BAP and UNAC on the 2026 World Cup + BAP’s 9th anniversary

I thought I heard on the BBC that an important FIFA meeting is coming up April 30th. 

Originally posted, April 7th, at:  blackallianceforpeace.com/movement-news/us-not-safe-world-cup 

U.S. Global Lawlessness and Security Concerns for Non-White Nations and Their Fans Intensify Concerns that the U.S. is Not Appropriate Venue to Host World Cup

For Immediate Release
Contact: communications[at]blackallianceforpeace[]com
(201) 292-4591

On April 6th, the Anti Fascist Football Coalition, a group of grassroots organizations in the three World Cup host countries - the U.S., Mexico, and Canada - delivered a petition to FIFA (signed by prominent individuals and organizations from every part of the planet) asking that FIFA and the International Olympic Committee demonstrate their stated positions on universal human rights and, as such, ban the United States and Israel from hosting or participating in international sporting events.

The Coalition is collaborating to implement shared strategies to demand that FIFA immediately remove the 2026 World Cup matches from the United States, and also calls on the international community to boycott the U.S. as a host nation for international sporting events.

Prior actions by the Coalition, including additional communications to FIFA, highlight the hypocrisy of their so-called “human rights statutes” when, historically, qualifying countries have been banned from participation in the Games for far less, such as the disqualification of Mexico in 1994 for incorrect paperwork. And yet, FIFA continues its shameless complicity with the U.S. agenda of global domination, no matter the cost of human and environmental life.

Brianna Alvarado Ramos, representing Diaspora Pa’lante Collective in the Anti Fascist Football Coalition, states that “The disqualification of the U.S. as both a host and participant is the bare minimum when we look at the U.S. warpath of barbaric and lawless acts of violence, repression, and genocide domestically and abroad - from the escalating economic strangulation of Cuba, the attacks on Venezuela and the kidnapping of its President, the ongoing U.S. occupation of Haiti, its brutal war on Iran, the subjugation and genocide of Palestinians, as well as the murder of working class people in the U.S. through both physical militarized forces and economic warfare.”

The past weeks have seen a clear build in momentum, internationally, with the demands to move the 2026 World Cup Games from the U.S. and hold FIFA accountable for its unwavering complicity in U.S. repression, lawlessness, escalating violence, and normalization of genocide. Dutch groups have collected nearly 200,000 signatories supporting their call to “Boycott the Trump World Cup.” Germany’s Fairness United is circulating their campaign and petition to “Love Football/Hate Fascism” with serious considerations to boycott matches held in the U.S. After the Trump administration openly disparaged Spain for its opposition to the US-Israeli war on Iran, the Spanish government announced on March 3 that its national team’s withdrawal from World Cup participation is under consideration.

These actions echo the calls from several other countries, including Sweden, France, Switzerland, and, of course, Iran, where the Trump administration openly threatened the safety of their players should they choose to travel to and compete in the U.S.

The evidence as to why the World Cup Games must not be held in the U.S. continues to grow and there is nothing covert about the agenda of the U.S.state to use these mega events as direct pathways for militarized entities to further disappear and neutralize colonized and oppressed populations -  not just those living in the U.S., but also for international fans and players hoping to attend the matches. Just recently in Dallas, Texas, Iraqi football fans were physically and verbally harassed with threats to call ICE. In response, a countless number of fans reiterated that the U.S. is dangerous for anyone attending the Games.

The Coalition will continue to build resistance to FIFA’s complicity in U.S. lawlessness and genocide and invites the public to join in the Coalition’s Campaign to Boycott the World Cup and Boycott the U.S. at bit.ly/EndorseNow and learn more at https://peoplescenteredhumanrights.com/move-the-games/.

From UNAC; originally sent out March 25th in the early evening:

Boycott the World Cup

Boycott the U.S.

March 3, 2026, With the FIFA World Cup 2026 now 100 days away, an international coalition has launched a coordinated boycott campaign demanding that FIFA move matches from the United States. The Coalition warns that US thuggery is creating a humanitarian crisis, both domestic and international. International sport is not neutral. Mega-sporting events function as instruments of political legitimation. To host global sporting events is not merely a logistical privilege — it is a declaration of belonging within the international community.

“The coalition believes that with the siege of Cuba, the kidnapping of the president of Venezuela, unprovoked and illegal war on Iran, and the fact that the United States has become an increasingly unsafe and hostile environment for peoples of the world — particularly for Black, Brown, Indigenous, migrant, and non-European peoples - the U.S. has excluded itself from the community of civilized nations and should not be allowed to normalize its violence and international gangsterism,” says Ajamu Baraka of the Black Alliance for Peace’s North-South Project for People(s)centered human rights, one of the conveners of the coalition

In the US, violent immigration crackdowns, illegal detentions, and discriminatory travel measures  endanger communities, fans, players and tournament personnel all while the US soaks its hands in foreign blood across the globe.

Nowhere is this more evident than in West Asia and Africa. There, the US continues its violent campaigns against nations whose players and fans will soon set foot on American soil for 78 world cup matches beginning June 11th. Many will arrive as victims of US-sponsored carnage. We demand: the games cannot go forward as if these lives do not matter-whether it is in graves or cages. We refuse to let the United States hide its transgressions against sovereign peoples. The blood of women and children will not be washed away on the pitch to fertilize its grass, and its seats must remain empty for every person ICE has disappeared.

Mireille Fanon Mendes - France, chair of the Frantz Fanon Foundation declares that “it is morally obscene and politically backward that the United States, a country that has persistently defied international law and stands implicated in grave human rights violations—including wars of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and active support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza—should be entrusted with hosting a global event meant to celebrate dignity, collective humanity and unity like the World Cup.”

At this historical juncture, permitting the United States to host international sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics with the participation of Israel, represents a profound moral and political contradiction for the international community of nations.

As we face 100 days before the World Cup, we say reject the normalization of war, repression and genocide. Demand that FIFA move the games and boycott the U.S. until it has demonstrated that it is prepared to operate in the world as a normal state committed to equality, peace and people(s)-centered human rights. 

UNAC is a member of the coalition organizing against having the World Cup games in the U.S.

Originally posted, April 3rd, at:  blackallianceforpeace.com/bapstatements/2026/4/2/baps-9th-anniversary

BAP’s 9th Anniversary: Turn Imperialist Wars into Peoples’ Wars Against Imperialism

For the past nine years, the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) has sought to advance the radical Black, anti-war, pro-peace, and anti-imperialist movements through practice and uncompromising analysis grounded in our Principles of Unity and a People(s)-Centered Human Rights approach. The U.S./EU/NATO Axis of Domination’s imperialist brutality and lawlessness currently on display on both domestic and global fronts is intended to demobilize and destabilize us – in just the last few months, this lawlessness has enabled the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores, and the bombing, invasion, and ongoing intervention in Venezuela; the heightened strangulation and attacks on Cuba; the war on Iran; continued occupation and destabilization of Haiti; and murders and occupations of U.S. cities by federal agents. However, this very brutality and lawlessness heightens the contradictions brought on by the Pan-European colonial/capitalist patriarchy and clarifies the stakes of our commitment to challenging and defeating the war against our people.

Importantly, BAP was founded on April 4, 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Beyond Vietnam” speech that reconnected with the Black Radical Peace tradition by adding his voice of opposition to the murderous U.S. war machine unleashed on the people of Vietnam. In this, he argued that the U.S. was the greatest purveyor of violence on the planet, and that a radical revolution of values was needed to defeat “the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism [i.e. capitalism], and militarism.” BAP’s work is part of Dr. King’s unfinished fight against these forces that have only intensified in the last 59 years and continue waging war on our people. 

To understand the nature of such warfare is to see through the veil of imperialist global conflict and recognize it for what it fundamentally is: a continuation of class war. The United States' recent global wars, particularly the full-throated illegalities of the post-9/11 era, represent a qualitative shift. This external aggression has a direct domestic byproduct: intense repression and the engineered splintering of the population, all while funneling working-class tax dollars into the military-industrial complex that supports imperialist violence globally. 

However, within this grim reality lies a critical opening for forces like BAP and all others who struggle for a revolutionary transformation of society, such as the communal economy and governance within the Bolivarian Revolution or the development achievements through national sovereignty in Iran. The system's brutality via imperialist domination, while intended to demobilize, must sharpen the resolve for us and all the African/Black, colonized, and oppressed working masses of the globe. What we have witnessed, particularly since the Al-Aqsa Flood and the subsequent U.S.-Israeli genocidal campaign on Gaza, is the removal of remaining liberal pretenses that thinly disguised the theft of land, labor, and life that capitalism requires to sustain itself. We must name the truth, that this process, this structure of U.S.-led imperialism, seeks only death to establish and maintain “full spectrum dominance”.

In this context, we focus on defeating this war against our people. This requires not merely exposing the contradictions of U.S.-led imperialism, but turning imperialist wars on our people into peoples’ war against imperialism. The radical, revolutionary, and progressive forces that understand this must find ways to strike strategic blows against the imperialist war machine that is intent on destroying our lives, livelihoods, environments, and the planet. For BAP and other forces in the radical African/Black movement, this can only be done effectively by engaging and supporting the masses of our people to prepare for and conduct a peoples’ war for liberation. 

In our ninth year, BAP recommits to this protracted struggle through our consistent campaign frameworks that are increasingly focused on moving from simply exposing the contradictions of imperialism toward political clarity and consciousness expressed as organized, sustained activity that builds legitimate resistance to U.S. imperialism and militarism:

• No Compromise No Retreat: Defeat the War Africans/Black People in the U.S. and Abroad. Our core campaign framework, which includes emerging efforts such as the Climate, Environment, and Militarism working group.

• U.S. Out of Africa: Shut Down AFRICOM

• U.S./NATO Out of Our Americas: Make Our Americas a Zone of Peace!, and 

• “MOVE THE GAMES”: Boycott the World Cup and Boycott the U.S and Israel

In the context of this protracted collective struggle, BAP continues to forge a path between analysis and action through these campaign frameworks that are the trenches in which we fight for a future beyond the logic of capital.  The decade ahead demands that we deepen this struggle, sharpen our ideological clarity, enhance our activity, and continue to build a movement capable of not only opposing the machinery of death but of building a new world in its place.

Not one drop of blood from the poor and working class to defend capitalist dictatorship!

No Compromise No Retreat!

Update for week 16 of 2026 – Palestinian Prisoners Day, Vijay Singh, Rick Toledo on trial, elections in Bulgaria and Hungary, Earth Day, Workers' Memorial Day, May 1st + more

More events are listed at:  durhamspark.blogspot.com/2026/04/update-for-week-15-of-2026-anti-war.html

The BBC's Lise Doucette is reporting from Iran again (for the time this year?), provided that none of her material appears on the BBC's very anti-Iran Persian Service.  Unlike even the BBC and PBS, NPR rarely if ever talks to Iranians who are not anti-government and never reports from Iran, though NPR is willing to send people into Gaza with Israeli minders (they couldn't see or meet with any Palestinians anyway) and they have taken cellphones into the NSA's headquarters, and then given the NSA the opportunity to try to hack into the devices manually, not just remotely within the building.

[NPR has a relatively young-sounding woman sending quite anti-Iran reports from Van, Turkey; she quotes alleged Iranians in Turkey (since when?) on the War, especially the relatively young-sounding refugees who say that they want or maybe demand that the US and Israel continue bombing Iran – notice that these alleged anti-Iran Iranians aren't in Iran enduring the bombing and economic warfare they advocate.  Even the warmongering, anti-Russian NYRB ran an article recently that portrayed Russian dissidents or liberals years ago if not now as often hostile to the people of Russia, and here are Iranians who seem to be very hostile to their own people, wishing for genocidal foreign powers to attack Iran.  If anti-Iran Iranians think only the "regime" is being targeted, why are they hiding out in Turkey?  Is Iran the new 90's Iraq, the War won't end for years, and Iran will face periodic bombing and economic warfare (and are Lebanon and the West Bank to be the new Gaza?)?  Of course there are large differences.  On the 22nd the NPR woman is really reaching – a second-hand story about someone alleged hearing an illegal busker (and therefore allegedly anti-government?) in Tehran is set against pro-government or neutral mass actions going on in Iran.  Iran is supposedly so dangerous for anti-government Iranians, yet the BBC kept playing alleged recordings of people yelling anti-government slogans from apartment windows in Tehran during the bombing.  They expect me to believe that no pro-government people live there to complain/the government couldn't find these anti-government people if it wanted too?  Lise Doucette, probably accompanied by a government minder, was able to talk with people on the street about the anti-government protests.  NPR has become so toxic and abhorrent.  Trump called for the latest round of gerrymandering, but I wonder if the Democratic Party will finish as the top gerrymanderer of 2025-2026.  NPR has been hyping this Democratic Party gerrymandering too.  On the BBC I get warmongering British propaganda, but NPR combines warmongering US/NATO with Democratic Party propaganda.  An article in Harper's Magazine this month advocates the political and economic disenfranchment of the elderly, based on the liberal theory that our problem is Baby Boomer "gerontocracy," not capitalism and the two dominant parties.  The Democratic Party (on NPR, Substack, etc.) denounces people like me too (while demanding that I vote for a warmongering, anti-democratic "blue" George W Bush or Dick Cheney), though I'm still relatively young.]

[WUNC is asking for money again for Earth Day.  April 22nd is also the birth anniversary of Russian revolutionary leader V.I. Lenin (and Yggdrasil Day, for the Norse world-ash tree?); more days are listed below and in older calendars on DS).]  [TML for Earth Day:  cpcml.ca/TML2026/T56021.HTM#1 ]  [Lenin was born 156 years ago, in 1870:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Lenin ]

[Was it an attempt to assassinate Kim Jong Il April 22, 2004? – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryongchon_disaster ]

[ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germaine_de_Staël ]

[Selena Simmons Duffin vilifying RFK Jr April 22nd – 'Personal choice is not really how public health works.'  Meaning that it works through coercion and force?  The warmongering Jay Price on Russia allegedly experimenting with autonomous"AI" drones that could kill without human orders.]

[On Due South April 22nd – Even a guy on NPR's Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me weekend comedy show is connected to the "national security" "deep state" and US militarism – he worked building F-117 Nighthawk "stealth fighters," requiring security clearance, before turning to comedy (and he was part of the USO?).]

Former diplomat and Middle East "peace" negotiator Aaron David Miller was interviewed by Dave Davies on NPR's Fresh Air around April 15th and answered a question about the legality of the "Iran War" (?) by stating something like when has international law ever mattered for the US/a US president?  Exactly how "international law" often works under the US "rules-based international order;" it is often just a set of laws the US, UK, EU, etc. use to persecute governments and countries they want to overthrow and rule.  Somewhere it was claimed that, prior to Trump and Hegseth, the US military was very careful to avoid harming non-combatants (yet it did). – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_David_Miller

Around the 15th former diplomat and ambassador David Hale was on NPR's 1A with host Jennifer Whyte and journalists Maya ...  and ... Karam.  Hale pushed the line that there are no major disputes between Lebanon and Israel, everything is the fault of Hezbollah. On that show and/or the BBC they revealed that "disarming" Hezbollah includes ending its social and banking programs, apparently meaning that the Lebanese government is supposed to dismantle Hezbollah for Israel and the US and EU (something that the imperialists have never been able to accomplish themselves), risking a new Lebanese civil war, for the party currently occupying, levelling, and depopulating parts of Lebanon.  If I'm not mistaken the US and EU desired that the Lebanese government and military be weak in the first place, thus the Lebanese government couldn't dismantle Hezbollah even if it wanted to.  Hezbollah is also a major Lebanese political party.  The only opposition to the warmongering Zionist Hale that I heard was very weak disagreement over facts (?) by Maya ... and one or a few disagreeing listener messages, including a woman from this area who might be Lebanese.  Without Hezbollah the US, Israel, France, Saudi Arabia, etc. would be able to do whatever they want in Lebanon. –

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hale_(diplomat) 

theworker.news/2026/04/14/hezbollah-repels-israeli-invasion-in-southern-lebanon/

geopolitiq.substack.com/p/the-sandal-wearing-houthis-humiliate

www.kitklarenberg.com/p/collapsing-empire-hezbollah-crushes

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/14/israel-destruye-santuario-religioso-inscrito-por-la-unesco-en-libano/

"Temporary Ceasefire: A Tactical Achievement for the Resistance Front in Lebanon and the Region" –  masarbadil.org/en/2026/04/8039/ 

"The Empire is Retreating — and Peoples are Struggling and Making History by Khaled Barakat" – masarbadil.org/en/2026/04/8041/ 

April 11 April 17? "Rosario, Argentina: Demonstration in solidarity with Palestine, Iran and Lebanon against Zionist-imperialist aggression" – masarbadil.org/en/2026/04/8029/

Reportback from Farmington, Maine:  went2thebridge.substack.com/p/antiwar-actions-in-farmington-plus

[At Holloman Air Force Base:  went2thebridge.substack.com/p/holloman-air-base-protesters-detained ]

"US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon unlikely to resolve key issues" – scholarwww.rt.com/news/638434-lebanon-talks-key-issue/

www.rt.com/news/638526-lebanon-ceasefire-us-israel-takes-effect/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/10/iran-no-abandona-al-libano-mientras-los-americanos-abandonan-a-donald-trump/

[ husseini.substack.com/p/why-doesnt-the-pope-excommunicate ]

Palestinian Prisoners Day 2026 –

samidoun.net/2026/04/palestinian-prisoners-day-2026-organize-and-act-to-end-the-genocide-behind-bars-and-free-them-all/  

www.justpeaceadvocates.ca/lets-be-in-solidarity-for-palestinian-prisoners-day-2026/

bdsmovement.net/news/Palestinian-Prisoners-Day-2026

Indian revolutionary communist Vijay Singh, the editor of Revolutionary Democracy, has passed away? – redphoenixnews.com/2026/04/17/comrade-vijay-singh-has-died/

[From Cn. Subramaniam of Revolutionary Democracy's editorial board –

"Comrade Vijay Singh, the founder editor of Revolutionary Democracy journal, passed away on the 17th of April, 2026, after a brief fight against cancer.

In his long political journey spanning over six decades, Comrade Vijay Singh stood as a steadfast defender of Marxism Leninism and an uncompromising critique of all shades of revisionism. At the same time he remained open to dialogue and principled joint action for democratic causes. 

Comrade Vijay Singh was a firm but gentle mentor to all of us. The editorial board and revolutionary democracy organisation salutes comrade Vijay Singh and express solidarity with his grieving family. We are determined to carry forward his legacy. 

Red salute to comrade Vijay Singh!

Long live Revolution!!" ]

 

On the recent burning of US corporate warehouses, etc. –

therevolutioncontinues.substack.com/p/the-time-for-revolution-is-now

www.kenklippenstein.com/p/luigi-inspired-arsonist-threatened

In Ireland –

www.rt.com/news/638137-ireland-us-hercules-damaged/

www.rt.com/news/637864-ireland-army-fuel-protests/

trendcompass.substack.com/p/how-britain-falsifies-history-in

fair.org/home/nyts-investigation-of-how-trumps-war-on-iran-started-leaves-out-the-papers-own-silence/

fair.org/home/nyts-excuses-for-lack-of-reporters-in-iran-dont-add-up/ 

fair.org/home/its-been-a-setback-for-the-trump-administration-and-the-bipartisan-war-party/

fair.org/home/the-world-is-only-going-to-get-darker-if-people-get-away-with-this/

In Iran –

fair.org/home/israel-destroys-a-synagogue-us-media-yawn/

www.defenddemocracy.press/sign-letter-protect-scientific-institutions-in-iran/

On the Tehran Resolution:  masarbadil.org/en/2026/04/7921/ 

[ www.rt.com/news/638909-tehrans-red-lines-have-changed/ ]

www.rt.com/news/638317-netanyahu-no-gains-iran/ 

[ www.rt.com/news/638762-israel-blood-feud-us-iran-james-webb/ ]

[ www.rt.com/news/638947-us-navy-secretary-steps-down/ ]

meaninginhistory.substack.com/p/dd-on-trumps-new-plan-more-bigger

michelchossudovsky.substack.com/p/what-bombs-cannot-kill , part III 

[ www.rt.com/news/638807-russian-envoy-denounces-iran-war-crime/ ]

[ emailsfromiran.blogspot.com ]

["Lebanese Journalist Amal Khalil Bombed and Left to Die by Israel" – in Tyre, Lebanon April 22nd? – www.dropsitenews.com/p/lebanon-journalist-amal-khalil-killed-israel ]

[ the307.substack.com/p/israel-carries-out-targeted-assassination ]

[ the307.substack.com/p/idf-gives-order-to-fire-on-civilians in southern Lebanon]

the307.substack.com/p/the-rape-army-idf-officially-allows

[ www.rt.com/news/638842-israeli-sexual-violence-west-bank/ ]

On the new Global Sumud Flotilla:  –

went2thebridge.substack.com/p/global-disinterest-in-gaza-genocide

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/16/palestina-libre-flotilla-global-sumud-zarpa-hacia-gaza-para-romper-el-bloqueo-israeli/

More on the war with Iran over pistachios –

www.nefariousrussians.com/p/californias-war-on-iranian-pistachios

thegrayzone.com/2018/12/04/pistachio-wars-how-the-resnicks-snack-food-fortune-is-fueling-the-assault-on-iran/

the307.substack.com/p/whats-behind-usisraeli-strikes-on

More on the Iranian Lego animations and the struggle for "hearts and minds" –

www.rt.com/news/634174-iran-us-lego-video-pr-war/

www.rt.com/news/638332-iran-lego-cartoon-artist/

went2thebridge.substack.com/p/propaganda-or-satire

"Israel fumes over Netanyahu effigy blown up in Spain (VIDEO)" – www.rt.com/news/638243-israel-spain-netanyahu-effigy/

adc.org/adc-calls-for-immediate-release-of-u-s-citizen-and-journalist-ahmed-shihab-eldin-detained-in-kuwait/

adc.org/statement-on-assassination-plot-against-nerdeen-kiswani/

simplicius76.substack.com/p/serious-escalation-russian-mod-implies

A warning to the hot-headed, Russophobic Baltic governments – www.rt.com/russia/638524-russian-security-chief-warning-nato-states/

[ www.rt.com/news/638701-baltic-states-deny-airspace-slovakia-fico/ ]

[ www.rt.com/russia/638759-pandemic-fascism-looming-west/ ]

In Norway:  www.rt.com/news/637855-norway-ukraine-drone-attacks/

zanzibar.substack.com/p/drones-ukrainiens-une-escalade-dangereuse

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/14/patrushev-los-paises-de-la-otan-ceden-su-espacio-aereo-a-los-drones-de-las-fuerzas-armadas-de-ucrania/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/14/la-otan-intensifica-su-actividad-naval-frente-a-las-costas-rusas-segun-patrushev/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/13/canada-prepara-a-su-ejercito-para-una-guerra-a-gran-escala-contra-rusia/

www.defenddemocracy.press/during-war-climate-chaos-and-even-civilization-become-ephemeral/

Cuba and Latin America –

[ cpcml.ca/TML2026/MS5603.HTM ]

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/16/65-anos-de-la-proclamacion-del-socialismo-en-cuba/

"Pentagon Ramps Up Preparations for Potential Attack on Cuba" – www.defenddemocracy.press/88457-2/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/13/diaz-canel-sobre-posible-agresion-de-ee-uu-si-toca-morir-moriremos/

www.rt.com/news/638538-russia-sent-important-message-by/

"Russia sent important message by defying US oil blockade of Cuba – envoy – www.rt.com/news/638574-cuba-sends-secret-letter-trump/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/14/venezuela-consolida-union-civico-militar-a-24-anos-de-rescatar-a-chavez-y-vencer-al-fascismo/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/13/un-escudo-para-blindar-la-america-de-los-gusanos/

www.mtracey.net/p/cuban-regime-change-rally

[ www.rt.com/news/638777-von-der-leyen-super-authoritarian/ ]

[ www.rt.com/business/638932-eu-energy-crisis-iran-war/ ]

"Europe has ‘six weeks’ of jet fuel left – IEA chief" – www.rt.com/news/638553-europe-fuel-crisis/

www.rt.com/news/638541-nato-fuel-crisis-eu/

www.rt.com/news/637877-iran-war-eu-lesson/

www.rt.com/news/638612-slovakia-sues-eu-russian-gas/

On the election in Bulgaria April 19th – www.rt.com/news/638589-bulgaria-election-radev-guide/

[ www.rt.com/news/638905-what-bulgaria-election-reveals/ ]

www.rt.com/news/638375-bulgaria-election-ukraine-gas/

On Hungary after the parliamentary elections on April 12th –

www.rt.com/news/638471-eu-spies-viktor-orban/

"Orban falls, but Hungary’s realities remain" – 

www.rt.com/news/638373-after-orban-brussels-celebrates/

www.rt.com/news/638150-hungary-crucial-election-updates/

www.rt.com/news/638496-hungary-magyar-media-crackdown/

Peter Magyar was born March 16, 1981 in Budapest: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A9ter_Magyar

www.rt.com/news/637587-battle-for-hungary-us-eu/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/13/acelerara-el-colapso-de-la-ue-enviado-de-putin-comenta-el-resultado-de-las-elecciones-en-hungria/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/13/dia-negro-para-europa-politico-eslovaco-analiza-el-resultado-electoral-en-hungria/

"Von der Leyen pushes abolition of veto power in EU" – www.rt.com/news/638396-eu-veto-hungary-magyar/

[ www.rt.com/russia/638938-moldova-opposition-figure-jail/ ]

www.rt.com/russia/637578-ukraines-mobilization-crisis-deepens/

www.rt.com/russia/638131-ukrainian-draft-officers-snatch-man/

www.rt.com/russia/637320-two-conscription-officers-stabbed-ukraine/

In Western Europe – 

"Merz wants Ukrainian men in Germany sent to the front" – www.rt.com/news/638427-merz-wants-ukrainian-men-in-germany-sent-home/

"German ‘militaristic frenzy’ could end in tragedy – Moscow" – www.rt.com/news/637552-germany-military-merz-zakharova/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/04/alemania-se-prepara-para-la-guerra/

"French MPs withdraw controversial ‘anti-Semitism’ bill" – www.rt.com/news/638611-france-controversial-antisemitism-bill/

www.rt.com/news/638540-von-der-leyen-immune-democracy-orban/

www.rt.com/news/638580-eu-age-verification-surveillance-durov/

[ www.rt.com/news/638628-britain-zionist-police-state-israel/ ]

www.rt.com/news/638581-starmer-mandelson-uk-epstein/

[ www.rt.com/news/638718-uk-cant-find-reservists/ 

["EU has four years to militarize – Belgian defense chief" – www.rt.com/news/638627-eu-four-years-war-russia/ ]

www.rt.com/russia/637470-ukrainian-drones-target-russian-oil-shipment-hub-mod/

www.rt.com/news/638428-us-untested-missile-stock/

www.rt.com/india/637725-us-aircraft-losses-iran/

www.rt.com/news/637760-gulf-has-new-boss-here/

www.rt.com/russia/637445-billion-dollar-mirage-do-ukraines/

www.rt.com/russia/638105-65-years-since-humanitys-first-spaceflight/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/14/el-ejercito-rojo-de-obreros-y-campesinos-de-la-urss-aplasto-a-la-alemania-nazi/

Western Sahara – diario-octubre.com/2026/04/14/la-republica-arabe-saharaui-democratica-sigue-en-pie-50-anos-despues/

In Nasser's Egypt – www.rt.com/africa/637956-aswan-dam-egypt-and-ussr-partnership/

"IMF raises Russia’s growth outlook" – www.rt.com/business/638424-russia-economic-growth-commodities-imf/

www.rt.com/africa/638464-russia-doubles-wheat-exports-sudan/

www.rt.com/africa/638579-south-african-opposition-party-da-gaza-stance-criticized/

"British oil giant faces lawsuit over 500 deaths in Kenya" – www.rt.com/africa/638562-british-oil-giant-bp-faces-pollution-lawsuit-kenya/

[ www.rt.com/india/638901-india-russia-military-logistics-pact-relos/ ]

[ www.rt.com/india/638915-right-time-for-india-to/ ]

[ www.rt.com/india/638812-india-expands-pool-of-russian/ ]

[ www.rt.com/india/638801-china-increases-direct-flights-to/ ]

www.rt.com/news/637854-taiwan-china-peace-mission-split/

["Japan makes major shift from pacificism policy – Tokyo has further drifted away from its proclaimed post-WWII pacifist stance, allowing arms sales to 17 nations" – www.rt.com/news/638850-japan-pacifict-policy-shift/ ]

"Trump orders probe into mysterious deaths of US nuclear scientists" – www.rt.com/news/638590-trump-us-scientist-deaths/

[Blaming Andropov – eventsinukraine.substack.com/p/the-kgb-and-perestroika ]

[World Aquatics – women’s water polo –  www.rt.com/news/638876-russian-athletes-anthem-flag/ ]

[ www.rt.com/news/638879-palantir-karp-technofascist-manifesto/ ]

[The Internet Wayback Machine endangered –

fair.org/home/the-wayback-machine-has-been-the-best-archive-for-preserving-our-digital-lives/

www.dw.com/en/digital-memory-at-stake-why-news-outlets-block-the-wayback-machine/a-76887853

www.niemanlab.org/2026/01/news-publishers-limit-internet-archive-access-due-to-ai-scraping-concerns/ ]

In Turkey –

April 7th? – www.rt.com/news/637574-israeli-consulate-istanbul-gunfight/

www.rt.com/news/638595-israel-turkiye-war-real/

["Did America’s leading anti-racist NGO fund the KKK?" – www.rt.com/news/638940-splc-funded-kkk-indictment/ ]

Bizarre –

The "Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism" in Israel released its list of the alleged top ten "anti-Semite and anti-Zionist" and anti-Israel influencers, from Tucker Carlson to Greta Thunberg – www.rt.com/news/638549-israel-list-top-antisemite-influencers/

www.rt.com/news/638587-trump-useless-nato-hormuz/

www.rsn.org/001/finally-democrats-are-a-united-antiwar-party.html

www.rt.com/news/638551-hegseth-brands-media-pharisees-iran/

www.rt.com/news/637764-trump-weaponizing-christianity-iran/

www.rt.com/news/638498-jesus-slaps-trump-ai/

"Trump’s religion is ‘Israelism’ – Tucker Carlson (VIDEO)" – www.rt.com/news/638522-trump-christianity-pope-attack/

Anti-communism on RT – "‘The night of red terror is over; this is a new dawn’: Villagers shed a former Maoist rebel past" – www.rt.com/india/638503-red-terror-naxalaites-india-modi-government/

Also in India – theworker.news/2026/04/17/nazariya-magazine-repression-will-not-hault-our-work-nazariya-magazines-statement-on-the-brutal-detention-and-custodial-torture-of-11-activists-by-delhi-police-special-cell/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Fairfax

[On the alleged 2025 EU mystery drones – www.rt.com/news/638946-belgium-drone-scare-fallout/ ]

From Tennessee:  www.rt.com/news/637590-tim-burchett-aliens-visit-contact/

"The travellers mapping their holiday by the stars" – www.bbc.com/travel/article/20260416-why-astrocartography-is-having-a-travel-moment

[ tannerfboyle.substack.com/p/the-getting-spooked-reading-list-7 ]

"Sam the Sandown Clown" (not a clown, a strange being) was reportedly seen by two children on the UK's south coast Isle of Wight May... [15th?] or ... [8th?], after being reported June... [June 2, 1973?] in the 1970's. – theghostinmymachine.com website, May 30, 2022.  Seen again since then??  [See also:  durhamspark.blogspot.com/2025/07/deep-river-riverkeeper-founded-upcoming.html ]  I'll have to hide away in a hermit 'hut' by water and eat wild fruits too?  

On The Sprit of Socialism (a new book):  www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v48/n05/sheila-fitzpatrick/apocalypse-forgotten and www.amazon.com/dp/1501781510/  

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/12/netanyahu-debes-hacer-cola-para-besarnos-el-culo-que-no-eres-nadie/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/13/una-cosa-es-ganar-y-otra-cantar-victoria/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/11/los-paises-de-la-otan-anuncian-planes-de-evacuacion-en-caso-de-guerra/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/11/la-firma-por-parte-de-putin-de-la-ley-sobre-el-genocidio-es-una-senal-para-alemania/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/13/ee-uu-ha-recurrido-a-aviones-de-hace-70-anos-debido-a-las-perdidas-sufridas-en-la-guerra-con-iran-bild/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/11/los-imperialistas-fabrican-enemigos-para-justificar-sus-agresiones-militares/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/11/captan-una-intrigante-galaxia-que-puede-resolver-el-misterio-de-los-pequenos-puntos-rojos/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/09/la-derecha-espanola-trumpista-y-sionista-ahora-esta-muda/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/13/rusia-despliega-robot-de-combate-kurier/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/13/la-advertencia-militar-de-iran-a-la-region-tras-las-amenazas-de-trump-a-sus-puertos/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/06/eeuu-e-israel-estan-perdiendo-la-guerra-en-iran-y-los-estadounidenses-se-estan-cansando/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/16/iran-promete-hacer-prisioneros-a-miles-de-soldados-si-ee-uu-lanza-una-incursion-terrestre/

diario-octubre.com/2026/02/17/las-prisiones-israelies-comienzan-los-preparativos-para-ejecutar-a-los-reclusos-palestinos/

diario-octubre.com/2026/02/17/el-espanolismo-rancio-tambien-vive-en-una-parte-de-la-izquierda/

diario-octubre.com/2015/09/20/hijos-de-puta-muy-hijos-de-puta/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/15/la-confesion-interna-que-expone-como-funciona-google-en-realidad/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/14/el-factor-100-y-la-magia-negra/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/14/en-francia-se-han-presentado-libros-infantiles-dedicados-a-la-muerte/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/13/la-izquierda-traicionada-y-difamada/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/16/en-odesa-una-turba-de-sabuesos-de-zelenski-agredio-a-un-chivo-de-16-anos/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/01/declaracion-de-los-comunistas-israelies/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/08/la-mayor-humillacion-en-la-historia-de-los-eeuu-es-tener-a-trump-como-presidente/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/15/lula-impedir-el-retorno-del-fascismo-es-un-compromiso-moral-y-etico/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/15/rpdc-declaracion-del-minrex-sobre-japon/

diario-octubre.com/2026/04/16/si-la-tregua-falla-iran-puede-cerrar-el-ormuz-digital/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigitte_Bardot

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Norris  

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mueller 

[Jesse Jackson]

[ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erich_von_D%C3%A4niken ]

[Jurgen Habermas – newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/normcore?pc=1750 ]  [And en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%BCrgen_Habermas ]

[ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilia_II_of_Georgia ]

www.pollinator.org/earth-day-toolkit

www.pollinator.org –

Moth Week 2026 – July 18-25th

Bat Week 2026 – October,24-31

NAPPC – October 20th-22nd

Pollinator Week 2026 – June, 22nd-28t

World Bee Day – May 20th

www.myhomepark.com/p2-bee-friendly-gardening

Surveys –

www.wake.gov/parksurvey

Business Owners Feedback on Durham Planning & Development Permitting Process –  forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=gu99KTmUiEOoCDVIpOz0fRP-ECBJYgBDsvxr3ZG4FjhUOUFSRlE0VEU4VzVWTjNHRTQzM0hGSTZTUy4u  (open April 17th to  May 17th)

The Town of Cary Arbor Day Celebration was March 28th, 12-3pm.

[KoreaFest 2026 was March 28th, 10am-3pm, at the NC State Fairgrounds Exposition Center in Raleigh?  Organzed by KoreaFest - InWave? – Google's "AI."]  [See:  www.inwavemovement.com/koreafest ]  [ x.com/inwavemovement ]  [And on Facebook.]  [A different 2026 NC Korean Festival is in Greensboro April 25th and I think there is a SC Korean Festival coming up in September 2026.]

The Triangle Land Conservancy's Wild Ideas – You Are a Force for Nature 2026 was April 11th (10am-2pm) at the NCMA.

From Keep Durham Beautiful –

Local Nursuries & Sales:

• Field to Cottage Nursery: Pickups start on March 28!

• NC Botanical Gardens: Daily Plant Sale returns on Tuesday, March 17!

• Flowering Earth Natives: At the Durham Farmers Market, Saturdays from 9AM-12PM

• Knotty by Nature: Every Saturday through the end of May

• Briggs Ave Community Garden Spring Plant Sale: Saturday, April 18

• Wolfberry Hawthorn Farm Spring Plant Sale: Sunday, April 19

• Laurel's Garden Design and Native Nursery  Plant Sale: April 24-26

• Meg’s Natives: On sale now until sold out

• Backyard Butterflies Spring Plant Sale

Plant Swaps & Giveaways:

• April 24 - Seed Swap At SEEDS! 9am-12pm & 4pm-7pm

• April 28 (and every final Tuesday of the month) at Hi-Wire Brewing

There are also many local groups that focus on sharing seeds and plants for free year-round!

• Durham Gardeners Facebook Group

• Central SW Durham Seed and Plant Library

• North Raleigh Seed Library

• Bull City Plant Swap Facebook Group

• Digging Durham Seed Library

"Free mulch, anyone? City of Durham General Services Department is opening a brand new Mulch Yard to the public beginning on April 18! Stop by 2011 Fay Street on select dates from 8AM-12PM to pick up free wood chips created from routine Urban Forestry work—perfect for your landscaping and gardening projects.

Round one dates: April 18, May 2, May 16, May 30, June 13, & June 30. Come early, bring your containers, and give your garden a boost!

Learn more here! ="

• April 16-19 - Full Frame Documentary Film Festival

• April 17 - Duke University Earth Fest at Bryan Center Plaza

• April 17-18 - Invasive Plant Removal at CR Wood Park

• April 18 - Fluid Community Garage Community Day + Cleanup

• April 18 - Scrap Exchange Everyday Is Earth Day Celebration

• April 18 - Part & Parcel Earth Day Celebration

• April 19 - Durham Earth Day Festival at Durham Central Park

• April 19 - MLK Parkway Cleanup

• April 19 - Bluestem Conservation Cemetery Guided Walk

• April 20 - Stories from the Water and the Land: Sustaining Communities

• April 21 - Durham Garden Forum Presentation: Fireflies!

• April 22 - Goose Creek Cleanup with KDB

• April 22 - Bird Outing at Sandy Creek Park

• April 22 - Earth Day Chalk Art with Trees for the Triangle at Hillside ATC Trail

• April 24 - Invasive Plant Removal at Elmira Ave Park

• April 24 - Durham County Government Public Art Tour

• April 24 - Statewide Star Party at West Point on the Eno

• April 25 - KDB Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup

• April 25 - Shred-a-thon & Medicine Take Back

• April 25 - Moth Night at Brumley South with TLC

• April 25 - Spring Soils Festival at The Hub Farm

• April 25 - Backyard Composting Basics Workshop

• April 26 - Community Workday At Panther Creek Forest Farm

• April 27 - Tuscarora Nation of NC: Legacy of Survival and Sovereignty

• April 28 - Guided Nature Walk at Hollow Rock: Step Into Nature

• April 29 - RTP Electronics Recycling Day

• May 2&3 - Durham Garden Tour!

"If you missed the recent Durham Environmental Coalition presentation by Communidad de Durham and the Tuscarora Nation, never fear! You can view the recording as well as all past presentations on our YouTube channel! Save the date for DEC Annual Potluck on May 11 - location TBA!"

Toxic Free NC at 40 – "You can also celebrate them at a free, family friendly event on Saturday, May 16 from 3-5PM at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center in Raleigh."

In Raleigh April 20th:  raleighnc.gov/alerts/raleigh-water-activates-stage-1-water-restrictions-drought-conditions-continue

From the City of Durham –

"City of Durham Compost Bin Sale!! If you've been curious about at-home composting, there's never been a better time to start! No need to trash food scraps! Feed your garden & trees without leaving home. Buy a compost bin now. You'll divert waste from the landfill. Visit //DurhamNC.gov/935 to see the benefits of composting and click the link to order a bin. Pickups in May at 1833 Camden Ave"

From the NCNPS Reid Chapter (Triangle) –

• April 18, Granville Gardeners Expo,   9 AM-3 PM: volunteers needed for the later shifts.

• April 23, 5-7 PM: New Hope Elementary School STEAM Extravaganza, Orange County:  1 Volunteer needed.  This is a fun event at an elementary school, with lots of engaging exhibits. (Address is Chapel Hill but it's closer to Hillsborough.)

• April 24, 5-10 PM, Raleigh Earth Day (volunteer slots filled, but come by to enjoy the event and say hi & thanks to our volunteers!) 

• April 25, 12-4 PM, Apex EarthFEST. An interactive festival centering on Sustainable Fashion - and Pollinator Gardens (we'll be near the pollinator garden.) Sign up to volunteer. 

• April 18, 1-4 PM Umstead Coalition Plant Sale (starts at noon for UC members/donors)
• April 24, 5-10 PM:  Raleigh Earth Day at Dix Park - Eco friendly festival and movie ("Jane" - a 2017 documentary about Jane Goodall). Note new location within Dix Park for this festival. Stop by our table to say hi to our volunteers!
• April 25 & 26:  Chapel Hill Garden Tour (more info and link below)

From The Elizabethan Gardens on the OBX in Manteo, NC –

Saturday April 18th, 9am-3pm- Currituck Home, Flower, and Garden Show

NC Cooperative Extension Currituck Center 120 Community Way, Barco, NC

Wednesday April 22nd, 4pm-sunset- Earth and Arts OBX

The Soundside Event Site 6800 S. Croatan Hwy Nags Head, NC 27959

Saturday May 2nd, 9am-2pm- Coastal Gardening Festival

Baum Center 300 Mustian St, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Greensboro's Earth Day is...?

The Celebration of Spring Pottery Tour is April 17-19th in Seagrove, NC:  discoverseagrove.com/events/celebration-of-spring-main-event/

An LA Festival of Books is going on this weekend?

"A day of ghosts, monsters, UFOs and Fortean strangeness on 18 April at Conway Hall, central London and online." (hybrid format?)– forteanlondon.blogspot.com/2026/02/strange-central-2026-mysteries-monsters.html

Record Store Day 2026 is April 18th:  recordstoreday.com

From the SCNPS Upstate Chapter – 

Spring Native Plant Sale

Saturday, April 18, 2026

9 AM to 1 PM 

Conestee Park Stadium

840 Mauldin Road

Greenville, SC 29607

scnps.org/naturalhistoryofthreenativeplants/

Nepal Day 2026 will be at Cedar Fork District Park (off NC 54, on the east side, in 'downtown' Morrisville, just north of Crabtree Creek), April 18th. 

Wake Forest is having Forest Fest Saturday, April 18th, 10am-2pm.

There will be an open house at the Simple Gifts Community Garden (3109 Tingen Road) in Apex, NC Saturday, April 18th, 10am-12:30pm; organized by Garden and the South Wake Conservationists.

[The Party for the Pine 2026 was in the Boyd Tract at Weymouth Woods, April 18th, 10am-3pm (parking was at Weymouth Center on East Connecticut Avenue); this state park has some longleaf pines over 450 years old, including the oldest known longleaf pine, alive in 1548 (predating English colonization in what is now the US South, and not long after Spanish colonization in the New World?). – friendsofwewo.org/party-for-the-pine-2026 and friendsofwewo.org/history-copy-1 ]

The 16th Annual North Carolina ‘Cuegrass Festival will be Saturday, April 18th, 12-6pm, in downtown Raleigh.

The eta Aquariid meteor shower falls April 19th-May 28th and the Lyrids fall April 14-30th:  www.amsmeteors.org/meteor-showers/meteor-shower-calendar/ 

[The webinar "Women Peacemakers - Building a world of peace and justice," organized by the International Women's Alliance (IWA) and Global Women United for Peace Against NATO (GWUAN), was April 18th at 10pm PT:  us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zq4BtW3-QwONij92NZe1sQ#/registration ]

From the Town of Carrboro –

"Join us on Sunday, April 19 from noon to 4 p.m. at Carrboro Town Hall, Town Commons and along Weaver Street for CARRBORO EARTH DAY!" – www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3208 

Seedling Day at the Carrboro Farmers' Market –

SpringFest will be April 18th or 19th, 2-5pm, in Chapel Hill's Southern Village, in Chatham County.

The Hillsborough Really Really Free Market is on third Sundays each month, March-October, 12-2pm, at Gold Park.

The Hillsborough Jazz Festival will open April 18th at 12pm:  www.moorefields.org

Hemparoo 2026 will be April 19th, 12-6pm, at The Plant (192 Lorax Lane) in Pittsboro, NC – www.theplantnc.com/event-details/hemparoo-2026

From IFCO Pastors for Peace – 

RSVP to Raleigh, NC - One Struggle, Many Fronts!  Pullen Memorial Baptist Church - Sunday, April 19th at 1pm. Please RSVP in this form and reserve your ticket here! pci.jotform.com/form/260956358988076 

"Sunday, April 19 @ 1pm

Pullen Memorial Baptist Church

1801 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC

Buffalo, NY

Thursday, April 30 @ 7pm

Pilgraim-St. Luke's United Church of Christ 

335 Richmond Ave, Buffalo NY

Geneva

Friday, May 1 @ 6pm

Trinity Place Episcopal Church 78 Castle Street, Geneva NY

Join us in Upstate NY! To say end the blockade and to make this a momentous May Day."

3rd Earth Day Birthday Celebration at the Thomas Trail!

Sunday April 19, 2:00 - 4:00pm

1215 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem

www.facebook.com/events/1914314679451512/

April 20-25th, with the theme “The Stories that Built U.S.” – dcolhumanities.substack.com/p/library-fest-is-next-week

Cal Poly Humboldt students arrested – "Protesting for Palestine Is Not a Crime!" – [ stopfbi.org/news/rick-toledos-arraignment-call-the-da-on-april-20th-to-drop-the-charges/  [and stopfbi.org/news/detroit-against/ ]

"On 4/22, Call in to drop the Charges on Conor Cauley! Fight Political Repression!" – stopfbi.org/news/jaxpsn-conor/ ]

Durham's 2026 State of the City Address will be Tuesday, April 21st at 5pm:  www.eventbrite.com/e/mayor-williams-2026-state-of-the-city-tickets-1986216450872

 From Balance and Accuracy in Journalism:

"7:30 pm Tuesday April 21

         at the Community Church of Chapel Hill
                       106 Purefoy Road
          Balance and Accuracy in Journalism
                            presents

        Matthew Hoh and Ray McGovern

                               on

     Iran: Truth, Lies and Global Chaos

Most of us hardly know what to grieve or wish for
with developments at home and abroad allegedly 

occurring in our name.

Ray McGovern and Matthew Hoh return to the podium and our Q/A

on April 21 to share their understanding of world events 

and strengthen our prospect for positive engagement.

Their military and government experience keeps them in demand 

for interviews and commentaries including for the Eisenhower Media Network.

As we noted last month, a fraudulent report with Rachel Maddow’s likeness

claimed a 25th amendment move to replace president Trump was in progress.

Since then, Scott Ritter, John Mearsheimer and Lawrence Wilkerson have 

all been misrepresented by AI deepfakes delivering false content.  

These can appear on our computers alongside the real thing. 

Intimidation and billionaire purchase of mainstream media 

subvert public and institutional voices, while Administration 

announcements suppress gas prices, falsify markets and increase risk.  

Dramatic comparisons are now made of placid seaside views 

watching the water receding and receding while a tsunami gathers force.

Your reports of reliable sources help us find commentaries on Substack, 

as well as Youtube and other platforms.  Here are some of the voices.

     Danny Haiphong and Patrick Henningsen
Iran challenges U.S. Empire while Trump enriches oil majors|
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AmQSOMQxOk
     Amb. Chas Freeman on Nima Alkorshid's Dialogue Works
Oil Prices Surge; US Credibility Crisis: The Hidden Cost of Negotiations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3HeTfS4mOc
     Pepe Escobar:
China Just humiliated Trumps Blockade Plan - Iran Takes FULL Control of Hormuz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46I3oA-N6bM

And then there are... the Larrys , both deeply informative on military and ethical issues!
            Lawrence Wilkerson and Lawrence Johnson.

                  Recommended daily war report:
See nakedcapitalism.com for its self-described goal of

     Fearless Commentary on finance, economics, politics and power.,

Nat Wilson Turner is posting an early morning daily scan of published

details of US/Iran realities and appearances.

Nat is substituting for principal host Yves Smith while she is traveling.

           Join the BAJ discussion Tuesday evening!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

         This is Palestine week on the UNC campus.

           Friday at 5:30, at the Hanes Art Center:

   On Palestine and Censorship: A Panel Discussion

with students and faculty on the removal and reinstallation of

                 the Hanes Art Center Mural,

  I said I loved you and I wanted genocide to stop

Followed by opening reception with food and music at the

      Hanes Art Center Lobby and Sculpture Garden

               For Balance and Accuracy in Journalism"

[A Nodutdol webinar, "Iran to Korea: Diplomacy, Defiance, and US Lawlessness" with "Dr Bikrum Gill, a scholar of international political economy, Basma, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, Simone Chun, a researcher and scholar affiliated with the Korea Policy Institute, and Ju-Hyun Park of Nodutdol’s US Out of Korea Campaign," will be Wednesday, April 22nd, at 8pm ET / 5pm PT – us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6yfHVu1dTnK50p3Y8KAuGQ#/registration ]

[Among other days, April 23rd is both English Language Day, Spanish Language Day, World Book and Copyright Day and International Girls in ICT Day:  www.un.org/en/observances/international-days-and-weeks ]  [ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare ]

Carrboro Bluegrass Festival will be April 23rd; tickets from Cat's Cradle in Carrboro.

MerleFest 2026 will be April 23rd-26th at Warren Wilson Community College in WNC. – Merlefest.org 

[There will be a Veterans for Peace webinar, "RESISTING US/ISRAELI WARS from Venezuela and Cuba to Gaza, Iran and Lebanon" April 23rd at 8pm [ET]:  us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0PjrtvFbTSC5pKHFgT4Erg#/registration ]

[Tanner F Boyle and Mark Pilkington will be speaking about UFOs after a showing of The Arrival, about the Unarius contactee group, in London, UK April 23rd at 7pm:  tannerfboyle.substack.com/p/the-getting-spooked-reading-list-7 ]

“How Housing Happens” will be Thursday, April 23rd 4-6pm at the Chatham Agriculture and Conference Center (1192 US 64 West Business, Pittsboro, NC); part of UNC's Our State, Our Homes initiative:  bit.ly/chathamhousing

Kick Back 'n Carve will be April 24-26th at The Plant in Pittsboro, NC. –  greenwoodwrightsfest.com/kick-back-carve/

"Love Songs from the Liberation Wars"

"Friday, April 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

PSI Theatre, Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris St., Durham, NC 27705

Cost: $35, BUY TICKETS HERE!" – laborsouth.org/event/love-songs-from-the-liberation-wars-love-songs/

Guided Walk in Guilford Woods

Friday April 24, 1:00pm

Guilford College,

5509 George Fox Rd, Greensboro, NC 27410

secure.qgiv.com/for/grouphikeouting/event/guidedwalkinguilfordwoods424/

[The superlative Gathering of Nations powwow April 24-25th in Albuquerque, New Mexico will be the last?]

[The rightist Constitution Party will be tabling at the large Pickle Festival in Mount Olive, NC Saturday, April 25th.]

[The 2026 NC Korean Festival in Greensboro will be April 25th, 11am-6pm at Center City Park:  nckoreanfestival.org/ nckoreanfestival on Facebook (?), and www.facebook.com/DowntownGreensboro/videos/save-the-date-for-nc-korean-festival-downtowns-biggest-cultural-festival-is-retu/1531782374786431/ ]

[Neoliberal, rightist and/or "brown?"  "Civic dialogue" with "experts" representing only the neoliberal side, as on NPR??  The ad goes from businesses people in the might want to area housing.  "Why don’t we have a Trader Joe’s?  And other questions everyone's asking about housing and development," with Whitney Shephard, Kenneth Clark Coo, Laura Lane Mckinnon, Meredith Stone, and Jason Combs, will be April 25th 10am-1pm at the Trinity United Methodist Church Social Hall at Telfair Square (entrance on President Street) in the Savannah, Chatham County (?), Georgia area; with food and refreshmentsorganized by The Current GA, supported by Report for America.  RSVP at – www.jotform.com/form/261025824565154 ; from their email –

"Why don’t we have a Trader Joe’s? Or a Topgolf?  Or a Cheesecake Factory? Or some of the other businesses we see in cities not that different from Savannah? 

It’s something people here ask all the time. The answer isn’t about one company choosing not to come here. It’s about housing, growth, and the realities shaping Coastal Georgia right now.

As our region continues to grow, we’re feeling it in real time. Rising rents. Limited housing supply. Long development timelines. And a ripple effect that impacts everything from where people can live to what kinds of businesses choose to invest here.

Join The Current GA for a FREE, public community conversation focused on how housing and development actually work and why they affect so many of the questions we’re all asking.

This is not a lecture. It’s a chance to hear from local experts and community voices, ask questions, and better understand what’s driving change in Savannah and across Coastal Georgia."[

The CFSA's 2026 Piedmont Farm Tour is April 25-26th:  carolinafarmstewards.org

NC Workers Memorial Day is April 28th every year, with a memorial organized by the NC AFL-CIO in downtown Raleigh.

[International Workers' Day is May 1st, also May Day or Beltane.]  [Walpurgis Night begins on April 30th, the anniversary of the full end of the Vietnam War?]

From the NC AFL-CIO – 

 In Raleigh

What: Kids Over Corporations rally

When: Friday, May 1, from 10 am to 3 pm

Where: Halifax Mall, 300 N Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC, 27603

RSVP: www.mobilize.us/ncae/event/932021/

In Durham

What: Durham May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (rally + march)

When: Friday, May 1, from 5-6:30 pm

Where: The Bull (CCB Plaza), 211 W Parrish St, Durham, NC 27701

RSVP: www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/922351/

In Asheville

What: Asheville May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (rally + march)

When: Friday, May 1, from 3:30-7 pm

Where: Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801

RSVP: www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/932177/

In Charlotte

What: Charlotte's May Day March: Immigrant Rights Are Worker Rights

When: Friday, May 1, from 5-8 pm

Where: 4938 Central Ave 1, Charlotte, NC 28205

RSVP: www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/920096/

In Greensboro

What: May Day Triad NC, March and Rally

When: Saturday, May 2, from 3-5 pm

Where: Guilford County Association of Educators, 315 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27401

RSVP: actionnetwork.org/events/may-day-8

PSL in Durham?  A US general strike May 1st?  There will be a demonstration by the NCAE outside the NC Legislature in downtown Raleigh?  

The Central Carolina Chrysanthemum Society will be selling rare and heirloom chrysanthemums May 1st-2nd, 10am 4pm, at the NC State Farmers Market (1201 Agriculture Street) in Raleigh.

From the SCNPS Upstate Chapter – 

"SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, May 2, 10:00AM - 3:00PM

Pickens County Native Plant Jubilee

Career and Technology Center

Chastain Road

Liberty, SC

More details are available on the Jubilee Facebook page."

From ads in The Pitch in Kansas City, Missouri – 

"Join us May 2nd, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Independence for the second annual KC Psychic Convention." – www.facebook.com/events/s/kc-psychic-convention/789519440570645/  

"Villain Arts is at the Sheraton at Crown Center for the Eleventh Annual Kansas City Tattoo Arts Festival, May 1-3!" – villainarts.com/shows/kansas-city-mo/ 

The 22nd annual Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance will be May 7-10th and October 1st-4th in Chatham County. – www.shakorihillsgrassroots.org 

[WWII Victory Day is May 9th (the EU disagrees on the date).]

RoosterWalk 16 will be May 21st-24th at Pop's Farm in Martinsville Virginia – roosterwalk.com

 From the Haw River Assembly (going to be off the side) –

"Saturday, May 2: Haw River Festival and Saturdays in Saxapahaw Kickoff, 4-8pm

Join us for this year's Haw River Festival, kicking off Saturdays in Saxapahaw with live music, a giant puppet parade, stand-up paddleboard raffle, canoe rides, stream monitoring, river walk, food trucks, and farmers market. Thanks to Haw River Ballroom, Paperhand Puppets, and Haw River Canoe and Kayak for making this event possible.  Want to volunteer or donate a silent auction item? Email events@hawriver.org or sign-up to volunteer here."

"Saturday, May 16: Fishing Workshop at Bell's Chapel Fishing Pier

Come out on Saturday, May 16, from 9 AM-11 AM at Bell's Chapel Fishing Pier for a fishing workshop! Join JT Tate and his team from "Casting Your Cares Fishing" to learn the fishing basics and have the chance to practice your fishing skills. Casting Your Cares Fishing is a non-profit out of Durham that aims to foster community camaraderie and alleviate tension and anxiety while learning an enjoyable hobby. They will provide participants with fishing rods and reels and bait. Registration is $5 per person. We ask that all participants be 5 years of age or older. Sign up here!"

"Saturday, May 23: Kayak Workshop at Farrington Point We are hosting a Kayak Workshop as part of the Nature4All Diversity series on Saturday, May 23, from 10 AM to 12 PM at Farrington Point. Raphael Darden of Xplore Kayak (a veteran-owned business) will provide kayak and paddling instruction in hopes of empowering more people to be confident on the water. Registration is $5 per person. You can sign up here!"

"Saturday, May 30: Climate Solutions Fair at The Plant, Time TBA

The Climate Solutions Fair returns Saturday, May 30 at The Plant in Pittsboro with live music, interactive demos, kids' activities, film screening, panel discussion, and guided tours. Interested in being a vendor? Sign up HERE. POETRY NIGHT! Leading up to the fair, HRA and Fair Game Beverage will host a climate-themed poetry night on Thursday, May 28.  Email Melissa at melissa@fairgamebeverage.com to sign up (8 minutes or less)." "Stop the Polluter Written "Minimization" Plans!  We need you in Raleigh on Monday April 20! Hey You! YES YOU!  What are you doing on Monday, April 20th at 5pm? Well, you're coming to the PFAS Minimization Plan hearing in Raleigh, of course!  The Environmental Management Commission (EMC) is accepting comments and holding a public hearing on their draft rules for PFAS and 1,4-dioxane. Unfortunately, the EMC’s rules will not protect public health. These rules were written by the polluters themselves and have no real restrictions or consequences for continued discharges of these toxins, even if the levels increase. The hearing begins at 6pm, but sign in for comments begins at 5pm. These hearings are structured as either PFAS or 1,4-dioxane, not both. This structure makes it complicated for the public, so we encourage you to speak on either compound, or both, at the public hearings, but include the following statement in both your written and spoken comments: “I request that this comment be included in the public record for both the proposed 1,4-dioxane monitoring and minimization rules and the PFAS monitoring and minimization rules.” Please have a written copy of your comment ready to turn in after your comments, with the previous line at the top of the written copy. 4/20 in Raleigh - Archdale Building, Ground Floor Hearing Room, 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh Here are a few talking points for you on both PFAS and 1,4-dioxane. We encourage you to use these as a guide, but the most effective comment will be personal. How does this affect YOU and your family? About the rules The EMC plans to adopt a set of rules that were written by polluters and would allow nearly 500 industrial facilities across our state to continue to dump toxic PFAS and 1,4-dioxane into our rivers and drinking water supplies. Rather than require industries and wastewater plants to reduce their chemical pollution, these rules only tell dischargers to collect a handful of samples and to write a plan for how they could reduce pollution. There are no consequences or penalties if the polluter fails to cut its pollution—not even if the polluter increases toxic discharges. North Carolinians deserve strong rules that protect people over polluters. Instead of pursuing toothless rules, the EMC should work toward health-based water quality standards for PFAS and 1,4-dioxane. About 1,4-dioxane 1,4-dioxane is a clear industrial liquid used as a solvent and sometimes created as a byproduct of manufacturing PET plastics — the kind used in plastic bottles and polyester.   1,4-dioxane is carcinogenic and long-term exposure can also damage the liver and kidneys. For at least ten years, NC families have been exposed to high concentrations of 1,4-dioxane. The city of Asheboro’s wastewater treatment plant has discharged 1,4-dioxane into Hasketts Creek, which flows into the Deep and Cape Fear Rivers — threatening the drinking water of up to 900,000 North Carolinians in communities including Sanford, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Pittsboro, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina. Conventional drinking water treatment systems do not remove 1,4-dioxane from water.   North Carolina has some of the worst 1,4-dioxane pollution in the nation. North Carolinians may be exposed to concentrations more than double the national average. Where is the pollution coming from? The Asheboro Waste Water Treatment Plant accepts industrial waste from StarPet, a large industrial facility that manufactures PET polymers used in plastic bottles and polyester. Cities of Greensboro and Burlington have also released high discharges of 1,4-dioxane. What has been done about Asheboro’s pollution so far? The state tried to end Asheboro’s 1,4-dioxane discharges, but the city sued. The EPA supported the state’s action in 2024 and just recently a court ruled in favor of the state. However, Asheboro has appealed and for now the issue remains unresolved. About PFAS PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products since the 1940s. They are found in nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing, firefighting foam, and food packaging. PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to serious health effects, including: - Cancer, including kidney and testicular cancer - Thyroid disease and hormone disruption - Immune system damage, including reduced vaccine effectiveness - High cholesterol and cardiovascular disease - Developmental harm in children and infants North Carolina has been at the center of the national PFAS crisis. In 2019, Haw River Assembly worked with Southern Environmental Law Center to file a Notice of Intent to the City of Burlington for PFAS discharges into the Haw exceeding 33,000 ppt. The Chemours chemical plant along the Cape Fear River has discharged PFAS into the river, which supplies drinking water to hundreds of thousands of residents in the Wilmington area and beyond." "Durham is organizing to stop data center expansion - get involved!  April 18, 4-5:30pm- Down with Data Centers in Durham Teach-in Stanford Warren Library 1201 Fayetteville St. Durham, NC Join Southerners on New Ground, Community Land and Power, Clean Water NC, NC Environmental Justice Network, and other partners for a teach-in on data centers and learn how we can fight back to pass a moratorium right here in Durham! We will gather at 4:00 PM. Childcare and Light Snacks Provided. All are welcome! SIGN UP HERE We will be preparing to mobilize to the Durham city council work session on April 23 at 1pm and for the city council meeting on May 4 at 7pm in support of an ordinance to put a 32-month moratorium on data centers in Durham! April 23, 1pm- Durham City Council Work Session: Moratorium will be Proposed!  Durham City Hall 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham Attend & comment in  support of an ordinance to put a 32-month moratorium on data centers in the city of Durham. Here is a link with how to comment at a city council work session. You can always email your support for a moratorium to: citycouncilonly[at]durhamnc[ ]gov (& this would only apply to the city, so email commissioners[at]dconc[ ]gov to get the ball rolling on a county moratorium!) May 4,  7pm- Durham City Council Work Session: Moratorium Up for a Vote! Durham City Hall 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham Attend & comment in support of an ordinance to put a 32-month moratorium on data centers in the city of Durham. Here is a link with how to comment at a city council meeting. You can always email your support for a moratorium to: citycouncilonly[at]durhamnc[ ]gov (& this would only apply to the city, so email commissioners[at]dconc[ ]gov to get the ball rolling on a county moratorium!)" "Haw River Assembly Acts on Saxapahaw Pollution Concerns After months of community reports about foul odors and water quality concerns near the Saxapahaw wastewater treatment plant, Southern Environmental Law Center has submitted a formal letter on our behalf to NC DEQ demanding action. Water quality sampling has documented dangerous levels of fecal and e.coli bacteria in the plant's discharge to the Haw River — far exceeding safe limits — and state records show the facility has committed more than a dozen permit violations since July 2025. Despite repairs earlier this year, the pollution continues. Haw River Assembly is urging DEQ to investigate the source of the problem, strengthen the plant's permit, and ensure the contamination is addressed before summer recreation season begins. Read the press release." "Stop the Fearrington Preserve Development's request for rezoning!  Fearrington Preserve is a proposed compact community that would sit between Andrews Store, Parker Herndon, and Morris roads in Chatham County. Nearby residents have concerns about the effect of the development on the health of Pokeberry Creek and the floodplain. Read more and sign the community's online petition.  Also, please attend the rezoning Public Hearing on Monday, April 20 at 6:00 pm at the Chatham County Historic Courthouse in Pittsboro." "Learn more about the Freedom of Information Act with POWHR POWHR will be hosting a FOIA workshop on April 20th at 12pm via Zoom featuring Michael Reis, a lawyer and former Pulaski town council member.  They will cover: 1. Who Does What? - Brief discussion of the various bodies, County, State, and Federal. Distinctions between governments, regional authorities, planning commissions, etc. 2. How do they do that? A summary of a typical process for development (data center or otherwise). 3. What kinds of documents? Conversation about what can be requested in FOIA. 4. Walkthrough on a FOIA request - We'll walk through how to draft the language, make sure it's the right entity etc. Register here." "Urge Durham City Council to Save Morgan Farm" [not the MFBR?] – act.audubon.org/a/urge-durham-city-council-save-morgan-farm From the Durham Planning & Development Department – "Morgan Farm (BDG2500014) contiguous voluntary annexation of one portion  of a parcel totaling 223.91 acres located at 8422 Farrington Mill Road."

Spring lights out for migrating birds ends May 31st (until the fall; March 15th-May 31st?).

In Raleigh:  raleighnc.gov/climate-action-and-sustainability/news/raleigh-joins-lights-out-bird-migration

[From the Haw River Assembly – Hawesome (a music event) will return June 14th in Chatham County, time TBA.]

[Harris Lake County Park's 2026 Longleaf Celebration will be during September in southern Wake County; it was held in May until 2025 (?):  www.wake.gov/departments-government/parks-recreation-open-space/all-parks-trails/harris-lake-county-park/harris-lake-programs-events/harris-lake-major-events ]

The Eno River Association will hold a 60th Anniversary fall benefit concert and community celebration the evening of September 12th (Rosh Hashanah) in downtown Durham, instead of having its usual week of July 4th Festival for the Eno beside the River (north of downtown Durham) this year (people apparently say that early July is too hot, plus Tropical Storm Chantal almost hit the event in 2025); the Festival format should return in the spring of 2027? – www.enoriver.org/festival-for-the-eno/ ; from ERA Director Ryan J. Fehrman:  www.enoriver.org/a-new-chapter-for-the-festival-mar-dir-msg/ ; and www.enoriver.org/festival-for-the-eno/event-faqs/

The NC AFL-CIO's 69th (?) Annual Convention will be September 17-18th. 

ArabCon2026 will be September 24-27th in Dearborn, Michigan. 

[ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsi_Gabbard ]

[ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederik_van_Eeden ]

[ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Kent ]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Il_Sung

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Th%C3%A4lmann

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margot_Honecker

es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_van_Zantwijk

[ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Tompkins ]

[ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikos_Zachariadis ]

 

[There was a even "mass shooting," targeting tourists, recently at the ancient Teotihuacan archaeological site in Mexico?] 

France is to return some Dahomey artifacts to Benin?

Twice there were pretty loud explosions nearby this evening.  The IRS recommends turning to tax resistance??  The 'first' small, orange checkered pearl crescent butterfly of the year seen the afternoon of the 17th (or the third?)?  Chimney swifts and a [male] ruby-throated hummingbird and maybe warblers, flycatchers, and blue-gray gnatcatchers have been heard and/or seen, and May beetles, about 6 yellow tiger swallowtails, a female white-tail skimmer dragonfly, various smaller moths (but very few caterpillars?), earwigs, various stinkbugs, a winged termite, various bees and wasps, and mosquitoes, hearing the orthopterans at night, etc.  Any dance or March flies?  [I found a dead male from this year (?) in a cobweb on about the 20th and I might have seen some a few weeks ago, in April.  I think I've been hearing catbirds in April, but I saw one or two on the 20th (and heard an angry (?) hummingbird zoom by on about the 21st?).  Brown thrashers must be building a nest in a Japanese privet hedge (soon to bloom).  The Asian azaleas are finishing to past peak here and the irises finished; a dark blue to violet spiderwort has been blooming.  Eight 'tame' deer were seen here around mid-day on the 20th or 21st.  I saw an unfamiliar dark brown and dull orange 'skimmer' perched near the ground around mid-day on the 21st.]

 In Oaxaca, México? [from Twitter?] –

Seen in a post by Mark Wauck; I would like to think of it as a tribute, but it is probably a pun; search for "Ayatohle y Tamales" – www.instagram.com/p/DViQc8WAJZt/ , www.facebook.com/hiddenamericans/posts/mourning-for-ayatollah-khamenei-in-mexico/1520949340037375/ , www.reddit.com/r/NewIran/comments/1rm77ht/are_they_mourning_him_or_just_calling_him_tamales/, www.instagram.com/p/DVhsUOjiNn5/ , www.facebook.com/Husseinjama2017/posts/halkaan-waa-mexico-waxa-lagu-xumaynayaa-trump-magaca-sida-loo-qoray-ayaaba-iga-q/1514325107364297/ , etc.

Grand Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei was born April 19th in 1939 in Mashhad, Iran. – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Khamenei