived at the home of Haji Sharabuddin in Khataba (Paktia Province, Afghanistan). The family of Sharabuddin was celebrating the birth of a grandson. Inside the home were close…
(2019-04-23). Venezuelan Authorities Identify 5 Electrical System Saboteurs. telesurenglish.net Minister of Communication Jorge Rodriguez, unveiled Tuesday the identification of five people involved in attacks on the National Electric System (SEN). | RELATED: | Venezuela Blackouts Part of Planned US Operation: Russia Defense Ministry | Rodriguez named Ramon Oswaldo Garcia, in Spain; Miguel Jose Freita in Colombia; Julio Cesar Acuña and…
(2019-04-23). Top Judges Panel Reduces Lula's Sentence to 8 Years. telesurenglish.net A Brazil special court of supreme judges ruled Tuesday to reduce the sentence of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, from 12 years and 10 months to eight years and 10 months, which would potentially allow his defense to file for moving him to house arrest. | RELATED: | Brazil's Special Court of Top Judges May Order House Arrest for Lula | The investigating judge of the appeal of the sentence against former Brazilian president Felix Fischer, of the Superior Court of…
(2019-04-23). Video: Motorcycle Ride For 'Tough Guy' Bolsonaro Backfires. telesurenglish.net Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro found himself under heavy criticism over his latest motorcylcle ride on Easter as the far-right leader violated his own country's traffic regulations. | RELATED: | Brazil Celebrates 'Indigenous People's Day' in Bolsonaro Era | The Brazilian leader posted a video via his social media accounts on Eastern Sunday that showed him revving his engine too loudly and wearing his helmet improperly. | "It's an extremely serious infringement," Maurício Januzz…
(2019-04-23). Iran Not Backing Down: IRGC Navy Vows to Block US Ships from Important Waterway. globalresearch.ca The Trump administration announced on Monday that they would be cancelling waivers to eight countries buying oil from Iran as they tighten the economic blockade against the Persian Gulf nation. | *** | The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Abbas Mousavi…
(2019-04-23). France 'Determined to Continue' Trade With Iran, Officials Say. telesurenglish.net France declared on Tuesday that the country is "determined to continue to implement" the Iran nuclear deal and to allow Iran to draw the "economic benefits" after the announcement of new U.S sanctions against countries exporting Iranian products. | RELATED: | US Ends Sanction Waivers for Countries Importing Iranian oil | In an officia…
(2019-04-23). ISIS Claims Responsibility For Sri Lanka Terrorist Attacks. telesurenglish.net The Islamic State terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for the Sri Lanka terrorist attacks that killed 321 people on Easter Sunday. | RELATED: | Sri Lanka Update: Death Toll Climbs to 310 | The terrorist group's Amaq News Agency said their organization was behind the attacks but they did not provide any evidence to back its claim. "Security Source to Amaq agency: Those who carried out the attack that targeted the citizens of the coalition and Christians in Sri Lanka the day before yes…
(2019-04-23). The U.S.-Mexico Border Isn't Protected by Militias, It's Patrolled by Domestic Terrorists. commondreams.org Stinger, a member of Constitutional Patriots New Mexico Border Ops Team militia is pictured on patrol at the U.S.-Mexico border near Mt. Christo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico on March 20, 2019. (Photo: Paul Ratje / AFP – Getty Images file) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/soldier.jpeg…
(2019-04-23). Oil Shortage Crisis Might Force the Syrian State to Liberate East Euphrates. globalresearch.ca A clear shortage of fuel has forced the reduction of the quantity of gasoline sold to 20 liters every two days for private cars. In total, the sales would not exceed 200 liters of petrol per car per month and …
(2019-04-23). North Korea Leader Kim to Meet With Putin in Russia. truthdig.com Summit will be held "soon" but no date is released. It comes at a key moment of faltering U.S. talks about North Korea's nuclear arsenal.
(2019-04-23). Former U.N. Official: U.S. Goal Is to "Asphyxiate" Venezuela. progressive.org Alfred de Zayas argues that Caracas has grounds to reject offers of "aid" coming from Donald Trump's White House, given the precedent of U.S. humanitarian aid being used as a trojan horse.