(2022-02-22). US imposes sanctions on Donbass republics. rt.com 
Washington reacts to Moscow's decision to recognize the DPR and LPR | US President Joe Biden has announced sweeping new sanctions on the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, following the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize them as independent and sovereign states. | The text, published to the White House's website on Monday evening, seeks to economically stifle the two Donbass republics. | "The Russian Federation's purported recognition of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) or Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) regions of Ukraine contradicts Russia's commitments under the Mins…
(2022-02-22). Biden to Ban Companies from Doing Business in Donetsk & Lugansk. telesurenglish.net On Monday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that U.S. President Joe Biden will soon sign an executive order banning Americans from doing business in the two Ukrainian regions that Russia has recognized as independent states. | RELATED: | "President Biden will soon issue an Executive Order that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) and Lugansk People's Repub…
(2022-02-22). Biden signs decree on sanctions over Russia recognizing Donbass sovereignty. tass.com The US president's executive order prohibits "new investment in the so-called DNR or LNR regions of Ukraine or such other regions of Ukraine, as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, by a United States person wherever located"
(2022-02-22). Global stocks sink on fears of full-blown conflict between Russia, Ukraine. rt.com 
The worsening armed standoff has put pressure on investor sentiment | Global stock markets tumbled on Tuesday on concerns of a possible military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, after President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow would "immediately" recognize the two republics in the breakaway Donbass region and send a military peacekeeping force to the area. | European shares hit a seven-month low, with Germany's DAX and the CAC 40 in Paris sliding around 2%. The benchmark index of Britain's leading companies, the FTSE 100, fell by 1.5% in early trading in London. | The plunge in Europe followed a shares…
(2022-02-22). US embassy's financial support for Ukraine's Maidan hit $1 mln a day, says Putin. tass.com Additional large sums "were brazenly transferred to the bank accounts of opposition leaders, which involved tens of millions of US dollars, Putin said…
(2022-02-22). Biden to sign decree on sanctions, investment bans, trade with DPR, LPR. tass.com This will also provide authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine, the statement noted…
(2022-02-22). The political and historical background to the US war drive against Russia. wsws.org In light of the major escalation Monday of the conflict between the United States and Russia, we are republishing excerpts from the 2016 statement of the International Committee of the Fourth International, "Socialism and the Fight Against War."
(2022-02-22). Price of April Futures for Brent Oil Exceeds $99 Per Barrel First Time Since September 2014. sputniknews.com Between mid-2014 and early 2016 the global economy saw one of the most drastic declines in oil prices in modern history, witnessing a price drop of 70 percent. It was driven by a growing supply gut as well as the growth of US shale oil production, which sparked a rivalry with traditional oil producers.
(2022-02-22). Nothing to Lose? Gazans Vent Anger Against Hamas in Rare Twitter Campaign. sputniknews.com In 2021, the poverty rate in the Gaza Strip saw a dramatic spike, reaching 59 percent, compared to 43 percent five years earlier. Unemployment is also high and Gazans have been pinning the blame not only on Israel, but also on the Islamist group that has been running the enclave since 2007.
(2022-02-22). Canada's Largest Trade Union Boycotts Nordic Flag Carrier SAS Over 'Unacceptable Labour Practices'. sputniknews.com In the course of the pandemic, the Scandinavian flag carrier SAS has pink-slipped 5,000 employees and, upon receiving several tranches from the Danish and Swedish states, embarked on a controversial reorganisation to alleviate the looming threat of bankruptcy.
(2022-02-22). Italian students demand dignified education and an end to precarious labor for all. peoplesdispatch.org 
Italian students have organized a series of mass protests in cities across the country in response to worsening conditions in their education and the recent deaths of two students in work-related accidents…
(2022-02-22). High cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. america.cgtn.com 
Prices for of all kinds of goods are skyrocketing in the U.S. putting a pinch on the budgets of many Americans. One of the greatest financial burdens is the high cost of prescription drugs, which are many times higher in the U.S. than in …
(2022-02-22). Switzerland could be blacklisted as money-laundering state. rt.com 
The financial hub is dealing with the fallout from a huge leak of Credit Suisse banking data | The European People's Party (EPP), the largest political grouping in the European Parliament, called for a review of Switzerland's banking practices on Monday, and for the country to be included on the EU's dirty-money blacklist after leaked Credit Suisse documents revealed the bank's dealings with shady clientele. | The Swiss banking giant has reportedly served a motley client roster for decades, which included heads of state and spy chiefs, as well as human rights abusers and sanctioned individuals. | "The 'Swiss S…
(2022-02-22). Marathon Petroleum Corp: What are oil workers fighting against? wsws.org Marathon is a global corporation which rakes in profits through its globally-organized exploitation of workers, and through financial manipulation on Wall Street.
(2022-02-22). German Chancellor Scholz Says He is Suspending Nord Stream 2 Certification. sputniknews.com The German Federal Grid Agency temporarily suspended the certification of Nord Stream 2 late last year, saying it would be impossible to approve the pipeline until the German-based portion of the infrastructure project and its employees were transferred to German jurisdiction.
(2022-02-22). Damning Auditor General report exposes failure of Canada's government to protect migrant farm workers from COVID-19. wsws.org The report is yet another exposure of the fraudulent "pro-migrant" pretensions of the Trudeau government, which has enabled big business to make massive profits during the pandemic while workers get sick and die from COVID-19.
(2022-02-22). Johnson government adopts "dying with COVID" strategy for the UK. wsws.org The super-rich view any public health response to the pandemic as a state-subsidised interruption of the flow of profits, which must end. Their "new normal" does not mean doing away with the virus, but with the victims of the virus who will be forcibly exposed in their workplaces.
(2022-02-22). Richland, Wa. school board defies COVID regulations; community fights back. liberationnews.org 
On Feb. 15, the School Board of Richland, Washington voted to make masks optional for students and staff, in violation of Washington's statewide mask mandate.
(2022-02-22). IYSSE wins support at Australian university orientations from students opposed to war, "herd immunity" policies. wsws.org One first year student in the working-class city of Newcastle said: "Capitalism has some very obvious flaws, the 1 percent getting richer at the expense of everyone else. You end up looking for an alternative, and socialism is very enticing."
(2022-02-22). Democratic Socialists of America confront left-wing opposition to Biden by shifting further to the right. wsws.org Far from pressuring the Democrats to move to the left, leading DSA figures are preparing to move their organization even further to the right.
(2022-02-22). Condemn the Armed Forces of the Philippines for killing of children. fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the following February 22 statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines. |
| Last February 8, counterinsurgency operating troops belonging to the Philippine Army's 20th Infantry Battalion fired their weapons indiscriminately on a group of peasants tending their coconut kiln (koprahan) in Barangay Roxas, Catubig, Northern Samar. Two children, including a 12-year old, Grade 6 student, were killed by soldiers. Another child was wounded. |
| The soldiers were part of a 30-man unit of the 20th IB that was conducting operations against a unit of the New People's…
(2022-02-21). US plans to impose restrictions on international transactions of Russian banks — Reuters. tass.com The final list of banks subject to sanctions is yet to be formed…
(2022-02-21). US Preparing Sanctions That Would Target Russian Banks, Reports Say. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The administration of US President Joe Biden could block US financial institutions from processing transactions for Russian banks as part of a sanctions package that will be implemented if Moscow decides to "invade" Ukraine, Reuters reports, citing anonymous sources.
(2022-02-21). With Its Doomsday Clock at 100 Seconds to Midnight, The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Calls for Escalating US Aggression against Russia. transcend.org 15 Feb 2022 – Citing the Atlantic Council, the US-based think tank for NATO, the Bulletin explains that the sanctions they advocate would cause the Russian economy to "experience significant chaos." Instead of supporting peaceful measures in the Ukraine, it has become a cheerleader for Washington. From an organization run by scientists, the current governing board of the Bulletin has hardly a scientist in sight.
(2022-02-21). There will be blood, and, yes, we do need stinkin' badges. dissidentvoice.org 
This is a little soft-shoe pissed off blathering from me, so apologies up front. No big news on the Ukraine Invasion front, or the Gates Owning All the Farms front, or the Climate-Wall Street-Chronic Illness front. Nothing related to the MICIMATT (Military-Industrial-Congressional-MEDIA-Academia-Think-Tank) front. Just plain old burnt toast and spilled milk from a radical who …
(2022-02-21). Iran nuclear deal overshadows Russia worries on oil market radar. rt.com 
Oil prices have made their first weekly drop since the beginning of the year before recovering on Monday | Global crude prices dropped for the week ending Sunday for the first time this year. The slide came amid reports of a US-Russia summit on Ukraine and hopes of reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran. Both Russia and Iran are major global energy suppliers. | However, the price drop was short-lived as global benchmark Brent crude gained on Monday to trade above $93 per barrel by 10: 00 GMT, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading around $91 per barrel. | Both benchmarks reached multiple-year highs las…
(2022-02-21). Russia ready to show what true de-communization means for Ukraine – Putin. tass.com Present-day Ukraine was wholly created by Communist Russia, Putin said…
(2022-02-21). Ukraine crisis spurs demand for world's oldest asset. rt.com 
Gold is set for the third straight week of gains as traders assess the geopolitical risks | The price of gold has risen to a nearly eight-month high of $1,902.20 per ounce, driven by safe-haven demand from nervous investors amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine. | The precious metal is set for a third straight weekly gain, which is its longest run this year. The prices fell to $1,897 per ounce later on Monday on the news of an expected meeting between Russian and US presidents this week to halt the escalation of tensions in Ukraine. | Data from Refinitiv Lipper shows investors put m…
(2022-02-21). TikTok joins Russia's higher educational institutions to bolster linguistic diversity. tass.com Users will be offered to learn more about multilingualism in Russia in an interactive form…
(2022-02-21). Cuba Announces Manufacture of High-Voltage Electricity Pylons. telesurenglish.net On Monday, the Cuban industrial sector disclosed the plans for manufacturing towers for high voltage power lines, a significant achievement for the Island's economic development. | RELATED: | Mecánica Fabric Aguilar Noriega company, from the Villa Clara province, alongside other factories of the Island, have programmed the production of 131 steel towers for high-voltage power transmission lines in the current year, facilitating…
(2022-02-21). ELN announces economic shutdown throughout Colombia. colombiareports.com Guerrilla group ELN announced its first economic shutdown since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The "armed strike" that will begin on Wednesday, the ELN said on a guerrilla website…
(2022-02-21). Australia urged to stop 'maliciously spreading disinfo'. rt.com 
Canberra claimed that Beijing's vessel directed a laser at an Australian aircraft | Beijing has accused Australia of spreading fake news after Canberra claimed that a Chinese vessel had directed a military laser at an Australian warplane within the latter's exclusive economic zone. | Speaking in a regular press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that the country's ship was abiding by international law and had not committed any wrongdoing against the Australian warplane. | "The Chinese vessel sailing in the high seas complies with relevant international law and international…
(2022-02-21). 'Politics as Usual' Will Never Be a Solution to the Current Climate Threat (or to Nuclear War). transcend.org 17 Feb 2022 – There is an ever-growing consensus that the climate crisis represents humanity's greatest problem. Indeed, global warming is more than an environmental crisis — there are social, political, ethical and economic dimensions to it. (Commentary added by Roger Kotila)…
(2022-02-21). CA SEIU Tops Pushing Union Busting 2 Tier "Non-Profits" Like HealthRight360 Harming Workers. indybay.org Top SEIU California officials are pushing a statewide privately run "non-profit" health system called HealthRight 360 which is undermining thousands of SEIU public healthcare workers. They are supporting a two tier healthcare system with lower wages and benefits than those in the public sector. They are doing the same work as public worker with lower pay, benefits and rights.
(2022-02-21). Oakland ILWU. OEA, Students & Community Rally To Stop Privatization & Union Busting. indybay.org Hundreds of ILWU Longshoreman, OEA teachers, students, labor and community activists rallied against the privatization of the Port Of Oakland Howard Terminal to the GAP A's billionaire owner John Fisher for a stadium and 3,000 condos and also against the closure of public schools in Oakland.
(2022-02-21). Eco-Justice, People Power, Documentary Premiere- "We Still Here" indybay.org CubaCaribe announces a special community screening of We Still Here / Nos Tenemos, the latest documentary by award winning filmmaker by Eli Jacobs-Fatauzzi in collaboration with Defend Puerto Rico, FistUpTV and Clenched Fist Productions. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Bay Area filmmakers Eli and Kahlil Jacobs-Fantauzzi along with a dynamic live music and dance performance by Aguacero.
(2022-02-21). New Data Shows US Government Has Been Bought For $14 Billion. popularresistance.org There are a lot of reasons so many people hate the two corporate parties, but one of the biggest ones might be just how thoroughly they are bought off by the "One Percent." (And no, I don't mean the percentage of people who like Trident's new Indian Curry Explosion‚Ñ¢ chewing gum.) I'm referring to the One Percent who are disgustingly wealthy — people who own ponies for their children to play with and children for their ponies to play with. Those individuals essentially own all our politicians. (Also for their children to play with. … Which explains why Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibra…
(2022-02-21). A Growing Wave Of Litigation Spurs Climate Action. popularresistance.org In France, three non-governmental organizations sued the oil company Total over alleged "inadequate" environmental and human rights assessments of its oil project in Uganda and Tanzania. In Australia, a student filed a consumer complaint with Ad Standards against the financial services organization HSBC for claiming to support the protection of the Great Barrier Reef despite its links to fossil fuel operations. In South Africa, three civil society organizations launched a case alleging that the government's plans to obtain new coal power threaten various constitutional rights. | These are just a handful of the hu…
(2022-02-21). Inflation: Walmart Locks Up $20 Ribeye Steaks To Prevent Theft. moguldom.com Walmart has started locking up $20 packs of ribeye steaks behind metal cages as some retail and law enforcement lobbyists cite eye-popping figures for rising retail theft rates across the U.S. A 12-second video that went viral on TikTok showed a $20.83 pack of ribeye steaks chained up with wire and an electronic security lock …
(2022-02-21). Surging inflation could hurt Biden in lead up to U.S. midterm elections. ecns.cn With many Americans having difficulty making ends meet when food, housing and gasoline have risen substantially, the incumbent U.S. president could feel the pain in this year's congressional midterm elections.
(2022-02-21). Canadian teacher sues Israel lobby group. electronicintifada.net Javier Davila fights back against B'nai Brith's false accusations of anti-Semitism.
(2022-02-21). Students Say Yale, Stanford and MIT's Fossil Fuel Investments Are Illegal. truthout.org 
Students at five leading universities have filed legal complaints accusing their colleges of breaking a little-known law by investing in the fossil fuel companies responsible for the climate emergency. | The students from Yale, MIT, Princeton, Stanford and Vanderbilt wrote to the attorneys general of their respective states on Wednesday asking authorities to investigate breaches of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act, which requires universities to invest in a manner consiste…
(2022-02-21). Credit Suisse Slams 'Concerted Effort to Discredit Bank' by Failed Due Diligence Claims in Data Leak. sputniknews.com The massive trove of data on more than 18,000 bank accounts, opened between the 1940s and the 2010s, was leaked by a self-described whistleblower to the German newspaper Sàºddeutsche Zeitung, which shared it with a nonprofit journalism group, the Organsed Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.
(2022-02-21). What is Marxism-Leninism? Introducing a new series on The Science of Revolution. fightbacknews.org This is the beginning of a new series on Marxist-Leninist theory. Fight Back! News is publishing this series of short articles in the interest of furthering the critical task of fusing Marxism with the workers' movement. Marx stressed that the purpose of theory is to understand the world so as to change the world, and this series hopes to help give activists in the people's struggles a better grasp of these theoretical tools. But let's begin with an overview: when we say we are Marxist-Leninists, what does that mean? What is Marxism-Leninism, and why is it important? | In the essay Three Sources and Three Compone…
(2022-02-21). Where did the Dependency Approach go? mronline.org 
Capitalism, it seems, had been deemed too messy a concept to provide much use to researchers in explaining phenomena.
(2022-02-21). Co-Founder Of Top Crypto Exchange: Bitcoin Won't See Another Bull Market Until 2024 Or 2025, Here's Why. moguldom.com Bitcoin may not see a bull market until late 2024 or the beginning of 2025, predicted Du Jun, co-founder of top cryptocurrency exchange Huobi. Huobi is a Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange that was founded in China in 2013. Du's prediction is contrary to what others said during the recent bull market. Some crypto experts predicted that Bitcoin …
(2022-02-21). Lee Camp: New Data Shows US Government Has Been Bought For $14 Billion. mintpressnews.com 
No wonder the latest polls show both corporate parties are thoroughly disliked. It's time to acknowledge that our system has been 100% purchased by the One Percent, and that even the best candidate on their best day is still no better than a Zungenwurst.
(2022-02-21). Friday 2/18: Black History Month: Almost 2 years after the George Floyd uprising, what's at stake? indybay.org Virtual event. Register: bit.ly/struggle-continues…
(2022-02-21). Malcolm's Growing Socialist, Anti-imperialist, Anti-Zionist and Pan-African Outlook Made Him Target of the "Deep State"—Like So Many Others Under COINTELPRO. covertactionmagazine.com Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has now cleared Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam who were wrongfully convicted of Malcolm's …
(2022-02-21). Cuba's Díaz-Canel: 'We All Have a Moral Obligation to Provide Haiti Substantial and Unconditional Cooperation'. orinocotribune.com Statement by Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, and President of the Republic of Cuba, during the International Conference for the Financing of the Reconstruction of the Southern Peninsula of Haiti, February 16, 2022, Year 64 of the Revolution. | (Transcript: Presidency of the Republic) | His Excellency Ariel Henry, Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti; | Her Excellency Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; distinguished guests: Once again, what brings us together here is the human drama Haiti is facing, the poorest nation in…